Baramulla, Aug. 30 -- Archaeologists on Saturday launched the second phase of excavation at the ancient Buddhist site of Zehanpora in Sheeri area of Baramulla district, with researchers expecting fresh discoveries from a 100-day campaign aimed at exploring unexplored sections of the nearly 2,000-year-old settlement.

The excavation at Zehanpora, identified as a Buddhist site dating to the Kushan period, resumed after the first phase conducted in November 2025 was cut short by winter. The extended field season is expected to provide archaeologists substantially more time to investigate the site and recover additional structures, artefacts and other material evidence linked to Kashmir's early historic past.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretar...