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One Killed in Shooting Amid Mixed Response to Joint Awami Action Committee Strike in Azad Kashmir

Markets reopened in major cities like Mirpur...

One Killed in Qallan Shooting as Shutdown Eases in Major Azad Kashmir Cities

While business districts reopened in Mirpur, Muzaffarabad...

45-Year-Old Man Found Dead in Budgam’s Branwar Area

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Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Sets Strict Conditions for Ending Gaza Conflict

The Azadi Times
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Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Sets Strict Conditions for Ending Gaza Conflict

Jerusalem — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has outlined stringent conditions for ending the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, demanding the release of all Israeli hostages, demilitarization of the enclave, and the removal of Hamas leadership from the territory.

In a press conference, Netanyahu emphasized his readiness to end the war only on terms that ensure Israel’s security. “All hostages will return home safely, Hamas will lay down its arms, relinquish power, and its leadership will be expelled from Gaza. The territory will be completely demilitarized,” he stated.

Netanyahu also stressed the importance of implementing the peace plan proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, describing it as a “precise and revolutionary” framework. “It includes a simple premise: residents of Gaza who wish to leave will be allowed to do so,” he said.

The Prime Minister criticized international calls for ending hostilities on terms he described as favoring Hamas. “Those demanding Israel to cease its operations are, in effect, supporting Hamas’s continued rule in Gaza,” he added.

The announcement comes amid an intensification of Israeli military operations in Gaza, which began last week under the codename “Operation Gideon.” Israeli officials claim the offensive aims to decisively weaken Hamas.

Read Also: Pakistani Architect Yasmeen Lari Rejects Israeli Award Over Gaza Genocide

Parallel to these military efforts, mediation talks are ongoing in Qatar, focusing on a ceasefire agreement and the release of Israeli hostages.

The renewed violence follows Israel’s resumption of attacks on Gaza starting March 18, after Hamas reportedly rejected the U.S.-brokered ceasefire extension, which had expired on March 1. Earlier in March, Israel cut electricity supply to Gaza and blocked humanitarian aid convoys, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Context and Impact

The escalating conflict in Gaza has led to significant civilian suffering and heightened regional tensions. Independent observers and humanitarian organizations have repeatedly called for restraint and urgent humanitarian access to the affected population.

As the situation remains fluid, the international community watches closely, urging dialogue alongside efforts to protect civilian lives and uphold human rights.

Srinagar Registers Third-Highest May Temperature in 133 Years Amid Intense Heatwave

The Azadi Times
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Srinagar Registers Third-Highest May Temperature in 133 Years Amid Intense Heatwave

Srinagar, (Indian administered Kashmir) — In a striking indicator of the intensifying climate crisis in the Himalayan region, Srinagar on Thursday recorded its third-highest temperature ever for the month of May, with mercury touching 34.4°C, according to independent meteorological observers.

Faizan Arif Keng, a well-known independent weather forecaster based in Kashmir, confirmed that Thursday’s temperature of 34.4°C marks the highest recorded in the Valley this season, and is only marginally higher than the 34.3°C recorded on May 28, 1971.

“This is the third-highest maximum temperature in May recorded at the Srinagar station in the last 133 years,” Keng said in a statement shared with journalists and posted across social media platforms, where his climate data regularly informs public discourse.

Check Also: Srinagar Weather

The all-time May record in Srinagar remains 35.0°C, set in May 1894. However, the latest data underscores a concerning pattern of rising temperatures in a region historically known for its mild summers.

Heatwave Sweeps Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is currently in the grip of a severe heatwave, with cities and rural districts alike facing extreme weather conditions not typically associated with the region at this time of year.

In response, local health departments and disaster management officials have issued advisories, urging the public to avoid direct sun exposure, stay hydrated, and limit outdoor activities during peak hours. Schools in various districts have also adjusted their operating hours due to the oppressive heat.

“This level of heat is uncommon for Kashmir, especially in May,” said Dr. Samina Qadri, a public health official in Srinagar. “We are monitoring vulnerable populations closely, particularly the elderly and children who are more prone to heatstroke.”

Environmental Concerns Grow

Climate scientists and environmental activists in the region have linked the increasing frequency of such heat spikes to broader trends in climate change, deforestation, and unplanned urban development.

