Month: April 2025

Amid the ongoing stand-off between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, the Pakistani military, it seems, has started preparing for Indian military action.

Sources in the country’s military establishment said on Wednesday that Pakistani Navy vessels, including its frigates and submarines, have already positioned themselves in their respective harbours in the sea to be able to tackle any possible Indian movement.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Air Force has reduced flying operations by over 50 per cent, and only essential operations are being conducted to avoid confusion in the airspace, sources said.

Earlier, faced with mounting global pressure, a jittery Pakistan leadership resorted to accusations against India following the deadly Pahalgam incident that killed 26 people.

The Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, had issued a statement claiming that Pakistan has “credible intelligence” suggesting India plans to launch military action against the nation within the next 24-36 hours.

In a post on X, Tarar wrote, “Pakistan has credible intelligence that India intends to carry out military action against Pakistan in the next 24-36 hours on the pretext of baseless and concocted allegations of involvement in the Pahalgam incident.”

The post added, “Indian self-assumed hubris role of Judge, Jury and Executioner in the region is reckless and vehemently rejected. Pakistan has been the victim of terrorism itself and truly understands the pain of this scourge. We have always condemned it in all its forms and manifestations anywhere in the world. Being a responsible state, Pakistan offered a credible, transparent, and independent investigation by a neutral commission of experts, which was heartily welcomed.”

In another instance, Pakistan’s foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, stated in the National Assembly that it was under Pakistan pressure that the name of the resistance forum (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, was deleted from the UNSC statement on Pahalgam, proving once again Pakistan’s tacit support to terror operatives.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and pleaded for a neutral investigation into the Pahalgam incident.

“Had a telephone conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. I reaffirmed Pakistan’s condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, rejected baseless Indian accusations, and called for a transparent and neutral investigation into the Pahalgam incident…Pakistan remains committed to peace, but will defend its sovereignty with full force if challenged,” Sharif wrote on X on Tuesday.

The statements come after India took decisive action against Pakistan after the attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which killed 26 people. (ANI)

The death toll has risen to eight, with four others injured after a 20-foot-long makeshift structure collapsed during the Chandanotsavam festival at the Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Visakhapatnam during the early hours of Wednesday.

While speaking to ANI, Vinay Chan, Principal Secretary of the Endowment Department, addressed the incident in Tirupati. He stated that it is premature to determine the cause.

“So it is not appropriate for us to conclude on the reasons for the incident. Prima facie, we have noticed that there was a downpour between 2.30 and 3.30 am in the early hours. We are investigating the incident… Currently, we have information that about eight people have died. All the debris has been cleared…Rescue work has been concluded,” he said.

Search and rescue operations are underway by the teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force, an official said.

According to an SDRF jawan, the incident occurred around 2.30 am.

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the incident and informed that continuous monitoring of the situation is being conducted.

Taking to X, CM Naidu said, “The death of seven devotees in a wall collapse during the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Chandanotsavam has deeply saddened me. The incident, caused by heavy rains, is truly unfortunate. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. I have spoken to the District Collector and SP regarding the situation and instructed that proper medical care be provided to the injured. I am continuously monitoring the situation.”

Additionally, former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed shock and sorrow over the tragic deaths of devotees who lost their lives after a wall collapsed on the Rs. 300 ticket queue line due to heavy rains.

Calling it a heartbreaking incident, he said it was extremely painful that devotees who had come to witness the divine form of the Lord had to lose their lives in such a tragic manner.

YS Jagan urged the government to ensure the best possible medical treatment for those injured in the accident. He also appealed to the authorities to extend all necessary support and assistance to the families of the deceased.

Meanwhile, BJP former MLC Madhav said, “This is an unfortunate incident that has taken place on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. It took place at 2.30 am in the morning. The government will investigate the incident and will compensate the victims.” (ANI)

After Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann refused the release of more water to Haryana, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini lashed out at Mann and said that he had been trying to “politicise” the issue.

Saini also clarified that Haryana had not received its full share of water, but only 60 per cent.

“He is trying to politicise this issue. I would like to clarify that the SYL (Sutlej-Yamuna Link) canal matter is under the supervision of the Supreme Court. But this issue is not about SYL’s water. It is about the issue of drinking water… Haryana has not yet received its full share. In the last week, Haryana received only 4,000 cusecs of drinking water, which is approximately 60% of the state’s total demand. If BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) provides the remaining water per Haryana’s demand, it will be only 0.0001% of Bhakra Dam’s water reservoir…” Saini said, speaking to the media on Wednesday.

