JAMMU
In a swift inter-state operation, Haryana’s Special Task Force (STF) rearrested two Pakistani nationals who had escaped from the juvenile observation home in RS Pura, Jammu. The accused, Ahsan Anwar of Nankana Sahib and Mohammad Sanaullah of Pakistan’s Punjab province, were apprehended at Ambala Cantonment railway station while allegedly attempting to travel towards Uttar Pradesh and cross into Nepal. Both had earlier been detained after illegally crossing the International Border, Anwar in 2019 and Sanaullah in 2021, and were lodged in the observation home following legal proceedings.
The third escapee, Karanjeet Singh alias Gugga of Dablehar, arrested in 2025 in a murder case linked to the Khauff gang, remains absconding. The trio had allegedly attacked on-duty personnel with a country-made pistol before fleeing, injuring two cops who are reported stable.
Jammu and Kashmir Police registered FIR No 39/2026 under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act. Six cops were suspended pending a departmental inquiry into security lapses and possible collusion.
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has 1,00,501 casual and other category workers, including 57,390 in Kashmir and 40,077 in Jammu.
JAMMU
Rajinder Tickoo, 57, a noted theatre artist, producer and one of the foremost contemporary exponents of Kashmir’s traditional satirical form Ladishah, died allegedly of suffocation after a fire broke out in his Jagti Township flat in Jammu. A native of Anantnag, he devoted over three decades to stage, television and film, earning a reputation as an actor of rare interiority who treated performance as a discipline rather than a display.
From his early portrayal of Rai Das in Kabira Khada Bazaar Mein, where his resonant voice and stillness held audiences spellbound, to powerful roles in Rishtan Hind Aiem Pann (2007) and WatePead (2011), Tickoo brought emotional precision and moral weight to every character. After the 2014 floods, he returned to Jammu and revitalised Ladishah, performing in traditional pheran and turban with the dhukar, blending satire, humour and social commentary. His death has left a deep void in Jammu and Kashmir’s artistic community.
Pension expenditure in Jammu and Kashmir is projected to cross Rs 12,000 Cr annually by 2031-32
KISHTWAR
A controversy has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir after Kishtwar District Magistrate Pankaj Kumar Sharma issued an order regulating the collection of Ramzan donations under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. The directive cites concerns over unregulated and unauthorised fundraising during the holy month, including risks of fraud, misrepresentation and diversion of funds for unlawful or subversive activities. While acknowledging that zakat and sadaqah are integral religious obligations, the order mandates that individuals, NGOs, trusts and committees must possess valid registration under relevant laws and obtain prior written clearance from designated authorities such as the Waqf Board’s Executive Officer, the Imam of Jamia Masjid Kishtwar, or the concerned tehsildar. Fundraisers must carry identification, maintain transparent records and use official receipt books, with police and magistrates directed to enforce compliance. A helpline has been set up to report violations.
The move triggered sharp political reactions. The National Conference, PDP and Congress termed it unconstitutional and an interference in religious affairs, citing infringement of Articles 25 and 26. The BJP defended the order as a safeguard against misuse of charitable funds. Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary said the government would review the directive before taking a final decision.
Jammu Kashmir treasuries cleared Rs 11,344.90 Cr payments so far in 2025-26
DHAKA
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a charge-sheet in FIR No 20/2025 before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, against four persons for alleged cheating and criminal conspiracy in a Bangladesh medical admission scam. Booked under Sections 420 and 120-B IPC, the accused allegedly assured admission to a student at Park View Medical College and collected lakhs of rupees. Investigation found that only USD 8,000 was deposited, leading to the student’s removal for non-payment of the remaining fee. Bank records, college communication and statements substantiated the allegations. The case has been presented for judicial adjudication.
Jammu and Kashmir has 69,782 students enrolled across its 11 Universities.
JAMMU
BJP lawmakers in the Assembly termed the crisis in the Jammu and Kashmir State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development (SCARD) Bank an “economic fraud”, alleging a Rs 223 crore scam and questioning the transfer of over Rs 180 crore. They said nearly 22,000 depositors were affected, with payments of matured deposits halted, and demanded clarity on accountability, defaulters and fund recovery. Cooperative Minister said the bank has not been declared bankrupt but is undergoing liquidation under the J&K Cooperative Societies Act due to prolonged financial and operational distress. He cited rs 180 crore liabilities, accumulated losses, weak governance, poor loan recovery and liquidity stress. The bank is not registered under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and falls outside RBI and DICGC coverage. Founded in 1962, SCARD operates 46 branches with about 99,956 members and has disbursed over Rs 117 crore in loans. Gross NPAs stood at Rs 28.41 crore as of December 2025.
