A 20-year-old engineering student from Pune has been arrested and rusticated from her college following a controversial Instagram story in which she shared posts praising Pakistan and allegedly criticizing India’s military response in the wake of the Pahalgam massacre.
The accused, identified as Khadija Shahabuddin Sheikh, a second-year Information Technology student at Sinhgad Academy of Engineering, Kondhwa Budruk, was arrested by Kondhwa Police on Thursday.
Hindus protested that she be arrested for posting pro-Pakistani content and supporting the enemy nation.
The arrest was made under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) after a police constable lodged a formal complaint. According to police sources, Sheikh had shared screenshots of tweets made by Pakistani nationals, one of which included the phrase “Pakistan Zindabad” and another that referred to “Hindutva extremism.” These posts were uploaded shortly after India’s retaliatory strikes on Pakistani positions under Operation Sindoor, which followed the killing of 26 Indian tourists in Pahalgam by Pakistan-backed militants.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 5) Rajkumar Shinde confirmed the arrest, stating, “She has been booked under Sections 152, 196, 197, 299, 352, and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. The content she shared had the potential to incite unrest, especially during this sensitive period. Further investigation is underway.”
Accused has been booked under 152, 196,197,299,352,353 of BNS, 2023.
While the police have not formally disclosed Sheikh’s intent behind the Instagram story, officials said her posts could be interpreted as anti-national in nature and potentially disruptive to public harmony. Her Instagram account has since been deleted.
In a related development, Sinhgad Academy of Engineering has issued a formal rustication letter to Sheikh. The letter, signed by In-charge Principal Dr. K. M. Gaikwad cited her “anti-national sentiments” and stated that her actions violated the institution’s code of conduct. “While this institution recognises the right to free expression, it also expects students to exercise such rights responsibly and within the bounds of the law,” the letter read. “Your posts have been deemed to undermine the reputation of the college and may incite disharmony within the campus community and society.”
The rustication is effective from 9 May 2025, and follows growing calls for accountability and civic responsibility in academic institutions amid heightened national security concerns.
As tensions escalate between India and Pakistan—with the Islamist terror state launching drones and missiles across the border—India’s leftist and Dravidianist virtue-signallers have gone into overdrive, preaching “peace,” “de-escalation,” and reminding us that “humans live in Pakistan too,” as if hollow moralism can shield us from enemy fire.
These individuals, whether residing in India or abroad, are often seen preaching peace to India while conveniently ignoring Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism and cross-border attacks that harm innocent civilians.
One such individual recently exposed is Arshad Wahid, known on X as @vettichennaiguy. He drew criticism after showing disdain for nationalist voices supporting the Indian Army’s cross-border counterterror operations. These operations successfully neutralized nine terror camps and eliminated high-profile terrorists whom India had long been requesting Pakistan to hand over through diplomatic channels.
Wahid suffered a meltdown on spewed hate and abuse on social media in response to a tweet by Supreme Court advocate Sai Deepak, who had called for a decisive end to cross-border terrorism with a patriotic message, “Finish the job this time once and for all! Veera Vel Vetri Vel! Har Har Mahadev! Jai Bhavani! Jai Jai Shri Ram! #BharatMataKiJai.”
Wahid responded with vulgar abuse in Tamil, saying, “s**tha m**du da l*v*dek*b*l,” reflecting the hostility often shown by those sympathetic to anti-India elements.
The backlash was swift. After being called out by nationalist users, Wahid locked his X (formerly Twitter) account. What shocked many was his professional background—he is reportedly part of the Editorial & Publishing team at Netflix India, focusing on South Indian content.
According to his LinkedIn profile, he had earlier worked with Buzzfeed, an American news and entertainment digital media company.
He didn’t stop even after being called out. Instead, he took to his Instagram page and shared a post from the handle “Savala Vada,” which sarcastically claimed, “Anti-war is now anti-national.” Ironically, “Savala Vada” is widely regarded as a propaganda outlet that frequently echoes narratives pushed by media networks known for their anti-India bias—such as Al Jazeera and The Caravan, both of which have often been criticized for promoting agendas contrary to India’s national interests.
This incident highlights a growing concern about Dravidianists and anti-nationals using their platforms to subtly or overtly support narratives that go against national interest, even while being part of influential organizations within India.
