In the context of ‘Operation Sindoor’ and India’s continued fight against cross-border terrorism, seven All-Party Delegations are set to visit key partner countries, including members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). This visit is scheduled for later this month.

In a post on the social media platform X, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Saturday said that Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi wrote to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju and submitted four names on behalf of the grand old party. The list did not include the name of Tharoor. 

Ramesh wrote in the post, “Yesterday morning, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju spoke with the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The INC was asked to submit names of 4 MPs for the delegations to be sent abroad to explain India’s stance on terrorism from Pakistan.”

“By noon yesterday May 16th, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha wrote to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs…,” he added. 

As per Jairam Ramesh, the following names were submitted by Congress:

1- Anand Sharma, former Union Cabinet Minister 2- Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader, INC LS 3- ⁠Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain, MP, RS 4- Raja Brar, MP, LS

Yesterday morning, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju spoke with the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The INC was asked to submit names of 4 MPs for the delegations to be sent abroad to explain India’s stance on terrorism from… — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 17, 2025

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs’ statement read, “The All-Party Delegations will project India’s national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all forms and manifestations. They would carry forth to the world the country’s strong message of zero-tolerance against terrorism.”

MPs from different parties will be part of each delegation. The following MPs will lead the seven delegations:

1- Shashi Tharoor, Congress 2- Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP 3- Sanjay Kumar Jha, JDU 4- Baijayant Panda, BJP 5- Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, DMK 6- Supriya Sule, NCP 7- Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena

In a post on X, Tharoor posted that he is honoured by the invitation to lead an All-Party Delegation to five key capitals

“I am honoured by the invitation of the government of India to lead an all-party delegation to five key capitals, to present our nation’s point of view on recent events,” he said. 

He added that when national interest is involved, and his services are required, he will “not be found wanting”. 

pic.twitter.com/b4Qjd12cN9 — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 17, 2025

The Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack. 

The Operation hit terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK); altogether, nine sites were targeted. 

The Ministry of Defence had clarified that India’s actions were ‘focused, measured and non-escalatory.’

Addressing a press briefing, Air Marshal Bharti said, “Our fight is with the terrorists, our fight is not with the Pakistan Military or Pakistan civilians, so that is very clear. We are very clear in our targeting.”

Air Marshal emphasised that the Indian Armed Forces showcased their effectiveness through precise strikes during Operation Sindoor.

“Our counter systems and trained air defence operators are fully capable, and our nation’s indigenous capability has proven its effectiveness. It has been demonstrated that no matter what kind of technology emerges, we are prepared to counter it. There is no need for excessive words, you have seen with your own eyes the consequences we have delivered,” he stated.

Highlighting the evolving nature of modern warfare, Air Marshal AK Bharti stated that future conflicts would differ drastically from previous engagements and stressed the importance of staying ahead of adversaries in an ever-changing battlefield.

“This was a different kind of warfare and is bound to happen. God forbid, but if we fight another war, that would be completely different from this one. It is a cat-and-mouse game, and we need to be ahead of the curve to beat the adversary,” he said.

When asked whether India had struck Kirana Hills, Air Marshal AK Bharti responded, “Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses some nuclear installation, we did not know about it. We have not hit Kirana Hills, whatever is there.”

Meanwhile, Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Armed Forces in the early hours of May 7, targeting nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). This operation was a retaliatory response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians, including one Nepali national, were killed.

On Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations contacted his Indian counterpart. The two sides agreed to halt all military actions, on land, at sea, and in the air, effective from 5 pm.

Misri noted that instructions have been issued to enforce the ceasefire, with another round of DGMO-level talks scheduled for May 12 at noon.

However, hours after both countries agreed to stop all firing and military action on land, in the air, and sea, reports came of Pakistan violating the cessation of hostilities with India’s air defence intercepting Pakistani drones amid a blackout in Srinagar.

Red streaks were seen and explosions heard as India’s air defence intercepted Pakistani drones amid a blackout in Udhampur. A blackout was also enforced in Pathankot and Ferozepur in Punjab and Jaisalmer and Barmer in Rajasthan.

At a special briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India takes “very serious note of these violations”. India called upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, addressing the nation in a briefing, explained that the IAF used air-launched precision weapons to hit only military targets. The goal was to cripple Pakistan’s ability to launch drones, fighter jets, and reconnaissance missions. This operation, rooted in India’s commitment to peace unless provoked, follows Pakistan’s aggressive response to India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror camps after the tragic Pahalgam attack that killed 26 innocents.

