India Pakistan News Highlights: India and Pakistan to extend military confidence-building measures after DGMO talks

Pakistan’s retired Air Marshal Masood Akhtar has admitted that the Pakistan Air Force lost an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft during the Indian missile strikes carried out on the night of May 9–10. Read More 

Good conversation with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi this evening.

Deeply appreciate his condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

Welcomed his firm rejection of recent attempts to create distrust between India and Afghanistan through false and baseless reports.

Underlined our traditional friendship with the Afghan people and continuing support for their development needs. Discussed ways and means of taking cooperation forward. -- S Jaishankar

Further to the understanding reached between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan on 10 May 25, it has been decided to continue confidence-building measures so as to reduce the alertness levels: Indian Army

Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Thursday asserted that India does not need mediation from US President Donald Trump or anyone else on the Kashmir issue, and said the country will have to use force, if necessary, to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

He also said that India will have to fight more wars to reclaim the PoK if Pakistan does not hand it over peacefully.

Addressing a press conference in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the Union Minister of State for Social Justice hailed India's 'Operation Sindoor', saying the Army has taught Pakistan a lesson.

"India has hit Pakistan hard. The ceasefire is for a few days now. But our army has taught (Pakistan) a lesson and we have killed over a 100 terrorists in Pakistan. It is not the case that the operation has stopped after the mediation of US President Donald Trump. India has put forth a proposal that Pakistan should hand over the PoK (to India) and stop terror activities," he said.

"India should take PoK. If it can be achieved through peaceful means, that is better. But we must be ready to take it back forcefully if required," said Athawale.

No third party has the right to compromise on the issue and India's stand is that a bullet will be answered by a bullet, he said.

"I have told earlier in Parliament also that the PoK should be part of India. If Pakistan does not hand it over, we will have to fight more wars to get it back," he said. -- PTI

Maulana Azad National Urdu University has announced the cancellation of its academic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yunus Emre Institute, Turkey with immediate effect.

India's apex body for aviation security, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, on May 15 revoked the security clearance for Turkish ground handling agency Celebi Airport Services India with immediate effect 'in the interest of national security. Celebi Airport Services India is a subsidiaries of Çelebi Aviation Holding, a Turkish company.

"In the exercise of power conferred upon DG, BCAS, the security clearance in r/o Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of National Security," the BCAS notification said.

Celebi currently covers 65 percent of Indian aviation traffic through its presence in nine airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Mopa and Kannur. It provides ground handling as Çelebi Airport Services India and cargo services as Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India at Delhi. Read More

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has announced with immediate effect the suspension of any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with any institutions affiliated with the Government of the Republic of Türkiye.

This move comes amid the growing tensions between India-Pakistan as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his strong support for Pakistan.

In a post on X, Jamia Millia Islamia said, "Due to national security considerations, any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, and any institution affiliated with the Government of the Republic of Türkiye stands suspended with immediate effect, until further orders. Jamia Millia Islamia stands firmly with the Nation." Read More

US President Donald Trump on Thursday seemed to be climbing down on his claim to have directly mediated the truce between India and Pakistan to end the military conflict between the two nuclear-armed countries last week.

In his address to troops at al-Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Trump said, "I won't say I did it, but I sure as hell helped."

Earlier, Reuters reported that during his address to the US troops, Trump said that the hostilities between the two neighbouring countries had settled and they were happy with that.

The Indus Waters Treaty is held in abeyance and will continue to be held in abeyance until the cross-border terrorism by Pakistan is credibly and irrevocably stopped... The only thing which remains to be discussed on Kashmir is the vacating of illegally occupied Indian territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir; we are open to that discussion," says EAM Dr S Jaishankar.

"Our relations and dealings with Pakistan will be strictly bilateral. That is a national consensus for years, and there is absolutely no change in that. The prime minister made it very clear that talks with Pakistan will be only on terror. Pakistan has a list of terrorists that needs to be handed over, and they have to shut down the terrorists' infrastructure. They know what to do. We are prepared to discuss with them what is to be done about terrorism. Those are the talks which are feasible," says EAM Dr S Jaishankar.

A fruit trader told ANI, "After India-Pakistan tensions, we have stopped getting apples from Turkey. The demand for them has also stopped. We will not order or sell apples from Turkey. We will suffer no loss."

