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Two terrorists were eliminated in an encounter in Sopore area of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Hardshiva in Sopore area, of north Kashmir, this morning after receiving specific information about the presence of militants in the area. Meanwhile, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and general secretary KC Venugopal held a meeting with party's state presidents on Wednesday through video conferencing to discuss the country's tension with China on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the situation in the country due to COVID-19 pandemic and rising fuel prices. This and more, read top national stories at a glance.

1. 2 terrorists killed in encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore

Two terrorists were neutralised by security forces in an ongoing encounter in Sopore area of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, police said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Hardshiva in Sopore area, of north Kashmir, this morning after receiving specific information about the presence of militants in the area, a police officer said.

2. 5 LeT terror associates arrested from Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam

Budgam Police and Indian Army arrested five terror associates of Lashkar-e-Taiba from Narbal area here in a joint operation on Thursday.The associates have been identified as Imran Rashid, Ifshan Ahmad Ganie, Owais Ahmad,Mohsin Qadir and Abid Rather.28 live rounds AK 47, a magazine AK 47 and 20 LeT posters were also seized in the operation, an official informed.

3. Nepal builds helipad in Indian territory

Nepali troops were seen building a helipad and have established a camp of tents at the Indo-Nepal border near Uttrakhand's Pithoragarh district. Sources also claimed that the Nepali Army also built a post 40 km before Kaalapani and hundreds of personnel were dropped there by a helicopter.

4. Rahul Gandhi holds meeting with Congress state heads, slams PM Modi's 'non-seriousness'

In a meeting held with Congress state presidents on Wednesday, party leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the Modi government over LAC situation, COVID-19 pandemic and rising fuel prices. Gandhi also directed state units of the party to stage a dharna at all district headquarters against rising fuel prices.

5. Pak to continue in FATF's 'Grey List' for failing to check funding to LeT, JeM

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has decided to keep Pakistan in the "Grey List" as it has failed to check the flow of money to terror groups like the LeT and the JeM. The decision was taken at the global terror financing watchdog's third and final plenary held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic under the Chinese Presidency of Xiangmin Liu.

6. Coronavirus created to scare us, create tensions on border: Suresh Angad

Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi on Wednesday said that coronavirus was created to "scare us" and to create tensions on the border, in an apparent reference to China. He said that everyone should learn to live with the virus and follow all norms needed to combat the disease.

7. Sikkim Police Force moves to India-China border amid faceoff

Indian Reserve Battalion of Sikkim Police Force has been deployed on border areas following India-China faceoff in Ladakh. Sikkim shares a 220 km long border with the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China and had seen conflicts between India and China in the past.

8. Earthquake of 4.5 magnitude jolts Mizoram, 5 quakes in 7 days

An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 struck south of Champhai in Mizoram on Thursday, said the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). The quake occurred at 1:14 am and struck 21 kilometres south of Champhai.

9. 5 security personnel of Telangana minister test coronavirus positive

As the coronavirus cases continue to rise across Telangana, five security personnel working under a Telangana minister tested positive for the deadly virus. According to reports, the minister and his family have been placed under isolation.

10. Army Chief awards 5 soldiers for valiantly fighting Chinese troops in Galwan and Pangong Tso

Indian Army Chief Gen M M Naravane has awarded 'Commendation Cards' to five Indian Army soldiers for their bravery and courage in dealing with Chinese troops in two separate clashes in Pangong lake and Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh. The commendation badges were pinned by the Army chief on the soldiers involved in the June 15 incident at the Galwan Valley as well as in the face-off in Pangong lake area on May 5.