A rape accused named Allauddin was arrested by Shravasti police on Monday (12th May) near Andharpurwa ghat bridge in Uttar Pradesh after he was injured in encounter while trying to run away from the police. The accused who drives an electric-rikshaw had reportedly raped a 7-year-old girl on 9th May in Ikauna nagar area in the Shravasti district of Uttar Pradesh and was absconding. He lured the minor girl and took her in his e-rikshaw. After raping the minor, Allauddin dumped her on the Baharaich-Bhinga highway and ran away.
The police examined CCTV footage to indentify and arrest him. On 12th May, the police received the information that Allauddin was trying to escape to Nepal. His location was traced by the police and he was nabbed after he got shot in both legs. The police seized an e-rikshaw, a local-made weapon and a cartridge from his possession.
Superintendent of Police Ghanshyam Chaurasia said that Allauddin is a repeat offender. In 2011-12, he raped and murdered a 10-year-old girl and was convicted. After coming out of jail, he continued to commit crimes. The accused also has several cases of threatening and sexual harassment registered against him. A case has been registered against him under the provisions of the POCSO Act and the Arms Act.
Such cases of offenders repeating crimes after being released from the jail are rampant. In many cases of rape and sexual harassment, the accused secure bail and continue with their criminal activities which highlights serious loopholes in the judicial system.
Cases of accused repeating crimes after securing bail
In February 2025, a 22-year-old man named Asif alias Chhote Babu kidnapped a 17-year-old girl he was accused of raping in October 2023. The accused was out on bail when he kidnapped the girl again on 5th February from Uttar Pradesh’s Bhadohi. The accused booked under the POCSO Act was earlier arrested and jailed for 8 months before he secured bail. After coming out of jail, he kidnapped the girl, to continue the very crime he was jailed for.
In another such case that happened in December 2024, the Odisha Police in Sundargarh district arrested an individual identified as Kunu Kishan for murdering a girl on 7th December. The accused was already on bail in the minor victim’s rape case. He was reported to have killed the girl to try and avoid getting convicted in the case. Following this, he cut her murdered body into various pieces and threw them around various parts of the district. Reports said that the accused had been jailed in August 2023 for raping the same victim girl (now deceased) when she was a minor. In a distrubing incident that happened in 2024 in Madhya Pradesh, a rape accused killed the father and brother of the victim.
These are only a few of the many cases in which accused misuse the provision of bail and target the victims and their families. This is something the Indian courts should keep in mind while granting bail to accused in such cases.
In a disturbing development in the United Kingdom, children of all age groups who believe that they are transgenders would be eligible for gender treatment on the National Health Service (NHS). This means that the NHS will be treating nursery-age children who identify as transgender.
NHS had canned the previously proposed minimum age limit of seven years old, saying that anything less than this would be “just too young”. The United Kingdom’s National Health Service earlier cited an example of a young child taking a liking to toys or clothes typical of the opposite sex as normal.
“We know that showing an interest in clothes or toys of the opposite sex – or displaying behaviours more commonly associated with the opposite sex – is reasonably common behaviour in childhood and is usually not indicative of gender incongruence,” the NHS earlier said.
This draft guideline was published in 2023 after a Cass review into children’s transgender services found the NHS had been sending children on a one-way path to change gender at the Tavistock clinic. This review led by the paediatrician Baroness Cass found that children were frequently prescribed puberty blockers even though there were adequate evidence proving safety and effectiveness of these measures. The doctors did not even assess these children for other conditions and routinely prescribed puberty blockers.
However, taking a U-turn now, the age limit to undergo gender dysphoria treatment has been removed by the NHS after the proposals were put out to consultation, with new guidance due to be published showing that children of any age are eligible, The Telegraph reported.
It is being said that the NHS has “caved in” to the pressure of trans activists to remove the age limit.
As per the data, over 10 children of nursery in the UK are being treated for gender dysphoria, while over 157 children aged nine or younger have been referred to the clinics.
