Kupwara, Aug 5: Member of Parliament Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan on Wednesday said that the long-pending Lower Rajwar Raw Water Main project, which is set to be commissioned after nearly a decade, was originally approved during his tenure as MLA Handwara in 2012 and accused MLA Handwara Sajad Lone of failing to complete the scheme despite remaining in office for years. In a statement, Ramzan said the project was sanctioned in 2012 to address the long-standing drinking water crisis in Lower Rajwar. However, after the 2014 Assembly elections, when Sajad Lone was elected as MLA Handwara, the scheme remained in limbo. I waited until the sitting MLA came into power for the second time in 2024, hoping that along with this project he would also complete the other unfinished works. After waiting for two years and seeing no progress, I took the initiative to ensure the completion of the projects which I had initiated but the sitting MLA failed to complete, Ramzan said. He said that after repeated representations from the residents of Lower Rajwar regarding the pending scheme, he personally took up the matter with the concerned Minister. Following my intervention, Superintending Engineer Shakeel-ul-Rehman and Executive Engineer Aijaz Ahmad were directed to expedite the work, while the required funds were also allocated to ensure completion of the project, he said. Ramzan claimed that the present Executive Engineer was purposefully posted to Handwara to ensure the completion of the Lower Rajwar Water Supply Project. He said the scheme was initially scheduled to be inaugurated by Jal Shakti Minister Javid Ahmad Rana, but the Superintending Engineer and Executive Engineer sought an additional two months to complete the remaining work before commissioning. Ramzan further alleged that Sajad Lone had inaugurated the scheme in the Mawer area nearly four months ago despite the project being far from completion. The scheme was not even ten per cent complete at that time. I fail to understand the logic behind inaugurating an incomplete project, he said. Ramzan said the successful testing of the project marked a significant milestone and expressed hope that its commissioning would ensure a reliable drinking water supply to nearly 25,000 residents across 13 villages, including Dudipora, Bakiakher, Baderher, Budkot, Machipora, Khirman, Nabedzab, Nagranar, Baderkali, Bahadarpora, Goriakher, Wadipora and Lachipora. Launching a sharp attack on Sajad Lone, Ramzan alleged that several important developmental projects in Handwara had remained incomplete due to his failure to pursue them. If he could not even ensure the macadamization of the New Bus Stand Handwara, I was compelled to bring Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary to Handwara, following which more than 2 crore was sanctioned for the macadamization work, he said. He further alleged that the inaction of certain officials in the Jal Shakti Division Handwara and Ramhall had caused immense hardship to people across the Handwara constituency. People have suffered because of the inaction of some officials in the Jal Shakti divisions of Handwara and Ramhall. Those responsible will be held accountable, Ramzan said. He said the People's Conference should stop taking credit for projects completed through his efforts and instead acknowledge its failure to effectively represent the people of Handwara. Ramzan also expressed gratitude to Superintending Engineer Shakeel-ul-Rehman, Executive Engineer Aijaz Ahmad and contractor Iqbal Ahmad Tantary & others for their coordinated efforts in completing the long-pending project. He said their commitment and dedication had ensured that the scheme had finally reached the commissioning stage. Appealing to the people, Ramzan urged the public to assess why several developmental projects remained incomplete for years and hold those responsible accountable.
J&K govt amends pension rules for former legislators
Jammu, Aug 5: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has amended the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature Members' Pension Rules, 1985, authorising the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly to sanction pension and family pension for sitting and former Members of the Legislative Assembly as well as former Members of the erstwhile Legislative Council. The amendment, issued through a notification by the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs under the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature Members' Pension Act, 1984, substitutes the definition of Presiding Officer in the rules. See Notificatioin Click Here:
NC MP Chowdry Ramzan raises statehood issue in Rajya Sabha
Crime Branch files chargesheet in 17-year-old RTO Jammu revenue fraud case
Jammu, Aug 5: Completing the investigation into a 17-year-old case, the Crime Branch Jammu on Wednesday filed a chargesheet in the alleged RTO Jammu revenue fraud through manipulation of one-time token tax records and the use of fake Public Service Vehicle (PSV) driving certificates, an official said. The chargesheet was filed in the court of Additional Sessions Judge (Anti-Corruption) Jammu in a case registered in 2009 under various sections of Ranbir Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act, a spokesman of the Crime Branch said. He said the case was registered on the basis of reliable information regarding large-scale irregularities in the functioning of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) Jammu, resulting loss to the government exchequer worth lakhs of rupees. During investigation, it was found that one-time token tax collected from vehicle owners was fraudulently recorded less amount in cash books, leading to the alleged misappropriation of over Rs 12.97 lakhs, the spokesman said. He said the investigation also unearthed the use of fake driving institute certificates, fabricated documents and forged attestations for obtaining Public Service Vehicles (PSV) driving licence endorsements. The investigation, supported by seized records, witness statements and the forensic opinion of FSL Jammu, established that fake PSV driving certificates were allegedly prepared in conspired manner by Kulbhushan Sharma, Managing Director of Shivam Institute of Driving and Maintenance, and Raj Kumar, the spokesman said. He said the beneficiaries stated that they had never undergone the mandatory training at the institute, despite certificates having been issued in their names. Investigation also revealed that records of the institute had been destroyed to conceal the fraudulent activities, the spokesman said.
RBI keeps policy rate unchanged for third time in row in FY27 amid West Asia crisis
Mumbai, Aug 05: In an expected move, the Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday kept key interest rates unchanged for the third time in a row this financial year as it weighed the impact of uncertain energy prices and supply disruptions caused by the ongoing West Asia crisis. Announcing the third bi-monthly monetary policy for the current fiscal, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has unanimously decided to retain short-term lending rate or repo rate at 5.25 per cent with a neutral stance. The interest rate pause comes even as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) based headline retail inflation has crossed the RBI's medium-term target of 4 per cent at 4.38 per cent in June. However, RBI marginally raised the growth forecast to 6.7 per cent while lowering inflation projection to 5 per cent for the current fiscal. Additionally, the rupee has been depreciating continuously since the beginning of this year. The rupee has been hovering between 95 and 96 against the dollar. Once considered among Asia's more stable currencies, the rupee has now become one of the worst-performing emerging market currencies this year, pressured by a mix of expensive oil, capital outflows, widening trade deficits and a surging US dollar. It has depreciated about 7 per cent so far in 2026 and is down roughly 6 per cent since the outbreak of the Iran conflict in late February.
Mehbooba Mufti stages protest on Aug 5 eve
Srinagar, Aug 4:People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday led a candlelight protest at the party headquarters in Srinagar on the eve of the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35-A. Scores of PDP leaders and workers gathered at the party headquarters near Sher-e-Kashmir Park and attempted to take out a candlelight march towards the city centre. However, police prevented the march, following which Mufti, along with senior party leaders and workers, staged a sit-in outside the party office. The PDP president, carrying both the tricolour and the official flag of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Party workers carrying candles and placards raised slogans demanding the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A and seeking the release of political detainees. Addressing party workers, Mufti described the night of August 4 as he darkest night in Jammu and Kashmir's history, alleging that a conspiracy was executed on this night in 2019 before Parliament revoked the erstwhile state's special constitutional status the following day. This is the darkest night for Jammu and Kashmir. On this night, a conspiracy was hatched and Articles 370 and 35A were taken away. These constitutional provisions were not given to us by Pakistan or China, but by the Constitution of India, she said. Announcing her decision to remain at the PDP headquarters overnight, Mufti said she apprehended being confined to her residence or detained before August 5. I will stay here tonight because there is every possibility that I may be placed under house arrest or detained before tomorrow's protest. We will not remain silent until there is a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue and the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, she said. She accused the BJP-led Centre of snatching Jammu and Kashmir's special constitutional status, claiming Article 370 represented the region's constitutional safeguards. Article 370 was our protection, our dignity and our identity. It safeguarded our land, jobs and identity. The trampling of Dr B.R. Ambedkar's Constitution started from Kashmir and is now spreading across the country, she alleged. Mufti also criticised what she described as attempts by some political parties to limit the political discourse to the restoration of statehood. Many people keep talking only about statehood so that people forget everything else. Our struggle is not merely for statehood but for the restoration of our constitutional rights and dignity, she said. Questioning the government's claims of improved normalcy, Mufti said security measures continued to affect ordinary civilians. When a police constable is martyred, why are thousands of people jailed? After every militant attack, innocent people are detained, houses are demolished and government employees are dismissed. Thousands of our people remain in jail, yet nobody speaks about them, she said. If the government claims the situation has improved, then why is the Army not sent back to the barracks? Why can't civilians live freely? Why is there so much oppression? she asked. The PDP chief reiterated that the abrogation of Article 370 remained unacceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The people are silent because they are frightened and intimidated. But no Kashmiri can accept the removal of Article 370 because it protects our identity, our land and our jobs. We will continue to fight for it till our last breath, she said. She also demanded the reopening of cross-Line of Control trade and travel routes, saying such confidence-building measures had benefited people on both sides of the divide. During the protest, Mufti alleged that a woman police officer had manhandled her daughter, Iltija Mufti, while the protesters were holding what she described as a peaceful demonstration. If she herself is a woman and laid hands on Iltija's clothes, then she has made a very serious mistake. We were protesting peacefully, she alleged. Explaining why she carried both the national flag and the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state flag, Mufti said both derived their legitimacy from the Constitution of India. Both these flags are ours. One has been retained and the other was taken away. Until it is restored, and until there is a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue, our struggle will continue, she said. Mufti, however, maintained that the restoration of Article 370 alone would not resolve the larger Kashmir issue. I do not speak only about Article 370. We had Article 370 earlier as well, yet thousands of people were killed and enormous destruction took place. Jammu and Kashmir is a political issue. India and Pakistan should engage in dialogue, address the grievances of the people, restore what was taken from us and allow Jammu and Kashmir to live with dignity, she said. Later in the evening, the PDP chief left the protest site.
Cloudburst disrupts road connectivity, water supply
Srinagar, Aug 4:Intense rainfall triggered flash floods in parts of south Kashmir on Tuesday, inundating residential areas while the impact of a cloudburst a day earlier continued to disrupt road connectivity and drinking water supply in neighbouringAnantnag, officials and residents said. Residents of K B Pora village in Kulgam said a spell of heavy, short-duration rain sent torrents of water through streets, with floodwater entering several houses and causing panic. The rain was so intense that water entered homes within minutes. People were frightened by the sudden rise in water levels, a resident said. There were no immediate reports of casualties. In neighbouringAnantnag district, the Khanabal-Pahalgam road remained disrupted after the Batkoot-Langnaibridge was damaged in flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in the upper reaches of Pahalgam on Monday. Officials said the cloudburst unleashed a sudden surge of water carrying boulders, mud and debris, damaging the bridge and briefly halting traffic. Vehicular movement was later restored through temporary arrangements, though repair work was continuing. The cloudburst also disrupted drinking water supply to Anantnag town and several adjoining areas after muddy floodwaters made the raw water in the Lidder stream unsuitable for treatment. The Jal Shakti Department said multiple cloudbursts in the upper reaches of Pahalgam had sharply increased the turbidity of water reaching the Bumzoo water treatment plant, forcing authorities to suspend treatment operations. Water supply to Anantnag town, Uranhal, Batengoo, Khandipora, T B Shah, Donipawa, Mattan, and nearby areas will remain affected until further notice, the department said, urging residents to use available water sparingly. Officials said supply would resume once the turbidity of the Lidder stream returned to levels suitable for treatment. The incidents come as Kashmir has witnessed spells of intense rainfall in recent days, triggering flash floods and damaging infrastructure in several parts of the Valley. Authorities have advised residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert as intermittent rain is forecast over the coming days. Meanwhile, a cloudburst was also reported from the Kellar area of south Kashmirs Shopian district. However, there were no reports of any loss of life or damage to property.
High intensity rains likely to lash Jammu region on Aug 5, 10
Jammu, Aug 4:Many stations of Jammu division, as part of persisting weather activity, are likely to experience brief spells of high-intensity rains, which may induce cloudbursts and flash-floods in higher reaches on August 5 and then again on August 10. The Met department has already predicted intense localised downpours and isolated cloudburst events in vulnerable areas of Chenab valley, Jammu, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch on August 4 and 5. There remains high risk of landslides and shooting stones triggered by heavy rains in vulnerable hilly areas. Fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall has been anticipated across Jammu region between August 4 to 10. From August 6, the rainfall intensity will reduce. After August 7, rainfall activity in most of the locations of Jammu division is likely to decrease. Later after August 10, rainfall activity will commence again with the possibility of intense spells at isolated places, stated DrMahender Singh, Chief Scientist and In-charge Agrometeorology, SKUAST-Jammu. He said that Udhampur (IAF), Kathua, Reasi and Jammu in the current month recorded 59.4 mm, 53.4 mm, 41.6 mm and 18 mm of rainfall up to August 3. The heavy to normal rainfall in the month of July has already ended the deficit spell in Jammu division with many of its districts recording surplus precipitation. As per the Met department prediction, in the next three to four days, the maximum temperature in Jammu will swing between 33 to 35 degrees Celsius, followed by hot and humid weather conditions. Weather advisories, issued by the divisional, district authorities and Police, cautioning people in vulnerable stretches to stay alert continue to be in place. As per official statistics, from June to July end, J&K witnessed over 25 incidents of cloudbursts, triggering flash-floods, with maximum impact experienced in Jammu region. The division recorded the highest number of deaths and massive damage to properties and other infrastructure in the heavy-rain induced cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides. Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Doda and Kishtwar were the worst affected.
Heavy rainfall continues in Pir Panjal
Rajouri, Aug 4:Rajouri and Poonch districts of the Pir Panjal region, which are yet to come out of heavy loss due to July 19 floods, are witnessing heavy rainfall at frequent intervals. On Tuesday, a missing woman was found dead near a water body in Poonch Mandi while vital Khawas road got closed for traffic due to landslide. Heavy rainfall is being reported from multiple areas of the Pir Panjal region at different intervals. This uncertain weather pattern has put people in a fear mode as rainfall in one area and clear whether in another area is considered to be a challenging weather condition. It is causing increase in water level of river bodies and takes people by surprise. As per reports, a woman identified as Sarwah Begum, 66, wife of Mukhtar Ahmad of Gagriyaan in Saujiyan, Poonch Mandi, was missing since Monday evening and a search and rescue operation was also launched. On Tuesday afternoon, they said, the missing woman was found lying dead in river passing through the village after which the body was taken into possession by police and shifted to Sub District Hospital Mandi for postmortem. Police said that investigation to ascertain the cause of death has been taken up with prima facie suspicion of washing away in flash flood water. On Tuesday, the vital Kotranka-Khawas road in Rajouri district also got blocked for traffic due to a massive landslide, putting travellers in trouble. Officials said that this important road got blocked after massive landslide and traffic from both sides got stranded midway. After hours-long clearance operation, the debris of slide was removed and the road was restored for traffic. Meanwhile, on Monday late evening, authorities in Poonch rescued three members of a family and their 12 domesticated animals after they were trapped in river water at Betar Nallah in Poonch. Officials said that these people were present in river bed when water level rose suddenly and they got trapped. SDRF, Police, and civil authorities assisted by locals carried out a rescue operation that continued for hours and these three people alongwith 13 livestock were rescued safely in the intervening night, they said.
Climate change, monsoon-Western Disturbance interaction fuel cloudbursts
Srinagar, Aug 4:Moisture-laden southwest monsoon winds interacting with Western Disturbances are triggering cloudbursts and short-duration intense showers across Jammu and Kashmir. Rising temperatures are increasing atmospheric moisture, making extreme rainfall events more likely, meteorologists and climate experts said. More than 35 cloudbursts and several high-intensity rainfall events have been reported across J&K this year. Flash floods and landslides linked to these events have left at least 31 people dead so far and damaged homes, roads, bridges and farmland. Fresh incidents were reported Tuesday from parts of Kashmir and Jammu after cloudbursts and torrential rains battered Pahalgam, Shopian, Bandipora, Gurez, Lolab, Ganderbal, Kishtwar and parts of Drass in Ladakh on Monday. A woman was left dead in Lolab. The deadliest episode occurred on July 19, when flash floods and landslides in Poonch and Rajouri killed more than 25 people. Cloudbursts and intense downpours have also affected Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Reasi, Samba and Kathua. Meteorological (MeT) Department Director Mukhtar Ahmad said monsoon currents interacting with mostly feeble Western Disturbances (WDs) create conditions for short-duration, high-intensity rainfall. As the monsoon advances, such events become more frequent, especially in mountainous districts. Forecasting has improved with Doppler radars, satellite observations and automated weather stations, but pinpointing a cloudburst or downpour remains difficult as these systems develop over very small areas, Ahmad said. He said rainfall distribution has remained uneven, with intense showers confined to pockets. Despite several wet spells since April, only a few brought widespread and uniform rainfall across Kashmir, while many areas, particularly plains, continued to face deficits. For every one-degree Celsius rise in temperature, the atmosphere can hold nearly 7 percent more moisture. This increases the possibility of intense rainfall over a short period, Ahmad said. Experts said cloudbursts and intense showers have occurred in Jammu and Kashmir during monsoon and pre-monsoon months, including March and April, but their frequency and intensity have increased in recent years. Climatologist Sonam Lotus said Himalayan terrain plays a key role in concentrating rainfall. When moisture-laden air rises along mountain slopes, it cools rapidly and forms deep convective clouds through the orographic process. These systems can produce cloudbursts or intense rain over limited areas, Lotus said. He said climate change is increasing the vulnerability of the Himalayan region. Fragile Himalayan geology, unplanned development, pressure on natural resources and climate change are increasing vulnerability, Lotus said. Riyaz Ahmad Mir, a hydrogeologist at the National Institute of Hydrology, Jammu, said warming temperatures are stressing mountain ecosystems. Changing rainfall patterns are increasing risks of flash floods, landslides and slope failures, putting ecosystems adapted to gradual seasonal shifts under stress, Mir said. Independent weather forecaster Faizan Ahmad said flash floods are not always caused by cloudbursts. A cloudburst generally means about 100 millimetres of rainfall in an hour. But even 60 millimetres of intense short-duration rain can trigger flash floods in steep terrain because runoff is extremely rapid, he said. The India Meteorological Department has forecast unsettled weather across J&K through August 11, with rain and thundershowers expected at many places through Aug. 8. Rainfall is likely to remain scattered over Kashmir from August 9 to 11. The department has warned of flash floods, landslides, mudslides, shooting stones and isolated cloudbursts in vulnerable areas. The latest spell follows repeated extreme weather last year, when J&K witnessed cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, mudslides, rockfalls, shooting stones, hailstorms and gusty winds from April to September. The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained closed for more than 50 days in separate spells due to landslides and shooting stones, stranding apple-laden trucks and causing losses to growers and traders. Hailstorms, gusty winds and intense rain also damaged orchards between April and June this year, affecting blossoms and young fruit during key growth stages. According to Ministry of Home Affairs figures shared in the RajyaSabha, floods and heavy rainfall killed 199 people in J&K last year. The events also killed 11,693 livestock, damaged 8404 houses and affected 77,915 hectares of farmland. The deadliest incident was the August 14, 2025 cloudburst at Chisoti village along the Machail Mata Yatra route in Gulabgadh -PaddarKishtwar, where nearly 70 people were killed and several others, mostly yatris, went missing in flash floods.
