Shopian, Nov 20: The death of a nursing student after being hit by a speeding tipper in south Kashmir’s Shopian town on Thursday afternoon sparked public anger over unregulated and reckless driving by tipper and dumper operators in the district.

The deceased was identified as 22-year-old Rozy Jan, a resident of Chitragam Kalan.

An official said Jan was run over by a tipper (registration number JK-13E-3014) outside her college in Arhama, a short walk from the Deputy Commissioner’s office. She died on the spot.

The official said that the driver had been arrested and the vehicle seized.

The fatal accident triggered outrage among residents, who said that reckless driving by heavy vehicles had become routine in the district.

They alleged that tipper and dumper drivers frequently overspeed, ignore traffic rules and ply freely without proper monitoring by authorities.

“Many of these dumpers move around without registration numbers. The number plates on the rear side are missing in several cases,” said Mitha Gatoo, a social activist.

He said the absence of visible identification allows drivers to evade accountability after causing accidents or violating traffic norms.

Gatoo said that the entry of the tippers and dumpers into the town should be restricted during the daytime hours.

Local commuters said heavy vehicles have virtually taken over several key stretches in and around the town, especially during apple-transport seasons. “They fly on the roads,” said Iftikhar Ahmad, who commutes daily through the area. “I have had several close shaves. You never know when a speeding tipper will appear from a blind turn.”

Residents recounted several past incidents involving tippers and dumpers. “Last year, two teachers were killed by a speeding vehicle in Habdipora area of the town”, said a group of residents.

Locals are calling for the installation of speed limit boards, routine inspection of heavy vehicles and verification of registration plates.

Srinagar, Nov 20: Close on the heels of a massive controversy in Kashmir over the installation of smart meters, the Power Development Department (PDD) has proposed an extra 20 percent charge on electricity consumption during morning and evening hours in the Valley.

The Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) has sought approval from Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) to impose a 20 percent surcharge on all categories of consumers except for the agriculture sector during peak hours, when demand is at its highest due to the bone‑chilling cold in the Valley.

According to a petition filed before the JERC for J&K and Ladakh, KPDCL has proposed the surcharge for different consumer categories, including domestic households. The JERC, a quasi‑judicial body, is empowered to approve or reject tariff proposals.

Confirming the development, Managing Director KPDCL, Mahmood Ahmad Shah told KNO that “KPDCL has proposed a 20 percent surcharge on tariff for the peak hours of the day. As of now, no decision has been taken by the regulatory commission.”

The proposal is part of the Time of Day (ToD) tariff system, under which electricity costs vary depending on the time of consumption.

However, the proposal has been vehemently opposed by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) during the hearing on KPDCL petition on Thursday.

The KCCI, represented by Secretary General Faiz Ahmad Bakshi argued that it was misleading for KPDCL to claim it had not raised tariffs while simultaneously proposing a surcharge during peak hours.

“Since electricity consumption during these hours is a necessity and not a discretionary choice, treating it as an additional charge is fundamentally unfair,” the KCCI said.

Citing figures, the KCCI said Kashmir has the worst power reliability in India.

“As per Central Electricity Authority figures for 2022, the System Average Interruption Duration Index(SAIDI) for Kashmir stands at a shocking 889, while the System Average Interruption Frequency Index(SAIFI) stands at 723.95. These numbers are several times higher than the national averages of 116.12 and 171.64. Even Jammu, despite its own problems, performs significantly better with a SAIDI of 489 and SAIFI of 442,” the business body said.

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.