Amid its frosty relations with National Conference, Congress legislators on Thursday evening attended a dinner hosted by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary. Sources said, that Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra, along with three MLAs of the party, attended the dinner hosted by Choudhary at his official Fairview residence here. The most surprising guest at the dinner was MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed, who is part of the Kashmir-based opposition. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah, and legislators of the NC also attended the dinner.
Author: KNO
Member of Parliament (MP) and senior National Conference (NC) leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the functioning of the present dispensation, saying he cannot “commit the mistake” of campaigning for those who have “deceived the people”. Speaking to reporters in the Bijbehara area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Ruhullah, expressed serious reservations over the performance of the current government while maintaining that his views remain in line with the broader ideology and commitments of the National Conference. “I cannot commit a mistake by campaigning for those who deceived the people,” Mehdi said while responding…
National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah will chair a crucial meeting of party leaders at the party headquarters, Nawai Subah, here on Thursday, sources disclosed. Sources said that the NC president will chair the meeting tomorrow to discuss key issues. “The provincial working committee meeting of the party will be attended by the Chief Minister, ministers, all MLAs from Kashmir, and senior leaders,” they said. The meeting gains significance as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday hinted at a strong political message he plans to deliver after Eid. Speaking at a function in Tangmarg, the CM said that he wants to…
Tourists visiting Kashmir have expressed a sense of pride and confidence on the anniversary of ‘Operation Sindoor,’ saying they will continue to travel to the Valley despite past incidents and tensions. At several tourist spots across Srinagar and nearby destinations, visitors said the events of last year have not deterred them. Instead, they said, the response by security forces has strengthened their resolve to visit Kashmir. “We feel proud of how the situation was handled. We have come here without fear,” said Rohan Mehta, a tourist from Delhi. “Kashmir is safe, and we will keep coming.” Pertinently, ‘Operation Sindoor’ was…
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday dismissed speculation about defections from the National Conference, asserting that no party MLA would switch sides to support the BJP. Speaking to reporters in Tangmarg, CM Omar, termed the reports baseless and said such claims had no substance. Responding to questions on allegations involving the Peoples Democratic Party, the Chief Minister said they earlier helped the BJP during Rajya Sabha elections and it had already been established through information obtained under the Right to Information Act. Omar also said his government functions independently and does not take instructions from any other organisation, asserting that…
A teenage student from North Kashmir’s Rafiabad in Baramulla district has emerged as a major social media sensation after his singing reel crossed 42.7 million views within nine days, drawing attention from established artists and digital influencers. Rasik Ahmad Meer,15, from Hatchepora village, shot to fame after uploading a cover of a Bollywood track that rapidly went viral on Instagram. The video, recorded on a smartphone without professional setup, has now placed the young singer in the spotlight. The reel caught the attention of Punjabi singer Jasmine Sandlas, who reacted to the performance online. It also drew engagement from digital…
With the cherry harvest season around the corner, fruit growers across Kashmir are looking forward to a significant shift in how their produce reaches markets outside the Valley. Improved railway logistics and expanded parcel services are expected to enable the transportation of an estimated 10,000 metric tonnes of cherries this year—marking a notable rise compared to previous seasons. Officials associated with the horticulture and railway sectors said that the enhanced availability of parcel trains, along with plans to introduce air-conditioned cargo facilities, could streamline the supply chain for one of Kashmir’s most delicate and high-value fruits. The initiative is aimed…
The World Bank-aided Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) in Jammu & Kashmir has come under scrutiny, with the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) flagging “unfruitful expenditure,” idle infrastructure worth crores, and violations of contractual provisions in its report for the period ending March 2023. The audit, accessed noted that several key assets—including flood rescue boats, oxygen generator plants and search and rescue kits—have remained unused for years, raising concerns over preparedness in a disaster-prone Union Territory still vulnerable to floods like the 2014 deluge. It further pointed to procurement irregularities, stating that the Project Management Unit (PMU) in August…
The Meteorological Department (MeT) on Saturday said that Jammu and Kashmir will witness erratic weather conditions over the next few days, with rain, thunderstorms, hailstorms and strong gusty winds likely in several areas. MeT Director Mukhtar Ahmad said that the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy on Sunday and Monday, with intermittent rain, strong winds and the possibility of hailstorms at some places. Similar conditions are likely on May 5, while improvement is expected between May 6 and 9. From May 10 onwards, the weather is expected to remain largely dry, with brief spells of light rain at isolated…
Jammu and Kashmir has recorded its highest-ever annual investment of Rs 5,824.42 crore in the financial year 2025–26, marking a major milestone in the Union Territory’s industrial growth and ongoing economic transformation. According to official data accessed, the investment is over 13 times the average annual inflow recorded between 2014 and 2021, reflecting a sustained surge in industrial activity across the UT. The data shows that the upward trend has remained consistent over recent years, with investments rising from Rs 2,153 crore in FY 2022–23 to Rs 3,389 crore in FY 2023–24 and Rs 4,145 crore in FY 2024–25, culminating…