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India willing to cut 100% tariffs; trade deal with New Delhi soon: Trump

Kashmir Leader Desk
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New York, May 17 : India is willing to cut 100 per cent tariffs on American goods, US President Donald Trump claimed once again while saying that a trade deal between New Delhi and Washington is coming soon.

In an interview to Fox News, Trump, however, said that he is not in a “rush” for the proposed trade deal.

Against the backdrop of the US president’s repeated claim of India offering to drop all tariffs on American goods, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in New Delhi on Thursday that “any trade deal has to be mutually beneficial”.

Trump again described India as “one of the highest tariff nations in the world.”

“They make it almost impossible to do business. Do you know that they’re willing to cut 100 per cent of their tariffs for the United States?” Trump said.

When asked if the deal with India is coming soon, Trump said, “that’ll come soon. I’m in no rush. Look, everybody wants to make a deal with us.”

Then he went on to add: “South Korea wants to make a deal but I’m not going to make deals with everybody. I’m just going to set the limit. I’ll make another some deals. Because I can’t, you can’t meet with that many people. I’ve got 150 countries that want to make deals.”

India and the US are holding talks to firm up a trade deal.

On Thursday, Jaishankar said trade talks have been going on between India and the US.

“These are complicated negotiations. Nothing is decided till everything is. Any trade deal has to be mutually beneficial; it has to work for both countries,” he said.

“That would be our expectation from the trade deal.”

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is currently in Washington to assess the progress of negotiations for the proposed trade agreement.

He is expected to hold talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer.

To boost bilateral trade, India is seeking duty concessions for labour-intensive sectors like textiles, gems and jewellery, leather goods, garments, plastics, chemicals, shrimp, oil seeds, chemicals, grapes, and bananas in the proposed pact with America.

On the other hand, the US wants duty concessions in sectors like certain industrial goods, automobiles (electric vehicles in particular), wines, petrochemical products, dairy, agriculture items such as apples, and tree nuts.(PTI)

Terror Case: SIA Conducts Searches At Multiple Locations in Central and North Kashmir

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Srinagar, May 17 : The State Investigation Agency on Saturday (SIA) is conducting raids at multiple locations across Central and North Kashmir.

Official sources told GNS that the searches are in connection with an ongoing crackdown on suspected terror-related activities in the region.

The searches are being conducted at Sopore, Baramulla, Handwara, Ganderbal and Srinagar areas.

Till this report was being filed, no arrests or recovery was being reported so far.More details awaited. (GNS)

Influencer Arrested for Deadly Stunts on Jammu Roads, Booked

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Jammu, May 17 : A popular YouTuber and stunt biker, Jatinder Sharma alias Jannu, was arrested by Traffic Police City Jammu on Friday for performing life-threatening stunts on public roads, endangering lives and promoting dangerous behaviour among youth.

In a statement iasued here to news agency JKNS reads, traffic Police City Jammu apprehended one Jatinder Sharma S/O Sh. Narinder Sharma R/O House No. 466-A, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu on Friday, May 16th 2025. He was notorious for performing dangerous stunts on his KTM 390 DUKE Bike (JK02DG3400) on Sidhra Flyover stretch in particular.

Jatinder alias Jannu, a YouTuber (Channel: Moto vlogger Jannu stunts) with approximately 2 million followers, had been reported by the public in recent past to endanger not only his own life but also the lives of many innocent pedestrians on various highways including Sidhra Byepass, Ring Road, Jammu-Samba Road etc, it reads.

Through his YouTube channel with such a massive following, he was “influencing” youngsters in J&K and elsewhere to indulge in such practices. He stands booked in case FIR No.104/2025 U/S 281/125 BNS at Police Station Nagrota Jammu, it reads.

Statement reads, traffic Police City Jammu, has requested people to sensitize their wards against such life-threatening practices and to make them refrain from such reckless behavior. Anyone found indulging in such activity may be reported at +9194191-47732 (TCU Jammu) or [email protected] (official mail ID of SSP Traffic City Jammu).

Similar action shall continue against such elements in days to come, reads the statement. (JKNS)

Srinagar Airport records uptick in flights, passenger movement

Kashmir Leader Desk
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‘6,844 travelled yesterday; 5,720 travelled today’

Srinagar, May 16: Srinagar International Airport, Kashmir’s only operational airport, is witnessing a gradual but steady revival, with increased flight operations and passenger traffic indicating growing confidence in the valley’s connectivity.

According to data accessed on May 15, the airport handled a total of 44 flights—22 arrivals and 22 departures, carrying approximately 6,844 passengers, including 641 pilgrims heading for Hajj.

The airport’s activity continued to rise on Friday, with reports of 40 flights – 20 arrivals and 20 departures – serving around 5,720 passengers.

A local visitor said, “It feels good to see the airport picking up pace again. Travel has become easier, and it encourages more people to visit Kashmir.”

It is noteworthy that Srinagar Airport had experienced reduced flight operations and cancellations over the past week amid tensions between India and Pakistan. Now, the airport is gradually regaining normalcy—(KNO)

Govt Likely to Resume RTC Bus Services from North, South Kashmir to Srinagar’s City Centre

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Srinagar, May 16 : In a move that could significantly ease commuting woes for passengers from North and South Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir administration is planning to allow State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses to operate up to Jahangir Chowk in Srinagar, officials said.

Reliable sources said that a high-level meeting is expected to take place soon to finalize the modalities of this much-anticipated decision. The proposal comes in response to growing public discontent and recent media reports that flagged the inconvenience caused by blocking SRTC buses at various entry points to the summer capital.

As per the initial phase of the plan being discussed, 15 buses each from the North and South Kashmir divisions may be permitted to run up to Jahangir Chowk, a central hub just short of
the city’s commercial heart, Lal Chowk.

“This step is aimed at facilitating smooth travel for commuters and reducing congestion at the outskirts of Srinagar,” a senior official privy to the development told CNS.

The proposed move is being seen as a positive step toward restoring accessible and affordable transport options for daily commuters, especially students, office-goers, and patients visiting the city.

Further details are expected to emerge after the official meeting, where the final decision and operational blueprint will be discussed. (CNS)

Misappropriation of funds: ACB registers case against Teacher, Contractor, others

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Jammu, May 16 : Jammu and Kashmor Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday said to have registered a case against the then Teacher, Incharge Headmaster of Government Middle School, Jandreli, Zone Chassana, Contractor and others for misappropriation of funds.

A spokesman in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) , said that ACB has registered a case under FIR number 01/2025 in Police Station ACB Udhampur under sections 5(1) (d) r/w 5 (2) of J&K P.C Act, Svt. 2006 and section 120-B RPC against a public servant Sajjad Hussain, then Teacher (Incharge Headmaster) of Govt. Middle School Jandreli, Zone Chassana, District Reasi, Abdul Aziz, Contractor and others and started investigation.

“An enquiry was conducted by ACB against above named Govt. Official after receipt of a report from Director School Education Jammu substantiating therein the allegations of misappropriation of funds and use of substandard material in school building of Middle School Jandreli, Zone Chassana,” the statement reads.

It surfaced during the course of probe that funds to the tune of Rs 11.50 lakhs were released in favour of Sajjad Hussain, then Teacher (Incharge Headmaster) of Govt. Middle School Jandreli, Zone Chassana under SSA scheme for construction of School Building of Middle School Jandreli by then ZEO Chassana during the period 2016-17.

“The construction work was carried out by said Sajjad Hussain through contractor Abdul Aziz without observing codal formalities/norms meant for the purpose, besides withdrawal of funds etc,” the statement added.

During spot visit by the Engineering Wing of ACB, many short comings were observed like cracks between slab and beams, non-execution of electric work, face lifting, cement flooring, and fixing of glass strips, door/window/shutter etc.
“Apart from, non-maintenance of cash book as well as payment made without following the codal procedure etc. are also observed as a result of which a loss to the tune of Rs 1,65,634.86 has been caused to Govt. exchequer,” ACB spokesman said.

By acting in the manner, Sajjad Hussain, teacher (I/C Headmaster), by abuse of his official position and in league with contractor Abdul Aziz and others executed the substandard work of said school building, thereby conferred undue benefit to contractor and others and corresponding gain to himself, he said, adding that further investigation in the case is going on—(KNO)

Five Drug Peddlers, Including Couple, Sentenced to 10 Years Under NDPS in Anantnag

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Court Imposes Rs 1 Lakh Fine on Each Convict for Possessing 5 Kg Charas

Anantnag, May 15 : A special court in Anantnag on Thursday awarded ten years of rigorous imprisonment to five persons, including a married couple, for their involvement in trafficking a commercial quantity of contraband.

Details available with news agency JKNS stated, Principal Sessions Judge Anantnag, Manzoor Ahmad, sentenced Mohammad Rafiq Bhat (son of Mohammad Jamal Bhat), Anayat Ullah Bhat (son of Mohammad Rafiq Bhat), Aijaz Ahmad Bhat (son of Ghulam Hassan Bhat), Mubeena Banoo (wife of Mohammad Rafiq Bhat)—all residents of Soaf Shali Kokernag—and Sajad Ahmad Ganie (son of Gull Mohammad Ganie), a resident of Hangal Gund Kokernag, to ten years of rigorous imprisonment.

The convicts were also directed to pay a fine of Rs 1 lakh each, details stated.

The judgment, pronounced on May 7, 2025, followed the conviction of all five under Sections 8/20(c) read with Section 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) in FIR No. 63/2022 registered at Police Station Kokernag.

The case pertains to the illegal possession and trafficking of five kilograms of Charas, a commercial quantity under the NDPS Act. The court found the accused guilty of jointly operating in narcotic trade and held them accountable for their involvement in organized drug peddling.

The sentencing marks one of the significant rulings in Anantnag this year as courts continue to crack down on drug-related offences. (JKNS)

Tral Encounter: 3 bodies lying near encounter site, says IG Kashmir

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Says all-out effort launched to decimate terror ecosystem in J&K to keep things in control

Srinagar, May 15 : Three bodies are lying near the site of encounter that broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Tral area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district today morning, police said.

Speaking with reporters, IGP Kashmir V K Birdi, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that today morning security forces got specific inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area and accordingly cordon was laid.

“During the cordon, encounter ensued between holed up terrorists and security forces. So far three bodies have been observed near the debris. Operation is still going on, it will take sometime to sanitise the area,” he said.

He added that identities and affiliations will only be divulged once bodies are recovered. “This is an all-out effort to decimate the terror ecosystem which is operating. It is the swift resolve of the security forces to neutralise them so that things are kept under control,” he said—(KNO)

Land Record Portals Crash, Paralyse Revenue Services Across J&K

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Srinagar, May 15 : A major digital breakdown has paralyzed land-related public services across Jammu and Kashmir, as the Jammu and Kashmir Land Records Information System (JKLRIS) and its companion platform, Revenue Plus, have remained non-functional for several consecutive days.

The malfunction of these key e-governance platforms, vital for land record access, verification, and mutation processes, has severely disrupted revenue operations in tehsil offices, leaving citizens in distress.

From Baramulla to Poonch, people have been queueing up at revenue offices, only to be turned away due to non-responsive servers. “I have made four visits in as many days to get a copy of my mutation certificate. All I hear is ‘server is down’,” lamented Bashir Ahmad, a farmer from North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

Officials privately admitted that the problem is not just technical. A senior revenue officer, requesting anonymity, revealed that many of the issues stem from deep-seated infrastructural challenges, especially in border districts still grappling with the aftermath of the latest Indo-Pak hostilities. “Connectivity and server infrastructure in many areas are outdated and vulnerable, largely due to the region’s prolonged instability and lack of upgrades,” the official said.

In response to mounting public pressure, the Revenue Department issued a terse statement attributing the failure to “technical maintenance and necessary system upgrades,” and assured that teams were working with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to restore services soon.

However, digital governance experts are not convinced. “This repeated collapse of land record services reflects systemic flaws. J&K’s digital infrastructure lacks redundancy, proper data backups, and conflict-resilient design. Depending solely on centralised systems without disaster planning is a serious governance gap,” said an IT expert from Jammu.

An official said that the restoration efforts are ongoing and services are expected to resume shortly. (CNS)

Body Found in Ranbiara River, Police Begin Probe

Kashmir Leader Desk
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Shopian, May 15 : An unidentified body was recovered from the Ranbiara river in the Bohrihalan area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Thursday morning, triggering a police investigation into the mysterious death.

According to officials, local residents were the first to spot the body floating in the river. They immediately alerted the nearby police unit, which reached the location and retrieved the corpse.

Authorities said the body has been taken to a nearby hospital where legal formalities, including a postmortem examination, are being conducted. Efforts are also underway to establish the identity of the deceased.

“We are investigating the case and all angles are being looked into. So far, the body remains unidentified,” an official stated.

Police have urged the public to come forward with any information that could help in identifying the individual. (CNS)

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