REGIONAL

Hundreds of native geese, locally known as ‘Kashur Aenz’, were found dead along the banks of Wular Lake, south Asia’s largest freshwater lake, officials said on Monday. The sudden deaths have sparked concerns among wildlife experts, conservationists, and officials in Jammu  Kashmir. Locals told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they have been finding the lifeless bodies of native geese along the banks of Wular, particularly in the Suderkoot area, for the past several days. Distressed by the sight, they alerted the concerned authorities. "We have spotted these species dead at several spots around the lake over the past few days. It seems like there's some disease affecting them, as we've never seen anything like this before,” said Abdul Aziz, a local. District ...

An encounter has broken out between militants and government forces in the Kupwara district of north Kashmir. Official sources said that on Tuesday morning, an encounter has started between government  forces and militants at Nagmarg area of Kupwara District. Two militants are believed to be trapped in the area. Details rushing in.

Thousands of hopeful youths gathered at the Gantamulla grounds in Baramulla on Monday for an Indian Army recruitment rally organised by the 161 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army (J&K Light Infantry, JAKLI). The rally, aimed at providing job opportunities in the Indian Army, saw a massive turnout from across the district, including areas like Uri, Pattan, Gulmarg, Kreeri, Rafiabad and Sopore. The recruitment drive, which began early on Monday morning, was a reflection of the ongoing unemployment crisis in Kashmir. News agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) correspondent present at the event, which kicked off at 6 am, said that long queues had already formed, with many candidates arriving as early as midnight. Despite heavy security arrangements by the Jammu & Kashmir Poli...

The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has announced scheduled power shutdowns in various areas of Srinagar and Sopore to carry out necessary maintenance and infrastructure upgrades. According to the Chief Engineer of KPDCL’s Distribution Wing, the shutdowns are part of the ongoing efforts to reconduct the 33 KV Habak-SKIMS line and replace damaged poles. The maintenance work will be subject to favorable weather conditions. The power shutdowns will affect several areas across the two districts. In Srinagar, the Habak-SKIMS line will be shut down on November 14, 18, and 23 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The affected areas will include Owantabhawan, Omer Colony, and parts of the 90 ft Road. Additionally, in Sopore, the Amargarh-Sopore line will be shut down on November 1...

MLA from Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq, announced today that the Omar Abdullah-led government will soon regularize the services of daily wagers, contractual, and casual employees in Jammu Kashmir Speaking about the recent age relaxation granted for the Competitive Combined Examination (CCE), Sadiq described it as the fourth significant decision made by the current government. He emphasized that addressing the concerns of the people, particularly the youth, remains a priority. "For the past decade, there have been no recruitment drives in Jammu Kashmir, leaving our educated youth without opportunities to participate in exams. With the age bar relaxation, more young people can now apply for government jobs. I extend my congratulations to Omar Abdullah for making this decision, and to the yo...

Tihar Jail officials informed the Delhi High Court that Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik ended his hunger strike on November 8 and is now receiving necessary medical care. Malik had started his strike on November 1, citing the denial of proper medical treatment.* The authorities, including the Centre, opposed Malik's petition seeking admission to AIIMS or another super-specialty hospital due to his alleged deteriorating health. They requested more time to review the jail's medical report before filing a response. The court, presided over by Justice Jasmeet Singh, has scheduled the next hearing for November 18 and directed the jail to continue providing Malik with appropriate medical care. Malik's legal team expressed dissatisfaction with the delay and plans to visit him t...

Baramulla town witnessed a remarkable turnout today as thousands of young candidates arrived for an Army recruitment rally conducted by the 161 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army (Home & Hearth) Jammu Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI). The recruitment drive, which commenced early this morning at 6:00 AM at Ganthmulla, will continue through to November 17, 2024, providing opportunities for young men from various districts to join the Territorial Army. Reports indicate that candidates began gathering as early as 4:00 AM, forming long queues and braving the morning chill in hopes of securing a position. “From early this morning, candidates gathered here to try their luck at the Army recruitment drive. I observed thousands of candidates arriving even before dawn,” an official involved i...

On Monday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made his first official visit of the season to the Jammu Civil Secretariat, marking the beginning of the winter operations for the Jammu Kashmir. He was welcomed with a ceremonial guard of honour, as the administration transitioned to its winter headquarters in Jammu. This seasonal shift, which sees the Civil Secretariat and other government departments operating from Jammu until spring, echoes the traditional Darbar Move. However, it differs significantly from the full-scale relocation once promised by the National Conference (NC) during its Assembly campaign. While Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other ministers will primarily operate from Jammu, they will travel across the Union Territory as needed. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has alrea...

In a tragic incident, a mother and her two children were killed in a midnight blaze in Badhat Drabshalla area of Kishtwar . Officials told GNS that fire broke out late night in the house of Khurshid Ahmad in Jashar hamlet of Badhat. When fire erupted from one of the room, mother and her two children were sleeping and due to intense flames, they were unable to escape from the house. In this incident both Mother and her children were killed in this devastating fire. Police, fire tenders and locals tried their best to rescue the victims. The deceased have been identified as Nazia Begum (Mother), Amna Bano (7) and Rizwan (4). Meanwhile, a police officer told GNS that cause of fire is being ascertained and a case has been registered in this regard and investigation have been taken u...

Four Army personnel were injured on Sunday in a gunfight with militants holed up in a remote forest area in Jammu Kashmir's Kishtwar district, officials said, amid an intensified hunt following the recent killing of two Village Defence Guards (VDGs). The encounter broke out around 11 am when joint search parties of the Army and police intercepted the terrorists in the Keshwan forest, a few kilometres from the spot where the bullet-riddled bodies of VDGs Nazir Ahmad and Kuldeep Kumar were found. A massive search operation was launched in the forests of Kuntwara and Keshwan on Thursday evening after the militants abducted and killed the VDGs. The Army's Jammu-based White Knight Corps said in a post on X, "Based on specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, a j...