After nearly a week of closure due to heightened India-Pakistan tensions, schools in several border districts of Jammu and Kashmir have reopened today. The Directorate of School Education, Jammu, confirmed the reopening in Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch districts. The return of students to classrooms marks a key step towards normalcy following Indian precision strikes during Operation Sindoor and a subsequent ceasefire understanding between the two countries. Visuals from Udhampur showed children in uniform, excited to resume classes. Parents and educators welcomed the decision, hopeful for continued peace and uninterrupted education in the region. (PC: 

Three Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists were killed in a fierce gunfight with security forces in the Nadir village of Tral, Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, early Thursday. Identified as Asif Ahmed Sheikh, Amir Nazir Wani, and Yawar Ahmad Bhat, all locals, the terrorists were gunned down in an ongoing operation. This marks the second major encounter in the region within 48 hours. Earlier, three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists were killed in Shopian, including individuals linked to attacks on foreign tourists and a BJP leader. Security forces also recovered AK-47 rifles and other arms during the operations. (PC: India Today)

On May 14, 2025, a horrific tragedy unfolded in Lucknow when a Delhi-bound private bus caught fire near the Shaheed Path area. The bus, which had started its journey from Motihari, Bihar, was en route to Delhi when flames engulfed it, reportedly due to a short circuit. Five people, including two children, were killed in the incident, and several others sustained injuries. Emergency services quickly responded, and the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has ordered an investigation and announced compensation for the families of the deceased. (PC: News 18)  

Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the massive anti-Maoist operation at Karregutta Hill as a historic success, declaring, “The hill, once ruled by red terror, now proudly waves the tricolour.” In a 21-day operation involving over 2,000 personnel, 31 Maoists were killed and major caches of arms, IEDs, and supplies seized. Four Maoist arms factories were also discovered. Shah praised the forces’ bravery and reiterated the government's resolve to eradicate Maoism by March 2026. CRPF chief GP Singh termed it “the beginning of the end” for Maoism, highlighting that many top leaders were among those killed in the operation. (PC: NDTV)

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has suspended its Memorandum of Understanding with Turkey’s Inönü University over national security concerns. The MoU, signed in February 2025 and valid until 2028, was paused following intelligence linking Turkey’s involvement in aiding Pakistan amid recent India-Pakistan tensions. JNU announced the decision via X, stating it “stands with the nation.” The academic collaboration facilitated faculty and student exchange, but rising concerns over Ankara’s proximity to Islamabad prompted the move. The university assured affected students that alternative arrangements will be made. The action aligns with growing public sentiment supporting the ‘Boycott Turkey’ campaign. (PC: India Today)

Police were deployed at the residence of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi’s father-in-law, Ghaus Bagewadi, in Belagavi district, Karnataka, after a false social media post claimed an attack and demolition of the house. The claim, made by Canada-based user Anis Hudeen on platform X, was quickly debunked by local authorities. Belagavi SP Bhimashankar Guled confirmed the deployment was a precautionary measure, warning of action against spreading fake news. The misleading post was removed after the social media monitoring cell flagged it. Bagewadi expressed pride in Col Qureshi, lauding her service in Operation Sindoor. (PC: PTI)

In a rare move, the Arunachal Pradesh cabinet held a high-altitude meeting at Kibithu near the LAC under the Cabinet Aapke Dwar initiative, chaired by CM Pema Khandu. The session cleared major proposals in hydropower, governance, education, and security. A joint venture with NEEPCO for five hydro projects in Shi-Yomi was announced, alongside restoration of the Gongri project. Khandu paid tribute to the 6 Kumaon Regiment for its role in the 1962 war. The cabinet also approved new teaching posts, Home Guard recruitment, civil services restructuring, and a district fellowship scheme. The move comes amid renewed tensions with China. (PC: Hindustan Times)

On May 13, 2025, India successfully test-fired the Bhargavastra micro-missile system, its first fully indigenous counter-swarm drone defense system, at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur, Odisha. Developed by Economic Explosives Ltd, under the Solar Group, Bhargavastra is engineered to detect and destroy hostile drone swarms using guided micro-missiles. The system can engage targets beyond 2.5 km and detect drones from over 6 km away. Capable of firing up to 64 micro-missiles simultaneously, it offers rapid response against drone attacks and is deployable in diverse terrains, boosting India’s self-reliant defense capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. (PC: ANI)

President Droupadi Murmu was briefed by the CDS and service chiefs on Operation Sindoor, India’s decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Conducted from May 7–10, the operation struck nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, killing over 100 terrorists, with minimal collateral damage. The President commended the armed forces’ valour. The Defence Intelligence Agency also briefed 70 foreign attaches, highlighting India’s military superiority and its clear red line against terrorism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a visit to Adampur airbase, asserted that Operation Sindoor marked a “new normal” in India’s response to cross-border terrorism. (PC: X)

BSF constable Purnam Kumar Shaw, detained by Pakistan Rangers on April 23 after inadvertently crossing into Pakistan’s territory, was repatriated to India on May 14. Shaw was handed over at the Attari-Wagah border at 10:30 AM. The repatriation followed consistent efforts by the BSF, including flag meetings with Pakistan Rangers. Shaw, who had been posted at the Indo-Pakistan border in Ferozepur, Punjab, was on duty when he mistakenly crossed the border. His family was informed of the development late the previous night but awaited official confirmation. (PC: HT)