In the Chandola area of Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, a mega demolition drive in ongoing to remove illegal encroachments. The phase 2 of the demolition drive started at around 6 am on 20th May 2025. All the illegal houses on the road from Suryanagar Police Post in Isanpur area towards Mira Cinema are being demolished. The scale of demolition in this phase is way higher compared to the bulldozer action started in the first phase.
Reports say that over 1.5 lakh square meters of land was cleared in the first phase, while now 2.5 lakh square meters of land will be levelled in the second phase. During this process, 60 JCBs, 40 cranes, 3000 policemen will be on the move. The AMC had warned people to vacate their homes by making announcements in this regard on the microphone in the entire area on Monday afternoon. In addition, people living there for a week were being warned to vacate their homes.
Ahmedabad Police says that of the 250 Bangladeshis arrested in 2025, 207 were from Chandola
In a media briefing, Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner GS Malik said that Chandola Lake had become a haven for Bangladeshi infiltrators for a long time and illegal activities had also started taking place. In 2025, 250 Bangladeshis were caught from Ahmedabad and out of them, 207 were caught from Chandola alone. Every year, around 10-20-40 Bangladeshis have been caught. He further said that a total of 3000 policemen including one Joint Commissioner, one Additional Commissioner, 6 DCPs and PIs etc. have been deployed for the second phase of action.
The officer added that apart from that, 25 SRPF companies are also with the police and that drones will also be used. Along with this, he said that in the previous action, about 1.5 lakh square meters of land was cleared and now the operation to clear 2.5 lakh square meters of land has been started.
Malik also stated that this demolition action will be carried out for about three-four days. However, even if the days increase, the authorities are fully prepared.
In the Fatehabad district of Haryana, a case of treason has been registered against Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed alias Dr. Taj Mohammad, for supporting Pakistan and posting an objectionable video against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The accused was arrested by the police on 17th May.
The accused doctor had posted three morphed videos from his Facebook account on Wednesday (14th May) in which PM Modi was shown ‘admitting his mistake’ of attacking Pakistan, getting beaten up by Shahbaz Sharif and in one video as a child in Trump’s lap.
After the video went viral, BJP leaders lodged a complaint at the police station on Thursday, after which a case was registered under section 197 (1) (B) of the IPC. Initially, the doctor could not be arrested due to ill health, but on Saturday (17th May) the police arrested him and sent him to jail.
Accused Taj Mohammad will be produced in court, where the police will seek remand. The police will investigate bank accounts, call details and contacts. Following the instructions of Chief Minister Nayab Saini, sedition and Section 152 of the IPC were added to the case.
Defence expert Sanjeev Srivastava has highlighted the unmatched power of India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, citing US defence expert John Spencer’s remarks that the missile’s capabilities surpass even China’s advanced air defence systems.
“US defence expert John Spencer stated that India’s BrahMos supersonic missile is so advanced that even China’s air defence systems have been unable to intercept it. He noted that this highlights India’s significant military edge, particularly in its operations against Pakistan, where the failure of Pakistan’s HQ-9B air defence system was exposed. Spencer added that India’s successful retaliatory strikes using BrahMos missiles demonstrated their effectiveness, generating global interest in the weapon. The India-Russia collaboration on the BrahMos missile has proven to be a major success, with the system now being exported to other countries as well,” he said.
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 and struck nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir in response to a ghastly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam last month in which 26 people were killed.
The BrahMos missile system has solidified India’s position in defense diplomacy: Cruise Missile Triad that enables precision attacks against land and sea targets; Deterrent Capability, which strengthens India’s defense posture with its supersonic speed and range and Indo-Russian Collaboration showcasing successful bilateral cooperation in defense technology.
BrahMos boasts impressive capabilities like, reaching supersonic speeds, cruising close to Mach 3; can be launched from land, air, ships, and submarines; initial range of 290 km, with versions being developed for up to 800 km and advanced guidance and stealth technology for precise targeting.
The BrahMos has undergone significant upgrades, versions with increased range, such as BrahMos-ER, have been tested; BrahMos-II, with speeds of Mach 7-8, is under development and BrahMos-NG, with reduced size and radar cross-section, is being developed for enhanced capabilities.
Meanwhile, on India’s foreign policy and defence strategy, the Defence expert said that it is independent and not influenced by Western pressure, citing the government’s firm stand during the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“India’s new government does not operate under the influence or pressure of Western nations. When the Russia-Ukraine war began, the United States and several other countries tried to persuade India to scale back its bilateral relations with Russia. However, India stood firm and maintained its independent stance. India’s diplomatic engagements and defence strategies are guided by national interests and remain free from external influence,” he said.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
Russia banned Amnesty International as an “undesirable organization”, citing concerns that the human rights group’s activities allegedly undermine national security, Al Jazeera reported.
In a statement, Russia’s prosecutor general alleged that Amnesty’s London office was a “centre for the preparation of global Russophobic projects” and accused it of advocating on behalf of Ukraine.
It also alleged the rights group is “doing everything possible to intensify the military confrontation in the region. They justify the crimes of Ukrainian neo-Nazis, call for an increase in their funding, and insist on the political and economic isolation of our country.”
According to Al Jazeera, there was no immediate comment from Amnesty.
The “undesirable” designation means the London-based rights group must stop all work in Russia. A 2015 law mandates penalties of up to five years in prison for Russian citizens involved with designated groups.
Organisations previously banned as undesirable include the international environmental organisation Greenpeace and US government-funded broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organization focused on human rights, with its headquarters in the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war on Friday at Istanbul’s Dolmabahce Palace in Turkiye during their ceasfire talks, Al Jazeera reported.
Officials from both countries met for less than two hours in Turkiye for their first direct talks in more than three years, aimed at ending the war.
According to Chief Ukrainian Delegate, Rustem Umerov, both sides also discussed a ceasefire and a meeting between their heads of state.
Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who headed Moscow’s delegation, confirmed that both sides agreed to provide each other with detailed ceasefire proposals and a meeting between their heads of state.
Russia has said it sees the talks as a continuation of the negotiations that took place in the early weeks of the war in 2022, which included demands on Ukraine to cut the size of its military.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
Over the past decade, India’s defence sector has transformed from a modest assembler of components to a globally competitive manufacturer of advanced weapon systems. Guided by the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, defence exports have surged from ₹686 crore in FY 2013–14 to ₹23,622 crore in FY 2024–25, a remarkable thirty-four-fold increase. This growth is a testament to technological advancements, policy support, robust R&D, and unprecedented private-sector participation. Today, India stands poised to not only secure its own borders with indigenously developed platforms but also offer comprehensive defence solutions to partner nations worldwide.
