Hopes for restoration of J&K’s statehood diminishing: Omar

28/10/2025
SRINAGAR, Oct 27: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday admitted that his initial optimism for the restoration of statehood is "diminishing" by the day as the process drags on, saying that the prolonged wait is inevitably chipping away at his faith. However, the chief minister said that despite the decrease in optimism after a year, he was still hopeful that statehood would be restored to J&K. "I was hopeful from the first day. My hopefulness has decreased a little. But it is still there," A...

EC should not rush into pan-India SIR, wait for Bihar election to get over: Omar

28/10/2025
SRINAGAR, Oct 27: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the Election Commission should not rush to carry out a nationwide special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, but rather wait for the Bihar assembly election to get over. According to officials, the Election Commission is likely to announce a pan-India SIR of the voters' list on Monday evening. Speaking to reporters in his assembly office chamber here after the House proceedings were adjourned for the day, Abdullah said, "...

Government schools will lead the future of India's learning reforms: LG Sinha

28/10/2025
SRINAGAR, Oct 27: "Government schools will lead the future of India's learning reforms," the Lieut-enant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Monday. He said the Robotics Lab, STEM innovation centres, smart classrooms, advanced digital infrastructure, professional development for teachers, and holistic learning spaces will unlock the potential of every child. The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the inauguration of DREAM School Project at the prestigious Government Girls Higher Secondary School,...

‘Sarei Raaz Khol Dunga,’ says Dy CM as House erupts over cross-voting row with ‘vote chori’ slogans

28/10/2025
SRINAGAR, Oct 27: The Legislative Assembly witnes-sed uproarious scenes on Monday as the controversy over alleged cross-voting in the recent Rajya Sabha elections resurfaced during Question Hour. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary stirred a fresh political storm after directly accusing the BJP of "stealing four votes" in the Upper House elections. "Yesterday, you stole four votes. If I start speaking, no one will remain seated here. Let us allow a secret to remain a secret," Choudhary r...

HC strikes down blanket reservation in J&K Colleges

28/10/2025
JAMMU, Oct 27: In a landmark ruling, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has ruled that 100% domicile-based reservation in admissions to private medical and paramedical colleges is unconstit-utional if it leads to wastage of seats. The Court directed that once local quota is exhausted, unfilled seats must be opened to students from outside the Union Territory. The verdict, pronounced by Justice Sanjay Dhar, came while deciding petitions filed by the Jammu College of Physiotherapy ...

SC mulls CBI probe into all digital arrest cases; seeks details of FIRs from states, UTs

28/10/2025
NEW DELHI, Oct 27: The Supreme Court on Monday said it is inclined to entrust to the CBI the probe into digital arrest cases after taking into consideration the magnitude and pan-India spread of such crimes, and sought details of FIRs registered in different states and Union territories. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to all states and UTs on digital arrest cases. Digital arrest is a growing form of cybercrime in which fraudsters pose as law enforcement offi...

No immediate relief for detained AAP MLA on plea to attend Assembly session

28/10/2025
JAMMU, Oct 27: An application of detained Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mehraj Malik seeking permission to participate in the ongoing assembly session was adjourned on Monday by the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh till October 30, a day before the autumn session is scheduled to end. The lawyers of Malik, the president of the J-K unit of AAP who was detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) on September 8 and is presently lodged in Kathua jail, had sought an urgent hearing. Justice...

HC dismisses bail plea of Punjab Resident in NDPS Case

28/10/2025
JAMMU, Oct 27: Justice Rajesh Sekhri of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court at Jammu has rejected the bail plea of Liaqyat Ali alias Lucky, a Punjab resident, who was arrested last year in Samba district after police claimed to have recovered nearly 589 grams of heroin (chitta) from his possession. Appearing for the applicant, Mr. M.A. Goni, Senior Advocate with Mr. S. Tanzeel Illahi, Advocate, argued that Ali was merely a passenger in the Bolero vehicle intercepted at Rajpura and that the r...

