The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Ahead of the proposed expansion of the council of ministers, the ruling National Conference (NC) is learnt to have made a fresh offer to the Congress to join the Omar Abdullah-led government's ministerial team.

Sources told the news agency KNO that the NC has conveyed to the Congress that it can join the council of ministers if willing.

"The NC discussed the matter with All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary in-charge for Jammu & Kashmir and Rajya Sabha MP, Syed Naseer Hussain. He is understood to have told them that he would respond after consulting the high command," sources said.

Sources further said Hussain discussed the matter with the J&K Congress leadership during his recent visit to the Union Territory, adding that the Congress remains indecisive on the matter.

At the time of formation of the NC-led government in October 2024, the party had reached out to the Congress with an offer of one berth in the council of ministers, but the Congress had demanded two. The Congress later publicly stated that it would not join the government until the restoration of J&K's statehood.

The fresh offer comes at a time when Omar Abdullah is planning a reshuffle and expansion of the council of ministers he heads.

As per the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, the council of ministers in the Union Territory can have a maximum of nine members, as its strength cannot exceed 10 percent of the total strength of the Assembly.

SRINAGAR — Kashmir witnessed Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) celebrations with religious fervour on Wednesday, as thousands of devotees joined religious processions across several districts to commemorate the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

According to details available with the news agency KNO, streets in Srinagar city witnessed a strong display of devotion as men, women, youngsters, elderly devotees and small children participated in processions from different areas, chanting religious slogans and reciting durood and naats.

Children dressed in traditional attire were seen accompanying their families, while youngsters and elderly devotees walked alongside them, giving the processions a distinct family and community character. Devotees were heard chanting "Sarkaar Ki Aamad Marhaba" as the processions moved through various areas.

Processions across districts

In Baramulla, a major religious procession was held from the Syed Janbaz Wali (RA) shrine through the Main Market towards Dargah Aaliha Asar-e-Sharief, with devotees participating in large numbers.

In Ganderbal, children and devotees took part in religious processions at different places to mark the occasion, while similar processions and gatherings were reported from other parts of the district.

Anantnag also witnessed religious gatherings and processions at several prominent shrines and religious places, including Khiram Dargah Shareef, Kabamarg, Reshmool, Aishmuqam and Seer Hamdan.

Across the Valley, processions were marked by the recitation of durood, naats and religious slogans, with devotees carrying religious flags and walking in groups through local streets and markets. The celebrations also saw participation from families, with parents bringing their children to join the processions and pay tribute to the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Congregation at Hazratbal

At Hazratbal, thousands of devotees gathered for prayers and religious programmes, with the shrine witnessing a major congregation on the occasion.

The Eid-e-Milad observances continued through the day across Kashmir, with devotees expressing love and reverence for Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through prayers, processions and religious gatherings.

BUDGAM — Authorities have attached a two-storey residential house in Hapatnar, Charar-i-Sharief, in Central Kashmir's Budgam district, in connection with a drug-related case registered at Police Station Charar-i-Sharief.

The property has been attached under Section 68-F(1) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in connection with FIR No. 36/2026, registered under Sections 8 and 15 of the Act.

The case concerns allegations relating to the possession, transportation and trafficking of narcotic substances. The allegations are subject to investigation and judicial determination.

Following the attachment, the accused, Noor Muhammad Dar, has been barred from selling, transferring, leasing, mortgaging or otherwise creating any third-party interest in the property without permission from the competent authority.

The action affects the property pending proceedings under the NDPS Act and does not, by itself, establish guilt in the underlying criminal case.