REGIONAL

The sacred night of Shab-e-Barat will be observed across Kashmir on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, corresponding to February 13, 2025. The valley is preparing for the night of forgiveness with prayers, repentance, and spiritual gatherings at major mosques and shrines. In Srinagar, the largest gatherings are expected at Jama Masjid Nowhatta, Dastgeer Sahib Shrine, and Hazratbal Shrine, where special prayers and sermons will be delivered. In Shopian, devotees will gather in large numbers at Jamia Masjid Shopian and Pinjoora Mosque to offer prayers and participate in supplication sessions. In Pulwama, Jamia Masjid Pulwama and Khanqah-e-Faiz Panah will witness significant congregations, with religious leaders delivering sermons on the virtues of Shab-e-Barat. In Kulg...

The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has ruled that a passport cannot be denied to an individual solely because of their brother's involvement in militancy. The court emphasized that the applicant's own conduct should be the basis for issuing a passport. The decision was made by Justice M.A. Chowdhary while hearing the plea of Muhammad Amir Malik from Ramban, who sought to go abroad for better job opportunities. Malik's passport application, submitted online in September 2021, had been delayed due to verification by the CID and Police. The CID report highlighted that Malik's brother was a militant with Hizbul Mujahideen, who was killed in an encounter in 2011, and his father was listed as an Over Ground Worker (OGW). The court directed J&K's Additional Director General ...

Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Wednesday said that she has passed directions for release of salaries to NHM employees. In a post on X, Sakina Itoo, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the government is committed to the welfare of health care workers and ensuring timely support. "Have passed the directions for release of salaries of NHM employees. The government remains committed to the welfare of healthcare workers and ensuring timely support for their invaluable services," she said Earlier, NHM employees raised concerns over delayed salary and urged the government to address issue at an earliest—(KNO)

An FIR has been registered against a man posing as a cardiologist from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Sources told The Kashmiriyat that an FIR under section 319 BNS has been registered against Abdul Razaq Khan for allegedly posing as a senior cardiologist from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Baramulla. Khan was apprehended on Tuesday after locals grew suspicious of his claims near the Associated Hospital of Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla. He allegedly approached a chemist shop, introducing himself as an AIIMS doctor and seeking money for fuel. When his request was denied, he attempted to secure a space for private practice, raising further doubts. Upon questioning by local journalist Umar Rashid, the accused presented a fake id...

National Conference (NC) legislator Ahsan Pardesi has submitted a private member bill in the Assembly, seeking a ban on alcohol in Kashmir and other Muslim-majority areas of Jammu Kashmir. According to news agency JKNS, Pardesi stated that the bill aims to protect the region's cultural and religious values, arguing that alcohol consumption contradicts Kashmir’s traditional Sufi-Reshi ethos. “The unrestricted sale of alcohol undermines our religious and social principles. Our cultural heritage has always opposed intoxicants, and this bill is a measure to preserve those values,” Pardesi said. He further argued that alcohol contributes to crime, moral decline, and addiction, particularly affecting the youth. “Amid a growing drug crisis, the easy availability of alcohol will only exac...

Police on Tuesday said that in yet another significant step towards curbing illegal drug trafficking, it has formally opened 53 History Sheets against habitual drug peddlers across various police stations in the district. This action, sanctioned by the District Police Headquarters, Srinagar, marks an important move to monitor and dismantle organized drug networks operating in the region. In a handout to GNS, the police said that the individuals identified in these History Sheets have a well-documented criminal history, with repeated involvement in drug-related offenses, particularly under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Their activities have primarily revolved around the illicit trade and distribution of narcotics, with a concerning impact on the youth of Srin...

Police have launched a SIM card verification drive in several districts of Kashmir with the aim of ensuring that mobile phone connections are issued in compliance with the established procedures, officials said here on Tuesday. "In a proactive effort to curb the rising instances of fraud and misuse of mobile phone SIM cards, police have initiated a comprehensive SIM card verification drive in several districts of Kashmir," the officials said. They said the drive is aimed at ensuring that all SIM cards are issued in full compliance with established procedures. For this, the police officers visit SIM card vendors in their respective areas of jurisdiction for verification. Anatnag, Budgam and Pulwama are among the districts were the drive is being carried out, the officials said, add...

Eight people were arrested on Tuesday for creating a fake replica of the Kaaba, a sacred Islamic site, for an individual named ‘Razaq Bab'. The arrests followed an investigation into the unauthorized construction of the replica, which drew public anger and prompted police action. A senior police officer confirmed to Srinagar based news agency KNS that all those involved, including the carpenter who built the structure and those who collected funds for it, were taken into custody. The police have assured a thorough investigation into the matter and urged the public to refrain from actions that could lead to misinformation or hurt religious sensitivities. The incident highlights concerns about the misuse of religious symbols and the importance of respecting religious sensitivitie...

PDP MLA from Kupwara, Fayaz Ahmad Mir, has submitted a Private Member’s Bill seeking a complete ban on liquor in Jammu Kashmir. The bill, set to be introduced in the upcoming budget session of the J&K Assembly, proposes prohibition on the advertisement, sale, purchase, consumption, and manufacture of alcoholic beverages in the Union Territory. Mir warned that the rising alcohol consumption poses a serious threat to society, stressing the need for strict legislation to curb the trend. The bill also proposes harsh penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for violations. [KNT]

Army Captain among two soldiers were killed in a suspected Improvised Explosive Device explosion near Laleali area in Akhnoor Sector of LoC in Jammu district on Tuesday. Taking on to micro-blogging platform X, the army's Knight Corps wrote, " Suspected Improvised Explosive Device  blast reported in Laleali in Akhnoor Sector during a fence patrol resulting in two fatalities. Own troops are dominating the area and search operations are underway. White Knight Corps salutes and pays tribute to the supreme sacrifice of two gallant soldiers, reads the post. As per the sources they have been identified as captian KS Bakshi and Mukesh. More details awaited.(GNS)