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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah voices concerns over the breach of ceasefire after explosions and air defence activity in Srinagar, questioning the effectiveness of the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan.

'This is no ceasefire': Omar Abdullah questions after air defence activity in Srinagar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah voices concerns over the breach of ceasefire after explosions and air defence activity in Srinagar, questioning the effectiveness of the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah raised serious concerns on Friday about the status of the recently declared ceasefire, following reports of explosions and air defence activity in Srinagar.&nbsp;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!
&mdash; Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmarAbdullah/status/1921224682159661251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The chief minister took to social media, stating, "This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up."
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up. <a href="https://t.co/HjRh2V3iNW">pic.twitter.com/HjRh2V3iNW</a>
&mdash; Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmarAbdullah/status/1921228736776527917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
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In another post, Abdullah wrote, "What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!"
The developments came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a crucial meeting at his residence in Delhi, which included key officials such as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, and Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan. The meeting also saw the participation of Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
During the meeting, India and Pakistan reached an agreement to halt all military actions across land, air, and sea. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar later took to social media to reaffirm India&rsquo;s commitment to its stance on terrorism, saying, &ldquo;India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action. India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so.&rdquo;
Foreign Secretary Misri also addressed the ceasefire agreement, confirming that Pakistan&rsquo;s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) had contacted his Indian counterpart earlier in the day. Misri explained, &ldquo;It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea with effect from 1700 hours Indian Standard Time.&rdquo; He further added that instructions had been issued to enforce the ceasefire and that the DGMOs would meet again on May 12.
Misri also commented on the ongoing tensions, describing Pakistan's actions as "escalatory" and "provocative." He emphasized that India&rsquo;s responses to these provocations had been measured and effective.
The escalation began after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 people. India retaliated by targeting nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which led to a series of escalations, including artillery fire and drone attacks by Pakistan.

India and Pakistan have agreed to halt all military actions across land, air and sea following a DGMO-level discussion, with further talks scheduled.

India, Pakistan agree to cease military action on land, air and sea: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri

India and Pakistan have agreed to halt all military actions across land, air and sea following a DGMO-level discussion, with further talks scheduled.

In a major step toward reducing tensions, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed on Saturday that the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan contacted his Indian counterpart earlier in the day. Both sides agreed to halt all military activities&mdash;across land, sea, and air&mdash;starting from 1700 hours Indian Standard Time.
"Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called Indian DGMO at 15:35 hours earlier this afternoon. It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea with effect from 1700 hours Indian Standard Time," Misri said during a press briefing.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Delhi: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, "Pakistan's Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) called Indian DGMO at 15:35 hours earlier this afternoon. It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/k3xTTJ9Zxu">pic.twitter.com/k3xTTJ9Zxu</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1921180539832156529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
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He added, "Today, instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to this understanding. The Directors General of Military Operations will talk again on the 12th of May at 1200 hours."
Misri also addressed the context leading up to the ceasefire, saying that Pakistan's recent actions had been viewed as deliberate provocations. "Pakistan's actions constituted provocation, escalation. In response India defended and reacted in a responsible and measured fashion," he stated.
The Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence held a joint press conference where further details about Operation Sindoor were shared. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army said, "Pakistan's target was India's military infrastructure, LoC, IB and over 26 sites."
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also spoke on the current development and reiterated India&rsquo;s position on terrorism.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action. India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so.
&mdash; Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1921183635274608685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
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"India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action. India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so," he said.
Confirming the ceasefire from Islamabad, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said, "Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity."
On the international front, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the role of US diplomacy in facilitating the agreement. He noted extensive engagement with senior officials from both nations over the past 48 hours. "Over the past 48 hours, VP Vance and I have engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, and National Security Advisors Ajit Doval and Asim Malik. I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site. We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace," he said.
The ceasefire agreement follows a period of heightened hostilities. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on May 2, which claimed 26 lives. In that operation, India targeted nine terror sites deep inside Pakistan. In response, Pakistan escalated tensions further with unprovoked attacks involving artillery and drone strikes.
The ceasefire and upcoming talks mark a critical juncture in efforts to restore stability along the India-Pakistan border.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MEAIndia</a> announces that stoppage of firing &amp; military action between India and Pakistan was worked out directly between the two countries. The Pak DGMO initiated the call this afternoon after which discussions took place and understanding reached. There is no decision to&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/HrepAj12bR">pic.twitter.com/HrepAj12bR</a>
&mdash; Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) <a href="https://twitter.com/MIB_India/status/1921182932900729179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
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ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/india-and-pakistan-agree-to-immediate-ceasefire-trump-announces-1746881287563">India and Pakistan agree to immediate ceasefire, Trump announces</a>

US-mediated talks lead to India and Pakistan agreeing on a full ceasefire, with both nations praising de-escalation efforts amid ongoing tensions.

India and Pakistan agree to immediate ceasefire, Trump announces

US-mediated talks lead to India and Pakistan agreeing on a full ceasefire, with both nations praising de-escalation efforts amid ongoing tensions.

As tensions between India and Pakistan reached a critical point, US President Donald Trump announced that both nations had agreed to a &ldquo;full and immediate ceasefire.&rdquo;
Taking to Truth Social, Trump claimed that US-led diplomatic efforts helped bring both countries to the table and praised their leadership for choosing a path of de-escalation.
<iframe class="truthsocial-embed" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0;" src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/114483405683675564/embed" width="600" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
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&ldquo;After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!&rdquo; Trump posted.
Supporting this statement, Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that both sides had agreed to halt hostilities. &ldquo;Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity,&rdquo; Dar said.
Just a day earlier, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed US involvement in the crisis during a briefing. She reiterated Washington&rsquo;s focus on defusing the situation, noting that both the Secretary of State and National Security Adviser had been actively engaged with leaders in New Delhi and Islamabad.
&ldquo;This is something that the secretary of state, and now, our national security adviser as well, Marco Rubio, has been very much involved in. The President wants to see this de-escalate as quickly as possible,&rdquo; Leavitt said.
She further emphasized the historic context of the conflict and noted ongoing US communication with both countries to avoid further conflict. &ldquo;He understands these are two countries that have been at odds with one another for decades, long before President Trump was here in the Oval Office. However, he has good relationships with the leaders of both countries and the Secretary of State Marco Rubio, I spoke to him just yesterday. He has been in constant communication with the leaders of both countries, trying to bring this conflict to an end,&rdquo; she added.
When asked about a possible direct conversation between President Trump and the heads of state from India and Pakistan, Leavitt said, &ldquo;If and when that happens, we will certainly let you know.&rdquo;
Earlier in the day, India&rsquo;s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed the situation in a press briefing. He underlined that Pakistan&rsquo;s actions were being treated as aggressive and unwarranted. &ldquo;The actions being undertaken by Pakistan against India are being seen as &lsquo;escalatory&rsquo; and &lsquo;provocative&rsquo; in nature,&rdquo; Misri said, while also presenting evidence to counter false claims coming from Islamabad.

