Latest news with #Pahalgam
Mint
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Pakistan's BIG admission: India's strike on air bases forced us to request ceasefire, says Deputy PM Ishaq Dar
Pakistan's deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar admitted that it was Islamabad that requested a ceasefire after two of their key air bases were hit by India. While speaking on a TV news show, Dar said that India struck Nur Khan and Shorkot air bases in Rawalpindi and Punjab province as part of Operation Sindoor. In the video which is now going viral on social media, Dar can be heard saying, "Unfortunately, India once again launched missile strikes at 2:30 am. They attacked the Nur Khan Air Base and Shorkot Air Base. Within 45 minutes, Saudi Prince Faisal called me. He said he had just learnt about my conversation with (US Secretary of State) Marco Rubio. He asked if he was authorised to talk to (India's External Affairs Minister) S Jaishankar and convey that we are ready if they (India) stop. I said yes, brother, you can. He then called me back, saying he had conveyed the same to Jaishankar.' India carried out precision strikes under 'Operation Sindoor' on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. India strongly responded to the Pakistani attempts by inflicting heavy damage to a number of key Pakistani military installations, including air bases, air defence systems, command and control centres and radar sites. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on May 10 announced that India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, with immediate effect. On June 4, Dar said that the chance of revival of an armed conflict between Pakistan and India is remote but warned of a befitting response in case of any such development. According to a PTI report, Dar's comment came while responding to a question during his press conference giving details of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent visit to Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan and to thank the respective leadership for support during the last month's conflict with India following the Pahalgam terror attack. When asked about a possible new round of fighting, Ishaq Dar said that he could not predict the future but the chances of any such possibility are slim. 'The ceasefire is holding and all steps regarding withdrawal of troops have been implemented by the two sides in letter and spirit. So there is no chance (of new war) in my opinion,' he said. 'However, we will give a befitting reply if India resorts to armed conflict.' He said Pakistan was ready for dialogue with India, but not desperate for it, adding that Pakistan seeks a composite dialogue that includes terrorism as well as other issues, including Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), the report said. The minister reiterated the offer for a neutral probe into the Pahalgam incident, which led to the recent escalation between Pakistan and India. Dar claimed while Pakistan's kinetic action has been appreciated, its diplomatic efforts have also earned international recognition. The minister also appreciated the role played by the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Iran and other countries during the conflict and bringing peace.
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pakistan is committed for regional peace and stability, says Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir in his interactions with U.S.
Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir, in his interactions with several interlocutors in the US, committed for regional peace and stability and a rule based international order, the army said in Islamabad on Friday (June 20, 2025) After his meeting with the U.S. President Donald Trump, Munir held a comprehensive and candid exchange with senior scholars, analysts, policy experts, and representatives of leading international media outlets in Washington DC, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said in a statement. The interaction with prominent U.S. think tanks and representatives of the strategic affairs institutions, provided an opportunity to articulate Pakistan's principled stance on key regional and global issues, and to deepen understanding of Pakistan's strategic outlook, it said. Army Chief Munir met Mr. Trump at the White House on Wednesday, a meeting that came weeks after recent tension between India and Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people. In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff 'highlighted Pakistan's unwavering commitment to regional peace and stability, and its constructive role in fostering a rules-based international order.' The Field Marshal alluded to the details and analysis of the Maarka e Haq, Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and elaborated on Pakistan's perspective on terrorism, noting the malign influence of certain regional actors in sponsoring and perpetuating terrorism as a tool of hybrid warfare. Munir, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), emphasised that Pakistan has been on the front lines of the global war against terrorism, having rendered immense sacrifices—both human and economic—in pursuit of a safer and more secure world, the statement claimed. After the Pahalgam terror attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 that destroyed the terror infrastructure in Pakistan controlled areas. The Pakistan Army said it launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos as part of the 'Marka-e-Haq' (Battle of Truth) after the Indian strikes. Despite Mr. Trump's repeated claims of mediating, New Delhi has been maintaining that the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea with immediate effect on May 10. Munir also shed light on Pakistan's 'untapped potential, particularly in the domains of information technology, agriculture, and its vast and underexploited reserves' in the mining and mineral sectors and invited international partners to explore collaborative opportunities. The discussion further included an evaluation of the long-standing Pakistan–US partnership. The COAS underlined the historical convergences between the two nations, particularly in areas such as counter-terrorism, regional security, and economic development. He underscored the immense potential for a broader, multidimensional relationship built upon 'mutual respect, shared strategic interests, and economic interdependence,' the statement added. Participants during the various exchanges noted the 'openness and clarity' of Munir's perspectives and appreciated 'Pakistan's consistent and principled policies,' it said adding, the interaction was marked by a spirit of mutual understanding and was widely regarded as a positive step toward enhancing strategic dialogue between Pakistan and the United States. This engagement reflects Pakistan's commitment to 'transparent diplomacy, international engagement, and the pursuit of peaceful coexistence' through principled and proactive dialogue, the army said.
