Operation Sindoor News: A day after the armed forces carried out Operation Sindoor in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack, the Centre called an all-party meeting on Thursday to brief them about the strike carried out by the armed forces targeting terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Wednesday that the all-party meeting will take place at 11 am on May 8 in the Committee Room: G-074, in Parliament Library Building of the Parliament Complex. Operation Sindoor and its aftermath are likely to be discusses during the all-party meeting today, with a key focus on next steps to be taken by India amid escalations with Pakistan.
For latest updates on Operation Sindoor, Click HERE
Pakistan shelling kills 12 in Kashmir: On a day India struck nine terror sites inside Pakistan and PoK as part of its military response to the Pahalgam attack, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asked India’s border states to prepare the infrastructure against any likely retaliatory strike sanctioned by Islamabad. There is reason to be cautious. Cross-border shelling by Pakistani forces claimed at least twelve civilian lives on Wednesday. Over 50 people were left injured, including two CRPF jawans. The day saw hectic activity in government corridors after the post-midnight missile strike as Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Droupadi Murmu and briefed her on ‘Operation Sindoor‘.
Mock drills in full swing: Across 244 civil defence districts and beyond, Indians took part in a string of civil defence measures aimed at preparing Indians for an eventuality of hostile action on Wednesday evening, the same day as Operation Sindoor. Air raid sirens blared, blackouts were observed, and evacuation and temporary health setups were established. Defence personnel were deployed across these sectors to ensure that the mock drills were conducted smoothly. Drills were also conducted in schools and educational institutes, to prepare the students and staff in a potential military attack.
Amid soaring tension between India and Pakistan, all schools in six border districts of Punjab remained shut on Thursday, officials said.
The schools were closed in Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran districts, they told PTI.
The Pakistan Army continued shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in four sectors of Jammu and Kashmir, prompting a befitting response by the Indian Army, officials said on Thursday.
Compared to Wednesday, when the Pakistan Army carried out one of the most intense artillery and mortar shelling in years targeting the forward villages in J-K following missile strikes by India as part of 'Operation Sindoor', the intensity of cross-border firing was less and restricted to four sectors on Thursday, the officials said.
"On the intervening night of May 7 and 8, Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked firing using small arms and artillery guns across the LoC in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri and Akhnoor sectors in J-K. The Indian Army responded proportionately," a defence spokesman said in Jammu.
The rising tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Op Sindoor targeting terror camps in PoK was debated at length in the British Parliament, with members across parties appealing for UK efforts to aid de-escalation in the region.
UK Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer opened the debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday with a statement reiterating Prime Minister Keir Starmer's earlier remarks over the importance of diplomacy and dialogue.
He also expressed concerns related to the very “personal” aspect of the conflict for a large number of British Indians and British Pakistanis in the country.
“Our consistent message to both India and Pakistan has been to show restraint. They need to engage in dialogue to find a swift, diplomatic path forward,” said Falconer.
“The UK has a close and unique relationship with both countries. It is heartbreaking to see civilian lives being lost. If this escalates further, nobody wins. We clearly condemned the horrific terrorist attack last month,” he said referring to the Pahalgam terror attack and said it was the worst such attack for many years for that region. (PTI)
The government has convened an all-party meeting on Thursday to brief them about the strike carried out by the armed forces targeting terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Riiiju posted on X about the proposed meeting.
"Govt has called an All Party leaders meeting at 11 am on 8th May, 2025 at Committee Room: G-074, in the Parliament Library Building, Parliament Complex in New Delhi," he said.
IN JUST 25 minutes, Operation Sindoor marked a new red line, significantly raising Pakistan’s cost of a terror strike against India.
The coordinated assault, using multiple long-range high-precision strike weapons at predetermined targets in PoK and in Pakistan, has “upped the ante and signalled that India can strike deep inside”, said a senior security official. “This is a big leap forward — just short of war.”
This is borne out by the range and number of targets on Tuesday and their relative distance from the LoC or the border.
In 2016, after the Uri attack, the incursions by the Army were up to 3 km inside PoK. In 2019, after Pulwama, the aerial strike was on Balakot, 60 km off the LoC in Pakistan. Operation Sindoor reached as deep as Bahawalpur, 150 km from the border.
