LG hands over appointment letters to families of terror victims

16/03/2026
SRINAGAR, Mar 15: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday handed over appointment letters to 27 Next of Kins (NoKs) of victims of terrorism, at Lok Bhavan Srinagar. Appointment letters were also handed over to 22 NoKs of deceased government employees, under Jammu & Kashmir Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme-2022 and SRO 43. The Lieutenant Governor reiterated his resolve to secure justice for every terror victim's family. He stated that pending cases will be reopened to hold perpetrators a...

Judicial system must work like hospitals, with same spirit of service: CJI

16/03/2026
MANDI (HP), Mar 15: Chief Justice of India Justice Surya stated on Sunday that judicial complexes should operate with the same spirit of service as hospitals, as people come to courts with hope seeking relief and justice. While addressing a legal literacy camp after laying the foundation stone for the Mandi Judicial Court Complex, the Chief Justice emphasised that with increasing facilities comes a greater responsibility for the judicial system. He highlighted that while discussions often foc...

Fresh snowfall in higher reaches of Kashmir

16/03/2026
SRINAGAR, Mar 15: Few areas in the higher reaches of Kashmir, including the Gulmarg tourist resort, received fresh snowfall, while the plains were lashed by rains on Sunday, officials said. The upper reaches of Gulmarg, including Apharwat and Kongdoori bowls, received snowfall, which continued till last reports came in.Pir Ki Gali, along the Mughal Road in Shopian district of south Kashmir, and Sonamarg Zojilla axis also received fresh snowfall. The snowfall on the Zojilla Pass forced the...

SC gives final opportunity to Noida Authority to comply with orders on stalled sports city project

16/03/2026
NEW DELHI, Mar 15: The Supreme Court has given a last and final opportunity to the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority to comply with its directions concerning stalled real estate projects linked to the Noida Sports City development. A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh passed the order. “In the meantime, as a last and final opportunity, the earlier orders passed by this court dated November 24, 2025 and January 15, 2026 must be complied with by the respondent Noida,” ...

Confident that BJP will again form govt in Assam with largest ever mandate: Amit Shah

16/03/2026
GUWAHATI, Mar 15: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said he is confident that the BJP will return to power in Assam under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with the "largest ever mandate". Addressing the youth convention of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) here, Shah urged the people to give another mandate to the BJP and assured them that "every infiltrator will be sent out of India". His comment comes on a day when the Election Commission (EC) announced that ...

EC announces polls schedule: Single phase in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, TN; 2 phases in Bengal

16/03/2026
NEW DELHI, Mar 15: Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will be held on a single day on April 9, in Tamil Nadu on April 23 and in two phases in West Bengal on April 23 and 29, while votes will be counted for all polls on May 4, the Election Commission announced on Sunday. Compared to eight voting days spread across almost a month in 2021, there will be three polling days in a 20-day period in these elections, which will see the BJP trying to retain power in Assam, while it will b...

SC directs Centre to submit comprehensive report on encroachments along Ganga

16/03/2026
NEW DELHI, Mar 15: The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to submit a comprehensive report on illegal constructions along the banks and flood plains of Ganga river and inform about the steps taken to remove encroachments. A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan asked the Union government to place on record steps taken so far for implementation and execution of notification on rejuvenation, protection and management of Ganga. "What are the impediments or hurdles coming i...

Pakistani terrorist killed as army foils infiltration bid in Uri sector

16/03/2026
SRINAGAR, Mar 15: The army on Sunday said that it has foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Uri sector, killing a Pakistani terrorist. "Based on a specific intelligence input provided by #JKP regarding an infiltration attempt, a joint operation was launched on intervening night of 14-15 Mar 26 in Gen area Buchhar, Uri sector," Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Army posted on its X handle. It said troops spotted suspicious movement of a terrorist in the thicket. "The ambush...

J&K achieves 97 pc target under PMAY-G, 3.23 lakh houses built

16/03/2026
JAMMU, Mar 15: Jammu and Kashmir has completed more than 3 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, achieving 97 per cent of the target, officials said on Sunday. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department Secretary Mohammad Aijaz Asad directed officials to accelerate the pace of work for the remaining 11,340 houses under the scheme. During a meeting to review the progress of PMAY-G in the Union Territory, he said the current phase of the scheme is nearing completion, and...