India accuses Pakistan of escalating conflict by targeting military and medical facilities; Indian forces strike back at military assets with precision.

Pak moving troops in forward areas, befitting reply given: Col Sofiya Qureshi

India accuses Pakistan of escalating conflict by targeting military and medical facilities; Indian forces strike back at military assets with precision.

Pakistan's military is moving its troops in forward areas, India said on Saturday as the two countries continued to attack each other&rsquo;s military facilities, dangerously escalating the ongoing conflict.
"The Pakistan military is observed to be moving their troops to border areas," Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said at a press briefing along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
Pakistan, she said, had launched a high speed missile in Punjab and attacked medical facilities in Srinagar, Avantipura and Udhampur.
"A befitting reply has been given to Pakistani actions," Qureshi said.
"Pakistan military used high-speed missiles at 1.40 am to target air base in Punjab," she disclosed.
Pakistan used drones, long-range weapons, loitering munitions, jets to attack India's military sites along the Western front, Qureshi said. In response to Pakistani actions, India has responded in a measured way, said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
OPERATION SINDOOR Pakistan&rsquo;s blatant escalation with drone strikes and other munitions continues along our western borders. In one such incident, today at approximately 5 AM, Multiple enemy armed drones were spotted flying over Khasa Cantt, Amritsar. The hostile drones were&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/BrfEzrZBuC">pic.twitter.com/BrfEzrZBuC</a>
&mdash; ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) <a href="https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1921040657897914714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
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"It is the Pakistani act that constituted provocation and escalation," he said. . He dismissed as ludicrous claims by Pakistan of missiles being fired at religious sites.
India also said that Pakistan's claims of critical infrastructure damage were "completely false".
The Indian military showed time stamped pictures to deny Pakistan's claims about air force stations and base destruction in India.
"Indian armed forces remain in high state of operational readiness... all hostile actions have been effectively countered," Wing Commander Vyomika Singh told reporters.
India, she said, had targeted Pakistan military assets in Rahim Yar Khan.
"Pakistan had attempted a malicious misinformation campaign. Its claims of destroying our S-400 system and airfields at Surat were false," Singh said.
Indian armed forces carried out precision strikes only at identified military targets in response to Pakistan's actions, she said.
Singh said Indian armed forces are committed to non-escalation, provided Pakistan side reciprocates.

OTT platforms asked to remove Pakistan-origin content amid rising Indo-Pak tensions
&nbsp;

OTT platforms asked to remove Pakistan-origin content amid rising Indo-Pak tensions

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) on Thursday asked all OTT platforms, digital streaming services, and intermediaries operating in India to immediately discontinue all web series, films, songs, podcasts, and any other media content originating from Pakistan.

OTT platforms asked to remove Pakistan-origin content amid rising Indo-Pak tensions 
<div>&nbsp;</div>

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&amp;B) on Thursday asked all OTT platforms, digital streaming services, and intermediaries operating in India to immediately discontinue all web series, films, songs, podcasts, and any other media content originating from Pakistan.
The advisory, issued in the interest of national security, applies across both subscription-based and free-to-access platforms.
 The directive comes against the backdrop of escalating border tensions between India and Pakistan, following Operation Sindoor, which is India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, and the shelling by Pakistan at the Line of Control.&nbsp;
&ldquo;In the interest of national security, all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription based model or otherwise, having its origins in Pakistan with immediate effect,&rdquo; the ministry said in a statement.
&nbsp;
Prior to content restrictions, Indian digital platforms have also restricted access to the social media handles of several Pakistani celebrities. Users in India have reported that verified profiles of actors, singers, and public figures from Pakistan are no longer accessible on platforms including Instagram, X, and YouTube.
&nbsp;
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;Ministry of Information &amp;amp; Broadcasting has issued an advisory to OTT platforms, media streaming services, and intermediaries operating in India to immediately discontinue hosting or streaming any content of Pakistani origin, including web series, films, songs, and podcasts,&hellip;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/SpokespersonMoD/status/1920506908844138523?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;May 8, 2025&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Over the years, Pakistani content has cultivated a niche but growing audience base in India through digital distribution. Pakistani television dramas gained popularity when they were streamed on Indian platforms like ZEE5.
Pakistani films including Bol, Khuda Kay Liye, Cake, and Laal Kabootar were also made available to Indian audiences on platforms like Prime Video and YouTube.
&nbsp;
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Rohit Sharma retires from Test cricket, passing the leadership baton to rising star Shubman Gill. This marks a pivotal moment for Indian cricket as a new generation prepares to lead.

Rohit Sharma Retires: Who will take over as the next India Test captain?

Rohit Sharma retires from Test cricket, paving the way for Shubman Gill's leadership. This transition embodies a new era for Indian cricket, promising fresh dynamics in the team.

Who will take over as the next India Test captain

Rohit Sharma retires from Test cricket, leaving a legacy of brilliance. Shubman Gill, at 25, is seen as the captaincy frontrunner, poised to lead India in the Test arena. This transition marks a new chapter for Indian cricket.

