Suhail Dar In a shocking turn of events, the historic Shehlinag spring, located in Dooru area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, has run completely dry, just a week after the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department began drilling a borewell a few metres away for the spring. The spring, once a perennial source of clean water and home to aquatic life, is now reduced to cracked earth and the carcasses of dead fish. Locals say this is the first time in memory that Shehlinag, which fed dozens of families across Dooru and adjoining hamlets, has ceased to flow. “This is the death of not just a water source, but of a heritage,” said Bashrat Ali, a local resident. “Shehlinag is where Veribag and several other small springs originate. And now, it's dry.” As per the locals, the P...

Two persons lost their lives while three others were injured in a tragic road accident in Galander Pampore area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district during night hours. A police official told news agency JKNS that a black Scorpio vehicle bearing registration number JK02DQ-2585, driven by Jhonty, son of Tarseem Lal, resident of Mershiwala, Akhnoor, Jammu, met with an accident while carrying four other passengers. All four occupants sustained injuries in the incident. However, the driver Jhonty and one co-passenger, Sono Kumar, son of Ashok Kumar, resident of Dabsora, Jammu, later succumbed to their injuries, he said. The cause of the accident is under investigation, official said adding that the police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and further proceedings hav...

A fire broke out in Khaki Mohalla area of Boulevard in Srinagar on Sunday evening, resulting in damage to at least three shops, officials said. An official from the Fire and Emergency Services Department told news agency JKNS that a fire call was received at 7:01 PM. Units from Shalimar, Nehru Park, and the Srinagar Command Centre were immediately dispatched and reached the spot within minutes. “The response was swift, and teams turned out within a minute of the call. The fire was successfully brought under control before it could spread further,” a fire official told news agency JKNS. The cause of the fire is being ascertained, and no injuries have been reported. An assessment of property loss is underway. (JKNS)

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday joined thousands of Shia mourners at the traditional Zuljanah procession here on the solemn occasion of Youm-e-Ashura. The procession commenced from Botakadal’s Ali Pora area to Zadibal amid tight security and elaborate arrangements. "Upon his arrival, the Lieutenant Governor offered water to the mourners and ceremoniously draped the Zuljanah with the traditional chaddar before the procession commenced," witnesses told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Top officials including IGP Kashmir, SSP Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Srinagar were also present on the occasion. The procession began this morning with mourners, including men, women and children, all marching alongside the symbolic Zuljanah, representing the horse of Imam Huss...

At least seven people, including two CRPF personnel and five civilians, were injured in yet another stray dog attack in South Kashmir’s Bijbehara town on Saturday. The incident took place in the Jablipora area of Bijbehara, with additional bite cases reported from adjoining localities such as Arwani, Waghama, Sri Gufwara, and Marhama. Medical Superintendent of Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Bijbehara, Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad, confirmed the injuries, stating, “We received two CRPF jawans and five civilians with dog bites today. Unfortunately, such cases have become a daily routine here in Bijbehara.” The repeated incidents have triggered anger and fear among locals, who have long demanded that authorities take urgent steps to curb the stray dog menace. Locals allege that poor waste manag...

Srinagar Police has attached a residential property, comprising 8 marlas and 202 sqft of land along with the building structure, worth Rs 1.5 crore under unlawful activities act. According to a statement, issued to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the property, located in Mir Masjid Mohalla, Shallabagh Khanyar, is recorded in the name of Mohammad Yousuf Shah S/o Hafiz Waliuallah Shah. “It is currently in the possession of Masood Hussain Shah S/o Mohammad Yousuf Shah. The attachment has been carried out under the relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with FIR No. 48/2024 under Sections 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 7/27 of the Indian Arms Act, and Sections 16, 18, 19, 20, and 39 of the UAP Act, registered at Police Sta...

A severe heatwave continues to grip Kashmir, with night temperatures reaching record highs and daytime temperatures crossing 35°C in multiple districts. Relief, however, may be in sight as the Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall starting Sunday — raising fears of flash floods, landslides, and waterlogging in vulnerable areas. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 24.5°C on Friday night — the fourth-highest ever recorded in the city for July. Only three warmer July nights have been recorded: 25.2°C on July 21, 1988; 24.8°C on July 29, 2024; and 24.6°C on July 28, 2024. In Qazigund, the night temperature rose to 23.4°C — breaking its previous July record of 22.8°C set in 1997. Pahalgam, known for its cool climate, registered 20.0°C — the second-highest for ...