Handwara, Nov 20: A joint operation by Handwara Police and CRPF 162 Battalion busted a narco-terror module operating in the Qalamabad area of Handwara, officials said on Thursday.

Acting on specific intelligence regarding the possession of commercial-quantity narcotics along with illegal arms and ammunition, the authorities registered FIR No. 38/2025 at Police Station Qalamabad under Section 8/21 of the NDPS Act, Sections 13, 18, 23, and 39 of the UA(P) Act, and Section 7/25 of the Arms Act.

The operation, the officials said, led to the arrest of a father–son duo, identified as, Shahnawaz Khan, 23, son of Abdul Lateef, resident of Puthwari, Nowgam, Handwara. Abdul Lateef, 53, son of Shah Rehman, resident of Puthwari, Nowgam, Handwara.

Preliminary investigations reveal that the duo was actively involved in running a narco-terror network in the area, facilitating the distribution of narcotics alongside terror-related activities.

“One pistol with seven live rounds, heroin-like contraband weighing approximately 890 grams, were recovered during the operation,” officials said, adding further investigation into the network and its links is underway.

Srinagar, Nov 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday said that a high-level committee has been constituted to probe the Nowgam blast, while as reports appearing on social media handles are “misleading”.

They said the blast took place when the process of sampling was done from the large cache of recovered explosives for forensic examination by experts from Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).

“Various reports and items have been appearing in the social media, regarding the unfortunate accidental explosion at PS Nowgam, Srinagar. It is clarified that these are conjectures and efforts to mislead the public,” police in a statement said.

Police reiterated that an accidental explosion occurred on 14 Nov 2025, while the process of sample collection, from the large cache of recovered explosive, for forensic examination, was being done by experts from Forensic Science Laboratory.

Police stated that a high-level committee has already been constituted on 16 Nov 2025, by the Governemt, regarding this incident, under the Chairmanship of Principal Secretary, Home Department, comprising of IG Kashmir Zone, District Magistrate Srinagar and a senior Scientist from Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory, Govt of India.

Srinagar, Nov 20: In a major stride towards eliminating drug trafficking and strengthening public safety, Jammu and Kashmir Police in Shopian have booked a notorious and habitual drug peddler namely Mohd Shafi Sheikh, resident of Gadapora Shopian, under the provisions of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT NDPS) Act, 1988, officials said.

The detention order was issued by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, following a comprehensive dossier submitted by Shopian Police. The dossier detailed the individual’s sustained involvement in the illicit drug trade. The accused is a repeat offender; named in multiple FIRs related to narcotics and has been lodged in Central Jail Kot Bhalwal, Jammu.

This preventive detention was necessitated due to the grave threat posed by the individual’s activities to public health, peace, and the wellbeing of vulnerable youth. The action underscores the zero-tolerance policy of J&K Police toward drug peddling and trafficking and reflects the firm resolve of J&K Police to eradicate the drug menace from society. Citizens are urged to cooperate and share any information related to drug peddling or suspicious activities in their locality, officials added.

Ganderbal, Nov 20: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President and former cheif minister Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday visited Babanagri Wangat in Kangan to offer condolences to the family of Bilal Ahmad Sangoo, the Ganderbal youth who lost his life in the recent blast outside the Red Fort in Delhi. She met the bereaved family, expressed solidarity with them and prayed for peace to the departed soul.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, Mehbooba Mufti described the incident as tragic and distressing. She urged the government to extend all possible assistance to the victim’s family, noting that they were going through an extremely difficult period.

The PDP President said the involvement of certain individuals in any incident should never translate into collective punishment for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. She cautioned that innocent Kashmiris must not be subjected to harassment, intimidation or discrimination in different parts of the country following the Delhi blast.

Mehbooba Mufti appealed to the government to take concrete steps to safeguard Kashmiri students, workers and other individuals living outside the region. She said she hoped Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would raise the matter with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to ensure the rights, safety and dignity of Kashmiris are fully protected. [KNT]

Srinagar, Nov 20: Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district conducted an inspection drive of lockers of the doctors and medical staff at a government medical college, officials said on Thursday.

The authorities in the valley began the exercise on Wednesday. This was done as part of the enhanced security measures after the recent Delhi blast and recovery of arms and ammunition in the “white collar” terror module, besides ensuring transparency, accountability, and proper utilisation of hospital infrastructure, officials added.

The drive was conducted at the Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, from where an AK-47 rifle was recovered earlier this month from Dr Adeel Rather’s locker, officials mentioned.

The arrest of the doctor led to the busting of the “white collar” terror module, involving several doctors, and the recovery of around 2900 kg of explosive material.

They further said that the Anantang police, in coordination with the hospital administration, conducted a thorough inspection of the lockers at the GMC hospital.

During the inspection, unclaimed lockers were identified, and the hospital authorities were instructed to update records to prevent any misuse.