REGIONAL

Over 6000 cases of dengue were reported this year while eight persons have died due to the disease so far in Jammu and Kashmir, an official said. The official of State Epidemiology told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the majority of the cases (3841) were reported from Jammu district. It was followed by Udhampur district (881 cases) followed by Kathua (549 cases) and Samba (349 cases), he said. “There were 97 cases in Rajouri, 66 in Reasi, 65 in Doda, 62 in Ramban, 36 in Poonch, 9 in Kishtwar, 26 in Kashmir and 40 from other areas,” he said. This year’s count is seen to be less than last year when a record 8,269 dengue cases along with 18 fatalities were registered. According to data for more than a decade, 1,709 cases were reported in 2021, 439 in 2019, 53 in 202...

Sub-zero temperatures were recorded at multiple places in Kashmir while a weak western disturbance has affected Jammu & Kashmir from Saturday, increasing the chances of light snowfall or rainfall at isolated places of the Union Territory. As per the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), five stations of Kashmir including Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Budgam and Bandipora recorded minus temperature. In Anantnag, a minimum temperature of minus 1.6 degree Celsius was recorded while in Pulwama, minus 2.0 degree Celsius was recorded, the data said, adding that the lowest minimum temperature was recorded in Shopian at minus 3.6 degree Celsius. According to the data, Budgam has recorded a low of minus 1.0 degree Celsius while Bandipora in north Kashmir has...

As the winter chill returns to Kashmir, a couple of delicacies are in the good demand in the markets. Similarly, smoked fish—known as ‘Phari’ are in huge demand as the delicacy always attracts the people in the chilly weather conditions. A reddish-brown smoked fish is believed to provide great resistance against diseases related to cold. With the drop in temperatures, vendors in bustling markets are gearing up for heightened demand, showcasing fresh batches of smoked fish at their stalls. “Phari is more than just food; it's a celebration of Kashmir's culinary heritage, as the demand during winter is incredible. People value the authenticity and warmth it brings to their meals,” says a local vendor Bashir Ahmed at Srinagar's Fateh Kadal, while speaking to the news agency—Kashmir Ne...

Epilepsy, a disorder characterized by repeated fits due to sudden excessive electrical activity in the brain, may produce jerks in the limbs, unresponsiveness, and spells of unawareness. It is commonly observed in young people and in elderly individuals, particularly after the age of 65. Noted Neurologist, Dr Sushil Razdan, spoke exclusively with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) about the prevalence of epilepsy. He said that a significant number of epilepsy patients fall within the age range of the young and those over 65, with patients distributed evenly between urban and rural areas. According to Dr Razdan, the primary causes of epilepsy include inadequate obstetric care during birth, head injuries and various infections, particularly the Taenia solium infection. In youn...

At least half a dozen residential houses, a guest house and a food point were gutted in a major fire that broke put in Bhaderwah town of Doda district, officials said on Thursday. An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the fire broke out in Chinote locality of Bhaderwah town in the wee hours today. He said that soon after the incident fire tenders rushed to the spot, however, half a dozen residential houses, a guest house, a food point were reduced to ashes by the time they reached. SSP Doda Abdul Qayoom told KNO that police have started investigation into the matter, but as per preliminary probe short circuit seems to be the reason behind the fire—(KNO)

A young boy and his eight-year-old sister were apprehended to have drowned after being swept away in the Tawi river in Jammu city, as per official statement on Tuesday. In response to the incident, the police and a team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have initiated a rescue mission to locate Ismael (6) and his sister Nadiya. The event unfolded as the siblings were tending to cattle along the riverbanks on Monday night. They slipped into the river while engaged in play near the Harki Podi area, prompting an urgent response from authorities.

The Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) has voiced its strong discontent with the worsening power supply situation in Kashmir, asserting that it is causing significant inconvenience and disruption. Prolonged hours of load shedding are not only hampering economic activities but are also negatively impacting the lives of common people across the region. In a press statement released today, Aijaz Shahdhar, President of KTA, expressed concern over the ongoing power crisis. "Despite the assurances made by the power department that an additional 500 MW of electricity supply would be purchased from the northern grid, Kashmir continues to grapple with unscheduled power cuts that are creating chaos in the daily lives of its residents." One of the most pressing issues raised by Shahdhar is the apparent...

In the Amshipora encounter which was alleged to be fake, the Armed Forces Tribunal has suspended the sentence awarded to convicted officer Captain Bhoopendra Singh and granted him bail, ANI reported. The Amshipora encounter took place on July 18, 2020, in the Shopian area of Jammu Kashmir in which three 'terrorists' were killed by a Rashtriya Rifles unit but later they were claimed to be labourers from Rajouri. The Army disciplinary proceedings had found the officer Captain Bhoopendera Singh guilty and he was awarded life imprisonment. The officer had approached the Principal Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal in New Delhi through his lawyer S S Pandey against the conviction claiming "illegality in proceedings" and other discrepancies in the disciplinary proceedings against him. "...

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha while addressing a ‘Pran Pratishtha Ceremony’ of Bhagwan Dhanvantari at Government Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Akhnoor on the occasion of 8th National Ayurveda Day announced an increase in the number of seats in Ayurvedic Medical College Akhnoor from 60 to 100, media reports said. LG Sinha asserted that the administration will provide full support to the Ayurvedic College authorities for the upgradation of the Ayurvedic Medical seats and assured all necessary support from the administration to augment the facilities at the Government Ayurvedic Medical College and hospital and asked the College administration to start the PG Courses. Sinha said the integration of Yoga, Ayurveda, and other Indian Systems of Medicine into the mainstream of the...