India has categorically said that the government will not allow Pakistan to change the mood of the nation, asking for the immediate release of the pilot who is in Pakistan's custody since Wednesday. The pilot was captured after his MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft, which was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-too-capable-of-operation-similar-to-us-action-against-osama-in-abbotabad-arun-jaitley-200163">pushing away Pakistani fighter jets</a> from Indian airspace, crashed into Pakistani territory.

"We will not allow a Kandahar this time," government sources said. "If they think they will hold us hostage with our captured defence personnel, this won't happen,"&nbsp; the sources added.

The statement assumes significance because India had to release Masood Azhar, the chief of terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), after the IC-814 Indian Airlines flight was hijacked in 1999. The plane was taken from Kathmandu to Kandahar in Afghanistan. Azhar and other terrorists were released in exchange of 179 passengers and 11 crew members. The attack was reportedly planned and executed by Azhar's brother-in-law Yousuf Azhar, who India said was killed in the air strike by Indian Air Force's fighter jets on JeM camp in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-strike-heres-why-balakot-was-chosen-by-indian-air-force-199792">Pakistan's Balakot</a> on Tuesday.

"India wants Pakistan to immediately send back the Air Force personnel; New Delhi is not demanding consular access. We won't be negotiating any deal with Pakistan on him," the sources said.

New Delhi has given two strong demarches to Islamabad on the custody of its defence personnel and called for his humane treatment along with the immediate and early release.

Accusing Pakistan of creating a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-is-proud-of-its-armed-forces-and-stands-by-them-says-modi-200221">war hysteria</a>, sources said the government on Wednesday handed over to Pakistan a dossier on specific details of involvement of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in the Pulwama terror attack on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) as also the presence of camps of the UN-proscribed terror outfit in that country.

The sources also said that four of the P5 countries - the permanent members of the UN Security Council - are firmly with India. The only exception is China. "China has taken an ambiguous position. We will make every effort to convince China. Other major countries also trying to convince China," the sources said.

The US, the UK and France have formally proposed listing of Masood Azhar, the chief of JeM, under the UN Security Council's terror list. India is lobbying with all 15 members of the UNSC.

Lashing out at Pakistan for sending its fighter jets in Indian airspace, the sources said that Pakistan Air Force specifically targeted Indian military facilities while the Indian jets only targeted the JeM terror camp.

The defence ministry officials had earlier said that the Indian Air Force pilot was ill-treated by the Pakistan Army in violation of the Geneva convention.

Service chiefs of the Navy, Army and Air Force will meet Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at 5pm today to discuss the strategy going forward.

India has made it clear that its focus is counter-terror, and New Delhi's strikes on UN-listed terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camps in Balakot, Pakistan, on Tuesday was to send across a message to Pakistan. In Indian strikes, no civilians or Pakistani military installations were targeted.

India has categorically said that the government will not allow Pakistan to change the mood of the nation, asking for the immediate release of the pilot who is in Pakistan's custody since Wednesday.

India has categorically said that the government will not allow Pakistan to change the mood of the nation, asking for the immediate release of the pilot who is in Pakistan's custody since Wednesday. The pilot was captured after his MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft, which was pushing away Pakistani fighter jets from Indian airspace, crashed into Pakistani territory. "We will not allow a Kandahar this time," government sources said. "If they think they will hold us hostage with our captured defence personnel, this won't happen," the sources added. The statement assumes significance because India had to release Masood Azhar, the chief of terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), after the IC-814 Indian Airlines flight was hijacked in 1999. The plane was taken from Kathmandu to Kandahar in Afghanistan. Azhar and other terrorists were released in exchange of 179 passengers and 11 crew members. The attack was reportedly planned and executed by Azhar's brother-in-law Yousuf Azhar, who India said was killed in the air strike by Indian Air Force's fighter jets on JeM camp in Pakistan's Balakot on Tuesday. "India wants Pakistan to immediately send back the Air Force personnel; New Delhi is not demanding consular access. We won't be negotiating any deal with Pakistan on him," the sources said. New Delhi has given two strong demarches to Islamabad on the custody of its defence personnel and called for his humane treatment along with the immediate and early release. Accusing Pakistan of creating a war hysteria, sources said the government on Wednesday handed over to Pakistan a dossier on specific details of involvement of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in the Pulwama terror attack on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) as also the presence of camps of the UN-proscribed terror outfit in that country. The sources also said that four of the P5 countries - the permanent members of the UN Security Council - are firmly with India. The only exception is China. "China has taken an ambiguous position. We will make every effort to convince China. Other major countries also trying to convince China," the sources said. The US, the UK and France have formally proposed listing of Masood Azhar, the chief of JeM, under the UN Security Council's terror list. India is lobbying with all 15 members of the UNSC. Lashing out at Pakistan for sending its fighter jets in Indian airspace, the sources said that Pakistan Air Force specifically targeted Indian military facilities while the Indian jets only targeted the JeM terror camp. The defence ministry officials had earlier said that the Indian Air Force pilot was ill-treated by the Pakistan Army in violation of the Geneva convention. Service chiefs of the Navy, Army and Air Force will meet Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at 5pm today to discuss the strategy going forward. India has made it clear that its focus is counter-terror, and New Delhi's strikes on UN-listed terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camps in Balakot, Pakistan, on Tuesday was to send across a message to Pakistan. In Indian strikes, no civilians or Pakistani military installations were targeted.

Won't allow a Kandahar this time, Pakistan must immediately send our pilot back, says India

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said Tuesday that though<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/on-vajpayees-95th-birth-anniversary-memorial-sadaiv-atal-to-be-inaugurated-in-delhi-186260"> former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee</a> took a lot of initiatives to have a "proper friendship" with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/pakistan">Pakistan</a>, the latter has continued with its "old disease" of funding terror.&nbsp;

While addressing an event to commemorate the 94th birth anniversary of Vajpayee, Naidu said even Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited leaders of all SAARC countries for his swearing-in ceremony.&nbsp;

He recalled Vajpayee's statement that 'You can change your friends but you cannot change your neighbours. India wants to be friendly with all countries'.&nbsp;

"That is why Narendra Modi invited all SAARC countries for his swearing-in and all came. We want to have a friendship with all, including Pakistan. We can work together. We want to live together happily. We want to progress together but unfortunately, they are continuing with their old disease of aiding, inhabiting and funding terror. They must give it up," he said.&nbsp;

Lahore bus yatra, Agra Talk, even earlier Samjhauta Express all the initiatives were taken by Vajpayee to have a proper friendship with Pakistan, he said.&nbsp;

Naidu said Vajpayee led the country ably through difficult times. He said despite the world imposing restrictions on India, he successfully conducted nuclear tests in Pokhran in 1998, which was also depicted on the celluloid.&nbsp;

"It was the time when the country gave a fitting reply in the Kargil war and also overcame devastation caused during the Gujarat earthquake in 2001. The attack on Parliament was a testimony to how dangerous cross-border terrorism could be," he said.&nbsp;

The vice-president said the coming generations will remember Vajpayee for bringing connectivity revolution and paving the way for development and growth.&nbsp;

"He will be remembered after Sher Shah Suri for connectivity air connectivity, rail connectivity, rural connectivity, port connectivity... He brought such political connectivity in the country and brought 23 political parties of the country together," Naidu added.&nbsp;

On the importance of Good Governance Day that is being observed on the birth anniversary of Vajpayee, Naidu said taking care of the needs of the poor and downtrodden and keeping people at the centre of public administration was the key element of governance.&nbsp;

A 'bhajan sandhya' was organised here on the occasion of birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away on August 16 this year. Singer Daler Mehndi rendered devotional songs on the occasion.&nbsp;

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said Tuesday that though former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took a lot of initiatives to have a "proper friendship" with Pakistan, the latter has continued with its "old disease" of funding terror.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said Tuesday that though former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took a lot of initiatives to have a "proper friendship" with Pakistan, the latter has continued with its "old disease" of funding terror. While addressing an event to commemorate the 94th birth anniversary of Vajpayee, Naidu said even Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited leaders of all SAARC countries for his swearing-in ceremony. He recalled Vajpayee's statement that 'You can change your friends but you cannot change your neighbours. India wants to be friendly with all countries'. "That is why Narendra Modi invited all SAARC countries for his swearing-in and all came. We want to have a friendship with all, including Pakistan. We can work together. We want to live together happily. We want to progress together but unfortunately, they are continuing with their old disease of aiding, inhabiting and funding terror. They must give it up," he said. Lahore bus yatra, Agra Talk, even earlier Samjhauta Express all the initiatives were taken by Vajpayee to have a proper friendship with Pakistan, he said. Naidu said Vajpayee led the country ably through difficult times. He said despite the world imposing restrictions on India, he successfully conducted nuclear tests in Pokhran in 1998, which was also depicted on the celluloid. "It was the time when the country gave a fitting reply in the Kargil war and also overcame devastation caused during the Gujarat earthquake in 2001. The attack on Parliament was a testimony to how dangerous cross-border terrorism could be," he said. The vice-president said the coming generations will remember Vajpayee for bringing connectivity revolution and paving the way for development and growth. "He will be remembered after Sher Shah Suri for connectivity air connectivity, rail connectivity, rural connectivity, port connectivity... He brought such political connectivity in the country and brought 23 political parties of the country together," Naidu added. On the importance of Good Governance Day that is being observed on the birth anniversary of Vajpayee, Naidu said taking care of the needs of the poor and downtrodden and keeping people at the centre of public administration was the key element of governance. A 'bhajan sandhya' was organised here on the occasion of birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away on August 16 this year. Singer Daler Mehndi rendered devotional songs on the occasion.

Pakistan has continued with its 'old disease' of funding terror: Venkaiah Naidu

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/pakistan">Pakistan</a> Prime Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/harassment-of-indian-diplomats-returns-in-islamabad-185684">Imran Khan telephoned</a> UN chief Antonio Guterres and raised the issue of Kashmir, a UN spokesman has said. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary General, did not give further details about the conversation between Khan and Guterres. 
 
When asked by PTI to comment on India’s strong retort to Khan that Pakistan should mind its own business and that Kashmir is an integral part of India, Dujarric said, “Our position on Kashmir has been reiterated. There is an observer group as mandated by the Security Council,” He was referring to the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). 
 
Dujarric added that the Pakistani Prime Minister wanted to speak to the Secretary-General. “It’s only normal that the Secretary-General speaks to Heads of Governments and Heads of State and, as I said, I can confirm that the call took place and that the Prime Minister raised the issue of Kashmir,” Dujarric said. 
 
In a set of recent tweets, Khan said that “Kashmiris must be allowed to decide their future”. He also tweeted that Pakistan would raise the issue of India’s alleged human rights violations at the United Nations.&nbsp; External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in response said that “the statements coming out from their side demonstrates the insincerity and duplicity”. 
 
The UNMOGIP was established in January 1949 and currently has a total of 118 UN and civilian staff. Following the India-Pakistan war in 1971 and a subsequent ceasefire agreement of December 17 of that year, the tasks of UNMOGIP have been to observe, to the extent possible, developments pertaining to the strict observance of the ceasefire and to report thereon to the Secretary-General. 
 
India has maintained that UNMOGIP has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Shimla Agreement and the consequent establishment of the Line of Control (LoC).

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan telephoned UN chief Antonio Guterres and raised the issue of Kashmir, a UN spokesman has said. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary General, did not give further details about the conversation between Khan and Guterres.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan telephoned UN chief Antonio Guterres and raised the issue of Kashmir, a UN spokesman has said. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary General, did not give further details about the conversation between Khan and Guterres. When asked by PTI to comment on India’s strong retort to Khan that Pakistan should mind its own business and that Kashmir is an integral part of India, Dujarric said, “Our position on Kashmir has been reiterated. There is an observer group as mandated by the Security Council,” He was referring to the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). Dujarric added that the Pakistani Prime Minister wanted to speak to the Secretary-General. “It’s only normal that the Secretary-General speaks to Heads of Governments and Heads of State and, as I said, I can confirm that the call took place and that the Prime Minister raised the issue of Kashmir,” Dujarric said. In a set of recent tweets, Khan said that “Kashmiris must be allowed to decide their future”. He also tweeted that Pakistan would raise the issue of India’s alleged human rights violations at the United Nations. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in response said that “the statements coming out from their side demonstrates the insincerity and duplicity”. The UNMOGIP was established in January 1949 and currently has a total of 118 UN and civilian staff. Following the India-Pakistan war in 1971 and a subsequent ceasefire agreement of December 17 of that year, the tasks of UNMOGIP have been to observe, to the extent possible, developments pertaining to the strict observance of the ceasefire and to report thereon to the Secretary-General. India has maintained that UNMOGIP has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Shimla Agreement and the consequent establishment of the Line of Control (LoC).

Pakistan PM Imran Khan raised Kashmir issue with UN chief, says UN spokesman

India and Pakistan have both agreed to build the Kartarpur corridor on their respective sides of the border. The corridor will lead to Kartarpur Sahib gurudwara, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kartarpur-sahib-pakistani-gurudwara-where-guru-nanak-spent-final-18-years-of-his-life-178745">Guru Nanak's final resting place</a>.&nbsp;

India will build&nbsp;the Kartarpur corridor from Dera Baba Nanak gurudwara in Gurdaspur district till the International Border.&nbsp;

Announcing the cabinet decision, Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted: "The Kartarpur corridor will provide smooth and easy passage to pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib throughout the year."

India had approached the Pakistani high commission in Delhi and referred to the longstanding proposal to create the corridor to facilitate "easy and smooth" access for Indian pilgrims visiting the gurudwara. Kartarpur Sahib lies in Pakistan, just across the International Border.&nbsp;

Confirming India had approached Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement, "We have approached and urged the Pakistan government to recognize the sentiments of Sikh community and build a corridor with suitable facilities in their territory to &nbsp;facilitate easy and smooth visits of pilgrims from India to Kartarpur Sahib throughout the year".

India approached the Pakistani High Commission on Friday, the commission sent the letter to Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Ministry (MOFA) on Monday. The Pak MOFA wrote to the Indian High Commission on Wednesday and the Indian High Commission sent the letter to the MEA on Thursday.

Later, at the cabinet briefing, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, "All I can say is government of India has always been pursuing this matter."

The Kartarpur shrine is visible from Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak, where binoculars are installed.&nbsp;

The Kartarpur corridor will be implemented as an integrated development project with Government of India funding. The development comes ahead of the 550th Prakash Purab or birth anniversary of Guru Nanak next year.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, top sources have told WION that India has requested that the corridor be open 365 days and 24 hours and that there must be no restrictions on the number of pilgrims travelling across the border. The Indian intention basically is that the corridor must be a full-fledged one that allows for maximum movement. The corridor should be open not just on special occasions but through the year.&nbsp;

India also believes that Sikh pilgrims continue to make the difficult journey with no consular access and wants free and readily available consular access for Indian citizens on the Pakistani side.&nbsp;

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was conducting a briefing when the Indian cabinet announced the decision, reacted by saying that good news will soon come on Kartarpur corridor.&nbsp;

Within a few hours, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan will "ground break" for the corridor on November 28. "Pakistan has already conveyed to India its decision to open Kartarpura Corridor for Baba Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary. PM Imran Khan will do break ground at Kartarpura facilities on 28th November. We welcome the Sikh community to Pakistan for this auspicious occasion."

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Pakistan has already conveyed to India it's decision to open Kartarpura Corridor for Baba Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary. PM Imran Khan will do break ground at Kartarpura facilities on 28th November. We welcome the Sikh community to Pakistan for this auspicious occasion.
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/SMQureshiPTI/status/1065544884973654016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Pakistan's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also welcomed the decision with a tweet saying, "Indian Cabinet endorsement of Pakistan’s proposition on Kartarpur Border Opening is victory of peace lobby in both countries, its a step towards right direction and we hope such steps encourage voice of reasons and tranquillity on both sides of the border."

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Indian Cabinet endorsement of Pakistan’s proposition on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KartarPurBorderOpening?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KartarPurBorderOpening</a> is victory of peace lobby in both countries, its a step towards right direction and we hope such steps ll encourage voice of reasons and tranquility on both sides of the border.
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) <a href="https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry/status/1065532193987092480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Indian sources dismissed the idea that the corridor was planned in response to a Pakistani proposal, calling it "preposterous, but hurtful to the sentiments of the Sikh community." The proposal is a long-standing demand from the Indian side for more than 20 years, they said.

 
The Kartarpur corridor issue got highlighted this year when Punjab Tourism Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu travelled to Pakistan for Imran Khan's swearing-in, and during which time he claimed Pakistani Army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa had suggested the opening of the corridor to him. (Sidhu had been slammed on his return for hugging the Pakistan Army chief.)&nbsp;

On Thursday, Sidhu tweeted, "I welcome this auspicious step by the Union Cabinet, it will be a cup of joy for 12 Crore ‘Nanak Naam Laivas.’ It will build bridges, burn animosity and will act like a soothing balm for two neighbouring countries."

