Drugs & terrorism are two heads of the same snake: LG Sinha

14/05/2026
SRINAGAR, May 13: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, today joined 'Nasha-Mukt Jammu Kashmir Campaign' Padyatra in Kupwara. The Lieutenant Governor also addressed a public gathering. The Lieutenant Governor said that over the past 32 days, civil and police administration struck a devastating blow to the entire drug smuggling ecosystem and this people's movement is transforming into a revolution against narcotics. "Our consistent action is crippling narco-terrorist networks. Properties worth ...

HP CM Sukhu meets Radha Soami Satsang Beas chief Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon ji, lauds social welfare initiatives

14/05/2026
SHIMLA, May 13: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday met Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB) chief Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon to discuss spiritual and social welfare initiatives. The Chief Minister, who was accom-panied by his family members, paid a visit to the spiritual leader and honoured him by presenting a ceremonial memento. During the interaction, Sukhu lauded the extensive humanitarian and social welfare activities undertaken by the RSSB across t...

SC laments lack of lane driving on roads, calls it major contributor to accidents

14/05/2026
NEW DELHI, May 13: The Supreme Court on Wednesday lamented that India virtually has "no concept of lane driving", a major contributor to road accidents, while issuing a series of directions aimed at strengthening road-safety enforcement across the country. Hearing a 2012 PIL seeking the implementation of road-safety measures across the country, the court ordered all states and Union territories (UTs) to ensure that vehicle location tracking devices (VLTDs) and panic buttons are installed in al...

HC says regularisation cannot be claimed as matter of right outside recruitment rules

14/05/2026
JAMMU, May 13: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has dismissed a writ petition filed by Mohammad Amin Rather and others seeking permanent casual labour status, observing that regularisation or permanent absorption cannot be claimed as a matter of right outside the constitutional framework governing public employment. Justice Sanjay Parihar, while dismissing the petition, held that the petitioners had failed to make out a case for interference under Article 226 of the Constitut...

HC grants bail to NDPS accused citing prolonged custody, slow trial

14/05/2026
JAMMU, May 13: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has granted bail to an accused in an NDPS case involving alleged recovery of 3 kilograms of heroin, observing that an undertrial cannot be kept in custody indefinitely when the trial is progressing at a slow pace. Justice Rajesh Sekhri granted bail to Rameez Ahmed, a resident of Uri in Baramulla district, while hearing a bail application along with a petition challenging charges framed against him under various provisions of the...

HC upholds PSA detention of Pulwama man, cites threat to security of State

14/05/2026
SRINAGAR, May 13: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has upheld the preventive detention of a Pulw-ama resident under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA), observing that detention is justified where a person's activities are found prejudicial to the security of the State. Justice M. A. Chowdhary dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by Jahangir Ahmad Parray of Gulshan-pora, Tral, challenging his detention order issued by the District Magistrate, Pulwa-ma, on May 7,...

Six shops, house damaged in massive fire in Channi Himmat

14/05/2026
JAMMU, May 13: A massive fire broke out in the commercial market of Channi Himmat area here on Wednesday, causing extensive damage to six shops and a residential house, officials said. No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident, they said. The fire erupted early in the day in the Sector 2 market area, located opposite Culture Fit Gym, and quickly engulfed nearby establishments. According to preliminary reports, an electrical short circuit at a local sweet shop-cum-restaurant is ...

Northern Army commander reviews security situation in Kashmir

14/05/2026
SRINAGAR, May 13: Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma on Wednesday reviewed the prevailing security situation in the Kashmir valley. "Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, #ArmyCdrNC, chaired a security review and coordination meeting at #Srinagar, where he was briefed by all Joint Control Centres (#JCC) and received comprehensive operational updates on the prevailing security situation in the presence of key stakeholders," the Army's Northern Command said in a post on X. The Army said L...

Army retrieves body of a intruder near LoC in Poonch, hands over to police

14/05/2026
JAMMU, May 13: The Ar-my on Wednesday retrieved the body of a Pakistani intruder killed during a foiled infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district and handed it over to police for further legal proceedings, officials said. The intruder was killed on Tuesday after army troops detected suspicious movement near the Krishna Ghati forward area and engaged the infiltrators in a gunfight. "The body was retrieved from near the LoC and handed over to police for further pr...

