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India Pakistan News Highlights: India on Friday called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reconsider its $1-billion assistance to Pakistan, suggesting that Islamabad could use it for terror funding.

"I believe that in today's time, any kind of financial assistance to Pakistan is nothing less than terror funding. India would like the IMF to reconsider its assistance of one billion dollars to Pakistan and refrain from giving any kind of assistance in future," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said as he addressed the military personnel at the Bhuj Air Force station. 

The Bhuj Airbase was one of the installations targeted by the Pakistani military last week.

Earlier in the day, sources said that India and Pakistan have extended the ceasefire, which came into effect on May 10, to May 18. On Thursday, the Indian Army said it will pursue confidence building measures to reduce the "alertness level" in line with the May 10 understanding on cessation of hostilities with the Pakistani side.

Here are the highlights on India-Pakistan ceasefire:

May 16, 2025 18:11 (IST)

India Pakistan News Live: Operation Sindoor Reflects PM's Firm Determination, Says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Operation Sindoor was a reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's firm determination, pin-pointed intelligence gathering by various agencies and infallible fire power of Indian armed forces.

May 16, 2025 18:07 (IST)

"Why Does Pakistan Need Lashkar, Jaish When...": Ex-Envoy On Tensions With India

Pakistan must shut down terrorist organisations to avoid further sharp confrontations with India, as the Pahalgam terror attack had brought the country to the brink of war, former Pakistani ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani has said. 

A senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, Mr Haqqani asserted that Pakistan has a well-equipped military but questioned the need for the presence of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed, Sipah-e-Mohammed - all terror organisations - and the Difa-e-Watan Council, which reports suggest is an alliance known for hosting extremist ideologies. 

"A terrorist attack in Pahalgam led India and Pakistan to the brink of total war. To avoid that in future, it is important to shut down Jihadi groups," he said in a post on X on Wednesday. "With well equipped armed forces, why does the country need Lashkar, Sipah, Jaish, & their Difa-e-Watan Council?" he added.

May 16, 2025 17:21 (IST)

Lovely Professional University Terminates Pacts With Türkiye, Azerbaijan

Punjab's Lovely Professional University has become the latest academic institution to terminate all memorandum of understanding with institutions in Turkiye and Azerbaijan, citing recent geopolitical developments that it deems contrary to India's national interest.

The move came against the backdrop of Turkiye backing Pakistan and its condemnation of India's strikes on terror camps in the neighbouring country and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor. Pakistan also used Turkish drones on a large scale during the military conflict with India.

LPU, based in Jalandhar, is the first private university in India to terminate association with institutions in Turkiye and Azerbaijan.

"When our brave armed forces are risking their lives -- whether in covert operations, air defence, or patrolling our borders -- we, as an institution, cannot remain indifferent. LPU's mission has always been aligned with the growth and integrity of India, and we will never associate with any institution that undermines India's sovereignty," said LPU Founder Chancellor and Rajya Sabha member Ashok Kumar Mittal.

May 16, 2025 16:45 (IST)

Pakistan Air Force Is 'Undisputed King'? India Fact-Checks Propaganda

Propaganda - ostensibly from a reputed British publication, The Daily Telegraph - declaring the Pakistan Air Force 'the undisputed king of the skies' has been junked by the government.

In a fact-check post on X Friday morning the government called out the image circulating on social media and said the photograph had been altered or edited with AI (Artificial Intelligence).

The Daily Telegraph "has never carried any such article", the government stressed.

May 16, 2025 16:28 (IST)

