The Catch Up: 14 May - 3 Things

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This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.
Today is the 14th of May and here are the headlines.
BSF jawan Poornam Kumar Shaw, who accidentally crossed into Pakistan during a patrol on April 23 near Punjab’s Ferozepur sector, was handed back to India on Wednesday morning via the Attari Joint Check Post. A resident of West Bengal, Shaw was in Pakistani custody for 21 days, during a time of heightened border tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The 73rd battalion of the BSF is deployed in the area. His return marks a resolution to the cross-border incident that had drawn national concern.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar clarified on Tuesday night that no merger discussions have taken place between his faction and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP. Speaking at a weekly party meeting in Mumbai, Ajit Pawar addressed his legislators directly, urging them not to believe merger rumors. He emphasized transparency and assured them there was no confusion on his stance. The clarification comes amid growing speculation about reunification, which has sparked political buzz ahead of upcoming elections in Maharashtra.
India’s Operation Sindoor precision strikes destroyed nearly 20% of Pakistan Air Force infrastructure and multiple fighter jets, official sources said Tuesday. The strikes targeted key bases like Sargodha and Bholari, which housed F-16s and JF-17s, in retaliation to Pakistani drone and missile attacks. Over 50 people, including Squadron Leader Usman Yusuf, were killed in Bholari. India also hit ammunition depots and several other airbases across Pakistan. Satellite imagery confirmed major damage. The strikes mark a significant strategic and psychological blow to Pakistan’s military capabilities.
US President Donald Trump met Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh after unexpectedly lifting all sanctions on Syria’s Islamist-led government. The move, revealed Wednesday, represents a sharp turn in US foreign policy. Sharaa, a former al Qaeda commander who ousted Assad and later renounced extremism, has led Syria since December. The meeting occurred during Trump’s Gulf tour, which also included $600 billion in Saudi investment pledges and $142 billion in arms deals. The shift has drawn criticism from Israel and US officials concerned about Sharaa’s militant past.
At least 48 people, including 22 children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Jabaliya in northern Gaza between Tuesday night and early Wednesday. Hospitals, including the Indonesian Hospital, reported high casualties from strikes that hit residential zones. The attacks followed the release of an Israeli-American hostage by Hamas, briefly raising hopes of de-escalation. Israel had issued evacuation warnings, citing Hamas military targets in the area. However, many civilians remained. The Israeli military declined to comment. The strikes have intensified international concerns about rising civilian casualties in Gaza.
That's all for today. This was the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express.