Latest news with #RashtriyaRifles
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Ex-Envoy Gives Reality Check On Pakistan's Nuclear Power: ‘Forget Madrasas, 1 In 3 Kids There...'
Last Updated: In the video, Hussain Haqqani pointed out his country's priorities by highlighting the disconnect between its military ambitions and the needs of its people. An old interview of Pakistan's former ambassador to the US, Hussain Haqqani, has resurfaced online. The clip, from a 2013 discussion, is drawing attention at a time when Pakistan is grappling with economic instability and internal challenges. In the video, Haqqani, a longtime critic of Pakistan's strategic doctrine, pointed out his country's priorities by highlighting the disconnect between its military ambitions and the needs of its people. 'Half the population of Pakistan is below the age of 21. One-third of (Pakistan's) young population… never see the inside of any school — forget about madrasas, religious schools, any school," he said. 'Another one-third lives below the poverty line and another one lives just above it, and yet the country has nuclear weapons," he added. Haqqani's comments come back into focus amid growing tensions between India and Pakistan. A recent terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists, has strained India-Pakistan relations once again. In response, India has reviewed some of its diplomatic commitments including placing the Indus Waters Treaty under suspension. This move has serious implications as Pakistan depends heavily on the Indus River system for its water needs. With the treaty now on hold, India technically has the power to control the flow of water from six rivers. In the interview, Haqqani didn't deny the efficiency of the country's nuclear programme. But he raised a crucial question — what good is it if citizens remain poor, uneducated and insecure? 'We are now like the guy who keeps buying guns to try and protect himself and then says, 'Oh gosh, I can't sleep because I'm afraid somebody will steal my guns,'" he mentioned. Haqqani further argued that the real threat was not external. 'The real threat to Pakistan essentially is from a failure to come to terms with its geography, with its history, and with having a direction for it as a nation," he added. The former ambassador called for a change in Pakistan's direction similar to what former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto had hoped for. 'We will keep the nukes, but we will eventually sign up with some kind of international agreement… We are not going to live as an insecure nation," he said, quoting Bhutto's vision. Hussain Haqqani, Pakistan former Ambassador to United States, very well answers why Pakistan is such a failed state."One third of Pakistan's children will never go to school. One third of Pakistan lives below the poverty line…."All due to Pak Military. #FailedStatePakistan — Rashtriya Rifles (@DeltaRR2000) May 27, 2025 India not only took strong diplomatic steps after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam but also responded with military action called Operation Sindoor. Last month, the Indian armed forces launched precision strikes last month targeting nine terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These strikes were aimed at camps linked to three major terror groups — Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen. First Published:
New Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Major Rama Gopal Naidu becomes first from Andhra to receive Kirti Chakra for eliminating five terrorists
SRIKAKULAM: Major Malla Rama Gopal Naidu, a brave soldier from the Telugu States, has made history by becoming the first person from the telugu States to receive the prestigious Kirti Chakra, the second-highest peacetime gallantry honour. The award recognises Naidu's exceptional courage and bravery in the face of extreme danger. While serving with the Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir, Naidu led a patrolling team along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district. Upon receiving reliable information that five terrorists had intruded into Indian territory, Naidu alerted his team and attempted to apprehend the terrorists. However, the terrorists tried to threaten the jawans, prompting Naidu to swiftly eliminate one terrorist. The remaining terrorists opened rapid fire at the army team, but Naidu continued to engage them, eliminating three more terrorists. Another terrorist, hiding in a cave, opened fire and threw a grenade at the team. Naidu escaped the attack and completed the operation by killing the fifth terrorist. Naidu's heroic actions and selfless dedication to duty have earned him the second-highest recognition, inspiring pride and admiration for the Telugu states. His story serves as a testament to the bravery. The Government of India recognised Naidu's courage, dedication, and intelligence in eliminating the terrorists while protecting his team without any loss of life. Naidu received the award from President Droupadi Murmu at the Gallantry Awards presentation event in New Delhi. Rama Gopal Naidu is one of the four army personnel honoured with the Kirti Chakra award. Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu lauded Major Rama Gopal Naidu's courageous act and met him and his family members at Amaravati.
