THE HEADLINES:
- Indian Army destroys Pakistani Posts and Terrorist Launch Pad near Jammu from where Drones were launched.
- India thwarts Pakistan’s drone attacks at 26 places including Srinagar, Jammu, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bhuj.
- 32 airports across northern and western India closed for civilian flights till 15th of this month; Delhi airport resumes normal operations.
- India accuses Pakistan of misusing IMF loan funds for cross-border terrorism.
- Punjab government to purchase 9 anti-drone systems to deploy in six border districts of the state to keep vigil on narco-terrorism.
- India and New Zealand successfully conclude first round of negotiations for Free Trade Agreement in New Delhi.
<><><>
Indian Army has destroyed Pakistani Posts and Terrorist Launch Pad near Jammu from where Tube-Launched Drones were being launched. Besides, Indian defence systems have successfully thwarted the series of drone attacks at 26 locations by Pakistan last night ranging from the Baramulla to Bhuj situated at the International Border and the Line of Control. These include suspected armed drones posing potential threats to civilian and military targets. According to Defence sources, the locations include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala. Armed drones attempted to attack border districts in Punjab, including Ferozepur, Amritsar, and Pathankot, but Indian defence forces successfully repulsed and neutralised these attempts. However, in Ferozepur, a house was damaged, and three family members were injured due to the attack, receiving burn injuries. They have been admitted to a government hospital and are reported to be safe. According to Ferozepur Police Chief Bhupinder Singh Sidhu, this was an isolated incident, with most attacks being effectively countered by the army.
The Indian Armed Forces are maintaining a high state of alert, and all such aerial threats are being tracked and engaged effectively using counter-drone systems. The situation is under close and constant watch, and prompt action is being taken wherever necessary. Citizens, living in border areas, are advised to remain indoors, limit unnecessary movement, and strictly follow safety instructions issued by local authorities. They have said that there is no need to panic but heightened vigilance and precautions are essential. Meanwhile the Airports Authority of India has announced the temporary closure of 32 airports across northern and western India for all civil flight operations till the morning of the 15th of this month. The affected airports include major locations such as Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jammu, Srinagar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Jaisalmer, Pathankot and others.With Anand Kumar, this is Bhanu Pratap Singh for Akashvani News, Delhi.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has resumed normal operations after a period of disruption, but has issued a travel advisory to passengers due to heightened security measures amid ongoing military tensions with Pakistan. The airport announced on its social media platform that while operations are normal, flight schedules might be impacted and security processing times could be longer due to changing airspace conditions.
In light of these developments, the Indian Armed Forces are scheduled to hold a special media briefing at 10 AM in the national capital to address the evolving situation.
<><><>
Speaking to Akashvani News, defence analyst, Lt. Gen. Rajeev Chopra urged citizens not to believe in misinformation and to rely only on trusted sources, such as official government press briefings.
<><><>
On the night of 8th of May, Indian armed forces successfully thwarted Pakistan’s provocative attempt to target 36 sites using around 400 Turkey-made drones along international border. In a special briefing in New Delhi yesterday, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of Indian Army said that Pakistani army violated Indian airspace several times over the entire western border with the intention of targeting military infrastructure. Colonel Qureshi added that Forensic investigation of the wreckage of the drones is being done and initial reports suggest that they are Turkish Asisguard Songar drones.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh informed that in response to the Pakistani attack, Indian armed drones were launched at four air defence sites in Pakistan and one of the drones was able to destroy an AD radar. Wing Commander Singh pointed out that Pakistan did not close its civil airspace despite launching an unprovoked drone and missile attack on the evening of 7th May. She criticised Pakistan for using civil airlines as a shield.
Briefing media on the occasion, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri underlined that the denial of the attacks that Pakistan carried out is yet another example of their duplicity.
Replying to a query, Foreign Secretary informed that in view of the existing security scenario, the services of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor have been suspended till further directions.
<><><>
Pakistan has closed its airspace till 12 noon today. Peshawar bound Pakistan international airlines flight PIA218, the last airborne flight in its airspace, has been forced to hover over Quetta in Balochistan. The PIA flight made emergency landing. No commercial flight is airborne in Pakistan
<><><>
Befitting response of India against Pakistan’s aggression at all front has made terror breeding ground Pakistan so nervous that it has now indulged in running disinformation factory in digital space.
Sensing it inevitable defeat in protecting terrorist on their soil, Islamabad has chosen digital battleground to show its frustration. All Kind of fake and malicious content are being peddled by nervous Pakistan at different social media platforms. The desperation of Pakistan is as palpable as it using content of video game to boast it on digital platforms against India. A clip of a video game has been circulated relating it to ongoing situation between the two countries. One more example is a video of Dhaka which has been shared to make a false claim of its attack in Jammu. Similarly, a 2020 video of explosive attack in Lebanon was used to claim that Pakistan has launched a missile attack on India. All these deliberated attempts clearly show that New Delhi’s heavy retaliation made Islamabad anxious and it is making failed attempt to control the narrative through a barrage of lies and digital theatrics. With Saklen Akhtar, Bhanu Pratap Singh,This is Chirag Jha, Akashvani News, Delhi.
