Indian Navy had deployed its carrier battle group, submarines and aviation assets at sea with full combat readiness after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, an official statement said on Sunday. The statement said that in the aftermath of the attacks on innocent Indian tourists at Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistani sponsored terrorists, the Indian Navy’s carrier battle group, surface forces and submarines were immediately deployed at sea with full combat readiness, in concert with the joint operational plan of the Indian Defence Forces. Within 96 hours of the attack, the Navy conducted multiple weapon firings in the Arabian Sea to revalidate crew, armament, and platform readiness. This exercise ensured precise delivery of ordnance on selected targets, it said. Indian naval forces maintained a forward deployment in the Northern Arabian Sea, adopting a dissuasive and deterrent posture. This strategic positioning provided the capability to strike select targets at sea and on land, including Karachi, at a time of India's choosing. Thereafter, the forces remained forward deployed in the Northern Arabian Sea in a dissuasive and deterrent posture, with full readiness and capacity to strike select targets at sea, and on land, including Karachi, at time of our choosing. In the aftermath of the cowardly attacks on innocent Indian tourists at #Pahalgam by Pakistani sponsored terrorists on #22Apr 25, the #IndianNavy’s Carrier Battle Group, surface forces, submarines and aviation assets were immediately deployed at sea with full combat readiness, in… pic.twitter.com/c1iN3MbgfB — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) May 11, 2025 The forward deployment of the Indian Navy compelled Pakistani Naval and air units to be in a defensive posture, mostly inside harbours or very close to their coast, which we monitored continuously The Indian Navy maintained seamless Maritime Domain Awareness throughout the duration and was entirely aware of the location and movement of Pakistani units, it said. The response was measured, proportionate, non-escalatory and responsible from Day 1 and a calibrated approach considered all options, including the ability of the Indian Navy for offensive action from and at sea, it said. As part of the escalation control mechanism, the application of force by the Navy was planned in a synchronised manner in concert with the Army and the Air Force, the highlight being teams from the three Services working closely in an integrated manner. The Navy's response was part of a coordinated effort with the Indian Army and Air Force, highlighting a unified approach to national security, it said. The India Navy remains deployed at sea in a credible deterrent posture, to respond decisively to any inimical action by Pakistan, or Pakistan based terrorist, the statement said.
12 May,2025 12:20 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAgra Police arrested three individuals on Sunday, involved in the trafficking and sale of ganja (cannabis), seizing a massive 191.680 kilograms of the contraband, valued at approximately Rs 1.5 crore. DCP City Sonam Kumar stated that the operation was carried out jointly by the teams from Thana Trans Yamuna and ACP Chatta, based on a tip-off from an informant. Acting swiftly, the police set up barricades and launched an intensive vehicle-checking drive in the area. The arrested suspects were reportedly bringing the ganja from Odisha and distributing it across various parts of Agra. Police are verifying the criminal history of the accused and mapping the areas where the drugs were being sold. More details will emerge as the investigation progresses. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 May,2025 10:04 PM IST | Agra | ANIThe Southwest Monsoon is likely to set over Kerala ahead of its normal onset date in 2025. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in an update this week that this year, the southwest monsoon is likely to set over Kerala on May 27, with a model error of 4 days on both sides. The normal onset date for the southwest monsoon is June 1. Monsoons are a key indicator that helps analysts gauge the economic outlook of the country's manufacturing and agricultural sectors. During the past five years, the monsoon has onset early on two occasions, 2022 and 2024. In 2022 and 2024, the monsoon onset was May 29 and May 30, as per IMD data. In 2024, the southwest monsoon rains in India hit a four-year high, experiencing about 108 per cent of the long-period average at 934.8 mm, data made available by the state-run weather bureau showed. The long-period average in India is 868.6 mm. In its pre-monsoon forecast in 2024, IMD predicted rainfall across the country to be above normal, at 106 per cent of the long-period average. In 2025, IMD said the southwest monsoon seasonal (June to September) rainfall over the country as a whole during 2025 is most likely to be above normal (greater than 104 per cent of the Long Period Average). The advance of the southwest monsoon over the Indian mainland is marked by monsoon onset over Kerala. It is an important indicator characterising the transition from the hot and dry season to the rainy season. As the monsoon progresses northward, relief from scorching summer temperatures is experienced over the areas. Southwest monsoon normally sets in over Kerala on June 1, with a standard deviation of about 7 days. IMD has been issuing operational forecasts for the date of monsoon onset over Kerala from 2005 onwards. IMD's operational forecasts of the monsoon onset date over Kerala during the past 20 years (2005-2024) were correct except in 2015. Forecast verification for the recent 5 years (2020-2024) is in the table below. Above-normal monsoon rains helped farmers sow more crops this Kharif season, which bodes well for the overall agriculture sector. Agriculture is the mainstay source of livelihoods for millions of Indians. Traditionally, Indian agriculture, especially the Kharif season, relies heavily on monsoon rainfall. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 May,2025 08:34 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIOver 100 terrorists, including high-value targets such as Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf and Mudasir Ahmed, were eliminated during Operation Sindoor on May 7, the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai said at a media briefing. Nine terror targets were identified after careful deliberations and they were hit using precision weapons, he said. The DGMO also said that the Pakistan Army is reported to have lost 35 to 40 personnel between May 7 and 10 in the military offensives between the two sides. He also said that the Operation Sindoor was conceptualised with a clear military aim to punish the perpetrators and planners of terror and to destroy their terror infrastructure. "Our aim on the 7th of May was to target terrorists and their infrastructure, not any other infrastructure, especially not Pakistani civilian or military establishments, and we achieved this with precision. However, on the evening of 7th May, we were subjected to a wave of Pakistani unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and small drones, which targeted both our civilian and military areas. They were successfully intercepted. While three drones managed to land, they caused minimal damage," he said. “On the night of 8-9 May, they (Pakistan) flew drones and aircraft into our airspace all across the borders and made largely unsuccessful attempts to target numerous military infrastructure. Violations on the LoC by Pakistan also commenced yet again and precipitated into fierce engagements," he further said. Further briefing on the operations, Air Marshal AK Bharti said that India struck Pakistani airbases, command centres, military infrastructure, and air defence systems across the entire Western Front in a coordinated and calibrated manner. He said, "Our air defence system foiled Pakistan air force's attempts to hit our installations." "We have downed a few Pakistani planes," he said. “The bases we struck include Chaklala, Rafiqui, and Rahim Yar Khan, sending a clear message that aggression will not be tolerated. This was followed by strikes at Sargodha, Bhulari, and Jacobabad," he said. He said that our focus was not on counting the casualties but on hitting the terror targets. “Our aim was not to inflict casualties, but in case there have been, it is for them to count. Our job is to hit the target, not to count the body bags," he said. (with PTI and IANS inputs)
11 May,2025 08:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Gadchiroli Police in Maharashtra on Sunday said that it has arrested a man who was allegedly involved in a series of thefts in the district which took place recently and has recovered stolen items worth Rs 2.51 lakh. According to the police, the accused has been identified as 20-year-old Akash Nagaya Kottapelli, a resident of Kottapelli, Sironcha Taluka, had been involved in series of theft cases reported in the Sironcha area in Gadchiroli. The police said that he has confessed to committing 11 thefts in and around the Sironcha Police Station limits and Asaralli area. Acting on the instructions of Superintendent of Police Neelotpal and In-Charge SP Yatish Deshmukh, a team from the Sironcha Police Station began investigating recent thefts in the area. On the night of May 9, 2025, based on confidential information received during a night patrol, Sub-Inspector Prajwali Kulkarni and the team detained a suspicious person matching the description of the wanted accused. When questioned, the suspect gave vague and misleading answers. "He was taken to the police station for further interrogation. During questioning, he admitted to being involved in multiple thefts in the Sironcha area," the police officials said. The cops then searched the locations mentioned by the accused and recovered stolen items including electronic gadgets, construction tools, household goods, clothing, and mobile phones, all worth a total of Rs 2,51,700. Further investigation revealed that the accused is a habitual offender and was already involved in seven registered theft cases at the Sironcha Police Station. He was arrested in the early hours of May 10, 2025 and presented before the local court, which has granted police custody for further questioning, the police said. The investigators believe that more unsolved theft cases may be linked to the accused during the remand period, officials said. Police said that the entire operation was carried out under the leadership of Officer In-Charge Samadhan Chavan, with guidance from senior officials including SP Neelotpal, SP Yatish Deshmukh, Additional SP (Administration) M. Ramesh, Additional SP Aheri Satya Sai Kartik, and SDPO Sironcha Sandesh Naik. The investigating team included PSI Maroti Nande, PSI Dnyaneshwar Dhotre, PSI Narendra Wangate, API Prajwali Kulkarni, Inspector Lavanya Jakkan, and constables Manish Garge, Sunil Ghughe, Rakesh Nagula, Mantesh Dagam, Sunil Rathod, and Santosh Bhatane, police said.
