THE HEADLINES:
- Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reaches Srinagar; Reviews security situation in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack.
- Pakistan Army violates ceasefire at multiple locations along Line of Control; Indian Army retaliates effectively.
- French President Emmanuel Macron calls Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Says France stands firmly with India.
- US President Donald Trump expresses dissatisfaction over Russian missile strikes on Kyiv; Asks President Vladimir Putin to halt attacks.
- IMD issues heatwave alert in North-West India for the next four days.
- In IPL T20 Cricket, Chennai Super Kings to lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai this evening.
<><><>
Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi reached Srinagar this morning to review the security situation in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack on Tuesday. The Army Chief was briefed by Army’s General Officer Commanding of Srinagar based Chinar Corps on the overall security situation and actions being taken by the formations against terrorists and the attempts of Pakistan Army to violate the ceasefire along the Line of Control. They informed that General Dwivedi called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and discussed the overall security situation in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. The Army Chief is likely to visit the Pahalgam attack site at Baisaran forest village, in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Meanwhile, our correspondent reports that ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army have been reported from multiple points along the Line of Control in North Kashmir's Kupwara district.
The ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army have been reported from many places in Nowgam area along the Line of Control in the North Kashmir’s frontier Kupwara district. The violations have also been reported from Rajouri and Poonch areas late last night in Jammu region. Sources said small arms were used by the Pakistani Army while targeting some locations on the Line of Control which was effectively responded to by the Indian Army. There are no reports of casualties till now. Meanwhile, combing operation by joint forces of Army, Police and CRPF in Baisaran village area in Pahalgam has entered fourth day now. Scores of suspects have been arrested in Pahalgam and elsewhere in Kashmir. TARIQ RATHER, Akashvani News, Srinagar.
<><><>
A day after India revoked visas issued to Pakistani nationals in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack, Union Home Minister Amit Shah today spoke to all Chief Ministers asking them to identify all Pakistan nationals in their states. Sources said Mr. Shah asked the Chief Ministers to take steps to ensure their prompt return to Pakistan. The Home Minister will also hold a meeting regarding the Indus Water Treaty in New Delhi this evening. Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil and senior government officials, will attend it. India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty in the wake of the terror attack.
<><><>
India has decided to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals will also be revoked with effect from the 27th of this month. Besides, medical visas issued to citizens of the neighboring country will only be valid till the 29th of this month.
In a statement, the External Affairs Ministry said, all Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave the country before the set deadline of visas. It has also advised Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Pakistan and those Indians currently in Pakistan have also been asked to return to India at the earliest.
However, the Ministry later clarified that the revocation of visas to Pakistani nationals does not apply to the Long-Term Visas already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals, which remain valid.
<><><>
French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed that France stands firmly with India and its people in the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. In a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday, Macron condemned the attack in the strongest terms and expressed deep condolences. He further said that France, along with its allies, will continue the fight against terrorism wherever necessary. The heinous Pahalgam terrorist attack, which occurred on Tuesday in the Baisaran meadow of Anantnag district, has drawn condemnation from across the world.
<><><>
UK MP Bob Blackman has expressed strong support for any actions India takes to pursue the terrorists and their supporters responsible for the attack in Pahalgam. He was speaking at a solemn commemorative ceremony organised by the High Commission of India in London, held in memory of the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack and in solidarity with the spirit of India. Mr. Blackman expressed hope that all political parties in the UK will stand united with the Indian government in backing any necessary actions, including military measures, to eliminate terrorist bases located across the Line of Control between India and Pakistan.
The ceremony was attended by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L. Murugan, and Maharashtra’s Minister of Social Justice, Sanjay Shirsat.
<><><>
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam saying inhuman elements have tried to strike at the soul of the country but India will rise faster and higher. Speaking at a function in New Delhi, the Minister said that the people of India, stand united across every state, every faith and with one voice.
<><><>
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned the killing of innocent civilians by terrorists in Pahalgam. In a statement, the NHRC said, the time has come to act against those indulging in terrorism directly or indirectly and to hold them accountable for this menace against humanity. The Commission expressed hope that the State will take all the necessary steps to fix accountability bring the perpetrators to justice and provide succour to the families of the victims in all possible manner.
