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An MLA in Assam has been arrested over his comments on the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam and Pulwama.

Aminul Islam, an MLA of the opposition party All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), yesterday claimed the suicide bombing of a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Pulwama in February 2019, and the killing of 26 tourists in Pahalgam were “conspiracies by the government”.

The Assam Police filed a case on their own (suo motu) against Mr Islam after a video of his comment went viral on social media.

“On the basis of a misleading and instigating statement by Dhing MLA, Sh Aminul Islam in public, which went viral and had potential to create an adverse situation, NagaonPS Case 347/25 was registered for offences u/s 152/196/197(1)/113(3)/352/353 BNS. He has been arrested accordingly,” the Assam Police said in a post on X.

On the basis of a misleading & instigating statement by Dhing MLA, Sh Aminul Islam in public, which went viral & had potential to create an adverse situation, NagaonPS Case 347/25 was registered for offences u/s 152/196/197(1)/113(3)/352/353 BNS. He has been arrested accordingly. pic.twitter.com/ytMHv9D5AJ

— Assam Police (@assampolice) April 24, 2025

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the AIUDF MLA faces treason charges.

“We are trying to take action against anyone who is trying, directly or indirectly, to defend Pakistan after the terror attack. Wave found the statement and videos of MLA Aminul Islam on social media, and he has been found to be supportive of Pakistan, so we filed a case,” Mr Sarma told reporters.

AIUDF chief Maulana Badaruddin Ajmal distanced the party from the MLA’s comments. He said the party stands with the government.

“It was not our [party’s] statement. We have already cleared our statement and in this type of situation, we always stand with the government as united. The terrorists have no religion and those who spread terrorism are against Islam. They are defaming Islam and Muslims. The statement of Aminul Islam is not our statement,” Mr Ajmal said.

In the aftermath of the brutal Pahalgam terror attack, several world leaders have extended their condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, strongly condemning the heinous act of terrorism.

French President Emmanuel Macron was among the leaders who reached out to Mr Modi, expressing his personal condolences for the innocent lives lost in the attack. Macron’s message of support and solidarity with the people of India underscored the global commitment to fighting terrorism. He said that this kind of barbarism is totally unacceptable, echoing the sentiments of the international community.

“He strongly condemned the attack and expressed full support and solidarity with the people of India adding that this kind of barbarism is totally unacceptable,” Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned the attack, describing it as an “Islamist terrorist attack in Kashmir.” In his conversation with Mr Modi, Mr Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism.

The two leaders discussed advancing the transportation and communications corridor linking Asia with Europe, via Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni similarly condemned the terror attack, conveying her thoughts and prayers for the victims and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.

“She conveyed her thoughts and prayers for the victims and wished a speedy recovery of those injured. She expressed full support of Italy in the fight against terrorism. PM Modi appreciated her call and the clear message of support against terrorism and those behind it. India and Italy will continue to work together including in international platforms to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts,” stated the Ministry of External Affairs.

King Abdullah II of Jordan and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also reached out to Mr Modi, strongly condemning the terror attack. King Abdullah described the attack as a “ghastly terror attack” and emphasised that terrorism should be rejected in all its forms and manifestations, and there can be no justification.

Mr Ishiba, in a statement, expressed Japan’s resolute condemnation of terrorism, saying, “Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason. Japan strongly condemns all forms of terrorism.”

He said, “I cannot help but feel great shock and anger regarding the large number of casualties caused by the terrorist attack carried out in Kashmir. I resolutely condemn such a vicious attack. On behalf of the Japanese government and people, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to those who lost their lives and their bereaved families, and express my heartfelt sympathy to those who were injured. I express my heartfelt solidarity to the people of India in the process of overcoming this difficult time. Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason. Japan strongly condemns all forms of terrorism. Japan is firmly committed to combating terrorism in cooperation with India and the international community,” Ishiba had said in a statement on Wednesday.”

The Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists, has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation.

It was the worst Jammu and Kashmir has seen in over six years, the worst since 40 soldiers were slaughtered in Pulwama district in February 2019.

The Indian government has vowed vengeance.
 

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Josh Hazlewood during the RCB vs RR IPL 2025 game.© X/Twitter

India doubled down on its decision to indefinitely suspend the Indus water treaty on Thursday evening, formally notifying Pakistan that it comes into effect immediately and explaining why — sustained terror amid other reasons.

The letter came shortly after Islamabad — scrambling to retaliate against New Delhi’s diplomatic offensive after the Pahalgam massacre — threatened to suspend all agreements between the two countries, including the Simla pact of 1972, which validates the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Pakistan also announced that it will reduce Indian diplomatic staff at the High Commission, shut its airspace to Indian flights, closed down its side of the Wagah border post and and asked Indian Defence, Naval and Air Advisers in Islamabad. Read: Pahalgam Terror Attack Live Updates

The Letter To Islamabad

Sent late this evening, the letter from the Union Ministry of Water Resources to Syed Ali Murtuza, Secretary in the Ministry of Water Resources of Pakistan said, “The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir”.

But along with it, it also mentioned that Pakistan has consistently ignored India’s efforts to work out certain issues that have cropped up with “fundamental changes in the circumstances that have taken place since the Treaty was executed”.

