RisingKashmir

The fresh flash floods that hit Thathri in Doda on Tuesday have once again unsettled lives and confidence in this vulnerable region. These are not random, isolated events. They are a reminder of how exposed many of our hill towns remain to the forces of nature, and how urgently we must strengthen our systems, infrastructure, and planning to match that reality. Multiple locations in Thathri witnessed sudden flooding, damaging several structures and destroying property worth lakhs of rupees. The N

For generations, the people of Kashmir have marked their lives by the rhythm of the seasons: the first snowfall on the mountains, the soft thaw of spring in the orchards, the rush of meltwater in the Jhelum, the blazing gold of autumn in the chinars. Today, that familiar rhythm is breaking. Winters arrive late and leave early. Snowfall is erratic, sometimes absent when it is most needed. Spring comes confused, either too warm or too wet. The Valley, long celebrated for its pristine beauty and ge

TECHNOLOGY & NATIONAL SECURITY On 10 and 11 June, the DRDO fired two interceptors from Chandipur off the Odisha coast. The AD-1 caught its target inside the atmosphere. The AD-2 caught its target in space. The Ministry of Defence said the country could now engage threats up to the intercontinental class, and it placed India in the small group of states able to shoot down a ballistic missile. The story sold itself as safety. A dome over the cities. A wall against the missiles of two nuclear-armed

SANJAY KUMAR VERMA For four decades, Iran was the Wests preferred pariah: sanctioned, contained and lectured from Washington and European capitals. Yet today, it is part of a ceasefire and a detailed memorandum with the United States. Whatever its durability, the arrangement shows a simple truth Washington can no longer dodge: Tehran is too central to Gulf security and energy stability to be brushed aside. On balance, Iran has emerged as the principal diplomatic beneficiary of this conflict, eve

Thathri (Doda), Jul 07: Flash floods triggered by intense rainfall swept through Thathri town and its adjoining areas in Doda district in the early hours of Tuesday, damaging houses, shops and vehicles and forcing the closure of National Highway-244, officials said. The heavy downpour around 2.30 am sent torrents of water, mud, boulders and debris through several localities, inundating residential areas and the main market and causing extensive damage to commercial establishments, houses and par

Srinagar, July, 07: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Vice President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday paid glowing tributes to veteran Party leader and former MLA Kulgam, Advocate Shaheed Ghulam Nabi Dar on his 20th martyrdom anniversary. Advocate Ghulam Nabi Dar was martyred in a grenade attack in Kulgam in July 2006 while coming out of the revered Hazrat Mantaqi (RA) Astana-e-Aliya in the main town of Kulgam. Five other National Conference work

Srinagar, July 7: Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi on tuesday said that despite being incarcerated Member of Parliament from Baramulla Er. Rashid has remained steadfast in raising issues concerning the identity, language and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Inam Un Nabi said that MP Er. Rashid had written to the Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw seeking the filling up of 97 vacant Senior Grade IIS Group-B posts in the Kashmiri

Budgam, July 7: Humhama is set to get a dedicated sports ground after MLA Budgam Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi secured around 35 kanals of land from the Revenue Department for the development of sports facilities in the area. The MLA took possession of the land on the spot as part of the Mission Development initiative, paving the way for the creation of a dedicated playground for local youth. The move was welcomed by residents and young people of Humhama, who expressed gratitude to the MLA for fulfill

Srinagar, July 7: Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Front (PDF) President and former Cabinet Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen on Tuesday met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and submitted a memorandum seeking immediate intervention on several long-pending tourism, infrastructure and public welfare issues in Budgam district. During the meeting held in the morning, Yaseen urged the Lieutenant Governor to reopen Tosamaidan, one of Kashmir's premier adventure tourism destinations, for tourists, tr

