MONDAY 12 MAY 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00| LC SINCE 1818 X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR CONGRESS PRESSES FOR SPECIAL PARLIAMENT SESSION PUTIN PROPOSES DIRECT TALKS WITH UKRAINE P5 P9 WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. SUSTAINED SURFACE WINDS (SPEED 15-25 KMPH) OCCASIONALLY GUSTING TO 35 KMPH. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 39 AND 26 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 90 % TEMPERATURE Max: 37.8 °C (-1.7) SUN RISES 05:32 hrs MOON RISES 18:57 hrs THUMBNAILS A view of the statue of 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj' at Fort Rajkot in Sindhudurg on Sunday. ANI Warning sirens sounded in Barmer: Warning sirens were sounded yet again in Barmer city Sunday night in apprehension of some drone activity from Pakistan. The district administration re-imposed blackout with advisory to people for keeping the lights in homes switched off and avoiding outdoor venturing without pressing needs. On Saturday night, entire Barmer district remained under strict blackout restrictions as Uttarlai air base, Jalipa Cantt, Pokhran and Jaisalmer in the adjoining district remained the target of Pakistan drones. (P3) Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi gives complete authority to Army commanders for counter action to any violation of the ceasefire by Pakistan hours for the Pak Army to violate these arrangements by cross border and LoC firing followed by drone intrusions across the expanse of the Western Front, through last night and in the early hours of the morning today.” “These violations were responded to robustly and dealt with as they must be. We have earlier today sent across a hotline message I ndia has warned Pakistan of a fierce and punitive action amidst the violation of the ceasefire agreement undertaken by both the countries on Saturday. The warning comes after Pakistan violated the ceasefire agreement within a few hours of its announcement, on Saturday night. Addressing a joint services media briefing in the national capital today, Director General Military Operations (DGMO), Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai said that they were expecting the Pak Army to violate the truce. Revealing the details of the ceasefire negotiated with his counterpart on Saturday afternoon, LtGen. Ghai said as they (Indian armed forces) getting into a huddle to wargame the events of the previous night, he received a message on hotline from Pakistan DGMO Maj Gen Kashif Abdullah, seeking his willingness to communicate. “Since our initial aim was to strike at terror camps and all our actions in the subsequent days were in response to the intrusions and violations by the PAF and Pak Army, it was decided that I would indeed speak with the Pak DGMO,” he said, adding the call was undertaken at 3:35 p.m. The agreement for termination of cross-border firing and air intrusions by either side from 5 p.m, on 10 May, came into effect following the talks in which Trump offers to mediate on Kashmir, says millions could have died in hostilities STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 11 MAY “Your legacy is greatly enhanced by your brave actions. I am proud that the USA was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision,” he said. He said that while not even discussed, he is going to increase trade with the two South Asian countries. “Additionally, I will work with you both to see if, after a ‘thousand years’, a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir. God Bless the lead- ership of India and Pakistan on a job well done!!!” he added. Sources in New Delhi, meanwhile, said there is no question of any discussion with anyone on Kashmir since it is no longer an issue after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. “We are not going to discuss Kashmir even with Pakistan, leave aside any third party,” sources added. Maj-Gen. Abdullah proposed that both the countries cease hostilities. Stating that it was also decided between both the DGMOs to have another round of talks 12 May, in order to discuss the modalities that would enable the longevity of this understanding, Ghai said: “However, disappointingly and should I add expectedly, it took only a couple of AGENCIES JAMMU, 11 MAY STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 11 MAY India lost five soldiers in Operation Sindoor, launched by India to avenge the deaths of 26 tourists in the brutal Pahalgam attack in April. Paying homage to the fallen soldiers, Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai said they express solidarity with the families of the lost soldiers and their sacrifices shall always be remembered and spoken of in glowing terms by a grateful nation. The DGMO said following the strikes across nine terror hubs, more than 100 terrorists were killed, including highvalue targets such as Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf and Muddasir Ahmed, who were involved in the hijacking of IC 814 and the Pulwama blast. Scotching all rumours ÂThose strikes across those nine terror hubs left more than 100 terrorists