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New Indian Express
19-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Shelling hits civilian homes across Poonch and Rajouri, families survive by a stroke of luck
In Rajouri district, on the morning of May 8, Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Raj Kumar Thappa lost his life when a Pakistani shell landed near his official residence in Rajouri town. The splinters pierced into his bedroom while he was sleeping. He sustained multiple injuries and died while being shifted to the hospital. His three staff members, including his personal security officer, who were in a neighbouring room, escaped unharmed. 'It was mere luck that they survived,' said a local resident. Several homes in the area were also damaged. A few hundred meters from the ADDC's residence, another shell hit a room above a car workshop in the Khoura Industrial area. Migrant labourer Mohammad Shahid and his two-year-old niece Aisha Noor, who were sleeping in the room, were killed in the explosion. The child's parents, however, survived. Her mother was in the kitchen, and her father was in the washroom at the time. 'They used to sleep in the same room but as the attack took place in the morning, his sister-in-law was preparing food for the family in the kitchen and his brother was in the washroom. Had they been in the same room, none would have survived,' said local resident Asif Javed. The shell left a hole in the room, and another created a crater in the slab of the car workshop below. In another incident in Khoura, a shell hit the first floor of Parvez Ahmed's house, where he has rented out rooms above his ground-floor shops. 'I had given the rooms on rent. A woman and her child lived there. The woman had shifted to another room to offer morning prayers and she had taken her kid along to the room,' said Parvez. The mother and child survived, as they were not in the room that was struck. 'It was their good luck that they survived. On occasions, you also need luck to be with your side,' he said. In Pukharni, Laam village, near the Line of Control in Rajouri, Anwar Hussain and his family had left their home about 30 minutes before the shelling began. They, along with other families, moved to the basement of a local hospital. 'Within half an hour of our leaving the place and reaching the basement of the hospital, the shells fired by Pakistan troops fell on our village. About 30-35 shells fell in our village and there were loud explosions. One of the shells landed near our house. The splinters of the shell caused damage to the house. The glaspanes were broken and splinters breached the iron grill and sprayed on the outside and inside walls of the house,' Anwar said. 'Had the family been present in the house, we would have suffered casualties. It was our good luck that we fled from the house in half an hour. It was an instinct decision and it saved our lives,' said Anwar, a retired CRPF jawan.
Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Jammu counts its losses: JKAS officer, BSF sub-inspector among 6 dead
Within hours of the ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan, reports of shelling started coming in along the Line of Control in Sunderbani and Nowshera sectors of Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday night. While defence officials did not comment on the development, police confirmed that the shelling began around 8:30 pm. Within ten minutes, sirens started blaring in Udhampur, followed by a complete blackout, while residents said they heard loud sounds. Earlier in the day, the Border Security Force destroyed a terrorist launch pad in Pakistan's Sialkot district opposite Akhnoor sector, even as Pakistan continued targeting the civilian population in Jammu province with artillery shelling and loitering munitions. 'On May 9, from about 2100 hrs, Pakistan initiated unprovoked firing on BSF posts in the Jammu Sector. BSF responded in a commensurate manner, causing widespread damage to the posts and assets of the Pakistan Rangers along the International Boundary,' an official statement here. 'The terrorist launchpad at Looni, district Sialkot, opposite Akhnoor area, was completely destroyed by the BSF,' it said, reiterating BSF's 'resolve to protect India's sovereignty is unshaken'. A BSF sub-inspector was, however, killed and seven others injured in cross-border shelling. 'We salute the supreme sacrifice made by BSF braveheart sub-inspector Md Imteyaz in service of the nation on May 10 during cross-border firing along the International Boundary in RS Pura area, District Jammu,' the BSF said. 'While leading a BSF border outpost, he gallantly led from the front,' it said. 'DG BSF and all ranks offer their deepest condolences to his family'. Between Friday and Saturday, before the ceasefire, Jammu also saw the death of five civilians, including a senior Jammu Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS) officer, Raj Kumar Thappa, as Pakistani troops targeted multiple locations in Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch, Samba and Udhampur districts. Nearly a dozen people were also injured, including some seriously.
