Jammu Kashmir News Live: PM Modi cuts Saudi Arabia trip short, will leave for Delhi tonight

Mumbai Police are on alert following the deadly terror strike in Pahalgam in Kashmir that claimed 26 lives on Tuesday, an official said. "All senior Police Inspectors (SPIs) and Zonal Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) are instructed to remain more alert and vigilant in their jurisdictions," he said, adding that police are conducting nakabandis (security checks) at various spots in the metropolis.

An Intelligence Bureau employee posted in the city was killed in an attack by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, official sources said. Manish Ranjan from Bihar, working as Section Officer at the IB office in Hyderabad died in the terrorist attack, they said.

We are monitoring reports of a deadly attack against tourists in Kashmir. The United States condemns terrorism unequivocally. At this time, we are unaware of any US citizens who are victims of the attack, says US State Department Spokesperson

Govt sources report that PM Modi will leave for Delhi tonight, cutting short his Saudi Arabia state visit after Pahalgam attack. Initially, PM was to leave from Saudi Arabia tomorrow night but he skipped the official dinner and will return early tomorrow morning, say sources

US President Donald Trump posts, "Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!"

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti tweets, "The Chamber & Bar Association Jammu has called for a complete shutdown tomorrow in protest against the horrific militant attack on tourists. I appeal all Kashmiris to unite in solidarity to support this bandh as a mark of respect for the innocent lives lost in the brutal assault in Pahalgam. This isn’t just an attack on a select few —it is an attack on all of us. We stand together in grief and outrage & strongly support this shutdown to condemn the massacre of innocents"

President of Russia Vladimir Putin extended condolences to President of India Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

He said, " Esteemed Mrs President, Esteemed Mr Prime Minister,

Russian President Vladimir Putin extended sincere condolences over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, whose victims were civilians — citizens of various countries. This brutal crime has no justification whatsoever. We expect that its organisers and perpetrators will face deserved punishment, he added.

In a post on X, Putin says, I would like to reiterate our commitment to further increasing cooperation with Indian partners in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Please convey words of sincere sympathy and support to the near and dear ones of the deceased, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery of all injured."

Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer stationed in Kochi, was killed in the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam while on leave, according to Defence officials. A native of Haryana, Lt. Narwal had just gotten married on April 16.

Embassy of Ukraine in India tweets, "Ukraine is deeply concerned over the attack on tourists at Pahalgam, J&K. We endure the loss of life from terrorism daily and firmly condemn terrorism in all its forms. When innocent people are murdered, it brings unbearable pain. The perpetrators should be held accountable."

US Vice President JD Vance tweets, "Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has commenced a high-level security meeting with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and senior officials in the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. During the meeting, Abdullah and Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat provided Shah with a detailed briefing on the current security situation.

Home Minister Amit Shah reached Srinagar. Shah along with J&K LG  Manoj Sinha to hold high-level security meeting in terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam.

"The terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir is cowardly, unforgivable and highly condemnable. My condolences to those who lost their loved ones in this tragic incident! I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant salvation to the departed souls and speedy recovery to the injured," posts UP CM Yogi Adityanath

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "We condemn this attack... This attack was attempted at stopping J&K's journey towards development... Our Prime Minister has taken cognisance. Home Minister Amit Shah is reaching there, and strict action will be taken. I am also in touch with the administration there. Two people from Maharashtra have lost their lives in the terrorist attack..."

"Emergency Control Room – Srinagar: 0194-2457543, 0194-2483651 Adil Fareed, ADC Srinagar – 7006058623. Helpline for the assistance on Pahalgam terror incident," says Information & PR Department, UT of J&K.

Ambassador of Argentina to India Mariano Caucino tweets, "We convey our condolences to the victims of this abominable terrorist act. Argentina stands with India in rejecting all forms of terrorism, extremism, and bigotry. Always with Life and against Terror."

Defence sources report that Northern Army Commander Lt Gen MV Suchendra Kumar is rushing to J&K's Srinagar from New Delhi. He will be briefed by local formation commanders on the present security situation in Kashmir Valley.

"The terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir is shocking and painful. It is a dastardly and inhuman act which must be condemned unequivocally. Attacking innocent citizens, in this case tourists, is utterly appalling and unpardonable. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their dear ones and my prayers for the quick recovery of the injured," says President Droupadi Murmu

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah strongly condemned the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, calling it a "heinous" act. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he confirmed that people from Karnataka were among those injured in the incident.

