Ganderbal, June 4: Ganderbal Police on Thursday nabbed a fraudster who was cheating visiting vendors and service providers, impersonating before them an Amarnath Yatra facilitator.

Officials said that on 27.05.2026, Police Station Sonmarg received information through reliable sources that one suspect person namely Mohammad Ayob Jara, S/o Abdul Rehman Jara, R/o Androola Poonch is roaming in Domail area, and is impersonating himself as government employee working on Domail axis of Shri Amarnath Cave, and on this pretext, the said person was attempting to cheat visiting vendors and service providers by impersonating himself that he would facilitate their visit to the cave in lieu of money.

In this regard, an FIR was registered under relevant sections of BNS at PS Sonmarg, and investigation was taken up.

On June 3, 2026 late evening the said accused was nabbed, officials said, and added that further investigation into the matter is going on.

Srinagar, June 4: In preparation for the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026, IGP Kashmir V K Birdi, accompanied by DIG Central Kashmir Range Rajiv Pandey and SSP Ganderbal Sudhanshu Dhama, visited the Baltal Base Camp to review the pace of security and logistical arrangements being put in place for the smooth conduct of the Yatra.

During the visit, the officers inspected various facilities established for Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel deployed for Yatra duties. They assessed the preparedness of security infrastructure, accommodation, communication facilities, and other essential arrangements at the base camp.

IGP Kashmir emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to ensure a safe, secure, and hassle-free pilgrimage. Directions were issued to concerned officers to maintain the highest standards of preparedness and ensure timely completion of all arrangements well before the commencement of the Yatra.

Police is committed to provide a secure environment and facilitate the smooth conduct of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026.

Srinagar, June 4: Valley’s prominent writer, physician, scholar, columnist Dr. Javid Iqbal breathed his last today at Paras Hospital. 
 
The passing away of Dr. Javid Iqbal has left a profound void in Kashmir’s intellectual, literary, and social landscape. A physician by profession and a scholar by temperament, Dr. Javid was among the rare individuals who combined professional excellence with an extraordinary breadth of knowledge and intellectual curiosity.

The son of the eminent academic Prof. Saif-ud-Din, Dr. Javid served for decades as a medical doctor in Kashmir and abroad, including in Iran. However, he became equally, if not more, renowned for his contributions to literature and public discourse. He authored several books and wrote hundreds of columns and articles on a wide range of subjects, earning recognition as one of Kashmir’s most insightful and respected public intellectuals.

Known for his deep scholarship, analytical mind, and balanced views, Dr. Javid could engage meaningfully on virtually any subject—from history and philosophy to politics, religion, economics, and contemporary affairs. Yet, despite his vast learning, he remained remarkably humble, approachable, and compassionate.

His passing is not merely the loss of a distinguished individual but the departure of a voice of wisdom, moderation, and humanity. He leaves behind a rich intellectual legacy that will continue to enlighten future generations.

May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his noble deeds, and grant him the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdaus.

Baramulla, June 4: Baramulla Police on Thursday issued an advisory restricting tourist movement towards the Mulbangil–Batoo route via the Hanjibal–Babareshi axis in the interest of public safety and to prevent tourists from venturing into areas not designated for tourism activities, officials said.

In a statement, police spokesperson said that Baramulla Police has observed a recent increase in the movement of tourists towards the interior areas of Mulbangil and Batoo along the Hajibal–Babareshi axis, facilitated in certain cases by tourism service providers, guides and transport operators.

Members of the public are advised that the Qazipora–Ziran–Batoo–Mulbangil–Hajibal route does not form part of the notified and established tourist circuit and traverses remote areas lacking adequate visitor support and emergency response facilities, the statement said.

“In the interest of public safety and to prevent tourists from venturing into areas not designated for tourism activities, Police shall be regulating and prohibiting tourist movement towards the aforesaid route with immediate effect and until further notice,” the spokesperson said.

All hotel owners, guest house operators, homestay owners, travel agencies, tour operators, taxi operators, tourist guides, pony operators and other stakeholders are advised not to facilitate, advertise, organise or encourage tourist visits towards the restricted area.

Police teams shall be deployed at appropriate locations to enforce the restrictions. Any individual, guide, operator, agency or establishment found violating these directions, facilitating unauthorized movement, or otherwise acting in a manner that endangers the safety of tourists shall attract strict legal action under the relevant provisions of law.

Tourists are requested to cooperate with the authorities and confine their visits to approved and established tourist destinations in the Tangmarg–Gulmarg area.
The cooperation of all stakeholders is solicited in ensuring the safety, convenience and welfare of visitors.

Ganderbal, June 04: Traffic Police Rural Kashmir have issued a detailed advisory ahead of a mega rally (Padyatra) scheduled in Ganderbal town on June 5, under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan campaign. 

