Author: Agencies
JAMMU: In a first for the region, the Mughal Road has been cleared of snow before the end of winter, officials confirmed on Friday. The operation was carried out by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), marking a major milestone in winter road management for the area. According to an Army spokesperson, teams from Project Sampark handled snow clearance from Bufliaz to Peer Ki Gali, while Project Beacon managed the stretch from Shopian to Peer Ki Gali. During the reopening, V K Rajawat, Director General of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), visited Peer Ki Gali along with officials…
GULMARG: Over 650 participants competed across eight events as the Chinar Open Winter Games 2026 concluded at the renowned Gulmarg Ski Resort on Friday. A flagship initiative of the Indian Army, the two-day event was organised under the aegis of the Dagger Division of the Chinar Corps. A Srinagar-based defence spokesman described the Games as a vibrant celebration of sportsmanship, community spirit and youth empowerment. This year’s edition witnessed record participation, with 660 athletes — including 166 girls and 494 boys — competing in eight disciplines, reflecting growing enthusiasm for winter sports in the Valley and a steady rise in…
JAMMU: FICCI FLO Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh Chapter has welcomed the inauguration and development of the Shankaracharya Temple Katra, calling it a significant step toward strengthening the spiritual and cultural identity of the region. Chairperson Aarti Chowdhary extended congratulations to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for what she described as a visionary initiative aimed at enhancing Jammu & Kashmir’s spiritual infrastructure and preserving its rich heritage. She also appreciated the efforts of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for conceptualising and executing the project, noting that it harmoniously blends faith with development. “The Shankaracharya Temple is not only a symbol…
In a major blow to former US President Donald Trump’s signature trade policy, the United States Supreme Court on Friday invalidated the bulk of his sweeping tariff measures, The Washington Post reported. According to the report, the high court ruled that the President did not have legal authority under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose extensive import duties on goods from nearly all US trading partners. The decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for global trade, businesses, consumers, inflation trends and household finances in the United States. The verdict marks a notable shift for the…
SRINAGAR: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, on Friday chaired a high-level security review meeting at the Police Control Room (PCR) Kashmir to assess and strengthen security arrangements ahead of an upcoming VVIP visit to Jammu & Kashmir. The meeting witnessed participation from senior officers of multiple security and intelligence agencies, including Police, Army, CRPF, ITBP, BSF, SSB, CID, Traffic, Railways and other allied units. Among those present were Additional Commissioner SB Srinagar; DIsG of CRPF (South/North Srinagar) and CRPF Srinagar Sector; DIG Armed Kashmir; DIsG BSF and SSB Srinagar; DIsG IRP/Traffic Kashmir and CID Kashmir; all…
JAMMU: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered a large-scale transfer and posting of IAS and JKAS officers with immediate effect. The reshuffle was notified through Government Order No. 230-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated 20.02.2026, issued by the General Administration Department (All India Services Section). The transfers, made in the interest of administration, include changes at the level of Financial Commissioners, Administrative Secretaries, Commissioners/Secretaries and Deputy Commissioners across several key departments and districts. Key Transfers and Postings: The order states that some officers will continue to hold additional charge of their respective departments until further orders. The reshuffle impacts key…
NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Earth Sciences; and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, held a bilateral meeting with the UK Minister for AI and Online Safety, Kanishka Narayan, on the sidelines of the ongoing AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam here. 36 year old Kanishka Narayan happens to be of Indian origin, hailing from the State of Bihar. The meeting focused on strengthening India–UK collaboration in Artificial Intelligence, critical and emerging technologies, and research-driven innovation within the framework of the long-standing bilateral Science & Technology partnership. India and the United…
NEW DELHI: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) can substitute everything on this planet, but it cannot substitute integrity. Artificial Intelligence can transform systems, improve efficiency and expand access, but it cannot replace human integrity”. With this powerful assertion, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Earth Sciences; and Minister of State in PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh delivered the keynote address at the “AI Impact Summit 2026 India” at Bharat Mandapam, here. The session, titled“AI for Viksit Bharat: The Capacity Building Imperative,”brought together policymakers, administrators, and experts to deliberate on the convergence…
JAMMU: The four-day hands-on training programme on extraction and formulation of medicinal plants under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) concluded at CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, reinforcing the institute’s commitment to skill development in India’s fast-growing phytopharmaceutical and herbal sector. Organised under the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative, the programme brought together 15 participants from across the country, including PhD scholars, postgraduate students, research associates and startup founders working in herbal and skincare products. The training provided end-to-end exposure to the value chain — from raw material handling and solvent extraction to formulation development, quality control, packaging and regulatory…
JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that the recent directive issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar to regulate charity collections during Ramadan was taken after consultations with local religious leaders and community representatives. Clarifying the matter in the House, the Chief Minister said certain members had alleged that the administration was interfering in religious affairs. However, he stated that the decision was neither unilateral nor arbitrary. Abdullah explained that ahead of Ramadan, Deputy Commissioners across the Union Territory were instructed to coordinate with local stakeholders to make necessary arrangements for the holy month. During…