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.

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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>
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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

India reiterated its stance that Kashmir was a bilateral issue with Pakistan, hours after the United States wished to &quot;de-escalate any sort of conflict going forward&quot;.

India&#39;s ministry of external affairs said they were willing to talk about Kashmir if terrorism sponsored from across the border abated.

&ldquo;We of course expect the international community and organisations to enforce international mechanisms, and mandates concerning terrorism emanating from Pakistan, that continues to be the single biggest threat to peace in our region,&rdquo; the statement released by the ministry stated.

New Delhi was responding to&nbsp;US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley&rsquo;s comment about the Kashmir issue.

In a departure from previous US administrations&#39; decision to stay away from the conflict in south Asia, Haley said: &quot;It&rsquo;s absolutely right that this administration is concerned about the relationship between India and Pakistan and very much wants to see how we de-escalate any sort of conflict going forward.&rdquo;

The senior member of the Donald Trump administration also expressed its intention of being a &quot;part of that (defusing tension in the region)&quot;.

&ldquo;We very much think that we should be proactive in the way that we are seeing tensions rise and conflicts start to bubble up and so we want to see if we can be a part of that,&rdquo; Haley said.

Haley also spoke about China&#39;s persistent vetos to label Jaish-e-Mohammad head Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.

&ldquo;The administration very much is looking at all of these avenues and some of the things we have talked about is sanctions and who is on the list and how we have managed that,&rdquo; she said.

New Delhi has blamed&nbsp;Azhar for orchestrating deadly coordinated attacks in 2008, which left 164 people dead and further 308 injured.

Kashmir&nbsp;has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in its entirety.

Rebel groups have for decades fought roughly 500,000 Indian soldiers deployed in the region, demanding independence or a merger of the territory with Pakistan.

The fighting has left tens of thousands, mostly civilians, dead.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

India reiterated that it was a bilateral issue and that Pakistan needed to control terrorists on their side for Kashmir talks to begin

India reiterated its stance that Kashmir was a bilateral issue with Pakistan, hours after the United States wished to "de-escalate any sort of conflict going forward". India's ministry of external affairs said they were willing to talk about Kashmir if terrorism sponsored from across the border abated. “We of course expect the international community and organisations to enforce international mechanisms, and mandates concerning terrorism emanating from Pakistan, that continues to be the single biggest threat to peace in our region,” the statement released by the ministry stated. New Delhi was responding to US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley’s comment about the Kashmir issue. In a departure from previous US administrations' decision to stay away from the conflict in south Asia, Haley said: "It’s absolutely right that this administration is concerned about the relationship between India and Pakistan and very much wants to see how we de-escalate any sort of conflict going forward.” The senior member of the Donald Trump administration also expressed its intention of being a "part of that (defusing tension in the region)". “We very much think that we should be proactive in the way that we are seeing tensions rise and conflicts start to bubble up and so we want to see if we can be a part of that,” Haley said. Haley also spoke about China's persistent vetos to label Jaish-e-Mohammad head Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. “The administration very much is looking at all of these avenues and some of the things we have talked about is sanctions and who is on the list and how we have managed that,” she said. New Delhi has blamed Azhar for orchestrating deadly coordinated attacks in 2008, which left 164 people dead and further 308 injured. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in its entirety. Rebel groups have for decades fought roughly 500,000 Indian soldiers deployed in the region, demanding independence or a merger of the territory with Pakistan. The fighting has left tens of thousands, mostly civilians, dead. (WION with inputs from AFP)

India snubs US' attempt to mediate Kashmir issue

An Indian lawmaker belonging to Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party has called for the demolition of Jinnah House in Mumbai.

Dubbing Jinnah House as a &quot;symbol of partition&quot;, Mangal Prabhat Lodha said: &quot;The Jinnah residence in South Mumbai was the place from where the conspiracy of partition was hatched.&quot;

Mangal Prabhat Lodha who is a Member of Legislative Assembly(MLA) from Malabar Hill in south Mumbai&nbsp;said, the place should be converted into a cultural centre showcasing India&#39;s rich heritage, The Times of India reported.&nbsp;

Lodha&nbsp;also said it was costly for the local government agencies to maintain the building situated in Mumbai&#39;s plush Malabar Hills.

<h2><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/jinnah-in-our-times-10538">Also Read: Jinnah in Our Times</a></h2>

The statement comes days after the Indian Parliament amended the Enemy Properties Bill. Now, people who migrated to Pakistan and China cannot claim their properties they had left back in India.

The Jinnah House, built in 1936, was the place where the three figureheads of India&#39;s freedom struggle -- Mahatma Gandhi, Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Jawaharlal Nehru -- spoke in detail about India&#39;s partition, a watershed moment in the Indian subcontinent.

Pakistan for close to four decades has urged India to sell the property or lease it to them, but New Delhi has repeatedly said that they have no intention of handing to their neighbours.