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I welcome this auspicious step by the Union Cabinet, it will be a cup of joy for 12 Crore ‘Nanak Naam Laivas.’ It will build bridges, burn animosity and will act like a soothing balm for two neighbouring countries. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GuruNanakJayanti?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GuruNanakJayanti</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kartarpurcorridor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kartarpurcorridor</a>
— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sherryontopp/status/1065517369529896960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Kartarpur Sahib is of immense significance for the Sikhs since Guru Nanak spent 18 years of his life here.&nbsp;

Kartarpur is located in the Narowal district of Pakistani Punjab. It is about 120 kms from Lahore and is located only 3 kms from the Indo-Pakistan border by the Ravi river. At the time of partition, there were three gurdwaras in the border region which were of historical and religious importance.&nbsp;

India got two and Pakistan got one.&nbsp;

Dera Baba Nanak and Dera Chola Sahab are the two gurdwaras in India. Dera Kartarpur is in Pakistan.&nbsp;

Welcoming the development, Sukhbir Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal said, "A long-standing demand on Kartarpur Corridor has been finally accepted by Modi Govt."

The forward movement on the Kartarpur corridor can be considered a big development since despite the India-Pakistan deadlock in talks, both New Delhi and Islamabad have been able to form a consensus on the issue.&nbsp;

India and Pakistan have both agreed to build the Kartarpur corridor on their respective sides of the border. The corridor will lead to Kartarpur Sahib gurudwara, Guru Nanak's final resting place.

India and Pakistan have both agreed to build the Kartarpur corridor on their respective sides of the border. The corridor will lead to Kartarpur Sahib gurudwara, Guru Nanak's final resting place. India will build the Kartarpur corridor from Dera Baba Nanak gurudwara in Gurdaspur district till the International Border. Announcing the cabinet decision, Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted: "The Kartarpur corridor will provide smooth and easy passage to pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib throughout the year." India had approached the Pakistani high commission in Delhi and referred to the longstanding proposal to create the corridor to facilitate "easy and smooth" access for Indian pilgrims visiting the gurudwara. Kartarpur Sahib lies in Pakistan, just across the International Border. Confirming India had approached Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement, "We have approached and urged the Pakistan government to recognize the sentiments of Sikh community and build a corridor with suitable facilities in their territory to facilitate easy and smooth visits of pilgrims from India to Kartarpur Sahib throughout the year". India approached the Pakistani High Commission on Friday, the commission sent the letter to Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Ministry (MOFA) on Monday. The Pak MOFA wrote to the Indian High Commission on Wednesday and the Indian High Commission sent the letter to the MEA on Thursday. Later, at the cabinet briefing, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, "All I can say is government of India has always been pursuing this matter." The Kartarpur shrine is visible from Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak, where binoculars are installed. The Kartarpur corridor will be implemented as an integrated development project with Government of India funding. The development comes ahead of the 550th Prakash Purab or birth anniversary of Guru Nanak next year. Meanwhile, top sources have told WION that India has requested that the corridor be open 365 days and 24 hours and that there must be no restrictions on the number of pilgrims travelling across the border. The Indian intention basically is that the corridor must be a full-fledged one that allows for maximum movement. The corridor should be open not just on special occasions but through the year. India also believes that Sikh pilgrims continue to make the difficult journey with no consular access and wants free and readily available consular access for Indian citizens on the Pakistani side. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was conducting a briefing when the Indian cabinet announced the decision, reacted by saying that good news will soon come on Kartarpur corridor. Within a few hours, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan will "ground break" for the corridor on November 28. "Pakistan has already conveyed to India its decision to open Kartarpura Corridor for Baba Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary. PM Imran Khan will do break ground at Kartarpura facilities on 28th November. We welcome the Sikh community to Pakistan for this auspicious occasion." Pakistan has already conveyed to India it's decision to open Kartarpura Corridor for Baba Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary. PM Imran Khan will do break ground at Kartarpura facilities on 28th November. We welcome the Sikh community to Pakistan for this auspicious occasion. — Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) November 22, 2018 × Pakistan's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also welcomed the decision with a tweet saying, "Indian Cabinet endorsement of Pakistan’s proposition on Kartarpur Border Opening is victory of peace lobby in both countries, its a step towards right direction and we hope such steps encourage voice of reasons and tranquillity on both sides of the border." Indian Cabinet endorsement of Pakistan’s proposition on #KartarPurBorderOpening is victory of peace lobby in both countries, its a step towards right direction and we hope such steps ll encourage voice of reasons and tranquility on both sides of the border. — Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) November 22, 2018 × Indian sources dismissed the idea that the corridor was planned in response to a Pakistani proposal, calling it "preposterous, but hurtful to the sentiments of the Sikh community." The proposal is a long-standing demand from the Indian side for more than 20 years, they said. The Kartarpur corridor issue got highlighted this year when Punjab Tourism Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu travelled to Pakistan for Imran Khan's swearing-in, and during which time he claimed Pakistani Army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa had suggested the opening of the corridor to him. (Sidhu had been slammed on his return for hugging the Pakistan Army chief.) On Thursday, Sidhu tweeted, "I welcome this auspicious step by the Union Cabinet, it will be a cup of joy for 12 Crore ‘Nanak Naam Laivas.’ It will build bridges, burn animosity and will act like a soothing balm for two neighbouring countries." I welcome this auspicious step by the Union Cabinet, it will be a cup of joy for 12 Crore ‘Nanak Naam Laivas.’ It will build bridges, burn animosity and will act like a soothing balm for two neighbouring countries. #GuruNanakJayanti #Kartarpurcorridor — Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) November 22, 2018 × Kartarpur Sahib is of immense significance for the Sikhs since Guru Nanak spent 18 years of his life here. Kartarpur is located in the Narowal district of Pakistani Punjab. It is about 120 kms from Lahore and is located only 3 kms from the Indo-Pakistan border by the Ravi river. At the time of partition, there were three gurdwaras in the border region which were of historical and religious importance. India got two and Pakistan got one. Dera Baba Nanak and Dera Chola Sahab are the two gurdwaras in India. Dera Kartarpur is in Pakistan. Welcoming the development, Sukhbir Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal said, "A long-standing demand on Kartarpur Corridor has been finally accepted by Modi Govt." The forward movement on the Kartarpur corridor can be considered a big development since despite the India-Pakistan deadlock in talks, both New Delhi and Islamabad have been able to form a consensus on the issue.

India-Pak agree to build Kartarpur corridor, Imran Khan to break ground on November 28

A day after&nbsp;India&nbsp;called-off the proposed&nbsp;India-Pakistan&nbsp;Foreign Minister-level talks,&nbsp;Army Chief&nbsp;General&nbsp;Bipin Rawat&nbsp;has said that it is time to give it back to&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;in the same coin.&nbsp;

"I think our government's policy has been quite clear and concise. We have made no bones about the fact that talks and terrorism can't go hand in hand.&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;needs to curb the menace of terrorism,"&nbsp;Bipin Rawat&nbsp;said here.&nbsp;

"We need to take stern action to avenge the barbarism that terrorists and the&nbsp;Pakistan army have been carrying out. Yes, it is time to give it back to them in the same coin, not resorting to similar kind of barbarism. But I think the other side must also feel the same pain," he added.&nbsp;

Asked about the use of Army in political campaigns,&nbsp;Bipin Rawat&nbsp;said, "I don't want to comment on the political issues. But, I will like to say that we are getting full cooperation. We are given freedom on how to carry out our operations. And, you can see its effect in Kashmir and North-East."&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Army Chief&nbsp;further stated that the&nbsp;Indian Army"&gt;Indian Army requires modern weapons on a continuous basis.&nbsp;

"There is a limit till which we can use a particular weapon, and as new technologies come, we also want them to be included in our forces. So buying of weapons continue," General Rawat said.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Army Chief's statement comes after&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier today expressed discontent over the cancellation of the meeting.&nbsp;

Khan, in his tweet, said, "Disappointed at the arrogant and negative response by&nbsp;India&nbsp;to my call for the resumption of the peace dialogue. However, all my life I have come across small men occupying big offices who do not have the vision to see the larger picture."&nbsp;

On Friday,&nbsp;India&nbsp;pulled out of the proposed meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her&nbsp;Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi, hours after two Special Police Officers and one policeman in Jammu and Kashmir were kidnapped and brutally killed by the terrorists.

A day after India called-off the proposed India-Pakistan Foreign Minister-level talks, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has said that it is time to give it back to Pakistan in the same coin.

A day after India called-off the proposed India-Pakistan Foreign Minister-level talks, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has said that it is time to give it back to Pakistan in the same coin. "I think our government's policy has been quite clear and concise. We have made no bones about the fact that talks and terrorism can't go hand in hand. Pakistan needs to curb the menace of terrorism," Bipin Rawat said here. "We need to take stern action to avenge the barbarism that terrorists and the Pakistan army have been carrying out. Yes, it is time to give it back to them in the same coin, not resorting to similar kind of barbarism. But I think the other side must also feel the same pain," he added. Asked about the use of Army in political campaigns, Bipin Rawat said, "I don't want to comment on the political issues. But, I will like to say that we are getting full cooperation. We are given freedom on how to carry out our operations. And, you can see its effect in Kashmir and North-East." The Army Chief further stated that the Indian Army">Indian Army requires modern weapons on a continuous basis. "There is a limit till which we can use a particular weapon, and as new technologies come, we also want them to be included in our forces. So buying of weapons continue," General Rawat said. The Army Chief's statement comes after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier today expressed discontent over the cancellation of the meeting. Khan, in his tweet, said, "Disappointed at the arrogant and negative response by India to my call for the resumption of the peace dialogue. However, all my life I have come across small men occupying big offices who do not have the vision to see the larger picture." On Friday, India pulled out of the proposed meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi, hours after two Special Police Officers and one policeman in Jammu and Kashmir were kidnapped and brutally killed by the terrorists.

Time to give it back to Pakistan in same coin, says Bipin Rawat

Indian decision makers were too quick to be influenced by Imran Khan’s letter to Prime Minister Modi, calling for resumption of peace dialogue, by announcing the “Meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan on the side lines of UNGA later this month”. It was also clarified by MEA that “There was no change in its policy that talks and terror couldn’t go together”. Within a day, MEA on Friday announced calling off the meeting citing the two incidents - release of stamps to glorify terrorists and mutilation of the body of soldier in BAT action. In a sensitive subject involving public sentiments and having security implications, the fumble represents a lack of understanding of security issues by the people involved in it. &nbsp;

Imran's compulsion for writing letter to PM Modi

It is not difficult to understand that unless Pakistan shows some credible actions, it may get further punishment from Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which might declare it black. It would pose insurmountable economic problems for newly elected Prime Minister Imran Khan. A peace initiative like this can thus be an optical mirage to suggest that he is trying his best.

Even if we leave out the two incidents, and assess if terror activities/proxy war has reduced after his taking over as Prime Minister or otherwise, the answer is a clear NO. It is well known that he is a puppet Prime Minister propped up by Pakistan Army, which holds all levers of power. An active Indo–Pak border/LoC is Pakistan Army’s existential requirement to hold power which it will not compromise.&nbsp;

A pressure by US/China and loaning agencies like IMF could be another reason for initiating such a letter. The fact that the courts have allowed Hafiz Saeed to start business as usual, over-ruling the government indicates Imran’s inability in reigning UN declared terrorists. The courts in Pakistan have also acted at the behest of Army, which is proved by the fact that Nawaz Sharif is now out, when he is harmless to the Army.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Can India pin high hopes on Imran Khan?

In my opinion, India could try Imran’s experiment with peace. To experiment with him, his initiative has to be preceded with few steps like no ceasefire violations, no support to terrorist, taking immediate action on UN declared terrorists and convincing not only India but FATF, the US and global community of having done so.&nbsp;

When many diplomats/strategists and the establishment were justifying the meeting, they tried to explain the difference meeting and dialogue, justifying no change in Indian stance, but the letter of Imran Khan clearly indicated what he expected to be spoken in the meeting. It will be naïve to assume that it could have been a meeting with no issues of divergences discussed, ending with pleasantries and future plan of dialogue.

Even in informal meetings between leaders earlier, all issues of divergences were discussed. In fact, we should have understood that even if meeting was done as explained, we would have lost out in giving them a point to score in FATF and General Assembly. It is encouraging to see that a midcourse correction of cancellation of meeting took place.&nbsp;

What do we do to deter Pakistan from proxy war? &nbsp;

To deter a neighbour to stop proxy war, there is a need to have a clear National aim, National Strategy, Comprehensive National Power and the will to use it. For many decades, it has been seen that the need for hard power has been underplayed by diplomats/bureaucrats, who have been able to convince the political hierarchy that diplomacy can resolve security issues and relevance of military forces stands considerably reduced.

This is a major departure from basic teachings of Chanakya that no nation can be strong and secure without a strong military. This has resulted in inadequate defence budget, bulk of which is consumed by bloating, inefficient, defence civilians and inadequate modernisation taking away the conventional edge required to deter the notorious neighbor.

Politicisation of defence matters like surgical strikes, defence procurements by all politicians looking at political aim instead of national aim, has slowed down the pace of modernisation. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In fact not many decision makers understand the basic difference between Para-military forces, which are protective forces trained and equipped accordingly, and Defence Forces, which are the punch of the country, instruments of last resort, trained and equipped to project national power across the IB/LoC.

The confusion is evident from the fact that Defence forces are increasingly being employed for internal security and being targeted by legal and Human Right fraternity. The consistent lowering of the status of Defence Forces for decades confirms this confusion.

The end result is that the adversary is not deterred and continues with proxy war. Even within the country in border areas like Kashmir, the political games have not allowed to deal with internal enemies like separatists, which have created conditions for proxy war to succeed.

India therefore urgently needs to do the capacity building of its military and deal firmly with separatists, not in the form of speeches but convictions. India also needs to apply some lessons of the history of 1962 debacle due to lack of military advise and success of 1971 War due to direct military advice to decision makers, by getting some military specialists in the decision-making loop.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Indian decision makers were too quick to be influenced by Imran Khan’s letter to Prime Minister Modi, calling for resumption of peace dialogue, by announcing the “Meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan on the side lines of UNGA later this month”.

Indian decision makers were too quick to be influenced by Imran Khan’s letter to Prime Minister Modi, calling for resumption of peace dialogue, by announcing the “Meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan on the side lines of UNGA later this month”. It was also clarified by MEA that “There was no change in its policy that talks and terror couldn’t go together”. Within a day, MEA on Friday announced calling off the meeting citing the two incidents - release of stamps to glorify terrorists and mutilation of the body of soldier in BAT action. In a sensitive subject involving public sentiments and having security implications, the fumble represents a lack of understanding of security issues by the people involved in it. Imran's compulsion for writing letter to PM Modi It is not difficult to understand that unless Pakistan shows some credible actions, it may get further punishment from Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which might declare it black. It would pose insurmountable economic problems for newly elected Prime Minister Imran Khan. A peace initiative like this can thus be an optical mirage to suggest that he is trying his best. Even if we leave out the two incidents, and assess if terror activities/proxy war has reduced after his taking over as Prime Minister or otherwise, the answer is a clear NO. It is well known that he is a puppet Prime Minister propped up by Pakistan Army, which holds all levers of power. An active Indo–Pak border/LoC is Pakistan Army’s existential requirement to hold power which it will not compromise. A pressure by US/China and loaning agencies like IMF could be another reason for initiating such a letter. The fact that the courts have allowed Hafiz Saeed to start business as usual, over-ruling the government indicates Imran’s inability in reigning UN declared terrorists. The courts in Pakistan have also acted at the behest of Army, which is proved by the fact that Nawaz Sharif is now out, when he is harmless to the Army. Can India pin high hopes on Imran Khan? In my opinion, India could try Imran’s experiment with peace. To experiment with him, his initiative has to be preceded with few steps like no ceasefire violations, no support to terrorist, taking immediate action on UN declared terrorists and convincing not only India but FATF, the US and global community of having done so. When many diplomats/strategists and the establishment were justifying the meeting, they tried to explain the difference meeting and dialogue, justifying no change in Indian stance, but the letter of Imran Khan clearly indicated what he expected to be spoken in the meeting. It will be naïve to assume that it could have been a meeting with no issues of divergences discussed, ending with pleasantries and future plan of dialogue. Even in informal meetings between leaders earlier, all issues of divergences were discussed. In fact, we should have understood that even if meeting was done as explained, we would have lost out in giving them a point to score in FATF and General Assembly. It is encouraging to see that a midcourse correction of cancellation of meeting took place. What do we do to deter Pakistan from proxy war? To deter a neighbour to stop proxy war, there is a need to have a clear National aim, National Strategy, Comprehensive National Power and the will to use it. For many decades, it has been seen that the need for hard power has been underplayed by diplomats/bureaucrats, who have been able to convince the political hierarchy that diplomacy can resolve security issues and relevance of military forces stands considerably reduced. This is a major departure from basic teachings of Chanakya that no nation can be strong and secure without a strong military. This has resulted in inadequate defence budget, bulk of which is consumed by bloating, inefficient, defence civilians and inadequate modernisation taking away the conventional edge required to deter the notorious neighbor. Politicisation of defence matters like surgical strikes, defence procurements by all politicians looking at political aim instead of national aim, has slowed down the pace of modernisation. In fact not many decision makers understand the basic difference between Para-military forces, which are protective forces trained and equipped accordingly, and Defence Forces, which are the punch of the country, instruments of last resort, trained and equipped to project national power across the IB/LoC. The confusion is evident from the fact that Defence forces are increasingly being employed for internal security and being targeted by legal and Human Right fraternity. The consistent lowering of the status of Defence Forces for decades confirms this confusion. The end result is that the adversary is not deterred and continues with proxy war. Even within the country in border areas like Kashmir, the political games have not allowed to deal with internal enemies like separatists, which have created conditions for proxy war to succeed. India therefore urgently needs to do the capacity building of its military and deal firmly with separatists, not in the form of speeches but convictions. India also needs to apply some lessons of the history of 1962 debacle due to lack of military advise and success of 1971 War due to direct military advice to decision makers, by getting some military specialists in the decision-making loop. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Why MEA fumbled over Imran Khan's offer of peace talks

Pakistan's military on Wednesday claimed that the terrorist organisation, the Al-Qaeda has been "dismantled".

