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India Gazette
27-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Most hilarious aspect...state of denial": BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad takes dig at Pakistan Asim Munir's promotion to Field Marshal
Paris [France], May 27 (ANI): BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is leading all-party delegation, to France on Tuesday took a dig at Pakistan for promoting Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir to Field Marshal despite recent military and strategic failures during Operation Sindoor by India in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. He said, 'The most hilarious aspect was that the general whose forces were defeated at the hands of India decisively was promoted to Field Marsh. This is state of denial.' Despite the military setbacks, Pakistan's government is projecting the outcome as a 'historic victory,' praising General Munir's leadership during the conflict. General Asim Munir became only the second army officer in Pakistan's history to be elevated to Field Marshal. Ayub Khan, Pakistan's president from 1958 to 1969, holds the distinction of being the country's first Field Marshal. Notably, his promotion to this highest military rank was self-appointed, following his coup and assumption of the presidency in 1958. Munir's elevation also signals who truly calls the shots in Pakistan. The government approved a promotion that further cements the army chief's dominance over the country's civilian leadership. Notably, has been in state of denial regarding its role in perpetuating violence and instability in the region, hindering efforts to achieve lasting peace. Four wars has been fought between the two countries - The first war between India and Pakistan occurred shortly after independence, primarily over the disputed region of Kashmir in 1947-48; 1965 war, sparked by Pakistan's Operation Gibraltar, which aimed to infiltrate and capture Kashmir; 1971 war, a decisive conflict that led to the creation of Bangladesh and 1999 Kargil war, Pakistani troops infiltrated into Kashmir, sparking a military confrontation. Despite these historical conflicts and ongoing tensions, Pakistan has consistently denied its role in supporting terrorist groups and engaging in aggressive actions against India. This denial extends to its refusal to acknowledge the impact of its actions on regional stability and the suffering of innocent civilians. Meanwhile, briefing French journalists, Prasad noted that Members of Parliament have come to France not in happier times but to convey a straight message. He called out Pakaistan for their support to terrorists. He said, 'We have not come to Paris and meeting you in happier times. But we have to we have come to convey some straight message. Terrorism is not India centric, terrorism is now a global phenomenena. In the majority of the cases, terrorists, their patrons, and the groups, terror groups based in Pakistan have direct or indirect involvement. Today, there are 52 designated terrorists by UN.' 'The distinction between the state of Pakistan and terrorism has withered away. Terrorism as an instrument of state policy is a part of the military state of Pakistan. You know that no democracy there,' he added. He also spoke about wars between India and Pakistan and emphasised that none of the four were started by India. The delegation leader noted that all major world powers supported India's stance, and India has conveyed clearly that any actions will be handled bilaterally, with the Director General of Military Operation (DGMO) of Pakistan engaging directly with the DGMO of India. He said, 'India and Pakistan has four clear wars, 1948, 1965, 1971 where Bangladesh was created And Kargil war. None of these were started by India. I repeat, none of these were started by the government of India have ... Pakistan and PM Modi also invited Nawaz Sharif in his swearing-in ceremony in 2014. He also went to Pakistan at his instance to attend the marriage of his grandson. And thereafter this has continued unabated. This time, India has conveyed in very clear terms this far and. and no further.' 'A new norm has been set. We had attacked only the terrorist infrastructure... We conveyed to Pakistan that we did not want to escalate. We only wanted to attack terror infrastructure... On the morning of May 10, their DGMO talked to our DGMO... Our message was clear, you stop, we stop... Any act of terrorism will be constituted as an act of war,' he added. On the Indus Water Treaty, Prasad stated it remains in abeyance until Pakistan provides evidence of stopping terrorism. Member of the delegation, Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, said, 'We are also looking at your European Union, also looking at other important nations to address the terrorism emanating out of Pakistan, because we are all equal sufferers, we in India are more so, because we share the neighbourhood with them. We can't change our neighbours. We can only hold them accountable.' The delegation, led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, includes BJP MPs Daggubati Purandeswari, MJ Akbar, Ghulam Ali Khatana and Samik Bhattacharya; Congress MP Amar Singh, Priyanka Chaturvedi from Shiv Sena (UBT) and former diplomat Pankaj Saran. In a post on X, Indian Embassy in France stated, 'Meeting with Media over breakfast The All Party Indian Parliamentary Delegation met with French and international media in Paris over a candid conversation about India's fight against terrorism.' Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 as a decisive military response to the Pahalgam attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, in which 26 people were killed. Indian armed forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of over 100 terrorists affiliated with groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The Indian Armed Forces responded effectively to subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases. The two countries agreed to a cessation of hostilities on May 10. (ANI)
