Morning News -

THE HEADLINES:

India Army carries out Military “Operation Sindoor” on nine terror targets of Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi monitored the entire operation; Detailed briefing on operation later today.
Several airports in parts of Northern India to remain closed for commercial operations after Indian Armed Forces launch Operation Sindoor.
Civil Defence Mock Drills to be conducted across the country today.
Prime Minister reiterates India’s water will remain within the nation, serving its rightful purpose for country’s development.

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Indian Armed Forces launched ‘OPERATION SINDOOR’, post midnight hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed.

Ministry of Defence in a statement said, altogether, nine sites were targeted. The Ministry further added that its actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. The Ministry informed that no Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. It added, India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.

The Defence Ministry said, these steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were killed. It said, armed forces are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable. Now we go live to our correspondent Anupam Mishra.

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Meanwhile, several airports in northern part of the country are closed for commercial operations after Indian Armed Forces launched airstrikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. In a social media post, SpiceJet claimed that airports in Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar are closed until further notice. Indigo has also advised its passengers to check the flight status from these airports. Moreover, Air India has also cancelled all its flight operations from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh and Rajkot till 12 noon today. Most of the commercial flight companies have advised their passengers to check the status of flight before commencing the travel.

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In a video shared by several pro-Pakistan handles, it is being falsely claimed that the Pakistan Airforce has targeted Srinagar airbase. The Press Information Bureau said, ihe video shared is old and not from India. The video is from sectarian clashes that took place last year in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Social media posts falsely claimed that Pakistan destroyed Indian Brigade Headquarters. PIB said, the claim is fake. PIB urged people to avoid sharing unverified information and rely only on official Government of India sources for authentic Information.

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Father of Shubham Dwivedi, one of the victims of Pahalgam Terror Attack, Sanjay Dwivedi has thanked Indian Army and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for conducting Operation Sindoor on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. He said, they listened to pain of the country. Mr Dwivedi said, his entire family has been feeling light since they heard the news of Operation Sindoor. He also said that Indian military has destroyed the terrorism that is flourishing in Pakistan.

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Indian Army has said that Pakistan again violated the Ceasefire Agreement by firing Artillery in Bhimber Gali in Poonch- Rajauri area. In a social media post , Indian Army said that it is responding appropriately in a calibrated manner.

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US President Donald Trump has reacted to India’s Operation against terror camps inside Pakistan and PoK. Mr Trump said people knew that something is going to happen. The US President further said that he hopes the tension between the two countries ends soon.

Moreover, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce has reacted over the closed-door UNSC Meeting amid ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. Addressing a Press Briefing, Ms Bruce said that the US remain in touch with the governments of both countries at multiple levels.

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The Indian Air Force will carry out a two-day mega military exercise in Rajasthan, along the International Border with Pakistan from today. The IAF has termed it a pre- planned routine training exercise that will involve all the frontline fighter jets including Rafale, Sukhoi-30 and Jaguar aircraft. According to a NOTAM or Notice to Airmen issued by the Airport Authority of India, the exercise is scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM today and will continue until 9:30 PM tomorrow, restricting airspace in the affected areas.

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The Civil Defence Mock Drills will be conducted across 244 districts of the country today. We have a report over preparedness regarding the Mock Drill across the nation:

“The Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards Vivek Srivastava said that common people should not be alarmed as it is a preparatory exercise and they should cooperate with the volunteers. In an exclusive interview with Akashvani News, he said that it is an exercise to prepare people to counter any external threat.

In the national capital, Delhi Directorate of Education has directed all school heads to organise training sessions for students and teachers on disaster response today. As part of a nationwide mega mock drill, authorities in Delhi will conduct ‘Operation Abhyaas’ at 55 locations .The Civil Defence Exercise will involve active participation from the district controller, various district authorities, civil defence wardens and volunteers, Home Guards, as well as members of NCC, NSS, NYKS and students from schools and colleges.

The border state of Punjab will conduct Mock Drill in 20 districts of state, including border districts of Amritsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Tarn Taran, with the objective to create awareness among the public and take necessary precautions in the event of any hostile attack. Moreover, schools in some border areas including Amritsar, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur and Pathankot have been closed for now to keep students safe.

In Maharashtra, civil defence mock drill will be conducted at 16 locations across 10 districts. The MHA has directed the authorities to conduct the mock drill in Mumbai, Tarapur, Thane, Pune, Nashik, and 11 other districts. Some of the locations are sensitive, like Tarapur which houses the Tarapur Atomic Power Plant.

