Tourism is one of the biggest industries of the Kashmir Valley and it has been incurring losses in crores due to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">pandemic</a>. However, now that the covid positive patients are&nbsp;decreasing in the valley, the tourism department along with the health department are on a mission to vaccinate each individual related to this industry.&nbsp;

Special vaccination drives are being done for the tourism stakeholders in the valley —&nbsp;around 80 per cent people in the city and&nbsp;90 per cent in the hill stations such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg — have been vaccinated.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iit-madras-alumni-contribute-2-million-for-covid-19-relief-efforts-in-india-389935" hreflang="en">IIT Madras alumni contribute $2 million for COVID-19 relief efforts in India</a>

"We are expecting the situation to improve and things to come back to normal. Cases are coming down and we are expecting in the near future there will certainly be a revival of tourism sector again, and for that we have already planned an action plan which is going for 100 per cent mass vaccination of our stakeholders and the staff and similarly we will also be giving a lot of training to our stakeholders — be it hoteliers, shikara wala's, pony wala's and houseboat owners — and that is the way we carry forward tourism season successful", said G N Itoo, Director Tourism.&nbsp;

The tourist stakeholders in the valley are extremely happy about these vaccination drives. They believe it will send across a positive message across the world that Kashmir is safe to travel.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-covid-19-antibodies-detected-in-23-samples-of-second-sero-survey-third-survey-from-july-august-389923" hreflang="en">Tamil Nadu: COVID-19 antibodies detected in 23% samples of second sero survey; third survey from July-August</a>

''Unfortunately, the second wave of covid is hectic and all the stakeholders are under lockdown, and it hit us very badly. You can say it was unfortunate and bad luck for the sector. We are hoping in the coming time it may pick up. The tourism department has started mass vaccination and every tourism player has to go through this drive, they have to vaccinate themselves. You will feel safe and secure, the tourists will feel confident to come here, we have to be ready and vaccination is one such thing,'' said Manzoor Pakhtoon from&nbsp;United Tourism Forum.

Now, these tourist players are waiting for the lockdown to be lifted so that they can welcome the tourists again in the valley.

Tourism is one of the biggest industries of the Kashmir Valley and it has been incurring losses in crores due to the pandemic. However, now that the covid positive patients are decreasing in the valley, the tourism department along with the health department are on a mission to vaccinate each individual related to this industry.

Tourism is one of the biggest industries of the Kashmir Valley and it has been incurring losses in crores due to the pandemic. However, now that the covid positive patients are decreasing in the valley, the tourism department along with the health department are on a mission to vaccinate each individual related to this industry. Special vaccination drives are being done for the tourism stakeholders in the valley — around 80 per cent people in the city and 90 per cent in the hill stations such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg — have been vaccinated. Also read | IIT Madras alumni contribute $2 million for COVID-19 relief efforts in India "We are expecting the situation to improve and things to come back to normal. Cases are coming down and we are expecting in the near future there will certainly be a revival of tourism sector again, and for that we have already planned an action plan which is going for 100 per cent mass vaccination of our stakeholders and the staff and similarly we will also be giving a lot of training to our stakeholders — be it hoteliers, shikara wala's, pony wala's and houseboat owners — and that is the way we carry forward tourism season successful", said G N Itoo, Director Tourism. The tourist stakeholders in the valley are extremely happy about these vaccination drives. They believe it will send across a positive message across the world that Kashmir is safe to travel. Also read | Tamil Nadu: COVID-19 antibodies detected in 23% samples of second sero survey; third survey from July-August ''Unfortunately, the second wave of covid is hectic and all the stakeholders are under lockdown, and it hit us very badly. You can say it was unfortunate and bad luck for the sector. We are hoping in the coming time it may pick up. The tourism department has started mass vaccination and every tourism player has to go through this drive, they have to vaccinate themselves. You will feel safe and secure, the tourists will feel confident to come here, we have to be ready and vaccination is one such thing,'' said Manzoor Pakhtoon from United Tourism Forum. Now, these tourist players are waiting for the lockdown to be lifted so that they can welcome the tourists again in the valley.

Tourism industry mass vaccinating tourist stake holders in J&K

India slammed Volkan Bozkir, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) president for his remark that Pakistan was 'duty bound' to raise the Jammu and Kashmir issue more strongly in the UN.