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In a sharp escalation of the ongoing information warfare between India, Pakistan, and clandestinely by China, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has categorically denied claims that its S-400 air defence system stationed in Adampur was destroyed by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets.
The claim, first circulated by Pakistan’s state-run broadcaster PTV News, alleged that JF-17 Thunder jets armed with hypersonic missiles had successfully targeted and destroyed India’s S-400 system in Punjab’s Adampur region. The S-400, a sophisticated Russian-made air defence platform, is considered one of India’s most critical strategic assets and is estimated to be worth approximately $1.5 billion.
Adding fuel to the fire, Chinese state media joined the narrative. The Global Times amplified the PTV report in a post on platform X, asserting that “Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17 Thunder’s hypersonic missiles have destroyed India’s S-400 system in Adampur.” The report was by China’s Xinhua News Agency, which cited “military sources” in stating that Pakistan had struck the S-400 system in Punjab.
This has been officially denied by the Indian Air Force. Sino-Pak infowar wet dreams will be big today. pic.twitter.com/eEuEPe9eKe
However, the Indian Air Force swiftly dismissed these reports as false. A senior IAF spokesperson on Saturday stated that Pakistan’s claim that its hypersonic missiles fired from JF-17 fighter jets destroyed India’s S-400 air defence system in Adampur was false.
The development comes amid heightened tensions along the India-Pakistan border, particularly around Punjab, where Operation Sindoor is currently underway. In related updates, Indian Army officials confirmed that several armed drones originating from Pakistan were shot down over Khasa Cantonment near Amritsar earlier today.
Observers view the coordinated media campaign as part of a broader Sino-Pakistani information warfare effort aimed at undermining India’s defence credibility. Strategic analysts have cautioned against taking such claims at face value, highlighting the growing trend of psychological and narrative-based warfare in the region.
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Just as India announced to the world about the success of Operation Sindoor on 7 May 2025 in retaliation for the gruesome terror attack in Pahalgam in April 2025, leftists and anti-nationals started their bangle breaking and virtue signalling.
Among those who preached peace was the woke leftist ‘singer’ TM Krishna. He took to his X handle that day to advocate for peace. He wrote, “I am a pacifist, don’t be afraid to say it.”
This led to a huge outrage among netizens for his preaching, especially given the fact that it was retaliation for the attack, and it was Pakistan who has been clandestinely harbouring terrorists to attack India time and again.
It later came to light that TM Krishna has a problem with our freedom fighters and their patriotic songs as well. Here is an example. In what can be assumed to be a video discussion, Krishna is seen talking about Bharathiyar’s song Parukulle Nalla Naadu.
He mentions the lyrics of the song “… Dheerathile Padai Veerathile. Nenjil Eerathile Ubagarathile”
Now he finds the words “Padai veeram” problematic because he feels itdoesn’t seem violent when itis sung!
Here’s what he said, “It is not entirely a non-violent song. You wouldn’t have heard an ounce of violence in the way I sang. That is an interesting thing. What is the music doing, what are the lyrics doing here? Violence is a conceptual idea. “Dheerathile Padai Veerathile”, so when he says “Padai Veerathile”, he is talking about the courage of the force. Dheerathile Padai Veerathile, Nenjil Eerathile Ubagarathile – Nenjil Eerathile is a classic Tamil expression. But Dheerathile Padai Veerathile – so where is force, and what is the role of force, and what is music doing to the idea of force.Did you hear force differently? Does something else happen to the notion of ‘Padai Veeram’ when it is sung rather than I explain? Is it a different sensibility enunciation? It is a very curious question. Is it not as violent when it is sung in Jaunpuri? Is it a different sense? I think these are all important things to explore because we are talking of the musicality of this piece. So please remember one important thing: all great poetry cannotbe sung. There is great poetry that can be read.”
Krishna thinks paarukulle nalla naadu is a violent song. He has a problem with Bharatiyar too. He doesn't like the fact that bharatiyar used " padai veeram " exhibiting the courage & valour of our defence. Creep to the core. https://t.co/AodXsJZYNZpic.twitter.com/qa7d7WlXos
— krithika sivaswamy (@krithikasivasw) May 8, 2025
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Retired IAS officer U Sagayam has strongly criticized the ruling DMK government, labeling it as an authoritarian regime that protects the corrupt while punishing those who work with honesty and expose scams. In a recent interview with a private YouTube media channel, Sagayam expressed outrage after being stripped of his security cover just before he was scheduled to appear before the special court in Madurai investigating the massive granite scam.