India Today
16-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
India's war hero who created a graveyard of Pak's Patton tanks with a gun
"That's a bad omen... Don't go today," said Rasoolan Bibi as she saw the rope around the holdall bag of her husband, Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid, snap. It was 1965 and Hamid was rushing to join his battalion, the 4th Grenadiers, as war clouds hovered over the Indian subcontinent."Didn't I return safe from the 1962 war?" Hamid replied. With this assurance to his wife, Hamid left his home in UP's Dhamupur village in Ghazipur ominous feelings that his wife had would prove prophetic. But not before generations in India got a hero to look up extraordinary bravery in the Battle of Asal Uttar, (meaning the real reply), Abdul Hamid would etch his name as one of India's bravest the battle, Hamid stood atop his jeep, manoeuvring through the sugarcane fields of Punjab with a recoilless (RCL) gun, and single-handedly took down at least half a dozen American-made Pakistani Patton tanks. The 1965 Indo-Pak War saw the largest tank battle since World War II (1939–1945).In recognition of Hamid's valour and supreme sacrifice in service to the nation, he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest gallantry was Pakistan that thrust upon India the 1965 War with Operation Gibraltar, its second failed bid to seize Kashmir through infiltration, after the first in 1947. The third came in 1999 at Kargil. Thwarted each time, Pakistan has turned to terrorism as a prolonged proxy war against April 22 Pahalgam attack, where terrorists of The Resistance Front, Pakistan's new proxy outfit of old Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), brutally gunned down 26 people, was another horrific face of the proxy war. What followed was India's retaliatory strike -- Operation Sindoor -- which destroyed nine terror hubs across Pakistan and Pakistan-cooupied Kashmir (POK). Over 100 terrorists were eliminated, including those linked to the 1999 IC-814 hijacking and the 2019 Pulwama attack. Pakistan responded by deploying heavy artillery and armoured units near the border. Alongside cross-border drone, artillery, and mortar strikes, it targeted military and civilian areas along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International tried to hit Indian military and civilian areas but India not only foiled but caused damage to Pakistani military infrastructure in its retaliatory strikes. Indian forces proved their superior capabilities, just like they had done in the 1965 War, in which Abdul Hamid emerged as a national hero. A postage stamp issued in 2000 commemorated Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid, a Param Vir Chakra awardee, for his role in the 1965 War, marking 50 years of the Republic of India. (Image: India Post) PAK'S OP GIBRALTAR, KASHMIR INFILTRATION WAS A CALCULATED MOVE AMID LEADERSHIP CHANGE IN DELHIThe 1965 Indo-Pak War was triggered by Pakistan's Operation Gibraltar, named after Gibraltar, from where the early Muslim conquest of Europe's Iberian Peninsula was launched. In August 1965, Pakistani troops from the so-called Azad Kashmir Regular Force, disguised as mujahideen, infiltrated Jammu and Kashmir to incite unrest and spark an armed uprising among the Valley's Muslim-majority in the 1960s, after signing a 1954 defence pact, Pakistan secured $1.5 billion in military aid from its ally, the United States. Pakistan acquired a bunch of American military hardware, including Patton tanks, F-86 Sabre jets, M24 Chaffee light tanks, and M48 tanks."India had suffered a severe reversal in the Sino-Indian War of 1962, her economy had suffered substantially, reorganisation of her forces was incomplete, arms-aid after the war with China [in 1962] was only for the mountains and that too had yet to be absorbed... Her [Pakistan's] own economy was sound due to agricultural production and industrial growth," Major General Ian Cardozo (retired) wrote in 'Param Vir: Our Heroes in Battle'. Major General Cardozo is India's first war-disabled army officer to command a battalion and a [Jawaharlal] Nehru had died [in 1964] and his replacement, the diminutive Lal Bahadur Shastri, did not seem to impress the Pakistanis. Pakistan felt that the opportunity was too good to be wasted and needed to be taken advantage of," Major General Ian Cardozo (retired) added. Pakistan was a key ally of the US in the region, playing the role in containing communism and supporting anti-Soviet policies. (Image: Generative AI by Sushim Mukul) Then a member of SEATO and CENTO, Pakistan, armed and bolstered, launched its offensive aiming to capture Indian territory, especially in launching Operation Gibraltar to annex Jammu and Kashmir, General Ayub Khan-led Pakistan tested India by initiating a limited offensive in the Rann of Kutch desert between April and June 1965, according to Major General Ian Cardozo (retired).To push India further back, Pakistan deployed mujahideen and regular troops from across the LoC into Gulmarg, Uri, and Baramulla. Major General Afsir Karim (retired) estimated the force at 30, ROAD TO ASAL UTTAR. HOW AND WHY PAKISTAN ATTACKED INDIA IN 1965After Pakistan's multi-front troop movements, Indian forces fought back in Jammu and Kashmir and the Rann of situation escalated into the confrontation at Asal Uttar (in Punjab's Tarn Taran district), north of Khemkaran, where Pakistani forces advanced after Indian multi-unit troops moved toward Kasur, in Pakistan. The clash was one of the largest post-World War II tank