Srinagar, Aug 4: Describing the eve of August 5 as a dark night in Jammu and Kashmir's history, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday announced that she would stay the night at the party headquarters, fearing house arrest or detention ahead of Wednesday's protests marking the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. She said the people of Jammu and Kashmir would continue their struggle until Articles 370 and 35A were restored and the Kashmir issue found a peaceful resolution. Tonight is a dark night for Jammu and Kashmir. We have come out to protest because it was on this night that a conspiracy was carried out and the special position that the Constitution of this country had given to Jammu and Kashmirnot China, not Pakistanwas taken away, Mufti said. Mufti said the PDP would continue its agitation until the constitutional provisions were restored and the Kashmir issue was resolved peacefully. We will not remain silent until there is a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue and the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A. This is about our identity, she said. Taking aim at political discourse centred on statehood, she said, Many people keep talking only about statehood so that people forget everything else. She also alleged that ordinary people continued to bear the brunt of security measures following militant attacks. When a constable is martyred, why are thousands of people jailed? Yesterday, two labourers from Chhattisgarh were killed. After that, thousands were again detained. Militants have fled their homes, but their family homes are demolished and employees are dismissed from their jobs. Thousands of our people are in jail. Nobody talks about it, she said. Questioning the government's claims of normalcy, Mufti asked: If they claim the situation has improved, then why don't they send the Army back to the barracks? Why can't civilians live freely? Why is there so much oppression? She maintained that the abrogation of Article 370 remained unacceptable to the people of Kashmir. The people are silent, frightened and intimidated. But no Kashmiri can accept the end of Article 370 because it protects our identity, our land and our jobs. We will fight for it till our last breath, she said. During the protest, Mufti also criticised the alleged handling of demonstrators by the police, claiming a woman officer had manhandled her daughter, Iltija Mufti. If she herself is a woman and laid hands on Iltija's clothes, then she has made a very serious mistake. We were protesting peacefully, she said. Explaining the display of both the Indian tricolour and the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state flag, Mufti said: Both these flags are ours. Both were given to us by the Constitution of this country. One flag was kept and the other was snatched away. Until it is restored, and until there is a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue, our struggle will continue. Mufti, however, said the restoration of Article 370 alone would not resolve the conflict. I do not speak only about Article 370. We had Article 370 before as well, yet thousands of people were killed and enormous property was destroyed. Jammu and Kashmir is a political issue. India and Pakistan should talk to their people, address their grievances, restore what was taken from us, and allow Jammu and Kashmir to live with dignity, she said. Mufti said she would remain at the PDP headquarters overnight and protest there on Wednesday amid apprehensions that she could be placed under house arrest or detained ahead of the August 5 anniversary of the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status.
India condemns attack on Indian-flagged vessel in Red Sea; all 13 Indian crew members rescued
New Delhi, Aug 4: India on Tuesday condemned the attack on the Indian-flagged commercial vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya, which sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen on August 4, and said all 13 Indian nationals on board had been rescued. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, We condemn the attack on the Indian flagged commercial vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya that sank in the Red Sea, off the coast of Yemen on August 4, 2026. All 13 Indian nationals have been rescued. Our Embassy in Riyadh is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Yemeni authorities for the safety and security of the crew. We thank the Yemeni authorities for their support. Expressing concern over the security situation in the region, the MEA said the repeated attacks on commercial vessels were a matter of serious concern. The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome. The targeting of commercial shipping in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest, the ministry said. The statement comes amid continuing security concerns in the Red Sea, where attacks on commercial shipping have disrupted one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes.
Article 370 abrogation: NC to observe August 5 as 'black day'; Cong, PDP plan protests in Jammu
Jammu, Aug 4: National Conference provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta on Tuesday said his party would observe August 5 as lack day to mark the unconstitutional and unilateral abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional guarantees in 2019, and to register a strong protest against the Centre's efusal to restore statehood. The Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also announced separate protest demonstrations outside their party headquarters in Jammu to mark the seventh anniversary of the August 5, 2019 developments, when the Centre abrogated J&K's special status under Article 370 and bifurcated the erstwhile state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. In a statement issued by the NC headquarters here, Gupta said August 5 remains one of the darkest days in the constitutional and democratic history of Jammu and Kashmir. The decisions taken on that day stripped the people of their constitutional safeguards and were imposed without their consent, undermining the principles of democracy, federalism and constitutional propriety. The people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to bear the political, constitutional and emotional consequences of those decisions, he said. Gupta said while the BJP has repeatedly claimed that the downgrading of the erstwhile state was temporary, its continued reluctance to restore statehood has exposed the hollowness of its promises. The people were assured that statehood would be restored at the earliest, yet years have passed without any concrete action. Instead of fulfilling its solemn commitment, the Centre has chosen to prolong uncertainty and deny the people their legitimate democratic rights, he said. The NC provincial president said the prolonged delay in restoring statehood has deprived Jammu and Kashmir of the constitutional authority and administrative autonomy that every full-fledged state enjoys. He said governance under a UT framework cannot be a substitute for an elected government vested with full constitutional powers and accountability. A democratically elected government cannot function effectively when crucial powers remain outside its domain. This continued arrangement weakens democratic institutions and erodes the spirit of representative governance, he said. Gupta said the overwhelming participation of the people in democratic processes in 2024 assembly elections has once again demonstrated their unwavering faith in democracy, leaving the Centre with no moral or political justification to continue withholding statehood. He urged the Union government to respect the people's mandate, honour its repeated commitments made before the nation and the highest constitutional institutions, and immediately initiate the process for restoring Jammu and Kashmir's full statehood. Reiterating the NC's unwavering stand, Gupta said the party will continue its peaceful and democratic struggle for the restoration of statehood and the constitutional rights and dignity of the people. He said the observance of August 5 as lack day is a reminder that the aspirations of the people cannot be suppressed indefinitely and that the demand for justice, democracy and constitutional restoration will continue to resonate until fulfilled. Chief Media Coordinator, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee, Neeraj Gupta said his party is organizing a protest demonstration outside party headquarters at Shaheedi Chowk in Jammu on Wednesday and press for restoration of statehood along with constitutional guarantees for land, jobs and natural resources. He said the party is also observing August 5 as lack day. PDP additional spokesperson Rajat Randhawa said the activists of the party will hold a peaceful protest demonstration outside Gandhi Nagar party office to mark August 5 as lack day and press for restoration of Article 370.
Security beefed up as Congress, PDP, NC to observe Aug 5 as 'Black Day'
Jammu, Aug 4: Security has been intensified across the Jammu region, particularly along the Jammu-Srinagar and Jammu-Pathankot national highways, as the National Conference (NC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress have announced separate protests to observe August 5 as Black Day. August 5 marks the seventh anniversary of the Centre's decision to abrogate the special status of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state under Article 370 and reorganise it into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Police, the Army and the CRPF have stepped up security arrangements by increasing vehicle checking, frisking and surveillance at sensitive locations across the region, officials said. Special checkpoints have been placed on high alert along the Jammu-Srinagar and Jammu-Pathankot highways, with security personnel conducting searches of vehicles and verifying the identity of commuters, they said. Security has also been strengthened in border areas, where patrolling and area domination exercises have been intensified as a precautionary measure, the officials said, adding that additional deployments have been made at vulnerable locations. The National Conference leadership will assemble outside the party headquarters in Jammu and stage a protest on Wednesday, party leaders said. The Congress will hold a demonstration outside its Shaheedi Chowk headquarters, demanding restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, along with constitutional safeguards for land, jobs and natural resources, party leaders said. The PDP will also hold a protest at its Gandhi Nagar headquarters to mark the occasion, its leaders said.
TRAI conducts tests to assess mobile network quality across Kashmir valley
Srinagar, Aug 4: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has assessed real-time quality of mobile network services provided by telecom service providers, officials said on Tuesday. The TRAI released findings of Independent Drive Tests (IDT) conducted across Srinagar city, Gulmarg, Anantnag, Pahalgam, Srinagar to Pahalgam Highway, and Srinagar to Gulmarg Highway route under J&K LSA, during the month of June 2026, for information of general telecom consumers, officials said. The officials said these IDTs have been designed to capture on ground mobile network performance of all TSPs across diverse usages environment like cities, hotspots, public transport hubs, etc. In this type of drive testing, live data and voice sessions are established using SIM cards from all TSPs over 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G networks. The officials said the findings of the IDT report have been shared with respective TSPs for taking further necessary action at their end.
Mehbooba Mufti calls August 5 a dark night, seeks restoration of Articles 370 & 35A
Policeman dismissed for involvement in narcotics smuggling in J-K's Kathua
Jammu, Aug 4: A policeman was dismissed from service for his alleged involvement in narcotic smuggling in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua, police said on Tuesday. In a strict action reinforcing its zero-tolerance policy against drugs, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kathua Mohita Sharma dismissed Selection Grade constable Aftab Ahmed, a resident of Reasi district from service for his involvement in the narcotics case, a police spokesperson said. He said the dismissal follows a departmental enquiry linked to an FIR registered under various sections of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Billawar police station earlier this year. The policeman was apprehended along with heroin during checking by a police party and was subsequently placed under suspension for grave misconduct and indiscipline with immediate effect on April 8, the spokesperson said. He said a departmental inquiry was also initiated and entrusted to Superintendent of Police, operations who furnished his report on July 27, confirming the charges against the accused and recommending his dismissal from service. Acting under Rule 335 of the J&K Police Rules, the SSP Kathua ordered his immediate dismissal in order to enforce strict institutional discipline and to serve as an exemplary deterrent to all ranks against any involvement in narcotics-related offences, the spokesperson said.
Pakistan needs to act on cross-border terror: MEA
Two-way traffic restored on Abshar Park bridge in Batkote, Pahalgam
Prof. Syeda Afshana Bhat given additional charge of EMMRC Director at Kashmir University
Srinagar, August 4: Kashmir University has assigned Prof. Syeda Afshana Bhat, faculty member at the Media Education Research Centre (MERC), the additional charge of In-Charge Director of the Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMMRC) until further orders. According to an official order issued by the University's Administration (Teaching Section), Prof. Syed Afshana Bhat will discharge the responsibilities of In-Charge Director, EMMRC, in addition to her existing duties at MERC. The order has been made effective retrospectively from August 1, 2026. The appointment was notified through an administrative order issued on August 4 by the University of Kashmir and has been circulated to all concerned university authorities, academic departments, research centres and other offices for compliance and information. The Educational Multimedia Research Centre functions as the University's media production and educational content centre, supporting audio-visual and digital learning initiatives. [KNT]
CM Omar inaugurates DP World PGTI J&K Open 2026 at Srinagar's Royal Springs Golf Course
Pulwama gives hero's welcome to MMA Star Owais Yaqoob after BRAVE CF 107 victory
Two Punjab residents chargesheeted in fake MES recruitment fraud case in J&K
Jammu, Aug 4: The Crime Branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Police has filed a chargesheet against two Punjab residents for their alleged involvement in a fake recruitment scam in the Military Engineering Services (MES), an official said on Tuesday. The scam came to light in 2023 after the accused allegedly duped two residents of J-K's Samba district of Rs 14 lakh by promising them jobs in the MES, a Jammu Crime Branch spokesperson said. He said the Special Crime Wing (SCW) of the Crime Branch Jammu filed the chargesheet against the accused -- Bakshish Singh of Amritsar and Amandeep Singh of Jalandhar -- in the court of the Additional Special Mobile Magistrate, Samba on Monday. The case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code was registered in 2023 on the complaint of two residents of Samba who alleged that the accused induced them to pay Rs 14 lakhs on the false promise of securing MES jobs. While Bakshish was arrested from Amritsar after sustained efforts, the co-accused Amandeep remains absconding despite extensive raids and a lookout notice. Proceedings have been initiated for declaring him a proclaimed offender, the spokesman added. He mentioned that the victims were provided forged appointment letters and repeatedly sent to different locations, including Ranchi and Meerut, under the pretext of medical examinations, document verification and joining formalities. Subsequent verification from MES authorities confirmed that the appointment letters were fake and had never been issued by the department, the spokesman said. During the investigation, he said the SCW collected documentary, digital and financial evidence, including bank transaction records and forensic examination of questioned documents, which corroborated the allegations. The crime branch has advised the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent job rackets and to verify the authenticity of recruitment offers through official government channels before making any payment.
Flash floods cut off Pahalgam as both connecting roads suffer damage
Modi Govt brought back 274 fugitives from 36 countries between 2019 and 2026: MHA
New Delhi, Aug 04: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday said that 274 fugitive criminals were brought back to India from 36 countries between 2019 and 2026 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. According to a PIB release, the government said that the extradition of fugitives was made a ational priority, in contrast to previous governments, which it claimed lacked the political will to pursue such cases effectively. The MHA said India has developed an integrated, intelligence-driven and technology-enabled framework to trace and repatriate fugitives. The strategy, it said, rests on three pillarsglobal operations, stronger inter-agency coordination and smart diplomacy. The ministry stated that the issue of fugitive criminals is linked to the country's sovereignty, economic stability, law and order, and national security. It added that the process of bringing fugitives back to India has been pursued in mission mode under Amit Shah's guidance, backed by legal and institutional reforms. According to the release, the government enacted the NIA (Amendment) Act and the UAPA (Amendment) Act in 2019 and later introduced three new criminal laws in 2024. For the first time, Sections 355 and 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) provide for trial in absentia, enabling legal proceedings against accused persons who remain outside India. The MHA also highlighted the launch of BHARATPOL in January 2025, describing it as a platform connecting over 1,400 units of central and state agencies with INTERPOL to facilitate faster information sharing. It said the response time for sharing information has been reduced to 310 days in some cases. The government further said that 401 Red Corner Notices have been issued against fugitives over the last three years. It added that Operation Trishul has been used to trace fugitives hiding abroad through satellite technology, surveillance and digital footprint analysis, even in cases where identities had allegedly been changed. The ministry also said that strict enforcement of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) led to the attachment of 17,874 crore worth of assets belonging to fugitives between 2019 and 2026, while 18,762 crore was recovered through restitution during the same period, including money linked to economic offenders who had fled the country. As per the year-wise data released by the MHA, 274 fugitives were brought back between 2019 and July 2026. These included accused wanted in cases related to murder, organised crime, sexual offences, terrorism, narcotics, financial fraud, human trafficking, cybercrime and other serious offences. The ministry said India's success in repatriating fugitives has been driven by improved legal preparedness, sustained diplomatic engagement and close coordination among agencies including the IB, CBI, R&AW, NIA, ED, MEA, NCB, DGGI and state police forces. It described the approach as a Whole of Government model aimed at ensuring timely justice and strengthening national security.
NC will continue peaceful protests until J&K statehood is restored: Sakina Itoo
Elderly woman dies after being swept away in local stream in Poonch
Poonch, Aug 04: A 66-year-old woman died after being swept away by a local stream in the Gagdyan-Sawjian area of Mandi tehsil in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials said. The deceased has been identified as Sarwara Begum, wife of Mukhtar Ahmad and a resident of Dana Gagdyan.She was reportedly washed away by the stream on Monday. Her body was recovered on Tuesday morning from the Chambar Dati Galla river, around seven kilometres from Gagdyan, with the assistance of police and local residents. Amit Choudhary, in-charge of the Sawjian police post, said the deceased's family had informed police that she had left home but did not return. Following the report, police, along with local residents, launched a search and rescue operation. The body was recovered this morning from the Chambar Dati Galla river, the officer said. After recovery, the body was shifted to the Sub-District Hospital, Mandi, where medico-legal formalities were completed before it was handed over to the family for the last rites. Police have registered a case and initiated further investigation into the incident.
Fresh US-Iran talks will begin: Trump
New Delhi, Aug 3:US President Donald Trump has said fresh negotiations with Iran will begin after he called off what he described as massive military strikes against the country. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said the US was ready to launch a major attack but decided to delay military action after requests from Iran and key US allies in the Middle East. We're talking to them in the form of a negotiation. It begins tomorrow afternoon, Trump said. However, he did not reveal where the talks would take place or who would participate. Earlier, in a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that Iran and US allies had urged him to hold off on the attack because the broad outlines of an agreement had already been worked out. Trump said Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, along with leaders of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, had appealed to him not to carry out the strikes. He expressed confidence that agreements could soon be reached on both the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear programme. Iran has not officially responded to Trump's announcement. However, Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency denied that Tehran had asked the US to postpone any military action, calling Trump's claim othing but a new lie. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was quoted by Iranian media as saying that negotiations with Oman on the Strait of Hormuz were progressing and close to completion. Trump said the planned military operation would have been he biggest attack since World War II and could have damaged the chances of ending the months-long conflict through negotiations. He did not set any deadline for reaching a deal, saying only that the US was prepared to act at any time if needed. Following Trump's announcement, global oil prices fell sharply in Asian trading. Brent crude dropped 4.5 percent to $83.98 per barrel, while US crude fell 4.6 percent to $80.74. Oil prices have remained volatile since fighting began on February 28, as the conflict has threatened shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route that carries about one-fifth of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Meanwhile, Iran's acting Defence Minister Majid Ibn al-Reza said Tehran considered all military threats against the country to be eal and credible and warned that Iran would neither be caught off guard nor remain passive. Trump has repeatedly alternated between warning of overwhelming military action and expressing hope that diplomacy could resolve the crisis. Earlier this year, his administration also held direct talks with Iran, but those negotiations failed to produce an agreement.
Expanding cloud mass may cause cloudbursts in Jammu
Jammu, Aug 3:Rapid expansion of cloud mass is likely to trigger high-intensity rains, leading to cloudbursts and flash floods in various parts of Jammu division, particularly vulnerable zones, higher reaches in Chenab valley, Rajouri-Poonch, Reasi and Udhampur in the next couple of days. As per weatherman, weather activity on a similar pattern will continue till August 7-8. Light rainfall was experienced at many stations of Jammu region on August 3. Different parts of the region will witness light to moderate rains during the next two days as well, commencing during the intervening night of August 3 and 4. However, higher reaches in Chenab valley and Udhampur, Reasi may witness high intensity rainfall triggering cloudbursts and flash floods. After Wednesday, August 6, the intensity will reduce, stated Dr Mahender Singh, Chief Scientist and In-charge Agrometeorology, SKUAST-Jammu. As per earlier forecast, moderate to heavy showers lashed several parts of the region on Monday (August 3, 2026) as well. Particularly Rajouri witnessed an intense spell of heavy showers leading to flood alerts in several parts of the district. Parts of Jammu and Udhampur too witnessed brief spells of intense rainfall. In terms of intensity, 15 to 20 mm of rainfall was recorded in different parts of Jammu region while Rajouri registered 20 to 25 mm of rainfall, Singh shared. Earlier the met department forecast had mentioned the rapid cloud mass expansion over Jammu region on August 3 and 4. Even during the next two days, although prolonged rainfall is not expected, there remains a very high risk of flash floods due to intense localised downpours and isolated cloudburst events too cannot be ruled out, with the possibility of landslides and shooting stones in vulnerable hilly areas. Weather advisories, issued by the divisional, district authorities and Police, cautioning people in vulnerable stretches to stay alert continue to be in place. The heavy to normal rainfall in the month of July has already ended the deficit spell in Jammu division with many of its districts recording surplus precipitation. As per the Met department prediction, in the next three to four days, the maximum temperature in Jammu will swing between 33 to 35 degrees Celsius, followed by hot and humid weather conditions.
Water levels surge in Kangan areas
Ganderbal, Aug 3: The intense spell of rainfall on Monday caused surge in water level in streams in different areas of Kangan including Bonizal, Wussan, and Haripora. Meanwhile, a landslide hit Srinagar-Leh National Highway near Sarbal area of Sonamarg on Monday afternoon which blocked the road and resulted in the disruption of traffic. However, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Traffic Police, and other agencies pressed machinery into action and the restoration work was carried to ensure the traffic is restored. Meanwhile, a residential house suffered extensive structural damage in the Ganderbal district after sudden high-velocity winds swept through parts of the area, blowing off its entire rooftop. According to locals, the incident occurred in Bakura area of Ganderbal district during a spell of erratic weather accompanied by strong wind gusts. The intense pressure ripped the tin roof completely off the concrete base, throwing debris on the road. Family members inside the house at the time of the incident managed to evacuate to safety. No casualties or injuries were reported, though household belongings and property in the upper floor sustained significant damage. Shortly after the incident, local residents gathered at the site to assist the affected family in clearing the debris. An electric pole was also damaged in the incident. Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution as unpredictable weather conditions and high winds continue across vulnerable pockets of the region.
