Anantnag, Sept 07: A man lost his life after falling from a walnut tree in the Achabal area of Anantnag district on Sunday.
Officials said that the deceased has been identified as Mohammad Rafiq Mir, 50, son of Abdul Aziz Mir, a resident of Check Achabal.
He fell while collecting walnuts and died on the spot, they said.
Cognizance of the incident has been taken and further investigation initiated. (KNC)
Srinagar, Sep 07: The Jammu and Kashmir Association of Hajj & Umrah Companies has urged the Government of India to facilitate direct international flights from Srinagar Airport to Saudi Arabia for pilgrims, so that immigration procedures can be completed within the Valley instead of New Delhi.
The demand was put forth during the 25th Annual General Meeting of the Association, which was held at SKICC Srinagar on Saturday. The meeting was followed by an extensive discussion on Hajj-related matters, attended by Member of Parliament Rahullah Mehdi, legislators Farooq Ahmed Shah and Sheikh Khurshid, as well as prominent Islamic scholars including Mufti Nazir Qasmi.
The participants unanimously stressed the need for easing travel hardships faced by Hajj and Umrah aspirants from Jammu and Kashmir. They said the existing system of routing pilgrims through New Delhi not only causes logistical difficulties but also places an additional financial burden on travelers.
Addressing the gathering, Member Parliament Rahullah Mehdi appealed to tour and travel operators to ensure better facilities for pilgrims. He also cautioned them against getting trapped in unnecessary controversies and urged collective efforts to safeguard the sanctity of religious travel.
The Association highlighted that Hajj and Umrah are purely religious obligations and should therefore be exempted from Goods and Services Tax (GST) and other levies. They said that the imposition of taxes on services connected with pilgrimages is unfair and adds to the financial strain on aspirants.
During the discussions, participants also emphasized the need for more transparent mechanisms, better coordination with airlines, and improved infrastructure to ensure smooth operations for pilgrims departing from Jammu and Kashmir.
The Association said it will soon submit a memorandum to the central government reiterating these demands and pressing for early action. [KNT]
New Delhi, Sep 07: The third Asian Junior Pencak Silat Championship will be held in Srinagar from September 25 to 30.
The Indian Pencak Silat Federation will organise the event in collaboration with the Pencak Silat Federation of Asia (PFA), International Pencak Silat Federation (PERSILAT), and Sports Ministry and J&K Sports Council.
“The event is expected to draw 300 athletes, coaches, and officials from 12 participating countries,” said the Indian Pencak Silat Federation in a release.
The championship will feature various categories including Tanding (match/fighting), Tunggal, Solo (single-player artistic), Ganda (two-player artistic team), and Regu (three-player artistic team) in both boys and girls category.
Kyiv, Sep 07: (AP) A mass Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine’s capital has killed at least two people and injured 11, Ukrainian officials said on Sunday.
Among the dead was a 1-year child, whose body was uncovered from the rubble by rescuers, said Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv’s city administration.
Russian drone debris struck a residential building in the Sviatoshynskyi district and another in the Darnytskyi districts of Kyiv, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitallii Klitschko.
Gaza, Sep 07: Residents of Gaza City are saying no to leave, despite Israel’s announcement of a new “humanitarian zone” in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis ahead of its planned operation to capture Gaza City.
“They want us to move to a place that is already overcrowded,” Samer Abu Samra, a 38-year-old father of four, told Xinhua news agency on Saturday.
“We cannot afford transportation or tents. People are exhausted and coming from hunger.”
“I lived displacement in the south before, and it was the worst experience of my life,” said Nasser al-Attar, a teacher in Gaza City.
“The south is not safe either, so staying here is not heroism. It is simply because there is no alternative.”
“We have nothing left to lose but our lives,” said Umm Mohammed Jaber.
“But displacement also means losing dignity, so we will remain here.”
Om Alaa Abu Ajwa, putting up a tent near the Gaza beach, told Xinhua news agency that life in the south has become “impossible”.
“We decided to return despite the risks. At least we die in our city rather than in tents without water or food,” she said.
“They tried siege, starvation, and bombardment,” said 60-year-old Abu Luay outside his half-destroyed home in al-Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza.
“Their goal is to evacuate the city, but we believe staying is the only option left,” he added.
According to estimates by local activists, about 80 per cent of Gaza City residents have chosen not to leave.
Earlier on Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the designated “humanitarian zone”, in a statement, “in light of the expansion of the ground operation in Gaza City and the takeover of Hamas strongholds as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots II.”
