Sunday, May 18, 2025 ਪੰਜਾਬੀ हिंदी

National

Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport logs record profit first time since inception

The Kempegowda International Airport has registered a record profit for the first time since its inception, a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said on Saturday.

The airport opened in May 2008 as an alternative to the increasingly congested HAL Airport in Bengaluru, the commercial airport serving the city. The airport is named after Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bengaluru.

The statement said that Bangalore International Airport Authority held its board meeting on Friday, chaired by Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Secretary to the Government of Karnataka and Chairperson of BIAL.

India to showcase power sector achievements at BRICS energy ministers’ meet

India is prepared to highlight its progress in the power and energy sector at the upcoming BRICS 'Energy Ministers’ Meeting', which will take place in Brazil on May 19, the Ministry of Power said on Saturday.

Union Minister of Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, has embarked on an official visit to represent India at the high-level gathering.

The meeting is being held under the theme ‘Empowering Global South Cooperation for Inclusive and Sustainable Global Governance.’

It will bring together Energy Ministers from BRICS nations -- Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa -- to discuss key issues such as energy security, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability, according to the ministry.

India plans to use this platform to showcase its achievements over the past decade.

Global economic data, easing India-Pakistan tensions to drive market mood next week

For the Indian stock market, the upcoming week, from May 19 to 23, is expected to be driven by key global economic data releases and the continued positive impact of easing geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan.

Investors will be closely tracking macroeconomic indicators from India, the US, and China, which could influence market sentiment and central bank policy outlooks, according to Bajaj Broking Research.

In India, the HSBC India Manufacturing PMI data, set to be released on May 22, will be in focus. This index will offer a snapshot of the health of the manufacturing sector and overall business confidence.

China will publish crucial economic figures on May 19, including Industrial Production and Retail Sales data.

Indian stock markets soar over 4 pc in best weekly performance since Oct 2024

Indian stock markets witnessed a stellar rally in the week ended May 16, delivering over 4 per cent returns to investors and recording the best weekly performance since the week ending October 4, 2024.

The benchmark Nifty surged by 1,011.80 points or 4.21 per cent - marking its strongest weekly gain in more than seven months.

Similarly, the Sensex jumped 2,876.12 points or 3.62 per cent -- reflecting robust investor confidence.

Mid and small-cap stocks outperformed large-caps during the week. The Nifty Midcap 100 index rallied 7.21 per cent, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 index rose by over 9 per cent -- showcasing a broad-based market recovery.

GeM empowers over 1.85 lakh women-led MSMEs, 31,005 startups: Piyush Goyal

The Government-e-Marketplace (GeM) has empowered 1,85,408 women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and 31,005 DPIIT-recognised startups, while redefining public procurement through transparency, efficiency and inclusion, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, said on Saturday.

In the last financial year (FY25), the GeM order volume reached 72,36,651 with total order value of Rs 543,019 crore.

Established in 2016, GeM provides government buyers with an end-to-end digital platform to carry out public procurement at cost-effective rates.

“Wishing @GeM_India on its 8th Incorporation Day. The platform has redefined public procurement through transparency, efficiency, and inclusion,” Goyal said in a post on X social media platform.

Stock market surges after Trump's India trade deal claim, Nifty above 25,000

Domestic stock markets closed sharply higher on Thursday after US President Donald Trump claimed that India has agreed to reduce tariffs to zero on a range of American goods as part of the bilateral trade deal.

The announcement lifted investor sentiment. The Sensex surged by 1,200.18 points, or 1.48 per cent, to end the day at 82,530.74. During the session, the index touched an intra-day high of 82,718.14.

The Nifty index also saw strong gains, closing above the 25,000 mark for the first time after October 2024, ending at 25,062.10.

The index gained 395.20 points, or 1.6 per cent, and traded in a range between 24,494.45 and 25,116.25 during the session.

The recent consolidation breakout, along with a move above the swing high, has increased the probability of the index reaching 25,690 in the short term, market expert said.

“Immediate resistance is placed at 25,360, above which further upside potential may be unlocked. On the downside, 24,400 is expected to act as strong support in the short to medium term,” Rupak De of LKP Securities stated.

