Kashmir Reader

Udhampur: Two terrorists have been killed in an encounter with security forces in Maljata area of Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Thursday. Officials said that arms and ammunition have been recovered from the possession of the slain terrorists, whose identity is yet to be ascertained. Search operation by joint team of []

Jammu: A pigeon believed to have flown from Pakistan was recovered in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district. They said that the pigeon was found carrying a ring tied around its leg and is suspected to have crossed over from across the border. This is the fourth such incident reported from the Hiranagar sector in recent []

WASHINGTON: ( The US House of Representatives passed a bill that would authorise President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Russia and steep tariffs on its trading partners in oil and gas, including India and China. The Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, passed by the US Senate last month, was []

NEW DELHI: Indias foreign ministry said on Wednesday that it had summoned the top Pakistani diplomat in New Delhi to lodge a strong protest over what it said was unacceptable and unprofessional conduct of Pakistani naval units at sea that led to a collision with a unit of the India navy. The Union Ministry of []

NEW DELHI: NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri on Wednesday defended the governments decision to impose merchant charge on UPI transactions saying that the government has to find ways of sustaining businesses without having to give subsidy. Quoting ancient Indian teacher and philosopher Chanakya, who had said a ruler should collect taxes from citizens []

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to raise the wage ceiling for mandatory coverage under the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to Rs 25,000 per month from Rs 15,000, a move expected to extend social security benefits to more than 51 lakh additional employees. The wage ceiling revision comes after 12 []

Cites unfair trade practice NEW DELHI: The government has ordered cab aggregators to stop providing advance tipping options even before booking a ride as the practice is misleading and unfair, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said on Wednesday. The secretarys comment comes a day after the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) slapped a Rs 10 []

BARAMULLA: The Rev. Fr. C.B. Simons Memorial Football Tournament concluded on Wednesday at St. Josephs School Ground, Baramulla, with the finals of the Under-15 Boys and Girls categories. In the Under-15 Girls final, Presentation Convent School, Srinagar, emerged as the champions, while Netherfield School, Sopore, clinched the Under-15 Boys title. Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) []

SRINAGAR: The Inter-School District-Level Gatka Championship for all age groups concluded successfully on Wednesday at the Indoor Hall of Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Rawalpora, Srinagar. The event was organized by the District Youth Services & Sports Office, Srinagar, with the participation of students from various educational institutions across the district. The championship provided young []

KULGAM: Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Kulgam, Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami on Wednesday inaugurated the U-19 inter-district boys baseball tournament at L/NK Shri Nazir Ahmad Wani Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Kulgam. The tournament is being hosted by the Youth Services and Sports Department, Kulgam, and organised under the supervision of the Joint Director, Youth Services []

KARGIL: The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Tuesday announced a major protest rally here on September 20 to demand justice for the four people killed in police firing in Leh last year and protest what it termed the central governments lack of seriousness and sincerity in talks on Ladakhs demands. The KDA also rejected as []

Govt committed to creating sports opportunities: Minister Satish Sharma SRINAGAR: Minister for FS&CA, IT, Youth Services and Sports, Science and Technology Satish Sharma and Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani on Tuesday highlighted the importance of providing sustained platforms to young sporting talent and strengthening the sports ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir while []

SRINAGAR: The Khelo India ASMITA Womens Wushu League Srinagar 2026 and the District Wushu Championship Srinagar 2026, organised by the District Wushu Association Srinagar, concluded successfully on Tuesday at the Shri Kashmir Indoor Sports Complex, Srinagar. The closing ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Nighat Amaan, SSP, who appreciated the efforts of the organisers, coaches []

BARAMULLA: The first edition of the Chinar Premier League (CPL) Cricket Tournament 2026 concluded on September 15 at the Gen Bipin Rawat Stadium in Baramulla, marking a significant milestone in the regions sporting calendar. Organized by the Chinar Corps, the event drew widespread participation and enthusiasm, with a record 130 teams registering across the Kashmir []

SRINAGAR: In a landmark moment for sports in Jammu & Kashmir, fencers Shriya Gupta and Vishal Thapar have been selected to represent India at the 20th Asian Games, to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in 2026. The duo becomes the first Sabre fencers from J&K to earn selection to the Asian Games. Shriya will compete []

The world does not become brighter only through great achievements. It is illuminated by countless small lamps lit by ordinary people with extraordinary hearts. Every good word, every helping hand, every honest action, and every compassionate gesture adds one more ray to the light of humanity. A small, good deed may appear insignificant in isolation, []

Over the years, NHM has become an important component of healthcare delivery in Jammu and Kashmir. Behind the acronym are thousands of men and women working at different levels of the health systemnurses, paramedical staff, community health workers, programme managers, and other personnel. They have contributed to the functioning of healthcare institutions and public health []

