Greater Kashmir

Edmonton, Oct 18: Canada's defence minister said that people were killed and injured in an incident at a military base in Alberta that caused a major fire. I'm saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base, Defense Minister David McGuinty said on Saturday. A serious incident creating a major fire has occurred at CFB Wainwright, in Alberta, Prime Minister Mark Carney said earlier in a social media post. Our thoughts are with all the bra

Srinagar, Oct 17:Chief Executive Officer, Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL), Dr. Basharat Qayoom, today conducted a comprehensive review of key Smart City infrastructure at Souq Market and Craft Centre, Batamaloo, the under-construction Electric Bus Charging Station at Batamaloo, and the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) at HMT. The review focused on construction quality, timely completion of ongoing works, infrastructure maintenance, effective utilisation of technology and strengthe

Srinagar, Oct 17:The Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation (NLCO), under its flagship community-led initiative, Mission Ehsaas, Phase 7, today inaugurated the restoration and rejuvenation of the traditional spring at Taploo Mohalla near Anchar lake in Soura locality. NLCO Chairman Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo said the initiative marks the third traditional spring taken up for restoration by NLCO in Anchar, reaffirming its commitment to reviving Kashmirs traditional water sources and safeguarding its ec

Srinagar, Oct 17:Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the revival and restoration of the historic Vittal Bhairav Temple at Motiyar, Rainawari, in Srinagar district, marking a significant step towards preserving Kashmirs rich cultural and architectural heritage. The restoration project is being undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs 2.84 crore under the Governments heritage conservation initiative. The project aims to preserve the temples historical, religious and

Srinagar, Oct 17:Underscoring the importance of scientific assessment and coordinated action for safeguarding Jammu & Kashmirs groundwater resources, Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department, ShaleenKabra, today chaired a Union Territory-level Coordination Committee (UTLCC) meeting to review the assessment of groundwater resources across J&K under the Groundwater Resource Assessment (GWRA-2026). The meeting focused on strengthening inter-departmental coordination, streamlining data shar

Ganderbal, Oct 17: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Shreya Singhal, today visited the Wandhama Transit Camp and interacted with employees appointed under the Prime Ministers Package, listening to their demands and grievances and reviewing the availability of basic amenities at the camp. During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner took stock of the existing infrastructure and reviewed the status of drinking water supply, electricity and sanitation facilities. She listened to the concerns raised

New Delhi, Oct 17:Drug pricing regulator NPPA on Saturday capped trade margins on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer formulations at 30 per cent, according to an official statement. The move, effective November 9, is expected to slash retail prices of these critical life-saving medicines by up to 70 per cent depending on their current price structures, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers statement said. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), functioning under the Department of Ph

Shopian, Oct 17:An overpowering stench of rotting apples hangs over orchards in south Kashmirs Shopian district, where piles of decayed fruit lie beneath the trees after repeated hailstorms damaged the crop. Growers in villages including Dangam, Wangam, Kachdoora and Amshipora said a significant portion of the hail-damaged apples rotted on the trees before they could be harvested. Several hailstorms this season caused extensive damage across Shopian, one of Kashmirs major apple-producing distric

Anantnag, Oct 17:Around 3,000 cancer patients have registered with Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnags Radiation Oncology Department since 2019, including 800 this year, but patients who need radiotherapy still have to travel to Srinagar for treatment. The department provides only chemotherapy and palliative care from a cramped, makeshift space inside the hospital. A dedicated two-storey oncology block is under construction, but it cannot offer radiotherapy without specialised equipment.

