FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLI No. 317 | INDORE | FRIDAY | APRIL 25, 2025 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in Sports SACHIN @52 P.13 ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE UJJAIN WORLD PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit Terror fails, India unites P.6 China pushes for tariff ban to end US trade war Cinema War, not words P.14 PAHALGAM TERROR ATTACK | PM Modi says killers will be pursued ‘to the ends of the earth’, vows to punish terrorists, their backers 'beyond their imagination' IDENTIFY, TRACK & PUNISH All-party meet: Leaders seek action against terror camps PM Modi said the willpower of 140 crore Indians will break the back of patrons of terrorism PTI MADHUBANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday declared that the killers of Pahalgam will be pursued "to the ends of the earth" and promised to "identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers". In his first speech after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed, the prime minister vowed to punish terrorists behind the strike and said India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Modi spoke briefly in English and said, "Friends, today from the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth. India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished." In the stern message, he said, "Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done. The entire nation is firm in this resolve. Everyone who believes in humanity is with us. I thank the people of various countries and their leaders who have stood with us in these times." PTI In a message to Pakistan without naming the country, Modi said he will state it categorically that the terrorists who carried out the attack and those who hatched the conspiracy, they will be punished beyond their imagination. "Punishment will definitely be served." The prime minister said the willpower of 140 crore Indians will break the back of patrons of terrorism. Paying condolences to the victims and their families, he said citizens across the country are in mourning over the brutal manner in which terrorists killed 26 innocent civilians in Kashmir on April 22. The nation stands with their families, he said. Modi, other leaders on the dais and the crowd observed silence to pay homage to the victims of the attack at the beginning of the prime minister's speech. He said people lost their sons, brothers and husbands and noted that the victims belong to different parts of India, be it Bengal, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha and Bihar. "Our sorrow and anger are same from Kargil to Kanniyakumari," he said. 4Continued on | P8 NEW DELHI Daughter of slain Sushil Nathaniel breaks down before his funeral procession in Indore on Thursday. See page 3 Pic: Anand Shivre Visa services to Pak halted India briefs G20 envoys 'Hamas leaders visited PoK' The Ministry of External Affairs announced on Thursday that in continuation of the decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security, the Government was suspending all visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect. Further it said that all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from 27 April 2025. India on Thursday briefed New Delhi-based envoys of almost all G20 nations and those from its strategic partners on the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack and its link to cross-border terrorism, people familiar with the matter said. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri apprised the diplomats about various aspects of Tuesday's terror attack. Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, compared the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam to the October 7, 2023 Hamas strike on Israel, citing similarities in their targeting of civilians and warning of growing coordination among terrorist groups. He linked the Pahalgam attack's timing to the recent visits by Hamas leaders to PoK. Persona Non Grata note to Pak diplomats I ndia has summoned Pakistan's top diplomat in Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich, and handed over the formal Persona Non Grata note for its military diplomats, ac- Rush to return before Attari closes PTI cording to sources. India's action comes after 26 people were killed and several others sustained injuries in the dastardly attack by terrorists on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The attack in the Pahalgam area of Anantnag district turned a place once known for its tranquillity into a site of mourning. IANS NEW DELHI Death threat to Gambhir The head coach of the India men's cricket team, Gautam Gambhir, has found himself at the centre of a security scare after he received threatening emails, Delhi Police said on Thursday. The threats were received on April 22 - the same day terrorists gunned down 26 people, mostly tourists, in Kashmir's Pahalgam -- from a suspicious Gmail account. NEW DELHI Court junks Rana’s plea A Delhi court on Thursday dismissed the plea of jailed 26/11 terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana seeking to talk to his family members. "Not allowed," special Judge Chander Jit Singh held. Rana filed the plea through his lawyer and said talking to his family members was a fundamental right and they must be worried about his well being. The NIA opposed the application, arguing he could share crucial information if allowed to speak with his family. Pakistanis to leave India following the Pahalgam terror attack. 