Monthly Archives: August 2018

With security forces eliminating six militants this week, joint forces said on Friday that the neutralisation of these ultras in south Kashmir is a major setback to the militant outfits they were affiliated with. On Thursday, three militants, including a…

With security forces eliminating six militants this week, joint forces said on Friday that the neutralisation of these ultras in south Kashmir is a major setback to the militant outfits they were affiliated with.

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On Thursday, three militants, including a top commander affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), were killed in a gunfight with security forces in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Earlier on Tuesday, an encounter took place in the nearby Shopian district, in which three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants were killed. Top LeT commander Shahid Kuttay was among those slain.

Addressing a press briefing, officers from the joint forces — J&K Police, Army and CRPF — explained how the two operations were carried out and termed them a major success for the security forces.

Kashmir Inspector General of Police, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, said in response to the terrorist activities that have been ongoing in the Valley for the past month, the security forces “have re-implemented their strategies.”

“Our very intensified focus was on conducting this operation. And with this intensified focus and mutual coordination, we have carried out two successful operations here in the last 48 hours, in which we have achieved a very significant achievement,” he said.

Elaborating on the two operations, General Officer Commanding of the Army’s Victor Force, Major General Dhananjay Joshi, said that following the Pahalgam attack last month, the security forces had designated a “focus area”, which would be targeted “in a focused way.”

“On the night of the 12th, in the area of Shopian, we received input that a terrorist group could be there. He said the operation took place in the higher reaches, in a very elevated area, and the three militants were neutralised.

He added that the second operation, which occurred in the Tral area, was on very different terrain, as it was in a village. “We got the input that a terrorist group had settled at the village for some time. And immediately it was cordoned off,” he said. “When it was cordoned off, the terrorists took positions in different houses and tried to fire.”

Cong says it’s insult to armed forces

Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda on Friday said the country, its Army and soldiers have “bowed down at the feet” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, prompting the Congress to dub it an insult to the valour of the armed forces.

The BJP leader later claimed his statement was “distorted” by the opposition party, and he meant to say the people have bowed before the Army after seeing its valour during the successful execution of Operation Sindoor.

The controversy followed after another Madhya Pradesh minister, Vijay Shah, came under fire for remarks about Col Sofiya Qureshi, who conducted media briefings on Operation Sindoor along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.

Devda, who is the Finance Minister of BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, was speaking at a function of civil defence volunteers in Jabalpur.

“We want to thank the PM. The entire country, its Army and soldiers are ‘natmastak’ (with their heads bowed) at his feet. The entire country has bowed at his feet,” he said.

Words are not enough to praise the reply given to Pakistan through Operation Sindoor, the BJP leader said, adding, “Let’s give a big round of applause to him (Modi).”

As Devda’s potentially controversial remark followed the row over Vijay Shah’s statement, the Congress trained its guns on the BJP, accusing it of “constantly insulting the Army” while demanding the minister’s immediate removal.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said if Deora was not removed, “it will be assumed that his statement is in agreement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP”.

Shrinate said, “It was is a sin to say such a thing about the Army. But the BJP and its leaders are doing this repeatedly. Every person in the country has respect for our Army and the entire nation is grateful because it is because of the Army that we are able to remain safe.”

Within days of countering drones during the skirmish with Pakistan, the Indian Army today signed a contract with Public Sector Undertaking Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for securing more ‘drone-countering’ systems. Named the integrated drone detection and interdiction system (IDDIS), the…

Within days of countering drones during the skirmish with Pakistan, the Indian Army today signed a contract with Public Sector Undertaking Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for securing more ‘drone-countering’ systems.

Named the integrated drone detection and interdiction system (IDDIS), the system can counter drones, the BEL said.

It has been indigenously developed by DRDO and BEL. Both the entities are under the Ministry of Defence.

The BEL said it had secured orders worth Rs 572 crore in the last five weeks. Major orders received include a Software Defined Radio (SDR) and Data Communication Unit (DCU) used for attack guns. It will also be providing AI-based solutions for ships, simulators, communication equipment, jammers, spares, services, etc.

Army chief Munir rang up Rubio, who called up Jaishankar

Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service

The Indian Air Force’s precision strikes on the Jacobabad, Chaklala (Rawalpindi) and Sargodha airbases in the early hours of May 10 forced Pakistan army chief General Asim Munir to contact US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, seeking assistance in de-escalating hostilities with New Delhi.

India targeted 11 Pakistani airbases and following the strikes, there was no military response from Islamabad as its air defence had collapsed, sources in the government said.

The three targeted airbases were critical due to their infrastructure and maintenance facilities for US-origin F-16 jets. These bases also store key armaments for the US jets and serve as hubs for F16 training and operations, the sources said.

After the strikes, General Munir spoke to Rubio, who urged India and Pakistan to find ways for de-escalation and offered US assistance in starting constructive talks to avoid further conflict. Rubio also spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Within hours of Gen Munir and Rubio’s conversation, Pakistan Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Maj Gen Kashif Abdullah called up his Indian counterpart Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai at 3.35 pm and suggested a pause in hostilities.

