REGIONAL

Grand Mufti, Nasir ul Islam on Friday evening informed of start of holy month of Ramadan on Sunday, after no testimony was received from anywhere. "No testimony has been on record regarding the sighting of moon from any part of Jammu, Kashmir or Ladakh," Islam as per news agency Kashmir Bulletin, informed. "A brief yet conclusive meeting was held by the scholars, and it is being announced that the month of Ramadan starts on Sunday, with first Sehri on Saturday," Islam said. (KB)

The moon marking the beginning of Ramadan 1446 Hijri was not sighted anywhere in Pakistan, meaning the first fast (roza) in the country will be observed on Sunday, March 2. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, led by Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, convened in Peshawar on Friday to assess moon sighting reports. Following the meeting, the committee confirmed that no credible sightings had been reported, according to Express News. Zonal moon sighting committees across the country, with representatives from the Meteorological Department and SUPARCO, also gathered for the occasion. However, no confirmed reports emerged from major cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Quetta, leading the central committee of Pakistan to declare the start of Ramadan on March 2. Earlier, ...

The ongoing wet spell in the Kashmir Valley due to a “mega” western disturbance has brought major relief for Jammu and Kashmir residents, bringing down the rainfall deficit from 80 per cent to 42 per cent, officials said on Friday. According to the local weather office, the Valley witnessed above-normal precipitation between February 26 and 28. “While the normal precipitation for the period would have been 15.5 mm, Jammu Kashmir has witnessed 78.4 mm precipitation, which is 407 per cent above normal,” a weather department official said. “The current wet spell has brought the deficit down from 80 per cent to nearly 42 per cent,” he said. Udhampur in the Jammu region received 1,891 per cent above-normal precipitation, while it was 511 per cent more than normal for this time of th...

Jammu Kashmir Police in Shopian have cracked multiple sheep theft cases, bringing relief to affected families. Residents of Heegund Batpora, Ayend Rawalpora, and Ramnagri in Shopian had reported the theft of dozens of sheep, triggering panic in the area. Following these reports, police registered FIR No. 03/2025 at PS Heerpora and FIR Nos. 21/2025, 23/2025, and 31/2025 at PS Shopian. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted under the supervision of DySP Headquarters Shopian, comprising officers from PS Shopian and PS Heerpora, to expedite the probe. During the investigation, multiple suspects were interrogated, and CCTV footage from various routes was analyzed. This led to the identification and arrest of three individuals involved in the thefts. The arrested persons ...

The recent snowfall in Jammu Kashmir has brought much-needed relief after a month-long dry spell, with residents and farmers welcoming the precipitation. While the weather remains mostly dry from today, some areas, particularly in the Jammu region, may experience rain or snow showers until late at night. According to Kashmir Weather, another Western Disturbance is expected to affect the region on March 3, bringing fresh precipitation. The snowfall has eased concerns over water scarcity, as it is crucial for replenishing groundwater and irrigation. Locals, including Farmers and orchardists, who were worried about the prolonged dry conditions, see this as a positive development for the upcoming agricultural season. Meanwhile, authorities have advised caution while traveling th...

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has written to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Sajad Lone, CPI (M)’s Mohd Yousuf Tarigami, AIP’s Sheikh Khursheed and other independent MLAs, urging them to support the three crucial bills introduced by PDP legislators in the Jammu Kashmir Assembly. In her letter, Mehbooba Mufti highlighted the continued hardships faced by the people of Jammu Kashmir since the developments of 2019. Stressing the need for collective action beyond party lines, she called for a united effort to address the grievances of the people. According to a press release issued by the party to The Kashmiriyat, the three bills proposed by PDP include Jamm...

A civilian driver lost his life, and two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel sustained minor injuries when a massive boulder fell on their vehicle in the Surankote area of Poonch district on Thursday. According to officials, the incident occurred in Lassana village as a Scorpio vehicle (registration number JK02AP-0057) was traveling from Poonch to Jarran Wali Gali. A large boulder suddenly crashed onto the vehicle, causing severe damage. The impact killed the driver, identified as Wahid Ahmed Bajjar, son of Abdul Ghani and a resident of Jarran Wali Gali, on the spot. The two CRPF personnel on board suffered minor injuries but managed to escape with their lives. Authorities have shifted the deceased's body to a local civil hospital, and an investigation into the incident is und...

Aadil Abdullah A Residential house was partially damaged after a snowstorm avalanche struck a residential house in the Gurez area of North Kashmir Bandipora district on Thursday. An official told the news agency JKNS that a snowstorm avalanche hit a residential house in Khandyal, Gurez, causing partial damage. The house belongs to Zahoor Ahmad Samnoo, son of Ab Rahiem, a resident of Khandyal, Gurez. There was no loss of life or injury in the incident, the official said, while urging locals to take precautions as there is a risk of further avalanches in the area. —(JKNS)

Meer Irfan A day after a portion of the road in Sheikh Mohallah, Hajin, collapsed due to widening cracks, fresh fissures have appeared in nearby houses and shops, intensifying panic among residents. The damage, which had been developing over the past few weeks, worsened on Wednesday when a section of the road gave way. On Thursday, new cracks emerged in buildings close to the affected stretch, raising concerns about structural stability. “The cracks in our homes are getting worse. Walls are shaking, and we are scared to stay inside,” said Abdul Rashid, a local shopkeeper. Residents fear that if the issue is not addressed immediately, more structures could be at risk. The government has allocated ₹18 crore for the redevelopment of the road, which runs along the Jhelum River a...

Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) on Thursday said to have arrested a militant in a covert operation in national capital Delhi. "Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) in a secret/covert operation arrested a militant in a case vide FIR number 02/2024 of police station CIK from Delhi who was/is involved in militant funding and having links with militants/handlers of banned militant organization(s) sitting across the LOC," said a CIK Spokesperson in a statement issued to the local news agency Kashmir Bulletin. The case, the spokesperson said, was registered in Police Station CIK and relates to providing logistic support to militants of banned militant organization(s) active in UT of J&K by variety of means including providing/passing on funds to them for carrying militant activities J...