Kashmir Reader

Directs befitting arrangements, sensitization of participants regarding significance of national event SRINAGAR: Ensure meticulous and befitting arrangements for the celebration of national festival, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg directed officers while finalizing arrangements for the forthcoming Republic Day in a meeting held at TRC, Srinagar. Emphasizing the significance of Republic Day, the Divisional Commissioner stressed []

Raises concerns over harassment of Kashmiri shawl sellers in Himachal Khuehami says Khera assuredof take up matter with HP Chief Minister SRINAGAR: Following the recent incidents of harassment and targeted assaults against Kashmiri shawl sellers across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana, a delegation of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), led by its National []

SRINAGAR: The 14th Annual Raising Day of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was celebrated on Monday with great enthusiasm at the premises of SDRF 1st Battalion, Srinagar. The occasion was marked by an impressive march past by contingents of SDRF, NDRF, and the Pipe Band. Imtiyaz Hussain Mir, Director Civil Defence & SDRF Kashmir []

SRINAGAR: Jammu & Kashmirs forest guards and foresters, the first line of defence of our forests and wildlife, have appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Forest Minister Javed Rana for urgent intervention against long-pending injustice in pay and service benefits. Despite performing 247 high-risk, technical and law-enforcement dutiesincluding night patrols, fire-fighting, anti-smuggling operations and []

SRINAGAR: The Department of Chemical Engineering, in collaboration with the Dean Alumni and International Affairs, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, on Monday organised an interactive session with renowned innovator and industrialist Dr. Pradeep Tyle, a distinguished alumnus of the institute, under its flagship Life Beyond Classroom (LBC) programme. The interaction, held at the Department []

SRINAGAR: Police in Kulgam along with CAPF, GRPF, Fire & Emergency service conducted a mock drill exercise at Railway Station Qazigund to assess emergency response mechanisms and preparedness in handling critical situations. The mock drill was held to prepare field forces to respond promptly to any untoward incident especially of a terror nature with quick []

Contraband substances seized SRINAGAR: As part of its sustained efforts to eradicate the menace of drugs from society, police have arrested three drug peddlers in south Kashmirs Shopian and Pulwama districts and recovered contraband substances from their possession. In Shopian, during routine naka checking by police party of Police Post Wachi at NaghardBabpora, intercepted a []

Insurance sector set for strong expansion NEW DELHI: Moodys Ratings on Monday projected Indias economy to grow by 7.3 per cent in the current fiscal year, saying the strong expansion will support average household incomes and boost demand for insurance protection. In a report on Indias insurance sector, the global ratings agency said the industry []

Srinagar: The body of Showkat Ahmad Sheikh, one of the victims of 2024 Gandbal boat tragedy, was recovered from the Jhelum river on Monday, bringing an end to the prolonged search operation, locals said. Locals from the area informed that the missing man, whose body had remained untraced since the tragedy, was found and retrieved []

JAMMU: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday flagged growing religious polarisation in the country, alleging that hate politics was being fuelled for electoral gains, and questioned who was responsible for spreading divisive narratives in Jammu. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a party function here, the former chief minister said the people in []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss various matters concerning the Union Territory. In a post on X, the office of the Chief Minister, said that Omar Abdullah met the Home Minister in New Delhi today. It said the Chief Minister discussed []

Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg on Monday said that all arrangements have been completed by the administration for smooth Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar. Speaking with reporters here, Anshul Garg, said that children are excited to take part in cultural programmes, and rehearsals have already begun at the Bakhshi stadium. He said that illumination []

Jammu: A toy balloon bearing the logo of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was found in an open field in the border area of Kachriyal, Pallanwala in Akhnoor tehsil of Jammu district on Monday morning, officials said. A police official said that local residents noticed the balloon and immediately informed the police. Acting on the information, []

Srinagar: Three flights have been cancelled at the Srinagar International Airport on Monday following the closure of the airspace in Delhi for Republic Day rehearsals and related security measures, officials said. An airport official said that three flights scheduled for today were cancelled due to airspace closure in Delhi, while rest of the flight are []

Srinagar : The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch, Kashmir, has filed a charge sheet against a former Public Health Engineering (PHE) department employee for allegedly fraudulently availing migrant relief amounting to 18.30 lakh, officials said. The charge sheet, as per statement, has been presented before the Court of the 19th Electricity []

HONG KONG: Chinas economy expanded at a 5 per cent annual pace in 2025, buoyed by strong exports despite Trumps tariffs. However, growth slowed to 4.5 per cent in the last quarter of the year, the government said Monday. That was the slowest quarterly growth since late 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The economy, the []

Flags fresh harassment of traders in three States Urges Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Sunday urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene urgently in view of a fresh and alarming wave of harassment, intimidation, and targeted assaults against Kashmiri shawl sellers across Himachal Pradesh, []