Traffic disrupted on Srinagar-Jammu NH
Ramban, Aug 3:The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was reopened for stranded, regulated traffic on Monday evening after few hours of disruption caused by fresh rainfall, which rendered the landslide-prone Dewal stretch near Samroli in Udhampur district highly slushy and unsafe for vehicular movement. The highway remained open for scheduled two-way traffic. However, vehicles were being allowed to cross the vulnerable Samroli-Dewal stretch on a regulated one-way basis, resulting in long queues of Jammu-bound trucks at Ramban, Chanderkote, Nashri, and Chenani as authorities managed traffic in phases through the affected section. Earlier in the day, continuous rainfall reduced the highway to a single carriageway near Dewal Bridge, forcing traffic authorities to suspend vehicular movement from both the Srinagar and Jammu sides. The suspension was imposed to facilitate the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in clearing slush and debris and repairing the damaged and uneven carriageway. Traffic Police said the road surface at the Dewal slide had become extremely muddy, slippery, and unsafe for traffic. NHAI personnel, heavy machinery, and Traffic Police teams worked throughout the day to restore the affected stretch. Commuters were advised not to undertake travel on the highway until the road was declared safe. The commuters were urged to rely only on official traffic updates issued through the Traffic Police's social media platforms and Traffic Control Units (TCUs). Following intensive restoration work, including debris clearance and road repairs, stranded vehicles were allowed to move through the affected stretch on a regulated one-way basis from around 7:30 pm. Before the suspension, the scheduled Amarnath Yatra convoy and regulated movement of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and stranded heavy vehicles had been allowed despite intermittent rainfall at isolated places between Udhampur and Banihal. Officials said commuters continued to face long delays due to damaged and uneven road stretches at Dewal in Udhampur district and between Maroog and Kishtwari Pather in Ramban district. Vehicles were forced to crawl through the vulnerable sections, especially at Dewal under the supervision of Traffic Police personnel. Over the past two weeks, the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway has witnessed repeated disruptions due to incessant rainfall, triggering landslides, mudslides, shooting stones, and flash floods at several locations between Udhampur, Ramban, and Banihal. The repeated closures have stranded thousands of passengers and truckers while disrupting the movement of essential commodities, fruit-laden trucks, and Amarnath Yatris. Although major restoration works undertaken by the NHAI have enabled the reopening of the highway for regulated traffic, several vulnerable stretches, particularly between Samroli and Dewal, continue to require constant maintenance because of unstable hill slopes and damaged carriageways. Traffic authorities have continued restrictions on local inter-district movement after the passage of the Amarnath Yatra convoy. Only commuters carrying valid photo identity cards are being allowed to proceed beyond the notified cut-off time after verification. Authorities have advised commuters travelling towards Srinagar to use the old Jawahar Tunnel road to avoid congestion and security checks at Lamber, Banihal. Similarly, passengers travelling to Batote, Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, and adjoining areas have been advised to use the Patnitop route from Jammu. Traffic Police have also urged passengers and operators of LMVs to undertake journeys only during daylight hours and avoid night travel due to the continued threat of landslides, shooting stones, and ongoing highway construction works between Ramban and Banihal. Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Ramban, Raja Adil Hameed, who supervised traffic regulation and restoration works, said every effort was being made to ensure safe movement through the vulnerable stretches. He appealed to commuters to check the latest traffic advisory before undertaking their journey and cooperate with the Traffic Police and road maintenance agencies until normal traffic movement is fully restored.
LG Sinha calls for building climate resilience
Srinagar, Aug 3:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday called for nature based solutions for building climate resilience. Attending Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) conference on 'Strengthening Climate Resilience and Livelihoods in the Himalayan Region through Nature-based Solutions' LG Sinha highlighted the alarming pace of climate change in the Himalayan region. He said that between January and August last year, the Himalayas witnessed a natural disaster almost every day. The LG said that in Jammu and Kashmir alone, flash floods and cloudbursts had damaged public infrastructure, disrupting roads, water supply schemes, and power feeders. He said that there was no dichotomy between development and conservation and the nature itself was an infrastructure. For example, constructing a watershed is also an effective flood-control system. It is infrastructure that also serves as a water purification system and forms the basis of an irrigation system. Similarly, a wetland is natures vast reservoir because it absorbs excess water during the monsoon and then slowly gives life to surrounding areas during the dry months. A dense forested mountain slope is in fact like a strong wall that protects the entire mountain from collapsing onto the villages below. I believe that when we destroy these natural systems, we are playing with the future. But when we conserve and restore these natural systems, we are investing in a bright future, LG Sinha said. He urged the scientists and domain experts to bring nature-based solutions out of the margins of development planning and place them at its centre. The LG also placed six major recommendations before policymakers, scientists, and engineers. Use modern technologies like remote sensing, geospatial mapping, and AI to track glacier retreat, spring flow, soil health, and forest cover. This data should inform every development project in the region. Nature-based solutions must be embedded into project budgeting, appraisal, and monitoring. Farmers, shepherds, orchard owners, and tribal communities must be equal stakeholders. Their generational knowledge of rivers, mountains, and forests is invaluable. Annual budget reviews should include whether forests and ecosystems have grown richer or weaker, ensuring accountability for environmental wealth. Establish platforms for long-term cooperation among scientists, policymakers, and communities. Move beyond concrete embankments to restore floodplains and wetlands, combining built structures with natural systems, he said. LG Sinha urged universities to elevate nature-based solutions into a multidisciplinary subject, spanning ecology, hydrology, engineering, economics, disaster management, and traditional knowledge. He stressed that future professionals must understand the interconnectedness of ecosystems, economies, technologies, and societies. Recalling the Green Jammu Kashmir Drive launched in 2020, which raised forest cover to nearly 55 percent, the LG reiterated the importance of sustainable living. He envisioned a Himalaya where watersheds are healthier, wetlands thrive, and rivers flow naturally, sustaining biodiversity and culture. By placing nature at the centre of development, integrating modern technology with traditional wisdom, and involving communities as equal partners, the Himalayan region can build resilience against climate change. We must remember that Himalayas are not merely a geographical entity but a living heritage that demands foresight, patience, and responsibility, LG Sinha said. He also inaugurated Civil and Mechanical Engineering Block at the main campus, IUSTs Larnoo Campus and the Law School. The LG congratulated the IUST for their initiatives and lauded the university's policy brief on the drug-free Jammu and Kashmir campaign. On the occasion, he released the special edition of IUST's monthly magazine 'Times Echo' on 100-day anti-drug campaign and policy brief on Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan, prepared by various experts of J&K. Certificates were also handed over to the PMKVY trainees. Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Chief Justice (Acting), High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh; Prof Shakil A Romshoo, Vice Chancellor, IUST; Prof Shamim Ahmad Shah, Registrar, IUST; Prof Javed Hussain Mir, Convener of the Conference; eminent scientists, experts, senior officials, faculty, and students attended the conference.
Woman dies in Lolab cloudburst, flash floods
Kupwara, Aug 3:A 50-year-old woman lost her life after a cloudburst accompanied by a severe hailstorm caused flash floods in Hamli Warnow area of Lolab Valley, causing widespread damage to residential houses, orchards, and standing crops. An official said that the cloudburst occurred on Monday late afternoon, resulting in a sudden surge of floodwaters that inundated several parts of the village. Lone Mohalla and Qureshi Mohalla were among the worst-hit localities, where multiple houses sustained damage while fruit orchards and agricultural fields suffered extensive losses, he said. The deceased was identified as Naseema Begum, 50, wife of Muhammad Ayoub Pathan of Hamli Warnow. She was reportedly swept away by the floodwaters, triggering an extensive search operation. Local volunteers, Police, and Army personnel launched a joint rescue operation immediately after the incident. After several hours of searching, her body was recovered from Malik Mohalla in the Shahabad area. The body was later shifted for medico-legal formalities before being handed over to the family for the last rites. Meanwhile, district administration started assessing the damage caused by the cloudburst and hailstorm. Teams have been deputed to the affected areas to evaluate losses to houses, orchards, and crops while restoration and relief measures are underway. Locals appealed to the administration to provide immediate compensation to affected families and restore damaged infrastructure at the earliest.
Srinagar, Aug 3:Heavy localised downpours and cloudbursts battered Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, triggering flash floods that inundated homes, damaged roads, washed away crops, and disrupted normal life from south Kashmir's Pahalgam to north Kashmir's Lolab Valley. A woman was swept away by floodwaters as multiple weather-related emergencies unfolded across J&K. After a bright start to the day, towering clouds gathered over the Valley by evening, unleashing intense rain, hailstorms, and cloudbursts within hours. A cloudburst accompanied by a severe hailstorm struck Hamli Warnow village in Kupwara's Lolab Valley, sending torrents of water, mud, and slush through the village. Several houses were damaged, while orchards and standing crops suffered extensive losses. Minutes later, another cloudburst hit the upper Batkoot area of Pahalgam in Anantnag district, triggering flash floods and panic among residents and tourists. Wardbal Nallah, Overa Nallah, and other tributaries of the Lidder River swelled rapidly and overflowed, while the Lidder turning turbulent following a sharp rise in water level. The sudden surge also disrupted connectivity. Officials said strong currents damaged a bridge at Langnai-Batkoo, forcing authorities to suspend traffic. Bijbehara-Pahalgam road was also blocked due to flooding at Overa. Residents and tourists were advised to avoid the route until restoration work is completed. Weather observers said water levels in the Sheshnag Nallah and streams flowing from the Aru Valley remained largely stable, indicating the sharp rise in the Lidder was caused by an exceptionally intense, localised cloudburst over the Batkoot-Overa catchment, which sent a massive volume of runoff into the river within a short span. Another cloudburst struck Arin Dardpora village in Bandipora district, washing away roads, inundating fields, and flooding several houses. Earlier in the day, an intense localised downpour, which meteorologists said wasnt a cloudburst, triggered flash floods in Badrhama village of Shopian district. Floodwaters entered homes within minutes, forcing several families to move to safer places as water levels rose rapidly. Nearby Zawoora also witnessed severe waterlogging. No casualties were reported. District administration and emergency response teams fanned out across the affected areas to assess damage and coordinate relief operations. In Rajouri district, heavy rain caused streams and rivers to swell, prompting the administration to issue a red alert and urge people to stay away from water bodies and low-lying areas. Strong gusty winds also caused damage in Ganderbal district, blowing off the roof of a house in Bakura village and damaging an electricity pole. Intense rainfall also lashed Srinagar and other isolated places in the Valley. Monday's incidents extend a string of weather-related disasters that have repeatedly struck Jammu and Kashmir during the monsoon. Flash floods and landslides in Poonch and Rajouri on July 19 left more than 25 people dead, while earlier cloudbursts caused widespread damage to roads, houses, farmland, and livestock in Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban. Several parts of south Kashmir have also witnessed repeated flash floods over the past month. The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast intermittent rain and thundershowers across Jammu and Kashmir through August 7, with no prolonged widespread rainfall expected. Director of the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, Mukhtar Ahmad, said rainfall would remain largely localised, though parts of the Jammu division could witness intense showers. The department forecast light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places through Tuesday, followed by scattered showers until August 7. It warned that brief but intense spells could trigger flash floods, landslides, mudslides, shooting stones, and rockfalls, particularly in vulnerable areas of the Jammu division and upper reaches of Kashmir. People have been advised to avoid rivers, streams, nallahs, and landslide-prone areas and to follow advisories issued by the local administration. The intense, brief thundershowers and cloudbursts are a recurring phenomenon during the monsoon. Meanwhile, fresh weather-related incidents were reported from other parts of J&K. Late evening a cloudburst occurred in Kishtwar district, triggering flash floods. Intense downpour also triggered flash floods in Haripora area of Kangan after the Uprash Nallah overflowed due to heavy runoff from the forests. Another flash flood was reported from Koragbal in Gurez. Officials said no damage or casualties were reported in these incidents. CLOUDBURST IN PAHALGAM DISRUPTS WATER UPPLY TO ANANTNAG TOWN Drinking water supply to Anantnag town and several adjoining areas was disrupted on Monday after multiple cloudbursts in the upper reaches of Pahalgam made the raw water of Lidder Nallah too turbid for treatment at the Bumzoo filtration plant, the Jal Shakti Department said. The department said water supply to Anantnag town, Uranhal, Batengoo, Khandipora, T B Shah, Donipawa, Mattan, and nearby areas will remain affected until further notice. It appealed to residents to use water judiciously
Population Census in Ladakh, J&K, HP, Uttarakhand to begin on Sep 1: Govt
New Delhi, Aug 3: The Centre on Monday notified that the second phase of the ongoing Census -- population enumeration -- for Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand shall take place from September 1 to 30. In a gazette notification on Monday, Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan said that conduct of Census of the population shall be undertaken in these regions from September 1 to 30 this year, with a revisional round from October 1 to 5. For the conduct of the above Census, there shall be an option for self-enumeration from August 17 to 31 just before the start of house-to-house population enumeration, it said. The notification said the reference date for the Census in Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand shall be 00.00 hours of October 1, 2026. The second phase population enumeration for the rest of the country is likely to begin next year. The Census, the eighth since Independence, is being conducted in two phases, the first stage, known as house listing and housing census (HLO), and the second stage, the population census. For the first time, caste details will also be collected during the population enumeration phase of the Census. The decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on April 30 last year. The first phase -- house listing and housing census (HLO) -- is going on till September 30. Field visits for the housing listing and housing census began on April 16 in several states and union territories. Enumerators will list all structures, houses and households across the country to create a foundation for population enumeration. During the housing listing operations, enumerators physically visit each house and building and ask 33 questions regarding basic facilities in homes, details of the head of the household such as name and sex, ownership status and other information. The decadal exercise, scheduled for 2021, was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Union Cabinet has approved Rs 11,718 crore for conducting the Census, which will be the biggest headcount exercise.
Leh, Aug 3: The Ladakh administration has brought to the notice of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) alleged irregularities in the functioning and registration of looms of Ladakh Women Cooperative Society Ltd, citing findings that emerged during an examination of official records, officials said. Citing a letter dated July 30 addressed to the MHA additional secretary, the officials said the General Administration Department, Ladakh stated that the women cooperative society was registered when IAS officer Prasanna Ramaswamy was serving as Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS). The records indicate that Ramaswamy and his spouse, Abhilasha Bahuguna, were listed as co-founder members, the officials said, adding since the society's Articles of Association designated the deputy commissioner, Leh, as its ex-officio chairman, Ramaswamy also became its chairman while serving as DC of Leh (2015-2017). The administration noted that departmental records do not indicate prior approval from the competent authority for such an association, the officials said. Ramaswamy is currently serving as Commissioner and Secretary (Tribal Affairs), Jammu and Kashmir. The officials said the letter highlighted that the women cooperative society subsequently received grants, contributions and institutional support from government and non-government sources, including assistance from NABARD and funding under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The administration also raised concerns over the society's application for registration of 'Ladakh Pashmina Textiles' as a Geographical Indication (GI). The officials said departmental records do not show that the competent authority had approved the application, despite a representation claiming approval from the director of industries. The letter also referred to an examination report issued by the GI Registry on September 11, 2025, which recommended a broader institutional framework and identified deficiencies requiring rectification before further processing, the officials said. Stating that these findings had emerged from the available records, the officials said the matter has been placed before the MHA for consideration and appropriate action.
MP Chowdry Ramzan attends INDIA bloc meeting, invites leaders to join August 5 protest
New Delhi, Aug 03: National Conference senior leader and Member of Parliament Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan attended a meeting of INDIA Bloc leaders held in the Chamber of Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, in New Delhi today. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was also present during the meeting, where leaders deliberated on key parliamentary and national issues and discussed the joint strategy of the INDIA Bloc for the ongoing session of Parliament. During the meeting, MP Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan extended a cordial invitation to the leaders of the INDIA Bloc to join a peaceful protest at Makar Dwar on 5th August against the unilateral decisions taken by the Central Government concerning Jammu and Kashmir. He urged the alliance partners to stand in solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and support the demand for the restoration of its full statehood. He reminded the leaders that the Government of India has repeatedly assured, on the floor of Parliament, that statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would be restored, a commitment that remains unfulfilled. The leaders of the INDIA Bloc including Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK, TMC, CPI, AAP and others expressed their solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, appreciated the concerns raised by MP Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan, and conveyed their willingness to participate in the peaceful protest on 5th August in front of the Parliament. They reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding constitutional values, democratic rights and supporting the legitimate demand for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Lieutenant Governor calls for nature-based solutions for building climate resilience in Himalayas
Srinagar, Aug 03: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today attended Islamic University of Science & Technology (IUST) conference on Strengthening Climate Resilience and Livelihoods in the Himalayan Region through Nature-based Solutions. He also inaugurated Civil and Mechanical Engineering Block at the main campus, IUSTs Larmoo Campus and the Law School. The Lieutenant Governor congratulated the IUST for their initiatives and lauded the University's policy brief on the Drug-Free Jammu Kashmir campaign. The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the alarming pace of climate change in the Himalayan region. He noted that between January and August last year, the Himalayas witnessed a natural disaster almost every day. In Jammu Kashmir alone, flash floods and cloudbursts have damaged public infrastructure, disrupting roads, water supply schemes, and power feeders. The Lieutenant Governor observed that there is no dichotomy between development and conservation and the nature itself is infrastructure. For example, constructing a watershed is also an effective flood-control system. It is infrastructure that also serves as a water purification system and forms the basis of an irrigation system. Similarly, a wetland is natures vast reservoir because it absorbs excess water during the monsoon and then slowly gives life to surrounding areas during the dry months. A dense forested mountain slope is in fact like a strong wall that protects the entire mountain from collapsing onto the villages below. Therefore, I believe that when we destroy these natural systems, we are playing with the future. But when we conserve and restore these natural systems, we are investing in a bright future, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor urged the scientists and domain experts to bring Nature-based Solutions out of the margins of development planning and place them at its centre. He also placed six major recommendations before policymakers, scientists, and engineers. Use modern technologies like remote sensing, geospatial mapping, and AI to track glacier retreat, spring flow, soil health, and forest cover. This data should inform every development project in the region. Nature-based Solutions must be embedded into project budgeting, appraisal, and monitoring. Farmers, shepherds, orchard owners, and tribal communities must be equal stakeholders. Their generational knowledge of rivers, mountains, and forests is invaluable. Annual budget reviews should include whether forests and ecosystems have grown richer or weaker, ensuring accountability for environmental wealth. Establish platforms for long-term cooperation among scientists, policymakers, and communities. Move beyond concrete embankments to restore floodplains and wetlands, combining built structures with natural systems, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor urged universities to elevate Nature-based Solutions into a multidisciplinary subject, spanning ecology, hydrology, engineering, economics, disaster management, and traditional knowledge. He stressed that future professionals must understand the interconnectedness of ecosystems, economies, technologies, and societies. Recalling the Green Jammu Kashmir Drive launched in 2020, which raised forest cover to nearly 55 percent, the Lieutenant Governor reiterated the importance of sustainable living. He envisioned a Himalaya where watersheds are healthier, wetlands thrive, and rivers flow naturally, sustaining biodiversity and culture. By placing nature at the centre of development, integrating modern technology with traditional wisdom, and involving communities as equal partners, the Himalayan region can build resilience against climate change. We must remember that Himalayas are not merely a geographical entity but a living heritage that demands foresight, patience, and responsibility, the Lieutenant Governor said. On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor released the special edition of IUST's monthly magazine 'Times Echo' on 100-Day Anti-Drug campaign and Policy Brief on Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan, prepared by various experts of J&K. Certificates were also handed over to the PMKVY trainees. Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Chief Justice (Acting), High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh; Prof. Shakil A. Romshoo, Vice Chancellor, IUST; Prof. Shamim Ahmad Shah, Registrar, IUST; Prof. Javed Hussain Mir, Convener of the Conference; eminent scientists, experts, senior officials, faculty and students attended the conference.
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IUST Kashmir brings global experts together to discuss nature-based climate solutions
Auqib Nabi earns maiden India Test call-up | GKTV report
Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi has earned his maiden call-up to the Indian senior men's cricket team after being named as a replacement for the injured Jasprit Bumrah in the Test squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. As per the BCCI, the Men's Selection Committee has named Auqib Nabi as Bumrah's replacement Nabi claimed 104 wickets across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, including 60 wickets in the 2025-26 campaign, playing a pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir's maiden Ranji Trophy triumph.
NC to continue agitation until J&K statehood is restored: Sogami
Sakina Itoo calls for wider awareness of social welfare schemes across J&K
Army, police launch relief operations after flashfloods in Kargil
Kargil, Aug 03: Flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall and cloudburst hit parts of the Kargil region, damaging infrastructure, disrupting road connectivity and prompting rescue operations by the Army, police and civil administration, officials said on Monday. Heavy rain triggered flash floods in Hardass and Tumail villages of Kargil district on Sunday evening, inundating habitations and damaging roads and other public infrastructure, officials said. The Army said troops of the Forever in Operations division launched immediate rescue and relief operations after a cloudburst struck Gund in Hardass, with flash floods snapping road connectivity and leaving residents stranded. In another area, the Army, in coordination with the civil administration, assisted in clearing debris and restoring roads, water supply and electricity to facilitate relief operations in affected villages.