LG Sinha reduces his convoy size to half following PM Modi’s appeal

14/05/2026
SRINAGAR, May 13: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday decided to reduce his convoy size to half following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for cutting down fuel consum-ption and spending more wisely, officials said here. Sinha has decided to cut down the size of his official cavalcade by half following prime minister's appeal to the countrymen for saving fuel, Lok Bhawan officials said here.

J&K registers over 93 pc revenue record digitisation

14/05/2026
JAMMU, May 13: The Jam-mu and Kashmir government has achieved 93.39 per cent progress in the digitisation of revenue records, with more than 64 lakh such records approved across the Union Territory, official data said. The officials said digitis-ation of revenue records is one of the flagship reforms under the modernisation of land records programme aimed at ensuring transparency, accuracy and efficiency in land record management. As per the official data, out of a total of 68,59,915 khasras ...

PM Modi recalls Pokhran-II tests, says India showed world it ‘cannot be bent’

14/05/2026
NEW DELHI, May 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday invoked the legacy of the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests, saying the operation demonstrated India's "unwavering resolve" and proved to the world that no external pressure could force the country to bow down. In a post on social media platform X marking the anniversary of the nuclear tests, Modi said, "On this very day in 1998, the nuclear tests conducted by India showed the world how unwavering our nation's resolve is. After the tests...

J&K emerges as "High Performer" in LEADS 2025 rankings

14/05/2026
SRINAGAR, May 13: Jammu and Kashmir has been recognised as a "High Performer" in the prestigious Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2025 Report, released today by Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal at a function held at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. The achievement marks a significant progression for Jammu and Kashmir, which was placed in the "Aspirers" category among Union Territories till 2023 and subsequently recognised as a "Fast Mover" in 2024. The latest reco...

Centre extends CBI chief’s tenure by one more year

14/05/2026
NEW DELHI, May 13: The Centre on Wednesday extended the tenure of CBI chief Praveen Sood by one more year, beyond May 24, 2026. This is his second extension in office. Sood, 61, a 1986-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Karnataka cadre, took over as the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on May 25, 2023, for a two-year term. He was given a one-year extension last year. The decision to extend his tenure was taken in a meeting of the selection committee headed ...

Two held for providing aid to JeM terrorists in Kishtwar

14/05/2026
JAMMU, May 13: Police on Wednesday arrested two individuals for allegedly providing logistical support and shelter to foreign members of terror outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad's Saifullah group in Kishtwar district, officials said. The arrested persons were Mashkoor Ahmed, a resident of Beighpora Singhpora who worked as a government school teacher, and Maneer Ahmed, a resident of Bandeyan Naidgam. The arrests came as part of the authorities' ongoing efforts to dismantle the terror network in the regi...

Family, community bonds strongest shield against drug addiction: LG Sinha

13/05/2026
SRINAGAR, May 12: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today joined the Drug-Free Jammu Kashmir campaign in Baramulla, engaging with citizens and participating in a Padyatra. The Lieutenant Governor also announced the launch of two innovative pillars under the campaign for the next 69 days- the Community Immunization Program against drugs and the Family Fortress Initiative. Speaking on the occasion the Lieutenant Governor said that just as we have taught communities to vaccinate against ba...

Radha Soami Satsang Beas successor Guru visits Pouni, Bhawani, Rajouri, Doda

13/05/2026
KATHUA/JAMMU, May 12: The successor Master (Guru) of Radha Soami Satsang Beas, Jasdeep Singh Gill, today visited various places across Jammu & Kashmir and blessed lakhs of disciples (sangat) with the grace of his darshan. During his visit, he also answered questions from seekers at different satsang centres, offering spiritual guidance on several aspects of life, including mental peace, studies, anger, karma and meditation. Hazur Ji flew in his chopper from Dera Baba Jaimal Singh, the inte...

HC recalls interim order in Jammu property dispute after caveat overlooked

13/05/2026
JAMMU, May 12: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has recalled its earlier interim direction restraining parties from creating third-party interest in a disputed residential property in Jammu after observing that the order had been passed without taking note of a caveat lodged by the respondents. Justice Rahul Bharti passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Sabha Sheikh challenging concurrent orders of the subordinate courts refusing temporary injunction in a civil disp...

