KS News Desk
Srinagar, Sept 21: The remains of a shell that had exploded in Dal Lake during Operation Sindoor earlier this year were recovered during a cleanliness drive.
According to sources of the Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), the remnants were spotted during routine cleaning of the lake.
The shell remains were immediately retrieved and handed over to the nearest police station for further examination and necessary action, they said.
The explosion had occurred in May during Operation Sindoor. Officials maintained that the discovery posed no immediate threat to the public. (KDC)
'Results likely to get delayed in absence of Chairman' Jammu, Jan 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Wednesday said the result of the class 10th examinations will be declared soon after the appointment of the Chairman of the Board. The statement comes amid the uncertainty about the declaration of the results by JKBOSE. In an official handout issued here, JKBOSE has advised students not to pay heed to fake links and websites announcing declaration of class 10 results. "Result of class 10th will be declared within few days soon after the appointment of new Chairman," the statement reads. The JKBOSE has stated that the results of annual examination of class 10 of Kashmir valley and winter zone areas of Jammu Division are almost ready. "But its approval by Result Declaration Committee headed by BOSE Chairman is a pre- requisite before its declaration. In absence of the Chairman the results are likely to get a little delayed," it reads. The JKBOSE officials have advised the students to wait for the formal declaration on the official website of the Board- www.jkbose.nic.in. "Students should not get misled by scamesters and fake narratives circulated by some mischievous elements, whose sole aim is to create confusion in the innocent student community," the statement reads.
Suhail Khan Baramulla, Jan 6: A young aerospace engineer from Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is proving that dedication and ambition can propel one to global heights. Munaf-ul-Raquib who holds a B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering, has gained international recognition for his research on black holes and cosmology. Munaf-ul-Raquib revealed that his paper on the thermodynamics of black holes was recently published in the International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). “About a year ago, I conducted research on the gravity of black holes and cosmology, which has now been published in IJSR,” he said. He said that since his research was published in the international journal, he has been receiving opportunities from various countries to participate in research dialogues. Raquib added that in the coming months he is scheduled to participate in international conferences in Paris on April 16 and later in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Sopore aerospace engineer noted that he is also participating in various conferences across different countries. Speaking about his research, Munaf-ul-Raquib addressed a fundamental paradox in astrophysics: how black holes can appear to violate thermodynamic laws, particularly concerning entropy.“If we observe a black hole, it seems to contradict thermodynamic principles,” he said. Using the frameworks of Anti-de Sitter space (AdS) and Conformal Field Theory (CFT), Raqeeb’s research proposes a theoretical model that reconciles black hole mechanics with thermodynamics. “In this paper, I have explained how a black hole can function without violating thermodynamic laws,” he said. He described the achievement as both personal and symbolic. “It is a proud moment for me to represent my state, especially Sopore, on an international platform,” he said. Raqeeb shared that Astrophysics was his childhood dream, and his grandfather encouraged me immensely. "After my grandfather passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic, my parents continued to champion my aspirations. My parents left no stone unturned in helping me pursue my dreams,” he said. He said that his academic path included taking the JEE and later the AME CET entrance exams, through which he secured a seat in aerospace engineering at the Nasik Research Centre. “My parents not only supported me morally but also created an environment where I could pursue my dreams freely,” he said. He emphasized the role of family in nurturing talent. “Just as my parents supported me, it is the responsibility of all parents to help their children follow their dreams.” “Young people should avoid wrong practices. They must dream of a beautiful tomorrow but work hard today to make their parents proud,” he further added.
Srinagar, Jan 8: The University of Kashmir (KU) has made the biometric attendance mandatory for the students of its affiliated colleges from Academic session 2026-27. The development comes in wake of the complaints about the thin attendance of the students in various private B.Ed colleges affiliated with the Kashmir University. A circular in this regard has been issued by the Assistant Registrar Dean Colleges Development Council (DCDC) of the University. "All the Chairpersons and Principals of private affiliated colleges of the University of Kashmir are hereby informed that biometric attendance for all the enrolled students and staff has been made mandatory from the year 2026-27," the KU circular reads. The Principals of all the affiliated colleges have been directed to install biometric attendance machines in their respective institutions on or before the commencement of the Academic year 2026-27 under intimation to the Dean College Development Council of the University. "The college shall also ensure proper upkeep, maintenance, and systematic preservation of all biometric attendance records for future reference and verification," it reads. The Colleges have been directed to comply with this directive "without fail." The move comes in wake of the inspections conducted last year by the DCDC of KU in various B.Ed colleges where most of the students were found absent. An official said that there were complaints about the poor attendance of the students in B.Ed colleges. "The students do not attend their B.Ed classes regularly which defeats the purpose of the course," the official said. Earlier, DCDC of KU earlier barred the B.Ed students to appear in teh semester exams for falling short of attendance. The decision was taken in wake of the surprise inspection conducted by Dean College Development Council (DCDC) in various B.Ed colleges of Kashmir in June-July month of 2025 and several students were found absent from the classes. Following this, the students were directed to attend supplementary classes to complete the recommended attendance for appearing in their exams. Also, the exam of these students was deferred by few months.
Srinagar, Jan 8: The Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has pulled up the officers vested with the powers of Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) as their additional assignment, for indulging in administrative works, beyond their domain. As per the order issued by the Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmad Wani, the officers having additional DDO powers, have been reprimanded for going beyond their role of duties. "It has come to the notice of the DSEK that many officers of the department vested with DDOs powers are affecting transfers and doing administrative works having no authority to do so," the order reads. As per the order, all these DDOs holding charge in additional capacity have been asked to utilise the powers for the purpose of drawing and disbursing salary and other financial matters within the limits of the authority. "The officers shall not exercise any administrative powers particularly with respect to the transfer of staff," it reads. The DSEK has warned of disciplinary action in case of violation of the order by any officers. "Any deviation from the instant order shall be viewed seriously and invite disciplinary action," it reads.
Baramulla, Jan 9: Deputy Commissioner Baramulla on Thursday said that the situation caused by the landslides on Ur-Baramulla was temporary and would be resolved once the excavation process of the road is completed. The statement comes amid the concerns over recurring landslides on the Uri–Baramulla road due to ongoing road widening project being executed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Talking to Kashmir Square, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Minga Sherpa said that such issues are common during the construction of hill roads and should not be viewed as an unusual development. “There is no major issue. Whenever a hill road is constructed or widened, such problems are recurrent,” he said. He further said that the slopes usually take time to stabilise after excavation. "The excavation process affects the natural stability of the hillside and it generally takes one to two years for slopes to fully stabilise," he said. Minga Sherpa said several slope stabilisation measures are already in place to minimise risks. “Grouting has been done and protective walling has also been constructed at several points,” DC Baramulla told Kashmir Square. He further said that around 200 metres of excavation work is still pending on the stretch and the remaining cutting work is expected to be completed within a month. “Once the excavation is finished, the BRO and concerned agencies will carry out full-fledged slope stabilisation measures. After that, such incidents will not occur again,” he said. Over the past few weeks, the Uri–Baramulla road, a vital link connecting the border town of Uri with Baramulla district witnessed intermittent traffic disruptions due to landslides triggered by excavation work, raising safety concerns among commuters. The Baramulla–Uri National Highway remained closed on Thursday after another landslide struck the stretch - the third such incident reported in the last 20 days, causing severe inconvenience to commuters. A fresh landslide hit the highway on Thursday afternoon, forcing authorities to immediately halt traffic movement on the route as a precautionary measure. It was the third such incident in just 20 days on the Baramulla–Uri National Highway, following two earlier slides that also triggered full traffic halts and diversions through alternate routes. Only emergency vehicles were allowed to pass, while all routine traffic was stopped to avoid any untoward incident. An official said the road clearance operations were launched soon after the incident, with personnel and machinery mobilised to remove debris and stabilise the affected area. "The highway was made motorable again from the evening hours," he said. The closure of the main Baramulla–Uri National Highway compelled authorities to divert vehicles through the dilapidated Khadniyar–Gantamulla road.
Baramulla, Jan 9: Deputy Commissioner Baramulla on Thursday said that the situation caused by the landslides on Ur-Baramulla was temporary and would be resolved once the excavation process of the road is completed. The statement comes amid the concerns over recurring landslides on the Uri–Baramulla road due to ongoing road widening project being executed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Talking to Kashmir Square, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Minga Sherpa said that such issues are common during the construction of hill roads and should not be viewed as an unusual development. “There is no major issue. Whenever a hill road is constructed or widened, such problems are recurrent,” he said. He further said that the slopes usually take time to stabilise after excavation. "The excavation process affects the natural stability of the hillside and it generally takes one to two years for slopes to fully stabilise," he said. Minga Sherpa said several slope stabilisation measures are already in place to minimise risks. “Grouting has been done and protective walling has also been constructed at several points,” DC Baramulla told Kashmir Square. He further said that around 200 metres of excavation work is still pending on the stretch and the remaining cutting work is expected to be completed within a month. “Once the excavation is finished, the BRO and concerned agencies will carry out full-fledged slope stabilisation measures. After that, such incidents will not occur again,” he said. Over the past few weeks, the Uri–Baramulla road, a vital link connecting the border town of Uri with Baramulla district witnessed intermittent traffic disruptions due to landslides triggered by excavation work, raising safety concerns among commuters. The Baramulla–Uri National Highway remained closed on Thursday after another landslide struck the stretch - the third such incident reported in the last 20 days, causing severe inconvenience to commuters. A fresh landslide hit the highway on Thursday afternoon, forcing authorities to immediately halt traffic movement on the route as a precautionary measure. It was the third such incident in just 20 days on the Baramulla–Uri National Highway, following two earlier slides that also triggered full traffic halts and diversions through alternate routes. Only emergency vehicles were allowed to pass, while all routine traffic was stopped to avoid any untoward incident. An official said the road clearance operations were launched soon after the incident, with personnel and machinery mobilised to remove debris and stabilise the affected area. "The highway was made motorable again from the evening hours," he said. The closure of the main Baramulla–Uri National Highway compelled authorities to divert vehicles through the dilapidated Khadniyar–Gantamulla road.
Department saves property worth Rs 5,000 crore, fire incidents decline 25 percent,KS News DeskJammu, Jan 01: The Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) Jammu and Kashmir responded to 6,039 fire calls, 59 rescue calls and 53 false alarms across the Union Territory in 2025, officials said.As per the official figures, the department deployed 322 fire tenders and Quick Response Vehicles (QRVs) supported by 2,157 personnel, saving property worth approximately ?5,000 crore while limiting losses to around ?300 crore.The number of fire incidents declined to 6,039 in 2025 from 8,033 in 2024, a reduction of about 25 percent, attributed to intensified prevention drives and public awareness campaigns.Director Fire and Emergency Services, Alok Kumar, said the department continued its Har Ghar Fire Fighter campaign, conducting 9,887 awareness programmes across schools, hospitals, nursing homes and other establishments, reaching over 10.3 lakh people.Officials said fire tenders, QRVs and fire pumps were pre-positioned at vulnerable locations during extreme weather, and local volunteers were trained in basic firefighting. Institutional audits were conducted at 3,728 hospitals, hotels, schools, government offices and commercial establishments, with recommendations issued to improve fire safety infrastructure.The department also supported flood operations in Anantnag and Srinagar, rescue operations in border districts under Operation Sindoor, and fire safety during the Amarnathji Yatra by establishing more than 30 temporary fire stations.A new Fire Training Centre at Bari Brahmana trained two batches in Basic Firemanship and six batches in refresher courses.Officials said the achievements reflect a holistic approach combining operational readiness, prevention, training and community participation to safeguard lives and property across the Union Territory. (KNS)
