Latest news with #Pahalgan
India Gazette
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
J-K: Rahul Gandhi to visit Poonch areas affected by Pakistan's cross-border shelling on May 24, says sources
New Delhi [India], May 22 (ANI): Lok Sabha's Leader of Opposition (LoP), Rahul Gandhi, is likely to visit Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, which was affected by Pakistan's ruthless cross-border shelling that damaged several structures, including government schools, according to sources. The region also witnessed heavy winds and storms, causing significant damage to schools and other buildings on May 21 Earlier, the Indian Army stepped in to help with emergency assistance in storm-hit areas. Schools located close to the Line of Control (LoC), especially in Gagrian and Sawjian villages, suffered serious structural damage. Schools in the Mandi zone also had their roofs blown away due to the strong winds. 'Schools in our Mandi zone have suffered a lot due to the storms here... The high school here suffered the most, and is located very close to the LoC. The roofs of the schools have completely blown away, which has created a lot of problems for our students and staff,' a school staff member told ANI. The school staff member also expressed gratitude to the Indian Army for helping with the cleanup and repairs. He urged the authorities to provide financial help for rebuilding the damaged schools. 'The Indian Army has helped us a lot, they cleared the debris which fell here... I would like to request concerned authorities to raise funds for the reconstruction...' he added. Apart from Poonch, several other districts in Jammu and Kashmir, including Rajouri, have also been affected. Locals have suffered damage to homes and loss of livelihood following Operation Sindoor, which was launched by India earlier this month. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has visited victims of the shelling in both Poonch and Rajouri. He has assured full support from the government, including help with rehabilitation. Sinha also held meetings with civil administration officials, police, and local residents. He announced that the next of kin of the victims will be given government jobs, and compensation will be provided to those who lost property. He also said a rehabilitation package for the affected will be approved by the Government of India, adding, 'A necessity for bunkers is being felt. New bunkers will be built so that people of J&K can stay safe.' India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, post Pahalgan terror attack on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 people, including a Nepali national. In response to the operation, Pakistan attempted to launch a series of drone and missile attacks targeting Indian military sites. However, India's Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defence systems effectively neutralised these threats, preventing any significant damage. (ANI)
India Gazette
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
J-K: Rahul Gandhi to visit storm-hit Poonch on May 24
New Delhi [India], May 22 (ANI): Lok Sabha's Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, is likely to visit Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday (May 24), Congress party sources said on Thursday. The region was recently hit by heavy winds and storms, causing major damage to schools and other buildings. The visit comes as the people of Poonch struggle with the aftermath of the storm that hit the area on May 21. Several structures, including government schools, were damaged. The district has also been affected by recent cross-border shelling from Pakistan. Earlier, the Indian Army stepped in to help with emergency assistance in storm-hit areas. Schools located close to the Line of Control (LoC), especially in Gagrian and Sawjian villages, suffered serious structural damage. Schools in the Mandi zone also had their roofs blown away due to the strong winds. 'Schools in our Mandi zone have suffered a lot due to the storms here... The high school here suffered the most, and is located very close to the LoC. The roofs of the schools have completely blown away which has created a lot of problems for our students and staff,' a school staff member told ANI. The school staff member also expressed gratitude to the Indian Army for helping with the cleanup and repairs. He urged the authorities to provide financial help for rebuilding the damaged schools. 'The Indian Army has helped us a lot, they cleared the debris which fell here... I would like to request concerned authorities to raise funds for the reconstruction...' he added. Apart from Poonch, several other districts in Jammu and Kashmir, including Rajouri, have also been affected. Locals have suffered damage to homes and loss of livelihood following Operation Sindoor, which was launched by India earlier this month. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has visited victims of the shelling in both Poonch and Rajouri. He has assured full support from the government, including help with rehabilitation. Sinha also held meetings with civil administration officials, police, and local residents. He announced that the next of kin of the victims will be given government jobs, and compensation will be provided to those who lost property. He also said a rehabilitation package for the affected will be approved by the Government of India, adding, 'A necessity for bunkers is being felt. New bunkers will be built so that people of J&K can stay safe.' India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, post Pahalgan terror attack on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 people, including a Nepali national. In response to the operation, Pakistan attempted to launch a series of drone and missile attacks targeting Indian military sites. However, India's Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defence systems effectively neutralised these threats, preventing any significant damage. (ANI)
India Gazette
21-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
J-K: Lt Governor Manoj Sinha visits Rajouri, announces jobs, relief for shelling-affected families
