Srinagar: A Village Defense Guard member shot himself dead in the Akra Nagbatan area of Bhatkoot in Kishtwar district on Saturday morning.
Officials told GNS that a member of the Village Defense Guard shot himself with his rifle at his home this morning, resulting in his death on the spot.
He has been identified as Tek Chand (45) son of Prem Nath resident of Akra Nagbatana.
Soon, a police team rushed to the spot and took the cognizance of the incident. (GNS)
Srinagar: Army on Saturday said that it along with police recovered arms and ammunition during search operation in Poonch sector.
Taking on micro-blogging platform X, the army’s WhiteKnight Corps wrote, “Alert WhiteKnightCorps troops while carrying out an intelligence based joint search operation with JKP, recovered one weapon (AK Series), four AK magazines, 20 Hand Grenades and other war like stores in Poonch Sector.
Search Operation in progress, reads the post. (GNS)
Srinagar: The Army stated on Friday that an exchange of fire with terrorists occurred this evening in the general area of Kishtwar district.
Taking on micro-blogging platform X, the army’s WhiteKnight Corps wrote, ” In an intelligence-based operation in the general area of Kishtwar, alert troops of #WhiteKnightCorps established contact with terrorists at around 8 pm on 19 Sep 25. Exchange of fire took place. Operations are currently in progress.
More details are awaited. (GNS)
Srinagar: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Ravinder Raina on Friday sought to put to rest speculation about a “dual government” in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that both the Lieutenant Governor and the elected government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah are working in complete coordination for the welfare of the people.
“There is no dual government, but there are two brothers – one elder and one younger,” Raina, as per KNO, told reporters during his visit to Asia’s second-largest fruit mandi in Sopore.
“The LG wishes for the betterment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and so does the elected government led by Omar Abdullah. Both the brothers are working together and when they do, the betterment efforts become stronger,” he said.
On Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s remarks that he has “nothing in his hand,” be it road or security, Raina said, “Omar sahib might have made this statement out of anger. The concerned minister and NHAI are ensuring restoration on a war footing. Yes, steps taken a few days ago should have been initiated 20 days earlier.”
The BJP leader said that in the last 24 hours alone, over 10,000 fruit-laden trucks had crossed Jammu and the pace would increase further in the coming days. “Hopefully, within the next 10 days, packed apples will be transported to different parts of the country,” he assured.
Raina admitted that apple growers and traders suffered huge losses due to prolonged highway blockages caused by heavy rains and landslides. “The mandi leadership has put forth their demands, including priority for the national highway. I have witnessed lakhs of apple boxes ready for transportation. These issues will be taken up with the government, including the LG and if required, I will take up them with Home Minister Amit Shah.”
Reiterating the central government’s resolve, Raina said both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have consistently assured that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will not be allowed to face hardships. “A special cargo train was mobilised earlier and if required, more such measures will be taken. Whatever possible efforts the Centre has to undertake, they will, to ensure smooth transportation and ease the pain of people,” he said.
Raina said that both essential supplies and apple transportation were moving smoothly again. “The last few days were tough, but now the weather is favourable, transportation is moving and the efforts will continue. Whatever the issues are, we will ensure their early redressal,” he added. (KNO)
Srinagar: Hours after Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti claimed she had written to the Union Home Minister seeking a compassionate review of Yasin Malik’s case, Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Monday slammed her, saying she had no right to speak of mercy for him, as a member of her own family had identified him as an accused in another case.
Addressing a news conference, as per KNO, Lone said Mehbooba lacks the moral authority to speak on Yasin Malik’s behalf. “Let us presume that the Government of India releases Yasin Malik in this case. There are other cases pending against him. In one such case, Yasin Malik has been identified by a member of Mehbooba Ji’s own family. He will be punished in that case. If she (Mehbooba Mufti) had truly been so merciful and sympathetic, she( her sister)would not have identified him,” he said.
Lone was referring to Rubaiya Sayeed’s identification of Yasin Malik during a hearing in 2002 before a Special TADA court.
The PC president also questioned Mehbooba Mufti’s motives behind writing a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and asked whether she consult Malik before seeking mercy for him. “In the affidavit that has gone viral on the internet, Yasin Malik has clearly stated that he has decided not to contest the case,” Lone said. “I want to ask Mehbooba Ji—at whose behest is she writing this letter? Has she even consulted him before sending it?”
He accused NC and PDP of hypocrisy, saying they go to any extent to imprison and even hang Kashmiris when in power, but once out of office, they talk about human rights violations. “I have decided that whenever these two families speak about human rights violations and mercy for Kashmiris, it is our right to remind the people of Jammu and Kashmir about what they did during their rule,” Lone added.
He said both these families must first seek forgiveness from Kashmir before seeking mercy for them. “As long as your hands are stained with blood, you have no moral right to use anyone’s sacrifice for political gains,” Lone said. (KNO)
Srinagar: The remote village of Chishoti in Kishtwar district is still reeling under the devastation caused by the massive flash floods that struck the hamlet on August 14.