Electrical engineers flag safety risks in J&K's 11 kV Self-Certification Policy
States can close or withdraw FIRs against students who participated in NEET protests: SC
New Delhi, Aug 03: The Supreme Court on Monday clarified that the governments of Delhi and other states can close or withdraw FIRs against students who participated in protests against the NEET paper leak, provided they do not have antecedents involving grave and heinous offences. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana also made it clear that the expression criminal antecedents referred only to grave and heinous offences. At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the top court that the Union government was serious in its commitment not to pursue FIRs against protesting students except those with criminal antecedents. Mehta said that FIRs against over 2,700 people with antecedents involving grave and heinous offences would not be withdrawn. During the hearing, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan submitted that even lawyers' children were beaten during the protests. The videos are very shocking. We have given 300 videos to the court. Since directions have come from the top, the commissioner of police must look at all this. Ideally, we have identified un-uniformed individuals committing such police excess. A direction has to go to the Commissioner of police and the RAF director as to why police used pellet guns etc, he said. The matter is now listed for hearing on August 18. The apex court had earlier said police excesses or a 'lathi charge' cannot be justified merely because there is an agitation and underlined that the right to peaceful protest was absolutely guaranteed. The CJP-led march on July 20 in Delhi saw clashes between protesters and security personnel, who used lathis and teargas shells to disperse crowds attempting to move towards Parliament.
J&K's Ranji hero Auqib Nabi earns maiden India Test call-up, replaces Bumrah
Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi has earned his maiden call-up to the Indian senior men's cricket team after being named as a replacement for the injured Jasprit Bumrah in the Test squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Bumrah was ruled out after failing to recover fully from a left knee injury sustained during the ODI series against England, while Nabi's selection follows an outstanding domestic run in which he claimed over 100 wickets over the last two Ranji Trophy seasons and played a key role in J&K's historic maiden Ranji Trophy title. As per the BCCI, the Men's Selection Committee has named Auqib Nabi as Bumrah's replacement. The Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler earns his maiden call-up to the senior national team. Nabi claimed 104 wickets across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, including 60 wickets in the 2025-26 campaign, playing a pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir's maiden Ranji Trophy triumph. He was also part of the India A squad that toured Sri Lanka recently, where he claimed six wickets in two first-class matches. India's updated squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka: Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi.
Rescuers intensify search as operation to trace drowned Sopore teen enters second day
Sopore, Aug 3: The search for a 13-year-old boy who drowned in Nallah Pohru at Wadoora in Sopore entered its second day on Monday, with rescue teams intensifying efforts to trace his body. The victim has been identified as Fuqan Rafeeq Hajam, son of Mohammad Rafeeq Hajam, a resident of Wadoora Payeen. According to officials, the teenager accidentally slipped into the nallah on Sunday evening while near its bank and was swept away by the strong current. A joint rescue operation involving the Civil Defence, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police was launched immediately after the incident. Despite hours of searching on Sunday, the boy could not be traced, prompting authorities to resume the operation early Monday. Local volunteers and residents have also joined the search, assisting rescue personnel in combing different stretches of the nallah. Officials said the operation will continue until the missing boy is traced. They also urged people to stay away from the banks of fast-flowing streams and nallahs during the monsoon season, warning that swollen water bodies pose a serious risk.
Every August, as the first apples come off the trees in Sopore, Shopian and Baramulla, Kashmir enters the most consequential fortnight of its economic calendar. Nearly five lakh families, roughly twenty-five lakh people, depend on horticulture for their livelihood. Apple alone occupies about 40 percent of the area under fruit cultivation and accounts for a staggering 90 percent of total fruit production in the state. When the apple season goes well, it lifts households across the Valley. When it doesnt, it hits the the entire regional economy. That is why the growing anxiety among growers and traders over repeated disruptions on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway deserves the governments immediate and undivided attention. The highway is not merely a road; for Kashmirs apple economy, it is the only viable artery to the mandis of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and beyond. When it closes, whether for landslides, shooting stones, road repairs, or Amarnath Yatra-related traffic regulation, the fruit can perish. The administrations suggestion that transporters use the Mughal Road as an alternative sounds reasonable on paper, but traders are right to call it impractical. Most apple consignments move in heavy 12-tyre and 16-tyre trucks that the alternative route simply cannot accommodate. Offering an alternative that doesnt match ground reality is not a solution; it merely shifts the blame for delay onto the transporter. None of this is to suggest that highway maintenance is dispensable. But surely a system as experienced as Jammu and Kashmirs administration can devise a coordination mechanism that does not come at the cost of a rural economy supporting a quarter of the population. A dedicated time slot for fruit-laden trucks, a priority passage during peak harvest weeks, and better real-time communication between traffic police, highway authorities and district administrations are not big demands. They are basic planning measures that any government serious about protecting its horticulture sector should already have in place.
12 years on, Kashmir still without a clear flood roadmap
Srinagar, Aug 2:Four years after the devastating 2014 floods, a Government of India hydraulic research institute proposed an integrated flood management strategy for Kashmir that went beyond dredging the River Jhelum. It recommended modifications to the flood spill channel, creation of detention basins, and widening of the outfall channel long-term interventions that could effectively prevent future disasters. The recommendations form part of the flood-routing study by the country's premier hydraulic research institute under the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti - the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS). The report has received little public attention even as dredging became one of the flagship components of flood mitigation strategies post 2014. The study was commissioned by J&K government in 2017-18, to help in preparing the Comprehensive Flood Management Plan for Phase-II. According to the report, the government had already undertaken dredging and related works under Phase-I. These were interim measures following the deluge. The CWPRS was entrusted with developing a mathematical model to evaluate long-term flood management options that could safely route a discharge of 1700 cubic metres per second at Padshahibagh through the Jhelum channel and the flood spill channel. Rather than evaluating dredging in isolation, the institute analysed 19 different flood management scenarios, examining various combinations of engineering interventions. The report, available on CWPRS website, concludes that the preferred strategy would be modification of the flood spill channel, including connecting detention basins within existing lakes, along with widening the outfall vhannel by 40 metres. The institute has listed this as the first and preferred option among the alternatives studied. The other option evaluated involved implementing the proposed flood spill channel modifications together with widening the outfall channel from downstream of the Crude Weir to RD 173.2 kilometres. The third alternative suggested a shorter widening stretch. Stating that no major flood management benefits are known to accrue construction of a barrage, the report advised against it. The long-term structural interventions proposed by the CWPRS remain on paper though. Although the government implemented large-scale dredging and other immediate flood mitigation works after 2014, the institute's recommendations for integrated flood spill channel modifications, detention basins and widening of the outfall channel remain under technical review. The strategy failed to take off due to a differing expert opinions after a later World Bank-backed feasibility study questioned aspects of the earlier plan. This led to a review by the Central Water Commission. The findings assume significance because the flood mitigation efforts and discussions have largely centred around dredging, embankment strengthening and increasing the carrying capacity of the river. According to replies tabled in the J&K Legislative Assembly, extensive dredging carried out under the Prime Minister's Development Package increased the carrying capacity of the River Jhelum from 31,800 cusecs to 41,000 cusecs. The carrying capacity of the flood spill channel increased from 4000 cusecs to 8700 cusecs with works undertaken under Phase I. Twelve years after the devastating floods, Kashmir's comprehensive flood management strategy continues to be ambiguous, with much of the significant engineering interventions yet to take shape.
Srinagar, Aug 2:Security forces have intensified anti-terror operations and significantly strengthened security measures in Kulgam and other south Kashmir areas following the killing of two migrant labourers in a terrorist attack on Friday. At Hablishi village, around 2 km from Kilam where the attack took place on Friday evening, movement remains heavily restricted as joint teams of the Army, J&K Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) continue an extensive cordon-and-search operation. Armoured vehicles have been deployed on approach roads, while entry and exit to the village remain under strict security control. The attack, the first targeted killing of seasonal migrant workers in Kashmir since October 2024, has triggered a Valley-wide security alert. Additional checkpoints have been established, frisking and vehicle checking have been intensified, and security has been reinforced around brick kilns, construction sites, industrial units, and other locations employing migrant labourers. The twin villages of Hablishi and Kilam in Kulgam district are home to nearly a dozen brick kilns where hundreds of labourers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and other states work during the April-October season. Most of them live in temporary accommodations near their workplaces, often located in isolated areas. Investigators are yet to officially identify the perpetrators, although security agencies are examining online claims made by terror groups. According to the preliminary investigation, the victims - Deepak Ratre, 24, and Bhupinder Bhaina, 25, both residents of Chhattisgarh - were sitting outside their accommodation near the brick kiln when terrorists carrying a bag approached them and engaged them in conversation. Police sources said the wife of one of the victims told investigators that the women accompanying the labourers went inside the shed after the brief conversation. Moments later, gunshots were heard. When they rushed out, they found both men lying in a pool of blood, while the attacker had escaped. Deepak Ratre died on the spot, while Bhupinder Bhaina, who had sustained critical injuries, succumbed to his injuries at a Srinagar hospital on Saturday morning despite efforts by doctors. Security officials said the nature of the attack points to a deliberate attempt to target non-local workers and create fear among the migrant community. They said such attacks are aimed at disrupting the improving security environment and affecting economic activity in the Valley. Following the attack, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level security review meeting attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, and senior officers from the Army, police, and intelligence agencies. The LG directed security agencies to undertake a comprehensive review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the protection of migrant workers and ordered intensified, intelligence-based anti-terror operations to track down and neutralise those responsible. He also instructed employers to ensure that all workers from outside J&K are covered by insurance and that their details are properly registered with local police and district authorities to strengthen security coordination. Officials said security arrangements around vulnerable locations have been reviewed, while surveillance through checkpoints, area domination patrols, and night operations has been further enhanced. Although there are no official figures, authorities estimate that between 3 lakh and 5 lakh seasonal migrant workers arrive in Kashmir every year to work in construction, agriculture, brick kilns, horticulture, and allied sectors. The latest attack has revived concerns among migrant workers, many of whom have continued working in Kashmir despite sporadic targeted killings over the past several years. Officials said the ongoing search operation in Kulgam and adjoining areas will continue until the attackers are tracked down, while security agencies have vowed to further intensify counter-terror operations to prevent similar attacks and reassure the migrant workforce.
Growing human-wildlife conflict, habitat disturbance fuel demand for Rajwar wildlife sanctuary
Srinagar, Aug 2:Frequent wild animal attacks in Rajwar in north Kashmirs Kupwara district have renewed demands to declare its dense forests a wildlife sanctuary, with residents linking the growing human-wildlife conflict to increased human activity and habitat disturbance following construction of the Handwara-Bangus valley road.Three residents of Wader-Balla village have been attacked by bears within a week, with two farmers injured last week and another resident attacked Friday evening as this story was being filed. Three bear attacks in a week Manzoor Ahmad Mir, 44, and Abdul Aziz Sheikh, 45, were attacked by a bear last week while heading to their maize fields in Wader-Balla village. Mir suffered serious injuries to his face and leg, while Sheikh sustained injuries to his face, shoulder and leg. Both remained hospitalised for nearly seven days. The bear caught us unawares. It was a narrow escape for us, the farmers said.Friday evening, as this story was being filed, another Wader-Balla resident, Muhammad Hamza Mir, 36, was attacked by a bear while returning home on the roadside.He was badly bruised and shifted to a local hospital. The attack triggered panic in the village, with residents moving to safer places.The recent attacks add to a longer pattern of human-wildlife conflict in the area.Official data records 128 such incidents in Rajwar between 2017 and February 2025, leaving four people dead and nine injured. Wildlife authorities also received 136 SOS calls during the period. Locals say several more people have been injured in wildlife encounters since February 2025, though updated official figures were not immediately available.Road construction raises habitat concernsResidents link the frequent encounters to increased human activity in the forest, particularly after construction of the 35.5-kilometre Handwara-Bangus valley road began in 2017.Built by the Public Works Department (PWD), the road passes through dense Rajwar forests in the Langate Forest Division, covering several forest compartments between 2 and 26 and forming habitat for diverse wildlife.It runs parallel to the existing Handwara-Zachaldara-Bangus road. The human activity following the construction of the road disturbed the habitat of these wild animals and they started coming down into residential areas, said Muhammad Akbar Lone, a local resident who has assisted the Wildlife Protection Department in capturing wild animals.Lone said he had helped the department capture at least 19 wild animals, including a bear recently.The situation here is quite alarming. The area needs to be declared a wildlife sanctuary to prevent such attacks, he said. Activist and lawyer Rasiq Rasool, who challenged the road project before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), said the road was unnecessary as Bangus Valley was already connected through three other routes.There was no need for this road as three existing roads already lead to Bangus; the Handwara-Bangus road via Mawar, maintained by BRO, another Handwara-Bangus road via Chowkibal, and the Handwara-Zachaldara-Bangus road, Rasool said.He said the road also passes through a landslide-prone area and called for greater protection of the forest. To preserve the biodiversity of these dense forests, declaring it as a wildlife sanctuary was necessary, Rasool said.Wildlife Protection Warden, North Kashmir, Suhail Intesar, said there was no proposal at present to declare the area a wildlife sanctuary.Road project before NGT since 2024The road project has been before the NGT since Rasool filed Case No. 163 of 2024 in February 2024, alleging hill cutting, mining and large-scale tree felling during construction without the required forest and environmental clearances. He also raised concerns over the projects impact on biodiversity and wildlife. The tribunal directed the Forest, Mining and Public Works departments to deposit compensatory afforestation (CA) charges and respond to the allegations. The charges were later deposited, Rasool said, but the allegations remain unanswered. At the latest hearing in July, the J&K government again sought an adjournment. The tribunal granted a final opportunity and listed the matter for September 29, 2026.By way of the last indulgence, the adjournment at the instance of UT of J&K is granted and the hearing is listed on 29/9/2026, the NGT order said. Centre seeks priority investigation Separately, locals and Rasool approached the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in May regarding the environmental concerns via a written communication. The Ministry said protection, conservation and management of wildlife, including mitigation measures, was primarily the responsibility of the State/UT government. In this context, it is requested to investigate the matter on priority and to take appropriate action, the Ministry said, adding that a specific reply should be furnished to the applicant under intimation to the ministry. RTI records rare, endangered species An RTI response issued last year by the office of the CPIO, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, J&K, provides official details about the forest land and wildlife habitat involved in the road project. Issued in connection with the transfer of forest land to the PWD for Handwara-Bangus Phase-I, the response records the presence of certain rare and endangered species, including the Himalayan black bear, leopard, jackal, Himalayan deer and Himalayan snowcock (Jungle Fowl). Asked whether the area formed part of any national park, wildlife sanctuary, natural reserve or biosphere reserve, the department replied: No. The response said 14 hectares of forest land were required for the road, with forest land involved along 28 kilometres of the 35.5-kilometre alignment across demarcated forest compartments 2, 3, 3B, 3A, 5C, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 11, 24, 25, and 26. Wildlife records show 22 animals were captured during the period covered by the data, while one was killed by authorities and two died accidentally. Nine animals were captured in 2024-25, the highest number recorded during the period. However, locals say many more have been captured in the area over the past two and half years, though updated official data wasnt available.
US cancelled planned strike on Iran after deal proposal: Trump
New Delhi, Aug 2:US President Donald Trump said he had cancelled a planned military strike against Iran after Tehran and several West Asian countries sought more time to finalise a deal that would include the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran's nuclear threat. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: The USA is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II. Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to. This would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Irans nuclear threat. Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL. The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment. Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP. Trump's statement came amid heightened tensions across West Asia after he had earlier warned that the United States would hit Iran very hard. US media reports had said Washington was preparing fresh military strikes that could take place as early as this weekend. The latest development followed intense diplomatic efforts by regional mediators, including Qatar and Pakistan, to prevent a fresh military escalation. According to reports, officials from the two countries held urgent contacts with Iranian and US officials, including Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, while discussions also focused on restoring commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly urged de-escalation during a phone conversation with Trump, expressing concerns over possible US strikes on Iran. Saudi Arabia has consistently stressed the need to avoid a wider regional conflict. Iran, however, maintained its warning against any fresh military action. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in separate conversations with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, said Tehran would respond decisively and proportionally to any aggression by the United States, Israel or their allies. The situation remains tense despite Trump's announcement. The US State Department has issued a fresh travel advisory urging Americans in the Middle East to consider leaving the region due to the risk of unforeseen escalation. Tehran has also warned countries hosting US military bases against supporting any attack, while Kuwaiti authorities reported Iranian drone activity earlier on Sunday. Trump's announcement, if followed by a negotiated agreement, could temporarily ease fears of a wider regional conflict, although no formal confirmation of such a deal has yet been announced by Iran or other parties.
J&K slashes power losses, but AT&C levels remain among India's highest
Srinagar, Aug 2:While Jammu and Kashmir has made notable progress in reducing electricity distribution losses under the Centre's reform programme, it remains among the country's weakest-performing power distribution regions. Official figures tabled in Parliament show KPDCL has reduced Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses by more than 26 percentage points since FY23, but its losses are still more than double the national average. J&K has recorded a sharp decline in Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses in its power distribution sector over the past three financial years, with both Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) and Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) registering substantial improvements under the Centre's Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). The latest figures, tabled in the Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Power, show that KPDCL has brought down its AT&C losses by more than 26 percentage points since FY23, while JPDCL has reduced losses by over 10 percentage points during the same period. The data forms part of the ministry's response to an unstarred question on the reduction of transmission and distribution losses across the country. AT&C losses are considered one of the key indicators of the financial health and operational efficiency of power distribution utilities. They include not only technical losses occurring during the transmission and distribution of electricity but also commercial losses resulting from power theft, unmetered supply, defective meters, inaccurate billing and poor revenue collection. According to the ministry, KPDCL recorded AT&C losses of 59.59 percent in FY23, the highest among all major distribution utilities covered under the RDSS during that year. The losses declined to 51.98 percent in FY24 before falling sharply to 33.54 percent in FY25, marking a reduction of over 26 percentage points in just two years. For FY26, the utility has been assigned a target of 34 percent, indicating that it has already marginally outperformed its prescribed benchmark for FY25. JPDCL has also demonstrated consistent improvement over the three-year period. Its AT&C losses reduced from 37.64 percent in FY23 to 32.47 percent in FY24, before declining further to 27.45 percent in FY25. The ministry has fixed a target of 27 percent for FY26 for the Jammu-based utility. Although the reduction represents a significant operational improvement for both utilities, their loss levels remain substantially above the national average. The ministry informed Parliament that aggregate AT&C losses across India have declined steadily from 21.91 percent in FY21 to 15.04 percent in FY25, reflecting sustained improvements in the country's power distribution sector. By comparison, KPDCL's FY25 loss level of 33.54 percent is more than twice the national average, while JPDCL's 27.45 percent also remains significantly higher than the country's overall performance. The data further indicates that several states have achieved single-digit AT&C losses through sustained investments in infrastructure, smart metering and stronger billing and collection mechanisms. Distribution companies in Gujarat, Kerala, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh have reported losses ranging between about 4 per cent and 13 percent, highlighting the considerable gap that still separates J&K from the country's best-performing utilities. The ministry attributed the overall improvement in the country's distribution sector to the implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), launched in July 2021 to improve the quality and reliability of electricity supply while making distribution utilities financially sustainable and operationally efficient. The scheme has a total outlay of Rs 3.03 lakh crore, including Rs 97,631 crore in gross budgetary support from the central government. Under the programme, projects worth Rs 1.53 lakh crore have been sanctioned for loss-reduction infrastructure, while another Rs 1.31 lakh crore has been approved for smart metering works across the country. Importantly, the ministry said the release of central financial assistance under RDSS is linked to the operational and financial performance of distribution utilities, including their success in reducing AT&C losses. This performance-based funding mechanism is intended to encourage utilities to modernise infrastructure, improve metering, strengthen billing systems and enhance revenue collection. The ministry also highlighted that the reforms undertaken by the Centre and the states have yielded tangible financial results. It said the decline in transmission and distribution losses has enabled power distribution utilities across the country, on an aggregate basis, to register a profit after tax of Rs 2701 crore in FY25, marking the first time since the Electricity Act, 2003, came into force that the sector has collectively reported a net profit. While J&K's distribution utilities have made measurable progress in reducing losses over the past three years, the figures indicate that substantial challenges remain. Experts have long attributed J&K's high AT&C losses to a combination of ageing distribution infrastructure, difficult terrain, power pilferage, inadequate metering, high levels of unbilled consumption, and weak revenue recovery.
