REGIONAL

Shah Basit In a significant blow to the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Ganderbal, senior leader Bilal Ahmed Sheikh is likely to resign after serving the party for 23 years. Sheikh, who held the position of District Development Council (DDC) Vice Chairperson for Ganderbal district, was also the constituency incharge for Ganderbal. His likely departure is expected to have a notable impact, particularly in the Shaipathri block, where his influence was considerable. His aide speaking to The Kashmiriyat confirmed that the PDP leader was formally submitting his resignation to the party in a day or two. Sheikh's departure may be a critical juncture for the PDP, which has been grappling with internal and external challenges and a shifting political landscape in Jammu Kashmir. Hi...

The BJP on Monday issued a list of 16 candidates for the first phase of the Jammu Kashmir assembly elections, considerably pruning an initial list of 44 names following protests by some party cadre who alleged that “parachute candidates” were favoured over dedicated workers. The original list, which included candidates for 36 segments in the Jammu region and eight in the Kashmir Valley, sparked significant dissatisfaction among party workers. While Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina attempted to downplay the discontent, the protests highlighted a growing rift within the party ranks. Some angry BJP workers from different assembly constituencies staged a protest at the party headquarters over the leadership “ignoring” hardworking workers and giving the mandate to “parach...

Putting an end to the rumours, the differences between the Congress and National Conference over seat sharing have been resolved, sources privy to the information said. Earlier, the Congress high command had sent senior leaders KC Venugopal and Salman Khurshid from Delhi to Srinagar in a final effort to secure a pre-poll alliance with the National Conference (NC). Other than the central leaders of Congress, Tariq Hamid Karra, Vikar Rasool and Ghulam Ahmed Mir of Congress were also present at the meeting which begun at the residence of Farooq Abdullah in Sonwar Srinagar on Monday morning. During the break at first round of talks speculation around the alliance increased with just one day left before the nomination deadline for the first phase of polling on August 27. News agencies ...

Four persons were detained for questioning after they were found roaming near an Army camp in the Kathua district of Jammu Kashmir on Monday, officials said. All the four detained persons were unarmed and were seen moving suspiciously near the Army camp at Billawar, the officials said. They said security forces immediately intercepted them and they were taken into preventive custody for questioning. Security forces are on high alert across Jammu Kashmir following increased militant activities and the Assembly elections scheduled to begin on September 18.(PTI)

A driver died and a girl was injured after a vehicle they were traveling in met with an accident in Panar village of north Kashmir's Bandipora district on Monday, officials said. An official told news agency—Kashmir news Observer (KNO), that the accident took place in Panar when the vehicle rolled down into a gorge, resulting in severe injuries to driver and a girl. The driver, identified as Showkat Ahmad Khan of Turkpora, was declared dead on arrival at the district hospital Bandipora, while the girl identified as Umiya Shahnaz of Quilmuqam, sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment. Police have taken cognisance of the incident—(KNO)

Meer Irfan Speculation is intensifying in Kashmir due to the current political climate, and recent developments have stirred considerable interest. The family of Sarjan Barkati is set to file the nomination paper from Shopian today. Family members confirmed to The Kashmiriyat that Barkati who is jailed in Srinagar under anti-national charges will hold a public meeting at their home in Reban Shopian. Refusing to divulge any details, they said that the everything will be said during the press conference at Shopian town on Tuesday afternoon. Sources informed The Kashmiriyat that the family members of Sarjan Barkati will hold a meeting at his residence in Reban Shopian after which the family members will file nomination papers at DC office Shopian. They said that it is likely th...

The All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) has announced its decision to contest the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, starting with three seats in the Kashmir Valley. According to the news agency Kashmir News Trust, The committee has confirmed S. Pushvinder Singh as its candidate from Tral in Pulwama district, with candidates for Central Shalteng in Srinagar and Baramulla to be announced later. APSCC Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina urged the majority community (Muslims) to support the Sikh candidates, saying that such backing would ensure their victory and send a positive message from Kashmir. He also said that if the majority community supports the Sikh candidates, it will help in countering perceptions of separatism and anti-national sentiment in the Valley....

The Congress high command has sent senior leaders KC Venugopal and Salman Khurshid from Delhi to Srinagar in a final effort to secure a pre-poll alliance with the National Conference (NC), news agency Kashmir News Observer reported. With just one day left before the nomination deadline for the first phase of polling on August 27, both parties have yet to announce their candidates. Venugopal and Khurshid have already arrived in Srinagar and are set to meet with NC President Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah. Significant disagreements persist over seat-sharing arrangements in key constituencies, including Doda in the Jammu division and Central Shalteng in the Kashmir division.

The authorities have ordered probe after a police officer allegedly misbehaved with a doctor in Kreeri area of Baramulla district yesterday. According to an order, a copy of which lies with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the incident occurred on Sunday, when a body was brought to SDH Kreeri by locals and relatives, however, initial investigations were inconclusive regarding the cause of death, leading police teams to further investigate the matter. Meanwhile, an official said that police later determined that the deceased had been under long-term care at Soura Institute, suggesting death was likely not suspicious. He said that the situation escalated when station house officer of Kreeri police station allegedly misbehaved with a doctor at sub-district hospital Kreeri. ...

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially released its list of candidates for the upcoming Jammu Kashmir assembly elections. This announcement follows a meeting of the party's Central Election Committee, which was chaired by BJP National President Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda on August 25, 2024. The meeting included key party leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. In the first phase, the BJP has fielded candidates across various constituencies. Er. Syed Showkat Gayoor Andrabi will contest from Pampore, while Shri Arshid Bhat has been nominated for Rajpora. Shri Javed Ahmad Qadri is the candidate for Shopian, and Mohd. Rafiq Wani will represent Anantnag West. Adv. Syed Wazahat has been chosen for Anantnag, with Shri Sofi Yousuf contesting from S...