Latest news with #OperationSindoor
Indian Express
24 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Sardaar Ji 3' row: BJP backs Diljit, calls him ‘national asset, global ambassador of Indian culture'
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come out in support of singer-cum-actor Diljit Dosanjh, stating that the 'politics of targeting the actor should stop' and that the artist is a 'national asset and a global ambassador of Indian culture' Dosanjh's recent film 'Sardaar Ji 3' landed in controversy over the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding immediate and strict action against the actor, including 'cancellation of Dosanjh's citizenship'. The film released overseas Friday (June 27) but not in India. The film's producer, Gunbir Singh Sidhu, had told media that they decided not to release the film in India after the Pahalgam attack as they didn't want to hurt anyone's sentiments. He added that 40 per cent of the film's revenue is expected to be hit with this decision. Pakistan actress Aamir had also allegedly passed derogatory remarks against India's Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps in Pakistan, which too were condemned by Sidhu. In a series of posts on X, BJP national spokesperson R P Singh backed Dosanjh, calling the actor 'not just a celebrated artist… (but) a national asset and a global ambassador of Indian culture'. 'FWICE's call to revoke his Indian citizenship over an inadvertent and pre-incident film shoot is not only unfair but shockingly disproportionate. The film featuring a Pakistani actress was shot before the Pahalgam attack. If there is anguish, it can be expressed through a boycott or by urging that the film not be screened in India. But attacking Diljit's patriotism and demanding such an extreme step is simply irrational,' Singh said in a post. 'Just days before the Pahalgam incident, the Indian cricket team played a match against Pakistan. Did FWICE or others object then? TV news channels routinely invite Pakistani guests to boost TRPs. Should those anchors now relinquish their citizenship too? Let's not cheapen nationalism or weaponise patriotism. FWICE should reconsider its stance — such targeting of our own talent only weakens our moral standing,' the post added. Reacting to calls for a ban on the film, Punjab BJP's Culture Cell Convenor and Punjabi film actor Hobby Dhaliwal addressed a press conference at Chandigarh and extended full support to Dosanjh on behalf of the party. Dhaliwal said that Dosanjh is not just an artist, but a globally respected face of the Punjabi community. 'At a time of nation's fight against terrorism, attempts are being made to defame him with baseless allegations. This is unfortunate and condemnable,' he said. He clarified that the film in question was shot well before the Pahalgam terror attack incident, when cultural exchanges between both nations were not banned. The shoot was conducted within legal norms and involved several actors, not just Dosanjh. Dhaliwal expressed regret that certain elements are now demanding cancellation of the actor's citizenship and a ban on his films — 'a demand that is not only unjustified but politically motivated and entirely baseless', he said. 'Diljit is the son of this soil. Punjab stands with him — and India too,' Dhaliwal added. He emphasised that every citizen holds patriotic sentiments, but using that as a pretext to target a single artist was completely wrong.
United News of India
31 minutes ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Parag Jain appointed RAW Chief
New Delhi, June 28 (UNI) Parag Jain, the 1989-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Punjab cadre who played a key role in Operation Sindoor, will be the new Chief of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), replacing Ravi Sinha. Jain will take office from July one. 'The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Parag Jain, IPS, to the post of Secretary, Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW), under Cabinet Secretariat, for a tenure of two years from the date of assumption of the charge of the post until further orders, whichever is earlier…' an official said. Jain has more than two decades of experience and is currently head of the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), which played an important role in Operation Sindoor monitoring Pakistani aircraft and airspace during the operation. He also worked in Jammu and Kashmir during the abrogation of Article 370. UNI RB SS
India.com
35 minutes ago
- Politics
- India.com
Thai Air Force Praises India's Air Strikes On PAF Bases, Highlights Pakistan Air Defense Failure
New Delhi: Earlier this month, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) hosted a high-profile conference analyzing the recent India-Pakistan air war that erupted in May 2025. Among the key speakers was RTAF's Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Intelligence), Sommai Leelitham, who made headlines with his sharp assessment of the conflict. He highlighted how the Indian Air Force's (IAF) successful strikes on multiple Pakistani Air Force (PAF) bases—without suffering any losses—demonstrated a major failure of Pakistan's air defences and showcased a bold shift in Indian tactics. The conflict began after a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians. India accused Pakistan of supporting the attackers and decided to respond with force. On May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor—a coordinated campaign involving missile and air strikes on nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The targets included bases and infrastructure used by militant groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Operation Sindoor marked the first time since 1971 that India struck across the international border, using advanced Rafale jets, BrahMos cruise missiles, and Israeli-made loitering munitions. The strikes were carefully planned to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and send a strong message to Pakistan. The air war quickly escalated, with both sides launching