New journey began in J&K after historic abrogation of Article 370: Dhankhar

16/02/2025
KATRA, Feb 15: A new journey began in Jammu and Kashmir after the “historic” abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 with the sacred region no longer considered a conflict zone and the hopes of its people soaring high, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Saturday. In an apparent reference to BJP ideologue Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Dhankhar said a great son of the soil once voiced the demand for ‘Ek Desh Mein Ek Nishan, Ek Vidhan, Ek Pradhan’ and that dream has been accomplished after the abrogatio...

Need a fresh look at teaching-mentoring system for ‘Viksit Bharat’: LG Sinha

16/02/2025
KATRA, Feb 15: Lt Gov-ernor Manoj Sinha said Saturday a fresh look is needed at the teaching-mentoring system to seize future opportunities in science and technology for ‘Viksit Bharat’. He said skills and knowledge must contribute towards improving the lives of people. “To seize future opportunities in science and technology, we need to take a fresh look at our teaching-mentoring system because it will have a direct bearing on the journey of Viksit Bharat,” Sinha said, addressing the 10th co...

India, world need compassionate, responsible leaders: CM Omar

16/02/2025
KATRA, Feb 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday reminded graduating students of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University about the "rapidly evolving world" which is marked by rapid development of artificial intelligence, climate change and intense global competition. Addressing the 10th Convocation Ceremony of the university, the chief minister said that India and the world need ethical, compassionate and responsible leaders. "You are privileged to be a part of an institution named after Mat...

Govt terminates services of three more employees for ‘terror links’

16/02/2025
SRINAGAR, Feb 15: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday terminated the services of three government employees including a policeman, for alleged terror links, officials said. They said the employees terminated included Firdous Ahmad Bhat, a police constable; Mohammad Ashraf Bhat a school teacher and Nisar Ahmad Khan an orderly in the Forest Department. The trio were terminated under proviso (c) of sub-section of Article 311 of the Constitution of India. The Article empowers the governm...

Jammu Newspaper Editors Guild honors journalists and photographers

16/02/2025
JAMMU, Feb 15: The Jammu Newspaper Editors Guild (JNEG) hosted a landmark event today at the Lemon Tree Hotel, celebrating the invaluable contributions of working journalists, photographers, and reporters in the region. This inaugural felicitation function marked a significant milestone in recognizing the efforts of media professionals in Jammu. Chairman Raj Daluja and President A.K. Sawhney warmly welcomed esteemed guests, including Shiv Kumar Sharma, IPS (DIG Jammu Samba Kathua Range), and K...

India, US ask Pakistan to ensure its territory not used for cross-border terrorist attacks

15/02/2025
WASHINGTON DC, Feb 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India and the United States have stood firmly together in the fight against terrorism and agree that concerted action is necessary to tackle cross-border terrorism. In his statement in the joint press conference with US President Donald Trump, PM Modi lauded the decision of United States to hand over 2008 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana and said the Indian courts will now take appropriate action. India has been facin...

‘We missed you a lot’: President Trump showers praises, extends warm gestures

15/02/2025
WASHINGTON DC, Feb 14: US President Donald Trump displayed warmth and camaraderie towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the United States, further strengthening the bond between the two leaders and deepening ties between the two nations. Upon PM Modi's arrival at the White House on Thursday (local time), President Trump greeted him with a warm hug, setting the tone for their meeting. As they met, President Trump expressed his appreciation, saying, "We missed you; we missed ...

J&K Admin has made a number of assistive devices accessible to differently abled: LG Sinha

15/02/2025
JAMMU, Feb 14: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar today inaugurated the 11-day long Divya Kala Mela, a unique initiative of Government of India towards the economic empowerment of Divyangjan, at Gulshan Ground. Divya Kala Mela being organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in collaboration with the National Divyangjan Fi...

Omar stresses on strengthening emergency services in hospitals

15/02/2025
JAMMU, Feb 14: Highlighting his government’s commitment to improving healthcare accessibility across Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday emphasized the need to improve handling of emergency cases and capacity at various Government Medical Colleges to ease the burden on major hospitals. Abdullah also stressed the importance of ensuring that doctors serve beyond urban centers. “We need to augment and improve the emergency handling capability and capacity in new GMCs so...

J&K’s Budget for 2025-26 to be unveiled in Assembly on March 7

15/02/2025
JAMMU, Feb 14: After a gap of seven years, Jammu & Kashmir’s annual budget will be presented in the Legislative Assembly on March 7. According to the tentative calendar issued by the Legislative Assembly secretariat, the budget for the Union Territory for 2025-26 will be presented in the Assembly on March 7 during the session commencing from March 3 and culminating on April 11. The annual financial statement of expenditure for 2025-26 and the supplementary statement of expenditure for 2024-25 ...

