As per Government Order issued by General Administration Department, a copy of which lies with GNS, Civil Secretariat J&K, in partial modification of Government Order No. 1894-JK(GAD) of 2025 dated 12.12.2025, it is hereby ordered that the provincial holiday (Kashmir Province only) on account of Urs Sheikh Noor-Ud-Din Sahib, shall now be observed on 09.10.2026 (Friday) instead of 08.10.2026 (Thursday).

The order has been issued by order of the Lieutenant Governor, J&K.

Also revered as Sheikh-ul-Alam (RA) and Alamdar-e-Kashmir, Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani is one of Kashmir’s most venerated Sufi saints, whose spiritual teachings continue to hold deep significance among devotees across the Valley.

The Poshak Bandi ritual carries profound spiritual importance, symbolising devotion, reverence and the renewal of the bond between the saint and his followers. During the ceremony, the caretakers replaced the existing covering of the grave with a new, ornate cloth, prepared and offered as a mark of respect and devotion.

A large number of devotees gathered at the shrine to witness the ceremony and offer prayers. The spiritual atmosphere at Charar-i-Sharief was marked by special prayers, devotional hymns and recitations as devotees paid homage to the saint and sought blessings.

The main Urs observance will be held on Friday, featuring Khatamat-ul-Maazamat and special prayers at the shrine throughout the day.

The annual Urs remains one of the significant spiritual gatherings in Kashmir, drawing thousands of devotees to Charar-i-Sharief to commemorate the life and teachings of Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani (RA).

During the search operation, the joint party detected & destroyed an old hideout and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the hide out. The recoveries included 01 AK-47 rifle, 03 grenades, 857 AK rounds, 192 PIKA rounds, 08 AK magazines, 01 silencer, 83 pistol rounds and other incriminating material.

In this connection, a case FIR No. 252/2026 under relevant sections of law, has been registered at Police Station Handwara, and investigation has been taken up.

The arrested persons have been identified as :-1. Tajamul Hussain Mir, S/O Manzoor Ahmed Mir, R/O Gufbal, 2. Rehmat Ali Naikoo, S/O Gh. Hassan Naikoo, R/O Khrewan, 3. Tehrim Ahmed Bhat, S/O Mushtaq Ahmed Bhat, R/O Khrewan, 4. Manzoor Ahmed Bhat, S/O Gh. Hassan Bhat, R/O Khrewan Chadder and 5. Kifiyat Ahmed Dar, S/O Ab Rasheed Dar, R/O Maltalhama, Kulgam.

Accordingly, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Kulgam. Further investigation is going on.

The special drive will be conducted at all Polling Stations across Jammu and Kashmir from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on both days, providing eligible citizens with an accessible opportunity to enroll themselves as voters and update or correct their electoral particulars.

The announcement was made during a review meeting chaired by the CEO with District Election Officers (DEOs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) to review and finalize arrangements for the special drive.

Sanjeev Verma directed the election machinery to ensure extensive outreach and effective facilitation so that no eligible citizen remains outside the electoral rolls.

As part of the initiative, weekend voter enrolment and facilitation drives will be organized regularly, providing citizens with a convenient opportunity to approach their nearest Polling Station for enrolment and updation of electoral details.

The CEO directed DEOs and EROs/AEROs to undertake extensive institutional and public outreach to create awareness about the initiative. He also called for regular ground-level updates through official social media platforms, with posts carrying relevant Polling Station, Assembly Constituency and District details to enable citizens to easily access information regarding the facilities available in their respective areas.

During the two days drive, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will remain stationed at all Polling Stations from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM to assist citizens with the submission of Forms 6, 7 and 8 and facilitate enrolment, deletion and correction/updation of electoral details. Citizens will be provided assistance for both physical submission of forms and digital submission through the Voter Helpline App.

The CEO further directed BLOs to undertake door-to-door outreach to identify and assist eligible citizens who may have been left out of the electoral rolls, with particular focus on youth, first-time voters, women, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and other eligible citizens requiring assistance.

Urging citizens to make full use of the initiative, Sanjeev Verma called upon all eligible persons to visit their nearest Polling Station on October 10 or 11 and avail the enrolment and facilitation services available there. He emphasised the importance of active citizen participation in ensuring that the electoral rolls remain complete accurate and inclusive.

The Election Department has reiterated its commitment to making voter enrolment more accessible at the grassroots level and ensuring that every eligible citizen has a convenient opportunity to become part of the electoral process.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Abdullah said the developments taking place elsewhere in the country could have implications for Jammu and Kashmir as well.

“But we have already been victims of such interference. We have not forgotten the delimitation yet. The very purpose of that delimitation was to help the BJP,” Abdullah alleged.

