Sunday, November 24News and updates from Kashmir

Month: February 2024

MeT predicts rain and snow across Jammu Kashmir

MeT predicts rain and snow across Jammu Kashmir

REGIONAL
Freezing conditions prevailed in the Kashmir, while the weatherman forecasted snow and rain in most places in JK on Saturday. A meteorological department official said Srinagar recorded a low of minus 1.7°C compared to minus 0.3°C the previous night. It was 1.0°C below normal for the summer capital of Jammu Kashmir for this time of year. Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 5.4°C against minus 9.4°C on the previous night, he said. The minimum temperature was 3.3°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, the MeT official said. Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 8.3°C against minus 11.9°C on the previous night and it was 2.2°C below normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir. Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of minus 5.4°C against minus 9.4°C on the prev...
‘Attacking our military in areas where ISIS is defeated and on death bed’: Syria on US airstrikes

‘Attacking our military in areas where ISIS is defeated and on death bed’: Syria on US airstrikes

INTERNATIONAL
Hours after the United States forces conducted an aerial assault on several sites and towns in the eastern region of Syria, near the Iraqi borders, the Syrian side has issued a statement. In its statement, Syria has said that this aggressive action resulted in numerous civilian and military casualties, injuries, and significant damage to both private and public properties. The statement highlighted that the targeted region in eastern Syria is where the Syrian army is actively combating the last remenants of the ISIS terrorist organization, "implying a concerning alliance between the US forces and this extremist group." According to the military statement, the dawn aggression by the US "lacks justification and appears to be an attempt to undermine the Syrian army's effectiveness in...
Kulgam’s Clock Tower becomes unintended ‘Grid Station,’ Locals express dismay

Kulgam’s Clock Tower becomes unintended ‘Grid Station,’ Locals express dismay

REGIONAL
Danishwar Hameed The Clock Tower in Kulgam, constructed in 2009, has sadly transformed into an unexpected sight for the locals. Instead of being a well-maintained landmark, it now resembles a mini grid station, entangled in electric wires and surrounded by transformers. This transformation reflects the insensitive approach of the district administration, turning what was once a point of pride into a subject of mockery. A district official expressed dismay at the current state of the Clock Tower, now sarcastically referred to as a "grid station." This mocking nickname stems from the fact that the tower is virtually hidden by the presence of two transformers placed in close proximity, and the consequence is that the tower, which was meant to be a symbol of the area, remains obs...
Snowfall brings relief to farmers, spark hope for good harvest in Kashmir

Snowfall brings relief to farmers, spark hope for good harvest in Kashmir

REGIONAL
The season's first snowfall has brought cheers to the faces of thousands of fruit growers and farmers in Kashmir who now expect promising crop production this year. Kashmir Valley received the first heavy snowfall on Thursday after a prolonged dry weather, which lifted the spirit of those associated with horticulture and agriculture. Experts, the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) spoke with, said that continuous dry spells with no rain and snow this winter had increased the worries of fruit growers and farmers. They said the prolonged dry spell leads to a lack of soil moisture which can badly impact both the quality and yield of fruits, including apples, in the next season. Ali Mohammad, a fruit trader and expert, said this year January witnessed good temperatures and if ...
US launches massive strikes in Iraq and Syria, casualties unknown

US launches massive strikes in Iraq and Syria, casualties unknown

INTERNATIONAL
The United States conducted major airstrikes, striking 85 targets across seven locations in Iraq and Syria. United States said that the operation marks the initiation of a series of larger-scale actions against Iranian-backed militias responsible for recent attacks on US troops in the Middle East. Reports from local media indicate that the US airstrikes specifically targeted sites in Ayyash, Al-Mayadin, and Al-Bukamal in eastern Syria, as well as locations near the Iraqi border also stating that the number of casualties may be quiet high, however, as of now, nothing has been reported.T As per the local media, the he bombing lasted for hours. The attack came hours after a drone attack by on a US military outpost in Jordan on Sunday. The incident resulted in the death of three US...
Condolences pour in for decased father of BJP leader Sofi Yousuf