Major narcotic smuggling racket busted in Nowshera; 6 Kg heroin seized

15/02/2025
JAMMU, Feb 14: Police on Friday seized six kg of narcotics, believed to be high-grade heroin worth over Rs 30 crore in the international market, from a village near the Line of Control in Rajouri district, officials said. The recovery from Sair Bhawani village in the Nowshera sector was made on the disclosure of the arrested kingpin of the racket Jaswinder Kumar alias Sonu, a resident of Lamberi who was arrested 10 days ago following an investigation of a case registered last year, officia...

Big 'strategic' and 'diplomatic' success for India under PM Modi: Chugh on Tahawwur Rana's extradition

15/02/2025
NEW DELHI, Feb 14: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tarun Chugh on Friday said that the approval of the extradition by United States President Donald Trump of Tahwwur Rana, the 26/11 Mumbai attack accused, was a big strategic and diplomatic success for India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He further stated that the whole world is witnessing India's "strict policy and zero tolerance towards terrorism". Speaking to ANI, Chugh said "This is a big 'strategic' and 'diplomatic' success for ...

Dir Information reviews performance, functioning of department

15/02/2025
JAMMU, Feb 14: Director Information J&K, Nitish Rajora, emphasized enhanced public outreach, efficient communication strategies, timely dissemination of govern-ment initiatives as well as strengthening media coordination and improving public engagement through digital platforms. The Director made these remarks while chairing a meeting to review the performance and functioning of the Department of Information and Public Relations at Media Complex here today. Joint Director Information (Hq...

Six police officers repatriated; deputed to J&K, Ladakh

15/02/2025
JAMMU, Feb 14: Jammu and Kashmir government Friday ordered the repatriation and deputation of six officers, including five Jammu and Kashmir Police Service (JKPS) officers, with immediate effect. As per an order issued by Principal Secretary, J&K Home Department, Chandraker Bharti, four officers, including three SP-rank JKPS officers, presently on deputation to the Union Territory of Ladakh, have been repatriated to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The officers repatriated included S...

Amit Shah pays tribute to soldiers killed in Pulwama terror attack

15/02/2025
NEW DELHI, Feb 14: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday paid homage to the 40 CRPF personnel who lost their lives in a terrorist attack in Pulwama, marking six years since the tragic incident in Jammu and Kashmir. In a post on X, Shah termed terrorism as the 'biggest' enemy of the entire human race. "On behalf of the grateful nation, I pay my heartfelt tribute to the soldiers who were martyred in the cowardly terrorist attack in Pulwama on this day in the year 2019," the Union Home Ministe...

One person dies as motorcycle crashes into truck in Kathua

15/02/2025
KATHUA, Feb 14: In a tragic accident in Kathua today, one person died while another got Injured when motorcycle crashed into a truck (PB11DB 9866) at 12:30 pm. The terrific accident occured on the national highway near CFM Hatli in Kathua. The deceased was identified as Ranjeet Singh (19), son of Pritam Singh and the injured person as Lovely Sharma (24), son of Rajender Kumar. Both were residents of Surada Sola Kootah, Tehsil Hiranagar. As accident happened, both of them were rushed to GMC Ka...

SC to hear in April pleas to bring political parties under RTI

15/02/2025
NEW DELHI, Feb 14: The Supreme Court on Friday posted for hearing in April pleas seeking directions to bring all recognised political parties under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. A bench of Chief Justice of India and Justice Sanjay Kumar asked all the parties to complete all the pleadings in the case and post the matter for hearing in the week starting April 21. The apex court was hearing a batch of petitions seeking a declaration that national and regional political parties...

Police attaches property worth lakhs under UAPA

15/02/2025
SRINAGAR, Feb 14: J&K police on Friday attached a single-storied house, a poultry farm, and two kanals of land in Bandipora district of north Kashmir under Section 25 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The attachment was done by police in a case registered by Police Station Sopore in 2023. A statement issued by police said a single-storied house along with a single-storied poultry farm and two kanals of land under Survey No. 529/1 in the estate of Rakhi Sultanpora Sumbal was ...

Cold wave conditions continue to grip Jammu and Kashmir; Srinagar records 0 degrees Celsius

15/02/2025
SRINAGAR, Feb 14: Cold wave conditions continued to grip Jammu and Kashmir, as Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 0 degrees Celsius on Friday morning. Several towns in the Kashmir Valley experienced inclement weather conditions today. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), winter chill continued in Srinagar city. On Friday morning, a minimum temperature of 0 degrees Celsius and a maximum temperature of 15.0 degrees Celsius were recorded here. Amidst these weather con...

