KD News Service

Leh: IAS officer Baseer-ul-Haq, who was recently transferred from Jammu and Kashmir to Ladakh, has been assigned new charges after his posting to Leh, with responsibility for three key departments, Public Works Department (PWD), Hospitality & Protocol, and Information & Public Relations (I&PR).

The transfer and subsequent departmental allocation were approved by the competent authority as part of a wider administrative reshuffle involving IAS and IPS officers across States and Union Territories under the AGMUT cadre.

Officials said the new assignment places the officer in charge of critical infrastructure development, management of official protocol and government hospitality, and handling of public communication and media outreach in Ladakh.

Jammu, Feb 28 : Under the patronage of Justice Arun Palli, The Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (Patron-in-Chief, J&K Judicial Academy), and under the guidance of the Chairperson and Hon’ble Members of the Governing Committee for J&K Judicial Academy, the Jammu & Kashmir Judicial Academy organized a One Day Integrated Workshop (A-059/25) on “Court Management, Mediation and Legal, Social & Psychological Dimensions of Dowry-Related Offences” for Judicial Officers of Jammu Province today at its Jammu campus.

The programme commenced with registration, followed by an introduction and welcome address by Naseer Ahmad Dar, Director, J&K Judicial Academy, who underscored the importance of judicial leadership, effective court administration, and sensitivity while dealing with socially complex offences.

Session I on Judicial Leadership & Court Management was delivered by Pawan Dev Kotwal, Former District & Sessions Judge, High Court of J&K. The session focused on the role of a Judge as an institutional leader, court and case management principles, control of docket flow, time management techniques, and best practices including the use of technology to enhance efficiency in the justice delivery system.

Session II on Role of Judges in Mediation & Drafting of Referral/Settlement Orders was conducted by M.S. Parihar, Former District & Sessions Judge, High Court of J&K.

He elaborated on the statutory framework under Section 89 CPC and relevant rules, identification of cases fit for mediation, stage and manner of referral, components and ethics of mediation, drafting of effective referral and settlement orders, and practical challenges faced in mediation proceedings.

Session III addressed the Legal, Social and Psychological Dimensions of Dowry-Related Crimes, in light of the recent Hon’ble Supreme Court judgment dated 15.12.2025 in State of U.P. v. Ajmal Beg & Ors. The session was conducted by Kamlesh Pandita, Former District & Sessions Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, along with Sumedha Sharma, Clinical Psychologist Associate.

The deliberations covered relevant legal provisions and recent judicial directions, the social context and concerns of misuse, psychological impact on victims and families, judicial sensitivity in appreciation of evidence, and the need to ensure a fair trial while preventing abuse of process.

The workshop witnessed active participation and interaction from the Judicial Officers, followed by a feedback session. The programme concluded on a positive note, reaffirming the Academy’s commitment to strengthening judicial capacity through continuous training and sensitization initiatives.

Srinagar, Feb 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday announced a cash reward of ₹2 crore and government jobs for Team J&K following their historic triumph in the Ranji Trophy.

Congratulating the team for their emphatic victory over Karnataka cricket team on their home turf, the Chief Minister termed the achievement a watershed moment for cricket in Jammu & Kashmir.

He said the landmark win has filled the entire region with pride and inspiration, adding that the players and support staff would share a cash reward of ₹2 crore in recognition of their outstanding performance.

The Chief Minister further announced that the players will be entitled to government appointments under the recently notified rules for outstanding sportspersons, reaffirming the government’s commitment to promoting sports and nurturing talent in the Union Territory.

Describing the triumph as historic, he said the victory would serve as a catalyst for strengthening sports infrastructure and encouraging youth participation in competitive cricket across J&K.

Jammu, Feb 28: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday termed Jammu and Kashmir’s maiden Ranji Trophy triumph as the Union Territory’s “finest hour,” with the LG expressing deep pride and emotion over the historic achievement.