Stresses role of Imams, community leaders in curbing menace; DC Srinagar highlights rehabilitation, deterrence measuresRehan Qayoom MirSrinagar, Jan 3: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg on Saturday called for a united social response to tackle the growing challenge of substance abuse. He termed it one of the gravest social issues facing Jammu and Kashmir.Speaking at an Orientation-cum-Capacity Building Workshop for Masjid Imams and Religious Scholars held at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Rainawari, the Divisional Commissioner said the problem has intensified rapidly, with cases of drug abuse having "tripled in the last three years". Drug addiction is a major warning signal and has become a big problem for all of us. This issue has multiplied three times in the last three and a half years. This is alarming, he said.The programme, organised by the District Administration Srinagar, aimed at highlighting the pivotal role of religious scholars in creating awareness and eradicating the menace of drug abuse.It was attended by over a hundred prominent Imams and Ulemas from across the Valley, besides senior officials, mental health experts and civil society members.In his address, the Divisional Commissioner said the government has adopted a three-stage approach to fight substance abuse, with awareness campaigns, early identification of victims and professional counselling for rehabilitation.He stressed the importance of involving all stakeholders, religious leaders, educators, parents and youth volunteers to build a coordinated network for early intervention and prevention. A massive awareness campaign is going on in J&K under the close monitoring of the Chief Secretary. Religious leaders have a huge influence in shaping public behaviour, and their participation is vital in spreading the message that drug consumption is not only prohibited in all religions but also destroys families and society, he said.Garg added that helpline numbers of de-addiction and counselling centres are being widely circulated to assist those seeking help and that similar training and awareness programmes will soon be extended to all districts of Kashmir. We are trying to involve all religious leaders of Srinagar in this fight so they can inform society about this problem. They have already been part of the campaign, but we are giving new energy to it, he said.The Divisional Commissioner further pointed out that the administration is focusing on strengthening the community counselling network through five-day training sessions for counsellors across health and educational institutions. Our goal is to make every section of society an active partner in building a drug-free Kashmir, he said.Expressing concern over the increasing involvement of youth, he said, We have found that young people, whether in schools, coaching centres, or colleges, are getting trapped in addiction. Heroin use, in particular, is rising. This is a serious concern for the entire society. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo, who attended the event as the Guest of Honour, termed the rising drug addiction a matter of "grave concern".He called for collective efforts from all sections of society to uproot the menace.The DC said the administration has rolled out a rehabilitation policy to bring back drug victims into the social fold and has strengthened deterrence measures to break the supply chain and crush drug peddling in the district. While the administration is taking strong measures to curb the supply and support rehabilitation, religious scholars and parents have a moral responsibility to play their part. Drug abuse not only destroys the life of an addict but also tears apart families, Labroo said.Medical experts, including Prof (Dr) Iffat Hassan and Prof (Dr) Arshad Hussain, Head of Psychiatry, IMHANS-GMC Srinagar, spoke on the growing burden of substance use disorders in Kashmir and stressed the need for early intervention, stigma reduction, and community participation. Imams are trusted figures in our community, and their sermons can be powerful tools in prevention and awareness, Prof Iffat said.Earlier, mental health professionals delivered detailed presentations on the medical, psychological and social dimensions of drug abuse, highlighting existing policies, treatment protocols, and preventive services available in Kashmir.They urged sustained, community-based awareness efforts and timely identification of symptoms to save lives.The Divisional Commissioner appealed to citizens to view drug addiction as a shared social responsibility. As a society, we must come together. Every parent, teacher, Imam and youth must be part of this movement. Only a collective effort can make Kashmir drug-free, he said.Principal GMC Srinagar, Prof Iffat Hassan Shah, Administrator GMC Mohammad Ashraf Hakak, Additional Deputy Commissioner Aadil Fareed, Tehsildar Khanyar Syed Shahid, Tehsildar Waqf Board Ishtiyaq Ahmad and Nodal Officer ATF IMHANS Dr Arshid were among those present. (KNO)
