Bilal Lone is a former separatist and the elder son of Abdul Gani Lone, the Hurriyat Conference leader who founded the People’s Conference. Bilal was part of the Hurriyat Conference delegation that met Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani in Delhi in 2004. His younger brother, Sajjad Lone, is currently a member of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly. Bilal was aligned with the Mirwaiz faction of the Hurriyat when it split into two groups — the so-called moderates led by Mirwaiz and the hardliners led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Abdul Gani Lone states that the terrorists who attacked Pahalgam do not represent the mindset of all Kashmiris. He emphasises that the people of Kashmir want peace and do not want to be associated with radical elements.

He also advocates for a war with Pakistan, urging that it should be settled once and for all, for the sake of all Kashmiris. Abdul Gani Lone also explains why he stopped visiting Pakistan and stepped away from separatist leadership, sharing the reasons that led to a change in his perspective.

00:00 – Introduction

01:55 – Normalcy in Kashmir

06:07 – Local Support for Terrorists

13:16 – Conflict Zone of Kashmir

16:44 – Hurriyat's Ties with Pakistan

19:59 – Extremism in Kashmir

25:59 – Tourists Saved by Locals

29:26 – Kashmir Leaders Unite

33:19 – Indus Treaty on Hold

39:45 – Kashmir's Tourism Industry Setback

48:37 – Kashmiri Pandits' Exodus

52:31 – PM Modi's Warning to Terrorists

58:09 – BJP in Kashmir

1:07:55 – AS Dulat's Book Row

1:09:55 – Advani's Meeting with Hurriyat Leaders

Sundarraj Pattilingam is an Indian Police Service officer currently serving as the Inspector General (IG) of Bastar Range in Chhattisgarh. He is known for his leadership in operations against Maoist insurgents in the region.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sundarraj discusses how Naxalism is coming to an end in Chhattisgarh. He explains how the efforts of security forces and the administration are helping bring Maoists into the mainstream.

He also shares some shocking tactics used by Maoists to target security forces and reveals the changing face of Bastar. He encourages people to visit the region, which is blessed with stunning scenic beauty, forests, waterfalls, wildlife, ancient temples, and vibrant tribal dances and music.

00:00 – Introduction

01:48 – Bastar as a Maoist bastion

06:45 – Ideology of the Maoists

10:45 – Posting in Bastar

19:09 – Local recruitment in Bastar

21:22 – Development in Bastar

26:47 – Sacrifices made by jawans

32:54 – 'Operation Kagar'

35:39 – Naxal influence on villagers

43:15 – Minors recruited by Naxals

46:53 – Humanitarian handling of Naxal bodies

52:37 – Tech use in Naxal-affected zones

India has faced its worst terrorist attack on civilians since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. In Kashmir's Pahalgam, 27 innocent lives were lost and 15 others were injured in an attack backed by Pakistan. Terrorists opened fire at point-blank range, targeting innocent tourists. Four terrorists stormed the popular tourist location, creating chaos for 20 minutes. Will India respond to this attack? What will be New Delhi’s reaction?

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey (Retd), former Commander of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps. He explains why terrorists chose Pahalgam to attack civilians, what message Pakistan intends to send to India and Kashmir, and whether the terrorists had local support.

Pandey also discusses whether there could be more attacks like the one in Pahalgam and blames Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir for orchestrating these attacks, calling him the "Kingpin" behind them.

00:00 – Introduction

01:00 – Intel failure behind the attack

03:33 – Pakistan’s message to Kashmiris

05:20 – 'Asim Munir behind the attack'

08:11 – Why only tourists were targeted

13:54 – Gulmarg fashion show controversy

15:20 – Who tipped the terrorists off

17:55 – Why women and children were spared

21:20 – Rising tourism in Kashmir

24:55 – What Kashmiris think of the terror attack

28:22 – India vs Pakistan: Leadership compared

30:40 – India’s response to the attack

33:17 – Casualties in the war

34:57 – ISI’s propaganda

36:30 – Consequences of war

38:42 – 'Pakistan wants a war'

43:16 – Civilian, military, and intel coordination

46:33 – Why the terrorist said “Tell Modi”

50:32 – NC & PDP’s stance on the attack

53:56 – A message for Indians