"VOICE of the VOICELESS"
चंडीगढ़: नौ मई (भाषा): भारत और पाकिस्तान में बढ़ते तनाव के मद्देनजर अमृतसर, पठानकोट और फिरोजपुर जैसे प्रमुख सीमावर्ती इलाकों समेत पंजाब के कई जिलों में बृहस्पतिवार को ‘ब्लैकआउट’ के बीच राज्य के लोग रात भर चिंतित रहे।
पंजाब के जालंधर, गुरदासपुर और होशियारपुर जैसे जिलों में भी ‘ब्लैकआउट’ रहा।
प्राधिकारियों ने पंजाब और हरियाणा की साझा राजधानी चंडीगढ़ में भी मध्य रात्रि तक करीब दो घंटे के लिए बिजली काट दी।
यह कदम ऐसे समय में उठाया गया जब भारत ने बृहस्पतिवार रात जम्मू और पठानकोट समेत सैन्य ठिकानों पर ड्रोन और मिसाइलों से हमला करने के पाकिस्तान के प्रयासों को विफल कर दिया। इससे पहले भारत ने देश के उत्तरी और पश्चिमी क्षेत्रों में 15 स्थानों पर इसी तरह की कोशिशों को नाकाम कर दिया।
रक्षा मंत्रालय ने एक बयान में कहा कि पाकिस्तानी सेना ने सात-आठ मई की रात को अवंतीपुरा, श्रीनगर, जम्मू, पठानकोट, अमृतसर, कपूरथला, जालंधर, लुधियाना, आदमपुर, बठिंडा, चंडीगढ़, नल, फलोदी, उत्तरलाई और भुज को निशाना बनाने का प्रयास किया।
यह घटनाक्रम ऐसे समय में हुआ है जब भारतीय सशस्त्र बलों ने 22 अप्रैल को पहलगाम में हुए आतंकवादी हमले के जवाब में ‘ऑपरेशन सिंदूर’ के तहत पाकिस्तान के कब्जे वाले कश्मीर (पीओके) और पाकिस्तान में बुधवार को नौ आतंकवादी ठिकानों पर सटीक मिसाइल हमले किए थे।
पठानकोट में कुछ स्थानीय लोगों ने दावा किया था कि उन्होंने बृहस्पतिवार रात को विस्फोट जैसी आवाजें सुनीं, हालांकि इसकी कोई आधिकारिक पुष्टि नहीं हुई। शुक्रवार सुबह शांति बनी रही। सीमावर्ती शहर में हवाई हमले की चेतावनी देने वाले सायरन सक्रिय कर दिए गए। शहर में बृहस्पतिवार रात करीब साढ़े आठ बजे ‘ब्लैकआउट’ किया गया था।
(स्रोत: पी० टी० आई० "भाषा")
जम्मू/श्रीनगर/ नयी दिल्ली: नौ मई (भाषा) पाकिस्तान ने शुकवार को लगातार दूसरी रात जम्मू कश्मीर से लेकर गुजरात तक 26 स्थानों पर ताजा ड्रोन हमले किए तथा रक्षा मंत्रालय ने कहा कि दुश्मन द्वारा हवाई अड्डों और वायुसेना ठिकानों सहित महत्वपूर्ण प्रतिष्ठानों पर किए गए हमलों को विफल कर दिया गया।
पंजाब के फिरोजपुर में एक परिवार के कुछ सदस्य रात के अंधेरे में किए गए हमलों में घायल हो गये। हमलों में घायल हो जाने का यह केवल एक मामला रहा। पाकिस्तान से लगी सीमा वाले सभी राज्यों में ब्लैकआउट रखा गया।
( स्रोत: पी०टी०आई० "भाषा")
The US has assessed that Pakistani forces shot down an Indian jet during India’s air strikes on Pakistani territory, according to a senior US official with access to the latest assessments.
The US has still not confirmed what weapons system Pakistani forces utilized to take down the Indian jet.
Pakistan claimed yesterday to have shot down five Indian Air Force jets in retaliation for Indian strikes, including three Rafales. Indian officials have yet to respond to the claim.
A high-ranking French intelligence official told CNN yesterday that one Rafale fighter jet operated by the Indian Air Force was downed by Pakistan, in what would mark the first time that one of the sophisticated French-made warplanes has been lost in combat.
The official told CNN that French authorities were looking into whether more than one Rafale jets were shot down by Pakistan.
(Source: CNN World)
NEW DELHI: (May 8) India on Thursday night swiftly foiled Pakistan's attempts to hit various key Indian installations including military stations at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur with drones and missiles, the defence ministry said.
The Pakistani drones and missiles were effectively engaged by the Indian armed forces and the enemy's attempts were thwarted, officials said.
The Defence Ministry said India remains "fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its people".