UAE orders arrests of 35, including 19 Indians, for posting misleading content online

16/03/2026
DUBAI, Mar 15: The UAE on Sunday ordered the arrest of 35 individuals, including 19 Indians, for publishing video clips on social media platforms that contained misleading and fabricated content amid regional tensions due to the Israel-US-Iran war. The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) official news agency Wam said the accused have been referred for an expedited trial. The latest list has 25 individuals of various nationalities, including 17 Indians, listed under different sections, separate from t...

Five held with heroin in Jammu, Udhampur

16/03/2026
JAMMU, Mar 15: Five suspected drug peddlers were arrested and heroin was seized from their possession in separate operations in Udhampur and Jammu districts on Sunday, police said. In Udhampur, police intercepted a car at Tikri in Udhampur and arrested Rafiq Ahmad, Arun Singh and Amandeep Singh. The trio, all residents of Jammu, were allegedly found in possession of 15.51 grams of heroin. In another operation at Chennani in the same district, a truck driver, identified as Jahangeer Bhat of Ku...

75 LPG cylinders seized, 3 arrested in Bhaderwah

16/03/2026
BHADERWAH, Mar 15: In a major crackdown against the illegal hoarding and black-marketing of LPG cylinders, Bhaderwah Police on Sunday carried out a successful operation in the area and recovered 75 LPG cylinders while arresting three accused persons involved in the illegal trade. According to the police, acting on specific information and on the directions of SSP Doda Sandeep Mehta (JKPS), a police team from Police Station Bhaderwah launched a raid after receiving inputs that some individuals ...

Netanyahu releases video from cafe, mocks at news of his death

16/03/2026
JERUSALEM, Mar 15: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday mocked at the widespread news on social media about his death as he released a video showing him ordering a coffee at what seems to be a roadside mini market. Speculations have been rife over the social media for about a week questioning his absence from the public space even as rumour increased after a video surfaced apparently showing Netanyahu with six fingers against the backdrop of the US-Israel joint attack on Iran si...

NHAI increases annual pass fee by Rs 75 to Rs 3,075 effective April 1

16/03/2026
NEW DELHI, Mar 15: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Sunday said it has increased the rate of its annual pass by Rs 75 to Rs 3,075 for the next 2026-27 financial year. The annual pass facility was launched on August 15, 2025, to provide financial relief to commuters using national highways. In a statement, NHAI said it is revising the applicable fee for the FASTag Annual Pass from the current Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,075 for the Financial Year 2026-27. Effective April 1, the revisio...

Jammu’s cultural values rise above caste, creed: LG Sinha

14/03/2026
JAMMU, Mar 13: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday urged the practiti-oners of literature and arts to preserve Jammu division's rich heritage, promote its legacy, and connect the new generation to their roots. "Jammu's traditions in literature, culture, and spirituality have taught us to rise above divisions of caste, creed, and artificial boundaries. The values embedded in our culture embody an ideology that places humanity above all," the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant G...

Vinai Kumar Saxena takes oath as 4th LG of Ladakh, calls it ‘crown of India’

14/03/2026
LEH/JAMMU, Mar 13: Vinai Kumar Saxena on Friday took oath as the Lieut-enant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, eight days after President Droupadi Murmu appointed him to the constitutional post. Saxena, who succeeds Kavinder Gupta, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Arun Palli, at a ceremony held at the Arya Nagarjuna Auditorium of the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies in Choglamsar, an of...

SC asks HCs to extend civil judge application deadline to April 30 amid review of 3-yr practice rule

14/03/2026
NEW DELHI, Mar 13: The Supreme Court on Friday asked all the high courts to extend the last date for submission of applications for civil judge (junior division) posts to April 30. A three-judge special bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Augustine George Masih and K Vinod Chandran was hearing four petitions, including pleas seeking review of an earlier judgement mandating a three-year law practice requirement for entry into judicial service. On May 20 last year, the top co...

