In a disturbing incident amidst peak tourist season, five tourists were injured on Monday following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region. The attack occurred in the scenic Baisaran Valley, known for its lush meadows and a favourite among visitors, especially during this time of the year.

Tourists caught in crossfire in remote valley

According to officials, gunshots were heard in the upper reaches of Baisaran Valley, which is only accessible by foot or horseback. The area, popular among trekkers and tourists, quickly turned into a scene of chaos as armed terrorists—reportedly in camouflage—opened fire. It is suspected to be a targeted attack.

Following the attack, security personnel and medical teams rushed to the site. The injured tourists have been provided medical assistance, and an intensive search operation is underway in the forested terrain to locate and neutralize the attackers.

Attack timed ahead of Amarnath Yatra

The attack comes just as preparations are underway for the annual Amarnath Yatra, which is scheduled to commence on July 3. One of the main pilgrimage routes—spanning 48 kilometres—passes through Pahalgam in Anantnag district, further raising security concerns. The other route via Baltal in Ganderbal district, though shorter, is known to be more challenging.

Government response and heightened alert

The timing of the attack is particularly sensitive, given Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent visit to the region where he emphasized the need for stringent anti-terror measures. During a high-level security review meeting, the Home Minister directed authorities to eliminate terrorism with a renewed focus on the Jammu division and stressed a policy of zero tolerance towards infiltration.

Security arrangements across the Valley, particularly around pilgrimage routes and tourist hubs, are expected to be intensified following this incident.

Yoga guru Ramdev is facing sharp legal backlash after the Delhi High Court expressed strong displeasure over a video in which he made controversial remarks indirectly referring to Rooh Afza. The court, while hearing a plea filed by the product’s manufacturer Hamdard, called Ramdev’s comments “indefensible” and said they shocked the conscience of the court.

Allegations over communal insinuation

In a promotional video for Patanjali’s rose-flavoured sherbet, Ramdev claimed that proceeds from a rival sherbet brand were allegedly used to fund mosques and madrasas. Without naming any specific product, he urged viewers to choose Patanjali’s alternative, claiming it would support traditional Indian educational institutions like gurukuls.

The remark stirred controversy, as he likened this marketing angle to terms like “love jihad” and “vote jihad”, coining a new phrase — “sherbet jihad”.

Following this, Hamdard moved the Delhi High Court, asserting that the comments not only hurt the reputation of its iconic product Rooh Afza but also promoted communal division. The company demanded that the video be taken down from all social media platforms.

Ramdev’s counsel promises withdrawal

The court proceedings witnessed initial absence from Ramdev’s main counsel, prompting Justice Amit Bansal to issue a warning about the possible issuance of a strict order. Subsequently, senior lawyer Rajiv Nayar appeared and informed the court that Ramdev had already withdrawn the promotional material in question.

Despite this, the court directed Ramdev to provide a formal undertaking that no further remarks or content harming Hamdard’s interests would be released. An affidavit has been ordered to be submitted within a week. The next hearing has been scheduled for May 1.

Past controversies return to spotlight

During the hearing, the court was reminded of earlier instances where Ramdev and Patanjali faced criticism over exaggerated claims. One example includes the launch of Coronil during the pandemic, which was marketed as a COVID-19 cure. The claims were dismissed by medical bodies, and Patanjali faced proceedings for spreading misinformation.

Another legal challenge emerged in 2022 when Patanjali published advertisements attacking allopathy and praising its own medicines as cures for several chronic diseases. The Indian Medical Association called these claims dangerous and misleading, leading to another court intervention.

More than 400 houses were damaged, and two individuals sustained injuries as a result of heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms hit Tripura in the early hours of April 21. The inclement weather led to widespread destruction across multiple regions of the state.

According to an official statement, a total of 445 houses were affected—either fully, partially, or severely—due to the storm and torrential rainfall. The damage was reported from various districts, impacting both rural and semi-urban areas.

Two injured as houses collapse

In Karbook, located in the Gomati district, two people were injured when their homes collapsed. The victims have been identified as 70-year-old Nayan Kumar Tripura and 39-year-old Rumati Tripura. Both sustained injuries and are receiving medical care.

Electricity services disrupted

The storm also caused significant disruption in power supply across affected regions. As per the statement, 49 electric poles were damaged, leading to outages in many localities. Restoration efforts are underway to bring back normalcy in electricity connectivity.

No flood threat despite rainfall

Despite the heavy rains, officials confirmed that all major rivers in the state—including Gomati, Muhuri, and Feni—are flowing below danger levels, eliminating any immediate flood threat.

Authorities are currently assessing the full extent of the damage and relief measures are expected to be announced soon.