From the promise of restoring Jammu and Kashmirs political dignity to the everyday failures of governance, the National Conference (NC) government sits on a question, it keeps running away from: what was the mandate for if it was not meant to be used? Two years into the NC government, the burgeoning gap between the promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the politics pursued after a resounding mandate has become increasingly difficult to ignore. The popular government has often take

The history of Jammu and Kashmir since 1947 is not merely a story of Pakistani aggression, separatism and terrorism. It is equally a history of political miscalculations, shifting loyalties, personal ambitions and repeated betrayals of democratic principles by the two political parties that dominated its political landscape for decadesthe National Conference and Congress. Their relationship, oscillating between political friendship and bitter hostility, created recurring crises of legitimacy and

There is a strange contradiction in the way we treat women. We celebrate their achievements. We rush to interview them when they top examinations, crack competitive tests, enter prestigious professions or clear the civil services. We publish their photographs, share their success stories and proudly call them role models. However, beyond the headlines and congratulatory messages, do we give them the everyday respect they deserve? Do we listen to their voices with the same enthusiasm with which w

India should welcome new technology, foreign investment and competition in telecommunications. But it must also recognise that some commercial services can become matters of national security. When communications networks are used by the armed forces, emergency services and critical public institutions, their availability cannot be left entirely to commercial considerations. The controversy surrounding Elon Musks Starlink satellite internet service has brought this question into focus. Musks pub

Srinagar, Oct 17: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Saturday participated virtually in a review meeting held to discuss implementation of the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan (Save the Farm Campaign), scheduled to commence on October 22 and continue until November 30, 2026. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who reviewed the campaign'

Srinagar, Oct 17:Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Masood Itoo on Saturday laid the foundation stone for Government Model Higher Secondary School (Boys), Banihal building, to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 10.44 crore. The project is being executed by the Public Works (R&B) Department, Banihal Division. The minister was accompanied by MLA Banihal Sajad Shaheen, Director School Education Jammu Naseem Javaid Chowdhary, Director Health Servi

Jammu, Oct 17: The Ministry of Railways has approved the extension of Sabarmati BG-Jammu Tawi Express up to Katra with effect from October 18, 2026 from Sabarmati and from October 20, 2026 from Katra. The extension has been approved with three new halting points i.e., Samba, Bari Brahmana and Udhampur railway stations. Thousands of passengers, Railway officials stated, would get direct benefit from this decision. However, due to operational reasons, consequent upon its extension, the timings of

Srinagar, Oct 17:I n a major push to strengthen industrial infrastructure and accelerate investment in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has approved the transfer of 671 kanals of land in Samba to the Industries and Commerce Department for the development of a state-of-the-art Plug and Play Industrial Park under the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA). The initiative aims to provide ready-to-use industrial infrastructure, reliable services and streamlined approvals, enabling enterprises to esta

Srinagar, Oct 17:The government has set a target of finalising GIS-based master plans for 25 cities and towns during the current financial year, but the exercise is moving at markedly different speeds across Jammu and Kashmir. Only the Anantnag-Bijbehara-Mattan plan has reached the draft stage, while Bandiporas preliminary draft is under scrutiny. Being prepared or reviewed under AMRUT 2.0, the plans are meant to give towns a structured framework for urban growth, land use and future development

Srinagar, Oct 17: Army foiled an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Keran sector of Kupwara district in north Kashmir early on Saturday, triggering exchange of fire near Jumgund village. Search and sanitisation operations continued through the day in the sensitive border area, with additional troops inducted to thoroughly comb the terrain. According to Army, terrorists tried to sneak into the Valley under the cover of darkness. Troops noticed suspicious movement near Jum

New Delhi, Oct 17:Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a major expansion of its transport infrastructure, with new railway links, highways, tunnels and airport facilities aimed at improving year-round connectivity, boosting tourism and linking local businesses with markets across the country. According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), inaugurated in June 2025, has connected Kashmir with the national railway network. The project, built at a cost

Srinagar, Oct 17:A High Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC), constituted by the Supreme Court of India to investigate incidents of violence at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and other places during July 2026, has launched a dedicated portal to receive complaints and representations from affected persons and other stakeholders. According to a statement issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Saturday, the portal, http://hpec.nic.in, has been launched to facilitate submissions from those affected

Srinagar, Oct 17:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary for approving Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) worth Rs 475.41 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme for upgrading key Industrial Training Institute (ITI) clusters across Jammu and Kashmir. Under the initiative, the Jammu ITI Cluster, with ITI Jammu a

