Month: April 2025

April 13 marks Siachen Day, commemorating the Indian Army’s Operation Meghdoot in 1984. On this day, Indian troops landed at Bilafond La Pass and captured key positions on the Siachen Glacier, securing a strategic advantage in the disputed region of Kashmir, the world’s highest battlefield.

#SiachenDay
13 April 1984

"Quartered in snow,
Silent to remain,
When the clarion calls,
They shall rise and march again." pic.twitter.com/5PRecT0C1E

— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) April 13, 2025

The poem “Quartered in snow, Silent to remain, When the clarion calls, They shall rise and march again” beautifully captures the spirit of the Indian Army’s presence in Siachen. It highlights the soldiers’ ability to remain vigilant and prepared, even in the harshest of conditions, and to respond swiftly when called upon to defend the nation.

Indian soldiers have been stationed in the harsh environment of the Siachen Glacier for decades, enduring extreme temperatures and challenging terrain.

The day marks the historic launch of Operation Meghdoot in 1984, when the Indian Army established full control over the Siachen Glacier, thwarting adversarial attempts to claim the strategically vital region. It celebrated the 41st anniversary of the famous Operation, which was carried out by the Indian forces.

Siachen has been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan ever since the Karachi Agreement of 1949, when the area was left undivided due to the hostile terrain and extremely rough weather.

Operation Meghdoot was India’s bold military response to what New Delhi calls Pakistan’s “cartographic aggression” in the uncharted territory of Ladakh, north of map reference NJ9842, where New Delhi and Islamabad had agreed the Line of Control (LoC) ran up to.

Intelligence inputs about impending Pakistani military action prompted India to secure strategic heights on Siachen, deploying troops via airlifts and air-dropping supplies to high-altitude airfields.

The primary objective behind this operation was to pre-empt the seizure of Sia La and Bilafond La passes by the Pakistan Army.

Launched on April 13, 1984, this military operation was unique as the first assault launched on the world’s highest battlefield.

It was launched under the leadership of Lieutenant General Manohar Lal Chibber, Lieutenant General PN Hoon, and Major General Shiv Sharma.

It is distinguished by being one of the greatest examples of seamless coordination and synergy between the Indian Army and the Air Force.

The military action resulted in Indian troops gaining control of the entire Siachen Glacier.

According to a press release from last year, the operation involved the IAF airlifting Indian Army soldiers and dropping them on the glacial peaks. Although the operation began in 1984, IAF helicopters have been operating in the Siachen Glacier since 1978, flying the Chetak helicopter, which was the first IAF helicopter to land in the Glacier in October 1978.

The Indian Army launched Operation Meghdoot to secure strategic heights on Siachen with the deployment of troops. Playing an irreplaceable role in this effort, IAF’s tactical and strategic airlifters, An-12s, An-32s, and IL-76s transported stores and troops and air-dropped supplies to high-altitude airfields, from where Mi-17, Mi-8, Chetak, and Cheetah helicopters ferried men and material to dizzying heights on the glacier, far above the limits set by the helicopter manufacturers.

Located at a height of around 20,000 feet in the Karakoram Mountain range, the Siachen Glacier is known as the highest militarised zone around the world.

It is located so strategically that while it dominates Shaksgam Valley (ceded to China by Pakistan in 1963) in the north, controls the routes coming from Gilgit Baltistan to Leh from the west, and at the same time, it dominates the ancient Karakoram Pass in the eastern side too.

Further, towards the west, it borders nearly the entire of the Gilgit Baltistan, which too is an Indian territory illegally occupied by Pakistan in 1948.

Every year, the day honours all the Siachen Warriors who have served their motherland while successfully thwarting the enemy’s evil designs over the years. To this day, the Siachen Warriors continue to guard the ‘Frozen Frontier’ with tenacity and resolve against all odds. (ANI)

Amid violence that broke out in West Bengal’s Murshidabad over the Waqf Amendment Act, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on Saturday accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of turning the issue into a national concern.

Speaking to ANI, Trivedi highlighted that Waqf Amendment Act has successfully passed all the stages of parliamentary procedures, however, opposition is busy in politicising the legislation for its own gains.

