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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.

🚁 पायलट की सूझबूझ से टला बड़ा हादसा!
श्री केदारनाथ धाम में एक महिला श्रद्धालु को एयर रेस्क्यू करने पहुंची संजीवनी हेली एंबुलेंस को तकनीकी खराबी के चलते आपातकालीन लैंडिंग करनी पड़ी। पायलट ने समय रहते स्थिति को भांपा और मुख्य हेलीपैड से पहले सुरक्षित समतल स्थान पर सफल लैंडिंग कर… pic.twitter.com/PxMYUpiFlh

— DM Rudraprayag (@DmRudraprayag) May 17, 2025

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

Video: Indian army destroys drone aimed at civilians in Amritsar

Suspected missile crash leaves crater in field near Phagwara, investigation on

Pakistani missile intercepted in Haryana’s Sirsa, debris lands in 2 villages

How to stay calm under a sky of threats

Pathankot, Bathinda, Udhampur attacked; Pakistan Army moving troops towards forward areas

India-Pakistan tensions: PM Modi reviews security as US, China, and Saudi Arabia step in

Operation Sindoor LIVE: Pakistan’s fresh bid to attack Pathankot Air Force station with 3 missiles

Over 3,000 youth enrol as Civil Defence volunteers in Chandigarh

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.

Visuals from the site show fragments of the object in an agricultural field, with the surrounding area burnt

Byker YIHA III Kamikaze drones were recovered in Punjab’s Amritsar, which were launched by Pakistan in the early hours of Saturday, as per defence officials.

The attacks were launched in several civilian areas of the region leaving their lives endangered. The attempt was thwarted by the Indian Army Air Defence guns at 5 am as the drones were destroyed in the air itself, as per the defence officials.

“Pakistan launched Byker YIHA III Kamikaze drones in Amritsar, Punjab endangering the residential areas of Punjab. The attempt was thwarted by Army Air Defence guns at 5 AM today, destroying the same in the air. The drone was aimed to target civilian areas and innocent civilians,” defence officials said in their statement.

Earlier, fragments and debris of an unidentified projectile were recovered from a field in Mughlani Kot Village in Punjab’s Amritsar on Saturday morning, in the wake of Pakistan’s blatant drone attacks against civilians across several locations in India.

Amritsar

Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Gargaj visits Punjab’s border villages’

Visuals from the site show fragments of the object in an agricultural field, with the surrounding area burnt. Fragments and debris of unidentified projectiles were also recovered by the locals in Rajasthan’s Barmer on Saturday.

Residents of Baldev Nagar, an area near Uttarlai Air Force Station and Jalipa Military Station in Barmer, witnessed the aftermath of the Pakistani attack that was successfully neutralised by Indian security forces in the early hours of the morning.

However, there is still no official confirmation from authorities regarding the whereabouts of the unidentified projectile.

Meanwhile, four airbases in Pakistan were hit by Indian strikes in the early hours of Saturday, sources told ANI, as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.

India launched the retaliatory strikes immediately after Pakistan attacked 26 locations across India. Intermittent firing is still going on at several places along the Line of Control.

In its statement the Ministry of Defence said, “Drones have been sighted at 26 locations along the International Border and LoC with Pakistan. These include suspected armed drones. The locations include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala. Regrettably, an armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozpur, resulting in injuries to members of a local family. The injured have been provided medical assistance and the area has been sanitised by security forces. The Indian Armed Forces are maintaining a high state of alert, and all such aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems. The situation is under close and constant watch & prompt action is being taken wherever necessary. Citizens, especially in border areas, are advised to remain indoors, limit unnecessary movement, and strictly follow safety instructions issued by local authorities. While there is no need for panic, heightened vigilance and precaution are essential.”

Eyewitnesses from Khalyaan village reported seeing two objects moving overhead in the direction of Adampur shortly before the explosion

Ashok Kaura Our Correspondent

A suspected missile crash led to a loud explosion and fire in the wee hours of Saturday at Khalyaan village near Phagwara.

According to initial reports, the incident occurred around 2:40 am in the farmland of Major Singh, a resident of the village.

Eyewitnesses from the village reported seeing two objects flying in the direction of Adampur shortly before the explosion. One of the objects is believed to have fallen in the fields of Khalyaan village, triggering a fire and a blast that jolted the local community. The explosion created a crater estimated to be 8 to 10 feet deep and 12 to 15 feet wide. The villagers acted swiftly, using available resources to extinguish the fire before it could spread further. Fire brigade personnel later reached the scene and carried out cooling operations. Despite the intensity of the explosion, no casualties or injuries have been reported.

Residents of Phagwara reported hearing the blast and spotting drone lights in the sky at night. In response to the aerial activity, a blackout was implemented in Phagwara around 2:15 am as a precautionary measure.

A team of the Rawalpindi Police Station arrived at the site over an hour after the incident. However, no senior police official was reported to have reached the location even by morning. Police sources confirm that further investigations are under way to determine the nature and origin of the suspected drone or missile. The area remains under observation.

Villagers started gathering at the sites after which the Defence and local authorities, too, arrived and took away the debris

An explosion was heard in some parts of Sirsa district as a missile launched by Pakistan was reportedly intercepted by the Indian Defence system, resulting in crash-landing of its portions in Firozabad and Khaja Khera villages of Rania block in Sirsa district past Friday midnight.

Related news: Missile-like object lands in Dal Lake as loud explosions rock Srinagar

Several civilians injured in Pakistani drone attack in Punjab’s Ferozepur: Government

The incident has prompted heightened activity from the Indian Air Force and the police in the region. Villagers started gathering at the sites early morning after which the Defence and local authorities, too, arrived and took away the debris.

Speaking to The Tribune, former sarpanch of Firozabad village Paramjit Singh informed that the missile landed approximately 1.5 km away from the residential area of the village. “Though there are some dhanis (small hamlets) located a few hundred meters from the impact site, there has been no loss of life or property,” he said.

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Singh added that a portion of the missile crashed in the fields belonging to Kundan Lal in their village, while another part is believed to have landed in Arya Nagar and Khaja Khera villages. He said that their village is located in Rania block, about 150 km from the Pakistan border.“A number of villagers gathered at the site,” he said. “We are on alert but not in shock or terror due to the strike in the village.”

Officials at the site refused to comment on the incident, stating that it was now part of an investigation. The two sites are about 16 km apart, say sources.

The officials said that in view of the possible threat, alerts were issued in both Sirsa and Hisar. Notably, both districts of Haryana are crucial from the Defence point of view as Sirsa has the Air Force base while Hisar has the Army Cantonment.