Srinagar, Oct 19: Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau on Monday filed a chargesheet against public servant (MTS) working in postal department for demanding and accepting illegal gratification in lieu of release of subsidy component of a loan case availed by complainant under PMEGP scheme. 

Officials said that a complaint was received at P/S ACB Baramulla against Mudasir Ahmad, Postal Assistant, posted at sub post office Bandipora for demanding illegal gratification, for release of subsidy component in favour of complainant who had availed financial assistance with KVIC Pampore for the activities of his business unit situated at Bandipora and in this connection, pending amount of Rupees 1,75,000/- as subsidy was due to him, subject to physical verification with geo tagging to be conducted by  the alleged suspect public servant, upon which a discreet verification was conducted, which resulted in the registration of a formal case at Police station ACB Baramulla vide FIR No.05/2025 U/s 7 P.C Act 1988.

They said that during the course of investigation, the accused was caught red handed while demanding and accepting the bribe money amounting to Rs 6500/- from complainant, following which the accused was arrested and taken into custody.

Finally the investigation of the case was closed as proved and the necessary sanction for launching prosecution against accused public servant was accorded by competent authority after due consideration of material placed on file against him. Accordingly, the chargesheet of the case has been presented before the Hon’ble court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Baramulla on 19.10.2026 against the accused Mudasir Ahmad Najar, Postal Assistant, posted at sub post office Bandipora for trial and judicial determination, officials added.

Srinagar, Oct 19: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday arrested 05 drug peddlers in Awantipora & Anantnag and recovered contraband substances from their possession.

A police spokesperson said that in Awantipora, a police party of Police Post Toll Plaza during naka checking at K. Koot Crossing intercepted a suspicious person. During his search, approximately 67 grams of a charas like substance was recovered from his possession. He has been identified as Jabber son of Sabir, resident of Mohalla Gayaspur Bisalpur Pilibhit Uttar Pradesh. He has been arrested and accordingly, a case vide FIR No. 242/2026 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Awantipora and investigation has been initiated.

Similarly, in Anantnag, a naka party of Police Station Aishmuqam, during naka checking at Brad Bridge, intercepted a suspected person travelling from Hapatnar towards Salia. Upon search, 274 grams of charas were recovered from his possession. The accused was identified as Manzoor Ahmad Mir, son of Wali Mohd Mir, resident of Awanpora. Accordingly, FIR No. 91/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act was registered at Police Station Aishmuqam, and further investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, a naka party of Police Station Aishmuqam, during naka checking at Budreshan, intercepted a Vehicle (Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza) bearing registration No. JK03G/5052, proceeding from Hassannoor towards Aishmuqam. During the search of the vehicle, approximately 9 grams of charas were recovered. The occupants were identified as Arif Ahmad Bhat, son of Mohd. Maqbool Bhat, and Ishan Ahmad Raina, son of Mohd. Ibrahim Raina, both residents of Laripora, Pahalgam. Accordingly, FIR No. 92/2026 under Sections 8/20 and 29 of the NDPS Act was registered at Police Station Aishmuqam, and further investigation has been taken up.

Moreover, a police party from Police Station Achabal, during night area domination, apprehended a drug peddler, Mudasir Ahmad Bhat, son of Ali Mohamad Bhat, resident of Nunwani Thajiwara, near Iron Bridge, Nunwani. Approximately 14 grams of a charas were recovered from his possession. Accordingly, FIR No. 112/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act was registered, and the accused was arrested. Further investigation is underway, spokesperson said.

J&K Police urged general public to cooperate with the police and share any information regarding drug peddling or related activities for timely action.

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) president Farooq Abdullah on Monday said the expansion of the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers would take place after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha returns to the Valley.

Speaking to reporters in Budgam, Dr Farooq, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the Cabinet expansion would take place after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha returns to Valley as was not present.

He said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also called for strict action to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and sought compensation for the damage caused in the attack. “Certain miscreants were attempting to disturb peace and create turmoil in the country and the matter required immediate attention from the authorities,” he said.

Dr Farooq also said CM Omar had also urged the Central Government to take cognisance of the incident, warning that the situation could deteriorate if such incidents were not addressed promptly.—(KNO)

Srinagar, Oct 19: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene for the revival and strengthening of Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural sector, seeking dedicated funding for local programming on Doordarshan and Akashvani, particularly DD Kashir.

In a letter to Shah, Mehbooba called for sustained institutional support for the region’s artists, musicians, writers, filmmakers and other cultural practitioners, stressing the need to preserve Jammu and Kashmir’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.

She said artists were not merely performers but custodians of the region’s heritage and cultural ambassadors who contribute to India’s composite cultural identity, peace and national integration.

Mehbooba sought adequate and dedicated funding to enable DD Kashir and Akashvani Kendras to regularly commission and broadcast quality programmes showcasing local languages, folk traditions, music, literature, theatre and cinema.

She also urged the Union Ministry of Culture and other central cultural institutions to introduce special programmes and financial initiatives to create sustained opportunities and ensure dignified livelihoods for local artists.

“Supporting our artists and strengthening our cultural institutions is not merely a cultural responsibility; it is an investment in India’s cultural unity, national integration and the preservation of our rich civilisational heritage,” she wrote.

Mehbooba has also forwarded copies of the letter to the Union Ministers for Information and Broadcasting and Culture, seeking coordinated intervention to strengthen cultural institutions and ensure that Jammu and Kashmir’s artists receive greater recognition, resources and platforms to showcase their work.