Friday, March 13
Following Pakistan's ceasefire violation on May 7-8, the Indian Army retaliated swiftly along the LoC, destroying multiple Pakistani forward posts within 10 minutes using MMGs. Operation Sindoor was launched after the Pahalgam terror attack. An Indian soldier reported heavy casualties inflicted and bunkers destroyed. Pakistan then targeted civilian areas and attempted drone strikes, which were also neutralised by India.
Lt Gen Sumer Ivan D'Cunha asserted India's capability to strike any target within Pakistan, emphasizing the nation's preparedness to respond across the entire depth of Pakistani territory if needed. Operation Sindoor showcased India's use of locally developed technology, including long-range drones and guided munitions, to strike key Pakistani airbases.
Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju secured default bail from a Bengaluru court in a gold smuggling case due to the DRI's delayed chargesheet filing. Despite this, Ranya remains detained under the COFEPOSA Act. The case involves the seizure of smuggled gold worth crores and multiple Dubai trips, leading to charges under the Customs Act and investigations into financial violations.
CPI leader D Raja criticises the government's briefing of foreign countries on Operation Sindoor while keeping Indians uninformed, demanding a special Parliament session. He questions the lack of consultation with political parties regarding the all-party delegations and raises concerns about suppressed dissent, citing the arrest of an Ashoka University professor.
A row has erupted over the selection of representatives for a multi-party global outreach on counter-terrorism. Opposition parties like Congress and Trinamool Congress accuse the government of unilateral decision-making and ignoring their suggestions. The BJP defends the selection process, emphasizing national interest over party politics.
A devastating fire near Hyderabad's Charminar claimed 17 lives from a jeweller's family. Simultaneously, a joint operation led to the arrest of two individuals plotting bomb blasts. In other news, former US President Joe Biden is battling prostate cancer. India's new import restrictions on Bangladeshi garments are expected to increase logistics costs.
The Ministry of External Affairs clarified to a parliamentary committee that the India-Pakistan ceasefire was a bilateral decision, refuting Donald Trump's claims of US mediation. During the meeting, officials confirmed the conflict remained conventional, with no nuclear signaling from Pakistan. India successfully struck Pakistani air bases, regardless of the platforms used.
Donald Trump Jr.'s associate, Gentry Beach, visited Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Turkey, promoting potential deals in rare earth minerals, oil & gas, and real estate. He briefed Donald Trump Sr. on Pakistan's potential, leading to meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Beach's activities raise concerns about leveraging connections for financial gain, similar to past controversies involving Trump Jr.
Rahul Gandhi has intensified his criticism of external affairs minister S Jaishankar regarding Operation Sindoor, questioning the loss of Indian aircraft due to alleged prior warnings to Pakistan.
