Greater Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 08: The Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, has extended heartiest congratulations to two outstanding weavers, Manzoor Ahmad Hajam and Fayaz Ahmad Wani, from Kanihama, Budgam, who have been conferred with the prestigious National Handloom Award, in recognition for their contribution in the field of Kani weaving. They were conferred with the National Award for their joint entry Chand-Daar Kani Shawl by the President of India, Draupadi Murmu, during a glittering function

Leh, Aug 08 : In what local authorities are calling a transformative turning point for the high-altitude region, Ladakhs tourism sector has witnessed a historic surge in visitor arrivals through 2026. Official figures released by the Union Territory administration reveal that between January and July 2026, Ladakh welcomed over 3.30 lakh tourists, nearly matching the entire calendar total recorded for 2025 (3.35 lakh) in just seven months. The peak summer months provided the strongest momentum. M

Ahmedabad, Aug 08: The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism concluded its vibrant three day participation at the Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) Ahmedabad, emerging as one of the major attractions for travel trade, tourism stakeholders and the visitors at the prestigious event. The participation of Jammu and Kashmir received a significant recognition with J&K being honoured with the best adventure tourism destination award, reaffirming its growing position as one of Indias most diverse and exciting adventure

Srinagar, Aug 08: The 57-day-long Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, which commenced on July 3, will remain suspended from both routes from August 9 in view of track restoration works and adverse weather conditions. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg in a statement said that the 57-day-long Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra commenced on July 3 this year and will culminate with the event of Chadi Mubarak on August 28, 2026. He said the Yatra commenced simultaneously from both routesthe Chandanwari track in A

Mumbai, Aug 8: Union minister Amit Shah on Saturday urged urban cooperative banks to embrace technology, ensure transparency and modernise customer services to remain competitive. Speaking at the inauguration of the new office of the National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation Limited (NUCFDC) in Mumbai, he said ensuring the prosperity of customers will help the banks achieve growth. The Union Home and Cooperation Minister also urged all urban cooperative banks to join the NUC

Srinagar, Aug 08: Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (J&KCSF) chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani today expressed grave concern over the growing unemployment among the youth of Jammu & Kashmir, and said it has emerged as a serious social and economic challenge that demands immediate attention. In a statement issued, JKCSF Chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani said that thousands of educated, skilled and qualified young men and women are spending the most productive years of their lives waiting for limited govern

Young people in Kashmir are already closely connected with the digital world. Smartphones, online videos, social media and mobile games have become part of everyday life for students and young adults, yet gaming is still discussed mostly as a form of entertainment. There is another side to it that deserves more attention: the possibility that some of the young people who enjoy playing games today could also learn how to develop them. Game development is no longer limited to large companies or pr

New Delhi, Aug 8: Voicing deep frustration over the delay in restoration of promised statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that the anger and disappointment over the issue in the Union territory is not only against the Modi government but he himself has lost huge political capital because of it. Abdullah said the prolonged delay in restoring statehood has led to public disappointment in J-K, which extends beyond the Centre, while acknowledging that his own

Banihal, Aug 08: The Shri Amarnath Yatra was suspended from Jammu on Saturday amid rains and inclement weather conditions prevailing in Ramban district and parts of Kashmir, officials said. No fresh Yatra convoy was allowed to leave the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on Saturday as a precautionary measure in view of the prevailing weather and road conditions. Meanwhile, the 28th batch of 1,202 pilgrims who had completed darshan at the holy cave and were staying at the Baltal base camp was all

A US judge has ordered Meta to pay an additional $567 million for failing to adequately warn the public about the risks its social media platforms pose to children, taking the total penalties against the company in the New Mexico case to $942 million, the BBC reported. Judge Bryan Biedscheid ruled on Thursday that Metas platforms constitute a public nuisance, comparing the company to a factory whose products generate widespread social harm. He directed the social media giant to create a fund to

BJP MLAs on Friday created a ruckus in the Jharkhand Assembly over alleged irregularities in recruitment exams in the state, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House for the day. The opposition MLAs trooped into the well of the House, raising slogans like CM Hemant Soren quit office, as soon as the proceedings started on the second day of the Monsoon Session. They demanded a CBI probe under a court-monitored committee into the alleged irregularities in the job exams. Amid the ruckus created by t

The Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) organised a high-impact orientation and mentoring session for startups, aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners, students, and young innovators at its Main Campus, Pampore. The session, organised from August 5 to August 7, was conducted by Prof. Sunil Handa, Founder of the Eklavya Foundation, alumnus of BITS Pilani and IIM Ahmedabad, and a distinguished entrepreneur and startup mentor who has guided thousands of ventures across I

Automobile retail sales in Jammu and Kashmir registered a robust 17.30 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth in July 2026, driven by strong demand across passenger vehicles, two-wheelers, three-wheelers and commercial vehicles, according to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), J&K. Overall vehicle retail sales in the Union Territory stood at 21,124 units in July 2026, compared with 18,009 units during the corresponding month last year. However, retail sales declined by 4.03 per

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday extended greetings to weavers and craftspeople across Jammu and Kashmir and the country on the occasion of National Handloom Day, paying tribute to their contribution in preserving Indias rich cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship. In a message shared through the Office of the Lieutenant Governor on X, Sinha highlighted the creativity, dedication and skill of handloom artisans, describing their work as a reflection of Indias vibrant cultural id

The J&K Judicial Academy, under the patronage of Acting Chief Justice High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Sanjeev Kumar and the guidance of Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Judge, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and Chairman, Governing Committee, J&K Judicial Academy, today concluded the academy-based phase of the Pre-Appointment Induction Training Programme for 39 Trainee Civil Judges (Junior Division), Batch-2026. The programme was graced by Acting Chief Justice (Acting), High Cou

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo, today inspected the newly created alternate entry gate and additional parking space at Bone & Joint Hospital, Barzulla. The DC also took an onsite review of the ongoing Sunner Kul Bund road development works being executed to streamline traffic movement around SMHS Hospital and Super Specialty Hospital. The inspection was undertaken as part of the District Administration's sustained efforts to improve traffic management and strengthen infrastruct

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) National Convenor, Nasir Khuehami, on Friday held a detailed meeting with Left parties Members of Parliament K Radhakrishnan (CPI(M)) and K. Subbarayan (CPI) in New Delhi during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament to apprise them of the pressing concerns confronting the youth and students of Jammu and Kashmir. During the meeting, Khuehami presented a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing students, job aspirants and unemployed yout

Amid outrage over defamatory slogans by BJP leaders and workers, the party has suspended the primary membership of nine of its functionaries in Anantnag and removed them from all organisational posts. However, no action has been taken against former MLC and senior BJP leader Sofi Yousuf. Sofi was leading the Tiranga rally in south Kashmir on August 5, in which the BJP leaders and workers used derogatory slogans targeting Kashmiri women. In an office order issued by BJP Anantnag district presiden

The Forum for Human Rights in Jammu and Kashmir, led by Radha Kumar, Kapil Kak Friday presented its annual report, Seven Years Under Union Rule With a Special Section on Ladakh & Pakistan-held Territories of Jammu and Kashmir (August 2025July 2026), to Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah at the party headquarters, Nawa-e-Subha. The presentation was attended by the Party's General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, several legislators, in-charges of various parent and y

The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday approved the promotion of 28 officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) to the Super Time Scale, Special Scale and Selection Grade through three separate orders issued by the General Administration Department (GAD). According to Government Order No. 1374-JK(GAD) of 2026, Pawan Singh Rathore has been promoted to the Super Time Scale of JKAS in Level-14 (Rs 1,44,2002,18,200). The order states that the promotion has been granted notion

Hajin (Bandipora), Aug 7: Apni Party president Syed Altaf Bukhari on Thursday appealed to the authorities to withdraw the FIR registered against Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti, saying she should be forgiven in the same spirit as other young people in Kashmir who have faced police action. Speaking to reporters after addressing a party convention in Hajin area of Sonawari in north Kashmir's Bandipora district, Bukhari refrained from commenting on the political aspects of the FI

Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday said that Apni Party is coming forward with a new vision and strategy to ensure that Jammu & Kashmirs lost dignity, status, and respect are restored, and that a brighter, more prosperous, and dignified future for its youth is secured. He made these remarks today while addressing a workers convention in Hajin Sonawari in Bandipora district. The event, which was attended by a large number of peoplemen and women, young and oldwas organised

