Greater Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 31: On the death anniversary of former President of India Pranab Mukherjee, Chairman of the Kashmir Policy and Strategy Group Ashok Bhan paid tribute to the veteran statesman, describing him as a towering statesman, an unwavering Constitutionalist and a political scholar whose public life embodied the finest traditions of Indian democracy. Bhan said Mukherjees journey from a modest beginning in a village in Bengal to the highest constitutional office of the country was marked by in

Leh, Aug 31: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Monday laid the foundation stone for 30 smart bus shelters -- 15 each in Leh and Kargil, in a significant step towards creating safe, smart and sustainable public transport infrastructure. The project is not merely about constructing bus shelters, but about creating safe, comfortable, technology-enabled and sustainable public transport infrastructure suited to Ladakh's unique environment, the lieutenant governor said. He said the shel

Srinagar, Aug 31: Apni Party president and former J&K finance minister Altaf Bukhari on Monday questioned Jammu and Kashmir Banks lending pattern, recruitment policy and board composition, while also alleging that efforts are being made to shift the banks headquarters from Srinagar. Addressing a press conference here, Bukhari described J&K Bank as a jewel in the crown and said it played an important role in the economic development of J&K. I have been the finance minister of J&K. I am saddened t

Srinagar, Aug 31: Jammu and Kashmir is likely to experience a spell of rain over the next 24 to 48 hours, with the Meteorological Department forecasting brief intense showers and gusty winds and warning of possible landslides, mudslides and flash floods in vulnerable areas. Director of the Meteorological Department J&K, Mukhtar Ahmad, said weather conditions are expected to become somewhat unsettled from Monday late afternoon and evening, with the Jammu division likely to witness more significan

Srinagar, Aug 31: MBBS and BDS interns staged peaceful demonstrations at various government medical institutions across Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, demanding an increase in their internship stipend. The protests were held at Government Medical Colleges and SKIMS Bemina, among other institutions, where interns gathered and raised slogans in support of their demand for a revision of the stipend paid during the compulsory internship period. The protesting interns said they work long hours and unde

Srinagar, Aug 31: Green spaces can help cities fight rising heat, but simply adding more green cover may not be enough. A new study from Lucknow suggests that the size, vegetation condition and surroundings of green patches can determine how much they cool the urban landscape. The study, published in Discover Cities, examined 456 urban and peri-urban green patches in Lucknow using satellite observations from 2019 and 2024. The researchers found that green patches were generally cooler than adjac

Jammu, Aug 31: An ex-serviceman was killed after his throat was slit by a Chinese kite string while he was travelling through the Ring Road here, officials said on Monday. Naib Subedar (Retd) Lakhvinder Singh sustained critical injuries after coming into contact with the killer string while passing through Bishnah area on a two-wheeler late Sunday, the officials said. They said the retired soldier was immediately shifted to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries. Singh was returning to his ho

Lahore, Aug 30: Pakistan's human rights body has said the state resorted to disproportionate use of force against protesters in the PoK and raised serious questions about the credibility of the electoral process marred with violence and allegations of massive rigging. A report by the fact finding mission of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) released on Saturday attributed the unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to longstanding political and socio-economic grievances, instituti

Srinagar, Aug 30:The proposed expansion of Srinagar International Airport Civil Enclave, involving an estimated investment of Rs 1667 crore, is expected to substantially increase the passenger-handling capacity of the Valleys main airport, while a separate proposal to examine the feasibility of an airport or an alternative aviation facility in Katra has also been put forward. The details were submitted by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and placed before

Srinagar, Aug 30:After years of waiting and scores of representations, and despite a government committee recommending an increase, medical interns have been pushed to wall to start a strike from August 31. MBBS and BDS interns across J&K are set to begin an indefinite strike from Monday, August 31, withdrawing their services from all hospitals. They are demanding revision of their monthly stipend from the existing Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000. The strike is the latest escalation in an unmet demand t