Drugs give brief high, lifetime low: PM Modi
New Delhi, Aug 2:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked the country's youth to take a pledge against substance abuse, saying drugs can give them a high for some time, but would make their entire career and personal life low. Launching the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan', Modi said the country's youth must be mentally and physically fit, for which it is necessary for them to stay away from all kinds of substance abuse. He also said that enemy countries use the supply of drugs as part of their terror plans because they know that youth are the future of our country. Drugs can give you a high for some time, but it makes your entire career and personal life low, he said. Questioning the taboo around drug addicts, Modi said those who come out of drug addiction are fighters and should be honoured by society. Society should respect them, embrace them and give them a second chance, he said. The prime minister launched the campaign virtually in the presence of a large number of youth, who described themselves as representatives of Gen-Z, days after large-scale protests by students demanding reforms in the public examination system rocked Delhi and other parts of the country. Our culture teaches us that one can get rid of substance abuse with the support of society, yoga and meditation, Modi said. The Nasha Mukt Yuva campaign is a resolve for the individual, family, society and, most importantly, the nation, and the name of the initiative itself reflected its objective, the prime minister said. When the country has set the goal of building a developed India, it is essential that the youth stay away from harmful addictions to remain physically and mentally healthy and full of self-confidence, Modi said. This is the objective of this campaign, he added, urging everyone to take a pledge to ensure that young people understand the dangers of drug addiction and remain aware and vigilant in every possible way. From today, the Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan is being launched across the country. When this becomes a collective campaign, even those who are unable to do something on their own will receive new energy. The resolve taken today will move forward in the same manner for the next 100 weeks. Every Sunday, activities related to art, culture, sports, meditation, spirituality and service will be organised. The message of de-addiction will reach new people, Modi said. The coming 100 Sundays will mark 100 strong steps towards a drug-free India, he added. The prime minister also said that addiction not only harms the body, but also takes away a mother's smile, shatters a father's dreams, weakens a sister's hope, and takes away the respect of a younger brother. Family members live with this pain every day, watching their children gradually lose themselves before their eyes, he said. Modi also said the government stands firmly with the youth in this campaign against drugs. Strict action is being taken against drug traffickers across the country. The arrests have gone up several times as compared to before, and drugs worth thousands of crores of rupees have been seized. This shows how strongly our government is acting against drugs, the prime minister said. He also urged families not to hide their childrens addiction out of concern for social reputation, and instead communicate openly with them and seek expert and medical help to help them overcome substance abuse. The 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan' aims to inspire youth to stay away from substance abuse and encourages them to become ambassadors of positive social change in their communities. The launch marked the beginning of a 100-week nationwide 'Jan Bhagidari' campaign, under which activities will be organised every Sunday across the country to promote awareness and encourage public participation in building a drug-free society. The activities will include sports events, walkathons, meditation sessions, cultural programmes, awareness campaigns, nukkad nataks, discussion forums, art competitions and community engagement programmes. The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was launched in 2020 in line with the prime ministers vision of creating a Nasha Mukt Bharat, Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Mansukh Mandaviya, said at the launch.
Police say no knife attack after two teenagers injured in road rage scuffle in Srinagar
Srinagar, Aug 02: Two teenagers sustained minor injuries after a scuffle broke out over a road rage incident at Polo View in Srinagar on Sunday, officials said. Officials identified the injured as Momin Gassi (18), an auto driver from Bemina, and Sahil Ahmad Mandoo (16) of Bemina. The altercation also involved Imran Ahmad Badyari of Bemina and Ruhaib (17) of Alamgari Bazar. During the scuffle, Momin and Sahil suffered minor injuries, reportedly caused by a screwdriver. Both were shifted to a hospital by police for treatment and were later discharged after receiving medical care. Police said there was no knife attack in the incident, clarifying that the injuries were minor and allegedly caused with a screwdriver during the altercation. A case has been taken up for investigation, and police said the alleged accused is a minor. [KNT]
Two youth injured in knife attack in Srinagar
Srinagar, Aug 02: Two youth were injured in an alleged knife attack near Polo View Market in the Kothibagh area of Srinagar on Sunday evening, officials said. Officials told news agency JKNS that a police party from Police Station Kothibagh shifted the injured to SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, after they were allegedly attacked with a knife by a known person. The injured have been identified as 18 and 19 year old, both residents of Chinar Colony, Bemina. Officials said both youths sustained multiple injuries in the attack. They are undergoing treatment at SMHS Hospital, and their condition is stated to be stable. Police have taken cognizance of the incident and initiated an investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Jagti: Over three decades in 'exile', a crumbling township of daily hardships
Jammu, Aug 2: Each morning Totaram Bhat got up and looked at the small hill close to the Jagti migrant settlement, thinking it was the ridge that formed the boundary of his ancestral village in the Anantnag district of south Kashmir. He died last month, firmly convinced that he had finally returned to his home in the valley. Bhat's story is not the lone one from the Jagti satellite township, which is situated 30 km from the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Many residents who had lived there for nearly three decades, including Madhusudan Zutshi and Jankinath Bhat, spent their last years dealing with dementia and Alzheimers disease, caught between the memories of their former homes and the harsh truth of their displacement. They died after an endless wait, without ever managing to return home. According to lawyer Vishwa Ranjan Pandita, the tragedy experienced by Kashmiri Pandits who lived in the township following their mass exodus after terrorism broke out in the Kashmir Valley between 1989 and 1990 has now developed into a long-term fight against neglect on the part of the state. He pointed out that although the township was built around 2010 with the intention of providing safer and more dignified housing, it has in fact become a symbol of deteriorating infrastructure and unfulfilled promises. A prominent organisation of the Kashmiri Pandits, Panun Kashmir, is at present making preparations to take legal action, citing the failure of various governments to maintain the housing units built for the displaced community. Panun Kashmir Chairman Tito Ganju said that the bad condition of Jagti township and the other camps has made the rehabilitation of the victims and survivors of the Kashmiri Hindu genocide a serious public safety issue, pointing out that the risk of a preventable disaster increases with each monsoon season. As Ganju pointed out, the abolition of the Engineering Wing of the Relief Department has seriously affected the supervision of important projects. We are demanding the immediate reestablishment of the Engineering Wing, urgent repairs, and a structural safety review of all the residential blocks; if this is not done, Panun Kashmir will ask the High Court for appropriate intervention, he said. The township includes 4,242 two-room flats distributed among 24 buildings and provides accommodation for about 5,600 families. Each family has a unit of 495 sq ft which consists of a bedroom, a kitchen and a lobby. Even though there is serious overcrowding and families are growing, about 80 flats are still unoccupied and more than half of the 200 commercial shops in the township have never been assigned. Locals say that the buildings are rapidly falling into disrepair -- the outer plaster is coming off while the inside walls are affected by continuous water seepage. The condition gets worse during the monsoon when the leaking roofs result in serious water accumulation inside. The government has not kept its promises, said T K Kaul (72), a retired official from the Accountant General's office who was born in Rainawari in downtown Srinagar. Our situation is bad since not a single one of our complaints has been dealt with over the last ten years. Authorities replaced the damaged doors after repeated requests, but it was poorly done and inferior material was used. The roofs leak, the buildings require urgent repair, and our block has not had drinking water for four months, he said. It is now an ongoing ordeal for several generations. Tej Krishan Kaul (52), who is originally from Bijbehara, described the bureaucratic nightmare which left his family in a difficult situation. Having lost his brother to crossfire in Kashmir, he was then given a housing unit. Three years ago officials took my documents on the grounds that I had only a temporary registration, Kaul said. I live with my wife, three children and my elderly mother, and we have no income from which to draw. I have asked for assistance everywhere, but my appeals have been ignored. Activists and community leaders claim that political parties have reduced the displaced community to nothing more than a political tool. Vinod Kumar, who is known in the area as Appu and is a shopkeeper in the township, said: We are being used by the political parties as a vote bank, but no actual measures are taken to rehabilitate us. The things that concern us every day -- such as the need for building repairs, shortages of water and unreliable electricity -- are completely ignored, and there is a strong feeling of despondency all through the township. Sunil Pandita, a community activist from Handwara in Kupwara district who migrated in 1990, lamented, Lord Ram's exile lasted for 14 years, whereas we have been away from our homes for 36 years and there seems to be no end to our suffering. Pandita pointed out that although the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had started the housing project and had announced a package of 6,000 migrant jobs in 2009, there was no work under successive governments on the transit accommodation in Kashmir meant for the beneficiaries of the Prime Minister's package. Residents alleged that their peaceful demonstrations asking for basic services such as water and electricity are also dealt with high-handedness. Add to this the fact that government financial assistance has not kept up with inflation, they said. At present, each registered relief recipient gets 9 kilograms of rice and a monthly cash payment of Rs 3,200 per person -- a sum which residents stress is not enough to meet basic living expenses, healthcare and education. Citizens turn to the government for assistance, but no single problem has recently been solved, said B J Bhat, who has resided there for nine years. Although we are thankful to the Congress government which first provided the flats and introduced the relief measures, the present administration has entirely let us down. Attempts to contact officials for a response did not yield result. Reflecting the sense of despair in the community, some have now asked the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in a petition through their advocate Vishwa Ranjan Pandita, that it would be more humane for the government to put them to death quickly rather than have them endure such daily suffering. The petition points out structural faults in housing units, persistent water seepage and unsanitary conditions, stating that these dangers have been neglected for more than five years because of the supposed lack of a specific repair budget. It also highlights serious problems with connectivity, particularly regarding the important road linking Nagrota and Jagti, which has had dangerous potholes for eight years. Residents claim they have been treated unfairly, pointing out that while the roads throughout Jammu have been quickly resurfaced after the last assembly elections, their own vital link road has been ignored on the grounds of a supposed lack of funds. The petition calls on the NHRC to take urgent action, summon the relevant officials and order immediate structural repairs to the flats and resurfacing of the Nagrota-Jagti road in order to avoid further loss of life.
Pakistan made every effort to dismantle goodwill under Indus Water Treaty: Kwatra
Washington, Aug 2: The Indus Water Treaty was signed in the spirit of goodwill and friendship, and Pakistan spent half a century dismantling it, Indias envoy to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra said. In an article published in Newsweek magazine, Kwatra said Indias decision to keep the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in abeyance merely acknowledged what Pakistans conduct had already destroyed. Kwatra's article came days after Pakistan hosted a conference recently to protest Indias decision to hold the IWT in abeyance on April 23 last year, a day after Pakistan-trained terrorists killed 26 people, most of them tourists, at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. It is worth remembering that the treaty's preamble declares it was concluded in a spirit of goodwill and friendship. Pakistan spent half a century dismantling that goodwill and friendship. The abeyance merely acknowledges what Pakistan's conduct had already destroyed, the envoy said. The IWT, signed by India and Pakistan in 1960, gave New Delhi control over three of the six Indus basin rivers that carry roughly 20 per cent of the basins water, while Islamabad got rights to rivers that carry roughly 80 per cent. That asymmetry stifled development for decades in Indian regions that could have benefited from better water rights. India honoured the treaty anyway, Kwatra said. He said Pakistan responded by launching wars against India in 1965, 1971 and in 1999; and through decades of persistent hostility and cross-border terrorism, including an attack on Indias Parliament in 2001, Mumbai terror carnage in 2008, Uri and Pathankot attacks in 2016, the Pulwama attack in 2019 and the Pahalgam attack in 2025. Kwatra said if Pakistan sincerely wants Indias cooperation on bilateral issues, it must first dismantle the terror infrastructure it has built over the years. Obstruction and bureaucratic delays have been Pakistans principal responses to any India-initiated projects under the treaty, he said. Pakistan also consistently blocked India's initiatives to renegotiate the treaty in light of six decades of technological change, which would have let India develop its hydropower potential, he said. Bit by bit, Pakistan eroded India's faith that it could exercise its rights under the treaty, or hope for a better one suited to today's realities, Kwatra said. The envoy said those advocating talks between India and Pakistan have not taken note of the history of these initiatives taken in the past or they must believe that doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is not insanity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has clearly voiced Indias stand today: Terror and talks cannot go together... Terror and trade cannot go together... Water and blood cannot flow together', Kwatra said. He said the water scarcity Pakistan faces is a result of mismanagement by the government in Islamabad. ...the Government of Pakistan would do better to fix its dismal water productivity, than to stage conferences blaming India and issuing threats, Kwatra said, adding that the habit of pinning every domestic failure on India has grown old. The world should say so, unequivocally, he said.
RBI likely to hold rates in August, maintain hawkish tone as inflation risks persist: Economists
Mumbai, Aug 2: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to keep the benchmark repo rate unchanged in its August monetary policy review on elevated inflation risks and pending the closure of the FCNR(B) deposit scheme, a poll of 10 economists and treasury heads has revealed. Most respondents anticipate that the central bank will maintain its policy stance as 'Neutral' while adopting a hawkish tone amid rising inflation risks from geopolitical tensions, elevated crude oil prices and an uneven monsoon. Economists said the central bank will remain in a wait-and-watch mode as it assesses the evolving inflation outlook. As of now, trimmed core inflation remains benign and suggests a status quo is the best policy option for the time being, with caution being expressed through the policy tone, said Aditi Nayar, chief economist at ICRA. In recent media outings, Governor Sanjay Malhotra has reiterated that inflation will be the central bank's foremost priority going ahead, pointing out that progress of the monsoon is a key factor to watch out for. Gopal Tripathi, head of treasury at Jana Small Finance Bank said the central bank will wait for the monsoon to play out and for the success of the FCNR (B) scheme. The MPC will meet between August 3 and August 5 to decide on the policy rates. The central bank has reduced the repo rate by 1.25 per cent since last year to aid growth. Despite expectations of a pause in August, the majority of respondents see the policy rate moving higher over the course of FY27. Most participants expect at least two rate hikes during the fiscal year if inflationary pressures intensify. The RBI is expected to maintain a hawkish pause, balancing resilient domestic growth with supply-led inflation. Since inflation is largely driven by external shocks rather than demand, keeping rates unchanged allows the RBI to assess evolving risks like monsoon developments and geopolitical disruptions before taking further action, said Balasubramanian R, head of treasury at Dhanlaxmi Bank. Most respondents expect no change in the central bank's inflation forecast despite the recent spike in crude oil prices, although a few foresee an upward revision if geopolitical tensions persist. Balasubramanian expects the RBI to raise its FY27 retail inflation projection to 5.1 per cent, citing imported inflation risks from higher energy prices. Expectations on growth projections also remained divided. Some economists believe resilient domestic demand could prompt a modest upward revision in the FY27 GDP growth forecast, while others expect no change. A few anticipate a slight downgrade due to weak global demand, higher energy costs and geopolitical uncertainty. Gaura Sengupta, economist at IDFC FIRST Bank, said the inflationary pressures are largely supply-driven and therefore may not warrant an immediate monetary policy response. The risk to inflation is supply-side led. Monetary policy is not the appropriate tool as it works via the demand side. Fiscal policy will be the main response to manage inflation pressures, she said, while adding that the RBI is likely to reiterate that it only seeks to curb excessive volatility in the rupee rather than target a specific exchange rate. On liquidity, the majority of respondents do not expect any major measures in the August policy.However, some believe the RBI could continue fine-tuning operations through variable-rate repo auctions and open market operations, if required, to ensure orderly money market conditions. No, but measures are expected closer to September when liquidity infusion picks up, Sengupta said.
Srinagar, Aug 02: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha attended the launch of the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan today at a UT-Level function organised by Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and SKUAST-Kashmir. The 100-week mega campaign was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a nationwide resolve to secure Indias future by empowering its youth and eliminating the menace of drugs. Addressing the youth of Jammu Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized that Indias greatest strength lies in its young population, with nearly 65% below the age of 35. He also highlighted that 37 crore youth in the 1529 age group are eager to contribute to nation-building. The Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan seeks to energize this demographic, guiding them toward healthy lifestyles and active participation in development. Our youth must emerge like a cloud of energy and spread across the horizon of development, he said. The Lieutenant Governor observed that the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, launched in 2020 by Prime Minister, is not merely a government programme but a social movement against drug menace. Its objective is to instill values of self-discipline, positive thinking, and strong determination among citizens. The Lieutenant Governor noted that over 1 crore youth are joining the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan at nearly 10,000 locations nationwide, reflecting the collective responsibility of society to protect young people from drugs. More than 35,000 MY Bharat youth clubs, Nehru Yuva Kendras, schools, colleges, and industry organizations are participating in the 100-week campaign, which connects youth every Sunday across the country. The Lieutenant Governor expressed confidence that this initiative will become a milestone in uprooting drugs from society. Congratulating the youth of Jammu Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor praised their active participation in the 100-day Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan conducted from April 11 to July 20. This campaign, he said, has become a model of success for the entire nation. The combined efforts of administration, police, social organizations, educational institutions, religious leaders, and citizens proved that even the biggest challenges can be overcome when society unites for a common purpose, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the significant achievements of the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir campaign. Around 2,300 FIRs have been registered, 2,600 people arrested, and 1,500 kilograms of narcotics seized. More than 331 properties worth around Rs 200 crore belonging to narco-terrorists and drug smugglers have been attached. Additionally, over 370 driving licenses and 750 vehicle registrations have been cancelled, with recommendations made to cancel nearly 3,000 Aadhaar cards. The Lieutenant Governor said these actions demonstrate the governments unwavering policy against the drug network that threatens the future of youth. While enforcement remains crucial, public awareness and rehabilitation are equally important. We will soon initiate the Rehabilitation and Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims, 2026. The pilot project will begin in two most-affected districts of Kashmir and Jammu divisions. Designed as a three-year rehabilitation cycle, the scheme will focus on medical treatment, counselling, education, skill development, employment, reintegration, and long-term monitoring. I see youth affected by drugs as victims and we need to ensure their dignity, livelihood, and a meaningful future, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor urged families, teachers, and youth organizations to play a proactive role in guiding youth. Parents and teachers are the greatest guides and must support youth through dialogue, trust, and encouragement. Volunteers of MY Bharat, Nehru Yuva Kendras, and youth clubs should take the campaigns message to every village, school, college and community, he said. The Lieutenant Governor exhorted the youth to stay away from drugs, inspire peers, and become healthy, disciplined, and responsible citizens. He expressed confidence that the youth of Jammu Kashmir will dispel the darkness of drugs and spread the light of knowledge, progress, and positive energy. A healthy youth, a strong family, and an aware public will become the identity of Viksit Bharat, the Lieutenant Governor said. On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor also administered the Nasha Mukt Yuva Pledge to the youth of Jammu Kashmir. Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor SKUAST Kashmir; Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Commissioner/Secretary, Youth Services and Sports Department; Anshul Garg, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Nitin Hangloo, Director, Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) J&K; senior officials, members of Youth Clubs, Nehru Yuva Kendras, prominent citizens, and youth in large number attended the UT Level function.