India Gazette
10-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
If Pakistan has decided to declare war, India will definitely fight it and emerge victorious: Defence Expert Sanjeev Srivastava
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 10 (ANI): Amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions, Defence Expert Sanjeev Srivastava said that if Pakistan has decided to escalate the conflict, India will definitely fight it and once again, will emerge victorious. Sanjeev Srivastava said, 'Rajouri Additional District Development Commissioner Raj Kumar Thappa died in the Pakistani shelling on the Line of Control and I express my condolences. Clearly Pakistan has taken an escalatory ladder, and this entire scenario might turn into a war. India is giving a befitting reply to Pakistan's illicit actions.' He further said that there are reports that on Friday night Pakistan air bases were targeted. 'In response to Pakistan targeting Indian civil regions and military bases, India has also targeted Pakistan's military installations. India was giving a proportionate response to Pakistan's activities, but if Pakistan is moving towards escalation, India might take bigger action. Indian forces have an overwhelming superiority over Pakistani forces. Pakistan will have to face severe consequences if it has decided to take the situation towards escalation. If Pakistan has decided to declare war on India, India will definitely fight it and once again, will emerge victorious,' he said. He further added that India has already inflicted damage on four air bases in Pakistan. At least four airbases in Pakistan were hit by Indian strikes in the early hours of Saturday, sources said, as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate. In a decisive response to Pakistan's aggressive actions along the western border and Line of Control (LoC), the Indian Armed Forces on Saturday targeted critical Pakistani military installations, including technical facilities, command and control centres, radar sites, and ammunition strongholds. Addressing a joint press conference by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence on Operation Sindoor, Indian Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi stated that precision strikes were carried out on Pakistani military targets in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian, as well as radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot aviation bases, using air-launched weapons from Indian fighter aircraft. She further noted that the precision targeting was done to minimise any collateral damage, reiterating India's commitment to not wanting to escalate the situation. 'In response to Pakistan targeting civilian targets, the Indian Armed Forces retaliated and targeted technical installations, command and control centres, radar sites and ammunition strongholds... Pakistan military targets in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, rahim yar khan, Sukkur and Chunian were engaged by air-launched precision weapons from our fighter aircraft... Radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot aviation bases were also targeted using precision weapons. While carrying out these attacks, India has ensured minimal collateral damage,' she said. (ANI)
India.com
10-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
NCA's Nuclear Threat: India's Fierce Answer to Pakistan's Terror Onslaught
Representational Image/AI-generated India-Pakistan tensions: The India-Pakistan border is once again a battlefield. Missiles, airstrikes, and shelling have pushed tensions to a dangerous level. On May 10, 2025, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called an emergency meeting of the National Command Authority (NCA)—the top body that controls Pakistan's nuclear weapons. This raised alarm globally. As reported by Reuters , this came after Pakistan's missile attack on a key Indian site. In response, India launched devastating strikes on four Pakistani airbases—Noor Khan (Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal), Rafiqui (Shorkot), and one undisclosed base. As tensions rise between two nuclear-armed neighbours, India's tough stance is not only justified—it is necessary, despite the looming nuclear threat. The latest escalation began with Pakistan firing a long-range missile at a key Indian location. But India's advanced air defence systems, including the S-400 and Akashteer, successfully intercepted and destroyed the incoming missile in the Western Sector. India hit back hard, targeting Pakistani airbases and destroying key military assets. Indian forces also demolished Pakistani posts and terror launchpads near Jammu, which were used to send drones into Indian territory. As shelling intensified in Naushera, Srinagar was placed on high alert, and surface-to-air missile systems were activated. This conflict has deep roots. It stems from India's Operation Sindoor—a precision military strike on terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, launched after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists. For decades, India has suffered from Pakistan-sponsored terrorism—from the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, to the 2019 Pulwama bombing. India's patience has now worn thin. Operation Sindoor and the airstrikes signal a firm message: Terrorism will now face crushing retaliation. But the price is heavy. In Rajouri, Pakistani shelling killed Additional District Development Commissioner Raj Kumar Thappa—a loss that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called 'devastating.' On the other side, Pakistan claims 13 civilians died and over 50 were injured in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Civilians are caught in the middle of a conflict caused by Pakistan's failure to dismantle its terror infrastructure. Daily life is in turmoil—Pakistan closed its airspace till noon on Saturday, stranding flights, while India suspended operations at 32 airports until May 14. Even the Indian Premier League has been paused, and