India slams UNGA chief for remark on Jammu & Kashmir during Pak visit

It was a bumper produce year for strawberry growers in Jammu and Kashmir. The crop saw about a 20% increase but it did not turn out to be a cause for cheer for the farmers because they have have nowhere to sell due to market closure amid Coronavirus pandemic.

Despite bumper produce, strawberry farmers in Kashmir stare at huge losses

Jammu & Kashmir is all set to create a vaccination record of being the first region in India with four districts completing the target of vaccinating all people above the age of 45 with at least the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines.

J&K: 4 districts achieve 100% vaccination of people above 45

The number of COVID Positive patients is increasing across the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Indian Army sets up two COVID-19 hospitals in J&K.

India: Indian Army sets up 2 COVID hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir

With an increasing number of Covid cases in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the government has decided to implement full lockdown in 11 districts, from Thursday&nbsp;7 pm till Monday 7 am.&nbsp;

Jammu and Kashmir has been reporting more than 3,000 cases per day in the last week. The death toll has also gone up to 20 per day, which is the highest this year.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/art-for-all-keeping-paper-mache-alive-in-india-through-braille-381164" hreflang="en">Art for all: Keeping 'paper mache' alive in India through braille</a>

The total number of covid cases in Jammu and Kashmir is 24,313. Around 14,795 active cases are in Kashmir, while Jammu has 9,518 active cases, at present. The union territory&nbsp;has witnessed 2,227 deaths so far. Kashmir division has had 1,372 deaths while Jammu has had 855 covid-related deaths.&nbsp;

''There will be complete lockdown in the Srinagar district from 7 pm Thursday (29/04/2021) to 7 am Monday (03/05/2021). Exemptions apply to essential services,'' said Ajaz Asad, DC Srinagar. ''In view of massive spurt in positive cases in District Srinagar and after due deliberations, Section 144 CrPc is imposed hereby within the municipal limits of the district to contain further spread of the epidemic. Assembly of five or more persons is banned with immediate effect.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/specially-abled-artisans-saving-the-pashmina-and-sozni-craft-381154" hreflang="en">Specially-abled artisans saving the Pashmina and Sozni craft</a>

The districts of the valley going under full lockdown&nbsp;include Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kulgam, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Jammu, Kathua, Reasi, and Udhampur.

Essential services would be exempted from the lockdown. All employees working for these services will be allowed to go to their&nbsp;respective&nbsp;offices. All schools, colleges, and universities were shut last week after the surge of covid cases in the UT.&nbsp;

With an increasing number of Covid cases in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the government has decided to implement full lockdown in 11 districts, from Thursday 7 pm till Monday 7 am.

With an increasing number of Covid cases in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the government has decided to implement full lockdown in 11 districts, from Thursday 7 pm till Monday 7 am. Jammu and Kashmir has been reporting more than 3,000 cases per day in the last week. The death toll has also gone up to 20 per day, which is the highest this year. Also read | Art for all: Keeping 'paper mache' alive in India through braille The total number of covid cases in Jammu and Kashmir is 24,313. Around 14,795 active cases are in Kashmir, while Jammu has 9,518 active cases, at present. The union territory has witnessed 2,227 deaths so far. Kashmir division has had 1,372 deaths while Jammu has had 855 covid-related deaths. ''There will be complete lockdown in the Srinagar district from 7 pm Thursday (29/04/2021) to 7 am Monday (03/05/2021). Exemptions apply to essential services,'' said Ajaz Asad, DC Srinagar. ''In view of massive spurt in positive cases in District Srinagar and after due deliberations, Section 144 CrPc is imposed hereby within the municipal limits of the district to contain further spread of the epidemic. Assembly of five or more persons is banned with immediate effect. Also read | Specially-abled artisans saving the Pashmina and Sozni craft The districts of the valley going under full lockdown include Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kulgam, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Jammu, Kathua, Reasi, and Udhampur. Essential services would be exempted from the lockdown. All employees working for these services will be allowed to go to their respective offices. All schools, colleges, and universities were shut last week after the surge of covid cases in the UT.

Jammu and Kashmir to go into complete lockdown from tonight

Mohammad Saleem Akhoon a territorial Army soldier who was on leave was shot dead by two terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir.

India: Off-duty soldier shot dead in Kashmir

Volunteers from across Jammu & Kashmir descended on Dal Lake to remove the layer of Lily weeds that threaten the lake's ecological balance.

South Asia Diary: Campaign to clean Kashmir's Dal Lake

The impact of global warming across the world is increasingly evident over these passing years. In India's Jammu & Kashmir, Srinagar has witnessed extremes of cold and heat in a span of less than a month time. WION brings you a report.