A Decade of Growth: India’s Defence Export Boom
India’s defence export trajectory over the last decade has been marked by relentless ambition and concrete results. Exports have skyrocketed from under ₹1,000 crore annually to over ₹23,000 crore, thanks to a combination of public and private efforts. Nearly 100 private firms, alongside defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs), now account for around 60% of these exports.
India’s defence exports have seen significant growth in recent years, showcasing the country’s evolving capabilities in manufacturing and supplying advanced military equipment. Among the most notable items being exported are high-end systems such as the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, artillery guns, Dornier-228 aircraft, radars, Akash air defence missiles, Pinaka rocket systems, and armoured vehicles.
The major importing countries are the US (imports primarily consist of subsystems and components to global defence giants like Boeing and Lockheed Martin) France (possibly software and electronics). Armenia has been a major success story, over the past four years, Armenia has procured a variety of finished systems from India, including artillery guns, weapon-locating radars, missiles, rocket systems, bullet-proof vests, and night-vision equipment, ammunition and artillery shells and Akash-1S air defence system. Another success story has been the sale of three BrahMos anti-ship coastal missile batteries to Philippines.
This rapid rise in defence exports is the result of consistent policy initiatives, including streamlined procurement procedures, faster export clearances, and increased budgetary allocations for indigenous R&D. The Indian defence ecosystem has matured significantly, now capable of seamlessly handling design, development, production, and maintenance within the country. This progress has established India as a credible defence exporter, with Indian systems being deployed in over 85 countries spanning Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and beyond.
One of the key elements in this growth story is product diversification. India now exports a wide range of defence equipment, including surface-to-air missiles, rocket artillery, offshore patrol vessels, and electronic warfare suites, all developed and tested domestically. This diverse portfolio has enabled India to meet the varied defence needs of global partners, solidifying its presence in the international arms market.
Economic and Strategic Payoffs of Defence Exports
Expanding defence exports not only bolsters foreign exchange reserves but also stimulates a virtuous cycle of economic and strategic benefits. Each successful contract boosts India’s macroeconomic stability by generating hard currency, reducing dependency on volatile commodity revenues. Furthermore, the defence manufacturing boom has created thousands of skilled jobs across the country, spanning manufacturing, testing, systems integration, and software development.
The rise in defence exports has also strengthened India’s MSME and startup ecosystem. Many small and medium enterprises, serving as second- and third-tier suppliers, have thrived alongside major contractors. Venture-backed startups are leading innovations in AI-driven radar systems, advanced materials, and networked command solutions. Increased private-sector involvement has brought agility and competitiveness to a domain once dominated by state entities, leading to faster production cycles and cost efficiencies.
On the diplomatic front, defence cooperation has become a cornerstone of India’s international strategy. As partner nations adopt Indian defence systems, bilateral ties deepen, reinforcing India’s image as a reliable and non-aligned ally. This integration of R&D, manufacturing, and global outreach aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat’s vision, ensuring India remains both a self-sufficient defender and a trusted partner worldwide.
Proving Credibility: Combat Validation through Operation Sindoor
While in the last 10 years the defence exports have grown rapidly there is a huge scope to take this to new heights. In fact the exports targets for defence exports have been set to $6 billion by 2029. Achieving these will require India to be an active marketer for the prudence products.
The most challenging aspect of selling a product is establishing its credibility and quality perception. For weapons and weapon systems it becomes even more difficult as establishing their battle worthiness is extremely difficult. As such, defence procurement decisions are often guided by three critical dimensions: technical specifications, field trials, and the seller’s reputation. Historically, India faced challenges due to the lack of combat-proven systems. Buyers were hesitant to commit to platforms that had not been tested under real combat conditions. However, Operation Sindoor has changed this narrative by providing the much-needed battlefield validation.
During Operation Sindoor, India’s integrated air-defence network demonstrated its efficiency. Akash surface-to-air missiles, guided by advanced radar systems, successfully intercepted hostile drones and medium-range aircraft. The L-70 anti-aircraft guns complemented this by neutralizing low-altitude threats. Most impressively, the BrahMos cruise missile showcased its ability to evade Pakistan’s layered air defences and hit strategic airbases, demonstrating its capability to neutralize enemy air power.
This combat validation significantly boosted the credibility of Indian systems. Platforms like the Akash missile Brahmos missiles have emerged as reliable solutions for modern warfare, proving that Indian defence technology is not just theoretical but battle-hardened. By successfully transitioning its systems from mere technical specifications to proven experience attributes, India has bridged the trust gap with legacy exporters, making its defence products more attractive to international buyers.
Overcoming Challenges as a Late Entrant
Despite its progress, India still faces challenges as a relative newcomer in a field dominated by established defence exporters. Countries with long-standing defence manufacturing traditions enjoy significant advantages, including political networks, extensive marketing machinery, and an established track record. These incumbents, primarily from the West and Russia, leverage decades of experience and extensive diplomatic engagements to maintain their global dominance.
Operation Sindoor, however, demonstrated that Indian systems are not just affordable but also effective, even against technologically advanced adversaries. This success story needs to be strategically marketed to highlight the advantages of choosing Indian defence solutions, especially in terms of modularity, customization, and cost efficiency.
To capitalize on the momentum from Operation Sindoor, India should promote key systems like the Akash Missile System, SAMAR Air Defence Units, and the BrahMos Next Generation (NG) missile. Offering a multi-layered air defence umbrella, these systems are particularly attractive for countries looking to upgrade their aerial defence capabilities. Similarly, India’s diverse portfolio of combat-proven products—like the Pinaka rocket launcher, LCH Prachand, Zorawar tank, ATAGS artillery system, and UAVs—positions it well to meet the defence needs of emerging markets.
Winning the Sale: Effective Go-to-Market Strategies
To secure export contracts, India must demonstrate the robust performance of its systems through after-action reports and live-fire demonstrations. Sharing sanitized data on system efficiency, kill probabilities, and maintenance intervals will enhance credibility. Additionally, inviting foreign delegations to joint drills and combat simulations will provide firsthand exposure to Indian defence technologies.
Flexible financing options are equally important. Offering credit through the Export-Import Bank—such as low-interest loans, deferred payments, and lease-to-own schemes—will make purchases more feasible for budget-constrained buyers. Highlighting total cost of ownership, including lower maintenance costs and extended warranties, will further strengthen India’s position.
Providing end-to-end integration services will ensure customer satisfaction and long-term partnerships. These services should include site surveys, customized deployment solutions, comprehensive training programs, and regional support hubs for maintenance. Branding India as a reliable partner, emphasizing its non-aligned stance, and highlighting co-development opportunities will foster deeper diplomatic and defence ties.
