India-Pakistan tensions are once again in focus after authorities in New Delhi cleared unauthorized structures and encroachments outside the Pakistan High Commission.

The action comes days after Pakistani authorities removed security barricades and parking poles outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, making the latest move another apparent tit-for-tat development amid strained bilateral relations.

According to the report, the structures near the visa section of the Pakistan mission were found beyond the compound’s approved perimeter. Authorities subsequently removed the unauthorized structures and encroachments.

Visuals show rubble, metal railings, gates, roofing sheets, bricks and concrete debris outside the mission. Parts of the outer structures, including corrugated roofing and metal fencing, were pulled down, while the main entrance remained intact.

Delhi Clears Pakistan High Commission Encroachments In Tit-For-Tat Move With Islamabad

Pakistan's last major offensive, which targeted New Delhi with a high-speed missile 71 hours into Operation Sindoor, triggering India's “final retaliatory attack”, according to a Discovery docuseries, Declassified: Operation Sindoor. India successfully intercepted the attack using the Barak-8 surface-to-air missile system at Sirsa, Haryana. The Documentary was, released on August 15, 2026, offers a detailed account of the May 2025 standoff between India and Pakistan.“At about 1:30 or 1:45, one high-speed missile was launched by Pakistan, aimed at Delhi, which was intercepted at Sirsa in Haryana”, said national security analyst Nitin Gokhale. The Ministry of Defence previously said that the attack targeted Indian Air Force bases and other military installations, but did not publicly identify New Delhi as a target.&nbsp;The attack triggered an intense assault from India, the first major attack targeting 11 Pakistani airbases. “This time the full responsibility was given to the Air Force to launch the BrahMos Cruise Missiles,” said Gokhale. The first phase of the attack targeted Rafiqui, Sukkur, Rahim Yar Khan and Nur Khan airbases, while the second wave targeted Sargodha, Bholari and Jacobabad.“The intent was to keep it calibrated and measured and drive home a message that, look, we can hit you at will, and you have no answer to it,” said Air Marshal Awadesh Bharti, SYSM, AVSM, VM. Senior officers claimed that the attack paralysed Pakistan’s air defence mechanisms, including runways, hangars and parked aircraft. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also admitted the damage, speaking at the Pakistan-Türkiye-Azerbaijan summit in Lachin, Azerbaijan, in late May 2025.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/thdc-tunnel-collapse-chamoli-15-feared-trapped-10-rescued-1786633418264">6 workers killed, 2 trapped as water, debris enter THDC tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli</a>“We engaged them on a front of almost 1,200 kilometres, almost 200 kilometres deep inside his territory,” Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, PVSM, AVSM, said. “Things were really happening the way we wanted it to… All our weapons were reaching the correct places.” The assault was led by high-speed BrahMos-A cruise missiles and prompted Pakistani military leadership to seek an immediate halt to the conflict.&nbsp;Pakistani Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) reached out through the established military hotline by the next morning. Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir also contacted US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. He requested Washington's urgent intervention to halt the rapidly escalating Indian offensive. Marco Rubio immediately called India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, conveying Pakistan’s desperate message that they wanted the fighting to stop.Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, SYSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, India’s DGMO during Operation Sindoor, said that he received a message at around 9 am local time that Pakistan's DGMO wanted to speak. He said the MEA also told him that the Pakistanis were “frantically trying to call.”"Sir, having hit so many BrahMos missiles at us, you should now be satisfied, and we can bring this to a stop,” said Pakistan's DGMO Maj Gen Kashif Abdullah according to Ghai's account. “Once they asked, and repeatedly asked, saying, ‘Now it’s enough, you’ve done enough damage, now let’s have a ceasefire,’ we conceded to their request,” India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said. “We were also very clear that we don't have to linger on it.” At around 5.30 pm, it was agreed that both sides would cease hostilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A Discovery documentary claims that Pakistan launched a high-speed missile at Delhi during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. India intercepted it at Sirsa.

Pakistan's last major offensive, which targeted New Delhi with a high-speed missile 71 hours into Operation Sindoor, triggering India's “final retaliatory attack”, according to a Discovery docuseries, Declassified: Operation Sindoor. India successfully intercepted the attack using the Barak-8 surface-to-air missile system at Sirsa, Haryana. The Documentary was, released on August 15, 2026, offers a detailed account of the May 2025 standoff between India and Pakistan. “At about 1:30 or 1:45, one high-speed missile was launched by Pakistan, aimed at Delhi, which was intercepted at Sirsa in Haryana”, said national security analyst Nitin Gokhale. The Ministry of Defence previously said that the attack targeted Indian Air Force bases and other military installations, but did not publicly identify New Delhi as a target. The attack triggered an intense assault from India, the first major attack targeting 11 Pakistani airbases. “This time the full responsibility was given to the Air Force to launch the BrahMos Cruise Missiles,” said Gokhale. The first phase of the attack targeted Rafiqui, Sukkur, Rahim Yar Khan and Nur Khan airbases, while the second wave targeted Sargodha, Bholari and Jacobabad. “The intent was to keep it calibrated and measured and drive home a message that, look, we can hit you at will, and you have no answer to it,” said Air Marshal Awadesh Bharti, SYSM, AVSM, VM. Senior officers claimed that the attack paralysed Pakistan’s air defence mechanisms, including runways, hangars and parked aircraft. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also admitted the damage, speaking at the Pakistan-Türkiye-Azerbaijan summit in Lachin, Azerbaijan, in late May 2025. Also Read: 6 workers killed, 2 trapped as water, debris enter THDC tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli “We engaged them on a front of almost 1,200 kilometres, almost 200 kilometres deep inside his territory,” Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, PVSM, AVSM, said. “Things were really happening the way we wanted it to… All our weapons were reaching the correct places.” The assault was led by high-speed BrahMos-A cruise missiles and prompted Pakistani military leadership to seek an immediate halt to the conflict. Pakistani Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) reached out through the established military hotline by the next morning. Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir also contacted US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. He requested Washington's urgent intervention to halt the rapidly escalating Indian offensive. Marco Rubio immediately called India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, conveying Pakistan’s desperate message that they wanted the fighting to stop. Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, SYSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, India’s DGMO during Operation Sindoor, said that he received a message at around 9 am local time that Pakistan's DGMO wanted to speak. He said the MEA also told him that the Pakistanis were “frantically trying to call.” "Sir, having hit so many BrahMos missiles at us, you should now be satisfied, and we can bring this to a stop,” said Pakistan's DGMO Maj Gen Kashif Abdullah according to Ghai's account. “Once they asked, and repeatedly asked, saying, ‘Now it’s enough, you’ve done enough damage, now let’s have a ceasefire,’ we conceded to their request,” India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said. “We were also very clear that we don't have to linger on it.” At around 5.30 pm, it was agreed that both sides would cease hostilities.

