1. Pakistan front on the boil, how China tried to irk India from east
2. Pakistan’s Mixed Signals: Backdoor Talks and Ceasefire Threats Over Indus Waters Treaty
3. The OSINT expert who debunked ISPR’s claims: Damien Symon on disinfo, ethics & public perception
4. Yunus changes tack on India’s Northeast, calls for ‘plan for Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan & 7 Sisters’ [NOT NE of India]
5. Operation Sindoor: How India’s Multi-Layered Aerial Defence Repelled Pakistan’s Air Attacks

What Else

1. Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Declares Revenge for 1971 War, Warns Modi Against Future Aggression
2. Pakistan returns detained BSF constable; Pakistan Rangers personnel also sent back by India
3. 31 Maoists killed in 21-day anti-Naxal op in Chhattisgarh’s Karreguta hills: CRPF
4. Turkey aided Pak, but its Celebi handles high-security tasks at Indian airports
5. Stand with Nation: JNU suspends agreement with Turkey university
6. Indian officials brief UNSC Sanctions Committee on Pak-based TRF terror group
7. Pakistan: Lashkar, terror allies glorify Pak military op, threaten India at Karachi rally
8. Kabul refutes Pak Media claim of Taliban link to Pahalgam terror attack
9. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Warns of Indian Aggression
10. Bomb attack on PPP lawmaker’s rally in Quetta kills one, injures five
11. In lungi and wheelchair, ex-Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid flies out to Thailand amid murder case and regime collapse
12. “US and China Agree to Suspend Tariffs in Bid to Ease Economic Tensions”
13. Bangladesh: More teachers, students join sit-in
14. Baloch Liberation Army Claims Coordinated Attacks Across Pakistan

Pakistan front on the boil, how China tried to irk India from east

• China has released its fifth list of renamed locations in Arunachal Pradesh, a region it claims as “Zangnan” or southern Tibet.
• The list includes 27 sites such as mountains, residential areas, and rivers.
• This move is part of China’s ongoing efforts to assert its territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, which India considers an integral part of its territory.
• India has strongly rejected China’s attempts, stating that creative naming won’t alter the reality that Arunachal Pradesh is and will remain a part of India.
• Later, in response to a question, China’s Foreign Ministry spox asserted that Arunachal Pradesh, referred to as “Zangnan”, is part of China’s territory, and standardizing names in the region falls within China’s sovereign rights. (more)
• The Indian govt also banned the X account of Chinese state-run media Global Times for spreading disinformation during India-Pakistan tensions.
• China has renamed 89 places in Arunachal Pradesh since 2017, and India has consistently rejected these attempts.
• In retaliation, the Indian military has changed the names of around 30 places in Tibet, but the proposal awaits Union govt approval. (more)

Pakistan’s Mixed Signals: Backdoor Talks and Ceasefire Threats Over Indus Waters Treaty

• Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated following the Pahalgam terror attack, which led to India’s suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
• Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar warned that the recent ceasefire between the two countries could collapse if the water dispute isn’t resolved.
• Dar described India’s move as a “provocation” that could be an “act of war” if left unaddressed.
• He also criticized India’s Operation Sindoor, calling it a “wishful attempt to establish hegemony” in the region.
• India’s decision to suspend the IWT allows it to proceed with stalled hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir without giving notice to Pakistan.
• Six projects, including Sawalkot and Pakal Dul, are expected to gain momentum, potentially generating 10,000 megawatts of electricity.
• Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources Secretary has appealed to India to reconsider the decision, fearing a water crisis.
• PM Modi stated that India had only “paused” its attacks on Pakistan’s terror and military hubs, warning that any future terror attack would be met with a “jaw-breaking reply”.
• Modi claimed India’s strikes forced Pakistan to seek a ceasefire, saying Pakistan was “completely devastated”.
• The US reportedly played a role in brokering the ceasefire.
• The situation remains tense, with India maintaining that the IWT will remain suspended until Pakistan stops cross-border terrorism. (more, more)

The OSINT expert who debunked ISPR’s claims: Damien Symon on disinfo, ethics & public perception

