Pahalgam Attack 2025, India–Saudi Energy Pact & Gold Price Hits ₹1 Lakh – Full Report"

Afternoon Bulletin: Key Updates from India

Today’s top Indian news covers a deadly militant assault in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir; a landmark energy and defence cooperation agreement between India and Saudi Arabia; and a historic surge in gold prices that saw gold hit ₹1 lakh per 10 grams for the first time.

Pahalgam Terror Attack Shakes Kashmir Tourism

On April 22, 2025, suspected militants opened fire on tourists in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, killing 26 people and injuring 17 more, marking the deadliest civilian attack in Kashmir since 2008.

The group “Kashmir Resistance” claimed responsibility, framing the victims as “outsiders” and alleging demographic change, while New Delhi accused Pakistan-based proxies of orchestrating the assault.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediately cut short his Saudi Arabia trip to convene a high-level security meeting; hundreds of security personnel launched search operations across Pahalgam, and airlines arranged special evacuation flights amid a mass tourist exodus.

Despite recent years of relative calm and rising springtime tourism in Kashmir, this attack underscores persistent security challenges in the region’s remote valleys.

India & Saudi Arabia Deepen Energy & Defence Ties

During a two-day visit to Jeddah, Prime Minister Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a joint statement to boost cooperation in crude-oil and LPG supplies, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a top energy partner for India.

The leaders agreed to explore joint refinery and petrochemical projects, and feasibility studies for India–Saudi electricity grid interconnectivity, broadening bilateral energy infrastructure integration.

On defence, both nations pledged deeper collaboration in defence manufacturing—building on past joint naval and land exercises—and welcomed private-sector investment in India’s expanding defence industrial base.

Why it matters: As India’s energy demand soars, securing stable crude and LPG supplies from Saudi Arabia helps safeguard energy security, while defence cooperation strengthens regional stability.

Gold Hits Historic ₹1 Lakh per 10 g Mark

On April 22, gold prices in India crossed the psychological milestone of ₹1 lakh per 10 grams (including GST) for the first time, fueled by safe-haven buying amid global uncertainties.

Market experts attribute the rally to renewed US-China tariff tensions and a weaker dollar, which drove investors toward bullion; gold’s June futures on MCX hit new highs before a slight profit-booking pullback.

With Akshaya Tritiya and wedding seasons approaching, jewellery demand is expected to stay firm despite record prices, underscoring gold’s enduring cultural and investment appeal in India.

Analysts at the World Gold Council forecast continued support for gold, while global banks predict further upside by year-end as geopolitical tension and central-bank accumulation persist.

Published April 23, 2025 • Written by YourBlogName