New Delhi [India], May 10 (ANI): Congress leader KC Venugopal on Saturday recalled the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's leadership during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.

In a post on X, Venugopal posted old images of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, captioning, 'Being a developing country, we have our backbone straight, enough will and resources to fight all atrocities. Times have passed when any nation sitting 3-4 thousand miles away could give orders to Indians' India terribly misses Indira Gandhi ji today!'

https://x.com/kcvenugopalmp/status/1921226029747552438

The 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh, was a major event during Indira Gandhi's tenure as Prime Minister of India.

India provided crucial support to the independence movement in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), and the war began after Pakistan launched airstrikes on Indian airbases. Indira Gandhi's leadership was instrumental in India's victory and the birth of Bangladesh.

Additionally, Congress leader Pawan Khera also posted images of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on X and captioned it, 'India misses Indira.'

Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Saturday posted old images of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on Facebook, captioning, 'Indira Ji, today the whole country is remembering you...'

This came after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations contacted his Indian counterpart, and the two sides agreed to halt all military actions--on land, at sea, and in the air.

However, hours after it agreed to stop all firing and military action on land, in the air and sea, following a call its DGMO made to his Indian counterpart, reports came of Pakistan violating the cessation of hostilities with India's air defence intercepting Pakistani drones amid blackout in Srinagar.

Red streaks were seen and explosions heard as India's air defence intercepted Pakistani drones. Loud explosions were heard in Srinagar.

A complete blackout has been enforced in Pathankot and Ferozepur in Punjab and Jaisalmer and Barmer in Rajasthan.

A complete blackout has been enforced in several areas of Punjab including Pathankot, Ludhiana, Moga, Ferozepur, Jalandhar on Saturday evening.

The Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar issued a statement requesting the residents to keep calm as blackout has been enforced as a precautionary measure.

'Due to recent news in media and as a precautionary measure we are turning off street lights in some part of Jalandhar. Black out is not called at this time. Plz be calm as Jalandhar is unaffected at this point of time,' the statement reads.

The Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana also issued a directive stating that there is nothing to worry about.

The statement reads, 'As of now, there is nothing to worry. We might have to issue the blackout orders again depending on the situation. We are ready and All teams have been put on alert. Our Armed forces with district administration are monitoring the situation very closely.'

India and Pakistan on Saturday worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar noted in a post on X that India will continue its firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism.

'India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action. India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so,' he said.

Earlier, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told the media that Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations contacted his Indian counterpart on Saturday afternoon.

'Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called Indian DGMO at 15:35 hours earlier this afternoon. It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea with effect from 1700 hours Indian Standard Time,' he said.

'Today, instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to this understanding. The Directors General of Military Operations will talk again on May 12 at 1200 hours,' he added.

At a joint press conference earlier in the morning, Misri emphasised that the actions being undertaken by Pakistan against India are 'escalatory' and 'provocative' in nature and are being responded to effectively.

India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in reply to the ghastly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. The terror attack had killed 26 people. India had struck nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan sought to up the ante with a series of unprovoked escalations using artillery guns and drones. (ANI)