Peace meeting held in Nagamangala; immersion of Ganesha idols to resume today

Pakistan has threatened to deport around 20,000 Afghan refugees awaiting relocation unless their cases are processed swiftly by host governments, following a pause in U.S. refugee programs. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif set a deadline of March 31 for their expulsion from Islamabad and Rawalpindi if not relocated. Concerns have been raised about the fate of Afghan refugees, with reports of arbitrary detention and harassment in Islamabad. Full Article

Unidentified gunmen killed former territorial armyman Manzoor Ahmad Wagay and injured his wife and niece near a masjid in Kulgam, southern Kashmir. Wagay was pronounced dead upon arrival at a medical facility, while his wife and niece are in stable condition. Police and Army are investigating the motive behind the targeted attack. Full Article

Fencing work near the Bangladesh border in Malda has been suspended due to disputes between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF). Efforts to resolve the issue are expected to be discussed in upcoming DG-level talks, as construction has been stalled since November 2024 following objections from Bangladesh, despite previous mutual consent for the project. Full Article

Afghan authorities have refused to receive the body of the son of a senior Afghan Taliban official killed in a military offensive in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The deceased, Badaruddin, was involved in cross-border terrorist attacks and had ties to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring armed groups, while Kabul denies these allegations. Full Article

The 13th edition of joint military exercise 'Ekuverin' between the Indian Army and Maldives National Defence Force commenced, focusing on counter insurgency, counter terrorism, and humanitarian assistance over a 14-day period to enhance interoperability. The opening ceremony was attended by Maldives Defence Chief Major General Ibrahim Hilmy and Indian High Commissioner G Balasubramanian. Full Article

The Indian Rupee dropped nearly 0.6% to breach the 87 mark against the U.S. Dollar amidst a global meltdown for emerging market currencies after President Trump imposed higher tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth emphasized India's focus on managing volatility and not using exchange rate policies to promote exports, aiming to make the country more self-reliant and competitive. The government aims to address uncertainties and strengthen export competitiveness through quality...