Srinagar, Aug 30:Businesses and businessmen in Jammu and Kashmir are seeking a comprehensive one-time settlement (OTS) scheme on the lines of the State Bank of Indias 2020 framework, arguing that more than three decades of disruption have left enterprises struggling with legacy debt despite repeated restructuring and relief measures. Business chambers across Kashmir have called for authorities to facilitate a broader settlement mechanism with J&K Bank, saying borrowers have operated under extrao

Srinagar, Aug 30:Underscoring that there is a clear distinction between President or the Governors power under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution and J&K Banks Managing Director (MD) and CEOs power under Clause 12.29 of the Officers Service Manual (OSM), the High Court of J&K and Ladakh has quashed the dismissal of a J&K Banks Officer. In response to a plea which it allowed, a bench of Justice Sanjay Dhar, held that the bank could not invoke Clause 12.29 of OSM to terminate an employee witho

Srinagar, Aug 30:Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a sharp decline in several key indicators of terrorism and violence, with stone-pelting incidents dropping by 98.6 percent and youth recruitment into terrorism has also declined by 99 percent between 2018 and 2025. The NITI Aayog figures produced on significant improvement in Law and Order compares compares key security indicators between 2018 and 2025 and points to a substantial reduction in violence-related incidents across J&K. As per the figur

Srinagar, Aug 30:The deadly August 26 flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border have drawn attention to a high-altitude hazard that can unleash destructive floods without a glacial lake - the sudden failure of glacier ice, rock and debris on an unstable slope. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) said satellite analysis showed a high-magnitude glacier-rock collapse, or ice-rock avalanche, entering Lende Khola, a tributary of the Bhote Koshi river, before turning

Leh, Aug 30: Ladakh Director General of Police (DGP) Anand Jain has emphasized the need for close cooperation, coordination and synergy among all stakeholders to ensure peace, security and stability in the sensitive border areas of the Union Territory. The Ladakh Police chief made the remarks during his visit to the vibrant village of Chumur, where he paid homage at a local monastery and interacted with security personnel deployed in the border area, before concluding his three-day tour of Chang

Kyiv, Aug 29: At least 27 people have been killed following a Russian attack on the Bucha district, close to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, officials said Saturday. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the local regional military administration, said that at least 50 residential buildings had been damaged in the attack, which also sparked a large-scale fire that spread to homes and a restaurant. Almost constant air raids in Kyiv have now reached their third day, choking the economy in the Ukrainian capital

Srinagar, Aug 29: Alkhuddam Hajj & Umrah Services, which has been serving pilgrims from across India with a special focus on Jammu and Kashmir, has secured its place in the Category-1 eligible list for Hajj 2026, the organisation said. The development marks a significant step forward for the company after a four-year period during which it was unable to secure eligibility under the revised cluster-based arrangements introduced under the new Hajj policy. The company said it was recognised as a St

Member NITI Aayog Dr M Srinivas on Friday said that the successful initiatives and best practices emerging from Kashmir will be showcased and replicated in other parts of the country Talking to reporters on the sidelines of his visit to CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) Srinagar, Srinivas said that NITI Aayog will use the regions achievements as a benchmark for other states. Srinivas said the purpose of the NITI Aayog delegations three-day visit was to assess the progress acr

The oxygen generation plant at District Hospital Shopian has remained non-functional for nearly two months, causing inconvenience to patients and forcing the hospital to rely on oxygen concentrators and cylinders to meet emergency requirements. We were shocked to learn that the plant was not working, said Mohammad Rafiq, an attendant of a patient admitted to the hospital. He said the patient, who was suffering from a respiratory-related illness, developed breathing difficulties after his oxygen

Baramulla, Aug 28: Kashmirs traditional apple-growing landscape is undergoing a gradual transformation, with an increasing number of growers shifting to high-density plantations in pursuit of higher productivity, better fruit quality and improved market returns. The shift, initially adopted by a relatively small number of progressive growers, has gained momentum in recent years as the government promotes modern orchard systems and growers increasingly look for ways to improve returns from limite

