Kashmir Reader

Srinagar: Police have registered a case against four persons for impersonating Cyber Crime officials and cheating a man of rupees 50,000 in Batmaloo area of Srinagar, officials said. An official said that a complaint was received from a man alleging that four persons had cheated him by posing as officers of the Cyber Crime Department. []

Minister chairs introductory meeting, reviews functioning, stresses demarcation JAMMU: Minister for Forests, Ecology & Environment, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Altaf Ahmad Wani on Wednesdaychaired a detailed sector-wise introductory meeting of the Forest Department at Jammu to take stock of its functioning, achievements and future roadmap. The meeting was attended by Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner Secretary, []

Hands over dedicated bus for students with special needs SRINAGAR: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo, on Wednesday visited Abhinandan Home, Solina, inspected the progress of ongoing construction of a new State of the Art School Building complex at the institution, aimed to strengthen educational infrastructure and allied facilities for Kashmirs oldest institution catering specially []

Associated writes to EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Wednesday has written to External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, seeking his urgent personal intervention for the expeditious repatriation of the mortal remains of Adnan Altaf Rathar, a Kashmiri MBBS student who was tragically found dead in Bangladesh. In []

New landmark celebrates regions heritage, frontier spirit SRINAGAR: In a major initiative to unlock the tourism potential of North Kashmir and showcase the regions rich cultural and natural heritage, the Keran Heritage Centre at Pharkian, Keran Valley, was inaugurated on 04 November 2026. Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Kishanganga Valley and surrounded by []

SRINAGAR: The Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), University of Kashmir (KU), in collaboration with the Indian Distance Education Association (IDEA), began a two-day national conference on Re-imagining ODL and Online Education Across Disciplines and Pedagogies: Challenges and Prospects at the Main Campus on Wednesday. The conference aims to discuss the changing nature of []

SRINAGAR: The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) released a draft framework document titled Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines for Dairy Cattle in Kashmir as part of its observance of World One Health Day 2026 at the Faculty Outreach Centre, Shuhama. Organised by the Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of []

JAMMU: The Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) has condoled the demise of its former Deputy Director-Public Relations, Madan Lal Mantoo, popularly known as Madan Mantoo, who breathed his last here last night after suffering a massive cardiac arrest. Originally hailing from Baramulla, Madan Mantoo, by dint of hardwork, served the Department in various []

AWANTIPORA: The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) organised an outreach programme for Children with Special Needs (CWSN), in collaboration with the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Pulwama, under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. The initiative aimed at promoting inclusion, community engagement and exposure to university life. Coordinated by the Office of the Dean Outreach in []

Kashmir should protect the Jugnu before changing landscapes and growing light pollution erase a treasured summer sight Mauzam Bakshi There was a time when Kashmirs summer nights possessed a quiet, extraordinary beauty. As dusk settled over village fields, orchards and marshy landscapes, tiny points of greenish-gold light flickered above the grass and among the trees. []

Schools fall from 23,874 to 18,785 in a decade as learning levels decline The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is alarming. Government school numbers have plummetedfrom 23,874 in 201415 to 18,785 in 202324with many primary schools shut down or merged due to dwindling enrolment. The latest ASER 2024 paints a grim picture: only 47.2 per []

We celebrate women for their sacrifices, but rarely ask how many sacrifices were genuinely their choice; we praise their ability to endure, yet seldom question why they must endure so much. Perhaps it is time to stop measuring a womans greatness by how much of herself she can give away. A girl is more than []

Growing up does not mean outgrowing the need for our parents; becoming independent does not mean that we stop longing for their carewe may learn to live in different cities, adjust to unfamiliar surroundings and fulfil our professional responsibilities, but a part of us will always remain connected to the home where our story began. []

Srinagar: The dissident group of National Conference MLAs is likely to meet the party top brass on Friday in Srinagar. Sources said that all dissident MLAs are likely to meet the NC leadership on Friday morning in Srinagar. It could not be confirmed whether they would meet Dr. Farooq Abdullah or Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. []

SRINAGAR: (Six-time National Conference (NC) MLA Mubarak Gul on Wednesday declined to make any statement on his differences with the party leadership over his exclusion from the council of ministers. Gul, a former Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, had on October 27 set a November 4 deadline for the party to consider his []

WASHINGTON: Democrats have retaken control of the U.S. Senate, delivering a decisive rebuke of Republican control of governance in Washington and ushering in a new era of congressional resistance to President Donald Trump. The midterm elections that came to a close Tuesday channeled voters deep frustration with high prices, the war in Iran and concerns []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet in case FIR No. 44/2026 under Sections 318(2), 336(3) and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Pulwama, against Mushtaq Ahmad Yatoo S/o Ali Mohammad Yatoo R/o Chanpora, Rajpora, Pulwama. In a []

