National News
Surviving India’s wrath: Tough road ahead for Pakistan
New Delhi, May 12: The half-burnt portrait of Asif Ali Zardari from the smouldering debris of Rahimyar Khan air base is a symbolic devastation of the image of Pakistan as Operation Sindoor marked a significant demonstration of India’s military and strategic prowess through a blend of military and non-military means.
The extent of Pakistan being punished through both means is now quite clear.
The multi-dimensional operation successfully neutralized terrorist threats, deterred Pakistani aggression, and reinforced India’s zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism, all while maintaining strategic restraint and international support.
As far as the military measures are concerned, India employed a range of precise and deliberate military actions to achieve its objectives.
The Indian Armed Forces carried out coordinated precision missile strikes on nine terrorist facilities—four in Pakistan (including Bahawalpur and Muridke) and five in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (such as Muzaffarabad and Kotli). These facilities were key command centers for Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), responsible for attacks like Pulwama (2019) and Mumbai (2008).
In response to Pakistan’s retaliatory drone and missile attacks from May 7-9 that targetted multiple Indian cities and military installations, India launched kamikaze drones to destroy Pakistani air defences across the country, including neutralising the air defence system of Lahore.
India’s air defence system proved instrumental in neutralising all incoming threats, resulting in near zero casualties or material losses, and exposing flaws in Pakistan’s HQ-9 system. The counter military actions on the night of May 9 and 10 also became the first instance of a country damaging air force camps of a nuclear country.
Within three hours, 11 bases were attacked including Nur Khan, Rafiqui, Murid, Sukkur, Sialkot, Pasrur, Chunian, Sargodha, Skardu, Bholari and Jacobabad.
The scale of destruction was clearly visible in the before and after photos of Shahbaz airbase at Jacobabad.
In the strikes, various ammunition depots and bases like Sargodha and Bholari that housed F-16s and JF-17 fighter jets were hit. This led to destruction of 20 per cent infrastructure of Pakistan’s air force.
India bombed Pakistan’s Bholari Air Base, killing over 50 people including Pakistan’s squadron leader Usman Yousuf, four airmen among others as well as destroying Pakistan’s fighter jets.
Over the course of Operation Sindoor, multiple terror and military locations across Pakistan were attacked by India. Along the LoC, following Pakistani artillery and mortar shelling in the Poonch-Rajouri sector that targetted civilian areas, Indian troops responded with calibrated counterfire destroying terrorist bunkers and Pakistani army’s positions to target civilians.
When it comes to the non-military measures, India’s non-kinetic efforts were equally significant in shaping the strategic environment and ensuring public and international support. India leveraged strategic policy decisions, information dominance, and psychological operations to isolate Pakistan economically and diplomatically, while bolstering domestic readiness and international support.
India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) under Operation Sindoor was a decisive move with far-reaching consequences. Pakistan, as the lower riparian, depends on the Indus system for 80 per cent of its 16 million hectares of farmland and 93 per cent of its total water use — sustaining 237 million people and driving a quarter of its GDP through crops like wheat, rice, and cotton.
With just 10 per cent live storage capacity (14.4 MAF) at Mangla and Tarbela dams, any disruption in flows threatens catastrophic agricultural losses, food shortages, water rationing in major cities, and rolling blackouts that would cripple industries, including textiles and fertilizers. These shocks could trigger a broader fiscal and foreign exchange crisis in an already fragile economy.
For India, the treaty had long constrained infrastructure development in Jammu and Kashmir, limiting it to run-of-the-river projects. Its suspension allows India full control over western rivers like Jhelum and Chenab — enabling new reservoirs, boosting irrigation and hydropower in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, and Haryana, and transforming a diplomatic tool into a developmental advantage.
By suspending this, India gave decisive message that water and blood cannot flow together.
India closed the Attari-Wagah border and suspended all bilateral trade with Pakistan, halting exports of key goods such as onions and restricting imports like cement and textiles. This decision severed the primary land-based trade route between the two countries.
The suspension imposed immediate economic costs on Pakistan, already grappling with inflation and debt. By choking off these economic lifelines without engaging in direct military escalation, India reinforced its zero-tolerance stance while avoiding full-scale conflict.
India also cancelled the visas of all Pakistanis living in India and sent them back in the immediate aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack showing strong resolve against terrorism. The imposition of a complete ban on Pakistani artists, halting performances, screenings, music releases, and cultural collaborations also extended to streaming platforms, cutting off Pakistan’s cultural influence in India.
India exposed Pakistan’s terror ecosystem globally and isolated Pakistan diplomatically. These steps imposed tangible economic and diplomatic costs. Collectively, these actions deepened Pakistan’s isolation and reaffirmed India’s commitment to a zero-tolerance stance on terrorism.
National News
Border tensions escalate as stone-pelting erupts along Assam-Arunachal Highway

Guwahati, Aug 13: Tensions along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border remained high on Thursday as an ongoing economic blockade over a recent firing incident escalated into stone-pelting, leaving police and CRPF personnel caught in clashes involving protesters from both sides.
The situation continued to remain sensitive in parts of Assam’s Dhemaji district and Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Siang, amid heightened tensions between members of the Mising and Galo communities following the August 10 firing incident.
The incident took place at Mingmang Basti along the inter-state border under the Gogamukh revenue circle of Gerukamukh police station in Dhemaji.
At least 12 people were injured in the firing, which reportedly followed a dispute over alleged encroachment of Assam land by people from Arunachal Pradesh.
Following the incident, the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) launched an indefinite economic blockade from August 12, disrupting movement between the two neighbouring states at multiple points.
The blockade has particularly affected the Silapathar-Likabali highway, where tensions intensified on Thursday after protesters allegedly resorted to stone-pelting.
Security personnel, including police and CRPF personnel deployed to maintain law and order, were also targeted.
Vehicles carrying Arunachal Pradesh registration numbers have reportedly been stopped at several entry points as part of the agitation.
The TMPK, along with the Mising Mimag Kebang (MMK) and Takam Mising Mahila Kebang (TMMK), has demanded the arrest of those allegedly involved in the firing and their handover to Assam Police.
The organisations have also sought an early settlement of the long-pending Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary dispute and action against alleged encroachment on Assam territory.
The administration has appealed to residents and protesters to maintain peace and refrain from actions that could further aggravate the situation.
Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804.1-km boundary, with several areas remaining disputed. The two states have been pursuing a negotiated settlement through regional mechanisms and the Namsai Declaration framework.
With tensions still simmering, security forces and civil authorities are maintaining close vigil in the affected areas to prevent further escalation.
National News
‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign strengthening sentiment of patriotism, pride in heart of every Indian: HM Shah

New Delhi, Aug 13: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday hoisted the Tricolour as part of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign at his residence in the national capital and said that this strengthens the sentiment of patriotism and pride in the heart of every Indian.
Amit Shah took to social media platform ‘X’ and said, “Today, at my residence in New Delhi, I hoisted the Tricolour under the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign. This campaign, launched under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi ji, is today further strengthening the sentiment of patriotism and pride in the heart of every Indian. Today, crores of countrymen are connecting with the Tricolour and empowering the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.”
The ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign was launched under the aegis of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to encourage citizens to bring the national flag into their homes and hoist the Tiranga as part of the celebrations marking India’s Independence.
The campaign was based on the idea that people’s relationship with the national flag had traditionally remained more formal and institutional, rather than becoming a personal expression of national pride.
By encouraging citizens to bring the national flag home, the initiative sought to transform the Tiranga into a symbol of a personal connection with the nation while also representing a collective commitment towards nation-building and national unity.
This year, ‘Har Ghar Tiranga 2026’ is being dedicated to the spirit of 150 Years of Vande Mataram, celebrating patriotism, pride in the Tiranga and the deep love for the motherland reflected in India’s National Song.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday appealed to the countrymen to actively participate in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign to mark Independence Day on August 15 and pay tributes to the freedom fighters.
Sharing a reel on Instagram, PM Modi said, “Celebrate August 15 with pride, pay tribute to freedom fighters, take a pledge for Viksit Bharat. Har Ghar Tiranga, Ghar Ghar Tiranga, Har Man Tiranga.”
“Come, let’s make Har Ghar Tiranga a celebration in every home,” the Prime Minister captioned the post on X as the nation prepares to celebrate the 80th Independence Day.
Earlier this week, PM Modi, calling upon the citizens to participate in the campaign, termed the Tricolour as “pride” and “source of motivation”.
Taking to his official X account, PM Modi had said, “Our Tricolour is our pride and a constant source of inspiration to always give our best for the nation.”
“Let us participate enthusiastically in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ movement and renew our collective resolve to contribute towards building a ‘Viksit Bharat’,” he said while underlining this year’s theme as that of the national song ‘Vande Mataram.’
The Prime Minister mentioned: “Glad that this year’s efforts are dedicated to Vande Mataram and that, too, at a time when we are marking its 150th anniversary.”
Crime
FIR against 600 protesters for violence during Assembly ‘gherao’ in Ranchi

Ranchi, Aug 13: Jharkhand Police have registered an FIR against 600 protesters who were allegedly part of unrest and violence that erupted during the Assembly gherao in Ranchi on August 10, officials said on Thursday.
Of these, 100 individuals have been named as accused, while 500 unidentified protesters have also been booked.
According to the FIR lodged at the Assembly Police Station, the accused have been charged with breaking police barricades erected as part of security arrangements, manhandling and misbehaving with police personnel, obstructing government work, and pelting stones at security forces during the protest.
Police said a large number of students and other protesters had gathered for the Assembly gherao. While nearly 90 per cent of the participants were peaceful, officials claimed that about 10 per cent turned aggressive and escalated the situation.
The police also alleged that some outsiders arrived at the protest site in vehicles and attempted to intensify the disturbances.
The clashes and stone-pelting reportedly left more than 14 police and security personnel injured. To bring the situation under control, the police fired tear gas shells, used water cannons, and carried out a lathi charge.
Authorities are now working to identify the unnamed accused. Investigators are examining video footage from the protest site, CCTV recordings, and drone camera footage.
Police officials said facial recognition and artificial intelligence-based technologies may also be used, if required, to identify those involved in the violence.
The students have been agitating over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in various recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) for the last 20 days.
Among their key demands is a CBI probe into the alleged examination irregularities. The Assembly gherao on August 10 was organised as part of this ongoing agitation.
Meanwhile, the Ranchi district administration has beefed up security in anticipation of the next phase of the ongoing student protest.
Agitating students are preparing to lay siege to the Chief Minister’s residence on August 20, though no formal announcement has been made.
More than 100 additional armed personnel have been deployed for the CM’s security, including personnel from the Jharkhand Jaguar and the Jharkhand Armed Police.
-
Crime4 years agoClass 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra2 years agoFalse photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News2 years agoMinistry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMaharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News2 years agoJ&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface
-
Crime2 years agoBaba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
