SOURCE: PTI

With the number of Indian tourists visiting the Maldives dwindling amidst strained bilateral ties, the archipelago nation’s tourism minister on Monday urged Indians to contribute to the country’s economy which is dependent on tourism.

In an interview with PTI Videos here, Maldivian Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal emphasised on the historical relations between his country and India. “We have a history. Our newly elected government also wants to work together (with India). We always promote peace and a friendly environment. Our people and the government will give a warm welcome to Indian arrivals. As the Tourism Minister, I want to tell Indians to please be a part of Maldives’ tourism. Our economy depends on tourism,” he said.

SOURCE: PTI

Devika Rotawan, the youngest eye-witness in the trial of 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab, slammed Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar without naming him for his statement about the death of then Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare and said one should not “sprinkle salt on wounds”.

Mr Wadettiwar, the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, claimed that Hemant Karkare, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad chief during the 26/11 terror attack, wasn’t killed by Kasab but by a bullet fired by a policeman affiliated to the RSS.

SOURCE: PTI

An Advance Light Helicopter of the Indian Army has made a “precautionary landing” at a farm in Maharashtra’s Sangli district due to a technical issue in its engine, police said. Three Army personnel – two pilots and a technician – were on board at the time of the incident on Saturday morning, they said, adding that there was no casualty.

The helicopter, belonging to the Army Aviation Corps, was going from Nashik in Maharashtra to Bengaluru, a police official said on Saturday.

SOURCE: PTI

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Monday reviewed situation in the wake of hoax emails received by some schools in the national capital last week and emphasised the need to enhance security, CCTV cameras and regular monitoring of emails in the schools.

Mr Bhalla also asked the Delhi Police and schools to have close coordination for an effective response mechanism so that misinformation does not create any unnecessary panic.

SOURCE: ISRO

ISRO is developing a 2000 kN thrust semi-cryogenic engine working on an LOX Kerosene propellant combination for enhancing the payload capability of LVM3 and for future launch vehicles. Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) is the lead centre for the development of semi-cryogenic propulsion systems with the support of other launch vehicle centres of ISRO. The assembly and testing of the propulsion modules were done at the ISRO propulsion complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri.

As part of the engine development, a pre-burner ignition test article, which is a full complement of the engine power head system excluding the turbopumps is realized. The first ignition trial was conducted successfully on May 2, 2024, at semi cryo integrated engine test facility (SIET) at IPRC, Mahendragiri, which was dedicated to the nation recently by the honorable Prime Minister of India. Smooth and sustained ignition of the preburner is demonstrated which is vital for the starting of the semi-cryogenic engine.

SOURCE: PTI

The theaterisation process in the military is making progress as consensus is emerging among the three services on the ambitious initiative, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in first clear remarks reflecting forward movement in the mega reform initiative.

In an exclusive interview to PTI on Saturday, he said the armed forces are committed to the theaterisation initiative because it will integrate the capabilities of the three services and ensure better utilisation of resources.

SOURCE: ANI

The Indian Army and the Air Force are planning to jointly deploy MQ-9B Predator drones at air bases in Sarsawa and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, for upgrading their surveillance capabilities all along the Line of Actual Control with China from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.

The drone deal, expected to be worth around USD 4 billion is being done at tri services level with the Indian Navy leading the negotiations for it with the American side. “The MQ-9B drones require a significant runway length for take off and landing which are available with the Indian Air Force. That is why, the Army dornes are planned to be deployed with the IAF at airbases in Sarsawa and Gorakhpur,” defence officials told ANI.

SOURCE: ANI

Emphasising that foreign policy today affects every citizen, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that if India had not been clear on the Russia-Ukraine war, petrol price would have gone up. Highlighting the pressure and the problems India faced, Jaishankar said, “Look at one example. We had this pressure on Russia and Ukraine. We were clear. Suppose we had not been clear. Suppose we had said. Sorry. Sorry. You are saying it very strongly. We will not do what we did.

Your petrol price would have gone up by Rs 20 because of that.” “We take a stand on foreign policy for average citizens,” he said during an interactive session in Odisha’s Cuttack. Jaishankar further noted that if we had imported COVID vaccine, none of the people could have afforded it. “So foreign policy today affects every citizen, it affects our lives,” he added.