WION Fineprint: Jammu & Kashmir feel the effects of extreme climate change

The European Union envoy to India Ugo Astuto has spoken exclusively to WION post the 2-day visit of 24 foreign envoys to Jammu & Kashmir. Astuto has termed his visit to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir an "opportunity" to see the "situation on the ground" and during his interaction taken note of the recent district development council (DDC) elections and resumption of the 4G high-speed internet.

Exclusive: J&K visit an opportunity to see ground situation: EU Envoy

Two policemen died after being shot at close range by a terrorist in Srinagar. The incident, the second such in three days, was captured on CCTV cameras located in the area.

Two policemen shot dead at terror attack in Srinagar, India

On their second and last day of the visit to Jammu & Kashmir, India the Union Territories Lt Governor interacted with the foreign envoys. The envoys also visited the High Court of Jammu.

WION Dispatch: Last day of foreign envoys Jammu & Kashmir visit

A group of foreign envoys are on a two-day visit to Jammu & Kashmir, India. The envoys met the mayor of Srinagar Junaid Mattu who said the delegation acknowledged that Jammu-Kashmir had free & fair DDC elections and it is the biggest example of a powerful democracy.

Jammu-Kashmir: Foreign envoys met the mayor of Srinagar

A group of foreign envoys has arrived in Srinagar on a two-day visit to Jammu & Kashmir, India. The visit follows the country's move to restore 4G mobile internet services in J&K 18 months after the amendment of Article 370.

WION Dispatch: Foreign envoys on a visit to Jammu & Kashmir

After 18 months India restores the 4G internet services in the entire Jammu and Kashmir. According to reports, 4G internet has finally been restored after it was suspended in August 2019 when India revoke Article 370 in the state. This will be remembered as the world's longest-running internet shutdown in any democratic nation anywhere around the World.

4G internet has finally been restored in the entire Jammu and Kashmir region

India on Sunday rejected the criticism of its Jammu & Kashmir policy by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The Ministry of External Affairs hinted at Pakistan and said that OIC is being used by that country for its campaign against India.

India rejects 'unwarranted' claims to Jammu & Kashmir in OIC resolutions

In the rare occurrence, Indian PM Narendra Modi tweeted about the killing of Pakistani terrorists in the Nagrota region of Jammu & Kashmir. The significance tweet comes on the back of high level meets shared by PM which revealed that the plot was much bigger.

Nagrota Encounter: PM Modi's rare tweet on anti-terror operation

Security forces have rescued 10 people, including two women and a child after they were trapped in heavy snowfall at high altitude Sinthan pass in Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesperson said Monday.

The rescue operation was carried out late Sunday night after information was received about a group of civilians stranded at Sinthan pass that connects Kishtwar district of Jammu region with Kashmir's Anantnag, he said.

The rescue team, comprising army and police personnel, walked for five hours along the National Highway 244 in zero visibility conditions during the night and brought the stranded people to Sinthan ground where they were provided with food and shelter, the spokesperson said.

Security forces have rescued 10 people, including two women and a child after they were trapped in heavy snowfall at high altitude Sinthan pass in Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesperson said Monday.

Security forces have rescued 10 people, including two women and a child after they were trapped in heavy snowfall at high altitude Sinthan pass in Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesperson said Monday. The rescue operation was carried out late Sunday night after information was received about a group of civilians stranded at Sinthan pass that connects Kishtwar district of Jammu region with Kashmir's Anantnag, he said. The rescue team, comprising army and police personnel, walked for five hours along the National Highway 244 in zero visibility conditions during the night and brought the stranded people to Sinthan ground where they were provided with food and shelter, the spokesperson said.

Ten people trapped in snowfall in J&K recused

A young engineer in Kashmir valley is trying to re-engineer pottery by giving it a modern look to restart the halted wheels of traditional potters. Saima Shafi is a civil engineer by the day and a potter by the evening. At her small studio in Srinagar, she tries to make kitchen items out of clay to raise awareness among the traditional potters of the valley.&nbsp;

She feels potters have been looked down upon over the years and with time many have left the profession owing to the modern kitchen culture and limited sales. Perusing her passion after completing her engineering and with a government job in hand, Saima went to Bengaluru, the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka chasing her love for pottery.&nbsp;

"Through online platform and media, I'm trying to let traditional potters know that there are modern techniques to pottery which we can have at the international and national level. This sector will have an economic boom by these methods," says Saima Shafi.