The significance of the targets, particularly Muridke, Bahawalpur and Kotli, cannot be underscored since they represent many losses India has endured over decades. For India’s security establishment, Muridke, a sprawling seminary over 200 acres in the outskirts of Lahore, has been the quintessential nursery of lethal terror for more than three decades — from orchestrating the first major suicide attack in Kashmir during Kargil war to the 26/11 Mumbai attack. It is the official headquarters of Jamat-ud-Dawa, a salafi organisation set up by Hafiz Sayeed. Read Full Report
AFTER India’s Operation Sindoor Wednesday, fingers are crossed in world’s capitals, from New Delhi’s friends in Washington DC, Paris and Berlin to Islamabad’s all-weather ally in Beijing, on how the “day after scenario” will unfold.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was scheduled to travel to Norway, Netherlands and Croatia from May 13 to 17, has cancelled his trip.
Anticipating concern and amid calls for de-escalation, New Delhi mounted a diplomatic outreach to major powers including the US and China as NSA Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had a conversation with several of their counterparts and foreign envoys.
Pakistan Army Chief Gen Asim Munir’s next steps, over the next 24-48 hours, hold the key. How Rawalpindi views the strikes deep into Pakistan — four of the nine were in Pakistan’s cities, including Muridke, Bahawalpur and Sialkot — could very well shape the next steps.
While Muridke is the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Bahawalpur is the base of the Jaish-e-Muhammad and Hizbul Mujahideen’s base is in Sialkot. Attacks on these can be perceived as an affront to the Pakistan establishment’s “strategic assets” and raise the possibility of a retaliation from the Pakistan’s Armed Forces. Read Full Report
From Haryana to Kerala, from Arunachal Pradesh to Andhra Pradesh, the families of the Pahalgam attack victims, who come from across the country, said they felt a sense of justice after India carried out Operation Sindoor, hitting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir with airstrikes.
The strikes came two weeks after the April 22 terror attack in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam, in which 25 tourists and a local man were killed. The Defence Ministry said in a statement early Wednesday that the airstrikes were undertaken as part of the “commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable”.
The father of Lt Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the Pahalgam attack, thanked the government for carrying out the airstrikes. “It was expected for many days. I thank our Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our Armed Forces for their decisive and targeted response. I saw the news reports in the early hours. It is an appropriate action. People had been asking me what I want from the government. This is the befitting reply given to terrorists and their facilitators,” said Rajesh Narwal, from Haryana’s Karnal.
Recalling going to collect his son’s mortal remains, Rajesh said, “It was like a tsunami that had hit my life. At the same moment, a thought crossed my mind that the 26 lives these terrorists took will give a new direction and purpose, not only to our nation, but the entire world.” Click here to read more
In the wee hours of Wednesday, the BJP headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg was abuzz with activity as party leaders handled curious questions about Operation Sindoor as well as its media coverage.
Party insiders said a contingent of the BJP leadership in Delhi, especially those tasked with media-related responsibilities, including its spokespersons, made their way to the office as soon as news of the strikes emerged. For the next several hours, they handled inquisitive calls from party colleagues from outside the Capital even as they scoured reportage of the attacks, both in international and national media.
On social media, party leaders lauded the armed forces and praised PM Narendra Modi, underlining that India was committed to eradicating terror. Read Full Report
The Amritsar district administration has reinitiated the blackout protocol. Please stay at home, do not panic and do not gather outside your houses; keep the outside lights switched off, ANI posted on X quoting Amritsar DPRO.
Civil defence mock drills, following directions from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), was on Wednesday held in 18 districts of Gujarat — a state, which shares both a land as well as a sea border with Pakistan. The MHA directive was issued in the aftermath of a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives on April 22.
Hours ahead of the mock drill, the Indian armed forces carried out an air strike, dubbed ‘Operation Sindoor’, on terrorist camps in Pakistan, heightening tensions between both countries.
