Srinagar, Dec 07: The night temperatures in Kashmir rose by several degrees but stayed below the freezing point, officials said on Sunday.

Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir, which serves as the base camp for the annual Amarnath yatra, was the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir as the minimum settled at a low of minus 4.3 degrees Celsius, they said.

The minimum temperature in Srinagar — the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir — settled at minus 0.9 degrees Celsius, a rise of 3.2 degrees compared to the previous night, the officials said.

The gateway town to the valley, Qazigund, recorded a low of minus 1 degrees Celsius, while the minimum settled at minus 0.8 degrees Celsius in north Kashmir’s Kupwara, and 1.1 degrees Celsius in south Kashmir’s Kokernag, the officials said.

Gulmarg lodged minus 1.6 degrees Celsius and Pulwama town recorded minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, they said.

The meteorological department said the weather would remain generally cloudy but dry on December 6-7, and a brief spell of light snowfall at isolated places in the higher reaches of north and central Kashmir is likely on December 8.

Srinagar, Dec 07: In its continued crackdown against drug menace, Jammu and Kashmir Police in Shopian recovered a significant quantity of contraband substance from residential house in Safanagri Zainapora and arrested the accused person.

Acting on specific information, Police Station Zainapora registered a case under FIR No. 122/2025 of NDPS Act and obtained a search warrant from the competent authority. A team from Police Post Wachi accompanied by the Executive Magistrate 1st Class, raided the house of Tariq Ahmad Bhat, resident of Safanagri Zainapora. During the search, 14.380Kgs of Charas-like substance was seized and the accused was also arrested. Further investigation has been initiated, police in a statement said.

J&K Police reiterates its commitment to eradicate the menace of drugs from society and urges the public to extend cooperation. Information regarding drug abuse/peddling can be shared on helpline 9596768831 (PCR Shopian). Identity of informers will be kept strictly confidential, the statement reads.

Anantnag, Dec 07: A forest guard died while attempting to douse a forest fire in the Khadar area of Kapran in South Kashmir Anantnag district on Sunday.

An official said that the deceased has been identified as Gull Mohammad Shah, a resident of Changoo and in charge of Compartment 48 of the Hengipora Range in Verinag.

He said Shah was engaged in fire-fighting operations when he collapsed.

The body has been shifted to District Hospital Anantnag for necessary medico-legal formalities, they added. (KNC)

Srinagar, Dec 07: PDP chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said that the recent incident involving two educated young men from Jammu and Kashmir in Delhi had raised serious questions and called for direct engagement with the region’s youth. She said the PDP had decided to hold continuous interactions to understand the pressures and challenges faced by young people.

Mehbooba said her party invited youth for an open conversation and many non-party youth also joined to share their concerns and suggestions. She said this would not remain a one-time event, as similar meetings would be organised across districts in Jammu and Kashmir and later in other states.

She said many youths from J&K express concern about their treatment outside the region and such issues must be acknowledged. According to her, the core issues affecting Jammu and Kashmir require a solution that allows its people to live with respect, dignity and peace within the country.

Referring to the roadmap once discussed between Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, she said Jammu and Kashmir does not seek separation but seeks an environment free of pressure created by laws such as UAPA and PSA. She said reconciliation with young people was essential, as many of them were feeling deeply hurt.

Mehbooba said the PDP would try to act as a bridge between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India. She said the questions raised by young people had reached Delhi and the government must examine the circumstances behind the incident reported from the capital.

She said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir had changed after 2019 and the claims of normalcy made at the time did not match current developments. She said the Centre, including the NSA, Home Minister and Prime Minister, should review the policy adopted after 2019 and begin a fresh process of dialogue and reconciliation with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.(KNS)

Srinagar, Dec 07: In a stepped-up security and accountability drive, Srinagar Police carried out extensive surprise inspections of medical shops, chemists, and pharmacies across the city to curb misuse of premises and ensure strict compliance with regulatory norms.

In a statement, a police spokesperson said that in line with ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in health institutions and security protocols within the city, Srinagar Police carried out inspections of medical shops, chemists and pharmacies across the city.

The inspections were aimed at preventing misuse of medical shops for unauthorized storage of illegal or hazardous materials, furthering of unlawful activities and strengthening the internal security within medical institutions.

Statemsnt reads that, the medicines, medical equipments, cash books etc. were thoroughly examined, and shop owners were reminded to maintain proper safety protocols and mandatory documentation requirements.

During the inspections, Police teams verified, Proper maintenance of stock and sales records. Identity verification procedures for purchasers. Compliance with security-related guidelines. Validity of licenses and adherence to regulatory norms, it reads.

Shop owners were briefed on the heightened security scenario and were urged to remain vigilant, promptly report suspicious transactions, and maintain complete transparency in operations, it reads.

Such inspections will be conducted regularly as part of routine vigilance to maintain a safe and secure environment in the city, it reads.

Srinagar Police reiterates its commitment to ensuring safety of citizens and maintaining the security of the Nation. (KNC)