Srinagar, July 7: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) Provincial Vice President and MLA Hazratbal Salman Ali Sagar on Tuesday called upon party workers to strengthen grassroots engagement and work with renewed commitment to expand the partys organisational base in the constituency. Sagar made the remarks while chairing a meeting of NC office bearers, delegates and senior functionaries from the Hazratbal Assembly Constituency, where he reviewed organisational activities and emphasised un

Baramulla, July 07: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department Javid Ahmad Dar on Tuesday directed the district administration to expedite compensation formalities for 26 families whose residential and commercial structures are likely to be affected by the RohamaLadoora road project. He said development projects must move forward while safeguarding the rights and interests of affected families. Minister for Agriculture Productio

Ganderbal, July 7: The Social Activist Forum Ganderbal on Tuesday urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to take immediate steps to strengthen healthcare and education infrastructure in Kangan constituency, highlighting shortages of medical staff, inadequate hospital facilities, delays in school infrastructure projects and several welfare-related concerns. Addressing a press conference at Kangan, Social Activist Forum representative Manzoor Ahmad Lone said that the true measure of development li

Srinagar, July 7: With temperatures rising across Kashmir, the Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, has issued a health advisory warning people about increased risks of heat-related illnesses and food-borne infections during the summer season. The advisory has urged people to stay hydrated, consume freshly prepared food and maintain proper hygiene to avoid health complications caused by heat and contaminated food. Dr. S. Muhammad Salim Khan, Professor, Dep

Srinagar, July 7: As film shootings gradually return to Kashmir, residents across the valley are urging filmmakers to move beyond the traditional favourites of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg and explore the regions lesser-known destinations, saying the untapped locations offer equally breathtaking backdrops while bringing tourism and economic opportunities to remote areas. Locals believe that while iconic destinations have become synonymous with Bollywoods Kashmir, several pristine valleys, mead

Jammu, July 7: Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar on Tuesday conducted a first-hand review of the facilities and arrangements put in place for pilgrims undertaking the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 at key locations in Ramban and Udhampur districts. During his visit to the yatra camp at Chanderkote in Ramban, the Divisional Commissioner inspected the arrangements made for pilgrims and assessed the availability of essential facilities. He also visited various langar sites and lodgement centr

Srinagar, July 7 The Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday held an organisational meeting of its District Kulgam unit at the party headquarters in Srinagar to review organisational affairs and formulate strategies for strengthening the party at the grassroots level. The meeting was chaired by the party's General Secretary (Organisation), Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, and was attended by General Secretary Mohammad Khursheed Alam, Additional General Secretary Mohammad Yousuf Bha

SRINAGAR, JULY 07: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today met delegations representing the travel, tourism and business sectors here at the Civil Secretariat and held detailed discussions on issues concerning tourism promotion, business facilitation and the overall growth of the economy in Jammu and Kashmir. A delegation comprising representatives of leading travel and tourism associations, including Irshad Ahmad (TAAI), Zahoor Qari, President SKL International Kashmir; Burhan Misgar, Chairman Trave

Jammu, July : One person was killed and two others were injured on Tuesday after a car fell into a gorge in the Chowki Choura area of Akhnoor in Jammu district. Officials told GNS that the accident occurred on the highway when a car bearing registration number JK11A 4854 skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge. The deceased has been identified as Raju Sharma, son of Dev Raj, resident of Kalakote. Two passengers sustained injuries in the accident. They have been identified as Roshan Lal, so

Srinagar, July 7: In a moment of immense pride for India and Jammu & Kashmir, multimillionaire entrepreneurs Johnny (Farhan) Beig and Tony Beig, sons of Retired DIG Shakeel Beigh (IPS) from Banihal, Jammu & Kashmir, have scripted a remarkable global success story by playing a pivotal role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Beig brothers, founders of the internationally acclaimed Dioz Group, secured a prestigious US$2.5 million international contract through FIFAs official hospitality partner to des

Srinagar, July 7: The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places across Jammu and Kashmir on July 7 and 8, with heavy rain, brief intense showers and thunderstorms likely at a few locations. According to the forecast, Jammu division is expected to receive heavy rainfall at isolated places, mainly during late night and early morning hours, while a few areas may also witness brief showers during the afternoon. The weather department said m

