Following Indian airstrikes inside Pakistan, cross-border shelling has intensified along the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan. Loud explosions were heard in Srinagar, although the exact source remains unconfirmed, according to CNN. In Pakistan-administered Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, local resident Jawad Ahmed told The Guardian that shelling continues relentlessly across the border, with mortar rounds being exchanged between military checkpoints on both sides.

Former US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran-backed Houthi rebels have agreed to stop obstructing American naval operations in the Middle East. "They’ve told us they no longer want war. They’ve surrendered," Trump said. "We will respect that decision and halt our bombing operations as well." His statement follows a recent missile strike by the Houthis near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday. In retaliation, Israel launched over 50 airstrikes on Yemen's Hodeidah port city on Monday.

The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is currently operating under an acting Director General, as the top position remains officially vacant. Despite its critical role in promoting arts and culture, the academy has not seen a permanent appointment for some time, raising concerns about its operational continuity and strategic direction.

Israeli airstrikes have once again pounded Yemen, destroying parts of Sanaa International Airport. The Houthi group reported that three people were killed and at least 38 injured. Thick black smoke was seen billowing over Sanaa following multiple explosions. Israel also targeted three power stations in Sanaa and Hodeidah, causing widespread blackouts. The strike comes days after a Houthi missile exploded at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, injuring six and leaving a large crater.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had prior knowledge of the recent Kashmir attack but failed to act, alleged Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. “Intelligence warned the Prime Minister three days before the attack, and he canceled his trip accordingly. Yet no preventive measures were taken,” Kharge claimed. Meanwhile, India has launched its largest nationwide civil defense drill since 1971, involving over 400,000 volunteers across cities and villages. The drill will run through May 9.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed that the decision to cancel the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan will not be reversed. Blaming Pakistan for recent attacks in Kashmir, Modi said, “India's waters will now serve only Indian interests.” He added, “Previously, water under India’s rights was flowing outside the country. That will no longer happen. These waters will be preserved and utilized solely for India’s progress.”

In response to India's missile strikes, Pakistan launched a midnight counterattack and destroyed the Indian Army's brigade headquarters. It is reported that Pakistan also shot down multiple Indian fighter jets and a drone. This retaliation came after India carried out “Operation Sindoor,” targeting areas in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Both sides have reported civilian casualties. Pakistan has accused India of cowardly conduct. The current tensions began on April 22, when 26 tourists were killed in an attack in Kashmir.

Seventeen more individuals have been arrested in connection with Sunday’s attack on NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah's convoy in the Chandana Chowrasta area. Police said those arrested are affiliated with the Awami League or its allied organizations. Earlier, 43 people were detained. All 17 were produced in court on Tuesday and sent to jail.

Despite paying $1.883 billion to the Asian Clearing Union for March-April imports, Bangladesh’s actual foreign reserves remain above $20 billion, according to the central bank. Gross reserves stood at $22.06 billion at the start of the day but dropped to $20.18 billion by day’s end. Total gross reserves, by central bank calculation, exceed $25 billion. Notably, reserves peaked at $48.06 billion in August 2022 before plummeting due to capital flight allegedly enabled by the ruling regime.

The U.S. State Department has called on India and Pakistan to choose a responsible path toward resolving tensions, emphasizing the need for long-term peace and regional stability in South Asia.

Speaking to reporters, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said, "We urge both governments to move forward responsibly while maintaining peace and stability in the region. We have maintained communication with both sides at multiple levels."

Following the April attack that escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, the United States expressed sympathy toward India. Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held phone calls with senior officials from both countries, urging restraint and de-escalation. Earlier, former President Donald Trump had described India's strike as "shameful."

Source: Al Jazeera

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep concern over military operations conducted across the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border by India. His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, stated that the Secretary-General has urged both India and Pakistan to exercise maximum military restraint. He warned that the world cannot afford a military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has labeled India’s missile strikes on Pakistan-administered territory as “shameful.” Speaking to reporters, he remarked, “Anyone familiar with the history could sense this was coming. These two countries have been in conflict for decades, even centuries. Still, I hope this ends quickly.” India’s early morning missile assault on Wednesday led to the deaths of two civilians and left several others injured. In response, Pakistan downed two Indian aircraft later the same day.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan condemned India’s strikes, calling them “cowardly attacks” on five locations within Pakistan-administered territory. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he asserted that Pakistan has every right to respond forcefully and is doing so. “The people of Pakistan are standing firmly with our armed forces in facing this aggression,” he wrote. The Prime Minister has also called for an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee at 10:00 AM local time to assess the situation.

Former Member of Parliament Sheikh Helal Uddin and his son, also former MP Sheikh Tonmoy, have been named in a Tk 200 crore extortion case filed by Abdul Mannan Talukder, Managing Director of New Bashundhara Real Estate. The complaint, lodged at Bagerhat Model Police Station, also names Sheikh Helal’s aide Md. Firozul Islam, Tonmoy’s aide M.H. Shaheen, and Sheikh Shahidul Islam. Police have arrested Shahidul and produced him in court.

In a swift retaliation to India’s missile strikes, the Pakistan Air Force has shot down two Indian fighter jets. According to state-run PTV, all Pakistani aircraft involved in the operation returned safely. “Our armed forces are responding appropriately to enemy aggression,” the channel stated. Around 1:00 AM local time on Wednesday, India launched missile attacks on nine locations inside Pakistan. At least three missiles struck cities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and two other urban areas, resulting in the deaths of two civilians and injuring more than a dozen others.