Kashmir Reader

Tangmarg: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday assured people that the government would not increase electricity tariffs any further, while promising to fulfil all commitments made to the people within the next three-and-a-half years. Addressing a gathering in Tangmarg, Omar Abdullah, said the present government had imposed only a limited burden on consumers through the []

Tangmarg: Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday said he would respond in the coming days to National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullahs call for his resignation, while maintaining that he holds the veteran leader in high regard. Speaking with reporters, Ruhullah, said it is not possible that Farooq Abdullah asks him for something []

Kulgam: At least two people were injured after a bear attacked them in an orchard in Ahmadabad village of south Kashmirs Kulgam district on Tuesday. An official said that the bear attacked a group of people who were working in the orchard, injuring two of them. He said the injured were shifted to SDH Damhal []

NEW DELHI: On completion of a decade of the Unified Payments Interface, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed it as a major turning point in Indias digital payment journey and said its sheer scale is something every Indian must be proud of. The UPI was launched on August 25, 2016 by the National Payments []

Srinagar: National Conference MP Choudhary Ramzan said the Jantar Mantar protest over the restoration of statehood had drawn national attention to the issues being faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking with reporters in Handwara, the MP said people across the country were now aware of what Jammu and Kashmir had faced and []

Samba: A person was killed and three others injured after a flyover collapsed during construction work in the Jakh area of Vijaypur in Samba district on Tuesday, officials said. An official said that the incident occurred when the structure gave way during ongoing work. He said the injured persons were shifted to a nearby hospital []

Calls for meticulous coordination to ensure adequate facilities for devotees SRINAGAR: Ahead of the observance of auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) and the Friday following, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labrooon Monday conducted an on-site review of the arrangements at Hazratbal Shrine and took stock of the facilities being put in place for devotees. Vice []

NC chief, CM Omar greet people on Urs Hazrat Syed Ali Aali Balkhi (RA) SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah has called upon the administration to ensure comprehensive arrangements at the Asar-e-Sharif Dargah Hazratbal and other major shrines across Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the upcoming religious observances. Dr. Farooq stressed []

SRINAGAR: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has urged the administration to put in place all necessary arrangements well in advance for the smooth and peaceful observance of the auspicious occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), being observed on Wednesday. In a statement, Apni Party President said, As we prepare to observe the blessed occasion []

Followed up four burning industrial issues SRINAGAR: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has urged Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to seek review and reconsideration of the recent electricity tariff order before the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), J&K, besides seeking interim relief against its implementation pending such review. A delegation of FCIK led []

EOW Kashmir Charge-sheets Man for cheating Cancer Patients family The Economic Offences Wing Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has filed a Charge-sheet before the Honble Court of Sub-Judge, Srinagar against Afaq Ahmad Thug S/o Ghulam Qadir R/o New Colony, Hazratbal Near Shiwala Mandir, Anantnag A/P 10-Green Enclave Barmuni Road Sunjwan Jammu in case FIR No. []

Pulwama: Security forces on Tuesday arrested two terror associates in South Kashmirs Pulwama district and recovered a pistol, 12 rounds and a hand grenade during a joint operation in the Yarwan forest area of CB Nath in Rajpora, officials said. An official said that the operation was launched by Pulwama Police in coordination with the []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the government had never promised that power rates would not increase, saying 200 units of free electricity would be implemented through solar scheme. He maintained that the tariff revision had no connection with the scheme. Speaking to reporters, CM Omar, said the government had []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has arrested an accused wanted in a Rs. 2 crore investment fraud case from Bangalore. In a handout, the CBK said that the accused has been identified as Junaid-Ul-Islam, son of Nazir Ahmad Baba, resident of Alamdar Colony Phase 1, Charar-e-Sharief, Budgam. He was []

Srinagar: Apni Party and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) workers on Monday staged separate protests in Srinagar against the 6.83 per cent hike in electricity tariff, demanding immediate rollback of the decision. The Apni Party workers held a protest at Press Colony, while PDP workers staged a demonstration at the party headquarters in Srinagar. Protesters raised []

Ganderbal: The body of a 12 year old boy who drowned in Nallah Sindh at Fatehpora area of central Kashmirs Ganderbal district on Sunday was recovered on Monday, officials said. An official said that the body of the teenager was recovered during a search operation launched following the incident this morning. The deceased was identified []

Rajouri: In a heartwarming story from Thanamandi area of Rajouri district, a man who had gone missing 26 years ago as a 14-year-old schoolboy has finally returned home, bringing joy to his family. Raja, a resident of Behrote village of Rajouri was studying in Class 9th when he went missing. When asked about how he []

