By: Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Jun 16: Amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, the Embassy of India in Tehran Monday said that it has made arrangements for evacuation of Indian students and may be permitted to leave the Universities.
Embassy of India, Tehran in an official communique to different universities said, “We have made arrangements for their evacuation. They may be permitted to leave the University, as being facilitated by the Embassy of India, Tehran. The Embassy of India, Tehran takes this responsibility for this planned movement and security of the Indian students.”
In the meantime, Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) informed that ‘at least 600 students of India, majorly from Kashmir have already been relocated to safer places’.
“At least 1300 students from Kashmir are studying in Iran. Most of them are pursuing MBBS degrees out there,” JKSA said.
National Convenor of JKSA Nasir Khuehami said that “At least 600 students of India, majority of them from Kashmir, have been relocated to the city of Kom.”
He said that the arrangements for the Indian students are being done by the concerned university and Indian embassy jointly. (KNO)

By: Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Jun 16:  On the second consecutive day, the distressed families of Kashmiri students stranded in conflict-hit Iran assembled at Press Enclave in Srinagar city, appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar for the immediate evacuation of their children to safer locations.
Among the families who gathered on Monday were Mohd Ayoub Dar, a resident of Brein Srinagar, and Nisar Ahmad Gami from Nawakadal Srinagar. Both have children pursuing studies in Iran and are growing increasingly anxious due to the ongoing hostilities between Iran and Israel.
“Our children are in panic. They are calling us and asking for help. We appeal to the Government of India to rescue them or at least shift them to safer places,” said Ayoub.
Echoing similar concerns, Nisar Ahmad Gami urged PM Modi and Dr. Jaishankar to listen to the cries of the parents. “The situation in Iran is worsening. Our children are helpless and scared,” he said.
More than 40 people from different parts of the Valley assembled at the Press Enclave Srinagar yesterday, demanding swift evacuation of their loved ones from Iranian cities affected by the escalating tensions.
Moreover, the families have also called on the Indian Embassy in Iran to take urgent measures to ensure the safety and return of Kashmiri students. (KNO)

Srinagar, Jun 16: The number of active COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir has increased to 15, with a total of 18 cases reported this year so far, officials said.
An official informed that while 15 cases remain active, three patients have recovered, bringing the total reported cases for 2023 to 18. Over the past 24 hours, there were 17 active cases and two recoveries.
The official said the situation remains under control and there is no immediate cause for alarm. However, citizens are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to safety precautions. “We are strictly following the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The UT is fully prepared to respond to any potential rise in infections,” he said.
These measures, the official said, are part of a broader national strategy to stay ahead of any resurgence, especially in light of reports of increasing COVID-19 cases in some parts of Asia. Routine testing for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and influenza-like illnesses (ILI) continues across healthcare facilities in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
To strengthen preparedness, the Ministry of Health recently conducted a high-level review involving key agencies such as the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Emergency Medical Relief (EMR) Division, Disaster Management Cell, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and representatives from central hospitals. The objective was to assess and enhance surveillance and response systems in anticipation of a possible uptick in cases.
Health experts have urged the public to remain cautious but not panicked, saying the current strains often cause mild illness or no symptoms at all. They reassured that healthcare facilities have been upgraded since the first wave of COVID-19, and all necessary arrangements are in place to handle any escalation.
“Most positive cases recover on their own, and only a few may require hospital visits, which can be managed through outpatient departments,” they said. “There is no need for panic.”
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, advocating for adherence to safety protocols such as testing, masking in crowded places, and timely vaccination.
Hospitals across the Union Territory have maintained dedicated isolation wards and medical facilities as a precaution. Public awareness campaigns have been intensified to inform citizens about COVID-19 symptoms and preventive measures.
The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) under the NCDC has ramped up monitoring efforts, with enhanced surveillance, contact tracing, and prompt isolation remaining central to the region’s containment strategy.
Officials said all current patients are stable with mild symptoms, and there is no cause for concern.
Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry has directed all states and UTs to ensure the availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators and essential medicines to handle any potential surge. (KNO)

