Pakistan launched drone and artillery strikes on 26 Indian military targets across Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and other northwestern states. Indian military officials confirmed three injuries and several fatalities. Over 400 Turkish-made Songar drones were reportedly used. Targeted locations included Jammu, Samba, Pathankot, Srinagar, Amritsar, Barmer, and Bhuj, among others.

Protesters demanding the Awami League’s ban blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway at Siddhirganj for three hours Friday night. The blockade, organized by student activists, ended with a call for continued demonstrations. Narayanganj Student Shibir president Amit Hasan stated, “We’ll continue protesting until this terrorist organization is banned. Today we’ve cleared the road, but tomorrow we march in Dhaka.”

A Gulf diplomat told Middle East Monitor that Donald Trump plans to announce U.S. recognition of Palestine as a state—excluding Hamas from any governance role. The announcement is expected during a mid-May U.S.-Gulf summit in Saudi Arabia. If confirmed, this move could significantly shift Middle Eastern geopolitics and push more nations to join the Abraham Accords.

A meeting was held between Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and members of the "July 24 Martyrs' Families Society." During the discussion, the Jamaat leader inquired about the families’ well-being, attentively listened to their concerns, and offered words of comfort. He urged them to remain patient and place their trust in the Almighty. Dr. Rahman also exchanged views on possible ways to resolve their issues and pledged Jamaat's full support, assuring them the party would stand by their side.

Four leaders of an anti-discrimination student group were severely beaten while returning from a protest demanding a ban on the Awami League in Habiganj. The attackers shouted “Joy Bangla” slogans. The injured are now hospitalized. Police officials and an army team visited the victims.

The Border Security Force (BSF) pushed over a hundred people into Bangladesh over the last two days at the Barlekha border in Moulvibazar. Border guards (BGB) detained 44, including women and children. Confirming their Bangladeshi citizenship, BGB handed them over to local police. So far, 35 have been released to their families, while relatives of the remaining nine are en route to the police station.

BNP leader Barrister Muhammad Naoshad Zamir emphasized that SAARC was established by President Ziaur Rahman with a vision for regional unity. "SAARC failed because some states didn’t allow it to flourish," he said. He believes regular summits could have prevented today's conflicts. Zamir also urged citizens to study BNP’s 31-point state reform proposal, calling it a blueprint for Bangladesh’s future.

Maulana Mamunul Haque, Amir of Khelafat Majlish, declared that Sonargaon is the gateway through which the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH) first reached the Hindu-dominated regions of the subcontinent. Speaking to supporters, he vowed, “As long as we live, we will stand by the truth and resist oppression. We will always oppose injustice and support justice in every way we can.”

Additional Inspector General Inamul Haque Sagar reported that police arrested 1,669 individuals across the country in a special operation. Among them, 1,175 were wanted in criminal cases or had outstanding warrants. The operation also led to the recovery of explosive-like devices. Separately, the Detective Branch (DB) detained five leaders of the ruling Awami League and its affiliates.

According to Israeli Army Radio journalist Yair Kozen, close aides of Donald Trump informed Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer that Trump feels “betrayed” by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A U.S. official noted, “Nothing angers Trump more than feeling manipulated or deceived.” Kozen added that Israel’s failure to provide a clear strategy regarding Iran and Yemen has also strained U.S.-Israel relations. Meanwhile, Israel’s continued assault on Gaza claimed 27 more Palestinian lives in the last 24 hours.

A series of explosions rocked Jammu on Friday night following a sudden blackout. Local residents reported witnessing red flares and blasts lighting up the night sky. Rasul Singh, a resident, told Al Jazeera that the power went out around 8 PM local time, and 15–30 minutes later, drone attacks began. Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah confirmed ongoing blackouts and sirens throughout the city, later tweeting that heavy artillery fire could be heard from his location.

A joint organizer of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Sylhet accused Nurul Islam, the district’s general secretary, of verbal abuse, sexual harassment, and issuing rape threats. Although the complainant tried to file a case on Thursday, the police registered it as a general diary. A formal complaint is scheduled to be filed in court on Monday. Nurul Islam denied the allegations, saying a police investigation will reveal the truth, which he claims will prove his innocence. The dispute reportedly stems from internal disagreements over financial transparency.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged all citizens to remain united and not let religion be a tool for division. “All faiths teach peace and unity,” he said. Drawing on the example of unity during the Liberation War, he called for continued solidarity and a democratic system where all voices are heard, and every citizen can freely exercise voting rights. He reaffirmed the BNP’s commitment to restoring democracy.

Charmonai Pir, Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, declared that no elections should be held in Bangladesh until the Awami League is banned and held accountable for alleged mass killings. He also demanded the annulment of so-called anti-Islamic women’s policies, punishment for those responsible for the Shapla and July killings, prosecution of corrupt individuals, and the establishment of Islamic governance. The Pir warned against India’s so-called humanitarian corridor, calling it a ploy to create a Christian state in Rakhine and the Chittagong Hill Tracts. He criticized the global silence on atrocities against Muslims in India under the Modi government.

As protests at Shahbagh intensify, Islami Chhatra Shibir has set up a medical aid booth offering free treatment to demonstrators suffering from heat-related illnesses. Led by medical professionals, they are providing oral saline and basic medication. The group has pledged to continue the service as long as the protest lasts.