Six years after the Balakot airstrike, Pakistan is facing its worst security crisis in over a decade, with a record-breaking number of terror attacks and casualties in 2024. Despite this, the military establishment has consistently downplayed their losses and remains focused on their rivalry with India. The failure to control insurgent groups within its borders has raised concerns about the country's stability and the well-being of its security forces. Meanwhile, India's counterterrorism strategy remains strong, with a focus on strengthening intelligence and border security.
In the Sunderbani sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, an army vehicle was targeted by suspected terrorists, prompting a search operation in the area. No injuries or casualties have been reported so far, and the army remains on high alert. The incident comes soon after the Border Security Force neutralized a Pakistani intruder along the international border in Punjab. This is not the first time such attacks have occurred in the region, with a similar incident happening in February earlier this year.
After 45 days of sacred rituals and over 65 crore devotees, the Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj's Triveni Sangam is set to end with the Maha Shivratri snan today. With advanced technology and special arrangements like AI-powered surveillance systems and dedicated helplines, the world's largest tent city has successfully accommodated an estimated 400 million pilgrims. This spiritual gathering of epic proportions, blending ancient traditions with modern conveniences, has truly been a remarkable event.
After weeks of negotiations, the US and Ukraine have reportedly reached an agreement on a minerals deal. The revised draft includes "a number of good amendments," according to a senior Ukrainian official. However, the specific terms of the deal are still unknown. US President Donald Trump has suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Washington DC to sign the agreement on Friday. This comes as the UK's Prime Minister announced a boost in defence spending due to ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine.
In a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed concerns about the increasing delays faced by Indian citizens in obtaining US visas. Jaishankar highlighted the impact of these delays on business, tourism, and people-to-people interactions, stressing the need for urgent attention to the issue. He also mentioned the strong trust between India and the US, and the desire to further strengthen the bilateral relationship and cooperate on regional and global issues, including the Quad.
Addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference in the US, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called out the global leftist liberal network for their double standard in labeling conservatives as a threat to democracy. She highlighted the growing influence of conservatives in European politics and the Left's nervousness, evident in their hysteria over Trump's victory. Trump also addressed the conference and met with other conservative leaders, emphasizing his efforts to forge a lasting political majority. In another international match, India and Pakistan will face off in the ICC Champions Trophy, available for live streaming on the Jio Hotstar app.
The Triveni Sangam witnessed an unprecedented surge of faith and devotion on Tuesday, with over 5 crore devotees taking a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, India. This marks the highest single-day turnout at the festival so far, with a total of 20 crore people having taken the holy dip since the start. The UP government expects a turnout of 45 crore at the entire Maha Kumbh, with 10 crore participating on Mauni Amavasya alone.
Kash Patel, an Indian-American, was officially sworn in as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Friday, taking the oath on the Bhagavad Gita. He was joined by his girlfriend and family, with other family members seated in the front row. Patel, a first-generation Indian, expressed his gratitude to the US and vowed to ensure accountability within the FBI. US President Donald Trump also expressed his strong support for Patel, calling him a "tough, strong" person.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Royal Government of Bhutan have collaborated for 50 years to improve the lives of children in the country. In a recent milestone, UNICEF celebrated its five decades of work in Bhutan and highlighted the achievements made in child well-being during this time. With the help of past and present teams, UNICEF has played a vital role in promoting child rights, education, and health in Bhutan.
Israel has accused Palestinian "terrorists" of killing two young boys, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who were held hostage by the militant group Hamas since October 2023. The boys' remains were among four bodies handed over by Hamas in a prisoner exchange this week. However, Israel has identified one of the bodies as belonging to a different person, not Shiri Bibas as claimed by Hamas. The Israeli military has demanded Hamas return Shiri, along with all other abducted individuals. It is the first time Israeli bodies have been returned since the ceasefire in Gaza.