Weekly wrap: Top headlines from Kashmir and beyond

Srinagar, May 12: From high-level political diplomatic developments in Jammu and Kashmir to international engagements around the world, the past week offered a huge snippet of the region’s evolving political and security landscape.

Here is a dose of top headlines and key moments from the past week.

Trump offers mediation on Kashmir, praises cessation of hostilities between
India-Pak

US President Trump on Sunday welcomed the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan saying that millions of people could have died if the peace had not been worked out “I am proud that the USA was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision. While not even discussed, I am going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great Nations. Additionally, I will work with you both to see if, after a “thousand years,” a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir. The US President was making a reference to a potential nuclear fallout between the two nations.

Ceasefire Announcement

After nearly a week of heightened military tensions that had brought the summer capital to a standstill, life in Srinagar is gradually returning to normal following Saturday’s mutual ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. The ceasefire, announced simultaneously by both countries’ foreign ministries late Saturday evening, has allowed residents to cautiously emerge from their homes and resume daily activities that had been abruptly halted during the crisis.

No incident reported: After days of fear, uneasy calm returns at borders

Calm prevailed on Saturday night at the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) after days of intense cross-border hostilities that left at least 25 dead and over 40 injured across Jammu and Kashmir. In Jammus Udhampur district, which witnessed sporadic shelling Friday evening, silence fell by late Saturday. The peaceful night comes days after Pakistan indulged in unprovoked firing and later heavy shelling on the Line of Control and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir. The night also had no sounds of drones, missiles, or jets flying around. For the first time in several days, locals in the Jammu region, including the heavily affected areas of Poonch and Rajouri, had peace.

PM Modi chairs crucial meeting with Defence minister, EAM and others

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a meeting with defence minister Rajnath Singh, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, and tri-services chiefs at his 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence in New Delhi. This gathering came a day after India and Pakistan announced the ceasefire.

Over 100 terrorists including high-value targets killed in May 7 strikes: DGMO

The Indian military said on Sunday that over 100 terrorists, including high-value targets such as Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf and Mudasir Ahmed, were eliminated during Operation Sindoor on May 7. Nine terror targets were identified after careful deliberations and they were hit using  precision weapons, Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai said at a media briefing.

CM Omar Abdullah visits camps in Jammu & Samba

Chief Minister visited several camps and lodgement centres in Jammu and Samba districts, including those set up at Mishriwala, Nagbani, Bishnah and Thandi Khui, to assess the relief arrangements made for the public who have been evacuated to these shelters. CM was accompanied by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani and Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Satish Sharma and other concerned officers.

SIA raids 20 locations across South Kashmir; busts sleeper cell modules

According to the State Investigation Agency (SIA), Kashmir has on Sunday busted sleeper cell modules after raiding over twenty locations across the districts of South Kashmir. He further said the State Investigation Agency (SIA), Kashmir has conducted searches at around 20 locations across all districts of South Kashmir in connection with the investigation of case FIR No. 01/2025 U/S 13, 17, 18, 18-B, 38, 39 UA(P) Act of P/S CI/SIA Kashmir.

India-Pak tensions, inflation, economic data key triggers

Last week, the stock market ended lower due to the escalation between India and Pakistan.

The Sensex declined by nearly 1,047 points to settle at 79,454, while the Nifty slipped 338 points to close at 24,008 — both registering a weekly loss of approximately 1.4 per cent. Sector-wise, real estate and PSU banks were the major laggards, falling around 6.5 per cent and 4.5 per cent, respectively, while the auto and media sectors bucked the trend to emerge as top gainers.

All schools, colleges, universities in J&K remained closed on May 9, 10

All schools, colleges and universities across Jammu and Kashmir remained closed on May 09 and 10. The decision, according the government was taken as a precautionary measure.

Jamia Millia Islamia reschedules exams for J&K students

On the request of Jammu and Kashmir Government and in view of the prevailing situation, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) announced rescheduling the Admission Tests for the students of Jammu and Kashmir being held on May 10-11, 2025.

The admission tests of Jamia Millia Islamia for the session 2025-26 commenced on 26th April, 2025 and are scheduled to be completed by 31st May, 2025.

Israel’s blockade: Gaza’s hospitals cannot provide food to recovering patients

Malnutrition is on the rise across Gaza, aid groups say. Thousands of children have been found with acute malnutrition in the past month, but adults as well are not getting proper nutrients, according to the U.N. It estimates that 16,000 pregnant women and new mothers this year face acute malnutrition.

Since Israel’s blockade began on March 2, food sources have been drying up. Aid groups have stopped food distribution.

Zelenskyy hopes for ceasefire with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is hoping for a full and temporary ceasefire with Russia starting Monday, adding he would be in Turkiye to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin “personally.”

His comments came after US President Donald Trump insisted Ukraine accept Russia’s latest offer of holding direct talks in Turkiye on Thursday. Ukraine, along with European allies, had demanded Russia accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting on Monday before holding talks.