Latest news with #Indo-Pak
India Gazette
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
Huma Qureshi visits Nathatop, Patnitop, clicks selfies with tourists
Patnitop (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 29 (ANI): Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi visited Nathatop and Patnitop today, as part of her effort to revive tourism in J&K after a slump following the recent cross-border Indo-Pak conflict. At Nathatop, she did a photoshoot session and also took selfies with tourists while enjoying the scenic beauty. She also had a gondola ride from Patnitop to Kud, where later she held a meeting with local hoteliers led by Vice-President, Patnitop Hotel Association, Lovnish Rai Sathe and other stakeholders. On May 28, Huma reached the India-Pakistan border in RS Pura, Jammu and Kashmir. She interacted with BSF jawans, BSF women wing, and affected families at the International Border after Operation Sindoor. While talking to the media, she said, 'I thank the tourism department. I was here to encourage our BSF jawans, Army Jawans, and women soldiers. We are proud of our soldiers, and I thank the BSF and Army for their sacrifice. The fact is that I came here to raise the morale of our BSF jawans, army soldiers, and our women soldiers. But you all have given me so much love, and I realised once again how lucky we are that you are protecting us on our borders.' 'Whatever happened recently made us realise how our defence forces are protecting us. Let the world see love and peace, which truly defines J-K. Peace is the spirit of J-K and India. I appeal to all in India not to let hate win, and I appeal to the people of India to come to J-K,' she added. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the elimination of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. Operation Sindoor showcased a calibrated, tri-services response that embodied precision, professionalism, and purpose. Operation Sindoor was conceived as a punitive and targeted campaign to dismantle the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and deeper inside Pakistan, as per the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting press release. Multi-agency intelligence provided confirmation of nine major camps that were eventually targeted in the retaliatory action was based on meticulous planning and an intelligence-led approach, which ensured that the operations were conducted with minimal collateral ethics were central to the mission, and restraint was exercised to avoid civilian harm, as per the press release. In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan initiated a series of retaliatory drone and UCAV attacks targeting key Indian airbases and logistics attempts, however, were effectively neutralised by India's comprehensive and multi-layered air defence architecture. Central to this success was the Integrated Command and Control Strategy (ICCS), which facilitated real-time threat identification, assessment, and interception across multiple domains. (ANI)
News18
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Diljit Dosanjh To Start Shooting For Border 2 From June? Here's What We Know
Last Updated: And most likely the shooting will be completed in August. Makers are eyeing 2026 Republic Day release. Sunny Deol is currently busy with the shoot of Border 2. The film, directed by Anurag Singh, is a sequel to the iconic 1997 movie Border and features a star-studded cast including Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan and Ahan Shetty. Pinkvilla has exclusively reported that Diljit will be starting the shoot of his part from June. And most likely, the shooting will be completed in August. Makers are eyeing a 2026 Republic Day release. Well, an official confirmation is still awaited. The entertainment portal quoted a source saying, 'Diljit Dosanjh plays a very interesting part in Border, bringing in the heart to the tale of the 1971 war between India and Pakistan. He begins his journey on Border 2 from June 10, and will be shooting for the sequences with Sunny Deol in the first leg." The source further informs that the actor will shoot with Varun Dhawan in the second leg of his stint, starting from July. 'Diljit has powerful moments with Sunny Deol and Varun Dhawan, as also Ahan Shetty. There's also a strong backstory to his role," the source adds. Anurag Singh is looking to call it a wrap on Border 2 by August 10. 'While Sunny Deol is looking to finish shooting for large-chunk of his role in June end, Diljit Dosanjh and Varun Dhawan will wrap up their part in the month of August 2025," the source concludes. Earlier, Mid-day has reported that Varun would play Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, who received the Param Vir Chakra for his bravery and was promoted to Colonel after the 1971 Indo-Pak war in 1976. The source further mentioned 'Apart from holding look sessions with designer Sheetal Sharma, Varun met Indian officers, celebrated Army Day with them and [in conversations] tried to gain a deeper understanding of their lives," said a source, adding that the cast and crew prepped for a year before going on floors. 'Varun's scenes will begin with his departure from Sisana village in Haryana, joining the army, to his journey in the Indo-Pak war." Border 2 was announced in June last year. Sunny Deol is all set to reprise his iconic character from JP Dutta's 1997 blockbuster war film Border, in this highly anticipated sequel. The cast also includes Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty. The film, directed by Anurag Singh, is backed by a powerhouse production team comprising Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, JP Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta. Border 2 is set to release in the theatres on January 23, 2026. First Published:
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Bharti Singh battles fever, weakness after coming back from Thailand: ‘Have been crying since morning'
Comedian Bharti Singh has revealed that she has been battling a fever since returning from Bangkok, and things took an emotional turn when she broke down at the thought that she has to get a blood test done. Also read: Emotional Bharti Singh responds to backlash for visiting Thailand during Indo-Pak conflict: 'Aap log bahut bhole ho' In her latest Vlog, titled Baar Baar Fever Kyun Aa Raha Hain?, Bharti spoke about her health, admitting that she gets extremely scared when she has to get any test done. Opening up about her health, Bharti said, 'Haarsh (husband Haarsh Limbachiyaa) has called someone from my blood test. For the past few days, I have not been feeling well. Ever since I returned from Bangkok, I have been feeling very lethargic and low. Now, I am worried if I have a fever. So we are just running a blood test to see if there is something. I get very scared with all this.' Later in the video, Bharti said that she got a fever, wondering if it was because of exertion. She even said that she is unable to stand because of her weakness. In the video, Bharti said in Hindi, 'I have been crying since morning because of the blood test, but it was important. I will also have a full body checkup soon, but I am very scared of syringes. These days, it's very important to check your health, because I keep hearing something or the other is happening to people. I urge all of you to improve your lifestyle. I am also working on mine'. Bharti recently returned to Mumbai from Thailand and had a harrowing experience on her flight back, which encountered severe turbulence lasting over 4 hours, leaving her terrified. She said that she used to be a seasoned traveller, flying to countries like America and Canada without a hitch. 'Now I have stopped taking shows during the rains. Ever since Gola was born, I get very scared, I don't know why,' she added. Earlier this month, Bharti got backlash for being in Thailand amid India-Pakistan tensions, with many accusing her of being on vacation as the country goes through this turmoil. Through her Vlog, she set the record straight. She said that she is in Bangkok for work. She said, 'I want to clarify to everyone I'm here for work and not for any holiday. We had a shoot for 10 days, and we had committed 3-4 months ago to this project. A lot of preparation has gone into it, and it is not professional to ditch someone at the last moment'.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
India must underline for Türkiye the strategic costs of supporting Pakistan
Written by Mujib Alam Türkiye's unequivocal support for Pakistan during India's Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation for the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, marked a clear departure from Ankara's careful diplomatic balancing in the past. Historically, Türkiye has supported Pakistan during previous Indo-Pak conflicts, but recent events signal a new and explicit shift, raising critical questions for India's strategic response. Following Operation Sindoor, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan openly condemned India's military actions inside Pakistani territory, labelling them 'provocative' and a potential trigger for wider conflict. Turkish military deployments, such as the docking of an Ada-class anti-submarine corvette at Karachi and the landing of a Turkish C-130 Hercules aircraft reportedly carrying military supplies, clearly demonstrated Ankara's support for Islamabad. Despite Turkish denials, Pakistan's use of Turkish-made Songar drones during the hostilities underscored the military depth of this partnership. Türkiye's strategic embrace of Pakistan is neither sudden nor temporary. It reflects Erdogan's broader vision of alliances rooted more in cultural and religious affinity than economic pragmatism, evident from Türkiye's deliberate decision to back Pakistan despite risking relations with a larger and stronger economy. Global geopolitical shifts further reinforce this partnership. Deep historical, ideological, and strategic ties, dating back to the Cold War when both Türkiye and Pakistan were key US allies, underpin their current relationship. Both nations now face growing marginalisation from Western security frameworks. Türkiye's strained relations with NATO, aggravated by its acquisition of Russia's S-400 missile system and its subsequent exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet program, have forced Ankara to seek alternative partnerships. Similarly, Pakistan, historically dependent on US military aid, is now heavily reliant on China for defence technology. Thus, Ankara and Islamabad share a strategic predicament: Maintaining regional relevance amid diminishing Western support. Türkiye views Pakistan as its primary defence partner outside NATO, strengthening Ankara's geopolitical leverage in South Asia and counterbalancing Saudi and Emirati influence in the Muslim world. Conversely, Pakistan benefits significantly from Turkish defence technology and diplomatic backing due to its isolation from Western military suppliers. For India, the implications of the burgeoning Türkiye-Pakistan axis are substantial. Historically, India's diplomatic response to Turkish provocations has been cautious. Relations became notably strained between 2019 and 2022, with intense media confrontations following India's revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status. India's subsequent support for Armenia during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and deepened strategic ties with Türkiye's regional rivals including Greece, Cyprus, Israel, the UAE, and Iran clearly signalled New Delhi's displeasure. However, India's strategic response to Türkiye has largely been reactive. Calls to boycott Turkish goods after Operation Sindoor, while emotionally resonant, offer limited strategic advantage. India's approach must evolve from temporary reactions towards a coherent, sustainable policy. India should adopt a multipronged strategy. Firstly, diplomatic channels should clearly convey the economic and strategic costs Türkiye could incur by prioritising Pakistan. Secondly, India should strengthen bilateral ties within the Arab and broader Islamic world, particularly with influential states like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Indonesia, and Iran, to diplomatically isolate Türkiye's ambitions in South Asia. Thirdly, India must enhance its indigenous defence capabilities under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative to ensure strategic autonomy. Expanding domestic defence production and fortifying regional alliances will mitigate vulnerabilities arising from shifting geopolitical allegiances. Lastly, India's regional strategy requires reassessment. India's withdrawal from forums like SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) allowed external powers including Türkiye, China, and the US to expand their regional influence. Reinvigorating regional cooperation mechanisms will help restore India's primacy and diminish strategic space for external actors. Türkiye's decision to openly side with Pakistan signals a long-term strategic shift in South Asia. Ankara's current security calculus, while seemingly beneficial in the short-term, risks alienating Türkiye from India's immense economic and strategic potential. India must respond decisively, crafting a proactive, multifaceted policy that safeguards its regional interests, reinforces strategic autonomy, and clearly communicates the costs of strategic hostility. In today's complex geopolitical landscape marked by shifting loyalties, strategic clarity is more crucial than ever. The writer is a Professor of Turkish Politics and Foreign Policy at the MMAJ-Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Kailashahar Airbase revival: Why a forgotten 1971 war airstrip might be key to India's NE strategy
Kailashahar airport in Tripura, which has remained non-operational since the 1971 Indo-Pak war, is set to be revived in the near future. This will become the second airport for the state, complementing Agartala's Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, and is expected to greatly enhance connectivity for Tripura's residents and businesses. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has initiated steps to revive the defunct Kailashahar airport in Unakoti district. Following a request from the Tripura state government, AAI Northeast Regional Executive Director M Raju Krishore, accompanied by Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport Director K C Meena, visited the site on May 26 to assess infrastructure, land availability, and visibility conditions. Meena told PTI that the AAI is exploring options to acquire either 75 or 205 acres of land to develop the facility and prepare a revival plan accordingly. Currently, the Kailashahar airport has a runway length of about 1,000 meters, which is insufficient for operating larger aircraft such as ATRs. The availability and safety of smaller planes that carry 16 to 19 passengers remain a concern, according to officials. The airport that sent alarm bells ringing The urgency to restart the airport comes amid reports that Bangladesh is receiving assistance from China to renovate Lalmonirhat Airport, a World War II-era airstrip situated approximately 132 kilometres from India's strategically critical Chicken's Neck corridor and just 15 to 20 kilometres from the Indian border. The airport is spread over 1,166 acres and it has a four-kilometre runway and large tarmac. Live Events The Chicken's Neck corridor is only 22km wide, it connects Northeast India to the rest of India and is considered vital for national security. 'There is a fear that this airport will be developed for dual use—civilian and military purposes. It could help China keep a tab on Indian activities whether civilian or military or help them gather intelligence near the Siliguri corridor,' said Sriparna Pathak, China Studies professor at O.P. Jindal University, as quoted by TOI. The importance of Kailashahar airport The airport, strategically located in Unakoti district, has been inactive for over 30 years. The airport is only a few kilometres from the Bangladesh border. It played a key role during the 1971 India-Pakistan war when the Indian Air Force conducted missions and surveillance from the site. Ironically, the Kilo Flight which became the first Bangladesh Airforce unit, commenced its operations from this very airport. They carried out missions using one Chetak, one Armed Otter and one Dakota against the Pakistani forces in erstwhile East Pakistan, according to a PIB press release. The airport is also meant to act as a deterrent to both Bangladesh and China, making it clear that India will respond decisively to any action that threatens its territorial integrity. While the revival of this airport is being portrayed as a measure to improve air connectivity, and promote economic development, it is also being viewed as an important measure to strengthen India's strategic preparedness in the sensitive 'Chicken's neck' border area. Officials have indicated that revitalizing Kailashahar Airport will facilitate faster movement of goods and personnel and contribute to strengthening infrastructure near the sensitive border areas. The development also reflects India's efforts to maintain and enhance its strategic posture in the northeast, particularly as neighboring countries develop their own border infrastructure with international partnerships. While the revival of Kailashahar Airport is currently in preliminary stages, authorities emphasize that it will primarily serve civilian purposes alongside supporting regional security needs.