A Discovery documentary claims that Pakistan launched a high-speed missile at Delhi during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. India intercepted it at Sirsa.

Pakistan targeted Delhi with high-speed missile during Operation Sindoor: Discovery documentary

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Nov 5) once again claimed that he stopped the conflict between India and Pakistan in May – this time with a new number of planes “wounded” during the military operations. Taking the credit for stopping hostilities between the two neighbours, Trump alleged that he threatened India and Pakistan that he wouldn’t make trade deals with them unless they agreed to peace.&nbsp;Trump had first claimed four-five planes were downed during the conflict, then later said that seven were shot down, without specifying which side. In his latest claim, the US president, who was apparently “in the midst of a trade deal” with the two countries, has now said that while seven were shot down, an “eighth” plane was “badly wounded”.&nbsp;“I was in the midst of a trade deal with India and Pakistan, and then I read on the front page of a certain newspaper...I heard they were going to war. Seven planes were shot down, and the eighth was badly wounded. Eight planes were shot down essentially. I said, this is war, and they are going at it. They are two nuclear nations. I said, ‘I’m not going to make any trade deals with you guys unless you agree to peace,’” Trump said in his address at the America Business Forum in Miami on Wednesday (Nov 5).&nbsp;Trump further claimed that New Delhi and Islamabad were against the threat and said the conflict between them had nothing to do with trade deals with the US.&nbsp;“The two nations said ‘No way. This has nothing to do...’ I said, ‘It has everything to do. You are nuclear powers. I’m not trading with you. We’re not making any deals with you if you’re at war with each other’,” he said. He added that the next day he received a call that the two countries had made peace. “I said, ‘Thank you. Let’s do trade’. Isn’t that great? Without tariffs, that would have never happened,” said Trump.&nbsp;India has repeatedly denied the US president’s claims, saying that the two nations agreed to a ceasefire on May 10 after Pakistani commanders contacted their Indian counterparts to stop the conflict. Despite this, Trump has reiterated brokering the peace between the two countries.&nbsp;Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targetting terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the deadly April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26.&nbsp;

Trump had first claimed four-five planes were downed during the conflict, then later said that seven were shot down, without specifying which side. He has now claimed that another plane was “badly wounded”.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Nov 5) once again claimed that he stopped the conflict between India and Pakistan in May – this time with a new number of planes “wounded” during the military operations. Taking the credit for stopping hostilities between the two neighbours, Trump alleged that he threatened India and Pakistan that he wouldn’t make trade deals with them unless they agreed to peace. Trump had first claimed four-five planes were downed during the conflict, then later said that seven were shot down, without specifying which side. In his latest claim, the US president, who was apparently “in the midst of a trade deal” with the two countries, has now said that while seven were shot down, an “eighth” plane was “badly wounded”. “I was in the midst of a trade deal with India and Pakistan, and then I read on the front page of a certain newspaper...I heard they were going to war. Seven planes were shot down, and the eighth was badly wounded. Eight planes were shot down essentially. I said, this is war, and they are going at it. They are two nuclear nations. I said, ‘I’m not going to make any trade deals with you guys unless you agree to peace,’” Trump said in his address at the America Business Forum in Miami on Wednesday (Nov 5). Trump further claimed that New Delhi and Islamabad were against the threat and said the conflict between them had nothing to do with trade deals with the US. “The two nations said ‘No way. This has nothing to do...’ I said, ‘It has everything to do. You are nuclear powers. I’m not trading with you. We’re not making any deals with you if you’re at war with each other’,” he said. He added that the next day he received a call that the two countries had made peace. “I said, ‘Thank you. Let’s do trade’. Isn’t that great? Without tariffs, that would have never happened,” said Trump. India has repeatedly denied the US president’s claims, saying that the two nations agreed to a ceasefire on May 10 after Pakistani commanders contacted their Indian counterparts to stop the conflict. Despite this, Trump has reiterated brokering the peace between the two countries. Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targetting terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the deadly April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26.

Trump had first claimed four-five planes were downed during the conflict, then later said that seven were shot down, without specifying which side. He has now claimed that another plane was “badly wounded”.

‘Eighth plane was badly wounded’: Trump once again boasts stopping India-Pak war — this time with a new number

In what can be termed as a provocative speech, Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in Kakul on Saturday (Oct 18), issued a stern warning to India, saying that Pakistan’s expanding military capabilities could dismantle what he called India’s “misconceived immunity” over its geographic warspace. Issuing his latest threat, the Pakistani army chief warned that any future hostilities could lead to military and economic retaliation far beyond India’s imaginations. Moreover, he placed the responsibility for any potential escalation squarely on India, saying the catastrophic consequences would be India’s burden to bear.&nbsp;&nbsp;Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taliban-extends-ceasefire-despite-pakistan-s-truce-violation-3-afghan-cricketers-killed-in-airstrike-1760752265180">Taliban extends ceasefire despite Pakistan's truce violation; 3 Afghan cricketers killed in airstrike</a>&nbsp;Highlighting that there is no space for war in a nuclearised environment, he cautioned the Indian military against escalation. Referring to India-Pakistan conflict in May this year, and without naming operation Sindoor, Munir falsely claimed that Pakistan had achieved a “clear victory." His statements come even as Pakistan is grappling with deadly clashes with Afghan Taliban and widespread domestic protest against the Pakistani government in major cities.&nbsp;Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-minister-baselessly-claims-afghan-taliban-fighting-india-s-proxy-war-1760593863943">'Fighting India's proxy war': Pakistan minister casts doubt on ceasefire with Afghan Taliban, issues anti-India rant</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨 Breaking 🇵🇰🪖 Failed Marshal Asim Munir Issues Nuclear and Economic Threats to India. Should a fresh wave of hostilities be triggered, Pakistan would respond much beyond the expectations of the initiators. The resulting retributive military and economic losses inflicted will… <a href="https://t.co/2IHveD16ox">pic.twitter.com/2IHveD16ox</a>&mdash; OsintTV 📺 (@OsintTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/OsintTV/status/1979441960009060776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“Should a fresh wave of hostilities be triggered, Pakistan would respond much beyond the expectations of the initiators,” he declared. “The resulting retributive military and economic losses inflicted will be much beyond the imagination and calculations of the perpetrators of chaos and instability," he added. Further, he said, "I advise and firmly caution the Indian military leadership that there is no space for war in a nuclearised environment. We will never be intimidated nor coerced by your rhetoric and shall respond decisively beyond proportions to even a minor provocation. The onus of ensuing escalations, one that may ultimately bear catastrophic consequences for the entire region and beyond, will squarely lie with India.”&nbsp;Read More |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-afghans-have-always-been-loyal-to-india-explosions-rock-kabul-within-48-hours-of-pak-minister-vowing-big-action-what-happened-1760061090838"> 'Afghans have always been loyal to India': Explosions rock Kabul within 48 hours of Pak PM 'vowing big action' - What happened</a>&nbsp;Soon after, shifting his aggressive tone, Munir claimed that Pakistan had emerged as a “net regional stabiliser” in a turbulent global landscape. He cited growing partnerships with major powers including China, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.He praised Pakistan’s “historic all-weather partnership” with Beijing and lauded US President Donald Trump’s role in pursuing peace in conflict-ridden areas, commending his “strategic leadership.”

Pak Army Chief Asim Munir warned India that Pakistan's growing strike capabilities could "shatter" India’s perceived geographic security. Calling for caution in a "nuclearised environment," he claimed victory over India in May and praised ties with China, the US, and others.

In what can be termed as a provocative speech, Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in Kakul on Saturday (Oct 18), issued a stern warning to India, saying that Pakistan’s expanding military capabilities could dismantle what he called India’s “misconceived immunity” over its geographic warspace. Issuing his latest threat, the Pakistani army chief warned that any future hostilities could lead to military and economic retaliation far beyond India’s imaginations. Moreover, he placed the responsibility for any potential escalation squarely on India, saying the catastrophic consequences would be India’s burden to bear. Read More | Taliban extends ceasefire despite Pakistan's truce violation; 3 Afghan cricketers killed in airstrike Highlighting that there is no space for war in a nuclearised environment, he cautioned the Indian military against escalation. Referring to India-Pakistan conflict in May this year, and without naming operation Sindoor, Munir falsely claimed that Pakistan had achieved a “clear victory." His statements come even as Pakistan is grappling with deadly clashes with Afghan Taliban and widespread domestic protest against the Pakistani government in major cities. Read More | 'Fighting India's proxy war': Pakistan minister casts doubt on ceasefire with Afghan Taliban, issues anti-India rant

Pak Army Chief Asim Munir warned India that Pakistan's growing strike capabilities could "shatter" India’s perceived geographic security. Calling for caution in a "nuclearised environment," he claimed victory over India in May and praised ties with China, the US, and others.

Asim Munir warns India of 'military and economic losses much beyond imagination' if...

Security forces have launched an extensive search operation following the sighting of two Pakistani drones hovering over forward villages along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district on Saturday. The drones were observed late Friday night over Challiyari village in the Ghagwal sector and Chamliyal village in the Ramgarh sector, raising concerns about potential cross-border activities. The Border Security Force (BSF), in collaboration with local police, has cordoned off both areas and initiated a thorough search operation early Saturday to rule out any airdropping of weapons, narcotics, or other contraband across the border.&nbsp;(This is a developing story)

Security forces launched a search after spotting two Pakistani drones over villages near the International Border in J&K's Samba district. Drones were seen over Challiyari and Chamliyal, sparking fears of cross-border smuggling.

Security forces have launched an extensive search operation following the sighting of two Pakistani drones hovering over forward villages along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district on Saturday. The drones were observed late Friday night over Challiyari village in the Ghagwal sector and Chamliyal village in the Ramgarh sector, raising concerns about potential cross-border activities. The Border Security Force (BSF), in collaboration with local police, has cordoned off both areas and initiated a thorough search operation early Saturday to rule out any airdropping of weapons, narcotics, or other contraband across the border. (This is a developing story)

Security forces launched a search after spotting two Pakistani drones over villages near the International Border in J&amp;K's Samba district. Drones were seen over Challiyari and Chamliyal, sparking fears of cross-border smuggling.

