J&K Government Orders Major IAS JKAS Reshuffle; Over Two Dozen Officers Transferred

22 JKAS officers transferred

The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday ordered a major reshuffle of IAS and JKAS officers, transferring and assigning new responsibilities to over two dozen officers with immediate effect.

According to Government Order No. 230-JK(GAD) of 2026 issued by the General Administration Department, Ashwani Kumar, IAS (AGMUT: 1992), awaiting orders of adjustment, has been posted as Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Power Development Department. He shall also hold the additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Mining Department. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma, IAS (AGMUT: 1994), Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Tourism Department, shall additionally hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Agriculture Production Department.

Shailendra Kumar, IAS (AGMUT: 1995), Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Agriculture Production Department, has been transferred and posted as Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Finance Department.

M. Raju, IAS (AGMUT: 2005), Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department, shall also hold the additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department.

R Alice Vaz, IAS (AGMUT: 2005), awaiting orders of adjustment, has been posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, and shall also hold the additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Information Department.

Yasha Mudgal, IAS (AGMUT: 2007), Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Youth Services and Sports Department, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Cooperatives Department.

Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, IAS (AGMUT: 2009), Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Science and Technology Department, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Youth Services and Sports Department.

Dr. Piyush Singla, IAS (AGMUT: 2012), Secretary to the Government, Information Technology Department, shall also hold the additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Public Grievances Department, relieving Sh. Naveen S L, IAS (AGMUT: 2012) of the additional charge.

Babila Rakwal, JKAS, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Cooperatives Department, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Science and Technology Department.

Anjali Sehrawat, IAS (AGMUT: 2013), awaiting orders of adjustment, has been posted as Mission Director, Jaleev Mission, vice Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Shah, JKAS, who shall await further orders of posting.

Nidhi Malik, IAS (AGMUT: 2013), Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, has been transferred and posted as Inspector General of Registration, J&K, vice Mr. Bashir Ahmad Bhat, IRS (2014).

Owais Ahmed, IAS (AGMUT: 2014), Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Kashmir, holding additional charge of Special Secretary to the Government, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, has been transferred and posted as Director, Skill Development, J&K, while continuing with his additional charge..

Dr. Sagar D Dattatray, IAS (AGMUT: 2014), awaiting orders of adjustment, has been posted as Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Kashmir.

Athar Aamir Ul Shafi Khan, IAS (RJ: 2016), Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Budgam.

Kumar Abhishek, IAS (AGMUT: 2016), awaiting orders of adjustment, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Reasi.

Akriti Sagar, IAS (AGMUT: 2016), awaiting orders of adjustment, has been posted as Managing Director, National Health Mission, J&K, and shall also hold the additional charge of Special Secretary to the Government, Health and Medical Education Department.

Dr. Bilal Mohiud Din Bhat, IAS (AGMUT: 2017), Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag.

Minga Sherpa, IAS (AGMUT: 2017), Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, vice Ms. Saloni Rai, IAS (AGMUT: 2016), who shall await further orders.

Syed Fakhrudin Hamid, IAS (AM: 2017), Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla.

Harvinder Singh, IAS (AGMUT: 2019), Deputy Commissioner, Doda, has been transferred and posted as Director, Employment, J&K, and shall also hold the additional charge of Chief Executive Officer, Mission Youth and Mission Director, Mission YUVA.

Shahzad Alam, IAS (AGMUT: 2019), Director, Employment, J&K, holding additional charge of CEO, Mission Youth and Mission Director, Mission YUVA and Director, Skill Development, J&K, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam.

Krishan Lal, JKAS, Special Secretary in the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Doda.All transfers and postings shall take effect immediately, the order reads.

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Udyam Jagriti 4.0 Day Three Sees Strong Participation at BGSBU

Udyam Jagriti 4.0

The third day of the week-long programme “Udyam Jagriti 4.0”, organised under Mission YUVA from 16–20 February 2026, concluded on a very positive note at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU).

The event witnessed active and enthusiastic participation from students and faculty members across various departments. The strong response highlights the university’s firm commitment to making Mission YUVA a meaningful and impactful initiative.

