JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Two soldiers killed in Kishtwar; Fresh encounter erupts in Baramulla

SRINAGAR: An intense gunfight broke out late Friday night between security forces and terrorists in the Chak Tapper Kreeri Pattan area of Baramulla district in North Kashmir.   According to officials, a coordinated search operation is underway in the region as security forces engage the terrorists.   “Encounter has started at Chak Tapper Kreeri Pattan […]

Kashmiri Pandits and Assembly Elections

In a country where democracy has been reduced to the level of a vote bank, it is no surprise if the national or regional elections have become an anathema to the Kashmiri Pandit community. In the first place, they are numerically almost immaterial in a State where, after suffering unceasing persecution for more than six […]

J&K Polls will reflect public anger over August 2019 decisions: Dr Bashir Veeri

SRINAGAR: The Bijbehara constituency in South Kashmir is bracing for an intense political face-off in the upcoming Jammu & Kashmir elections. Once dominated by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the seat is now poised for a fierce battle between National Conference’s (NC) Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri and PDP’s Iltija Mufti.   Iltija Mufti, 36, daughter […]

2024 Jammu & Kashmir elections is final referendum

The unsaid and unacknowledged aspect of the 2024 assembly elections in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir is that, after 35 years, New Delhi has granted a general amnesty to the entire political class of Kashmir. From Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti to Jamat-e-Islami and Hurriyat, all soft-separatists and hardliners have now been pardoned […]

Bukhari’s Apni Party battles to stay relevant in J&K Assembly after LS defeat

SRINAGAR: Altaf Bukhari, a businessman heading FIL Industries, a conglomerate involved in agrochemicals, agriculture, and beverage production, officially entered the political arena in the months leading up to the 2014 state elections. He aligned with the PDP, contesting from the Amirakadal constituency, where he secured victory over Nasir Aslam Wani, the Regional Head of the […]

INDIA Bloc will restore statehood in J&K: Rahul Gandhi

SRINAGAR: Reaffirming the need to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi argued that the current status of J&K as a Union Territory does not align with the principles of democracy.   “Either the BJP will reinstate statehood for J&K, or the INDIA alliance will do so as […]

Soldier killed in terrorist attack on Jammu military base

SRINAGAR: A soldier lost his life after terrorists launched an attack on a military base in Jammu’s Sunjwan on Monday morning.   The incident occurred around 11:00 AM, with gunfire directed at the Guard Post, operated by the 36 Infantry Brigade. In response, army personnel initiated a search operation and utilized drones to bolster their […]

EC orders top police transfers in J&K ahead of polls

SRINAGAR: In a preparatory administrative overhaul before the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission has ordered the transfers of the Senior Superintendents of Police for Baramulla and Kupwara districts, along with the Superintendent of Police for Handwara.   Additionally, the Commission has instructed the administration to submit a list of IPS […]

Barkati’s nomination rejected for skipping Constitutional oath

SRINAGAR: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has disqualified the candidacy of Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, a controversial cleric, from contesting in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district. The disqualification followed his failure to fulfil the constitutional oath requirements, as mandated under Section 16 of the J&K Reorganization Act 2019.     According to official sources, Wagay’s […]

NC announces candidates for J&K’s Assembly Elections

SRINAGAR: Following the conclusion of its alliance deal with the Congress, the National Conference (NC) unveiled its initial roster of 18 contenders for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, set to take place in three stages. As approved by Party President Dr Farooq Abdullah the following persons are nominated as contesting candidates from […]