IBTimes

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has reiterated that normal relations with Pakistan can move forward only in an environment free from terrorism, hostility and violence. In the Lok Sabha, he outlined India's diplomatic and strategic measures following the Pulwama and Pahalgam terror attacks. Separately, MoS External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said India is pursuing permanent membership of an expanded UN Security Council through bilateral and multilateral engagements.

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.

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.

As thousands of unregistered devotees arrive in Jammu and Srinagar, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has urged pilgrims to undertake the Shri Amarnath Yatra only after obtaining a valid registration. The administration has reiterated that RFID access and permission to proceed will be granted only to registered pilgrims, citing Supreme Court-mandated limits on daily pilgrim movement.

The RSS has expressed deep anguish over the alleged theft from the donation boxes at the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, calling it a serious blow to the faith of millions of devotees. It has demanded exemplary punishment for those found guilty, urged reforms in temple management, and appealed for patience while the investigation is underway.

Eleven-year-old karting sensation Atiqa Asif Mir from Srinagar has created history by becoming the first Indian and the first Asian female driver to be selected for the Formula 1 Academy's prestigious 'Discover Your Drive' development programme. Her remarkable achievement has earned praise from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and is being hailed as a milestone for Indian motorsport.

The Ministry of Home Affairs will hold a crucial meeting with the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance in Leh today to finalise the broad understanding reached during the May 22 talks on Ladakh's future governance framework

With just three days left for the commencement of the Shri Amarnath Yatra, Srinagar Police conducted a comprehensive multi-agency mock drill at the Panthachowk transit camp to assess emergency preparedness and strengthen response mechanisms. The exercise, involving different departments, simulated multiple emergency scenarios to evaluate coordination, communication, and operational readiness ahead of the annual pilgrimage.

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to immediately stop the alleged unauthorised collection of money from livestock transport vehicles transiting through Punjab, saying the practice is inflating transportation costs and driving up mutton prices in the Union Territory. Citing complaints from traders and findings of an internal inquiry, Abdullah said livestock transport is exempt from GST and sought safeguards to ensure the unhindered movement of consignm

The political battle over alleged backdoor appointments in Jammu and Kashmir intensified as the National Conference government rejected the PDP's allegations, insisting that all recruitments are conducted transparently on merit and that outsourcing is distinct from recruitment. Meanwhile, PDP leader Iltija Mufti questioned the government's outsourcing policy and sought details of contracts awarded to private firms.

AIIMS Jammu has successfully performed Jammu and Kashmir's first interstitial brachytherapy procedure on a 26-year-old woman with Stage II vulvar cancer. The advanced organ-preserving treatment marks a major milestone in the region's healthcare sector, enabling patients to access cutting-edge cancer care within the Union Territory while avoiding major surgery.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Online Drugs Disposal Fortnight Campaign and unveiled the Vision Document on Drug Control (20262029), calling for a ruthless crackdown on drug traffickers and a compassionate approach towards victims. As part of the campaign, enforcement agencies destroyed 209,500 kg of narcotics worth Rs 6,000 crore, while Shah stressed that the next three years would be decisive in India's fight against drugs and narco-terrorism.

The fact-finding committee constituted by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge to investigate allegations of factionalism, indiscipline, and anti-party activities in the J&K Congress has completed its three-day exercise in Srinagar and returned to New Delhi. The panel interacted with over 70 party leaders from across the Union Territory and is expected to submit its report to the Congress high command shortly.

With just two weeks left for the commencement of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2026, J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat has directed security agencies to strengthen surveillance and security arrangements along the pilgrimage route, National Highway, and railway infrastructure. During a high-level security review meeting in Srinagar, he emphasized strict adherence to SOPs, intensified anti-terror operations, and enhanced coordination among agencies.

A woman in J&K's Bandipora district allegedly gave birth on a roadside within 30 minutes of being discharged from a government hospital, triggering public outrage and demands for an inquiry into possible medical negligence. The incident comes amid an ongoing high-level investigation into the death of a pregnant woman at GMC Rajouri, further raising concerns about maternal healthcare services in the Union Territory.

Tension gripped parts of Ladakh after the Youth Wing of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) alleged that a group of non-local individuals was involved in religious conversion-related activities in remote areas of the Union Territory. Acting on intelligence inputs, Leh Police detained eight persons and registered an FIR, launching a probe into the alleged operation.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has announced that the long-pending Shahpur Kandi Project on the River Ravi is nearing completion, raising hopes among farmers in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba and Kathua districts. The project is expected to bring irrigation to over 32,000 hectares of barren land in the Kandi belt and benefit thousands of hectares in Punjab's Pathankot district.

The Jammu and Kashmir Congress dissident camp led by Vikar Rasool Wani has temporarily suspended its planned rallies and political programmes following a stern warning from the party high command and the formation of a three-member inquiry committee to investigate allegations of indiscipline.

As part of the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir campaign and the 100-day drug-free target set by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Jammu and Kashmir Police, in coordination with Punjab Police, arrested two alleged drug traffickers in Amritsar and recovered an AK-47 rifle, a pistol, and narcotic substances.

Three young tourists from Haryana were killed and two others critically injured after a bus collided with their Creta car near IIM Jammu in the Jagti-Karli area on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway early Sunday morning. The victims were returning home after visiting Leh and the Kashmir Valley.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday called upon Kashmiri Pandits to reconnect with their roots and contribute to the future of a transformed Jammu and Kashmir, describing their journey from displacement to global success as a symbol of resilience and determination.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah's announcement that the AFSPA will be withdrawn from most Northeastern states next year has reignited the debate over the law in J&K. National Conference leaders, including Minister Sakina Itoo and Chief Minister's Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, have urged the Centre to revoke AFSPA from J&K first, arguing that the security situation has improved significantly.

J&K School Education Minister Sakina Itoo has expressed concern over the deployment of nearly 14,000 teachers for census duties, saying it has severely affected the functioning of government schools already grappling with a massive staff shortage. Nearly 15,000 teaching posts are already lying vacant across the Union Territory.

Amid escalating factionalism and allegations of indiscipline within the J&K Congress, the AICC has constituted a three-member enquiry committee to investigate anti-party activities and organisational disputes in the Union Territory. The move follows the summoning of five senior J&K Congress leaders to New Delhi and comes against the backdrop of an intensifying power struggle between two factions.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting to review security and operational arrangements for the Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to begin on July 3. With modern surveillance systems, enhanced intelligence coordination, deployment of advanced security equipment, and the launch of a QR code-based Pehchaan App for worker verification, authorities are strengthening preparations to ensure a safe, smooth, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage.

Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, KDA co-chairman Sajjad Kargili and human rights groups have condemned the alleged use of excessive force by Pakistani authorities against protesters in PoJK. While mainstream political parties in J&K have largely remained silent, critics have called for accountability amid reports of civilian deaths, arrests and a widening crackdown across the region.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has constituted a high-level committee to investigate the technical malfunction that left over 300 tourists stranded mid-air in the Gulmarg Gondola on May 25. The panel has been tasked with examining the sequence of events, identifying possible lapses, assessing compliance with safety standards, and recommending corrective measures.

Thousands of beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat-SEHAT Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir could face difficulties from July 1 as private hospitals and dialysis centres have announced plans to stop accepting Golden Cards over pending reimbursements of nearly 275 crore. Private hospitals have accused authorities of prolonged payment delays, violation of NHA guidelines, and failure to address financial distress faced by 135 empanelled healthcare institutions.

In a landmark achievement for India's infrastructure sector, the breakthrough blast at the 13.15-km-long Zojila Tunnel was successfully carried out on Tuesday, connecting the two ends of the strategic tunnel linking Kashmir and Ladakh. Witnessed by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the milestone was achieved six months ahead of schedule and brings the dream of all-weather connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh closer to reality.

Despite their ongoing political rivalry in Jammu and Kashmir, the ruling National Conference and opposition Peoples Democratic Party have confirmed their participation in the INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi on June 8.

A political controversy has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir after PDP president Mehbooba Mufti reviewed the progress of the under-construction AIIMS Awantipora project. Health Minister Sakina Itoo and Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone questioned her authority to chair a review meeting, accusing her of overstepping constitutional boundaries.

An innocent man from the R S Pura area of Jammu spent 1 year, 7 months, and 11 days in jail after a false rape case. The Fast Track Court directs inquiry against investigating officers and proceedings against the complainant after finding the prosecution failed to prove the rape charge.

Constructed under the 'Sindhu Jal Samriddhi Abhiyan', the innovative dam aims to boost irrigation, strengthen water security, and support sustainable agriculture in Ladakh's remote high-altitude villages.

Former J&K Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has appealed to political parties and civil society groups across the Union Territory to unite and jointly engage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on issues concerning J&K.

For the first time since the outbreak of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in 1990, Jammu and Kashmir recorded zero terror-related fatalities during the month of May. Data from the SATP of SAIR shows that not a single civilian, security personnel, or terrorist was killed in any terror-related incident throughout the month.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed the results of the five-state Assembly elections, particularly in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, as a political earthquake with long-term national implications.