A tragic road accident occurred in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on the morning of April 20, leading to widespread mourning in the area. According to reports, a passenger bus was traveling from a remote village towards Udhampur city when the driver lost control near a sharp turn in the Kaghort village of the Ramnagar area.

The bus fell directly down a steep gorge. So far, 15 deaths have been confirmed in this horrific accident, while dozens of passengers are reported to be injured. Local residents immediately reached the site to begin rescue operations.

Upon receiving news of the accident, police and district administration teams arrived at the scene. Udhampur District Collector Minga Sherpa took charge of the relief and rescue operations. Officials stated that due to the depth of the gorge, it was quite challenging to rescue the injured.

Eyewitnesses mentioned that the number of passengers on the bus was high. The rescue team has managed to pull several individuals from the debris and admitted them to local hospitals, where many are in critical condition. Union Minister Dr.

Jitendra Singh took immediate notice of this tragic incident and instructed the local administration to provide all possible assistance. He mentioned on social media that arrangements are being made to airlift seriously injured passengers for better treatment.

A team of local activists is also present at the hospital to assist the injured. The administration has expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and ordered an investigation into the causes of the accident.

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Jammu, Nov 9 – Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty has said that producers and directors are once again ready to return to Kashmir for film shooting, expressing confidence that the region will soon regain its lost glory.

As per agency report, Shetty’s statement came several months after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April, which had severely affected the area. Following the incident, the government has been making efforts to revive the tourism sector and restore normalcy in the region.

Speaking to media persons after attending the Border Security Force (BSF) Jammu award ceremony, Shetty mentioned that film shooting in Kashmir is certain to resume soon. He noted that filmmakers Vikram Rajdan, Shabbir Boxwala and Binoy Gandhi are preparing to shoot their upcoming projects in the Valley this year and expressed hope that these films would be completed by next summer.

Shetty also lauded the BSF for organizing the Jammu Marathon and said it was an honour for him to participate in the event. He recalled his role as BSF jawan Bhairon Singh in the 1997 film Border, adding that this performance continues to be remembered fondly by audiences. Shetty praised the BSF for its dedication and courage in safeguarding the nation from the frontlines.

New Delhi, Sep 24 – The Election Commission on Wednesday announced that biennial elections for four vacant Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted on October 24. These seats have remained unrepresented since 2021, leaving the Union Territory without any presence in the Upper House of Parliament for more than three years.

As per agency report, a by-election for a Rajya Sabha seat from Punjab will also take place on the same date to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjeev Arora. He had resigned after being elected to the Punjab Legislative Assembly, although his Rajya Sabha term was originally scheduled to run until April 9, 2028.

The four seats from Jammu and Kashmir fell vacant after the tenure of Ghulam Nabi Azad and Nazir Ahmad Laway ended on February 15, 2021, and that of Fayaz Ahmad Mir and Shamsher Singh Manhas ended on February 10, 2021. The elections are being held nearly a year after the conduct of Assembly elections in the Union Territory.

Explaining the background, the Election Commission noted that following the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir with a Legislative Assembly and Ladakh without one—the Rajya Sabha seats were allocated accordingly. However, the elections could not be conducted earlier as no electoral college was available at the time of the vacancies.

With the constitution of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the electoral college required for Rajya Sabha polls is now in place, paving the way for elections. The counting of votes will be taken up an hour after the conclusion of polling on October 24.

Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar, July 31: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is currently on a two-day visit to Gujarat, where he explored the iconic Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad on Thursday morning. Taking a morning jog at the scenic site, Abdullah later described the riverfront as one of the most beautiful places he has ever run through and expressed admiration for the striking Atal Bridge.

Omar Abdullah shared several photos from his morning run on social media platform X, capturing his experience on the riverfront promenade. As per agency report, he noted that during his visit to Ahmedabad for a tourism-related event, he took the opportunity to run along the famed riverfront, joining many other morning walkers and joggers.

In his post, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister wrote that it was a joy to share the vibrant space with fellow joggers and to run past the magnificent Atal Pedestrian Bridge, highlighting the architectural appeal and active public usage of the riverfront.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also shared an update on social media following a meeting with Omar Abdullah in Gandhinagar on Wednesday. He mentioned that the Jammu and Kashmir CM would also be visiting the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar during his tour.

