Indo-Pak conflict LIVE: Pakistan govt vows to rebuild Muridke JuD HQ destroyed by India
India to extend Indus canals to reduce flow to Pakistan; Rahul questions EAM Jaishankar for publicly admitting that govt had informed Pakistan about Op Sindoor
The Pakistan government has assured to rebuild the mosques — the JuD headquarters — at Muridke destroyed in the Indian strike on May 7, the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) has said.
The PMML is a political wing of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) and is a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Pakistan claims the destroyed structure at Muridke, located at about 40 kms from Lahore, was a mosque and an educational complex.
India extends canals to block Indus flow
As part of its efforts to maximise the use of water that India will get after putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, India is planning to increase the length of the Ranbir canal on the Chenab River.
Till now, India has been using limited water from Chenab, mostly for irrigation, but by putting the treaty in abeyance now there is scope of expanding its use, especially in power generation sector to meet the energy demands.
“One of the major plans are enhancing the length of the Ranbir canal to 120 km,” PTI quoted an official as saying, who added that as building of the infrastructure requires time, “all stakeholders have been urged to expedite the process”.
Moreover, the process of desilting has also started on Kathua, Ravi and Paragwal canals.
Rahul attacks EAM
In related news, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, questioned External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for publicly admitting that the Government of India had informed Pakistan about Operation Sindoor and asked how many aircraft the Indian Air Force (IAF) lost as a result.
He also shared an undated video of Jaishankar saying India had informed Pakistan of the action against terror infrastructure on its soil.
Admission from Pakistan PM
Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has confirmed that India carried out precision missile strikes on the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi and other locations, multiple media reports said.
The rare admission came as Sharif revealed that Army Chief General Asim Munir personally alerted him about the attack in a late-night call at 2:30 am between May 9 and 10, during Operation Sindoor.
The disclosure marks a rare acknowledgment from Pakistani leadership regarding the strikes. Further details on the extent of the damage or potential casualties remain undisclosed.
Also read our articles on Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor: 'For first time India crossed a psychological threshold'
Exclusive | Ex-DRDO chief Selvamurthy: 'Future wars will be unmanned, autonomous'
Live Updates
- 17 May 2025 10:47 PM IST
World is praising Indian Army’s capability, PM Modi’s firm resolve: Shah on ‘Operation Sindoor’
This was the first time since independence that Indian armed forces struck 100 km inside Pakistan, delivering a befitting response to terrorists, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday, as he praised ‘Operation Sindoor’.
Addressing a gathering in Kolavada village in Gandhinagar district, Gujarat, Shah said the entire world is praising the capability of the Indian Army and the firm resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said Indian armed forces eliminated nearly 100 terrorists, devastated the headquarters of terror outfits, and also destroyed 15 military installations, which eventually reduced the ability of Pakistan’s air force to hit back.
Shah, who is on a two-day Gujarat visit from Saturday, said PM Modi coined the term ‘Operation Sindoor’ in honour of the country's women.
Before Modi became the PM, terrorist attacks had been taking place at regular intervals for several years, but that is no longer the case now.
“Terrorists used to come from Pakistan, kill our soldiers and people, and go away. They used to orchestrate bomb blasts and conspire against India. But they were never given any reply back then,” said Shah, the Lok Sabha MP from Gandhinagar.
He said that after Modi assumed office, three major terrorist attacks have taken place in India – Uri, Pulwama, and Pahalgam last month.
PM Modi has given a befitting response, and the whole world is watching with surprise, while Pakistan is experiencing it with fear, he said.
“They (Pakistan-based terrorists) did not learn a lesson from India’s response in the past and carried out a terrorist attack in Pahalgam. This time, under Operation Sindoor, we destroyed the headquarters of terrorist organisations,” he said.
“Today, I have come with great pride to say that we took revenge for the Pahalgam attack by razing the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba to the ground. Pakistani terrorists had mercilessly killed unarmed Indian citizens in front of their families after asking about their religion,” he said.
Operation Sindoor was India’s military response to the Pahalgam attack, wherein 26 people were shot dead in cold blood on April 22.
According to Shah, the Indian armed forces not only destroyed the headquarters of terror outfits but also obliterated nine camps that were being used for training terrorists and infiltrating them into India.
“At several places in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), such as Muzaffarabad, Bahawalpur and Muridke, our armed forces attacked 100 km inside Pakistan’s territory and gave a befitting reply to terrorists. India’s action eliminated nearly 100 terrorists operating from Pakistan,” said Shah.
The Union home minister said India has sent the message that it will respond with double intensity if Indian citizens are targeted.
