Page 25 - Pahalgam Attack

PM Modi scrapped Kashmir visit after intel on terror threat, says Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had cancelled his Kashmir visit after "receiving an intelligence report three days before" the Pahalgam terror attack last month. Noting that during an all-party meeting, the Centre accepted "intelligence failure" in the Pahalgam carnage, Kharge said the union government should be held accountable for "not reinforcing" security arrangements in Kashmir to protect people, even after such inputs. Responding to Kharge's allegation, the BJP claimed that the Congress president's criticism of PM Modi over alleged intelligence failure in the Pahalgam terror attack was intended to "lower the morale of security forces" and amounted to "treason". Addressing a 'Samvidhan Bachao' rally in Ranchi, Kharge claimed he "got information that three days before the attack, an intelligence report was sent to Modi ji, and that is why Modi ji cancelled his visit to Kashmir". When an intelligence report said that it

India slams OIC's statement on Kashmir, says 'absurd, at Pakistan's behest'

OIC's statement called for restraint between India and Pakistan, and urged peaceful resolution of differences through dialogue in line with UN resolutions and international law

What are civil defence districts, and how are they categorised in India?

The order to conduct the mock drill came after a series of high-level meetings by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to discuss India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack

Owaisi seeks effective response to Pahalgam terror attack, demands probe

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday said India should give an effective response to last month's Pahalgam attack and termed the incident as barbaric and cowardly. Speaking to reporters here, the Lok Sabha MP sought an inquiry into the death of a man from Kulgam who was allegedly picked up by security forces for questioning in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. "It was a terror attack, a cowardly attack. The more we condemn it, the less it is. We have seen how terrorists from Pakistan killed 26 people," Owaisi told reporters. The way people were killed by separating kids and women, and asking males about their religion, was disheartening and inhumane. "Those who couldn't recite the Kalma were fired upon. This is barbaric," he said. Owaisi said the local residents of Kashmir are bearing the brunt of the attack as the tourism sector has taken a hit. "The tourists have gone from here in huge numbers. We want our government to give an effective response to it. We have said the s

Civil defence mock drill: What it is and what to expect during May 7

A civil defence mock drill is conducted to evaluate the preparedness of civilians and government agencies in responding to emergencies. Its primary goal is to minimise confusion and save lives

Farmers rush to wrap up harvest near J-K's IB amid rising tension with Pak

Farmers living along the nearly 200-km-long International Border in Jammu and Kashmir are racing against time to complete the harvest process amid heightened tension following the Pahalgam terror attack. In the three districts of Jammu, Samba, and Kathua, about 1.25 lakh hectares of agricultural land falls within the shelling range of Pakistan. Villages like Treva, Mahashe-de-Kothe, Chandu Chak, Gharana, Bulla Chak, and Korotana Kalan are witnessing a flurry of activity, with families working day and night to finish harvesting, dry the grain, and pack it for delivery to mills. While over 90 percent of the wheat and other crops have been harvested, the process of harvesting the rest, packaging them and sending them to mills remains. We are racing against time to complete harvesting, Santosh Singh, a 50-year farmer from Treva village in the Arnia sector said, adding there is very little time left. Treva, located just 1.5 km from the border, is directly under threat from Pakistan ...

Indo-Pak tensions: UNSC urges de-escalation, ask Pakistan 'tough questions'

The UN Security Council discussed rising tensions between India and Pakistan at closed-door consultations, where envoys called for de-escalation and also asked Pakistan tough questions. Greece, president of the UNSC for the month of May, had scheduled the meeting on Monday following a request by Pakistan, which is currently a non-permanent member. The meeting comes days after terrorists killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, triggering outrage in India. The 15-member UNSC did not issue a statement after the meeting, but Pakistan claimed that its own objectives were "largely served". Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations Khaled Mohamed Khiari of Tunisia briefed the Council on behalf of both departments (DPPA and DPO). Coming out of the meeting, Khiari said there was a call for dialogue and peaceful resolution of the conflict. He noted that the .

Union home secretary to review preparations for civil defence mock drills

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan will on Tuesday review the preparations for strengthening civil defence mechanisms that include conducting mock drills on air-raid warning sirens, training civilians to protect themselves in the event of a "hostile attack" and cleaning bunkers and trenches. The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked all states to conduct mock drills on Wednesday, given the "new and complex threats" that have emerged amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. "The home secretary will review the preparations for civil defence being made across 244 districts. Chief secretaries and heads of civil defence from across the country will participate in the meeting via video conferencing," a source said. According to a home ministry communication, the measures to be taken during the mock drills include the operationalisation of air-raid warning sirens, training civilians on civil-defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a "hostile attack

UNSC holds closed-door talks on Indo-Pak tensions, urges restraint

The UN Security Council commenced closed-door consultations here on the situation between India and Pakistan, hours after Secretary General Antonio Guterres voiced concern over tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours being at their highest in years. Pakistan, currently a non-permanent member of the powerful 15-nation Security Council, had requested for closed consultations on the situation. Greece, president of the Council for the month of May, scheduled the meeting for May 5 in the afternoon. The closed-door meeting will not take place in the UNSC Chamber where Council members sit at the powerful horse-shoe table but in a consultations room next to the chamber. Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations Khaled Mohamed Khiari of Tunisia will brief the Council on behalf of both departments (DPPA and DPO). Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador As

Pakistani troops violate ceasefire for 12th night, Indian Army retaliates

Pakistani forces carried out unprovoked small arms firing in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir

Parl panel seeks action plan against 'anti-national' social media platforms

A parliamentary panel has sought details from two key ministries overseeing information flow on the action they have planned against social media platforms and influencers who "seem to be working against national interest", following the Pahalgam terror attack. The parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, headed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey, has noted that some social media influencers and platforms in the country seem to be working against national interest, which is likely to incite violence, sources said. The committee, in a communication to the ministries of Information and Broadcasting and Electronics and Information Technology, has sought details of the "contemplated action to ban such platforms under IT Act, 2000 and Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021". The letter, the sources said, has been sent to the secretaries of the two ministries and they have been asked

No Pakistan-related issues discussed: ADB on meeting with FM Sitharaman

Finance Ministry officials also said that there was no discussion on issues related to Pakistan with ADB President and the Italian Finance Minister

MHA orders civil defence drills amid escalating tensions with Pakistan

The exercise will be conducted in 244 'civil defence districts' on Wednesday

Lufthansa suspends operations in Pakistani airspace amid India-Pak tensions

This comes amid India-Pakistan tensions in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 people were killed

UN Secy Gen urges India, Pakistan to show maximum restraint, avoid conflict

Condemning the attack Guterres expressed grief over the relation between both counties reaching to a 'boiling' point

Indian Navy, DRDO successfully test indigenous multi-influence ground mine

The Indian Navy and DRDO successfully tested the indigenous Multi-Influence Ground Mine, enhancing undersea warfare capabilities amid rising India-Pakistan tensions and regional missile tests

DoT rings in tougher satcom norms after Pahalgam terrorist attack

New guidelines may pose fresh hurdle for Starlink, Project Kuiper

Putin-Modi phone call over Pahalgam, Earthquake hits Pak, Skype shuts down & more

In a telecon with PM Modi today, Russian President Vladimir Putin strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and said the perpetrators must be brought to justice.

India cuts Chenab water flow: 5 Key India-Pakistan flashpoints after Pahalgam terror attack

Tensions between India and Pakistan have intensified following the April 22 terror attack in J&K’s Pahalgam. Strategic responses now span diplomacy, military readiness, water management.

MHA asks states to conduct civil defence drills amid India-Pakistan tension

Mock drills will include air raid sirens, evacuation plans, and blackout measures as part of nationwide civil defence preparedness