Current Events :
Indian Railway Loco is painted to recognise 10 Dogra Battalion’s achievement in 1971 war. Its painted in the Regimental colors with the unit name. The loco will pull a passenger train between Varanasi & Lucknow via Ayodhya Cantt, where our Regimental Centre is located. Aformal ceremony, was held at Ayodhya attended by DRM Lucknow and the Centre Commandant.
This is the 26th such loco dedicated to the Indian Army’s valour.
A siren will be sounded at 7.30 pm and it will continue for 10 minutes
The Chandigarh administration on Tuesday said it will carry out a blackout drill for 10 minutes on Wednesday evening, appealing to people to keep electricity at their premises switched off during the rehearsal.
The decision comes in the wake of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) asking the states to conduct mock drills on Wednesday given the “new and complex threats” that have emerged amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Speaking to reporters here, Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner Nishan Kumar Yadav said the blackout rehearsal will be conducted from 7.30 pm to 7.40 pm on Wednesday. A siren will be sounded at 7.30 pm and it will continue for 10 minutes, he said.
“I appeal to all citizens to switch off lights at their homes for 10 minutes. And if possible, they should remain at their homes so that preparation for a blackout can be conducted,” said Yadav.
He added that the administration also spoke to the residents’ welfare associations and market associations in this regard.
“If people are outside of their homes for some work, they should park their cars and turn off vehicles’ headlights,” he said.
Shopkeepers at markets and shopping malls have also been appealed to keep their lights off, he said.
“It is a preparatory mechanism and we do not need to panic. Alarm will shut at 7.40 pm and thereafter business will be as usual,” he said.
Replying to a question, he said there will not be a power shutdown at hospitals, clinics and medical institutions during the blackout rehearsal. He also appealed to people not to hoard any essentials including petrol, diesel and ration.
To another question, he said the blackout drill is voluntary and shortcomings, if any, will be examined and corrected.
During the drill, security forces may stage simulations of a war-like scenario; some areas might face brief power outages, signal disruptions, etc.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered mock drills to be conducted in 244 districts on May 7 to assess effective civil defence. The development came as security has been tightened in the country following the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
The exercise aims at training civilians in protective civil defence protocols by implementing crash blackout procedures and camouflaging critical infrastructure.
This is the first exercise of its kind since 1971, when India and Pakistan were at war. A mock drill is a practice operation designed to simulate an emergency, allowing people to rehearse their responses in a controlled and safe environment. The aim is to help the public better understand their responsibilities and actions in the event of a real emergency.
During the drill, security forces might simulate a war-like situation, and some areas could experience temporary power outages or communication disruptions. It may also include activities such as evacuating buildings, providing first-aid, or following lockdown protocols.
What will happen during the mock drill?
The drill aims to assess effectiveness of air raid sirens in alerting people about threats.
Chandigarh will also be a part of the drill.
Public is urged to ensure the following before the drill on Wednesday:
During the drill:
This mock drill exercise does not apply to medical establishments, i.e. hospitals and nursing homes.
Planned across several districts, these drills will help in ensuring preparedness during a real emergency. The authorities will then be able to review the problems encountered by civilians in such situations and make possible improvements.
Amid mounting tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, China has added a fresh twist by conducting a firing exercise with live ammunition in Tibet, facing eastern Ladakh. Sources in India confirmed that China was conducting a…
Amid mounting tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, China has added a fresh twist by conducting a firing exercise with live ammunition in Tibet, facing eastern Ladakh.
Sources in India confirmed that China was conducting a military exercise that included firing by truck-mounted artillery guns and long-range rockets. Though the exercise is in China’s own territory, its timing and the prevailing situation between India and Pakistan, has merited a hard look from security agencies about Beijing’s intentions.
There was also unusual Chinese military movement on the G219 highway in Tibet. The two nations were locked in a military stand-off from April 2020 to October 2024 along several locations along the Line of Actual Control — the de facto and un-demarcated boundary between the two countries.
In October last year, the two sides announced completed disengagement in the Depsang and Demchok regions of eastern Ladakh and said patrolling would begin soon. However, a large number of troops of both sides are deployed close to the LAC.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who are special representatives on the boundary question, have been tasked with working out a solution.
After the Pahalgam terror attack, China has called for a “swift and fair investigation” and expressed support for its all-weather ally Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and security interests amid Islamabad’s rising tensions with India.
Vinay Narwal and Himanshi were on their honeymoon when the attack occurred
Himanshi Narwal, the widow of Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a Navy officer who was among those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, has become a target of vicious trolling after she publicly urged citizens not to direct hatred toward Muslims and Kashmiris in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Her emotional appeal for peace, delivered after the loss of her husband just days into their marriage, drew abuse on social media.
Vinay, 26, was reportedly asked about his religion before being shot dead, along with 25 others. The brutality of the attack triggered a wave of grief and outrage across the nation. However, a disturbing narrative emerged online as some users began targeting Kashmiris and Muslims, prompting Himanshi to speak out.