Pakistan's Super League has shifted to the UAE. What makes this crisis more serious is the National Command Authority (NCA)—Pakistan's highest body responsible for nuclear decisions. It is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes top leaders like Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Army Chief General Asim Munir. The NCA controls the use, safety, and deployment of Pakistan's nuclear weapons and strategic missiles. Although the military announced the NCA meeting, Defence Minister Asif later denied that it was scheduled, claiming the nuclear option is a 'very distant possibility.' Still, the mere mention of the NCA raised global concern. Pakistan has long used its nuclear capability as a shield to continue sponsoring terrorism, avoiding direct retaliation. It has no official no-first-use (NFU) policy. In fact, since 2011, Pakistan developed tactical nuclear weapons for use on the battlefield. In 2024, a senior NCA adviser openly admitted that Pakistan does not follow NFU. India's recent actions are about protecting its people, not provoking war. Striking terror launchpads, destroying drones, and crippling airbases are strategic moves to weaken Pakistan's terror support system. Some critics warn of escalation, but silence would only embolden terrorists. Pakistan's military—which holds enormous power over its government—must face consequences for sheltering terrorists and launching provocative attacks like the recent missile strike. Despite the situation, India has shown restraint. The Foreign Ministry emphasized non-escalation even after neutralizing Pakistani threats. India is also speaking with global mediators like U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saudi Arabia's Adel al-Jubeir, who are urging both nations to calm tensions. Pakistan's military, in a social media post, urged India to choose 'dialogue and diplomacy like civilized nations.' But talk means little unless Pakistan cracks down on terror groups and stops cross-border attacks. India rightly insists on accountability before any dialogue. For Indians, this is a moment of courage and pride. The armed forces have displayed exceptional skill—intercepting enemy missiles and executing precise airstrikes. But the toll is high: lives lost, resources strained, and a tense region. India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty shows how serious this crisis is—it could also become a bargaining tool for future talks. India must continue to balance military strength with caution, deterring terrorism while avoiding wider conflict. Pakistan, with its failing economy and recent $1 billion IMF bailout, cannot afford prolonged conflict. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, pressured by both hardliners and the military, must now choose: escalation or de-escalation. The U.S., Saudi Arabia, and others must push Pakistan to act against terror groups and reopen backchannel dialogue. Steps like reopening airspace and halting shelling could begin the path to peace. India's fight is not with the people of Pakistan, but with those using terrorism as a weapon. For too long, India has been the victim of proxy war. Operation Sindoor and the latest strikes have made India's message loud and clear: We will strike back—hard, fast, and without apology. Peace in the region depends on Pakistan dismantling its terror infrastructure. Until then, India will remain strong and vigilant. The NCA's nuclear threat may loom, but India's resolve is stronger. (The author, Girish Linganna, is an award-winning science writer and Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. He can be reached at girishlinganna@
India Gazette
10-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah visits places in Jammu affected by Pakistan attacks
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 10 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday visited civilian areas in Jammu, which were targeted by Pakistan in drone and missile attacks. J K Administration Services officer Raj Kumar Thappa, who was a resident of Rajouri also lost his life in these attacks after his home was targeted due to continuous shelling by Pakistan. Omar Abdullah expressed grief on the demise of officer Thappa and paid his condolences by sharing a post on his official 'X' handle. 'Devastating news from Rajouri. We have lost a dedicated officer of the J&K Administration Services. Just yesterday he was accompanying the Deputy CM around the district & attended the online meeting I chaired. Today the residence of the officer was hit by Pak shelling as they targeted Rajouri town killing our Additional District Development Commissioner Sh Raj Kumar Thappa. I've no words to express my shock & sadness at this terrible loss of life. May his soul rest in peace', Omar Abdiullah's official 'X' post read. Pakistan carried out cross-border shelling on Saturday, causing significant damage to civilian areas in Jammu's Rajouri district and heightening fears among residents. A series of explosions damaged several houses and properties across the region, triggering panic among residents. According to locals, smoke rose after loud explosions were reported in Rajouri. 'One injured person has been brought here. 'Doctors and the entire team are ready. His treatment began immediately,' said Farukh Ahmed Wani, the security in-charge at the hospital. Authorities confirmed that the injured civilian was transported to the hospital shortly after the shelling. Strikes also took place near the Aap Shambhu Temple in Jammu, prompting Jammu Police and other agencies to recover projectile fragments from the site. Meanwhile, at least four airbases in Pakistan were hit by Indian strikes in the early hours of Saturday, top government sources said, as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate. India launched the retaliatory strikes immediately after Pakistan attacked 26 locations across India on Saturday, the sources told ANI. Intermittent firing is still going on at several places along the Line of Control (LoC). (ANI)
