Kashmir Reader

Srinagar: The Peoples Conference (PC) on Thursday said it will take a final decision on Friday on whether to join the National Conferences proposed protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Speaking to reporters, Peoples Conference President Sajad Gani Lone said the National Conference has invited his party to participate in the protest. The decision []

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the National Conferences programme to travel to New Delhi on July 20 will go ahead as planned, saying that the venue and mode of the proposed protest may change, but the party will not alter its decision. Speaking to reporters, CM Omar, said the venue and the []

Srinagar: Advisor to the Chief Minister and senior National Conference leader Nasir Aslam Wani on Thursday said the party would go ahead with its proposed programme at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20, irrespective of whether permission is granted. He asserted that those who genuinely care about Jammu and Kashmir and stand with []

Qazigund: Kulgam Police claimed to have solved a hit-and-run case linked to the death of an 11-year-old girl by arresting the accused from Uttar Pradeshs Lucknow area following an extensive investigation. Officials said that the vehicle involved in the incident was also traced and seized from Bareilly, around 250 kilometres from where the accused had []

WASHINGTON: Vice President J D Vance says the Trump administration absolutely mishandled the communications surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein files. During a lengthy podcast interview with Joe Rogan released Wednesday, Vance pointed largely to former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who infamously stated that an alleged client list of Epsteins was sitting on my desk right now. []

ATLANTA: Lionel Messi sent in the cross that sent Argentina to the World Cup final after another improbable comeback. Trailing 1-0 going into the last five minutes of regulation time, Messi fed a pinpoint ball to substitute Lautaro Martinez in the second minute of injury time to give the defending champions a 2-1 victory over []

Says uncles death wont stop Jul 20 programme NC leaders to leave for Delhi on Jul 19; alternate plan ready Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday that the National Conference will proceed with its plan to protest the delay in restoring statehood in Delhi, despite the recent death of his []

Srinagar: Congress leader Saifuddin Soz on Wednesday said the National Conference should not confine its protest to Jantar Mantar for only the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir but also raise the demand for the reinstatement of special status under Article 370 for the erstwhile state. Soz, who was a member of the Lok []

New Delhi: The BJP on Wednesday termed Saifuddin Sozs suggestion for raising demand for restoration of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir as anti-national, and asked the Congress to either clarify if its leaders remark was the official line of the party or take action against him. The BJPs response came after Soz said the []

Srinagar may touch 36-37C over next 3-days Srinagar: A prolonged spell of hot, dry weather is expected to grip Kashmir over the next three days, with Srinagar likely to record the seasons highest temperature of 36-37 degrees Celsius. An official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the heat wave will be followed by widespread []

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday visited the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu and reviewed the facilities and services in place for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. He interacted with the officials from J&K Police, Army, Security Forces, Shrine Board, and Civil Administration, and took stock of the measures taken to facilitate []

Srinagar: The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra continued to witness an overwhelming response, with 22,599 pilgrims performing darshan at the holy cave shrine on Wednesday, taking the total number of devotees who have completed the pilgrimage to 3,24,525 in the first 13 days of the Yatra. According to official figures, those who performed darshan on []

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday delivered a keynote address on AI: Effects and Side Effects at a commemorative event organised by Dr. Suresh Awasthi Smriti Nyas in Varanasi to observe his 20th Punya Smriti Diwas. The Lieutenant Governor paid his heartfelt tribute to Dr. Awasthi, a remarkable personality who embodied knowledge and humility. []

Rich tributes paid to Sheikh Mustafa Kamals political, social, public service SRINAGAR: Condolence meetings continued on Thursday following the demise of Jammu & Kashmir National Conference Additional General Secretary, former Minister, distinguished political leader and dedicated public servant, Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal. Delegations representing different sections of society from across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh []

SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a review meeting to assess the preparedness of the Labour & Employment Department for implementation of the Four Labour Codes enacted by the Government of India. The meeting besides Secretary, Labour & Employment was attended by the Commissioner Secretary, Law; DG, Codes; Labour Commissioner; and other senior officers. []

Kulgam: In a significant action under the ongoing 100 Days Campaign, Police in Kulgam, in coordination with the Revenue Department, have attached immovable properties with an estimated market value of approximately 1.50 crores in District Kulgam as part of sustained efforts to curb unlawful activities and dismantle the infrastructure supporting such offences. The action was []

BUDGAM: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), under the ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Poultry Breeding, organized an awareness-cum-distribution program for tribal farmers at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Budgam, under the DAPST (Tribal Sub-Plan). The initiative aimed to promote scientific backyard poultry farming as a sustainable livelihood option and []

