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.
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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.
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Live Updates
- 15 May 2025 7:34 AM IST
Sack Vijay Shah for his embarrassing remarks on Col Qureshi: Uma Bharti
Senior BJP leader Uma Bharti on Wednesday demanded immediate sacking of her party colleague and Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah from the state cabinet for "embarrassing" the people of India with his controversial remarks against Colonel Sofia Qureshi.
Bharti is probably the only BJP leader who has openly condemned Shah's remarks and sought action against him after the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered police to register an FIR against the minister earlier in the day.
"Vijay Shah should be sacked and an FIR registered. Both actions should be taken immediately, because he has embarrassed the people of the country," Bharti stated on X.
- 15 May 2025 7:33 AM IST
CDS, 3 service chiefs highlight synergy during Op Sindoor in meeting with veterans, think-tanks
Indian military's top brass highlighted the synergy between the Army, Air Force and the Navy during Operation Sindoor, officials said on Wednesday.
In a gathering of veterans and representatives of various think-tanks, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh and Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi spoke of India's decisive military operation.
"Insights on the #TriServices synergy achieved through clearly stated strategic guidance, and the successful execution of new-age multi domain operations, with an exceptional degree of #JointnessAndIntegration, deliberated with Veterans and Think Tanks. @DefenceMinIndia @SethSanjayMP @MEAIndia @MIB_India @SpokespersonMoD," the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff said in a post on X.
It also shared some photos of the meeting that took place at the Manekshaw Centre at Delhi Cantonment.
During the nearly 30-minute closed-door briefing held by Lt Gen D S Rana, Director General, Defence Intelligence Agency, the "relentless anti-India misinformation campaign conducted by the adversary and its ramifications on regional peace and stability" was also highlighted, according to officials.
- 15 May 2025 7:32 AM IST
FIR registered against MP minister Vijay Shah for remarks Col Qureshi
An FIR was registered against Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah in Indore district on Wednesday night for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Colonel Sofia Qureshi, following the orders of the High Court, an official said.
In a post on X, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said instructions were given to take action against minister Shah following the orders of the HC.
A police officer said that on the orders of the High Court, an FIR has been registered at the Manpur police station. Superintendent of Police (rural) Hitika Vasal confirmed to PTI that the FIR has been registered.
The FIR has been registered under sections 152 (an act endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India), 196 (1) (B) (an act having an adverse effect on the mutual harmony between different communities, which causes or is likely to cause a breach of public peace) and 197 (1) (C) (speaking about a member of a community, which has an adverse effect on the mutual harmony between different communities).
- 15 May 2025 7:31 AM IST
Questions need to be answered on 'sudden' halt in Indo-Pak military conflict: J&K Cong
Stating that while his party does not want to politicise the recent military conflict between India and Pakistan, the Jammu and Kashmir unit of Congress on Wednesday said the “sudden” halt in military action on the intervention of “a third country” last week left many questions unanswered.
Stating that the party leadership and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, are concerned about the border situation, J-K Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra said his party is preparing a detailed report on the losses suffered by people in the intense Pakistani shelling from May 7 to May 10.
“There was a sudden announcement of ceasefire (on May 10) by a third country, which was subsequently implemented by India and Pakistan, raising many questions in the minds of the 140 crore people of the country.
“They want to know if India accepted this third party intervention,” Karra told reporters in Rajouri after visiting the GMC Hospital to inquire about the health of the shelling victims undergoing treatment at the facility.
He also reiterated Congress president Malikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi’s demand for an all-party meeting and a special session of Parliament to discuss the issues.
- 15 May 2025 7:31 AM IST
PM, EAM must clarify govt's stance: Congress on BJP's Turkey, Azerbaijan dig
The Congress on Wednesday hit back at the BJP for taking a swipe at it for parrying a query on calls for boycotting trade and tourism with Turkey and Azerbaijan, saying the decision on whether or not to have a relationship with any country has to be taken by the government and not the opposition.
The Congress' assertion came after the BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya said on X, "The country is enraged by the support Turkey and Azerbaijan have extended to the terror state of Pakistan. There has been a growing call to boycott trade and tourism with these countries, and private citizens have stood up in solidarity."
But, Malviya said, the Congress party cannot even bring itself to align with the broader sentiment of the Indian people. He added, "No wonder it remains so disconnected from the public. It deserves its political oblivion and complete isolation." Malviya's remarks came after Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera told the media that the party will soon get back to them when a question was asked if the party supports the boycott call.
Hitting back at Malviya, Congress' media and publicity department head Khera said, "Since this question is being raised by an office bearer of the BJP, @PMOIndia & @DrSJaishankar should immediately clarify if the government of India has snapped all diplomatic & trade relations with Turkey and has also shut their embassy in India." "The decision on whether or not to have a relationship with any country has to be taken by the government and not the opposition. @MEAIndia kindly clarify," Khera said in a post on X.