Target Markets: Expanding the Global Reach
India’s ideal defence customers are nations facing regional threats or seeking to reduce reliance on traditional Western or Russian suppliers. Countries like Armenia, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, and Brazil are prime markets. These nations value cost-effective, proven solutions that balance against aggressive neighbours or internal security challenges.
Deepening engagements with these countries, especially those wary of Chinese expansionism or cross-border instability, will help India build enduring strategic partnerships. By actively participating in defence forums and exhibitions multilateral The Indian embassies might also need to step in with the military attaches needing to do some active selling for the products.
Sustaining Momentum: Future Pathways
To maintain its upward trajectory, India must prioritize next-generation research in areas like AI-driven combat systems, autonomous swarms, and cyber-defence, while also offering innovations and cost effectiveness in conventional weapons . Streamlining regulatory processes will also accelerate exports by reducing licensing delays. Additionally, expanding the after-sales ecosystem with advanced simulators, modular upgrades, and remote diagnostics will enhance customer satisfaction.
To strengthen India’s competitive edge, the government should establish dedicated market intelligence units to monitor global defence trends, emerging buyer requirements, and competitor strategies. By focusing on R&D, strategic diplomacy, regulatory efficiency, and private-sector innovation, India can consolidate its position as a global defence leader.
Conclusion: India’s Ascent to Global Defence Leadership
Operation Sindoor marked a turning point in India’s defence export journey, demonstrating that indigenous systems can hold their own against advanced adversaries. As India transitions from a late entrant to a trusted global exporter, the focus on modularity, financial flexibility, and integrated partnerships will be crucial.
By maintaining this momentum and seizing opportunities in emerging markets, India can realize its vision of doubling defence exports to $6 billion by 2029. This transformation reflects the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat, reinforcing India’s role as a builder, defender, and global partner in security.
It happens only in the Congress party that patriotism becomes almost a punishable offence, where leaders with stellar credentials and record of putting nation first are conveniently sidelined, humiliated, and antagonised just to appease the high command—the Gandhi family.
Shashi Tharoor, the silver-tongued former diplomat and Congress leader is now caught in the crosshairs of Congress’s unwarranted ire. His crime, Tharoor accepted the Modi government’s invitation to lead a multi-party delegation of MPs to articulate India’s anti-terror stance globally and apprise them about Operation Sindoor.
Gandhi family loyalists within the Congress party are fuming in anger over Tharoor being picked by the Central government to lead a multi-party delegation that would visit the United States, Panama, Guyana, Brazil and Colombia. The chagrin stems from the fact that Tharoor was not among the names recommended by the Congress party for the multi-party delegation; rather, the names of Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Nasir Hussain, and Raja Brar were submitted.
Asserting that the Congress is “not going to change” the names of four MPs for the government’s proposed delegations to foreign countries to explain India’s stance on terrorism from Pakistan, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Saturday said that this is “dishonest on the government’s part.”
Ramesh alleged that despite formally submitting four names on request, the government ignored most of them, undermining parliamentary conventions and trust between the Opposition and the ruling party.
“On May 16, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju reached out on behalf of the Central government to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and requested four names from the party to join the multi-party parliamentary group. Responding promptly, Rahul Gandhi submitted a list comprising senior leaders Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Nasir Hussain, and Raja Brar, before noon the same day,” he said, adding that the government picked only Anand Sharma among the names Congress recommended and claimed the Centre politicised the matter.
However, the Congress party should first answer why Shashi Tharoor, despite being a former diplomat and having expertise in foreign affairs, was snubbed by his own party. Picking Rahul Gandhi-loyalist Gaurav Gogoi over Tharoor? Is it justified? Although not close to the Gandhi family, Shashi Tharoor is not only a legislator with expertise in foreign affairs but also the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs.
Despite the sidelining and humiliation directed his way by the Congress party, Shashi Tharoor did not cave in and stated that he will diligently fulfil his assigned responsibilities, emphasizing that while the party leadership is entitled to its opinions, his commitment remains steadfast. In contrast to Congress’s expectation of subservience, Tharoor decided to prioritise national interest and refused to be “insulted easily”.
Meanwhile, Kerala Congress has also distanced itself from the Thiruvananthapuram MP’s decision. Leader of the Opposition in Kerala, V D Satheesan, said Tharoor is a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), and leaders like him hold a lower position in the party hierarchy. “A CWC member holds a significant position. The central leadership of the party should express its opinion on the matter. Whatever their view, we will share it,” Satheesan said.
Kerala Congress leaders Satheesan and Muraleedharan framed Tharoor’s prompt acceptance of Centre’s call to lead the multi-party delegation as personal ambition and also downplayed Tharoor’s stature by suggesting that he should focus on his duties as an MP.
It must be noted that Tharoor has over the years been continuously targeted by Congress party’s Kerala unit. In April 2024, a group of Congress workers stopped party MP Shashi Tharoor during an election campaign in Balaramapuram in Thiruvananthapuram city of Kerala. They raised ‘go back’ and ‘no vote for you’ slogans against Tharoor.
In 2019, senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan mocked Shashi Tharoor and said that it is not “Oxford English” but “anti-Modi” stand that had helped the party-led front win the Thiruvananthapuram seat from which Tharoor contested. This verbal attack by Muraleedharan on his party colleague came days after Tharoor had said that he has always been a proponent of praising PM Modi for his right policy decisions. Tharoor had stated that lauding PM Modi for correct decisions will also add to the credibility of the opposition.
Prioritising the nation before the party and having independent opinions comes at a cost in Congress party
While the Congress party may not have directly accused Shashi Tharoor of tilting towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Communist Party CPI has called him “BJP sleeping cell”. Reports suggest that the Congress high command is mulling over expelling Tharoor from the party, although Congress has made no official statement in this regard. The question here arises – why the Congress party snubs its own leaders who do not operate essentially like the ‘Darbaris’ and prefer to have intellectual independence. Is it due to the fear that such strong leaders could overshadow the Gandhis or craft parallel power centres?
Tharoor’s acceptance of the Centre’s proposal for him to lead a multi-party delegation, without prior consultation (read permission) from the Congress party, is being projected by the party leadership as ‘disloyalty’ and independent of party discipline. Given Tharoor’s expertise and eloquence, it was quite obvious that he would be a part of a multi-party delegation to put forth India’s anti-terror narrative before the world.
However, people were surprised to find out that Congress did not submit Tharoor’s name despite his known credentials as a former UN diplomat and expertise in the task in question. It became evident that Tharoor’s intellectual independence does not sit well with the party high command, especially the Gandhis and only those closer to the party high command get priority. Congress’s approach, however, is not surprising since loyalty to the Gandhi family always takes precedence over merit when it comes to growth in the Congress party.
