Budgam, Sept 14: Four Army personnel were injured in an accident in Khah area of Budgam district on Sunday, with two of them reported to be in critical condition.
The injured soldiers, all belonging to 53 Rashtriya Rifles, were immediately shifted to 92 Base Hospital at Badami Bagh Cantonment for advanced treatment.
Further details are awaited. [KNT]
Srinagar, Sep 14: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has urged citizens not to pay bribes to government officials, employees of government-controlled corporations, local authorities, or any other individuals performing public duties.
In an advisory issued to the public, the CBI Anti-Corruption Branch Srinagar asked people to report any demand for bribes or cases of corruption directly to its office located near the MLA Hostel in Srinagar. Complaints can be made through landline number 0194-2455514, mobile number 9419900977, or via email at hobacsgsr@cbi.gov.in.
The agency assured that the identity of complainants and informers will be kept strictly confidential. It emphasized the importance of public cooperation in eliminating corruption and urged people to say no to bribes and actively participate in eradicating the menace.
Officials said the advisory has been issued in the larger public interest to encourage transparency and accountability in governance. [KNT]
Rajouri, Sept 14: Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Thanamandi, in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffar Iqbal Khan was seen in an angry mode during his field visit from where he video called the officers of education department lodging his resentment against failure of department to ensure adequate, safe building to the school.
The said school is Government Primary School Maal in Manjakote zone of Rajouri district and is located near Line of Control.
The building of the school is in worst condition as all three classrooms and office of the school are almost collapsing with no doors, windows.
Fumed after seeing pathetic condition of the school during his visit in the area, MLA Muzaffar Iqbal Khan straightway called senior officers of education department including Chief Education Officer Rajouri and briefed him about the poor condition of school building.
With regular video call, MLA made education officers aware about situation of school building and how unsafe it is posing serious threat to students and staff.
The MLA also raised his serious concern as he projected a new building for the school at least 6 months ago but the department has not allocated funds.
Srinagar, Sep 13: Former MLA Kupwara and chief spokesperson of the J&K Peoples Conference Advocate Bashir Ahmad Dar has written a letter to the Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly, raising alarm over what he described as “systematic assault” on the very institution of MLA.
In the letter, Adv. Bashir expressed deep concern over the arrest of sitting MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and recalled the “unprecedented and shameful” physical assault on Malik inside the Assembly premises.
“The institution of MLA is being rapidly eroded. As someone who has been an MLA myself, it pains me to see this decline. The arrest of a sitting legislator under PSA is not just about one individual — it is a question of the Assembly’s dignity. The Speaker has a duty to step outside the box and safeguard the sanctity of this institution,” he wrote.
PC Chief spokesperson stressed that while the Assembly may not directly control the Home Department but nothing prevents it from taking a stand. “Disapproval by the Legislature is disapproval by the masses. It is imperative that such disapproval is voiced unambiguously,” he added.
He also reminded the Speaker that Malik had earlier been physically attacked inside the Assembly premises. “For the first time since 1947, non-MLAs assaulted an MLA inside the premises of the J&K Legislature. Shockingly, no punitive measures were taken. This was not a scuffle during proceedings, but a calculated assault outside session hours, a historic violation of legislative sanctity,” he wrote.
He questioned the Speaker’s silence on both issues, calling it “disheartening” and “a dangerous precedent” urging him to order an investigation into how non-MLAs gained access to the Assembly premises to assault a sitting legislator, and why no accountability followed.
Drawing a line between political disagreements and targeted violence, Advocate Bashir said: “There is a world of difference between heated exchanges during a session and a cowardly, vicious attack on a lone MLA when the House is not in progress. If we fail to uphold our dignity, we cannot expect others to treat us with dignity.”
Defending Malik, Adv. Bashir suggested his grassroots rise was the reason behind the targeting. “Had he been an elitist, establishment-driven politician, nobody would have dared lay a finger on him or slap PSA against him,” he wrote.
Adv. Bashir appealed to the Speaker to take decisive steps to restore public faith in the Assembly. “I implore you to take a firm stance to ensure that the legislature addresses the implications of the PSA and that the administrative system identifies the MLAs who participated in the attack and the non-MLAs who assaulted an MLA inside the premise,” he stated.
He expressed hope that the Speaker would act with proportionality and firmness, ensuring that the Legislative Assembly does not lose its sheen, stressing that this institution must never be allowed to crumble—(KNO)
Reasi, Sep 14: Vaishno Devi Yatra remained suspended for the 20th consecutive day on Sunday, following adverse weather conditions in the region.
The Yatra, which was scheduled to resume today, stands postponed till further orders due to incessant rain at Bhawan and the track.
In a post on social media X, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) requested devotees to stay updated through official communication channels.
“Due to incessant rain at Bhawan & the track, commencement of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra scheduled from 14th September stands postponed till further order. Devotees are requested to stay updated through official communication channels,” the post read.
Earlier, the Shrine Board expressed gratitude to the devotees for their patience and understanding during the temporary suspension of the Yatra.
“The resumption of the Yatra marks a reaffirmation of our collective faith and resilience, and the Board remains committed to upholding the sanctity, safety and dignity of this revered pilgrimage.” Authorities cited safety concerns as persistent rainfall has triggered landslides and blocked tracks leading to the shrine, making movement unsafe for pilgrims.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway also remains disrupted at several points due to landslides and road damage, further complicating connectivity.
The prolonged suspension caused disappointment among devotees, while local businesses dependent on the yatra are also facing difficulties.
