Kashmir Reader

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has suspended Project Freedom, to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, claiming progress in negotiations with Iran toward an agreement to end the war. In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump said, Great progress has been made toward a complete and final agreement with representatives of Iran. Based []

Directs time-bound achievement of targets, key initiatives Srinagar: As a follow-up to the Budget Announcements for implementation during 202627, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat here to fast-track implementation of key Budget initiatives, with a focus on timely delivery of welfare measures for the people of Jammu []

Says aim to create voluntary network of parents, women, youth to identify early signs of drug use; joins mega Padyatra in Budgam, pledges sweeping action against smugglers Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha joined a large peoples movement in Budgam on Tuesday as part of drug-free J&K campaign and assured the citizens that every arm of []

Jammu: More than 500 people were arrested, and properties worth over Rs 14.50 crore were attached under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan, officials said on Tuesday. The campaign, a brainchild of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, was launched on April 11 from Jammu and is a key initiative aimed at combating drug abuse, []

3,952 pilgrims airlifted in 28 flights Srinagar: The outbound Haj movement from Srinagar for Haj 2026 concluded on Tuesday with the final flight taking off, marking the successful completion of a coordinated and smooth airlift operation that saw thousands of pilgrims depart for the holy journey. Executive Officer of J&K Haj Committee, Dr Shujaat Ahmad []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday attributed the BJPs West Bengal win to a significant role played by the Election Commission (EC), alongside a consolidation of Hindu votes and a fractured minority mandate. Abdullah also said the INDIA bloc needs to define its role in the political landscape of the country []

BNS convict directed to perform service from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM under supervision of Bar President PAMPORE: In a significant step towards promoting restorative justice, the Court of Munsiff/Judicial Magistrate Pampore has convicted an accused under Section 355 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and directed him to undergo community service for a period []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Bank on Tuesday posted a record profit of Rs 2,363 crore for the 2025-26 financial year. The bank, which declared the annual results here on Tuesday, said it was for the fourth consecutive financial year that the premier financial institute of Jammu and Kashmir posted record profits. The bank registered a []

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday permitted jailed Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid to meet his ailing father in AIIMS Delhi for 12 hours a day till May 10. Modifying its earlier order granting interim bail to Rashid in a terror funding case to enable him to see his father []

Srinagar: The 17th Union Territory-level meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) was today chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, who undertook a comprehensive review of the Union Territorys performance in stringent enforcement of drug laws, prosecution of offenders, and treatment and rehabilitation of victims affected by substance abuse. The meeting was attended by the []

Srinagar: Two persons have died while two others remain missing after a vehicle they were travelling in was found in a nallah near Chhattapani along the Mughal Road, officials said on Tuesday. Officials said that four persons went missing on Monday while travelling on the Mughal Road following snowfall that made the road slippery, triggering []

Budgam: National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said that the peoples verdict in the recently declared election results in four states and one Union Territory must be respected, expressing hope that the new governments would work for public welfare. Speaking to reporters at Charar-i-Sharief in central Kashmirs Budgam district, Abdullah said the decision []

CHANDIGARH: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday met President Droupadi Murmu, demanding the termination of the membership of six Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab who defected to the BJP and also pressed for the introduction of a constitutional provision allowing for the recall of members. Accompanied by party MLAs and ministers, Mann visited Rashtrapati Bhavan []

CHENNAI: A day after the counting of votes in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, focus turned towards government formation as Vijay-led TVK emerged as the single largest party. As the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam won 108 seats in the 234-member legislative Assembly, lacking a majority, Vijay wrote to Lok Bhavan, staking a claim to form the []

Pampore Court orders accused to clean premises for one month instead of jail BNS convict directed to perform service from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM under supervision of Bar President PAMPORE: In a significant step towards promoting restorative justice, the Court of Munsiff/Judicial Magistrate Pampore has convicted an accused under Section 355 of the Bharatiya []

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday permitted jailed Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid to meet his ailing father in AIIMS Delhi for 12 hours a day till May 10. Modifying its earlier order granting interim bail to Rashid in a terror funding case to enable him to see his father []

Srinagar:The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has conducted searches in connection with FIR No. 19/2017 registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, and 471 RPC of Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir (now EOW Kashmir) and arrested a habitual offender, Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir, Senior Assistant in the Health Department and resident of Tankipora []

UNITED NATIONS: China has expressed support for the election of a woman as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, saying it would be very happy to see a female leader at the helm of the global body. The UN has never seen a female leader at its helm in 80 years of its existence. []