He said that upon receiving the news, he held an emergency meeting with the Chief Secretary and senior police officials to assess the situation. Siddaramaiah also spoke with the Resident Commissioner in Delhi to coordinate support efforts.

Following his instructions, two teams — one comprising senior officials and another of police personnel — have been sent to Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, an adventure team from the Sports Department, led by Commissioner Chethan, is also on the way to assist.

The Chief Minister assured that the government is closely monitoring the situation and will provide all necessary support to those affected. "The Government of Karnataka stands firmly with the victims," he said.

EAM Dr S Jaishankar tweets, "Condemn the cowardly terror attack in Pahalgam. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims. Pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."

PM Modi tweets, I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected.

Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condemns the attack on tourist, says, deeply anguished by the news of terrorist attack in Pahalgam (Jammu & Kashmir). This dastardly attack on innocent civilians is an act of cowardice and highly reprehensible. My thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families, tweets Defence Minister

Pahalgam terror attack live: Anguished by terror attack, those involved will not be spared, says Home Minister Amit Shah

Following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Home Minister Amit Shah over the phone and urged him to take all necessary and appropriate steps in response. According to government sources, the Prime Minister also requested Shah to visit the site of the attack to oversee the situation firsthand.

Following the firing incident in Pahalgam, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti says, "I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which tragically killed one and injured several. Such violence is unacceptable and must be denounced..."

Chants of 'Modi Modi' reverberated, cultural performances ensued as Indian diaspora wholeheartedly welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

PM Modi in Saudi Arabia Live: Landed in Jeddah, visit will strengthen the friendship with Saudi Arabia, says PM Modi

PM Modi in Saudi Arabia Live: PM Modi arrives in Jeddah to a grand welcome with 21-gun salute

PM Modi in Saudi Arabia Live: Saudi singer Hashim Abbas sings ‘Aye Watan Watan Mere Azad Rahe Tu’ ahead of PM Modi's arrival

Members of the Indian diaspora in Jeddah are excited to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi, say, " very excited to see PM Modi". A troupe of Kathak dancers was seen rehearsing for the occasion. PM Modi will be in Saudi Arabia on April 22-23.

During his state visit to Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Arab News that India and Saudi Arabia are considering several joint projects in refineries and petrochemicals. He also welcomed Saudi private sector investment in India’s newly opened defence manufacturing industry, aiming to deepen bilateral relations and enhance economic ties.

A 29-year-old Indian national was charged in a Singapore court on Tuesday for allegedly molesting a female cabin crew member during a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight earlier this year.

The accused, identified only as Rajat, is alleged to have grabbed the 28-year-old crew member from behind and forced her into a lavatory alongside him during the flight. The incident reportedly took place at around 11:20 am on February 28, while the aircraft was en route to Singapore from Australia, according to court documents cited by Channel News Asia.

Rajat was arrested by authorities upon the flight’s arrival at Changi Airport.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Telugu actor Mahesh Babu for questioning in connection with a money laundering probe linked to an alleged real estate scam involving Sai Surya Developers, the Surana Group, and others, officials said on Tuesday.

Babu, 49, has been asked to appear on April 28 at the ED office to record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Officials clarified that he is not currently being treated as an accused and may have unknowingly endorsed the firms’ projects.

The ED is examining transactions worth Rs 5.9 crore, allegedly paid to Babu via cheques and cash, as endorsement fees by the companies under investigation.

The probe follows a Telangana Police FIR against Sathish Chandra Gupta of Sai Surya Developers and Narendra Surana of Bhagyanagar Properties Ltd. for defrauding investors through unauthorised land layouts, double-selling plots, and misleading buyers with false assurances. The ED said the accused caused significant financial losses to numerous individuals.

The Bar Association of the Allahabad High Court has passed a resolution opposing alleged nepotism in the appointment of judges, raising concerns about the fairness and transparency of the selection process.

In an emergency meeting held on Monday, Association president Anil Tiwari and other executive members questioned the Collegium’s recent recommendations of advocates who, they claim, have never practised before the Allahabad High Court.