Rohit Sharma has officially stepped away from Test cricket- marking the end of a gritty, flair-filled chapter in Indian cricket.
Why did the &lsquo;HITMAN&rsquo; walk away from Tests? 
If the sources are to be believed, selectors had already discussed moving on from Rohit ahead of the five-match England series this June &mdash; India&rsquo;s first step in the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
The message from the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee was clear: it&rsquo;s time for a CHANGE.
Rohit&rsquo;s exit doesn&rsquo;t come as a shock to those who&rsquo;ve followed his recent red-ball form. Once feared for his effortless hand-eye coordination and &lsquo;stand and deliver&rsquo; strokeplay, the Hitman found himself battling fading reflexes and old technical gaps.
The short ball, which he used to pull for fun, started troubling him. Still, let&rsquo;s not forget the journey &mdash; over 4,300 Test runs, 12 centuries, and the remarkable switch from middle-order to elite opener.
His leadership brought calm, clarity, and some massive wins for Team India in the longer form of the game.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
A memorable chapter in whites comes to a close for Rohit Sharma 👏🤍 <a href="https://t.co/kCRKDeoX8q">pic.twitter.com/kCRKDeoX8q</a>
&mdash; ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1920147823296737447?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
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As the 35th Indian Test captain, Rohit leaves behind a legacy shaped by style, grit, and determination.
While he&rsquo;ll still be lighting it up in ODIs, his red-ball goodbye was anything but bitter. It was classy. Vintage Rohit.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Countless memories, magnificent moments. Thank you, Captain 🫡🫡<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RohitSharma?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RohitSharma</a> <a href="https://t.co/l6cudgyaZC">pic.twitter.com/l6cudgyaZC</a>
&mdash; BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1920160051744157771?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
But now, the big question: Who&rsquo;s next?
With Rohit out and Jasprit Bumrah battling a back injury that&rsquo;s already ruled him out of action for four months, including the Champions Trophy, India suddenly finds itself in a leadership void. Virat Kohli?
Doesn&rsquo;t seem likely. At 36 and amid a lean Test run, Kohli is keen to just focus on scoring runs, not taking on the weight of captaincy again.
All eyes, then, are on Shubman Gill
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/681c765b1acdf_1746695771.jpeg" width="337" height="189">
At 25, Gill is ticking all the boxes. consistent across all formats, vice-captain already, and currently captaining Gujarat Titans to the top of the IPL table.
The selectors see him as the long-term bet &mdash; a composed presence with a modern mindset and a batting record to back it up.
Will the baton be passed to him? Only time will tell, but he surely is a frontrunner.
Can Rishabh Pant be another choice? 
He remains a strong contender with his match-winning knocks in Tests and his involvement in on-field decision-making as the team&rsquo;s keeper.
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/681c76ba8f7be_1746695866.jpg" width="372" height="209">
&nbsp;
But he has yet to prove himself as a full-time leader.
The southpaw brings energy, aggression, and game-changing instincts, but when it comes to leadership, will the selectors trust him?
Given his all-format presence and recent elevation in the team hierarchy, Gill looks set to take over the red-ball reins ahead of Pant ..
Soon we will see a Gen Z-powered era in Indian Test cricket.

MS Dhoni hints at retiring from IPL due to fitness challenges. His focus shifts to evaluating CSK's team depth as playoff hopes fade. Despite struggles, Dhoni remains motivated by fan support while contemplating future decisions.

Nothing to decide now, will take a call later: Dhoni on IPL future

At 42, MS Dhoni mulls IPL retirement, affected by knee surgery and fitness concerns. Dhoni's future in cricket depends on physical capability post-season. With CSK missing playoffs, he reassesses team lineup, valuing mental resilience and tactical adaptability.

MS Dhoni, CSK's captain, considers retirement amid physical challenges at 42. His IPL career's end depends on his body's fitness. Dhoni's focus shifts to CSK's team evaluation as playoff hopes diminish, emphasizing mental resilience for future readiness.

Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni says "there is no escaping the fact" that he is in the twilight of his IPL career but a decision on his future will depend on how his body responds to the pressure of hard work in the next six to eight months.
The former India captain, who is being met with a sea of adoring fans in yellow at every venue he goes to, is well aware of the emotions and his passionate followers' desire to be there when he plays his last game.
"That is the love and affection I have gotten throughout. Not to forget I am 42 (43). I have played a long time. A lot of them don't know when it is going to be my last time, so they want to come and see me play," Dhoni said after CSK's two-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders here on Wednesday.
Dhoni, who underwent a knee surgery in 2023, has continued to battle fitness concerns.
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming recently admitted that the veteran "can't bat 10 overs running full stick." All of this has contributed in building speculation that the ongoing season is his last outing in the league.
The enigmatic wicketkeeper-batter said he is fully aware of where he stands in his storied career right now but will not make a decision without deliberating hard over it and fully assessing his fitness.
"There is no escaping the fact (that I am in the last phase of my career). After this IPL gets over, I have to work hard for another 6-8 months to see if my body can take this pressure.
"Nothing to decide now but the love and affection I have seen is excellent," Dhoni said.
The win was only the third of CSK's disappointing season marred by inconsistency. With play-off hopes dashed, Dhoni said the focus is now on testing bench strength. "There were a few things that did not go our way.
You could get emotional about it, talk about the pride factor but you have to be practical about it. "(You) want to be competitive but you also want answers - which batter can fit where, which bowler can bowl where, according to the conditions and all. When we started, hardly anyone was scoring. "We are out of the tournament, so you give them a chance, see how they react.
It is the approach, the mental toughness that you want to check. The most technically-correct batter does not always score the runs, if you have good awareness...there is a chance to be consistent.

Pakistan's Defense Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, faces criticism for citing social media as evidence for claims of downing Indian jets.

Pakistan Minister Faces Backlash Over Jet Claims

Pakistan's Defense Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, is under scrutiny for unsubstantiated claims of downing Indian jets, sparking controversy.

CNN anchor schools Pak minister for absurd 'social media' reply as proof of downing Indian jets

Pakistan's Defense Minister faced criticism for baseless claims of shooting down Indian jets, citing social media as evidence.

&nbsp;In a recent CNN interview, Pakistan&rsquo;s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif found himself at the center of criticism after failing to provide evidence for Pakistan's bold claims of shooting down five Indian Air Force jets. The encounter highlighted the pitfalls of relying on unverified social media reports for serious defense claims.
During the interview, CNN&rsquo;s Becky Anderson directly questioned Minister Asif about Pakistan&rsquo;s assertions tied to Operation Sindoor.
&nbsp;
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;CNN anchor grills Pakistan&amp;#39;s defence minister&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Anchor: You say PAK shot down 5 Indian jets. Where&amp;#39;s the evidence?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Khwaja Asif: It&amp;#39;s all over social media &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;CNN Anchor: ....I&amp;#39;m sorry we didn&amp;#39;t ask you here to talk about social media content &lt;a href="https://t.co/hA8LucaaKv"&gt;pic.twitter.com/hA8LucaaKv&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/MattooShashank/status/1920176422171136267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;May 7, 2025&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
&nbsp;
When asked to furnish concrete evidence for the alleged downing of five Indian jets, Asif curiously pointed to social media as his source. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s all over social media. On Indian social media, not on our social media,&rdquo; he said, adding that debris from the jets was supposedly mentioned in Indian outlets.
However, Anderson was quick to redirect the conversation, emphasizing the need for official, substantiated information rather than unverified online chatter.
&ldquo;You&rsquo;re the defense minister, sir. The reason to talk to you today, sir, is not to talk about content all over social media. I&rsquo;m sorry,&rdquo; she interjected.
This exchange not only underscored the importance of evidence in international military claims but also led to widespread commentary and trolling on various social media platforms.
The interaction serves as a reminder of the critical nature of credible communication, especially in matters of international security.

Amid rising Indo-Pak tensions, schools in six Punjab districts close following India's missile strikes on terror sites after Kashmir attack.

