Srinagar, Dec 14 : Fresh snowfall in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, coupled with cloud cover across the plains, led to a marginal improvement in night temperatures on Saturday night, even as cold conditions continued to grip some parts.

Fresh snowfall was reported in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, including Zojila Pass, Minamarg, Baltal, and the Tulail Valley, bringing temporary relief from the prevailing cold wave conditions.

Snow accumulation ranged from 1 centimetre to about 3 inches, according to data compiled by independent weather channel Kashmir Weather.

Following the fresh snowfall in the upper reaches, minimum temperatures showed slight improvement in several areas, while plains remained under cloud cover.

In the Kashmir region, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 2.0°C, Qazigund 0.8°C, Pahalgam 2.4°C, Kupwara 1.2°C, Kokernag 0.8°C, Gulmarg 1.4°C, and Pampore 1.0°C. Srinagar Airport registered 0.6°C, while Awantipora recorded -0.2°C. Budgam stood at 1.2°C, Anantnag 0.8°C, Baramulla 1.4°C, Bandipora 1.3°C, Shopian 0.1°C, Kulgam 2.1°C, Ganderbal 1.0°C, and Sonamarg 0.4°C. Pulwama recorded the lowest minimum in the Valley at -2.7°C. Zojila Pass temperature data was not available, while Zethan Rafiabad station remained non-functional.

In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded a minimum temperature of 11.4°C, Banihal 5.5°C, Batote 7.9°C, Katra 11.2°C, Bhaderwah 4.7°C, Kathua 8.8°C, and Jammu Airport 11.3°C. Udhampur recorded 7.5°C, Ramban 8.8°C, Samba 7.4°C, Rajouri 6.0°C, Kishtwar 7.6°C, Reasi 10.0°C, and Doda 8.3°C.

In Ladakh, Leh recorded a minimum temperature of -5.0°C, Kargil -4.6°C, and Nubra Valley -1.8°C.

Weather observers said cloud cover in plains and fresh snowfall in higher reaches contributed to marginal improvement in night temperatures, while cold conditions continue to prevail across the region.

Jamsheed Malik

Rajouri, December 14 : Police Station Thanamandi in a continued drive to ensure strict compliance with lawful orders, apprehended one person on 13.12.2025 for using a banned VPN application.
Police Station Thanamandi apprehended Mohd Qasim S/o Abdul Gani R/o Village Khablan Thanamandi Rajouri. During checking his mobile phone was thoroughly examined during which a suspicious banned VPN application was found installed in violation of the orders issued by the District Magistrate.
In this regard a case FIR No. 165/2025 under Section 223 BNS has been registered at Police Station Thanamandi. The accused has been arrested and his mobile phone has been seized as case property in the instant case.

Further investigation is in progress.

Urges young doctors to prioritise compassion, commitment and patient-centric care over financial gains

Srinagar, Dec 13 : Director PGIMER Chandigarh, Prof. Vivek Lal, on Saturday delivered a deeply inspiring address at the 20th Post Graduate Research Presentation (PGRP) and the valedictory ceremony of the 43rd Annual Festival Week of the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) at SKICC Srinagar, urging young doctors to place compassion and commitment above all else in their medical careers.

Addressing postgraduate students and faculty, Prof. Lal said true happiness in the medical profession does not come from money but from compassion towards patients. He reminded young doctors that financial success would eventually follow, but urged them never to forget a patient’s pain, stressing that a patient’s blessings are the greatest testimony to a doctor’s life and work.

Speaking on the growing discourse around professional burnout, he said genuine empathy for patients leaves no room for exhaustion. “If you truly feel the pain of a patient, this profession will never tire you. But if there is no compassion for patients, then this profession is not for you,” he remarked, adding that medicine belongs to those whose hearts “beat and bleed” for their patients.

Drawing attention to the connection between academics and research, Prof. Lal described patients as the “golden thread” linking the two. He stressed that meaningful research must always be patient-centric, stating that good research is “for the patients, by the patients, and with the patients,” and cautioned against research disconnected from real clinical care.

He also underlined the moral responsibility of Indian doctors, noting that medical education in government institutions is highly subsidized compared to Western countries. Prof. Lal said doctors educated at low cost have a duty to give back to society many times over and must remain grateful for the opportunities provided by the public system.