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Indian lawmaker mangal Prabhat Lodha has demanded that Jinnah house, the residence of Pakistan&#39;s founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, in Mumbai should be demolished for a cultural centre. Here&#39;s more to this story (WION)
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(WION)

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Mangal Prabhat Lodha, who belongs to PM Modi's BJP, said the building should be replaced with a cultural centre showcasing India's rich past

An Indian lawmaker belonging to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party has called for the demolition of Jinnah House in Mumbai. Dubbing Jinnah House as a "symbol of partition", Mangal Prabhat Lodha said: "The Jinnah residence in South Mumbai was the place from where the conspiracy of partition was hatched." Mangal Prabhat Lodha who is a Member of Legislative Assembly(MLA) from Malabar Hill in south Mumbai said, the place should be converted into a cultural centre showcasing India's rich heritage, The Times of India reported. Lodha also said it was costly for the local government agencies to maintain the building situated in Mumbai's plush Malabar Hills. Also Read: Jinnah in Our Times The statement comes days after the Indian Parliament amended the Enemy Properties Bill. Now, people who migrated to Pakistan and China cannot claim their properties they had left back in India. The Jinnah House, built in 1936, was the place where the three figureheads of India's freedom struggle -- Mahatma Gandhi, Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Jawaharlal Nehru -- spoke in detail about India's partition, a watershed moment in the Indian subcontinent. Pakistan for close to four decades has urged India to sell the property or lease it to them, but New Delhi has repeatedly said that they have no intention of handing to their neighbours. Indian lawmaker mangal Prabhat Lodha has demanded that Jinnah house, the residence of Pakistan's founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, in Mumbai should be demolished for a cultural centre. Here's more to this story (WION) × (WION)

Demolish Jinnah House as it is 'symbol of partition', says BJP MLA

Two Indian clerics, who had gone missing in Pakistan and were later grilled by Pakistan intelligence agencies for their alleged links to a Pakistani political party, were detained due to an erroneous news report, Deccan Chronicle reported.

A news report in Pakistan had questioned the repeated visits made by Nizam Nizami, the head cleric of New Delhi&#39;s Nizamuddin dargah, and raised questions whether he was linked to Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the primary foreign intelligence agency of India.

The other cleric, Nizami&#39;s nephew Asif, was detained as a &quot;collateral victim&quot;.

The duo was released after being interrogated by Pakistan&#39;s&nbsp;Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).&nbsp;

The report also said the ISI detained the two Sufi clerics without informing Pakistan&#39;s civilian government.

The report also suggested that the fact they were are Sufi clerics might have led the ISI to detain them. Muslims view Sufis as heretics in Pakistan.

Earlier this month, the uncle-nephew duo&nbsp;went missing in Pakistan on March 16 while they were travelling to the famous Daata Darbar Sufi shrine in Lahore.

The two clerics had gone to Karachi in Pakistan to meet their relatives.

The Pakistani government was unaware about their whereabouts when they were first contacted by New Delhi.

Eventually, Islamabad tracked them and allowed the clerics to leave for India on March 20.&nbsp;

(WION)

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Two clerics of New Delhi's Nizamuddin dargah had gone missing last week when they visited Pakistan to meet their relatives

Two Indian clerics, who had gone missing in Pakistan and were later grilled by Pakistan intelligence agencies for their alleged links to a Pakistani political party, were detained due to an erroneous news report, Deccan Chronicle reported. A news report in Pakistan had questioned the repeated visits made by Nizam Nizami, the head cleric of New Delhi's Nizamuddin dargah, and raised questions whether he was linked to Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the primary foreign intelligence agency of India. The other cleric, Nizami's nephew Asif, was detained as a "collateral victim". The duo was released after being interrogated by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The report also said the ISI detained the two Sufi clerics without informing Pakistan's civilian government. The report also suggested that the fact they were are Sufi clerics might have led the ISI to detain them. Muslims view Sufis as heretics in Pakistan. Earlier this month, the uncle-nephew duo went missing in Pakistan on March 16 while they were travelling to the famous Daata Darbar Sufi shrine in Lahore. The two clerics had gone to Karachi in Pakistan to meet their relatives. The Pakistani government was unaware about their whereabouts when they were first contacted by New Delhi. Eventually, Islamabad tracked them and allowed the clerics to leave for India on March 20. (WION)

Two Indian clerics went missing in Pakistan due to botched ISI operation: Report

The Indian government has taken up the matter with Pakistani authorities after two Indan clerics went&nbsp;missing in Pakistan.&nbsp;

Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted Friday morning that she has &quot;requested them (the Pakistani government) for an update on both the Indian nationals&quot;.&nbsp;

One of the clerics -- Syed Asif Ali Nizami, 80 -- is the head priest of Delhi&#39;s Nizamuddin Dargah. The other -- Nazim Ali Nizami, 60 -- is his nephew,&nbsp;

Swaraj said the two of them had gone to Pakistani on March 8, and that both of them had gone missing after they landed at Karachi airport.&nbsp;

