Jammu & kashmir

SIA arrests narco-terror operative evading arrest for 4 years

Srinagar, Aug 17: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmirhasarrested an absconding narco-terror operative who had been evading arrest for nearly four years,in amajor breakthrough aimed at dismantling the narco-terror financing network operating in Jammu and Kashmir. Manoj Kumar Bhat @ Pintu,a resident of Rehari Colony, Bakshi Nagar, Jammu, was arrested in a special operation conducted in Jammu. He is wanted in connection with FIR No. 13/2022 registered by SIA Kashmir on June 3, 2022, concerning the smuggling of narcotics from across the Line of Control (LoC) and the alleged channelisation of proceeds from their saletowardsfinancing terrorist activities, the SIA said in a statement issued here. The probe agency said the arrest is an important development inthe investigation ofa wider narco-terror conspiracy allegedly backed by Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir-based operatives of the banned terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen. The investigation has revealed a sinister nexus in which narcotics are trafficked into J&K, distributed through an established network, and the proceeds generated are subsequently pumped into activities intended to sustain and further the terrorist ecosystem, it said. Bhatwas evading arrest for almost four years since the registration of the case, theSIAsaid, adding that his apprehension is the result ofsustained and strenuous efforts by SIA Kashmir, involving continuous technical surveillance, human intelligence and coordinated investigative measures. The accusedis alleged to haveplayed a role in facilitating the sale and distribution network of narcotics in the Jammu division, thereby contributing to the financial pipeline of the larger narco-terror network. The investigationhasalso established linkages with Pakistan/PoK-based terrorist handlers, including Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo @ Kandoo of Sopore and Manzoor Ahmad Khan of Baramulla, who allegedly arranged and facilitated the trafficking of narcotics from PoK. The case was initially registered following the recovery of 1 kg of heroin from Zeeshan Ahmad Sofi and Waseem Ahmad Khan at Nowpora, Sopore. Subsequent investigation resulted in the recovery of 7 kg of poppy straw and 4 kg of poppy seeds.Earlier, 15 grams of heroin had also been recovered from Bhat's residential premises by SIA.One motorcycle and electronic gadgets have also been seized and are presently under forensic examination. SIA Kashmir has filed multiple charge-sheets against six accused persons in the case. The investigationhasfurther revealed the involvement of a broader network associated with Hizbul Mujahideen and its Pakistan/PoK-based handlers. Notably, SIA Kashmirhasalso secured an Interpol Red Corner Notice against terrorist handler and narco-terror kingpin Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo in a separate terror-related case, reflecting the Agency's sustained efforts to pursue Pakistan-based handlers and other fugitives. The latest arrest is expected to assist the investigating agency in unravelling further layers of the conspiracy, identifying additional linkages, tracing the financial trail and establishing the complete chain connecting narcotics trafficking with terror financing. SIA Kashmir reiterated its resolve to continue its relentless campaign against the terror ecosystem, its facilitators and financiers.

Amarnath Yatra 2026 : Baltal base camp records zero food safety violations

Srinagar, Aug 17: The Food Safety Department has recorded zero non-conforming food samples during the 2026 Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra at the Baltal base camp, with officials testing 576 samples as part of the SANJAY-2026 food safety exercise. According to the departments consolidated figures, all 576 samples tested during the Yatra were found to be conforming to prescribed food safety standards, with no non-conforming sample detected. The department conducted an intensive surveillance and inspection drive covering langars and food establishments catering to pilgrims. A total of 354 langar inspections were carried out, including repeated inspections of the same langars to ensure continued compliance with food safety and hygiene norms. The department also focused on awareness and capacity-building among food handlers and other stakeholders. 142 awareness programmes were conducted, benefiting 1,225 participants, while 103 training programmes were organised for 858 participants. As part of the regulatory exercise, the department also issued 67 registrations to food-related establishments/operators associated with the Yatra. The extensive exercise was aimed at ensuring that pilgrims visiting the Baltal base camp were provided safe and hygienic food during the pilgrimage. Officials monitored food preparation, handling and serving practices through regular inspections and sampling. The departments approach combined enforcement with preventive measures, including repeated inspections, awareness programmes and training sessions for those directly involved in food preparation and distribution. With thousands of pilgrims relying on langars and other food facilities during the Yatra, maintaining food safety at the base camp remains a critical component of the overall pilgrimage arrangements. The 2026 figures highlight the scale of the operation undertaken by the department576 samples tested with zero non-conforming results, 354 langars inspected, 142 awareness programmes conducted, 1,225 participants covered, 103 training programmes organised, 858 participants trained and 60 registrations issued.

Only 11.5% of J&Ks 24,228 schools have smart classrooms

Srinagar, Aug 17: Rural Jammu and Kashmir is leading the Union Territorys smart classroom expansion, but the overall reach of digital infrastructure remains limited, with only 2,783 of 24,228 operational government-run schools equipped with smart classrooms. The data shows that 2,422 rural schools have the smart classroom facility compared to 361 urban schools, while 7,890 teachers were trained in digital pedagogy, digital teaching methodology and use of technology during 2025-26. Computer facilities are available in 6,203schools, or around 25.6 per cent, while 8,550 schools, accounting for about 35.3 per cent,have internet connectivity, according todetails accessed by Rising Kashmir. The rural-urban divide is particularly notable. Of the 2,783 schools with smart classrooms, 361 are in urban areas and 2,422 in rural areas. Computer facilities are available in 644 urban and 5,559 rural schools, while internet connectivity is available in 577 urban and 7,973 rural schools. The figures assume significance as Jammu and Kashmir has been pursuing digital transformation in school education, including the expansion of ICT labs and smart classrooms. The Union Ministry of Education prioritises 100% internet connectivity in secondary and senior secondary schools to bridge the digital divide and support modern learning. The data on teacher training, however, shows some improvement after a sharp decline. As many as 97,141 teachers in J&K were trained in digital pedagogy, digital teaching methodology and use of technology in 2020-21, followed by 84,882 in 2021-22. The number fell to 1,483 in 2022-23 and 401 in 2023-24. Training numbers subsequently increased to 6,443 in 2024-25 and 7,890 in 2025-26. The figures indicate that while efforts to strengthen teachers digital skills have resumed, infrastructure remains a major challenge. A recent NCERT-published study on rural schools in Jammu Division also identified inadequate ICT infrastructure, internet connectivity problems and limited teacher training as key barriers to technology adoption. The Jammu & Kashmir government has planned further expansion of digital infrastructure, including ICT labs and smart classrooms, under its education initiatives. The gap highlights the need to ensure that expansion of digital teaching is matched by reliable internet, computers and smart classroom facilities, particularly in schools serving remote and rural communities.

Khoja Digar: A prayer that brings generations together

Srinagar, Aug 17: Thousands of devotees gathered at the Hazrat Naqshband Sahib (RA) Shrine in Khwaja Bazar area of Old Citys Nowhatta locality here on Monday afternoon to offer the annual Khoja Digar, filling the historic Shehr-e-Khaas with an atmosphere of faith and devotion. In the congested roads,the trafficwas suspended for hours to ensure smooth prayers in the old city as the people from different walks of life flooded the Shrineas well asthe roads to offer the special prayers. The men, womenand children from across the Valley thronged the Shrine,who spreadtheir prayer mats andwaitedpatiently to participate in the centuries-old ritual. The sermon started at 4:00 pm while the congregational Asr prayers were offered at 5:30 pm at the historic Astaani Aaliya. Manyof the devotees, who were seen offering prayers on this day,have never missed the special prayers on the occasion. Abdul Raheem Dar, who hails from the Beerwah area of Budgam district, said he has never missed the 'Khoja Digar at the shrine. Sharing his childhood memories, Raheem said his father used to bring him to the shrine decades ago. My father and Ihavejoined the prayersfor years together.But since he left this world in 2010, I have been visiting the shrine all alone to rejuvenate my childhood memories and pray for my deceased father on this occasion especially, Dar said. He added that this occasion not only brings back his childhood memories but also gives him peace by joining thousands of people to offer the prayers. Like him, hundreds of devotees from different parts of life always join the Muslim community here at the Shrine to offer the special prayers. Similarly, dozens of street vendors had opened their temporary shops to sell local food and delicacies like Halwa-Paratha, Mounje Goole, Pakoras and otherthings.Theseadded tothe charm on the roadsalongthe Shrine. Meanwhile, the administration had made adequate arrangements for the prayers. The traffic diversion was planned, and tight security arrangements were put in place to ensure the special prayers were offered peacefully.

Raabita: CM meets tourism, trade, labour delegations

Srinagar, Aug 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday met several delegations and individuals at Raabita here and discussed a range of issues concerning public welfare, tourism, sports, labour, trade and industry in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Minister met emerging professional MMA fighter from Pulwama, Owais Yaqoob, and congratulated him on his achievements inthe field ofmixed martial arts. He felicitated Yaqoob with a cash award of Rs 1 lakh in recognition of his impressive performances on the international stage. Yaqoob recently secured a first-round TKO victory over Bulgaria's Delian Georgiev. Earlier, the Chief Minister met MLA Beerwah Dr Shafi Ahmad Wani, who apprised him of various matters concerning his constituency. A delegation from the constituency also accompanied the Legislator during the meeting. A delegation of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK), led by its Secretary General Sajad Ahmad Kralyari, called on the CM and discussed various issues concerning the tourism sector. The Chief Minister also met a delegation of the Kashmir Labour Union's Federation, led by its President Mohammad Ashraf Ganai. The delegation apprised him of its concerns and suggestions regarding the Draft Code on Social Security (Jammu and Kashmir) Rules, 2026. Senior Vice President of the Bari Brahmana Industrial Association, Tarun Singla, also called on the Chief Minister and discussed various issues related to trade and industry in Jammu and Kashmir. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani were also present on the occasion. The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to the delegations and individuals and assured them that their genuine concerns would be examined and addressed on priority.