We must continue to introspect; remain prepared for war-like situation: Rajnath

28/10/2025
NEW DELHI, Oct 27: India must remain ready for a "war-like situation" as the four-day military conflict with Pakistan in May showed anything can happen anytime along the frontiers, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday. Addressing an event, Singh said that though India gave a "firm response" to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, it should serve as a case study to learn and chart the future course of action in dealing with national security challenges.

Pakistani drone drops bags containing over 5 kgs heroin along IB

28/10/2025
JAMMU, Oct 27: Security Forces on Monday foiled a major narcotic smuggling attempt from across the International Border here with the recovery of two bags, dropped by a Pakistani drone and containing over five kg of heroin worth over Rs 25 crore in the international market, officials said. The recovery of narcotics was made near Border Outpost Jatinder in R S Pura sector during a joint search operation by the Border Security Force (BSF) and police. The search operation was launched at around...

A New Judicial Era Awaits with Justice Surya Kant as Chief Justice of India

28/10/2025
The nation now looks forward to the elevation of Justice Surya Kant as the next Chief Justice of India on November 24, 2025, following the retirement of the present Chief Justice, Justice Gavai. With his appointment, a sense of hope and anticipation spreads through the legal fraternity. Many believe his tenure will mark the beginning of a new judicial era rooted in accessibility, efficiency, and public confidence in the justice delivery system. Justice Surya Kant was born on February 10, 1...

Team of security, intelligence officers reviews border monitoring along IB

28/10/2025
JAMMU, Oct 27: A joint team of officers from different security and intelligence agencies on Monday visited Border Outpost Octroi along the International Border here and reviewed the infrastructure and technological assets deployed for effective border monitoring, an official spokesperson said. The cross-establishment team's visit in Suchetgarh sector was organised by the Border Security Force (BSF) as part of the ongoing Civil-Military Fusion Capsule being conducted in the Jammu region, he sa...

SC refuses contempt action against lawyer in CJI shoe-throwing incident, says will consider preventive guidelines

28/10/2025
NEW DELHI, Oct 27: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to initiate contempt action against a lawyer who had attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai but said it will consider laying down guidelines to prevent such incidents. Noting that the CJI himself had refused to proceed against 71-year-old Rakesh Kishore, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said shouting slogans in court and hurling shoes are clear cases of contempt of court but it all depends on the jud...

Govt seeks NIA nod for starting work on cable car project in Pahalgam

28/10/2025
SRINAGAR, Oct 27: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday said it has sought the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) nod for starting work on a cable car project in Baisaran in the tourist resort of Pahalgam, the site of the April 22 terror attack. The NIA is probing the attack, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, died. In response to an unstarred question by Pahalgam MLA Altaf Ahmad Wani in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, the government said the project work has been allotted to a comp...

SC orders JKCA polls in 12 weeks under supervision of former CEC

28/10/2025
NEW DELHI, Oct 27: The Supreme Court on Monday directed that the elections to the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) be held within 12 weeks under the supervision of a former chief election commissioner. A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran took note of the submissions that A K Joti, a former CEC, has agreed to supervise the JKCA polls. The bench ordered that irrespective of whether the constitution of the JKCA is registered, the polls will be he...

Autumn Session of Assembly to begin today; statehood, reservation to dominate

23/10/2025
Srinagar, Oct 22: The autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly scheduled to begin on Thursday is expected to be a stormy affair as issues like statehood, reservation policy and regularisation of thousands of daily wage workers in the union territory are set to dominate the proceedings. The nine-day assembly session will begin with the House scheduled to pay homage to former legislators from Jammu and Kashmir who passed away recently. On Friday, the Legislative Assembly will vote to el...

