Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today extended warm greetings to the Sikh community and all those celebrating the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

In his message, the Chief Minister paid rich tribute to the life and teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, describing him as a beacon of truth, courage, integrity and unwavering devotion to humanity.

He said that the Guru’s timeless ideals of sacrifice, righteousness and selfless service continue to inspire millions across the world and will remain a guiding light for generations to come.

On the auspicious occasion, the Chief Minister prayed for peace, prosperity and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir and expressed hope that the spirit of the day would further strengthen the bonds of unity, brotherhood and communal harmony among all sections of society.

After a sunny day, Gulmarg, its adjoining areas and other higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir received fresh snowfall this evening, even as the Kashmir Valley continued to reel under intense cold conditions with minimum temperatures remaining below freezing across the region.

In contrast, Jammu city and its surrounding plain areas, including Samba and Kathua, remained enveloped in dense fog, disrupting air, rail and road traffic. Poor visibility during the morning hours led to delays in flight operations at Jammu Airport. Officials said eight flights—five Indigo, two Air India Express and one Air India—were delayed due to fog. Visibility improved after around 11.30 am, following which flight operations resumed. A total of 30 flights operated from the airport during the day, with no cancellations or diversions reported.

Meanwhile, Gulmarg witnessed light snowfall in the evening, bringing cheer to tourists visiting the ski resort. About three inches of snow had accumulated till late evening, with snowfall continuing intermittently. However, the snowfall also led to traffic disruptions, with thousands of vehicles stranded on the Gulmarg–Tangmarg road due to skidding and traffic jams. Police and administration were engaged in clearing the congestion.

Snowfall was also reported from Tangmarg and Drung areas adjoining Gulmarg, while most other parts of the Valley remained dry during the day. Fresh snowfall was additionally reported from higher reaches of the Pir Panjal range and Seoj Dhar in Doda and Bhaderwah areas.

Tourist inflow remained high in several snowbound destinations. Visitors in Gulmarg and Drung expressed delight over the fresh snowfall, calling it a memorable experience. The tourist resort of Bhaderwah in the Jammu division also saw a large rush after the Border Roads Organisation cleared the Pathankot–Basohli–Bani–Bhaderwah road. Heavy tourist presence was reported at Guldanda and nearby scenic spots.

The Meteorological Department said light snowfall may continue in higher reaches, while plains are likely to remain dry for now.

Despite largely dry weather, cold conditions prevailed across the Union Territory. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.2°C and a maximum of 9.6°C. Qazigund recorded minus 4.0°C to 9.0°C, while Pahalgam recorded minus 4.0°C to 4.8°C. Gulmarg was the coldest place, recording a minimum of minus 6.5°C and a maximum of 1.0°C.

In Jammu region, Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 14.2°C and a minimum of 10.0°C. Katra recorded temperatures between 7.0°C and 13.6°C. Bhaderwah recorded minus 1.6°C to 10.5°C, Batote 1.9°C to 12.3°C, and Banihal minus 0.9°C. Other areas including Kishtwar, Doda, Rajouri, Udhampur and Reasi also recorded low night temperatures.

Jammu continued to remain under the grip of a cold wave, with fog limiting sunlight for most of the day. Vehicular movement was affected during morning hours, and train services were also impacted. Several trains, including the Vande Bharat and Uttar Sampark Kranti Express, arrived late at Jammu railway station due to fog, though most departures remained largely unaffected.

The region continues to experience harsh winter conditions as the 40-day peak winter period, Chilai Kalan, persists across the Valley.

Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, Nalin Prabhat on Wednesday conducted a comprehensive security review of major religious and heritage sites in Jammu to assess preparedness and existing security arrangements.

Prominent locations reviewed during the exercise included Raghunath Mandir, Bahu Fort and Tirupati Balaji Mandir. The review was conducted jointly with Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti, and Inspector General of Police, CRPF Jammu Sector, R Gopala Krishna Rao.

During the review, the officers emphasised the importance of robust multi-layered security, effective crowd management and enhanced use of technology to strengthen surveillance and situational awareness.

The DGP and accompanying officers interacted with personnel deployed at the sites and issued directions to further tighten security, address potential vulnerabilities and ensure seamless coordination among the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, ITBP and other security agencies.

Reiterating the commitment of all security agencies to maintaining peace and security, the DGP stressed the need for proactive planning and regular security assessments.

The review was attended by Deputy Inspector General, JSK Range, Shiv Kumar Sharma; SSP Jammu, Joginder Singh; SSP Security, Rajesh Sharma; SP PC Jammu, Kameshwar Puri; SP South, Ajay Sharma, along with senior officers of the CRPF and ITBP.

National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday strongly condemned attacks on Kashmiris in other States, comparing the perpetrators to extremists and asserting that such ideology has no future.

Speaking to reporters, Abdullah said there are elements whose intentions are divisive and dangerous. Drawing a comparison with Nazi ideology, he said such extremist thinking ultimately collapses, just as Nazism did in history. He expressed confidence that forces spreading hatred would also meet a similar fate.

The NC president also called for improved relations with neighbouring countries, saying peace and friendship are essential to overcome present challenges. “I pray to God that we become friends with our neighbours and come out of these difficulties,” he said.

Referring to the recent death of Khalid Zia, Abdullah welcomed the presence of India’s External Affairs Minister at the event, describing Bangladesh as a longstanding friend of India and stressing the need to further strengthen bilateral ties.

Responding to a query on the translation of the Indian Constitution into Kashmiri, Abdullah clarified that the Constitution had already been translated into the Kashmiri language several years ago.

On the eve of New Year 2026, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah extended warm greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Both leaders expressed their wishes for the citizens’ happiness, prosperity, and overall progress in the coming year.

In a heartfelt message, Manoj Sinha reflected on how the New Year brings renewed hopes and opportunities. He called upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir to work collaboratively towards building a healthier society. Emphasising the importance of national progress, he urged everyone to dedicate their efforts to the welfare of Bharat. Sinha highlighted that unity and determination are essential to overcoming future challenges. He prayed that the New Year brings joy and prosperity to all citizens of the Union Territory.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah echoed these sentiments, wishing the people of Jammu and Kashmir a year filled with peace, prosperity, and good health. He expressed hope that the New Year would create pathways for optimism and harmony throughout the region.

In his message, Abdullah stated that the occasion serves as a reminder to reflect on the shared aspirations of the community. He reiterated the need for a collective commitment to foster an inclusive and resilient Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Minister emphasised that every citizen plays a vital role in shaping a brighter future.

Abdullah called particularly on the youth of the region to contribute positively towards peace and sustainable growth. He urged them to actively engage in initiatives that promote stability and foster connections among the diverse communities of J&K. With a vision for a prosperous year ahead, he prayed that 2026 would bring economic growth and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among the people.

Both leaders have sparked a wave of optimism as Jammu and Kashmir prepares to welcome the New Year. Their messages reflect a deep understanding of the region’s challenges and a commitment to driving forward its development.

In embracing the New Year, Sinha and Abdullah inspire the citizens to envision a future full of potential and purpose. As families come together to celebrate, their greetings set a hopeful tone for the future of Jammu and Kashmir.