Displaying items by tag: India

In one of India’s worst aviation disasters in decades, at least 240 people were killed when a Boeing 787 owned by Air India crashed in Ahmedabad soon after takeoff. The sole survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, is in hospital but out of danger. The plane, bound for London, struck a residential building housing medical students; five students were killed and dozens injured. Charred wreckage and bodies were found across the crash site. Firefighters battled flames fed by full fuel tanks, while Indian army teams assisted rescue efforts. Eyewitness footage showed the plane descending before erupting into a fireball. Authorities reported the aircraft issued a mayday call before losing contact. Narendra Modi expressed profound sorrow, and Boeing is investigating its first-ever 787 Dreamliner crash. Investigators will analyse flight data to determine exactly what happened. Air India’s chairman said, ‘At the moment our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families.’

Flooding and landslides caused by relentless rains have devastated northeastern India, with at least 44 people confirmed dead. Assam state has seen twelve deaths from flooding and five from landslides, with nearly 1,500 villages and over 617,000 people impacted. In Arunachal Pradesh, twelve deaths have been reported, while Sikkim has faced deadly landslides, killing two soldiers and a porter. The Indian Army is conducting tireless search and rescue operations in treacherous conditions, seeking six missing individuals amid unstable terrain and high altitudes. Other northeastern states are also reporting casualties as the disaster unfolds. Narendra Modi has assured support for affected regions, contacting local officials and promising relief. The scale of the disaster highlights the vulnerability of remote areas to extreme weather and the immense burden placed on rescue personnel. As the death toll rises, national and regional leaders face growing pressure to manage the crisis and protect vulnerable communities.

Following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on 22 April, military tensions between India and Pakistan escalated rapidly, culminating in cross-border missile strikes and drone attacks. The conflict nearly led to all-out war, but a US-announced ceasefire on 10 May halted the fighting. Both nations claim victory: India points to deep strikes into Pakistan’s Punjab region, while Pakistan touts the downing of Indian jets, confirmed by foreign sources. Analysts suggest that both sides gained and lost strategically. India achieved a rare reach into Pakistan’s heartland for the first time since 1971, while Pakistan successfully internationalised the Kashmir issue, welcoming external mediation. The ceasefire’s legitimacy is disputed: India insists it was bilateral, while Pakistan credits the USA. Talks between military officials have followed, but Narendra Modi has warned the ceasefire is only a ‘pause’. It would not take much for hostilities to flare up again.

On 8 May Pakistan claimed it shot down twelve Indian drones overnight amid escalating tensions following Indian airstrikes which have killed 31 people across Pakistan. General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, describing India’s actions as a ‘blatant act of aggression’, said the drone incursions had targeted major cities including Rawalpindi, where Pakistan’s military has its headquarters. Flights have been suspended in major cities of both nations, and a state of emergency declared in Pakistan’s Sindh region. India has not responded to the drone accusations but claimed its earlier strikes targeted terrorist infrastructure connected with the deadly militant attack in Kashmir on 22 April, even though Pakistan has denied involvement in it. Pakistan's prime minister has vowed revenge, while pressure builds on its army chief to respond. Both sides have exchanged shellfire along the contested Kashmir border. Iran has offered to mediate, as global concern mounts over the risk of broader conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

A brutal terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir has left 26 people dead, including tourists and locals, and sent shockwaves across India. On 22 April gunmen opened fire at a popular resort in Pahalgam, targeting visitors gathered at Baisaran meadow. Among the victims were an Indian naval officer on his honeymoon, a tourist guide supporting his family, and multiple members of one family vacationing together. Eyewitnesses report that some attackers questioned victims about their religion before opening fire, although motives remain unconfirmed. Survivors and families describe scenes of chaos, loss, and unthinkable grief. Locals fear the attack could devastate tourism-dependent livelihoods. Kashmir's streets fell silent as businesses shut in protest, while Indian leaders, including prime minister Modi, vowed a strong response. A manhunt is under way, and as families bury their dead and demand justice, the nation mourns a deep and painful wound. India has already closed the border with Pakistan, which has denied involvement with the terrorists, and there are fears that there will be further military escalation. See

Christians in India are requesting urgent prayers after the spread of viral videos inciting mob violence against them on 1 March. During a massive Hindu pilgrimage, Aadesh Soni accused Christians in Chhattisgarh state of killing cows and called for vigilante action. Another religious leader urged followers: ‘Do not ask for the death penalty for cow slayers. Kill them and ask for the death penalty for yourselves. Do not wait for the law to act.’ Social media platforms and WhatsApp groups are mobilising thousands to take part in the attacks. Though Soni later claimed he is not against Christians, believers remain fearful. Police are patrolling targeted villages, and Christians are calling on local authorities to prevent the violence. Chhattisgarh has long been a hotspot for Christian persecution, with over 130 attacks recorded in 2023 alone.

Christianity is growing exponentially in Punjab, with Pentecostal churches leading a revival among Sikhs. This movement incorporates Punjabi culture by allowing converts to retain their traditional names and clothes while adopting Christian faith, creating a smoother and more relatable transition. Pentecostal churches are similar to Sikh places of worship, with familiar worship practices like sitting on the floor and singing, drawing many to the faith. The revival’s growth stems from dynamic leaders like Pastor Ankur Narula, whose church in Jalandhar has over 130 churches and 2.6 million YouTube subscribers. Testimonies of healing, miracles, and divine visions fuel conversions, and there are many compelling stories of transformation through faith. While traditional churches remain stagnant, Pentecostal churches resonate with the Punjabi longing for connection with God, hope, and healing, leading to a remarkable spiritual awakening.

Record-breaking smog is blanketing eastern Pakistan and northern India, creating hazardous conditions which are even visible in satellite images. A dense haze stretches from Pakistan’s Punjab province to India, impacting tens of millions. Lahore’s air quality index hit a hazardous 1,200, far exceeding the danger threshold of 300. The fine pollutant PM2.5, linked to serious health risks, registered 110 times over safe levels. Hospitals are overwhelmed, with over 30,000 cases of respiratory issues reported. Schools, government offices, and public spaces have been closed for a week. Children are particularly vulnerable, as UNICEF warns that over 11 million under-fives are exposed to toxic air. Authorities are urging cooperation with India to address this cross-border crisis. The climate crisis and reliance on fossil fuels compound the issue, contributing to deadly pollution worldwide.

India and China have agreed to resume patrols along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, signalling a potential reduction in tensions following their 2020 clash in Galwan Valley in which twenty Indian soldiers were killed. Both nations have longstanding territorial claims in this region. However, a day after this agreement was announced, Indian army chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated that significant trust issues remain, and restoring confidence between the nations is crucial for further progress. He said that both nations need to be reassured before carrying out a disengagement process: patrolling along the border would help that process, as ‘we will be able to see each other and check that we are not creeping into buffer zones’.

Born to a Hindu father and Christian mother near Chennai, Mohan committed his life to Christ while in the tenth grade after grappling with spiritual questions about heaven and salvation. Baptised in 1990, he received the gift of speaking in tongues a few months later. He soon felt called to plant churches and began evangelising in a nearby village. Despite having a career as an engineer, Mohan used his earnings to support pastors and plant churches, leading to the establishment of ten churches in India. In 2012, he moved to Connecticut, where he continues to support global church-planting efforts. During the Covid lockdown, Mohan spent time in deep prayer, leading to the creation of Universal Apostolic Ministries, which focuses on planting churches in Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist, and communist countries. His ministry has expanded from India to include Myanmar, Bhutan, Pakistan, China, Mexico, and beyond.