India Closes Airspace For All Pak Flights Days After Kashmir Terror Attack

NEW DELHI, April 30: Six days after Pakistan decided to shut its airspace to all flights owned and operated by Indian carriers, New Delhi has announced a reciprocal move by shutting down its airspace to all Pakistan owned and operated planes.

Both India and Pakistan have now blocked each others airlines over their airspace till 11:59 pm UTC on May 23 (5:29 am IST on May 24). These may be revised closer to that date. A NOTAM or Notice to Air Missions was released by New Delhi, which read, "Indian airspace not available to Pakistan registered aircraft and aircraft operated or leased by Pakistan airlines. These include military flights."

The move comes amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the horrific terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 tourists were gunned down by terrorists with links to Pakistan.

Flights from Pakistan, which are scheduled for destinations in southeast Asia and Oceania will now have to circumnavigate India. This will put an immense burden on the already cash-strapped Pakistani carriers, while also increasing travel time considerably.

After J&K Attack, India Warns Pak Over Unprovoked Firing: Report

NEW DELHI, April 30: Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan after last week's terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed, key military officials of both countries have spoken over the hotline and New Delhi has warned Islamabad against "unprovoked violations" along the Line of Control.

"Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan talked over the hotline yesterday to discuss the unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistan. India warned Pakistan against the unprovoked violations by the Pakistan army along the Line of Control," the sources were quoted as saying on Wednesday.

The details of the conversation came on a day when Pakistan violated the ceasefire on the International Border in Jammu after resorting to unprovoked firing along the Line of Control for six straight days.

"Further to the previous update about 29-30 April (night), unprovoked small arms firing by Pakistan Army was also reported from their posts across the Line of Control in Baramulla and Kupwara districts, as well as across the International Border in the Pargwal Sector," a defence spokesman said, adding that Indian Army troops responded "appropriately".

Firing across the International Border is rare and is being seen as an escalation from Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Armed forces have complete freedom to decide mode, targets, timing of response: Modi

NEW DELHI, April 29: As his government weighs its response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting with the military brass in New Delhi Tuesday and sources quoted him saying the armed forces have “complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of our response”.

Reposing “complete faith and confidence in the professional abilities of the armed forces”, Modi, sources said, “it is our national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism”.

The Tuesday meeting at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, the Prime Minister’s residence, was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi.

A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has also been called Wednesday, the second after the terror attack.

The CCS comprises the Prime Minister, Defence Minister, Home Minister, Finance Minister and External Affairs Minister.

On April 23, a day after 26 people were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, the CCS met and the government, while underlining the “the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack”, put on hold the Indus Waters Treaty, downgraded diplomatic relations with Pakistan by reducing the mission strength by half, expelled diplomats and top defence officials from the Pakistan High Commission, cancelled visas, and shut the Attari-Wagah border. It also withdrew its own advisors and staff from its mission in Islamabad.

Following the CCS decisions, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asked all states to ensure that no Pakistan national stays in India beyond the deadline set for leaving the country.

Modi promised retribution for the attack and sent Pakistan a tough message, saying “India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers” and would “pursue them to the ends of the earth”. An all-party meeting saw leaders cutting across party lines to assure the government of their full support for whatever action it takes.

Also Tuesday, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan chaired a meeting which was attended by heads of three paramilitary forces and senior officers of two other security organisations.

10 Terrorists' Homes In Kashmir Razed Amid Crackdown After Pahalgam Attack

SRINAGAR, April 27: Homes of 10 terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir have been turned into rubble as India cracks down hard in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 tourists and a Kashmiri dead. Security forces have razed homes of 10 local terrorists in the past six days and the crackdown is likely to continue.

The terrorists whose houses have been demolished so far include Lashkar-e-Taiba's Adil Hussain Thoker, Zakir Ahmad Ganai, Amir Ahmad Dar and Asif Sheikh, Shahid Ahmad Kuttey, Ahsan ul Haq Amir, Jaish-e-Mohammed's Amir Nazeer Wani, Jameel Ahmad Sher Gojri, The Resistance Front's Adnan Safi Dar and Farooq Ahmad Tedwa.

