Kashmir Valley

Jammu police to set up additional security checkpoints for Amarnath yatra

Ahead of the Amarnath Yatra, police have been asked to identify locations to set up more checkpoints in the border districts of Jammu, Samba, and Kathua for the security of pilgrims. The 38-day-long yatra is scheduled to start on July 3 from the twin routes the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district to the 3,880-metre-high shrine of Amarnath. The first batch of pilgrims will leave for Kashmir from Bhagwati Nagar a day before the start of the yatra. "All the officers were directed to strengthen all the nakas (checking points), especially during night hours. They were also directed to identify places where more nakas can be established for the security of the yatris," a police spokesperson said. This was conveyed to the police officers by Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Jammu-Samba-Kathua range, Shiv Kumar Sharma, during a security audit of various police and paramilitary deployments in and around t

Jammu and Kashmir: Schedule released for Vande Bharat trains; Check details

The Railway Ministry has released the schedule for the newly launched Vande Bharat Express trains between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar. Check timings here

Pakistan attacked 'insaniyat', Kashmiriyat in Pahalgam: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused Pakistan of attacking 'insaniyat' and Kashmiriyat by targeting tourists in Pahalgam, saying the intent was to trigger communal clashes in India and rob Kashmiri people dependent on tourism of their livelihoods. The prime minister was speaking after flagging off the first train service to the Kashmir Valley, and inaugurating several development projects, including the world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab river and India's first cable-stayed Anji bridge. He said tourism provided employment and acts as a connecting link between people, but unfortunately, the neighbouring country is an enemy of humanity, harmony and tourism. "Not only that, Pakistan is also the enemy of the poor's bread and butter. What happened on April 22 in Pahalgam is an example of that. Pakistan attacked 'insaniyat' and Kashmiriyat in Pahalgam. "The intent of Pakistan was to trigger communal riots in India. It wanted to strip people of Kashmir of their ...

PM Modi to inaugurate Chenab bridge, flag off Vande Bharat trains in J-K

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Friday inaugurate the Chenab bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, and flag off Vande Bharat trains between Katra and Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. A PMO statement said Modi will launch multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra, the home to the Mata Vaishno Devi temple. Lauding the Chenab bridge as an architectural marvel, the statement noted that it is at a height of 359 metres above the river. It is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge engineered to withstand seismic and wind conditions. "A key impact of the bridge will be in enhancing connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. Through Vande Bharat train moving on the bridge, it will take just about 3 hours to travel between Katra and Srinagar, reducing existing travel time by 2-3 hours," it said, stressing Modi's commitment to boosting infra and connectivity in the region. The Anji Bridge is India's first cable-stayed rail bridge that will serve the nation in

SIA raids house linked to terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch

One jawan lost his life in the line of duty during the ongoing operation, as per Army officials.

J-K DGP visits Kishtwar encounter site, reviews anti-terror operation

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Thursday visited Kishtwar district to review the ongoing anti-terror operation, and assess the ground situation and operational strategy. He visited the Singhpora- Chatroo area, where a major anti-terror operation is underway, police spokesperson said. One soldier was killed during an exchange of fire, while four terrorists are believed to be still holed up in the area. The DGP was accompanied by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu Zone Bhim Sen Tuti and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Shridhar Patil. During the visit held detailed discussions with senior officers from the police, Army and paramilitary forces leading the operation in the dense forested terrain, she said. The joint operation is being carried out by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), following a brief exchange of fire earlier in the day. A massive combing operat

Reservation rules: No deadline set for review panel yet, says J&K govt

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday informed the legislative assembly that no specific timeline has been fixed for the three-member cabinet sub-committee, which was formed last year to look into grievances against the present reservation policy in the Union Territory. The information was given by Sakeena Itoo, the minister in-charge social welfare, in a written reply to a starred question by Peoples Conference legislator Sajad Gani Lone in the House. The cabinet sub-committee headed by Itoo with ministers Satish Sharma and Javed Rana as its members was constituted in December last year and is going to submit its report to the council of ministers headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Reservation has become a major issue in Jammu and Kashmir following the Central government's decision to add more communities to the reserved category and expand quotas in the UT over the past five years. There are increasing objections to the Centre's move to push the reservation quota to 70

Mystery deaths in J&K's Rajouri: Badhal village declared containment zone

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Badhal village on Tuesday, assuring residents that an investigation is underway. The government, alongside a Centre team, is working to find answers

Kashmir's saffron farmers experiment indoor cultivation amid climate change

Experts say rising temperatures and erratic rainfall pose a risk to saffron production, which has dropped from 8 metric tons in the financial year 2010-11 to 2.6 metric tons in 2023-24

Gulmarg has become winter sports capital of India: PM Modi at Sonamarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said Jammu and Kashmir's skiing resort Gulmarg, which is preparing to host the fifth edition of Khelo India Winter Games, has become the winter sports capital of the country. Modi was addressing a public meeting after inaugurating a strategic 6.4-km tunnel here constructed at a cost of Rs 2,700 crore, which will make tourist resort Sonamarg accessible throughout the year. "Gulmarg has become the winter games capital of India, having hosted four Khelo India Winter Games, with the fifth edition starting next month," the prime minister said after inaugurating the Z-Morh tunnel in Ganderbal district. Highlighting opportunities in sports for youth in Jammu and Kashmir, the prime minister mentioned the first international marathon held in Srinagar a few months ago. Modi also recalled the video of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah participating in the marathon and their enthusiastic discussion about it during a meeting in Delhi. Asserting that it was

PM to inaugurate Z-Morh tunnel on Jan 13, security beefed up in Kashmir

The security forces on Sunday intensified sanitization efforts and area domination exercise in Kashmir, a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the valley for inauguration of the strategically important Z-Morh tunnel in Ganderbal district, officials said. The deployment of security personnel has been increased in the vulnerable areas and dozens of checkpoints have been set up at important intersections in various districts to ensure that anti-national elements are not able to move around freely, they said. The officials said that random checking and frisking of people and vehicles, including two-wheelers, has been intensified while patrolling is also taking place. "Security has been tightened near the Z-Morh tunnel. Multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place and the PM's security team, comprising the SPG personnel, has taken over the venue," they said. The prime minister is likely to address a public rally after the inauguration of the tunnel at ...

India's dream of a direct rail link to Kashmir moves closer to reality

The project of connecting Kashmir by rail has been in the making for over two decades

Kashmir's Gulmarg, Pahalgam face sub-zero temp amid slight dip in cold

Gulmarg and Pahalgam in Kashmir continued to experience severe subzero temperatures while the rest of the valley saw slight relief from the cold wave, officials said on Sunday. Gulmarg, a tourist resort town known for skiing activities in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 8.0 degree Celsius, the Meteorological department said. The base camp for annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir, Pahalgam, registered a minimum of minus 8.5 degree Celsius, the department said. In Srinagar the mercury dipped to minus 0.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday night -- two degrees above the normal temperature for this time of the year, it added. Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, logged a minimum temperature of minus 0.4 degree Celsius, while Konibal in Parampore recorded a low of minus 1.0 degree Celsius, the weather office said. Kupwara in north Kashmir registered minus 1.0 degrees Celsius while in south Kashmir, Kokernag recorded 1.8 degrees Celsius, the office said. Kashmir is currently under

Pak terrorists continue using US weapons in J&K. How is Army responding?

American M4 assault rifles and night-vision sights, left behind after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, continue being recovered from slain Pakistan-backed terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir

First Muslim IAS officer from Kashmir Mohd Shafi Pandit passes away

Mohammad Shafi Pandit, the first Muslim IAS officer from Kashmir, passed away on Thursday. He was 80. Pandit was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Delhi after he was detected with cancer about a month ago, his family said. Pandit was the first Muslim from Kashmir to qualify the civil services examinations in 1969. His final assignment with the government was as the head of autonomous Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission. In the bureaucratic circles, Pandit was widely viewed as a chief secretary that Jammu and Kashmir never had. The soft-spoken Pandit was part of many civil society and philanthropic initiatives in Kashmir. He also played a key role in rolling out of the Mandal Commission report as he was the joint secretary in the Government of India in 1992. Pandit's body will be flown to Srinagar later in the day. "If possible, he will be laid to rest today," his family said. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh condoled the death of the IAS officer. "My good friend of ma

Will dialogue with Pakistan end terrorism in valley: J&K BJP Prez asks NC

Slamming National Conference for advocating dialogue with Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina on Sunday asked it to clarify whether initiating dialogue with the neighbouring country will end terrorism and bloodshed in the Union Territory. He also played down the protests and resignations by his party leaders and workers over the selection of candidates, saying he is confident the BJP will form the government on its own. The assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir is scheduled to take place on September 18, 25, and October 1. Votes will be counted on October 8. "Unfortunately, the NC leaders do not talk about the welfare of the people, the Pakistani gun which brought death and destruction to our land. By advocating for dialogue with Pakistan, they are not doing the right thing," Raina said. He said starting a dialogue with Pakistan is the prerogative only of the central government and the foreign minister. "NC leaders should know that our former PM A B Vajpayee

Writings on the Valley wall - 2

This is the second set of excerpts from Shekhar Gupta's "Writing On The Wall" from the poll-bound Kashmir Valley

PM Modi to inaugurate world's highest railway bridge in Jammu today

PM Modi in Jammu: Modi will also flag off the first Electric Train in the valley and also a train service between Sangaldan station and Baramulla station

Rise in tourist footfall in Kashmir shows improved security: Minister

Nearly two crore tourist footfall in Kashmir this year speak for the improved security situation in the Valley, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Saturday and asserted that security agencies are taking necessary measures to counter terrorist activities. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Kathua district, he said it was not right to say that the security situation was deteriorating. About the ambush by terrorists who targeted two Army vehicles, killing five soldiers and injuring two, in Poonch district on Thursday, Singh said, "We cannot ignore these types of incidents and the agencies concerned are taking necessary measures to counter these." "About two crore tourists visited Kashmir this year... the number speaks for itself about the improved security situation in the Valley. The tourists visit any place only after making sure that it is safe for them and their families," the minister said. On the Supreme Court verdict on December 11 upholding the abrogatio

PDP, Congress protest against 'worsening' power crisis in Kashmir

People's Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and workers on Thursday staged a protest outside the party office here against the electricity crisis in Kashmir, officials said here. The PDP workers, led by Asiea Naqash, Abdul Qayoom Bhat and Arif Laigroo tried to march from the PDP office near Sher-e-Kashmir Park here towards Lal Chowk to protest against the electricity shortage in the valley at the beginning of the long winter period. However, a posse of policemen prevented the protestors, holding placards and posters demanding an end to power cuts, from marching beyond the adjacent General Post Office (GPO). To wake the administration from a deep slumber, the PDP workers and leaders from Srinagar staged a protest today. Kashmir has plunged into darkness due to the worsening power crisis, PDP spokesperson Mohit Bhan said. The residents are enduring endless hardships, and the J-K administration's incompetence is glaring. Basic necessities have been compromised and yet the ones in charge s