killed, including high-value targets such as Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf and Mudasir Ahmed, who were involved in the hijack of IC814 and the Pulwama blastÊ the armed forces in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor, Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai said on Sunday. He added that Operation Sindoor was conceptualised with a precise military aim to "punish the perpetrators and planners of the Pahalgam terror attack." "Operation Sindoor was conceptualised with a clear military aim to punish the perpetrators and planners of terror and to destroy their terror infrastructure. What I do not state here is the often stated determination of India and its intolerance to terror," Ghai said in a press conference here. The Indian strikes killed "high-value targets", namely, Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf and Mudasir Ahmed, to the Pak DGMO highlighting their violation of the Understanding between the DGsMO on 10 May and our firm and clear intent to respond to these fiercely and punitively, if repeated tonight or later,” said the DGMO. Clearly outlining that India has put Pakistan “on notice” and made clear that any further provocation will be met with fierce retal- iation, the DGMO said: “We have been compelled to be in this situation and as you have seen, the armed forces of India, we are always prepared to face any eventuality...Whatever has to be done will be done. I am not concerned about what Pakistan will do; I am only concerned about what we will do. We have a roadmap and a plan and we will follow it diligently...” The statement comes after the Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi granted complete authority to the Army commanders for counter action. The decision was taken after a review meeting between the COAS and army commanders, here today. “Consequent to the ceasefire and airspace violations on night of 10-11 May 25, the COAS reviewed the security situation with the Army Commanders of the Western Borders,” the Indian Army spokesperson stated. “The COAS has granted full authority to the Army Commanders for counteraction in the kinetic domain to any violation of the understanding reached vide the DGMO talks of 10 May.” PM holds high-level meet with key officials STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 11 MAY Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday morning held a high-level meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and the chiefs of the three services at his 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence in New Delhi. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan were also present at the meeting. The meeting came a day after a day after India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop military actions. However, Pakistan violated the ceasefire between the two countries at several places last night. India reacted sharply, asking Pakistan to take "appropriate steps" to address these violations and deal with the situation with "seriousness and responsibility". The Prime Minister is understood to have reviewed the situation arising from the violation of the ceasefire by the Pakistani side and given directions to respond to cross-border firing and shelling with full force. India lost 5 personnel, all pilots involved in Op Sindoor safe ‘PM Modi has given free hand to armed forces’: Former J&K DGP SP Vaid on Operation Sindoor Former Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a "free hand" to the armed forces to retaliate against Pakistan's shelling and other misadventures. He said that the Operation Sindoor, launched to combat terrorism, will continue to target terrorists. "Operation Sindoor was started to fight against terrorism. The operation will be continued and we will hit wherever they (terrorists) hide...Operation Sindoor is on and this is a powerful message...A free hand has been given by PM Modi to the armed forces and to retaliate with full force," former DGP Vaid told ANI. More than 100 terrorists, including those involved in the 1999 Indian Airlines flight (IC-814) hijacking, and the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, were eliminated in the precision strikes carried out by P12 Pakistan warned of punitive response to truce violation NEW DELHI, 11 MAY Min: 23.6 °C (-1.8) SUN SETS 19:03 hrs MOON SETS 05:31 hrs Welcoming the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, US President Donald Trump said he is going to increase trade with both nations and see if a solution could be arrived at on Kashmir. “I am very proud of the strong and unwaveringly powerful leadership of India and Pakistan for having the strength, wisdom and fortitude to fully know and understand that it was time to stop the current aggression that could have lead to the death and destruction of so many, and so much,” he wrote on his on his social media platform, Truth Social. PresidentTrumpsaidmillions of good and innocent people could have died in the conflict between India and Pakistan. P6 PARWINDER SANDHU Min. 33 % INDIA EVES CLINCH ODI TRI-SERIES BRIDGE OF HOPE who were involved in