On US' claims of mediating the ceasefire and should the government respond to or counter these assertions, Congress leader Sachin Pilot said, "It came as a great surprise to all of us that, for the first time ever, the announcement of a military cessation or ceasefire came from another head of state, and no less than the President of the United States. It is surprising to see a foreign leader preempt events on the ground. Such claims of brokering a ceasefire, driven by allurements or threats of trade deals, are absolutely shocking."

On Thursday, the Indian Army carried out a large-scale field exercise named 'Teesta Prahar' at the Teesta field firing range. The exercise highlighted the Army's combat readiness and effective coordination between combat and support units in challenging riverine terrain, according to a statement from the Defence PRO.

• Srinagar, J&K | IGP Kashmir Zone, Vidhi Kumar Birdi says, "Security forces got specific information regarding the movement of terrorists in that area (Nader, Tral, Awantipora). Accordingly, a Cordon was laid, and it led to an encounter between security forces and the hold-up of terrorists. So far, we have observed three bodies of terrorists. The operation is still ongoing... Identities and affiliations could only be divulged after it concludes.... This (encounter) is part of an all-out effort to decimate that terror ecosystem. It is the swift resolve of the security forces to neutralise them so that things are kept under control..."
• On being asked if the terrorists involved in the encounter had a hand in the Pahalgam terror attack, he says, "The operation is yet to conclude. We will divulge the identity and affiliation (of the terrorists) only after that." - ANI

• The ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) will be organising a 'Tiranga Yatra' here on May 16 to celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor and to honour the unwavering courage and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces, a party leader said on Thursday.
• Sikkim Chief Minister and SKM chief Prem Singh Tamang will lead the Tiranaga Yatra, he said. - PTI

As part of "Operation Nader" launched by the Chinar Corps, an encounter broke out in the Nader village of Tral area in Awantipora in Kashmir. The Kashmir Police said in an X post that the police and the security forces are on the job, as a gunfight between the security forces and the terrorists was reported. The Kashmir Police said that more details will follow as and when the encounter progresses. (Read More)

• I urge the IAEA and other international organizations to take control of Pakistan's nuclear facilities under their supervision
• We have not cared about their nuclear blackmail. The whole world has seen how irresponsibly Pakistan has repeatedly given nuclear threats to India.
• Today, from the land of Srinagar, I want to raise this question before the entire world: Are nuclear weapons safe in the hands of such an irresponsible and rogue nation? I believe that Pakistan's nuclear weapons should be taken under the surveillance of the IAEA

• I pray for the early recovery of the injured, says Singh
• Condemn the killing of tourists in the Pahalgam terror attack, says Singh

Rajnath Singh reaches Srinagar, set to interact with Operation Sindoor heroes

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that no radiation leak has occurred at any nuclear facility in Pakistan, despite recent military tensions with India. As reported by The Indian Express, this assurance from the Vienna-based nuclear watchdog supports the Indian Air Force’s earlier statement that no strikes were carried out on Pakistan’s Kirana Hills, a region suspected to house nuclear infrastructure.

• Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that Balochistan holds profound historical and spiritual significance for Hindus, primarily as the sacred home of the Hinglaj Mata Temple, one of the 51 revered Shakti Peethas.
• "Nestled in the rugged terrains of the Hingol National Park, the temple is believed to mark the spot where the head of Goddess Sati fell, making it one of the holiest sites in Shaktism," the chief minister posted on X. - PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh leaves from his residence, reports news agency ANI.  He will visit Jammu and Kashmir today.

Katra to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi helicopter services resumed on Wednesday after being suspended for a week due to the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Life in Reasi returned to normal after morning visuals on Tuesday showed students returning to schools. The Directorate of School Education, Jammu, announced on Wednesday that schools in certain border areas of Jammu and Kashmir will reopen on May 15. (Read More)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi are set to visit Jammu and Kashmir today, as tensions persist along the Line of Control. The visit comes amid concerns over the fragile peace in the region.

Chinar Corps of the Indian Army tweets, "On 15 May 2025, based on specific intelligence input from Int agency, a Cordon & Search Operation was launched by Indian Army, J&K Police and Srinagar Sector CRPF at Nader, Tral, Awantipora. Suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops and on being challenged, terrorists opened heavy fire and fierce gunfight ensued. Operation is in progress."

