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Saudi authorities say attack on Riyadh airport killed 12 people and wounded over 300

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Saudi authorities say attack on Riyadh airport killed 12 people and wounded over 300

Cairo, Oct 11: Saudi authorities say an attack on Riyadh airport killed 12 people and wounded over 300 more.

According to a statement by Saudi authorities, the dead included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals, and one each from Palestine, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Sudan.

It said some of those injured were in critical condition.

The international airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, was attacked again Saturday as the kingdom faces an extraordinary series of assaults in the new front in the Iran war. President Donald Trump said he was evaluating whether the US should join Saudi strikes against the Tehran-backed Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen.

The Houthis claimed attacks earlier in the week on King Khalid International Airport that killed three Saudis, including a pilot. On Saturday, a missile struck a complex housing terminals 3 and 4 for domestic flights and many people were wounded, a regional official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to the media.

“We may. We’re going to look at it,” Trump said of intervening. “We just found out about the recent attack. So we’ll make a decision. We move very quickly.”

The surge in attacks, including against other Saudi airports, military facilities and oil infrastructure, has come in the week since a Saudi-led coalition launched a major military offensive against the Houthis. There was no immediate statement from the rebels, who earlier Saturday accused Saudi Arabia of striking Sanaa International Airport in the Houthi-held Yemeni capital.

Riyadh airport operations have been suspended

Saudi civil aviation authorities said airport operations were suspended and the extent of injuries and damage was being assessed. An official notice to aviators said the suspension was through midnight. The airport had a heavy police presence, with all entrances blocked, and lights around the complex were dimmed.

Flights diverted elsewhere, the Flightradar24 tracker said. Countries including the United States, Britain, Germany, Australia and Canada warned citizens to avoid the airport.

The attacks on Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, have rattled markets and the region. And yet the Saudi energy ministry hours after the latest one was still promoting a major international energy conference set to begin in Riyadh on Sunday.

Fighting in Yemen between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces has escalated, with the Saudi-led coalition providing air support for government forces attempting to reverse recent Houthi gains along the Red Sea. Those gains gave the rebels better surveillance of shipping on a corridor that is a crucial alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has been attacking ships.

Though the Houthis have told the AP and others they are only targeting Saudi shipping as part of a blockade in retaliation for one imposed on them, concerns about wider attacks persist. The Houthis previously attacked other ships after the war in Gaza began, calling it solidarity with Palestinians. A U.S. bombing campaign sharply limited that.

Saudi Arabia has run low on interceptors, officials say

Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and has asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt to deploy air defense support to the region, regional officials told the AP last month, with one noting that the US has seen its own stock dwindle during the war with Iran.

Officials have said US assistance has included intelligence sharing, target identification and planning for the latest offensive against the Houthis.

On Saturday, Saudi Arabia said its foreign minister and Omani counterpart spoke by phone about the importance of “supporting diplomatic solutions to de-escalate tensions” in the region. Oman, which lies across the Strait of Hormuz from Iran, has played a mediator role at times in the region.

Meanwhile, Saudi authorities warned the public this week that “filming, publishing or sharing information related to countering missiles and drones and their impact sites exposes you to legal liability.”

Flight disruptions are growing

The Houthis this week warned global airlines “for the last time” about the potential consequences of operating in Saudi airspace, which they described as a theater for their military operations.

At least 291 flights at the Riyadh airport had been canceled over the past 24 hours, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. Before the latest attack, Air India, FlyDubai, Lufthansa Group and Pakistan International Airlines were among airlines suspending flights to and from Riyadh and other Saudi airports for varying periods.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency had expanded its guidance on Saudi airspace, noting the Houthis’ ability to strike targets deeper inside the kingdom, including Riyadh, and a “greater focus on aviation infrastructure.”

The missile and drone attacks and interception efforts “create an increased risk of misidentification of civil aircraft,” it said.

