Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday chaired a high-level security review meeting on Jammu and Kashmir and directed security agencies to continue counter-terror operations in a “mission mode” to eliminate terrorism from the Union Territory at the earliest.

During the meeting, Shah said operations targeting terrorist infrastructure and terror financing must remain focused and sustained. He assured that all necessary resources would be made available to achieve the goal of a terror-free Jammu and Kashmir.

Focus on coordination and vigilance

Chairing the review, the home minister asked all security agencies to remain alert and work in close coordination to ensure that the security gains achieved after the abrogation of Article 370 are maintained. He emphasised that synergy among agencies is essential to prevent any resurgence of terror activities.

The meeting was attended by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Kumar Deka, and the Union Territory’s chief secretary and director general of police. Senior officers, including the heads of Central Armed Police Forces, were also present.

Government reiterates zero tolerance against terrorism

Appreciating the efforts of security forces, Shah said consistent and coordinated action had significantly weakened the terror ecosystem in the region. He reiterated the government’s zero tolerance policy against terrorism and underlined its commitment, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to ensuring lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to an official statement, the home minister noted that sustained efforts by security agencies have helped improve the overall security scenario in the Union Territory and stressed the need to continue on the same path.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to lead a protest march in Kolkata today against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on the political consultancy firm I-PAC, sources from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) said.

The march will start from Jadavpur 8B Bus Stand and proceed towards Hazra More at 2 pm. TMC sources described the ED action as “politically motivated” and intended to intimidate the ruling party ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

The protest comes a day after Banerjee visited the residence of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain during the ongoing ED search. She accused the central agency of attempting to seize sensitive internal documents, hard drives, and digital data related to the party’s election strategy.

Emerging from the premises, Banerjee alleged that the ED was acting at the behest of the Centre to harass the state’s ruling party.

On Thursday, the ED conducted searches at two locations linked to I-PAC in Kolkata, sparking widespread criticism from the TMC and supporters.

Anti-government protests against Iran’s Islamic regime have intensified across Tehran and other parts of the country, with demonstrators chanting slogans against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei amid a deepening economic crisis and widespread restrictions imposed by authorities.

As night fell on Thursday, neighbourhoods across the Iranian capital echoed with chants after exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi called on people to protest at 8 pm local time. Witnesses said crowds gathered despite heavy security presence, with slogans including “Death to the dictator” and “Death to the Islamic Republic” heard in multiple areas.

Internet shutdown and warnings from authorities

Iranian authorities cut off internet access and international telephone calls as the demonstrations gained momentum. The judiciary and security forces warned of a harsh response, even as protesters continued chanting calls for freedom.

Pahlavi accused the government of attempting to silence dissent by shutting down communication networks. He said landlines, internet services and possibly satellite signals had been disrupted to prevent images and voices from reaching the outside world.

The exiled prince urged European leaders to join US President Donald Trump in holding the Iranian regime accountable and called for technical and diplomatic efforts to restore communication access for Iranians.

Support for monarchy slogans resurfaces

Some demonstrators were heard chanting slogans in praise of Iran’s former monarchy, including “This is the last battle, Pahlavi will return.” While such chants were once punishable by death, their re-emergence reflects growing anger over economic hardship and political repression.

It remains unclear whether the slogans indicate direct support for Reza Pahlavi or a broader rejection of the system established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Protests spread nationwide, casualties reported

Demonstrations have continued to spread to cities and rural towns across Iran, with markets and bazaars shutting down in solidarity. At least 42 people have been killed and more than 2,270 detained since the unrest began, according to human rights groups based outside Iran.

Reports have also emerged of security personnel being killed or injured during clashes. Iranian media have reported fatal attacks on police officers and security forces in multiple provinces, including Tehran’s outskirts, Kermanshah, and northeastern regions.

Economic crisis fuels unrest

The current wave of protests, the largest in three years, began in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar after shopkeepers protested the sharp fall of the national currency. Iran’s inflation rate stood at 52 per cent year-on-year in December, according to official data.

The rial has continued to weaken, with one US dollar now costing around 1.4 million rials. Protesters have blamed economic mismanagement, sanctions, and restrictions on social and political freedoms for their worsening living conditions.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged the economic pain faced by citizens and described protesters’ demands as legitimate, though he admitted the government’s ability to reverse the currency collapse is limited.

Leaderless movement and uncertain outcome

Despite the scale of the unrest, the protests remain largely leaderless. Analysts note that the absence of a clear alternative leadership has weakened previous protest movements in Iran, with many potential leaders having been arrested, exiled or silenced over the years.

Authorities have yet to launch a full-scale crackdown, though past internet shutdowns have often preceded harsher measures.

Trump issues warning to Tehran

US President Donald Trump warned Iran last week against violently suppressing peaceful protesters, saying the country would “pay hell” if security forces killed demonstrators. He stopped short of confirming any direct engagement with Pahlavi, stating that it was too early to determine who might emerge as a leader of the movement.

As protests continue and communication restrictions remain in place, the situation inside Iran remains tense, with uncertainty over how the regime will respond in the coming days.