K² News Kashmir

26/08/2026

Fire damages 9 houses in Watal Kadal

=> Nine houses were damaged after a fire broke out in Watal Kadal area in old city here on Wednesday evening.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that seven houses were directly damaged in the fire, while two others suffered partial damage due to heat, smoke and water used during firefighting.

The official said the fire call was received at 4:47 pm and the fire turnout was recorded at 4:48 pm. Fire tenders from Safakadal, F&ES Headquarters, Babdemb, Rainawari, Nowshahra and Rawalpora were deployed to control the blaze.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known, while an assessment of the property damage will be carried out later, the official added—(KNO)

26/08/2026

Kashmir plains likely to witness heatwave-like conditions in 3-4 days
Srinagar sees 32.7°C as dry, hot weather likely to persist till month-end

=> Temperatures are likely to rise further across Kashmir over the next few days, with the plains, including Srinagar, expected to experience heatwave-like conditions and maximum temperatures approaching 35 degrees Celsius, according to a Kashmir weather forecaster.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 32.7 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, while Kupwara recorded 32.3 degrees Celsius and Qazigund 31.6 degrees Celsius.

Kukernag recorded 30.8 degrees Celsius, Banihal 30.1 degrees Celsius and Bhaderwah 30.2 degrees Celsius. Batote and Pahalgam recorded maximum temperatures of 28 degrees Celsius and 26.8 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Gulmarg, a popular tourist destination, recorded 23.4 degrees Celsius.

In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius, while Katra recorded 32.7 degrees Celsius.

According to the forecast, temperatures across Kashmir are expected to rise during the coming three to four days, with the heat likely to be most intense on Friday and Saturday.

Several plains of the Valley, including Srinagar, could record maximum temperatures close to or around 35 degrees Celsius during the peak period.

The forecast indicates that dry and hot weather is likely to continue towards the end of August.

The anticipated rise in temperatures comes amid a spell of predominantly dry weather across the Valley, with residents likely to experience warmer-than-normal afternoons in the plains over the next few days.

Weather conditions in the higher reaches, however, are expected to remain comparatively cooler than the plains—(KNO)

26/08/2026

This Is Not Snart City This Is Reda City , Remove All Street Vendors from Lal Chowk Within 10 Days Or We will come on roads Says Kashmir Seva Sang Chief Firdous Baba

(Video Credit: The Typewriter)

26/08/2026

Jammu Kashmir: Authorities Plan Joint Checks to Curb Misleading Jewellery Sales

=>The Jammu and Kashmir Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has decided to intensify inspections and consumer awareness measures to prevent the sale of non-conforming or artificial jewellery as gold or silver, particularly in areas with high pilgrim and consumer footfall.

Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Jammu, Rajesh Kumar Shavan, chaired a meeting on Tuesday to review measures for protecting consumers from misleading practices in the jewellery trade.

The meeting was attended by the Joint Controller, Legal Metrology; Deputy Director, F and R; Deputy Director, Supplies; Chief Accounts Officer of the Directorate of FCS and CA; representatives of Swarnakar Associations from Jammu, Udhampur, Katra and Reasi; and Assistant Directors of the Jammu Division along with area inspectors.

Officials discussed complaints concerning artificial or non-conforming articles allegedly being marketed as gold or silver. Concerns relating to purity, hallmarking, weight, billing and the disclosure of making charges were also examined.

Shavan stressed the need for coordinated action among the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Legal Metrology Department and Consumer Affairs Department to ensure transparent trade practices and safeguard both consumers and genuine traders.

The meeting decided that joint awareness programmes and stakeholder meetings would be organised at the district level. Authorities were also directed to conduct regular and random inspections and take appropriate action against those found involved in unfair or misleading trade practices.

The participants also emphasised awareness about BIS hallmarking and HUID verification, along with proper disclosure of jewellery weight, purity and other applicable charges. Strengthening the consumer grievance redressal mechanism was also discussed.

The next awareness camp will be held in Katra, the meeting decided.

26/08/2026

Cabinet Expension Row : All is not well within NC leadership which deals the process again and again: MP Ruhullah

26/08/2026

On the blessed occasion of Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ, our hearts are filled with gratitude as we send salutations upon the Prophet of Mercy, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa ﷺ.

His life and message remain an eternal guiding light for all humankind, calling towards peace compassion and brotherhood

May this blessed occasion renew our commitment to His Seerah and Sunnah, and inspire us to embody His teachings through kindness, honesty and service to others in our individual and collective lives.

Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ Mubarak.

26/08/2026

Cabinet expansion: NC reaches out to Congress
Renews offer to join Omar Abdullah-led ministerial team

=> Ahead of the proposed expansion of the council of ministers, the ruling National Conference (NC) is learnt to have made a fresh offer to the Congress to join Omar Abdullah-led government’s ministerial team.

Sources told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the NC has conveyed to the Congress that they can join the council of ministers if they are willing.

“The NC discussed the matter with All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary in-charge for Jammu & Kashmir and Rajya Sabha MP, Syed Naseer Hussain. He is understood to have told them that he would respond after consulting the high command,” sources said.

They further revealed that Hussain discussed the matter with the J&K Congress leadership during his recent visit to the Union Territory. It has been learnt that the Congress is still indecisive on the matter.

At the time of formation of the NC-led government in October 2024, the party had reached out to the Congress with an offer of one berth in the council of ministers, but the Congress had demanded two. Later, the Congress publicly stated that it would not join the government until the restoration of J&K’s statehood.

The fresh offer comes at a time when Omar Abdullah is planning a reshuffle and expansion in the council of ministers headed by him.

As per the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, the council of ministers in the Union Territory can have a maximum of nine members, since its strength shall not exceed 10 percent of the total strength of the Assembly—(KNO)

26/08/2026

POCSO accused arrested 3 days after escaping from Srinagar jail

=> Two persons accused in separate POCSO cases, who had escaped from Srinagar’s Central Jail, were arrested by police after three days, officials said on Wednesday.

A senior police official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the accused had escaped from the jail on August 23, with police soon launching an operation to arrest them.

The accused have been identified as Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar, son of Mohammad Rafiq Gujjar, a resident of Sanglan Chittergul, Anantnag, and Farman Khan, son of Abdul Gani Khan, a resident of Sadanpora Ragistan.

Mukhtar is accused in FIR No. 20/2026 registered at Police Station Soura under Sections 137(2) and 65(1) of the BNS and Sections 3/4 of the POCSO Act and Farman Khan is wanted in FIR No. 19/2026 registered at Police Station Lar under Sections 137(2) and 87 of the BNS and Sections 3/4 of the POCSO Act.

The official said further investigation into the circumstances of their escape is underway—(KNO)

26/08/2026

Eid Mubarak!

Greetings on Milad-un-Nabi. I hope this occasion furthers togetherness and joy all around us. May the spirit of kindness and giving back to society always guide us.

25/08/2026