LG Sinha attends 'Nasha Mukt Yuva' Campaign event at SKUAST-Kashmir
Srinagar, Aug 02: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today attended the UT-level function of the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan at SKUAST-Kashmir. Addressing the gathering, LG Sinha said the 100-week campaign, launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a clarion call to empower the youth, eradicate drug abuse, and build a healthy, disciplined, and developed India. He emphasized that the initiative aims to mobilize young people across Jammu and Kashmir to take the lead in spreading awareness against narcotics and to strengthen efforts for a Nasha Mukt Bharat. Officials, students, and youth representatives participated in the event held at SKUAST-Kashmir.(GNS)
Kashmir's MMA star Owais Yaqoob stuns undefeated Delyan Georgiev with first-round TKO in Bulgaria
Srinagar, Aug 02: Kashmir's emerging mixed martial arts (MMA) star, Owais Yaqoob, continued his winning streak by securing a first-round TKO (technical knockout) over undefeated Delyan Georgiev at BRAVE CF 107 in Bulgaria on Saturday. The emphatic victory marked another significant milestone in Yaqoob's rapidly rising professional career. With the win over Bulgaria's Delyan Georgiev on August 1, he improved his professional MMA record to 6-1. Competing on one of the sport's leading international platforms, Yaqoob dominated the contest from the outset before forcing the referee to stop the bout in the opening round after a flurry of unanswered strikes. The win further strengthens the Kashmiri fighter's growing reputation on the international MMA circuit and extends his impressive winning streak against quality opposition. Yaqoob, who hails from Pulwama district in south Kashmir, has steadily emerged as one of India's brightest MMA prospects through a string of dominant performances in recent years. Training under the renowned American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), he has competed in leading MMA promotions and continues to make a mark on the global stage. His latest triumph at BRAVE CF 107 is expected to boost his standing in the lightweight division and reinforce his credentials as one of the country's most promising mixed martial artists.
The story of computing over the last three decades is not merely a story of technological progress; it is also a story of changing human aspirations, consumption patterns and environmental consequences. Those who saw the early days of computers during the mid-1990s remember a very different world. Computers were considered valuable assets. They were installed in specially designed air-conditioned rooms, protected from dust and moisture and access was often restricted to trained personnel. Educational institutions, government offices and a handful of private establishments possessed these machines. Entering a computer laboratory often required removing shoes or wearing protective footwear to prevent dust from affecting the equipment. As technology matured, computers gradually became common. Desktop publishing (DTP) centres emerged in every town, where computers operated continuously in shops with little regard for environmental conditions. Over time, technological advancement accelerated. Hardware became obsolete within a few years. Faster processors, larger memories, better graphic cards and improved operating systems continually replaced older generations. Software evolved at an equally rapid pace, demanding more powerful hardware, creating a cycle of continuous upgrading. The same transformation occurred in personal electronics. Basic mobile phones evolved into smartphones, followed by increasingly sophisticated devices with enhanced processing power, artificial intelligence capabilities and constant high speed internet connectivity. Laptops, tablets, smart watches and numerous digital devices became integral parts of daily life. Society gradually embraced a culture where upgrading devices every few years became normal rather than exceptional. Contrast this with earlier technologies such as the traditional tungsten filament bulb. For decades, a single bulb often served a household with only occasional cleaning. There was little concept of planned uselessness or frequent replacement. Our grandparents experienced technologies that remained functional for years, reflecting a culture of maintenance rather than replacement. Today humanity has entered another technological revolutionthe era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, cloud computing and hyperscale data centres. The emphasis is no longer merely on computation but on instantaneous and fast computation. Every improvement aims at reducing response times, increasing processing speed and delivering intelligent services within fractions of a second. Society increasingly expects machines to perform tasks at almost unimaginable speeds. However, behind every intelligent response generated by an AI system lies an enormous physical infrastructure that remains largely invisible to users. Artificial intelligence does not exist solely in software; it depends on thousands of powerful servers operating continuously inside massive data centres distributed across the world. These facilities require enormous quantities of electricity and sophisticated cooling systems because high-performance processors generate tremendous amounts of heat during computation. Water has become one of the most important yet least visible resources supporting this digital revolution. Many modern data centres rely on water-based cooling systems to maintain optimal operating temperatures. Water is also indirectly consumed in generating the electricity that powers these facilities, particularly where thermal power plants contribute significantly to electricity production through two primary pathways: the direct use of freshwater for cooling data centres and the indirect use of water in electricity generation. Recent scientific studies have highlighted the growing environmental footprint of AI systems. Estimates of water consumption per interaction vary considerably depending on the complexity of the task, the efficiency of the data centre, the local climate and the energy source. One widely discussed academic estimate suggested that every 20 to 50 interactions with a large language model may correspond to approximately 500 mL bottle of water when cooling and associated electricity generation are considered. Viewed individually, this quantity appears insignificant. However, when multiplied by millions or even billions of daily interactions worldwide, the cumulative environmental impact becomes substantial. Scientific projections indicate that global AI-related infrastructure could consume several billion cubic metres of water annually during the coming years, particularly as artificial intelligence becomes integrated into education, healthcare, banking, transportation, entertainment, manufacturing, agriculture and governance. This growing demand for water raises an important question. At a time when climate change is already altering rainfall patterns across many parts of the world, can humanity afford another rapidly expanding sector with increasing water and energy demands? The growing water footprint of artificial intelligence calls for a two-pronged approach. At the individual level, users should be mindful of unnecessary AI usage and embrace responsible digital consumption. At the scientific level, researchers and engineers must innovate to reduce the environmental costs of AI by improving computational efficiency, advancing low-water cooling systems, integrating renewable energy sources and designing sustainable data centres. Many regions are already experiencing irregular precipitation, declining groundwater levels, shrinking glaciers, frequent droughts and unpredictable weather events. Agriculturethe largest consumer of freshwateris under tremendous pressure. Farmers increasingly face uncertainty due to delayed monsoons, heat waves and water scarcity. Livestock production is similarly affected as fodder availability declines and water become increasingly limited. Similarly the food industry is one of the largest consumers of freshwater, requiring substantial quantities of water for food processing, cleaning, packaging etc. Thus, humanity appears to be entering an era where two major transitions are occurring simultaneously. On one hand, digital technologies and artificial intelligence are expanding at unprecedented speed. On the other hand, natural ecosystems that sustain human civilisation are becoming increasingly fragile. This contrast presents a profound sustainability challenge. Technological progress undoubtedly offers remarkable benefits. Artificial intelligence can improve disease diagnosis, optimise irrigation, predict floods, monitor forests, reduce energy waste, assist scientific research and enhance disaster management. Nevertheless, these benefits should not impact the environmental costs associated with maintaining the underlying computational infrastructure. Agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of global freshwater withdrawals according to the Food and Agriculture Organization. Google reported that applying AI to optimise cooling in some of its data centres reduced cooling energy requirements by approximately 40%, demonstrating AIs potential to improve operational efficiency. Artificial intelligence helps conserve water in agriculture, optimise energy use, predict floods and monitor ecosystems. Yet the computational infrastructure supporting these capabilities also demands increasing quantities of electricity and fresh water. Morgan Stanley projects that AI-related data centres could consume more than 1 trillion litres annually by 2028, an eleven-fold increase from 2024. Nearly half of the worlds 9,000+ data centres are already located in regions of high-water stress. In Spain, Amazon requested a 48% increase in water permits for its Aragn facilities in 2024. In the UK, a government report projected a daily shortfall of nearly five billion litres by 2050 unless digital infrastructure is integrated into water planning. These are not abstract numbers. They are litres of drinking water redirected from agriculture, ecosystems and communities into the invisible machine of artificial intelligence. Despite these remarkable achievements, these benefits should not overshadow the environmental costs associated with maintaining the computational infrastructure that powers AI. The challenge before policymakers, scientists, engineers and citizens is therefore not to reject artificial intelligence but to develop it responsibly. Future AI systems must become significantly more energy-efficient and water-efficient. Data centres should increasingly operate on renewable energy, employ advanced cooling technologies, recycle cooling water wherever feasible and be located in regions where environmental impacts can be minimised. Governments should encourage green computing standards, transparent environmental reporting and sustainable digital infrastructure. Equally important is public awareness. Just as society has gradually learned to conserve electricity, the digital age demands awareness of our invisible environmental footprint. Every online search, video stream, cloud backup, AI interaction, cryptocurrency transaction and data transfer carries an environmental cost that extends beyond the screen. The future should therefore not be viewed as a choice between technology and nature. Rather, the challenge is to harmonise technological advancement with ecological sustainability. Artificial intelligence should become an instrument for conserving natural resources rather than accelerating their depletion. The essential question facing humanity is therefore, not whether artificial intelligence will transform civilisationit undoubtedly will. The real question is whether humanity can ensure that this transformation occurs within the ecological limits of our planet. If we fail to integrate environmental sustainability into the digital revolution, we risk exchanging one crisis for another. But if technological innovation is guided by ecological wisdom, artificial intelligence can become one of humanitys greatest allies in addressing climate change, conserving biodiversity, managing water resources and securing a sustainable future for generations to come. The author is working as associate professor in HED J&K.
People of Kashmir want an end to vicious cycle of violence: Dy CM
Jammu, Aug 1:Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday, while condemning the killing of two migrant labourers in Kulgam, in a sharp dig at the Centre asked if its experiment to abrogate Article 370 in J&K on the premise of ending terrorism failed. He also demanded investigation into terror killings claiming innocent lives, which he claimed witnessed a spurt after the National Conferences statehood protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20. Centre had abrogated Article 370, truncated J&K into two Union Territories asserting that it would end terrorism. However, terror related violence still continues, claiming innocent lives. They (Centre) need to explain if their experiment failed, Choudhary stated, while speaking to media persons here. Asserting that the people of J&K, which has been fighting terrorism for the past more than three decades, want an end to this vicious cycle, the Deputy Chief Minister said, We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families. But the people here are tired of condemning such incidents. It should end now. If terrorism has ended as it is claimed, why have these killings continued? Where are these militants coming from? It is happening even when the security forces are on high alert in wake of ongoing Amarnath Yatra and upcoming Independence Day, he stated, seeking the setting up of a high-level committee, by the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, to probe into the killings and identify the culprits. It was also staggering to note that the recent spurt in killings was noticed after NCs statehood protest in the union capital, Choudhary maintained. Seemingly someone does not want it (restoration of statehood) to happen. If Pakistan is behind these killings, the Centre must take stringent action, he stated.
Chenab steel girder bridge in Akhnoor to remain closed for 2 hours for repairs today
Jammu, Aug 1:Steel girder bridge over river Chenab in Akhnoor will remain closed for vehicular traffic for two hours on Sunday, August 2, 2026 for maintenance purposes. T he traffic will be diverted to the new bridge on Jammu-Poonch National Highway during this period. Referring to a letter No 3354-59/ D Akhnoor dated July 31, 2026, received from the office of the Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Akhnoor regarding the stopping of vehicular movement for minimum of two hours i.e., 10 am to 12 pm on Sunday, August 2, 2026, for maintenance of steel girder bridge over river Chenab in Akhnoor, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Akhnoor Ankush Hans, in a communique addressed to the Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Akhnoor and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Traffic, Jammu, have asked them to take appropriate action for diverting of traffic through new bridge on Jammu-Poonch National Highway during the specified time slot.
Srinagar, Aug 1:Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Saturday strongly condemned the killing of two non-local labourers in Kulgam, terming the attack an assault on humanity and asserting that those responsible would not be spared. Speaking to reporters after meeting the bereaved families, Sharma said both victims hailed from Sakti district of Chhattisgarh and had come to Kashmir only to earn a livelihood as labourers. These cowardly terrorists have once again shown their cowardice by targeting innocent labourers who had nothing to do with the conflict. The killing of these two labourers is a killing of humanity, he said. Expressing deep grief, Sharma said that one of the deceased is survived by a one-and-a-half-year-old child, while the other has left behind a devastated wife. My heart cries when I see the condition of these families. They had come here only to earn an honest living, he said. The BJP leader blamed Pakistan-sponsored terrorism for the attack and described it as a sign of the terrorists desperation. This is the last phase of terrorism. It will not survive for long. I have complete faith in our security forces. Those who carried out this attack and those supporting or sheltering them will be brought to justice, Sharma said. He said he had spoken to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, conveyed his condolences, and urged the state government to extend all possible assistance to the bereaved families. Sharma said that the J&K government would provide relief in accordance with existing rules and assured the families of full support during this difficult time. Referring to the recent killing of Head Constable of Budgam in Anantnag, Sharma said the Kulgam incident was the second terror attack in around 10 days and asserted that the renewed attempts by terrorists to spread fear would fail. We are standing with these families not only as a political party but as fellow human beings, he said. The two brick kiln workers from Chhattisgarh were shot at point-blank range in Kilam village of Kulgam on Friday. One died on the spot while the second, critically injured, succumbed to his injuries at a Srinagar hospital on Saturday morning. Security forces have since launched a massive search operation in the area.
Massive security build up across Kashmir
Srinagar, Aug 1: Security forces on Saturday stepped up anti-terror measures across Kashmir following the killing of two migrant labourers from Chhattisgarh in a terror attack in Kulgam, setting up additional check-posts, intensifying frisking, launching speculative Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs), and keeping close surveillance on elements considered inimical to peace. The heightened security response came as security forces continued a massive manhunt in and around Kilam village of Kulgam district, where terrorists shot two brick kiln workers at point-blank range on Friday evening. The second injured labourer, Bhupinder, succumbed to his injuries at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, on Saturday morning, taking the death toll in the attack to two. Senior officials in security establishment said security deployment has been strengthened across south, central and north Kashmir, with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) maintaining heightened vigil at vulnerable locations. Additional vehicle check-points have been established on highways and major roads, while frisking and checking of commuters have been intensified at sensitive places, particularly in Srinagar and the districts of south Kashmir. In view of the recent terror attack, security arrangements have been further strengthened. Area domination, surveillance and preventive measures have been enhanced to ensure that any attempt to disturb peace is effectively thwarted, a senior security establishment official said. Sources said speculative CASOs were launched at several locations in south Kashmir based on intelligence inputs. Security agencies have also intensified monitoring of suspected overground workers and other elements with possible links to terror networks. The stepped-up security measures followed directions from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who on Friday instructed security forces to step up operations and eliminate the terrorists responsible for the attack. The victims, identified as Deepak and Bhupinder, both residents of Chhattisgarh and employed at a brick kiln in Kilam, were attacked by terrorists at close range on Friday evening. Deepak died on the spot, while Bhupinder was initially operated upon at Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, before being shifted to SKIMS Srinagar, where he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. The Kulgam attack is the second terror incident in south Kashmir in less than two weeks and the first targeted killing of migrant workers in the Valley since October 2024. On July 22, a policeman attached to the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police was shot dead by terrorists in Anantnag town. Security forces continued extensive search and combing operations in Kilam and adjoining areas throughout the day, with additional reinforcements deployed to seal possible escape routes. Officials said the operation would continue until the attackers are tracked down, while security across the Valley has been placed on heightened alert to prevent any further terrorist strike.
CM Omar announces Rs 10 lakh each for Kulgam victims families
Srinagar, Aug 1:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday strongly condemned the dastardly killing of two labourers in Kulgam and announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 10 lakh each from the Chief Ministers Relief Fund (CMRF) for the next of kin of the deceased. CM Omar expressed profound grief over the loss of innocent lives and said the assistance would be in addition to the Rs 6 lakh immediate relief being provided by the district administration. He also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and reaffirmed that the government stands firmly with them during this difficult time. The CM conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls. He also prayed for strength and courage to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss.
LG Sinha directs SOP review to protect migrant workers
Srinagar, Aug 1:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said directed all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to conduct a comprehensive review of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) established to protect labourers from outside Jammu Kashmir. Chairing a high-level security review meeting, LG Sinha said also directed that the employers must ensure all workers from other states and union territories of the country are provided insurance and that their details are registered with local police and district authorities. We must intensify precise, high-impact anti-terror operations to neutralise the terrorists, he said. The LG instructed the authorities to ensure dignified last rites for the victims of the Kulgam terror attack and to provide all the support to bereaved families. The meeting was attended by Atal Dullo, Chief Secretary; Nalin Prabhat, DGP; Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary Home Department; S J M Gillani, Special DG Coordination PHQ; Nitish Kumar, ADGP, CID; M Raju, Commissioner Secretary, GAD; IGPs; Divisional Commissioners; DCs; SSPs, and other senior officials. The meeting also discussed the security arrangements in place for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra and strengthening of the security grid.
Boy killed in landslide in Kupwara
Srinagar, Aug 1: A seven-year-old boy died after he was struck by a landslide in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district on Saturday, officials said. The child was identified as Rehan Ahmad Dar. Dar was hit by the landslide that occurred near his school in the Mawer area of Handwara in the north Kashmir district. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead, the officials said. Education Minister Sakina Itoo condoled the loss of life. Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of young Rehan Ahmad Dar, a Nursery student of Frontline Model School, Mawer, who lost his life in a landslide today. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family during this unimaginable time of grief, she said in a post on X. The minister also directed the concerned authorities to extend all possible assistance to the family and to examine measures for ensuring the safety of students in vulnerable areas. The Private Schools Association (PSA) expressed grief over the incident. This incident is an irreparable tragedy that has plunged the entire educational fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir into deep shock and mourning, the PSA said in a statement. The untimely loss of an innocent child is heartbreaking and has left the entire school community grief-stricken, it said.
