Midday News -

THE HEADLINES:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist and their backers.
Prime Minister inaugurates and lays foundation stone for several infrastructure projects worth over 13 thousand 480 crore rupees in Bihar.
India summons Pakistan’s top diplomat and hands over persona non-grata note for its military diplomats.
Government to hold an all-party meeting in New Delhi this evening.
Three Maoists killed in an encounter with security forces in border area of Chhattisgarh and Telangana.
And in IPL cricket, hosts Royal Challengers Bengaluru to face Rajasthan Royals at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium this evening.

<><><>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that India will identify, trace, and punish every terrorist and their backers. He said that India will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. The Prime Minister said, terrorism will not go unpunished. He said that every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done, and the entire nation is firm in this resolve. The Prime Minister said this while addressing a public gathering in Madhubani district of Bihar on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day.

Prime Minister Modi further said that the country’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism.

The Prime Minister also emphasized that everyone who believes in humanity is with India. He stated that the country is saddened and in pain after this incident, and stands with the families of the victims.

Before beginning his address, the Prime Minister observed a moment of silence to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

The Prime Minister inaugurated, laid the foundation stone, and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth over 13,480 crore rupees during his visit to Bihar.

The project inaugurated and work started today include an LPG bottling plant at Gopalganj, electrification projects, housing schemes, railway infrastructure, and road development.

PM Modi also inaugurated railway projects worth 870 crore rupees and flagged off four trains during his visit to Bihar. He flagged off the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail between Jaynagar and Patna, and the Amrit Bharat Express between Saharsa and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Mumbai, through video conferencing during an event organized at Madhubani marking National Panchayati Raj Day. This is the second Namo Bharat train in the country, while the introduction of the Amrit Bharat Express marks the third such train service. Additionally, the Prime Minister flagged off two passenger trains-one from Saharsa to Pipra and another from Samastipur to Saharsa.

<><><>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today stated that India’s steel industry is brimming with renewed confidence about its future. Speaking virtually at the inauguration of the INDIA STEEL – 6th International Exhibition and Conference being held in Mumbai, he highlighted the ambitious goals set under the National Steel Policy, which aims to increase the country’s steel production to 300 million tonnes by 2030.

<><><>

India has summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat Saad Ahmad Warraich and handed over the persona non-grata note for its military diplomats. The top diplomat was summoned last night according to sources. This came following India’s several strong measures against Pakistan in view of the Pahalgam terror attack. New Delhi has suspended the Indus Water Treaty, closed Integrated Check Post Attari and it has downgraded diplomatic ties with Islamabad. India has also suspended SAARC visa exemption for Pakistani nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme.

<><><>

The government has convened an all-party meeting in New Delhi today in view of the Pahalgam terror attack. Sources said the meeting will take place at the Parliament House complex at 6 in the evening. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to brief leaders of various political parties about the attack. He will also update them on the steps taken against Pakistan following the incident.

<><><>

BJP leaders and workers today held a protest outside the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi over the Pahalgam terror attack. Talking to reporters, BJP MLA Satish Upadhyay said that there is anger in the hearts of people of the country over this incident. He said, the government and the country’s military will give a befitting reply to Pakistan.

<><><>

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) has strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack during its meeting held in New Delhi today. Addressing the media following the meeting, Congress General Secretary Venugopal said that during the meeting, CWC remarked that this cowardly and calculated act of terror, mastermind by Pakistan, is a direct assault on the values of the country’s Republic. Mr Venugoal added that the deliberate targeting of Hindus was done to inflame passions across the country.

<><><>

Talking to Akashvani News, former Indian ambassador to Pakistan Prabhu Dayal said the strong measures taken by the government following the Pahalgam terror attack will adversely affect Pakistan. He stated that the decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance will seriously impact Pakistan’s agriculture, which is dependent on the waters of the Indus River and its tributaries. Mr. Dayal also said the decision to bar Pakistani nationals from visiting India, along with the closure of the Attari-Wagah border, will broadly impact Pakistan.

<><><>

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today visited the residence of Shubham Dwivedi, one of the 26 victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, and paid floral tributes to him before his final rites were performed in Kanpur. The Chief Minister met the grieving family today, expressed his condolences, and assured them of all possible support from the state government.

<><><>

In Jammu and Kashmir, security forces and terrorists exchanged fire following a search operation in Udhampur district today leading to the death of an army Jawan. Akashvani Jammu Correspondent reports that the firing took place in the Dudu-Basantgarh area during a cordon and search operation launched by security forces based on information about the presence of terrorists in the area. As the forces zeroed in on the suspected spot the hiding terrorists opened fire, which was retaliated, triggering an encounter. The operation was underway when reports last came in.

<><><>

Three Maoists have been killed in an encounter between security forces and Maoists in the border area of Chhattisgarh and Telangana. An anti naxal operation is going on in the hills of Karregutta in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. Various security forces of Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Maharashtra launched the operation about two days ago after receiving intelligence inputs about the presence of top leaders of Maoist organisation in the hills. Security forces have surrounded the hill. Top officials of Police and CRPF are monitoring the operation. This is one of the biggest joint operation against the Maoists.

<><><>

World Immunization Week 2025 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) will begin from today across the globe. The week long campaign will last till 30th of this month. The World Immunization Week is celebrated in the last week of April, with the aim to promote the life-saving power of immunization. The theme for this year is “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible”.

<><><>

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heat wave conditions to continue over Northwest India during the next five days. According to the IMD, heat wave conditions will continue over West Madhya Pradesh, West Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and East Rajasthan till the 29th of this month. Similar conditions will prevail over Central and East India including Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Gangetic West Bengal till Saturday.

<><><>

At least two people have been killed and 54 injured, including children, in overnight Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. According to media reports, Blasts were also reported in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv, which also came under attack. This comes just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump accused Volodymyr Zelensky of harming peace negotiations, after the Ukrainian president ruled out recognising Russian control of Crimea.

<><><>

In IPL T20 Cricket, today hosts Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Rajasthan Royals at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium at 7:30 PM. Yesterday, Mumbai Indians defeated hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad by 7 wickets in Hyderabad.

<><><>

THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist and their backers.
Prime Minister inaugurates and lays foundation stone for several infrastructure projects worth over 13 thousand 480 crore rupees in Bihar.
India summons Pakistan’s top diplomat and hands over persona non-grata note for its military diplomats.
Government to hold an all-party meeting in New Delhi this evening.
Three Maoists killed in an encounter with security forces in border area of Chhattisgarh and Telangana.
And in IPL cricket, hosts Royal Challengers Bengaluru to face Rajasthan Royals at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium this evening.