11 May,2025 06:43 PM IST | Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentThe Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday asked the border villages residents, who were evacuated to safer places in view of cross border shelling by Pakistan, not to rush back to their homes, reported the PTI. The authorities were yet to sanitize and clear these areas of any unexplored shells and hence the residents must not rush back to their homes. According to the PTI, over 1.25 lakh residents of villages close to Line of Control in Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara districts were evacuated to safer places as their habitations were at a very high risk of being targeted in Pakistani shelling amid the India-Pakistan tensions. "Do not return to frontline villages. Lives are at risk as unexplored munitions remain (scattered) after Pakistani shelling," an advisory issued by the police said, as per the PTI. Bomb disposal squads will be sent to affected areas to sanitize and clear the villages of any unexplored shells which can lead to loss of human lives, it said "As many as 41 lives were lost in explosions of leftover shells near the LoC in 2023 alone," the advisory read, highlighting the dangers of civilians rushing back to villages. The Poonch district accounted for the highest 18 of the total 25 fatalities with over 50 others injured since Wednesday, shortly after India carried out Operation Sindoor, striking nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and PoK to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead. Follow India-Pakistan tensions LIVE Updates here India and Pakistan on Saturday reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, with immediate effect after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. However, hours later New Delhi accused Islamabad of breaching it. In a late night media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with "seriousness and responsibility," as per the PTI. India and Pakistan on Saturday reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, with immediate effect. The Indian Air Force said it has "successfully executed its assigned tasks in Operation Sindoor, with precision and professionalism". It said the operations were conducted in a "deliberate and discreet manner, aligned with national objectives." (with PTI inputs)
11 May,2025 04:00 PM IST | Srinagar | mid-day online correspondentA 65-year-old woman was mauled to death by a tiger in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district on Sunday morning, marking the fourth fatal attack by a big cat in the region in just two days, a senior forest official confirmed. The victim, identified as Vimala Shinde, was a resident of Nagala village in the Mul tehsil of Chandrapur, reported news agency PTI. According to authorities, she had entered the forest early in the day to collect tendu leaves—a seasonal forest produce that is a major source of income for many villagers—when she was suddenly attacked by the tiger, reported news agency PTI. The gruesome incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, already reeling from a similar tragedy just a day prior. On Saturday, in what officials have described as a highly unusual and alarming incident, a tiger claimed the lives of three women simultaneously, reported news agency PTI. The attack occurred in Compartment No. 1355 of the Sindewahi Range Forest, an area known for tiger activity but rarely associated with such concentrated fatal encounters, according to news agency PTI reports. Tiger kills three women at the same spot and time in Maharashtra's Chandrapur A tiger killed three women at the same spot and the same time in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district on Saturday morning, a forest official informed. The women, residents of Mendha Mal village, had gone to collect 'tendu' leaves when the big cat targeted them around 11.30 am, killing all three at the scene, the forest official stated, reported news agency PTI. According to news agency PTI, the victims have been identified as Kantabai Chaudhari (60), her daughter-in-law Shubhangi Chaudhari (38), and one Sarika Shende (48). The bodies were later sent to a government hospital at Sindewahi for post-mortem, said the senior official from Chandrapur forest circle. Meanwhile, a 50-year-old woman, Vandana Gajbhiye, was injured by a tiger about 5 km from the spot of the first attack, the official stated, reported PTI. The tragic incident has sparked fresh concerns over rising human-wildlife conflict in the region, which has seen a surge in fatal encounters involving big cats in recent years.(With PTI inputs)