the hijacking of IC 814, popularly known as the Kandahar hijack, and the Pulwama attack, where 40 CRPF jawans were killed in 2019. "Those strikes across those nine terror hubs left more than 100 terrorists killed, including high-value targets such as Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf and Mudasir Ahmed, who were involved in the hijack of IC814 and the Pulwama blast," the DGMO added. Ghai also informed that the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy played a "major part" in these strikes. Indian Air Force personnel carry the body of IAF soldier Surendra Kumar, who died during an attack on Udhampur, during his funeral in Mahradasi village in Jhunjhunu on Sunday. n ANI about the capture of Indian Air Force pilots by Pakistan during the air strikes carried out as part of Operation Sindoor, Director General of Air Operations (DGAO) Air Marshal AK Bharti said that all Indian pilots are back home. The DGAO detailed the actions of the IAF carried out since the operation was launched on 7 May. He said that air strikes were conducted at two terror hubs, Mudrike and Bhawalpur. “We have the capability to target every system at these bases and more. However, it was only a measured response to instill good wisdom to our adversary to refrain from further escalation. IAF's response was directed only at military installations, avoiding civilians and collateral damage," he said. Stating that following Pakistan’s massive drone attack on Indian cities, including Srinagar and Naliya, on the night of 8-9 May, a decision was taken to strike where it would hurt the most. “Towards that in a swift, coordinated, calibrated attack, we struck its Air bases, command centres, military infrastructure, air defence systems across the entire Western Front. The bases we struck included Chaklala, Rafiq, Rahim Yar Khan, sending a clear message that aggression will not be tolerated. This was followed by strikes at Sargodha, Bhulari, and Jacobabad," said the DGAO. He added that military installations, surveillance radar sites at Lahore and Gujranwala were also targed. Asked about the casualties inflicted on the other side during the air strikes, Bharti said that the methods adopted had the desired effects, but the primary aim wasn't to inflict casualties. Instead, the focus was on hitting targets accurately, leaving the enemy to assess their losses. Asked about destroying Pakistani fighter jets, the DGAO said they have achieved their objectives of decimating the terrorist camps, and the answer was a thumping Yes and the results are for the whole world to see. “Their planes were prevented from entering inside our border... Definitely, we have downed a few planes... Definitely, there are losses on their side which we have inflicted.” However, he refrained from answering if India too lost a few of its jets. “We are in a combat situation, there will be losses... question should be, have we achieved our objective, to target terror camps... All our pilots are back home.” PM Modi: Pokhran tests landmark event in nation’s growth trajectory STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 11 MAY Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests as a landmark event in the nation’s growth trajectory, especially in its quest towards self-reliance. Extending his greetings on the occasion of National Technology Day, he expressed pride and gratitude to Indian scientists. He also reaffirmed commitment to empowering future generations through science and research. In an X post, the PM wrote: “Best wishes on National Technology Day! This is a day to express pride and gratitude to our scientists and remember the 1998 Pokhran tests. They were a landmark event in our nation’s growth trajectory, especially in our quest towards self-reliance. Powered by our people, India is emerging as a global leader in different aspects of technology, be it space, AI, digital innovation, green technology and more. We reaffirm our commitment to empowering future generations through science and research. May technology uplift humanity, secure our nation and drive futuristic growth.” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also hailed the contributions of Indian scientists, engineers and technicians on the occasion of National Technology Day. In a post on X, he said: “On National Technology Day, India salutes the scientists, engineers and technicians who contribute by developing new technologies for bringing positive change in our lives.” The Defence Minister also recalled India’s Nuclear test in Pokhran in 1998. “We proudly recall the exceptional efforts of our scientists that led to the successful Pokhran tests in 1998. It was a defining moment in India’s history,”he said. The Congress party also extended wishes on the occasion, remembering India’s remarkable journey of technological development. “On National Technology Day, we celebrate India’s remarkable journey of technological advancement. From breakthroughs in science, space, IT, and healthcare to empowering citizens, technology continues to shape India’s growth and aspirations for a brighter future,” the party posted on X.