REGIONAL

A high-density apple orchard in Batpora Wathoora, Budgam, has become the focal point of a legal battle after its owner, Ghulam Nabi Bhat, moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), a private contractor, and the Jammu Kashmir administration for alleged environmental negligence during road construction. The orchard, once laden with fruit-bearing trees, was left submerged and dying after water drainage channels were blocked during the construction of the Srinagar Ring Road flyover. “My land remained under water for more than a month. Around 500 apple trees, each about 7 to 8 years old, were destroyed,” Bhat said, visibly distraught. “They didn't just ruin my orchard. They ruined my entire source of livelihood.” Represented by Advo...

The Deputy Director Fire & Emergency Services, Srinagar, Monday issued an advisory in view of the rising temperatures and prevailing heat wave conditions in Jammu Kashmir. According to the advisory, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), all fire service incharges have been instructed to spread awareness about fire safety and preventive measures to minimise fire related losses during the summer season. The advisory mentions some tip for the public such as removing flammable materials like dust, leaves, and sticks from their surroundings, avoiding overloading electric sockets, and switching off electricity when not at home. “People are also urged to keep electric cables away from furniture and flammable objects, store matches and lighters safely ...

Legal experts and free speech campaigners have strongly condemned the recent detentions in Jammu Kashmir’s Doda district over the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), calling the move an arbitrary attack on civil liberties and a troubling misuse of emergency powers. Following the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, the Doda administration imposed a sweeping ban on VPNs through an order dated May 2, citing a “serious threat to public order, tranquility, and national security.” The two-month ban, enforced under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, applies to individuals, institutions, ISPs, and cyber cafes. On May 16, the Doda District Police confirmed that “several individuals” had been detained for violating the order. “These individuals were using VPNs to b...

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has criticised the Jammu Kashmir administration’s move to appoint 4,000 ex-servicemen for securing vital installations, calling it a misplaced priority at a time when unemployment among the region’s youth has reached alarming levels. In a post on X, Mehbooba said she had written to Omar Abdullah, vice president of the National Conference, urging him to reconsider the decision taken by the government he is part of. “While I hold the utmost respect and gratitude for our ex-servicemen, we mustn’t & cannot overlook the mounting crisis of unemployment afflicting youth in Jammu Kashmir whose numbers have now crossed into lakhs,” she wrote. Calling the soaring unemployment not just an economic issue but a “social emergency,” the PDP chief said the la...

Meer Irfan In the upper forests of Gadder Chowan in Keller, South Kashmir, a young Bakerwal girl was killed on Sunday evening after violent winds uprooted a towering alpine tree that came crashing down on the tent she and her father had made their home. The child, identified as Soby Riyaz, daughter of Riyaz Ahmad Bakerwal, died on the spot. Her father was injured and is currently under treatment. The family had recently moved into the area as part of the seasonal migration of nomadic communities, who every year traverse these highland forests with their livestock, carrying with them tarpaulin tents, stories, and children — vulnerable to the unpredictable rhythms of weather and state neglect alike. Sunday’s winds were particularly fierce, ripping through the region with rain and...

The government forces have arrested two suspects along with arms and ammunition in imam DK Pora area of of South Kashmir's Shopian district. Officials told GNS that a Naka party of Police, army's 34 RR and CRPF 178 BN during searches at DK Pora apprehended two suspects. During searches, four grenades, two pistols, 43 live rounds and other incriminating materials were recovered from their possession. Meanwhile, police have registered a FIR under relevant sections of law and further investigation is currently underway.(GNS)

The Indian Army has dismissed media reports claiming that the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan was set to expire today, reaffirming that the understanding between the two countries remains intact with no expiration timeline. Responding to speculation over possible Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level talks, the Army clarified, “No DGMO talks are scheduled today.” The Army reiterated that the cessation of hostilities, agreed upon during the DGMOs' interaction on May 12, continues to hold. “The ceasefire continues to hold, reinforcing peace and stability along the borders,” the statement said. The clarification comes amid circulating reports suggesting a potential breakdown of the ceasefire. Earlier, Pakistan has stated that the ceasefire was extended o...

The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday upheld the acquittal of Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, popularly known as Gulzar Peer, and three others in an alleged rape case registered over a decade ago in Budgam district. The verdict marked the end of a prolonged legal battle that began with an FIR filed in 2013 at Khansahib Police Station. A bench comprising Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma dismissed the appeal filed by the erstwhile state of Jammu  Kashmir, which had contested the acquittal decisions of both the Budgam Sessions Court and the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. In February 2015, the Sessions Court had acquitted the accused in Sessions Case No. 142/S, citing a lack of evidence. That decision was later upheld by the High Court in February 2017. Dissatisfied with th...

In a continued crackdown on what authorities have described as "elements posing a threat to public peace and national security," Srinagar Police have detained 23 individuals under the Public Safety Act (PSA), accusing them of being linked to banned militant outfits and involved in repeated acts of public disorder. According to a statement released by the police and carried by Kashmir Bulletin, the detentions followed weeks of investigation and preparation of dossiers. A senior police official said the individuals “were not only habitual offenders but continued to incite unrest and indulge in subversive activities despite multiple FIRs and bailouts.” He added that the crackdown is part of a broader strategy aimed at “dismantling anti-national infrastructure operating within Srinagar.”...

The heatwave sweeping across Jammu Kashmir is intensifying and is expected to worsen over the next few days, the Meteorological Department in Srinagar has said. Authorities have urged people, especially vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children, and the elderly, to take necessary precautions and stay adequately hydrated to avoid heat-related health issues. Despite the rising temperatures, rain and thundershowers are forecast to hit some parts of the region from Sunday evening. On Monday, scattered thundershowers are likely to affect several areas, which may provide some respite from the ongoing heatwave. Today’s maximum temperatures recorded across the region on Saturday indicate the severity of the heatwave. In the Kashmir division, Srinagar registered 31.5°C, Qazigun...