battles, with the last of similar scale being the 1943 Battle of Kursk between Nazi Panzers and Soviet 8 September, hours after Indian units, including Hamid's Grenadiers, took position amid thick sugarcane fields, the rumble of numerous enemy tanks was heard."The fields are rustling with sugar cane and even as Hamid sits in the passenger seat of his jeep, which has mounted on it a recoilless (RCL) gun, he can hear the wind. The jeep trundles over a narrow mud track ahead of Cheema village... Taking cover behind the tall crop, Hamid points his gun in their direction and then waits. The Grenadiers hold their fire so as not to warn the enemy," journalist and author, Rachna Bisht Rawat wrote in her book, The Brave: Param Vir Chakra as the tanks come within 30 yards, Hamid asks his loader to load the gun and shoot. He watches the shell go up and arch towards the first enemy tank. Even as he picks up his binoculars, he hears the blast. The tank is burning in front of his eyes. Hamid and his men rejoice. 'Shabaash!', he mouths, and they exchange wide smiles," Rawat tasted blood with his first tank kill. There was no stopping him later when the second tank attack began, Abdul Hamid knocked out his second Patton, forcing the crews of two follow-up tanks to abandon and flee. By the end of the day, two tanks were destroyed and four were next day, on September 9, Pakistani Sabre jets and armoured divisions launched a fierce assault on Indian troops who had just the RCL into enemy fire, Abdul Hamid took out two more a confirmed tally of four tanks destroyed, Abdul Hamid's citation for the Param Vir Chakra was sent. That's why the Param Vir Chakra credits Hamid with just destroying four more tanks would meet the same fate at Hamid's hands. Asal Uttar, located near Tarn Taran in Punjab, was a crucial battlefield in the 1965 War where Indian forces decisively halted Pakistan's armoured advance. HOW PARAM VIR ABDUL HAMID CREATED PATTON GRAVEYARDOn Day 3 — September 10 — as Indian battalion defences came under intense shelling and Pakistani Patton tanks advanced, Abdul Hamid destroyed another tank and swiftly repositioned his RCL gun. Hours later, as enemy tanks pushed forward again with heavier artillery support, Hamid took out his sixth tank with deadly Bisht Rawat, however, credits Hamid with destroying three, not two, tanks on the third day, citing a person named Jameel, who heard the account first-hand from a surviving soldier of the battle."The next tank and Abdul Hamid spotted each other simultaneously. Being alone, he could not change his position, so he reloaded his weapon and traversed it. The Pakistani tank gunner and Abdul Hamid placed each other in the cross-hairs of their sights together and fired nearly simultaneously. Abdul Hamid was killed instantly. It is not clear whether the enemy tank was also destroyed. The battalion history, however, states that both fired simultaneously and blew each other to bits," wrote Major General Ian Cardozo (retired) in his book. Then-Army Chief General Bipin Rawat in 2015 unveiled a memorial to commemorate Param Veer Chakra Havildar Abdul Hami's legacy, in Ghazipur, UP. (Image: PTI) For his unmatched valour, Abdul Hamid was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest wartime gallantry award. While the Param Vir Chakra citation says Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid destroyed four Pakistani Patton tanks. Other sources say as many as eight to nine tanks were taken down by Hamid single-handedly. Some sources even put the Pakistani tanks destroyed by him at destruction of Patton tanks broke the momentum of Pakistan's armoured thrust in the Khem Karan sector. Holding the line with just a recoilless rifle, he paved the way for India's 4th Mountain Division to trap and decimate Pakistan's 1st Armoured Division in what came to be known as the "Patton Graveyard"."As many as 75 Pakistani Patton tanks were destroyed or deserted, and the Indians collected these as war trophies. In fact, the place where they lay deserted was named Patton Nagar by the locals and was a symbol of Pakistan's humiliating defeat," wrote Major General Ian Cardozo (retired) in his book. After the 1965 War ceasefire, a unique tank graveyard called 'Patton Nagar' emerged at Bhikkiwind, Punjab, showcasing the destroyed American-made Patton tanks of the Pakistani Army. (Image Ministry of Defence) The Patton tanks failed in the 1965 War because their ammunition was stored in the turret and hull. They were vulnerable to high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rounds. Hit by Indian soldiers, the tanks blew up in catastrophic explosions. The swampy sugarcane fields crippled them decisive Indian resistance at battles like Asal Uttar, the war reached a stalemate, prompting both sides to accept a United Nations-mandated ceasefire on 23 September. The Tashkent Agreement, brokered by the Soviet Union and signed in January 1966, formalised the end of hostilities, with both India and Pakistan agreeing to withdraw to pre-war Pakistan has hardly mended its ways, still flirting with provocation, still betting on steel and strategy over sense. Amid the new clouds of conflict, Abdul Hamid's story speaks of the steely resolve of its soldiers. It's a reminder that wars aren't necessarily won by swaggering machines alone, but by the sheer grit of men who refuse to back down, even when the odds are stacked up against as Major General Ian Cardozo (retired) noted, "Abdul Hamid was the right man, at the right place, at the right time".If Pakistan had Pattons, India had a Param Vir at the right place at the right time. Hamid didn't just earn the Param Vir Chakra, he defined it to a great InTrending Reel
News18
12-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
At 4 Days, What This The Shortest Conflict Between India And Pakistan?