SOURCE: ANI

Responding to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s remark, “PoK will be merged with India,” Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah said on Sunday that Pakistan is not wearing bangles and also has atom bombs that will fall on us.

“If the defence minister is saying it, then go ahead. Who are we to stop? But remember, they (Pakistan) are also not wearing bangles. It has atom bombs, and unfortunately, that atom bomb will fall on us,” he said.

SOURCE: ANI

The body of an Indian Air Force soldier, Corporal Vikky Pahade who succumbed to injuries sustained in a terror attack on Saturday evening, arrived in his hometown in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara for last rites on Monday.

Corporal Pahade died in the Poonch Sector of Jammu and Kashmir after an Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by terrorists on Saturday, May 4.

SOURCE: ANI

The top leadership of the United Kashmir People’s Nation Party (UKPNP) in a joint statement issued on Sunday expressed serious concern over the recent militarization of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). In their statement, top UKPNP leaders including Chairman Shaukat said. Ali Kashmiri spokesperson Nasir Aziz Khan and Foreign Affairs Secretary Jamil Maqsu expressed their apprehension about Pakistan’s decision to deploy defense personnel including Rangers, Quick Reaction Force (QRF), Crime Branch, a Pakistani police in the PoK area .

UKPNP leaders stressed that this tactic is a repression strategy adopted by Pakistani defense agencies, aimed at crushing the protests organized by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and the People’s Right Movement in PoK. He highlighted that protests are continuing in PoK since May 2023.Demanding redressal of various issues including heavy taxes, increased electricity bills, unemployment, food shortage and exploitation of natural resources, UKPNP appealed to all its members in PoK to participate in the protest march being organized by UKPNP and JAAC on 11 May.

SOURCE: IANS

Security forces on Monday released sketches of two terrorists responsible for the attack on IAF vehicles in J&K’s Poonch district on May 4. One air warrior, Corporal Nikky Pahadem was killed and four others injured when terrorists attacked two IAF vehicles in the Bakrabal (Sanai) area of Surankote in Poonch on May 4.

The officials said, “Police have detained around 20 people for questioning so far. A massive cordon and search operation continues in Danna Top, Shahstar, Sheindra and Sanai Top areas of Poonch. Senior officers of the Army and police, including GOC 16 Corps and ADGP Jammu visited the spot of attack and took stock of the security arrangements yesterday.”

SOURCE: ANI

In a swift and coordinated sea-air operation, the Indian Coast Guard intercepted and detained an Iranian fishing vessel in the Arabian Sea, just off the coast of Kerala. The vessel, carrying six Indian crew members employed on a contractual basis in Iran, was apprehended following allegations of exploitation and mistreatment by the boat’s owner.

The India Coast Guard (ICG) swiftly took action upon receiving reports of the alleged mistreatment, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to maritime security and welfare. The vessel was promptly brought to Kochi, where it will undergo further investigation to ascertain the veracity of the claims and ensure appropriate measures are taken.

SOURCE: HINDUSTAN NEWS

A big statement from former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan regarding India is coming out. Imran Khan, who is in jail in Pakistan, has accused India and said that India is committing murders inside Pakistan.

However, this is not the first time that Imran Khan has made this allegation against India. Earlier in January also he had made similar allegation and had said that India had committed murders on his soil. So in the latest statement, he has also warned about the serious security situation on the borders with Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. Apart from this, he has made serious allegations against the Pakistani Army and said that the Army wants to get him killed.

SOURCE: ANI

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday reiterated that India will get a permanent member seat at the United Nations Security Council and this would happen faster if the country has a Prime Minister to whom no one can say ‘no’.

“This is a very difficult period. And more important, who do you trust? Who do you want to see in charge of this country? Who do you think will take this country through this challenge? And you asked about Security Council. I have confidence we will become a member. But we will become a member faster if we have a strong prime minister to whom the world cannot say no. And that is what we are trying to do,” EAM said during an interactive session in Odisha’s Cuttack.