"Military stations at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir today," a Defence Ministry spokesperson said.
"The threats were swiftly neutralised using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities in line with established standard operating procedures (SOPs)," he said, adding no casualties or material losses were reported.
In the afternoon, the Defence Ministry said Indian armed forces targeted air defence systems at several locations in Pakistan in response to Pakistani strikes on military targets at 15 sites in India.
It said the military foiled Pakistan's attempts to target military installations in the cities in the northern and western parts of the country using missiles and drones.
Sources in the defence and security establishment said the S-400 missile defence systems, surface-to-air missiles and the integrated counter unmanned aircraft system were used in thwarting the Pakistani attempts.
In its response this morning, India launched kamikaze drones and destroyed a Pakistani air defence system in Lahore.
The ministry said the Pakistani military attempted to target Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj last night.
The Indian armed forces targeted air defence radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan and "neutralised" an air defence system in Lahore, it said.
(Source: PTI)
India on Thursday said it foiled Pakistan military's attempts to attack 15 places in Northern and Western India using missiles and drones, and destroyed a Pakistani air defence system in Lahore as tensions between the two sides mounted amid fears of a wider conflict.
The defence ministry said the Pakistani military attempted last night to target Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj.
These attempts were neutralised by the Integrated Counter Unmanned Aircraft System (Grid and Air Defence systems), it said.
The Pakistani attempt came after Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan under Operation Sindoor.
The defence ministry said India called its anti-terror response as "focused, measured and non-escalatory" and that Pakistani military establishments had not been targeted.
"It was also reiterated that any attack on military targets in India will invite a suitable response," it said.
"Today morning Indian armed forces targeted air defence radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan. Indian response has been in the same domain with the same intensity as Pakistan," the ministry said in a readout.
"It has been reliably learnt that an air defence system at Lahore has been neutralised," it said.
The ministry said Pakistan has increased the intensity of its unprovoked firing across the Line of Control using mortars and heavy calibre artillery in areas in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar and Rajouri sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.
"Sixteen innocent lives have been lost, including three women and five children, due to Pakistani firing," the ministry said.
Here too, India was compelled to respond to bring mortar and artillery fire from Pakistan to a halt, it said.
"Indian Armed Forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is respected by the Pakistani military," the ministry said.
In retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out the missile strikes on the terror targets including Bahawalpur, a stronghold of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group.
(Source: PTI & The Pioneer)
Top Congress leadership on Wednesday lauded the Indian armed forces for their bold and decisive step against terror camps in Pakistan and PoK under 'Operation Sindoor' and reiterated the party's support to the forces and the government's action on the issue of national security.
The statement came after a meeting of the Congress Working Committee was urgently convened by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who said his party extends all its support to the armed forces in ensuring the safety of the country and its unity and integrity.
"We had called a meeting of the Working Committee to discuss the incident and the government's action. We are proud of the Indian Armed Forces, who have given a befitting reply by taking bold and decisive action against the terror camps of Pakistan and PoK under 'Operation Sindoor'. We salute the courage, determination and patriotism of our brave soldiers," Kharge said after the meeting.
He said from the day of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Indian National Congress has clearly stood in solidarity with the armed forces and the government and supported every decisive action against cross-border terrorism.
Rahul Gandhi, who was also present at the meeting, said the Congress party extends all its support to the armed forces.
"We held a discussion in the working committee. Our full support to our forces, best wishes to them, much love to them. Complete support from the Congress party and the Congress Working Committee," he said.
Both Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge would attend the all-party meeting on Thursday that has been convened by the government, the Congress said.
Kharge said India's national policy against all forms of terrorism emanating from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is very clear and firm.
"Unity at all levels is needed the most to protect the national unity and integrity of the great country of India. The Indian National Congress stands shoulder to shoulder with the brave soldiers of the country.
"History is witness that our heroes have always given their martyrdom for the unity and integrity of the country, keeping national interest paramount. The entire world knows this," the Congress chief said.
"We will put all our strength behind our soldiers for protecting the country, maintain unity and our freedom. We extend all our support to them.
"There is no difference on this issue and everyone is united. INDIA alliance partners are also trying to remain united for the unity of the country. This was decided that we reiterate our support to the armed forces on this issue," Kharge also said.
Top Congress leaders met here on Wednesday to discuss the current situation after Operation Sindoor in which security forces launched targeted attacks on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK).
(Source: PTI & The Pioneer)
Rohit Sharma on Wednesday announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect, ending the relentless speculation surrounding his future in the longest format and leaving India in need of a new captain for the upcoming five-match series against England.
Having already retired from T20 Internationals after leading India to the World Cup trophy last year, the 38-year-old Rohit will now only be seen captaining the national team in the ODI format.
"Hello everyone, I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. It's been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites.
