FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLI No. 331 | INDORE | FRIDAY | MAY 9, 2025 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in Nation President grants prosecution sanction against Lalu Prasad P.9 ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE MONEY ‘India-Pakistan hostilities’ heighten credit risks: S&P UJJAIN PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit CPM welcomes Gautam Adani P.6 Cinema Master Han returns P.12 STRONG SHIELD | Hours after foiled attempt to target 15 Indian cities, Pakistan launched swarm drones and eight missile attacks on parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Punjab on Thursday night PEHLE ROKAA, PHIR THOKAA India hits back with attacks on Islamabad, Sialkot, Lahore, Bahawalpur, Peshawar & Karachi port FP Desk PAK FOLLOWS HAMAS TEMPLATE NEW DELHI In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Pakistan late ThursPakistan is using Hamasday night launched a coorstyle missiles to target dinated assault using missiles multiple areas in Jammu, and drones at several strategic Defence sources said on locations in Jammu and KashThursday. The sources mir, Punjab and Rajasthan. said visuals over Jammu The drone attacks lasted 35 remind of exactly minutes from 8.45 pm to 9.15Hamas-style attack on Is20pm. No rael, like multiple cheap loss of life or SECOND BLACK OUT rockets. Pakistan Army is no injuries operating and behaving IN JAMMU AT 2.15 AM were relike a terror organisation ported. The Hamas. Last month ISI blackouts in Amritsar, Pathanand Hamas met in Pakiskot, Jammu, Chandigarh, Sritan-occupied Jammu and nagar and various other cities Kashmir. Pakistan fired was called off after 1am. eight missiles directed at India’s air defence forces reSatwari, Samba, RS Pura and Arnia sectors in sponded with remarkable Jammu, and all were precision, intercepting and blocked neutralising all incoming missiles, thereby preventing any 3 PAF PLANES major damage. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that PakisSHOT DOWN tan had launched eight missiles targeting Satwari, Samba, News channels claimed RS Pura, and the Arnia sector, that Indian defence forces all of which were intercepted also shot down three Pakmid-air. No casualties or infraistan air force fighter structural damage have been planes including two JFreported, thanks to the effec17s and one F-16. NEWS tive deployment of advanced CHANNELS claimed that Pakistan has already acair defence systems. As a precepted that its two JF-17 cautionary measure, blackouts were shot down. “We rewere imposed in multiple regret to confirm that two gions to prevent targeting by JF-17 aircraft were lost hostile surveillance. Missiles streak across the city sky, in Jammu on Thursday. Pakistani troops resorted during active duty,” PakisIn a calibrated retaliation after to unprovoked shelling along the Line of Control in Kupwara and Baramulla districts tani Lieutenant General neutralizing the Pakistani attack, of Jammu and Kashmir late on Thursday evening with the Indian armed forces retaliAhmed Sharif Chaudhry, Indian forces launched drone ating effectively, officials said Director General of Interstrikes on Pakistani territory, Services Public Relaspecifically targeting military inmarks the second failed offenfirmed intense cross-border firdowned Pakistan Air Force tions (DGISPR) was stallations in Lahore, Sialkot and sive launched by Pakistan in reing from the Rajouri and Nausfighter plane that was downed quoted saying. NDTV said other major cities. According to cent weeks. hera sectors, indicating further in Akhnoor had been arrested that sources told that an Fofficials, Air Defence successfully The Pathankot airbase came escalation. by the Border Security Force. 16 supersonic fighter jet of intercepted drones launched by under drone attack but was proA high alert was sounded in However, there was no official was shot down in the evenPakistan at the Jammu airport, tected effectively, with defence Delhi, and all city government confirmation about the develing by a surface-to-air misairbase confirming that no casuforces neutralising the threat employees' leaves were canopment. Electronic media sile defence system. The alties were reported. In a coorwithout incurring any damage. celled as hostilities ramped up claimed that Pakistan General F-16 took off from the Sardinated response, Indian Pakistan also attempted to between India and Pakistan. Asif Munir has accepted that godha air base in Pakistan, a defence systems also shot down target the Jaisalmer army base Meanwhile, in Washington, one pilot was in Indian cuskey air force station of the drones over Udhampur. using drones, which was effecUS State Department Spokestody. Meanwhile, red alert was Pakistani Air Force. The InThe overnight attack caused tively defended. Several cities in person Tammy Bruce consounded in Sriganganagar in dian SAM (Surface-to-air power disruptions at Vaishno Punjab, including Amritsar, firmed that Secretary Marco Rajasthan as Indian forces missile) shot down the Devi shrine, triggering a comAbohar, Jalandhar, and FerozeRubio held detailed dislaunched a retaliatory action fighter jet near the Sarplete blackout. Similar power pur, also experienced temporcussions with Indian External against Pakistani areas across godha air base, sources outages were reported in Srinaary blackouts as a security Affairs Minister Dr S JaishanRajasthan border. said. gar, where authorities implemeasure amid attempted intrukar on Thursday. During the mented emergency protocols sions. conversation, Secretary Rubio amid heightened security alerts. In response to the offensive, called for immediate de-escaThe IPL 2025 clash between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals In addition to Jammu and SriIndia has placed all forward lation and stressed the imporwas abruptly called off midway due to a complete blackout at nagar, Pakistan targeted other posts and border areas on high tance of direct dialogue HPCA Stadium, triggered by air raid alerts in nearby Jammu key areas including Udhampur, alert, particularly along the Line between India and Pakistan. and Pathankot amidst heightened Indo-Pak tensions. Akhnoor, and Pathankot. This of Control (LoC). Reports conSources claimed at pilot of a IPL match in Dharamsala called off Flights from Gwalior airport suspended till May 9 FP News Service GWALIOR Pak-origin content on OTT platforms, streaming services banned No Indian jet shot down, says Misri ANI NEW DELHI 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 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 Dismissing Pakistan’s claims that it had downed Indian jets, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called the claims baseless propaganda, calling it part of a long-standing pattern of misinformation. He further recalled how Pakistan has been resorting to falsehoods since its inception in 1947, including its denial of involvement in the invasion of Jammu and Kashmir before the United Nations. Addressing a press briefing on Thursday, Misri said, He also says India has not targeted the