Shopian, Oct 14: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday carried out extensive search operations across multiple locations in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, targeting the houses of former Hurriyat activists and individuals previously associated with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI).

Official sources said that the coordinated raids were launched early in the morning as part of an ongoing crackdown on elements suspected of involvement in activities deemed prejudicial to national security. The searches were conducted simultaneously in several villages and town areas under tight security cover.

Reliable sources confirmed that the operation was aimed at “curbing anti-national activities and monitoring the movement of individuals with past links to separatist or extremist organizations.” Sources added that documents, digital devices, and other materials are being scrutinized for evidence of unlawful activities.

“Searches are part of a preventive measure to ensure peace and security in the district,” an officer said. “We are following leads and intelligence inputs suggesting renewed attempts by certain individuals to revive underground networks or spread propaganda,” said the official.

Sources revealed that those whose houses were searched have been under police observation for some time due to their alleged links with banned outfits or involvement in past separatist campaigns.

Officials maintained that the searches will continue in other parts of Shopian in the coming days as part of an ongoing exercise to strengthen law enforcement measures and preempt any attempts to disturb public order. [KNT]

Srinagar, Oct 14: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday downplayed National Conference leader Aga Ruhullah’s reported decision to stay away from the party’s campaign in Budgam, saying he was unaware of the matter.

“I don’t know anything about him,” Omar said briefly when asked about Ruhullah’s remarks, while speaking to reporters after attending the FICCI National Executive Committee meeting in Srinagar.

Referring to the broader situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Omar said the Union Territory has endured a challenging year marked by multiple setbacks. “It’s no secret that this year has been difficult first the Pahalgam attack, then the tense situation between the two countries, and later, the heavy rains in July, August, and September which caused significant damage,” he said.

He admitted that these developments have strained J&K’s finances but maintained that the government continues to serve the people. “It’s not complete darkness. Even in difficult times, there are rays of light and we are holding on to that hope as we continue to work for the welfare of our people,” the Chief Minister added.

On tourism, Omar said several initiatives are underway to attract more visitors to the region. “A team has been sent to Singapore as Southeast Asia is a major market for us. Similarly, across India in Bengaluru, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi we are promoting Jammu and Kashmir as a preferred tourist destination,” he said.

Omar expressed optimism that such efforts will help revive the tourism sector, which remains vital to the region’s economy. (KNC)

Budgam, Oct 14: In a shocking incident that has stirred public anger, six dead cows were found dumped along the Karshana–Khanshab main road in Budgam district, creating unbearable conditions for locals and raising serious environmental and public health concerns.

According to locals, the carcasses, believed to have been brought from a nearby village, were abandoned on the roadside several days ago. The decomposing bodies have turned the area into what residents described as “unlivable,” with a strong stench spreading across the locality.

“The smell is so unbearable that people are forced to cover their faces while walking through the stretch,” a local shopkeeper said. “Even the nearby stream is at risk of contamination due to runoff from the carcasses. It’s not just unpleasant, it’s dangerous.”

Eyewitnesses said that the animals had died days earlier and were likely dumped under the cover of darkness by unidentified individuals. The incident has triggered outrage among locals, who condemned the act as deeply irresponsible and unhygienic.

Taking note of the situation, a group of volunteers stepped in to handle the crisis when the authorities failed to act promptly. The team arranged for a bulldozer and buried the carcasses to prevent the spread of disease and further environmental pollution.

“We couldn’t wait any longer,” said Muzamil Ahmad. “The stench had become intolerable, and people were falling sick. We had to take immediate action to protect both the environment and public health. It’s unfortunate that ordinary citizens have to take such measures in the absence of official response.”

“This practice not only damages the ecosystem but also endangers communities,” an environmental activist said, urging the District Administration Budgam to take immediate corrective action. [KNT]

Srinagar, Oct 13: Security forces have foiled an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kumkadi area of the Keran sector in Kupwara district of north Kashmir, resulting in the killing of two terrorists, police said on Monday evening.

The encounter broke out after alert troops of the Army, assisted by J&K Police, detected suspicious movement along the LoC and engaged the infiltrating group on Monday evening. The operation was launched amid heightened vigilance along the border in the wake of increased infiltration attempts before winter sets in.

“Two bodies of terrorists have been observed near the LoC in the Kumkadi area,” IGP Kashmir V K Birdi told Greater Kashmir adding that searches are underway.

While the bodies of the slain terrorists have been spotted, officials said that retrieval efforts are still underway as the area lies close to the rugged LoC terrain.