Pakistan military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor said the Al-Qaeda threat would have reached India had Pakistan not dismantled the terrorist organisation.

"If Pakistan had not dismantled Al Qaeda, this (terror) threat would have reached India," Major General Asif Ghafoor said.

Major General Ghafoor also claimed that the border cooperation between India and Pakistan had improved.

"Pakistan-India border cooperation has improved ever since Army chief's visit to Tehran," he said.

He expressed pride over the nation's Intelligence agencies to help bust seven major terror networks.

"Intelligence agencies in Pakistan are first in a line of defence. They have identified the threats. Seven major terror networks have been busted" Major General Ghafoor said.

The terrorist groups named by him were TTS Lahore, TTP Swabi chapter, TTS Dir Chapter, Ansur Ur Sharia Karachi , JuA Kurram Chapter and Inteqam E while. Major General Ghafoor said he would interact with the members of these groups post their detention.

Stating that Pakistan was a part of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), the Pakistan army spokesperson said that the country will not be a part of any terror activity.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Pakistan military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor said the Al-Qaeda threat would have reached India had Pakistan not 'dismantled' the terrorist organisation

Pakistan's military on Wednesday claimed that the terrorist organisation, the Al-Qaeda has been "dismantled". Pakistan military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor said the Al-Qaeda threat would have reached India had Pakistan not dismantled the terrorist organisation. "If Pakistan had not dismantled Al Qaeda, this (terror) threat would have reached India," Major General Asif Ghafoor said. Major General Ghafoor also claimed that the border cooperation between India and Pakistan had improved. "Pakistan-India border cooperation has improved ever since Army chief's visit to Tehran," he said. He expressed pride over the nation's Intelligence agencies to help bust seven major terror networks. "Intelligence agencies in Pakistan are first in a line of defence. They have identified the threats. Seven major terror networks have been busted" Major General Ghafoor said. The terrorist groups named by him were TTS Lahore, TTP Swabi chapter, TTS Dir Chapter, Ansur Ur Sharia Karachi , JuA Kurram Chapter and Inteqam E while. Major General Ghafoor said he would interact with the members of these groups post their detention. Stating that Pakistan was a part of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), the Pakistan army spokesperson said that the country will not be a part of any terror activity.

Al-Qaeda has been 'dismantled', claims Pakistan military

Officials of the Indian high commission in Pakistan, who had gone for shopping in Islamabad&#39;s Blue Area, were on Saturday harassed with two persons aggressively following them and hurling abuses.

India gave a Note Verbale to Pakistan through its high commission in Islamabad protesting the &quot;intimidation and harassment&quot; of its staff there, the 12th such diplomatic note in less than three months.

In its communication to the Pakistan foreign ministry, the Indian high commission specifically mentioned two incidents of harassment -- the one on Saturday and the other on March 15, official sources said.

In the March 15 incident, another official of the mission and his family was aggressively followed by two men on motorbike when he was going to a restaurant.

&quot;Another Note Verbale was sent today (March 18) by our High Commission in Islamabad to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan protesting against the intimidation and harassment of Indian High Commission officials,&quot; a source said.

&quot;This was the 12th Note Verbale this year on the subject,&quot; the source said.

&quot;We have asked the Pakistan Government to investigate these incidents,&quot; the source said.

The Note Verbale is a diplomatic note, which is unsigned and drafted in the third person.

The Note Verbale to Pakistan foreign ministry comes two days after Islamabad called its High Commissioner home for consultations, which was termed by India as &quot;routine&quot; and &quot;normal&quot;.

Pakistan had said it <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-refuses-to-send-envoy-back-to-india-36133">called home its envoy</a> in India Sohail Mahmood for consultations after repeated incidents of &quot;harassment&quot; of its diplomatic staff in New Delhi.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said that the Indian High Commission in Islamabad was also facing a &quot;litany of issues&quot; which have not been resolved for several months by Pakistan.

(With inputs from PTI)

Officials of the Indian high commission in Pakistan, who had gone for shopping in Islamabad's Blue Area, were on Saturday harassed with two persons aggressively following them and hurling abuses

Officials of the Indian high commission in Pakistan, who had gone for shopping in Islamabad's Blue Area, were on Saturday harassed with two persons aggressively following them and hurling abuses. India gave a Note Verbale to Pakistan through its high commission in Islamabad protesting the "intimidation and harassment" of its staff there, the 12th such diplomatic note in less than three months. In its communication to the Pakistan foreign ministry, the Indian high commission specifically mentioned two incidents of harassment -- the one on Saturday and the other on March 15, official sources said. In the March 15 incident, another official of the mission and his family was aggressively followed by two men on motorbike when he was going to a restaurant. "Another Note Verbale was sent today (March 18) by our High Commission in Islamabad to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan protesting against the intimidation and harassment of Indian High Commission officials," a source said. "This was the 12th Note Verbale this year on the subject," the source said. "We have asked the Pakistan Government to investigate these incidents," the source said. The Note Verbale is a diplomatic note, which is unsigned and drafted in the third person. The Note Verbale to Pakistan foreign ministry comes two days after Islamabad called its High Commissioner home for consultations, which was termed by India as "routine" and "normal". Pakistan had said it called home its envoy in India Sohail Mahmood for consultations after repeated incidents of "harassment" of its diplomatic staff in New Delhi. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said that the Indian High Commission in Islamabad was also facing a "litany of issues" which have not been resolved for several months by Pakistan. (With inputs from PTI)

India makes written complaint to Pakistan on harassment of its diplomatic staff

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/always-wanted-to-work-in-films-based-on-social-issues-akshay-kumar-32021" target="_blank">Akshay Kumar</a> starrer&nbsp;&quot;PadMan&quot;&nbsp;released countrywide in India on February 9 amid rave reviews from all corners.&nbsp;

While the film has managed to pull the audience to the theatres, it has been banned in the neighbouring country, Pakistan.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padman-review-akshay-kumars-film-is-warm-relevant-and-serves-its-purpose-32277" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;PadMan review: Akshay Kumar&#39;s film is warm, relevant and serves its purpose</a>

Ever since the ban, women of Pakistan have taken to Twitter to condemn it and ask for a release of the film as it deals with a socially relevant issue and has nothing controversial in it.&nbsp;

Many women have been questioning the intent of the ban with support from some men too.&nbsp;

This is what Twitter users are writing:&nbsp;

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Dear Sir, the film <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padman</a> has been released internationally. Your decision-making is embarrassingly slow. Why should a film about menstrual hygein &amp; cheap sanitary napkins denied a release or delayed? Pakistan deserves to become a part of this conversation on reproductive health <a href="https://t.co/tTzZTDvIg7">https://t.co/tTzZTDvIg7</a>
&mdash; Ammara Ahmad (@ammarawrites) <a href="https://twitter.com/ammarawrites/status/962806993638608896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Yes, Pakistani Women menstruate too. I support <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padman</a> and menstrual hygiene. Ban on <a href="https://twitter.com/PadManTheFilm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PadManTheFilm</a> in Pakistan is senseless. Release it now. <a href="https://t.co/KpsTL6Rc3a">pic.twitter.com/KpsTL6Rc3a</a>
&mdash; Ammara Ahmad (@ammarawrites) <a href="https://twitter.com/ammarawrites/status/962294732918489088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Banning PadMan in Pakistan is another one of those illogical things that simply affect the business of cinemas in Pakistan. 
Menstruation is a fact of life, and bringing it to mainstream consciousness is neither immoral nor un-Islamic.
&mdash; Mehr Tarar (@MehrTarar) <a href="https://twitter.com/MehrTarar/status/962353264074338304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;Against our traditions &amp; culture&quot; Oh well, coz women don&#39;t menstruate here... What stupid people sitting at Censor Board ! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PadMan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PadMan</a> must be allowed in Pakistan ! <a href="https://t.co/S7PUfBV9ak">https://t.co/S7PUfBV9ak</a>
&mdash; Gharidah Farooqi (@GFarooqi) <a href="https://twitter.com/GFarooqi/status/962412837321805824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Dear Censor Board of Pakistan 
Yes! We <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistani</a> women get our periods too! Every month we bleed, it&#39;s simple biology. 
 
I condemn the ban on <a href="https://twitter.com/PadManTheFilm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PadManTheFilm</a> in Pakistan!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IAmPadman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IAmPadman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UnBan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UnBan</a> <a href="https://t.co/mnrNLJkROC">pic.twitter.com/mnrNLJkROC</a>
&mdash; The Lodhi (@AnnamL0dhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnnamL0dhi/status/962231453839962114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Banning padman in Pakistan just shows how we havent mentally progressed as a nation. Utterly disappointing.
&mdash; Amna Mazhar (@ozilinaa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ozilinaa/status/962365366440792064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Those banning should know this &ldquo;taboo&rdquo; topic is the reason they are alive. No menstration means no fertility. No fertility 4 means no babies. Banners were babies 2 na. Nature se bhi panga. Leh. Apas ki baat. ???? Misogyny much? &lsquo;PadMan&rsquo; banned in Pakistan <a href="https://t.co/ANkxyt194i">https://t.co/ANkxyt194i</a>
&mdash; Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) <a href="https://twitter.com/NJLahori/status/962476125187436544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Some men also showed support:&nbsp;

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Movies like jism 2 can be shown in Pakistan cinemas but Padman is banned. What a shame it is. Its fine to show half naked women and highly intimidated scenes in movies but a movie based on real issues and everyone loses their minds. 
HEIGHT OF HYPOCRISY!
&mdash; T. (@Crushkacrush) <a href="https://twitter.com/Crushkacrush/status/962705139923668992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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1 out of 3 women r died because of cultural taboo. Remaining are victim of nutrition and various virus and cancers.most popular is breast and ovarian cancer but still in pakistan, movie like padman is banned.women in centre r aware what abt 60%in rural areas? <a href="https://twitter.com/saifsamejo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@saifsamejo</a>
&mdash; Ali aamir siming (@AamirSiming) <a href="https://twitter.com/AamirSiming/status/962315106536259584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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As of right now, the film has not been previewed by the&nbsp;Central Board of Film Censors of Pakistan.&nbsp;

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The decision to issue an NOC by the Ministry of Information Broadcasting National History and Literary Heritage is yet to be taken on the release of a foreign feature film &quot;Padman&quot; as the film has not yet been pre-viewed by the Central Board of Film Censors. <a href="https://t.co/NExGsWGV8M">pic.twitter.com/NExGsWGV8M</a>
&mdash; Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) <a href="https://twitter.com/pid_gov/status/962591498213699585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Speaking on the issue, the director of &quot;PadMan&quot;, R Balki said,&nbsp; &quot;It is shame that a film that endeavours to eradicate the stigma towards menstrual hygiene is being seen in this negative light.&quot;

&nbsp;

The women took to Twitter to question the reason behind banning PadMan film in Pakistan

Akshay Kumar starrer "PadMan" released countrywide in India on February 9 amid rave reviews from all corners. While the film has managed to pull the audience to the theatres, it has been banned in the neighbouring country, Pakistan. Also Read: PadMan review: Akshay Kumar's film is warm, relevant and serves its purpose Ever since the ban, women of Pakistan have taken to Twitter to condemn it and ask for a release of the film as it deals with a socially relevant issue and has nothing controversial in it. Many women have been questioning the intent of the ban with support from some men too. This is what Twitter users are writing: Dear Sir, the film #Padman has been released internationally. Your decision-making is embarrassingly slow. Why should a film about menstrual hygein & cheap sanitary napkins denied a release or delayed? Pakistan deserves to become a part of this conversation on reproductive health https://t.co/tTzZTDvIg7 — Ammara Ahmad (@ammarawrites) February 11, 2018 × Yes, Pakistani Women menstruate too. I support #Padman and menstrual hygiene. Ban on @PadManTheFilm in Pakistan is senseless. Release it now. pic.twitter.com/KpsTL6Rc3a — Ammara Ahmad (@ammarawrites) February 10, 2018 × Banning PadMan in Pakistan is another one of those illogical things that simply affect the business of cinemas in Pakistan. Menstruation is a fact of life, and bringing it to mainstream consciousness is neither immoral nor un-Islamic. — Mehr Tarar (@MehrTarar) February 10, 2018 × "Against our traditions & culture" Oh well, coz women don't menstruate here... What stupid people sitting at Censor Board ! #PadMan must be allowed in Pakistan ! https://t.co/S7PUfBV9ak — Gharidah Farooqi (@GFarooqi) February 10, 2018 × Dear Censor Board of Pakistan Yes! We #Pakistani women get our periods too! Every month we bleed, it's simple biology. I condemn the ban on @PadManTheFilm in Pakistan!#IAmPadman #Padman #UnBan pic.twitter.com/mnrNLJkROC — The Lodhi (@AnnamL0dhi) February 10, 2018 × Banning padman in Pakistan just shows how we havent mentally progressed as a nation. Utterly disappointing. — Amna Mazhar (@ozilinaa) February 10, 2018 × Those banning should know this “taboo” topic is the reason they are alive. No menstration means no fertility. No fertility 4 means no babies. Banners were babies 2 na. Nature se bhi panga. Leh. Apas ki baat. ???? Misogyny much? ‘PadMan’ banned in Pakistan https://t.co/ANkxyt194i — Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) February 10, 2018 × Some men also showed support: Movies like jism 2 can be shown in Pakistan cinemas but Padman is banned. What a shame it is. Its fine to show half naked women and highly intimidated scenes in movies but a movie based on real issues and everyone loses their minds. HEIGHT OF HYPOCRISY! — T. (@Crushkacrush) February 11, 2018 × 1 out of 3 women r died because of cultural taboo. Remaining are victim of nutrition and various virus and cancers.most popular is breast and ovarian cancer but still in pakistan, movie like padman is banned.women in centre r aware what abt 60%in rural areas? @saifsamejo — Ali aamir siming (@AamirSiming) February 10, 2018 × As of right now, the film has not been previewed by the Central Board of Film Censors of Pakistan. The decision to issue an NOC by the Ministry of Information Broadcasting National History and Literary Heritage is yet to be taken on the release of a foreign feature film "Padman" as the film has not yet been pre-viewed by the Central Board of Film Censors. pic.twitter.com/NExGsWGV8M — Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) February 11, 2018 × Speaking on the issue, the director of "PadMan", R Balki said, "It is shame that a film that endeavours to eradicate the stigma towards menstrual hygiene is being seen in this negative light."

Pakistani women demand 'PadMan' release, say 'We bleed too'

Pakistan on Friday said it was &quot;regrettable&quot; that India had not responded to its queries on Indian death-row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav&#39;s passport and details of his service.

Calling Mr Jadhav, a &quot;serving Indian Naval Commander&quot;, Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal said the former naval officer had confessed to his involvement in numerous terrorist incidents in Pakistan.&nbsp;

&quot;It is regrettable that India has so far not given us any reply on how commander Kulbhushan Jadhav was in possession of the passport of Hussain Mubarak Patel, or any details of his retirement from Indian Navy,&quot; he said.

Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death on charges of espionage and terrorism by a Pakistani military court in April last year.

Also&nbsp;read - <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kulbhushan-jadhav-case-icj-fixes-time-limit-for-india-and-pakistan-for-submitting-pleadings-30539">Kulbhushan Jadhav case: ICJ fixes time limit for India and Pakistan for submitting pleadings</a> 
 
The International Court of Justice in May had halted his execution on India&#39;s appeal.

Pakistan claims its security forces arrested him from restive Balochistan province on March 3 in 2016 after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy. 
&nbsp;

Pakistan on Friday said it was 'regrettable' that India has not responded to its queries on Indian death-row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav's passport and details of his service

Pakistan on Friday said it was "regrettable" that India had not responded to its queries on Indian death-row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav's passport and details of his service. Calling Mr Jadhav, a "serving Indian Naval Commander", Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal said the former naval officer had confessed to his involvement in numerous terrorist incidents in Pakistan. "It is regrettable that India has so far not given us any reply on how commander Kulbhushan Jadhav was in possession of the passport of Hussain Mubarak Patel, or any details of his retirement from Indian Navy," he said. Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death on charges of espionage and terrorism by a Pakistani military court in April last year. Also read - Kulbhushan Jadhav case: ICJ fixes time limit for India and Pakistan for submitting pleadings The International Court of Justice in May had halted his execution on India's appeal. Pakistan claims its security forces arrested him from restive Balochistan province on March 3 in 2016 after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.

India has not responded to queries on Kulbhushan Jadhav, alleges Pakistan

In an indirect but obvious reference at Pakistan and China, India has criticised the two countries for supporting &quot;world-recognised terrorists&quot;.

India&#39;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Syed Akbaruddin said the UN Sanctions Committees were failing to make progress due to narrow political and strategic concerns of few states, while others were supporting terrorists.

&quot;Where Sanctions Committees have designated terrorists, there are states who venture to mainstream UN-designated terrorist individuals into their political process, in total disregard of international law, thus putting our common security in peril,&quot; he said.

The Indian envoy was referring to United Nations-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, who was recently released from house arrest after a Pakistani court cited lack of evidence and was being allowed to run for office in Pakistan in 2018.

The Laskhar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist, who is wanted by India for his role in masterminding the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai that claimed 166 lives, recently announced he would contest the general elections in Pakistan in 2018 under the banner of the Milli Muslim League.

In a reference to China, considered an ally of Pakistan, India&#39;s Permanent Representative to the UNSC criticised the country for failing to make &quot;concrete progress&quot; on the issue of the &quot;designation of of terrorist individuals and entities.&quot;

&quot;It is noticed that on an issue as serious as designation of terrorist individuals and entities, the Council-mandated Sanctions Committees fail to make concrete progress and fall victim to narrow political and strategic concerns in some cases,&quot; Akbaruddin said.

China has repeatedly blocked the move by India and other countries like the US, France and Germany to declare Masood Azhar, the chief of the terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), a global terrorist. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

The Indian envoy was referring to United Nations-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, who was recently released from house arrest by Pakistan and JuD founder Masood Azhar, attempts to designate whom as a global terrorist have repeatedly been stonewalled by China

In an indirect but obvious reference at Pakistan and China, India has criticised the two countries for supporting "world-recognised terrorists". India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Syed Akbaruddin said the UN Sanctions Committees were failing to make progress due to narrow political and strategic concerns of few states, while others were supporting terrorists. "Where Sanctions Committees have designated terrorists, there are states who venture to mainstream UN-designated terrorist individuals into their political process, in total disregard of international law, thus putting our common security in peril," he said. The Indian envoy was referring to United Nations-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, who was recently released from house arrest after a Pakistani court cited lack of evidence and was being allowed to run for office in Pakistan in 2018. The Laskhar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist, who is wanted by India for his role in masterminding the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai that claimed 166 lives, recently announced he would contest the general elections in Pakistan in 2018 under the banner of the Milli Muslim League. In a reference to China, considered an ally of Pakistan, India's Permanent Representative to the UNSC criticised the country for failing to make "concrete progress" on the issue of the "designation of of terrorist individuals and entities." "It is noticed that on an issue as serious as designation of terrorist individuals and entities, the Council-mandated Sanctions Committees fail to make concrete progress and fall victim to narrow political and strategic concerns in some cases," Akbaruddin said. China has repeatedly blocked the move by India and other countries like the US, France and Germany to declare Masood Azhar, the chief of the terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), a global terrorist. (With inputs from ANI)

Indian envoy to UN slams Pakistan, China over Hafiz Saeed

In June 2015, this correspondent was fresh out of college and working for a back-packers&#39; hostel in Daryaganj in central Delhi. The job was to design walking tours of the city and arranging a rich cultural experience for guests from across the world. It was during this period that one got to know Chintan Girish Modi, the founder of an India-Pakistan friendship initiative, Aao Dosti Karein (Let&#39;s be friends) or Friendships Across Borders (FAB), that utilises the power of internet and technology to change minds.&nbsp; 
 
On a summer afternoon, Chintan was busy chatting animatedly with a Pakistani couple in their 50s, who were on a tour of India. After a 30-minute chat, they discovered they had common friends. The couple looked out of place because they were the only people their age in a hostel full of young backpackers.&nbsp;

A talk with Chintan revealed that he worked to build friendships between Indians and Pakistanis. The so-called &lsquo;broad-minded, modern, cosmopolitan Delhi-girl&rsquo; that one thought one was, the instinctive question on my mind was -- Is friendship even possible?

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Chintan Girish Modi with his friend Aliya from Pakistan (left), Artwork (right) by Kirthi Jayakumar from Chennai to symbolise love, peace, unity, hope, and strength (Image Courtsey: Aao Dosti Karein) (WION)
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Chintan related tales of his travels in Pakistan. He had visited Lahore. Was it even safe to go there, one wondered. The questions stayed with one. Ours is a generation increasingly connected by Internet. Many of us use it to stay in touch with our friends from across the border whom we may have met while studying or travelling abroad. WION decided to reach out young Indians and Pakistanis through and online survey: &nbsp;

 
&#39;Indians and Pakistanis be friends?&#39; &nbsp; 
 
We reached out to 336 respondents between the ages of 18 years and 30 years of whom 193 are Pakistanis, while 143 are Indians. We sought responses from college students and professionals working for major corporate houses in cities of India and Pakistan like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata in India and Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and Rawalpindi in Pakistan. 
&nbsp; 
From the responses, it appears that friendship is definitely possible. Of the Pakistanis we got responses from, 55 per cent seemed very fond of India. In India, 18 per cent said they had positive feelings to Pakistan, while 42 per cent said they had neutral feelings toward their neighbour.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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55% people in Pakistan expressed positive feelings towards their neighbouring nation. (WION)
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&nbsp;

When asked what was the main reason they would want to befriend someone from across the border &ndash; the shared culture emerged as the main factor &ndash; 42 per cent Indians and 60 per cent Pakistanis felt it was the main thing that brought the two countries together.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;I love everything about India - it is absurd to base your perceptions on political differences. We are much more than that,&rdquo; Raza Khan, a student of University of Karachi from Pakistan wrote as a part of his response.&nbsp;

Coke Studio, Lahore Fort, same as us, Sufi music, delicious food, Pakistani serials, cricket matches were the most instant &nbsp;answers to things the neighbours liked about each other. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;I visited Pakistan on an exchange programme and felt like I&rsquo;m in some part of Old Delhi. I didn&rsquo;t feel there was much difference between the two countries,&rdquo; said Madhurima Chopra, an engineering student from Delhi. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The citizens of both the countries are also keen on visiting the other. About 45 per cent Indians said yes, while 26 per cent said may be. Pakistanis (75% ) also want to visit India someday. &ldquo;I have heard a lot about the Lahore Fort. I&rsquo;d love to see it someday,&rdquo; says Arushi Chand, an architecture student from Delhi.&nbsp;

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Around 75% people in Pakistan would want to visit India someday (WION)
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&nbsp; 
These respondents are also hopeful that the differences between the two nations can be resolved -- 34.3 per cent Indians and about 75 per cent Pakistanis believe it can definitely happen. Some Indians (25%) and Pakistanis (23%) are unsure about that happening, but hope it happens. &ldquo;The differences are only in our minds&rdquo; said Syed Muhamed Qasim, working in an electronics MNC in Lahore.&nbsp;

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A major share in both countries believe that their differences can be resolved (WION)
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&nbsp;

Most of them were open about having friends on the other side of the border. Fifty per cent Indians would like to have friends in Pakistan and 17 per cent already do. Fifty-one per cent of the Pakistanis respondents have friends in India and 40 per cent were interested in having one. &ldquo;I have plenty of friends in India and they are no different from my friends here,&rdquo; said Amira Khan, a student from Rawalpindi.&nbsp;

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Both countries are willing to have friends on the other side of the border. (WION)
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&nbsp; 
Separated by a border, virtually friends&nbsp; 
 
Internet, the largest community in history, is a technology without borders. India and Pakistan -- separated by a decades-old animosity, can explore friendships that would otherwise never be.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Pakistan has been a part of Chintan&rsquo;s imagination ever since he was a child.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;When I was a kid, adults asked me where I would like to go when I grew up? I would say Pakistan. For an Indian child to say this seems quite strange to people. But all I heard about Pakistan when I was growing up was that it was a dangerous place. That the people were mean. I would not come back alive if I went there. I was not convinced. How could a place be all bad? I was curious and wanted to check it out for myself.&rdquo;&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Modi got the opportunity to visit Pakistan during an exchange project. Friendships formed during this time showed him another way to think about Pakistan &ndash; quite different from the tone of most media, history textbooks, and news. &ldquo;I had a growing urge to make these experiences and opportunities available to other people, to let them participate and interact with folks across the border. And so Aao Dosti Karein: Friendships Across Borders (FAB) was formed,&rdquo; said Modi. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;I also visit schools in India to talk to students about my experiences in Pakistan. All our interactions are based on questions the children had. It was an enriching experience for me as well. I began thinking about combining social media and interactions with young people. That&rsquo;s how FAB started. However, FAB owes tremendously to friends who have volunteered their time and support and organised speaking engagements.&rdquo;&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The project has contributors and volunteers of diverse backgrounds including a poet, a journalist, an arts manager, a historian, a filmmaker, and students from Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
An inspiring <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fabaaodostikarein/photos/a.250723438441144.1073741833.245356592311162/526053360908149/?type=3">story</a> is the one of Devika from Delhi and Aliya from Islamabad.&nbsp;

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Devika Mittal (right) from India and Aliya Harir (left) from Pakistan share an everlasting bond (Image Courtsey: Aao Dosti Karein) (WION)
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&nbsp;

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Devika Mittal is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Sociology at the Delhi School of Economics. (WION)
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Aliya Harir has a Masters in International Relations from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. (WION)
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&nbsp;

A part of the motivation for FAB is to show the different forms that peace can take, and provide alternatives to the powerlessness that people feel. &ldquo;What you and I can do is make friends even if we can&rsquo;t sign treaties.&rdquo;&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
These are relationships that the internet enables and makes that much easier. &nbsp; &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;Indians and Pakistanis can connect on online platforms &nbsp;even when the visa regime makes physical travel difficult.&rdquo;&nbsp; 
Students from India sent messages to Pakistan after the attack on the army school in Peshawar in solidarity and condolence to the families of the slain children. There is hope yet.&nbsp;

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Messages from Indian students of Ecole Mondiale World School (Mumbai) and Heritage School (Gurgaon) to Pakistan after the attack on army school in Peshawar (Image Courtsey: Aao Dosti Karein) (WION)
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&nbsp;&quot;The only true borders lie between day and night, between life and death, between hope and loss&quot; - Erin Hunter

Youngsters from India and Pakistan say their shared culture is the strongest factor for forging friendships

In June 2015, this correspondent was fresh out of college and working for a back-packers' hostel in Daryaganj in central Delhi. The job was to design walking tours of the city and arranging a rich cultural experience for guests from across the world. It was during this period that one got to know Chintan Girish Modi, the founder of an India-Pakistan friendship initiative, Aao Dosti Karein (Let's be friends) or Friendships Across Borders (FAB), that utilises the power of internet and technology to change minds. On a summer afternoon, Chintan was busy chatting animatedly with a Pakistani couple in their 50s, who were on a tour of India. After a 30-minute chat, they discovered they had common friends. The couple looked out of place because they were the only people their age in a hostel full of young backpackers. A talk with Chintan revealed that he worked to build friendships between Indians and Pakistanis. The so-called ‘broad-minded, modern, cosmopolitan Delhi-girl’ that one thought one was, the instinctive question on my mind was -- Is friendship even possible? Chintan Girish Modi with his friend Aliya from Pakistan (left), Artwork (right) by Kirthi Jayakumar from Chennai to symbolise love, peace, unity, hope, and strength (Image Courtsey: Aao Dosti Karein) (WION) × Chintan related tales of his travels in Pakistan. He had visited Lahore. Was it even safe to go there, one wondered. The questions stayed with one. Ours is a generation increasingly connected by Internet. Many of us use it to stay in touch with our friends from across the border whom we may have met while studying or travelling abroad. WION decided to reach out young Indians and Pakistanis through and online survey: 'Indians and Pakistanis be friends?' We reached out to 336 respondents between the ages of 18 years and 30 years of whom 193 are Pakistanis, while 143 are Indians. We sought responses from college students and professionals working for major corporate houses in cities of India and Pakistan like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata in India and Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and Rawalpindi in Pakistan. From the responses, it appears that friendship is definitely possible. Of the Pakistanis we got responses from, 55 per cent seemed very fond of India. In India, 18 per cent said they had positive feelings to Pakistan, while 42 per cent said they had neutral feelings toward their neighbour. 55% people in Pakistan expressed positive feelings towards their neighbouring nation. (WION) × When asked what was the main reason they would want to befriend someone from across the border – the shared culture emerged as the main factor – 42 per cent Indians and 60 per cent Pakistanis felt it was the main thing that brought the two countries together. “I love everything about India - it is absurd to base your perceptions on political differences. We are much more than that,” Raza Khan, a student of University of Karachi from Pakistan wrote as a part of his response. Coke Studio, Lahore Fort, same as us, Sufi music, delicious food, Pakistani serials, cricket matches were the most instant answers to things the neighbours liked about each other. “I visited Pakistan on an exchange programme and felt like I’m in some part of Old Delhi. I didn’t feel there was much difference between the two countries,” said Madhurima Chopra, an engineering student from Delhi. The citizens of both the countries are also keen on visiting the other. About 45 per cent Indians said yes, while 26 per cent said may be. Pakistanis (75% ) also want to visit India someday. “I have heard a lot about the Lahore Fort. I’d love to see it someday,” says Arushi Chand, an architecture student from Delhi. Around 75% people in Pakistan would want to visit India someday (WION) × These respondents are also hopeful that the differences between the two nations can be resolved -- 34.3 per cent Indians and about 75 per cent Pakistanis believe it can definitely happen. Some Indians (25%) and Pakistanis (23%) are unsure about that happening, but hope it happens. “The differences are only in our minds” said Syed Muhamed Qasim, working in an electronics MNC in Lahore. A major share in both countries believe that their differences can be resolved (WION) × Most of them were open about having friends on the other side of the border. Fifty per cent Indians would like to have friends in Pakistan and 17 per cent already do. Fifty-one per cent of the Pakistanis respondents have friends in India and 40 per cent were interested in having one. “I have plenty of friends in India and they are no different from my friends here,” said Amira Khan, a student from Rawalpindi. Both countries are willing to have friends on the other side of the border. (WION) × Separated by a border, virtually friends Internet, the largest community in history, is a technology without borders. India and Pakistan -- separated by a decades-old animosity, can explore friendships that would otherwise never be. Pakistan has been a part of Chintan’s imagination ever since he was a child. “When I was a kid, adults asked me where I would like to go when I grew up? I would say Pakistan. For an Indian child to say this seems quite strange to people. But all I heard about Pakistan when I was growing up was that it was a dangerous place. That the people were mean. I would not come back alive if I went there. I was not convinced. How could a place be all bad? I was curious and wanted to check it out for myself.” Modi got the opportunity to visit Pakistan during an exchange project. Friendships formed during this time showed him another way to think about Pakistan – quite different from the tone of most media, history textbooks, and news. “I had a growing urge to make these experiences and opportunities available to other people, to let them participate and interact with folks across the border. And so Aao Dosti Karein: Friendships Across Borders (FAB) was formed,” said Modi. “I also visit schools in India to talk to students about my experiences in Pakistan. All our interactions are based on questions the children had. It was an enriching experience for me as well. I began thinking about combining social media and interactions with young people. That’s how FAB started. However, FAB owes tremendously to friends who have volunteered their time and support and organised speaking engagements.” The project has contributors and volunteers of diverse backgrounds including a poet, a journalist, an arts manager, a historian, a filmmaker, and students from Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi. An inspiring story is the one of Devika from Delhi and Aliya from Islamabad. Devika Mittal (right) from India and Aliya Harir (left) from Pakistan share an everlasting bond (Image Courtsey: Aao Dosti Karein) (WION) × Devika Mittal is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Sociology at the Delhi School of Economics. (WION) × Aliya Harir has a Masters in International Relations from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. (WION) × A part of the motivation for FAB is to show the different forms that peace can take, and provide alternatives to the powerlessness that people feel. “What you and I can do is make friends even if we can’t sign treaties.” These are relationships that the internet enables and makes that much easier. “Indians and Pakistanis can connect on online platforms even when the visa regime makes physical travel difficult.” Students from India sent messages to Pakistan after the attack on the army school in Peshawar in solidarity and condolence to the families of the slain children. There is hope yet. Messages from Indian students of Ecole Mondiale World School (Mumbai) and Heritage School (Gurgaon) to Pakistan after the attack on army school in Peshawar (Image Courtsey: Aao Dosti Karein) (WION) × "The only true borders lie between day and night, between life and death, between hope and loss" - Erin Hunter

Keeping aside hate, Indians and Pakistanis enter into virtual friendship

Pakistan&#39;s Permanent Representative at the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi launched a tirade against the Indian state at the United Nations General Assembly after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-scientific-and-technical-superpower-pakistan-export-factory-for-terror-sushma-swaraj-at-un-20563">external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj&#39;s </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-scientific-and-technical-superpower-pakistan-export-factory-for-terror-sushma-swaraj-at-un-20563">hard-hitting</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-scientific-and-technical-superpower-pakistan-export-factory-for-terror-sushma-swaraj-at-un-20563"> speech </a>in which she called Pakistan an export factory for terror.

Maleeha Lodhi, instead, said India was the &quot;mother of terrorism&quot; in South Asia. He cited the &quot;confession&quot; of Indian former naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav who has been sentenced to death by a court in Pakistan on charges of spying.

Pakistan&#39;s Permanent Representative at the UN also said Kashmir was illegally occupied by India and India&#39;s refusal to implement the UN Security council resolutions in the state was deceptive and aggressive, the Dawn reported. The envoy also added that the human rights abuses committed by India in the state should be investigated.

Calling lndian prime minister Narendra Modi&#39;s ideology &quot;racist&quot; and &quot;fascist&quot;, the ambassador claimed his government&#39;s leadership was drawn from the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and said the organisation is accused of assassinating Mahatma Gandhi. 
&nbsp; 
She also slammed the choice of Yogi Adityanath as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, stating &quot;the government has appointed a fanatic&quot; to head the state.

In her speech at the 72nd UNGA session in New York, the external affairs minister had said that while&nbsp;India had established institutions like IITs, IIMs and AIIMS, Pakistan&nbsp;had created&nbsp;terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Haqqani network.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pakistan's Permanent Representative at the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi launched a tirade against the Indian state at the United Nations General Assembly

Pakistan's Permanent Representative at the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi launched a tirade against the Indian state at the United Nations General Assembly after external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj's hard-hitting speech in which she called Pakistan an export factory for terror. Maleeha Lodhi, instead, said India was the "mother of terrorism" in South Asia. He cited the "confession" of Indian former naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav who has been sentenced to death by a court in Pakistan on charges of spying. Pakistan's Permanent Representative at the UN also said Kashmir was illegally occupied by India and India's refusal to implement the UN Security council resolutions in the state was deceptive and aggressive, the Dawn reported. The envoy also added that the human rights abuses committed by India in the state should be investigated. Calling lndian prime minister Narendra Modi's ideology "racist" and "fascist", the ambassador claimed his government's leadership was drawn from the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and said the organisation is accused of assassinating Mahatma Gandhi. She also slammed the choice of Yogi Adityanath as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, stating "the government has appointed a fanatic" to head the state. In her speech at the 72nd UNGA session in New York, the external affairs minister had said that while India had established institutions like IITs, IIMs and AIIMS, Pakistan had created terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Haqqani network.

Pakistan hits back after Sushma Swaraj's UN speech

Hitting out at Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) vice-presidential nominee M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday asked Islamabad to recall the 1971 war and said that aiding and abetting terror will not help them.

Addressing the &quot;Kargil Parakram Parade&quot; here, Naidu said terrorism is the enemy of humanity, it has no religion and it has unfortunately become Pakistan&#39;s state policy.

&quot;Our neighbour should understand that aiding and abetting terror will not help them, they should recall what happened in 1971 and should focus on their own country and maintain peace there.&nbsp;

Terrorism is the enemy of humanity, it has no religion. Pakistan is mixing terrorism with religion. It has unfortunately become Pakistan&#39;s state policy,&quot; he added.

He further said that Kashmir is an integral part of India and not an &quot;inch&quot; of it will be allowed to be taken.&quot;We are a peace loving people, we never attacked any country and this is our specialty. We don&#39;t want war, we don&#39;t want confrontation, we don&#39;t want violence we want to have peace, we also want to have good relation&nbsp;with the neighbours but they should also reciprocate the same. They should remember that Kashmir is an integral part of India and not an inch of even PoK will be allowed to be taken by anybody,&quot; the Union Minister said.

He also squarely blamed Pakistan for funding terrorism and influencing the situation in Kashmir.

&quot;Ours is a peace loving country. We never want war. But when this highly coveted peace is denied to us, our brave soldiers respond in a befitting manner..we are too strong to lose our focus to country&#39;s development and betterment of the country,&quot; he said.

The NDA nominee said that on this day we should recall the valor of our brave soldiers and their sacrifices which got us back the Kargil heights.The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military confrontation between India and Pakistan that occurred during the liberation war in East Pakistan, from 3 December 1971 to the fall of Dacca (Dhaka) on 16 December 1971.

The 1971 war began with pre-emptive aerial strikes on 11 Indian air stations that led to the commencement of hostilities with Pakistan and India&nbsp;entering the war of independence in East Pakistan in support of Bengali nationalist forces. Lasting just 13 days, it is one of the shortest wars in history.

(ANI)

NDA's vice-presidential nominee M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday asked Islamabad to recall the 1971 war and said aiding and abetting terror will not help them

Hitting out at Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) vice-presidential nominee M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday asked Islamabad to recall the 1971 war and said that aiding and abetting terror will not help them. Addressing the "Kargil Parakram Parade" here, Naidu said terrorism is the enemy of humanity, it has no religion and it has unfortunately become Pakistan's state policy. "Our neighbour should understand that aiding and abetting terror will not help them, they should recall what happened in 1971 and should focus on their own country and maintain peace there. Terrorism is the enemy of humanity, it has no religion. Pakistan is mixing terrorism with religion. It has unfortunately become Pakistan's state policy," he added. He further said that Kashmir is an integral part of India and not an "inch" of it will be allowed to be taken."We are a peace loving people, we never attacked any country and this is our specialty. We don't want war, we don't want confrontation, we don't want violence we want to have peace, we also want to have good relation with the neighbours but they should also reciprocate the same. They should remember that Kashmir is an integral part of India and not an inch of even PoK will be allowed to be taken by anybody," the Union Minister said. He also squarely blamed Pakistan for funding terrorism and influencing the situation in Kashmir. "Ours is a peace loving country. We never want war. But when this highly coveted peace is denied to us, our brave soldiers respond in a befitting manner..we are too strong to lose our focus to country's development and betterment of the country," he said. The NDA nominee said that on this day we should recall the valor of our brave soldiers and their sacrifices which got us back the Kargil heights.The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military confrontation between India and Pakistan that occurred during the liberation war in East Pakistan, from 3 December 1971 to the fall of Dacca (Dhaka) on 16 December 1971. The 1971 war began with pre-emptive aerial strikes on 11 Indian air stations that led to the commencement of hostilities with Pakistan and India entering the war of independence in East Pakistan in support of Bengali nationalist forces. Lasting just 13 days, it is one of the shortest wars in history. (ANI)

Not an inch of Kashmir will be ceded: Venkaiah Naidu warns Pakistan

UN chief Antonio Guterres has said he is engaged in bringing about a dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue through his meetings with the prime ministers of the two countries.

&quot;Why do you think I met three times the Prime Minister of Pakistan and two times the Prime Minister of India,&quot; Guterres said with a laughter, responding to a question during a press briefing here whether he is engaged in bringing about dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute.

&quot;For someone accused of doing nothing, it is quite a number of meetings,&quot; the Secretary General said, referring to criticism that he has been shying away and is reluctant to act to defuse tensions between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.

Guterres, addressing reporters at his first press conference at the world body&#39;s headquarters since assuming office in January, was asked about the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control and the ceasefire violations since he assumed office.

Guterres did not elaborate further but through his response he did not make any indication that he will act as a mediator between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue.

Modi and Guterres had met in St Petersburg earlier in June on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. During the meeting, Modi had stressed on multilateralism to address global challenges such as terrorism.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the UN chief had met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at Davos in January and again this month in Astana on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

Guterres&#39; spokesman Stephane Dujarric, when asked at press briefings about the Secretary General&#39;s response to the situation in Kashmir, has repeatedly said that Guterres is following the situation in the region closely.

The UN Chief has not made any direct intervention to resolve the issue, reiterating his call for India and Pakistan to find a peaceful solution through engagement and dialogue.

Pakistan continuously raises the Kashmir issue at the UN seeking the world body&#39;s intervention in the dispute with India. But New Delhi has always maintained that Kashmir is a bilateral issue with Islamabad.

(PTI)

He did not elaborate further, but also did not make any indication that he will act as mediator between India and Pakistan

UN chief Antonio Guterres has said he is engaged in bringing about a dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue through his meetings with the prime ministers of the two countries. "Why do you think I met three times the Prime Minister of Pakistan and two times the Prime Minister of India," Guterres said with a laughter, responding to a question during a press briefing here whether he is engaged in bringing about dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute. "For someone accused of doing nothing, it is quite a number of meetings," the Secretary General said, referring to criticism that he has been shying away and is reluctant to act to defuse tensions between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue. Guterres, addressing reporters at his first press conference at the world body's headquarters since assuming office in January, was asked about the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control and the ceasefire violations since he assumed office. Guterres did not elaborate further but through his response he did not make any indication that he will act as a mediator between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue. Modi and Guterres had met in St Petersburg earlier in June on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. During the meeting, Modi had stressed on multilateralism to address global challenges such as terrorism. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the UN chief had met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at Davos in January and again this month in Astana on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric, when asked at press briefings about the Secretary General's response to the situation in Kashmir, has repeatedly said that Guterres is following the situation in the region closely. The UN Chief has not made any direct intervention to resolve the issue, reiterating his call for India and Pakistan to find a peaceful solution through engagement and dialogue. Pakistan continuously raises the Kashmir issue at the UN seeking the world body's intervention in the dispute with India. But New Delhi has always maintained that Kashmir is a bilateral issue with Islamabad. (PTI)

UN chief Guterres says he is engaged in bringing about India-Pak dialogue over Kashmir

India on Thursday dismissed reports in Pakistani media about Russia&#39;s offer to&nbsp;mediate between the two countries&nbsp;to ease the ongoing tension between them.

&quot;No offer of mediation between India and Pakistan was made by Russia to India,&quot; Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.

&quot;It is my understanding that Russia is very well aware of India&#39;s consistent position to address all outstanding issues with Pakistan bilaterally in an environment free of terrorism and violence,&quot; he added.

The Dawn had quoted Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria as saying during a weekly press briefing in Islamabad that the country had recently established high-level contact with Russia and welcomed the Russian president&#39;s offer to mediate between India and Pakistan.

Russia has not confirmed the news.

Pakistani media also reported that President Putin offered to mediate between Islamabad and New Delhi during his meeting with Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the recently-held Belt and Road Forum&nbsp;

Tensions have been running high between the two Asian neighbours amid a spree of ceasefire violations and cross-border infiltration from the Pakistan side of the Line of Control.

Relations between India and Pakistan have worsened after several terror attacks including one on an Indian military base in Uri in September last year.

The situation between both countries further deteriorated after a Pakistan military court sentenced former Indian Naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav to death. 
&nbsp;

India rejected Pakistan's claim about Russia's offer to?mediate between the two countries?to ease the ongoing tension

India on Thursday dismissed reports in Pakistani media about Russia's offer to mediate between the two countries to ease the ongoing tension between them. "No offer of mediation between India and Pakistan was made by Russia to India," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Gopal Baglay said. "It is my understanding that Russia is very well aware of India's consistent position to address all outstanding issues with Pakistan bilaterally in an environment free of terrorism and violence," he added. The Dawn had quoted Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria as saying during a weekly press briefing in Islamabad that the country had recently established high-level contact with Russia and welcomed the Russian president's offer to mediate between India and Pakistan. Russia has not confirmed the news. Pakistani media also reported that President Putin offered to mediate between Islamabad and New Delhi during his meeting with Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the recently-held Belt and Road Forum Tensions have been running high between the two Asian neighbours amid a spree of ceasefire violations and cross-border infiltration from the Pakistan side of the Line of Control. Relations between India and Pakistan have worsened after several terror attacks including one on an Indian military base in Uri in September last year. The situation between both countries further deteriorated after a Pakistan military court sentenced former Indian Naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav to death.

India dismisses Pakistan's claim about Russia mediation offer

Amid ongoing tensions between the two nations, India on Monday (June 12) released 11 Pakistani prisoners in a goodwill gesture.

The move came days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif at the Shenghai Corporation Organization Summit in Kazakhstan capital, Astana.

The released prisoners, who had completed their sentence in Indian jails, were repatriated through the Attari-Wagah border in northern Punjab state.

The prisoners said they were relieved and happy to go back to their native country.

A released prisoner, Mohammad Ismail said the two nations should reach a compromise and release each other&#39;s nationals languishing in their respective jails.

Another, Mohammed Javed said: &quot;The two countries have fought for long. They should stop fighting and free (Indian and Pakistani) prisoners (in each other&#39;s jails). Both nations should live peacefully as both have to live together.&quot;

Tensions have been running high between the two neighbours amid a spree of ceasefire violations and cross-border infiltrations.

Relations between India and Pakistan worsened after a raid in September on an Indian military base in Uri by Kashmiri fighters where at least 18 soldiers were killed.

Pakistan and India have fought three wars since independence in 1947.

Ties have been particularly tense since the 2008 attacks on Mumbai blamed by India on Pakistan-based militants.

(This article has not been edited by WION&#39;s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed

The move came days after PM Modi met his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif at the Shenghai Corporation Organization Summit

Amid ongoing tensions between the two nations, India on Monday (June 12) released 11 Pakistani prisoners in a goodwill gesture. The move came days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif at the Shenghai Corporation Organization Summit in Kazakhstan capital, Astana. The released prisoners, who had completed their sentence in Indian jails, were repatriated through the Attari-Wagah border in northern Punjab state. The prisoners said they were relieved and happy to go back to their native country. A released prisoner, Mohammad Ismail said the two nations should reach a compromise and release each other's nationals languishing in their respective jails. Another, Mohammed Javed said: "The two countries have fought for long. They should stop fighting and free (Indian and Pakistani) prisoners (in each other's jails). Both nations should live peacefully as both have to live together." Tensions have been running high between the two neighbours amid a spree of ceasefire violations and cross-border infiltrations. Relations between India and Pakistan worsened after a raid in September on an Indian military base in Uri by Kashmiri fighters where at least 18 soldiers were killed. Pakistan and India have fought three wars since independence in 1947. Ties have been particularly tense since the 2008 attacks on Mumbai blamed by India on Pakistan-based militants. (This article has not been edited by WION's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed

India releases 11 Pakistani prisoners

A Pakistani court has sentenced 350 Indian fishermen for fishing inside the country&#39;s territorial waters after they entered a guilty plea and ordered their repatriation, according to a media report. 
 
Judicial magistrate Salman Amjad Siddiqui visited the district jail in Malir yesterday to indict 350 fishermen, who have been detained since January 27, Dawn newspaper reported. 
 
When the magistrate read out the charges against them, all the fishermen pleaded guilty of fishing inside Pakistani territorial waters, it said. 
 
The court then took a lenient view and convicted the fishermen for a period they have already spent in detention and also directed the jail authorities to approach the department concerned to make arrangements for their repatriation. 
 
The Maritime Security Agency had detained the fishermen along with their 60 boats after finding them fishing inside Pakistani territorial waters in the Arabian Sea in separate actions taken between January 27 and May 4 this year. 
 
The cases were registered against them at the Docks police station.

(PTI)

The fishermen admitted fishing in Pakistani waters, after which the court took a lenient view by sentencing them to the number of days they were detained for

A Pakistani court has sentenced 350 Indian fishermen for fishing inside the country's territorial waters after they entered a guilty plea and ordered their repatriation, according to a media report. Judicial magistrate Salman Amjad Siddiqui visited the district jail in Malir yesterday to indict 350 fishermen, who have been detained since January 27, Dawn newspaper reported. When the magistrate read out the charges against them, all the fishermen pleaded guilty of fishing inside Pakistani territorial waters, it said. The court then took a lenient view and convicted the fishermen for a period they have already spent in detention and also directed the jail authorities to approach the department concerned to make arrangements for their repatriation. The Maritime Security Agency had detained the fishermen along with their 60 boats after finding them fishing inside Pakistani territorial waters in the Arabian Sea in separate actions taken between January 27 and May 4 this year. The cases were registered against them at the Docks police station. (PTI)

350 Indian fishermen allowed by Pakistan court to return home

Amidst the ongoing unrest in India&#39;s Kashmir, a senior Indian minister said today that the Narendra Modi administration would find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue. 
 
Addressing a public reception in Northeast Indian state of Sikkim, India&#39;s internal affairs minister Rajnath Singh blamed Pakistan for fomenting trouble in Kashmir.&nbsp;

But Singh said the attacks wouldn&#39;t derail the government&#39;s efforts to find a &quot;permanent solution to the Kashmir issue&quot;.

has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in full and have fought two wars over the mountainous region.

The senior minister&#39;s statement comes at a time the Valley has been witnessing widespread unrest since April 9 when the bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held. 
 
Eight people were killed in firing by security forces on the day. The turnout was a mere 7.14 per cent. 
 
The April 12 bypoll to the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat had to be postponed by the Election Commission in view of the &quot;scary&quot; situation in Kashmir. 
 
Students in large numbers have hit the streets, staging protests against alleged atrocities by the security forces. 
 
Last year, around 80 people lost their lives in the unrest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani. 
 
&quot;Kashmir is ours, Kashmiris are ours and Kashmiriyat is also ours. We will find a permanent solution to Kashmir,&quot; Singh said. 
 
Referring to the 2014 swearing-in ceremony of the Modi government, the home minister said leaders of all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, were invited to show that the new government wanted to have friendly relations with all countries. 
 
However, he said, there had been no change in Pakistan&#39;s attitude towards India and it wanted to destabilise India. 
 
&quot;We hope that Pakistan will change. If it does not change, we have to change them. After globalisation, one country can&#39;t destabilise another country as the international community will not forget it,&quot; he said. 
 
The home minister is on a three-day visit to Sikkim during which he attended a conference of Himalayan states to review the security situation and development activities along the Sino-Indian border. 
 
He had also visited the Nathu La border post, besides visiting a few posts of Indo-Tibetan Border Police and SSB along the Sino-Indian and Indo-Nepal border respectively.

(PTI)

India;s internal affairs minister Rajnath Singh blamed Pakistan for trying to create unrest in India's Kashmir

Amidst the ongoing unrest in India's Kashmir, a senior Indian minister said today that the Narendra Modi administration would find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue. Addressing a public reception in Northeast Indian state of Sikkim, India's internal affairs minister Rajnath Singh blamed Pakistan for fomenting trouble in Kashmir. But Singh said the attacks wouldn't derail the government's efforts to find a "permanent solution to the Kashmir issue". has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in full and have fought two wars over the mountainous region. The senior minister's statement comes at a time the Valley has been witnessing widespread unrest since April 9 when the bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held. Eight people were killed in firing by security forces on the day. The turnout was a mere 7.14 per cent. The April 12 bypoll to the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat had to be postponed by the Election Commission in view of the "scary" situation in Kashmir. Students in large numbers have hit the streets, staging protests against alleged atrocities by the security forces. Last year, around 80 people lost their lives in the unrest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani. "Kashmir is ours, Kashmiris are ours and Kashmiriyat is also ours. We will find a permanent solution to Kashmir," Singh said. Referring to the 2014 swearing-in ceremony of the Modi government, the home minister said leaders of all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, were invited to show that the new government wanted to have friendly relations with all countries. However, he said, there had been no change in Pakistan's attitude towards India and it wanted to destabilise India. "We hope that Pakistan will change. If it does not change, we have to change them. After globalisation, one country can't destabilise another country as the international community will not forget it," he said. The home minister is on a three-day visit to Sikkim during which he attended a conference of Himalayan states to review the security situation and development activities along the Sino-Indian border. He had also visited the Nathu La border post, besides visiting a few posts of Indo-Tibetan Border Police and SSB along the Sino-Indian and Indo-Nepal border respectively. (PTI)

Indian PM Modi will find 'permanent solution to Kashmir issue'

Pakistan has arrested an Indian national over incomplete travel documents, which is the latest flashpoint between the two countries.

Sheikh Nabi, who hails from Mumbai in India, was arrested from the F-8 sector in Pakistan&#39;s capital city of Islamabad.

Nabi has been booked under the Foreigners Act and has been sent to a judicial custody for a fortnight, according to Pakistan&#39;s Samaa TV.

Pakistan is reportedly yet to inform the Indian high commission.&nbsp;

As per the&nbsp;Foreigners Act, 1946, if a person enters Pakistan illegally, he can be jailed for up to ten years and fined Rs 10,000 Pakistani rupees, or both.

The arrest comes&nbsp;weeks after a former Indian navy officer, Kulbhushan Jadhav, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court.

Jadhav&#39;s arrest and the subsequent death sentences raised hackles in New Delhi.

India saw the court&#39;s ruling as a &quot;premeditated murder&quot;.

They subsequently approached the International Court of Justice and accused Islamabad of not providing consular access to Jadhav -- which contravenes Article 36 of the Vienna Protocol.

The UN tribunal recently stayed the execution until they deliver the final verdict.

(WION)

Pakistan is yet to inform India about the arrest of the Mumbai-based man named Sheikh Nabi

Pakistan has arrested an Indian national over incomplete travel documents, which is the latest flashpoint between the two countries. Sheikh Nabi, who hails from Mumbai in India, was arrested from the F-8 sector in Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad. Nabi has been booked under the Foreigners Act and has been sent to a judicial custody for a fortnight, according to Pakistan's Samaa TV. Pakistan is reportedly yet to inform the Indian high commission. As per the Foreigners Act, 1946, if a person enters Pakistan illegally, he can be jailed for up to ten years and fined Rs 10,000 Pakistani rupees, or both. The arrest comes weeks after a former Indian navy officer, Kulbhushan Jadhav, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court. Jadhav's arrest and the subsequent death sentences raised hackles in New Delhi. India saw the court's ruling as a "premeditated murder". They subsequently approached the International Court of Justice and accused Islamabad of not providing consular access to Jadhav -- which contravenes Article 36 of the Vienna Protocol. The UN tribunal recently stayed the execution until they deliver the final verdict. (WION)

Pakistan arrests Indian national for carrying incomplete travel documents

The US today (May 15) urged India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue to reduce tension as they faced-off at the International Court of Justice over&nbsp;the death penalty given to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav.

&quot;We believe India and Pakistan stand to benefit from practical cooperation,&quot; a State Department spokesperson told PTI.

When asked about the US&#39; stand on the case of Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer who is facing the death penalty in Pakistan, the official said, &quot;We encourage India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tension.&quot; 
 
Jadhav, arrested in March last year, has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and subversive activities. His sentencing has become the latest flashpoint in the India-Pakistan ties. 
 
Pakistan has denied India consular access to Jadhav 16 times, claiming he was an agent of India&#39;s external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). 
 
His execution was stayed last week by the ICJ, which today heard arguments presented by both the sides.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

A US state department spokesperson said India and Pakistan would benefit from 'practical co-operation'

The US today (May 15) urged India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue to reduce tension as they faced-off at the International Court of Justice over the death penalty given to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav. "We believe India and Pakistan stand to benefit from practical cooperation," a State Department spokesperson told PTI. When asked about the US' stand on the case of Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer who is facing the death penalty in Pakistan, the official said, "We encourage India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tension." Jadhav, arrested in March last year, has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and subversive activities. His sentencing has become the latest flashpoint in the India-Pakistan ties. Pakistan has denied India consular access to Jadhav 16 times, claiming he was an agent of India's external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). His execution was stayed last week by the ICJ, which today heard arguments presented by both the sides. (PTI)

India, Pakistan should engage in direct dialogue: US on Kulbhushan Jadhav case

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said only Prime Minister Narendra Modi can resolve the Kashmir problem as he has a strong mandate and appealed to him to pull the valley out of morass. 
 
Mufti, whose government is battling spiralling protests in the valley, said the situation is the result of pent up anger due to failure of the UPA government to continue with the policy started by the previous NDA government in Jammu and Kashmir during her father Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed&#39;s rule.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I say today with authority and I will be criticised for it also. If anyone can find a solution to Jammu and Kashmir problem, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 
 
&quot;He (PM) has a strong mandate. Whatever decision he takes, the country will support him,&quot; said Mufti, whose party is running a government in coalition with the BJP. 
 
&quot;If anyone can take us out of the sticky spot, it is Prime Minister Modi. The nation will support whatever he decides...it is may earnest appeal...,&quot; she said. 
 
The CM was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a flyover here. 
 
Hailing the Prime Minister&#39;s decision to visit Lahore on December 25, 2015, she said that it was a sign of strength not weakness. 
 
&quot;He has the mandate of the people. This is his biggest power. He went to Lahore and met the PM of that country. This is not a sign of weakness but an indication of strength and power,&quot; she said. 
 
She took a dig at former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying he did not have the courage to visit Pakistan. 
 
&quot;Before him (Modi), a Prime Minister had also desired to go to Pakistan for over ten years. He wanted to see his home there,&quot; she said, with naming Singh. 
 
&quot;He also would have tried to end the confrontation between the two countries, and bring J&amp;K out of this unfortunate situation, but he had no courage to do that.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
She gave credit to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former chief minister Mufti Sayeed for starting the &quot;chapter of peace&quot; in Jammu and Kashmir in 2002. 
 
&quot;They tried their best to bring out Kashmir out of this unfortunate situation. He was successful to a large extent in shortest of period,&quot; Mehbooba said.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;There was ceasefire (along Indo-Pak border) during Vajpayee&#39;s rule. There were talks with L K Advani (in Kashmir). There was beginning of the process of opening (cross -LoC) roads.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
The chief minister said militancy declined during that period and there was peace on the borders. 
 
&quot;These were not small developments. But unfortunately Mufti was out of the government and Vajpayee ji left, and the process came to grinding halt,&quot; the PDP leader lamented. 
 
She alleged that the UPA regime at the centre and the state government did not carry forward the process thinking &quot;everything is peaceful and there is no need to do anything further&quot;. 
 
&quot;There was pent-up lava. It started to come out when the youths were out on the streets in 2008 and then 2009 and 2010. 
 
This lava has now spread to the streets and we are forced to face this situation,&quot; she said.&nbsp; 
 
The CM said while her government is trying to improve the situation in Kashmir, there are some forces which do not want it. 
 
&quot;Mufti sahib, who had seen a dream, shook hands with the Prime Minister of our country Narendra Modi, who has got the mandate of the people,&quot; she said. 
 
As the chief minister was speaking, former Minister and senior Congress leader Gulchain Singh Charak interrupted her speech and demanded setting up of two civil secretariat in Jammu and Srinagar capital cities. 
 
Charak, who later walked out of the hall in protest, was heckled by some workers after conclusion of the function.

(PTI)

The chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir urged the Indian premier to use his mandate to stop the rot in the riven state

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said only Prime Minister Narendra Modi can resolve the Kashmir problem as he has a strong mandate and appealed to him to pull the valley out of morass. Mufti, whose government is battling spiralling protests in the valley, said the situation is the result of pent up anger due to failure of the UPA government to continue with the policy started by the previous NDA government in Jammu and Kashmir during her father Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed's rule. "I say today with authority and I will be criticised for it also. If anyone can find a solution to Jammu and Kashmir problem, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "He (PM) has a strong mandate. Whatever decision he takes, the country will support him," said Mufti, whose party is running a government in coalition with the BJP. "If anyone can take us out of the sticky spot, it is Prime Minister Modi. The nation will support whatever he decides...it is may earnest appeal...," she said. The CM was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a flyover here. Hailing the Prime Minister's decision to visit Lahore on December 25, 2015, she said that it was a sign of strength not weakness. "He has the mandate of the people. This is his biggest power. He went to Lahore and met the PM of that country. This is not a sign of weakness but an indication of strength and power," she said. She took a dig at former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying he did not have the courage to visit Pakistan. "Before him (Modi), a Prime Minister had also desired to go to Pakistan for over ten years. He wanted to see his home there," she said, with naming Singh. "He also would have tried to end the confrontation between the two countries, and bring J&K out of this unfortunate situation, but he had no courage to do that." She gave credit to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former chief minister Mufti Sayeed for starting the "chapter of peace" in Jammu and Kashmir in 2002. "They tried their best to bring out Kashmir out of this unfortunate situation. He was successful to a large extent in shortest of period," Mehbooba said. "There was ceasefire (along Indo-Pak border) during Vajpayee's rule. There were talks with L K Advani (in Kashmir). There was beginning of the process of opening (cross -LoC) roads." The chief minister said militancy declined during that period and there was peace on the borders. "These were not small developments. But unfortunately Mufti was out of the government and Vajpayee ji left, and the process came to grinding halt," the PDP leader lamented. She alleged that the UPA regime at the centre and the state government did not carry forward the process thinking "everything is peaceful and there is no need to do anything further". "There was pent-up lava. It started to come out when the youths were out on the streets in 2008 and then 2009 and 2010. This lava has now spread to the streets and we are forced to face this situation," she said. The CM said while her government is trying to improve the situation in Kashmir, there are some forces which do not want it. "Mufti sahib, who had seen a dream, shook hands with the Prime Minister of our country Narendra Modi, who has got the mandate of the people," she said. As the chief minister was speaking, former Minister and senior Congress leader Gulchain Singh Charak interrupted her speech and demanded setting up of two civil secretariat in Jammu and Srinagar capital cities. Charak, who later walked out of the hall in protest, was heckled by some workers after conclusion of the function. (PTI)

Only PM Modi can resolve Kashmir issue: Mehbooba Mufti

India on Wednesday said it has credible incriminating evidence to show that Pakistani forces crossed across the Line of Control (the de facto border separating the two nations) to kill and mutilate two Indian soldiers.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said cover fire was provided to those who killed and mutilated the bodies of the two soldiers and Pakistan helped perpetrators escape.

&quot;The fact that cover firing was provided to those who carried out this act..... They are helped to escape, in such a heavily guarded border where posts are within few meters of each other, this cannot happen without the protection or the participation or the actual indulgence of the army,&quot; the defence&nbsp;minister said.

&quot;The denial itself carries no credibility because the entire gamut of circumstances clearly indicates that this barbaric act of first killing two of our soldiers and then mutilating their bodies has been carried out with the active participation of the (Pakistani) army,&quot; he said.

Arun Jaitley said such an act cannot be carried out without the &quot;protection, participation or the actual indulgence&quot; of the army. 
 
Replying to a question on India&#39;s possible response to Pakistan&#39;s action, Jaitley said, &quot;Have faith in your army&quot;.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Gopal Baglay said, &quot;The Indian side has sufficient evidence that this act was committed by personnel of the Pakistan Army who crossed the Line of Control in the Krishna Ghati sector. The government also demanded that Pakistan take immediate action against its soldiers and commanders responsible for this heinous act.&rsquo;

When questioned about the veracity of the evidence collected by India, Baglay said: &quot;Blood samples of the Indian soldiers that have been collected and the trail of blood on Roza Nala clearly shows that the killers returned across the LoC. Those who came from across the Line of Control did not come from Pakistan, they came from PoK, and secondly, it is obvious that they returned to where they came from, the trail of blood is of Pakistanis who came from across the border. In this case, it is the personnel.&quot;

This morning, New Delhi summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit, and lodged a protest against the killing and mutilation of Indian soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir.

&quot;Foreign Secretary summoned Pakistan High Commissioner, conveyed India&#39;s outrage, demands action against Pakistan soldiers and commanders responsible,&quot; Baglay tweeteed.

Basit was summoned by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar to convey India&#39;s &quot;outrage at the killing and the barbaric act of mutilation of the bodies of two Indian soldiers on May one, 2017 by Pakistani army personnel,&quot; an external affairs ministry statement said.

&quot;It was significant that the attack was preceded by covering fire from Pakistani posts in Battal sector (in vicinity of village Battal). Blood samples of the Indian soldiers that have been collected and the trail of blood on Roza Nala clearly shows that the killers returned across the Line of Control,&quot; it said.

Pakistan denies &#39;unprovoked&#39; attack

The Pakistan Army has denied India&#39;s charge of mutilating two of the latter&#39;s soldiers and described itself as a highly professional force that never disrespects any soldier.

&quot;Pakistan Army did not commit any ceasefire violation on the LoC or a BAT action in the Buttal sector (Indian Krishna Ghati Sector) as alleged by India. Indian blame of mutilating Indian soldiers&#39; bodies is also false,&quot; the Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) said in a statement.

The Indian Army in its statement said, &lsquo;Pakistan Army carried out unprovoked Rocket and Mortar firing on two forward posts on the line of control in Krishna Ghati Sector. Simultaneously, a BAT action was launched on a patrol operating in between the two posts. In an unsoldierly act by the Pak Army the bodies of two of our soldiers in the patrol were mutilated. Such despicable act of Pakistan Army will be appropriately responded.&quot;

Naib Subedar Paramjeet Singh and BSF Head Constable Prem Singh were slain by Pakistan Border Action Team (BAT) after sneaking 250 metres into Indian territory in Poonch of J&amp;K on May 1.

Indian Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen A K Bhatt had yesterday conveyed to his Pakistan counterpart that such a &quot;dastardly and inhuman act&quot; was beyond any norms of civility and merits unequivocal condemnation and response.

(PTI)

India has blamed Pakistan for killing two of its soldiers, a claim that has been denied by Islamabad

India on Wednesday said it has credible incriminating evidence to show that Pakistani forces crossed across the Line of Control (the de facto border separating the two nations) to kill and mutilate two Indian soldiers. Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said cover fire was provided to those who killed and mutilated the bodies of the two soldiers and Pakistan helped perpetrators escape. "The fact that cover firing was provided to those who carried out this act..... They are helped to escape, in such a heavily guarded border where posts are within few meters of each other, this cannot happen without the protection or the participation or the actual indulgence of the army," the defence minister said. "The denial itself carries no credibility because the entire gamut of circumstances clearly indicates that this barbaric act of first killing two of our soldiers and then mutilating their bodies has been carried out with the active participation of the (Pakistani) army," he said. Arun Jaitley said such an act cannot be carried out without the "protection, participation or the actual indulgence" of the army. Replying to a question on India's possible response to Pakistan's action, Jaitley said, "Have faith in your army". Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Gopal Baglay said, "The Indian side has sufficient evidence that this act was committed by personnel of the Pakistan Army who crossed the Line of Control in the Krishna Ghati sector. The government also demanded that Pakistan take immediate action against its soldiers and commanders responsible for this heinous act.’ When questioned about the veracity of the evidence collected by India, Baglay said: "Blood samples of the Indian soldiers that have been collected and the trail of blood on Roza Nala clearly shows that the killers returned across the LoC. Those who came from across the Line of Control did not come from Pakistan, they came from PoK, and secondly, it is obvious that they returned to where they came from, the trail of blood is of Pakistanis who came from across the border. In this case, it is the personnel." This morning, New Delhi summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit, and lodged a protest against the killing and mutilation of Indian soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir. "Foreign Secretary summoned Pakistan High Commissioner, conveyed India's outrage, demands action against Pakistan soldiers and commanders responsible," Baglay tweeteed. Basit was summoned by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar to convey India's "outrage at the killing and the barbaric act of mutilation of the bodies of two Indian soldiers on May one, 2017 by Pakistani army personnel," an external affairs ministry statement said. "It was significant that the attack was preceded by covering fire from Pakistani posts in Battal sector (in vicinity of village Battal). Blood samples of the Indian soldiers that have been collected and the trail of blood on Roza Nala clearly shows that the killers returned across the Line of Control," it said. Pakistan denies 'unprovoked' attack The Pakistan Army has denied India's charge of mutilating two of the latter's soldiers and described itself as a highly professional force that never disrespects any soldier. "Pakistan Army did not commit any ceasefire violation on the LoC or a BAT action in the Buttal sector (Indian Krishna Ghati Sector) as alleged by India. Indian blame of mutilating Indian soldiers' bodies is also false," the Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) said in a statement. The Indian Army in its statement said, ‘Pakistan Army carried out unprovoked Rocket and Mortar firing on two forward posts on the line of control in Krishna Ghati Sector. Simultaneously, a BAT action was launched on a patrol operating in between the two posts. In an unsoldierly act by the Pak Army the bodies of two of our soldiers in the patrol were mutilated. Such despicable act of Pakistan Army will be appropriately responded." Naib Subedar Paramjeet Singh and BSF Head Constable Prem Singh were slain by Pakistan Border Action Team (BAT) after sneaking 250 metres into Indian territory in Poonch of J&K on May 1. Indian Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen A K Bhatt had yesterday conveyed to his Pakistan counterpart that such a "dastardly and inhuman act" was beyond any norms of civility and merits unequivocal condemnation and response. (PTI)

'Sufficient evidence' Pakistan decapitated soldiers: India

The Pakistan military Tuesday&nbsp;warned India against any &quot;misadventure&quot; after the Indian army cautioned Islamabad that it will have to face the consequences of mutilating bodies of two Indian soldiers. 
 
