The deceased has been identified as Jani Begum, wife of Amin Bhat, resident of Parigam Pulwama.

Locals said that an unidentified person allegedly entered the house during Fajr prayers and slit her throat with a knife, resulting in her death on the spot.

Police have reached the spot and started investigation.

Further details are awaited.(GNS)

An official said that on October 15, family members reported that SPO Bashir Ahmed, posted at police picket Trigam, had gone missing along with his service weapon. Following the complaint, multiple teams were constituted to trace the SPO.

During the intensive search operation on October 16, police recovered the service weapon and later recovered the SPO’s body buried in a pit in a nallah at Seran Wani area of Trigam forest.

Subsequently, a case under Section 103(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered at Police Station Kishtwar.

During investigation, two suspects — Bashir Ahmed Dar, son of Abdul Aziz Dar and Nazir Ahmed Dar, son of Bashir Ahmed Dar, both residents of Seran Wani, Trigam — were identified and detained for questioning.

Police said their interrogation revealed the conspiracy and motive behind the murder. On their disclosure, the weapon of offence and the concealed belongings of the deceased have been recovered.

Further investigation into the case is underway, police added.(GNS)

SRINAGAR: A delegation of Kashmir Film & Television Artists (KFTA), led by its Chairman Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan and accompanied by Zameer Ashai, Shahid Lateef, Afnan Ashai and others, met Ghulam Ahmad Mir, MLA Dooru and Leader of the Congress Legislature Party, and submitted a detailed memorandum seeking his urgent intervention on two critical issues concerning the cultural fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir.
‘Misuse’ of public funds on parallel film festival
The delegation, according to KFTA statement issued here, apprised the leader that a film festival was organised in J&K last month, projecting it as the first-ever international film festival of J&K and incurring substantial public expenditure. The claim, they said, is factually incorrect.
Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan stated that the first international film festival of this scale in Kashmir was pioneered by KFTA in 2017, when not a single cinema hall was functional in the Valley and reopening of cinemas was considered unthinkable. This private initiative laid the foundation of the internationally recognised Kashmir World Film Festival (KWFF). Since then, five editions of KWFF have been organised in Srinagar and one edition of the J&K International Film Festival (JAKIFF) in Pune in 2022.
KWFF has become a credible global cultural brand with entries from the USA, Italy, Spain, Iran, Turkey, Korea, Bangladesh, Nepal and over 20 other countries, and from across India in 13 languages. It has hosted eminent personalities including Tabu, Raza Murad, Madhur Bhandarkar, Rajit Kapur, Saeed Mirza, Govind Nihalani, Anjum Rajabali, Preeti Sapru, Lalit Parimoo, Rahul Bhat and Komal Nahata, with over 500 national and international media coverages.
The delegation expressed deep anguish that instead of strengthening this established indigenous platform, a parallel festival was created without domain expertise, institutional memory and without the participation of a single local film professional, leading to wastage of taxpayers’ money.
The delegation demanded clarification on the public expenditure incurred on the recent festival, a policy to institutionalise and support credible private initiatives like KWFF, and that future cultural events be led by professionals with central participation of local filmmakers.
‘Crisis’ at Doordarshan Srinagar, DD Kashir
The delegation further highlighted that Doordarshan Srinagar and DD Kashir, which for decades nurtured local talent, have drastically curtailed commissioning and in-house production, leaving hundreds of artists, writers, directors, producers and technicians without livelihood.
KFTA demanded the immediate revival and expansion of regular commissioning at DD Srinagar and DD Kashir, the introduction of an annual commissioning calendar for J&K-specific content, restoration of DD Srinagar and DD Kashir as vibrant platforms reflecting the voices of J&K, and the immediate release of all genuine and long-pending payments due to artists, directors, writers and other professionals, withheld for more than 15 years, causing immense financial hardship to the fraternity.
Ghulam Ahmad Mir gave a patient hearing and assured the delegation that he will take up the matter at appropriate forums.

JAMMU: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said the close relationship between the Army and local residents, coupled with effective coordination with civilian authorities, strengthens public confidence and enhances the sense of security in remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office was speaking at a two-day medical camp organised by the Army’s Northern Command in the remote Basantgarh area of Udhampur district, which benefited more than 2,000 patients.
Singh thanked the Army for organising the camp and appreciated the doctors and medical teams for their commitment and hard work in delivering services despite the challenges of conducting a large medical camp in a remote area.
He also acknowledged the cooperation extended by the district administration, health authorities, local representatives and residents.
“The close relationship between the Army and the local population, supported by cooperation with civilian authorities, contributes to residents’ confidence and sense of security,” the minister said.
Recalling an earlier instance when local residents had requested the continuation of an Army deployment to sustain public morale despite the situation being under control, Singh highlighted the mutual trust between the Army and the community.
Describing the medical camp as another example of the Army and civil administration working together for public welfare, he expressed confidence that this cooperation would continue to improve access to essential services for people living in remote areas of his home constituency, Udhampur.
The medical outreach assumes significance as Basantgarh and its adjoining areas have witnessed a series of encounters between security forces and terrorists over the past few years.
The region, characterised by dense forest cover, rugged terrain and scattered habitations, has also figured in security assessments as a potential route used by infiltrating terrorists to move towards the hinterland.
Singh also offered prayers at the renowned Vasuki Naag Temple in Basantgarh and emphasised the need for early detection of preventable diseases, regular medical surveillance and improved healthcare access in remote areas.
Drawing on the camp’s experience, the minister proposed preparing a feedback report to identify commonly occurring and preventable disorders and exploring weekly rotational visits by doctors until regular appointments are made.
“These measures would help strengthen continuity of care and ensure timely medical attention for residents of difficult-to-access areas,” he said.
He said the feedback would help health authorities identify gaps in healthcare delivery and plan appropriate follow-up measures instead of limiting assistance to one-time medical interventions.
Referring to the cases examined at the camp, Singh said nearly 50 per cent were related to ophthalmology, with cataract accounting for a substantial proportion of these cases. He said cataract is treatable and that timely diagnosis and intervention can prevent avoidable blindness.
Pending regular appointments, Singh proposed exploring weekly rotational visits by doctors to Basantgarh. He asked the deputy commissioner and the chief medical officer to examine the arrangement and establish a patient register to document cases, track medical requirements and facilitate referrals.
Depending on the nature and severity of their conditions, patients could be referred to hospitals in Ramnagar or Udhampur district hospital, while those requiring advanced super-speciality treatment could be referred to an appropriate military hospital.
He also suggested brief awareness sessions on hygiene, ear-related disorders and women’s health for people attending the camp.
He requested the Army medical team to consider short, practical health talks so that patients could carry essential preventive-health messages back to their families and communities.
PTI

HAJIN: Halqa-e-Adab Sonawari, in collaboration with Adabi Markaz Kamraz (AMK), on Sunday observed the ‘Day of Ancestors’ at the Town Hall of Municipal Committee Hajin to pay tribute to the renowned poets, writers and cultural figures who have enriched the literary heritage of the area.
The historic town of Hajin, known for its rich literary traditions and significant contribution to the Kashmiri language and culture, has long been associated with distinguished literary personalities.
The programme was presided over by eminent writer and scholar Professor Muhammad Zaman Azurdah. Prominent writer Professor Shad Ramzan, senior member of Adabi Markaz Kamraz Saad-ud-Din Saadi, its president Muhammad Amin Bhat, Halqa-e-Adab Sonawari president Shakir Shafi, media secretary Azhar Hajini, Majeed Majazi, Dr Riyaz-ul-Hassan, Sagar Sarafraz, Shabnum Tilgami and other members of AMK and HAS also attended the event.
Speakers paid rich tributes to Dr Aziz Hajini and Dr Sonaullah Niyaz, highlighting their contributions to the promotion and preservation of the Kashmiri language. They also remembered other eminent poets and writers who have contributed to the region’s literary and cultural legacy.
Describing Hajin as a cultural capital of Jammu and Kashmir, the speakers stressed the need to preserve its rich literary heritage and pass it on to younger generations.
During the programme, the Khil’at-i-Mohi-ud-Din Hajini and Khil’at-i-Dr Aziz Hajini awards, along with the Dr Aziz Hajini Gold Medal, were presented to Reshi Mohi-ud-Din, Dr Rafiq Masoodi and Laila Jan.
On the occasion, journalists Gowhar Maqbool of Kashmir Reader, Prince Ayaz and Jameel Ansari were also felicitated with mementoes in recognition of their presence and association with the event.

SOPORE (BARAMULLA): Police in Sopore organised Thana Diwas at ITI Sopore, which was chaired by SSP Sopore Neha Jain-IPS. Respectable citizens, traders and mohalla representatives from Main Town Sopore and Zaingeer participated in the programme.
During the interaction, participants raised various issues of public importance including plying of private vehicles for commercial purposes on Sopore roads, frequent traffic jams, need for construction of dividers in Main Town Sopore for smooth traffic movement, unauthorized parking and regulation of loading and unloading of commercial vehicles. Issues related to vehicles without documents, rash driving and road safety were also highlighted.
Participants further raised concerns regarding drug peddling, cybercrime, domestic violence and other social evils, anti-social activities affecting peace, harassment of female students and mess created outside schools, and sale of cigarettes and junk foods within 200 meters of schools and hospitals. They also stressed the need for adequate police deployment during festivals and public gatherings, prevention of harassment, fair and respectful police conduct, and better police cooperation with the trade community.
The participants assured their full cooperation for maintaining peace and prosperity in Sopore and for eradicating social evils like drugs. They thanked Sopore Police for its positive response and cooperation towards betterment and development of Sopore and suggested that mohalla representatives should be regularly invited in such programmes.
The officers present patiently heard the grievances and assured that all genuine grievances shall be redressed at the earliest possible and that everyone will be facilitated to earn their livelihood with dignity for their families.
Addl. SP Sopore, SDPO Sopore, SHO Sopore, IC PP Bus Stand, IC PP Warpora, IC PP Fruit Mandi and other officers of Sopore Police and CRPF were present on the occasion.
Addressing the participants, SSP Sopore thanked all participants for taking out time from their busy schedules and for the warm welcome accorded to her. She assured that traffic management issues will be resolved on priority and ongoing works shall be completed in a very short time. She laid emphasis on female interaction and said that her office is open for every citizen for the betterment of society. She added that such programmes shall be organized in future as well to further strengthen police public relations.
J&K Police thanked all participants for their cooperation in making Sopore peaceful and for their contribution towards eradication of social evils.

AWANTIPORA: The Centre for AYUSH Science, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Kahsmir, organised a free Natool (Irrigation) and Hammam Wellness Camp on 5 October 2026 at the AYUSH Health and Wellness Centre, IUST, with the objective of promoting traditional wellness practices and supporting stress management, relaxation and mental well-being.
A total of 20 patients were enrolled in the camp, which focused on the traditional Unani practice of Natool (therapeutic irrigation), offered as a supportive wellness intervention for individuals experiencing stress and anxiety-related concerns. The camp also featured Hammam (full-body steaming), a traditional wellness practice intended to promote relaxation and general well-being.
The initiative reflects the Centre’s commitment to promoting AYUSH systems of medicine and making traditional healthcare and wellness services accessible to the university community and the wider public. By organising such camps, the Centre seeks to encourage awareness of traditional therapeutic practices and explore their role as supportive approaches to holistic health and well-being.
The camp was conducted at the AYUSH Health and Wellness Centre, IUST, under the broader vision of integrating traditional healthcare knowledge with contemporary health awareness and evidence-based practice. The programme also provided an opportunity to engage with patients and promote awareness of non-pharmacological approaches to relaxation and stress management.
The Centre for AYUSH Science continues to work towards advancing AYUSH-based healthcare, community outreach and research, with an emphasis on the scientific evaluation of traditional practices and their appropriate integration into contemporary healthcare settings.