In its defence, NHS says that it is following the the Cass review’s recommendation not to set an age limit adding that any care for children aged under seven would be focused on family support and advice. The NHS further stated that the Labour government has backed its decision to remove the age limit. This, however, has sparked public anger against the Labour government in the United Kingdom.
Taking to X, bestselling author and women rights activist J.K. Rowling said: The class action lawsuits coming down the line are going to turn all previous medical scandals into mere footnotes. The medical establishment has buckled to the demands of an unfalsifiable ideology and children are being sacrificed on its altar.”
“Operation Sindoor” which took place in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack prominently illustrated India’s expanding indigenous military technologies under the “Make in India” program. Domestic equipments, ranging from drones to missiles and air defense systems, proved effective, whereas Turkey and China’s weaponry fell severely short of the expectations.
Notably, The country’s defense manufacturing has increased at a remarkable rate since the “Make in India” campaign kicked off on 25th September 2014 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi stormed to power at the centre. It achieved a historic figure of ₹1.27 lakh crore in the fiscal year 2023-24.
India, which was formerly reliant on foreign suppliers is now a major player in domestic industry and has developed its military capabilities indigenously. This transition demonstrates a firm dedication to self-sufficiency, guaranteeing that India fulfills its security requirements while simultaneously developing a strong defense sector that aids in economic advancement.
This has been propelled by strategic initiatives that promote technological innovation, corporate involvement and the creation of cutting-edge military platforms. The country’s resolve to fortify its military infrastructure is evidenced by the boost in the defense budget which went from ₹2.53 lakh crore in 2013-14 to ₹6.81 lakh crore in 2025-26.
During Financial Year (FY) 2023-24, India’s homegrown defense production soared at the highest rate ever in value terms. This was made possible by Pm Modi’s successful implementation of government policies and programs aimed at achieving Atmanirbharta. Data from all Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), other public sector entities that produce defence items and private enterprises showcased that the value of defence output has risen to a new high of ₹1,27,434 crore, representing a staggering 174% increase from ₹46,429 crore in 2014-15.
India’s firm commitment to self-reliance and smart policy initiatives has led to its burgeoning global presence in defense industry. Defense exports have increased 30 times in the last ten years, from ₹686 crore in FY 2013–14 to an all-time high of ₹21,083 crore in FY 2023-24.
Image via Narendra Modi (NaMo) App
The Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system, the 4G/LTE TAC-LAN, the Advanced Autonomous Systems for the Armed Forces and the Smart Compressed Breathing Apparatus are notable innovations that demonstrate India’s evolving defense environment. The country has already become one of the top exporters of various armaments, with the US as a customer.
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), which was established in April 2018, has produced an ideal setting for technological advancement and innovation in the aerospace and defense industries. iDEX has awarded funding of up to ₹1.5 crore for the development of innovative technologies by involving MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), startups, individual innovators, R&D (Research and Development) organizations and academics.
₹449.62 crore has been allocated for iDEX under the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), including its sub-scheme Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI), for 2025-2026 to further promote self-reliance in defense technology. 430 iDEX contracts have been signed as of February 2025 and 549 problem statements involving 619 startups and MSMEs have been opened.
The government encourages start-ups to contribute to the defense industry and the development of the nation’s aerospace sector by offering large grants, facilitating procurement, facilitating co-creation and co-innovation through the use of efficient operating procedures and little paperwork as well as granting them easier and faster access to test facilities and infrastructure that are available with various government agencies.
PLI Scheme for Drones and Drone Components
The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones and drone components was authorized by the central government in 2021, marking another step towards achieving the goal of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The PLI scheme serves as an extension of the liberalized Drone Rules, 2021, published by the Central Government on 25th August 2021.
Drones provide enormous advantages for practically every industry. Agriculture, mining, infrastructure, emergency response, surveillance, transportation, geospatial mapping, defense, and law enforcement are just a few of them. Their reach, adaptability, and user-friendliness make them potential job and economic growth generators, particularly in India’s inaccessible and rural regions.
The domestically produced drones of India were vital to “Operation Sindoor,” integrating surveillance capabilities with deadly accuracy. The Nagastra-1 and SkyStriker models are two examples of the same. The latter, which was created by Alpha Design, a Bengaluru-based company and Elbit Security Systems, an Israeli firm, especially stood out during the operation.
Moreover, India has the industrial infrastructure to manufacture them on a large scale. India will develop next-generation loitering ammunition and swarm drones when, not if, it has combat success.
According to the ministry of commerce and industry, the PLI initiative aimed to increase domestic manufacturing in 14 key sectors, attracted investments totaling ₹1.61 lakh crore ($18.72 billion) as of November 2024. It generated sales of approximately ₹14 lakh crore ($162.84 billion) against a target of ₹15.52 lakh crore by the end of the fiscal year on 31st March 2025.
India has the potential to become a worldwide drone center by 2030 with its historical advantages in innovation, information technology and cost-effective engineering, coupled with significant domestic demand.
MAKE Projects: Driving Indigenous Defence Innovation
The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP-2006) featured the MAKE procedure for the first time to encourage domestic design and development in the defense industry. It has been streamlined and simplified throughout time by amendments in 2016, 2018 and 2020. Both the public and commercial sectors are guaranteed to create defense systems, components and equipment far more rapidly. Three categories have been established for these projects:
Image via Press Information Bureau (PIB)
MAKE-I (Government Funded): Prototype development can receive up to 70% government financing (up to ₹250 crore per Development Agency). Indigenous Content (IC) must be at least 50%.
MAKE-II (Industry Funded): It encourages domestic firms to create vital defense systems by emphasizing import substitution. No government financing, but there must be at least 50% Indigenous Content (IC).
MAKE-III (Manufactured in India through Transfer of Technology – ToT): It entails production in India through Technology Transfer (ToT) from foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Design and development are not necessary, however at least 60% of the content must be indigenous (IC).
Advancing Self-Reliance
India is now far less reliant on foreign supplies owing to its efforts to become self-sufficient in the defense industry. The nation is creating state-of-the-art military platforms through strategic policies and domestic innovation, enhancing economic growth and national security.
Self-Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action (SRIJAN): It was started in August 2020 by the Department of Defence Production (DDP) as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat to encourage indigenisation. It provides a uniform platform for the Armed Forces (SHQs) and Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) to list imported goods for in-country production. More than 14,000 of the more than 38,000 items that are available as of February 2025 have been successfully indigenised.
Positive Indigenisation Lists (PILs): LRUs, assemblies, sub-assemblies, sub-systems, spare parts, components and premium materials are included in the five Positive Indigenization Lists (PILs) released by the Department of Defense Production (DDP) and the Department of Military Affairs (DMA). These lists specify deadlines beyond which domestic manufacturers will no longer be able to purchase.
More than 3,000 of the more than 5,500 products on the list have been indigenized as of February 2025. Armor guns, assault rifles, corvettes, sonar systems, transport planes, light combat helicopters (LCHs), radars, wheeled armored platforms, rockets, explosives, armoured command post vehicles and armoured dozers are some of the vital indigenous technologies.
Defence Industrial Corridors: Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have established two Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) to increase defence production. Companies that invest in this sector are given incentives by these corridors.
Over ₹8,658 crore has already been invested in the five Tamil Nadu nodes of Chennai, Coimbatore, Hosur, Salem and Tiruchirappalli, as well as the six Uttar Pradesh nodes of Agra, Aligarh, Chitrakoot, Jhansi, Kanpur and Lucknow. There have been 253 Memorandums of Understanding signed as of February 2025 with an anticipated investment of ₹53,439 crore.
Ease of Doing Business (EoDB): The government has taken a number of steps to make it easier for companies to conduct business in the defense manufacturing industry. The two-year export authorization period for parts and components has been extended until the order or component’s completion, whichever is later.
The Defense Product List was simplified in 2019 to lower the quantity of goods that required a production license. In September 2019, parts and components of defense equipment were delicensed to attract investment. The Industries (Development and Regulation) Act of 1951 raised the duration of defense licenses from three to fifteen years, with the possibility of a further extension of up to eighteen years.
436 businesses in the defense industry have received more than 700 industrial licenses. With over 1,500 approvals granted in the most recent fiscal year, the implementation of an end-to-end digital export authorisation system has increased efficiency.
More important schemes
The Indian government has undertaken several revolutionary projects in recent years with the goal to boost the nation’s capacity for defense manufacturing and attaining self-reliance. These policies aim to improve domestic production, draw in investment and expedite the procurement process. These measures, which range from easing restrictions on foreign direct investment (FDI) to offering preference to domestic manufacturing, demonstrate a strong commitment to bolstering the nation’s defense industrial infrastructure.
The main government programs that have been essential in promoting development and innovation in the defense industry are:
Liberalized FDI Policy: September 2020 witnessed the liberalization of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the defense sector, permitting up to 74% of FDI to flow through the automatic route and more than 74% to go through the government route. The entire amount of foreign direct investment in the defense sector from April 2000 stands at ₹5,516.16 crore.
TATA Aircraft Complex: In October 2024, the Tata Aircraft Complex was opened in Vadodara to produce C-295 aircraft, increasing Atmanirbharta’s defense capabilities with 40 of the 56 aircraft produced under the program being built in India.
Manthan: Leading innovators, startups, MSMEs, academia, investors and industry leaders from the defense and aerospace sectors came together at the annual defence innovation event, Manthan, which was held during Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru. This event served to reinforce trust in the government’s dedication to technological advancements and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS): With seven test facilities already approved in fields like unmanned aerial systems, electronic warfare, electro-optics and communications, DTIS intends to increase indigenization by offering financial support for the establishment of eight Greenfield testing and certification facilities in the aerospace and defense industry.
Priority for Domestic Procurement: The Defense Acquisition Procedure (DAP)-2020 places a strong emphasis on acquiring capital goods from domestic suppliers.
Domestic Procurement Allocation: During the current fiscal year, the Ministry of Defense has allocated ₹1,11,544 crore, or 75% of the modernization budget, for procurement through local firms.
India showcases its might
The Aero India 2025 event “SAMARTHYA,” which highlighted India’s advancements in defense industry already conveyed the success story of indigenization and innovation in the defense sector. The event presented 33 significant indigenous products, including nine successful iDEX innovation projects and 24 created by the Indian Navy, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).
The event also showcased innovations in quantum-secure communication technology, next-generation surveillance systems, artificial intelligence-driven analytical platforms and counter-drone tactics.
More importantly, India’s decision to penalize Pakistan for harboring terrorism has further demonstrated the effectiveness of domestically produced weapons in real conflicts. The weapons manufactured in India, in conjunction with joint ventures with companies from Israel and Russia, have proven to be a formidable arsenal in India’s defense.
The munitions production capacity of India revealed itself to be a powerful asset during the operation. The ability to produce a wide range of weapons, including sophisticated missiles and artillery rounds, such the Pinaka rocket launcher, which could fire 72 rockets in 44 seconds, guaranteed continuous supply lines. India’s industrial depth made it a dependable participant in the global arms market, where constant availability is just as important as firepower.
Likewise, the native Akash SAM (Surface-to-Air Missile) was the best parrying weapon, while the Russian S400 served as the blocking defense. India targeted many UAVs and loitering ammo, shot down fighter jets, destroyed a ballistic missile and halted unguided rockets in the same theater. Its capacity to engage multiple targets demonstrated its value in a multi-layered defense grid.
Conclusion
The incredible developments in defense production and exports under the Modi government have enabled this transformation, positioning the country as a self-reliant and globally competitive military manufacturing powerhouse. The nation’s defense capabilities have been greatly enhanced by a combination of strategic policy initiatives, greater domestic engagement and an emphasis on indigenous innovation.
India’s dedication to attaining Atmanirbharta in defense is demonstrated by the explosive growth in exports, the manufacturing boom and the accomplishments of programs like Make in India. With aggressive goals established for 2029, the country is well-positioned to increase its global presence and solidify its standing as a reliable partner in the global defense market, all the while boosting economic growth and national security.
Additionally, the capabilities demonstrated in the recent conflict with Pakistan will not only exemplify India’s strength to the world but also serve as a warning to its adversaries.