Sopore, Oct 17: Bazm-e-Sher-o-Adab North Kashmir organised a one-day literary conference and Naatia Mushaira at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Sopore, bringing together prominent literary figures, poets, writers and admirers of Urdu literature to celebrate the regions rich literary and cultural heritage. The event provided a platform for intellectual exchange, literary discussion and poetic expression, highlighting the enduring significance of literature in preserving cultural identity

Srinagar, Oct 17: Prof. (Dr.) Twinkle Suri, Director Colleges, Jammu and Kashmir, held an interactive meeting with the principals of government degree colleges in the Kashmir Division at Government College for Women, M.A. Road, Srinagar, to discuss institutional challenges and explore measures to strengthen the overall functioning of colleges. Prof. Seema Naz, Nodal Principal, welcomed the Director Colleges and the principals and assured her commitment to collective efforts towards strengthening

Srinagar, Oct 17: Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmad today released Zaytoon : A Tale of Survival and Solitude, a novel authored by emerging writer Nahida Mushtaq, at a literary programme organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) at its Seminar Hall, Lal Mandi, Srinagar. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest Mian Altaf Ahmad appreciated Nahida Mushtaqs creative endeavour, describing the novel as a significant literary expression of the struggles, resilie

Anantnag, Oct 17: In a remarkable achievement for Government Nursing College, GMC Anantnag, two nursing graduates from the 2021 batch have qualified the AIIMS NORCET-11 (Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test) conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Seerat Yousuf, a resident of Pahroo, Nowgam, secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 208. Her performance places her among the top nursing candidates in the country. Noorul Ain, a resident of Chadoora,

Ganderbal, Oct 17: The Department of Tourism Studies (DTS), Central University of Kashmir (CU of Kashmir), brought its week-long World Tourism Day 2026 celebrations to a close at the Green Campus here on Friday, recognising students achievements across various competitions. In her welcome address, Dr Shahnaz Akhtar, Coordinator, DTS, highlighted the activities conducted during the week-long celebrations. She stated that the Department had extended the observance beyond a single-day programme to

Kupwara, Oct 17:Residents of this frontier district have appealed to the Omar Abdullah-led government to establish a maternity and childcare hospital at the district headquarters in Kupwara so that people can get relief and, more importantly, avoid having to shift patients elsewhere. The residents said that establishing a maternity and childcare hospital at the district headquarters would ease their hardships. People from snowbound areas like Machil, Keran, Tanghdar, Jumagund, Budnamal, Kumkadi

Srinagar, Oct 17: Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Dr Basharat Qayoom, today inspected the animal welfare facility at Tengpora, reviewed the ongoing construction of an animal welfare facility at Chaterhama and took stock of the construction of the Modern Abattoir at Aloochibagh. During the visit to Tengpora, the Commissioner reviewed the overall functioning, maintenance and upkeep of the animal welfare facility. He directed the concerned officers to ensure proper sanitation, c

Jammu, Oct 17: Ankur Maitrika Hospital, in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson, organised the GALOP Preceptorship Programme in Gynaecological Laparoscopic Surgery, aimed at enhancing surgical skills and promoting advanced minimally invasive gynaecological procedures among medical professionals across Jammu & Kashmir. The programme, as per a statement, featured advanced laparoscopic gynaecological surgeries performed by Dr Ajay Wakhloo, Director of Ankur Maitrika Hospital and a renowned Gynaecol

Jammu, Oct 17: Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Jammu has taken a significant step towards strengthening advanced cancer diagnostics with the introduction and operationalisation of specialised diagnostic services in Flow Cytometry and Immunohistochemistry (IHC). The initiative aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy, facilitate early and precise classification of malignancies, and support personalised cancer treatment for patients in Jammu and Kashmir. The services are being strengthen

