Opposition briefed on ‘Operation Sindoor’; 13 civilians killed in Pak shelling: Key developments | India News
NEW DELHI: The India-Pakistan border continues to be tense on Thursday, a day after armed forces carried out “Operation Sindoor” against terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK). The armed forces, under “Operation Sindoor”, bombed the nine terror camps of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Pakistan and PoJK in retaliation for the April 22 Pahagalam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed. Using advanced precision weaponry and real-time intelligence, the Army, Navy, and Air Force conducted the strikes in coordination, avoiding any engagement with Pakistani military installations. India employed the SCALP cruise missile, the HAMMER precision-guided bomb, and loitering munitions to destroy JeM’s base in Bahawalpur and LeT’s hub in Muridke. As the situation remains tense with Pakistan in the wake of ‘Operation Sindoor’, the government has been taking all measures to manoeuvre through any situation.Here are today’s top developments:Centre hold all-party meetUnion home minister Amit Shah, Union defence minister Rajnath Singh chaired an all-party meeting in Parliament to brief the opposition parties on the ‘Operation Sindoor’. Leaders of opposition Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and leader of opposition Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, attended the meeting on Thursday. External affairs minister S Jaishankar, who has been managing the diplomatic front for India, was also present in the meeting. 13 civilians killed in Pakistani shellingThe ministry of external affairs on Thursday said 13 civilians were killed in Poonch and 59 injured, including 44 in Poonch. The Pakistan Army has resorted to heavy artillery firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in retaliation for Operation Sindoor. The Army have proportionately responded to the unprovoked small-arms and artillery guns firing by the Pakistani Army during the night of May 7 and May 8, as the Pakistan Army resorted to firing in areas opposite in Kupwara and Baramulla districts and Uri and Akhnoor sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.Army closely monitoring ceasefire violationsThe Indian Army is closely monitoring ceasefire violations by Pakistan following precise strikes carried out by Indian forces on nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir as part of Operation Sindoor on Wednesday.NSA Ajit Doval meets PM ModiNational Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence, reportedly to brief him about the developing situation. Shortly after India launched Operation Sindoor on Wednesday, Doval had spoken with his US counterpart and secretary of state Marco Rubio. Doval told his counterparts in various countries that India has no intent to escalate tensions but is prepared to “retaliate resolutely” if Pakistan does so.Amritsar airport completely shutAfter Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, several major cities across northern India have been placed on high alert. As part of the heightened security measures, Amritsar Airport has been shut down until further notice.Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP-2) Sirivennela stated that 21 airports across North and North-Western India will remain closed until May 10, with all flight operations suspended during this period.Punjab Police cancels leaves of all officers & employeesThe Punjab Police has cancelled all leaves for its officers and personnel with immediate effect, according to a statement from the department. In a major administrative reshuffle, the state government on Wednesday issued transfer and posting orders for one Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and 55 Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officers, effective immediately.Rajasthan border with Pakistan sealedRajasthan’s 1,037 km-long border with Pakistan has been sealed, with security significantly heightened amid rising regional tensions. The Border Security Force (BSF) and Indian Air Force (IAF) are on maximum alert, maintaining continuous surveillance and combat patrols. All Western Sector airbases, including Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Nal, Phalodi, and Uttarlai, are on high alert. On the ground, the BSF has ramped up patrolling near the zero line, with additional troops deployed in sensitive sectors to ensure rapid response to any suspicious activity.