Gold prices drop sharply by Rs 2,375 per 10 grams; silver also falls

Gold buyers in India have a reason to cheer as prices of the yellow metal saw a significant drop on Thursday.

The price of 24-carat gold fell by Rs 2,375 per 10 grams, bringing it down to Rs 91,484 from Rs 93,859, according to the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA).

The decline wasn’t limited to just 24-carat gold. The price of 22-carat gold also dropped, now standing at Rs 83,799 per 10 grams, down from Rs 85,975.

Similarly, 18-carat gold saw its price fall to Rs 68,613 from Rs 70,394 per 10 grams.

This marks a sharp turnaround from just a few weeks ago, when on April 22, the price of 24-carat gold had surged close to the Rs 1 lakh mark.

Silver too mirrored the downtrend that was being faced by the yellow metal.

Prices for one kilogram of silver declined by Rs 2,297 to Rs 94,103 from Rs 96,400 per kg.

DRDO develops indigenous seawater desalination tech

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an indigenous seawater desalination technology, the Ministry of Defence said on Thursday.

Developed by the Defence Materials Stores and Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), the Kanpur-based laboratory of DRDO, the nanoporous multilayered polymeric membrane technology will be used for high-pressure seawater desalination in Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships.

The technology for the desalination plant in Coast Guard ships is based on their operational requirements. It will also address the challenge of ship stability when exposed to chloride ions in saline water.

Notably, the development has been completed in a record time of eight months, the Ministry said.

India among world's few countries to record rise in forest cover

India is ranked among the top 10 countries where the forest cover has increased over the years, according to an SBI Research report released on Thursday.

While India's forest cover remained constant from 1991-2011, it increased after that.

"The relationship between urbanisation and forest cover is U shaped...early-stage urbanisation leads to deforestation, but as urbanisation progresses, there is an increase in policies such as urban greening, forest conservation programmes, and sustainable land-use planning, which results in an eventual recovery of forest cover," according to the SBI report.

India is urbanising rapidly. According to Census 2011, India's urban population was 31.1 per cent of the total population, which is expected to increase to 35-37 per cent in census 2024.

Sensex, Nifty open lower on mixed global cues

The Indian equity indices opened in the red on Thursday as selling pressure was seen among heavyweights, like Power Grid, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Sun Pharma stocks.

At 9:26 am, Sensex was down 208 points or 0.26 per cent at 81,122 and Nifty was down 54 points or 0.22 per cent at 24,612.

Buying was seen across midcap and smallcap stocks. Nifty midcap 100 index was up 169 points or 0.30 per cent at 56,306 and Nifty smallcap 100 index was up 96 points or 0.56 per cent at 17,243.

On the sectoral front, auto, PSU Bank, metal, media, infra and commodities were major gainers. On the other hand, IT, FMCG, realty and energy were major losers.

"If the index sustains above the 24,700 level, it could move higher toward the 24,850–25,000 range. On the downside, immediate support is seen at 24,500 and 24,350, which may serve as attractive entry points for long positions," said Hardik Matalia from Choice Broking.

Rajnath Singh to visit Bhuj airbase after review of Western border security

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to visit the Bhuj Airbase of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Gujarat, sources said.

The visit is scheduled for Friday and will span two days.

The Bhuj Airbase holds significant strategic importance and has been targeted by Pakistani forces in the past. The Pakistani military had attempted to strike the Bhuj Airbase using drones procured from abroad. However, these attempts were thwarted, and the Pakistani plot was severely foiled.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Adampur Airbase in Punjab, where he met IAF personnel. Now, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will undertake a two-day visit to the Gujarat-based airbase, accompanied by the head of the Western Air Command of the Indian Air Force. Notably, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently reviewed the security situation along India's western border. The border areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat, which lie adjacent to Pakistan, are part of the western frontier.

Indian stock market ends higher, defence sector remains resilient

 Indian stock markets ended Wednesday’s session on a strong note, supported by gains in metal, real estate and technology shares.

Among the key highlights was the continued strength in domestic defence stocks, which have been gaining momentum for three straight sessions. The sector remained resilient and showed consistent buying interest from investors.

