Latest news with #Jaish-e-Mohammad
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
India stands secure and self-reliant than ever before
New Delhi [India], June 19 (ANI): India's firm and clear-eyed approach to internal security and counter-terrorism over the last eleven years reflects the government's unwavering resolve to prioritise national interest above all. From precision military strikes across borders to strategic dismantling of insurgent networks within, India has shed the hesitations of the past. As per an official statement from the government of India, a clear doctrine now guides action, swift, decisive and backed by intelligence. With the abrogation of Article 370, the campaign against Naxalism, and new capabilities in high-tech defence, India today stands more secure and self-reliant than ever before. Operation SINDOOR, India's swift and precise military response to a terror attack in April 2025, further demonstrated this resolve. These successes are a result of political will, military strength and a deeply rooted belief in putting the country first. India responded to the terrorist attack in Uri on 18 soldiers by conducting Surgical Strikes on 28-29 September 2016. These strikes inflicted heavy losses on terrorists and their protectors across the Line of Control. A few years later, on 14 February 2019, the Pulwama terror attack claimed 40 CRPF jawans. India's response came swiftly. On 26 February 2019, in an intelligence-led operation, the Balakot airstrikes eliminated a large number of Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists, including senior commanders. The facility targeted was located far from civilian areas and headed by Maulana Yousuf Azhar, brother-in-law of JeM chief Masood Azhar. These pre-emptive actions showed the world that India would no longer tolerate proxy wars through terrorism. In April 2025, following a brutal terror attack on civilians in Pahalgam, India launched Operation SINDOOR, executing precise retaliatory strikes against nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian military, acting on accurate intelligence, relied on drone strikes, loitering munitions, and layered air defence to neutralise key threats without crossing international boundaries. When Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks on 7-8 May against multiple Indian cities and bases, these were swiftly intercepted, showcasing the effectiveness of India's net-centric warfare systems and integrated counter-UAS (unmanned aerial systems) grid. In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India's firm policy on cross-border terrorism and its approach towards Pakistan. He underlined that national security is non-negotiable and outlined clear red lines regarding dialogue, deterrence, and defence. He said that any terrorist attack on India will be met with a fitting and decisive response, regardless of where the perpetrators operate from and India will not be deterred by nuclear threats and will continue to carry out precise strikes against terrorist hideouts. He further made it clear that there will be no difference between the masterminds and the sponsors of terror; both will be held accountable, adding that any engagement with Pakistan, if at all, will be focused only on terrorism or the issue of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Prime Minister declared, 'Terror and talks cannot go together, terror and trade cannot go together, and water and blood cannot flow together,' firmly closing the door to normal relations amid terror threats. On 5 August 2019, Parliament approved the removal of Articles 370 and 35-A, marking a historic correction of a decades-old imbalance. Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh were brought at par with other regions, and over 890 Central laws were applied. As many as 205 state laws were repealed, and 130 were modified to align with the Constitution of India. Since then, development in the region has accelerated. Marginalised groups like Valmikis, Dalits, and Gorkhas now enjoy full rights. Laws such as the Right to Education and Child Marriage Act now protect all citizens in the region. The impact is clear: terrorist-initiated incidents have dropped from 228 in 2018 to just 28 in 2024, demonstrating a strong correlation between integration and peace. The multi-pronged approach to Left Wing Extremism has delivered historic gains. From 126 affected districts in 2010, the number has come down to just 38 by April 2024. Most affected districts were reduced from 12 to 6, and the number of casualties is at a 30-year low. Violence has declined sharply from 1,936 incidents in 2010 to 374 in 2024, a drop of 81 cent. Deaths have reduced by 85 cent over the same period. In 2024 alone, 290 Naxals were neutralised, 1,090 arrested, and 881 surrendered. Major recent operations in March 2025 saw 50 Naxals surrender in Bijapur, 16 neutralised in Sukma, and 22 killed in Kanker and Bijapur. With continued support through Special Central Assistance and targeted development, the government is on track to eliminate Naxalism by 31 March 2026. India's journey over the past 11 years showcases its transformation into a confident global power. Through strategic initiatives, from the G20 presidency to the International Solar Alliance, India has led with purpose and pragmatism. Its commitment to humanitarian aid, regional partnerships, and counter-terrorism reflects a nation that places its people first while contributing to global stability. With a focus on self-reliance, from defence production to technological innovation, India has strengthened its sovereignty and global standing. This era of bold leadership and inclusive diplomacy positions India as a pivotal force in shaping a balanced, prosperous world order. (ANI)