According to security officials, Ahsan ul Haq "trained in Pakistan" in 2018 and recently "infiltrated" into the Valley; Lashkar commander Shahid Ahmad Kuttay has been involved in many anti-national activities; and Zakir Ahmad Ganie was under surveillance for alleged involvement in multiple terror-related activities. Farooq Ahmad Tedwa, officials said, has been operating from Pakistan. Thoker is suspected to be directly involved in last Tuesday's attack.

A police spokesperson has said the demolitions and the searches are aimed at dismantling the terror ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.

28 Killed In Terror Attack On Tourists In J&K

PAHALGAM, April 22: Twenty-eight people were killed and several others were injured in a terrorist opened fire on tourists in Pahalgam today, in the worst terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in recent times.

Military choppers have been pressed into service for the evacuation of those injured in the attack, as the area is only accessible on foot or horseback.
Union Minister Amit Shah has reached Srinagar, where he has called an urgent security review meeting with all agencies.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi - currently visiting Saudi Arabia - spoke with him and asked him to visit the attack site.

Gunshots were heard in Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley, a meadow atop a hill. Witnesses said terrorists walked out of the woods and started firing indiscriminately. Distressing visuals showed several lying motionless on the ground and many women pleading for help.

The attack comes at a time when Modi is on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia and US Vice President JD Vance is in India.

Modi, strongly condemning the attack, said the government's "resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger". "Their evil agenda will never succeed," he added.

Vance also condemned the "devastating terrorist attack". "Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people.

US President Donald Trump has said that America "stands strong" with India after the "deeply disturbing" Kashmir attack.

Soon after the attack, Amit Shah called a meeting at his home in Delhi, which was attended by Intelligence Bureau Chief Tapan Deka and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, the sources said. CRPF chief Gyanendra Pratap Singh, J&K Director General of Police Nalin Prabhatand some Army officials also joined the meeting through video conferencing. Shah also spoke to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, they added.

An anti-terror operation has been launched to neutralise terrorists, informed Sinha, asserting the "perpetrators of Pahalgam attack will have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act".

Terming the attack an "abomination", Omar Abdullah said he was "shocked beyond belief". "The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased," he posted on X.

The attack on tourists comes at a time when the Union Territory is witnessing a boost in tourism, which was severely hit by terrorism for years. It is the deadliest attack in Jammu and Kashmir since the Pulwama attack in 2019. Forty CRPF personnel were killed in the line of action in a suicide attack in south Kashmir's Pulwama.

Pahalgam, known for its forests, crystal-clear lakes and sprawling meadows, is a popular tourist spot and draws thousands of visitors every summer.

The attack comes during the peak tourist season in the Valley and also when registration for this year's Amarnath Yatra is going on across the country. The 38-day pilgrimage is set to begin from July 3, from two routes - the 48-km Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the other 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district, which is shorter but steeper.

BJP MP Says Supreme Court 'inciting religious wars'

NEW DELHI, April 19: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey launched a broadside against the Supreme Court. Words like "anarchy", "inciting religious wars" were thrown at the highest court of the land in the country by the BJP MP. Opposition Congress said attempts are being made to "weaken the Supreme Court".

The comments follow Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's "Article 142 has become a nuclear missile against democratic forces, available to judiciary 24x7". The Vice President made the remarks after a Supreme Court judgment effectively laid down a deadline for the President and Governors to clear Bills.

"How can you give direction to the appointing authority? The President appoints the Chief Justice of India. The Parliament makes the law of this country. You will dictate that Parliament?... How did you make a new law? In which law is it written that the President has to take a decision within three months? This means that you want to take this country towards anarchy. When the Parliament sits, there will be a detailed discussion on this..." said Dubey, appearing to raise questions of propriety and limits on judiciary's power.

"Supreme Court is responsible for inciting religious wars in the country. The Supreme Court is going beyond its limits. If one has to go to the Supreme Court for everything, then Parliament and State Assembly should be shut," said the 56-year-old BJP MP.

Dinesh Sharma, another BJP leader, waded into the row.