The real purpose of education is not merely to create educated professionals but to create educated human beings. Degrees should be accompanied by wisdom, skills by ethics, knowledge by compassion, and success by responsibility. If education teaches people only how to earn money, compete with others, and protect their own interests, society may continue to []

CAIRO: With his kingdom under attack, Saudi Arabias crown prince on Tuesday reached out to Egypt for support against Yemens Houthi rebels who have disrupted key shipping routes, contributing to a spike in the cost of oil around the world. Egypt is unlikely to offer military help to Saudi Arabia, but the country is influential []

WASHINGTON: The US military said Tuesday that it opened fire and destroyed two small Iranian boats this week that were trying to steal a drone ship in the waters off Iran, the latest back-and-forth fire in the stalemated war. Capt. Tim Hawkins, US Central Command spokesman, said the Iranian boats recently attempted to take possession []

Civil society lauds SSP Aijaz Zargar, SDPO Sumbal Nawaz Khanday and DO Ajas Aeraf Niyaz for swift action and professional investigation Bandipora, September 15: Bandipora Police have cracked a theft case involving 3.30 lakh within 24 hours of receiving the complaint, recovering the stolen cash and arresting a suspected accused in the case. The theft []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K on Tuesday said its swift and time-bound action in the Shopian HDFC Bank irregularities case led to the refund of around Rs 4.50 crore to 13 affected depositors. In a statement a spokesperson said HDFC Bank had refunded the amounts to 13 depositors affected []

Calls for addressing gaps in manpower, equipment, healthcare infrastructure Srinagar, Sep 14: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday chaired a meeting to review the health sector reforms and the roadmap for further strengthening healthcare services across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the []

Warns it will threaten religious, cultural identities Srinagar, Sep 14: National Conference has strongly opposed the Bharatiya Janata Partys reported plans to introduce the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across 21 states, calling the move a serious threat to the countrys secular fabric. Shammi Oberoi, Treasurer National Conference (NC) and Rajya Sabha Member, Oberoi reiterated the []

Srinagar, Sep 14: Director of Meteorological Department Srinagar Dr Mukhtar Ahmad on Monday said that Jammu and Kashmir is likely to experience a relatively mild and dry winter this year under the influence of El Nino, though one or two major spells of snowfall during the peak winter months cannot be ruled out. Addressing concerns []

New Delhi, Sep 14: China has reduced the deployment of troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in 2025, a latest report by the defence ministry said. The ministry mentioned this in its annual report for 2025-26. The year 2025 witnessed significant reduction in deployment of Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) forces opposite Northern Borders, []

Srinagar, Sep 14: Jammu and Kashmir is likely to witness brief spells of rain and thundershowers at scattered to many places during the early morning and afternoon hours from September 15 to 17, the Meteorological Department said on Monday. The MeT department said the Union Territory is expected to remain generally dry between September 18 []

Srinagar, Sep 14: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha have expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in a tragic road accident in Reasi district, in which two persons were killed and five others injured. The Chief Minister conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and directed the authorities to []

Jammu, Sep 14: Northern Railway has announced a temporary change in the entry and exit arrangements at Jammu Tawi Railway Station from September 16 to facilitate the ongoing redevelopment work while ensuring smooth passenger movement. Under the revised traffic arrangement all passengers will enter the station through the Platform No. 1 side (Old Entry), while []

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday took a swipe at the government over the recent Wholesale Price Index data, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi keeps saying sab changa si, but actually sab mehenga si. Wholesale price-based inflation rose to 9.92 per cent in August, compared to 9.78 per cent in July, on rising prices of []

SRINAGAR:The 10-day autumn Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, beginning here on September 21, is expected to be stormy as opposition parties plan to corner the Omar Abdullah government over issues like job outsourcing, rising unemployment, and the ruling partys failure to fulfil electoral promises. The BJP, the main opposition party in the []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K on Monday chargesheeted a man accused of duping people on the pretext of securing government jobs through fake appointment orders. In a statement, a spokesperson said that the EOW Kashmir has filed a chargesheet before the Court of Forest Magistrate, Srinagar, in case FIR []

Srinagar: Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo on Monday extended greetings to people celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi and appreciated the arrangements made by the civil and police authorities for the festival at Ganpatya Temple in Srinagar. Speaking to reporters during his visit to the temple, the DC Labroo, said Ganesh Chaturthi has been celebrated at the temple []

Reasi: A person was killed and several others injured after a passenger Matador overturned near the Bakkal Tunnel area of Reasi district on Monday, officials said. An official said that the Matador, bearing registration number JK14B-2973, was travelling from Bakkal towards Reasi when the accident took place. He said the vehicle overturned on the road []

