KashmirLife

SRINAGAR: The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema Jammu and Kashmir (MMU) on Friday launched a coordinated religious awareness initiative across mosques and Imambargahs in the Kashmir Valley, Jammu, Chenab Valley, Kargil and Leh, with Imaan (faith) chosen as the theme of its first common Friday sermon. The initiative follows the decisions taken at the MMU Ulema Conference on []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has notified the retirement of 30 members of the Jammu and Kashmir Secretariat (Subordinate) Service during 2027, including Section Officers, Assistant Section Officers, Junior Secretariat Assistants and other ministerial and support staff posted in various departments and government offices. The General Administration Department (GAD) issued the notification on October []

SRINAGAR: The Ladakh administration on Friday notified five new tehsils covering 31 revenue villages across five districts of the Union Territory, while transferring the powers of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Durbuk, to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Durbuk. Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena announced the creation of the five tehsils on X, saying the move []

SRINAGAR: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of a viral video allegedly showing senior IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan verbally abusing, humiliating and threatening a junior woman officer during an official review meeting in Jammu and Kashmir. The commissions chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar, has written to the Chief Secretary of Jammu []

SRINAGAR: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Friday called for the removal of IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan from Jammu and Kashmir over his alleged misconduct towards a woman officer, saying the incident had embarrassed the administrative community. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Abdullah said he felt ashamed after watching a video of the incident []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered an inquiry into allegations of misconduct by IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan towards JKAS officer Beenish Wani, directing the inquiry officer to submit a report within 15 days. According to Government Order No. 1654-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued by the General Administration Department on October 16, Mandeep Kaur, []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has directed Chief Education Officers (CEOs) across the Union Territory to implement the 10 Bagless Days initiative in government schools for students of Classes 6 to 8, with a focus on practical learning, vocational skills and exposure to local occupations. In a communication dated October 14, 2026, the Directorate []

SRINAGAR: A 29-year-old woman was injured in a bear attack in the Nalliyan area of Panchari tehsil in Jammu and Kashmirs Udhampur district, reports said. The woman was initially taken to the Primary Health Centre (PHC), Panchari, for first aid before being referred to Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital, Udhampur, for specialised treatment. Further details []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has set aside a Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) order granting retrospective out-of-turn promotion to a police officer from June 8, 1998, holding that a recommendation for promotion does not, by itself, create an enforceable right to retrospective benefits. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Dr Pushpendra Singh []

SRINAGAR: A Special Police Officer (SPO) who went missing along with his service rifle in Jammu and Kashmirs Kishtwar district was found dead on Friday, officials said. The deceased was identified as Bashir Ahmed, son of Musa Dhar, a resident of Wanipora Trigam. He was posted at Pedil police post. Officials said his body was []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Finance Department has directed Junior Scale Stenographers listed at serial numbers 10 to 15 in the seniority list to submit their posting details within seven days. According to a notice issued by the Directorate General of Accounts and Treasuries, Jammu and Kashmir, the officials have been asked to provide the []

SRINAGAR: A man died after being hit by a vehicle in the Transport Nagar area of Narwal in Jammu during the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, officials said. An official said that the man was injured after being hit by a vehicle in the Narwal area. He said police rushed to the spot after []

SRINAGAR: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a uniform mechanism for independent verification of designs and drawings of major bridges, viaducts and other critical structures on National Highway projects to strengthen structural safety and improve construction quality. The policy will come into effect on December 1, 2026, and apply to all new []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police has warned people against online task scams in which cybercriminals lure victims with promises of easy earnings before defrauding them of money and potentially stealing their personal information. In an advisory, the police said fraudsters use social media platforms, messaging services and websites to circulate fake job offers promising high []

SRINAGAR: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed all telecom service providers to introduce the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service across all service areas from November 1, allowing users to see a callers name alongside their phone number. Under the service, the name recorded in the originating telecom operators subscriber database will appear on the []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has cancelled the appointment of a Junior Engineer in the Jal Shakti Department after revenue authorities found that the Reserved Backward Area (RBA) certificate submitted by him had not been issued by the competent authority. According to Government Order No. 182-JK(JSD) of 2026, dated October 14, the appointment of []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir election authorities will hold special camps at all polling station locations on October 24 to enrol eligible voters left out of electoral rolls and help people update their voter details, according to a press note issued by the Chief Electoral Officer on Thursday. The special drive is being conducted across []

SRINAGAR: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested a ward officer of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) in Srinagar on Thursday for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000, officials said. An official said the CBI laid a trap following a complaint and caught the officer allegedly accepting the bribe. The officer was identified as []

