Chandigarh Residents Urged to Stay Indoors Due to Sirens

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Chandigarh Residents Urged to Stay Indoors Due to Sirens

Sirens were activated in Chandigarh for nearly an hour this morning following an air warning from the local Air Force station regarding a "possible attack." The Chandigarh Administration urged residents to stay indoors and avoid balconies. This alert came after Pakistan launched multiple missile and drone strikes targeting various locations in Jammu and Kashmir, including RS Pura and Samba, prompting a blackout in Chandigarh and other regions. In response to the escalating tensions, all schools in Chandigarh were closed for two days. The Indian Army reported that it effectively repulsed the attacks and retaliated against ceasefire violations along the Line of Control. This escalation follows the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in 26 fatalities, and India's subsequent launch of 'Operation Sindoor,' aimed at neutralizing terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Published:
May 09 2025, 10 am

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India Mobilizes "Terriers": Understanding the Territorial Army

The Indian Army has received government approval to activate 14 Infantry Battalions of the Territorial Army (TA) amid ongoing tensions with Pakistan. This decision allows approximately 14,000 soldiers from the TA to support the regular army across various commands in India. Established on October 9, 1949, the TA has played vital roles in numerous military operations, including those in 1962, 1965, and 1971, as well as peacekeeping missions in Sri Lanka and operations in Jammu and Kashmir. In addition to military support, the TA assists civil administration during natural disasters and national emergencies. It also includes 10 ecological battalions focused on afforestation and disaster mitigation. Civilians can apply to become TA officers, allowing them to serve both as civilians and soldiers, with eligibility criteria including Indian citizenship and a university degree.

Published:
May 09 2025, 4 pm

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Mehbooba Mufti Breaks Down After Finding Bodies of Twins

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of children in recent cross-border firing from Pakistan, urging for political intervention to ease escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. At a press conference in Srinagar, Mufti, leader of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), recalled past tragedies like the Pulwama and Pahalgam attacks, emphasizing the toll on innocent civilians, particularly women and children. She condemned military actions by both nations, stating they fail to address the root causes of conflict and only exacerbate suffering. Mufti appealed to the leadership of both countries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to engage in dialogue to resolve disputes peacefully. This call for restraint comes amid heightened military activity, including drone and missile attacks from Pakistan, which the Indian Army reported as effectively repulsed, following a recent surge in hostilities after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Published:
May 09 2025, 4 pm

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Pak MP Calls Shehbaz Sharif a 'Coward' for Avoiding Modi

NEW DELHI: The Pakistan government and military are facing intense criticism from citizens and lawmakers after a perceived defeat in their ongoing tensions with India, compounded by global embarrassment over their support for terrorism. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was publicly chastised by a parliamentarian who branded him a "coward" for failing to confront Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a remark that quickly went viral on social media. This criticism followed the Pakistani Army's unsuccessful missile and drone strikes against India, which failed to achieve their targets. Sharif has previously been mocked for his demeanor during press conferences, particularly after India conducted strikes within Pakistan. Adding to the tension, another parliamentarian, Tahir Iqbal, expressed deep fear over escalating hostilities, visibly shaken as he prayed for the safety of Pakistanis. The political climate reflects growing anxiety and dissatisfaction within the country regarding its leadership and military strategy.

Published:
May 09 2025, 3 pm

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NDTV Exclusive: Woman Killed, Daughter Screams Amid Uri Firing

In the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, tragedy struck when 45-year-old Nargis Bano was killed by a Pakistani artillery shell while fleeing heavy cross-border shelling with two relatives, who were also injured. The incident occurred less than ten kilometres from the Line of Control, as the family attempted to escape the violence in their Scorpio SUV, which was hit approximately 3 kilometres from their home in Razarwani village. Ms Bano died en route to a hospital in Baramulla, marking the first civilian fatality in the recent escalation of hostilities that began Thursday night. The shelling has targeted multiple civilian settlements, resulting in significant damage and injuries, particularly in Salamabad, where two homes were destroyed. In response to the ongoing violence, authorities have closed educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir for two days, while the Indian Army has engaged in retaliatory actions against the shelling.

Published:
May 09 2025, 3 pm

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Supreme Court: Don't Undermine Women Army Officers' Morale

The Supreme Court of India has instructed the Centre not to release Short Service Commission women Army officers who are contesting the denial of permanent commission, emphasizing the need to maintain their morale amid ongoing challenges. Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh scheduled a hearing for a group of 69 officers in August, stating that these capable officers should not be left without purpose. The Centre's Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati argued that the decision was based on a policy to keep the armed forces youthful, with only 250 personnel receiving permanent commissions annually. Senior advocate Maneka Guruswamy highlighted the achievements of Colonel Sofia Qureshi, noting her media briefings on Operation Sindoor. The Supreme Court previously ruled against the blanket exclusion of women from command roles, reinforcing their right to seek permanent commission and recognizing their contributions to the military.

Published:
May 09 2025, 3 pm

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Delhi Tests Air Sirens Amid India-Pak Tensions, More Coming

Air raid sirens echoed across Delhi on Friday as part of a scheduled mock drill amid rising tensions with Pakistan, which has launched multiple missile and drone attacks on Indian military targets over the past two days. The Delhi government clarified that the drill, lasting 15-20 minutes, was intended to test sirens installed at the Public Works Department headquarters and urged citizens to remain calm. PWD Minister Parvesh Verma announced plans to install 40-50 additional sirens across the capital, each covering an 8 km radius, to enhance emergency preparedness. This escalation follows Pakistan's recent attacks on Indian territories, including Jammu and Kashmir, which were successfully intercepted. The Indian Army reported that it had retaliated against these provocations, targeting Pakistani military installations and terror bases, marking the start of Operation Sindoor in response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam.