Kashmir Reader

Says next three months will sow seeds for lasting change in J&K Jammu: A drug-free Jammu Kashmir will emerge not from one person, but from collective action. Society must realize that drugs dont just kill individuals-they erode entire villages, wards and cities honor and destiny. Lets build a J&K where our youths energy illuminates the []

Srinagar: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Dr Sandeep Chakravarthy on Monday said that a strict zero-tolerance approach against drugs will dismantle the narcotics ecosystem in the district within the next 100 days. Speaking at a function held at Amar Singh College here, the SSP said the initiative is part of a focused 100-day action []

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy meets Chief Minister in Gulmarg Gulmarg: A study group of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy on Monday met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during its visit to the region. During the interaction, the Committee apprised the Chief Minister of the objectives of their visit and deliberated on key issues pertaining []

4,704 pilgrims to depart Srinagar: Hajj flights from Srinagar are scheduled to commence from April 18 and continue till May 20, with a total of 4,704 pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir set to undertake the pilgrimage this year. Executive Officer of the Hajj Committee, Dr Shujat Ahmed, informed KNO that 3,990 pilgrims will depart via []

Banihal/Jammu: A 25-year-old man has been reported to be missing after he was allegedly assaulted by a group of unidentified assailants and is believed to have fallen into a stream in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir. Ramban Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan and Senior Superintendent of Police Arun Gupta visited the site near Makarkoot []

Srinagar: Weather across Jammu and Kashmir will remain generally dry from April 13 to 15, with no significant activity expected across most places, Metrological Department said on Monday. A MeT official said, On April 16, the weather will remain generally dry, with a brief spell of light rain or thundershowers likely at a few places []

Jammu: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review the proposed Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives presented by IIT Jammu aimed at bringing transformational reforms in the School Education and Health sectors across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Health []

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday extended warm greetings to the people on the joyous occasion of Baisakhi, highlighting the festivals cultural and spiritual significance. In his message, the Chief Minister said that Baisakhi marks the harvest season and symbolizes prosperity, hope and new beginnings. He noted that the []

PM Balen Shah has no land, lists social media followers as main income source KATHMANDU: Just 17 days after the Nepal government led by Balen Shah came into power, cabinet members publicly revealed their assets, and the disclosures read like a dramatic mix of riches, family inheritances, and surprisingly ordinary possessions. From crores worth of []

US tops with 989 billionaires; India ranks third with 229 billionaires NEW DELHI: The world has never had more billionaires. Forbes has counted a record 3,428 10-figure fortunes across the globe this year, spread across 80 countries and territories. This number keeps climbing as technology, markets and geopolitical shifts continue to concentrate wealth at the []

SRINAGAR: Commissioner State Taxes Department, P.K. Bhat on Monday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the performance and progress of the department in the Kashmir Division. The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioners State Taxes (Adm. & Enf.) Kashmir, Parveez Ahmad Raina and State Taxes Officers of all Circles of Kashmir Division. The meeting []

SRINAGAR: The University of Kashmirs (KU) School of Law, in collaboration with the Department of Students Welfare (DSW), organised a programme to mark the launch of the 100-day Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan at the Main Campus. The initiative aimed to raise awareness among students about the harmful effects of substance abuse and to promote []

Gain hands-on training at health camp BANDIPORA: In a heartening display of compassion and community-based learning, students of PM Shri Government High School Laharwalpora took centre stage at a free health screening camp for senior citizens by bringing their grandparents for medical check-ups. The camp was organised at the Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Sub Centre), Laharwalpora, []

ANANTNAG: Deputy Inspector General of Police, South Kashmir Range, Javid Iqbal Matoo-IPS, chaired a comprehensive review meeting on crime and UAPA-related cases at the Conference Hall of DPO Anantnag. The meeting was attended by SSP Anantnag, Amod Ashok Nagpure-IPS, along with SP North Camp Aishmuqam, Rameez Raja, SO to DIG SKR Shri Syed Afaq, besides []

Call for swift, transparent investigation into incident SRINAGAR: The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association on Monday expressed deep anguish over a disturbing incident near Makarkoot in Ramban district, where a 25-year-old youth, Tanveer Ahmad Chopan; son of Abdul Salam Chopan and a resident of Pogal in Ukhral tehsil has gone missing under highly suspicious circumstances []

GANDERBAL: Central University of Kashmirs (CUKashmir) OBC, SC/ST/PwD cell in collaboration with the Dean, Students Welfare Monday organised a special lecture on B. R. Ambedkar and the Moral Foundations of Indian Democracy: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity as Social Ethics as part of the ongoing celebration of the 135th Birth Anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar []

AWANTIPORA: The Islamic University of Science and Technology organized a one-day sensitization-cum-awareness programme on drug addiction under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. The programme was hosted by the Centre for Mental Health and Wellness and witnessed participation from faculty members, university officers, Heads of Departments, coordinators, proctorial staff, and wardens. The program featured expert insights []

Sopore: Authorities on Monday ordered suspension of classwork in the educational institutions in Sopore following protests over allegations of harrasment of a girl student by a senior lecturer. Additional Deputy Commissioner Sopore, S A Raina said that academic activities at Government Higher Secondary School, Boys Higher Secondary School and Government Degree College Sopore will remain []

Srinagar: The Department of Floriculture, Gardens & Parks, Kashmir Monday announced that the Tulip Garden in Srinagar will be closed for the general public from April 16. According to a notice, the decision has been taken on the recommendation of the Tulip Committee. It was opened for the public on March 16 this []

Srinagar: A Special Anti-Corruption Court in Srinagar on Monday convicted former Patwari in a 2007 bribery case, sentencing him to one year of imprisonment and imposing a fine of Rs 10,000 for accepting a Rs 3,000 bribe to process a land mutation. In a statement a spokesperson said the special Judge, Anti-Corruption Court Srinagar, []

Anantnag: Two unidentified bodies were recovered in the Kamad area of south Kashmirs Anantnag on Monday, officials said. An official said that two unidentified bodies were spotted by locals in the Kamad area of Anantnag. He said locals informed the police after spotting the bodies, following which police reached the spot. FSL teams have also []

NEW DELHI:Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita has attended a mourning ceremony for Irans late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The ceremony was organised by the Iranian embassy on Sunday to pay respect to the departed leader on the 40th day (Chehelum) of his demise. Khamenei was killed in an Israel-US strike on []

Srinagar:The President of PSAJK, Baba Nazrul Islam, today addressed a press conference highlighting concerns regarding attempts by certain individuals to disrupt the democratic election process within the association. He strongly criticized the role of self-styled members acting beyond their mandate and urged the Apex Central Executive Committee to take immediate disciplinary action to preserve []

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said it is imperative that the 2029 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are conducted with womens reservation in place and asked all political parties to come together in one voice to pass the amendments to the womens reservation law. In a letter to the floor leaders of Lok []

Negotiations failed over trust issues Iran rejects US terms on nuclear Strait of Hormuz stability at risk Talks marked first since 1979 Global energy markets affected by failure Islamabad: The US and Iran failed to reach a peace deal at their historic 21-hour talks in Pakistan, leaving the fate of a tenuous two-week ceasefire in []

Says move could impact process to normalise ties New Delhi: India on Sunday said Chinas move to assign fictitious names to Indian territory to manufacture baseless narratives cannot alter the reality but could impact ongoing efforts to normalise bilateral ties. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi categorically rejects any mischievous attempts by []

Advance registration to commence on April 15 via both offline, online modes Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday announced that Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra will commence this year on 3 July 2026 and conclude on Raksha Bandhan, 28 August 2026, spanning a total of 57 days. The Pratham Puja, to invoke the blessings of []

Highest in three years Jammu: In a sign of a boom in the tourism sector in J&K, up to 415 building permissions were issued by tourism development authorities (TDAs) in 202526, exceeding the combined total of the preceding two financial years. Overall, 807 building permissions were granted between 2023 and 2026 in the Union territory, []

Jammu: A massive search operation was launched after suspicious movement of two individuals was reported in a village near the International Border in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Sunday. The joint search operation by police, Army and Border Security Force (BSF) is underway in Pangdour, SIDCO forest and adjoining areas, including []

Jaipur: An ex-serviceman from Rajasthan has amassed as many as 138 degrees, diplomas and certificates, far exceeding the usual count of one to five qualifications held by most individuals. Dashrath Singh, a resident of Jhunjhunu district, was recently awarded his latest qualification at the convocation of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) after he completed []

Sumayah (RA) first martyr. Safiyah (RA) fought with a spear. Umm Umarah (RA) defended the Prophet (SAW). Aisha (RA) carried the wounded. Men and women are equal in reward, punishment, human rights, and responsibility. Rutba Banday Islam, the religion of FAITH, STRENGTH, and PROSPERITY, never limited women tojustmere households. While the youth have been brainwashed []

The morning assembly is not a mere formalityit is the fountain from which all-round development springs. Yet teachers discuss family issues during assembly. A single student anchors all year. Houses exist only on paper. If your own heart is a volcano, how can you expect flowers to bloom in your hands? Muntashir Kifayat The schools []

Administration to confiscate property, revoke licenses, passports, Aadhaar, freeze bank accounts of those involved Jammu: Spearheading a decisive battle against the drug menace, the Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha on Saturday launched the historic mass movement for a Drug-Free Jammu Kashmir from MA Stadium in Jammu. The LG flagged off Padyatra and joined the public []

