Srinagar, Sep 4: Around 1,000 doctors, paramedics and other employees of the Ayush Department in nine districts of Jammu and Kashmir have been awaiting their salaries for nearly two months, with the delay reportedly stemming from an administrative bottleneck following the creation of new district-level posts.

The affected employees are posted in Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kulgam, Shopian, Samba, Reasi, Ramban, Kishtwar and Pulwama.

The prolonged delay has caused financial difficulties for employees and their families, with some saying they are struggling to meet routine household expenses and pay their children’s school fees.

“I am unable to pay the school fees of my children. I appeal to the authorities to solve the issue,” said a paramedic working in one of the affected districts.

The Health and Medical Education Department, through Government Order No. 530-JK (HME) of 2026 dated July 6, sanctioned nine posts of District Ayush Officers (DAOs), one for each of the nine districts.

However, the formal posting of the DAOs is yet to take place, according to employees, resulting in an administrative gap in the drawing and disbursement of salaries.

Employees said the absence of functional Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) has stalled the processing of their salaries, leaving doctors, paramedics and other staff without their monthly pay.

They have urged the administration to make an interim arrangement by authorising the respective Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of the nine districts to exercise DDO powers and facilitate the release of the pending salaries.

The employees have also sought immediate posting of regular District Ayush Officers to restore the normal administrative mechanism.

The affected staff said they had continued to perform their duties despite the delay in receiving their salaries.

Director Ayush J&K Ajay Kumar Tickoo told Greater Kashmir that the matter was under consideration and would be resolved soon.

The employees have urged the government and the Health and Medical Education Department to intervene and ensure the release of their pending salaries without further delay.

They said an interim DDO arrangement could provide immediate relief while the process of posting regular DAOs is completed.

Srinagar, Sep 4: Army on Friday said that one terrorist was killed in a joint operation with J&K Police and CRPF in AshdarGali in central district of Budgam they have recovered an AK rifle along with other war-like stores.

The operation is underway and more reinforcements has been sent to the area.

The Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Indian Army, in a post on X, said the operation, named OP ASHDAR, was launched jointly by the Army, J&K Police, and CRPF Srinagar Sector in the general area of AshdarGali after specific intelligence inputs.

“Vigilant troops observed suspicious activity and upon being challenged, terrorists opened fire, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire during which one terrorist was neutralised and one AK rifle and other war-like stores recovered. Search operation is in progress,” the Corps said.

Officials said the operation began on Thursday evening after intelligence about the movement of terrorists in the area.

They said contact was established when troops challenged the terrorists opened fire first.

“One terrorist was killed in the ensuing gunfight. Identity of the slain terrorist has not been established so far. Additional forces have been rushed to strengthen the cordon,” officials said.

AshdarGali is a remote, high-altitude forested mountain pass in the central valley ridge of the PirPanjal range.

It sits on the rugged highland corridor linking Pakherpora in Pulwama with Yousmarg in Budgam and has historically served as a secluded transit route across district boundaries.

The steep ridges and thick forest cover make movement difficult to detect and operations challenging.

The two-day encounter comes after a prolonged lull in armed clashes in Kashmir.

The last confirmed major gunfight in the Valley was in Shopian in July.

The action follows heightened operational focus on the same mountain belt.

Sixteen days earlier, on August 19, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, accompanied by the then Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone V K Birdi and DIG Central Kashmir Range Rajiv Pandey, along with SSP Budgam Hariprasad K K, conducted an operational review of Temporary Operating Bases on the northern face of the Pir Panjal, including the Todasmaidan sector.

Srinagar, Sep 4: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone Sujit Kumar today chaired a security review meeting for the forthcoming International Film Festival. The meeting focused on strengthening security arrangements and ensuring comprehensive preparedness for the smooth and secure conduct of the festival.

The meeting was attended by Addl. Commissioner SB Srinagar, DIG SSB Srinagar, DIG ITBP Srinagar, DIsG of Police including CID Kashmir, CKR Srinagar, Traffic Kashmir, Armed/IR Kashmir, DIsG of CRPF South/North Srinagar, DIG BSF Ftr Hrs, SSP PCR Kashmir, SSsP of Traffic City Srinagar, district Srinagar, Railways Kashmir, Traffic Rural Kashmir, Security Kashmir, CID SB (K), CID (CIK), APCR Srinagar, SO to IGP Kashmir, CO SDRF 1st Bn Srinagar, Asstt Director SIB Srinagar, Col GS (IS) 15 Corps SP Cargo, Joint Director Information, Joint Director Tourism, Deputy Director Fire & Emergency Services and other officers.

At the outset of the meeting, IGP Kashmir reviewed the overall security preparedness, deployment plans and arrangements being put in place for the smooth and secure conduct of International Film Festival. Detailed discussions were held on venue security, deployment of personnel, access control, surveillance, crowd management, traffic regulation, emergency response mechanisms and inter-agency coordination.

IGP Sujit Kumar stressed the need for adequate and strategically planned deployment at all identified venues, keeping in view the expected movement and gathering of visitors, participants, dignitaries and other stakeholders. IGP Kashmir also directed the officers to ensure thorough route clearance and appropriate deployment of Road Opening Parties (ROPs) along designated routes to ensure secure and uninterrupted movement during the festival.

Officers were directed to put in place effective crowd management measures, maintain regulated entry and exit points, and ensure smooth movement of people around the venues. IGP Sujit Kumar also emphasised the need to formulate and implement appropriate traffic management plans, ensure smooth vehicular movement and deploy adequate personnel at vulnerable and congested points to minimise inconvenience to the public.

IGP Kashmir stressed the importance of close coordination and real-time sharing of information among all participating agencies to maintain a robust and responsive security grid throughout the event. He directed officers to maintain heightened alertness, strengthen surveillance and undertake all necessary preventive and security measures well in advance.

The meeting concluded with a comprehensive review of the preparedness measures and directions for further strengthening the security arrangements in coordination with all concerned agencies, ensuring a safe and secure environment for the successful conduct of the festival.