A Hindu vegetable vendor was attacked by an Islamist mob in Udaipur, Rajasthan. He suffered several injuries on his body after being attacked with swords by the mob. The fundamentalist mob also pelted stones at his shop. The mob also set fire to shops nearby. The police have registered an FIR in the case.
According to media reports, this incident took place on Friday (May 16, 2025). Some Muslim youths had come to buy vegetables at the shop of a Hindu vegetable vendor named Satbir in Dhanmandi area of Udaipur. While buying vegetables, the customers started a quarrel over the price of lemons.
When Satbir asked them to leave, they became aggressive. They threw stones at Satbir and abused him. They also attacked the nearby shops and destroyed them. By the time Satbir recovered from this attack, the Muslim youth came back with an entire mob.
The Islamist mob attacked Satbir with swords and injured him. The reports also said that the mob then set fire to the vegetable shops nearby. Injured Satbir was immediately taken to the hospital, his condition remains critical.
Hindu organizations have demonstrated in Udaipur and demanded action. The youth who attacked Satbir are on the run. The police have assured the people that they will take action against the culprits soon. In view of the situation, additional security forces have been deployed in the area to keep the situation under control.
This incident has again increased religious tension in Udaipur. This attack is being seen similarly as the attack on tailor Kanhaiya Lal in 2022 when he was killed. Kanhaiya Lal was murdered by 2 Islamists. They slit Kanhaiya Lal’s throat while recording it live on camera. Kanhaiya Lal’s family is still waiting for justice in that case.
Highlighting Indian Air Force’s (IAF) bravery during the Operation Sindoor, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday asserted that the operation is not over yet and whatever happened was just a “trailer”.
Addressing Air Warriors at Bhuj Air Force Station, Singh said, “We have kept Pakistan on probation. If its behavior improves, then okay, otherwise, it will be given strictest punishment. Operation Sindoor is not over yet. Whatever happened was just a trailer. When the right time comes, we will show the full picture to the world.”
The Defence Minister paid homage to those who lost lives during Operation sindoor and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured ones.
“Bhuj was witness to our victory against Pakistan in 1965 and 1971. and today again it has been witness to our victory against Pakistan. I feel proud to be present here,” Singh said.
#WATCH | Bhuj, Gujarat | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "#OperationSindoor is not over yet. Whatever happened was just a trailer. When the right time comes, we will show the full picture to the world." pic.twitter.com/13BHeIZgkS
Praising IAF for their execution during Operation Sindoor he said, “Whatever you did during Operation Sindoor, has made all Indians proud – whether they are in India or abroad. Just 23 minutes were enough for the Indian Air Force to crush terrorism being nurtured in Pakistan.”
“Only yesterday, I met our brave Army personnel in Srinagar. Today, I am meeting the air warriors here. Yesterday, I met our jawans in the northern region, and today I am here in the western part of the country meeting the air warriors and other security personnel. I feel the enthusiasm on seeing the high josh and energy on both fronts. I am assured that you secure India’s borders,” he added.
“Even Pakistan has accepted the power of BrahMos missile. There is an old saying in our country, “Din mein taare dekhna.” Made in India BrahMos missile showed ‘raat ke andhere mein din ka ujala’ to Pakistan,” Singh further said.
“It would not be incorrect for me to say that the duration people take to have breakfast, you used that duration to deal with enemies. You dropped missiles by going to the land of enemies. Its echo did not remain restricted just to the borders of India, the entire world heard it. That echo wasn’t just of missiles but also of your valour and the bravery of jawans of the Indian Armed Forces,” the Defence Minister added.
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, in response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
Yesterday President Droupadi Murmu invoked Article 143(1) of the Constitution and sent 14 questions to the Supreme Court seeking its advisory opinion on them. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey wrote on X how the provision was invoked by President Rajendra Prasad in 1959 after the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru entered into an agreement with the then Prime Minister of Pakistan Feroz Khan Noon to give certain parts of the Indian territory on the eastern border to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to settle a border dispute.