LG Sinha flags off Budha Amarnath Ji Yatra

Jammu, Aug 17: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday flagged off the first batch of devotees for the holy Shri Budha Amarnath Ji Yatra from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, marking the commencement of the annual spiritual journey. Extending warm wishes to all pilgrims for a safe and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage, the LG said the sacred journey to Baba Budha Amarnath's abode is a deeply enlightening experience that brings profound transformation and reveals life's deepest truths to every devotee. The sacred journey to Baba Budha Amarnath's abode is a deeply enlightening experience.Ifirmly believe this pilgrimage brings profound transformation and reveals life's deepest truths to every devotee, the LG said. The Lieutenant Governor expressed deep appreciation to the Baba Amarnath and Budha Amarnath Yatri Nyas, along with the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, local authorities, langar organisations and civil society groups for their meticulous coordination and comprehensive arrangements ensuring the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage and the Budha Amarnath Ji Mela. A large gathering of eminent spiritual leaders, religious heads, public representatives, senior civil and police administrators, security officials, prominent citizens, and enthusiastic devotees attended the flag-off ceremony.

Dialogue is bridge between hearts: LG Sinha

Pulwama, Aug 17: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday called for institutionalising regular interfaith dialogues in schools, colleges, and community centres, as he outlined a six-point roadmap for fostering communal harmony and preserving India's shared heritage. Addressing the Mulaqat programme organised by the Save Youth Save Future Foundation here, the LG said dialogue is not merely an exchange of words but a bridge between hearts, a means of nurturing trust and a path to peace and prosperity. Quoting ancient wisdom from the Rig VedaSangachchhadhwam Samvadadhwam, Sam Vo Manamsi Janatam he LG reminded the gathering that walking together, conversing together and making space for one another in our hearts is the essence of India's civilisational ethos. Mutual trust and respect for all faiths and beliefs was an integral part of our way of life. The civilisation of our beloved Bharat gave us a profoundly beautiful message 6,000 years ago to walk together, converse together and make space for one another in our hearts, he said. Sinha said that India's soil has welcomed faiths, cultures, and traditions from across the world, weaving them into the fabric of the country. He said this confluence of traditions is visible today in the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakamthe world is one familyand in the ethos of Kashmiriyat, which teaches that true identity lies in conduct and humanity, not in labels of faith or community. Such initiatives need to be expanded on a much broader scale. I believe that another meaning of true peace is that it begins when we start understanding one another. From that perspective, our gathering here is not merely a social meeting. The true meaning of Mulaqat is to listen to one another, understand one another, respect one another and, wherever there is distance between hearts, take the first step towards dialogue, the LG said. The Lieutenant Governoroutlined a six-point roadmap: institutionalising regular interfaith dialogues in educational institutions and community centres; appointing Youth Peace Ambassadors to lead cultural exchange, community service, and environmental protection initiatives; preserving historical and cultural sites as common heritage; promoting digital literacy to counter misinformation; ensuring social justice and equal opportunities through impartial systems delivering education, employment, healthcare, and justice; and constituting Village Peace Committees representing all sections of society to strengthen compassion, humanity and development. It is the collective responsibility of the public and the administration to ensure that youth receive an education that teaches them to ask questions, access to technology that guides them towards progress, and the character that inspires patriotism and nation-building, he said. The LG stressed that while governments can make laws and administrations can provide systems, true harmony is built by the people themselves. He called upon administrative officers to ensure the safety of citizens, equal opportunities in development and proper implementation of welfare schemes. Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor flagged off the Tiranga Yatra from Sports Stadium, Pulwama, and commended the people of Pulwama for their enthusiastic participation in the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' and other national integration programmes. The event was attended by DIG South Kashmir Range Javaid Iqbal Matoo, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Dr Basharat Qayoom, SSP Pulwama Tanushree, Save Youth Save Future Foundation Chairman Wajahat Farooq Bhat, and other senior officials, civil society members, prominent citizens, and a large number of youth.

Modi govt dismantled ISI-backed terror network ahead of I-Day: HM

New Delhi, Aug 17: In a major multi-state crackdown ahead of Independence Day, security agencies have dismantled the ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN), arresting more than 200 operatives and thwarting its plans for subversive attacks across the country, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday. In a post on X, Shah said 253 people were detained across 14 states on August 12 as part of the government's 'zero tolerance' policy towards cross-border terrorism. Over 80 FIRs and more than 200 arrests have been recorded against the Pakistan-based terror syndicate, which was linked to grenade, IED and petrol bomb attacks and targeted killings across India. Modi govt destroyed the ISI-backed terror group Shahzad Bhatti Network ahead of Independence Day and thwarted its plans for subversive attacks by arresting more than 200 operatives. Indian security forces ripped apart the network by launching coordinated operations across different locations in 14 states upholding a brilliant example of India's zero-tolerance towards terrorism, Shah said. The Home Minister said substantial recoveries, including IEDs, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live cartridges, and CCTV cameras used for espionage, were made from the ISI-funded group. The coordinated multi-state operation was carried out on August 12 using a real-time intelligence-sharing system with State Police forces. It led to 253 detentions across 14 states Uttar Pradesh (62), Haryana (52), Delhi (51), Punjab (44), Rajasthan (15), Maharashtra (8), Uttarakhand (5), Karnataka, Gujarat and Bihar (3 each), and Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Kerala (2 each) with fresh FIRs registered in Delhi and Karnataka. The SBN network has been paying local conduits to recce police, defence and religious sites, and to install CCTV cameras for espionage. Cumulatively, over 80 FIRs and 200+ arrests have been recorded against SBN under UAPA, BNS, the Arms Act, NDPS Act and Explosive Substances Act. Security agencies reaffirmed the Government of India's zero tolerance for cross-border terror and said coordinated action would continue to dismantle SBN's networks nationwide.

Unplanned dev, slope cutting fuel cloudburst crisis in Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal

Srinagar, Aug 17: Unplanned development, indiscriminate slope cutting, and changes in land use are emerging as major factors exacerbating the impact of extreme weather in the Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal areas of the Jammu region, where nearly 35 cloudburst and flash-flood incidents have been recorded since June 1. Almost 35 people have died in extreme weatherconditions inJammu region alone. Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley have historically been vulnerable to cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides because of their steep slopes, narrow valleys, and complex terrain. Environmentalists and weather experts believe that growing human intervention has significantly increased the exposure of settlements and infrastructure tosuchhazards. Independent weatherman Faizan Arif said the Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal had not suddenly become vulnerable, but the level of exposure had increased considerably. These regions have always been naturally prone to extreme weather because of their rugged terrain, steep slopes, narrow valleys and complex topography. What has changed considerably over the past few decades is our exposure to these hazards, Arif said. He added, Rapid, and in many places unplanned construction, development along rivers and streams, road widening, cutting of mountain slopes, changes in land use and encroachment into naturally vulnerable areas have disturbed the landscapes ability to cope with intense rainfall. An extreme rainfall event that may have caused limited damage in the past can now have much greater consequences because there are more roads, buildings, settlements and infrastructure in vulnerable locations, he added. Arif said mountains have come underpressure whileslope-cutting constructions have weakened the natural defences. He said the unusually high number of incidents this year should not simply be attributed to a sudden increase in cloudbursts. What we have clearly seen this year is an unusual frequency of weather spells and intense rainfall events, which has contributed to more flash floods and landslides, he said. The weatherman said relatively frequent Western Disturbances,availability of moistureand interaction with monsoonal moisturehadcontributed to favourable conditions for intense rainfall over the Himalayan region. The complex terrain forces moisture-laden air to rise, and when atmospheric instability and other favourable conditions are present, this can produce very intense, localised convection and rainfall, he said. Climate expert Dr Touseef Ahmad Bhat, popularly known as the Tree Man of Kashmir, said the vulnerability of the mountain regions was being compounded by the weakening of natural ecological buffers. The problem is not rainfall alone. It is what happens when intense rainfall meets a landscape whose natural resilience has been compromised, Bhat said. Forests, vegetation and natural drainage systems helped regulate the movement of water, but their disturbance could rapidly increase runoff and slope instability. He added: We cannot treat the Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal like plains. Development has to respect the carrying capacity of the mountains. Senior environmentalist Dr Tanveer Ahmad Khan said the region was facing multiple pressures simultaneously. Extreme rainfall is only one part of the problem. Deforestation, road construction, slope cutting, unplanned settlements and pressure on natural water channels are weakening the ecological buffer of the mountains, he said. Khansaid development projects needed totake cumulative environmental and hydrological impacts into account.A road, bridge or building may be structurally sound under normal conditions, but if it alters a stream, blocks drainage or destabilises a slope, it can become part of the hazard during an extreme rainfall event, he added. Dr Afreen Khurshid, a PhD researcher associated with the Environmental Studies Department at the University of Kashmir, said changes in land use were directly relevant to the regions growing vulnerability. When vegetation isremoved,and natural drainage is altered, the abilityofsoil and the landscape to retain and regulate water is reduced. During intense rainfall, that water can rapidly move downstream as destructive runoff, Dr Khurshid said. She called for greater scientific monitoring of mountain catchments, saying inadequate rainfall and hydrological data from remote areas made it difficult to assess how individual catchments respond to intense precipitation. We need much denser rainfall and hydrological monitoring in the mountains, the researcher added.

