The big news: ‘Good to be back,’ says IAF pilot after return from Pakistan, and 9 other top stories
Other headlines: Pakistan foreign minister claims Jaish was not behind the Pulwama attack, and Parliament panel asks for pictures of air strikes.
A look at the headlines right now:
- IAF pilot Abhinandan walks into India via Wagah border after being released by Pakistan: The pilot walked onto the Indian side around 9.20 pm on Friday.
- Pakistan foreign minister now claims Jaish-e-Mohammad was not behind Pulwama bombing: Shah Mahmood Qureshi claimed that people known to the terrorist outfit in Pakistan had been in touch with the JeM and that they denied planning the attack.
- ‘Go all out to explain reasons for air strikes,’ Parliament panel tells Ministry of External Affairs: The committee, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, met in the Parliament House.
- BJP criticises Mamata Banerjee for ‘doubting armed forces’, says it’s shameful: BJP’s West Bengal unit chief Dilip Ghosh claimed some political leaders and parties were speaking ‘Pakistan’s language’.
- ‘When will you return to face proceedings?’ Bombay High Court asks Vijay Mallya: The court was hearing Mallya’s petition against a special court’s order to declare the businessman a fugitive.
- Four security personnel, a civilian killed in encounter in Kupwara, say officials: A civilian was reportedly killed in the clashes that followed the encounter.
- Pakistan plans to lodge eco-terrorism complaint with UN against India for air strikes: Climate Change Minister Malik Amin Aslam said the government will conduct an environmental impact assessment, that will form the basis of its plaint.
- Lok Sabha polls will be held on time, says Election Commission amid India-Pakistan tensions: Arora defended electronic voting machines, saying they were made by ‘highly secure companies’.
- Rahul Gandhi promises 500 sq ft homes for Mumbai slum-dwellers if Congress comes to power: Gandhi reiterated his promise of providing a minimum income for every person if his party Congress is voted to power in the Lok Sabha elections.
- Saudi Arabia revokes citizenship of Osama bin Laden’s son Hamza: The decision was made public a day after the United States announced a reward of up to $1 million for information on the al Qaeda leader.
