Author: Agencies

JAMMU: Continuing its sustained crackdown against drug trafficking, Jammu Police’s South Zone achieved another success by seizing heroin (chitta) during routine patrolling in the Gangyal Industrial Area and arresting two alleged drug peddlers. The operation was conducted under the overall supervision of SSP Jammu, with guidance from SP South and close supervision of SDPO South. On February 17, 2026, at around 6:00 PM, a police team from Police Station Gangyal led by PSI Atta-ur-Rehman and PSI Arun Sharma was on patrolling duty near the Power Grid Station, opposite Bosh Service Complex in Gangyal Industrial Area. During the patrol, two persons…

JAMMU: FICCI FLO Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Chapter successfully conducted a Makeup Training Workshop under its ongoing “Skill to Scale” initiative, aimed at empowering women at the grassroots level and enhancing livelihood opportunities through skill-based training. The workshop was designed for 20 women leaders representing various Self-Help Groups (SHGs), all of whom head their respective groups. Structured on a Train-the-Trainer model, the programme focused on equipping participants with practical makeup skills, enabling them to further train other women within their SHGs and multiply the impact of the initiative by creating sustainable income opportunities. The training session was conducted by FLO…

The Indian Premier League continues to dominate the cricket calendar, blending elite international talent with emerging domestic stars. As the 2026 season approaches, fans across India, including a strong following in Jammu and Kashmir, are once again debating which teams look strongest on paper and which franchises may struggle under pressure. This review offers an objective look at key contenders, tactical strengths, potential weaknesses, and practical betting considerations for the upcoming campaign. Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians Experience Still Matters Few rivalries define the IPL era like that of the Chennai Super Kings and the Mumbai Indians. Both franchises…

JAMMU: Two Pakistani nationals who escaped from a juvenile observation home in a border village here were arrested within 24 hours of the incident, officials said on Tuesday. However, the local gangster who fled along with them is still absconding, and a manhunt has been launched to arrest him, they added. The escape took place around 5 pm on Monday when Karajeet Singh alias Gugga, a resident of Dablehar in R S Pura, along with Pakistani nationals Mohammad Suna-ullah and Ahsan Anwar, allegedly attacked the police personnel deployed at the juvenile home before fleeing from custody. Two policemen were injured…

JAMMU: A four-day hands-on training programme on formulation and extraction of medicinal plants at a cGMP pilot plant began at CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) Jammu under the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative, bringing together young researchers, entrepreneurs and industry-linked participants from across India. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu, who also holds additional charge as Director of CSIR–Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow. The inauguration featured a ceremonial lamp lighting in the presence of scientists and participants. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ahmed highlighted the growing relevance of medicinal plant–based drug discovery…

NEW DELHI: Portugal’s Minister in the Cabinet of the Prime Minister and of State Reform, Gonçalo Matias, who is currently here for the AI Impact Summit 2026, called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh and shared views on some of India’s best practices in governance. At the delegation level meeting, India and Portugal agreed to set up a joint working mechanism on administrative reforms and digital governance, with a focus on deploying artificial…

NEW DELHI: Lauding India’s first government owned, sovereign “Large Language Model”, Multilingual AI stack, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Earth Sciences; and Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that Artificial Intelligence is no longer an option but an essential component of working in every sphere of life, as he addressed the session on “BharatGen Models: Vision and Technical Execution 2026” at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi and lauded The session was hosted by BharatGen in association with the IndiaAI Mission,…

JAMMU: Reinforcing its commitment to safe motherhood and affordable healthcare, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital has introduced a comprehensive Delivery & Newborn Care Package priced at ₹19,999, aimed at making quality childbirth services accessible to every family. The initiative has been launched under the guidance of the CEO of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board as part of continued efforts to strengthen community-focused healthcare in the region. With rising delivery costs in private hospitals becoming a growing concern — and several expenses often not fully covered under schemes such as Ayushman Bharat — many families face financial…

JAMMU: All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jammu has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the Pan-AIIMS Research Consortium (PARC), coordinated by All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, marking a significant step towards strengthening collaborative medical research across the country. The MoU signing ceremony was held at the Dr. Ramalingaswami Board Room at AIIMS New Delhi, where Directors of AIIMS institutions from across India gathered to enhance inter-institutional research cooperation. The Pan-AIIMS Research Consortium has been envisioned as a transformative national platform aimed at fostering collaborative, interdisciplinary and high-impact research among all AIIMS institutions. Given India’s vast…

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir continued to experience unusually warm weather on Monday, with both day and night temperatures remaining above normal amid a prolonged dry spell. The Meteorological Department has forecast mainly dry conditions across the Union Territory till the end of February, with no significant rainfall or snowfall expected. Officials said minimum temperatures were 1°C to 5°C above normal at scattered places in the Kashmir region, while several locations in the Jammu division recorded night temperatures 2°C to 3°C above the seasonal average. Among the coldest places in Kashmir, Pahalgam recorded a low of -2.2°C. In the Jammu division,…