He said he hoped the proceedings currently underway in the Supreme Court, particularly those concerning Form 6, would make it difficult to remove people from the electoral rolls.

“I hope that the proceedings currently taking place in the Supreme Court, especially regarding Form 6, will make it somewhat difficult for them to remove people from the voter lists,” he said.

The Chief Minister was also asked about the ongoing protests against the Election Commission and the arrests in Delhi, including those involving Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Questioning the BJP’ claim that reports concerning the issue were fabricated, Abdullah said, “If it is fabrication, then why has action not been taken against the newspaper through which this all came to light?”

Referring to The Indian Express, he said he had not seen any defamation case being filed against the newspaper.

“If it had not been correct, the government would have taken action against them, or at least filed a defamation case,” he said.

Abdullah said the ongoing protests were linked to the recent INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi and a month-long programme announced by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

On the pending recruitment rules concerning government medical colleges, Abdullah said the rules were “almost ready” and were being given their final shape.

“There were some contradictions between the rules that had been framed and the rules that were proposed. Those contradictions are being removed,” he said.

The Chief Minister said his government did not want to rush the process and risk an outcome that could prove counterproductive.

He said contradictions, conflicts and legal issues were being addressed and expressed hope that the rules would be notified soon.

Asked about recent administrative changes, Abdullah said transfers were part of the functioning of the government and administration.

“Some changes are made by us, while some are made by the Lieutenant Governor. He must have made these transfers after due consideration. Now, wherever these officers have been posted, we will work with them,” he said.

On the expansion of his Council of Ministers, Abdullah said a decision would be taken after his return from Delhi, where he is scheduled to attend the GST Council meeting.

He said he would subsequently consult National Conference president Farooq Abdullah before taking the decision.

Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi completing 25 years in public life, Abdullah said it was not easy to repeatedly win elections over such a long period.

“He must have done something for people to vote for him repeatedly. It is not easy to continuously win elections for 25 years, first at the state level and then at the national level,” he said.

Abdullah congratulated Modi on the milestone on his own behalf and that of his colleagues.

On sports infrastructure, the Chief Minister said the government was focusing on developing facilities alongside the deployment of coaches and trainers.

He said the government had earlier appointed coaches when adequate infrastructure was not available, but was now seeking to ensure that both coaches and facilities were developed simultaneously.

Abdullah highlighted the Olympic-size swimming pool at the sports complex and said arrangements were being made to heat it through solar energy so that children could train throughout the year.

He also referred to the newly inaugurated indoor gymnastics hall, saying children in Kashmir had shown interest in gymnastics but lacked the necessary infrastructure to pursue the sport.

The Chief Minister said the government would continue adding new sporting facilities and encourage youngsters to explore sports beyond traditional disciplines such as cricket, football, hockey and volleyball.

‘Decision on Council of Ministers after Delhi visit; GMC recruitment rules nearing notification, sports infrastructure being expanded’

Srinagar, Oct 07: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said a decision on the expansion of his Council of Ministers would likely be taken after his return from Delhi and consultations with National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar, Omar, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the government would take a call on the expansion after the GST Council meeting and consultations with the party president.

On recent administrative changes, he said some transfers had been ordered by the elected government while others were carried out by the Lieutenant Governor, adding that the government would work with the officers posted in various departments.

Regarding the pending recruitment rules for Government Medical Colleges (GMCs), the Chief Minister said the rules were almost ready and being given final shape.

“There were some contradictions between the rules that had been framed and those proposed. These contradictions are being removed,” he said, adding that the government did not want to rush the process and face difficulties during implementation.

He said the recruitment rules were expected to be notified soon.

On sports infrastructure, he said the government was simultaneously expanding facilities and appointing coaches to provide better training opportunities to young athletes across Jammu and Kashmir.

He said an Olympic-size swimming pool had been established in Kashmir, with arrangements being made for solar-powered heating to facilitate year-round training.

He also said an indoor gymnastics hall had been inaugurated, noting that children in Kashmir had shown interest in gymnastics but lacked adequate infrastructure.

“We are trying to move beyond traditional sports such as cricket, football, hockey and volleyball and provide our children with more options and alternatives,” he said.

On Prime Minister Narendra Modi completing 25 years in public life, Omar said it was not easy to win elections continuously for such a long period.

“I congratulate him on behalf of myself and my colleagues,” he said.

On protests related to the Chief Election Commissioner, Omar questioned the government’s failure to initiate defamation proceedings against The Indian Express if its reporting was fabricated.

“If it had not been correct, the government would have taken action against them, at least filed a defamation case,” he said.

He said the ongoing protests were part of the programme announced by INDIA bloc leaders following their recent meeting in Delhi.

