GUJARAT
In a peculiar incident, Imtiyaz Sheikh, 36, from Bandipora was detained by Gujarat police after attempting to cross the Kutch border into Pakistan to meet a woman he had connected with online. Sheikh, captivated by a Pakistani social media influencer from Multan, mistakenly believed he could legally enter Pakistan via the heavily guarded Kutch border. After arriving in Khavda, a village near the border, he sought local help to approach authorities for permission to cross. Alerted by villagers, police detained Sheikh, discovering his actions were driven by confusion rather than malicious intent. After verifying his background with Jammu and Kashmir police, authorities released him, concluding he posed no security threat. However, concerns were raised about his mental stability. Sheikh’s ill-conceived plan was based on faulty assumptions and reliance on Google Maps, which misled him into thinking the Kutch route was viable. Sheikh has since returned home.
AKHNOOR
Chander Prakash, a 22-year-old UPSC aspirant from Akhnoor became the first crorepati of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) 16, winning Rs 1 crore and a car. His victory came after correctly answering a question about Tanzania, using his final lifeline. Although he attempted the Rs 7 crore question, Chander chose to quit, wisely preserving his winnings. He impressed everyone, including host Amitabh Bachchan, by correctly guessing the answer: Virginia Dare. Chander’s triumph is particularly inspiring, as he has battled severe health issues since birth, undergoing seven surgeries and facing an eighth. Despite these challenges, his resilience and determination to succeed resonated deeply with the audience and Bachchan, who praised his perseverance. Chander’s story of grit captivated millions. His winnings will be used to repay a health loan and fund future medical treatment. He also aims to support his family and continue pursuing his dream of becoming a civil servant, majoring in Economics. Chander’s victory, celebrated by Bachchan and the KBC audience, stands as a testament to overcoming adversity and the power of perseverance.
SRINAGAR
The visit of diplomats from 16 countries to observe Jammu and Kashmir’s Assembly elections (second phase) has sparked political debate. Opposition leaders, including Omar Abdullah of the JKNC, questioned the move, stating that elections in Jammu and Kashmir are internal and do not require validation from foreign observers. He criticised the government for inviting diplomats while barring foreign journalists from covering the polls. He stressed that voter participation was despite the Centre’s actions, including harassment and detention, not because of them. The BJP, on the other hand, hailed the high voter turnout, seeing it as a testament to India’s democratic strength and the electorate’s preference for ballots over boycotts. The Centre’s decision to invite diplomats for the first time is viewed as part of its effort to portray normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. This visit follows previous international engagements, such as the 2020 diplomatic tour and the 2023 G20 meeting in Srinagar. Diplomats visited polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam, praising the electoral process. They were from the US, Mexico, Guyana, South Korea, Somalia, Panama, Singapore, Nigeria, Spain, South Africa, Norway, Tanzania, Rwanda, Algeria and the Philippines. US deputy chief of mission, Jorgan Andrews, highlighted the significance of witnessing democracy in Kashmir. Despite differing views on its purpose, the visit has brought international attention to Jammu and Kashmir electoral process.
SOPORE
Rahul Gandhi criticised the central government for imposing external decisions on Jammu and Kashmir, marginalising local interests. He revealed that contracts and resources, such as mining and agriculture, were handed over to outsiders, leaving locals economically distressed. Gandhi highlighted unemployment as a pressing issue, promising to fill one lakh job vacancies if the Congress-NC alliance forms the government. Gandhi was speaking in Sopore for his candidate even though the JKNC had suggested Congress to give Jammu more attention where it is BJP versus Congress in the ongoing assembly elections.
JAMMU
Additional Advocate General (AAG) for Jammu and Kashmir informed the High Court that all ex-ministers, ex-legislators, and political figures, except former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and BJP President Ravinder Raina, have been instructed to vacate the bungalows immediately after the election process concludes. Those asked to vacate include Zahid Hussain Jan, S S Channi, Abdul Majid Paddar, Zafar Iqbal Manhas, Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, Fayaz Ahmed Mir (eX-MP), Abdul Gani Vakil, Hakim Mohammad Yaseen, Mohammad Abbas Wani, Abdul Rahim Rather, Bashir Ahmed Dar, Mohammad Amin Bhat, Yasir Reshi, M Y Tarigami, Surinder Amberdar, Sajad Gani Lone, Raja Manzoor, Sofi Yousaf, Tariq Hussain Keen, Kavinder Gupta, Sunil Sharma, GM Saroori, Dalip Singh Parihar, Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar, Sat Sharma, RS Pathania, family of late Rajesh Gupta, Molvi Imran Raza Ansari, Vibodh Gupta, Pardeep Sharma and Neelam Langeh.
