
Pak PM calls meet of nuclear command body after India hits airbases: Report
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called a meeting of the National Command Authority on Saturday, the country's military said, amid a dramatic escalation in cross-border hostilities with India. The move, reported by news agency Reuters, comes just hours after Islamabad launched a coordinated military operation targeting multiple Indian bases.The National Command Authority is Pakistan's highest decision-making body on national security matters, including those related to its nuclear arsenal.advertisementThe latest flashpoint was triggered by Pakistan firing a long-range missile aimed at a strategic Indian location, which was intercepted and destroyed by Indian Air Defence Systems in the Western Sector, according to government sources.
In response, India retaliated overnight, targeting 26 Pakistani sites with missile and drone strikes stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat.Four key Pakistani airbases—including Noor Khan in Rawalpindi, Murid in Chakwal, and Rafiqui in Shorkot—were hit, inflicting heavy damage on military assets. The Ministry of Defence said critical Indian infrastructure such as airports and airbases remained unharmed thanks to rapid interception by India's air defence systems, including S-400s and Akashteer units.Indian forces also destroyed several Pakistani posts and terror launch pads near the Jammu region that were allegedly being used to launch drones into Indian territory. Shelling resumed at dawn in Naushera, with loud explosions and heavy artillery fire reported.advertisementIntense engagement continues over Srinagar and its adjoining areas. India has activated its surface-to-air missile systems in the region amid fears of further aerial threats.Civil aviation across the region has been severely impacted. Pakistan closed its airspace until noon Saturday, while India's Airports Authority has issued NOTAMs suspending operations at 32 airports until May 14. The last PIA flight in Pakistani airspace was reportedly forced to circle Quetta mid-air before being grounded.Casualties have mounted on both sides. In Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri, Additional District Development Commissioner Raj Kumar Thappa was killed when Pakistani shelling hit his residence. J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called it 'devastating news' and offered his condolences.The crisis stems from India's precision strikes earlier this week on terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which were in retaliation for an April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead.Tune InMust Watch
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Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Like cat guarding milk': Rajnath Singh slams UNSC for naming Pakistan in anti-terror panel; says PoK will join 'Bharat' soon
Defence minister Rajnath Singh addresses a gathering during a dialogue on the topic 'National Security & Terrorism', in Dehradun. (PTI) NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday criticised the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for appointing Pakistan as the vice-chair of its counter-terrorism panel. Singh said this decision is similar to "making the cat guard the milk" as Pakistan has a known history of protecting and supporting terrorists. "What is astonishing is that this Counter-Terrorism panel, was formed after the 9/11 terror attacks. Pakistan had sheltered the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. This (decision) is akin to cat guarding the milk," Singh said. At an event in Dehradun, Singh said Pakistan has supported terrorism for many years and described Operation Sindoor, which was carried out in response to the Pahalgam attack, as the "biggest action" against terrorism in India's history. Singh pointed out that both India and Pakistan became independent at the same time, but while India is now seen as the "mother of democracy", Pakistan has gained the label of "father of global terrorism". He said this comparison should be kept in mind. Singh also said Pakistan is "stubborn" and needs to be dealt with using "strategic, diplomatic and economic pressure" from the global community to stop terrorism from its land. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3.5, 4.5 BHK Homes starting at ₹4.89 Cr.* Hero Homes Learn More Undo "Pakistan has always given shelter to terrorists, trained them on its soil and helped them. Pahalgam (attack) was just an example, but I want to tell you that list of Pakistan-aided terrorists is very long. And, Pakistan always tries to justify terrorism. So, it is important that we eliminate not just these terrorists but the entire terror infrastructure that aids them," he said. He added that Pakistan has not been able to stop development in Kashmir despite efforts. "Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway link is a shining example of the government's relentless pursuit of progress in Jammu & Kashmir. Soon, PoK will join us and say 'I, too, am Bharat'," he said. Shashi Tharoor, Priyanka Chaturvedi Share Key Insights After Meeting PM Modi At His Residence Calling terrorism a problem for humanity and a global issue, Singh said that no society should accept it. He also mentioned that some people glorify terrorists as "freedom fighters" and said, "no revolution is born out of the womb of terrorism, it only engenders destruction and hatred". Singh further stated that "No religious, ideological or political reason can justify terrorism. No human objective can ever be achieved through bloodshed and violence." He said Pakistan supports terrorism and a large portion of its foreign aid is used to fund this support. "Funding Pakistan means funding the infrastructure of terrorism. Pakistan is a nursery of terrorism. It should not be nourished," he said, asking other countries to stop giving money to Pakistan. Singh said that Pakistan's land has been a shelter for global terror groups. He named terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar who move freely there, and added that even senior officers of the Pakistan Army have attended terrorists' funerals. "Now, the same country is expected to lead the global community against terrorism. This raises serious questions on the intentions and policies of the international system," he said. Singh urged the international community and organisations like the UN to take the issue of terrorism seriously. He said, "Only when we are free from terrorism, will we be able to move towards the goal of global peace, progress and prosperity."
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Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Pakistan raises defence expenditure by 20% to $9 billion in annual budget
Pakistan on Tuesday raised its defence expenditure by 20 per cent to $9 billion in the annual federal Budget for 2025-26 (FY26) over the preceding year, but slashed overall federal expenditure by a hefty 7 per cent for the July-June financial year. This is likely to invite close scrutiny from New Delhi that has accused Pakistan of diverting financial support from multilateral agencies towards unproductive defence spending targeted at India. New Delhi last week vehemently opposed Asian Development Bank's (ADB's) financial assistance of $800 million to Pakistan, raising concerns about potential misuse of the funds. Last month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also approved a $1 billion loan to Pakistan despite India's strong objection. Indian officials cautioned the ADB on Pakistan's increasing defence expenditure, its declining tax-to-GDP ratio, and the lack of demonstrable progress on key macroeconomic reforms. 'This points to the possibility of diversion of funds made available to the country by external agencies, including financial institutions, especially those that are made available by fungible debt financing, through instruments such as policy-based loans, for increased defence spending,' India stressed. Tensions between India and Pakistan flared up following the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, in which 26 civilians were killed. It culminated in the launch of 'Operation Sindoor'. India has decided to submit a dossier at the upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting, calling for Pakistan to be placed back on the grey list of the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog. New Delhi is likely to highlight multiple commissions and omissions by Pakistan, such as restitution of money, failure to pass anti-terror laws, hosting terrorists, and buying military equipment with development funding. The FATF grey list flags countries with 'strategic deficiencies' in countering money laundering and terror financing. Re-entry into the list could have far-reaching consequences for Pakistan, including diminished foreign investment, increased borrowing costs, and tighter scrutiny from global financial institutions. Pakistan was removed from the grey list in 2022 after the FATF acknowledged its progress in strengthening its anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-financing terrorism (CFT) frameworks. According to sources, Pakistan allocates around 18 per cent of its general Budget to 'defence affairs and services', significantly higher than the average 10-14 per cent observed even in conflict-affected countries. Moreover, between 1980 and 2023, Pakistan's arms imports reportedly rose by more than 20 per cent during periods it received IMF disbursements compared to the years when it did not.


Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Govt sets target of ₹3 lakh crore defence production by 2029: Rajnath
Dehradun, The government has set a target of ₹3 lakh crore defence production by 2029, while it anticipates that the country's exports in the sector would reach ₹50,000 crore by that time, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday. Addressing an event here, he also highlighted the growing use of information warfare in the 21st century, and urged people to become "social soldiers" by identifying lies, stopping rumours, and spreading awareness in the society. "While data and information are the biggest power, it is also the biggest challenge. During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan conspired to break the morale of our soldiers and citizens through fake videos, manipulated news and posts," Singh said. "Even though military actions have been stopped, information warfare is still going on. If people share false news without thinking, they unknowingly become a weapon of the enemy," he said. The government is working on cyber security at its level, but every citizen needs to be a "first responder", the defence minister said. He also said today, India is not only protecting its borders, but also creating a system which is "making us strategically, economically and technically strong". "Earlier, we were completely dependent on foreign defence equipment, but today India is rapidly becoming 'atmanirbhar' in defence sector," he said. Highlighting the strategy adopted by the government to deal with terrorism and strengthen national security, Singh said the defence sector has emerged as one of the strongest pillars of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', and "the weapons and platforms used during Operation Sindoor were made in India". He underlined that the government's persistent efforts are bearing fruit as the annual defence production, which was around ₹40,000 crore in 2014, has crossed the record figure of ₹1.30 lakh crore today, and defence exports have skyrocketed to ₹23,622 crore in the financial year 2024-25. Made-in-India defence products are being exported to nearly 100 countries, he added. "We have set a target of ₹1.75 lakh crore defence production this year and ₹3 lakh crore by 2029. Our defence exports should reach ₹30,000 crore this year and ₹50,000 crore by 2029," Singh said. In his address, he also listed the steps taken by the government to strengthen the defence sector, including increasing the defence budget from ₹2.53 lakh crore in FY 2013-14 to ₹6.22 lakh crore in FY 2024-25; reserving 75 per cent of the budget for capital procurement from domestic companies and the issuance of a total of 10 Positive Indigenisation Lists, comprising over 5,500 items. "Today, Indian armed forces use state-of-the-art weapons, missiles, tanks and other systems, and platforms manufactured within the country. Our indigenous missiles such as Agni, Prithvi and BrahMos stand ready to give a befitting reply to the enemy. We also have the strength to build aircraft carriers such as INS Vikrant," he added. Singh also exhorted media that in today's times, "being most correct" must be accorded priority than "being ahead". "Instead of being 'verified', being 'viral' has become the standard of journalism. There is a need to avoid this," he cautioned. Singh termed the media as a watchdog, when the issue of national security is not only concerned with borders, but is now a challenge in cyber and social sectors. "Journalism is not just a profession but a national duty. It informs while keeping us alert and vigilant towards the security of the country. A free and healthy journalism is a stabilising force that makes the society alert, unites it and spreads consciousness," he said. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, among the dignitaries, also attended the event.