A moderate earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale struck Himachal Pradesh late on Friday night, sending tremors across several districts and causing panic among residents. The earthquake occurred at around 10:04 pm near the Kangra-Chamba border, approximately 40 kilometres from Dharamsala.

According to officials, the quake originated at a shallow depth of about 5 kilometres, which contributed to the tremors being felt strongly in parts of Kangra, Chamba and nearby areas. The epicentre was reported near Dhar Godoi in Kangra district.

Residents in Dharamsala and surrounding regions rushed out of their homes after feeling the ground shake. While the tremors created concern among locals, authorities said there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage to property.

Tremors felt beyond Himachal Pradesh

The earthquake’s impact was not limited to Himachal Pradesh. Reports indicated that mild tremors were also experienced in Chandigarh as well as parts of Punjab and Haryana, prompting many people to briefly leave their homes as a precaution.

Officials continued to assess the situation through the night, while residents remained alert for possible aftershocks. No major disruptions were reported in the affected areas.

Region falls under high seismic risk zone

Kangra and Chamba districts are located in Seismic Zone V, one of the country’s highest earthquake-risk zones. The Himalayan region is known for frequent seismic activity due to ongoing tectonic movements, making earthquake preparedness a key concern for local authorities.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that any sanctions threats directed at India would ultimately backfire, asserting that New Delhi has consistently acted in accordance with its national interests and is unlikely to change course under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

Speaking about India-Russia relations and New Delhi’s foreign policy approach, Putin praised India’s independent decision-making and emphasized that attempts to pressure the country over its ties with Moscow would not achieve the desired outcome. He suggested that any such measures would have negative consequences for those imposing them.

The Russian leader described India as a reliable partner and highlighted the strength of bilateral ties between the two countries. He also indicated that Russia does not view India’s growing engagement with other nations, including the United States, as a threat to its relationship with New Delhi.

Putin further praised India’s economic progress and reiterated confidence in the country’s ability to pursue policies based on its own priorities. His remarks come amid continuing global discussions over sanctions, geopolitical alignments and international partnerships.

The comments underscore Moscow’s efforts to reinforce its strategic partnership with India while highlighting Russia’s support for New Delhi’s independent foreign policy stance.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is set to hold a crucial meeting with party legislators at her residence as the ruling party grapples with one of its most serious internal challenges in recent years.

The meeting comes at a time when the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing visible dissent from a section of its MLAs, raising concerns over party unity and legislative strength. The gathering is being closely watched as a test of whether Mamata Banerjee can bring disgruntled lawmakers back into the party fold.

Attendance under scrutiny after recent setbacks

The latest meeting assumes significance after an earlier gathering at Mamata Banerjee’s residence reportedly witnessed poor attendance, forcing the session to be called off. Reports suggested that only a fraction of the party’s legislators attended, triggering speculation about growing unrest within the organisation.

The internal turbulence has intensified following claims by a rebel faction that it enjoys the support of a substantial number of TMC legislators. The developments have sparked concerns about the party’s cohesion in the state assembly.

Leadership faces challenge from rebel camp

The rebellion has largely been linked to dissatisfaction among some legislators regarding the party’s leadership structure and decision-making process. While several reports indicate that the anger of dissenting MLAs is directed more towards sections of the party leadership than Mamata Banerjee herself, the crisis has nevertheless emerged as a major challenge for the TMC chief.

Recent developments, including the recognition of a rebel-backed opposition leader in the West Bengal Assembly and subsequent legal and political battles, have further highlighted divisions within the party.

Meeting expected to focus on party unity

Party leaders are expected to use the meeting to assess support within the legislative wing, discuss the ongoing political situation and explore ways to restore unity ahead of future political battles in the state.

Political observers believe the outcome of the meeting could provide a clearer picture of whether the Trinamool Congress can contain the rebellion or whether the internal crisis is likely to deepen further in the coming weeks.