In a post shared by the Office of LG J&K on X, as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, the Lieutenant Governor said emotions were “surging beyond words” as he watched the J&K cricket team lift the prestigious Ranji Trophy.

Praising the players for their grit and determination, the LG congratulated the team for carving their names into history through sheer hard work and resilience. He said the entire Union Territory is beaming with pride and thanked the squad for delivering a moment that will be remembered for generations.

The Lieutenant Governor further remarked that the players have immortalized history with their remarkable feat and urged them to embrace the honour with dignity as they script a new chapter in Jammu and Kashmir’s sporting legacy.

New Delhi, Feb 28, 2026: In a moment of immense pride for Jammu & Kashmir, the Government Medical College Srinagar (GMC Srinagar) has been conferred the prestigious Excellence Award at the Third Medical Colleges Research Connect–2026, a national-level conference organized by the Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.

The grand event was held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, and witnessed participation from over 100 Medical Colleges Research Units (MRUs) from across the country. The conference aimed at strengthening biomedical research infrastructure and fostering innovation among medical institutions nationwide.

The programme was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Anupriya Patel, who reiterated the Government of India’s strong commitment to promoting high-quality biomedical research and enhancing institutional capacities.

GMC Srinagar’s Medical Research Unit (MRU) was represented by Prof. Sabhiya Majid, Nodal Officer, and Dr. Younis Rather, Scientist C, who presented the institution’s significant progress and achievements during the plenary session. The presentation showcased the college’s advancements in strengthening research protocols, conducting advanced laboratory training, building national collaborations, and increasing funded research output.

The Excellence Award, secured with a perfect score of 10/10, stands as a testament to the institution’s unwavering dedication to biomedical research excellence. Prof. Iffat Hassan, Principal/Dean, GMC Srinagar, lauded the tireless efforts of the MRU team and reaffirmed the college’s commitment to advancing translational and priority-driven biomedical research.

This national recognition marks a significant milestone for GMC Srinagar, reinforcing its growing stature as a centre of excellence in biomedical research and paving the way for innovative healthcare solutions to address pressing regional and national health challenges.

Deepak Kumar Nayak

The long-standing Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) insurgency in India, once described as the nation’s “greatest internal security threat,” has reached a historical inflection point. On February 22, 2026, Thippiri Tirupati aka Deoji aka Devuji aka Sanjeev aka Sanjeev aka Chetan aka Ramesh aka Kumma aka Shankar aka Sheshu aka Jagan aka Sudharshan aka Devanna (60), the general secretary, strategist, and head of Central Military Commission (CMC) of the CPI-Maoist, surrendered to the Telangana Police. His surrender has been described as one of the most significant reversals the insurgency has faced in decades.

According to multiple reports, Devji and Malla Raji Reddy aka Sangram (76), a member of the ‘central committee (CC)’ and ‘Politburo’, have reportedly surrendered along with 21 cadres, before the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) of the Telangana Police. Devji’s capitulation is not a mere tactical loss for the rebels — it reflects the symbolic collapse of the movement’s central nervous system. Coming just weeks before the Union Home Ministry’s March 31 deadline to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), this event signals a decisive shift in the decades-long conflict.

Devji’s surrender represents a severe disruption to the CPI-Maoist’s organisational structure. As a long-time commander and strategist who reportedly succeeded the late Nambala Keshava Rao aka Basava Raju — killed by Security Forces (SFs) in a major tactical blow on May 21, 2025 — Devji was central to the group’s military planning and the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) operations.

