Month: May 2025

BJP MP Jagdambika Pal on Sunday backed the Centre’s decision to impose a blanket ban on imports from Pakistan, calling it a necessary response to the Pahalgam terror attack and directly blaming Pakistan’s ISI and Army for sponsoring the killings of innocent Indian tourists.

Speaking to ANI on the government’s response, Pal said, “The incident in Pahalgam has occurred, and our innocent tourists were murdered in front of their children and wives. These acts of terrorism clearly show that the ISI and the Pakistan Army across the border have sponsored these killings.”

He added that the country stands united in grief and determination. “Without a doubt, those families who have suffered and the entire nation that is outraged, justice will be served for their tears,” he said.

Pal highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong stand on terrorism. “Prime Minister Shri Modi himself has stated that we will punish those terrorists from Pahalgam and their handlers or protectors in a way unimaginable. This message has reached the entire world.”

Emphasising international support for India’s stand, the MP said, “The whole world stands with us in this act of terrorism, and all support Prime Minister Modi’s zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism.”

On the government’s immediate response, Pal noted key steps have been taken. “In this regard, the government has taken action, whether it’s about airspace, trade, or stopping Pakistani ships from entering our coast, decisions have been made to halt all of them,” he said.

He dismissed Pakistan’s response to India’s move, saying, “And Pakistan responds with empty threats.”

On Saturday, India imposed a complete ban on the direct or indirect import and transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan. The ban was notified by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and is effective immediately.

The Commerce and Industry’s Gazette notification issued on Saturday reads, “In exercise of power conferred by Section 3 read with Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, read with Paragraph 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Polivy (FTP) 2023, as amended from time to time, the Central government hereby inserts a new Para 2.20A in the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 as follows with immediate effect.”

“Para 2.20A: Prohibition on Import from Pakistan. Direct or indirect Import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether or not freely importable or otherwise permitted, shall be prohibited with immediate effect, until further orders. This restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy. Any exception to this prohibition shall require prior approval of the Government of India,” the Commerce and Industry Ministry’s notification added.

The move follows the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists.

In the aftermath of the attack, the Centre also took a series of diplomatic and security steps — including shutting down the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals (giving them 40 hours to leave), and reducing diplomatic staff strength in both countries.

India also decided to halt the Indus Waters Treaty signed with Pakistan in 1960.

Prime Minister Modi, while addressing the nation, said the terrorists and their conspirators would face punishment “beyond imagination”. He said the time had come to dismantle the remaining strongholds of terror and that the willpower of 140 crore Indians would break the backbone of the perpetrators. (ANI)

Impactful innings from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Andre Russell and young batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi powered KKR to a commanding 206/4 in their 20 overs against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) at Eden Gardens on Sunday.

After winning the toss, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane opted to bat first. Sunil Narine and Rahmanullah Gurbaz opened the innings.

Following a tight first over by RR pacer Jofra Archer, Yudhvir Singh Charak struck in the second over, dismissing Narine for 11 off 9 balls as he attempted to accelerate the scoring.

Rahane joined Gurbaz, and together they took on the bowlers, taking KKR to 56/1 at the end of the powerplay.

The momentum continued after the fielding restrictions, with 11 runs coming off Wanindu Hasaranga’s over in the seventh.

Maheesh Theekshana dismissed Gurbaz in the eighth over for 35 off 25 balls, which included four fours and a six. Angkrish Raghuvanshi then joined the KKR captain at the crease.

At the halfway mark, KKR were 85/2 with Rahane on 24* and Raghuvanshi on 11*. The team crossed the 100-run mark in the 12th over.

RR skipper Riyan Parag dismissed Rahane for 30 off 24 balls in the 13th over, an innings that featured two sixes and a four. Andre Russell walked in to join Raghuvanshi.

The Sri Lankan spin duo of Hasaranga and Theekshana tightened the run flow in the middle overs with disciplined bowling.

However, Russell counter-attacked in the 16th over, smashing 15 runs off Akash Madhwal, including two fours and a six.

Russell and Raghuvanshi brought up a 50-run partnership for the fourth wicket in just 31 balls. Russell then launched three sixes off Theekshana in his final over.

Archer returned to remove Raghuvanshi in the 19th over for a well-made 44 off 31 balls, which included five boundaries. Rinku Singh came in for the final overs.

Russell reached his first half-century of the season off just 22 balls in the 19th over. He and Rinku Singh hammered 22 runs in the final over bowled by Madhwal.

For RR, Jofra Archer, Yudhvir Singh, Maheesh Theekshana, and Riyan Parag picked up a wicket each.

Brief Score: KKR 206/4 (Andre Russell 57, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 44; Jofra Archer 1/30) vs RR. (ANI)

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said that the BJP is conducting a caste census out of fear of a united PDA- Picchda (backwards), Dalit (scheduled caste) and Alphshankyak (minorities).