Says breakthrough to boost livelihoods in rural, mountainous regions Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) for achieving a significant scientific breakthrough in the research and advancement of Morel (Gucchi) mushrooms. The Chief Minister, who is also Pro-Chancellor of the university, []

Govt not keen on early Panchayat elections Srinagar: Even though the State Election Commission has initiated the process of revising Panchayat electoral rolls, the chances of holding local body elections in the near future appear bleak. Sources told the news agency KNO that the elected government is not keen on conducting Panchayat polls anytime soon. []

Srinagar: The Congress on Saturday termed the prolonged delay in restoring statehood for Jammu and Kashmir as unacceptable and said the party would continue its fight to safeguard peoples rights. The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) held a review meeting at its office here, attended by coordinators and district presidents from across Kashmir. []

Victims of fraud up to Rs 50,000 may not need court orders, call 1930 immediately Srinagar: Amid a growing surge in cyber crime cases across Kashmir, the Cyber Crime Investigation Centre for Excellence (CICE), Crime Branch Srinagar, on Saturday said over 22 lakh Rs has been recovered in the last three months, even as officials []

Jammu: The long-pending Ujh multipurpose project has received the green signal, marking a major step towards enhancing irrigation capacity in the region while reinforcing infrastructure along the border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Saturday. He also announced that the Shahpur Kandi Barrage is nearing completion, while the []

New Delhi: The combined voters list of nine states and three Union territories has been pruned by 10.2 per cent following the SIR exercise carried out by the Election Commission, with over 60 lakh dead voters removed, data shared by the poll authority and its state officials shows. When phase II of the special intensive []

Jammu: Eleven drug peddlers were arrested along with heroin at separate places in Udhampur, Poonch and Doda districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, police said. Four drug peddlers were held after 13 grams of heroin were seized during the checking of their car at Lamberi in Rajouri district, a police spokesman said. He said []

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Pakistan-mediated talks between Iran and the US commenced in Islamabad on Saturday, official sources said. The sources said the talks began with messages being exchanged through Pakistani officials, indicating that the engagement was initially indirect. If there is a positive development, the talks could also be held directly, they said. The Iranian delegation, led []

JANGIPUR (WB): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday intensified the BJPs pitch on identity and infiltration in poll-bound West Bengal, promising to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to end what he called the politics of appeasement and asserting that the BJP would not allow Bengalis to become a minority in the state. Addressing a []

Calls for safe, unimpeded navigation NEW DELHI: Expressing deep concern over the developments in West Asia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said India firmly opposes the targeting of civilians, of infrastructure and of commercial shipping while strongly demanding that navigation must remain safe and unimpeded. In these turbulent times, the situation in West []

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday informed that another 312 Indian fishermen have been safely evacuated from Iran to India via Armenia. He expressed gratitude to his Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan, and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, Another 312 Indian fishermen have []

NEW DELHI: As crucial talks between the United States and Iran commenced in Islamabad on Saturday, the Congress party expressed cautious optimism about prospects for peace while mounting a sharp critique of the Centres foreign policy, raising what it described as serious questions about Indias strategic positioning in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. In a []

BHOPAL: Asserting that the Union government is truly implementing the Jai JawanJai Kisan slogan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that the use of millets is being promoted in the armed forces to economically strengthen farmers. Singh made the remarks after inaugurating the three-day Unnat Krishi Mahotsav in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh. He said that []

SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Marking a definitive stand against substance abuse, the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) J&K successfully organized the first day of the historic 100 Day Special Campaign under the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan. As J&K has launched 100-day campaign under Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan, the Directorate of YSS has also devised []

SRINAGAR: Real Kashmir Football Club (RKFC) will look to turn their fortunes around when they face Gokulam Kerala FC in an Indian Football League (IFL) clash on Sunday (April 12) at TRC Ground, Srinagar. The match is scheduled to kick off at 4 pm and will be live on several channels. Owned by Arshad Shawl, []

The question that remains is unavoidable: will Arab governments continue to anchor themselves to a failing Israeli-American project? The knives are outand this time, they are not aimed at Tehran, but at Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu. Even the ever morally flexible Chris Christie moved quickly. The former New Jersey governor and longtime Republican insider, []

A collective open letter to Financial Commissioner, Revenue, and Commissioner Secretary, Revenue. Irrational halqas. Rs 2,400 grade pay. No technical grade. Unrealistic digitisation deadlines. A three-day pen-down strike proposed for April 13, 15, and 16. Let this moment be remembered not for unrest, but for resolution. Mir Amin Respected Sir, With utmost respect, deep regard, []