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Indian nationals Syed Asif li Nizami aged 80 years and his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami had gone to Pakistan on 8 March 2017. /1
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/842586144470528000">March 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Syed Asif Ali Nizami is Head Priest (Sajjadanashin) of Hazrat Nizammuddin Aulia dargah. /2
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/842586952356380676">March 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Both are missing after they landed at Karachi airport. /3
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/842587114390802434">March 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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We have taken up this matter with Government of Pakistan and requested them for an update on both the Indian nationals in Pakistan./4
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/842587425310298112">March 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Syed Asif&#39;s son said the two clerics had gone to Pakistan on a pilgrimage to the famous Daata Darbar Sufi shrine in Lahore.

From there, he said, the two clerics were to fly to Karachi yesterday.

He added that Syed Asif was allowed to board the flight but Nazim Ali was stopped at Lahore airport because he had incomplete travel papers.&nbsp;

The family&#39;s last contact with Syed Asif was at Karachi airport,

Syed Asif&#39;s son said, but that both Syed Asif&#39;s and Nazim Ali&#39;s phones have been switched off since.&nbsp;

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Couldn&#39;t contact our relatives, appeal to govt to find out where my father is: Aamir Nizami, son of Asif Nizami who has gone missing in Pak <a href="https://t.co/KfGjkr7yvX">pic.twitter.com/KfGjkr7yvX</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/842407949985320960">March 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Watch:&nbsp;

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Two Indian clerics go missing in Pakistan (WION)
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(WION)

One of the clerics is the head priest of Delhi's Nizamuddin Dargah, the other is his nephew

The Indian government has taken up the matter with Pakistani authorities after two Indan clerics went missing in Pakistan. Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted Friday morning that she has "requested them (the Pakistani government) for an update on both the Indian nationals". One of the clerics -- Syed Asif Ali Nizami, 80 -- is the head priest of Delhi's Nizamuddin Dargah. The other -- Nazim Ali Nizami, 60 -- is his nephew, Swaraj said the two of them had gone to Pakistani on March 8, and that both of them had gone missing after they landed at Karachi airport. Indian nationals Syed Asif li Nizami aged 80 years and his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami had gone to Pakistan on 8 March 2017. /1 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 17, 2017 × Syed Asif Ali Nizami is Head Priest (Sajjadanashin) of Hazrat Nizammuddin Aulia dargah. /2 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 17, 2017 × Both are missing after they landed at Karachi airport. /3 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 17, 2017 × We have taken up this matter with Government of Pakistan and requested them for an update on both the Indian nationals in Pakistan./4 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 17, 2017 × Syed Asif's son said the two clerics had gone to Pakistan on a pilgrimage to the famous Daata Darbar Sufi shrine in Lahore. From there, he said, the two clerics were to fly to Karachi yesterday. He added that Syed Asif was allowed to board the flight but Nazim Ali was stopped at Lahore airport because he had incomplete travel papers. The family's last contact with Syed Asif was at Karachi airport, Syed Asif's son said, but that both Syed Asif's and Nazim Ali's phones have been switched off since. Couldn't contact our relatives, appeal to govt to find out where my father is: Aamir Nizami, son of Asif Nizami who has gone missing in Pak pic.twitter.com/KfGjkr7yvX — ANI (@ANI_news) March 16, 2017 × Watch: Two Indian clerics go missing in Pakistan (WION) × (WION)

Sushma Swaraj asks Islamabad for update after 2 Indian clerics go missing in Pakistan

Retorting to the reports of Pakistan planning to declare the strategic Gilgit-Baltistan region as the fifth province, the Centre on Wednesday said that it will study the matter and then give a response.

Pakistan&#39;s four provinces include Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh.

The Gilgit-Baltistan area is Pakistan&#39;s northernmost administrative territory that borders the disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

However, India claims the Gilgit-Baltistan area as an integral part of its territory. 
 
A committee headed by Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz recommended to grant the region a provincial status, Pakistani channel&nbsp;GeoNews had reported.

Minister of State for external affairs VK Singh told mediapersons, &quot;We will study it, our MEA spokesperson will give the response.&quot;

(ANI)

 
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India claims the Gilgit-Baltistan area as an integral part of its territory

Retorting to the reports of Pakistan planning to declare the strategic Gilgit-Baltistan region as the fifth province, the Centre on Wednesday said that it will study the matter and then give a response. Pakistan's four provinces include Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh. The Gilgit-Baltistan area is Pakistan's northernmost administrative territory that borders the disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. However, India claims the Gilgit-Baltistan area as an integral part of its territory. A committee headed by Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz recommended to grant the region a provincial status, Pakistani channel GeoNews had reported. Minister of State for external affairs VK Singh told mediapersons, "We will study it, our MEA spokesperson will give the response." (ANI)

Will study Pakistan's plan to declare Gilgit-Baltistan 'fifth province': India

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