• During the recent India-Pakistan conflict, a digital battle unfolded alongside the military clashes.
• Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spread disinformation on social media, but Damien Symon, a geo-intelligence researcher, countered these claims using satellite data and visual analysis.
• Symon debunked viral posts showing alleged Indian military losses, revealing manipulated images and outdated information.
• Using Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), he verified damage at Pakistani airbases, including Sargodha and Jacobabad, and exposed false claims about Indian airports.
• Symon emphasized OSINT’s role in real-time fact-checking, highlighting its importance in combating information warfare. (more)

Yunus changes tack on India’s Northeast, calls for ‘plan for Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan & 7 Sisters’ [NOT NE of India]

• Bangladesh’s interim leader, Mohd Yunus, has shifted his stance on India’s Northeast region.
• Initially, during a Mar visit to China, he described the region as “landlocked” and invited Chinese investment, positioning Bangladesh as a gateway to the region and suggesting it could become an extension of the Chinese economy.
• However, recently, Yunus called for a unified cross-border economic integration plan involving Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and India’s “Seven Sisters” states.
• He emphasized the potential for cooperation in sectors like hydropower, healthcare, and transportation infrastructure.
• This change in tone comes after India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs canceled a transshipment agreement that allowed Bangladeshi goods to move through Indian territory to Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar.
• Yunus highlighted the Bangladesh-Nepal-India Tripartite Power Sales Agreement as a model for deeper energy integration and announced plans for a 1,000-bed hospital in Rangpur that would welcome patients from Nepal and Bhutan.
• The shift in Yunus’s stance may be a response to the backlash from India, including criticism from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and a lukewarm reception from PM Modi at the BIMSTEC Summit. (more)

Operation Sindoor: How India’s Multi-Layered Aerial Defence Repelled Pakistan’s Air Attacks

• India deployed a multi-layered air defense system in response to Pakistan’s aerial threats, which included drones, missiles, and cross-border shelling.
• The system combined static and mobile platforms, such as Akashteer and the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), to monitor airspace, identify threats, and coordinate responses.
• The Indian Army and Air Force also established point air defense systems at critical locations using anti-aircraft guns, protected by long-range systems like the S-400.
• The air defense system functioned in four layers, ensuring that Pakistan’s aerial attempts were effectively thwarted without allowing any damage within Indian territory.
• Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force successfully bypassed Pakistan’s air defense systems, causing extensive damage to multiple Pakistani air bases.
• India’s technical prowess and tactical abilities gave them an upper hand in the battlefield, earning praise from PM Modi. (more)

Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Declares Revenge for 1971 War, Warns Modi Against Future Aggression

• Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif hailed the success of Operation Bunyān-um-Marsoos as a historic achievement, saying the armed forces avenged the 1971 war with a powerful response to India’s aggression.
• He praised the military’s valor and professionalism, emphasizing their strength, unity, and discipline.
• Shehbaz warned India against stopping Pakistan’s water supply, calling it a “red line,” and denounced India’s targeting of civilians.
• He also responded to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches, saying Pakistan welcomes peace but will respond with force to any future aggression.
• Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to defending sovereignty. (more)

Pakistan returns detained BSF constable; Pakistan Rangers personnel also sent back by India

• India and Pakistan exchanged detained personnel on May 14, 2025.
• BSF Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw, who inadvertently crossed the border in Punjab on April 23 and was detained by Pakistan Rangers, was returned to India at the Attari-Wagah border.
• Simultaneously, a Pakistan Ranger detained by BSF in Rajasthan on May 3 was returned to Pakistan.
• The exchange follows an agreement between the two countries to cease military operations on May 10.
• The BSF facilitated Shaw’s return through regular flag meetings and communication channels with the Pakistan Rangers.
• Shaw was reunited with his family after 21 days of detention. (more)

31 Maoists killed in 21-day anti-Naxal op in Chhattisgarh’s Karreguta hills: CRPF

• Security forces have eliminated at least 31 Naxals in a 21-day operation in the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border region.
• The operation, which began on Apr 21, resulted in the recovery of bodies of 31 Maoists, with 28 identified, and the seizure of a massive haul of weapons and ammunition.
• The forces also destroyed four technical units manufacturing weapons and IEDs.
• CRPF Director General GP Singh and Chhattisgarh DGP Arun Dev Gautam stated that the operation marks the “beginning of the end” of the Maoist menace.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed the operation a historic breakthrough and assured by a Naxal-free India by Mar 31, 2026.
• The operation has led to a significant reduction in Naxal-affected districts and violent incidents. Security forces are working to fill the vacuum left by Naxals and establish new security camps. (more)

Turkey aided Pak, but its Celebi handles high-security tasks at Indian airports

• Turkey’s recent support for Pakistan, including supplying armed drones and operators, has raised concerns in India.
• A Turkish company, Celebi Aviation, handles high-security tasks at eight Indian airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai.
• Celebi Aviation manages 58,000 flights in India annually and has access to sensitive areas, including airside zones and cargo logistics.
• The company’s staff undergo background checks and obtain Airport Entry Passes, but its Turkish origin may cause discomfort given the current tensions.
• Celebi Aviation has been operating in India since 2008 and services major airlines like IndiGo and Air India.
• The development has sparked worries about potential security risks, especially considering Turkey’s stance on the Kashmir issue under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• India may reassess its relationship with Turkey, particularly given the recent military assistance provided to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. (more)

Stand with Nation: JNU suspends agreement with Turkey university

• Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has suspended its academic cooperation with Turkey’s Inonu University due to national security concerns.
• The decision follows reports that Turkey provided drones and personnel to Pakistan during the recent conflict between India and Pakistan.
• The MoU, signed in Feb 2025, aimed to promote academic collaboration and exchange between the two universities.
• However, JNU has now suspended it until further notice, citing national security considerations.
• The university has assured students and staff of alternative academic arrangements and notified them of the development.
• This move reflects India’s growing caution about foreign cooperation impacting national interests (more)

Indian officials brief UNSC Sanctions Committee on Pak-based TRF terror group

• India is working to designate The Resistance Front (TRF) as a global terrorist group by briefing the UN Security Council’s 1267 Sanctions Committee.
• TRF, a front for Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
• India has provided information on TRF’s role as a proxy for Pakistan-based terror groups in half-yearly reports to the monitoring team.
• An Indian technical team is visiting New York to interact with the monitoring team and provide updates. India aims to increase pressure on Pakistan through this diplomatic effort. (more)

[Neighborhood]

Pakistan: Lashkar, terror allies glorify Pak military op, threaten India at Karachi rally

• In Pakistan, a series of gatherings were held to glorify the military’s “Operation Bunyan Marsoos” with extremist rhetoric.
• Radical clerics and leaders from banned groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, participated in these events under the umbrella of the Difa-e-Watan Council.
• Speakers, including Mufti Tariq Masood and Allama Rashid Mahmood Soomro, praised the military’s actions and conflated state military action with religious extremism.
• They also made veiled threats to India and boasted about Pakistan’s supposed military feats, including shooting down Rafale jets and destroying the S-400 air system.
• Analysts warn that these events may radicalize youth and promote militancy.
• The absence of official condemnation from the Pakistan Army suggests tacit approval, which could further damage Pakistan’s international image and entrench violent ideologies within its borders (more)

Kabul refutes Pak Media claim of Taliban link to Pahalgam terror attack

• The recent India-Pakistan conflict has raised concerns about the role of jihadist groups in Afghanistan, with the Taliban potentially playing a significant part.
• The Taliban’s Kandahar branch has ties with India, while the Haqqani Network has relations with Pakistan.
• A meeting between the Taliban, China, and Pakistan resulted in “an agreement to limit India’s influence in Afghanistan” to diplomatic missions.
• However, the Taliban in Kabul refuted Pakistani media claims of their link to the Pahalgam terror attack, calling it a “conspiracy” to mislead the world.
• The Taliban also supported Pakistan’s stance on the investigation.
• Meanwhile, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan declared “Jihad-E-Pakistan,” adding complexity to the context.
• The Taliban’s navigation of these complex dynamics will shape regional geopolitics, with implications for stability and security.
• The region’s intricate web of relationships and interests will continue to influence the trajectory of events. (more, +)

