Kashmir Valley Research Articles

Evaluation of disaster preparedness in educational infrastructure of remote geographies using Analytical Hierarchy process

This research paper assesses the disaster preparedness of educational infrastructure in Central Kashmir, employing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology. Its primary objective is to gauge the preparedness level of educational institutions and identify crucial factors influencing their capacity to effectively mitigate and respond to disasters. The study utilized a sample of 620 institutions, comprising 340 government and 280 private institutions, with 1240 respondents selected via stratified random sampling across Budgam, Srinagar, and Ganderbal areas of Central Kashmir. Results reveal that 73 % of the surveyed institutions in the region lack preparedness, while only 27 % demonstrate >50 < 100 % preparedness for handling multiple disaster scenarios. Notably, private institutions exhibit significantly higher individual disaster preparedness compared to their counterparts in government institutions. Additionally, the study identifies earthquakes as the primary concern, with fires, floods, and landslides perceived to have a comparatively lesser impact on individuals’ perception and awareness. These findings offer critical insights into the gaps and challenges within disaster preparedness in remote areas such as the Valley of Kashmir. This paper serves as a foundation for crafting targeted strategies aimed at bolstering the resilience of educational infrastructure throughout the region.

COVID-19, Internet and Education: Loss of a Generation

Various international instruments and municipal laws have reiterated the importance of education as a basic human right in itself as well as a means to achieve other human rights. The Internet is the most useful tool that has revolutionized the entire system of education. All across the globe, the internet serves as a basic medium of sharing knowledge and research. In Jammu & Kashmir, however, we see a completely contrasting situation as it leads India’s internet shutdown statistics. The article aims to analyze the impact of the 7 months long lockdown and internet suspension in the region after the revocation of J&K’s constitution, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic, on the education of children in the region. Being the longest internet shutdown in the history of any democracy, this paper elucidates how the shutdown left millions of students in J&K without access to their fundamental right to education during this digital lockdown. The paper first analyzes the importance of and the right to education, as well as the role of the internet on education. It then moves on to discuss the 7-month long internet shutdown in the valley of Kashmir and mentions interviews to elucidate the human impact of such shutdown on education. The paper finally discusses the multi-fold impact of the internet shutdown on education in general and the life of students in particular.

Heavy metal pollution and health risk assessment using deterministic and Monte Carlo simulation approaches in the Himalayan spring and surface water systems of Kulgam District, Kashmir valley, India

Heavy metal pollution and health risk assessment using deterministic and Monte Carlo simulation approaches in the Himalayan spring and surface water systems of Kulgam District, Kashmir valley, India

Evaluation of multi-heavy metal tolerance traits of soil-borne fungi for simultaneous removal of hazardous metals.

The demand for environment-friendly cleanup techniques has arisen due to an increase in environmental pollutants. Fungi is the most prevalent and effective class of heavy metal-resistant microorganisms with the ability to leach metals. The objective of the present study was to isolate the fungi from the agricultural soil of Kashmir valley, investigate their multi-metal tolerance to heavy metals and evaluate the metal uptake capacities of the resistant fungi. The fungi were isolated and identified on the basis of morphological and molecular approach (ITS1 and ITS4). The tolerance limits of the isolated fungal strains to various doses of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co) was evaluated. Five fungal strains, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium verticillioides, Aspergillus fischeri, Epicoccum mackenziei were isolated from the soil samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the study of metal resistance of Aspergillus fischeri and Epicoccum mackenziei. Among the identified fungal species, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum were found to be most tolerant with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 600 ppm against Cu and Cr respectively. Results indicated removal of considerable amount of heavy metals by some of the fungi. The highest metal uptake of 8.31mg/g was found in Fusarium verticillioides for Zn. Surprisingly, these fungal strains demonstrated resistance to metal concentrations above the levels that are universally acceptable for polluted soils, and hence prove to be appealing contenders for use as bioremediation agents for cleaning up heavy metal-polluted environments.

Language Maintenance and Language Shift of Poguli Spoken in Jammu and Kashmir, India

The present paper involves a comprehensive language maintenance and shift of Poguli. It seeks to look at their sociolinguistic profile to understand the influence of the majority ethnic/linguistic community with their language on this group. It focuses on the language maintenance and language shift of the Poguli speech community living in Chinab valley of Jammu and Kashmir and tries to study and understand their linguistic usage, patterns of language use, identity, status, and patterns of language use occurring in this community. To make matters more interesting, this Poguli speech community is dominated by many neighbouring languages and attempts to look at the levels of influence of these languages on this community. The paper is an attempt to postulate where this linguistic battle is likely to lead.

Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Induced Machines to Improve the Fiscal Advancement of Agronomy

Horticulture became a key player in the development of UT. The total land area of Jammu and Kashmir under horticulture is 332704, among which 214162 in the Kashmir valley and 118542 in the Jammu region. The district Baramulla has achieved first rank in production in apples with 404089 metric tons, and also covers an area of 25231 hectares. Horticulture of UT of Jammu and Kashmir contributes 8-10% contribution to the SGDP (DHK, 2021). In 48 years, the area under horticulture shows a growth rate of 25%.The growth of production of horticulture has also increased 10 thousand metric to 25 Lakh metric tons during 1950-2022.In this paper we will analysis growth in production, productivity, area and State Gross Domestic Product through the Compound Growth Rate from 2012 to 2022. Artificial Intelligence will become a game changer for horticulture sector, which is facing loses consistently from the last few years. Need of the hour to improve the technique like artificial intelligence and procedures for the betterment of horticulture, especially open national, use of drones in farms, highway 44 during the peak season.

The limits of recovery: coming of age, aspirations and (im)mobility among displaced Pandit youth in Jammu

ABSTRACT How do the displaced recover tangible and intangible losses incurred in displacement? What does the process of recovery involve, especially for members of displaced families who come of age after displacement and face the burden of recovery? This paper engages with these questions in relation to the Hindu minority of the Kashmir valley, better known as the Kashmiri Pandits. Following the outbreak of conflict, the vast majority of this community fled the Kashmir valley in 1990. The paper will explore the biographies of two Kashmiri Pandit men who were children at the time of displacement and came of age in exile. By drawing on their experiences, set in the context of ethnographic research in the city of Jammu in Jammu and Kashmir, this paper examines the process of ‘growing up’ in a non-metropolitan urban area and balancing the recovery of loss alongside the aspirations of the youth. While existing scholarship on societies affected by violence discusses how recovery takes place in engaging with ordinary life, this process has to contend with the limits of ordinary life. The paper argues that the displaced are forced to come to terms with the limits of recovery and confront the dead-endedness of ordinary life.

IJCM_222A: Assessment of Implementation of Health and Wellness Centers in Kashmir Valley. A Descriptive Study

Background: Health and wellness canters component were launched under the ambit of Ayushman Bharat Yojana. In Kashmir, there was scarce data regarding health and wellness centers implementation therefore this study was undertaken to identify the gaps in implementation of the program at grassroot levels. Objective: to assess and compare the existing staff, services, lab services and infrastructure at health and wellness centers across ten districts of Kashmir valley. Methodology: a descriptive cross-sectional study was done to evaluate the implementation of health and wellness centers in ten districts of Kashmir valley. study population: staff at health and wellness centers study setting: selected health and wellness centers in 10 districts of Kashmir valley sampling: convenient sampling and random sampling 10 % of upgraded health and wellness center in each district at the beginning and 12 months of study. study timeline: 15months data collection 12 months interpretation 3 months study tools: preformed checklist, semi open questionnaires interviews Results: the results of the study indicated that there was still a gap in implementation of program as per guidelines. there were deficiencies in terms of yoga and wellness, proper space for health and wellness centers and staff was not trained properly about the program. Conclusion: this study was done in Kashmir valley to asess the implementation of health and wellness center component of Ayushman Bharat yojana. the study highlighted important deficiencies during the implementation of the program as per guidelines.

