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National / Rediff

Requiem Mass for Pope Francis begins

The Requiem Mass for Pope Francis has begun, with the main service starting at 10 am (local time) in Rome.

26 Apr 2025 2:56 pm
Woman dies, 6 suffocate in Mumbai apartment fire

A 34-year-old woman died and six others, including two children, suffered from suffocation after a fire broke out in an apartment in Andheri, Mumbai. The blaze erupted in a flat on the first floor of the Broke Land building around 2:40 am. The fire was confined to household items and was extinguished by four fire brigade vehicles.

26 Apr 2025 1:47 pm
'In a way the India-Pakistan war is already on'

'Pakistan cannot sustain a war with India for more than four days. They are in such dire straits. At best they can sustain war for one week.'

26 Apr 2025 1:42 pm
Houses of 3 Pahlagam suspects razed in Kashmir Valley

The houses of three suspected terrorists have been razed by authorities in the Kashmir Valley.

26 Apr 2025 1:11 pm
Over 550 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants held in Guj

Officials confirmed that all detained individuals were in India without valid documentation and had used fake papers to establish residence.

26 Apr 2025 11:31 am
Pak shelves canals project after India's Indus treaty move

Pakistan has halted the construction of contentious canals in Punjab province after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty following a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir. The decision to suspend the canals project was made after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and agreed to address the concerns of Sindh province, where the project had sparked protests. The canals project, aimed at irrigating the desert region in Punjab, was seen as a threat to water re

26 Apr 2025 11:09 am
Will Maharashtra's Tragic Water Story Ever Change?

Women in Nashik and Yavatmal risk their lives to get water for their homes every summer.

26 Apr 2025 10:53 am
They'll get it figured out: Trump on India-Pak tensions

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that there has always been tension between India and Pakistan and the two countries will figure it out between themselves. Trump was asked about tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians were killed, and if he would be talking to the leaders of the two nations. He said that he knows both leaders and that there is great tension between Pakistan and India, but there always has been.

26 Apr 2025 10:16 am
Bring sponsors to justice: UN's clear message on Pahalgam

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, urging that those responsible be held accountable and brought to justice. The Council issued a press statement expressing its deepest sympathy to the victims' families and calling for all states to cooperate in combating terrorism. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed concern about the situation, urging India and Pakistan to exercise restraint.

26 Apr 2025 9:29 am
Pak opens unprovoked firing along LoC, India retaliates

The Pakistani military fired unprovoked shots across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir for a second consecutive night, triggering retaliatory action from Indian troops. This escalation follows heightened tension between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Despite the exchange of fire, no casualties were reported. India has imposed a series of punitive measures in response to the attack, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and closing t

26 Apr 2025 8:44 am
India briefs foreign envoys on Pahalgam for 2nd day

India briefed envoys of around 45 nations on the Pahalgam terror attack and its link to cross-border terrorism. The envoys were briefed in two batches by senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). India also announced punitive measures against Pakistan, including expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post. Pakistan responded by shutting its airspace to all Indian airlines and

26 Apr 2025 1:59 am
Hindus should ask religion of shopkeepers: Maha min Rane

Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane has sparked outrage with his controversial remarks calling for Hindus to ask the religion of shopkeepers before buying from them, following the Pahalgam terror attack. Rane's comments, delivered at a gathering in Dapoli town, have been widely condemned as divisive and inflammatory. His call for Hindu organizations to demand such a practice has raised concerns about potential communal tensions and prejudice. Rane's remarks also referenced Mughal emperor Aurangzeb

26 Apr 2025 1:19 am
NIA begins Pahalgam attack probe; anti-terror ops on

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has started interviewing eyewitnesses, including tourists, in connection with the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, south Kashmir. The attack, carried out by terrorists from the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed the lives of 26 people on April 22. Initial investigations suggest that five to seven terrorists were involved, aided by local militants trained in Pakistan. Security forces are conducting massive operations to hunt down the terroris

26 Apr 2025 1:02 am
191 Pak nationals return home after India sets deadline

Following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, India has ordered all Pakistani nationals to leave the country within 48 hours. This has led to a mass exodus of Pakistani citizens from India, while several women married to Pakistani nationals and holding Indian passports are facing difficulties returning to their families in Pakistan.

25 Apr 2025 11:24 pm
India revokes 14 categories of visas given to Pak

The Indian government has revoked 14 categories of visas for Pakistani nationals, including business, conference, visitor, and pilgrim visas, following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The decision was made after a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, and the Home Minister has instructed state governments to ensure that all Pakistani nationals leave India by the set deadlines. The order does not apply to Long Term Visas (LTVs) and diplomatic and official visas issued to Pakist

25 Apr 2025 10:49 pm
Maoists call for talks as search in Chh'garh enters Day 5

A massive anti-Naxal operation involving around 10,000 security personnel along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border entered its fifth day on Friday, with the Maoists reportedly issuing a statement calling for a halt to the exercise and initiating peace talks. The statement, circulating on social media, claims that the government is resorting to repression and violence despite the possibility of resolving the issue through dialogue. The operation, considered one of the largest counter-insurgency ac

25 Apr 2025 10:26 pm
Heavy metal object from IAF aircraft damages MP house

A heavy metal object, suspected to have fallen from an Indian Air Force aircraft, caused significant damage to a house in Pichhore, Madhya Pradesh. The incident occurred on Friday morning, with no injuries reported. The object, which appeared to be extremely solid and had burn marks, created an 8 to 10 feet deep pit in the courtyard of the house. Police and the Air Force are investigating the incident.

25 Apr 2025 9:09 pm
MLA among 6 held in Assam for posts on Pahalgam attack

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the arrest of six individuals, including an opposition MLA, for allegedly expressing support for Pakistan following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The arrests come as part of a crackdown on individuals promoting pro-Pakistan sentiments on social media. The chief minister stated that Assam will not tolerate any support for Pakistan in connection with the attack in Pahalgam, where 26 people were killed.

25 Apr 2025 8:26 pm
20 lakh acre waqf land added after 2013: Centre to SC

The Indian government has claimed a significant increase in waqf land following the 2013 amendment to the Waqf Act, asserting that the addition of 20 lakh acres raises concerns about potential misuse of the provisions. In an affidavit to the Supreme Court, the Centre highlighted a 116% rise in auqaf area after the amendment and urged the dismissal of petitions challenging the Act's validity.

25 Apr 2025 8:11 pm
Badlapur case: HC raps Maha for failing to book 5 cops

The Bombay High Court expressed its dismay over the Maharashtra government's failure to register an FIR against five policemen involved in the custodial death of Akshay Shinde, despite an explicit court order. The court, alleging a deliberate attempt to disregard its directives, threatened contempt proceedings against senior CID officers for non-compliance. The case pertains to Shinde's death while in police custody, accused of sexually assaulting two kindergarten girls in Badlapur. An inquiry r

25 Apr 2025 7:42 pm
Tale of J-K's 2 Adils: One a terrorist, the other a hero

The story of two Adils, one a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist and the other a pony 'wallah' who died protecting tourists, highlights the contrasting realities of life in Kashmir. While the terrorist, Aadil Thokar, is accused of the deadly attack on tourists in Baisaran, the heroic pony 'wallah', Syed Adil Hussain Shah, sacrificed his life to save them. Their stories, though separated by a tragic event, reveal the deep-rooted conflict and the enduring spirit of compassion in Kashmir.

25 Apr 2025 6:36 pm
Backed terror because..., admits Pak defence minister

Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has admitted the country's history of supporting, training and funding terrorist organisations as 'dirty work' for the West, a mistake for which he said Pakistan had suffered.

25 Apr 2025 6:10 pm
Medha Patkar arrested in 24-yr-old defamation case

Social activist Medha Patkar was arrested in New Delhi on Friday for failing to furnish probation bonds in a 24-year-old defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. The arrest comes after a court granted Patkar a one-year probation in April, but she failed to comply with the order to furnish bonds.

25 Apr 2025 5:49 pm
Social media tips: Dos and don'ts for new civil servants

The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) has issued guidelines to newly selected civil service candidates, advising them to be mindful of their social media posts, reject all forms of inducement, and maintain a high standard of conduct both inside and outside the academy.

25 Apr 2025 5:39 pm
Pak Airspace Shut: Indian Carriers Redraw Flight Paths

Executives from India's leading airlines are conducting internal meetings to devise alternative routes for their international flights that currently pass through Pakistani airspace.

25 Apr 2025 5:29 pm
Can't be a 'blanket stay' on Waqf law: Centre to SC

The Indian government has defended the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 in the Supreme Court, arguing that there cannot be a blanket stay on the law as there is a presumption of its constitutionality. The Centre countered the pleas challenging the law's validity, asserting that the amendments were undertaken after a comprehensive study by a parliamentary panel. The government also highlighted the eported misuse of earlier provisions and the increase in waqf land, claiming that over 20 lakh hectares w

25 Apr 2025 5:20 pm
'Totally Unacceptable, beyond belief':Mirwaiz on Pahalgam

Hurriyat Conference chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemned the Pahalgam attack, calling it an act beyond belief and otally unacceptable. He also called for unity and condemned the communal narrative surrounding the incident, urging the government to allow him to visit the injured and offer condolences to the families affected.

25 Apr 2025 5:13 pm
A bullet pierced through my arm: Guj man on Pahalgam attack

Vinubhai Dabhi and his wife Lilaben, residents of Bhavnagar, Gujarat, recounted their harrowing experience during the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir. Dabhi was injured by bullets while his wife witnessed the shooting of a young man, Smit Parmar. They both highlight the lack of security presence during the incident.

25 Apr 2025 4:54 pm
Shah asks CMs to ensure no Pakistani stays after April 27

India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, citing sustained cross-border terrorism and security concerns. The treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, governs the distribution and use of the Indus river and its tributaries between the two countries. India's decision follows a recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, and has been met with strong condemnation from Pakistan.

25 Apr 2025 4:26 pm
Pakistan flag removed from Simla Accord table

The Pakistani flag has been removed from the historic table at Raj Bhavan in Shimla where the Simla Accord was signed, a day after Pakistan suspended the 1972 agreement. The suspension came in response to India's retaliatory actions following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The Simla Accord, signed by Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, aimed to settle issues bilaterally and maintain peace at the Line of Control. However, Pakistan's frequent violations of the agreement have led to it

25 Apr 2025 4:17 pm
Army ex-chief blames intel failure for Pahalgam attack

Former Indian Army chief General Shankar Roychowdhury (Retd) has blamed intelligence failure for the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. He demanded accountability at the highest levels, stating that there must be someone responsible for the negligence and they must be held accountable for the consequences.

25 Apr 2025 4:16 pm
Mood on the ground in Kashmir is against perpetrators

The dastardly dimensions of the attack are gradually sinking in even as the Government of India announced its immediate diplomatic and other retaliatory measures. It is generally expected to be followed up with punitive military action across the LoC, sooner than later, observes Mohammad Sayeed Malik, the distinguished commentator on Kashmir affairs.

25 Apr 2025 4:13 pm
Is our son safe, asks family of BSF Jawan held by Pak

The father of a BSF jawan detained by Pakistan Rangers after inadvertently crossing the international border in Punjab has said that the family is anxiously waiting for his return. The jawan, P K Sahu, was taken into custody on Wednesday after he reportedly walked ahead to rest under a tree and inadvertently crossed over into Pakistan territory. The commanding officer of the jawan's battalion has said a flag meeting is being held to secure his release.

25 Apr 2025 3:42 pm
'Some big, punitive action is being planned'

'India today feels enough is enough and we need to teach Pakistan a lesson.' 'Unless compelled, Mr Modi will think 10 times before taking the extreme step.'

25 Apr 2025 3:31 pm
HC allows probe against Kunal Kamra, stays arrest

The Bombay High Court has allowed the police investigation against comedian Kunal Kamra over his remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to continue, but has barred his arrest. The court said the investigation can continue, but Kamra will not be arrested during the pendency of the petition. The court also said that if the police wanted to record Kamra's statement, they shall do so in Chennai, where he currently resides, after giving him prior notice.

25 Apr 2025 3:20 pm
SC slams Rahul's 'irresponsible' remark on Savarkar

The Supreme Court of India reprimanded Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks about Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, calling them irresponsible. The court stayed criminal proceedings against Gandhi in a case filed in Uttar Pradesh for his comments but warned him against making such statements in the future. The court also asked Gandhi's lawyer if he was aware that even Mahatma Gandhi used terms like your faithful servant in his communications with the British.