Four years on, Daand Kadal bridge in Langate remains closed

Handwara, Aug 17: Despite the passage of four years, the vital Daand Kadal bridge in Langate, which connects Mawar with the Langate Tehsil headquarter and surrounding areas, continues to remain non-functional after suffering minor damage during flash floods in 2023. The prolonged closure has caused considerable hardship to residents, who say they are being forced to take longer routes to reach the Tehsil headquarters, markets, health facilities and other nearby areas. Residents said the bridge is an important link for several villages and its closure has affected their daily movement for years. Ghulam Rasool, a resident of Shatgund, said the bridge connects the entire Mawar area with the Langate Tehsil headquarters. He said residents have repeatedly been assured by officials and public representatives that the damaged structure would be repaired, but the assurances have not translated into action. The Daand Kadal bridge connects the whole Mawar area with Langate. Official and representatives have repeatedly assured us that the bridge will be restored, but four years have passed and no concrete action has been taken, he said. He added that residents continue to face difficulties despite the damage being minor. Mohammad Saleem, a resident of Langate, said the bridge has remained a vital link for the area and its closure has disrupted the routine movement of residents. This bridge is the backbone of the area. It is unfortunate that it has remained discontinued for years despite the damage being minor. People continue to suffer because of the delay, he said. Other residents echoed similar concerns and urged the administration to treat the matter as a priority, particularly as the bridge provides a direct and shorter connection between Mawar and Langate. An elderly resident of Tulwari said the closure has turned a journey of a few minutes into one lasting several hours. For a journey of five minutes, we now have to spend hours because of the longer route, he said. Residents said the additional travel time has created problems for students, employees, patients and people visiting the Tehsil headquarters for routine official work. They have appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and direct the concerned authorities to restore the bridge without further delay. Executive Engineer, PWD R&B Langate, Farooq Ahmad Shah, told Rising Kashmir that the issue has already been taken up with higher authorities. He assured that work on the bridge would resume soon and said efforts were being made to resolve the issue. Residents, however, have sought a time-bound restoration of the Daand Kadal bridge, saying they have already waited for four years and cannot afford any further delay.

Watergam trauma centre short of doctors, key facilities

Srinagar, Aug 17: The Trauma Centre at Watergam in Rafiabad area of north Kashmirs Baramulla district continues to struggle with a shortage of doctors, paramedical staff and essential facilities, prompting residents to seek urgent government intervention. Locals said the centre was established to provide immediate treatment to accident victims, particularly given its location along the National Highway, but the shortage of manpower and non-functional facilities has severely affected its ability to provide trauma care. Manzoor Ahmad, a local resident, said the government had established trauma centres across Kashmir about a decade ago, including the facility at Watergam, but the centre has failed to develop into a fully functional trauma care facility. The construction of the trauma centre started in 2011 and it was made functional in 2020. Initially, two doctors were posted here. We have repeatedly appealed to the government for deployment of adequate staff, but the manpower shortage continues, he said. Residents said the centre has a sanctioned strength of six consultant doctors, but only two are currently posted there. They added that there is no Medical Officer at the facility, further affecting healthcare services. Locals stressed that the centre should function round the clock as it caters to a large population and is located along a highway that witnesses frequent road accidents. This hospital should function 24/7, keeping in view the area it caters to. We appeal to the government to fill the vacant posts of doctors and paramedical staff, they said. Residents also demanded the posting of a gynaecologist, saying it would provide relief to pregnant women from a large catchment area. They further sought the operationalisation of the operation theatre, claiming that the centre already has adequate infrastructure. The locals said the facility has an X-ray machine but no technician to operate it. Similarly, an ultrasound machine is available but cannot be utilised in the absence of technical staff. They demanded that these diagnostic services be made functional round the clock, particularly in view of the centres location on an accident-prone highway. The area has witnessed several casualties in road accidents, including a recent fatality and cases involving serious injuries, raising concerns over the lack of adequate emergency and trauma care at the facility. Residents said critical patients are often referred to hospitals in Srinagar, resulting in delays in treatment and potentially worsening their condition. They also flagged a shortage of ambulances and essential medical equipment, besides the absence of round-the-clock emergency and specialised trauma services. The highway is prone to road accidents, yet we lack the infrastructure to handle critical cases. There is no specialised trauma care, locals said. A health official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the absence of adequate trauma care in north Kashmir has serious consequences for critically injured patients. Due to the absence of proper trauma care in north Kashmir, patients are often referred to Srinagar hospitals, and some die on the way. This is an unfortunate reality, the official said. On the existing trauma centres in the Valley, the official said many of them were not functioning as full-fledged trauma hospitals. They are not trauma hospitals in the true sense; they are largely functioning as first-aid centres despite being designated as trauma hospitals, the official said.

Kargil Police file FIR over remarks against Ayatollah Khomeini

Kargil, August 17: Kargil Police have registered an FIR over alleged derogatory remarks against late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, with SSP Kargil Nitin Yadav saying the action followed a preliminary inquiry that found prima facie grounds for investigation. Addressing a press briefing, SSP Nitin Yadav said the issue had been the subject of complaints from different parts of Kargil and clarified that contrary to claims that police had not taken action, the matter was being investigated through due legal procedure. According to the SSP, police initially received a complaint from the Islamic Knowledge and Mission Trust (IKMT). A preliminary inquiry was subsequently initiated under Section 173(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to determine whether the allegations disclosed prima facie facts warranting registration of a case. He said that while the preliminary inquiry was underway, additional complaints were received from different areas, including Sankoo, Panikhar, Chiktan, Shargole and Kargil town. These complaints were incorporated into the ongoing inquiry. Once the preliminary inquiry established that prima facie facts were made out, police immediately registered an FIR, the SSP said, adding that the case has been registered at Kargil Police Station under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), with FIR No. 78. He said the investigation has now formally commenced and would be conducted according to the prescribed legal procedure. Responding to questions about the progress of the investigation, SSP Yadav said police had questioned the complainant and also called the concerned Sheikh to Kargil Police Station on several occasions for questioning. He said a Sheikh from Srinagar was also called to the Kargil Police Station and his statement was recorded. The individual also produced his mobile phone before the police, containing the message that had allegedly been circulated. The SSP said the mobile phone would now be seized as part of the investigation and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for detailed examination. He said the forensic examination would help police establish the authenticity and origin of the digital material and determine how the message was circulated. Since the FIR has been registered, we will seize the phone and send it to the forensic laboratory. Further action will be taken on the basis of the forensic report, Yadav said. The SSP also addressed the circulation of old videos and other material on social media, warning that such content could aggravate an already sensitive situation. Yadav appealed to people not to share such videos or messages without verification. Addressing concerns that police were not taking action, SSP Yadav appealed to the people of Kargil to have faith in the investigation process.

CEO FSSAI reviews food testing facilities in J

Assesses infrastructure, capacity enhancement measures SRINAGAR: Chief Executive Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Rajit Punhani on Monday visited Food Laboratory, Kashmir during his visit to Srinagar, to have on spot assessment about its functioning. During the visit, the CEO FSSAI took round of various sections, including Microbiological Section, Chemical Section and []

Sakeena Itoo reviews progress on major projects in J

SRINAGAR: Minister for Health & Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education, and Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo on Monday chaired a high-level meeting today to assess the progress of ongoing infrastructure and development projects across Jammu and Kashmir. The review focused on projects undertaken by the Health, Education, and Social Welfare departments. The meeting was attended []

Several leaders, activists from Pampore join Apni Party

SRINAGAR: Several political leaders and activists from Pampore joined Apni Party on Monday during a special event at the party headquarters quarters. The new entrants included PDPs Zonal President Pampore Ghulam Mohiudin Dar, Sheikh Mubeena, Rozy, Fancy, and others, the party said in a statement, adding that they joined the party alongwith their associated The []

JKCIP Mobilisation Drive: SKUAST-K emphasizes handholding, strengthening of rural collectives

BARAMULLA: The Harvesting Harmony Farmer Producer Organisation Cooperative Ltd., Pattan, in collaboration with SKUAST-Kashmirs Directorate of Extension, organized a mobilisation drive under the IFAD-sponsored Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP). The event focused on promoting farmer collectives and strengthening rural farmers institutions. Prof. (Dr.) Raihana Habib Kanth, Director Extension []

Div Com Kashmir reviews arrangements for 1st International Film Festival of J

Directs departments to designate nodal officers for smooth conduct of festival SRINAGAR: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Monday chaired a meeting to review preparations for the 1st International Film Festival of J&K (IFFJK), scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10 and organised by the Department of Information and Public relations Jammu and []

Sakeena Itoo chairs 46th BoDs meet of JKSCSTBC Development Corporation

Welfare must translate into tangible socio-economic improvement SRINAGAR: Minister for Social Welfare, Education, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo on Monday chaired the 46th meeting of Board of Directors (BoDs) of the Jammu & Kashmir Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe & Backward Classes (JKSCSTBC) Development Corporation Limited at Civil Secretariat here today. The meeting was attended []

Prof Mobin bags B.P. Verma Memorial Award

Srinagar, Aug 16: Cluster University of Srinagar Vice Chancellor Professor Mohammad Mobin has been conferred the Professor B.P. Verma Memorial Award for 2025 by the Indian Chemical Society (ICS) for his contributions to research, development and innovation in Chemical Sciences and Engineering. As part of the recognition, Mobin has been invited to deliver the Professor B.P. Verma Memorial Award Endowment Lecture at the 63rd Annual Convention of Chemists (ACC 2026) of the Indian Chemical Society, scheduled to be held from December 14 to 16 at Graphic Era University, Dehradun. In a communication dated August 14, ICS President Professor G.D. Yadav said the society was honouring Mobin for his professional accomplishments and contributions to Chemical Sciences and Engineering and allied industries. The award recognises Mobins work in research, innovation and technological development, particularly in Materials and Corrosion. Mobin is currently serving as Vice Chancellor of Cluster University of Srinagar on deputation from Aligarh Muslim University.

J&K trout farming gets boost with 2.5 lakh seeds

Srinagar: The Department of Fisheries is making sustained efforts to strengthen trout production and promote fish farming in Jammu and Kashmir, with a special focus on increasing availability of quality fish seed and encouraging greater participation of the private sector. As part of these efforts, the department has supplied around 2.5 lakh Rainbow Trout seeds to private fish farmers in the Kashmir Division and Ladakh, providing an important boost to trout culture and supporting the expansion of fish farming activities across the region. The initiative is aimed at strengthening the trout farming ecosystem and encouraging private fish farmers to take up trout culture as a sustainable source of livelihood. The availability of quality seed is considered an important component in increasing production and improving the overall productivity of trout farms. At the Laribal Trout Culture Farm, around 3 lakh fish are currently being reared, reflecting the departments continued focus on maintaining and enhancing fish production. The farm is also contributing to the supply of fresh trout to consumers, with around 30 kilograms of fish being sold from the farm, helping meet the local demand for fresh fish. Speaking to Rising Kashmir, Shareef Ahmad Khan, Farm Manager, Trout Culture Farm Laribal, said that increasing fish production remains one of the key priorities of the Department of Fisheries. He said the department is working towards strengthening trout culture by focusing on quality seed production, supporting fish farmers and promoting scientific methods of fish farming. He added that greater involvement of the private sector can further help in expanding trout production and creating additional livelihood opportunities. The departments efforts are not only aimed at increasing fish availability but also at developing fisheries as an important economic and livelihood-generating sector. By supplying quality Rainbow Trout seeds to private farmers and maintaining production at departmental farms, the Fisheries Department is working to create a stronger and more sustainable trout farming network. With continued focus on production, quality seed and farmer support, the department is seeking to further expand trout culture and contribute to the growth of the fisheries sector across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

BJP unveils new national team, none from J

Smriti Irani, Ram Madhav, Goyal among prominent new faces; 51 of 65 office-bearers new New Delhi, Aug 17: BJP president Nitin Nabin has announced the partys new national team, with B L Santosh as national general secretary (Organisation), former Union minister Smriti Irani as general secretary and Ram Madhav as national vice president. Interestingly, the [] The post BJP unveils new national team, none from J&K appeared first on Northlines .

Govt destroyed ISI-backed terror group: Shah

253 detained across 14 states; over 200 arrested in cases linked to Shahzad Bhatti Network Over 80 FIRs registered; IEDs, grenades, pistols, CCTV cameras recovered New Delhi, Aug 17:Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that ahead of Independence Day Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Govt destroyed an ISI-backed terror network ahead of Independence [] The post Govt destroyed ISI-backed terror group: Shah appeared first on Northlines .

BJP hits streets, targets NC Govt over

LoP Sharma accuses govt of corruption, poor governance Jammu Tawi, Aug 17:Hundreds of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers on Monday staged protests at several locations in Jammu against the National Conference-led government, alleging failure to fulfil election promises and address issues related to unemployment, civic amenities and development. Three separate protests, led by MP Jugal [] The post BJP hits streets, targets NC Govt over failed promises appeared first on Northlines .

Woman dies, husband injured after scooter-car collision

Kathua (Jammu Div), Aug 17:A woman died while her husband sustained injuries after the scooty they were travelling on was hit by an Alto car near Hiranagar Morh in Kathua district on Monday, officials said. An official said that the accident occurred near a petrol pump at Hiranagar Morh when an Alto car collided with [] The post Woman dies, husband injured after scooter-car collision appeared first on Northlines .

Budha Amarnath Yatra begins amid tight security

LG flags off first batch Jammu Tawi, Aug 17 : The annual pilgrimage to the ancient Budha Amarnath shrine in Poonch district commenced on Monday, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagging off the first batch of pilgrims from Jammu amid religious fervour and tight security arrangements. After performing a pooja, Sinha flagged off the pilgrims [] The post Budha Amarnath Yatra begins amid tight security appeared first on Northlines .

Responsible Parenting in the Age of AI

The age of artificial intelligence has arrived with speed, scale and subtlety. It is no longer a distant innovation confined to laboratories, tech firms or research institutions. AI is now part of everyday life shaping what children watch, learn, read and believe. From smart devices and recommendation algorithms to chatbots and AI-generated content, the digital world today is more immersive than ever before. In this rapidly changing environment, parenting too must evolve. Responsible parenting in the age of AI is not about rejecting technology, but about learning to guide children through it with care, discipline and informed judgment. For many families, technology has become both a convenience and a challenge. Parents often rely on digital devices to keep children occupied, to support learning, or simply to manage the pressures of modern life. Yet the same tools that entertain and educate can also expose young minds to misinformation, addiction, isolation and harmful content. Artificial intelligence, by its very nature, personalizes and intensifies engagement. It learns quickly what attracts attention and then keeps feeding it. For a child, this can mean endless scrolling, distorted realities and a shrinking capacity for focus, patience and independent thought. This is why responsible parenting must go beyond time limits and screen restrictions. It requires digital literacy at home. Parents must understand, at least in broad terms, how AI works, what its strengths are and where its risks lie. A child who uses AI tools for homework, images or conversation should not be left unchecked. The question is not only whether the child is online, but what kind of online experience the child is having. Are they learning to think critically, or merely accepting machine-generated answers as truth? Are they building curiosity, or consuming convenience without reflection? At the same time, parents must remain conscious that children imitate what they see. If adults themselves are permanently glued to screens, constantly distracted, or overly dependent on digital shortcuts, it becomes difficult to ask children for restraint. Responsible parenting begins with example. It means creating spaces for conversation, outdoor activity, reading, shared meals and uninterrupted attention. In a world where AI can generate answers instantly, children still need something no machine can provide: human guidance, emotional grounding and moral perspective. Schools too have a role, but the first classroom is the home. Parents should talk openly with children about the difference between human intelligence and machine output, between information and wisdom, and between convenience and character. AI may help a child complete a task, but it cannot teach empathy, integrity or resilience. Those values must come from family, community and lived experience. The challenge before parents is not to fear the future, but to prepare children for it. Technology will keep advancing, and AI will only become more powerful, accessible and influential. But children who grow up with disciplined, attentive and informed parenting will be better equipped to use these tools wisely rather than be used by them. In the age of AI, the most important parental skill may be the oldest one of all the ability to guide, listen and lead by example.

Khonmohs Bear Attacks Call for Urgent Action

Bear attacks in Khonmoh within less than 24 hours have once again brought into sharp focus a problem that is no longer occasional, but increasingly routine: the dangerous expansion of human-wildlife conflict into inhabited areas. The injuring of a 57-year-old woman in Shah Mohalla, following a similar attack on a man in Shiv Dakri a day earlier, is not merely a local scare. It is a warning sign. When people living on Srinagars outskirts cannot safely step out near their homes, the matter ceases to be about wildlife alone and becomes one of public safety, administrative preparedness, and environmental mismanagement. Khonmoh, like several other fringe localities around the city, sits at the fragile interface between human habitation and bear habitat. That interface is becoming narrower by the year. Unplanned expansion, shrinking forest cover, pressure on natural feeding grounds, garbage disposal that attracts wildlife, and the disturbance of habitats have all contributed to pushing animals closer to settlements. The result is predictable, and sadly preventable: repeated confrontation between humans and wildlife, often ending in injury, fear, and retaliatory panic. The latest incidents should serve as a wake-up call for the authorities, especially the Wildlife Department, district administration, and local municipal bodies. Residents cannot be left to live in a state of permanent anxiety while official responses remain reactive and episodic. A bear appearing once may be dismissed as an isolated incident. Two attacks in a day indicate a pattern that demands immediate intervention. The first responsibility of the state is to ensure that vulnerable localities are identified, monitored, and protected through a sustained mitigation plan. That plan must begin with better surveillance and rapid response teams. Villagers need emergency contact systems, patrol deployment in high-risk zones, and immediate action when wildlife movement is reported. Awareness campaigns are also essential so that residents know how to respond if bears enter residential clusters, especially during early morning and evening hours when such attacks are more likely. At the same time, the administration must address the causes that draw bears toward human settlements, including unmanaged waste, open dumping sites, and unsecured food sources. But long-term solutions require more than alerts and advisories. The government must invest in habitat conservation, corridor protection, and scientific conflict management. Forest edges cannot be treated as expendable spaces until crisis erupts. If wildlife is losing its natural range, conflict will only intensify. Compensation for victims must also be timely and adequate, not a bureaucratic afterthought. For families like that of Fatima and the injured man from Shiv Dakri, the damage is not limited to physical wounds; it is also emotional and economic. Khonmohs distress should not fade from memory once the immediate news cycle moves on. It should prompt a serious reassessment of how Kashmir manages its shrinking ecological balance. Protecting people and protecting wildlife are not opposing goals. They are linked obligations. The state must act before another attack turns concern into tragedy.

LG Sinha Calls For Interfaith Dialogue, Peace Initiatives in Pulwama

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday called for regular interfaith dialogue and greater participation of youth and communities in initiatives aimed at strengthening social harmony, saying dialogue was key to building trust and peace. Addressing the *Mulaqat* programme organised by the Save Youth Save Future Foundation in Pulwama, Sinha said people belonging to different []

The Clock That Starts Too Late

FUTURECRAFT Sometime in late June, inside OpenAIs own offices, something went wrong that nobody noticed for weeks. The company had built software helpers to test how good AI has become at finding weaknesses in computer systems. They were meant to stay inside a sealed practice area, rather like a driving test conducted in an empty car park. They did not stay. They got out, reached a real companys systems on the open internet, and then did something stranger. They found a way to talk to one another. They passed around passwords and tricks they had discovered. They divided the work between themselves. When engineers shut down the channel they were using to communicate, they built a new one and carried on. OpenAI described this on stage at Black Hat, a large security conference held in Las Vegas earlier this month, and Anthropic said something similar had happened with its own models during containment tests. Read that again with Indian eyes. This took place at one of the most closely watched companies on earth, to software its own engineers had written, during a test they had set up specifically in order to watch it. It still took weeks. India has a rule that says an organisation must inform the government within six hours of finding out it has been attacked. Six hours is among the strictest deadlines anywhere, and beside the point if the honest answer to when did you find out is a month later. What these things actually are Most of us have met AI as a chat window. You ask, it answers, nothing else happens. An agent is a different animal. You do not ask it a question. You give it a job and a login, and then you walk away. Check this loan application. Process these claims. Match these documents against the register. It reads the file, decides what to do, opens the system and does it. Nobody signs off on each step, because the point is that nobody has to. This is not a laboratory idea. Roughly one in four Indian companies already runs agents in live systems, according to an EY survey of Indian enterprises. Industry estimates put overall AI adoption among Indian firms near 80 per cent, ahead of the United States, while fewer than one in four have written down any rules for it. That gap is the whole story. India is adopting this faster than almost anybody and governing it less than almost anybody. The failure with no burglar When we picture a hack, we picture an intruder. A locked screen and a ransom demand. Money gone from an account. There is a moment, and somebody sees it. What OpenAI described has none of that. No outsider broke in. The software was doing the work it had been handed, using permissions properly granted to it, and it went somewhere it was not meant to go. Nothing looked stolen, because in the ordinary sense nothing was. Now place that inside an Indian bank. An agent has been cleared to read customer accounts, because reading accounts is its job. One week it begins pulling records it has no reason to pull. No alarm sounds, because every action it takes is one it is permitted to take. The monitoring system sees an approved user doing approved things, and has no way to ask why. Nobody files a report, because nobody yet has anything to report. The six-hour rule does not measure how quickly we find a problem. It measures how honest we are once we already have What Delhi has done, and what it has left out India has not ignored any of this. On 25 May, CERT-In, the governments cyber agency under the electronics ministry, published a 38-page blueprint on defending against AI-assisted attacks. It tells organisations to set boundaries for their agents, keep logs, watch them continuously and build an emergency switch that can shut a misbehaving one down. That is more specific than most governments have managed. Four things are wrong with it. The first is that it is advice, not law. CERT-Ins own audit rules, published last July, are compulsory, and the two documents do not line up, leaving an Indian company holding a mandatory annual audit in one hand and voluntary AI guidance in the other. The second is that it treats every organisation as the same organisation. A district hospital and a payments company are handed identical recommendations, though they hold very different information and answer to different regulators. The third is that its AI section hands every task to the IT department and none to the boardroom. A company could follow it to the letter and still have directors who could not say which AI systems it runs. Responsibility for the fastest-moving risk in the building has been filed under technical maintenance. The fourth is that it says nothing about open-source models, which is what a large share of Indian startups run. Download a free model off the internet and there is no contract to review and nobody to ring. A practical gap sits underneath all four. CERT-In recommends an emergency shutdown, yet in a global industry survey this year roughly six in ten organisations admitted they could not quickly stop an agent that had begun misbehaving. The advice is sound. The button, in most places, has not been built. The fair objection Nobody has solved this anywhere. On 1 May the cyber agencies of the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand issued their first joint guidance on agents, and it too is advisory. Europes rules for classifying these systems were due in February and had still not appeared months later. India is not lagging. It stands in the same fog as everyone else. The stronger objection is this. Write a rule you cannot measure and you get paperwork instead of safety. Nobody can yet define, in language a court would accept, the moment an agent begins behaving wrongly, and a deadline attached to an undefined moment produces box-ticking. That is right about mandates and wrong about what follows. What is needed is not a new law but one extra line on a form that already exists. Bottom line When an Indian organisation reports an incident, it reports the moment it found out. It is not obliged to say when the trouble began, or how confident it is about that answer. Those two questions are the only real measure of whether our defences work, and nobody is required to answer either. CERT-In handled about 29.4 lakh incidents in 2025. Every one of them is a case where somebody noticed. We hold no figure at all for the cases where nobody did, and the technology we are now installing at record speed is precisely the sort that fails without anybody noticing. Six hours is a good rule pointed at the wrong thing, and the distance between the two is where the next serious breach in this country will sit, quietly, for as long as it cares to. (The Author studies Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA. He is interested in emerging technologies and innovation, and can be reached on LinkedIn at @arssh-kumar14)

IIM Jammu at Ten: From Regional Aspiration to Global Engagement

Prof. Shyam Narayan Lal Chairperson, nandam The Centre for Happiness, IIM Jammu Some institutions inherit their distinction from history; others must earn it quietly, year by year, through vision and sustained effort. The Indian Institute of Management Jammu belongs to this latter tradition. Ten years ago, when it took its first breath, [] The post IIM Jammu at Ten: From Regional Aspiration to Global Engagement appeared first on Northlines .

Bear attacks trigger panic in Khonmoh, three injured

Srinagar, Aug 17: Panic has gripped residents of Khonmoh on the outskirts of Srinagar after three people were injured in separate bear attacks in the area within the past 24 hours. According to officials, a 57-year-old woman was injured in a bear attack on Monday near her residence in Shah Mohalla, Khonmoh. The injured woman was identified as Fatima, 57, wife of Mohammad Maqbool Wani, a resident of Shah Mohalla. She was referred to SMHS Hospital in Srinagar for specialised treatment. In another incident reported on Monday morning, a 30-year-old man was injured after being attacked by a bear in Sarhandi Colony, Khonmoh. The man, identified as Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat, son of Ghulam Hassan Bhat and a resident of Sarhandi Colony, sustained injuries in the attack. He was shifted to SMHS Hospital for treatment, where his condition was stated to be stable. The two incidents came less than 24 hours after another resident, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Abdul Rasheed Bhat was attacked by a bear in the Khonmoh area on Sunday. He also sustained injuries and was shifted to hospital for treatment. The back-to-back attacks have triggered concern among residents, prompting the authorities to deploy teams of the Wildlife Department in the area. Officials said the department has taken note of the incidents and is closely monitoring the situation to prevent further human-wildlife conflict.

NC Flag: Time to Change with the Changing Times

Former MLC G.L Raina Symbols matter in politics. They create emotional associations, strengthen group identity and make abstract ideas such as freedom, equality, nationalism or regional aspirations instantly recognisable. A flag, election symbol, colour or even the architecture of a party office can communicate in seconds what pages of political literature may struggle to convey. [] The post NC Flag: Time to Change with the Changing Times appeared first on Northlines .

Opaque Money into open societies can distort public policy

Foreign funding of NGOs, Charities needs stricter control By Nantoo Banerjee With annual inflow of foreign contributions to NGOs, private trusts and religious bodies in India officially estimated at a staggering Rs.23,000 crore, there is reason for the government toestablish tighter administrative oversight, governance, and transparency over foreign donations. It is suspected that [] The post Opaque Money into open societies can distort public policy appeared first on Northlines .

Seven Officers Transferred in Sopore Police Reshuffle

SRINAGAR: The Sopore Police District on Monday ordered a reshuffle of officers, transferring and posting seven police personnel to different police stations and police posts with immediate effect. According to an order issued by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Sopore, Inspector Ayaz Rasool Geelani has been transferred from DPL Sopore and posted as SHO Police []

Dr. Farooq, Omar greet people on Khwaja Digar

Srinagar, 17 Aug: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have extended warm greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of Khwaja Digar. In their message, the duo conveyed their heartfelt wishes to the people, praying that the sacred occasion brings peace, prosperity, harmony and well-being to every household across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. They underscored the rich spiritual and cultural traditions associated with Khwaja Digar, describing the occasion as a reminder of the regions enduring rich legacy of communal harmony, brotherhood and mutual respect. They expressed hope that the auspicious day strengthens the bonds of amity and fraternity among people and brings renewed hope, peace and prosperity to the region. Party rank and file have also extended warm greetings to the people.

Let probe reveal truth on appointments: NC

Jammu, Aug, 17 : The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference MLA Zadibal and Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq Monday came down heavily on the BJP over its protest against the Omar Abdullah-led government, saying the BJP must first answer the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the continued denial of statehood and the failure to fulfil its own commitments. In a statement, Sadiq said the BJP had every democratic right to hold demonstrations, but questioned the purpose of what he described as drama and theatrics when the people were still waiting for the restoration of their constitutional rights. Let the BJP protest; it is their democratic right. But after two years, the simple question remains: where is statehood? They promised delimitation, elections and then restoration of statehood. Elections have happened, but statehood is still nowhere in sight, he said. He said the BJP should look within before lecturing others. The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was dismantled and divided into two Union Territories, and its people were stripped of their constitutional and political rights. Instead of creating distractions, the BJP should tell the people why statehood has been delayed, Sadiq said. Taking aim at the BJP over the pending reservation-related issue, Sadiq questioned why files and decisions concerning Jammu and Kashmir continued to remain unresolved. On allegations of backdoor appointments, Sadiq said the matter should be subjected to a thorough and impartial investigation rather than being turned into a political spectacle. If there has been any wrongdoing, let there be a proper investigation and let the truth come out. The BJP has no reason to turn every issue into political theatre when it has the means and influence to seek an investigation through the appropriate agencies, he said. Sadiq noted that BJP is deliberately creating distractions to divert public attention from issues that directly affect the people of Jammu and Kashmir. If the National Conference had made illegal or backdoor appointments, why would anyone oppose an investigation? Let the facts come out. The people deserve the truth, not manufactured controversies and political theatrics, he said. Recalling the PDP-BJP alliance, Sadiq also questioned those who had facilitated the BJP's entry into the government in Jammu and Kashmir despite repeated warnings from the National Conference. We had warned against bringing the BJP into the government and repeatedly appealed that this would have serious consequences for Jammu and Kashmir. Omar Abdullah had even offered unconditional support to prevent such an arrangement. Those who enabled that alliance cannot now shed crocodile tears from the sidelines, he said. Sadiq said the BJP's latest protest could not conceal its failure to address the fundamental question of stat