On the proposed Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir, Omar said the exercise could be used to interfere with elections.

Referring to the earlier delimitation exercise, he alleged that its purpose was to benefit the BJP.

“We have already been victims of such interference. We have not yet forgotten the delimitation,” he said.

Omar also expressed hope that the proceedings underway in the Supreme Court, particularly concerning Form 6, would make it more difficult to exclude people from the electoral rolls.—(KNO)

Several Deputy Commissioners and Top Secretaries Changed

Srinagar, Oct 07:The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday ordered a massive reshuffle in the administration under Government Order No 1612-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated 07-10-2026 issued by the General Administration Department

As per the order, a copy of which lies with GNS, Shaleen Kabra IAS 1992 Financial Commissioner Jal Shakti shall also hold additional charge of Administrative Secretary Revenue Department

Dr Ashish Chandra Verma IAS 1994 has been posted as Financial Commissioner Agriculture Production Department

M Raju IAS 2005 has been divested from Health and Medical Education and shall hold additional charge of Hospitality and Protocol and Disaster Management Relief Rehabilitation and Reconstruction

R Alice Vaz IAS 2005 has been posted as Commissioner Secretary Transport with additional charge of Civil Aviation

Saugat Biswas IAS 2006 has been posted as Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education

Sarmad Hafeez IAS 2009 has been posted as Commissioner Secretary Youth Services and Sports

Ramesh Kumar IAS 2011 has been posted as Secretary Rural Development and Panchayati Raj with additional charge of Culture and Resident Commissioner New Delhi

Avny Lavasa IAS 2013 has been posted as Secretary Tourism and shall continue Tribal Affairs

Anjali Sehrawat IAS 2013 has been posted as Secretary Public Grievances

Vikas Kundal IAS 2013 has been posted as Divisional Commissioner Jammu

Majid Khalil Drabu IAS 2013 has been posted as Inspector General of Registration

Rahul Yadav IAS 2014 has been posted as Administrative Secretary Information Technology with additional charge of MD JK Power Development Corporation

Owais Ahmed IAS 2014 has been posted as Administrative Secretary Planning Development and Monitoring with additional charge of Director Skill Development

Sagar Doifode Dattatray IAS 2014 has been posted as Administrative Secretary Social Welfare

Devansh Yadav IAS 2016 has been posted as Deputy Commissioner Rajouri

Rakesh Minhas IAS 2016 has been posted as CEO State Health Agency

Shrikant Balasaheb Suse IAS 2016 has been posted as Chairman JK Services Selection Board

Akriti Sagar IAS 2016 has been posted as MD JK Tourism Development Corporation

Athar Aamir Khan IAS 2016 has been posted as MD National Health Mission

Basharat Qayoom IAS 2016 has been posted as Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation with additional charge of CEO Smart City Srinagar

Ayushi Sudan IAS 2017 has been posted as Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation

Minga Sherpa IAS 2017 has been posted as Deputy Commissioner Jammu

Faz Lul Haseeb IAS 2018 has been posted as Additional Secretary Agriculture Production Department

Abhishek Sharma IAS 2018 has been posted as Deputy Commissioner Kupwara

Rupesh Kumar IAS 2019 has been posted as Deputy Commissioner Samba

Jatin Kishore IAS 2020 has been posted as Deputy Commissioner Budgam

Shreya Singhal IAS 2020 has been posted as Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal

Ananth Dwivedi IAS 2021 has been posted as Deputy Commissioner Udhampur

Mamta Yadav IAS 2021 has been posted as Director Information

Kuldeep Krishan Sidha JKAS has been posted as Deputy Commissioner Pulwama and Charandeep Singh JKAS as Deputy Commissioner Shopian among other JKAS transfers

The order was issued by order of the Lieutenant Governor(GNS)

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the girl was apprehended by the Army on October 2 and was sent back to Pakistan through the Chakkan Da Bagh crossing point on Wednesday.

He said that after completion of all legal formalities, the In-Charge of Police Post Lam, along with an escort vehicle, took the girl to Chakkan Da Bagh for her return to Pakistan.

The girl was identified as Samiya Azeem, daughter of Mohammad Azeem and a resident of Bains Gala, Seri, Tehsil Khuiretta, District Kotli.

Meanwhile, details regarding the circumstances leading to her apprehension were not immediately available. Further details are awaited.—(KNO)

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the fire damaged five residential houses in the area, leaving one person injured.

He said the Fire and Emergency Services Department rushed to the spot after receiving information and brought the blaze under control with the assistance of local residents.

The official said no loss of life was reported in the incident, while the injured man sustained minor burn injuries and was shifted to a hospital for medical assistance.

Meanwhile, the cause of the fire is under investigation, he added.—(KNO)