Amid an atmosphere brimming with patriotism, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday flagged off the ‘Bharat Shaurya Tiranga Yatra’, a state-wide campaign honoring the valor of the Indian armed forces and reaffirming national unity.

Holding the tricolour high, the Chief Minister commended the military for the successful execution of Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation to the April 22 terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.

“This yatra is a mark of gratitude to our armed forces and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who have stood firm in the face of adversity. The tricolour represents India’s honour, pride, and valour,” said Adityanath, addressing a massive rally in the state capital.

He lauded the armed forces for a decisive response, calling Pakistan a “failed nation” that has continued to nurture terrorism for over seven decades.

“Pakistan is hollow from within. It has glorified terrorists with state funerals attended by politicians and army officials. But now the world has witnessed India’s might on land, sea, and air. Operation Sindoor has sent a clear message to our enemies—we do not provoke, but if provoked, we do not spare,” Adityanath asserted.

Strong Warning to India’s Adversaries

In a stern tone, the Chief Minister issued a warning to any entity that threatens India’s sovereignty:

“Those who dare raise a finger at India or threaten the dignity of our daughters will find no one to mourn them,” he said, referring to the swift action undertaken by Indian forces during the operation.

Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror infrastructure across the border, reportedly resulted in over 100 militants and their facilitators being neutralized on the very first day.

Despite mounting evidence linking the Pahalgam massacre to Pakistan, Islamabad maintained its stance of denial. However, Adityanath emphasized that India’s firm response has changed global perceptions.

Rally Reflects People’s Faith in Armed Forces

The rally, part of a series being organized by the BJP across Uttar Pradesh, drew thousands in support. Adityanath pointed to the turnout as proof of the deep respect and solidarity the public has with the nation’s defenders.

“This patience and dedication reflect how citizens stood with our soldiers and government during Operation Sindoor,” he noted.

The Chief Minister reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s core philosophy of ‘Nation First’, stating it serves as a beacon of guidance for 140 crore Indians.

“When every citizen acts in the spirit of putting the nation above all else, no power in the world can challenge us. This is how we will fulfill the dream of a developed and powerful India,” he said.

Top BJP Brass in Attendance

The rally saw the presence of several senior BJP leaders, including:

• Bhupendra Chaudhary – State BJP President
• Brajesh Pathak – Deputy Chief Minister
• Suresh Khanna – Finance Minister
• Swatantra Dev Singh – Jal Shakti Minister

A host of MPs, MLCs, and district-level leaders also marked their participation in the grand event, which signals the beginning of a wider campaign to galvanize nationalist sentiments across the state ahead of upcoming political milestones.

IAF, Army repel 300–400 drone attacks; India strikes back at Pakistani air defence sites

New Delhi — The ongoing military standoff between India and Pakistan escalated dramatically last night as Pakistan launched a massive swarm of 300–400 Turkish-origin drones across Indian airspace, targeting military infrastructure and probing India’s air defence systems.

“Indian forces neutralised many drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means,” said Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force.

According to officials, Pakistan recklessly kept its civil airspace open during the attack, effectively using civilian airliners as shields, while artillery and drone attacks battered border areas from Leh to Sir Creek.

🛡️ INDIA RESPONDS SWIFTLY

“An armed UAV strike on Bhatinda was thwarted. Indian drones struck back at four Pakistani air defence sites, destroying a radar,” said Singh.

Forensic reports suggest the Pakistani drones were Asisguard Songar models of Turkish origin, used to test Indian defences and gather intelligence.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Army condemned Pakistan’s tactics, saying:

“Pakistan’s irresponsible behaviour put civilian lives at risk. While India closed its airspace as a precaution, Pakistan kept international flights running, knowing fully that retaliation was inevitable.”

Screenshots of Flightradar24 data were presented, showing civil airlines flying between Karachi and Lahore even as the conflict raged near the border.

💥 BORDER UNDER ATTACK

Pakistani artillery and drones struck Kandhan, Uri, Poonch, Mender, Rajouri, Akur, and Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir, causing casualties among Indian troops.

“Pakistan Army also suffered major losses in Indian retaliatory firing,” Qureshi added.

🔥 OPERATION SINDOOR: THE TRIGGER POINT

Tensions have soared since India’s Operation Sindoor on Wednesday, which targeted terror infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Pakistan’s attempted attack on 15 Indian cities since then has been largely unsuccessful, with the Indian Air Force exercising “considerable restraint” to avoid jeopardizing international civilian flights.