Schools shut across six border districts in Punjab following 'Operation Sindoor'

Schools in six Punjab districts shut down as India responds to terror threats with missile strikes on Pakistan, addressing recent attacks.

Amid soaring tension between India and Pakistan, all schools in six border districts of Punjab remained shut on Thursday, officials said.
The schools were closed in Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran districts, they said.
Tensions escalated after Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke, in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam.
The Tarn Taran deputy commissioner issued an order that said all schools in the district will remain closed from May 8 till 11.
In Ferozepur, the authorities ordered closure of schools for the next 72 hours till further orders, officials said.
Schools in Fazilka would also remain closed till further orders, they said. India carried out the cross-border military strikes early Wednesday under 'Operation Sindoor', two weeks after the massacre of 26 people, mostly tourists, in Pahalgam.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh explained and gave insights into the target sites chosen inside Pakistan.

Operation Sindoor: Targets inside Pak explained by Col Sofiya Qureshi & Wing commander Vyomika Singh

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh explained and gave insights into the target sites chosen inside Pakistan.


Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh explained and gave insights into the target sites chosen inside Pakistan.

In a decisive response to the deadly Pahalgam attack, India on Wednesday carried out missile strikes on terror targets across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The targeted sites included key strongholds of terrorist organizations, including Jaish-e-Mohammad&rsquo;s base in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba&rsquo;s camp in Muridke, as part of Operation Sindoor.
The military action, which took place two weeks after the tragic attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives, was described by Indian officials as measured, non-escalatory, and responsible. The statement was made at a media briefing by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Col. Sofia Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
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Misri emphasized that the strikes were aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure and disabling terrorists likely to be sent across to India. "These actions were measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and responsible," Misri stated. "They focused on dismantling the terrorist infrastructure and disabling those likely to be sent across to India."
Recalling the United Nations Security Council&rsquo;s statement on the Pahalgam attack, Misri underscored the need to hold accountable those responsible for the attack, including its perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors. He further added, &ldquo;India's latest action should be seen in this context.&rdquo;
Addressing the media, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh explained that the strikes were launched to deliver justice to the victims and families of the Pahalgam attack. &ldquo;Nine terror sites were targeted and successfully destroyed. The locations were selected to avoid any damage to civilian infrastructures and prevent civilian casualties,&rdquo; Singh said. The targets included terror camps in Muridke, Sialkot, Barnala, Kotli, and Mehmoona Joya.
Col. Qureshi also presented videos of the destruction of these terror camps, including the infamous Muridke camp where the 2008 Mumbai attacks&rsquo; perpetrators, David Headley and Ajmal Kasab, were trained. The operation, Singh stated, was carried out with precision to ensure there was no collateral damage.
The Foreign Secretary further noted that despite the passage of two weeks since the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan had failed to take any significant action against the terrorist infrastructure on its soil or in areas under its control. "Instead, all Pakistan has done is indulge in denial and allegations," Misri remarked. He pointed out that intelligence monitoring indicated that further attacks were imminent, leading to India&rsquo;s decision to act.
Misri continued, &ldquo;Our intelligence indicated that further attacks against India were impending. Thus, there was a compulsion to deter and preempt.&rdquo;
The attack in Pahalgam, according to Misri, was aimed at undermining the return to normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. He described the attack as &ldquo;marked with extreme barbarity,&rdquo; with victims killed at close range, in front of their families, and deliberately traumatised. &ldquo;The attack was clearly driven by the objective of undermining normalcy returning to Kashmir,&rdquo; he added.
Indian intelligence agencies had been closely monitoring terrorist activities, with concerns raised over more potential attacks. Misri said, &ldquo;Earlier this morning, India exercised its right to respond to deter such cross-border terrorism. Our actions were measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and focused on dismantling terrorists' infrastructure.&rdquo;
The missile strikes are seen as a clear message to Pakistan that India will not tolerate the continued export of terrorism and will act decisively to protect its citizens.

The nine targets, four in Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, were chosen by the IAF after receiving intelligence inputs about the concealed camps in health centres to avoid detection, officials said. 

List of 9 Terror Facility Locations in Pakistan and PoK that have been successfully neutralised 

The nine targets, four in Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, were chosen by the IAF after receiving intelligence inputs about the concealed camps in health centres to avoid detection, officials said.

The nine targets, four in Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, were chosen by the IAF after receiving intelligence inputs about the concealed camps in health centres to avoid detection, officials said.&nbsp;

The nine targets, four in Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, were chosen by the IAF after receiving intelligence inputs about the concealed camps in health centres to avoid detection, officials said.
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;Operation Sindoor Updates | Take a look at the thread below for full details:&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The nine targets, four in Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, were chosen by the IAF after receiving intelligence inputs about the concealed camps in health centres to avoid detection,&hellip; &lt;a href="https://t.co/Qu6uAii7YX"&gt;pic.twitter.com/Qu6uAii7YX&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1919957714517561364?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;May 7, 2025&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;
The targets under the 'Operation Sindoor' launched by India in the aftermath of April 22 killing of tourists at Pahalgam included the headquarters of globally banned terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba besides Hizbul Mujahideen

Increasing tensions between India and Pakistan disrupt air travel, with several flights canceled and airports closed following Operation Sindoor's targeted strikes.

India-Pakistan Tensions Disrupt Air Travel

Tensions escalate as India conducts airstrikes on terror targets, disrupting flights and closing airports. Passengers need to stay updated on travel changes.

India-Pakistan Tensions Impact Flights

Heightened tensions lead airlines to suspend flights in northern India. Indian Air Force launches Operation Sindoor, targeting terror bases.