Sagayam explained that despite earlier orders from the Madras High Court to provide him armed protection after he exposed the granite mining scam, his security detail was withdrawn in 2020 and only reinstated after court intervention. However, in 2023, his security was again removed. Citing threats to his life, he said he was unable to appear before the special court as summoned.
Slamming the DMK government, he said, “I continue to discuss this issue in the media. I assert that it is shameful to turn this into a major topic of discussion. Who are they providing protection to? Corruption is a crime, and corrupt are criminals. According to the Prevention of Corruption Act, corruption is indeed a crime, and the corrupt are criminals. But who have you given protection to today? Have you not provided protection to any corrupt individuals? But if you fight against corruption and expose the plundering of our natural resources in the Tamil homeland, revealing that it amounts to a loss of one lakh crores, you are threatening my security concerns. There is no democracy here. How many times must I state this? I keep asking. Making this a public topic of discussion is not good at all; it is both ugly and shameful. Provide me with the list of those you have protected. I am telling you who they are and what kind of people you are protecting. I want to safeguard the natural resources of this country, our homeland, the Tamil homeland, and ensure they are passed on to the next generation.”
He then slammed, “I have done this by risking my life to protect my land and considering my position as nothing. But if you have arbitrarily removed this protection granted by the High Court today, how anti-democratic you are, if you say that you are refusing to provide protection to the one who fought for the protection of the Tamil land, then I say that you are conducting politics against this land.”
When asked if there was a motive behind the removal of his security, Sagayam responded, “Absolutely. If not, why do they suddenly do it? There is definitely an ulterior motive. There is no democracy in the actions of our politicians and police officers. Even today, they exercise their power with the same attitude as the landlords of the royal or colonial eras. There is no democracy there. There is no truth or justice there. How do they do it? When I was the collector of Madurai district, I submitted that report. Two days after submitting the report, I was thrown out. After that, I was appointed to a Cooptex that had been in decline for 15 years, a cooperative company that was operating at a loss. I turned it into a profitable company in a year and a half. The Dhoti Day that I introduced has now become a business worth hundreds of crores for many private textile companies. I have received two national awards. Following that, when I had a disagreement with the minister, I was transferred to the Indian Medical Department. Even before I could join there, I was reassigned to Science City within 48 hours. What crime did I do? Is being honest a crime? If you claim that being honest is a crime, then remove your laws. What is the purpose of the Prevention of Corruption Act? Remove all your laws and declare that everyone can be corrupt. If you believe that being honest is a crime in your political ideology, then why do you have a law? Why is there a directorate? Why are you arresting ordinary village administrative officers, sub-collectors, and sub-inspectors who take 500, 1,000, or 5,000 rupees? Have you taken any action against corrupt individuals who are loot public property worth 500 crores or 5,000 crores? Today, the situation has reached a point where we must ask such questions. They are supporting these corrupt granite scamsters and are taking no action against me or my report. They hold a grudge against me.”
Sagayam raised concerns over the lack of action on his report exposing corruption within TAMIN, a Tamil Nadu government-owned firm, which he said had resulted in a loss of ₹5,000 crore to the state exchequer.
Sagayam went on to directly question the Tamil Nadu government’s commitment to preserving the state’s natural wealth. “This is what I want to ask the Tamil Nadu government, What is the policy of the Tamil Nadu government regarding the protection of natural resources? They have the greater responsibility. You are not the ones who came to destroy it. We have given you our authority and our tax money. The citizens who provide this authority and tax money are the true masters, not you. You are not kings, zamindars, or landlords; you are the servants of the people. You must fulfill your duty. We must recognize that you are all public servants, and the people are the masters. You should understand this; it is the truth. You receive power and tax money from the people for what purpose? To take responsibility for the welfare of the people, to protect their rights, and to safeguard the mineral resources that belong to the people—not to destroy them. However, you are failing in this duty. You’re destroying them. History will judge you without bias in the future. It will not concern itself with individual identities. When all this fame and these circumstances are long gone, history will judge calmly and clearly against you. If you have the responsibility to protect natural resources, what kind of duty are you fulfilling? What principles guide you in protecting these resources? What actions have you taken? What justice will you provide to the social activists who have been harmed?”