New Delhi: Countrys largest paramilitary force CRPF has recorded a significant milestone with no operational fatality of its troops over the last one year, a development registered after 47 years, the force chief has said. CRPF Director General (DG) G P Singh said this on Sunday on X, adding the development was specially significant as []

Srinagar: Two persons were killed after a massive fire engulfed around 80 temporary shelters at Durbal, Bemina in Srinagar during the intervening night of Nov 3-4, officials said. Officials said that the fire broke out at around 12:23 AM, engulfing approximately 80 makeshift shelters constructed from tarpaulin and wood. An empty poultry farm and a []

Accuses NC leadership of compromising J&Ks rights for power, calls for new political movement Budgam, Nov 03: National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday announced his decision to part ways with the party and called for a new political movement, accusing the NC leadership of compromising the dignity and political rights of the []

Srinagar, Nov 03: In the strongly worded statement, the National Conference (NC) termed Aga Ruhullah Mehdis speech at Budgam a manifestation of his mental and moral bankruptcy, and an example of his self-obsession. While invoking the Holy Quran and the divine message of dignity and respect for human beings, Ruhullahs speech was full of derogatory, []

Srinagar, Nov 03: Now we know why Ruhullah didnt have one word to say against the BJP, the National Conference said on Tuesday in a cryptic comment after BJP national vice-president Ram Madhav said the rally at which the Shia leader announced his resignation from the Lok Sabha and the party in Budgam had the []

Emphasises timely completion of work, adherence to quality standards Jammu, Nov 03: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inspected the ongoing construction of the New Legislative Assembly Complex in Jammu and reviewed the progress of the prestigious project, stressing the need for its timely completion while ensuring the highest standards of quality. During the inspection, the []

Jammu, Nov 03: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday distributed appointment letters to 17 candidates appointed in the Public Works (Roads and Buildings) Department here at the Civil Secretariat. The appointment letters were distributed in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B), Anil Kumar Singh, Director Finance, []

Seeks action plan within 15 days Srinagar, Nov 03: Following directions issued by the Supreme Court of India, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted a high-level committee of specialists and stakeholders to oversee the implementation of prescribed guidelines for the organisation and delivery of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) services across the Union Territory. According []

Special Judge says prosecution failed to prove recovery beyond reasonable doubt Points to missing inventory, untested bottles, absent malkhana record Srinagar, Nov 03: In a significant ruling, the Court of the Special Judge (NDPS Cases), Srinagar, has acquitted a Srinagar resident, Abdul Hai Bhat, of charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act []

NEW DELHI: An Indian sailor was killed in an attack on a commercial vessel near Limah in Oman on Monday evening, triggering strong condemnation by India. The vessel, MSV Al Jusufi, had 14 Indian nationals, 13 of whom have been rescued, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday. We condemn the attack on []

Srinagar: National Conference Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday resigned from the party, declaring that he had set myself free from the NC. Ruhullah, who won the 2024 Lok Sabha election from the Srinagar parliamentary constituency, asked Muhammad Ashraf Mattoo, father of Tutail Mattoo, who was killed in 2010 in alleged police []

Srinagar: Chief Minister today inspected the progress of construction work on the new Legislative Assembly Complex in Jammu. During the inspection, the CM reviewed the pace of execution and emphasized its time-bound completion. Officials said the six-level complex will house a modern Assembly Hall, Central Hall, visitor and press galleries, committee rooms and advanced building []

Srinagar: A 50-year-old carpenter died after falling from a height at Rawalpora area of Srinagar on Tuesday, officials said. An official said that the man, who was working as a carpenter, sustained injuries after falling from a height at a house in Rawalpora. He was shifted to SMHS Hospital Srinagar, where doctors declared him brought []

Ramban: A man was killed and two others injured after a Tata Sumo skidded off the road near Chaka Sarbagni Bus Stand in Ramban on Tuesday morning, officials said. An official said that the vehicle met with an accident and skidded off the road while negotiating a curve, resulting in the death of one person []

WASHINGTON: Americans will vote on Tuesday in one of the most consequential elections in recent times, widely seen as a referendum on Donald Trumps presidency that has been marked by a prolonged war in Iran, rising inflation, trade wars and deep divisions in society. The polling will decide whether President Trumps Republican Party retains control []

Jammu, Nov 02: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday directed ministers to fast-track ongoing development works, strengthen public grievance redressal and ensure adequate winter preparedness. He also called for a comprehensive review of the governments manifesto commitments to assess progress and identify further steps required for fulfilment. Abdullah was chairing an introductory []

Srinagar, Nov 02: All eyes will be on Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi tomorrow as he is set to announce his decision to resign from the Lok Sabha during a rally in central Kashmirs Budgam district. Ruhullah said he would resign from the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. I will resign from the Lok Sabha []