The Pakistan army&#39;s remarks came during a hotline contact between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of Pakistan and India this morning to defuse the tension. 
 
&quot;Any misadventure shall be appropriately responded at a place and time of own choosing,&quot; according to a statement issued by the army. 
 
The statement also said that Pakistan remains fully committed to maintaining peace and tranquillity along the LoC and expects the same from the other side. 
 
The Pakistan army also asked India to provide &quot;actionable evidence&quot; to substantiate its charge claim that a Pakistani special forces team sneaked across the LoC, beheaded two Indian security personnel and mutilated their bodies. 
 
The incident evoked a sharp reaction from India with Defence Minister Arun Jaitley saying such attacks do not even take place during war and that the whole country has full faith in the armed forces. 
 
&quot;Bodies of soldiers being mutilated is an extreme form of barbaric act. Government of India strongly condemns this act. The whole country has full faith in our armed forces which will react appropriately to the act,&quot; Jaitley had said. 
 
India&#39;s Vice Chief of Army Staff Sarath Chand said that Pakistan will have to face the consequences of mutilating bodies of two Indian soldiers and the army will respond to the dastardly act at a time and place of its choice. 
 
(PTI)

The Pakistan army's remarks came during a hotline contact between the Director Generals of Military Operations of Pakistan and India

The Pakistan military Tuesday warned India against any "misadventure" after the Indian army cautioned Islamabad that it will have to face the consequences of mutilating bodies of two Indian soldiers. The Pakistan army's remarks came during a hotline contact between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of Pakistan and India this morning to defuse the tension. "Any misadventure shall be appropriately responded at a place and time of own choosing," according to a statement issued by the army. The statement also said that Pakistan remains fully committed to maintaining peace and tranquillity along the LoC and expects the same from the other side. The Pakistan army also asked India to provide "actionable evidence" to substantiate its charge claim that a Pakistani special forces team sneaked across the LoC, beheaded two Indian security personnel and mutilated their bodies. The incident evoked a sharp reaction from India with Defence Minister Arun Jaitley saying such attacks do not even take place during war and that the whole country has full faith in the armed forces. "Bodies of soldiers being mutilated is an extreme form of barbaric act. Government of India strongly condemns this act. The whole country has full faith in our armed forces which will react appropriately to the act," Jaitley had said. India's Vice Chief of Army Staff Sarath Chand said that Pakistan will have to face the consequences of mutilating bodies of two Indian soldiers and the army will respond to the dastardly act at a time and place of its choice. (PTI)

After Indian Army soldiers mutilated, Pakistan Army warns against 'misadventure'

Pakistan has denied mutilating bodies of two Indian soldiers in the troubled state of Kashmir.

&quot;Pakistan Army did not commit any ceasefire violation on&nbsp;LoC (Line of Control) as alleged by India. Indian blame of mutilating Indian&nbsp;soldiers&#39; bodies is also false,&quot; a statement from the Pakistan&nbsp;Army&#39;s Inter-Services Public Relations wing said.

&quot;Pakistan Army is a highly professional force and will&nbsp;never disrespect a soldier,&quot; it said.

On Monday afternoon, Indian Army&#39;s Northern Command issued a press release today saying, &quot;in an unsoldierly act by the Pakistan army the bodies of our two Indian soldiers in the petrol were mutilated&quot;, the press release added, &quot;The Pak army will be appropriately responded&quot;.

India&#39;s defence minister Arun Jaitley condeming the incident, said, &quot;Bodies of soldiers being mutilated is an extreme form of barbaric act.&quot;

&quot;The government of India strongly condemns this act. The whole country has full faith in our armed forces which will react appropriately to the act,&quot; he said.

Reports said Indian Army targeted Pakistan army post along the Mendhar sector in south Kashmir with mortar fire and heavy machine gun.&nbsp;

The incident comes after two soldiers were killed as Pakistan troops fired rockets in the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district in Jammu &amp; Kashmir early today.&nbsp;The firing began at 8:30am local time (IST) as Pakistan used rocket launchers and automatic weapons on the Indian posts.

Reports said a BSF soldier and an army man were killed as Pakistan suddenly opened fire along&nbsp;the border area.&nbsp;Two people were also injured, reports said.&nbsp;Indian security forces retaliated immediately, gun battle is underway at the border. 
 
The Indian Army might just have walked into a death trap set up by Pakistan&#39;s Border Action Team (BAT), PTI quoted official sources as saying.

The incident occurred when a joint team of the army and BSF had gone to check the veracity of an intelligence report that landmines had been planted by Pakistani troops on the Indian side

As they were looking for landmines, the patrol was taken by surprise by the Border Action Team which had laid an ambush over 250 metres deep inside the Indian territory, official sources said.

&quot;It was a pre-planed operation by Pakistan army. They had pushed in the Border Action Team over 250 metres deep inside Indian territory and set up the ambush for a long period to carry out the attack,&quot; a senior officer said in Jammu

&quot;Their target was a patrol party of 7-8 members, which had come out of a post,&quot; the officer said, adding that as the posts were engaged, the patrol team members ran for cover. 
 
The BAT, the core of which is formed by the SSG (Special Services Group), is specifically employed for action across the LoC.

Its primary task is to dominate the LoC by carrying out disruptive actions in the form of surreptitious raids.

There have been several BAT attacks in the past in which jawans have been beheaded or their bodies mutilated.

On October 28, 2016, militants attacked a post and killed an Indian army soldier and mutilated his body close to the Line of Control (LoC) in the Machil sector

In January 2013, Lance Naik Hemraj was killed and his body mutilated by BAT. It also beheaded Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh. Constable Rajinder Singh of the BSF suffered injuries in the attack.

In June 2008, a soldier of the 2/8 Gorkha Rifles lost his way and was captured by BAT in Kel sector. His body was found beheaded after a few days

During the 1999 Kargil conflict, Captain Saurabh Kalia was tortured by his Pakistani captors who later handed over his mutilated body to India.

In February, 2000, terrorist Ilyas Kashmiri had led a raid on the Indian army&#39;s &#39;Ashok Listening Post&#39; in the Nowshera sector and killed seven Indian soldiers.

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BSF head constable Prem Sagar who lost his life in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch (J&amp;K) (ANI)
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This is for the eighth time Pakistan has violated ceasefire in last two months by resorting to shelling and firing.

In 2016, 228 instances of ceasefire violations along the LoC were reported while there were 221 instances of ceasefire violations along International Border (IB).

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In an unsoldierly act by the Pakistan Army, two jawans were killed in unprovoked firing by Pakistan today morning and their bodies were mutilated. WION brings you more on this story (WION)
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The valley has been roiled by violence in recent months, with security forces opening fire on stone-throwing protesters.

Indian troops last week shot at a crowd of demonstrators outside an army garrison where militants had earlier killed three soldiers, hitting one civilian who later died.

(WION with agency inputs)&nbsp;

India has warned of retaliation after a BSF soldier and an army man were killed during an unprovoked firing in Poonch district

Pakistan has denied mutilating bodies of two Indian soldiers in the troubled state of Kashmir. "Pakistan Army did not commit any ceasefire violation on LoC (Line of Control) as alleged by India. Indian blame of mutilating Indian soldiers' bodies is also false," a statement from the Pakistan Army's Inter-Services Public Relations wing said. "Pakistan Army is a highly professional force and will never disrespect a soldier," it said. On Monday afternoon, Indian Army's Northern Command issued a press release today saying, "in an unsoldierly act by the Pakistan army the bodies of our two Indian soldiers in the petrol were mutilated", the press release added, "The Pak army will be appropriately responded". India's defence minister Arun Jaitley condeming the incident, said, "Bodies of soldiers being mutilated is an extreme form of barbaric act." "The government of India strongly condemns this act. The whole country has full faith in our armed forces which will react appropriately to the act," he said. Reports said Indian Army targeted Pakistan army post along the Mendhar sector in south Kashmir with mortar fire and heavy machine gun. The incident comes after two soldiers were killed as Pakistan troops fired rockets in the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district in Jammu & Kashmir early today. The firing began at 8:30am local time (IST) as Pakistan used rocket launchers and automatic weapons on the Indian posts. Reports said a BSF soldier and an army man were killed as Pakistan suddenly opened fire along the border area. Two people were also injured, reports said. Indian security forces retaliated immediately, gun battle is underway at the border. The Indian Army might just have walked into a death trap set up by Pakistan's Border Action Team (BAT), PTI quoted official sources as saying. The incident occurred when a joint team of the army and BSF had gone to check the veracity of an intelligence report that landmines had been planted by Pakistani troops on the Indian side As they were looking for landmines, the patrol was taken by surprise by the Border Action Team which had laid an ambush over 250 metres deep inside the Indian territory, official sources said. "It was a pre-planed operation by Pakistan army. They had pushed in the Border Action Team over 250 metres deep inside Indian territory and set up the ambush for a long period to carry out the attack," a senior officer said in Jammu "Their target was a patrol party of 7-8 members, which had come out of a post," the officer said, adding that as the posts were engaged, the patrol team members ran for cover. The BAT, the core of which is formed by the SSG (Special Services Group), is specifically employed for action across the LoC. Its primary task is to dominate the LoC by carrying out disruptive actions in the form of surreptitious raids. There have been several BAT attacks in the past in which jawans have been beheaded or their bodies mutilated. On October 28, 2016, militants attacked a post and killed an Indian army soldier and mutilated his body close to the Line of Control (LoC) in the Machil sector In January 2013, Lance Naik Hemraj was killed and his body mutilated by BAT. It also beheaded Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh. Constable Rajinder Singh of the BSF suffered injuries in the attack. In June 2008, a soldier of the 2/8 Gorkha Rifles lost his way and was captured by BAT in Kel sector. His body was found beheaded after a few days During the 1999 Kargil conflict, Captain Saurabh Kalia was tortured by his Pakistani captors who later handed over his mutilated body to India. In February, 2000, terrorist Ilyas Kashmiri had led a raid on the Indian army's 'Ashok Listening Post' in the Nowshera sector and killed seven Indian soldiers. BSF head constable Prem Sagar who lost his life in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch (J&K) (ANI) × This is for the eighth time Pakistan has violated ceasefire in last two months by resorting to shelling and firing. In 2016, 228 instances of ceasefire violations along the LoC were reported while there were 221 instances of ceasefire violations along International Border (IB). In an unsoldierly act by the Pakistan Army, two jawans were killed in unprovoked firing by Pakistan today morning and their bodies were mutilated. WION brings you more on this story (WION) × The valley has been roiled by violence in recent months, with security forces opening fire on stone-throwing protesters. Indian troops last week shot at a crowd of demonstrators outside an army garrison where militants had earlier killed three soldiers, hitting one civilian who later died. (WION with agency inputs)

Pakistan denies mutilating bodies of two Indian soldiers in Kashmir

Clashes erupted between security forces and students today after they took out a protest march against the alleged highhandedness of security personnel at a college in Pulwama in south Kashmir, the police said. 
 
A number of students of Boys Higher Secondary School and Pulwama Degree College took out a joint march against the security forces action on April 15, a police official said. 
 
When the march reached near Pulwama police station, some of the students threw stones at security personnel, who lobbed teargas shells to disperse them, the official said. 
 
There are no reports of any casualty in the clashes, which were going on till reports last came in. 
 
There were unconfirmed reports of some students hoisting Islamic State flags and pasting posters of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, who was killed in an encounter with security forces in July last year, on the building of the degree college. 
 
Meanwhile, shops and other business establishments were shut in the area in view of the clashes.

Incidences of civilian unrest following army operations against militants in Indian&nbsp;Kashmir&nbsp;have been rising, in what many analysts see as a sign of growing resentment in the disputed region.

Roughly 500,000 Indian soldiers are deployed in&nbsp;Kashmir, which has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947. Both claim the territory in its entirety.

(PTI)

Some students taking part in a protest march pelted stones at security personnel, who retaliated by throwing teargas shells to disperse them

Clashes erupted between security forces and students today after they took out a protest march against the alleged highhandedness of security personnel at a college in Pulwama in south Kashmir, the police said. A number of students of Boys Higher Secondary School and Pulwama Degree College took out a joint march against the security forces action on April 15, a police official said. When the march reached near Pulwama police station, some of the students threw stones at security personnel, who lobbed teargas shells to disperse them, the official said. There are no reports of any casualty in the clashes, which were going on till reports last came in. There were unconfirmed reports of some students hoisting Islamic State flags and pasting posters of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, who was killed in an encounter with security forces in July last year, on the building of the degree college. Meanwhile, shops and other business establishments were shut in the area in view of the clashes. Incidences of civilian unrest following army operations against militants in Indian Kashmir have been rising, in what many analysts see as a sign of growing resentment in the disputed region. Roughly 500,000 Indian soldiers are deployed in Kashmir, which has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947. Both claim the territory in its entirety. (PTI)

Students clash with Indian security personnel in troubled Kashmir

Pervez Musharraf, the tenth President of Pakistan who was forced to tender his resignation in 2008, said India&#39;s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the mandate to resolve the Kashmir issue but questioned his political will to do so.

Musharraf, who spearheaded the Kargil infiltration that sparked a full-blown war in 1998 between the two South Asian countries, told WION&#39;s Palki Sharma that he believes Modi is best placed to end the decades-long conflict due to his international standing&nbsp;and overwhelming domestic mandate&nbsp;that he has in India.

&quot;Unfortunately, he needs to have the will himself (to resolve the Kashmir issue),&quot; Musharraf said.

&quot;He is extremely offensively. Look at the statements against Pakistan. India talks of destabilsing Pakistan,&quot; he further said.

Musharraf also advocated the current US administration to solve the bilateral issue involving the restive state of Kashmir.

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Admitting that United States President Donald Trump did not have a comprehensive grasp of the riven state, Musharraf gave his own example, saying: &quot;If the man is prepared to learn and he is intelligent enough to grasp essentials, he is the best. I mean, I compare myself. When I came (to power) in 1999, I didn&rsquo;t know much about running a country... I didn&#39;t know anything about the economy...I learnt it on the job because I was prepared to be silent and listen.&quot;

When asked if Trump had the capability to understand the nuances of the conflict, he said: &quot;Trump has developed a multi-billion dollar empire for himself. He must be having some grey matter.&quot;

Speaking as part of the network&rsquo;s World Is One Global Leadership Series which brings viewers the best political minds from all over the globe, Musharraf shot down allegations of human rights violation in the restive province of Balochistan.

The 73-year-old former Pakistani premier accused New Delhi of stoking unrest in Pakistan&#39;s internal affairs, especially in Balochistan: &quot;You (New Delhi) are assisting separatists who are in the minority. You are helping them internationally to project this.&quot;

It has long been assumed that New Delhi has tried to inflame the insurgency in Balochistan.

Islamabad has long blamed India for stoking insurgency in Balochistan and funding the Balochistan Liberation Army as part of a retaliation for Pakistan&#39;s alleged support for Lashkar -e-Taiba (LeT).

Balochistan, Pakistan&#39;s largest but least developed province, has been battling a years-long separatist insurgency which the army has repeatedly characterised as &quot;terrorism&quot; promoted by hostile states such as India.

In return, the LeT has been blamed by India for carrying out the coordinated attacks in India&#39;s financial capital Mumbai in 2008, which left over 160 dead and over dozens wounded.

Kashmir&nbsp;has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in full.

The neighbours have fought three wars since independence from Britain seven decades ago, two of them over&nbsp;Kashmir.

Musharraf, who took over the reins of Pakistan following a coup in 1999, was in a self-imposed exile since 2008. He returned to Pakistan in 2013 to contest the general elections, following which the government initiated a trial against him for treason.

Watch WION&#39;s two-part interview with former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf.

