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Wing Commander Abhinandan was beaten up, choked, tortured in first 24 hours of Pakistan captivity

OpIndia Staff
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Wing Commander Abhinandan was beaten up, choked, tortured in first 24 hours of Pakistan captivity

In his debriefing, Wing Commander Abhinandan reportedly also mentioned how Pakistani interrogators tried to extract crucial information regarding Indian troops’ deployment, high-security radio frequencies and sensitive logistics in the initial 24 hours he spent in Pakistani captivity. As per the Hindustan Times report, was also beaten up, choked and left sleep deprived subjecting him to physical and mental harassment. He was also reportedly made to listen to loud music to confuse, disorient him and to cause him further discomfort.

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down Pakistan’s F-16 jet with a short-range Vympel R-73 air to air missile fired from his MiG-21 Bison, has stated in his debriefing that he saw the Pakistan Air Force F16 going down on the other side of the border. However, Pakistan Air Force has denied that it had used F-16 for air intrusion in India and that it was shot down.

During the air-fight, Abhinandan’s MiG-21 Bison was also shot down by Pakistan, which had led him to eject from the jet, landing him in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. He was released by Pakistan, last Friday. He is going through recuperation and also taking part in debriefs conducted by forces to know more about his air encounter with Pakistan Air Force and further happenings.

The Economic Times report says that Wing Commander has corroborated that he got a lock onto Pakistan’s jet with his R73 missile, that he had confirmed with ground controllers. In fact, the last message that he had sent from his jet was “R-73 is selected”. He also added that this was the missile which brought down enemy’s jet.

“The use of F16 by PAF and multiple launches of AMRAAM were conclusively observed during the combat. Prompt and correct tactical action by Su30 aircraft, in response to AMRAAM launch, defeated the missiles,” the Indian Airforce had said. PAF had used AIM-120 AMRAAM missile on Indian jets to take them down, though, none of them could hit targets due to evasive measures employed by Indian jets. However, the PAF had denied using any AIM-120 AMRAAM on Indian jets, a lie that was busted by IAF.

The air intrusion by Pakistan was part of its retaliation to Indian airstrikes on the terrorist camps of Pakistan backed terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad in Balakot in Pakistan by deploying F-16s, JF-17s and Mirage-5 fighter jets to attack Indian military installations across the LoC. But its transgression was aptly dealt by IAF which deployed Sukhoi-30MKIs, Mirage-2000s, MiG-29s and six MiG-21s jets.

UK NSA speaks to Ajit Doval, promises to extend all support to combat terrorism

OpIndia Staff
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UK NSA speaks to Ajit Doval, promises to extend all support to combat terrorism

The UK’s National Security Advisor, (NSA) Mark Sedwill, spoke to his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on Thursday and expressed solidarity with India in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack. In the telephonic conversation between the two NSAs, Sedwill offered all assistance, including intelligence-sharing, in dealing with any form of terrorism, official sources said.

UK NSA Mark Sedwill said that all assistance in dealing with any form of terrorism will be extended to India bilaterally through counter-terrorism cooperation, intelligence sharing and by bringing the perpetrators of terrorist attacks to justice.


The conversation transpired amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan sparked by the cowardly Pulwama attack, carried out by Pakistan supported terror organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammad, which claimed the lives of 44 CRPF soldiers.

India, suffering the continous terrorist attacks by Pakistan-based terror groups, retaliated against the ghastly act by striking a JeM camp in Balakot, a town in Mansehra District in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

On February 26, the IAF fighter jets had pierced deep into Pakistan territory with their Mirage 2000 fighters and bombed six different locations in the area spread over several acres in Balakot wrecking the terror camps into shambles. Petrified by India’s quick and strong retribution Pakistan had tried to attack India’s military installations.

Following repeated terror attacks by Pakistan based terrorists, the bilateral ties between India and Pakistan stand further worsened. Several countries have expressed solidarity with India and condemned Pakistan for breeding terrorism.

While the US ambassador to India, Kenneth Juster, was the first to offer his condolences, all other countries eventually extended their support to unite in the fight against terrorism. The US issued a warning to its people against traveling to Pakistan after the incident that took place on February 14.

