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Karnataka Today newsletter: State leaders hail Operation Sindoor, mock drills held in Bengaluru, and more

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hailed ‘Operation Sindoor’, the precision strikes by India targeting terrorist bases not only in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), but also deep inside Pakistani territory on May 7, 2025. The CM called off his scheduled visit to Raichur, to participate in a protest organised by the Congress, in the light of the national security drill.

He hailed the operation as a decisive blow to cross-border terrorism and promised full support from the Karnataka government for the Centre’s actions. Other leaders, including Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra, MLA B.Y. Raghavendra, and the JD(S) also extended their support to the military strike. 

Mr. Shivakumar hailed the strike as “a befitting reply to the cowardly Pahalgam terror attack,” while Mr. Vijayendra said that with Operation Sindoor, “the Indian Army has begun avenging the targeted killings of Hindus in Pahalgam.” Mwanwhile, Sumathi, mother of Manjunath Rao, who died in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken the right decision.

In the wake of the strikes, Karnataka Muzrai and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy also directed the Endowment Department Commissioner to organise special prayers in all temples under the Muzrai Department.

As part of the nationwide civil defence drill – Operation Abhyas – to prepare civilians and officials to react to potential threats, amidst rising tension with Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, air raid warnings and reaction drills, were conducted at multiple locations in Bengaluru.  

The South Central Railway (SCR) also conducted a mock drill at Raichur Railway Station. A dedicated team of approximately 32 members from the Civil Defence Organisation of SCR, along with supporting staff from the local railway station, actively participated in the 45-minute exercise, which commenced at 4:00 p.m.

As the enumeration work to identify scheduled castes for internal reservation is underway in Karnataka, the identification of Dalit Christians has emerged as a contentious issue.