“After completing all the constitutional procedures in a systematic manner, the Waqf Bill came to the Parliament and then went to the JPC. The JPC discussed it in detail, then both the Houses passed it, and after the President’s signature, it became a law. But still, some people are trying to do politics in it. It is sad that this is happening only in West Bengal; this in itself raises the question that Mamata Banerjee’s politics seems to be moving towards becoming a challenge for the whole of India in the future,” BJP’s Trivedi said.

Violence erupted in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Tuesday during protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, with clashes between demonstrators and police resulting in stone-pelting and torched police vehicles.

However, West Bengal Police announced on Saturday that the situation in the Suti and Samserganj areas of Jangipur, Murshidabad district, is now under control.

Taking to X, West Bengal police posted, “The situation in Suti and Samserganj areas of Jangipur is now under control. The unruly mob has been dispersed by effective police action. Traffic has returned to normalcy on the national highway. Strict action will be taken against those who have resorted to violence. Raids are being conducted to arrest the troublemakers. Legal action will also be initiated against rumour-mongers trying to spread misinformation. We request all not to heed rumours and keep calm.”

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, came into force on April 8 (Tuesday). After a 12-hour discussion, the Upper House cleared the bill with 128 members voting in favour, whereas 95 members voted against the legislation.

The act aims to modify the Waqf Act, 1995 and the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2013. The 1995 act and the 2013 amendment laid out rules to govern the Waqf properties in India; created special courts (called Waqf Tribunals) with powers similar to civil courts (Tribunal decisions cannot be challenged in civil courts); and prohibited the sale of Waqf properties. (ANI)

Citing a protest by the resident of Sriniwaspuri in New Delhi over long power cuts, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Delhi Assembly, Atishi on Saturday targeted Chief Minister Rekha Gupta-led government and said that the people are now feeling that they made “mistake” by voting for the BJP.

AAP leader shared a video on X of the people protesting on the streets in Delhi’s Sriniwaspuri against Water Minister Parvesh Verma.

“The public, troubled by the continuous power cuts in Delhi, has now taken to the streets. There is a ‘halla bol’ (uproar) against the Chief Minister and ministers. The BJP’s lies and ‘jumle’ stand exposed before the people, and now the public will hold the BJP accountable for every single lie. People in Delhi are so troubled by power cuts that they start cursing BJP leaders on sight. That is why BJP ministers cannot step out of their offices without hundreds of policemen,” Atishi said.

Atishi said that people in the national capital will now be recalling that no power cuts were done during previous AAP government.

“On Friday night, there were long power cuts in many areas of Delhi. Electricity was gone for hours. Delhiites are saying they haven’t seen such power cuts in years. Everyone is recalling that during Arvind Kejriwal’s time, electricity never went out. They now feel that voting for the BJP was a mistake,” the Delhi Assembly LoP added.

On this, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal expressed serious concern over the crisis. “In just two months, look at what they’ve done to Delhi,” he wrote, pointing to the deteriorating state of governance under the BJP’s watch.

AAP spokesperson Vandana Sinha said that when people in Sriniwaspuri approached Water Minister Pravesh Verma with complaints about power cuts and dirty water, they were welcomed with police lathis.

“Why do BJP ministers not want to meet the public? Why don’t they want to answer people’s questions? Are they afraid of the people’s questions? Or is it that the BJP does not know how to run a government in Delhi?” she asked.

The AAP claimed that on Friday, there were long power cuts in several areas of Delhi including Budh Vihar, Sant Nagar in Burari, Sangam Vihar, Palam Village, Prince Colony in Badarpur, Indra Park in Uttam Nagar, Hargovind Enclave in Chhatarpur, Mahavir Enclave Part 2, Nihal Vihar in Nangloi, East Delhi, Old Rajendra Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, and many more. (ANI)

Three people were killed in Dhuliyan in the aftermath of mob violence against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad district, West Bengal Police said.

Several vehicles were torched on Friday night. Security has been heightened in the area, and as per Bengal Police, the situation is now under control.

West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar said that there is clear instruction from government not to tolerate any kind of hooliganism.

