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આંતરિક દાવપેચમાં વિપક્ષ અને માધ્યમ સરળ નિશાન છે

ગુજરાતના મુખ્યમંત્રી વિશે અફવા ફેલવવામાં કોને રસ?

आंतरिक पैंतरेबाजी में विपक्ष और मध्यम आसान लक्ष्य हैं

एक गुजराती मंत्री के बारे में अफवाह फैलाने में किसकी दिलचस्पी है?

Cons and medium are easy targets in internal maneuvering

Who Is Interested in Spreading Rumors About a Gujarati Minister?

આર્થિક બોજના કારણે 20 થી 34 વર્ષના 53 ટકા લોકો એ આત્મહત્યા કરી

આર્થિક બોજના કારણે આત્મહત્યાના બનાવોમાં ગુજરાત ચોથા ક્રમે

20 से 34 वर्ष की आयु के 53 प्रतिशत लोगों ने आर्थिक बोझ के कारण आत्महत्या की

वित्तीय बोझ के कारण आत्महत्या के मामलों में गुजरात चौथे स्थान पर

53 percent of people aged 20 to 34 committed suicide due to financial burden

Gujarat ranks fourth in suicide cases due to financial burden

ફાઇનાન્સિયલ એનાલિટિકલ સંસ્થા ફાઇનશોટ્સના જૂનના સર્વે અનુસાર ગુજરાત દેશનું સૌથી મોંઘુ રાજ્ય

મોંઘવારીના મારમાં ભીંસાતો માણસ, ગુજરાત મોંઘવારીમાં પહેલા નંબરે

वित्तीय विश्लेषण संस्थान फाइनशॉट्स के जून सर्वेक्षण के अनुसार, गुजरात देश का सबसे महंगा राज्य है

महंगाई से त्रस्त आदमी, महंगाई में गुजरात नंबर वन

According to a June survey by financial analytical institute Fineshots, Gujarat is the most expensive state in the country

A man suffering from inflation, Gujarat is number one in inflation

ઘટનાના CCTV પોલીસે ચેક કરી હુમલો કરનારાઓને શોધીને ડીટેઇન કર્યા

ભરૂચના પશ્ચિમ વિસ્તારના ગોકુલ નગરમાં બે જૂથ વચ્ચે ઘર્ષણ

पुलिस ने घटना की सीसीटीवी फुटेज की जांच की और हमलावरों को ढूंढकर हिरासत में ले लिया

भरूच के पश्चिमी क्षेत्र के गोकुल नगर में दो समूहों के बीच झड़प

The police checked the CCTV footage of the incident and found and detained the attackers

Clashes between two groups in Gokul Nagar in Bharuch's western region

રાતભર અજંપાની સ્થિતિ પ્રવર્તતી હતી સૈયદપુરામા

ગણેશ મંડપ પર પથ્થરમારાના ગૂન્હામાં છ ધરપકડ કરતી સુરત પોલીસ

सैयदपुरम में रातभर अजंपा की स्थिति बनी रही

सूरत पुलिस ने गणेश मंडप पर पथराव करने के आरोप में छह लोगों को गिरफ्तार किया

Ajampa situation prevailed in Syedpuram throughout the night

Surat police arrested six in the crime of pelting stones at Ganesh Mandap

પ્લાસ્ટર ઓફ પેરિસથી બનેલી મૂર્તિઓ કરતાં પણ વધુ ટકાઉ હોય છે આ મૂર્તિઓ

અમદાવાદનો એક પરિવાર ત્રણ પેઢીથી બનાવે છે ઇકો-ફ્રેન્ડલી ગણપતિની મૂર્તિઓ

ये मूर्तियाँ प्लास्टर ऑफ पेरिस से बनी मूर्तियों की तुलना में अधिक टिकाऊ हैं

अहमदाबाद में एक परिवार ने तीन पर्यावरण-अनुकूल गणपति मूर्तियों के साथ एक आश्रम बनाया

These idols are more durable than those made of plaster of paris

A family in Ahmedabad makes a retreat with three eco-friendly Ganpati idols

મનીષ પગારે વિશ્વામિત્રી નદીના દબાણ અંગે ચેતવણી આપી

સત્તા પક્ષનાસેવક મનીષ નગરનો ઉકટાટ, સત્તાધીશો કામ કરતા અધિકારી નેહુકને દેખાડો.

मनीष पगार ने विश्वामित्री नदी के दबाव को लेकर चेताया

सट्टा पार्टी सेवक मनीष नागर का बड़बोलापन, अधिकारियों पर काम करने वाले अधिकारी को दिखाओ नेहुक।

Manish Pagar warned about the pressure of Vishwamitri river

Satta Party Sevak Manish Nagar's rant, show Nehuk the officer working the authorities.

ટેક્નોલોજીનો ઉપયોગ એપીમાં ખોરાક રાહત મોકલવા, મણિપુરમાં લોકો પર બોમ્બ ફેંકવા માટે કરવામાં આવે છે

ડ્રોન: તારણહાર કે વિનાશક?

आंध्र प्रदेश में खाद्य राहत भेजने और मणिपुर में लोगों पर बम गिराने के लिए तकनीक का इस्तेमाल

ड्रोन: रक्षक या विध्वंसक?

Tech used to send food relief in AP, drop bombs on people in Manipur

DRONES: SAVIOURS OR DESTROYERS?

ભારતીય ખેલાડીઓએ ઐતિહાસિક કર્યું પ્રદર્શન

ભારતે એક જ દિવસમાં આઠ મેડલ જીતી ઇતિહાસ રચ્યો

भारतीय खिलाड़ियों ने किया ऐतिहासिक प्रदर्शन

भारत ने एक ही दिन में आठ पदक जीतकर रचा इतिहास

Indian players put on a historic performance

India created history by winning eight medals in a single day

સ્ટાઈપેન્ડ મામલે  રેસિડેન્ટ ડોક્ટર્સ એ વિરોધ કર્યો, 20 ટકા સ્ટાઈપેન્ડ વધારા સામે 40 ટકા વધારાની માંગ કરી

4 ગણું વધારે સ્ટાઈપેન્ડ ડોક્ટરોને પડ્યું ઓછું

रेजिडेंट डॉक्टरों ने वजीफे को लेकर विरोध प्रदर्शन किया और 20 प्रतिशत वजीफे की बढ़ोतरी के मुकाबले 40 प्रतिशत बढ़ोतरी की मांग की।

डॉक्टरों को कम मिला 4 गुना ज्यादा वजीफा

The resident doctors protested over the stipend, demanding a 40 percent hike against the 20 percent stipend hike.

