Operation Sindoor LIVE: Blasts in Jammu region; total blackout in Srinagar
Govt says Pakistan launched drones and missiles towards military bases in Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur, and India successfully foiled attacks
India has said that Pakistan military deployed around 300-400 drones, likely made in Turkey, to unleash an attack on over 25 Indian cities in the intervening night of May 8-9.
At a Ministry of External Affairs press briefing on Friday evening, the government said Pakistan did not close its airspace, and used civilian planes as shields. The govt said Pakistan launched drones and missiles towards military bases in Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur, and India successfully foiled the attacks.
An armed UAV of Pakistan also attempted to target Bathinda military station, which was quickly detected and neutralised, the govt said.
Earlier, the Border Security Force (BSF) on Friday (May 9) said it has foiled an infiltration bid from across the International Border in Jammu, killing at least seven terrorists and destroying a Pak Rangers' post.
The terrorists were engaged around 11 pm on Thursday in Samba district after a “big group” of theirs was detected by the “surveillance grid”. This infiltration bid was supported by fire from Pakistan Rangers post at Dhandhar, a BSF spokesperson said.
He said the troops neutralised the infiltration bid, killing “at least” seven terrorists and causing “extensive” damage to the Dhandhar post. Officials said there could be more terrorists, who could have been neutralised.
IPL suspended
The Indian Premier League (IPL) was on Friday suspended indefinitely due to the escalating military confrontation between India and Pakistan with a BCCI official saying that continuing the event in the current situation would not look appropriate.
A cloud of uncertainty had loomed over the future of the ongoing edition since the cancellation of Thursday's match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala midway following air raid alerts in neighbouring cities of Jammu and Pathankot.
“It does not look nice that cricket goes on while the country is at war,” a BCCI official told PTI, confirming the suspension of the high-profile league, which was to wind up on May 25 in Kolkata as per the original schedule. Twelve league matches and four knockout games are left to be played.
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- 9 May 2025 12:27 PM IST
Bollywood bigshots rush to secure titles relating to Operation Sindoor
‘Operation Sindoor’, 'Mission Sindoor' and 'Sindoor: The Revenge'... Bollywood filmmakers and actors are in a rush to register film titles inspired by the codename for India’s military strikes in Pakistan, submitting over 30 applications in just two days.
India carried out the targeted strikes on terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir early Wednesday under 'Operation Sindoor', two weeks after the massacre of 26 people, mostly tourists, in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.
Since the strikes, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA), Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC) and Western India Film Producers' Association (WIFPA) have witnessed a surge in applications for registration of film titles related to Operation Sindoor.
“The three bodies have received over 30 title applications via email related to Operation Sindoor. The numbers will go up to 50-60. This is not something new. Most people have applied for the title, ‘Operation Sindoor’ and ‘Mission Sindoor’.
"One person can apply for any number of titles but the title will be allotted to the person who has first applied for it. Any producer who wants to make a film looks for what is in the news. This is something India is proud of. So, filmmakers want to bring this story," Anil Nagrath, Secretary, IMPPA, told PTI.
Nagrath said in the past, they have received title applications for Kargil, Uri, Kumbh, and others.
The titles being applied for also include ‘Hindustan Ka Sindoor’, ‘Mission Operation Sindoor’ and ‘Sindoor Ka Badla’. The applications have also been received for titles in the name of Pahalgam -- ‘Pahalgam: The Terror Attack’, ‘Pahalgam Attack’, and others.
According to sources, Aditya Dhar, who directed the 2019 film "Uri: The Surgical Strike" based on the 2016 Uri attack and India's retaliatory strikes, as well as actor Suniel Shetty, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, Vivek Agnihotri, Ashok Pandit, production banner T-Series are among those who have applied for the above mentioned titles.
"Once, the title is applied, a committee consisting of members IMPPA, IFTPC or WIFPA, and Producers Guild of India, decides who should get the title purely on the basis of who registered it first. There’s no favoritism in this process,” Nagrath said.
The application fee for the registration of a title is set at Rs 300 plus GST and if it is on an urgent basis then it is Rs 3,000 plus GST.
“There’s a timeline of three years. For instance, if the film is not ready within three years with the title, then the title will be taken away,” Nagrath said.
Earlier in the day, it was reported that Reliance Industries Limited and five others have approached the Controller General of Patents Design and TradeMarks for the registration of term "Operation Sindoor", seeking to use the phrase for entertainment-related services like audio and video content.
The applications were filed for registration under Class 41 of the Nice Classification, which includes education and training services, film and media production, live performances and events, digital content delivery and publishing, and cultural and sporting activities.
Reliance Industries Ltd later withdrew its application, stating that it was inadvertently filed by a junior employee without authorisation.
- 9 May 2025 12:25 PM IST
Himachal Pradesh: Blackout advisory issued in Bilaspur amid rising tensions with Pak
Amid soaring tensions between India and Pakistan, the Bilaspur district administration in Himachal Pradesh on Friday issued an advisory prioritising the safety and security of citizens.
In the advisory, District Magistrate Rahul Kumar appealed to the residents to ensure a complete blackout in their respective areas to minimise risks in the event of a potential aerial attack.
Bilaspur shares a boundary with Punjab, a border state that has been put on high alert following the escalating tensions with Pakistan.
As per the guidelines issued by the administration, all lights, both outdoor and indoor, must be turned off during night hours, while citizens have been advised to remain in sheltered locations and avoid unnecessary travel.
