REGIONAL

In a tragic incident that unfolded in the pre-dawn hours, a devastating fire swept through the serene waters of Dal Lake in Srinagar, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The blaze, which consumed five houseboats and several huts, has not only resulted in extensive material loss amounting to crores but has also claimed three lives, with their bodies recovered from the debris. The picturesque Dal Lake, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and vibrant Mughal gardens, has been a symbol of tranquility and natural beauty. However, the tranquility was shattered as the flames engulfed the houseboats and huts, casting an eerie glow over the dark waters. The fire, believed to have started in the early hours, rapidly spread through the densely packed structures on the lake's edge. ...

An encounter has started between militants and Government forces in the Parigam area of Pulwama district in south Kashmir. An official said that on Saturday afternoon, government forces suspecting the presence of militants laid a cordon and search operation in the Pulwama's Parigam area, during which the suspected militants opened fire upon forces. He said that the fire was retaliated, which led to an encounter. Details emerging.

Mughal Road which connects Kashmir with Poonch has been thrown open for traffic a day after its closure after fresh snowfall yesterday. The road remained closed on Friday till late Saturday afternoon following fresh snowfall around the Chattapani-Rattachamb axis. Snow clearance operations were shortly started to make the road motorable. Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Yasin Muhammad Choudhary informed that Mughal Road was thrown open for one-way upward vehicular traffic (Poonch to Shopian) at around 1 PM on Saturday. He requested drivers to use 4x4 SUVs or at least chains on tyres wherever possible. “All passengers are advised to drive with extreme caution and check the latest updates before departing,” he said. [KNT]

Acting on the District Magistrate's instructions in Shopian, led by Faz Lul Haseeb and supervised by Tehsildar Chitragam, a joint team of revenue officials and police retrieved approximately 30 kanals of Kahcharai land from unauthorized occupation in Dragad village of Chitragam tehsil. Utilizing JCBs and Chainsaw machines, the team cleared the land to make it available for government purposes. Following the retrieval, the land has been officially transferred to the J-K Sports Council for the construction of a stadium in the village.

Srinagar administration has strongly rebutted reports about alleged missing of at least eighteen children from an orphanage in central Kashmir's Srinagar district. The District Administration officials, as per Kashmir Scroll, said that the news doing rounds on social media about eighteen minors missing from an orphanage in Bemina, Srinagar is inaccurate. "The orphanage has actually relocated to Hamdaniya Colony, Bemina", the officials said adding "media outlets should verify information before publishing." Pertinent to mention here that the CWC Chairperson had came on record to say that eighteen children had gone missing from Al-Miskeen Trust, Bemina in Srinagar, following which SDM concerned shut the building. (KS)

Authorities in Jammu Kashmir put prominent Shia cleric Aga Syed Mohammed Hadi Kashmiri for the fourth consecutive Friday. Simultaneously, the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar remained closed for the fifth consecutive Friday. Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar, the managing body of the mosque, expressed dismay in a press release, stating that authorities have once again banned congregational prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid. This marks the fifth consecutive Friday where prayers have been disallowed, as police closed the gates, declaring the mosque would not be open for Friday prayers, the press release said. Anjuman Sharae Shiyan, in a separate press release, reported that Aga Hadi Kashmiri has been under house arrest for the fourth consecutive Friday, preventing him from ...

Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Friday said at least 18 children are missing from an orphanage in Srinagar while the SDM Srinagar sealed the Trust for running without registration. Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), CWC Srinagar chairperson Dr Khair-un-Nisa said that they had visited the Al-Miskeen Yateem Trust at Nundreshi Colony, Bemina, Srinagar in the past many a times and asked the Trust head to get registered under Juvenile Justice Act (JJA). "The trust had sought one month’s time but even after over a month, the trust head failed to come up with registration. Today, we found 18 children missing from the trust and we don’t know where these kids are,” she said, adding that the Trust was locked and children were missing. “Today, SDM Srinagar sealed the Trust as ...

Urging Jammu Kashmir (JK) administration to start heating system in Kashmir hospitals, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Friday said patients are shivering with cold as heating systems of hospitals have not been started yet. With temperatures dipping, DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan said patients face huge inconvenience as heating systems of hospitals are not operational yet. Dr Hassan said lack of heating in hospitals is putting the lives of patients at risk. “Cardiac and Stroke patients in hospitals are at increased risk of death as cold thickens blood and constricts the arteries,” he said. “Even the condition of Asthmatics and patients with Chronic Obstructive Lung Diseases worsens in hospitals because of cold conditions,” he added. The DAK President said the cold con...

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper allegedly shot himself dead with his service rifle near Jawhar tunnel in Qazigund area of south Kashmir's Kulgam district, officials said. An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that CRPF trooper was on duty near B-top in Jawhar Tunnel area of Qazigund when he shot himself. "The CRPF man died on the spot," he said. He said that his body was shifted to hospital for postmortem and necessary legal procedures. "The motive behind him taking this extreme step was not immediately known," the official said—(KNO)

The higher reaches of the Kashmir on Friday morning experienced a fresh spell of snowfall, while the plains received rains, leading to a significant drop in the maximum temperature. An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that the higher reaches of the Valley including Razdan Pass, Pir Ki Gali, Zojjila Pass, Sinthan Top, Sonamarg and Gulmarg experienced snowfall, while plains saw heavy downpour. He said that due to continuous snowfall several roads including Razdan, Zojjila, Kishtiwar-Anantnag and Mugal road have been closed for traffic movement. Meanwhile, rains lashed other parts of the Kashmir Valley, resulting in considerable dip in the maximum temperature. The Meteorological Department (MeT) has predicted gradual decrease in precipitation from late af...