The National Commission for Women (NCW) strongly condemned derogatory remarks allegedly made by Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a key face of Operation Sindoor. Without naming Shah, NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar stated that such comments insult the dignity of women and the contributions of brave officers like Qureshi. Hailing her as a courageous daughter of the nation, Rahatkar urged society to respect women in uniform. Amid widespread outrage, Shah expressed willingness to apologise. Col Qureshi, part of the tri-services media briefing on Operation Sindoor, has been lauded nationwide for her leadership and service. (PC: Hindustan Times)

In a dramatic turn, Baloch leaders including Mir Yar Baloch declared Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan, urging India and the UN for official recognition. The announcement sparked a wave of social media activity, with “Republic of Balochistan” trending and images of Baloch-India solidarity going viral. Activists called for India to host an official Balochistan embassy and urged the UN to support their sovereignty. Amid rising India-Pakistan tensions post-Operation Sindoor, Baloch leaders backed India’s call for Pakistan to vacate PoK. They warned Pakistan’s army against using civilians as shields, stating full support for PM Modi and India's stance. (PC: News18)

In a major counter-terror operation, the Indian Army eliminated three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, including top commander Shahid Kuttay, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district under Operation Keller on May 13. The operation, launched after actionable intelligence from the Rashtriya Rifles, saw heavy exchange of fire in the Shoekal Keller area. A massive cache of arms, grenades, and ammunition was recovered. Operation Keller was a joint effort involving the Army, J&K Police, CRPF, and intelligence agencies. Kuttay, a category “A” terrorist, had joined LeT in 2023 and was linked to recent deadly attacks in the region. 

India has blocked X accounts of Chinese state media outlets Global Times and Xinhua, along with Turkish broadcaster TRT World, over their dissemination of anti-India and pro-Pakistan propaganda. The move follows a government order amid rising tensions from Operation Sindoor and a terror attack in Pahalgam. TRT was specifically flagged for repeatedly promoting separatist narratives and airing content critical of India’s actions in Kashmir. Despite the account blocks, the websites of these outlets remain accessible. The government had earlier warned of misinformation from foreign sources and has already blocked over 8,000 X accounts spreading false narratives. (PC: News18)

On May 14, 2025, Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple locations in Gaza, including hospitals, resulting in significant civilian casualties. The Gaza Health Ministry reported at least 60 deaths, including 22 children. Notably, the Gaza European Hospital in Khan Younis was struck, causing extensive damage and fatalities. The Israeli Defense Forces claimed the hospital was targeted due to alleged Hamas military activity beneath the facility. These attacks followed a brief ceasefire that allowed for the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander. The renewed violence has drawn widespread international condemnation and raised concerns over the targeting of medical facilities. (PC: The Guardian)

During a pivotal Middle East tour, U.S. President Donald Trump met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, urging Syria to normalize relations with Israel, similar to the Abraham Accords. This follows Trump’s unexpected decision to lift all U.S. sanctions on Syria, aiming to rebuild diplomatic ties despite Sharaa’s past affiliations with al-Qaeda. The meeting, attended virtually by Turkish President Erdogan, coincided with major U.S.-Saudi economic agreements, including $600 billion in investments and $142 billion in arms deals. Trump’s next stops include Qatar and the UAE, with further regional diplomacy expected. (PC: Reuters)

Despite growing calls for a boycott by Indians, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday reaffirmed his country's unwavering support for Pakistan following India's Operation Sindoor. In response to Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif’s message of gratitude on X, Erdogan described Pakistan as a “brotherly nation” and pledged continued support “through both good times and bad.” Turkey’s backing of Pakistan, including the reported supply of Turkish-made drones used during the conflict, has drawn sharp criticism in India. The remarks have intensified diplomatic unease, with Indian citizens and leaders calling for a boycott of Turkish goods and tourism in protest. (PC: News18)

During a US State Department briefing, a Pakistani journalist accused India of rejecting ceasefire efforts between Delhi and Islamabad allegedly led by Donald Trump. The reporter praised Trump as a potential Nobel Peace Prize winner and questioned PM Modi's stance. However, US Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott refused to engage, stating America’s focus is solely on maintaining the ceasefire and promoting direct communication. He reiterated that the US seeks peace between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The exchange highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing campaign of misinformation, including claims about India’s use of Israeli drones during Operation Sindoor and attempts to politicize military cooperation. (PC: NDTV)

Tensions between India and Pakistan continue to pose a significant risk of nuclear conflict, despite recent efforts to avoid escalation. Both nations possess nuclear arsenals, with India and Pakistan each having about 170 nuclear warheads. While both countries have adopted nuclear deterrence strategies, the proximity of conflict remains dangerous, with miscalculations or accidents potentially triggering catastrophic consequences. Experts argue that while the risk of nuclear war remains relatively small, the presence of nuclear weapons injects an unavoidable level of danger. The threat of escalation could arise through ground combat or errors in communication, making diplomatic efforts essential. (PC: Getty Images)

Madhya Pradesh BJP Minister Vijay Shah caused an uproar with remarks seen as derogatory towards Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, an Indian Army officer involved in Operation Sindoor. Speaking at a gathering in Indore, Shah linked Col Qureshi’s role to a communal insult aimed at Pakistan, sparking strong criticism. The Congress party condemned his comments as "derogatory, communal, and shameful," urging Prime Minister Modi to remove him from the cabinet. Shah later apologized, stating, "If my words have hurt society and religion, I am ready to apologize ten times." Critics, however, accused him of inciting hate and disrespecting the military and women. (PC: NDTV)