Srinagar: Following Congress’s decision to leave the Nagrota Assembly seat to its ally, the National Conference on Monday announced DDC member Shamim Begum as its candidate. NC’s Jammu Provincial President Rattan Lal Gupta confirmed that the party high command approved her nomination.

Shamim Begum, a Muslim Gujjar woman, had won the 2020 District Development Council elections from Nagrota. Congress opted out “in the interest of defeating BJP,” citing friendly past collaboration with NC. The move comes amid growing friction between NC and Congress over seat-sharing in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, which has strained alliance ties.

Indian National Congress has decided to leave the Nagrota Assembly seat to its ally National Conference to contest , keeping in view the larger intrests and goals to defeat the BJP.

After detailed deliberations over the report of the JKPCC & taking into account various factors including the fact that in the last Assembly elections in 2024, which was contested by Congress & NC, on friendly basis , the National Conference had secured second position in the final election results of the said Constituency.

Thus taking into account the broader parameters & principles of the coalition, the central leadership of INC has decided to leave the said seat to its ally , National Conference to contest it, in furtherance of larger intrests and goals to defeat BJP .

Awantipora 19 October 2025:
Police Awantipora have arrested 04 absconders who were evading their arrest for last 15 years.

Awantipora Police received non-bailable warrants under section 299 CrPC/ 335 Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita issued by the Hon’ble Principal Session Court Pulwama against four absconders namely:
1) Yawar Manzoor Sofi S/O Manzoor Ahmad sofi R/O Namblabal Pampore.
2) Muzamil Rasool Wagay s/O Ghulam Rasool Wagay R/O Namblabal Pampore.
3) Farooq Ahmad Mir S/O Ghulam Nabi Mir R/O Drangbal Pampore.
4) Mohammad Shafi Wani S/O Ali Mohammad Wani R/O Kadlabal Pampore.

The abosconders were involved in different cases registered at Police Station Pampore.

Accordingly, a special team headed by SHO PS Pampore Inspector Khalid Fayaz under the supervision of SDPO Pampore Shri RP Singh was constituted and the accused persons were arrested from different areas. Subsequently, the arrested accused were produced before the Hon’ble Court of Law.

The arrest reflects the sustained efforts of Awantipora Police in tracking down long-term fugitives. Awantipora Police reiterates its commitment to ensuring that no offender escapes the reach of law, and such actions will continue in the future.

Ganderbal,19th, October 2025 :

In a heartfelt tribute to the brave police personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty, Ganderbal Police today inaugurated Police Martyrs T-20 Cricket Tournament at Gorwan Lar, as part of a series of events being organized in loving memory of Police Martyrs.

The tournament was formally inaugurated by SSP Ganderbal Shri Khalil Ahmad Poswal-JKPS, who graced the occasion as the chief guest. Various cricket teams from across District Ganderbal are participating in the tournament, showcasing their spirit, discipline, and sportsmanship.

While addressing the gathering, SSP Ganderbal lauded the enthusiasm of the participating teams and highlighted the importance of sports in promoting unity, teamwork, and positive energy among the youth. He encouraged young players to explore their talents and imagination through constructive platforms like sports, which not only build physical fitness but also nurture leadership and discipline. He also urged to refrain from the severe menace of drugs addiction and other negative influences .

It is worth mentioning that Ganderbal Police is conducting a series of sports, cultural, and educational activities; including volleyball, marathons, cultural programmes, and other co-curricular events — as part of a 10-day-long commemoration of Police Martyrs. These events aim to pay homage to the supreme sacrifices of the martyrs and will culminate on 31st October 2025.

On this occasion, several senior police officers of District Ganderbal were also present and interacted with the players and spectators, extending their support and appreciation for the initiative.

Through such initiatives, Ganderbal Police continues to uphold the spirit of camaraderie, remembrance, and community engagement — celebrating the legacy of courage and sacrifice left behind by our fallen heroes.

Budgam, October 18, 2025:

In a major step towards curbing drug abuse, Budgam Police conducted a mass disposal drive of seized narcotic substances under the supervision of the District Level Drug Disposal Committee.

The destruction process was carried out under the directions of the Hon’ble Addl. Sessions Judge Budgam/Munsiff (JMIC) Budgam and Addl. Munsiff (JMIC) Srinagar, and in the presence of officers from the Pollution Control Board Budgam, Naib Tehsildar Budgam, and officials from Budgam Police and ANTF/CID/CI.

The contraband was destroyed under Section 52-A of the NDPS Act at Kashmir Healthcare System Bio-Medical Waste Unit, IGC Lasipora Pulwama, following all legal and environmental protocols.

The seized substances, recovered in nine NDPS cases across different Police Stations of the district, included 38.5 kg of poppy straw, 21.66 kg of charas powder, 418 grams of ganja, and 80 grams of charas, valued at approximately ₹41 lakhs.

Budgam Police reaffirmed its firm resolve to eliminate the menace of drugs from society and urged citizens to actively support the mission by reporting any drug-related activities to the nearest police station.

LEH OCTOBER 18: The Leh Apex Body has announced the cancellation of its planned Peace March after authorities reportedly denied permission for the event. The march was intended to highlight key local demands and promote communal harmony in the region.

Leaders of the Apex Body expressed disappointment over the decision, stating that the Peace March was to be conducted in a peaceful and democratic manner. They urged the administration to allow space for public expression and reaffirmed their commitment to continue their struggle through lawful and non-violent means.

Srinagar, Oct 18: The Jammu and Kashmir Government informed the High Court of J&K and Ladakh that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure detained MLA Mehraj Malik is able to cast his vote in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

Appearing before Justice Rajesh Sekhri, the government counsel submitted that a postal ballot has already been dispatched to the competent authority to facilitate Malik’s participation in the Rajya Sabha election scheduled for October 24, 2025.

The submission was made during the hearing of an application filed by Malik, seeking permission to vote and to participate in the upcoming assembly session. While the petitioner’s counsel pressed for urgent consideration of both requests, the government clarified that steps had already been taken to address the voting aspect.

The Court observed that the government’s reply to the application was yet to be placed on record and directed the registry to ensure it is properly filed. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on October 27, 2025, specifically to consider Malik’s request for physical participation in the assembly session commencing on October 23.

The Court further directed the government to ensure that the detenue is allowed to cast his vote in accordance with the law.

JAMMU, Oct 18: A police constable was arrested after a packet containing 9.63 grams of heroin was seized from his car in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Saturday, an official said.
Constable Arjun Sharma, a resident of Udhampur, has been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, a police spokesperson said. During routine checking at Bans Morh on the Katra Road, a private vehicle on its way to Tikri from Katra was intercepted. A search led to the seizure of the contraband, the spokesperson said.

Patna, Oct 18: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday promised restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir at “an appropriate time” and a “good resolution” of demands raised by people of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Speaking at a media conclave in Patna, he also claimed that after the abrogation of Article 370, terror-infested Jammu and Kashmir has “taken a U-turn” and “no local terrorist has been recruited in the last nine months”. “This is a qualitative change that Jammu and Kashmir, where separatism had been festering since the 1990s, witnessed. Earlier, Pakistan felt no need to send terrorists from across the border. They used to place arms in the hands of our children. Now the situation has changed. The people of Jammu and Kashmir feel they belong to the entire country and the entire country belongs to them,” Shah said at the conclave organised by ABP News and Hindustan.
“Today, democracy has been restored in Jammu and Kashmir. Panchayat and municipal polls have taken place, and so have elections for the legislative assembly. Rajya Sabha elections will also take place at some time,” the home minister added.