SRINAGAR
In a heartbreaking incident, a Kashmiri youth is in danger. 28-year-old Faizan Rasool, a resident of Srinagar’s Safa Kadal locality is currently in the clutches of traffickers in Myanmar. The kidnappers are demanding a ransom of 4.5 lakhs, which his family is unable to arrange. Enticed by a friend, who assured him of a job in Thailand, Faizan was smuggled in and dumped in Myanmar, and kidnappers now control his future. Ironically, another Kashmiri man also named Faizan, had returned home only moments before having paid the same sum. The incident has highlighted the desperation among Kashmiri youth to secure a job, amid the growing unemployment crisis in the region.
Official data shows that Jammu and Kashmir has 32,474 job vacancies, including 2,503 gazetted, 19,214 non-gazetted, and 10,757 multi-tasking posts. Since October 16 last year, 3,727 vacancies have been referred for recruitment, comprising 738 gazetted, 1,754 non-gazetted, and 1,235 multi-tasking posts.
DELHI
A 35-year-old vendor Shabir Ahmad Shah has been missing in Delhi under mysterious circumstances. A resident of Sopore, Shabir went to Delhi on December 31, 2024, to purchase some items for his business, however, his family lost contact with him on February 16. His wife said that they were in regular touch until February 16 and after that, they lost contact with him. The family has filed a missing complaint at the Nabi Karim police station, Delhi, soon after losing contact with him. Delhi Police confirmed that they have already circulated information about Shabir’s disappearance and are actively working on the case.
Civil Aviation authorities have approved a daily 10 AM flight from Jammu to Srinagar, starting April 1, 2025. The service addresses frequent concerns, particularly for government officials and businessmen, facilitating same-day return trips.
JAMMU
The construction of the 1.1-kilometre Bhimber Gali Tunnel on NH-144A has begun, marking a key milestone in the 16.1 km project from Kalali (Rajouri) to Bhataduria (Poonch). The tunnel will provide an alternate route for Army and civilian movement in the challenging terrain. The project, part of BRO’s ongoing infrastructure push, following the Naushera Tunnel breakthrough in January 2024. Once completed, it will enhance connectivity, reduce the highway length by 10.8 kilometres, and support the region’s economic growth and defence logistics.
Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir surged in 2024, with 2.36 crores visitors, up from 1.2 crores in 2023. Foreign arrivals rose from 55,337 to 65,452, while domestic tourists increased from 2.11 crores to 2.35 crores.
SRINAGAR
The historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar’s Nowhatta area, witnessed a massive influx of people on the first Friday of Ramazan, the Muslim month of fasting. While addressing the massive gathering there, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq highlighted the significance of this blessed month, emphasising that it provides a profound opportunity to connect with Allah. He also urged the people to do self-reflection and use this holy month for spiritual growth, and acts of righteousness. Pertinently, prayers were allowed at the historical mosque, after a long time. It has now been illuminated and the grand mosque looks stunning during late hours.
Kashmir received 80 per cent fewer tourists than Jammu over the past four years, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25. In 2021, Jammu recorded 1.06 crore visitors, while Kashmir saw just 6.65 lakh, out of a total of 1.13 crore tourists in the region.
SHOPIAN
South Kashmir’s Shopian district, witnessed a dramatic incident when miscreants caused a loss of lakhs of rupees to a fish farmer by allegedly poisoning his fish farm. According to official sources, some unknown people threw poisonous substances in the fish farm at Heff village of Zainapora hamlet, leaving around 7000 fish dead. The farm belongs to Firdous Ahmad Lone, son of Abdul Majeed Lone of Heff Zainapora. They said that the 7000 fish are worth lakhs and the matter must be investigated on a priority basis. The police have taken cognizance of the matter, and are currently investigating through all the possible angles.
Around 50,551 cancer cases have been reported in Kashmir between 2018 and 2024, while Jammu has recorded 13,912 cases during the same period.
SONAMARG
Recently a video from Sonamarg went viral. The video was able to make it to both national and international headlines. The video depicts a tourist vehicle stranded in the Sarbal area, the last village of Kashmir. The scene looked straight out of a Hollywood movie. Even though no loss of life or property was reported, the video shows tonnes of snow crashing into the ground. Pertinently, last month, a massive avalanche hit the Hapat Khodh area of Affarvat in Gulmarg.
In the past five years, around 11,000 doctors and paramedics have been hired under the National Health Mission (NHM) in Jammu and Kashmir, while over 36,000 regular positions have been filled in the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department.
