8 MAY2025In response to the deadliest terror attack killing 25 Indians and 1 Nepali civilian, including a local Muslim pony rider in Pahalgam, which occurred on April 22, the Indian government and military have responded by launching "Operation Sindoor", a series of strikes on terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).Operation Sindoor aimed to dismantle terror infrastructure and deliver justice to Pahalgam victims, targeting nine sites in Pakistan and PoK, focusing on cross-border linkages. The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force jointly executed the operation striking Bahawalpur, Muridke, Tehra Kalan, Sialkot, Bhimber, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad, known to host training camps for JeM, LeT, and Hizbul Mujahideen.The series of strikes has been officially addressed at a press conference led by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Col Sofiya Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. The briefing carried by Col Sofiya and Wing Commander Vyomika showed strong visuals of Pakistan-sponsored terror attacks, from the 26/11 Mumbai strikes to the recent Pahalgam attack. They also presented video evidence showcasing successful strikes on terror camps in Muridke and other locations. The footage, captured by onboard targeting systems and surveillance drones, confirmed multiple direct hits on key terrorist infrastructures.The two women officers led the briefing honoring Pahalgam attack widows, showcasing India's commitment to counter terrorism and precision in its non-escalatory operation.On April 22, 2025, a mass shooting in Baisaran Valley, Jammu and Kashmir, killed 26 civilians, including Hindu and Christian tourists. The attack, reportedly carried out by a group of armed militants, is considered one of the deadliest in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The attackers, armed with AK-47s and M4 carbines, entered the tourist spot in Baisaran Valley, a scenic meadow surrounded by dense pine forests. The attack, allegedly carried out by the Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), singled out Hindu and Christian tourists, asking them to recite Islamic verses before shooting them. The non-muslim men were shot in front of their wives and daughters, as the attackers instructed them to narrate the incident to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The "Women Leadership Moonshot: "Shaping the Future" National Conference was held in New Delhi with the support of the Sankala Foundation, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the Indian National Science Academy (INSA); major representatives of policy making, science, and entrepreneurship convened the conference to discuss the direction to empower women of the country. It was held in India Habitat Centre where its theme was centered on women as the protagonists of India's growth.Some of the prominent guest speakers included Dr. Kiran Bedi, former Lt. Governor of Puducherry Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa and OSD; Bharat Lal, CEO of NHRC; Dr. Vinod Paul, Member NITI Aayog; Cindy McCaffrey, UNICEF India Representative for India, underscored the need of social economic reforms to enable women realise `viksit bharat'.The chief guest of the ceremony was Dr Kiran Bedi, IPTA who spoke on the topic of the day ­ Accountability in Governance through her keynote address. In order to strengthen the public's confidence in the government institutions, she encouraged the senior officials to spend a considerable amount of time interacting with the field institutions. In addition to this, the proposal to provide thirty electric scooters to female sarpanches, with a view to enabling rural women to become more mobile, explains why Dr Bedi was an avid supporter of backing for rural women.Apart from mobility, several recommendations were made by Dr. Bedi for reforms in the care policies to boost the care industry that is mostly being managed by women. Thus, she proposed the implementation of a Welfare and Training Programme for Women Employment in this sector as a way of empowering the women socially and economically.It made it easy to find practical approaches to address the gaps provided a platform to advance the equality and call for more women leadership. The involvement of policymakers, scientists, and other business leaders was another giant leap towards the creation of an advanced India for women in the future.In such dialogues and reformative actions, slowly but surely, India is inching towards a time where it is the woman who will drive the development of the nation. IN FOCUSCOL SOFIYA, WING COMMANDER VYOMIKA & FS VIKRAM GIVE BRIEFING ON 'OPERATION SINDOOR'NHRC & SANKALA FOUNDATION LAUNCH WOMEN LEADERSHIP MOONSHOT FOR INDIA'S FUTURE· Sankala Foundation, NHRC hosts National Conference on Women Leadership.· Key policymakers, scientists, and entrepreneurs discuss women-driven development.· Dr. Kiran Bedi proposes initiatives for rural women's empowerment· India launched the `Operation Sindoor' series of strikes on Pakistan & PoK· Col Sofiya, Wing Commander Vyomika & FS Vikram addressed the Press Conference in New Delhi· Operation Sindoor, a retaliation on the deadliest Pahagam Massacre, killing 26 Civilians
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