Kashmir Reader

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday defended Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi amid criticism over his protests and political interventions, saying it is the Oppositions job to question the government and make it answerable. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar, Omar, said Rahul []

Baramulla: A motorcyclist was killed after his motorcycle collided with a truck in the Kanispora area of north Kashmirs Baramulla district on Friday, officials said. An official said that the rider sustained injuries in the accident and was shifted to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead on arrival. The deceased was identified as []

Srinagar: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Udhampur East, Ranbir Singh Pathania, on Friday accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of deliberately delaying Panchayat and Urban Local Body polls, calling the NC and Congress the biggest enemies of local self-government in Jammu and Kashmir. Pathania said Jammu and Kashmir needs stronger local self-government. Slamming the Congress []

Srinagar:The Special Crime Wing Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K on Friday carried out a search at Safakadal in Srinagar in connection with alleged forgery in J&K Police appointment. In a handout, the CBK said the house search was conducted at the residence of SG Ct Manzoor Ahmad Najar at Safakadal in case FIR No []

Srinagar: The body of a 42-year-old man was recovered from the Dughwan forest area on the outskirts of Srinagar early Friday morning, officials said. An official said that the mans body was found in the Dughwan forest area and was taken to PHC Harwan, where doctors declared him brought dead. He said the body was []

SEOUL: North Korea launched a barrage of ballistic missiles toward the sea on Thursday, South Koreas military said, a day after the North shrugged off a US decision to scale back military drills with South Korea in an apparent bid to resume diplomacy. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launches of about 10 short-range []

Srinagar: Pakistan summoning US Charg dAffaires Natalie Baker after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gors remarks is a matter between the two countries, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said here on Thursday. Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the US charg daffaires and lodged a strong demarche over remarks by Gor regarding Jammu and Kashmir []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and any third-party intervention is a failure of the central government, J&K Congress chief Tariq Karra said here on Thursday. His remarks came a day after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited Srinagar. Whether it is the US ambassador, the US secretary, or any []

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should have used his meeting with US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor to raise the concerns and hardships faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Mufti said she agreed with the Chief Minister that the issues of Jammu and []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah said that the special constitutional status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir reflected its distinct and unique constitutional relationship with the Union, a legacy that remained central to the National Conferences political vision. Addressing a gathering, Dr Farooq said that even though the constitutional provisions relating []

Leh: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, on his maiden tour of Ladakh, undertook a river-rafting activity on Thursday at the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers at Sangam, officials said here. His Ladakh itinerary focused on experiencing the Union Territorys distinctive landscape and rich cultural heritage. The US envoy arrived in Srinagar earlier []

Reaffirms commitment to constitutional safeguards Decision to enhance access to justice: Amit Shah New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has decided to establish a high court bench in Ladakh, a move aimed at improving access to justice in the Union Territory, Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday, reaffirming the Centres commitment to ensuring constitutional safeguards []

25.87 cr facility to conform to modern hygiene standards with capacity for 5000 daily livestock Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the 25.87 crore state-of-the-art mechanized Abattoir here at Allochi Bagh, marking a significant step towards establishing a regulated, hygienic and scientifically managed meat-processing facility for Srinagar city. The []

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday visited Karol Krishna, a border village in Kathua district. The village along with Rathua, Gujjar Chak, Gajnal, Bobiya, Kadiyala comes under the Vibrant Village Programme-Phase-2 (VVP-2). The Lieutenant Governor handed over benefits under several government schemes to local families and appointment letters to youth. Addressing the residents from []

Calls for high alertness for Kounsarnag Yatra Srinagar: Director General of Police (DGP), Jammu & Kashmir, Nalin Prabhat-IPS, chaired a security review meeting at Police Control Room Kashmir to assess arrangements for the upcoming Kounsarnag Yatra. The meeting was attended by Special DG Coordination J&K S.J.M Gillani, IGsP of Kashmir and Jammu Zones, range DIsG []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday said it had trapped and arrested a Junior Building Inspector of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for allegedly demanding and accepting a Rs 10,000 bribe from a complainant. In a statement, a spokesperson said the J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau received a written complaint alleging that Gazala []

Srinagar: Employees of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday staged a protest inside the Assembly premises here against the General Administration Department (GAD) order deputing Deputy Secretary Bilal Ahmad Mir. Raising slogans, the protesting employees said the deputation order was against established rules and administrative procedures governing the Assembly Secretariat. They urged the []

Srinagar:The Central government has extended the deputation tenure of IAS officer Shah Faesal. According to an Office Memorandum issued by the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Culture for extension in the central deputation tenure of Shah Faesal, IAS []