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(WION)

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Speaking with WION, the former 73-year-old president also blamed New Delhi for fuelling unrest in Balochistan

Pervez Musharraf, the tenth President of Pakistan who was forced to tender his resignation in 2008, said India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the mandate to resolve the Kashmir issue but questioned his political will to do so. Musharraf, who spearheaded the Kargil infiltration that sparked a full-blown war in 1998 between the two South Asian countries, told WION's Palki Sharma that he believes Modi is best placed to end the decades-long conflict due to his international standing and overwhelming domestic mandate that he has in India. "Unfortunately, he needs to have the will himself (to resolve the Kashmir issue)," Musharraf said. "He is extremely offensively. Look at the statements against Pakistan. India talks of destabilsing Pakistan," he further said. Musharraf also advocated the current US administration to solve the bilateral issue involving the restive state of Kashmir. Admitting that United States President Donald Trump did not have a comprehensive grasp of the riven state, Musharraf gave his own example, saying: "If the man is prepared to learn and he is intelligent enough to grasp essentials, he is the best. I mean, I compare myself. When I came (to power) in 1999, I didn’t know much about running a country... I didn't know anything about the economy...I learnt it on the job because I was prepared to be silent and listen." When asked if Trump had the capability to understand the nuances of the conflict, he said: "Trump has developed a multi-billion dollar empire for himself. He must be having some grey matter." Speaking as part of the network’s World Is One Global Leadership Series which brings viewers the best political minds from all over the globe, Musharraf shot down allegations of human rights violation in the restive province of Balochistan. The 73-year-old former Pakistani premier accused New Delhi of stoking unrest in Pakistan's internal affairs, especially in Balochistan: "You (New Delhi) are assisting separatists who are in the minority. You are helping them internationally to project this." It has long been assumed that New Delhi has tried to inflame the insurgency in Balochistan. Islamabad has long blamed India for stoking insurgency in Balochistan and funding the Balochistan Liberation Army as part of a retaliation for Pakistan's alleged support for Lashkar -e-Taiba (LeT). Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but least developed province, has been battling a years-long separatist insurgency which the army has repeatedly characterised as "terrorism" promoted by hostile states such as India. In return, the LeT has been blamed by India for carrying out the coordinated attacks in India's financial capital Mumbai in 2008, which left over 160 dead and over dozens wounded. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in full. The neighbours have fought three wars since independence from Britain seven decades ago, two of them over Kashmir. Musharraf, who took over the reins of Pakistan following a coup in 1999, was in a self-imposed exile since 2008. He returned to Pakistan in 2013 to contest the general elections, following which the government initiated a trial against him for treason. Watch WION's two-part interview with former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf. (WION)

Former Pakistan president Musharraf questions Modi's will to resolve Kashmir issue

India today said it was yet to get a response from Pakistan on its demand for a certified copy of the charge-sheet as well as the military court order awarding death sentence to the retired Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav.

&quot;We have sought from the Foreign Ministry (of Pakistan) a certified copy of the charge-sheet as well as the judgement in the death sentence of Jadhav, but there is no response yet from Pakistan&#39;s side,&quot; MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay told reporters.

India had already announced that it would appeal against the death sentence to Jadhav.

Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad, Gautam Bambawale, had met Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on Friday in connection with the case and demanded a certified copy of the charge-sheet and the judgement, besides consular access to Jadhav.

&quot;India made the demand for the two documents on Friday when the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad met the Pakistan Foreign Secretary,&quot; said Baglay, replying to a question on the issue.

The death sentence to Jadhav, 46, was confirmed by Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa after the Field General Court Martial found him guilty of &quot;espionage and sabotage activities&quot; in Pakistan.

Pakistan claims its security forces had arrested Jadhav from the restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. It also claimed that he was &quot;a serving officer in the Indian Navy&quot;.

The Pakistan Army had also released a &quot;confessional video&quot; of Jadhav after his arrest.

However, India denied Pakistan&#39;s contention and maintained that Jadhav was kidnapped by the Pakistan authorities.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had warned that Jadhav&#39;s execution would be taken by India as a &quot;pre-meditated murder&quot; and Pakistan should &quot;consider its consequences&quot; on bilateral relations, if it proceeds on this matter.

(PTI)

India wants Pakistan to send them a certified copy of the charge-sheet as well as the judgement in the death sentence of Kulbhushan Jadhav

India today said it was yet to get a response from Pakistan on its demand for a certified copy of the charge-sheet as well as the military court order awarding death sentence to the retired Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav. "We have sought from the Foreign Ministry (of Pakistan) a certified copy of the charge-sheet as well as the judgement in the death sentence of Jadhav, but there is no response yet from Pakistan's side," MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay told reporters. India had already announced that it would appeal against the death sentence to Jadhav. Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad, Gautam Bambawale, had met Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on Friday in connection with the case and demanded a certified copy of the charge-sheet and the judgement, besides consular access to Jadhav. "India made the demand for the two documents on Friday when the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad met the Pakistan Foreign Secretary," said Baglay, replying to a question on the issue. The death sentence to Jadhav, 46, was confirmed by Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa after the Field General Court Martial found him guilty of "espionage and sabotage activities" in Pakistan. Pakistan claims its security forces had arrested Jadhav from the restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. It also claimed that he was "a serving officer in the Indian Navy". The Pakistan Army had also released a "confessional video" of Jadhav after his arrest. However, India denied Pakistan's contention and maintained that Jadhav was kidnapped by the Pakistan authorities. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had warned that Jadhav's execution would be taken by India as a "pre-meditated murder" and Pakistan should "consider its consequences" on bilateral relations, if it proceeds on this matter. (PTI)

India yet to get spy case report from Pakistan

Pakistan has apprehended three suspected Indian spies in Pakistan&#39;s Kashmir on Saturday, days after another spy believed to be working for India&#39;s primary foreign intelligence agency was awarded a death sentence for espionage activities by a Pakistani military court.

The arrests come hours after India called off talks involving maritime security issues with Pakistan, in a further blow to the strained bilateral relations.

Indian media reports suggest three people allegedly working with India&#39;s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) were rounded up by the police in Rawalkot, Poonch district, for carrying out anti-state activities.

Mohammad Khalil, Imtiaz, and Rashid, all from Taroti village in Abbaspur -- a small town located near the de-facto border separating India and Pakistan -- were arrested for allegedly bombing a police station in Pakistan&#39;s Kashmir.

Pakistani officials said the trio was apparently targeting the &quot;China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)&quot; -- a $62 billion project undertaken by China to improve Pakistan&#39;s infrastructure.

The three men have been booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act and Explosives Act and will be produced before Pakistan&#39;s anti-terrorism court.

Pakistan said they were involved with three Indian army and RAW officers -- Major Ranjeet, Major Sultan and an unnamed officer, police told Pakistan-based Geo News.

Diplomatic brinkmanship over spy&#39;s death sentence

The India-Pakistan relations hit a new low when a Pakistani military court condemned a suspected Indian spy to death sentence for attempting to foment unrest in Pakistan&#39;s restive Balochistan province.

New Delhi reacted strongly to the verdict, calling the trial &quot;farcical&quot; and labeling the military court&#39;s injunction as &quot;premeditated murder&quot;.

While Pakistan maintain that Jadhav was given a fair trial and was subsequently found to have been a RAW asset, India say he was a former naval officer and had no links to the establishment anymore.

New Delhi also believe that Jadhav might have been abducted by Pakistan from Iran.

India has accused Pakistan of not getting consular access to Jadhav, despite having sent 14 such requests -- the most recent being on Friday.

But Pakistan hit back by saying that Jadhav carried two passports, one with a Hindu name and the other bearing a Muslim name.

Maritime security talks called off

Earlier on Saturday (April 15), India marked its protest against the verdict by suspending maritime talks with Pakistan.&nbsp;

A delegation from Pakistan&nbsp;led by its Maritime Security Agency (MSA) was to visit New Delhi April 16-19 to discuss issues related to the frequent arrests of fishermen transgressing maritime borders.

Unnamed sources in India&#39;s Coast Guard said the Ministry of Defence has not given clearance for the delegation&#39;s visit, according to Press Trust of India.

(WION)

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The incarcerations in Pakistan's Kashmir come days after a suspected Indian spy, Kulbhushan Jadhav, was sentenced to death for 'espionage'

Pakistan has apprehended three suspected Indian spies in Pakistan's Kashmir on Saturday, days after another spy believed to be working for India's primary foreign intelligence agency was awarded a death sentence for espionage activities by a Pakistani military court. The arrests come hours after India called off talks involving maritime security issues with Pakistan, in a further blow to the strained bilateral relations. Indian media reports suggest three people allegedly working with India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) were rounded up by the police in Rawalkot, Poonch district, for carrying out anti-state activities. Mohammad Khalil, Imtiaz, and Rashid, all from Taroti village in Abbaspur -- a small town located near the de-facto border separating India and Pakistan -- were arrested for allegedly bombing a police station in Pakistan's Kashmir. Pakistani officials said the trio was apparently targeting the "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)" -- a $62 billion project undertaken by China to improve Pakistan's infrastructure. The three men have been booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act and Explosives Act and will be produced before Pakistan's anti-terrorism court. Pakistan said they were involved with three Indian army and RAW officers -- Major Ranjeet, Major Sultan and an unnamed officer, police told Pakistan-based Geo News. Diplomatic brinkmanship over spy's death sentence The India-Pakistan relations hit a new low when a Pakistani military court condemned a suspected Indian spy to death sentence for attempting to foment unrest in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province. New Delhi reacted strongly to the verdict, calling the trial "farcical" and labeling the military court's injunction as "premeditated murder". While Pakistan maintain that Jadhav was given a fair trial and was subsequently found to have been a RAW asset, India say he was a former naval officer and had no links to the establishment anymore. New Delhi also believe that Jadhav might have been abducted by Pakistan from Iran. India has accused Pakistan of not getting consular access to Jadhav, despite having sent 14 such requests -- the most recent being on Friday. But Pakistan hit back by saying that Jadhav carried two passports, one with a Hindu name and the other bearing a Muslim name. Maritime security talks called off Earlier on Saturday (April 15), India marked its protest against the verdict by suspending maritime talks with Pakistan. A delegation from Pakistan led by its Maritime Security Agency (MSA) was to visit New Delhi April 16-19 to discuss issues related to the frequent arrests of fishermen transgressing maritime borders. Unnamed sources in India's Coast Guard said the Ministry of Defence has not given clearance for the delegation's visit, according to Press Trust of India. (WION)

Spy row gets murkier as Pakistan arrests three more Indian 'agents'

India strongly criticised Pakistan military court&#39;s decision to condemn Kulbhushan Jadhav - a man Islamabad believes is an Indian spy who was conducting &quot;subversive activities&quot; - to death on April 10.

Reacting strongly to the death sentence, India said it viewed the &quot;farcical proceedings against Jadhav&quot; as &quot;murder&quot; and that it violated basic norms of &quot;law, justice, and international relations&quot;.

&quot;Absence of credible evidence&quot; and the &quot;farcical and an opaque trial in a military court&quot; has underlined that Pakistan flouted the law, India&#39;s ministry of external affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay said during a media briefing on Thursday (April 13) afternoon.

Baglay also warned that if Jadhav was hanged, it would further deteriorate bilateral relations between the two countries.

The ministry of external affairs spokesperson also said that Pakistan had denied India&#39;s 13 requests for consular access to Jadhav over the past one year.

&quot;Pakistan denied consular access demanded by us. Therefore, we are not aware of where he (Jadhav) is being held. And neither has Pakistan shared any specific details with us,&quot; Baglay said.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> Live: MEA Spokesperson Gopal Baglay addresses media <a href="https://t.co/8lzMSCCRO6">https://t.co/8lzMSCCRO6</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/852455529217540096">April 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Islamabad also claimed that Jadhav entered&nbsp;its territory with a bogus passport.

Reacting to his claims, the spokesperson said: &quot;We cannot ascertain anything since we did not have any consular access. Which kind of spy keeps an original passport with him so I have my doubts on any allegations of him being a spy. We do not know what are the circumstances of his presence in Pakistan until we meet him. We need to know how he came to be in Pakistan in the first place.&quot;

Roughly two hours later, Indian news agency ANI reported that the Indian High Commission in Pakistan would try again to get consular access to Jadhav.

The Kulbhushan Jadhav case is a complex web of international espionage, with Pakistan claiming he was acting on behalf of India&#39;s primary foreign intelligence agency in the restive Balochistan province and India repudiating the claims.

India has long maintained -- which was reiterated again in Thursday&#39;s media briefing -- that Jadhav is&nbsp;a retired naval officer and an Indian citizen, but has categorically denied he was involved in cloak-and-dagger activities.

But Inter&ndash;Services Public Relations (ISPR)&nbsp;&mdash; the media wing of Pakistani security forces &mdash; say Jadhav was involved in &quot;espionage activities&quot; with an intent to wage a war against Pakistan, according to a Pakistani website, The Nation.

Last year, the government had extensively circulated Jadhav&#39;s &quot;video confession&quot;, in which he admitted to being a spy working for India&#39;s intelligence agency named Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

In the video, Jadhav had said: &quot;I am still a serving officer in the Indian Navy and will be due for retirement in 2022. By 2002, I commenced intelligence operations. In 2003, I established a small business in Chabahar in Iran. As I was able to achieve undetected existence and visits to Karachi in 2003 and 2004 and having done some basic assignments within India for RAW, I was picked up by RAW in 2013.&quot;

(WATCH: Jadhav&#39;s &#39;confession&#39;&#39;)

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Pakistan military said Jadhav has been convicted for &quot;his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan&quot;. (WION)
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(WION)

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A Pakistani military court had awarded Jadhav with a death sentence for carrying out 'subversive activities' to destabilise the country

India strongly criticised Pakistan military court's decision to condemn Kulbhushan Jadhav - a man Islamabad believes is an Indian spy who was conducting "subversive activities" - to death on April 10. Reacting strongly to the death sentence, India said it viewed the "farcical proceedings against Jadhav" as "murder" and that it violated basic norms of "law, justice, and international relations". "Absence of credible evidence" and the "farcical and an opaque trial in a military court" has underlined that Pakistan flouted the law, India's ministry of external affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay said during a media briefing on Thursday (April 13) afternoon. Baglay also warned that if Jadhav was hanged, it would further deteriorate bilateral relations between the two countries. The ministry of external affairs spokesperson also said that Pakistan had denied India's 13 requests for consular access to Jadhav over the past one year. "Pakistan denied consular access demanded by us. Therefore, we are not aware of where he (Jadhav) is being held. And neither has Pakistan shared any specific details with us," Baglay said. #WATCH Live: MEA Spokesperson Gopal Baglay addresses media https://t.co/8lzMSCCRO6 — ANI (@ANI_news) April 13, 2017 × Islamabad also claimed that Jadhav entered its territory with a bogus passport. Reacting to his claims, the spokesperson said: "We cannot ascertain anything since we did not have any consular access. Which kind of spy keeps an original passport with him so I have my doubts on any allegations of him being a spy. We do not know what are the circumstances of his presence in Pakistan until we meet him. We need to know how he came to be in Pakistan in the first place." Roughly two hours later, Indian news agency ANI reported that the Indian High Commission in Pakistan would try again to get consular access to Jadhav. The Kulbhushan Jadhav case is a complex web of international espionage, with Pakistan claiming he was acting on behalf of India's primary foreign intelligence agency in the restive Balochistan province and India repudiating the claims. India has long maintained -- which was reiterated again in Thursday's media briefing -- that Jadhav is a retired naval officer and an Indian citizen, but has categorically denied he was involved in cloak-and-dagger activities. But Inter–Services Public Relations (ISPR) — the media wing of Pakistani security forces — say Jadhav was involved in "espionage activities" with an intent to wage a war against Pakistan, according to a Pakistani website, The Nation. Last year, the government had extensively circulated Jadhav's "video confession", in which he admitted to being a spy working for India's intelligence agency named Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). In the video, Jadhav had said: "I am still a serving officer in the Indian Navy and will be due for retirement in 2022. By 2002, I commenced intelligence operations. In 2003, I established a small business in Chabahar in Iran. As I was able to achieve undetected existence and visits to Karachi in 2003 and 2004 and having done some basic assignments within India for RAW, I was picked up by RAW in 2013." (WATCH: Jadhav's 'confession'') Pakistan military said Jadhav has been convicted for "his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan". (WION) × (WION)

Kulbhushan Jadhav death sentence: India rejects Pakistan's 'farcical' trial

Pakistan has captured 18 Indian fishermen and seized three boats off the coast of Gujarat, National Fishworkers&#39; Forum said Sunday, a development that is likely to escalate tensions between the two countries.

Three fishing boats from Porbandar, Okha and Mangrol -- three towns in western India -- were seized and 18 fishermen sailing on them captured by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency late Saturday night from near the International Maritime Border Line (IMBL), NFF secretary Manish Lodhari said.

The captured boats had set sail from the coastal town of Porbandar a few days ago, Lodhari said.

This is the first such incident in April, Lodhari said, adding that in March alone, 231 Indian fishermen were arrested by Pakistan authorities and 40 boats seized.

On March 26, PMSA had apprehended over 100 Indian fishermen and seized 19 boats near IMBL.

Last month, the Indian Coast Guard had captured nine Pakistani fishermen along with a fishing boat found sailing in Indian waters.&nbsp;

Fishermen from both countries getting arrested for trespassing the maritime boundary has been a longstanding&nbsp;problem. But despite the spate of arrests each year, the two countries have yet to officially demarcate their maritime boundary.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

The captured boats had set sail from the coastal town of Porbandar a few days ago

Pakistan has captured 18 Indian fishermen and seized three boats off the coast of Gujarat, National Fishworkers' Forum said Sunday, a development that is likely to escalate tensions between the two countries. Three fishing boats from Porbandar, Okha and Mangrol -- three towns in western India -- were seized and 18 fishermen sailing on them captured by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency late Saturday night from near the International Maritime Border Line (IMBL), NFF secretary Manish Lodhari said. The captured boats had set sail from the coastal town of Porbandar a few days ago, Lodhari said. This is the first such incident in April, Lodhari said, adding that in March alone, 231 Indian fishermen were arrested by Pakistan authorities and 40 boats seized. On March 26, PMSA had apprehended over 100 Indian fishermen and seized 19 boats near IMBL. Last month, the Indian Coast Guard had captured nine Pakistani fishermen along with a fishing boat found sailing in Indian waters. Fishermen from both countries getting arrested for trespassing the maritime boundary has been a longstanding problem. But despite the spate of arrests each year, the two countries have yet to officially demarcate their maritime boundary. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Pakistan arrests 18 Indian fishermen, impounds three boats

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