After the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India has suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. This decision was made during a key meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, with discussions on potential actions being taken against Pakistan. As tensions between the two countries continue to escalate, Indian leaders have condemned Pakistan for their involvement in the attack and have vowed to take strong measures in response.
In a successful operation by the security forces, a Lashkar-e-Taliba (LeT) terrorist associate, identified as Altaf Lalli, was killed in an ongoing encounter in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. The encounter began after the security forces received intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the area. Two security personnel have also been injured in the exchange of fire and are currently undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital. The clash highlights the continued efforts of the security forces to combat terrorism in the region.
A group of 27 students from Government Degree College Sogam in Jammu and Kashmir were headed for a picnic when their bus met with an accident near Handwara. Unfortunately, two students lost their lives and 21 others were injured in the tragic incident. The injured were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where one more student succumbed to their injuries. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his condolences and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
Abu Qatal Sindhi, a prominent figure in Lashkar-e-Taiba and key aide of Hafiz Saeed who was also critically injured, was killed in a shooting in Pakistan. The attack also marks the return of Saeed to Pakistan after meeting with the country's Army's Corps Commander Mangla. Qatal was responsible for multiple attacks in Jammu & Kashmir, including the 2023 Rajouri attack, and was eliminated by an unidentified person in the Dina area of Jhelum. NIA has also filed a charge sheet against Qatal and two others in connection with the terror attack.
The Lt Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir have both strongly condemned a terrorist attack that took place on Monday, resulting in the death of an ex-serviceman and injuries to two women. The LG has vowed to punish the perpetrators and provide support to the victims, while the CM has expressed condolences and called for an end to such heinous violence in their society. Other political figures, including former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and APni Party president Altaf Bukhari, have also spoken out against the attack and offered prayers for the injured.
Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma's disappointing form continues as he scores just 31 runs in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir. The 37-year-old, who scored two sixes and three fours, was eventually caught out by former Mumbai Indians pacer Yudhvir Singh Charak. Despite his failure, Rohit's attacking approach in the morning session was praised by fans on social media.
General Upendra Dwivedi, speaking at the Army's annual press conference, disclosed that only four local men in J&K joined militant ranks in 2020 and that 60% of those killed during counter-terrorism operations were from Pakistan. He emphasized that the local people were in favor of peace and that the violence in the region was being orchestrated by Pakistan. Despite the challenges faced by the Army in the past two years, recent successes in reworking the counter-terrorism grid have led to a positive change and the theme of "terrorism to tourism" is gradually becoming a reality in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Indian Parliament witnessed a heated debate on Tuesday as the government introduced two bills proposing "One Nation, One Election", or simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. While the Opposition criticized the bills for infringing upon the federal structure, the government defended its decision and sent the bills to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further discussion. This marked the first use of electronic voting in the new Parliament House. The bills also include amendments to align assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed changes.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced two bills in Lok Sabha proposing simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections in the country. The bills, officially known as the 'Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024' and 'The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024', faced stiff opposition from the opposition parties, with many calling for the bills to be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further consultations. However, the bills, if passed, will align the elections of union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, and Delhi with Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly polls.
In yet another tragic incident, two non-local labourers were killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district. The attack occurred while the labourers were working on a key infrastructure project, and it is the second such attack on non-local workers in the past two days. The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir has strongly condemned the attack and expressed his condolences to the victims' loved ones. This incident highlights the ongoing security concerns in the region and the need for heightened safety measures for non-local workers.