Srinagar, Jun 10: Kashmir’s chief preacher Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Wednesday expressed concern over the situation in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), and called for restraint and dialogue.

The Mirwaiz’s remarks came after more than 20 people were reportedly killed in recent police action on protesters in several parts of PoK.

On Tuesday, India came down hard on Pakistan for its “brutality” against people in PoK and called on the international community to hold that country accountable for its “abuses”.

Mirwaiz Farooq, in a post on X, said he was “deeply disturbed by the news coming from across the LoC” and described the killing of protesting civilians and police personnel as “extremely sad”.

He said that the government in PoK “should know better than to use force to handle public grievance and demands in this manner”.

“When people take to the streets to express their concerns, it is a signal that they seek to be heard. It is the responsibility of those in authority to listen, engage and peacefully resolve the matter, rather than allow it to escalate into violence, arbitrary arrests and loss of life,” he said.

The Mirwaiz expressed hope that “better sense prevails and the matter is handled with maturity while addressing the concerns of the people”.

Srinagar, June 10: National conference Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmed has welcomed the breakthrough of vital Zojila tunnel while impressing upon the concerned construction agencies to give local unemployed youth the job preference in this project.

In a statement issued, Mian Altaf welcomed the milestone achieved after the breakthrough or the ZojiLa tunnel and congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh for getting closer to the realisation of the dream of all-weather connectivity.

He said that it has been a long demand for the local population across the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh region to have an all weather connectivity. He said with the construction of Z- Morh and now Zojila tunnel there will be a boost in social and economic development. He however demanded that the construction companies should provide job opportunities to locals of Ganderbal district particularly from Kangan constituency in construction of the ZojiLa tunnel.

“Locals of the area are mostly poor and dependent on the tourism activities to earn their livelihood, adding that the construction company should ensure that the local unemployed youth particularly Technical/skilled are given preferences and engaged in the project.

He said that he has already raised this demand of providing job opportunities to locals in the ZojiLa tunnel project with the Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.

Srinagar, June 10: A special court designated under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act in Srinagar on Wednesday issued a proclamation against Hizbul Mujahideen chief Mohammad Yousuf Shah, popularly known as Syed Salahuddin, and three other accused in connection with a 1996 terror -related case registered by the Crime Investigation Kashmir (CIK).

Additional Sessions Judge (TADA/POTA) and Special Judge designated under the NIA Act, Manjeet Rai, ordered the issuance of a proclamation under Section 84 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, after being satisfied that the accused persons had absconded and were deliberately evading arrest.

The proclamation has been issued against Syed Salahuddin, Ghulam Nabi Khan, Sher Mohammad and Nasir Yousuf Qadri in connection with FIR No. 05/1996 registered at Police Station CIK Srinagar under Sections 121, 121-A, 153-A and 153-B of the Ranbir Penal Code, Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and Sections 2/3 of E&IMCO.

According to the prosecution, the case was registered on April 5, 1996, following information that Pakistani intelligence agencies were allegedly motivating Kashmiri youth to join militant organisations and undergo training across the border for waging war against India. Investigators alleged that Salahuddin played a leading role in delivering provocative speeches and motivating youth for the purpose.

The court noted that arrest warrants had already been issued against the accused on February 26, 2026. Reports submitted by police, field officers, village officials and local representatives indicated that the accused were no longer residing at their known addresses and were concealing themselves to avoid arrest.

After examining the material placed on record, the court held that the legal requirements for issuance of a proclamation had been met and directed all four accused to appear before the court on or before July 14, 2026.

The court further directed the Investigating Officer and SHO of Police Station CIK Srinagar to ensure publication of the proclamation in accordance with law, including public reading, affixation at the accused persons’ residences and the court premises, and publication in a newspaper circulating in the areas where the accused ordinarily reside.

The investigating agency has been asked to submit a compliance report after completing the proclamation process.

Anantnag, June 10: In view of the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026, DIG South Kashmir Range (SKR), Javid Iqbal Matoo today chaired a comprehensive Yatra preparedness meeting at Pahalgam to review security arrangements and ensure seamless coordination among all stakeholder agencies.