16% surge in undergraduate admissions; enrolment rises in 106 colleges Srinagar/Jammu: Undergraduate admissions to Government Degree Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed a significant rise, with 47,150 candidates admitted during Phase-I for the academic session 2026-27, marking an increase of around 16 per cent over the corresponding phase last year. Around 40,800 candidates had []

DUBAI: The new head of Irans top security body warned Sunday that Tehran will see any countrys support for new US economic measures against the Islamic Republic as an act of war, while Irans president defended an MoU with the US. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday is expected to announce the new measures after []

Agreement not capitulation, Supreme Leader sets policies Dubai: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended a recent memorandum of understanding as the best way for the country to move beyond what he described as a situation of neither war nor peace. In a speech published by state-run IRNA early on Sunday, he said members of Irans Supreme []

Seeks CMs intervention to restore existing industrial tariff Srinagar: Valleys apex industrial Chamber, the Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has vehemently opposed the latest power tariff order of the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), saying that behind the mask of widely publicised average hike of 6.83%, industry has actually been saddled with an []

SRINAGAR: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday said that the people of Srinagar city have always supported the National Conference, but the party has deprived them of their social, political, and economic rights. He said the Apni Party is committed to working for the upliftment and development of the people of Srinagar []

SEOUL: North Korea launched a barrage of ballistic missiles toward the sea on Thursday, South Koreas military said, a day after the North shrugged off a US decision to scale back military drills with South Korea in an apparent bid to resume diplomacy. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launches of about 10 short-range []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah said that the special constitutional status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir reflected its distinct and unique constitutional relationship with the Union, a legacy that remained central to the National Conferences political vision. Addressing a gathering, Dr Farooq said that even though the constitutional provisions relating []

Reaffirms commitment to constitutional safeguards Decision to enhance access to justice: Amit Shah New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has decided to establish a high court bench in Ladakh, a move aimed at improving access to justice in the Union Territory, Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday, reaffirming the Centres commitment to ensuring constitutional safeguards []

25.87 cr facility to conform to modern hygiene standards with capacity for 5000 daily livestock Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the 25.87 crore state-of-the-art mechanized Abattoir here at Allochi Bagh, marking a significant step towards establishing a regulated, hygienic and scientifically managed meat-processing facility for Srinagar city. The []

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday visited Karol Krishna, a border village in Kathua district. The village along with Rathua, Gujjar Chak, Gajnal, Bobiya, Kadiyala comes under the Vibrant Village Programme-Phase-2 (VVP-2). The Lieutenant Governor handed over benefits under several government schemes to local families and appointment letters to youth. Addressing the residents from []

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday said it had trapped and arrested a Junior Building Inspector of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for allegedly demanding and accepting a Rs 10,000 bribe from a complainant. In a statement, a spokesperson said the J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau received a written complaint alleging that Gazala []

Srinagar: Employees of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday staged a protest inside the Assembly premises here against the General Administration Department (GAD) order deputing Deputy Secretary Bilal Ahmad Mir. Raising slogans, the protesting employees said the deputation order was against established rules and administrative procedures governing the Assembly Secretariat. They urged the []

Jammu: The Vande Bharat train has, for the first time, operated at a speed of nearly 100 kmph on the worlds highest railway bridge over the Chenab River, following the Railway Ministrys approval to increase the maximum permissible speed on the Katra-Banihal rail section. Approval allows trains to run at speeds of up to 100 []

For scaling up high-value circular bioeconomy SRINAGAR: In a key move to advance Jammu & Kashmirs agriculture sector into a high-value, knowledge-based circular bioeconomy, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) on Wednesday transferred its patented exotic mushroom production technology to the Department of Agriculture. This step aims to expand cultivation among []

PULWAMA: Police in Pulwama made a major recovery of 41 stolen sheep during naka checking at Urwan, leading to the booking of two persons and seizure of the vehicle used for transporting the stolen livestock. During naka checking, a police party of Police Post Newa intercepted a Tata Mobile vehicle bearing registration number Jk03N-2440. Upon []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar has urged the district administrations of Budgam and Pulwama to ensure foolproof arrangements for devotees attending the annual Urs Mubarak of Hazrat Sultan Syed Mohammad Ali Aali Balkhi (RA) at Pakharpora. Sagar called for uninterrupted provision of essential services, including electricity, drinking water, []