The Vaishno Devi Yatra was suspended after a landslide on August 26 that killed 34 people and injured several. The disaster struck in the afternoon, around 3 pm, when heavy rains triggered a massive landslide near the Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkuwari, about halfway along the 12-kilometre trek from Katra to the shrine.
Moscow, Sep14: Ukraine struck Russia’s biggest oil terminal in its largest drone operation in months, setting fire to two tankers and forcing a suspension of crude loadings on Saturday, according to France 24.
The facility, owned by Russian oil company Bashneft, is located around 1,400 kilometres from the front line.
According to The New York Post, one of the tankers that caught fire had the ability to carry up to 700,000 barrels of oil. The fires were later put out, but it remains unclear if loading operations have resumed.
As per France 24, head of Russia’s Bashkortostan region, Radiy Khabirov, said one drone struck the plant while another was shot down. “There were no casualties or injuries. The production site sustained minor damage, and a fire broke out, which is currently being extinguished,” he wrote on Telegram.
Videos posted on social media appeared to show a drone drifting towards the facility before exploding in a ball of flames, sending a cloud of smoke into the sky, as per France 24.
The strike is part of Ukraine’s wider campaign targeting Russian refineries to disrupt Moscow’s war funding. Over the summer, a series of such attacks reduced refining capacity at key plants and pushed up fuel prices.
US President Donald Trump urged NATO allies on Saturday to stop buying Russian oil, calling it necessary to pressure Moscow to end the conflict. Despite sanctions, Turkey, Hungary and Slovakia continue to import Russian oil.
The Bashneft Ufa refinery, described by the Kremlin in 2016 as “one of the largest in the country,” produces over 150 different petroleum products, France 24 reported.
Srinagar, Sep 13: PDP MLA Waheed Para on Saturday said the Public Safety Act (PSA) has always been “misused” against the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and it is time to reconsider it seriously.
His remarks came in the backdrop of AAP MLA from Doda Mehraj Malik being detained under the stringent law, which allows detention without charge or trial for up to two years in some cases.
“The PSA has always been misused against the people of J&K. There is strong resentment against it among people and there is a need to stop its use. So, all the institutions should talk about it,” Para told reporters in Pulwama.
He said there is a need to reconsider the law and its application seriously.
Para termed Malik’s detention under the PSA “unfortunate”.
Political parties contested the assembly elections so that everyone would abolish this “black law” together. “However, it is a pity that we are not even discussing it,” the Pulwama MLA said.
Para said Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahin Rather issued a notification stating that Malik has been detained under the PSA but did not issue another to condemn it.
Calling on politicians to speak against the “misuse” of the law, the PDP leader said that at present, thousands of youths are in jails and if politicians holding important positions do not speak out on the issue, “then there is no point in public representation”.
On a question about his response to the Speaker’s show cause notice to him, Para said he will respond to it and if possible, he will also meet Rather.
The Speaker issued the notice to Para over his social media post claiming that the assembly secretariat endorsed Malik’s detention under the PSA.
Malik, who is also the chief of the AAP’s J&K unit, was detained on Monday for allegedly disturbing public order and was lodged in Kathua jail. His detention sparked violent protests in Doda, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory restrictions and snap mobile internet and broadband services in the district.
NATIONAL SRINAGAR
Srinagar, Sep 13: In a landmark achievement, Dr. Mir Shahnawaz, a distinguished dermatologist and founder of Dermis Skin Laser & Hair Transplant Clinic, Srinagar, has been honored as the first dermatologist from Jammu & Kashmir invited to speak at the prestigious Sesderma Headquarters in Spain.
Dr. Shahnawaz’s visit included a highly engaging session with Dr. Gabriel Serrano, CEO of Sesderma and one of the world’s most renowned dermatologists. Their discussions centered on global advances in regenerative medicine, exosome-based therapies, and the future of aesthetic dermatology, underscoring the vital role of international collaboration in patient care, read a handout.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shahnawaz, as per the handout, said: “This invitation is a recognition not just for me but for the medical fraternity of J&K. Engaging with global experts like Dr. Serrano inspires me to continue bringing world-class innovations to my patients in the valley.”
The recognition is being hailed as a historic milestone, marking Dr. Shahnawaz’s growing international stature and reinforcing his role in placing Jammu & Kashmir on the global map of advanced dermatology and aesthetics.
Srinagar, Sep 13: The Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) continued its mission to foster innovation and empower youth through entrepreneurship by organising Boot Camps under the Startup Idea Challenge at Government College for Women, Udhampur, and Government Degree College, Kathua.
Conducted under the J&K Startup Policy 2024–2027, the events saw enthusiastic participation from students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and faculty members.
At Government Degree College, Kathua, over 100 students attended the boot camp and pitching session, inaugurated by Prof. Rakesh Singh, HoD Chemistry and In-charge of Career Counselling Cell, who commended JKEDI for encouraging youth entrepreneurship. Fourteen aspiring entrepreneurs pitched their ideas to an expert jury, with eight ideas shortlisted for the next round. Dheeraj Handoo, District Nodal Officer, JKEDI Kathua, presented details of the J&K Startup Policy, while Vir Pratap Singh, Teaching Associate, JKEDI, outlined government incentives under the policy.
Srinagar, Sep 13: The Tyndale-Biscoe and Mallinson Society (TBMS) is set to host the 4th Canon C.E. Tyndale-Biscoe Invitational Football Tournament from September 15 to 21, bringing together school teams from various institutions in a week-long sporting event.
Organisers, as per the news agency KNT, said the tournament has been designed to encourage young players to showcase their talent in the true spirit of competition while also instilling values of discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship.
