Saturday, December 20Latest news and updates from Kashmir

Pahalgam peaceful, Tourists should visit without fear: Dr Farooq Abdullah

Pahalgam peaceful, Tourists should visit without fear: Dr Farooq Abdullah

REGIONAL
National Conference patron and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has urged tourists from across the country to visit Pahalgam, calling it a peaceful and welcoming destination with unmatched natural beauty and climate. Speaking during his visit to the famous hill station, Farooq Abdullah said, “Pahalgam is a peaceful place. Tourists should not hesitate to visit here. The climate is wonderful, and it is one of the most beautiful places in the world.” He encouraged people not to let fear hold them back. “We should not fear death. It comes when it has to come. That shouldn’t stop us from living life and experiencing the beauty of places like Pahalgam,” he said while talking to reporters. He also reiterated his long-standing position on India-Pakistan relations, saying he is oft...
Cabinet meets in Pahalgam to discuss tourism revival, Yatra preparedness

Cabinet meets in Pahalgam to discuss tourism revival, Yatra preparedness

REGIONAL
In a significant move aimed at restoring confidence and boosting tourism, the Jammu Kashmir cabinet, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, convened a meeting in Pahalgam, Anantnag district, on Tuesday afternoon. This is the first time the cabinet has met outside the traditional venues of the Civil Secretariat or the Chief Minister’s residences in Srinagar and Jammu. The meeting comes in the wake of the April 22 attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 people, including 25 tourists, a tragedy that severely impacted the region’s tourism industry. Holding the meeting in Pahalgam is being seen as both a symbolic and administrative gesture to reinforce stability and encourage the revival of normalcy in the region. Officials said the cabinet focused on strategies to rejuvenate the...
Sewage flows freely into Jhelum at multiple locations in Srinagar, Authorities fail to act

Sewage flows freely into Jhelum at multiple locations in Srinagar, Authorities fail to act

REGIONAL
The river Jhelum, the lifeline of Srinagar, is being openly defiled as raw sewage continues to flow unchecked into its waters at several locations, notably at Nawa Kadal, Safa Kadal, Aali Kadal, and Cement Kadal. Locals expressed deep anguish over the utter neglect by authorities, accusing the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) of allowing the historic river to turn into a dumping channel for untreated domestic waste. “It’s a shame that such a vital water body is being systematically destroyed, right under the nose of those responsible for protecting it,” said a resident of Nawa Kadal. Eyewitnesses confirmed that foul-smelling black sewage water can be seen gushing from pipes and drains directly into the river, emitting a stench and posing serious health hazards to those living ...
Four booked over land dispute assault in Pulwama’s Saidpora

Four booked over land dispute assault in Pulwama’s Saidpora

REGIONAL
Jammu Kashmir Police have registered a case and taken action against four individuals accused of assaulting a man and his family over a land dispute in Saidpora area of Pulwama. According to a statement issued to the news agency JKNS, on May 25, Police Station Pulwama received information that one Shri Kewal Singh, son of Badam Singh, resident of Saidpora Pulwama, had been attacked by Noor Alam (son of Hakim Din), Sajad Ahmad, Mumtaz Ahmad (both sons of Noor Alam), and Irshad Ahmad (son of Sharief Din), all residents of Saidpora Tahab. The attack reportedly resulted in injuries to the complainant and his family members. Acting swiftly, a police team rushed to the spot and initiated action against the accused. A case FIR No. 124/2025 under relevant sections of law has been regis...
Light rain, thundershowers expected in parts of Kashmir, One-week outlook here

Light rain, thundershowers expected in parts of Kashmir, One-week outlook here

REGIONAL
Kashmir is expected to experience mostly dry weather over the next seven days, with chances of isolated thundershowers during late afternoons and evenings, according Kashmir Weather. On Monday, May 27, most parts of the region will remain dry, though thundershowers may develop in some areas towards the evening. Similar conditions are expected on May 28 and 29, with largely dry weather during the day and brief spells of rain or thundershowers possible in a few places during the evening hours. A more widespread spell of rain is likely on May 30, when thundershowers are expected across many areas of Jammu Kashmir. The intensity and spread may vary, accompanied by cloudy skies. On May 31, the weather may turn partly cloudy, with the possibility of thundershowers in some regions, th...
Muslim youth from Bihar lynched in Haryana for wearing skull cap

