Jammu, Nov 28: Security forces on Friday launched a cordon and search operation after getting information about suspicious movement in the higher reaches of Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

The searches are underway in the Chigla-Balotha area of the Basantgarh belt of the district, they said. The Army, the Jammu and Kashmir police, and the CRPF are conducting the joint operation, they added.

Basantgarh is located along a traditional infiltration route often used by Pakistani terrorists who cross the International Border in Kathua and move through the higher reaches toward Doda and Kishtwar districts in the Jammu region before heading further into the Kashmir Valley.

The area has witnessed multiple encounters and terror-related incidents in the past.

According to officials, ahe army and police launched a joint operation by army, police and CRPF after receiving information about the movement of three suspected persons in the Balotha area, they said.

Doda, Nov 28: Police in Doda district on Friday arrested a man for allegedly uploading communally sensitive and provocative content on social media, officials said.

They said that the action followed a written complaint filed at Police Station Doda by Hassan Babur Nehru, a resident of Nehru Chowk, against Amreek Singh, son of Ranbir Singh, from Beoli area of the district.

In his complaint, Nehru alleged that Singh was a habitual offender who frequently livestreamed inflammatory speeches on Facebook. He alleged that on November 26, the accused had posted abusive, derogatory and communal remarks targeting a particular community on a Facebook page titled “Panchmukhi Pahadi Rajpoot.”

They said the content was widely shared online, creating the potential to disturb public order, promote enmity between communities and hurt religious sentiments.

Police said Singh had earlier been arrested in March 2023 for uploading similar material and was subsequently placed under preventive detention in District Jail Bhaderwah.

Taking cognisance, the police registered FIR No. 269/2025 under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Doda and initiated an investigation.

Police advised the public to use social media responsibly and warned of strict action against those promoting hatred, misinformation or communal disharmony.—(KNC)

Srinagar, Nov 28: Large parts of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh witnessed a significant dip in night temperatures as the region remained in the grip of a severe cold wave on Friday.

In the Kashmir Valley, sub-zero temperatures were recorded almost across the board. Srinagar settled at –4.5°C, while Qazigund touched –4.4°C. Tourist destinations also froze under harsh cold, with Pahalgam dropping to –5.5°C and Gulmarg registering –1.4°C.

Parts of south Kashmir recorded some of the lowest temperatures of the season — Pulwama and Anantnag dipped to –6.2°C, Pampore settled at –6.0°C, and Shopian was the coldest at –6.7°C. Srinagar Airport remained extremely cold at –6.4°C.

Several north Kashmir areas also saw deep freeze conditions. Kupwara stood at –4.8°C, Bandipora –4.9°C, Baramulla –5.9°C, and Zethan Rafiabad –5.3°C. In central Kashmir, Budgam recorded –4.8°C, Ganderbal –3.5°C, and Sonamarg –3.8°C. The highest-altitude location on the list, Zojila Pass, remained in the extreme cold zone at –16.0°C.

The cold wave was less severe in the Jammu region, where temperatures stayed above freezing in most places. Jammu recorded 9.4°C, while neighbouring Katra and Kathua settled at 8.2°C.
Mountainous belts, however, felt a sharper chill — Bhaderwah dipped just below freezing at –0.5°C, while Udhampur, Banihal, and Batote stood at 3.6°C.

Other stations included Ramban at 3.2°C, Samba at 3.4°C, Rajouri at 1.4°C, Doda at 2.9°C, Kishtwar at 3.5°C, and Reasi at 6.4°C.

In Ladakh, night temperatures remained deeply sub-zero, continuing the region’s long winter spell. Kargil touched –9.6°C, Leh recorded –8.6°C, while Nubra Valley stood at –8.3°C.

According to weather observers, the intense chill across the Himalayan belt marks a definite strengthening of winter conditions in the region, with frost and icy mornings expected to continue. (KNS)