Following the deadly attack in Pulwama, the US National Security Adviser, (NSA) John Bolton had on February 16 assured Indian NSA Ajit Doval that America supports India’s right to self-defense. Again on February 28, Bolton dialed up Ajit Doval to discuss the current situation in the region.

In fact, as per reports around 48 countries across the world have condemned the Pulwama attack and have extended their support to India to fight terrorism.

UN rejects Hafiz Saeed’s plea requesting removal of his name from the list of banned terrorists

OpIndia Staff
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UN rejects Hafiz Saeed’s plea requesting removal of his name from the list of banned terrorists

The United Nations has rejected the appeal of Pakistan based terrorist Hafiz Saeed and chief of UN-designated terrorist organisation Jamat-ud-Dawa, requesting the removal of his name from the list of banned terrorists. Hafiz Saeed, who was the mastermind of 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai, was banned by the UN in December 2008 after the 26/11 attack which claimed the lives of around 166 people. Saeed’s request was opposed by India, the US, the UK and France.

The decision of the UN to reject Saeed’s appeal filed by him through his lawyer Haider Rasul Mirza came after detailed evidence including highly confidential information about his activities was provided by India.

UN’s 1267 Sanctions Committee had recently received a fresh request to ban Masood Azhar, chief of UN-designated terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad which had claimed the responsibility of Pulwama terrorist attack. The bid was made by the US, the UK and France. The decision of the UN to reject Saeed’s appeal filed by him through his lawyer Haider Rasul Mirza came after detailed evidence including highly confidential information about his activities was provided by India.

Interestingly Pakistan did not oppose the appeal of Hafiz Saeed despite tall claims of Pakistan taking action against terrorist organisations. However, this was expected from Pakistan considering that it’s Prime Minister Imran Khan who talks of “Naya Pakistan’ did not even condemn the Pulwama terrorist attack and rather threatened with dire consequences if India attacked it.

UN-appointed independent Ombudsperson Daniel Kipler Fasciati who examined all the reports recommended that the decision to ban Saeed would continue as there was sufficient information to provide a reasonable and credible basis for continuing the listing.

‘IAF is in a high state of preparedness’: Indian Air Force issues statement on Pakistan airspace shutdown

OpIndia Staff
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‘IAF is in a high state of preparedness’: Indian Air Force issues statement on Pakistan airspace shutdown

The Indian Air Force has issued a new statement on Thursday over the decision of Pakistan to shut down its airspace.


In its statement, the IAF said, “The Indian Air Force is in a high state of preparedness, to proactively engage any perceived threat in the present security scenario. A strict vigil in the skies to detect and thwart any state of aggression from Pakistan Air Force is being maintained. As per NOTAM No. A0234/19 issued by CAA Pakistan, it has opened their airspace with Oman, Iran, Afghanistan and China only. The eleven Entry/Exit points located along Indo-Pak airspace boundary are still closed.”

We had reported yesterday that Pakistan has extended the shutdown of its airspace till Thursday although limited flights have been permitted in Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi and Quetta.

Pakistan, on the 5th of March, had announced that their airspace had fully reopened only to extend it to Tuesday, then again till Wednesday and now it has been announced that it has been extended till Thursday. Although things appear to have deescalated, for now, Pakistan still remains wary as ceasefire violations continue at the Line of Control.

After ’eminent journalists’, Rahul Gandhi lies about the martyr status of CRPF and BSF soldiers

OpIndia Staff
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After ’eminent journalists’, Rahul Gandhi lies about the martyr status of CRPF and BSF soldiers

Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally at Kangra, Himachal Pradesh claimed that paramilitary forces do not get the status of martyrs. He said that when his government comes to power, he will ensure that whenever someone gets martyred in the line of duty, he will get the status of a martyr.


As it turns out, the Congress President is spreading misinformation once again. According to the official stand of the Government on the matter, the term ‘martyr’ is not an official designation for any of the Armed Forces.

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The word ‘martyr’ may be used in everyday usage to describe soldiers who sacrifice their lives in the line of duty, however, it is not an official designation in the books of the government

The stand was again reiterated in response to an RTI query in 2017.