Leh: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor arrived in Leh on Thursday on his maiden visit to Ladakh, a day after meeting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar, officials said. An official said that Gor left Srinagar for Leh this morning. The US envoy arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday and met CM []

Jammu: The Vande Bharat train has, for the first time, operated at a speed of nearly 100 kmph on the worlds highest railway bridge over the Chenab River, following the Railway Ministrys approval to increase the maximum permissible speed on the Katra-Banihal rail section. Approval allows trains to run at speeds of up to 100 []

Calls for dedicated SPV,digital portal to ensure effective monitoring of PPP projects SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting in Srinagar to evaluate the progress and future strategies of the Centre for Innovation and Transformation in Governance (CITaG), Jammu & Kashmir. The focus was on policy formulation, knowledge outputs, public-private []

For scaling up high-value circular bioeconomy SRINAGAR: In a key move to advance Jammu & Kashmirs agriculture sector into a high-value, knowledge-based circular bioeconomy, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) on Wednesday transferred its patented exotic mushroom production technology to the Department of Agriculture. This step aims to expand cultivation among []

PULWAMA: Police in Pulwama made a major recovery of 41 stolen sheep during naka checking at Urwan, leading to the booking of two persons and seizure of the vehicle used for transporting the stolen livestock. During naka checking, a police party of Police Post Newa intercepted a Tata Mobile vehicle bearing registration number Jk03N-2440. Upon []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar has urged the district administrations of Budgam and Pulwama to ensure foolproof arrangements for devotees attending the annual Urs Mubarak of Hazrat Sultan Syed Mohammad Ali Aali Balkhi (RA) at Pakharpora. Sagar called for uninterrupted provision of essential services, including electricity, drinking water, []

Pays obeisance at revered shrine of Sufi saint Lal Baba Sahib in Zakura SRINAGAR: Several prominent political and social activists from the Zakura area on the outskirts of Srinagar today joined the Apni Party in the presence of party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari. They joined the party during a meeting with the party president []

SRINAGAR: The Vice Chairman, JKLCMA, Khurshid Ahmad Shah on Wednesday undertook an extensive on-site assessment of Dal Lake to take stock of the ongoing cleaning and conservation activities being carried out by the Authority. During the inspection, the Vice Chairman visited various locations of Dal Lake, particularly the Gagribal Basin, and took stock of the []

GANDERBAL: Under the theme Blood Donation: A Contribution to the Nation (Raktdaan Desh Ke Naam), Health Centre and Dean Students Welfare (DSW), Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir), in collaboration with the Blood Bank department of the Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, organised a one-day blood donation camp at Tulmulla Campus The camp was inaugurated []

No one can take law into their own hands: DGP Makwana assures Valley students SRINAGAR: Two Kashmiri students studying in Bhopal were allegedly subjected to harassment, intimidation and pressure to vacate their accommodation by fringe elements. The matter has since been addressed and brought under control following the timely intervention of the Jammu & Kashmir []

Experts, scholars, artists discuss future of modern theatre in Valley SRINAGAR: A two-day theatre seminar on Modern Theatre and Youth of Kashmir concluded successfully at Kashmir Government Polytechnic College, Gogji Bagh, Srinagar, bringing together prominent theatre experts, artists, scholars, critics and young theatre enthusiasts. The seminar was organised with the objective of creating meaningful dialogue []

Hajin: Wedding celebrations in Sadunara, Hajin, turned into mourning on Wednesday after a 28-year-old manthe grooms cousindied in a road accident, leaving the family devastated on what was meant to be a joyous day. The victim, identified as Mohammad Yawar Mir, had stepped out to buy a new pair of slippers for his father when []

Srinagar: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday said it had registered an FIR against several officials and beneficiaries over alleged illegal construction, encroachment of State land and other violations in the Rajbagh area of Srinagar. In a statement, a spokesperson said the ACB, Srinagar, had registered FIR No. 10/2026 following a Joint Surprise Check and []

SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday urged US Ambassador Sergio Gor to review and withdraw the highest-level travel advisory issued by his country against visiting Kashmir. In a post on X, she said thousands of families in Kashmir depend on tourism for their livelihood and a travel advisory was not merely []

