Kashmir Reader

Srinagar:The Economic Offences Wing Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet against four persons for allegedly securing government appointments in the Health Department using fake and forged educational testimonials. In a handout, the CBK said that the chargesheet in FIR No. 16/2014 was produced before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, under []

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday flagged off the first batch of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 pilgrims from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu. Officials said that the batch, comprising hundreds of devotees from across the country, left amid tight security arrangements and religious fervor. Chanting of hymns and prayers marked the occasion as []

Applauds doctors dedication, sacrifice on National Doctors Day SRINAGAR: Senior leaders of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference today met Party President Dr Farooq Abdullah at his residence in Gupkar, Srinagar, to review and finalize arrangements for the partys proposed protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. During the meeting, it was resolved that all constituent []

SRINAGAR: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday said that lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir can only be achieved through meaningful dialogue between the Government of India and the people of the region. Stressing that peace is the cornerstone of progress, he said, Peace is utmost essential for the development and prosperity []

SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz has signed the appeal for IndiaPakistan Dialogue and Lasting Peace because he believes that dialogue between India and Pakistan is not only desirable but necessary for peace in the region and for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He appreciates the initiative taken by Mr. O. P. Shah, Chairman of the Centre for []

Calls for holding intense awareness camp regarding welfare schemes SRINAGAR: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and School Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess developmental issues and public service delivery in the Khansahib, Hazratbal, Pampore, Sopore and Zainpora Assembly constituencies. The meeting was attended by the MLAs []

Stresses timely completion, quality execution SRINAGAR: Speaker Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of development works being executed by the Public Works (R&B) Department in district Budgam, with special focus in his constituency, Charar-i-Sharief. During the meeting, the department made a detailed []

Reviews operational readiness of water tankers, sprinkler fleet SRINAGAR: Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Faz Lul Haseeb, on Wednesday conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Corporations Tattoo Ground Yard, Batamaloo, to review the operational readiness, maintenance standards, and deployment of the water tanker fleet and sprinkler units for ensuring efficient delivery of essential civic services []

GANDERBAL: In continuation of its efforts to ensure robust safety and security arrangements for the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026, Police in Ganderbal, in coordination with CAPFs, SDRF, Health Department and other stakeholder departments, conducted a comprehensive mock exercise on landslide and rockfall management along the Barari Marg to Waterfall near Y-Junction Barari []

Releases policy paper SRINAGAR: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) on Wednesday concluded a two-day workshop on Harassment Prevention at the Workplace, organized by the Women at Workplace Central Committee of the university. Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai presided over the inaugural session and reaffirmed the universitys commitment to []

Calls doctors pride of society SRINAGAR: On the occasion of Doctors Day, Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Minister Sakeena Itoo visited Children Hospital Bemina to extend her greetings and appreciation to the medical fraternity for their unwavering commitment to patient care and public health. Interacting with doctors, healthcare professionals and hospital staff, []

Inspects SANJY-2026 arrangements at Nowgam, Pantha Chowk SRINAGAR: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Wednesday inspected the arrangements for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)- 2026 during an extensive visit of the Yatra Facilitation Centre at Nowgam Railway Station and the Yatra Transit Camp and Yatri Niwas at Pantha Chowk. The Divisional Commissioner was accompanied []

Srinagar: Mirwaiz has signed the appeal for IndiaPakistan Dialogue and Lasting Peace because he believes that dialogue between India and Pakistan is not only desirable but necessary for peace in the region and for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He appreciates the initiative taken by Mr. O. P. Shah, Chairman of the Centre for []

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that the cabinet reshuffle and expansion would take place around the partys Jantar Mantar protest. In an interview with Gulistan News channel, the CM , said that cabinet expansion is his responsibility and would take place around the Jantar Mantar protest, either before or after it. The []

Baramulla: An elderly man died after being hit by a moving train in the Zangam area of Pattan in north Kashmirs Baramulla district on Wednesday afternoon, officials said. An official said that the incident occurred in Zangam when the elderly man was struck by a moving train. He said the victim sustained critical injuries and []

NEW DELHI: Prices of commercial LPG, the one used in hotels and restaurants, were cut by Rs 183.50 per 19-kg cylinder on Wednesday the first reduction in rates this year. Commercial LPG now costs Rs 2,930 per 19-kg cylinder, oil companies said. Commercial LPG rates hit an all-time high of Rs 3,113 per 19-kg []