This internal discord and intolerance of merit has cost the Congress party many senior and strong leaders just because they had dared to defy Gandhi family and expressed independent opinions on various issues. Shashi Tharoor has in the recent years been constantly targeted, sidelined and insulted by his own party.
When Shashi Tharoor was cornered for contesting Congress president election against the Gandhi family loyalist
Back in October 2022, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was asked to cancel his Uttar Pradesh visit to avoid ‘clashes’ with the supporters of Gandhi family loyalist Mallikarjun Kharge. It was widely reported how Tharoor faced opposition within the party for contesting Congress president ‘elections’ against the choice of the ‘establishment’—Kharge. Interestingly, Tharoor wanted to end the Congress party’s “high command” culture which obviously meant the end of Gandhi family supremacy. However, he could not defeat the Gandhi family loyalist.
In November 2022, Tharoor was denied a place on the star campaigners list for the assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Around the same time, the Kerala Congress had distanced itself from Tharoor and backed off from hosting an anti-RSS seminar where the Congress MP was invited as a guest in Kozhikode. Back then, it was reported that Congress leadership had given unofficial orders to the party’s local units not to host any of Shashi Tharoor’s programs.
In February this year, Shashi Tharoor expressed dissatisfaction over his role in the party. He met Rahul Gandhi to express discontent over being sidelined in the party and not being given opportunities to participate in major debates inside the Parliament. However, Tharoor was left disgruntled after Gandhi failed to address his concerns. Tharoor’s dissatisfaction also arose from his removal from the charge of the All India Professional Congress (AIPC), a body which he had established.
The Congress party has also been upset with Tharoor since he praised Prime Minister Modi’s US visit, deviating from the party’s official stance. “I think that’s a very good outcome because otherwise, the fear was that there might be some hasty decisions made in Washington, which would have affected our exports. This way, there is time to discuss and negotiate,” Tharoor said regarding PM Modi’s meeting with Trump. Clarifying his position, Tharoor later said he could not always speak in terms of party interest.
Captain Amarinder Singh’s acrimonious exit from Congress
Back in 2021, the then Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh resigned from the Congress party after saying that he could not continue with the humiliation he was subjected to. Singh decided to quit Congress after the party called a meeting of the Congress legislative party in Punjab without informing him. Previously, the party had snubbed him by choosing Navjot Singh Sidhu as president of the Punjab Congress in July 2021, despite strong objections from Amarinder Singh.
Congress’s family-centric politics made Himanta Biswa Sarma leave the party
In September 2015, the Congress party lost a stellar leader from Assam when Himanta Biswa Sarma resigned from the Congress party saying that the “despotic family-centric” politics and “lack of democracy” in the party forced him to quit.
“From 2012, I observed that the situation was deteriorating and the party is losing respect due to the callous attitude of the state leadership. The third time victory had gone into the head, and arrogance started replacing compassion and dedication to work for the people. A sense of complacency and status quoism had engulfed the party leadership. A despotic family-centric politics constantly emboldened by a bunch of sycophants had never allowed a rational and neutral voice to reach to the Congress leadership in the state,” Sarma said while resigning from Congress.
In 2023, Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is now a BJP leader and popular CM of Assam, after delivering back-to-back election victories to the party, recalled a humiliating incident when Congress prince Rahul Gandhi made his party workers eat biscuits from the same plate as his pet dog. Responding to an X post highlighting a similar disturbing incident of Rahul Gandhi offering biscuits rejected by his dog to party workers, Himanta said that he is a proud Assamese and Indian adding that he was the only Congress leader who refused to eat the dog’s biscuit and resigned from Congress. The incident took place when Sarma met Rahul Gandhi in the run-up to the 2016 elections to discuss Assam’s problems.
Back in 2022, Sarma had in an interview said that he had “wasted 22 years of my life in the Congress”. Speaking about the difference between Congress and BJP, Sarma said, In the Congress, we used to worship a family. In BJP, we worship the country.”
Congress leaders get sidelined or dubbed as ‘Sanghi’ for having opinions differing from those of party high command
Interestingly, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, though he remains in the Congress party, has on many occasions taken decisions which caused dismay to the party leadership. Be it calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “Bade Bhai” elder brother and praising “Gujarat Model” when Rahul Gandhi was repeatedly attacking PM Modi accusing him of complicity in businessman Gautam Adani’s alleged crony capitalism, signing MoU with Adani Group for development projects, not joining the divisive South Tax Movement started by Congress and allies to backing Centre and armed forces during Operation Sindoor, Reddy has many a times acted independently although not without upsetting party leadership and supporters who called him a “Sanghi agent”.
Similarly, Congress leader Sachin Pilot has also been sidelined by the Congress party due to his differences with Gandhi family loyalist and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Despite being called nikamma (useless), gaddar (traitor) and whatnot, Pilot remains in Congress, though ignored.
From Jyotiraditya Scindia, Milind Deora to Kapil Sibal, many Congress leaders who had potential to become big leaders in the party were sidelined, and had to eventually quit Congress since the party was evidently intolerant to those expressing opinions that do not always align with party high command’s line.
Ghulam Nabi Azad left Congress after spending over 50 years in the party as high command became tone-deaf to feedback and criticism
In August 2022, veteran Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad resigned from the Congress party after over 50 years of association. In his parting note, Ghulam Nabi Azad did not mince any words in holding the Congress high command accountable for the party’s downfall. He squarely blamed Congress scion Rahul Gandhi for single-handedly destroying the consultative mechanism within the party.
Azad’s discontentment with Congress became evident when he joined the G-23 rebel group in Jammu last year. He had also showered praise upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and hinted at the lack of ‘reality check’ within the Congress. After being unceremoniously ousted from the disciplinary committee and the party’s list of star campaigners before the 2022 Punjab elections, resignation was on the cards. The last nail in the coffin was perhaps his ‘downgrade’ appointment to 2 committees of the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Congress.
For the Congress party, the Gandhi family and not nation comes first. Anyone defying this unannounced rule is either subjected to snubbing, humiliation and dubbed as ‘BJP agent’/Sanghi or outrightly expelled from the party. Apparently, the Gandhi family does not want to risk losing control by letting its senior party leaders exercise their intellectual freedom, especially as Congress continues to struggle electorally. The party leadership wants to rely on Rahul Gandhi’s ‘JanNayak’ image as well as divisive and populist promises, while seeing seasoned leaders like Shashi Tharoor as ‘too independent liabilities’ simply because they do not unquestionably align with the vision of the Gandhi family.
India, via “Operation Sindoor” has illustrated its formidable ability to penetrate deep into Pakistan, successfully eliminating both terrorist infrastructure and destroying military installations in retaliation of Pakistan’s attacks. While the armed forces have been delivering a powerful message to the terrorist state, a critical effort is underway to identify and nab internal foes.
