COAS has authorized all field commanders to respond decisively to any act of intrusions
Truce not limited to just 3 days; it was aimed at ceasing hostilities
100 terrorists were killed in strikes; Pak lost 35 to 40 soldiers, hi-tech jets
KS News Desk
New Delhi, May 11: In a stern warning to Pakistan, the Indian armed forces on Sunday declared that any further violations of the bilateral understanding reached between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations would be met with a "fierce and punitive" response.
Addressing a joint press conference in New Delhi, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai (Army), Air Marshal AK Bharti (Indian Air Force), and Vice Admiral AN Pramod (Navy) said the The Indian forces remain on high alert and are fully prepared to repel and respond decisively to any cross-border intrusion or aggression.
Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai revealed that Pakistans DGMO reached out on May 10 proposing to cease hostilities. A follow-up conversation on May 12 was agreed upon yet the ceasefire was violated within hours.
We conveyed our serious concerns to Pakistan through a hotline message and made it clear that further violations will invite a fierce response, Lt General Ghai said.
He said that the Chief of Army Staff has reviewed the security situation and authorized all field commanders to respond decisively to any act of intrusion on the Liner of Control (LoC) or along the International Border.
Asked whether the ceasefire understanding between the two DGMOs was reached only for three days, Lieutenant General Ghai said the understanding reached yesterday was not limited to just three days.
"It was aimed at ceasing hostilities. The duration and future of the ceasefire were to be discussed further on May 12. However, within just a few hours, there was a violation from the other side. We are closely monitoring the situation tonight and have sent a clear message to Pakistan that any further violations will be met with a fierce response," he said.
DECISIVE BLOW TO TERROR
Lt Gen Ghai detailed Operation Sindoor, launched in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians, mostly tourists dead. After the Pahalgam attack, we realized the time had come to give a befitting reply to terrorism, he said.
He revealed that nine major terror camps were identified and targeted in a coordinated military operation. The strikes, he added, resulted in the elimination of over 100 terrorists, including high-value operatives like Yusuf Azhar one of the key figures involved in the IC-814 hijacking and the Pulwama attack. The enemy not only violated the Line of Control (LoC) but also targeted civilian and religious places, Lt General Ghai said.
Both Army and Air Force officers reiterated that all targets were carefully chosen to avoid civilian and military infrastructure. We targeted terror infrastructure alone. It was Pakistan that retaliated by attacking civilian areas and religious sites across the LoC, they said.
Replying to a query that armed forces had identified 21 terror camps to be hit and will the remaining be targeted in the coming days, Lt General Ghai said, If the need arises these camps will also be targeted.
AIR STRIKES ON TERROR HUBS
Air Marshal AK Bharti described the Indian Air Forces role in the operation, emphasizing that targets included well-known terror infrastructure in Muridke and Bahawalpur. These were thoroughly scrutinized. Our objective was to neutralize terrorists and their camps, not to strike Pakistans military, he clarified.
He presented imagery of the destruction at these sites, including decimated training facilities in Bahawalpur and a razed double-storied building in Muridke.
Despite Pakistan launching waves of drones from May 7 onwards including mass drone raids on April 8 and 9 our air defence systems successfully intercepted all intrusions, Bharti said.
He said that India destroyed nine high-value terror launchpads across Pakistan and PoJK, targeting hubs of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen. These strikes included deep-penetration attacks into Pakistan's mainland, including Bahawalpur and Muridke.
Air Marshal Bharti revealed that Indian Air Force strikes targeted and damaged 11 Pakistani air bases, including Nur Khan, Rafiqui, Murid, Sukkur, and Sialkot, destroying 20% of Pakistans air infrastructure. Significant casualties were reported at Bholari Air Base.
DRONE AND MISSILE DEFENCES
Air defence systems, including the indigenous Akashteer Air Defence Network, successfully repelled mass drone raids from Pakistan between May 710.
We intercepted and neutralized hundreds of drones and quadcopters without civilian damage, said Air Marshal Bharti.
NAVY FLEXES MUSCLES IN ARABIAN SEA
Vice Admiral AN Pramod highlighted the Indian Navy's forward deployment in the Arabian Sea, which compelled Pakistan to adopt a defensive maritime posture. Within 96 hours of the Pahalgam attack, our assets were deployed to establish total maritime awareness. Our response was synchronized and measured, he said.
The Navys overwhelming presence, he said, played a crucial role in pushing Pakistan towards initiating the ceasefire proposal.