Search operations underway after Pakistan drone sighting along international border in Jammu

Donald Trump has claimed credit for ending many wars ever since he assumed office. But one among those is the conflict between India and Pakistan, which lasted 4 days. But the US president has mentioned it over 40 times already, also calls it one of the big ones. Others on the list include Iran-Israel, and he is now actively mediating the Israel-Gaza war and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.&nbsp;But while recounting his telephonic exchange with PM Modi, he said, "I am talking to a very terrific man, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. I said, What's going on with you and Pakistan? The hatred was tremendous." “This has been going on for a hell of a long time, like, sometimes with different names for hundreds of years...I said, I don't want to make a trade deal with you...You guys are going to end up in a nuclear war...I said, call me back tomorrow, but we're not going to do any deals with you, or we're going to put tariffs on you that are so high, your head's going to spin,” he added.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/look-whos-behind-him-pak-military-indias-high-commissioner-to-uk-exposes-pakistans-state-sponsored-terrorism-9051451">'Look who's behind him – Pak military': India's High Commissioner to UK exposes Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism</a>&nbsp;Trump has been mentioning that the fear of tariffs led to the pause; India has had a different stand on the situation. The DGMOs (Directors General of Military Operations) of the two countries spoke, and then a ceasefire was announced. But to the world, the US president broke the news.&nbsp;&nbsp;In his statement, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, PM Modi clearly told President Trump that throughout this entire sequence of events, at no point were topics such as the India-US trade deal or US mediation between India and Pakistan discussed. The discussions regarding pausing military actions took place directly between India and Pakistan through existing military channels, on Pakistan’s request. But Islamabad has been thanking the US for pausing the cross-border fighting between the two nuclear-armed countries.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | &quot;...I am talking to a very terrific man, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. I said what&#39;s going on with you and Pakistan. Then I am talking to Pakistan about trade. I said what&#39;s going on with you and India? The hatred was tremendous. This has been going on for a… <a href="https://t.co/gJVOTmKjXN">pic.twitter.com/gJVOTmKjXN</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1960507380896059398?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yet again, US President Donald Trump takes credit for stopping the India-Pakistan conflict. He claims if it wasn't for him it would have escalated to a nuclear war.

Donald Trump has claimed credit for ending many wars ever since he assumed office. But one among those is the conflict between India and Pakistan, which lasted 4 days. But the US president has mentioned it over 40 times already, also calls it one of the big ones. Others on the list include Iran-Israel, and he is now actively mediating the Israel-Gaza war and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. But while recounting his telephonic exchange with PM Modi, he said, "I am talking to a very terrific man, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. I said, What's going on with you and Pakistan? The hatred was tremendous." “This has been going on for a hell of a long time, like, sometimes with different names for hundreds of years...I said, I don't want to make a trade deal with you...You guys are going to end up in a nuclear war...I said, call me back tomorrow, but we're not going to do any deals with you, or we're going to put tariffs on you that are so high, your head's going to spin,” he added. Also read: 'Look who's behind him – Pak military': India's High Commissioner to UK exposes Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism Trump has been mentioning that the fear of tariffs led to the pause; India has had a different stand on the situation. The DGMOs (Directors General of Military Operations) of the two countries spoke, and then a ceasefire was announced. But to the world, the US president broke the news. In his statement, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, PM Modi clearly told President Trump that throughout this entire sequence of events, at no point were topics such as the India-US trade deal or US mediation between India and Pakistan discussed. The discussions regarding pausing military actions took place directly between India and Pakistan through existing military channels, on Pakistan’s request. But Islamabad has been thanking the US for pausing the cross-border fighting between the two nuclear-armed countries.

Yet again, US President Donald Trump takes credit for stopping the India-Pakistan conflict. He claims if it wasn't for him it would have escalated to a nuclear war.

'Will put tariffs so high, your head's will spin': Trump claims this is how he stopped India-Pakistan conflict

Is it four, five, or seven? US President Donald Trump seems to forget his own claims and change them. While reiterating his claim of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May this year, Trump said that seven fighter jets were shot down during the military escalation between the two countries. The US president, however, earlier alleged that five jets were shot down, contrary to his recent claim.<h2>Trump’s new claim</h2>Speaking during a bilateral meeting with the South Korean President at the White House on Monday (Aug 25), Trump said, “I have stopped all of these wars. A big one would have been India and Pakistan.”“The war with India and Pakistan was the next level that was going to be a nuclear war... They already shot down seven jets - that was raging. I said, ‘You want to trade? We are not doing any trade or anything with you if you keep fighting, you’ve got 24 hours to settle it’. They said, ‘Well, there’s no more war going on.’ I used that on numerous occasions. I used trade and whatever I had to use,” the US president said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Trump brags about &#39;ending India-Pakistan war&#39; again: &quot;The war with India and Pakistan was the next level that was going to be a nuclear war... They already shot down 7 jets - that was raging. I said, &#39;You want to trade? We are not doing any trade or anything with you if you keep… <a href="https://t.co/a4XeDFGw4K">pic.twitter.com/a4XeDFGw4K</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1960033206922555455?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What did Trump claim earlier?</h2>Last month, the Republican leader claimed that five planes were downed during the conflict between “two serious nuclear countries.” What’s more interesting is that Trump did not clarify which country shot down how many jets on both occasions.“We stopped a lot of wars. And these were serious, India and Pakistan, that was going on. Planes were being shot out of the air. Five, five, four or five, but I think five jets were shot down, actually,” Trump said, seemingly unsure of the number. “These are two serious nuclear countries, and they were hitting each other... India and Pakistan were going at it, and they were back and forth, and it was getting bigger and bigger, and we got it solved through trade.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">US President Donald Trump says, &quot;We stopped a lot of wars. And these were serious, India and Pakistan, that was going on. Planes were being shot out of there. I think five jets were shot down, actually. These are two serious nuclear countries, and they were hitting each… <a href="https://t.co/eJXJm2jpZs">pic.twitter.com/eJXJm2jpZs</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1946396003076276476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>How many jets were shot down?</h2>Earlier this month, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh confirmed that Indian forces downed at least five Pakistani fighter jets and another large aircraft in May during Operation Sindoor, which was launched in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. During the operation, India successfully targeted nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The two nations reached an understanding of a ceasefire after four days of military conflict.The Air Chief Marshal added that Pakistani jets were shot down by the S-400 air defence systems, marking “the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill.”New Delhi has also rejected the repeated claims of mediation made by Trump, stressing that a ceasefire was reached bilaterally after a call from Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) to their Indian counterpart, and no third party was involved.