According to the advisory, vehicular movement on several key roads in the district will remain suspended from 4 am to 3 pm to ensure the smooth conduct of the anti-drug awareness event. The affected stretches include Pandach Crossing–Wayil–Manigam Crossing, Beehama Chowk–Barsoo Crossing, and T-Chowk–Gadoora.

To manage traffic flow, authorities have announced alternative routes and diversions. Vehicles travelling towards Srinagar from Ladakh, Sonamarg and Kangan will be diverted at Wayil–Manigam Crossing via Shadipora and Shalteng, with the same route applicable for traffic moving in the reverse direction.

Similarly, traffic from Gutlibagh towards Srinagar will be redirected via Wayil–Manigam Crossing, Shadipora and Shalteng. Vehicles from Lar and Tulmulla will be routed through Dangarpora, Barsoo Crossing, Shadipora and Shalteng before proceeding towards Srinagar.

Motorists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel through Ganderbal town during the specified hours and to strictly adhere to the diversion plan to ensure smooth traffic movement and public safety.

Srinagar, Jun 4: National Conference senior leader and Srinagar MP Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Thursday said any fight for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and constitutional guarantees must be based on “consistency and credibility”, not “theatrics or optics”.

Speaking to news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS), MP Ruhullah said credibility of the political leadership was at stake as people were asking questions.

“The condition is that there should be sustainability and consistency. If there is no consistency, then there will be theatrics,” the MP said.

Ruhullah who claimed he was not invited to yesterday’s party meeting, said a serious movement required a roadmap and outreach across Kashmir and Delhi.

“Do not try to fool people by sitting somewhere for a day. Make a roadmap. Reach out to the whole of Kashmir. Create a movement,” he said.

He also called for forcing the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and creating momentum inside and outside Parliament.

Citing the example of Ladakh, MP Mehdi said Kashmir’s political leadership should learn how to fight unitedly for rights.

“If everyone is sincere, all political parties should suspend their political identities and come together on a single platform. We should build a democratic and peaceful movement until the rights taken away in 2019 are restored,” he said while speaking to KNS.

The MP said he was willing to take the first step by resigning from Parliament if a common movement was formed.

“I will be the first one to resign from Parliament. Let representatives be chosen from a common movement platform rather than party platforms until our constitutional rights are restored,” he said.

Ruhullah said political parties often unite briefly before returning to electoral competition, which weakens collective efforts.

“If parties are serious, they should keep electoral politics aside and focus entirely on the movement. People will only trust such efforts if they see sincerity and consistency,” he said.

Notably, The National Conference on Wednesday announced it will hold a protest in New Delhi on the first day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, pressing for restoration of J&K’s statehood and constitutional guarantees. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Dachigam National Park. (KNS)

Srinagar, June 4: Intensifying its crackdown on drug trafficking and narcotics-related crimes as part of the ongoing ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan’, Srinagar Police, in coordination with the Revenue Department, demolished an “illegally constructed” three-storey residential house worth over Rupees two crore, allegedly belonging to a notorious drug peddler in the Rainawari area of Srinagar, officials said on Thursday.

“Srinagar Police demolish illegal three-storeyed residential structure of notorious drug peddler worth approximately ₹2 Crore under Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan,” they said.

Police identified the drug peddler as Sheikh Tasaduq, son of Gh. Mohammad Sheikh, resident of Mumkhan Mohalla, Rainawari, Srinagar.

In a press statement, a police spokesperson said that the accused is involved in multiple NDPS cases including FIR No. 112/2019 under Sections 8/20, 18, 21, 29 NDPS Act registered at Police Station Awantipora and FIR No. 81/2023 under Sections 8/21, 29 NDPS Act registered at Police Station Budgam.

Additionally, police said his spouse, Sheikh Maroofa, is also involved in FIR No. 217/2025 under Section 8/22 NDPS Act registered at Police Station Pulwama.

“During a comprehensive inquiry and verification of the assets owned and possessed by the accused, it was established that the three-storeyed concrete structure had been raised over encroached State land and was allegedly constructed from proceeds generated through illicit narcotics trafficking. The action has also resulted in the recovery of valuable Government land worth crores from illegal occupation,” the spokesperson said.

Further investigation revealed that the property constituted illegally acquired assets and represented the financial gains derived from unlawful narcotics activities, apart from being an unauthorized encroachment on State land, he said.

He said that the structure was demolished in the presence of the concerned Revenue authorities after the completion of all requisite legal formalities and in accordance with the due process of law.

“This action reflects the firm resolve of Srinagar Police to dismantle the financial infrastructure supporting drug trafficking networks and ensure that proceeds of crime are neither protected nor allowed to be converted into unlawful assets,” he said.

Srinagar Police remains steadfast in its commitment to eradicate the menace of drugs from society and appeals to the public to continue supporting law enforcement agencies in building a drug-free Jammu & Kashmir.This version is more concise, legally safe, and carries a stronger enforcement message.