Over 2,000 security personnel, veterans join solidarity rally for Indian armed forces
Standing under the statue of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on the fringes of the Hussainsagar as patriotic songs rent the air and slogans of 'Jai Hind' and 'Vande Mataram' echoed through NTR Marg. It wasn't just another evening on the city's busiest lakeside road — Hyderabad was on its feet, in solidarity with the Indian armed forces.
More than 2,300 personnel from Telangana's Fire Department, Disaster Response Force, Police, Special Protection Force (SPF), elite counter-terror unit Organisation for Counter Terrorists Operations (OCTOPUS) and police officials from the tri-commissionerates lined up outside the Secretariat complex on Thursday, for the 1 kilometre-odd solidarity rally.
Among them marched 70 to 80 veterans of the Indian Army, Air Force, and paramilitary forces — many in uniform, some in civil, all wearing emotion on their sleeves. Joining them were top officials from the State administration and a contingent of 150 women officers from various wings of the Telangana Police.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar along with other senior political representatives also joined the rally.
The national flag flew high across the 250-metre-long stretch of people, carried by participants and spectators alike. As dusk fell, the rally route, bordered by the shimmering waters of Tank Bund, glowed under floodlights, turning the evening into a visual tribute to patriotism.
The rally came against the backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the terrorist strike in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22. Organised by the Telangana government, the event aimed to send a message of unity and support to the armed forces deployed along the border.
'The solidarity rally was our way of standing firmly behind the army at the border — a message that they are not alone,' said Rajender Sohni, a retired Indian Air Force officer. 'It's also a clear signal that India will not let those responsible go unpunished. The attack on innocent people in Pahalgam cannot be ignored. The Defence Ministry has made it clear: justice will be served, and until that happens, we will not rest.'
For Captain Bandi Venu, an ex-serviceman, the day stirred memories of his time in uniform. 'I felt the same spirit today that I carried during my years in the Army,' he said.
Veteran G.K. Rao, recipient of the National Seva Ratna, said, 'We may be veterans, but we are still soldiers at heart — young in spirit and fierce in purpose. To the terrorists infiltrating our motherland: we challenge you. We have struck nine times already, and we will find every corner you hide in. We are ready to serve until our last breath — for the safety and future of our youth.'
Retired Flying Officer M.A.R. Hussain praised the young Indian Air Force pilots who took part in Operation Sindoor for their excellence in flying capabilities. 'The precision and bravery they have shown in destroying the terrorist camps is commendable,' he said.
Over 600 Hyderabad Commissionerate officials were deployed for security and crowd management during the rally, which passed peacefully.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
42 minutes ago
- Mint
Operation Sindhu: India's special flight brings back 280 more Indians from Iran; govt commits to help Nepal, Sri Lanka
With the tensions escalating in the Middle East following the conflict between Israel and Iran, a special flight under Operation Sindhu brought back over 280 Indian nationals on Sunday. According to the details, the Mahan Air flight (W50071A), carrying mostly students and pilgrims, landed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. Over 200 students from Jammu and Kashmir were among the passengers, while others were pilgrims who had travelled to Iran for Ziarat. After the passengers stepped off the aircraft, many of them held Indian flags and expressed relief and gratitude for the safe return. Earlier on Wednesday, India launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate its citizens from Iran amid the rising tensions between Tehran and Israel. Also on Friday, two Mahan Air flights carrying 1,000 Indian students, including 500 Kashmiris, from Iran's Mashhad landed in Delhi. A third flight also landed on Saturday. In a diplomatic outreach to its neighbours, the Indian Embassy in Iran on Saturday stated that it will help evacuating the Nepalese and Sri Lankan nationals from Iran. After both nations requested India's help in evacuating their citizens, the Indian Embassy agreed to assist Nepal and Sri Lanka. The embassy also released emergency helpline numbers for Nepalese and Sri Lankan nationals stuck in Iran. 'On request of the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Indian Embassy's evacuation efforts in Iran will also cover Citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka,' Indian Embassy in Iran posted on X. It added, 'The citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka may urgently reach out to the Embassy, either on the Telegram channel or over the emergency contact numbers. +989010144557; +989128109115; +989128109109' These strikes were targeted at uranium enrichment plants at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Confirming the attacks chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, US Gen Dan Caine, briefed the press stating Operation Midnight Hammer involved 125 US military aircraft including seven B-2 stealth bombers. Following the US strikes, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi calls the US attack on their uclear sites 'unforgivable' and said Iran has 'to respond based on our legitimate right to self-defence'.
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
Israel-Iran conflict: PIB debunks claims of US using Indian airspace for Iran strikes; calls them ‘fake'
NEW DELHI: The Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Sunday dismissed social media rumours suggesting that the United States used Indian airspace to carry out airstrikes on Iran during 'Operation Midnight Hammer. ' The government agency categorically stated that these claims are false. 'Several social media accounts have claimed that Indian Airspace was used by the United States to launch aircraft against Iran during Operation Midnight Hammer. This claim is FAKE. Indian Airspace was NOT used by the United States during Operation Midnight Hammer,' PIB said in an official statement. The clarification comes in the wake of multiple online posts alleging that India facilitated the US strikes, which targeted key Iranian nuclear facilities amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. India has maintained a cautious stance in the conflict and has not offered its airspace for any military operations related to the ongoing confrontation between the US, Iran, and Israel.
The Hindu
42 minutes ago
- The Hindu
INS Tamal, India's last imported warship, to be commissioned on July 1
The Indian Navy is all set to commission its latest stealth multi-role frigate INS Tamal on July 1 at Kaliningrad in Russia. This will be the last warship of Indian Navy to have been built outside India and the eighth in the series of Krivak class frigates inducted from Russia over the past two decades. The ceremony will be presided over by Western Naval Commander Vice Admiral Sanjay J. Singh in the presence of several high-ranking Indian and Russian government and defence officials. INS Tamal has been built at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, and is the last warship to be inducted from a foreign source, in line with the Government of India's impetus on 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India' initiatives. India, as part of the broader contract for Tushil class, is also building two similar frigates called the Triput class at Goa Shipyard Limited with transfer of technology and design assistance from the Russian side. By the conclusion of this series of ships, Indian Navy will be operating 10ships with similar capabilities and commonality in equipment, weapon and sensor fit over four different classes. The ship has 26 percent indigenous components, including the BrahMos long range cruise missile for targeting both at sea and land. The vessel has significant upgrades in its arsenal in comparison to its predecessors. The crew, comprising of over 250 personnel have undergone rigorous ashore as well as afloat training in extremely challenging winter conditions of St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad in Russia. INS Tamal has successively completed extensive sea trials undertaken over three months, proving its systems, weapons and sensors. The 125m long, 3900-ton warship, packs a lethal punch as it features an impressive blend of Indian and Russian cutting-edge technologies and best practices in warship construction. The ship's new design provides it with enhanced stealth features and greater stability characteristics. The number of Made-in-India systems have more than doubled to 33. Upon commissioning, INS Tamal will join the 'Sword Arm' of the Indian Navy, the Western Fleet, under the Western Naval Command.