Srinagar, Jul 6: The successful conclusion of the inaugural Kashmir Champions Football League (KCFL) 2026 has marked a historic milestone in the sporting landscape of J&K, with the tournament emerging as one of the largest and most professionally organised football competitions ever held in Kashmir. Organised by the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council, the league brought together footballers representing districts from across Kashmir, providing a first-of-its-kind competitive platform where local ta

Shopian, Jul 6: District Development Commissioner (DDC) Shopian, Shishir Gupta on Monday chaired a review meeting at Mini-Secretariat Shopian to assess the progress of projects being executed under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), PMGSY and other developmental sectors in the district. The DDC reviewed the status of ongoing projects to address bottlenecks in implementation and directed for ensuring timely completion of works for the benefit of the people of the distri

Kulgam, Jul 6: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Shahzad Alam, on Monday conducted an extensive tour of the DH Pora subdivision to inspect ongoing development works and review the implementation of key rural development schemes. He reviewed the construction of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Office, Treasury Office and other ongoing projects. Stressing the importance of timely completion, he instructed the executing agencies to expedite the pace of work while maintaining the highest quality

Srinagar, Jul 06: Sehar Khan, young BJP leader and International Affairs & United Nations Delegate from J&K on Monday called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. She presented a comprehensive report detailing key discussions and policy recommendations from her recent participation in United Nations engagements and international dialogues focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Subsequently, Junaid Shafi, an athlete and youth activist from Shopian, also called on the Lieutenant Gove

Hyderabad, Jul 6: Stressing that teachers shape not only the intellect but also the character of their students, Vice-Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan inaugurated the month-long Faculty Induction Programme (FIP) at the University's campus on Monday. The programme is being organized by the UGC-Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (UGC-MMTTC) to prepare newly appointed faculty members for excellence in teaching, research, and academic leadership. In

Srinagar, Jul 6: Reinforcing its commitment to the globally recognized One Health approach that integrates human, animal and environmental health, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) on Monday organized a symposium on the theme One Health, One Future: Together Against Zoonoses at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Shuhama, to mark World Zoonoses Day 2026. The symposium, organised by the Divisions of Veterinary Microbiology

Baltal, Jul 06: As the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 continues through the challenging Himalayan terrain, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has emerged as more than just a security force. Over the last four days, the personnel deployed along the Baltal axis havebeen workingtirelessly to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of thousands of pilgrims undertaking the sacredpilgrimage. From providing life-saving medical assistance to managing crowds and offering humanitarian support, CRPF'

Ramban school negligence shows how student safety is treated as an afterthought A Class VII boy slept through a lesson in a government middle school in Ramban and woke up inside a prison. The gates were locked, the staff gone, the campus deserted. For more than four hours on July 4, at Government Middle School Krawah in Banihal, a child was not a student but an afterthought. It took a passerby, not a teacher, to hear his cries at around 8 pm, break the silence, rescue him and film the shame that

The recent Iran-Israel-US war and theRussian-Ukraine warhave disrupted supply chains across the world, especially those of energy and fertilisers MOHAMMAD AZEEM KHAN & SHADMAN ZAFAR In India, a farmer is pouring another bag of urea on his wheat field. The government ensures it is the cheapest fertiliser one canacquire. What is often not recognised is thateveryadditionalkilo emits nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, a greenhouse gasnearly 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide, whichremainsthe

The footsteps of Lal Ded and Shaikh-ul-Alam will continue to echo through the Valley There are moments in history when the human mind advances so rapidly that the human soul struggles to keep pace. Civilizations erect towers that scrape the heavens, invent machines that shrink continents, and weave invisible networks that bind billions of lives together. Yet beneath this astonishing triumph lies an unsettling silencethe silence of a heart that has forgotten to ask why it exists. Suppose, for a m

Banihal, July 06: MLA Banihal Sajjad Shaheen on Monday laid the foundation stone for the 1 crore Central Park Beautification Project in Banihal, saying the initiative marks the beginning of a broader urban renewal programme across the Banihal-Gool constituency. The project aims to transform the park into a modern recreational space with landscaped gardens, walking tracks, children's play areas, seating facilities, decorative lighting and other public amenities. Addressing the gathering, Shaheen

Srinagar, July 6: Awami Itihaad Party on Monday announced that the party will organize condolence meetings on July 9 at all district headquarters of North Kashmir, besides one meeting each in Srinagar and South Kashmir, to pay rich tributes to Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, the late Supreme Leader of Iran. AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi Inam Un Nabi said the meetings will be attended by senior party leaders, office bearers, workers and supporters, who will gather to offer condolences, remem

Srinagar, July 6: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Youth Services & Sports and Science & Technology, Satish Sharma on Monday assured the Rehbar-e-Khel (ReK) community that the government is committed to addressing their genuine concerns, saying efforts are underway to find a practical and sustainable solution. He said the contribution of Rehbar-e-Khel employees in strengthening Jammu and Kashmir's sports ecosystem is invaluable and assured the delegat

Leh, July 6: In a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at protecting Ladakh's fragile ecology, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced the deployment of 100 ex-servicemen from the Army, Paramilitary Forces and Ladakh Scouts as part of the newly constituted Environment Protection Force (EPF). Sharing the development on X, the Lieutenant Governor said the initiative marks a significant step in conserving Ladakh's ecologically sensitive landscapes while also providing meaningful rehabilitati

Srinagar, July 6: The Education Department has suspended all nine staff members of a government middle school in Ramban district after a Class VII student was found locked inside the school building for more than four hours, an incident that sparked widespread criticism following the circulation of a viral video on social media. The incident occurred at Government Middle School Krawah in Banihal zone on July 4, the last working day before the commencement of the 15 day summer vacation. According

Srinagar, July 6: The introduction of special train services between Jammu and Srinagar for the Amarnath Yatra 2026 is expected to significantly strengthen pilgrimage tourism in Jammu and Kashmir while providing devotees with a faster and more comfortable travel option. The dedicated rail services have been launched to facilitate the movement of thousands of pilgrims visiting the Amarnath Cave Shrine during the annual pilgrimage season. Authorities believe the initiative will improve accessibili

Srinagar, July 06: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday chaired the 13th meeting of the Executive Council of the Institute of Management, Public Administration & Rural Development (IMPARD) at the Civil Secretariat, reaffirming the Governments commitment to strengthening institutional capacity, administrative excellence and good governance across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting comprehensively reviewed the functioning of IMPARD and deliberated on a wide range of measures aimed at enhancing the i

Leh, July 6: What was once a vast expanse of barren land is now beginning to turn green in the high-altitude cold desert of Ladakh. In a major ecological milestone, Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena on Monday said the Union Territory Administration's ambitious project to restore nearly 800 acres of degraded land has started yielding encouraging results, with mustard crops sprouting across reclaimed tracts after the use of an innovative freshwater-based restoration technique. The initiative is bein

Srinagar, July 6: In a significant policy decision aimed at strengthening healthcare support for economically weaker sections, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has amended the guidelines of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Scheme, allowing Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to allocate up to 20 lakh annually from their CDF for medical assistance to patients suffering from life-threatening diseases. The amendment has been notified through Government Order No. FD of 2026, issued by

Tehran , July 6: Mourners attending the funeral procession of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syed Ali Hussaini Khamenei in Tehran on Monday carried banners and placards calling for the death of US President Donald Trump, as reported by Al Jazeera. Images from the procession showed a banner reading Kill Trump, with a bullet depicted running through the word Trump. Other mourners carried placards featuring images of the US Vice President J D Vance, US War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Israel

Pulwama, July 06 : An unidentified body was recovered from the Jhelum River near Kawani in the Awantipora area of south Kashmir on Monday, officials said. An official told the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO), that locals spotted the body floating in the river and immediately informed the police. A police team rushed to the spot and retrieved the body from the river, the official said. The deceased is believed to be a non-local, although his identity has not yet been ascertained, he said.

