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Oct162025 by News DeskNo Comments

Journalist quits The Chenab Times, Turns to activism to seek release of MLA Mehraj Malik

REGIONAL

Journalist and Marketing Editor of The Chenab Times, Raja Shakeel, has resigned from the news outlet to focus on activism, pledging support for detained Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mehraj Malik. In a letter announcing his resignation, Shakeel said his decision marked “not a resignation, but a revolution,” adding, “For too long I’ve written about my people’s pain. Now, I want to fight for their justice and upliftment.” Shakeel, a native of Joura Kalan in Doda, clarified he was not joining any political party but was inspired by Malik, whom he called “a true voice who never bows before adversity.” Malik, the lone AAP MLA from Jammu and Kashmir, has been detained under the Public Safety Act since last month. Editor-in-Chief Anzer Ayoob accepted the resignation “with regret and respect,...

Oct152025 by News DeskNo Comments

Man found guilty of raping minor girl by Anantnag court

REGIONAL

A local court in Anantnag on Wednesday convicted an accused in a case under the POCSO Act. The Court of Principal District Judge (PDJ) Anantnag found Mohd Lateef Sheikh guilty and convicted him in a case under the POCSO Act and Section 376 of the IPC, in connection with FIR No. 03/2022 registered at the Women’s Police Station, Anantnag. The court reached its verdict after examining all evidence and witness statements presented during the trial. The matter has been listed for arguments on the quantum of punishment on October 22, 2025. (KNC)

Oct152025 by News DeskNo Comments

Three accused of axe attack on youth in Srinagar arrested: Police

REGIONAL

Srinagar Police have arrested three accused involved in the Qamarwari axe attack case during a series of overnight raids, bringing swift resolution to an incident that left one youth injured on yesternight. Police said the victim, identified as Noman Yaqoob Khanday, was attacked with an axe by unidentified persons in the Qamarwari area on Tuesday evening. Following the assault, police launched a comprehensive investigation and tracked down the culprits through technical and field surveillance. The accused have been identified as Sahil Yaqoob Grustoo, son of Mohammad Yaqoob Grustoo; Farooq alias Farhan Ahmad Dar, son of Ghulam Nabi Dar; and Bilal Ahmad Guroo, son of Zahoor Ahmad Guroo, all residents of Boatman Colony, Bemina. According to police, the weapon of offence used in the a...

Oct152025 by News DeskNo Comments

‘From 500 in 2018 to 1,525 in 2025’: MBBS seats witness significant rise in Jammu Kashmir

EDUCATION

Jammu Kashmir has seen a significant rise in MBBS seats over the past seven years, with the total intake increasing from 500 in 2018 to 1,525 in 2025. In 2018, most of the 500 seats were limited to the two government medical colleges—SKIMS Medical College Srinagar and ASCOMS Jammu. Since then, several new colleges, including GMC Anantnag and GMC Baramulla, have started admitting students, with the National Medical Commission (NMC) approving 100 seats each at the new colleges in 2019. The expansion has continued steadily. In the 2024-25 academic year, J&K had approximately 1,185 government MBBS seats, with ASCOMS Jammu adding another 100 seats from the private sector. In September 2025, NMC approved 190 additional seats across five GMCs—GMC Baramulla, Doda, and Kathua received 50 ...

Oct152025 by News DeskNo Comments

Several apple trees felled by miscreants in Anantnag village, Locals outraged

REGIONAL

Suhail Dar In a distressing incident that has angered residents, unidentified persons chopped down multiple apple trees in an orchard at Siligam Dangerpora village of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, inflicting major losses on the owner. Locals said the incident took place during the night when unknown individuals entered the orchard and cut several fruit-bearing apple trees that were nearing harvest. The damage was discovered early Wednesday morning. “When we saw the orchard, it felt like years of our labour had been wiped out overnight,” said a member of the affected family. “These trees fed our family and paid for our children’s education. Whoever did this wanted to break our back.” The family has appealed to the police and administration to investigate the matter seriousl...

Oct152025 by News DeskNo Comments

Double tragedy strikes Banihal as father dies holding his deceased son

REGIONAL

In a heartrending incident that has left the Tethar area of Banihal in mourning, a father died of a heart attack moments after his teenage son breathed his last in his arms while being taken to hospital. According to local sources, 45-year-old Shabir Ahmed Gania was rushing his 14-year-old son, Sahil Ahmed, to a nearby medical facility when the boy suddenly collapsed. Unable to bear the shock of losing his son, Shabir too suffered a cardiac arrest before they could reach the hospital. Both were taken to the Sub-District Hospital Banihal, where doctors confirmed that the father and son had died of cardiac arrest. The double tragedy has plunged the entire locality into grief. Neighbours and relatives gathered at the family’s home to offer condolences and take part in the final rites...

Oct152025 by News DeskNo Comments

Modi government dismantled all walls of terrorism from Article 370 to Operation Sindoor, says HM Amit Shah

INDIA

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the Narendra Modi-led government has dismantled every barrier protecting terrorism, from the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir to the recent Operation Sindoor. Speaking at the 41st Raising Day of the National Security Guard (NSG) at its headquarters in Manesar, Shah said that the government’s counter-terrorism policy is guided by “zero tolerance” and comprehensive reform. He highlighted several measures taken under this policy, including amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the introduction of clearer definitions of terrorism in criminal laws, and the banning of organisations such as the Popular Front of India (PFI). Shah said that Operation Sindoor successfully targeted Pakistani terror base...

Oct142025 by News DeskNo Comments

Youth injured in axe attack in Srinagar, Hospitalized

REGIONAL

An 18-year-old boy was injured after being attacked with an axe by an unidentified person in Qamarwari area of Srinagar on Tuesday. An official told news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC that the injured youth has been identified as resident of Qamarwari Srinagar. He was immediately shifted to SMHS Hospital Srinagar with a nose injury, the official said. Police have taken cognizance of the matter and further investigation is underway. (KNC)

Oct142025 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Substandard cough syrups from India pose serious risks to children,’ warns WHO

INDIA

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued an alert against three “substandard” oral cough syrups identified in India — Coldrif, Respifresh TR and ReLife — and urged national regulatory authorities worldwide to immediately notify it if these are detected in their country. It has also advised healthcare professionals to report the detection of these substandard products and any incident of adverse effects, or lack of expected effects to their national regulatory authorities or National Pharmacovigilance Centre. The alert comes after at least 22 children, mostly under the age of five, have died due to suspected kidney failure after being administered Coldrif in Madhya Pradesh. Besides, at least three children have allegedly died in Rajasthan after consuming cough syrup in different d...

Oct142025 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Deceitfully collected policy installments from clients’: Crime branch busts major insurance scam in Kashmir

REGIONAL

The Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet before the Sub Judge Kupwara against accused Salim Akbar for duping insurance policy holders through fraudulent collections. Spokesperson in a statement, EOW wing of the Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet in connection with case FIR No. 253/2023 of Police Station Kupwara under Sections 420 IPC and 66D of the IT Act. The chargesheet was formally submitted before the Hon’ble Court of Sub Judge, Kupwara. The case originated from a complaint received at Police Post Dragmulla, Kupwara, alleging that one Salim Akbar, son of Mohammad Akbar, resident of Hyhama Batapora, Kupwara (currently residing at Malpora Nagri Hatmullah), was involved in fraudulent activities targeting innocent insurance policy holders, it...