In a major breakthrough, Indian Army’s Special Forces neutralized Hashim Musa, the mastermind behind the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, during an intense encounter in the Harwan–Dachigam forests near Srinagar. Musa, a former Pakistani SSG commando turned Lashkar-e-Taiba handler, was tracked through intelligence inputs and overground worker interrogations. He had infiltrated India in 2023 and was linked to multiple attacks across Baramulla, Ganderbal, and Rajouri. The operation, part of Operation Mahadev, also eliminated two other foreign terrorists. Security forces recovered M4 rifles, AK-47s, and grenades. Musa’s death marks a significant blow to Pakistan-backed terror networks operating in Jammu & Kashmir. (PC: Instagram)

Türkiye has successfully tested its most powerful non-nuclear bombs GAZAP and NEB-2 Ghost each weighing 970 kg and deployable from F-16 fighter jets. GAZAP features a thermobaric warhead and disperses 10,000 particles across hundreds of square meters. NEB-2 is a next-gen bunker-buster capable of penetrating 90 meters underground, causing landslides and gas leaks. Both were showcased at the IDEF 2025 defense expo in Istanbul. Türkiye’s rapid defense advancements, including the Tayfun Block-4 hypersonic missile, signal growing self-reliance. Concerns rise in India over potential exports to Pakistan, given Türkiye’s strong military ties with Islamabad and its stance on Kashmir.

India is intensifying diplomatic efforts with South Africa, Botswana, and Kenya to secure the next batch of African cheetahs for its ambitious reintroduction project. While Botswana has committed to sending four cheetahs, delays persist due to political shifts in South Africa and broad negotiations with Kenya. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is coordinating logistics, with plans to relocate cheetahs from Kuno National Park to Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary. So far, 20 cheetahs have been translocated, eight from Namibia and 12 from South Africa. Despite setbacks, India remains committed to expanding its cheetah population, with 26 currently in Kuno, including 17 cubs born locally. (PC: Smithsonian Magazine & The Times of India)

Indian security forces may have cornered three foreign terrorists linked to the April 22 Pahalgam massacre during Operation Mahadev, launched in the Dachigam forests of Jammu & Kashmir. Intelligence sources suggest a high probability that the attackers believed to be affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba are among those neutralized. The April attack claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, and was executed by terrorists who had scouted multiple locations before striking Baisaran Valley. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) continues its probe, citing Pakistan-based coordination and advanced jungle warfare tactics. The operation marks a major breakthrough in India’s counterterror efforts and could close a months-long manhunt. (PC: Moneycontrol & India Today)

American YouTuber Tyler Oliveira claimed he contracted four types of Salmonella during his India trip, despite eating exclusively at five-star hotels. Responding to criticism of Western tourists “romanticizing poverty,” Oliveira argued that even luxury travel isn’t immune to India’s sanitation challenges. He blamed contaminated eggs sourced from a chicken farm near a trash heap and shared medical reports to support his claim. While some defended his concerns, others accused him of defaming India and generalizing based on anecdotal evidence. The incident reignited discussions on public health, civic infrastructure, and the fine line between cultural critique and insensitivity. (PC: X)

Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, strongly defended India’s continued oil imports from Russia, stating that New Delhi cannot be expected to “switch off its economy” over geopolitical concerns. In an interview with Times Radio, Doraiswami highlighted India’s displacement from traditional energy markets and rising costs, noting that the country imports over 80% of its energy. He also pointed out Western double standards, where European nations continue buying rare earths and energy from suppliers they criticize India for engaging with. Doraiswami emphasized India’s long-standing security ties with Russia and reiterated PM Modi’s stance, “This is not an era of war.” (PC: The Print)

Prabhu Visha, an Indian resident in the Netherlands, shared a viral video expressing admiration for Dutch civic responsiveness. After noticing minor bumps near his home, he received a detailed government letter explaining the repair timeline and rationale. Though the road seemed perfect to him, Visha was moved by the authorities’ attention to vulnerable groups like pregnant women, cyclists with children, and the elderly. He praised the inclusive and transparent approach, contrasting it with his experience in India. The video, showing him skating on the smooth road, struck a chord online, sparking praise for Dutch governance and calls for similar public service standards globally.

India has signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the UK, eliminating tariffs on 99% of Indian exports and safeguarding sensitive sectors like agriculture and ethanol. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called it a “game-changing” pact that boosts MSMEs, farmers, and youth. The deal strengthens India’s negotiating position for upcoming trade talks with the US, EU, New Zealand, and Oman. Goyal emphasized India’s confident and strategic approach to future FTAs. The pact, signed in the presence of PM Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer, is expected to double bilateral trade to $120 billion by 2030 and reshape India’s global trade footprint. (PC: X/@NarendraModi)

Thailand has confirmed initiating ceasefire talks with Cambodia following deadly border clashes that killed dozens and displaced thousands. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet signaled readiness for “immediate and unconditional” peace, while Thailand stressed the need for verifiable commitment. Former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he played a role in prompting the ceasefire, drawing parallels to his past mediation efforts between India and Pakistan. Despite initial diplomatic progress, skirmishes reportedly continued near the disputed Preah Vihear temple. The international community, including ASEAN and the UN, has urged restraint, with Malaysia offering to mediate the de-escalation efforts. (PC: Mint)

Reports claim Israel is marketing the jointly developed Barak‑8 (MR‑SAM) missile globally by excluding critical Indian‑contributed components—such as the DRDO‑developed dual‑pulse rocket motor—from export versions . The system, developed jointly by India’s DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries since 2006, offers medium‑range air defence capabilities with ranges from 70 to 100 km (extended up to 150 km) . Indian stakeholders feel sidelined as Israeli firms present it as entirely their own technology in overseas deals, raising concerns over strategic equity and the integrity of future defence collaboration. (PC: Defence.In)