Katra, Oct 17: Renowned singer Suraj Singh and former winner of All India Devotional Song Competition (AIDSC), Ravi Raguvanshi enthralled the audience on the sixth day of AIDSC, presently underway at Katra, as a part of Navratra festival 2026. The contest is being organized by SMVD Shrine Board; Department of J&K Tourism; PTC Network in association with SMVD Narayana Super Speciality Hospital; J&K Bank; Nice Gems; Nidheesh Builders Jammu Private Limited; 92.7 Big FM; Yog Ashram complex with acti

Kargil, Oct 17: A day after the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) rejected the Centre's draft proposal on Ladakh's demands, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra on Saturday termed the response very unfortunate, saying the document was dismissed within two hours of its receipt without its clauses being examined in depth. Addressing a press conference in Leh, Kundra said the draft had been prepared after considerable effort and was open to suggestions, stressing that the Centre

Jammu, Oct 17: Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Vikas Kundal, Saturday chaired a meeting to review the progress on the conferment of ownership rights to Displaced Persons (DPs) and West Pakistani Refugees (WPRs) under the relevant Government Orders, including Government Orders No. 100, 101 and 105. During detailed deliberations, the Deputy Commissioners of Jammu Division, as per an official statement, apprised the chair of the district-wise progress in the receipt, scrutiny, approval and disposal

Jammu, Oct 17:J&K BJP Health Cell co-convener Dr Varinder Sharma has appreciated Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's vision of moving Jammu and Kashmir from volume-driven footfall to a high-value, sustainable tourism model and of pitching Gulmarg to the Government of India as a flagship, world-class destination. Dr Varinder said he fully concurred with the Chief Minister that tourism must be eco-friendly and value-rich rather than a race for numbers. Unchecked mass tourism, he noted, strains fragile

Kargil , Oct 17: Festive fervour gripped the valley of Sankoo on Saturday as thousands of residents poured onto the streets to celebrate the official announcement granting district status to the region. The long-standing aspiration of the local population finally came to fruition, transforming the sub-division into a newly minted administrative district. The air echoed with patriotic slogans, traditional drumbeats, and joyous cheers as jubilant crowds waved flags, distributed sweets, and danced

Jammu, Oct 17: J&K BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma CA has said that the overwhelming public appreciation of Prime Minister Narendra Modis governance model has unnerved opposition parties, which are finding it difficult to counter BJPs growing popularity, development-oriented policies and expanding public support. Sat Sharma, as per a statement, was addressing an organisational review meeting of Samba district, convened by District President Asha Rani, where he assessed the partys or

Srinagar, Oct 17: A delegation of the Agriculture Graduates Association Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday called on People's Democratic Party (PDP) General Secretary Organisation and former Agriculture Minister, Adv Gh Nabi Lone Hanjura, and apprised him of their long-pending demands concerning the service structure, recruitment policy and career prospects of agriculture graduates in Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation, as per a statement, raised several key demands, including the creation of a Gazett

Srinagar, Oct 17: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah Saturday said in democracy there is no place for intimidation, coercion, harassment, fear, injustice, or the suppression of people's voices adding that the Constitution of India does not permit such actions either. As per a party statement issued, he said that respecting the human rights is a fundamental responsibility of a democratic society and no region or citizen should be subjected to discrimination on

Langate, Oct 17: The Qaziabad Volleyball League 2026 commenced at Army Camp Langate on Saturday under Operation Sadbhavana, witnessing enthusiastic participation from teams representing Langate, Rafiabad and Sopore. The league aims to provide a platform for the youth of North Kashmir to showcase their sporting talent while promoting teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship through healthy competition. The initiative also reflects the Indian Armys efforts to encourage youth engagement, nurture emer

Lolab, Oct 17: Pathan Panthers Lolab stormed into the final of the Kilo North Kashmir T20 Premier League after registering a convincing 37-run victory over NCC Narbal in the first semi-final at Chandigam Cricket Ground, Lolab, on Friday. With an impressive performance in the knockout encounter, Pathan Panthers Lolab, as per an official statement, became the first team to secure a place in the tournaments grand finale, taking another significant step towards the coveted championship title. The vi