He also highlighted the hypocrisy of the DMK government, noting that while it has offered financial compensation amounting to several lakhs of rupees to victims of illicit liquor tragedies, it has failed to provide any support or compensation to whistleblowers such as Jagabar Ali who was recently murdered for exposing illegal mining activities in the state.
Sagayam said, “Even today, no compensation has been given to Jagabar Ali. Consider the poor individuals who died after consuming illicit liquor in Kallakurichi; you provided them with compensation in lakhs. Yet, what about that son born into a humble Islamic family who loved this land? He was an incomparable individual, a father responsible for educating and raising three children and two daughters, and he has been killed. What relief have you offered? Karur Jagannathan? Think about it: what justice has been given to them, and what justice will you provide in the future?”
Sagayam criticized the state’s inaction under the Whistleblowers Protection Act, saying Tamil Nadu has failed to enforce a central law meant to safeguard those exposing corruption. “There is a Whistleblower Protection Act for social activists, yet I accuse you of not implementing a law in Tamil Nadu that could protect those who seek to bring such truths to light. Hasn’t India enacted a law to protect them? Hasn’t the Indian government enacted such a law 20 years ago? It has not been implemented, nor has it provided them with protection. When will you implement that law to safeguard them? What kind of immediate and permanent action are you going to take against those who illegally plundered mineral resources here? Tell me, and if you do that, I am ready to salute you.”
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Released on 26 April 2025 by RSS Sarsanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat, The Hindu Manifesto by Swami Vigyananand is a groundbreaking work that bridges ancient Hindu wisdom with modern governance. This meticulously researched book presents a compelling vision for a just, prosperous, and harmonious society rooted in the timeless principles of Dharma. Drawing from scriptures such as the Vedas, Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Arthashastra, Swami Vigyananand presents a manifesto that serves both as a call to action and a roadmap for personal and societal transformation. The Hindu Manifesto stands as a bold, unapologetic vision for a Dharma-driven revival—deeply rooted in timeless Hindu wisdom while addressing the pressing challenges of contemporary governance.
Swami Vigyananand is a scholar-monk and founder of global Hindu advocacy platforms like the World Hindu Congress and the World Hindu Economic Forum.
The Eight Pillars of a Dharma-Rich Society
At the heart of the book are eight sutras (principles) divided into foundational and civilizational pillars:
Foundational Sutras: Building a Resilient Nation
Prosperity for All: Advocates ethical wealth creation, moderate taxation policies, and state support for entrepreneurs and farmers.
Defeating Enemy, Defending Citizens: A clarion call for ruthless defense strategy, learning from India’s historical failures against invaders.
Quality Education for All: Stresses holistic, accessible education—critiquing modern “information overload” devoid of values.
Responsible Democracy: Leaders must work to build a just and prosperous society. The author presents Ram Rajya as the ideal model of governance – which is based on dharma, justice and praja well-being.
Civilizational Sutras: Sustaining Cultural Values
Highest Respect for Women: Women’s safety and participation in decision-making as a civilizational benchmark, recalls how women in Hindu society were honoured as Rishis, and how women must be strong and able warriors.
Non-Discriminatory Social System: Analyses the fundamental concepts of varna, jati, jatiya, dispels caste myths, arguing Jati was originally about attributes, not birth.
Care for Nature: Ecology as sacred duty—rivers, forests, and wildlife deserve reverence.
Reverence for Motherland: Patriotism as Dharma, countering anti-national narratives.
The book fiercely rejects both exploitative capitalism and socialism, proposing instead a Dharma-driven economy that encourages wealth creation without greed. Citing scriptural limits on taxation, it urges the state to respect wealth creators—farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs.
Swami Vigyananand calls for a ruthless, preemptive defence doctrine, drawing on historical lessons from Islamic invasions and modern threats like Pakistan.
In contrast to the data-centric modern education system, The Hindu Manifesto promotes value-based learning, referencing 32 types of Vidyas from ancient texts. The goal is not just information but inner transformation.
Swami Vigyananand, through his book, urges readers to:
Reclaim Political Agency: Move beyond a “servant mindset” (dasis) to shape governance.
Educate the Youth: Revive Dharma-centric learning to counter Marxist indoctrination.
Globalize Hindu Thought: Position Hindu civilizational knowledge as a universal alternative.
While India is the natural audience, the author insists that the Hindu model has universal applicability, and it is not necessary that a Hindu lives only in India. In a direct challenge to Marxist and Western democratic frameworks, Vigyananand argues that Hindu civilization has already offered time-tested alternatives far superior in ethics and outcomes.
From targeting 8–10% GDP growth and reversing India’s $80 billion brain drain to proposing defense strategies and judicial reforms, the book is rich with policy-level applications backed by scriptural and historical insights.
Why This Book Matters
In a landscape often dominated by Western ideologies or reactionary politics, The Hindu Manifesto is both scholarly and strategic. It doesn’t merely lament decay—it offers an actionable roadmap for those seeking civilizational resurgence. For Hindu activists, policymakers, cultural thinkers, and even critics of Western hegemony, this book is a must-read. Given the present situation India is – at war with a rogue nation, the book and the 8 Sutras it outlines are more relevant than ever.
A bold, intellectually rigorous work that fuses ancient wisdom with modern challenges.
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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the state police have arrested three more persons over alleged charges of propagating ‘Pro-Pakistan’ statements on social media platforms.
The accused persons have been identified as Nasim Uddin Laskar, Arif Rehman and Abubin Miraz Uddin S.K. Laskar was arrested from Cachar district while Rehman and Uddin S.K. were taken into custody from the Dhubri district. With the latest arrest, the tally of people arrested for supporting Pakistan has increased to 48. CM Sarma said, “So far 48 Anti Nationals have been arrested for their treachery.”
Among the 48 arrested people, the most prominent is the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA Aminul Islam. He was the first person to be arrested in the state for the pro-Pakistan stand.
Aminul Islam, an AIUDF MLA from Assam’s Dhing Assembly constituency, was arrested on May 1 on sedition charges following his provocative statement regarding the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed more than 20 lives. In a video clip circulated on social media, the AIUDF leader is heard claiming that the Pahalgam and Pulwama attacks were part of a “government conspiracy”.
Aminul Islam has said: “Six years ago in Pulwama, when the RDX blast happened and 42 soldiers died, I said on that day that the Pulwama blast happened at the behest of a conspiracy of the Central government, and it was a conspiracy to win the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.” He added that what happened in Pahalgam is that the BJP has been peddling that the terrorists asked about religion and opened fire only on Hindus, and they let go of Muslims.
“But the victims said that the terrorists opened fire without asking about anybody’s name, and I doubt that the nexus which was involved in the Pulwama attack in which RDX was used,” he said. He added that the same nexus is behind the Pahalgam incident. “If the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government does not conduct a fair investigation into the incident and tries to bring a division between Hindus and Muslims, I would believe that this incident happened because of a conspiracy,” Aminul Islam said, while ‘blaming’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
However, AIUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal distanced himself from his party legislator’s comments. Ajmal said, “AIUDF stands with the government. The terrorists have no religion, and those who spread terrorism are against Islam.”
–IANS
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Three people, including a woman, were injured on the outskirts of Punjab’s Ferozepur town following an attack by drones of Pakistan on Friday night. Senior Superintendent of Police Bhupinder Singh Sidhu told the media that three family members have received burn injuries.
He said that most of the drone attacks have been neutralised by the Indian Army. He clarified that this was the lone drone attack in the district. Police officials told the media that the blast took place owing to drone that was later intercepted and which got destroyed by the Army’s air defence system, but it landed at a house in Khai Pheme Ke village.
A car parked outside the house was on CNG that triggered the fire, an official said. The three injured were identified as Lakhwinder Singh, Monu Singh, both sons of Bagicha Singh; and Sukhwinder Kaur, wife of Lakhwinder Singh. They were hospitalised with Lakhwinder’s condition is critical. Unconfirmed reports said there were drone blasts in Jalandhar and Pathankot cities early Saturday morning. Media reports also said a Pakistani missile was intercepted and neutralised by Indian armed forces in Haryana’s Sirsa town.
The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Friday gave his approval to include war and terrorist-affected victims under the Farishtey scheme.
A spokesperson for the Chief Minister’s Office said that in order to provide immediate hassle-free medical treatment to victims of war and terrorist activities in government-empanelled private hospitals and to encourage the public to bring the victims to the nearest hospitals, coverage under the Farishtey Scheme of 2024 has been expanded.
This will provide coverage for victims of war and terrorist activities, ensuring comprehensive support and relief to affected individuals. This expansion reinforces the state government’s commitment to help those facing extraordinary hardships due to such events.
The primary objective of this decision is to lower the mortality and morbidity rates resulting from injuries sustained in war and terrorist activities. In view of the current tensions between India and Pakistan, the state government has issued directives, cancelling all leaves of Fire Brigade staff and ordering round-the-clock deployment at sensitive locations.
An official statement quoting Local Government Minister Ravjot Singh instructed officials to conduct mock drills, ensure all equipment is fully functional and maintain constant communication with the Army authorities for swift response in case of any emergency. Officials have been directed to remain on high alert with their mobile phones active at all times.
Punjab shares a long International Border with Pakistan and lies in the proximity of Afghanistan, which is a major heroin producer. Pakistan continues to make concerted efforts to destabilise India’s internal security by smuggling drugs and weapons from across the border. The fencing along the International Border has been breached with the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and drones.
–IANS
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The Maharashtra unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) stirred debate with a cryptic social media post reading “De-Escalate”, issued amid India’s ongoing military operations targeting terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack.
While the CPI(M) expressed support for the government’s actions under Operation Sindoor, it also emphasized the need for continued diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
In an official statement shared on 8 May 2025, the CPI(M) noted that Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas represented the party at the All-Party Meeting convened by the Centre in response to Operation Sindoor. The party voiced concern over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence at the meeting—marking the second time he had skipped such a high-level gathering—and called for a special session of Parliament and a future meeting attended by the PM himself.
Brittas acknowledged the government’s claim that Operation Sindoor had achieved its intended objectives but cautioned that historical patterns suggested military actions alone may not fully dismantle terrorist networks. He urged the Centre to sustain diplomatic pressure, mobilize international support against terrorism, and ensure the safety of civilians in border areas, along with adequate assistance for those impacted by the current security situation.
He further emphasized the need for transparency from the government, especially in combating misinformation and communal rhetoric, reiterating that “terror has no religion“. He argued that a true fight against terrorism must also include a fight against the spread of hate and communal division. Commending the resilience of the people in Pahalgam and Kashmir, Brittas called on the government to organize an All-Party delegation to visit the region in solidarity with affected communities.
However, the CPI(M)’s messaging—particularly its diplomatic tone and moral appeals during an ongoing military operation—received criticism from several quarters online. Critics accused the party of offering advice on diplomatic engagement that had yielded little in the past, especially as terror attacks against Indian civilians continue to originate from across the border.
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Central intelligence agencies and the Kerala police have launched investigations into the suspected presence of Sheikh Sajjad Gul, the alleged mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack, in Kerala during the early 2000s. Gul, currently believed to be the chief of the Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy outfit The Resistance Front (TRF), is suspected to have pursued a lab technician course in the state between his reported MBA studies in Bengaluru and his 2002 arrest in Delhi for possession of explosives.
According to sources, this possibility has prompted intelligence officials to examine Gul’s activities in Kerala during that period. Investigators are also drawing parallels to past instances, including the 2008 visit to Kochi by 26/11 terror conspirator Tahawwur Hussain Rana.
Sheikh Sajjad Gul was previously arrested in 2002 for possessing 5 kg of RDX and plotting blasts in Delhi. He served a 10-year prison sentence for those charges. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has confirmed his role in the Pahalgam attack, which was also claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy he currently heads. While his involvement in other 2025 terror incidents in India has not been established, Gul is believed to operate from Pakistan, allegedly with the support of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Kerala has previously been flagged for terror recruitment concerns, with several youths reported to have joined extremist groups. Many of them were believed to have been radicalized via social media platforms. In response, intelligence units had intensified online surveillance and initiated deradicalisation programmes in the state.
Meanwhile, a separate case is under investigation in Jammu and Kashmir, involving the mysterious death of a young man suspected to be from Kerala. The body of 27-year-old Muhammed Shanib, believed to be a resident of Mannarkkad in Palakkad district, was discovered in a forest area in Gulmarg. Police said the body appeared to be about ten days old.
Shanib had reportedly been out of contact with his family for over three weeks. While initial checks have revealed no suspicious background, authorities remain puzzled over how and why he travelled to Kashmir. Both the Jammu and Kashmir police and central agencies are probing his past and examining his mobile phone for clues.
Family members, including his father, have travelled to Kashmir to identify the body, as inquiries continue into any possible connections to radical networks or illegal activity.
