Amid rising tensions, India has summoned the senior-most Pakistani diplomat stationed in New Delhi following a deadly militant attack in Kashmir that claimed the lives of 26 people. The Indian government blamed the deteriorating security situation on Pakistan, signaling a worsening of diplomatic ties. In the aftermath of the attack, fierce gunfights broke out between Indian security forces and separatist militants in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. One Indian soldier was reported killed during a raid based on intelligence inputs.

A day after 26 tourists were killed in Pahalgam, a gunfight broke out in Kulgam between Indian forces and separatist fighters. Two men were shot dead while allegedly attempting to cross into India. Indian Express reports at least seven attackers were involved in the earlier massacre, four or five of whom reportedly spoke Urdu and may be Pakistani nationals. Pakistan denied any involvement, blaming local resentment and minority repression instead.

The Resistance Front (TRF), a Kashmir-based militant group, claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, stating that the victims were undercover agents linked to Indian security forces, not tourists. “They were here under the guise of tourists to conduct reconnaissance. This is a warning not just for Delhi but for others collaborating with them,” the group declared.

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced the immediate closure of the Attari-Wagah border with Pakistan. Pakistanis with valid documents must return by May 1. India also suspended the Indus Water Treaty and revoked visa exemptions for Pakistanis. Islamabad’s defense envoys in New Delhi were declared persona non grata and ordered to leave within a week. The Pakistani High Commission staff will be reduced from 55 to 30 by May 1.

Following a deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 tourists and an intelligence officer, former U.S. President Donald Trump phoned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer condolences and condemn the violence. Trump reaffirmed U.S. support for India’s fight against terrorism, stating, “Deeply saddened by the news from Kashmir. The U.S. stands strongly with India.” World leaders including Vladimir Putin, and governments of Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy, and the UAE also condemned the attack.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance announced that the terms of a trade agreement between India and the United States have been finalized following a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “We want partners who are committed to producing things together with America—not just facilitating imports and exports,” Vance emphasized. He added that while U.S. partners may not need to replicate everything the U.S. does, they should share core objectives.

At least 26 tourists were killed in a gun attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, with many others injured. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that the death toll is still being verified and described it as one of the worst attacks on civilians in recent memory. Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Home Minister Amit Shah, who has since traveled to Srinagar for an emergency meeting.

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi has called for a prolonged movement to repeal the Wakf Amendment Act 2025, comparing the struggle to the farmers’ protest. Addressing Prime Minister Modi, he said, “He is not even worthy of the dust under Babasaheb Ambedkar’s feet.”
Owaisi claimed that within just one month of the law coming into effect, over 500 Wakf properties in Uttar Pradesh had already been declared as government property. “This is just the beginning,” he warned.
He argued that this amendment is part of a broader pattern of unconstitutional measures being imposed on the Muslim community, citing examples like the triple talaq law, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the expansion of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), and now, the push for a Uniform Civil Code.

Following campus protests in support of Palestine, the U.S. canceled the visas of 327 international students last month, permanently banning them from reentering the country. Indian Congress leader Jairam Ramesh revealed that 50% of those affected were Indian nationals. He criticized the decision as opaque and alarming, highlighting that many of the targeted students had spoken out against U.S. support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Petitioners in India’s Supreme Court sought a stay on the Waqf Act, but the court declined to issue one. However, the justices considered issuing an interim order with three key points. The move was postponed after the central government’s legal representatives requested more time to present their explanation. The matter will be heard again on Thursday.

The proposed interim directives include:
1. No land or institution currently declared as Waqf property can be declassified as non-Waqf during the pendency of the case.
2. District Magistrates may investigate Waqf-related properties but cannot issue any binding orders.
3. Members of Waqf Boards and Councils must be Muslim, although non-Muslims may join only by virtue of holding specific offices.

A World Population Review study listed the top 10 most hated countries globally, with China at the top and India in 10th place. India’s rising religious tension, treatment of minorities, and internet censorship have hurt its global image. Border disputes and internal unrest further fuel this negative perception. China is widely criticized for its authoritarian rule, suppression of freedoms, and treatment of Uyghur Muslims. The U.S., Russia, North Korea, and Israel also appear in the top five.

In a shocking incident in Telangana’s Kamareddy district, police were seen dragging a Dalit activist nearly naked during a protest on Ambedkar Jayanti. The activist, associated with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), was attempting to put up a banner featuring Dr. B.R. Ambedkar when clashes erupted. A viral video shows the man being forcibly pulled away wearing only his undergarments. Police later claimed the protestors blocked roads and ignored warnings, prompting their intervention.

A disturbing incident in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, has sparked public outrage after a Muslim woman was forcibly stripped of her hijab and harassed in public. The victim, Farheen, was traveling on a motorcycle with her Hindu companion, Sachin, when a group of men stopped and assaulted them. A viral video shows a man forcibly removing her hijab, while others hurled abuses and physically assaulted both individuals. Six people have been arrested in connection with the incident, which occurred on Monday and rapidly gained traction on social media.

Police in Assam’s Cachar district baton-charged a protest against recent amendments to the Waqf law. Protesters responded by pelting stones, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). A senior police officer told PTI, “Some 300-400 people blocked roads without permission. When we tried to clear the area, some attacked us with stones. We had to use mild force.” A case has been filed, but no arrests have been made. Protesters claim the amended law discriminates against Muslims and demanded its repeal.

Violent protests over India’s controversial Wakf Amendment Bill in Murshidabad led to three deaths and over 150 arrests. The central government has deployed troops in the region. Muslim communities argue the bill undermines their right to manage over $14 billion in Wakf assets and threatens India’s secular framework. Rahul Gandhi warned of wider communal implications, while West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee vowed not to implement the “black law” in her state.