REGIONAL

Danishwar Hameed A 16-year-old girl was found dead under mysterious conditions in Ghat Qaimoh area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, officials said on Friday. An official told The Kashmiriyat that the minor girl (name withheld) was found unconscious at her residence and was immediately shifted to PHC Qaimoh for treatment, where doctors declared her brought dead. He said the body was later taken to GMC Anantnag for medico-legal formalities to ascertain the cause of death. Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of the incident and started further investigation.

Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Thursday said that more than 1,614 Jammu Kashmir policemen have laid down their lives in the past three decades while fighting Pakistan and its proxies in the Union Territory. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 10th All India Police Games Judo Cluster at the Indoor Stadium, Prabhat said the sacrifices of police martyrs stand as proof of the force’s courage and dedication. “The JK Police has played a pivotal role in fighting the enemies of peace. Our personnel continue to work with utmost commitment to ensure public safety and stability,” he said. The DGP said the force has remained at the forefront of counter-militancy operations and has also engaged in youth and sports outreach programmes to strengthen ties with local communi...

The National Conference government’s recent announcement on smart meter installation in Jammu Kashmir has sparked anger among opposition parties and residents who see it as a complete reversal of previous promises. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the government aims to achieve 100 per cent metering for uninterrupted power supply across the union territory. “Meters are the best solution for uninterrupted electricity supply. The more meters we install, the less electricity curtailment people will face, and the government will be able to supply more electricity. We are committed to achieving full coverage and 24x7 electricity for consumers,” Omar Abdullah told reporters. Opposition parties and local residents have criticized the move, highlighting that the NC had consis...

Meer Irfan A court in Kupwara has acquitted Khursheed Ahmad Chohan, a Jammu Kashmir Police constable who was earlier brutally tortured in custody, along with Farooq Hassan Shah, in a high-profile narcotics case under Sections 8/21-29 of the NDPS Act. The ruling comes after the court found serious contradictions in forensic reports and insufficient direct evidence against the accused, even as alleged cross-border connections with Pakistan continue to be investigated. The case originated from FIR No. 17/2023, filed at Police Station Karnah, after police claimed to recover 2.674 kilograms of contraband suspected to be brown sugar from Shah’s courtyard on February 23, 2023. Initial chemical analysis at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Srinagar returned a negative report, wh...

Jammu Kashmir Police have arrested a private school staffer for allegedly sexually assaulting and molesting a minor student in a private school in central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Reports reaching news agency Kashmir Dot Com said that the father of the victim lodged a complaint alleging that his minor ward was allegedly assaulted and molested by staffer of the school falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station Beerwah. A police officer confirmed to Kashmir Dot Com that following the complaint, Beerwah Police registered an FIR No. 147/2025 under Sections 5 and 6 of the POCSO Act. “The accused has been taken into custody, and necessary medico-legal formalities are being carried out,” the officer added.–(KDC)

The Government College for Women on MA Road, Srinagar, has renamed its auditorium from “Lalla Arifa” to “Lal Ded”, following objections from members of the Kashmiri Pandit community, The Hindu reported. The controversy arose after the college had originally named the auditorium Lalla Arifa, a title that sparked protests from Pandit groups and community leaders. They argued that the name did not accurately reflect the 14th-century mystic poetess and spiritual icon, whose historically accepted name is Lal Ded or Lalleshwari. Kundan Kashmiri, president of the Kashmiri Pandit Conference, said the original naming “distorted the legacy of Lal Ded and misrepresented Kashmir’s cultural history.” Pandit organisations emphasized that Lal Ded is regarded as the mother of Kashmiri Shaivite philo...

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the Cabinet Sub-Committee’s final report on reservation has been approved, with the Social Welfare Department tasked to prepare a cabinet memo for further action within days. Addressing a press conference marking one year of his government, Omar said that while the administration “couldn’t have done better under current circumstances,” it will be judged only after completing its five-year term. “We’ve fulfilled the promise of tabling the statehood resolution and begun regularising daily wagers — 860 CPWs were confirmed today,” he said. Reiterating his stance on statehood, the Chief Minister appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to “honour the commitment made in Parliament and the Supreme Court.” He said stat...

Locals Thursday alleged that expired medicines were distributed to patients at the Ayushman Bharat Comprehensive Primary Health Centre (PHC) Odina, in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district. According to reports, a local female patient suffering from bone and joint pain was prescribed medication by a medic posted at the health centre. However, after collecting the prescribed medicines from the dispensary, the patient discovered that the tablets had already passed their expiry date. “We are being given expired medicines that can endanger our lives,” said the female patient, showing the expired strips. “This is gross negligence, and the authorities must be held accountable.” The attendants who accompanied the patient also voiced anger, alleging that the dispensary staff had handed ov...

Police on Thursday detained two persons during naka checking at Budran Magam and recovered several posters belonging to a banned organization, officials said. A top police officer told news agency—Kashmir News Corner (KNC), that two persons were detained during naka checking at Budran Magam, and over 18 posters of the banned organization were recovered from their possession. He said the duo has been identified as Muzamil Ahmad Bhat and Imtiyaz Ahmad Dar—both residents of Aripanthan Magam. Meanwhile, a case has been registered and further investigation has been taken up.—(KNC)

Reports of unseasonal flowering and leaf growth in apple, almond, and other fruit trees across parts of Kashmir have triggered concern among orchardists, who fear the phenomenon may signal deeper climate change impacts on horticultural patterns. However, experts have cautioned against drawing such conclusions, saying the recent developments are physiological responses to plant stress rather than indicators of changing weather cycles. According to horticulture scientists, the premature sprouting of new leaves or flowers at this time of year occurs when trees experience stress caused by insect attacks, diseases, or leaf damage, followed by a spell of favorable conditions such as mild temperature and adequate moisture. “This phenomenon often happens when leaves are badly affected by ...