It said the “humanitarian zone,” which contains key humanitarian infrastructure, will ensure the continued delivery of food, tents, medicines and medical equipment, Xinhua news agency reported.
Over the past weeks, the Israeli military has expanded its operations in Gaza City and other areas of the coastal enclave, saying the goal is to eliminate Hamas.
Palestinian sources said Israel’s targeting of residential towers has become more frequent in recent days.
On Friday, Israel levelled the 13-floor Mushtaha tower in western Gaza City, claiming that Hamas used the high-rise building to install intelligence gathering equipment and position observation posts to monitor the location of IDF troops in the area.
The claim has been rejected by the tower’s administration, which said the tower had only been hosting displaced civilians since it was damaged last year.
On Saturday, Israeli warplanes attacked the 15-floor al-Sousi tower, also in western Gaza City, reducing it to rubble within minutes, and leaving nearby houses, shops, and streets heavily damaged.
Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson of the Civil Defence in Gaza, told Xinhua, “The bombardment aims to force residents to evacuate, turning entire neighbourhoods into empty areas.”
Having called the recent Israeli bombardments part of “a systematic policy of displacement”, Hamas on Saturday said in a press statement that it is committed to the 60-day ceasefire proposal presented by Qatar and Egypt on August 18, and is open to any ideas or proposals aimed at achieving a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Any future agreement must include a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the unconditional entry of humanitarian aid, and a genuine prisoner exchange deal through serious negotiations mediated by international actors, Hamas said.
Since the 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and led to about 250 hostages being taken, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians and wounded 161,000, according to Gaza-based health authorities.
On Saturday, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, in a phone call with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, urged stepping up regional and international efforts to end the brutal Gaza war, ensuring the sustainable and unhindered flow of humanitarian aid, and securing the release of prisoners and detainees.
Jammu, Sept 06: Water supply was restored to 80 per cent of consumers in Jammu city after heavy rainfall and flash floods over a fortnight ago disrupted it, an official spokesperson said on Saturday.
He said since the water supply situation has seen significant improvement, the private water tankers have been permitted to resume independent operations.
Private water tanker services had earlier been placed under the regulatory control of Jal Shakti department, following directives issued by Jal Shakti Minister Javed Ahmed Rana in view of the severe water shortage in several parts of the district.
This temporary measure was aimed at ensuring equitable distribution, price regulation and uninterrupted access to safe drinking water for all residents during the crisis.
With the dedicated and coordinated efforts of the Jal Shakti department, district authorities and ground staff, normal water supply has now been restored in approximately 80 per cent of the affected areas.
“In the remaining localities, alternative arrangements like deployment of water tankers, bore-well supplies and temporary water stations are functioning efficiently to meet public demand,” the spokesperson said.
He said the Jal Shakti minister has lauded the cooperation of private water suppliers in stabilising the situation during the critical phase.
As private operators resume their services, they are expected to operate in accordance with applicable guidelines, safety protocols and quality standards, he said.
The spokesperson said the government will continue to closely monitor the water supply scenario to ensure that there is no disruption or exploitation of services.
New Delhi, Sep 6: Renault India announced a significant price reduction for its cars on Saturday, following the rollout of GST 2.0, passing the entire benefit on to customers.
Prices of its three models — Kwid, Triber and Kiger — have been slashed by up to Rs 96,395.
As per the French carmaker, with this revision, the Kwid now starts at Rs 4,29,900 (ex-showroom), while both the new Triber and the new Kiger begin at Rs 5,76,300 (ex-showroom).
The updated prices will apply to all deliveries made on or after September 22; however, bookings at the revised rates are open immediately at Renault dealerships.
“Passing on the full GST 2.0 benefit is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to our customers. We believe this timely initiative will not only make our cars more accessible but also energise demand during the festive season,” said Venkatram Mamillapalle, Managing Director, Renault India.
The move comes after Tata Motors also confirmed that it would pass on the full benefit of the new GST rates, effective from September 22. As a result, the Tiago will see price reductions of up to Rs 75,000, while the Nexon will become cheaper by as much as Rs 1,55,000.
Under the new GST 2.0 framework, all internal combustion engine (ICE) cars are now taxed at either 18 per cent or 40 per cent.
Smaller cars such as hatchbacks, compact sedans, and compact SUVs fall under the 18 per cent slab, while mid-size, larger, and luxury models attract 40 per cent. Previously, ICE vehicles were subject to 28 per cent GST plus an additional compensation cess ranging between 1 per cent and 22 per cent depending on size and engine capacity.