Calling Indian doctors fortunate, he said that while doctors abroad may earn more, Indian doctors experience greater fulfillment, peace of mind and happiness due to the blessings of patients. “A patient’s prayer becomes our biggest reward and gives us sound sleep at the end of the day,” he stated.

Addressing students as the future torchbearers of medicine in India, Prof. Lal advised them to remember that commitment comes before equipment and that patients should never be treated as mere numbers. He concluded by appreciating the support extended to SKIMS by the administration and urged special care for the institute, describing it as a premier center whose students contribute significantly at the national level.

The address received a warm response from the audience and set a reflective and motivating tone for the academic gathering.

Advocate General Post Vacant for Over a Year in J&K,
Vacant Advocate General Post Raises Constitutional Questions in J&K

Srinagar, Dec 13: Ishfaq Gowher : Jammu and Kashmir has been functioning without an Advocate General for more than thirteen months, a situation that has raised serious constitutional, legal and administrative concerns and drawn strong observations from the High Court as well as members of the legal fraternity.
The post of Advocate General, the chief legal officer of the Union Territory, fell vacant on October 18, 2024, following the resignation of the then incumbent after the formation of an elected government. Despite the passage of over a year, no formal appointment has been notified, leaving the office unoccupied and key statutory processes affected.
The prolonged vacancy came under judicial scrutiny earlier this year when the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court observed that the absence of the Advocate General had rendered certain legal provisions ineffective. During a hearing, the court noted that statutory sections requiring the Advocate General’s sanction or intervention were practically non-functional, creating a legal void in governance and litigation.
One such provision is Section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure, which empowers only the Advocate General to initiate legal proceedings concerning public religious and charitable trusts. The court questioned how the Union Territory could continue to operate when essential statutory mechanisms were stalled due to the absence of its principal law officer.

Legal bodies have also expressed concern over the delay. Bar associations have formally urged the authorities to ensure immediate appointment, stating that the lack of an Advocate General has adversely impacted government representation before the High Court, delayed statutory approvals, and hindered several legal and welfare-related processes.

According to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the Advocate General is appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and is required to advise the government on legal matters and represent it in courts. Procedural rules mandate that the proposal for appointment be processed through the Department of Law and routed for approval as per prescribed channels.

Meanwhile, differing accounts have emerged from the administration. While some officials maintain that no formal proposal has been placed before the Lieutenant Governor, leaders of the elected government have publicly pointed to governance challenges and overlapping authority under the Union Territory framework.
As the vacancy continues, legal experts warn that temporary arrangements cannot substitute a constitutionally mandated Advocate General. For citizens, the impact is increasingly visible in delayed adjudication of cases involving government authorities and stalled statutory proceedings.

More than a year on, the absence of an Advocate General remains unresolved, highlighting a critical gap in Jammu and Kashmir’s legal and administrative structure.

Gulmarg, Dec 13: Ishfaq Gowher

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on saturday inaugurated Asia’s longest ski drag lift at Kongdori in Gulmarg, a landmark project aimed at strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s winter sports infrastructure and positioning the region prominently on the global adventure tourism map.
The newly commissioned ski drag lift is expected to significantly improve accessibility to skiing slopes, ease pressure on existing gondola systems, and enhance the overall experience for professional skiers and tourists alike. Officials said the project would help Gulmarg host larger national and international winter sports events while meeting global safety and operational standards.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Chief Minister said Gulmarg has long been recognised as one of the finest skiing destinations in Asia and the government is committed to upgrading its infrastructure to international benchmarks. “This facility will not only promote winter sports but will also create employment opportunities for local youth and strengthen the tourism-driven economy of the region,” he said.
The drag lift at Kongdori has been designed to operate efficiently in extreme weather conditions and is capable of handling a large number of skiers during peak winter months. Tourism officials said the project reflects the government’s long-term vision to diversify tourism offerings and reduce overdependence on conventional sightseeing.

Later, the Chief Minister also inaugurated a state-of-the-art rotating conference hall at Affarwat, Gulmarg, marking another major milestone in high-altitude infrastructure development. The unique facility, located at a scenic high point, offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Gulmarg’s snow-covered mountains and is expected to host conferences, corporate meetings, cultural events, and tourism-related activities.
Officials said the rotating conference hall would add a new dimension to Gulmarg’s tourism profile by promoting business tourism and destination conferences in addition to adventure sports. The facility is equipped with modern amenities and has been designed to function year-round, subject to weather conditions.