"According to the Constitution of India, no one can direct the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and the President has already given her assent to it. No one can challenge the President, as the President is supreme," said Dinesh Sharma.

BJP chief JP Nadda, in a late night post on X, distanced the party from the comments by the party MPs.

"The BJP has nothing to do with the statements made by BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey and Dinesh Sharma on the judiciary and the Chief Justice of the country. These are their personal statements, but the BJP neither agrees with such statements nor does it ever support such statements. The BJP completely rejects these statements," said BJP chief JP Nadda.

The party chief underlined that the BJP has always respected the judiciary and accepts its orders and suggestions.

"As a party we believe that all the courts of the country including the Supreme Court are an integral part of our democracy and are the strong pillar of the protection of the Constitution. I have instructed both of them and everyone else not to make such statements," said Nadda, who is also the Union Health Minister.

Dubey's comments come amid the ongoing hearing in the Supreme Court over several petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.

The Centre had assured the Supreme Court during the hearing held on April 17 that it would not denotify any 'Waqf-by-user' provision and would not include any non-Muslim members in the Board. The assurance came a day after the top court said it will consider staying those parts of the law.

The petitioners have claimed the law violates multiple rights granted by the Constitution, including right to equality and freedom of religion.

Condemning Dubey's remarks, the Congress said "Supreme Court is being targeted".

"Efforts are being made to weaken the Supreme Court. Different voices are deliberately coming up and the Supreme Court is being targeted. There is the issue of electoral bonds, the issue of Waqf has come up, the issue of Election Commission is about to come," said Congress' Jairam Ramesh, General Secretary in charge of communication.

Congress leader Manickam Tagore termed Nishikant Dubey's statement on the Supreme Court "defamatory," and said that his attack on the top court is "not acceptable."

"This is a defamatory statement against the Supreme Court. Nishikant Dubey is a person who continuously demolishes all other institutions. Now, he has attacked the Supreme Court. I hope that the Supreme Court judges will take this into notice as he is not speaking in Parliament but outside it. His attack on the Supreme Court is not acceptable," said Tagore.

Congress MP Imran Masood said that the reported statement made by the BJP leader is "unfortunate."

"The kinds of statements that are coming against the Supreme Court are very unfortunate...This is not the first time that the Supreme Court has given a decision against the full majority government...This frustration is incomprehensible," Masood said.

The BJP MP's provocative remarks come days after the Supreme Court, the final arbiter in constitutional matters, order in a Tamil Nadu case, in which it ruled that Governor RN Ravi's decision to withhold assent to 10 bills was "illegal and arbitrary".

The Supreme Court bench set a three-month deadline for Presidential and gubernatorial assent to Bills passed by the legislature for the second time. The top court further underlined that it would be prudent for the President to refer Bills with constitutional questions to the Supreme Court.

Dubey's comments mirror the example of Jagdeep Dhankhar, who had raised questions against the judiciary, saying "so we have judges who will legislate, who will act as super-parliament".

"There is a directive to the President by a recent judgment. Where are we heading? What is happening in the country? We have to be extremely sensitive. It is not a question of someone filing a review or not. We never bargained for democracy for this day. The President being called upon to decide in a time-bound manner, and if not, becomes law. So we have judges who will legislate, who will perform executive functions, who will act as super-parliament, and absolutely have no accountability because law of the land does not apply to them," Dhankhar had said.

3 Killed In Bengal Waqf Protests

KOLKATA, April 12: Three people were killed in West Bengal's Murshidabad district following violent clashes linked to ongoing protests against the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, the police said on Saturday.

118 people have been arrested in connection with the violence that broke out in Muslim-majority Murshidabad district on Friday.

Among those dead, two were killed in clashes while one man was killed in firing, Additional Director General (ADG), Law and Order, Jawed Shamim said.

A special bench of the Calcutta High Court ordered deployment of Central Forces in Jangipur.

Soon after, the Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan held a video conference with Chief Secretary and DGP of West Bengal. The DGP briefed the Secretary that the situation was tense but under control and was being monitored closely.

