Srinagar, Jul 31: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Friday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Kulgam district in which a labourer from Chhattisgarh was killed and another was injured.

Describing the attack as a “cowardly and barbaric act”, Sharma said targeting innocent civilians and labourers was an assault on humanity and an attempt to disturb peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.

“I strongly condemn this heinous terrorist attack. Such acts of violence have no place in a civilised society and those responsible must be brought to justice at the earliest,” he said.

Expressing his condolences to the bereaved family, Sharma prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and wished a speedy recovery to the injured labourer.

He urged the security forces to intensify anti-terror operations and ensure that the perpetrators are identified and punished. Sharma also appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to remain united against terrorism and not allow such incidents to disrupt communal harmony and peace.

“The entire nation stands with the victim’s family in this hour of grief. I have full confidence that our security forces will take decisive action against those behind this dastardly attack,” Sharma said.

Srinagar, July 31: A non-local labourer was killed and another critically injured after terrorists opened fire on them in the Kilam area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Friday evening, officials said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, V K Birdi, told Greater Kashmir that terrorists targeted two non-local labourers in Kilam, leaving both of them critically injured.

The victims were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where one of them succumbed to his injuries. The other injured labourer is undergoing surgery, the IGP said.

Following the attack, security forces rushed to the area, cordoned off the locality, and launched a massive search operation to track down the assailants.

Srinagar, July 31: People’s Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Friday launched a blistering attack on PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, accusing her of trying to divert attention from her recent remarks and demanding that she issue an “unconditional apology.”

Addressing a press conference, Lone alleged that Mufti was attempting to shift the public discourse by targeting him and his party.

“My request to Mehbooba Mufti is: ‘Yeh kitna bhi drama karein… yeh munh band kar do.’ You have to offer an unconditional apology. This diversion will not work,” he said.

Lone’s remarks came a day after PDP leaders, including Iltija Mufti, Waheed Ur Rehman Parra and Yasir Reshi, accused the People’s Conference of using the names of central investigative agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to intimidate political rivals. The PDP had urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene and clarify whether such claims had any official basis.

Referring to Mufti’s recent remarks, Lone said, “She called the children of Kashmir militants and justified pellet guns and firing. This is a diversion.”

Rejecting allegations that People’s Conference leaders were backed by government agencies, Lone said such claims undermined the entire political system in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Only one party in Kashmir keeps saying agencies are breaking it. Elsewhere in India, political parties do not make such claims every day,” he said.

Lone alleged that the PDP viewed every political defection through the prism of agencies because, according to him, “they believe every party is created by agencies.”

He contrasted the People’s Conference with the PDP, saying his party’s support base had remained intact despite political attacks.

“We are a 50-year-old party. Abuse us, call us BJP, our vote has increased, not decreased,” he said, claiming that the PDP’s vote share in north Kashmir had fallen from 36% in 2014 to about 2.5% in 2024.

Calling the PDP a party dependent on individuals rather than an organisation, Lone said, “You are a vote-less party. You are dependent on individuals. When individuals leave, the party collapses.”

Lone also questioned the logic behind accusations that agencies had persuaded politicians to join his party.

“If someone came to me at the behest of agencies, then when they returned to your party, did they not also go back at the behest of agencies?” he asked.

The People’s Conference chief accused Mehbooba Mufti of insulting political workers across Jammu and Kashmir.

“She is abusing our political system. She is abusing our political leaders. Is everybody on sale here?” he said.

Lone further alleged that the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had repeatedly tried to prevent his entry into mainstream politics, recounting episodes from 2009 and 2014 when, he claimed, efforts were made to stop him from contesting elections.

“He always tried to stop me. Despite all the power Mr Mufti used, I am here on my own,” Lone said.

Recalling his family’s experiences, Lone alleged that his father had been subjected to harsh treatment while in detention during Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s tenure as Union home minister.
“My father was put in shackles. Are you the victim or am I?” he asked.