Now, she regularly meeting traditional potters to teach them new techniques, make them familiar with modern tools, and bring a sense of pride in them for their art. For years, authors have written the obituary of pottery in Kashmir but if this goes right for her, she may very well prove them wrong.&nbsp;

Her products include modern unearth pots, cups, plates, and other decorative items. Saima likes to call herself a 'Kralkoor,' meaning 'potter girl' rather than an engineer. She now wishes to increase the income of potters to give them a decent living.&nbsp;

A young engineer in Kashmir valley is trying to re-engineer pottery by giving it a modern look to restart the halted wheels of traditional potters. Saima Shafi is a civil engineer by the day and a potter by the evening.

A young engineer in Kashmir valley is trying to re-engineer pottery by giving it a modern look to restart the halted wheels of traditional potters. Saima Shafi is a civil engineer by the day and a potter by the evening. At her small studio in Srinagar, she tries to make kitchen items out of clay to raise awareness among the traditional potters of the valley. She feels potters have been looked down upon over the years and with time many have left the profession owing to the modern kitchen culture and limited sales. Perusing her passion after completing her engineering and with a government job in hand, Saima went to Bengaluru, the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka chasing her love for pottery. "Through online platform and media, I'm trying to let traditional potters know that there are modern techniques to pottery which we can have at the international and national level. This sector will have an economic boom by these methods," says Saima Shafi. Now, she regularly meeting traditional potters to teach them new techniques, make them familiar with modern tools, and bring a sense of pride in them for their art. For years, authors have written the obituary of pottery in Kashmir but if this goes right for her, she may very well prove them wrong. Her products include modern unearth pots, cups, plates, and other decorative items. Saima likes to call herself a 'Kralkoor,' meaning 'potter girl' rather than an engineer. She now wishes to increase the income of potters to give them a decent living.

Engineer-turned-potter tries to re-engineer pottery in Kashmir

In October 1947 a militia of thousands of Pashtun tribesmen invaded the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir. The invasion ignited the first India - Pakistan War, traumatised Kashmiri society, and set a precedent for the use of non-state actors by Pakistan to foment unrest in Kashmir that continues today. A special, two-part series by WION on this little-known but definitive event in the history of the subcontinent.

Kashmir 1947: Anatomy of an invasion

After twitter showed paths of Leh & Jammu-Kashmir to be in the People's Republic of China, the Indian govt has pulled up social media platform twitter for disrespecting the sovereignty & integrity of the country.

News Alert: Indian govt warns twitter, 'Don't disrespect sovereignty of India'

The Border Security Force (BSF) has detected a tunnel just beneath the India-Pakistan International Border fence in Jammu. The tunnel has a depth of about 25 feet at the opening.

Tunnel covered with sandbags found near border fence in Jammu

Jammu city will soon get a new landmark that will put in focus and highlight Dogra rule in the region. The mega mulitmedia project worth Rs 10 crore is set to be established by September end.&nbsp;

Chamandeep, engineer from Tourism Department of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, who is executing the project told WION, "The history of Dogra rule will be the focus in the light and sound video show."

As many as 400 people can watch the show the show -- to be broadcast in Hindi at the Bagh E Bahu, near the historic Bahu fort that over looks the city of Jammu. It will last for 30 minutes.

Legend has it that the Bahu fort is located at the spot from where Raja Jambulochan of Agnigarbha Sooryvanshi Dynasty founded his kingdom. Jammu is named after him and his son Raja Bahulochan who expanded his father's legacy built the Bahu fort and Bagh-e-Bahu.

The fort has a famous temple -- Babe wali mata ka Mandir. In 8th century, an idol of Kali was brought from Ayodhya and sanctified in the temple.

Since the removal of special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation into two union territories, the focus has been to increase development in the regions that were neglected.

Infact just last month, the then Lt Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu, inaugurated Jammu ropeway project section II,&nbsp;connecting Bahu to Mahamaya --&nbsp;two key locations of the city.

The project, however, is still not open to public due to the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

Rakesh Bhat of Jammu Ropeway project told WION, "Local tourism will get a filip and the project connects three important and ancient temples of Jammu." He expects 4,000 tourists per day to use the ropeway project. 
&nbsp;

Jammu city will soon get a new landmark that will put in focus and highlight Dogra rule in the region. The mega mulitmedia project worth Rs 10 crore is set to be established by September end.