The government said 7,473 vehicles were seized and over Rs 16.37 Cr recovered as compounding charges in illegal mining cases across Jammu and Kashmir last year, alongside the rollout of an Integrated Mining Surveillance System to curb violations.
DACHIGAM
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it has dropped its proposal to construct a battalion base in the eco-sensitive Zabarwan range overlooking Srinagar. The site, near Dachigam National Park and habitat of the endangered Kashmiri hangul, had triggered concerns over ecological damage and possible displacement of residents in Brein. Residents had approached the tribunal challenging the project.
On February 16, counsel for the CRPF told the NGT that instructions had been received to withdraw the project, leading the tribunal to dispose of the case. Petitioners welcomed the decision, saying the area would retain its ecological character. Earlier, the CRPF had defended the project on national security grounds, proposing accommodation for up to nine battalions. The land requirement was revised from 1,324 to 1,668 kanals, including state and community land in a designated greenbelt area.
The government said around 1.35 lakh willow trees were axed and nearly Rs 31.95 Cr generated so far under an approved restoration drive at Wular Lake.
JAMMU
A controversy has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir after BJP Rajya Sabha MP Gulam Ali Khatana was accused of spending 94% of his MPLADS funds in Uttar Pradesh instead of the place he represents. According to figures cited by the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Khatana sanctioned 176 works, of which 144 were executed in Uttar Pradesh, allocating Rs 10.58 crore out of Rs 12.59 crore utilised so far. Only 32 works, amounting to about Rs 94 lakh, were undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir. NC leader Tanvir Sadiq and PDP’s Aditya Gupta termed the allocation “symbolic representation” and alleged discrimination against Jammu and Kashmir, demanding transparency and even an inquiry. They questioned the purpose of nominating a representative from J&K if development funds are largely spent elsewhere. Khatana defended his decision, stating that as a nominated MP, he is legally authorised to utilise MPLADS funds anywhere in the country based on need.
Annual milk production in Jammu and Kashmir has risen to 29.73 lakh metric tonnes.
KASHMIR
Jammu and Kashmir has initiated a structured genetic upgradation drive in the livestock sector, marked by the arrival of 23 exotic-breed bulls transported from Bengaluru to Kashmir on the Valley’s first livestock parcel train. The consignment, facilitated under the Breeding Development Programme, is aimed at improving local cattle breeds and enhancing milk productivity. Parallel interventions are underway in the sheep and goat sectors under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme. The government has imported 450 Dorper sheep for Jammu and 450 Texel sheep for Kashmir, in addition to 400 Merino sheep earlier introduced to strengthen wool and meat output. Further imports of Romanov and Finn sheep are planned for 2026-27, while Boer and Swiss Alpine goat breeds are also being inducted. Officials said the focus is on improving growth rates, carcass yield, fecundity and overall flock productivity. All imported breeds are being maintained at government farms for multiplication, with phased distribution to farmers expected from 2026-27 to boost self-sufficiency in dairy and mutton production.
Honey production in Jammu and Kashmir has risen by about 77 per cent over the past three years, increasing from nearly 2,200 metric tonnes to over 3,895 metric tonnes.
GANDERBAL
The Jammu and Kashmir Police have busted a massive Rs 209-crore transnational online investment scam, arresting nine accused, including an MBBS doctor from Haryana identified as the alleged kingpin. The case was registered at the Ganderbal Police Station following a complaint by a resident alleging identity theft and online cheating. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) uncovered a sophisticated fraud network operating through phishing links and fake cryptocurrency trading platforms such as paisavault.com, which lured investors with promises of high returns. Investigators identified the main handler as Ekant Yogdutt alias “Dr Morphine,” who was arrested at Delhi’s international airport while returning from China. Police said he had acquired cyber fraud techniques while studying in the Philippines and maintained foreign links. The network diverted funds into local bank accounts across Kashmir, primarily using “mule accounts” obtained from below poverty line account holders in exchange for monthly payments. So far, 835 bank accounts have been traced, with verified transactions in 290 accounts amounting to Rs 209 crore. Officials estimate the total fraud could exceed Rs 400 crore as investigations continue.