For Pakistan, India's Akashteer System Is A 'Never Seen Before' Disruptive Tech

  1. On the intervening night of May 9 and 10, when Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks on Indian military and civilian areas, they met the homegrown impenetrable wall of self-defence called the 'Akashteer' system.
  2. The Akashteer stopped all Pakistani inbound airborne drones, missiles, micro UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and other loitering munitions. It prevented them from entering the Indian airspace. The most disruptive element of Akashteer is its ability to absorb data from multiple feeds - weather, terrain and radar intercepts to make real-time decisions, reroutes missions, and execute attacks autonomously. Pakistan defence experts have said they have never seen anything like this before.
  3. Akashteer is a completely homegrown product showcasing India's Atmanirbhar Bharat prowess. Compared to Akashteer, Pakistan's air defence (AD) network consists of Chinese-origin HQ-9 and HQ-16. They failed to intercept Indian projectiles spectacularly.
  4. Akashteer is a fully autonomous defence system. It provides a common, real-time picture to all involved parties (control room, radars, and air-defence guns), enabling coordinated AD operations. It is a system designed to automate detection, tracking and engagement of enemy aircraft, drones and missiles.
  5. The platform integrates radar systems, sensors and communication technologies into a single operational framework. Akashteer gathers data from multiple sources, processes it and allows for automated, real-time engagement decisions.

May 16, 2025 16:25 (IST)

"Indus Waters Treaty To Remain Suspended Until Pakistan...": India

The Indus Waters Treaty will remain suspended "until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism", the Union Jal Shakti ministry has conveyed to the cabinet secretary.

In its monthly report to Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan on Tuesday, Debashree Mukherjee -- secretary in the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation under the ministry -- said the government announced that the treaty would be held in "abeyance" with immediate effect in the aftermath of the "Pakistan-sponsored" terror attack on civilians in Pahalgam.

"The key water-sharing treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism," Ms Mukherjee said in her report.

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May 16, 2025 15:26 (IST)

Rajnath Singh's Warning On Pak Terror Plans

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh offered a stark warning Friday about the Pakistan government's plans to "spend tax collected from its citizens... to give Rs 14 crore to Masood Azhar", designated an 'international terrorist' by the United Nations and head of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed group that was behind the 2019 Pulwama and 2016 Uri attacks.

Mr Singh prefaced that cautionary note by saying Pak had begun rebuilding terrorist infrastructure destroyed by India during Operation Sindoor - New Delhi's military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by another Pak-based terror group, the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

This rebuilding, the Defence Minister claimed, would be funded by the Pak government by diverting the $2.1 billion it is to get from the International Monetary Fund as aid money.

"Pak will spend tax collected from citizens to give Rs 14 crore to Masood Azhar, the head of the Jaish terrorist organisation, even though he is a UN-designated terrorist. The Pak government has also said it will give financial assistance to rebuild terror infrastructure of Lashkar and Jaish, in Muridke and Bahawalpur," Mr Singh told soldiers at a military base in Gujarat's Bhuj.

May 16, 2025 14:20 (IST)

"Indirect Funding To Terror": Rajnath Singh's Message To IMF Over Pak Aid

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reconsider its $2.1 billion bailout to debt-ridden Pakistan as it allows terrorists to use its soil for launching state-sponsored attacks against Indian citizens.

The IMF announced the funding while the Indian military as part of Operation Sindoor launched strikes at terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). At that time, Pakistan was busy launching drone and missile strikes on civilian and military areas in northern India.

"The IMF's aid to Pakistan is a form of indirect funding to terror," the Defence Minister said today while addressing Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel in Gujarat's Bhuj IAF station.

This military installation was also targeted by Pakistani missiles and drones, all of which were intercepted by India's robust air defence network.

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May 16, 2025 13:39 (IST)

"Sure As Hell Helped": Donald Trump's Latest India-Pak Ceasefire Claim

Donald Trump - undeterred by India's six-point rebuttal Thursday in response to the United States President's many claims for credit for the ceasefire with Pakistan - is at it again.

Trump told American soldiers at a base in Qatar he "sure as hell helped settle the problem between India and Pak last week", and that he had resolved a "more and more hostile situation".

"I don't want to say I did... but I sure as hell helped settle the problem between Pakistan and India last week, which was getting more and more hostile and, all of a sudden, you'll start seeing missiles of a different type, and we got it settled," Trump, on a tour of West Asia, said.

He also claimed the ceasefire had been facilitated by the prospect of the US increasing trade with both countries. "... we talked to them about trade. 'Let's do trade instead of war', I said, and Pak was very happy with that and India was very happy with that. I think they are on the way."

May 16, 2025 12:53 (IST)

Army Details How 6 Terrorists Were Eliminated In 2 Encounters In J&K

The Indian Army in two separate operations successfully neutralised six terrorists within 48 hours in vastly different terrain in Jammu and Kashmir, senior officers told reporters today.

One of the terrorists was involved in the killing of a sarpach in the Union Territory in March.

"Wherever the terrorists hide, we will find them and neutralise them," Major General Dhananjay Joshi, GOC V Force, told reporters.

He said the army got information on May 12 on the possible presence of a terrorist group in the higher reaches in Kelar.

The next morning, on seeing some movement, the security forces challenged the terrorists but they responded with gunfire, he said, adding the security forces soon neutralised the threat.

The second operation in Tral was conducted in a border village.

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May 16, 2025 12:38 (IST)

"Pak Accepted Power Of Brahmos": Rajnath Singh At Bhuj Airbase

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that even Pakistan has accepted the power of BrahMos missile. 

"There is an old saying in our country 'Din mein taare dekhna' (Seeing stars in the day). Made in India BrahMos missile showed 'raat ke andhere mein din ka ujala' to Pakistan (Indian missiles were like sunlight in the dead of the night in Pakistan)," he said.

May 16, 2025 12:35 (IST)

Rajnath Singh Slams IMF Funding To Pakistan

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh slammed the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) funding to Pakistan, saying it is an "indirect funding to terror". 

"Any assistance given to Pakistan is terror funding. IMF should reconsider," he said.

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May 16, 2025 12:30 (IST)

"Just 23 Minutes Were Enough For Indian Air Force To Crush Terrorism": Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing from the Bhuj Airbase, told officials, "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."

May 16, 2025 12:26 (IST)

Rajnath Singh addresses "Air Warriors" At Air Force Station in Bhuj

May 16, 2025 11:57 (IST)

Pakistan Air Force Is 'Undisputed King'? India Fact-Checks Propaganda

Propaganda - ostensibly from a reputed British publication, The Daily Telegraph - declaring the Pakistan Air Force 'the undisputed king of the skies' has been junked by the government.

In a fact-check post on X Friday morning the government called out the image circulating on social media and said the photograph had been altered or edited with AI (Artificial Intelligence).

The Daily Telegraph "has never carried any such article", the government stressed.

A screenshot of the image - a front-page story from May 10, the date Pak reached out to India for a ceasefire - said "experts" described the PAF as "feared, respected, and remarkably efficient".

May 16, 2025 11:53 (IST)

"Timely Intelligence Inputs Helped": Armed Forces On J&K Encounters

The Indian Armed Forces on Friday said that timely intelligence inputs helped in capturing six terrorists in two separate encounters. "We are committed to ending terror. Terrorists had fled to higher regions. Operations were conducted in difficult areas. We had an intensified focus," they said.

May 16, 2025 11:50 (IST)

Indian Army On 3 Terrorists Killed In Tral

Three terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Awantipora. The terrorists were killed in a fierce gun battle after Police and army launched a joint operation. The encounter started at Nader and Tral area of Awantipora, which is a sub-district of Pulwama, in south Kashmir.

According to the armed forces, the terrorists had fled to higher regions. "We are committed to ending terror," they said.

May 16, 2025 11:47 (IST)

Joint Forces Briefing On Jammu And Kashmir Encounter Underway

Joint forces briefing on Jammu and Kashmir encounter underway.

May 16, 2025 11:23 (IST)

Rajnath Singh Reaches Gujarat, To Visit Bhuj Airbase

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has reached Gujarat. He will visit the Bhuj Air Force Station where he will interact with "courageous Air Warriors." Air Force Chief Air Marshal AP Singh is accompanying him.

May 16, 2025 11:10 (IST)

Fact Check: Pak Foreign Minister's 'Pak Air Force Undisputed King Of Skies' Claim

May 16, 2025 10:50 (IST)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Offers Dialogue With India For Peace

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday extended an offer of talks to India, saying Pakistan is ready to engage "for peace".

Shehbaz made the comments during a visit to the Kamra air base in the country's Punjab province where he interacted with officers and soldiers involved in the recent military confrontation with India.

"We are ready to talk with it (India) for peace," he said.

The prime minister added that the "conditions for peace" include the Kashmir issue.

India has maintained that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh "are and always will be integral and inalienable parts of it".