Neelam-Jhelum dam in PoJK "There is nothing surprising in it. After all, this is a country that started lying as soon as it was born. In 1947, when the Pakistani army claimed Jammu and Kashmir, they lied not to any random person but to the United Nations that we have nothing to do with it. So this journey started 75 years ago.” 4Continued on | P8 AP Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the new Pope, becoming the first North American to ascend to the papacy—a historic and symbolic shift in Catholic leadership. A Chicago-born Augustinian with deep missionary roots, Prevost brings global experience and diplomatic finesse to the Vatican.He will take the name Leo XIV. Though not seen as a front- runner, his three decades in Peru, fluency in several languages, and tenure as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops made him a bridge between continents. "He’s one of the least ‘American’ American cardinals," said a Vatican insider, FP News Desk MUMBAI The Indian Navy has swung into action and its aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, stationed in the Arabian Sea, reportedly launched missile strikes on key Pakistani naval bases, causing major destruction and panic along the neighbour's coastline. It is the first time after 1971 that the Indian Navy opened front against Pakistan. Sources said INS Vikrant fired multiple missiles at Karachi and Ormara ports. The attacks caused major destruction and panic among people. “INS Vikrant ne Karachi ko nishane par lekar bhaari tabahi machani shuru kar di hai. Nausena ke hamle se Karachi ke bandargah samet shehar mein bhaari aag lagi hui hai,” a source said. Reports say flames engulfed the Karachi port. People in coastal areas fled towards inland regions. Karachi and Ormara are home to major Pak naval bases. The facilities reportedly house warships, submarines and military headquarters. “INS Vikrant se Pakistan ke Karachi aur Ormara bandargah par kai missilein daagi gayi hain. Jisse dono port par bhayankar aag lag gayi hai,” said a defence official. With the Navy’s assault, the ports are believed to be heavily damaged. Furthermore, major Pak cities were struck by Indian armed forces, following which, a curfew has been announced in Pakistan. A powerful blast was reported in Peshawar late on Thursday as India launched a massive counter-attack on Pakistan following attempted cross-border drone and missile strikes earlier in the evening. 4Continued on | P8 Operation Sindoor ongoing, Rajnath tells Opposition Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar NEW DELHI Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday told the all-party meeting called to apprise leaders of various parties about Operation Sindoor -- that was launched on Wednesday as India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attacks -- that the operation was still going on and India would respond proportionately if Pakistan chose to escalate the situation. Singh said Operation Sindoor, under which terror sites linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen were targeted, was still going and India would not hesitate to hit back hard if Pakistan chose to escalate the situation. In the initial strikes on nine locations, missiles and drones were used by India to target four sites of JeM, three of LeT and two of HuM. The Resistance Front, an offshoot of LeT had claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead. Singh also informed the leaders of the Opposition parties and ally parties that much of the infrastructure of these terror outfits was destroyed in the raids. He also told the meeting that around 100 terrorists have already been killed in the air and drone strikes which India undertook. Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar NEW DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a number of meetings with senior officials to discuss the ongoing Operation Sindoor and preparations to minimise losses within the country. One of his first meetings of the day was with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval who met him at his residence. Doval, who had also briefed the PM on Wednesday following the start on Operation Sindoor, had subsequently reached out to his counterparts in various countries to explain India’s actions against highlighting his unique appeal in a polarized world, particularly during the Trump era. Prevost now leads 1.4 billion Catholics, delivering his first “Urbi et Orbi” blessing from St Peter’s Basilica. He is known for humility and sharp intellect. US President Donald Trump said it was "such an honour for our country" for the new pope to be American. "What greater honour can there be," he said. The president added that "we're a little bit surprised and we're happy." terror following the Pahalgam attack. Doval is also learnt to have spoken to his Pakistani counterpart in a bid to prevent any major escalation. While India had struck nine Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL 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 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi offered his party’s full support to the government in the action against terror. He also lauded the fact that the Centre had convened such an all-party meeting both before and after Operation Sindoor to take the Opposition into confidence. Though Gandhi, who is Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, also asked some questions, he did not push the minister for a reply in view of the sensitivity of the ongoing situation. 4Continued on | P8 If media reports are to be believed, Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir is most likely to be removed very soon. Sources within the Pak Army indicate a takeover of the Pak Army by General Shahir Shamshad Mirza, the CJCSC. It seems to be a coup against General Asim Munir for taking the country down the destruction path for his personal agenda. terrorist camps and locations across Pakistan at the start of the operation, it targeted more sites in different cities on Thursday. Overall, there are around 42 sites which India has identified as launchpads, training camps or harbouring areas for terrorists. Doval also briefed the PM on how attempts by Pakistan to target various Indian cities and installations had been thwarted. He also spoke about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir where several people were killed in Pakistani firing across the Line of Control (LoC). Only Allah can save us now: Pak MP breaks down in Parliament IANS NEW DELHI taking feedback from different parts of the state. Intelligence has been told to keep an eye on rumourmongers. 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. 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 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 High alert in MP, activities at army centres intensified CM & DGP keeping an eye on situation Says over 100 terrorists killed in the process, much of terrorist infrastructure destroyed MUNIR TO BE REMOVED? Modi takes stock American is Pope Leo XIV VATICAN CITY Declaration of war: Navy hits Pak ports