Budgam, Dec 23, KDC: Acting on an application filed by Budgam Police, the Special NIA Court at Budgam has ordered the attachment of immovable property belonging to absconding accused Ghulam Nabi Shah alias “Dr. Fai” a US-based Kashmiri separatist, in connection with FIR No. 46/2020 registered at Police Station Budgam under Sections 10, 13 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The attachment order was passed under Section 83 of the Criminal Procedure Code (corresponding to Section 85 of Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita 2023) as the accused had already been declared a proclaimed offender by the competent court.

In compliance with the court directions, land measuring one kanal and two marlas under Survey No. 466 situated at village Wadwan and land measuring 11 marlas under Survey No. 343 located at village Chattabugh, District Budgam, has been ordered to be attached. The District Collector, Budgam, has been instructed to take possession of the said properties.

Investigations have revealed the involvement of the accused in separatist activities, including the dissemination of propaganda aimed at undermining the sovereignty and integrity of the nation. In view of these serious allegations, Budgam Police has initiated strict legal action in accordance with the law

Budgam Police remains committed to taking firm and lawful action against all persons found involved in propagating or promoting ideas of separatism that are prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of the nation. The legal action is message of Police to all separatists who are acting from foreign land that strict action will be taken against them under the law of the land. (KDC)

Srinagar, Dec 23, KNT: The Higher Education Department of Jammu and Kashmir has announced winter vacations for all government degree colleges across the Union Territory.

As per Government Order No. 497-JK(HE) of 2025 dated December 23, all government degree colleges in the Kashmir Division falling under the winter zone, as well as those in the Jammu Division under the winter zone, will observe winter vacations from December 24, 2025 to February 14, 2026.

Meanwhile, government degree colleges in the Jammu Division falling under the summer zone will remain closed for winter vacations from January 1, 2026 to February 10, 2026.

The order has been issued in the interest of administration and comes into effect immediately. [KNT]

Srinagar, Dec 23, KNT: Security forces have stepped up security arrangements across Srinagar ahead of the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations, officials said on Tuesday.

Police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel have intensified vehicle checking and surveillance at several key locations in the city, including tourist and public movement zones such as the Dal Lake area. Officials said the measures are aimed at preventing any possible security breach and ensuring the safety of inhabitants and visitors during the festive period.

Police personnel from the police station Nishat, along with CRPF units, were seen conducting thorough checking of vehicles and monitoring movement at prominent entry and exit points.

Officials said a high level of vigilance is being maintained across the city, with increased patrolling, checkpoints, and deployment of additional personnel at sensitive locations. The focus, they said, remains on maintaining law and order while allowing normal activities to continue without disruption.

Security agencies have also urged the public to cooperate with checking procedures and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police unit. [KNT]

Ganderbal, Dec 23, KNT: Ganderbal Police have arrested two persons and recovered a heroin like substance from their possession during a naka checking operation within the jurisdiction of Police Station Kheerbhawani, officials said on Tuesday.

Officials said the arrests were made during routine checking at Central University, Tullamulla Road, following directions of Senior Superintendent of Police Ganderbal Khalil Ahmad Poswal. A police party intercepted a Maruti 800 vehicle bearing registration number JK01U-3866 for checking.

During the search of the vehicle, two persons identified as Showkat Ahmad Bhat, son of Bashir Ahmad Bhat, and Sameer Ahmad Bhat, son of Mohammad Muzaffar Bhat, both inhabitants of Batwina, Ganderbal, were apprehended. Police said a contraband heroin like substance was recovered from their possession and seized in accordance with legal procedures.

Following the recovery, a case under FIR No. 41/2025 was registered at Police Station Kheerbhawani under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Further investigation has been taken up to trace the source of the recovered substance and to identify any wider distribution network.

Police said the drive against drug trafficking will continue and appealed to the public to cooperate by sharing information related to the illicit drug trade. [KNT]

Srinagar, Dec 20, KNT: The Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a charge sheet in a ₹50 lakh land fraud case, naming three accused for allegedly misleading a buyer during a land transaction in Srinagar.

Officials said the accused, identified as Muhammad Afzal Sheikh of Gopalpora Chadoora Budgam, Muhammad Sikander Dar of Chainabal Mirgund Pattan Baramulla, and Ali Muhammad Dar of the same locality, convinced the complainant to purchase four kanals of land in September 2022 by showing forged documents and misleading site details.

The investigation found that the complainant was shown accessible land under Survey No. 207, while the land actually sold was Survey No. 94, a wetland with no proper access. The EOW said the accused acted in connivance to cheat the buyer, prompting the filing of the charge sheet for judicial proceedings.

[KNT]

Baramulla, Dec 20, KNT: Baramulla Police have registered a case after a landslide struck the Khanpora area yesterday late night, an incident attributed to illegal stone quarrying that loosened the hillside and sent debris cascading down the slope. Officials said the slide created a serious threat to human life and raised concerns about potential damage to public and private property.

A police team reached the location soon after receiving information about the incident and carried out an assessment to ensure that no injuries or loss of life had taken place. Officers noted that unchecked and unauthorised extraction activity had destabilised the terrain in the area.

Police Station Baramulla has filed an FIR, numbered 219/2025, under relevant legal provisions and launched an investigation to determine individual and organisational responsibility for the quarrying activity.

Police said appropriate action will be taken once accountability is established and reiterated that operations violating safety norms will face strict legal consequences. [KNT]

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SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 19: In view of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Friday convened a comprehensive meeting of divisional-level officers to finalize a detailed plan ensuring a smooth, peaceful, and vibrant observance of the national festival.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Commissioner SMC, DIG Central Kashmir, and senior officers from various

deployment of anti-sabotage teams. Police and other security agencies were further directed to facilitate the orderly and disciplined entry of participants.

To ensure the comfort of participants, the R&B Department was instructed to arrange proper seating

waterproof tentage and installation of display screens at the venue besides illumination of key infrastructure across the city.

The Mechanical Engineering Department (MED) was directed to ensure road clearance in case of snowfall, while the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) was asked to keep dewatering pumps ready at the venue.

The Div Com emphasized that practice sessions for contingents and cultural troupes should commence from January.

The Hospitality & Protocol Department was directed to arrange refreshments for participants, while the District Administration was tasked with the distribution of invitation cards for the main function and the At-Home programme.

Also, SMC was instructed to ensure cleanliness and sanitation of the venue. Fire & Emergency Services Department was directed to deploy fire tenders, the Health Department to set up medical kiosks, and the Traffic Police to identify parking spaces and issue a traffic diversion plan to ensure smooth vehicular movement.

Similarly, RTC and SSCL were asked to provide buses to various departments, including the Education Department, for ferrying participants to and from the venue.

Garg reiterated the need for close inter-departmental coordination to ensure the successful conduct of Republic Day celebrations.

Srinagar, Dec 19, KDC: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday conducted a raid at a residence in Srinagar in connection with the Delhi blast case, sources said.

They told news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that a raid was carried out at the rented accommodation of Irfan Molvi, at Naik-Bagh Nowgam in the police jurisdiction of Police station Chanpora, who is an accused in the case being investigated by the NIA.

During the raid, NIA team was assisted by local police and security personnel.

Irfan Molvi, a resident of Shopian (Arrested) is among the accused named by the NIA in the Delhi blast case. Investigators allege that he was in contact with key suspects involved in the planning and execution of the blast. The agency is probing his role, including suspected logistical assistance, communication links, and possible ideological association with the ‘perpetrators’.

Officials said the investigation is focused on establishing the full extent of the network behind the blast and determining whether any additional operatives or facilitators were active in Jammu and Kashmir.

The NIA has intensified searches and questioning across multiple locations in recent weeks as part of its nationwide crackdown linked to the case. (KDC

Pattan, Dec 19, KNT: A 35-year-old carpenter was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the Goushbugh area of Pattan in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Friday morning, triggering concern among locals and prompting an immediate police response.

The deceased has been identified as Javid Ahmad Mir, son of Ghulam Mohammad Mir, a native of Khamooh Rafiabad. His body was discovered lying in the open, following which locals informed the authorities.

A police team reached the spot and took custody of the body for medico-legal formalities. Officials said an investigation has been initiated to determine the circumstances leading to his death. The cause of death had not been established at the time of filing this report, and further details were awaited. [KNT]