Those supporting & financing terrorism will have to pay a very heavy price: LG Sinha

13/02/2025
SRINAGAR, Feb 12: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today chaired a high-level meeting in Srinagar to review the security scenario in Kashmir Division. The meeting was attended by DGP J&K, Nalin Prabhat; ADGP Hqrs, MK Sinha; ADGP CID, Nitish Kumar; Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari; IGP Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi; IGP Crime, Dr Sunil Gupta; IGP Security, Sujit Kumar; IGP Railways, Vivek Gupta; Range DIGs, SSPs, Commandants of AP/IR Battalions and various other se...

PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Macron, France agrees to host 10 Indian Startups

13/02/2025
PARIS, Feb 12: Acknowledging the progress in developing artificial intelligence, India and France will seek to ensure that norms and standards governing their use reflect democratic values, and harness the potential of artificial intelligence for human development and common good, according to the declaration on Artificial Intelligence jointly signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. In the joint statement, the two countries recalled their joint commitment t...

Pakistan violates ceasefire in Poonch

13/02/2025
JAMMU, Feb 12: A ceasefire violation by the Pakistani Army was reported along the Line of Control (LoC) in Balakote area of Poonch district Wednesday evening. According to initial reports, Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing, prompting the Indian Army to give a befitting response. There have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage on the Indian side.

Rusted mortar shell found near LoC

13/02/2025
JAMMU, Feb 12: Army troops on Wednesday recovered a rusted mortar shell near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, officials said. The mortar shell was found lying in an open area in the Mankote sector of Mendhar sub-division, the officials said. They said the Army cordoned off the area and its experts later removed the mortar shell.

SC seeks residence details of Rohingya refugees on PIL for public schools, hospital facilities for them

13/02/2025
NEW DELHI, Feb 12: No child will be discriminated against in education, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday while fixing for next week a plea seeking a direction to the Centre and the Delhi governments to grant Rohingya refugees in the city access to public schools and hospitals. The court just wants to know where these Rohingya families are living, in whose house and what are their particulars, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh said while making the the no discrimination in...

SC declines Indrani Mukerjea’s plea to travel abroad, asks trial court to complete trial ‘expeditiously’

13/02/2025
NEW DELHI, Feb 12: The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined a plea of former media executive Indrani Mukerjea, accused of killing her daughter Sheena Bora, seeking permission to travel abroad. A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal directed the trial court to expeditiously complete the trial in Sheena Bora murder case. "Considering the fact that the trial is ongoing, we are not inclined to consider the request at this stage. Expedite the trial within one year from today," the bench ...

Passports cannot be denied solely based on family members' criminal records: HC

13/02/2025
JAMMU, Feb 12: Justice MA Chowdhary of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that the criminal family background cannot be used as a reason to deny a passport to the one applying for it. It also held that a mere speculative reason, in the absence of any direct evidence, cannot be considered a valid ground to restrain freedom of movement. The court observed that there is no reason to not recommend the case of the petitioner for the issuance of a passport, just because of the involveme...

Omar holds pre-budget consultation with public representatives of Srinagar, Bandipora & Ganderbal

13/02/2025
SRINAGAR, Feb 12: Continuing with extensive pre-budget consultations, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today held a series of meetings with public representatives from various districts of Kashmir at the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar. The Chief Minister chaired pre-budget consultations with the chairpersons of District Development Councils (DDCs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from the districts of Srinagar, Ganderbal and Bandipora, who participated both in person and virtually. ...

3 MLAs submit Private Members’ Bills seeking liquor ban in J&K

13/02/2025
SRINAGAR, Feb 12: There is a growing clamour for declaring Jammu and Kashmir a dry state as at least three MLAs have submitted private members’ bills for banning alcohol in the Union Territory. People’s Democratic Party (PDP) MLA from Kupwara Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) legislator from Langate Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad and ruling National Conference (NC) MLA from Lal Chowk Ahsan Pardesi have submitted separate private members’ bills for a ban on alcohol in Jammu and Kashmir. T...

Over 2 cr take holy bath as devotees throng Sangam on Magh Purnima

13/02/2025
PRAYAGRAJ, Feb 12: More than two crore pilgrims, including saints, Kalpwasis, and devotees, took a holy dip in Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and mystic Saraswati rivers, on the occasion of Magh Purnima during Maha Kumbh on Wednesday. Official sources said that adding to the religious and spiritual spirit of the pilgrims, saints, and devotees, who took a bath in the Sangam, were welcomed with flower showers from the air. Sources said that till 6 pm over 2 crore devotees, including 1...