For electric vehicles, the GST rate remains unchanged at 5 per cent, while hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) have seen a reduction from 12 per cent to 5 per cent.
Other automobile majors like Mahindra and Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki and others will likely follow suit anytime before the new GST rates come into effect on September 22.
New Delhi, Sep 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit several flood-ravaged states in North India soon to assess the ground situation and review relief efforts.
Sources said that while PM Modi’s tour was being finalised, no official schedule had yet been announced.
The visit comes as Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand grapple with one of the most destructive monsoon seasons in decades.
More than 500 people have died across these states since June, with thousands displaced and large swathes of farmland submerged.
In J&K, continuous rainfall, cloud bursts, and flash floods have cut off Kashmir from the rest of the country.
The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, along with key routes connecting the Pir Panjal region’s Rajouri and Poonch districts and the Chenab Valley’s Doda and Kishtwar districts, remains blocked after multiple landslides and washed-away stretches.
Rail services in J&K have been massively affected for over a week following breaches at some places, however, some stations have been reconnected, and services are expected to resume soon.
Last month, a landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra claimed 34 lives, underlining the severity of the crisis.
Himachal Pradesh suffered around 350 deaths, with officials estimating losses of more than Rs 3787 crore.
As many as 1217 roads, including several national highways, remain blocked.
Uttarakhand has sought a special relief package from the Centre after recording 79 deaths, 90 missing persons, and widespread damage to homes, shops, and tourism infrastructure.
Punjab too is reeling, with over 1900 villages across 23 districts inundated.
At least 43 people have died and crops on 1.71 lakh hectares have been destroyed, officials said. The state has also urged the Centre for a special financial package.
With some rivers still flowing above danger marks, several highways blocked, and communities cut off, officials said the PM’s upcoming visit would focus on coordinating central support and accelerating relief and restoration work in the worst-hit areas.
The visit comes amid calls from states and union territory governments for central assistance to tackle the ongoing flood crisis.
Srinagar, Sep 6: With the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway shut for over a week, airfares have skyrocketed, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or forced to pay exorbitant rates.
A spot analysis of fares shows that a one-way Srinagar-Delhi ticket for September 7 costs between Rs 13,000 and Rs 15,000, while Srinagar-Mumbai is pegged at Rs 17,000 per passenger.
For residents of Kashmir, the closure has turned routine travel into an ordeal.
The Srinagar-Jammu highway is the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, and its shutdown has amplified dependence on air travel, allowing airlines to jack up ticket prices.
President of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Javid Ahmad Tenga, termed the fare hike “unjustified and exploitative.”
He said, “We have been demanding an upper cap on airfares for years. Whenever such situations arise, airlines take undue advantage of Kashmir’s landlocked geography. The highway is not just a travel route but a supply line. When it gets blocked, prices shoot up instantly. This has both social and financial implications. Families who need to travel outside for medical treatment or emergencies are forced to shell out huge sums. At the same time, it scares away tourists, dealing a blow to our fragile economy.”
Former president of Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK), Farooq Ahmad Kuthoo, said Kashmir has witnessed this recurring cycle for decades.
“Every time the highway closes, fares spiral out of reach. This is not about tourism alone, the majority of travellers are locals who need to visit families, attend functions, or seek treatment. They are the real sufferers,” he said.
Passengers at Srinagar Airport expressed deep resentment, calling the fare surge “daylight robbery.”
Shabir Ahmad, a resident of Anantnag, who had to fly to Delhi for his mother’s treatment, said, “I had no choice but to pay Rs 11,000 for a single ticket. For a family of three, this means over Rs 33,000 just to reach Delhi. How is a common man supposed to afford this? It feels like we are being held hostage.”
An airline executive defended the pricing mechanism.
“Airfares are dynamic and determined by demand and supply. With the highway closed, demand for flights has surged while the number of seats remains limited. Prices go up automatically as seats fill up. We advise passengers to book early to avoid higher fares.”
Business bodies and travel associations are pressing the Civil Aviation Ministry to impose a ceiling on airfares during emergencies.
New Delhi, Sep 6: An Abu Dhabi-bound IndiGo flight with over 180 passengers on board returned to Kochi early on Saturday after developing a technical snag mid-air, the Hindustan Times reported.
Flight 6E-1403, which left Kochi at 11.10 pm on Friday, turned back and landed safely at 1.44 am. Passengers were later flown to Abu Dhabi on another aircraft around 3.30 am, the report said.
The aircraft involved was an A320 neo, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24.