Despite some volatility during the day, investor sentiment remained positive, helping benchmark indices close in the green.

At the closing bell, the Sensex was up by 182 points or 0.22 per cent, settling at 81,330.56.

Similarly, the Nifty rose by 88 points, or 0.36 per cent, to end the day at 24,666.

India’s WPI inflation falls to 13-month low of 0.85 per cent

India’s annual rate of inflation based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) slowed to a 13-month low of 0.85 per cent in April, down from 2.05 per cent in March and 2.38 per cent in February, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday.

The month-over-month change in WPI for April was in the negative zone at (-) 0.19 per cent as compared to the previous month of March, reflecting the declining trend in inflation.

There was a decline in prices of food as well as a double digit decline in fuel prices, compared to the previous month, which resulted in the overall month-on-month inflation rate turning negative.

Meanwhile, the country’s retail inflation has also come down from 3.16 per cent in April from 3.34 per cent in March to its lowest level since July, 2019 as food prices eased further bringing respite to household budgets, according to figures released by the Ministry of Statistics on Tuesday,

Military chiefs, CDS brief President Murmu on ‘Operation Sindoor’

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, along with the three service chiefs -- Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi -- called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday to brief her on 'Operation Sindoor'.

As the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the President was apprised of the details and outcomes of the operation, which was launched in response to the brutal killing of 26 people by terrorists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22.

The armed forces launched 'Operation Sindoor' to neutralise the perpetrators. Strikes were carried out on terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK).

According to military sources, over 100 terrorists were eliminated during 'Operation Sindoor'.

President Murmu lauded the courage and efforts of the armed forces and described the operation as a "matter of national pride."

Centre issues draft manual on rating of properties for better digital connectivity

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released the draft manual for assessment of rating of properties for better digital connectivity.

The exponential growth in digitalisation during last decade has revolutionised the world impacting everything, from economy, innovation, science, and education, to health, sustainability, governance, and lifestyle.

Digital technologies are fundamentally changing business models, institutions, and the society as a whole, according to Ministry of Communications.

The rating manual will enable adoption of uniform assessment methodology by the Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs) for rating of properties.

It will also provide a standard reference for the Property Managers (PMs) for creation of Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) in their properties.

Indian tablet market grows 15 pc in Jan-March, 5G captures 43 pc share

The Indian tablet market witnessed a 15 per cent (year-on-year) and 13 per cent (quarter-on-quarter) growth in the January-March period (Q1), buoyed by sustained demand from both the consumer and enterprise segments, according to a new report.

The premium segment expanded 41 per cent, while 5G tablets gained traction, capturing 43 per cent of the overall market, reflecting rising consumer appetite for future-ready devices, as per CyberMedia Research (CMR)’s ‘Tablet PC India Market Report.’

In Q1 2025, Samsung led the Indian tablet market with a 34 per cent share, followed by Apple (21 per cent) and Lenovo (19 per cent).

“The Indian tablet market delivered a robust performance in Q1 2025, underpinned by strong premium segment growth and rising 5G adoption. Brands like Samsung, Apple, Lenovo and Xiaomi capitalised on evolving consumer expectations with differentiated offerings across price tiers,” said Menka Kumari, senior analyst, Industry Intelligence Group (IIG), CMR.

Sensex, Nifty open higher after inflation cools, geo-political tensions ease

The Indian frontline indices opened in the green on Wednesday after retail inflation hit multi-year low and geo-political tensions eased.

At around 9:25 am, Sensex was up 414 points or 0.51 per cent at 81,562 and Nifty was up 136 points or 0.55 per cent at 24,712.

Buying was seen in the midcap and smallcap stocks. Nifty midcap 100 index was up 510 points or 0.92 per cent at 56,030 and Nifty smallcap 100 index was up 132 points or 0.78 per cent at 17,035.

On the sectoral front, all indices were trading in the green. Auto, IT, PSU bank, FMCG, metal, energy, infra and PSE were major gainers.

“After a positive opening, Nifty can find support at 24,500 followed by 24,400 and 24,300. On the higher side, 24,700 can be an immediate resistance, followed by 24,800 and 24,850," said Hardik Matalia from Choice Broking.