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Monday said Iran will be blown off the face of the Earth if they attack US vessels escorting stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Trumps statement to Fox News came as Iran reportedly attacked some ships being guided through the Strait of Hormuz under Project Freedom launched by []

Chairs meeting as Darbar move offices open in Srinagar Sets governance agenda for crucial six-months Focus on early execution of dev works, dept coordination Tourism peak season, Amarnath Yatra to be govts priorities Srinagar: On the first day of the reopening of the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar after Darbar Move, marking the first full return []

CM receives warm reception, accorded Guard of Honour Omar inspects Civil Secretariat, reviews functioning, facilities for employees, public Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah received a warm reception at the Civil Secretariat Srinagar today as offices reopened in the summer capital. He was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour on the occasion. The Darbar Move, which []

Inaugurates All India Inter-University Wushu Championship at University of Kashmir Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday called upon the athletes to act as the Ambassadors of Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan and inspire the youth to shun drugs and embrace sports. The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of All India Inter-University []

Chairs 7th J&K UT Wildlife Board Meeting Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday chaired the 7th meeting of the Wildlife Board for the Union Territory of J&K, at Lok Bhavan, Srinagar. The meeting was attended by Javed Ahmed Rana, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment, and Tribal Affairs Departments; Dr. Devinder Kumar []

New Delhi: In a significant verdict, the Supreme Court has directed Jammu and Kashmir administration to appoint within eight weeks the candidates empanelled under the now-defunct Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) scheme as teachers in the Union Territory. Balancing rights of job aspirants with the constitutional mandate for quality education, a bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and []

Issue stern warning Srinagar: In a decisive crackdown under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, police in Srinagar have demolished an illegal residential structure belonging to a habitual drug peddler in the Palpora Noorbagh area. The accused, Mohammad Irfan Sheikh @ Iff, son of Mohammad Ashraf Sheikh, a resident of Pamposh Colony, Palpora []

Express gratitude for Darbar Move resumption, raise constituency issues Srinagar: Several Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from Srinagar city on Monday called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Civil Secretariat here and expressed their gratitude for the resumption of the traditional Darbar Move after a gap of several years. Those who met the []

CS calls for scaling up interactions and AI-driven interventions Srinagar: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the functioning and progress of the Jammu & Kashmir MSME Health Clinic (JKMHC), a digital initiative aimed at diagnosing, reviving and strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises across the Union Territory. The []

TVKs stunning debut reshapes Tamil Nadu politics; Congress-led UDF wins Kerala Kolkata/Chennai The BJP on Monday achieved a historic breakthrough in West Bengal, crossing the majority mark and pushing the ruling Trinamool Congress to a distant second, while also retaining Assam for another term. In Tamil Nadu, actor-politician Vijays TVK made a stunning debut, emerging []

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thirteen members of the 21-member LDF cabinet led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan were defeated in the Kerala Assembly elections as the ruling front suffered a major setback across the state. Of the 21 ministers, only the Chief Minister, K Rajan (Revenue), G R Anil (Civil Supplies), K N Balagopal (Finance), P Prasad (Agriculture), []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday filed a charge-sheet against 11 accused, including four Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) officials and seven beneficiaries for alleged violations in a building permission case involving illegal constructions in Srinagar. In a statement, a spokesperson said the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau presented Charge sheet against []

NEW DELHI: Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid on Monday urged the Delhi High Court to modify its earlier order granting him one-week interim bail in a terror funding case and allow him to be with his ailing father, who has been shifted to AIIMS Delhi from Srinagar. A bench of Justices Prathiba []

Srinagar: A woman on Monday shot her herself to dead with a 12 Bore rifle in Dudran area of Boniyar on North Kashmirs Baramulla district. Officials said that today a woman killed herself by using a 12 bore rifle in Boniyar. Soon a team of police reached the spot and shifted the body to hospital []

CHENNAI: New entrant TVK, led by actor-politician Vijay, was on course for a surprise electoral show on Monday, leading in as many as 98 constituencies when counting of votes polled in the April 23 Assembly elections was on across Tamil Nadu, leaving behind the Dravidian heavyweights DMK and AIADMK. The DMK had little to smile []

CHIKKAMAGALURU (KARNATAKA): BJP candidate from the Sringeri Assembly constituency, who was defeated in the 2023 election, D N Jeevaraj, has been declared elected as MLA by the returning officer after recounting of postal ballots. The announcement was made after the reverification and recount of postal ballots, as per the High Court order. The reverification and []

Urges Centre to bridge trust deficit, calls for CBMs, release of prisoners,restoration of rights SRINAGAR: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, on Sunday accused the government of lacking a comprehensive plan to tackle rising unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the ruling party misled the public during election campaign by making false []