In Ahmedabad, the mock drill was conducted in nine places — including Dhandhuka Municipality, Viramgam Tank Farm of the Salaya-Mathura Pipeline System (SMPL) of Indian Oil, Pirana Sub Station Power Grid, the industrial complex at Vatva GIDC, Gallops Industrial Park on the outskirts of the city, Ganeshpura (Koth) Temple, Torrent Power Plant at Sabarmati, Tata Plant at Sanand GIDC, and Palladium Mall in Thaltej.
The Indian Army confirmed on Wednesday night that a soldier had died during the day after Pakistan continued cross-border shelling following an Indian strike on terrorist infrastructure.
“GOC and all ranks of White Knight Corps salute the supreme sacrifice of L/Nk Dinesh Kumar of 5 Fd Regt, who laid down his life on May 7 during Pakistan Army shelling. We also stand in solidarity with all victims of the targeted attacks on innocent civilians in Poonch sector,” the 16 Corps, Indian Army, posted on X.
Read the full report here
As India launched its measured retaliatory strike, Operation Sindoor, in the early hours of Wednesday in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, veterans from the services closely following the development pointed out “striking signalling maneuvers” in India’s response, including the timing of the mock drill directive and the strike, the name of the operation (Sindoor) and fielding two women officers to brief the world.
A little more than 24 hours before the strikes were launched early morning on Wednesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had directed all states and UTs to conduct mock drills to check preparedness for hostile attacks.
Sushant Kulkarni wraps up the developments. Click here to read
Civil defence mock drills, following directions from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), was on Wednesday held in 18 districts of Gujarat — a state, which shares both a land as well as a sea border with Pakistan.
The MHA directive was issued in the aftermath of a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives on April 22.
Hours ahead of the mock drill, the Indian armed forces carried out an air strike, dubbed ‘Operation Sindoor’, on terrorist camps in Pakistan, heightening tensions between both countries.
Read all the details here
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he wanted the clashes between India and Pakistan to stop.
Asserting that he had a good relationship with both countries, Trump said that if he "could do anything to help, he will be there".
In a sharp escalation in cross-border shelling, which has gone from small arms fire to heavy artillery, Pakistan targeted the civilian population residing near the Line of Control, killing at least 11 people and leaving 40 injured.
While intense artillery fire was also heard in the Uri and Tangdhar sectors of Kashmir Valley, the worst was in Poonch town in Jammu, which saw artillery shells hit residential and government buildings, besides public places, for the first time since the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
The administration has set up a Joint Control Room at District Police Lines Shopian in the view of the evolving situation. On Wednesday, India hit nine terror sites inside Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir with "precision strikes" as its military response to the Pahalgam attack where terrorists killed 26 civilians.
India's Operation Sindoor is currently the talk of the town. But there have been multiple military operations undertaken by the forces over the years. What made Operation Sindoor, coming on the heels of the Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives, different from the rest.
Read Deeptiman Tiwary's report here to find out
Senior Cabinet ministers will brief political parties, including key Opposition leaders, Thursday on the strikes carried out by the armed forces on terror camps inside Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
Not waiting for that, in the hours following Operation Sindoor, the Opposition – cutting across ideological shades – had declared it was in sync with the government.
While the Opposition had earlier too declared unconditional support to the government in whatever actions it took against the perpetrators of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and their handlers, the Congress had flagged the issue of “security and intelligence lapses” in subsequent days.
It had sought fixing of accountability in a time-bound manner, and said it was time “for demonstrating our collective will as a nation to teach Pakistan a lesson and curb terrorism decisively”.
On Wednesday, the mood was clearly different, with the Congress and other Opposition parties attaching no riders to their support for the government. They were also fulsome in their praise of the armed forces.
Why is that? Read here
The Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives wasn't the first terror strike on India. But in its wake, it left the highest civilian casualty count since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
What has been the timeline of such events in Uri and Balakot.
Click here to trace the timeline leading up to the event and India's eventual response
Lauding the Indian military for taking a "wise and sensible step," Art of Living founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Wednesday asserted that acts of terrorism are "against humanity and must be uprooted completely".
Referring to India's Operation Sindoor where nine terror sites in Pakistan and PoK were struck in military strikes, Sri Sri said that those who "do not understand through dialogue and discussion must be held accountable to their actions and taught a lesson".
