LIVE | India, Pak understanding on cessation of hostilities extended
India has made it clear to world that “we can go to any extent against terrorism”, Defence Minister tells troops in Kashmir in his first visit since Op Sindoor
Following the May 10 understanding between India and Pakistan on cessation of hostilities, Indian officials said on Thursday (May 15) that they decided to continue the confidence-building measures to reduce the alertness level.
The clarification came after Pakistan military said the understanding on ending the hostilities has been extended until May 18.
"Further to the understanding between the two DGMOs (Directors General of Military Operations) on May 10, it has been decided to continue the confidence building measures so as to reduce the alertness level," an Indian Army official said.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday kick-started a crucial visit to Jammu and Kashmir to take stock of the overall security situation, especially along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border.
“India has never been a votary of war, but when our sovereignty is attacked, we will respond,” Singh told troops in Srinagar during the visit. He added that India has made it clear to world that “we can go to any extent against terrorism”. “Operation Sindoor is the biggest action taken by India against terrorism,” he asserted.
It is his first trip to Jammu and Kashmir since Operation Sindoor, top military officials will brief the defence minister on various aspects of the prevailing security situation. The defence minister will review the overall situation as well as combat readiness of the frontline troops at the Indian Army’s XV Corps in Srinagar.
Watch | Capital Beat: India-Pakistan ceasefire: Trump takes credit, yet again
On Thursday morning, three Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Nadir village of Tral in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district, said an India Today report. The three terrorists were reportedly identified as Asif Ahmed Sheikh, Amir Nazir Wani and Yawar Ahmad Bhat, all residents of Pulwama.
The encounter — the second in as many days — broke out between security forces and terrorists in Awantipora, said the state police on X. Under Operation Keller on Tuesday (May 13), three terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian. The encounter initially began in Kulgam and then shifted to a forest area in Shopian.
Read more updates here
Live Updates
- 15 May 2025 4:00 PM IST
BJP trying to take credit for success of Armed Forces: TPCC president
Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Asish Kumar Saha on Thursday claimed that the BJP was trying to take credit for the Armed Forces success in Operation Sindoor.
Saha said the Armed Forces had launched precision attacks on terror facilities in the neighbouring country, but suddenly the hostilities ended with an understanding on stopping military actions following talks between the Director Generals of Military Operations of both sides on the afternoon of May 10.
- 15 May 2025 3:37 PM IST
Country proud of armed forces for avenging Pahalgam terror attack: J-K LG
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said the country is proud of the armed forces for avenging the Pahalgam terror attack by launching Operation Sindoor against terror infrastructure in Pakistan.
The LG also echoed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's words that Pakistan's nuclear weapons should be under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"The world has seen that terrorism in J&K Union Territory is engineered and executed by Pakistan and our mighty forces have ensured that now we will enter deep into Pakistan's heartland and kill the terrorists and we'll also treat future acts of terror as an act of war," he said.
- 15 May 2025 3:17 PM IST
Govt will make efforts to bring back tourists to Kashmir: Civil aviation minister
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu Thursday said the government would make every effort to bring back tourists to Kashmir, which has witnessed a decrease in footfall of visitors after last month's terror attack in Pahalgam.
He reviewed the functioning of the Srinagar airport which resumed operations on Wednesday following suspension of hostilities between India and Pakistan. The union minister later interacted with the locals at the Polo View market in the heart of the Srinagar city.
He said tourism in Kashmir had witnessed a boom in the past five years whih could be figured from the arrivals at the Srinagar airport. "Airport arrivals increased from 25 lakh passengers in 2019 to about 45 lakh in 2024. That has benefited the people here. The government will try to restore tourism as it was (before the attack) as soon as possible and also boost it further," Naidu said.
- 15 May 2025 2:51 PM IST
Fadnavis hails Pune traders for boycotting Turkiye apples
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday congratulated traders in Pune for adopting a 'nation first' stand by stopping the import of apples and dry fruits from Turkiye to protest its support to Pakistan.
After Turkiye criticised India's strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, fruit traders at the APMC market here decided to boycott apples and other produce coming from Turkiye.
- 15 May 2025 2:32 PM IST
Congress slams Vijay Shah, says he has mentality of 'BJP's troll army'
Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should ask state minister Vijay Shah to resign following Shah's objectionable remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
Elsewhere, veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said Shah had a mentality similar to that of the "BJP's troll army", and the PM should clarify whether he found the minister's comments appropriate.
PM Modi must ask the BJP minister to resign or have him dismissed from the Madhya Pradesh cabinet immediately to give a message to the whole world that solidarity and honor of the armed forces are supreme for the nation, he said.
The country is seeing the difference between the prime minister's words and the BJP's actions, said Patwari, adding that until Shah was sacked, the Congress will keep fighting (over the issue) for the honour of the army.
- 15 May 2025 2:27 PM IST
DG BSF visits Jammu frontier, lauds troops for contribution to Op Sindoor
BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary on Thursday visited the Jammu frontier and lauded the troops for their invaluable contribution to Operation Sindoor.
Paying homage to the fallen heroes, DG Chawdhary laid a wreath at the Amar Prahari Memorial at the BSF headquarters in Paloura in remembrance of late sub inspector Mohammad Imteyaj and late constable Deepak Chingakham.
Addressing the troops of BSF Jammu, the Director General reaffirmed the crucial role of the force in safeguarding the nation’s borders under the most challenging circumstances.
He commended their unwavering courage, bravery, steadfast dedication, and invaluable contributions to Operation Sindoor that was launched on May 7 in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.