Comparative Efficacy of Bio Active Plant Extracts and Insecticides against Cereal Leaf Beetle (Oulema melanopus L.) Infesting Oats in North Kashmir, India

Experiment was carried out at farmers field near the Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, Kashmir, India during 2021-22 to evaluate efficacy of various insecticides and botanicals against cereal leaf beetle Oulema melanopus (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) infesting Rabi Oats (Avena sativa L.) in North Kashmir. Among plant extracts and insecticides evaluated against O. melanopus, Abamectin proved to be most effective in causing huge mortality to grub population with decreasing number of grub were recorded as (24, 21.3, 8.3, 1.6 and 1 %) after 2,4,6,8 and 10 days of spray, respectively during 2021 followed by Thiamethoxam (32.6, 15.3, 8, 0.3%) after 2, 4, 6, 8 ad 10 days of spray. Same trend of results was observed in 2022 and the pooled data. Among tested botanicals viz. neem and Artimesia; Artimesia was effective in declining the grub population with (44, 42, 41, 39 and 37%) after 2, 4, 6,8 and 10 days after spray. Severe infestation has been observed at maturity of crop and keeping in view the use as fodder to cattle it is necessary to inculcate the use of locally available botanicals for better health of cattle during the dearth period of fodder in Kashmir valley. Overall, the marginal farmers might be saved from any untoward by utilization of the bioactive plant extracts in management of this notorious pest.

Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Induced Machines to Improve the Fiscal Advancement of agronomy

Horticulture became a key player in the development of UT. The total land area of Jammu and Kashmir under horticulture is 332704, among which 214162 in the Kashmir valley and 118542 in the Jammu region. The district Baramulla has achieved first rank in production in apples with 404089 metric tons, and also covers an area of 25231 hectares. Horticulture of UT of Jammu and Kashmir contributes 8-10% contribution to the SGDP (DHK, 2021). In 48 years, the area under horticulture shows a growth rate of 25%.The growth of production of horticulture has also increased 10 thousand metric to 25 Lakh metric tons during 1950-2022.In this paper we will analysis growth in production, productivity, area and State Gross Domestic Product through the Compound Growth Rate from 2012 to 2022. Artificial Intelligence will become a game changer for horticulture sector, which is facing loses consistently from the last few years. Need of the hour to improve the technique like artificial intelligence and procedures for the betterment of horticulture, especially open national, use of drones in farms, highway 44 during the peak season.

Nutrient Uptake of Maize as Influenced by Intercropping with Different Genotype of Groundnut under Temperate Kashmir Valley

A field experiment on ‘Nutrient uptake of maize as influenced by intercropping with different genotype of groundnut under temperate Kashmir valley” was conducted at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura, Sopore during 2021 and 2022. The experimental soil exhibited silty clay loam characteristics with adequate drainage and normal levels of both reaction and salinity. The experimental treatments comprised of sole crops and various row proportions of maize intercropped with groundnut. The experimental design was randomized complete block design, consist nineteen treatments that were replicated three times. Treatment comprised of T1 (Sole maize, 60 cm), T2 (sole paired maize, 75-45-75 cm), T3 (Sole paired maize,90-30-90 cm), T4 (Sole groundnut TG-84), T5 (Sole groundnut TG-37-A), T6 (Sole groundnut TG-88), T7 (Sole groundnut TG-89), T8 Alternate row of maize + groundnut TG- 84 (30 + 30 cm ),T9 Paired row of maize + groundnut TG- 84 (75-45-75 cm maize in between 25-25 cm groundnut),T10 Paired row of maize + groundnut TG- 84 (90-30-90 cm maize in between 30-30 cm groundnut), T11 Alternate row of maize + groundnut TG- 37-A (30 + 30 cm ) T12 Paired row of maize + groundnut TG- 37-A (75-45-75 cm maize in between 25-25 cm groundnut), T13 paired row of maize + Groundnut TG- 37-A (90-30-90 cm maize in between 30-30 cm groundnut), T14 Alternate rows of maize + Groundnut TG- 88 (30 + 30 cm),T15 Paired row of maize + groundnut TG- 88 (75-45-75 cm maize in between 25-25 cm groundnut), T16 Paired row of maize + groundnut TG- 88 (90-30-90 cm maize in between 30-30 cm groundnut), T17 Alternate rows of maize + groundnut TG- 89 (30 + 30 cm), T18 Paired row of maize + groundnut TG- 89 (75-45-75 cm maize in between 25-25 cm groundnut), T19 Paired row of maize+ groundnut TG- 89 (90-30-90 cm maize in between 30-30 cm groundnut). The two years of result revealed that intercropping increased the total N, P and K uptake and enhancing yield of both the crop. Total N, P and K uptake was recorded significantly higher with paired row of maize (75/45 cm spacing) in intercrop with groundnut variety TG-37-A as compared to sole maize. In intercrop N, P and K uptake was recorded significantly higher in sole groundnut variety TG-37-A followed by TG-84, TG-88 and TG-89.

Fibroin Nanoparticles: Use in Drug Delivery

The silkworm Bombyx mori.L. is infected by various diseases viz; grasserie, flacherie, muscardine, and pebrine. Among all these diseases the grasserie causes major economic loss to the industry and is one of the main reasons for low silk productivity. It is caused by a virus known as Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedro virus (BmNPV). The impact of grasserie disease on silkworms is significant as it leads to reduced silk production and can result in economic losses for sericulture farmers. In India greater than 50% of silk cocoon crop loss is due to BmNPV [1] and in Kashmir valley, the loss is about 28-32% [2]. Silk obtained from the cocoons of silkworm Bombyx mori L. is a natural fibrous protein well known for being lightweight, having high mechanical strength, good flexibility, and luster making it ideal for the textile industry. In addition, fibroin extracted from the cocoons of domesticated silkworm Bombyx mori L. has gained growingly interest due to its excellent mechanical properties and high biocompatibility, biodegradability, inexpensiveness, and preparation flexibility [3]. These properties of silk fibroin lead to the formulation of fibroin nanoparticles (FNP’-s) which can be used to encapsulate different types of therapeutic compounds like proteins, vaccines, enzymes, etc. Fibroin has been approved as a biomaterial by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been popularly used in numerous medical applications such as sutures, tissue regeneration, coating devices, and drug delivery systems [4]. It has been studied that SF-derived curcumin nanoparticles show higher efficacy against breast cancer cells and have the potential to treat in vivo breast tumors by local, sustained, and long-term therapeutic delivery as a biodegradable system [5]. Therefore, fibroin-coated nanoparticles can be used effectively for disease management.

Development of a Low-Cost Portable Two Row Pea Planter for the Hilly Terrain of Kashmir Valley

The physical characteristics-size (3.12 – 8.98 mm), shape (1.13 – 1.33), test weight (194.66 – 209.66 g), sphericity (0.80 – 0.81) and engineering properties- bulk density (740.33 – 772.20 kg m-3), porosity (22.13 – 30.10 %), angle of repose (42.0 – 43.66°) of commonly grown pea varieties (Arkel, PB-89 and PB-1100) were measured at 8.5 – 9.5 % moisture content to select the design parameters of working components of two row pea planter. The moisture content of the pea varieties ranged from 8.5 – 9.5 per cent. The pea planter comprised of seed hopper, metering disc, handle, furrow opener, row marker and ground wheel. The pea planter was evaluated in terms of variety (Arkel, PB – 89, PB – 1100), metering disc (cup shaped flute metering disc and grooves on periphery metering disc) and depth of seed in the seed hopper (¾, ½ and ¼ full). The optimization of the parameters through response surface methodology (RSD) using design expert 13.0 revealed that operating the pea planter with cup shaped flute metering disc (M1), variety P3 (PB-1100) at ¾th depth of seed in the seed hopper resulted in average seeding spacing of 11.37 cm, missing index 3.45%, multiple index 12.46%, quality of feed index 84.08% and rate of work 0.04 hectare per hour. At optimum condition, the efficiency of the developed prototype of two row pea planter was found to be 82.0 percent. The economic analysis through bill of material revealed the cost of the machine as Rs. 1456, operating cost of 84.20 Rs h-1, benefit cost ratio of 1.30, break-even point of 0.02 ha and pay back period of 57.77 hours. The low-cost portable pea planter can serve as the panacea to pea sowing in the hilly terrain of Kashmir valley.

The Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Bovine Babesia Species and the First Report of B. bovis from Kashmir Himalayas.