Saini also stated that after the AAP lost the elections in Delhi, Bhagwant Mann was acting to punish the people of Delhi.

“If there is less water at the contact point of Haryana, then Delhi’s drinking water supply will also be affected. As long as the AAP government was in power in Delhi, Bhagwant Mann had no objection to the water being sent to Delhi. But now, since AAP lost in Delhi, he is doing this to punish the people of Delhi,” Saini further said.

He also requested Mann to rise above his party politics and provide drinking water to the state, further requesting him to rise above narrow perspectives and cooperate for the nation’s interest.

“I request Bhagwant Mann to rise above his party politics and provide drinking water to Haryana. It is necessary to empty the Bhakra Dam water reservoir before June so that rainwater can be stored during the monsoon. If there is no space left in the water reservoir, excess water will go to Pakistan via Hari-ke-Pattan, which is neither in the interest of Punjab nor the nation. Bhagwant Mann, I request you to rise above narrow perspectives, cooperate for the nation’s interest, and ensure the supply of proper drinking water to Haryana,” Saini said.

Saini further stated that, although Mann had advocated for low water levels in the Pong and Ranjit Sagar Dams, he had not explained the situation with the Bhakra Nangal Dam.

“Bhagwant Mann advocated the low water level in Pong and Ranjit Sagar Dam, but did not explain the situation of Bhakra Dam, from where Haryana gets its drinking water. Bhagwant Mann stated that, before today, neither Punjab nor the BBMB had kept track of water levels. This is false. Along with BBMB, the governments of Rajasthan, Punjab, Delhi, and Haryana continuously monitor every drop of water at all times. On 26 April, I informed him on the phone that Punjab officials were reluctant to implement the BBMB’s technical committee’s decision to release water to Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan on 23 April,” Saini further said.

The Haryana CM also alleged that he had been assured by the Punjab CM of water release but had been kept on hold till April 27, further stating that he had misled the people of Haryana.

“Mann assured me that he would release the water by the evening and said that he would also congratulate me on the phone for this. However, the next day, on 27 April, the Punjab officials did nothing until 2 PM, and even stopped responding to phone calls from Harayna officials. The next day, I wrote him a letter to make him aware of this situation, but instead of replying to the letter for 48 hours, Mann released a video, and for political selfishness, he sidelined the facts and tried to misguide the people of Haryana,” Saini said. (ANI)

At least 14 people were killed in a fire that broke out in a hotel near Falpatti Machhua in central Kolkata on Tuesday, a senior police officer said.

“This fire incident took place at around 8:15 p.m. at the premises of Rituraj Hotel. Fourteen bodies have been recovered, and several people have been rescued by the teams,” Manoj Kumar Verma, Kolkata Police Commissioner, told reporters.

He said that the fire is under control, and the rescue operation is still underway.

“The fire is under control, and rescue is underway. Further investigation is underway. A special team has also been formed for the investigation,” he said.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Earlier, Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar had urged the State administration to rescue the affected immediately, and called for “stricter monitoring” of fire safety measures to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.

“I urge the state administration to immediately rescue those affected, ensure their safety, and provide them with necessary medical and humanitarian assistance. Additionally, I appeal for a thorough review and stricter monitoring of fire safety measures to prevent such tragic incidents in the future,” he said in a post on X.

Reacting to the incident, West Bengal Congress President Subhankar Sarkar also slammed the Kolkata Corporation.

“This is a tragic incident. A fire broke out…A lot of people are still stuck in the building. There was no safety or security…I don’t know what the corporation is doing,” Sarkar told ANI. (ANI)

Faced with mounting global pressure, a jittery Pakistan leadership has resorted to accusations against India following the deadly Pahalgam incident that killed 26 people.

In a bid to divert attention from its failure to curb terrorism, the Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, has issued a statement claiming that Pakistan has “credible intelligence” suggesting India plans to launch military action against the nation within the next 24-36 hours.

In a post on X, Tarar wrote, “Pakistan has credible intelligence that India intends to carry out military action against Pakistan in the next 24-36 hours on the pretext of baseless and concocted allegations of involvement in the Pahalgam incident.”

The post added, “Indian self-assumed hubris role of Judge, Jury and Executioner in the region is reckless and vehemently rejected. Pakistan has been the victim of terrorism itself and truly understands the pain of this scourge. We have always condemned it in all its forms and manifestations anywhere in the world. Being a responsible state, Pakistan offered a credible, transparent, and independent investigation by a neutral commission of experts, which was heartily welcomed. Unfortunately, rather than pursuing the path of reason, India has apparently decided to tread the dangerous path of irrationality and confrontation, which will have catastrophic consequences for the entire region and beyond.”

