Srinagar: After widespread protests in the Valley over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to close all educational institutions till March 7 as a safety step.
Education Minister Sakina Itoo told Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that schools, colleges, and universities will remain closed till Sunday to ensure the safety of students.
She said the government is closely watching the situation and will decide about reopening only after reviewing the ground conditions.
Earlier, schools up to 8th standard were scheduled to reopen after a winter break of more than two months. On February 23, classes from 9th to 12th had already resumed in the Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu division after a break of over 70 days.
The School Education Department (SED) had earlier announced winter vacations in phases. Pre-primary classes (Balvatika) were closed from November 26 to February 28. Classes up to 8th standard had vacations from December 1 to February 28. For classes 9th to 12th, the winter break was from December 11 to February 22.
Teachers were asked to remain available for academic work during the vacation and report back on February 20 to prepare for reopening.
Colleges in Kashmir had resumed on February 16 after a 52-day winter break. The Higher Education Department had announced winter vacations for degree colleges from December 24, 2025, to February 14, 2026.
Officials said the closure till March 7 is temporary and aimed at maintaining peace and safety.
High-speed mobile internet services (4G/5G), throttled across the Kashmir Valley since March 1–2 amid widespread protests over the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, are expected to be restored after 8:00 PM on March 4.
According to circulating references to a government/Home Department order in Jammu and Kashmir, the restoration of high-speed services is subject to the situation remaining peaceful, with no further escalation or violence. However, as of Tuesday afternoon, there has been no formal public confirmation from the J&K administration or the Lieutenant Governor’s office regarding the exact timing. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure to curb rumour-mongering, prevent mobilisation of further protests, and maintain law and order. Mobile data speeds across all telecom networks were significantly reduced, disrupting digital payments, net banking, UPI transactions, social media access, and other online services. Residents and traders have largely relied on cash transactions, Wi-Fi hotspots where available, and basic 2G or voice services.
Protests had erupted in several districts, including Srinagar (notably Lal Chowk and Saida Kadal), Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag, and Pulwama, following reports of Khamenei’s death in a joint US-Israel airstrike. Authorities also imposed movement restrictions in sensitive areas and temporarily shut educational institutions while keeping essential services operational.
Officials have described the internet curbs as temporary and situation-based, noting that the order could be extended if tensions persist or new developments arise. The administration has urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information and to rely only on official updates, as the situation remains fluid.
Authorities in J&K has decided to reopen educational institutes in 8 districts of Kashmir region on Wednesday.The decision comes two days after the government had ordered closure of all educational institutes as a precautionary measure.
The authorities however said that the decision regarding reopening of educational institutes in Budgam and Srinagar districts will be taken later this evening.According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Education Minister Sakina Itoo said that the schools, colleges and universities in eight districts of Kashmir region will reopen on Wednesday.
“As of now, we have decided that reopen the schools and colleges in eight districts of Kashmir region. However, the decision regarding the Budgam and Srinagar districts will be taken later on Tuesday,” she said.Earlier on Sunday, the government had ordered closure of schools and colleges across Kashmir region in order to ensure the safety of the students.
Following the killing of Supreme leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli strikes, a widespread protest had erupted across Jammu and Kashmir.
Pertinently, schools upto 8th standard will reopen tomorrow following the winter break of more than two months.
Earlier on February-23, schools from 9th to 12th standard classes resumed academic activities in Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu division following a winter break of over 70 days.
The government had ordered the students of 9th class and onwards to observe the winter vacations from December-11-2025 to February-22-2026.
On November-25, School Education Department (SED) had announced winter break in a phased manner for Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu division.
SED in an order had said that the vacations for Pre-primary (Balvatika) classes shall commence from November-26 to February-28-2026.
In case of middle classes upto 8th standard, the department had said that the vacations shall be observed from December-01 to February-28.
It also said that the winter break for 9th to 12th standard shall commence from December-11 to February-22.
SED had ordered the teaching faculty to remain available for any academic activity during the vacation period.
The Teaching staff was ordered to report back to their respective schools on February-20-2026 for making arrangements regarding opening of schools.
Earlier on February-16, Colleges in Kashmir valley resumed activities following a 52 days of winter vacations.
The Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department on December-23-2025 had announced 52-days winter vacation for degree colleges falling in the winter zones of Kashmir division.
The government had said that the degree colleges in the Kashmir Division and those in the winter zone of Jammu Division shall observe winter vacations from December-24-2025 to February-14-2026—(KNO)
Several parts of Kashmir witnessed protests against the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for the second day on Monday, with security forces using mild force to disperse protesters in a few places.According to the officials, the protests broke out in Bemina, Gund Hassibhat, and Jehangir Chowk areas of the city here, and in Pulwama town in south Kashmir. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Scores of protesters gathered in these areas, which have a large Shia population. They marched through the streets, raising anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.In some areas, the security forces resorted to using mild force to disperse the protesters.
