THURSDAY 15 MAY 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00 | LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR PILOT DEMANDS RE-ADOPTION OF POK RESOLUTION STALIN HINTS AT STRICT VERDICT IN KODANAD HEIST-MURDER CASE P5 SENSEX 81,330.56 p182.34 WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY TOWARDS EVENING. SUSTAINED SURFACE WINDS (SPEED 15-25 KMPH) OCCASIONALLY GUSTING TO 35 KMPH. TOMORROW'S THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 41 AND 24 DEGREE CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. ASHWIN BACKS TRUMP TO GULF LEADERS: BUMRAH FOR TEST IRAN MUST END PROXY SUPPORT FOR NUCLEAR DEAL CAPTAINCY P8 NIFTY 24,666.90 p88.55 ` vs $ 85.46 P9 GOLD `96,685 P12 SILVER `97,900 HC orders FIR against MP min for targeting Colonel Qureshi BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 66.06 BSF soldier, detained by Pakistan Rangers on 23 April, handed over to India NCW strongly condemned the remarks and called on society to show respect & honour to women RAINFALL: 000.0 Mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 73 % Min. 22 % Max: 40.4 °C (+0.9) SUN RISES 05:30 hrs MOON RISES 21:48 hrs Min: 23.3 °C (-2.1) SUN SETS 19:05 hrs MOON SETS 07:51hrs TEMPERATURE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE CHANDIGARH, 14 MAY THUMBNAILS STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE People hold the national flag aloft as they take part in a Tiranga Yatra (tricolour march) following Operation Sindoor in Guwahati on Wednesday. ANI Jaishankar's security cover increased with addition of 2 bullet-resistant vehicles: The Centre has further increased the security cover of EAM S Jaishankar with the addition of two bullet-resistant vehicles to his convoy, official sources said on Wednesday. The move follows a recent review of his 'Z' category protection, undertaken by central intelligence agencies in light of heightened tensions in the region.This enhancement comes in the wake of the recent India-Pakistan military escalation and New Delhi's firm diplomatic response to Islamabad. NEW DELHI, 14 MAY M adhya Pradesh minister and BJP leader Kunwar Vijay Shah was on Wednesday booked for his alleged unsavoury remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who led Operation Sindoor against Pakistan over the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The development came after the High Court directed filing an FIR against the state tribal affairs minister. A nationwide controversy broke out following the Madhya Pradesh tribal affairs minister making distasteful remarks about the army officer. The High Court directed the Director General of Police of the state to initiate action against the BJP leader by Wednesday evening, warning that failure to comply would lead to proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act. During the court hearing, counsel for the minister argued that the order to file an FIR against the minister was based on newspaper reports, to which the court responded that it would now include video links in the official record. Justice Atul Sreedharan underscored urgency of the matter when the counsel sought more time on the issue, saying, “I may not be alive tomorrow”. Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which penalises speeches or actions inciting enmity among different groups on the basis of religion, is prima facie applicable in this case, the MP High Court observed. The BJP leader made the controversial comment on Monday in Indore while addressing an event. He, however, following the widespread condemnation from the opposition political parties and the leaders of his own party, issued an apology on Tuesday, saying his remarks had been misconstrued. “Some people are taking my statement in a different context. I did not mean it that way. She (Col. Qureshi) is my sister and she has avenged the acts of the terrorists,” he said. Shah, in an apparent reference to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, had remarked, “Those who widowed our daughters, we sent a sister of their own to teach them a lesson.” Meanwhile, Congress and the National Commission for Women (NCW) slammed the minister, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge terming the comments “shameful and vulgar.” The NCW strongly condemned the derogatory remarks of the BJP leader, and called on society to show respect and honour to women. “It is extremely unfortunate that such statements are being made by some responsible persons which are derogatory and unacceptable towards women. This not only hurts the dignity of women in our society but is also an insult to the daughters of the nation who are playing an important role in the security of the country,” NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar posted on X. In a significant development following the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, Border Security Force (BSF) Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw was formally handed over by the Pakistan Rangers to Indian authorities at the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar, Punjab, on Wednesday. Constable Shaw had been in the custody of the Pakistan Rangers since April 23, 2025, after he inadvertently crossed the International Border into Pakistani territory while on operational duty in the Ferozepur Sector of Punjab around 11:50 PM. Following his detention, sustained diplomatic and military-level efforts were initiated to secure his safe return. "Today, BSF Jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw, who had been in the custody of Pakistan Rangers since April 23, was repatriated to India at approximately 10:30 AM through the Joint Check Post at Attari, Amritsar. The handover was conducted peacefully and in accordance