Thanks to India’s air defence system, not a single Pakistani drone or missile touched the ground when the neighbouring country launched attacks, he said.
“In response, India destroyed 15 military installations, including their air bases, without harming common Pakistani citizens. India showed Pakistan that you cannot stop our missiles. This is for the first time after independence that the Indian Army went 100 km inside Pakistan’s territory and destroyed terrorist camps,” said Shah.
“They (Pakistan) used to threaten us for being a nuclear power. They thought that we would be intimidated by their threats. But that did not happen. Our Army, Navy and Air Force delivered a befitting reply to them,” he said.
Shah said the entire world is praising India for the accuracy of its military strikes, showing restraint, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong resolve.
“Whenever there are talks about military operations in the world, Operation Sindoor will also be discussed. The prime minister himself named it ‘Operation Sindoor’ in honour of our mothers and sisters,” Shah said.
“Prime Minister Modi fulfilled the promise he made in Bihar after the Pahalgam attack – that India would take revenge and eliminate the terrorists,” he added.
At the event, Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various developmental works worth over Rs 700 crore. PTI
- 17 May 2025 10:44 PM IST
Pak PM Sharif recalls 2:30 am call from army chief after India hit Nur Khan air base near capital
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has revealed that he was woken up by the army chief early last Saturday to inform about an Indian missile hitting an airbase less than 25 kilometres from the capital Islamabad among other places.
Sharif's comment came a week after India and Pakistan announced to have reached an understanding to end the military confrontation after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes following the Pahalgam terror attack.
On May 10, Pakistan military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry had told a hurriedly called press conference in Islamabad at around 4 am that Nur Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal) and Rafiqui (Shorkot in Jhang district) air bases of Pakistan Air Force were targeted by Indian missiles. Among these, Nur Khan air base is less than 25 kilometres from the Islamabad Capital Territory.
On Friday night, Sharif was addressing a gathering on Friday night here to observe the Youm-e-Tashakur (Day of Thanks) for the “success against India” when he recalled the events leading to the retaliation by Pakistan.
“I got a call at 2:30 (Saturday) on a secure phone from army chief General Syed Asim Munir who informed me that India just now launched ballistic missiles and one of them fell at the Nur Khan Airport and the other fell in some other areas,” the prime minister said.
General Munir’s voice exhumed a lot of confidence, self-respect and extreme love for the country, he said. Munir asked for permission “to slap the enemy in the face that will be remembered for all times to come,” he claimed.
Sharif said that Pakistan launched a counter-attack and listed Indian areas, including Pathankot, Udhampur and other places that were hit by Pakistani missiles.
He also highlighted that “India's self-conceived pride of being the regional policeman was blown to bits by Pakistan's valiant armed forces, and the PAF falcons turned India's war fever into a nightmare from which it may never recover.” The prime minister also stated that General Munir again called him in the morning to inform that Pakistan gave a befitting reply to India and now a request has been made for a ceasefire, and “I gave permission to accept the offer.” “My dear elders, brothers and sisters, this is a brief summary of the long story,” he said.
In the same speech, Sharif also said that Pakistan and India should sit down at the table like peaceful neighbours and settle their outstanding issues, including Kashmir.
Stating that India and Pakistan fought three wars and got nothing, Sharif said, “The lesson is to sit down as peaceful neighbours and settle all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir. Without resolution of our issues, we cannot have peace in this part of the world.” India has, however, made it clear that it will only have a dialogue with Pakistan on the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the issue of terrorism.
India carried out precision strikes under 'Operation Sindoor' on terror infrastructure early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Indian forces launched a fierce counter-attack on several Pakistani military installations.
India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. PTI
- 17 May 2025 10:43 PM IST
Jaishankar's remarks misrepresented: MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday described as "utter misrepresentation" claims that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar acknowledged that India alerted Pakistan before the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7.
The clarification came after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the government suggesting that the Indian side informed Pakistan ahead of the military strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
"The external affairs minister had stated that we had warned Pakistan at the start, which is clearly the early phase after Operation Sindoor's commencement," the external publicity (XP) division of the ministry said.
"This is being falsely represented as being before the commencement. This utter misrepresentation of facts is being called out," it said in a brief statement.
Rahul, in a social media post, asked who had authorised the decision to inform Pakistan.
"Informing Pakistan at the start of our attack was a crime. EAM has publicly admitted that GOI did it," Rahul said.
"1. Who authorised it? 2. How many aircraft did our air force lose as a result?" he asked.