CHENNAI: In a bonanza to Tamil Nadu MLAs, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday announced official vehicles and a monthly allowance of Rs one lakh each to address public grievances in their respective constituencies. His announcement made ruling TVK legislator K Sindhu break into rapturous glee, singing a song in praise of Vijay and []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir received significant rainfall over the past 24 hours, with Jammu district recording the highest at 88.7 mm, the Meteorological Department said on Wednesday. According to MeT data, as per GNS, Samba received 85 mm, Kathua 76.6 mm, Katra 48 mm and Udhampur 32.2 mm of rainfall respectively during the last 24 []

LUCKNOW: (Aug 19) The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday raided premises linked to the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust and University of jailed Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan as part of a money laundering investigation, officials said. They said about 10 premises at Rampur and Saharanpur in the state and in Delhis Jamia Nagar were being []

JAMMU: (Aug 19) Three members of a family were killed, and two others injured after a vehicle skidded off a hilly road and plunged into a gorge in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Wednesday. The accident occurred near Panasa village late Tuesday night when the driver of a an SUV lost []

Reviews final preparations for the inaugural International Film Festival of J&K Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the final preparations for the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026, scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10 across Srinagar and Jammu. The four-day festival []

Mutton, beef, chicken, fish must be clearly mentioned: FDA Srinagar: Authorities have directed hotels, restaurants, cafes, dhabas, sweet shops, bakeries, caterers and other food business operators to clearly disclose the type of meat used in food preparations. In an advisory, Commissioner Food & Drugs Administration J&K, Khalid Jahangir said establishments serving meat or meat products []

Srinagar: United States Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, will arrive in Kashmir tomorrow on his maiden visit to the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh after assuming office. Official sources told KNO that Ambassador Gor is scheduled to meet Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during his stay in Srinagar. []

Chairs 81st Meeting of J&K Rajya Sainik Board Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday chaired the 81st Meeting of Jammu Kashmir Rajya Sainik Board, at Lok Bhavan. The meeting was attended by Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command; Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Maj Gen Paramvir Singh Dagar, Chief of Staff, []

Srinagar: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Rajit Punhani, today chaired an interactive session with the representatives of Food Business Operators (FBOs), trade and industry associations and other stakeholders at the SKICC, Srinagar. They discussed issues related to food safety, regulatory compliance, testing infrastructure, training and ease of doing []

Srinagar: The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) Kashmir has strongly advocated for meeting global standards in restaurants and eateries, calling for clear and trustworthy declarations on menus. It called for specifying what is being served, whether it is frozen or fresh, and the nature of meat (lamb, beef, etc.) in alignment with FSSAI []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, in case FIR No. 28/2026, against Ghulam Ahmad Ganie S/o Ghulam Mohammad Ganie, R/o Mirgund, District Budgam, for commission of cognizable offences punishable under Section 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act []

Jammu: Security forces launched search operations at several locations following reports of the movement of suspected persons in Udhampur, Reasi and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday. The police, in collaboration with the CRPF, began a cordon-and-search operation after receiving information about the movement of two suspected individuals. These individuals allegedly []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police has registered a case of cheating and criminal intimidation against a BJP Kisan Morcha leader in Pulwama district, officials said on Tuesday. The case has been registered against Aijaz Ahmad Shah at the Tral police station under sections 420 (cheating and dishonesty inducing someone to deliver property, money or valuables) []

LUCKNOW: (Aug 18) The Uttar Pradesh government has taken action against 866 hospitals linked to the Ayushman Bharat scheme for alleged negligence in treatment, violation of norms and financial irregularities between 2020 and 2026, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday. The action includes de-empanelment of 648 hospitals, suspension of 61 hospitals and de-empanelment []

By Sajjad Hussain ISLAMABAD: (Aug 18) Pakistans Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the shifting of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan to a private hospital for medical examination a day after jail authorities said the 73-year-olds eyesight was almost normal. The court issued the directive while hearing several identical petitions following an eye ailment that []

AMMU: (Aug 18) The Special Crime Wing (SCW) of the Crime Branch has filed a chargesheet against an accused for allegedly duping several people on the pretext of arranging foreign employment visas, an official said on Tuesday. The chargesheet was filed on Monday against Kartik Choudhary, a resident of Purana Pind in Jammus RS Pura []

MUMBAI: (Aug 18) Market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined in early trade on Tuesday as elevated crude oil prices and rising tensions in West Asia weighed heavily on investors sentiment. The 30-share BSE Sensex was down 278.32 points to 77,450.64 in early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty edged lower by 57.65 points to 24,230.45. []

Shopian: A woman died while her son sustained injuries after the scooty they were travelling on skidded off the road in the Amerbugh area of Imam Sahib in south Kashmirs Shopian district on Tuesday. An official said that the woman was travelling as a pillion rider on the scooty being driven by her son when []