“These changes include significantly altered population demographics, the need to accelerate the development of clean energy and other changes in the assumptions underlying the sharing of waters under the Treaty,” the letter read. 

India said in addition, consistent cross-border terrorism has given rise to “uncertainties’ that have “directly impeded India’s full utilization of its rights under the Treaty”.

“Furthermore, apart from other breaches committed by it, Pakistan has refused to respond to India’s request to enter into negotiations as envisaged under the Treaty and is thus in breach of the Treaty,” the letter read.

On Friday, an important meeting will be held on the Water Treaty at the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. It is expected to be attended by senior ministers, including Jal Shakti minister CR Patil. 

CCS Broke New Grounds

The decision to put the Indus water agreement — brokered by the World Bank in 1960 — on hold was announced yesterday after meeting of the Cabinet Committee of Security that was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was a first — the treaty had endured multiple face-offs with Pakistan and a war.   

For Pakistan its effect can be devastating. The Indus is the lifeline for vast swathes of Pakistan in terms of agriculture, power plants and economic activity. It is also a source of drinking water for a country already struggling with depleted groundwater.

After a meeting this morning, Islamabad said, “Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty and the usurpation of the rights of lower riparian will be considered as an Act of war”. 

The Massacre That Started It 

The terror attack on Sunday was the worst in years, specifically targeting tourists in Kashmir’s Pahalgam. Twenty-six people had died as terrorists from a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot emerged from pine forests around the scenic meadows of Baisaran, often dubbed “mini Switzerland” and opened fire on a group of unsuspecting tourists. 

The government has vowed retaliation and followed it up with several non-military moves that include indefinite suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, shutting the Attari border and revoking visas of all Pakistan nationals currently in India. Then, in an escalation, the government cancelled all visas, including medical visas, of Pakistan nationals in India. 

While there was no discussion on military action at Thursday’s all-party meeting, many have refused to rule it out. Surgical strikes and air strikes were conducted on terror camps across the Line of Control after the terror attacks on Uri and Pulwama. 

Earlier on Thursday, speaking at Bihar’s Madhubani, PM Modi declared that India will “identify, track, and punish” every terrorist and their “backers” involved in the Pahalgam carnage and pursue the killers to the “ends of the earth”.

Terrorism will not go “unpunished” and that every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done. India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism, PM Modi said.

RCB vs RR Live: Have a look at squads –

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar(c), Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Liam Livingstone, Nuwan Thushara, Lungi Ngidi, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh

Rajasthan Royals Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Kunal Singh Rathore, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kwena Maphaka, Ashok Sharma

Captain Sanju Samson and coach Rahul Dravid (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals fans received an update on Sanju Samson’s fitness ahead of their clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday.
Stand-in skipper Riyan Parag revealed that the franchise’s long‑serving captain‑keeper is edging toward a full return.
“It’s back to our ethics now, if we can give our 100 percent, the results will take care of themselves,” Parag told the host broadcaster at the toss. “Sanju (Samson) bhai is recovering and hopefully he will be back soon. One change for us. Theekshana is out and Farooqi is in.”
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Parag’s optimism is more than token cheer. Samson’s right‑index‑finger injury, sustained during India’s February T20I series against England, forced surgery and a month‑long stint at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
Although cleared to bat, medical staff barred him from wicket‑keeping or diving in the field, limiting the 30‑year‑old to cameo ‘Impact‑Sub’ roles in the Royals’ first three games.
Without their talismanic skipper marshalling the inner ring, the Royals have slipped to 2‑6, losing four straight thrillers and tumbling to eighth on the table.

The leadership vacuum thrust 23‑year‑old Parag into hot‑seat scrutiny.
Fresh off a 573‑run breakout in 2024, the Assamese all‑rounder has handled the glare with trademark swagger—shuffling bowling changes, backing youthful exuberance, and now pulling the tactical trigger by replacing mystery‑spinner Maheesh Theekshana with Afghan left‑arm quick Fazalhaq Farooqi for tonight’s must‑win clash.
For Parag, that timeline can’t accelerate fast enough. Bengaluru’s high‑voltage atmosphere, a reshaped Chinnaswamy wicket, and the prospect of chasing under lights make tonight another examination of RR’s nerve. Yet the youthful skipper insists perspective remains intact: “If we keep playing the cricket we believe in, tables will turn.”
Should Samson stride out fully fit next week, the Royals’ sputtering season might still roar to life.
Until then, Parag shoulders the dreams—and the doubts—of Jaipur’s faithful with a grin and a promise that help is on the way.

The government has briefed senior diplomats from the United States and European nations, including the United Kingdom, Italy, France, and Germany, on the Pahalgam terror attack.

Diplomats from Japan, Qatar, China, Canada, and Russia were also present.

They were briefed on India’s position and events of the past 48 hours, as well as Delhi’s first response – diplomatic measures that include revocation of visas and suspension of the Indus Water Treaty.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri led the 30-minute meeting that included sharing of material indicating Pakistan’s involvement in the worst terror attack on civilians in decades.