Rahul also shared a video clip of Jaishankar's interaction with reporters where he talked about some aspects of the Operation Sindoor and India's strike on the terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK.
Under Operation Sindoor, India, on early May 7, destroyed nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation against the Pahalgam terror attack.
All subsequent retaliations by Pakistan were carried out under the operation.
The two sides reached an understanding on cessation of hostilities on May 10 after four days of confrontations.
- 17 May 2025 10:35 PM IST
President Zardari lauds Pak armed forces' exemplary morale, combat readiness
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday visited Gujranwala Cantonment and said the country's Armed Forces “repelled India’s attack in powerful testimony of the country’s strength and resilience”.
He was accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir and commanders of Mangla and Gujranwala Corps were present on the occasion.
India carried out precision strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’ on terror infrastructure early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10.
India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
Zardari claimed that “history would bear witness to how, within a matter of hours, the Pakistan Armed Forces repelled aggression with unmatched precision and resolve, sending an unequivocal message of Pakistan’s strength, resilience, and national unity”.
During his interaction with officers and troops, the president commended their “exemplary morale, combat readiness, and devotion to duty”.
On Friday, Pakistan observed 'Youm-e-Tashakur' (Day of Thanks) to pay homage to the military. PTI
- 17 May 2025 8:57 PM IST
Stop being 'propaganda tool' of Pakistan: BJP tells Rahul after he shared Jaishankar video
The BJP on Saturday accused Rahul Gandhi of serving as a "propaganda tool" of Pakistan and spreading "fake news" after the Congress leader targeted the government, raising questions on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's remarks on Operation Sindoor.
In a post on X, Rahul shared an undated video clip of Jaishankar and wrote, "Informing Pakistan at the start of our attack was a crime. EAM has publicly admitted that GOI (government of India) did it." "Who authorised it? How many aircraft did our air force lose as a result," the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha asked.
Hitting back, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused Gandhi of spreading "fake news" and asked if the Congress was unhappy with the demolition of terror infrastructure in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor.
"Stop spreading fake news, Rahul Gandhi," Bhandhari wrote on X.
He also posted a screenshot of the government's PIB Fact Check unit's post on X which had rejected a similar claim earlier this week, as "misleading".
"Old habits die hard. Rahul Gandhi who was partying after the 26/11 Mumbai Terror attack, and who was officially quoted by Pakistani military in its press conference is back to question our forces," Bhandari charged in another post on X.
"Is Congress unhappy that Operation Sindoor demolished terror infrastructure in Pakistan," he asked.
The PIB Fact Check Unit had said that this social media post falsely implied from the Jaishankar's statement that India had informed Pakistan before the start of Operation Sindoor.
"EAM is being misquoted and he has not made this statement," it had said, asking people to remain "vigilant" and avoid "falling for deceptive information".
Slamming Rahul for his remarks, another BJP national spokesperson Ajay Alok accused the Congress leader of speaking for Pakistan and asked him to "stop being a propaganda tool of Pakistan".
"You have been doing this for the last three generations," Alok said in a video message on X, reacting to Rahul's remarks.
- 17 May 2025 7:32 PM IST
Operation Sindoor: Chhattisgarh CM joins ‘Tiranga Yatra'
Citizens across Chhattisgarh took out ‘Tiranga Yatras’ on Saturday to honour the armed forces and celebrate the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’, with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai joining one such rally.
Sai attended a Tiranga Yatra in Charaidand village in his constituency Kunkuri in Jashpur district, where he said the yatra gives the message that all citizens are united in the national interest.
He also felicitated the kin of soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
Cabinet ministers, MPs, MLAs, and panchayat representatives also participated in the rallies in different parts of the state.
In Charaidand, the yatra was taken from Shiv Mandir to Aam Bagicha, covering about a kilometre. People waved Indian flags, placards with patriotic messages, and chanted patriotic slogans. One placard read, “Operation Sindoor: Nari ke samman me, Sena hai maidan me.” This yatra is a symbol of strengthening unity, integrity, and sovereignty of the country, Sai said.
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Army achieved unprecedented success in ‘Operation Sindoor’, he said.
The operation was India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, wherein 26 people were shot dead in cold blood on April 22, he said. During Operation Sindoor, Indian forces made precision strikes on terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
“Dreaded terrorists were killed in Operation Sindoor. One hundred terrorists were eliminated. The operation has not stopped yet. It will end only after our soldiers track down and eliminate the remaining terrorists.
“In the present situation, every section of society, including retired armed forces personnel, students, women, and children, is standing united with our armed forces and Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.