India’s retail inflation eases to 3.16 pc in April, lowest since July 2019

India’s retail inflation fell to 3.16 per cent in April from 3.34 per cent in March to its lowest level since July 2019, as food prices eased further bringing respite to household budgets, according to figures released by the Ministry of Statistics on Tuesday.

Food inflation, which accounts for nearly half of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket, slowed to 1.78 per cent in April, compared to 2.69 per cent in March.

This is for the third month in row that inflation has stayed below the RBI’s 4 per cent medium-term target and will enable the central bank to continue with its soft money policy to spur economic growth.

India’s annual inflation rate based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) declined to 3.34 per cent in March this year, compared to the same month of the previous year, which was the lowest level since August 2019.

Stock market slips over 1 pc on profit booking after record rally

The Indian stock markets ended lower on Tuesday as investors booked profits following Monday’s sharp rally. The sell-off was also fuelled by the potential fallout from the ongoing US-China trade talks.

A day after posting their best session in over four years, the benchmark indices turned red. The Sensex fell 1,281.68 points, or 1.5 per cent, to close at 81,148.22.

Similarly, the Nifty dropped 346.35 points, or 1.39 per cent, to settle at 24,578.35.

The previous session had seen markets surge nearly 4 per cent as fears of conflict between India and Pakistan eased. However, that spike was largely driven by short covering, prompting many retail investors to book profits on Tuesday.

According to analysts, markets took a breather after a phenomenal start to the week.

Despite the weakness in headline indices, the broader markets managed to stay in the green.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviews security with top officials, chiefs of forces

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined the new normal in the country’s tough anti-terror policy, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reviewed the security situation with top officials and chiefs of forces.

The discussions revolved around maintaining high vigil despite the understanding on ceasefire arrived during 'Operation Sindoor', said an official source.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the security situation along the western border during the meeting at South Block.

The high-level security meeting was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari.

New high-tech e-passports to boost security, identification rolled out in key Indian cities

 India on Tuesday officially launched in 13 cities the first phase of its next-generation e-passport initiative, combining advanced electronic technology with the traditional paper passport format to enhance identity verification and strengthen travel document security.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), this project began under a pilot phase in conjunction with the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Version 2.0, which was initiated in April last year.

The MEA confirmed that this is the first stage of a nationwide implementation expected to reach all Passport Seva Kendras across the country by mid-2025.

The e-passports are currently being issued in several cities, including Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, Ranchi, and Delhi.

Indian rupee opens stronger against US dollar

The Indian rupee opened 75 paise stronger at 84.65 against the US dollar on Tuesday, following its previous close at 85.38 a dollar.

The trading range for the day was expected to be between 84.50 and 85.25, according to analysts. The dollar maintained its gains following a significant trade pact between the US and China.

The US will reduce tariffs on Chinese goods from 145 per cent to 30 per cent for 90 days, while China said it will cut tariffs on US goods from 125 per cent to 10 per cent for 90 days. The two countries will establish a mechanism to continue discussions about economic and trade relations.

According to analysts, any fresh developments on the geopolitical front are likely to have a significant impact on the rupee’s direction.

Sensex, Nifty open lower as Infosys and Zomato drag

Indian equity indices opened in the red on Tuesday as heavyweights like Infosys, Eternal (Zomato) and Kotak Mahindra Bank were top losers in the BSE benchmark.

At around 9:25 am, Sensex was down 444 points or 0.54 per cent at 81,985 and Nifty was down 105 points or 0.42 per cent at 24,817.

After a negative opening, Nifty can find support at 24,800 followed by 24,700 and 24,500. On the higher side, 25,000 can be an immediate resistance, followed by 25,100 and 25,200, according to analysts.

In the Sensex pack, Sun Pharma, IndusInd Bank, Tech Mahindra, Bajaj Finance, Maruti Suzuki, Titan, HUL and Axis Bank were top gainers. Infosys, Eternal (Zomato), Tata Steel, HCL Tech, Power Grid, UltraTech Cement, Asian Paints, ITC, NTPC, HDFC Bank were top laggards.