4 times higher stipend doctors got less

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India's Digital Retaliation: Pakistani Celebrities Vanish from Social Media Amid Cross-Border Tensions
In a bold digital manoeuvre reflecting escalating geopolitical tensions, India has expanded its cyber clampdown on Pakistan, now targeting the entertainment industry. Following the recent ban on 16 Pakistani YouTube news channels, Indian users are discovering that several prominent Pakistani celebrities have been digitally blacked out on Instagram.
The accounts of actors such as Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Ali Zafar, Sajal Aly, Imran Abbas, Iqra Aziz, Sanam Saeed and Bilal Abbas now display the message:&nbsp;"Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content."&nbsp;It marks a significant shift in India's retaliatory toolkit&mdash;blending entertainment censorship with diplomatic signalling.
This move comes in the aftermath of the harrowing terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, where 26 lives were lost&mdash;mostly Hindu tourists. The assault, carried out in the scenic Baisaran meadows, bore the hallmarks of past cross-border militancy. A proxy outfit of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, The Resistance Front (TRF), claimed responsibility, casting a long shadow over Indo-Pak relations. New Delhi has since publicly identified three Pakistani nationals believed to have orchestrated the attack and traced their digital trail back to Pakistan.
The Indian government&rsquo;s digital retaliation appears two-pronged: suppress misinformation campaigns from across the border while also removing public figures seen as soft-power symbols of Pakistan&rsquo;s global image. With Instagram bans following YouTube crackdowns on prominent broadcasters like ARY News and Geo News, the message is clear&mdash;cyberspace is now a battleground for statecraft.
This cultural and digital disengagement is not merely symbolic. It underscores a growing trend in India's strategic posture: weaponising digital sovereignty to deter cross-border terror and curb influence operations. As the Indo-Pak rivalry evolves, even the silver screens and smartphones are not spared.
Is this the dawn of a new front in hybrid warfare&mdash;where hashtags and handles become extensions of the national interest?
&nbsp;

Pakistani Actor Ali Zafar and Actress Mahira Khan

After Pahalgam attack, India bans Pakistani stars' social media in digital retaliation

India Blocks Pakistani Celebs on Instagram

North Korea and Russia on Wednesday launched the construction of a road bridge linking them across the Tumen River, a Russian report said, as the two nations have been deepening cooperation. 
Russia's Tass news agency reported that the ceremony was held virtually, attended by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin via video link, quoting him as saying that the construction "is a big milestone for Russian-Korean relations." 
Premier Pak Thae-song attended the ceremony from the North Korean side. 
In June last year, North Korea and Russia agreed to build the motorway bridge across the border river with its construction expected to be completed by the end of 2026, as the leaders of the two nations signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty to prop up cooperation. 
Tass also quoted Mishustin as saying that "It symbolises our common intention to strengthen friendly neighbourly relations, to boost transregional cooperation." 
Earlier in the day, South Korea's unification ministry suggested that North Korea and Russia may hold the launching ceremony, citing satellite imagery showing related Russian facilities and a heliport installed on Russia's side, with North Korea presumably installing fireworks for the celebration, Yonhap news agency reported. 
The 850-metre road bridge, if completed, is expected to facilitate the flow of goods and travellers between the two nations, as they have been bolstering cooperation in various fields, including the military and economy. 
Currently, North Korea and Russia have only one railway bridge linking the North's Tumen River and Russia's Khasan stations. The bridge opened in August 1959. 
The Tumen River flows in northeast Asia, on the border between China and North Korea in its upper reaches, and between North Korea and Russia in its last 17 kilometres before entering the Sea of Japan. 
The name of the river comes from the Mongolian word tumen, meaning "ten thousand" or a myriad. 
&mdash;IANS

Leaders launch Tumen River bridge project

North Korea, Russia start building road bridge over Tumen River to boost cooperation

North Korea, Russia Begin Tumen Bridge Build

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved an increase in the fair and remunerative price (FRP) of sugarcane to ₹355 per quintal for a basic recovery rate of 10.25 % for the 2025-26 sugar season (October-September) keeping the interest of farmers in mind, according to a cabinet communique. 
The FRP for the sugar season 2025-26 is 4.41 % higher than the current sugar season 2024-25. 
It also provides for a premium of ₹ 3.46 per quintal for each 0.1 % increase in recovery over and above 10.25 %, and reduction in FRP by ₹ 3.46 a quintal for every 0.1 %&nbsp;decrease in recovery.&nbsp;
However, the government, with a view to protect the interest of sugarcane farmers, has also decided that there will not be any deduction in case of sugar mills where recovery is below 9.5 %.&nbsp;
Such farmers will get ₹329.05 per quintal (qtl) for sugarcane in the ensuing sugar season 2025-26, the statement explained. 
The cost of production (A2+FL) of sugarcane for the sugar season 2025-26 is ₹173/qtl.&nbsp;
This FRP of ₹ 355/qtl at a recovery rate of 10.25 % is higher by 105.2 % over production cost.&nbsp;
The FRP approved shall be applicable for purchase of sugarcane by mills from the farmers in the sugar season 2025-26 starting with effect from October 1, 2025. 
The sugar sector is an important agro-based sector that impacts the livelihood of about 5 crore sugarcane farmers and their dependents and around 5 lakh workers directly employed in sugar mills, apart from those employed in various ancillary activities including farm labour and transportation. 
The FRP has been determined on the basis of recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and after consultation with state governments and other stake-holders. 
In the previous sugar season 2023-24, out of cane dues payable of ₹ 1,11,782 crore, about ₹ 1,11,703 crore of cane dues have been paid to farmers, as on April 28 this year, which means that 99.92 % cane dues have been cleared.
In the current sugar season for 2024-25, out of the cane dues payable of ₹ 97,270 crore, about ₹ 85,094 crores have been paid to farmers, as on April 28, which amounts to 87 % of the cane dues being cleared. 
&mdash;IANS
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Farmers harvesting sugarcane in sunny field

Govt hikes sugarcane FRP to ₹355/quintal for 2025-26; 5 crore farmers to benefit

Centre Hikes Sugarcane FRP to ₹355/Qtl

Aligarh Mob Forces Minor to Desecrate Pakistani Flag, Sparks Communal Tensions Amid Pahalgam Aftermath
A disturbing incident in Aligarh has sparked public outrage and a police investigation after a video surfaced on social media showing a group of men surrounding a schoolboy and allegedly forcing him to desecrate a Pakistani flag placed on a public road.
The 15-year-old student, a pupil at the Government Inter College, was reportedly walking home with friends on Monday afternoon when he came across the flag lying unattended. According to a police complaint filed by his family, the boy picked it up out of curiosity, only to be suddenly confronted by a mob. The men demanded his identity, hurled abuse, and coerced him into urinating on the flag while recording the incident on camera. The video shows the boy visibly frightened, attempting to explain that he had no ill intent.
The Aligarh police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the Banna Devi police station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Three individuals, including one unidentified suspect, have been booked in connection with the incident. Authorities have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that those responsible will face stringent action.
The episode comes in the wake of heightened communal sensitivities following the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, many of them tourists. The Aligarh district unit of the Samajwadi Party has strongly condemned the incident, alleging that such acts are part of a wider agenda to stir communal unrest during a period of national mourning and grief.
District general secretary Manoj Yadav said the video was not an isolated case and claimed that other instances of targeted harassment had been reported from different parts of the city. He urged the administration to respond with urgency and ensure that communal harmony is maintained.
Meanwhile, a separate complaint has been lodged in the Kuwarsi police station area where unidentified individuals allegedly vandalised the shop of Omar Husain, a local fruit juice vendor, in Suwarn Jayanti Nagar. Law enforcement officials have initiated a parallel investigation into this case.
Speaking to the press, Circle Officer Abhay Pande confirmed that both incidents were being probed thoroughly. He appealed to citizens to maintain peace and avoid spreading misinformation or engaging in acts that could inflame tensions.
&nbsp;

Mob targets student in Aligarh, sparking outrage amid rising communal tensions post-Pahalgam

Aligarh Teen Forced to Desecrate Flag, 3 Booked

The Central government on Wednesday announced that the upcoming population census will also include caste enumeration, marking a significant policy shift on a politically sensitive subject.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following the meeting, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed the media and stated, &ldquo;CCPA has decided today that caste enumeration would be included in the forthcoming census.&rdquo;
This development is expected to have far-reaching political and social implications, particularly as the caste census has been a prominent demand of the Congress-led INDIA bloc and has resonated strongly with large sections of the population.
Political observers suggest that the move could recalibrate existing social dynamics and influence public sentiment significantly. The government had previously refrained from conducting such an exercise, citing the potential for deepening divisions within society.
However, opposition parties including Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have persistently advocated for a caste census, arguing that equitable representation in government structures should reflect the demographic makeup of the population.
The announcement comes as a strategic intervention by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, potentially neutralising a key political narrative of the Congress and its allies. With Assembly elections scheduled in Bihar later this year, a state where caste plays a pivotal role in electoral outcomes, the timing of the decision is seen as particularly consequential.
Political parties across the spectrum in Bihar&mdash;including the Congress, RJD, and the ruling Janata Dal (United)&mdash;base their electoral strategies on caste alignments, underscoring the importance of such a census in the state&rsquo;s political calculus.
By integrating the caste count with the national census, the Centre is positioning itself to reinforce its commitment to social justice under Prime Minister Modi&rsquo;s leadership, while simultaneously challenging the opposition&rsquo;s stance by framing their advocacy as politically motivated.
(With inputs from IANS)
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The Centre will include caste enumeration in the upcoming population census following a key Cabinet Committee decision

Centre Approves Caste Survey with Population Census

Pahalgam Horror: PM Modi Cuts Saudi Visit Short, Returns Early as Terror Attack Kills 26 Tourists
 In a swift diplomatic and security response to the deadliest terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cut short his state visit to Saudi Arabia. The Prime Minister departed from Jeddah late Tuesday night and is expected to land in New Delhi early Wednesday morning&mdash;advancing his return by nearly 12 hours. He also skipped the official banquet hosted in his honor by the Saudi royal family in light of the tragedy.
The terror attack unfolded around 3 PM on Tuesday in the picturesque Baisaran valley near Pahalgam, often referred to as 'mini Switzerland'. Armed terrorists reportedly descended from the surrounding mountains and opened indiscriminate fire on a group of tourists. Twenty-six people, including two foreigners and two local civilians, were killed in the ambush. At least 20 others sustained injuries and are being treated at various hospitals in Anantnag and Srinagar.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah flew into Srinagar late Tuesday night and immediately held a high-level review meeting with top officials from the Jammu and Kashmir administration, Army, CRPF, and intelligence agencies. Shah is expected to stay in the Valley to oversee the security response and coordination of relief efforts.
In a strongly worded statement, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the incident, calling it "much larger than anything we&rsquo;ve seen directed at civilians in recent years."
The attack has drawn sharp political reactions across the spectrum. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Conference (NC), and other regional outfits have called for a statewide shutdown on Wednesday in mourning and protest against the massacre.
International condemnation also poured in. US President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday evening to express condolences and assured full support to India in combating terrorism. &ldquo;The United States stands with India,&rdquo; Trump told Modi, according to official sources.
Security forces have launched an extensive search operation in and around Pahalgam to track down the attackers, who are believed to have escaped into nearby forested areas.
This tragic incident marks a chilling escalation in terror activities targeting civilians and has once again cast a spotlight on the fragile security environment in the Kashmir Valley.
&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Amit Shah taking high level meeting in Srinagar

Forces launch hunt for attackers; J&K parties call bandh after deadly Pahalgam strike

