Month: September 2024

On World Tourism Day, the Indian Ministry of Tourism announced that Aru village in Pahalgam, Jammu Kashmir, has been awarded in the Best Tourism Villages Competition 2024. This recognition highlights the village's commitment to preserving its natural beauty while promoting sustainable adventure tourism. Launched in 2023, the Best Tourism Villages Competition aims to honor villages that safeguard their cultural and natural heritage while prioritizing sustainable tourism practices. This year, the competition attracted participation from 991 villages across 30 states and Union Territories, with 36 villages recognized in various categories. Aru stood out by winning in the adventure tourism category, known for trekking, skiing, and camping activities. “This award places Aru on th...

Justice Sanjay Dhar of the Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has quashed the detention of Waseem Ahmed Malik, a first-year BSc student from Degree College Bandipora under the Public Safety Act (PSA). Malik, a resident of Gund Rampora Bandipora, was arrested by police in 2022 on allegations of providing logistical support to militants. Subsequently, he was booked under the contentious PSA and lodged at Kot Bhalwal Jail in Jammu. Advocate Bashir Ahmed Tak, representing Malik, argued that his client's arrest under PSA was unjustified since no FIR was registered against him. Tak emphasized that Malik is a regular student with no involvement in subversive activities, contrary to police claims. The court as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust scrutinized the grounds for Malik's de...

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15 Corps, Lt. General Rajiv Ghai, AVSM, SM, met with the Director General of Police (DGP) J&K, Shri R.R. Swain, at the Police Headquarters today. During their discussion, both officials focused on ensuring that the collaborative efforts to maintain peace and order in the valley continue without interruption. The meeting also included a review of the current security situation and the ongoing measures in place. General Ghai took the opportunity to bid farewell to DGP Swain, who is set to retire on September 30.

In the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections, voter turnout reached 57.31%, according to an updated statement from the Election Commission of India (ECI). Initially, on September 25, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of J&K had reported a turnout of 56%. Breaking down the data, the ECI reported male voter turnout at 58.35%, female turnout at 56.22%, and third gender turnout at 30.19%. The polling trends were monitored throughout the day, with updates every two hours through the ECI's Voter Turnout App, starting from 9:30 am. The CEO of J&K confirmed that all polling parties returned safely after the voting concluded. The scrutiny of the voting process was conducted transparently, with candidates or their authorized agents present. Voter turnout dat...

Jammu Kashmir has witnessed a dramatic 56% decline in Hajj applications for 2025, raising concerns about the economic realities facing the region. This significant drop in applications is particularly alarming, as it marks a trend not observed in previous years and suggests that many families are reevaluating their financial priorities. District-wise data reveals that Srinagar experienced a staggering 64% decrease, with applications falling from 2,607 in 2024 to just 937 in 2025. Budgam followed closely, witnessing a 63% decline as applications plummeted from 873 to 325, according to Ziraat Times. Other districts in Kashmir, such as Anantnag and Pulwama, also reported substantial reductions, with drops of 51% and 60.5%, respectively. In the Jammu region, Udhampur faced a significa...

As clouds loom over Jammu Kashmir on this Friday, residents are gearing up for a day of unpredictable weather. According to forecasts, "a mix of cloudy skies and possible rain spells" will dominate the region, with brief sunny intervals in some areas offering short-lived respite, Kashmir Weather reported. By Friday night, another rain spell is expected to roll in, with forecasters noting that heavy showers "can't be ruled out" in the Jammu plains. An improvement in conditions is likely by Saturday morning, with mostly dry weather predicted until October 4. However, temperatures are expected to fall sharply at night during this period, urging residents to prepare for cooler evenings as the weekend progresses.

Suhail Dar A 56-year-old tourist from West Bengal drowned in the Lidder River at Betab Valley, Pahalgam, while taking photographs. Officials told The Kashmiriyat that on on Thursday night, a tourist, identified as Devabrota Ghosh, son of Jagannath Ghosh from Hoolay, West Bengal, was immediately rescued and transported to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Pahalgam. However, doctors declared him dead upon arrival. His body is currently at the PHC. Local police have initiated an investigation into the incident.

In the bustling streets of Sopore, three individuals campaign tirelessly for independent candidate Shoaib Sheikh, yet their efforts largely go unnoticed by passersby. As they hold up banners and plead for support, the daily hustle and bustle of the market seems indifferent to their cause, highlighting the isolation they feel in their quest for their father’s release. Shoaib Sheikh, currently incarcerated under the Public Safety Act (PSA) for alleged involvement in militancy-related activities, is vying for a seat in the Jammu Kashmir assembly elections from Sopore. His family is determined to make his voice heard in a political landscape that often overlooks their plight. The town will head to the polls during the third and final phase of the assembly elections on October 1. Am...