Jammu-Srinagar NH closed after fresh snowfall

24/01/2026
Jammu, Jan 23: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) was closed on Friday due to heavy rain and snowfall, with movement also stopped at Jakhani Chowk in Udhampur. Snowfall also disrupted air travel, with Srinagar Airport and IndiGo Airlines announcing temporary suspension and cancellation of several flights. Several parts of Jammu witnessed rainfall, with chilly weather conditions prevailing across the city. Authorities said that in view of ongoing rains and snow accumulating up to Ramso...

Terrorist killed in encounter in Billawar

24/01/2026
Jammu, Jan 23: One terrorist was killed in an encounter in the Billawar area of Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Friday. According to officials, the operation was launched following specific intelligence inputs. The Rising Star Corps of the Indian Army, in a statement, said that a joint operation was initiated by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police on January 23 in the general area of Parhetar in Kathua district. "Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a joint operation...

Northern Army Commander reviews inter-agency core group security

24/01/2026
Srinagar, Jan 23: Northern Army commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma chaired an inter-agency core group security review meeting here, with a focus on enhancing joint operations and strengthening coordination among various security agencies in Kashmir, the Army said on Friday. "Lt Gen Pratik Sharma chaired a Core Group Security Review meeting at Srinagar with senior officials of Army, police, CRPF and other security agencies," the Army's Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said in a post on X. It said the m...

Snowfall disrupts life in Jammu’s higher reaches; rains break long dry spell in plains

24/01/2026
Jammu, Jan 23: Moderate to heavy snowfall was experienced in high-altitude areas, inclu-ding the famous Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in the Jammu region, leading to the suspension of traffic on key roads and disruption of air and rail services. More than 100 stranded persons were rescued from snowbound areas in Poonch and Udhampur districts, while moderate rains lashed the plains, including Jammu city, bringing an end to a dry spell that had lasted for over two months. As predicted by the meteoro...

SC sets high bar for terming registered Sale Deeds as ‘Sham’

24/01/2026
New Delhi, Jan 23: A Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Manmohan has reaffirmed the strong legal sanctity attached to registered sale deeds, holding that courts must not lightly or casually declare such documents as "sham" or "nominal". The ruling was delivered in Hemalatha (D) by LRs vs Tukaram (D) by LRs & Ors., setting aside a Karnataka High Court judgment that had treated a registered 1971 sale deed as a mere façade for a loan transaction. The apex cour...

Clash between DDC Member and rival Political Group over road inauguration at Kastigarh, Doda

24/01/2026
Jammu, Jan 23: In a significant order, Vacation Judge of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court at Jammu Wing, Justice Rajesh Sekhri of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh at Jammu has stayed the filing of the Final Report/ Challan in case FIR No. 0009/2026 of Police Station, Doda against District Development Councillor of Doda (DDC Constituency-12-Kastigarh) namely Santosha Devi W/o Swarn Singh and her son Swarn Veer Singh Jaral. While staying the filing of the Police Challan, Justice ...

SC issues notice to Centre, others on plea for probe into multi-crore rupees insolvency fraud

24/01/2026
New Delhi, Jan 23: The Supreme Court on Friday sought responses of the Centre, Telangana, CBI, ED and SFIO on a plea seeking an independent probe into a multi-crore corporate fraud involving alleged collusion of state authorities and a high-ranking member of the judiciary. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took note of the submissions of lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay and issued notices to various Union ministries, including the home affairs, finance, law and jus...

PM Modi to handover over 61,000 appointment letters at Rozgar Mela on Saturday

24/01/2026
New Delhi, Jan 23: Prime Minister Nare-ndra Modi will distribute more than 61,000 appointment letters to the newly appointed youth in various government departments and organisations at the 18th Rozgar Mela on Saturday. In line with the prime minister's commitment to accord the highest priority to employment generation, RozgarMela is a key initiative aimed at translating this vision into action, a PMO statement said. Since its inception, more than 11 lakh recruitment letters have been issued ...

Multi-layered security in place across Kashmir for peaceful Republic Day celebrations

24/01/2026
Srinagar, Jan 23: Kashmir Police chief V K Birdi on Friday said multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place across the valley to ensure peaceful Republic Day celebrations. "The main Republic Day functions will be held in different districts, with chief guests receiving salutes during the ceremonies. In Srinagar, the main event will be held at Bakshi Stadium, which police personnel, school children, and the public are expected to attend," the IGP Birdi said. "Multi-layered secur...

High Court orders major promotions in Administrative Cadre

24/01/2026
Jammu, Jan 23: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on Thursday ordered a series of promotions across its adm-inistrative cadre, following the recommendations of the Hon'ble Committee for Appointment and Pro-motion of High Court staff, duly approved by Hon'ble the Chief Justice. As per Order No. 92 of 2026/RG/NG dated January 23, 2026, Shri Ajay Kumar, Additional Registrar (Administration), has been promoted as Registrar in Pay Level-13A against an available vacancy. In another signif...

