The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a final notice to the Jammu Kashmir Police over their prolonged inaction in the case of Manzoor Ahmad Kumar, a hawker from Kupwara district who went missing under mysterious circumstances while working in Punjab more than 12 years ago. Manzoor Ahmad, a resident of Zachildar in Dardhaji Rajwar, Kupwara, had travelled to Amritsar, Punjab in December 2012 to sell shawls and traditional Kashmiri clothes. He was last heard from in February 2013. His family said he was 25 years old at the time and had gone to earn a living to support his parents and three younger siblings. He never returned. His brother, Tanveer Ahmad, who was only eight years old when Manzoor disappeared, recalled the trauma that unfolded in the months and years th...

Amid growing weather concerns, the Meteorological Department Srinagar has issued a comprehensive advisory for Jammu Kashmir, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall, flash floods, and increased risk of landslides in the coming days. The warning comes as the region witnesses a shift in weather, following days of relentless heat. According to Director MET, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy between July 16–17 and again from July 21–23, with intermittent spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers across various parts of the region. He warned that isolated locations are likely to experience intense showers and even heavy to very heavy rainfall during these two periods, which may trigger flash floods and landslides, particularly in vulnerable ar...

Authorities have confirmed that the Amarnath Yatra 2025 is continuing smoothly without any disruption, dismissing rumours that had surfaced on social media about a possible suspension of the pilgrimage. Speaking to reporters, the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir said, “As of July 15, over 2.34 lakh pilgrims have performed darshan at the holy cave. On July 16, yatris from both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes continued their journey towards the shrine without any interruption.” The clarification came after unverified reports claiming suspension of the Yatra began circulating online. Officials said such misinformation creates unnecessary panic and urged media houses to rely on verified government sources before publishing or forwarding updates related to the pilgrimage. The administ...

In a strongly worded joint letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leaders of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi have urged the central government to immediately restore full statehood to Jammu Kashmir and to grant Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh. The letter, dated July 16, states that the people of Jammu Kashmir have consistently called for the restoration of statehood over the past five years—a demand the Opposition leaders described as "legitimate and firmly grounded in their constitutional and democratic rights." Highlighting the unique case of Jammu and Kashmir, the letter reads: “This is the first time a full-fledged state has been downgraded to a Union Territory following its bifurcation. This has no precedent in independent India.” The leaders reminde...

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has given in-principle approval to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to raise 20 new battalions, adding over 20,000 personnel, for deployment in Jammu Kashmir, reports said. Initially, the CRPF had sought approval for 35 battalions, but the Ministry has sanctioned 20 as an immediate measure, following the April 22 Pahalgam militant attack and subsequent 'Operation Sindoor'. The Finance Ministry has already cleared the proposal, and Union Cabinet approval is expected soon. Reports indicated the new battalions will be equipped with enhanced operational capabilities, tailored to J&K’s terrain and security needs. With a shift in focus from Naxal-affected areas to counter-militancy efforts in Jammu and Kashmir, the move is seen as part of...

MBBS interns across Jammu Kashmir have expressed gratitude to the government for taking concrete steps toward addressing their long-pending demand for a stipend hike, following a series of encouraging statements from top officials. “We are truly thankful to the government for finally listening to us,” said Suhail Ahmad, an intern at Government Medical College, Srinagar. “It feels like our voices are being heard after years of struggle. This move will ease the financial burden on many of us who come from modest backgrounds.” The growing optimism comes in the wake of strong assurances from the Chief Minister during the Annual Day at SKIMS Medical College in Srinagar. Speaking to a group of interns, the CM said, “Whatever the Hon’ble Health Minister recommends, I will do that,” signalin...

Meer Irfan The family of 24-year-old Irfan Ahmad Dar from Salamabad Dachina area of Boniyar in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is desperately seeking information about his whereabouts after he went missing over six weeks ago. Speaking to The Kashmiriyat, his family said that Irfan has been missing since May 31, 2025. A missing person report was filed at Police Station Bijhama on June 1. Since then, the family says there has been no trace of Irfan. “We haven’t received a single clue so far. His phone has been switched off since the day he disappeared,” said a close family member. “We are in deep distress. He is a very calm person and has never left home without informing us.” According to his relatives, Irfan had left home on the morning of May 31, saying he would return s...