REGIONAL

The Cyber Police Kashmir has issued a stern warning to both media outlets and individual users of social media, cautioning them against circulating unverified or false information that could potentially trigger unrest and disrupt public order. Taking to the microblogging platform X, the Cyber Police said it has noticed a troubling trend in the spread of misinformation. “It has come to attention that certain media outlets and individuals on social media platforms are circulating false and unverified reports, thereby creating deliberate attempts to incite unrest and disturb peace and public order,” the police said in the post. Authorities underlined that such activities will not be taken lightly and that punitive measures will follow. “Legal action will be initiated against individu...

Kupwara and Baramulla district administrations have imposed bans on firecrackers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, citing health hazards, pollution, and safety risks. In Kupwara, District Magistrate Ayushi Sudan ordered a complete ban on the sale and use of firecrackers across the district, invoking Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS). “In the interest of public safety, it has become imperative to restrict the use and sale of firecrackers,” reads the order. Police in Kupwara and Handwara have been tasked with enforcing the law strictly. Meanwhile, Baramulla DM Minga Sherpa announced a temporary ban on firecrackers in densely populated areas from June 6 to June 9, after a formal request from Auqaf Islamia Khanpora. “The concerns were reviewed, and necessary preventive action was tak...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the 272-kilometre-long Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project today, a significant step toward integrating Kashmir with the rest of the country. The electrified rail corridor, which has taken years to complete through some of the most challenging Himalayan terrain, includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, making it one of the most ambitious infrastructure undertakings in India. The Katra-Banihal section, in particular, stands out: nearly 97.42 km of its 111-km stretch runs through tunnels and bridges. ANI reported that this section will host India's longest railway tunnel and the world's highest railway arch bridge. The 13-kilometre T-50 tunnel is the longest railway tunnel in the country and a central feature of this st...

  The inauguration of the Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat rail link has been hailed as a game-changer for Jammu Kashmir’s economy, with the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union calling it a “historic and long-awaited milestone” poised to transform regional trade, travel, and connectivity. Representing fruit growers and dealers from key horticultural centers across the Valley—including Srinagar, Sopore, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Shopian, and Pulwama—the Union described the new rail link as a “bridge of opportunity.” It will significantly reduce travel times, ensure all-weather connectivity, and provide a safer, more affordable mode of transport for local commuters, tourists, and traders alike. “The new railway segment is more than just infrastructure—it’s a vital a...

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the final stretch of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link and flagged off the first Vande Bharat train from Katra to Srinagar, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah used the occasion to deliver a carefully measured but unmistakably political message. Standing alongside Modi and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Omar acknowledged the historic significance of the railway project, saying, “Even the British dreamt of a railway to Kashmir, but it is Prime Minister Modi who has made that dream a reality.” Yet, beneath the praise lay a pointed reminder of Kashmir’s altered political status and the unfulfilled promises to its people. “Back in 2014, I stood here inaugurating the Katra station as Chief Minister of a state,” Omar reflected. “Today, ...

Jamia Masjid Committee in Anantnag has announced the timing for Eid prayers, stating that the congregational prayers will be offered at 8 AM in the historical Eidgah of Anantnag at Janglat Mandi. "The Tableegh shall begin at 7 AM and the prayers shall be offered at 7:30 AM at Eid Gah Janglat Mandi. People from nearby areas are requested to participate in the largest congregation expected in Anantnag district," the Jamia Masjid committee said. The Committee has advised people to bring along their prayer mats and said separate arrangements have been made for women. Given the heat, people are advised to carry along water bottles and keep young children hydrated. "Parents should watch their children and ensure that they are hydrated enough to not catch the effect of direct sunlight," ...

The Jammu Kashmir Police said it achieved a critical breakthrough in the investigation of a sexual assault case involving a mentally challenged minor girl, resulting in the identification and arrest of three accused persons through sustained forensic and investigative efforts. According to a statement by the Police, on receiving information in January 2025, Kunzer Police Station registered FIR No. 04/2025 under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and BNS after a 16-year-old girl was found to be 25 weeks pregnant during a medical examination at SDH Magam. "The investigation, led by then-SHO Kunzer Inspector Sheikh Adil revealed multiple perpetrators had repeatedly assaulted the minor. Initial inquiries led to the arrest of  Rafiq Bhat(resident of Dhobiwan), Nasarullah Khan (resident of...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted extensive raids across multiple locations in Kashmir, including several areas in Kulgam, Sopore and Kupwara districts, as part of an ongoing investigation into a terror conspiracy case. In Kulgam district, the raids were carried out in Bugam, Poniwah, Devsar, Sonigam, and other areas. Official sources said that a team of NIA, assisted by police, raided multiple locations in South Kashmir, including Reban, Nildoora, and Check-e-Cholend in Shopian; Manzgam, Devsar, Sonigam, and Bugam in Kulgam; and several areas in Pulwama. Similarly, raids were underway in North Kashmir’s Sopore and Kupwara. Official sources added that a team of NIA, assisted by police, raided the house of Zaffar Ahmad Fakhtoo, son of Abdul Ahad Fakhtoo, a reside...

With Eid-ul-Adha just days away, the weather gods appear to be smiling on Jammu Kashmir. The Meteorological Department has forecasted calm and comfortable weather conditions across the region, raising hopes for a festive celebration under clear skies. “There is no major weather activity expected during the three days of Eid,” said Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Department. “A brief spell of rain at a few isolated spots can’t be ruled out, but there is no forecast of widespread rainfall or any Western Disturbance.” This means the Eid-ul-Adha prayers, animal sacrifices, and traditional family visits are likely to go uninterrupted by rain or extreme heat. Temperatures, while gradually rising, are expected to remain well within a pleasant range. Even as Kashmir...

Danishwar Hameed A cloudburst struck the remote village of Nunkhull in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Wednesday evening, leaving a 28-year-old woman dead. The cloudburst, which hit the DK Marg area of Damhal Hanjipora, triggered sudden flash floods. Local police and civil administration launched a rescue operation soon after. The deceased has been identified as Jamela Akhter, wife of Munwar Badhwa—a nomadic resident currently camped in Nunkhull and originally from Mohar, Reasi. She was swept away by the deluge. “A team has been deputed to assess the situation. Further details will be shared after the on-ground review,” an official told The Kashmiriyat. The incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of nomadic communities living in the upper reaches amid increa...