The spiritual guru said: "Even if you look at depictions of Gods and Goddesses, they hold a flower in one hand and a weapon in the other. In this context, India has taken a very wise and sensible step. It has targeted only terrorist bases. This is commendable."
Addressing the anxiety felt by Indians residing in the country and the diaspora, he asked them to not panic and instead "be calm, (and) have patience".
"Under the leadership of the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country is making the right decisions. God is with us. So have this confidence: Everything will be auspicious. Everything will be good. Om Shanti," he said.
In an unprecedented sight on Wednesday evening, a 15-minute power blackout was observed in many areas of the national capital, including entire Lutyens' Delhi. The exercise left the New Delhi area housing Parliament, India Gate, embassies and key administrative buildings dark as part of a nationwide civil defence mock drill.
-PTI
In a sharp escalation in cross-border shelling, which has gone from small arms fire to heavy artillery, Pakistan targeted the civilian population residing near the Line of Control, killing at least 11 people and leaving 40 injured.
While intense artillery fire was also heard in the Uri and Tangdhar sectors of Kashmir Valley, the worst was in Poonch town in Jammu, which saw artillery shells hit residential and government buildings, besides public places, for the first time since the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
Many locals moved out to safer places, with the local administration making arrangements at designated locations in Chandak, Lassana, Sanai and Sathra.
Arun Sharma and Divya Goyal report
The probe agency has decided to scale up its investigative efforts into the Pahalgam attack.
Here's how people can share info, photos or videos with NIA
It is felt that tourists and others may have, advertently or inadvertently, seen, heard or clicked some relevant detail that could help NIA to unravel the conspiracy behind the targeted attack on tourists in Kashmir.
After getting hold of a host of photographs and videos related to the Pahalgam attack, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has issued an appeal to tourists, visitors and locals to immediately get in touch if they have any information, photographs or videos relating to the terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
The agency is currently examining the material in its possession.
As part of the nationwide mock drill today, there will be a blackout from 8:00 pm to 8:15 pm in the NDMC area of Delhi tonight, according to authorities.
Click here to find all you need to know about mock drills
Check our live mock drill coverage here
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, our soldiers have again given a befitting reply by destroying training camps of terrorists.
India used its 'right to respond' to retaliate against the attack on its land.
Our action was taken in a well-thought out manner.
To break the spirits of terrorists, these actions destroyed only their camps and infrastructure.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh invokes Lord Hanuman from Hindu mythological text Ramayana. Says India followed the principle displayed by Hanuman in the Ashok Vatika. Says "Jin mohi mara, tin mohi mare", translated as we hit only those who hit our innocents, again referring to the Pahalgam attack from Aprill 22 where terrorists killed 25 Indian tourists and one from Nepal.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh repeats that Indian soldiers showed precision, alertness and humanity in overnight strikes as part of Operation Sindoor.
Extends gratitude to soldiers on behalf of entire nation. Also thanks PM Narendra Modi.
Defence Minister leads chants of Bharat Mata ki Jai while addressing attendees at inauguration of 50 BRO infrastructure projects across 6 States and 2 UTs.
Says last night Indian military showed great courage to create history, referring to Operation Sindoor that targeted 9 terror sites in Pakistan and PoK.
Says Indian military carried out the strikes with precision, alertness and sensitivity. We achieved our goals according to our preset plans. The military showed the sensitivity to make sure no civilian population was affected.
Watch full video here
Rajnath Singh continues speech: Indian soldiers showed humanity and precision.
Says India only killed those who harmed our unarmed civilians.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is speaking at the inauguration of 50 BRO infrastructure projects across 6 States and 2 UTs.
No civilian infrastructure was hurt, he says.
A day after India's surprise precision strikes into Pakistan and PoK, the scheduled mock drills are being held across Indian districts.
These drills, codenamed ‘Operation Abhyas’ will be part of a longer list of civil defence measures that will be observed in 244 districts across India, including in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chandigarh.
These districts have been designated as civil defence districts based on threat perception.