Operation Sindoor: Domestic airlines have cancelled multiple flights from various cities due to the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Srinagar, Leh, Dhramshala, Amritsar airports have also been closed.
The Indian Air Force carried out an airstrike in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir in retaliation to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam where terrorists opened fire on civilians, mostly holidayers, at the Baisaran meadow, killing at least 26 people.
Delhi Airport also issued a statement that multiple flights have been impacted. "Kindly note, due to changing airspace conditions some flights have been impacted at Delhi airport," it said. Airlines took to social media to update travellers as they cancelled multiple flights in Northern India.
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IndiGo said their &ldquo;flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Bikaner and Dharamshala are impacted by the current airspace restrictions&rdquo;.
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TravelUpdate?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#TravelUpdate&lt;/a&gt;: The affected passengers can opt for a full refund or an alternate flight (as per availability) through &lt;a href="https://t.co/Qu3bOTyk2z"&gt;https://t.co/Qu3bOTyk2z&lt;/a&gt; or via our 24/7 customer care helpline +91 (0)124 4983410/+91 (0)124 7101600. &lt;a href="https://t.co/EK1LYbgSGL"&gt;https://t.co/EK1LYbgSGL&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/flyspicejet/status/1919907622448234787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;May 7, 2025&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
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It followed up with updates stating that flight operations in Jodhpur, Bikaner and Gwalior have also been impacted. Air India stated it has cancelled all its flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh and Rajkot till 12 pm on May 7.
&ldquo;Two international flights en route to Amritsar are being diverted to Delhi,&rdquo; it said.
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TravelAdvisory?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#TravelAdvisory&lt;/a&gt; &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;In view of the prevailing situation, Air India has cancelled all its flights to and from the following stations &ndash; Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh and Rajkot &ndash; till 12 noon on 7 May, pending further updates from authorities.&hellip;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Air India (@airindia) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/airindia/status/1919895968457359513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;May 6, 2025&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
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SpiceJet said airports in Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar have been closed until further notice, impacting all their departures, arrivals from these said airports. It also offered a full refund to its passengers.
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&ldquo;The affected passengers can opt for a full refund or an alternate flight (as per availability) through http://changes.spicejet.com or via our 24/7 customer care helpline 91 (0)124 4983410/ 91 (0)124 7101600,&rdquo; it said.
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Air India Express stated multiple flights in their network were impacted including to and from Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar and Hindon. OPERATION SINDOOR In a decisive military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces launched missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir early Wednesday.
The targets included the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke, as well as training camps of Hizbul Mujahideen.
The operation was named 'Operation Sindoor'.
The defence ministry stated that the strikes were focused, measured, and non-escalatory, ensuring no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi closely monitored the operation, which successfully hit all nine targets, including regions in PoK where terror camps have long existed.
Pakistan's military and political leaders called it an act of war. Its foreign ministry accused India of violating its sovereignty and warned of a potential response.
India has briefed several countries, including the US, UK, and Russia, about the operation, emphasising its commitment to holding those responsible for the Pahalgam attack accountable. The Indian military remains on high alert along the Pakistan frontier as the situation develops.

Shubham Dwivedi’s wife thanked PM Modi, calling Operation Sindoor a true tribute and justice for her husband's death in Pahalgam.

Pahalgam victim Shubham Dwivedi’s wife sends message for PM Modi after Operation Sindoor

Shubham Dwivedi&rsquo;s wife thanked PM Modi, calling Operation Sindoor a true tribute and justice for her husband's death in Pahalgam.

The wife of 30-year-old Shubham Dwivedi, killed in the April 22 attack on civilians in Pahalgam, has spoken out after the Indian army carried out Operation Sindoor in retaliation for the Jammu and Kashmir terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives. During an interview, she thanked PM Modi and called it a &ldquo;real tribute&rdquo; to her husband.
&ldquo;I want to thank PM Modi for taking revenge for my husband's death. My entire family had trust in him, and the way he replied (to Pakistan), he has kept our trust alive. This is the real tribute to my husband. Wherever my husband is, he will be at peace today,&rdquo; Ashanya Dwivedi told ANI.&nbsp;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OperationSindoor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OperationSindoor</a> | Wife of Shubham Dwivedi who lost his life in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PahalgamTerroristAttack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PahalgamTerroristAttack</a>, says, "I want to thank PM Modi for taking revenge for my husband's death. My entire family had trust in him, and the way he replied (to Pakistan), he has kept our trust alive. This&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/SbSsFcWU1k">pic.twitter.com/SbSsFcWU1k</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1919925891167354944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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On May 3, Ashanya Dwivedi immersed her husband's ashes at Sangam in Prayagraj amid chanting of Vedic mantras. Shubham Dwivedi visited Pahalgam&rsquo;s Baisaran Valley with his wife and sister-in-law. He lost his life after terrorists opened fire on tourists. Dwivedi was from Kanpur and had gotten married on February 12 this year. He was shot in the head during the terrorist attack.
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India conducted precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK after the Pahalgam attack

Operation Sindoor: India hits 9 sites; 4 Terror Bases In Pak, 5 In POK

In a historic tri-services operation, the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force carried out precision strikes at 1:44 am, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

India conducted precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK after the Pahalgam attack

In a historic tri-services operation, the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force carried out precision strikes at 1:44 am, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The strikes were conducted in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians.&nbsp;
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&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;India has launched &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OperationSindoor?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#OperationSindoor&lt;/a&gt;, a precise and restrained response to the barbaric &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PahalgamTerrorAttack?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#PahalgamTerrorAttack&lt;/a&gt; that claimed 26 lives, including one Nepali citizen. Focused strikes were carried out on nine &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/terrorist?src=hash&amp;amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;#terrorist&lt;/a&gt; infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and&hellip;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/SpokespersonMoD/status/1919857186655944825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;May 6, 2025&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
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The coordinated assault, codenamed &lsquo;Operation Sindoor&rsquo;, targeted nine locations from which terror attacks were being planned and directed. The identified sites included areas in both Pakistan and PoK.
&ldquo;Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities were targeted. India has shown restraint in both the selection of targets and the execution of the operation,&rdquo; said an official Indian statement. &ldquo;We are fulfilling our commitment that those responsible for the Pahalgam attack will be held accountable.&rdquo;
Sources indicated that this was just Phase 1 of India&rsquo;s response, and further actions could follow depending on Pakistan&rsquo;s reaction.
In retaliation, Pakistan initiated cross-border firing and artillery shelling on Indian villages along the Line of Control, resulting in the deaths of three civilians.
Pakistan&rsquo;s military spokesperson, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhary, confirmed that India had struck sites in Kotli, Muridke, Bahawalpur, Chak Amru, Bhimber, Gulpur, Sialkot, and two locations in Muzaffarabad. Sialkot, Bahawalpur, Chak Amru, and Muridke lie across the international border, while the remaining are situated in PoK.
Among the targeted sites were key terror hubs: Muridke, the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba led by Hafiz Saeed, and Bahawalpur, a known base of Jaish-e-Mohammad, operated by Masood Azhar.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes, calling them "an act of war" and declared, &ldquo;Pakistan has every right to respond forcefully to this aggression, and a strong response is underway.&rdquo;
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Amid rising tensions with Pakistan, India heightens civil defence with a nationwide drill set for May 7, aiming to bolster preparedness against potential threats.

India Ramps Up Civil Defence Amid Tensions

In response to increasing tensions with Pakistan, India is enhancing its civil defence measures. A massive drill on May 7 will test the nation’s readiness to handle potential threats, simulating emergency and hostile scenarios to strengthen national resilience.