The sources said the proverbial last straw was the IAF strike at Chaklala, a key installation serving as a major transport hub for Pakistan’s military and home to its air-refuelling capability, essential to keep its fighter jets airborne. The strike was strategically vital as the airbase is only a short distance from the headquarters of Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division, which oversees and protects the country’s nuclear arsenal, now believed to include about 170 or more warheads.

Indian team meets UN panel on terror tag for TRF

New Delhi: An Indian team on Friday met the UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions committee, seeking to designate The Resistance Front (TRF), a LeT offshoot, as a terrorist group for its role in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Sources said evidence had been presented to the UNSC 1267 sanctions regime regarding the TRF’s role in the attack. A dossier pointing to involvement of the TRF and Pakistan was now with the UNSC committee, said the sources. The UNSC 1267 sanctions committee will meet this week over the issue. Pakistan, a non-permanent member of the UNSC, has been protecting the TRF at the council with support from China. TNS

By the time General Munir spoke to Rubio, India had inflicted the biggest military strike on Pakistan since the 1971 war between the two countries, said the sources. The strikes redefined the military parity between the two nuclear-armed neighbours and established what officials are calling as a “new normal”.

On May 10, the IAF had said Pakistani airbases at Sargodha, Jacobabad, Bholari, Rafiqui, Murid, Nur Khan at Chaklala (Rawalpindi), Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Chunian had suffered major damage. Two radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot aviation base were also targeted.

The sources said the gap between India and Pakistan over technological and military sophistication along with application of power by the Indian armed forces titled the scales. Before seeking assistance from the US, the Pakistanis had realised they were not in the same league as India as they were unable to counter the attacks on their air defence system, the sources said.

Says India not only dominated enemy but also decimated it

Ajay Banerjee Ujwal Jalali

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reassess its financial support to Pakistan, warning that global aid might be fuelling the terror networks India had worked to dismantle.

Addressing IAF personnel at the Bhuj Air Force Station, Rajnath expressed concern over Islamabad’s move to provide compensation to the families of slain terrorists and rebuild infrastructure linked to banned terror groups.

Rajnath’s reference was to an exclusive report published in The Tribune on May 14, highlighting Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s announcement of providing comprehensive support and a compensation of Rs 1 crore each to legal heirs of those killed in the Indian airstrikes on nine terrorist bases on May 7. The announcement also included a commitment to rebuild houses.

‘Pak to pay Rs 14 cr to Azhar from taxpayers’ money’

After The Tribune highlighted Pak plan to compensate kin of those killed in Indian strikes, Rajnath said Islamabad would spend the tax collected from citizens to give Rs 14 cr to JeM chief Masood Azhar.

“Any financial aid to Pakistan is no less than terror funding. The funds India gives to the IMF should not be used, directly or indirectly, to create terror infrastructure in Pakistan or any other country. We want the IMF to rethink it,” he said.

Rajnath pointed to reports of Islamabad’s plans to restore terror infrastructures in Muridke and Bahawalpur — the strongholds of the Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, respectively.

“Pakistan will spend the tax collected from its citizens to give around Rs 14 crore to Masood Azhar, the head of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, even though he is a UN-designated terrorist,” he said.

Rajnath questioned the integrity of global financial institutions if aid disbursed under humanitarian or developmental pretexts ends up bankrolling violent extremism. “Certainly, a large part of IMF’s $1 billion assistance will be used to fund the terror infrastructure. Will this not be considered indirect funding by the IMF,” he asked.

Asserting that Operation Sindoor was still on, Rajnath said the armed forces had not only dominated the enemy but also succeeded in decimating it.

He said the operation was not yet over, as the current ceasefire meant that India had kept Pakistan on “probation” on the basis of its behaviour.

“If the behaviour improves, it is fine; but if there is any disturbance, the harshest punishment will be given,” the minister warned.

Rajnath said India’s fight against terrorism was not just a matter of security but had now become a part of the national defence doctrine. “We will root out this hybrid and proxy warfare,” he said.

The minister lauded the IAF for spearheading the operation against terrorism effectively. “It is no small matter that the IAF can reach every corner of Pakistan, which has been completely proven,” he said.

He said the IAF had not only demonstrated its valour to the world but had also given proof that India’s war policy and technology had changed.

“You have conveyed the message of a new India to the whole world,” the minister told the troops on the ground.

The minister also highlighted how India was not dependent on weapons from other countries. “India is now not dependent only on weapons and platforms imported from abroad, but weapons and arms made in India have also become a part of our military power,” he said, adding that the world had seen that weapons made in India were also infallible and impenetrable.

Personnel of the Army, IAF, Border Security Force and other security agencies attended the event.

According to officials, the heli ambulance was forced to make an emergency landing due to a technical issue

A helicopter crash-landed in Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand on Saturday, triggering panic but resulting in no casualties.

According to officials, a Sanjeevani heli ambulance, sent to airlift a female devotee from Kedarnath Dham, was forced to make an emergency landing due to a technical issue.