A systematic nationwide crackdown on individuals engaged in espionage for Pakistani intelligence agencies is currently in progress, resulting in the apprehension of multiple individuals, including social media influencers and YouTubers.
Shehzad Wahab
On 18th May, the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of the Uttar Pradesh Police nabbed a man who was reportedly smuggling commodities across the India-Pakistan border and spying for Pakistan’s intelligence services. The accused was identified as Shehzad Wahab from Tanda in the Rampur district. The arrest was made following information that a local was implicated in illegal operations with the aid of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He was tracked and taken into custody in Moradabad.
Image via Moneycontrol
After compiling evidence, the ATS brought forth a case on actions that compromise the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India, among other issues. According to the police, they discovered that he had been traveling secretly to Pakistan for years, illegally smuggling clothing, cosmetics, spices and other goods across the border, throughout their investigation.
Shehzad had been monitored after reliable intelligence reports indicated he was involved in smuggling under the protection of Pakistan’s intelligence establishment. He worked for ISI during these visits and was in regular contact with several ISI agents and provided them with private and sensitive information pertaining to the security of India.
According to officials, Shehzad was aiding ISI operations in India in addition to disseminating intelligence. A later inquiry revealed that he had sent money to Islamabad’s agents working in India on their orders. Additionally, he is charged with recruiting and facilitating the transport of individuals from Rampur and other regions of Uttar Pradesh to Pakistan to enlist them for ISI-related activities.
Police stated that ISI agents helped in arranging these people’s visas and travel documents. Furthermore, it is reported that he purchased and provided Indian SIM cards to ISI agents which enabled communication for subversive objectives.
The ATS police station in Lucknow has filed a case against in accordance with sections 148 and 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Shehzad has been presented before a magistrate in Moradabad. He is currently under police remand as additional legal actions are ongoing.
Notably, multiple Pakistani spies in india have been exposed as tensions with Pakistan escalate in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.
Sukhpreet Singh and Karanbir Singh
Two men have been taken into custody by the Gurdaspur police in Punjab for providing Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) with classified military intelligence pertaining to “Operation Sindoor.” Sukhpreet Singh and Karanbir Singh were reportedly involved in providing Islamabad with classified information, including troop movements and important strategic locations in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, the Punjab Police informed, citing reliable intelligence inputs received on 15th May.
In a significant counter-espionage operation, #Gurdaspur Police thwarts an attempt to compromise national security by apprehending two persons involved in leaking sensitive military information.
On 15th May 2025, credible intelligence inputs indicated that Sukhpreet Singh &…
— DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) May 19, 2025
The intelligence inputs were validated by forensic analysis of their mobiles. Moreover, authorities found eight live .30 bore cartridges and three cell phones in their possession. According to preliminary findings, the accused had communicated vital information about the Indian Armed Forces and had direct contact with ISI handlers. A formal complaint has been filed at the Dorangala police station under the Official Secrets Act.
Mohammad Tarif
A resident of Kangarka village in Taoru tehsil of Mewat district, Mohammad Tarif, was arrested on the evening of 18th May as part of the ongoing investigation into the Pakistani spy network. He has been transmitting sensitive information concerning the Indian Army and defense strategies to Pakistan for a long time. He often asked others to secure visas to visit Pakistan.
His mobile device has also been confiscated. The investigation uncovered suspicious conversations. It was discovered that his mobile contained WhatsApp numbers from Pakistan. He attempted to delete some conversations from his mobile device upon noticing the police team. Additionally, some data appeared to have been erased.
The examination of Tarif’s mobile phone disclosed chats, images, videos and documentation of military operations that he had sent to a person in Pakistan. He maintained continuous contact with Pakistani numbers using two separate SIM cards.
Image via The Tribune
During interrogation, the perpetrator revealed that he had been sharing information regarding Indian military operations and intelligence with Asif Baloch, a staff member at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi in exchange for money. After the latter was moved from the embassy, he met another employee named Jafar, in Delhi. Likewise, he disseminated the vital information to him as well.
Nuh police has registered a case under the relevant section of Indian Penal Code and Official Secrets Act against Mohammad Tarif and the two Pakistani High Commission officials at the Taoru Sadar police station.
“I went to the Pakistan Embassy in 2018 for my Visa. A Pakistani officer interviewed me. He took my number and said he would tell other details on Phone. He called me after three-four days and said, if you want a visa, give me two new Sims. I bought two new Sims from Nuh, and then I went to that Pakistan Embassy and met that officer. He issued me the Visa after I gave him the sims,” he professed in a video confession.
“Then I left for Pakistan. When I returned from Pakistan, he again called me. He said that send some people who need a Pakistani Visa then we will distribute the money among us. Then I referred 8-10 people to him for visas. We shared the money among us,” he added.
He further revealed, “He called me in 2024 and said, you have work here, come to the Pakistan embassy. He then introduced me to another officer named Jafar and said I may get transfer soon so get in touch with him. Then Jafar took my number and contacted me after a few days. He also asked me to get two new Sims. Then he called me and said, you have to do something for us and we’ll pay you in lakhs. He asked me to go to Sirsa airbase and click pictures and videos and send them to them.”
Armaan
On 17th May, Armaan (26), a Class XII dropout was apprehended from Firozpur Jhirka in the Nuh district on the night of 15th May. He lives in Rajaka village of the Nagina block. He regularly communicated with Pakistan via a staffer of its high commission in New Delhi about the Indian Army and the country’s military operations.
File Photo
“A man named Armaan was arrested on 16th May based on the intelligence that the Nagina police had. He was found to be passing sensitive information to the Pakistani side during the conflict between India and Pakistan. He is on remand, and we are collecting the information. We have the evidence, and we are furthering our investigation,” Nuh Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ajaib Singh declared.
The police stated that a tip from central investigative agencies led to his capture. He distributed the information through social media and WhatsApp for an extended period of time. “When his mobile phone was searched, conversations and photos and videos shared with Pakistani numbers were discovered,” they outlined.
Jyoti Malhotra
33-year-old Hisar-based travel blogger Jyoti Malhotra was taken into custody after she admitted to providing critical information to a Pakistani agent. She was charged under section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act and sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act. Malhotra had been placed under police remand for five days.
According to the FIR (First Information Report), she met Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, a staff member at the Pakistan High Commission (PHC) in New Delhi, on her 2023 visit there. Danish has since been expelled by India. The government had deemed the Pakistani mission staffer “persona non grata for engaging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India,” according to a statement from the ministry of external affairs.
