Kashmir

Apple growers in Kashmir have staged protests following the closure of a key highway, raising concerns over delays in transporting their produce to domestic and international markets. The disruption threatens perishable shipments, potentially leading to economic losses for farmers already grappling with fluctuating prices and rising input costs. Growers are urging authorities to reopen the highway promptly and implement contingency measures to protect their livelihoods.

Kashmir’s celebrated handicraft sector has crossed the Rs. 300 crore mark in exports, marking a significant resurgence in global demand for traditional, handmade goods from the region. This export milestone reflects the growing appreciation for sustainable and ethically crafted products across international markets, especially in Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, speaking at the FTII Traders’ Conclave in Srinagar, addressed growing concerns from the Kashmiri apple trade over increasing import pressures. While he assured traders that their demand for stronger safeguards would be reviewed, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between farmer welfare and consumer affordability. Goyal also responded positively to calls for a reduction in the goods and services tax (GST) on handicrafts from 12% to 5%, promising to engage with the finance ministry.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has spotlighted a promising yet complex industrial investment scenario in the Union Territory, with proposals totaling nearly Rs. 60,000 crore pending approval. Since 2021, targeted reforms and policies have catalyzed industrial growth, resulting in Rs. 25,000 crore worth of projects either operational or underway. Sinha emphasized efforts to bridge the education-employment divide through job fairs and skill development initiatives, aiming to empower the youth and strengthen J&K’s economic fabric.

The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) has called on the Indian government to waive the User Development Fee (UDF) and Aviation Security Fee (ASF) for one year at Srinagar Airport, seeking to rejuvenate air traffic to and from Kashmir, which has suffered a significant decline following the Pahalgam attack. The airline industry body, which includes major carriers such as Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, argues that financial incentives, along with ongoing security measures, are essential to restoring tourism and passenger demand to the region.

In a forthright interview with the Dutch daily De Volkskrant, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar denounced Pakistan's deep-rooted involvement in terrorism, asserting that its state apparatus and military are complicit. While on an official visit to the Netherlands to strengthen bilateral trade relations, Jaishankar underscored India’s zero-tolerance approach to terror, referencing the recent Operation Sindoor as a calibrated strike against cross-border militancy.

In a significant counter-terrorism operation in Jammu and Kashmir, Indian security forces neutralized three militants believed to be affiliated with the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit. The gunfight unfolded in the Awantipora region of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, specifically in the Nader and Tral areas. Drone surveillance footage captured the militants moments before the firefight, providing critical intelligence to ground teams.

A fragile yet welcome calm has returned to Indian-administered Kashmir following a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, ending a tense spell of cross-border hostilities. For many residents living near the volatile Line of Control (LoC), the sudden halt in violence offers a rare opportunity to breathe, rebuild, and hope. Markets have reopened, streets are alive again, and conversations have shifted from fear to cautious optimism.

Geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan have intensified following military exchanges along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. Pakistan claims to have destroyed multiple Indian Army checkpoints in retaliation to alleged unprovoked firing, further inflaming the already volatile border situation. This escalation comes in the wake of a deadly militant attack on Indian civilians and retaliatory airstrikes carried out by India.

SriLankan Airlines has temporarily suspended its flights to Lahore, citing the ongoing military tensions in the Kashmir region. The national carrier operates four weekly flights to Lahore, all of which have been canceled until further notice. While the Lahore route is on hold, services to Karachi will continue as scheduled. This decision follows the closure of Pakistan's airspace over Lahore and Islamabad airports in response to heightened military activity, including India's Operation Sindoor.