Bovine babesiosis, a global disease, has not been studied so far in Kashmir valley, which is having temperate type of climate as compared to rest of India having tropical to sub-tropical climate, so we felt the need to investigate it. To diagnose the babesiosis in clinically suspected cattle (n=450), peripheral blood film examination and PCR tests using generic and species-specific primers targeting Babesia/Theleria genera and B. bigemina, B. bovis as well as B. divergens, respectively were conducted. Four PCR products were sequenced and subjected to BLASTn analysis. Ticks were collected from the clinically suspected animals and identified as per the standard morphological keys. The prevalence of babesiosis among suspected cattle in central Kashmir by peripheral blood film examination and PCR technique was 11.11% and 33.62%, respectively. The 18S rRNA gene of Isolate B1 of Babesia spp. showed 99.0 to 100% nucleotide sequence homology with 18S rRNA gene of different isolates of B. bigemina registered in the GenBank, while as 18S rRNA gene of Isolate Z showed 98.5 to 99.2% and 93.1 to 93.9% nucleotide sequence homology with 18S rRNA gene of different isolates of Babesia spp. and B. bigemina, respectively, registered in the GenBank. Rhipicephalus spp. and Haemaphysalis spp. were the two major tick genera identified in the present study. Bovine Babesiosis in Kashmir is attributed to B. bovis, B. bigemina and some other Babesia spp. or strains which needs further investigation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Babesia bovis from northern India in cattle.

Impact of Shade Nets on Tomato Output and Quality in Temperate Region of Kashmir Valley

A field trial was conducted at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, Shalimar Campus during 2020-21 to ascertain the impact of shade nets on tomato output and quality inside the protected structure. During the study, it was found that no significant difference was observed in average monthly temperature and relative humidity inside polyhouse with shade net and without shade net. Significant difference was recorded in yield and the light intensity. Highest average plant yield of (15.5 kg/plant) was found in polyhouse in which the plants were covered with shade net and lowest yield was observed (13 kg/plant) where plants were not covered with shade net inside the polyhouse during afternoon day time. It was also found that the tomatoes that were grown in shade nets showed good colour development and a glossy appearance as compared to plants grown under protected structures without shade net. No significant difference was observed in quality attributes viz. TSS, acidity and ascorbic acid by shade net. However, the higher TSS (7.1 oBrix), Acidity (0.77%) and Ascorbic acid (45.86 mg/100gm) was recorded in polyhouse without shade net as compared to polyhouse with shade net (6.7, 0.51 and 38.52) respectively. Thus, use of shade net brought improvement in yield and no significant improvement was observed in quality of tomato grown in temperate region of Kashmir valley. Also, the shade net application during winter duration of 2021-22 during evening/night hours led to increase in the temperature inside polyhouse.

Psychological impact and development of autistic traits in children during the COVID 19 Pandemic: A study through Guardian

The COVID 19 pandemic has significantly affected people's lives worldwide. Although children may not experience severe physical symptoms of the disease, their psychological well-being can be greatly affected. The primary objective of this study was to examine the psychological impact of COVID-19 on children residing in the Kashmir valley in terms of evolution of autistic traits in them. Cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 300 family members of children aged between 4 to 16-years. Data was collected through an online questionnaire using Google Forms and purposive sampling technique was used to assess autism. The sample for the study consisted of children in the 4 year to 16-year age group. A self-designed validated questionnaire in Google Form was used to collect the information. Chidhood Autism Rating Scale-2 (CARS-2) was used in those with excessive mobile phone usage. The results of the study revealed that only 3% of the children were infected with COVID-19. 7% of the sample reported that a close family member of a child was infected. Furthermore, 76% of the sample reported that they discussed COVID-19 with their children. In terms of behavioral changes, 54% of the sample noticed a change in their child's behaviour during the COVID pandemic. Additionally, 51% reported a change in their children's learning patterns, and 48% reported that their child had become possessive about new things since the pandemic. Furthermore, 35% of the sample reported a change in their child's sleeping cycle, 22.7% reported a loss of appetite, and 56% reported that their child imagined and talked about COVID-19 with others. It was also found that 80.3% of the sample had adhered to COVID-19 precautions. Only 4.3% reported negative thoughts expressed by their children since the pandemic, while 88% reported that their children were ready to discuss in future COVID-19. In the 4 to 6 year age group, out of 12 children with excessive mobile phone use, it was found that two were having symptoms consistent with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Other common symptoms noticed in this age group were found to be clapping, single verbal sounds, inability to express needs, moderate abnormal listening response, echolalia and video dialoguing. Most families reported that their children were possessive about new things and most of them were not sitting at one place for a long time. A large percentage of families reported that they found changes in the sleep pattern and duration of sleep was more than 9 hours. It was also found that screen time during COVID-19 increased among school-going children.

Impact of Weather Parameters on Seasonal Incidence of Oriental Armyworm, Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae) Infesting Maize Ecosystem in North Kashmir

The investigation on the seasonal incidence of oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura SKUAST-K during kharif 2021. Shalimar composite-6 maize variety was cultivated under the standard practices for Kashmir valley, recommended by SKUAST-K. The pest activity during the crop growth period was monitored by using light traps and visual observations. Findings revealed that adult M. separata on maize emerged in the 18th standard meteorological week (SMW) with its peak in the 24th week and remained active until the 37th week. Similarly, armyworm caterpillars appeared in the 19th to 37th SMW and reached their peak in the 29th week in the maize ecosystem during 2021. Moreover, the percentage of infestation during the Kharif season was found to be minimum of 10 per cent in the 19th SMW, reaching its peak of 63 per cent in the 29th SMW. The infestation gradually decreased and persisted for eight weeks, with 10 per cent infestation in the 37th SMW. The relationship between adult population and weather parameters showed a positive correlation with maximum temperature (r = 0.14) and a negative correlation with minimum temperature (r = -0.22), morning relative humidity (r = -0.52*) and evening relative humidity (r = -0.47*). However, M. separata adult populations showed a significant negative association with rainfall (r = -0.51*). Correlations drawn between important weather parameters and larvae of M. separata showed significant positive correlation with maximum temperature (r = 0.60**) and minimum temperature (r =0.56**), while morning RH (r = -0.36) and evening RH (r = -0.29) showed negative association and rainfall (r =-0.16) also exhibited negative association with the larval infestation of M. separata during Kharif 2021. The study on percentage infestation also demonstrated a significant positive correlation with maximum temperature (r = 0.47*) and minimum temperature (r = 0.53*), while morning relative humidity (r = -0.22) and evening relative humidity (r = -0.29) showed negative associations. Rainfall (r = -0.20) displayed a negative correlation with the per cent infestation of M. separata.

Sustainability in tourism demands a mode shift: Appraisal of heritage tourism; a safe bet for developing regions

AbstractThe study aims to determine heritage tourism potential in the Kashmir valley, a developing region, to lower the impact of mass tourism on the natural environment. The potential was assessed using criterion‐based indicators. After a Delphi survey, Content Validation Ratio determined indicator retention. Field trips and secondary sources identified the sites. The sites with cultural significance were prioritized with other supporting factors. The Weighted Sum Method assessed the heritage site potential. It was calculated for each criterion: Cultural, Physical, and Natural. Then, total potential was classified into three groups on the basis of equal intervals depicting high, medium, and low, where high ranges from 0.628 to 0.756, medium from 0.502 to 0.628, and low from 0.375 to 0.502. Being the capital city and hub of different activities, Srinagar district of the study area has maximum of the sites with high heritage potential. Owing to its long history, the study region has many heritage sites; however, its tourism potential has yet to be tapped. The study emphasizes the significance of shifting surges in tourism forms in managing sustainable tourism development.

Economics of vermi-composting of cattle dung, sheep manure and poultry litter under temperate agro-climatic conditions of Kashmir valley

Economics of vermi-composting of cattle dung, sheep manure and poultry litter under temperate agro-climatic conditions of Kashmir valley

Media Discourse on the Kashmir Conflict after Abrogation of Article 370

The study tries to unfold how the Kashmir conflict is constructed in the Pakistani media after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. To understand the media discourse a Critical discourse analysis of the news stories published about Indian held Kashmir (i.e. that part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by India post the 1947 partition, notably the valley of Kashmir) in the e-paper of Dawn was carried out. The findings reveal a distinctive narrative strategy employed by Pakistani media in response to the abrogation of Article 370. This strategy accentuates the negative aspects of the Indian government's actions in Kashmir while simultaneously highlighting the voices of Kashmiris advocating for their right of self-determination. The findings also indicated that media discourse revolved around challenging the legitimacy of the Indian Parliament’s act of abrogating Article 370 and also focused on the casualties and losses which took place as a result of clashes between the Indian security forces and the Kashmiri separatist fighters. The media also gave significance to social media trends about Indian held Kashmir and also to posts of Kashmiri and Pakistani politicians. Negative actor description was used to highlight Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s propaganda regarding the return of normalcy in the Indian held Kashmir whereas positive actor description was used for the Kashmiri separatist fighters.