Jammu city will soon get a new landmark that will put in focus and highlight Dogra rule in the region. The mega mulitmedia project worth Rs 10 crore is set to be established by September end. Chamandeep, engineer from Tourism Department of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, who is executing the project told WION, "The history of Dogra rule will be the focus in the light and sound video show." As many as 400 people can watch the show the show -- to be broadcast in Hindi at the Bagh E Bahu, near the historic Bahu fort that over looks the city of Jammu. It will last for 30 minutes. Legend has it that the Bahu fort is located at the spot from where Raja Jambulochan of Agnigarbha Sooryvanshi Dynasty founded his kingdom. Jammu is named after him and his son Raja Bahulochan who expanded his father's legacy built the Bahu fort and Bagh-e-Bahu. The fort has a famous temple -- Babe wali mata ka Mandir. In 8th century, an idol of Kali was brought from Ayodhya and sanctified in the temple. Since the removal of special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation into two union territories, the focus has been to increase development in the regions that were neglected. Infact just last month, the then Lt Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu, inaugurated Jammu ropeway project section II, connecting Bahu to Mahamaya -- two key locations of the city. The project, however, is still not open to public due to the coronavirus pandemic. Rakesh Bhat of Jammu Ropeway project told WION, "Local tourism will get a filip and the project connects three important and ancient temples of Jammu." He expects 4,000 tourists per day to use the ropeway project.

History of Dogra to be highlighted in a mega multimedia show overlooking Jammu city

The ongoing encounter between security forces and terrorists has entered the second day as gunfire resumed this morning after lull throughout the night and amid a tight cordon around the area.&nbsp;

Yesterday, after terrorists attacked a joint team of J&amp;K police and CRPF and killed one cop and two paramilitary men, an operation was launched to trace the fleeing terrorists with the help of sniffer dogs in Kreeri village of Baramulla district in north Kashmir.&nbsp;

Three terrorists were neutralized till the sunset and operation were halted due to darkness but with the break of dawn, the firefight resumed and is ongoing since then. 
 
An Indian army soldier lost his life while clashing with the hiding terrorists while another is being treated at an army hospital.&nbsp;

Security forces believe that more terrorists are hiding in the area who were traced after they left their clothes and backpack behind following with sniffer dogs were successful in tracing them.&nbsp;

Director-General of J&amp;K police, Dilbag Singh, while addressing a press conference in Srinagar claimed to have achieved a major success by killing a top local Lashkar-e-Toiba commander Sajad Ahmad Mir Alais Haider, a resident of Brath Kalan area of Sopore in Baramulla district.&nbsp; 
“He was the number one terrorist in north Kashmir and among the top 10 in Kashmir valley,” Dilbag said.&nbsp;

Police says Sajad had a history of terror crime starting 2016 when he joins the ranks and was the mastermind behind the killing of a BJP leader and two other members, who were from the same family in Bandipora district last month.

The ongoing encounter between security forces and terrorists has entered the second day as gunfire resumed this morning after lull throughout the night and amid a tight cordon around the area.

The ongoing encounter between security forces and terrorists has entered the second day as gunfire resumed this morning after lull throughout the night and amid a tight cordon around the area. Yesterday, after terrorists attacked a joint team of J&K police and CRPF and killed one cop and two paramilitary men, an operation was launched to trace the fleeing terrorists with the help of sniffer dogs in Kreeri village of Baramulla district in north Kashmir. Three terrorists were neutralized till the sunset and operation were halted due to darkness but with the break of dawn, the firefight resumed and is ongoing since then. An Indian army soldier lost his life while clashing with the hiding terrorists while another is being treated at an army hospital. Security forces believe that more terrorists are hiding in the area who were traced after they left their clothes and backpack behind following with sniffer dogs were successful in tracing them. Director-General of J&K police, Dilbag Singh, while addressing a press conference in Srinagar claimed to have achieved a major success by killing a top local Lashkar-e-Toiba commander Sajad Ahmad Mir Alais Haider, a resident of Brath Kalan area of Sopore in Baramulla district. “He was the number one terrorist in north Kashmir and among the top 10 in Kashmir valley,” Dilbag said. Police says Sajad had a history of terror crime starting 2016 when he joins the ranks and was the mastermind behind the killing of a BJP leader and two other members, who were from the same family in Bandipora district last month.

Three terrorists, four security force personnel killed as Kashmir encounter enters second day

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