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Nationalism and national security issues beyond political parties and interests: VP Dhankar
New Delhi [India], June 16 (ANI): Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar on Monday praised the decision of the Indian government to send seven multi-party parliamentary delegations to highlight the issue of cross-border terrorism and asserted that the issue of nationalism and national security were 'beyond political parties and interests.' He said that all-party delegations visiting foreign countries have invoked the 'right responses' both inside and outside the nation. 'I appeal to everyone -- particularly those in the political class of the country -- that issues of nationalism and national security are beyond political parties and interests. I am happy to note that a visionary step by the Prime Minister -- to send an all-party delegation of Members of Parliament abroad -- has evoked the right response, in the country and outside. All political parties converged. That is the Bharat we need -- every day on national security and national development. I am sure this will go a long way,' Dhankar said while interacting with students and faculty members at JIPMER Pondicherry. Underlining the success of Operation Sindoor, Dhankhar stated India destroyed the headquarters of terrorist organisations such as Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba under its policy of 'zero tolerance for terrorism.' 'About two months back, all of us were concerned, worried, and traumatised. On April 22, in Pahalgam, the terrorists struck us -- they challenged our ethos. The world's most peace-loving nation, a nation that has never engaged in expansionism, was visited by this horrendous terrorist attack. The Prime Minister pledged to the nation: We will have zero tolerance for terrorism. And, I must congratulate our Armed Forces for having vindicated the promise of the Prime Minister, because Muridke and Bahawalpur are witnesses to the testimony of the potency of our BrahMos. The headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba were demolished -- devastatingly -- by calibrated, precise, and calculated attacks,' the VP said. He said that through Operation Sindoor, which was carried out in retaliation for the ghastly Pahalgam terrorist attack, the world has come to realise the importance of the indigenous production of defence material for India. 'The evidence was given to the entire world -- that this is a different Bharat: bold, confident, but calculated. Because war is not a solution. Prime Minister Modi has hinted -- we are not living in an era of war. We have to take recourse to diplomacy and dialogue. But the message has gone loud and clear. The world has come to realise that indigenous production of defence material means a lot to us,' he asserted. 'For any progress, peace is an essential aspect, and peace comes from a position of strength. The best guarantee to peace is that we are ever prepared for war, and that comes when the national mindset is nation first. We have to believe in our nationalism', he added. The Vice President argued in favour of developing more diagnostic centres and greater research while focusing on the significance of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. 'Ayushman Bharat means, we need more human resources in the shape of doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff. We need more diagnostic centres, more outlets for medicines, we need greater research. We need springing of hospitals, healthcare centres, both in public and private sector,' Dhankar said. He added, 'Health of the nation is fundamental for growth. A person may be very talented, very keen, committed. He wants to give everything to society, he doesn't have self interest. But what if he's not in good health! Who is ever keen to contribute for welfare of others becomes an object of sympathy by others. Therefore, Fit India can be the only answer and you are its watchdogs.' (ANI)
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Issues of nationalism, national security are beyond political parties, interests: Vice President Dhankhar at JIPMER
PUDUCHERRY: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday called for national unity on matters of security and development, stating that issues of nationalism and national security transcend political boundaries. Interacting with students and faculty at JIPMER, he lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to send an all-party delegation of Members of Parliament abroad, terming it a 'visionary step' that received a positive response both nationally and internationally. 'All political parties converged. That is the Bharat we need, united every day on matters of national security and national development. I am sure this initiative will go a long way,' the Vice President said. Dhankhar hailed the success of Operation Sindoor, stating that the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack challenged India's ethos. He praised the Armed Forces for a calibrated response, citing strikes on Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba bases in Muridke and Bahawalpur. Highlighting India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, he emphasised diplomacy over war, asserting that the world now sees a bold, confident Bharat focused on indigenous defence production. 'For any progress, peace is an essential aspect and peace comes from a position of strength. The best guarantee to peace is that we are ever prepared for war and that comes when the national mindset is nation first. We have to believe in our nationalism,' he added. Turning to healthcare, Dhankhar described Ayushman Bharat as a major game-changer, stressing the urgent need for expanding the healthcare workforce.
India Today
10-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Pak senator defends nation's terror ‘past', says it is a changed country
In a fiery interview with Sky News, Pakistan Senator and senior leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Sherry Rehman, staunchly defended her country's record on terrorism, asserting that "Pakistan is a changed country" and is actively "fighting terrorism," while accusing international narratives of being skewed by Indian heated exchange comes as Islamabad launches a global diplomatic offensive, sending high-level delegations to counter India's narrative following a recent military conflict. In the copycat move that came after India dispatched its own envoys to brief the world on Operation Sindoor against terrorism, Pakistan has now sent its own delegation, which includes Sherry Rehman, to the US, UK, and Brussels to present its side of the the tense exchange with anchor Yalda Hakim, Rehman was confronted with allegations regarding Pakistan's role in sheltering terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammad, the Haqqani Network, and the al-Qaeda-linked Brigade 313. When pressed on why groups like Brigade 313, a coalition of terror groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad for operational purposes, continue to operate from Pakistani soil, Rehman said, 'Am I going to war every time there is an attack in India?' She deflected blame, adding, 'There are 100 insurgencies running in India. Are we responsible for what goes on there? That's what it amounts to.'Hakim raised the issue of Brigade 313 acting as a unifying front for various terror factions in Pakistan, a premise Rehman flatly rejected. 'I don't know who told you this... I can produce any number of pages saying all this. Perhaps we should also produce a digital dossier,' she retorted, in a veiled reference to dossiers previously released by India on cross-border consistently challenged the basis of the questions, suggesting a coordinated information campaign against Pakistan. 'International analysts are aligned with India's narrative. They only tell India's story. And this is our deficit that we haven't been able to tell the story right,' she interview also touched upon Pakistan's recent removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. When Hakim pointed out Pakistan was on the list until 2022 for terror financing and money laundering concerns, Rehman defended her country's progress. "We were taken off the grey list because we provided forensic evidence. Pakistan is a changed country. We are fighting terrorism but you keep on talking about the past,' she back her argument, she presented "facts," stating, "Pakistan has filed 2,645 terrorism financing cases. This is why we are in the white list and not the grey of FATF." She claimed that organisations like those in Muridke and Bahawalpur "are proscribed now, these are all banned now and atleast 2000 of their members have been arrested."When asked why India isn't on the grey list, Rehman described it as "our failing that we haven't bothered," before bringing up the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was captured by Pakistan alleging that he was an Indian conversation heated up when Hakim pointed to Pakistan's alleged role in providing sanctuary to terrorists, a charge Rehman vehemently denied with an "absolutely not." Hakim also questioned the presence of the then-ISI chief in Kabul on the day of the Taliban takeover, to which Rehman reiterated, "Pakistan is a changing place and we are trying very hard. We have a revolving door with Afghanistan."Regarding a statement from Jaish-e-Mohammad about the death of its leader Masood Azhar's family members in Indian airstrikes, Rehman was dismissive. 'Children are not leaders,' she stated, denying the presence of militant infrastructure in the area and offering to take Hakim to the location. 'There are hospitals, mosques, and rubble. I'm happy to take you there.'
News18
10-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
'What Is Brigade 313': Pakistan Senator Grilled On Country's Al-Qaeda Link In Interview
Last Updated: During the interview, Yalda Hakim referred to a statement issued by Jaish-e-Mohammad, following Indian airstrikes Pakistan People's Party Senator Sherry Rehman faced tough questions from Sky News journalist Yalda Hakim, who pressed her on the existence and role of Brigade 313, a shadowy terror outfit operating from Pakistan. The exchange has caught the attention since most see it as a long-overdue reckoning with Pakistan's deep-rooted history of terror networks. The interview opened with Hakim citing a senior intelligence analyst from TRAC (Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium), who stated that 'Brigade 313 is Al-Qaeda in Pakistan." According to the analyst, it acts as an umbrella organization for several notorious outfits: the Taliban, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Haqqani Network, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami. 'Pakistan is fighting very hard to clean its terrorist record'Vice President of the Pakistan People's Party Senator Sherry Rehman tells @SkyYaldaHakim 'Pakistan is a changed country', even though they were taken off the grey list in 2022 — Sky News (@SkyNews) June 9, 2025 Caught off guard, Senator Rehman responded dismissively: 'I don't know who told you this… I can produce any number of pages saying all this. Perhaps we should also produce a fact sheet… a digital dossier." Her tone visibly shifted as Hakim pressed further about Pakistan's alleged complicity in cross-border terrorism and its failure to clamp down on proscribed groups operating with impunity. The timing of the interview is significant, as it comes amid continued diplomatic strain between India and Pakistan following multiple cross-border incidents and long-standing allegations of state-tolerated terrorism. Even in the end, Hakim's most critical question — 'What is Brigade 313?" — remained unanswered. During the interview, Yalda Hakim referred to a statement issued by Jaish-e-Mohammad, following Indian airstrikes, in which the group claimed that at least 10 of its chief Masood Azhar's family members were killed in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Hakim highlighted this as evidence of Jaish's active presence in the region and questioned whether the location, widely identified as a hub for terror activity, was being used for operational purposes. In response, Senator Sherry Rehman dismissed the claim, stating, 'Children are not leaders," and argued that Bahawalpur is home to 'hospitals, mosques, and rubble," suggesting the strikes had caused collateral damage rather than eliminating militant infrastructure.
