Sources said the handler of the recently busted Lashkar-e-Taiba module was in direct touch with top leaders, including 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed.   The handler, Shabbir Ahmad Lone, is a Kashmiri militant now based in Bangladesh. Officials believe he guided the eight suspects arrested by Delhi Police.   Sources said Lone had been in contact with Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi since 2007. Proof of these links was found during his earlier arrest.   Investigators also suspect support from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence. The eight suspects were held in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Phones and SIM cards seized are being examined.

Pakistan launched overnight air strikes in eastern Afghanistan. The Taliban said at least 18 people, including women and children, were killed.   Islamabad said the strikes hit seven militant camps near the border. It called them “intelligence based selective targeting” after recent suicide attacks in Pakistan.   Afghan officials said homes and a religious school were hit in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. A local resident said 18 members of one family died in Nangarhar.   Pakistan blamed the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and said Kabul failed to act against militants. The Taliban called the strikes a “blatant violation” and warned of a response. (PC: BBC)

South Africa national cricket team captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bat against India national cricket team in their T20 World Cup Super Eight match in Ahmedabad. India kept the same XI that played against the Netherlands. Captain Suryakumar Yadav said it was “very harsh on Axar Patel” but confirmed there were no changes. South Africa made four changes. David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi returned to the side. Markram said, “Really a good wicket and lot drier than what we have seen.” The match is at the Narendra Modi Stadium. (PC: NDTV)

Three militants of Jaish-e-Mohammed were killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, officials said on Sunday. The operation was carried out by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force. The Army’s White Knight Corps said it was launched after “credible intelligence inputs”. The gunfight began in the Chatroo area around 10:30 am. Officials said the militants opened fire when troops moved close to their hideout. One of those killed was identified as Saifullah. Security forces recovered two AK-47 rifles and ammunition from the site. Search operations are continuing in the area. (PC: HT)

India and the United States have postponed talks on an interim trade deal. The meeting was set for February 23 in Washington. Officials said both sides want to review the impact of a ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States. The court struck down tariff steps announced by US President Donald Trump. A senior official said a new date will be fixed after studying the judgment. The court said the administration went beyond its powers under a 1977 law. After the ruling, Trump said he would raise global tariffs from 10% to 15%. He called the decision “ridiculous” and said he had a backup plan. (PC: X)

Delhi Police has arrested eight men for alleged links to Lashkar-e-Taiba. Officers said the group was planning a major attack in India under foreign direction. Six suspects were held in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu. Two others were arrested in West Bengal. Police said some are Bangladeshi nationals using fake Aadhaar cards. Officials linked the case to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence and handlers based in Bangladesh. Mobile videos showed recce of Delhi sites, including areas near the Red Fort. Police said, “The operation followed an investigation into online posts supporting terror activities.” Eight phones and 16 SIM cards were seized. (PC: India Today)

Students at several universities in Iran held anti-government protests on Saturday. It is the first large action since last month’s deadly crackdown. Videos verified by the BBC show hundreds marching at Sharif University of Technology in Tehran. They chanted “death to the dictator,” referring to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Scuffles broke out between protesters and pro-government supporters. Peaceful sit-ins were also seen at Shahid Beheshti University and Amirkabir University of Technology. In Mashhad, students shouted “Freedom, freedom” and called for rights. The protests honour thousands killed in January. The US is also weighing possible military action against Iran.

Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief and ally of the opposition INDIA bloc, criticised the shirtless protest by Indian Youth Congress workers at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, calling it inappropriate and shameful in front of foreign delegates and world leaders. The demonstration, aimed at protesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies and an India-US trade deal, sparked a political row with harsh reactions from several parties. BJP leaders labelled it damaging to India’s global image, while clashes occurred between party workers in multiple cities. (PC: X)

Eight suspects, including a Bangladeshi national, were arrested in a major terror plot bust reportedly linked to Pakistan’s intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Bangladesh-based extremist outfits, Delhi Police said. Six were arrested from Tamil Nadu and two from West Bengal after intelligence inputs warned of a possible attack. A large number of mobile phones and SIM cards were seized for investigation. Police said the group had earlier put up “Free Kashmir” posters at a Delhi metro station during a major summit and had conducted reconnaissance across cities. Delhi was placed on high alert amid fears of planned strikes by outlawed groups, with inquiries ongoing into cross-border connections. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the fully completed 82-km Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) and the Meerut Metro in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, marking a major upgrade in regional transport infrastructure. The corridor, India’s first Namo Bharat RRTS, connects Sarai Kale Khan (Delhi) with Modipuram (Meerut), significantly cutting travel time and integrating multiple urban centres. The Meerut Metro — running on shared infrastructure — becomes one of India’s fastest metro services, reducing intra-city travel times. The launch also included the dedication of related development projects worth nearly ₹13,000 crore, aiming to ease congestion and boost sustainable mobility in the National Capital Region.