US supports India’s right to defend itself, says Rajnath Singh after call with US Defence Secy

Police on Thursday carried out searches at 21 places in the city as part of a clampdown on the terror ecosystem launched in the aftermath of last month's Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people.

The houses where the searches were carried out included that of Al-Umar terror outfit founder Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar alias Latrum.

Latrum was released from prison, along with Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar, in exchange for the passengers of the hijacked Indian Airlines flight 814 in 1999.

A spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Police said they have intensified searches across multiple locations in the city, with the aim to dismantle the terror-supporting infrastructure in the district. He said the searches were part of the continuing action against terrorist associates of proscribed outfits and in furtherance of the investigation into cases registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The searches were conducted at 21 places, he added. The searches were conducted in accordance with proper legal procedures in the presence of executive magistrates and independent witnesses under the supervision of of Jammu and Kashmir Police officers, the spokesperson said.

The searches were carried out to seize arms, documents, digital devices etc., with the objective of evidence collection and intelligence gathering to detect and deter any conspiratorial or terrorist activity, he said.

The spokesperson said the decisive action of the Jammu and Kashmir Police aims to dismantle the terror ecosystem in the Union Territory by identifying and taking legal action against individuals engaged in such anti-national and criminal activities.

PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that they will hunt down each and every perpetrator of the terror attack and no one will be spared.

Speaking at an event in the national Capital to unveil a statue of Upendra Nath Brahma, the patriarch of Assam's Bodo community, and name a road after him, Shah asserted that the Narendra Modi government will not spare any terrorist. "Whoever has carried out the dastardly attack in Pahalgam, we will not spare anyone. We will hunt down each and every perpetrator," he said.

"The Modi government has been pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against terrorists. If someone thinks they will escape by carrying out such a cowardly attack, they are wrong. This is Narendra Modi's government. We will not spare anyone," he added.

Shah said the government's fight against terrorism will continue till the menace is completely wiped out. "Do not think that you have won by killing 26 people. Every one of you will be made answerable." he added.

The chief of National Investigation Agency (NIA), Sadanand Date, on Thursday inspected the site of April 22 terror attack at Baisaran here, officials said. Date also had discussion with senior officials of the anti-terror agency probing the case, they said.

Separate teams of NIA officials have been visiting across the country to seek details from survivors of the terror attack, said to be orchestrated by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the officials said.

PTI

Hours after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacted with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over phone in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

In its latest retaliatory measure in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, India has closed airspace for Pakistan. This comes days after Pakistan shut airspace for Indian aircrafts leading to longer durations and higher fuel burn for westward international flights taking off from north India.

Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait expressed their deep concern over the escalation between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack and called on both sides to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through diplomatic channels.

Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, reiterated the nation's "full support for all efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions" between India and Pakistan and addressing their outstanding issues through dialogue and peaceful means.

"Dialogue remains the optimal approach for addressing regional and international crises and disputes," the statement said, expressing Qatar's "deep concern" over the escalation between India and Pakistan.

It called on the two countries to "exercise maximum restraint, prevail the voice of wisdom, respect the principles of good neighbourliness and resolve the crisis through diplomatic channels."

Expressing concern over the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan and the continued exchange of fire along the border areas, Saudi Arabia's foreign affairs ministry, in a statement, said, “The Kingdom calls on both countries to de-escalate, avoid further escalation, and resolve disputes through diplomatic means." It urged India and Pakistan to uphold the principles of good neighbourliness, and strive for stability and peace for the welfare of their people and region.

Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, said it is following with "great concern and interest" the tension between "the friendly" India and Pakistan.

"The ministry affirms Kuwait's firm and unwavering position in supporting the diplomatic process and emphasising reason and dialogue in resolving all regional and international issues," it said.

"The ministry also calls on all parties to exercise self-restraint, avoid escalation, and adhere to the provisions and rules of international law and the principles of good neighbourliness, with the aim of achieving constructive dialogue that achieves regional and international security and stability," the statement said.

PTI

Visiting Kashmir is a very different experience than going to Gujarat or Tamil Nadu. There is a deep connection between tourists and their Kashmiri hosts and a serious gap between the two sides as well.

While welcoming tourists, residents of the Valley want to protect their voice, identity and culture. For tourists from other parts of the country, Kashmir has been and continues to be “integral” to India. This silent conversation between those visiting the Valley and those who live there was, at last, blossoming when the Pahalgam attack took place.

No matter what separatists propagate, the relationship between the two sides is not merely transactional. In the 1980s, while reporting in Ahmedabad on arranged marriages in middle-class families, I came across an educated young woman who was mesmerised by the beauty of Kashmir’s mountains from watching Hindi films. Among the many terms and conditions that she laid out for prospective bridegrooms, she asked, “I have a dream of going to Kashmir for honeymoon. Will you agree?”

When you see many newlyweds, the brides with fresh mehndi on their hands, you know the flight is going to Srinagar. In 2024, around 2.36 crore tourists arrived in J&K. According to government data, more than 15.3 crore tourists have visited J&K in the last 10 years.

Read Sheela Bhatt's column

A note dated April 28 issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Jodhpur (City), has come as a relief to Pakistani nationals who have either applied for long-term visas (LTV) or have LTVs with expired validity.

According to the note, the Home Ministry has issued guidelines regarding the order for Pakistani citizens residing in India. They are:

Sanjay Aggarwal, DGP Intelligence, Rajasthan, said, “Those who have applied for LTV are exempt as the process to approve LTV takes time due to various background checks.”

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is understood to have deliberated on the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, a week after the Pahalgam terror attack which killed 26 people. However, there is no official word yet on the CCS. The second meeting of the CCS was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. In the first meeting on April 23, it decided a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the only operation land border crossing at Attari and downgrading of diplomatic ties in view of cross-border links to the attack.

After drawing flak over remarks by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor, Vijay Wadettiwar, the All India Congress Committee issued a statement saying the grand old party is deeply anguished by the Pahalgam attack and extended solidarity with the nation.

The statement also directed party members to exercise utmost discipline and consistency in public communication.

Here's the statement:

Click here to read about Shashi Tharoor's controversial remark