Srinagar, Mar 24: In a significant action against drug trafficking, Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday arrested six drug peddlers in Anantnag, Pulwama, Awantipora & Budgam areas and recovered contraband substances from their possession.

In Anantnag, a police party from Police Station Bijbehara at a checkpoint established at Dara Shikwa Crossing, Bijbehara apprehended two individuals identified as Mudasir Ahmad Bhat, son of Abdul Rahman Bhat, resident of Astanpora Veeri; and Mohd Younis Sofi, son of Abdul Rashid Sofi, resident of Guree Kanderpora. During search, 2.071 Kgs of charas powder-like substance was recovered from their possession.

Similarly, a police party during naka checking at Arwani Under Bridge near Fruit Mandi, Jablipora apprehended one drug peddler identified as Sajad Ahmad Wagay, son of Abdul Rashid Wagay, resident of Guree Kanderpora. During search, 1.041 kilograms of charas (powder-like substance) was recovered from his possession.

In Pulwama, a police party of Police Station Pulwama during naka checking at Tengpona Road near Women’s Degree College intercepted a suspicious person. During search, 771 grams of chora/ganja-like substance concealed in a Nylon bag was recovered from his possession. He has been identified as Mohd Arif Malik, son of Reyaz Ahmad Malik, resident of Malikpora Pulwama.

Moreover in Awantipora, during naka checking at Khrew, a police party headed by SHO PS Khrew apprehended one person who was found roaming under suspicious circumstances. He has been identified as Shahid Bashir, son of Bashir Ahmad Wani, resident of Seer Colony Khrew. During his search 1.115 Kgs of Charas Powder like substance was recovered.

All the accused have been arrested and shifted to respective police stations. Accordingly, cases under relevant sections of law have been registered at respective police stations and further investigation have been initiated.

In a separate action in central Kashmir’s Budgam, during routine naka checking at village Harran, a police team from Police Post Soibugh intercepted suspicious person who tried to flee from the spot but was apprehended tactfully. During search, heroin-like substance was recovered from his possession. The accused has been identified as Younis Nazir Ganiee, son of Nazir Ahmed Ganiee, resident of Harran, Budgam and was subsequently arrested.

Accordingly, a case vide FIR No. 69/2026 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Budgam, and further investigation is underway.

J&K Police reiterated its commitment to curb the menace of drugs and urged the general public to cooperate and share any information related to drug abuse or trafficking.

New Delhi, Mar 24: A Delhi court on Tuesday sentenced Kashmiri separatist and Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi to life imprisonment following her conviction in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case.

Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh announced the verdict on Andrabi after concluding the arguments on the quantum of sentence.

The court also sentenced two associates of Andrabi — Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen — who were also convicted for 30 years in prison in the same case.

Earlier on January 14, Andrabi, Fehmeeda and Nasreen were convicted under the offences of UAPA Sections 20 (punishment for being a member of a terrorist gang or terrorist organisation), 38 (offence relating to membership of a terrorist organisation) and 39 (supporting a terrorist organisation).

The court also convicted the three under IPC sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) and 121A (conspiracy to commit offences against the State).

Following her conviction, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had sought life imprisonment for Andrabi, saying she had waged war against India and a stern message was required to be sent that conspiring against the State would invite the harshest penalty.

Srinagar, March 23: The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast a spell of unsettled weather across Jammu and Kashmir later this week, with rain, snowfall in higher reaches and gusty winds expected from the night of March 28.

According to the forecast, weather conditions will remain generally dry on 25, followed by partly cloudy skies with a possibility of light rain or snow at isolated places on March 26.

The advisory gains significance as the region is expected to witness a shift in weather patterns from March 28 night, which could impact agriculture, travel and routine activities in several areas.

Officials said March 27 and 28 will largely remain dry until evening, after which light rain, snowfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds are likely at many places across the Union Territory.

The MeT Centre has warned that from March 29 to 31, generally cloudy conditions will prevail with a possibility of light to moderate rain in plains and snowfall over higher reaches at many locations. Thunderstorms and gusty winds with speeds of 40–50 kmph are also expected during this period.

“Possibility of moderate snow over a few higher reaches with thunder, lightning and gusty winds cannot be ruled out between the night of March 28 and March 31,” an official from the MeT Centre Srinagar said.

In view of the forecast, authorities have issued an advisory urging farmers to suspend farm operations on March 26 and again from March 29 to 31 to avoid losses due to adverse weather.

Travellers have also been advised to follow traffic advisories and plan their movement carefully during the period of expected weather disturbance, particularly in hilly and vulnerable areas.

From April 1 to 4, the weather is expected to remain partly to generally cloudy, with no major disturbances indicated during that period.

Officials said the situation will continue to be monitored, and updates will be issued as necessary depending on the progression of the weather system.

Weather patterns in Jammu and Kashmir during this time of year often include transitional conditions, with occasional western disturbances bringing rain, snow and wind activity, particularly affecting higher altitude areas and impacting road connectivity and agriculture. [KNT]