Latest news with #DGMO-level
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
To dial down, Army works on plan to ‘rebalance' troops, equipment at border
A fortnight into the pause of military action in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, a proposed plan for 'rebalancing of troops' is being discussed within the military to avoid any fresh escalation at the borders, The Indian Express has learned. This even as Operation Sindoor is on pause and all alerts remain at their heightened levels. While Indian and Pak armies are focusing on multiple confidence-building measures, plans for de-escalating troops and equipment from the borders within the next fortnight are being considered. Sources said Pakistan, which carried out major reinforcements of troops and equipment over the last few weeks, will also pull them back to pre-April locations. Incidentally, India had not ordered large-scale mobilisation or deployment of offensive formations over the last month. Limited equipment and corresponding troops, which had been moved from their permanent locations to operational ones, are now planning to go back to their regular locations. During Operation Sindoor, the density of troops along the borders had increased but that was more because of curtailing leave and less essential movement. However, sources said, these restrictions have now been lifted. Even short-term courses, which were to be cancelled temporarily, will now continue as per slated schedules. According to sources, after the first two days following the ceasefire agreement, no aerial violations by Pakistani drones were reported though the occasional stray drones were sighted in Jammu and Kashmir. They added that there are orders in place to avoid firing on them without appropriate clearances, even as any ceasefire violations at the LoC will be responded to by the troops. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged, in his address to the nation, Operation Sindoor is only on pause. This would imply that the military would continue to remain at a heightened state of alertness and operational readiness, while maintaining a strong defensive posture throughout. There has been no official statement from the government on whether there have been DGMO-level talks on the de-escalation after May 12. On May 12, DGMO Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Major General Kashif Abdullah – their second conversation since they agreed to stop all military action—during which it was agreed that both sides would consider immediate measures to ensure troop reduction from the borders and forward areas. Sources said that stopping aerial violations was also discussed in the meeting. An Army statement had also mentioned that issues related to continuing the commitment that both sides must not fire a single shot or initiate any aggressive and inimical action against each other were discussed in the talks. The Indian Express had earlier reported that within days following May 12, both sides were scheduled to exchange plans on the modalities of de-escalation of troops and equipment deployed along the borders. Two days after the May 12 talks, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had claimed that Pakistan had agreed to extend the ceasefire with India until May 18 following DGMO-level talks between the two sides. Without commenting on whether the two sides spoke, the Indian Army said both sides will continue the confidence-building measures to reduce the alertness level. It clarified that there is no expiry date to the understanding reached between the two militaries on May 10 to 'stop all firing and military action from land, air and sea.'
India Gazette
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Shrikant Shinde-led all-party delegation meets UAE Minister Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan
Abu Dhabi (UAE), May 22 (ANI): An all-party delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde met UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi as part of India's global outreach against terrorism post Operation Sindoor. The delegation included BJP MPs Bansuri Swaraj and Atul Garg, Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, BJP leader SS Ahluwalia, IUML MP ET Mohammed Basheer, BJD MP Sasmit Patra, and Ambassador Sujan Chinoy. Speaking on the reachout efforts External Affair Minister S Jaishankar said,'A nation united sends a strong message on combating terrorism.' Highlighting the significance of the visit and the diversity of political voices in the group, delegation leader Shrikant Shinde said it was crucial to present India's position to the world. 'I am fortunate to lead a group going to UAE and West Africa. It is very important to give a message to the world about what India has been facing for many years, including Pakistan's support and funding of terrorism,' he said, adding, 'India and Pakistan gained independence at the same time, but India has progressed economically, while Pakistan has progressed only in terrorism.' Echoing the sentiment, BJP leader SS Ahluwalia said the delegation aims to expose Pakistan's disinformation campaign globally. 