Home Blog Page 435

Indians in London stage counter protest in response to Pakistani protest following Pahalgam terror attack

ANI
-
0
Indians in London stage counter protest in response to Pakistani protest following Pahalgam terror attack

Members of the Indian diaspora countered the Pakistani protest outside the Indian High Commission in London on Sunday.

Several protesters condemned the April 22 attack and highlighted that it was not the first time such terror activity has taken place in the region.

“I am an Indian citizen and a Hindu of Jammu and Kashmir. Today, I have come here because there was a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which was carried out by Pakistan. I have come here to protest against Pakistani terrorists who were involved. This is not the first accident in Jammu and Kashmir,” a member of the Indian diaspora said.

“Many such accidents have happened by the terrorist which Pakistan has committed. Many such times in Kankot, Gaddi Kot, in Dangri of Rajouri, where Hindus were identified and attacked. Selective targeting has been done. As we saw in Pahalgam, they were asked to tell which religion they belonged to. They were asked to read something. So we are standing here against what is happening,” she added.

Referring to the mass exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir valley in 1990 when Pakistan-backed radicals threatened the minority community, forcing them to flee, the woman said that the Indians in London were raising their voices against the terror attacks.

“Already Kashmiri Hindus have migrated from the Kashmir Wadi and many terrorist attacks have taken place from the Jammu division where I come from. Here in London, the Indian diaspora has stood up to raise its voice against this,” she added.

Another member of the Indian diaspora said, “We are really saddened by what has happened and that’s why we have come over here to support our Indian community that lives abroad but our hearts are always with our motherland. And it’s happening again and again and that’s what saddens us. We are doing a peaceful demonstration over here. I know there are people from the other side standing there shouting slogan, instigating us, but that’s not us. We are here to tell them to stop terrorising us. We do not support this. Please go away and if you have to do something, do in your home,” he said.

An Indian said that the terrorists will face their karma one day.

“We are protesting peacefully. The opposite site is furious with us, but we will always be on the side of peace. We are following the footsteps of peace and believe that the karma of everyone will come back to them,” he said.

A member of the Indian diaspora told ANI that they gathered there to counter Pakistan’s protest.

“Pakistanis protested outside the Indian High Commission and we gathered here for a solidarity protest to counter their protest. We are all protesting peacefully.”

Another member of the Indian diaspora said, “People of Indian origin organised a peaceful protest in the UK, after some anti-social elements announced a protest outside the Indian High Commission. We are here to show our support and solidarity to the families of the 27 people who died in the terror attack. We hope the Indian government gives a reply to Pakistan in a language they understand.”

Members of the Indian community held a protest outside the Pakistan High Commission in London on Friday and condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

The demonstration was peaceful yet powerful, drawing participants from various age groups and backgrounds who came together in solidarity with the victims and their families.

Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen while leaving several others injured. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Pahalgam Terror Attack: Pakistan media using Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah’s statement that ‘There is no need for war’ to say that the voice of rebellion is rising within India

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Pahalgam Terror Attack: Pakistan media using Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah’s statement that ‘There is no need for war’ to say that the voice of rebellion is rising within India

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s statement on India-Pakistan tension after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, is in the headlines. 26 people were killed in the attack, including two people from Karnataka. When journalists asked Siddaramaiah how tough a stand India should take against Pakistan, he said, “There is no need for war with Pakistan. We are not in favour of war. We should take strict steps and strengthen our security.”

The video of Siddaramaiah’s statement is going viral on Pakistani social media. Pakistani media is showing that and claiming that voices are being raised within India against the government of India.

BJP has launched a scathing attack on Siddaramaiah over this statement. Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashok, said, “Siddaramaiah is speaking like a puppet of Pakistan. At such a sensitive time, when there is a threat of war on the border, his statement is shameful.” Ashok sarcastically called Siddaramaiah ‘Pakistan Ratna’ and wrote on X, “Congratulations! If you go to Pakistan, you will get a royal welcome. Maybe Pakistan will give you the Nishan-e-Pakistan award.”

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya wrote on ‘X’, “Congress is trying to save Pakistan. Siddaramaiah is saying this to get Muslim votes, while Pakistani terrorists are killing Hindus.” Malviya also shared a clip of a Pakistani news channel which was showing Siddaramaiah’s statement.

Seeing himself surrounded from all sides in this matter, Siddaramaiah issued a clarification. He wrote on X, “I said that war is the last resort, not the first. The Center also accepted that the Pahalgam attack happened due to our intelligence and security lapse. This should be corrected first.” He said that the Center has taken steps like cancelling the Indus Water Treaty, which he welcomes. Siddaramaiah also said, “Pakistan is economically broken. It has no fear of losing anything. India should take steps thoughtfully. The world is with India. We should take advantage of this and teach Pakistan a lesson.”

Siddaramaiah appealed to the countrymen to unite and said that some people are spoiling the atmosphere by spreading war hysteria in the country. The Centre should also take action against such people.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor talks sense once again, says questioning the govt on security failure should be done after India gives a befitting response to Pahalgam massacre

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor talks sense once again, says questioning the govt on security failure should be done after India gives a befitting response to Pahalgam massacre

On 27th April, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor once again talked sense while speaking to ANI on the Pahalgam terrorist attack. In his statement, while citing the example of Israel, Tharoor said that no country can ever have foolproof 100% intelligence. He further asserted that people of the country, including him, never know about the various terror attacks that were successfully thwarted.

“We only get to know about the ones that we failed to thwart,” he added. He said that questioning the government on security failure should be done once India gives a befitting response to Pahalgam massacre.

Shashi Tharoor pointed out that it was an intelligence failure but “we have got the example of Israel, the world’s best intelligence services according to everybody, which were taken by surprise on October 7, just two years ago. It seems to me, just as Israel is waiting till the end of the war before they demand accountability.”

“We will never know about the various terror attacks that were successfully thwarted. We only learn about the ones that we failed to thwart. This is normal in any nation. There were failures, I agree, but that should not be our main focus right now,” the Congress leader said.

Tharoor had dismantled narrative of the opposition over Indians being deported while being in opposition

This is not the first time the Congress leader has chosen to divert from his party’s narrative on a topic and speak his mind openly. In early February this year, when illegal Indians living in the United States were being deported, opposition parties, including Congress, tried to paint a picture that the PM Modi-led Indian government failed at foreign policy. However, speaking to ANI, Tharoor said it was not the first deportation and would not be the last.

Tharoor said, “This is not the first deportation and won’t be the last, even before Trump came, during the Biden regime, there were already 1,100 Indians sent back from America. The Americans estimate that 7,25,000 undocumented Indians are eligible for deportations. They have arrested around 2 lakh Indians from the Mexico and Canada borders in the last four years. If they are citizens of India, we have an obligation to take them back, there is no debate about it.”

At a time when India is standing tall against the terrorists and the hostile neighbour Pakistan, several political leaders have chosen the path of blaming the government. Tharoor’s words, however, show a balanced approach. While he agreed that there was an intelligence failure, he also stressed that unity is needed as India prepares to give a strong response. In a time of crisis such as the Pahalgam terrorist attack, it is essential for political leaders to stand with the country while seeking answers, instead of going for a completely anti-government narrative to score political points.

Pahalgam Terrorist Attack

On 22nd February, terrorists affiliated with The Resistance Force (TRF), which is an offshoot of Pakistan-based Islamic terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, orchestrated the deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of 27 Hindus. The victims were asked if they were Muslim and told to recite the Kalma. Their trousers were pulled down to check if they were circumcised. Those who failed the circumcision test were shot dead.

Muslim man killed for not chanting Gayatri mantra and not commenting on Pahalgam massacre of Hindus? How ‘The Quint’ amplified fake news spread by LinkedIn user

Dibakar Dutta
-
0
Muslim man killed for not chanting Gayatri mantra and not commenting on Pahalgam massacre of Hindus? How ‘The Quint’ amplified fake news spread by LinkedIn user

Days after the Pahalgam terror attack, where Hindus were massacred by Islamic terrorists, social media has been rife with fake lists of victims, old reports of ‘persecution’ of Kashmiris and make-believe stories of ‘Muslim victimhood’.

One such fake news was posted on LinkedIn by a user named Ishan Saxena on Friday (25th April). He claimed that his close friend, who is a Muslim by Faith, was fighting for his life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital in Bengaluru.

Saxena alleged that his ‘Muslim friend’ (whose identity wasn’t supposedly revealed at the family’s request) worked at a reputed vehicle manufacturing company and was brutally assaulted by his colleagues.

Screengrab of the LinkedIn post of Ishan Saxena

Saxena suggested that the attackers were Hindus, who forced his ‘Muslim friend’ to speak out against the Pahalgam terror attack and forced him to chant ‘Gayatri Mantra (sacred Hindu hymns).’

