Pahalgam attack: Won't allow single drop of water to flow into Pak: Centre
The government plans to strengthen existing dams and build infrastructure to better manage India’s own water needs, especially in border states like Punjab and J&K
India on Thursday (April 25) informed Pakistan of its decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance with immediate effect, saying Pakistan has breached conditions of the treaty. The letter came in response to the deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists were killed by terrorists.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to discuss the fallout of the Pahalgam terror attack on tourists. Rahul, who earlier interacted with the injured tourists at the Army hospital in Srinagar, met Abdullah at his residence, officials said.
In Delhi, popular shopping hubs like Connaught Place, Sadar Bazar and Chandni Chowk were among the more than 900 markets that wore a deserted look on Friday as traders observed a 'Delhi Bandh' to protest against the Pahalgam terror attack.
Various merchant associations from sectors such as textiles, spices, utensils, and bullion also kept their shutters down.
Water treaty
Sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting Jammu and Kashmir impedes India's rights under the Indus Waters Treaty, India's Secretary of Water Resources Debashree Mukherjee said in a letter addressed to her Pakistani counterpart, Syed Ali Murtaza.
"The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir," the letter read. "The resulting security uncertainties have directly impeded India's full utilisation of its rights under the treaty," the letter said.
On Thursday, the Centre also convened an all-party meeting where it briefed leaders about the attack and heard their views.
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- 25 April 2025 9:17 AM GMT
Rahul Gandhi meets J&K CM Omar Abdullah
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to discuss the fallout of the Pahalgam terror attack on tourists.
Gandhi, who earlier interacted with the injured tourists at the Army's based hospital here, met Abdullah at his residence, officials said.
Terrorists struck at a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people, mostly tourists, and injuring several others.
Officials said the Congress leader earlier met various delegations, including trade representatives, students leaders and tourism sector representatives.
Gandhi is scheduled to interact with mediapersons later in the day.
- 25 April 2025 9:01 AM GMT
Two songs of Fawad Khan's new movie removed from YouTube
Two songs of "Abir Gulaal", a Hindi film featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, have been removed from YouTube.
Fawad's comeback movie, which also stars Vaani Kapoor, has landed in a controversy in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack which claimed the lives of 26 people.
The film's first song "Khudaya Ishq", a romantic ballad sung by Arijit Singh and Shilpa Rao, was released on social media on April 14. But the official video of the track is no longer available for viewing on YouTube in the wake of the controversy.
The second track, "Angreji Rangrasiya", a foot-tapping number from singer-composer Amit Trivedi, dropped on April 18. This song is also not available on YouTube, even though short clips of the track, shared by other users, are still there on the platform.
"Abir Gulaal" is produced by A Richer Lens Entertainment in collaboration with Indian Stories Production and Aarjay Pictures. Vivek B Agrawal, Avantika Hari and Rakesh Sippy are credited as producers on the movie.
Film's producers and Saregama were not available for a comment.
- 25 April 2025 8:58 AM GMT
Nation united bring perpetrators of Pahalgam attack to justice: Piyush Goyal
Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said the entire nation is united in its commitment to hold accountable the persons responsible for the terror attack in Pahalgam.
Speaking at an event, Goyal said Tuesday's attack has caused outrage from "Kargil to Kanyakumari".
"This is a moment when the entire country comes together and, in one voice, expresses both its anger and collective commitment to hold accountable those responsible for this heinous crime," the Union commerce minister said.
"There is an outrage from Kargil to Kanyakumari over the dastardly attack on innocent lives at Pahalgam. We are all united in grief. I offer my condolences to the victims and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. May god give strength to the families who are deeply impacted by this extremely heinous and criminal act committed by terrorists from across the border," he said.
Goyal recalled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's words that cross-border and state-sponsored terrorism is a menace to civilised society and said that statement stands true even today.
Echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement, he said, "As the PM said, we will identify, trace and punish every terrorist and their backers. That is the resolve of India and every Indian." Goyal also highlighted India's past resilience in the face of terror.
- 25 April 2025 8:43 AM GMT
Pahalgam terror attack due to intelligence failure: Former Army chief
Former Army chief General Shankar Roychowdhury (Retd) on Friday said that one of the key reasons behind the the Pahalgam terror attack was "intelligence failure". He demanded accountability at the highest levels.
Speaking to PTI, Roychowdhury, the country's 18th Army chief, said, "I suspect intelligence failure. Somebody must answer for the lapses. There is definitely someone responsible for negligence and they must be held accountable for the consequences." He also said Pakistan and its intelligence agency ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) have a role behind the Pahalgam attack, where 26 civilians, mostly tourists were shot dead by terrorists in front of their family members.
"There must be complacency somewhere. How did so many infiltrators manage to get through? This needs to be investigated," he added.
The Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) proxy group, The Resistance Front (TRF), has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Asked whether the Indian government's diplomatic sanctions on Pakistan were an adequate response, Roychowdhury said, "The diplomatic steps taken are not enough. Resistance measures will have to be taken. What shape they take depends on us. Conventional measures would not be enough." "We will have to react in kind, that is the only way I see it. We must retaliate by maintaining international diplomacy. Enough is enough," Roychowdhury said.