DGP Rajeev Kumar said, “An atmosphere of unrest has been seen in Jangipur since yesterday and communal disturbance has also been observed. Any kind of hooliganism will not be tolerated. We are dealing with the situation very strongly.”

He further said that it started with demonstration, then destruction of public property and then it took communal angle.

“It is our responsibility to protect human life. Strict action will be taken against those who indulge in hooliganism. No one should spread rumours, do not pay attention to rumours. Police will take strict action, do not take the law into your own hands. Section 163 is applicable in violence-affected areas. Strict action will be taken if government property is set on fire. We request for cooperation from the public, we will not tolerate any kind of violence,” said.

He further said that people are not allowed to come on the street and take law in their hand.

Earlier West Bengal Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday requested Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to transfer the investigation into the recent vandalism incidents at railway stations in the Murshidabad District to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

In his letter, Adhikari stated that the violent ‘protests’ and the potential for such incidents to escalate had a broader implication since Murshidabad shared its borders with Bangladesh and the presence of radical outfits like the Population Front of India (PFI) and the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

In his letter, he also stated that the NIA was best equipped to ensure a thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigation. He further stated that this step would help uncover the true faces of masterminds conspiring behind the scenes and prevent similar future occurrences.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar accused West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee of “threatening Hindus” and trying to “create a Bangladesh here”.

He also accused the police of failing to take action on the directions of Mamata Banerjee, saying that police were “doing nothing” and were “keeping quiet”. Majumdar, also the West Bengal BJP president, said that they were in touch with Delhi apprising about the events. (ANI)

Meta-owned messaging app WhatsApp faced issues in India on Saturday evening, with users reporting issues in sending messages.

Taking to social media platform X, netizens reported issues with core functionalities, including sending messages and uploading status. However, WhatsApp did not immediately respond to the outage.

“Cannot send messages to group.. whats app down ? #WhatsApp,” a user wrote in a post on X.

“Hey @WhatsApp , is the app down? I’m having trouble sending messages – they’re just not going through. Anyone else facing this? #WhatsAppDown,” another user posted on X.

“Is @WhatsApp down in India today? Not able to send messages in groups! Getting a red exclamation mark on sending messages. #whatsappdown #Whatsapp,” an X user reported.

Following the outage, many even shared memes as an expression of anger and to confirm if the message app was actually down.

The hashtag #WhatsAppDown also began trending across social media platforms as users experienced difficulties using the application.

Earlier in the day, many people even faced difficulties while making payments via Unified Payments Interface (UPI). (ANI)

Actor Preity Zinta, who is the co-owner of Punjab Kings, never misses a chance to watch the match of her team from the stands. On Saturday, she was spotted cheering for the players at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

Dressed in red, which is the primary color of Punjab Kings’ jersey, Preity looked extremely happy as her team performed exceptionally well in the first innings against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

Batters displayed attacking intent right from the start, with Priyansh Arya (36 in 13 balls, with two fours and four sixes) and Prabhsimran Singh (42 in 23 balls, with seven fours and a six) putting on a 66 run partnership in just 24 balls.

Later, skipper Shreyas Iyer also posted his third half-century of the competition.

Teams:

Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera, Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson.

Punjab Kings Impact Subs: Suryansh Shedge, Yash Thakur, Praveen Dubey, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Harpreet Brar.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Aniket Verma, Pat Cummins (c), Harshal Patel, Zeeshan Ansari, Mohammed Shami, and Eshan Malinga.

Sunrisers Hyderabad Impact Subs: Abhinav Manohar, Sachin Baby, Rahul Chahar, Wiaan Mulder, Jaydev Unadkat. (ANI)

As the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) joins National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tamilisai Soundararajan on Saturday said that they were on a “victorious path”. She further said that the BJP leader K Annamalai would be inducted in the national framework as the new state party chief has been named.

She further informed us about the presidential elections, which concluded in the BJP, where Nainar Nagenthran was named the new Tamil Nadu BJP chief. Lauding K Annamalai’s efforts as the state BJP chief, Soundararajan said that he would likely get a national role.

