JAMMU AND KASHMIR

SRINAGAR: The Bijbehara constituency in South Kashmir is bracing for an intense political face-off in the upcoming Jammu & Kashmir elections. Once dominated by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the seat is now poised for a fierce battle between National Conference’s (NC) Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri and PDP’s Iltija Mufti.   Iltija Mufti, 36, daughter […]

The unsaid and unacknowledged aspect of the 2024 assembly elections in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir is that, after 35 years, New Delhi has granted a general amnesty to the entire political class of Kashmir. From Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti to Jamat-e-Islami and Hurriyat, all soft-separatists and hardliners have now been pardoned […]

SRINAGAR: Altaf Bukhari, a businessman heading FIL Industries, a conglomerate involved in agrochemicals, agriculture, and beverage production, officially entered the political arena in the months leading up to the 2014 state elections. He aligned with the PDP, contesting from the Amirakadal constituency, where he secured victory over Nasir Aslam Wani, the Regional Head of the […]

SRINAGAR: Reaffirming the need to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi argued that the current status of J&K as a Union Territory does not align with the principles of democracy.   “Either the BJP will reinstate statehood for J&K, or the INDIA alliance will do so as […]

SRINAGAR: A soldier lost his life after terrorists launched an attack on a military base in Jammu’s Sunjwan on Monday morning.   The incident occurred around 11:00 AM, with gunfire directed at the Guard Post, operated by the 36 Infantry Brigade. In response, army personnel initiated a search operation and utilized drones to bolster their […]

SRINAGAR: In a preparatory administrative overhaul before the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission has ordered the transfers of the Senior Superintendents of Police for Baramulla and Kupwara districts, along with the Superintendent of Police for Handwara.   Additionally, the Commission has instructed the administration to submit a list of IPS […]

SRINAGAR: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has disqualified the candidacy of Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, a controversial cleric, from contesting in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district. The disqualification followed his failure to fulfil the constitutional oath requirements, as mandated under Section 16 of the J&K Reorganization Act 2019.     According to official sources, Wagay’s […]

SRINAGAR: Following the conclusion of its alliance deal with the Congress, the National Conference (NC) unveiled its initial roster of 18 contenders for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, set to take place in three stages. As approved by Party President Dr Farooq Abdullah the following persons are nominated as contesting candidates from […]

SRINAGAR: Despite being prohibited, the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu Kashmir plans to field its former affiliates as Independent candidates in the upcoming Assembly elections. This decision followed a day after the Government of India’s special UAPA tribunal reaffirmed the ban on the organization.   In March this year, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a notification […]

SRINAGAR: Many PDP leaders are dissatisfied with the operations of the organisation, prompting their departures.   The departures occurred after the announcement of the PDP’s list of constituency coordinators, which triggered unrest among several members.   The organisation on Tuesday released an additional list of constituency coordinators in J&K. Abdul Gaffar Sofi is the coordinator […]