Ladakh a living land of dharma for centuries: Amit Shah

02/05/2026
Leh/Jammu, May 1: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday described the return of sacred relics of Lord Buddha to Ladakh after 75 years as a "historic reunion" and said that the Union Territory has remained a "living land of dharma" that preserved and nurtured Buddhist knowledge for centuries. Stressing the relevance of Buddha's teachings in modern times, Shah said the message of peace, compassion and the middle path was even more important today than it was 2,500 years ago. Speaking after in...

Centre approves Rs 243 crore for PM SHRI schools

02/05/2026
Jammu, Apr 30: The Centre on Thursday approved an outlay of Rs 243 crore for PM-SHRI schools in Jammu and Kashmir for the financial year 2026-27, an official statement said. The Project Approval Board of the Prime Mini-ster Schools for Rising India scheme said that out of Rs 200.11 crore available for 2025-26, an amount of Rs 194.53 crore was utilised and released to executing agencies, including PWD, mainly for civil works and related activities. The Board appreciated the academic progress r...

ED marks 70 years with strong enforcement record; Rs 81,422 cr assets attached in FY26

02/05/2026
New Delhi, May 1: The Enforcement Direc-torate (ED) celebrated its 70th anniversary at Bharat Mandapam, where Dire-ctor Rahul Navin outlined the agency's growing role in combating financial cri-mes & protecting the country's economic system. Addressing officials, dignitaries, and international partners, Navin said the ED has adapted to emerging threats such as cryptocurrency fraud, cyber-enabled financial crimes, terror financing, & narcotics trafficking. The event was attended by union Minist...

Tech integration into judicial processes dismantles geographical barriers, helps litigants: CJI

02/05/2026
Gangtok, May 1: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday said integrating technology into judicial pro-cesses dismantles geographical barriers to help litigants overcome problems of terrain, finance and distance. Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day National Conclave on Technology and Judicial Education here, the CJI also said the Indian legal landscape has moved away from the era of the paper trail, where vital records languished in physical storage, to a vibrant digital ecosyst...

Bridge portion collapses; 3-4 labourers feared trapped, 1 rescued

02/05/2026
Jammu, May 1: A portion of a small bridge collapsed in the Bantalab area on the outskirts of Jammu city on Friday, trapping at least three to four labourers under the debris, while one injured worker was rescued, official sources said. Authorities have clo-sed the road link following the collapse of the portion of the bridge. The incident occurred when labourers were carrying out repair work on a retaining wall near the bridge that was damaged in last year's flash floods, the sources said. Ac...

Exit polls will prove wrong again: Farooq

02/05/2026
Srinagar, May 1: National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah on Friday said he has never trusted exit polls and expressed hope they would prove wrong. "I have never trusted exit polls. Exit polls have proved wrong in the past, and I hope they prove wrong this time," Abdullah told reporters here when asked about the exit polls giving an edge to the BJP after the assembly polls in the key states. Assembly elections were held in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. To a que...

Lt Gen Balbir Singh assumes charge as Chinar Corps GoC

02/05/2026
Srinagar, May 1: Lieutenant General Balbir Singh on Friday assumed the command of the Army's Srinagar-based strategic XV Corps from Lt Gen PrashantSrivastava, who has been appointed as Quarter Master General at the Army headquarters. Lt Gen Singh had earlier commanded the Victor Force, which looks after counter-insurgency operations in south and central Kashmir. His tenure saw the killing of Col Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonchak and Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Humayun Bhat b...

Major narcotics ring busted, cocaine worth Rs 1,745 cr seized by NCB in Mumbai: Amit Shah

02/05/2026
New Delhi, May 1: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted a major international narcotics ring, seizing 349 kg of high-grade cocaine worth Rs 1,745 crore in Mumbai. Announcing the drug haul on X, Shah asserted, "We are resolved to ruthlessly crush the narcotics cartel." "The @narcoticsbureau has cracked down on a major international narcotics ring, seizing 349 kg of high-grade cocaine worth Rs 1,745 crore in Mumbai. This is a trailblazing exam...

India, UK discuss ways to boost bilateral trade

02/05/2026
New Delhi, May 1: India and the UK on Friday discussed ways to boost two-way commerce and investments and leverage opportunities under the comprehensive economic and trade agreement signed in July last year. It was discussed during a virtual meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle. "We explored ways to further enhance our trade and investment ties while fully leveraging the opportunities under the India-UK Compreh...

Cop held red-handed taking Rs 15,000 bribe: ACB

02/05/2026
Srinagar, May 1: Anti-Corruption Bureau on Friday arrested a police head constable in Srinagar for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 from a complainant. ACB said that head constableParvaiz Ahmad Rather, posted in district Srinagar, was caught red-handed while taking the bribe amount. The arrest followed a written complaint received by the ACB alleging that the accused officer had demanded Rs 15,000 to remove the complainant's name from the list of accused in FIR No. 09/2026 registered...

Special Crime Wing Kashmir files chargsheet against three in job fraud racket

02/05/2026
Srinagar, May 1: The Special Crime Wing Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet in a multi-lakh government job fraud case before the Chief Judicial Magis-trate, Srinagar, officials said on Friday. The chargesheet, filed in FIR No. 09/2019 under Sections 201, 419, 420, 468, 471 and 120-B RPC, names Fayaz Ahmad Khan of Maloora Shalteng, Showkat Ahmad Shah of Shanzipora Handwara, and Owais Ahmad Rather of Shalteng Khwaja Bagh. The case stems from a complaint by Pulwama residents w...

Hate speech: No cognisable offence made out against Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma, says SC

02/05/2026
New Delhi, May 1: The Supreme Court has said that no cognisable offence was made out against BJP leaders Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma for their alleged hate speeches over the anti-CAA protest in Delhi in 2020. While BJP MP Thakur is a former union minister, Verma is a minister in the Delhi government. In its April 29 verdict on a batch of pleas concerning hate speeches, a bench of Justices VikramNath and Sandeep Mehta also dealt with the petition filed by CPI(M) leaders Brinda Karat and K ...

Vaishnaw flags off Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, promises rail link to Uri

01/05/2026
JAMMU, Apr 30: As the first direct Vande Bharat Express from Jammu chugged into the Kashmir valley on Thursday, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw promised to focus on connecting remote areas like Poonch, Rajouri and Uri to the country's rail network. Following the completion of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), Vaishnaw said detailed project reports (DPRs) have been prepared on projects to connect the Poonch-Rajouri region to the national rail network and to extend ...

Omar seeks inland port at Vande Bharat flagging off ceremony

01/05/2026
Jammu, Apr 30: Thanking Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Centre for extending Vande Bharat train services between Jammu and Srinagar, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday demanded a dry (inland) port for the union territory to boost trade and business. "I want to congratulate and thank Vaishnaw and, through him, the central government, on behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, for connecting Jammu with Kashmir through rail," Abdullah said while addressing a gathering during ...

Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express to enhance ease of travel and boost Vaishno Devi pilgrims: Dr Jitendra

01/05/2026
Jammu, Apr 30: Union Minister Dr.Jitendra Singh on Thursday said that the commencement of the augmented 20-coach Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express marks a landmark achievement in ongoing efforts to transform rail connectivity in the union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The minister was addressing a gathering at Jammu Railway Station during the flagging-off ceremony, held in the presence of union Minister for Railways and Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, Chief Minister Omar Abd...

DB seeks fresh status on CT Scan machines, inquiry into doctor’s private practice

01/05/2026
Jammu, Apr 30: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakhhas sought fresh affidavits from the Health and Medical Education Department and Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited regarding the installation and commissioning of CT Scan machines at different hospitals across the Union Territory. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal passed the order in a suomotu Public Interest Litigation concerning healthcare facilities. The matter has no...

Shah in Ladakh to attend first-ever exposition of Buddha relics in India

01/05/2026
Leh, Apr 30: Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Ladakh on Thu-rsday to attend the first-ev-er international exposition of holy relics of Lord Buddha in India, officials said. Shah was received by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport here. Senior officials of the police and civil administration were also present. During his two-day visit, Shah will pay respect to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha on the Buddha Purn...

Mere CDRs can’t prove drug link without conversation transcript: HC

01/05/2026
Jammu, Apr 30: In a significant ruling in an NDPS case, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has granted bail to Salim Khan, observing that mere call detail records or contact with a co-accused cannot be treated as sufficient corroborative material in the absence of conversation transcripts. Justice Rajesh Sekhri passed the order while allowing the bail application filed by the petitioner, who was lodged in District Jail, Kathua, after his earlier bail plea had been rejected by the tri...

HC refuses withdrawal of plea with scandalous allegations against judicial officers, seeks apology

01/05/2026
Srinagar, Apr 29: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has refused to permit withdrawal of a transfer petition after noting that the petitioners had levelled "scandalous and wholly unsubstantiated" allegations against judicial officers, and directed them to file unconditional apologies within a week. Hearing a transfer petition titled Assadullah Bhat and others vs Gul Dar and others, Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal observed that the pleadings contained serious allegations against the Presid...

Govt orders major reshuffle of JKAS officers

01/05/2026
Jammu, Apr 30: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday ordered a major administrative reshuffle, transferring and posting a large number of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers with immediate effect, officials said. According to Government Order No. 855-JK(GAD) of 2026 issued by the General Administration Department, Hafiz Hamid Khan, JKAS, Member, J&K Special Tribunal, has been transferred and posted as Secretary in the Jal Shakti Department, while SmitaSethi, JKAS, ...

India’s IT is 'Information Technology’, Pakistan’s is ‘International Terrorism’: Rajnath

01/05/2026
New Delhi, Apr 30: Terrorism emanates from a "distorted and perverse" mindset, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday, describing the battle against it as a fundamental fight to safeguard core values of humanity rather than merely a national security concern. Highlighting the shift in India's approach to fight terrorism, Singh said that Operation Sindoor sent an "unequivocal" global message that India is no longer bound by the "old mindset" of issuing only diplomatic statements after ...

Ladakh’s new districts spark row, Kargil leaders allege “divide attempt”

01/05/2026
Srinagar, Apr 30: Even as Ladakh Lieuten-ant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena formally inaugurated five new districts carved out in UT, several political leaders in Kargil termed the move a "calculated attempt" to divide the region along communal and regional lines. Ladakh's number of districts rose from two to seven after five more- Nubra, Sham, Chang-thang, Zanskar and Drass were added by a notification issued by Lieutenant Governor Saxena. Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) leader Sajjad Kargili ...

Ahead of Darbar Move, CM chairs cabinet meeting in Jammu

01/05/2026
Jammu, Apr 30: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday chaired a cabinet meeting to review key develo-pment initiatives and di-scuss governance priorities in the Union territory. This was the last cabinet meeting chaired by Abdullah in Jammu before moving offices to the summer capital, Srinagar. "Chief Minister chaired a cabinet meeting this morning in Jammu to consider key development initiatives and discuss governance priorities for the coming period", office of CM said on X. The meeting ...

Major reshuffle in Finance Department; over 70 officers transferred

01/05/2026
JAMMU, Apr 30: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Wedn-esday ordered a large-scale reshuffle in the Finance Department, transferring and posting more than 70 officers across various departments and districts to streamline administrative functioning. According to Government Order No. 174-F of 2026 dated April 30, 2026, the transfers and postings have been made with immediate effect in the interest of administration. As per the order, several senior officers have been reassigned to key posi...

Juice factory steamer explodes; two dead

01/05/2026
Srinagar, Apr 30: A juice factory steamer exploded mid-repair, killing two persons and injuring one in Shopian district, officials said on Thursday. The blast took place at Aglar on Wednesday night, injuring three persons, Saurabh Singh, Shiv Kumar, and Raj Kumar, who were repairing the steamer, they said. The three were rushed to a hospital where Saurabh succumbed to his injuries late on Wednesday night while Shiv Kumar died this morning. Raj Kumar is undergoing treatment, officials said....

