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News18
29-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
'After Abhinandan, BSF Jawan Were Captured, Congress Thought I Would Be Trapped': PM Modi
Last Updated: PM Modi slammed Congress in Lok Sabha, citing captures of Wing Commander Abhinandan and a BSF jawan by Pakistan Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, while taking a dig at the Congress party during his address in the Lok Sabha, referred to two high-profile incidents: the capture of Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman in 2019 and the recent capture of a BSF jawan by Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. PM Modi made these remarks while replying to the two-day debate on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor in the Lower House. 'When pilot Abhinandan was captured, it was natural for there to be an atmosphere of celebration in Pakistan, after all, they had a pilot from the Indian Air Force in their custody," PM said. Watch: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, 'When pilot Abhinandan was captured, it was natural for there to be an atmosphere of celebration in Pakistan, after all, they had a pilot from the Indian Air Force in their custody. But even here, there were some people whispering, 'Now… — IANS (@ians_india) July 29, 2025 'But even here, there were some people whispering, 'Now Modi is trapped. Let's see if Modi can bring Abhinandan back. Let's see what Modi does now'. But let me say it loud and clear, Abhinandan returned with pride and dignity," he added. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman became a national hero after he shot down a Pakistani F-16 during an aerial clash in February 2019. His aircraft was also hit, and he was captured after landing in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. He was later released and returned to India safely. For his bravery, he was awarded the Vir Chakra, India's third-highest wartime gallantry award. Additionally, he also referred to the recent capture of a BSF jawan by Pakistan during the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, Modi said, 'They thought they (Congress) had found a big issue — that now Modi would be trapped… But that BSF jawan also returned with pride and honour." PM Modi also recalled the time when Indian soldiers showed valour during the Doklam standoff. 'Congress leaders were secretly giving briefings to whom? The whole world knows that. Just compare all the statements from Pakistan with the statements made by those here who oppose us, they match from full stop to comma," he added. He accused Congress of not fully honouring the sacrifices made during the Kargil conflict. 'The entire nation knows very well that during Kargil and even till today, Congress has never truly embraced Kargil Vijay Diwas," he said. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
From Kargil to Galwan: Untold tales of unparalleled valour Chakravyuh
India Today Podcasts Desk UPDATED: Jul 24, 2025 17:15 IST Join us on this gripping Chakravyuh podcast special as we dive into the untold stories of the Kargil War with Lt. General Y.K. Joshi (Retd.), Vir Chakra, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, PVSM, AVSM, SM. From the treacherous heights of Tololing to the iconic capture of Point 4875 (Batra Top), hear firsthand accounts of bravery, strategy, and sacrifice from the commander of 13 JAK Rifles. General Joshi recounts the heroics of Captain Vikram Batra, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, and the unforgettable "Yeh Dil Maange More" moment that inspired a nation. This episode also explores Lt. General Y.K. Joshi's journey from Kargil to facing Chinese incursions in 2020's Galwan clash. A must-watch for history buffs, patriots, and anyone inspired by tales of courage! Produced by Garvit Srivastava Sound Mix by Suraj Singh
NDTV
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Jackie Shroff Reveals Wife Ayesha Left Lavish Life To Live In Chawl With Him: "She Queued To Go To The Toilet"
New Delhi: Jackie Shroff recently opened up about his love story with wife Ayesha and recalled the first time he saw her. What's Happening In an interview with SCREEN, Jackie Shroff said, "It was love at first sight with Ayesha, she was travelling in a bus and I was on a bike driving behind that bus. It was my friend's bike, and I was going to his building because it had a pool table. I saw her on the bus. She was hanging by the holding handle and was holding a flag. She was coming from a march past. She was 14-15 at that time and I said to myself, 'This is the lady I shall marry.'" After Ayesha got off the bus, Jackie introduced himself and the two spoke for a while. A couple of days later, Ayesha's friend approached him and shared that she believed Jackie should consider acting. She even told him about an audition being held by filmmaker OP Ralhan. Jackie recalled, "Role nahi mila but we fell in love (I didn't get the role but I fell in love with Ayesha)." Background The couple got married in 1987. At the time, Jackie was a struggling actor living in a chawl. "My house was running in Rs 30 when I was living in a chawl. Nobody expected anything from me. My wife stayed in one room with me at the chawl, she queued in line to go to the washroom. I lived 33 years at the chawl," he said. Jackie also spoke about Ayesha's privileged background. Her father, Ranjan Dutt, was a decorated Air Vice Marshal who was awarded the Vir Chakra and went on to head Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Despite her comfortable upbringing, Ayesha stood by Jackie and even supported him financially. "My wife sold her house to get me a house. She took care of me," he said. Jackie added that Ayesha's father had no objections to their relationship. "No, he didn't object, he must have seen my intention. He must have thought that I am a horse for the long race. I know I wasn't how a young lad should have been, but maybe they trusted me and I haven't let their trust down," he shared.
