Srinagar, September 21 – A local investigative agency in Kashmir has conducted searches at multiple locations across the region in connection with a case involving alleged support for armed groups. The operations spanned seven districts including Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag, Kupwara, Handwara, Pulwama, and Shopian, covering eight sites in total.

Officials stated that the raids were carried out under a court-authorized search warrant dating back to 2003, with the related First Information Report (FIR) registered at the relevant district office. The case reportedly concerns the misuse of social media platforms to promote armed groups and their activities, as well as running an online module allegedly linked to recruitment or propaganda.

Preliminary inputs indicate that some individuals may have been in digital contact with handlers outside the region, using encrypted messaging platforms. Authorities say these activities allegedly aimed to influence youth and disrupt local peace and stability.

During the search operations, seven individuals were taken into custody for questioning, and digital evidence was seized. Officials suggest that analysis of the confiscated data may reveal broader networks and could lead to additional detentions. Investigators continue to probe the full extent of the alleged activities, identify other participants, and track communications potentially linked to external handlers.

Local observers have expressed concerns over the impact of such operations on daily life, emphasizing the need for transparency and adherence to due process while addressing issues of online influence.

Lignite Mining Set to Resume After 35 Years in Nichama Rajwar, Kupwara

Kashmir

Editorial Staff

September 21, 2025

Lignite Mining Set to Resume After 35 Years in Nichama Rajwar, Kupwara

Kupwara (IaJK) – In a significant development for Jammu and Kashmir’s mineral sector, lignite exploration has resumed in Nichama Rajwar, Handwara, after a gap of 35 years. The project has been entrusted to a Rajasthan-based firm, which is expected to collect over 50 samples from the area within the next two months. The findings will be compiled into a report to be submitted to the central government. Officials have indicated that formal lignite mining operations may commence in March or April next year.

The presence of lignite in the region was first discovered in 1986. Following this, a private company initiated exploration and installed the necessary machinery in the area. However, due to challenging local conditions, the project was halted, leaving even partially constructed railway tracks and mining machinery abandoned across the terrain. Fifteen years ago, exploration efforts in Nichama resumed briefly but faced obstacles again, forcing a temporary halt.

Nichama is situated about 20 kilometers from Handwara in the Rajwar region and is bordered by the picturesque Bangus Valley. Despite being rich in natural resources, including significant lignite deposits, the area has remained economically underdeveloped due to lack of consistent government focus.

Local residents believe that if lignite mining is officially resumed, it will not only create employment opportunities for unemployed youth but also give the region strategic economic significance. In addition, the area is known to contain non-metallic minerals that could serve as raw materials for various industries.

According to a letter received on September 18 by the District Mineral Officer, Geology & Mining Kupwara, from ‘Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited’ (a company operating under the central Ministry of Mining), the project is part of a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Coal and Mining. The letter details plans to begin extraction from approximately 40 potential tunnels within a 1.68 square kilometer area. The company also requested cooperation from the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Minerals for surveying, sample collection, geological mapping, and drilling operations.

Mumtaz Ahmed, District Mineral Officer of Geology & Mining, told Kashmir Azma that sample collection in Nichama Rajwar will be completed within two months. He added that formal lignite mining is expected to begin in March or April next year.

Ahmed explained that mineral extraction is a multi-step process. Initially, a survey is conducted to assess the resources present in the area. Potential extraction sites are then identified, and a project report is prepared. In the final stage, 40 to 50 samples are collected to determine mineral type, content, and quality. Once the analysis is complete, the report is sent to the central government, which will formally notify the state government and initiate national-level e-tendering.

Officials emphasized that restarting lignite mining in Nichama will not only benefit the local economy but also provide sustainable employment to youth in this previously underdeveloped region. Furthermore, lignite could potentially be used to establish thermal power plants, supplying electricity to a large area.

With this development, Nichama Rajwar is poised to become a hub for resource-based economic growth, marking a major milestone 35 years after lignite was first discovered in the region.

Rocket Shell Remnants Found in Dal Lake; Armed Clash Erupts in Kishtwar

Kashmir

Editorial Staff

September 21, 2025

Rocket Shell Remnants Found in Dal Lake; Armed Clash Erupts in Kishtwar

Srinagar, September 21 – Months after mysterious explosions shook Srinagar in May, remnants of a rocket shell have resurfaced in Dal Lake. During a clean-up drive on Saturday, staff from the Lake Conservation and Management Authority discovered shell debris near the Ontha Kadal area.

Officials confirmed that the remnants were moved to a nearby police station for further examination. On May 10, several loud explosions were heard across the city after a missile-like object fell into Dal Lake, releasing smoke and alarming residents. Another suspicious object was recovered the same day from Lasjan on the city’s outskirts.

Local people recall the panic when smoke rose from the lake, and many questioned the origin of the blasts, which remain unclear. The latest recovery has once again raised concerns among Srinagar’s residents about unexplained military activity in civilian areas.