“He (the Muslim friend) chose not to engage in a conversation about the recent Pahalgam issue during lunch with some local colleagues. He quietly refused to comment and excused himself from the discussion. Later, after his shift ended, the same individuals confronted him, demanded he recite the Gayatri Mantra, and when he didn’t, they attacked him mercilessly,” Saxena wrote in his post.

He further alleged that no First Information Report (FIR) was lodged in connection with the case. “I received a devastating call from his wife last night. She’s shattered. What’s worse? No FIR has been registered. And the organization he has served loyally has yet to issue a statement,” he continued.

Screengrab of the LinkedIn post

His LinkedIn post quickly garnered 400+ likes. When another LinkedIn user expressed concern about the well being of his friend, Ishan Saxena claimed that his ‘Muslim friend’ had passed away. “He is no more. We lost him 30 minutes back,” he declared.

The alleged story of a Muslim corporate employee being forced to chant the Gayatri Mantra and killed for not speaking out about the Palgham terror attack in a cosmopolitan city like Bengaluru was shocking. It also had the potential to create social unrest and communal disharmony at a time of national crisis.

However, there was no news report about any such incident of assault (let alone murder) in the English media. Such an explosive story did not feature in any local Kannada news channel or print media. This raised even more suspicion about the story.

Screengrab of the tweet by OpIndia journalist

OpIndia’s Assistant Editor Dibakar Dutta reached out to the Bengaluru police, tagged the handles of Deputy Commissioners in various zones, but received no response.

A few hours later, Ishan Saxena deleted his LinkedIn post. Thereafter, he deactivated his LinkedIn account altogether.

The bogus story of a ‘close Muslim friend’ and his eventual killing in Bengaluru by Hindu colleagues over the Palgham terror attack was becoming clearer by the day.

Given that Ishan Saxena claimed to work in the HR department of Cashkaro, our journalist, as well as other netizens reached out to the company.

On Saturday (26th April), it put out a statement saying that Ishan Saxena is an ex-employee at Cashkaro.

“We are aware of certain posts circulating online regarding statements made by Mr. Ishan Saxena (ex-CashKaro employee). We would like to clarify that Ishan Saxena was relieved of his duties at CashKaro on 27th February 2025, and the views expressed in their personal posts do not reflect the values, beliefs, or position of our company in any way. CashKaro remains committed to promoting a respectful, inclusive, and responsible environment—both within our organization and in the communities we serve,” it said in a statement.

The Quint amplifies fake claims of Ishan Saxena

Screengrab of the story published by the Quint

On Friday (25th April), The Quint published (archive) his story as part of a series of stories to peddle the ‘Muslim victimhood’ angle. Without verifying any facts of the case, it re-published the post of Ishan Saxena.

‘An auto company employee allegedly beaten up brutally’, read the subheading of the Quint article (which has now been removed).

The Quint ‘journalist’ Aliza Noor did not follow up with the police or try to find any other corroborating sources.

Screengrab of the Instagram post by ‘The Ummah Insights’

The fake claims of Ishan Saxena were re-posted verbatim with heart-wrenching graphics by an Islamic page dubbed ‘The Ummah Insights’ on Instagram. At the time of writing, it had garnered 1428 likes.

The version of Ishan Saxena

On Saturday (26th April), Ishan Saxena reached out to OpIndia and informed that the post did not belong to him. He claimed to have copied the post from another user on LinkedIn, but did not remember his name.

On being asked about his claim that the ‘Muslim friend’ passed away, Saxena said that he saw another commentator make the claim and that he just repeated it. He agreed that the incident could have been fake.

He told us that he had been interrogated by the Bengaluru police. According to Saxena, the police told him that no such incident took place.

They also directed him to delete his post and refrain from posting any communally sensitive content without verification in the future.

The official statement of Ishan Saxena has been reproduced below –

“I am Ishan and I recently made a LinkedIn post regarding a muslim man being attacked by his colleagues. This post was actually a copy of another LinkedIn post mentioning the incident and I had shared it in the haste of feeling bad about what all is happening in our country. I should have fact checked the post which I didn’t and I am hence issuing this apology statement for making the post regarding an incident which I thought to be true but did not fact check.“

OpIndia could not find any post on Google Cache, other than that of Ishan Saxena, that alleges the death of a Muslim corporate worker in Bengaluru for not reciting the Gayatri Mantra and not commenting on the Pahalgam terror attack.