“Berubari was a part of India, in 1958 Nehru ji made an agreement with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Noon and decided to merge it with Pakistan. In Article 143, the then President Rajendra Prasad sent it to the Supreme Court that can we give our land to a foreign country, the Supreme Court said that the Constitution of India does not allow this. Nehru ji was a king, he was not in the habit of listening to a no, 9th amendment of the constitution was made and we gave Berubari to Pakistan. Hand of Congress?” Dubey wrote.
बेरुबारी भारत का हिस्सा था, 1958 में नेहरु जी ने पाकिस्तान के प्रधानमंत्री नून के साथ समझौता कर इसको पाकिस्तान में विलय का फ़ैसला किया ।आरटिकल 143 में तत्कालीन राष्ट्रपति राजेन्द्र प्रसाद जी ने इसे सुप्रीम कोर्ट के पास भेजा कि विदेशी को हम अपना ज़मीन दे सकते हैं,सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने…
— Dr Nishikant Dubey (@nishikant_dubey) May 15, 2025
This resulted in the famous Re Berubari Union Case wherein the Supreme Court gave its advisory opinion on certain constitutional issues including whether the Indian government was empowered under the Constitution to cede a territory in favour another country. Here is a glance through the historical events that happened before and after President Rajendra Prasad sought the advisory opinion of the Supreme Court.
Ahead of the partition of India in 1947, the task of demarcating a boundary line between India and Pakistan was given to an English Barrister Sir Cyril John Radcliffe, who had never visited India before and had no knowledge of the subcontinent. With an arduous task at hand and the lack of understanding of the geopolitical landscape of the country, Radcliffe decided to demarcate the territories for India and Pakistan based on their population. He gave the territories with Muslim majority population to Pakistan and those with Hindu majority to India.
The case in question relates to a region called Berubari Union No. 12 in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. This region was given by Radcliffe to India but Pakistan started asserting its claim on it in 1952 that led to a dispute between the two countries.
The Nehru-Noon Agreement
To resolve this boundary dispute, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru concluded an agreement with Pakistani Prime Minister Feroz Khan Noon in 1958 and decided to divide the Berubari Union No. 12 equally between India and Pakistan. The agreement that came to be known as the Nehru-Noon Agreement also provided for the exchange of other such disputed enclaves along the border of India and the erstwhile East Pakistan. It was at this time that President Rajendra Prasad invoked Article 143 (1) and sought the opinion of the Supreme Court on the validity and the enforceability of the Nehru-Noon agreement.
Supreme Court’s opinion and the 9th constitutional amendment
The central issue before the Supreme Court was whether the Indian government could transfer an Indian territory to another country under Article 3 of the Constitution or did it require a constitutional amendment. The Supreme Court observed that Article 3 did not conceive of a cession of Indian territory to a foreign country.
Therefore, it could only be done through a constitutional amendment under Article 368 of the Constitution and an ordinary legislation would not be sufficient for this. This led to the enactment of the Ninth Amendment Act, 1960 by the then Nehru government to implement the Nehru-Noon agreement and facilitate the transfer of territory to Pakistan.
How Nehru gave up Coco Islands
The Berubari enclave case is not the only instance when Nehru failed to assert the territorial integrity of India. In a similar manner, he let go of the opportunity to take control of the strategically important Coco Islands in the Bay of Bengal, located north to Andaman islands. The Coco Islands are now part of Myanmar due to Nehru’s historical blunder.
At the time partition, the British wanted to deprive India of the strategic islands in the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Sardar Patel, the then Deputy Prime Minister of India who was a strong stateman foiled the British plans by taking control of the Lakshadweep and Andaman islands.
Well aware of the tactfulness of Patel, the British decided to approach Nehru to convince him to give up the Coco Islands. The British succeeded in their plans and India lost the Coco islands to Burma. The islands are now being used by China who has built an airstrip and a radar station there to keep an eye on India.
Six terrorists were neutralised in Jammu and Kashmir under two separate operations in Kelar, Shopian and Tral conducted by the Indian Army in coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), VK Birdi, Inspector General of Police for Kashmir Zone, said on Friday.