In another instance, Pakistan’s foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, stated in the National Assembly that it was under Pakistan pressure that the name of the resistance forum (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, was deleted from the UNSC statement on Pahalgam, proving once again Pakistan’s tacit support to terror operatives.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and pleaded for a neutral investigation into the Pahalgam incident.

“Had a telephone conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. I reaffirmed Pakistan’s condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, rejected baseless Indian accusations, and called for a transparent and neutral investigation into the Pahalgam incident…Pakistan remains committed to peace, but will defend its sovereignty with full force if challenged,” Sharif wrote on X on Tuesday.

The statements come after India took decisive action against Pakistan after the attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which killed 26 people. (ANI)

Remembering Irrfan Khan on his fifth death anniversary, his son and actor Babil took a stroll down memory lane and shared his childhood picture with his “abba”.

In the image, little Babil can be seen leaning on Irrfan’s father.

Babil also penned a heartfelt poem in memory of his beloved father.

“With you, without you. Life goes on, With me, without me. Soon I’ll be there. With you, not without you. And we will run together, and fly, Drink from waterfalls, pink not blue. I will hug you so tight, and I will cry, Then we’ll laugh, just like we used to.

I miss you,” he shared.

Irrfan Khan is considered one of the best actors the Indian film industry.The legendary Indian actor made his debut with the Oscar-nominated Hindi film ‘Salaam Bombay!’ and went on to star in some of the most critically acclaimed films in India like ‘Life in a… Metro’, ‘The Lunchbox’ and ‘Hindi Medium’.

However, the actor’s success was not confined to the boundaries of India. He performed exceptionally well in several international projects, which garnered him lots of recognition abroad and put him on the map of world cinema.

Irrfan died at a Mumbai hospital on April 29, 2020. He was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour and lost his life to it. (ANI)

India’s ‘Hitman’ Rohit Sharma, a modern-day white-ball legend, turned 38 on Wednesday. Since making his debut for the Indian team in Belfast on June 23, 2007, he has toppled several records across formats, establishing his legacy and serving as a beacon of inspiration for the next generation.

Relaxed and easy on the eye, that’s how Rohit has owned all the shots from the cricket book and made some of his own by adding his twist to them. Rohit laboured enough and exuded patience and persistence to become a colossus in the white-ball format.

A young Rohit made a silent contribution to India’s success in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup and later played his part in opening India’s pathway to success in the 2013 Champions Trophy.

Despite being associated with the word “talent” by several fans on social media, the selectors often overlooked him, and Rohit had to bide his time on the sidelines, waiting for the opportunity when things finally fell in place for him. The moment eventually arrived in 2012 when he was pushed as an opener, and suddenly, it all clicked for him.

He went out, inflicted carnage at will, flaunted his effortless boundary hitting prowess, and put his talent on exhibition that was visible for the trained eye and the casual observer. He scored double hundreds for fun, won six IPL titles in 15 editions, and hammered five centuries in the 2019 ODI World Cup without breaking a sweat.

The seasoned opener was deemed Virat Kohli’s ideal successor and took over the captaincy across all formats in 2022. That same year, he captained the Men in Blue in the T20 World Cup, a tournament in which England brutally thrashed India in the semi-finals. Rohit took the brunt on his shoulders and developed a culture in which his players played fearless cricket, leading by example.

Under his reign, India went on a winning spree on home turf in the 2023 ODI World Cup, with Rohit taking on the bowlers early on and derailing their plans by pulling out a wide array of shots from his arsenal. With his early blitzkrieg and a consistent middle order, India sang in harmony and stormed into the final to face the mighty Australia in Ahmedabad for the coveted title.

The crimson night, meant to end in tears of joy, was transformed into a hellish nightmare that haunted India for months. Australia’s pedigree for success in ICC knockouts was too much for Rohit’s side to bear. Travis Head single-handedly blew apart the high-flying Indian team and robbed Rohit of his dream to lift the invaluable trophy.

Despite the setback, Rohit ended India’s 17-year-long wait for the ICC T20 World Cup by scripting a flawless campaign in 2024. India went unbeaten, muscled away any opposition that came their way, and outwitted South Africa against the odds to stamp their authority in Barbados.

“Revenge is a dish best served cold”, Rohit savoured the feeling in the same edition when India lined up to face the Baggy Greens in the Super 8 stage. With vengeance in his eyes, Rohit charismatically flicked, drove and pulled the ball towards the fence throughout the Beausejour Stadium.