Other social media posts only cite his LinkedIn profile and claims made by him.

Conclusion

Time and again, fake stories surface on social media aimed at demonising the Hindu community or painting it in a poor light.

In the latest instance, a story where no names (or details of the crime) were mentioned was picked up by a prominent media outlet (The Quint) only because it fitted the narrative of ‘Muslim victimhood’.

This was done by ‘The Quint’ to deviate public discourse from the Pahalgam terror attack where 24 Hindus were killed by Islamic terrorists for the virtue of their Faith.

Hindus were forced to say their names, show ID cards, recite Kalma and even pull down their pants to show proof of ‘circumcision.’ Attempts are made to brush this ‘religious profiling’ of the victims under the carpet.

The Quint did not cite any apology for amplifying the fake news shared by Ishan Saxena and quietly deleted their story.

In the past, fake stories like semen filled ballons being hurled during Holi were peddled in the media with the intention to malign the Hindu festival. Later, when investigations revealed that no such incident occurred, the usual suspects quietly deleted their stories without any apology.

16 arrested in Assam for promoting anti-national sentiments following Pahalgam terror attack, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma promises crackdown against all ‘traitors’

ANI
-
0
16 arrested in Assam for promoting anti-national sentiments following Pahalgam terror attack, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma promises crackdown against all ‘traitors’

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said as many as 16 “rogue elements” have been arrested by the police for allegedly promoting anti-national sentiments amid heightened tensions in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 people were brutally killed.

In a series of posts on X, Assam CM Himanta Sarma said, “Update on crackdown against traitors on April 27. Dadhichi Dimple alias Dimple Bora was arrested by the Golaghat Police. Tahib Ali was arrested by the Tamulpur Police, and Bimal Mahato was arrested by the Udalguri Police. Total 16 arrests have been made till now against rogue elements.”

In another post, he said, “Md Mustak Ahmed alias Sahel, son of Kabir Ahmed from Saykut village under Karimganj Police Station, was arrested last night for posting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ on Facebook.”

On Saturday, CM Sarma said, “Assam will not tolerate any individual who, directly or indirectly, supports or defends Pakistan in connection with the heinous attack in Pahalgam. So far, the following individuals have been arrested by Assam Police for directly or indirectly promoting the cause of Pakistan on social media.”

The names in the post were identified as Hailakandi, Md Jabir Hussain, Md AK Bahauddin, Md Javed Mazumder, Md Mahahar Mia alias Md Mujihirul Islam, Md Aminul Islam, and Md Sahil Ali.

The country remains in mourning over the shocking death of 26 people in the terrorist attack in the Pahalgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, which also left many injured. India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism.

The government has said that terrorists responsible for a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam and conspirators will face severe punishment
Meanwhile the Panchayat elections in Assam are scheduled to be held in two phases, May 2 and May 7, respectively. The counting of the votes will be carried out on May 11.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Warning to Pakistan Navy by India as Indian Navy demonstrates ‘readiness for offensive strike’ with missile test: Read why India is overwhelming favourite in any Naval clash with Pakistan Navy

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Warning to Pakistan Navy by India as Indian Navy demonstrates ‘readiness for offensive strike’ with missile test: Read why India is overwhelming favourite in any Naval clash with Pakistan Navy

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Navy exhibited its combat-readiness through multiple firings of BrahMos anti-ship and anti-surface cruise missiles in the Arabian Sea. The Indian Navy warships have also been conducting drills in the Arabian Sea, displaying India’s maritime strength. Within 48 hours of the terrorist attack, the Indian Navy test-fired missiles in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Air Force also conducted a military exercise named ‘Aakraman’.

The Indian Navy shared the visuals of their long-range precision strike capabilities on X, which showed BrahMos anti-ship and anti-surface cruise missiles being fired from a fleet of warships, including Kolkata-class destroyers and Nilgiri and Krivak-class frigates in the middle of the sea.

“Indian Navy Ships undertook successful multiple anti-ship firings to revalidate and demonstrate the readiness of platforms, systems, and crew for long-range precision offensive strike. Indian Navy stands combat-ready, credible, and future-ready in safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests. Anytime, Anywhere, Anyhow, ” wrote the Indian Navy on X.

