02:56⇢Pakistani Ceasefire Violations Continue for Seventh Day
⌨The newspapers extensively report on escalating India-Pakistan tensions following the Pahalgam attack, with Pakistani forces violating the ceasefire for the seventh consecutive day and firing across the Line of Control in three sectors (Jagran, Zee News). The Indian Army has responded with retaliatory fire (Jagran). Diplomatically, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with both External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif, urging de-escalation (ABP Live, The Hindu, The Print, Times of India). Meanwhile, both countries have hired Trump allies as lobbyists in Washington (The Print). Domestically, the BJP's decision to conduct a caste census is seen as potentially undercutting Congress's OBC politics, particularly in Bihar's caste-driven political landscape (Aaj Tak, Mathrubhumi).