Bengaluru, May 9: A ‘Jai Hind Yatra’ was held by the Karnataka unit of the Congress party on Friday in Bengaluru in support of the Indian security forces which are carrying out ‘Operation Sindoor’ in retaliation to the Pahalgam massacre in which 26 people were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists. Congress leaders said that “irrespective of Pakistan’s misadventures, India is strong and we will face the enemy.”

The ‘Jai Hind Yatra’ by the Congress took place from K.R. Circle to Minsk Square in Bengaluru, under the leadership of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

Ministers H.K. Patil, G. Parameshwara, K.H. Muniyappa, H.C. Mahadevappa, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Priyank Kharge, Dr. M.C. Sudhakar, Bose Raju, and Chief Whip of the Legislative Council Saleem Ahmed, along with MLA Rizwan Arshad and others participated in the march.

Government and private sector officials, employees, representatives of various organisations, and thousands of students also took part in the rally.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the ‘Jai Hind Yatra’, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President, D.K. Shivakumar, stated that the Tiranga yatra programme was organised by the state government to condemn the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and also to support Indian armed forces which are carrying out ‘Operation Sindoor’.

“We want to send a big message to the whole nation through this Tiranga yatra. At this juncture, whole world is looking at India. We are highlighting that everyone should stand united at this stage and also we are giving moral courage to Indian soldiers,” Dy CM Shivakumar stated.

“Jai Hind Tiranga Yatra has been organised in Karnataka. We have invited all sections of society including students, the government employees, organisations, institutions irrespective of their background. We want to salute our armed forces. The integrity of the country is important. We have decided to do this by taking out this march today,” he stated.

“I am very happy that all sections of the society including retired armed forces soldiers, students and other political parties are participating. Let’s toe together for the country’s pride. Irrespective of Pakistan’s misadventures, India is strong and we will face the enemy,” he stated.

“We should extend support to Indian soldiers who are fighting for our country,” he underlined.

Mumbai, May 9: Amid escalating border tensions, the Indian Navy held a crucial meeting with the fishermen from Mumbai and advised them not to go for fishing in sensitive areas.

This was necessary as the ‘shoot to kill’ instructions have been issued if they enter the area designated by the Navy.

Authoritative sources said that in view of maritime security, a warning has also been issued asking the fishermen not to go along the coastline.

Further, a survey of fishing boats in Mumbai will be conducted, and their data will be collected with the help of an app.

Sources said that some boats of Gujarati fishermen have been seized by Pakistan, while the fishermen have been released. Their boats have been confiscated. Sources said that the Navy has sounded an alert hinting that Pakistan may use those confiscated boats against the country, as done during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

According to sources, the alert has been sounded not only in Mumbai but also in Konkan and other coastal areas. In Konkan, the movement of security forces has increased in the coastal areas, and strict security is being maintained here. In addition, citizens are being asked to inform the police immediately if they witness any suspicious boats or movements.

The Navy’s move comes at a time when it conducted targeted operations in the Arabian Sea against Pakistan following a major escalation in tensions.

Pakistan attempted missile strikes in Jammu and Kashmir and drone strikes in other parts of India. Military stations at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the International Border. The threats were swiftly neutralised using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities in line with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). “No casualties or material losses were reported,” the defence ministry said in a post on X. “India remains fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its people,” it added.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to hold a meeting with the senior officials during the day to review the preparedness. The meeting comes after Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting with the Director Generals of the border guarding forces to assess the situation. He also discussed airport security with the Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Jaipur, May 9: A bomb-like object was discovered in a residential area of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan on Friday, triggering a massive security operation.

The explosive was found in the Jogi Colony of Kishanghat around 10 a.m., following which Army personnel swiftly evacuated the entire area. The bomb was safely removed by the Army team, preventing a potential disaster.

The situation in Jaisalmer remains tense, with the police enforcing a city-wide blockade. Heavily armed personnel have been deployed, and checks are being carried out on all incoming and outgoing vehicles.

Entry is being allowed only after thorough document verification, and all suspicious activity is under close surveillance.

In light of the high alert, blackouts were observed across six districts on Thursday night, including Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, and Pali. Airports in the border districts have been completely shut down, with airspace appearing deserted as all routine flights have been diverted. The affected airports include Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Kishangarh.

Railway services have also been severely impacted. In Jaisalmer, train number 12468 (Jaipur-Jaisalmer), which departed on May 8, operated only up to Bikaner and was partially cancelled between Bikaner and Jaisalmer. Similarly, train number 12467 (Jaisalmer-Jaipur), scheduled for May 9, is now operating from Bikaner instead of Jaisalmer, with partial cancellation on the Jaisalmer-Bikaner route.

In Barmer, four trains scheduled for May 9 have been cancelled entirely. These include train numbers 14895 (Bhagat Ki Kothi-Barmer), 14896 (Barmer-Bhagat Ki Kothi), 04880 (Munabao-Barmer), and 54881 (Barmer-Munabao). The state is also on high alert following two recent attempted attacks by Pakistan.

On the night of May 7-8, missiles were fired at Indian airbases in Uttarlai, Nal, and Phalodi, which were intercepted mid-air by India’s advanced S-400 air defence system. The second attempt occurred around 9 p.m. on May 8, when swarm drones targeted military bases in Jaisalmer and Pokaran. These drones were also neutralised before causing any damage.

In response to these threats, the Rajasthan government has ordered the closure of schools and colleges in Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, and Sri Ganganagar until further notice. Coaching institutes in Sri Ganganagar have also been shut down.

Fireworks have been banned in Bikaner and Sri Ganganagar, while drone flying has been prohibited in Kota until July 7 and is already banned in Bikaner.

To bolster administrative readiness, nine Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) officers have been deployed to critical border areas to assist with disaster response and maintain law and order.