Srinagar, July 6: The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast generally cloudy weather across Jammu and Kashmir from July 6 to July 8, with one or two spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers expected at many places. According to the weather department, Jammu division is likely to witness heavy rain, brief intense showers and thunderstorms at a few places, mainly during late afternoon, evening and late night to early morning hours. The department said many districts of Kashmir div

Srinagar, July 6: No scheduled commercial flights operated from Srinagar Airport on Monday, with airport authorities saying airlines are revising their schedules following the withdrawal of the proposed Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for Monday and Tuesday. Flight operations are expected to resume once the revised schedules are finalised and announced by the respective airlines. In a post on X, Srinagar Airport wrote, As confirmed by the respective airlines, there are no scheduled commercial flights o

Bhaderwah, Jul 5: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Doda, Krishan Lal, chaired a review meeting at Dak Bungalow Bhaderwah, to assess the preparedness for the forthcoming Annual Kailash Yatra 2026 and review the arrangements being made to ensure the safe, smooth and successful conduct of the annual pilgrimage. The meeting took review of the preparedness being made for the Annual Kailash Yatra, with detailed discussions on security, traffic management, transportation, healthcare, sanitation, drinking wate

Srinagar, Jul 05: While half of the season suitable for macadamisation is already over, the million-dollar question remains whether the delay is due to 'illegal hoarding' by stockists or the government's 'adamant approach' towards the issue, as contractors continue to stay away from tenders citing unfavourable rates amidst the Middle East crisis. In May this year, the government cleared a plan estimated at around223 crore, with a proposed allocation of nearly155.83 crore for the macadamisation p

Srinagar, Jul 05: Continuing their crackdown on narcotics and drug trafficking, Jammu & Kashmir Police in Baramullahaveattached immovable properties worth over Rs29 lakh belonging to a drug peddler under the provisions of Section 68-F (1) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The attached properties belong to Mushtaq Ahmed Dar, son of Mohd Yousuf Dar, a resident of Yadipora, Palhallan, in Pattan. They include a single-storey residential house at Yadipora, Palhallan, and f

Srinagar, July 5: The University of Kashmir on Sunday flagged off its National Youth Parliament team to New Delhi, where it will receive the National Championship Award in the 17th National Youth Parliament Competition (202526) at Parliament House. The 50-member contingent is led by Cultural Officer and National Youth Parliament Coordinator Dr. Shahid Ali Khan, who mentored the championship-winning team throughout the competition. In a message, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofer Khan congratulated th

Srinagar, July 5: Srinagar Police on Saturday said it has strengthened security and public assistance measures to ensure the safe, secure and smooth movement of pilgrims undertaking the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026. Police said comprehensive security, traffic management and facilitation arrangements have been put in place in coordination with all stakeholder agencies. Personnel deployed along the Yatra route are providing round-the-clock assistance, including traffic regulation, medical s

Srinagar, Jul 05: With temperatures soaring across Kashmir, public health experts have urged people to take adequate precautions against heat-related illnesses, warning that prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion and even life-threatening heat stroke. Dr. S. Muhammad Salim Khan, Professor, Department of Community Medicine, GMC Srinagar said Kashmir summers are becoming increasingly hotter, with high temperatures and strong sunlight posing serious health

Jammu, July 5: Interacting with farmers, artisans and exhibitors, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, IT, Youth Services & Sports, and Science & Technology, Satish Sharma underscored the need to strengthen local economies by promoting indigenous producers and expanding market access for farmers, artisans and small entrepreneurs. He said such initiatives help promote sustainable agriculture and traditional crafts while also providing a direct platform for producers to connect wi