HC rejects bail to Shopian man in Hizbul terror conspiracy case, slams ‘forum shopping’

13/05/2026
JAMMU, May 12: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has dismissed the bail appeal of a Shopian resident accused in a Hizbul Mujahideen-linked terror conspiracy case, observing that the restrictions on bail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act are "severely restrictive" and taking strong exception to what it termed as "forum shopping" by the appellant. A division bench of Justice Sindhu Sharma and Justice Shahzad Azeem upheld the April 22, 2025 order of the Special Judge, ...

Preventive detention cannot become routine executive tool: HC

13/05/2026
JAMMU, May 12: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has quashed three preventive detention orders, observing that such powers cannot be exercised mechanically or as a routine executive measure when ordinary criminal law is already in operation. Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani, while deciding separate habeas corpus petitions, said preventive detention must be invoked with "great care and caution" as it directly affects the fundamental right to personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 o...

CJI sets up high-powered panel for judicial infrastructure overhaul

13/05/2026
NEW DELHI, May 12: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has decided to set up a high-powered committee headed by Supreme Court judge Aravind Kumar to prepare a blueprint for the modernisation of courts across the country and secure government allocation of funds. The CJI announced the constitution of the Judicial Infra-structure Advisory Committee to address infrastructural deficien-cies in courts through substantial financial support from the government. Apart from Justice Kumar, the committee ...

SC Collegium approves appointment of nine advocates as Calcutta HC judges

13/05/2026
NEW DELHI, May 12: The Supreme Court Collegium has approved the proposal for appointment of nine advocates as judges of the Calcutta High Court, according to an official statement. The decision was taken in the Collegium meetings held on May 11 and 12, 2026. The advocates cleared for elevation are Indranil Roy, Aryak Dutt, Atarup Banerjee, Sandip Kumar De, Partha Pratim Roy, Sudip Deb, Anuj Singh, Arjun Ray Mukherjee and Rishad Medora. The appointments will come into effect after the issua...

Army foils infiltration bid along LoC in Poonch, intruder killed

13/05/2026
JAMMU, May 12: Indian Army on Tuesday foiled an infiltration bid by terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district and eliminated an intruder, officials said. The incident took place along the LoC in the Krishna Ghati forward area when alert troops detected a group of infiltrating terrorists from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) inside Indian territory and challenged them, triggering a gun battle, they said. "Acting on persistent surveillance, suspicious movement was detected ap...

23-yr-old youth found hanging in hotel room

13/05/2026
JAMMU, May 12: 23-year-old found dead in Jammu hotel room; police launch probe A 23-year-old man was found hanging under suspicious circumstances in a hotel room in the old city area of Jammu, police said on Tuesday. The deceased has been identified as Riaz Ahmed, a resident of Doda. According to police, Ahmed was found hanging from a ceiling fan inside a hotel room in the Hari Market area, which falls under the jurisdiction of Police Station City. "The body has been shifted to the Governme...

Wife’s career ambition not cruelty or desertion: SC

13/05/2026
NEW DELHI, May 12: In a significant verdict, the Supreme Court held on Tuesday that a qualified woman's decision to pursue her career, and ensure a stable and safe environment for her child cannot be branded as "cruelty" or "desertion". The top court said the "feudalistic" approach of a family court in holding a woman's pursuit of her professional career as a dentist as "cruelty" and "desertion" was "regressive" and "ultra-conservative". The family court's decision was upheld by the Gujarat H...

Country’s economy in bad shape; energy crisis if West Asia conflict not resolved soon: Farooq

13/05/2026
SRINAGAR, May 12: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said the country was heading towards an energy crisis if the West Asia conflict is not resolved soon "A crisis is coming upon us, fuel crisis, gas crisis. We are heading towards destruction," Abdullah told reporters here. The former chief minister said the government wants to switch to online mode for schools in order to save fuel. "However, everyone (student) does not have the online facility. We will have to think a...

