The Indian Army, along with Jammu and Kashmir Police, destroyed 42 unexploded shells in Poonch on Sunday. These shells were left behind after cross-border shelling by Pakistan. The controlled operation took place in Jhullas, Salotri, Dharati, and Salani villages. Trained bomb disposal teams carried out the task with full safety to protect local people. The Army said the operation shows their strong efforts to keep civilians safe and restore peace in the area. Earlier, shelling from Pakistan had killed 12 and injured 42. A ceasefire was agreed on May 10, ending days of military tension between India and Pakistan. (PC: Hindustan Times)

On May 18, 2025, a deadly fire broke out in a three-story building in Hyderabad’s Shah Ali Banda area, killing at least 17 people and injuring several more. The fire originated from a short circuit in a ground-floor jewelry shop and quickly spread to the upper residential floors. With a single, narrow staircase and no alternative escape route, residents were trapped. Rescue operations faced major obstacles due to heavy smoke and poor access. Prime Minister Modi expressed condolences and announced compensation, as the tragedy reignites concerns over widespread fire safety violations in urban India. (PC: AFP)  

Ashoka University associate professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad was arrested in Delhi on Sunday following a complaint by a BJP Yuva Morcha leader. The arrest stems from his social media remarks on Operation Sindoor, particularly his critique of the media briefing led by Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. Mahmudabad questioned the authenticity of the representation, suggesting it would be "hypocrisy" if not reflected in real-world actions. The Haryana State Commission for Women had earlier issued a show-cause notice, interpreting his comments as disparaging to women officers and promoting communal disharmony. Mahmudabad defended his statements, asserting they were misunderstood and aimed at highlighting the importance of genuine representation and unity in diversity. He also challenged the commission's jurisdiction over the matter. The arrest has ignited debates on academic freedom and the boundaries of free speech in India. (PC: Ashoka Education)

A devastating fire broke out in a mixed-use building located in Gulzar Houz, near the historic Charminar in Hyderabad, resulting in the deaths of at least 17 people and injuries to several others. The blaze rapidly engulfed the structure, which housed both residential apartments and commercial spaces, leading to a major emergency response. The incident has caused significant concern, highlighting safety challenges in densely populated and multi-use buildings in urban areas. Authorities are likely to investigate the cause of the fire and assess building safety conditions in the vicinity to prevent such tragedies in the future.

On May 17, 2025, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) refuted allegations by Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed Pakistan prior to Operation Sindoor. The MEA clarified that Pakistan was notified only after the operation commenced, labeling Gandhi's claim as a "misrepresentation of facts." Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, targeted nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, linked to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The Indian government emphasized the operation's precision and non-escalatory nature. Additionally, India dismissed Pakistan's claims of downing Indian jets as misinformation, with the MEA urging global zero tolerance for terrorism. (PC: Sputnik India)

A devastating fire erupted in a building at Gulzar Houz near Hyderabad's historic Charminar on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 17 people and injuring several others. The structure, housing both residential apartments and commercial establishments, was rapidly engulfed in flames. Emergency services responded promptly to control the blaze and rescue survivors. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by local authorities. This tragic incident has raised serious concerns about fire safety measures in mixed-use buildings within densely populated urban areas. The proximity of the fire to the iconic Charminar underscores the vulnerability of historic sites to urban hazards. (PC: Millennium post)

On May 17, 2025, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two fugitives, Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh and Talha Khan, at Mumbai Airport upon their arrival from Jakarta. Both are accused of being members of an ISIS sleeper cell involved in a 2023 case concerning the fabrication and testing of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Pune. The duo had been evading authorities for two years and were apprehended based on intelligence inputs. They, along with eight others already in custody, allegedly conspired to commit terrorist acts aimed at disturbing India's peace and communal harmony, intending to wage war against the Government of India in furtherance of ISIS's agenda. Investigations are ongoing to uncover further links and evidence related to the broader network and plans. (PC: Swarajya)

On May 18, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) faced a significant setback as the PSLV-C61 mission failed to deploy the EOS-09 satellite. The launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre began as planned, with the first and second stages functioning nominally. However, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed that a sudden drop in chamber pressure during the third stage caused the satellite to fall short of its intended orbit. A Failure Analysis Committee has been formed to investigate the anomaly. Despite the failure, ISRO remains committed to future missions and technical advancements. (PC: ANI)    

In a significant security move, Jammu and Kashmir Police have invoked the Public Safety Act (PSA) against 23 individuals in Srinagar, labeling them as "subversive and criminal elements inimical to the security and public order of the nation." This marks the first time police have publicly disclosed the number of PSA cases in the city. The detained individuals, identified as terror associates of proscribed outfits, have been relocated to jails outside the Kashmir Valley. Police stated that despite multiple criminal cases and bail releases, these individuals continued disruptive activities. Concurrently, the State Investigation Agency (SIA) conducted raids across central and north Kashmir targeting militant sleeper cells, underscoring ongoing efforts to dismantle anti-national infrastructure in the region. (PC: AP)

On May 17, 2025, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar of informing Pakistan in advance about Operation Sindoor, labeling it a "crime" and demanding to know who authorized it. Gandhi shared a video, deemed "fake," allegedly showing Jaishankar admitting to prior notification. The Ministry of External Affairs refuted Gandhi's claims, stating that Pakistan was warned only after the operation commenced, not before. The controversy has intensified political debates over national security and the government's handling of cross-border operations. While the Congress party had earlier expressed support for the armed forces' actions against terror camps in Pakistan, Gandhi's recent statements have sparked calls for greater transparency and accountability. (PC: The Caravan & The Hindu)