FRIDAY PULWAMA ‘CONSPIRATOR’ BURHAN SHOT DEAD BY UNKNOWN MEN IN POK 22 A key accused in the 2019 Pulwama attack, Hamza Burhan, alias ‘Doctor’, was shot dead in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, Indian officials said MAY, 2026 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard WAS DESIGNATED A TERRORIST BY MHA X.com/TheMornStandard The February 14, 2019, suicide bombing at Lethpora in Pulwama had killed 40 CRPF personnel after a JeM operative rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a security convoy WEST ASIA PAKISTAN ARMY CHIEF TO VISIT IRAN ISI The visit comes a day after Trump warned that negotiations to end the war were on the “borderline” between a deal and renewed strikes A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9 India-Africa meet postponed over Ebola virus scare  NEW DELHI  J8.00 INDIA and the African Union have postponed the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit, originally scheduled to be held in New Delhi from May 28 to 31, amid growing concerns over the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa. The decision comes at a time when India was preparing to unveil an ambitious roadmap to deepen its strategic, economic and developmental partnership with the African continent after a gap of nearly a decade. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India and the African Union had held consultations on the “evolving health situation” and agreed that it would be “advisable” to convene the summit at a later date. “Recognising the importance of ensuring the full participation and engagement of African leaders and stakeholders, and mindful of the emerging public health situation on the continent, consultations were held between the Government of India, the Chairperson of the African Union, and the African Union Commission,” the MEA said. The decision to postpone the summit was taken against the backdrop of a fresh outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which the World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern. More than 136 deaths have reportedly been linked to the outbreak so far. The summit was expected to bring together leaders from across Africa along with representatives of the African Union Commission to chart a broader framework for cooperation in sectors ranging from trade, energy and technology to healthcare, capacity building and digital infrastructure. Several African leaders had already confirmed their participation. The postponement of the summit will delay what was being viewed as a major diplomatic push by India to reinforce its engagement with Africa amid intensifying geopolitical competition for greater influence on the continent. P U S H P I TA D E Y @ New Delhi IBCA summit, too, postponed The first International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit, which was scheduled to be held in New Delhi on June 1 in conjunction with the India-Africa summit, too, has been postponed in view of the Ebola outbreak. “In order to ensure broad and active participation from all Range countries, including African countries, the First IBCA Summit will be convened at a later date,” an official release said. IBCA, a global initiative for the conservation of seven major big cat species, was launched by PM Narendra Modi on April 9, 2023. It was formally established on March 12, 2024. Airports issue advisory All major international airports in India have issued health advisories for passengers arriving from Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, asking them to report symptoms or exposure history to airport health authorities before immigration clearance HEATWAVE ALERT Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions likely in Punjab, parts of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, east UP from May 21 to 27, says IMD Heat wave conditions in isolated pockets of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal on May 21, 22; Telangana from May 21-24; Odisha May 21-25 Vidarbha, coastal Andhra and Yanam expected to face heat wave conditions from May 21-25 Warm night conditions in isolated pockets over Odisha during May 21-25 | P7 Directorate General of Health Services Watch for symptoms for 21 days The Directorate General of Health Services said passengers must watch out for fever, weakness or fatigue, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding and sore throat. Also, those developing symptoms within 21 days arrival must report the same and seek medical care EXPRESS READ Railways probing sabotage angle behind accidents The Indian Railways has intensified investigations into a series of recent train fire incidents after it has come to light in initial investigations that there could be involvement of anti-social elements. Railway law enforcement agencies, along with senior railway officials, are continuing investigations to determine whether organised attempts are being made to sabotage railway services. P7 IN the ongoing trade talks with the US, India has secured relatively favourable terms on several items facing investigation under Section 232, including pharmaceutical products, auto parts and aircraft components, a commerce ministry source familiar with the