Rajouri (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 21 (ANI): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday visited shelling-affected areas of Rajouri district and held a series of meetings with the civil administration, police officials, and local residents. The visit comes in the wake of recent cessation of hostilities violations and cross-border shelling in the Rajouri-Poonch region by Pakistan post Operation Sindoor. During his interaction with the media and local families at the PWD Dak Bungalow in Rajouri, Sinha said, 'I could not come to Rajouri-Poonch earlier. I have met the people here now. I also held a meeting with officers of the Administration. Compensation has been given to the families of the deceased, the injured are stable by God's grace. All are being provided medical treatment by the Administration.' The Lieutenant Governor met with several families affected by the recent shelling and assured them of comprehensive support. He announced a key decision taken by the administration: one government job will be provided to a member of each family that lost a loved one due to shelling incidents across Jammu and Kashmir. 'We have made a major decision today. One member each of the families of those who lost their lives across J&K during the shelling will be given a government job,' Sinha said. 'Several houses and business institutions have suffered losses. The loss is being compensated for by the Administration.' He also said a rehabilitation package for the affected will be approved by the Government of India. 'A necessity for bunkers is being felt. New bunkers will be built so that people of J&K can stay safe,' he added. The Lieutenant Governor's visit included a detailed review meeting with district officials, police, and civil authorities to assess the ongoing response and future preparedness in the region. India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 post Pahalgan terror attack on April 22, which claimed the live of 26 people including a Nepali national. In response to the operation, Pakistan attempted to launch a series of drone and missile attacks targeting Indian military sites. However, India's Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defence systems effectively neutralized these threats, preventing any significant damage. Earlier on Wednesday, calling it a 'new red line' in India's military doctrine, LG Sinha interacted with the soldiers in Poonch. LG said that the Operation Sindoor had redefined the country's strategic posture and demonstrated its capacity to strike with precision and resolve. Posting on the official account X, Sinha wrote, 'In just 23 minutes, India brought the masters of Pakistani terrorists to their knees. If they raise their eyes towards Mother India again, not a single area of theirs would remain untouched by punishment.' Sinha praised the soldiers for their execution of the operation, saying, 'Salute to the brave soldiers of Army for their outstanding courage and gallantry in Operation Sindoor. During my interaction with the soldiers in Poonch, I recalled their invincible power, which ensured a decisive victory for Bharat.' Referring to the public response to the operation, the Lieutenant Governor said, 'Dharma has won and Adharma has surrendered before your weapons and might. I am proud that in just a few days, our brave soldiers broke the back of the enemy and today 140 crore citizens are remembering your valour, courage and sacrifice.' Sinha said the operation had sent a clear message across the border. 'Operation Sindoor is a living example of India's military and strategic might. It has also proved that every inch of Pakistan's land is today the target of our brave soldiers, and the enemy knows that if it indulges in future misadventure, it will not survive,' he wrote. India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 post Pahalgan terror attack on April 22, which claimed the live of 26 people including a Nepali national. Precision strikes were carried out on nine identified terrorist camps across Pakistan. The targeted sites included headquarters and training facilities of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen. In response to the operation, Pakistan attempted to launch a series of drone and missile attacks targeting Indian military sites. However, India's Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defence systems effectively neutralized these threats, preventing any significant damage. (ANI)
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Bharat has done it': Vice president Dhankhar likens Operation Sindoor to Osama bin Laden killing in Pakistan
NEW DELHI: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday drew parallels between recent Operation Sindoor after Pahalgan terror attack and the 2011 killing of Osama bin Laden by US forces, calling the Indian military action the 'deepest-ever cross-border strike' against terrorism . Dhankhar speaking at an event referred to the US raid that took place on May 2, 2011, in Pakistan to eliminate the mastermind of the September 11 attacks. Vice- President's Address | Annual Convocation of Jaipuria Institute of Management | 17 May, 2025 Without naming Bin Laden, he said, 'A global terrorist who planned, supervised, and executed September 11 attacks inside the US was 'dealt with' by the US forces 'similarly'.' 'Bharat has done it. And done it to the knowledge of the world,' he said, describing Operation Sindoor as a 'new global benchmark' in the fight against terrorism. 'While maintaining the spirit of peace, the objective has been to strike at terrorism,' he added. According to the vice president, the operation marked the first time that India conducted precise air strikes deep across the International Border, targeting the strongholds of terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba . He claimed that the strikes were executed with such precision that only terrorists were harmed. Referring to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, in which at least 26 civilians were killed, Dhankhar called it the deadliest such incident since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. He noted that following the Pahalgam tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had issued a stern message from Bihar. 'Those were not empty words. The world has now realised,' he said.
News18
14-05-2025
- Business
- News18
How India's Call To Boycott Turkey For Supporting Pakistan Could Destroy Ankara's Economy
Last Updated: Boycott Turkey initiative could hurt Ankara's economy, which is already grappling high inflation, currency depreciation, debt and policy paralysis The 'Boycott Turkey' initiative by India could leave Ankara's already flagging economy in tatters with serious impact could be seen across defence, tourism, trade and investment sectors. Since the conflict began between India and Pakistan on May 7 in the aftermath of the Pahalgan terrorist attack, Turkey has been lambasted for its role in the combat, with reports suggesting that it provided arms support to Islamabad. Therefore, there has been a clarion call to boycott travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan as Indians question the countries' pro-Pakistan stand. What Is The State Of Economic Affairs In Turkey? Turkey's economic model dependent on high-interest government bonds to stabilise the lira is crumbling. The Turkish lira (TRY) has been in freefall, and the government's efforts to maintain stability are proving futile. As of March 2025, Turkey's gross foreign exchange reserves stand at around $85 billion, net reserves, once debts and swap agreements are accounted for, hover near zero or even negative, and actual liquid reserves available for intervention may be only $20-$40 billion. What Could Drain Turkey's Reserves? Several factors could push Turkey's economy into a collapse. Conversion of Lira To Dollars: If 30 million citizens exchange an average of $500 each, the central bank would lose $15 billion in reserves almost instantly. The lira would face an unprecedented collapse. Tax Payment Boycotts: Türkiye's government is dependent on $150 billion in annual tax revenue. If 20% of taxpayers refuse to pay, the government would face a $2.5 billion monthly deficit, pushing the economy further into chaos. Energy And Transportation Disruption: With $5 billion in monthly energy imports, even a 20% disruption could add an extra $1 billion loss per month, further depleting reserves, as per TheFeed. Labour Shutdowns: A one-week nationwide strike would cost the economy $4-5 billion. If prolonged, the financial damage could be irreversible. If these factors collide simultaneously, Turkey could lose up to $40 billion in reserves within a single month—effectively erasing its financial safety net. How India's 'Boycott Turkey' Will Exacerbate Downfall Impact On Tourism: Turkey has been one of the most favoured travel destinations for Indians. However, due to Turkey's stance in the Indo-Pak conflict, major Indian travel agencies like Ixigo, EaseMyTrip, and Cox & Kings have suspended bookings to Turkey. Ixigo has suspended all flight and hotel bookings to Turkey, China and Azerbaijan. 'Respecting the sentiments shared by all Indians at this time, we have suspended all flight and hotel bookings for Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China. Our commitment is to act responsibly and in alignment with our country's broader interests, while prioritising the trust, safety, and interests of Indian travellers. Blood and bookings won't flow together," Aloke Bajpai, CEO of Ixigo, told ThePrint. Additionally, the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has urged its members to halt the promotion and sale of tour packages to Turkey. This collective action is likely to lead to a significant decline in Indian tourist arrivals, adversely affecting Turkey's tourism revenue. In 2024, Turkey earned $61.1 billion from tourism, an 8.3% increase compared to the previous year. This revenue was driven by an increase in visitor numbers, with Turkey welcoming 62.2 million visitors, a 9% rise from 2023. The average spend per visitor was $972 in 2024. According to Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 3,30,000 Indians travelled to the country last year, compared to 119,503 arrivals in 2014. Trade Ties: Bilateral trade between India and Turkey stood at around $13.81 billion during 2022-23. India's imports from Turkey included petroleum products, nuclear reactors and parts, and various other commodities. The boycott movement has already led to actions such as traders in Pune boycotting Turkish apples. If the boycott extends to other sectors, it could disrupt this substantial trade relationship, leading to economic losses for Turkish exporters. Investment: Turkish investments in India amount to $210.47 million, with Indian investments in Turkey at around $126 million. The current tensions may deter future investments and collaborations between the two nations, affecting long-term economic and diplomatic relations. Defence Sector Losses: India's cancellation of a $2.3 billion shipbuilding contract with Turkey's last year TAIS consortium marks a substantial financial setback for Turkey's defence industry. The deal involved the construction of five Fleet Support Ships for the Indian Navy, with Turkish firms providing design and engineering support. India's Boycott Turkey Call Besides tourism industry leaders and social media users, Indian politicians have also slammed Turkey for supplying drones to Pakistan. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi rebuked a purported statement by Ankara's tourism department, which urged Indians not to 'postpone or cancel any trips" to Turkey. Sharing the statement, she wrote on X, 'No Türkiye, Indians won't come spending money on tourism in a country that uses the same to arm Pakistan. Look for your tourists elsewhere, our money ain't blood money." Congress MLA from Himachal Pradesh, Kuldeep Singh Rathore, has called for an immediate ban on Turkish imports. Accusing Turkey of 'diplomatic betrayal", he reminded Ankara of India's assistance during the 2023 earthquake under 'Operation Dost.' 'I strongly demand that India immediately ban the import of apples and other goods from Turkey. Our countrymen must also boycott Turkish products and tourism. We cannot allow any nation to enjoy our goodwill while arming those who threaten our national security," Rathore reportedly said. An ANI report said Pune traders have started boycotting apples imported from Turkey. 'We have decided to stop purchasing apples from Turkey and are instead opting for produce from Himachal, Uttarakhand, Iran, and other regions," Suyog Zende, an apple merchant at the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) market in Pune, told the news agency. 'This decision aligns with our patriotic duty and support for the nation." Meanwhile, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has demanded that the management of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai cancel the contract with the Turkish company handling the ground services. 'Turkey is helping Pakistan. How can we allow their companies to earn here? They are earning here and helping Pakistan. This will not happen," Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, who led the protest, said, as per Deccan Herald. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : News18 Explains Operation Sindoor turkey economy Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 14, 2025, 12:09 IST News explainers How India's Call To Boycott Turkey For Supporting Pakistan Could Destroy Ankara's Economy | Explained
