RisingKashmir

Srinagar, Oct 22: The upcoming Kashmir Marathon is drawing international interest, with more than 1,800 runners registered so far, including 73 foreign athletes from 12 countries. Organisers expect the total participation to exceed 2,000, Director Tourism Kashmir Sajad Qamar said on Thursday. The growing response has raised hopes that the sporting event will help showcase Kashmir to a wider international audience and strengthen its position as a tourism destination. Speaking to reporters on the

Srinagar, Oct 22: Supported by growth in earnings and further improvement in asset quality, J&K Bank today reported 28.8% rise quarter-on-quarter and 10.6% rise year-on-year in its net profit to Rs 546.36 Cr for the quarter (Q2) ended September 30, 2026, when compared with Rs 424.18 Cr and Rs 494.11 Cr recorded during Q1 FY 2026-27 and Q2 FY 2025-26 respectively. The Bank announced the financial results after its Board of Directors reviewed and approved the quarterly and half-yearly figures at a

Srinagar, Oct 22: The Jammu and Kashmir government has constituted a Union Territory-level Transfer Review Committee to examine grievances of employees related to transfers under the Transfer Policy-2026 of the School Education Department. According to Government Order No. 450-JK(Edu) of 2026, dated October 21, 2026, the committee has been constituted under Clause 11 of the Transfer Policy-2026. The order refers to Government Order No. 335-JK(Edu) of 2026, dated August 20, 2026. As per the order

Srinagar, Oct 22: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday inaugurated the three-day exposition of the Kashmir Marathon2026 at Polo View, Srinagar, marking the final leg of preparations for the much-anticipated third edition of the event scheduled to be held on October 25 (Sunday). The Chief Minister inspected various stalls and counters set up by government departments, private sports firms and event partners, showcasing a wide range of sports gear, equipment and accessories aimed at promoting

Srinagar, Oct 22: Kashmirs Chrysanthemum Garden is all set to welcome visitors on Friday, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah scheduled to formally throw open the garden to the public at 4 PM, marking a major addition to the Valleys autumn tourism attractions. Spread over 120 kanals, the garden has been expanded for its second edition, with the Floriculture Department planting 3.5 lakh chrysanthemum plants representing 72 varieties. The floral display is expected to feature more than 12 million fl

Srinagar, Oct 22: Jammu and Kashmir has been allocated an additional Rs 1.15 crore in electricity generation costs during the first six months of the current financial year, even though the amount is not directly linked to additional electricity supplied to consumers, according to the latest figures released by the Northern Regional Power Committee (NRPC). The figures raise a question for electricity consumers in Jammu and Kashmir: whether such additional expenses are ultimately reflected in the

Anantnag, Oct 22: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday directed the Deputy Commissioner and district officers to use the favourable weather to speed up execution of all sanctioned works in Anantnag. He said the outdoor working season is short and allocated funds must be utilised before the financial year ends. Speaking to reporters after chairing a review meeting, the CM said the purpose of his visit was not just inaugurations but to review ongoing development works and issue directions to a

Srinagar, Oct 22: Addiction treatment facilities in Jammu and Kashmir have handled 66,594 outpatient cases, while drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres have provided care to another 1,053 individuals, according to figures presented during a high-level government review on Thursday. The figures were disclosed during a meeting jointly chaired by Union Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Sudhansh Pant, and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, where the implementa

The first day of winter arrives as a feeling. I somehow know that the weather has drifted. There is a nip in the air, and the sun seems suddenly tired after all its summer burning. Once fierce and relentless, it now bathes the world in warm, golden light. A gentle breeze surrounds me, urging me to drop everything momentarily and notice that the ephemeral summer has ended. It gently whispers that another phase is on the threshold. It brings cleaner and fresher air, sometimes carrying the faint sc

We live in an age where waiting has almost become an inconvenience. A delayed message makes us restless, a slow internet connection tests our temper, and a few minutes in a queue can feel like an unreasonable demand on our time. We expect instant replies, immediate results and quick solutions to problems that sometimes require years of effort. The world has become faster, but an important question remains: have we become better at living, or have we simply become less comfortable with waiting? P

There are moments in the life of a civilisation when its deepest crisis is not the loss of its possessions, the erosion of its institutions, or even the uncertainty of its future, but the gradual estrangement of its people from the truths that once gave meaning to their existence. Places of worship may continue to receive the faithful, ancient verses may still be recited, and the names of saints may be invoked with reverence. Yet beneath this visible continuity, something essential may begin to