The meeting was attended by DIG CRPF, Commander 1 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, SSP Anantnag, Commanding Officers of Adhoc Companies, ASP North Camp Aishmuqam, and other senior officers from Police, CAPFs, and allied agencies.

During the meeting, DIG SKR reviewed the overall preparedness for the smooth and secure conduct of the annual pilgrimage. Detailed discussions were held on deployment plans, area domination, traffic management, emergency response mechanisms, communication systems, coordination among security agencies, and arrangements for the safety and convenience of pilgrims.

Emphasizing the importance of inter-agency coordination, DIG SKR directed all officers to maintain a high level of alertness and ensure effective implementation of security measures across the Yatra route. He stressed the need for proactive policing, regular briefing of personnel, and prompt response to any emerging situation.
The officers present briefed the chair regarding the arrangements made within their respective jurisdictions and assured full cooperation for the successful conduct of the Yatra.

DIG SKR expressed satisfaction over the preparedness measures undertaken so far and urged all agencies to work in close coordination to ensure a safe, secure, and hassle-free pilgrimage for devotees.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the collective commitment of all security and civil agencies towards the successful conduct of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026.

Dr. G.M. Dhaar, one of the most respected and pioneering figures in the field of Community Medicine in Jammu and Kashmir, passed away on June 10, 2026. He was 91.

Born in 1935 in the historic Aali Kadal area of Srinagar, Dr. Dhaar belonged to a respected and distinguished family from downtown Srinagar.

Son of Haji Ghulam Hassan Dhaar, he obtained his MBBS degree from Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, in 1959. He was the first postgraduate in Public Health/Community Medicine from Jammu and Kashmir, having earned his MD from the prestigious King George’s Medical College.

Dr. Dhaar began his career as a Medical Officer at SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, where he had the opportunity to work closely with some of the foremost leaders of medicine in the state, including Prof. Ghulam Rasool, Prof. Ali Mohammad Jan, and Prof. Harbhajan Singh. He later rose to become Professor and Head of the Department at Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar.

A dedicated teacher, researcher, and institution builder, Dr. Dhaar established postgraduate training in Community Medicine at GMC Srinagar and mentored scores of postgraduate students. He was widely regarded as the “Father of Community Medicine” in Jammu and Kashmir.

In the early 1980s, he played a pivotal role in the development and establishment of the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) during its formative years. He shouldered several important administrative responsibilities, serving as Coordinator of Manpower Development, Member of the Apex Selection Committee of SKIMS, Ex-officio Additional Secretary, Medical Education, and Chairman of Community Medicine.

Dr. Dhaar also served as Health Officer and later Administrator of Srinagar Municipality. He was the inaugural advisor for the introduction of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Rehbar-i-Sehat programmes in Jammu and Kashmir. His contributions to national health initiatives were significant, particularly in the smallpox eradication campaign and malaria control programmes.

In recognition of his outstanding services, he was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine. His magnum opus, Foundations of Community Medicine—a nearly 1,000-page comprehensive treatise on the subject—was published by the internationally renowned Elsevier Ltd.

Dr. Dhaar is survived by his family, including his son, Dr. Irfan Robbani Dhaar, former Principal of SKIMS Medical College and currently Professor of Radiodiagnosis at SKIMS; and his son-in-law, Dr. Omar Javed Shah, former Director and Ex-officio Secretary to the Government and Dean of SKIMS.

His demise marks the end of an era in the medical history of Kashmir. Colleagues, students, and admirers remember him as a visionary, dedicated teacher, and institution builder who played a seminal role in shaping public health and medical education in the region.

Greater Kashmir extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prays for eternal peace to the departed soul.

Srinagar, June 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that he would fulfil his promise of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said on Wednesday.

He said they are waiting for the Centre to fulfil its promise.

“Prime Minister has recently told Omar that he will fulfil his promise (on restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir),” Abdullah told reporters in Anantnag district.

Responding to a question on delay in approval of business rules for Jammu and Kashmir government, Abdullah said his party wants not only the business rules but also restoration of statehood.

“Statehood is their promise before the world. We are waiting for it,” he added.

National Conference has announced to hold a protest in Delhi on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament in support of their demand for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

The decision was taken at the meeting of ruling party legislators chaired by Omar Abdullah on June 3.