&w=3840&q=100)
Pak's 7-year itch resurfaces, but is India's deterrence enough this time?
Shekhar Gupta
Listen to This Article
A simple question, a week after the Indian Air Force and Army struck nine terror bases in Pakistan: Why do nations have armies?
Is it to fight wars? Only morons — and some teenagers high on testosterone — would say that. Self-defence? That's for small nations. A great nation arms itself for a higher purpose.
That higher purpose is to prevent wars. The stronger the nation, the stronger the army it needs — not to conquer territory or bully others, but to keep out distractions from its sovereign spaces. In one word: Deterrence.
A question then follows: Have we achieved
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Pakistan, China propaganda fails as this neighbouring country of India is set to deploy biggest Rafale fighter jet fleet; deal is.., it is...
Though China has been making strides in the technological sector, it has always been nervous about India's Rafale jets. In May this year, during a military confrontation with Pakistan, India's Rafales demonstrated superiority over the weapons the Pakistani army used, which were made in China. Despite the presence of Chinese-made air defense systems, the Indian Air Force operated in Pakistani airspace and struck important military targets. Now, with India preparing to field the largest Rafale fleet in the region next to China, China's concerns are only going to increase. Indonesia is poised to formally finalize an expanded defense deal with France, which will see it acquire 24 more Rafale multirole fighter jets. This is expected to change the strategic power balance in Southeast Asia over the next decade. The significance of this deal is further bolstered by the fact that, despite extensive propaganda by China and Pakistan against the Rafale, Indonesia has placed its confidence in the jet, underscoring the aircraft's importance in reference to defense planning in the region. According to defense sources quoted by the French media outlet La Tribune, 'Indonesia is no longer seeking a dozen Rafales, but rather 24 fighter jets manufactured by Dassault Aviation.' Furthermore, it added that the contract might be signed during the Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's visit to Paris. It is reported that the Indonesian President will be France's guest of honor on July 14, on the Bastille Day celebrations. As per Eurasian Times, several other key defence contracts are likely to be signed during the Paris visit. This includes a deal for two Scorpène submarines, up to 36 Caesar self-propelled guns, and light frigates. Indonesia is an important defense partner for France in Southeast Asia. Historically dependent on Russian military equipment, Jakarta has been seeking to diversify its defense suppliers and, in this process, is increasingly looking to France. The defense relationship between Indonesia and France formally began in 2022 when Indonesia signed a contract worth US$8.1 billion to purchase 42 Rafale jets. Subsequently, Jakarta announced plans to buy 13 long-range air surveillance radars from France's Thales in 2023, then purchase two 'Scorpene' submarines from the French state shipbuilder Naval Group in 2024. This was also the start of a new chapter in Indonesia's defense procurement, showing a clear preference for French equipment. Indonesia has not yet received its first Rafale fighter aircraft. Mohamad Tonny Harjono, the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force, said in February that the six aircraft would arrive in Indonesia during the first half of 2026. The contract will be delivered in three phases of acquisition of 6, 18, and 18. If the purchase of 24 more Rafales is completed, Indonesia would become the first foreign customer for the French-made fighter since the May India-Pakistan conflict, during which Pakistan claimed to shoot down five Indian jets with its Chinese-made J-10CE and JF-17 fighters specifically three Rafales. To add nuance to the story, it is also worth noting that while the Indian Air Force (IAF) also acknowledged combat losses to Pakistan in the brief four-day war, it has, however, not published the number of aircraft lost or any information regarding the type of aircraft lost.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Malala Day 2025: History, Significance And Powerful Quotes On Education
Last Updated: Malala Day is celebrated to honour the strength of Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who has been vocal about support for girls' education. Malala Day 2025: In today's world, few figures embody resilience and hope for young people quite like Malala Yousafzai. At an age when most children are focused on play, Malala fearlessly stood up to the Taliban in defence of girls' education. Her extraordinary courage is honoured each year on Malala Day, observed on 12 July. Now a graduate of the University of Oxford and having entered a new chapter in life through marriage, Malala continues to be celebrated globally for her unwavering strength, wisdom, and commitment to justice. Malala Day 2025: History And Significance Malala Day is observed on July 12, marking the birthday of Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate and a global symbol of courage and advocacy for girls' education. The United Nations officially declared this day in 2013 to honour her bravery and to reinforce the message that education is a fundamental right, not a privilege. Malala was born on July 12, 1997, in the Mingora region of Pakistan. In 2012, while returning home from school on a bus, she was shot by the Taliban in an assassination attempt that also injured two of her classmates. The attack was a direct response to her outspoken activism for girls' right to education in a region where the Taliban strongly opposed it. She sustained a gunshot wound to the head and remained unconscious for several days. After initial treatment at the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, she was transferred to the United Kingdom for further medical care and rehabilitation. Rather than being silenced, the attack strengthened Malala's resolve. She continued her global campaign for education and became a powerful voice for millions of girls denied access to schooling. In 2014, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17, becoming the youngest Nobel laureate in history, the second Pakistani, and the first Pashtun to receive the honour. Malala Day 2025: Quotes 'One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world." 'Education is education. We should learn everything and then choose which path to follow. Education is neither Eastern nor Western, it is human." 'They thought that the bullets would silence us, but they failed. And then, out of that silence came thousands of voices." 'The extremists are afraid of books and pens. The power of education frightens them. They are afraid of women." 'I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard." 'Education is the only solution. Education first." view comments First Published: July 12, 2025, 07:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Around 50 Pak terrorists active in Jammu
Around 40 to 50 terrorists, largely Pakistanis, were active in Jammu region and the Army has intensified anti-terror operations to neutralize them at the earliest, said officials familiar with the development. While an unprecedented security grid had been put in place for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, around 50 Pakistani terrorists were active across eight districts of Jammu, said defence sources. (PTI file photo/for representation only) While an unprecedented security grid had been put in place for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, around 50 Pakistani terrorists were active across eight districts of Jammu, said defence sources. They said districts like Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri and Poonch had the presence of Pakistani terrorists. 'They belong to Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Toiba terror outfits. We have intensified anti-terror operations and are not giving them any breather,' they added. Sources also confided that survival of these terrorists in the upper reaches was not possible without local support. On June 7, a terrorist guide was captured along the LoC in Rajouri district. Mohammed Arif Ahmed, of Datote in Nikiyal area of Kotli district in PoK, was captured by troops near forward Hajura post in Gambhir area of Rajouri district. He was leading a group of four Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists into the Indian side when he was overpowered and arrested by alert army troops.