2 of family die, 2 injured in Bhaderwah road mishap

14/03/2026
DODA, Mar 13: A husband and wife died and their two children were injured after the car they were travelling in met with a road accident near Basti Pul Nalthi on the Bhaderwah-Bani road, this morning. Four members of the same family were travelling in the vehicle at the time of the mishap. The deceased have been identified as Zulfiqar Ali (47) son of Abdul Latief, resident of Lawang Bani and his wife Rehana Begum (42). Their two sons, Kamran and Arish sustained injuries in the accident. ...

S. 149 IPC: Failure to prove specific overt acts of each member of unlawful assembly not fatal to prosecution: SC

14/03/2026
NEW DELHI, Mar 13: The Supreme Court upheld the murder conviction and life sentences of four individuals, observing that the absence of a specific eyewitness account of the accused firing at the deceased is not fatal to the prosecution's case when the accused acted as members of an unlawful assembly with a common object under Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. A bench of Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice S. V. N. Bhatti heard the appeals filed by the convicted persons, who, among othe...

Gov Kavinder highlights role of Saints in preserving & promoting Vedic traditions

14/03/2026
KANGRA, Mar 13: The Governor Kavinder Gupta visited Ved Ashram at Yol during his two-day tour of Kangra district. On his arrival, the Governor was accorded a warm welcome by the district administration. During the visit, the Governor met Swami Ram Swaroop Yogacharya and discussed the significance of Vedic teachings in contemporary society. He also performed Havan-Yagya and offered prayers for the peace, prosperity and well-being of the people. He also listened attentively to Swami Ji's discour...

Abhishek Sharma pays sacred visit to Vaishno Devi temple post winning T20 World Cup

14/03/2026
KATRA, Mar 13: Cricketer Abhishek Sharma recently visited the famous Katra Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu, a few days after Team India clinched the ICC's Men's T20 World Cup 2026. On Friday, Abhishek took to Instagram and shared pictures from the shrine. "Jai Mata di," he simply captioned the post. He could be seen standing on the pilgrimage route with his hands folded, a tilak on his forehead, dressed in a white kurta-pyjama. Abhishek Sharma played a crucial role in the final match against N...

Omar chairs cabinet meeting; key decisions on governance taken

14/03/2026
JAMMU, Mar 13: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday chaired a Cabinet meeting here, paving the way for key decisions aimed at strengthening governance and accelerating development across the Union Territory. The decisions were taken with a focus on improving administrative efficiency and public service delivery, the office of the chief minister said in a post on X. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and ministers, including Sakina Itoo, Javed Ahme...

Lets hope this war ends soon: Farooq on West Asia conflict

14/03/2026
SRINAGAR, Mar 13: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Friday wished a swift end to the war in West Asia, ascribing the shortage of fuel in Indian markets to the conflict that has led to the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route. "The shortage of fuel and gas is due to a war that is going on. Let's hope and pray that this war ends soon," Abdullah told reporters at Hazratbal shrine here. The former J-K chief minister was at the famous shrine for Juma'atul Vida prayers. ...

HC acquits man in 2002 murder case, sets aside life sentence

14/03/2026
JAMMU, Mar 13: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has acquitted a man in a 2002 murder case, setting aside his life imprisonment after holding that the prosecution failed to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt. A division bench of Justices Sanjeev Kumar and Sanjay Parihar allowed the criminal appeal filed by Fazal Hussain, who had challenged the trial court judgment convicting him under Section 302 of the Ranbir Penal Code. The appellant was represented by senior advocate...

Consignment dropped by Pakistani drone recovered near IB

14/03/2026
JAMMU, Mar 13: A suspicious consignment allegedly dropped by a Pakistani drone was recovered by security forces near the International Border (IB) in the outskirts of Jammu city on Friday, officials said. The yellow plastic-packed consignment was recovered from a forward area along the IB in the R S Pura sector, they said. Acting on the information, teams of the BSF and Police rushed to the spot, and the consignment was recovered at around 11 am in a forward area following information from lo...

Northern Army commander reviews security situation, counter-terror roadmap

14/03/2026
JAMMU, Mar 13: Northern Army Commander Lt General Pratik Sharma on Friday chaired a meeting of key stakeholders to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, with a focus on synergising the counter-terror roadmap. "Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Army Commander, Northern Command, chaired the weekly coordination meeting of all stakeholders at Jammu," the Northern Command headquarters said in a post on X. The deliberations focused on real-time intelligence fusion and achieving seamless integrati...