The Wire
30-06-2025
- Business
- The Wire
Matrix eSIM Solutions, Built on Military Values: Choose Security Over Uncertainty
New Delhi [India], June 30: In an increasingly interconnected world, data is no longer just about communication it's about national security, privacy, and personal protection. As more Indians travel globally, the choice of international connectivity becomes critical. Matrix Cellular, founded by decorated Indian Army veteran Maj Gen Manjit Singh Duggal, VrC (Retd), brings military-grade integrity to the digital space. With its homegrown eSIMs and global reach, Matrix offers a secure, reliable, and value-driven alternative for all Indian travellers. Rethink the Airport SIM Temptation It's common to pick up a SIM card at a foreign airport especially those marketed aggressively to tourists. But not all such SIMs adhere to the rigorous standards of KYC and data privacy mandated in India. Some may bypass identity checks altogether, raising concerns about where your data is stored and how it could be used. During moments of geopolitical tension or cyber conflict, data from unsecured telecom sources has been misused or exploited. That makes your connectivity choice not just a matter of convenience but one of personal and national prudence. By choosing Indian-origin solutions like Matrix Cellular, you're not only protecting your personal information but ensuring that your data remains under systems accountable to Indian law and oversight. Matrix Cellular: Founded on Discipline, Driven by Integrity What sets Matrix apart isn't just its cutting-edge technology or seamless global connectivity it's the military-grade principles instilled by its founder, Maj Gen Manjit Singh Duggal, VrC (Retd). Commissioned into the Indian Army in 1961, Maj Gen Duggal served with distinction in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars and was awarded the Vir Chakra for gallantry. His 34-year-long career was marked by leadership roles in both artillery and infantry divisions, and his ethos of service, trust, and national loyalty is deeply embedded in Matrix's mission. Why Matrix is the Trusted Choice: • Founded by an Indian Army veteran with a legacy of discipline and integrity • KYC-compliant eSIMs issued under Indian regulation • Secure data routing with Indian oversight • Coverage in 150 countries with 24/7 customer support • Seamless activation with no physical SIM needed When You Travel, Take Your Values With You Your personal data is more than just information it's your identity and a digital extension of the nation you represent. Avoid foreign SIM cards that bypass regulatory norms or lack transparency especially those known to raise data privacy concerns. When you travel, don't just go global stay grounded in Indian values. Choose Matrix, and travel with the security, trust, and pride that only a truly Indian brand can offer. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PWR PWR
Time of India
29-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
The barefoot Naga in Kargil's bloodiest night
Chandigarh: It was the bloodiest night of the Kargil War . As dawn broke on June 29, 1999, a beleaguered Commanding Officer of the 2 Rajputana Rifles (2 Raj Rif), Col M B Ravindranath, Vir Chakra, was taking stock of the blood that had seeped into the forbidding, lifeless alpine rocks. Three of his officers and 10 other ranks had made the supreme sacrifice, 51 were wounded, including 36 critically. None more heroic of those against-all-odds actions than that of the Naga officer, Capt N Kenguruse. As the attack stalled that night, Kenguruse had barefoot launched a suicidal assault up the vertical cliff face of Lone Hill on the Drass LoC. The slippery slopes of Lone Hill had not afforded traction to his Army-regulation snow boots, so he just dumped them. But the odds were so stacked against the daredevil action that Kenguruse never got to the top. All that the Pakistani soldiers of the 6 Northern Light Infantry (SIKKIS) had to do was to push boulders off the top and onto Kenguruse and Hav. Sharman Singh, both of whom were clinging to a precipice under angled fire from the top. They plunged off the cliff, 200 feet to their deaths. Kenguruse, forever frozen in immortality at age 25, was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) while Singh the Sena Medal (Gallantry). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like local network access control Esseps Learn More Undo Kenguruse's fatal initiative epitomised the raw courage displayed by the Indian Infantry in the unique alpine battles of Kargil where it attacked the waiting enemy in frontal assaults and up heights ranging in excess of 19,000 feet. These were heights, terrain and such tempestuous weather, that other nations would dare send only mountaineering expeditions. But here Indian soldiers fought with blood, guts and 'jugaad' resulting in 545 deaths. The Indian soldiers had etched with their blood a saga unparalleled in the annals of super-high altitude warfare. That fateful night, Kenguruse, the indomitable Naga from Nerhema village, Kohima, was leading the battalion's Ghatak platoon (commandos) tasked by the CO to act as a protective patrol to Delta Company's infiltrating column under the command of Maj. Mohit Saxena, Vir Chakra. D Company''s assault got held up due to the steep and forbidding approach up a vertical cliff face of Lone Hill. Kenguruse seized the initiative, took off his boots, socks and clambered up the cliff. His daring assault picked a route to the enemy's position from a flank but up a vertical mountain wall. On top of Lone Hill was the enemy in section strength, entrenched in bunkers fashioned from boulders (sangers), and supported by a universal machine gun (UMG). As Kenguruse climbed to the top, he took a hit. "As the commando team scaled the cliff face, it came under intense fire, which caused heavy casualties. The officer sustained a splinter injury in his abdomen. Bleeding profusely yet undeterred, he urged his men to carry on with the displayed conspicuous gallantry, indomitable resolve, grit and determination beyond the call of duty and made the supreme sacrifice in the face of the enemy, in true traditions of the Indian Army," said the official citation for Kenguruse's MVC. A detailed account of Kenguruse's last moments supported by photographs of Lone Hill has been penned by the late Ravindranath in his memoir, 'Kargil War: The Turning Point'. The memoir is supported by first-hand accounts from (later Brigadier) Saxena, the D Company commander under whose command during the night of June 28-29, 1999, were placed Kenguruse's Ghataks. "Kenguruse's daredevil assault: Failing to find a way to Lone Hill, Kenguruse led his troops through a rock face, climbing it with bare feet and hands, and had gained a route to the top, and together, they had fought their way to the top. It was then that the enemy in desperation had pushed the stones down on this team. The rolling stones had swept this team down the precipice at the edge of which Kenguruse's team had gathered to launch a final push to the top. It was a merciless tumble for the team, resulting in the death of Kenguruse and Sharman, whose hands still held the grenade he had intended to throw," wrote Ravindranath. As Kenguruse and Singh plunged off the cliff, Delta Company's reserve platoon under Sub. Sayar Singh was still 500 metres behind. The first light of dawn June 29, 1999, was just an hour away and threatening to rob the assaulting Indian troops of the cover of darkness. It was a critical situation, as assessed by the CO, who had staged well forward into the battle. "Overall, in my assessment, Delta Company had expended itself, and despite the heroic efforts, we had yet to capture Lone Hill or succeed in capturing a tactical foothold," wrote Ravindranath. Ultimately, with the Bofors fire coming in and the 18 Garhwal Rifles launching simultaneous flanking assaults on Point 4700, the enemy panicked and vacated its battlements on Lone Hill, Three Pimples and Knoll, which were the three main objectives of 2 Raj Rif that night. Victory had come, but laced heavily with the taste of salty blood in the mouth.