A few days ago, the Indian Navy also posted a video on X showing the Visakhapatnam-class stealth guided-missile destroyer INS Surat successfully test-firing the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) system. INS Surat, part of the Project 15B Guided Missile Destroyer program, is among the world’s most advanced warships, with 75 per cent indigenous content and state-of-the-art weapon and sensor systems.

The drills by the Indian Navy came a day after Pakistan issued a notice to Airmen/Mariners (NOTAM) warning for the Arabian Sea and carried out a naval live fire exercise in the Sea. Notably, India severed all diplomatic ties with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack, which is the first major terrorist attack since the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir. India’s recent tough stance has rattled the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which has been indulging in frequent ceasefire violations along the (LoC) since the terrorist attack. As a show of strength, the Pakistan military also conducted firing drills at Tilla Range, located about 25 km to the west of Jhelum in Punjab, Pakistan.  

Similarly, India had made deployments towards the north of the Arabian Sea facing Pakistan after the ghastly Pulwama terrorist attack that happened on February 14, 2019.

How the Indian naval strength surpasses Pakistan’s

The Indian maritime strength far exceeds that of Pakistan, as it is equipped with more advanced technology and formidable weaponry, which includes aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines and a range of surface combatants. The Indian Navy has 298 vessels, including 2 aircraft carriers, 18 submarines, 13 destroyers, and 14 frigates, while the Pakistani Navy operates with 121 vessels, which is less than half the number of the Indian Navy vessels. The Pakistan Navy has 8 submarines and 9 frigates, but no aircraft carriers or destroyers. Besides, India has a greater number of patrol vessels and corvettes, which provide it with more maritime deployment options. Besides, India maintains a merchant fleet of 1,859 ships against a fleet Pakistan’s fleet of merely 60 merchant ships. The number of ports in India is 56, while Pakistan has only 3 major ports.

From demolishing terrorists’ houses to detaining terror sympathisers: How Indian Security Forces have launched a major crackdown on terror

OpIndia Staff
-
0
From demolishing terrorists’ houses to detaining terror sympathisers: How Indian Security Forces have launched a major crackdown on terror

On 22nd April 2025, terrorists affiliated with The Resistance Force (TRF), which is an offshoot of Pakistan-based Islamic terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, orchestrated the deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of 27 Hindus. Following the deadly attack, Indian security forces have launched a massive and coordinated crackdown on terrorists and their sympathisers across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Following India’s strong response, even TRF took a U-turn denying involvement after officially claiming responsibility.

According to media reports, security agencies have intensified combing operations in the forests surrounding Pahalgam. Simultaneously, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have expanded their crackdown on suspected terror sympathisers across the Valley.

Reportedly, Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave directions to the agencies to take stringent measures to root out terrorists and dismantle their support networks in J&K. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been tasked with the investigation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack and has filed a fresh FIR. The agency recreated the crime scene with the help of eyewitnesses and recorded their statements.

Furthermore, combing operations are being jointly carried out by multiple agencies including local police, the Indian Army and paramilitary forces. Speaking to media, a senior police official said, “The searches have been going on for the last three days. The forces are moving slowly and cautiously from different directions.”

Notably, the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, where the attack took place, is connected by dense forests to Kokernag in the south, Kishtwar forests in the southwest, Sonamarg and the Amarnath cave shrine in the north, and Tral and Dachigam National Park in the northwest. The Dachigam National Park further connects to Srinagar. On the other hand, Kishtwar forests connect to Doda and other areas of Jammu. The location and surroundings make it one of the most difficult regions for combing operations because of the dense flora and fauna in all directions.

Demolition of houses belonging to terrorists and their associates

The central government and security agencies are not in the mood to show any leniency to terrorists and terror sympathisers in the wake of the recent attack. Reportedly, authorities have demolished at least nine residences linked to active terrorists and their associates in the past 72 hours. Controlled explosions were used to carry out the demolitions.

On the night of 24th April, the house of Aadil Ahmad Thoker in Bijbehara, Anantnag, was demolished. On the same night, the house of Asif Ahmad Sheikh in Tral, Pulwama, was demolished. Thoker has been named as one of the three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Sheikh’s involvement is under investigation.

On the night of 25th April, the house of Ehsan-ul Haq in Muran, Pulwama, was demolished. Furthermore, the houses of Shahid Ahmad Kuttay in Chotipora, Shopian, and Zakir Ahmad Ganie in Matalhama, Kulgam, were demolished. According to the official sources quoted by Economic Times, Ehsan-ul Haq was trained in Pakistan in 2018. He recently infiltrated into the Valley. Shahid is a top LeT commander and had been active for three to four years. Zakir has been active since 2023 and was under surveillance for multiple terror-related activities.