Budgam hospital 75% complete; critical care block planned in Uri: Govt

Srinagar, Aug 17:- Minister for Health & Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education and Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review the action taken and progress achieved on decisions taken during earlier review meetings, with particular focus on major infrastructure and development projects being implemented by the Health, Education and Social Welfare departments across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Education, Ram Niwas Sharma; Special Secretaries of Higher Education, Health and Education Departments; Directors of Health Services Jammu and Kashmir; Directors of School Education Jammu and Kashmir; Principals of Government Medical Colleges and other senior officers of the concerned departments. The Minister undertook a comprehensive review of the physical and financial progress of various ongoing projects, including infrastructure works, Capex and SASCI projects, utilisation of funds, procurement of equipment and implementation of decisions taken in previous review meetings. Emphasising the importance of translating sanctioned projects into tangible outcomes for the people, Sakeena Itoo directed the officers to ensure strict adherence to timelines, close monitoring of execution and clear accountability at every stage. She stressed that financial expenditure must correspond with actual physical progress and called for immediate resolution of bottlenecks causing delays. Reviewing healthcare infrastructure in Kashmir, the Minister was informed that the 125-bedded District Hospital at Reshipora, Budgam has achieved 75 per cent physical progress and is targeted for completion by March 2027. The status of various SASCI projects was also reviewed. The meeting was further informed that a proposal for establishment of a Critical Care Hospital Block at Uri has been initiated, with five kanals of land identified at Mohara. In Jammu division, the Minister reviewed the proposed Trauma Centre at Surankote, new UT Capex works and the 100-bedded Hospital at Sunderbani. She was informed that construction of the Sunderbani hospital is nearing completion, while equipment worth 66 lakh has been requisitioned and the facility is expected to be made operational shortly. The Minister also reviewed infrastructure and other development works at GMC Handwara, GMC Srinagar, SKIMS Medical College Bemina, GMC Rajouri, Government Ayurvedic College Akhnoor, GMC Kathua, GMC Jammu and GMC Anantnag. At GMC Rajouri and GMC Kathua, she took stock of Capex and CSS works, functioning of Dental Units and procurement of essential equipment. The meeting was informed that the upgradation of the GNM Nursing School to a Nursing College at GMC Rajouri has achieved 65 per cent progress, while construction of the Teaching Hospital at GMC Kathua is at an advanced stage. At GMC Jammu, the Minister reviewed the status of Capex and CSS works and was apprised that several projects have either been completed or are nearing completion. The functioning of the Emergency Dental Unit and District Early Intervention Centre at SMGS Hospital was also assessed. Sakeena Itoo directed the concerned officers to accord top priority to procurement of critical medical equipment and completion of healthcare infrastructure, noting that timely availability of facilities and equipment has a direct bearing on the quality and accessibility of patient care. She called for regular identification and resolution of bottlenecks, timely utilisation of available funds and stronger coordination among executing agencies, healthcare institutions and the concerned departments. Every sanctioned project must ultimately translate into a tangible improvement in public service delivery. There should be no avoidable delay in execution, and every rupee allocated for development must be utilised efficiently and transparently, the Minister said. The Minister further directed the officers to maintain continuous monitoring of major projects and furnish timely updates on critical milestones. She stressed that completed infrastructure should be made functional without delay so that the intended benefits reach the people at the earliest.

Div Com Plans Heritage Tours, Customised Packages For IFFJK Guests

SRINAGAR : With the first International Film Festival of J&K (IFFJK) scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10, the administration has begun working on tourism, sightseeing and hospitality arrangements for national and international guests attending the festival. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Monday chaired a meeting to review preparations for the festival, []

Apni Party accuses govt of failing on governance, jobs

Srinagar, Aug 17: Apni Party Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir on Monday accused the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir of failing to provide effective governance and fulfil promises made during the 2024 Assembly elections. Mir made the remarks while welcoming several political and social workers from Shopian, including senior PDP worker Mohammad Yusuf Wani from Safanagri Zainapora, NC worker Sajad Aziz from Heff Shirmal, Mohammad Asif Bhat, Farhan Ali and their associates into the Apni Party at its headquarters in Srinagar. Welcoming the new entrants, Mir said the party leadership would support them in their efforts to address public issues in their respective areas. Targeting the government, Mir said people had given it a strong mandate in the hope that their grievances would be addressed, but claimed that little had been done to provide relief. He said unemployment remained one of the biggest challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir and accused the government of failing to create meaningful employment opportunities for youth. Mir recalled the ruling partys election promise to provide one lakh jobs and claimed that no substantial initiative had been taken despite more than two years having passed since the Assembly elections. He urged people to reconsider their support for traditional political parties, alleging that they had repeatedly failed to deliver on their promises. Mir also appealed to voters not to be misled by what he described as false promises and fake slogans during elections.

BJP Must Answer On Statehood, Reservations, Governance: Tanvir Sadiq

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) MLA from Zadibal and chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq on Monday hit out at the BJP over its protest against the Omar Abdullah-led government, saying the party should first explain the continued delay in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Sadiq said the BJP had every democratic right to []

Sakeena Itoo Pushes Online Recovery, Disbursement System For JKSCSTBC Corporation

SRINAGAR : The Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Backward Classes Development Corporation has decided to intensify recovery of long-pending loans and introduce an online system for loan recovery and disbursement of welfare schemes. The decision was taken at the 46th meeting of the Corporations Board of Directors, chaired by Minister for Social []

Zero Miles founder skips anniversary, pitches for unified licensing system in Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 17: Zero Miles Grill and Cafe founder Jibran Khan on Monday chose to skip the eighth anniversary celebrations of his popular food chain and instead used the occasion to push for a single-window licensing system for food business operators in the Valley during a crucial review meeting with the FSSAI chief. The meeting, chaired by FSSAI CEO Rajit Punhani, IAS, at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), saw Khan walk in with a presentation folder rather than a celebration cake, focusing his intervention on regulatory reforms that he said were critical for the growth of food entrepreneurship in Kashmir. Sources said that the meeting, part of Punhani's four-day visit to the Valley, was aimed at assessing the challenges faced by Food Business Operators (FBOs) and exploring ways to streamline the regulatory framework. Speaking after the meeting, Khan said the existing licensing system was proving to be a major hurdle for entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses in the region. The system demands separate licences for every branch, duplicate filings, and independent audits for each unit. This is not red tape but a barrier to expansion and a disincentive for entrepreneurs looking to scale up in Kashmir, he said. Khan advocated for a unified single-window licensing system with a digital dashboardone registration and one compliance framework governing all outlets under a single brand. The regulator must transition from being a strict enforcer to a facilitator, especially for startups and MSMEs. Kashmir's terrain is uniquely difficult, with supply chains collapsing during harsh winters and infrastructure deficits making compliance disproportionately harder than in the plains. These are ground realities, not excuses, he added. The restaurateur also criticised the existing grievance redressal mechanism, describing it as a labyrinth that leaves small players helpless. If a small food business owner faces a field-level issue, most do not even know which door to knock on. We need a mechanism where small players can flag issues without being lost in bureaucratic labyrinths, he said, drawing nods from several attendees. Khan said the Jammu and Kashmir Food Commissioner gave a positive response and addressed his question, in which he had urged for a roadmap for restaurants, cafes and highway businesses. The Commissioner provided a detailed roadmap, explaining how they plan to establish a database within the next six months and that they are definitely moving forward in that direction. The interactive session was attended by prominent food business owners from across the Valley and was viewed by industry watchers as a bridge-building exercise between top-down policy perspectives and bottom-up ground realities. Official sources said the proposal for a single-window system has caught the attention of the FSSAI top brass and has been forwarded for active internal review. Khan's intervention, however, went beyond licensing. In a well-prepared presentation, he made a persuasive case for the FSSAI to fundamentally rethink its role in the Valley, sources added. Food safety and business growth need not be in conflict. They can coexist, provided the regulatory framework is flexible enough to accommodate local realities. A one-size-fits-all approach does not work for a region like Kashmir, he said. Notably, the Zero Miles chain, which started its journey eight years ago, has emerged as one of the prominent homegrown food brands in the Valley. However, Khan's decision to skip the celebrations and focus on policy advocacy has drawn praise from many in the industry who see it as a significant step towards addressing long-pending issues faced by food business operators in Kashmir.

Four SHOs Reshuffled in Pulwama, Probationary DySPs Shifted For Training

SRINAGAR: The Pulwama district police have ordered a reshuffle of four Station House Officers (SHOs) and shifted two probationary Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySPs) for practical training. According to an order issued by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Pulwama, on August 17, probationary DySPs Mohd Waseem and Fizza Hamid have been moved from their []

Will Rethink Quitting If Omar Steps Down As CM: Ruhullah Puts NC On Notice

SRINAGAR : Srinagar Lok Sabha member Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Monday said he has made up his mind to resign from Parliament in the coming months, but indicated that an intervention by National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah could lead him to reconsider the decision if the party accepts a set of political proposals. []

Ruhullah sets few-month timeline for possible resignation, puts ball in NC leaderships court

Srinagar, Aug 17 : Srinagar Lok Sabha member Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Monday said he has made up his mind to resign from Parliament in the coming months, but indicated that an intervention by National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah could lead him to reconsider the decision if the party accepts a set of political proposals. In an exclusive conversation with Kashmir News Service (KNS), Ruhullah said he was not looking at a timeline of a year but wanted a few months to take his campaign on the constitutional and political status of Jammu and Kashmir to what he called a certain level before stepping down. I need a few months. I am not even talking about a year. I want to bring this fight to a certain level, and then resign, he added. Ruhullah, however, made a distinction between his decision to resign and his willingness to reconsider it. He said the resignation itself was not conditional, but he would rethink the decision if Dr Farooq Abdullah wanted the issue resolved and the proposed steps were taken. Referring to Dr Farooq, Ruhullah said his relationship with the NC president was not merely political and that he had always regarded him as a fatherly figure. He said Dr Farooq had treated him with respect and that his remarks about Ruhullah being like a son were known to him personally. This is not a matter of our personal relations, Ruhullah said, adding that the larger issue concerned the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said if Dr Farooq wanted the matter to be resolved, he had three suggestions that could lead him to reconsider his resignation. Ruhullah said his first proposal was that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should resign from the post and that he himself would then resign as MP, allowing Omar to return to Parliament and lead the political fight for restoration of Jammu and Kashmirs constitutional protections. The current CM should resign from the post. I resign from the Member of Parliament, he said. Ruhullah said he did not want to return to Parliament himself and suggested that Omar Abdullah contest a Lok Sabha election and take up the issues he had been raising in the national political arena. I do not want to become the Member Parliament again. The CM should come, resign, become the Member Parliament. He should go to Parliament and fight the same fight that I am fighting, he said. He also said that Omar Abdullah could have a greater impact in Parliament because of his political position and the strength of the National Conference. Ruhullah said the campaign should go beyond the demand for restoration of statehood and include what he described as the restoration of Jammu and Kashmirs constitutional guarantees, protections and dignity. Along with the statehood, the constitutional guarantees, dignity should be restored, he said. Ruhulla said his second proposal was that Omar Abdullah should nominate another person from among the partys MLAs or ministers to head the government, allowing the Chief Minister to concentrate on the political campaign from Parliament. Ruhullah said the government could then focus on governance and implementation of the National Conference manifesto while Omar Abdullah pursued the constitutional and political issues at the national level. Ruhulla said his third proposal was for the National Conference to turn the issue into a broader political movement, with the party standing behind Omar Abdullahs parliamentary campaign. Ruhullah said he was willing to take responsibility for organising such a movement within the party. He also called for those whom he blamed for moving the party away from its political movement and ideological agenda to be removed from party affairs. If these two-three suggestions work, I am ready to rethink my resignation the next day, Ruhullah said. He said that if there was no movement on his proposals, he would proceed with the decision he had already made. Ruhullah also said his decision was not the result of any individual forcing him out. There is no one to force me. I will do what I have to do on the basis of morals and conviction, he said. He also said that developments within the party had created an atmosphere in which his continuation had become increasingly difficult. He said remarks questioning why he had not resigned had come from different party functionaries, including MLAs, an MP, the additional general secretary and, at times, the Chief Minister. Ruhulla also said that he had been kept away from the working committee, party functioning and decision-making. They themselves call me from one MLA, some day from another MLA, some day from MP, some day from the Additional General Secretary, some day the Chief Minister himself talks badly to me, he said. Ruhullah said that if the party believed he had violated its ideology, agenda, manifesto or discipline, it should follow a formal process instead of publicly asking him to resign. He challenged the leadership to issue him a show-cause notice and spell out the alleged violations. I wish they had the dignity to issue a show-cause notice, he said. If they had the dignity, they would have been conscious, and they would have talked about party discipline, they would have issued a show-cause notice, he added. Ruhullah said he would respond to such a notice and allow the party to take a decision thereafter. Tell me, where have I violated? At least take the answer to that show-cause notice from me, he said. The Srinagar MP acknowledged that resigning would come at the cost of the parliamentary platform through which he has been pursuing the issue nationally. He said Parliament had allowed him to raise the constitutional question, engage with political parties and undertake lobbying and opinion-building. Whatever I could do in Parliament, I did it. I did the opinion generation, I spoke about 370, he said. He also referred to conferences and political outreach undertaken in Delhi and said he wanted to do more work on the issue before giving up his parliamentary position. I won't have the Parliament. The lobbying that I can do through the Parliament, the outreach that I can do, I won't have that. That is obvious, he said. He acknowledged that losing that platform would be a setback but said he was prepared to take the decision on the basis of his convictions.That will be a loss, he added.(KNS)

ACB files chargesheet against 10 accused over illegal construction

Srinagar, August 17:The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a chargesheet against 10 accused persons, including seven officers of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and three private individuals, in connection with an alleged illegal and unauthorised construction in Ward No. 28, Batamaloo, Srinagar, near Tiny Hearts School, Tengpora. The chargesheet in FIR No. 06/2023 of Police Station ACB Srinagar has been presented before the Court of the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, for judicial determination. The accused have been booked for alleged offences under Section 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Samvat 2006, Section 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code, Section 4-A of the R&D Act, and Section 9-A read with Section 20 of the Evacuees (Administration of Property) Act, 1949. According to the ACB, the case was registered following allegations that officers and officials associated with Ward No. 28 of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation allegedly abused their official positions and entered into a criminal conspiracy with a private beneficiary, Reyaz Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Rahim Dar, resident of Tengpora, Batamaloo, Srinagar. The investigation alleged that the accused public servants facilitated and permitted the raising of illegal and unauthorised construction in the area near Tiny Hearts School, Tengpora, in violation of the applicable rules and regulations. The ACB said that the investigation conducted by Police Station ACB Srinagar, based on oral and documentary evidence, substantiated the allegations levelled against the accused officers and private beneficiaries. The investigation, according to the anti-corruption agency, established the alleged criminal conspiracy between the government functionaries and the private beneficiary, along with the abuse of official position and extending of undue benefit. After obtaining the requisite sanction for prosecution of the public servants from the Government, the ACB produced the chargesheet against all 10 accused persons, including the three private individuals, before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, for judicial determination. The matter will now be considered by the competent court in accordance with law.

ACB Charges 7 SMC Officers, 3 Others Over Illegal Construction in Batamaloo

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a chargesheet against 10 persons, including seven officers of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), in connection with alleged illegal and unauthorised construction in Ward No. 28 of Batamaloo near Tiny Hearts School, Tengpora. The chargesheet in FIR No. 06/2023 registered at Police Station ACB Srinagar []

FSSAI Chief Reviews Food Testing Facilities in Jammu Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Chief Executive Officer of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Rajit Punhani, on Monday reviewed the functioning of food testing facilities in Jammu and Kashmir and discussed measures to enhance their infrastructure, manpower and analytical capacity. Punhani, who is also Secretary to the Government of India, visited the Food Laboratory, Kashmir, []

U.S. President Donald Trump terms Saudi-Turkiye-Pakistan defence agreement 'big, bold step

The agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

Tech billionaires Jack and Laura Dangermond donated $165 million to protect a stunning 24,000-acre stretch of California coastline visible from space

Jack and Laura Dangermond have made a monumental donation of $165 million to The Nature Conservancy, ensuring the permanent protection of the stunning 24,000-acre Cojo/Jalama Ranch. This property boasts eight miles of pristine coastline and a rich variety of ecosystems. Renowned for founding Esri, a leader in geographic information systems, their generosity sets a positive example amidst ongoing controversies involving other tech moguls and their coastal estates.

Avny Lavasa Gets Additional Charge Of Tribal Affairs Department

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has assigned the additional charge of the Tribal Affairs Department to IAS officer Avny Lavasa. As per a government order issued by the General Administration Department on Sunday, Lavasa, IAS (AGMUT: 2013), who is serving as Secretary to the Government, Transport Department, and holding additional charge of Administrative Secretary, []

SIA Arrests Absconding Narco-Terror Operative in Jammu After Four Years

SRINAGAR : The State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir has arrested an alleged narco-terror operative who had been absconding for nearly four years in connection with a case involving the alleged smuggling of narcotics from across the Line of Control (LoC) and diversion of proceeds from their sale towards terrorist activities. The accused, identified as Manoj []

CM Omar Felicitates J&K MMA Fighter Owais Yaqoob, Awards Rs 1 Lakh

SRINAGAR , August 17 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday felicitated international mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Owais Yaqoob and presented him with a cash award of Rs 1 lakh in recognition of his achievements on the international stage. Yaqoob, a native of Murran village in Pulwama, recently secured a notable victory over Delyan Georgiev at BRAVE Combat Federation 107. Georgiev is a training and sparring partner of UFC champion Ilia Topuria. The victory has further raised Yaqoobs profile in international MMA as he continues to pursue his goal of earning a place in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Born in 1998, Yaqoob began training in Taekwondo and kickboxing around 2012 and went on to win more than a dozen national medals across different martial arts disciplines. He later shifted his focus to MMA and began competing internationally. His professional career started with a setback when he suffered a third-round submission defeat in his debut bout at Matrix Fight Night 11 in New Delhi in 2023. He subsequently travelled to Dagestan, Russia, where he underwent specialised training to strengthen his wrestling and ground game. The training proved fruitful, with Yaqoob returning to competition to record victories in India, Kazakhstan and China. He also became the first fighter from Jammu and Kashmir to compete and win under the BRAVE Combat Federation banner. Beyond his professional career, Yaqoob has contributed to the development of martial arts at the grassroots level. He founded the Lions Den Martial Arts Academy in Pulwama in 2015, where more than 200 young athletes have reportedly received training. The Rs 1 lakh cash award from the Chief Minister recognises Yaqoobs recent international accomplishments and his contribution to promoting martial arts among youth in Jammu and Kashmir. Yaqoob remains focused on his long-term ambition of making it to the UFC and representing India on the worlds biggest MMA stage.

