Month: April 2025

The US House Committee Majority on Foreign Affairs on Thursday slammed The New York Times newspaper over its reporting of the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, as it described the terrorists as “gunmen” and “militants.”

In a post on X, the US House Committee Majority on Foreign Affairs shared a modified version of the New York Times headline, replacing ‘militants’ with ‘terrorists’.

The headline of a news article on Pahalgam killings in The New York Times said: “At Least 24 Tourists Gunned Down by Militants in Kashmir.”

Quoting the screenshot of the same, the US House Committee Majority on Foreign Affairs said, “Hey, @nytimes, we fixed it for you. This was a TERRORIST ATTACK, plain and simple. Whether it’s India or Israel, when it comes to TERRORISM, the NYT is removed from reality.”

The comments by the committee come as the US administration under President Donald Trump continues to support India after the Pahalgam incident in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday that claimed 26 lives.

US President Donald Trump held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday and offered his condolences at the loss of lives in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Trump condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and expressed full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of this “heinous attack.”

In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated, “President Donald Trump @realDonaldTrump @POTUS called PM @narendramodi and conveyed his deepest condolences at the loss of innocent lives in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. President Trump strongly condemned the terror attack and expressed full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous attack. India and the United States stand together in the fight against terror.”

US Vice President JD Vance also called Prime Minister Narendra Modi and strongly condemned the dastardly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. He conveyed his deepest condolences on the loss of lives and reiterated that the United States stands with the people of India in this difficult hour.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that the US vice president is ready to provide all assistance in the joint fight against terrorism. PM Modi thanked Vance and Trump for their messages of support and solidarity.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also offered support to India. Rubio wrote in a post on X, “The United States stands with India.”

He made the statement in response to the post shared by the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the US State Department on the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, calling for holding the perpetrators accountable.

“The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Kashmir. Nothing can justify such a heinous act, killing tourists and civilians. Our thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. We continue to monitor the situation and call for perpetrators to be held accountable,” the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the US State Department posted on X.

US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz called the attack in Pahalgam a “terrible tragedy.” “A terrible tragedy. Please join me in praying for the victims and their families,” Waltz posted on X.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump condemned the terrorist attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, expressing solidarity with India. Sharing a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured.”

“Prime Minister Modi and the incredible people of India have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!” he added.

Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the CCS meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post.

India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission as Persona Non Grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. India has also decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. (ANI)

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday that the Long Term Visas (LTVs) already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals remain valid.

In a press release, MEA stated, “Reference Government of India’s decision (24 April 2025) to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals. It is hereby clarified that the revocation of visas specified in the above decision does not apply to the Long Term Visas (LTVs) already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals, which remain valid.”

After the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday that claimed 26 lives, India has decided to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals, effective immediately.

In a statement, MEA stated, “In continuation of the decisions made by the Cabinet Committee on Security in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India has decided to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect.”

“All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from 27 April 2025. Medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till 29 April 2025,” the statement added.

Further, the MEA noted that all Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave India before the expiry of their visas, as now amended.Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid travelling to Pakistan. Those Indian nationals currently in Pakistan are also advised to return to India at the earliest,” as per the MEA.

Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured, in one of the deadliest attacks in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed.

Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the CCS meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post.

India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission as Persona Non Grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. India has also decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. (ANI)

Following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Sri Ganganagar district, located on the international border, has ramped up security measures. Superintendent of Police (SP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed that local authorities are on high alert.

Speaking to ANI, SP Yadav said, “Sri Ganganagar district is on the international border and it is a sensitive place… Ever since the incident (Pahalgam terror attack) happened, the police are completely on alert mode… All our weapons in the police station have been checked, especially the long-range weapons… Apart from this, the places of stay here, such as hostels, Dharamshala, etc., have also been checked.”

In Nainital, Kumaon region, IG Riddhim Agarwal provided details of the enhanced security arrangements. The district has been placed on high alert, and public spaces have been monitored more closely.

Agarwal told ANI, “We have issued an alert and directed all the district SSPs to ensure continuous checking at all the crowded places… There should be continuous checking at the border check posts as well. We have also alerted our intelligence unit. People coming and going should be monitored.”

Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism.

In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post.

India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission persona non grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. The country further decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours.

The Government of India has also decided to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals, effective immediately. The Ministry of External Affairs stated in a press release that all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals will be revoked, effective 27 April 2025 .

This comes after the Pahalgam terror attack on Tuesday, which targeted tourists in the Baisaran meadow, claiming the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, leaving several others injured. It is considered one of the deadliest terror attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, and among the most severe since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. (ANI)

Congress MP KC Venugopal on Thursday announced that the party workers across all states and districts will hold candlelight marches on April 25 to honour the victims of the Pahalgam attack.

In a post on X, Venugopal said that the ‘Samvidhan Bachhao’ rallies scheduled for April 25, 26 stand postponed.

“In solidarity with the victims of the horrific Pahalgam terror attack and in strong condemnation of this inhuman act, Congress workers across all states and districts will hold candlelight marches on 25th April 2025 to honour the victims and reaffirm our unity against terrorism,” the Congress leader said.

“All Samvidhan Bachao rallies scheduled for 25th and 26th April stand postponed. The Samvidhan Bachao rallies will resume from 27th April onwards,” Venugopal said.

The Congress party on April 20 announced the launch of a nationwide ‘Save Constitution’ campaign across the country from April 25, which will continue till May 30, the party said in a statement.

The terrorist attack on Tuesday in Pahalgam targeted tourists at Baisaran meadow, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, while leaving several others injured, in one of the deadliest attacks in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed.

The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack.

Following the terror attack, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides.

India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.

“The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said. He also mentioned that the Integrated Check Post at Attari will be closed with immediate effect. (ANI)

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a scathing attack on the Congress party and said that one of its MPs from Assam, who is also a member of the parliamentary board, spent 15 days in Islamabad without informing the Assam or the Indian government.

Assam CM was briefing the reporters in Guwahati on Thursday.

Sarma stated that he is not taking anyone’s name but that the said MP went to Pakistan through the Attari border and the matter is under investigation by the Special Investigation Team.

Assam Chief Minister also expressed his concern over Bangladesh and the country’s recent “hobnobbing” with Pakistan. He stated that the security agencies have been asked to stay on alert.

“We are also concerned about Bangladesh and recent hobnobbing between Bangladesh and Pakistan, so we have alerted our security agencies to keep a watch on whatever is going on across the border and also remain vigilant…”, Sarma said.

The Assam CM told reporters, “An important functionary of the Congress Parliamentary Party, who is an MP from Assam, spent 15 days in Islamabad without informing the Assam government or the Government of India. He went to Pakistan through the Attari border. I am not taking anyone’s name, but this matter is under investigation by the SIT”,

Furthermore, he stated that in the investigation, it was found that the wife of the MP used to get a salary from Pakistan for three years while she was working in Delhi. Sarma revealed that the Assam government will discuss the matter with the Congress MP in June or July.

“We have found some important evidence that the MP’s wife used to get salary from Pakistan for three years. She was working in Delhi, but her salary used to come from Pakistan… In the month of June-July, we are going to discuss this matter with the MP. The SIT of Assam Police will meet the MP and his family to know their side and then submit the report before September. But it is true that he spent 15 days in Islamabad without informing the Government of India and the Government of Assam…”, Sarma said.

The Assam CM announced that as a mark of solidarity towards the victims of Pahalgam terror attack, the state government will extend an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased who belong to the state. He stated that violence was once part of Assam’s history and our people stand shoulder to shoulder with the families.

(ANI)

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will visit Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday, following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

Rahul Gandhi, who was on an official visit to the United States, cut his trip short and returned to New Delhi early Thursday morning.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also shortened their trips to Saudi Arabia and the US, respectively, in response to the attack in Pahalgam.

Earlier in the day, the Central government convened an all-party meeting to deliberate on the security situation and formulate a collective response to the attack.

Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism.

In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post.

India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission persona non grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. The country further decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours.

The Government of India has also decided to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals, effective immediately. All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals will stand revoked, effective from 27 April 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a press release.

Meanwhile, families of victims of the Pahalgam terror attack mourned the loss of their loved ones as they urged the government to take strong action against the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

Last rites of Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, were performed at his native place in Karnal. Shivamogga resident Manjunath Rao was killed in the terror attack. Family friend Dattatreya urged the government to take strong steps against terrorists.

Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured, in one of the deadliest attacks in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. (ANI)

In the aftermath of the terror attack in Pahalgam, a total of 10,090 passengers, mostly tourists, departed from Srinagar airport on Thursday.

Additionally, a total of 4,107 passengers arrived at the Srinagar airport today.

A senior official from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that on Thursday total of 110 flights operated to and from Srinagar airport to various locations between 6 am to 8 pm that ferried a total of 14,197 passengers. And total of eight additional flights were operated.

It was further infored that Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu proactively instructed all airlines to ensure safe transit to tourists wanting to return and to also ensure that the airfare prices are kept in control, and to increase the number of flights.

In addition, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken prompt action, issuing urgent advisories to all airlines and online travel agencies.

These directives are designed to guarantee seamless connectivity for passengers traveling from Srinagar to multiple destinations throughout India, ensure clear and transparent displays of airfares, and provide assistance to stranded tourists.

Understanding the challenges many passengers are facing, airlines have worked diligently to ease the burden by waiving cancellation and rescheduling fees.

Besides this, they have increased flight capacities to help ensure that the stranded tourists at Srinagar can return home safely.

As a result of these interventions, a notable reduction in airfares from Srinagar has been observed over two days. For instance, a flight from Srinagar to Delhi, which was priced over Rs 20,000 on April 21, 2025, has decreased to a more accessible fare, falling below Rs 10,000 by April 24, 2025.