Counter-terrorist exercise carried out at Srinagar airport

01/05/2026
Srinagar, Apr 30: A multi-agency counter-terrorist exercise was conducted at the Srin-agar international airport here on Thursday to evaluate real-time scenario simulation and response protocols thr-ough coordinated dep-loyment of specialised units, officials said. The CISF at Srinagar airport conducted the annual counter-terrorist mock exercise in coordination with CRPF, local police, Airports Authority of India (AAI), BCAS, and other key stakeholders, the officials said. They said the exerc...

11-year-old boy killed, another minor injured by lightning strike hitting house in Kathua

01/05/2026
Kathua, Apr 30: An 11-year-old boy was killed & another minor injured after a lightning strike hit a residential house in Bani tehsil of Kathua district late Wednesday evening, officials said. The official added that the bolt reportedly entered through a window and struck the children inside a room. According to official sources, the lightning struck the house of Tulsi Ram, son of Jagat Ram, a native of Bhandar who has been residing in Khloran for the past decade, at around 5:47 pm. The bolt ...

LG Manoj Sinha calls for urgent action on climate-resilient agriculture

29/04/2026
JAMMU, Apr 28: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today attended the National Summit on "Sustainable & Climate Resilient Agroecosystems: Innovations and Policy Framework" at SKUAST Jammu. He urged the scientists, innovators and other stakeholders to come together to build climate resilience and transform sustainable Agro-ecosystems. “The moment has come to move beyond minor adjustments and embrace bold, science-led, farmer-focused transformation. Policies must champion climate-resilient ...

For J&K development, doors of Delhi are open: Chouhan

29/04/2026
SRINAGAR, Apr 28: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Centre is committed not just to building roads but to connecting hearts, asserting that for Jammu & Kashmir's development, "the doors of both heart and Delhi are open." He was addressing a gathering at SKICC in Srinagar after handing over the sanction letter for projects approved under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-IV (Batch-II) for Ja...

‘Not wrong in calling you mama’: Omar lauds Chouhan

29/04/2026
SRINAGAR, Apr 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday heaped praises on Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during the launch of new rural development projects at SKICC in Srinagar, calling him a "true friend and well-wisher" of the union territory. Earlier, Chouhan launched 330 new road projects worth Rs 3,550 crore under the phase IV of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY), aiming to cover 1,600 kilometres in the region. These roads will benefit 363 remote habitations in Jammu an...

Will leave no stone unturned to ensure women’s reservation in legislatures implemented: PM Modi

29/04/2026
VARANASI (UP), Apr 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), TMC and DMK on Tuesday for stalling the women's reservation bill in Parliament and assured women that he will leave no stone unturned to ensure that their right to reservation in legislative bodies is implemented. Addressing a women's conf-erence in his Lok Sabha constituency here in Uttar Pradesh, Modi said the plan to make India a developed nation is progressing smoothly and whenever he speaks of ...

HC upholds Lok Adalat award in cheque bounce case, dismisses plea

29/04/2026
SRINAGAR, Apr 28: The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has upheld a Lok Adalat award in a cheque dishonour case, ruling that a settlement voluntarily entered into by parties is final, binding and enforceable as a civil decree. Dismissing a petition filed by Riyaz Ahmad Wani, Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal held that no interference was warranted under Article 227 of the Constitution as the petitioner failed to establish any illegality, coercion or jurisdictional error in the award. The c...

At SCO meet, Rajnath cites Op Sindoor to warn against state-sponsored terrorism

29/04/2026
NEW DELHI, Apr 28: Operation Sindoor demonstrated India's firm resolve that "terror epicentres" are no longer immune to "justifiable punishment", Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday, in remarks widely seen as a warning to Pakistan over cross-border terrorism. In an address at a conclave of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Bishkek, Singh also called on the influential grouping to not lose sight of "state-sponsored" cross-border terrorism and that there should not be any pla...

Will continue to fight for people: AAP MLA detained under PSA released after 8 months

29/04/2026
JAMMU, Apr 28: After spending eight months in prison, AAP MLA Mehraj Malik was released from Kathua jail on Tuesday following the quashing of his detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA) by the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court. Malik arrived at his residence in Jammu to a rousing reception with a floral welcome and beats of dholaks and bursting of crackers. Scores of party workers distributed sweets amid slogannering in favour of Malik, as he vowed to continue to fight for the peop...