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
India's strike on air bases forced Pakistan to request ceasefire, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar admits
In a rare and open admission, Pakistan's deputy prime minister, Ishaq Dar, confirmed that it was Islamabad that requested a ceasefire after two of their key air bases were hit by India. While speaking on a television news show, Dar clearly stated that India struck Nur Khan and Shorkot air bases in Rawalpindi and Punjab province as part of Operation Sindoor, which was carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. "Unfortunately, India once again launched missile strikes at 2:30 AM. They attacked the Nur Khan Air Base and Shorkot Air Base. Within 45 minutes, Saudi Prince Faisal called me. He said he had just learnt about my conversation with (US Secretary of State) Marco Rubio. He asked if he was authorised to talk to (India's External Affairs Minister) S Jaishankar and convey that we are ready if they (India) stop. I said yes, brother, you can. He then called me back, saying he had conveyed the same to Jaishankar," Dar can be heard saying in a now-viral video. Earlier, Islamabad admitted that its jet indeed suffered damage due to the Indian armed forces' attack. Addressing a press conference, Pakistan Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry claimed that 'only one aircraft' of Pakistan suffered 'minor damage', without providing details about the aircraft, reported PTI. However, an Indian Air Force officer, Air Marshal AK Bharti, director general of air operations, said on Sunday that India shot down a few high-tech fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force during Operation Sindoor. He indicated that there were combat losses on the Indian side, too, but the fighter pilots were back home. About two weeks after the April 22 terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
News18
7 hours ago
- Business
- News18
Move Over Rafale-5, F-35, Su-57E: India Opens Rs 15,000-Crore Bid To Build 5th Gen Fighter Jets
Last Updated: The govt has issued an EoI for this high-profile project, open to firms, JVs, or consortia. Applications close on August 16, and the project must be completed within 8 years In a significant step towards self-reliance in defence, India has invited companies to develop indigenous fifth-generation fighter jets. The move comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions — with the Russia-Ukraine war dragging on, Israel opening a new front against Iran, and India responding to the Pahalgam terror attack with Operation Sindoor. According to experts, this move means India will no longer have to completely rely on foreign fifth-generation fighter jets like the Rafale-5, F-35, or Su-57E. The government has issued an Expression of Interest for this high-profile project, allowing single companies, joint ventures, or consortia to apply. The initial budget for developing the prototype is set at Rs 15,000 crore, with the potential for subsequent orders running into several thousand crores. 'The objective of this EOI is to shortlist Indian companies (owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens) who are technically capable for the development, building of prototypes, supporting flight test and certification of AMCA (advanced medium combat aircraft)," the EOI document stated. Interested companies must submit their applications by August 16, with a maximum project completion time of eight years. This initiative marks a significant step in India's largest military research endeavour. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will evaluate and shortlist established Indian companies with a proven track record in aerospace and defence. To qualify, firms must demonstrate the ability to absorb and implement the AMCA's design, along with experience in key areas such as engineering, manufacturing, system integration, testing, quality assurance, and post-delivery support. Additionally, companies must be capable of setting up infrastructure for full-scale series production of the aircraft. What's The Budget For India's 5th-Gen Jet? fifth-generation fighter jet prototype is developed, the selected company is expected to receive large-scale defence orders in the future. The importance of a fifth-generation aircraft for India cannot be understated. While the country has developed indigenous cruise and ballistic missiles and air defence systems, such as the proven Akash system, the lack of a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet remains a significant gap. The government aims to address this shortfall within the next decade to decade and a half. Which Companies Can Place Their Bets? Potential contenders for this project include both public and private sector companies. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Adani Defence, and Larsen & Toubro are all likely candidates to participate in this ambitious endeavour. On May 27, in a major step towards strengthening India's self-reliance in defence and building a strong local aerospace industry, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh gave the green light to the implementation framework for the AMCA programme. The AMCA programme will be carried out by the ADA in collaboration with industry partners. The chosen model ensures a level playing field, encouraging both private and public sector entities to compete on equal terms.
