Wednesday, November 27News and updates from Kashmir

Month: November 2024

Elderly couple attacked by masked man in Srinagar, Here’s what we know so far

Elderly couple attacked by masked man in Srinagar, Here’s what we know so far

REGIONAL
Shabir Ali In a shocking incident, a couple was attacked by an unidentified masked intruder in Hazratbal, Srinagar, on Wednesday morning. The attack left the wife critically injured and the husband shaken but determined to catch the perpetrator. As per eyewitnesses, the incident occurred around 9 a.m. at the residence of Ghulam Rasool Khan. According to Khan who spoke to The Kashmiriyat, the attack began when his wife, who was in the kitchen making tea, was suddenly assaulted. "I was sleeping when I heard my wife screaming," he recounted. "I rushed to the kitchen and saw an unknown man attacking her. When I intervened, he turned on me, biting my hands and punching my face multiple times." Khan described the assailant as wearing a mask, who was a non local, making identificat...
Cease-fire in Lebanon: After weeks of fighting, Hezbollah and Israel agree to truce

Cease-fire in Lebanon: After weeks of fighting, Hezbollah and Israel agree to truce

INTERNATIONAL
A cease-fire agreement between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, brokered through US and French mediation, came into force on Wednesday at 4 a.m. local time (0200 GMT). The conflict, deeply rooted in Hezbollah's pro-Palestinian stance and Lebanon's solidarity with Palestine, intensified after Hamas launched its cross-border attack on October 7, 2023. Hezbollah's subsequent missile, rocket, and drone attacks targeted Israeli positions, escalating violence along the Israel-Lebanon border. Hezbollah stated that its actions were intended to pressure Israel into halting its military operations in Gaza. Israel responded with extensive airstrikes across Lebanon and launched a ground invasion in the southern regions. The clashes resulted in heavy losses for Israeli forces, parti...
Bone-chilling cold across Kashmir: Shopian coldest at -4.6°C

Bone-chilling cold across Kashmir: Shopian coldest at -4.6°C

REGIONAL
The biting cold has tightened its grip over Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh, with temperatures dipping below freezing in several areas. The Kashmir region continues to shiver under sub-zero conditions, while parts of Jammu and Ladakh face even harsher weather. In Kashmir, Shopian recorded the lowest temperature at a frigid -4.6°C, followed closely by Pahalgam at -4.4°C. Popular tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Sonamarg saw the mercury drop to -2.6°C and -3.6°C, respectively. Srinagar, the region's summer capital, reported a minimum of -0.6°C, marking a notable chill in the urban center. Other districts, including Anantnag (-3.9°C) and Pulwama (-3.6°C), also experienced freezing temperatures, signaling the onset of a harsh winter. Meanwhile, in the Jammu region, the weather ...
Thousands of fish die at Bandipora farm after unknown persons cut water supply

Thousands of fish die at Bandipora farm after unknown persons cut water supply

REGIONAL
Shah Basit In a devastating turn of events, Umar Maroof Lone, a young entrepreneur from Bandipora, suffered a massive financial loss after thousands of fish at his farm died last night. The tragedy occurred after some miscreants allegedly broke the water supply pipe, cutting off oxygen to the fish. The resulting loss is estimated in lakhs of rupees. “This farm was not just my source of income; it was my dream, my passion,” Umar told The Kashmiriyat, his voice heavy with emotion. “Watching thousands of fish die because of this senseless act is heartbreaking.” Umar had invested ₹20 lakh into the project, along with additional expenses on fodder for the fish. He had been spending day and night to nurture the farm, which had become a symbol of hope and self-reliance in the ar...
World Craft Council to introduce ‘seal of authenticity’ for Kashmiri crafts

World Craft Council to introduce ‘seal of authenticity’ for Kashmiri crafts

CULTURE
The World Craft Council (WCC) announced its plan to introduce a "Seal of Authenticity" for handmade crafts in Jammu Kashmir, addressing the demand for globally recognized certification for the region's renowned craftsmanship. WCC President Saad Al-Qaddumi shared the initiative during the council's 60th jubilee celebration in Srinagar. Speaking at the event, Al-Qaddumi expressed pride in unveiling the new flagship program, emphasizing its potential to enhance quality assurance and ownership, particularly in the textile industry. He attributed the idea to discussions with J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha during his previous visit. The announcement coincided with the UT-Level Craft Awards ceremony, where artisans were recognized for their outstanding contributions. Al-Qaddumi also hi...
Officials conduct LGBTQ++ rights awareness campaign in Kashmir

