Pahalgam LIVE: Massive anti-terror crackdown in Srinagar, Doda, Kishtwar
As part of the stepped-up anti-terror operations, security forces have raided more than 600 locations in the Valley in just six days and grilled hundreds of suspects
Police on Monday (April 28) carried out raids at dozens of places in Srinagar, Doda and Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir as part of the massive clampdown on terror ecosystem launched after the horrific Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 persons dead.
A spokesman said the searches were carried out across the length and breadth of Srinagar city at 36 locations. Most of the premises belong to terrorists or terrorist sympathisers.
As part of the stepped-up anti-terror operations, security forces have raided more than 600 locations in the Valley in just six days and grilled hundreds of suspects. Authorities have also demolished nine houses of suspected terrorists and overground workers of terror outfits since the April 22 attack in the lush meadows of Baisaran.
Ban on Pak YouTube channels
The Centre on Monday blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including Dawn News and Ary News, for allegedly disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content as well as false and misleading narratives against India, its Army, and security agencies.
The decision was taken following recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs in the wake of the April 22 terror attack at Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.
The other banned YouTube channels include Irshad Bhatti, SAMAA TV, BOL NEWS, Raftar, The Pakistan Referenc, Geo News, Samaa Sports, GNN, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq, SUNO News, and Razi Naama.
Letter to BBC
The government has also sent a formal letter to the BBC over its terming terrorists "militants" in its reportage on the Pahalgam tragedy.
In a communication to Jackie Martin, BBC's India Head, the Ministry of External Affairs has conveyed the country's strong sentiments regarding their reporting on the terror attack at Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.
"A formal letter has been sent to the BBC on the terming of terrorists as militants. The External Publicity Division of the MEA will be monitoring the reporting of the BBC," the official said.
Unprovoked Pak firing for 4th day
Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and Kupwara districts, continuing with their ceasefire violations along the LoC, Army officials said on Monday.
This was the fourth consecutive night that Pakistan resorted to small-arms fire along the Line of Control (LoC) and came amid heightened tension between New Delhi and Islamabad following the Pahalgam terror attack.
A defence spokesperson said, "During the night of April 27-28, Pakistan Army posts initiated unprovoked small arms fire across the LoC in areas opposite Kupwara and Poonch districts." Indian troops responded swiftly and effectively, he added.
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Live Updates
- 28 April 2025 5:14 AM GMT
India strongly objects to BBC on Pahalgam terror attack coverage
The Indian government on Monday (April 28) wrote to BBC’s India head Jackie Martin strongly objecting to the broadcasting agency referring to the Pahalgam terror attack as a “militant attack”.
In an article titled, “Pakistan suspends visas for Indians after deadly Kashmir attack”, the BBC referred to the attack in Pahalgam as a militant attack.
- 28 April 2025 5:10 AM GMT
#WATCH Jammu: On the special session of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Pahalgam terror attack, J&K LoP Sunil Sharma says, "Condolences will be expressed to those who came here as tourists but only their dead bodies went back from here. This is very sad. We are united against this.… pic.twitter.com/09KIOYxmQG
— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2025 - 28 April 2025 3:58 AM GMT
Balochistan movement symbol of freedom: Himanta
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said the Balochistan movement in Pakistan is a symbol of indigenous people's aspiration for freedom.
The Balochistan freedom movement traces its roots to the tumultuous events of 1947–1948, when the princely state of Kalat, representing much of what is today Balochistan, sought to maintain its sovereignty after the end of British colonial rule, he said.
"Today, the Balochistan movement stands as a symbol of an indigenous people's enduring aspiration for dignity, rights, and control over their own destiny — a struggle marked by immense sacrifice, resilience, and an unbroken spirit for freedom," Sarma said in a post on X on Sunday.
Despite initial negotiations for autonomy, the region was "forcibly annexed by Pakistan" in March 1948, sowing deep resentment among the Baloch people, the Assam CM said.
"Over the decades, feelings of political disenfranchisement, economic marginalisation, and cultural suppression have fueled repeated uprisings, most notably in 1958, 1962, 1973, and the early 2000s," Sarma claimed.
- 28 April 2025 3:11 AM GMT
Indian diaspora groups counter Pakistani protest in London
A large number of Indian community and diaspora representatives descended upon the High Commission of India in London to counter a Pakistani demonstration that was called to protest against what was branded as "Indian propaganda" in wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram" and waving the Indian Tricolour, the pro-Indian demonstrators outnumbered the smaller group of British Pakistanis across the road from India House on Sunday evening.
There was significant Metropolitan Police presence, with officers on guard to ensure both groups were kept far apart as they hurled insults at each other.
Later, there was a candlelight vigil at Piccadilly Circus by the British Indian groups to commemorate the victims of the April 22 terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
Similar "All Eyes on Pahalgam" protests and vigils have been organised by Indian diaspora groups in different parts of the UK, including Manchester, Edinburgh in Scotland and Belfast in Northern Ireland, to condemn Pakistan's alleged support for terror outfits.
"The aim is to present a united front against terrorism," said community group Insight UK.
Sunday's protest follows one called by Indian diaspora organisations outside the Pakistan High Commission in the UK capital on Friday that witnessed a counter-protest by British Pakistanis, backed up by mission officials.
In a video that became widely circulated on social media, a Pakistani official was caught on camera making a threatening throat-slitting gesture towards the Indian protesters outside the building.
- 28 April 2025 3:10 AM GMT
Pakistan violates ceasefire in Poonch, Kupwara sectors
Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and Kupwara districts, continuing with their ceasefire violations along the LoC, Army officials said on Monday.
This was the fourth consecutive night that Pakistan resorted to small-arms fire along the Line of Control (LoC) and came amid heightened tension between New Delhi and Islamabad following last week's terror attack in Pahalgam.
A defence spokesperson said, "During the night of April 27-28, Pakistan Army posts initiated unprovoked small arms fire across the LoC in areas opposite Kupwara and Poonch districts." Indian troops responded swiftly and effectively, he added.
There were no report of any casualty.
Pakistani Army fired at different Indian positions along the Line of Control (LoC) on Thursday night, as well as on the intervening nights of April 25-26 and April 26-27, each time meeting with appropriate response.
