In a significant boost to public transport and sustainable mobility in the Union Territory of Ladakh, 33 electric buses have been sanctioned by the Government of India (GoI) under the PM-eBus Sewa scheme. The fleet will include 7-metre electric buses, specifically suited to Ladakh’s difficult terrain and road conditions. The initiative is expected to play a key role in transforming public transport in Ladakh by promoting clean energy, reducing pollution, and enhancing the overall travel experience. The delivery of e-buses is expected in a month, officials informed. Lieutenant Governor Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena thanked the Centre for fulfilling this long-pending…
Author: KO Web Desk
Kashmir’s wetlands have become a paradise for migratory birds this season, attracting over 15 lakh feathered visitors, with the Ramsar-designated Hygam wetland in Sopore hosting the lion’s share of more than 4 lakh birds. Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir, Tawheed Ahmed Deva, said the Hygam wetland in Sopore accounted for the highest share, with over four lakh birds recorded during the annual census. He said Hygam, a designated Ramsar site spread over 7.62 square kilometres, remains fully demarcated and free from encroachment. “The entire wetland area is intact. There is no encroachment, and the water level is being maintained,” he said.…
Amid discussions over women reservation in politics, official data shows that the number of female candidates elected to the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly has remained abysmally low. According to data accessed, since 1967, when the Election Commission of India first conducted state election in Jammu and Kashmir, only a few female candidates have managed to win Assembly elections. As per records, only one female contested the 1967 election, but she lost. The data shows that four women were elected in 1972-the highest-ever number of female winners in a J&K Assembly election so far. The four winners were Zainab Begum (Amira…
Tensions remained high on Monday, with conflicting signals from Tehran over whether a second round of direct US-Iran negotiations would proceed, even as Pakistan prepared to host the two sides. US President Donald Trump told The New York Post that Vice President JD Vance and an American delegation were en route to Pakistan, expected to land within hours for peace talks with Iran. Trump expressed willingness to meet with senior Iranian leaders if progress is made. “We’re supposed to have the talks,” he said, dismissing concerns of a breakdown. “I would assume at this point nobody’s playing games.” He added…
At least fifteen persons were killed and several others injured after a passenger bus met with an accident near Jalo area on the Ramnagar–Udhampur route on Monday. A senior police official said that the bus was on its way from Ramnagar to Udhampur when it met with the accident under unclear circumstances. “Fifteen people have lost their lives, several are injured, and rescue teams are on the spot,” a senior police officer said. Further details regarding the cause of the accident are awaited. Police and local administration teams have launched a rescue operation at the site and are evacuating the…
In anticipation of the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, authorities have heightened security at tourist locations throughout Kashmir. The attack, carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists on April 22 of the previous year, resulted in the deaths of 26 innocent civilians. Security agencies have been instructed to stay vigilant against any potential disruptive activities leading up to the anniversary, particularly near popular tourist destinations. Ground-level planning sessions to create a comprehensive security strategy have taken place, with senior officers recently assessing these measures. On April 22, 2025, a horrific terrorist assault occurred at the scenic Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam,…
Peoples Democratic Party MLA Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra on Sunday appealed to the government and judiciary to consider the bail application of MP Engineer Rashid, whose father is reportedly battling for life on ventilator support. Parra in a post on X said he has witnessed the pain of many undertrials and their families and urged authorities to show compassion in the present case. He said no father should die with the pain of seeing his children suffer for political reasons, adding that Er Rashid, despite being an elected representative, continues to remain in Tihar jail while also being a Member of…
A special court in Jammu Saturday remanded separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah to 10 days of NIA custody in connection with a terror case dating back to 1996. Shah, who was arrested by the NIA’s Srinagar branch on Friday, was produced before the Patiala House Court in Delhi, which granted a three-day transit remand. He was then taken to Jammu, where the NIA requested custodial interrogation. The case involves a 1996 terrorist attack on police personnel during a funeral procession for a terrorist. Shah, 72, had recently been released on bail after nearly seven years in prison in other cases—bail…
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has ordered the seizure of 58 additional schools believed to be connected to the outlawed Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and its affiliated Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT). The directive was issued by the Secretary of the School Education Department, following a notification from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs that declared JeI Jammu and Kashmir an unlawful organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. Earlier, in August 2025, the government had already taken control of the managing committees of 215 schools linked to the group, a move that drew sharp criticism from opposition parties in the region.…
Transporters across Kashmir Division have called for a complete chakka jam on Monday in protest against the proposed expansion of Smart City bus services to various districts, raising concerns over its impact on the local transport sector.Government policy reports Transporters representative Shabir Matta expressed strong resentment over the move, stating it could jeopardize the livelihood of thousands of families dependent on private transport. They said that private operators are already grappling with multiple challenges, and the extension of Smart City buses to district routes has further deepened uncertainty within the sector. The transport body urged the administration to review the…