Vehicular movement should be halted at night to facilitate the smooth functioning of security forces in case of any emergency, the advisory said.
“This advisory has been issued in public interest. The administration requests strict compliance from all residents. Restraint and vigilance are the strongest shields in such situations,” it said.
Meanwhile, all educational institutions were shut in Una district on Friday, for which a notification was issued late on Thursday night.
- 9 May 2025 12:19 PM IST
Directorate of Civil Defence to test air raid sirens in Delhi
Directorate of Civil Defence will be testing Air Raid Sirens installed at Public Works Department Headquarters.
The testing will commence at 3.00 PM and be carried out for a period 15-20 minutes.
Also, it is requested that adequate publicity may be made through social and electronic media so that general public are advised to stay calm and not to panic during the said exercise.
- 9 May 2025 12:10 PM IST
Bomb-like object recovered in Jaisalmer, area cordoned off
A bomb-like object was found in the Kishanghat area of Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district on Friday morning, prompting swift action by the local police and air force.
According to the police, the object was found near a nursery in the colony of the Jogis, located in front of Kishanghat under Kotwali police station area.
Kotwali SHO Prem Daan said it seems to be a bomb-like object. Experts from the army are on their way Kishanghat to defuse it.
"It it currently not known if it is live or destroyed," he said.
Arjun Nath, a local, spotted the object and immediately informed Kishanghat Sarpanch representative Kalyan Ram, who then alerted authorities. Following this, teams from the local police and the Indian Air Force arrived at the scene, they said.
The area has been cordoned off as a precautionary measure and further investigation is underway.
The object resembled parts of a drone that was launched by Pakistan on Jaisalmer on Thursday night around 10.30 pm. However, official confirmation is awaited.
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and follow safety instructions as security measures have been intensified in the region.
- 9 May 2025 12:07 PM IST
Pak's support for terrorists shows it is now fighting for terrorism: Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said Pakistan's open support for terrorists killed in India's recent retaliation proves the country is not just a shelter for terrorism but is now "struggling for its own existence." "After India's action, when terrorists were killed, Pakistan's top military officers and politicians were seen attending their funerals. This shameless display should open the eyes of the world," he said while addressing a gathering here on the occasion of Maharana Pratap Jayanti.
He was referring to the Indian armed forces on Wednesday carrying out precise missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan under Operation Sindoor.
Adityanath added, "Pakistan is not merely protecting terrorism, it is directly involved in it. Its involvement has now become so clear that it will have to fight even for its own survival." Referring to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where tourists were targeted, the chief minister said India had resolved to give a strong reply.
"You all must have seen how barbarically our tourists were attacked. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a firm resolve, and our brave soldiers have given Pakistan a befitting response," he said.
Adityanath urged citizens to maintain national unity and support the armed forces during this "testing time." "Every Indian must act responsibly. If any miscreant tries to spread unrest, we must remain alert and expose any act that endangers national security," he said.
He also warned about misinformation being spread through social media platforms. "There will be attempts to spread rumours. But we must ignore such noise and follow the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. India will win, there is no doubt," the chief minister asserted.
Adityanath also said that Maharana Pratap Jayanti serves as an inspiration for standing united in difficult times.
"Let this occasion remind us to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our security forces and boost their morale," he said.
- 9 May 2025 12:06 PM IST
Bengaluru Airport asks passengers to reach three hours prior to plane departure
The Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Friday appealed to passengers to reach the airport at least three hours prior to the scheduled departure of flights.
In a passenger advisory, the KIA mentioned the heightened security reason behind the new directive.
"In view of the nationwide heightened security alert, enhanced screening measures are in place across all airports. Passengers are advised to arrive at least three hours prior to departure to allow for a smooth check-in, security and boarding experience," the advisory said.
The KIA also asked passengers to check with the airline for updated information.
"We appreciate your understanding and cooperation at this time," it said.
Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has made secondary ladder point checking compulsory for all flights, banned visitors at terminal buildings of airports and enhanced overall security.
- 9 May 2025 12:04 PM IST
Operation Sindoor is India’s declaration of war against terrorism: BJP
BJP Goa president Damodar Naik has said that ‘Operation Sindoor’ is not just a military strike but Bharat’s firm declaration of war against terrorism and its sponsors.
In a statement on Friday, Naik said that the operation “sends a loud and clear message to the world that Bharat will not tolerate terror in any form, and will go to any extent to eliminate it”.
Under Operation Sindoor, Indian armed forces on Wednesday carried out precise missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan under ‘Operation Sindoor’ in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
“Operation Sindoor is not just a military strike – it is Bharat's firm declaration of war against terrorism and its sponsors,” said Naik.
The BJP leader said Bharat watched in silence, absorbed the pain, and responded when the time was right.
The Pahalgam attack was not an isolated incident, he said.
“From 26/11 in Mumbai to Pulwama, from Uri to Pahalgam, Bharat has been repeatedly provoked by Pakistan-backed terrorism. But today, under a strong and determined leadership, the country has shown that we will not forget, we will not forgive, and we will hit back,” he said.
Naik, on behalf of the BJP Goa, congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his firm leadership and decisive action.
“BJP Goa also congratulates Nari Shakti along with Armed Forces, Navy and Air Force who displayed tremendous courage, precision, and planning in hitting the most critical installations of the Pakistan-sponsored terror network,” he said.
Naik added, “At the same time, we pray for the safety and security of every soldier who is out there, standing tall to protect our nation and our fellow countrymen.”