"How can the Collegium assess the ability of those who have never argued before them?" the Association asked in a statement. It added that such selections, made without evaluating merit, undermine the credibility of the process and suggest a disregard for the pool of qualified local advocates.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at multiple locations across Jharkhand and Bihar on Tuesday, as part of an investigation into a money laundering case linked to an alleged Bokaro forest land scam. Officials reported that around 16 locations in the two states were being searched.

The scam involves the illegal acquisition and sale of 103 acres of protected forest land in Mauja Tetulia, Bokaro.

(From PTI)

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi emplanes for Saudi Arabia, this is his 3rd visit to Saudi Arabia while all PMs before him together visited Saudi Arabia thrice in 7 decades.

This is also his 15th visit to a country in the Gulf region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, emphasized the strategic depth and growing momentum in India-Saudi ties. Calling Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman “my brother,” Modi said the partnership now spans defence, trade, energy, and cultural exchanges.

This marks Modi’s third visit to the kingdom and his first to Jeddah. He will attend the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council and engage with the Indian diaspora, whom he hailed as a “living bridge” between the two nations.

India's Hajj quota for 2025 has increased to 175,025 from 136,020 in 2014. However, due to delays in contract agreements, approximately 42,000 Indian pilgrims may be unable to perform the Hajj this year.

On Wednesday, Modi will also visit a factory in Saudi Arabia that employs Indian workers. This visit will further highlight India-Saudi Arabia cooperation in the workforce and labor sectors.

Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, which was established during Modi's 2019 visit to strengthen bilateral ties. This meeting aims to deepen cooperation in key sectors.

Among the MoUs to be signed, the two countries will focus on areas including space, energy, health, science, culture, and advanced technology. Modi will also discuss Hajj-related issues, including the quota for Indian pilgrims, during his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Jeddah on Tuesday, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the city in 40 years. During the visit, Modi is expected to sign at least six memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Saudi Arabia, with talks ongoing to finalize additional agreements.

The Pentagon is currently embroiled in turmoil, with several senior officials departing and an ongoing investigation into information leaks. The White House’s defense of Hegseth comes as Democratic leaders demand accountability for the alleged security lapses.

President Trump dismissed the media reports as “fake news,” suggesting that the leaks were the result of disgruntled employees. He emphasized that Hegseth was appointed to address internal issues and that such situations often come with challenges.

The White House has expressed support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after reports surfaced that he shared sensitive military details in a Signal messaging chat with his wife and brother. Both the White House and Hegseth have not denied the claims but focused on discrediting media reports, which they claim are based on leaks from disgruntled employees.

Russia continues to insist on core demands, including Ukraine ceding annexed territories and adopting permanent neutrality, conditions Ukraine rejects as terms of surrender. These issues remain significant obstacles to peace talks.

Zelenskiy emphasized that Ukraine's military response would continue in direct proportion to Russia's actions. He stressed that any ceasefire by Russia would be reciprocated by Ukraine, and that Russian strikes would be met with Ukrainian defense.

There have been no direct talks between Russia and Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022. Despite the deep divides, both sides, under international pressure, may be inching closer to considering new avenues for peace.

In an interview with Russian state TV, Putin affirmed that Moscow is open to peace initiatives, stating that Russia remains positive toward any peace efforts. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified that Putin's remarks about avoiding civilian targets were in the context of potential negotiations with Ukraine.

Zelenskiy announced that Ukraine would attend talks with the U.S. and European nations in London on Wednesday. The primary aim of these discussions is to push for an unconditional ceasefire, with Zelenskiy emphasizing that this must be the starting point for any dialogue.

The U.S. has warned it could pull back from peace efforts unless meaningful progress is made. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated Washington may withdraw from the talks if no advancements are seen soon. However, Trump suggested a potential breakthrough could occur as early as this week.

Both Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a 30-hour Easter truce declared by Moscow, but accusations of violations quickly surfaced. Despite the resumption of fighting, both sides have expressed openness to further ceasefire discussions, signaling a potential shift toward renewed peace talks.

In a shift in tone, Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed holding bilateral talks with Ukraine, marking the first such offer since the early days of the war. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy did not directly respond, he reiterated Ukraine’s willingness to engage in dialogue aimed at halting attacks on civilian targets. Zelenskiy stressed that Ukraine's proposal to avoid strikes on civilians remains in place and is awaiting a clear response from Moscow.