Statehood won’t end terrorism in J&K, need people’s support: Farooq

13/02/2025
SRINAGAR , Feb 12: National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said that even if statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is restored, terrorism will still not end and that it needs peoples support. Speaking with reporters, Farooq Abdullah, said that the issue of statehood has been there for many years. “Even if statehood is restored and we will get everything, but do people think it will end terrorism here. Those who have been making tall claims that terrorism has ended here, ask the...

38 yrs old man killed as car rolls down into deep gorge in Ramban

13/02/2025
JAMMU, Feb 12: A 38-year old man died on Wednesday when a car driven by him met with an accident and rolled down into a deep gorge in Ramban district. Police here said that a rashly and negligently driven car on its way from Jammu towards Srinagar, this morning when reached near Battery Chashma fell into a 1500 to 200 feet deep gorge as the driver lost its control on the vehicle. Police team on receiving the information rushed to the spot and found the driver identified as Amit Koul of Mattan...

Judicial Officers’ Pension: Unified Pension Scheme notified, Centre tells SC

13/02/2025
NEW DELHI, Feb 12: The Centre on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that it recently notified the Unified Pension Scheme which might address the concerns of judicial officers. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih heard the submission made by the Centre’s counsel. Attorney general R Venkataramani and solicitor general Tushar Mehta appeared for the Centre and apprised the bench about the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). The matter relates to the applicability of the New Pensi...

SC seeks Centre, ECI response on lifetime bar for MPs/MLAs after conviction

13/02/2025
NEW DELHI, Feb 10: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to file its response on the plea challenging the constitutional validity of Sections 8 and 9 of the Representation of the People Act (RP Act), 1951, which govern MP/MLA's disqualification due to convictions. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan asked Centre to file its affidavit on the plea, failing which the court may proceed to decide the matter without government response. It also sought assistance of Attorney Gener...

PM pitches for global framework for AI to enhance trust; offers to host next action summit

12/02/2025
PARIS, Feb 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made a strong case for collective efforts to establish a global framework for artificial intelligence (AI) based on open source which enhances trust, transparency and is free from biases. Co-chairing the AI Action Summit along with French President Emmanuel Macron here, Modi said that AI is changing the polity, economy, security and society, and is writing the code for humanity in this century. Modi also offered to host the next AI Action...

Modi Govt committed to terror-free J&K: Shah

12/02/2025
NEW DELHI, Feb 11: The central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to a terror-free Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday. Chairing a high-level meeting here to review the security scenario in J-K, Shah directed the Border Security Force (BSF) to ensure zero infiltration from the international border by adopting a strong vigil, strengthening the border grid and using advanced technologies for surveillance and border guarding....

SC directs sessions court to decide SP leader Azam Khan’s appeal in 6 months

12/02/2025
NEW DELHI, Feb 11: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked a sessions court to adjudicate Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Moh-ammad Abdullah Azam Khan's appeal against his conviction in a case involving assault of a public servant. A Bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal passed an interim order requesting the District Court to make an endeavour to dispose off Khan's appeal in six months. The Court also clarified that the sessions court would treat Khan as a juvenile accused while handling his...

Inability to stop or neutralize assailant, shows incapability as a member of the Armed Force: DB

12/02/2025
JAMMU, Feb 11: A Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Rajesh Sekhri While upholding the dismissal of CRPF cop, observed that merely because the appellant was only in the second year of his service is no reason to be charitable to him. It must be remembered that the appellant was a member of an Armed Force of the Union in a State which was affected by insurgency. His inability to stop or neutralize the assailant who happened to b...

SC says lottery distributors not liable to pay service tax to centre; states alone can impose taxes

12/02/2025
NEW DELHI, Feb 11: The Supreme Court on Tuesday held that lottery distributors are not liable to pay service tax to the central govern-ment. A bench of Jus-tices BV Nagar-athna and N Kotiswar Singh while dismissing an appeal of the Centre on the issue said it is the state government alone which can impose taxes on the lotteries and not the centre. The apex court dismissing the central government's appeal against the Sikkim High Court judgment said, "The detailed analysis of the relevant provi...

Two martyred killed in suspected IED blast in Akhnoor sector

12/02/2025
JAMMU, Feb 11: Two Army personnel were killed in a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in the Akhnoor sector, said the Army. The White Knight Corps posted on X, "Suspected Improvised Explosive Device blast reported in #Laleali in #Akhnoor Sector during a fence patrol resulting in two fatalities." "Own troops are dominating the area and search #operations are underway. White Knight Corps salutes and pays tribute to the supreme sacrifice of two gallant soldiers," it further poste...