April 8, 2025 - The Kashmiriyat

Apr82025 by News DeskNo Comments

Army steps up surveillance in higher reaches of Doda

REGIONAL

With the melting of snow and opening of mountain passes, the army has increased surveillance in the densely forested area of Doda district to maintain peace and thwart any attempt by terrorists to cross over into the Chenab valley, security officials said. The stepped-up surveillance in the high-altitude areas of Bhaderwah valley comes close on the heels of a massive ongoing operation against terrorists, who managed to infiltrate from across the international border into Kathua district last month. Kathua has emerged as a major infiltrating route for the Pakistan-based terrorists to reach the higher reaches of Udhampur, Doda, and Kishtwar districts and further to Kashmir over the past one year. Anticipating movement of terrorists, the officials said the army has revamped the surve...

Apr82025 by News DeskNo Comments

In jail without a crime: The injustice woven into Advocate Zafar Ali’s story

WRITE-UPS

Sanjeev Sirohi It is my strongest personal belief that the unwarranted, unexpected, and unjustified arrest of Shahi Jama Masjid Committee President and eminent, learned, and senior lawyer Mr. Zafar Ali—who commands a significant following not only among Muslims but also among many Hindus and members of other communities—could have been entirely avoided in connection with the November 24 violence in Sambhal. Uttar Pradesh arrested Zafar Ali, also the head of the Shahi Mosque Committee, in connection with the November 24 violence in Sambhal that left four people dead. Sources claim he is being considered one of the "masterminds" behind the incident. This violence erupted suddenly following a court order for the survey of a 500-year-old Mughal-era mosque, based on a petition claiming...

Apr82025 by News DeskNo Comments

Amid US threats, Russia and Iran cement 20-year strategic alliance

INTERNATIONAL

Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has ratified a 20-year strategic partnership agreement with Iran, signaling a major expansion in political, economic, and defense cooperation between the two countries. The treaty, initially signed in January by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Moscow, was presented to the Duma for approval in March. Putin had described the deal as a “breakthrough document,” while Pezeshkian said it would usher in a “new chapter” in bilateral relations. The agreement outlines a comprehensive roadmap for collaboration across various sectors, including defense, energy, finance, transport, industry, agriculture, culture, science, and technology. It also emphasizes intelligence sharing and mutual support aga...

Apr82025 by News DeskNo Comments

Maternal aunt of Journalist Fahad Shah passes away in Srinagar

REGIONAL

Waheeda Rehmat, the maternal aunt of journalist and editor Fahad Shah, passed away late Monday night at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, following a brief illness. A resident of Illahi Bagh, Buchpora, Srinagar, Waheeda Rehmat was the wife of the late Ghulam Jeelani Reshi. She had been admitted to SKIMS and was under treatment for the past week. The news of her demise has drawn condolences from friends, relatives, and colleagues of Fahad Shah, who have expressed solidarity with the family and prayed for peace to the departed soul. The entire team of The Kashmiriyat extends its heartfelt condolences to Fahad Shah and the bereaved family in this time of grief.

Apr82025 by News DeskNo Comments

Waqf Amendment Bill comes into effect from today

REGIONAL

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, officially came into force today, as per a notification published in The Gazette of India, the government’s official publication for legal and statutory orders. "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 (14 of 2025), the Central Government hereby appoints the 8th day of April, 2025 as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force," the notification stated. The law, which has sparked significant debate, now faces multiple legal challenges in the Supreme Court. The Central government filed a caveat on Tuesday, urging the court not to pass any order without hearing its side. More than ten petitions—including those by political leaders, the All India Muslim Personal La...

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Days after Jhelum view park vandalism, 10 juveniles booked

REGIONAL

A late-night birthday celebration at Jhelum View Park in Rajbagh resulted in major vandalism, triggering public outrage and police action. A top police official confirmed to JKNS that an FIR was registered five days ago. "Ten juveniles have been identified and called to the police station. They will be sent to a juvenile home for further action," the official said. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation. Residents have demanded accountability and called for a review of CCTV footage to identify any other culprits involved. Earlier on March 26 miscreants damaged decorative poles, uprooted plants, and left tire marks on the footpath. Locals woke up to find the public space in shambles with cake boxes and firecracker remains scattered around. (JKNS)

Apr82025 by News DeskNo Comments

Crackdown on drugs intensifies: Over 48 kgs of drugs recovered, 7 arrested in Anantnag

REGIONAL

Suhail Dar In an intensified district-wide crackdown against drug trafficking, Anantnag Police has seized more than 48 kilograms of narcotic substances and arrested seven alleged peddlers in less than four days, in what officials described as one of the most significant recent anti-drug operations in south Kashmir. The largest haul was recovered in village Wantrag under Police Station Mattan, where three coordinated night raids led to the seizure of 30.9 kilograms of charas powder. Raids were conducted at the residences of Jehangir Ahmad Khan (23.33 kg), Reyaz Ahmad Khan (3.67 kg), and Nowshad Pathan (3.9 kg), all residents of Wantrag. Separate FIRs — 29, 30, and 31 of 2025 — have been registered under section 8/20 of the NDPS Act. In another major bust, Muzaffer Ahmad Shah, a ...

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55-year-old man killed during land dispute in Budgam

REGIONAL

A 55-year-old man from Budgam lost his life following a scuffle between two parties over a land dispute in Pohru village of Nowgam on Tuesday. An official said that the victim, identified as Ghulam Rasool Rather, son of Sonaullah Rather, a resident of Ichigam Budgam, sustained a serious head injury during the altercation. He was immediately shifted to District Hospital Pampore for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries. Police have taken cognisance of the matter, and the deceased’s body has been shifted from Pampore Hospital to SMHS Hospital Srinagar for post-mortem. Further investigation into the incident is underway. (JKNS)

Apr82025 by News DeskNo Comments

3,555 cases approved for land use change across Jammu Kashmir, says government

REGIONAL

Jammu Kashmir government on Tuesday said that a staggering 4,28,204 Kanals and 13 Marlas state ans kahcharai land is under illegal occupation across the region. Replying to a query by MLA Farooq Ahmad Shah, the minister InCharge said that they have taken concrete measures to evict illegal occupants, with all entries in the name of such occupants being expunged.“ Special eviction drives are being continuously undertaken to reclaim encroached land. A total of 3,555 cases have been approved for land use change in Jammu Kashmir. These permissions were granted for a variety of purposes including commercial, industrial, and residential developments,” he said. He also said that land measuring 40,151 Kanals and 17.5 Marlas has been transferred to the Industries and Commerce Department acr...

Apr82025 by News DeskNo Comments

Three more organisations from Kashmir denounce separatism

INDIA

In the latest development, three more organizations—Jammu Kashmir Islamic Political Party, Jammu Kashmir Muslim Democratic League, and the Kashmir Freedom Front—have formally severed ties with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference. The move is being hailed by the government as yet another sign of declining separatist sentiment and growing trust in the Indian Constitution within the Valley. Bashir Ahmad Andrabi, Chairman of the Kashmir Freedom Front and son of the late Mohammad Amin Andrabi, issued a signed public declaration disassociating himself and his organization from both factions of the Hurriyat Conference—Geelani (G) and Mirwaiz (M)—as well as from all separatist ideologies. He stated that the Hurriyat had failed to address the real concerns of the people and warned that any ...