REGIONAL

In a major breakthrough, police have traced two missing girls from south Kashmir, who had been unaccounted for over the past three months, in Srinagar’s Nowgam area. The girls, one of whom is a minor, hail from Kellar in Shopian and Babhara in Pulwama. While police have not disclosed further details, sources indicate that the two had reportedly come into contact with some non-locals through social media before disappearing. Their worried families had searched extensively in Jammu, Poonch, and Rajouri before the police, after forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT), finally located them. During their absence, the girls are believed to have traveled as far as Surat in Gujarat before returning to Kashmir. Grateful for the police’s efforts, the parents expressed their relief and...

Shah Basit The body of a newborn male baby was recovered from Nallah Sindh near Ramwari Gund in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Monday, officials told The Kashmiriyat. Local residents spotted the infant’s body in the water and immediately informed the authorities. A team from Gund police station reached the spot and retrieved the body. Officials said an investigation has been launched to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident. The body has been sent for medical examination, and efforts are underway to identify those responsible. Further details are awaited.

National Conference (NC) senior leader and MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq, has reiterated his party’s firm opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, stating that the NC will resist it both inside and outside Parliament. Expressing disappointment over the bill, Sadiq, who also serves as NC’s chief spokesperson, criticized the government for ignoring concerns raised by the Muslim community and opposition lawmakers. “Despite repeated objections from Muslims and MPs across political lines, their concerns have been disregarded. This is a blatant neglect of minority voices. The NC will fight this bill at every level,” he told Srinagar based newspaper Greater Kashmir. Calling the amendments a “serious interference” in religious affairs, he pointed to provisions allowing non-Muslims to be part ...

An ex-Army man, who along with his wife and daughter were attacked by terrorists in South Kashmir's Kulgam district, has succumbed to his injuries on Monday. An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that an ex-Army man, his wife and daughter were injured after they were attacked by terrorists in Behibagh area of Kulgam. He said that all three were taken to hospital in injured condition where ex-army man identified as Manzoor Ahmad Wagay succumbed to injuries while his wife and daughter are said to be stable. Meanwhile, the forces have cordoned off the area to nab the attackers—(KNO) More details awaited

An ex-Army man, his wife and daughter were injured after they were attacked by unknown gunmen in south Kashmir's Kulgam district An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that an ex-Army man, his wife and daughter were injured after they were attacked by unknown gunmen in BehiBagh area of Kulgam. He said that all three were taken to hospital in injured condition. Meanwhile, the forces have cordoned off the area to nab the attackers—(KNO) More details awaited

A soldier from Territorial Army who had gone missing while travelling from home in Anantnag towards Rangreth Srinagar to join duty after month's leave was traced by the police on Sunday. Officials told GNS that TA personnel namely Abid Hussain Bhat son of Abdul Gani of Kharpora Chittergul Anantnag Uttersoo was supposed to join duty on February 1 at Rangreth Srinagar after month’s leave. However he did not reported to his place of duty and his mobile phone was also switched off, they said. “This evening he was traced by police and is being questioned,” a police officer told GNS, adding, "There was no militancy angle to entire episode". (GNS)

A Territorial Army (TA) soldier on leave has gone missing in the Achabal area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, officials said on Sunday. An official said that the soldier, belonging to the 162 TA unit, was on a one-month leave and was scheduled to report back for duty but went missing the same day. The missing soldier has been identified as Abid Hussain Bhat, son of Abdul Gani Bhat, a resident of Kharpora Chittergul. A police officail said that a search operation is underway. “There is no terror angle in the case so far. A missing report has been registered,” he said. (KNO

Authorities in Pulwama have shut down five unauthorized dental laboratories, including those in Murran and Main Town, for operating without valid licenses. The crackdown follows complaints regarding the unhygienic conditions and the employment of unqualified technical staff at these facilities. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Pulwama, Dr. Tehmena, told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the action was taken after multiple complaints were received. She revealed that some of these labs were even operating out of residential houses, prompting officials to consider legal proceedings not only against the lab owners but also the landlords who provided them space. Dr. Tehmena, however, refrained from disclosing the names of the sealed labs, citing concerns that publicizing them could...

In a significant move toward communal harmony in Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has proposed the formation of an Inter-Community Committee aimed at bridging gaps between Kashmiri Muslims and Pandits. The announcement came following a meeting between Mirwaiz and a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits from the J&K Peace Forum at Hotel JW Marriott, New Delhi, on January 31. During the one-and-a-half-hour discussion, Mirwaiz emphasized the shared suffering of both communities, stating, "Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits." He acknowledged the painful exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1989-90, reiterating, "The suffering of Kashmiri Pandits needs to be addressed earnestly, and this has been a point I have raised repeatedly in my discourses." He further stressed the importance of pre...

Murtaza Bilal The family of 35-year-old Umar Yaseen Shah, a resident of Railway Colony, Nowgam, Srinagar, staged a protest outside their home today, demanding justice and a thorough investigation into his death. Umar was reported missing on December 22, 2024, and his body was discovered on December 30, 2024, in a deep gorge at Digdool, Ramban, alongside his black Mahindra Thar vehicle (registration number JK01AN 9990). Umar was last seen traveling from Srinagar to Jammu on the day he went missing. His family filed a missing person report at the Nowgam Police Station and expressed deep concern over his disappearance. After his body was found, it was transported to Ramban Hospital for medico-legal formalities before being returned to the family on December 31, 2024, for his last ...