REGIONAL

An encounter broke out late on Monday night in the upper reaches of Dachigam forests in Srinagar, according to police . A police spokesperson, aauitrd by Greater Kashmir, stated that joint teams of security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the area following specific intelligence inputs. The gunfight erupted as the forces zeroed in on a suspected location. "During the operation, a body was spotted in the forest area," a senior police official confirmed. "However, the identity of the deceased is yet to be established. It will take some time to retrieve the body due to the difficult terrain." The operation is ongoing, with security forces maintaining a tight cordon around the area. Further details are awaited. Dachigam forest, known for its dense vegetation...

An encounter has broken out between militants and government forces in the Harwan area of Srinagar. Sources told The Kashmiriyat that on Monday night, a gunfight raged between militants and government forces in Srinagar's Harwan area. Details rushing in.

Uber, has unveiled its innovative Shikara service on Dal Lake in Srinagar, transforming the tourism experience in Kashmir. This initiative will enable tourists to pre-book the Shikars in advance. An official from ‘Uber’ told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that this service will allow tourists to pre-book Shikaras up to 15 days before their arrival in Kashmir. She said it would also free the tourist from the bargaining process and save time and energy. The official said that this move aims to boost tourism in Kashmir, particularly Srinagar. She said their partnership with local Shikara Unions is expected to expand the number of available Shikaras, further enhancing the tourist experience. [KNT]

National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Monday said the Centre should put a stop to activities that can spark communal tension in the country, and treat Muslims as equals. “There is a need to stop (incidents like Sambhal). I will tell the government of India to stop (such acts) because they cannot throw the Muslims (of India) into the sea. Where will they throw 24 crore Muslims? Treat Muslims as equals, that is what our Constitution stands for. If they fiddle with the Constitution, how will India survive,” Abdullah asked while speaking to reporters here. The National Conference (NC) president, who recently performed Umrah (minor Hajj pilgrimage) along with his son and chief minister Omar Abdullah and several of his colleagues, said no one was against the return of Kashmiri P...

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called for unified and sustained efforts to combat the escalating drug addiction crisis in Jammu Kashmir. He described the issue as a grave threat to societal well-being, revealing that over 1.5 million people in the region are currently battling addiction. Highlighting the role of mosques as catalysts for social change, Mirwaiz emphasized the importance of religious institutions in addressing this growing menace. “Mosques have the potential to become key players in this fight. Local mosque committees should unite, monitor their areas for suspicious activities, and extend a helping hand to those in need of rehabilitation,” he stated, urging the community to harness the transformative power of collective action. Mirwaiz also commended law enforcement agencies...

Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday asserted that the majority of Hindus in the country are are secular and called for a united fight against the forces trying to divide the people on religious lines, warning against a repeat of the 1947-like riots. “The situation in the country is not good. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Sardar (Vallabhbhai) Patel, (B R) Ambedkar made this country home for Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians. Gandhi even sacrificed his life for it," she said. "However, people are being pitted against each other (on the basis of religion) and I am afraid we are being pushed towards the 1947-like situation,” Mehbooba, a former chief minister, said addressing a gathering of party workers here. ...

Danishwar Hameed An unidentified dead body has been found in the Kulgam district of south Kashmir. Officials told The Kashmiriyat that on Sunday afternoon, locals spotted a dead body floating on the surface of Waisho river in the Kulgam district's Khudwani area. They said that upon spotting the dead body, the local informed the Police, who rushed go the spot. "Police have taken the body in their possession and a process is underway to identify the identity of the deceased," said the officials.

Continuing its crackdown against the drug trafficking, Police in Srinagar booked 10 notorious drug peddlers under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PIT-NDPS Act). “The notorious drug peddlers namely Rizwan Bashir Dhobi son of Bashir Ahmad Dhobi resident of Sakidafar Safakadal (at present Grid Colony Srinagar), Parvaiz Ahmad Bhat son of Noor Mohammad Bhat resident of Karnabal Takanwari Pora, Srinagar, Owais Hussain Mir son of Sajad Hussain Mir resident of Tangbagh, Nawpora, Srinagar, Nadeem Hussain Bhat son of Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat resident of Batwara, Srinagar, Sheikh Jibran Nisar son of Nisar Ahmad Sheikh resident of Batawara, Srinagar, Raqib Lateef Bhat alias Amir son of Mohammad Lateef Bhat resident of Bhat Mohalla, Aloochibagh, Srinag...

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a harsh winter for Kashmir this year, marked by heavy snowfall and extended cold spells due to the onset of the La Niña phenomenon. Dr. Mukhtar, a senior scientist at the Srinagar weather station, confirmed the arrival of La Niña, a natural climate event characterized by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. “La Niña disrupts atmospheric patterns globally, often leading to colder winters and above-normal precipitation in regions like South Asia,” he explained. The IMD anticipates the effects of La Niña to intensify from mid-December, bringing frequent snowfalls and prolonged cold conditions to Jammu Kashmir. According to Dr. Mukhtar, previous La Niña events in 2018-19 and 2021-22 led to signifi...

Several areas in the higher reaches of Kashmir witnessed fresh snowfall on Saturday due to a western disturbance, officials reported. Despite the snowfall, most locations recorded night temperatures above freezing. Tourist destinations, including Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, experienced the season’s first snowfall. Gulmarg and Sonamarg, other popular resorts, also saw snow, along with Gurez, the Zojila axis, and various other high-altitude areas. The snowfall prompted the closure of the Srinagar-Leh highway, officials confirmed. The Meteorological Department stated that Saturday would remain cloudy, with chances of light rain or snow in isolated or scattered areas in higher altitudes. Sunday is expected to bring partly cloudy weather with occasional rain...