J&K seminary declared unlawful under UAPA after 17 alumni join terrorist ranks

29/04/2026
SRINAGAR, Apr 28: Authorities declared Darul Uloom Jamia Sirajul Uloom an unlawful entity under the UAPA after its 17 alumni allegedly joined terrorist ranks and were later killed in separate encounters, a police official said on Tuesday. “As many as 17 former students of the institution joined terrorist ranks and were later killed in separate encounters, indicating a consistent pattern of indoctrination and recruitment,” said the official, who wished to remain anonymous. On April 24, Divisio...

Case filed after viral video shows pro-Pakistan posters in Doda

29/04/2026
JAMMU, Apr 28: A case was registered on Tuesday after a video showing a man pasting posters containing pro-Pakistan slogans on a bridge in Doda went viral on social media, police said. The purported video, which was geo-tagged, showed a location in the Pul Doda area, they said. A senior officer said efforts were underway to identify those involved and maintain public order. “A short clip went viral on social media yesterday, in which a poster was seen being pasted somewhere. It also had geo-...

Roads cannot be blocked in name of religious activities, govt can interfere: SC

29/04/2026
NEW DELHI, Apr 28: Commenting that roads cannot be blocked in the name of religious activities, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said a denomination has the autonomy in the manner of worship and the court cannot sit in judgment over its religious affairs, but if a secular activity is being affected, the government can interfere with its rights. The observation of a nine-judge Constitution bench came while hearing petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places, including the ...

Safe, unimpeded maritime passage through Strait of Hormuz should be restored at the earliest: India at UNSC

29/04/2026
UNITED NATIONS, Apr 28: Amid the West Asia crisis, India has urged restoration of safe and unimpeded maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz at the earliest while expressing concern about safety of its seafarers, stressing that any “purported closure” of vital waterways has direct consequences for the global economy. Addressing the UN Security Council open debate on ‘The Safety and Protection of Waterways in the Maritime Domain’ on Monday, Chargé d'affaires at the Permanent Mission of ...

TADA court rejects Yasin Malik's plea in IAF Killing Case

29/04/2026
JAMMU, Apr 28: The 3rd Additional Sessions Judge, Jammu, designated as Special Judge under TADA and Section 22 of the NIA Act, has dismissed an application filed by accused Mohd Yasin Malik seeking five days' prior intimation of prosecution witnesses in the 1990 IAF personnel killing case. The application was moved in CBI vs Mohd Yasin Malik and others, arising out of FIR RC-01(S)/1990, registered for offences under RPC Sections 120-B, 364, 368 and 34, Sections 3 and 4 of the TADA Act and Sect...

India brings int’l drug trafficker Salim Dola from Turkiye; Amit Shah vows ruthless action against cartels

29/04/2026
NEW DELHI, Apr 28: In a major breakthrough, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Tuesday secured the return of notorious international drug trafficker Mohammad Salim Dola from Turkiye, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced here. Dola (59), a "close aide" of international terrorist Dawood Ibrahim, was arrested in Turkiye on the basis of an Interpol Red Notice issued on India's request in March 2024, officials said. He was wanted in multiple narcotics trafficking cases in India and had been ...

Inept investigation or scripted enquiry fatal to criminal prosecution, says SC

29/04/2026
NEW DELHI, Apr 28: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said an inept investigation or a scripted enquiry both are fatal to criminal prosecution but the latter has "lethal consequences" when there is a possibility of innocent persons being crucified. The observations came from a bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and K Vinod Chandran which acquitted the accused persons in a murder case registered in July 2008 in Assam. The apex court said the crime was left unresolved and considerable time and money were...

Delhi HC grants one-week interim bail to Engineer Rashid to visit ailing father

29/04/2026
NEW DELHI, Apr 28: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted one-week interim bail to jailed Lok Sabha member from Jammu and Kashmir, Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid, to enable him to visit his ailing father. A bench of justices Prathiba M Singh and Madhu Jain, however, clarified that during this period, Rashid, who is undergoing jail term in a terror funding case, could either visit the hospital where his father is being treated or remain at home. The bench further ordered that two p...