Image via News18 Hindi
The FIR read, “The woman revealed that she remained in touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish and during her Pakistan visit in 2023, she met Ali Ehwan, who ensured my staying and travelling in Pakistan. Ehwan introduced her to Pakistani security and intelligence officials, where she also met with Shakir and Rana Shahbaz.”
It added, “The vlogger had saved Shakir’s name with ‘Jatt Randhawa’ so that no one could create doubt on her. After returning from Pakistan in 2023, she remained in touch with all the operatives on encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram and Snapchat.” She made two trips to Pakistan in 2023.
She met several Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) via Danish. She ran the YouTube channel ‘Travel with Jo’ and was actively utilized to promote a positive image of Pakistan on social media and disclosed sensitive information about places in India.
“Certainly, they were developing her as an asset. She was in touch with other YouTube influencers. They were also in touch with PIOs. This is also (a kind of) warfare, in which they try to push their narrative by recruiting influencers,” Hisar Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan stated.
Devendra Singh Dhillon
26-year-old Devendra Singh Dhillon of Mastgarh Cheeka hamlet in Haryana’s Kaithal was caught on 12th May for providing sensitive intelligence to the Pakistani army and ISI during the recent India-Pakistan conflict. According to reports, he is a post graduate student of political science at Khalsa College in Patiala.
Image via @LokmatTimes_ngp/X
He entered Pakistan through the Kartarpur Corridor last November and started exchanging private information with Pakistan’s ISI officers, including pictures of Patiala’s military cantonment. He made contact with Pakistani intelligence officers during the visit and maintained that communication following his return.
The initial investigation was prompted by his Facebook activity, which featured images of illegal weapons. Pakistani operatives had made significant investments in him. The espionage and money trail is now being followed via forensic analysis of his bank and phone records.
Nauman Ilahi
A security guard was apprehended by the Panipat police on 10th May for disclosing private information to a handler headquartered in Pakistan. According to authorities, the man was identified as 24-year-old Nauman Ilahi, who was employed as a security guard at a nearby industrial facility in Kairana, Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district.
Image via Anshul Saxena/Facebook
During questioning, it came to light that he had connections to people in Pakistan with whom he was exchanging critical and sensitive information. He used to provide pictures, videos, and maps of train stops. He charged between 4,000 and 5,000 rupees for each picture shared on social networking platforms like WhatsApp.
According to SP Gangaram Poonia, he did several jobs while residing in Panipat. He used to monitor all movements under the guise of these jobs and informed Islamabad about the same. His aunts reside in Pakistan, according to the investigation. He was also attempting to obtain a passport from Pakistan.
Raqeeb Khan
Raqeeb Khan (32) had been taken into custody by the Punjab Police from the Bathinda army base. He was employed there as a tailor. Pakistan-based phone numbers were discovered on his phone, leading to his detention on suspicion of espionage for Pakistan. He is a native of Roorkee in Uttarakhand and has been working in the region as a tailor for the army camp staff.
File Photo
Raqib’s mobile phone reportedly included sensitive photos and cantonment-related information. His device has been transferred for forensic examination by the police. He was placed under three days of police remand after being turned over to the Bhatinda police and appearing in a local court.
Guzala and Yameen Mohamad
The Punjab police arrested two individuals including a 31-year-old woman and seized an explosives cache close to the border as it busted espionage and arms smuggling operations associated with Pakistan. They have been identified as Guzala and Yameen Mohamad, both residents of Malerkotla.
They were arrested over supplying a handler stationed in Pakistan with confidential military intelligence, based on Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav. According to Malerkotla Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gagan Ajit Singh, she admitted to providing an official at Pakistan’s high commission in New Delhi information about military movements in return for Rs 30,000 transferred over UPI.
The man was arrested on the basis of her disclosures. They were in frequent contact with the handler and were involved in channelling funds to other local operatives as per his instructions. The authorities confiscated two cell phones from them. Police filed a complaint in accordance with the Official Secrets Act and BNS provisions. The FIR also included the Pakistani diplomat’s name.
Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih
Two individuals were arrested by the Punjab Police on 4th May for their role in providing Pakistani intelligence agents with private information and images of Army cantonment locations and Amritsar Air Bases. Suraj Masih and Palak Sher Masih were being directed by Harpreet Singh, also known as Happy or Pittu, who is presently incarcerated in Amritsar Central Jail, according to preliminary investigations.
Image via DGP Punjab Police/ Facebook
Officials stated that the accused compromised national security by exchanging strategic information and high-security images. Maninder Singh, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), stated that they were in communication with the Pakistani intelligence operatives.
“They had one more partner, Harpreet, who brought them in touch with the ISI, and we will bring him from Amritsar Jail on a production warrant. One NDPS case was already registered against him,” he added. Their activity increased following the tragic Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mohammad Murtaza Ali
Mohammad Murtaza Ali, a suspected spy for Pakistan’s ISI intelligence organization was nabbed by Gujarat Police. He was captured during a raid in the Bhargav Camp neighborhood of Jalandhar. Three SIM cards and four cell phones had been confiscated from him. According to officials, he was staying in a rented home in Gandhi Nagar while surreptitiously conducting espionage missions.
Preliminary investigations indicated that he continued to watch Indian news channels and provided the ISI with sensitive information during the recent period of rising hostility between India and Pakistan when Pakistani citizens were prohibited from accessing Indian news websites and television channels. The culprit accomplished this via a mobile app that he had developed.
He shared updates from Indian news broadcasts with Pakistan’s intelligence officers using the app. According to investigators, he even sought huge amounts of money from ISI operatives to gain access to the app and the data it contained. He recently purchased a 25 marla plot where he was constructing an opulent residence at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore.
The police investigation into his bank account revealed a transaction of Rs 40 lakh occurring over the course of one month. He had been regularly providing the ISI with important information about news coverage and other internal events in India throughout the previous few weeks. The police transported him to Gujarat for additional questioning.
Odisha YouTuber under inquiry
Meanwhile, a 21-year-old YouTuber from is also being probed for working with Jyoti Malhotra. She came under scrutiny after it was revealed that, soon after the Malhotra’s visit to Puri Jagannath Temple on 21st September of last year, she had visited the Kartarpur Corridor, a border crossing that leads to Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib without a visa.
Jyoti Malhotra, who spent three days in Puri, met her while there, according to police sources. The young woman claimed that the two became friends online about eight months ago after they discovered a mutual passion for travel blogging. Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) Vinit Agrawal informed, “Haryana Police and other security agencies are in touch with us. We have questioned the YouTuber and shared details with them.”
The police are also attempting to ascertain “where she stayed, whom she contacted, and any possible suspicious activities” in addition to “examining the objective” of her trip to Puri. “We are in touch with various central agencies and the Haryana Police. We will share details with the media after field verification,” the official conveyed.