Centre approves Rs 1,912.99-cr additional Central assistance to five states, J&K afffected by disaster in 2025

14/03/2026
NEW DELHI, Mar 13: A high-level committee, under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Friday approved Rs 1,912.99 crore of additional Central assistance to Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir affected by flood, flash flood, cloudburst, cyclone 'Montha' landslides during year 2025. This Central assistance has been provided from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), subject to an adjustment of 50 per ce...

Society's active role crucial for empowerment of 'divyangjans' for Viksit Bharat: President Murmu

14/03/2026
NEW DELHI, Mar 13: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday called for the active involvement of society in the empowerment of persons with disabilities, saying it is important to ensure their equal participation in achieving the goal of 'Viksit Bharat'. Addressing the Purple Fest at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Murmu said any country or society is not known only by what it has done for those who are capable, but also by how sensitive it is towards the deprived and disadvantaged sections. She said empow...

Congress busy spreading misinformation in crisis caused by war: PM Modi

14/03/2026
GUWAHATI, Mar 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday highlighted the contrasting approaches of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and the Congress party, asserting that, at one end, the NDA government is focused on the welfare of farmers, while the Congress continues to show a lack of commitment to the nation. Speaking at an event in Guwahati, the Prime Minister referred to the ongoing global crisis and the situation in West Asia. PM Modi criticised the Congress for spreadin...

Pakistan intercepts 2 explosive-laden drones in Islamabad

14/03/2026
ISLAMABAD, Mar 13: Pakistani security authorities on Friday intercepted and destroyed two explosive-laden drones in the capital Islamabad, according to a media report. One of the drones fell near Faizabad, and the other in the I-9 sector of Islamabad, Dawn reported, quoting sources. The sources added that the drones were explosive-laden. It was not clear who and from where launched the drones, which came days after Afghan Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob threatened that his country could targe...

RSS plans to expand 'shakhas', focus on public outreach campaigns to mark centenary year

14/03/2026
CHANDIGARH, Mar 13: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Joint General Secretary C R Mukunda on Friday said special emphasis is being placed on expansion of 'shakhas' and engagement of society through public outreach programmes to mark the organisation's centenary year. Elaborating on the Sangh's plan of action to mark its centenary year, Mukunda said two types of programmes have been planned -- organisational growth, focused on expansion of 'shakhas', and the other focused on bringing together t...

Farooq Abdullah attack: MHA to review VIP security measures

14/03/2026
NEW DELHI, Mar 13: The Union home ministry will undertake a comprehensive security audit of all VIPs under the central security cover in the wake of the assassination bid on former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah, officials said on Friday. The decision to hold the review next week was taken in a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director Tapan Deka and senior officials f...

Centre, Gulf nations helping Indians amid West Asia conflict: PM Modi

12/03/2026
Kochi, Mar 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the Centre and Gulf nations were doing everything possible to help Indians stranded during the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Addressing a massive NDA rally here, he said the BJP-led NDA government always makes every possible effort to help its citizens when they are in trouble. "Be it saving the nurses stranded in Iraq or freeing Father Tom from the clutches of terrorists in Yemen, India now does not abandon its citizens in their ...

Terrorist killed along LoC identified as LeT launching operative

12/03/2026
Jammu, Mar 11: The terrorist who was killed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district during a failed infiltration attempt has been identified as a launching operative of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit, officials said on Wednesday. According to the army, the terrorist was killed in the general area of Jhangar in the Nowshera sector around 3 pm on Tuesday, while he, along with another associate, was trying to sneak in from across the border. Based on the documents and in...

Terrorist hideout busted in Bandipora; arms, ammunition recovered

12/03/2026
Srinagar, Mar 11: Security forces busted a terrorist hideout in Band-ipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, recovering a cache of arms and ammunition, officials said on Wednesday. The hideout was found during a search operation in the Ranar forest area of the district, officials added. The recoveries included one RPG launcher, five RPG rounds, one light machine gun (LMG) and two ammunition belts of the LMG. The forces also recovered seven AK magazines, 544 AK rounds, three ammunition pouches, ...

