Good morning, It's been a tense and determined week since the Pahalgam attack. The Army, along with the Central Armed Police and J&K Police forces, has been relentlessly hunting the terrorists who gunned down 26 people in the Baisaran meadow on April 21. Per sources cited by The Indian Express, the security forces located the attackers at least four times in the past five days and even exchanged fire with them on one such occasion. A ‘cat & mouse game’: A military officer revealed that the terrorists have been using the thick forests of South Kashmir as cover, making the chase difficult. They are believed to be moving through the Kishtwar range, a rugged terrain connecting to Pahalgam's higher reaches and saw light snowfall this year. They could also try crossing the border from the Jammu side. However, the security forces are prepared to block the attempt and are hopeful that the terrorists will “eventually make a mistake and be neutralised.” Caution: Security forces, meanwhile, have blown up at least nine homes belonging to families of those wanted for militancy in the Valley. However, political leaders have warned that the action could 'alienate' Kashmiris, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah calling for avoiding any “misplaced action”. Expert Speaks: Lieutenant General DS Hooda (Retd) spearheaded the 2016 surgical strike across the Line of Control (LoC) as the former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Northern Command. We invited him for the latest Idea Exchange session to offer insights on the Pahalgam attack. From Pakistan's "deliberate escalation" to the need to expand the metrics of normalcy in J&K, here's all he had to say. Also Read: With Pakistan and terror, an uneasy sense of deja vu by Sharat Sabharwal On that note, here’s what else we have for you today: Only in Express Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani sat down for an interview with The Indian Express close on the heels of his April 11-12 visit to India. He spoke about the Pahalgam attack, #melodi, and bilateral relations. Read. From the Front Page Social impact: HDFC Bank spent the most on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects in the year ending March 2024. Overall, companies spent a whopping Rs 17,967 crore—16 per cent more than the previous year. AI reboot: The United Arab Emirates is leading the way to Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption, pumping billions into the sector. Its ambitious plans include allowing AI to rewrite its laws, which has raised several eyebrows. Must Read Balancing act? "I actually feel, more than usual, very unwilling to advise India," says Martin Wolf, chief economics commentator at the Financial Times, when asked about the nation's economic conundrum. Who should it side with in the US-China trade war? The path ahead may lie somewhere in the middle. Rainmaker: The four-month southwest monsoon season brings in 70% of India's annual rainfall. It's crucial for agriculture, water reservoirs, and the economy as a whole. Therefore, accurate monsoon forecasts become equally crucial for framing government action. Have we always got it right? We take a look at the history. And Finally. I leave you with an update from the Indian Premier League (IPL), where the Mumbai Indians have just registered their fifth win on the trot. After enduring a poor start to the season, MI seem to be peaking at the right time. Read my colleague Venkata Krishna B's report. PS—don’t forget to tune into the latest ‘3 Things’ podcast episode. Today’s lineup: The importance of the Indus Water Treaty, the status of Pakistani nationals in India, and the significance of the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag railway line. That’s all for today, folks! Until tomorrow, Sonal Gupta