Sensex, Nifty clock best single-day rally in 4 years; investors richer by Rs 16 lakh crore

The understanding for a ceasefire between India and Pakistan brought cheers for investors who were richer by more than Rs 16 lakh crore in a single day -- as Sensex and Nifty gained a massive nearly 4 per cent in a bull rally seen after February 2021.

The Indian stock markets delivered their best single-day performance in four years, as positive global and domestic cues boosted market sentiment.

At the close of trade, Sensex soared 2,975.43 points, or 3.74 per cent, to end at 82,429.90, while Nifty jumped 916.70 points, or 3.82 per cent, to finish at 24,924.70.

This was the second-biggest percentage gain for both indices in the last four years, with the only larger rally recorded on February 1, 2021, when the indices rose over 4.7 per cent.

The bull rally came amid a string of encouraging developments, including an understanding for a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, a breakthrough in US-China trade talks, and reports of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

Gold leads with robust 41 pc return in FY25 to date, outperforms all asset classes

Gold has emerged as the best-performing asset class in FY25, delivering a remarkable return of 41 per cent in USD terms and 33 per cent in INR (rupee) terms, according to a National Stock Exchange (NSE) released on Monday.

In a year marked by global uncertainties and shifting investment trends, gold’s safe-haven appeal surged, making it the top choice for investors worldwide, including in India.

The NSE ‘Market Pulse report for April’ highlights that global gold demand rose to a 15-year high of 4,974 tonnes, driven by a 25 per cent increase in investment demand.

Central banks across the world continued their buying spree, purchasing over 1,000 tonnes of gold for the third consecutive year -- more than double the annual average seen between 2010 and 2021.

Reflecting this global trend, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) also increased gold’s share in its forex reserves to 11.4 per cent in 2024, up from 6.7 per cent in 2014.

Small private airport capex in India to rise 50-60 pc in next 3 fiscals: Crisil

Capital expenditure (capex) at small private airports in India — nearly half of the overall upcoming private airport capex – will be up 50-60 per cent on average in fiscals 2026-2028 compared with previous three fiscal years, a report showed on Monday.

This will be driven by capacity expansion due to substantial increase in terminal utilisation levels, according to the report by Crisil Ratings.

On the other hand, capex at large private airports – remaining half of the overall upcoming private airport capex – will see a decline during the same period as much of the capacity expansion has been completed or is nearing completion.

“Small private airports are expected to embark on a significant expansion of upto 1.5 times of their current base by fiscal 2028. This is in response to escalating travel demand and moderate capacity on the ground. Strong demand leading to recovery of air traffic movement has yielded a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45 per cent in passenger traffic at small private airports between fiscals 2022 and 2025,” said Ankit Haku, Director, Crisil Ratings.

FIIs to resume equity purchases in India as bulls roar: Analysts

The ceasefire between India and Pakistan has paved the way for a sharp rally in the market and with this, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) are likely to resume their equity purchases in India, analysts said on Monday.

Sensex and Nifty surged more than 2.7 per cent in the morning trade.

According to market watchers, the prime mover of the rally will now be the FII buying, which has been sustained for 16 continuous days except last Friday when the conflict escalated.

“Domestic macros like expectations of high GDP growth and revival of earnings growth in FY26 and declining inflation and interest rates augur well for the resumption of a rally in the market,” said Dr VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited.

Delhi airport operations smooth; some flights may be hit due to airspace limits

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said on Monday that operations at the airport are “currently smooth”, however, due to changing airspace conditions and increased security measures, some flight schedules and security checkpoint processing times may be affected.

The airport management has advised passengers to follow updates and instructions from their airlines, allow extra time for security checks due to heightened measures, and adhere to hand baggage and check-in luggage regulations.

Passengers have been advised to check the latest flight status through their airline or the official Delhi Airport website.

“We strongly encourage passengers to rely only on official channels for accurate updates. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work closely with all stakeholders to ensure your journey remains safe and efficient,” Delhi airport said.

Sensex surges over 2,100 pts, Nifty above 24,650

Sensex and Nifty surged more than 2.7 per cent on Monday in the morning trade after India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire following four days of conflict.