Bijbehara, Oct 17: Income Tax Eleven Kashmir, captained by Moin Siddiqui, registered a convincing 17-run victory over CA Eleven Kashmir, led by Abrar Hussain, in an exciting cricket encounter played at Bijbehara Cricket Stadium. After winning the toss, Income Tax Eleven Kashmir, as per a statement, elected to bat first and put up a competitive total of 156 runs for the loss of four wickets. Parvez Rasool contributed a valuable 41 runs, while Muntazor chipped in with 34 runs to strengthen the tea

Srinagar, Oct 17: Kashmir Elegant FC registered a hard-fought 21 victory over Sports Council Football Academy in the Srinagar Premier League 2026 at TRC Srinagar. Kashmir Elegant FC, as per a statement, went into half-time with a 21 lead and maintained their advantage throughout the second half to secure all three points. Sports Council Football Academy fought to get back into the game, but Kashmir Elegant FC held firm to preserve their lead until the final whistle. The match showcased the compe

Ganderbal, Oct 17: The Wushu competitions of the 70th National School Games (NSG) 2026 continued for the third consecutive day at the Government College of Physical Education, Ganderbal, with a total of 192 bouts contested across two arenas. The championship, as per a DYSS statement, is being hosted by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, Jammu and Kashmir, under the aegis of the School Games Federation of India (SGFI). On the third day, Arena 1 witnessed 64 bouts across male and female

Nana Patekar died in the early hours of Thursday, 8 October 2026 of a cardiac arrest at his home in Goa. He was seventy-five. Four days earlier, at a function near Panaji, he had spoken of death without theatre. We all have to go someday. I dont know whether I will be here tomorrow But before the time comes we have to think am I able to do what I want to do? Have I made the effort? Then, The Indian Express reports, he danced with a troupe and told a fan who asked for a Krantiveer dialogue that n

I set off for Delhi in the morning with William Dalrymples The City of Djinns in my bag. Theres something satisfying about carrying a book about a city into the city itself. You begin to look at things a little differently, as though the streets might reveal something youd have missed otherwise. On the flight, I was reading Dalrymples account of his visits to the shrine of Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya and the qawwalis that fill its precincts. I read about the music, the devotees and the curious way

Mumbai, Oct 17: Ahead of its proposed initial public offering (IPO), Jio Platforms has outlined its next phase of expansion, identifying mobility, home broadband and enterprise and international services as its three principal growth engines. Speaking to journalists in Mumbai, Managing Director Akash Ambani said the company would focus on expanding its customer base, strengthening digital infrastructure and monetising its technology capabilities as Indias digital economy moves towards an estimat

Srinagar, Oct 17: Philips Home Appliances has launched its festive campaign, Sone Pe Double Suhaga, offering assured gifts on eligible purchases and a chance to win gold worth Rs 9,999 every hour and a diamond worth Rs 50,000 every day. Running from October 11 to November 11, 2026, the campaign builds on the success of last years Sone Pe Suhaga initiative, which reached consumers across 70 cities. This year, the company aims to expand its reach to more than 200 million consumers across 112 citie

Jammu, Oct 17: Experts from CSIR-IIIM Jammu and CAD today conducted a joint visit to various sites of the Patyari Cluster under the Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (MCADWM) scheme. The visit was undertaken under the supervision and directions of the Director, Command Area Development Project Jammu Pankaj Magotra to explore the feasibility of cultivating medicinal and aromatic plants in the Patyari Cluster and obtain expert recommendations on suitable crop options b

Srinagar, Oct 17: Director Agriculture Kashmir, Sartaj Ahmad Shah, today inaugurated the sale of onion seedlings for the farming community at Seed Multiplication Farm, Gangbugh, reaffirming the Departments commitment to ensuring timely availability of quality planting material to farmers. The initiative is aimed at facilitating farmers in undertaking timely transplantation of onion seedlings and encouraging them to adopt scientific cultivation practices for enhanced productivity and improved far