Indias democratic journey has always been closely intertwined with the legal profession. From the struggle for independence to the making of the Constitution and the establishment of parliamentary democracy, lawyers played an extraordinary role in shaping the nation. The freedom movement was not merely a political struggle; it was also a struggle for civil liberties, equality, dignity and the rule of law. Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and

The Indian Army organised Threads of Valour, a special Raksha Bandhan celebration at Maitra, bringing together nearly 300 daughters of Ramban with soldiers of Rashtriya Rifles in a heartfelt expression of trust and national unity. The gathering included students from various schools and colleges, Girls' Kabaddi Team, Girls' Boxing Team and NCC cadets of Government Degree College, Karol. Their participation added the values of physical confidence, teamwork, discipline and youth leadership to the

Srinagar, Aug 28:Jammu and Kashmir is set to witness a major transformation in its power landscape, with the government charting a comprehensive, time-bound roadmap to raise its operational hydropower generation capacity to 10,969.65 MW by December 2035, more than three times the present installed capacity of 3540.15 MW. The ambitious roadmap, aimed at strengthening energy security, reducing dependence on external power and creating the foundation for long-term economic growth, was reviewed in d

Srinagar, Aug 28:The industrial sector has challenged the Jammu and Kashmir Electricity Regulatory Commissions revised power tariff, questioning how an increase of nearly 10 percent was imposed on industrial consumers when the tariff proposal placed before stakeholders had envisaged a 5 percent across-the-board hike. The challenge has been made through a 17-page review petition filed before the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) against Order No 06 of 2026 dated August 20, which revi

Srinagar, Aug 28: The 57-day annual Amarnath Yatra 2026 concluded Friday with the traditional Samapan Puja at the Amarnath Cave shrine, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. Chhari Mubarak, the holy mace of lord Shiva, reached the 3880-metre-high shrine for the traditional Pujan and Darshan. It was installed inside the cave amid prayers and Vedic chanting. Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of the holy mace, led the rituals. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha performed the Samapan Puja

Srinagar, Aug 28:Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone, Sujit Kumar on Friday said that anti-terror operations remain the first priority of J&K Police, even as he used his first ground visit after taking charge to review inter-agency coordination and seek public cooperation during large Friday congregations at Hazratbal. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his assessment in Srinagar, including at Hazratbal, Sujit Kumar said the operational focus had not shifted with the change of

MP Ruhullah writes to Farooq Abdullah, questions partys stand on Article 370 GK WEB DESK Srinagar, Aug 28: Srinagar MP and JKNC leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Friday wrote a letter to party president Dr Farooq Abdullah and questioned partys leadership position on the restoration of Article 370, which was taken away by New Delhi on August 05, 2019. He said the demand for restoration of constitutional guarantees cannot be abandoned merely in favour of statehood. In a letter dated August 28, 202

New Delhi, Aug 28: The government on Friday said retail prices of sugar have started to ease with ex-mill rates declining by around 20 per cent in the last few days and announced that it will allocate a fortnightly sale quota to mills from September to ensure smooth supply and prevent artificial scarcity. At present, the food ministry allocates a monthly quota to mills for the sale of sugar. In an official statement, the Food Ministry said it is closely monitoring availability and prices of suga

Jammu, Aug 28: Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, on Friday said that the third Vande Bharat train between Jammu and Srinagar will be launched soon, terming it a major development for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. In a video message, Singh said that the Ministry of Railways has also approved a halt at Udhampur following a demand raised by the public. He said the approval for the Udhampur halt was particularly significant as it was earlier

The Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Kishtwar, has terminated the services of Farooq Ahmed, an HDF sanitation worker posted at the hospital, with immediate effect following his arrest in connection with the Chatroo minors death case. According to an official order issued on August 26, 2026, Farooq Ahmed, son of Sunaullah and resident of Sangrambhata, Kishtwar, was arrested by Police Station Chatroo on August 26 in connection with FIR No. 34/2026. The FIR has been registered under Sectio