SRINAGAR: The National Conferenceled Government has decided to introduce a bill in the 2027 budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to declare Punjabi, Gojri, and Pahari as official languages of the Union Territory. NCs Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Shammi Oberoi said he had made a commitment to the people on behalf of []

SRINAGAR: President Droupadi Murmu has accepted the resignation of L Murugan from the Union Council of Ministers with immediate effect, following his decision to return to Tamil Nadu to strengthen the BJP in the state. Murugan, who held the portfolios of Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, submitted his resignation to []

SRINAGAR: The Press Council of India (PCI) has issued guidelines for journalists covering protests, urging them to maintain impartiality, display press identity cards and follow lawful police instructions. Adopted on October 14, the guidelines advise journalists against participating in demonstrations, taking sides or provoking confrontations, while stressing the need to maintain distance from clashes and []

SRINAGAR: Several areas of north and south Kashmir will face scheduled power cuts between 9 am and 3 pm on different dates from October 17 to November 3 due to shutdowns of seven 33 kV power lines, the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has announced. According to the Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL, the shutdown []

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said mature chinar trees were coming in the way of road-widening work in Ganderbal, maintaining that they would have to be removed and replanted at other locations to enable the work to proceed. He said attempts to cut down the trees often triggered protests, including from people unfamiliar []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir State Taxes Commissioner PK Bhat has directed tax officers in the Kashmir Division to intensify revenue collection, strengthen compliance monitoring and adopt data-driven enforcement to achieve the prescribed annual revenue target, reiterating a monthly revenue target of Rs 800 crore. Bhat issued the directions while chairing a review meeting on the []

SRINAGAR: The Baramulla district administration has imposed restrictions within a 200-metre radius of examination centres on designated dates during the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Educations (JKBOSE) annual regular Class 10, 11 and 12 examinations, scheduled from October 19 to November 30, 2026. The restrictions have been ordered under Section 163 of the Bharatiya []

SRINAGAR: A mini-bus travelling from Udhampur to Dhandal skidded off the road and fell into a ditch near Johnu in Udhampur district on Thursday, leaving several passengers injured, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said. The injured were shifted to the Associated Hospital of Government Medical College (GMC), Udhampur, for treatment. No fatalities had been reported, the []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday appointed 2007-batch IAS officer Govind Jaiswal as Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, while assigning him additional charge as Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. The appointment was notified through Government Order No. 1649-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued by the General Administration Department on October []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday ordered the posting of two Junior Scale Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers as Assistant Directors in the Tourism Department with immediate effect. According to Government Order No. 129-JK (TSM) of 2026, issued by the Tourism Department, Basharat Mehmood has been posted as Assistant Director Tourism []

SRINAGAR: The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has notified the retirement of 160 non-gazetted teaching officials of the Kashmir Division on attaining the age of 60, with the retirement schedule covering employees who have already retired as well as those due to superannuate up to November 2027. The notification, issued by the Director of []

SRINAGAR: Rafiq Ahmed Sofi, a master artisan from Eidgah in Srinagar, has been selected for the National Award 2025 in the hand-knotted carpet category, becoming the sole awardee from Jammu and Kashmir in the category for the year. The award has been conferred by the Union Ministry of Textiles in recognition of his carpet featuring []

LSRINAGAR: Showcasing Ladakhs rich cultural heritage and centuries-old artisanal traditions, a dedicated stall featuring the regions world-renowned Pashmina, traditional shawls, handwoven textiles, intricate embroidery and indigenous handicrafts has been set up at Lakm Fashion Week, being held at The Taj, New Delhi, from October 13 to 18. At the heart of Ladakh Pashmina lies the []

SRINAGAR: India has established an additional control room in Makkah to help Indian nationals, particularly Umrah pilgrims, affected by flight disruptions between India and Saudi Arabia, the Indian Consulate in Jeddah said. The new facility has been set up at the Indian Haj Pilgrims Office (IHPO) in Makkah, while the consulates existing 24-hour assistance centre []

byAqib Rehman For White Cane Safety Day 2026, read why the society must shift from viewing the white cane as a symbol of helplessness to recognising it as a statement of independence and autonomy. October 15 is observed as White Cane Safety Day across the world to recognise the experiences and achievements of blind and []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday announced plans to develop Sonamarg into a major adventure tourism and winter sports destination, citing improved all-weather connectivity following the opening of the Sonamarg tunnel. Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the 70th National School Games in Ganderbal, Abdullah said Sonamarg had traditionally remained inaccessible during []

