Around 80,000 offer prayers at Hazratbal as congregations held across Kashmir districts

Srinagar, Mar 13: Juma’atul Vida, the last Friday of the fasting month of Ramzan, was observed across Kashmir on Friday as thousands of people gathered in mosques and shrines for congregational prayers.

Officials said the largest gathering was recorded at the Hazratbal shrine on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar, where around 80,000 people offered prayers.

Former chief minister Farooq Abdullah was among those who offered prayers at the shrine.

Congregational prayers were held in mosques and shrines in several parts of the Valley, including Budgam, Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara, Pulwama, Shopian and Bandipora districts.

In Bandipora district, people gathered in mosques in areas including Gundpora and other villages to offer Juma’atul Vida prayers. Similar gatherings were reported from mosques in Baramulla and Kupwara districts where residents assembled for the congregational prayers.

People also offered prayers in mosques in Pulwama and Shopian districts, where large numbers of worshippers attended the congregations.

However, prayers were not allowed at the Jama Masjid in the Nowhatta area of Srinagar as the authorities closed the mosque for the seventh consecutive year on the occasion.

Officials said the congregational prayers were otherwise held in mosques and shrines across the Valley, with people participating in large numbers.

Juma’atul Vida marks the last Friday of Ramzan and holds significance for Muslims as people gather in mosques for prayers during the final days of the fasting month.

Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir Nasir-ul-Islam had said earlier that Juma’atul Vida would be observed on Friday.

He said Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to fall on March 20 or March 21 depending on the sighting of the crescent moon.

“After consultation with scholars, it was decided that Juma’atul Vida will be observed on March 13,” he had said.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir administration declared a public holiday on Friday to mark the occasion.

An order issued by the General Administration Department said government offices and educational institutions across the Union Territory would remain closed on account of Juma’atul Vida.(KNS).

New Delhi: The Government of India today held the third inter-ministerial media briefing at the National Media Centre on the evolving developments in West Asia. Earlier briefings on the issue were organised on 11th March and 12th March 2026 to keep the media informed about the preparedness measures being undertaken by different Ministries. In today’s briefing, senior officers from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting provided further updates on the prevailing situation and the coordinated steps being taken by the Government. The briefing covered aspects relating to energy supply preparedness, maritime safety and shipping operations, the welfare of Indian nationals in the region, and public communication and monitoring of essential supplies.

Energy Supply and Fuel Availability

The officer from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas briefed the media on the current energy supply situation and the steps being taken to ensure continued availability of petroleum products and LPG despite concerns in supply due to prevailing geopolitical situation and closure of Hormuz strait. As per the Ministry:

Crude Oil

• India currently has a refining capacity of around 258 MMTPA and is the 4th largest refining hub in the world. The country is self-sufficient in the production of petrol and diesel, and no imports of Petrol & diesel are required for meeting domestic demand.
• All refineries are currently operating at high levels including some of them even above 100% capacity.
• All Indian Refineries are currently maintaining adequate crude oil inventories, and supplies are being continuously received through diversified import sources and shipping routes.

Natural Gas

• Government has already issued a Natural Gas Control Order on 9^th March 2026 under the Essential Commodities Act, wherein priority sectors have been protected for their supplies incl. 100% supply to PNG and CNG with no cuts. So, there is no need to panic. Supplies to industrial & commercial consumers are being regulated at 80%.
• Around 3.73 MMSCM per day gas is being consumed across the Domestic PNG segment, for which adequate gas supply is available across GAs.
• More than 1.5 Cr. PNG households in India are currently being served natural gas in their homes and will continue to be served without any hinderances. In view of the prevailing geopolitical situation, it is advisable to promote the use of domestically supplied PNG for residential consumers so as to conserve domestic LPG cylinders. The conserved LPG cylinders may be diverted for use in other consumer areas, where PNG connectivity is not available.
• As per the available data, it is observed that approximately 60 lakh households across the country have access to PNG connectivity in their vicinity; however, they are not currently availing PNG supply.
• Considering the present circumstances, such LPG consumers are advised to switch from LPG cylinders to domestic PNG for their cooking requirements.
• In order to ease the supply concerns related to LPG, Govt. is taking up with different City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities authorized in major urban centres/cities in the country to immediately offer new PNG connections to the affected commercial and industrial consumers in these urban centres/cities. Govt. has also requested all concerned local bodies, highway authorities and state governments for expedited clearances to the relevant permission requests for pipeline laying from such CGD entities. This would be a progressive step and will be in the direction of achieving wider objectives.
• The commercial and industrial consumers shall contact their local city gas distribution company for getting new connection.

Retail Outlets

• No cases of fuel dry-outs have been reported at any of the 1 lakh Retail Outlets (ROs) by the Oil Marketing Companies. The Government advises the public not to resort to panic buying, as adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available and supplies are being maintained regularly.
• Recently, a case was identified in Tamil Nadu where fuel was being sold in loose containers at one Retail Outlet (RO). Upon detection, sales at the concerned RO were suspended immediately. The public is advised not to request petrol/diesel in containers, as it is unsafe and against the rules.
• All Retail Outlet dealers have also been directed to strictly follow all fuelling guidelines while dispensing fuel. Any violation will invite strict action.