Assures support for free, fearless journalism SRINAGAR: On the occasion of International Press Freedom Day, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq extended his heartfelt appreciation to journalists and members of the media fraternity for their unwavering commitment to truth and public service. In a statement, Tanvir Sadiq lauded the resilience and dedication []

Case registered ANANTNAG: In its sustained drive against narcotics cultivation and drug-related activities, J&K Police has successfully detected and destroyed an illegally cultivated opium poppy crop spread over approximately 04 marlas of orchard land in the Larnoo area of Anantnag. Police Station Larnoo received credible information through reliable sources that one person identified as Gh []

BUDGAM: Continuing its drive against drug menace under Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan, J&K Police have arrested two drug peddlers in Budgam and Shopian and recovered contraband substance from their possession. In Budgam, a police party of Police Station Khag near Sugen crossing intercepted and apprehended a suspicious person identified as Fairoz Ahmed Sheikh, son []

FIR registered PULWAMA: In a significant action against illegal timber smuggling, J&K Police in Pulwama successfully foiled an attempt to conceal illicit forest timber and recovered a substantial quantity of illegally stored timber during a well-coordinated raid in the Sangerwani area. Acting on reliable information received by Police Post Sangerwani regarding illegal forest timber concealed []

DC oversees arrangements ANANTNAG: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026 was conducted smoothly on Sunday at 29 designated examination centres across District Anantnag. In preparation for the event, the District Administration had made elaborate arrangements in advance, deploying adequate manpower and logistics alongside robust security and surveillance protocols to ensure full integrity of the []

BANDIPORA: In a humanitarian outreach initiative aimed at promoting healthcare and community welfare, the Indian Army in collaboration with the District Administration Bandipora on Sunday organised a free medical camp at Govt. Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Mantrigram, Bandipora, with support from ASG Eye Hospital and Paras Hospitals. The camp witnessed overwhelming participation from local residents, []

JAMMU: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, Information Technology, and Science & Technology, Satish Sharma on Sunday lauded the spirit of selfless services and called for a collective commitment towards building a compassionate and resilient society. He was speaking at the Unsung Everyday Heroes Awards 2026 (Jammu & []

BENGAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS 2026 KOLKATA: Strong rooms across West Bengal have been placed under a multi-layered security blanket ahead of the counting of votes for the Assembly elections on Sunday, with heightened political rhetoric of EVM tampering by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) adding to the tension on the ground. Over 1,500 security personnel have been []

NEW DELHI: In a politically charged development, BJP MP Raghav Chadha is set to meet President Droupadi Murmu on May 5 to raise concerns over alleged misuse of state machinery in Punjab to target MPs who recently switched from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), sources said on Sunday. Chadha []

Launches major campaign against drug abuse, narco-terrorism in Srinagar This is vision we pursue, dream we must fulfil, legacy we owe future generations Srinagar: In the war against drug abuse and narco-terrorism, every step matters. Every effort counts. Every contribution brings victory closer. Together, let us envision a Jammu Kashmir where no child is lost []

Worlds first OptoSAR satellite launch New Delhi: Bengaluru-based space start-up GalaxEyes Mission Drishti satellite was launched on Sunday aboard SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket from California. Mission Drishti is the worlds first OptoSAR satellite, integrating electro-optical (EO) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors into a single operational platform, according to the company. While EO sensors capture []

Economic crisis, editorial pressure threaten press freedom: Editors Guild New Delhi: Several prominent journalists, representing different organisations, have expressed concern over the present status of media professionals in different places and press freedom. Press Association president C K Naik, Editors Guild of India general secretary Raghavan Srinivasan and Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia (FCC) []

Hajin: A free medical camp was organised in Hajin on Sunday by Doctors Hub in collaboration with the GR Beigh Memorial Foundation, providing much-needed healthcare services to local residents. The camp was inaugurated by Ishtiyaq Ahmad Beigh the presence of National Executive Member of AISTF Mir Bashir Ahmad , Khursheed Ahmad Wani. Officials said that []

Urges probe into regional disparities Srinagar: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), the Valleys apex industrial chamber, on Sunday said it will shortly submit a white paper to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the implementation of the New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS). The Chamber said that while the scheme was conceived to promote []

Theyre trying to erase J&Ks identity Srinagar: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday claimed the BJP dispensation at the Centre and National Conference government were trying to erase Jammu and Kashmirs unique identity by targetting Islamic institutions and religious symbols in the Union territory. First they shut down the Madinatul Uloom, where students were taught []