Khamenei was killed in joint air strikes by the US and Israel on Iran early Saturday. Iranian state media confirmed his death on Sunday.Iran is firing missiles at Israel and the Arab countries in retaliation.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday strongly criticised Israel and the United States over the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling it a “deeply tragic and shameful point in history.”
In a post shared on X, Mufti said that Israel and the USA openly boasting about Khamenei’s death reflected a dark chapter in global politics. She added that what was even more “disgraceful and shocking” was the explicit and implicit support provided by some Muslim countries, which, according to her, chose “convenience and expedience over conscience.” Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
“Today marks a deeply tragic and shameful point in history, with Israel and the USA boasting about the killing of Iran’s beloved leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,” she wrote.
Mufti further stated that history would remember who stood for justice and who supported oppression. “History will stand testament to who fought for justice and who helped the oppressors,” she said.
Expressing solidarity with Iran, she added, “Prayers with the people of Iran. May Allah grant them strength and victory over forces of tyranny and injustice.”
Her remarks come amid rising regional tensions following reported joint US–Israel strikes on Iran, which have triggered political reactions and protests in several parts of the region.
Hundreds — and according to some reports, thousands — of people, mainly from the Shia Muslim community, took to the streets in Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir Valley on Sunday. They were mourning and protesting the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US–Israeli airstrikes.
The demonstrations began shortly after Iranian state media confirmed Khamenei’s death early Sunday (Iran local time), following massive strikes that reportedly started late Saturday. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Key Locations of Protests
In Srinagar, large gatherings were seen at:
Lal Chowk (Ghanta Ghar area)
Saida Kadal in downtown
Several Shia-majority neighbourhoods
Similar processions were reported from:
Budgam
Bandipora
Baramulla
Pulwama
Sonawari
Kargil
Crowds reportedly gathered after Sehri (pre-dawn meal during Ramadan), raising anti-US and anti-Israel slogans, waving black and Iranian flags, carrying portraits of Khamenei, and reciting Nauha (mourning verses).
Security Measures and Official Response
Authorities deployed extra security personnel across sensitive areas and diverted traffic to maintain order. Officials described the situation as largely peaceful, with no major clashes or violence reported despite the scale of mobilisation.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appealed for calm. He expressed concern over developments in Iran while urging residents not to allow tensions abroad to disturb local peace.
Contrast with Reports from Iran
While mourning was visible in parts of Kashmir, reports from Iran suggested mixed reactions — including celebrations in some cities. International outlets such as CNN reported scenes of cheering and slogans against the Iranian regime in certain areas, presenting a sharp contrast to the solidarity marches in Kashmir.
Broader Regional Context
The protests come amid an escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Iranian state media earlier announced a 40-day public mourning period following Khamenei’s reported death.
As tensions continue to rise across the Middle East, authorities in Kashmir remain alert, monitoring developments closely. The situation remains fluid, both regionally and locally.
The Prime Minister has congratulated the J&K team for their first-ever Ranji Trophy win.
The Prime Minister stated that this historic triumph reflects the remarkable grit, discipline, and passion of the team. Highlighting that it is a proud moment for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he noted that the victory underscores the growing sporting passion and talent in the region. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The Prime Minister expressed hope that this feat will inspire many young athletes to dream big and play more.
The Prime Minister shared on X post as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) “Congratulations to the Jammu and Kashmir team for their first ever Ranji Trophy win! This historic triumph reflects remarkable grit, discipline and passion of the team. It is a proud moment for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and it highlights the growing sporting passion and talent there. May this feat inspire many young athletes to dream big and play more.” (KNS)
Picture this: It’s June 2023 in Tehran. Giant billboards pop up across the city, showing a sleek new missile with bold text in Persian, Arabic, and Hebrew: “400 seconds… to Tel Aviv.” The message was impossible to miss. Iran had just unveiled the Fattah-1, its first claimed “hypersonic” ballistic missile, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was making sure everyone — especially Israel — got the point. From launch sites in western Iran, they said, this weapon could cover roughly 1,400 km and hit Israel’s biggest city in under seven minutes. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Fast-forward to early 2026, and the Fattah family isn’t just propaganda anymore. Iran has fired these missiles in real combat multiple times, rebuilt its arsenal after heavy fighting in 2024–2025, and continues to improve the system despite renewed UN sanctions. Here’s the remarkable (and controversial) story of how Iran pulled this off.
