Kargil, January 9, 2026 – A moderate earthquake of magnitude 5.3 on the Richter scale was felt in Ladakh on Thursday night, as confirmed by the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). The tremor occurred at 2:44 AM, originating from a depth of 110 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface, classifying it as a deep-focus event.
The epicenter was located in Tajikistan at coordinates 38.26 degrees north latitude and 73.42 degrees east longitude. Residents in Leh and Kargil districts, along with surro...
Archive: January 2026
Kargil Friday Sermons Stress Social Duties, Cleanliness, and Traffic Order
VOL News Desk/ In Kargil, Friday sermons by Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust and Jamiat Ulama Asna Ashariya featured prominent scholars addressing social issues, cleanliness, and public welfare. Hujjatul Islam Sheikh Hamid Naseri, speaking at Masjid Imam, emphasized that aiding others—such as removing obstacles from roads—surpasses mere worship. He condemned roadside littering and dumping garbage, particularly between Iqbal Bridge and Andoo, as a social evil contrary to Islamic teachings, and ur...
Educational Exposure Tour: PM Shri HSS Pashkum Students Explore India’s Historic Sites
Kargil, January 09, 2026/ VOL News Desk/ In a significant initiative to enhance experiential learning, 80 students and four faculty members from PM Shri Higher Secondary School (HSS) Pashkum in Kargil have embarked on an exposure tour to various historic places across India. This enriching journey aims to provide participants with firsthand insights into the nation’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
The school extends its heartfelt gratitude to Hon’ble Commissioner Smt. Bhanu Parba Ji,...
Directorate of Industries & Commerce, UT Ladakh signs MoU to strengthen PM Vishwakarma Implementation
Leh, Ladakh/ VOL News Desk/ The Directorate of Industries & Commerce, Union Territory of Ladakh, signed a Non-Financial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Firgun Social Initiative Foundation to support market-driven capacity building of beneficiaries under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme in the districts of Leh and Kargil.
The MoU was signed by Sh. Mohd Ashraf Bhatt, JKAS, Director, Industries & Commerce, UT Ladakh, in the presence of Sh. Shafiq Ahmad, JKAS, General Manager, DIC Kargil. The...
A Drug De-addiction Awareness Camp was organised at Islamia Public School
Leh, on 8 January 2026/VOL News Desk/ A Drug De-addiction Awareness Camp was organised at Islamia Public School to sensitise students, parents, and teachers about the growing problem of substance abuse in the district and its serious health and social consequences.
The programme was attended by Shri Ghulam Mohd, JKAS, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Leh, as the Chief Guest, along with Shri Shamim Ahmad, SHO Leh. Dr Padma Angmo, Head of the Psychiatry and De-addiction Department, SNM Hospi...
LG Secretariat bids adieu to CAO Gizala Shabnam
Leh, December 8/ VOL News Desk/ A solemn farewell party was organised at the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat to bid adieu to Chief Accounts Officer Smt Gizala Shabnam (2020 JKAS officer), who is proceeding to the Main Treasury Office. The occasion also marked the formal welcome of new Chief Accounts Officer Shri Tsewang Dorjey.
The Hon’ble Lt Governor Shri Kavinder Gupta felicitated the outgoing officer and appreciated her professionalism, sincerity and commitment to duty. He acknowledg...
Satellite Imagery and Strategic Signals Near Pangong Tso
VOL News Desk/ Recent satellite imagery from the Pangong Tso region in eastern, Ladakh suggests that the apparent calm along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) does not necessarily equate to strategic stability. While India and China continue diplomatic and military engagements following the 2020 standoff, developments on the ground indicate a steady consolidation of China’s military presence close to disengagement buffer zones.
High-resolution satellite images appear to show the construction o...
Empowering Ladakh Farmers: Training under MIDH Sponsored Project Unlocks Sustainable Farming at Basgo Village
Leh, January 8, 2026/ VOL News Desk/ A one-day training and awareness programme was organised today under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) at Basgo village by the School of Agriculture Science and Technology (SAS&T), University of Ladakh, Stakna Campus, in collaboration with KVK-Nyoma. The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of more than 50 farmers from the region.
The programme commenced with a detailed session by Dr. Phuntsog Tundup, Head, Krishi ...
Ashish Kundra chairs review meeting of Finance, Planning & Estate Departments in Leh
Leh, January 08, 2026/ VOL News Desk/ Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, today chaired a departmental review meeting of the Finance Department, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, and the Estate Department at Leh.
The meeting focused on financial planning, budgetary allocations, revenue augmentation strategies and institutional strengthening of key departments.
During the meeting, Ms. Kaneez Fatima, Joint Director, Finance Department, gave a ...
Delegation of Patwaris calls on Chief Secretary, Ladakh
Leh, January 08/ VOL News Desk/ A delegation of Patwaris serving in the Revenue Department of the Union Territory of Ladakh today called on the Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh, Shri Ashish Kundra, at the UT Secretariat, Leh.
During the meeting, the delegation submitted a representation highlighting several long-pending and critical issues affecting the Patwari cadre.
The delegation emphasized that Patwaris form the backbone of the Revenue Department at the grassroots level, shouldering key ...