New Delhi — In a scathing statement, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Friday condemned Pakistan’s attacks on religious sites in India, including a gurdwara in Amritsar and a religious site in Poonch, calling Islamabad’s attempt to blame India “preposterous” and part of a dangerous disinformation campaign.

“The idea that India would attack its own cities is the kind of deranged fantasy only the Pakistani state can come up with,” Misri said at a media briefing.

Misri accused Pakistan of desperately trying to inject a communal angle into the escalating crisis, warning that Islamabad’s “farcical denials” and “blatant lies” would fail to deceive the global community.

💥 INDIA’S OPERATION SINDOOR TARGETS PAK TERROR HUBS

Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors soared following India’s precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor on Wednesday. Among the targets was Bahawalpur’s Markaz Subhan Allah, the Jaish-e-Mohammed nerve center tied to the 2002 murder of Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl.

“Bahawalpur is JeM’s headquarters. Its leader Masood Azhar is a UN-proscribed terrorist,” Misri said, underscoring India’s resolve against cross-border terrorism.

✋ KARTARPUR CORRIDOR SUSPENDED OVER SECURITY

Amid heightened tensions, India announced the suspension of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, a key religious route for Sikh pilgrims, citing grave security concerns.

🔥 PAKISTAN’S DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN

Misri dismissed as “blatant lies” Pakistan’s claim that India had used drones to attack the revered Nankana Sahib Gurdwara.

“Pakistan is trying to stoke communal discord. But India’s unity itself is a challenge to Pakistan,” Misri asserted.

Indian Armed Forces shoot down nearly 100 drones in six J&K districts
No casualties or damage; sirens, blackouts, and vigilance on borders

For the second night in a row, Pakistan launched a major drone offensive targeting military installations, airbases, and civilian areas across Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch, Samba, Kathua, and Udhampur.

From 8:20 pm to 10:30 pm, waves of nearly 100 drones — many Turkish and Chinese-made — crossed the Line of Control and International Border. India’s advanced Air Defence System, including S-400, Barak-8, Akash missiles, and DRDO anti-drone technology, swiftly neutralized every threat.

“No military or civilian targets were hit. The situation is under control,” officials confirmed.

CITIZEN ADVISORY: Residents along the border are urged to remain indoors and follow local safety instructions.

INSIDE: See detailed report on India’s air defence strategy → Page 3
PHOTOS: Images of recovered drone debris → Page 5

🗣️ CONGRESS RALLIES BEHIND SOLDIERS, CALLS FOR UNITY

Jai Hind Yatra launched in solidarity with Armed Forces

Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh and Ragini Nayak, voiced strong support for India’s soldiers in the wake of recent terror attacks and the ongoing drone offensive.

“Whenever India’s self-respect is challenged, we give a befitting reply,” Ramesh declared.
“We are with the government in whatever decision it takes against Pakistan,” Nayak affirmed.

The Congress’s nationwide Jai Hind Yatra aims to boost the morale of the armed forces and express solidarity with the victims of recent violence.

🌾 INDIA UNVEILS GENOME-EDITED RICE TO BOOST YIELDS

Two new varieties, DRR Dhan 100 and Pusa DST Rice1, promise 30% higher yields, drought tolerance, and water efficiency

The Agriculture Ministry announced a breakthrough with genome-edited rice that matures 20 days earlier, needs less water, and improves nitrogen use. This innovation could transform Indian farming, boost food security, and strengthen India’s position as a global rice exporter.

“A game-changer for climate resilience,” experts say.

⚠️ BOMB THREAT AT ARUN JAITLEY STADIUM TURNS OUT TO BE HOAX

A bomb threat sent via email to the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) triggered a major police and bomb squad response at Arun Jaitley Stadium. After a thorough sweep, no explosives were found.

“The venue was cleared; it was a hoax,” DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma said.

As many as 138 flights to and from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) were cancelled by various airlines on Friday, a source said, amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan.

In response to the situation, security measures have been significantly enhanced at airports across the country. Around 27 airports in different parts of India have been closed following Operation Sindoor, under which Indian armed forces conducted strikes on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Wednesday, retaliating for the April Pahalgam terror attack that killed at least 26 people.

The flight disruptions included 66 domestic departures, 63 domestic arrivals, 5 international departures, and 4 international arrivals between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday, the source added.

Despite the cancellations, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), which operates IGIA, said airport operations remain normal.
“However, due to evolving airspace conditions and heightened security measures, some flight schedules and security processing timings may be impacted,” DIAL posted on X.

DIAL also advised passengers to allow extra time for security checks and to cooperate with airline and security staff to ensure smooth processing.