4Continued on | P8 A video has emerged showing a man carrying a cake into the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Thursday, just two days after the brutal terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and a day following India's strong diplomatic retaliation against Blaze in garbage dump near BHEL spreads in surrounding area Fire tenders from CISF, BMC, Raisen rushed to spot 4Continued on | P8 BSF jawan detained by Pak Rangers after accidentally crossing border ually pressed into service. BHEL public relations officer Vinodanand Jha said, "It was garbage, not industrial scrap, that caught fire. The flames spread through dry leaves and bushes in a forest-like zone. Our main plant blocks are nearly a kilometre away, so there is no damage to the infrastructure. The fire originated in a bushcovered area where garbage was dumped." A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan has been detained by Pakistan Rangers after he accidentally crossed the Punjab border and talks are on between the two forces to secure his release, officials said on Thursday. Constable PK Sahu of the 182nd battalion was apprehended by the Pakistan Rangers across the Ferozepur border on Wednesday, they said. Sahu, a resident of West Bengal, was in uniform and carried his service rifle. He was accompanying farmers when he moved ahead to rest in shade and was apprehended by the Rangers. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 BHOPAL A massive fire broke out in a garbage dump near Gate No. 9 (Swarn Jayanti Gate) of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Bhopal on Thursday. Fuelled by dry leaves, bushy vegetation and strong summer winds, the fire spread rapidly across the area. No casualties or property damage were reported. Firefighting operations continued till late afternoon. According to officials, the exact cause of the fire has yet to be ascertained. Several firefighting units, including those from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), Raisen, and BHEL, were deployed to contain the flames. Despite initial efforts by CISF jawans, the fire escalated, prompting the arrival of additional fire engines from the Municipal Corporation and Raisen. BHEL reportedly has only two fire tenders of its own. Foam tenders located within the premises were also used during the operation. Over a dozen fire engines were event- offgrid Air Force, Navy flex muscles FP News Service MUMBAI The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched Exercise Aakraman (Attack) across a vast stretch of the central sector, mobilising its premier fighter aircraft, including French-built Rafale jets, in a show of aerial strength. This comes against the backdrop of rising tensions with Pakistan following the Our Staff Reporter PTI Our Staff Reporter recent Pahalgam terror attack. Defence sources con- firmed that Rafale squadrons based in Ambala and Hashimara are spearhead- ing the exercise. “The cutting-edge jets are executing complex missions, including simulated ground assaults and electronic warfare drills,” they said. Combat aircraft have been deployed from airbases across the country, including from India’s eastern flank, indicating a posture of fullspectrum readiness. 4Continued on | P8 Islamabad says any attempt to divert water under Indus treaty will be met with ‘full force’ FP News Service MUMBAI A day after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and downgraded diplomatic ties following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, Pakistan retaliated with sweeping countermeasures. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) on Thurs- day. The meeting, attended by top civil and military leaders, issued a hardline response, rejecting Indian allegations of cross-border terrorism as “baseless and politically motivated.” Sharif’s office issued a statement describing India's move to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance as a potential “act of war.” Stressing that water from the Indus system is Pakistan’s lifeline, the NSC warned that any attempt to stop or divert it would be viewed as a violation of international law— and would invite a firm response. 