According to the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister's Office, Omar Abdullah was accompanied by his advisor Nasir Sogami during the meeting with CM Bhupendra Patel. The two leaders reportedly discussed enhancing interstate cooperation, promoting tourism, and exchanging best practices for inclusive development.

In a statement, Omar Abdullah remarked that a large number of tourists from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and West Bengal prefer visiting Jammu and Kashmir. He noted that his visit to Gandhinagar was connected to a major tourism event and expressed hope that more tourists from Gujarat would resume travel to the region in the near future.

Srinagar, July 8 – The annual Amarnath Yatra, one of the holiest pilgrimages in India, is progressing peacefully for the fifth consecutive day, witnessing a surge in pilgrim turnout. On Tuesday, another group of 7,541 devotees departed for Kashmir, marking a significant rise in participation. Since the pilgrimage commenced on July 3, over 90,000 pilgrims have already taken part.

According to officials, Tuesday’s group left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in two secure convoys. The first convoy, comprising 148 vehicles and 3,321 pilgrims, began its journey to the Baltal base camp at 2:55 AM. The second convoy, with 161 vehicles carrying 4,220 pilgrims, departed at 4:03 AM toward the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp.

As per agency report, officials from the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) stated that, in addition to those departing from the official base in Jammu, many devotees are directly arriving at transit camps and base camps to register on-site and join the pilgrimage immediately.

This year’s pilgrimage is taking place under heightened security arrangements, following the tragic Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-backed militants. In response, 180 additional companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed to strengthen the presence of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police. Security personnel have secured the entire route from the Jammu base camp to the cave shrine, including all transit camps and the approach roads to both Baltal and Nunwan base camps.

Despite the heightened alert, the local population has extended full support to the pilgrimage, as in previous years. In a powerful show of solidarity following the Pahalgam incident, local residents were among the first to welcome the initial batch of pilgrims. As the convoy passed through the Nawgam tunnel and entered the Kashmir Valley via Qazigund, locals greeted them warmly, emphasizing their support for peace and communal harmony.

The 38-day Amarnath Yatra, which began on July 3, will conclude on August 9. The journey holds immense religious significance for devotees, as legend has it that Lord Shiva revealed the secrets of eternal life and immortality to Goddess Parvati in the sacred cave. With tight security, community cooperation, and continued devotion, this year’s Yatra is unfolding with deep spiritual fervor and national unity.

Srinagar, 22 June – The recently launched Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar has received an impressive response from passengers. Both pairs of trains introduced on June 7 are fully booked until 25 July, with daily demand for reservations steadily increasing.

According to the IRCTC reservation portal, the trains have long waiting lists or show “No Room” status for travel before 25 July. Seats are available beyond that date, but bookings are continuing at a brisk pace.

The train has opened up a new mode of transportation in the Kashmir Valley, offering a much-needed travel option for tourists and traders. With fares significantly lower than those of air travel, a large number of passengers are now opting for this rail alternative.

This shift has impacted air travel notably. Prior to the April 21 Pahalgam attack, there were 104 flights from Srinagar, with 19,641 passengers. Since the commencement of the train service on April 22, the number of flights has dropped to between 48 and 52 per day.

On 19 June, Srinagar Airport recorded 4,293 arrivals and 3,724 departures. Airline occupancy has dipped, with up to 15% of seats remaining vacant. An airline official acknowledged that the new train service has led to a noticeable drop in both flight numbers and passenger volume. As a result, some airlines have slashed their daily flights by 50%. Earlier, the fare for Delhi-Srinagar flights ranged between ₹12,000 to ₹15,000, which has now come down to ₹6,000–₹8,000 post the launch of Vande Bharat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat train on 6 June. Tickets for the Katra-Srinagar service are available on the Indian Railways website. The train offers two classes: Chair Car at ₹715 and Executive Class at ₹1,320. Operating six days a week, the service currently halts only at Banihal, with decisions on additional stops expected later.

Srinagar, June 17 – In a move to bolster security for the annual Amarnath Yatra, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday declared the pilgrimage routes as ‘No-Flying Zones’. This directive, effective from July 1 to August 10, prohibits the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, balloons, and any flying objects along the yatra routes.

The decision, issued by the Home Department under the directive of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, applies to both the traditional Pahalgam route and the Baltal route used by thousands of pilgrims annually.

According to the official order, exemptions will be made for emergency medical evacuations, disaster management efforts, and surveillance operations by security forces. A detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for such exceptions will be issued separately.

The order stated that several enhanced security measures are being implemented to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to commence from July 3.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier advised that the entire pilgrimage corridor be designated a 'No-Flying Zone' to prevent any potential threats.

“In view of ensuring robust security during Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2025, all routes of the pilgrimage — including Pahalgam and Baltal — are hereby declared as ‘No-Flying Zones’ from July 1 to August 10,” the order read.

Security protocols have been significantly upgraded following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.

The Amarnath Yatra attracts thousands of devotees from across India each year, and authorities are working round the clock to ensure their safety during the high-altitude pilgrimage.

Katra/New Delhi, June 6 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. He was accompanied by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Before the inauguration, the Prime Minister inspected the bridge and interacted with engineers and workers involved in the project, acknowledging their efforts in turning a dream into reality. The Chenab Rail Bridge, situated 359 meters above the riverbed, stands as a remarkable feat of engineering and is the tallest arch railway bridge in the world.

The bridge is a critical part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. Spanning 1,315 meters, the semi-arch steel structure has been designed to withstand earthquakes and high winds, ensuring safe travel across challenging terrain.

With the operationalization of rail services on the bridge, travel between Jammu and Srinagar is expected to become significantly easier. The Vande Bharat train, once operational on this route, will reduce travel time between Katra and Srinagar to just three hours—cutting down the current duration by two to three hours.

As per agency report, the 272-kilometer-long USBRL project has been constructed at an approximate cost of Rs. 43,780 crore and features 36 tunnels and 943 bridges. This ambitious infrastructure endeavor ensures year-round rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, aiming to transform regional mobility and promote socio-economic integration.

Srinagar, May 15 – Raising concerns over the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated on Thursday that the country’s nuclear weapons should be brought under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). His comments come just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that India would no longer tolerate what he described as Pakistan’s “nuclear blackmail” and would respond firmly to cross-border terrorism.

Speaking to soldiers during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir following India's recent 'Operation Sindoor,' Singh emphasized that the operation had delivered a strong and clear message to terrorist groups and their handlers in Pakistan that they could no longer consider themselves safe anywhere.

As per agency report, Singh pointed out that India has faced the threat of cross-border terrorism for nearly four decades. He declared that India's commitment to fighting terrorism is so resolute that the country has repeatedly ignored Pakistan's reckless nuclear threats. He questioned the global community, asking whether it is responsible to allow a "rogue and reckless" nation like Pakistan to possess nuclear weapons.

Referring to the IAEA, Singh said that such weapons should be placed under the monitoring of the international agency to ensure their safety and prevent misuse. He described Operation Sindoor as the largest counter-terrorism offensive in India's history and stated that the assault, in retaliation to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, was a necessary strike on the heart of Pakistan's terror infrastructure.

Singh recalled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s peace initiatives with Pakistan more than two decades ago, which were followed by promises from Islamabad to end terrorism emanating from its soil. However, he lamented that Pakistan had betrayed that trust and continued to do so. Singh warned that such duplicity would now come at an increasingly high cost.

He reiterated the Modi government’s stance that any future terrorist attack would be treated as an act of war, and emphasized that India would not hesitate to act decisively. He said Pakistan-based terrorists and their handlers were now firmly in the crosshairs of Indian forces.

Referring to the international perception of India and Pakistan, Singh drew a stark contrast. While India has emerged as a contributor to global financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund, Pakistan has become a nation heavily dependent on international aid. He commented that “wherever Pakistan stands, the line of borrowers begins.”

Appreciating the resolve of Indian soldiers, Singh said he understood the anger they felt after the Pahalgam attack. He expressed pride in how the forces channeled their anger into a precise and disciplined response.

India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on the night of May 6–7, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In response, Pakistan attempted strikes on Indian military installations on May 8, 9, and 10. India retaliated by targeting eight Pakistani airbases using missiles and long-range weapons.

