Wednesday, April 30, 2025 | 31 Pages | `5 & for State (+4 pages) `6 Reg.No MCS/048/2021-23; RNI No. 1541/1957 M.p.c.s office Mumbai. PIN 400001 THE FREE PRESS JOURNAL Vol. 68 No. 177 | Leader in E-paper circulation l www.freepressjournal.in ● EDITIONS: ● MUMBAI ● INDORE ● PUNE ● BHOPAL ● NASHIK ● KONKAN ● E-paper ● Member: Audit Bureau of Circulation (July to December 2024) GAMES NATION Indian Army, Central Armed Police Forces conduct joint training exercise ‘Sanyukt Abhyas’ Cinema Did Vicky get his due in Chhaava? Chennai Super Kings will be looking for a turnaround against Punjab Kings today Edit Age no bar: Vaibhav’s brilliant knock CRUSHING BLOW PLANNED | On the eve of a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, PM Modi huddled with top defence and intelligence officials India weighs response to Pahalgam Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar BHAGWAT MEETS PM NEW DELHI A day ahead of the Cabinet Committee on Security’s crucial deliberations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and the chiefs of the armed forces to assess India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists in the blood- soaked meadows of Baisaran. “India is determined to deliver a crushing blow to terrorism,” the Prime Minister was quoted as saying by government sources, signalling the 54 Kashmir tourist spots off limits M Saleem Pandit SRINAGAR Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday announced shut-down of 54 tourist spots as part of a region-wide security clampdown. However, several major destinations remain open under tight security. An official circular outlines a district-wise shut-down, while select sites are guarded by CAPF, CRPF, and QRT teams. In Bandipora, Gurez Valley is closed at Sumbal, while Athwatoo and Wullar Vantage Park stay open with CRPF protection. Budgam’s Tousimaidan Briefs Trust on infra investment In a major move to boost infrastructure development and raise capital for key projects like roads and bridges, the Maharashtra state government has granted approval for the establishment of the Maha InvIT (Maharashtra Infrastructure Investment Trust). With this decision, Maharashtra becomes the first state in India to set up such a trust. The Maha InvIT will provide a new platform for fundraising, facilitating both private and public investors to participate and earn stable returns. SEE CITY Sweden Shootout Several people have been killed in a shooting at a hair salon in the Swedish town of Uppsala, local media reported. Police said they received emergency calls from the public who reported hearing loud bangs resembling gunfire near Vaksala Square in the city centre. The attack occurred on the eve of the Walpurgis spring festival, an event that draws large crowds into the streets. and Doodpathri are blocked, but Shopian’s Pir Ki Gali is operational with strong deployment. Baramulla’s Gulmarg functions under a six-point grid, while nearby sites like Habba Khatoon remain shut. In Srinagar, areas like Boulevard Road and Mughal Gardens are open with security, while Harwan resorts and Dachigam’s trout farm are closed.  Kokernag Garden in Anantnag is active with tourist police, but Verinag remains shut. Sonamarg, Aharbal, and Thajwas Glacier are accessible with joint forces on patrol. 4Contd on | nation likelihood of a strong retaliatory move. The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, was marked by an atmosphere of steely determination. According to sources, it was not a forum for bellicose rhetoric but one of quiet, methodical planning. 4Contd on | nation MUMBAI The Maharashtra government has announced a financial assistance of ₹50 lakh for each families of the six victims from the state who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack. The announcement was made during the state cabinet meeting on Tuesday, where Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid heartfelt tribute to the victims. In addition to financial aid, the government will also support the affected families in matters related to education and employment. Chief Minister Fadnavis announced that Asavari Jagdale, daughter of Santosh Jagdale from Pune who was killed in the Pahalgam attack, will be given a government job. Asav- Liberals take Canada in poll shake-up FPJ News Service MUMBAI In a dramatic political reversal, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party clinched a decisive victory in the federal election, riding a wave of nationalist backlash against U.S. President Donald Trump's inflammatory rhetoric and aggressive trade war tactics. Carney’s rival, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, suffered a humiliating defeat, losing his Ottawa parliamentary seat, according to projections by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on Tuesday. Just months ago, Poilievre had been considered a frontrunner, with polls predicting a Conservative resurgence after a decade in Mark Carney wins Canadian election, Conservative Pierre Poilievre and proKhalistani Jagmeet Singh lose seats in a major political upheaval the wilderness. But Trump’s sudden trade hostilities with Canada — including tariff hikes, supply-chain threats, and an astonishing call for Canada to become the “51st U.S. state” — shocked Canadian voters and radically altered the political landscape. SEE WORLD 4Contd on | nation PM reaches out: Reboot on cards PM Modi on Tuesday congratulated Canadian PM Mark Carney on the Liberal Party's election win, expressing hope for a renewed and constructive bilateral relationship. Modi highlighted the shared democratic values and strong people-to-people connections between India and Canada, saying he looked forward to unlocking greater opportunities for citizens of both nations. 