Kashmirs intellectual heritage includes a remarkable constellation of philosophers, poets, spiritual thinkers and literary critics whose works influenced the wider history of Sanskrit learning. Among them, Kemendra an eleventh-century Sanskrit writer, occupies a distinctive place. He was not merely a poet who celebrated beauty or retold epic narratives. A combination of aesthetic and ethical concerns, although the extent to which his works should be read as a systematic programme of social refor

Srinagar: PDP senior leader and spokesperson Iqbal Tramboo has urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to announce a comprehensive power amnesty scheme for domestic and commercial consumers, seeking a minimum one-year relief period, waiver of accumulated penalties and surcharges, and a liberal instalment facility for clearing pending electricity dues. In a statement, Tramboo said the growing burden of electricity arrears was causing financial distress among households, traders and business establ

Ramban, Oct 22: Member Legislative Assembly BanihalGool Sajjad Shaheen on Thursday laid the foundation stone of a 1.96-crore road project connecting Lamber GujjarNar with National Highway-44. The project, being executed by the Public Works Department (R&B), aims to address a longstanding demand of residents of Lamber and adjoining villages, who have faced difficulties due to the lack of direct road connectivity with the highway. Upon completion, the road is expected to reduce travel distance, im

Chrar-e-Sharief , Oct 22: Chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board, Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, on Thursday released Apostle of Light , an English-language biographical book on the life, teachings and spiritual legacy of Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Aalam Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA), authored by noted writer Baba Ghulam Nabi Adfar. The book was unveiled at a literary and academic event organised by Kashmir Markaz-e-Adab-wa-Saqafat at the Sheikh-ul-Aalam Conference Hall of the J&K Waqf Board in Ch

Srinagar, Oct 22: J&K BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma on Thursday said the party recognises and honours the dedication and selfless service of its leaders and workers. He was speaking at a felicitation ceremony organised at Countryside Hotel, Nowgam, Srinagar, where former BJP J&K General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul was honoured for his contribution to strengthening the partys organisational network across Jammu and Kashmir. Sat Sharma said the BJP draws its strength from ded

Srinagar, Oct 22: Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma on Thursday accused the National Conference-led government of avoiding Panchayat and municipal elections out of fear of defeat, saying the grassroots polls would serve as the first major test of Chief Minister Omar Abdullahs popularity and the governments performance. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a BJP programme in Srinagar, Sharma alleged that the ruling party was reluctant to allow alternative political leadership to emerge at th

Srinagar, Oct 22: Only 28 of the 419 villages selected for development as model villages under the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY) in Jammu and Kashmir have so far been declared Adarsh Grams, leaving 391 villages yet to achieve the designated status. The figures, presented during a high-level review of social welfare schemes on Thursday, show that just 6.7 per cent of the selected villages have received the model village designation. The remaining 93.3 per cent are yet to be declared A

Srinagar, Oct 22: The Special Crime Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet against Abhisek Prajapat, the then Branch Manager of J&K Grameen Bank, Lalpora, Kupwara, in a case involving alleged cheating, criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of bank and customer funds. According to an official statement issued by the Crime Branch on Wednesday, the chargesheet was filed before the Court of Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Sogam, Lolab, in Kupwara district. The case originated fr

Srinagar, Oct 22: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) is likely to begin distributing government-supplied textbooks to educational zones across the Kashmir division from November, providing relief to students enrolled in government schools. An official from JKBOSE told the Rising Kashmir that the board has received a substantial number of textbook titles, while booksellers have already procured textbooks that have reached the board office Kashmir division. Students studying

Ganderbal, Oct 22 : The Mountain Research Centre for Sheep and Goat, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Shuhama, Ganderbal, is conducting annual auctions of different sheep and goat breeds to support registered breeders, strengthen livestock farms and improve the quality of livestock in the region. Speaking to Rising Kashmir, Dr Parvaiz Ahmad Reshi, Senior Scientist and Head of the centre, said around 200 to 300 animals of different breeds ha

