Kashmir Reader

Srinagar: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Jammu & Kashmir on Friday said it has filed a chargesheet against a Naib Tehsildar and a Patwari from Uri in Baramulla district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe to provide revenue documents. Officials said one of the accused was caught red-handed while accepting Rs 50,000 during []

Srinagar:Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, while speaking at the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid Srinagar, said: After a long time, I stand before you at Jama Masjid. Access to this central place of worship for the Muslims of Kashmir is repeatedly curtailed at the will of authorities. Eid prayer was denied, as were many []

Srinagar: Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday ordered a thorough and impartial magisterial probe into the killing of an alleged terrorist in an encounter in the Arhama area of central Kashmirs Ganderbal district. In a post on X, office of LG,informed that he has ordered a thorough and impartial magisterial inquiry []

Srinagar 3 April 2026: In a landmark development, the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh at Srinagar has dismissed a petition seeking quashing of FIR No. 40/2025, registered at Ram Munshi Bagh Police Station, and directed the police to proceed with the investigation without delay and present the challan before the competent court. []

Over 350 players from 13 districts showcase talent at Srinagar event under My Youth My Pride initiative SRINAGAR: The 5th Jammu & Kashmir UT-Level Carrom Championship 202526 concluded successfully on Thursday at the Sher-i-Kashmir Indoor Sports Complex, Wazirbagh, after three days of competitive play and enthusiastic participation. The championship was organized by the Jammu & []

NEW DELHI: IPL founder Lalit Modi stirred debate on social media after taking an apparent dig at franchise owners, following a viral on-field exchange involving Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka during IPL 2026 clash between LSG and DC. LSG suffered a disappointing six-wicket defeat at home, a result that not only exposed concerns []

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahmans sudden ouster from Kolkata Knight Riders has been termed unfortunate by IPL chairman Arun Singh Dhumal. Mustafizur, who was bought for Rs 9.5 crore ahead of the 2026 season, was released following instructions from the BCCI, sparking backlash and wider controversy. I would only say it was unfortunate. Beyond []

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday reiterated strict restrictions on the broadcast and display of election-related content during the silence period, along with a ban on exit polls for the 2026 Assembly elections and associated bye-elections, cautioning that violations would invite legal action. The Commission had on March 15 announced the []

NEW DELHI: India has secured the best trade deal with the United States among competing economies and is pushing for preferential market access under the agreement, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday. Preferential market access allows reduced or no tariffs on certain products. Speaking to reporters after the recent World Trade []

Attacks Congress for years of neglect NAGAON (ASSAM): With the Assam Assembly elections drawing closer, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing it of neglecting the state during its years in power and challenging Rahul Gandhi to account for its record. Addressing a rally in Nagaon, Shah []

NEW DELHI: In a decisive step to resolve a prolonged issue, Parliament on Thursday approved the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, officially declaring Amaravati as the permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh. The Rajya Sabhas approval came a day after the Lok Sabha cleared the legislation, ending years of ambiguity over the states capital. The []

Budget Session-2026Calling Attention Motion Says govt vows to balance growth with environmental protection JAMMU: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday informed that 527 stone crusher units are operational in Jammu and Kashmir following due process, with development works unaffected by the non-functional units. The Deputy Chief Minister stated this while replying to a Calling []

Says new portal fully functional; receives 11 applications JAMMU: The government on Thursday informed that significant governance reforms with automated scrutiny and end-to-end digital processing has been embraced by the Housing and Urban Development department (HUDD) under Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) and Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) for seamless submission of building permission applications. []

JAMMU: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Thursday said that the Cancer institutes and Oncology departments in Jammu and Kashmir are functioning as Day Care Centres exclusively for the administration of chemotherapy for solid tumours and these services are being provided strictly in accordance with the mandatory guidelines issued by Tata Memorial []

Says no immediate shortage of essentials in J&K Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the developments at the international level remain beyond the control of both the Union government and the people, asserting that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir will largely mirror the broader national scenario. He said the Union territory is []

Thiruvananthapuram: If Indias neighbour thinks it can make the most of the unrest in West Asia and commit any misadventures, it will attract an unprecedented and decisive reaction, warned Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday. He was reportedly speaking at a Sainik Samman Sammelan in poll-bound Kerala. While Indias Raksha Mantri did not name or []

