Amid Indo-Pakistan tensions, Pakistan's Senate on Friday passed a resolution rejecting India's "frivolous and baseless attempts" to link the country with Pahalgam terror attack. The attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for Pahalgam terror attack. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar moved the resolution, which got across-the-board support from parties in the Upper House of parliament. "Pakistan remains fully capable and prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any aggression, including water terrorism or military provocation," the resolution said. The resolution, rejecting all "frivolous and baseless attempts" to link Pakistan with the attack, said killing innocent civilians was against the values upheld by Pakistan. It condemned the orchestrated and mala fide campaign by the Indian government to malign Pakistan, which follows a familiar pattern of exploiting the issue of terrorism for a narrow political goal. The resolution also condemned India's declaration to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and said the move amounted to "an act of war." Earlier, the deputy prime minister informed the house that the Foreign Office briefed diplomats from 26 countries about the current situation in the region. He said Pakistan's armed forces were fully prepared to respond to any Indian misadventure and added that any such move would be met in kind, similar to the past. The resolution comes a day after the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting by top civilian and military leaders in Pakistan put the Simla Agreement and other bilateral accords with India on hold, suspended all trade, and closed its airspace for Indian airlines. On Thursday, Islamabad also closed the Wagah border post, cancelled visas given to Indians under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), and asked military advisers at the Indian High Commission to leave, mirroring steps taken by India over the Pahalgam terror attack. India on Wednesday suspended the Indus Water Treaty and downgraded diplomatic ties with Islamabad. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 April,2025 07:06 PM IST | Islamabad | PTIThe Indian Army effectively responded to firing by Pakistan military at some places along Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday night, military sources said. There were no reports of any casualties, they said. The firing by Pakistan Army comes amid increasing tensions between the two sides over the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. "There were incidents of small arm firing at some places on Line of Control initiated by Pakistan," said a source. "The firing was effectively responded to," it said. Further details are being awaited. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 April,2025 05:43 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday declared that the killers of Pahalgam will be pursued “to the ends of the earth” and promised to “identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers”. In his first speech after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed, the prime minister vowed to punish terrorists behind the strike and said India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Modi spoke briefly in English and said, “Friends, today from the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth. India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished.” In the stern message, he said, “Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done. The entire nation is firm in this resolve. Everyone who believes in humanity is with us.” “I thank the people of various countries and their leaders who have stood with us in these times.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi In a message to Pakistan without naming the country, the prime minister said he will state categorically that the terrorists who carried out the attack and those who hatched the conspiracy, will be punished beyond their imagination. “Punishment will definitely be served.” Paying condolences to the victims and their families, he said citizens across the country are in mourning over the brutal manner in which terrorists killed innocent civilians. The nation stands with their families, he said. Pak’s visa services revoked India on Thursday announced suspending visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27. It said medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till April 29. The MEA said all Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave the country before the expiry of visas. With the suspension, several Pakistani nationals visiting India started returning home through the Attari-Wagah land route in Amritsar on Thursday. Moreover, Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC visa exemption scheme (SVES). Any Pakistani national currently in India under the SVES visa scheme has 48 hours to leave the country, said the ministry. Protest outside Pak High Commission More than 500 people staged a protest near the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Holding placards and raising slogans, the protesters demanded decisive action against the neighbouring country, accusing it of supporting terror activities in India. The Delhi Police had put up barricades around 500 metres from the high commission, and the protesters were stopped there, an officer said. “Earlier, the government carried out a surgical strike. We demand similar action again to eradicate terrorism. This was a shameful attack on innocent tourists,” a member of the Anti-Terror Action Forum said. “We trust the government has already made a plan,” he added Another protester said the government must take strict action against Pakistan. As some of the protesters tried to climb over the barricades in a bid to march towards the high commission, they were stopped by police personnel and taken away. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police had beefed up security outside the high commission after several organisations called for a protest. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 April,2025 03:56 PM IST | Madhubani | AgenciesPakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday held a meeting with key ministers and the three services chiefs to formulate the country’s response on India’s move to suspend the Indus Water Treaty and downgrade diplomatic ties after the Pahalgam terror attack. India on Wednesday suspended the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and announced downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan, including expulsion of its military attaches, in view of the cross-border links to the Pahalgam terror attack. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, while speaking to a private television channel late on Wednesday, said “India has not given any evidence. They have not shown any maturity in their response. This is a non-serious approach. They started creating hype immediately after the incident.” ‘Act of War’ Pakistan on Thursday blocked its airspace for Indian airlines, closed the Wagah border crossing, suspended all trade with India, and said any attempt to divert water meant for Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty will be considered an ‘Act of War’. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 April,2025 03:55 PM IST | Islamabad | AgenciesOn Friday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to extend an invitation for the groundbreaking ceremony of the revamped Rs 65,000-crore Amaravati capital city project, scheduled for May 2. Following a period of stagnation from 2019 to 2024, Naidu has reinvigorated the Amaravati city project, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh situated along the Krishna River, upon regaining power in the state in 2024. "The chief minister is meeting the prime minister post lunch to invite him for the groundbreaking ceremony of the renewed Amaravati city project," an official source informed, reported news agency PTI. Naidu aims to build a world-class, inclusive and modern urban hub inspired by global cities such as Amsterdam, Singapore, and Tokyo, sources stated, reported PTI. Amaravati was designated as the new capital of Andhra Pradesh following the state's bifurcation in 2014. According to PTI, the Amaravati Master Plan, crafted by the UK-based firm Foster and Partners, envisions comprehensive development over a 217.23 sq km area between Vijayawada and Guntur towns. The city is envisioned to be an economic hub for the region and is expected to create 1.5 million jobs, house 3.5 million people, and have a GDP of USD 35 billion by 2050. Officials said the estimated budget for Amaravati's development works, as arrived in 2024, was about Rs 64,910 crore, with Phase-1 of the project to be completed over the next three years. Of the project cost, the government of India committed Rs 15,000 crore in financial assistance in 2024 and facilitated World Bank and Asian Development Bank support to the tune of USD 800 million each. The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) is designing massive branding programmes to attract anchor investors and private sector participation for economic development. Public-private partnership (PPP) projects are being promoted, and a special purpose vehicle (SPV) is envisioned to meet viability gap funding. Andhra CM Naidu promotes rapid development through PPP mode Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to promote large-scale development projects through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for accelerated growth. Naidu said on Thursday that PPP is the most effective path to achieve the Swarnandhra-2047 vision and attract substantial investments into the state's development ecosystem, reported PTI. "To drive rapid growth through PPP, we must tap every available resource and efficient mineral management is important to get additional revenue," an official press release quoted Naidu as saying. (With PTI inputs)
25 April,2025 03:04 PM IST | Amaravati | mid-day online correspondentWelcome to Mid-Day's Top News at this hour! We bring you a curated selection of the most significant and compelling news from around the globe. Stay informed with the latest developments in the nation, Mumbai, entertainment, sports, and more. Let's dive into the headlines shaping our world today. Rahul in Srinagar, to meet those injured in Pahalgam terror attack Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday arrived in Kashmir to meet those injured in the Pahalgam terror attack, a Congress leader said. Bombay High Court grants Kunal Kamra protection from arrest The Bombay High Court on Friday granted protection from arrest to comedian Kunal Kamra in the FIR lodged against him by the Mumbai Police in connection with the 'gaddar' jibe directed at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during his stand-up show 'Naya Bharat.' Despite tensions with Pakistan, Indian markets opens in positive zone amid FPI inflows Indian stock markets opened on a positive note on Thursday even as tensions between India and Pakistan continue to rise. The benchmark Nifty 50 index opened at 24,289, gaining 42.30 points or 0.17 per cent. The BSE Sensex also began the day with a modest rise of 28.72 points to open at 79,830.15. RCB's Virat-Padikkal emerge as most prolific batting pair of IPL 2025 Before this match against RR, Virat-Paddikal had partnerships of 20 runs (against Kolkata Knight Riders), 31 runs (against Chennai Super Kings), 91 runs (against Mumbai Indians), three runs (against Delhi Capitals), 83 runs (against Rajasthan Royals), 103 runs against Punjab Kings. Read More Vikrant Massey to play Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in international thriller White Acclaimed filmmaker Siddharth Anand under his banner Marflix Pictures, has joined forces with producer Mahaveer Jain to announce their next ambitious collaboration: an international production titled White. Read More
25 April,2025 02:18 PM IST | MumbaiFormer ISRO chief and chairperson of the drafting committee behind the ambitious new National Education Policy (NEP), K Kasturirangan, passed away in Bengaluru on Friday, officials said. K Kasturirangan was 84 years old. "He left for heavenly abode this morning at his residence in Bengaluru. His body will be kept at Raman Research Institute (RRI) for paying last respects on April 27," the officials said, reported PTI. Kasturirangan, renowned for spearheading education reforms outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP), also held prominent roles as the chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University and chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission. Kasturirangan had also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha (2003-09) and as a member of the Planning Commission of India, reported PTI. Kasturirangan was also the Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, from April 2004 to 2009. ISRO achieves docking of SpaDeX satellites for second time The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully performed the second docking of satellites as part of its Spadex missions, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Monday. He said more experiments are planned in the next two weeks. "Glad to inform that the second docking of satellites has been accomplished successfully," Singh, the minister of state for science and technology, atomic energy and space, said in a post on 'X'. He recalled that the PSLV-C60/Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) mission was launched on December 30, 2024. Thereafter, satellites were successfully docked for the first time on January 16 and successfully undocked on March 13, the minister said. "Further experiments are planned in the next two weeks," Singh added. Later, in a statement, ISRO said the docking experiment of the SPADEX satellites (SDX-01 and SDX-02) for the second time was successfully carried out on April 20 at 08.20 pm. "Subsequently, power transfer from SDX-02 to SDX-01 satellite, as well as vice versa, was also exercised and accomplished on April 21. The experiment involved operating a heater element in one of the satellites through power from the other satellite," it said. The space agency said the duration of power transfer was approximately four minutes and the performance of the satellites was as expected. "In the second attempt, docking was completed with full autonomy from an inter-satellite distance of 15 metres till docking. In the first docking attempt, an additional hold point was manually exercised at an inter-satellite distance of 3 metres," the statement read. (With PTI inputs)
25 April,2025 02:15 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA special forces soldier of the army was killed in an encounter between the security forces and terrorists following a search operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district on Thursday, officials said. The firing took place in the Dudu-Basantgarh area during a cordon and search operation that was launched based on information about the presence of terrorists, they said. “Based on specific intelligence, a joint operation with Jammu and Kashmir Police was launched today in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur,” the White Knight Corps said on X. Contact was established, and a fierce firefight ensued, it said. “One of our bravehearts sustained grievous injuries in the initial exchange and later succumbed despite best medical efforts,” the Army said. The deceased soldier has been identified as Havaldar Jhantu Ali Sheikh of 6 Para of the Special Forces. Four suspects were also picked up for questioning. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 April,2025 09:26 AM IST | Jammu | AgenciesPresident Droupadi Murmu on Friday departed for Vatican City to attend the funeral of Pope Francis later this week. She is accompanied by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju; Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, George Kurian; and Deputy Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly, Joshua De Souza, her office said in a post on X. Murmu will be on a two-day visit to Vatican City and offer condolences on behalf of the government and people of India. "President Droupadi Murmu departs for Vatican City to attend the State Funeral of HH Pope Francis," read the post from the President's secretariat. Francis, who was the first non-European Pope in nearly 1,300 years, died on Easter Monday. He was 88. Murmu will pay homage to Pope Francis by laying a wreath at Basilica of Saint Peter in Vatican City on Friday. "On April 26, the president will attend the funeral Mass of His Holiness Pope Francis at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City, which will be attended by dignitaries from around the world," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. India declared a three-day state mourning on the passing of Pope Francis. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 April,2025 09:21 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe family of a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan in West Bengal's Hooghly district on Thursday is anxiously awaiting his safe return after he was detained by Pakistan Rangers for accidentally crossing the international border in Punjab. PK Sahu, who has been posted with the 182nd Battalion of BSF at the Ferozepur border in Punjab, was taken into custody by Pakistan Rangers on Wednesday, reported PTI. According to official sources, the jawan was in uniform and carrying his service rifle when the incident occurred. The incident comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan – in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack – with India taking strong measures against Pakistan for allegedly sponsoring terrorism. Officers privy to the developments have stated that a flag meeting is underway between both the sides to secure the release of the BSF jawan, PTI reported. They noted that such incidents, though unfortunate, have occurred in the past and are typically resolved through established military protocols. Sahu, who has been serving in BSF for the past 17 years, hails from Rishra’s Harisabha area, PTI reported. The news of his detention has left the family – his parents, wife, and seven-year-old son – deeply distressed. His wife, Rajani, has been inconsolable after she was informed about the incident. "One of his colleagues called and told us that he was caught while on duty. I last spoke to him on Tuesday night. He has been with the BSF for 17 years. I just want him to return home soon," she said, struggling to hold back tears. According to reports, Sahu was reportedly accompanying a group of farmers near the border when he walked ahead to rest under a tree and accidentally crossed into Pakistani territory, where he was apprehended, reported PTI. His brother Shyamsundar has appealed to the Central government and BSF officers for swift intervention. "We want the government to ensure his safe and immediate return. The entire family is extremely worried," he told a Bengali news channel. As news of the incident spread, neighbours and well-wishers gathered outside the Sahu residence in Rishra. The family, surrounded by visitors, remains glued to television news broadcasts, hoping for a positive update. (With PTI inputs)
25 April,2025 02:46 AM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondentLocals 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 Tuesday's attack and supported the government's decision, even though some of them 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 condemned 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." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 April,2025 08:00 PM IST | Amritsar | ANIADVERTISEMENT