DELHI
The Supreme Court postponed the hearing on the CBI’s plea to transfer trials against JKLF chief Yasin Malik and others from Jammu and Kashmir to Delhi until April 4. Malik appeared via video-conferencing, requesting the adjournment until after Ramazan. The cases against Malik involve the 1989 kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed and the 1990 Srinagar shootout.
Jammu and Kashmir’s tax revenue collection has shown consistent growth in FY25, with monthly collections averaging Rs 1,180 crore, according to official estimates.
GANDERBAL
SAGG Eco Village, an enterprise from Ganderbal, has made history by becoming the first one from Kashmir, to win two awards at the Outlook Responsible Tourism Summit and Awards (IRTA) 2025. During the event, held in Bhuj, Gujarat, SAGG Eco Village was honoured with the Silver Award in the Sustainable Leadership: BnBs and Guesthouses category, while its founder, Fayaz Ahmad Dar, received the Gold Award in the Sustainability Champions: Grassroots Heroes category.
DELHI
A PhD scholar from South Asian University (SAU), who was issued a showcase notice over their research proposal on Kashmir’s ethnography and politics, has withdrawn from the doctoral programme, citing personal reasons. A disciplinary inquiry was also initiated against the student’s supervisor, Sasanka Perera, who had eventually resigned. The PhD scholar’s proposal had referenced American linguist Noam Chomsky’s criticism of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, specifically a private YouTube video where Chomsky accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of attempting to “dismantle Indian secular democracy” and “impose Hindu ethnocracy”.
MALHAR
Education Minister Sakina Itoo assured the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that construction of a model school in Kathua’s Lohai Malhar, as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 2024 Mann Ki Baat programme, will commence soon. She acknowledged delays due to administrative hurdles but confirmed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is ready and funds have been sanctioned. The issue was raised by NC legislator Javid Hassan Beigh and Independent MLA Dr Rameshwar Singh, who criticised officials for failing to act. The project gained attention after Seerat Naaz, a Class 3 student, appealed to the Prime Minister in April 2023, highlighting poor school conditions. Despite Rs 91 lakh being sanctioned, work stalled due to approval delays. Itoo assured that the government is committed to fulfilling Modi’s promise, with former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah also urging swift completion of the project.
DODA
Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mehraj Malik, known for his outspoken style and frequent criticism of the BJP, raised multiple issues in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, including drug addiction and power distribution in Doda. During Question Hour, he interrupted Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s response on the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, prompting Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to warn him against disrupting proceedings. Malik also expressed displeasure over his seating arrangement behind BJP members, claiming he was moved from the treasury benches. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary urged him to respect the House’s decorum. In response, Abdullah clarified that the Speaker decides seating arrangements and reassured Malik of his importance, calling him a “younger brother” and stating, “You are in my heart,” drawing laughter from the House. Despite his protests, Malik remains an ally of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference. A day later his seat was changed. However, he has not changed.
LADAKH
Ladakh is exploring saffron cultivation, assessing its feasibility in the region’s unique climate. At a high-level meeting in Leh, Agriculture Secretary Bhupesh Chaudhary reviewed saffron and asafoetida farming progress. CSIR-IIIM, Leh, has been conducting saffron trials for two years, showing promising results. Chaudhary directed collaboration between CSIR-IIIM and the Agriculture Department to transfer expertise to farmers. Suitable villages in Leh and Kargil are being identified for saffron trials, alongside a comprehensive policy draft. The meeting also discussed asafoetida cultivation, with DIHAR providing updates and efforts underway to secure high-quality seeds from the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources.
KASHMIR
Jammu and Kashmir’s efforts to attract private investment in healthcare have yielded limited results, with only three private hospitals being established. The J&K administration allocated land for medi-cities in Jammu’s Miran Sahib and Deeli village and Kashmir’s Sempora in Pampore. Despite receiving multiple proposals, only Apollo Hospitals, Milli Trust of Bihar, and Areesha Royal Hospital Private Limited have moved forward. Milli Trust is constructing a 1,000-bed hospital-cum-medical college in Sempora with an investment of Rs 525 crore, expected to start OPD services by 2025. Areesha Royal Hospital in Bemina, funded by local businessman Arshid Bhat, is a Rs 558.66 crore project featuring a 500-bed hospital and medical college. Meanwhile, Apollo Hospitals has been allotted land in Jammu for a 250-bed facility but has not yet begun construction. Officials had estimated over Rs 8,000 crore in healthcare investment in Kashmir and Rs 342 crore in Jammu, but private sector interest remains subdued.