Farooq, Dy CM unhurt after gunman attack; accused held

12/03/2026
JAMMU, Mar 11: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on were unhurt in an attack by a gunman on Wednesday. As per a report, officials said the incident occurred outside a marriage hall in the outskirts of Jammu. The accused, Kamal Singh Jamwal, a resident of Purani Mandi, was overpowered by security guards and was detained for questioning, officials said. Police officials added that the firing incident occurred in the posh...

Ex-MLC vacates govt quarters, informs High Court; PIL hearing posted to May

12/03/2026
Jammu, Mar 11: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh was informed on Wednesday that former MLC Ravinder Kumar Sharma has vacated the government accommodation he was occupying in Jammu in compliance with earlier court directions. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice RajneshOswal was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking eviction of former ministers and legislators from government accommodation in Jammu and Srinagar. Advocate Ayush Pangotra, app...

District Judge Appointments: SC issues directions for reinstatement & seniority following ‘Rejansih v. Deepa’ Judgment

12/03/2026
NEW DELHI, Mar 11: The Supreme Court on Wednesday passed a slew of directions regarding the appointment and seniority of District Judges, in furtherance of last year's Constitution Bench judgment in Rejansih KV v. K Deepa, which held that civil judges with seven years of experience at the bar are eligible to seek direct recruitment as District Judges. A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi passed the directions. Cer...

HC upholds tribunal order remanding agrarian dispute for fresh inquiry

12/03/2026
Jammu, Mar 11: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has upheld an order of the J&K Special Tribunal remanding an agrarian dispute to the Tehsildar for fresh adjudication, observing that a remand aimed at proper determination of rights cannot ordinarily be interfered with in writ jurisdiction. Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal passed the order while dismissing a writ petition filed by BansiLal and others challenging the tribunal's decision dated October 17, 2018. The petitioners, represente...

SC strikes down J&K law provision denying regularisation to academic arrangement employees

12/03/2026
New Delhi, Mar 11: The Supreme Court has struck down a provision of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Special Provisions) Act, 2010 that excluded employees appointed on an "academic arrangement" basis from being considered for regularisation, holding that such exclusion violates the constitutional guarantee of equality. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the judgment while allowing a batch of civil appeals led by Abhishek Sharma against the Union Territory of ...

Indian farmers did not suffer losses due to India-US trade deal; Congress spread lies: Shah in LokSabha

12/03/2026
New Delhi, Mar 11: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednes-day accused the Cong-ress of spreading "lies" about Indian farmers suffering losses due to the India-US trade deal, asserting in the LokSabha that the real setback to farmers had occurred during negotiations at the World Trade Organisation in 2013 under the previous government. Shah said claims that the recent trade deal had harmed farmers were misleading and politically motivated. "Opposition says that Indian farmers have suffered lo...

HC assigns additional charge of JJB Kishtwar to Doda Magistrate

12/03/2026
Jammu, Mar 11: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has assigned the additional charge of Principal Magi-strate, Juvenile Justice Board, Kishtwar, to the Principal Magistrate, JJB, Doda, till further orders, in the interest of administration. The order was issued by the Office of the Registrar General, Jammu. (JNF)

Nearly 16,000 vehicles seized for traffic violations in 2025: IGP Traffic

12/03/2026
Jammu, Mar 11: Nearly 16,000 vehicles were seized in Jammu and Kashmir last year for violating traffic rules, even as the traffic department deployed multiple measures for better enforcement, IGP (Traffic) M Suleiman said on Wednesday. Suleiman, who briefed Chief Secretary AtalDulloo during a meeting, said that strict action is being taken against traffic violators across the Union territory, with 15,947 vehicles seized in 2025. "So far in 2026, 786 vehicles have already been seized for serio...

SC urges Centre to enact comprehensive legislation on passive euthanasia

12/03/2026
New Delhi, Mar 11: The Supreme Court on Wednesday urged the government to consider enacting a comprehensive legislation on passive euthanasia noting that this would "provide clarity, coherence, and certainty in matters that are deeply practical and emotionally sensitive". In its first-ever order allowing passive euthanasia, the top court permitted the withdrawal of artificial life support to 32-year-old Harish Rana, who is in coma for more than 13 years after suffering head injury in August 20...