Srinagar, Sep10: The State Investigation Agency of Jammu and Kashmir police is conducting raids in Awantipora and Bijbehara in South Kashmir on Wednesday in connection with the case of a terrorist’s escape.

Officials said that team of SIA along with police were carrying raids at two places in Awantipora and Bijbhera.

The raids are being carried out in connection with a case related to the escape of Hizbul terrorist Amin Baba.

Till the time this report was being filed, there was no information available regarding any arrests or recoveries. More details will follow. (GNS)

Srinagar, Sep 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) on Monday announced the postponement of Class 10th and 11th examinations slated for September 10 across the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, officials said.

The decision comes in the wake of law and order disturbances reported in Doda district, followed by the imposition of restrictions on public movement and transport.

BOSE officials have directed all officers to immediately inform the concerned centre superintendents and SHOs/IC police posts to ensure that the postponement message is circulated without delay.

Meanwhile, the JS/ DS exams- JD will talk to the board officers of Doda and convey the message personally.

Ganderbal, Sep 9: Cracking whip on illegal extraction of raw materials in Ganderbal district, the Ganderbal Police have seized atleast 3 vehicles for illegal extraction and transportation of minerals.

Officials said that as part of its relentless drive against illegal mining, Ganderbal Police, in close coordination with the Geology & Mining Department, seized one tipper and two tractors engaged in the illegal extraction and transportation of minor minerals.

The seized vehicles, illegally loaded with minor minerals extracted from Nallah Sindh, were intercepted within the jurisdiction of Police station Gund & Police station Lar, said police. They said that this decisive action underscores the strong commitment of District Police Ganderbal and the Geology & Mining Department in curbing the menace of illegal mining. “By ensuring that violators are brought under the ambit of law, the police aims to protect the district’s natural resources and maintain environmental balance. Ganderbal Police continues its stringent action against the persons involved in illegal extraction of minerals i.e, sand, bajri, boulders and its further un-authorised transportation within the district,” said the police. On the directions of SSP Ganderbal Khalil Ahmad Poswal special police teams were constituted, led by SHOs and DOs of PSs and PPs of Ganderbal under the supervision of concerned SDPO’s to check the menace of illegal mining in the District

Baramulla, Sep 9: Scores of patients across North Kashmir are keenly waiting for the setup of a cardiology department at Government Medical College Baramulla, especially those who require pacemaker implant.

Although, the authorities at the GMC Baramulla are hopeful that the institution will be soon allotted a cathlab which will ensure a dedicated cardiology department that will take care of severe cardiac ailments.

The absence of a intervention cardiologist is believed to be a big hurdle in performing the pacemaker implant procedures. During the year, 2023-24, in the presence of a specialist cardiologist, the institution performed around 30 pacemaker implantation procedures. However, the facility has since come to a standstill after the departure of the former cardiologist, leaving patients in deep distress.

Following the cardiologist’s exit to another institution, GMC Baramulla remained without a specialist for several months, halting all pacemaker-related procedures.

Although a new cardiologist has recently been appointed, however, the intervention cardiology procedures could not be started.

“Since the departure of the consultant cardiology last year, not a single pacemaker has been implanted in GMC Baramulla. There is immediate need of a cardiology consultant besides a cath lab and complete cardiology department,” said Imran Nazir, a civil society member of Baramulla.

The disruption has triggered concern among patients and attendants, many of whom accuse the administration of negligence in ensuring continuity of life-saving procedures.

Muhammad Ashraf, a resident of Baramulla town while expressing his concern over the issue said that the absence of a functional cardiology department at GMC Baramulla not only burdens patients financially but also puts lives at risk, as pacemaker implantation is often an emergency requirement.

“Recently, one of our relative suffered heartattack. He was immediately rushed to the GMC Baramulla but was latter shifted to Srinagar hospital where a pacemaker was implanted on him. We need such facility at our own place so that the patients Golden time is not wasted,” said Ashraf.

The Principal Government Medical College Baramulla, Prof. Dr Majid Jahangir said that “we don’t have a intervention cardiologist available, however, very soon a full cardiology department will be setup at the GMC Baramulla.” “The authorities are mulling to establish a cathlab at GMC Baramulla which will pave way for establishment of a complete cardiology department,” said Principal GMC Baramulla.

Srinagar, Sep 09: As September unfolds, Kashmir’s walnut season shifts into full swing, not just in Srinagar’s Harwan area but across orchards and wild groves throughout the valley.

In places like Anantnag, Pulwama and Kupwara, farmers also harvest larger tonnes of walnuts, making J&K responsible for over 90% of India’s walnut production.

As per the details obtained by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the major production hubs include Anantnag, Kupwara and Pulwama, along with other key areas such as Shopian, Baramulla, Budgam, Srinagar and Ganderbal.

In Anantnag’s beautiful valleys and Budgam’s orchards, especially in places like Kandiwara, Kokernag and Ashmuqam, walnut harvesting is not just a task, but a seasonal pulse.

The traditional method remains unchanged, as skilled “walnut thrashers” climb trees barefoot, wielding long cedar or willow sticks to knock down the ripe walnuts—a sight repeated across valleys and streamsides, in managed groves and wild patches alike.

“This rustic method carries peril. Climbers often fall from heights of 30–45 metres, risking spinal injuries, paralysis, or even death,” the locals from Srinagar’s Harwan told KNO, while speaking about the risks of this harvest.

They said that once down, walnuts are gathered, de-husked, washed, dried in the sun, and manually shelled, often turning into a community effort involving entire families.

Despite the organic purity and distinct Wonth, Kaghazi, and Barzul varieties, Kashmiri walnuts face diminishing demand as they are now often overshadowed by cheaper, mass-produced imports from California, Chile, and China.

Meanwhile, the growers cite the lack of processing facilities, packaging support, and state-backed market access as key obstacles. They said that in places like Pulwama, many must transport their walnuts to Jammu for sale, adding to labour and logistical costs, yet receiving meagre returns. This time, as the road is closed, that too remained shortened.