“From glacial retreat to erratic rainfall and now record-breaking heat, the signs are all around us. The Himalayas are no longer shielded from the climate crisis,” said Dr. Asif Maqbool, a climate researcher at the University of Kashmir.

Independent observers have raised alarm over the lack of robust infrastructure and policy preparedness to cope with extreme weather events in Kashmir, a region already reeling from ecological and political stressors.

The rising temperatures serve as a wake-up call, say civil society groups. “What we are witnessing is not just a weather anomaly, but a long-term shift. There needs to be stronger governmental response and local adaptation strategies,” said Farhat Shah, director of the Kashmir Environmental Watch, an NGO based in Baramulla.

Farmers in Jammu Appeal for Return of Labourers as Basmati Sowing Begins Amid Fragile Calm

The Azadi Times
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Farmers in Jammu Appeal for Return of Labourers as Basmati Sowing Begins Amid Fragile Calm

Jammu (Indian-administered Kashmir: With the onset of the Basmati sowing season, farmers residing along the Ceasefire Line in Jammu’s RS Pura and Arnia sectors are facing a severe shortage of agricultural labourers. The shortage follows intense cross-ceasefire hostilities earlier this month that forced hundreds of seasonal workers from across India to flee the region.

According to local estimates, between 1,000 to 1,500 labourers—primarily from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand—left the region after heavy drone attacks and artillery shelling that began on May 8, reportedly in response to India’s “Operation Sindoor”, a series of targeted strikes on militant infrastructure across the Line of Control (LoC) and Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PaK).

Read Also: Leepa Valley: A Gem of Natural Beauty and the Home of Red Rice

Although both India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, and relative calm has since returned, the agricultural fields remain largely deserted.

“We returned home after spending 10 days away. It felt like a warzone here,” said Garmeet Singh, a farmer from Abdulian village, located less than half a kilometre from the ceasefire line. “Now that peace has returned, we’ve resumed work with help from our own families—but we desperately need labourers back.”

In the absence of the usual migrant workforce, farmers have started sowing Basmati rice themselves, braving soaring temperatures that reach up to 45°C. Families were seen ploughing and transplanting in early morning and late evening hours to avoid the extreme heat.

“There’s peace now, and a ceasefire is holding,” said Skinder Kumar, a farmer from Gulabgarh Basti. “We appeal to all our labourers to come back. Without them, it’s impossible to complete the sowing season on time.”

Farmers in RS Pura and Arnia cultivate over 17,700 hectares of premium Basmati rice, much of which contributes to India’s export economy. The region, however, lies within the shelling range of the ceasefire line, making agriculture not only uncertain but sometimes life-threatening.

Dangers Still Linger

Despite the ceasefire, the aftermath of the shelling remains visible—and dangerous. According to local sources, over 100 unexploded mortar and artillery shells were found buried in the farmlands. Army bomb disposal squads and engineers are currently engaged in clearing operations.

“Unexploded shells have taken lives in the past. But this time, the army is actively clearing the fields, which gives us some relief,” Kumar added.

According to official estimates, approximately 125,000 hectares of agricultural land in the districts of Jammu, Samba, and Kathua fall within range of cross-ceasefire fire. Villages such as Treva, Mahashe-de-Kothe, Gharana, Chandu Chak, and Korotana Kalan—located near the de facto boundary—are gradually returning to farming activities amid cautious optimism.

“Agriculture has resumed, and families are back,” said Avatar Singh, another farmer from Abdulian. “But we are still waiting for the return of the workforce to save the season.”

Operation Sindoor and Escalation

The recent escalation began after the Indian military launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting what were described as terror camps across the LoC in response to an attack in Pahalgam. In retaliation, Pakistan reportedly conducted drone, missile, and artillery attacks between May 8 and 10, killing 27 civilians and injuring more than 70, prompting mass evacuations to government relief camps.

The international community, including human rights monitors, expressed concern over the impact of the military confrontation on civilians, particularly those living near the volatile ceasefire zones.

Kashmir’s School Timings Revised Amid Rising Temperatures

    The Azadi Times
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    Kashmir’s School Timings Revised Amid Rising Temperatures

    Srinagar (Indian admonistered Kashmir): In light of the rising heatwave in Jammu and Kashmir, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has officially revised school timings across the Valley.