The Fattah Missiles: What Iran Actually Built
Fattah-1 was unveiled on 6 June 2023 after being announced in late 2022. Iran claims it reaches Mach 13–15 (roughly 16,000–18,500 km/h), has a 1,400 km range, and carries a 350–450 kg warhead. The key feature is a maneuverable re-entry vehicle (MaRV) with its own small solid-fuel motor and thrust-vector control, letting the warhead dodge defenses in the final phase of flight — and even do some maneuvering outside the atmosphere.
Fattah-2 followed in November 2023. It swaps in a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) for even more agility across the entire trajectory. Iran says it can hit 1,500 km and is even harder to intercept. Both are solid-fuel designs (at least the booster stage), meaning they can be launched quickly from mobile trucks or underground silos — a big upgrade over older liquid-fuel missiles that need hours to prepare.
The “400 seconds” claim comes straight from IRGC commander Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh. It’s marketing as much as math (a pure Mach-15 flight over 1,400 km would actually be faster), but the point was clear: this missile is designed to overwhelm Israel’s layered defenses — Arrow, David’s Sling, and Iron Dome.
From the Battlefield: Real-World Use (2024–2026)
Iran didn’t wait long to test its claims in combat:
April 2024 — First direct strike on Israel; debris analysis later confirmed Fattah-1 parts.
1 October 2024 (“Operation True Promise II”) — Roughly 200 ballistic missiles, including Fattah-1s, in the largest attack yet. Some penetrated defenses and caused damage.
2025 strikes (including waves in June) — Iran again claimed Fattah-1 and -2 use, with the IRGC boasting that the missiles “shook the shelters of the Zionists.”
Early 2026 — Amid fresh US-Israeli strikes on Iran, Tehran launched retaliatory barrages (reportedly “Operation True Promise” follow-ons) that included Fattah variants alongside Sejjil and older systems. Iranian state media and analysts say the hypersonic weapons targeted Israeli and US bases in the region.
Despite losses in the 2024–2025 exchanges, Iran has rebuilt its stockpile to an estimated 1,500–3,000+ ballistic missiles by early 2026, including precision-guided and hypersonic types. Underground “missile cities” and rapid replenishment (helped by fresh Chinese propellant shipments) made this possible.
How They Did It: Sanctions Backfired
Iran’s missile program was born in desperation. During the 1980–88 Iran-Iraq War, Saddam Hussein rained Scud missiles on Iranian cities. Tehran had almost no air force left, so it begged for help. Libya sent the first 20 Scud-Bs in 1984. North Korea and China followed with more missiles, launchers, and know-how.
Sanctions kicked in hard after the revolution and tightened over the nuclear program. Instead of crippling the effort, they forced Iran to get creative:
Reverse engineering became the national sport. Iranian engineers took apart imported Scuds and produced the Shahab-1 (330 km) and Shahab-2 (500 km) by the early 1990s. The Shahab-3 (based on North Korea’s Nodong) gave them a 1,300 km reach by the late 1990s.
Solid-fuel revolution. Older liquid-fuel missiles were slow to fuel and vulnerable on the launch pad. Iran shifted to solid propellants (thanks to the Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group) so missiles could be fired in minutes from mobile launchers or hidden silos.
IRGC takes charge. The Revolutionary Guard’s Aerospace Force, led for years by the late Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam (the “father of Iran’s missiles”), drove the program. Facilities like the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (liquid engines) and underground complexes in Khojir, Semnan, and Isfahan kept production going.
Space program crossover. Work on satellites gave Iran lightweight composite casings and heat-resistant materials needed for high-speed re-entry.
Universities and young engineers were pulled in. Sanctions made imports almost impossible, so Iran built its own machine tools, gyroscopes, and guidance systems. The result? A genuinely indigenous industry that now exports drones and missiles to Russia, the Houthis, and others.
The Foreign Help That Never Stopped
Self-reliance has limits. Iran still got (and gets) outside assistance, often through shadowy networks:
North Korea — The biggest early partner. Designs, engines, and even entire missiles flowed in the 1980s–2000s. Similarities between Iranian and North Korean systems are obvious.
China — Supplied components, machine tools, and — crucially — huge shipments of ammonium perchlorate and sodium perchlorate (solid-propellant ingredients). In 2025 alone, Iran received thousands of tons from China, enough for hundreds of new missiles. Recent reports suggest Beijing is also helping with anti-ship missiles.
Russia — More recent cooperation, especially after Iran supplied drones for Ukraine. Some analysts see Russian fingerprints in upgrades to guidance and maneuverability.
These ties continue despite sanctions because the players use front companies, third countries, and barter deals (oil for tech).