Over the past three days, the steady participation has reflected a growing interest among students in entrepreneurship and self-employment. The programme aims to build a vibrant startup culture among young people and encourage innovation, aligning with the broader development goals of the region and the country.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

On the third day, departments that participated included Management Studies, Gojri, Pahari, Economics, Microbiology, Education, B.Voc., Information Technology, Computer Science, Biotechnology and Biosciences.

The programme featured expert sessions by Dr Malik Mubasher Hassan, Nodal Officer, Mission YUVA and Convener, Training & Placement Cell, and Dr Shafqat Nabi Mughal, Principal, University Polytechnic. They explained the mission’s framework, objectives and implementation strategies in detail.

Several Heads of Departments, Faculty Coordinators, Assistant Professors and officials from the Training & Placement Cell were also present. Their participation reaffirmed strong institutional support for the continued success of Mission YUVA at the university.

Faculty members and staff who attended the programme included Dr Qamar Rayees Khan, Dr Parvez Abdullah, Dr Javed Iqbal, Dr Dil Pazir, Dr Layaqat Nayyar, Dr Mudassir Rashid, Dr Azad Ahmad Andrabi, Dr Kafeel Ahmed, Dr Ed Gowhar, Dr Mohd Arif, Dr Mohammad Kousar Ali, Dr Manzoor Hussain, Dr Shaheen Akhtar, Mr Zakir Hussain (TPC), and Mr Zaheer Usman.

The programme continues to motivate students to explore new career paths through entrepreneurship and innovation, strengthening the university’s role in nurturing future job creators.

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Five Detained as Police Intensify Hunt for Escaped Gangster in Jammu

drug peddlers in Srigufwara

At least five suspected persons have been detained for questioning amid intensified search for a gangster who remained at large after escaping a juvenile home, along with two Pakistani inmates, in a border village of Jammu, officials said on Wednesday.

Both the Pakistani nationals were arrested on Tuesday, within 20 hours of the incident near Ambala railway station in Haryana, while they were heading for Nepal.Karajeet Singh alias Gugga, a resident of Dablehar in R S Pura, and Pakistan citizens, Mohammad Suna-ullah (20) and Ahsan Anwar (21), allegedly attacked police personnel and fled from the juvenile home around 5 pm on Monday (February 16). Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Two cops were injured in the incident.A purported video of the gangster, said to be associated with the ‘Khauff’ gang, showing Singh resorting to a few rounds of firing inside the juvenile home, is circulating on social media, drawing public concern.

The officials said Singh, who is believed to be the mastermind of the escape, is still at large, and efforts are on to arrest him.

Special teams have been fanned out and are conducting raids at various places within and outside Jammu to nab him, they said, adding that Singh’s mother is also missing from her Jammu residence and is believed to be accompanying him.

They said five people, who were in regular contact with the gangster inside the juvenile home, were detained for questioning.

Singh was arrested along with nearly a dozen other accused in connection with the murder of rival gang leader Sumit Jandiyal alias ‘Gataru’ in the Jewel chowk area in January last year and was subsequently lodged in the juvenile home.

Six police personnel, including an assistant sub-inspector, were placed under suspension for dereliction of duty in connection with the incident.

The officials said police have registered an FIR under sections 109 (attempt to murder), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty), 262 (resisting, obstructing, or escaping from lawful custody), 307 (theft with preparation to cause death, hurt or restrain), 111 (organised crime) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sections 3 and 25 under Arms Act (unauthorised possession, carriage, use of firearms).

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Two Pakistani Nationals Arrested in Ambala After Escaping J&K Juvenile Home

Two Pakistani Nationals Arrested in Ambala After Escaping J&K Juvenile Home

Ambala’s Special Task Force (STF) on Tuesday arrested two Pakistani nationals from the Ambala Cantt Railway Station premises who had escaped from the Juvenile Observation Home in Ranbir Singh Pura of Jammu and Kashmir after allegedly shooting at security personnel, officials said on Tuesday. The three people were allegedly trying to escape from the UP-Nepal border.

The suspects were arrested at Ambala Cantt Railway Station and handed over to the Jammu Police.

SP STF Vikrant Bhushan said that a total of three people, two Pakistani nationals and one Indian, had escaped from the home.