Pledge to build brighter Jammu & Kashmir, work with dedication Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday asked the youth to dream big, aim high and pursue it with full courage and unshakable resolve. Your future is waiting for you. Take a pledge to build brighter J&K and work with dedication. The history remembers those []

Jammu: Eight soldiers of the Army were injured in a gunfight with militants in a remote forested area in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmirs Kishtwar district on Sunday, officials said. The intense exchange of fire between the two sides lasted several hours before the guns fell silent. Reinforcements have been deployed to strengthen []

Srinagar: National Conference (NC) President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Sunday lauded the efforts of Omar Abdullah-led government in revitalizing Jammu and Kashmir tourism sector, a critical pillar of the regions economy. He said this in a press release issued from the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha. Dr Farooq highlighted that the revival of tourism has been instrumental []

Says womens economic empowerment essential in todays world Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday reviewed the ongoing development works of Pachokhar Digital Library dedicated to Nari Shakti at Zamania, Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh through virtual mode. The Lieutenant Governor commended the Pachokhar Digital Library initiative aimed at strengthening the resolve of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao []

Over 92,000 units established under this programme Jammu: For decades, agricultural interventions across the country largely followed a familiar pattern of rolling out schemes, extending subsidies and measuring success through beneficiary counts. While this approach ensured visibility, it often failed to deliver durable outcomes, particularly in regions marked by fragile ecologies, scattered landholdings and complex []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Crime Branch Kashmir, has registered a criminal case against seven individuals for allegedly cheating and duping innocent people, particularly unemployed youth, on the pretext of providing government jobs. The case originated from a written complaint received by the EOW, wherein it was alleged that certain persons were fraudulently inducing []

Repetitive, recall-based questions fail to develop analytical skills and leave students ill-prepared for the future, despite NEP 2020s clear reform direction Nowsheen Mushtaq For nearly fifteen years, the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) examinations have followed a repetitive and predictable pattern. Questions are recycled from previous years, structures remain unchanged, and entire []

Glorifying rank-holders ignores effort, damages confidence, and pushes many into silent distress, while those who question, create, and lead often go unrecognised By Andleeb Jan An unhealthy trend has quietly taken root around the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) results, and I genuinely feel it needs to be talked about. Board results []

rinagar: The Kashmir valley is likely to witness a change in weather conditions from January 19, with the Meteorological Department forecasting snowfall during the coming days, officials said. The department has predicted partly to generally cloudy weather on January 19, with light snowfall at isolated higher reaches, which is expected to be insignificant. On []

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Crime Branch Kashmir, has registered a criminal case against seven individuals for allegedly cheating and duping innocent people, particularly unemployed youth, on the pretext of providing government jobs. The case originated from a written complaint received by the EOW, wherein it was alleged that certain persons were fraudulently inducing []

Lauds Jammus civil society, trade bodies, lawyers, public for rejecting demand for separation, upholding unity SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar Saturday reaffirmed that the foremost agenda of the Omar Abdullah government is to place Jammu and Kashmir firmly on the path of development, stability and inclusive growth, asserting []

Surinder Choudhary, Satish Sharma inaugurate border sports festival 2026 at Nowshera NOWSHERA: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, on Saturday inaugurated a mega health camp organised by the 80th Infantry Brigade in collaboration with the health department and Shafa multi-speciality clinic Nowshera at Senior Secondary School, Seri, Nowshera, providing medical services to a large number of []

SONAMARG: At least three persons were injured after a vehicle skidded off the road and plunged down an embankment along the Sonamarg bypass road on Saturday evening, officials said. They said the accident occurred when an i10 car bearing registration number JK01N/5556 lost control while negotiating a curve on the bypass stretch near Sonamarg. The []

JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha released J&K Kashi Vidwat Parishads Dairy and Panchang Calendar 2026, at Lok Bhavan on Saturday. The Lieutenant Governor extended his felicitations to Padma Shri Prof Vishwa Murti Shastri, President, J&K Kashi Vidwat Parishad Jammu, editorial team, and all the members of the parishad for their dedicated efforts in promoting and []

JAMMU: Director Information, Nitish Rajora has expressed deep grief and sorrow on the tragic demise of Thakur Singh, former officer of the department, who also served as Director Public Relations, Lok Bhawan and Cultural Officer, Jammu. In his message, the Director said that Thakur Singh had served the department in various capacities and his contribution []

BANDIPORA: Hajin police arrested a drug peddler and recovered 6.7 kilograms of bhang powder from his possession. Acting on specific information, a police party from Police Station Hajin, led by SHO PS-Hajin, conducted a naka check at Ladipora Gund Prang. During the routine check, they noticed a suspicious pedestrian carrying a nylon bag. Upon searching []