PULWAMA
Bilal Ahmad Kuchay, one of the main accused in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, died from heart failure at Jammu’s Government Medical College Hospital. He was transferred from Kishtwar district jail after complaining of chest pain. Kuchay, a resident of Kakapora in Pulwama, was arrested in 2020 for aiding the attackers responsible for the suicide bombing that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Pulwama on February 14, 2019. The attack was carried out by Adil Ahmad Dar, a local youth, and was claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based terror group. Following the attack, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated, leading to Indian airstrikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Investigations into the attack identified 19 suspects, with several arrested or killed.
MUMBAI
Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar has reportedly filed for divorce from her husband, Kashmiri model and businessman Mohsin Akhtar Mir, after eight years of marriage, according to a Mumbai court source. The reason for their separation remains undisclosed, but the divorce is reportedly not on mutual terms. Urmila and Mohsin married privately in 2016, attracting attention due to their inter-faith union and the 10-year age gap. Despite appearing happy on social media, with Mohsin even posting a loving message on their 6th anniversary, their relationship has reportedly soured. Mohsin, who transitioned from acting to business, is associated with designer Manish Malhotra’s label and recently ventured into Marathi cinema. Urmila has yet to comment on the divorce reports.
TURKEY
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not mention Kashmir during his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the first time in years. In recent years, Erdogan has frequently raised the Kashmir issue, particularly after the abrogation of Article 370 by India in 2019. He often framed his stance within his broader Islamist foreign policy and support for Muslim causes, using the UN platform to highlight Kashmir. However, this year Erdogan focused on conflicts in Syria and Gaza, omitting Kashmir, as Turkey seeks to strengthen ties with BRICS, where India is a founding member.
JAMMU
The Congress party has appointed Uday Bhanu Chib as the new President of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), succeeding Srinivas BV. Hailing from Jammu, he becomes the second leader from the region to hold this position after Ghulam Nabi Azad. Chib, who previously served as the President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress, is known for his advocacy of youth participation and democratic governance in the politically volatile region. A politically active figure with strong grassroots connections, Chib has steadily risen through Congress ranks, further cementing his reputation as a dedicated leader after his stint as National Secretary of the NSUI. With an engineering and MBA background, Chib is poised to bring renewed energy to the IYC, focusing on youth engagement and addressing social and political challenges.
NEW YORK
During his visit to the United States for the Quad Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted First Lady Jill Biden a pashmina shawl, a treasured craft from Jammu and Kashmir, presented in a papier mâché box. The shawl is made from the fine winter coat of the Changthangi goat, native to Ladakh. Skilled artisans spin this soft fibre, creating a luxurious heirloom often dyed with natural colours. The shawl’s intricate artistry, combined with the exquisite craftsmanship of the papier mâché box, reflects Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage, while modern designs ensure pashmina’s continued appeal across generations.
SRINAGAR
Junaid Azim Mattu who migrated from JKNC to Peoples Conference and Apni Party and finally running as an Independent candidate in the Zadibal Assembly segment has vowed to shut all wine shops in Kashmir and prohibit alcohol sales. Sharing a campaign trail image, he criticised the administration for promoting alcohol in Kashmir, calling it an attack on the region’s identity, culture, and religion, driven by revenue interests. He condemned the BJP for allowing alcohol in Kashmir while maintaining dry states like Gujarat and Bihar. Mattu further alleged that a “liquor license excise scam” is a significant financial scandal, accusing the administration of compromising ethics for financial gain.
SRINAGAR
With the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections about to be over and results to be out on October 8, the preparations have started for making the new government comfortable. The two secretariats, one each at Srinagar and Jammu, are undergoing renovations, with senior officials vacating offices to make way for incoming ministers. The motor garage department is preparing vehicles, and the administration is organising the first legislative session. However, uncertainty lingers over whether the government will sit in Jammu or Srinagar, following the 2021 halt of the Durbar Move. Regional parties have pledged to restore this practice, leaving the decision to the new government. This marks Jammu and Kashmir’s first elected government since 2018. Already, orders have been passed to renovate the assembly halls too.
DELHI
The Supreme Court has raised concerns over the delayed trial of Jamshed Zahoor Paul, a 25-year-old Kashmiri man charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for alleged ISIS links. Arrested in 2018 in Delhi, Paul has been awaiting trial. The court stressed the importance of swift proceedings and instructed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to submit an affidavit within three weeks, outlining the number of public and expert witnesses still to be examined. The case reflects the judiciary’s focus on preventing prolonged legal processes in cases under UAPA.