3540 PAKISTANI SOLDIERS KILLED
While India refrained from sharing its own casualty figures due to the ongoing combat scenario, officials stated that around 3540 Pakistani soldiers were killed in cross-LoC artillery exchanges. Intelligence reports estimate over 100 terrorists were eliminated in the combined strikes under Operation Sindoor.
When asked about the downing of Pakistani fighter jets, Air Marshal Bharti responded, We prevented their aircrafts from crossing the border, but there is confirmation that high-tech enemy jets were hit.
INDIA HAS QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE EDGE OVER PAK
Asked if Operation Sindoor is still ongoing, the armed forces said responses to any further violations would be fierce and calibrated.
They reiterated that India has a qualitative and quantitative edge over Pakistan and is prepared for any eventuality.
The ceasefire understanding of 2021 held until the Pahalgam terror attack. What has happened in the past few days is nothing less than a war-like situation, said Lt Gen Ghai, adding, Our fight is against terror, not the Pakistani military. But if pushed, we will respond with the full force of our military might.
Air Marshal AK Bharti said that India demonstrated an evolving doctrine of calibrated deterrence, rejecting the distinction between terrorists and their state sponsors.
Strikes deep into Pakistans territory including Lahore, Gujranwala, and Rahim Yar Khan signal a doctrinal shift: No geography is off-limits when it comes to counter terrorism. Indias technological superiority was on full display, with Rafale jets, SCALP missiles, and HAMMER bombs delivering precise results without any reported losses, he added. (KNO)
New Delhi, May 12: A massive protest organised by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) broke out near the Shastri Bhawan on Tuesday, against the alleged paper leak in NEET-UG this year. The exam was held on May 3, following which allegations of paper leak surfaced, triggering investigations by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) and central agencies. Earlier, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026, and said the examination will be re-conducted on dates to be notified separately. In a statement, the NTA said the decision was taken with the approval of the Government of India in the interest of maintaining transparency and preserving trust in the national examination system.
Srinagar, Feb 12: Jammu and Kashmir recorded over 15.48 lakh traffic violation cases in 2025, with authorities collecting more than Rs 34.17 crore as penalty under the Motor Vehicles Act, the Centre informed Parliament on Thursday. The information was shared in the Lok Sabha in response to a question raised by MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal. According to the official data, 15,48,525 challans were issued across the Union Territory in 2025, while the penalty amount recovered stood at Rs 34,17,36,740. The figures further show that in 2024, a total of 15,44,105 violations were registered with a penalty collection of around Rs 43.40 crore, while in 2023, 12,38,584 challans were issued and Rs 34.56 crore was collected. For the current year, till February 8, 2026, Jammu and Kashmir has recorded 1,63,531 traffic violation cases, with revenue collection of about Rs 2.11 crore. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways stated that stricter penalties under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 are aimed at ensuring better compliance and deterrence. It also said that traffic enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of States and Union Territories. The government has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for electronic monitoring and is promoting technology-driven enforcement through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras integrated with the VAHAN database. Awareness campaigns under the Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan are also being carried out to improve road safety.
New Delhi, Jan 25: The Dental Council of India (DCI) has directed all universities and dental colleges across the country to strictly ensure a minimum of 80 percent biometric attendance for Post Graduate students before allowing them to appear in examinations. The decision has been taken to curb absenteeism among postgraduate dental students. According to a circular issued by the Dental Council of India-a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the decision has been taken after multiple complaints were received from dental colleges in Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh regarding non-attendance of PG students. "The matter was examined by the Grievance Sub-Committee of the DCI in its meeting held on November 24, 2025," the circular reads. It reads that after detailed discussion and deliberation, the committee recommended that all universities and dental colleges must ensure compliance with Regulation 18(a)(i) of the DCI Master of Dental Surgery Course Regulations, 2017, which mandates at least 80 per cent attendance. "The recommendation of the Grievance Sub-Committee has been approved by the Executive Committee of the Dental Council of India through circulation and has now been formally communicated for information and necessary action," the circular reads. As per the circular, all the universities and dental colleges have been directed to ensure minimum 80 per cent biometric attendance of all PG students before permitting them to appear in examinations. The order, issued by Deputy Secretary Dental Council of India Mukesh Kumar, is expected to be implemented with immediate effect across the country.
