India has officially banned all Pakistani aircraft from entering its airspace, a retaliatory measure announced Wednesday night. This follows Pakistan’s earlier move banning Indian aircraft from its skies. The reciprocal decision marks a sharp escalation in airspace restrictions between the two neighbors.

A Pakistani woman named Sayyera was denied entry into Pakistan with her nine-month-old baby, Azlaan, because the child holds an Indian passport. Sayyera and her Indian husband Farhan had traveled to the border from Delhi, only to be separated by passport regulations. Border officials cited the baby’s Indian citizenship as the reason for denial, forcing the child to return with the father.

Cross-border gunfire between Indian and Pakistani troops continued for the sixth straight day. According to Indian military sources, Pakistani forces opened fire from across the international border in the Pargwal sector. The firing, which reportedly began Tuesday night and continued into early Wednesday, affected the Nowshera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor sectors in Jammu and Kashmir along the Line of Control (LoC).

Indian forces returned fire in response to what they described as “unprovoked” aggression. So far, Pakistan has not commented on the allegations.

At least 14 people have died and many others suffered burn injuries in a devastating fire at a hotel in Kolkata’s bustling Burrabazar area. The blaze has since been brought under control. West Bengal Congress President Shubhankar Sarkar lashed out at the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, calling the tragedy “heartbreaking” and criticizing the lack of safety measures. “I don’t know what the corporation is doing. Many people are still trapped inside,” he said. Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj confirmed the recovery of 14 bodies and the rescue of several survivors. A special investigation team has been formed to probe the incident.

Following the attack in Pahalgam, India has seen a surge in anti-Muslim sentiment online, with a growing number of hate songs appearing on YouTube. One such song, titled “Pehle Dharam Poochha”, accuses Muslims of conspiring against Hindus. Al Jazeera has identified at least 20 similar songs promoting Islamophobia and hate speech. Despite the growing hostility, it was a Muslim horseman who died trying to stop the attackers, and local Muslims were among the first to assist injured tourists.

Indian authorities in Ahmedabad’s Chandola Lake area have begun demolishing illegal settlements allegedly housing undocumented Bangladeshis. Over the past three days, police detained around 6,500 people, confirming that about 450 of them are Bangladeshi nationals illegally residing in Gujarat, according to State Police Director General Vikas Sahay.

In response to militant attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with top defense and security officials. Modi expressed full confidence in the professionalism of the armed forces and granted them complete operational freedom to decide when and how to strike back. He reiterated that terrorism threatens India’s national resolve and must be decisively countered.

Responding to Bilawal Bhutto’s comments that “either our water will flow through the Indus or their blood,” Asaduddin Owaisi called the remarks “childish” and inappropriate. He reminded Bilawal of the tragedies faced by his grandfather and mother, urging him to act responsibly. Owaisi warned that no nation would remain silent if innocent civilians are harmed under the guise of such rhetoric.

Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun claimed that India lacks the courage to attack Pakistan and vowed not to let Indian troops use Punjab for such a purpose. “We, 20 million Sikhs, will stand like a wall beside Pakistan,” he declared, adding that attackers — whether Indira Gandhi, Narendra Modi, or others — never survive. He also vowed to bring Modi, Doval, Shah, and Jaishankar to justice.

In a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized the need for regional cooperation and joint actions against terrorism. Pezeshkian condemned the attack in Pahalgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, and highlighted Chabahar Port’s role as a key hub for Iran-India-Russia collaboration. He invited Modi to visit Tehran. Modi appreciated Iran’s constructive role in regional peace and expressed India’s continued support for Iran. Modi also extended condolences for the deadly explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajaei Port and offered assistance.

The Indian Army reported that on Sunday night, the Pakistan Army fired at the Line of Control in the Kupwara and Poonch districts. In response, the Indian forces delivered a swift and effective counterattack. This marks the fourth consecutive night of gunfire at the border. No casualties have been reported so far. Tensions have been high at the border since a gun attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people were killed.

Sarada Bai, a woman from Odisha, faces deportation despite living in India for 35 years and having a voter ID. Born in Pakistan, she was never granted Indian citizenship. Following rising tensions after a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, authorities canceled her visa and ordered her to leave. Sarada, who has a husband, children, and grandchildren in India, pleaded not to be separated from her family, but police warned of legal action if she stays beyond the deadline.

Hundreds of Indians protested outside Pakistan’s High Commission in London, with a section launching an attack that broke windows and defaced the building with saffron-colored paint. Police arrested two individuals on charges of violence during the unrest. Supporters of Pakistan also organized a counter-protest. The incident comes amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people. Both countries have since suspended key agreements and trade relations in retaliation.

The UN Security Council strongly condemned the attack on tourists in Pahalgam, India. In a press statement, Council members called for accountability and international cooperation to bring the perpetrators to justice. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s National Security Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, issued a press release expressing Pakistan’s willingness to support a neutral international investigation into the Pahalgam attack.

In the interest of national security, the Indian government has directed media outlets to avoid real-time coverage or broadcasting of defense and security operations. They warned that live reporting could jeopardize ongoing missions by alerting targets. Media outlets and social media users have been instructed to strictly adhere to existing regulations when reporting defense-related news.