Baramulla, Oct 15: Shafeeqa, a resident of Malpora in Baramulla, has been suffering from severe pain radiating from her back to her chest due to a gallbladder issue. Doctors at the Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla have advised her to undergo gallbladder surgery.

Despite her worsening condition, Shafeeqa has been waiting for over two months with no surgery date in sight, as the hospital struggles with an overwhelming backlog of patients.

“I have been running from pillar to post to get my gallbladder surgery done,” she said.

“The doctors told me my turn will come after four months. My husband is a poor labourer, and we cannot afford private treatment.”

Her husband expressed anguish over the long wait and repeated hospital visits.

“Whenever she experiences pain, I rush her to GMC Baramulla. Managing transport and medicines has become very difficult. The long delay has worsened her suffering,” he said.

Shafeeqa’s ordeal mirrors the plight of hundreds of patients across Kashmir facing delayed surgeries at government hospitals. At GMC Baramulla, waiting lists for general surgeries now extend up to June 2026, leaving many patients in distress.

The crisis began after March 15, when the government halted surgeries under the Ayushman Bharat Golden Card scheme in private hospitals. The order reserved four key procedures — appendectomy, cholecystectomy (gallbladder surgery), hemorrhoidectomy, and fissure-in-ano — exclusively for government hospitals.

Since then, private hospitals have stopped offering free surgeries under the scheme, forcing thousands of patients to depend solely on government facilities. The resulting surge in patient numbers has stretched waiting lists to several months, severely affecting those in urgent need.

Economically weaker patients like Shafeeqa are among the worst affected, facing worsening medical complications as affordable, cashless treatment options shrink.

Srinagar, Oct 15: Police on Wednesday said that continuing its sustained drive against drug trafficking, Budgam Police have intensified their crackdown on narcotics and recovered a huge quantity of contraband substances in Chadoora area.

In a statement, the police said that acting on specific information, Police Station Chadoora received a tip-off regarding three individuals — Ghulam Rasool Wani, Mohd Altaf Wani, and Gh. Nabi Wani (sons of Ghulam Mohd Wani), residents of Chitru Dangerpora — who had allegedly concealed a large quantity of charas-like substance in their residential house.

A police team from Police Station Chadoora, under the supervision of an Executive Magistrate 1st Class, conducted a search of the said location. During the operation, 27 nylon bags containing charas-like substance weighing about 325 kgs were recovered. The contraband was sealed and seized on the spot as per due procedure.

Accordingly, a case FIR No. 181/2025 under sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Chadoora and further investigation is underway.

Budgam Police reiterate their firm resolve to eradicate the drug menace from society and urge the public to remain vigilant and report any information related to drug trafficking or suspicious activities, reads the statement.

Srinagar, Oct 15: In a determined effort to curb illegal mining, Jammu and Kashmir Police have seized seven vehicles including (one dumper, one Tipper and Five Tractors) and a mechanized motor boat, involved in unauthorized extraction and transportation of minerals in Shopian and Awantipora.

A police official said that four Tractors were seized by Police Station Shopian operating without valid royalty documents. In this connection FIR No. 218/2025 under relevant provisions of law has been registered in Police Station Shopian. Similarly, one dumper bearing registration numbers JK19-7825 were seized by Police Post Keegam, operating without valid royalty documents. Accordingly, FIR No. 217/2025 under relevant provisions of law has been registered in Police Station Shopian. In another action, one Tipper & one Tractor were seized by Police Station Heerpora operating without valid royalty documents. In this connection FIR No. 48/2025 under relevant provisions of law has been registered in Police Station Heerpora.

Meanwhile in Awantipora, a Police party of Police Post Reshipora headed by Incharge PP Reshipors seized one Mechanized motor boat being used by Aijaz Ahmad Bhat @Aijaz Dhoon, son of Ab Ahad Bhat, resident of Reshipora. Accordingly, a case vide FIR No. 216/2025 under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Awantipora, official said.

Srinagar, Oct 15: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar on Wednesday said the Government of India’s special package for farmers affected is expected to be announced soon.

Speaking to reporters at SKUAST Wadura, the Minister, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said loss assessments have been completed and the proposal has been sent to the Centre.

He expressed hope that the package would be announced soon, assuring farmers of timely compensation and support.

On the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, the Minister said four nominated candidates have filed their nominations and the party is optimistic of winning all seats.

Shopian, Oct 15: Acting upon the recent advisory issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Drug and Food Control Organisation (DFCO) regarding the ban on several pediatric cough syrups declared “Not of Standard Quality,” the Shopian Police in coordination with the Drug Control Department carried out extensive inspections of medical shops and pharmacies across the district.

The enforcement drive was aimed at ensuring full compliance with the DFCO directive, which banned the sale and distribution of ColdRif Syrup, RespiFresh-TR Syrup, and Relif Syrup after these medicines were found to contain Diethylene Glycol (DEG) impurities beyond permissible safety limits.

During the inspection, officials confirmed that no banned syrups were found in any of the medical shops checked. Pharmacists were sensitized about the DFCO’s directions and were advised to strictly adhere to all health and safety regulations while maintaining transparency in their supply chains.

Authorities also urged chemists to remain vigilant and report any suspicious consignments or unverified pharmaceutical products being circulated in the market.

A police spokesperson said that Shopian Police remains committed to safeguarding public health and will continue to conduct such joint drives with civil and enforcement agencies to ensure that unsafe or substandard drugs do not reach consumers.

The inspection teams reiterated that violators found stocking or selling banned medicines will face strict legal action under the relevant provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. [KNT]

Srinagar, Oct 15: In a major crackdown against elements associated with banned militant organisations, Srinagar Police carried out extensive raids across multiple locations in the city as part of ongoing investigations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

According to officials, the coordinated searches targeted the residences of individuals allegedly linked with proscribed groups or suspected of facilitating militant activities. The raids were conducted in accordance with legal procedure and in the presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses, under the supervision of senior officers of Jammu and Kashmir Police.

The raids were carried out at the residences of several individuals, including Asrar Ahmad Bala of Omer Colony Lal Bazar, Shahbaz Ahmad Bhat of Palpora Noorbagh, Fayaz Ahmad Ganie of Suthsu Kalan, Burhan Nazir of Beeroni Kathidarwaza, and Sajid Majeed Shah of Nowpora Sekidafar. Other locations included Soiteng, New Theed, and Mughal Mohalla Raniwari, where multiple suspects such as Ashiq Bashir Najar, Umer Adil Dar, Shabir Ahmad Ganie, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, and Ahsan Ahmad Bhat alias Munna were searched.

Police sources said the objective of these operations was to seize incriminating materials including digital devices, documents, and other evidence connected to ongoing investigations. The raids also form part of a larger intelligence-gathering exercise aimed at pre-empting potential militant conspiracies and safeguarding public security.

Authorities reaffirmed that such actions are part of a sustained effort to dismantle the support network of banned organisations and to curb any attempts to revive militant infrastructure in Srinagar.

Srinagar Police reiterated its firm stance against individuals involved in aiding, abetting, or harbouring elements linked with militancy and assured that strict legal action will be taken against all violators. [KNT]