Srinagar, March 6: Around 17 candidates from Jammu and Kashmir have qualified the Civil Services Examination (CSE)-2025, the result for which was declared by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Friday. The commission recommended a total of 958 candidates for appointment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and various central services. Anuj Agnihotri, an MBBS graduate, has topped the civil services examination 2025, while Rajeshwari Suve M and Akansh Dhull have got the second and third ranks respectively. According to the official list released by the UPSC the 17 candidates from J&K who have figured in the final merit list include Suvan Sharma (Rank 148), Sugandha Gupta (207), Towseef Ganie (Rank 254), Ritika (Rank 456), Sooyash Shivam (Rank 572), Muneeb Parrah (Rank 581), Ghulam Din (Rank 683), Dwarka Gaadhi (Rank 721), Akash (Rank 747), Koh E Safa (Rank 763), Yasaar (Rank 811), Abhishek (Rank 820), Pankaj (Rank 856), Mohammad Ajaz (Rank 869), Azhar (Rank 886), Sarfraz (Rank 936), and Irfan (Rank 957). The results were declared after conducting the written examination in August 2025 followed by the personality tests (interviews) conducted between December 2025 and February 2026. As per the result notification issue by the UPSC, a total of 958 candidates have been recommended for appointment against 1087 vacancies reported by the government for the examination cycle. These include 180 vacancies in the IAS, 55 in the IFS, 150 in the IPS, 507 in Central Services Group A and 195 in Group B services. Of the total recommended candidates, 317 are from the general category, 104 from the economically weaker sections, 306 from other backward classes, 158 from scheduled castes and 73 from scheduled tribes. A consolidated reserve list of 258 candidates has also been published in accordance with the rules. The claims of recommended candidates regarding reservation categories will be subject to verification by the concerned authorities. The UPSC has stated that the candidature of 348 recommended candidates has been kept provisional, while the result of the two candidates has been kept withheld. The CSE is conducted annually in three stages- preliminary, Mains and interview by the UPSC to select officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others. The civil services (preliminary) examination 2025 was conducted on May 25 of 2025. A total of 937876 candidates applied for this examination, out of which 5,76,793 actually appeared in the test. A total of 14,161 candidates qualified for appearance in the written (Main) examination which was held in August, 2025. Of these, 2736 candidates had qualified for the personality test (interview) of the examination. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the candidates who qualified the UPSC exam. "Congratulations to all those who have successfully cleared the Civil Services Examination, 2025. Their dedication, perseverance and hard work have led to this significant milestone. Wishing them the very best as they embark on a journey of serving the nation and fulfilling the aspirations of the people," PM Modi wrote on his official X handle. "To those who may not have secured the desired outcome in the Civil Services Examination, I understand that such moments can be difficult. However, this is only one step in a larger journey. Many opportunities lie ahead, both in future examinations and in the many avenues through which you can contribute to our nation. My best wishes for the road ahead," his post on X reads. UPSC chairman Ajay Kumar announced the declaration of the result and congratulated the candidates who qualified the exam. "Congrats to all successful candidates as you begin a career of service to the nation. For those who did not make it-the learning from this journey will guide you in the paths ahead," UPSC Chairman wrote in a post on X. Among the 17 candidates from J&K who qualified UPSC exam inlcude a visually impaired candidate Irfan Ahmad Lone, a resident of Manzpora in the Naidkhai area of Bandipora.
