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Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai on Sunday paid tribute to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on Mother's Day, saying that she brought Pakistan to its knees in the 1971 war and led to its division into two parts.
Rai's statement comes on Sunday amid a recent cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan. Speaking to ANI, Rai said, "Today on Mother's Day, we are all remembering Indira Gandhi and paying tribute to her. She is our biggest inspiration; she not only brought Pakistan to its knees in the 1971 war, but also divided it into two parts. Certainly, the ceasefire that happened and the information given by the US President have shocked and surprised the whole country." Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, targeting nine terrorist infrastructure 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, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, including one Nepali national. Following India's operation, the conflict between India and Pakistan deepened, which resulted in increased cross-border shelling from Pakistan and retaliatory action from the Indian Armed Forces. Areas across the border were set up on high alert, and there were blackouts whenever attacks from Pakistan took place. On Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations contacted his Indian counterpart earlier. 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. (ANI)
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