India

Kartarpur Corridor Remains Open for Sikh Pilgrims Despite Attari Check Post Closure

Kartarpur Corridor Remains Open for Sikh Pilgrims Despite Attari Check Post Closure

Gurdaspur/Amritsar (National Times): The Kartarpur Corridor at Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district continues to facilitate pilgrim traffic to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, even as India and Pakistan have suspended operations at the Attari Integrated Check Post, officials confirmed. “Pilgrims wishing to travel through the corridor to visit the gurdwara can do so. As of now, the corridor is open,” said Sohail Qasim Mir, Senior Superintendent of Police, Batala, in an interview with The Indian Express. Wednesday evening’s announcement by India’s Ministry of External Affairs imposed new restrictions on bilateral engagement in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack,…
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Pahalgam Terror Attack Comes As Heavy Blow to Kashmir’s Tourism-Reliant Economy

Pahalgam Terror Attack Comes As Heavy Blow to Kashmir’s Tourism-Reliant Economy

Kashmir (National Times): The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, has shattered the region’s hard-won gains in tourism, a sector that underpins much of its local economy. Immediate Fallout Local Business Strike: Restaurants, guesthouses, tour operators, and handicraft vendors in Pahalgam and neighboring destinations like Gulmarg and Sonamarg are already seeing revenues fall by nearly half, imperiling thousands of livelihoods. Plummeting Bookings: In the days following the attack, airlines flying into Srinagar report a 60-65% fall in ticket sales from Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai. Hotel occupancy rates have dropped from an average…
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India-Pakistan Tensions Rise Sharply After Pahalgam Terror Attack

India-Pakistan Tensions Rise Sharply After Pahalgam Terror Attack

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): In the aftermath of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that claimed 26 civilian lives, including 25 Indian citizens and one Nepalese national, diplomatic and security tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated significantly.The Indian government has taken a series of stern measures, including downgrading diplomatic relations with Pakistan, expelling Pakistani defense personnel, and reducing its diplomatic staff in Islamabad. In a strong message of protest, the Attari-Wagah border crossing has been closed, and the historic Indus Waters Treaty, a cornerstone of bilateral agreements, has been suspended.Furthermore, all Pakistani nationals in India on…
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Five Key Measures India Has Taken Against Pakistan After the Pahalgam Terror Attack, and What They Signal

Five Key Measures India Has Taken Against Pakistan After the Pahalgam Terror Attack, and What They Signal

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): In the aftermath of the April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, India announced a set of diplomatic and security measures aimed at pressuring Pakistan to act against militancy. Here’s what each step means: Indus Waters Treaty Suspended What it means: India has placed its obligations under the 1960 Treaty “in abeyance.” While water flow continues today, Pakistan’s Punjab, heavily dependent on these rivers for irrigation, now faces uncertainty. The move sends a potent political warning, 'future water supplies could be curtailed if terror persists'. SAARC Visa Stickers for Pakistanis Cancelled…
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Soldier Killed in Udhampur Encounter; Operation Continues

Soldier Killed in Udhampur Encounter; Operation Continues

Udhampur (National Times): A soldier lost his life on Thursday during an ongoing encounter in the Basantgarh sector of Udhampur, the Army’s White Knight Corps announced via X (formerly Twitter). According to the Army, which coordinates closely with local police, the operation began early today following “specific intelligence” about militant presence in the area. “Contact was established and a fierce firefight ensued,” the White Knight Corps posted, as reported by the Kashmir News Observer. During the initial exchange of fire, one soldier suffered serious injuries. Despite prompt medical treatment, he later succumbed to his wounds. The identity of the fallen…
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Gautam Gambhir Files FIR After Receiving Death Threat from ‘ISIS Kashmir’

Gautam Gambhir Files FIR After Receiving Death Threat from ‘ISIS Kashmir’

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Indian men’s cricket head coach and former BJP MP Gautam Gambhir approached Delhi Police on Wednesday after allegedly receiving a death threat from a purported account calling itself “ISIS Kashmir.” Gambhir submitted a formal request to register a First Information Report (FIR) at the Rajinder Nagar Police Station, DCP Central Delhi confirmed. According to officials, Gambhir received two emails on April 22—one in the afternoon and another in the evening, each bearing the chilling message, “IKillU.” Fearing for his safety and that of his family, he has asked law enforcement to provide protective measures. This is…
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Hindu Society of Calgary Condemns Terror Attacks in Jammu & Kashmir, Calls for Unity and Peace

Hindu Society of Calgary Condemns Terror Attacks in Jammu & Kashmir, Calls for Unity and Peace

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma) : The Hindu Society of Calgary has expressed profound sorrow and strong condemnation in response to the recent terrorist attacks in Jammu & Kashmir, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives and disrupted the regional peace. In a conversation with National Times, Rakesh Punj, President of the Hindu Society of Calgary, stated, “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the recent terrorist attacks in Jammu & Kashmir, which have once again targeted innocent lives and disturbed the peace of our nation. As members of the global Hindu community, our hearts go out to the victims, their…
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India Shuts Attari Border After Pahalgam Terror Attack Kills 26 Tourists

India Shuts Attari Border After Pahalgam Terror Attack Kills 26 Tourists

National Times Bureau, April 23, 2025: In response to the brutal terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, where 26 tourists were killed and 17 injured, the Indian government has closed the Attari-Wagah border with Pakistan. This decisive step is part of a broader security and diplomatic push following the incident, which was claimed by the militant group “Kashmir Resistance.” The closure, which is indefinite, immediately halts all cross-border movement between India and Pakistan. However, Pakistani nationals who are currently in India with valid travel documents have been given a grace period to return to Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah route…
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India Cracks Down on Pakistan After Pahalgam Attack: Indus Waters Treaty Suspended, Visas Canceled

India Cracks Down on Pakistan After Pahalgam Attack: Indus Waters Treaty Suspended, Visas Canceled

New Delhi, April 23, 2025 — In a swift and forceful response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 28 civilians, India has announced a series of high-impact measures against Pakistan, marking a sharp escalation in bilateral tensions. Following a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri outlined decisions designed to isolate Pakistan and retaliate against cross-border terrorism.Effective immediately, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, a foundational water-sharing agreement. This suspension, long discussed in strategic circles, is being justified by India's position that “blood and water cannot flow…
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“Bharat Will Not Bend to Terror”: Amit Shah Visits Pahalgam, Pays Tribute to Victims

“Bharat Will Not Bend to Terror”: Amit Shah Visits Pahalgam, Pays Tribute to Victims

Pahalgam, April 23, 2025 — A day after the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam claimed 26 civilian lives, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the site to pay respects, meet victims’ families, and take stock of the situation. Calling the act "dastardly", Shah vowed strict action and assured that "Bharat will not bend to terror."Accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Shah traveled to the Baisaran meadow, where the attack took place. He was briefed by senior officials and security personnel on the ongoing investigation and the large-scale search operation to track down…
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