19 top priority sites marked for mock drill by MHA

India enhances civil defence amid Pakistan tensions, scheduling a nationwide drill on May 7 to test readiness against potential hostile attacks.

In response to escalating tensions with Pakistan following the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government is intensifying its civil defence preparedness across the nation.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan chaired a crucial review meeting on Tuesday via video conferencing with chief secretaries from states and Union Territories (UTs) to finalise plans for a massive national civil defence mock drill scheduled for May 7.
The meeting saw participation from chief secretaries, civil defence heads, and officials from key Central forces, including Directors General of Civil Defence and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). During the discussions, officials identified critical "loopholes" in the existing defence mechanisms.
"We reviewed preparedness and have pinpointed areas needing improvement," a senior National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) official disclosed to TNIE.
An advisory was issued on Monday by the Ministry of Home Affairs urging all states and UTs to conduct coordinated civil defence exercises. These drills will encompass all of India's 244 designated civil defence districts, many of which are perceived as vulnerable to potential threats, including wartime scenarios.
Of the 244 sites, 19 have been prioritized for the upcoming drill on Wednesday, sources revealed.
The exercise aims to assess and bolster the civil defence machinery's readiness against potential hostile attacks or emergencies. Simulating a war-like situation, the drill will include operationalizing air raid warning systems, activating sirens, and coordinating responses from local emergency services.
"The goal is to ensure that the nation and its administrative structures are prepared for any contingencies arising from a hostile environment. This civil defence drill, the first in decades, will concurrently test infrastructure and human response across various regions," an official stated.
This will be the first national-level civil defence exercise since 1971, with no such drills conducted even during the 1999 Kargil conflict (Operation Vijay).
Officials emphasize the necessity of public cooperation, with local authorities expected to issue detailed guidelines on how residents in vulnerable zones should react during the drill. State disaster response forces, health departments, local police, and district administrations will actively partake in the exercise.
The drill's backdrop&mdash;growing tension on the western border&mdash;magnifies its urgency. The April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which killed several security personnel and civilians, has heightened fears of cross-border terrorism and potential escalations.
Although the government has not explicitly linked the mock drill to the current geopolitical climate, its timing has attracted attention from analysts and defence observers.
"This is a definitive statement that India is not underestimating any threat. While formally a routine preparedness measure, the drill's timing and scale are clearly influenced by the worsening regional security climate," noted a senior retired military officer.
As India prepares for the May 7 drill, authorities are urging citizens to remain calm, stressing that the exercises are precautionary and aim to enhance national resilience.
Key Features of the Proposed Exercise:
- Operationalization of air raid warning sirens - Activation of hotline and radio communication links with the Indian Air Force - Establishment and manning of control and shadow control rooms - Civil defence training for civilians, including students, in attack scenarios - Activation of civil defence services, including wardens, firefighting, and rescue services - Implementation of blackout measures - Early camouflage of vital installations - Updating and rehearsing civil defence plans - Updating and rehearsing evacuation plans - Cleaning of bunkers, trenches, and related facilities

Union Home Ministry directs states for mock drills to assess civil defence, involving air raid systems, communication links, and training initiatives.

India to Conduct Statewide Mock Drills for Defence

The Union Home Ministry has initiated mock drills across states to evaluate and improve civil defence preparedness through training and strategic measures.

The Union Home Ministry orders states to conduct mock drills to evaluate civil defence preparedness, featuring training and strategic measures.

The Union Home Ministry has asked several states to conduct mock drills on Wednesday to evaluate civil defence preparedness.
Sources in the Ministry said that the measures to be undertaken include operationalization of Air Raid Warning Sirens and training of civilians and students on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack.
Sources added that the measures also include the provision of crash blackout measures, provision for early camouflaging of vital installations and update of the evacuation plan and its rehearsal.
A mock drill is a kind of a practice operation designed to prepare individuals for potential emergencies or critical situations.
What is in the order?
 According to the MHA, the primary objectives of the mock drill are as follows:
&bull; To assess the effectiveness of air raid warning systems.
&bull; Operationalisation of Hotline/Radio Communication Links with the Indian Air Force.
&bull; To test the functionality of control rooms and shadow control rooms.
&bull; Training civilians, students, etc., on civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack.
&bull; Provision of crash blackout measures.
&bull; Provision for early camouflaging of vital plants/installations.
&bull; To verify the activation and response of Civil Defence services, including warden services, firefighting, rescue operations, and depot management.
&bull; To assess the implementation of crash blackout measures.
&bull; To evaluate the preparedness of evacuation plans and their execution.
&ldquo;The conduct of the exercise is planned up to the village level. This exercise aims to assess and enhance the readiness of civil defence mechanisms across all states and Union territories,&rdquo; the letter said.
The home ministry's order also said the exercise is expected to involve the active participation of district controllers, local authorities, civil defence wardens, volunteers, home guards (both active and reserve), members of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), and college and school students.

The UNSC meets to discuss escalating India-Pakistan tensions after the Pahalgam attack. Greece leads efforts for diplomatic dialogue amid international concern.

UNSC Addresses India-Pakistan Tensions Post-Attack

UNSC to hold ‘closed consultations’ on India-Pakistan tension over Pahalgam attack today

The UNSC discusses rising India-Pakistan tension post-Pahalgam attack amid international focus on diplomatic solutions.

Amid the rising tensions in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, the UN Security Council on Monday will hold closed consultations on the situation between India and Pakistan.
Pakistan, rattled with India's punitive measures, had sought an emergency meeting on the issue, news agency PTI reported. Islamabad is a non-permanent member of the 15-nation UNSC, over which Greece is presiding for May.
Islamabad reportedly "requested closed consultations" on the tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, and the Greek Presidency scheduled the same for the afternoon of May 5.
The UN Security Council has five veto-wielding members, namely China, France, Russia, the UK and the US. The other 10 non-permanent members are Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Somalia.
Twenty-six people, mostly tourists, died in the Pahalgam terror attack. India has taken several punitive actions against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, cancellation of all visas issued to Pakistani nationals and a ban on all imports from Islamabad. Last week, Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN and President of UNSC for May, said he thinks that if a request came for a meeting to discuss the Indo-Pak situation then it should take place "because, as we said, maybe it's also an opportunity to have views expressed and this might help to diffuse a bit of tension".
&ldquo;We are in close contact...but this is something which might happen, I would say, sooner rather than later. We will see, we are preparing,&rdquo; Sekeris had said. The Greek Ambassador had said that the issue of India being a victim of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan "is very pertinent".
"As I said before, as a position of principle, we strongly condemn any act of terrorism, and this is what we did" on the "heinous attack" that took place in Kashmir, he added.
He noted that while the UNSC condemns terrorism in all its forms, it is also concerned about the mounting tensions in the region. "Two very big countries. Of course, India is far more bigger (than Pakistan)", Sekeris said. Jaishankar speaks to UNSC members External affairs minister S Jaishankar had spoken to all the Council members over the weeks following the Pahalgam attack, excluding China and Pakistan.
Jaishankar emphasised bringing to justice the perpetrators, backers and planners of the terror attack in these calls. The EAM also had a "good conversation" with his Greek counterpart, George Gerapetritis, and discussed the Pahalgam attack. Jaishankar had said that India welcomed Greece's stance on cross-border terrorism, adding that "our Strategic Partnership reflects the depth of our ties". In addition, Jaishankar also spoke with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, UK foreign secretary David Lammy, French foreign minister Jean-No&euml;l Barrot.
UN urges India, Pak to exercise 'maximum restraint' Just days after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, the United Nations urged India and Pakistan to exercise "maximum restrain" to prevent further escalation. UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric had condemned the terrorist attack and said that issues between the two nuclear-armed neighbours should be resolved peacefully via "meaningful mutual engagement".
Last week, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres called S Jaishankar and Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif separately and condemned the Pahalgam attack.

