THE HEADLINES:
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan to discuss issues related to military preparedness in response to Pahalgam terrorist attack.
- Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha summons one-day Special Session of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today.
- Indian diaspora around the world holds protests against horrific terror attack at Pahalgam.
- President Droupadi Murmu to confer Padma Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening.
- In IPL cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeat Delhi Capitals by 6 wickets in Delhi last night.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan to discuss important issues related to military preparedness in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, in which 26 tourists from various states were killed on April 22. The meeting, which took place at the Defence Minister’s residence in Delhi yesterday lasted for about 40 minutes. According to sources, General Chauhan apprised the Defence Minister about the military strategy and preparations regarding the elimination of terrorism during this time.
BSF officers were also present in Delhi for the meeting on key issues related to defence preparations. Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) Daljit Singh Chaudhary also visited the Home Ministry yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy yesterday successfully carried out an anti-ship missile exercise, and said that it is fully prepared for combat at any time, anywhere and in any manner to safeguard the maritime interests of the country. This missile test was conducted from the Indian Naval ships. This anti-ship firing drill conducted by the Navy has re-validated the readiness of the platform, systems and personnel for conducting long-range precision offensive strikes. The Navy said that they have carried out several successful anti-ship missile firings to demonstrate the readiness of the personnel.
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The Indian Army effectively responded to firing by Pakistan military along Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir last night. Defence sources said, Pakistan Army posts fired unprovoked across the Line of Control in Kupwara and Poonch areas and the Indian troops responded swiftly and effectively.
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In Jammu and Kashmir, on the request of the Cabinet, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has summoned a one-day Special Session of the Legislative Assembly today to discuss Pahalgam terror attack in which 25 tourists and a local were killed and many others were injured. The Assembly will pay tribute to those killed in the terror attack followed by discussion on the incident and related issues and then passing a resolution strongly condemning the incident which sent shock waves not only in the country but across the world.
The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on April 23 had recommended to the Lieutenant Governor for the convening of special Assembly session on April 28 in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. The Assembly has been called at 10.30 AM today which is likely to adopt a resolution condemning the terror attack on the tourists. The resolution has been drafted and will be introduced in the House followed by speeches by leaders of different political parties and reply by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. This is a rare occasion when a special session of the Legislature is being called. This is N. Gulshan Raina For Akashvani News From Jammu.
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A total of 537 Pakistanis have returned via Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post in Amritsar after the 48-hour deadline given to Pakistani Nationals present in India on SAARC Visa ended yesterday. The decision instructing Pak Nationals to leave India was taken during the Central Committee on Security (CCS) meeting called on April 23rd in the aftermath of the Pahlgam terrorist.
Protocol Call Officer, Arun Mahal (माहल), posted at Attari, told our Punjab Correspondent that the date of return for all visa holders including those on Medical Visa, has been extended till April 29th, 2025.
Meanwhile, a total of 1387 Indians have also returned from Pakistan till last evening.
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The Uttarakhand government has cancelled the registration of 77 Pakistani nationals who had signed up for the annual Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage. The decision was announced by State Tourism and Culture Minister Satpal Maharaj.
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The Indian diaspora around the world staged protests against the targeted killings of Hindu tourists in the horrific terror attack at Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. From Federation Square in Melbourne to the Pakistan High Commission in London, and from Copenhagen to the Pakistan Embassy in Kathmandu, protesters demanded justice and condemned the brutal act of terror. Voices of anger, pain, and unity echoed globally as the diaspora stands in solidarity with the victims and calls for action.
Indian community members also held massive protests in France’s Paris, Switzerland’s Zurich, Finland’s Helsinki, Spain and several other countries. In a solemn gathering, the community members paid tribute to the innocent lives lost and sent a strong message against terrorism.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asserted that unity and solidarity of 140 crore Indians is the biggest strength of the country in its fight against terrorism. Addressing the nation in his Mann Ki Baat programme on Akashvani yesterday, Mr Modi assured the people that the perpetrators and conspirators behind Pahalgam terror attack will be given harshest punishment. 26 people lost their lives in the terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on the 22nd of this month. Prime Minister Modi said, following the terror attack, several global leaders called him up and wrote letters strongly condemning this heinous terrorist attack.
The Prime Minister said the enemies of India and Jammu and Kashmir were not pleased that peace was returning to Kashmir, democracy was getting stronger, and tourists were increasing at a record rate.
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President Droupadi Murmu will present the Padma Awards at the first Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening. Padma Awards – one of the highest civilian awards of the country, are conferred in three categories – Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The awards are given in various disciplines and fields of activities including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.