According to the details available with KNO what began as another rainy day in the Monsoon turned into the darkest chapter in the village’s history, as a torrent of water, mud, and boulders swept through homes and fields, leaving more than a hundred people dead and dozens of families displaced. Those who managed to survive now find themselves staring into an uncertain and grim future.
The fury of the disaster was such that 38 farmers of Chishoti lost their entire agricultural land. For fourteen of them, the tragedy was even more merciless, their homes were flattened into rubble by the surging waters. Today, these families neither have roofs over their heads nor land to cultivate. They are forced to live under the open sky, counting days with despair. For them, life after the flood is nothing but a long night with no sign of dawn.
According to estimates, nearly 45 kanals of land in Chishoti were washed away. The destruction extended beyond this small village; in the Wadwan area of the Madhwa subdivision, about 350 kanals of land were completely destroyed.
Crops such as maize and potatoes that villagers had painstakingly sown were wiped out in minutes. Even local representative Zafarullah Sheikh, DDC member for Madhwa, admitted that more than 350 kanals of land in Wadwan were lost and said that a detailed report is being compiled to assess the full scale of damage.
In Chishoti, farmers speak of despair that words barely capture. Jamil Singh, who saw both his home and his fields vanish, says, “When both land and house are destroyed in a disaster, life seems to have no purpose. There seems to be no dawn for the darkness that has descended upon our lives after the disaster.”
Another farmer, Thakur Chand, echoes the same hopelessness. “I see no way out. I have no home to live in, and farming was my only source of livelihood. The flood from the mountains has swept away all hopes for our lives,” he said. Like him, many of the affected farmers demand to be resettled in safer areas and provided cultivable land so they can rebuild their lives with dignity.
The administration acknowledges the magnitude of the crisis. Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, Pankaj Kumar, told reporters that the district administration has assured compensation for the affected farmers. Teams from the Agriculture and Revenue departments are already on the ground conducting surveys. “Assistance will be provided based on the report once the survey is completed,” Kumar said. However, he added that the question of providing alternate land in exchange for what was lost rests with a central government team whose evaluation is still pending.
For the farmers, however, immediate relief feels like a distant promise. The torrent of August 14 not only washed away their possessions but also shook their faith in the future. Each name on the list of the 38 affected farmers tells a story of despair: Hoshiyaar Singh son of Krishnalal, Wazir Chand son of Bhag Singh, Ram Loki son of Tarachand, Surat Singh son of Tarachand, Gokal Chand son of Tarachand, Hari Singh son of Thakur Chand, Dhyan Singh son of Thakur Chand, Jamil Singh son of Thakur Chand, Arjun Singh son of Thakur Chand, Hari Ram son of Jameet Ram, Surinder Kumar son of Mani Ram, Dhari Singh son of Mani Ram, Des Raj son of Mani Ram, Thaba Devi wife of Om Prakash, Ravi Kant son of Bansi Lal, Jaswant Singh son of Bansi Lal, Maniram son of Harilal, Deva Ram son of Harilal, Kuldeep Singh son of Diwan Singh, Chet Singh son of Diwan Singh, Rajesh Kumar son of Totaram, Om Prakash son of Hansraj, Jaswant Singh son of Hansraj, Sewa Ram son of Harilal, Bharat Singh son of Jyotiram, Radha Krishna son of Jyotiram, Hari Krishna son of Suram Singh, Dev Raj son of Nathra, Tirath Lal son of Ghoparam, Hari Chand son of Tarachand, Kunj Lal son of Tarachand, Jagdeep Singh son of Nathram, Shiv Kumar son of Maniram, Randeep Singh son of Nathram, Sumit Singh son of Bodhraj, Balwant Singh son of Bodhraj, Murli son of Hansraj, and Mela Ram son of Sham Lal.
Each of these farmers once had land to till, homes to return to, and fields full of maize and potatoes. Today, they stand empty-handed. Some sleep under tarpaulins, others in makeshift shelters, all waiting for help to arrive. (KNO)
Srinagar: Urging the youth to recognize the significance of languages, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said that no other country in the world can match India’s linguistic diversity.
Addressing the inaugural session of national seminar ‘Bhartiya Bhashaon Mein Ekaatmata’ at NIT here, LG Sinha, according to KNO said, “It’s our duty to save the Hindi language under Hindi Pakhwada initiative and youngsters need to understand the importance of languages in our country.”
The LG said that NIT students and professors have to make sure to get rid of the colonial mind set and embrace our languages. “Today, we feel a strong need to inspire the country with an ideology of development. India or Developed India, I think, is not just a slogan, it’s an ideology, a movement. Our common goal should be that by the time we celebrate the centenary of our independence in 2047, we should see India as a united nation,” he said, adding, “In this movement, there can be different cultural foundations, people speaking different languages, but I would especially like to say to the students of the National Institute of Technology, where this program is taking place, that you will have to make a very important contribution. To create a resurgent India, you will have to strive to live your life to the fullest and move forward to completely eliminate every vestige of slavery and build a glorious India.”
The LG Sinha said, “We need to know the needs of society, understand them, live for them, and be prepared to sacrifice everything for our goal. In this campaign, we will have to always keep in mind that this is a prophecy written on stone, which will certainly come true. The wheel of time has turned, and that India, which once had a larger share in world GDP than all the countries of America and Europe combined, and which gave the world a new system of knowledge through mathematics and science, that India is once again moving forward to regain its old glory.”
“Today, the whole world is looking towards India with great expectations for the future. It depends on how actively our youth can play a role in shaping policies and guiding India, not just India but the world, through their abilities, innovations, and research. I would also like to mention in today’s program that our policymakers should always focus on inclusive development, “LG Sinha said.
The Lieutenant Governor said, “Despite diverse background, languages, dialects and ideas, a common national identity and shared consciousness unite us all. We must harness the power of unity in diversity for nation-building. Our effort should be to ensure that Hindi continues to serve as an essential bridge, connecting people from different linguistic backgrounds, motivate people to learn other languages, enhancing mutual cooperation and economic integration,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He said that all the sections of the society must also strive to preserve, and promote the rich cultural heritage inherent in all Indian languages.
The Lieutenant Governor called upon youth to transcend linguistic differences and unite the nation to transform India into Viksit Bharat. “You have to create a glorious and developed India by completely eliminating every trace of colonial mindset,” he said.
LG Sinha said the entire world is looking towards India with hope for future prospects. “The 21st century is India’s century. It is written in stone. Consistent growth and productivity will make India a dominant global power,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He also encouraged the young students to learn new languages, broaden perspectives and drive innovation.
The Lieutenant Governor commended the NIT Srinagar for establishing the Official Language Cell and organising numerous activities for promotion of Hindi language.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor felicitated writers, scholars, and researchers for their important contribution to the promotion of diverse languages.
Atul Bhai Kothari, National Secretary, Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas; Prof. Binod Kumar Kanojia, Director, National Institute of Technology, Srinagar; Anshul Garg, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, SSP Srinagar; members of Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas; prominent literary personalities, scholars, faculty and students were present. (KNO)
Srinagar: The authorities on Friday said that nearly 5,500 fruit trucks have been allowed to move in the last two days and that petrol shortage in the Valley is expected to end by this evening.
Speaking with reporter, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, as per KNO, said that the restoration work on the national highway is in full swing and has been completed to a large extent.
“In the last two days, nearly 5,500 fruit trucks have been allowed to move. Similarly, the movement of vehicles carrying essentials is also being allowed,” he said.
He said that the essentials including petrol arrived in Kashmir today and the shortage is expected to end by this evening. “I urge people not to be panicked as all the essentials will be made available for them,” he added.
The closure Srinagar-Jammu highway, triggered by the landslides due to heavy rainfall, led to the shortage of petrol in the Valley and also left several fruit trucks stranded. (KNO)
Srinagar: A couple from Umerabad HMT lost their lives after being hit by a vehicle near Noora Hospital in Srinagar, officials said on Thursday.
An official told KNO that the couple was hit by a speeding vehicle while crossing the road on Thursday evening.
He said both were immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment, where the woman died soon after and her husband, who was critically injured, succumbed to his injuries this morning.
The deceased have been identified as Fahmeeda (50) and her husband Bashir Ahmad (55)—both residents of Umerabad HMT.
Police said the driver was arrested and vehicle has been seized, while further investigation has been taken up. (KNO)
Srinagar: Railway authorities on Friday operated the first special train from Budgam to Katra to facilitate passengers affected by the Jammu–Srinagar highway closure. The service will operate daily for 15 days, from September 19 to October 3, 2025.
An official told KNO that arrangements are being made to ensure smooth operations and meet travel demand during the highway shutdown.
According to Northern Railway officials in Jammu, road traffic in the division has been severely affected by heavy rains and waterlogging.
The division had earlier operated a special service between Katra and Sangaldan, but road damage caused by rains disrupted connectivity. Following requests from residents and the administration, the railway decided to run a special train between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal for 15 days under the supervision of Divisional Railway Manager Vivek Kumar, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal, and Senior Divisional Operations Manager Arish Bansal.
“Train No. 04688 will depart Banihal at 11:00 am and reach Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 1:30 pm, stopping at Reasi, Bakkal, Dugga, Sawalkot, Sangaldan, Sumber, and Khari,” the official said, adding that the return service, Train No. 04687, will leave Katra at 1:45 pm and arrive at Banihal at 4:10 pm with the same halts.
Senior railway officials said, “The safety and convenience of passengers is our top priority. With road services suspended in the Banihal and Katra areas, this special train provides an important alternative to ensure travel for the public.” (KNO)