“The pilot quickly assessed the situation and carried out a safe landing on a flat surface before reaching the main helipad, ensuring everyone’s safety,” said District Tourism Development Officer Rahul Chaube.

A medical team from AIIMS-Rishikesh, including a doctor and nursing staff, was on board. All occupants are safe. The incident will be investigated by the DGCA, he added.

First cargo consignment enters from Pakistani side after start of hostilities

After four coordination committee meetings, India allowed entry to five out of 162 stranded trucks from Afghanistan through the Attari-Wagah Integrated Check-Post that was closed after the start of hostilities with Pakistan.

The remaining 157 trucks carrying consignments of spices, herbs and dry and fresh fruits are expected to cross over to India from Pakistan over the next few days.

The move in no way should be construed as normal opening of the border as the ICP continued to remain non-operational as per the directions of the Prime Minister headed Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), said an official. The CCS had pronounced the decision in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

The 162 trucks carrying perishable goods from Afghanistan had reached Wagah border, which is situated inside Pakistan, on April 22, a day prior to the CCS had convened at the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 23, which recommended closure of the Attari-Wagah border with immediate effect.

The Land Port Authority of India (LPAI) handling cargo at the ICP had received the last consignment of 17 truckloads on April 23. Thereafter, it did not accept any truck of merchandise from Afghanistan till May 16.

The ICP normally receives about 15 to 20 truckloads of dry fruit, spices, herbs and fresh fruits from Afghanistan daily.

This is the only trading land route between India and the Taliban-ruled landlocked country. At present, the ICP at Attari is permitted to receive only imports from Afghanistan for which Pakistan offers transit movement. The ICP had recorded the highest-ever imports to the tune of over Rs 3,700 crore since its opening 12 years ago in the 2023-24 financial year. In the financial year 2024-25, the ICP facilitated import of 1,83,975 MT from the landlocked country.

Before the trade embargo between India and Pakistan in August 2019, one-fourth (Rs 4,476 crore) of their total trade of Rs 17,903 crore used to take place through the ICP Attari.

According to the FIR, the accused — Jyoti Malhotra — had developed contacts with Pakistani nationals and intelligence operatives during her visit to Pakistan in 2023

Deepender Deswal Tribune News Service

Travel vlogger and YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, a resident of Hisar town, was arrested by the police on the charges of espionage for Pakistan. Following inputs from Central Intelligence Agencies and an inquiry by the CIA staff of Hisar police, she was arrested from her residence at New Agarsain Extension.

According to the FIR registered at Hisar Civil Lines Police Station, Jyoti — who operates a YouTube travel channel under the name ‘Travel with Jo’ — had developed contacts with Pakistani nationals and intelligence operatives during her visit to Pakistan in 2023.

As per the FIR, Jyoti reportedly disclosed that she had initially visited the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi to apply for a visa, where she met Ahsan-Ur-Rahim alias Danish. After the meeting, she stayed in contact with him and later travelled to Pakistan twice. During her visits, she met a person named Ali Ahwan, who arranged her accommodation and facilitated meetings with officers from Pakistan’s intelligence and security agencies.

The FIR stated that the accused also met two other persons identified as Shakir and Rana Shahbaz. She saved their contact information in her mobile phone under false identities. Upon returning to India, she remained in contact with them through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Snapchat and Telegram.

Significantly, the FIR also reveals that Ahsan-Ur-Rahim, with whom Jyoti maintained prolonged contact, had been declared persona non grata by the Government of India on May 13, 2025, for espionage-related activities. Jyoti’s continued association and information exchange with him after his designation forms a crucial part of the case, the FIR said.

Jyoti is accused of exchanging sensitive information with them, posing a threat to national integrity and security. She has been booked under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, which deal with acts prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state, communication with foreign agents, and unauthorised handling of official secrets. Inspector Nirmala has been assigned the investigation into the case and the accused is expected to be produced before a magistrate in Hisar for further legal proceedings.

Any future terror attack will be treated as an act of war, India warns Pakistan

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This marks a significant shift in India’s stance on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, which Pakistan has long attributed to non-state actors

Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and others during a high-level meeting amid the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan in New Delhi on Saturday. Photo: PTI

In response to ongoing escalation from Pakistan, India has hardened its stance, declaring that any future terrorist attack on its soil will be treated and responded to as an act of war. This marks a significant shift in India’s stance on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, which Pakistan has long attributed to non-state actors.

The decision was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. Attendees included Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, CDS General Anil Chauhan, the armed forces chiefs, and other senior officials.

By declaring terrorism an act of war, India aims to send a strong message to Pakistan and its proxies, which have long pursued a policy of “bleeding India with a thousand cuts”. Since the 1971 war that led to Bangladesh’s creation, Pakistan has pursued proxy wars against India, showing no restraint. Neither diplomatic efforts by the UPA government nor military actions following incidents like the 2016 Uri attack and the 2019 Pulwama attack have deterred Pakistan.

A government source emphasised that the situation will be handled differently going forward, noting that terrorism will be considered a breach of sovereignty and addressed accordingly.