Omar Abdullah: News
Omar Abdullah is a senior political leader of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) and former Chief Minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir. He is the son of Farooq Abdullah, who himself was a three-time former CM of the state. He started his political career at the age of 28 with his election to the Lok Sabha in 1998 from the Srinagar constituency. He was re-elected in the 1999 General Elections and served as the Union Minister of State (MoS) for Commerce & Industry (1999-2001) as well as External Affairs (2001-02) in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. In 2002, Abdullah succeeded his father as the President of the JKNC and resigned from his duties in the Union Government. His party and INC came to power in an alliance after the 2008 J&K assembly elections, with Abdullah being sworn in as the Chief Minister in January 2009. He served in this position till 2014, when the next elections were held, and the PDP-BJP alliance assumed power in 2015. In August 2019, when the special status and statehood of J&K was revoked by the Central government, Abdullah was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) for nearly nine months.
'Why should...I:' Omar opposes sending surplus Indus water to Punjab
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has opposed the construction of a canal to divert excess water from three western rivers of the Indus system.
1,000 students to return as Iran opens airspace for India
Another 1,000 Indian students will return to Delhi on Friday from conflict-torn Iran after the country agreed to open its airspace to aid the return of students, NDTV reported.
Iran student returnees flag poor bus condition; Omar Abdullah responds
Indian students evacuated from conflict-hit Iran thanked the government for their safe return but complained about the poor condition of buses provided by the Jammu and Kashmir government.
Iran-Israel conflict: Indian students in Tehran being moved to Qom
Indian students in Tehran are being moved to the city of Qom as tensions rise between Israel and Iran.
Restore statehood, Omar Abdullah tells Modi during Vande Bharat launch
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called for the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory.
'Article 370 gave impression that Kashmir was separate': Salman Khurshid
Congress leader Salman Khurshid has praised the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir during a diplomatic visit to Indonesia.
'Terror won't stop tourism in Kashmir': Omar Abdullah in Pahalgam
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah held a special Cabinet meeting in Pahalgam, the picturesque town that was hit by a deadly terror attack last month, on Tuesday.
'Rise above gutter': Abdullah, Mufti spar over Tulbul Navigation Project
A fierce debate has erupted between Jammu and Kashmir leaders Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti over the "revival" of the Tulbul Navigation Project.
IMF's $1B Pakistan bailout sparks anger in India
India's abstention from the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) vote has been noted amid concerns and criticism in India regarding the IMF's decision.
J&K CM mourns death of officer killed in Pakistan shelling
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed condolences over the death of Rajouri Additional District Development Commissioner Raj Kumar Thapa. The officer was reportedly killed in shelling by Pakistan.
26 Indian locations targeted by Pakistan in fresh drone attack
In a major escalation of hostilities, Pakistan carried out drone attacks on 26 locations stretching from Baramulla, Kashmir, to Bhuj in the south, along both the international border and the line of control, defense sources told ANI.
BSF foils major infiltration bid in J&K, kills 7 terrorists
The Border Security Force (BSF) foiled a major infiltration attempt along the International Border in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir in the early hours of Friday.
'Pahalgam attack united all...it's beginning of end of terror': Omar
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that every part of the country, from north to south and from east to west, came together to condemn the heinous Pahalgam attack.
Encounter underway in Kulgam, day after terror attack killed 26
A major gunfight has broken out in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir, a day after a terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26.
Pahalgam attacker seen wielding AK-47 in first photo
A picture of one of the terrorists involved in the horrific attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam has surfaced.
Top Lashkar commander behind Pahalgam attack that killed 26
At least 26 people, including two foreign nationals, were killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.
Designer apologizes for 'obscene' fashion show during Ramadan in J&K
The organizers of a fashion show in Jammu and Kashmir have apologized following criticism that the event was "outrageous" and "obscene."
J&K teens go missing days after 3 locals found dead
Two teenagers, Mohammad Din and Rehman Ali, have gone missing from the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.
PM Modi nominates 10 prominent personalities to campaign against obesity
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a campaign to fight obesity in India, specifically by cutting down on edible oil consumption.
Srinagar's Jamia Masjid closed on Shab-e-Baraat, worshippers asked to leave
The Jammu and Kashmir Police imposed restrictions on congregational prayers at Srinagar's historic Jamia Masjid on Shab-e-Baraat, a holy night in the Islamic calendar.
'Aryabhatta discovered number of seats Congress won': Memes flood internet
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won the 2025 Delhi assembly elections, ending the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) decade-long rule.
'Aur lado...': Abdullah's dig at AAP-Congress as BJP surges ahead
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took a jibe at the opposition as early trends in the Delhi Assembly elections showed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress trailing behind the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Union minister reveals reason behind 17 mysterious deaths in Rajouri
Union Minister Jitendra Singh has said that the unidentified disease, which has claimed 17 lives and affected 38 others in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir since December 2024, is caused by a toxin.
'Credit goes to you': Omar Abdullah praises PM Modi
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his work in the region.
What's special about J&K's newly inaugurated 6.5-km Z-Morh Tunnel
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Z-Morh Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district on Monday.
PM Modi to inaugurate Z-Morh tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Z-Morh tunnel in Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.
After Omar criticism of INDIA, Raut questions MVA relevance
The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance is reeling from internal discord after its recent assembly election defeat.
'Disband INDIA if over': Omar Abdullah amid AAP, Congress fight
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called out the lack of unity within the opposition bloc after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress decided to contest separately in the Delhi assembly polls.
Behind cheer of snowfall: Record cold, frozen pipes in Kashmir
Kashmir is reeling under an unprecedentedly harsh winter, with temperatures hitting record lows.
4 soldiers killed as vehicle falls into gorge in J&K
Four Indian Army soldiers were killed after their truck skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district on Saturday.
Uttarakhand: Bus falls into 100m ditch, several injured
A roadways bus plunged into a 100-meter deep ditch in Bhimtal, Uttarakhand on Wednesday.
Row over J&K government's approval of ₹3cr for Omar's SUVs
The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved a budget of ₹3.04 crore to buy eight Toyota Fortuner vehicles.
J&K: 5 terrorists killed in encounter, 2 soldiers injured
Five terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in the Kadder area of Behibagh, Kulgam district, Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.
'Check facts': Congress after Abdullah says stop 'complaining about EVMs'
Congress MP Manickam Tagore has hit back at Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah after the latter slammed the grand old party's flip-flop on electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Omar Abdullah calls out Congress's hypocrisy regarding EVM charge
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has slammed the Congress party's opposition to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
BJP threatens setting up parallel government in J&K
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) threatened to form a parallel government in Jammu and Kashmir if Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather continues with actions, which it claims, threaten the "nation's sovereignty and integrity."
Video: Ruckus in J&K Assembly over Article 370 banner
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in Srinagar was adjourned briefly on Thursday after a ruckus erupted over the display of a banner supporting Article 370.
How biscuits helped eliminate top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander in Kashmir
In a recent anti-terror operation in Khanyar, Jammu and Kashmir, security forces neutralized Usman, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander.
J&K Assembly's first session sees chaos over Article 370
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly met for its first session in six years on Monday, November 4.
'Terrorists shouldn't be killed...but captured,' says Farooq Abdullah; ignites debate
Farooq Abdullah, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference leader, has sparked a controversy with his latest remarks on counter-terrorism strategies.
J&K: 1 killed in counter-terror ops after Army convoy attacked
A terrorist was gunned down in counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir's Akhnoor sector on Monday.
'Will sacrifice my life': Engineer Rashid before surrendering at Tihar
Engineer Rashid, the Lok Sabha MP from North Kashmir's Baramulla, surrendered at Tihar Jail on Monday.
19 killed in 2 weeks: J&K terror attacks spread fear
Jammu and Kashmir has been rocked by a spate of terror attacks, which have left 19 people dead in just 15 days.
Shah, Omar meet in Delhi; J&K statehood restoration discussed: Report
The Union government is said to be considering restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, five years after it was reorganized into two Union Territories.
Major anti-terror operation dismantles new terror group in J&K
A major anti-terror operation was conducted on Tuesday across Jammu and Kashmir.
'Militants are...': Omar receives flak for not using 'terrorists'
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been slammed for his choice of words after migrant laborers were attacked in Ganderbal.
Pakistan-based LeT offshoot claims J&K attack that killed 7: Report
The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has taken responsibility for the recent attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district, which left a doctor and six migrant workers dead, India Today TV reported.
5 migrant workers, doctor shot dead by terrorists in J&K
A deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district has resulted in the deaths of five migrant workers and a doctor, NDTV reported.