PM Cuts Short Saudi Visit, Shah Chairs Emergency J&K Crisis Meet

&nbsp;
India&rsquo;s Water Gambit: Pressure Without Real Power Over Pakistan&rsquo;s Lifeline
In the aftermath of the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead, India has responded not with troops or tanks, but with a symbolic yet headline-grabbing measure: the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). Touted in some quarters as a strategic masterstroke capable of crippling Pakistan&rsquo;s agriculture-dependent economy, the move has stirred fears of impending ecological and humanitarian crisis across the border.
However, a deeper look reveals that the reality is far less dramatic than the rhetoric. Despite the appearance of a strong retaliatory posture, India&rsquo;s capacity to truly alter the flow of Pakistan&rsquo;s lifeblood&mdash;the western rivers of the Indus Basin&mdash;is severely constrained by both legal and physical limitations. What we are witnessing is a psychological manoeuvre, not a water war.
&nbsp;
Strategic Theatre, Limited Leverage
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, divided the six rivers of the Indus system between the two nations: India received control of the eastern rivers&mdash;Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej&mdash;while Pakistan was granted exclusive use of the western rivers&mdash;Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. Crucially, India has&nbsp;no legal authority&nbsp;to divert or stop the flow of these western rivers. It is permitted to construct run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects without storage capacity, but not dams or canals that could significantly affect water flow.
Thus, the notion that India could choke Pakistan&rsquo;s rivers is a political illusion rather than an actionable reality. Even if India were to fast-track hydropower projects or other infrastructure along the western rivers, such efforts would take years and face intense international scrutiny and likely legal arbitration. Any attempt to withhold or divert water would violate treaty provisions and almost certainly provoke a diplomatic standoff, not to mention potential international condemnation.
&nbsp;
The Spectre of Crisis, Not the Substance
What this suspension does achieve is narrative disruption&mdash;particularly within Pakistan. The image of a hostile upstream neighbour wielding control over a vital resource is enough to stir public anxiety and fuel political debate in Islamabad. But in terms of actual impact, the immediate consequences on water flow are minimal&mdash;estimated at no more than 5 to 10 percent, primarily from the eastern rivers. The vast majority of Pakistan&rsquo;s irrigation supply from the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab remains untouched.
Nevertheless, in a country where 80% of the population depends on the Indus Basin and 16 million hectares of cultivated land draw sustenance from its waters, even the suggestion of disruption touches a nerve. Agriculture accounts for nearly a quarter of Pakistan&rsquo;s GDP and employs over a third of its labour force. With water-intensive crops like wheat, rice, cotton, and sugarcane dominating the landscape, the psychological effect of this development could exacerbate fears in an already water-stressed nation.
&nbsp;
A Precarious Context
Pakistan&rsquo;s economic position is already perilous. With public debt soaring to Rs 72.1 trillion and modest GDP growth projections of just 2.6% for FY2024-25, the country&rsquo;s fiscal health is on life support. Its agricultural exports&mdash;vital for foreign exchange&mdash;are vulnerable to any real or perceived threat to water availability. Even a marginal decline in irrigation could translate into reduced crop yields, inflationary pressures, and growing food insecurity.
However, one must distinguish perception from policy. While India&rsquo;s treaty suspension is being interpreted by many Pakistani commentators as a direct attack on their economic core, it is, in fact, a message cloaked in legal ambiguity and diplomatic restraint. It is a warning shot, not an act of war.
&nbsp;
Energy and Ecology: Tangential Victims
Pakistan&rsquo;s dependence on hydropower further complicates matters. With several major dams like Tarbela and Mangla located on the Indus and Jhelum, any disruption&mdash;even seasonal&mdash;can affect electricity generation. Yet again, without concrete Indian action on the ground, these remain theoretical concerns. The energy crisis, like the agricultural one, is not a product of Indian interference, but of structural inefficiencies within Pakistan&rsquo;s governance and planning.
&nbsp;
The Geopolitical Play
What India&rsquo;s move signals is not an imminent water blockade, but a shift in posture. For decades, New Delhi has maintained adherence to the IWT&mdash;even during periods of full-scale war. The decision to suspend the treaty&mdash;however symbolic&mdash;marks a recalibration. It introduces water as a variable in India&rsquo;s strategic toolkit, though still constrained by international law and basin hydrology.
This development must be understood less as a geopolitical earthquake and more as a calibrated tremor. India is laying down a marker: that continued cross-border terrorism will not be met solely with diplomatic demarches or border skirmishes, but with tools that impose reputational, psychological, and potentially economic costs on Pakistan.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;A Calculated Signal, Not a Catastrophe
The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is less a prelude to ecological war and more a piece of strategic signalling. India has not gained the ability to divert Pakistan&rsquo;s rivers, nor has it launched any dam-building spree on the western basin. What it has done is assert a new tone&mdash;one of intolerance for inaction on terrorism, and a willingness to explore unconventional levers of pressure.
For Pakistan, the alarm bells are ringing more from within than across the border. Its agriculture sector, economy, and water infrastructure are under threat not from Indian engineering but from domestic mismanagement, climate stress, and institutional fragility. India&rsquo;s gesture may not bring Pakistan to its knees, but it has served as a stark reminder of just how exposed Islamabad remains in the face of non-military coercion.
In South Asia&rsquo;s evolving strategic grammar, water is no longer just a shared resource&mdash;it is a geopolitical instrument. But as India sharpens this tool, it must wield it with caution, lest it cut deeper into the region&rsquo;s fragile stability.