Officials conduct LGBTQ++ rights awareness campaign in Kashmir

REGIONAL
Kupwara district in north Kashmir witnessed its first-ever awareness and training program on LGBTQ++ rights, organized by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) under the directives of NALSA and the JK Legal Services Authority. In a press release, officials said that the event took place at the ADR Centre, Court Complex Kupwara, with participation from LADCs, panel lawyers, PLVs, officials, and the general public. "The program, supervised by Shazia Tabasum, Chairperson of DLSA and Principal District & Sessions Judge Kupwara, aimed to shed light on the rights, entitlements, and challenges faced by the LGBTQ++ community," the present release read. Moneer Ahmad, Secretary of DLSA Kupwara, emphasized the need to create an equitable environment, celebrating diversity and ensu...
‘BJP creating divide between Hindus, Muslims’: Rahul Gandhi condemns killing of Muslims in U.P

‘BJP creating divide between Hindus, Muslims’: Rahul Gandhi condemns killing of Muslims in U.P

REGIONAL
Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Uttar Pradesh government for its handling of the Sambhal violence, holding it accountable for the unrest. Akhilesh Yadav accused the State government of orchestrating the violence, which erupted during a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque. Rahul Gandhi described the administration's actions as “insensitive” and “hasty,” blaming the BJP for escalating communal tensions. The violence claimed four lives, with three victims identified as Naeem, Bilal, and Nauman, all in their mid-20s. The Uttar Pradesh police have filed seven FIRs related to the incident, naming SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and Sohail Iqbal, son of local SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood, amon...
Muslim student assaulted, forced to chant Hindutva slogans in U.P.

Muslim student assaulted, forced to chant Hindutva slogans in U.P.

INDIA
Gulfam Saifi, an IIT student and aspiring national-level shooter, was reportedly abducted and brutally assaulted in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. The incident occurred on Saturday evening while Gulfam was returning home from his shooting practice. According to Gulfam’s family, a group of 3-4 men abducted him, took him to an abandoned swimming pool at Victoria Park, and forced him to chant "Jai Shri Ram" while brutally beating him. The attackers also allegedly stripped him and left him unconscious after the assault. The victim's family has raised serious concerns over the incident, describing it as a targeted attack. Gulfam is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital, with injuries from the assault. However, local police have contested parts of the allegations. Civil ...
‘Dignity and rights under threat’: Mehbooba Mufti on U.P. violence and constitutional values

‘Dignity and rights under threat’: Mehbooba Mufti on U.P. violence and constitutional values

INDIA
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said it was “disheartening” that the country’s largest minority was facing “unprecedented threats” as it celebrated Constitution Day. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) supremo referred to the violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, where four people died during protests against a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque. The government on Tuesday kick-started yearlong celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution. “Today, as we celebrate Constitution Day, it is disheartening to see the largest minority in our country facing unprecedented threats. Their dignity, lives, livelihoods and places of worship are under attack, contradicting the Constitution’s guarantee of equal rights and dignity for every citizen, rega...
‘Unauthorized withdrawals’: Police to investigate fraud in Shopian’s JK Bank branch

‘Unauthorized withdrawals’: Police to investigate fraud in Shopian’s JK Bank branch

REGIONAL
Police have registered a formal case about a major bank fraud in Turkawangam hamlet of south Kashmir’s Shopian district. As reported earlier, multiple unauthorized withdrawals from customer accounts were reported at the district's Jammu Kashmir Bank branch. The police formally registered an FIR vide number 104/2024 and launched a large-scale investigation, with arrests expected soon. The first case of bank fraud came to light when Zarifa, the daughter of the late Muhammad Yousuf Shah, discovered that Rs. 5 lakh had been embezzled from her father's account just a day after his death on January 13, 2019. The money was allegedly withdrawn by an individual, who transferred it to his relatives' accounts. In August, another case surfaced when Rs 177,000 went missing from Abdul Ghani ...