Budgam, April 16: MLA Budgam, Aga Syed Muntazir Mosvi on Thursday expressed profound grief and sorrow over the tragic demise of Anjali Choudhary, a fourth-semester student of Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, who lost her life in a road accident near Udhampur this morning.
The incident occurred when the student was travelling with fellow students on a picnic to Patnitop.
Expressing his condolences, the MLA said he was deeply saddened by the untimely loss of the young student, terming the incident as heartbreaking and tragic.
Anjali Choudhary
“I am deeply saddened to learn about the tragic demise of Anjali Choudhary, a bright young student, who lost her life in an unfortunate road accident near Udhampur while travelling with fellow students to Patnitop,” he said.
He extended his sympathies to the bereaved family, friends, and the entire college fraternity during this difficult time.
“My heartfelt condolences are with her family, friends, and the entire college fraternity. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace,” he added.
Jammu, April 16: The Higher Education Department of Jammu & Kashmir has expressed profound grief and heartfelt sorrow over the untimely demise of Ms. Anjali Choudhary, a 4th Semester student of Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, who lost her life in a tragic road accident near Udhampur.
According to official sources, the incident occurred while the student was travelling with her fellow classmates to Patnitop. The sudden loss of a young life, filled with promise and aspirations, has sent shockwaves across the academic community. Authorities are currently ascertaining the exact circumstances surrounding the accident.
The Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education conveyed deep anguish over the tragedy and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and the college fraternity. Terming the loss as deeply distressing and irreparable, the Minister has directed officials to extend all possible assistance to the grieving family. She also prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
The Commissioner Secretary of the Higher Education Department, along with the Director Colleges, Nodal Principals, Principals, faculty members, students, and the entire academic fraternity, expressed profound sorrow and solidarity. They extended sincere sympathies to the family during this difficult time.
Reaffirming its support, the Department stated that it stands in unwavering solidarity with the bereaved family and is in close coordination with concerned authorities to ensure all necessary assistance is provided.
The tragic passing of Ms. Choudhary has left an irreplaceable void, with the academic community remembering her as a bright and cherished student.
May her soul rest in eternal peace, and may her family find strength and solace in this hour of grief.
Baramulla, April 10: Police in Baramulla have thwarted a major land fraud attempt at Wussan Kunzer by apprehending a group of fraudsters posing as land brokers and government officials in order to deceive an unsuspecting buyer. The accused had fabricated a false ownership claim over a piece of land and presented one of their associates as the legitimate owner. To lend credibility to their scheme, one member impersonated a Patwari while others posed as revenue officials. However, timely verification by Police exposed the entire operation as a pre-planned conspiracy aimed at cheating the complainant.
The complainant, Abdul Ahad Malik son of Gh Nabi Malik resident of Panzi Nara Shalteng, had already been duped of a substantial amount before Police intervention. Acting swiftly, Police apprehended the accused identified as Gh Mohammad Wani son of Md Ramzan Wani resident of Palpora Pulwama (impersonating as Patwari), Masood Ahmad Wani son of Md Shafi resident of Pir Bagh Sector B (posing as son of property owner – Khursheed Alam), Md Yousuf Wani son of Ab Ahad resident of Pandithpora Kunzer (broker), Md Abdullah Mir son of Ab Gaffar resident of Shilwat Sonawari (broker), Bilal Parray son of Ab Rashid resident of Markundal (broker), Fayaz Ahmad Khanday son of Gh Nabi resident of Takkanwari Srinagar (broker) and Riyaz Ahmad Mir son of Gh Nabi resident of Sheikhzoo Ganderbal (broker).
Preliminary enquiry revealed that the complainant had already paid ₹4,00,000 in cash and ₹10,000 via bank transfer, and was being further persuaded to arrange ₹20,00,000. The accused were intercepted at a crucial stage, preventing further financial loss.
During the operation, Police recovered and seized forged revenue documents pertaining to the land measuring 13.5 kanals at Wussan Bangil under Khasra Nos. 271, 272, 273, and 274.
Regarding the incident, FIR No. 42/2026 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Kunzer. Investigation is ongoing to trace additional accomplices and uncover the full extent of the fraud network.
J&K Police urge the public to remain vigilant and verify all land-related documents and identities through proper government channels before entering into any property transactions.
SRINAGAR, APRIL 10: Director, Accounts and Treasuries (A&T) Kashmir, Imtiyaz Ahmad Wani, today paid a maiden visit to Saddar Treasury Srinagar to review its functioning and assess service delivery mechanisms.
During the visit, the Director laid special emphasis on ensuring smooth, efficient, and citizen-friendly services for pensioners. He took a detailed review of the pension section, focusing on ease of access, availability of ramps, and adequate seating arrangements for visiting pensioners. He also interacted with several pensioners on the spot to gauge their satisfaction levels and receive direct feedback.
The Director further reviewed the overall functioning of the treasury with respect to financial governance. He assessed the status of IT interventions, the level of computerisation, and inspected the attendance of employees to ensure discipline and efficiency in service delivery.