LPG

• There have been no reports of dry-out situations at any of the 25000 LPG distributorship in the country for domestic LPG supplies.
• There has been surge in the number of LPG bookings on account of panic buying.
• Daily bookings have increased from avg. 55.7 Lakh to 76 Lakh yesterday.
• Oil Marketing Companies continues to deliver around 50 lakh LPG cylinders every day. All the consumers are requested to not to resort to panic booking.
• The call centres of PSU OMCs have been strengthened further to receive complaints. The number of seats in the call centre has been increased to 400 and the number of telephone lines to 650. With these enhanced facilities the call failure rate will continue to be near zero.
• Action is being taken by authorities at ground level to stop the hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders. Multiple cases have been reported –

• Secretary (MoPNG) and Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs held a video conference with Secretaries of Food and Civil Supplies of all States/UTs to review the supply situation.
• States/UT Governments and District Administrations have been requested to step up action to prevent hoarding and black marketing of petroleum products including LPG. Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have also reviewed the situation and issued instructions to District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police.
• Several States/UTs have opened control rooms to monitor the situation and some States including Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are issuing daily press briefings.
• Senior official further shared some examples of certain cases and the actions taken by State Governments. State Governments have taken enforcement actions to curb diversion and illegal use of LPG cylinders, including recovery of 524 stolen cylinders in Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh), seizure of 32 cylinders in Hapur (Uttar Pradesh), 46 cylinders from hotels in Karnataka, and 38 cylinders in Chhatarpur (Madhya Pradesh).
• PSU Oil Marketing Companies have also activated officials to conduct surprise inspections of dealers and distributors.

Other Measures by Government –

• Government’s highest priority is to ensure uninterrupted LPG supplies to households across the country. At the same time, supplies are also being ensured for critical sectors such as hospitals, educational institutions and other essential services.
• Domestic LPG Productions from refineries has been increased by more than 30% as compared to the production before this situation.
• Commercial Cylinders for consumers have been put at the disposal of State Govt. for priority distribution.
• Additional allocation of 48000 KL of Kerosene over and above the regular allocation has been made to all the States/UTs. States/UTs have been requested to identify locations in districts for distribution of kerosene.
• Alternate fuel options have been activated to ease pressure on LPG. Ministry of Coal has issued order to Coal India and Singareni Coallieries to allot higher quantities to States for distributing coal to small, medium and other consumers. MoEFCC have already advised State Pollution Control Board for the use of kerosene and coal as alternate use for hospitality and restaurants for one month.

Public Advisory–

• Citizens are advised not to panic. The Government is fully committed to maintaining LPG availability for households and essential sectors.
• LPG cylinders can be booked easily through multiple digital platforms, including:
  • IVRS calls
  • SMS booking
  • WhatsApp booking
  • Mobile applications of the OMCs
• Consumers are therefore advised to book cylinders from the comfort of their homes, as they normally do, and avoid visiting agencies unnecessarily, which can create avoidable crowding.
• We also request consumers to book LPG cylinders only as per their normal household requirement and avoid panic booking. Sufficient LPG supplies are available in the system, and OMCs maintain adequate stocks across bottling plants and depots.
• We request the media to help disseminate correct information and rely on official sources, so that unnecessary panic can be avoided

Maritime Safety and Shipping Operations

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways provided an update on the maritime situation in the Persian Gulf region and the steps being taken to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers and vessels. As per the Ministry:

• 24 Indian-flagged vessels with 668 Indian seafarers are currently operating in the Persian Gulf. 76 Indian seafarers remain on three vessels east of the Strait of Hormuz.
• Around 23,000 Indian seafarers are working across merchant, harbour and offshore vessels in the wider Gulf region. DG Shipping continues coordination with ship owners, RPSL agencies and Indian missions, and all Indian vessels and crew are being actively monitored.
• Since activation of the 24-hour control room, DG Shipping has handled over 2,425 calls and 4,441 emails and facilitated the safe repatriation of more than 223 stranded Indian seafarers.
• DG Shipping has been issuing regular Advisories.
• Indian seafarers and vessels have been advised to use the DG Shipping 24×7 helpline, follow safety advisories issued by authorities and Indian missions, report incidents promptly and conduct enhanced ship-shore security drills.
• Port operations across India remain stable. SOPs have been issued for Major Ports and State Maritime Boards, nodal officers have been appointed as Single Point of Contact and priority berthing is being provided for LPG vessels.
• Facilitation measures include additional cargo storage, ad-hoc berthing, priority handling of perishable cargo, faster “Back to Town” movement with Customs and enhanced bunkering support.
• During the ongoing crisis, three Indian seafarer casualties have been reported and one seafarer remains missing. Four injured seafarers have been treated and discharged, and coordination is underway for repatriation of mortal remains.
• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways continues to closely monitor the maritime situation in the Persian Gulf.