At around 10.11 am, Sensex was trading 2,185 points or 2.75 per cent up at 81,640.01 while the Nifty climbed 672.80 point or 2.80 per cent at 24,680.80.

According to analysts, India's markets and economy have demonstrated remarkable resilience, consistently transcending external perturbations and geo-political uncertainties.

This strength comes from a steady, domestically-oriented economy, which helps protect against global troubles, showing that every crisis eventually ends.

“A thawing of the relationship between India and Pakistan is likely to trigger a massive rebound for benchmark Nifty in early Monday trades, That said, any fresh violations of the ceasefire deal from Pakistan could keep bullish sentiments fragile,” said Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities.

Bull run: Sensex zooms past 1,900 points as India-Pak tensions ease

The domestic indices surged on Monday with Sensex jumping over 1,900 points in the morning trade, as India-Pakistan tensions eased with ‘Operation Sindoor’ marking a significant demonstration of India’s military and strategic prowess.

Buying was seen in the PSU bank, IT and auto sectors in the early trade.

At around 9.34 am, Sensex was trading 1,943 points or 2.45 per cent up at 81,398.42 while the Nifty climbed 598.8 point or 2.49 per cent at 24,606.85.

Nifty Bank was up 1,395.95 points or 2.60 per cent at 54,991.20. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was trading at 54,679.55 after rising 1,456.20 points or 2.74 per cent. Nifty Smallcap 100 index was at 16,584.60 after climbing 498.95 points or 3.10 per cent.

Trump announces ‘full and immediate ceasefire’ between India and Pakistan

US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced a "full and immediate ceasefire" between India and Pakistan.

He shared no details of the negotiations or the ceasefire.

Secretary of State Rubio said in a State Department statement that he and Vice-President J D Vance conducted these talks.

“After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire," President Trump wrote on Truth Social, the social media platform he owns.

“Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" he added.

Modi govt drops the hammer: Terror will now invite total retaliation

In a major strategic move, India will now treat any future act of terrorism on its soil as an Act of War -- a clear warning to adversaries, particularly Pakistan, in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and the unfolding Operation Sindoor.

This landmark decision, taken at the highest levels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, signals a new threshold in India’s national security doctrine, top government sources told.

The reclassification of terror from a "proxy threat" to an "act of war" reflects both the changing nature of conflict and the government’s resolve to adopt a zero-tolerance policy. It comes at a time when Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism is once again under international scrutiny.

Indian Railways suspends night operations in border areas of Jammu, Punjab

In a security move prompted by escalating tensions with Pakistan, Indian Railways has decided to halt night-time train operations in the border areas of Jammu and Punjab.

The decision affects regions close to the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC), including Amritsar, Bathinda, Firozpur, and Jammu.

According to official sources, trains that were earlier scheduled to pass through these areas at night will now be rescheduled to operate during daylight hours.

Additionally, certain short-distance trains operating in these sensitive zones will be cancelled until further notice.

This precautionary measure comes in the wake of increased military activity along the border.

6 Pakistani air bases pounded by India in hit-back

Besides blunting Pakistan’s drone attacks overnight, India has carried out precision attacks on six Pakistan Air Force bases in Rafiqui, Sukkur, Murid, Chunia, Chaklala, and Rahim Yar Khan, said an official on Saturday.

Pakistan's military installations, like a radar site at Pasrur and the Sialkot aviation base, were also targeted, the official said.

Defence experts said Chaklala air base in Rawalpindi is considered one of Pakistan’s most sensitive as it is located just 10 km from Islamabad. The base handles both VIP and PAF operations.

The strike on Chaklala, in a way, is a warning served by India that even the most fortified of PAF assets are within its range. The strike is also a warning against launching transport missions and aerial refuelling from the base that was used extensively in the 1965 and 1971 wars.

Midcap rallies 3.94 pc, Smallcap gains 1.69 pc as Indian markets post strong April returns

The Indian equity markets ended the month of April on a strong note, with the Nifty Midcap index emerging as the top performer, registering a gain of 3.94 per cent, followed by a 1.69 per cent rise in the Nifty Smallcap index, a new report said on Saturday.

This reflects continued investor interest in mid- and small-cap stocks amid broader market optimism, according to data compiled by Motilal Oswal Asset Management Company.

