REGIONAL

Journalist and Marketing Editor of The Chenab Times, Raja Shakeel, has resigned from the news outlet to focus on activism, pledging support for detained Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mehraj Malik. In a letter announcing his resignation, Shakeel said his decision marked “not a resignation, but a revolution,” adding, “For too long I’ve written about my people’s pain. Now, I want to fight for their justice and upliftment.” Shakeel, a native of Joura Kalan in Doda, clarified he was not joining any political party but was inspired by Malik, whom he called “a true voice who never bows before adversity.” Malik, the lone AAP MLA from Jammu and Kashmir, has been detained under the Public Safety Act since last month. Editor-in-Chief Anzer Ayoob accepted the resignation “with regret and respect,...

A local court in Anantnag on Wednesday convicted an accused in a case under the POCSO Act. The Court of Principal District Judge (PDJ) Anantnag found Mohd Lateef Sheikh guilty and convicted him in a case under the POCSO Act and Section 376 of the IPC, in connection with FIR No. 03/2022 registered at the Women’s Police Station, Anantnag. The court reached its verdict after examining all evidence and witness statements presented during the trial. The matter has been listed for arguments on the quantum of punishment on October 22, 2025. (KNC)  

Srinagar Police have arrested three accused involved in the Qamarwari axe attack case during a series of overnight raids, bringing swift resolution to an incident that left one youth injured on yesternight. Police said the victim, identified as Noman Yaqoob Khanday, was attacked with an axe by unidentified persons in the Qamarwari area on Tuesday evening. Following the assault, police launched a comprehensive investigation and tracked down the culprits through technical and field surveillance. The accused have been identified as Sahil Yaqoob Grustoo, son of Mohammad Yaqoob Grustoo; Farooq alias Farhan Ahmad Dar, son of Ghulam Nabi Dar; and Bilal Ahmad Guroo, son of Zahoor Ahmad Guroo, all residents of Boatman Colony, Bemina. According to police, the weapon of offence used in the a...

Suhail Dar In a distressing incident that has angered residents, unidentified persons chopped down multiple apple trees in an orchard at Siligam Dangerpora village of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, inflicting major losses on the owner. Locals said the incident took place during the night when unknown individuals entered the orchard and cut several fruit-bearing apple trees that were nearing harvest. The damage was discovered early Wednesday morning. “When we saw the orchard, it felt like years of our labour had been wiped out overnight,” said a member of the affected family. “These trees fed our family and paid for our children’s education. Whoever did this wanted to break our back.” The family has appealed to the police and administration to investigate the matter seriousl...

In a heartrending incident that has left the Tethar area of Banihal in mourning, a father died of a heart attack moments after his teenage son breathed his last in his arms while being taken to hospital. According to local sources, 45-year-old Shabir Ahmed Gania was rushing his 14-year-old son, Sahil Ahmed, to a nearby medical facility when the boy suddenly collapsed. Unable to bear the shock of losing his son, Shabir too suffered a cardiac arrest before they could reach the hospital. Both were taken to the Sub-District Hospital Banihal, where doctors confirmed that the father and son had died of cardiac arrest. The double tragedy has plunged the entire locality into grief. Neighbours and relatives gathered at the family’s home to offer condolences and take part in the final rites...

An 18-year-old boy was injured after being attacked with an axe by an unidentified person in Qamarwari area of Srinagar on Tuesday. An official told news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC that the injured youth has been identified as resident of Qamarwari Srinagar. He was immediately shifted to SMHS Hospital Srinagar with a nose injury, the official said. Police have taken cognizance of the matter and further investigation is underway. (KNC)

The Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet before the Sub Judge Kupwara against accused Salim Akbar for duping insurance policy holders through fraudulent collections. Spokesperson in a statement, EOW wing of the Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet in connection with case FIR No. 253/2023 of Police Station Kupwara under Sections 420 IPC and 66D of the IT Act. The chargesheet was formally submitted before the Hon’ble Court of Sub Judge, Kupwara. The case originated from a complaint received at Police Post Dragmulla, Kupwara, alleging that one Salim Akbar, son of Mohammad Akbar, resident of Hyhama Batapora, Kupwara (currently residing at Malpora Nagri Hatmullah), was involved in fraudulent activities targeting innocent insurance policy holders, it...

The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High court, on Tuesday, deferred the hearing of PSA detention case against MLA Doda Mehraj Malik till November 04, 2025. The administration, in today's hearing sought time till November 4 to file its response in the petition challenging the Public Safety Act (PSA) detention of Mehraj Malik, the Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Doda. The petition, filed by Malik, seeks the quashing of his detention under the PSA, making him the first sitting legislator in J&K to be booked under the preventive detention law. Malik was detained on September 8, 2025, with authorities citing alleged activities that disturbed public order, including abusive language against a deputy commissioner and threats to officials. The district administration had prepared a dossier ...

Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo on Tuesday said that the menace of drug abuse has deeply penetrated across Jammu and Kashmir, calling for collective efforts from all sections of society to eliminate it. Speaking to reporters after flagging off a 5-km “Red Run Marathon” organized by the Jammu Kashmir AIDS Control Society in collaboration with Kashmir University, the minister said that while the government and the Health Department are taking all necessary measures, public participation is crucial to effectively address the challenge. “The menace of drugs has spread widely in Jammu and Kashmir. We are taking every possible step to curb it, but it is also the responsibility of every citizen to cooperate in this mission,” Sakina Itoo said....

Ghulam Mohammad Dar, popularly known as Mohd Kak, a senior National Conference leader and Block President, passed away on Monday at SKIMS Soura after a brief illness. Family sources said Dar, a resident of Batengoo in Anantnag, had been unwell for the past few days and was undergoing treatment at SKIMS, where he breathed his last earlier today. Dar was known as a close aide to a prominent National Conference and had been active in local political and social affairs for several decades. His passing has been widely mourned across the political spectrum. Leaders and workers of the National Conference including Abdul Majid Larmi expressed deep sorrow over his demise, recalling his dedication and long-standing service to the party and the people of his area. “May his soul rest in pe...