In Telangana, the drill is scheduled to be held at four locations within Outer Ring Road limits. These are Secunderabad and Golkonda Cantonment, Kanchan Bagh and Nacharam.

In Gujarat, civil defence mock drill will be held across 18 districts including Vadodara, Surat, Tapi, Patan, Banaskantha, Ahmedabad, Dwarka, Kutch, Bharuch, among others. Mock drill for district administrations will begin at 4 pm with sounds of sirens which will followed by blackout drill between 7.30 PM to 8 PM. CHIRAG JHA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”

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Mock drills will also be conducted in 5 important districts of Madhya Pradesh today.

Five districts of Madhya Pradesh Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur and Katni have been included in the mock drill to be conducted in the country today.

Air raid warning alarms will be sounded and the entire district will be blacked out during the mock drill.
While, informing about the mock drill, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav said that whenever the Prime Minister gives instructions, the work is definitely completed. Our all three armies are fully prepared to deal with the enemies of the country.

At the same time, an important meeting was held at the Police Head Quarter in Bhopal yesterday regarding the mock drill. Top officials of all departments participated in it. Sanjeev Sharma, Akashvani News, Bhopal.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, India’s water will flow for India’s benefit, it will be conserved for India’s benefit, and it will be utilised for India’s progress. Speaking at a Private TV channel conclave in New Delhi yesterday, the Prime Minister underscored the past scenario where India’s rightful share of water was flowing beyond its borders. He said, now India’s water will remain within the nation, serving its rightful purpose for the country’s development. Talking about the significant work of interlinking of rivers undertaken by his government, the Prime Minister pointed out that for decades, river water was used as a reason for disputes between states. He cited key projects such as the Ken-Betwa Link Project and the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project, emphasizing that these initiatives will benefit millions of farmers by ensuring water accessibility.

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The Common University Entrance Test (CUET)-UG has been postponed untill 13th May. The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced this last night. The exam was originally set to begin tomorrow.

The NTA said, city intimation slips will be issued by today. The CUET-UG, has seen a record 13.5 lakh applications this year. In a pattern shift from last year, the exam will be conducted only in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.

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US President Donald Trump held a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House in Washington, D.C., today. During the meeting, Mr Carney said that Canada is not for sale and the opportunity is in partnership and building together. He further said in a social media post that it is the beginning of a new relationship between Canada and US based on respect, common interests, and transformational benefit of both nations.

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We will bring a special bulletin on Operatipon Sindoo in English at 9 am, and in Hindi at 9.15 am. Tune in to Akashvani Gold for the special bulletins. Akashavani will also bring live broadcast of briefing by the Miniter of Defence and External Affairs on Operation Sindoor at 10 am today.

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In the Khelo India Youth Games Maharashtra has taken the top position in the medals tally with 22 medals including 6 gold. Rajasthan is at second place with 8 medals, including 6 gold. Karnataka’s team is in third place with 18 medals, including 5 gold.

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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,

⦁ The aftermath of the Pahalgan terror attacks makes for front page news in all dailies.”States, Union Territories hunker down for civic defence exercise” leads Hindustan Times.” Nationwide mock drills slated for 4 pm to test readiness; more exercise soon” says The Tribune.
⦁ “UNSC raps Pakistan on Pahalgam attack, rejects false flag claim” headlines The Asian Age.
⦁ ” Indian Air Force to start mock drill on Pakistan border amid Civil defence exercise” informs Business Standard.
⦁ “India, United Kingdom successfully conclude historic Free Trade Agreement(FTA)” leads The Statesman.”Modi hails historic trade pact with United Kingdom” states The Pioneer.
⦁ “Prime Minister speaks to Emir of Qatar as India steps up outreach”notes The Hindu.
⦁ The Times of India quoting the United States government says” Harvard will receive grants until it meets White House demands.”
⦁ And finally,”Palestinian poet Mosab wins Pulitzer Prize”reports Financial Express.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN

India Army carries out Military “Operation Sindoor” on nine terror targets of Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi monitored the entire operation; Detailed briefing on operation later today.
Several airports in parts of Northern India to remain closed for commercial operations after Indian Armed Forces launch Operation Sindoor.
Civil Defence Mock Drills to be conducted across the country today.
Prime Minister reiterates India’s water will remain within the nation, serving its rightful purpose for country’s development.

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