Source: Kashmir Observer

The residence of Farooq Ahmad Tedwa in Kalaroos, Kupwara, has also been demolished. Tedwa crossed over to Pakistan in 1990. Another terrorist whose house was demolished was Jameel Ahmed Sheer Gojri. He has been active since 2016 from Naaz Colony, Bandipora. Amir Nazir Wani, a Jaish-e-Mohammed affiliate from Khasipora, Tral, also faced the heat for his involvement in terrorist activities. He had joined terrorist activities in 2024.

Large-scale detentions and raids across Kashmir

Apart from the demolitions, J&K Police initiated a crackdown on the network of the suspected terrorist sympathisers in the Valley. Around 2,000 people have been detained by the police in the past four days from different regions. In Srinagar district alone, police conducted raids at over 60 locations. A woman was among the detained suspected terrorist sympathisers.

In a statement, the police said, “This decisive action of J&K Police aims to dismantle the terrorist ecosystem by identifying and taking legal action against individuals engaged in such anti-national and criminal activities.”

The reports further stated that the raids have been focused on seizing weapons, documents, digital devices and other materials to aid evidence collection and intelligence gathering.

In Anantnag district of south Kashmir, 175 suspects were detained by the police for questioning. The police have increased cordon and search operations in the district using mobile vehicle checkpoints set up across key routes. Officials confirmed that search operations have been happening day and night, specifically in and around high-density forest areas.

Clashes during operations and casualties

During one such operation in Bandipora district, terrorists opened fire at a police team who had taken an alleged overground worker (OGW), Altaf Lalli, to point out a hideout in Kulnar. Lalli was shot dead in the firing. Two police personnel were injured. Terrorists managed to escape.

The Srinagar Police stated, “Any individual found furthering the agenda of violence, disruption, or unlawful activities will face strict legal consequences under the law.”

Ongoing efforts to dismantle the terror ecosystem

The aggressive pursuit of known terrorist associates and sympathisers across the Valley is underway to avoid any further attacks similar to Pahalgam. Speaking to media, a J&K Police spokesperson said, “In its relentless efforts to dismantle the terrorist ecosystem, Srinagar Police conducted searches across the length and breadth of the city at the residences of OGWs and terrorist associates involved in cases registered under UAPA.”

Escalation along the Line of Control

Amid the crackdown in Kashmir, tensions along the Line of Control have escalated. According to media reports, Pakistani posts carried out unprovoked small arms firing for a second consecutive night. Indian troops responded appropriately. No casualties were reported. Furthermore, the Pakistan military has been put on high alert after Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack would be pursued “to the end of the earth”.

Earth-like exoplanets common across the cosmos: Astronomers reveal after a study

ANI
-
0
Earth-like exoplanets common across the cosmos: Astronomers reveal after a study

Astronomers have discovered that super-Earth exoplanets are more common across the universe than previously thought.

While it can be relatively easy to locate worlds that orbit close to their star, planets with wider paths can be difficult to detect.

Still, researchers estimated that for every three stars, there should be at least one super-Earth present with a Jupiter-like orbital period, suggesting these massive worlds are extremely prevalent across the universe.

Using the Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet), an international team of researchers has discovered that super-Earth exoplanets are more common across the universe than previously thought, according to a new study.

By studying light anomalies made by the newly found planet’s host star and combining their results with a larger sample from a KMTNet microlensing survey, the team found that super-Earths can exist as far from their host star as our gas giants are from the sun, said Andrew Gould, co-author of the study and professor emeritus of astronomy at The Ohio State University.

“Scientists knew there were more small planets than big planets, but in this study, we were able to show that within this overall pattern, there are excesses and deficits,” he said. “It’s very interesting.”

While it can be relatively easy to locate worlds that orbit close to their star, planets with wider paths can be difficult to detect.

Still, researchers further estimated that for every three stars, there should be at least one super-Earth present with a Jupiter-like orbital period, suggesting these massive worlds are extremely prevalent across the universe, said Gould, whose early theoretical research helped develop the field of planetary microlensing.

The findings in this study were made via microlensing, an observational effect that occurs when the presence of mass warps the fabric of space-time to a detectable degree.

