Author: The Dispatch Staff

Jammu:  A Man accused in a drug-related case was granted bail by a court in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district after he was tagged with a GPS anklet, officials said on Saturday. The accused was identified as Mukhtar Ahmed, a resident of Karmara in Poonch district. He was granted bail by the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Udhampur. “The device was affixed on Friday in compliance with the court’s directions to ensure real-time monitoring of the accused’s movement,” the officials said. According to the police, Udhampur district is the first in the Jammu division to deploy Global Positioning System (GPS)…

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday ordered a probe into the accidental blast in Nowgam police station, which left nine people dead and 32 others injured. “I have ordered a probe to ascertain the cause of the accidental explosion,” Sinha said in an X post. The L-G expressed anguish over the loss of lives in the incident. “Deeply anguished by the loss of precious lives due to extremely tragic accidental blast at Nowgam police station in Srinagar. My condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured,” he said. Sinha said the…

Srinagar/Jammu:  Several political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday expressed sorrow over the accidental explosion at Nowgam police station that left nine people dead and 32 others injured. In a post on his official X handle, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the incident. “The chief minister has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the tragic accidental explosion at Nowgam police station, which claimed precious lives and left several personnel injured,” it read. Abdullah also extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for the swift recovery of all those injured. Former chief minister…

Jammu:  Jammu and Kashmir has registered over 17.20 lakh unclaimed accounts with an outstanding amount of Rs 465.79 crore, prompting the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to encourage banks to actively contact rightful claimants of these deposits for the return of funds in a time-bound manner. RBI Regional Director Chandra Shekhar Azad said Jammu district alone accounts for 2,94,676 unclaimed accounts amounting to Rs 107.27 crore. In total, the Union territory has 17,20,878 unclaimed accounts with an outstanding amount of Rs 465.79 crore, Azad said. He urged banks to proactively contact and trace depositors and rightful claimants of these unclaimed…

Jammu:  Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Friday evening conducted a hybrid security review of the Union Territory. This step follows a high-intensity explosion that ripped through a slow-moving car driven by a Kashmiri doctor at a traffic signal near the Red Fort Metro station in Delhi on November 10, killing at least 13 people. “DGP Nalin Prabhat conducted a hybrid security review with BSF, CRPF and other agencies. All formations briefed him on the ongoing non-kinetic and kinetic operations,” a police spokesperson said. In the wake of the blast, an alert has been sounded…

Leh, 14 Nov 2025: Army Goodwill Schools across the Nubra Valley celebrated Children’s Day 2025 with a day full of joy and laughter. Children's Day 2025: Nubra ValleyJoy and laughter filled the air as Children's Day was celebrated across Army Goodwill Schools in the #NubraValley. Various fun-filled games and activities were organised, fostering creativity, teamwork and smiles all around.@adgpi… pic.twitter.com/Q85sawYKYo— @firefurycorps_IA (@firefurycorps) November 14, 2025 Students participated in a variety of fun-filled games and activities, fostering creativity, teamwork, and camaraderie. The events aimed to inspire young minds while strengthening the bond between the Army and local communities, reflecting the Corps’…

Leh, 14 Nov 2025: On Children’s Day 2025, the Fire and Fury Corps extended its outreach to the remotest areas of Ladakh, fostering civil–military bonding and inspiring young minds. Children’s Day 2025: Indian Army Inspires, Empowers & ConnectsOn Children’s Day, Fire and Fury Corps reached out to the remotest areas of Ladakh, strengthening civil–military bonding and nurturing young minds.In Punpun, Laga & Nimgo villages, troops conducted self defence… pic.twitter.com/tuH6gQsDSr— @firefurycorps_IA (@firefurycorps) November 14, 2025 In Punpun, Laga, and Nimgo villages, troops conducted self-defence training for girls, promoting confidence and awareness. In Shyok, a “Know Your Army” programme familiarised children and…

Leh, 14 Nov 2025: More than 40 students and 18 teachers from Nimu celebrated Children’s Day with a special outing, visiting the Hall of Fame in Leh to learn about the valour and sacrifice of India’s brave soldiers. Children’s Day: NimuMore than 40 students and 18 teachers from Nimu enjoyed a picnic outing and visited the Hall of Fame in Leh, where they learned about the valour and sacrifice of our brave soldiers. The children also visited the serene and historic Gurudwara Pathar Sahib.… pic.twitter.com/P8fL7htP9D— @firefurycorps_IA (@firefurycorps) November 14, 2025 The children also explored the serene and historic Gurudwara Pathar…

Kargil & Leh, 14 Nov 2025: Various events were organised across Kargil and Nyoma as part of Children’s Day celebrations in Ladakh. Children’s Day Celebration: Kargil & NyomaVarious events were organised as part of Children’s Day Celebrations in Ladakh.“Know Your Nation” Quiz, motivational video presentation, cultural & skill based competitions and the distribution of gifts and prizes to the students… pic.twitter.com/K59aJZs1pR— @firefurycorps_IA (@firefurycorps) November 14, 2025 Activities included the “Know Your Nation” quiz, motivational video presentations, cultural and skill-based competitions, and distribution of gifts and prizes to students. The programmes aimed to spark inspiration in young minds while promoting awareness…

Changthang Children Celebrate Children’s Day with Fire and Fury Corps Leh, 14 Nov 2025: A series of awareness and motivational activities were organised across the Changthang region to mark Children’s Day 2025. Children’s Day at Changthang: 2025A series of awareness and motivational activities were organised across the Changthang Region of Ladakh to celebrate Children’s Day 2025.Fire and Fury Corps remains committed to nurturing young minds and supporting their growth, aspirations… pic.twitter.com/wZiarX387p— @firefurycorps_IA (@firefurycorps) November 15, 2025 The initiatives, led by the Fire and Fury Corps, focused on nurturing young minds, encouraging learning, and supporting the growth and aspirations of children…

Leh: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on Friday ordered a major reshuffle of judicial officers, bringing significant administrative changes to courts across Leh and Kargil. The order, issued by the Registrar General, takes immediate effect for most positions, while a few postings will switch over on specified dates. In a key move, Spalzes Angmo, Principal District and Sessions Judge Kargil, has been transferred and posted as Principal District and Sessions Judge Leh, replacing Manoj Parihar, who has been posted as Presiding Officer, Labour and Industrial Tribunal, J&K, on deputation. Parihar, who earlier served as Principal District…

Leh: The UT Administration of Ladakh has taken a major step towards inclusivity by notifying S.O. 124, granting a 50% fare concession for persons with disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The concession applies to travel on both State Road Transport Corporation and private transport operators across the Union Territory. Eligible individuals must present a valid UDID card issued by the Social Welfare Department to avail the benefit. In addition, two seats will be reserved for persons with disabilities in all stage carriage vehicles, ideally near the doors for easier access. If no eligible passenger is…

Leh: A commemorative mountaineering expedition to the historic Tololing Peak was flagged off on Thursday in Leh by Major General D. K. Singh, Chief of Staff of the Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps. The expedition, organized to honor the legacy of the Corps of Engineers, precedes the formation’s 245th Raising Day, to be observed on November 18, 2025. The Tololing feature, overlooking the Drass Valley, holds a place of deep significance in India’s military history, having been one of the pivotal battlegrounds during the Kargil conflict of 1999. The climb aims to pay tribute to the courage and…

Leh, 12 Nov 2025: On the occasion of National Education Day 2025, a series of activities were organised in remote border areas of Ladakh, aiming to inspire young minds. National Education Day 2025On the occasion of #NationalEducationDay2025, various activities were carried out in remote border areas of Ladakh. The events inspired young minds to pursue learning, dream big, stay focused and build a stronger, educated future. @adgpi… pic.twitter.com/MhmlZc3UW6— @firefurycorps_IA (@firefurycorps) November 12, 2025 The programmes encouraged students to pursue learning, dream big, stay focused, and contribute to building a stronger and more educated future. Officials highlighted that such initiatives strengthen…

The clearance of 12 key defence projects in Ladakh by the National Board for Wildlife marks a thoughtful step forward — one that balances national security imperatives with ecological responsibility. In a region as strategically vital and environmentally fragile as Ladakh, such clearances are never routine decisions. https://youtube.com/shorts/-ro3dFMRVaI?feature=share The new facilities — from brigade headquarters at Chushul to ammunition depots and ITBP posts near Depsang — will significantly enhance India’s preparedness along the Line of Actual Control, where challenges have grown sharper since the 2020 Galwan clash. What deserves appreciation is not merely the scale of these projects but…

Leh: Former President of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), Dr. Tondup Tsewang Chhospa, has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing concern over what he termed as an “imbalance in the composition of Ladakhi representatives” participating in the ongoing dialogue with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the region’s key demands. In his  letter, Dr. Chhospa pointed out that the majority of representatives from the Apex Body, Leh, and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—currently engaged with the High Powered Committee (HPC) and its sub-committee—belong to the Muslim community, while the Buddhist community is under-represented. He warned that such…

Srinagar: Srinagar city experienced the first sub-zero night of the season as the minimum temperature at most places of Kashmir plummeted below the freezing point, officials said on Monday. The city recorded a minimum of minus 0.1 degrees Celsius on Sunday night, Meteorological Department officials here said. They said it was the first sub-zero as well as the coldest night of the season so far. The night temperature in Srinagar was two degrees below normal for the season. Except for Kokernag, in south Kashmir, which recorded a minimum of 1.4 degrees Celsius, all other weather stations across the valley recorded…

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday refuted allegations made by the BJP that he sought an alliance with the ruling party at the Centre in 2024 for the restoration of statehood. “I swear on the Holy Quran that I didn’t seek an alliance with the BJP in 2024 for Statehood or for any other reason. Unlike Sunil Sharma, I don’t tell lies for a living,” Abdullah said in a post on X. The chief minister was responding to claims made by the leader of the opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, who said that Abdullah…

Srinagar: The campaigning for Budgam assembly bypoll in Jammu and Kashmir came to an end on Sunday, even as the ruling National Conference and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party made last-ditch efforts to woo voters. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his advisor Nasir Aslam Wani joined party candidate Aga Syed Mehmood for a roadshow, which passed through the urban areas of Budgam assembly segment. Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also embarked on a roadshow in support of her party candidate Aga Syed Muntazir. There are 17 candidates in fray for the Budgam bypoll, where voting will be…

Jammu:  Campaigning for the high-stakes Nagrota Assembly by-election in Jammu region concluded on Sunday evening, with all 10 candidates making their final appeals to voters ahead of polling on November 11. The bypoll was necessitated by the death of BJP legislator Devender Singh Rana last year and has shaped up into a triangular contest among BJP’s Devyani Rana, National Conference’s (NC) Shamim Begum, and J&K National Panthers Party president Harsh Dev Singh. The Aam Aadmi Party’s Joginder Singh, Apni Party’s Bodh Raj, and five others, including three independents, are also trying their luck from the constituency, which has 97,893 registered…