Says Kashmir now fully integrated with India Mumbai, Sep 13: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said BJP-led NDA governments in 21 states will introduce Uniform Civil Code (UCC) before 2029. Shah was speaking to reporters here while highlighting the achievements of the Centre over the last 12 years and the BJPs 25-year journey []

Stresses adherence to Oct 2027 deadline JAMMU: The Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, has emphasized the need for accelerated progress on the new Legislative Assembly Complex, with a firm deadline of October 2027. During his visit to the site, he reviewed ongoing work and took stock of the projects []

New Delhi: BRICS leaders on Friday strongly condemned the April 22, 2025 terrorist attack in south Kashmirs Pahalgam that killed 26 people and injured several others, while reaffirming their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In the New Delhi Declaration adopted at the conclusion of the BRICS Summit, the grouping,, described []

Srinagar: National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has rejected the remarks made by cabinet colleague Sakina Itoo regarding Chief Minister Omar Abdullahs poll prospects, saying such statements couldnt have been made in the right perspective. Ruhullah, reacting to Itoos comments, said that his stand on issues concerning the people of Jammu and Kashmir remains []

Bandipora: Nanda Cricket Club (CC) Hajin on Saturday lifted the Kilo Force T20 Cricket Trophy after defeating Naidkhai Cricket Club in the final of a cricket tournament organised by the Manasbal Battalion of the Indian Army at Poshwari playground. The tournament witnessed participation of around 16 teams from different villages, providing local youth an opportunity []

Srinagar/New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday conducted searches at 10 locations across Kupwara, Kulgam, Bandipora, Baramulla and Sopore in connection with a cross-border terror conspiracy involving Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) handlers and their alleged network of local Over Ground Workers (OGWs). In a statement , an NIA spokesperson said the searches were conducted []

NEW DELHI: Chinese President Xi Jinping began a two-day visit to New Delhi to attend the BRICS Summit on Saturday, marking his first trip to India in seven years and signalling a key opportunity to normalise bilateral ties through expansion of trade and investment ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host President Xi for bilateral []

Anantnag: Anantnag Police on Saturday conducted a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at 20 locations in the Waghama area of the district as part of an intensified crackdown on drug peddling, officials said. An official said that 13 suspected drug peddlers were picked up for questioning during the coordinated operation. He said the operation was []

Says Omars comment detached from reality Did anyone go to jail in Kerala? Srinagar, Sep 11: Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Friday criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for saying that failure to comply with the Centres direction on singing the full version of Vande Mataram could land Kashmiris in jail, calling []

Srinagar, Sep 11: The National Conference-led government is unlikely to go for an expansion-cum-reshuffle in the council of ministers for the time being, sources said. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would not immediately effect the expansion in his cabinet, KNO reported, quoting sources. There are no chances of cabinet expansion this month. The exercise will not []

MeT predicts dry weather over next 10 days Srinagar, Sep 11: Meteorological Centre Srinagar on Friday said that Jammu and Kashmir is likely to experience mainly dry weather over the next 10 days, with brief spells of rain and thundershowers expected at isolated and scattered places. The MeT said the weather across the Union Territory []

Jammu, Sep 11: The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Armys White Knight Corps, Lieutenant General P K Mishra, on Friday visited general areas of Jammu and Kashmirs Kishtwar district and reviewed the security situation, counter-terrorism grid and operational preparedness of the troops. The Corps Commander assessed the security architecture, contingency preparedness and infrastructure, and []

Srinagar, Sep 11: The Jammu and Kashmir Casual/Daily Wagers Forum (JKCDF) on Friday held a peaceful protest at Sher-i-Kashmir Park here, urging the government to address the long-pending demands of casual and daily-wage workers, particularly regularisation of their services. The protest was led by J&K Casual/Daily Wagers Forum president Sajad Ahmed Parray, who said the []

Srinagar, Sep 11: With the promised deadline of August 2026 for commencement of Outpatient Department (OPD) services at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Awantipora having passed without the facility becoming operational, residents across Kashmir have urged the government to immediately start at least the OPD services and sought the intervention of the Union []

Srinagar, Sep 11: Seven years after the Centre suspended cross-LoC trade through Salamabad in Uri, the Trade Facilitation Centre is set to get a new role, with the Tourism Department planning to utilise the facility for promoting border tourism in North Kashmir. The department has received the green signal to take over the Trade Facilitation []

Experts discuss 75 years of the history of theatre in Kashmir SRINAGAR: The three-day Kashmir Theatre Conference commenced on Friday with a stimulating academic paper-reading session, an insightful discussion on the history of Kashmiri theatre, and a vibrant inaugural function that brought together eminent theatre personalities, artists, and cultural enthusiasts. The day began with an []