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News18
3 hours ago
- General
- News18
Pakistan's Nur Khan Airbase Suffered 'Significant Damage' In Operation Sindoor
Last Updated: According to sources, the destruction at the Nur Khan airbase represents both material and psychological losses to Pakistan's army Pakistan sustained significant damage at Nur Khan airbase during India's Operation Sindoor, top intelligence sources told CNN-News18 on Wednesday. India's precision strikes on the base's hangars, runways, and radar sites disrupted the operations of VIP transport fleets, drones, and surveillance aircraft, degrading 20% of Pakistan's air force infrastructure, they said. The strikes, the sources added, exposed critical gaps in Pakistan's air defences and highlighted its inability to intercept ballistic missiles targeting high-value sites deep inside the country. 'While Pakistan's army attempts to downplay the damage, satellite evidence reveals visible debris, indicating ongoing repairs and an attempt to avoid showing weakness. The military has ordered against rapid cleanup to prevent exposing the full extent of the damage to India or the public. The proximity of the base to nuclear facilities has heightened security concerns, potentially delaying external access for clearance," a source said. The military has not removed debris from the airport due to fear and resource shortages or the prioritisation of other damaged bases, the sources said. 'Satellite imagery revealed the demolition of a 7,000 sq ft complex near the strike site, contradicting initial reports of limited damage. Mobile control centres and support vehicles used for air force operations were destroyed, severely compromising command capabilities. High-resolution images showed crater impacts near fortified underground facilities likely used for storing sensitive equipment or overseeing nuclear systems," said a source. According to the sources, the destruction at the Nur Khan airbase represents both material and psychological losses to Pakistan's army, with debris management reflecting broader operational and strategic challenges. This incident underscores India's capability to penetrate Pakistan's core defences. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: June 04, 2025, 20:59 IST
News18
27-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Want Peaceful Resolution': Indian Delegation Conveys Stance Against Terrorism In Guyana
Last Updated: An Indian parliamentary delegation led by Shashi Tharoor visited Guyana, receiving strong support for India's anti-terror stance and fostering deeper bilateral ties. With a brief but important stop in New York and their visit to the 9/11 memorial, the Indian delegation led by Shashi Tharoor embarked on a significant visit to South America. The first country on the delegation's list was Guyana, where they received a warm welcome from the Indian community. Guyana Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo expressed the country's unconditional support to India and its fight against terrorism. However, they also expected India to agree to mediate in their fight with Venezuela. Guyana and Venezuela have been engaged in a conflict, reportedly over the Essequibo River, which makes up two-thirds of Guyana's territory. While Guyana claims the border was settled in 1899 by an international tribunal, Venezuela maintains the river marks the true boundary, citing their claims from 1777. On their part, the Indian delegation maintained that their home country is currently watching the situation very carefully. 'We have just maintained that these two countries need to find a peaceful solution to the situation," a source aware of the developments told Network 18. With nearly 40 per cent of the population in Guyana being Indians, the delegation got an extraordinary welcome and overwhelming support in the nation. 'We also saw a huge untapped potential that can mutually benefit both countries," the source further said. In fact, Shashi Tharoor, who is leading the delegation, shared his thoughts on X, saying, 'It was a pleasure exchanging thoughts with the Honourable Prime Minister of Guyana, Brigadier Mark Anthony Phillips, a former Army Chief, over a relaxed dinner. His wife had spent six weeks in India training in entrepreneurship and NGO management in Ahmedabad." 'They were accompanied by seven Cabinet Ministers, from Finance to Agriculture, so the discussions were both substantive and convivial," he wrote. Another member of the delegation, BJP MP from Bangalore South, Tejasvi Surya, also posted on X, 'We are carrying an important message from Bharat as part of the All-Party Parliamentary Delegation visiting the Americas." 'In Guyana, in our meetings with Prime Minister Brig. (Retd.) Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, we conveyed India's strong and united stance against terrorism and our new Zero Tolerance doctrine under the leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji." 'India and Guyana share a deep-rooted friendship built on cultural bonds and historic ties. With growing cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture, and education, our partnership continues to expand in both depth and purpose," he wrote. As a non-permanent member of the UNSC, getting support from Guyana is an important aspect for the visiting delegation, which is out on a mission to expose Pakistan. The delegations have been armed with a detailed dossier which exposes Pakistan's tryst with terrorism and the necessity for India to hit back with 'Operation Sindoor' to avenge the killings of innocent tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. Other members of the delegation include former Union Minister Milind Deora, Tejasvi Surya, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, TDP MP Harish Balayogi, and former US Ambassador Taranjeet Singh Sandhu.
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First Post
17-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
Hypersonic missile system coming soon after successful trials, reveals ex-DRDO chief
India is close to reaching a significant defence achievement with the introduction of a homegrown hypersonic missile that can travel at Mach 5, according to Dr. Sudhir Kumar Mishra, a veteran Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist. Speaking during the Powering Bharat Summit, held by Network18 in partnership with Moneycontrol, News18 India, and CNBC Awaaz, the former DRDO chief on Friday (May 16) said that DRDO has recently completed successful tests for a hypersonic engine and is now preparing to launch the missile system. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mishra, who previously served as DRDO DG and as MD & CEO of BrahMos Aerospace, currently holds the DRDO chair. 'Two-three weeks back, we tested a hypersonic engine. Soon, we will come out with a hypersonic missile that will reach Mach 5 speed. All the technologies for BrahMos were developed in-house by DRDO, we even built the world's largest launcher ourselves,' Mishra said, adding that when other nations compare missile systems and choose to induct India's, 'it means ours is the best.' Participating in a panel titled Defending Bharat: Indian Drones, Missiles, Defence Tech, Mishra spoke alongside experts in the drone and defence technology fields. Lt Gen (Dr) Inderjit Singh, Strategic Advisor at ideaForge Technology, said India has been proactive about drone technology for over a decade. 'Today, we are the biggest company in ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) technologies. The Ministry of Defence is significantly scaling up efforts to acquire cutting-edge technologies,' he mentioned. He referred to BrahMos as a 'very potent universal weapon' that delivers a strong impact, making it almost impossible to intercept. He stressed the system's reliability, noting that over 130 tests have consistently shown improvements. Highlighting quality over cost, Mishra said DRDO prefers the best technical offer (T1) over the lowest bidder (L1) to ensure top performance. Smit Shah, President of the Drone Federation of India, highlighted how policy reforms catalysed the sector's growth. 'In 2021, we introduced the drone policy, which, though framed for civilian use, unlocked opportunities for private players to develop drone technologies. The aim was to create indigenous intellectual property,' Shah said. Mishra also highlighted the long development time for defence technology, advising investors not to expect quick returns within 2–3 years. 'Real defense R&D takes at least a decade,' he said. Addressing the fragmented defence manufacturing sector, he called for better consolidation: 'If there are 3,000 companies in every vertical, it's tough for buyers to support them. Why don't you group them?' On the drone sector, he predicted: 'Today, there are 400 drone companies. I'm telling you, not more than 20 will survive.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
News18
16-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Issues Become Complex When States Are Governed By Different Parties: CR Patil On Water-Sharing Disputes
Last Updated: When asked about the Cauvery water dispute, Patil replied that the matter is still ongoing. Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil mentioned that inter-state water disputes often arise because political leaders and party figures push for allocations beyond their entitlement. 'When states are governed by different parties, the issue becomes more complex. Political leaders often demand more water than they are authorised to, which eventually creates an environment that, if any commitment is made for less than that, then the people there become against it," he said. Patil was speaking at the Powering Bharat Summit 2025, organised by Network18 in collaboration with Moneycontrol, News18 India, and CNBC Awaaz. He noted that while the government has no authority over the positions taken by political parties, it is focusing on key development projects under the Modi government's jurisdiction, such as the Ken-Betwa project, expected to be completed by 2030, and the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP). According to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the ERCP link project aims to provide drinking and industrial water to 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan, Malwa, and Chambal regions of Madhya Pradesh. An MoU was signed by the two states for this project last year. Meanwhile, the Ken-Betwa Link Project, with a cost of over 44,000 crore rupees, is expected to benefit millions in rural areas of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. First Published: May 16, 2025, 19:12 IST
News18
12-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Pakistan Spy Dials Indian Journalists, Poses As Defence Officer To Extract Info On Operation Sindoor
Last Updated: Pakistan's ISPR is reaching out to the Indian journalists, posing as defence officials from India, and seeking information about the Operation Sindoor. Taking another stride in information warfare, Pakistan's intelligence operatives have started reaching out to Indian journalists and civilians, pretending to be Indian defence officials, seeking information about the ongoing Operation Sindoor. The Indian officials warned the citizens against responding to such calls, which are being made from an Indian number – +91 7340921702. Journalists at Network18 also received such calls, which posed as official from the Chief of Defence Staff's office. The caller informed about the military press briefing to be held at 2.30 pm in New Delhi regarding Operation Sindoor, and sought to know the questions that will be asked during the media interaction, especially regarding 'damage" that happened in India and Indian bases. 'Indian WhatsApp No: 7340921702 is being used by Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIO), pretending as Indian Defence Officials, to call Journalists and Civilians to acquire information on the ongoing situation while 'Operation Sindoor" is in progress. Please DO NOT fall for such attempts," Indian officials warned in a statement. Several other defence journalists also received such calls, believed to be from Pakistan's ISPR. They also took to X and informed about the campaign being run from Pakistan.