Pak’s involvement was also flagged by Major General Yash Mor (retd.), a defence expert who told NDTV the attack needed military-level training and bore the hallmark of the ISI.

The Thursday briefing came hours after a strong statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The PM, at a government event in Bihar, put terrorists worldwide on notice when he said, “I am telling the world that India will identify and punish every terrorist, and those behind them.”

The real message, though, was not in the words itself.

READ | “Telling The Whole World…”: For Warning On Terror, PM’s English Switch

It was in the Prime Minister switching from Hindi to English to deliver these lines.

The switch was seen as India telling the world this brutal attack will have consequences.

In earlier comments he also vowed vengeance, telling Indians his government will track down and bring to justice the terrorists who pulled the triggers and those who planned the attack.

Twenty-six people, many tourists and civilians, were killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam Tuesday afternoon. The attackers – five, according to security agency sources – were hiding in forested areas bordering the picturesque Baisaran Valley and began the attack at 1.15 pm.

READ | 5 Killers, 3 Spots, 10 Minutes Of Heavy Fire: The Pahalgam Attack

As tourists and locals panicked, caught in the open, terrorists went from group to group and shot 26 men in the head, in some cases asking questions about their religion before executing them.

Disturbing videos emerged after the attack of women, with blood on their faces, sitting next to the bodies of their husbands or partners and pleading for help. One woman said she had been told by a terrorist, who had just shot her husband dead, to “go tell (Prime Minister) Modi”.

Among those killed was a Navy officer on his honeymoon and a 70-year-old man from Andhra Pradesh.

A 35-year-old Karnataka man was shot begging to be spared for his three-year-old son.

Indian security agencies have said they have evidence to prove Pakistan was behind the attack, which is the worst on Indian soil since February 2019, when 40 soldiers were killed in Pulwama.

That attack was by the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group. This attack has been claimed by The Resistance Front, a proxy of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, another banned, Pak-based outfit.

Sketches have been released of some of the terrorists who carried out the attack.

However, more than 48 hours after the strike, they remain on the run.

As news of the attack broke, the world put out messages of support and condolences. Apart from the US and the EU, Brazil, Israel, Russia, and even China united in condemning the killings.

Meanwhile, on Thursday evening Pakistan responded to India’s diplomatic rebukes. In a 10-point response Islamabad focused on Delhi’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and said any attempt to stop or divert water, or usurp rights of the lower riparian state, will be considered an “act of war”

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‘Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh‘ has made a solid impact at the box office within its first week of release. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, this patriotic drama starring Akshay Kumar in the lead role has struck an emotional chord with audiences, driven by its gripping narrative and strong performances. The film was released on April 18, 2025, and has since maintained steady momentum, becoming a notable success amid stiff competition.
Steady box office run with impressive opening weekend numbers
In terms of numbers, ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ performed well over its first six days, earning an impressive Rs 39.00 crore in India net collections. After a strong opening weekend with Rs 7.75 crore on Friday, Rs 9.75 crore on Saturday, and Rs 12 crore on Sunday, the film saw a predictable dip on Monday with Rs 4.5 crore. It picked up slightly on Tuesday with Rs 5 crore, followed by a drop on Wednesday, bringing in Rs 3.6 crore as reported in Sacnilk. Occupancy rates remained moderate, with a gradual tapering by the mid-week.
Positive word of mouth fuels midweek momentum
On its seventh day, ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ brought in Rs 1.1 Cr, bringing its first-week total to an estimated Rs 43.7 Cr India net. While the Thursday drop was significant, the film’s one-week performance remains commendable, especially given its niche subject and genre. Morning shows clocked in at 6.53%, with gradual improvement in the afternoon (10.94%). These figures reflect a sustained interest in the film, especially among viewers who favor patriotic dramas and history-inspired storytelling. As it heads into the second weekend, the film hopes to hold on to its screens and continue its box office march.

Occupancy holds with decent numbers, eyes on extended run
Backed by a stirring score and compelling visuals, ‘Kesari Chapter’ 2 has continued to garner praise for its portrayal of the tragic Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the unsung heroes tied to it. With Akshay Kumar’s intense performance at the core and strong word-of-mouth, the film is expected to hold its ground in the coming days. As anticipation builds for the weekend, trade analysts predict a second wind at the box office, giving this poignant chapter of history a much-deserved spotlight.

Ramping up its response after the five measures announced on Wednesday, India has revoked all visas issued to Pakistani nationals – including medical visas – and suspended visa services for Pakistanis following Tuesday’s dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs said all existing valid visas issued to Pakistani nationals will stand revoked with effect from Sunday, April 27. All medical visas issued to citizens of that country will also be valid only till Tuesday, April 29, it said, adding that all Pakistanis currently in India must leave before their visas expire based on these revised timelines. 

Most Pakistanis who have been issued Indian visas will, thus, have 72 hours to leave the country. 

Visa services to Pakistani nationals will also be suspended, which means residents of the country will not get documents to travel to India.

“Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid travelling to Pakistan. Those Indian nationals currently in Pakistan are also advised to return to India at the earliest,” the Ministry of External Affairs said, in what could be seen as an indication of a possible military response.