Mohan stated that apart from nearly 300 BSF personnel locally available in Murshidabad, additional 5 Companies have been deployed at the request of the state government.

The Centre, said Mohan, is also closely monitoring the situation and has assured the state all possible assistance.

In another development, at least 18 police personnel were injured as a protest rally demanding the rollback of the Waqf (Amendment) Act turned violent in Tripura's Unakoti district today.

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has declared that her state would not implement the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

"We have made our position clear on this matter - we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So what is the riot about?" she said in a post on X.

Her post comes at a time when several pockets in the state, especially in the minority-dominated Murshidabad district, have been on the boil for the last few days over the protests against the Waqf Act.

The Chief Minister has appealed for peace and harmony, underlining that the law was enacted by the central government. Ms Banerjee cautioned against political misuse of religion and warned of legal action against those inciting riots.

"Remember, we did not make the law that many are agitating against. The law was made by the central government. So the answer you want should be sought from the central government," the Chief Minister added.

MP Abhishek Banerjee, who is Mamata Banerjee's nephew, also made an appeal for calm and claimed that some forces are trying to "spread unrest in Bengal".

Supreme Court's Landmark Verdict On Governor's Powers In Tamil Nadu Case

NEW DELHI, April 8: In a massive win for the MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government, the Supreme Court today ruled that Governor RN Ravi's decision to withhold assent to 10 key Bills was "illegal" and "arbitrary". The court ruled that the Governor cannot reserve Bills for the President after withholding assent.

"The action of the Governor to reserve the 10 bills for the President is illegal and arbitrary. Thus, the action is set aside. All actions taken by the Governor thereto for the 10 bills are set aside. These Bills shall be deemed to be cleared from the date it was re-presented to the Governor," the bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan said. The court said Governor Ravi did not act in "good faith".

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin described the verdict as "historic". "It's a big victory not just for Tamil Nadu but for all Indian states. DMK will continue to struggle for and win state autonomy and federal polity," he said.

The Governor, the court said, should have cleared the Bills when they were re-presented to him after being passed by the Assembly again.

Article 200 of the Constitution lays down the options before the Governor when a Bill passed by the state House is presented before him. The Governor can give his assent, withhold assent, or reserve the Bill for consideration of the President. The Governor can send the Bill back to the House or Houses for the reconsideration of some provisions. If the House passes it again, the Governor shall not withhold assent. The Governor can reserve for the President's consideration a Bill which he/she feels is at odds with the Constitution, directive principles of state policy, or is a matter of national importance.

The court today prescribed timelines to exercise these options and said missing these timelines would invite judicial scrutiny of the Governor's action. The court has earmarked a one-month deadline for Governors to withhold assent to a Bill and reserve it for the President's review with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. When a Bill is reserved without the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, this deadline will be three months. If a Bill is presented to a Governor after reconsideration by the state Assembly, he/she must clear it within a month. Any exercise of the Governor under Article 200, the court said, is amenable to judicial review.

The court clarified that it is "in no way undermining the Governor's powers". "All actions of the Governor must align with the principle of parliamentary democracy."

A former IPS officer who has also worked in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), RN Ravi took over as Tamil Nadu Governor in 2021. Ever since, he has had frosty ties with the MK Stalin-led state government. The DMK government has accused him of acting like a BJP spokesperson and blocking Bills and appointments. The Governor has said the Constitution empowers him to withhold his assent to legislation.

The state government and Raj Bhavan have also clashed during the Governor's customary address to the Assembly. Last year, the Governor walked out in protest of the National Anthem not being sung at the beginning of the address. As per tradition, the state anthem Tamil Thai Valthu is sung when the House meets and the National Anthem at the end. But Governor Ravi took exception and said the national anthem should be sung at both times. In 2023, Governor Ravi refused to deliver the customary address to the Assembly and said the draft had "numerous passages with misleading claims far from truth". The year before that, he refused to read parts of the speech that had the names of BR Ambedkar, Periyar, CN Annadurai, the phrase 'Dravidian Model' and some references to law and order in Tamil Nadu.