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti on Friday said she would fully cooperate with the police investigation into the case registered against her, while asserting that campaigning for the restoration of Article 370 was a constitutional and democratic right that her party would continue to pursue. Iltija made the remarks after being questioned for nearly two hours at Police Station Kothibagh in connection with an FIR registered following the PDP's August 4 protest in Srinagar against

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday alleged that she and her daughter, Iltija Mufti, were being targeted for raising their voice on Article 370 and urged party workers to continue the peaceful and democratic struggle for the resolution of the Kashmir issue even if both of them were jailed. Addressing party workers at the PDP headquarters here, a day after she and Iltija were named in an FIR registered in connection with a protest in Srinagar, the former chief minist

Udhampur, Aug 7: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday laid the foundation stones for two major infrastructure projects worth over Rs 140 crore aimed at strengthening drinking water supply and sewerage management in the districts of Udhampur and Reasi. The projects, as per an official statement, include the Rs 124.19 crore Augmentation of Water Supply Scheme for Udhampur Town under AMRUTthe Rs 16.33 crore Used Water Management Project, including construction of a 3.0 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant

Jammu, Aug 7: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday inaugurated the upgraded Residency RoadHigh Street in Jammu, a landmark urban infrastructure project executed by Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) under the Smart City Mission at a cost of 9.18 crore. The project has transformed nearly 1.2 kilometres of the Residency RoadHigh Street corridor, covering the stretches from RaghunathjiMandir to CM House, VivekanandChowk to RaghunathMandirChowk, and Vir Marg Chowk to VivekanandChowk. As part of the

Srinagar, Aug 7: Khalin Joshi carded a five-under 66 to complete a commanding nine-shot victory at the INR 1 crore J&K Open 2026 at the picturesque Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar. The 33-year-old Bengaluru golfer (63-66-65-66) finished with a tournament total of 24-under 260 to claim his eighth professional title and second victory of the 2026 DP World PGTI season. Joshi, as per a PGTI statement, collected the winners cheque of INR 15 lakh and climbed five places from 13th to eighth in th

Srinagar, Aug 7:J&K Bank Academy showcased impressive character and fighting spirit to register a 21 victory over City Gate FC in an exciting encounter of the Srinagar Premier League 2026 at TRC Turf, Srinagar, on Friday. The match, as per a DFA statement, played in front of an enthusiastic footballing atmosphere, witnessed an intense battle between the two sides, with both teams looking to gain an advantage from the opening whistle. City Gate FC started the contest with confidence and looked or

Jammu, Aug 7: Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM), Jammu Railway Division Uchit Singhal on Friday felicitated J&K Police cop Vishal Manyal on winning two gold and one silver medal in 18th WEKAF World Arnis Championship 2026. Vishal Manyal, an SPO of Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) cop, who delivered an outstanding performance at the 18th WEKAF World Arnis Championship 2026 by winning 2 gold and 1 silver medal, was given a warm welcome, August 7, 2026, at Jammu Railway Division of the North

August 5, 2026; Seventh anniversary of the dilution of Article 370 leading to divesting Jammu and Kashmir of statehood and dividing it into two Union Territories (UTs). It was an unprecedented and unmatched act in the over 70 year history of Indian Republic. And the solemn assurance of the Union Government and ruling BJP to restore statehood at an appropriate time, made on different fora including Parliament and Supreme Court of India, still waiting to be fructified. There could have been no bet

Jammu, Aug 7: Final Location Surveys (FLS) have been sanctioned for strategic 190-km Jammu-Reasi-Poonch new line and 78-km Jammu-Katra additional line for preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to bolster rail connectivity in border and remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Besides, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared in case of a 216-km third rail line between Jammu Tawi-Jalandhar cantonment. For both Jammu-Reasi-Poonch new line and Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra addition

Ramban, Aug 7:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday travelled by road from Jammu to Srinagar via the Srinagar-Jammj National Highway and reviewed the ongoing restoration and repair works at several affected stretches amid challenging weather conditions and traffic disruptions. During his visit, CM Omar inspected vulnerable portions of the highway and received detailed briefings from officials of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Traffic Police, and civil administration regarding t

Srinagar, Aug 7:Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti was questioned for around one-and-a-half hours by police in connection with an FIR registered over an assault and rioting during a protest in Srinagar on the eve of the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. The questioning was conducted by the Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station Kothibagh, who is also the investigating officer in the case, in the presence of a woman police officer. A senior police office