States and UTs have been asked to operationalise air raid warning sirens, and put in place crash blackout measures in selected areas.
Besides, civilians, including students, will be trained on safety protocols to follow during an aerial or ground assault. Rehearsals of evacuation plans and early camouflaging of vital installations such as power plants and military-linked infrastructure will also take place.
Catch all the latest updates here
All content being uploaded to social media platforms is being “constantly monitored” by the ministries of IT and Information and Broadcasting. This is done to prune misleading content related to India's ‘Operation Sindoor’, under which 9 locations in PoK and Pakistan were attacked by precision strikes.
The ministries are keeping a close eye to issue takedown orders wherever necessary. Social media platforms have been sensitised to block any content that is unlawful, a senior government official told The Indian Express.
Agencies and organisations in charge of India’s critical infrastructure, such as the Power Ministry, financial institutions including banks, and telecom operators are also on “high alert” after facing a string of cyber attacks following the Pahalgam terror attack last month.
Read the full report by Soumyarendra Barik here
Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has announced the implementation of mock drills across 244 districts nationally today, on Wednesday, May 7, to enhance civil defence preparedness.
These drills, codenamed ‘Operation Abhyas’, will be held across the country, following a tragic terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, prompting intensified security measures throughout the country.
State governments and Union Territories have been directed to activate air raid warning sirens, implement blackout protocols in designated areas, and educate civilians, including students, on safety measures to adopt during potential aerial or ground attacks.
State government officers said National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) volunteers, along with school and college students, will participate in the mock drill.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, hours after Indian armed forces' precision strikes at terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
PM Modi met the President and briefed her on the operation, news agency PTI reported.
Nine sites, including headquarters and training centres of Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), from where terror attacks against India were planned and directed, were targeted under 'Operation Sindoor' in the early Wednesday strikes.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday chaired an emergency meeting with Deputy Commissioners of all border districts through video conferencing to assess the situation in the wake of intense cross-border shelling by Pakistan.
“The situation and preparedness to deal with exigencies was reviewed in view of the current developments and escalating tension, particularly along the LOC and districts close to the international border,” a government statement said.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu, Commissioner Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Secretary Health and Medical Education and Deputy Commissioners of Jammu, Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Samba, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts attended the meeting.
The Chief Minister issued directions to “immediately release contingency funds of Rs 5 crore to each border district and Rs 2 crore each to other districts so that District Collectors are equipped to deal with the exigencies arising and requiring availability of adequate resources”. He “directed that frontier districts be accorded special priority in the disbursement of these funds.”
Highlighting the importance of safeguarding civilian lives, the CM called for strengthening infrastructure with regard to providing shelters and bunkers for public in border areas, keeping evacuation plans ready, and ensuring sufficient stock of food supplies.
Naveed Iqbal reports
On Wednesday, when India gave a detailed account about Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi was among the two women armed forces officers who held the briefing in a strong message of resolve, inclusion, and operational confidence.
Along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, Colonel Qureshi gave a detailed presentation, along with footage of strikes and maps of terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was also present at the briefing on Operation Sindoor.
Col Qureshi, whose grandfather also served in the Indian Army, said Operation Sindoor “was launched by the Indian armed forces to deliver justice to the victims of the terror attack and their families”. “Nine terrorist camps were targeted and successfully destroyed.”
Col Qureshi said these targets were chosen “based on credible intelligence inputs and the role of these facilities in perpetrating the terror activities”. “The locations were so selected to avoid damage to civilian infrastructures and loss of any civilian lives. This was done with due diligence.”
Hours after India struck nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK ) Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed chiefs of all paramilitary forces to call back their personnel who are on leave in the wake of the strikes carried out by the Indian armed forces in Pakistan as a retaliatory action against the Pahalgam terror attack, sources told The Indian Express.
Shah, who is in regular touch with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, also asked them to ensure that the civilian population living along border areas are brought to safer places.
The home minister directed chiefs of all Central Armed Police Forces to call back their personnel who are on leave, they said. Shah also reviewed the internal security situation in the country and asked the top security officials to be on alert and keep strict vigil.