aerial and missile attacks. On May 8 and 9, the IAF shifted its focus to neutralizing Pakistani air defence systems, particularly around Lahore and other key bases. Indian Sukhoi Su-30 MKI jets, armed with BrahMos missiles, struck deep inside Pakistan, damaging airbases, radars, and command centers. Indian officials later released satellite images showing significant damage at several Pakistani military installations. Despite Pakistani claims of shooting down Indian jets, the IAF managed to carry out repeated strikes with minimal losses, adapting its tactics after initial skirmishes and focusing on degrading Pakistan's ability to retaliate. This new approach, praised by Thai Air Force officials, reflected a more flexible and coordinated use of air power, with Indian forces showing improved escalation control and target selection. The four-day conflict ended with a ceasefire on May 10, after Pakistan's DGMO Called India's DGMO And Pleaded for a ceasfire. international observers noted the effectiveness of India's air campaign and the visible setbacks to Pakistan's air defences. At the RTAF conference, Sommai Leelitham pointed out that the IAF's ability to strike multiple PAF bases without suffering losses was a clear sign of Pakistan's air defence shortcomings and India's successful tactical evolution. The conflict has since become a case study in modern air warfare, with lessons being discussed by air forces across Asia. The May 2025 air war between India and Pakistan, especially Operation Sindoor, has set a new benchmark for precision strikes and adaptive tactics in the region. The Royal Thai Air Force's recognition of India's operational success underscores the global impact of this brief but intense conflict—and signals a new era in Indian Subcontinent military strategy.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Brain behind Operation Sindoor, IPS Parag Jain is new RAW Chief
The Union Government on Saturday (June 28, 2025) appointed senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Parag Jain as the new chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), India's external intelligence agency. A 1989-batch IPS officer from the Punjab cadre, Mr. Jain, will succeed incumbent R&AW chief Ravi Sinha, who is due to retire on June 30. Mr. Jain will assume office on July 1 for a fixed two-year term. At present, Mr. Jain heads the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), a key wing of R&AW. He is said to have played a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor by providing intelligence inputs that enabled precision missile strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan. Mr. Jain has previously served in various capacities in Punjab during its terrorism crisis, including as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG). His past assignments also include significant responsibilities on the Pakistan desk of R&AW, and he was posted in Jammu and Kashmir during the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Additionally, Mr. Jain has had diplomatic and intelligence stints in Sri Lanka and Canada, where he monitored Khalistani terror modules. Over the course of his career, he has held several sensitive posts relating to national security and foreign intelligence.
News18
an hour ago
- Politics
- News18
‘When Time Comes…': Shashi Tharoor Breaks Silence Over Cryptic Post Amid Congress Rift
Last Updated: The Congress leader said that if there were issues to discuss, they would be "discussed privately" and promised to do so when appropriate. A couple of days after posting a cryptic bird post amid his rift with the Congress, believed to be directed towards the party's top leadership, Shashi Tharoor on Saturday dismissed to talk about the matter publicly. The Congress leader said that if there were issues to discuss, they would be 'discussed privately" and promised to do so when appropriate. 'I am not going to get into political issues here. If there are issues to discuss, they would be discussed privately, and when the time comes, I shall do so," Tharoor said. #WATCH | Ahmedabad, Gujarat: On his tweet, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says 'I am not going to get into political issues here. If there are issues to discuss, they would be discussed privately, and when the time comes, I shall do so." — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2025 Tensions between Shashi Tharoor and the Congress party emerged after he was chosen by the government to lead an all-party delegation on Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, following which his repeated praise of the government and Prime Minister Modi has irked the party. Amid the buzz, he posted: 'Don't ask permission to fly. The wings are yours. And the sky belongs to no one," the post said. Tharoor's cryptic post came minutes after Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge took a veiled swipe at Tharoor, saying that while the party stood for nation first, 'but for some people, Modi is first". Tharoor's post prompted a sharp response from Congress leader Manickam Tagore, who, without naming anyone, remarked, 'Don't ask permission to fly. Birds don't need clearance to rise… But in today even a free bird must watch the skies—hawks, vultures, and 'eagles' are always hunting. Freedom isn't free, especially when the predators wear patriotism as feathers." Don't ask permission to fly. Birds don't need clearance to rise…But in today even a free bird must watch the skies—hawks, vultures, and 'eagles' are always isn't free, especially when the predators wear patriotism as feathers. 🦅🕊️ #DemocracyInDanger … — Manickam Tagore .B🇮🇳மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) June 26, 2025 Tensions between Tharoor and the Congress high command further escalated after he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomacy in an article for The Hindu, highlighting the PM's 'energy" and 'dynamism" as valuable to India's global influence. The article was later shared by the Prime Minister's Office, intensifying speculation about Tharoor's allegiance. First Published:
