KashmirLife

SRINAGAR: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has paid tribute to veteran entrepreneur Khwaja Mohammad Khalil, co-founder of the Saifco Group, who passed away on Thursday, describing his death as the loss of a pioneer whose contribution to Kashmirs industrial development and employment generation spanned several decades. In a condolence statement, FCIK said []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has sanctioned the Non-Functional Selection Grade (NFSG) in favour of 181 Junior Scale officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS), with the benefit taking effect from different dates between April 29, 2016, and January 6, 2026. The General Administration Department (GAD), through Government Order No. 1790-JK(GAD) of []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has sanctioned benefits under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), formally known as the Defined Pension Scheme, for 80 eligible Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers who opted to switch from the New Pension Scheme (NPS). The General Administration Department (GAD), through Government Order No. 1794-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated []

SRINAGAR: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Nubra District General Secretary Tashi Sandup has resigned from the party and its primary membership with immediate effect, saying he wants to pursue public issues independently and raise the concerns of his constituency without being bound by party affiliations. In his resignation letter addressed to BJP Nubra District President Tsering []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has terminated the mandate of a sole arbitrator in a dispute over a CPWD contract for the construction of a 120-men barrack, appointed a substitute arbitrator and ruled that Jammu would be the seat of arbitration. Justice Rajesh Sekhri, while allowing a petition filed by the Union []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered the promotion of 14 employees of the Jammu Kashmir Secretariat (Subordinate) Service to higher posts, including Senior Office Attendant, Daftari and Senior Multitasking Staff (MTS). According to Government Order No. 088-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) on November 13, the promotions were approved []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has cancelled ab initio the selection of two candidates for the post of Lecturer in Economics in the School Education Department after they failed to submit their Police Verification Roll (PVR) details despite being served a final notice. According to Government Order issued by Commissioner/Secretary to the Government Ram []

SRINAGAR: Climate activist and Leh Apex Body (LAB) member Sonam Wangchuk was placed under house arrest on Thursday amid protests in Ladakh against the administrations decision to hold hill council elections on December 4, despite demands for their postponement due to harsh winter conditions. Wangchuk disclosed the restrictions in a post on social media platform []

SRINAGAR: The Mughal Road remained closed for the second consecutive day on Friday following fresh snowfall at Pir Ki Gali and other higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The road, which connects Shopian district in south Kashmir with Poonch district in the Jammu region, was closed on Thursday after snowfall affected the Pir []

SRINAGAR: At least 14 people were killed and 30 others injured after a truck lost control and rammed into several vehicles in the United Arab Emirates Fujairah emirate, triggering a fire that engulfed multiple vehicles, the UAE Ministry of Interior said on Thursday. The accident occurred shortly before midnight on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, []

SRINAGAR: Jensen Huang, the billionaire co-founder and chief executive of Nvidia, has resigned with immediate effect, bringing an abrupt end to his 33-year leadership of the company that became the driving force behind the global artificial intelligence revolution. His departure follows a week of mounting controversy over two reported extramarital relationships, one involving a businesswoman []

SRINAGAR: Police have seized around 500 litres of kerosene oil allegedly being transported illegally in north Kashmirs Sopore area and arrested the driver of the vehicle in connection with the case. The seizure was made during naka checking at Wadoora, falling within the jurisdiction of Police Station Bomai, when a police party intercepted a load []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Health Mission Employees Association (JKNHMEAK) on Thursday sought the personal intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for the implementation of commitments made by the government during a high-level meeting on September 18, 2026, warning that employees may resume their protest if their long-pending demands are not addressed. Addressing a []

SRINAGAR: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday arrested an Assistant Engineer of the Rural Development Department (RDD) and a contractor for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 8,000 to clear pending bills for five government works in Bandipora district. The accused Assistant Engineer, identified as Mohd Rafi Moon, posted at Block Arin, had []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet will meet on Friday to take a final call on several proposals, sources disclosed. Sources said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will chair the meeting at 3:30 PM tomorrow to decide on proposals mooted by different departments. This will be the first meeting of the Cabinet after the shifting []

SRINAGAR: The Ladakh administration has restricted climate activist Sonam Wangchuks movement in Leh for 60 days, citing concerns over public order and the peaceful conduct of the ongoing electoral process. An order issued by the Office of the Additional District Magistrate, Leh, on Wednesday, said the restrictions had been imposed under Section 163 of the []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday expressed grief over the killing of two Special Police Officers (SPOs), identified as Rashpal Kumar and Babi Chand, in Kishtwar district. Strongly condemning the killings, the Chief Minister described the incident as a cowardly act of violence and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He expressed []