Last Updated: Since 1947, India and Pakistan have fought four wars, but this latest conflict was notably brief Was this the shortest 'war' between India and Pakistan till date? The intense cross-border firing and drone activity between the nuclear-armed neigbours continued for four days, but there were no incidents along the heavily militarized Line of Control on the night of May 11 to 12. On Saturday, both nations agreed to cease all military operations on land, in the air and at sea to avoid further escalation. Since 1947, India and Pakistan have fought four wars, but this latest conflict was notably brief. First War Lasted 15 Months The history of India-Pakistan wars includes four major conflicts and several significant military operations. The first war, known as the Kashmir War, occurred between 1947 and 1948, spanning 15 months. This conflict began in October 1947 and lasted until January 1949, involving Pakistan-backed tribal attackers aiming to seize Kashmir. Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir subsequently merged with India, saving half of Kashmir while Pakistan occupied the other half, termed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). A United Nations-mediated ceasefire ended this war. Second War Lasted 22 Days The second war in 1965 lasted for 22 days from August 5 to September 23. Triggered by Pakistan's Operation Gibraltar, it saw India gain a significant advantage before a ceasefire was declared. The Tashkent Agreement in January 1966 restored the pre-war status quo. Third War Lasted 13 Days In 1971, the third India-Pakistan war, also known as the Bangladesh Liberation War, lasted 13 days from December 3 to December 16, and resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. This conflict led to a historic defeat for Pakistan, with 93,000 soldiers surrendering. The subsequent Simla Agreement established the Line of Control (LoC), with India returning captured territory to Pakistan. The Kargil War of 1999 was a prolonged conflict, lasting around 2 months and 20 days. It began in May and ended on July 26, involving the infiltration of Pakistani forces into the Kargil region. India emerged victorious, reclaiming its territory and causing international disgrace for Pakistan, leading to a military coup by General Pervez Musharraf. Other Major Military Conflicts And Operations Rann of Kutch Conflict (1965): Border clashes took place in the Kutch region of Gujarat in April 1965, lasting about one to two weeks. Operation Parakram (2001–2002): Following the Parliament attack on December 13, 2001, Indian and Pakistani forces remained in a tense standoff along the border for 10 months. Though a full-scale war was avoided, it marked one of the longest military deployments between the two nations. Uri Surgical Strike (2016): In response to the Uri terror attack on September 18, 2016, the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes across the LoC on the night of September 29–30. The operation lasted only a few hours. Balakot Air Strike (2019): After the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, 2019, the Indian Air Force launched an airstrike on February 26, 2019, hitting terror camps in Balakot. The strike lasted only a few minutes. The recent four-day conflict was triggered by an attack by Pakistan-backed terrorists on Indian tourists in J&'s Pahalgam on April 22, killing 26 people. Two weeks later, India launched Operation Sindoor and bombed terror bases in Pakistan and PoK. Pakistan responded by unsuccessfully targeting Indian military installation in Jammu and Punjab, followed by missile and drone strikes on civilian areas. India successfully intercepted and fended off the attacks, retaliating by inflicting heavy losses on Pakistan military establishments. Intense shelling on the LoC continued until the ceasefire at 5 pm on May 10. First Published: May 12, 2025, 12:25 IST
News18
12-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Celina Jaitly Says Her Late Colonel Dad Was ‘Critically Wounded' In 1971
Reported By : Titas Chowdhury Last Updated: May 12, 2025, 09:09 IST Celina Jaitly was born to Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitly, who fought in the Battle of Bhaduria. Celina Jaitly is an army kid and a proud one at that. She's the daughter of late Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitly and granddaughter of late Colonel Eric Francis of the Rajputana Rifles. As India-Pakistan tensions have and continue to grow, Celina has been taking to social media, voicing her stance on the current situation. Speaking to News18 Showsha exclusively from Austria, she says that she has been having sleepless nights. 'Hearing that Army Public School in Udhampur, a place full of my childhood memories, was attacked this weekend moved me to tears. For us, this isn't just news. It's personal, and the pain runs deep," she tells us. A few days ago, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi confirmed that Pakistan attacked schools and medical facilities in Srinagar, Avantipura and Udhampur. And the sacrifices of our brave soldiers stationed in border areas is reminding Celina of her father, who fought the Battle of Bhaduria in 1971. Recalling his physical injuries, she says, 'He was just 21 when he fought in the 1971 war. He was critically wounded during the Battle of Bhaduria, sustaining severe bullet and shrapnel injuries. Despite lifelong wounds, he continued to serve the nation with unmatched pride and honour, eventually commanding the prestigious 16 Kumaon Regiment. He was awarded two Wound Medals and the Sena Medal for his bravery." Celine further adds, 'I was born in the 1980s, but as the daughter and granddaughter of frontline infantrymen, I grew up knowing that every goodbye could be the last. I saw the toll that life in uniform took on my father and grandfather – physically, emotionally, and mentally. My father lost complete hearing in one ear after an IED explosion at the age of 41, yet his loyalty to the nation never faltered. Despite hardships, we were raised with the strength and resilience of a soldier's family." Recently, Celina took to social media and shared an old photograph featuring her grandfather and General Ayub Khan, the second President of Pakistan. He referred to them as 'brothers in arms' but that the latter's Operation Gibraltar against India turned them into 'adversaries'. 'My grandfather was a highly decorated officer, who fought valiantly in the 1962 Sino-Indian War and the 1965 Indo-Pak War. In my family, respect for the armed forces was not something taught through words; it was lived every single day," she remarks. As for herself, she always harboured the dream of joining the forces but adds that her 'desire to wear the uniform and serve' remains one of her 'greatest unfulfilled dreams'. 'I was preparing for the Combined Defence Services Examination and AFMC even while pursuing modelling. When I won Miss India, my father and I still hoped I would eventually join the armed forces. Many women in my family have proudly served, including my aunt, who was a Navy doctor," Celina shares. News movies Celina Jaitly Says Her Late Colonel Dad Was 'Critically Wounded' In 1971: 'He Lost Hearing At 41' | Exclusive
India.com
10-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
India Pakistan ceasefire: History of ceasefires between two countries and what the current one means
New Delhi: Ceasefire means temporarily or permanently halting war or conflict. It is implemented when two or more parties (such as countries, armies, or groups) agree to stop firing, attacking, and military actions. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed the ceasefire with Pakistan. India has agreed to the ceasefire on its terms. In simple words, when there is a war-like situation between two countries and they decide that there will be no further attacks, this agreement is called a ceasefire. Main objectives of ceasefire: To protect human life (both military and civilian). To provide an opportunity for dialogue and peace process. To reduce tension and move towards a permanent solution. To respond to international pressure. A ceasefire occurred after the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War which primarily revolved around the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, with both countries vying for control. The war began after Pakistan's Operation Gibraltar, which aimed to infiltrate forces into Jammu and Kashmir to instigate an insurgency against Indian rule. The Tashkent Declaration, also known as the Tashkent Agreement, was a peace treaty signed on January 10, 1966, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, by the Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and the President of Pakistan, Muhammad Ayub Khan. It aimed to end the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Then, after the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the Shimla agreement was signed between India and Pakistan on 2 July 1972 in Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Its official purpose was stated to serve as a way for both countries to 'put an end to the conflict and confrontation that have hitherto marred their relations' and to conceive the steps to be taken for further normalization of India–Pakistan relations while also laying down the principles that should govern their future interactions. A ceasefire does not mean peace – a ceasefire is only a 'battle halted by agreement' – the war is not over yet. Peace is considered to be when both countries reach a permanent agreement or treaty. After several days of continuous shelling, drone attacks, and retaliatory military actions, India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire along the borders. The armies of both countries have decided to halt all military activities at the border. The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is currently normal, and firing from the Pakistani side along the LOC has stopped.