Reiterating the importance of responsive and transparent governance, the Director stressed the need for continuous improvement in public service delivery and effective utilisation of technology in treasury operations.
Vice President presides over national event; emphasis on inclusive and distance education
Srinagar, April 7: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) today held its 39th Convocation across 51 regional centres, with the national ceremony presided over by the Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan.
The regional convocation for Jammu & Kashmir was organised at the auditorium of Government Dental College Srinagar. Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir, Shri Nazir Ahmad Ganie, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir and Commissioner Secretary, Government of J&K Saurabh Bhagat were present on the occasion.
A total of 344 degrees were conferred to learners during the regional function, while 10,989 students received degrees overall from the Srinagar Regional Centre.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Nazir Ahmad Ganie congratulated the learners and highlighted the growing relevance of distance education in expanding access to learning. He noted that institutions like IGNOU have helped overcome geographical barriers and are contributing to the evolving model of education.
Shri Saurabh Bhagat, in his address, emphasised the role of IGNOU in promoting access to education, particularly in remote areas. He underlined the importance of distance and online education in improving the Gross Enrolment Ratio in line with the National Education Policy 2020. He stated that convocation marks the culmination of sustained academic effort and commitment by learners.
Regional Director, IGNOU Regional Centre Srinagar, Dr. A. H. Rizvi, informed that the centre has been serving learners since 1999 and currently oversees 29 active study centres across Kashmir and Ladakh. He added that 46,468 students were enrolled in various programmes in the previous year.
Dr. Rizvi encouraged graduating students to enhance their skills and adapt to emerging opportunities, including entrepreneurship, in a competitive global environment. He informed that IGNOU has a total of 57 regional centres across the country, which supervise more than 200 centres nationwide. Srinagar’s Center serves as its Nodal Center for conducting various programmes across the 29 active study centers it has across Kashmir and in Ladakh.
While congratulating all the graduating students, Dr. Rizvi encouraged graduating students to enhance their skills and adapt to emerging opportunities, including entrepreneurship, in a competitive global environment.
The convocation was attended by students, parents, faculty members and representatives of the media.
JAMMU, APRIL 07: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today launched the trophy for the 2nd edition of the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Tournament and unveiled the team jerseys at Maulana Azad Stadium here.
At the launch ceremony, Minister for Agriculture Javid Ahmed Dar, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, tournament organizer Tejinder Singh, along with other organizers, participating teams and concerned officials, were present.
The Chief Minister unveiled the trophy for the day-and-night 2nd Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Tournament and also released the official jerseys of the participating teams.
Interacting with the players on the occasion, the Chief Minister wished them the best of luck for the tournament.
The 2nd edition of the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Tournament is being organized as part of a social awareness initiative aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle.
The tournament underscores the importance of staying away from substance abuse and encourages engagement in constructive activities like sports.
Community leaders, organizers and participants highlighted the role of cricket in fostering unity and inspiring youth to lead healthier and more disciplined lives.
JAMMU, APRIL 07: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress on the construction of the new High Court complexes for the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court at Srinagar and Jammu wings, underscoring the need for expeditious execution of the prestigious judicial infrastructure projects.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister emphasized time-bound completion and inter-departmental coordination, directing all concerned departments and executing agencies to fast-track the projects.
He also called for early grant of administrative approval for the Jammu wing at Raika, which is envisioned as a modern, integrated judicial complex.
The project, being executed by National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd, (NBCC), involves the relocation of the existing High Court from Janipur to a purpose-built campus at Raika, designed to accommodate the growing requirements of the judiciary. The new complex is planned with state-of-the-art courtrooms, judges’ chambers, administrative blocks, litigant facilities, parking infrastructure, and digital-enabled court systems, aligning with contemporary standards of judicial functioning.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary PWD, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, Commissioner Secretary Law Achal Sethi, Director General Codes Mahesh Das, Director General Budget, senior officers, and representatives of NBCC.
NBCC officials informed the meeting that the project is being executed in multiple phases (Phase-I, II and III) to ensure structured development and optimal resource utilization. A detailed presentation highlighted the site layout, area distribution (area matrix), zoning plan, and phased construction strategy, along with timelines and execution challenges.
The Chief Minister also reviewed proposals for the redevelopment of the Lower Court Complex in Srinagar which aims to modernize existing judicial infrastructure in Kashmir. These projects are expected to improve accessibility, case handling efficiency, and overall litigant experience.
Stressing the importance of robust judicial infrastructure, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure strict adherence to timelines, quality benchmarks, and transparency in execution.
He called for regular monitoring and resolution of bottlenecks, particularly in approvals, fund flow, and on-ground coordination.
The Chief Minister observed that modern court infrastructure is essential for efficient justice delivery and public trust in the legal system, and reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
Rajouri, March 26: Prof. (Dr.) Sheikh Aijaz Bashir, Director Colleges, Jammu and Kashmir UT, has expressed heartfelt condolences over the tragic road accident that occurred in the Kallar area of Rajouri district on Wednesday.