On the eve of Republic Day this year, Government had announced 139 Padma Awards which comprises of seven Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri Awards. Prominent Padma Vibhushan Awardees are Violinist and composer Dr L Subramaniam and gastroenterologist D Nageswar Reddy. Among Padma Bhushan Awardees are eminent editor and former Prasar Bharati Chairman A Surya Prakash, cine actors Anant Nag, Nandamuri Balakrishna and S Ajith Kumar, Bharatnatyam Dancer Shobana Chandrakumar and former Indian Hockey team captain P R Shreejesh. Many unsung heroes like 100-year old freedom fighter from Goa Libia Lobo Sardesai, 96-year old leather puppeteer Bhimavva Doddabalappa Shillekyathara and Chaitram Devchand Pawar who conserved 400 hectare of forest in Maharashtra will be honoured with Padma Shri. ANUPAM MISHRA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.
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Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said that India is making big strides in cancer care, with a focus on setting up large-scale treatment centers and promoting early diagnosis. He quoting a report by the recognized medical journal ‘The Lancet’, which said that with the Government’s efforts, 90 percent of cancer patients in India are now starting their treatment within 30 days of diagnosis. Mr Nadda was speaking at the inauguration of the expanded Cancer Institute and the launch of the state-of-the-art True Beam Unit at the Government Cancer Hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra.
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Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri along with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will launch the Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards for Delhiites in New Delhi today. The scheme provides 5 lakh rupees free health cover to all senior citizens of the age 70 years and above irrespective of their socio-economic status. The senior citizens of the age 70 years and above belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY get an additional top-up cover up to 5 lakh rupees per year for themselves.The newly formed BJP government, in its 100-day action plan, had announced it would enrol at least 1 lakh beneficiaries under the insurance scheme within 30 days.
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In IPL T20 Cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Delhi Capitals by 6 wickets at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi last night. We have more from our sports desk:
Chasing a target of 163 runs set by Delhi, Bengaluru reached the target with nine balls to spare. Krunal Pandya was the top scorer for the visitors, remaining unbeaten with a quickfire 73 runs off 47 balls. Virat Kohli also contributed with 51 runs. Today, Rajasthan Royals will clash with Gujarat Titans at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur at 7:30 pm.
Moving onto Asian Yogasana Championship where India concluded their campaign with a dominant performance, securing a record 83 gold medals and a total of 87 medals, finishing well ahead of Japan.
And finally, in the Kalinga Super Cup 2025, Jamshedpur FC reached the semi-finals after beating North East United FC 5-4 in a dramatic penalty shootout at the Kalinga Stadium yesterday. WITH NEELAM KAUSHIK, this is MANIK SHARMA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.
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Canada will go to polls today. This election comes at a time when United States President Donald Trump made several unpredictable global tariff policies and called for Canada to become the 51st U.S. state. Economic stability, cost of living, housing affordability, and climate policy issues have become central to the national conversation as voters prepare to cast their ballots. The main contenders being the Liberal Party’s representative Prime Minister Mark Carney and the opposition Conservative Party’s Pierre Poilievre.
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The death toll from a massive explosion at a port near southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas has reached 40. The Saturday explosion and the subsequent fire left more than 1,000 people wounded, of whom 197 were hospitalised. The cause of the incident has not been determined yet. The Iranian government’s spokeswoman, Fatemeh Mohajerani, in a post on social media, said the administration had declared a day of national mourning today.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the port yesterday to assess the circumstances of the blast, and visited some of the injured. Despite the incident, the port’s wharfs have resumed operations and cargo handling.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES:-
- “Pahalgam culprits will get harshest punishment”: PM, is the headline in the Hindustan Times,
- “Indian’s blood is boiling, justice to be served”, says Modi is the headline in The Asian Age.
- The Tribune headlines ” Entire nation seething with rage”; PM vows retribution for attack.
- The Times of India has the headline “blood boiling but national unity will steer pahalgam response”: PM.
- Most papers also have on their front page the story of the resignation of DMK ministers Senthil Balaji and K Ponmudy paving way for the reshuffle of the tamil nadu govt headed by chief minister M K Stalin . The Hindu headlines two Tamil Nadu Ministers quit on strong court remarks. The Indian Express headlines ” DMK forces ministers, facing court fire, to quit”
- All papers have widely covered with pictures the emotional farewell of indian and Pakistani nationals at the Attari integrated check post. The Statesman says “emotional crossings at Attari as return deadline ends.”
- And finally, at 27.2 degrees celsius capital logs its warmest night in 6 years is a story in The Pioneer.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan to discuss issues related to military preparedness in response to Pahalgam terrorist attack.
- Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha summons one-day Special Session of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today.
- Indian diaspora around the world holds protests against horrific terror attack at Pahalgam.
- President Droupadi Murmu to confer Padma Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening.
- In IPL cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeat Delhi Capitals by 6 wickets in Delhi last night.
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