Latest news with #Indo-PakistaniWarof
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Independence Day: From Red Fort, reflection of nation's hopes
NEW DELHI: As India marks its 79th year of Independence, the tradition of the Prime Minister addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort remains more than a powerful and symbolic ritual reflecting the country's hopes, direction, and its evolving place in history. Since the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, each speech has served as a mirror to the nation's political climate and collective mood. Nehru's'Tryst with Destiny,' delivered just after midnight on August 15, 1947, remains a memorable Independence Day speech in India's history. It marked the nation's foundational moment, laying out the urgent priorities of tackling poverty, inequality, and the widespread challenges of ignorance and disease. Indira Gandhi's Independence Day speeches have often been politically charged and sometimes controversial. Her 1972 address focused on the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and celebrated India's victory, boosting national pride. However, her speeches during the Emergency period, particularly in 1975, emphasized national unity and security in ways that were seen as justifications for the imposition of the Emergency, a period marked by curtailment of democratic freedoms. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's addresses have marked a departure from traditional bureaucratic language, bringing a more accessible and interactive style. His first Independence Day speech focused on social reform initiatives such as 'Clean India' and the 'Jan Dhan Yojana,' highlighting efforts to improve governance and citizen welfare. In 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Modi spoke about the country's health infrastructure, vaccine development, and resilience, reinforcing a message of hope and progress. Modi also set a record by delivering the longest Independence Day speech from the Red Fort in 2024, speaking for 98 minutes.
Pink Villa
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Border 2: Diljit Dosanjh removed from Sunny Deol's film amid boycott pressure?
Border 2, starring Sunny Deol in the lead role is making the headlines ever since the ambitious project was announced with a star-studded cast. However, in a twist of fate, it looks like Diljit Dosanjh might no longer be a part of the movie. Diljit Dosanjh ousted from Sunny Deol's Border 2? According to India Today's report, the actor-singer was dropped from the film. The decision, however, is said to be made collectively by the makers and the rest of the actors. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has officially boycotted the actor owing to controversial reasons related to his other film. While an official confirmation from the makers is still pending, Diljit was working on the upcoming movie at the National Defence Academy (NDA). The FWICE recently penned a letter regarding the singer and notified Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh about the actor-singer getting boycotted. The letter was written in hopes of the ministry withdrawing permission for the movie's shoot at NDA. Earlier, at Pinkvilla, we exclusively reported that Diljit was supposed to join the shoot on June 10. Reports indicate that actor Ammy Virk might replace the Chamkila star. Border 2 is the upcoming sequel to the 1997 blockbuster Border. The first installment was an epic war film set during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Based on the events of the Battle of Longewala, the film was directed by JP Dutta. With Sunny Deol headlining the movie, it featured an ensemble cast of actors like Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty, Akshaye Khanna, Sudesh Berry, and Puneet Issar in leading roles. Apart from them, Border also had Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Tabu, Raakhee, Pooja Bhatt, and more in supporting roles. Coming to Border 2, the sequel movie will once again have Sunny Deol in the lead with Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty, Kapil Sharma, and more actors being part of it. The upcoming war film is directed by the Kesari fame Anurag Singh and is slated to release on January 23, 2026, coinciding with Republic Day next year.
News18
27-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
When Indira Gandhi Wanted War, He Said 'Not Yet'. 6 Months Later, Sam Manekshaw Broke Pakistan
Last Updated: Sam Manekshaw opposed immediate war, citing lack of readiness, poor logistics, monsoon challenges, and troop deployments in the Himalayas. He sought more time to prepare Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, a name synonymous with military strategy and valour, played a pivotal role in the historic victory of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. Under his leadership, the Indian Army showcased exemplary courage and strategic acumen, making Manekshaw an enduring hero in the annals of the Indian military. Sam Hormusji Fameji Jamshedji Manekshaw was born on April 3, 1914 in Amritsar, Punjab, into a Parsi family. He received his training from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun and was commissioned into the British Indian Army in 1934. His bravery during World War II on the Burma front earned him the Military Cross, highlighting his indomitable spirit even when wounded. The 1971 war stands as a testament to Manekshaw's exceptional leadership. With mounting atrocities by the Pakistani army in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), India decided to intervene. Manekshaw not only crafted the military strategy but also advised against premature action to ensure the army was fully prepared. His foresight was crucial; within 13 days, the Indian Army captured Dhaka, and 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered. This victory was not only a display of India's military prowess but also a testament to Manekshaw's strategic brilliance. One of the notable episodes involving Manekshaw and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi occurred on April 27, 1971. Faced with a refugee crisis stemming from