4Contd on | nation NOTHING WRONG IN USING SPYWARE FOR SECURITY: SC Online Report NEW DELHI The Supreme Court on Tuesday said there was nothing wrong in the country using a spyware for its security but allegations of it being used against private individuals will be looked into. The Bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh was hearing petitions alleging use of Pegasus spyware by the Government of India to snoop on journalists, judges, activists and others, report Live Law and Bar and Bench. In a reference to the ongoing security situation in the country, the Court remarked that one must be careful in these times. When a senior advocate representing some of the petitions submitted that nothing was stopping the State from using the spyware if it has been purchased, the Court said, "What is wrong if the country is using that spyware against the adverse elements? 4Contd on | nation offgrid Fire at Siddique’s Bandra Mall FPJ News Service MUMBAI PIC: VIJAY GOHIL A massive fire broke out early Tuesday morning at Link Square Mall on Linking Road in Bandra West reportedly owned by the Baba Siddique family. Although no injuries were reported, the blaze gutted several electronic goods stores, mobile shops, perfume outlets, and popular eateries—located on the terrace of the commercial complex. Due to the thick smoke and low visibility, a hightech 'Fire Robot' was deployed to aid firefighters in the operation. Additionally, personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were brought in to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading further. After more than 12 hours of intense firefighting efforts, the flames were finally brought under control by evening. The fire broke out around 4 AM on Tuesday at the Croma showroom located in the basement of the Link Square Mall, a basement-plus-threestorey commercial complex on Linking Road in Bandra West reportedly owned by the family of the slain exminister Baba Siddique. SEE CITY 4Contd on | nation Agencies UNITED NATIONS: ari has thanked the Chief Minister for this decision. The decision follows earlier discussions where the government had proposed such a move. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also announced that direct family members of the deceased who are facing employment challenges will be offered government jobs. “Through this decision, we want to send a clear message that the state government firmly stands with those who lost their lives resisting terrorism. India said that the "strong, unequivocal" support and solidarity extended by global leaders in the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam is a testimony to the international community's "zero tolerance" for terrorism. "The Pahalgam terrorist attack represents the largest number of civilian casualties since the horrific 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008," India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Yojna Patel, said. She was speaking at the hybrid launch event for the 'Victims of Terrorism Association Network' (VoTAN) of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism at the world body's headquarters on Monday. "Having been a victim of cross-border terrorism for decades, India fully understands the long-lasting impact such acts have on victims, their families and society," Patel added. Patel said that the open confession of Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitting to his country's history of supporting and funding terrorist organisations exposes Pakistan as a "rogue state" fuelling global terrorism and destabilising the region. 4Contd on | nation 4Contd on | nation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat met PM Modi at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi on Tuesday evening. It followed a high-level review chaired by the Prime Minister earlier in the day to assess India’s response to the terror attack in Pahalgam. 4Contd on | nation `50 LAKH FOR KIN OF TERROR ATTACK: CM Prajakta Pol India pins ‘rogue state’ label on Pak Congress for special session on attack Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar NEW DELHI Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and to send across the message that “at this critical time, India must show that we will always stand together against terrorism”. Gandhi, who is Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, wrote in the letter, dated April 28, that “the terrorist attack in Pahalgam has outraged every Indian”. Therefore, he added that “the Opposition believes that a special session of both Houses of Parliament should be convened, where the representatives of the people can show their unity and determination”. Gandhi urged that this special session be convened at the earliest. He also posted about the letter on “X” and wrote how demonstrating unity was the need of the hour. Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also wrote about the need for a special session by posting on “X” about how, “On Feb 22, 1994, 4Contd on | nation