Two militants were killed in an ongoing counter-terrorism operation launched by security forces in the Majalta area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district, officials said on Thursday. The encounter, which erupted after security personnel established contact with suspected militants hiding in the region, has led to the recovery of arms and ammunition, while extensive search operations continue to ensure no other militants remain in the area. According to officials, the operation was initiated late on Wednesday evening after gunshots were reported from the Majalta area. “Acting on specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of terrorists, joint teams of the Jammu…
Author: KO Web Desk
Dal Lake recorded only eight fish species during a six-month survey, with researchers flagging a significant decline in fish diversity and calling for urgent conservation measures. The study, published in the July 2026 issue of the Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), accessed, examined the fish diversity and conservation status of the iconic Kashmir lake. Researchers from Government Degree College Bemina and Government Degree College Uttersoo collected fish samples from three locations – Hazratbal, Nehru Park and Nishat – every fortnight between January and June 2025, with the help of local fishermen. Only eight species were recorded during…
Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday declared the Pakistan-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a terrorist organisation under UAPA, citing its alleged involvement in cross-border smuggling, radicalisation and terrorist activities. Home Minister Amit Shah announced the decision in a post on X, saying the move was in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “zero tolerance” policy towards terrorism. According to HM, the network is involved in smuggling arms, explosives and narcotics across India’s borders and in recruiting or influencing young people and petty criminals to participate in terrorist activities. He also accused the syndicate of targeting India’s democratic institutions and…
Saudi Arabia has said that a drone launched by the Houthis towards Mecca has been intercepted and destroyed, in an escalation that could threaten the holy city. The Saudi-led coalition spokesperson, Turki al-Maliki, said Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces intercepted the hostile drone before it entered the restricted airspace on Tuesday evening. Al-Maliki condemned the incident as an attempt to frighten worshippers and harm civilians, warning that the security of the two holy mosques and pilgrims is a “red line”. An official from the Houthis rejected the allegation on Wednesday. “The claims about targeting Mecca are a worn-out lie that…
Srinagar MP Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi said an alliance or understanding with the Congress would be “natural” as he seeks the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional rights, while confirming that he will resign from the National Conference on Nov. 3 following differences with the party leadership. “Whatever Congress is doing recently is very encouraging,” Mehdi said in an interview with Frontline. He added that his political outreach to Congress had continued for the past two years. Mehdi stopped short of saying he would join the Congress, saying he had not reached a conclusion on the matter. But he said…
Mecca was issued an emergency alert on Tuesday warning of a “potential danger,” the first such alert in the holy city since Yemen’s Houthi rebels allegedly began attacking Saudi Arabia in recent days. The alert was issued by the National Early Warning Platform for Emergencies, according to the Saudi Civil Defense, which did not specify what the danger was. Residents were urged to stay away from crowded and open areas and to seek shelter indoors immediately. The Civil Defense later said the danger had passed, but called on residents to continue avoiding gatherings and to refrain from filming or taking…
HDFC Bank has refunded around Rs 4.50 crore to 13 depositors affected by alleged financial irregularities at its Shopian branch, following an investigation by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K. According to the EOW, the refunds were made following a swift and time-bound investigation into the alleged fraud, providing relief to the affected depositors. The case pertains to FIR No. 30/2025, registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act following a complaint regarding financial irregularities at the bank’s Shopian branch. The investigation was subsequently transferred to Crime Branch J&K…
British screenwriter and producer Jemima Goldsmith has married Irish-Australian financier Cameron O’Reilly in a private ceremony, according to a confirmation from Goldsmith’s sister-in-law. Goldsmith, 52, who was previously married to former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, and O’Reilly, 62, became engaged in May after dating for more than a year. The couple reportedly met through their work in film and documentary production. Jemima Jones, who is married to Goldsmith’s brother Ben Goldsmith, confirmed the wedding in an Instagram post on Sept. 13. She shared a photograph of herself and Ben from the celebration and described it as a happy day,…
Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma visited south Kashmir on Saturday to review counter-terrorism operations and assess the security situation and operational preparedness in the region, the army said. During the visit, Sharma reviewed the counter-terrorism grid and stressed the need for sustained vigilance, operational adaptability and precision in dealing with emerging security challenges, according to the army. He also emphasised greater coordination among security forces to strengthen intelligence-led operations and enable a rapid response to potential threats. Sharma interacted with troops during the visit and commended them for their commitment to countering terrorism and maintaining peace and stability…
BRICS nations on Saturday unanimously adopted a joint declaration expressing “deep concern” over the escalating conflict in the Middle East and called for maximum restraint, while stressing the need for a multilateral approach that takes into account the perspectives of individual countries. The New Delhi Declaration, approved on the opening day of the BRICS leaders’ annual summit, comes amid renewed exchanges of strikes between the United States and Iran following a relative lull in hostilities during much of August. With Iran among the BRICS members and the United Arab Emirates maintaining close ties with Washington, reaching consensus on a joint…