News Shots – The Kashmir Horizon

Crime Branch Chargesheet Man for Defrauding Cancer Patient’s Family

K H News Service — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 21:54:20 +0000

Accused allegedly duped former classmate of lakhs under the pretext of discounted medication.
Srinagar: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the J&K Crime Branch has filed a chargesheet against Anantnag resident Afaq Ahmad Thug before the Court of Sub-Judge, Srinagar, under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
According to an official statement the accused allegedly duped a former boarding school classmate of lakhs of rupees by falsely promising to supply discounted cancer medication for the victim’s wife. After collecting the payment, the accused failed to deliver the promised drugs. Following an investigation that substantiated the fraud, authorities presented the case for judicial determination while advising the public to report economic offenses directly to the EOW Kashmir.

Search Operation Underway As Two Fall Into Chenab River In Kishtwar

K H News Service — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 05:27:00 +0000

Rescue teams scramble along Murnall Nalla to locate missing individuals.

Kishtwar : A massive search and rescue operation has been launched in Kishtwar district after two individuals fell into the Chenab River at Murnall Nalla in the Bunjwah area on Monday afternoon.
Officials said that the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. Specialized rescue teams are currently scanning the riverbank to locate the missing persons, whose identities are yet to be confirmed, while local police have taken official cognizance of the matter.

Arms Cache Recovered During Joint Search Operation in Sopore

K H News Service — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 05:26:38 +0000

Srinagar : Security forces recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during a joint cordon and search operation in the Manzseer area of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday, officials said.
The operation was launched by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police along with 52 Rashtriya Rifles and 177 and 179 battalions of the CRPF in the area falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station Tarzoo.
During the search operation, the joint team recovered the arms and ammunition from an abandoned house, officials said.
The recovered material was seized following due legal procedure and a case has been registered in connection with the recovery.
Officials said further investigation is underway to ascertain the source and ownership of the recovered arms and ammunition.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) SoporeIftkhar Talib confirmed the recovery and said investigation into the matter was in progress.
Security forces have intensified search and area-domination operations in parts of north Kashmir as part of ongoing efforts to detect and prevent the movement or concealment of arms and ammunition.

Srinagar police issue child safety advisory to schools, madrasas

K H News Service — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 05:25:39 +0000

Srinagar : Police Station Batmaloo has issued a child safety advisory to schools and madrasas in the area, urging institutions and parents to take precautionary measures to ensure the safe movement of children.
As part of the advisory, school and madrasa administrations have been directed not to hand over children to any third person. Children should be released only to their parents or an authorised vehicle driver or attendant.
The institutions have also been asked to ensure that young children do not leave the premises on their own and that proper arrangements are made for their safe departure.
Police have advised parents not to send small children to schools or madrasas unaccompanied and urged them to remain vigilant and take necessary safety precautions.
The Station House Officer (SHO), Police Station Batmaloo, has requested school and madrasa authorities to circulate the advisory widely through institutional and private communication groups to ensure that the instructions reach parents and guardians.
Police stressed that cooperation between educational institutions and parents is essential to safeguarding children and ensuring their secure movement.

EOW Kashmir Arrests Man in Rs 2 Cr Investment Fraud Case

K H News Service — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 05:25:27 +0000

Srinagar : The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has arrested an accused in connection with an alleged investment fraud involving approximately Rs 2 crore, officials said on Monday.
The accused, identified as Junaid Ul Islam, son of Nazir Ahmad Baba and a resident of Alamdar Colony, Phase 1, Charar-e-Sharief, Budgam, was arrested from Mangammanapalya in Bengaluru.
The arrest was carried out in compliance with the directions of the Court of the 4th Additional Munsiff Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, which had issued a warrant against him.
Junaid Ul Islam was wanted in FIR No. 07/2025, registered under Section 420 RPC at Police Station EOW Kashmir, and had allegedly been evading arrest for nearly a year.
According to the investigating agency, the case was registered following a preliminary inquiry that prima facie substantiated allegations of cheating and financial fraud against the accused.
The accused allegedly collected around Rs 2 crore from several individuals, representing himself as an investor associated with an e-commerce company and promising investors monthly returns of 10 per cent.
The investigation found that the money was received through multiple bank accounts. However, the accused allegedly failed to honour the promised returns and subsequently became unresponsive to the investors.
The EOW said the investigation prima facie established that the accused had dishonestly obtained substantial amounts from individuals on the promise of high returns, thereby disclosing the commission of an offence punishable under Section 420.
Further investigation into the case is underway.
The Crime Branch has meanwhile advised the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent investment schemes offering unusually high or guaranteed returns.
Citizens have been urged to verify the credentials of individuals and companies before investing money and to avoid transferring funds based on unverified assurances.
The public has also been advised to promptly report suspected cases of financial fraud or cheating to the concerned authorities.

J&K Power Tariff Hiked by 6.83%, Unmet Rs 502 Cr Revenue Gap Triggers Political Backlash

K H News Service — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 05:44:50 +0000

JERC Approves Tariff Increase to Bridge Deficit Despite Rs 2,420 Cr Subsidy

Srinagar: Electricity consumers in Jammu and Kashmir face higher power bills as the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) approved a 6.83% average tariff increase across the Union Territory, effective September 1, 2026. The approved hike exceeds the 5% increase initially proposed by distribution utilities Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) and Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL).
The JERC cited an unmet revenue gap of Rs 502 crore as justification for the decision. While the revised rates will raise revenue from Rs 7,352.87 crore to Rs 7,854.94 crore, a broader gap of Rs 2,420.78 crore will be covered via government grant-in-aid under Section 65 of the Electricity Act, 2003. According to the regulator, this state financial support averted a potential 40% tariff hike that would have otherwise caused a severe “tariff shock” to consumers.
Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the J&K Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma called the decision a betrayal, noting that the ruling party pledged 200 units of free electricity per household prior to taking office. Peoples Conference (PC) President Sajad Gani Lone echoed the sentiment on X, stating that the hike is a shock for consumers who have seen zero relief under the free-power promise while facing increased load assessments in non-metered areas.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Parra and Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said that higher electricity bills exacerbate economic pressures amid elevated unemployment and inflation. Additionally, trade organizations including the Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) warned that the revised rates will drive up operational costs and hamper business growth throughout the region.

Amarnath Yatra: Chhari Mubarak Reaches Bijbehara, Final Journey to Holy Cave Begins

K H News Service — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 05:44:31 +0000

Srinagar :The Holy Mace, Chhari Mubarak, associated with the Amarnath Ji Yatra, was received at BijbeharaSaturday with traditional religious fervour as it commenced its final journey towards the Holy Cave.
Deputy Commissioner Anantnag and Yatra Officer for the Pahalgam axis, Dr Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, received Mahant DeependraGiri, custodian of the Holy Mace, at Pujteng.
A procession led by Mahant DeependraGiri and accompanied by sadhus and devotees proceeded through Bijbehara, where special prayers and rituals were performed at the Shiv Temple and later at the historic Martand Tirth at Mattan.
The Chhari Mubarak will visit several traditional halts and temples, including the Gourishankar Temple at Pahalgam, before reaching the Holy Cave on August 28, coinciding with Shravan Purnima.
The district administration has made arrangements for security, traffic management, accommodation, sanitation, drinking water and other essential facilities along the route.

MPs, MLAs, Industrial Delegation Meet CM Omar

K H News Service — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 05:43:01 +0000

Srinagar: Several public representatives and representatives of the industrial sector today called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Raabita office here and discussed issues of public importance.
Rajya Sabha MPs Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan and Gurwinder Singh Oberoi met the Chief Minister and discussed various matters.
MLAs Zafar Ali Khatana of Kokernag and Choudhary Mohammad Akram of Surankote also called on Omar Abdullah and apprised him of issues concerning their respective constituencies.
A delegation of the Federation Chamber of Industries, Kashmir (FCIK), led by President Shahid Kamili, along with former president Shakeel Qalander and General Secretary Afaq Ahmad, raised issues concerning the industrial sector and discussed measures to strengthen local production, support enterprises and boost economic activity in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister heard the delegations and representatives and discussed the issues raised during the meetings.

J&K Govt Warns Against Use of Electric Shock Devices on Street Dogs

K H News Service — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 05:42:57 +0000

Srinagar :The Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD), J&K, has warned against the sale and use of electrically operated shock devices for catching, restraining or handling street dogs.
The department said such devices may violate provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which prohibit causing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals.
HUDD has also taken cognisance of the advertisement and sale of a device marketed as a “Dog Stick” and is examining its legal classification and whether the seller possesses the requisite licence under applicable provisions of the Arms Act, 1959 and Arms Rules, 2016.
The department advised dog catchers, Animal Birth Control agencies, contractors, animal welfare organisations, municipal bodies and members of the public not to procure or use electric shock devices for handling street dogs.
HUDD reiterated its commitment to humane, scientific and lawful management of the street-dog population.

New electricity surcharge to hit non-farm consumers with load over 10 kW

K H News Service — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 05:42:31 +0000

Srinagar: The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has officially introduced Time-of-Day (ToD) electricity billing across Jammu and Kashmir for all non-agricultural consumers with a sanctioned load exceeding 10 kW.
Reports said that under the new system, an eight-hour peak window will carry a surcharge on energy charges, while an eight-hour daytime solar window will offer a 20% rebate. Peak hours are designated from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Industrial and commercial consumers will face a 20% surcharge during peak hours, while all other applicable categories will incur a 10% surcharge. Off-peak hours outside these windows will be billed at normal rates. JERC clarified that the tariff implementation remains subject to the availability of compatible metering and billing infrastructure.