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Time of India
11 hours ago
- 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.
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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
Middle East Eye
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Social media erupts after Indian media falsely claims destruction of Pakistan's Karachi Port
In what appears to be a major disinformation campaign, several major Indian media outlets are claiming to have damaged or destroyed the Port of Karachi and other Pakistani targets, airing video evidence that many have proven to be fabricated. Throughout Thursday night, a multitude of Indian news channels with broad local audiences, such as Aaj Tak, India Today, Zee News, and Business Today, among others, broadcast various videos of the supposed attack. The unverified footage spread quickly online soon after, with many citizens of India celebrating the reported attack. Verified Drone Footage from Balochistan confirms large-scale devastation at #KarachiPort — a blow now officially acknowledged by the Karachi Port Authority. Precision of #IndianNavyAction leaves no room for denial. Jai hind 🇮🇳 — Shilpa Sahu (@shilpasahu432) May 9, 2025 Some also drew comparisons to Operation Trident, a 1971 military attack launched by the Indian Navy on Karachi during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, leaving the port of Karachi heavily damaged. The INS Vikrant, India's first aircraft carrier, played a major role in enforcing the naval blockade of East Pakistan during the war. 🚨BREAKING: INS Vikrant strikes again! Karachi Port in flames. Port infrastructure decimated Lahore command center hit Islamabad bases under fire Echoes of 1971—Karachi burned for days back then! 🇮🇳💪🏻 — THAKUR SUNIL SINGH (@HackSentry) May 8, 2025 While the official X account of Karachi's Port Authority first confirmed the allegations, it later issued a statement claiming that India hacked its account. The Port Authority also confirmed that no damage was done to the port. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Other reports that circulated, later also debunked as fake, floated that Islamabad had been captured by the Indian Navy alongside Pakistan's chief of army staff, General Asim Munir. Indian media reports also later falsely claimed that Munir had been arrested and that a coup was underway in Pakistan. AajTak has destroyed Karachi Port. Zee Media has destroyed Islamabad. Republic TV has arrested Asim Munir. Sudarshan has destroyed Pakistan. Unreal Clownery🤡 — Mohit Chauhan (@mohitlaws) May 8, 2025 Outlets like Outlook India debunked many of the videos circulated by Indian broadcasters. One image that was circulated widely is reportedly from a 2020 BBC report on Gaza, not Karachi. Several social media users living around the port joined in on the efforts to counteract the false claims, posting pictures and videos of the port and other sites being intact. My office is hardly 2 kms from Karachi Port, this is the view from the rooftop. All calm and business as usual. — Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) May 8, 2025 After the reports on the destruction of the port emerged, social media users seemingly debunked the claims as fake news and expressed their anger towards Indian media outlets. "We are becoming a global joke," one social media user posted on X. "There are global observers watching closely and this is the show we put up?! Shameful." While many social media users from India are frustrated with India's claims, others have employed a dose of irony when commenting on the faulty news reports. India 'destroyed' Karachi port and we, the people of Karachi, didn't even know. Imagine that this fake news comes from one of India's leading news — Naimat Khan (@NKMalazai) May 8, 2025 "Indian media and pundits fed their audiences Bollywood level propaganda last night," one social media user wrote on X. "The world is laughing, Indians are fuming, and Karachi and Lahore remain intact." Tensions between India and Pakistan have been at fever pitch since gunmen killed 26 civilians in a famous tourist spot in India-administered Kashmir's Pahalgam on 22 April. Soon after, India began launching air strikes on several locations in Pakistan, in what it called a retaliatory action against "terrorists" to avenge the Pahalgam attack. In the ensuing salvos, Pakistan is confirmed to have downed at least one Indian jet, with the Pakistani government claiming they downed five jets. Last night, several Indian cities reported blackouts while the Indian government accused Pakistan of unsuccessfully launching attacks on Indian civilian infrastructure in 15 different locations. Pakistan's military strongly denied any involvement in these attacks but said it killed 40 to 50 Indian soldiers in cross-border fighting.
Mint
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
‘Operation Sindoor' marks India's biggest, first joint military move against Pakistan since 1971 war
In the early hours of Wednesday, May 7, India launched a joint military action – 'Operation Sindoor' – on terror hotbeds, striking nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Indian military strikes in Pakistan come in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which left 26 dead, most of them tourists. Touted as the Indian military's biggest and deepest strike yet, 'Operation Sindoor' marks the first joint operation since the 1971 war. All three defence branches — Army, Navy, and Air Force — coordinated to carry out the strikes on Pakistan to eliminate Jaish-e-Muhammed and Lashkar leadership. The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War in East Pakistan. It ended with Pakistani forces' surrender. In retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes early Wednesday on nine terror targets in Pakistan and PoK, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base Muridke. The military strikes were carried out under Operation Sindoor two weeks after 26 persons were killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. While India has said in a statement that nine sites were targeted in the joint military operation, Pakistan has tried to simmer down the Indian military operation, saying only five locations were hit. Pakistan military spokesperson has also claimed that Pakistani military shot down three Rafale planes, one SU-30 and one MIG-29 that Indian military flew. He said the five planes were shot down after India carried out strikes in Pakistan and while they were in the Indian airspace. After carrying out strikes in Pakistan and PoK, the Defence Ministry said in a statement that the military hit terror infrastructure…from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed. It said total nine sites were targeted in the Indian military operation. Operation Sindoor involved the mobilisation of assets and troops. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was monitoring the operation throughout the night, sources told ANI. The nine targets that India hit are: four in Pakistan, including Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Sialkot, and five in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK), ANI quoted sources as saying. 'Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in the selection of targets and method of execution,' India said. 'We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable,' India said.