East Pakistan, Indira Gandhi called for immediate military intervention. However, Manekshaw opposed this, stating that the Army needed more time for adequate preparation. He cited the lack of military readiness, weapons, logistics, and the challenges posed by the monsoon season and deployments in the Himalayan regions. Manekshaw assured Indira Gandhi that the right time for war would come when the Army was fully prepared. Impressed by his candour, she agreed. The war commenced in December 1971, leading to the creation of Bangladesh, illustrating Manekshaw's strategic intelligence and leadership. Known as 'Sam Bahadur' among his soldiers, Manekshaw was admired for his simplicity and humane leadership style. He understood the soldiers' problems and boosted their morale, making significant contributions to their welfare and the army's modernisation even after the war. In recognition of his service, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972 and later the title of Field Marshal, the highest military rank in India. Manekshaw passed away on June 27, 2008, leaving behind a legacy of unparalleled military excellence and leadership. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Operation Sindoor: Deputy PM admits Pakistan asked for ceasefire after India struck 2 airbases
Pakistan foreign minister Ishaq Dar NEW DELHI: Dragging his feet to the truth after repeated denials, Pakistan's deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday admitted that India struck Rawalpindi's Nur Khan airbase and the Shorkot airbase during Operation Sindoor , which was carried to avenge the Pahalgam terrorist attack, in which ISI-groomed terrorists killed 26 civilians. India attacked the Nur Khan and Shorkot airbases on the intervening night of May 6 and 7. Within 45 minutes of the strike, Saudi Prince Faisal offered to speak to external affairs minister S Jaishankar on behalf of Pakistan's deputy PM, seeking to halt further action against Pakistan. Dar's statement strongly suggests that Islamabad desperately scrambled to find help in persuading India to halt its kinetic action, which was "precise, measured and non-escalatory". Nur Khan airbase Pakistan air force Base Nur Khan, situated in Chaklala, Rawalpindi is around 10km from Islamabad, Pakistan capital. It is an active airbase that encompasses the former Benazir Bhutto International Airport within its grounds. The facility, originally established as RAF Station Chaklala and later known as PAF Base Chaklala, continues to serve as a vital military installation in Pakistan. The base is also home to PAF College Chaklala, which trains Aviation Cadets, and Fazaia Inter College Nur Khan, providing additional educational facilities on the premises. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Imtiaz Gul, a defence analyst, claimed that the strategically important Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi is 'under American control.' Rafiqui airbase Pakistan air force base Rafiqui, situated near Shorkot in Jhang District, is a major military installation located 337 kilometers south of Islamabad. The base features a 10,000-foot runway with a parallel taxiway that serves as an emergency landing strip. The airbase was previously known as PAF Base Shorkot before being renamed after Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui, a fighter pilot from the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. The base's infrastructure includes a primary runway and an emergency taxiway system that allows for aircraft recovery operations when needed. Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor was India's swift, calculated tri‑service cross-border assault on the dead night of May 6 and 7, targeting nine terror camps deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the brutal April 22 Pahalgam massacre that claimed 26 innocent lives. Within 25 minutes, India's Army, Navy and Air Force deployed SCALP cruise missiles, HAMMER smart bombs, loitering munitions and ground-to-ground weaponry, killing around 70 to 100 militants and crippling key Lashkar‑e‑Taiba, JeM and Hizbul Mujahideen infrastructure at Bahalwalpur and Muridke in Pakistan. Pahalgam's terrorists thought they were sending a message when they murdered husbands in front of their wives, after selecting victims by their religion. Via the name Operation Sindoor, the government sent an immeasurably bigger message back as India avenged the loss suffered by those women. Sindoor, vermillion, is a symbol of marriage in Hindu custom. Pakistan's military-intelligence-jihadi complex would have been among the first to note the image put out by Indian Army right after government's confirmation of the strikes - Operation Sindoor in block letters, with the first 'O' represented by a bowl of vermillion.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
21-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
60 years before Asim Munir, Pakistan's Field Marshal Ayub Khan lost 1965 War to Lal Bahadur Shastri's India
While Ayub Khan was the first Pakistani Field Marshal to lose a war with India, now, decades later, history seems to echo. General Asim Munir, elevated to the same rare rank of Field Marshal on Tuesday, has found himself in similarly troubled waters read more Almost 60 years before the current Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir — now promoted to the rank of field marshal — found himself caught in hostilities with India after the Pahalgam terror attack, another military leader, Field Marshal Ayub Khan, suffered a major strategic defeat at the hands of Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. The war, driven by Pakistan's ambition to take control of Kashmir, not only failed to achieve its objectives but also left lasting scars on the subcontinent's geopolitical landscape. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Ayub Khan was the first Pakistani Field Marshal to lose a war with India, now, decades later, history seems to echo. General Asim Munir, elevated to the same rare rank of Field Marshal on Tuesday, has found himself in similarly troubled waters. While officially celebrated for leading Pakistan through a supposed 'victory' in recent India-Pak conflict, the reality on the ground tells a different story. On May 7, India launched 'Operation Sindoor', a series of precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), in retaliation for a Pakistan-backed terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives. India targeted and destroyed nine terror launch pads, including known terror hubs in Bahawalpur and Muridke. This was followed by a military escalation, with intense artillery exchanges taking place on May 8 and 9. India inflicted significant damage on 11 Pakistani airbases and other strategic military installations. However, despite the scale of the damage, the Shehbaz Sharif-led government in Pakistan claimed victory after a ceasefire agreement was reached between the two nations. Notably, while Pakistan has been claiming victory in the recent conflict, India has busted its lies with evidence at various forums. Ayub Khan was not only Pakistan's first Field Marshal but also the first to suffer a military defeat at the hands of India. Here's how he lost the 1965 war and how that failure continues to echo in Pakistan's military history. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Origins of the 1965 Conflict The roots of the 1965 war lay in Pakistan's aggressive gamble to alter the status quo in Jammu and Kashmir. Tensions escalated in August 1965 with Pakistan's launch of Operation Gibraltar, a covert mission intended to infiltrate Indian-occupied Kashmir and ignite a local uprising. The goal was to destabilise Indian control and pave the way for Pakistani acquisition of the territory, leveraging the region's Muslim-majority demographics and India's perceived post-1962 military vulnerability. This undeclared war marked a major strategic miscalculation by Ayub Khan's regime, which was guided by Foreign Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's conviction that Kashmiris would rise against Indian rule if prompted by Pakistani support. Instead of inciting mass rebellion, the infiltration alerted India to Pakistan's intentions and triggered a full-blown conflict. Capture and return of Haji Pir Pass In the early stages of the war, India gained a critical tactical edge by capturing the Haji Pir Pass on August 28, 1965. Located along the ceasefire line, the pass had served as a key infiltration route for Pakistani forces. Its seizure dramatically shortened the logistical route from Jammu to Srinagar by over 200 km and simplified control over the region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, in a controversial move, Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri later agreed to return the Haji Pir Pass to Pakistan as part of the Tashkent Agreement, in exchange for a Pakistani pledge to 'abjure war and maintain peace.' While some have attributed the decision to Soviet pressure or a diplomatic oversight, others believe India underestimated the pass's strategic significance, a mistake that continues to be debated today. India's surprise offensive on Lahore The turning point of the war came on September 6, 1965, when the Indian Army launched a surprise cross-border attack on Lahore, Pakistan's second-largest city. This bold move was in retaliation for Pakistan's Operation Grand Slam, a renewed offensive in the Jammu region that threatened India's positions in Akhnoor. India's goal in targeting Lahore was twofold: to divert Pakistani attention and resources away from Jammu and Kashmir, and to gain leverage by occupying territory close to a major urban center. Indian forces advanced swiftly along the Grand Trunk Road, capturing key points including Batapur, a suburb of Lahore, and reaching the Ichhogil Canal, the city's main line of defence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Pakistani military, unprepared for an Indian offensive beyond Kashmir, was caught off guard. Reinforcements had to be hastily diverted, and the Pakistan Air Force, previously focused on the Kashmir sector, was redeployed to defend Lahore. Strategic restraint and calculated pressure Despite the rapid advance, Indian commanders, including future Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, emphasised that India had no intention of capturing and occupying Lahore, which would have required an unsustainable commitment of troops. Instead, Indian strategy aimed to apply pressure by threatening infrastructure such as the River Ravi bridge and the Lahore-Wazirabad highway, without escalating to total urban warfare. Ceasefire and the Tashkent agreement The war concluded on September 22, 1965, following a UN-mandated ceasefire. Both India and Pakistan retained small portions of each other's territory, but the broader objectives remained unfulfilled, particularly for Pakistan, whose aim of seizing Kashmir had failed. On January 10, 1966, the Tashkent Agreement, brokered by the Soviet Union, formalised the return to pre-war positions. While the agreement sought to restore peace, it also sowed seeds of political unrest. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In India, Prime Minister Shastri's sudden death in Tashkent under mysterious circumstances sparked national mourning and speculation. In Pakistan, dissatisfaction with the outcome and Ayub Khan's handling of the war contributed to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's resignation and growing dissent within the military establishment. Who won the war? Victory in the 1965 war ultimately depended on the goals of each side. Pakistan initiated the conflict to claim Kashmir but failed to achieve that aim. India, despite limited territorial gains, successfully defended its sovereignty and repelled the incursion, earning a strategic and moral victory. The war cemented Shastri's legacy as a strong and decisive leader, while exposing the flaws in Ayub Khan's military strategy — flaws that continue to serve as a cautionary tale in Pakistan's civil-military discourse. Sixty years later, as General Asim Munir navigates his own turbulent chapter in Indo-Pak relations, the shadow of 1965 looms large — reminding both nations of the costs of miscalculation and the fragility of peace. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