Srinagar, Jun 16: The Srinagar wing of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has discharged a man in a POCSO case after noting that the Investigating Agency had not collected any scientific evidence to show that the accused had committed the sexual assault upon the two girls, and there was an absence of oral testimony on the part of the victims.
The petition before the High Court was filed against the order of the Special Judge (POCSO Cases), Srinagar, whereby charges for offences under Section 363, 376 IPC and Section 4 of the POCSO Act had been framed against the petitioner.
The Single Bench of Justice Sanjay Dhar said, “The Investigating Agency has not collected any scientific evidence to show that the petitioner has committed the sexual assault upon the two girls and in the absence of any oral testimony on the part of the two girls to this effect, the offence of rape is also not made out against the petitioner.”
Advocate Adnan Fayaz represented the Petitioner while Sr. AAG Mohsin Qadiri.
As per the chargesheet, which had emanated from an FIR registered under Section 363, 376 IPC and Section 4 of POCSO Act, it was alleged that the complainant’s minor daughter had left her home along with another girl. The two girls returned to their home and they were produced by their family members before the police. The victim girls were subjected to medical examination, and it revealed “sexual activity.”
The investigation further revealed that the petitioner had enticed the victim girls to board his vehicle, whereafter he kidnapped them intending to commit sexual assault upon them. The Special Court, after hearing the parties and after analyzing the material on record, framed charges for offences under Section 363, 376 of the IPC and Section 4 of the POCSO Act against the petitioner.
The Bench addressed the issue of scope of power of a Court while considering discharge of an accused, the Bench said, “From the foregoing analysis of law on the subject, it is clear that at the time of framing of charge, the Court has only to consider the material available for framing an opinion as to whether, prima facie, offence is committed which would require the accused to be put on trial. It is open to the Court, at the stage of framing of charge, to ascertain as to whether the allegations made in the charge sheet against the accused are supported by the material collected by the Investigating Officer during investigation of the case.”
“It is to be borne in mind that at the time of framing of charges, the court has to accept the material assembled by the Investigating Agency during investigation of the case at its face value and its probative value cannot be gone into. The court has only to derive satisfaction about the commission of offence by the accused”, it added.
The Bench took note of the fact that both the victim girls had stated that they could not get any vehicle for returning to their home, and they boarded the vehicle of the petitioner out of their own will and volition. “This Court is conscious of the fact that both the victim girls were minor at the relevant time and their consent or otherwise is immaterial”, it said.
It was noted that from the statements of the two girls, it was discernible that they had left their home completely uninfluenced by any promise and inducement emanating from the petitioner. “Thus, when the statements of both the victim girls are read in conjunction with the statements of their immediate family members, it comes to the fore that the victim girls were neither taken nor enticed by the petitioner to go with him. Therefore, offence under Section 363 of IPC is not made out against the petitioner even if whole of the material collected by the Investigating Agency is taken to be true at its face value”, the Bench said.
On the aspect of the evidence relating to rape upon the victim girls, the Bench noted that both of them had not stated anything about this aspect of the matter. “None of them had stated that they were subjected to assault by the petitioner. Merely on the basis of the opinion of the doctor that the two girls had been subjected to sexual activity a couple of days back, it cannot be inferred that the petitioner was the author of it,” the court said.
The Bench found no evidence on record to show that the petitioner had either kidnapped the two victim girls or had committed sexual assault upon them. Therefore, even if the material collected by the Investigating Agency during the investigation of the case remains unrebutted, the same is not sufficient to presume that the petitioner/accused has committed any offence nor does it raise any grave suspicion about the involvement of the petitioner in the alleged occurrence”, it said.
Allowing the petition, the Bench set aside the impugned order of the Special Judge (POCSO Cases) (Principal Sessions Judge) Srinagar, whereby charges had been framed against the petitioner/accused. “The petitioner is discharged and the challan against him shall stand dismissed”, it ordered. (KNO)

By: Waris Fayaz
Handwara, Jun 16: At least three people were injured after an explosion occurred during demolition of a mosque in the Kasheri area of Handwara in north Kashmir this morning.
Details state that the incident took place while locals were razing the old structure to pave way for a new one.
The blast happened unexpectedly amid the demolition activity, injuring three individuals who were shifted to a nearby health facility, where their condition is stated to be stable.
The injured have been identified as Mudasir Ahmad Mir of Nutnoosa, Ghulam Ahmad Tantray of Kachri and Owais Ahmad of Hadipora.
Soon after the explosion, security forces rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area. A team of police officials is currently investigating the nature and origin of the blast.
Superintendent of Police Handwara said that the cause of the explosion is being ascertained and further investigation is underway. (KNO)