'We are going to tell the world the reality of what happened on April 22 and counter the false news spread by Pakistan's propaganda machinery,' he stated. Supporting this, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj highlighted India's firm and decisive response to terrorism, stating, 'The terrorist attack in Pahalgam was a blow to the soul of India. PM Modi and our armed forces have given a befitting reply through Operation Sindoor. The PM has made it clear that terror and talks cannot go together. With a sense of 'Nation First,' this all-party delegation will present India's position to the nations we visit.' Their statements underline the delegation's united commitment to exposing Pakistan's false narratives and reaffirming India's strong stance against terrorism on the global stage. This delegation is one of seven all-party groups visiting key partner countries, including members of the UN Security Council, aiming to project India's national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all its forms. Following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, India launched precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The Indian Armed Forces responded strongly to subsequent Pakistani aggression and targeted its airbases. A ceasefire understanding was reached after a DGMO-level call between the two countries. (ANI)
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
No mediation, only bilateral talks: Salman Khurshid differs with Congress on India-Pakistan 'ceasefire'
NEW DELHI: Even as Congress continues to question govt over US President Donald Trump's claim of brokering a "ceasefire" between India and Pakistan, party functionary Salman Khurshid, one of the delegates who will visit world capitals to put forth India's stand against terrorism, diverged from Congress's stand to say there was no mediation by any third party and the pause in hostilities between the two countries was agreed upon through DGMO-level talks. "There was no interference by anyone (in the understanding between India and Pakistan), there was no mediation. But when such things happen in the world, different people try to send a message. But whatever happened, has happened only between the two nations. When the matter escalated, it was between our two nations. When it ended, it ended between the two nations. It was initiated by the Pakistani DGMO, they said we should end this. We said it should be done if they are ready," Khurshid told reporters after a briefing by foreign secretary Vikram Misri on the outreach. Khurshid is part of a delegation led by JDU's Sanjay Jha that will visit Southeast Asian nations. Coming from a senior Congress member, the remarks spell more embarrassment for the opposition party, which has repeatedly cited Trump's claim to question govt's stand that the pause was agreed upon bilaterally and without external mediation. Khurshid said, "Politics within the country is our right, our duty; it is different. But outside the country, what we have to say is different."
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
India-Pakistan conflict was always in conventional domain: Vikram Misri to parliamentary panel
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told a parliamentary committee on Monday that the conflict between India and Pakistan was always in the conventional domain, and there was no nuclear signalling by the neighbouring country, sources said. The sources said Misri reiterated the government's stand that the decision to stop military actions was taken at a bilateral level, as some opposition members questioned US President Donald Trump's repeated assertions about his administration's role in stopping the conflict. The Ministry of External Affairs, in a presentation to the Standing Committee on External Affairs which is headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, asserted that the initial probe into the Pahalgam terror attack revealed "communication nodes" of terrorists with their "masterminds in Pakistan". The ministry said Pakistan's track record as terror sanctuary is well established, rooted in solid facts and evidence, and said it blames India for the killings of some individuals on its soil despite its allegations being devoid of any facts or any evidence. It is meant to draw a false equivalence between the two counrries, the ministry said, adding that UN-designated terrorists roam freely in Pakistan and continue to incite violence against India. When some opposition members of the committee prodded him on the US leader's repeated attempts to take centre stage, India's top diplomat quipped that Trump did not seek his consent for doing so. Live Events No other country, the foreign ministry in its presentation said, has "any locus standi" to comment on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir , a clear repudiation of the US' suggestion for mediation between India and Pakistan. The US leader had even claimed that his country stopped a likely nuclear war that could have killed millions of people. Several members, mostly from the opposition, raised questions related to the Pahalgam terror attack, whether Pakistan used Chinese platforms, the hostile stand of Turkiye and Azerbaijan against India, Pakistan's success in getting an IMF loan, and social media-dominated discourse on a host of issues. An opposition member asked why the Indian government has not come out strongly to rebut Trump. The foreign ministry, though, has made it