Armed Clash in Kishtwar
Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, an armed encounter broke out on Sunday afternoon in the Keshwan area. According to initial reports, government troops launched an intelligence-based operation in the forests, which led to contact with armed fighters.

Both sides exchanged heavy gunfire, prompting authorities to rush reinforcements and seal off the area. After the initial firefight, calm briefly returned, but search operations continued late into the evening.

Residents in nearby villages reported being confined indoors as operations spread across the forested terrain. Civil society groups in Kashmir have repeatedly expressed concern that such operations heighten fear among local populations and further restrict their freedom of movement.

As of the latest update, the situation in Kishtwar remained tense, with searches still underway.

World Alzheimer’s Day: Dementia Rates Alarmingly High in Jammu & Kashmir

Articles

Editorial Staff

September 21, 2025

World Alzheimer’s Day: Dementia Rates Alarmingly High in Jammu & Kashmir

Srinagar, September 21 – On World Alzheimer’s Day, health specialists are drawing attention to the alarming rise of dementia across Jammu and Kashmir, where the prevalence of memory-related illness is among the highest in South Asia.

Dementia is not a single illness but a collective term for conditions marked by a decline in memory, reasoning, and cognitive abilities, often interfering with daily life. Although more common in older adults, doctors emphasize that dementia is not a natural part of aging. Alzheimer’s disease remains the most common type, followed by vascular dementia and others.

Recent health data shows that nearly 11.04% of people in Jammu and Kashmir are struggling with dementia-related symptoms — a rate significantly higher than the national average. Projections suggest the figure could rise to almost 15% of the population by 2036 if preventive steps are not taken.

According to experts, dementia affects people at different ages, with prevalence rising sharply after 70. Statistics reveal that almost one in four people above 84 years of age in the region are affected.

Professor Junaid Nabi from the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Srinagar, described dementia as a serious neuropsychiatric condition. “It affects memory, cognition, and the ability to carry out normal routines. Early detection can help manage the disease, but once it progresses, control becomes extremely difficult,” he said.

Health professionals caution that as the disease worsens, patients may lose the ability to recognize even close relatives. With the population of elderly people increasing in Jammu and Kashmir, medical experts are urging more awareness, early diagnosis, and specialized healthcare facilities to manage the challenge.

Clashes Erupt Between Indian Forces and Armed Fighters in Kishtwar’s Kashun Area

Kashmir

Editorial Staff

September 21, 2025

Clashes Erupt Between Indian Forces and Armed Fighters in Kishtwar’s Kashun Area

Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir (Web Desk): Intense clashes broke out on Sunday in the Kashun area of Kishtwar district after Indian forces launched a cordon-and-search operation based on intelligence reports about the presence of armed fighters.

According to officials, Indian troops surrounded the locality shortly after midday and began a search. As forces neared a suspected site, armed fighters reportedly opened fire, prompting Indian personnel to return fire. Heavy exchange of gunfire followed, and all possible exit routes were sealed to prevent escape.

The White Knight Corps confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the operation began around 1:00pm and that armed fighters engaged the troops soon after. No independent confirmation of casualties has been reported so far.

Local residents told reporters that the area has remained tense since the cordon was imposed. “Gunfire has continued for hours, and people are confined to their homes,” said one Kashmiri resident.

The clash comes amid renewed concerns in Kashmir, where many continue to demand the right to self-determination promised under UN resolutions. Civil society groups have long argued that such operations deepen mistrust between the local population and the Indian state.

The operation was still ongoing at the time of filing this report.

Kareena Kapoor at 45: Net Worth, Fitness Secrets & Her Evergreen Stardom

Entertainment

Editorial Staff

September 21, 2025

Kareena Kapoor at 45: Net Worth, Fitness Secrets & Her Evergreen Stardom

Karachi (News Desk): Bollywood superstar Kareena Kapoor Khan, popularly known as “Bebo,” is celebrating her 45th birthday, with fans and fellow celebrities sending warm wishes across social media.

According to Indian media, Kareena’s net worth is estimated at around ₹485 crore, placing her among the richest actresses in Bollywood. Beyond films, she earns a significant income through endorsements and brand deals.

Married to actor Saif Ali Khan since 2012, Kareena remains a central figure in the Kapoor family legacy. She has two sons but is often in headlines for the paparazzi’s focus on her eldest, Taimur Ali Khan.

Known for her discipline, Kareena follows a strict fitness routine with high-intensity workouts, weight training, and yoga. She prefers traditional Indian home-cooked meals — lentils, rice, vegetables, and khichdi — over fast food. In her own words, true beauty is “a mix of health, happiness, and peace of mind.”

Her career began in the late 1990s, and she has since starred in some of Bollywood’s most iconic films, including Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Jab We Met, 3 Idiots, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Heroine, Veere Di Wedding, Tashan, and Golmaal Returns.