Following three days of escalation, both countries agreed to cease military operations after a meeting between their Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) on the afternoon of May 10.

Katra/Jammu, May 14 — Helicopter services to the revered Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district resumed on Wednesday, a week after being suspended due to heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan. As per agency report, the resumption comes just a day after flight operations were restored at 32 airports, including those in Jammu and Srinagar, following a mutual ceasefire agreement between the two neighboring countries.

An official from the temple management board confirmed that the helicopter service, which had been halted amid regional tensions, is now operational again. He noted that the number of pilgrims had significantly decreased during the suspension, but has shown signs of recovery since the situation stabilized.

In addition to the helicopter services, battery-operated car facilities have also resumed for the convenience of pilgrims traveling along the path to the shrine. The board official stated that over 3 million devotees have visited the temple so far this year. In comparison, the total number of pilgrims in 2024 stood at 9.48 million. Officials remain optimistic that the footfall will rise significantly in the coming weeks.

Shubham Kumar, a pilgrim from Delhi, expressed satisfaction over the restoration of helicopter services and appreciated the arrangements made by the shrine authorities to accommodate visitors smoothly.

Jammu, May 10 – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited two residential localities in Jammu on Saturday that were hit by explosions amid ongoing cross-border hostilities. The visit came hours after a fresh wave of suspected drone attacks from Pakistan caused damage and injuries in civilian areas.

As per agency report, Abdullah toured the affected sites in Rehari and Roop Nagar, where several houses and vehicles were damaged. He interacted with the victims' families and expressed solidarity with the injured. Officials confirmed that four people—Neeraj Gupta, his daughter Hitakshi Gupta, Vineet, and Rajinder Kumar—were injured in the blast at Rehari.

On social media platform X, the Chief Minister posted, “Visited Rehari and Roop Nagar in Jammu to assess the damage caused by recent shelling. The suffering of residents is deeply concerning. We stand with every affected family and will ensure that all necessary assistance is provided without delay.”

Authorities reported a series of drone attacks from across the border early Saturday morning, triggering sirens and widespread panic in Jammu. Loud explosions were heard across the city, with a residential building in Roop Nagar sustaining structural damage. In the Bantalab area, at least three individuals, including a woman and a young girl, were injured in the blast.

This marks the latest in a series of aerial assaults, following back-to-back drone strikes on Friday night targeting 26 locations across India—from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat.

Taking to social media, Abdullah also sharply criticized the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for approving a $1 billion loan to Pakistan. He accused the global financial body of indirectly funding Islamabad’s military aggression against Indian civilians along the border.

“I don’t understand how the ‘international community’ expects regional tensions to ease when the IMF is disbursing funds that enable destruction in Poonch, Rajouri, Uri, Tangdhar, and several other places,” Abdullah wrote.

His remarks follow a recent decision by the IMF to release nearly $1 billion to Pakistan under its ongoing Extended Fund Facility agreement.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated since the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives. In response, the Indian Armed Forces launched precision missile strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’ targeting terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, triggering heightened military activity and retaliatory attempts from the Pakistani side.

Srinagar, April 29 – In the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, authorities have temporarily closed nearly 50 public parks and tourist sites in sensitive areas of the Kashmir Valley as a precautionary measure. The move comes amid heightened concerns over the safety of tourists visiting the region.

As per agency report, officials confirmed that out of 87 public gardens and tourist destinations in Kashmir, 48 have been closed to visitors due to perceived threats. These include several newly opened and remote tourist locations.

Security officials stated that the review of safety measures is an ongoing process and additional sites may be added to the restricted list in the coming days based on threat assessments.

The tourist spots currently closed include Doodhpathri, Kokernag, Daksum, Sinthan Top, Achabal, Bangus Valley, Margan Top, and Tosa Maidan. Although no formal order has been issued publicly, access to these areas has been restricted, and several Mughal gardens in South Kashmir have also been closed to the public.

This decision follows the deadly terrorist attack on April 22 in Baisaran, Pahalgam, in which 26 people — mostly tourists — lost their lives. The closures reflect intensified efforts to ensure safety and prevent further incidents in one of India’s most popular tourist regions.