with established Justice BR Gavai sworn in as CJI Shah lauds security forces PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 14 MAY In a moment steeped in history and symbolism, Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was on Wednesday sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) at a solemn ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The oath of office was administered by President Droupadi Murmu. Justice Gavai’s elevation is momentous — he is the first Buddhist and only the second Dalit to hold the country’s highest judicial office, after Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, who served as CJI from 2007 to 2010. Justice Gavai will hold the office until his retirement on November 23, 2025, giving him a tenure of just over six months — 194 days to be precise. He succeeds Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who demitted office on May 13 after a distinguished career on the bench. Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai hails from a family deeply rooted in Ambedkarite values. His father, R.S. Gavai, was a veteran leader of the Republican Party of India (RPI), a former Lok Sabha MP, and Governor of Bihar, Sikkim, and Kerala. Soon after taking oath, Chief Justice Gavai paid floral tributes at the statues of Govt trashes China’s bid to rename some locations in Arunachal STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 14 MAY India on Wednesday sternly rejected China's latest bid to rename some locations in Arunachal Pradesh, saying such "preposterous" attempts will not alter the "undeniable" reality that the State "was, is, and will" always remain an integral part of India. "We have noticed that China has persisted with its vain and preposterous attempts to name places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to media queries on renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh by China. "Creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India," Mr Jaiswal said, trashing China’s claim. In its latest effort, China has reasserted its territorial claims near its border with India by releasing “standard” names for over a dozen places which are a part of India’s territory. The Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs had published its latest names for places in Arunachal Pradesh, which it calls Zangnan and says is part of the Tibetan autonomous region. The renaming includes 27 places, including mountains, residential areas, mountain passes, rivers, and a lake. India firmly maintains that Arunachal Pradesh is an inalienable part of its sovereign territory and rejects China's claims as illegitimate and without historical or legal basis. Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at the Supreme Court, a gesture echoing his long-standing admiration for the architect of India’s Constitution. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers, leaders of the opposition, sitting and former judges of the Supreme Court, and several dignitaries. Known for his humility, clarity of thought, and commitment to social and economic justice, Chief Justice Gavai has outlined his key priorities: addressing the pendency of cases, bolstering judicial infrastructure, diversifying appointments, and safeguarding institutional credibility. In a recent interview, he made clear that he would not accept any post-retirement position from the government, reaffirming his commitment to judicial independence. On the eve of his oath, Justice Gavai set out a grounded yet resolute vision for his term, stressing transparency in judicial appointments, access to justice, and constitutional accountability. Describing case pendency as the “foremost challenge”, he acknowledged that while High Court infrastructure is largely adequate, subordinate courts still face significant gaps. Against the backdrop of the Justice Yashwant Varma cash recovery episode, Justice Gavai struck a firm note on judicial integrity. “People come to courts as a last resort. Any breach of integrity hits credibility. Even one black sheep is too many in the judiciary, though we are speaking of a negligible number.” for eliminating 31 Maoists STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 14 MAY Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday announced that 31 Maoists were killed during a 21-day anti-Naxal operation along the Chhattisgarh–Telangana border. Describing the development as a “historic success” in the mission for a NaxalFree Bharat, Shah praised the security forces for their achievement. “The hill, once ruled by red terror, now proudly waves the Tricolour. Kurraguttalu Hill was the Unified Headquarters of major Naxal organizations like PLGA Battalion 1, DKSZC, TSC, and CRC, where Naxal training, strategy, and weapons were devel- oped,” the Home Minister said in a post on X. In this largest anti-Maoist operation to date, security forces seized large quantities of ammunition, detonators, and explosive devices, along with huge stocks of medicines and electrical equipment. They also unearthed four factories producing weapons, motors, and cutters. Shah underlined the central government’s resolve to eradicate Maoism by March next year. “This largest operation was completed by our security forces in just 21 days... and I am immensely delighted that there was not a single casualty among our forces,” he said. He also congratulated the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Chhattisgarh Police’s Special Task Force, and the District Reserve Guard for their role in the operation. CRPF Director General GP Singh said the operation marks “the beginning of the end for Maoism.” He stated that the 31 Maoists killed carried a combined bounty of 1.72 crore. Of the 31, the bodies of 28 have been identified so