4Continued on | P8 RETALIATORY MEASURES n Pakistani airspace closed to Indian airlines n Shimla Agreement and other bilateral treaties suspended n Trade with India halted, including via third countries n SAARC visas cancelled for Indians (except Sikh pilgrims) n Indian citizens ordered to leave within 48 hours n Indus Treaty suspension termed an “act of war” n Pakistan to move World Bank and other international bodies AIR INDIA, INDIGO FLIGHT DISRUPTION: Pakistan’s airspace shutdown on Thursday disrupted international operations of Air India and IndiGo. Air India said flights to North America, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East are being rerouted, causing delays. IndiGo also reported disruptions. ED court rejects bail applications of Saurabh, Sharad BHOPAL NEW DELHI COUNTERSTRIKE n Wagah border crossing shut Islamabad. The visuals have gone viral and triggered widespread outrage across social media platforms. On April 22, terrorists affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terror organisation Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT), carried out a massacre in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam. NEW DELHI rachi had travelled to Delhi to meet their relatives and were rushing back, a day after the Centre set a 48-hour deadline for 4See also | Nation Outrage over cake at Pak High Commission CHANDIGARH The Attari-Wagah border post in Amritsar saw a rush of Pakistanis lining up for a hurried exit on Thursday. "We came here (India) on April 15 and today we are returning home though we had a visa for 45 days," said Shaikh Fazal Ahmad. Ahmad and his family from Ka- Leaders across party lines on Thursday assured their support to the government in taking decisive action against terrorism and destroying terror camps, even as they flagged security lapses in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, where 26 people were gunned down by terrorists. During an all-party meeting to discuss the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the government said it was taking all measures to ensure security. It noted that the attack was aimed at vitiating the atmosphere at a time when the economy was on the upswing and tourism was booming in Jammu and Kashmir. The government did not spell out any kind of action against terrorism during the meeting and the opposition also did not seek any such details. After the meeting, all leaders assured their full support to any government action against the perpetrators of the terror attack. The Enforcement Directorate (ED)’s special court has rejected bail pleas of former transport department constables, Saurabh Sharma and Sharad Jaiswal, in connection with a money laundering case. The order was passed by ED’s special judge, Sachin Kumar Ghosh. Advocate Rajnesh Barrya, representing the accused, confirmed the court's decision to Free Press, stating, “The ED court has rejected bail pleas of Saurabh Sharma and Sharad Jaiswal.” On April 2, the same special court had granted bail to Sharma, his co-accused Chetan Gaur and Jaiswal in a disproportionate assets case filed by the Special Police Establishment (SPE) of Lokayukta. MONEY LAUNDERING CASE The bail was granted after the SPE failed to present a chargesheet against them within 60 days of their arrest. The case traces back to December 18, 2024, when the Lokayukta conducted raids on the residences and offices of Saurabh Sharma and his business associates, Chetan Singh Gaur and Sharad Jaiswal. During raids on the night of December 19-20, 2024, the Income Tax Department seized over 52 kilogrammes of gold and approximately Rs 11 crore in cash from an Innova car abandoned in Mendori forest area, which was owned by Chetan Singh Gaur. 4Continued on | P8 India heads race to strike trade deal with US Agencies WASHINGTON US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said he expects India to strike the first bilateral trade deal to avoid President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs, according to the New York Post. A 26 per cent 'reciprocal' tariff on Indian exports to the US is currently on a 90-day pause, set to expire on July 8. However, like other countries, India is presently subject to a 10 per cent tariff under the existing policy. According to the New York Post, Bessent told a roundtable of about a dozen reporters on Wednesday that trade talks with India are "very close" to reaching a successful conclusion because the world's most populous nation doesn't After Hindenburg report, Mossad hacked Pitroda’s server, tracked Rahul IANS NEW DELHI Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly ordered Mossad to step in and protect Indian billionaire Gautam Adani from a global campaign believed to be orchestrated by Hindenburg Research. Netanyahu took this step because the controversy broke just days before Adani Ports signed a $1.2 billion deal to buy a major stake in Israel's Haifa Port, according to a media report, as he was concerned the report could harm not only the businessman's reputation but also a key economic partnership between India and Israel. Netanyahu, who was personally present during the Haifa deal discussions, reportedly met Gautam Adani in a private session. In that meeting, sources say Netanyahu conveyed deep concerns about the potential sabotage of Israel's strategic interests, suggesting that the report might have been intended to derail not only the Haifa Port transaction but also broader economic and diplomatic cooperation between Israel and India. 4Continued on | P8