Pahalgam LIVE: Massive anti-terror crackdown in Srinagar, Doda, Kishtwar

Bawankule attacks Wadettiwar for 'terrorists have no caste or religion' statement

Maharashtra BJP chief and state minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday slammed senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar for claiming terrorists have no caste or religion, the statement coming in the backdrop of the April 22 Pahalgam attack.

Bawankule, in a post on X, termed Wadettiwar's statement as the "height of insensitivity" and said it displays an "anti-national mindset".

"It has been repeatedly proven that Hindus are targeted in Kashmir, so in which world is Vijay Wadettiwar living? By claiming that terrorists have no caste or religion, who is Wadettiwar trying to please?" Bawankule questioned.

"Through his statement, Vijay Wadettiwar is making a disgusting attempt to shield terrorists and provide them protection. This is not just irresponsibility; it is a clear example of an anti-national mindset," he said, adding that every Indian who loves the country must condemn such remarks.

Hitting out at the Congress, Bawankule said the opposition party is rubbing salt into the wounds of patriotic citizens. People will not forget this, the senior BJP leader warned. PTI

Tikait speaking 'language of Pakistan': BJP attacks farmer leader

The BJP on Monday accused Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) president Naresh Tikait of speaking the "language of Pakistan" after he took exception to the government's decision of putting in abeyance the Indus Waters treaty in consequence to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Tikait in a video clip that made rounds on social media condemned the Pahalgam terror strike and called for the strictest action against those involved.

But he also remarked that the Narendra Modi government should not have suspended the Indus Waters treaty with Pakistan as it would affect the common people, especially farmers, in the neighbouring country.

BJP Kisan Morcha president and MP Rajkumar Chahar lashed out at Tikait and demanded that he apologise for his remarks.

"Naresh Tikait is speaking the language of Pakistan. He says the government's decision to stop water was wrong. He says that all Pakistanis are not culprits, only some people did that (terror strike)," he charged.

"I strongly condemn his remarks. He should be ashamed of making such comments. He has spoken against India. He should apologise to the people of the country," Chahar added.

The BJP leader said that the Modi government had taken tough decisions against Pakistan which included suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty after the Pahalgam terror attack.

"In the coming days, more effective decisions will be taken," he added.

Meanwhile, BKU national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait also reportedly raised questions on the government's line of action post-Pahalgam, saying the probe agencies should catch those who stand to benefit from the incident.

"Will people of Kashmir, who depend on tourism and sale of fruits-vegetables, prosper by carrying out such incident there?" he asked.

"Catch the ones who are benefitting from it(terror strike), or else such kind of incidents will continue to take place," the farmer leader added. PTI

MP: Man watching social media reel on terror attack beaten up on moving train

The Government Railway Police (GRP), Indore, on Monday registered an FIR against two unidentified persons for allegedly abusing and assaulting a 23-year-old man on Bhopal-Indore passenger train, an official said.

The victim claimed he was attacked over watching a reel regarding the Pahalgam terror attack, which upset the accused.

GRP Station House Officer Rashmi Patidar told PTI that based on the complaint by the youth, a case has been registered against two unidentified persons under Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) sections 118 (1) (intentionally causing hurt by dangerous means), 296 (abuse), 351 (criminal intimidation) and other relevant provisions.

She said the complainant youth has been medically examined and efforts are being made to identify the accused based on the video and CCTV footage of the incident.

The victim stated that on April 27, while travelling in the general coach of the Bhopal-Indore passenger train, he was watching a reel related to the Pahalgam terror attack on his mobile phone.

The complainant stated that two unidentified men started arguing with him, saying that he was watching this reel by looking at them.

The youth, who reached the GRP police station wearing a cap on his head and a mask on his face to hide his identity, told reporters that during the dispute over this reel, the accused said objectionable things about India and the Constitution and also tried to throw him out of the moving train.

When asked about this allegation, the GRP station in-charge said, "The youth says that the accused had threatened to throw him out of the moving train. Due to this, the section related to threatening has been added in the FIR".

The official said a detailed investigation is being conducted.

Terrorists gunned down 26 persons, mostly tourists, in Pahalgam on April 22, triggering anguish and outrage. PTI 

'Nothing to do with it': Congress on party leaders' controversial remarks

Come to India if you have courage: Union minister on Bilawal Bhutto's remark

Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil has slammed Pakistani politician Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari over his "blood would flow in rivers if water is stopped" remark, stating that such bravado means nothing and dared him to come to India if he has the courage.