Highlighting the importance of sustainable tourism, the Chief Minister said all new infrastructure projects in Gulmarg are being developed with environmental safeguards in mind. He stressed the need to balance tourism growth with ecological preservation to ensure long-term benefits for future generations.
Senior officials from the Tourism Department, district administration, and other line departments were present on the occasion. They said the new facilities are expected to significantly enhance tourist footfall during the winter season and reinforce Gulmarg’s reputation as a premier international winter destination.

Srinagar Dec 13: Jammu and Kashmir Police, in coordination with other security agencies, have launched a massive crackdown against Over Ground Workers (OGWs) linked to terrorist outfits across several parts of the Kashmir Valley, with more than 150 suspects detained so far, official sources said.

A senior security official said that the action is part of a coordinated operation aimed at dismantling the support network of banned terror groups, including Jaish-e-Mohammad and other outfits operating in the Valley.

“Over 150 suspected OGWs have been detained in Srinagar alone, and the operation is still underway in multiple districts,” the official said, adding that raids are being conducted at several locations as intelligence-based inputs continue to be acted upon.

The official said the crackdown is focused on identifying individuals involved in providing logistical support, shelter, communication, and other assistance to active terrorists.

Security agencies said the operation is being carried out simultaneously in different areas to prevent the regrouping or escape of suspected terror facilitators.

The intensified action comes a day after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reiterated the government’s firm resolve to completely dismantle the terror ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor warned that not only terrorists but also their sympathisers and supporters would face the strictest legal action, asserting that there would be zero tolerance for any form of terrorism or its support network in the Union Territory.

Security officials said such operations will continue in the coming days to ensure sustained pressure on terror networks and their local support structures.

Srinagar, December 13:
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday handed over appointment letters to 39 Next of Kin (NoKs) of terror victims from the Kashmir Division at a ceremony held at Lok Bhavan, Srinagar, marking a significant step towards justice, rehabilitation and dignity for families scarred by terrorism.

Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said the day symbolised the end of a long and painful wait for justice for many families whose lives were devastated by terrorism decades ago. He said that concrete rehabilitation measures were restoring not just livelihoods, but also dignity and faith in the system.

“Terrorism did not just claim innocent lives; it shattered families, pushed households into decades of silence, stigma and poverty. Behind every killing lies a story of children growing up without parents and homes that never truly recovered,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He noted that for years, terror victim families were ignored by the system, while elements linked to the terror ecosystem managed to secure advantages. “On one hand, overground workers were given government jobs, while on the other, genuine victims of terrorism were left to fend for themselves. This injustice is now being corrected,” he added.

Several families received long-awaited relief during the event. Pakeeza Riyaz of Anantnag, whose father was killed in 1999, and Shaista of Hyderpora, Srinagar, whose father was murdered in 2000, were among those who received government job letters. Ishtiyaq Ahmad, son of BSF braveheart Altaf Hussain, who was martyred nearly 19 years ago, also secured employment. Justice was similarly delivered to families that had lived with grief for over two decades, including those of Dilawar Ganie and Fayaz Ganie of Qazigund, and Abdul Aziz Dar of Srinagar.

The Lieutenant Governor said that following the abrogation of Article 370, terror victim families have found renewed courage to speak out without fear. “For generations, their cases were not given priority. We are now empowering victims’ voices and ensuring they receive the rights and justice they deserve, while perpetrators will face swift and fair action,” he said.

Reiterating the administration’s security stance, the Lieutenant Governor said the fight against terrorism requires collective resolve. “Our policy is clear—zero tolerance to terrorism in all its forms. Those who provide sanctuary, support or safe haven to terrorists will pay a heavy price,” he asserted.

On the occasion, appointment letters were also handed over to beneficiaries under Compassionate Appointment Rules (SRO-43) and the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme. The administration has provided self-employment opportunities to 156 family members of terror victims under schemes such as Mission Yuva, HADP and PMEGP. Additionally, encroachments on properties of 17 victim families have been removed, 36 families identified for house reconstruction, and work on homes damaged by Pakistani shelling in Uri and Karnah is set to begin in April.

Senior officials, representatives of social organisations and families of terror victims were present at the event.