Treaty suspension stirs headlines, but India can’t halt key Indus waters flowing to Pakistan

India’s Indus Move: Bark Louder Than Bite

India Suspends Indus Waters Treaty, Closes Border, Expels Diplomats in Stern Retaliation to Pahalgam Terror Attack
&nbsp;
In an unambiguous and forceful response to the brutal terrorist assault in Jammu &amp; Kashmir&rsquo;s Pahalgam, the Government of India has taken the unprecedented step of suspending the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. Announcing the decision, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed the press in New Delhi, conveying the Government&rsquo;s outrage and resolute measures following the grievous attack which left 26 dead, including one foreign national.
The decision, taken at the highest level by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), signals a fundamental shift in India&rsquo;s approach towards Pakistan in light of what are now confirmed to be&nbsp;cross-border linkages&nbsp;uncovered during the early phases of investigation.
The terror strike in Pahalgam, which took place just a day ago, targeted a civilian convoy and is believed to have been meticulously coordinated with support emanating from across the Line of Control. This marks one of the deadliest terror incidents in the region in recent years.
Effective immediately, the following diplomatic and strategic actions have been enforced by the Government of India:
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty: India will no longer honour the provisions of the 1960 treaty brokered by the World Bank. This decision places the water-sharing agreement in complete abeyance and renders India unbound by its obligations henceforth.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Closure of the Wagah-Attari Border Crossing: All civilian and commercial movement across the Attari-Wagah border has been halted with immediate effect.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Visa Cancellations: All SAARC visas issued to Pakistani nationals stand revoked. All Pakistani citizens residing in India under these provisions have been instructed to depart the country by&nbsp;1st May.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Expulsion of Defence Personnel: Three Pakistani military attaches posted at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi have been declared&nbsp;persona non grata&nbsp;and instructed to leave Indian soil forthwith. In a reciprocal move, India will withdraw its own three defence attaches, along with five support staff, from its High Commission in Islamabad. Their families will also return.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Diplomatic Downsizing: The strength of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has been capped at 30 officials, down from the existing 55. India&rsquo;s mission in Islamabad will be maintained at parity.</li>
</ol>
In parallel, the&nbsp;Jammu and Kashmir Police&nbsp;has announced a&nbsp;Rs 20 lakh&nbsp;reward for credible information leading to the apprehension of the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack.
The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that this is not merely a diplomatic gesture, but a strategic shift in posture. &ldquo;There must be consequences for states that continue to sponsor, shelter and glorify terror,&rdquo; Misri said sternly, adding that India will not countenance any further provocations.
This marks a pivotal moment in Indo-Pak relations, potentially redrawing the contours of bilateral engagement in the months to come.
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired Cabinet Committee on Security meeting

India signals unprecedented resolve—stronger action likely than in past terror responses

India Suspends Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan

India&rsquo;s Strategic Retaliation After Pahalgam Carnage: Indus Waters Treaty Suspended, Diplomatic Ties with Pakistan Scaled Down
&nbsp;
In a decisive and unprecedented response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where four gunmen targeted and killed 26 Indian tourists and injured 20 others, the Indian government has launched a full-spectrum diplomatic and strategic offensive against Pakistan. The attack, marked by a chilling selection of victims based on religious identity, has once again underscored the long-standing issue of cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan as an instrument of asymmetric warfare.
In a development with far-reaching consequences, New Delhi suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a historic water-sharing agreement signed in 1960 under the aegis of the World Bank. This marks the first time India has officially halted cooperation under the treaty, which had until now endured wars and diplomatic ruptures. The suspension sends an unmistakable signal&mdash;not just to Islamabad but also to the international community&mdash;that India&rsquo;s patience is no longer infinite when it comes to terror emanating from Pakistani soil.
Following the attack, India wasted no time in summoning Pakistan&rsquo;s High Commissioner, Saad Ahmad Warraich. He was handed a formal demarche along with a notice declaring Pakistan&rsquo;s military attach&eacute;s in New Delhi as&nbsp;persona non grata. India has ordered the expulsion of Pakistan&rsquo;s defence, naval, and air advisors, while simultaneously withdrawing its own military personnel from Islamabad. All associated staff are to leave within a week. These actions represent a sharp downgrading of diplomatic ties and come with a broader recalibration of India&rsquo;s approach to Pakistan&rsquo;s military-diplomatic channels, which New Delhi increasingly views as compromised by duplicity and hostility.
Simultaneously, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), where Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and S. Jaishankar discussed a suite of punitive measures, backed by the security establishment. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is also set to lead an all-party meeting to build national consensus and brief the opposition on the evolving Indo-Pak stance. The meeting signals both transparency in governance and the gravity with which the Modi government views Pakistan&rsquo;s continued use of terrorism as a foreign policy lever.
In a sharp rebuke to people-to-people initiatives, India announced the closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari&mdash;the last remaining land route for ordinary movement between the two nations. Pakistani nationals currently in India have been directed to return home by May 1, after which overland access will be suspended indefinitely. Furthermore, all SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) privileges for Pakistani citizens have been revoked. These measures effectively dismantle the limited people-to-people engagement that still existed between the two countries.
India and Pakistan will also reduce their respective High Commission staff strength from 55 to 30 by the same deadline, reflecting the plummeting bilateral trust. This is not merely symbolic&mdash;it denotes a significant freeze in official interactions and intelligence-sharing mechanisms, which were already under considerable strain.
The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, however, stands out as the most significant escalation. The Treaty had survived multiple wars, including the 1965 and 1971 conflicts, and was often cited as an example of functional diplomacy even amidst enmity. Its suspension signals a departure from India&rsquo;s traditional restraint. It places immense pressure on Pakistan&rsquo;s agrarian economy, heavily dependent on the western rivers of the Indus system. New Delhi has now signalled it will revisit its approach to river water allocations unless Islamabad dismantles the infrastructure of terrorism operating from its territory.
Predictably, Islamabad has reacted with alarm. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC), a platform typically reserved for wartime decision-making and existential crises. Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar lashed out at New Delhi, calling the moves &ldquo;unserious&rdquo; and &ldquo;reactionary&rdquo;, while denying any Pakistani involvement in the Pahalgam carnage. He claimed India had failed to produce conclusive evidence and accused it of scapegoating Pakistan in times of internal security challenges.
However, Pakistan&rsquo;s repeated denials hold diminishing value in the face of mounting international intelligence linking Pakistan-based terror outfits&mdash;like The Resistance Front, a known front for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba&mdash;to multiple attacks on Indian soil. India&rsquo;s decision to escalate is rooted not just in outrage over Pahalgam, but also in a calculated belief that its tolerance for &ldquo;strategic patience&rdquo; has been systematically abused.
The Indian security apparatus has been placed on the highest state of alert. A fresh National Investigation Agency (NIA) team is on the ground in Pahalgam, coordinating with local authorities to trace the attack&rsquo;s masterminds and identify their handlers. Simultaneously, Indian diplomatic missions are being tasked with reviving efforts for international cooperation on extraditing known terrorists and proscribing Pakistan-based terror groups under global conventions.
New Delhi&rsquo;s message is unequivocal: it will no longer allow political ambiguity or diplomatic niceties to shield Pakistan&rsquo;s support for terrorism. With the Indus Waters Treaty now in abeyance, military attach&eacute;s expelled, and diplomatic ties downgraded, a new phase of Indo-Pak relations has begun&mdash;one in which New Delhi seeks to redefine the cost of cross-border terrorism through calibrated, strategic pressure.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Pakistan panics as India retaliates; Sharif calls NSC meet amid diplomatic heat