“My daughter came in contact with Jyoti Malhotra as both are YouTubers. As a friendship developed between them, she visited Puri. As it is a matter of the nation’s security, a proper investigation should be carried out. We will cooperate with the police. My daughter visited Kartarpur in Pakistan with another friend, not Jyoti Malhotra, three or four months ago for a pilgrimage. She has no involvement in anti-national activities and was unaware of her alleged espionage,” the Odisha YouTuber’s father maintained.
Conclusion
This list is certainly not exhaustive, as numerous additional names are expected to emerge as agencies work to uncover the Pakistani spy network in India, which presents a significant security risk to the nation, particularly in the current situation. A desperate Pakistan, following its humiliation at the hands of India, could likely attempt to orchestrate another cowardly attack akin to Pahalgam and the information provided by these moles could be utilized for this purpose. The recent initiative to identify and expose them is therefore crucial for the nation’s security and safety.
It takes a special kind of journalistic acrobatics to watch a rogue nation like Pakistan getting pounded ruthlessly by India, its air defence humiliated, and its terror camps destroyed, and still declare it a draw. This is what The New York Times (NYT) has done. Basically, NYT did not let facts get in the way of defending Pakistan or mocking India’s right to self-defence.
In their latest piece of verbal diarrhea titled “Why There’s No Battlefield Solution to India’s Perpetual Pakistan Problem,” NYT correspondents Mujib Mashal and Alex Travelli conveniently repackaged strategic passivity as wisdom and suggested that India should simply accept terrorism as a fact of life.
Source: NYT
Their source? None other than Shivshankar Menon, the same Foreign Secretary during 26/11 who presided over the strategic doctrine of “let us light candles and move on”. India failed to take revenge for the murder of over 160 people by the terrorists sent and sponsored by Pakistan. NYT wants India to repeat the same again. Why? Because, according to them, it is evidently the right thing to do.
Source: NYT
NYT conveniently skips who started the violence
Interestingly, NYT cunningly hid the basic chronology of the India Pakistan conflict. India’s initial response to the 22nd April Pahalgam terrorist attack was limited and specific. It targeted only terror camps in Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan. No civilian or military Pakistani targets were touched. India gave Pakistan an option to step back and accept the destruction of multiple terror camps and the death of over 100 hardcore terrorists.
However, Pakistan decided to escalate and launched military attacks on Indian civilians, religious sites and defence infrastructure. Only then did India answer with full force and destroyed 11 Pakistani air bases, turned two radar systems into dust and crippled Pakistan’s war machinery. While doing so, India managed to jam the air defence system of Pakistan, making it possible for India to strike strategic locations to inflict the most damage in the least time.
Pakistan sent drones and nuclear capable missiles, one of which was headed towards New Delhi, but all were intercepted and destroyed by the advanced air defence system of India. Over time, India has developed its own version of “Iron Dome” that saved it from the vicious Pakistani attack. While Pakistan tried to use civilian airlines as a shield by letting them fly during the conflict and fired missiles from civilian locations, as shown in videos shared by Pakistanis, India maintained restraint to ensure the least collateral damage.
And yet, according to NYT, this is still “a draw.” By that logic, what would defeat look like? Pakistan no longer existing?
The 26/11 peace fantasy
The NYT bizarrely suggested that India’s restraint post 26/11 brought peace for 17 years. This is such a laughable claim. Just a few years after 26/11, the 2010 German Bakery attack happened. Over the years, Mumbai in 2011, Hyderabad in 2013, Pathankot and Uri in 2016 and Pulwama in 2019 were targeted by Pakistan sponsored terrorism. The idea that not retaliating somehow created peace is not analysis, it is wilful ignorance.
Source: NYT
Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi rose to power in 2014, he attempted to bring peace between India and Pakistan, which failed. After Uri and Pulwama, India struck Pakistan’s terror camps, following which there was silence for some time. Notably, post abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, which was condemned by Pakistan, incidents of terror attacks and stone pelting drastically dropped in the Valley.
Pakistan does not like peace. It is a fact. This is why every few years it drinks some Thums Up and decides to do something “toofani”. However, India’s strategy has changed and when it hits back, Pakistan runs to find shelter, like it did this time by running to the United States seeking mediation for ceasefire.
NYT either does not understand what has been going on between India and Pakistan or it chose to ignore it. By not acting post 26/11, India bled quietly, with no strategic gain, as terrorists kept striking. The same Menon they quote today was part of that silence.
Comparing India with Pakistan is dishonest
In its classic style, the NYT placed India and Pakistan on the same moral and strategic pedestal. The only way to describe it is purely lazy journalism. It is deliberate misinformation aimed at confusing the readers. India is a democracy with rising global influence. On the other hand, Pakistan is a crumbling state run by unelected generals and radical proxies. Moreover, the way it runs around with a “katora” in its hands seeking bailouts is yet another example why it stands nowhere close to India. However, NYT’s correspondents, instead of discussing how Pakistan’s military establishment openly breeds terrorism as a state policy, decided to spend a lot of time blaming “Hindu nationalism”.
The Modi government is not like its predecessors. The situation has shifted away from the appeasement driven paralysis. It has shown that India will not absorb terrorism as a fact of life. If you kill Indians, there will be consequences, and not just on Twitter or in UN speeches. As PM Modi clearly said, nuclear blackmail is not going to work.
Operation Sindoor was not a reckless decision
If NYT is to be believed, Operation Sindoor will sound like a reckless decision. But in reality, it did not have much effect on India but destroyed the reputation of Pakistan and its weapon suppliers Turkey and China. In India, businesses remained open during the day with blackouts in some border states. Life carried on. There was no panic buying. There were no complete shutdowns.
In contrast, Pakistan had to eventually shut down its airspace and scramble for damage control. Reports suggest it is planning to shift its military establishments from where it controls all operations, as the current ones were hit by India without much resistance from Pakistan’s air defence system.
India does not want war. Operation Sindoor was not a reckless war. It was a calibrated response with clear objectives. Every major country faces threats and distractions. That does not mean you let your people be bombed and keep chanting peace.
Nuclear fear is not strategy
The NYT also played the nuclear card. It suggested India cannot act against Pakistan because it might escalate. This cowardice is what let Pakistan build its entire asymmetric terror model. Every time it feels there is a threat in response to its terror activities, the leaders and military chiefs of Pakistan start threatening, “We are a nuclear nation,” with an unsteady voice masked with false courage. The Modi government has rightly called the bluff. Retaliation does not mean escalation, and targeted strikes do not mean nuclear war.