Srinagar, Jan 8: Contractual faculty members working in government degree colleges of Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department (HED) have expressed strong resentment over what they term as a glaring disparity in salaries, demanding revision of their pay in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and regularisation of their services. The faculty, many of whom hold PhDs and are qualified through NET, SET and JRF, said they have been denied UGC-recommended pay scales despite discharging academic responsibilities equivalent to their regular counterparts. “Hundreds of highly qualified scholars have been pushed into silent suffering. For years, we have been assured that our pay revision is under consideration, but nothing has materialised so far,” said Dr Ishfaq Gowhar, a contractual faculty member. Earlier, Director Colleges J&K had acknowledged the legitimacy of the faculty’s demand, stating that while the issue was genuine, its implementation involved significant financial implications due to the large number of contractual appointments. “We are aware that they deserve salary enhancement, but the number of contractual faculty is huge and it has financial implications,” he earlier said. Dr Gowhar pointed out that contractual lecturers, who form the backbone of the higher education system, continue to work on a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 28,000, which has remained unchanged for nearly a decade. “The irony is that a Class IV employee with a Class 10 qualification draws a salary exceeding Rs 50,000, while doctorate-holding teachers engaged in teaching, mentoring and academic research are paid a fraction of that,” he said. He added that institutions such as SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir and Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) have implemented revised UGC pay scales, but the Higher Education Department has failed to extend similar treatment to its contractual faculty. Dr Gowhar said the demand for “equal work, equal pay” gets prominently featured in election campaigns, raising hopes among contractual teachers. “Promises were made and slogans echoed during elections, but once the process ended, our voices were reduced to silence. Even meeting officials now feels impossible,” he said. He said contractual faculty were not seeking privileges but dignity, fairness and recognition for their service. The faculty appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Education Minister to intervene and take concrete steps towards addressing their long-pending demands. “This issue is not merely about salaries. It is about survival, justice and dignity in the classrooms of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
New Delhi, June 23: Google restored instant messaging app Telegram on Tuesday morning as a temporary ban imposed by the government ended in the midnight of June 22. The platform was accessible to some existing users before Google restored it. The app continued to remain delisted on Apple's Appstore till around 10 am. An emailed query sent to Apple did not elicit an immediate response in this regard. The government had temporarily imposed a blanket ban on Telegram until June 22 and sources indicated that there is no change or extension of timelines in the order. The government had ordered the ban on Telegram following its failure to prevent the circulation of fake examination papers of NEET, dissemination of misleading information and other fraudulent activities that impacted the examination process. Before imposing the ban, government officials met Telegram representatives on June 3 where these concerns were flagged. Thereafter, the Centre decided to block the app and its associated web links, including the web version, till June 22. Telegram has also been directed to block its message editing feature till June 30. The NEET re-examination was conducted on June 21 and so far there has been no report of any fraudulent activity. Telegram Founder and CEO Pavel Durov had criticised India's IT ministry for banning Telegram for one week because some users shared leaked exam questions. He alleged that Reliance, in which Meta has a partial stake, may have lobbied, along with its competitor WhatsApp, to impose the ban on the company's app in the country.
New Delhi, Jun 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress on Monday for decades of unabated Maoist violence in the country and said the hands of those who are waving the Constitution now were trembling then. Addressing the "Republic Summit 2026" here, Modi also said Bharat is not only a fast-growing economy, but also a credible and reliable global power and the country is scripting the future of the next 1,000 years. He said the previous Congress governments had labelled Naxal-affected areas as backward regions but the NDA government undertook the challenge of transforming those areas, helping the people there rise above despair and igniting their aspirations for progress. To reflect this new approach, Modi said his government renamed those areas as aspirational districts and blocks and today, these aspirational districts and blocks are driving the growth of those regions. He said a significant proportion of the population in these regions lived in poverty but over the last few years, 25 crore people have overcome poverty, with aspirational districts playing a crucial role in this achievement and those areas that were once affected by Naxalism are seeing new rays of development now. The prime minister said even in the 21st century, terrorists had prevented any facility from being established in the tribal areas. He added that even a government vehicle could not pass through as it would be riddled with bullets. Governments came and went, generations came and went and it seemed that this misfortune of violence would persist just like that, Modi said. "Between 2004 and 2014, more than 17,000 violent incidents occurred due to Maoist terrorism and nearly 7,000 lives were lost. After 2014, we moved forward with the resolve of Nation First to change the situation. "Today, Maoist terrorism in the country is counting its final breaths. This became possible because it required total dedication. Today, those who are waving the Constitution, their hands were trembling to even show the Constitution then," he said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been seen carrying a copy of the Constitution for different occasions, including while taking oath as an MP after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Srinagar, May 14: Jammu and Kashmir Health and Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Thursday called for a transparent investigation into the alleged ‘NEET-UG paper leak’ incident. The minister said all those involved in the fraud must face strict punishment, irrespective of their influence or position. Talking to reporters, Sakina Itoo said the alleged fraud has deeply affected students who worked tirelessly for years to qualify one of the country’s most competitive examinations. “This is unfortunate because children work very hard and put immense effort into qualifying this examination,” she said. She said any malpractice in such examinations amounts to playing with the future and careers of deserving students. “The investigation should be conducted properly and in a transparent manner. Whoever is involved should face strict action and severe punishment,” she said. Responding to a question regarding downsizing of government vehicles and related measures announced by the administration, the minister said everyone should contribute if any step helps reduce the country’s problems. “If there is any problem in the country and if we can help in reducing it in any way, then we should also play our role,” she said. Asked about reports of a possible shift to virtual education in view of recent developments, the minister said no such decision has been taken so far.