14 lakh kanals of state land encroached in Jammu, 3 lakh in Kashmir: Official data

13/05/2026
JAMMU, May 12: More than 17 lakh kanals of state land have been encroached by the land mafia across Jammu and Kashmir, with Jammu division accounting for over 14 lakh kanals, more than three times the figure recorded in Kashmir division, while Rajouri district topped the list among all 20 districts, official data said. According to the official figures, a total of around 17,27,247 kanals of encroached state land entries were expunged from revenue records across Jammu and Kashmir. Of the total...

Amid paper leak row, National Testing Agency cancels NEET UG 2026

13/05/2026
NEW DELHI, May 12: After an alleged NEET-UG paper leak that is being investigated in Rajasthan, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has cancelled the NEET-UG exam held on May 3, and will conduct the exam again. "On the basis of the inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with the central agencies, and the investigative findings shared by the law enforcement agencies and in order to ensure that there is transparency in the system, the National Testing Agency, with the approval of the ...

Wanted criminal held with heroin, Glock pistol in Jammu, 17 FIRs pending

13/05/2026
JAMMU, May 12: Police on Tuesday arrested a wanted criminal and recovered a commercial quantity of a heroin-like substance, an illegal pistol and live ammunition from his possession, officials said. A police team intercepted a suspicious person during a checkpoint near Railway Pul Narwal on the Narwal–Panama Chowk road. Police said when the suspect noticed the police party and attempted to evade the check, officers apprehended him. During the search, police recovered a Glock pistol loaded wit...

Omar calls on HM Shah to discuss statehood, business rules for UT

12/05/2026
NEW DELHI, May 11: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday where the two leaders discussed issues concerning the Union territory. Before leaving for the national capital, the chief minister told reporters in Srinagar that he would discuss all the issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir. "I wish we could have got our statehood after one meeting with the home minister. If that was the case, we would have got it a long time ago. But yes, I will raise stateh...

Somnath remains guiding light ushering Bharat towards new horizons: LG Sinha

12/05/2026
SRINAGAR, May 11: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday performed puja on Somnath Swabhiman Parv, a celebration of 1,000 years of unbroken faith and unyielding resolve. Sinha also attended a public event organised on the sacred occasion at Lok Bhavan, an official spokesman said. The lieutenant governor (LG) said that despite countless atrocities and invasions by aggressors, Somnath has remained a guiding light ushering Bharat towards new horizons. "From the consecration of the rebuil...

GoC reviews security situation, troops preparedness in Poonch

12/05/2026
JAMMU, May 11: General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the White Knight Corps, Lieutenant General P K Mishra, on Monday visited the Surankote area in Poonch and reviewed the prevailing security situation and ongoing counter-terrorism operations, officials said. "GOC White Knight Corps visited operational areas in the general area Surankote in the Poonch sector to review the prevailing security situation and ongoing counter-terrorism operations," the White Knight Corps said in a post on X. During ...

Govt to auction 12 limestone blocks in J&K

12/05/2026
NEW DELHI, May 11: The government will put on sale 12 limestone blocks in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir on Tuesday. The auction will pave the way for reviving the UT's mining sector and boosting the local economy. "The Ministry of Mines...is set to launch the second tranche of auction of limestone blocks in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir on May 12, 2026, at Srinagar," an official statement said. Under the second tranche, the mines ministry in collaboration with the Governmen...

CJI Surya Kant announces ‘One Case One Data’ initiative, launches AI chatbot ‘Su Sahay’

12/05/2026
NEW DELHI, May 11: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday announced the launch of a major digital initiative aimed at strengthening judicial data integration and improving public access to court services across the country. Making the announcement at the outset of the day's proceedings, the CJI said the judiciary is commencing the "One Case One Data" initiative, which will integrate multi-level information from all the high courts, district courts and taluka courts into a unified system. ...

Amid West Asia crisis, PM repeats call for saving fuel, cutting gold buy; bats for work from home

12/05/2026
VADODARA, May 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reiterated his call for reduced fuel consumption, greater use of public transport and electric vehicles by citizens, and urged people to defer gold purchases amid the West Asia crisis which has caused large-scale disruptions. Addressing a gathering in Vadodara after inaugurating the Sardar Dham Hostel built by the Patidar community, Modi appealed to people to opt for work from home, a pandemic-era practice, wherever possible and reduce f...