25 Apr 2025 2:35 pm
A Dad's Tale of Terror, Survival, Humanity in Pahalgam

A tale of terror, courage, and humanity -- one father's desperate escape, a mother's sacrifice, and Kashmiris who saved lives.

25 Apr 2025 1:35 pm
An Indian Muslim's Open Letter To Terrorists

'I am ashamed that you and I were born into the same faith -- because we are nothing alike. My religion is humanity. The Islam I know teaches me to protect the innocent. Yours celebrates slaughter, you # and $#@#. 'My Islam teaches me to serve my nation. Yours tells you to tear it apart,' writes Major Dr Mohommed Ali Shah (retd).

25 Apr 2025 12:50 pm
'India will look into hurting the Pakistani army's interest'

'It could be the Pakistan army's commercial interest, tactical or strategic interest or one of their leaders.' 'Even if you send a message that we have attempted to kill one of the Pakistani generals, that itself will serve the purpose.'

25 Apr 2025 12:37 pm
UN steps in as India-Pakistan tensions mount

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for maximum restraint between India and Pakistan following a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Guterres' spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said that the UN chief is following the situation very closely and with very great concern. Dujarric also stated that any issues between the two countries can and should be resolved peacefully, through meaningful, mutual engagement. India has downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan and announced a raft

25 Apr 2025 12:22 pm
Army chief reaches Kashmir to review security measures

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited Kashmir to review the security situation following the Pahalgam attack earlier this week that left 26 people dead, mostly tourists. The visit comes less than 24 hours after Pakistan resorted to small arms firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

25 Apr 2025 12:13 pm
Pahalgam: 'Nazakat bhai' saves BJP leader's family

Risking his own life, a Kashmiri tourist guide saved the lives of children from a group of tourists from Chhattisgarh when terrorists struck in Pahalgam on Tuesday.

25 Apr 2025 11:58 am
Liberation of Balochistan and Sindh must top the agenda

Terrorism and insurgency in J and K had subsided when India demolished East Pakistan -- for the simple reason that Pakistan understands power. We need to follow Chanakya's dictum of Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed for strategising against Pakistan, asserts Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (Retd). The ground truth is that unless we are prepared to acknowledge our shortcomings, including massive intelligence failures, punish those responsible and take corrective actions, we will continue in the same vein,

25 Apr 2025 10:57 am
Houses of terrorists linked to Pahalgam attack destroyed

The houses of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists allegedly involved in the Pahalgam attack were destroyed in Jammu and Kashmir in a blast on Thursday night. Security forces were conducting searches inside the houses of Adil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh when the explosives already kept inside the houses went off.

25 Apr 2025 10:46 am
Fall from horse saves Kerala family from Pahalgam attack

In a fortunate twist of fate, a family from Kerala narrowly escaped the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, thanks to a horse-riding accident that delayed their journey.

25 Apr 2025 10:23 am
Pahalgam attack: Crackdown on military uniform sales

Security checks have been intensified in Paltan Bazaar, a well-known market in Dehradun, following concerns about the unauthorised sale of military uniforms on Friday.

25 Apr 2025 10:01 am
The lone Kashmiri who died saving tourists' lives

Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a 29-year-old Kashmiri pony ride operator, was killed by terrorists in Pahalgam while trying to save tourists from an attack. Shah was the only Kashmiri and Muslim victim of the attack, which saw terrorists demand tourists recite Islamic prayers before shooting them. His brother, Syed Naushad Shah, described Adil as a ighteous man who ran towards the terrorists to stop them from killing more people. The attack has left a pall of fear over Pahalgam, with tourists fleeing

25 Apr 2025 9:30 am
Pak troops open fire along LoC, Indian Army retaliates

The Indian Army effectively responded to firing by Pakistan military at some places along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday night, military sources said. There were no reports of any casualties. The firing by Pakistan Army comes amid increasing tensions between the two sides over the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

25 Apr 2025 9:08 am
Hindus would never do such a thing: Bhagwat on Pahalgam

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat has said terrorists killed people in Pahalgam after asking about their religion, and Hindus would never do such a thing.

25 Apr 2025 8:56 am
IAF carries out 'Exercise Aakraman' wth Rafales, Su-30s

The exercise is taking place at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan have gone up after the Pahalgam attack.

25 Apr 2025 2:17 am