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Warns of Indian Aggression

• Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that the country’s response to Indian aggression has been robust and multi-dimensional, including cyber warfare that paralysed Indian systems.
• He claimed five Indian fighter jets and one UAV were downed during recent hostilities, earning Pakistan respect from its neighbour.
• Asif highlighted the importance of diplomatic engagement, noting that friendly nations, including the US, supported Pakistan’s decision for a ceasefire.
• India has shown a willingness to discuss the Kashmir dispute, a diplomatic success for Pakistan.
• However, Asif warned that Indian PM Modi may resort to another misadventure due to growing internal pressure and desperation.
• Pakistan remains alert to potential future provocations, and Asif assured that the country will respond accordingly, with the world expected to respond as well. (more)

Bomb attack on PPP lawmaker’s rally in Quetta kills one, injures five

• A bomb attack struck a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) rally in Quetta, killing one person and injuring five others.
• The blast targeted the convoy of MPA Ali Madad Jattak, but he remained unharmed. Authorities condemned the incident, promising to bring those responsible to justice.
• PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a cowardly act of terrorism.
• In a separate incident, an IED detonated outside the residence of MNA Mubarak Zeb Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district, causing partial damage but no injuries.
• Both incidents were denounced as cowardly acts. (more)

In lungi and wheelchair, ex-Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid flies out to Thailand amid murder case and regime collapse

• Former Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid has fled to Thailand, sparking controversy and protests.
• He boarded a Thai Airways flight at 3:05 am on Thu, dressed in a lungi and using a wheelchair.
• Hamid, who served two terms as President, faces a murder charge related to the violent crackdown on protesters during last year’s student-led uprising.
• Despite his wanted status, he was allowed to leave the country due to a lack of court orders or police requests to detain him.
• The incident has raised questions about the government’s ability to enforce the law.
• A high-level probe committee has been formed to investigate Hamid’s departure, and 3 officials have been suspended.
• The development comes amid a political shift in Bangladesh, with the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus banning the Awami League and former PM Khaleda Zia returning to Dhaka after medical treatment in London (more)

“US and China Agree to Suspend Tariffs in Bid to Ease Economic Tensions”

• The US and China have reached a joint agreement to ease economic tensions, suspending certain tariffs for 90 days.
• The US will suspend 24 percentage points of the additional 34% tariff on Chinese goods, retaining a 10% tariff, while China will mirror this move, suspending 24 percentage points of its additional tariff on US goods.
• Both countries will remove additional tariffs imposed in recent executive orders and announcements.
• China will also suspend non-tariff countermeasures taken against the US since April 2, 2025.
• The agreement establishes a mechanism for continued discussions on economic and trade relations, led by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
• These talks aim to address concerns and promote a sustainable, mutually beneficial economic relationship (more)

Bangladesh: More teachers, students join sit-in

• Students and teachers of Jagannath University in Bangladesh have intensified their protest at Dhaka’s Kakrail intersection, demanding justice for a police attack on their campus.
• The protesters are seeking action against those involved in the attack and accountability for the assistant commissioner who allegedly allowed it.
• The university’s vice chancellor, treasurer, and other officials have joined the protest, which began after police used force to disperse the students.
• The protesters have 3 key demands: a housing allowance for 70% of students, approval of the university’s full budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, and prioritization of the second campus construction project.
• Despite many students being injured during the police crackdown, they have returned to the protest after receiving treatment, determined to fight for their demands.
• A delegation of teachers met with the University Grants Commission and the chief adviser’s residence, but no satisfactory resolution was reached, fueling further protests. (more)

Baloch Liberation Army Claims Coordinated Attacks Across Pakistan

• The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for seven coordinated attacks across several districts in Pakistan, including Khuzdar, Panjgur, and Kalat.
• According to the BLA, the attacks were part of “Operation Herof 2.0,” which involved 78 operations at 58 locations.
• The group claims to have taken control of a highway, captured and set fire to a Levies Force checkpost, and attacked military posts using automatic weapons and rocket launchers.
• They also claim to have killed four alleged intelligence agents and injured several soldiers.
• The BLA stated that these operations are a continuation of their resistance against what they describe as the “occupation” of Balochistan by Pakistan.
• The group warned that such operations will continue until “national liberation is achieved.”
• The claims have not been independently confirmed, and there has been no official word from the Pakistani army.

This recent wave of attacks follows a previous large-scale offensive on May 12, where the BLA claimed to have carried out 71 coordinated attacks at over 51 locations. (more)