THE HEADLINES:
- New Delhi asserts it is well prepared to retaliate if Islamabad escalates situation after India strikes Pakistan under ‘Operation Sindoor’.
- Indian armed forces destroy nine terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in response to horrific Pahalgam terror attack.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, India exercised its Right to respond by hitting terrorist hideouts.
- External Affairs Minister and National Security Advisor brief global counterparts on India’s firm response to cross-border terrorism.
- 15 civilians killed and 43 injured in Pakistan firing along Line of Control in Poonch and Tangdhar areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairs meeting with states sharing borders with neighbouring countries.
- 22 Maoists killed in encounter with security forces in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.
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New Delhi today asserted that it is well prepared to retaliate if Islamabad escalates the situation after India conducted precision missile strikes on Pakistan under ‘Operation Sindoor’. Under the operation which lasted for 25 minutes, the Indian armed forces carried out focused missile strikes on nine terrorist facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir late last night, in retaliation against the horrific Pahalgam terror attack.
The military strikes were conducted by India between 1:05 AM and 1:30 AM. In this retaliatory action, the Indian Armed forces, targeted those terrorist infrastructure from where terrorist attacks were planned and directed against India. The deadly Pahalgam terror attack claimed the lives of 26 people and left several injured on the 22nd of last month in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the External Affairs Ministry held a joint press briefing in New Delhi this morning on Operation Sindoor. Speaking to media, Colonel Sofia Qureshi of the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force informed that Operation Sindoor was launched to deliver justice to the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Colonel Qureshi gave details about the terror sites on which strikes were carried out under Operation Sindoor.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said that the Indian Armed Forces are fully prepared to give a befitting reply to any misadventure by Pakistan in the future.
Speaking on the occasion, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the investigation into the Pahalgam terrorist attack has exposed the links of Pakistan with terrorists.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said that India has exercised its Right to respond by conducting Operation Sindoor and the action was initiated in a very thoughtful and measured manner. Mr Singh said this while addressing the 66th Raising Day event of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in New Delhi.
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval today briefed their global counterparts on India’s firm response to cross-border terrorism under Operation Sindoor. We have a report:
“During the conversation with his counterparts, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar appreciated the solidarity and support of these countries in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. He also discussed ensuring zero tolerance for terrorism over the call. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs also briefed the envoys of Permanent and Non-Permanent Members of UNSC including France, China, Russia and others. On the other hand, the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also briefed his counterparts on actions taken and method of execution, which was measured, non-escalatory and restrained. He emphasised that India had no intent to escalate but was well prepared to retaliate resolutely if Pakistan decided to escalate. PALLAVI PARMAR, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI”
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Leaders, cutting across party lines, have lauded Operation Sindoor conducted by the Indian Armed Forces. Several Union Ministers including, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw applauded the retaliatory action. Among other leaders BJP President JP Nadda and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi also saluted the Armed Forces for their action.
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Operation Sindoor conducted by India targeting nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, has drawn widespread international support. Several nations have backed India’s right to defend itself against terrorism
Israel voiced strong support to India, with Ambassador Reuven Azar in a social media post stating that terrorists should know there is no place to hide from their heinous crimes against the innocent. Russia condemned terrorism unequivocally.
UK, Japan and Germany reaffirmed their firm stance against terrorism. US President Donald Trump expressed hope for a swift de-escalation.
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Talking to Akashvani, Rajesh Narwal, father of Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack hailed India’s strike on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir,under Operation Sindoor.
Priyadarshini Acharya, widow of a Pahalgam attack victim Prashant Satpathy from Odisha, called it a bold step by the Central government.
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In connection with Operation Sindoor launched by the Indian Armed Forces today, the News Services Division of Akashvani will broadcast a live bilingual discussion after this bulletin. Tune in to 100.1 Akashvani Gold to listen to this exclusive broadcast.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah today chaired a review meeting in New Delhi with Lieutenant Governors, Chief Ministers, Directors General of Police and Chief Secretaries of states sharing borders with neighbouring countries after Operation Sindoor. During the meeting, Mr Shah asked the Lieutenant Governors and Chief Ministers of border states adjoining Pakistan and Nepal to keep a strict vigil on anti-national propaganda by unwanted elements in social and other media platforms.
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Nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drills were conducted under Operation Abhyaas across 244 districts of the country today. The drills were carried out to create awareness among the public and to take necessary precautions in the event of any hostile attack. In the National Capital, Mock Drills were conducted in 11 districts.
Several other states including Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Manipur took part in the drill.
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In Rajasthan, an alert has been issued in several areas sharing border with the neighbouring country. The Border Security Force and State Police are keeping special vigil in the border areas. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma held a high-level meeting in Jaipur today in this regard.
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Pakistan Army Post is carrying out artillery firing and hitting civilian areas along the Line of Control in Poonch and Tangdhar areas of Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday night. Defence sources said, Fifteen civilians have been killed and 43 others were injured in the attack.
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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has appealed to all tourists, visitors and local people who might have any more information, photographs or videos relating to the Pahalgam terror attack on tourists to immediately share with it. In its appeal, NIA has urged all such people to call up the agency on mobile number 96 54 95 88 16 or on landline number – 011 24 36 88 00 and provide the details of the kind of information or inputs.
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In Chhattisgarh, at least 22 Maoists have been killed in an encounter with security forces in Bijapur district. The encounter started this morning on the Karegutta hill located in the district. Our correspondent has the details:
“After receiving information about the presence of a large number of Maoists on the Karregutta hill located on the border of Telangana state in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, various security forces have been conducting a joint operation for the last two weeks and have surrounded this hill. An encounter started between the security forces and the Maoists early this morning. So far, the bodies of 22 Maoists have been recovered. Personnel of CRPF, Police, District Reserve Guard and Special Task Force are involved in this operation. Vikalp Shukla, Akashwani News, Raipur”
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The benchmark domestic equity indices today ended with modest gains, shrugging off geopolitical tensions. The 30-share index at the Bombay Stock Exchange, Sensex, rose 106 points to close at 80,747. The National Stock Exchange Nifty-50 added 35 points to settle at 24,414.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- New Delhi asserts it is well prepared to retaliate if Islamabad escalates situation after India strikes Pakistan under ‘Operation Sindoor’.
- Indian armed forces destroy nine terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in response to horrific Pahalgam terror attack.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, India exercised its Right to respond by hitting terrorist hideouts.
- External Affairs Minister and National Security Advisor brief global counterparts on India’s firm response to cross-border terrorism.
- 15 civilians killed and 43 injured in Pakistan firing along Line of Control in Poonch and Tangdhar areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairs meeting with states sharing borders with neighbouring countries.
- 22 Maoists killed in encounter with security forces in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.
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