Earlier this month, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh confirmed that Indian forces downed at least five Pakistani fighter jets and another large aircraft in May during Operation Sindoor.

Is it four, five, or seven? US President Donald Trump seems to forget his own claims and change them. While reiterating his claim of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May this year, Trump said that seven fighter jets were shot down during the military escalation between the two countries. The US president, however, earlier alleged that five jets were shot down, contrary to his recent claim. Trump’s new claim Speaking during a bilateral meeting with the South Korean President at the White House on Monday (Aug 25), Trump said, “I have stopped all of these wars. A big one would have been India and Pakistan.” “The war with India and Pakistan was the next level that was going to be a nuclear war... They already shot down seven jets - that was raging. I said, ‘You want to trade? We are not doing any trade or anything with you if you keep fighting, you’ve got 24 hours to settle it’. They said, ‘Well, there’s no more war going on.’ I used that on numerous occasions. I used trade and whatever I had to use,” the US president said.

Earlier this month, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh confirmed that Indian forces downed at least five Pakistani fighter jets and another large aircraft in May during Operation Sindoor

Short-term memory loss? Trump changes claim of number of jets shot down in India-Pak conflict while taking ceasefire credit

India on Sunday (Aug 24) informed Pakistan about the flood situation in the Tawi river via its Indian High Commission to the Pakistan Foreign Ministry. This is the first time India has used this mechanism to alert Pakistan about the flood situation via the High Commission. This was not done through the Indus Waters Treaty, which remains in abeyance. The Indus Waters Treaty has been in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack. Ideally, under the Indus Waters Treaty, information is shared through the Indus Water Commissioner.&nbsp;Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/-lesson-will-be-taught-pakistan-pm-shehbaz-sharif-threatens-india-over-indus-waters-treaty-after-munir-s-nuclear-warning-1755052239429">'Lesson will be taught...': Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif threatens India over Indus Waters Treaty after Munir's nuclear rant</a>&nbsp;Heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, with 190.4 mm of rain recorded in 24 hours, the second-highest August downpour in a century. Low-lying areas like Janipur, Roop Nagar, Talab Tilloo, Jewel Chowk, New Plot, and Sanjay Nagar were inundated, with floodwaters entering homes, damaging boundary walls, and sweeping away vehicles. &nbsp;Rivers such as Tawi, Chenab, Ujh, Ravi, and Basantar swelled, prompting high alerts for disaster response teams.&nbsp;&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-alerts-pakistan-about-floods-via-high-commission-delhi-cm-attack-prime-accused-aide-arrested-1756093441912/embed&nbsp;

Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-must-share-water-or-we-will-wage-war-and-get-it-from-all-6-rivers-bilawal-1750685433701">India must share water or we will wage war and get it from ‘all 6 rivers’: Bilawal</a><h3>Indus Waters Treaty</h3>India and Pakistan, in 1960, made a formal agreement, called the Indus Waters Treaty, to decide how water would be shared between both countries from the Indus River. The need for a treaty for water sharing arose after Independence when control over the river became a point of potential conflict between the two nations. Pakistan went to the United Nations (UN), and the UN brought in the World Bank to mediate. After almost nine years of negotiation, India's then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan's then-President Ayub Khan finally signed the agreement in 1960. After the terror attack on April 22 in Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam district that killed 26 tourists, India put into abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistani leaders have issued "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pahalgam-terror-attack-live-india-responds-after-pakistan-army-initiates-firing-at-some-places-on-loc-8999391">war threats</a>" to India over this decision.&nbsp;Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-pakistan-tensions-world-bank-president-ajay-banga-indus-waters-treaty-no-role-beyond-a-facilitator-9051829">World Bank President Ajay Banga's big statement on Indus Waters Treaty: Here's what he said</a>

The Indus Water Treaty has been in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack. Ideally, under the Indus Waters Treaty, information is shared through the Indus Water Commissioner. But India, via its High Commission, has informed Pakistan about the looming flood situation

India on Sunday (Aug 24) informed Pakistan about the flood situation in the Tawi river via its Indian High Commission to the Pakistan Foreign Ministry. This is the first time India has used this mechanism to alert Pakistan about the flood situation via the High Commission. This was not done through the Indus Waters Treaty, which remains in abeyance. The Indus Waters Treaty has been in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack. Ideally, under the Indus Waters Treaty, information is shared through the Indus Water Commissioner. Read More | 'Lesson will be taught...': Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif threatens India over Indus Waters Treaty after Munir's nuclear rant Heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, with 190.4 mm of rain recorded in 24 hours, the second-highest August downpour in a century. Low-lying areas like Janipur, Roop Nagar, Talab Tilloo, Jewel Chowk, New Plot, and Sanjay Nagar were inundated, with floodwaters entering homes, damaging boundary walls, and sweeping away vehicles. Rivers such as Tawi, Chenab, Ujh, Ravi, and Basantar swelled, prompting high alerts for disaster response teams. https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-alerts-pakistan-about-floods-via-high-commission-delhi-cm-attack-prime-accused-aide-arrested-1756093441912/embed