SC calls for constitution of grievance redressal panels to resolve issues between bench, bar

12/05/2026
NEW DELHI, May 11: The Supreme Court on Monday called for the constitution of grievance redressal committees on a pan-India basis at the high courts, and district and taluka courts for amicable resolution of issues which may arise between the bench and the bar. The apex court passed the order while hearing two petitions relating to a recent viral video in which a judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court was allegedly warning a young advocate that he would be sent to 24-hour judicial custody over...

NIA court sends five LeT module accused to 25-day judicial custody

12/05/2026
JAMMU, May 11: A special NIA court here on Monday remanded five accused, including two Pakistani nationals, to 25 days' judicial custody in connection with a case linked to an alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror module. Special Judge under the NIA Act, Jammu, Prem Sagar passed the order in case RC-02/2026/NIA/JMU registered under provisions of the Arms Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Explosive Substances Act. The accused were identified as Mohd Naqeeb Bhat of Hazratbal S...

India taking concrete measures to shield supply chains amid West Asia crisis: Rajnath

12/05/2026
NEW DELHI, May 11: India has implemented concrete measures to shield supply chains and ensure uninterrupted energy flows amid the escalating West Asia crisis, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Monday. Singh, while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia, emphasised that the government is prioritising maritime security and economic stability to offset global volatility. The defence minister directed officials to tak...

Iltija Mufti's X account withheld after sedition case

12/05/2026
SRINAGAR, May 11: The account of PDP leader Iltija Mufti on X was with held in India following a legal demand, nearly two weeks after authorities registered a case of sedition against her for posting a video of former Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. "@IltijaMufti_ has been withheld in IN in response to a legal demand," the X page of her account read. The withholding of the X handle of the young PDP leader comes in the wake of an FIR registered by the cyber police on April 30...

SC suggests measures for expeditious disposal of bail pleas in high courts

12/05/2026
NEW DELHI, May 11: Flagging the mounting pendency of bail applications in high courts across the country, the Supreme Court on Monday suggested various measures including evolving a mechanism for automatic listing and fixing an outer timeline for disposal of such pleas. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said it hoped and trusted that the high courts, state governments and the investigating agencies would have a collaborative approach to ensure a robust mechanism f...

Police busts old militant hideout in Rajouri, recovers IED batteries

12/05/2026
JAMMU, May 11: Police on Monday busted an old terrorist hideout and recovered suspected militancy-era material, including IED batteries and binoculars, in Rajouri district, officials said. The recoveries were made from the Sara-Simli Gali area in the Darhal belt during a search operation carried out by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of police, they said. According to officials, the seized items included five IED batteries, two old backpacks, a binocular, two syringes, shaving blades and s...

Not wrong to give telecom powers to LG as he is in charge of security: Omar

12/05/2026
SRINAGAR, May 11: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said there is nothing wrong in giving telecom powers to the lieutenant governor during public safety events, as he holds the charge of security and law and order. "This is the right thing. These powers should be with the lieutenant governor. This is not against the business rules or the reorganisation act," Abdullah told reporters. He said that orders to stop phone services or internet are issued by the home department, which comes unde...

Fake ‘Intelligence Officers’ caught near Pathankot Air Force Station

12/05/2026
CHANDIGARH, May 11: The Punjab Police have apprehended three youths near the high-security Pathankot Air Force Station after they allegedly attempted to impersonate intelligence officials using a forged identity card. The arrests took place during a special night-checking operation at a barricade near Naushera Nalbanda. According to officials, the suspects were travelling in an i20 car when they were stopped by a team led by ASI Sartaj Singh around 11 pm. During the initial questioning, the d...

SC deprecates practice of filing petitions to stall developmental projects

12/05/2026
NEW DELHI, May 11: The Supreme Court on Monday deprecated the practice of filing petitions to stall developmental projects, asking how the country will progress if such pleas are filed. "Show us even a single project in this country where these so-called environmental activists have said that we welcome this project," a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said. The observations came from the bench, which was hearing a plea against an order of the National Green Tribu...