2025's Most Defining Moments: From Pahalgam Attack to Global Crises Captured in 10 Powerful Images

New Delhi:

2025 was a year filled with profound emotions - from moments of shock and grief to instances of glory and hope. As we approach the end of this eventful year, let's revisit ten significant images that captured the essence of 2025's most impactful events.

The terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 devastated India when Pakistan-supported militants infiltrated the Baisaran valley, targeted tourists based on their religion, and killed twenty-six innocent people. Among the most heart-wrenching images was that of Himanshi Narwal mourning beside the body of her husband, Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal.

India's response came in the form of Operation Sindoor, designed to eliminate terror camps across the border. Notably, the military press briefings featured Colonel Sophia Qureshi from the Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh from the Air Force - two women officers who became the face of India's strategic offensive.

In a historic achievement for India's space program, IAF test pilot Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station as part of Axiom Mission 4. This milestone marked only the second time an Indian citizen traveled to space, following Rakesh Sharma's journey four decades earlier in 1984.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, which began in February 2022, saw a tense diplomatic moment on March 1 when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with American President Donald Trump at the White House. What was anticipated to be a cordial meeting turned confrontational when Trump criticized the Ukrainian leader for insufficient gratitude regarding US support in Kyiv's resistance against Russian forces.

Indian women's cricket reached its pinnacle when the national team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, finally secured their first Women's World Cup title. The dramatic victory over South Africa at DY Patil Stadium on November 2 was celebrated as the women's team's equivalent of India's historic 1983 cricket achievement.

President Donald Trump's administration intensified its immigration policies after taking office in January. The crackdown on illegal immigration featured unprecedented deportation methods, with detainees being handcuffed, shackled, and transported back to their home countries aboard military cargo aircraft.

Nepal experienced significant political upheaval in September when widespread anti-corruption protests, primarily organized by Generation Z students and young citizens, erupted following a social media ban. The demonstrations turned violent, resulting in at least 76 deaths. Prime Minister KP Oli Sharma and several ministers resigned on September 9, with former jurist Sushila Karki assuming the role of interim prime minister three days later.

A devastating fire engulfed a high-rise complex in Hong Kong in November, claiming at least 159 lives and displacing thousands. The complex housed approximately 4,600 residents across eight blocks containing 2,000 apartments. Investigations partly attributed the tragedy to substandard fire-resistant netting installed during renovations.

On June 12, Air India Flight 171, traveling from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner accident resulted in the deaths of all but one of the 242 people on board and claimed 19 additional lives when it struck a medical college hostel, with 67 others suffering severe injuries.

The Israel-Hamas conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, continued to devastate Gaza throughout 2025. As part of the decades-long Israel-Palestine dispute, persistent attacks and blockades of humanitarian aid left Gaza's population facing severe hunger and humanitarian crisis.