Akali Khurd, a village near Bathinda, was jolted awake by the sound of an explosion from an aircraft crash around 2 am Wednesday. A labourer from Haryana died and nine others sustained burn injuries following an explosion after the crash, villagers said.
The unidentified aircraft allegedly crashed in the fields near the village, which is located just 20 km from the Bhisiana Air Force Station in Bathinda. Soon, villagers rushed to the site.
Authorities are yet to confirm the crash. Videos taken shortly after the crash and explosion have been circulating on social media.
The Punjab Police were the first to be alerted regarding the incident, after which the fire brigade was called. Army and Air Force officials reached the spot before sunrise. The Army cordoned off the area, and the Air Force set up a canopy. Air Force personnel quickly began collecting the debris.
After India launched multiple strikes against terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, multiple airports across northern India shut down their services for civilians until further notice. Multiple flights were also either cancelled or diverted in view of Operation Sindoor, launched by India in the wee hours of Wednesday.
Several airlines including IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India and Air India Express confirmed the closures of multiple airports across the country through their official X handles.
Around 160 domestic IndiGo flights have been cancelled as of Wednesday morning, an official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. At least 20 flights of various airlines have been cancelled at the Delhi airport.
Following a midnight prank and the rollout of Operation Sindoor, many residents of Tindiwala, the last Indian village along the Pakistan border in Ferozepur district, have decided to move to safer locations. The village, situated on the banks of the Sutlej River, witnessed chaos after a few local youngsters allegedly burst high-intensity crackers late into the night.
Parkash Singh, a resident of Tindiwala, said the entire village – which has over 700 voters – rushed out of their homes hearing the loud bursts, thinking that something serious had happened. “Later, we found out it was just a prank. But when we saw the news on television regarding Operation Sindoor, we decided not to take any chances. I’m sending my wife and children to our relatives’ house,” he said.
“They are carrying bedding, clothes, dry ration, and vegetables. We don’t want to burden anyone. We live hand-to-mouth here,” Parkash said, adding, “The parents of the pranksters appeared to be sorry for their actions.”
Hours after India conducted a series of strikes on terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), dubbed Operation Sindoor, the government said that the hits were measured and non-escalatory in nature and was aimed at dismantling the terror infrastructure.
The government said that the terror camp where Ajmal Kasab, David Headley had trained was destroyed.
The government further noted that Operation Sindoor was launched to deliver justice to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, “cross-border linkages” of which have been flagged by India.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh were briefing the media in New Delhi on Wednesday.
"Pahalgam attack investigation has revealed Pakistan's link to it... our intelligence identified those involved and the planners... India exercised its right to dismantle terror infrastructure, " said Vikram Misri.
"The Manner of Pahalgam attack was aimed at provoking communal discord in Jammu and Kashmir, and other parts of India," he added.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Col. Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh to address the media following the Operation Sindoor.
Sofiya Qureshi is the first lady officer to ever lead an Army contingent at a multi-national military exercise. This exercise/war game, named Exercise Force 18, was the largest foreign military exercise ever hosted by India.
The list of nine terror facility locations in Pakistan and Pak-occupied Kashmir that were sucessfully neutralised during Operation Sindoor:
1. Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur JeM
2. Markaz Taiba, Muridke - LeT
3. Sarjal, Tehra Kalan - JeM
4. Mehmoona Joya, Sialkot - HM
5. Markaz Ahle Hadith, Barnala - LeT
6. Markaz Abbas, Kotli - JeM
7. Maskar Raheel Shahid, Kotli - HM
8. Shawai Nalla Camp, Muzaffarabad - LeT
9. Syedna Bilal Camp, Muzaffarabad JeM
Building damaged in Muridke in Pakistan's Punjab province after Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes early Wednesday on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack.
Chief Minister of Telangana A Revanth Reddy Wednesday, has called for an emergency meeting on security at the Integrated Command Control Centre to "review all security preparations post Operation Sindoor".
The CM will discuss security measures to safeguard all major installations and key strategic central defence and state government locations, a statement from the Chief Minister's office read.
