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India Gazette
09-07-2025
- General
- India Gazette
"Deeply pained": Rajnath Singh mourns loss of two pilots in IAF Jaguar fighter jet crash in Rajasthan
ANI 09 Jul 2025, 23:38 GMT+10 New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday expressed sorrow over the death of two pilots who were onboard the Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter aircraft that crashed near the Churu district in Rajasthan. In a post on X, Singh said that their service to the nation will always be remembered. 'Deeply pained by the loss of two Air Warriors due to an accident of IAF's Jaguar trainer aircraft near Churu in Rajasthan. Their service to the nation will always be remembered. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness,' the Defence Minister said. Earlier today, a twin-seater trainer version of the Jaguar fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed on Wednesday near Churu district of Rajasthan, resulting in the death of two pilots onboard. The Indian Air Force posted on its official handle on X about the casualties in the accident. IAF further said that no damage has been caused to any civil property, and a court of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident. 'An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission and crashed near Churu in Rajasthan today. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries in the accident. No damage to any civil property has been reported. IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief. A court of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident,' the Indian Air Force posted. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma also expressed condolences on the loss of lives in the incident. 'Received the tragic news of an Indian Air Force aircraft crashing in the Ratangarh area of Churu district. Immediately after the incident, the administration is on alert mode, and instructions have been given to officials for relief and rescue operations. May God grant the departed souls a place at His divine feet and give the grieving families the strength to bear this immense sorrow. Om Shanti!' he posted on X. The aircraft had taken off from Suratgarh air base with two pilots onboard. (ANI)


The Hindu
21-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Armed Forces in Hyderabad and Secunderabad mark International Yoga Day
Units of the Indian Armed Forces across Hyderabad and Secunderabad came together on Saturday to mark International Day of Yoga with large-scale participation from officers, personnel, families, and civilians. At the College of Defence Management (CDM), Secunderabad, more than 300 participants, including officers, their families, and representatives from friendly foreign nations gathered for a yoga session held amidst the campus's tranquil greenery. At Air Force Academy, Dundigal, over 600 Indian Air Force personnel and their families assembled to celebrate the day. Air Marshal PK Vohra, Commandant, AFA, joined the session alongside other senior officials. The event featured a series of yoga practices including basic Kriyas, Asanas, Pranayama, and concluded with Sankalp. Similarly, at the College of Air Warfare, Begumpet, more than 128 Air Warriors and their family members took part in yoga sessions under the leadership of Air Vice Marshal PS Wadodkar. The 212 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) also marked the occasion with a yoga event attended by around 150 participants, including CRPF personnel, civilians, and school children. The session was led by the battalion's commandant Deepak Kumar Srivastava, along with senior officers Dinesh Kumar (Second-in-Command) and Gaurav Sharma (Deputy Commandant).


India.com
16-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
PoK Next After Operation Sindoor? Defence Minister Rajnath Singhs BIG Hint
'Operation Sindoor is not over yet' - This is the line of the Government of India and its armed forces. They are calling the truce a strategic halt, while Pakistan is celebrating the ceasefire as their own victory. Now, the Pakistani minister has claimed that the ceasefire is valid up to May 18. After just four days of calibrated military action, it is objectively conclusive: India achieved a massive victory. Operation Sindoor met and exceeded its strategic aims—destroying terrorist infrastructure, demonstrating military superiority, restoring deterrence, and unveiling a new national security doctrine. As India has not declared Operation Sindoor completely over yet, and people as well as political parties in India are urging the government to go for Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, is there any surprise to come? "What exists now is a sensitive halt in operations—some may call it a ceasefire, but military leaders have deliberately avoided that word. From a warfighting perspective, this is not merely a pause; it is a strategic hold following a rare and unambiguous military victory," said John Spencer, Executive Director of the Urban Warfare Institute. Now, take a look at Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's statement. "I would like to make one more thing clear. 'Operation Sindoor' is not over yet. Whatever happened was just a trailer. When the right time comes, we will show the full picture," said Singh while addressing the Air Warriors at the Air Force Station in Bhuj. It's a well-known fact that the Pakistani Army and Navy are no match for India. The only competition was between the air forces of both nations. But after Operation Sindoor, India has shown that it has an upper hand against the Pakistan Air Force, and the Indian Armed Forces can hit wherever they want. India showed that it can cripple Pakistani Air Force while carrying out precision hitting at will. Defence Minister Singh further said that it is not a small matter that our Air Force has access to every corner of Pakistan. "Today, India's fighter planes are capable of striking every corner of Pakistan without crossing the border. The whole world has seen how you destroyed nine terrorist hideouts on Pakistani soil; in the subsequent action, many of their airbases were destroyed," said Singh. The Defence Minister further added both - India's war policy and technology have changed. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India won't tolerate any nuclear blackmail. The Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir has long been an agenda of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Its leaders, like Yogi Adityanath, have repeatedly raised the issue. Now, more subtle hints are pouring from the Central government. Is it time to expect some big actions? The world remains glued to the unfolding events.


India Gazette
16-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Testament to resilience, spirit of Gujarat": Rajnath Singh on Smritivan Earthquake Memorial in Bhuj
Kachchh (Gujarat) [India], May 16 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial and Museum in Bhuj on Friday and said that the infrastructure pays a homage to the victims of the devastating 2001 Gujarat earthquake and stands as a testament to the resilience and the indomitable spirit of the people of the state. The Defence Minister also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and inspiration for the memorial and museum and expressed gratitude to him. Speaking to ANI, Rajnath Singh said, 'I had the opportunity to visit the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial and Museum for the first time, and whatever I saw here was awe-inspiring and a very memorable experience for me. This museum is not only the pride of the country but also the world. This memorial, built in memory of the people who lost their lives in the 2001 quake in Gujarat, stands as a symbol of the resilience and the spirit of the state.' 'The museum, which has also found a place on the UNESCO list, reflects the vision and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We all know that PM Modi's vision and inspiration are clearly visible in this museum. I thank him for his inspiration for building it,' said Singh. Calling Smritivan a source of national pride, the Defence Minister appealed to all visitors coming to Gujarat to make time to visit the memorial and pay homage to those who were killed in the earthquake. 'I request all my countrymen that whenever they come to Gujarat, they must visit this memorial and pay tribute to the approximately 13,000 people,' said Singh. In 2001, a massive earthquake jolted Bhuj in Gujarat's Kutch district, in which more than 20,000 people were killed and over 1.5 lakh people were injured. The earthquake left thousands homeless. The intraplate earthquake measured 7.6 on the moment magnitude scale and occurred at a depth of 17.4 km. Earlier in the day, Rajnath Singh arrived in Gujarat's Bhuj and interacted with Air Warriors at Bhuj Air Force Station. He was accompanied by Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh. This comes a day after he concluded his visit to the Badami Bagh Cantt in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, where he met and interacted with Indian Army soldiers. Highlighting the Indian Air Force's (IAF) bravery during Operation Sindoor, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted on Friday that the operation was not over yet and that whatever happened was just a 'trailer.' Addressing Air Warriors at Bhuj Air Force Station, Singh said, 'We have kept Pakistan on probation. If its behaviour improves, then okay, otherwise, it will be given the strictest punishment. Operation Sindoor is not over yet. Whatever happened was just a trailer. When the right time comes, we will show the full picture to the world.' The Defence Minister paid homage to those who lost their lives during Operation Sindoor and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured ones. 'Bhuj was witness to our victory against Pakistan in 1965 and 1971. Today, again, it has been a witness to our victory against Pakistan. I feel proud to be present here,' Singh said. Praising the IAF for their execution during Operation Sindoor, he said, 'Whatever you did during Operation Sindoor has made all Indians proud, whether they are in India or abroad. Just 23 minutes were enough for the Indian Air Force to crush terrorism being nurtured in Pakistan.' Rajnath Singh on Friday appealed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reconsider funding to Pakistan and said Islamabad will use a large portion of these funds on terror infrastructure in its country. He said the fight against terrorism is not just a matter of security, but it is now also a part of the National Defence Doctrine. Rajnath Singh said, 'India's fight against terrorism is not just a matter of security, it has now become a part of the national defence doctrine, and we will root out this hybrid and proxy warfare.' He asserted that the current ceasefire means that India has kept Pakistan on probation based on its behaviour. If the behaviour improves, it is fine; but if there is any disturbance, the harshest punishment will be given, he said. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and other senior IAF officials were present on the occasion. (ANI)


India Gazette
13-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Hum ghar mein ghus kar maarenge aur bachne ka ek mauka tak nahi denge": PM Modi
Jalandhar (Punjab) [India], May 13 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reiterated India's firm stance on terrorism, emphasising that the country will not tolerate any form of terrorism and will take decisive action against terrorists. Speaking at the Adampur Air Base, PM Modi said, 'Hum ghar mein ghus kar maarenge aur bachne ka ek mauka tak nahi denge' (We will beat you inside your house, will not give you a chance to escape). PM Modi travelled to Adampur Air Base in Jalandhar today and interacted with Air Warriors, days after the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan. Praising the Indian Armed Forces on the astounding success of the Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Modi asserted that Indian defence forces have defeated the Pakistani army on which these terrorists were relying for their safety. 'The Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy have defeated the Pakistani Army, on which these terrorists were relying. There is no such place in Pakistan where terrorists can sit and breathe in peace,' the PM said. Stating that India's policy against terrorism is 'crystal clear', the Prime Minister stated that Operation Sindoor is India's new normal and India will give a solid reply. 'India's 'Laxman Rekha' against terrorism is crystal clear now. If another terror attack occurs now, India will give a reply - a solid reply. We saw this during surgical strike, during air strike. Now, Operation Sindoor is India's new normal,' he said. Prime Minister Modi reiterated the three key pillars of India's security doctrine - India will respond to a terrorist attack in its own way; it will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail; and it will not differentiate between terror-supporting governments and terror masterminds. The PM said, 'Like I said yesterday, India has decided on three points. First, if there is a terrorist attack on India, we will give a reply in our way, on our terms, on our time. Second, India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. Third, we will not see terror-supporting governments and terror masterminds as separate entities. The world, too, is going ahead with understanding India's new form and system.' On Monday, in a bold and unequivocal message to the nation following Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that India will no longer tolerate nuclear blackmail and will respond to any terrorist attack with strict and decisive action. 'Operation Sindoor is now India's established policy in the fight against terrorism, marking a decisive shift in India's strategic approach', he declared, stating that the operation has set a new standard, a new normal in counter-terrorism measures. In a first address to the nation since India's military retaliation 'Operation Sindoor,' PM Modi on Monday outlined three key pillars of India's security doctrine. Firstly, the 'Decisive Retaliation,' any terrorist attack on India will be met with a strong and resolute response. India will retaliate on its terms, targeting terror hubs at their roots. The second is 'No Tolerance for Nuclear Blackmail.' PM Modi said India will not be intimidated by nuclear threats. Any terrorist safe haven operating under this pretext will face precise and decisive strikes. The third pillar is 'No distinction between terror sponsors and terrorists.' PM Modi said India will no longer see terrorist leaders and the governments sheltering them as separate entities. (ANI)