Morning Brief: LeT Chief Hafiz Saeed Gets Extra Security, Fearing 'Unknown Gunmen' Strike; India Shuts Airspace To Pakistan; US Calls For Calm As Rawalpindi Hits Panic Button; And More

Kick-start your morning with Swarajya’s Morning Brief – your news fix, curated for clarity and insight.

Hafiz Saeed Gets More Security Amid Fears Of Indian Covert Action

Pakistan's ISI have heightened security for Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed, fearing Indian covert action following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Former Special Service Group commandos and additional personnel have been deployed to protect his residences, including one in Lahore’s densely populated Mohalla Johar, which has been converted into a temporary sub-jail.

A control room with gesture-detection CCTV cameras monitors movements within a one-kilometer radius of his location. Despite being officially imprisoned with a 46-year sentence for terror financing, the 77-year-old Saeed, wanted by the US and India for the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has made over two dozen public appearances in the last three years.

India Shuts Airspace To Pakistan In Tit-for-Tat Move

India has shut its airspace to all Pakistan-owned and operated flights, six days after Pakistan imposed a similar ban on Indian carriers. Both countries have now barred each other's airlines from using their airspace until 11:59 pm UTC on 23 May, with potential revisions. With flights from Pakistan forced to circumnavigate India, travel times and operational costs will rise significantly for its already struggling airlines.

India has also taken other punitive steps, including halting the Indus Waters Treaty, cancelling visas, and declaring Pakistani defence staff at its High Commission persona non grata. Islamabad, meanwhile, has suspended trade and invoked the right to review all bilateral agreements, including the Simla Accord.

US Urges Restraint As India Plans To Strike Pakistan

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday (30 April) to urge de-escalation after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Rubio offered condolences to the victims and reaffirmed US support for India in the global fight against terrorism. He also encouraged both countries to pursue dialogue.

During the call, Sharif accused India of provocative actions and rejected any link between Pakistan and the attack, calling for an impartial probe. He urged the US to discourage India from making inflammatory statements that could worsen tensions. India, however, is unlikely to yield to US pressure, given the sentiment at home..

Other Developments

62 Per Cent Of Indians Believe Country On Right Track: Survey

India has retained its 4th position in global optimism, with 62 per cent of citizens expressing hope for the future, according to the Ipsos What Worries the World survey. The country is among top Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) nations like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, showing strong confidence in its domestic economy.

Ipsos India CEO Amit Adarkar attributes this optimism to India’s geographical advantages, demographic dividend, and reliance on domestic consumption.

India’s Taliban Diplomacy Forces Pakistan Into Isolation

India has opened diplomatic channels with the Taliban government in Afghanistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, isolating Pakistan. An Indian delegation met top Taliban leaders in Kabul on Monday to discuss regional developments, just days after Pakistan's foreign minister visited the country amid strained ties.

The Taliban condemned the attack and is seeking improved ties with New Delhi, marking a reversal of roles as Pakistan finds itself sidelined by the very group it once backed. India’s outreach is seen as a diplomatic coup, especially as Pakistan's ties with the Taliban regime in Kabul are at their worst, with Rawalpindi failing to exert the kind of control over the Taliban that it once hoped for, ending its dream of strategic depth against India.

US-Ukraine Sign Mineral Deal Amid War Strain

The US and Ukraine signed an agreement granting the US access to Ukraine's critical mineral resources, such as titanium, uranium, and lithium, marking a shift from military support to economic collaboration. The deal, called the US–Ukraine Reinvestment Fund, aims to compensate the US for its extensive assistance during the war and secure future investment for Ukraine, while ensuring Ukraine retains full control over its resources.

Despite tensions, the deal was finalised after months of negotiation and nearly collapsed due to disagreements between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This agreement reflects a recalibration of US foreign policy under Trump, who has questioned ongoing military spending abroad.

From The States

Bihar: Tejashwi Pushes For Toddy Exemption To Gain Pasi Votes

Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, the Leader of Opposition in Bihar, has vowed to exempt toddy from the state's prohibition law if the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan wins the 2025 elections, citing its importance to the Pasi community’s traditional livelihood. He criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for including toddy in the prohibition, a stance that harmed the community, despite his own attempts to convince Kumar to exclude it.

The move is seen as part of Tejashwi's broader strategy to address the failures of the prohibition policy, which has led to widespread arrests, deaths from hooch, and overcrowded jails. The JD(U) and BJP have accused the RJD of trying to gain political support from the Pasi community while disregarding the concerns of women voters, who largely back prohibition.

Manipur NDA MLAs Demand Popular Govt To End President's Rule

Twenty-one Manipur MLAs from NDA parties, including BJP, NPP, and NPF, but excluding former Chief Minister N Biren Singh and his close allies, have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to replace over two months of President’s Rule with a popular government to restore peace and normalcy.

The MLAs, facing public pressure and dismissing recent Meitei-Kuki-Zo talks as inadequate, believe a new government is essential. They expressed disappointment over the lack of visible progress under President’s Rule, imposed since February 2025, following Singh’s resignation.

You’re all caught up—until next time.