SRINAGAR: Nearly a month after a video of an alleged altercation with senior IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan during an official virtual meeting triggered widespread criticism, JKAS officer Beenish Wani has spoken out, expressing hope that the ongoing proceedings will result in justice without bias or lobbying. In a fresh self-recorded video message shared on []

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday announced financial assistance of Rs 38 lakh for shopkeepers affected by recent fire incidents at Warehouse-Nehru Market and Shiv Market in Jammu. The relief, arranged through the Red Cross Society, will provide Rs 1 lakh each to the affected shopkeepers, with Rs 11 lakh earmarked for those []

SRINAGAR: Class work at 26 government and private schools and colleges designated as examination centres in Baramulla district will remain suspended on November 14 to facilitate arrangements for the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) examination for Accounts Assistant posts scheduled for November 15. According to an order issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Transport Department has asked police to register an FIR against the management and concerned authorities of Future Pack Secondary School, Shadimarg, Pulwama, over alleged violations of mandatory vehicle safety requirements after a school bus carrying 13 students overturned at Darbgam on Wednesday, leaving 11 children injured. In a communication dated []

SRINAGAR: The Union Finance Ministry has made electric vehicles (EVs) the default and preferred choice for procurement of staff cars by Central Government ministries and departments, while doubling the maximum permitted vehicle price to Rs 20 lakh. Under revised guidelines issued by the Department of Expenditure on November 10, the net dealer price (NDP) ceiling []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has directed IAS officers posted in the Union Territory to submit their Performance Appraisal Reports (PARs) for the period April to October 2026 by November 30, setting a deadline in accordance with the All India Services (Performance Appraisal Report) Rules, 2007. The General Administration Department (GAD) issued the direction []

SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has urged Jammu and Kashmir Bank to raise the upper age limit for its ongoing recruitment of Probationary Officers (POs) and Banking Associates from 30 to 40 years, citing the nearly six-year gap in regular recruitment. In a press statement issued on Thursday, the Chamber said []

SRINAGAR: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday ordered the transfer of IAS officer Owais Ahmed from Jammu and Kashmir to Ladakh with immediate effect, while keeping the proposed transfer of IAS officer Rakesh Minhas to Ladakh in abeyance until further orders. According to an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on []

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday called for greater public access to Jammu and Kashmirs cultural heritage, increased academic research and translation of classical texts, saying universities and cultural institutions must work together to familiarise younger generations with the regions intellectual and spiritual legacy. Addressing a two-day national seminar on Revival, Preservation and Sustainability []

SRINAGAR: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-Kashmir) has organised an exposure programme for 70 farmers from Kishtwar district to familiarise them with modern horticultural practices, scientific orchard management and digital agricultural advisory services. The programme was organised by the Universitys Directorate of Extension in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, Kishtwar, []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has sought the intervention of Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to make the experimental stoppage of the Vande Bharat Express at Anantnag Railway Station permanent, citing growing passenger demand and the stations importance as a major transport hub for south Kashmir. In a letter dated November 2, []

SRINAGAR: Dr Kewal Krishan Pandita on Wednesday assumed charge as Medical Superintendent of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Awantipora, on deputation for a period of three years. Prior to his appointment, Dr Pandita was serving as a faculty member at AIIMS Bhopal. He has also previously served as a Medical Officer in []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Directorate of Tribal Affairs has extended the deadline for submitting online applications for Pre-Matric and Post-Matric scholarships for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students for the academic year 2026-27 to 20 November 2026. According to a notice issued by the Directorate, the extension also provides additional time for educational institutions and district []

SRINAGAR: Police on Thursday apprehended a man and recovered two hand grenades during a joint operation with security forces in the Baderkote forest area of Tangmarg in north Kashmirs Baramulla district. The apprehended person was identified as Ghulam Jeelani Reshi, a resident of Baderkote, Tangmarg. According to police, one hand grenade was recovered from his []

SRINAGAR: Ladakh Police on Wednesday removed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from a protest site and escorted him to his residence, advising him to remain at home in view of prohibitory orders regulating public gatherings amid the ongoing election exercise. In a public intimation, Ladakh Police said the preventive action was taken in compliance with orders []

SRINAGAR: A 17-year-old boy was killed after the scooty he was riding was hit by another vehicle in the Nagrota area of Jammu district late Wednesday night, officials said. An official said that the teenager was injured after the scooty he was travelling on was hit by another vehicle in Nagrota, Jammu. He was shifted []

SRINAGAR: Budgam has been conferred the Swachh City Award in the Union Territory category at the Swachh Survekshan Awards 202526, recognising the districts efforts in improving sanitation, waste management and public participation in maintaining cleanliness. President of India Droupadi Murmu presented the award at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Deputy Commissioner []