Safety of Indian Nationals in the Region

The Ministry of External Affairs shared the latest update on the status of Indian nationals in West Asia and the ongoing efforts by Indian Missions in the region to remain in close contact with the Indian community. It said:

• India has continued its engagement and conversations with countries in West Asia.
• Yesterday, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with the President of Iran, H.E. Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian.
• During the conversation, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s priority regarding the safety and well-being of Indian nationals in the region, including in Iran, and stressed the importance of unhindered transit of energy and goods.
• The Prime Minister also expressed deep concern about the evolving security situation in the region and reiterated India’s consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
• The External Affairs Minister also spoke yesterday with the Iranian Foreign Minister, H.E. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, during which bilateral and BRICS-related issues were discussed.
• The MEA Control Room was set up on 4 March and has received over 900 calls and 200 emails so far. The number of daily calls is progressively coming down.
• Queries received at the Control Room are being flagged to the concerned Missions for resolution. In urgent cases, the Control Room coordinates with the Missions in real time and remains in touch with the caller until the Mission establishes contact with the concerned individual.
• The Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in West Asia. Missions and Posts in the region are assisting the Indian community through 24×7 helplines and coordination with host governments.
• Flights are operating from UAE, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia. While travel of Indians from Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq  is being facilitated through Saudi Arabia due to airspace restrictions.
• In an attack in Sohar city, Oman early today, two Indian nationals lost their lives. Of the 11 injured, 10 are Indians; five have been discharged and five are under treatment with no serious injuries reported.
• So far, 5 Indian nationals have lost their lives in the conflict and one national continues to be missing.
• Following the attack on the vessel Safesea Vishnu on the night of 11 March in Iraqi waters, 15 Indian crew members were safely evacuated and are currently in Basra. Efforts are underway for their repatriation and transportation of the mortal remains of the deceased Indian national.

Public Communication

During the briefing, the following points were emphasised by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting:

• As per Media reports, State governments have started taking action against those indulging in hoarding and Black- Marketing.
• Appealed to the public to book LPG cylinders through authorised online platforms.
• Consumers should remain cautious of digital scams and use only official websites or authorised apps for booking cylinders.

As informed during the media conference, the Government of India continues to closely monitor developments in West Asia and maintain coordination among the concerned Ministries and agencies. Necessary measures are being taken to safeguard energy supplies, ensure the safety of Indian nationals, maintain maritime operations and ensure the availability of essential commodities.

Vinod Bhat

Jammu : Another successful instance of excellent coordination between the Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu & Kashmir, and the Railways was witnessed today. Two hippopotamuses, transported from Chennai Central, were safely delivered to the Jammu Railway Station today, from where they were subsequently taken to the zoo.

Focusing on the technical details and travel specifics of this special transfer:

These hippopotamuses were transported via a special parcel coach attached to Train No. 16031 (Andaman Express). Completing the journey in approximately 51 hours—a significantly shorter duration compared to road transport—the train arrived in Jammu from Chennai Central today, March 13. Throughout the journey, a dedicated team of wildlife experts and veterinarians remained constantly on board, ensuring the provision of food and water.

This marks a major achievement for the Jammu Division in the field of long-distance wildlife logistics.

This entire operation was made possible through close coordination between the Jammu & Kashmir Wildlife Department and Railway officials.

Compared to road transport, rail transport is considered a safer and less stressful mode of travel for animals.

The arrival of these new guests at the Jammu Zoo is expected to give a significant boost to local tourism.

Speaking on the matter, Mr. Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, stated: “During this journey spanning over 51 hours, the railway staff and the team of wildlife experts maintained constant coordination, ensuring the completion of the 2,804-kilometer journey without any hurdles. Prior to this, on March 3, a consignment of wildlife—comprising two Himalayan Black Bears and two Leopard Cats—was conveniently transported from Jammu to Chennai via Train No. 16032. That, too, was a historic mission.”

Vinod Bhat

New Delhi: The Passport Seva Project (PSP) under the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India will conduct a special passport service drive on March 14, 2026 (Saturday) in view of the high demand for passport services within its jurisdiction.

As part of the initiative, the Passport Office Srinagar will facilitate passport application processing at the Post Office Passport Seva Kendra Anantnag and Post Office Passport Seva Kendra Baramulla, which will remain functional on the said date.

Shri B. S. Rawat, Regional Passport Officer, Srinagar, said that the special drive has been organised to facilitate applicants facing delays due to high demand and to provide faster access to passport services within the region.

Applicants can avail passport services by booking an appointment through the official Passport Seva portal and selecting their preferred location, POPSK Anantnag or POPSK Baramulla, along with the available time slot for the specified date.

Applicants are required to visit the designated centre at the scheduled time with the appointment confirmation and carry all requisite documents in original.

For further information, applicants may visit the official Passport Seva website or contact the Regional Passport Office Srinagar.