India's External Affairs Minister meets US Secretary over Pahalgam attack; India reacts strongly amid growing tensions.

Jaishankar Discusses Pahalgam Terror Attack with US

Jaishankar raises US concerns on Pahalgam attack; India's strategic actions amid tensions and cross-border challenges.

Jaishankar called for the perpetrators, backers, and planners of the Pahalgam terrorist attack to be brought to justice.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said he discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and called for justice for those responsible. &ldquo;Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with US @SecRubio yesterday.
Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice,&rdquo; Jaishankar wrote on X (formerly Twitter)
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&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with US <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRubio</a> yesterday. Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice.
&mdash; Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1917761451789369613?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Following a rise in ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with S Jaishankar on Thursday.
During the call, Rubio reaffirmed the United States' commitment to collaborating with India in the fight against terrorism.
He expressed sorrow over the &ldquo;horrific terrorist attack&rdquo; in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, and encouraged India to engage with Pakistan to &ldquo;de-escalate tensions&rdquo; and ensure peace and security in South Asia, according to US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
In retaliation, India has taken several steps against Pakistan, including holding the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, closing the Integrated Check Post at Attari, and reducing the strength of High Commissions.
The government has granted the armed forces full operational freedom to determine the response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
Indian Army responds to Pakistan's unprovoked fire across LoC The Indian Army has swiftly and effectively responded to Pakistan Army's unprovoked small arms fire across the LoC.
On the night of April 30-May 1, Pakistan Army opened unprovoked small-arms fire across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara, Uri, and Akhnoor sectors for the seventh consecutive night, with the Indian Army responding proportionately.
Similarly, the Indian Army had responded decisively to the firing along the LoC on the night of April 26-27 in areas opposite the Tutmari Gali and Rampur sectors.
In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, security forces have ramped up anti-terror operations in the Kashmir Valley.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met after the Pahalgam terror attack and highlighted its cross-border links, observing that it came after successful elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

In response to the Pahalgam attack, India orders Pakistani nationals to exit, impacting mixed-nationality children in Madhya Pradesh.

MP officials in fix over nine children born to Indian mothers, Pakistani fathers 

Post-Pahalgam attack, India enforces exit orders for Pakistani nationals. Challenges arise for mixed-nationality children in Madhya Pradesh.

Pahalgam attack: MP officials in fix over nine children born to Indian mothers, Pakistani fathers 

India orders Pakistani nationals to leave post-Pahalgam attack. Complexities arise concerning children of mixed nationality in Madhya Pradesh.

Bhopal, Apr 29: Amid the Centre's stern 'leave the country' order following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, authorities in Madhya Pradesh are in a fix over nine children in the state born to Pakistani fathers and Indian mothers, an official said.
They are also looking for a solution in the case of a Pakistani man who applied for a Long Term Visa (LTV) on April 25 in Bhopal just before the Union government's order, the official informed on Monday.
"We have sought advice from the Centre on nine children born to Indian mothers and Pakistani fathers. Four children are with their mothers in Indore, three in Jabalpur and two in Bhopal. We have also sought advice on the man who applied for LTV on April 25," the top official, on condition of anonymity, told PTI.
At least 14 persons in Madhya Pradesh, including these nine children, were supposed to leave the country as per the Union government's order, he added.
"Of them, three have left India and reached Pakistan. One person is in Delhi due to some issue, which is being looked into by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office," he said.
As per another official, there are 228 Pakistani nationals on different types of visas in Madhya Pradesh. Meanwhile, the Centre on Monday said any Pakistani who fails to leave India as per the set deadlines will be arrested and prosecuted.
They may face a jail term of up to three years or a fine of a maximum Rs 3 lakh or both.
The 'Leave India' notice to the Pakistani nationals was issued by the government after 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed by Pakistan-linked terrorists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22.
The Centre on April 25 revoked 14 categories of visas, including business, conference, visitor and pilgrim, given to Pakistani nationals.
In a communication to all state governments, the home ministry said the order will not apply to Long Term Visas (LTVs) and diplomatic and official visas issued to Pakistani nationals.
According to the Home Ministry order, those holding SAARC visas must leave India by April 26, and those with visas on arrival, business, film, journalist, transit, conference, mountaineering, student, visitor, group tourist and pilgrim visas must leave India by April 27.
Those having group pilgrim visas given to Pakistani minorities also must leave the country by April 27, and those having medical visas must leave by April 29.
The home ministry said no new visas will be issued to any Pakistani national. Incidentally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on April 25 called up the chief ministers of all states and asked them to ensure that no Pakistani stays in India beyond the deadline set for leaving the country.
After Shah's telephonic conversations with the chief ministers, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan held a video conference with the chief secretaries and asked them to ensure that all Pakistani nationals whose visas were revoked must leave India by the deadline fixed.

Halwara Airport nears completion, signaling a major boost to Punjab's aviation network with direct flights and enhanced connectivity, supporting economic growth.

Halwara Airport: New Hope for Punjab's Growth

Punjab's Halwara Airport is set to launch, promising to boost connectivity with direct flights to major destinations, driving economic growth and transforming Ludhiana's import-export sector.