Rafale, S-400, BrahMos: Op Sindoor tableau to showcase India’s ability to ‘strike deep, strike fast’

24/01/2026
New Delhi, Jan 23: A Su-30 MKI launching a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the Army's M777 ultra-light howitzers delivering calibrated firepower to neutralise hostile intent and the Navy's maritime dominance, denying the adversary any operational freedom, have been symbolically showcased in an Operation Sindoor-themed tableau for the Republic Day by the Indian military. The tri-service tableau, which will roll down the Kartavya Path on January 26, stands as "India's strongest affirmation tha...

SC directs Jharkhand lawyer to tender unconditional apology in HC over his viral spat with judge

24/01/2026
New Delhi, Jan 23: The Supreme Court on Friday asked a Jhark-hand-based lawyer to tender an unconditional apology before the high court in a suo-motu contempt proceedings which stemmed from a viral court-room exchange where he allegedly told a judge, "Don't cross the limit." A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice JoymalyaBagchi disposed of the petition, granting Mahesh Tiwari the liberty to file an unconditional apology before a five-judge high court bench which had issued con...

Army vehicle carrying troops for anti-terror operation plunges into gorge in Doda; 10 killed

23/01/2026
Bhaderwah/Jammu, Jan 22: An armoured vehicle of the Army carrying troops for an anti-terror operation plunged into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district on Thursday, killing 10 soldiers and injuring 11 others, officials said. The accident took place at the 9000-foot-high Khanni top along the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road around noon when the driver of the bulletproof vehicle, Casspir, lost control and the vehicle plunged into a 200-foot-deep gorge. The Casspir, also known as 'C...

India cautions against delays in UN reforms, suggests increasing the UNSC membership from 15 to 25

23/01/2026
New Delhi, Jan 22: India has cautioned against delays in implementing timely reforms of the UN Security Council (UNSC) and suggested increasing the number of seats from 15 to 25 or 26 in both permanent and non-permanent categories by giving adequate representation to the African region and the Asia Pacific. India's Permanent Representative at the UN, Ambassador P Harish, making a statement on behalf of G-4 (India, Brazil, Germany and Japan) in New York, said a reformed UNSC must have balanced ...

DGP reviews security scenario & anti-terror operations in Anantnag

23/01/2026
Srinagar, Jan 22: Director General of Police, NalinPrabhat on Thursday chaired a comprehensive security review meeting in south Kashmir, to assess the prevailing security situation and review ongoing anti-terror operations in the districts of Anantnag, Kulgam and Police District Awantipora, ahead of Republic Day-2026. The meeting held in Anantnag was attended by Special DGP (Coordin-ation) S.J.M. Gillani, IGP Kashmir Zone V.K. Birdi, DIG South Kashmir Range Javaid Iqbal Matoo and senior office...

LoP Sunil meets HM Amit Shah; discusses upcoming session, political, security and developmental issues

23/01/2026
New Delhi, Jan 22: Leader of Opposition, Sunil Sharma, today met Hon'ble Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and held a detailed discussion on the upcoming Assembly session, the prevailing political scenario, the security situation, and developmental priorities of Jammu & Kashmir. During the meeting, Sunil Sharma apprised the Home Minister of the ground-level political dynamics in J&K and conveyed the expectations and aspirations of the people from the forthcoming Asse-mbly session. He ...

LG Sinha condoles death of 10 Army personnel in Doda road accident

23/01/2026
Doda, Jan 22: Lieute-nant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday expressed heartfelt condolences over the death of 10 Army personnel, who lost their lives in an accident in Doda. In a post on X, LG Sinha stated that the entire nation stands in solidarity with the bereaved families. He further noted that 10 other soldiers who were injured in the incident have been airlifted to the hospital for treatment. He further stated that the nation will always remember the outstanding service and supreme sacrif...

Relief for 50 Jammu medical college students; fresh counselling on Jan 24

23/01/2026
Jammu, Jan 22: In a major relief for the 50 students affected by the revocation of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, the Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations has set January 24 as the fresh date for their counselling to adjust them in seven government-run colleges across the Union Territory. According to a notification uploaded on the Board's website, the 50 supernumerary seats shall be distributed strictly based on the NEET-UG merit of the ca...

Search operation intensified amid fresh encounter in Kishtwar

23/01/2026
Jammu, Jan 22: Amid the ongoing anti-terror drive across Jammu ahead of Republic Day, security forces on Thursday re-established contact with terrorists in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district after a four-day lull, officials said. The operation in Sonnar village near Mandral-Singhpora in Chatroo belt was launched on Sunday, leading to a gunfight that left one paratrooper dead and seven other soldiers injured. The terrorists fled deep inside the forest after several hou...

