SRINAGAR — Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Wednesday said the Jammu and Kashmir government has put on hold the conduct of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), adding that the Union Territory will be the last to implement the Supreme Court order mandating TET for all in-service teachers of primary and upper primary classes, requiring them to qualify within two years to continue in service..

Her clarification came a day after the School Education Department designated the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) as the nodal agency for conducting TET in compliance with the apex court order.

The government has also designated JKBOSE as the State School Standards Authority in the Union Territory.

Addressing reporters in Kulgam, Itoo said the government decided to keep the matter on hold to observe how other states and Union Territories implement the order and what pattern is followed for the examination.

“There was a ruling from the Supreme Court a few months ago regarding TET. When the file came to us, we kept it on hold to see which states and UTs implement it and on what pattern the test will be held,” she said.

Highlighting the long service of teachers, Itoo said many teachers have spent decades shaping students who later became doctors, engineers and IAS officers, and are now being asked to undertake the test.

“So, I stated that we will not implement it immediately. As of now, there is no urgent need to conduct this test. If all other states implement it and there is any further development from the Supreme Court, then we will see,” she added.

Referring to the order issued by the Commissioner Secretary, School Education Department, Itoo said it will not be implemented.

“I saw the order and discussions on social media. There will be no implementation. The Supreme Court has given two years. Jammu and Kashmir will implement the order if and when it is applied in the rest of the country,” she said. —

Terror arsenal supplied to module head who died in blast, say officials

New Delhi, Feb 25 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two more over-ground workers (OGWs) from Jammu & Kashmir in connection with the Red Fort blast case, stepping up the crackdown on the support network behind the terror attack that killed 11 people in November last year. The total number of arrests in the case now stands at 11, officials said Wednesday.

The two accused have been identified as Zameer Ahmad Ahangar, a resident of Ganderbal, and Tufail Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Srinagar.

According to the probe agency, they were active OGWs for the proscribed terror outfit Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH) and played a pivotal role in the supply chain of weapons and explosives used in the conspiracy.

“Investigations have revealed that the duo were involved in the collection and distribution of arms and ammunition intended to be used against the Indian State. They supplied the weapons to the module head, Umer Un Nabi, who was also killed in the explosion,” an NIA official told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS).

The case (RC-21/2025/NIA/DLI) pertains to the November 10, 2025 blast near the Red Fort. The NIA, working in coordination with the J&K Police, has been systematically dismantling the logistics network behind the attack.

The conspiracy was allegedly hatched by Umer along with co-accused Muzammil Ganai, Shaheen Saeed, Mufti Irfan, and Adeel Ahmed Rather. With these two new arrests, the agency has held 11 people, including those previously arrested for providing shelter and support to the main conspirators in J&K and Haryana.

Further investigations are underway to trace the origins of the weapons and identify any remaining links in the terror module, the officials added.

Budgam, Feb 25: The Director General of Police, J&K, Nalin Prabhat, today chaired a comprehensive Security Review Meeting in Budgam to assess the prevailing security scenario and operational preparedness of the district Police.

During the review meeting, SSP Budgam presented detailed briefing on counter terror operations, law and order management, measures to prevent crime, action against drug trafficking, area domination plan and overall security scenario of the district.

The DGP reviewed ongoing kinetic and non kinetic operations, anti terror strategies and measures to dismantle overall separatist and terror ecosystem in the district. He stressed for actionable intelligence generation by field officers and directed to maintain sustained operational momentum. Highlighting, the current security challenges, DGP directed officers to undertake non traditional, non conformist and modern tactics to neutralize Pakistani terrorists.

He called for focused approach and renewed efforts against terrorists, their support networks to eliminate terrorism and establishing peace in the district.

To strengthen the overall security grid, the DGP emphasized on maintaining seamless coordination with sister agencies, effective area domination plan and surveillance on traditional terror symathisers and separatists network of the district. While reviewing law and order, he stressed on taking preventive measures against miscreants, engaging peace loving citizens in day to day activities of policing and adopting measures to bridge the gap between police and public.

Before the conclusion of the meeting, the DGP urged officers to continue counter terror operations in the area and remain committed to establish long lasting peace and stability in the district.

KD NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, Feb 25: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday welcomed the Vice President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, upon his arrival at Srinagar Airport for a two-day visit to Kashmir.

In a post on X, the Office of the LG J&K wrote, “Delighted to welcome Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan Ji at the Srinagar Airport.”

Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements were put in place across Srinagar, particularly along the Airport Road and at key installations, to ensure smooth movement during the high-profile visit. Senior civil and police officials were present at the airport to receive the Vice President.

Menawhile traffic police has already isaued advisory for traffic movement for 26th of February for smooth conduct of event.

The Vice President proceeded directly to Lok Bhawan, Srinagar, and is scheduled to attend the 21st Convocation of the University of Kashmir tomorrow on 26th February 2026.