Akhilesh Yadav said that the BJP government’s corruption and injustice have united the PDA against them, adding that they will remain together to ensure that “there are no irregularities in the caste census.”

Addressing a press conference here, the SP leader said, “There’s no limit to the corruption in this governemnt. Injustice is on the same level, and that is why the PDA family has come together. BJP is conducting a caste census out of fear of this unity. The PDA family will remain united to ensure “no irregularities in the caste census.”

Akhilesh Yadav also targeted Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government, alleging that under them, “corruption has touched the peak”

“Corruption is at peak under the present Uttar Pradesh government… No agency is taking any action against these people (BJP leaders)… This government is with the businessmen and not with the poor and farmers… Everything is so expensive… They have insulted the government so many times,” Yadav said.

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated at a media briefing following the cabinet meeting that the decision demonstrates the present government’s commitment to the holistic interests and values of the nation and society.

The Congress party meanwhile passed a resolution demanding the immediate implementation of clause 5 of Article 15 of the Indian Constitution to enable reservations for Other Backwards Classes (OBCS), Dalits, and Adivasis in private educational institutions. The resolution also said that updated caste data must be used to strengthen reservation policies.

Clause 5 of Article 15, which discusses reservations in educational institutions, allows the state to make special provisions “for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes in so far as such special provisions relate to their admission to educational institutions including private educational institutions.” (ANI)

The Met Gala 2025 is just around the corner, and Kiara Advani, who is all set to make her debut at the global fashion event, has already landed in New York ahead of the big day.

The soon-to-be mom took to her Instagram to share a glimpse from her hotel room in New York, which proves that the actress received a warm welcome. The photo featured a beautifully arranged table with a vase of pink roses, chocolates, and a cake shaped like a tiny mannequin wearing a black gown and pearl set. A booklet titled The MET Gala was also visible, with the famous Met steps on the cover.

Last year, Kiara made her debut at Cannes, attending the Red Sea Film Foundation’s Women in Cinema Gala Dinner. Now, her Met Gala debut will definitely elevate her global appeal. Previously, actors like Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, and Priyanka Chopra have added an Indian touch to the Met Gala with their stunning presence.

Meanwhile, Kiara is expecting her first child with actor Sidharth Malhotra.

The couple, in February 2025, announced their pregnancy with an adorable post featuring tiny white knitted baby socks. The caption read, “The greatest gift of our lives.”

Since then, they have kept a low profile, making only a few public appearances. Kiara and Sidharth’s love story blossomed on the sets of the war drama Shershaah, and in February 2023, they tied the knot in an intimate yet grand ceremony in Rajasthan. (ANI)

Actor and son of late actor Irrfan Khan, Babil Khan, was seen on Sunday breaking down in several stories on his Instagram account, lashing out at several actors and talking about the pressures and challenges of being part of Bollywood. Babil later deleted his Instagram account.

Videos from his Instagram posts was shared widely on social media shedding light on the bullying he allegedly faced in Bollywood.

Following the video’s release, Babil’s Instagram account became inaccessible, and users who attempted to visit the profile were met with a message indicating that the account had been removed.

In the now-deleted video, Babil appeared visibly emotional and fought back tears as he opened up about the pressures and challenges of being in the Hindi film industry.

He spoke candidly about the difficulties he had allegedly encountered within Bollywood, which had caused him emotional distress.

Babil, who made his acting debut with the critically acclaimed film ‘Qala’ and was recently seen in ‘Logout’, has always been open about his struggles following the tragic loss of his father, Irrfan Khan.

The young actor has been vocal about the emotional toll of losing his father and has often shared heartfelt tributes to him on social media.

On the recent anniversary of Irrfan Khan’s passing, Babil shared a poignant post that read, “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.” (ANI)

In a major boost for its capabilities amid tensions with Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack, the Indian Army has received new supplies of the Russian-origin Igla-S missiles.

The Very Short Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS) are an important part of the air defence protection of the Indian Army, and the new supplies of the Igla-S missiles have been received as part of a contract inked under the emergency procurement powers given by the Centre to the forces.

The new supplies of the Igla-S air defence missiles have been received by the Indian Army a couple of weeks ago and are being provided to the forward formations for taking care of the threat from enemy fighter aircraft, choppers and drones on the borders, defence sources told ANI.

The contract worth around Rs 260 crore is expected to boost the strength of the air defence troops in the forward areas especially on the western sector, they said.

The Indian Air Force has opted for a similar contract for the air defence missiles which are Infra Red sensor based VSHORADS.

The Indian forces have been boosting their inventories through emergency and fast-track procurements over the last few years, where a major focus has been on the spares and other equipment to keep the fleets running through high tempo operations.

Along with the fresh deliveries of the Igla-S missiles, Indian Army has also issued tender for buying 48 more launchers and around 90 missiles of the VSHORADS (IR) under fast track procedures.

The forces are also looking at acquiring new versions of the laser beam-riding VSHORADS soon.