Greater Kashmir

11 of 14 development projects worth Rs 24.62 Cr unfinished in Baramulla

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11 of 14 development projects worth Rs 24.62 Cr unfinished in Baramulla

Baramulla, Oct 10: Eleven of the 14 development projects taken up in Baramulla town under the Capex Budget remain incomplete, with land-transfer issues, local opposition, security constraints, and a court-related dispute delaying key infrastructure work, the Jammu and Kashmir government has informed the Legislative Assembly.

In a written reply to a starred question raised by MLA Javid Hassan Baig during the recently concluded Assembly session, the Housing and Urban Development Department said the 14 projects, with a combined estimated cost of Rs 24.62 crore, were at different stages of implementation. Only three projects have been completed so far.

The department reported cumulative expenditure of Rs 4.45 crore on the projects up to March 2026. During the current financial year, the department spent Rs 25 lakh of the Rs 1.30 crore released for the works.

Among the key projects facing delays is the proposed multi-level car parking facility near the Roads and Buildings (R&B) office. Although the project received administrative approval on October 10, 2025, work has not started because the land owned by the Public Works Department (PWD) is yet to be transferred to the Municipal Council Baramulla.

The site also requires the valuation and removal of poplar trees and the disposal of an existing old building before construction can begin.

The three proposed gateway structures have also encountered implementation hurdles since receiving approval in September 2025.

Work at Janbazpora and Khowjabagh was held up following objections from local residents, while the proposed gateway at Khanpora faced opposition from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

The government said alternative sites were being identified for the affected locations, while work at Khowjabagh was progressing at a new site.

Meanwhile, construction of the Municipal Council Baramulla’s double-storey office building, approved in December 2021, was halted until March 2026 due to a court-related land dispute and security restrictions.

Work resumed after the council submitted an affidavit undertaking compliance with military security conditions, the government said.

The structural framework of the building was completed in November 2024. Truss work has since been completed, while brickwork has reached around 80 per cent, according to the department.

The government attributed the delays to site-specific, statutory, judicial, security-related and inter-departmental issues, stating that these were largely beyond the immediate control of the executing agencies.

Greater Kashmir

CM Omar Abdullah calls for future-ready education beyond examinations

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CM Omar Abdullah calls for future-ready education beyond examinations

New Delhi, Oct 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday called for a future-ready education system that prepares children for life beyond examinations by equipping them with critical thinking, digital literacy, adaptability and a strong sense of responsibility.

Addressing the School Leader of the Year 2026 Summit & Awards in New Delhi, the Chief Minister said education must go beyond academic performance to prepare students to navigate emerging challenges and contribute meaningfully to society.

The summit brought together educators, school principals and institutional heads to recognise excellence, innovation and leadership in K-12 education.

Emphasising the role of school leaders in nation-building, Omar Abdullah said principals and headteachers do much more than administer schools, as they shape the learning environment, values, aspirations and future of young minds. Strong leadership, he said, was essential to building safe, inclusive, innovative and student-centric educational institutions.

The Chief Minister stressed that education must focus on the holistic development of every child, nurturing creativity, communication, collaboration, problem-solving abilities and digital competence alongside academic achievement.

Highlighting the opportunities offered by technology and artificial intelligence (AI), he called for their responsible adoption to improve learning outcomes, personalise education and support teachers. He emphasised that technology should complement, rather than replace, the human element of teaching and learning.

Omar Abdullah also underscored the need for continuous professional development of teachers and school leaders, saying exposure to innovative teaching methods, the exchange of best practices and opportunities for collaboration were essential to strengthening educational institutions.

Calling for an inclusive approach to educational excellence, the Chief Minister said quality education must reach children in rural, remote and underserved areas as well as those in urban centres.

He emphasised that governments, educators, educational institutions, parents and communities must work collectively to address the diverse academic, social and developmental needs of children.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of collaboration among educational institutions in India and abroad to promote innovation, share successful practices and improve the overall quality of education.

He observed that recognising exemplary school leadership helps foster a culture of excellence by encouraging institutions to learn from successful models and adapt them to their respective contexts.

On the occasion, Omar Abdullah felicitated the heads of several educational institutions in recognition of their contributions.

Among those present were Achyuta Samanta of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology; Dalip Sharma, Executive Chairman of the Association of Indian Principals (AIP); Kashish Jhamb, CTO of AIP and CEO of City Innovates; and Rajesh Pasari, Managing Director of Macmillan Education India.

Chancellors and senior officials from Indian and international universities, representatives of Austrade, school founders, directors, principals and heads of educational institutions from across the country also attended the summit.

Greater Kashmir

Leadless pacemakers, advanced valve procedures focus of Jammu CME

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Leadless pacemakers, advanced valve procedures focus of Jammu CME

Jammu, Oct 10: Advances in cardiac care, including leadless pacemakers and minimally invasive heart valve procedures, were highlighted at a Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme organised by PARAS Health Gurugram in association with the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Jammu Chapter, on Saturday.

Titled ‘What Is New in Cardiology 2026’, the programme featured Dr Amit Bhushan Sharma, Senior Director and Unit Head of Interventional Cardiology at PARAS Health Gurugram, who discussed emerging technologies, complex clinical cases and developments in minimally invasive cardiac treatment.

A key focus of the programme was leadless pacing technology, particularly the world’s smallest retrievable leadless pacemaker, designed to provide long-term pacing support while allowing retrieval when clinically indicated.

Leadless pacemakers are implanted directly inside the heart, eliminating the need for the leads and surgical pocket used in conventional pacemaker systems.

The technology can help reduce certain device-related complications and improve patient comfort, while advances in device longevity and retrievability are expanding treatment options for patients with cardiac rhythm disorders.

Dr Sharma also highlighted the growing role of advanced interventions in treating complex cardiovascular conditions, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), MitraClip procedures and transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR).

These minimally invasive procedures are expanding treatment options for patients with complex heart valve conditions, particularly those who may be unsuitable for conventional open-heart surgery or for whom a less invasive approach is clinically appropriate.

Dr Sharma’s professional training includes a DM in Cardiology from KEM Hospital, Mumbai, followed by specialised training in complex coronary angioplasty at Mount Sinai, New York, and structural heart interventions at Michigan State University, Lansing, in the United States.

Drawing inspiration from his parents’ legacy of medical service, Dr Sharma has pursued a career in advanced cardiology, combining international training with experience in complex cardiac interventions.

Greater Kashmir

Mahindra Himalayan Motors launches Thar OG

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Mahindra Himalayan Motors launches Thar OG

Srinagar, Oct 10: Mahindra Himalayan Motors on Saturday launched the Mahindra Thar OG at its showroom on Tengpora Bypass, near New City Hospital, Srinagar, bringing the latest offering to SUV enthusiasts in Kashmir.

The launch marks another addition to the dealership’s portfolio as it seeks to strengthen its presence in the region’s automotive market and expand customer access to Mahindra vehicles.

The Mahindra Thar has established a strong identity among SUV enthusiasts, known for its distinctive styling, commanding road presence and off-road appeal.

The introduction of the Thar OG is expected to attract customers looking for a vehicle that combines a rugged design with an adventurous driving experience.

The launch event brought the vehicle into the spotlight for local customers and automobile enthusiasts, offering them an opportunity to explore the model at the dealership.

Mahindra Himalayan Motors said customers interested in the Thar OG could visit its showroom at Tengpora Bypass, near New City Hospital, Srinagar, for further information, enquiries and bookings.

Greater Kashmir

124 former IAS, IFS officers write open letter to citizens; defend EC, SIR

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124 former IAS, IFS officers write open letter to citizens; defend EC, SIR

New Delhi, Oct 10: A total of 124 former IAS, IFS and allied services’ officers have issued an open letter to the citizens of India, strongly defending the Election Commission (EC) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll, while questioning allegations of vote rigging without credible evidence.

Highlighting India’s transformation from an era of booth capturing, ballot-box stuffing and poll violence, the officers said today’s electoral system has multiple layers of checks and safeguards, including polling agents, EVM sealing, strong-room security and VVPAT verification.

They cited last year’s Bihar Assembly polls, which recorded no re-polling and the highest voter turnout since 1951.

“A system cannot be honest when you win and rigged when you lose,” the letter said, pointing out that under the same EC, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre lost several state polls as well as its parliamentary majority in 2024.

The signatories to the letter include former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal and former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers R D Kapur, Samirendra Chatterjee, Gopal Krishna, Vivek Bhardwaj and Navneet Sehgal.

Greater Kashmir

When in power, no reforms; after retirement, objections: KEEMA on GCC’s statement

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When in power, no reforms; after retirement, objections: KEEMA on GCC’s statement

Srinagar, Oct 10: The Kashmir Electric Equipment Manufacturers Association (KEEMA) has expressed deep dismay over the objections raised by a group of retired bureaucrats operating under the banner of the Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC).

In a statement issued on Saturday, KEEMA President Raja Nayeem Ahmad Khan said the apprehensions expressed over the legislation risked undermining progressive economic reforms and discouraging investment in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking on behalf of the industrial and manufacturing fraternity, Khan questioned the timing and intent of the objections, stating that those who had administered the region for decades bore a moral responsibility to explain why practical, pro-growth procedural simplifications could not be envisioned or implemented during their tenures.

He said public policy and economic progress could not be held hostage to generalised apprehensions raised after retirement.

Khan maintained that the Ease of Doing Business Act was designed to eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic red tape while preserving robust legal and environmental safeguards. Vague warnings about regulatory changes, without identifying specific provisions or demonstrating actual adverse consequences, would only discourage local enterprise and fresh investment, he said.

Emphasising the importance of manufacturing and traditional livelihoods, the KEEMA president said modern industrial frameworks were vital for local manufacturing units, traditional handicrafts and artisanal activities that form an important part of Kashmir’s economic and cultural foundation.

He said legitimate economic activities operating within valid land-use parameters should be supported rather than viewed through a lens of unwarranted suspicion.

Highlighting Jammu and Kashmir’s employment challenges, Khan said the region needed responsible industrial growth and employment generation. He cautioned that halting progress through speculative opposition could harm youth employment and penalise local manufacturers striving to compete in a modern economy.

Khan said KEEMA fully supported a transparent, fair and investment-friendly industrial ecosystem and urged the government to continue implementing reforms that empower local manufacturers. He also challenged the Group of Concerned Citizens to substantiate its claims through an open debate backed by evidence rather than speculative apprehensions.

Calling upon the Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) and the wider business fraternity to defend the region’s economic interests, Khan urged them to stand against what he described as misinformed interference in the reform process.

“Let policy be shaped by facts, law, and the public interest, not by unfounded apprehensions,” Khan said in the statement.

Greater Kashmir

Div Com Kashmir reviews preparations

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Div Com Kashmir reviews preparations

Srinagar, Oct 10: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg Saturday chaired a meeting to review the preparations for the 3rd Edition of the Kashmir Marathon, taking stock of the arrangements being made by the nodal Tourism Department and other stakeholder departments for the smooth and successful conduct of the event.

The meeting, as per an official statement, was attended by the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Director Tourism, and officers from the departments of Information,  PHE, KPDCL, R&B,  SMC, YSS, Health,  JKTDC, Hospitality and Protocol, SSCL,  SRTC, Agriculture, Sports Council,  LCMA,  SDRF, Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and other concerned departments.

During the meeting, it was informed that the Kashmir Marathon will be held on October 25, with a three-day Marathon Expo scheduled to be organised at Polo Ground. The event has attracted significant international participation, with 67 foreign nationals from 12 countries having registered so far.

Both the full marathon, covering 42.19 kilometres, and the half marathon, spanning 21.09 kilometres, will be conducted on the same day in the morning. To ensure the safety and well-being of participants, 17 aid stations will be established along the marathon route to provide necessary assistance.

Addressing the meeting, the Div Com directed all concerned departments to nominate nodal officers to ensure effective interdepartmental coordination and timely execution of assigned responsibilities.

Emphasising the need to enhance the visual appeal of the marathon route, he called for beautification through the placement of potted flowers. He also directed the Roads and Buildings Department to conduct a thorough inspection of the route and ensure that all potholes are filled to provide a smooth and safe running surface. The concerned authorities were further instructed to undertake the pruning of trees along the marathon loop.

Highlighting the importance of maintaining the scenic beauty of Srinagar, the Divisional Commissioner stressed the need to ensure cleanliness around Dal Lake. He also directed the deployment of volunteers at appropriate locations and the establishment of medical camps with adequate staff to address any health-related emergencies during the event.

Meanwhile, the Traffic Police was directed to publicise designated parking locations well in advance to facilitate participants and ensure the smooth regulation of vehicular movement on the day of the marathon.

The Srinagar Municipal Corporation  and Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited  were directed to ensure the proper functioning of streetlights along the marathon route. The Sports Council was instructed to make lighting arrangements at Polo Ground for the smooth conduct of the event.

The SMC was further directed to ensure proper cleanliness and sanitation along the marathon route and at the inaugural venue.

The Divisional Commissioner emphasised that close coordination among all stakeholder departments and timely completion of preparatory measures would be essential for the successful organisation of the 3rd Edition of the Kashmir Marathon.

Highlights

  • Marathon will be held on October 25
  • 67 foreign nationals from 12 countries registered so far
  • Full marathon, covering 42.19 kilometres, half marathon, 21.09 kilometres, to be conducted on same day
  • 17 aid stations to be established along marathon route

 

Greater Kashmir

J&K will always remain our integral, inalienable part: India at UN

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J&K will always remain our integral, inalienable part: India at UN

United Nations, Oct 10: India slammed Pakistan at the UN, saying it is “regrettable” that Islamabad continues to abuse the platform of the world organisation by peddling lies and falsehoods about the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

India exercised its Right of Reply in response to a statement by Pakistan in the Fourth Committee of the UN General Assembly Friday on the Agenda Item ‘Decolonization’. The Committee deals with Special Political and Decolonization issues.

“It is regrettable that Pakistan continues to abuse this august forum by peddling lies and falsehoods about the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” Member of Parliament Mahima Kumari Mewar said.

Delivering India’s strong Right of Reply, Mewar said a country like Pakistan, with an “established” record of military dictatorship, sham elections, incarceration of popular elected leaders, religious extremism and sponsoring terrorism as an instrument of state policy should, in future, refrain from “preaching homilies” at this platform.

“Jammu and Kashmir is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India,” she said. India called upon Pakistan to stop the grave and ongoing human rights violation in the areas illegally occupied by it, where the population is in open revolt against Pakistan’s military occupation, repression, brutality, and illegal exploitation of resources.

Mewar said that in the last few months, the Pakistani armed forces and their proxies have killed dozens of innocent civilians who were agitating for their basic rights, freedoms and basic necessities.

Mewar is part of a visiting delegation of 15 Members of Parliament, who arrived here earlier this week for a UN familiarisation trip.

The Members of Parliament had a diverse range engagements in the UN during the visit and also met members of the Indian diaspora at a special reception hosted at the Consulate General of India in New York.

Greater Kashmir

Two men from Punjab arrested with pistol, cash, heroin in Jammu

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Two men from Punjab arrested with pistol, cash, heroin in Jammu

Jammu, Oct 10: Police arrested two peddlers on Saturday and recovered a pistol, over Rs 1.48 lakh, 22 grams of heroin, an electronic weighing machine and two mobile phones from them, an official said.

A police spokesperson said police arrested Sonu Kumar of Chak Murar and Anmol Arora of Amritsar (Punjab) during a vehicle check in the Bishnah area on the outskirts of Jammu, and seized the private car they were travelling in.

The latest arrest followed the successful busting of a major cross-border narcotic smuggling racket, which resulted in the arrest of four accused, including a Punjab resident, in the nearby Arnia sector of Jammu on October 5.

Police registered an FIR under relevant sections of the NDPS Act and the Arms Act at Bishnah Police Station and opened an investigation.

The spokesperson said further investigation is underway to ascertain the source and intended destination of the suspected contraband, the origin of the recovered cash and weapon, and the accused’s possible backward and forward linkages with other persons involved in illegal drug trafficking.

Greater Kashmir

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