REGIONAL

In extension of the ongoing anti-militant operation in Kathua, security forces have on Wednesday started searches in the adjoining Rajouri district. Officials told the news agency Kashmir Bulletin that security forces have launched a massive search operation in Siya Badrai area of Sunderbani in Rajouri district.  "The personnel from the Jammu Kashmir Police, CRPF, and the Indian Army, part of the search operation, have also searched the forests and vacant houses of nomadic people in the area," the officials said.  Pertinent to mention here that Siya Badrai area borders Reasi district, where militants had attacked a bus returning from Shiv Khori in June 2024. (KB)

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, tabled in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, has sparked widespread outrage among political leaders in Jammu Kashmir. Prominent voices, including Mehbooba Mufti, Sajad Lone, Nizamuddin Bhat, and Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen, have strongly opposed the proposed amendments, calling them an assault on Muslim religious and institutional autonomy. Mehbooba Mufti Calls Bill a ‘Conspiracy’ Against Muslims People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has accused the BJP-led government of using the bill as a tool to marginalize Muslims. "This is not about better management; this is about taking away what belongs to Muslims," she said. Speaking to the media in Srinagar, Mufti warned that such policies could push India towards internal divisio...

Suhail Dar A massive fire broke out in multiple forest areas of Aishmuqam, including Wajroo, Budroo, Kathsoo, Sofipora, Kullar, and Grend, prompting an immediate response from the forest department. According to Shama Ruhi, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Lidder Forest Division, who spoke to The Kashmiriyat, said that a significant portion of the fire—estimated to be around 80-90 per cent—has been brought under control. She credited the relentless efforts of forest employees and the cooperation of local residents for containing the blaze. "Forest employees are on the ground, working tirelessly to prevent further spread. The support from the local community has been commendable, and we appreciate their assistance in controlling these fires," Ruhi said while speaking to The Kashm...

Lieutenent Governor Manoj Sinha stated that there is no longer a need for the United Nations office in Srinagar, citing improved conditions in Jammu Kashmir. However, he noted that the decision lies with the Ministry of External Affairs. In an interview with a national news channel, Sinha emphasized the focus on peace, development, and investment. He said his administration shares a good working relationship with the newly elected government and highlighted economic growth, including Jammu and Kashmir Bank’s turnaround from a ₹1,200 crore loss to a ₹1,700 crore profit. Sinha also mentioned the upcoming inauguration of the Kashmir train service by Prime Minister Modi and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the return of Kashmiri Pandits when peace is fully restored. ...

 The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha today, Wednesday, sparking discussions over its proposed changes. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a key ally in the Narendra Modi government, is expected to push for an amendment regarding the inclusion of non-Muslims in state Waqf boards. Sources indicate that the party, which issued a whip on Tuesday to ensure the presence of its 16 MPs in the House, will advocate for leaving the decision on non-Muslim representation to individual states. "We will demand that states be given the discretion to decide on the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf boards," a senior TDP leader stated. Apart from this, the party is reportedly in favor of other proposed amendments, including the inclusion of women in Waqf boards. "That is a progres...

Danishwar Hameed One person was killed and four others sustained critical injuries in a road accident near the Nayvug Tunnel in Qazigund on Tuesday evening. Officials told The Kashmiriyat that the accident occurred when a Hector vehicle bearing registration number JK01AI 0707 lost control and skidded off the road, eventually crashing into a temporary police structure. The deceased has been identified as Zubair Ahmad Wani, son of Abdul Hameed Wani, a resident of Heer Pora, Shopian. Officials said he died on the spot due to the impact of the crash. The injured, identified as Irshad Ahmad Mir, Mushtaq Ahmad Dalal, Umar Bashir Najar, and Special Police Officer Showkat Ahmad, were rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Eyewitnesses reported that the vehicle was coming from...

Northern Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer, Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, on Monday said that the completion of the Udhampur- Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project will significantly reduce travel time between Katra and Srinagar. The new Vande Bharat Express will cut down the travel time from the current 6-7 hours by road to just 3 hours. "The Vande Bharat Express train will cut the Katra-Srinagar journey to just 3 hours, compared to the current 6-7 hours by road. At present, train services run between Srinagar and Sangaldan in the valley. Once the railway line from Sangaldan to Katra becomes operational, these trains can be extended to Katra," he said. Upadhyay said that the USBRL project Qazigund-Baramulla section was started in the year 2009. "The 18 km Banihal-Q...

An unidentified militant has been killed in an ongoing encounter between government forces and militants in the Panjthirthi area of Kathua Jammu division. Reliable sources told news agency JKNS that one militant has been killed by security forces in Panjthirthi Kathua, whose identity is yet to be ascertained. As the joint team of forces intensified searches towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces triggering off a gunfight. The identity of the militant killed during the ongoing encounter is not known, while operation is on in the area, they said.—(JKNS)

An encounter has erupted between security forces and suspected militants in the Panjtirthi area of Jathana, Kathua district of Jammu. According to initial reports, three Jaish-affiliated militants are believed to be trapped.   Security forces have cordoned off the area, and intermittent firing is ongoing. More details awaited.

The crescent moon marking the beginning of Eid-ul-Fitr was sighted in several parts of Kashmir on Sunday evening, with many residents claiming to have witnessed it. However, an official announcement from the Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, is still awaited.   Eyewitnesses from Anantnag, Baramulla, and Srinagar reported to The Kashmiriyat that they saw the crescent moon shortly after sunset. "We saw the moon clearly in the sky, and there is no doubt about it," said Bilal Ahmad, a resident of Anantnag. Another local from Baramulla, Shakeel Hussain, echoed similar sentiments, urging authorities to confirm Eid’s commencement. Despite these reports, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam has yet to confirm the moon sighting officially. In previous years, the Grand Mufti’...