    According to the new schedule:

    • Schools within the Srinagar Municipal Limits will now function from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

    • Schools located outside Srinagar’s municipal boundaries and in other districts of Kashmir will operate from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

    The decision comes following growing health concerns raised by parents and school stakeholders over students experiencing dizziness and discomfort during early school hours and morning assemblies.

    Read Also: Rising Heat Threatens Jammu and Kashmir’s Fragile Mountain Environment

    Education Minister Sakina Itoo, while speaking to reporters, said:

    “Due to the discomfort students face under the scorching sun during morning assemblies, we have directed all heads of departments to revise the school timings immediately.”

    She added that assemblies should no longer be held under direct sunlight and recommended shaded or indoor venues instead.

    Earlier reports indicated that the School Education Department had been working on this change after consultations with local communities.

    Kashmir: Cyber Police Arrest Former Professor and Journalist in Srinagar Over Social Media Content

    The Azadi Times
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    Kashmir: Cyber Police Arrest Former Professor and Journalist in Srinagar Over Social Media Content

    Srinagar, Indian administered Kashmir: May 22, 2025 Cyber Police Srinagar arrested two individuals, including a terminated academic and a journalist, in connection with the alleged dissemination of “objectionable content” on social media platforms.

    The individuals identified as Dr. Abdul Waseem alias Bari, a former professor hailing from Kulgam and currently residing in Natipora, and journalist Asifa Bashir, a resident of Chattabal, were taken into custody earlier today.

    The arrests were made under FIR No. 06/2025, and the case has been registered under multiple provisions, including Sections 67 and 67-A of the Information Technology Act, as well as Sections 75(3), 79, and 356(2) of the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

    According to official sources, Dr. Waseem has been transferred to Police Station Shergari, whereas Asifa Bashir has been sent to the Women’s Police Station Rambagh for further legal processing and investigation.

    Police officials have not publicly disclosed the nature of the “objectionable content” or whether it pertains to journalistic activities, personal expression, or other forms of online commentary. Media and digital rights organizations have yet to issue formal responses, but the arrests are likely to invite scrutiny from civil liberties and press freedom advocates.

    The arrests come amid increasing concern and ban over freedom of expression and digital surveillance in the region, particularly following the rollout of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which has replaced sections of the Indian Penal Code. Legal experts have raised questions about the interpretation and potential misuse of these laws in regulating online speech.

    While the authorities maintain that the arrests are part of routine cybercrime monitoring, press freedom watchdogs are expected to follow the case closely, especially given the involvement of a working journalist.

    Further developments are awaited as the investigation progresses.

    Gilgit-Baltistan Anti-Terrorism Court Extends Custody of Awami Action Committee Leaders

    The Azadi Times
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    Gilgit-Baltistan Anti-Terrorism Court Extends Custody of Awami Action Committee Leaders

    Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan-administered Kashmir) — The Gilgit-Baltistan Anti-Terrorism Court today extended the police custody of three prominent leaders of the Awami Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan (AACGB), including Youth Chairman Asghar Shah, Media Cell Incharge Waheed Hassan, and BNF President Irfan Abbas Azad, until May 28, 2025.

    The trio was initially presented before the court on charges linked to their political activism and protests. After an initial four-day physical remand, the court granted further custody to law enforcement authorities.

    The decision has sparked strong criticism from human rights activists and civil society groups who view the extended detention as a violation of fundamental human rights and an attempt to suppress peaceful political dissent. Critics say that portraying these leaders as criminals is part of a broader strategy to silence voices demanding justice and political rights in the region.

    Read Also: Gilgit-Baltistan Police Arrest Awami Action Committee Gilgit Baltistan Leaders; Civil Society Condemns “Political Tactics”

    The Awami Action Committee condemned the court’s ruling and called for the immediate release of Asghar Shah, Waheed Hassan, and Irfan Abbas Azad. The committee also demanded that all fabricated charges against them be dropped.

    This case highlights ongoing tensions in Gilgit-Baltistan, where residents continue to raise their voices over issues related to political representation, land rights, and economic opportunities. The detention of these leaders has further ignited calls for respect of political freedoms and an end to state repression.

    The Awami Action Committee emphasized that the struggle of Gilgit-Baltistan’s youth and activists is a fight for justice and democratic rights, and urged the authorities to uphold these principles.