far. Operation Sindoor: India’s 23-minute precision strike redefines modern warfare PARWINDER SANDHU NEW DELHI, 14 MAY From being launched in the dead of the night to avenge the killings of 26 innocent tourists brutally shot dead by Pakistan sponsored terrorists, to become the ‘new normal of India’, Operation Sindoor has shown the country’s flex in terms of its air defence capabilities. Bypassing and jamming Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defence systems, the Indian Air Force completed the mission in barely 23 minutes, before returning safely to its base. India's offensive strikes targeted key Pakistani airbases- Noor Khan and Rahimyar Khan with surgical precision. Loitering munitions were used to devastating effect, each finding and destroying high-value targets, including enemy radar and missile systems. On the intervening night of May 6-7 Indian defence forces targeted nine terror breeding hubs, located in both Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Hours after that, Pakistan, while siding with terror, retaliated by targeting India’s military and civilian infrastructure in a series of attacks, both on land and in the air. Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military targets in Northern and Western India including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj, using drones and missiles. ‘ However, the attempts were rendered futile by the Integrated Counter UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) Grid and Air Defence systems, which stood the test of time by detecting, tracking, and neutralising threats using a network of radars, control centres, artillery, and both aircraft- and ground-based missiles. India, answered back by targeted the Air Defence Radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan, including Lahore where an Air Defence system was neutralised Operation Sindoor saw battle-proven AD (Air Defence) systems like the Pechora, OSAAK and LLAD guns (Low-level air defence guns), and indigenous systems such as the Akash, which demonstrated stellar performance, in action. Akash, a Short Range Surface to Air Missile system to protect vulnerable areas and vulnerable points from air attacks, simultaneously engaged Multiple Targets in Group Mode or Autonomous Mode. Combining assets from the Army, Navy, and primarily the Air Force, India’s air defence systems performed with exceptional synergy, creating an impenetrable wall, foiling mul- tiple attempts by Pakistan to retaliate. The Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) of the Indian Air Force brought all these elements together, providing the netcentric operational capability vital for modern warfare. Operation Sindoor also produced concrete evidence of hostiletechnologiesneutralized by Indian systems including pieces of PL-15 missiles (of Chinese origin), Turkish-origin UAVs, named "Yiha" or "YEEHAW", and long-range rockets, quadcopters and commercial drones. Further, the ISRO too contributedlargelytotheOperation. Followingtheceasefirebetween the two countries, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan mentioned that at least 10 satellites are continuously working roundthe-clockforthestrategicpurpose to ensure the safety and security of the citizens of the country. protocols," the BSF said in an official statement. Constable Shaw hails from the Hooghly district in West Bengal. He is reportedly in good health and will undergo routine debriefing and medical examination as per BSF procedures before rejoining his unit. Bengal CM Mamata heaves a sigh of relief: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday heaved a sigh of relief after India’s Border Security Force Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw was repatriated by the Pakistan government. "I am happy to receive the information that our Purnam Kumar Shaw, the BSF jawan, has been released. I had all along been in touch with his family and spoke thrice with his wife here at Rishra, Hugli, " Ms Banerjee said in a statement shared on her WhatsApp channel. "Today also I called her. All the very best wishes for my brother-like jawan, his entire family including his wife Rajni Shaw, " the CM said. Government successfully tests ‘Bhargavastra’ counter-drone system STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 14 MAY The Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) on Wednesday conducted a successful trial of a Counter Drone System in Hard Kill mode – Bhargavastra. The new lowcost counter-drone system can effectively destroy the enemy’s drone swarms. During the trials, the micro rockets used in this counterdrone system underwent rigorous testing at the Seaward Firing Range, Gopalpur, achieving all designated objectives, the SDAL said in a statement. “Three trials were conducted for the rocket at Gopalpur on 13th May 2025 in the presence of senior officials of the Indian Army. Two trials were conducted by firing one rocket each. One trial was conducted by firing two rockets in salvo mode within 2 seconds. All four rockets performed as expected and achieved the required launch parameters, underscoring its pioneering technology in mitigating large-scale drone attacks,” the statement read. The trial of the counterdrone system comes days after India and Pakistan came on the brink of an all-out war. During the standoff, Pakistan launched a massive drone attack on India. However, the attack was effectively neutralised by India’s strong air defences. In return, India is also believed to have used several drones, destroying a number of Pakistani military establishments. In modern warfare, drones are an effective and low-cost weapon against the enemy. Drones are highly effective in conducting successful reconnaissance missions and military strikes.