The Indus Water Treaty has been in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack. Ideally, under the Indus Waters Treaty, information is shared through the Indus Water Commissioner. But India, via its High Commission, has informed Pakistan about the looming flood situation

With Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, India alerts Pakistan about flood situation via High Commission

Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, on Sunday (Aug 17), repeated claims that the nation downed six Indian aircraft during the brief military confrontation between the two nations in May, claiming that Islamabad had “video proof”. However, he did not, once again, provide any details to back the assertion. While relations between neighbours India and Pakistan have been tense for years, the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which was linked to Islamabad, triggered India's Operation Sindoor and subsequently a military confrontation between the two nations.<h2>What did the Pakistani minister say?</h2>Addressing a seminar in Lahore on Sunday, Naqvi boasted about being privy to key pieces of information surrounding the recent India-Pakistan war. There, he insisted that Pakistani intelligence had knowledge about India's plans ahead of time and that the nation had footage of six Indian planes being downed by the Pak military. The claim is not new and has already been refuted by India. On May 31, India's Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, speaking in Singapore, had flatly rejected Pakistan's claims of downing Indian jets, including Rafael's, as "absolutely incorrect".&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-travel-with-jo-youtuber-jyoti-malhotra-charge-sheeted-for-allegedly-spying-for-pakistan-1755406129532">‘Travel with Jo’ YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra charge-sheeted for allegedly spying for Pakistan</a>Naqvi, on Sunday, praised the Pakistani intelligence agencies' "important work" and said, "We need to acknowledge them." Without backing his claims about Pakistan downing Indian planes, evasively, he said, "Although the radar data had confirmed the downing of the Indian aircraft, Pakistan chose not to make any announcement until concrete evidence is in hand. We have video footage of all six Indian planes, which were shot down."Despite claiming to have the purported video footage, Pakistan has yet to present any evidence publicly.Naqvi also asserted that Pakistan destroyed an Indian oil depot during the conflict and that none of Pakistan's critical assets were damaged by Indian missiles. He declared that Pakistan had prior knowledge of New Delhi's strategies: "We knew whatever they planned, what aircraft they would use."&nbsp;Watch | J&amp;K: Two LeT terror associates arrested | Joint op by J&amp;K police, army<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/-j-k-two-let-terror-associates-arrested-joint-op-by-j-k-police-army-1755459827856/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/-j-k-two-let-terror-associates-arrested-joint-op-by-j-k-police-army-1755459827856/embed</a>&nbsp;

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has once again claimed that the country’s military shot down six Indian aircraft during the brief May confrontation, insisting Islamabad has “video proof” of the strikes. However, once again, the nation failed to back its claims with evidence.

Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, on Sunday (Aug 17), repeated claims that the nation downed six Indian aircraft during the brief military confrontation between the two nations in May, claiming that Islamabad had “video proof”. However, he did not, once again, provide any details to back the assertion. While relations between neighbours India and Pakistan have been tense for years, the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which was linked to Islamabad, triggered India's Operation Sindoor and subsequently a military confrontation between the two nations. What did the Pakistani minister say? Addressing a seminar in Lahore on Sunday, Naqvi boasted about being privy to key pieces of information surrounding the recent India-Pakistan war. There, he insisted that Pakistani intelligence had knowledge about India's plans ahead of time and that the nation had footage of six Indian planes being downed by the Pak military. The claim is not new and has already been refuted by India. On May 31, India's Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, speaking in Singapore, had flatly rejected Pakistan's claims of downing Indian jets, including Rafael's, as "absolutely incorrect". Also read | ‘Travel with Jo’ YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra charge-sheeted for allegedly spying for Pakistan Naqvi, on Sunday, praised the Pakistani intelligence agencies' "important work" and said, "We need to acknowledge them." Without backing his claims about Pakistan downing Indian planes, evasively, he said, "Although the radar data had confirmed the downing of the Indian aircraft, Pakistan chose not to make any announcement until concrete evidence is in hand. We have video footage of all six Indian planes, which were shot down." Despite claiming to have the purported video footage, Pakistan has yet to present any evidence publicly. Naqvi also asserted that Pakistan destroyed an Indian oil depot during the conflict and that none of Pakistan's critical assets were damaged by Indian missiles. He declared that Pakistan had prior knowledge of New Delhi's strategies: "We knew whatever they planned, what aircraft they would use." Watch | J&K: Two LeT terror associates arrested | Joint op by J&K police, army https://www.wionews.com/videos/-j-k-two-let-terror-associates-arrested-joint-op-by-j-k-police-army-1755459827856/embed

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has once again claimed that the country’s military shot down six Indian aircraft during the brief May confrontation, insisting Islamabad has “video proof” of the strikes. However, once again, the nation failed to back its claims with evidence.