LG nod to 3 bills Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday introduced two bills in the legislative assembly aimed at decriminalising certain offences to ease doing business and establishing private universities in the Union Territory. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah introduced a Bill to amend certain enactments, decriminalising and rationalising offences for ease of []

Reiterates J&Ks 20% power share; compensation, employment for Ranjit Sagar Dam-affected families Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday asserted that the 1979 agreement between the Governments of Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab is a sovereign commitment that must be honoured in letter and spirit. The Chief Minister made these remarks on the floor of []

Srinagar: The police control room Kashmir on Thursday got the PHQ Budget Allocation Software (PBAS) aimed at strengthening financial transparency and accountability. In a significant step towards strengthening financial transparency, accountability, and efficiency, Ajay Shanker Singh, ICAS, Principal Chief Controller of Accounts (CCA), Ministry of Home Affairs, inaugurated the PHQ Budget Allocation Software (PBAS) at []

Srinagar: The killing of a 29-year-old man in an alleged encounter with the Army in Ganderbal has led to concern in several quarters, including from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who asked for a transparent and time bound probe. A day after the Army claimed to have killed a local terrorist during an []

Transfers top IPS officers across key posts Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday ordered a major reshuffle in the police leadership, transferring and posting several senior IPS officers across crucial positions, including CID, Crime, Traffic and range commands, with immediate effect. According to the order issued by the Home Department of Jammu and []

April 21 time-line fixed for uploading of works on BEAMS portal Govt to authorize funds early this year for projects, dev works under CAPEX DCs directed to finalise, upload district plans in consultation with MLAs Jammu: The Jammu & Kashmir Government has issued detailed guidelines and conveyed Capital Expenditure (Capex) ceilings to []

Member withdraws bill after assurance Jammu: Reaffirming its commitment to regularisation of daily wagers in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday informed the Legislative Assembly that the process will be initiated in a phased manner during the current financial year. He made these remarks while responding to a bill moved by MLA []

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday asserted that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure protection of the properties and religious shrines of displaced Kashmiri Pandits until their safe and dignified return to the valley. Opposing a private members bill tabled by National Conference legislator Arjun Singh Raju in []

Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that the Tourism Department is taking steps to strengthen training, registration and regulatory mechanisms for tourism stakeholders to ensure safety, quality and responsible tourism practices across Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq during the Question Hour []

Chairs meeting with DCs, SSPs Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday directed for adopting a Zero Tolerance Policy against the drug menace in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir. He was chairing a high-level meeting with Deputy Commissioners, SSPs and senior officials of the Civil and Police administration at Lok Bhavan, Jammu. The Lieutenant []

Highlights efforts to improve infrastructure, edu, livelihood opportunities Jammu: Border villages are Indias first line of defence, and the residents are the first face of India that any outsider sees. Border residents are not only first in courage, sacrifice, and patience but you also stand first in the priorities of our Honble Prime Minister Shri []

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to discuss a strategic collaboration between SKUAST Jammu and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) for strengthening evidence-based policy-making and sustainable agricultural transformation in the Union Territory. The meeting was attended by Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma, Additional Chief Secretary, []

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday appealed to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to reopen the tourist places that were closed in the wake of last years Pahalgam terror attack. Mufti said several delegations from Anantnag called on her during her visit to the south Kashmir district on Wednesday []

Jammu: For the first time after assuming power in Jammu & Kashmir in 2024, the ruling National Conference allowed the introduction of a Private Members Bill seeking the renewal of lease rights for existing occupants whose leases have expired. The Bill aims to restore the Jammu and Kashmir Land Grants Act, 1960, and its rules []

Jammu: Cutting across party lines, MLAs on Wednesday expressed concern over the absence of bureaucrats in the Legislative Assembly during Question Hour. As Question Hour was nearing its end, NC MLA Nazi Gurezi alleged that bureaucrats were taking the House lightly. Pointing to the officers gallery, the legislator said, You look towards the gallery. This []

DUBAI: Iran hit an oil tanker off the coast of Qatar and Kuwaits airport on Wednesday, while airstrikes battered Tehran even as US President Donald Trump said he was nearly ready to wind down the war and claimed that Irans president wanted a ceasefire. Iran had no immediate response to Trumps claim on social media []

Jammu: National Conference MLA Bashir Ahmad Veeri on Wednesday broke down in the Assembly while pleading with fellow legislators and the government to allow the introduction of his reservation-related bill. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Bashir Ahmad Veeri pleaded with the Government to allow the introduction of his bill. I have only one son. He []

GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited a tea garden in Dibrugarh district in poll-bound Assam on Wednesday and plucked leaves along with women workers. Modi asserted that tea is the soul of Assam, and described his visit to the estate, where he plucked the leaves and put them into a traditional basket, as a memorable []

Srinagar:The Special Crime Wing, Srinagar of Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet in case FIR No. 02/2025 under Sections 420 and 201 IPC against Farhat Abbas Malik S/o Din Mohammad Malik R/o Tendala, Tehsil Chilipingal, District Doda, before the Honble Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar. In a handout, the CBK said that the case []

DUBAI: Israel said early Wednesday it struck a plant supplying Irans theocracy with fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, to allegedly use in a chemical weapons programme. Iran acknowledged the strike on Tofigh Daru factory, but insisted it only supplied hospital drugs used in medical operations. The strike happened Tuesday, both Israel and Iran said. Iran []

Srinagar: An unidentified militant has been killed on Wednesday morning in the Arhama forest area of central Kashmirs Ganderbal district. Taking on micro-blogging platform X, the armys Chinar Corps wrote, During the night of 31 Mar 26, the cordon was tactically reorganised amidst the intermittent firing underway. Own troops effectively retaliated with calibrated response []

DUBAI: US President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday that the responsibility for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open should belong with countries that rely on it, rather than the US. He said theres no reason for us to do this. Trump expressed frustration earlier Tuesday with allies who have been unwilling to do more to []

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump cares deeply about the US-India relationship, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Tuesday after meeting Trump at the White House. Back in the US for a few days. First stop, meeting with our GREAT President in the White House. The President deeply cares about the relationship between the []

Says move comes weeks after assassination attempt on party chief Farooq Abdullah Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday expressed surprise over the withdrawal of security at National Conference headquarters in Srinagar, pointing out that the move comes barely weeks after an assassination attempt on party president and his father, Farooq Abdullah. []

Jammu: Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Tuesday said authorities must declare Jammu and Kashmir risk-free or ensure security for all, as the National Conference (NC) flagged withdrawal of security from its party headquarters in Srinagar. If leaders are not safe, the national flag they hold, unfortunately, will not be safe, he said, cautioning against a []

Srinagar: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday expressed concern over the delay in restoring statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, saying it was eroding public trust in democratic institutions. The prolonged postponement of this constitutional right is deeply unfortunate, Abdullah said while interacting with party functionaries here. Abdullah emphasised that the restoration of full statehood, []

Assures regular settlement of bills Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday informed the House that bills amounting to 12,561.31 crore under various heads, including gratuity, commutation, leave salary and contractor payments, have been cleared up to March 27, 2026, while GPF bills worth 5,821.43 crore have been settled up to December 31, 2025. The []

JAMMU: At least five glacial lakes in the Kashmir Himalaya have very high susceptibility to glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), even though they are not immediately unstable, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday. Speaking in the assembly, Abdullah said a preliminary geospatial analysis was conducted to map downstream exposure of glacial []

DUBAI: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said nations upset by high fuel prices should go get your own oil as Iran maintains its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz. Trump expressed his frustration toward allies that have been unwilling to help the US reopen the critical passageway in a social media post. Go get []

Srinagar: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday applauded the cabinets approval for the construction of the Rajbagh flyover, which will connect the Sangarmal Complex to the Rajbagh Police Station. Mr. Bukhari recalled how former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had damaged the project during her tenure by exhibiting what []

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to target Irans energy infrastructure, including the countrys desalination plants. Such a move, and Irans possible targeting of the plants of its Gulf Arab neighbours, could have devastating impacts across the water-starved Middle East. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said if a deal to end []

DUBAI: US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened widespread destruction of Irans energy resources and other vital infrastructure, including desalination plants, if a deal to end the war with Tehran is not reached shortly. Trump said the US is negotiating with Irans parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, in an interview with the New York Post []

JAMMU: Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday called for united efforts by the government and opposition to restore the strength and dignity of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. Mufti made the remark after watching the Assembly proceedings from the speakers gallery, her first appearance in the House after the fall []

Jammu: Even as 33 proposed legislations have been listed for introduction on the first of the two days reserved for private member bills in the Legislative Assembly on Monday, all eyes are on the National Conference-led Governments stance regarding its legislator Tanvir Sadiqs bill seeking the extension of leases to current occupants. Bill has []