Pakistani TikToker Sparks Debate by Questioning Why Women Should Cook for Men

Entertainment

Editorial Staff

September 21, 2025

Pakistani TikToker Sparks Debate by Questioning Why Women Should Cook for Men

Islamabad (Showbiz News Desk): A video that recently went viral on X (formerly Twitter) has ignited fresh debate in Pakistan after TikToker Samia Hijab challenged traditional gender roles, asking why women are expected to cook for men.

The clip struck a nerve in a society where household responsibilities are still widely defined by rigid gender norms.

According to a Gallup Pakistan survey — cited in Wikipedia’s Women in Pakistan entry — a large segment of the population continues to believe in conventional gender roles.

The controversy comes at a time when Pakistani women face systemic challenges, including gender-based violence and patriarchal attitudes. The Pakistan Observer reported that the country ranked 148th in the Global Gender Gap Report 2025, highlighting severe restrictions on women’s freedoms and opportunities.

Samia’s statement — that she does not see cooking for men as a woman’s obligation — resonated with many advocates of women’s rights but also triggered backlash online. While some users on X criticized her remarks, others praised her courage in defying societal expectations.

One user posted the viral clip with her quote: “The issue is not that I have to cook food. The issue is that a woman is expected to cook for her man.”

Azad Kashmir PM Announces $3.6 Million Development Package for Poonch District

Kashmir

Editorial Staff

September 21, 2025

Azad Kashmir PM Announces $3.6 Million Development Package for Poonch District

Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (The Azadi Times) – The Prime Minister of Pakistan-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq, has announced a development package worth 1 billion Pakistani rupees (approximately $3.6 million) for Poonch district.

The announcement was made during the Ma’raka-e-Haq Conference in Rawalakot, where the Prime Minister said the package would support new infrastructure and social welfare projects.

“This initiative is aimed at addressing long-standing public concerns and ensuring sustainable development in the region,” Anwar-ul-Haq said in his address.

According to officials, the package will be used for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and community development projects, aiming to uplift living standards in one of Azad Kashmir’s key districts.

The move has been welcomed by local residents, with political observers describing it as a significant step toward improving public services in Poonch.

Minister’s Convoy Clashes with Locals in Rawalakot; Young Man Injured

Kashmir

Editorial Staff

September 21, 2025

Minister’s Convoy Clashes with Locals in Rawalakot; Young Man Injured

Rawalakot, (PaJK) – A confrontation involving the convoy of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Minister for Tourism and Archaeology, Sardar Faheem Rabbani, in Banjosa Bazaar on Sunday has left one young man injured and triggered a protest by local residents.

According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred when Rabbani’s convoy, traveling towards Rawalakot, became involved in an argument with locals after a passenger vehicle was reportedly blocked. The exchange escalated, and shots were allegedly fired, leaving a young man, identified as Waqar Shafiq, injured. He was transferred to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Rawalakot for treatment.

Following the incident, residents and traders staged a protest in Banjosa, blocking the main road. Demonstrators demanded that a formal police case be registered before they would reopen the road.

Protesters also damaged some of the vehicles in the minister’s convoy. Local sources said that members of the convoy left three official vehicles behind and departed the area in another car.

Community representatives described the protest as a joint action by residents and the business community.

Note: These details are based on local sources and eyewitness testimonies. Minister Faheem Rabbani has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.

Malian Woman Sets World Record by Giving Birth to Nine Healthy Babies

Articles

Editorial Staff

September 21, 2025

Malian Woman Sets World Record by Giving Birth to Nine Healthy Babies

In an unprecedented medical achievement, Halima Cissé, a 25-year-old woman from Mali, has made history by giving birth to nine healthy children at once, setting a Guinness World Record for the most babies born at a single birth to survive. The nonuplets, consisting of five girls and four boys, were delivered via a C-section in Morocco, where Cissé had been flown for specialized high-risk care.

The pregnancy, which occurred naturally without fertility treatments, is considered extraordinarily rare by medical experts. Natural nonuplet pregnancies are almost unheard of, making this birth a remarkable milestone in both obstetrics and human endurance.

Doctors involved in the case reported that all nine infants are thriving and in good health, and they are being closely monitored in a hospital facility in Morocco. Medical teams praised Cissé’s strength and resilience throughout the pregnancy and delivery, highlighting the crucial role of advanced medical care in high-risk pregnancies.

Cissé’s journey has drawn global attention, with international media and medical communities hailing the birth as both a historic and inspirational event. In Mali, the news has sparked widespread celebration, while healthcare professionals emphasize the importance of access to specialized maternal care.

The family now faces the extraordinary task of raising nine newborns simultaneously, an unprecedented feat that has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. Experts say this case will provide valuable insights for the medical community on high-order multiple pregnancies and neonatal care.

This historic birth serves as a testament to maternal strength, medical expertise, and the potential of modern healthcare to safely manage one of the rarest human pregnancies ever recorded.

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The Azadi Times is an independent digital news platform based in Muzaffarabad, Kashmir, dedicated to credible journalism, in-depth reporting, and global analysis. We cover Kashmir, South Asia, and international affairs with a commitment to truth, editorial integrity, and public accountability.