Jammu, Aug 7:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday, hit out at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while obliquely hinting at its alleged umbilical ties with the central government and alleged that the (central) agencies always worked to restore its (PDPs) credibility whenever it nosedived. Dont ask for my comments on the fixed match. After her Banta Hai remark (at Jantar-Mantar protest site), their image took a hit. Their image has weakened to a great extent so her Mai-Baap (creators and mentor

Jammu, Aug 7:High-intensity rains, which may induce cloudbursts and flash floods, are expected to lash many parts of Jammu region, from the intervening night of August 9 and 10. According to the met department, there is possibility of intense localised downpours and isolated cloudburst events in higher reaches and vulnerable areas of Chenab valley, Jammu, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch on August 10. The weatherman had predicted fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall across the Jammu r

Ramban, Aug 7:The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open on Friday for the scheduled movement of the Amarnath Yatra convoy as well as regulated two-way traffic of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) despite intermittent rainfall and vulnerable road conditions at several locations. Heavy vehicles were also being allowed to move towards Jammu from Kashmir in accordance with the traffic management plan issued by the Traffic Police. However, vehicular movement remained slow at vulnerable stretches, p

Srinagar, Aug 7: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh recorded 35 percent excess rainfall in July, receiving 259.7 mm against a normal of 192.6 mm, though the overall surplus masked sharp local variations, with rainfall intensity differing even within districts. Director Meteorology Mukhtar Ahmad said rainfall distribution remained highly localised, rather than widespread, with intense spells confined to pockets while nearby areas received little or no rain. Several pockets, particularly in higher reach

Jammu, Aug 7: A body has been recovered after a couple was swept away in a flash flood triggered by heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district on Thursday evening, officials said. The incident occurred in Kaghote panchayat of the Ramnagar area after intense rains triggered a sudden flash flood, they said. According to locals, the couple, identified as 58-year-old Baldev and 53-year-old Maya Devi, had gone to graze their cattle and were crossing a nallah when they were caught in the

Jammu, Aug 7: Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Northern Circle, Dinesh Chand Deshwal on Friday completed the safety inspection of the Katra-Srinagar section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) in light of the regions challenging geographical terrain and weather conditons. Deshwal inspected the rail corridor from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar and expressed satisfaction with the construction quality and safety standards on the strategically important rail link, off

Banihal, Aug 7: Ramban Police have arrested one person and seized a Scorpio vehicle after its driver allegedly attempted to run over police personnel at a naka on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) in the early hours of Friday. According to an official press release, the incident occurred at around 3:52 a.m. at the Cut-off Naka, Kunfer, Chanderkote, where a police team had signalled a black Scorpio (Registration No. JK02AK-1743) to stop for routine checking after it arrived from the JP

Srinagar, Aug 7: Accused of assaulting an on-duty police officer, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said she and her daughter were being targeted for raising their voice and urged the party workers to continue the struggle for resolution of the Kashmir issue even if she and Iltija go to jail. A day after the mother-daughter duo was named in the FIR at the Kothibagh police station, the former chief minister of the erstwhile state urged her party supporters to remain steadfast on the path sho

Leh, Aug 7: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has directed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the public works department (PWD) to conduct detailed safety audits of vulnerable road stretches in Ladakh and take immediate preventive measures to mitigate landslides and rockfalls following recent incidents that damaged property and disrupted traffic. The directions were issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the lieutenant governor on Thursday to review preparedness and mitigation m

Srinagar, Aug 7: National Conference Rajya Sabha MP Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan today expressed gratitude to the leaders and members of the INDIA alliance for extending support to the party's demand for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. In a letter dated August 7, addressed to the leaders and members of the political parties constituting the INDIA Alliance, Ramzan, on behalf of National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, thanked them for

Banihal, Aug 07: Six persons were injured after an Ertiga car (JK04J-7978) was involved in a head-on collision with a Tavera (JK02DH-1621) coming from the opposite direction on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) near Tunnel No. 5 (T-5) in the Ramsoo area of Ramban district on Friday, officials said. Soon after the accident, police teams, personnel of the SDRF, and volunteers of the Himalayan Quick Response Team (QRT) Ramsoo rushed to the spot and rescued the injured. They were shifted t