Month: May 2025

In a major success for the Chhattisgarh government’s anti-Naxal campaign, 18 Naxals, including four members of the dreaded Battalion No. 1, surrendered before the police in Sukma district on Tuesday.

According to the officials, the surrender took place under the influence of the state government’s rehabilitation initiative, Niyad Nellanar. ‘

The surrender came as a boost to ongoing efforts in South Bastar, a region long affected by Naxal violence. Among the 18 who surrendered, several were known to be active in four different Naxal battalions, according to the police.

While speaking to the media, Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran G Chavan said, “Influenced by ‘Niyad Nellanar’ scheme, 18 naxals have surrendered today. Four naxalites are associated with Battalion No. 1. Naxalites belonging to 4 battalions have surrendered. Naxalites active in South Bastar have also surrendered.”

The SP further assured that the surrendered militants would receive full support and rehabilitation benefits under the government’s surrender policy.

“As they have surrendered, they will get all the benefits of the schemes functioning under the state government… I appeal to all the naxals to surrender,” Chavan added.

Meanwhile, last week in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district, security forces successfully neutralised 27 Naxals, including top CPI (Maoist) leader and General Secretary Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju.

Later, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) P Sundarraj said the banned organisation had received training and technological support from several militant and insurgent groups.

“Basavaraju was the general secretary of CPI (Maoists) and headed its military commission. He played a key role in planning and executing the group’s violent operations,” IG Sundarraj said.

He said that these Naxalites used to receive training from many insurgent groups, and that even the LTTE’s name came up — they shared some technologies.

“The banned and illegal Naxal organisation always has a negative thought of harming the security forces in any way, be it through IEDs, ambushes or by attacking the security forces’ camps. In this way, the security forces and the villagers get harmed by negative or violent activity. They used to take training from many militant and insurgency groups – even the LTTE’s name came to light, and they also shared some technology. Basava Raju was the general secretary of CPI (Maoists) and also in charge of the military commission. Hence, he had a role in all the military actions of the organisation… The whole organisation, on the back of them, has suffered losses in terms of technology and military. Their land area has also been reduced. We hope that Naxalism will end soon,” he said.

He added, “With this success, the Maoists have suffered a heavy blow in leadership, military capacity, and territory. We hope Naxalism will end soon in this area and across the country.” (ANI)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking directions that the name of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar is not misused and his name be included in the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act.

A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih dismissed the plea, saying no fundamental right of the petitioner is affected.

The petitioner, Dr. Pankaj Phadnis, sought directions that the Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, do community service as punishment for his remarks against Savarkar.

Phadnis, who was appearing in person, told the bench that he had been researching on Savarkar for years and wanted to establish certain facts about Savarkar in a legally verifiable manner.

The CJI then asked him, “What is the violation of your fundamental right?”

The petitioner said that the Leader of the Opposition cannot violate fundamental duties: “Article 51A, fundamental duties. The Leader of the Opposition cannot impede my fundamental duties.”

The CJI refused to intervene in the issue, saying an Article 32 petition can be entertained only for the violation of fundamental rights.

The petition stated that Gandhi is in the habit of making “irresponsible, immature and defamatory comments” about Savarkar.

It added that when Gandhi was found guilty of a criminal defamation case filed against him for his remarks on Savarkar, as a punishment, he must do community service such as sweeping the floor of the Savarkar Museum in Mumbai for a day instead of any penal punishment.

The petition sought Savarkar’s name be included in the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act.

A name included in the schedule of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use )Act, 1956, cannot be used in a manner contrary to the conditions prescribed by the Central government. (ANI)

Stressing that India’s response to the cross-border shelling from Pakistan was answered loudly and in an effective manner, the Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday reiterated that they were planned to also strike the terrorists launchpads near the Line of Control on the night of May 9 and 10.

Addrressing a press conference, Shashank Anand (BSF IG), Jammu Frontier emphasized that the Pakistani post opened fire on India’s positions, for which it was already prepared.

“As a result of this preparedness, we inflicted heavy damage on several Pakistani posts during the cross-border firing. We did not suffer any losses ourselves,” Anand said.

“On the night of May 8, when we carried out this operation, the enemy’s morale in that area was visibly shaken. The next day, i.e., on May 9, Pakistan began unprovoked cross-border firing along the international border in the northern areas of Jammu, moving away from the Samba region. The BSF was already prepared for such a situation, and on May 9 and 10, the BSF launched heavy shelling on Pakistan’s border belt. During this period, we had planned that if the opportunity arose, we would also strike the terrorist launch pads located near the international border,” he said.

He further said that the BSF carried out a “deliberate” attack on a Lashkar-e-Taiba launch pad in Looni area near the LoC.

“As part of this operation, on the night of May 9 and 10, the BSF carried out a deliberate and planned attack on a Lashkar-e-Taiba launchpad in “Looni”, which is located in Pakistan just 3 kilometers from the international border,” Shashank Anand said.

Virender Dutta, DIG Sector Sundarbani, said that they had an input of the presence of 18-20 militants in Looni area who were planning to infiltrate by taking the advantage of cross-border firing.

“After May 8, we received intelligence that 18-20 militants were present in Looni, and it was expected that they would attempt to infiltrate by taking advantage of the cross-border firing. Their intention was likely to target our installations later. We executed a highly coordinated and well-planned operation in two phases to inflict maximum casualties. We achieved that goal, and Looni was completely destroyed,” Dutta said.

Operation Sindoor was India’s decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Launched on May 7, Operation Sindoor led to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

After the attack, Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling across the Line of Control and Jammu and Kashmir as well as attempted drone attacks along the border regions, following which India launched a coordinated attack and damaged radar infrastructure, communication centres, and airfields across 11 airbases in Pakistan.

After this, on May 10, an understanding of the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was announced. (ANI)

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led government is holding a special cabinet meeting in Pahalgam today, more than a month after a terror attack in the Baisaran valley on April 22 that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.

The attack has severely affected the region’s tourism, leading to widespread fear among visitors and a sharp decline in bookings and trips. The meeting aims to address these concerns and reinforce the government’s commitment to combating terrorism and reviving tourism in the area.

Visuals showed members of the Omar Abdullah cabinet arriving at the Pahalgam club for the special cabinet meeting.

Earlier, on May 15, responding to the challenges faced by the tourism sector after the terror attack, he chaired a meeting with the Hoteliers Association at the Civil Secretariat. During the meeting, he assured stakeholders of the government’s full support and pledged to consider their suggestions for reviving tourism in the region.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister emphasised the need for a comprehensive tourism revival plan to be developed jointly with the Tourism Department after the conclusion of this year’s Shri Amarnath ji Yatra. He proposed that the package include support for hotels, houseboats, shikaras, taxis, handicrafts, and innovative initiatives like unique shopping festivals inspired by those in Dubai.

Abdullah also expressed concern for small-scale entrepreneurs who have recently taken loans to invest in tourist taxis, deluxe minibuses, and guest accommodations, highlighting their vulnerability amid the downturn.

Despite the attack, Abdullah noted ongoing interest in Jammu and Kashmir as a tourism destination, mentioning enthusiasm for promotional activities and Familiarisation (FAM) tours. He assured stakeholders that he would raise the issue of financial support and interest relief directly with the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and other senior central government officials.

The special cabinet meeting in Pahalgam today is expected to further strengthen efforts to send a strong message against terrorism and violence in the Union Territory and boost the local economy reliant on tourism.

The April 22 terror attack not only resulted in the tragic loss of life but also cast a long-term shadow on Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism sector, one of the key contributors to its economy. Many local businesses dependent on tourism have suffered heavy losses since the incident. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the May 22 attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam as well as other terror incidents could have been avoided if India had heeded Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s advice in 1947.