“Yesterday evening, two Pakistani nationals and one Indian national escaped from the RS Pura District Juvenile Observation Home in Jammu… We have apprehended both Pakistani nationals. Their names are Mohammad Sanula, 20, resident of District Muzaffargarh, Punjab Province, Pakistan. The other is Ahsan Anwar, 21, District Nankana, Punjab Province, Pakistan. Both were convicted in the Juvenile Observation Home, one since 2021 and the other since 2019. We have handed them over to the J-K Police,” he said.

Another accomplice, Indian national Karamjeet alias Guga, also escaped from jail with them, adding that “he was the mastermind. Their plan was to help the two Pakistani nationals escape from the UP-Nepal border,” Bhushan said.

SP STF Vikrant Bhushan said that three inmates had escaped from the RS Pura Juvenile Home, two Pakistanis and one Indian. The two Pakistani nationals arrested by STF Ambala have been identified as Mohammad Sanaullah, 20, and Ahsan Anwar, 21. Sanula had been in the juvenile home since 2019, and Anwar since 2021.

Their third accomplice, Karamjeet alias Guga, an Indian, also escaped from jail with them. He was their mastermind, who was supposed to send them out of the country to Nepal via the Uttar Pradesh border.

Jammu and Kashmir police will take them on remand and conduct the remaining investigation. (ANI)

11-Year-Old Boy Numan Khursheed Itoo Dies After Being Hit by Vehicle in Verinag’s Rain Chowgund

Dead body

 An 11-year-old boy died in a road accident in the Rain Chowgund locality of Verinag in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Sunday, officials said.

According to officials, the minor was struck by a Tata Mobile vehicle bearing registration number JK03N-3472. The victim has been identified as Numan Khursheed Itoo, son of Khursheed Ahmad Itoo, an inhabitant of Chowgund Verinag. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Soon after the accident, the injured boy was rushed to Primary Health Centre Verinag for medical treatment. However, doctors declared him brought dead on arrival.Police have registered a case and initiated investigation into the incident. [KNT]

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Baramulla Police Activate Special Tip Line to Trace Missing 20-Year-Old Girl

Police

J&K Police in Baramulla have activated a Special Tip Line to trace a missing girl (Ranjeet Kaur, daughter of Dalbir Singh, resident of Trabooni Karnah Tangdhar Kupwara, age 20 years, fair complexion, height 5 feet 6 inches).

According to a statement issued here, During the  intervening night of 12/13 Feb (around 03:00 AM), she reportedly left her relatives’ residence in Singhbagh Baramulla without informing anyone. Since then, her mobile phone has remained switched off and her whereabouts are unknown.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

A missing report was diarised in Police Station Baramulla, and intensive search efforts were initiated.

Anyone who may have seen her or has any information is requested to immediately contact: Special Tip Line: 95967-67710 (available on WhatsApp for sharing messages/ photos/videos) of Police Station Baramulla.

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₹72 Lakh Cheque Bounce Convict Flees Srinagar Court After Sentencing

reckless driving

A man convicted in a high value cheque dishonour case fled from court premises immediately after sentencing, forcing the Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar to order his immediate arrest and confinement in Central Jail Srinagar.

The accused, a resident of Beerwah in Budgam district, was found guilty under provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act in connection with a Rs 72 lakh financial transaction linked to a land deal. The court awarded him one year of simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1.44 crore, equivalent to twice the cheque amount.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The case stemmed from a complaint alleging that the convict had accepted Rs 72 lakh in 2018 on the assurance of facilitating purchase of five kanals of land in the Doodpathri area. Subsequent verification revealed that the land was neither available for sale nor under his authority.

When confronted, the accused issued a cheque in February 2021 for the said amount drawn on a Srinagar branch of J&K Bank. The instrument was returned unpaid due to insufficient funds. Despite statutory notice, the liability remained unsettled, leading to prosecution.

During trial proceedings, the defence admitted the signature on the cheque but claimed misuse of a blank signed leaf. The court rejected the plea, observing that no complaint of misuse was ever filed nor any stop payment instructions issued. Relying on statutory presumptions under Sections 118 and 139 of the Act, the court held that the presumption of legally enforceable debt stood unrebutted.

Besides imprisonment, the court authorised recovery of the fine through levy warrant by the District Collector Budgam, permitting attachment of movable and immovable properties. The Station House Officer concerned has been directed to secure the convict without delay.