SRINAGAR: A motorcyclist was killed after his bike was hit by another vehicle on the Jammu National Highway near Kunjwani on Wednesday night, officials said. An official said that the accident took place late Wednesday night when a motorcyclist was hit by another vehicle on the Jammu National Highway near Kunjwani. He said the motorcyclist []

SRINAGAR: Northern Railway has announced eight festival special train services linking Jammu Division with major destinations, including New Delhi, Varanasi and Chhapra in Bihar, to accommodate increased passenger demand during the festive season. According to railway officials, the services will operate on specified dates in October and November, with some extending into December. The additional []

SRINAGAR: The Mughal Road has been temporarily closed for vehicular movement following the seasons first snowfall, officials said. SO Traffic Mughal Road, Mahroof Choudhary confirmed that the road has been closed as a precautionary measure due to fresh snowfall and slippery conditions. He said travellers have been advised to avoid travel on the route till []

SRINAGAR:Traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) is likely to be slow at several stretches on Thursday, while the Mughal Road has been closed following the seasons first snowfall, officials said. The Traffic Police have advised motorists to travel during daylight hours, avoid unnecessary stops and check road conditions before departure, citing the risk []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police have urged people to remain alert to possible cyber fraud during suspicious video calls and online interviews, warning against following strangers instructions to perform facial movements or read out text on camera. In a public advisory, the police cautioned people against sharing personal, financial or identity-related information with strangers and []

SRINAGAR: West Indies defeated India by 24 runs in the fourth T20 International on Wednesday to level the five-match series and set up a decider. Shai Hope struck an unbeaten 102 off 50 balls as West Indies posted 247 for three after being asked to bat first. His innings featured four fours and nine sixes, []

SRINAGAR: The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said on Wednesday that it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi group towards Riyadh, following air-raid warnings in the Saudi capital and the nearby Al-Kharj governorate. Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki said in a statement posted on X that the missile had been []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the newly notified Homestay Policy 2026 would help expand tourist accommodation, promote local entrepreneurship and create livelihood opportunities, particularly in rural, border, heritage and emerging tourist destinations. The policy, approved by the Council of Ministers chaired by the Chief Minister, introduces a simplified registration []

SRINAGAR: Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir began their Ranji Trophy 202627 campaign with a draw against Madhya Pradesh at the Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, but the visitors secured the points advantage by taking a 76-run first-innings lead. Chasing a target of 326 after Madhya Pradesh declared their second innings at 249 for six, J&K []

SRINAGAR: Heavy rainfall accompanied by snowfall and hailstorm lashed Pir Panjal range and adjoining areas on Wednesday, leading to a dip in temperature and disrupting normal life. Officials said that upper reaches of Pir Panjal received fresh snowfall while lower areas witnessed intense rainfall and hailstorm in the afternoon, causing waterlogging at several places and []

SRINAGAR: With the onset of pre-winters, Jammu and Kashmir imports nearly 84 percent of power from other states even as the Union Territory generates nearly 370 Megawatts (MWs) from its local stations. The official figures reveal that the Union Territory was importing nearly 2000 MWs of power from other states and UTs. Top officials informed []

SRINAGAR: Two youths were seriously injured in a collision between a motorcycle and a JCB machine on the Rajouri-Kotranka road in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday evening, with one of them reportedly suffering an amputation of a leg. The injured youths, identified as Sher Ahmad and Shabir Ahmad, are residents of the Mahore area. Both []

SRINAGAR: A man was injured in a bear attack in Parigam area of south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Wednesday, officials said. An official said that the man was attacked by a wild bear in Parigam. He said the injured man was shifted to hospital, where he was identified as Muzaffar Ahmad Ganie, son of Mohammad []

SRINAGAR: Police in south Kashmirs Pulwama district recovered 4.520 kg of a poppy straw-like substance from an oil tanker during a checking operation at Kandizal near a bridge on Wednesday, officials said. The tanker, bearing registration number JK02CM-3937, was travelling from Kadlabal towards Kakapora when it was intercepted during naka checking. A search of the []

SRINAGAR:The Jammu and Kashmir Government has notified the Homestay Policy 2026, providing for simplified registration, financial assistance and residential utility tariffs to encourage local households to offer tourist accommodation and expand tourism to rural, border, heritage and emerging destinations. The policy, approved by the Council of Ministers, aims to increase lodging capacity, generate livelihood opportunities []

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir will host nine sporting events between October 15 and December 27, with around 300 athletes and officials expected to take part, Director General Youth Services and Sports Anuradha Gupta said. The events will include under-17 Wushu and Taekwondo competitions in Ganderbal from October 15 to 27, while Jammu will host under-17 []