<><><>
Several markets in the National Capital Delhi are closed today as traders have called for a bandh to protest the terror attack in Pahalgam. A sympathy march is being held from chandni chowk to red fort. The Secretary General of Confederation of All India Traders and Delhi BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said that more than 900 shops are completely closed.
<><><>
In Jammu and Kashmir, a terrorist associate was killed in an ongoing anti-terrorist operation in Bazipora Kulnar area of Ajas in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district today. The killed terrorist associate has been identified as Altaf Lalli, a member of the Lashkar-e-Taiba outfit. The cordon and search operation by joint forces of Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police continues in the forest area following pre dawn fierce exchange of gunfire in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district. The operation is still underway. Further details are awaited.
<><><>
In Kerala, the mortal remains of N Ramachandran, who was killed in the terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir last Tuesday, was consigned to flames in Kochi this afternoon with full state honours. Earlier, several hundred bid a tearful adieu to Ramachandran at the Changampuzha Park at Edappally in the city, where the body was kept for the public to pay homage.
Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, Minister of State Suresh Gopi, State Ministers P Rajeev and A K Saseendran, former union Minister V Muraleedharan, were among those who paid their last respects.
<><><>
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has said that quantum computing is a giant leap that will define innovation, accelerate scientific discovery and unlock multiple solutions to human problems. Inaugurating the 3rd International Quantum Communication Conclave in New Delhi today, Mr. Scindia said, the 3rd edition will lead to a new impetus for the National Quantum Mission. He added that quantum technology now stands poised to redefine computing, communication and national security.
<><><>
The Union Labour Ministry has said that 15 lakh 43 thousand new workers have been enrolled under the ESI Scheme in February this year. The Ministry said, out of the total employees 7.36 lakh employees belong to the age group of upto 25 years. The provisional payroll data of Employees State Insurance Corporation, ESIC also revealed that more than 23 thousand new establishments have been brought under the social security ambit of the ESI Scheme in the month of February.
<><><>
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar has said that India is growing fast with a sound economy, infrastructure, global reputation and has provided a landscape for today's youth with immense possibilities to develop themselves to be leaders of the future. Delivering his inaugural speech at the two day Vice Chancellors Conference at Raj Bhavan Ooty today, the Vice President said that leadership in science, research and development is quintessential to lead the trajectory path to a developed Nation.
<><><>
US President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with the recent Russian missile strikes on Kyiv, which resulted in at least 12 deaths and 90 injuries. Trump called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the attacks, although he refrained from outlining any immediate additional measures against Russia. The US President emphasized that his administration is exerting significant pressure on both sides to bring an end to the conflict. Meanwhile, Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to meet with President Putin in Moscow later today to discuss potential steps toward a resolution.
<><><>
The inaugural Army-to-Army Staff Talks between the Indian Army and the Royal Saudi Land Forces were held in New Delhi. The discussions focused on the Annual Defence Cooperation Plan covering Joint Exercise Sada Tanseeq, training, military education, domain expert exchanges and engagements in areas of mutual interest. Both sides also explored avenues of collaboration in operational logistics, battle field management systems and niche technologies to enhance interoperability and capability development.
<><><>
Former ISRO Chairman and a key architect of India’s National Education Policy, Dr. K. Kasturirangan, passed away this morning at his residence in Bengaluru. He was 84.
<><><>
India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heatwave conditions over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh during the next four days. The weather agency said that in National Capital the temperature will also rise. Maximum temperatures are expected to rise by two to three degrees Celsius over Punjab, Haryana and Delhi during the next 6 days and by three degree Celsius over Uttar Pradesh for subsequent four days.
<><><>
In IPL T20 Cricket, Chennai Super Kings will lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai this evening. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM. Both teams are currently at the bottom of the points table, having managed only two wins each from their first eight matches.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reaches Srinagar; Reviews security situation in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack.
- Pakistan Army violates ceasefire at multiple locations along Line of Control; Indian Army retaliates effectively.
- French President Emmanuel Macron calls Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Says France stands firmly with India.
- US President Donald Trump expresses dissatisfaction over Russian missile strikes on Kyiv; Asks President Vladimir Putin to halt attacks.
- IMD issues heatwave alert in North-West India for the next four days.
- In IPL T20 Cricket, Chennai Super Kings to lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai this evening.
<><><>