Sopore: The Cyber Police Station in Sopore has registered an FIR against individuals allegedly facilitating cyber fraud through the use of mule bank accounts, officials said on Wednesday. An official said that the action is part of an intensified drive to crack down on cyber financial crimes and networks that enable fraudsters to route or []

Kupwara: A six-year-old girl was killed after being hit by a dumper in the Vodhpora area of north Kashmirs Kupwara district on Wednesday, officials said. An official said that the accident occurred when a dumper bearing registration number JK02CR-6027 hit the six-year-old girl, who sustained critical injuries and died on the spot. The deceased was []

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday extended greetings on National Doctors Day and Chartered Accountants Day, praising both professions for their service to society and the nation. In a post on X, the LG expressed his deepest gratitude to medical professionals for their selfless service, compassion & tireless dedication to keeping the society healthy. []

Srinagar: Five persons were injured in a road accident involving three vehicles near Zangam Petrol Pump in Pattan on Wednesday. Officials said that the collision occurred between a car bearing registration number JK15-9826, a dumper JK15B-0013, and a Scorpio JK15C-8800. All three vehicles carry Bandipora registration numbers. Of the five injured, two were referred to []

Doda: Heavy rainfall triggered two cloudbursts in the Kalalgisar area of Bhalessa in Doda district on Wednesday, causing flash floods and debris flows that blocked several roads, officials said. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as continuous heavy rain continues to impact the region, raising concerns of further landslides and road disruptions, an official said.. []

Aims to restore Kashmirs role in cinematic production Calls for empowering local filmmakers, honouring cinema legends Envisions making festival defining cultural & economic event Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired a review meeting to assess preparations for the 1st International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK)-2026, envisaged as a landmark initiative to []

Srinagar: Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) on Tuesday announced summer break for all government and private schools of Kashmir division from July-06. The Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) in an order said that the summer vacation has been announced with the approval conveyed by the competent authority. It is ordered that all the []

Monsoon rains to bring relief Srinagar: Kashmir sweltered under continuing heatwave conditions on Tuesday with Srinagar recording the seasons second-highest maximum temperature at 35.2 degrees Celsius, even as the Meteorological Department forecast relief from Wednesday with the arrival of monsoon winds and the influence of a western disturbance. Officials at the Meteorological Centre here said []

Mock drills, surveillance, emergency response mechanisms strengthened Srinagar: Stating that all security agencies are working in close coordination to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the annual Amarnath Yatra, slated to commence on July 3, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, on Tuesday said a comprehensive multi-layered security grid has been []

Centre says all ready for rollout New Delhi: The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 will come into force from July 1, with the Centre on Tuesday stating that all arrangements have been made for its implementation. The Ministry of Rural Development said the Act provides a statutory guarantee []

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday claimed several leaders and workers of her party were placed under house arrest to prevent them from protesting against the government over the issue of outsourcing of government jobs. The NC government repeatedly hides behind the excuse that the police department is beyond its control []

Give govt two weeks to clear dues Srinagar: In a significant relief for thousands of patients dependent on private healthcare institutions across Union Territory, the Jammu and Kashmir Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association (JKPHDA) announced that it has deferred its proposed strike for two weeks following assurances from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of []

Drug smuggler arrested Anantnag: In a major breakthrough in its sustained drive against drug trafficking, Anantnag Police arrested an inter-district drug smuggler and seized 2.613 kilograms of heroin (brown sugar), with an estimated market value of approximately 20 crore, during routine naka checking at Halmulla. A police party intercepted a suspicious vehicle bearing registration No. []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police have attached two properties worth nearly Rs 12 crore in the Baghat area here, officials said on Tuesday. Officials from Batamaloo police station attached the properties under Section 68F(1) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act after it was established that they were acquired illegally. The officials said one []

NEW YORK: President Donald Trump took in nearly USD 1.2 billion dollars from his crypto businesses last year, a federal filing released Monday shows. Mere startups when took the oath of office, the new ventures have now eclipsed in revenue much of his vast property portfolio that took decades to accumulate. Fueling their rise was []

World now listens when India speaks VADODARA: Indias standing in the international community has witnessed a significant transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday, while asserting that New Delhis views now receive serious attention on global platforms. Speaking at the valedictory session of the Vibrant Gujarat []

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday, June 30, ordered maintenance of status quo on ethanol allocation for Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26. The apex court has temporarily stayed the effect of the Karnataka High Court order requiring oil marketing companies (OMCs) to reconsider the allocation made to a dedicated ethanol manufacturer, IANS reported. It []

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) suffered another setback on Tuesday after its Member of the Legislative Council, Sachin Ahir, crossed over to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and was immediately nominated by the ruling Mahayuti alliance for the post of Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. The move comes days after six Shiv Sena (UBT) []

NEW DELHI: Amid the raging row over the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple, the Congress on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modis silence on the loot is a direct assault on the faith of crores of people across the country. The opposition party also said that its delegation was scheduled to visit []

NEW DELHI: The economy remains resilient, though moderation in some high-frequency indicators suggests a gradual easing of momentum, a Finance Ministry report said, while flagging risks from uneven monsoon rainfall, emerging El Nino conditions and geopolitical uncertainties. Following the robust growth performance in 2025-26, economic activity remained resilient in the initial months of 2026-27, the []

JEDDAH: Preparations for the annual washing of the Kaaba began on Tuesday with the raising of the curtain covering its door, the first stage of the ceremony. The annual ritual is held on the date corresponding to the 15th of Muharram, 1448 A.H., and is one of the oldest traditions associated with Islams holiest site, []

NEW DELHI: Indias southwest monsoon is likely to remain under pressure in July, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting below-normal rainfall across most parts of the country as El Nino conditions continue to strengthen over the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Releasing its monthly outlook on Tuesday, the IMD said rainfall over the country during July []

NEW DELHI: Nasas ambitious Swift Boost mission has been called off after unfavourable weather forced officials to scrub Tuesdays planned launch. The mission was scheduled to lift off at around 3:47 pm IST from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands aboard Northrop Grummans Pegasus XL rocket, carrying a robotic spacecraft designed to rescue one of []

Coached historic J&K womens team in 2021 SRINAGAR: Abida Nazir Khan, a Lecturer in the Youth Service and Sports Department and an elite ex-cricketer from Kashmir, has created history by becoming the first female from Kashmir to be appointed as a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC). Abida []

The concept of pluralism, tolerance, acceptance, and peaceful coexistence has been scrutinised in philosophy, history, enriched traditions, and sacred scriptures by Western and Eastern scholars. The Quranic vision of pluralism, tolerance, acceptance, and coexistence affirms human diversity as a divine sign to be understood and honoured. Rooted in human dignity, freedom of conscience, justice, compassion, []

Some deaths leave us saddened, and then some leave us stunned into silence. The sudden demise of my dear friend, Muzamil Iqbal, belongs to the latter category. Even as I write these words, it remains difficult to believe that he is no longer among us. Ulfat Manzoor Some deaths leave us saddened, and then some []

Srinagar: The School Education Department is likely to announce summer break for all schools of Kashmir division from July-06. An official informed that the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has proposed 10 days summer break for schools of Kashmir division. The directorate has proposed 10 days summer break for all government and private schools []

Srinagar: Rajendra Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., the company executing the Baramulla Bypass Project, has categorically denied reports of a bridge collapse at the Cherkhal underpass on June 29, 2026. In an official statement, the company said the incident involved the collapse of a temporary shuttering and staging system during excavation and finishing work, following an unforeseen []

Srinagar: Baramulla Police on Tuesday issued a traffic advisory for tourists visiting Gulmarg during the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026, barring movement of tourist vehicles after 5:00 PM on the Gulmarg-Srinagar route. In a handout, the police said that as per the advisory issued by Police Baramulla, no tourist vehicle will be permitted to proceed []

Srinagar: Ruling National Conference MLA Javaid Iqbal Choudhary on Tuesday said that the Deputy Chief Minister has broken the trust of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as well as the public, and has ganged up against them by joining hands with their rivals after the CM had directed him to undo wrongs in the allocation of []

Srinagar: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi on Tuesday said comprehensive and multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place for Amarnath Yatra, with all security agencies working in close coordination. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, IGP Birdi, said extensive mock drills have been conducted to clearly define their respective roles and []

Srinagar: To ensure dissemination of authentic information regarding Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026, the J&K government has authorized only specific senior officers to interact with the media and conduct press briefings. As per Circular issued by the Tourism Department,Civil Secretariat on June 30, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, and IGP Kashmir have been authorized for the []

SRINAGAR: (Jun 30) PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday claimed several leaders and workers of her party were placed under house arrest to prevent them from protesting against the government over the issue of backdoor appointments. The NC government repeatedly hides behind the excuse that the police department is beyond its control whenever questions []

NEW DELHI: In future, wars will be more joint, integrated and theatre-oriented, therefore the armed forces direction is clear to see together, take decisions together and take actions together, outgoing Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said on Tuesday. Gen Dwivedi, an accomplished military leader with over 40 years of service who retires on Tuesday, []