Kidnapped, Gang-Raped For Days By 22 In Varanasi, Claims 19-Year-Old

VARANASI, April 7: A 19-year-old woman was kidnapped and gang raped by 22 people over a week in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Six of the assailants have been arrested and a hunt is on for the rest, the police said.

The teen, a resident of Lalpur area in north Varanasi, had left home to visit a friend on March 29, which she often did without any trouble. But this time she failed to return home. Her family lodged a complaint with the police on April 4.

The same day, she was apparently drugged and released at the Pandeypur intersection by her kidnappers. She made her way somehow to a friend's place that was nearby and was later taken home. She later disclosed the details of the ordeal to her father, who subsequently lodged a complaint with the police.

The assaults reportedly took place at a hookah bar, a hotel, a lodge, and a guest house in which various people were involved. The complaint mentions 22 people raped her.

A case has been registered and the police is interrogating the accused men. Some of the arrested men are from Hukulganj and Lallapura areas, and they were taken into custody the same night. But the police are reluctant to give any detail since some of them could be minors.

Chandrakant Meena, a senior officer of the local police, said neither the victim nor her family had initially filed a complaint of sexual assault. "The rape complaint was lodged only on April 6," he told reporters.

Further investigations are in progress, he added.

Indian President gives assent to Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

NEW DELHI, April 6: President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, the Union Law Ministry said in a notification on Saturday.

The Bill was passed by Parliament after three days of intense debate in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

The legislation has been challenged by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress MP Mohammed Javed in the Supreme Court on grounds of violating constitutional principles.

The government, however, categorically denied that the amended law interfered with religious practices of Muslims.

Making an intervention in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Home Minister Amit Shah had said that Waqf — a charitable endowment — and the waqif (donor) can only be from the Muslim community.

Non-Muslims have been included in a Waqf Board or Council for administrative purposes and that too to ensure that any waqf donation is being used for the purpose it is meant for, the Home Minister added.

“There is an attempt to spread confusion that this law will interfere with their [Muslim] religious practices and the nature of donation. Such fear mongering is being done to create a vote bank,” Mr. Shah had said.

“Waqf or charitable endowment is religious, not the Waqf Board or Councils,” he added.

India passes controversial bill on Muslim properties after fierce debate

NEW DELHI, April 4: After hours of heated debate, India's parliament has passed a controversial bill that seeks to change how properties worth billions of dollars donated by Muslims over centuries are governed.

The upper house passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 early on Friday, a day after the lower house cleared it amid strong opposition criticism.

Muslim leaders and opposition parties say the bill is "unconstitutional" and infringes on the rights of India's Muslim-minority community.

But the government says the bill aims to make the management of waqf (Muslim properties) more transparent.

The bill will now be sent to India's president for her assent before it becomes law. This approval is expected to come soon.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the passing of the bill a "watershed moment".

In a post on X, he said the waqf system [the system of governing waqf or Muslim properties] had been "synonymous with a lack of transparency and accountability" for decades.

"The legislation passed by parliament will boost transparency and also safeguard people's rights," he wrote.

However, the opposition has been vociferous in their condemnation of the bill and allege that it is another ploy by the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to dilute the rights of minorities.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge noted that while 288 members voted in favour of the bill in the lower house, a significant 232 opposed it.

"From this, we can guess that despite opposition from various parties, this bill was brought arbitrarily," he wrote on X.

Waqf Amendment Bill passes in Lok Sabha following marathon 12 hour debate

NEW DELHI, April 3: The Waqf Amendment Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha past midnight on Thursday following a lengthy debate. The bill was passed after amendments made by the opposition members were negatived.

It proposes far-reaching changes in the 1995 Wakf Act — including representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in such bodies. The Bill also seeks to omit Section 40 of the current law relating to the powers of the board to decide if a property is Waqf property.

The Bill was passed with a majority of 288 aye-s to 232 no-s. following a marathon debate in the Lok Sabha that lasted almost 12 hours. Parties in INDIA bloc had decided to oppose the bill and their members voted accordingly. They also pressed for division on some amendments. An amendment was negatived with 231 members voting in favour and 238 against it.