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Thus, it’s clear that the term ‘martyr’ although used abundantly to describe soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for the country, it is not an official term. Under such circumstances, it is highly deplorable that Rahul Gandhi is using the sacrifice of Indian paramilitary troops for political gains.

Not too long ago, propagandists in the mainstream media had peddled the same narrative as well. That the Congress President is echoing a false narrative conjured by the mainstream media perhaps where he is receiving his coaching from.

Rahul Gandhi goes back to Indira Gandhi’s ‘gareebi hatao’ punchline while lying about Modi’s track record

Shashank Bharadwaj
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Rahul Gandhi goes back to Indira Gandhi’s ‘gareebi hatao’ punchline while lying about Modi’s track record

Five decades since former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, grandmother of Rahul Gandhi promised to end poverty with ‘Garibi Hatao’ (eradicate poverty), no major changes have happened on the lives of the poor even after being in power for most of these five decades. However, Rahul Gandhi is still promising to ‘end poverty’ if at all Congress comes to power in 2019.

Addressing a rally at Moga, Punjab, Rahul Gandhi, just like his father Rajiv Gandhi and grandmother Indira Gandhi, declared that their party will end poverty once he comes to power. Rahul Gandhi also claimed that poverty has increased after the Narendra Modi government came to power.

“Hindustan main jo Narendra Modi ji ne garibi badhai hai, jin logon ko berozgaar kiya hai, hum Hindustan se garibi ko mita denge,” said Rahul Gandhi.

Interestingly, however, despite Congress being in power for most of the period in these five decades, they could not bring much change on the ground. Rahul Gandhi today once again resorted to false claims about the increasing level of poverty in the country since Modi came to power after the scam-ridden ten years of UPA. But, in reality, Narendra Modi led government has been phenomenal with respect to targetting poverty through their various poverty alleviation programmes.

Human development is often considered to be the most basic premise to tackle the socio-economic issue of poverty. As poverty alleviation programmes directly target the livelihood of the poor people of the country, the transformations are often visible through the change in social indicators of the poor. Interestingly, Human Development Indicators of the country have seen a rise in the country since 2014 contrary to the claims of Rahul Gandhi, who often says otherwise.

The United Nations Development Programme which releases the Human Development Index, which ranks countries based on a few socio-economic indicators suggests that India has experienced growth in social indicators post-2014 after Narendra Modi came into power.

According to the Human Developmental Index, a composite index of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators, India was ranked at 135 with a score of 0.586 in 2013 i.e during the UPA days, while it improved 5 positions to reach 130 with a score of 0.640 at the end of 2018. The Life Expectancy of the country has also raised from 66.4 years in 2013 to 68.8, an increase in 2.4 years by the end of 2018, which indicates that health indicators of Indians are indeed improving.

The Mean years of schooling and the expected years of schooling indices are also on the rise indicating the growth of standard in the social indicators of the country, which has a bearing on fighting poverty. The mean years of schooling have increased to 6.4 years from 4.4 years in 2013, while expected years of schooling has increased from 11.7 years in 2013 to 12.3 years in 2018. The per capita income of the country has also seen a rise from $5150 in 2013 to a 20 per cent growth to $6353 in 2018.

In 2018, 5 crore people had been lifted out of poverty since the Prime Minister came to power.

The data suggest that the socially disadvantaged groups in these states are starting to share benefits of the process of human development leading to direct targeting of poverty. The data also suggest that there was growth in not the only economic well being of the poor but also they had received better social benefits with respect to Health and Education.

Rahul Gandhi, the scion of Nehru-Gandhi dynasty seems to be banking on the legacy of the family to create a new political narrative to defeat the Narendra Modi government. With just months left for general elections, it is expected that Congress President Rahul Gandhi will resort to further lies and false narratives to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Meerut: Violent mob attacks police for carrying out anti-encroachment drive, houses and vehicles gutted in fire

OpIndia Staff
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Meerut: Violent mob attacks police for carrying out anti-encroachment drive, houses and vehicles gutted in fire

An unruly mob in the town of Meerut resorted to vandalism to hinder a joint anti-encroachment drive led by the Cantonment Board and the police. The Meerut police had to recourse to lathi charge in order to contain the mob that set ablaze 10 private vehicles and 8 UP Roadways buses during their protest.

