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A Kashmiri youth was allegedly lured to Cambodia with a promise of a lucrative computer operator job but was instead forced into online scamming activities. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Kashmir, has filed a chargesheet against the accused in the overseas job fraud case registered in April.
The NIA Special Court in Jammu rejected the 20-day interim bail plea of former DySP Davinder Singh, accused in a high-profile terror-linked case, but granted him five days of custody parole on humanitarian grounds to attend his late father's religious rituals in Srinagar. The court held that with his regular bail already rejected and an appeal pending in the High Court, there was no ground for interim bail.
The Shri Amarnath and Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimages resumed on Saturday after a nearly week-long suspension caused by adverse weather and security concerns. Over 6,200 Amarnath pilgrims left Jammu's Bhagwati Nagar base camp for Kashmir, while around 2,000 devotees registered for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage in Katra as authorities closely monitored weather and safety conditions.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said the first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) would herald a new era in the Union Territory's partnership with the film industry and help restore Kashmir's historic status as a preferred filmmaking destination. Speaking at the curtain-raiser event, he outlined the government's vision to create a filmmaker-friendly ecosystem, promote local talent, and position IFFJK as a globally recognised annual film festival.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured the family of martyred Jammu and Kashmir Police Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi of the government's full support after speaking to his son over the phone. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the bereaved family in Budgam, paid tributes to the fallen policeman, promised continued assistance, and reaffirmed the administration's commitment to dismantling the terror ecosystem and eliminating terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir.
The sleuths of the ED conducted raids at nine locations in J&K and Punjab as part of a money laundering investigation into an alleged Pakistan-linked narco-terror funding network. The probe revealed a cross-border heroin smuggling racket with suspected links to Hizbul Mujahideen, leading to the seizure of incriminating documents and the freezing of bank accounts containing approximately 49.9 lakh.
The Shri Amarnath and Mata Vaishno Devi yatras remained suspended for the sixth consecutive day due to adverse weather conditions, leaving more than 15,000 pilgrims stranded at various locations across Jammu and Kashmir. The Shiv Khori and Machail Mata pilgrimages also remained suspended as authorities continued to monitor the weather and assess the safety of the routes before allowing the yatras to resume. So far, over 3.9 lakh devotees have paid obeisance at the Holy Cave Shrine during the ong
A political controversy erupted in J&K after security forces demolished the houses of two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists following the targeted killing of Police Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi in Anantnag. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti criticised the action as unconstitutional and counterproductive, while security agencies intensified anti-terror operations and detained thousands of suspects across the Kashmir Valley.
At Hyatt Centric Sector 17, a hidden speakeasy, destination-led dining and immersive heritage walks make a compelling case for Chandigarh as more than a stopover
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti joined protesting students at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, backing their demands while reviving the debate over the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A. Calling the August 5, 2019 decision unconstitutional, she accused the Centre of undermining democracy, demanded the resignation of the minister concerned, and said India's youth would play a decisive role in safeguarding the Constitution.
The killing of Police Head Constable Aashiq Hussain Qureshi in Anantnag has triggered one of the largest anti-terror operations in Kashmir in recent years. Security forces have detained over 2,000 terror associates, intensified surveillance across the Valley, and demolished the houses of two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists as investigations point to possible cross-border involvement.
Amid incessant rains and the threat of flash floods and landslides, the Jammu and Kashmir government has identified 1,017 vulnerable locations with over 10 lakh people at risk. Chairing a high-level review meeting, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed officials to strengthen rescue and relief measures, restore essential services on priority and maintain round-the-clock preparedness across the Union Territory.
Two passengers were killed and three others injured after a massive boulder crashed onto a moving tempo in Ramban amid heavy rainfall on Wednesday. The tragedy came as fresh landslides forced the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, while the rain-related death toll in Jammu province climbed to 25 over the past four days. DyCM Surinder Choudhary and MP Mian Altaf Ahmad also had narrow escapes after separate landslides struck along the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch highway.
A Jammu and Kashmir Police head constable, Ashiq Hussain, was martyred after terrorists opened fire on security forces during a cordon and search operation in Anantnag district on Tuesday. The operation, launched on specific intelligence inputs, remains underway as security forces have intensified the cordon to prevent the terrorists from escaping. Unconfirmed reports suggest that The Resistance Front (TRF) has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Nature's fury continued across the Jammu division as three more people died in rain-related incidents, pushing the death toll beyond 23 in three days. Poonch witnessed the worst devastation, with three families nearly wiped out in separate cloudburst and landslide tragedies, while Rajouri issued a flood advisory amid forecasts of more heavy rainfall and ongoing rescue operations.
A devastating cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district reduced Mohammad Latief's home to rubble within minutes after he stepped out to move his car. Eight members of his family were killed or remain buried under debris, while nearby villages also suffered heavy casualties and widespread destruction in the flash floods.
The National Conference and Congress staged a protest in New Delhi, demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood after being prevented from reaching Jantar Mantar. Omar Abdullah accused the Centre of reneging on its promise, while Farooq Abdullah urged the Union Government to honour its commitment.
Six more people died in rain-related incidents across Jammu division on Monday, taking the death toll to 16 in two days. Rescue operations in flood-hit Poonch and Rajouri were hampered by fresh rainfall, while Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced Rs 6 lakh ex gratia for the families of those killed.
Heavy rainfall and cloudbursts forced authorities to temporarily suspend the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, Mata Vaishno Devi and Shri Shiv Khori pilgrimages in Jammu and Kashmir as a precautionary measure. Fourteen people stranded in swollen rivers across Jammu and Rajouri districts were rescued, while officials urged devotees to follow weather advisories until conditions improve.
At least 10 people have died, and several others are missing after flash floods and cloudbursts triggered by heavy overnight rains in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. Surankote tehsil has suffered extensive damage, with houses collapsing and rescue teams from the administration, the Army, police, and SDRF carrying out large-scale relief operations.
Partial shutdowns were observed in Doda and Kishtwar following the death of a youth in an alleged police firing in Bhadarwah. Protesters demanded a CBI investigation, while authorities extended internet restrictions, detained two associates of the deceased for questioning, and intensified security to maintain law and order.
Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir remain divided over the National Conference's July 20 Jantar Mantar protest for statehood restoration. While Congress has extended support, the PDP has demanded inclusion of Article 370 restoration and the release of political prisoners, and the JKPC and Apni Party have declined to participate.
The National Conference has expelled LAHDC-Kargil Chief Executive Councillor Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon from the party for six years over alleged anti-party activities. The action comes days after Akhoon retained his majority with BJP-backed support, deepening the political crisis over the NC-Congress power-sharing agreement in Kargil.
The Principal Sessions Court in Jammu has rejected the bail application of Kamal Singh, the accused in the attempted assassination of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah. The court cited the gravity of the offence, public safety concerns, and the possibility of the accused repeating the crime if released.
The Jammu and Kashmir Congress has announced its participation in the National Conference's July 20 Jantar Mantar protest demanding restoration of statehood, while organising its own march in Jammu on July 19. JKPCC chief Tariq Hameed Karra said Congress has been leading the statehood movement since October 2024 and will intensify its agitation if the Centre delays restoring full statehood.
Former J&K Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah received major relief after a Srinagar court issued a NoC or the renewal of his passport in the alleged JKCA funds misappropriation case. While allowing the passport to be renewed for one year, the court directed that Abdullah cannot travel outside Jammu and Kashmir or abroad without prior permission from the trial court, citing the pending criminal proceedings against him.
A major tragedy was averted during the Shri Amarnath Yatra after a bus carrying 47 pilgrims caught fire near Ramban following a tyre burst. The driver's quick thinking and prompt rescue by police, Army, CRPF and SDRF ensured all occupants escaped safely, though the bus and passengers' belongings were completely destroyed.
In a bizarre case of mistaken identity, a 22-year-old youth from Jammu's Sohanjana village stunned his family by calling home just as they were preparing his last rites after wrongly identifying another man's body as his. The extraordinary incident has raised serious questions over the identification process, while the identity of the actual deceased remains unknown.
In a significant cultural milestone for Jammu and Kashmir, Rajouri's historic Bhairav Yatra has been included in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha hailed the recognition as a proud moment for the Union Territory, saying it would help preserve and promote the region's rich spiritual and cultural legacy. The centuries-old tradition, known for its deep religious significance and message of communal harmony, is only the second cult
In a significant political development in Ladakh, the National Conference and the BJP joined forces in the Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) to help Chairman Dr Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon retain his position, defeating the Congress's bid to unseat him through a no-confidence motion. The passage of the council's budget with the support of 20 councillors highlighted an unlikely political convergence between the two rivals, even as they remain bitter opponents in neighbouring Jammu and
Senior National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet Minister Sheikh Mustafa Kamal passed away on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. A veteran politician and the younger brother of Dr Farooq Abdullah, Kamal played a key role in the party for decades. Political leaders across party lines condoled his demise, describing it as an irreparable loss to Jammu and Kashmir.
The annual Shri Amarnath Yatra has created history by crossing the three-lakh pilgrim mark in just 12 days for the first time since the pilgrimage began. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha hailed the achievement as a historic milestone, praising officials, security forces, the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, service providers, and volunteers for ensuring a safe, smooth, and memorable pilgrimage despite challenging weather conditions.