BARAMULLA: As part of its sustained efforts to maintain peace, public order, and security in the district, Police in Baramulla conducted search operations at the residential houses of Jammu & Kashmir living in Pakistan (PoK), their family residences, and other closely associated premises in the village of Bagna Bijhama in Uri Sub-Division. The searches were []

SHOPIAN: On the directions of SSP Shopian, a crime review meeting was conducted at Police Station Shopian under the chairmanship of DySP Headquarters, Shopian. The meeting was attended by the Station House Officer and all Investigating Officers of Police Station Shopian. A comprehensive review of the crime scenario, progress of investigations, disposal of pending cases, []

Final troop withdrawal begins in September WASHINGTON: The United States will withdraw all its remaining troops from Iraq by the end of September, bringing to a close a military mission that began with the 2003 invasion of the country and later evolved into operations against the Islamic State (IS) group. The withdrawal, announced jointly by []

NEW DELHI: Former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi has hit out at the Election Commission over the ongoing SIR exercise, saying the process is focussed more on exclusion and has played havoc with democracy with free and fair elections having been disturbed. The emphasis in the ongoing SIR process is on how many to []

Says both countries will continue working together for shared prosperity NEW DELHI: As the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has come into force, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday described it as a significant moment in bilateral ties. In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi stated that the landmark pacts Comprehensive Economic and []

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court said it will hear on Thursday a public interest litigation raising concern over the health of Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar demanding the sacking of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the public-exams mess, and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has appealed to the []

MUMBAI: Dismissing speculations over NCP (SP) leaders meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, partys working president Supriya Sule on Wednesday clarified that there was no political strategy behind the interactions. While addressing a press conference, Sule noted that Jayant Patil had officially sought an appointment with Fadnavis for raising the issue of action taken []

DC Bandipora presents roadmap at first-ever EPR Convention BANDIPORA: In a landmark step towards environmental conservation and sustainable tourism, the District Administration Bandipora on Wednesday organised the first-ever Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Convention at the Auditorium, Government HSS Dawar, Gurez, bringing together senior functionaries of the Government of India, district administration, Indian Army, leading national []

BANDIPORA: On the directions of the Transport Commissioner, J&K, Vishesh Pal Mahajan, and the Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, the ARTO Bandipora conducted an intensive enforcement drive on the BandiporaGurez route to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and to enhance road safety. During the drive, a total of 112 []

Srinagar: Director General of Police, J&K, Nalin Prabhat on Wednesday visited Cargo and interacted with Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel. Accompanied by V.K. Birdi, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, and other senior officers, the DGP took stock of the operational preparedness and working conditions of the force. During the interaction, the DGP appreciated the []

MUMBAI: NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule on Wednesday dismissed speculation over meetings between her party leaders and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying there was no political strategy behind the interactions. Addressing a press conference, Sule said senior party leader Jayant Patil had officially sought an appointment with Fadnavis to raise the issue of []

NEW DELHI: Congress leader P Chidambaram claimed that the BJP is wooing the NCP (SP) and the DMK to get their support for the 131st Constitution Amendment Bill which the government intends to bring in the Monsoon session of Parliament and urged the two regional parties to not support the Bill. Chidambaram also said any []

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the National Conference will leave for New Delhi on July 19 even if the permission is not granted for the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, the chief minister, said the partys stand on the restoration of Jammu and Kashmirs snatched rights remains []

Kulgam: A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Assistant Sub-Inspector, died after suffering a cardiac arrest in south Kashmirs Kulgam district on Wednesday morning, officials said. Officials said that the ASI, posted with the 18th Battalion of the CRPF in Kulgam, suffered a fall while on duty. He was shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag, []

Srinagar): The Court of Second Additional Sessions Judge, Srinagar, has stayed the order passed by the Court of City Judge/Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMIC) against the Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar. In its order, the Court observed that it was satisfied the revision petition raises arguable questions warranting consideration. The submission requires examination after the []

Ramban: A man was killed after a shooting stone hit his car on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near Ramban on Wednesday, officials said. An official said that the man was returning home after dropping another person in Ramban town when a boulder rolled down from a hillside and struck his vehicle near Trishul Morh. He []

Poonch:A joint search operation by security forces led to the busting of a terrorist hideout in Garha, Sawjian sector of Mandi tehsil in Poonch district, an official said on Wednesday. Officials said that during the operation, forces recovered 246 rounds of PIKA rifle ammunition that were hidden inside the hideout. The hideout was subsequently destroyed []

