REGIONAL

Jammu Kashmir National Conference has issued a three-line whip to all its legislators ahead of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for October 24. The directive, issued by Chief Whip Mubarak Gul on Wednesday, makes it mandatory for all party MLAs to remain present in the Assembly and vote in accordance with party directions. According to the formal communication (No. JKNC/CW/2025/02), the whip instructs every member of the Jammu Kashmir National Conference in the Legislative Assembly to attend the session on October 24, the day of polling for the Rajya Sabha elections. The order states that members must cast their vote in favour of the official candidates nominated by the party and strictly refrain from abstaining, remaining absent, or voting contrary to party directives....

Truck drivers have raised alarm over a series of alleged loot attempts along the National Highway near Damdal in Haryana, claiming that unidentified miscreants have been targeting vehicles during late-night hours. The incidents have sparked concern among transporters and traders who frequently use the route for the movement of goods. According to several drivers, groups of masked individuals have been intercepting trucks during the night, attempting to snatch cash, valuables, and goods. The attackers reportedly operate in isolated stretches of the highway, vanishing before security patrols arrive. One of the affected drivers said the situation has become increasingly dangerous for those earning their livelihood through long-distance transport. “We are simply trying to feed o...

National Conference (NC) legislators on Thursday held a silent protest outside the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, demanding the release of incarcerated Doda MLA Mehraj Malik, who has been booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA). The protesting lawmakers and supporters assembled outside the Assembly complex, holding placards that read “Free Mehraj Malik” and “Restore Doda’s Representation.” They maintained silence for several minutes as a mark of protest before addressing the media. NC’s Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said that the continued detention of Malik was unjustified and deprived the people of Doda of their rightful voice in the legislative assembly. “We demand the unconditional release of Mehraj Malik. He has been elected by the people of Doda, and they deserve representation...

A massive fire broke out during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday in Karfali Mohalla area of Habba Kadal, Srinagar, gutting nine residential houses and one godown, and leaving multiple families homeless. Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the fire call was received around 2:30 AM, and the blaze, which reportedly started from the godwon, spread swiftly through the densely packed locality. Fire tenders from nearest station and headquarters were rushed to the spot to control the flames. “Despite hours of intense firefighting, the fire reduced nine houses and a godown to ashes, while several adjoining structures suffered partial damage. The operation was hampered by the narrow lanes and congested housing typical of old Srinagar neighbourhoods,” an...

Suhail Dar A 21-year-old youth was killed in a road accident in Pahalgam area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday night. Officials told The Kashmiriyat that the deceased, identified as Shakir Sopori, son of Mohammad Yusuf Sopori, a resident of Batengoo in Anantnag, met with an accident at around 9 p.m. while riding his motorcycle in Pahalgam. He was critically injured in the mishap and was immediately rushed to PHC Pahalgam, where doctors provided initial treatment before referring him to GMC Anantnag. However, doctors there declared him brought dead. Police have taken cognizance of the incident and initiated an investigation into the circumstances leading to the accident.

Shopian Police have arrested two women drug peddlers and seized a large quantity of narcotic substances from their possession during naka checking in the Zainapora area of south Kashmir. Officials said that during a routine checkpoint at Melhura Zainapora, police personnel intercepted two women moving suspiciously while carrying large bags. Upon searching the bags, police recovered about 15 kilograms of crushed cannabis and one kilogram of a charas-like substance. The accused have been identified as Rubeena Akhtar of Rakhi Litter, Pulwama, and Nargis Jan of Kawani Dagripora, Pulwama. A case under FIR number 92/2025 has been registered at Police Station Zainapora under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, and further investigation has been initiated to identify the supply chain and...

The National Conference (NC) candidate Aga Syed Mahmood on Wednesday said that the absence of support from former minister and incumbent parliament member, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi would not affect his performance in the ongoing Assembly by-election in Budgam. Speaking to the news agency Kashmir News Trust, Aga Mahmood asserted that the National Conference is larger than any individual and enjoys grassroots support across the constituency. “NC created Ruhullah, Ruhullah didn’t create NC. He has supporters within his family and among well-wishers, which is fine, but ultimately NC supporters will vote for the party,” he said. The NC candidate emphasized that the by-election is being contested in the name of the party and its legacy rather than individual influence. "An individual ...

Meer Irfan  Police in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday arrested five persons for gambling and recovered ₹45,000 in stake money along with playing cards from their possession. According to police, acting on a reliable input, a team from Police Station Shopian raided a gambling spot at Deegam Nagbal. “During the raid, the gamblers tried to flee, but all five accused were apprehended on the spot,” officials told The Kashmiriyat. The arrested persons were identified as Adil Rehman Wachkoo of Hergam Shopian, Suhail Ahmad Bhat of Keegam, Tariq Ahmad Bhat of Babmohalla Shopian, Sajad Ahmad Ganie of Berthipora, and Sajad Ahmad Wani of Mughalpora Keegam. Police said a case (FIR No. 224/2025) has been registered under relevant sections of the Gambling Act at Police Station S...

Suhail Dar Four meat sellers from the Achabal Adda area of main town Anantnag were booked by the Anantnag Police on Tuesday for allegedly violating recent government orders on meat storage and sale. According to the police, the vendors were specifically charged under FIR numbers 210/2025 and 211/2025 for keeping meat in the open air, a practice considered unsafe and unhygienic. "During checking, four butchers were found keeping meat hanging outside their shops for sale, thereby making it unsafe for human consumption and posing a risk of infection and health hazards to customers," an official told The Kashmiriyat. The action is part of a broader enforcement drive to ensure food safety in local markets and prevent the sale of contaminated or rotten meat. Earlier inspections ac...

The Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat has admitted a private member’s resolution moved by PDP MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz, seeking a one-time exemption of all outstanding electricity tariff dues for domestic consumers. As per an official communication issued by the Legislative Assembly Secretariat as per news agency Kashmir News Corner --- KNC, the resolution has been admitted in terms of Rule 179 read with Rule 28 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the J&K Legislative Assembly. The notification further stated that the balloting process for Private Members’ Resolutions will be conducted on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 4:00 PM in the office chambers of the Secretary Assembly. The notice, issued by Under Secretary Shabir Ahmad Wani, requested the MLA...