No promotion to be made in GMC’s Biochemistry deptt till, it’s judgment is complied: CAT Jammu

23/10/2025
Jammu, Oct 14: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Jammu Bench, comprising Member (A) Pragya Sahay Saksena and Member (J) Sanjeev Gupta, has directed that no promotion orders be issued by the Health and Medical Education Department until compliance with its earlier directions dated April 2, 2025, regarding verification of the Ph.D. degree of Dr.Tehseen Hassan, Assistant Professor aspirant. The Tribunal was hearing O.A. No. 1553/2025 (Dr.Tehseen Hassan v. Health and Medical Education Dep...

Dr Jitendra distributes free laptops to top-performing female students

23/10/2025
Jammu, Oct 22: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Tuesday distributed laptops for free to meritorious female students in his parliamentary constituency, saying it was the best Diwali gift for enabling ease of education and preparation for competitive examinations. Singh said in the past 11 years, the NarendraModi government has ensured ease of education for students in view of their rising aspirations. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has given students the freedom to choose subjects...

Nagrota by-polls: Late BJP MLA’s daughter, ex-J&K minister among 9 in fray

23/10/2025
Jammu, Oct 22: Nine candidates, including the daughter of former BJP MLA late Devender Singh Rana and former Minister from Jammu and Kashmir Harsh Dev Singh are among the candidates in the fray in Nagrota assembly by-polls. Nagrota will vote on November 11 and the scrutiny of nominations is scheduled for today. The withdrawal of nominations is due October 24. Monday was the last date for filing nominations. Counting of votes will take place on November 14. The Nagrota seat was vacated due to ...

Devyani youngest candidate, vows to fulfil father Devender Singh Rana’s dream

23/10/2025
Jammu, Oct 22: From a young entrepreneur to a political hopeful, 30-year-old DevyaniRana has stepped into the electoral arena of Jammu and Kashmir's Nagrota Assembly constituency, determined to carry forward the legacy of her late father and senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana. Riding high on a wave of public sympathy and goodwill, she has vowed to secure a resounding victory and transform Nagrota into a model constituency based on 360-degree development. The Nagrotabypoll is slated to be h...

NC launches Nagrota by poll campaign with good governance, progress as its plank

23/10/2025
Jammu, Oct 22: National Conference on Tuesday formally launched its campaign for the upcoming Nagrota Assembly bypoll, seeking a mandate based on its track record of good governance, development, and inclusive politics under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The campaign was kicked off from PanjGarain, where key leaders of the party rallied party workers and supporters, urging them to reach out to the people with a clear message of hope, progress, and stability under NC's leadership, a party spoke...

White Knight Corps commander assesses security situation along LoC in Rajouri-Poonch sector

23/10/2025
Jammu, Oct 22: White Knight Corps General Officer Commanding (GoC), Lieutenant General P K Mishra, visited forward areas along the Line of Control in the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday to review the operational preparedness and security situation in the sector. He also interacted with troops, appreciating their professionalism, composure, and steadfast commitment under challenging conditions. "GoC White Knight Corps, together with GoC Ace of Spades divi...

BJP to hold Legislature Party meeting today; LoP Sharma to chair meeting of MLAs

23/10/2025
Srinagar, Oct 22: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called a meeting of its legislature party on Thursday morning in Srinagar to chalk out a strategy for the autumn session of the Legislative Assembly. Sources said that Leader of the Opposition and firebrand BJP leader Sunil Kumar Sharma will chair a meeting of all BJP legislators to formulate a strategy to corner the government on a range of issues. "We are holding a meeting tomorrow at 8:30 AM to discuss the issues to be raised during the...

SC seeks Centre’s assistance on PIL Seeking nationwide ban on online gambling

23/10/2025
New Delhi, Oct 22: The Supreme Court has sought the Centre's assistance on a plea seeking directions to prohibit online gambling and betting platforms that allegedly operate under the guise of social and e-sports games. A bench of justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan asked the counsel appearing for the petitioner to serve a copy of the PIL to the counsel for the central government. "We request VC Bharathi to look into the petition and assist us on the next date of hearing. List after two ...

