Srinagar, Oct 18: In continuation of its ongoing drive against illegal mining, Jammu and Kashmir Police have intensified efforts to combat illegal mining activities in the Police district Awantipora and has seized 06 vehicles involved in illegal excavation and transportation of minerals.

A police spokesperson said that a police party of Police Station Awantipora headed by SHO PS along with IC PP Toll Plaza seized two tippers bearing registration numbers JK13H-7079, JK13H-8993. The persons involved in the said crime have been identified as Mohd Saleem Wani, son of Gh. Rasool Wani, resident of Katu, Bijbehra; and Ab. Rasheed Bhat, Son of Ali Mohd Bhat, resident of Naina, Pulwama.

He said a case vide FIR No. 218/2025 under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Awantipora and further investigation has been initiated.

In a similar action, a police party of Police Station Pampore headed by SHO PS Pampore seized two JCBs driven by Jan Mohd Guru, son of Abdul Aziz Guru, resident of Drangbal Pampore; and Muzaffar Ahmad Mir, son of Bashir Ahmad Mir, resident of Drangabal involved in illicit extraction of minerals.

Accordingly, cases vide FIR No.’s 108/2025 and 109/2025 under relevant sections of law have been registered in Police Station Pampore and further investigation has been initiated.

Moreover, a Police party of Police Post Reshipora headed by IC PP Reshipora seized two Dumpers bearing registration numbers JK13J-1146, JK03L-5746. The persons involved in the said crime have been identified as Jehangir Ahmad Wani, son of Ab Rehman Wani, resident of  wahiporq Astanpora Pulwama; and Shariq ahmad Bhat, son of Mohd shafi Bhat, resident of Renzipora.

Accordingly, a case FIR No. 219/2025 under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Awantipora and further investigation has been initiated, spokesperson said.

Police reiterated its commitment in protecting the district’s natural resources and assured its zero-tolerance policy towards illegal mining.

Police also urged general public to support this initiative by reporting such activities.

Bandipora, Oct 18: The Bandipora District Hospital administration on Saturday said the security guards had moved to the ward to attend an “emergency” after a cow was seen entering the facility in a viral video.

The incident occurred on Friday afternoon around 1:00 p.m. when a cow entered the hospital premises through the emergency section.

The video, which quickly went viral, sparked public outrage and mixed reactions online, with many questioning how such an incident could occur inside a major district hospital.

Speaking to this correspondent, the Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Bandipora, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, said that cows often stray into the hospital vicinity despite repeated requests to their owners not to let them roam freely.

Regarding the latest incident, Dr. Ahmad said that the security guards had “moved to the ward” due to an exigency at the time. “In about five minutes,” he added, “the cow managed to enter the hospital.”

The doctor said that an FIR had been registered against the youth who filmed and circulated the video, describing him as a “habitual mischief-maker who regularly creates problems in society.”

“We have registered an FIR against him for turning the incident into amusement rather than acting responsibly and shooing the cow away,” Dr. Ahmad said.

He added that the hospital administration had taken a “tough stand” against the security guards, warning them over the lapse and tightening measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Anantnag, Oct 18: The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Anantnag has taken strong note of the circulation of a video involving a minor during an event held by Physics Wallah at Anantnag, terming it a violation of the child’s privacy and an act of abuse.

In a communiqué, the committee said it had received an application from the minor (name withheld), who complained that the video was misinterpreted and misused on social media, causing distress and inviting immoral and threatening comments.

The CWC said that the undue circulation of the video violates the right to privacy of the minor and constitutes an offence under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and related rules.

“All social media handlers and individual account holders are strictly informed to delete the said content and refrain from disseminating it further,” the committee said, warning that any violation would be dealt with under law and may attract imprisonment—(KNO)

Baramulla, Oct 18: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar on Saturday said strict action to be initiated against those involved in using artificial coloring and substandard pesticides in fruit crops, terming the practices harmful to both the industry and the consumers.

Speaking to reporters in Baramulla, Minister Dar said the government is finalizing the process of creating a dedicated Enforcement Wing to regulate fertilizers and pesticides.

“Many fertilizers and pesticides are of poor quality. We are strengthening enforcement to identify and act against violators”, he said.

The Minister said complaints have surfaced from buyers in Delhi, Jammu and Kolkata about Kashmir’s apples being artificially colored before ripening. “Such coloring damages the fruit’s quality and reputation. It shortens shelf life and can cause illness. We have directed that colored apples should not be allowed into fruit markets,” he said.

Dar warned that penalties will be imposed on traders and growers, who bring colored fruit to markets ahead of the season. “If a September apple arrives in August and shows coloring, it indicates malpractice. This must stop,” he said.

On pest control, Dar said illegal import of rootstocks without quarantine checks has worsened the “leaf miner” pest problem. “Some people bring rootstocks through black marketing. We have identified them and strict action will follow”, he said.

He added that the government will not ban licenses arbitrarily but will ensure compliance with safety standards. “We are a progressive state. We cannot stop trade, but we will not allow misuse of licenses”, he said.

The Minister also said the government is preparing a plan to decongest and expand the Sopore Fruit Mandi. “Departments of Housing, R&B, Planning and Power will jointly develop a comprehensive plan to improve transport flow and expand the market,” he said.

He also confirmed that the Doabgah government juice plant is operational and was outsourced to a private operator three years ago. “It continues to function under private management,” he said—(KNO)

Srinagar, Oct 18: In a major breakthrough, Srinagar Police arrested six absconders who had been evading arrest for several years—some for over two decades, police officials said on Saturday.

In a statement, the officials said that Srinagar Police, acting on specific intelligence inputs, formed a special team that carried out a targeted operation, leading to the successful apprehension of the absconders. After completing all legal formalities, the accused were produced before the Hon’ble Court in Srinagar.

Police identified the arrested individuals as:

• Mehraj-ud-Din Marazi, S/o Mohd Abdullah Marazi, R/o Sonwar, Srinagar — absconding for 11 years in Case FIR No. 21/2015 under Sections 8/21, 22, 29 NDPS Act, PS Lalbazar.
• Arshid Ahmad Shoora, S/o Ab Rashid Shoora, R/o Bota Kadal, Lalbazar (presently at Hamchi Saidpora, Hazratbal, Srinagar) — evading arrest for 8 years in a case registered under the NI Act, PS Lalbazar.
• Habibulla Bhat, S/o Ab Samad, R/o Kralpora Kupwara, A/P Lalbazar — evading arrest for 27 years in Case FIR No. 39/1998 U/S 294 RPC, PS Shergarhi.
• Gowhar Ahmad Wani, S/o Wali Mohammad Wani, R/o Arigam, Budgam — evading arrest for 4 years in Case FIR No. 52/2021 U/S 379, 511 IPC, PS Shergarhi.
• Mashooq Ahmad Sheikh, S/o Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, R/o Ramnagri Shopian, A/P Gulshan Nagar, Nowgam, Srinagar — evading arrest for 4 years in Case FIR No. 119/2009 U/S 379 RPC, PS Shergarhi.
• Uneeb Mukhtiyar Nathkhan, S/o Mukhtiyar Nathkhan, R/o 90 Feet Road, Soura — absconding for 16 years in Case FIR No. 119/2009 U/S 379 RPC, PS Shergarhi.

Srinagar Police reiterated its unwavering commitment to uphold the rule of law and ensure that no individual evading justice remains beyond its reach.