Top news of the day from The Hindu: April 27, 2025

The Hindu

27-04-2025

272 Pak nationals left India through Attari in past 2 days, more to exit today as deadline ends
Around 272 Pakistani nationals have left India in the past two days through the Attari-Wagah border point, and a few hundred more are expected to exit on Sunday when the deadline for the 12 categories of short-term visa holders of the neighbouring nation ends, an official said. As many as 629 Indians, including 13 diplomats and officials, have returned from Pakistan through the international border crossing located in Punjab.
NIA takes over Pahalgam terror attack probe
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has begun the process of formally taking over the Pahalgam terror attack case, in which 26 civilians were shot dead on Tuesday, following orders from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The NIA said that its teams, which have been camping at the terror attack site since Wednesday, have intensified the search for evidence. The spokesman further stated that the teams, overseen by an IG, a DIG and an SP from the anti-terror agency, are examining the eyewitnesses who had witnessed the horrifying attack unfold before their eyes at the peaceful and picturesque Baisaran valley. The eyewitnesses are being questioned in minute detail to piece together the sequence of events that led to one of the worst terror attacks in Kashmir.
PM Modi says harshest response awaits perpetrators of Pahalgam attack
The perpetrators and conspirators of the Pahalgam terror attack will be served with the harshest response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while delivering his monthly radio address 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday. Expressing deep anguish, he said the incident has hurt every citizen of the country. 'Every Indian holds deep sympathies for the affected families. No matter which state one belongs to, no matter which language one speaks, one is feeling the pain of those who have lost their loved ones in this attack. I can feel that the blood of every Indian is on the boil after seeing the pictures of the terrorist attack,' Mr. Modi said.
Pahalgam terror attack | Nearly 80% tourist bookings to Kashmir cancelled
Eighty per cent of tourist bookings to Kashmir have been cancelled in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Kashmir Hotel Association (KHA) said in Srinagar on Sunday. 'There have been 80% cancellations in bookings. We can understand. It is justified and natural given what happened,' Mushtaq Chaya, chairman, KHA, said. Mr. Chaya said tourism stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir were not worried by the dent to business 'but are sad with the fact that the incident took place on our soil'. 'The people of Kashmir have condemned the act. Everyone joined the protest and observed a shutdown, which happened for the first time. Time is the best healer,' he said.
Indian Navy carries out anti-ship firings; demonstrates readiness for long-range 'offensive' strikes
The Indian Navy on Sunday said its warships have successfully carried out multiple anti-ship firings, revalidating their readiness for long-range precision 'offensive' strikes. The demonstration of the Navy's combat prowess came amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
Centre should not alienate innocent people, says Mehbooba Mufti on anti-terror crackdown in Kashmir
With security agencies launching a massive operation against the terror ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said the Centre should tread carefully and avoid alienating innocent people while acting against terrorists. 'The Indian Government must tread with caution and carefully distinguish between terrorists and civilians following the recent Pahalgam attack. It must not alienate innocent people, especially those opposing terror,' Ms. Mufti said in a post on X.
Fire breaks out in Delhi's Rohini Sector 17 jhuggi cluster, 20 fire tenders deployed
A fire broke out in a jhuggi cluster in Rohini Sector 17 on Sunday morning, an official of the Delhi Fire Service said, adding that 20 fire tenders were deployed. Officials said they received a distress call around 11:55 a.m. and dispatched 20 fire tenders to the spot. 'Firefighters are currently trying to douse the blaze, and the operation is underway to bring the situation under control,' he said.
Bomb scare on Varanasi-Bengaluru IndiGo flight, Canadian detained
Panic broke out at Varanasi airport after a foreign national aboard a Bengaluru-bound IndiGo flight claimed he was carrying a bomb, police said on Sunday. The incident took place on Saturday night, police said, adding that the passenger, a Canadian, has been detained. Security sleuths are questioning the man, officials said.
Akhil Gogoi apologises for comment on pro-BJP Muslim voters
Sibsagar MLA and Raijor Dal president has apologised for saying Muslims who vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party are kafirs and would be punished by God. He made this remark while campaigning for the panchayat polls in areas under the Naoboicha Assembly constituency in northeastern Assam's Lakhimpur district on Saturday. The comment triggered criticisms within and beyond his party, making Mr Gogoi issue an 'unconditional apology' on social media platforms in a late-night address.
Nine dead, two trapped as car falls into well in MP's Mandsaur
At least nine people have died and two more are feared trapped after a car, believed to have lost control, fell into a well in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur district, police said. Mandsaur Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) Gautam Solanki told The Hindu that nine bodies have been recovered from the well so far. 'It is difficult to give the exact numbers yet but we fear at least two more are trapped,' he said.
Trump urges 'free' transit for U.S. ships through Panama, Suez canals
U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday urged free transit for American commercial and military ships through the Panama and Suez canals, tasking his secretary of state with making progress 'immediately.' Mr. Trump has for months been calling for the United States to take control of the Panama Canal, but his social media post also shifted focus onto the vital Suez route. 'American Ships, both Military and Commercial, should be allowed to travel, free of charge, through the Panama and Suez Canals!' he wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Seven teachers, several policemen injured during clashes in Nepal's Kathmandu
At least seven teachers and a few policemen were injured in Kathmandu city of Nepal on Sunday as clashes erupted between the two sides during a demonstration for education reforms and a pay increase. The police used baton charges and water cannons to disperse thousands of agitating teachers who tried to break the security cordon to enter the restricted area in Nayabaneshwor area of Kathmandu, an eyewitness said. The witness said a few policemen also suffered injuries.
Russia launches nearly 150 drones against Ukraine as Trump doubts Putin's desire for peace
Russia launched a sweeping drone assault across Ukraine overnight into Sunday, targeting multiple regions, officials said, after U.S. President Donald Trump cast doubt over Russian President Vladimir Putin's willingness to end the war. One person was killed and a 14-year-old girl wounded in the city of Pavlohrad in the Dnipropetrovsk region, which was hit for the third consecutive night, regional Governor Serhii Lysak said.
Barcelona beats Real Madrid in extra time to win Copa del Rey final
Barcelona has launched its bid for a treble after it beat Real Madrid 3-2 in a thrilling Copa del Rey final with Jules Koundé scoring an extra-time winner. Right back Koundé pounced on a pass by Luka Modric and fired into the low corner of Thibaut Courtois' net for the 116th-minute decider.