Pakistan minister claims 'video proof’ of downing 6 Indian jets during India-pak conflict in May—but offers no evidence again

Amid reports that the United States is favouring Pakistan and not India, it was asked if Pakistan Air Force lost F-16 jets during Operation Sindoor. However, the Trump administration refused to answer the specific question despite its continued claim that it was instrumental in stopping the India-Pakistan war. India has categorically denied all claims about US mediation in the ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May this year. However, Pakistan nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, crediting him for stopping the war with India.&nbsp;&nbsp;When asked about F-16 losses, the US State Department said, "We refer you to the Government of Pakistan to discuss its F-16s," NDTV reported. The US State Department was also asked about Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir's nuke threat from US soil. In an email response to News 18, it said, “We are aware of these reports and would refer you to the Government of Pakistan regarding Chief of Army Staff Munir’s alleged remarks." Earlier, India condemned Munir's remark and said that ‘it was regrettable’ that such a statement was made from the soil of a ‘friendly country.’<h2>&nbsp;‘Five Pakistani fighter jets shot down’</h2>The statement comes days after Indian Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said that the IAF took down “at least” five Pakistani fighter jets and “one large aircraft” during Operation Sindoor in May. This was the first time that a senior officer from the Indian side had specified the number of Pakistani aircraft and jets downed. In May, India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan had admitted to losing an unspecified number of aircraft in the operation. Earlier that month, Director General Air Operations of the IAF, Air Marshal A K Bharti, had said losses were part of any combat. The Indian military had achieved all its selected objectives and all IAF pilots were back home, he had said.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/operation-sindoor-pm-modi-success-of-operation-sindoor-is-due-to-make-in-india-1754894671981/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/operation-sindoor-pm-modi-success-of-operation-sindoor-is-due-to-make-in-india-1754894671981/embed</a>&nbsp;<h2>India and Pakistan relations after Pahalgam terror attack</h2>Relations between India and Pakistan went downhill after 22 people were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in April this year. India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan and killing as many as 100 terrorists. Tensions rose after India's action, with Pakistan resorting to drone attacks on civilians and military positions of India's bordering states. India retaliated by targeting the military posts of Pakistan. Both countries agreed to a ceasefire at the DGMO level after the Pakistani DGMO contacted the Indian side following three to four days of heavy fighting. On the diplomatic front, India put in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty, suspended Pakistani visas and closed trade through border posts. Recently, Pakistan stopped newspapers to Indian diplomats and the Indian High Commission based in Islamabad. In a tit for tat move, India had also cut newspaper supplies to Pakistani diplomats and the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi.

Amid claims of US bias toward Pakistan, the US refused to confirm F-16 losses during Op Sindoor. The US also declined to comment on Asim Munir’s nuclear threat made from US soil. This comes after India confirmed that at least five Pakistani fighter jets were shot during Op Sindoor

Amid reports that the United States is favouring Pakistan and not India, it was asked if Pakistan Air Force lost F-16 jets during Operation Sindoor. However, the Trump administration refused to answer the specific question despite its continued claim that it was instrumental in stopping the India-Pakistan war. India has categorically denied all claims about US mediation in the ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May this year. However, Pakistan nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, crediting him for stopping the war with India. When asked about F-16 losses, the US State Department said, "We refer you to the Government of Pakistan to discuss its F-16s," NDTV reported. The US State Department was also asked about Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir's nuke threat from US soil. In an email response to News 18, it said, “We are aware of these reports and would refer you to the Government of Pakistan regarding Chief of Army Staff Munir’s alleged remarks." Earlier, India condemned Munir's remark and said that ‘it was regrettable’ that such a statement was made from the soil of a ‘friendly country.’ ‘Five Pakistani fighter jets shot down’ The statement comes days after Indian Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said that the IAF took down “at least” five Pakistani fighter jets and “one large aircraft” during Operation Sindoor in May. This was the first time that a senior officer from the Indian side had specified the number of Pakistani aircraft and jets downed. In May, India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan had admitted to losing an unspecified number of aircraft in the operation. Earlier that month, Director General Air Operations of the IAF, Air Marshal A K Bharti, had said losses were part of any combat. The Indian military had achieved all its selected objectives and all IAF pilots were back home, he had said. https://www.wionews.com/videos/operation-sindoor-pm-modi-success-of-operation-sindoor-is-due-to-make-in-india-1754894671981/embed India and Pakistan relations after Pahalgam terror attack Relations between India and Pakistan went downhill after 22 people were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in April this year. India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan and killing as many as 100 terrorists. Tensions rose after India's action, with Pakistan resorting to drone attacks on civilians and military positions of India's bordering states. India retaliated by targeting the military posts of Pakistan. Both countries agreed to a ceasefire at the DGMO level after the Pakistani DGMO contacted the Indian side following three to four days of heavy fighting. On the diplomatic front, India put in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty, suspended Pakistani visas and closed trade through border posts. Recently, Pakistan stopped newspapers to Indian diplomats and the Indian High Commission based in Islamabad. In a tit for tat move, India had also cut newspaper supplies to Pakistani diplomats and the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi.

Amid claims of US bias toward Pakistan, the US refused to confirm F-16 losses during Op Sindoor. The US also declined to comment on Asim Munir’s nuclear threat made from US soil. This comes after India confirmed that at least five Pakistani fighter jets were shot during Op Sindoor

Did India take down Pakistan's F-16 fighter jet during Op Sindoor? Here's what US said