• An Indian delegation met top officials of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate here even as New Delhi stepped up efforts to designate The Resistance Front, an LeT proxy, as a UN-listed terror outfit for its alleged involvement in the Pahalgam attack.
• The Resistance Front (TRF), a front for Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), had claimed responsibility of the Pahalgam attack. - PTI

• Amid concerns that China reportedly supplied arms to Pakistan against India during the military standoff following Operation Sindoor, a British journalist has called out Beijing, saying it ‘can't be trusted.’
• Talking about China’s role in the Indo-Pak tension, political commentator David Vance told news agency ANI that Beijing “operates Pakistan as a proxy in the region. China cannot be trusted in any regard, which is something I thought Donald Trump should understand that India is a bulwark for the West against China. The more we can help India against Pakistan, the better. China has got vested interests with Pakistan and they do not coincide with India's best wishes.” (Read More)

Life in Akhnoor is returning to normal, with residents going about their daily routines. Fresh visuals from different parts of the city captured this morning.

"Encounter has started at Nader, Tral area of Awantipora. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow," posts Kashmir Zone Police

Political commentator David Vance has come out in support of India's actions against Pakistan over the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and said that the operation (Sindoor) was long overdue and it needed to happen.

"The operation has been pretty successful as best as I can understand. It was a lot more than just a conflict with Pakistan... I consider Pakistan to be a failed state, a terrorist state, and a terrorist incubator. It was good that India moved against it ... The western media's coverage has been absolutely atrocious and biased in favour of Pakistan. I was disappointed that President Trump intervened and tried to get a ceasefire," he said.

Travel platforms in India are clashing amid Turkey-Azerbaijan row after many of them announced suspension of booking to the two destinations due to their unsupportive stance towards India amid border tensions with Pakistan.

Platforms are calling out the availability of flight bookings on other apps. For instance, flight bookings for Istanbul and Baku are available on platforms including MakeMyTrip and Cleartrip.

Flipkart owned Cleartrip last week had issued a statement saying that in solidarity with India's national interest sovereignty, Flipkart Travel and Cleartrip are suspending all flight, hotel and holiday package bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Read full story

Days after India and Pakistan arrived at an understanding to stop military actions after four days of conflict that witnessed bouts of intense and escalating fighting, the Press Information Bureau on Wednesday released a detailed backgrounder on how the Indian Air Force bypassed and jammed Pakistan's China-supplied air defence system in just 23 minutes-- considered a big tactical victory that allowed India to gain massive advantage over Islamabad at an early stage of the conflict.

Underlining India's offensive capabilities and accuracy, the note highlighted that the 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. Read full story

The Jammu and Kashmir unit of Congress said the “sudden” halt in military action on the intervention of “a third country” last week left many questions unanswered.

Stating that the party leadership and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, are concerned about the border situation, J&K Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra said his party is preparing a detailed report on the losses suffered by people in the intense Pakistani shelling from May 7-10.

“There was a sudden announcement of ceasefire (on May 10) by a third country, which was subsequently implemented by India and Pakistan, raising many questions in the minds of the 140 crore people of the country.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Wednesday announced state-wide Tiranga rallies in Andhra Pradesh from May 16 to 18 to honour the Pahalgam terror attack victims and support the Centre's actions that followed.

The decision was taken during a politburo meeting chaired by TDP president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, where leaders paid tributes to the 26 people killed in the April 22 Pahalgam attack.

"The TDP will organise Tiranga (Tricolour) rallies across all the 175 Assembly constituencies in the state. We salute our armed forces for the success of Operation Sindoor," Agriculture minister and TDP politburo member Atchannaidu said in a press release.

The party also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and urged people to unite beyond politics when it came to national security and securing the country's borders.

A team from India is in New York to meet the 1267 sanctions committee of the UN Security Council in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack for which 'The Resistance Front' (TRF) had claimed responsibility.

The TRF is a front for the UN-proscribed Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The team is interacting with the Monitoring Team of the 1267 Sanctions Committee and other partner countries in the UN on Wednesday.  They will also meet the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED).