SRINAGAR
At an inauguration event at Kashmir Haat, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah declined to cut a ribbon resembling the Indian tricolour, choosing instead to untie it and hand it back to organisers as a mark of respect. The moment occurred during the ‘Know Your Artisans’ programme aimed at promoting local crafts and artisans. The action, captured on camera, quickly went viral on social media, drawing public attention to the handling of national colours during ceremonial events.
Accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, the Chief Minister’s gesture has sparked discussion on maintaining respect for tricolour-like materials in official functions while underscoring the importance of symbolic protocol in public ceremonies.
UDHAMPUR
A student of Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, identified as Anjali Choudhary, a fourth-semester student, was killed in a road accident near Udhampur while travelling with fellow students to Patnitop on a picnic on Thursday. Officials said the exact circumstances surrounding the accident are being ascertained. The tragic incident triggered shock and grief across the academic community, with the Higher Education Department describing the loss as that of a young life full of promise and aspirations. Minister for Education Sakina Itoo expressed deep anguish over the tragedy and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and the college fraternity, directing that all possible assistance be extended to the family.
KASHMIR
The US-based Kashmir Care Foundation (KCF) has suspended all operations in Jammu and Kashmir, citing the need for mandatory approvals from “competent authorities” before resuming its activities. The move follows decisions by several institutions, including the University of Kashmir, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir, and Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, to terminate Memoranda of Understanding signed with the NGO. Officials said intelligence agencies flagged concerns over the collaborations, noting that agreements with foreign entities require security clearances. Authorities are now probing how these partnerships were approved without thorough vetting.
The Poshan Tracker under POSHAN Abhiyaan is monitoring over 14 lakh Anganwadi centres and nine crore beneficiaries nationwide to strengthen real-time nutrition governance.
SRINAGAR
The Tulip Garden in Srinagar concluded its annual show after recording a record footfall of over 3.82 lakh visitors and generating Rs 3.6 crore in revenue during its 32-day season. Officials said favourable weather extended the bloom period beyond the usual 15–20 days. Visitors included around 2.25 lakh domestic tourists, nearly 1,140 foreign tourists, and 1.56 lakh locals.
This year, nearly 18 lakh tulips across 75 varieties were displayed. Authorities said visitor numbers peaked at 10,000–12,000 per day towards the end. Preparations for the next season have already begun, with new varieties planned and tenders initiated.
One person was killed and four others injured after a truss of an under-construction cold storage unit collapsed due to strong winds in Lassipora, Pulwama. The deceased, identified as Sajad Ahmad Mir of Ruhama, Rafiabad, succumbed to injuries after being shifted to the hospital.
ANANTNAG
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has denied bail to a 60-year-old man from Anantnag in a narcotics case under the NDPS Act. The accused, Afroz Ahmed Sheikh, has been in custody for nearly five years after authorities allegedly recovered 5.4 kilograms of charas from him during a 2020 operation. While rejecting the bail plea, the court criticised the trial court for indefinitely deferring proceedings and directed it to review the decision within 15 days and expedite the trial. The court also allowed the accused to file a fresh bail plea if delays continue.
KASHMIR
Manoj Sinha has approved the Jammu and Kashmir Universities Bill, 2026, paving the way for the establishment of private universities in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time. The move aims to expand higher education infrastructure and attract private investment to the sector. The Education Department will frame rules, after which an expert committee will evaluate proposals from interested groups. A regulatory authority will oversee compliance with academic and infrastructure standards. The LG also approved the Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill, which seeks to decriminalise minor offences and simplify regulations to promote ease of doing business.
SRINAGAR
A woman allegedly set herself ablaze at Pratap Park in the busy Lal Chowk area of Srinagar earlier this week. Officials said she was immediately rushed to the hospital after the incident. According to hospital sources, the woman sustained burn injuries to her face and arm and is currently undergoing treatment. The motive behind the act remains unknown. Police have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances leading to the alleged self-immolation and assess further legal action.
BARAMULLA
A 60-year-old man died after a stone fall incident in the Charunda area of the Uri sector in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday morning. The deceased, identified as Mohammad Shafi Jinder, son of Shera Jinder and a resident of Charunda Uri, was reportedly grazing livestock when the incident occurred. Reports said a stone suddenly rolled down from an upper slope and struck him, causing severe injuries. Due to the impact, he died on the spot. The incident highlights the risks faced by residents working in hilly and landslide-prone areas of the region.
SRINAGAR
In a remarkable feat, Rutba Majeed, a young innovator from Kashmir, has qualified for the DGCA Drone Instructor Examination, becoming the first woman from the region to achieve the milestone. Officials and academic sources said her project, “Low-Cost Multispectral Drone Imaging for Detection of Power Infrastructure Faults,” was selected under the MSME Hackathon 5.0 and secured funding support of Rs 15 lakh.
The High Court of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh quashed an FIR in a dowry harassment case, ruling that vague and generalised allegations cannot justify prosecuting an entire husband’s family without specific details.
SOPORE
Protests erupted in Sopore after a female student at Government Girls Higher Secondary School Sopore accused a lecturer of sexual harassment, prompting students to demand strict action.
The accused teacher was suspended and booked, but demonstrations soon escalated, with miscreants allegedly entering school premises and damaging infrastructure, vehicles, doors, and windowpanes. Police intervened to control the situation and launched investigations into both the harassment allegations and acts of vandalism.
SRINAGAR
In a remarkable feat, a visually impaired student from Srinagar has achieved remarkable success by scoring 95 per cent marks in the CBSE Class 10 examinations. Identified as Zainab Bilal, the student secured 475 out of 500 marks, emerging as an inspiration for specially-abled learners.
Three men, including a resident of Budgam, have been sentenced by a special court of the National Investigation Agency in Lucknow in connection with a 2021 terror-linked radicalisation and recruitment case.
JAMMU
Displaced Kashmiri Pandits staged a protest in Jammu demanding a two-fold increase in monthly relief, currently capped at Rs 13,000 per family, which they said has remained unchanged for eight years despite rising inflation. Led by community leader Ravinder Koul, protestors gathered at Press Club Jammu and urged the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
