REGIONAL

Authorities have filed a case against the organizers and participants of a Youm-e-Quds procession in Sonpah village, Beerwah, citing allegations of raising provocative slogans and disrupting public order. Officials stated that the gathering, organized under a pre-planned arrangement, resulted in sloganeering that obstructed movement and caused disturbances along the Sonpah-Beerwah road. In response, Budgam Police registered an FIR (No. 33/2025) at Beerwah police station under Section 126(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (wrongful restraint) and Section 189(6) (abetting unlawful assembly). The investigation is ongoing, with officials asserting that legal action will follow against those found responsible.

Heavy gusty winds swept across various parts of Kashmir on Friday night, causing widespread damage to property, vehicles, and power infrastructure. Several areas, including Srinagar, Kulgam, and Ganderbal, reported significant destruction as authorities rushed to assess the impact and initiate restoration efforts. In Srinagar, strong winds led to the complete destruction of a vehicle near the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) as debris from nearby structures collapsed onto it. Several electric cables were snapped, leading to power disruptions in multiple areas. In Habbak, a rooftop collapsed after being struck by high-tension (HT) power lines, adding to the chaos. In south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, Pahloo village witnessed severe destruction as gusty winds tore through homes, ripping o...

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that ATM transaction fees will rise of rupees ₹23 per transaction starting May 1, 2025. The new charges will apply after customers exhaust their free transaction limits. As per RBI guidelines, customers will continue to receive five free transactions per month at their own bank’s ATMs. They will also be allowed a limited number of free transactions at other banks’ ATMs—three in metro cities and five in non-metro areas. The decision follows a proposal by banks to increase the interchange fee for cash withdrawals. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) had sought RBI’s approval for the revision, which was granted earlier this month. The revised fee will be subject to Goods and Services Tax (GST), which will be charged se...

Tanveer Hussain Budgam, Mar 28, KNT: Magam Town in Central Kashmir's Budgam witnessed a massive gathering on the last Friday of Ramazan, observed as Al-Quds Day, as thousands of fasting Muslims took to the streets in a show of solidarity with Palestine. The demonstration, which saw significant participation from women and members of the Shia community, was marked by fervent calls for the liberation of Masjid-al-Aqsa and an end to Israeli control over Palestinian territories. Protesters moved through the bustling Magam bazar, raising pro-Palestine slogans and condemning what they described as Zionist occupation. Public addresses during the march strongly criticized the international community's perceived silence on the situation in Gaza, where demonstrators alleged ongoing atrocities ...

The cabinet on Thursday approved the implementation of key budget announcements made by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in his budget speech on March 7. The cabinet meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. “The meeting commenced at 3:00 PM and lasted until 4:30 PM,” they said, adding that the cabinet approved the modalities finalised by various departments for implementing announcements related to free power, free ration for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries, and enhancements in pension and the Marriage Assistance Scheme. The key budget announcements include 200 units of free electricity for all AAY households under the PM’s Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and 10 kilograms of free ration per person for families in this category. In his budget s...

The body of a fourth policeman was located using a drone near the site of an ongoing anti-militancy operation in Kathua district, Jammu Kashmir. The operation, which began on Thursday, has so far resulted in the deaths of three suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed militants and four policemen, with seven security personnel, including a DSP, injured. Security forces, including the police, Army, and CRPF, resumed the operation at dawn, focusing on retrieving the bodies and neutralizing any remaining threats. Officials suspect two more militants remain holed up in the forested Safiyan area, where heavy firing and explosions continued for the second day. The encounter began after intelligence reports suggested militants had infiltrated from the Hiranagar sector. A large-scale search involvin...

As the auspicious occasion of Shab-e-Qadr approaches, the valley of Kashmir is abuzz with preparations to ensure a memorable and meaningful celebration for the devotees. Shab-e-Qadr, is regarded as a night of mercy and forgiveness, where Muslims seek pardon for their sins and offer prayers for the deceased. The occasion holds great spiritual importance, and the valley is gearing up to observe this sacred night with humility and devotion. Massive crowds are expected to throng Khanqahs and mosques throughout the valley for the night-long prayers. In Srinagar, the largest gatherings are expected at Jama Masjid Nowhatta, Dastgeer Sahib Shrine, and Hazratbal Shrine, where special prayers and sermons will be delivered. In Shopian, devotees will gather in large numbers at Jamia Masjid...

A militant has been killed in an ongoing encounter with security forces in Kathua. An official told news agency Kashmir Bulletin that a militant has been killed in forces' action in Juthana area. "The identity of the militant is yet to be ascertained," said the official. Pertinent to mention here that two police personnel sustained injuries in the initial exchange of gunfire earlier in the day. The operation is being closely monitored by IGP Jammu and IG CRPF. More details awaited. (KB)

Two more separatist organizations, Tehreek-i-Istiqlal (JKTI) and Jammu and Kashmir Freedom Movement (JKFM), have severed ties with the Hurriyat Conference and renounced separatism. JKTI, led by Ghulam Nabi Sofi, formally distanced itself from the Hurriyat, with Sofi declaring, "I have long before severed my ties with separatist ideology and today I officially denounce it. I am a true and committed citizen of India and believe in the Indian Constitution." Similarly, JKFM chairman Muhammad Sharief Sartaj also announced his complete disassociation from the Hurriyat and other separatist groups, emphasizing his commitment to India's national integrity and declaring his organization dissolved. Their decision follows a similar move by two other Hurriyat-affiliated groups, the Jammu and K...

The Traffic Police, Srinagar, has issued a detailed traffic advisory for devotees travelling to Hazratbal shrine on the occasion of Shab-i-Qadr on the intervening night of March 27-28 and Jumat-ul-Vida on March 28, 2025. A large number of worshippers are expected to gather at the shrine, and special traffic arrangements have been put in place to ensure smooth movement. The Srinagar traffic department said that for devotees from north Kashmir, vehicles will follow the Shalteng-Parimpora-Qamarwari-Cement Bridge-Noorbagh-Sekidafar-Eidgah-Sazgaripora-Hawal-Alamgari Bazar-Mill Stop-Molvi Stop (Lal Bazar)-Botshah Mohalla-Kanitar route, leading to the University parking at Saderbal. For those from south Kashmir, the designated route is Panthachowk-Stone Quarry (Athwajan)-Batwara-Sonwar B...