Palestinians in Gaza hope Hamas will disarm but fear Israeli forces won't withdraw
Cairo, Aug 1: For Palestinians in Gaza, President Donald Trump's announcement that Hamas had agreed to disarm was a small sign of hope that Israel's attacks might end, allowing them to rebuild their lives and what remains of their homes. But it also clashed with the reality on the ground, where Israeli strikes have continued since Trump first touted the deal late Thursday in Washington, and where few steps have been taken to advance a broader ceasefire agreement that went into effect in October. Most of Gaza's 2 million Palestinians are still displaced or live in tent camps, where poor conditions and overcrowding have led to rodent infestations and outbreaks of infectious diseases such as chickenpox. They can talk about withdrawal and disarmament, said Abdel Moneim Aboul-Roos, 24, a tuk-tuk driver who lost his leg in an Israeli airstrike. I don't care about any of it as long as there is no food or medicine. Israel and Hamas signed a US-backed ceasefire plan last year that ended major combat operations, saw the return of Israeli hostages and allowed for an increase in humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave. It also called for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops, the creation of an international stabilization force and a program to decommission weapons held by Hamas. But as each side accused the other of violating the ceasefire, negotiations stalled. Hamas held onto its weapons and the Israeli military refused to withdraw. Since October, Israel has killed more than 1,200 Palestinians in Gaza and expanded the amount of territory it controls. Five Israeli soldiers have also been killed in militant attacks. Many Palestinians don't trust Israel or Hamas The road map Trump announced and that Hamas confirmed addresses in more specific terms the type of weapons the militant group and its allies will be required to hand over to a new technocratic government. The document says Israel will not be involved in the decommission of Hamas' weapons and that it should halt all military operations in Gaza so the transition can proceed and recovery can begin. But residents in Gaza say they have been repeatedly promised that the war will stop and their lives will improve. They see the road map as a positive development but remain skeptical that either Israel or Hamas will adhere to the terms. This is enough. We need improvement in our lives, said Ayman Ahmed, a displaced Palestinian living in southern Gaza. He said he hopes Hamas gives up its arms but does not see it happening anytime soon. They don't care about Palestinians' lives, he said. The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 others back to Gaza as hostages. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 73,300 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which was part of the Hamas-run government. The ministry maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by UN agencies and international organizations. It does not distinguish between civilians and militants, but says women and children make up around half of all fatalities. Because of the high death toll and ongoing attacks, other Palestinians say they believe Israel will refuse to make concessions. In southern Gaza, Ghazal Astal lives among the rubble. She said there is near-constant Israeli gunfire and that the territory has been transformed into an indescribable battlefield. Ammar Kaskeen, 30, said he doesn't believe the road map will force Israeli troops to withdraw. For Israel, according to Kaskeen, the goal is not only to disarm Hamas but to also drive the Palestinian population out of Gaza. They will make us suffer, he said. Even as Israel digs in, Palestinians dream of returning home Israel has not commented publicly on the road map but Israeli officials, speaking anonymously over the past two days, have signalled that the document does not align with the country's interests. The officials also reiterated that Israel would not withdraw from the Yellow Line in Gaza, which divides Israeli-controlled territory in the east with the western part of the enclave. In recent months, the military has built a massive earthen barrier roughly along the same line, developing what it described as a security zone adjacent to the berm, equipped with intelligence and technological assets. Israel has also carried out controlled demolitions and clearing operations across much of the territory it controls. Palestinians who lived there have yet to return and are unsure whether their homes are still standing. Anas Nakla was displaced from Rafah in southern Gaza during the war. He said he knows his house has been destroyed but still wants to return home with his wife and children. It doesn't exist anymore, he said. But we can return and rebuild. Similarly, Mohamed Hamad, who had to leave his home behind in northern Gaza, hopes that the US-backed road map will pressure Israel to leave some of the areas it controls. He believes that even if only a small number of people could go back to their homes, it will give hope to the rest that some day they may also return. (AP)
Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir protests explained: Why unrest has erupted over 12 Assembly seats
Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) is witnessing its biggest political unrest in years, with weeks of protests, deadly clashes with security forces, an internet shutdown, mass arrests and a fierce debate over democracy, autonomy and political representation. The immediate trigger is a dispute over 12 reserved seats in the Legislative Assembly, but analysts say the protests reflect much deeper frustrations over governance, economic conditions and Islamabad's control over the region. What triggered the latest protests? The protests are being led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a grassroots coalition of traders, civil society groups and activists. The immediate dispute centres on 12 seats reserved in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir's Legislative Assembly for refugees from Jammu and Kashmir who settled in different parts of Pakistan after 1947. The JAAC argues that only people who actually reside in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir should elect representatives to its Assembly. As JAAC committee member Kashif Abbasi told Al Jazeera: This election is meant for people who actually live in AJK. These 12 seats sit outside AJK's jurisdiction. This doesn't happen anywhere else. The government, however, maintains that the reserved seats are constitutionally protected and cannot be abolished without a constitutional amendment. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif urged protesters to contest the issue politically rather than through street protests, asking: How could you exclude them from the electoral process? Why are the 12 seats so controversial? Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir's Legislative Assembly has 45 elected seats, 33 of which are elected from constituencies within the territory, and 12 seats are reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir now living in Pakistan. The arrangement dates back to the early decades after Partition and was formally incorporated into the 1974 Interim Constitution. #Watch | Pakistan-occupied Kashmir protests explained: Why unrest has erupted over 12 assembly seats Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir is witnessing one of its biggest political crises in years. Protests over 12 reserved seats in the Legislative Assembly have escalated into violent pic.twitter.com/WcVz9sGvFC Greater Kashmir (@GreaterKashmir) August 1, 2026 How did the protests escalate? Negotiations between the JAAC and the government collapsed in late May after failing to reach an agreement on the reserved seats. The authorities responded by banning the JAAC under the Anti-Terrorism Act, suspending internet and mobile services, advising outsiders to stay away from the region, deploying paramilitary forces, and arresting more than 100 activists. The crackdown soon turned violent. Amnesty International raises alarm Amnesty International has sharply criticised Pakistan's response, calling the ban on the JAAC unlawful. Isabelle Lassee, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, said: Branding a grassroots organization as 'terrorist' on vague grounds, while simultaneously cutting the region off from the outside world, raises serious concerns regarding the Pakistani authorities' conduct and their disregard for human rights. The proscription of JKJAAC under anti-terror laws is disproportionate, unlawful and a violation of the right to freedom of association. Following deadly clashes, Amnesty added: The alarming escalation of violence, including deaths of protesters, raises serious questions. It urged Pakistani authorities to: ake immediate steps to deescalate the situation and practice restraint and strict adherence to international standards on the use of force. The protests are about much more than 12 seats Although the refugee seats dominate the current debate, they are only the latest flashpoint. The JAAC originally emerged in 2023 over soaring electricity prices, flour shortages and broader economic hardship. By late 2025, it had expanded its movement into a 38-point charter of demands that included subsidised electricity and flour, investigations into corruption, improved social welfare, infrastructure development, and the abolition of the 12 reserved Assembly seats. The unrest has also revived debate over where real political authority lies in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. JAAC, according to its leaders, had written directly to Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir after concluding that its concerns were not reaching him through civilian channels. The controversy goes beyond electoral arithmetic. Supporters of the reserved seats say they preserve Pakistan's international position on Kashmir issue and reinforce the claim that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir represents the entire former princely state. Critics argue the arrangement undermines democratic representation by allowing people living outside the territory to influence governments formed in Muzaffarabad. What happens next? Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir's elections have been conducted in phases amid continuing unrest. The JAAC has called for a boycott of the polls, while the government insists constitutional questions must be resolved through elected institutions rather than street protests. For now, the dispute over 12 Assembly seats has become the focal point of a much larger struggle over governance, political representation, regional autonomy and the future direction of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Reactions from the Valley Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called for an impartial investigation into the killings and urging Pakistan to engage with protesters through dialogue rather than force. Addressing a congregation at Srinagar's historic Jama Masjid, the Mirwaiz said he was: Deeply concerned over the continuing unrest and tragic loss of lives across the Line of Control, particularly in Rawalakot. He also led special prayers for those killed in PoK and said: We are deeply anguished by the continuing unrest and the tragic loss of precious lives during the past month and a half. The truth must be established through a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation. We mourn every life lost, whether that of a civilian protester or a member of the police force, and pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured. Calling upon Pakistan to show restraint, the Mirwaiz appealed to Islamabad and the authorities across the Line of Control: Durable peace and stability can only be achieved through dialogue, constitutional fairness and respect for the rights and dignity of every segment of society. Mirwaiz also stressed the shared identity of people on both sides of the Line of Control. We are one people, bound together by history, family, culture and our common State Subject identity. Whether we live in Srinagar, Muzaffarabad, Birmingham or elsewhere across the world, we remain one people. The LOC has divided the territory, but not our families, our shared history or our collective stake in our destiny, he said. He further said that the rights of nearly three million Kashmiri refugees and migrants living across Pakistan's provinces should not become a matter of political bargaining or exclusion, urging all stakeholders to find a fair and mutually acceptable solution. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed concern over reports of force being used against protesters. As far as the situation in that part of Kashmir is concerned, we are all worried, Abdullah told reporters in Ganderbal. The reports coming from there, the way force is being used and innocent people are being targeted we can only hope that peace is maintained there, he added. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah criticised New Delhi for what he described as its silence over the situation in PoK. If the Government of India considers PoK an integral part of the country, why is it silent? It must raise its voice over the reported killings and hardships faced by people there. I have not heard any statement from them, he said. Farooq Abdullah also appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Commission to visit PoK and document the situation there. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti urged Pakistan to abandon the use of force and engage with protesters through dialogue. The visuals emerging from across the LoC in the other part of Kashmir are deeply heartbreaking. It is painful to see peaceful protesters being met with brute force. The Government of Pakistan must adopt a more humane approach and choose dialogue over force, she said in a post on X. She added: No nation grows stronger by disempowering its own people or by silencing them at gunpoint. The government must end the crackdown and stop spraying bullets at peaceful protesters. Kashmiris deserve dignity, justice, and the right to be heard, not repression.
Kathua Biotech Park to drive innovation, jobs across J&K, north India: Jitendra Singh
Jammu, Aug 1: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday said the Industrial Biotech Park (IBP) at Ghatti in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua would emerge as a major hub for biotechnology-driven innovation, startup incubation, research, entrepreneurship and industrial development, creating new opportunities for youth, scientists, farmers and industry in the Union Territory and across north India. He was addressing a gathering during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu and the Jammu and Kashmir Science, Technology and Innovation Council for the operationalisation and management of the Industrial Biotech Park. Describing the project as another milestone in Kathua's development journey and a transformative initiative, the minister said J&K possesses immense strengths in biodiversity, medicinal and aromatic plants, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture and other bio-resources, which can be transformed into high-value products through scientific research, biotechnology and innovation. He said the IBP would provide a common platform where scientists, researchers, startups, entrepreneurs, industries and farmers can collaborate under one roof. Highlighting the transformation of India's innovation ecosystem under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh said the vision of the Government is to create job creators rather than job seekers. He referred to flagship initiatives such as Startup India and said India has witnessed an unprecedented startup revolution since 2014, with the number of recognised startups growing from only a few hundred to more than two lakh, reflecting a fundamental shift in the aspirations and entrepreneurial mindset of India's youth. Recalling the success of the CSIR Aroma Mission and the Purple Revolution, he said lavender cultivation has transformed the lives of farmers in J&K by converting traditional agriculture into profitable entrepreneurship. He noted that the success of lavender has demonstrated how scientific interventions, value addition and market linkages can generate employment, enhance farmers' incomes and establish sustainable bio-based enterprises. He said similar opportunities exist in medicinal plants, aromatic crops, floriculture and other biotechnology-based sectors. The Minister said the IBP should become a centre where innovative ideas are converted into successful enterprises. It will promote biotechnology startups, agri-entrepreneurship, technology incubation and commercialization while encouraging young innovators and researchers to develop solutions that directly address societal needs. Explaining the key ingredients of a successful innovation ecosystem, Singh said sustainable innovation rests on four essential pillarsideas from the young, experience from the elders, support from the Government and investment from industry. He said meaningful innovation can flourish only when these four components work together in harmony. Government will continue to provide enabling policies, infrastructure and institutional support, while scientific institutions will generate knowledge and technology, industry will commercialise innovations and young entrepreneurs will convert ideas into successful enterprises, he said. Describing the MoU as much more than a formal agreement, Singh said it represents the Government's commitment to an integrated and collaborative approach where scientific institutions, academia, industry and government departments work together rather than in isolation. The collaboration, he said, will strengthen research, accelerate technology transfer, promote entrepreneurship and create a vibrant biotechnology ecosystem in the region. Expressing confidence in the future of the project, Singh said the IBP will emerge as one of North India's leading centres for biotechnology innovation. It will strengthen research, promote commercialisation of indigenous technologies, encourage startup culture, create employment opportunities and contribute significantly to the knowledge-based economy of J&K, he said. Referring to Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Singh said J&K has the potential to become a major contributor to India's journey towards becoming a developed nation. He said the Union Territory's rich biodiversity, scientific institutions, skilled youth, medicinal and aromatic plant resources, and growing innovation ecosystem place it in a unique position to drive biotechnology-led growth and contribute significantly to the country's economic transformation. Earlier in his welcome address, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu, Dr Zabeer Ahmed, he apprised the Union Minister about the various milestones in the setting up of the Industrial Biotech Park and the future plan to meet the objectives of this high-end facility. He said the Park, established by CSIR-IIIM with support from the J&K Science & Technology Department and the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, is the first Industrial Biotech Park in North India.
2,200 stranded passengers availed 3 special trains amid highway closure in J&K
Jammu, Aug 1: The Northern Railway operated three special trains in J&K on Saturday and successfully transported around 2,200 passengers stranded due to the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway for over 24 hours, an official said. Jammu Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said two special trains operated between Budgam and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) Railway Station, Katra, in both directions, and one between Banihal and SMVD Railway Station to facilitate stranded passengers. As soon as we received information about NH-44 (Jammu-Srinagar national highway) being closed, Jammu Division immediately decided to operate special trains so that stranded passengers could get relief. Today, around 2,200 passengers availed these trains, he said. The 250-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was closed to vehicular traffic early Friday to facilitate restoration work after heavy rains last week caused extensive damage to road stretches near Samroli in Udhampur and Gangroo in Ramban districts. A railway spokesperson said the special train departed at 1 pm from Budgam and reached SMVD Katra around 4 pm with halts at Srinagar, Banihal, and Sangaldan stations. On the return journey, the train departed from Katra at 5.05 pm and will reach Budgam around 8.30 pm via Sangaldan, Banihal, and Srinagar. In addition, a one-way special train was also operated from Banihal to Katra. This train departed from Banihal at 4.30 pm and reached Katra at 6.30 pm, he said. The initiative provided much-needed relief to passengers affected by the highway closure, eased congestion at railway stations, offered an effective alternative mode of transport, and ensured timely assistance during the emergency, the spokesperson said.
Div Com Kashmir reviews progress on compassionate appointment cases, SVAMITA, AgriStack
Srinagar, Aug 01: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, today chaired a meeting of Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to review the progress of compassionate appointment cases, pending SVAMITA matters under MAPS 1.0, implementation of AgriStack, and the locking of Jamabandies across the Kashmir Division. During the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner conducted a district-wise review of the progress achieved under each initiative and emphasized the need for timely completion of all pending tasks. He directed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that the prescribed targets are achieved within the stipulated timelines through close monitoring and coordinated efforts. Reviewing the status of compassionate appointment cases, the Divisional Commissioner instructed the DCs to expedite the disposal of all pending cases in accordance with the established norms and procedures. The Divisional Commissioner also directed the Deputy Commissioners to furnish details of encroachments on public land and public spaces by religious structures within the next two days to facilitate further action. To prevent the dissemination of misinformation and fake news on social media platforms, the Divisional Commissioner instructed all Deputy Commissioners to ensure strict adherence by media channels & users to the advisories issued by the Information Department and take punitive action incase of noncompliance.
Ladakh LG approves new sports policy offering monthly scholarships, one-time cash incentives
Leh, Aug 1: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Saturday approved a new sports policy, describing it as a landmark and future-oriented framework aimed at ensuring financial security for young sportspersons while transforming the Union territory into a vibrant and self-sustaining sporting hub. For the first time, the sports policy provides for cash incentives and monthly scholarships to motivate sportspersons to excel at school, district, state, national and international levels. Guided by the motto scout, facilitate and recognise, the Ladakh Sports Policy 2026 policy seeks to enable talented youth to pursue sports as a viable career without financial constraints, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of promoting sports through initiatives such as 'Khelo India', Saxena said in a post on X. The highlight of the policy is the introduction of a comprehensive framework for financial support to outstanding sportspersons from Ladakh, an official spokesman said. Medal winners in recognised international, national and state-level competitions, including the National School Games and Khelo India Games, will receive monthly scholarships for 12 months, from the date of winning the medal, he said. The scholarship would motivate sportspersons to compete for higher-level sporting events, without worrying about expenses on nutritious diet or sports equipment, the spokesman said. Under this framework, international gold medallists will receive Rs 1 lakh per month, national gold medallists Rs 75,000 per month, and state-level gold medallists Rs 10,000 per month, with proportionate scholarships for silver and bronze winners for a period of 12 months, he said. The policy ensures that as the beneficiary athletes progress to higher levels, their scholarship is correspondingly upgraded. For instance, a sportsperson receiving Rs 10,000 per month for winning gold at the state level will become eligible for a higher scholarship upon securing a medal at the national or international level. Medal scholarships will be awarded for 12 months, from the date of winning the medal, the spokesman said. However, he said, if a sportsperson qualifies for a higher level, the scholarship will be automatically upgraded for a fresh one-year period, as per the higher scholarship slab, from the month he or she qualifies during the ongoing scholarship period. In such a case, the scholarship already paid to the sportsperson at a lower slab will not be recovered. The spokesman said the policy also provides one-time cash incentives, from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 1 crore, for medal winners at recognised international, national, state and school-level competitions. This incentive will be paid over and above the monthly scholarship, he said. The policy also introduces a one-time Rs 10 lakh cash award for mountaineering achievers from Ladakh who successfully summit peaks above 8,000 metres anywhere in the world, the spokesman said. Besides, the new policy also provides for special cash awards for outstanding performances in Paralympic Games, Para Asian Games, Para Commonwealth Games, national para sports championships, and events for visually impaired, hearing-impaired and Special Olympics athletes, the spokesman said. The policy has been finalised following threadbare discussions with all stakeholders for over two months under the leadership of Saxena, the spokesman said. In recent months, several sportspersons and their parents met Saxena, putting forth their inability to meet the expenses for further preparations and training due to financial constraints. Considering the requirements, the L-G directed the UT administration to formulate a comprehensive sports policy where medal winners start earning automatically, the spokesman said. The Ladakh Sports Policy 2026 is a long-term commitment to our youth for a vibrant sporting culture and an institutional support system to excel in sports. The policy not only seeks to identify talented athletes at the grassroots, but will also ensure that they receive sustained financial support, institutional backing and constant motivation to excel at every stage of their sporting career, Saxena said. Every medal won by a sportsperson from Ladakh is a matter of pride for the entire nation, he said. It is, therefore, the duty of the administration to support our talented youth, without the sportspersons and their families having to worry about the expenses. Through assured scholarships, cash incentives, modern infrastructure, scientific coaching and career opportunities, we are creating an ecosystem where talent is recognised, nurtured and rewarded without financial burdens on families, Saxena said.
Chhattisgarh govt declares Rs 20 lakh aid for kin of two workers killed in Kulgam terrorist attack
Raipur, Aug 1: The Chhattisgarh government on Saturday announced an ex gratia of Rs 20 lakh each for the families of two migrant workers from the state killed in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, officials said. Deepak Ratre, a resident of Sakti district, and Bhupendra Bhaina from Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district, both in their 20s, were gunned down at the brick kiln where they were employed in the Kelam area of south Kashmir's Kulgam district late on Friday evening. Condemning the attack, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said targeting innocent civilians is a crime against humanity and such acts of terror have no place in a civilised society. The Chhattisgarh government stands firmly with the bereaved families in this hour of grief, he said while announcing the financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased workers. Sai said he has directed senior state officials to coordinate with their counterparts in Jammu and Kashmir immediately after receiving information about the incident to ensure necessary assistance. He said a nodal officer will be appointed by the Chhattisgarh government to coordinate with the Jammu and Kashmir administration and oversee the process of extending all possible support to the affected families.
Kulgam terror attack: Deputy CM demands high-level probe, questions Centre's security narrative
Jammu, Aug 1: A day after two migrant labourers were killed in a terror attack in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday questioned the Centre's narrative on security in the Union Territory. Choudhary called into question the effectiveness of the security framework put in place ever since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, and demanded a high-level probe into the killing of innocents ever since the ruling National Conference staged a protest in New Delhi on July 20 seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, the deputy chief minister said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have become ired of condemning terror attacks and want an end to the more-than-three-decade-long militancy. Jammu and Kashmir has been battling militancy for the last 37 years. The Centre revoked the region's statehood, separated Ladakh, and abrogated Article 370 on the promise that terrorism would be eradicated. Six years later, if innocent people are still being killed, the Centre must explain whether its experiment has failed, he told reporters here. Choudhary said the recent killings -- of a policeman in Anantnag on July 22 and two migrant labourers in Kulgam on July 31 -- came in the wake of the National Conference's protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar demanding statehood restoration. We are compelled to point out that, just a few days ago, we held a protest at Jantar Mantar seeking statehood. It appears that someone, whether in Pakistan or elsewhere, is unhappy with the demand, he said, claiming that whenever the demand for statehood restoration gains momentum, a major terror incident takes place in Jammu and Kashmir, pushing the issue into the background. Choudhary said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah should set up a high-level committee to conduct a free and impartial investigation into the terror attacks to identify those responsible for disrupting peace in the region. He questioned repeated assertions by security agencies that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir had normalised. If militancy has been crushed, then where are these militants coming from? Why are these killings continuing? he asked. The deputy chief minister said the latest killings took place even as the security forces were on high alert in view of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra and the upcoming Independence Day. A probe is mandatory to fix responsibility. If Pakistan is behind these attacks, then the strongest possible action must be taken. A decisive response cannot be delayed indefinitely, he said, adding that the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve a credible assurance that such killings will not recur. Pointing out that BJP leaders have repeatedly spoken about reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, he urged the Centre to demonstrate the same resolve by translating its assertions into tangible action. Jammu and Kashmir's Jal Shakti Minister Javed Ahmed Rana also strongly condemned the killing of the two labourers in Kulgam and expressed solidarity with their families. It is very unfortunate that people who came here to earn their livelihood and contribute to Kashmir's development were killed. We deeply regret the incident, he said. However, he said, law and order is not under the jurisdiction of the Jammu and Kashmir government. Questions regarding the security lapse should be directed to the Home Ministry and the authorities responsible for maintaining law and order, as they are better placed to answer them. I strongly condemn this act. It is sheer barbarity. Killing unarmed and innocent persons is nothing less than the murder of humanity itself. It is a deeply tragic incident, Rana said. The minister appealed to the Central government to strengthen security measures and take effective steps to prevent innocent civilians from being targeted.
All schools closed across Kishtwar today amid inclement weather
Kishtwar, Aug 01: In view of the prevailing adverse weather conditions and incessant rainfall, the Kishtwar administration has ordered the closure of all Government and private schools across the district today as a precautionary measure, officials said on Saturday. The decision was taken following directions from the Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, amid slippery road conditions and the possibility of shooting stones, which pose a risk to the safety and well-being of students and staff. An official order issued by the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Kishtwar, said, In view of the prevailing adverse weather conditions across District Kishtwar, along with slippery road conditions and the possibility of shooting stones, posing a risk to the safety and well-being of students and staff, and in compliance with the directions of the Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, it is hereby ordered that all Government and Private Schools in District Kishtwar shall remain closed for today, i.e., 01-08-2026. However, to ensure that academic activities remain uninterrupted, the CEO directed all Heads of Institutions to conduct online classes through appropriate digital platforms and ensure their effective implementation.
