Between May 6 and May 10, India set a new benchmark in Asia’s war strategy. In a bold and unprecedented move, New Delhi struck Pakistan-backed terror infrastructure and targeted air bases and radar sites deep inside the country. This podcast offers a detailed analysis of the events leading up to Operation Sindoor, from the terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of innocent civilians, to the geopolitical dynamics involving the United States, the use of Chinese weaponry, and how Indian forces neutralised Turkish drones. This Podcast also presents new facts about how India redefined the rules of engagement in the region.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Colonel Hunny Bakshi, former Commanding Officer of the Technical Support Division (TSD), a military intelligence unit established after the 26/11 attacks; and Lt. Col. Pavithran Rajan, a former intelligence officer, academic, and tech entrepreneur. Together, they unpack how India demonstrated its resolve to strike deep into Pakistan, what lessons were learned, and where further improvement is still needed.

00:00 – Introduction

02:50 – Analysis of Operation Sindoor

05:11 – February 5: Munir’s First Warning

07:52 – How the Pahalgam Attack May Have Happened (Shown on Map)

18:57 – "SSG Commandos Are Terrorists"

21:48 – April 16: Asim Munir’s Second Warning

29:32 – India vs Pakistan-China-Turkey

33:55 – Child Recounts the Pahalgam Horror

41:18 – How Pakistan Fakes the Narrative

44:44 – "War Is a Political Decision"

48:52 – Objectives of Operation Sindoor

51:12 – Proof of Operation Sindoor

54:15 – Donald Trump’s First Reaction to Op Sindoor

01:03:08 – What “Free Hand to the Army” Really Meant

01:04:54 – "Pak Doing Dirty Work For US"

01:05:56 – Iran-Israel War’s Link to Operation Sindoor

01:11:44 – Indian Media Coverage of Operation Sindoor

01:23:02 – India’s Messaging During Operation Sindoor

01:25:27 – India’s Retaliation After the Pahalgam Attack

01:31:45 – How the Indian Air Force Destroyed Pakistan’s Air Bases

01:34:47 – Pakistan’s Bid to Target the Golden Temple

01:37:39 – Jaishankar–Rubio Talks

01:41:47 – JD Vance: “None of Our Business” Statement

01:44:57 – Pakistani Missiles Shot Down in Sirsa

01:52:15 – The U.S. Role in the India–Pakistan Ceasefire

01:59:08 – Why Was There No Action from the Pakistan Navy?

02:04:42 – Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons

02:07:42 – U.S. Funding for Pakistan’s Nuclear Facilities

02:10:38 – Was Nur Khan Airbase Under U.S. Control?

02:13:27 – Debate Over War Duration and Objectives

02:14:48 – Key Takeaways from the India–Pakistan War

02:21:02 – Indian Media Behaviour During Operation Sindoor

02:22:41 – Press Briefings and Perception Management in Wartime

02:27:41 – How India Jammed Pakistani Drones Using ECM

02:32:21 – Disinformation as a War Tactic

02:40:12 – Real-Time Information Flow During War

02:49:57 – Was the Pahalgam Attack a Result of Intel Failure?

02:56:27 – Conclusion

Jibesh Kumar is currently serving as the Minister of Urban Development and Housing in the Government of Bihar. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the impact of Rahul Gandhi's visit to Bihar ahead of the upcoming polls, the role of the INDIA alliance, and Tejashwi Yadav's "tired" claims about Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.The conversation also touches on key urban issues such as metro rail projects, waterlogging during the monsoon, the Smart City Mission, and overall infrastructure and urban development under Nitish Kumar's regime.

00:00 – Introduction

00:23 – NDA Alliance in Bihar

02:53 – Waterlogging Issue in Patna

05:45 – Urban Development in Bihar

08:45 – Metro Rail Projects in Bihar

10:31 – Winning from the Jale Seat

12:33 – INDIA Alliance in Bihar

14:58 – Tejashwi's Remarks on Nitish Kumar’s Health

17:18 – Attack on Darbhanga Deputy Mayor

18:11 – Smart Cities in Bihar

20:46 – Nitish Kumar’s Health

Nitin Nabin is currently serving as the Minister of Road Construction in Bihar and is also the BJP State In-Charge for Chhattisgarh. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about the Bihar Voter Roll Revision Controversy. The conversation covers issues such as NDA’s CM face, road construction, bridge collapses, and the development agenda in Bihar.

00:00 – Coming Up

01:34 – Introduction

01:57 – Road Construction in Rural Bihar

06:30 – Bridge Collapse Issues in Bihar

09:00 – BJP's Position in Bihar Politics

10:20 – The 'Chirag Factor' in NDA

12:00 – Nepotism in Politics

14:03 – Rahul Gandhi's ‘Match-Fixing’ Allegation

15:03 – Corruption Charges

16:04 – Alleged Road Construction Scam

17:50 – Locals Struggle Due to Poor Roads

21:22 – Concerns Over Nitish Kumar’s Health

22:31 – Will Nitish Return in 2025?

Vijay Kumar Sinha is the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. He currently oversees two departments: Mines and Geology, and Agriculture.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about the rising crime rate in Bihar and what the state government is doing to control it.

The conversation covers issues such as unemployment, migration, the healthcare system, and the development agenda in Bihar.

