TUESDAY 06 MAY 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR P8 SENSEX 80,796.84 p294.85 WEATHER GENERALLY CLOUDY SKY. LIGHT RAIN ACCOMPANIED WITH THUNDERSTORM/ LIGHTNING AND STRONG SURFACE WINDS. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 32 AND 23 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil P2 NIFTY 24,461.15 p114.45 TEMPERATURE GOLD `98,195 MHA asks several states to conduct mock drills for effective civil defence Pak test-fires another missile as part of INDUS exercise THUMBNAILS STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 MAY A Rahul Gandhi attends PM Modi-chaired panel to appoint next CBI chief: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and the Chief Justice of India on Monday attended a meeting of a three-member committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to decide on the appointment of the next CBI director. The CBI director's appointment is done by the Centre on the recommendation of a three-member appointment panel, which is headed by the Prime Minister and comprises the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. mid escalating tensions with Pakistan over Pahalgam terror attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Home Secretary Govind Mohan. Earlier in the day Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh also met the Prime Minister. The meetings assumes significance as it comes close on the heels of the meetings the Prime Minister held with Indian Air Force Chief Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh on Sunday and with Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on Saturday. The series of meetings are considered crucial as they took place amid conjectures as to what strategy India was planning as a counter offensive in the backdrop of India’s national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism. It learnt that during his meeting with the Defence Secretary, the Prime Minister was also briefed about the developments on the LoC where Pakistan has been resort- ing to unprovoked firing across the line for the 11th consecutive night. Reports said that on the adjoining night of May 4 and May 5, small arms firing was directed from posts in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajauri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army responded to the firing promptly. On Saturday the Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi had also briefed the Prime Minister about the overall situation in the critical sea lanes in the Arabian Sea. PM Modi had last fortnight also had a meeting with the chief of all three armed forces, when he assured that the Indian armed forces have his full confidence and “complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing” of India’s response to the terror attack at Pahalgam that left 26 people dead. The meetings with heads of armed forces are also considered crucial in the wake of Pakistan's test of a surface-to-surface ballistic missile, known as the Abdali Weapon System, with a range of 450 km. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 MAY Pakistan on Monday test-fired another short-range missile of Fatah Series amid heightened tensions with India following the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed at least 25 Indians and a Nepali national. In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistan said the missile launch was part of Pakistani military’s exercise INDUS and aimed at “ensuring the operational readiness of troops” amid fears of a military action by India. “The launch was aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters, including the missile’s advanced navigation system and enhanced accuracy,” the ISPR statement read. This was the second missile test in less than 48 hours as Pakistan is apprehensive of an Indian military response after Islamabad-backed terrorists attacked tourists in Pahalgam. Earlier on Saturday, Pakistan had conducted a successful test of its Abdali Weapon System, a surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of 450km. While India has not officially commented on Pakistan’s missile tests, government sources had said that New Delhi perceived them as “reckless act of provocation”. After the Pahalgam attack, India had squarely blamed Pakistan for backing the terrorists who led the carnage on innocent tourists. After the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had vowed to punish the terrorists, their backers and planners. The PM also gave “complete operational freedom” to the armed forces as they prepared their response to the attack. In related developments, the chiefs of the Indian Air Force and Navy have met the prime minister in the last 48 hours as pressure mounts on the government to act decisively against Pakistan. Earlier, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh also met Modi. The series of meetings holds significance as they occur at a time when the government is believed to have been planning a non-diplomatic response to the Pahalgam attack. PARWINDER SANDHU NEW DELHI, 5 MAY Amidst the ongoing heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an advisory to multiple states for undertaking mock drills on May 7. The drills, which will include operationalization of air raid warning sirens and blackouts, are being undertaken to prepare the general public in event of a hostile attack. As per the reports, the key aspects of the mock drills will include, training of civilians, students, crash blackout measures, provision for early camouflaging of vital installations and updating of the evacuation plan and its rehearsal, and operationalization of Air Raid Warning Sirens. This comes a day after a 30-minute blackout drill was conducted in the Ferozepur army cantonment by the authorities. Speaking to the media, Gurjant Singh, Putin speaks to PM Modi, reiterates perpetrators of Pahalgam terror attack should be brought to justice Japan assures full support to India in fight against terrorism in defence meeting STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 MAY Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack, the Ministry of External Affairs said. Condoling the deaths of the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, Putin stressed that the perpetrators of the "heinous" Pahalgam terror attack should be brought to justice, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. "Putin condoled the deaths of the April 22 Pahalgam massacre and expressed full support to India in its fight against terrorism," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. He said that the Russian President has expressed full support to India in the fight against terrorism. "Both leaders reiterated their commitment to further deepen India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. PM Modi conveyed greetings to President Putin on the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day and invited him for the Annual Summit to be held in India Cash at judge’s residence: SC ‘in-house’ panel submits probe report to CJI AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 5 MAY The Supreme Court-appointed enquiry panel formed to probe into cash discovery allegations against Justice Yashwant Verma has submitted its report to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna. Then Delhi HC judge, Justice Varma, is embroiled in a controversy surrounding the alleged discovery of a huge pile of burnt cash in the storeroom attached to his bungalow in Delhi after the fire brigade had gone there to douse a blaze on March 14. "The three-member Committee consisting of Mr Justice BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 60.52 Earlier in the day Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh also met the Prime Minister Min: 23.2 °C (-1.5) SUN SETS 19:00 hrs MOON SETS 02:37 hrs INS Sharda arrives at Maafilaafushi Atoll, Maldives, for a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise planned from 4 to 10 May, on Monday. nANI (SEE PAGE 3) P12 SILVER `97,000 Amid escalating tension, PM meets NSA, Home Secy Min. 47 % Max: 32.3 °C (-7.0) SUN RISES 05:36 hrs MOON RISES 13:36 hrs P9 ` vs $ 84.26 RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 70 % TITANS FACE TOUGH BATTLE AGAINST IN-FORM MUMBAI ‘IRAN’S TOP DIPLOMAT IN PAKISTAN TO MEDIATE KASHMIR TENSIONS' ‘OPPOSITION SPREADING CONFUSION OVER WAQF AWARENESS CAMPAIGN’ ‘WE DON’T WANT NEP BASED ON SANSKRIT UPHOLDING VARNASHRAMA’ later in the year," Jaiswal added. Monday's call between the two leaders took place before the Russian President hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping, who will be on an official visit to the Russian Federation from May 7-10 and take part in the ceremonial events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. PM Modi, who had also been invited by Putin for participation in the Victory Day ceremonial celebrations dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, will, however, not be travelling to Russia. Mr Putin is the latest leader to speak to Modi after the attacks. Earlier, US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have extended full support to India in its fight against terrorism. The Russian President had even earlier condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, calling it a "brutal crime,” and also extended Russia's support in fighting against terrorism with India. NEW DELHI, 5 MAY In a key meeting held today, Japan has assured India of full support in its fight against terrorism. During a bilateral meeting held between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart, General Nakatani, the latter expressed solidarity with India over the Pahalgam attack and extended Japan's full support. On April 22, 26 tourists were gunned down in the picturesque Baisaran valley in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba had claimed responsibility for the attack. It came into existence in October 2019, months after the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir and Cyber offensive hits Indian military websites; Pak-based hackers claim access to sensitive data PARWINDER SANDHU Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, Mr Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh. and Ms Justice Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka, constituted for conducting an inquiry into the allegations against Mr Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting Judge, has submitted its report dated 03.05.2025 to the Chief Justice of India on 04.05.2025," said a press released issued by the apex court on Monday. Justice Varma’s transfer from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad HC, amid an in-house probe, was cleared by the Union government on March 28. abrogation of Article 370. As per the Ministry of Home Affairs TRF is a front of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and has been banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in 2023. In a tweet, Singh posted on X, stating, "It was a delight to meet Japan's Defence Minister Gen Nakatani San in New Delhi. India shares a Special Strategic and Global Partnership with Japan. Dur- ing the bilateral meeting, we discussed Defence cooperation and regional security." "Both sides condemned terrorism in all forms and emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration and joint efforts to counter crossborder threats. Nakatani San expressed solidarity with India in the wake of the Pahalgam attack and offered full support to India," the post read. Condemning Pakistan’s state policy of cross-border terrorism against India, Singh said that it was perpetrated through state and non-state actors. “Such attacks destabilise regional peace and security. Shri Rajnath Singh called for a unified stand against terrorism and the state-sponsored actions that perpetuate it,” he said. NEW DELHI, 5 MAY Days after websites of multiple educational institutions under the Army Welfare Education Society were targeted in a series of cyber offensives, reports about other Indian defence websites being hacked and sensitive details being leaked have surfaced. According to the sources, a Twitter account "Pakistan Cyber Force" has claimed that the group has allegedly gained access to sensitive data from the Indian Military Engineering Service and Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis. “This claim suggests that the attackers may have compromised personnel informa- tion related to defense persons including the login credentials. In addition to this data breach, it has also been reported that the group also attempted to deface the official website of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited, a PSU company under MoD. The website has been defaced by using the Pakistan flag and Al Khalid tank,” revealed the source. As a precautionary measure, the website of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited has been taken offline for a thorough and deliberate audit, in order to assess the extent of any potential damage caused by the defacement attempt and to ensure the integrity of the website. Furthermore, cybersecurity experts and agencies are actively monitoring cyberspace to detect any additional cyber- attacks, particularly those that may be sponsored by threat actors linked to Pakistan. In response to the situation, appropriate and necessary measures are being taken to bolster the security infrastructure, strengthen digital defenses, and safeguard against further intrusion attempts, the source added. These efforts are focused on enhancing the overall resilience of online platforms and ensuring that forces are better prepared to defend against future cyber threats. Earlier, Pakistan sponsored hacker groups “Cyber Group HOAX1337” and “National Cyber Crew” had targeted the websites of Army Public School Nagrota and Sunjuwan and defaced with messages mocking the victims of the recent Pahal- gam terror attack. In another incident, a website catering to ex-servicemen’s healthcare services was defaced signaling Pakistan’s growing frustration. Earlier, the websites of the Army Institute of Hotel Management and Indian Air Force veterans’ were also hacked. “There have been repeated attempts made by hackers operating from Pakistan to attack websites having linkages to children, old age veterans and other innocent people. Resorting to attacking veterans and families’ platforms reflects another low by Pakistan and their continuous attempt of unethical ways of operating,” the source said adding “It appears that Pakistan is testing India’s restraint and patience.” SHO, Ferozepur Cantt Police Station, stated that the rehearsal was conducted on the guidelines of the Cantonment Board/Station Commander. "The blackout was from 9 pm to 9:30 pm. As per the orders of the senior officers, lights were fully switched off. If any vehicle was found with its light turned on, it was turned off...Police are fully alert. Deployment has been made at all intersections," he said. Earlier, in a statement issued by the Army spokesperson, it was stated that during a security review on 29 April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted the Chief of Defence Staff and the three Service Chiefs full freedom to select the time, target and method of retribution. “The perpetrators will not be spared by the Indian forces. The Indian Army is prepared for decisive actions, yet has scrupulously avoided hasty cross-Line-of-Control forays,” the statement read. Cong compares Rahul’s politics to that of Mahatma Gandhi, BJP calls it ‘drama’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 MAY A political firestorm has been ignited with Rahul Gandhi owning up the Congress’ mistakes made in the past, even as the BJP accused the grand old party of staging a "drama" and doing nothing against its leaders allegedly involved in the anti-Sikh 1984 riots. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, while answering a question of a Sikh person during a public interaction in the US, said, "A lot of those things happened when I was not there, but I am more than happy to take responsibility for everything the Congress party has ever done wrong in its history. I have publicly stated that what happened in the 80s was wrong. I have been to the Golden Temple multiple times; I have extremely good relationships with the Sikh community in India." The statement prompted the Congress and the INDIA bloc political parties rallying behindtheLoP."RahulGandhi's politics is truly like Mahatma Gandhi's. One needs a big heart to accept mistakes. During the UPA tenure, Dr Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi admitted the wrongs done to Sikhs. That statement changed the atmosphere in Punjab, and the Congress came to power,” a news agency quoted senior Congress leader Husain Dalwai as saying. "Many mistakes are made while running a government, but one needs to have a big heart to accept and correct them. We are not like the BJP, which says that they do not make any mistakes. Politics doesn't work like this. It is important to be generous in politics," the Congress leader said.