Addressing an event in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar, the Prime Minister said that Patel had advised not to stop the armed forces before they reached Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

“In 1947, Mother India was torn into pieces. Katni chahiye thi zanjeerein par kaat di gayi bhujayein (The chains should have been cut, but the arms were chopped off.) The country was divided into three parts, and on the same night, the first terrorist attack took place on the soil of Kashmir,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that during Partition, Pakistan had captured a part of India using terrorists, whom he called Mujahideen. “If on that day, these Mujahideen had been eliminated and Sardar Patel’s wish was that until we get PoK, our armed forces should not stop. But no one listened to him and we have been facing this (terrorism) for the last 75 years. Pahalgam was also an example of it. When we had wars with Pakistan, we defeated Pakistan thrice…”

“…Shareer kitna hi swasth kyu naa ho lekin agar ek kaanta chubhta hai toh poora shareer pareshan rehta hai. Ab humne tay kar liya hai uss kaante ko nikaal ke rahenge…(“No matter how strong or healthy the body is, even a single thorn can cause constant pain and we’ve decided that the thorn must be removed)” said Prime Minister Modi.

PM Modi also pointed out Pakistan’s inability to defeat India in direct war and its shift to proxy warfare. “When the need for war with Pakistan arose, India’s military power defeated Pakistan all three times. Pakistan understood that it could not defeat India in a war. It started a proxy war against India. They kept attacking wherever they got a chance, and we kept tolerating it,” he added.

PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Gujarat, the first time he has visited his home state following Operation Sindoor against Pakistan.

Earlier today Prime Minister held a roadshow before laying the foundation stone for several development projects in Gandhinagar. (ANI)

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi paid floral tribute to India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his 61st death anniversary, at his memorial Shanti Van in Delhi on Tuesday.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute to India’s first prime minister, calling him the architect of modern India. He said that 21st century India cannot be imagined without the contribution of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

“Humble tributes on the death anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru ji, the creator of modern India, the fearless guardian of democracy, the one who took India from zero to the peak, the one who made India develop in scientific, economic, industrial and various fields, the one who constantly gave the message of ‘unity in diversity’ to the country, our source of inspiration. 21st century India cannot be imagined without the contribution of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru,” Kharge said in a post on X.

Remembering Jawaharlal Nehru, Congress on its official X handle said, “On his death anniversary, we honour the nation’s first Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, whose vision shaped modern India. His ideals of democracy, secularism & scientific temper continue to guide our way forward. Heartfelt tributes to his unmatched legacy & leadership.”

Jawaharlal Nehru was a freedom fighter who played a pivotal role in India’s freedom movement. He also went on to become India’s first Prime Minister after independence in 1947.

Nehru remained at the post for more than 16 years and died due to a heart attack on 27th May 1964. After that, Lal Bahadur Shastri took over as the second Prime Minister of India.

Nehru is considered the pioneer of India’s Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). For his love for children, Nehru was also called ‘Chacha Nehru’, and his birth anniversary on November 14, is celebrated as Children’s Day every year in India. (ANI)

Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer highlighted his team’s collective effort and winning mindset, praising the management and emphasising the importance of trust within the team.

Majestic fifties from Priyansh Arya and Josh Inglis powered Punjab Kings (PBKS), to a commanding victory of seven wickets over Mumbai Indians (MI) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), on Monday, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

“I personally feel everyone stepped up at the right time. We have been in that mindset that we have to win no matter what the situation. Kudos to everyone and the management. Ricky has been fantastic, and for me it was about gaining the trust of every individual,” Shreyas Iyer said in the post-match presentation.

Iyer also emphasised the importance of maintaining strong relationships within the team, especially during challenging times, and praised Priyansh Arya’s impressive start, highlighting the team’s fearless approach.

“And that happened by winning matches, and I personally feel we need to maintain that relationship throughout. When you are down in the dumps, it is easy to backstab each other. (On Priyansh Arya) The way he started was fabulous. It was pleasing to the eye, and every individual has been fearless,” Iyer said.

“They tick the boxes in the net sessions, and the reflection of it is seen on the ground. (On Josh Inglis) He loves playing the new ball, and I wanted him to play more deliveries. And I know he can be disruptive, he is a big match player. Hope he continues the same way. We have a camaraderie from the last few years, he lets me be decisive on the field, all these things have culminated in a great way. Ecstatic that everything is working,” he added.

After this win, PBKS will be at the top of the IPL points table and will play Qualifier 1, while MI will play Eliminator 1. Only for the second time did PBKS finish in the top two for Qualifier 1, the other being in the 2014 IPL.

MI has won just one game in the last six matches in Jaipur since 2013, which came earlier this season against RR. Only for the second time, PBKS finished in the top two for Qualifier 1, the other being in the 2014 IPL.

MI has won just one game in the last six matches in Jaipur since 2013, which came earlier this season against RR. (ANI)

In a heart-wrenching incident, seven members of a family from Dehradun were found dead in a car in Sector 27 of Haryana’s Panchkula district on Tuesday.

The deceased were identified as Praveen Mittal (42), his parents, wife, two daughters, and a son.

All seven bodies were found inside a locked car parked on the roadside, outside a house in the residential area.

Panchkula DCP Himadri Kaushik and DCP Law and Order Amit Dahiya immediately reached the location and began an investigation.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Panchkula, Himadri Kaushik, said, “We received information that six people have been brought to Ojas Hospital. When we reached here, we found out that they are all dead. Another person was brought to the Civil Hospital, Sector 6; he has also been declared dead. Prima facie, it looks like a matter of suicide. All the investigating officers are at the spot…All of the deceased are family members…”

The police recovered a suicide note from the car. However, the full contents of the note were not disclosed.

According to the police, the family appeared to be under immense financial pressure, which could have driven them to suicide.

As per the preliminary investigation, the family consumed poison in a suspected case of mass suicide, possibly driven by heavy debt and financial distress.

According to sources, Praveen Mittal, a resident of Dehradun, had travelled to Panchkula with his family to attend a Hanuman Katha program organised by Bageshwar Dham. The event had recently concluded, and the family was reportedly returning to Dehradun when they took the extreme step.

The forensic team has reached the spot and collected samples for investigation.

All seven bodies were sent to the mortuary of the private hospitals in Panchkula.

The postmortem examinations were expected to be conducted to confirm the cause of death and to aid in the ongoing probe.

Further investigation into the matter is underway. (ANI)

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the country is ready to talk with India “to find solutions” to “longstanding problems”, including Kashmir, water-sharing and trade. He made the remarks during a joint press conference during his visit to Tehran.

Addressing a joint press conference with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Sharif as per a report in Pakistani media outlet Dawn said, “We are ready to talk, for the sake of peace on water issues with our neighbour.” He continued, “We are ready to talk to promote trade and also, counter-terrorism…”

“We wanted peace, we want peace and we will work for peace in the region through talks, on the table, and resolve our outstanding issues,” Sharif said.

The Pakistan PM said, “But if they accept my offer of peace, then we will show that we really want peace, seriously and sincerely.”

Sharif was in Iran on Monday, after a visit to Turkiye. After Iran, he is scheduled to visit Tajikistan and Azerbaijan.

Iranian state media IRNA reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian has voiced Iran’s support for a durable ceasefire between India and Pakistan, calling for dialogue between regional countries to resolve disputes and promote peace.

The Indus Water Treaty was put into abeyance after the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack, which saw the death of 26 innocent civilians.

In the wake of the attack, the government took up a series of actions against Pakistan, of which one was putting the Indus Water Treaty into abeyance.

Previously, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had also reiterated that the Indus Water Treaty, signed in 1960, is currently on hold due to Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism. The treaty governs the sharing of water resources from the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan.

Previously, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said that climate changes and demographic shifts have created new realities on ground.

“Now, as per CCS decision that I referred to of 23rd April, India will keep the treaty in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably, abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. Please also note that climate change, demographic shifts and technological changes have created new realities on ground as well,” Jaiswal said.

India had imposed an immediate ban on the direct or indirect import and transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, regardless of their import status, effectively halting bilateral trade flows, according to a notification by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. (ANI)