    Revolutionary Communist Party Denmark Condemns Arrests of Gilgit-Baltistan Awami Action Committee Leaders, Affirms Solidarity

    The Azadi Times
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    Revolutionary Communist Party Denmark Condemns Arrests of Gilgit-Baltistan Awami Action Committee Leaders, Affirms Solidarity

    The Revolutionary Communist Party of Denmark has strongly condemned the recent arrests of leaders of the Awami Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan (AACGB) in Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan-administered Kashmir). Expressing full solidarity with these activists, the party acknowledged their peaceful struggle for the rights of the people in the region.

    The party statement highlighted that these arrests once again demonstrate the state’s persistent attempts to silence the voices of working-class people, particularly when they unite to demand their fundamental rights. The ongoing struggle of Gilgit-Baltistan’s population for access to water, land, employment, and cultural identity is not only justified but essential.

    According to the party, the real perpetrators are the ruling elites responsible for pushing the poor into poverty, inflation, and unemployment. The AACGB leaders have been raising their voices against such injustices, and their detention constitutes political repression.

    The Revolutionary Communist Party of Denmark demands:

    • The immediate release of all detained leaders.

    • The recognition and granting of full political, economic, and cultural rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

    • An end to restrictions on peaceful political activism.

    The party affirmed its unwavering support for all struggles against imperialism, capitalism, and oppression worldwide, underscoring that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan are not alone. Revolutionaries around the globe stand in solidarity with their fight for justice.

    Brazilian Lawmaker Expresses Solidarity with Detained Gilgit-Baltistan Leaders in Parliamentary Address

      The Azadi Times
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      Brazilian Lawmaker Expresses Solidarity with Detained Gilgit-Baltistan Leaders in Parliamentary Address

      Rio de Janeiro / Muzaffarabad: Glauber Braga member of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies from the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), has expressed solidarity with the detained leaders of the Awami Action Committee Gilgit Bltistan (AACGB) in Gilgit-Baltistan, highlighting concerns over the repression of peaceful political movements in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

      During a recent session of the Brazilian Parliament, the lawmaker emphasized that the suppression of grassroots movements striving for rights is not only a regional issue but a global concern for justice-loving people across the world.

      “Attempts to silence voices demanding basic rights—be it land, identity, or autonomy—are deeply troubling. Imprisoning leadership does not end the struggle; it only exposes the urgency of their demands,” the parliamentarian said.

      The speech comes amid a growing crackdown on activists and leaders in Gilgit-Baltistan, where citizens have long been advocating for land reforms, local resource control, and greater political recognition. Human rights defenders and civil society organizations have raised alarms about what they call the criminalization of dissent in the mountainous region.

      The Brazilian MP called on both the Brazilian government and international human rights bodies to take notice of the situation and ensure that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan are granted their fundamental rights, including freedom of speech, association, and peaceful protest.

      “Labeling peaceful protestors as terrorists sets a dangerous precedent,” the lawmaker warned. “It is the duty of every conscious global citizen to challenge this trend.”

      Observers note that such rare expressions of international solidarity highlight the growing visibility of struggles in remote or underrepresented regions like Gilgit-Baltistan. The MP’s remarks were widely circulated on social media under hashtags such as #SolidarityForever, #GilgitBaltistan, and #HumanRights.

      The development adds to increasing calls for transparency, dialogue, and the protection of civil liberties in Pakistan-administered regions of Kashmir, including both Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK). Rights groups have urged Islamabad to engage constructively with local communities rather than resort to mass arrests and intimidation.

      Gilgit-Baltistan, a region of strategic importance bordering China and India, has seen waves of public mobilization in recent years over socio-economic grievances and demands for constitutional rights. Despite its administrative ties to Pakistan, the region remains outside the country’s formal constitutional framework, further complicating its political status.

      As voices of support emerge from distant corners of the world, many activists hope international pressure will help deter repression and foster a more democratic approach to resolving longstanding issues in the region.

      Mounting Tensions in Gilgit-Baltistan: Political Detentions Spark Wider Regional Outcry

      The Azadi Times
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      Mounting Tensions in Gilgit-Baltistan: Political Detentions Spark Wider Regional Outcry

      Gilgit / Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-administered Kashmir: A political storm is brewing in the high mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan, a region administered by Pakistan but lacking constitutional status. In a rapidly developing situation, the Awami Action Committee Gilgit Baltistan (AACGB) has warned of mass protests, strikes, and civil disobedience, demanding the immediate release of detained leaders and voicing growing anger over proposed land reforms.