SC issues notice to Delhi govt on plea of LeT terrorist against death penalty in Red Fort case

23/01/2026
New Delhi, Jan 22: The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear the curative plea of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Mohammad Arif against the death penalty given to him in the 2000 Red Fort attack case that left three Army jawans dead. The top court had on November 3, 2022 dismissed the review plea of Arif in the case. Arif alias Ashfaq was awarded the death sentence by a trial court in October 2005 and the Delhi High Court had affirmed the view of the trial court in September 2007. He had t...

Security around Republic Day event venue intensified

23/01/2026
Srinagar, Jan 22: Security has been heightened across Kashmir ahead of Republic Day as police has intensified patrolling and vehicle checks in the Valley to thwart any attempts by anti-national elements to disrupt the celebrations, officials said on Thursday. The roads leading to Bakshi Stadium here, the venue for the main official Republic Day function in Kashmir, have been fortified with security-related obstacles established at several places. Senior police officers at the district level a...

JKPSC rejects allegation of bias in Judicial Services (Main) exam

23/01/2026
JAMMU, Jan 22: In response to recent media and social media news items regarding fairness of the J&K Civil Services Judicial (Main) 2025 Examination, the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (J&K PSC) puts on record that the examinations are conducted in completely fair manner with no scope for bias, manipulation, or external influence. In a statement issued here, the JKPSC said that the selection and recruitment of individual candidates are made strictly as per merit and under rules ir...

Court rejects bail in attack on SI

23/01/2026
Jammu, Jan 22: In a much publicized case of attach on SI Nitin Khajuria, the Court of 2nd Additional Sessions Judge, Jammu, Anoop Kumar Sharma, has rejected the bail application of Narinder Sharma in FIR No. 158/2025 of Police Station Bakshi Nagar, holding that the allegations pertain to a heinous, life-threatening assault on a serving police officer and that granting bail would send a wrong signal to society, besides raising the likelihood of the accused absconding or repeating offences. Acco...

Centre notifies questionnaire for Phase I of Census 2027

23/01/2026
New Delhi, Jan 22: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday issued a notification detailing the questionnaire to be used for Phase I of the Census of India 2027, which covers the Houselisting and Housing Census. The notification, issued by the Office of the Registrar General of India, authorised census officials to collect specified housing & household-related information across the country. Exercising powers under Section 8(1) of the Census Act, 1948, the Central Government has superse...

Pak prisoner dies during treatment for intense stomach pain complaints

23/01/2026
Jammu, Jan 22: A Pakistani man lodged in a prison here since 2024 for illegally crossing over to India died at the Government Medical College hospital on Thursday during treatment for medical complications, officials said. Mohd Rafiq was arrested after he illegally crossed the International Border into the Ramgarh sector of Samba district in 2024. He was lodged in high-security KotBhalwal jail in Jammu, they said. Rafiq was facing trial under the Foreigners Act. He complained of intense stom...

JU employee found hanging from tree in campus

23/01/2026
Jammu, Jan 22: An employee of University of Jammu was today found hanging under mysterious circumstances from a tree inside the campus, police here said. The deceased, identified as Balwan Singh (aged 42-45), an employee of the Masters in Business Administration (MBA) department and a resident of Hiranagar, district Kathua, was found hanging from a tree within the university grounds, police said. "The deceased was staying in the staff quarters of the university," said police, adding that the ...

First full goods train with rice reaches Anantnag

23/01/2026
Jammu, Jan 22: Northern Railway's Jammu Division transported a 42-BCN goods rake loaded with rice to Anantnag from Sangrur (Punjab) in 24 hours, boosting freight movement in the valley, an official said on Thursday. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Jammu, Uchit Singhal said the successful arrival of the full rake of food grain wagons from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is a "historic moment" for Jammu and Kashmir. "The first 42-BCN rake strengthens regional logistics capacity and is s...

SC allows Hindus, Muslims to offer prayers at Bhojshala on Basant Panchami

23/01/2026
New Delhi, Jan 22: The Supreme Court has allowed Hindu prayers from sunrise to sunset on Basant Panchami on Friday at the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district, while permitting Muslims to offer namaz from 1 pm to 3 pm on the day. The top court on Thursday also directed that a list of persons from the Muslim community coming for namaz be given to the district administration. Hindu and Muslim groups have sought nod for religious activities at the Bhojshala com...

Udhamapur’s GI-tagged “Kaladi” to be upscaled for diverse food recipes using advanced food technologies: Dr. Jitendra

22/01/2026
NEW DELHI, Jan 21: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh today directed that "Kaladi", the GI-tagged traditional dairy product of Udhampur district, Jammu & Kashmir, be upscaled for wider food applications and recipes, while strictly preserving its original flavour, texture, and nutritional identity. The Minister said that the focus should be on value addition and enhancement of shelf life, enabling Kaladi to reach national...