Assam Ranks Among Top States for GST Growth in June

Amarnath Yatra: 4,800 pilgrims depart in third batch after 12,000 visit on day one

The Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage is underway with thousands of devotees making their way to the sacred cave shrine in Jammu & Kashmir. On Saturday, a third batch of 4,812 pilgrims set off from the Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu. The pilgrimage had a strong start, with more than 12,000 devotees offering prayers on the opening day. Authorities have made advance registration mandatory for all pilgrims wishing to undertake the yatra. Helicopter services remain suspended along the route following a no-fly zone declaration in the area.

AAI Cancels Srinagar Airport Closure Plans, Omar Abdullah Welcomes Decision

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has withdrawn its plans to shut down Srinagar airport, which had included Monday-Tuesday closures and a full shutdown from October 1–16. The closures were originally proposed by the Indian Air Force to carry out runway repair work. Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah thanked the central government for its swift intervention in reversing the decision. Abdullah emphasized that uninterrupted air connectivity is critical for the region's tourism sector and overall economy. The move is seen as particularly significant given that the cancellations coincide with the peak holiday season.

PoK Man Who Crossed LoC to Meet Girlfriend Acquitted, Sent Back Home

Zeeshan Mir, a young man from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, crossed the Line of Control into the Kashmir Valley to meet a woman he loved, Iram Bano. He was detained by authorities following the border crossing but was later acquitted by a court in Uri. The court concluded that Mir's act was driven by personal and romantic intent rather than any infiltration motive. The two families, who share cross-border ties, arranged a brief meeting between the couple before Mir was handed back. Both families have expressed hope that the two may eventually be united.

Narendra Modi greets Donald Trump, people of US on 250th anniversary of independence