Latest news with #Balakot
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
I will not watch India-Pak cricket match, says Asad
Hyderabad: Hyderabad MP and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has expressed concerns in the Lok Sabha over India's defence preparedness and wanted to know why only 29 fighter squadrons are operational despite a sanctioned strength of 42. "We have only 29 squadrons, Pakistan has 25 and China over 50 of them. You (BJP) have been in power for 11 years. Will India obtain the source code on weapons during its future acquisitions?" Owaisi asked during a discussion on Operation Sindoor in the Lower House late on Monday. He also questioned India's approach towards Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack . "The Prime Minister said blood and water cannot flow together. If terrorism and talks cannot happen together, how will the govt justify playing cricket with Pakistan? My conscience will not allow me to watch that match. Do you have the conscience and courage to tell the families of Pahalgam victims to watch the match as India avenged the terror attack?" he added. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The Hyderabad MP demanded that the govt fix accountability. "Who is accountable? Is it police or intelligence bureau? Take action. You cannot keep quiet after conducting Operation Sindoor and expect people to forget," he said. Taking a dig at the govt's deterrence policy, Owaisi said, "Surgical strikes were conducted, then you did Balakot and yet Pahalgam happened. This means your deterrence failed. The govt should separate foreign policy and national security from politics. If we are truly Vishwaguru, then get Pakistan back on the FATF grey list with support from the GCC, the G7, and Uncle Sam," he demanded.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Questions, Prompt Counters: Rahul Gandhi, PM Face Off At Op Sindoor Debate
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his response to the debate on Operation Sindoor, in the Lok Sabha this evening, took many a snipe at the Congress. But he also gave a point-by-point rebuttal to every issue raised by Rahul Gandhi. From giving a free hand to armed forces to the international community's support for India - he gave a detailed reply to each of the arguments raised by the Leader of the Opposition. 'Giving A Free Hand To Armed Forces Mr Gandhi, in his 40-minute speech, had alleged that the government had left the forces with their "hands tied behind their backs" - while allowing it to conduct Operation Sindoor, it had not allowed attacks on Pakistan's military installations. "Freedom of manouevre is important. Captain Shiv Kumar, defence attache to Indonesia, said we lost some aircraft. That happened only because of the constraint by the government. Meaning, you told our pilots and tied their hands behind their backs and told them to go. The defence minister publicly said this in the house. The point is that aircraft were lost because of the constraint by the political will. You started the fight and then in the beginning you said we don't have the political will," Mr Gandhi said. PM Modi, who earlier said the government had given a free hand to the forces, reiterated it. "They (the armed forces) were given full freedom, and we told them that you will decide when, where, and how to execute the operation. We taught them (Pakistan_) a tough lesson, and even today, they are getting sleepless nights. 'Why Did India Stop' Mr Gandhi pointed out that India had asked for a ceasefire just 22 minutes into Operation Sindoor. Accusing the government of "surrendering in a half-hour," he said: "Operation Sindoor lasted 22 minutes and then he (Rajnath Singh) said the most shocking thing. 'At 1.35 am we called Pakistan and told them that we have non-military targets and we do not want escalation'. These are the words of the defence minister. The DGMO of India was told by the government to ask for a ceasefire at 1.35 am." Accusing the Congress of "importing issues from Pakistan, PM Modi said there was no need for the armed operation against Pakistan to continue, since "in 22 minutes, we avenged the April 22 attack... Pakistan could not do anything". "After the surgical strikes, Balakot, they (the Congress) tried to play games, and after Op Sindoor, they are asking why did you stop it? They just need a reason to oppose and the entire country is laughing at you," he added. 'Trump Claimed Ceasefire Credit' Pointing out that US President Donald Trump had claimed ceasefire credit, Rahul Gandhi said, "Donald Trump has said 29 times that he established a ceasefire. If he is lying, then PM should say it clearly in the house". PM Modi reiterated that no world leader had asked India to stop. It was Pakistan, which, battered, had sued for peace. "Pakistan could not imagine that India would respond like this," PM Modi said. "Pakistan called the DGMO (Director General of Military Affairs), and said, 'Bas karo, bohot maara, ab zyaada maar jhelne ki taakat nahi hai (Stop now, you beat us badly, we cannot take any more)'," he added, raising cheers from the treasury benches. 'Lost Aircraft During Operation Sindoor' On Mr Gandhi's demand for a clarification on allegations that India lost five fighter aircraft during the clash with Pakistan, PM Modi said the Congress is in the habit of believing Pakistan and not the Indian armed forces. Claiming that India lost its fighter jets, Mr Gandhi had held the government responsible, asserting that no tactical mistake was made by the air force. "I want to say to CDS General Anil Chauhan ji, you made no tactical mistake, the Indian air force made no mistake, the mistake was made by the political leadership that said you cannot attack the military infrastructure. The air force is not to blame at all," he said. "Some people are carrying Pakistan's narrative forward instead of what the forces are saying," PM Modi said. 'Not A Single Nation Condemned Pakistan' Rahul Gandhi said despite India's outreach to world leaders on Operation Sindoor and the message on Pakistani terror, "not a single nation had condemned Pakistan but only condemned terrorism. This shows the mindset of these people". PM Modi pointed out that no nation had stopped India from conducting its operations. "The United Nations, out of 193 countries, only three nations gave a statement in favour of Pakistan. Every country supported India except India. We got the world's support but it is very unfortunate that the Congress did not support us," he added.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Owaisi seeks answers on fighter jet squadrons, accuses Centre of failing to make use of internal unity during Operation Sindoor
Hyderabad parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi raised concerns in the Lok Sabha over India's defence preparedness and sought to know why only 29 fighter squadrons are operational despite a sanctioned strength of 42, and compared this military capability with adversaries like China and Pakistan 'After 60 years, we have only 29 squadrons. Pakistan has 25. China has more than 50. You have been in power for 11 years,' Mr. Owaisi said during a discussion on Operation Sindoor on Monday (July 28, 2025) night. He also sought to know whether India would obtain source code on weapons during its future acquisitions. Mr. Owaisi criticised the politicisation of national security, saying the government had failed to utilise the consensus and cohesion across the country achieved during Operation Sindoor. He said that the Pakistani army, ISI and its deep state always wanted to weaken India. 'That unity should have been used to strengthen internal cohesion and unity. If minorities are targeted with bulldozers and hate speeches, and communalism, which God forbid, helps the agenda of the terror organisations of the neighbouring country,' he warned. Questions Centre's approach after Pahalgam The AIMIM leader also questioned India's approach towards Pakistan in the aftermath of the terror attack. 'The Prime Minister said blood and water cannot flow together. If terrorism and talks cannot happen together, how will you justify playing cricket with Pakistan?' he asked. 'My conscience will not allow me to watch that match,' he added. Mr Owaisi expressed his grief for the victims of the 26 people who were killed by terrorists. He also expressed grief over the deaths of 14-year-old twins Zain Ali and Urwa Fatima, five-year-old Maryam, and madrassa teacher Maulana Iqbal. He paid tribute to Indian security personnel, including Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar and BSF Sub Inspector Mohammed Imtiyaz. He thanked Kashmiri civilians who condemned the Pahalgam attack from mosque pulpits. He demanded that the government 'fix accountability'. 'Who is accountable?' he asked. 'If it is the Lieutenant Governor, suspend him. If it is the police or intelligence bureau, take action. You cannot just conduct Operation Sindoor and expect people to forget.' Taking aim at the government's deterrence policy, Mr Owaisi said, 'You did surgical strikes, you did Balakot. Yet Pahalgam happened. That means your deterrence has failed.' He demanded that the government separate foreign policy and national security from politics. 'If we are truly Vishwaguru, then I challenge you. Get Pakistan back on the FATF grey list with support from the GCC, the G7, and Uncle Sam.'
India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
When terror walks free: 7/11 verdict and crisis of India's criminal justice system
Nearly two decades after the deadly 7/11 Mumbai train blasts, which killed over 180 people and injured more than 800, the Bombay High Court's decision to acquit all 12 convicted accused has sent shockwaves across the country. While judicial independence and the rule of law are the pillars of our democracy, the complete collapse of the criminal justice system in a case of this magnitude raises grave questions—not just legal, but also national September 2015, after a nine-year-long investigation led by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court convicted 12 of 13 accused in connection with the coordinated bombings. Five were sentenced to death, seven to life imprisonment, and one was acquitted. One of the death-row convicts later died in 2021 in jail due to COVID-19. However, on 21st July 2025, the High Court ruled that the prosecution had 'utterly failed' to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, and acquitted all 12, including the Hurdles Then, Judicial Acquittal NowThe court's observations on the unreliability of eyewitness testimonies, delayed identifications, lack of corroborative material, and doubts over the voluntariness of confessions are rooted in procedural rigour. It is worth noting that the special court found sufficient ground for conviction based on the same evidence. To summarily discard all evidence and confession-based inputs is not only unfair to the victims and the investigation but also potentially dangerous. These were not petty offenders; they were individuals linked to known terrorist organisations. To assume they will peacefully reintegrate into society is nave. On the contrary, there is a very real and chilling possibility that their release could enable them to re-establish ties with militant networks and plot future attacks under the cover of judicial Trust, Empowering TerrorThis verdict impacts more than just victims' families or police credibility; it undermines public trust in the entire criminal justice system. When justice appears denied in major terror cases, people begin to lose faith in due process, leading to calls for media trials or even extrajudicial actions, as seen in the Hyderabad rapists encounter case. This risks pushing India toward a vigilante mindset where emotion overrides judgments also weaken India's global image as a nation tough on terrorism. Actions like the Balakot strikes, Operation Sindoor, and strong declarations such as 'Any act of terror will be considered an act of war' projected strength, but the 7/11 acquittals create an impression, both domestically and abroad, that India remains a 'soft state' on agencies like the ATS and NIA, the outcome is deeply demoralizing. Years of high-risk investigation and sacrifice feel dismissed, potentially deterring future action. At a time of rising global threats, India cannot afford a justice system that weakens morale and signals impunity to its and National Security Must CoexistThis is not an argument for abandoning due process or fair trial, but a call for judicial sensitivity in cases involving national trauma and security threats. A