Condolences pour in for decased father of BJP leader Sofi Yousuf

REGIONAL
Abdul Salam Sofi, father of BJP Vice President Sofi Yousuf, passed away after a prolonged illness at their residence in Sergafwara, Anantnag, at 3 pm. The cause of death was primarily attributed to complications related to oxygen deficiency. Following the news, condolences and sympathies poured in from various leaders, including Ravinder Raina, President of the Bharatiya Janata Party; Altaf Thakur, spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party; Bilal Deva, District Development Council member from Qazigund; and Mohd Iqbal Ahenger, former President of the Municipal Committee Verinag. Several gathered to pay their respects during the final rites, showing support for the bereaved family.
Kashmiri entomologist Dr. Amir Maqbool makes history in Nikon small world competition

Kashmiri entomologist Dr. Amir Maqbool makes history in Nikon small world competition

REGIONAL
Dr. Amir Maqbool, an accomplished Assistant Professor of Zoology, has made significant strides in the field of photomicrography, earning recognition as the sole individual from Jammu Kashmir to be featured in the prestigious Nikon Small World Competition: The Microscopic Marvels. His exceptional talent and dedication to capture the intricate beauty of microscopic specimens have not only earned him a place among the competition's distinguished images but also established him as a trailblazer in the realm of scientific photography. Dr. Maqbool's contributions showcase the intersection of art and science, shedding light on the often-overlooked marvels of the microscopic world and exemplifying the importance of visual communication in scientific research. His achievements not only bri...
BJP government to introduce bill to ban polygamy in Assam

BJP government to introduce bill to ban polygamy in Assam

INDIA
Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Friday said that his government will introduce a bill against polygamy in the upcoming budget session. He mentioned that the draft is currently being reviewed by the Law Department. Sarma also expressed interest in the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) legislation, keeping an eye on developments in Uttarakhand during a special assembly session starting on February 5. However, opposition parties criticized the move, calling it "diversionary" amidst ongoing discussions about the UCC. Sarma had expressed support for the UCC in July 2023 and took steps to ban polygamy. Last year, an expert committee unanimously recommended framing laws to end polygamy in Assam. Seeking public opinion marked progress towards enacting legislation on the matte...
After 16 years in jail, Muslim man accused in Gujarat blast case released

After 16 years in jail, Muslim man accused in Gujarat blast case released

INDIA
Following the Supreme Court's decision to grant him bail, Raziuddin Nasir, the youngest son of the esteemed cleric Moulana Naseeruddin, has been released from Gujarat Sabarmati jail after spending sixteen years behind bars. His release took place on Thursday, and Nasir promptly made his way to Hyderabad, where he rejoined his family at their Saidabad residence. Notably, Nasir was one of the accused in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts case, and he, along with 27 others, was acquitted in February 2022. However, despite his acquittal in the blast case, he remained incarcerated due to a pending criminal case related to an alleged jailbreak attempt. The specific incident in question pertained to Nasir's purported involvement in a jailbreak attempt, and the trial for this matter...
In January, Baramulla alone saw seizure of drug worth nearly 16 Lakh

In January, Baramulla alone saw seizure of drug worth nearly 16 Lakh

REGIONAL
The drug trade in the Kashmir Valley has witnessed a drastic rise over the past several years. According to official figures accessed by The Kashmiriyat, in the first month of 2024, police in the Baramulla district recovered drugs worth 15 lakhs and 46 thousand. Police data revealed that in January alone, a total of 24 cases were registered against 39 individuals in drug-related incidents, with 36 booked under NDPS and the remaining three under PIT NDPS and PSA. According to the police, they recovered brown sugar worth 4.96 lakhs, with a quantity of 382 grams seized during various operations against drug abuse in Kashmir. Additionally, police recovered heroin weighing 183 grams, valued at 2.56 lakhs, according to official figures accessed by The Kashmiriyat. Charas (Hash) wo...