The accident claimed the life of Prof. Dr. Tabassum Naz of the Zoology Department, Degree College Poonch. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of her husband, Mohd. Hameed, who was critically injured in the incident.
A condolence meeting was held under the leadership of the Director Colleges at his office in the Jammu Division, where participants expressed deep sympathy with the bereaved family during this difficult time.
Reports said that the Poonch-bound car lost control and veered off the road, resulting in the accident. Local residents rushed to the spot and carried out a rescue operation, immediately shifting the injured to a nearby health facility.
Prof. Tabassum Naz succumbed to her injuries during treatment, while her husband continues to remain in critical condition.
Srinagar, March 20: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered the deputation of Prof. (Dr.) Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, currently serving as Director Colleges in the Higher Education Department, to the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora.
According to Government Order No. 74-JK(HE) of 2026 issued by the Higher Education Department at the Civil Secretariat, Prof. Bashir has been deputed as Professor in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at IUST for a period of one year with immediate effect.
The order, issued under Article 52-C of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Service Regulations, 1956 (Volume-I), follows a formal communication from the university administration dated December 29, 2025.
In addition to his academic responsibilities at IUST, Prof. Bashir will continue to hold the charge of Director Colleges, J&K, for a transitional period of three months—until June 2026—or until a regular appointment is made, whichever occurs earlier.
The decision has been approved by the government and formally issued by Ram Niwas Sharma, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department.
The move is seen as part of administrative and academic coordination efforts aimed at strengthening higher education institutions in the Union Territory.
Throws open Asia’s largest Tulip Garden for visitors
SRINAGAR MARCH 16: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday inaugurated the annual Tulip Festival–2026 here at the iconic Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden situated at the foothills of the Zabarwan, marking the arrival of the spring season in the Kashmir Valley.
With the inauguration of the festival, Asia’s largest tulip garden was formally opened to visitors, presenting a spectacular floral display of nearly 1.8 million tulips representing more than 75 vibrant varieties, spread across the terraced landscape of the garden overlooking the scenic Dal Lake.
Ministers Sakeena Itoo, Javid Ahmad Dar, Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani and Members of the Legislative Assembly including Tanvir Sadiq, Salman Sagar, Ahsan Ahmad Pardesi and Mushtaq Ahmad Guroo accompanied the Chief Minister during the inaugural ceremony.
Among others present on the occasion were Commissioner Secretary Floriculture Zubair Ahmad, Managing Director J&K Bank Amitabh Chaterjee, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Director SKIMS Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie, Director Information Nitish Rajora, Director Floriculture, Mathura Masoom, Director Handicrafts, Mussarat ul Islam senior officers of the Floriculture Department and a large number of visitors and tourists.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the onset of spring would usher in renewed optimism, prosperity and growth for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly for the tourism sector which serves as a major driver of the region’s economy.
He stated that the Tulip Festival has emerged as one of the most prominent tourism events in the Kashmir Valley and provides an excellent platform to showcase the breathtaking natural beauty, cultural richness and hospitality of Kashmir to visitors from across the country and around the globe.
Chief Minister complimented the Floriculture Department for making the Tulip Garden ready in time and said that officers and gardeners of Floriculture department deserve to be appreciated for their efforts in curating this garden. CM said that in time to come, the Floriculture Department shall be developing its own rootstock so that dependence on importing of bulbs is gradually reduced and this would also require support of SKUAST Kashmir.
Extending a warm welcome to tourists visiting Kashmir, the Chief Minister said that the mesmerizing beauty, vibrant colours and soothing fragrance of the blooming tulips would offer visitors a unique and unforgettable experience.
The Chief Minister appealed to tourists from across the country and around the world to visit Jammu & Kashmir during the spring season and experience its unmatched natural beauty.
He further remarked that Jammu and Kashmir is blessed with unparalleled natural splendor and scenic landscapes that continue to attract nature lovers and travellers from different parts of the world. He expressed hope that visitors to the Tulip Garden would not only cherish the beauty of the flowers but would also carry with them a message of peace, harmony and prosperity from the Valley.
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, recognized as Asia’s largest Tulip garden, remains one of the most sought-after spring attractions in Kashmir and is expected to draw thousands of visitors during the ongoing Tulip Festival–2026.
This year, around 18 lakh tulips of over 70 varieties, along-with nearly one lakh other bulbous flowers including daffodils, hyacinths and narcissus, have been planted, adding vibrant colours to the valley’s spring landscape.
On the occasion, Chief Minister also released a tourism promotional song titled ‘wadi-e-sumbul’ produced by Department of Information and Public Relations.
During the event, the Chief Minister inaugurated souvenir point established by the Floriculture Department.
He also inaugurated exhibition of Handicrafts and Handloom department and inspected the stalls.