In the Bhusa Mandi area under the jurisdiction of Sadar police station area of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, on March 6, 2019, the anti-encroachment drive resulted in people protesting against the Cantonment Board and the police team which had gone to demolish illegal constructions. Not only this, the fierce mob beat the police team, snatched their equipment and weapons.

The mob reportedly also pelted stones. A fire ensued and about 200 huts in the slum were engulfed in the fire. As per reports, some locals objecting to the anti-encroachment drive had spread the rumour that the police team had demolished a religious place, following which, the mob became violent.

Police superintendent Akhilesh Narain Singh claimed that fearing that the situation may get out of control, the police resorted to mild lathi-charge. In this case, Prashad Chavan, CEO of Cantonment board has lodged a case against 250 people, including Nasim, Samar, Mumtaz, Rahsudin, residing in the Maseran area. In addition, 7 people were also detained. It is being told that many people including Cantonment board Supervisor Rajkumar and several other policemen have been reportedly injured.

According to some news reports, there are a large number of houses and huts in the Bhusa Mandi area built over encroached land. The clashes had started after the police team and cantonment board officials went there to demolish houses built on encroached land. Initially, the police team had pacified the agitators but soon, a large mob reportedly rushed in to attack the policemen.

After it, the angry mob thrashed an employee of the Cantonment Board. As the commotion intensified, the Sadar police reached the place. A large number of goats have also perished in the fire. The entire district police-administrative staff, including DM-SSP, rushed to the spot and tried to douse the fire.

Getting lost and finding oneself at Kumbh

Prerita Chauthaiwale
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Getting lost and finding oneself at Kumbh

There are experiences which render you speechless and overwhelm you at the same time. They also exuberate and drain your emotions in the very same moment. They are milestones as well as the beginning of a new journey. Last week, I enthusiastically embarked upon a journey on the Vande Bharat Express along with my parents and DSLR to witness the very best of the largest human congregation in the world, the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, unaware of what was really in store.

I must admit, it took me some time to completely absorb and comprehend the little facets of the Divya Kumbh (and I may not have thoroughly understood them yet). However, as soon as we arrived at the holy site, every effort to seize the idea of Kumbh seemed insignificant. Insignificant because how can a camera or any human intervention ever capture something immortal, timeless and so immaculate?

Finally, Gautam Chikermane’s beautiful and vivid description of Kumbh Mela in this Twitter thread inspired me to pen a few words.

Firstly, with my humbling experience I wish to throw some light on what the Kumbh is NOT about:

Not about unclothed Sadhus and Babas

Not just about Rituals and Traditions

Not about being evil, only to later wash off your sins

Not about cult and mysticism

Not just about Hindu faith and devotion

So much has been written and talked about Kumbh and yet it seems so little. Millennials go in large numbers to explore and photograph the oddly dressed Babas and Sadhus while many others go to experience the ‘hype’ behind 25 crore people visiting Kumbh. Everyone chooses to see Kumbh through a different lens. However, for those who never ‘plan’ for Kumbh, it comes, goes and stays with you for a lifetime as the pinnacled glory of human faith.  For some, Kumbh is never planned. It just happens. It happens to make you understand the “greater” plan behind everything in your life and your very existence.

In his thread, Gautam very aptly points at the vastness of India which he observed at Kumbh. Not only does Kumbh shatter one’s cocooned notion and the idea of India but also reminds us of the words which many of our forefathers professed – that India is not merely a piece of land but a state of collective consciousness. A fine unfoldment of the words of many great men is felt at the Kumbh_ Sri Aurobindo who said, “India of the ages is not dead nor has she spoken her last creative word; she lives and has still something to do for herself and the human peoples” and Mark Twain who called India as “the cradle of human race”. The collective human spirit manifests in the subtlest forms, in fellow pilgrims on the boat taking care of one another’s belongings and in how people from all walks of life choose to reside in humble tents without locks.

From walking miles to reach the riverside, finding a boat to Sangam, to changing clothes out in the open without any inhibitions…. millions of seekers keep aside the human boundaries created by the mind. You realize that your existence is far beyond the captivities of your mind.   You may not believe in the human perception of God, but at Kumbh, you experience the common source of energy which binds us together. You may not believe in any rituals or traditions, but at Kumbh, you witness what the Sangam of Karma and Bhakti is.