Each target was chosen to disrupt a specific part of Pakistan’s aerial war machine. Here’s why they mattered:

Located in Rawalpindi, Nur Khan is the backbone of Pakistan’s Air Mobility Command, coordinating the movement of troops and equipment. It’s also home to advanced assets like the Saab 2000 airborne early warning and control aircraft, which tracks enemy movements and guides attacks. Indian officials say this base played a central role in Pakistan’s drone and missile strikes over the past 72 hours. By targeting Nur Khan, India disrupted Pakistan’s ability to plan and execute complex aerial operations, effectively grounding their command structure.

Situated in Punjab, Rafiqui houses advanced fighter squadrons, including Mirage and JF-17 jets, capable of air combat and ground strikes. It’s also a training hub for missions targeting Punjab and Kashmir—key areas along India’s border. With heightened air activity in recent days, Rafiqui likely supported Pakistan’s aggressive jet operations. Striking this base weakened Pakistan’s ability to launch manned airstrikes, protecting Indian airspace and border regions from immediate threats.

Murid is Pakistan’s drone warfare headquarters, housing a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) like the homemade Shahpar-I and Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones. Over the past two days, Pakistan sent hundreds of drones across the border—some unarmed for spying, others armed for attacks. Targeting Murid was a masterstroke to destroy Pakistan’s drone capabilities, disrupting their ability to gather intelligence or launch further unmanned strikes. This was critical, given Pakistan’s increasing reliance on drones to challenge India.

The radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot are vital for Pakistan’s air surveillance, detecting incoming aircraft and guiding their jets and drones. By hitting these sites, India weakened Pakistan’s ability to monitor Indian movements or respond to IAF operations. This tactical move gave India an edge in air superiority, making it harder for Pakistan to track or counter future Indian actions.

Pakistan’s drone attacks mark a shift in modern warfare, with UAVs becoming a cheap yet effective tool for both reconnaissance and strikes. The drones used include:

– Shahpar-I: A Pakistani-made drone designed for surveillance and intelligence gathering. While primarily unarmed, it can carry small payloads and has been used to identify Indian military positions.

– Bayraktar TB2: A Turkish-made combat drone known for its precision strikes and long endurance. It can carry missiles and has been battle-tested in conflicts like Ukraine, making it a serious threat.

– Akinci: Another Turkish drone, larger and more advanced, capable of carrying heavier weapons and conducting long-range missions. Its presence at Murid underscores Pakistan’s investment in high-tech warfare.

Over the past two days, Pakistan deployed hundreds of these drones, many for spying and some for attacks. India’s robust air defence systems downed most of them, but the sheer volume posed a challenge. By targeting Murid, India aimed to cut off this drone threat at its source, destroying the infrastructure and expertise behind Pakistan’s UAV operations.

What sets India apart is its precision and restraint. The IAF’s strikes avoided civilian areas, focusing solely on military targets. This approach not only showcases India’s advanced weaponry but also its commitment to avoiding escalation. Wing Commander Singh emphasized that India is ready to counter any threat but prefers peace if Pakistan reciprocates. This balance of strength and diplomacy is a lesson for the world.

The strikes stem from Pakistan’s refusal to curb terrorism, which led to Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Pakistan’s drone and missile attacks were a desperate retaliation, but they miscalculated India’s resolve. By hitting key air bases and radar sites, India has shown it can protect its skies while keeping the door open for dialogue.

For every Indian, this is a moment to feel proud of our armed forces. The IAF’s precision, combined with our air defence systems, proves India is ready for modern threats like drones. But it’s also a reminder that peace hangs by a thread. Pakistan must abandon its support for terrorism and aggression, or face further isolation.

As citizens, let’s stand united behind our forces and hope for a future where borders are respected and drones are used for progress, not war. India has shown its strength—now, it’s up to Pakistan to choose peace.

(Girish Linganna is a science writer and Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. The views expressed in the article are those of the author.)

Sirens were sounded in the Akhnoor sector, and residents near the Jammu airport reported hearing loud explosions. In response, authorities implemented a complete blackout across several areas as a precautionary measure under high alert.

Security forces are monitoring the situation closely, and further details are awaited.

#BreakingNews: भारतीय सेना ने पाकिस्तान की मिसाइलों को गिराया, रियासी में इंटरनेट बंद किया गया#OperationSindoor #IndianAirForce #AirStrike #Pakistan #IndiaPakistanWar #JammuKashmir #JammuAttack@anuraagmuskaan @RahulSinhaTV pic.twitter.com/JO2ZB5D5id — Zee News (@ZeeNews) May 8, 2025