Paatil was responding to the provocative remarks made by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader in the wake of India suspending the Indus Water Treaty with the neighbouring nation following the Pahalgam terror attack.

"Modiji says 'jal hai to bal hai, (water is strength). Modi sahab has said Pakistan should not get water (under Indus Water Treaty). It happened that Bilawal got furious. He says that if the water is not supplied in the river, a river of blood will flow in India," Paatil said while addressing a function in Surat on Sunday.

"Will we be scared? I tell him (Bhutto) that brother, if you have even a little courage, then come here. Without worrying about such bravado, it is our responsibility to save water," the BJP MP said.

Paatil addressed a programme after inaugurating the construction work of more than 2,500 rainwater harvesting structures.

On the occasion, the attendees of the "Water Conservation through Public Participation" programme took a pledge to conserve water.

"The Indus is ours and will remain ours - either our water will flow through it, or their blood", Bhutto was quoted as saying by The News on Friday.

India put the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) of 1960 with Pakistan in abeyance with immediate effect until Islamabad credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.

The Indus system of rivers comprises the main river -- the Indus -- along with its five left-bank tributaries, namely, the Ravi, the Beas, the Sutlej, the Jhelum and the Chenab. The right bank tributary, the Kabul, does not flow through India.

The Ravi, the Beas and the Sutlej are together called eastern rivers while the Chenab, the Jhelum and the Indus main are called western rivers. Its waters are critical to both India and Pakistan. PTI 

Pahalgam terror attack: Kharge lashes out at PM Modi for skipping all-party meet

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for skipping the all-party meeting called to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead.

"It is the misfortune of the country that when the pride of the country was hurt, you (PM Modi) were giving an election speech in Bihar," he said addressing the 'Samvidhan Bachao' rally here.

"Leaders of all parties attended the all-party meeting, but it is sad that PM Modi did not come to that meeting. Was Bihar far away? The PM should have come to the all-party meeting and explained the plan. What help does he need from us?" he said.

Further attacking the Prime Minister, he said, "Modi gave inflation and unemployment. Such people weaken the country. The 56-inch chest has shrinked." In the run up to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Modi had said that it takes a 56-inch chest to convert Uttar Pradesh into Gujarat in terms of development.

Kharge said Congress leaders had decided that it will support the government in its action as the country is supreme.

"Country is supreme, then come parties, religion. Everyone should be united for country," he said.

He said the Congress talks about unity but the BJP talks of breaking it.

Pahalgam terror attack: Will not cite terror attack to push for statehood restoration, says Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said he will not take advantage of the Pahalgam terror attack to press for restoration of the Union Territory's statehood.

"The security in Jammu and Kashmir is not the responsibility of the UT's elected government. But I will not use this occasion to seek statehood. How can I push for statehood now? I do not believe in cheap politics. Should I have no value for the 26 lives lost and go to the Centre demanding statehood now?" Abdullah said, winding up the discussion on a resolution passed on the Pahalgam terror attack in the legislative assembly.

He was referring to some members in the House who demanded statehood restoration to defeat terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We have talked about statehood (with the Central government) in the past and we will continue to talk about it in future, but not right now. This time there will be no politics on anything except condemnation of the terror act and expressing solidarity with the families who lost their kin," the chief minister said.

He also warned social media handlers spreading false news in the wake of the terror attack.

"While 90 per cent of people are upholding the truth, there are 10 per cent of those who are trying to spread falsehood on social media. I warn them to desist from this immediately as we will not tolerate the spread of falsehood," Abdullah said.

Pahalgam terror attack: Indian govt blocks 16 Pak YouTube channels for anti-India content

The Centre has blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly disseminating "false, provocative and communally sensitive content" about India and has also strongly objected to the BBC's reportage on the Pahalgam attack, officials said on Monday.

The government's move follows recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in the upper reaches of the Kashmir resort town in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. Besides, the Ministry of External Affairs will be monitoring reporting of the BBC, which termed terrorists as militants, officials said.

The YouTube channels blocked are Dawn News, Irshad Bhatti, SAMAA TV, ARY NEWS, BOL NEWS, Raftar, The Pakistan Reference, Geo News, Samaa Sports, GNN, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq, SUNO News and Razi Naama.

"On the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government of India has banned Pakistani YouTube channels for disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, false and misleading narratives and misinformation against India, its Army and security agencies in the backdrop of the tragic Pahalgam terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir," officials said.

Militancy, terrorism will end when people support us: Omar Abdullah