Jammu, Nov 02: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday visited the fire-ravaged Shiv Market near Jammu Railway Station and took stock of the damage caused by a massive blaze that recently gutted dozens of shops, reducing a bustling commercial stretch to rubble. The chief minister assured the affected shopkeepers that his government []

Srinagar, Nov 02: Inspector General of Police Kashmir (IGP) Zone Sujit Kumar on Monday reviewed the security grid in Srinagar city, a police spokesperson said. He said Srinagar citys security grid will be further strengthened in line with the winter security strategy. The IGP Kashmir chaired a comprehensive review meeting on the Srinagar City Security []

Jammu, Nov 02: A Village Defence Group (VDG) member and his wife died of gunshot injuries under mysterious circumstances at their residence in a remote village of Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district on Monday evening, officials said. Preliminary investigations suggest that both were hit by bullets fired from the VDG members weapon at their residence []

Assures time-bound redressal of grievances JAMMU: Reaffirming the governments commitment to responsive governance and people-centric administration, Minister for Revenue, Power Development Department (PDD), Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs, Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR), and Elections, Ali Mohammad Sagar on Monday held an extensive public interaction at Jammu, meeting several deputations and individuals who apprised []

Swift action leads to safe recovery BARAMULLA: Demonstrating prompt response, effective coordination and strong police-public cooperation, J&K Police in Baramulla successfully traced a missing minor girl within just two hours of receiving information about her whereabouts. Today, PCR Baramulla received a police signal regarding a minor girl, reported missing from Barolia, Uttar Pradesh, with her []

JAMMU: Minister for Health and Medical Education and Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo, on Monday undertook a comprehensive review of the overall health sector scenario across Jammu and Kashmir, taking stock of the functioning of healthcare institutions, availability of medical facilities, manpower position, infrastructure development and delivery of patient-care services across the Union Territory. The meeting []

BENGALURU: Sarposh, an award-winning Kashmiri restaurant and culinary experience centre based in Bengaluru, is seeking to source native and traditional ingredients directly from farmers, growers, harvesters and foragers across Kashmir. The initiative aims to build direct relationships with local producers and bring high-quality Kashmiri ingredients to the restaurant. Sarposh is particularly interested in exceptional produce, []

Over 100 screened SRINAGAR: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo on Monday inaugurated a Special Health Check-up Camp at the premises of the DC Office Complex, with the objective of promoting health awareness and facilitating access to essential healthcare services for employees and visitors. The camp was organised by the District Red Cross Society, Srinagar, []

InauguratesSabat Complex, lays foundation stone for dev works at Khanqah-e-Faiz Panah, Tral TRAL: Chairperson of the Jammu & Kashmir Waqf Board, Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, on Monday visited the historic Khanqah-e-Faiz Panah at Tral, where she laid the foundation stone for various developmental works, including a modern Wudhu Complex and a Conference Hall. She also []

Holds maiden interaction with districts journalists Calls for stronger media-administration coordination PULWAMA: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, on Monday held his first formal interaction with the districts media fraternity since assuming charge. The meeting focused on strengthening coordination between the administration and media and ensuring that information about public initiatives reaches residents effectively. []

SRINAGAR: Shaleen Kabra, a 1992-Batch IAS Officer on Monday assumed charge as Director General, Jammu & Kashmir Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development (J&K IMPA&RD). Following the assumption of charge, Shaleen Kabra held an introductory meeting with the officers, faculty members and staff of the Institute. He discussed various administrative and institutional matters []

Russia, China concerned NEW DELHI: US conservative commentator and journalist Tucker Carlson has claimed that the Trump administration could soon launch a nuclear strike on Iran under pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu The target would be Pickax Mountain in central Iran, where Israeli intelligence claims the Iranian government has restarted its nuclear enrichment []

Sees Rs 20 lakh cr opportunity NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India will seek to add 500 GW of new non-fossil power generation capacity over the next 10-11 years, signalling an acceleration of the countrys clean energy ambitions as global energy disruptions underlined the importance of reducing dependence on imported fossil []

Hajin (Bandipora: In a tribute to exceptional courage, valour and supreme sacrifice, the bust of Lt Col Shanti Swarup Rana, Ashoka Chakra (Posthumous), was unveiled today at Rana Army Goodwill School, Hajin, by his wife, Mrs Savita Rana, Veer Nari*. The ceremony was organised by the Indian Army on the *30th anniversary of the officers []

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has said that a complete ban on firecrackers is not only facilitating illegal sale but also preventing people from purchasing legitimate green crackers which have been tested at established facilities. The top court, which allowed the bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) from 6 to 7 am []

Jammu: Following the reopening of offices in the winter capital, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inspected the Civil Secretariat Jammu to review administrative readiness and facilities for the public and employees. During the inspection, the Chief Minister visited ministerial chambers, officers rooms and clerical halls and interacted with officials, staff and visiting citizens. The Chief []