REGIONAL

Since 2023, Jammu Kashmir has seen 4,536 arrests related to the drug trade and 3,190 registered cases, according to The Tribune. Law enforcement agencies have intensified their crackdown on narcotics networks, resulting in significant seizures and the detention of key figures under the PIT NDPS Act. Over the past 18 months, 463 detention orders have been issued against drug kingpins. In 2023, authorities intercepted and seized 319 commercial quantities of drugs, with 110 such seizures reported in the first half of 2024. Seized narcotics are promptly disposed of through court-ordered incineration to prevent pilferage. Last year, 29,306 kg of drugs and 74,179 pharmaceuticals were destroyed, while 4,365 kg of drugs and 26,772 pharmaceuticals were incinerated in the first half o...

The Jammu Kashmir Peace Forum, led by Chairman Satish Mahaldar, has announced the establishment of a new Group Housing Society in Srinagar, named “The Displaced Kashmiri Resident’s Housing Society Ltd.” This initiative aims to reaffirm the community's connection to their ancestral land, marking a significant step in their long-standing effort to reclaim their roots, as per a press release issued to The Kashmiriyat. In his statement, Mahaldar emphasized the profound importance of maintaining cultural identity amidst modern homogenization. He quoted Prabhu Sri Ram to underscore that the "motherland – the roots – is the ultimate heaven of an individual’s physical consciousness." Despite the 35 years since the forced displacement of Kashmiri Pandits in 1989/90, Mahaldar asserted th...

An army officer was killed in an encounter with militants in Akar Forests area of Doda on Wednesday. Official sources told GNS that Captain Deepak lead from the front and continued to direct his men towards neutralizing the terrorists. However, they said the captain suffered gunshot injuries due to firing by terrorists and was evacuated to hospital. However, they said the captain succumbed to serious injuries and made supreme sacrifices for the nation. "Captain Deepak led from front and was the third person behind scouts while search ops commenced, a senior officer told GNS, adding he fired on the terrorist group last night as well as today morning .  Inspite of gunshot wounds he kept directing his men as long as he could." Meanwhile the search operation in the area is conti...

One army man has been injured in the ongoing encounter in the Doda district of Jammu Kashmir. "One army officer has been injured while leading the search party. The Search for the Militants continues amidst heavy firefight in Assar area of Doda district," Indian army said. One M4 rifle has been recovered while bloodstains were found, and three rucksacks were also seized from near the riverine area in the area. Earlier, an encounter had erupted between government forces and militants on Tuesday evening in the Assar area of Doda district. Meanwhile, the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called an important meeting on rising militancy related incidents in Jammu Kashmir. NSA Ajit Doval, Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi and Heads of other security-related agencies are t...

The aspirants who wish to undertake Hajj journey during 1446(H)—2025(CE) have been informed that the Hajj Committee of India (HCI) has invited online application forms with effect from 13 August, 2024. As per a notification, the aspirants are being informed that before filing the application form online, the aspirants should go through the Haj Policy/Haj Guidelines available for Hajj-2025 at Haj Committee website www.hajcommittee.gov.in. The aspirants have also been informed that the last date for submission of the application form has been fixed as 9th September, 2024. Applicants must be in possession of Machine-Readable International Passport issued on or before the closing date of application and valid at least upto 15th January, 2026. Meanwhile, Haj Application form can be ...

The Indian army on Tuesday evening said that an encounter has started in the Patnitop area of Jammu Kashmir. https://twitter.com/Whiteknight_IA/status/1823385843060597086?s=19 "Based on specific intelligence inputs, a joint operation by army and police was launched in Akar Forest near Patnitop," the Indian army said. Taking to X, 16 corps of Indian army said that contact has been established with the terrorists and operations are in progress. Details emerging.

Hours after the death of a minor boy at Kulgam Hospital on Tuesday morning due to alleged medical negligence, the health officials have called for immediate reforms in the region’s healthcare system. The Secretary to the Government, Health & Medical Education Department has issued stringent new directives aimed at improving hospital operations and accountability. Director Health Services Kashmir convened a crucial meeting with Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and Medical Superintendents from District, Sub-District, and Community Health Centers across Kashmir. The meeting, held today, outlined a series of new mandates designed to enhance transparency and efficiency in healthcare delivery. According to the new orders, "Morning Meetings" will now be mandatory at all District and ...

The Balidan Stambh, a memorial dedicated to government forces personnel who died in the line of duty, will be officially opened in Srinagar's Pratap Park on August 15. This announcement was made by Dr. Owais Ahmad, Commissioner of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, on Tuesday. Dr. Ahmad confirmed, "We had pledged to complete the Balidan Stambh by August 15, and it is now ready. We encourage everyone to visit and honor these great heroes." According to Kashmir News Corner (KNC), there will be no entry fee to visit the memorial. The project, which cost ₹4.8 crore, will have all necessary arrangements in place by August 15.

On Tuesday, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and Rashtriya Bajrang Dal organized protests against National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah, demanding an apology for his remarks on the army. Abdullah had asked why militants continue to infiltrate despite heavy security measures and suggesting a coordinated effort against India. BJYM Jammu and Kashmir State president Arun Prabhat led the demonstration, where protesters waved the national flag, chanted slogans against Abdullah and the NC, and burned effigies of Abdullah. Prabhat condemned Abdullah’s statements as derogatory towards the army and called for a public apology. Rakesh Kumar, chairman of the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal, also led a rally in protest, echoing the demand for an apology and criticizing Abdullah’s ...

Doctors on Monday staged peaceful protests in Srinagar and Jammu against the brutal assault on a female doctor in Kolkata. A nationwide strike was called by Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) against the sexual assault and murder of the trainee doctor whose body was found inside a seminar hall of the hospital on Friday morning. Doctors wearing black armbands raised slogans calling for justice to the victim as they staged a rally from the Super Specialty Hospital Jammu to demand justice. A doctor told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that female staff fear working in night shifts and there is a need that the government should come out with a comprehensive security plan inside the hospitals in the wake of these incidents. Dr Sameer from GMC Srinagar said ...