Mitchell Starc, a powerplay specialist in T20s for Australia, fell in the line of fire as Rohit relentlessly assaulted him and took 29 runs from his single over. It was Rohit’s sizzling 92(41) that showed Australia the pathway to exit and India the road to the semi-finals. After the famous triumph, Rohit retired from the format and paved the way for the youngsters to take the Indian team to new heights.

In less than a year, Rohit had his hands on another ICC title, with India staging an unbeaten campaign to comprehensively take away the precious trophy. When India needed a source of inspiration, he lifted the spirits with an impeccable 76(83) to steer his side to victory with consummate ease.

As he continues to stroll in the twilight phase of his career, Rohit emerges as one of the unparalleled figures the cricket world has laid its eyes upon. (ANI)

As many as 786 Pakistan nationals have left India through the Attari-Wagah border point within six days beginning April 24, said a senior official.

The officer informed that during the same time, a total of 1376 Indians have returned from Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border.

On April 24, the government announced that Pakistani nationals should leave India by April 27, and those with medical visas had until April 29 to do so. Those having diplomatic, official and long-term visas were excluded from the ‘Leave India’ notice. The deadline for Pakistanis holding any of the 12 categories of short-term visas ended on Sunday.

The restriction on the stay of Pakistani nationals came after the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, where 26 tourists were killed.

The government strongly advised Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Pakistan. Those Indian nationals currently in Pakistan are also advised to return to India at the earliest.

“Several have left via flight through Dubai or other routes, as there is no direct flight to Pakistan. We are expecting more Pakistan nationals to leave the country as state police and other central agencies are identifying Pakistan nationals residing at various places in the country,” said the officer.

A large verification drive in all of the states is underway in close coordination with central intelligence agencies.

Strict action will be taken against Pakistani nationals, and their stay will be considered illegal if they continue their stay in India after April 29, said another officer who is closely monitoring the situation. (ANI)

Veteran actor Tiku Talsania is known for his unforgettable roles and for making the audience laugh with his perfect comic timing. The actor, who starred in ‘Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin’, ‘Andaz Apna Apna’, ‘Hungama’, and others, went through a tough phase and suffered a brain stroke in January.

However, now he has recovered and is all set to entertain his fans once again with his intriguing projects.

In a conversation with ANI, he shared how he was back to work after coming out of the hospital and how his lifestyle has changed after suffering from a brain stroke, and how he is dealing with those changes.

Talsania was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital after suffering from a brain stroke.

Although he went through a tough phase, the ace star has complete faith in the Almighty and is full of confidence.

He said, “Life is wonderful”, he said, mentioning the lifestyle changes, “..bahut sari cheezen hai jisme rukavate aa gayi hai aur cope kar rahe hai un changes ke saath, “he added.

The actor, who acted in numerous TV shows and started with ‘Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi’ in 1984, shared that he got good treatment that helped in his early recovery and after coming out of the hospital, he started working.

“Luckily, I got a very good doctor..unhone itni achi treatment ki mai chaar din mein khada ho gaya, but he said I have to keep you under observation. Then, I came out of the hospital…ek film ki baat chal rahi thi ‘Fari Ek Vaar’, vo bhi Gujarati film thi, and it starred Supriya Pathak.. to vo humne complete ki 18 days hum Gujarat mein the. I shot that film after my this thing(brain stroke). So, I am absolutely fine. I am also doing one Bollywood film by the end of November-December.”

He shared that most important is, “Keep it up, have faith in the Almighty, fight it out, and keep up the struggle although it is not easy, you will be out of it.”

The veteran actor expressed gratitude towards those who gave him support during the challenging period of his life, ” I thank people for giving me that kind of support and keeping me in their prayers. I feel very obliged, and I thank everyone.”

Tiku Talsania also talked about his upcoming Gujarati film, ‘Jai Mata Ji-Let’s Rock’, “I liked the script of the film and the approach of the director, so I decided to do the film.”

The film is directed by Manish Saini, and it is set to release on May 9.

Tiku Talsania is best known for his comic roles in films like ‘Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa’, ‘Ishq’, ‘Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke’, ‘Andaz Apna Apna’, ‘Hungama’, and ‘Dhamaal’, among others.

He also had a remarkable non-comic role in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer ‘Devdas’. Tiku’s daughter Shikha is also an actor. She has worked in films such as ‘Veere Di Wedding’ and ‘Wake Up Sid’. (ANI)