purely procedural lens risks undermining public trust, morale, and the Supreme Court staying the Bombay High Court's acquittal in the 7/11 case on July 24, 2025, it must now re-examine the matter with a security-conscious approach. Mass-casualty terrorism cannot go unpunished, nor can suspects be freed only to rejoin militant acquittals are a wake-up call for systemic reform across investigation, prosecution, and colonial-era criminal justice system, rooted in rigid procedures and outdated evidentiary norms, is ill-equipped for modern terrorism. Terrorists exploit encrypted tools and leave little evidence, yet the system still demands traditional proofs like eyewitnesses years protecting civil liberties remains vital, blind adherence to outdated norms must not compromise justice in high-risk national security Must IntrospectThe recent acquittal compels the judiciary to engage in serious self-reflection. How can two courts, examining the same evidence, arrive at such radically different outcomes—one imposing death sentences, the other granting complete acquittals? This stark divergence raises troubling concerns about the consistency, objectivity and internal coherence of our justice delivery system. Was the evidence so ambiguous that it led to a miscarriage of justice at the trial stage? Or does this contradiction reflect deeper issues, such as subjective judicial interpretation or the sway of elite legal advocacy?The involvement of Dr. S. Muralidhar, former Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court and now Senior Advocate, in representing two terror-accused adds complexity. While fair legal representation is a fundamental right, the participation of a former top judge raises ethical and institutional concerns. His stature could unintentionally influence judicial peers or affect how proceedings are perceived. Even without legal impropriety, such involvement in high-stakes cases calls for regulatory scrutiny toensure judicial processes remain above reproach, both in law and in public perception, especially in matters of national Reforms NeededTo protect India's internal security and ensure justice in terrorism cases, judicial reform and institutional introspection are essential. The criminal justice system comprises of the police, prosecution, and judiciary. While courts often question the competence of investigators and prosecutors, they too must be held accountable, especially in high-stakes terror trials and sensitive criminal investigative agencies like the ATS and state intelligence wings, though rooted in colonial-era policing, have tried to keep pace with changing technology like electronic surveillance, cyber forensics, and multilingual intelligence, the judiciary must now catch up to ensure these technological advances result in effective convictions and timely like the UAPA, MCOCA, and CrPC are evolving to address encrypted data, foreign handlers, and proxy warfare. Yet, judicial delays, inconsistent rulings, and external influences continue to hinder must include specialized training not only for investigators but also for judges and prosecutors in national security law to help balance civil liberties with national interest. Simultaneously strengthening witness protection and forensic protocols is equally crucial. Eyewitnesses mostly succumb to threats even from big criminals, not to mention terrorists having support from our neighbouring country. While the investigative and legal frameworks are adapting, the judiciary must evolve in parallel to preserve coherence, credibility, and integrity in India's fight against isn't about overriding judicial independence, but aligning it with modern security needs. Justice cannot function in isolation, blind to its consequences. The 7/11 acquittals are more than a legal outcome; they test India's institutional the Supreme Court staying the High Court's order, it must now revisit the case not just in legal terms, but in the spirit of national accountability. Can a system that finds no one guilty for Mumbai's deadliest train attack truly claim to have delivered justice?India must ensure its justice system is not only fair and impartial, but alert, modern, and strong enough to face any challenge, including terrorism. The time to introspect is now.(Ashok Kumar is a Retd IPS officer and former DGP of Uttarakhand. He is presently serving as Vice Chancellor of the Sports University of Haryana, Rai, Sonipat, Haryana.)- Ends(Views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author)Must Watch
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Forgive, move on': Supreme Court advises Balakot pilot and wife to end marital dispute amicably
"Forgive each other and move ahead," the Supreme Court has told a fighter pilot, who took part in the 2019 Balakot strike, and his wife, involved in a matrimonial dispute. A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Atul S Chandurkar asked the couple to amicably settle the dispute between them. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Public Policy MCA MBA CXO Product Management Operations Management Technology Others Management Design Thinking Leadership Data Science Data Analytics Finance Digital Marketing Healthcare others PGDM Data Science Artificial Intelligence Project Management healthcare Degree Cybersecurity Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Calcutta Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Economics for Public Policy Making Quantitative Techniques Public & Project Finance Law, Health & Urban Development Policy Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate Programme in Public Policy Management Starts on Mar 3, 2024 Get Details "Do not lead a life of revenge. Both of you are young, and a long life is ahead of you, and you should live a good life. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo "You just forgive and forget each other and move ahead," the bench said, while issuing notice on an air force officer's petition for quashing of an FIR lodged against him by his wife, an IIM graduate. The pilot submitted that he and his family members were victims of continuous mental harassment by his wife and father-in-law. Live Events The fighter pilot moved to the top court after his plea for quashing the FIR was rejected by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
