REGIONAL

The body of a paratrooper who had gone missing during an anti-militant operation in the upper reaches of Kokernag in South Kashmir has been recovered, officials said on Thursday. The soldier is believed to have died following an avalanche or snowstorm that struck the high-altitude area three days ago. Officials said the recovered soldier was found with his rucksack and service weapon intact, indicating he was part of an ongoing search and cordon operation launched earlier this week in the mountainous terrain. The identity of the deceased soldier has not been officially revealed yet. The incident reportedly occurred when the team of paratroopers, operating under adverse weather conditions, was hit by a sudden snowstorm. Following the incident, contact was lost with two personnel, prom...

The Food Safety Department Kashmir seized around five quintals of Namkeen snacks and sealed an unlicensed manufacturing unit in Abhanshah, HMT Srinagar on Thursday. According to an official statement, a team of Food Safety Officers, led by the Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Srinagar, conducted the inspection as part of a sustained drive against food adulteration and unhygienic processing practices. The unit was found operating without a valid licence and under highly unsanitary conditions. During the inspection, approximately five quintals of Namkeen snacks, including items like katlam and finni, were seized. Samples of the products were lifted for analytical testing, and the unit was immediately sealed to prevent further manufacturing. Authorities have confirmed that a for...

Meer Irfan  An unidentified semi-decomposed body was discovered on Thursday morning in the forested area of Chotipora, Heerpora, in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. According to officials, locals spotted the body lying in a small stream deep inside the forest and immediately informed the police. A team from the local police station reached the spot and retrieved the body for medico-legal procedures. Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation to ascertain the identity of the deceased and the circumstances leading to the death.

Suhail Dar Poet, writer, publisher, and renowned broadcaster Zahid Mukhtar passed away at his residence in Nai Basti, Anantnag, on Thursday morning after a brief illness. Locals told The Kashmiriyat that Mukhtar had been unwell for the past few days and breathed his last at home earlier today. His death has left the literary and cultural circles of South Kashmir in mourning. Known for his eloquence, deep understanding of Kashmiri literature, and years of service in broadcasting, Mukhtar was admired for his gentle personality and contributions to the promotion of language and culture. Residents and fellow writers expressed profound grief over his demise, remembering him as a “soft-spoken and creative soul who inspired generations of young poets and writers.” Funeral prayers w...

Suhail Dar In a bid to curb separatist activities, Jammu Kashmir Police carried out coordinated search operations at multiple locations across the Anantnag district like other parts of the valley on Wednesday. The searches targeted residences of individuals suspected of having links with banned organisations, including Hurriyat and Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), in connection with FIRs registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). During the operations, premises under different police station jurisdictions were thoroughly examined for incriminating material, some of which was recovered and seized on the spot. The searches were conducted in the presence of independent witnesses to ensure transparency and adherence to legal procedures. These measures are part of ongoi...

Two Army soldiers have gone out of contact in the upper reaches of Kokernag in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district amid an ongoing anti-terror operation, official sources said today. A massive search has been launched in the dense forest area to trace the soldiers, who officials believe may have lost contact due to the inclement weather that prevailed over the last two days. “The duo might have strayed from their team because of poor visibility and difficult terrain caused by recent snowfall,” official sources said. The soldiers were part of a small team that had launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) in the area yesterday. Since then, communication with them has not been established. Helicopters have been pressed into service to assist ground troops in the search efforts....

Kashmiri legislator Dr. Bashir Ahmad Veeri is likely to introduce two key legislative proposals during the upcoming session of the Jammu Kashmir Assembly, which has been convened by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for October 23 in Srinagar. A close associate of Dr. Veeri, who represents the Bijbehara assembly segment in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, told The Kashmiriyat that one bill seeks to cap reservation quotas at 40 per cent for reserved categories and 60 per cent for open merit, while the other focuses on the preservation and protection of fragile ecology of the region. "The proposed reservation bill aims to strike a balance between social justice and merit, addressing concerns that have fueled protests across Jammu Kashmir in recent months," he said. In recent months,...

Jammu Kashmir’s prisons continue to face severe overcrowding, low conviction rates, and operational challenges, according to data accessed by The Kashmiriyat from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2023 report. At the end of 2023, the Union Territory housed 5,400 inmates across central, district, and sub-jails, while the total prison capacity was only 3,629, reflecting an overall occupancy rate of 148.8 percent. Sub-jails were the most overcrowded, operating at 261.5 percent occupancy, followed by district jails at 161.2 percent and central jails at 125.4 percent. These figures are significantly higher than the national average for district jails of 136.6 percent, indicating persistent systemic strain. During 2023, 10,085 inmates were admitted into Jammu Kashmir prisons. Thi...

Handwara Police have registered a case against a social media user for allegedly spreading false and misleading information through Facebook, with the intent to create public unrest and malign reputations. According to officials, the action followed a complaint received at Police Station Handwara regarding a Facebook post uploaded by one Mohammad Yousuf. The post reportedly contained fabricated allegations aimed at tarnishing the image of a local setup and inciting public disorder in the area. Taking cognizance of the matter, the police registered FIR No. 232/2025 under Sections 353(1) and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Handwara. An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the facts and identify any additional persons involved in spreading th...

Leader of Opposition in Jammu Kashmir and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the National Conference and Congress, accusing them of misleading people and being responsible for the eruption of militantcy in the Union Territory. Addressing a press conference, Sharma said militancy in Jammu and Kashmir took root during the rule of the National Conference and Congress. “During the Omar Abdullah government, there were over 7,000 law and order incidents. In contrast, during our tenure, only 18 such incidents occurred. This itself shows how peace has returned under BJP rule,” he said. He urged the people of Jammu Kashmir to “look at the BJP through the prism of positivity,” adding that schools are functioning normally, businesses are thriving, and p...