Halwara Airport: Punjab's Aviation Boost

MP Arora visits Halwara Airport with citizens, municipal councillors, and industrialists

Chandigarh/Ludhiana, April 27: Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora, accompanied by Ludhiana residents, municipal councillors, and industrialists, visited Halwara Airport on Sunday to review the ongoing progress of work.
During his visit, he toured the airport premises and expressed complete satisfaction with the work completed so far.
MP Arora noted that the project had been stalled for nearly thirty years and lamented that representatives of previous state governments had failed to complete it.
He added that after becoming a Rajya Sabha MP, he immediately prioritized the project. With the support of AAP's National Convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the project is now 100% complete at a cost of approximately Rs. 60 crores. Calling it a dream project of Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, Arora explained that, as per the initial design, a barbed wire fence had been erected around the airport. However, during an AAI inspection in March this year, it was decided to replace the barbed wire with a concrete boundary wall. He mentioned that the AAI team also made a few other suggestions, which are currently being implemented and are likely to be completed soon. He informed that the next AAI inspection visit is scheduled for April 30.
Once the airport is handed over to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) by the Public Works Department, the process of deputing staff will begin. Initially, the AAI plans to operate two flights&mdash;one each in the morning and afternoon.
These flights will connect Ludhiana via Delhi with Europe, as well as countries like the US, Canada, and Australia. Arora emphasized that this connectivity would provide a significant boost to the economy of the entire Punjab region, especially the Malwa belt and Ludhiana.
He expressed hope that flight operations would commence within the next two to three months. He also shared that the airport has been allotted the code "HWR." Regarding the naming of the airport, he clarified that the state government can only recommend a name, while final approval rests with the Centre.
In response to questions, Arora stated that the airport is equipped with a CAT-II system, which enhances its operational efficiency under low-visibility conditions. He further mentioned that the taxiway has the capacity to park two aircraft at a time and that the existing infrastructure can comfortably accommodate around 12 flights per day.
However, he assured that there is ample provision for future expansion. The industrialists and municipal councillors who accompanied MP Arora to Halwara Airport were highly appreciative of him. They gave full credit for the completion of the project to Arora. Kamal Oswal of Oswal Group said that the project was completed due to the relentless efforts of MP Arora, who worked day and night to make it a success. He emphasized that the airport would give a major push to the economy not only of Ludhiana but of the entire Punjab.
He added that since Ludhiana is well-known for its import and export businesses, every business sector would benefit significantly once the flights become operational. He stressed that air connectivity is the need of the hour. Gagan Khanna (Arisudana Industries Ltd) said it was an eye-opener for him after visiting the airport.
He expressed hope that the establishment of the airport would provide a substantial boost to the entire area, which had been neglected for decades due to the lack of air connectivity. He pointed out that the project is finally taking off after more than 40 years, thanks to Arora's efforts.
Rajesh Aggarwal, an exporter, said that exports from Ludhiana would increase manifold once the airport becomes operational.
He also credited Arora for this major achievement. Municipal Councillors Tanvir Singh Dhaliwal, Bhupinder Singh Kainth, Gurpreet Babbal, and Satnam Sunny Master also praised Arora, acknowledging that the airport was completed solely due to his dedicated efforts.
They mentioned that for the past 30-40 years, they had only heard about the airport project, which remained confined to paper.
They said the airport has finally materialized on the ground because of Arora&rsquo;s hard work and sincerity. They hoped that the airport would prove to be a boon for the economy of Ludhiana and other parts of Punjab.
They added that the people of Punjab should be grateful to Arora for setting yet another milestone in the state's history.Chandigarh/Ludhiana, April 27 Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora, accompanied by Ludhiana residents, municipal councillors, and industrialists, visited Halwara Airport on Sunday to review the ongoing progress of work.
During his visit, he toured the airport premises and expressed complete satisfaction with the work completed so far.
MP Arora noted that the project had been stalled for nearly thirty years and lamented that representatives of previous state governments had failed to complete it.
He added that after becoming a Rajya Sabha MP, he immediately prioritized the project. With the support of AAP's National Convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the project is now 100% complete at a cost of approximately Rs. 60 crores.
Calling it a dream project of Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, Arora explained that, as per the initial design, a barbed wire fence had been erected around the airport.
However, during an AAI inspection in March this year, it was decided to replace the barbed wire with a concrete boundary wall.
He mentioned that the AAI team also made a few other suggestions, which are currently being implemented and are likely to be completed soon. He informed that the next AAI inspection visit is scheduled for April 30.
Once the airport is handed over to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) by the Public Works Department, the process of deputing staff will begin. Initially, the AAI plans to operate two flights&mdash;one each in the morning and afternoon.
These flights will connect Ludhiana via Delhi with Europe, as well as countries like the US, Canada, and Australia. Arora emphasized that this connectivity would provide a significant boost to the economy of the entire Punjab region, especially the Malwa belt and Ludhiana.
He expressed hope that flight operations would commence within the next two to three months. He also shared that the airport has been allotted the code "HWR." Regarding the naming of the airport, he clarified that the state government can only recommend a name, while final approval rests with the Centre. In response to questions, Arora stated that the airport is equipped with a CAT-II system, which enhances its operational efficiency under low-visibility conditions.
He further mentioned that the taxiway has the capacity to park two aircraft at a time and that the existing infrastructure can comfortably accommodate around 12 flights per day.
However, he assured that there is ample provision for future expansion. The industrialists and municipal councillors who accompanied MP Arora to Halwara Airport were highly appreciative of him. They gave full credit for the completion of the project to Arora.
Kamal Oswal of Oswal Group said that the project was completed due to the relentless efforts of MP Arora, who worked day and night to make it a success.
He emphasized that the airport would give a major push to the economy not only of Ludhiana but of the entire Punjab. He added that since Ludhiana is well-known for its import and export businesses, every business sector would benefit significantly once the flights become operational.
He stressed that air connectivity is the need of the hour. Gagan Khanna (Arisudana Industries Ltd) said it was an eye-opener for him after visiting the airport. He expressed hope that the establishment of the airport would provide a substantial boost to the entire area, which had been neglected for decades due to the lack of air connectivity.
He pointed out that the project is finally taking off after more than 40 years, thanks to Arora's efforts. Rajesh Aggarwal, an exporter, said that exports from Ludhiana would increase manifold once the airport becomes operational.
He also credited Arora for this major achievement. Municipal Councillors Tanvir Singh Dhaliwal, Bhupinder Singh Kainth, Gurpreet Babbal, and Satnam Sunny Master also praised Arora, acknowledging that the airport was completed solely due to his dedicated efforts.
They mentioned that for the past 30-40 years, they had only heard about the airport project, which remained confined to paper.
They said the airport has finally materialized on the ground because of Arora&rsquo;s hard work and sincerity. They hoped that the airport would prove to be a boon for the economy of Ludhiana and other parts of Punjab.
They added that the people of Punjab should be grateful to Arora for setting yet another milestone in the state's history.

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