Muslim youth from Bihar lynched in Haryana for wearing skull cap

INDIA
Asjad Babu, a young man from Bihar’s Kishanganj district, was lynched in Panipat’s Flora Sector 29 on May 24 after being attacked allegedly for wearing a skull cap. According to reports, a man named Shishu Lala knocked off Asjad’s cap and assaulted him with a stick as he bent to pick it up. He later died in a Rohtak hospital. The incident has raised concerns over rising hate crimes and the breakdown of India’s social fabric, where visible religious identity is increasingly becoming a target. Former MLA Mujahid Alam, who is supporting the family, said, "The accused should be booked under UAPA and face the death penalty.” A case has been filed at Flora Sector 29 Police Station (No. 288/2025), and CCTV footage is being reviewed. Asjad’s burial took place the same night, and Ala...
Fire breaks out at Darul Uloom in Shopian

Fire breaks out at Darul Uloom in Shopian

REGIONAL
A fire broke out at Jamia Sirajul-Uloom in Imamsahib area of south Kashmir's Shopian district on Monday, officials said They told GNS that flames were seen emanating from one of the structures within the seminary premises, prompting an immediate response from locals and fire and emergency services. Efforts were underway to douse the flames when this report was filed. The cause of the fire and extent of damage remain unclear as of now. Further details are awaited. (GNS)
Covid-19: Active cases in India climb to 1,000 mark, 430 cases in Kerala

Covid-19: Active cases in India climb to 1,000 mark, 430 cases in Kerala

INDIA
India on Monday reported a total of 1,009 active COVID-19 cases in the country, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. As per the Health Ministry, India's COVID-19 update showed a total of 1009 active cases, with 752 new cases recently confirmed. According to the government data, Kerala currently tops the chart with the highest number of active cases at 430. Other states with notable case counts include Maharashtra (209), Delhi (104), Gujarat (83), and Karnataka (47). Earlier, a 21-year-old Covid-19 patient who was undergoing treatment at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Kalwa Hospital in Thane after testing positive died, Thane Municipal Corporation said. The 21-year-old from Mumbra was admitted for treatment at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Kalwa Hospital in Thane on May 2...
India overtakes Japan to become world’s fourth-largest economy, says NITI Aayog Chief

India overtakes Japan to become world’s fourth-largest economy, says NITI Aayog Chief

INDIA
India has surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy in terms of nominal GDP, according to BVR Subrahmanyam, the CEO of NITI Aayog. Speaking at a public event on May 24, Subrahmanyam said, “We are the fourth largest economy as I speak. We are a USD 4 trillion economy. This is not my data. This is IMF data. India today is larger than Japan.” His announcement follows the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) April 2025 World Economic Outlook report, which projects India’s GDP to reach USD 4.19 trillion this year, slightly ahead of Japan. However, the IMF has not officially confirmed that the transition has already occurred, noting only that India is expected to overtake Japan sometime during 2025. Until 2024, India held the fifth spot in global rankings. With the cur...
‘Pay lakhs or lose your channel’: Creators allege Indian news agency using copyright strikes to extort money

‘Pay lakhs or lose your channel’: Creators allege Indian news agency using copyright strikes to extort money

INDIA
A major controversy has broken out in India’s digital content community, with multiple YouTubers accusing the prominent news agency Asian News International (ANI) of issuing copyright strikes and demanding exorbitant payments for using short portions of its footage. The issue came into public view after Rajat Pawar, a YouTuber from a modest background with over 3 million subscribers, alleged that ANI demanded Rs 18 lakh plus GST for a 9-second video clip used in one of his videos. “They told me to pay up or lose my entire channel,” Pawar said in his video exposé. In the wake of the allegations, several other creators came forward with similar experiences. Many said they were pressured to pay lakhs of rupees under the threat of having their channels taken down. The tactic, they claimed, ...