“The area is being thoroughly searched. Due to the challenging terrain and possibility of more militants in the vicinity, a massive cordon and search operation is ongoing,” the official added.

Srinagar, Oct 13: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced that by-polls for two vacant Assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir – 27-Budgam and 77-Nagrota – would be held on November 11.

The two seats had fallen vacant after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the Budgam seat and held onto his family bastion, Ganderbal seat, and the demise of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Nagrota, Devender Singh Rana.

The announcements were made through separate notifications published in the Jammu and Kashmir Official Gazette.

According to the notifications, issued under Sections 30, 56, and 150 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, both vacancies are to be filled through by-elections, which must be completed before November 16, 2025.

Candidates can file their nominations until October 20, with scrutiny scheduled for October 22 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature on October 24.

Polling, if necessary, would be held on November 11, with hours fixed from 7 am to 6 pm.

The process would conclude by November 16.

The Budgam assembly seat became vacant after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who had won both Budgam and Ganderbal in the October 2024 assembly elections, decided to retain Ganderbal.

Abdullah defeated PDP’s Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi by over 18,000 votes in Budgam, while securing Ganderbal, a family stronghold, with a margin of 10,574 votes.

Following his oath as Chief Minister, Abdullah formally resigned from Budgam on October 20, 2024, as announced in the Legislative Assembly by Pro-tem Speaker Mubarak Gul.

Despite the resignation, the NC continues to hold a clear majority in the assembly with support from Congress, independents, and smaller parties.

Political analysts say the Budgam by-poll will serve as a key measure of public sentiment towards the NC government under Omar Abdullah, particularly on issues like special status, statehood, and job creation amid administrative constraints under the Lieutenant Governor’s oversight.

The Nagrota seat fell vacant following the death of BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana on October 31, 2024. Rana, aged 59, passed away after a prolonged illness while undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

A businessman-turned-politician, Rana had begun his career with the NC before joining the BJP in 2021.

He retained Nagrota in the 2024 elections with a record margin of 30,472 votes against NC’s Joginder Singh.

Rana was widely respected across political lines in the Jammu region and played a crucial role in both the NC and BJP political strategies over the years.

His death triggered the by-elections, which are expected to witness a keen contest between BJP and NC candidates.

Observers say the Budgam by-election is likely to gauge public reaction to the first-year performance of the NC-led government.

The Nagrota by-poll is seen as a test of the BJP’s consolidation in Jammu and the ability of regional parties to maintain their influence.

Meanwhile, the discordant notes of the alliance partners – NC and Congress – during the process of filing Rajya Sabha nominations, which completed on Monday, would reverberate and cast their shadow on their negotiations for assembly by-polls.

Despite the NC’s clear snub for not leaving a “safe seat” for the partner Congress, if the latter is exercising restraint in sharing its “feeling of being slighted”, the reason is nothing but “by-pollnomics.”

The Congress is still hopeful of entering into a “seat-arrangement” with the NC to avoid “yet again a friendly contest in Nagrota,” which, in all likelihood, will spell an electoral doom for it against the BJP.

However, given the tone and tenor of NC, the chances of it leaving space open for Congress in Nagrota do not seem bright.

Since the last date for filing nomination of assembly by-polls is October 20, the smokescreen will dissipate vis-à-vis Congress-NC poll alliance prospects, ahead of RS polling.

If NC continues to be inflexible, the tremors (of its fallout with Congress) may be experienced in the RS polls as well on October 24, 2025, the day of polling.

In the case of the Budgam assembly segment, even the NC is not likely to have a cakewalk during the by-poll.

The NC’s sweet-and-sour relationship with its own very vocal MP Aga Syed Ruhullah will be the major obstruction in its smooth sailing, like it had during the 2024 assembly elections.

There will be other factors as well.

Unlike Rajya Sabha polls, no numerical strength but people’s strength will tilt the balance and decide the ultimate winner.

Moreover, assembly by-elections will be an open arena for all political parties to fight and take their electoral chance.

Ditto will be the situation for the BJP also in the Nagrota assembly segment, which was won by Devender Singh Rana for it in the 2024 assembly polls with a historic mandate.

It will not be very easy for the party to repeat the same performance if it is not able to put its house in order there.

Much will depend on its choice of candidate for the assembly segment.

The party, which does not have higher stakes in Budgam, has already prepared its panel of probable candidates for Nagrota, comprising Rana’s daughter Devyani Rana and BJP’s sitting MP Jugal Kishore’s sibling, Nand Kishore Sharma.