Economic Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Operation Sindoor: Pakistan's Dy PM Ishaq Dar finally admits they asked for ceasefire after India struck Nur Khan & other key airbases
Synopsis Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that Islamabad requested a ceasefire after India struck key airbases during Operation Sindoor—a response to the Pahalgam terror attack. India's swift action caught Pakistan off guard. Dar's admission contradicts earlier claims of a strong Pakistani response. Saudi mediation followed within 45 minutes, highlighting the urgency Islamabad showed to halt further Indian strikes. Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has confirmed that Islamabad requested a ceasefire from New Delhi after India targeted the Nur Khan and other key air bases during Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory strike following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. ADVERTISEMENT India attacked the Nur Khan and Shorkot airbases on the intervening night of May 6 and 7. Dar disclosed that the strikes took place while Pakistan was still getting ready to respond, suggesting that India moved first and took them by surprise. Within 45 minutes of the strike, Saudi Prince Faisal offered to speak to the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on behalf of Pakistan's deputy PM, seeking to halt further action against Pakistan. ALSO READ: Shehbaz Sharif admits Pakistan caught unawares by Brahmos missile Dar's remarks suggest that Pakistan urgently sought support to convince India to stop its limited and targeted military operation, which was described as 'precise, measured and non-escalatory.'His confession stands in contrast to earlier statements by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior Pakistani officials, who had asserted that Pakistan had delivered a strong response to India. ADVERTISEMENT Prime Minister Sharif himself had also recently acknowledged that India conducted BrahMos missile strikes on multiple locations, including the Rawalpindi air force Base Nur Khan, situated in Chaklala, Rawalpindi is around 10km from Islamabad, Pakistan capital. It is an active airbase that encompasses the former Benazir Bhutto International Airport within its grounds. ADVERTISEMENT ALSO READ: Pakistan's AWACS destroyed in India's BrahMos strikes, admits ex-Air Marshal: 'missiles kept on coming' The facility, originally established as RAF Station Chaklala and later known as PAF Base Chaklala, continues to serve as a vital military installation in Pakistan. ADVERTISEMENT The base is also home to PAF College Chaklala, which trains Aviation Cadets, and Fazaia Inter College Nur Khan, providing additional educational facilities on the Gul, a defence analyst, claimed that the strategically important Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi is 'under American control.'Pakistan air force base Rafiqui, situated near Shorkot in Jhang District, is a major military installation located 337 kilometers south of Islamabad. The base features a 10,000-foot runway with a parallel taxiway that serves as an emergency landing strip. ADVERTISEMENT The airbase was previously known as PAF Base Shorkot before being renamed after Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui, a fighter pilot from the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. ALSO READ: Operation Sindoor: How BrahMos strikes and precision airstrikes became turning points in the standoff The base's infrastructure includes a primary runway and an emergency taxiway system that allows for aircraft recovery operations when Sindoor was India's swift, calculated tri‑service cross-border assault on the dead night of May 6 and 7, targeting nine terror camps deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the brutal April 22 Pahalgam massacre that claimed 26 innocent 25 minutes, India's Army, Navy and Air Force deployed SCALP cruise missiles, HAMMER smart bombs, loitering munitions and ground-to-ground weaponry, killing around 70 to 100 militants and crippling key Lashkar‑e‑Taiba, JeM and Hizbul Mujahideen infrastructure at Bahalwalpur and Muridke in terrorists thought they were sending a message when they murdered husbands in front of their wives, after selecting victims by their religion. Via the name Operation Sindoor, the government sent an immeasurably bigger message back as India avenged the loss suffered by those vermillion, is a symbol of marriage in Hindu custom. Pakistan's military-intelligence-jihadi complex would have been among the first to note the image put out by Indian Army right after government's confirmation of the strikes - Operation Sindoor in block letters, with the first 'O' represented by a bowl of vermillion. (With TOI inputs) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Disclaimer Statement: This content is authored by a 3rd party. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of its contents nor is responsible for them in any manner whatsoever. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. 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