DUBAI: The US military said it has reimposed its blockade of Iranian ports in response to Irans attacks on commercial ships on the Strait of Hormuz, as the interim ceasefire deal unravels and concerns grow about a return to all-out war. The US first imposed the blockade in mid-April and then lifted it in mid-June, []

DUBAI: Both Bahrain and Kuwait came under attack early Wednesday as Iran retaliated over US strikes targeting it and the reimposed blockade. Bahrain sounded its missile alert siren, while Kuwaits military said its air defences were firing to shoot down incoming missiles and drones. Both countries host US military forces and have been repeatedly targeted []

Three-year rehabilitation cycle with treatment, livelihood, monitoring proposed Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the proposed Rehabilitation and Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims, 2026. The Scheme is aimed at establishing a comprehensive, convergence-based framework for the rehabilitation and social reintegration of individuals recovering from substance use disorders []

Srinagar: Veteran National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir minister Sheikh Mustafa Kamal died at a private hospital here on Tuesday following a prolonged illness, his family said. He was 83. Kamal, the younger brother of National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah and uncle of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, was additional general secretary of []

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday expressed grief over the sad demise of veteran political leader Dr. Mustafa Kamal. In a condolence message, the Lieutenant Governor said, I am deeply saddened by the news of veteran leader Dr. Mustafa Kamals passing away. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, well-wishers, and admirers. Om []

Scientists call for stronger monitoring, early warning systems Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded at least 15 cloudburst incidents in this month so far, with the events triggering flash floods, mudslides and landslides across several districts. The incidents have damaged roads, houses, agricultural land and public infrastructure while disrupting connectivity in several parts of the []

LG Sinha commends officials, service providers, volunteers Srinagar: The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra for this year has set a new historic record, with the total number of pilgrims crossing the 3-lakh mark in the first 12 days of the pilgrimage. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha commended all officials, service providers, and volunteers for their valuable []

Srinagar: In a significant move, the Jammu & Kashmir Government has unveiled parking rules, which will be applicable to all municipal bodies in the Union Territory. The Housing & Urban Development Department has introduced the Jammu & Kashmir Parking Rules, 2026, which mandate that Municipal Corporations, Councils, and Committees shall be responsible for managing parking []

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday met several public delegations at the Civil Secretariat here and gave a patient hearing to their issues and demands, assuring them that all genuine concerns would be examined for appropriate action. A delegation led by President Bat Manufacturers Association Kashmir, Fayaz Ahmad Dar, called on the Chief Minister []

Over 200 publishers to participate Srinagar: The upcoming Chinar Book Festival, scheduled to be held from July 18 to 26, 2026, in Srinagar, will feature participation from over 200 publishers and book exhibitors from across the country, displaying books in English, Urdu, Kashmiri, Hindi, and several other Indian languages. Dr Amit Wanchoo, Chief Convener of []

NEW DELHI: Appeals to Sonam Wangchuk to break his indefinite fast demanding Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhans resignation over exam paper leaks grew on Tuesday, the 17th day of the Ladakhi activists protest. Wangchuk has been fasting in central Delhi in solidarity with the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, Abhijeet Dipke, who is staging []

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court fined stand-up comic and YouTuber Samay Raina 3 lakh on Tuesday. Four others linked to his show face the same penalty. The order came for violating earlier court directions in a case tied to insensitive remarks about persons with disabilities. A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and []

Says she must face justice DHAKA: Bangladesh Government on Tuesday said it welcomes deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasinas plans to return home, adding that she must face justice as a death penalty convict. The comments came amid reports of Hasinas possible return to Bangladesh by the end of this year. Hasina, the 78-year-old daughter of []

SAMBHAL: Bulldozers began demolishing a mosque and an Eidgah in Sambhal on Tuesday afternoon following a court directive. The 25-foot-tall minaret of the Eidgah has been demolished, and the process to demolish the remaining portion was underway in the Asmoli police station area. Over 100 police, PAC, and RAF personnel were deployed to prevent people []

LONDON: The former president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, met former Mossad spy chief David Barnea in Budapest, Hungary, in 2024 and 2025 as Israel attempted to groom the hardline politician to become the new Iranian leader in the event of regime change in Tehran. The plan failed, the New York Times reported on Monday. Ahmadinejad []

Indias private hospitals possess the infrastructure and expertise to become global contributors to medical research. But their research capacity remains underutilised. The future of healthcare depends on embedding scientific inquiry into routine clinical practice transforming hospitals into learning health systems where every patient encounter contributes to the advancement of medicine. Dr Sami Ullah; Dr []