The benchmark Nifty also delivered a solid performance, rising by 3.46 per cent for the month, while the Nifty Next 50 gained 2.32 per cent.

The Nifty 500 index climbed 3.24 per cent, supported by consistent gains in financial services, consumer discretionary, and energy sectors.

The Nifty Microcap 250 also participated in the rally, advancing by 1.28 per cent, as per the report.

Indian markets end lower this week amid rising India-Pakistan tensions

Indian stock markets closed the week sharply lower as rising geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan spooked investors and triggered a wave of selling across sectors.

The Nifty fell by 1.39 per cent to close at 24,008, while the Sensex slipped 1.30 per cent to end at 79,454.47.

Sector-wise, realty, banking, pharma, and financial services stocks suffered the most, with declines ranging between 2 per cent and 6 per cent.

On the other hand, auto and media stocks showed some resilience and helped cushion the fall. Broader markets were also impacted, with mid- and small-cap indices losing between 0.90 per cent and 2.17 per cent.

Looking ahead, next week is expected to be crucial for the markets. The focus will remain on any developments in the escalating geopolitical situation between India and Pakistan, experts said.

BSF destroys Pakistani post near Jammu, used for launching tube drones

In a significant development, the Border Security Force (BSF) has destroyed a terror launchpad in Looni, District Sialkot, opposite Akhnoor area, on Saturday morning, which was being used to launch tube-drones for hitting intended targets in various cities, top defence sources said.

"On 9 May 2025, from about 2100 hrs, Pakistan initiated unprovoked firing on BSF posts in the Jammu Sector. BSF responded in a commensurate manner, causing widespread damage to the posts and assets of the Pakistan Rangers along the International Boundary. The terrorist launchpad at Looni, District Sialkot, opposite Akhnoor area, was destroyed. Our resolve to protect India's sovereignty is unshaken," the BSF said in a statement.

Powerful explosions were heard at several airbases in Pakistan this morning. The blasts hit its three air force installations, namely, Nur Jhan Airbase in Rawalpindi, Murid Air Base in Chakwal, and Rafiqui Air Base in Jhang, as per the Pakistani military.

Responded in measured fashion to continued Pakistani provocations: India

India stated on Saturday that it has responded in a "measured manner" to the ongoing provocations and escalations by Pakistan.

Addressing the press conference on 'Operation Sindoor', Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, along with Indian Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Indian Air Force Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, briefed the nation about the current situation along the India-Pakistan border.

"Pakistani activities have continued to escalate with provocation over the past two to three days. In response, India has defended and reacted in a measured fashion to these provocations and escalations by the Pakistani side. Earlier this morning, we saw a repeat of these escalatory and provocative factors," Misri said.

Pakistan launched multiple armed drones from its soil over Khasa Cantt in Amritsar; however, the UAVS were successfully intercepted by the Indian Army's air defence systems.

Indian armed forces destroy Pakistani posts, launch pads; intercept multiple Pakistani drones

In yet another befitting reply to Pakistan's nefarious activities, the Border Security Force (BSF) has completely destroyed a Pakistani post and a terrorist launch pad in Looni, District Sialkot, opposite Akhnoor area, from where the tube drones were being launched to attack India.

"On 9 May 2025, from about 2100 hrs, Pakistan initiated unprovoked firing on BSF posts in the Jammu Sector. BSF responded in a commensurate manner, causing widespread damage to the posts and assets of the Pakistan Rangers along the International Boundary.

"The terrorist launch pad at Looni, District Sialkot opposite Akhnoor area was completely destroyed by the BSF. Our resolve to protect India's sovereignty is unshaken," the BSF said in a statement.

32 airports shut till May 15 as tensions escalate between India-Pakistan

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and relevant aviation authorities have issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), announcing the temporary closure of 32 airports across northern and western India for all civil flight operations, effective till May 14.

The closure “corresponds to 0529 IST on 15th May 2025, due to operational reasons,” said the Ministry of Civil Aviation in its latest update in the early morning hours.

The following airports are affected by the NOTAM — Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise and Uttarlai.

12345678910...
Advertisement