(Source: PTI)
इस्लामाबाद/नई दिल्ली: भारत ने पहलगाम आतंकी हमले के खिलाफ कड़ी प्रतिक्रिया देते हुए पाकिस्तान के खिलाफ एयर स्ट्राइक किए हैं। भारत ने पाकिस्तान और पीओके में आतंकियों के कम से कम 9 ठिकानों पर मिसाइल दागने की बात कही है। पाकिस्तान ने अभी तक कम से कम 26 आतंकियों के मारे जाने और 38 लोगों के घायल होने की बात कबूली है। लेकिन 90 से ज्यादा आतंकियों के मारे जाने की संभावना है। लेकिन भारत के एयरस्ट्राइक ने चीनी एयर डिफेंस सिस्टम की पोल खोलकर रख दी है। ब्रह्मोस के बाद स्कैल्प मिसाइल को भी डिटेक्ट करने में चीनी एयर डिफेंस फेल हो गया है। यानि, जिस एयर डिफेंस सिस्टम पर पाकिस्तान उछल रहा था, उसने उसे धोखा दे दिया है।
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the Indian armed forces for carrying out targeted strikes at terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
The prime minister chaired a meeting of the Union Cabinet, hours after 'Operation Sindoor' was launched to destroy terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
Soon after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed the Cabinet about Operation Sindoor, the entire Cabinet hailed the action and the prime minister's leadership with thumping of desks.
Modi is also learnt to have said that his government will have zero tolerance towards terror.
The prime minister also separately met the Defence Minister and NSA Ajit Doval and took stock of the evolving situation, sources said.
Retaliating against the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke.
The prime minister had earlier given full operational freedom to the armed forces to decide on the targets, manner and timing of the action against terror in the wake of the Pahalgam attack in which 26 civilians were killed.
(Source: PTI & The Pioneer)
Retaliating against the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces on early Wednesday carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke.
The military strikes were conducted under Operation Sindoor two weeks after the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.
"A little while ago, the Indian Armed forces launched 'Operation Sindoor' hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed," the defence ministry said in a statement at 1.44 am.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif termed the Indian missile strikes an "act of war" and said his country has every right to give a "befitting reply".
The Indian statement said, "No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution."
It said the actions by the Indian armed forces have been "focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature and that no Pakistani military facilities have been targeted.
Sources added that the strikes on all nine targets were successful and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was monitoring Operation Sindoor closely.
It is learnt that the Indian armed forces used stand-off weapons, drones and precision munitions, besides other weapons in the strike.
Muridke, about 30 km from Lahore, is home to a sprawling 'markaz' or base of the LeT. Bahawalpur is the main stronghold of the JeM. Both are in Pakistan Punjab.
The other targets -- Kotli and Muzaffarabad -- are regions in PoK where both LeT and JeM have for long had camps and training facilities, people familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity.
The targets included Hizbul Mujahideen's facility in Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot, LeT's base in Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala and its camp in Muzaffarabad's Shawai Nalla. India also struck at JeM's Markaz Abbas facility in Kotli.
The carefully named Operation Sindoor is a reference to the vermilion that married Hindu women wear on their forehead or in the parting of their hair to signify their marital status. It is a hat tip to the women who lost their husbands in the April 22 attack in the upper reaches of Kashmir's Pahalgam town.
India's actions came two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack triggered widespread outrage in India and abroad.
"These steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered," the defence ministry said in its statement.
"We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable," it said.
In a post on 'X' in Hindi shortly after the strikes, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said: "Long live Mother India!" (Bharat Mata Ki Jai)."
"The world must show zero tolerance for terrorism," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar added.
"Justice is Served," the Indian Army said in its post.
Pakistan Army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that missile strikes were fired by India at Kotli and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Bahawalpur in Punjab.
"All of our air force jets are airborne. This cowardly and shameful attack was carried out from within India's airspace. They were never allowed to come and intrude into the space of Pakistan," he said
"The Pakistani nation and the Pakistani armed forces know how to deal with the enemy very well," Shehbaz Sharif said.
The Pakistan foreign ministry condemned India's action.
"In an unprovoked and blatant act of war, the Indian Air Force, while remaining within Indian airspace, has violated Pakistan's sovereignty using standoff weapons, targeting civilian population across international border in Muridke and Bahawalpur, and across Line of Control in Kotli and Muzaffarabad," it said.
It said India's "act of aggression" has resulted in death of civilians, adding that "Pakistan reserves the right to respond appropriately at a time and place of its choosing".
Sources in the Indian military establishment said all air defence units have been put on alert along the frontier with Pakistan.
After the operation, India reached out to several leading countries, including the US, Russia, the UK, UAE and Saudi Arabia and briefed them about the military strike on the nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir, the sources said.
(Source: PTI & The Pioneer)