“I want the entire country to pray for him (Vinay), that wherever he is, he has found peace. That is all I ask,” she said. “There is something else I wish to say. I see hatred growing, directed at Muslims and Kashmiris. We do not want this. We only wish for peace-nothing else,” Himanshi said. She also called for justice for those behind the attack.
Her words, intended to promote unity and healing, became the focus of a troll storm. Some social media users went so far as to make derogatory remarks about her personal life and questioned her right to receive her husband’s petition.
In response, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has strongly condemned the online abuse directed at Himanshi.
“The way Himanshi Narwal is being targeted on social media for a remark is extremely condemnable and unfortunate. Targeting a woman for her opinions or trolling her about her personal life is not acceptable at all,” NCW said on X.
“Any agreement or disagreement must always be expressed decently and within Constitutional boundaries. The National Commission for Women is committed to protecting every woman’s respect and dignity,” the panel added.
Himanshi was on her honeymoon with her husband when the attack occurred.
The development came as security has been tightened in the country following the April 22 terror attack in which 26 people were killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered mock drills to be conducted in 244 districts on May 7 to assess effective civil defence.
The central government on Monday announced a nationwide civic defence mock drill on Wednesday in states including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal.
Chandigarh and Shimla will also be a part of the drill.
The development came as security has been tightened in the country following the April 22 terror attack in which 26 people were killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
Below is the list:
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UNSC members also dismiss Pakistan’s narrative that Pahalgam terror attack was a ‘false flag’ operation allegedly orchestrated by India
In a closed-door meeting held in New York on Tuesday, the United Nations Security Council urged Pakistan to resolve its differences with India through bilateral dialogue and sought accountability for the April 22 massacre of innocent tourists in Pahalgam. The UNSC also inquired about the possible involvement of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the attack.
The meeting, focused on the situation in Kashmir, began at 12:30 am and was attended by all 15 UNSC members — five permanent and ten non-permanent, including Pakistan, which is currently serving a two-year term on the Council.
According to news agency ANI, UNSC members posed tough questions to Pakistan during the informal session. Efforts by Islamabad to internationalise the situation reportedly failed, with Council members reiterating that India and Pakistan should address their issues bilaterally.
Members also dismissed Pakistan’s narrative that the Pahalgam terror attack was a “false flag” operation allegedly orchestrated by India. Instead, they pressed for clarity on whether LeT, operating from Pakistan, had any role in the incident.
There was broad condemnation of the April 22 terrorist attack, with several UNSC members underscoring the importance of accountability. Some specifically raised concerns about the targeting of tourists based on religious identity.
Additionally, many members expressed alarm over Pakistan’s recent missile tests and provocative nuclear rhetoric, describing them as escalatory factors.
Gandhi remains with the family for around 90 minutes
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday visited the house of Lt Vinay Narwal in Karnal to condole the death.
Lt. Narwal was among the 26 people killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.
Gandhi remained with the family for around 90 minutes. However, the media was not allowed inside. When Rahul met the family, all Congress leaders remained outside.
After the meeting, Rahul did not speak to the media, but took to X to express his condolences and underline the need for national unity and justice for the victims.
“I met the bereaved family of Lt. Vinay Narwal ji who was martyred in the Pahalgam attack and shared their grief and consoled them,” Gandhi posted on X. He lauded the strength of the martyr’s family, saying, “Their courage and bravery even in the midst of immense grief is a message for the country—we have to remain united.”
He said, “The whole country stands with the families of the martyrs.”
Gandhi reiterated that the opposition is firmly aligned with the government on the matter of national security. “The opposition fully supports the government. The culprits should be punished in such a way that no one dares to raise an eye towards India.”
He demanded justice for the terror attack victims and said, “Today the entire nation, along with the victim families, is waiting for justice.”
Congress state-incharge BK Hariprasad, co-incharge Prafulla Vinod Rao, state president Udai Bhan, Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda and former MLA Sumita Singh were also present there.
Civil aviation authorities have already issued a Notice to Airmen for the major air exercise that will largely take place along the southern and western section of the Indo-Pakistan border
The Indian Air Force will carry out a two-day mega military exercise along the border with Pakistan from Wednesday that will involve all the frontline fighter jets including Rafale, Su-30 and Jaguar aircraft, sources in the defence establishment said on Tuesday.
The exercise is taking place amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
India’s civil aviation authorities have already issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for the major air exercise that will largely take place along the southern and western section of the Indo-Pakistan border.
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India’s frontline fighter jets, including the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Mirage-2000, Tejas and AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft, are set to feature in the exercise, sources said.
In the course of the exercise, the IAF will simulate enemy targets on ground and in the air with deadly precision, they said.
The militaries of both India and Pakistan are on a high alert following rising tensions between the two nations.
Soon after the Pahalgam terror attack, India, citing “cross-border linkages” to the strike, promised severe punishment to those involved.
In a high-level meeting with the top defence brass on April 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the armed forces have “complete operational freedom” to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India’s response to the terror attack.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh met the PM on Sunday and the Chief of Air Staff briefed him about the IAF’s operational readiness.
On Saturday, Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi apprised the prime minister of the overall situation in the critical sea lanes in the Arabian Sea.