"The state government will provide total support and cooperation to, and work along with the National Armed Forces," the statement added. The state is "on vigilance" and the "CM will personally review the situation on war-footing and ensure security, safety, and ensure total vigilance in Hyderabad, and all cities, towns and villages across Telangana", the statement read.
The CM's office has advised people to "keep vigil" but also "be totally reassured that the Centre and State are working together for their safety".
The statement requested for "total cooperation from all citizens at this hour".
Nikhila Henry reports
After the Indian Army carried out Operation Sindoor targeting terror hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir , Manoj Sinha, said, "I've also directed the DCs for shifting of villagers from vulnerable areas to safer locations and ensuring boarding, lodging, food, medicare and transportation. We will ensure safety of every citizen. Jai Hind!"
He further added: "Took stock of the situation in border districts of J&K UT with all the senior administrative, police & district officials including DCs of all the border districts. I'm closely monitoring the situation & govt is fully prepared to deal with any eventuality."
Following Operation Sindoor, security in the national capital has been intensified with additional police personnel and paramilitary forces deployed at key locations following 'Operation Sindoor', an official said, news agency PTI reported.
A senior police officer said that the national capital was already on high alert and multiple agencies will carry out mock drills on Wednesday at 4 pm.
"We have deployed more security personnel at key locations. Delhi Police is fully alert and no one will be allowed to breach law and order. Teams are keeping strict vigil on vital locations and monitoring social media platforms," said the officer.
After India struck nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), supporting Operation Sindoor,Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar said, "Israel supports India’s right to self-defence. Terrorists should know there’s no place to hide from their heinous crimes against the innocent."
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar Wednesday, hailed the Indian armed forces after Operation Sindoor and said that the nation is proud of them. Congratulating the armed forces, Pawar said, "Indian armed forces for giving 'befitting reply' to Pahalgam attack."
Korean Air has been avoiding Pakistan airspace for its flight operating between South Korea's Incheon and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, following the spike in tension between India and Pakistan, Yonhap News Agency reported on Wednesday. (Reuters)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to all three military chiefs post the strife Wednesday, congratulated them for the successful operation and also discussed the alertness situation post the strikes, sources told The Indian Express.
All schools bordering districts of Punjab's Ferozepur, Pathankot and Amritsar will remain closed on Wednesday in the wake of tension between India and Pakistan.
The Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner issued an order that all schools in the district will remain closed on Wednesday, officials said, adding that all schools in Pathankot will also remain shut for the next 72 hours.
In retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
As the Indian army struck terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, in a post on X, Minister of External Affairs of India, S Jaishankar, said, "The world must show zero tolerance for terrorism."
"India's commitment to eliminating all sources of terrorism in Pakistan and PoK has necessarily to be uncompromising and always be anchored in the supreme national interest," Congress said on Wednesday as Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said, "This is a time for unity and solidarity. Right from the night of April 22nd, the Congress has been categorically stating that the government will have our fullest support in the nation's response to the Pahalgam terror attack," he said.
"The Congress is standing firmly with our armed forces," Ramesh said on X, using the hashtag "Operation Sindoor".
India on Tuesday struck nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) -- four are said to be in Bahawalpur and Muridke in Pakistan Punjab and Muzaffarabad and Kotli in PoK.
Bahawalpur, which faces the Rajasthan frontier across the Thar desert, has been a stronghold of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, led by Maulana Masood Azhar, who was among three terrorists swapped by India in exchange for the passengers of Indian Airlines flight IC-814, which was hijacked to Kandahar in Afghanistan in December 1999. Bahawalpur is the city where Masood Azhar was born in 1968, and where Pakistan’s dictator Zia-ul-Haq died in a plane crash in 1988.
Muridke near Lahore is the home of the Hafiz Saeed-led terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, which carried out the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Muridke houses the Markaz-e-Taiba, the base camp of the Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Kotli in PoK is directly across the Line of Control from Jammu. Poonch in J&K is to its north-east and Rajouri south-east.
In view of the prevailing situation, the UT administration has closed all educational institutions in the five border districts of Jammu province on Wednesday.
In a tweet on X, office of the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, said, "All schools, colleges & educational institutions in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch will remain closed today."
Shiv Sena UBT Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “You had asked about religion, now suffer your karma ~ Indian Army.” Congress Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi said, “Jai Hind, Hindustan Zindabad.”
Former Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav also took to X, saying, “Hail India! There should be neither terror nor separatism! We are proud of our brave soldiers and the Indian Army.” His father and RJD chief Lalu Prasad said, “Jai Hind! Jai Hind ki Sena!”
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister of Food Processing and Industry Chirag Paswan were among other prominent figures to post “Jai Hind” after the strikes.
Operation Sindoor Live Updates: With the Indian armed forces striking nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, most international flights overflying Pakistan diverted away and steered clear of the Pakistani airspace. In India, flight operations from a few airports in the northern region have been impacted due to the developing situation and the consequent changes in airspace conditions, according to the country’s largest airline IndiGo. No civil flights will be operated from or to the Srinagar airport on Wednesday.
“Most flights are diverting out of Pakistani airspace...Non-Pakistani aircraft—both to Pakistan airports and overflights—appear to be diverting, while Pakistani airlines are continuing to their destinations at this time,” flight tracking service Flightradar24 posted on social media platform X shortly after India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK.
With tensions rising between India and Pakistan in the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam in which 26 people were killed by terrorists, some international airlines were already avoiding the Pakistani airspace, while a few others continued to overfly the country. However, with India launching the strikes, the Pakistani airspace quickly emptied out as overseas carriers diverted away from it, showed flight tracking data.
Operation Sindoor Live Updates: Following the strike, Srinagar Airport said that its airfield will remain closed and that no civil flights will be operating there.
India today hit nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, targeting terrorist infrastructure there. The strike came two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed.
Operation Sindoor Live Updates: Shortly after India struck nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he hoped “it ends very quickly”.
Asked about the strikes, Trump said at the White House, “It’s a shame. We just heard about it just as we were walking in the doors of the Oval... I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past — they've been fighting for a long time… You know they've been fighting for many, many decades and centuries, actually if you really think about it. Now, I just hope it ends very quickly.”
The Indian embassy in the US, meanwhile, released a statement: “Shortly after the strikes, NSA Ajit Doval spoke with US NSA and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and briefed him on the actions taken.”
Sources said senior Indian officials have spoken to their counterparts in a number of countries to brief them on the steps taken by India. Among these are the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Russia, sources said.
Operation Sindoor Live Updates: Hours after India hit nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, targeting terrorist infrastructure there, Pakistani troops resorted to a sharp escalation in ceasefire violations along the Line of Control in Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu and Kashmir.
While small arms fire had been witnessed regularly in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, Wednesday night saw heavy artillery fire from the Pakistan side.
“Pakistan again violates the ceasefire agreement by firing artillery in Bhimber Gali in Poonch-Rajauri area,” the Army posted on X, adding that the Indian side is responding appropriately in a calibrated manner.
A local woman is learnt to have been killed in Pakistani firing in the Mankote area of Mendhar, though an official confirmation is awaited.
Locals said that cross-border shelling was underway in Krishna Ghati, Shahpur and Mankote in Poonch, and Laam, Manjakote and Gambeer Brahmana in Rajouri district.
Operation Sindoor Live Updates: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, in a post in Sanskrit and Hindi, said, “Courage, brilliance and restraint are the soldiers of India. May victory be eternal in them, may Mother India be victorious. Where there is the Army of India, there is courage, brilliance and discipline… Jai Bharat Mata Ki.”
Operation Sindoor Live Updates: North East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari said in a post, “April 22: Modi ko bata dena? May 7: Modi ne bata diya (April 22: Go and tell Modi? May 7: Modi told you)”. He was referring to statements from some Pahalgam attack survivors, who said the militants had told them to “go tell (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi” what they had been through.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took to social media and hailed the Army.
“Jai Hind! Jai Hind ki sena!” he wrote.
Operation Sindoor Live Updates: India hit nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, targeting terrorist infrastructure there. The strike came two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh went on X and posted, "Bharat Mata Ki Jai."
Reuters news agency, reporting from Muzaffarabad in PoK, said multiple explosions had been heard.
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