You shed off every bit of the idea of “I”, get lost in the vastness of the Sangam only to rediscover yourself.

Kumbh is the inward journey of getting lost and finding oneself

Kumbh is a dip in the infinite vastness of the Universe

Kumbh is where human faith overcomes caste, class and community

Kumbh is the acceptance of human suffering

Kumbh is a lesson to expend every human emotion

Kumbh is as much Karma, as much it is Bhakti

Kumbh is a revelation that you and I are a minuscule part of a great Cosmic Drama

Kumbh is a realization that we all are One

Kumbh is the first step in the journey towards the Absolute One

After Digvijay Singh and Kapil Sibal, Kamal Nath cites foreign media reports to question the Balakot airstrike

OpIndia Staff
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After Digvijay Singh and Kapil Sibal, Kamal Nath cites foreign media reports to question the Balakot airstrike

Congress leaders have been either downplaying the Pulwama terror attack or floating bizarre conspiracy theories about the airstrikes conducted by the Indian Air Force within Pakistani territory in response to it.

A Goa Congress leader had asked for the proof of terror attack since the ‘body of the terrorist’ were not seen. He had even gone on to say that the Pulwama attack was carried out by Prime Minister Modi. Congress supporting abusive troll Sanjukta had also claimed that the Pulwama attack was an inside job.

Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh had called the terror attack an ‘accident’. He said that reports in various foreign media regarding the “air strike” have created a doubt in our minds. This has made us question the credibility of the Indian government as well, he added. Kapil Sibal was also seen taking a similar stand.

The latest person from Congress to question the Indian Air Force and the government over the airstrikes is the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath. Taking a leaf out of Digvijay Singh’s playbook, Nath said that disclosing the facts about the airstrikes are important as international news agencies are raising questions and creating doubts.

“I don’t understand what’s keeping the government away from disclosing these facts. When the government talks so much about it (air strikes), it should disclose everything,’’ he is reported to have said while talking to reporters in Bhopal.

“There were air strikes before, there were incidents before but no one asked for proof,’” he said while responding to questions on the doubts raised by opposition leaders in the country regarding the strikes conducted by the Indian Air Force.

It is notable here that Pakistani media, government-owned channels, and even their ministers have been quoting and hailing the statements made by Congress and the opposition parties after the Indian air strikes.

Twitter reacts as Robert Vadra says ‘I am in this country, others have looted the country and run away’

OpIndia Staff
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Twitter reacts as Robert Vadra says ‘I am in this country, others have looted the country and run away’

Robert Vadra, accused in money laundering cases and facing investigation by the Enforcement Directorate, seems to have scored a self-goal when he claimed that unlike others who ‘looted’ the country and fled, he will stay and will never leave the country.

Reportedly, Vadra speaking to the ANI said, “I’m in this country, there are people who have looted the country and run away, what about them? I’m always going to be in this country, I will not leave or be in active politics till I clear my name that is my promise.”

The remarks of Robert Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi comes as a reference to fugitives Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Mehul Choski. Mallya is facing an extradition case in the UK for loan fraud worth Rs 9,000 crore, while Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi are also facing similar charges in the Rs 13,000 crore PNB fraud case.

The social media users were also quick to react to the self-goal of Robert Vadra. Tajinder Pal Bagga, the spokesperson of the Delhi BJP, said that Robert Vadra will be the next Arvind Kejriwal.


Some other users suggested that Robert Vadra indicated that he did not wish to leave the country despite committing alleged scams as Congress may form government post general elections and he will be cleared.


As Imran Khan’s name has been recently suggested by his party leaders for a Nobel Prize in peace, some suggested the same for Vadra for showing the magnanimity of not fleeing the country.


Robert Vadra is accused of money laundering case and dubious land deal cases. Recently, he had hinted that he might join Congress and take up active politics like his wife, sparking yet another row. Within hours after Vadra posting his intention to plunge into politics, posters have been raised in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh which requests Robert Vadra to contest elections from Moradabad Lok Sabha constituency.

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