Morning Brief: Pakistan Frets Over Possibility Of Another Indian Strike; IAF Jammed PAF's Chinese Air Defence Systems; India’s Pressure Brings Pakistan To Indus Water Treaty Table

Kick-start your morning with Swarajya’s Morning Brief – your news fix, curated for clarity and insight.

Pakistan On Edge As Defence Minister Warns Of Another Indian

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under internal pressure, might undertake another “misadventure” to strengthen his political position. Speaking on Geo News, Asif described Modi’s situation as “desperate,” despite no signs of weakening political support.

Asif stated that Pakistan remains alert and ready to respond to any Indian aggression, adding that “the world” would also take notice if India acted. Islamabad’s cautious remarks indicate ongoing concern following Operation Sindoor. Pakistan continues to remain on the edge, fearing another Indian punishment, even as tensions currently stay low.

IAF Jammed Pakistan's Chinese Air Defence Systems

The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully "bypassed and jammed" Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defence systems during Operation Sindoor, completing the mission in just 23 minutes, the government said in a new statement highlighting the success of indigenous weapons during the crisis. The Chinese-origin air defence systems used by the Pakistan military include the HQ-9 and HQ-12, among others.

The government confirmed that multiple PL-15 air-to-air missiles supplied by China to Pakistan were recovered after failing to hit their targets. Additionally, reports say several other Chinese-origin Pakistani missiles were shot down during the operation.

Pakistan Signals Willingness To Discuss Indus Water Treaty

Days after India announced the suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) following the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan has for the first time indicated a willingness to discuss India’s concerns about the treaty. Pakistan’s Water Resources Secretary, Syed Ali Murtaza, has offered to discuss specific objections raised by India, though he questioned the legal basis of the suspension since the treaty lacks an exit clause.

Despite the recent ceasefire following Operation Sindoor, India remains firm on maintaining diplomatic pressure, including keeping the treaty suspended until Pakistan stops supporting terrorism. Prime Minister Modi has underlined that the treaty was built on goodwill and friendship, and it will only be reinstated once Pakistan irrevocably ends its support for cross-border terrorism directed against India.

Other Developments

IAEA Confirms No Radiation Leak In Pakistan

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that there has been no radiation leak from any nuclear facility in Pakistan following recent military tensions with India. This statement aligns with the IAF’s clarification that no strikes were made on Pakistan’s Kirana Hills, which reportedly hosts nuclear installations.

The IAEA has noted that no nuclear incident or spill has been reported to them. Meanwhile, India’s Air Marshal A K Bharti stated that the Kirana Hills were not targeted during India's strike on the Mushaf air base in Sargodha. The government has also reiterated that the recent military actions against Pakistan were conventional, dismissing any claims of nuclear escalation or involvement.

Supreme Court To Resume Hearing on Waqf Act Challenges

The Supreme Court will resume hearing pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Act on Thursday (15 May). The matter will now be heard by Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih, following the retirement of former CJI Sanjiv Khanna.

On 17 April, the court indicated it may stay certain provisions of the Act, including the removal of the 'waqf-by-user' concept and changes to the powers of the Collector. The bench had expressed concern over the impact of de-notifying waqf-by-user, which refers to land long used for Muslim religious or charitable purposes, even if unregistered.

Rs 3,076-Crore HCL-Foxconn Chip Plant In UP Approved

The government has approved a Rs 3,076-crore joint venture between HCL and Foxconn to establish a semiconductor manufacturing facility near Jewar airport in Uttar Pradesh. This project, the sixth under the Rs 76,000-crore India Semiconductor Mission, will produce display driver chips for devices such as mobile phones, laptops, PCs, and automobiles, with a capacity of 20,000 wafers and 36 million units monthly.

IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the plant will meet 40 per cent of India’s demand and support Foxconn’s global supply, potentially attracting display panel manufacturing to India. The strategically located facility is expected to reduce import dependence and strengthen India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem.

This project joins five other approved semiconductor units in states like Gujarat and Assam, including ventures by Micron, Tata, CG Power, and Suchi Semicon.

From The States

MP: Minister Faces FIR Over Remarks On Colonel Qureshi

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Wednesday (14 May) ordered an FIR against state Tribal Affairs Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for remarks perceived as targeting Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who was part of India’s briefings during the military standoff with Pakistan. The court called Shah’s comments — implying Qureshi was “a sister of terrorists” — dangerous and separatist in nature, and directed police action by the evening.

Following backlash, including from BJP supporters, the party launched damage control, with senior leaders visiting Qureshi’s family and reprimanding Shah for his statements. Shah later apologised publicly, claiming he was emotional and meant no disrespect, calling Qureshi “the pride of the nation.”

Assam: Sarma Visits Sonapur Eviction Site

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Sonapur on Wednesday to inspect land cleared during a violent eviction drive last September, which the state now plans to use for relocating the Assam Police’s 10th Battalion. The eviction, conducted in Kachutali village in a notified tribal belt, displaced around 650 families, mostly Bengali Muslims, and cleared over 1,000 bighas of land.

While the government argues the battalion will prevent future encroachments, tribal groups oppose the move, saying it benefits no one locally and reduces available tribal land. They suggest alternative uses such as educational or cultural institutions that would better serve the community.

Manipur: Ten Militants Killed By Assam Rifles In Border District

Ten militants were killed in a gunfight with Assam Rifles in Manipur’s Chandel district near the Indo-Myanmar border on 14 May. The operation was launched by an Assam Rifles unit under the Spear Corps following specific intelligence inputs about the movement of armed cadres near New Samtal village in Khengjoy Tehsil.

According to the Army’s Eastern Command, the troops came under fire during the operation and responded with a calibrated retaliation.

The encounter resulted in the neutralisation of ten militants and the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition. The identities of the slain militants have not yet been disclosed by security forces.

You’re all caught up—until next time.