REGIONAL Archives - Page 2 of 356

Feb82025 by News DeskNo Comments

Massive Fire Engulfs Sonamarg Market, Several Structures Damaged

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Shah Basit A massive fire broke out in the main market of Sonamarg, a popular tourist destination in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, on Saturday evening. According to officials, the blaze originated at Hotel Sounsar and quickly spread to adjacent shops and structures, causing panic in the area. As flames engulfed the market, efforts to control the fire were underway, with firefighters and emergency services rushing to the scene. Details regarding the extent of the damage and possible casualties remain unclear as efforts to douse the fire continue. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire.

Feb82025 by News DeskNo Comments

Mehbooba Mufti put under house arrest ahead of Sopore visit, claims PDP leader

REGIONAL

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti has claimed that she and her mother, Mehbooba Mufti, have been placed under house arrest as the latter was going to visit Sopore in Jammu Kashmir’s Baramulla district, where a civilian truck driver was killed in army firing earlier this week. Waseem Majeed Mir was shot dead in army firing after he as per army refused to stop at a checkpoint in Baramulla district on Wednesday night. In a tweet on Saturday, Iltija Mufti said, “My mother & I both have been placed under house arrest. Our gates have been locked up because she was meant to visit Sopore where Waseem Mir was shot dead by the army. “I intended to visit Kathua today to meet Makhan Din’s family & am not being allowed to even move out. Nothing has changed in Kashmir ...

Feb72025 by News DeskNo Comments

Exodus of Kashmiri pandits was a political game, says former top cop Watali

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Former senior police officer of Jammu Kashmir, Ali Muhammad Watali, has termed the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits as a "big game" orchestrated on January 19, 1990, with the arrival of then-Governor Jagmohan. Watali in his book ‘Guns Under My Chinar’ writes that no Kashmiri Pandit had migrated during Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s tenure, asserting that the displacement was politically driven rather than a communal issue. Watali states that militants targeted both Kashmiri Pandits and pro-India Muslims, suggesting that the idea of India was under attack, rather than any specific community. He emphasized that the pattern of killings supports this perspective. He further observed that the present generation of Kashmiri Pandits, who are now well-settled across India and abroad, show little interes...

Feb42025 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Financial stress’: From 35,000 in 2017 to 4,100 in 2025, Hajj applications see massive drop in Jammu Kashmir

REGIONAL

Witnessing a rapid decline from 35,000 in 2017 to as low as over 4100 applications this year, the number of Haj pilgrims continues to be dwindling in Jammu and Kashmir. The numbers, as per the officials, have further dwindled when over 700 pilgrims who applied for the pilgrimage opted to remain ‘out’ of Hajj 2025. As per the official details exclusively available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a total of 4,100 people from Jammu and Kashmir applied for Haj 2025, out of which 3,601 were confirmed in the first list, with 21 more added under the Mahram quota, taking the total number of pilgrims proceeding for Haj to 3,622. Dr Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi, Executive Officer, J&K Haj Committee, confirmed to KNO that all 3,622 selected pilgrims have completed the payment ...

Apr242024 by News DeskNo Comments

Mehbooba Mufti slams BJP, defends Congress legacy amid divisive politics

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PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks, accusing the BJP of resorting to divisive politics. In a fiery rebuttal, Mufti while talking to media highlighted the long-standing legacy of the Congress party, which had been in power for more than fifty years, pointing out their role in nation-building and communal harmony. "At no point did the Congress party ever resort to snatching 'Mangalsutras' or gold from our Hindu sisters to gift it to Muslims," Mufti said, pushing back against allegations of Congress favoritism towards the Muslim community. However, she pointed out Congress's significant contributions to the country's development, citing the construction of hospitals, factories, and the provision of livelihoods to citizens as evid...

Apr202024 by News DeskNo Comments

Outcry in Sopore as video exposes Tehsildar’s aggressive behavior; Top official assures action

REGIONAL

A video capturing the reprehensible behaviour of a government official, believed to be the Tehsildar of Sopore, has sparked controversy and outrage after it circulated widely on social media platforms. In the two-minute and 20-second clip, the official can be seen resorting to threats and humiliation during a visit to the nearby Tarzoo village of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Expressing their condemnation, the local traders’ body at Tarzoo staged a peaceful protest, denouncing such acts of aggression as “gundagardi” and “unacceptable”. The video footage, obtained by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), shows the Tehsildar making intimidating remarks, including threatening physical violence against the people. The video shows him saying, “You have seen a bar...

Apr162024 by News DeskNo Comments

Jammu-based employees serving in Kashmir granted special leave on polling days

REGIONAL

Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday announced grant of three-day special casual leave to Jammu-based employees serving in Kashmir on polling days. “Sanction is hereby accorded to grant of three (03) days Special Casual Leave in favour of employees of Jammu division working in Kashmir Valley, during various phases of Lok Sabha Elections,” reads an order, as per GNS. The special casual leaves will be observed from 18-04-2024 to 20-04-2024 in Udhampur constituency with polling scheduled on 19-04-2024; from 25-04-2024 to 27-04-2024 in Jammu with polling scheduled on 26-04-2024 and from 06-05-2024 to 08-05-2024 in Anantnag-Rajouri constituency with polling scheduled on 07-05-2024. (GNS)

Apr12024 by News DeskNo Comments

New faces should come to politics in Jammu Kashmir: Waqar H Bhatti

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Awami e Tahreek Chairman Waqar H Bhatti has issued a scathing press release, countering statements made by National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and Umar Abdullah regarding Kashmir. Bhatti, in his capacity as chairman, posed several questions to the Abdullah duo. He highlighted the pre-Article 370 scenario, pointing out that while there were three National Conference MPs, the Abdullahs met Prime Minister Narendra Modi just days before its abrogation, after which all three MPs were placed under house arrest. Bhatti emphasized his own vocal stance on the issue, contrasting it with the silence of National Conference leaders. Bhatti revealed his own struggles, including being booked under Section 124 and spending seven months in jail, followed by hunger strikes at Jantar Mantar. De...

Mar252024 by News DeskNo Comments

Residential house partially damaged in fire incident in Kunzer

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A residential house was damaged in a fire incident in Kunzer area of North Kashmir Baramulla district. Reports reaching news agency Kashmir Scroll said that a during night hours, fire broke out in the residential house of Gulzar Ahmad Khan son of Mohd Shafi Khan resident of Hardbani Payeen Kunzer. They said that the fire was brought under control by fire and Emergency services, police and locals. During this incident the residential house was partially damaged but no injury /loss of life occurred while the apparent cause of fire was due to the short circuit, they said . Meanwhile police have taken cognizance and started investigation.(KS)

Mar242024 by News DeskNo Comments

Night temp rises, MeT says ‘no significant’ weather activity expected in J&K till March 27

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While weatherman ruled out any significant weather activity till March 27 evening, night temperature recorded an increase with mercury settling above sub-zero level in Jammu and Kashmir including Gulmarg and Pahalgam on Sunday. A meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar recorded a minimum of 10.2°C against 6.5°C on the previous night and it was above normal by 5.2°C for the summer capital of JK for this time of the year. Qazigund recorded a minimum of 6.8°C against 5.8°C on the previous night and it was 3.1°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said. Pahalgam recorded a low of 3.6°C against minus 1.1°C on the previous night and it was 3.2°C above normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir. Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum...