A gunfight broke out on Sunday between security forces and terrorists in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, during a counter-terror operation. The Indian Army said the encounter began after terrorists opened fire during a search mission launched on specific intelligence inputs. The joint operation, named Operation Trashi-I, is being carried out with the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Security forces have cordoned off the area and inducted additional reinforcements. Officials said the terrain and dense forest cover have made the operation difficult. Surveillance has been increased, and residents in nearby villages have been advised to remain indoors.

Police have registered an FIR against two builders after a 27-year-old software engineer died when his car fell into a water-filled construction site in Greater Noida. The incident occurred early Saturday in Sector 150, when the car broke through a drain boundary wall and plunged into a flooded basement of an under-construction mall. The victim, Yuvraj Mehta, worked in Gurugram. The builders have been booked under culpable homicide and negligence sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police said low visibility and speeding may have caused the crash. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force assisted in the rescue operation, and the body was recovered after several hours. (PC: HT)

Bangladesh has sought Pakistan’s support amid a dispute over travelling to India for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, sources said on Sunday. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has refused to play matches in India, citing security concerns, despite an ICC assessment finding no specific threats. Officials in Dhaka have reportedly contacted Islamabad, and Pakistan Cricket Board has indicated it could reconsider its own participation if the issue remains unresolved. The tournament, organised by the International Cricket Council, is scheduled to start on February 7 and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. (PC: NDTV)

Iranian authorities on Sunday said at least 5,000 people, including about 500 security personnel, were killed during protests across Iran. A senior Iranian official said the deaths were verified and claimed terrorists and armed rioters targeted civilians. Protests began on December 28 over economic hardship and later expanded into nationwide demonstrations demanding an end to clerical rule. The unrest is described as the deadliest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed foreign enemies, accusing United States and Israel of fuelling the violence. US President Donald Trump warned of possible intervention. (PC: India Today)

About 1,500 active-duty US Army soldiers have been placed on standby for possible deployment to Minneapolis, according to a defence official. The troops are based in Alaska and could be deployed if President Donald Trump authorises their use. The alert comes as demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement continue in the city following the death of a legal observer earlier this month. State officials have urged protesters to remain peaceful. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has placed the National Guard on alert. A federal judge has also limited crowd-control actions by ICE against peaceful demonstrators. (PC: BBC)

A 27-year-old software engineer, Yuvraj Mehta, tragically died after his SUV plunged into a deep, water-filled ditch near Sector 150 in Greater Noida late Friday night, police and family said. Dense fog and poor visibility caused his vehicle to crash through a damaged boundary and fall into the 70-foot pit while returning home from work. Mehta called his father, pleading for help as he and passersby screamed in foggy conditions. Rescue teams from local police, fire services, SDRF and NDRF conducted a nearly five-hour operation, but Mehta was declared dead. His family and residents have criticised authorities for lack of reflectors and safety measures. 

An IndiGo Airlines flight 6E-6650 from Delhi to Bagdogra was forced to make an emergency landing at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport on Sunday morning after a bomb threat was reported onboard, police said. The alert came when a handwritten note on tissue paper stating “Plane mein bomb” (bomb in the plane) was discovered in a lavatory, prompting air traffic control to divert the aircraft as a precaution. All passengers, including 222 adults and eight infants, two pilots and five crew members, were safely evacuated. The plane was moved to an isolation bay, and bomb disposal and security teams conducted thorough inspections. Investigations are ongoing.

A. R. Rahman has issued a public statement after facing criticism over remarks made in a recent interview. The composer said India is his inspiration, teacher, and home, and stressed that his words were misunderstood. Rahman said music has always been his way of serving the country and uniting cultures. He said he “never wished to cause pain” and hoped his intent would be understood. The statement was shared through a video that also showed crowds singing his song Maa Tujhe Salaam at a cricket match. Rahman cited his work with young musicians and multicultural projects as part of his long-standing commitment to India. (PC: India Today)

At least eight skiers have died in a series of avalanches across Austria’s Alps, officials confirmed after heavy snowfall and unstable snow conditions triggered multiple deadly slides on Saturday, 17 January 2026. Three Czech ski tourers were buried and killed in the Murtal district of Styria, while five others died in the Salzburg Pongau region, where two avalanches struck off-piste areas, including the Gastein Valley and Bad Hofgastein. Rescue teams, including helicopters, mountain rescue units and dog squads, responded amid repeated avalanche warnings issued by authorities, who stressed the severity of current conditions for winter sports enthusiasts. (PC: AP)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Malda, West Bengal, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple rail and road infrastructure projects worth over ₹3,250 crore aimed at improving connectivity within the state and with the North-Eastern region. These include new rail lines, upgraded maintenance facilities and electrification works that are expected to boost travel, trade, and employment. Modi also flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train on the Howrah–Guwahati route, marking a milestone in railway modernisation. Additionally, four Amrit Bharat Express trains were introduced to enhance long-distance connectivity. (PC: ANI)