00:00 – Introduction

00:25 – Bihar’s Healthcare System

02:20 – Higher Education in Bihar

05:25 – Farm Reforms in Bihar

07:33 – Congress’s ‘Mai Bahin Maan Yojana’

11:09 – Jungle Raj Debate

16:06 – PM Modi's Visit to Vijay Sinha's Residence

18:19 – Muzaffarpur Dalit Minor Rape Case

21:44 – NDA Alliance in Bihar

Sanjay Kumar Jha is a member of the Rajya Sabha and serves as the National Working President of Janata Dal-United. He is also the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture. He led an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation to convey India's message on Operation Sindoor.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sanjay Jha Jha explains how Op Sindoor showcased India's united stand against terrorism and gained global support.

Jha speaks about Nitish Kumar's health and whether he will be fit for the upcoming state elections. He also clarifies whether Nitish Kumar will be the CM candidate for the 2025 Assembly elections in Bihar.

The conversation covers crucial issues like employment, migration, NDA seat-sharing, and the development agenda in Bihar.

00:00 – Introduction

01:32 – PM Modi Meeting with All-Party Delegations on Op Sindoor

02:48 – Troll by Congress over All-Party Delegation

04:35 – Diplomatic Snub to Pakistan

05:47 – Congress Leaders in All-Party Delegation

08:13 – Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Narender Surrender’ Jibe

09:37 – Op Sindoor at Core of BJP’s Poll Push?

11:13 – Rahul Gandhi's “Match-Fixing” Claim

11:51 – Anti-Incumbency Factor in Bihar

13:38 – Nitish Kumar’s Health

14:17 – JD(U)-BJP Alliance in Bihar

15:11 – Dynasty Politics in Bihar

16:48 – Migration & Flood Issue in Bihar

22:07 – NDA’s Seat-Sharing Deal in Bihar

23:00 – Global Media Coverage of Op Sindoor Outreach Delegation

26:50 – External Support to India During Op Sindoor

28:05 – Media Interaction by Nitish Kumar

30:43 – Reservation in Private Sector Jobs

31:42 – Paper Leaks in Bihar

33:54 – Prashant Kishor and Jan Suraaj

Manjinder Singh Sirsa is a minister in the Delhi Government, holding the Industries, Food & Supplies and Environment, Forest & Wildlife portfolio. The Rajouri Garden MLA is considered close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Formerly with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Sirsa joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2021 and was appointed National Secretary of the party in August 2023. He has also served as the President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, an autonomous organisation responsible for managing Gurdwaras in the national capital. Sirsa is a prominent Sikh leader in Delhi and holds significant influence in the Sikh community.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sirsa speaks about the ban on old Petrol and Diesel vehicles in Delhi and how the BJP plans to challenge it. He also shares his views on the controversy surrounding Arvind Kejriwal’s 'Sheesh Mahal' residence, and why the new official bungalow allotted to CM Rekha Gupta has drawn criticism.

The conversation also touches on topics like the SGPC, Diljit Dosanjh’s film with a Pakistani actress, the Khalistan issue, and the presence of Rohingyas in Delhi.

00:00 – Introduction

00:38 – Forests and Wildlife in Delhi

04:26 – Fuel Ban on Old Vehicles in Delhi

11:26 – Delhi's Anti-Pollution Plan

22:16 – Stubble Burning Crisis in Punjab

24:55 – Kejriwal’s ‘Sheesh Mahal’

26:30 – Rekha Gupta's ‘Maya Mahal’

27:25 – Rohingya Settlements in Delhi

30:26 – Delhi Excise Policy Case

32:14 – Diljit Dosanjh Controversy

33:37 – Future of the BJP in Punjab

39:52 – Slogans Against PM Modi in Canada

49:40 – Protection of Golden Temple During Op Sindoor

52:35 – ‘Saint’ Tag for Bhindranwale

55:16 – Immigration from Punjab

57:07 – Snap Reaction Segment

58:59 – Favourite Food in Delhi

1:03:24 – Reforestation Projects in Delhi

Nityanand Rai is a Member of Parliament from Bihar and a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He currently serves as the Minister of State for Home Affairs.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he speaks about the surge in crime in Bihar and shares what the government is doing to strengthen law and order in the state.

He also shares his views on the Rohingya issue, Operation Sindoor, migration, and discusses the NDA's Chief Ministerial face for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

*Timestamps*

00:00 – Introduction

00:30 – Who are the ‘Thugs’ of Bihar?

02:50 – What has NDA done in Bihar?

06:15 – Delay in Patna Airport expansion

07:23 – Bihar During Yadav Family at Helm

09:37 – Surge in Crime in Bihar

12:16 – Rohingya issue in Bihar

15:08 – NDA’s CM face for Bihar

15:58 – ‘Narender Surrender’ jibe

20:03 – BJP’s ‘Big Brother’ role in Bihar

20:34 – Endgame for Naxalism in India

Dilip Kumar Jaiswal is the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Bihar. He plays a key role in shaping the party’s strategy and leadership in the state.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Jaiswal refers to Prashant Kishor as "Paisa Kishor" and challenges him to name even one significant contribution he has made to Bihar.

The conversation covers crucial issues like employment, migration, NDA seat-sharing, and the development agenda in Bihar.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

00:30 – NDA’s CM Face in Bihar

01:50 – NDA's Seat Sharing in Bihar

03:46 – BJP’s Dependence on Nitish Kumar

07:30 – BJP’s Poll Strike Rate in Bihar

08:49 – Who is ‘Paisa Kishor’?

11:27 – Migration Issues in Bihar

13:34 – Reservation in Private Sector Jobs

15:24 – Caste Census

16:43 – Operation Sindoor

18:26 – Land Survey in Bihar

20:25 – Development Projects in Bihar

21:36 – Singing Talent