Kangan, June 15:  A 20-year female body was recovered from the power canal in Gund area of Kangan in Ganderbal district on Monday, while rescue teams are searching for a man who is feared drowned at the same spot. 

Officials said the incident occurred in the power canal near Gund area in the Kangan, where two persons reportedly drowned, triggering a major rescue operation.

Following the incident, teams from police, SDRF  and local volunteers rushed to the spot and launched extensive searches along the canal. After hours of operation, rescuers recovered the body of female from the canal.

Meanwhile, search teams continued combing the canal and adjoining areas to locate the second missing person, who remained untraced till the filing of this report.

Anantnag, June 15: Apple orchardists in Sirhama village of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Monday appealed to the government to immediately make the lift irrigation scheme operational, saying the delay is adversely affecting their orchards and livelihoods.

They said the lift irrigation scheme became non-functional after developing a technical fault on Sunday.

The residents have called for urgent measures to make the scheme operational, stating that any further delay could cause irreparable damage to the apple trees, which have already been affected by the dry session.

Srinagar, June 15: Anantnag Police has stepped up security measures across the district by launching extensive anti-sabotage operations and area domination exercises ahead of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026.

Officials said the intensified security checks are part of a comprehensive plan to ensure a safe, secure and incident-free pilgrimage for devotees visiting the holy cave shrine.

Specialised police teams are conducting thorough anti-sabotage sweeps along the entire Yatra route from Khanabal to Pahalgam, covering critical locations, transit points, lodgement centres, parking areas and other vulnerable spots. The operations are being carried out using advanced security gadgets and modern detection equipment to identify and neutralise potential threats.

To strengthen the security grid, Anantnag Police has deployed trained K9 squads, bomb detection teams and technical surveillance units for sanitisation of the Yatra axis and adjoining areas. Authorities said particular attention is being paid to the inspection of vehicles, including abandoned and unattended vehicles, to prevent any attempt by anti-national elements to disrupt the pilgrimage.

As part of the security drill, special checks are also being conducted at railway stations, railway tracks, bridges, culverts, public utility installations and other critical infrastructure across the district. Regular search and sanitisation drives are underway to maintain heightened vigilance before the commencement of the Yatra.

Police officials said security preparedness is being reviewed continuously and all necessary protocols are being implemented to ensure smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.

Anantnag Police has appealed to the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity, object or unattended vehicle to the nearest police station or security personnel.

Reiterating its commitment to the safety of pilgrims, Anantnag Police said all efforts are being made to provide a peaceful, secure and spiritually fulfilling Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026.

Srinagar, June 15: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday urged the people of Kashmir to view the upcoming Amarnath Yatra as an opportunity to strengthen communal harmony and counter negative narratives about the Valley and its people.

Speaking from Pahalgam, one of the key base camps for the annual pilgrimage, Mufti said every Amarnath pilgrim visiting Kashmir should be treated as a guest and an ambassador who carries back stories of the region’s people, culture and traditions to different parts of the country.

“Every Amarnath pilgrim who visits us is a guest of Kashmir. They carry the story of our land, our people and our values to every corner of India. It is our responsibility to ensure they leave with memories of our love, warmth and hospitality,” she said.

Mufti said safeguarding the Yatra should not be seen solely as the responsibility of security agencies, but as a collective duty of the people of Kashmir.

She stressed that in an atmosphere of increasing polarization and mistrust, the pilgrimage offers an opportunity to build bridges, strengthen human connections and promote mutual understanding.

According to Mufti, yatris serve as ambassadors who share their experiences of Kashmir with their families and communities after returning home. She said every interaction with pilgrims presents an opportunity to showcase Kashmir’s traditions of hospitality, compassion and coexistence.

The PDP leader also said that misinformation and prejudice directed against Kashmir and Muslims can best be challenged through genuine human outreach and a heartfelt welcome to visitors.

Calling for greater local participation in the pilgrimage, Mufti said the Amarnath Yatra should be a locally supported and locally protected process that reflects the true spirit of Kashmir and its people.

The annual Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to commence next month amid extensive security and logistical preparations by the administration.

Srinagar, June 15: Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF), Qayoom Wani, on Monday urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to develop Drung and other areas of Tangmarg, including Gogaldara, Ringawali, Baderkot, Checki Fresti Reshi, and the “picturesque” areas around Qazipora, as tourist destinations.

“Tourism is not merely a source of recreation; it is the backbone of livelihood for thousands of families in the Tangmarg area. The authorities concerned must wake up to the ground realities and immediately upgrade the road infrastructure and other basic facilities at Drung to match its tourism potential,” Wani said.

He said that Drung, one of Kashmir’s most breathtaking and rapidly emerging tourist destinations, attracts thousands of visitors every day. Despite its growing popularity and immense contribution to the local economy, the road leading to the destination remains in a deplorable condition, causing inconvenience to tourists and hardship to local residents whose livelihoods depend on tourism.

Wani further said that the government must look beyond Gulmarg alone. While Gulmarg has already earned international recognition, several scenic and unexplored destinations in the Tangmarg region—such as Gogaldara, Ringawali, Baderkot, Checki Fresti Reshi, and the picturesque areas around Qazipora—remain neglected despite their immense tourism potential.

“A balanced and visionary tourism policy is the need of the hour. Developing these destinations will not only reduce excessive pressure on Gulmarg but will also create new opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and economic growth for the people of Tangmarg, Kunzer, and adjoining areas,” he said.

“The benefits of tourism should reach every corner of the region. It is time to invest in and promote the hidden treasures of Tangmarg so that local communities can equally share in the prosperity that tourism brings,” Wani added.