Sharif said he got a phone call at 2:30 AM from Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, who told him that Indian missiles had landed inside the country

Tribune Web Desk

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif—in a surprising public statement–confirmed that Indian missiles hit several places inside Pakistan, including the Nur Khan Airbase near Islamabad. This happened early in the morning on May 10, he said.These strikes were part of Operation Sindoor, a military action by India in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which killed 26 people.

India used missiles and drones to hit 9 terror camps and military sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).About 100 terrorists linked to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba were reportedly killed.

Indian Air Force, Army, and Navy all took part in the operation.

Satellite images confirmed damage at multiple sites.

After the Indian attack, Pakistan fired back across the Line of Control (LoC) and used drones and missiles to target Indian bases in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Gujarat. India foiled all targets by Pakistani military.

Tensions were very high, and both countries were on alert.  A ceasefire was declared around 5 pm on May 10.Later that day, both sides agreed to stop all military actions by land, air, and sea. However, India said Pakistani drones were still flying over Indian territory even after the ceasefire.

India also said it would continue to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty  as a response to the April terror attack.This is the first time a Pakistani leader has openly admitted to Indian missile strikes inside the country, which shows the seriousness of the situation.

The Tribune editorial: The Madhya Pradesh leader is important to the BJP as he is the tribal welfare minister in a state where STs account for one-fifth of the populationEditorial

HE groundswell of anger across the country after the Pahalgam terror attack has emboldened the troll army to reach new lows. Online abuse has been hurled at none other than Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra. Even Himanshi Narwal, a massacre victim’s widow, was not spared after she sensibly urged people not to go after Muslims and Kashmiris. But there is a politician who has put even these shameless trolls to shame — Vijay Shah, a minister in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh.

The mortal remains of Agniveer Akashdeep Singh (21) were brought to his native Chahal village near Faridkot, where he was cremated with full military honours on Friday. The soldier had sacrificed his life while performing his duty in Jammu on…

The mortal remains of Agniveer Akashdeep Singh (21) were brought to his native Chahal village near Faridkot, where he was cremated with full military honours on Friday. The soldier had sacrificed his life while performing his duty in Jammu on Thursday morning.

Akashdeep Singh joined the Army under the Agnipath scheme two years ago. He had returned to duty on April 17 after a short leave. Two soldiers had lost their lives in the incident. The other jawan was from Amritsar district. Relatives and local residents gathered to pay last respects to the departed soul and express solidarity with the family.

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Thursday lauded troops for destroying terror camps operating in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) during the recent ‘Operation Sindoor’. During his visit to Kashmir, General Dwivedi met officers and soldiers of Chinar Corps…

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Thursday lauded troops for destroying terror camps operating in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) during the recent ‘Operation Sindoor’.

During his visit to Kashmir, General Dwivedi met officers and soldiers of Chinar Corps and appreciated their efforts during the recent operation. He acknowledged their dual role of effectively engaging the adversary while also providing relief to the border residents of Kashmir who suffered due to continuous Pakistani shelling.

An Army statement read, “General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS, visited forward locations of the Dagger Division, Chinar Corps, and interacted with all ranks. Addressing the troops, he commended them for their valour, josh, and vigilant actions towards dominating the Line of Control during Operation Sindoor.”

The statement further read that the Army chief lauded the role played by the troops in the destruction of terror camps in PoJK. “The COAS appreciated the role played by the Dagger Division in providing succour to civilians subjected to dastardly trans-LoC shelling by Pakistan. The COAS emphasised the need for troops to remain ever prepared to respond to any challenge with decisive force.”

Meanwhile, in Jammu, Director General of Border Security Force (BSF), Daljit Singh Chawdhary, visited the Palaoura camp and addressed the troops besides reviewing security along the International Border with Pakistan.

An official spokesperson informed, “The BSF DG laid a wreath at the Amar Prahari memorial at Paloura Camp, Jammu, in remembrance of late Sub Inspector Md Imteyaj and late Constable Deepak Chingakham. Both bravehearts attained martyrdom braving the fire and shelling of the adversary at their border outpost during Operation Sindoor.”

“The DG also addressed the troops of BSF Jammu, commending their unwavering courage, bravery, steadfast dedication, and invaluable contributions to Operation Sindoor,” said the spokesperson.

In a continued effort to build trust and provide solace to communities affected by cross-border shelling, the Army, under Operation ‘Milap’, conducted an interaction with civilians residing in forward areas near the Line of Control (LoC). “The interaction aimed to…

In a continued effort to build trust and provide solace to communities affected by cross-border shelling, the Army, under Operation ‘Milap’, conducted an interaction with civilians residing in forward areas near the Line of Control (LoC).

“The interaction aimed to address the concerns of residents impacted by frequent shelling and to reinforce the Army’s unwavering commitment to their safety and well-being. Senior Indian Army officers engaged with villagers, listened to their grievances and assured them of continued support and assistance,” an official spokesperson of the Army said.

He said that as a gesture of solidarity and respect for local culture and faith, the Army also visited an under-construction Gurdwara that had sustained damage due to recent shelling. “The visit was a poignant reminder of the resilience of the local populace and the Army’s efforts to stand with them not just in conflict, but also in preserving their heritage and places of worship,” the official said.

He said that Operation Milap is not just a mission but a bridge of peace, trust and unity.

General Officer Commanding (GoC), White Knight Corps, Lieutenant General PK Mishra and other officers on Friday paid tribute to Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, who was killed during Operation Sindoor and expressed solidarity with his bereaved family. Kumar, who was killed…

General Officer Commanding (GoC), White Knight Corps, Lieutenant General PK Mishra and other officers on Friday paid tribute to Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, who was killed during Operation Sindoor and expressed solidarity with his bereaved family.

Kumar, who was killed in shelling by Pakistan in Poonch district, was cremated with full state honours at his native village in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra on Sunday.

“GoC and all ranks of White Knight Corps salute the unwavering courage of braveheart Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, who made the supreme sacrifice during Operation Sindoor,” White Knight Corps said in a post on X.

His valour and dedication to duty will always be remembered, it said, adding, “We continue to stand with the bereaved family in their hour of grief.” PTI

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.

Advertisement

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.