clear in its earlier briefings that India and Pakistan agreed on the cessation of firing bilaterally, a point reiterated by Misri who noted the decision was taken at the DGMO-level talks at the request of the neighbouring country. Replying to queries from members, Misri said the conflict between India and Pakistan was always in the conventional domain, and there was no nuclear signalling by the neighbouring country. Tharoor told reporters after the three-hour meeting, which he said was attended by a record 24 members, that the committee unanimously expressed solidarity with Misri in the face of "unwarranted attacks" he had faced online after the two sides agreed to stop military actions. As Misri and his family had been at the receiving end of trolls' vitriol, the committee expressed support for his good service to the nation. The committee wanted to pass a formal resolution but the IFS officer requested against it. Some MPs, the sources said, asked if Pakistan used Chinese platforms in the conflict. Misri said it did not matter as India hammered Pakistani air bases. To a question about Pakistan managing to secure a loan from the IMF, he said India opposed it but different countries are guided by their own interests, sources said. To questions about Turkiye's adversarial stand against India, he said the country had traditionally not been a supporter of India and added that he did not foresee any chance of improvement in Indo-Pak ties due to the neighbouring country's continuous display of hostility. The ministry said in its presentation that India witnessed last year alone at least 24 terrorist attacks linked to Pakistan-based terror organisations, leading to the death of 24 security personnel and 30 civilians. "Terrorists are found to be using military grade weapons, assistance through drones, secure communication equipment, navigational aids, steel-coated bullets and assistance in infiltration through coordinated ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops," it said, seeking to establish the help provided by the Pakistani state in terror activities. Misri was also dismissive of the opposition's criticism of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi citing a comment by him to claim that Pakistan was informed about Operation Sindoor and asking how many planes India lost due to this. The minister is being quoted in wrong context, he said, adding that a contact was made with Pakistan at the DGMO level only after the strikes on terror sites on May 7. The meeting was attended by a number of lawmakers, including the TMC's Abhishek Banerjee, the Congress' Rajeev Shukla and Deepender Hooda, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, and the BJP's Aparajita Sarangi and Arun Govil. The meeting's agenda was the "current foreign policy developments regarding India and Pakistan", which comes against the backdrop of the Indian armed forces carrying out Operation Sindoor to avenge the Pahalgam attack and the subsequent military actions between the two countries. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on halting all military actions on May 10.
India Gazette
18-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"New normal has still not settled in," Defence Expert on Pak's continued hostilities
New Delhi [India], May 18 (ANI): Defence expert Robinder Sachdev said that the next DGMO-level talks is yet to be decided by the government. But, it should be done after Pakistan actually adheres to the cessation of the hostilities. Sachdev said that as the army is still releasing the videos of ceasefire violations, it proves that cessation is not in place yet. 'We cannot say when will the next DGMO level talks be held. Those are up to the government. However, what we can say and what we can see is that the conflict which had been paused under a mutual understanding, is a new normal as Prime Minister Modi had also said,' he said. Sachdev said that the 'new normal' of cessation of hostilities has not set in as the intrusions by Pakistan has not stopped yet. 'So the expectation was that once this pause comes into effect, there will be no cross border violations between the two armies. Essentially what we mean is that we will not see any incursions by the Pakistan army or any attacks, but it seems to me that the Pakistan army has not fully subsided its intrusions as can be seen that the Indian army is releasing videos which shows that we are retaliating. So if we are retaliating, it means that the Pakistanis are violating the ceasefire, right? So the new normal has still not settled in,' he said. He added that the government also feels the same. Hence they too feel that now is not the right time for the DGMOs to hold talks. 'With respect to Pakistan I think it may be that the relevant authorities in India think that right now is not maybe the right time for a meeting between the two principles of the DGMOs. Probably we want to see more, uh more uh behavioural change from Pakistan before the next meeting of the DGMO takes place,' he said. The Indian Army has said that no talks were scheduled between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan on Sunday. The Army further made it clear that the continuation of a break in hostilities, as decided in the DGMOs interaction of May 12, has no expiry date to it. (ANI)