Lone rejected suggestions that he had threatened anyone or acted at the behest of government agencies.

“If there is any proof, bring it before the public. This drama must stop,” he said.

He announced that the People’s Conference would release a “white paper” on the PDP, covering events from the 1983 split in the National Conference, the 1987 elections, and subsequent political developments.

“We will bring a white paper on the PDP. Let them challenge me. If I am wrong, I will apologise,” Lone said.

Srinagar, July 31: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu & Kashmir, has presented a chargesheet before the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, in FIR No. 04/2025 against Ghulam Rasool Bhat, then Tehsildar, Qaziabad, Kralgund, District Kupwara, and a private individual, Rafi Ahmad Lone, in connection with a bribery trap case involving illegal gratification of Rs 1 lakh.

Officials said the case was registered on the basis of a complaint alleging demand of a bribe for issuance of permission to cut walnut trees for commercial purposes. Upon verification of the allegations, a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered and investigation was initiated by Police Station ACB Baramulla.

During a trap laid on June 20, 2025, the accused public servant was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the balance bribe amount of ₹50,000 at Kralgund, Handwara. The tainted money was recovered in accordance with law, and both accused were arrested and subsequently released on bail by the Hon’ble Court.

Upon completion of the investigation and obtaining the requisite prosecution sanction from the competent authority, the chargesheet was filed before the Hon’ble Court for judicial determination, officials added.

Srinagar, July 31: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, while addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar, expressed deep concern over the continuing unrest and tragic loss of lives across the Line of Control, particularly in Rawalakot.

In a staetment, Mirwaiz said “Today, as we gather in prayer, our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters on the other side of the Line of Control. We are deeply anguished by the continuing unrest and the tragic loss of precious lives during the past month and a half. Reports indicate that dozens of people have been killed, while some accounts place the cumulative toll even higher. The truth must be established through a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation. We mourn every life lost—whether that of a civilian protester or a member of the police force—and pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured. May Allah grant patience and strength to the bereaved families and guide those entrusted with authority towards justice, wisdom and restraint.

He said the recent events across the Line of Control, particularly in Rawalakot, remind us that governments may administer territories and advance competing political positions, but it is the people of Jammu and Kashmir who remain the true stakeholders of their homeland. The governments administering the two sides of the Line of Control each claim to act in the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, yet the people themselves must remain at the centre of every decision affecting their future. We are one people, bound together by history, family, culture and our common State Subject identity.

Whether we live in Srinagar, Muzaffarabad, Birmingham or elsewhere across the world, we remain one people. The Line of Control has divided the territory, but not our families, our shared history or our collective stake in our destiny.

We therefore appeal to the Government of Pakistan and the local Government across the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir to engage sincerely with the representatives of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and with all sections of the people. Durable peace and stability can only be achieved through dialogue, constitutional fairness and respect for the rights and dignity of every segment of society.

At the same time, any genuine people’s movement must itself remain inclusive. It cannot advance the rights of one section of the people while questioning or diminishing the constitutional rights of another. The voting rights and constitutional status of nearly three million Kashmiri refugees and migrants living across the provinces of Pakistan should not become a matter of political bargaining or exclusion. Their rights form an integral part of the collective rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and deserve equal respect and protection. Both sides should therefore strive to find a fair and mutually acceptable middle ground to address this important issue.

Our struggle has always been one for justice, dignity, human rights and the political rights of the entire people of Jammu and Kashmir across regions and ethnicities, including minorities. That struggle can only retain its moral strength if it embraces every Kashmiri without distinction, living on either side of the Line of Control or in the wider diaspora.

On this blessed Friday, let us pray for peace, justice, reconciliation and unity among our people. Let us pray that wisdom prevails over confrontation, dialogue over violence, and inclusiveness over division. May Allah guide all governments and leaders to uphold the rights, dignity and welfare of every son and daughter of Jammu and Kashmir, the statement added.