Srinagar, Oct 22: Two doctors of Kashmiri origin, Dr Saalis Maqbool and Dr Abir Aijaz, have earned international recognition after their research was selected for an oral presentation at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2026 in Munich, Germany. The duo, associated with the Acute Medicine Department at Weston General Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom, were reportedly among only eight researchers worldwide whose work was selected for this distinction, highlighting their contributi

Kishtwar, Oct 22: The District Administration Kishtwar, in collaboration with Government Degree College (GDC) Kishtwar, organised an inspirational guest lecture on Motivation Through Goal Setting at the college auditorium on Thursday to encourage students to set clear life goals and pursue their aspirations with determination. The programme was organised under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Pankaj Kumar Sharma (JKAS). The lecture was delivered by Rizwan Uddin, Chief Learning Of

Srinagar, Oct 22: The government is planning to develop a new road connecting the famous tourist destination of Gulmarg with the border area of Uri in north Kashmir, in a move aimed at improving connectivity and promoting tourism in the region. MLA Uri Dr Sajjad Shafi told Rising Kashmir that the proposed road would pass through Boniyar, linking areas such as Banali and Trikanjan and opening up new possibilities for tourism development along the route. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will co

Srinagar, Oct 22: Kashmirs autumn tourism is set to gain a fresh attraction with the Chrysanthemum Garden emerging as a major destination for visitors seeking colourful floral displays beyond the spring tulip season. Director Floriculture, Gardens and Parks, Kashmir, Mathoora Masoom, said the garden had been developed with expanded flowerbeds, nearly 3.5 lakh flowering plants and improved visitor facilities, with the blooms expected to last until early December, weather permitting. Speaking to r

New Delhi [India], October 22 : The Parliament of India will host the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on October 26 and 27 in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan. The conference will be inaugurated on October 26. Addressing a press conference at Parliament House on Thursday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that the conference marks a new chapter in the history of India's parliamentary diplomacy. It will bring together Presiding Officers and parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner coun

Sopore, Oct 22: Authorities on Thursday announced the temporary closure of one lane of the bridge at kilometre 1.954 on Sopore bypass road from Thursday evening until October 31 evening, issuing alternative traffic routes for vehicles travelling towards Srinagar, Baramulla, Kupwara and Handwara. According to an advisory issued by Additional District Magistrate Sopore S A Raina, the restrictions have been imposed in accordance with orders issued by the District Magistrate Baramulla on October 21

Srinagar, Oct 22: Women entrepreneurs from several states will get an opportunity to sell their products directly to customers in Srinagar as a ten-day Saras Aajeevika Mela begins at Polo View Park on October 25. The exhibition, being organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM), will have around 70 to 80 stalls featuring handicrafts, handloom products, traditional jewellery, household items and regional food. According to officials, women associated with Self-Help Groups

Amritsar, Oct 22: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has seized 95 gold jewellery articles weighing 467.44 grams from a jewellery outlet in Amritsar for alleged violations of mandatory hallmarking requirements, officials said on Thursday. According to a statement issued by the BIS Jammu and Kashmir Branch Office, the seizure was made during an enforcement operation at a BIS-registered jewellery outlet in Partap Bazar, Chheharta, following information about suspected hallmarking violations. Dur

Awantipora, Oct 22: The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, has recorded its highest-ever annual admissions in 2026, with more than 2,000 students enrolled across 100 academic programmes, the university said on Thursday. The admissions represent an increase of around 10 per cent compared to 2025, while the overall seat occupancy has reached approximately 91.7 per cent. According to a statement issued by the university, the enrolment figure is expected to increase fur

Srinagar, Oct 22: The Special Crime Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir on Thursday filed a chargesheet against a former branch manager of J&K Grameen Bank for allegedly cheating customers and misappropriating bank funds in north Kashmir's Kupwara district. In a statement, Crime Branch Kashmir said the chargesheet was filed before the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Sogam, Lolab, against Abhisek Prajapat, who had served as branch manager at the bank's Lalpora branch. The case involves alleged

New Delhi , October 22 : India has strongly condemned the continued attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, which recently involved targeted strikes on King Fahd International Airport and Aramcos Shaybah oil field, while expressing hope that peace and normalcy would return to the region at the earliest. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), it noted, We strongly condemn the continued attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saud

Kupwara, Oct 22 : A man has been arrested in connection with the pasting of anti-national and provocative posters at a public place in north Kashmirs Handwara area of Kupwara district, officials said on Thursday. An official said that police had arrested a man in connection with the pasting of anti-national and provocative posters. He said the investigation had revealed the suspected involvement of overground workers (OGWs) and other individuals in the alleged conspiracy. The identities of other