When a foreground object, such as a star or planet, passes between an observer and a more distant star, light is curved from the source, causing an apparent increase in the object’s brightness that can last anywhere from a few hours to several months. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

YouTuber Ravish Kumar gets rattled after India suspends Indus Water Treaty, cries about BJP using water as ‘weapon’ against Pakistan

OpIndia Staff
-
0
YouTuber Ravish Kumar gets rattled after India suspends Indus Water Treaty, cries about BJP using water as ‘weapon’ against Pakistan

The suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) by India as retaliation against Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack seems to have rattled YouTuber Ravish Kumar.

Visibly disturbed by India’s decision to stop the water of rivers flowing into Pakistan, Kumar posted a video on YouTube questioning the BJP for taking the decision.

In the video, Kumar questioned the capability of the Indian government to stop the water flowing into Pakistan. He alleged that the BJP was using water as a weapon against Pakistan.

Accusing the government of playing to the gallery and fooling people, Kumar mockingly remarked, “You can stop the water of six rivers, who gets to decide that? Nature or Modi’s ministers.”

In his more than half an hour long rant video, Kumar claimed that it was not at all possible for India to stop the flow of rivers into Pakistan. He alleged that the Modi government is misleading people by announcing to suspend the Indus Water Treaty.

Notably, after announcing the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, India stopped the water of the river Chenab into Pakistan.

India halted the water of the river at the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Plant and the Salal Hydroelectric Power Station.

India suspends the Indus Water Treaty (IWT)

As a retaliatory measure against Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 Hindu tourists were gunned down in cold blood by Islamic terrorists, India suspended the Indus Water Treaty on 23rd April 2025.

The IWT, signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, allowed Pakistan to use around 80% water of the rivers of the Indus River System. The Indus River System has six rivers categorised as Eastern rivers and Western rivers.

Under the Treaty, India was allowed to use the water of Eastern rivers, namely, Ravi (originating in Himachal Pradesh), Beas (flows through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, and Sutlej (originates in Tibet, flows through India into Pakistan), and Pakistan was allowed to use the water of Indus, Jhelum and Chenab which amounts to about 80% water of the system. Being an agrarian economy, Pakistan counts on the water of western rivers for irrigation.

Currently, India does not have the required infrastructure to entirely control the flow of the Western rivers. However, after the suspension of the IWT, India is no longer required to inform Pakistan about building any projects on the western rivers.

Rajasthan: Man working at jewellery shop of Shaukat Ali removes saffron flag, arrested after Hindus protest

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Rajasthan: Man working at jewellery shop of Shaukat Ali removes saffron flag, arrested after Hindus protest

Communal tensions flared up in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur on Saturday (26th April) after a shop employee was captured on CCTV removing a saffron flag in Ghodon ka Chowk market area the previous night.

As soon as the news of the incident came out, locals and members of Hindu organisations gathered in the area and staged protests. They demanded action against the accused.

As per reports, the CCTV footage showed the man removing the saffron flag (bearing Lord Hanuman’s picture) from a vehicle parked in the market and throwing it on the ground.

The video went viral, and locals and Hindu organisations gathered there in large numbers and started protesting. They slammed the employee for disrespecting the saffron flag, a religious symbol of Hindus.

The police intervened and detained the employee whose identity could not be ascertained. The shop he worked at belonged to one Shaukat Ali. Both the employee and the shopkeeper are reportedly from West Bengal.

The police attempted to disperse the protesters from the market areas, following which they gathered in front of the Sojati Gate police chowki and demanded action against the culprit.

President of Jodhpur Jewellers’ Association, Naveen Soni, accused shopkeeper Shaukat Ali of harbouring radical views. Ali is currently absconding.

“The owner of the shop has been absconding since the incident. He is also from West Bengal and is known for his radical outlook and activities,” Soni said.

What the police said

Alok Srivastava, DCP Jodhpur, said, “Today, around 11:30 AM, I received a call from the SHO of Sadar Bazaar regarding an incident of disrespect in front of a shop involving a saffron flag. The individual responsible for the misconduct was detained at the police station. Following this, some local leaders and members of different organisations gathered and pressured to close down the market. We spoke with them. The market has been shut down, with around 300-400 people gathered at the scene. Action will be taken against the culprit under the law.”

The market was reopened later in the evening after peace was restored. However, police personnel have been deployed in the market area to prevent any untoward situation.

1...434435436...7,657Page 435 of 7,657