Jammu and Kashmir was battered by heavy snowfall and fierce winds reaching 155kmph, causing widespread disruption. Highways were blocked, flights cancelled, schools shut, and power supply severely impacted. The Vaishno Devi pilgrimage was suspended as snow blanketed the Trikuta Hills. Authorities are bracing for further weather challenges.

Security forces neutralized a top Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist, Usman, in Kathua's Billawar during Operation Trashi-I. This operation, now in its sixth day, has seen intense combing operations and the discovery of a terrorist hideout. The ongoing hunt for more militants continues despite challenging conditions, marking a significant breakthrough for security forces.

Indian sailors faced the worst abandonment in 2025. Over 1,100 Indian seafarers were left stranded on ships. This marks a significant increase from previous years. Many were left without pay and unable to return home. The International Transport Workers’ Federation is working to recover wages. This situation highlights serious issues in the maritime industry.

Families of Hyderabad youths are pleading with the government for help, claiming their sons were lured to Thailand with fake job offers and are now held captive and tortured near the Myanmar border. These individuals were reportedly forced into long working hours, denied basic necessities, and beaten for attempting to leave.

Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin rejected Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'double engine' government pitch, asserting the state has achieved growth independently. Stalin accused the BJP of betraying Tamil Nadu and highlighted the growth in non-'double engine' states. Modi, in turn, criticized the DMK government as 'Corruption, Mafia, Crime' and accused them of misgovernance and vote-bank politics.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the NDA's campaign in Tamil Nadu, asserting voters are ready to oust the «corrupt» DMK government. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin countered, accusing the NDA of betraying the state and highlighting pending demands, including financial aid and NEET exemption.

Addressing a large BJP rally at the Putharikandam Maidan, PM Modi said the party’s rise in Kerala would mirror its early growth in Gujarat, where it began by winning control of a single city nearly four decades ago. He recalled that before 1987, the BJP was a marginal force in Gujarat and received little attention.

In the Colombian study, researchers analysed blood samples from nearly 100 laboratory-confirmed dengue patients, classified by disease severity, and compared them with healthy individuals. They measured serum vitamin D levels along with miRNA-155, a molecule that regulates immune and inflammatory responses. Patients with milder dengue had higher vitamin D levels, while those with warning signs or severe disease showed significant deficiency.

Tharoor, ​​​who is reportedly unhappy after Rahul Gandhi did not meet him during his visit to Kochi, will instead attend the Kerala literature festival. The controversy around Tharoor and his reported rift with the party erupted following a series of events that led to the experts connecting dots of the veteran leader's dissatisfaction with his current position in the grand old party.

In an advisory to passengers, the airline said the suspension could lead to extended wait times, both onboard aircraft and at the airport, as weather conditions continued to affect operations. It added that boarding formalities may be completed in advance so that flights can depart immediately once clearance is granted.

Republic Day tableaux are taking shape at Delhi Cantonment, showcasing India's past, present, and aspirations, with a special focus on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. Around 30 displays, featuring military might, cultural legacies, and technological advancements, will be presented on Kartavya Path by 2,500 artistes.

Delhi High Court has asked IndiGo to explain how it will compensate passengers affected by mass flight cancellations last December. The court noted that refunds are not the same as compensation. IndiGo is offering Rs 10,000 vouchers to some passengers. The court wants a detailed affidavit on compensation plans. Authorities have taken steps to prevent future disruptions.

The Indian Patent Office has rejected AbbVie's patent application for its cancer drug Venetoclax, citing a lack of inventive step and no enhancement in therapeutic efficacy. This decision, if upheld, could allow for the entry of more affordable generic versions of the drug into the Indian market.

An FIR in UP details a woman's alleged gang-rape under the guise of 'halala' after an instant triple talaq. The law banning triple talaq has been invoked, alongside provisions for rape and other offenses. This case highlights the legal grey area surrounding halala, a practice not recognized by Indian statutory law.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met EU ambassadors, emphasizing that stronger India-EU trade, mobility, and security ties will stabilize the global order. He highlighted cooperation on resilient supply chains and public goods like HADR and anti-piracy operations. The upcoming summit is expected to finalize an FTA, a defense partnership, and a mobility agreement.

A Delhi court acquitted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riot case, citing insufficient evidence. The judge emphasized the need for proof beyond a reasonable doubt, noting a lack of reliable testimony placing Kumar at the scene or proving his instigation. Kumar remains incarcerated due to life sentences in other riot-related convictions.

The Supreme Court has expedited the legal dispute over the Bhojshala Saraswati Temple cum Maulana Kamal Maula Mosque in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. The court lifted its stay on the case pending with the MP High Court and decoupled it from the Places of Worship Act.

India has strongly condemned the vandalism of its embassy in Zagreb by the Sikhs for Justice group, which attempted to replace the Tricolour with a «Khalistan flag.» New Delhi has officially raised the matter with Croatian authorities, demanding justice for the perpetrators and emphasizing the inviolability of diplomatic premises.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will visit India from February 19-21 to strengthen the strategic partnership and discuss bilateral cooperation for the Global South. The leaders pledged to work together for UNSC reforms and peace in Gaza, with Lula also expected to attend the AI summit and a later BRICS summit.

A Meitei man visiting his Kuki fiancée in Churachandpur was abducted and shot dead on camera, sparking protests and an NIA probe. Graphic footage of the killing circulated widely. The incident occurred amidst ongoing ethnic tensions between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur, highlighting the fragile peace in the region.

Ten brave Army soldiers lost their lives and eleven were injured when their troop carrier veered off a treacherous mountain road in Doda, Jammu & Kashmir, plunging into a deep gorge. The vehicle was en route to a counterterrorism operation. This tragic incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by military personnel in the region's challenging terrain.

Not mentioned expressly, admits EC, but says process transparent