Amid the horrific Pahalgam terror attack, local guide Nazakat Ahmed Shah emerged as a hero, saving the family of Chhattisgarh BJP worker Arvind Agrawal. “Nazakat hugged my daughter and my friend’s son, saving their lives,” said Agrawal. “He then rushed them to safety before going back to rescue my wife.” Nazakat recounted, “I asked everyone to lie down and guided the children through a gap in the fencing.” He later drove them to Srinagar. Tragically, his cousin, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, was killed while helping tourists. “This attack is on our hearts,” Nazakat said, urging stronger security for Kashmir’s tourism. (PC: The Indian Express)

Heavy rains triggered multiple landslides in north Sikkim on Thursday, stranding around 1,000 tourists in the hill stations of Lachen and Lachung. Mangan SP Sonam Detchu Bhutia confirmed that 1,500 stranded tourists were rescued Friday morning after spending the night in police stations, gurudwaras, ITBP camps, and with locals. Roads were severely damaged near Munshithang and Lima, halting access from Chungthang. The district administration has cancelled all travel permits to north Sikkim until further notice and urged tour operators to avoid the region. Lachen, badly hit in the 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, had only recently reopened to tourists. (PC: Hindustan Times)

In a decisive move, over 10,000 Indian security personnel have encircled Maoist insurgents in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, marking the largest operation against Naxalites to date. Home Minister Amit Shah issued a stern ultimatum: "Surrender or perish," emphasizing the government's aim to eradicate the insurgency by early 2026. The Naxalite movement, rooted in a 1967 uprising, has significantly waned, with fatalities among rebels increasing in recent months. Authorities have reduced affected districts from 96 in 2010 to 45 in 2023, bolstered by substantial investments in infrastructure and social programs. A new surrender policy is also underway to facilitate the reintegration of former rebels into mainstream society. (PC: Facebook)

The Centre informed the Supreme Court that laws enacted by Parliament, such as the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, are presumed constitutional and cannot be stayed without substantial grounds. The Act, which introduces non-Muslims into Waqf boards and enhances government oversight, has sparked controversy. Critics argue it infringes on Muslim rights and could lead to the seizure of historic religious properties. Multiple petitions challenge its validity, prompting the Supreme Court to halt certain provisions and seek the government's response. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized the necessity of implementing the Act, stating that non-compliance would be unconstitutional. The debate continues amid concerns over religious autonomy and property rights. (PC: Live Law)

Delhi court has sentenced social activist Medha Patkar to five months' simple imprisonment and imposed a ₹10 lakh fine in a 23-year-old defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena. The court found Patkar's remarks labeling Saxena a "coward" and alleging his involvement in hawala transactions as defamatory and intended to tarnish his reputation. While acknowledging Patkar's age and health, the court deemed her actions deliberate and malicious, rejecting her plea for probation. The sentence is suspended for one month to allow for an appeal. This case stems from a long-standing legal battle between Patkar and Saxena dating back to 2000. (PC: Down to Earth)

In a devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, 26 lives were lost, including local pony handler Syed Adil Hussain Shah. Adil, the family's sole breadwinner, was killed while shielding tourists and attempting to disarm an attacker. His father, Syed Hyder Shah, expressed profound grief and pride: "I am alive only because of that pride." Adil's mother lamented the loss of their provider, recalling his daily earnings of ₹300 that sustained the family. Despite their sorrow, the Shah family honors Adil's bravery and humanity. His sister, Ravisa, shared that Adil had planned to return home early that day, feeling unwell, a return that never happened. (PC: Hindustan Times, The Times of India & India Today)

In a decisive counter-terror operation, Indian security forces eliminated top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Altaf Lalli in Bandipora, Jammu and Kashmir. Lalli was a key figure behind the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Acting on specific intelligence, the Indian Army and J&K Police launched a joint search operation on Friday morning, leading to a firefight and Lalli's death. Two police personnel, part of a senior officer's security team, sustained injuries during the encounter. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Srinagar to oversee the ongoing operations and was briefed on the situation. This operation marks a significant step in India's efforts to dismantle terrorist networks in the region. (PC: Kalinga TV & One India)

In a decisive move following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, Jammu and Kashmir authorities demolished the residences of two terrorists. Adil Hussain Thoker's house in Bijbehara was destroyed using IEDs, while Asif Sheikh's home in Tral was bulldozed. Thoker, trained in Pakistan after crossing via the Attari-Wagah border in 2018, is believed to have facilitated the assault. Anantnag Police announced a ₹20 lakh reward for information on Thoker and Pakistani nationals Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa, releasing their sketches. The attackers, donning military fatigues, targeted tourists in Baisaran Valley, verifying identities before opening fire. This action underscores the administration's commitment to dismantling terror infrastructures in the region.

In response to India’s diplomatic actions following the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan announced Thursday it will suspend all bilateral agreements, including the Simla Agreement, and halt trade with India. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s National Security Committee also decided to close Pakistani airspace to Indian airlines and shut the Wagah border. Pakistan rejected India's move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling any water diversion an “act of war.” Additionally, Islamabad will cut its High Commission staff to 30 and expel Indian defence officials. These retaliatory steps mark a new low in India-Pakistan ties, escalating tensions across diplomatic and security fronts.

Following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi will visit Srinagar on Friday to review the security situation. Top commanders from the 15 Corps and Rashtriya Rifles will brief him on counter-terrorist operations. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed ambassadors from key G20 nations—including the UK, Germany, Russia, Japan, and China—on the incident. The MEA has suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals in response. The government continues diplomatic outreach and strategic security reviews in the Kashmir Valley and along the Line of Control to address escalating tensions. (PC: @adgpi)