Srinagar, Jul 31:Permission to build homes in urban areas across urban areas of Jammu and Kashmir will now cost Rs 80 per square metre, while permissions for mixed-use buildings will cost Rs 150 per square metre and those for commercial, public, semi-public, industrial, and other special category buildings Rs 270 per square metre, under a new uniform fee structure notified by the government. Religious buildings have been exempted from the building permission fee. The Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD) has notified the Uniform Building Permission Fee Schedule under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Unified Building Bye-Laws, 2021, vide Government Order No 157-JK(HUD) of 2026. The new fee schedule has come into force with immediate effect and will be applicable across all Urban Local Bodies and Development Authorities in J&K. The uniform fee structure replaces varying rates previously followed by different municipal corporations, municipal councils, municipal committees, and development authorities across J&K. In addition to the applicable building permission fee, applicants will have to pay a malba security of Rs 3000 for residential buildings and Rs 10,000 for all other categories. A compounding fee equivalent to 40 percent of the applicable building permission fee will also be levied over and above the normal permission fee. The new fee structure will apply uniformly to all municipal corporations, municipal councils, municipal committees, and development authorities across J&K. The notified rates will also be integrated into the Online Building Permission System (OBPS) and Auto-DCR to ensure uniform processing of building permission applications. According to the government, the decision has been taken to bring uniformity, transparency, and predictability to the building permission process and eliminate disparities in fee structures followed by different urban local bodies and development authorities. The government said the move is expected to simplify the building permission process and provide a more citizen-centric and business-friendly regulatory framework for urban development in Jammu and Kashmir.
J&K cabinet to meet on Aug 4 in Srinagar
Jammu, Jul 31:Amid speculations about its expansion or reshuffle, the J&K cabinet will meet on August 4, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, at 4 pm in the summer capital. Though the agenda of the meeting has not been circulated so far, it is anticipated to take calls on some major issues confronting the government, besides the routine administrative agenda, range of proposals and policy matters aimed at strengthening governance. The meeting, amid whispers of cabinet expansion or reshuffle hinted by none other than the Chief Minister himself, has generated an element of curiosity more so as opaqueness persisted vis-a-vis its agenda. Prior to the National Conferences much-hyped statehood protest at Jantar Mantar in the union capital on July 20, CM Omar in an interview with a local news channel had indicated that the much-awaited cabinet expansion cum reshuffle could take effect either before the protest (July 20) or immediately after it. Protest happened yet expansion was still awaited hence leading to a swarm of speculations. With regard to the cabinet meeting, it is being presumed that it may also deliberate upon the governments next move vis--vis the pending file relating to J&K business rules. On July 27, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had stated that the clearance of the file was awaited and in case of further delay, the matter would be taken up with the Centre with the request to expedite the process. During its last meeting on June 23, the J&K cabinet had approved the draft reply of the Social Welfare Department (SWD), to the clarifications sought by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to the CSC reservation report. Following the cabinets clearance, the SWD reply, prepared in consultation with the Law Department, was sent back to the MHA, routed through the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Earlier, the MHA had raised certain queries about the Cabinet Sub Committee (CSC) report cleared by the J&K cabinet, reportedly proposing cuts in reservation for RBA and EWS categories. On December 4, 2025, the UT Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had approved the reservation report prepared by a three-member Cabinet sub-committee led by Minister Sakina Itoo. The MHA had queried about the basis of proposed cuts i.e., from 10 percent to 7 percent in the category of Residents of Backward Areas (RBA) and from 10 percent to 3 percent in Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category. SWD reply, as per sources, had defended the proposed cut in CSC report vis--vis RBA category on the ground that the areas of Ladakh, separated from J&K, have been excluded from RBA category, thus slashing the reservation percentage under it. The government justified the RBA cut by noting that several areas entitled under it were already covered under other categories of reservation. The government had defended slashing of EWS reservation on the pretext that their (EWS) population in Jammu and Kashmir is smaller compared to other states.
Hamas agrees to Gaza disarmament plan as Trump announces breakthrough
New Delhi, Jul 31:US President Donald Trump announced that the Board of Peace has reached an agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, with a senior Hamas official confirming that the group has accepted the plan. According to Trump, Israeli forces will withdraw from the Gaza Strip as the disarmament process is completed. However, Israel has not yet issued an official response to the proposal. The agreement, brokered with the help of mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, envisages a phased disarmament process that will be independently monitored, US and Board of Peace officials told reporters. Officials said an Implementation Verification Committee will oversee compliance, providing third-party monitoring as neither Hamas nor Israel can independently verify the other's actions. They cautioned that dismantling Hamas' military infrastructure - including its weapons depots, and production facilities - could take considerable time. According to the plan outlined by officials, Hamas police in Gaza would first surrender their weapons to transitional authorities. This would be followed by the decommissioning of heavy weapons, closure of tunnels and military facilities, and the disbanding of fighters operating them. In the final phase, all personal weapons in Gaza, including those held by militias and clans, would be addressed under Palestinian law. While some negotiators have described the agreement as a significant breakthrough, officials acknowledged that considerable caution and scepticism remain on all sides. Meanwhile, Egypt's state-linked Al-Qahera News reported that Cairo will soon host a meeting of mediators from Egypt, the United States, Qatar, and Turkey to confirm all parties' commitment to implementing the agreement. The date of the meeting has not yet been announced, according to the report.
Kashmir's apple economy at risk as fruit-laden trucks face delays
Srinagar, Jul 31:With the harvesting of early apple varieties gaining momentum, Kashmir's horticulture sector has voiced growing concern over repeated disruptions on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, urging the administration to ensure uninterrupted movement of fruit-laden trucks to markets across the country. Growers and traders said recurring traffic interruptions caused by landslides, flash floods, shooting stones, road maintenance, and restrictions associated with the ongoing Amarnath Yatra have begun affecting the transportation of fresh produce, raising fears of financial losses during the crucial marketing season. Kashmir's apple industry, which supports lakhs of families and contributes close to Rs 12,000 crore annually to J&K's economy, depends almost entirely on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for transporting fruit to wholesale markets in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and other parts of the country. Stakeholders said any delay on the highway directly affects the quality and market value of the produce, particularly early-season varieties like Gala apples and plums, which have a relatively short shelf life. President of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Union, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, said growers were anxious as fruit dispatches had coincided with weather-related disruptions and traffic regulation on the highway. We appeal to the administration to treat fruit-laden trucks as a priority. Perishable produce cannot remain stranded for long, and every delay translates into losses for growers. We also hope the authorities will restore traffic quickly whenever the highway is affected by adverse weather, he said. Basheer said transporters have also been affected by traffic management measures in place during the annual Amarnath Yatra. Acknowledging the importance of the yatra, he appealed to the authorities to devise a mechanism that allows fruit trucks to move without prolonged waiting periods. The harvesting of Gala apples and plums has already begun, and buyers from outside J&K expect timely deliveries. We have started receiving complaints about delayed consignments. This can affect both our reputation and the prices growers receive, he said. According to the union, nearly 100 to 120 trucks loaded with fruit leave Kashmir every day during the present harvesting phase. Growers believe this volume can be managed efficiently if dedicated time slots or priority movement are provided for vehicles carrying perishable goods. Although the administration has advised transporters to use the Mughal Road whenever the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway faces disruption, traders said the alternative route is not suitable for large-scale fruit transportation. Javed Ahmad, a fruit trader from Sopore, said infrastructure limitations make the road an impractical option for most transporters. The Mughal Road is still not equipped to handle the majority of trucks used for transporting apples. Most consignments move in 12-tyre and 16-tyre trucks, whereas the alternative route is better suited for smaller vehicles. Transporters are therefore reluctant to take that route, he said. Traders also pointed out that repeated traffic restrictions during the harvest season create uncertainty in the supply chain. They said while temporary closures for emergency repairs may sometimes be unavoidable, advance planning and better coordination could minimise disruption to the horticulture sector. The issue has also drawn the attention of political leaders, who have urged the administration to strike a balance between facilitating the Amarnath Yatra, undertaking highway maintenance and protecting the interests of the Valley's horticulture industry. Growers have called for the creation of a dedicated corridor or priority passage for fruit-laden trucks until the harvesting season concludes. They also sought better coordination between traffic authorities, highway agencies, and district administrations to provide real-time updates on road conditions so that transporters can plan their journeys accordingly.
Moderate to heavy rains lash parts of Jammu division
Jammu, Jul 31:Moderate to heavy rains, in consonance with the met forecast, lashed parts of Jammu division on Friday and as per weathermans prediction, a similar pattern of weather activity was likely to continue till August 4. Most of the parts of Jammu division are likely to experience light to moderate rains during the next three-four days while some isolated places like Batote, Doda, some other parts of Chenab valley, Katra and higher reaches of Reasi may witness intense, heavy rainfall, stated Dr Mahender Singh, Chief Scientist and In-charge Agrometeorology, SKUAST-Jammu. He pointed out that the heavy to normal rainfall in the month of July had ended the deficit spell in Jammu division with many of its districts recording surplus precipitation. In terms of monsoon, June witnessed rain deficit. But July month has been very good across the Jammu division. Spells of heavy showers during the past two weeks or so have erased the rainfall deficit across the division and put the majority of districts particularly Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Ramban in excess precipitation category. Exceptions are Samba and Kathua districts, which are almost in normal category, said Dr Singh shared. As per India Meteorological Department (IMD), Udhampur recorded 32 mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours followed by Jammu with 27.1 mm of rainfall; Katra 7.8 mm; Kathua 6.8 mm; Bhaderwah 2.3 mm; Jammu airport 0.6 mm; Banihal 0.5 mm and Batote 0.3 mm of rainfall. Parts of Rajouri, Poonch too received moderate to heavy rainfall briefly. The Met department has predicted that in the next three to four days, the maximum temperature in Jammu will swing between 33 to 35 degrees Celsius, followed by hot and humid weather conditions. The divisional administration, however, continues to be in alert mode in the wake of forecast of heavy rains and consequent high chances of cloudburst-induced flash floods, mud and landslides in isolated upper catchment areas. The weatherman has predicted fresh spells of late night and early morning heavy showers in Rajouri, Poonch, Chenab valley sub region, Jammu, Reasi and Udhampur. The met departments caution that although prolonged rainfall is not expected, there remains a very high risk of flash floods due to intense localised downpours and isolated cloudburst events cannot be ruled out, with the possibility of landslides and shooting stones in vulnerable hilly areas also remains in place.
Amaranth Yatra suspended from Baltal route
Ganderbal, Jul 31:The Amarnath Yatra was suspended on the Baltal route on Friday due to inclement weather and ongoing repair work on the track, officials said. No yatris were permitted to proceed towards the Amarnath Cave shrine from Baltal as heavy rain affected the area and repair work continued along the route. The authorities used public address system to announce the suspension of yatra for the day due to bad weather and safety of the yatris. The yatra had already been suspended on the Pahalgam route to facilitate necessary repairs. Heavy rainfall lashed Baltal on Thursday night, triggering a minor flash flood at one location. Officials said there was no loss of life or damage to property. The annual Amarnath Yatra began on July 3, and around 4.5 lakh devotees have so far visited the Amarnath Cave shrine, which houses the naturally-formed ice lingam is located.
Bandipora cloudburst triggers flash flooding
Bandipora, Jul 31:Heavy rains triggered by a cloudburst in Saderkoot Bala village of north Kashmir's Bandipora district on Friday created panic after floodwaters inundated roads, entered house lawns, and seeped into shops and a school. Locals said heavy rain began early morning, accompanied by roaring lightning and thunderstorms. As the heavy spell of rain continued for more than an hour, streams overflowed into residential areas. Eyewitnesses said the heavy rain also triggered mudslides on nearby hills, with muck and debris washing into the village. Locals said the incessant rain caused the water level in the Astaan Nallah to rise as massive amounts of debris and muck washed down from the hills, blocking its flow. As the streams overflowed, floodwaters entered lawns and inundated the main road and a Government Primary School in Malpora, Saderkoot, forcing its closure. The flash floods wreaked havoc in the village, said local Shafat Nabi. He said the six-foot-deep stream overflowed, causing panic among residents. Locals said the administration was not seen on the ground even hours after the flash flooding. There were rocks and debris scattered all over, but no one seemed to take any heed, locals said. However, JCB machines were later rushed to clear debris from the main road, which remained open but witnessed disruption to commuter movement. The locals demanded repairs to the school and urged the government to take measures, including dredging the Astaan Nallah and upgrading the drainage system so that floodwaters can be safely diverted. They also demanded the construction of retaining walls and other measures to prevent future tragedies caused by flash floods and mudslides from the surrounding hills.
Srinagar-Jammu NH remains closed amid highway repair
Ramban, Jul 31: Vehicular traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained completely suspended between Udhampur and Banihal on Friday to facilitate major road repair, widening, and slope-stabilisation works being undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at vulnerable stretches damaged during the ongoing monsoon. Heavy earthmoving machinery was pressed into service at the Dewal-Samroli stretch in Udhampur district and the Gangroo area near Ramsu in Ramban district to expedite restoration works. Senior engineers of NHAI, along with Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police (National Highway), Ramban, Raja Adil Hamid, monitored the repair and maintenance operations at both locations throughout the day. The closure, enforced on the directions of the Traffic Police Headquarters, Jammu, and Kashmir, was aimed at ensuring the safety of commuters while NHAI carried out extensive restoration works simultaneously at the two vulnerable stretches. Officials said the scheduled Amarnath Yatra convoy was allowed to pass through the highway on Friday morning, after which repair and maintenance work commenced. However, operations at the Dewal-Samroli stretch were briefly disrupted due to a fresh spell of rain before resuming later in the day. Traffic movement on the highway had already been restricted from Thursday evening. Authorities did not allow any vehicle to proceed beyond Nagrota in Jammu towards Srinagar, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Patnitop, and other destinations after 10 pm on Thursday. Similarly, no vehicle was permitted to move beyond Qazigund towards Ramban, Udhampur, and Jammu after the stipulated time. The complete suspension of traffic caused inconvenience to hundreds of commuters and transporters travelling between Kashmir and Jammu divisions, with the highway remaining closed throughout Friday. According to the Traffic Police, restoration work continued till late Friday evening, and the highway remained closed for all categories of vehicles between Jakheni in Udhampur district and Gangroo near Banihal in Ramban district. Restoration work is still in progress on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway between Jakheni and Gangroo. The highway remains closed for all types of traffic as per the advisory issued on Thursday. Commuters are advised not to undertake travel until the road is declared fit for traffic, the Traffic Police said in its evening advisory. The Traffic Police also appealed to the public not to pay heed to rumours regarding the reopening of the highway and advised commuters to verify the road status through the official Traffic Police social media platforms and the Traffic Control Units (TCUs) at Jammu, Ramban, and Srinagar before planning their journey. The closure was ordered following persistent rainfall over the past several days, which triggered landslides, mudslides, shooting stones, and extensive damage to several stretches of the highway, particularly in Udhampur and Ramban districts, severely affecting traffic movement. Earlier, the Traffic Police Headquarters had approved NHAI's request to undertake urgent restoration and safety works. The District Magistrates of Udhampur and Ramban granted permission for widening the hill-side carriageway at Ladha and Samroli, besides removing loose overhanging debris at Gangroo and Kishtwari Pather on the Udhampur-Banihal stretch of the highway. Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police National Highway, Ramban, Raja Adil Hamid, said the decision to suspend traffic was taken in the interest of public safety as the damaged stretches required immediate repair and stabilisation. He said that the recent spell of heavy rainfall had rendered several portions of the highway vulnerable, making urgent maintenance essential to ensure safe and smooth traffic movement. The Srinagar Jammu National Highway has witnessed repeated disruptions since mid-July due to incessant rains, landslides, and shooting stones, particularly along the Dewal-Samroli stretch in Udhampur district and the Gangroo area near Ramsu in Ramban district. Despite round-the-clock efforts by NHAI and allied agencies, intermittent rainfall has continued to hamper restoration operations. Officials said debris clearance and road repair work was still in progress at Gangroo and Dewal-Samroli. Every effort was being put in to complete the scheduled restoration works at both locations, and if weather conditions remain favourable, the highway is likely to be reopened for traffic on Saturday after completion of the repair and maintenance works. The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remains highly vulnerable during the monsoon season, necessitating continuous repair, slope-stabilisation, and safety measures to ensure safe and uninterrupted movement of traffic. Meanwhile, Project Director NHAI, Project Installation Unit (PIU) Ramban, Shubham Yadav who is monitoring road restoration work at Dewal Udhampur said the scheduled work would be completed by late Friday night.
Army must be ready to tackle asymmetric warfare: LG Sinha
Srinagar, Jul 31:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said that the Army must be ready to tackle asymmetric warfare challenges. Interacting with the officers attending Higher Command Course 55 at Army War College, Mhow, LG Sinha in his address to the officers and faculty members of Army War College at Lok Bhavan said, Our forces must be ready to tackle the challenges of asymmetric warfare. He said the strategic value of data analysis and algorithmic precision was as important as conventional kinetic operations today. Strong action has been taken with surgical firmness against the terror ecosystem and the conflict entrepreneurs who were working to keep terrorism alive in J&K, the LG said. He said that the systematic infiltration of terrorist sympathisers into government machinery over the past 30 years was decisively dismantled, delivering an unambiguous message of zero tolerance to terror. Public money will no longer sustain those quietly subverting the nation from within, LG Sinha said. He highlighted the pressing geo-political and geo-strategic challenges of the present era, along with a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy anchored in a whole of government approach aimed at dismantling the terror networks. The LG said the transformation in J&K over past 6 years, was the result of a sustained commitment to rebuilding trust, enabling citizens to lead lives of their own choosing, and restoring the dignity that had long been overshadowed by instability. I have consistently emphasised that governance cannot be managed from a distance. Effective administration must reach out to every household in the most remote village and serve the most marginalised citizen, with unwavering dedication and responsibility, he said. Commandant Army War College Lt Gen Ajay Chandpuria, faculty members, and senior Army officers were present on the occasion.
Migrant worker killed in Kulgam brick kiln terror attack
Srinagar, Jul 31:One migrant worker was killed and another critically injured in a hit and run terrorist attack at a brick kiln in the Kellam area of Kulgam district in south Kashmir on Friday evening. Official sources said unidentified terrorists targeted two non-local labourers who were present at the site.nBoth victims were immediately evacuated to a nearby medical facility. One of them later succumbed to his injuries despite medical intervention, while the second remains in critical condition and is undergoing surgery at Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag.The deceased has been identified as Deepak Ratray, son of Umah Shankar Ratray, a 24-year-old resident of Chhattisgarh. The injured worker is Bhupendra, son of Dasrath, aged about 28 years and also from Chhattisgarh.Police confirmed that the victims were working at a brick kiln in the locality. The attackers fled the scene immediately after the shooting.They have been shot from point blank range.The terrorists fled taking advantage of darkness. One died and another is being treated for his injuries, IGP Kashmir V K Birdi told Greater Kashmir. Security forces rushed to the area soon after the incident, cordoned off the surroundings and launched a search operation to track down those responsible. Officials said further investigation is underway to establish the circumstances of the attack and identify the perpetrators.The Kellam attack comes close on the heels of the recent killing of a police constable in neighbouring Anantnag district.Targeted attacks on non-local migrant workers increased after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. These attacks often occurred in south Kashmir and occasionally in central Kashmir or Srinagar areas.Victims were typically soft targets at workplaces, rented rooms, or while travelling. Thousands of migrant workers continue to come to Kashmir seasonally, especially March-November, despite risks.Incidents have periodically caused temporary flight or heightened security measures. Overall terror-related fatalities in J&K declined significantly post-2019 compared to earlier peaks, but targeted killings including non-locals, minorities, and soft targets, remained a persistent tactic of terrorists. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha strongly condemned the brutal terror attack on labourers in Kulgam. The LG spoke with the Director General of Police and top security officials. He directed the security forces to step up their operations and eliminate the terrorists.