Pays obeisance at revered shrine of Sufi saint Lal Baba Sahib in Zakura SRINAGAR: Several prominent political and social activists from the Zakura area on the outskirts of Srinagar today joined the Apni Party in the presence of party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari. They joined the party during a meeting with the party president []

GANDERBAL: Under the theme Blood Donation: A Contribution to the Nation (Raktdaan Desh Ke Naam), Health Centre and Dean Students Welfare (DSW), Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir), in collaboration with the Blood Bank department of the Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, organised a one-day blood donation camp at Tulmulla Campus The camp was inaugurated []

No one can take law into their own hands: DGP Makwana assures Valley students SRINAGAR: Two Kashmiri students studying in Bhopal were allegedly subjected to harassment, intimidation and pressure to vacate their accommodation by fringe elements. The matter has since been addressed and brought under control following the timely intervention of the Jammu & Kashmir []

Experts, scholars, artists discuss future of modern theatre in Valley SRINAGAR: A two-day theatre seminar on Modern Theatre and Youth of Kashmir concluded successfully at Kashmir Government Polytechnic College, Gogji Bagh, Srinagar, bringing together prominent theatre experts, artists, scholars, critics and young theatre enthusiasts. The seminar was organised with the objective of creating meaningful dialogue []

CHENNAI: In a bonanza to Tamil Nadu MLAs, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday announced official vehicles and a monthly allowance of Rs one lakh each to address public grievances in their respective constituencies. His announcement made ruling TVK legislator K Sindhu break into rapturous glee, singing a song in praise of Vijay and []

LUCKNOW: (Aug 19) The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday raided premises linked to the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust and University of jailed Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan as part of a money laundering investigation, officials said. They said about 10 premises at Rampur and Saharanpur in the state and in Delhis Jamia Nagar were being []

JAMMU: (Aug 19) Three members of a family were killed, and two others injured after a vehicle skidded off a hilly road and plunged into a gorge in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Wednesday. The accident occurred near Panasa village late Tuesday night when the driver of a an SUV lost []

Reviews final preparations for the inaugural International Film Festival of J&K Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the final preparations for the inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026, scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10 across Srinagar and Jammu. The four-day festival []

Mutton, beef, chicken, fish must be clearly mentioned: FDA Srinagar: Authorities have directed hotels, restaurants, cafes, dhabas, sweet shops, bakeries, caterers and other food business operators to clearly disclose the type of meat used in food preparations. In an advisory, Commissioner Food & Drugs Administration J&K, Khalid Jahangir said establishments serving meat or meat products []

Srinagar: United States Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, will arrive in Kashmir tomorrow on his maiden visit to the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh after assuming office. Official sources told KNO that Ambassador Gor is scheduled to meet Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during his stay in Srinagar. []

Chairs 81st Meeting of J&K Rajya Sainik Board Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday chaired the 81st Meeting of Jammu Kashmir Rajya Sainik Board, at Lok Bhavan. The meeting was attended by Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command; Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Maj Gen Paramvir Singh Dagar, Chief of Staff, []

Srinagar: The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) Kashmir has strongly advocated for meeting global standards in restaurants and eateries, calling for clear and trustworthy declarations on menus. It called for specifying what is being served, whether it is frozen or fresh, and the nature of meat (lamb, beef, etc.) in alignment with FSSAI []

Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, in case FIR No. 28/2026, against Ghulam Ahmad Ganie S/o Ghulam Mohammad Ganie, R/o Mirgund, District Budgam, for commission of cognizable offences punishable under Section 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act []

Jammu: Security forces launched search operations at several locations following reports of the movement of suspected persons in Udhampur, Reasi and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday. The police, in collaboration with the CRPF, began a cordon-and-search operation after receiving information about the movement of two suspected individuals. These individuals allegedly []

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police has registered a case of cheating and criminal intimidation against a BJP Kisan Morcha leader in Pulwama district, officials said on Tuesday. The case has been registered against Aijaz Ahmad Shah at the Tral police station under sections 420 (cheating and dishonesty inducing someone to deliver property, money or valuables) []

LUCKNOW: (Aug 18) The Uttar Pradesh government has taken action against 866 hospitals linked to the Ayushman Bharat scheme for alleged negligence in treatment, violation of norms and financial irregularities between 2020 and 2026, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday. The action includes de-empanelment of 648 hospitals, suspension of 61 hospitals and de-empanelment []

By Sajjad Hussain ISLAMABAD: (Aug 18) Pakistans Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the shifting of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan to a private hospital for medical examination a day after jail authorities said the 73-year-olds eyesight was almost normal. The court issued the directive while hearing several identical petitions following an eye ailment that []