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Scheduled Power Shutdowns Announced in Multiple Areas on February 16–17, 2026

KPDCL to shut multiple 33KV lines

Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL has informed that the Shutdown of 33 KV Pampore-B.K Pora line will be observed due to which power supply to BK Pora, Khanda, Checkpora, Chatergam, Kenihama, Summerbugh, Wagoora, Aribagh, Checkpora and adjoining areas will be affected from 10 AM to 03 PM on 16 February 2026.

Similarly, shutdown of 33 KV Arampora-MES line will be observed due to which power supply to MES Kupwara will be affected from 09 AM to 03 PM on 17 February 2026. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Likewise, shutdown of 220 KV Wagoora-Pampore Circuit I Bay at Grid Sub Station Pampore will be observed due to which power supply to Rawalpora, Sanat Nagar,Chanapora, Hyderpora, Humhama, Baghat, Barzullah, Rambagh, Natipora, B&J Bagh-i-mehtab, Rangreth, JAKLI, BEACON, Wanbal, Batagund, Aripal, Lurgam, Noorgam, Lalgam, Tral, Tral i Bala, Cheewa, Panzgam, LIS-I,II,III, K.Koot, Marhama, Khiram, Khellan, Konibal, Kadlabal, Pampore, WSS Tangnar, Lasjan, Shar Shali, IE Wuyan, IE Khrew, Cement Plants, Pahru, BK Pora, Govt. Press, Flour Mill, Athwajan, Panthachowk, Sonwar, Nowgam Railway Stn. Summerbugh, Khanda, Ladhoo, Brane, Nishat, Centaur, Dalband, B.B. Cantt., Buchwara, TRC, Nedous, Food Park, SAIFCO, Khyber Water Pump, Khyber, Ind. Est III-Khunmoh, TCI Max, Old TCI, Covid Hospital, Zavoora, Khunmoh Old and adjoining areas will be affected from 01 PM to 02 PM on 17 February 2026.

Similarly, shutdown of 33 KV Harnag-Khanabal Tapline (via Dak Bunglow) will be observed due to which power supply to Dak Banglow, Dak Banglow, Seepan, Batapora and adjoining areas will be affected from 10 AM to 03 PM on 16 February 2026.

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Grand Mufti Extends Maha Shivratri Greetings, Highlights Spirit of Kashmiriyat

Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam

Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir and Chairman of the Muslim Personal Law Board J&K, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam Farooqi on Friday extended greetings to the Kashmiri Pandit community and the wider Hindu population on the eve of Maha Shivratri.

In a statement, he described Maha Shivratri as a sacred spiritual occasion and a reflection of Kashmir’s longstanding tradition of brotherhood and shared heritage. He said the festival symbolises the spirit of “Kashmiriyat”, rooted in compassion, coexistence and mutual respect. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Farooqi said the region’s shared history calls for unity in times of joy and adversity, and stressed the need to preserve the pluralistic ethos of the land.

The message was issued by Er Danish Reshi, Advisor to the Grand Mufti and Head of Socio Political Affairs.(KNS)

33 J&K Students Suspended at Mewar University Over Unapproved Nursing Course Protest

33 J&K Students Suspended

More than 30 students from Jammu and Kashmir have been suspended by Mewar University in Rajasthan after they protested against the university’s failure to secure required approvals for its B.Sc Nursing course.

According to the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, 33 students were suspended following a peaceful protest on campus. The students were demanding recognition for the nursing programme from the Rajasthan Nursing Council and the Indian Nursing Council. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The Association said that more than 50 Kashmiri students are currently enrolled in the B.Sc Nursing course. However, the programme has not received mandatory approval from the statutory bodies. Without recognition, students fear their degrees may not be valid for registration or future employment.

Students claim that the university had repeatedly assured them that approvals would be secured. Last year, the Registrar reportedly gave a written commitment promising recognition. However, no progress has been made so far.

Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of the Students Association, said that instead of solving the issue, the university administration suspended the protesting students.

He said suspending students for a peaceful protest raises serious concerns and appears to silence their voices. He also described running a professional course without statutory approval as a major regulatory failure.

The Association has now requested Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene in the matter. It has also appealed to Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to take immediate action.

The Students Association has demanded that either the necessary approvals be secured quickly or the affected students be shifted to a recognised institution without any academic loss.

The situation has created anxiety among students and their families, as their academic future remains uncertain.

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