In joint press briefing by security forces in Awantipora, the IGP Kashmir, VK Birdi, said that in the last 48 hours, they have conducted two very successful operations.
“In the wake of heightened terror activities in Kashmir Valley, all the security forces deployed here reviewed their strategies. Following this review, there was an intensified focus on operations. On the basis of this intensified focus and coordination, we conducted two successful operations in the last 48 hours during which we had significant achievement. These two operations were conducted in the Kelar in Shopian and Tral areas, which resulted in the neutralisation of a total of six terrorists. We are committed to finish the terror ecosystem in Kashmir Valley,” the IGP Kashmir said.
Major General Dhananjay Joshi, GOC Victor Force, elaborated about the anti-terror operations in Kelar and Tral areas and said that the challenge they faced was “rescuing” the civilian villagers.
“On May 12, we got information on the possible presence of a terrorist group in the higher reaches in Kelar. On the morning of May 13, on detection of some movement, our parties challenged the terrorists, who retaliated with fire. Our parties neutralised them. The second operation in Tral area was conducted in a border village. As we were laying a cordon at this village, the terrorists positioned themselves in different houses and fired at us. At this time, the challenge we faced was rescuing the civilian villagers. After this, three terrorists were neutralised,” Major General Joshi said.
“One of the 6 terrorists neutralised, namely Shahid Kuttay was involved in two major attacks, including an attack on a German tourist. He also a hand in funding activities,” he added.
Following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, including a Nepali national, were killed, the Indian forces have intensified their operation against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
In retaliation for the terror attack, India launched Operation Sindoor in which precision strikes destroyed terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) and eliminated nearly 100 terror operatives at key bases in Pakistan. Among the targets were Bhawalpur, the headquarters of Jaish, and Muridke, a key training base of Lashkar.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
On Thursday (15th May), the Enforcement Directorate arrested Bahubali Shah, the co-owner of Gujarat Samachar. Shah’s arrest came after the ED officials conducted raids at the office of the newspaper and residences of its owner on Thursday. The ED uncovered financial irregularities during the raids and later arrested Bahubali Shah.
Gujarat Samachar is the digital brand of GSTV, and often publishes anti-national and offensive articles against the Indian Army. Before ED, the Income Tax Department had raided the premises linked to Gujarat Samachar.
Following the arrest, Bahubali Shah was taken to VS Hospital for a medical check-up. However, Shah insisted on going to a private hospital, he was then taken to Zydus Hospital.
Earlier on Wednesday (May 14), a team of the Income Tax Department from Mumbai raided the Khanpur head office of Gujarat Samachar, the residences of Bahubali Shah, Shreyans Shah, GSTV channel on SG Highway etc. After the search operation of the Income Tax Department was completed, the Enforcement Directorate officials conducted search operations at the offices of the daily and the residential premises of the owners.
ED suspects financial irregularities and money laundering
This entire action is pointing towards financial irregularities and money laundering taking place under the guise of news. But so far, the agencies have not issued any official notification. It is worth noting that the investigation in this case is still ongoing, and there is every possibility that more arrests may be made.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar has praised the country’s air force by quoting a fake image that imitated the front page of the UK-based newspaper The Daily Telegraph.
In his address to Pakistan’s Senate on Thursday, Dar said, “Telegraph writes Pakistan Air Force is the undisputed king of the skies.”
The newspaper page quoted by Dar was a fake page viral on social media.
Priceless! Pak Deputy PM Ishaq Dar quotes a fake newspaper article in Pak Parliament—fact-checked by Pakistan’s own Dawn newspaper. pic.twitter.com/KtBMAftIce
Pakistan own newspaper The Dawn’s iVerify Pakistan team investigated the content, found discrepancies and declared the image as fake.
Posts from multiple users across social media have been sharing the photo since May 10, allegedly showing the front page of The Daily Telegraph newspaper declaring the Pakistan Air Force the “King of the Skies” amid the recent escalation with India. However, no such article was published in the newspaper and the screenshot is fake, Dawn reported.