The Reality Check: Hype vs. Capability
Western and Israeli experts are skeptical about the “Mach 15” label. Most say the Fattah is not a true hypersonic glide vehicle that stays in the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds the whole way. It’s a ballistic missile with a fancy MaRV that maneuvers mainly in the terminal phase — impressive, but not revolutionary like China’s or Russia’s scramjet-powered designs.
That said, even critics admit two things:
The maneuverability makes interception much harder.
Iran has now proven it can hit Israel with these weapons, and some got through.
In short: not invincible, but a serious step forward that forces Israel and the US to spend billions on better defenses.
Why This Story Matters
Sanctions were meant to stop Iran from building advanced weapons. Instead, they accelerated a homegrown defense industry, pushed Tehran closer to Russia, China, and North Korea, and turned the IRGC into a missile superpower in the Middle East.
Today, the Fattah series is in serial production, Iran’s arsenal is being replenished faster than many expected, and the “400 seconds to Tel Aviv” threat feels a lot more real than it did in 2023. Whether the missiles will ever be used at full scale is a political question, not a technical one. But the fact that Iran built them at all — under the harshest sanctions in modern history — is a masterclass in resilience, reverse engineering, and geopolitical defiance.
The billboards are gone now, but the missiles remain. And in a region already on edge in 2026, that’s a message no one can ignore.
The final against Karnataka ended in a draw on Saturday, 28 February 2026, at the KSCA Cricket Ground in Hubballi. But J&K were declared champions because of their huge first-innings lead of 291 runs.
This is a massive moment after 67 years since J&K first played in the Ranji Trophy back in 1959-60. The team, led by captain Paras Dogra, completely dominated the game against a strong Karnataka side that included stars like KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Mayank Agarwal, and Prasidh Krishna.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Match Summary
J&K 1st innings: 584 all out (Shubham Pundir hit 121, Yawer Hassan made 88; Prasidh Krishna took 5 wickets for Karnataka).
Karnataka 1st innings: 293 all out (Mayank Agarwal scored 160; Auqib Nabi took 5-54 – his seventh five-wicket haul this season).
J&K 2nd innings: 342 for 4 declared (Qamran Iqbal stayed not out on 160, Sahil Lotra scored 101).
J&K built a lead of over 600 runs overall before declaring. They controlled every day and never let Karnataka fight back. Auqib Nabi was named Player of the Series for his brilliant bowling.
Celebrations are happening across Jammu and Kashmir – people are full of pride! Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has announced a ₹2 crore cash reward for the team and support staff, plus government jobs for the players under special rules for top sports stars.
Many are calling this a proud day for the region and a big boost for cricket here. Players like Auqib Nabi, Qamran Iqbal, Shubham Pundir, and the whole squad are real heroes.
In a major relief to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, a Delhi court today discharged former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and all 23 accused in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case related to the alleged Delhi Excise Policy scam.
Special Judge Jitendra Singh of the Rouse Avenue Court refused to take cognisance of the CBI chargesheet, ruling that there was no overarching conspiracy or criminal intent in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. The court observed that the prosecution failed to establish even a prima facie case, describing several allegations as misleading and unsupported by cogent evidence. It highlighted serious lacunae in the investigation and criticised the CBI for implicating individuals without sufficient material. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The judge emphasised that serious criminal allegations against public figures require substantive backing, not mere inferences or narratives. The court noted that policy changes appeared to involve administrative deliberations rather than corrupt motives, and no evidence supported claims of a central conspiratorial role.
The decision marks the end — at least for now — of a high-profile case that had dragged on for years, involving arrests, prolonged judicial proceedings, and intense political accusations. Kejriwal and Sisodia had previously faced custody in connection with the matter, including time in Tihar Jail.
Reacting emotionally after the verdict, Arvind Kejriwal broke down in tears while addressing the media. “I am not corrupt. The court has said that Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia are kattar imaandaar (staunchly honest),” he said, alleging that the case was part of a larger political conspiracy orchestrated against AAP. He claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had targeted the party by arresting its top leaders, including a sitting Chief Minister — a first in the country’s history.
Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, stated, “Truth always prevails,” expressing faith that justice would ultimately triumph despite the challenges faced.
Manish Sisodia was seen consoling his colleague amid the emotional moment, as family members and supporters welcomed them at home.
The CBI is reportedly planning to challenge the discharge order in the Delhi High Court, with sources indicating the agency views the ruling as contestable and intends to file an appeal after reviewing the detailed judgment.
This development provides significant political momentum to AAP ahead of future electoral battles, with party leaders framing it as vindication against what they describe as motivated investigations.
The excise policy, introduced in 2021-22 to reform liquor sales in Delhi, was scrapped amid controversy over alleged irregularities, leading to multiple probes by CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Earlier related proceedings had seen mixed outcomes, including bail grants and acquittals in some ED-linked matters.
