Srinagar: Large parts of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh witnessed a significant dip in night temperatures as the region remained in the grip of a severe cold wave on Friday.
In the Kashmir Valley, sub-zero temperatures were recorded almost across the board. Srinagar settled at –4.5°C, while Qazigund touched –4.4°C. Tourist destinations also froze under harsh cold, with Pahalgam dropping to –5.5°C and Gulmarg registering –1.4°C.
Parts of south Kashmir recorded some of the lowest temperatures of the season — Pulwama and Anantnag dipped to –6.2°C, Pampore settled at –6.0°C, and Shopian was the coldest at –6.7°C. Srinagar Airport remained extremely cold at –6.4°C.
Several north Kashmir areas also saw deep freeze conditions. Kupwara stood at –4.8°C, Bandipora –4.9°C, Baramulla –5.9°C, and Zethan Rafiabad –5.3°C. In central Kashmir, Budgam recorded –4.8°C, Ganderbal –3.5°C, and Sonamarg –3.8°C. The highest-altitude location on the list, Zojila Pass, remained in the extreme cold zone at –16.0°C.
The cold wave was less severe in the Jammu region, where temperatures stayed above freezing in most places. Jammu recorded 9.4°C, while neighbouring Katra and Kathua settled at 8.2°C.
Mountainous belts, however, felt a sharper chill — Bhaderwah dipped just below freezing at –0.5°C, while Udhampur, Banihal, and Batote stood at 3.6°C.
Other stations included Ramban at 3.2°C, Samba at 3.4°C, Rajouri at 1.4°C, Doda at 2.9°C, Kishtwar at 3.5°C, and Reasi at 6.4°C.
In Ladakh, night temperatures remained deeply sub-zero, continuing the region’s long winter spell. Kargil touched –9.6°C, Leh recorded –8.6°C, while Nubra Valley stood at –8.3°C.
According to weather observers, the intense chill across the Himalayan belt marks a definite strengthening of winter conditions in the region, with frost and icy mornings expected to continue.(KNS)
[28/11, 9:46 am] +91 78899 12300: *Crime Branch Kashmir files chargesheet in land scam, Patwari and accomplice sent to custody*
Srinagar, Nov 28 (KNS): The Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir on Friday said it has filed a chargesheet against two individuals accused of manipulating land records and executing fraudulent mutations in Anantnag.
The accused have been identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat of Babapora Qazigund, Kulgam and Mohammad Yousuf Dar of Khandipahari, Harnag in Anantnag. The chargesheet has been placed before the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Anantnag.
The Crime Branch said the case followed a written complaint alleging that Patwari Halqa Khandipahari, Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, conspired with the complainant’s brothers to mutate land falling under Khewat Nos. 05 and 07 at Khandipahari Harnag, even though the property was under litigation and a status quo order of the Hon’ble Court existed.
The agency said the Patwari allegedly concealed the ongoing litigation, enabled the sale of part of the disputed land and prepared fraudulent mutation documents in violation of revenue records.
Investigations also revealed that co-accused Mohammad Yousuf Dar managed a forged gift deed purportedly executed by his mother, while the persons shown as witnesses later denied having signed the document.
The complainant had further submitted that money was demanded by the Patwari for issuing revenue extracts and that no action was taken despite approaching senior officials.
According to the Crime Branch, the allegations were established during enquiry, after which FIR No. 45/2015 was registered under sections 420, 468, 471, 120-B RPC and 5(2) PC Act. With the investigation concluded, the chargesheet has now been presented for judicial consideration.
The agency said both accused have been remanded to judicial custody by the Hon’ble Court and reiterated that action against economic offences will continue. (KNS)
