The minimum temperature dropped across most parts of the Kashmir valley as the region braces for spells of rain and snowfall later this week, raising the possibility of the first snowfall in the plains this winter, officials said on Tuesday.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius on Monday night, down from minus 1.2 degrees Celsius the previous night.

The tourist resort of Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district was the coldest place in the valley, registering a low of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius. In south Kashmir, Shopian and Pulwama towns recorded minimum temperatures of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius and minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, respectively.

The famous tourist destination of Pahalgam, which also serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, a sharp drop from minus 1.8 degrees Celsius the previous night.

Meanwhile, the ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded a low of minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, nearly two degrees lower than the previous night.

Other places in the valley also witnessed sub-zero temperatures, with Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recording minus 2.3 degrees Celsius, Kokernag minus 0.6 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, officials said.

The Kashmir valley is currently experiencing ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, the harshest 40-day winter period, during which temperatures often plunge several degrees below the freezing point and the likelihood of snowfall remains high. The period began on December 21 and will end on January 30.

While the higher reaches of the valley have already received several spells of snowfall, the plains, including Srinagar, have remained snowless so far this winter. However, the Meteorological Department has forecast the possibility of snowfall in the plains during the ongoing week.

According to the Met Office, two western disturbances are likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir in quick succession from January 22 to 24 and again from January 26 to 28.

Under the influence of these systems, widespread light to moderate rain and snowfall is expected across the region, with heavy snowfall at isolated places. The main spell of weather activity is likely on January 23 and January 27, officials said.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday inaugurated the redeveloped Amira Kadal Bridge in Srinagar, describing it as a symbol of the city’s blend of heritage and modern infrastructure under the Srinagar Smart City Project.

Speaking to reporters after the inauguration, the Lieutenant Governor said the historic bridge—among the oldest in the city—has been completely rebuilt and equipped with modern amenities to enhance pedestrian convenience.

“The Amira Kadal Bridge, reconstructed under the Smart City initiative, reflects our commitment to integrating Srinagar’s rich heritage with contemporary civic facilities,” Sinha said.

He added that the project is aimed at creating vibrant public spaces and reconnecting Srinagar’s historic core with modern urban life. “Through such initiatives, the traditional charm and the old connection between Srinagar and Shehr-e-Khaas will be revived,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Officials said the redeveloped bridge features smart lighting, seating areas and improved pedestrian pathways, making it a key cultural and pedestrian landmark linking Lal Chowk with adjoining markets along the Jhelum riverfront.

A massive search operation to flush out terrorists in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district entered its third day on Tuesday, with security forces detaining several individuals for questioning, officials said.

The operation was launched on Sunday in Sonnar village near Mandral-Singhpora in the Chatroo belt, following intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area. The operation led to a gunfight, in which one Special Forces paratrooper, Havildar Gajendra Singh, was killed, while seven other personnel sustained injuries, mostly due to splinter wounds caused by a sudden grenade attack by the hiding terrorists.

Although the terrorists managed to escape into the dense forest, security forces busted a well-fortified hideout stocked with a large quantity of winter supplies, including eatables, blankets and utensils, sufficient to sustain at least four persons during the harsh winter months.

Senior officers, including Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti, and Inspector General of CRPF (Jammu), R Gopala Krishna Rao, reached the encounter site and are camping in the area along with senior Army officers to supervise the ongoing operation.

Meanwhile, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at Satwari in Jammu on Tuesday morning to pay tributes to the slain Special Forces commando. The ceremony was led by Brigadier Yudhvir Singh Sekhon, Officiating Chief of Staff, White Knight Corps, following which the mortal remains were sent to his hometown in Uttarakhand for the last rites.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jammu–Kathua–Samba range, Shiv Kumar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Rakesh Minhas, and senior officers of the Army, Police, CRPF and BSF attended the ceremony.

Officials said that on Monday afternoon, several individuals were taken in for questioning in connection with the busted hideout, located at an altitude of over 12,000 feet. Security forces are working to identify overground workers (OGWs) who allegedly assisted the terrorists in procuring and transporting large quantities of rations, pulses, utensils and other supplies.

In a post on X, the Army’s White Knight Corps said Operation Trashi-I is continuing in the Chatroo area.

“The cordon has been further tightened with search operations expanded. Troops of the corps, along with Police and CRPF, remain deployed to dominate the area,” the Army said.

Multiple teams of the Army, police and paramilitary forces, aided by drones and sniffer dogs, are combing the area despite challenging terrain, thick vegetation and steep slopes that continue to hamper visibility and movement.

Officials said two to three terrorists, believed to be affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), are suspected to be hiding in the area. Security operations have been intensified across the Jammu region ahead of Republic Day, amid intelligence inputs about attempts by Pakistan-based handlers to infiltrate more terrorists into the region.

Sanjay Manhas, Chairman of the National Anti Terrorism and Peace Front, on Monday said that while the Indian Army is playing a vital role in protecting the country from terrorist activities along the borders, safeguarding the nation from internal threats requires collective responsibility and strong institutions.

In a press statement, Manhas said the armed forces have made immense sacrifices to ensure national security and have successfully countered cross-border terrorism, allowing citizens to live in peace.

However, he expressed concern over challenges emerging from within the country and questioned how the nation could protect itself from individuals and forces operating internally to weaken national unity and social harmony.

“External threats are being effectively handled by our army, but internal dangers such as extremism, divisive forces and anti-national activities cannot be addressed by the armed forces alone,” Manhas said.

He stressed that combating internal threats requires active participation from citizens, civil society, law enforcement agencies and democratic institutions. He added that unity, vigilance and adherence to constitutional values are essential to maintaining peace and stability within the country.

Manhas said national security is a shared responsibility and called upon citizens to support efforts aimed at strengthening harmony, peace and the rule of law.

Police on Monday arrested three alleged drug peddlers in two separate operations in Jammu and Kashmir and recovered a quantity of contraband, officials said.

In the first operation, two men were arrested in Shopian district from the Naghard Wachi area, and 58 grams of heroin was recovered from their possession, a police spokesperson said.

A case has been registered against the duo under relevant provisions of law, and further investigation is underway, the spokesperson added.

In a separate incident, police arrested another alleged drug peddler in Pulwama district and recovered a large quantity of contraband from him.

The accused was apprehended from the Nikloora area during routine checking by a police patrol team, the spokesperson said, adding that legal proceedings have been initiated in the case.