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), Jammu, on Saturday organised a book release function at K. L. Saigal Hall, Jammu, for the release of Kadma De Nishan, a Punjabi short story collection authored by Sharanjeet Kaur Sandhu, an emerging Punjabi writer. The function was graced by Harbans Kaur Bali as []

BHADERWAH: The two-day Winter Carnival- 2026 being organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Jammu & Kashmir (UT) through the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu in collaboration with the District Administration Doda and the Bhaderwah Development Authority (BDA) commenced today at Guldanda, Bhaderwah with great enthusiasm. Featuring a variety of cultural and recreational activities, the []

RAMBAN: As part of the ongoing Veterans Day celebrations, the Delta Force of the Indian Army on Saturday organised a Veterans Meet at Maitra- Ramban, with a focus on the welfare and well-being of veterans, Veer Naris and Veeranganas of the district. The event witnessed the participation of over 150 veterans, Veer Naris and Veeranganas, []

Sakeena Itoo addresses National Technical Conclave on ISM at GCET Jammu Lays foundation stone for Canteen block, inaugurates colleges PRISM portal JAMMU: Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo on Saturday remarked that Education is a powerful weapon which can change the dynamics of the world, adding that semiconductor technologies are []

Inaugurates two-day National Level Sports Conference at Jammu Says sports can become powerful tool for holistic development of youth Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday inaugurated the two-day National Level Sports Conference SRIJAN, organised by Department of Youth Services and Sports at Jammu. The Conference will identify the actionable strategies to further strengthen []

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday stressed that sports must be insulated from politics to ensure fair opportunities for talented youth. Inaugurating the two-day National Level Sports Conference SRIJAN here, he asserted that it will identify the actionable strategies to further strengthen sports systems in the Union Territory. The conference, []

Devotees throng Hazratbal Srinagar: Kashmir observed Shab-e-Meraj with religious fervour, as the historic Hazratbal Shrine witnessed one of the largest congregations on Friday night. Hundreds of devotees thronged Hazratbal Shrine, which houses the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) last night. The holy night was marked by uninterrupted prayers and heartfelt supplications that filled the []

Srinagar: After Awantipora and Tral, residents of Pampore in south Kashmirs Pulwama district have stepped up their demand for the grant of district status, saying the move is essential for balanced regional development and improved administrative efficiency. The demand was highlighted by the Regional Development Forum Pampore, which said that Pampores historical importance, industrial presence []

Tanvir Sadiq moves resolution in J&K Assembly Urges Centre, NMC to reconsider decision Srinagar: Ruling National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq has submitted a resolution in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, calling upon the Centre to review the decision to revoke the permission for MBBS course to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College. The National Medical []

Kulgam: A prolonged dry spell in Kashmir has pushed several major water bodies to critically low levels, with the Veshow Nallaha key tributary of the River Jhelumcompletely drying up in south Kashmirs Kulgam district. Locals told KNO that not a single drop of water is visible in the nallah, which serves as a vital source []

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday said the National Conference government is actively considering regularisation of Rahbar-e-Khel (ReK) teachers. Under the scheme, youngsters were selected to provide physical education teachers to government schools in 2019 and it entails the phased regularisation of appointees upon completing seven years of satisfactory and []

Students travelled via commercial flights with Indian Embassy support More arrivals expected as evacuation remains on hold Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Saturday said that over three dozen Kashmiri students have safely returned to India from Iran. The Association, in a statement issued here, said that the students travelled on two []

NEW DELHI: Faridabad-based Al Falah University had appointed three doctors two arrested by the National Investigation Agency and the third an alleged suicide bomber of the November 2025 Red Fort area blast apart from other specialists without police verification or scrutiny, the Enforcement Directorate has found. The agency, as part of its money []

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said if God is willing, the party could have its mayor in Mumbai, remarks coming a day after the BJP-Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena combine won the civic elections in the financial capital. A day after the BJP-Sena combine wrested the Mumbai civic body from the Thackerays []

HYDERABAD: Thanking the people of Maharashtra for electing 125 of its candidates as corporators in various Municipal Corporations in the western state, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday said the parties that lost the polls should introspect. Addressing a press conference, Owaisi said the AIMIM party is gearing up to contest Municipal polls in Telangana []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Crime Branch Kashmir, has registered a case against an ex-police employee for allegedly cheating several individuals by promising government jobs and issuing fake appointment orders. The accused is said to have duped victims of nearly Rs. 23 lakhs using forged documents and false assurances. According to a statement, []

Emphasizes fool-proof security, other arrangements JAMMU: Speaker Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Advocate Abdul Rahim Rather, on Friday stressed on ensuring fool-proof security arrangements and other logistical preparedness for smooth and seamless conduct of upcoming Budget Session of Assembly scheduled to commence from 2nd February, 2025. The Speaker issued these directions while chairing a high []