On May 13, 2025, three militants were killed in an encounter in Shopian, South Kashmir, following intelligence on their presence in Shoekal Keller. The operation, led by the Indian Army's Rashtriya Rifles, involved heavy exchange of fire. This event occurred a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed decisive action against terrorism, referencing India's recent strikes on terrorist sites in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan, following the killing of 26 civilians in Pahalgam last month. Authorities have not disclosed further details as the operation continues. The encounter also follows the killing of a Hizbul Mujahideen militant’s brother, identified as a militant associate, in Bandipora district two weeks prior. (PC: AP Photo)

In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistani hackers launched over 1.5 million cyberattacks on Indian websites, with only 150 breaches reported, indicating a 99.99% failure rate. Maharashtra Cyber identified seven Pakistani Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups behind these attacks, which targeted critical infrastructure and employed malware, DDoS attacks, and misinformation campaigns. Despite a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, cyber offensives persist, with attacks also originating from Bangladesh, the Middle East, and Indonesia. The "Road of Sindoor" report details these cyber warfare activities and has been submitted to key law enforcement agencies, emphasizing the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to counter persistent threats from state-sponsored actors. (PC: Vector Stock)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a major overhaul of UK immigration policy, doubling the wait time for permanent residency from 5 to 10 years. The move, part of broader efforts to curb migration, is expected to hit Indian nationals the hardest, who form the largest group of immigrants to the UK. New rules will also toughen skilled visa norms, raising education and income thresholds. Starmer vowed to introduce further measures if needed, stating that migration must significantly decline. The reforms respond to domestic political pressure and mark a shift away from earlier liberal immigration policies under past governments. (PC: India Today)

India is considering imposing import duties on select U.S. products in response to Washington's tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, according to a document submitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on May 12, 2025. The U.S. initially introduced these tariffs, including a 25% levy on steel, in 2018 under President Donald Trump's administration, which have since been extended. India, the world's second-largest crude steel producer, stated that these U.S. measures affect $7.6 billion worth of Indian exports. In retaliation, India is planning targeted tariff increases on unspecified U.S. products. Additionally, the U.S. has threatened to impose 26% reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods. Amid ongoing trade negotiations, New Delhi has offered to reduce the tariff disparity with the U.S. by two-thirds. The dispute unfolds as India also imposed a 12% temporary tariff on steel imports, primarily targeting cheap imports from China, to support its domestic industry. Simultaneously, India is pursuing trade talks with various partners to boost access for its steel exports. (PC: The Statesman & Reuters)

In a recent press briefing, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed his administration averted a potential nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan, stating, "It could have been a bad nuclear war, where millions of people could have been killed." He credited Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for brokering a ceasefire and mentioned leveraging trade as a tool for de-escalation. Indian government sources, however, refuted the involvement of trade discussions, emphasizing that U.S. officials communicated with Indian leaders post-Operation Sindoor without mentioning trade. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address, reiterated India's firm stance against terrorism and nuclear threats, asserting that any future dialogue with Pakistan would focus solely on terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He emphasized that peace cannot coexist with terror and highlighted India's military readiness to counter threats. (PC: India Today)

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has emerged as a resolute figure amid escalating tensions following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. India attributes the attack to The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, and criticizes Pakistan for opposing TRF's designation in UN statements. Misri highlighted Pakistan's harboring of terrorists, referencing Osama bin Laden's presence there. India's response included suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, expelling Pakistani diplomats, and launching Operation Sindoor. Despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on May 10, both nations accuse each other of violations. Misri is scheduled to brief the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on May 19, underscoring India's firm stance on regional security and counterterrorism. (PC: PTI)

A Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces in the Zinpather Keller area of Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday morning. The operation, still underway, began after security inputs indicated terrorist presence in the region. Two more Lashkar terrorists are reportedly trapped and engaged in a fierce gunfight with the armed forces. The encounter follows shortly after ‘Terror Free Kashmir’ posters were displayed, naming three Pakistani terrorists—Adil Hussain Thoker, Ali Bhai, and Hashim Musa—as key suspects in the deadly April 22 Pahalgam attack. The security forces have intensified operations across the region to neutralize remaining threats. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Monday that India has only "paused" military action against Pakistan, vowing retaliation on India’s terms if provoked again. This comes after a US-brokered ceasefire, announced by President Trump, halted a week of escalating hostilities, including missile and drone attacks. Modi emphasized that India remains vigilant and rejected any narrative crediting foreign mediation, insisting it was Pakistan that sought a ceasefire. He warned against “nuclear blackmail” and affirmed future talks, if any, would focus on terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India has since reopened 32 northern airports and begun defusing unexploded ordnance near the border.

On May 12, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that his administration brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan by leveraging trade relations. He stated that Washington threatened to halt trade with both nations if they didn't agree to a ceasefire, emphasizing that "trade is a big one" in achieving peace. Trump praised the leadership of both countries for their strength and wisdom in resolving the conflict. However, Indian sources indicated that trade was not mentioned in discussions with the U.S. during the crisis. There was no immediate response from India's external affairs ministry regarding Trump's remarks. The ceasefire followed Operation Sindoor, India's retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack. (PC: Profit by Pakistan Today)

Fifteen individuals have died, and nearly ten others are critically ill after consuming spurious liquor in villages under the Majitha block of Punjab's Amritsar district. The victims, primarily from Bhangali Kalan, Thariewal, Sangha, and Marari Kalan, reportedly purchased the liquor from a single source on Sunday evening. Some deaths occurred by Monday morning, with locals cremating the bodies without informing authorities. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney confirmed the death toll and indicated it might rise. Police have arrested main suppliers Prabhjit Singh and Sahib Singh from Rajasansi, along with four others involved in distribution. Investigations are extending to other states to trace the illicit liquor's origin. This incident echoes a similar tragedy five years ago in the same region, where around 130 people died after consuming toxic alcohol. (PC: The Indian Express & Mint)