Listeners, as Pakistan has been resorting to spreading propaganda on social media, it is crucial to scrutinize every piece of information carefully in this critical time. If you encounter dubious content, especially concerning the Indian Armed Forces or any info related to ongoing situation, you must report it to PIB Fact Check. You can also share such content on WhatsApp number 8799711259 and Email ID – socialmedia@pib.gov.in
<><><>
Punjab Cabinet has decided to purchase nine anti-drone systems, which will be deployed in six border districts of the state to keep a vigil on narco-terrorism.
Punjab government had convened a cabinet meeting yesterday to take steps regarding the prevailing situation and decided to purchase nine anti-drone systems. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these systems will be deployed in six border districts in coordination with the BSF to keep a vigil on anti-national elements. At the same time, steps have also been taken to ensure the highest level of preparedness. State’s fire and emergency services have been strengthened. Specialised Ghatak teams of Punjab police have been deployed in the border districts. Ministers and senior IAS officers have also been deputed in the districts to ensure no administrative inconvenience to the public.Rajesh Bali, Akashvani News, Jalandhar
<><><>
In Gujarat, the state government is taking several precautionary measures to ensure the availability of healthcare facilities, adequate supply of essential commodities, and control over prices in the border areas amid the rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a high level meeting at State Emergency Operation Centre last night and reviewed the situation in the border districts.
Gujarat, being the only Indian state sharing both land and sea borders with Pakistan, the state government has undertaken a series of measures to ensure security in the region. Security has been tightened at all the major ports, as well as at the Somnath and Dwarkadhish temples. To address any medical emergencies, the state government has deployed more than 150 medical officers in the border districts of Banaskantha, Patan, and Kutch. Additionally, the state government has cancelled all the leave of the employees across all departments and offices as of yesterday. Meanwhile, several trains heading to Kutch have been cancelled, and seven airports across the state will remain closed until the 15th of this month. Aparna Khunt for, Akashvani News, Ahmedabad.
<><><>
India has abstained from voting at the International Monetary Fund, IMF Board Meeting which considered a fresh bailout package for Pakistan. India also raised concerns over the efficacy of IMF programs in case of Pakistan given its poor track record, and also on the possibility of misuse of debt financing funds for state sponsored cross border terrorism. The IMF reviewed the Extended Fund Facility lending program of one billion dollars and also considered a fresh Resilience and Sustainability Facility lending program of 1.3 billion dollars for Pakistan yesterday.
In its statement at the meeting, India pointed out that rewarding continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism sends a dangerous message to the global community, exposes funding agencies and donors to reputational risks, and makes a mockery of global values.
<><><>
In a major step towards expanding bilateral trade and investment engagement, the first round of negotiations for the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded successfully in New Delhi yesterday. Commerce and Industry Ministry said, the first round followed a series of virtual discussions held between both partners which laid the groundwork for the in-person meeting. The Ministry said, constructive negotiations were held across all areas of FTA including Trade in Goods and Services, Trade Facilitation and mutually beneficial sectors of economic co-operation.
<><><>
TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
- India repels Pak attacks for 2nd night in a row headlines the Hindustan Times, Pakistan escalates , India blocks second wave of attacks, hits its air defence radar headlines the Indian Express, Pak Thwarted on Thursday, foiled on Friday headlines the Times of India. All papers widely report that Two airports targeted in 24 hours, 36 locations in India targeted by Pakistan and 4 pakistani locations hit by India while 1 air defence system destroyed. The papers report that pak’s failed attack on Thursday used 300-400 drones mostly Turkish.
- Most papers also report of Prime Minister Modi chairing a high level meeting of top officials to review how Operation sindoor, India’s direct military response to the Pahalgam terror attack was unfolding. PM Modi takes stock of Operation sindoor as Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah review the situation headlines The Statesman.
- The papers have widely covered the story of India abstaining from voting on IMF’s 3.2 billion dollar loan to Pakistan citing pakistan’s poor track record and also the possibility of misuse of debt financing for state sponsored cross border terrorism.
- The Hindu has on it’s front page ” Don’t panic, enough stock of essential commodities in Country said Union Food and consumer affairs minister Prahlad Joshi
- And finally The Tribune says reach the airport 3 hours before even for domestic travel as security checks are hightened.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Indian Army destroys Pakistani Posts and Terrorist Launch Pad near Jammu from where Drones were launched.
- India thwarts Pakistan’s drone attacks at 26 places including Srinagar, Jammu, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bhuj.
- 32 airports across northern and western India closed for civilian flights till 15th of this month; Delhi airport resumes normal operations.
- India accuses Pakistan of misusing IMF loan funds for cross-border terrorism.
- Punjab government to purchase 9 anti-drone systems to deploy in six border districts of the state to keep vigil on narco-terrorism.
- India and New Zealand successfully conclude first round of negotiations for Free Trade Agreement in New Delhi.
<><><>