A 10-member NITI Aayog delegation visiting Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday said its field visit was aimed at identifying development bottlenecks, improving coordination among government agencies and extending institutional support to the Union Territory for faster and more inclusive growth. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a visit to the Atal Tinkering Laboratory (ATL) at Government Girls Higher Secondary School (GGHSS), Nawakadal, NITI Aayog member Dr M. Srinivas, who is leading the dele

Srinagar, Aug 27:Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, along with several party colleagues, on Thursday visited Watal Kadal in Srinagar, where at least seven houses were gutted in a massive fire incident last evening. Bukhari and the accompanying party leaders met the affected families and expressed their sympathy and complete solidarity with them during this hour of immense grief and distress. Speaking on the occasion, Altaf Bukhari urged the administration to provide immediate reli

Srinagar, Aug 27: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a high-level meeting to review the drainage sector of Srinagar city, with a focus on addressing waterlogging, strengthening stormwater infrastructure and putting in place both immediate and long-term measures to improve the citys drainage resilience. Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Fazlul Haseeb gave a detailed presentation on the drainage profile of Srinagar and outlined a comprehensive five-year integrated roadmap t

Dr Syed Rafiq Ahmad Simnani of Srinagar has been invited to an award ceremony in New Delhi where, according to a letter issued by the Socrates Social Research University Trust, he is proposed to be conferred an Honorary Doctorate Award. In a letter dated August 19, 2026, the Trust informed Simnani that its evaluation panel had considered his application and recommended him for the award in recognition of his achievement and social dedication in his specific field. The award ceremony is scheduled

The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has directed the government to take decision on the Khadi and Village Industries Boards (KVIB) selection process initiated by the Board in 2016 for various posts, including Accounts Assistant and Junior Auditor and Junior Assistant and Record Keeper. In their plea, Mahboob Ali Mir and eight others had assailed a government order dated June 28, 2019, whereby all selections made in KVIB pursuant to advertisement notice dated October 8, 2016 had been cancelled and t

Malik Daniyals column makes one confident claim after another about Agha Ruhullah Mehdi that he owns nothing beyond his own voice, that his Article 370 politics is a lucrative pose, that he has never once threatened to leave his party. Each of these claims sounds sharp on the page. None of them survives contact with the actual record. Lets go through them one at a time. 1. His victory belonged to the party, not to him. Prove it. Daniyal states, as settled fact, that Ruhullahs 2024 Srinagar win w

In international relations, perceptions are not epiphenomenal; they are constitutive of strategy itself. Nowhere is this more evident than in the enduring Chinese perception of India, which is less a product of contemporary realities than of historically sedimented hierarchies, civilisational imaginaries, and strategic misreadings. The notion of a comprador reflexthe tendency to view another society as derivative, subordinate, or structurally dependentcaptures with striking precision the Chinese

Srinagar, Aug 27:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday called for a balanced and integrated healthcare strategy that combines the development of advanced quaternary care with strengthening of primary and secondary healthcare services across Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing the valedictory function of the Quaternary Healthcare and Research Summit: 4th J&K Medical Conference-2026 at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), CM Omar said that while scaling tertiary healthcare into

Srinagar, Aug 27:The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday ordered a major reshuffle in the police administration, appointing senior IPS officer M K Sinha as the new Additional Director General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), J&K, while Sujit Kumar has been posted as Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone, as part of a wider transfer and posting of 14 senior IPS and JKPS officers. The changes are part of a wider reshuffle involving 14 senior IPS and JKPS officers and

Srinagar, Aug 27:Kashmir's summer is set to end with a brief heat spell, as the Meteorological (MeT) Department forecasts temperatures to rise toward 35 degrees Celsius in the Valley plains over the next few days. Friday and Saturday are expected to be the hottest days. Srinagar recorded 32.9 degrees Celsius on Thursday. Kupwara recorded 33.3 degrees Celsius and Qazigund 32 degrees Celsius. Kokernag recorded 31.7 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 27 degrees Celsius and Gulmarg 24 degrees Celsius. Jammu