SRINAGAR: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Wednesday criticised the National Conference (NC) Governments decision to constitute informal advisory groups of its MLAs, alleging that the arrangement was intended to contain internal dissent within the ruling party rather than improve governance. Questioning the authority behind the groups, Sharma []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday reviewed the developmental progress of Reasi district and laid e-foundation stones for five projects estimated to cost Rs 20.38 crore, directing officials to expedite ongoing works, improve funds utilisation and ensure timely completion of development projects. Chairing a comprehensive review meeting, the Chief Minister took stock of sector-wise []

SRINAGAR: Shopian town in Jammu and Kashmir has been ranked the third cleanest city in the Himalayan category across the country at the Swachh Survekshan Awards, held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday. The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu and received on behalf of Shopian by Deputy Commissioner Charandeep Singh. Swachh []

by Nida Ashraf SRINAGAR: Kashmir occupies an unusually intimate place in Sonia Gandhis memoir, Belonging. It is at once a family inheritance, a landscape of childhood memories, a repository of cultural traditions and, eventually, the setting of one of the most painful political transformations she witnessed. The Kashmir connection, Sonia writes, was embedded in the []

SRINAGAR: Two Special Police Officers (SPOs) went missing in the remote Dachhan-Marwah area of Jammu and Kashmirs Kishtwar district on Wednesday while reportedly accompanying an Army patrol to Dherna post, prompting a massive joint search operation by security forces. The missing personnel have been identified as Rashpal Kumar (40) and Babi Chand (54). According to []

SRINAGAR: Traders at Jammus Warehouse Nehru Market on Wednesday called off their planned three-day shutdown after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered a high-level inquiry into the alleged lapses and delays in the response of the Fire and Emergency Services Department during a major fire at the wholesale market. The decision to resume normal business operations []

SRINAGAR: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today visited Base Hospital, Srinagar to enquire about the health of CRPF Head Constable Sonbir Singh, who sustained serious injuries in the heinous terror attack in Kulgam and is currently undergoing treatment. The Lieutenant Governor discussed his health status with the attending doctors. In a post on X, the []

SRINAGAR: Police have solved the murder case of a 70-year-old woman, who was brutally killed inside her residence at Parigam village in South Kashmirs Pulwama district last month, with the arrest of the main accused. According to the details, Police identified the accused as Imran Bashir Mir, son of Bashir Ahmad Mir, of Parigam. He []

SRINAGAR: Jammu has secured the second position nationally in the Swachh Himalayan City category at the 10th edition of the Swachh Survekshan Awards 202526, recognising the citys efforts in sanitation, solid waste management and public participation in cleanliness initiatives. The awards were presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in []

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday inaugurated four infrastructure facilities at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), calling for greater use of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship to improve farmers incomes and strengthen the rural economy. He also set a target for the university to facilitate the establishment of at least []

SRINAGAR: Kashmirs traditional chefs, popularly known as wazas, have unanimously decided to stop serving wazwan at weddings after 10 pm, citing long working hours, delayed arrival of grooms and inadequate arrangements for their rest. The decision was taken at a conference held at a marriage hall in Srinagar, where chefs discussed what they described as []

SRINAGAR: A 31-year-old man was found dead at his residence in the Pouni area of Reasi district on Wednesday, officials said. An official said that the man was found unconscious inside his house at Upper Bazar, Pouni. He was shifted to the Primary Health Centre (PHC), Pouni, where doctors declared him brought dead. Police have []

SRINAGAR: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has questioned the Reserve Bank of Indias Regional Office, Jammu, over what it described as the failure of successive review meetings to translate into relief for distressed micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Reacting to the 72nd meeting of the []

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday inaugurated the Veshow Festival in south Kashmirs Kulgam district, describing it as a vibrant platform for ideas, creativity and cultural dialogue rooted in Jammu and Kashmirs Rishi-Sufi legacy. In a post on X, Sinha said the festival celebrates the regions rich traditions through literature, art, heritage and handicrafts. []

SRINAGAR : Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to postpone the forthcoming elections to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs), citing harsh winter conditions, large-scale seasonal migration and insufficient time for revision of electoral rolls. In a letter dated November 11, Haneefa said the proposed election schedule did not []

SRINAGAR: Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa has urged the University of Kashmir to establish an examination centre in Kargil for 14 serving teachers pursuing B.Ed through distance mode, citing difficulties in travelling to Srinagar and obtaining extended leave from their schools. In a letter dated October 26, 2026, addressed to the Controller of Examinations, University of []