“We are on the victorious path. Our organisation’s election has been completed. Our past president (K Annamalai) was working very hard. He was a very hard-working young leader. (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah has said that he will be in the national framework. We are all very happy that all the talented heads are coming together to challenge the present DMK government,” the BJP leader told ANI.

Earlier, Union Minister of Coal and Mines and Telangana State BJP President G Kishan Reddy on Saturday said that the BJP and the AIADMK alliance will uproot the corrupt, dynastic, and failed Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in Tamil Nadu.

“NDA family grows stronger! The BJP and the AIADMK alliance will uproot the corrupt, dynastic, and failed DMK govt in Tamil Nadu. The alliance under the leadership and guidance of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi will endeavor towards providing an effective govt in TN with a focus on welfare, corruption-free governance, and all-round development of the State while protecting and promoting the language, rich culture, and heritage of Tamil Nadu,” Kishan Reddy posted on X.

Earlier today, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin attacked Union Home Minister Amit Shah and AIADMK leadership and said that the people of the state will never tolerate a “treacherous alliance” that bows to Delhi and betrays Tamil Nadu.

CM Stalin attacked AIADMK and said that they claimed to oppose the NEET exam, the imposition of Hindi, the three-language policy, and the Waqf Act and were not allowed to say anything yesterday during the press conference with Amit Shah.

This comes after AIADMK, BJP, and all the alliance parties decided to contest the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu together under the National Democratic Alliance.

This significant political development comes ahead of the TN Assembly election, which will be held in 2026.

In the previous two elections–the Lok Sabha and the last assembly polls–the AIADMK has struggled to perform strongly.

The AIADMK entered into an alliance with the BJP after the passing of J Jayalalithaa in 2016.

During the 2021 state elections, the AIADMK and the BJP were in alliance, which resulted in the BJP winning four seats. However, the AIADMK severed ties with the BJP in 2023. (ANI)

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday credited his government’s efforts to work on rehabilitation policies, which resulted in the surrender of about 1,314 Naxalites. He said that Naxalism was “breathing its last” in the state.

Speaking at the ‘Vichaar for Viksit Chhattisgarh’ conclave to ANI, Sai said that the state government has provided nearly 15,000 accommodations under the PM Awas Yojana for those who have surrendered to join the mainstream.

He said that the government was also working on providing “skill development” training to the surrendered Naxalites so that they become employable.

“About 1,314 Naxalites have surrendered, and the government is doing justice to them. We have separately arranged 15,000 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for them. We keep them in the district headquarters, and we are also working on their skill development so that they can get some employment. We also give them jobs in third and fourth classes of government organisations as per their qualification,” the CM told ANI at the event.

“As soon as our government came, we told the Naxalites that they should leave bullets and violence and join the mainstream of development. We sent our state’s Home Minister, Vijay Sharma, to many other states, including Assam, to see rehabilitation policies there,” he added.

CM Sai asserted that Naxalism was nearing its end in Chhattisgarh, with only a handful of cadre left. He added that nearly 359 Naxalites with huge bounties on them have been killed in the last 1.5 years.

“Naxalism is now breathing its last in Chhattisgarh. Very few of them are left now. In 1.5 years, about 359 Naxalites with huge rewards on them, hardcore Naxalites have been killed. I am fully confident that the resolution of the Union Home Minister will definitely be fulfilled,” he said.

Sai said that earlier people trusted the Naxalites more than the government. However, he added, public trust has increased in the last 1.5 years.

“We have started the ‘Niyad Nellanar Yojana, ‘ which means ‘Aapka Sundar Gaon. ‘ Security camps are being opened continuously. Naxalites run away from all the villages that come within a five km radius of the camp…Earlier, it was the case that people trusted the Naxalites more than the government. But the way the government is working, for the last 1.5 years, the public’s trust in us has increased,” the CM said. (ANI)

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday urged citizens to stop throwing food, especially roti, on the roads.

She recently witnessed a man tossing bread from his car, presumably to feed a cow, and intervened, explaining that this act not only endangers animal lives but also compromises road safety.

Taking to the social media platform X, she emphasized that roti holds cultural and spiritual significance, and disrespecting it by throwing it on roads is unacceptable.

Gupta suggested feeding animals at designated places like gaushalas, promoting responsible behavior. Gupta appealed to Delhi residents to refrain from throwing food on roads and instead feed animals lovingly but responsibly.

आज राजधानी में भ्रमण के दौरान, मैंने देखा कि एक व्यक्ति ने अपनी कार से रोटी सड़क पर फेंकी- संभवतः गाय को खिलाने के उद्देश्य से। मैंने गाड़ी रुकवाई और उस व्यक्ति से आग्रह किया कि कृपया ऐसा दोबारा न करें।
रोटी हमारे लिए केवल भोजन नहीं है, वह हमारी संस्कृति, श्रद्धा और सम्मान का… pic.twitter.com/PS0bYmOBG6

— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) April 12, 2025

“While traveling in the capital today, I saw a man throw bread from his car onto the road – presumably to feed a cow. I stopped the car and requested the man to please not do it again. Roti is not just food for us, it is a symbol of our culture, faith and respect. Throwing roti on the road forces cows and other animals to come there to eat, which not only endangers their lives but also endangers the safety of people and vehicles walking on the road. Food should not be disrespected. If you want to feed animals, please do so at a Gaushala or a designated place. This is a sign of our sensitivity, responsibility and values,” she wrote on X.

Gupta also asked all Delhiites to avoid throwing roti or any food on the roads, encouraging them to feed animals with care while maintaining road safety.

“I appeal to all Delhiites: Do not throw roti or any food on the road. Feed animals lovingly but responsibly. Respect your culture and keep your roads safe. #RoadSafety,” she added in the post.

Meanwhile, earlier today, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta extended greetings on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti and offered prayers at Sankat Mochan Dham, Siddh Hanuman Mandir in Karol Bagh on Saturday.

“All over the country, people are excited and celebrating Hanuman Jayanti.

From Ram Navami to Hanuman Jayanti, the people are organising events. I am fortunate that today, as Chief Minister of Delhi, I stand with you in your happiness and sorrow and Baba’s (Hanumanji) grace. Together, we have to make Delhi a better city. We will continue to do this work. With the blessings of Narendra Modi ji, Delhi will move forward. My best congratulations to all of you on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti,” Rekha Gupta told reporters. (ANI)

Amid chaos over violence in Murshidabad, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sukanta Majumdar on Saturday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of “threatening Hindus” and trying to “create a Bangladesh here”.

He also accused the police of failing to take action on the directions of Mamata Banerjee, saying that police were “doing nothing” and were “keeping quiet”. Majumdar, also the West Bengal BJP president, said that they were in touch with Delhi apprising about the events.

“The police are doing nothing and are keeping quiet in Mamata Banerjee’s directions. She is trying to create a Bangladesh here by threatening Hindus, but Hindus have always fought, and it will continue that. We are in contact with Delhi, and the (Union) Home Minister is aware of everything,” Majumdar, the junior minister for education, told ANI.

When asked about the situation in violence-hit districts, including Murshidabad, Majumdar alleged that the situation was “grave” and the houses were being “looted”. He said that intervention from the central government would be required in the future, given the escalations.

“The situation is grave. Hindu women are being abused, and houses are being looted. Police are staying silent. Yesterday, Amit Shah took information (regarding what is happening). The intervention from central government would be required to handle the situation, given the way it is escalating,” he told reporters.

West Bengal Police announced on Saturday that the situation in the Suti and Samserganj areas of Jangipur, Murshidabad district, is now under control.

An unruly mob, which had turned violent during demonstrations opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Act, was dispersed through effective police action.

Taking to X, West Bengal police posted, “The situation in Suti and Samserganj areas of Jangipur is now under control. The unruly mob has been dispersed by effective police action. Traffic has returned to normalcy on the national highway. Strict action will be taken against those who have resorted to violence. Raids are being conducted to arrest the troublemakers. Legal action will also be initiated against rumour-mongers trying to spread misinformation. We request all not to heed rumours and keep calm.”

Security was heightened in Jangipur on Saturday following violent protests that damaged public property. According to a police official, the demonstrations were in response to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, but the situation has now stabilised. (ANI)