India Summons Pak Envoy, All-Party Meet Today

INS Surat Demonstrates Strategic Missile Defence Capabilities in Arabian Sea
&nbsp;
In a significant display of naval prowess, the Indian Navy's advanced guided missile destroyer INS Surat has successfully conducted a test-firing of the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) system in the Arabian Sea. The precision test, which involved engaging a sea-skimming target, represents a critical enhancement of India's maritime air Defence capabilities.
Defence analysts note the timing of this test is particularly significant, occurring shortly before Pakistan Navy's scheduled surface-to-surface missile testing in the same maritime zone. The demonstration highlights India's operational readiness in a region of increasing strategic importance.
"This test validates not only the technical capabilities of our weapons systems but also the tactical integration essential for effective area air defence in contested maritime environments," a senior naval officer told this publication on condition of anonymity.
The MR-SAM system, a product of joint development between India's Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is specifically designed to counter sophisticated aerial threats. With an operational range of 70 kilometres and weighing 275 kilograms, the 4.5-meter missile has a flight time of 230 seconds &ndash; critical specifications that enable rapid engagement of incoming threats from multiple vectors.
The Indian Navy confirmed the successful test through its official social media channels, stating: "Indian Navy's latest indigenous guided missile destroyer INS Surat successfully carried out a precision cooperative engagement of a sea skimming target, marking another milestone in strengthening our defence capabilities."
Maritime security experts emphasize that the system's ability to neutralize sea-skimming missiles is particularly valuable, as these low-altitude threats are among the most challenging to detect and intercept in naval warfare scenarios.
INS Surat, the final vessel of the P15B Guided Missile Destroyer Project, represents the pinnacle of India's naval shipbuilding program. With 75% indigenous content, the warship exemplifies India's push toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The destroyer's state-of-the-art weapon-sensor package includes advanced network-centric warfare capabilities that place it among the elite warships operating in the Indo-Pacific region.
The successful missile test follows recent naval diplomatic engagements in East Africa. Indian Naval ships INS Chennai and INS Kesari concluded the inaugural AIKEYME exercise with Tanzania on April 19. The departure ceremony at Dar es Salaam was attended by Rear Admiral AR Hassan, Navy Commander of the Tanzania People's Defence Force, and Commodore Agyapal Singh, Defence Attach&eacute; of India, underscoring the expanding maritime cooperation across the Indian Ocean Region.
The closing ceremony of the AIKEYME Exercise was attended by Major General Gaguti, Chief of Personnel of the Tanzania People's Defence Force, further cementing India's naval diplomacy initiatives in strategically vital waters.
As tensions persist in the maritime domain, particularly in the Arabian Sea and wider Indian Ocean Region, this demonstration of advanced missile defence capabilities signals India's determination to maintain its strategic edge in regional security dynamics.
&nbsp;

Indian Navy Tested Surface Air Missile in the Arabian Sea

Indian Defence Forces Advance Maritime Security Capabilities With Strategic MR-SAM Test

India Tests Surface-to-Air Missile in Arabian Sea

The Commissionerate Police on Tuesday rescued a nine-year-old boy unharmed within six hours of his kidnapping from the Nirakarpur area of Odisha's Khurdha district, police said. 
The policemen also arrested seven persons, including two women involved in the kidnapping case. The accused were identified as Subhrakant Mohapatra (22) alias Basuni, Somnath Das (21), Chinmaya Kumar Nayak (22), Sandip Routray (22), Sagar Nayak (21), Sujata Jena (19) and Nibedita Das (20). 
The main conspirator in the case, Subhrakant is the cousin of victim Pratyush's tuition teacher and also belongs to the victim's village Panchagaon under Airfield police limits in Bhubaneswar. 
"Police received the information regarding the kidnapping at around 10:30 a.m. today. It was prima facie ascertained that the kidnapping was committed for ransom. There is a danger to the child in such a sensitive case so we carried out an intense operation constituting four teams," said Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh. 
Singh also added that the victim was finally rescued unharmed from the rented accommodation of accused Somnath Das and Chinmaya at Nirakarpur in Khurdha district. The accused, who kept the child captive at Nirakarpur, were also arrested by police. 
The prime accused Subhrakant, who also hails from the same village has close acquaintance with victim Pratyush's family. 
The prime accused who was aware that the minor's father Arta Ranjan Kalia has received a large sum of money by selling a land plot in the area executed the kidnapping to extort ransom from him. 
As per the plan, while Pratyush was returning home from school on Tuesday morning, Subhrakant kidnapped the victim on the pretext of taking him to the doctor for treatment. 
Meanwhile, the accused persons telephoned the victim's parent asking them for ransom. They threatened to kill the minor if the ransom was not paid. Meanwhile, after handing over the child to other accused persons, Subhrakant returned to the village and narrated a false story before the victim's parents that the kidnappers took away the minor boy by threatening him with a gun. 
However, the police suspected Subhrakant and succeeded in rescuing the victim by tracking the phone number of Subhrakant and other accused.&nbsp;
&mdash;IANS
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Odisha police rescue kidnapped boy, arrest suspects

Bhubaneswar cops track down abductors using phone data, child found safe in Khurdha

Odisha Boy Rescued, 7 Held for Abduction

Washington backpedals on trade war as Trump hints at tariff rollback amid legal backlash from states
In what appears to be a marked reversal of his hardline trade policy, President Donald Trump on Wednesday hinted at the possibility of a &ldquo;special deal&rdquo; with China, signalling potential cuts in punitive tariffs his administration had previously imposed. The announcement coincides with a significant legal challenge from a coalition of 12 U.S. states suing the administration over its tariff regime, deepening the political and economic turmoil sparked by Washington&rsquo;s ongoing trade war.
Trump&rsquo;s comments, delivered during a press briefing at the White House, suggest his administration is actively considering reducing tariffs on Chinese imports from their current peak of 145 percent to a range between 50 and 65 percent. In some cases, the rate could fall to as low as 35 percent, particularly on goods deemed non-critical to national security. &ldquo;Maybe we&rsquo;ll make a special deal,&rdquo; Trump said, adding that Chinese officials were being invited to Washington for further negotiations. &ldquo;I hope we can make a deal. Otherwise, we&rsquo;ll set a price,&rdquo; he declared.
The timing of Trump&rsquo;s softening stance is no coincidence. Just a day earlier, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly told a closed-door meeting that the current tariff levels were &ldquo;unsustainable&rdquo;, a rare public crack in the administration&rsquo;s typically united trade front. The remarks suggest growing internal dissent, perhaps fuelled by months of market volatility, inflationary pressures, and the slow bleed of American agricultural and manufacturing exports.
Legal pressure mounts
Compounding the policy rethink is a lawsuit filed on Wednesday at the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York by attorneys general from a dozen states. The suit contends that the administration&rsquo;s tariff policy lacks legal foundation and accuses President Trump of acting on &ldquo;whims rather than the sound exercise of lawful authority.&rdquo; At the heart of the case is the White House&rsquo;s reliance on the&nbsp;International Emergency Economic Powers Act&nbsp;(IEEPA), a statute critics argue was never intended to support broad tariff powers absent Congressional approval.
The plaintiffs seek a declaration from the court that the tariffs are unlawful and an injunction to prevent federal agencies from enforcing them. &ldquo;This legal challenge is about restoring constitutional order and protecting our states from arbitrary economic harm,&rdquo; said one state attorney general involved in the suit.
Economic blowback and political retreat
This is not Trump&rsquo;s first tariff retreat. In the early months of his first term, he imposed sweeping 26 percent tariffs on imports from over 180 countries under the guise of enforcing reciprocal trade. Amid backlash and a stock market rout, the administration walked back the policy, slashing rates to 10 percent and introducing a temporary 90-day moratorium. The current climbdown bears an uncanny resemblance, further fuelling concerns among business leaders and investors about the unpredictability of U.S. trade policy.
Market reaction to the latest developments was broadly positive, with equities rebounding on hopes of de-escalation in U.S.-China tensions. But the damage to global trade sentiment has already been done. The whiplash from Washington's policy reversals has sent shockwaves through supply chains and financial markets, with the two-month period following Trump&rsquo;s inauguration marking one of the steepest early-term declines in global equities.
A flawed political calculus
Throughout his presidency, Trump has portrayed tariffs as a populist tool to &ldquo;Make America Great Again&rdquo; and reclaim manufacturing jobs lost to overseas competition. At one point, he even suggested that once the U.S. achieved economic self-sufficiency, Americans might no longer need to pay income tax&mdash;a claim widely dismissed by economists as fanciful. In reality, his administration appeared intent on using indirect taxes&mdash;tariffs on consumer imports&mdash;to plug gaps in revenue left by cuts to direct taxation.
Beijing, for its part, has responded in kind. Chinese tariffs on American goods now stand at up to 125 percent, further entrenching the tit-for-tat dynamic that has paralysed global trade diplomacy. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun rebuked Washington&rsquo;s approach, stating: &ldquo;If the U.S. truly wants to resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation, it should stop making threats and resorting to coercion.&rdquo;
As talks between the two superpowers remain ongoing, Trump&rsquo;s wavering signals a broader shift: from economic nationalism towards damage control. Whether this recalibration will lead to a coherent and sustainable trade policy remains to be seen. For now, America&rsquo;s tariff strategy appears to be caught in a cycle of escalation, backlash, and retreat&mdash;an erratic dance with high stakes for both the global economy and Trump&rsquo;s political legacy.
&nbsp;

US-China trade War (image courtesy - Council of Relations)

12 U.S. states sue Trump administration in court over legality of chaotic tariff policies

Trump Backtracks on Harsh Tariffs Against China

In the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the government has organized four special evacuation flights from Srinagar&mdash;two each for Delhi and Mumbai, according to a statement from the Civil Aviation Ministry on Wednesday.
Air India confirmed that it will be operating two flights on Wednesday, April 23rd, from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai. The flight to Delhi will depart at 11.30 am, and the one to Mumbai will take off at noon.
Given the current developments, &ldquo;More flights are ready and will be scheduled if there is more demand,&rdquo; said the ministry.
Along with Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express and Akasa Air are offering complimentary rescheduling and full refunds to passengers with confirmed bookings.
To ensure that airlines don't raise prices during this crisis, Civil Aviation Minister Naidu held an urgent meeting with airline representatives, instructing them to keep fares at regular levels.
&ldquo;Airlines have been directed to maintain standard pricing to avoid causing any additional financial burden on travellers during this difficult time,&rdquo; the statement read.
&ldquo;He spoke with the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra to assist in bringing residents from the state back safely. He also briefed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu about the ongoing situation,&rdquo; the statement concluded.
The minister also coordinated with state governments to help tourists get back home safely.
The combined response from the government and airlines aims to ease the burden on travellers, providing crucial support during a time of crisis and ensuring a smooth return for those affected. <a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb34ERXCnA7lrMp57S3N" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Follow the Benefit News channel on WhatsApp</a>

Airlines and govt offer flexible travel options, prevent fare hikes for those affected by Kashmir attack

Evacuation Flights Launched from Srinagar After Pahalgam Attack

"US Signals Shift on Tariffs, Raising Hopes for Global Trade Stabilisation"
In what may mark a pivotal turn in global trade dynamics, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has declared the ongoing trade war between the United States and China &ldquo;unsustainable&rdquo;, offering markets and multilateral trade actors a signal of potential de-escalation after years of tariff-driven tensions.
Speaking at a private financial forum in Washington, Bessent outlined the disproportionate economic toll of the current tariff regime&mdash;145% duties on Chinese exports to the US, and 125% on American goods entering China&mdash;characterising the state of bilateral trade as tantamount to a &ldquo;mutual embargo&rdquo;. His remarks, although delivered in a closed-door session, have swiftly reverberated through the corridors of international finance and diplomacy.
The affirmation that the world&rsquo;s two largest economies may seek a path towards easing trade hostilities comes as a relief to global investors and manufacturers alike. Since the initial wave of tariffs introduced under President Donald Trump&rsquo;s administration, global supply chains have suffered repeated disruptions, and emerging markets have borne the brunt of reduced trade volumes and heightened volatility. The ripple effect has extended well beyond China and the US, dampening investment sentiment worldwide.
Bessent&rsquo;s acknowledgment that current conditions are unsustainable introduces a more conciliatory note into what has been, until now, a highly adversarial trade posture. Notably, he indicated that a comprehensive trade agreement might be within reach in the next two to three years&mdash;an ambitious, if cautiously optimistic, horizon that suggests a willingness within the US administration to gradually unwind the punitive measures.
Though negotiations with Beijing have reportedly not yet resumed in earnest, the mere suggestion of re-engagement has helped buoy investor confidence. Stock markets, which had been under sustained pressure from protectionist rhetoric and erratic policy shifts, rallied on the back of Bessent&rsquo;s comments. Analysts suggest that the removal&mdash;or even reduction&mdash;of tariffs could revive cross-border trade orders that had been suspended, and restore trust in a rules-based global trading system.
The Treasury Secretary's message stands in contrast to the more hawkish tone that has frequently emerged from the White House in recent months. President Trump has continued to insist that the US is &ldquo;doing fine&rdquo; with China and dismissed any notion of striking a hard bargain. However, behind closed doors, signs of a softening stance are emerging, with multiple reports indicating that Washington is exploring new trade agreements not only with Beijing, but also with Tokyo and New Delhi.
The global business community will be closely watching the upcoming spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank for further clues on whether the US intends to pivot towards multilateral cooperation, or if the administration&rsquo;s approach will remain anchored in bilateralism and economic nationalism.
Bessent&rsquo;s statements, though cautious, represent a potential inflection point. They underscore the reality that economic interdependence between the US and China is too deeply entrenched to be unwound without serious collateral damage. A shift towards stabilisation, even if gradual, could breathe new life into a global trade system battered by years of uncertainty, reestablishing confidence in the principles of open commerce and strategic diplomacy.
As the world&rsquo;s two largest economies edge towards re-engagement, the focus must now turn to whether rhetoric will be matched by action&mdash;and whether the scars of the tariff war can be healed through pragmatic policymaking and mutual economic interest.
The US-China trade war, now stretching into its seventh year, remains one of the defining features of modern economic geopolitics. Initiated in 2018 under the Trump administration, the tariff dispute was originally aimed at addressing intellectual property concerns, market access, and the structural trade imbalance. Over time, it evolved into a broader strategic rivalry, extending beyond trade into technology, investment, and industrial policy.
As of 2025, punitive tariffs remain deeply entrenched&mdash;145% on Chinese exports to the US, and 125% on American goods entering China. These extraordinary levels of taxation have strained businesses on both sides and distorted global trade flows, with multinational firms rerouting supply chains and diversifying sourcing strategies to mitigate risk.
Despite intermittent talks and partial agreements, a comprehensive settlement has proved elusive. However, recent comments from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, signalling that the current arrangement is &ldquo;unsustainable&rdquo;, suggest that both Washington and Beijing may be approaching a point of recalibration. The prolonged conflict has not only stifled global trade growth but has also eroded investor confidence in the predictability of cross-border commerce.
As the world economy grapples with post-pandemic recovery, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical fragmentation, a genuine thaw in US-China trade relations could offer much-needed stability and signal a shift towards pragmatic economic diplomacy.

US-China tariff thaw could revive global trade flows and stabilise investor confidence

Scott Hints at Trade Truce, Markets See Hope

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck near Istanbul, Turkey&rsquo;s emergency management agency reported on Wednesday.
The tremor, centered in the Sea of Marmara about 40 kilometres southwest of Istanbul, was felt in surrounding regions, though no casualties or major damage have been reported so far.
The first tremor of 3.9 magnitude hit the coast of the Silivri district at 12.13 local time (10.13 BST).&nbsp;The second was of 6.2 magnitude and hit the same area at 12.49 (10.49 BST). It was&nbsp;also felt in Greece, Romania and Bulgaria.
The third quake of 4.4 magnitude in Istanbul&rsquo;s Buyukcekmece district hit at 12.51 local time (10.51 BST)
The United States Geological Survey confirmed the quake&rsquo;s magnitude and noted it occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, increasing the likelihood of it being widely felt. It was followed by several aftershocks, including one measuring 5.3. The disaster and emergency management agency urged residents to stay away from buildings.
In a post on social media platform X, Turkey&rsquo;s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said, &ldquo;An earthquake of magnitude 6.2 occurred in Silivri, Marmara Sea, Istanbul. All teams from AFAD and our relevant institutions have started field scans regarding the earthquake that was also felt in the surrounding provinces. I offer my best wishes to our citizens affected by the earthquake. May Allah protect our country and our nation from disasters.
Turkey is highly prone to earthquakes due to its position at the intersection of multiple major tectonic plates. The country lies along two significant fault lines&mdash;the North Anatolian Fault and the East Anatolian Fault&mdash;making seismic activity a frequent and serious risk.
Historically, Turkey has experienced numerous devastating earthquakes. Notably, a 7.8 magnitude quake in 1939 killed over 32,000 people, while another in 1999 claimed more than 17,000 lives.
More recently, on February 6, 2023, a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake and its powerful aftershock devastated southern Turkey, killing over 53,000 people and causing additional fatalities in northern Syria.
Turkey&rsquo;s seismic vulnerability is driven by the movement of the Anatolian Plate, squeezed between the Eurasian Plate to the north, the Arabian Plate to the east, and the African Plate to the south. The constant tectonic pressure in this region often results in destructive earthquakes.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and are urging citizens to stay alert and follow official safety guidelines, Xinhua news agency reported.
(with inputs from IANS) 
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Epicentre at Sea of Marmara about 40 km southwest of Istanbul

Sea of Marmara epicentre of quake; tremors felt in Greece, Romania & Bulgaria