May 16, 2025 10:41 (IST)

Rs 50,000 Crore Boost For India's Military After Operation Sindoor: Sources

India's defence budget may get a Rs 50,000 crore boost as a result of Operation Sindoor, government sources told NDTV Friday morning. The boost, which will likely be provided through the supplementary budget, will take overall defence allocation past Rs 7 lakh crore, source said.

A record Rs 6.81 lakh crore had been set aside for the armed forces in the 2025/26 budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. This year's allocation was already a significant 9.2 per cent increase from the Rs 6.22 lakh crore in 2024/25.

The increased budget - approval for which will be sought in Parliament's Winter Session - will likely be used for research and development, and the purchase of weapons, ammunition, and other necessary equipment, sources told NDTV. Read more here

May 16, 2025 10:33 (IST)

Centre Unlikely To Hold Special Session To Discuss Op Sindoor: Sources

The Centre is unlikely to hold a special session of the Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor and India-Pakistan tensions, a long-standing demand of the Opposition, according to sources.

All questions regarding the cross-border situation and the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people, can be asked during the Monsoon Session in July, sources told NDTV.

May 16, 2025 10:30 (IST)

Indian Army's Statement On Rajnath Singh's Visit To Bhuj

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is visiting Bhuj Air Force Station today to interact with personnel of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Border Security Force (BSF), and other security agencies.

He will be briefed on the current security situation and operational preparedness by senior commanders.

Lt Gen Dheeraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, will be present during the visit and will brief the Hon'ble Raksha Mantri on the exemplary role being played by the Indian Army and BSF operating under the Bhuj-based Independent Infantry Brigade.

The visit highlights the coordinated efforts of all security forces in ensuring the safety and security of critical assets in the region.

Indian Army Air Defence units, deployed near Bhuj and Naliya, have successfully neutralized multiple hostile Pakistani drones in recent days, effectively foiling attempts to target vital military installations.

The Raksha Mantri's interaction with the troops is aimed at acknowledging their courage, operational excellence, and high morale in the face of emerging threats, especially in the domain of drone warfare.

May 16, 2025 10:26 (IST)

India And Pakistan To Work Towards Reducing Alertness Levels, Say Sources

India and Pakistan will continue the confidence-building measures agreed between their two top military officers to end the brief conflict following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists, sources have said. The Pahalgam terror attack was the "original escalation", India said during a briefing on Operation Sindoor last week.

India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of cross-border drone and missile strikes.

While India first struck terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir using precision cruise missiles and glide bombs, the neighbouring country - whose territory is used as a launchpad for terrorists and where Osama bin Laden was found hiding in 2011 - responded by launching drone and rocket strikes on Indian civilian areas and military installations.

May 16, 2025 10:24 (IST)

India, Pak Extend Ceasefire Till May 18, Officials To Speak Again: Sources

The ceasefire between India and Pakistan has been extended till May 18, with the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of New Delhi and Islamabad set to hold talks soon, sources said.

According to sources, the DGMOs of both countries will review the situation along the border during the meeting. Follow LIVE updates

This comes a day after India and Pakistan decided to continue their confidence-building measures to gradually reduce the high alertness levels on the Line of Control and border areas. "Further to the understanding between the two DGMOs on 10th of May 2025, it has been decided to continue the confidence-building measures so as to reduce the alertness level. As the situation develops further, we shall intimate you," the Indian Army said in a statement.

May 16, 2025 10:23 (IST)

Rajnath Singh Leaves For Gujarat, To Visit Bhuj Airbase

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh left for Bhuj Air Force Station in Gujarat today, where he will interact with "courageous Air Warriors." Air Force Chief Air Marshal AP Singh is accompanying him.

May 16, 2025 10:22 (IST)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh To Visit Bhuj Air Force Station Today

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to visit the Bhuj airbase in Gujarat today, days after India's Operation Sindoor.

Amid military tensions, the Pakistani Army had attempted to target India's Bhuj using drones.

During his visit, Mr Singh is expected to evaluate the operational preparedness of the Indian Armed Forces in the region and examine the effectiveness of strengthened security measures following Pakistan's recent unsuccessful drone incursions.

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