Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that a cabinet berth in the Union Territory government continues to remain reserved for the Congress party, adding that the government is ready to induct its ally whenever it chooses to join the administration. His remarks indicate that the National Conference-led government has kept one ministerial position vacant for Congress while both parties await the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. In an interview with a Jammu-based media outlet, Omar Abdullah said the Congress has so far not sought representation in the cabinet, despite being entitled to a berth under…
Author: KO Web Desk
A man died while his wife sustained critical injuries after a huge tree fell on them amid strong winds near the Ganjiwara area of Anantnag town on Tuesday, officials said. An official said that a large tree was uprooted by strong winds near Ganjiwara, leading to the disruption of traffic movement on the Lal Chowk–GMC Anantnag road. He said police and other agencies promptly launched clearance operations, restoring traffic on one side of the road, while efforts were underway to fully reopen the route. The official said two civilians, identified as Mohammad Rafiq Kujwal and his wife, Marina, residents of…
Senior National Conference leader and Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakina Itoo, launched a blistering critique of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, accusing her of putting political ambition ahead of public welfare and blaming her for key events that led to the loss of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and statehood. Responding to media queries about Mehbooba Mufti’s recent outreach efforts, Itoo argued that the PDP chief’s political choices were largely responsible for the current crises in the region, including the revocation of Articles 370 and 35A, the reduction of the former state to a Union Territory, and the subsequent…
Several Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) leaders and workers were detained by Jammu and Kashmir Police in Handwara on Monday while they were on their way to meet and bid farewell to party patron and Baramulla MP Er. Rashid, who is scheduled to return to Delhi’s Tihar Jail today, as per party spokesperson. Those detained include party’s senior leaders Firdous Baba, Advocate Dawood, Advocate Majid, DDC Khursheed, and Musadiq Rehman. According to party spokesperson, they were among dozens of AIP workers intending to meet Engineer Rashid before his departure from his native village Lach Mawer in Handwara for Tihar jail as…
Srinagar International Airport will remain closed for flight operations every Monday and Tuesday from July to September this year to facilitate major runway repair and resurfacing works, officials said on Monday. Airport Director Javed Anjum confirmed that passenger flight operations will be suspended twice a week from July 1, following formal communication regarding the scheduled maintenance programme. He said, “Due to runway repair works, passenger flight operations will remain suspended every Monday and Tuesday during July, August and September.” The revised closure plan replaces an earlier proposal that had suggested suspending operations on Saturdays and Sundays between August 1 and…
The U.S. said it struck Iranian military sites over the weekend, and Iran reported Monday that it targeted an American base in response, marking the latest exchange in a series of attacks as negotiations continue to end the 3-month-old war. Since a planned cease-fire took effect in early April, the U.S. and Iran have sporadically exchanged strikes while diplomacy for a more durable agreement drags on. A similar exchange occurred last Thursday and was described in nearly identical terms by both sides. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Monday it targeted an airbase used by the U.S. for an attack…
The price of commercial LPG cylinders used by hotels and restaurants was increased by Rs 42 on Monday, while the rates of domestic cooking gas remained unchanged, according to industry sources. Following the revision, the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder in Delhi has risen to Rs 3,113.50 from Rs 3,071.50. However, there has been no change in the price of the 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder used in household kitchens, which continues to retail at Rs 913.
A 22-year-old man from Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PAK) was apprehended after crossing the Line of Control in the Uri sector of north Kashmir, and investigators say a social media relationship may have prompted his risky journey. The man, identified as Zeeshan Mir of Muzaffarabad, was intercepted by army personnel after entering Indian territory, officials said. Security agencies are investigating the circumstances and verifying his account. Officials said Mir had faced personal and financial pressures at home, including family demands to earn a living and contribute to household expenses. Investigators described Mir as “deeply distressed” during questioning and said he had been…
Governance is expected to be the key agenda of a high-level meeting to be chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his Gupkar residence on June 3, sources revealed. Sources disclosed that apart from NC MLAs, the Chief Minister has also invited all independent MLAs supporting the ruling party. They confirmed that four independents—Akram Choudhary (MLA Surankote), Dr. Rameshwar Singh (MLA Bani), Muzaffar Iqbal Khan (MLA Thanamandi), and Pyare Lal Sharma (MLA Inderwal)-have also been invited. According to sources, the functioning of ministers is also likely to be discussed in the meeting. As reported earlier, the CM’s invitation letter to…
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that during Operation Sindoor, the Indian Navy had confined the entire Pakistan Navy to its ports. “Our Navy was deployed in the Arabian Sea with full preparedness and strength, maintaining constant pressure on the adversary. As a result, Pakistan’s entire Navy remained confined to its ports.” Speaking on the occasion, Raksha Mantri described the Nausena Shaurya Vatika as not only a tourist attraction, but also a symbol of inspiration that would remind future generations of the true cost of freedom and security. He added that the park would serve as a constant reminder…