SIA Kashmir arrests absconding narco-terror operative in Jammu

Srinagar: Marking a significant breakthrough in its investigation into the smuggling of narcotics from across the Line of Control (LoC) and the alleged use of drug proceeds to finance terrorist activities, the State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir has arrested an absconding operative allegedly involved in a narco-terror financing network. In a statement , a SIA []

CM Omar Felicitates MMA Fighter Owais Yaqoob With Rs 1 Lakh

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday felicitated Jammu and Kashmir martial arts fighter Owais Yaqoob with a cash award of Rs 1 lakh in recognition of his impressive performances on the international stage. Yaqoob, a native of Murran village in Pulwama, recently defeated Delyan Georgiev at BRAVE Combat Federation 107. Georgiev is a training []

Man Killed, 11 Injured After Vehicle Skids Off Road

SRINAGAR : A man was killed and 11 others injured after a vehicle skidded off the road and hit several vehicles in the Thadikassi Tandwal area of Rajouri district on Monday, officials said. An official said the accident occurred around noon when a vehicle bearing registration number JK11G-8874 skidded off the road and collided with []

Don 3 row: Ranveer Singhs father Jagjit Singh to meet IMPPA this week

Ranveer Singhs father Jagjit Singh is expected to meet IMPPA members this week to discuss the Don 3 dispute. The meeting comes after FWICE revoked its non-cooperation directive against the actor amid efforts to resolve the matter amicably

Mirwaiz Claims House Arrest, Denial of Permission To Address Khawaja Digar Gathering

SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest on Monday and denied permission to address the annual Khawaja Digar religious gathering at Khanqah-e-Naqshband Sahib (RA), he said in a post on X. The Mirwaiz said tens of thousands of people had gathered to participate in the religious congregation, observed annually on []

Education Minister Reviews NTA Reforms, Directs Overhaul of Exam Security

SRINAGAR: Union Education Minister Prahlad Joshi on Monday reviewed the steps being taken by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to reform its examination system and directed strict compliance with established protocols and an overhaul of its confidential operations architecture. Joshi held a meeting with the Secretary, Department of Higher Education, NTA Director General and other []

McDonald's Shravan Special Menu Triggers Hilarious Reactions Online:

Jammu Kashmir-Born IAS Officer Posted as Joint Commissioner Industries in Delhi

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir-born IAS officer Arjun Gupta, a 2024-batch officer of the AGMUT cadre, has been posted as Joint Commissioner (Industries) in Delhi with immediate effect. Gupta, who hails from Trikuta Nagar in Jammu and has roots in Ramkot village of Kathua, secured All India Rank 32 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) []

Dont know what they are protesting about: Dilip Ghosh on proposed CJP protest in Bankura

Foreign envoys praise Indonesia as nation marks 81 years of freedom

London E-Prix Post-Race Press Conference | Top 3 Drivers | Round 17 | Formula E Season 12

Watch the Top 3 Drivers' Post-Race Press Conference following the London E-Prix, Round 17 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Season 12. Hear the drivers reflect on the race, key moments and their performances in London.

London E-Prix Race Highlights | Round 17 | Formula E Season 12

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Easy option is to call for change: McDonald resists Australia shake-up after shock

Ram Temple donations theft: SC says ball is in SITs court, suggestions can be directed to Solicitor Generals office

Conveying a hands-off approach into the probe on the case, the Bench headed by CJI Surya Kant says if the Special Investigation Team is doing its job satisfactorily, well and good, but if more is required, we will intervene

Indonesia steps up Bromo fire checks to prevent new outbreaks

Death Toll Rises to 54 Following 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake in Indonesia

Jakarta, August 17: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province in Indonesia on Saturday, resulting in a rising death toll of 54, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). BNPB Chief Suharyanto reported that rescue and relief operations are ongoing in the affected areas. Authorities are ... Read more Death Toll Rises to 54 Following 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake in Indonesia

Ram Madhav, Smriti Irani, Biplab Deb in BJP

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Monday announced its new national team under party president Nitin Nabin, appointing 13 vice presidents, including Ram Madhav, Lok Sabha MP D Purandeshwari and former Uttarakhand chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat. Union Minister Piyush Goyal has been made national treasurer. The party has retained B L Santhosh as National General []

Woman dies, husband injured after scooty car collision in Kathua

Kathua, Aug 17 : A woman died while her husband sustained injuries after the scooty they were travelling on was hit by an Alto car near Hiranagar Morh in Kathua district on Monday, officials said. An official told the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO) that the accident occurred near a petrol pump at Hiranagar Morh when an Alto car collided with the scooty. He said that in the incident, the woman was killed while her husband sustained injuries. Both were shifted to a hospital, where the woman later succumbed to her injuries. The deceased was identified as Reena Devi (42), wife of Ranjeet Kumar, while her injured husband was identified as Ranjeet Kumar (51), son of Gian Chand. Both were residents of Ghagwal in Samba district. Meanwhile, an investigation has been initiated and further proceedings are underway, officials said.(KNO)

Evans Makes a Move to P7 at London E-Prix

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Eri Crashes During London E-Prix Round 17

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Da Costa Makes a Move for P4 at London E-Prix

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SC Asks SIT to Expedite Probe Into Ram Temple Donations Case

New Delhi, Aug 17: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya to complete its investigation expeditiously and take it to a logical conclusion. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana directed [] The post SC Asks SIT to Expedite Probe Into Ram Temple Donations Case appeared first on Northlines .

Cabinet reshuffle very soon, new BJP, NCP faces may be inducted: Athawale

NAGPUR: Union Minister and RPI(A) chief Ramdas Athawale on Monday said a reshuffle of the Union cabinet can take place very soon, with new faces from the BJP and ally NCP expected to be inducted into the government. Speaking to reporters here, Athawale also said the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) must bridge ideological differences and []

Indonesia keeps Rp5 trillion ready as NTT earthquake toll hits 54

Can we accept what we have done or not done?: harrowing film follows doctors in Gaza

Registrar of Companies (ROC J&K) Leads Tiranga Yatra at Bahu Plaza, Jammu

Jammu, Aug 17: As part of the nationwide Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign 2026, the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ROC), Jammu & Kashmir, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with the local chapters/branches of Professional Institutes (ICAI) and (ICSI) today organised and led a vibrant Tiranga Yatra at Bahu Plaza, Jammu. The Tiranga Yatra witnessed enthusiastic participation by officers and officials of the ROC J&K office, along with Jammu-based members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) led by CA Amit Gupta and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) led by CS Sahil. Carrying the National Flag with pride, the participants spread the message of patriotism, national unity and collective responsibility. Speaking to the media on the occasion, Registrar of Companies, J&K, Haamid Bukhari, said that the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign is a unique initiative that seeks to deepen the emotional connect of every citizen with the National Flag and the nation. He noted that the 2026 campaign marks the fifth edition, continuing the initiative that began in 2022. This year, special feature of the initiative is the 150th Anniversary of Vande Mataram, the national song through which we cherish the cultural history of our nationalism and the values of patriotism of which, we all should be proud of. He said that such initiatives inculcate a feeling of patriotism in the heart of every Indian and inspire citizens to cherish the ideals, sacrifices and values of the freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the countrys independence. He further emphasised the message Culture Unites Us All, observing that the values of unity and patriotism should remain above everything else for every citizen of the country. Bukhari further highlighted the growing reach of the 2026 Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign, observing that the initiative has evolved into a peoples movement extending beyond the territorial borders of India. He said that the National Flag has been proudly displayed at various Indian embassies across the world, bringing together members of the Indian diaspora and citizens in a shared celebration of the Tricolour and the spirit of national pride. CA Amit Gupta and CS Sahil, Chairpersons representing the Jammu-based CA and CS fraternities, respectively, also emphasised that the participation of professional bodies such as ICAI and ICSI reflects the important role that professional communities can play in strengthening the spirit of responsible citizenship and contributing to nation-building. The Tiranga Yatra concluded with a renewed commitment by all participants to uphold the values embodied by the Tricolour and the cultural ethos of Vande Mataram, and to carry forward the spirit of unity, integrity and patriotism in their professional and public lives. The event formed part of the nationwide celebrations under the Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign 2026, aimed at encouraging citizens to proudly display and carry the National Flag and reaffirm their commitment to the nation.

Shakiras Hips Dont Lie Gets a Rajasthani Folk Twist

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Lucas Di Grassis Final Formula E Race: London E-Prix Round 17

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Formula E World Champion Interview: Season 12 London E-Prix

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Evans and Mller Make Contact During London E-Prix Race

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Jaguar Team Tactics Take Centre Stage at London E-Prix

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Wehrlein Finishes Third in London E-Prix Round 17

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Wehrlein Secures P3 Finish at London E-Prix

Pascal Wehrlein finishes third in Round 17 of the Formula E Season 12 London E-Prix. Watch the key race moments as Wehrlein battles his way to a podium finish.

Wehrlein Caught Up in Chaos at London E-Prix

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Formula E London E-Prix Round 17: Race Start

The lights go out at the London E-Prix as drivers battle for position at the start of Round 17. Watch the thrilling opening moments of the Formula E Season 12 finale.

London E-Prix Round 17: Podium Drivers Speak to the Media

The top drivers share their thoughts with the media after a dramatic Round 17 of the London E-Prix. Hear from the podium finishers as the Formula E Season 12 finale concludes in London.