The Igla-S is the advanced version of the Igla missiles, which have been in use since the 1990s.

The existing inventory of older version missiles has also been refurbished by an Indian firm in the country itself.

The Indian Army requires a large number of missiles as well as enhanced drone detection and destruction capabilities, given the threat from all types of unmanned aerial vehicles used by the Pakistan Army on the western front.

The Army has deployed the Mark 1 of the indigenous Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System which can detect, jam, spoof and kill drones from a distance of over 8 kilometers.

The systems are also fitted with lasers which can burn and bring down drones. The Army Air Defence units had recently brought down a Pakistan Army drone using the same systems opposite the 16 Corps area in the Jammu region.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation has also developed a longer range and high powered direct energy weapon which can take down large size drones, cruise missiles and aircraft in times of conflicts.

The Army also has to get the low-level transportable radars for a quicker detection and destruction of enemy drones and aircraft operating a lower levels. (ANI)

Japan has lodged a strong protest against China after a helicopter from a Chinese Coast Guard ship “violated” airspace and four vessels entered its territorial waters around the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, state media reported.

China also claims the Japanese-controlled uninhabited islands, which it calls the Diaoyu.

Japanese official news agency Kyodo said that airspace intrusion on Saturday was the fourth one by China.

The helicopter took off from one of the four Chinese Coast Guard ships that entered Japan’s territorial waters around the Senkakus at around 12:20 pm, the Japanese Coast Guard said.

Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels spotted the helicopter flying above the territorial waters for about 15 minutes, prompting the Air Self-Defence Force to scramble two jet fighters, its foreign ministry said as reported by Kyodo.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry in a statement said, “It has been confirmed that on May 3, around 12 pm, four China Coast Guard vessels entered Japan’s territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands, and a helicopter launched from one of the China Coast Guard vessels intruded into Japan’s territorial airspace around the islands.”

It further said that following this incident, the Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, summoned Zhao Baogang, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of China, and lodged a protest concerning the China Coast Guard’s actions, demanding measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

Chinese state media Global Times, however, said that on Saturday, while China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were conducting a routine patrol in the waters surrounding the Diaoyu Dao a Japanese civilian aircraft illegally entered China’s airspace over Diaoyu Dao at 11:19 am and exited at 11:24 am.

The Chinese Coast Guard “implemented necessary control measures” and dispatched a shipborne helicopter to issue a warning and drive it away, CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun said in a statement as per the Global Times.

Yesterday, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao lodged a representation with Japan’s Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Takehiro Funakoshi over the intrusion of the Japanese civilian aircraft, the Chinese media outlet said. (ANI)

Following heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the accounts of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have been suspended in India.

Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto had acknowledged his country’s tango with terror operatives, saying that Pakistan has a past. Bhutto acknowledged Pakistan’s history with extremism, claiming the nation has suffered as a result and has since reformed.

His statement followed Defence Minister Khwaja Asif’s admission of Pakistan’s involvement in backing and funding terrorist groups.

In a conversation with Sky News’s Yalda Hakim on Thursday, Bhutto said, “As far as what the defence minister said, I don’t think it is a secret that Pakistan has a past… As a result, we have suffered, Pakistan has suffered. We have gone through wave after wave of extremism. But as a result of what we suffered, we also learned our lessons. We have gone through internal reforms to address this problem…”

“As far as Pakistan’s history is concerned, it is history, and it is not something that we are partaking in today. It is true that it is an unfortunate part of our history,” Bhutto further said.

Bhutto had addressed a rally in Mirpur Khas on Thursday and engaged in empty rhetoric, claiming that Pakistan wanted peace but was ready for war if India provoked them.

“Pakistan is a peaceful country, and Islam is a peaceful religion. We do not want war, but if someone attacks our Sindhu, then they should be ready for war. We don’t beat the drums of war, but if provoked, the roar of a united Pakistan will be deafening,” he said in the rally.

Bhutto was under fire for making a controversial “either water or blood will flow” statement, threatening India over the suspension of the Indus water treaty, which allocates the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan and the Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India. (ANI)

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, sources told ANI.

This comes after the Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi met with PM Modi on Saturday at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence in the national capital.

The meeting between the Air Force Chief and Prime Minister Modi took place days after the Prime Minister Modi chaired a meeting, which was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan and three service chiefs. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was also present at the meeting.

A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) was held a day after the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed.

The government has affirmed India’s national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism. It has said that the terrorists responsible for the attack and the conspirators behind it will face severe punishment.

The government has given armed forces complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of India’s response.The government had convened an all-party meeting after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Opposition parties have expressed their full support for any action taken by the government against the pepetrators of the terror attack.In the briefing to the CCS, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out.

It was noted that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in Jammu and Kashmir and its steady progress towards economic growth and development.

The government has announced a series of measures, including putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, to send a strong message to Pakistan for its support to cross-border terrorism. (ANI)