11 May,2025 03:36 PM IST | Chandrapur | mid-day online correspondentUnion Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday said that Operation Sindoor is a demonstration of India's strong will against terrorism, reported the PTI. Singh on Sunday virtually inaugurated the BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility at the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor. The Rs 300 crore facility is a key part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor and represents India's commitment to self-reliant defence manufacturing, the Ministry of Defence said. "It includes not only missile production but also testing, integration, and a materials complex for aerospace-grade components. A major leap toward #AtmanirbharBharat and a strategic boost to regional industrial growth," the Ministry of Defence said on X. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of #BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow. https://t.co/4WLFMzlpEJ — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 11, 2025 The Uttar Pradesh government had said the facility will manufacture one of the world's fastest supersonic cruise missiles, with a range of 290 to 400 km and a top speed of Mach 2.8. The missile, a product of BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India and Russia, can be launched from land, sea, or air and uses a "fire and forget" system. Speaking virtually at an event in Lucknow to inaugurate a BrahMos production unit, Rajnath Singh said that Operation Sindoor was not just a military action, but a symbol of India's political, social and strategic will to fight terrorism. He said that the Indian Armed Forces displayed courage and restraint and has given a befitting reply to Pakistan by attacking many of its military bases Operation Sindoor was launched on early May 7 to destroy seven terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack. All subsequent retaliations to Pakistani offensives were carried out under Operation Sindoor. Follow India-Pakistan tensions LIVE Updates here India and Pakistan on Saturday announced reaching an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, with immediate effect. Through Operation Sindoor, the Indian military punished those terrorists who wiped off vermilion of many families, he added. 'आपरेशन सिंदूर' सिर्फ़ एक सैन्य कार्रवाई भर नहीं है, बल्कि भारत की राजनीतिक, सामाजिक और सामरिक इच्छाशक्ति का प्रतीक है।हमारे प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi ने स्पष्ट कर दिया है कि यह नया भारत है जो आतंकवाद के ख़िलाफ़ सरहद के इस पार और उस पार दोनों तरफ़ प्रभावी कारवाई करता है। pic.twitter.com/Lmoj3MrYey — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 11, 2025 Rajnath Singh further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear that the new India will take effective action against terrorism on both sides of the border, according to the PTI. The Indian military, he said, never targeted Pakistan's civilians, but that country targeted civilian areas and places of worship in India. The world has seen how India entered Pakistan and carried out multiple strikes after the Pahalgam terror attack, he added. We not only took action against military bases near the border but the might of Indian forces was felt even in Rawalpindi where the headquarters of the Pakistan army is located, he said, as per the PTI. (with PTI inputs)
11 May,2025 03:19 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIndia and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Saturday (May 10, 2025), while addressing a press briefing on Operation Sindoor by the Ministry of External Affairs. The directors general of military operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan have agreed to stop all firings and military action on land, air and sea with effect from 5 pm on Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced. The brief announcement by the foreign secretary came shortly after US President Donald Trump said India and Pakistan have agreed to a "full and immediate" ceasefire after talks mediated by the US. The DGMO of Pakistan called the DGMO of India at 3.35 pm earlier this afternoon, Misri said. "It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land, and in the air and sea, with effect from 1700 hours IST Saturday," he said. Vikram Misri "Instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to this understanding. The DGMOs will talk again on May 12 at 1200 hours," he added. In Islamabad, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the ceasefire with immediate effect. ‘Terrorism act of war’ Earlier in the day, top government sources warned Pakistan that any future act of terror in India will be considered an "act of war" against the country and will be responded to accordingly. With this decision, the government seeks to draw red lines against terror incidents and makes clear its intention to firmly respond to the perpetrators and conspirators. Meanwhile, India on Saturday said it had hit eight military installations in Pakistan in response to the neighbouring country's "provocative" action of targeting its defence infrastructure and civilian areas using drones, long-range weapons and fighter jets. The Pakistani installations hit included a weapons depot and control centres, India's military said as the two countries teetered on the brink of full-scale war. Also, in a strong rebuttal to Pakistan, Indian Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi dismissed Islamabad's claims of successful strikes on key Indian military assets as entirely false and part of a coordinated misinformation campaign. Denouncing Pakistan's statements about damage to India's S400 and BrahMos bases, as well as alleged hits on airfields and ammunition depots, Qureshi made it clear that no such damage occurred. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 May,2025 02:58 PM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesAmid ongoing India-Pakistan tensions, the Congress on Sunday demanded that an all-party meeting chaired by the prime minister be held and a special session of Parliament convened for a detailed discussion on the Pahalgam incident, Operation Sindoor and the understanding reached between India and Pakistan to stop all firing and military action. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posed several questions to the government, including whether New Delhi has opened the doors to third party intervention between India and Pakistan, and whether diplomatic channels with Pakistan have been opened. His remarks came after India and Pakistan on Saturday reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, with immediate effect after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. In a post on X, he said, "The Indian National Congress reiterates its demand for an all-party meet chaired by the PM and for a special session of Parliament for a full discussion on Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor, and the ceasefire announcements made from Washington DC first and then subsequently by the Governments of India and Pakistan". Ramesh said the Congress considers that the mention of "neutral site" by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for dialogue between India and Pakistan raises many questions. "Have we abandoned the Simla Agreement? Have we opened the doors to third-party mediation?" he asked. "The Indian National Congress would like to ask if diplomatic channels between India and Pakistan are being reopened? What commitments have we sought and got?," he asked. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday said there was no decision to hold talks on any other issue at any other place. This statement came after US Secretary of State Rubio said "the governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site." The Congress leader also referred to reported remarks of two former army chiefs V P Malik and Manoj Narwane on the understanding reached between India and Pakistan, and said they demand answers from the prime minister himself. "Finally, the Indian National Congress believes it is but natural for the country to recall Indira Gandhi for her extraordinarily courageous and resolute leadership in 1971," Ramesh said. In another post, the Congress leader said, On November 9, 1981, the IMF approved a USD 5.8 billion loan to India. "The US had strong objections to it and had abstained from the Executive Board meeting. But Indira Gandhi was able to persuade the IMF that the loan was necessary for India to be able to deal with the tripling of oil prices. On Feb 29, 1984, when Pranab Mukherjee presented the Budget she had got him to announce that India had concluded the IMF programme successfully and that it was NOT drawing about USD 1.3 billion of the amount approved. This is perhaps unique in the annals of IMF's history," Ramesh observed.
11 May,2025 02:34 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAmid ongoing India-Pakistan tensions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Sunday with top government functionaries, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, a day after India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop military actions. NSA Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and all three service chiefs were among those who attended the meeting. India had accused Pakistan of violating the terms of the understanding on Saturday night and asked it to take "appropriate steps" to address these violations and deal with the situation with "seriousness and responsibility". The situation has since cooled down even though residents in several border areas continue to live in a state of apprehension following days of shelling and drone incidents. The meeting comes after days of heightened tension with Pakistan along the western border, following Operation Sindoor carried out by the Indian Armed Forces on May 7. The operation targeted nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. Meanwhile, India and Pakistan have worked out an understanding on the stoppage of firing and military action, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday and noted that India will continue its firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism. "India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on the stoppage of firing and military action. India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so," he said in a post on X. The minister's remarks came after DGMOs of India and Pakistan agreed that both sides would stop all firing and military action. Earlier, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told the media that Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations contacted his Indian counterpart on Saturday afternoon. "Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called the Indian DGMO at 15:35 hours earlier this afternoon. It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea with effect from 1700 hours Indian Standard Time," he said. "Today, instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to this understanding. The Directors General of Military Operations will talk again on the 12th of May at 1200 hours," he added. However, India said on Saturday that Pakistan has violated the understanding reached between DGMOs of the two countries earlier in the day on stoppage of firing and military action and that the Indian Army retaliated and dealt with the border intrusions. At a special briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said this is a breach of the understanding arrived at earlier today and India takes "very serious note of these violations". (With inputs from Agencies)
11 May,2025 02:04 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
