India

Pakistan Closes Airspace to Indian Flights, Forcing Major Reroutes for Air India and IndiGo

Pakistan Closes Airspace to Indian Flights, Forcing Major Reroutes for Air India and IndiGo

National Times Bureau, April 24, 2025: Amid rising tensions following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian-owned and operated airlines, disrupting international operations of Air India and IndiGo. The restriction, effective until May 24, was issued after a meeting of Pakistan’s National Security Committee.Both Air India and IndiGo confirmed rerouting of several international flights to the US, UK, Europe, and the Middle East. These changes have led to extended travel times and higher fuel costs. Air India, in particular, stated that its flights to North America are being rerouted over Mumbai and Ahmedabad to avoid…
Read More
Centre Briefs Political Leaders on Pahalgam Attack; All-Party Meeting Reflects United Stand Against Terror

Centre Briefs Political Leaders on Pahalgam Attack; All-Party Meeting Reflects United Stand Against Terror

New Delhi, April 24, 2025 – A high-level all-party meeting was held on Wednesday in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, with the Centre briefing political leaders about the tragic incident that claimed 28 lives, mostly tourists. The meeting, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, aimed to present the facts, ongoing investigations, and future action plans while fostering political consensus in the national response to the attack.Held at the Parliament Library Building, the meeting began with a moment of silence to honor the victims. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and top officials from intelligence agencies gave a detailed…
Read More
BSF Constable Detained by Pakistan Rangers After Accidental Border Crossing; Release Talks Underway

BSF Constable Detained by Pakistan Rangers After Accidental Border Crossing; Release Talks Underway

New Delhi (National Times): A Border Security Force (BSF) constable was detained by Pakistan Rangers on Wednesday after inadvertently crossing the international boundary near Firozpur, Punjab, officials confirmed Thursday. The detained jawan, identified as Constable PK Singh of the 182nd battalion, was on duty escorting local farmers when he stepped over the line to rest in the shade. Clad in full uniform and bearing his service rifle, he was promptly taken into custody by Pakistani Rangers. A senior BSF officer stated, “A flag meeting has been called to negotiate the safe return of our colleague.” Such inadvertent crossings are not unprecedented;…
Read More
India Issues New Visa Restrictions on Pakistan, Advisory for Its Citizens

India Issues New Visa Restrictions on Pakistan, Advisory for Its Citizens

New Delhi (National Times): In response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security has approved immediate changes to its visa regime with Pakistan. It comes amid rising tension between the two countries. India on Wednesday announced a set of restrictions against Pakistan and in continuation to its previous decisions, India has come with more visa restrictions against Pakistan. Suspension of All Pakistani Visa Services No new visas will be issued; consular services for Pakistan are effectively halted as of today. Revocation of Existing Visas (Effective April 27, 2025) All previously valid visas—tourist, business, student—held by Pakistani nationals…
Read More
BCCI Ends Bilateral Cricket Ties with Pakistan After Pahalgam Terror Attack, Citing National Security

BCCI Ends Bilateral Cricket Ties with Pakistan After Pahalgam Terror Attack, Citing National Security

New Delhi, April 24, 2025 — In a decisive response to the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 28 civilians, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has firmly ruled out any bilateral cricket engagements with Pakistan. The board said it stands completely aligned with the Indian government’s stance on cross-border terrorism and national interest.BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla said on Tuesday that the cricket board will strictly follow the government's directions on all matters related to cricket ties with Pakistan. “There will be no bilateral series with Pakistan. We only play in ICC events,…
Read More
PM Modi Warns Terrorists: Will Hunt Down Every Perpetrator Behind Pahalgam Attack

PM Modi Warns Terrorists: Will Hunt Down Every Perpetrator Behind Pahalgam Attack

Madhubani, April 24, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a stern warning to the perpetrators of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, vowing that India will "identify, trace, and punish every terrorist and their backers," sending a clear message of zero tolerance against terrorism. The statement comes just two days after the brutal attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley, which killed 26 people, including tourists and local horsemen, and left many others injured.Addressing the nation during a National Panchayati Raj Day event in Bihar’s Madhubani, Modi led the gathering in observing a minute of silence for the victims…
Read More
Third Encounter in 24 Hours in J&K: Soldier Martyred in Udhampur, 4 Overground Workers Arrested in Bandipora

Third Encounter in 24 Hours in J&K: Soldier Martyred in Udhampur, 4 Overground Workers Arrested in Bandipora

National Times Bureau, April 24, 2025 – In the third consecutive encounter within the last 24 hours following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have surrounded a group of terrorists in Dudu Basantgarh area of Udhampur.The identities of the terrorists are yet to be confirmed. A soldier was martyred in the exchange of fire after succumbing to injuries sustained during the gunbattle.Meanwhile, in Bandipora, police arrested four overground workers (OGWs) linked to the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. Authorities said they had received inputs about these OGWs planning to attack police personnel and non-local residents.Acting on the tip-off,…
Read More
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,…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More