Officials have described his exit as a “deadly blow” to the outlawed organisation’s command cohesion. The capture or surrender of a leader of Devji’s seniority is unusual and suggests that the senior Maoist leadership may be increasingly unable to sustain guerrilla operations across core zones such as Bastar, Abujhmarh and adjoining forest belts, with growing difficulties in recruitment, retention of cadres, and maintaining weapons stockpiles under sustained SF pressure.
Devji’s surrender follows months of coordinated SF operations, particularly in the Karregutta Hills (bordering Telangana and Chhattisgarh), where authorities reportedly dismantled operational bases and recovered explosive devices, repeatedly targeting leadership clusters and disrupting communication lines.
This government’s approach — which combines the threat of force with socio-economic incentives — has contributed to a steady stream of surrenders over the past two years. Authorities claim that hundreds of Maoist leaders and cadres have already “rejoined mainstream society” through such schemes.
Devji’s surrender might act as a catalyst, triggering broader defections among the remaining Maoist cadres, with morale and organizational coherence eroding, and potentially triggering splits in the party over continuing the armed struggle. A minority of hardliners may, however, choose to fight to the end. Declaring the organised insurgency defeated, consequently, would be premature. Despite leadership losses, pockets of armed cadres remain, especially in dense jungle terrain. Further, without meaningful redress of structural issues that fuel insurgency, the ideological appeal of armed rebellion could linger, even if operational strength wanes.
Devji’s surrender is a strategic turning point in India’s protracted battle against the Maoist insurgency, reflecting the impact of sustained security pressure, strategic rehabilitation incentives, and growing organisational weakness within the CPI-Maoist. However, declaring this the definitive end of the insurgency risks oversimplification. While leadership vacuums and successive surrenders weaken operational capacity, the structural roots of the conflict, the distributed nature of cadre networks, and the socio-economic challenges in affected regions remain critical determinants of what comes next.

(The author Deepak Kumar Nayak is
Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management.)

Tehran/New Delhi, Feb 28 : Amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, the Indian Embassy in Tehran on Saturday issued a fresh advisory urging all Indian nationals in Iran to exercise utmost caution and restrict their movements.

In a statement, the Embassy advised Indian citizens to stay indoors as much as possible and avoid all unnecessary travel within the country.

“Indian nationals in Iran are advised to exercise utmost caution, avoid unnecessary movements and remain indoors as far as possible,” the Embassy stated.

The advisory also asked the Indian community to stay updated with the latest developments by monitoring news reports and maintaining heightened situational awareness. They have been instructed to wait for further guidance from the Embassy.

The Embassy has once again shared its emergency contact details for any assistance. Indians in need of help can reach out on the following phone numbers: +989128109115, +989128109109, +989128109102, and +989932179359. (KNS)

Jammu, Feb 28 : The Jammu and Kashmir Government has extended the timeline for submission of Annual Property Returns for the year 2025 through the online Property Return System (PRS) Portal.

The notification issued by GAD-JK, as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC states, all government employees had initially been directed to file their property returns from January 1, 2026 to January 31, 2026 on the PRS portal (https://prs.jk.gov.in).

The deadline was earlier extended for 15 days from February 5, 2026 to February 19, 2026, through a separate notification dated February 5, 2026.

However, the department observed that several employees failed to submit their Property Returns within the prescribed timeframe, resulting in default of this mandatory requirement.

It was further noted that some employees registered on the portal but did not complete the submission process, thereby also defaulting in filing their returns.

The notification states that non-submission or failure to file Property Returns attracts punitive action under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Men and Public Servants Declaration of Assets Act and the Rules framed thereunder.

It also warns that defaulting employees shall be deemed to have committed criminal misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act and may face penalties as per the Act.

Additionally, non-filing of property returns will result in denial of vigilance clearance to the concerned employees.

After considering the matter, the General Administration Department has decided to grant a last and final opportunity to defaulting employees.

Accordingly, the timeline for submission of Property Returns through online mode on the PRS portal has been further extended by 15 days from the date of issuance of the notification.

The notification further advises employees facing OTP-related issues to update their current mobile numbers and email IDs on the CPIS portal.

For any other technical assistance, employees have been directed to contact [email protected] for redressal.

The department has also enjoined upon all Controlling Officers and Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) to ensure strict compliance regarding filing of Property Returns by employees under their establishments.

All Administrative Departments have been asked to furnish details of employees under their control who fail to submit their Annual Property Returns for the year 2025 through the PRS portal after expiry of the extended deadline. (KNC)