      The emergency session held by AACGB in Gilgit on 21 May expressed grave concern over the health of Advocate Ehsan, the committee’s chairman, who remains in state custody and under medical treatment, reportedly without access to legal counsel or family. Human rights observers have described these restrictions as a clear violation of basic civil liberties.

      “Ehsan Advocate is not just a political leader; he is a symbol of the collective voice of Gilgit-Baltistan. If any harm comes to him, the state will be held accountable,” read the AAC’s official statement following the meeting.

      The AACGB accused authorities of using arrests and coercion to suppress dissent ahead of controversial legislative changes. At the heart of the issue is the proposed Land Reforms Act, which the AAC claims will strip the people of Gilgit-Baltistan of their ancestral lands, mineral rights, and control over natural resources, in favor of outside interests.

      The committee further alleges that by jailing key regional leaders, the government seeks to pave the way for the forced implementation of land and resource policies without democratic consent.

      The emergency meeting, attended both physically and virtually by AACGB leadership across Gilgit-Baltistan, resolved to escalate public mobilization. Organizing committees have been formed at the district, tehsil, and union council levels, with directives to engage youth, women, and students in a widespread protest movement.

      “If these illegal detentions and exploitative laws continue, we will launch a region-wide shutdown, sit-ins, and non-cooperation campaigns,” warned the AAC. “The people of this land will not allow their mountains, rivers, and resources to be auctioned off.”

      Regional Ripple Effect: Echoes in Azad Kashmir

      The unrest in Gilgit-Baltistan is not occurring in isolation. Political activists and civil society groups in Azad Jammu & Kashmir—also administered by Pakistan—have begun voicing support. Many argue that similar grievances exist on both sides of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including lack of representation, land rights issues, and suppression of dissent.

      In Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot, solidarity statements and small-scale gatherings have begun to take shape, highlighting a shared sentiment of marginalization and demanding an end to centralized decision-making without local consultation.

      Background: Disputed and Disenfranchised

      Both Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir remain disputed territories under Pakistani control, with no constitutional representation in Pakistan’s national parliament. While often presented as separate entities in administrative terms, many within these regions identify shared struggles of political invisibility, economic exploitation, and environmental dispossession.

      Independent observers believe the growing wave of public dissent may mark a turning point, especially if inter-regional solidarity continues to build.

      As protests intensify, the question remains: Will Islamabad listen—or will another chapter of suppression unfold in these fragile mountain regions?

      Youth Organization in Jalalabad Protests Arrests of Gilgit-Baltistan Leaders

      The Azadi Times
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      Youth Organization in Jalalabad Protests Arrests of Gilgit-Baltistan Leaders

      Jalalabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, (Pakistan-administered Kashmir) – May 22, 2025
      A youth-led protest erupted in the Jalalabad area of District Neelum today, as members of the Jalalabad Youth Organization condemned the recent arrests of leaders from the Awami Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan. The demonstrators described the arrests as unlawful and a deliberate attempt to silence those advocating for the region’s rights and equitable access to resources.

      Protesting youth gathered in large numbers, holding placards and chanting slogans in solidarity with the detained leaders. Speaking at the rally, several young activists criticized the use of state power to suppress dissenting voices and said the leaders were targeted not for any crime, but for demanding basic rights and justice for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

      “The arrests are not just illegal; they are morally wrong,” said one of the protest organizers. “These leaders raised their voices not for personal gain, but to speak up for the collective rights of their region. Silencing them is an attack on all those who believe in justice, equality, and democracy.”

      The protesters drew attention to the growing trend of criminalizing peaceful political expression in marginalized regions, calling it a broader tactic of oppression used to stifle movements for self-determination and resource control.

      According to the Jalalabad Youth Organization, the struggle for rights in Gilgit-Baltistan is not isolated but shared by other underserved communities across Pakistan-administered Kashmir and beyond. “This is not just Gilgit-Baltistan’s fight—it is the fight of students, workers, women, and all ordinary people who are asking for dignity and the right to live freely,” a protestor stated.

      The organization demanded the immediate release of all detained leaders and urged the state to end its policy of repression. “These voices cannot be silenced,” the protestors asserted. “They come from hearts that beat for truth, justice, and the collective good.”

      The demonstration ended peacefully, but the organizers vowed to continue raising their voices until justice is served and democratic freedoms are respected in the region.

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