Srinagar, Dec 25: Churches across Kashmir were decked up as Christians in the valley celebrated Christmas on Thursday with religious fervour, and held special prayers for peace and prosperity for the people.

The biggest mass gathered at the Holy Family Catholic Church at Maulana Azad Road here, where the members of the Christian community held special prayers and celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ.

The priest of the Church, Father John Paul, said the devotees prayed for peace and calm in Kashmir and the country.

“We prayed for peace and calm in Kashmir, in the entire country. We prayed for the people to be able to help and support each other. We also prayed for the generation of employment opportunities for the people in Kashmir who get fewer opportunities,” he told reporters here.

Lamenting the absence of snowfall here on Christmas, Father Paul said the devotees miss the snowfall, but the weather was still good.

“We were hoping for snowfall in the city and plains. But it did not happen. We still thank God for the lovely weather,” he said.

He called upon the people to awaken their feelings of humanity, brotherhood and love.

“Today, we see the advent of Artificial Intelligence, and we are also sort of becoming artificial as we are gradually losing our humanity, brotherhood and the feeling of love,” Father Paul said.

“We hope we awaken our feelings and these good things on the occasion of Christmas,” he said.

On the incidents of harassment against the community in a few parts of the country, he said the situation will improve, and the good times will be back.

“There have been some incidents when it comes to religion in the country in the last few years, but there will be changes gradually and we pray for that better change,” he said.

On several members of the majority Muslim community participating in Christmas celebrations, he said, people from different communities have to work together for the betterment of humanity.

“We are like brothers and sisters. Our beliefs may be different, but our aim is the same, that of the betterment of the people and humanity and we all have to pursue that together,” he added.

Christmas celebrations were also held in other churches of the valley, including in Gulmarg and Baramulla.

Srinagar, Dec 25: Police have detained an individual after a shocking video showing an elderly man being assaulted, allegedly by his own son, surfaced on social media and sparked widespread anger and concern.

The disturbing video quickly went viral across various platforms, drawing sharp reactions from the public and prompting police to take immediate notice of the incident.

A police official said that swift cognizance was taken soon after the video came to the notice of authorities. “A case has been registered at Police Station Tangmarg under relevant sections of law. The accused has been detained, and a thorough investigation is in progress,” the official said.

Police said the investigation aims to ascertain the exact circumstances of the incident and fix responsibility strictly as per law. (KNC)

Srinagar, Dec 25, KDC: The Commissioner of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has relieved its Municipal Veterinary Officer, from his duties with immediate effect, citing administrative negligence and dereliction of duty in the implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme and management of animal care facilities.

An official order (No. 1175 of 2025) issued by the Commissioner, a copy of which is in the possession of news agency Kashmir Dot Com reads that multiple animal deaths occurred due to alleged negligence in the ABC programme, which was being executed through M/S CAWS, an empanelled agency already facing an FIR registered by the Crime Branch. The order further expressed “serious concern” over an alarming rise in animal mortality over the past two months, attributed to lack of medical care and malnourishment, despite adequate supply of manpower, medicines and food from the corporation.

The Commissioner also observed that essential medical supplies and food/fodder were missing at the facility, even though clear directions and sufficient budgetary provisions had been made. Additionally, mandatory compliance and inventory registers were not being maintained, violating standard operating procedures.

Dr. Fazil Bashir Rather, has been directed to hand over charge along with a detailed charge report to Transport Officer, Shahid Issrar Ali, and vacate the corporation premises immediately. SMC has also requested the Agriculture Production Department to depute a substitute Municipal Veterinary Officer to fill the post. (KDC).

Srinagar, Dec 25: Cold conditions returned to Kashmir after a brief respite, with minimum temperatures dropping several degrees to settle below the freezing point owing to clear night skies, officials said on Thursday.

Earlier this week, the cold conditions eased in Kashmir due to overcast night skies after snowfall and rain.

That changed on Wednesday night, with weather stations across Kashmir recording sub-zero temperatures.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, a drop of 5 notches from 3 degrees Celsius on Tuesday night, the officials said.

Central Kashmir’s tourist resort of Sonamarg was the coldest place in Jammu and Kashmir with a low of minus 7.3 degrees Celsius.

The resort, along with other higher reaches, received snowfall on Sunday and Monday.

North Kashmir’s ski resort of Gulmarg was the second coldest place at minus 5.4 degrees Celsius, followed by south Kashmir’s Pahalgam at minus 4.4 degrees Celsius.

Qazigund recorded a low of minus 1.8 degrees Celsius, Kokernag minus 0.7 degrees Celsius and Kupwara minus 2 degrees Celsius — a drop of four notches from Tuesday night.

The Meteorological Department has forecast generally dry weather in Kashmir till December 28. Spells of wet weather are likely around New Year’s Eve.

Light snow at isolated higher reaches is likely on December 29. There is a possibility of light rain in the plains and light snow in the higher reaches from December 30 to January 1, the weather office said.

Srinagar, Dec 25: A man from Pulwama district was found dead inside a houseboat in the Amira Kadal area of Srinagar on Thursday morning, officials said.

An official said that the body of the man was found inside a houseboat moored along the Jhelum River at Amira Kadal under mysterious circumstances.

He said police were informed immediately after the discovery, following which a team reached the spot and took cognizance of the matter.

“The body has been taken for medico-legal formalities to ascertain the cause of death,” the official said, identifying the deceased as Younis Nisar, a resident of Pulwama.

Meanwhile, officials said this was the second such incident reported in Srinagar within a few hours, as an unidentified man was found dead near LD Hospital earlier in the day. Investigations have been taken up. —(KNO)