Chhattisgarh Deputy CM Arun Sao lauds India's response to Pahalgam terror attack, calls it
Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], May 12 (ANI): Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao described India's response following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, as a 'great' victory for the nation.
Speaking to ANI, Sao emphasized that the destruction of nine terrorist hideouts and the demolition of their training center by the Indian Armed Forces (IAF) demonstrated the significance of 'Sindoor' in India to the entire world.
He further asserted that India is prepared to go to any extent to eliminate terrorism.
'The way the Indian government took many historic and strong decisions after the Pahalgam incident, whether it was the matter of suspending the Indus Water Treaty, cancelling the visas of Pakistani citizens, closing the borders or the way Operation Sindoor was carried out, it was a great victory for India and for the Indian army,' Sao said.
'When they went 100 km inside Pakistan, destroyed 9 terrorist hideouts, and demolished their training center and as it is being said that about 100 terrorists were killed, Operation Sindoor sent a message to the whole world about what the importance of 'sindoor' in India is and what is the value of 'sindoor' and that India can go to any extent to eliminate terrorists, the Chhattisgarh Deputy CM added.
Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). This operation was a retaliatory response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
On Sunday, Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai asserted that the tensions between India and Pakistan since the last three to four days are no less than a war.
He also paid homage to five fallen jawans of the armed forces and civilians who lost their lives due to Pakistani shelling across the Line of Control (LoC).
He said that the Pakistan Army might be involved in infiltration across the LoC, trying to harm the army posts.
'The activities that have been going on for the last 3-4 days are no less than a war. Under normal circumstances, the air forces of the countries do not fly in the air and attack each other...Under normal circumstances, infiltration across the Line of Control is done by terrorists. We have information that the Pakistani army may also be involved in infiltration across the Line of Control, which is trying to harm our posts,' Ghai said in a presser here.
'I pay my solemn homage to my five fallen colleagues and brothers from the armed forces and civilians who tragically lost their lives in Operation Sindoor. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families...Their sacrifices shall always be remembered,' he added.
The DGMO warned that India has exercised immense restraint while focusing only on non-escalatory actions. Any threat to the country's sovereignty would be met with decisive force. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
Comparing 1971 India-Pakistan war & Operation Sindoor
Dr. Prashant Prabhakar Deshpande has post-graduated in Economics with a Gold Medal in 1976 and was awarded a Ph.D in Social Sciences from Nagpur University in 2007. Introduction In the aftermath of the Operation Sindoor Congress has been highlighting Pakistan's surrender to India in 1971 Bangladesh war during Smt Indira Gandhi's premiership. However, according to experts, the exercise is futile. According to them, while both achieved their respective objectives, they differ significantly in context, scale, and impact and should be viewed within their distinct historical and strategic frameworks. According to experts, the 1971 war was a full-scale military conflict triggered by widespread human rights violations and a massive refugee crisis in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, where the Pakistani army persecuted the Bengali population, forcing nearly 10 million refugees to flee to India. In response, India initially provided humanitarian aid and extended support to the Bengali resistance force, the Mukti Bahini. When Pakistan launched an attack on both eastern & western fronts, India declared a full-scale war, engaging across land, air, and sea, achieving a decisive victory, leading to the liberation of East Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh, leading to a significant territorial and political shift in South Asia. According to experts, Operation Sindoor in contrast, was a precision military strike launched to dismantle terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) to avenge the massacre of 26 Indian tourists in J&K's Pahalgam on 22nd of April, 2025 destroying 9 terror hideouts using advanced technology, including drones, satellite imagery, and precision-guided weapons. The operation was aimed solely at terrorist infrastructure avoiding civilian or military targets, the objective being to curb terrorism and deliver a strong message to Pakistan without escalating into a full-scale war. After Pakistan's retaliatory strikes, however, India responded firmly that culminated into an agreement to hold fire & military action on May 10, 2025. Comparing 1971 & 2025 According to military experts, comparing the 1971 war with Operation Sindoor is not appropriate, as both had vastly different objectives and contexts. While the 1971 war resulted in the creation of Bangladesh, Operation Sindoor was a limited but targeted military action aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure. While the 1971 war reshaped South Asia's political landscape, Operation Sindoor sent a strong message to Pakistan and the terrorist groups it backs, without escalating into a broader conflict. Achievements of Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor reportedly targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK, resulting in the destruction of two terrorist headquarters, reportedly killing several terrorists, including 2 designated by the United Nations and 8 on India's most-wanted list. Operation Sindoor highlights a shift towards a proactive defence strategy adopted by India, ensuring national security and regional stability. The destruction of terror camps and Pakistani military assets has sent a strong message to adversaries, reinforcing India's commitment to counter-terrorism. India's precision strikes under Operation Sindoor showcased a modern military doctrine targeting terror camps and Pakistani military installations without engaging in prolonged warfare. India's approach focuses on economic dominance, strategic deterrence, and controlled military engagements, underscoring India's long-term vision, ensuring national security without compromising economic growth under the Viksit Bharat Vision. India agreed to the Pakistani DGMO's request to halt firing & military action only after it achieved its objective to destroy terrorist camps, forcing Pakistan's military to plead. India's actions demonstrated its firm stance against terrorism and cross-border aggression. The country demonstrated its military prowess neutralising half a dozen US and China-made fighter jets along with hundreds of Turkish and Chinese drones deployed by Pakistan in addition to destroying 9 terror camps, eliminating 100+ terrorists, including masterminds behind the Kandahar hijack and 26/11 Mumbai attacks & causing significant losses estimated at $10 billion+. Operation Sindoor demonstrates a decisive shift in India's counter-terrorism strategy, aimed at delivering swift and targeted responses, rather than issuing warnings . Reasons behind India's agreeing to Pakistan's request to hold fire & military action According to experts in today's world, military confrontations are not solely about territorial gains but about economic stability, precision strikes, and global influence. Unlike 1971, when full-fledged warfare was the only viable option, today's geopolitical landscape demands calculated actions that align with economic and strategic priorities, according to them. A prolonged war with Pakistan would derail India's economic growth, disrupt Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), and slow down job creation, negatively impacting the country's development trajectory. As global manufacturing shifts away from China, a prolonged conflict could prevent India from emerging as a key manufacturing hub, securing Beijing's economic dominance. Unlike traditional warfare, modern conflicts focus on precision military operations that weaken adversaries without engaging in prolonged war. Economically fragile and politically unstable Pakistan has nothing to lose from prolonged military engagements. However, China and the US Deep State have vested interests in India's prolonged involvement as: – Pakistan serves as a front for major global powers to sell weapons and destabilize India. – A long military conflict would weaken India's global position, similar to how the West pushed Russia into a multi-year war with Ukraine. Opposition's Nefarious design to play politics on Operation Sindoor Indian opposition parties, including India's grand old party, Indian National Congress, which was in power at the Centre which remained passive after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, are now pushing for war to: Disrupt the government's economic policies by forcing it into a long military conflict, and; Create public discontent if the government refuses to escalate the war, labelling it as weakness. These parties do not realise or do not want to realise that they are playing into the hands of India's adversary, Pakistan, which has been since long harbouring terrorists, doing a disservice to the nation, discrediting & demoralising the country's Armed forces. Epilogue India's recent military operations highlight a shift towards proactive defence strategies & by destroying terror camps, sends a strong message to adversaries, reinforcing India's commitment to counter-terrorism. According to experts, while the Shimla Agreement signed after the 1971 war was aimed at diplomatic resolution, India's modern defence approach underscores the necessity of military deterrence in safeguarding national interest, considering it futile to compare 1971 war & Operation Sindoor. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
27 minutes ago
- First Post
Why India can't pick sides in Israel-Iran conflict
India shares cordial ties with both Israel and Iran, which appear on the brink of an all-out war. New Delhi has enhanced relations with Tel Aviv in recent years, while trade and connectivity links it to Tehran. Can New Delhi continue to balance its relationship with both if the conflict in West Asia escalates? read more People gather near damaged vehicles in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters Israel's military said Iran launched 100 drones in retaliation for its strikes on Tehran's nuclear programme on Friday (June 13). The escalation of tensions has sparked concerns of a full-fledged war between the two rivals in West Asia. Israel said its strikes on Iran targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders, killing top Iranian military officials and nuclear experts. India, which has close ties with both nations, has called for de-escalation and 'dialogue and diplomacy'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We are deeply concerned at the recent developments between Iran and Israel… India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues,' the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Friday. Issuing a travel advisory, the ministry asked Indian nationals to avoid travel to Iran and Israel until further notice. New Delhi has had a balanced relationship with both Israel and Iran. An escalating conflict between the two could threaten that. Let's take a closer look. India's ties with Israel India enjoys strategic ties with Israel. The relationship has grown in the last decade, particularly in the sectors of defence, intelligence, and technology. Israel is one of India's top defence suppliers, arming the South Asian country with drones, radar systems and missiles. India showed public support for Israel within hours of the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas. India and Israel share similar concerns about extremism and terrorism, with citizens of both countries being killed during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. New Delhi has pressed for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve Israel's war in Gaza, which has killed more than 55,000 people in the narrow strip. Abstaining in the UN General Assembly on Thursday from a vote on a draft resolution that demanded an 'immediate, unconditional and permanent' ceasefire in Gaza, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said that India has previously also abstained from resolutions on the Israel-Palestine issue. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Our vote today is in continuation of this in the belief that there is no other way to resolve conflicts but through dialogue and diplomacy. A joint effort should be directed towards bringing the two sides closer. For these reasons, we would abstain on this resolution.' India's ties with Iran India and Iran share historical and cultural relations. Post-Cold War, New Delhi has tried to maintain cordial relations with most countries in West Asia. Iran, which shares borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan, is a key player in the region. India and Iran share common concerns about the Taliban's Sunni extremism and Pakistan's role in Afghanistan. Trade and connectivity have defined New Delhi's ties with Tehran. However, the US' sanctions on Iran have affected India's relations. In 2019, America sanctioned Iranian oil amid its concerns about Tehran's nuclear programme and its ballistic missile development. India has not imported crude oil from Iran since the US sanctions. Chabahar port in Iran is also significant for India's economic interests. Last year, India signed a 10-year pact to develop and operate Iran's strategic Chabahar Port. The port provides India an alternative route to enhance trade ties with landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, bypassing Pakistan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The International North South Corridor (INSTC) also enhances India and Iran's ties. Initiated by the two, along with Russia, in September 2000, the 7,200-kilometre transit route aims to increase trade and connectivity among its 13 members. Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Belarus, Oman and Syria are also part of the ambitious project. How Iran-Israel conflict impacts India Given its relations with both Iran and Israel, New Delhi cannot pick sides if a conflict widens between the two rivals in West Asia. However, India was put in a precarious position in February 2012 when an Israeli diplomat's car was bombed in New Delhi and Israel blamed Tehran for the attack. India had denounced the incident as a 'terrorist attack" and launched an investigation, but stopped short of naming Iran. For New Delhi, a potential escalation between Iran and Israel would impact its people, economic and strategic interests in West Asia. Firefighters work the scene of an explosion at a residential compound in northern Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. AP There are 18,000 to 20,000 Indian nationals in Israel, including students, and around 85,000 Jews of Indian origin. As per Livemint sources, as of 2023, there may be around 32,000 Indian workers in Israel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD More than 10,700 Indians currently reside in Iran, including traders and academics. About 90 lakh people are living and working in Gulf nations and the West Asia region. A broader conflict will impact the Indian community in the region. In recent years, India has boosted its ties with major countries in West Asia. It has worked with all key players to push for the India-Middle-East-Europe Economic corridor, which has strategic and economic benefits for New Delhi, noted Indian Express. An all-out war in oil-rich West Asia could shoot up energy prices. The region accounts for 80 per cent of India's oil supplies. A potential conflict will threaten the supply, sending prices up. It could also strain India's balancing act in West Asia, affecting India's neutral diplomacy. With inputs from agencies
Hindustan Times
27 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
India and China agree on talks to resolve issues of concern in trade, economics
India and China have agreed to hold talks aimed at resolving specific issues of concern in the fields of trade and economics as they work to stabilise and rebuild bilateral ties following the end of the military face-off in Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The decision to hold the 'functional dialogues' was taken during a meeting between foreign secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese vice foreign minister Sun Weidong in New Delhi on Thursday. The two sides further agreed to speed up efforts to resume direct air services, suspended since 2020. Sun also met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. The talks between Misri and Sun, a former envoy to India, were part of a series of meetings held since the two sides reached an understanding last October on withdrawing troops from the two remaining 'friction points' on the LAC in order to end the face-off that began in April-May 2020. They were held at a time when there is growing concern in India over the impact of China's curbs on rare earth exports, particularly on manufacturers of electric vehicles. A readout issued by the external affairs ministry on Friday said that the two sides 'agreed to hold certain functional dialogues including in the economic and trade areas to discuss and resolve specific issues of concern'. The readout, however, didn't give details of the issues of concern, though people familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity that China's restrictions on exports of rare earth materials, in many of which it has a near monopoly, were raised by the Indian side at Thursday's talks. The people cited India's long-standing concerns about lack of adequate access to Chinese markets and the soaring trade deficit with China, which touched $99.2 billion in the financial year 2024-25, as other areas of concern. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday said that the Indian side has been in touch with Chinese authorities after China's commerce ministry and General Administration of Customs announced the export controls on certain rare earth items in April. 'We are in touch with the Chinese side, both in Delhi, as also in Beijing, to bring predictability in supply chains for trade consistent with international practices,' he said. Misri and Sun reviewed developments in bilateral relations since their last meeting in Beijing on January 27, and agreed to 'continue to stabilise and rebuild ties', with priority on people-centric engagements, the readout said. Misri referred to a meeting of the expert-level mechanism on transborder rivers in April that discussed resuming the provision of hydrological data and other cooperation, and hoped for progress on these matters. 'The two sides agreed to expedite steps involved in resuming direct air services between the two countries,' the readout said. Misri hoped for the 'early conclusion of an updated Air Services Agreement', and the two sides agreed on practical steps for visa facilitation and exchanges between the media and think tanks. A statement from the Chinese embassy described the discussions between Misri and Sun as 'candid and in-depth' and said the two sides agreed to jointly prepare for holding the 24th meeting of the Special Representatives for the India-China boundary issue at an appropriate time. The two Special Representatives, National Security Adviser Doval and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, last met in Beijing in December 2024. The two sides will also 'push for the resumption of direct flights and exchange of resident journalists at an early date, facilitate people-to-people exchanges [and] resume bilateral dialogue mechanisms steadily', the Chinese statement said. Sun said concerted efforts by India and China had resulted in a 'hard-won momentum of improvement and development' in bilateral relations. Both sides should handle bilateral ties from a long-term perspective, increase political mutual trust, advance cooperation in various areas, and 'properly handle disagreements and differences', he said. Misri appreciated the Chinese side's cooperation for resuming the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this month. The pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake in Tibet Autonomous Region had been suspended since 2020, initially because of the Covid-19 pandemic and then the protracted face-off along the LAC. The two sides also discussed activities planned to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China and agreed to facilitate these events.