Banihal, Oct 22: National Conference leader and MLA BanihalGool, Sajjad Shaheen, today laid the foundation stone of a road project connecting Lamber GujjarNar with the National Highway 44 at an estimated cost of 1.96 crore. The project has been approved under the Road Sector and will be executed by the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department. The project fulfils a long-pending demand of the people of Lamber and adjoining villages, who have faced considerable inconvenience due to the lack of direct

Anantnag, Oct 22 : The proposed 250-bedded Maternity and Child Care Hospital in Anantnag is awaiting site finalisation, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday saying the location initially identified at Janglat Mandi had been found unsuitable due to space constraints. Speaking to reporters after chairing a district review meeting, the Chief Minister said funds for the project are available and the government hoped to start work soon after finalising an alternative site. He said elected re

Tehran , October 22: Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has claimed that it struck and set fire to four ships carrying oil cargoes in the northern Persian Gulf, while three other vessels collided with mines in the western Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). In a statement issued on Thursday, the IRGC Navy said the four ships had previously crossed an illegal route despite warnings to the maritime companies operating t

Riyadh, October 22 : An Indian national was among two people killed in an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabias Dammam, while two other Indian nationals were injured, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said on Thursday, citing Saudi authorities. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said, Saudi authorities have informed that one Indian national was among two people who unfortunately lost their lives in the attack on Dammam airport yesterday night and two Indian nationals we

Srinagar, Oct 22 : Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma on Thursday accused the National Conference-led government of delaying Panchayat and municipal elections out of fear of defeat, saying the polls would be a litmus test for Chief Minister Omar Abdullahs government. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a BJP programme, the LoP Sharma as per the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO) said NC is reluctant to allow alternative political representation to emerge in Jammu and Kashmir. The Abdull

Srinagar, Oct 22 : Kashmirs autumn tourism is set to receive a major boost with the opening of the Chrysanthemum Garden, where around 3.5 lakh flowering plants have been planted, with the bloom expected to continue until early December, Director Floriculture, Gardens and Parks, Kashmir, Mathoora Masoom, said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar, Masoom said the garden had been developed with expanded flower beds, vibrant floral displays, water features, p

Srinagar, October 22: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday questioned the government over an eviction notice issued to a 120-year-old heritage mosque located near the Prime Ministers residence, alleging a contradiction between the celebration of mosques abroad and the treatment of Muslim heritage in India. In a post on X, Mehbooba Mufti wrote, Visiting mosques in Muslim countries, praising their grandeur and projecting respect for Islamic sentiments and heritage. Yet at home, a 120 year old

Anantnag, Oct 22 : Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday said the Omar Abdullah-led government remains committed to fulfilling its election manifesto promises within its five-year tenure and urged people to have faith in the elected government. Speaking to Kashmir News Service (KNS) in Anantnag, Choudhary said the government was working to address several public issues and that people should judge its performance over its full term. The trust and confidence with

Jammu, Oct 22 : A body was found in the Talab Tillo area of Jammu district on Thursday morning, officials said. An official said that the body was recovered from the Talab Tillo area of Jammu on Thursday morning. He said the body was spotted by locals, who informed the police. Police soon arrived at the spot and took it into custody. The official said the identity of the deceased is yet to be established. Police have taken cognizance of the incident.(KNO)

Sopore, Oct 22: The authorities have ordered the temporary closure of one lane of the Sopore Bypass Bridge for 10 days, from October 22 to October 31, 2026, to facilitate necessary repair work. According to an official order issued by the District Magistrate, Baramulla, permission has been granted for the temporary closure of one lane of the bridge at kilometre 1.954 on the Sopore Bypass Road. The order follows a request from the Officer Commanding, EE (Civil), 56 RCC (GREF), seeking permission

Srinagar, Oct 22: Jammu and Kashmir is likely to experience generally dry weather over the coming days, with brief spells of light rain expected in a few parts of the Kashmir division from Thursday evening, according to the Meteorological Centre Srinagar. The weather is forecast to remain generally dry till the afternoon of October 23, after which a brief spell of light rain may occur at a few places in Kashmir towards the late afternoon or evening. On October 24, the weather is likely to remain