FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. 14 No. 325 | BHOPAL | FRIDAY | MAY 9, 2025 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 www.freepressjournal.in Nation HOW ‘PANIKSTAN’ BID WAS THWARTED P.7 ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: BHOPAL UJJAIN MONEY PUNE INDORE NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit CPM welcomes Gautam Adani P.6 ‘India-Pakistan hostilities’ heighten credit risks: S&P Cinema Master Han returns P.14 OPERATION SINDOOR CONTINUES | Hours after foiled attempt to target 15 Indian cities, Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks on parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Punjab in an enormous escalation PEHLE ROKAA, PHIR THOKAA India attacks Islamabad, Sialkot, Lahore & Karachi in retaliation Pak strike in 15 cities foiled, Lahore’s air defence system destroyed Our Staff Reporter NEW DELHI In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Pakistan late Thursday night launched a coordinated assault using missiles and drones aimed at several strategic locations across Jammu & Kashmir. India’s air defence forces responded with remarkable precision, intercepting and neutralising all eight incoming missiles, thereby preventing any major damage. As a precautionary measure, blackouts were imposed in multiple regions to prevent targeting by hostile surveillance. In a swift and calibrated retaliation, Indian forces launched drone strikes on Pakistani territory, specifically targeting military installations in Lahore and Sialkot. The strikes were carried out late in the night, shortly after neutralising the incoming threat. According to officials, Indian Air Defence successfully intercepted drones launched by Pakistan at the Jammu airport, confirming that no casualties were reported. In a coordinated response, Indian defence systems also shot down drones over Udhampur, further thwarting the attempted offensive. Sources confirmed that eight Pakistani missiles were intercepted in the airspace near Jammu. “All neutralised,” a senior defence official said. The successful interceptions averted what could have been a major military and civilian crisis. The overnight attack caused power disruptions at the Vaishno Devi shrine, triggering a complete blackout. Similar power outages were reported in Srinagar, where authorities implemented emergency protocols amid heightened security alerts. Former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police SP Vaid posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Complete blackout in Jammu. Loud explosions— bombing, shelling, or missile strikes suspected. Fret not— Mata Vaishno Devi is with us, and so are the valiant Indian Armed Forces.” In addition to Jammu and Srinagar, Pakistan targeted Flights from Gwalior airport suspended till May 9 FP News Service GWALIOR PTI NEW DELHI View of a blackout in the city, amid attack from Pakistan in the wake of ‘Operation Sindoor’, in Jammu on Thursday. Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked shelling along the Line of Control in Kupwara and Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir late on Thursday evening with the Indian armed forces retaliating effectively, officials said other key areas including Udhampur, Akhnoor, and Pathankot. This marks the second failed offensive launched by Pakistan in recent weeks. The Pathankot airbase came under drone attack but was protected effectively, with defence forces neutralising the threat without incurring any damage. As this report was being filed, sirens continued to blare across Srinagar, keeping security forces and residents on high alert. In a wider attempt to destabilise northern sectors, Pakistan also attempted to target the Jaisalmer army base using drones, which was effectively defended. Several cities in Punjab, including Amritsar, Abohar, Jalandhar, and Ferozepur, also experienced temporary blackouts as a security measure amid attempted intrusions. In response to the offensive, India has placed all forward posts and border areas on high alert, particularly along the Line of Control (LoC). Reports confirmed intense crossborder firing from the Rajouri and Naushera sectors, indicating further escalation. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that Pakistan had launched eight missiles targeting Satwari, Samba, RS Pura, and the Arnia sector, all of which were intercepted midair. No casualties or infrastructural damage have been reported, thanks to the effec- Pak-origin content on OTT platforms, streaming services banned IANS Services at Gwalior’s Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Airport were suspended for all civilian and commercial flights until May 9, following heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. The high alert was also declared in the nearby regions. According to authorities, the airport shares its runway with the Maharajpura airbase, from where India launched its Balakot airstrike in February 2019. Gwalior Airport director Kashinath Yadav requested passengers to follow the issued guidelines and cooperate to prevent any inconvenience. 4Continued on | P8 NEW DELHI THREE PAF PLANES SHOT DOWN News channels claimed that Indian defence forces also shot down three Pakistan air force fighter planes including two JF-17s and one F-16. NEWS CHANNELS claimed that Pakistan has already accepted that its two JF-17 were shot down. “We regret to confirm that two JF-17 aircraft were lost during active duty,” stated Pakistani Lieutenant General Ahmed SharifChaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DGISPR) NDTV said that sources told that an F-16 supersonic fighter jet of was shot down in the evening by a surfaceto-air missile defence system. The F-16 took off from the Sargodha air base in Pakistan, a key air force station of the Pakistani Air Force. The Indian SAM (Surface-to-air missile) shot down the fighter jet near the Sargodha air base, sources said. IPL match cancelled The IPL Cricket match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, that was in progress at Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, has been cancelled. The HPCA stadium has been evacuated and its lights turned off as precautionary measure. tive deployment of India’s advanced air defence systems. These border sectors, already sensitive zones, are now under enhanced surveillance, with the situation being closely monitored by top defence authorities. The government has imposed emergency measures, and entry to all airports across the country has been temporarily restricted in light of the security threat. Meanwhile, in Washington, US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that Secretary Marco Rubio held detailed dis- High alert post Op Sindoor, activities at army centres intensified CM & DGP keeping an eye on situation Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL India on Thursday banned Pakistan-origin content on OTT platforms, streaming services and digital intermediaries amid rising tensions between the two countries, following the Islamabadsponsored terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and the wave of fake news and propaganda unleashed by the hostile neighbouring nation. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory directing all OTT platforms, streaming services, and digital intermediaries operating in India to immediately discontinue access to all content originating from Pakistan. The advisory stated, "several terrorist attacks in India have been established to have cross-border linkages with Pakistan based State and non-State actors. Recently, on April 22, the terrorist attack in Pahalgam led to the killing of several Indians, one Nepali citizen, and injuries to a number of others." 4Continued on | P8 cussions with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Thursday. During the conversation, Secretary Rubio called for immediate de-escalation and stressed the importance of direct dialogue between India and Pakistan. He also extended his condolences over the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and reiterated the United States’ commitment to work closely with India in countering terrorism and ensuring regional stability. Sources claimed at pilot of a downed Pakistan Air The state government is monitoring the situation arising out of the tension between India and Pakistan. The government has put the state on high alert. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Director General of Police Kailash Makwana are regularly taking feedback from different parts of the state. Intelligence has been told to keep an eye on rumour- mongers. The officers have been told to act quickly to deal with any untoward incident. Gwalior, Mhow, Jabalpur, Bhopal, Sagar and Pachmarhi have army setups. The administration has intensified its activities in these areas because of tension on the borders. MP’s borders are adjacent to Gujarat and Rajasthan. Both the states are adjacent to Pakistan. Preparations are underway to send any assistance to these states in an emergency situation. The state is gearing up to deal with any situation. 4Continued on | P8 PAK FOLLOWS HAMAS TEMPLATE Pakistan is using Hamasstyle missiles to target multiple areas in Jammu, Defence sources said on Thursday. The sources said visuals over Jammu remind of exactly Hamas-style attack on Israel, like multiple cheap rockets. Pakistan Army is operating and behaving like a terror organisation Hamas. Last month ISI and Hamas met in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan fired eight missiles directed at Satwari, Samba, RS Pura and Arnia sectors in Jammu, and all were blocked Force fighter plane that was downed in Akhnoor had been arrested by Indian forces. However, there was no official confirmation about the development. Meanwhile, red alert was sounded in Sriganganagar in Rajasthan as Indian forces launched a retaliatory action against Pakistan at Rajasthan border. All Pakistan areas near the border were under attack. Indian Navy too joined the assault from Arabian Sea and launched an attack on Pakistan. India on Thursday thwarted Pakistan's attempts to strike military sites with drones and missiles at 15 places in northern and western regions of the country and targeted Pakistani air defence systems with one in Lahore being "neutralised", as tensions soared between the two countries amid fears of a wider conflict. The attempts by Pakistan came after the Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out precise missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan under 'Operation Sindoor'. As the Ministry of Defence(MoD) reiterated that any attack on military sites in India will invite a "suitable response", Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the choice Military attack will be met with very firm response: EAM PTI of de-escalation is with Pakistan as it escalated the situation with the Pahalgam terror attack and that India only responded to it through 'Operation Sindoor'. As leaders across the political spectrum projected a united front, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is reported to have told an all-party meeting that at least 100 hardcore terrorists and their associates were killed in the Indian strikes. At another event, he assured the nation that no limit will become an obstacle for the Government in protecting India's sovereignty. "We are fully prepared for such responsible responses in the future as well." In a press statement, the MoD said that on the night of May 7-8, Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military targets in Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, PTI NEW DELHI NEW DELHI India has no intention to escalate the situation with Pakistan but if there are military attacks on the country, then it will be met with a "very" firm response, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday. Jaishankar made the remarks at a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The external affairs minister said the "barbaric" Pahalgam terror attack compelled India to carry out strikes on "cross-border" terror infrastructure on Wednesday. "This attack compelled us to respond on May 7 by striking at the cross-border terrorist infrastructure. Our response was targeted and measured," he said. 4Continued on | P8 The BJP claimed on Thursday that Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist Abdul Rauf Azhar, wanted in a string of terror attacks in India including the one on Parliament, was killed in the Indian strikes under Operation Sindoor. Azhar was JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar's brother and had reportedly headed the proscribed outfit in his absence. The BJP said in a post on X that the "most wanted" Pakistani terrorist Abdul Rauf Azhar was killed in the Indian strikes. It said he was among the family members of his elder brother taken out in the precision attack. Besides the terror attack on Parliament in 2001, he was also involved in the Kandahar plane hijack and Pathankot terror attack. PTI NEW DELHI White smoke is billowing from the top of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican on Thursday indicating the cardinals have selected the next Pope, local media reported. Robert Francis Prevost is new Pope, taking Papal name Pope Leon XIV. The voice of the six bells of St Peter's Basilca announced thatt the Church has its new Pope. "It's a moment of joy,the wait is over," the Vatican News said in a message. Crowds erupted in cheers at the St. Peter's Square as cardinals announced through a billow of white smoke that a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away a day after Easter Sunday this year had been named. The 133 Cardinal electors gathered in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel have elected the new Pope. He will appear soon at the central window of St. Peter's Basilica, t he Vatican News reported. Only Allah can save us now: Pak MP breaks down in Parliament IANS "In the moment of crisis, we are with the government," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters after the meeting, a view reiterated by his party colleague and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and echoed by several other opposition leaders. Singh noted that it is a emerging and evolving situation, declining to get into the details of the continuing In- dian operation. Kharge said, "The defence minister said this is a sensitive time and in the interest of the country, detailed questions are not to be asked as they pertain to defence secrets." The Congress chief, though, conveyed his disappointment over Prime Minister Narendra Modi not attending the allparty meeting. 4Continued on | P8 White Smoke on the Vatican Chimney, a new Pope is elected VATICAN CITY In a statement attributed to him, JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar acknowledged on Wednesday that 10 members of his family and four close associates were killed in India's missile attack on the outfit's headquarters in Bahawalpur. The Indian armed forces conducted precision strikes early on Wednesday under Operation Sindoor in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), targeting terror launchpads in response to the attack by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's tourist spot Pahalgam killing 26 civilians in cold blood on April 22. NEW DELHI offgrid Agencies 4Continued on | P8 Kandahar plane hijack mastermind killed: BJP All parties back military action The all-party meeting on Thursday saw opposition parties backing the government in the military action and hailing the armed forces, as leaders across the political spectrum projected a united front amid heightened tensions between the two neighbouring countries. Chairing the meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in his briefing and then responding to points raised by the leaders of different parties, said India does not want escalation but will give a befitting reply to Pakistan if attacked, the sources added. Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj. "These attempts were neutralised by the Integrated Counter Unmanned Aircraft System (Grid and Air Defence systems)," it said. The S-400 air defence systems were deployed to counter the attacks in northern India. The statement said the debris of these attacks is now being recovered from a number of locations that prove the Pakistani strikes. The previous two popes were both announced on the second day of the conclave. In a short while the new Vicar of Christ will be announced. The Catholic Church began the highly secretive process known as the "conclave" on Wednesday to elect the next pontiff following the death of Pope Francis last month. There are 133 voting cardinals, and any one of them needs to receive more than two-thirds of the vote to become the new pope. At the end of each voting session, the cardinals burn the ballots. Black smoke means the cardinals haven't reached a consensus, and white smoke means there's a new Pope.The conclave process is highly secretive, which allows the church and cardinals "freedom" to choose a pope without outside influence. The tremors of India's Operation Sindoor are now echoing inside the halls of Pakistan's Parliament. In an extraordinary and emotional moment, Retired Major and current MP Tahir Iqbal, a former officer of the Pakistan Army, broke down in Parliament, delivering a passionate plea in Urdu, begging Allah to protect Pakistan. This emotional outburst came just a day after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appealed to the world for help in shielding his country. Now, even Pakistani lawmakers are publicly expressing fear and helplessness in the face of India's strong response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. That response - Operation Sindoor -destroyed nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK, with nearly 100 terrorists reportedly eliminated. 4Continued on | P8