New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Srikakulam armyman receives Kirti Chakra Award for exceptional courage
SRIKAKULAM: Major Malla Rama Gopal Naidu of the Indian Army (Rashtriya Rifles) has been honoured with the Kirti Chakra Award, India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award, for eliminating four terrorists and saving the lives of army personnel at the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on October 26, 2023. Recognising his courage and bravery in neutralising terrorists and saving army personnel, the Government of India conferred the Kirti Chakra Award on Rama Gopal Naidu, which he received from the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, on May 22 in New Delhi. Naidu hails from Nagaripenta village in Santhabommali mandal of Srikakulam district. His father, Appala Naidu, is a farmer. Naidu is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune and also graduated from the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun with a gold medal. He joined the Indian Army as a Lieutenant and was promoted to Major. Naidu is one of the four Kirti Chakra awardees and is the lone survivor. He is the first person from both Telugu-speaking states to receive the honour from the Indian Army. Union Minister for Civil Aviation, K Rammohan Naidu, congratulated the army major in New Delhi on Friday for his achievement and called his bravery a symbol of Telugu pride displayed at the LoC. Minister for Agriculture, K Atchannaidu, also expressed joy over the achievement of Ram Gopal Naidu and lauded his courage and intelligence.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Jammu: Soldier killed in Kishtwar encounter, 2 others hurt
A soldier was killed in action and two others were wounded during a fierce gun battle with a group of Jaish terrorists, believed to be three to four in numbers, in a forested area of Kishtwar district on Thursday, officials said. Acting on an intelligence input provided by local police, a joint search operation was launched in Singhpora area of Chatroo around 6 am by para commandos of the elite special forces and army's counter insurgency wings — 7 Assam Rifles, 11 Rashtriya Rifles besides special operations group of the Jammu and Kashmir Police. 'A fierce gunfight erupted this morning between terrorists and security forces in which three soldiers were injured. They were immediately evacuated to the Command Hospital in Udhampur where one of them succumbed to his injuries,' said defence officials. Nagrota-based White Knight Corps stated on X, 'During the ongoing operation, fierce gunfight is continuing. One of our #Bravehearts (sic) sustained grievous injuries in the exchange of fire and has succumbed despite best medical efforts. Operation is in progress.' Reinforcements were rushed to the area. 'After initial gunfight, intermittent firing took place during the day. A cordon is in place and the operation is on to neutralise the terrorists,' said defence officials. Official sources confided to HT that three to four Jaish terrorists with whom intermittent exchange of fire was on included outfit's self-styled commander Saifullah Balochi. Recent encounters and terrorists' movement On April 12, one Saifullah Balochi had managed to escape during an encounter in the adjoining Naidgam forests of Chatroo. However, security forces had gunned down three terrorists — Adil, Farman and Basha. The Singhpora forest in Kishtwar is geographically located next to Anantnag district and has remained a transit route for terrorists to cross over to Kashmir. On April 3, two terrorists had barged into a house in Udhampur's Chore Panjwa-Khabbal area in Majalta block, held the family hostage and forcibly took away a mobile phone and food before fleeing around 10 pm. The terrorists were first sighted in a forest in Saniyal village of Hiranagar sector on March 23. Police and security forces have been tracking terrorists moving from one area to another since March 23. Two terrorists and four policemen were killed in the encounter on March 27 in Sufain forest near Jakhole village of Kathua district.
India Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
President confers six Kirti Chakras, 33 Shaurya Chakras to Army, police personnel
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday conferred six Kirti Chakras, including four posthumously, to personnel of the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police for displaying indomitable courage and extraordinary valour in the line of Chakra is India's second-highest peacetime gallantry Manpreet Singh of the Sikh Light Infantry, two other army personnel from the Rashtriya Rifles and a Jammu and Kashmir Police officer have been conferred the Kirti Chakra posthumously, according to the list of awardees shared by the President Murmu, who is the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, also presented 33 Shaurya Chakras, including seven posthumously, to the personnel of the armed forces, Central Armed Police Forces and state/Union Territory police during a defence investiture ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Defence Ministry said in a Malla Rama Gopal Naidu of the Maratha Light Infantry, 56 Rashtriya Rifles, and Major Manjit of the Punjab Regiment, 22 Rashtriya Rifles, received Kirti Ravi Kumar, the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, 63 Rashtriya Rifles; Colonel Manpreet Singh, of the Sikh Light Infantry, 19 Rashtriya Rifles; Naik Dilwar Khan, the Regiment of Artillery, 28 Rashtriya Rifles; and Deputy Superintendent of Police Himayun Muzzammil Bhat of the Jammu and Kashmir Police were conferred India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award Rashtrapati Bhavan later also shared pictures from the ceremony on its official X handle."President Droupadi Murmu conferred Shaurya Chakra upon Squadron Leader Deepak Kumar, Flying (Pilot). His undaunted courageous decision in a life-threatening situation to force land the aircraft on a dark night ensured the safety of a valuable national asset and precluded a probable loss of lives," it said in a Watch IN THIS STORY#Droupadi Murmu