Despite the positive development, the discontent persists across social media platforms and public forums, with many individuals continuing to express their grievances regarding the high fares levied by airlines operating from Srinagar.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is consistently monitoring fares being charged by airlines, and remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting passengers and is striving to ensure that no airline exploits this challenging period by engaging in practices of profiteering. (ANI)

Amid tensions with India after the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan has issued a notification regarding the scheduled test of a surface-to-surface missile off its Karachi coast within its Exclusive Economic Zone, sources told ANI.

The notification was issued by Pakistani agencies at around 2130 Hours (9:30 PM) Indian time, which is around the same time Indian leadership was holding the key Cabinet Committee on Security meeting to take steps against Pakistan for its involvement in the Pahalgam, they said.

According to the sources, the missile test will take place between April 24 to April 25 and the Indian agencies concerned are closely monitoring the developments and keeping a close watch on the situation.

The missile test was announced soon after Tuesday’s terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives.

Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba’s proxy, the Resistance Front (TRF), has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In retaliation, India on Wednesday announced a series of steps to give a strong message to Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism, stating that the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance and the integrated checkpost at Attari will be closed with immediate effect.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed a special press conference after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security and said Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC visa Exemption scheme.

The CCS meeting, which lasted over two hours, was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS), which met on Wednesday, was briefed in detail on the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were killed.

The CCS condemned the attack in the strongest terms and expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hoped for the early recovery of the injured.

In the briefing to the CCS, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out. The families of victims of the Pahalgam terror attack mourned the loss of their loved ones as they urged the government to take strong action against the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

The attack, carried out by terrorists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday, is one of the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. The attack was one of the biggest terror attacks in the region after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. (ANI)

Locals in Amritsar have lauded the decision of the Indian government to shut the Attari Integrated Check Post (ICP), among other diplomatic measures in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

They also condemned the April 22 attack and supported the Government’s decision even though some of them have had to delay or cancel their plans.

A tourist from Rajasthan, Surinder Singh told ANI that they had come to Amritsar with the hopes of crossing through the border to attend a family wedding in Pakistan, but now the plans have been postponed.

“I was going to Pakistan today for my brother’s wedding, but it will be postponed now. My grandmother and her four sons stay in Pakistan, and her one son stays in India. The attack on tourists (in Pahalgam) was very wrong,” he said.

Shaitan Singh, a relative of Surinder expressed uncertainty about his plans. “What the terrorists have done is wrong…We are not being allowed to go (to Pakistan) as the border is closed…Let us see what will happen now,” he told ANI.

The Central government has also suspended the SAARC Visa Exemption scheme, giving Pakistani nationals 48 hours to return to their country.

A Pakistani national, Mohammed Jammeel also condemened the attack, saying that “whoever’s blood is shed is wrong.”

“Khoon kisi ka bhi bahe woh galat hai (Whoever’s blood is being shed is wrong) even if it is mine, or someone else’s, everyone’s hearts beat the same,” Jameel told ANI.

At the same time, businessmen in Amritsar said that while their business will be affected, they stand with PM Modi regarding the decision/

A businessman from Attari said, “The closure of the Attari border will definitely affect the business here… but the incident that has happened is also very wrong.”

Another business said that the attack in Pulwama on innocent people was wrong, adding, “The attack on the tourist was wrong. We stand with the nation. Jis hisab se Modi ji desh chala rahe hain, chalane do. We stand with the decisions of PM Modi,” he said.

As many as 26 people were killed in the dastardly attack by terrorists on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

The attack, carried out by terrorists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday, is one of the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. The attack was one of the biggest terror attacks in the region after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

In response, the Central government announced on Wednesday the closure of Attari ICP, reducing the strength of High Commissions in India and Pakistan to 30 officials each, and suspended the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, “Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under an SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India.” (ANI)

B-town couple Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, who are expecting their first child together, were spotted outside a hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday afternoon. However, things took a tense turn when Sidharth lost his cool with the paparazzi.

A video from the spot showed Sidharth stepping out of his car, wearing a white T-shirt, grey pants, a cap, and a mask. Kiara, on the other hand, was spotted donning a loose pink shirt, beige pants, and a mask as she made her way inside.

As they were leaving, Sidharth was seen gently helping his wife into the car. However before they could drive away, the paparazzi quickly surrounded the vehicle, trying to take pictures from very close, which made the Yodha actor clearly frustrated. Sidharth, who lost his cool at the paps, could be heard saying, “Get back… behave yourselves.”

The couple announced their pregnancy on February 28 with an adorable post on Instagram that featured tiny white knitted baby socks.

The caption read, “The greatest gift of our lives.” Since then, they have been keeping a low profile, making only a few public appearances.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DGnAatCoZpe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

The couple tied the knot in an intimate yet grand ceremony in Rajasthan in February 2023. Their love story blossomed on the sets of the war drama Shershaah.

On the professional front, Sidharth was last seen in Yodha, alongside Raashii Khanna and Disha Patani, while Kiara recently appeared in ‘Game Changer’ with Ram Charan.

Sidharth is also set to feature in Param Sundari, while Kiara will next be seen in Don 3. (ANI)