matter said. “As far as certain other products are concerned which are under Section 232 investigation, there is a separate treatment for them also. We have got exemption for aircraft parts and, to some extent, on auto parts. We also have a framework to work on generic pharma,” the source told TNIE. Under Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the US government can impose tariffs on imports on grounds of national security concerns. Washington has invoked the provision to levy duties on sec- AMID the row over the cancelled NEET-UG exams, top officials of the National Testing Agency (NTA) came under intense scrutiny from a Parliamentary panel on Thursday over the question paper leak and related irregularities. According to sources, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh informed the panel that the question paper was not leaked through the agency’s system, adding that the CBI is currently investigating the breach. The panel summoned the officials amid multiple arrests by the CBI, which included teachers and intermediaries a l l e g e d l y l i n ke d t o t h e question paper leak prior to the exam. 70% of short-term reforms implemented Top officials including Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, NTA Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi, and Abhishek Singh, gave a detailed presentation on the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan report for reforms in the agency. Sources said Singh informed the panel that around 70% of the shortterm measures suggested have already been implemented During the meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, several opposition MPs grilled the NTA officials on the steps they have taken to strengthen the exam system. Sources said that when MPs questioned how the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) paper was leaked, Singh responded that it had not been compromised through the NTA system. Several MPs then pressed him on how the leak occurred and why the exam had to be can- 7L ration cards cancelled, income eligibility may go up to `2.5L/yr A N U P V E R M A @ New Delhi THE Delhi government has cancelled around 7.72 lakh “invalid” ration cards after an audit of the public distribution system and is preparing to raise the annual income eligibility limit for fresh beneficiaries to `2.5 lakh, CM Rekha Gupta said on Thursday . Gupta said in view of the vacancies, fresh online applications for new ration cards and inclusion of family members have been opened through the e-District portal from May 15. “In Delhi, no ration cards were issued in the last 13 years,” she said. She said 7,71,384 ineligible and bogus beneficiaries were identified during the audit. Of these, 6,46,123 beneficiaries were found to be above the prescribed income limit and therefore, ineligible for subsidised ration. Another 95,682 beneficiaries hadn’t availed a ration for a year, 6,185 deceased continued to remain on ration records, while 23,394 beneficiaries were found to be drawing benefits from multiple locations. The CM said the government has increased the annual family income eligibility limit for ration cards from `1 lakh to `1.20 lakh, and is now considering a further hike to `2.50 lakh to bring more poor families under the welfare net. The proposal is expected to be cleared in the next cabinet meeting, she said. Gupta said the ration distribution system is being modernised. Under the new framework, applicants will be required to submit Aadhaar cards, proof of residence and the latest income certificate for verification. Vande Mataram made mandatory at all WB-recognised madrasahs as well S U B H E N D U M A I T I @ Kolkata MANDATORY singing of Vande Mataram is not just confined to schools in West Bengal, the fiat extends to all madrasahs that are sponsored, aided and recognised by the state government as well. The West Bengal Directorate of Madrasah Education issued a directive on May 19 to district magistrates, secretary of West Bengal Board of Madrasah Education and other offices related to madrasah education di- Replaces Tagore song Banglar Mati Banglar Jol Vande Mataram replaces the state song, Banglar Mati Banglar Jol, composed by Rabindranath Tagore in 1905 in school assemblies. The Tagore song was introduced by the erstwhile Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee recting them to implement the singing of Vande Mataram in all madrasahs during morning assembly prayers mandatorily Delegation coming Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said a US delegation is expected to visit India next month for further negotiations on the proposed agreement. This follows the talks held in April in Washington between Indian and US officials tors such as steel, aluminium, automobiles, aircraft and their parts, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. These tariffs currently range between 10% and 50% on a range of strategic products. Some Indian exports, including steel, aluminium, and autoparts face tariffs of 2550% under Section 232. Generic pharmaceuticals, however, currently attract no tariff. In the India-US joint statement signed in February 2025, the US had agreed to provide India with “negotiated outcomes with respect to generic pharmaceuticals and ingredients”, contingent on the findings of the Section 232 probe. “So comparatively, when I look at our terms of settlement, the terms are better than any competitor for India,” the source added. Indian negotiators have been pushing for product-specific relaxations as part of the broader bilateral trade discussions. The development comes at a time when India and the US are continuing negotiations for a proposed bilateral trade agreement, with both sides aiming to conclude an interim arrangement before moving towards a broader pact. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India from May 23 to 26. The four-day visit, his first visit to India since taking office, will focus on trade, defence and energy cooperation. NEET-UG: NTA officials face scrutiny from MPs P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi Passengers with symptoms must immediately report to airport health officer or health desk before immigration clearance PAGES 12 US offers ‘separate treatment’ for India under Sec 232 probe Workers cover themselves from the scorching heat during the heatwave in UP’s Prayagraj on Thursday | PTI Decision after fresh outbreak in DR Congo; fliers from affected countries to be screened E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ New Delhi  BURHAN HAD CLOSE TIES WITH ISI AND WAS ASSOCIATED WITH AL-BADR TERROR OUTFIT Investigators alleged Burhan played a crucial logistical role in the attack by supplying explosives and grenades to the terrorists | P7 with immediate effect. “Singing of Vande Mataram will henceforth be mandatory in all recognised madrasahs as well. Why should it not be mandatory in madrasahs at a time when other recognised schools in the state do the same?” wondered Khsudiram Tudu, state minority affairs and madrasah education minister. The BJP government had on May 14 directed its mandatory singing during assembly prayers in all institutions under the school education department. celled and a retest conducted. Singh, however, said that the matter is being probed by the CBI. According to sources, some opposition MPs demanded that the investigation report be shared with the panel, but BJP members argued that the CBI should be allowed to complete its probe without interference. Sources said that the Parliamentary panel’s chairperson, Congress MP Digvijaya Singh, raised objections to comments made by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during a May 15 press meet regarding the standing committee. He said the committee had raised legitimate questions about why the ministry had not acted on the recommendations in its report concerning the NTA. P8 Amid speculation over a Cabinet reshuffle after the NDA government completes 12 years in office on June 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a crucial meeting of the Council of Ministers | P7 2 cases of heatstroke, city records warmest May night in 14 years A D I T I R AY C H O W D H U R Y @ New Delhi The student was immediately incubated, placed on ventilator support, following which ice-cold water immersion cooling was given Doctor, RML Hospital Immersion cooling West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari reverentially prostrates before monks during a visit to Belur Math in Howrah district on Thursday | PTI MODI MEETS MINISTERS AMID SHUFFLE BUZZ The director of medicine at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital said that the procedure of immersion cooling is a first of its kind in the country and has proven to be extremely effective in cases of heatstroke AMID continuing heatwave condition across north and central India, Delhi witnessed first set of cases of heatstroke in the season on Thursday The first case was recorded at . Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital where a 24year-old student from West Bengal was admitted at around 1:45 am. The second patient was a 50-year-old man, who was admitted at around 10:45 am. Both were brought to the hospital in an unconscious state. According to the hospital, the student was travelling by train when his condition deteriorated. The hospital said that he had no pre-existing illnesses and was completely healthy before the incident. Doctors said that his body temperature exceeded 105°F and was accompanied by repeated vomiting, uncontrollable diarrhea as well as confusion. He is currently in a critical condition. In order to address the student’s condition, doctors immediately started immersion cooling treatment and provided intensive medical management. Dr Ajay Chauhan, director of medicine and nodal officer for heat stroke at the hospital, said that the procedure of immersion cooling is a first of its kind in India and has proven to be effective in cases of heatstroke. He said that the symptoms of a heatstroke include having body temperature more than 105°F and alteration in consciousness, which can either be being unconscious or aggressive. Delhi recorded its warmest night in May in nearly 14 years, as the minimum temperature settled at 31.9°C on Thursday the weath, er office said. The last time the minimum temperature was higher than this was on May 26, 2012, when the minimum temperature stood at 32.5°C.