Ajit Doval’s doctrine is not warmongering, it is deterrence with clarity. If you sponsor terror, you will bleed. Not through big wars, but through strategic, invisible cuts, and sometimes, visible ones like Operation Sindoor.
The NYT article is not analysis, it is spin. It is an attempt to lecture a democracy for defending itself, glorify passivity as wisdom, and subtly suggest that India is no better than a terror exporting failed state. It is dishonest, insulting and exactly the kind of narrative that lets Pakistan hide behind nuclear excuses while exporting death. Moreover, the West must not forget how many wars it has initiated and is still fighting worldwide. And yes, please remind us, the Indians, how many wars the United States, the biggest military power in the world, has won since 1947. What happened in the Korean war, the Vietnam war and the war in Afghanistan?
Let the West moralise from the comfort of distance. We choose to fight back.
The Sikkim Cricket Ground in Mining marked a major milestone in the state’s sporting history with the installation of state-of-the-art high-mast LED floodlights, officially inaugurated on the evening of May 18 by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang.
This development makes the venue capable of hosting day-night matches and high-definition live broadcasts for the first time in Sikkim.
The project, worth Rs 12.2 crore, was fully funded by the Government of Sikkim and executed by the Sikkim Cricket Association (SICA). The work commenced in December 2024 and was completed on April 18. The lighting system features four 44-meter-high masts, each equipped with 64 high-powered LED floodlights, totalling 256 lights. Each light has a capacity of 1.2 kW, and the system provides an impressive 2800 lux illumination at the pitch well above the required standard for televised cricket.
Justice Biswanath Somadder, Chief Justice of the High Court of Sikkim, along with Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, the Chief Secretary, the Chief Administrator-cum-Cabinet Secretary, and senior department officials, were present at the grand inauguration.
SICA President Tika Subba expressed his gratitude to both the state government and the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) for making this dream a reality.
“Thanks to the government, with the help of the government as well as the BCCI, today we are able to install this historic floodlight,” he said.
Subba also pointed out the longstanding issue of poor lighting at the ground, which hindered match scheduling and overall gameplay.
To commemorate the occasion, a friendly match was held between the SICA President XI and the Chief Secretary XI. Batting first, the Chief Secretary XI posted 121/9 in their allotted 20 overs. In response, the SICA President XI chased down the target in 19.4 overs, winning the game with five wickets in hand.
The LED floodlights, built to meet international standards, come with a five-year manufacturer’s warranty and promise low maintenance, ensuring that Sikkim cricket takes a giant step forward in infrastructure and visibility.
Chief Minister Tamang also confirmed that preparations are underway for a potential visit from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The Sikkim government has received confirmation regarding PM Modi’s visit. Several meetings have taken place…29th May is the tentative date, though it is not 100% confirmed yet,” Tamang said.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
Rahul Gandhi’s misleading attacks against EAM S Jaishankar, and his statements questioning the Operation Sindoor have again been picked up by Pakistan. When the nation stands united with the armed forces after their brave retaliation against Pakistan’s terrorist designs, the leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has again allowed the enemy to benefit from his petty political mud-slinging.
EAM Jaishankar’s silence isn’t just telling — it’s damning.
So I’ll ask again: How many Indian aircraft did we lose because Pakistan knew?
This wasn’t a lapse. It was a crime. And the nation deserves the truth. https://t.co/izn4LmBGJZ
“EAM Jaishankar’s silence isn’t just telling — it’s damning. So I’ll ask again: How many Indian aircraft did we lose because Pakistan knew? This wasn’t a lapse. It was a crime. And the nation deserves the truth”, posted Rahul Gandhi today. This was posted quoting his May 17 post where he had attacked EAM Jaishankar by giving a wrong twist to his statement about notifying Pakistan.
Rahul Gandhi’s post was immediately picked up by the Pakistani media, claiming their false victory and trying to peddle the Operation Sindoor as a loss for India.
Pakistan channels have immediately started running news of Rahul Gandhi asking how many Indian jets lost.
Rahul Gandhi is clearly running Pakistan's agenda and also helping them indirectly.
“Informing Pakistan at the start of our attack was a crime. EAM has publicly admitted that GOI did it. Who authorised it?” Rahul Gandhi had posted on May 17.
Rahul Gandhi had distorted what the EAM said and tried to twist it to peddle a sinister narrative.
The EAM had said, “At the start of the operation, we had sent a message to Pakistan saying we are striking at terrorist infrastructure. We are not striking at the military. So, the military has an option of standing out, and not interfere in this process. They chose not to take this good advice.”
Nowhere in this does Jaishankar admit that Pakistan was informed “before” the strikes began. In fact, the timeline confirmed by Indian defence authorities and fact-checked by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) proves that by the time the message reached Pakistani officials, the operation was already over. This is not “informing Pakistan in advance”; this is a classic post-strike diplomatic move—intended to prevent escalation by clarifying intent and scope.
Further, There is no official report or credible evidence of India losing any aircraft during Operation Sindoor. Yet, Pakistan’s military establishment—embarrassed by its inability to stop or even detect the strike—has floated unverifiable claims of shooting down Indian jets.
In fact, the diplomatic move of telling Pakistan about India’s strike on terror infrastructure was also mentioned in the press briefing done by the armed forces.
Rahul Gandhi’s daftness is not merely incidental—it is sinister. He is speaking the language of Pakistan.
For the benefit of India, and to expose the intent of the Leader of the Opposition, I am reposting the statement of DGMO Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, dated 11.05.2025:… https://t.co/NBqHRPvdLRpic.twitter.com/UeJ5vj1vzV
“…Even though we did attempt to reach out and communicate our compulsion to strike at the heart of terror to my counterpart in the immediate wake of Operation Sindoor, the request was brusquely turned down, with an intimation that a severe response was inevitable and in the offing. We were, of course, prepared…” DGMO Lt General Rajiv Ghai had told media on 11 May, much before EAM Jaishankar repeated the same.
Rahul Gandhi has been a useful tool for Pakistan to spread its propaganda after the Balakot airstrike too
Even after the Balakot airstrikes where Indian planes entered enemy territories and destroyed terrorist camps. Rahul Gandhi was making himself helpful for Pakistani propaganda.
In 2019, Pakistan’s anti-India dossier to the UNHRC featured former Congress President Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders over the abrogation of Article 370. Pakistan’s national radio had used Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders’ statements over the Balakot surgical strike to peddle lies against India. Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan used to quote Rahul Gandhi regularly and repeatedly to peddle his anti-India claims.
Rahul Gandhi’s and Congress’ political statements against the Modi government have been used multiple times by the Pakistani establishment to target India. Pakistani politicians love quoting Rahul Gandhi. They even use his and his party’s statements to validate their rantings against India in international platforms.