J&K L-G approves new Cabinet resolution for restoration of statehood
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has approved a resolution passed by the cabinet led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, urging the central government to restore statehood to the Union Territory (UT).
Omar Abdullah's cabinet passes resolution for J&K statehood restoration
The newly formed Jammu and Kashmir cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has passed a resolution asking the central government to restore statehood to the region.
Probe against MLA for sitting during National Anthem, he says...
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has launched an investigation into Hilal Akbar Lone, a National Conference MLA from Sonawari.
SC agrees to hear plea seeking restoration of J&K statehood
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea seeking time-bound restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
'No green corridor...stick-waving': Omar Abdullah's 1st order as J&K CM
Omar Abdullah, in his first decision as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, chose public convenience over protocol.
'We'll work closely': Modi congratulates new J&K CM Omar Abdullah
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Omar Abdullah, the newly sworn-in Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.
Omar Abdullah takes oath as J&K chief minister
Omar Abdullah took oath as the first chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir since it was reconstituted as a Union Territory in 2019.
'My support...': L-G Manoj Sinha ahead of Omar Abdullah's swearing-in
Omar Abdullah will be sworn in as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.
Congress to support Omar Abdullah's government from outside: Report
The Congress has decided against joining the new Jammu and Kashmir government to be headed by Chief Minister-elect Omar Abdullah, NDTV reported.
J&K: SC declines to hear plea challenging LG's nomination powers
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a petition challenging the Lieutenant Governor's (LG) power to nominate five members to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
President's rule revoked in J&K, paves way for Abdullah's government
The President's rule has been revoked in Jammu and Kashmir, clearing the way for a new government under National Conference leader Omar Abdullah.
J&K: 4 Independent MLAs' support helps NC cross majority
Four Independent MLAs have pledged their support to the National Conference (NC)—boosting the party's strength in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to 46 members.
J&K: Omar chosen legislature party chairman; set to become CM
National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday announced that his son, Omar Abdullah, has been elected as the chairman of the Legislature Party.
'Foolish' to expect Article 370 restoration from BJP: Omar Abdullah
National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah has said that hoping the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—the party that scrapped Article 370—to restore it is "foolish."
Omar will be J&K CM: Farooq amid NC's strong showing
National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah has announced that his son, Omar Abdullah, will be the next chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
'Respect mandate, no jugaad...': Omar to BJP amid voting counting
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday urged all political parties to respect the people's mandate in the ongoing assembly elections.
J&K polls: Omar Abdullah leads from Ganderbal in early trends
As early trends started trickling in for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, National Conference (NC) vice president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was leading from the Ganderbal constituency in Central Kashmir.
J&K phase 2 polling concludes: Only 54% voter turnout recorded
The second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections on Wednesday saw a voter turnout of 54%, according to the Election Commission data.
J&K polls: Centre to take foreign diplomat delegation to Srinagar
In a bid to highlight the democratic transition in Jammu and Kashmir, the central government is set to escort a group of foreign diplomats to observe the second phase of polling.
J&K polls: Phase 2 begins, Omar Abdullah among key candidates
The second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections began on Wednesday.
'Decide whom to blame for terrorism': Omar Abdullah to Shah
National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah on Saturday responded to Home Minister Amit Shah's accusations that the Gandhis, Muftis, and Abdullahs were responsible for terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
'BJP should be thanking Omar Abdullah,' says Mehbooba; her reason...
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be grateful to the Sheikh family, particularly Sheikh Abdullah, for their pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir's accession to India.
'Will fight Modi's Naya Kashmir narrative': Engineer Rashid after bail
Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid has pledged to fight Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Naya Kashmir" narrative and prioritize the welfare of his people.
'PoK residents should join India': Rajnath Singh in J&K
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday urged the residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to consider joining India.
Government summons Netflix India head over 'IC 814' controversy
The Indian government has reportedly summoned the content head of Netflix India, Monika Shergill, over the controversy surrounding the web series IC 814 - The Kandahar Hijack.
J&K polls: BJP withdraws first list of candidates
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has withdrawn its initial list of 44 candidates for the upcoming three-phase Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
Congress sends top leaders to J&K over seat-sharing dispute with NC
The Congress has dispatched two of its senior leaders, KC Venugopal and Salman Khurshid, to Srinagar.
Centre amends J&K Reorganization Act, increases lieutenant governor's powers
The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has amended the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019 to effectively increase the powers of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.