As Ramadan comes to an end, Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations kick in across the country. Muslims across the country gathered at religious places to offer Eid prayers. An air of festivity and celebration was palpable at Delhi’s iconic Jama Masjid on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Devotees filled the Jama Masjid in bright attires on April 11 to offer prayers on Eid. In Mumbai, devotees gathered at Mahim Masjid to offer ‘namaz’ on Eid-ul-Fitr. Devotees in MP’s Bhopal offered Eid prayers at Eidgah with family and friends. Eidgah in Assam’s Guwahati witnessed a large number of devotees on the occasion of revered Eid. Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The festival is of great significance due to the moon sighting which has been part of Islamic culture for a long time. It is believed that Prophet Muhammad used to wait for news of sightings of the crescent moon as it indicated the beginning of a new month.
11 April,2024 11:14 AM IST
UK-based daily newspaper, The Guardian claimed, “Indian Govt ordered targeted killings in Pakistan”. However, the Ministry of External Affairs has vehemently rejected the claims made by The Guardian in its report. Denying the allegations, Ministry of External Affairs called it a “false and malicious anti-India propaganda”. After The Guardian’s reports, PM Modi’s 2019 Lok Sabha Election speech doing rounds on social media. On Mar 04, 2019, PM Modi slammed Pakistan for its continuous cross-border terrorism and said, “Hum Ghar me Gush ke Marenge”. Defence Expert KP Fabian has rejected The Guardian’s report and echoed MEA’s statement. However, he said that The Guardian’s report will benefit the ruling BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections.
06 April,2024 06:33 PM IST
During a public rally in Rajasthan's Churu on April 4th, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revisited the memory of the 'Balakot airstrike' before reciting his renowned poem "Saugandh mujhe is mitti ki, main desh nahi mitne dunga." He reminisced about being in Churu at the time of the airstrike on February 26th. “When I came to Churu on 26th February 2019, at that time the country had carried out an air strike in Balakot. We had taught a lesson to the terrorists. At that time I had said I would not let Mother India bow down...When our army carried out surgical strikes and air strikes, Congress and the people of this 'Ghamandia' alliance were asking for proof. Dividing the country and insulting our army is the identity of the Congress Party”, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
05 April,2024 07:09 PM IST
Former Pakistani diplomat Husain Haqqani has given advice to Pak government to improve relations with India. In a post on X, Haqqani wrote about the attacks that had been carried out against India. He addressed the people complaining about India’s hardening attitude towards Pakistan. Haqqani reminded them of Kargil War, Kashmir insurgency, attack on Indian Parliament, and horrors of 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Former Pak Ambassador to US, Husain advised Pakistan to ‘accept’ the results to make dialogue honest with India. “Some in Pakistan are complaining about hardening Indian attitudes towards Pakistan. It is result of Kashmir insurgency (1989-2019), Kargil (1999), Parliament attack (2001), Mumbai terror attack (2008), & much more. Accepting that might make dialogue honest & easier,” Husain Haqqani wrote in a post on X. Both the nuclear-armed countries have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947. On several instances, like Mumbai attacks, 2001 Parliament attack, the ties between the two nations have worsened. Also, the Kashmir conflict and Pakistan’s continuous terror-sponsoring have fueled enmity between the countries.
30 March,2024 06:01 PM IST
The Indian Navy saved 23 Pakistani nationals from Somali pirates during a 12-hour-long operation in the Arabian Sea. The rescue unfolded in the early hours of March 29 when INS Sumedha intercepted the hijacked vessel FV Al-Kambar. INS Sumedha was soon joined by the guided missile frigate INS Trishul to bolster the operation. Indian naval forces initiated negotiations with the pirates, compelling them to surrender without bloodshed. Following the apprehension of pirates, the navy personnel thoroughly carried out the sanitisation of the vessel. The Iranian vessel was approximately 90 Nm south-west of Socotra and was reported to have been boarded by nine armed pirates. Notably, the Indian Navy has carried out several high-octane operations against piracy attacks lately. Also, this is not the first time that Indian Navy has come forward to rescue Pakistan nationals. In January this year, 19 Pakistanis were rescued from Iranian-flagged fishing vessel, Al Naeemi which was attacked by pirates. Also, earlier this month, Indian Navy intercepted the under-attack ship Ruen and 35 Somali pirates were made to surrender.
30 March,2024 11:07 AM IST
Pakistan Embassy recently hosted an Iftar party. Congress veteran Mani Shankar Aiyar attended Iftar party hosted by Pakistan Embassy on March 28. As he walked out of the embassy, Mani Shankar Aiyar refused to comment on the Pakistan Embassy Iftar Party. In February, Congress leader sparked controversy by calling Pakistani people "biggest asset of India"
29 March,2024 01:17 PM IST
5 Chinese nationals among 6 killed in suicide bomb attack in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on March 26. An explosive-packed vehicle rammed into the bus carrying the Chinese nationals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Amjad Ayub Mirza, a political activist from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) lashed out at Pak Govt. POK Activist said, “The attack signifies that the Pakistani Army is losing control in the region”. Pakistan Govt issued a statement following few hours after the attack calling it a ‘heinous act’.
28 March,2024 04:28 PM IST
Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari addressed Aerospace Power in Future Conflicts at 15th Jumbo Majumdar International Seminar in Delhi on March 27. Speaking on Balakot-operations Air, Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari said that given political will, aerospace power can be effectively carried out beyond enemy lines. At the 15th Jumbo Majumdar International Seminar, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari said, “Balakot-like operations have shown that given the political will, aerospace power can be effectively carried out beyond enemy lines, in a no-war, no-peace scenario... Ongoing conflicts across the globe have brought out significant lessons for nations in general and air power in particular..."
27 March,2024 03:29 PM IST
In 2019, HM Amit Shah moved a resolution revoking Article 370 from J&K in Rajya Sabha on August 05. The resolution was passed and PM Modi-led Centre scrapped Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. It also brought an end to the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. Even after 5 years, the abrogation of Article 370 still haunts Pakistan, one of the biggest setbacks internationally. Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called abrogation of Article 370 a “very painful, extreme step”. Notably, the strained ties between India and its neighbours has hit Pakistan’s trade severely. Reeling under economic crisis, Ishaq Dar called for “seriously examine” of trade with India. On the other side, Modi govt’s strategy of prioritising development has begun showing results in J&K. In the path of development, the state has witnessed the expenditure of the highest-ever funds in the financial year 2022-23. To attract investment, Centre, UT admin focused on reforms such as ease of doing business, land and capital provisions.
25 March,2024 04:08 PM IST
Indian Navy’s warship INS Kolkata brought 35 captured Somali pirates to India on March 23. All 35 Somalian pirates were handed over to Mumbai Police after due formalities of Customs and Immigration. After being handed to Mumbai Police, the pirates were taken to JJ Hospital for medical examination. The pirates were captured by the Indian Navy in an Anti-Piracy operation on March 16 from the Arabian Sea. As part of the Indian Navy’s anti-maritime security operations, INS Kolkata intercepted the hijacked vessel, ex-MV Ruen. The navy intercepted ex-MV Ruen, which was reported to have sailed out as a pirate ship on high seas. After over 40 hours of operation, Indian Navy coerced all 35 Pirates to surrender and ensured safe evacuation of 17 crew members. The Navy shared a video of its encounter with Somali pirates who were using a hijacked merchant vessel. The pirates onboard the vessel were called upon to surrender and release the vessel.
23 March,2024 05:32 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
