J&K split into two Union Territories

Srinagar : As the clock struck 12 and a new day beckoned, Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday transitioned from a state into two Union Territories with a wary Valley shutting down as it has for 88 days and Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying the "new system" is aimed at "building a strong link of trust".

President Ram Nath Kovind revoked President's rule imposed in the restive state and took control of the administration of the two new Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

This is the first time a state has been downsized into union territories, the two new entities taking the total number of UTs to nine and bringing down the number of states in India to 28.

The move is in accordance with the government's August 5 announcement withdrawing the state's special status under Article 370 and bifurcating the state into union territories.