REGIONAL

Panic buying gripped Srinagar on Monday as people thronged fuel stations following rumours that petrol supplies had exhausted due to the closure of the Srinagar–Jammu Highway. Eyewitnesses said long queues of vehicles were seen at several petrol pumps across the city, with motorists rushing to fill their tanks. At Karan Nagar, a petrol pump owner told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that despite repeated assurances to drivers that there was enough stock, the rush continued at the station. “People are not listening. Even after telling them that petrol is available, they insisted on filling their vehicles in panic,” the owner said. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, meanwhile, clarified that there is no shortage of fuel in the Valley. He said that while the national hi...

The Supreme Court on Monday passed an interim order on petitions challenging the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, staying some provisions of the law while leaving others untouched. The Court observed that certain clauses could operate arbitrarily and undermine constitutional principles if implemented without safeguards. The Court stayed the requirement that a person must be a practitioner of Islam for at least five years to be eligible for positions under the Waqf law. It noted that without rules framed by state governments to determine such eligibility, the provision could lead to arbitrariness. Another provision allowing the government to derecognize Waqf land during the pendency of encroachment disputes was also stayed. The Court said vesting such powers in the Collector violated the pr...

In a major boost to Kashmir’s horticulture sector, Indian Railways on Monday launched a high-capacity daily parcel train service from Srinagar to Delhi for transporting apples and other fruits. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Divisional Railway Manager Vivek Kumar, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), described the initiative as a ‘golden moment’ for the region. “This is a daily parcel train carrying apples and a limited quantity of walnuts, with the potential to transport many other products,” he said. He added that the train consists of eight parcel vans—one with a capacity of 23 tons and the others ranging between 160 to 170 tons. He said the train will depart daily at 6:00 AM from Srinagar. “It will halt at Bari Brahmana, Jammu and reach Adarsh Naga...

Authorities in Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts have blocked as many as 300 social media accounts in just three days after they were found circulating provocative content and spreading misinformation aftermath the arrest of MLA Mehraj Malik. According to officials, the IT Cells of these three districts monitored Facebook, X and Instagram platforms round-the-clock and traced accounts involved in sharing morphed images, distorted videos and fabricated posts aimed at provoking unrest. Police sources confirmed that First Information Reports (FIRs) have been recommended against several identified handlers operating these accounts. While some accounts were traced locally within Jammu Kashmir and other parts of the country, law enforcement agencies have also written to social media compa...

In a change of tactics, terror outfits in Jammu Kashmir are now constructing elaborately-designed underground bunkers deep inside thick forests and elevated ridges instead of taking shelter in local houses, officials said on Sunday. This tactical shift, fuelled by eroding local support, presents a new challenge to the Army and other security forces. This came to fore last week during an encounter in the higher reaches of Kulgam district, where two terrorists were killed. As the operation progressed, security forces found a secret trench with rations, miniature gas stoves, and pressure cookers, as well as weapons and ammunition. One senior security officer, requesting anonymity, said the trend has become widespread in the Kulgam and Shopian districts, as well as south of Pir Panjal...

Several parts of Kashmir experienced heatwave-like conditions on Sunday, with maximum temperatures soaring well above normal across Kashmir, according to official weather data. Kashmir Weather reported that Srinagar and Kupwara recorded the highest temperatures at 32.6°C and 32.6°C, exceeding normal levels by 4.8°C and 4.1°C, respectively. Qazigund reached 32.2°C, nearly 5.7°C above normal, while Kokernag recorded 30.8°C, 5.3°C higher than usual. Among tourist spots, Pahalgam saw 27.2°C, 3.3°C above normal, and Gulmarg registered 23.8°C, 5.2°C above normal. In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded 33.8°C, 1.1°C above normal. Banihal logged 29.2°C, 1.5°C above normal, and Batote 26.1°C, slightly above average by 0.4°C. Bhaderwah stood at 29.5°C, 1.5°C above normal, while Katra experienced...

Four Army personnel were injured in an accident in Khag area of Budgam district of central Kashmir on Sunday, with two of them reported to be in critical condition. The injured soldiers, all belonging to 53 Rashtriya Rifles, were immediately shifted to 92 Base Hospital at Badami Bagh Cantonment for advanced treatment. Further details are awaited. [KNT]

An outbreak of chickenpox has prompted authorities to suspend class work at Government Middle School Khonchipora in Kunzer zone of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. According to an official order issued by the Zonal Education Officer Kunzer, the decision was taken after cases of chickenpox were reported among students. A medical team was dispatched to the school yesterday for examination and preventive measures. The order, issued in consultation with the Block Medical Officer Kunzer, stated that the class work at the institution has been suspended with immediate effect in the interest of the health and safety of students. The suspension will remain in force until further directions are issued. Officials said that necessary steps are being taken to prevent the spread of infection, ...

Danishwar Hameed A man sustained serious injuries after being attacked by a wild bear in the Danew Kandimarg area of Kulgam district on Saturday. According to locals who spoke to The Kashmiriyat, the 70-year-old victim suffered multiple wounds, including a bear bite on his foot, injuries to his leg, and trauma to his shoulder. He was initially shifted to a nearby health facility, where doctors administered first aid before referring him to Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag for specialized treatment. Residents expressed deep concern over the rising incidents of wild animal attacks in the area and urged the Wildlife Department to take preventive measures to safeguard lives.

Suhail Dar Torrential rains and flash floods that swept through south Kashmir between August 27 and September 3 have left Anantnag’s agricultural landscape in ruins, submerging fields, destroying standing crops and washing away irrigation infrastructure. Officials say that nearly 2,800 hectares, or more than 55,350 kanals, of farmland have been affected, with around 2,200 hectares of paddy cultivation bearing the heaviest losses. The assessment is ongoing as teams move across the district to record the full scale of destruction, officials told The Kashmiriyat. “Between August 27 and September 3, around 2,800 hectares (55,350 kanals) of agricultural land in the district suffered damage due to floods, and our assessment is still ongoing,” said Shahnazwaz Ahmed Sheh, Agricultural Off...