The Dawn, conducted a fact-check to determine the veracity of the claim made in the newspaper due to its virality and keen public interest in the international coverage of the recent tensions between Pakistan and India.
While analysing the viral image, the team found multiple discrepancies, including spelling errors, mistyped and jumped sentences and language inconsistencies. Words like “Fyaw…” instead of “Force” and “preformance” instead of “performance” are incorrect, “Aur Force” appears instead of “Air Force” and “advancemend” instead of “advancement” is incorrect. These typographical and spelling mistakes are inconsistent with the editorial standards of a mainstream newspaper, Dawn reported.
The layout of the page was compared to the official version of The Daily Telegraph. The image of the article is fake and no such article has been published by the UK-based publication.
OpIndia had fact-checked the fake image on May 11, as dozens of Pakistanis were sharing it to spread misinformation on social media.
The image, very obviously AI-generated, has multiple spelling and print errors, and any sane person can see that it is a fake. However, the Pakistani Foreign Minister declared it to their parliament as some very sophisticated validation from British media.
Another X user, Abdul Wasey Naik posted, “Many credible journalists in Pakistan shared and quoted this image throughout the day, claiming it to be the front page of The Daily Telegraph with the headline “Pakistan Air Force: The Undisputed King of the Skies.” This picture is AI-generated.”
After India launched Operation Sindoor against Terror targets in Pakistan, the Pakistani side jumped into a misinformation war against India. This showed Pakistan’s desperate attempt to shift the focus with a barrage of lies and digital theatrics.
Pakistan’s state-affiliated accounts also turned to their familiar playbook of recycling outdated images, misrepresenting old videos, and inventing completely fabricated claims to flood the information space with falsehoods so quickly and overwhelmingly that it became difficult to separate fact from fiction.
It is notable here that Pakistan had also claimed to attack and damage the Adampur air base of India, even damaging the S-400 air defence system there. However, PM Modi visited there on Tuesday, interacted with soldiers at the visibly intact and functional air base, and even posed before the undamaged S-400 system to deliver his speech.
Days after India launched attacks on the Bholari air base in Sindh province, a retired Pakistani Air Marshal named Masood Akhtar has acknowledged that the loss of an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
While speaking to Pakistani journalist Sohrab Barkat, the retired Pakistani Air Marshal remarked, “They (Indian forces) fired four back-to-back Brahmos surface-to-surface missiles…surface-to-surface or air-to-surface, I am not sure.”
“The (Pakistani) pilots rushed to secure their aircraft, but the missiles kept on coming, and unfortunately the fourth one hit the hangar at Bholari (airbase), where one of our AWACS was standing. It was damaged and casualties were also reported,” he added.
This retired PAF Air Marshal’s comments that Indian missiles destroyed a PAF Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C aircraft at the Bholari base appears correct. I’m told it was one of 2 aircraft destroyed on ground there. pic.twitter.com/INsa1IZ65J
It must be mentioned that AWACS is critical to air defence network of Pakistan. It offers early warning, offers real-time surveillance, and command-and-control capabilities. However, clearly, it has failed to intercept strikes by India.
Between 9th and 10th May, India launched attacked on 11 military bases across Pakistan including the Bholari air base. According to reports, as many as 50 people were killed at the particular site.
“High casualties were inflicted at Bhoolari Airbase, including the death of Squadron Leader Usman Yusuf and destruction of key fighter jets,” read a press release by PIB on Wednesday (14th May).
PAF base in Bholari before and after strikes by Pakistan, images via NDTV/ Maxar
Bholari was one of the relatively new airbase of Pakistan. It became operational 8 years ago in 2017.
In high-resolution satellite images obtained by NDTV from Maxar Technologies, the roof of the airbase could be seen severely damage on 11th May 2025.
“A satellite picture from April 27, when tensions between India and Pakistan were still high post the Pahalgam attack, shows the hangar intact,” the report added.
Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor
On 22nd April this year, 4 Islamic terrorists sponsored by Pakistan killed 26 innocent civilians (primarily Hindus) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
In response, the Modi government launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ on 7th May to avenge the killings.