LG Kavinder stresses need to foster Scientific Temper among students for a ‘Progressive Ladakh’

23/10/2025
Kargil, Oct 22: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, today emphasised the need to foster a scientific temper among students to build a progressive and innovative Ladakh. He said that nurturing curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in young minds is essential for creating a modern society capable of meeting future challenges through knowledge, research, and innovation. The Hon'ble Lt Governor was speaking after inaugurating the 52nd Rashtriya Bal Vaigyanik Pradarsha...

Meeting between MHA representatives, Ladakh leaders begins weeks after deadly protests

23/10/2025
New Delhi, Oct 22: In the first sign of a thaw, leaders of Ladakh, where four people died in police firing during the recent pro-statehood protests, met with Home Ministry representatives here on Wednesday for sub-committee level talks. During the meeting, the Ladakh representatives demanded an immediate release of all arrested leaders, including climate activist Sonam Wangchuck, the widely recognised face of the agitation. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) said...

Jammu records around 200 AQI on Diwali night

23/10/2025
Jammu, Oct 22: The air pollution level recorded a rise as the Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 200 on the Diwali night in Jammu. Jammu city on Tuesday night recorded 198 AQI. "The Air Quality Index in Jammu normally hovers around 100 but on the Diwali festival night, it touched 200," official sources said. They said that due to the ongoing construction works in Jammu city and its peripheries, the AQI in routine is recorded 120 to 130 but on Tuesday night, it touched 200. Manual readings were ...

Five JKAS officers assigned Addl Charges in Ladakh

23/10/2025
Leh, Oct 22: The Union Territory administration in Ladakh has ordered transfers and assignments of additional charges among five JKAS officers. As per an order, Huma Khan, Deputy Registrar Cooperative, Leh, has been given the additional charge of Superintendent, Handloom, Leh, and SarwarShahzad, currently posted as District Social Welfare Officer, Kargil, has been directed to also serve as Deputy Registrar, Cooperatives, Kargil. Atul Singh Mankotia, Under Secretary in Labour & Employment Depa...

Two women drug peddlers arrested in Shopian

23/10/2025
Srinagar, Oct 22: Two women drug peddlers were arrested with more than 15 kg of narcotics in Shopian district on Wednesday, police said. They were arrested during checking in the Melhura Zainapora area of the south Kashmir district, a police official said. He said 15 kg of crushed cannabis and 1 kg of charas-like substances were recovered from their possession. Police said a case has been registered at Zainapora police station and further investigation is underway.

Big python captured in Nowshera

23/10/2025
Rajouri/Jammu, Oct 22: A three-metre-long python was captured in a village in Rajouri district after an operation that lasted for hours, officials said on Wednesday. On Tuesday, locals informed the wildlife department about the presence of a large python in a cattle shed in Rajal village of Nowshera tehsil. A team from the department rushed to the spot and found the python snug inside a haystack. It took the team a few hours before it could extricate the reptile and capture it. This was the s...

From Pashmina to Apricots: GST reforms to boost Ladakh’s economy

23/10/2025
New Delhi, Oct 22: The sweeping GST rationalisation reforms that took effect this Navratri have benefits for all walks of people in some form or the other. The recent GST reduction across a wide variety of products and services will, similar to other states and UTs, also impact Ladakh's rich economy, bringing relief to artisans, farmers, and small enterprises. Together, these reforms will support livelihood generation, cultural preservation, and the sustainable growth of Ladakh's economy. A ...

US President Trump dials Modi to extend Diwali greetings; bilateral trade issues figure in talks

23/10/2025
New Delhi/Was hington, Oct 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump discussed trade issues during a phone conversation amid efforts by the two sides to repair bilateral ties that remain under strain after Washington slapped a whopping 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods. In his remarks following the call on Tuesday, Trump described the India-US relationship as "great" and said, without elaborating, that the two sides are working on some "great deals". In a social media po...