A Special NIA Court has issued a non-bailable warrant against the Pakistan-based terrorist. The attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, is being investigated as a Pakistan-backed cross-border terror conspiracy allegedly orchestrated by LeT and its proxy outfit, The Resistance Front (TRF).
The BJP has served a legal notice on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, demanding an unconditional apology and withdrawal of his allegations that the party attempted to lure NC MLAs with offers of Rs 30 crore and ministerial berths. The party has warned of a Rs 100-crore defamation suit and criminal proceedings if he fails to respond within seven days.
A political row has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah alleged that the BJP was attempting to topple the National Conference-led government by offering Rs 30 crore to some NC legislators. The BJP dismissed the charge as aseless and demanded proof or an apology, while Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary backed Omar Abdullah's claims and NC MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi alleged that he had been approached to quit the party.
Three migrant children from Rajasthan drowned in a pond in Jammu's Akhnoor area, while a pony porter was killed after a boulder struck his tent along the Shri Amarnath Yatra route at Chandanwari. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of widespread rain, thunderstorms, flash floods, landslides, and shooting stones across Jammu and Kashmir, urging residents, pilgrims, and tourists to remain cautious.
The counter-intelligence wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police has arrested three publishers in connection with the controversial textbook case involving alleged glorification of terrorists and separatist leaders in government school libraries. While investigations continue, authorities are intensifying efforts to trace co-author Hilal Ahmed, whose identity itself has come under scrutiny, with officials probing whether he is a real person or a fictitious name.
The State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir has secured an Interpol Red Corner Notice against designated Hizbul Mujahideen commander Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo, the alleged mastermind of the 2013 Hygam terror attack in Sopore that claimed the lives of four Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel. Believed to be hiding in Pakistan, Kandoo is also wanted in multiple terror-related cases involving targeted killings, arms trafficking, and narco-terror financing.
National Conference MP Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi has distanced himself from the party's July 20 Jantar Mantar protest for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, saying he was neither invited nor needed at the party meeting.
The NIA has filed a chargesheet against six senior Hurriyat Conference leaders in connection with the 1996 funeral procession violence in Srinagar, alleging criminal conspiracy, rioting, and attacks on police personnel. The agency claims the violence was part of a pre-planned attempt to promote separatist ideology and has said further investigation into the case is underway.
Twenty days after suspending a senior cardiologist over the alleged pacemaker implantation scam at GMC Anantnag, the Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered a fresh inquiry into cardiology procedures carried out under the AB PM-JAY and SEHAT schemes.
In a remarkable display of faith and determination, two young devotees from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are undertaking the Shri Amarnath Yatra on roller skates, turning their pilgrimage into a powerful symbol of devotion and perseverance. Their extraordinary journey has become one of the most inspiring stories of this year's Yatra.
National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah has written to 52 leaders of national and regional political parties, including the INDIA bloc allies and Jammu and Kashmir-based leaders, inviting them to join the party's proposed protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered an FIR against five Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) officials and nine Fair Price Shop dealers for allegedly embezzling government food grains worth over Rs 5.57 crore meant for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in Kupwara's Karnah area.
The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has directed all government and recognised private schools, as well as coaching centres, to conduct a comprehensive screening of books for objectionable content following the controversy over the banned book Personalities and Legends of J&K.
Security forces on Wednesday eliminated top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Zakir Ganie during an anti-terror operation in Shopian district of south Kashmir. Another terrorist is believed to be trapped as the operation entered its fifth day. Arms and ammunition were recovered, while security forces intensified search and sanitisation operations across the encounter site.
The University of Jammu has directed all its departments to review their library collections within seven days after the controversial book Personalities and Legends of J&K, recently banned by the J&K government for allegedly glorifying terrorists and separatists, was found in the Department of Political Science library.
A flash flood triggered by heavy rainfall caused extensive damage in Thathri town of Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, damaging houses, shops and vehicles while blocking National Highway-244. Although no casualties were reported, the Kishtwar administration suspended the Shri Machail Mata Yatra due to highway disruption.
During his maiden visit to J&K as BJP National President, Nitin Navin said Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfilled Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee's dream by abrogating Articles 370 and 35A. Addressing party workers on Dr. Mookerjee's 125th birth anniversary, Navin credited the move with bringing eal freedom to Jammu and Kashmir and transforming opportunities for the region's youth.
The investigation into the controversial book Personalities and Legends of J&K has intensified, with one of its authors, Hilal Ahmed, still untraceable. Police have invoked the UAPA, raided the publisher's office, and expanded the probe to examine other publications after the textbook allegedly glorified terrorists and reproduced content from Pakistani propaganda material.

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