Continuing with an anti-India stance, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday (Aug 13) said that "a lesson will be taught" to the "enemy" if they continue to stop the Indus waters. India has put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. The Pakistani PM said that India cannot snatch a drop of water from Pakistan. The neighbouring country has been claiming that stopping the Indus waters would be considered 'an act of war.'&nbsp;"I want to tell the enemy today that if you threaten to hold our water, then keep this in mind that you cannot snatch even one drop of Pakistan...You will be again taught such a lesson that you will be left holding your ears,” news agency PTI quoted Sharif as saying at a ceremony in Islamabad. A day ago, former Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari issued another war threat against India. Continuing with his old tirade, he said that if India continues with its suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, then Pakistanis "won't bow and they will confront." He also claimed that Pakistan has gone to the world and spoken about peace, while India spoke about war. He said that Pakistanis must raise their voices against oppression.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-army-chief-asim-munir-cozying-up-with-trump-repeats-anti-india-rhetoric-1754909040774/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-army-chief-asim-munir-cozying-up-with-trump-repeats-anti-india-rhetoric-1754909040774/embed</a>&nbsp;<h2>Asim Munir's nuke threat</h2>Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, on Sunday (Aug 10) made a nuclear threat against India and said that his country will obliterate any dam that New Delhi builds on the Indus waters. During his ongoing visit to the United States, he warned that if his country were ever pushed to the brink in a conflict with India, it would "take half the world down" with it. Speaking at a private black-tie dinner in Tampa hosted for businessman Adnan Asad, Munir said Pakistan is a nuclear power and would use its arsenal if necessary. He also said that India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty could put hundreds of millions at risk of starvation.Meanwhile, Munir was also trolled online for comparing India to a 'shining Mercedes' while calling his country a ‘dump truck.’ According to a report in The Print, Munir said, “I am going to use a crude analogy to explain the situation. India is shining Mercedes coming on a highway like Ferrari [sic], but we are a dump truck full of gravel. If the truck hits the car, who is going to be the loser?” Munir may have intended to praise Pakistan as a less-refined but stronger neighbour to India, but his choice of words backfired and the netizens were quick to troll him. In trying to cast Pakistan as powerful despite lacking India’s polish, Munir instead sparked a wave of mockery on social media, where many users claimed his analogy implied India was superior.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued another threat to India over the Indus Waters Treaty. He said that India will be taught a lesson if it continues to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance

Continuing with an anti-India stance, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday (Aug 13) said that "a lesson will be taught" to the "enemy" if they continue to stop the Indus waters. India has put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. The Pakistani PM said that India cannot snatch a drop of water from Pakistan. The neighbouring country has been claiming that stopping the Indus waters would be considered 'an act of war.' "I want to tell the enemy today that if you threaten to hold our water, then keep this in mind that you cannot snatch even one drop of Pakistan...You will be again taught such a lesson that you will be left holding your ears,” news agency PTI quoted Sharif as saying at a ceremony in Islamabad. A day ago, former Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari issued another war threat against India. Continuing with his old tirade, he said that if India continues with its suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, then Pakistanis "won't bow and they will confront." He also claimed that Pakistan has gone to the world and spoken about peace, while India spoke about war. He said that Pakistanis must raise their voices against oppression. https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-army-chief-asim-munir-cozying-up-with-trump-repeats-anti-india-rhetoric-1754909040774/embed Asim Munir's nuke threat Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, on Sunday (Aug 10) made a nuclear threat against India and said that his country will obliterate any dam that New Delhi builds on the Indus waters. During his ongoing visit to the United States, he warned that if his country were ever pushed to the brink in a conflict with India, it would "take half the world down" with it. Speaking at a private black-tie dinner in Tampa hosted for businessman Adnan Asad, Munir said Pakistan is a nuclear power and would use its arsenal if necessary. He also said that India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty could put hundreds of millions at risk of starvation. Meanwhile, Munir was also trolled online for comparing India to a 'shining Mercedes' while calling his country a ‘dump truck.’ According to a report in The Print, Munir said, “I am going to use a crude analogy to explain the situation. India is shining Mercedes coming on a highway like Ferrari [sic], but we are a dump truck full of gravel. If the truck hits the car, who is going to be the loser?” Munir may have intended to praise Pakistan as a less-refined but stronger neighbour to India, but his choice of words backfired and the netizens were quick to troll him. In trying to cast Pakistan as powerful despite lacking India’s polish, Munir instead sparked a wave of mockery on social media, where many users claimed his analogy implied India was superior.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued another threat to India over the Indus Waters Treaty. He said that India will be taught a lesson if it continues to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance

'Lesson will be taught...': Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif threatens India over Indus Waters Treaty after Munir's nuclear rant

In a sharp response to Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday (Aug 11) said that “nuclear sabre-rattling is Pakistan's stock-in-trade.” The MEA said that the international community can draw its own conclusions over the irresponsible remark made by Asim Munir during his visit to the United States. India said that Munir's statement raises doubts about the integrity of nuclear weapons and their control and stated that “the military is hand-in-glove with terrorist groups” in Pakistan. Terming the US a ‘friendly third country’, the MEA statement condemned Munir's remark and set the record straight repeating what Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already declared - that India won't give in to nuclear blackmail. “We will continue to take all steps necessary to safeguard our national security,” it added.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Statement by Official Spokesperson⬇️ 🔗 <a href="https://t.co/aEi9bMFOHi">https://t.co/aEi9bMFOHi</a> <a href="https://t.co/AGyyGNu8gv">pic.twitter.com/AGyyGNu8gv</a>&mdash; Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1954830988925673738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Asim Munir's nuke threat</h2>Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, on Sunday (Aug 10) made a nuclear threat against India and the world. During his ongoing visit to the United States, he warned that if his country were ever pushed to the brink in a conflict with India, it would "take half the world down" with it. Speaking at a private black-tie dinner in Tampa hosted for businessman Adnan Asad, Munir said Pakistan is a nuclear power and would use its arsenal if necessary. He also threatened to target any future Indian dams on the Indus River, saying India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty could put hundreds of millions at risk of starvation. Munir, as quoted by ThePrint, noted that Pakistan was a nuclear nation and said, "if we think we are going down, we'll take half the world down with us". Speaking at the dinner he hosted for Adnan Asad, who serves as Pakistan's honorary consul in Tampa, he also raked up the Indus Water Treaty issue.&nbsp;

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a statement on the nuclear threat by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir during his visit to the United States. India slammed the Pakistani administration and raised questions about the control of nuclear command 

In a sharp response to Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday (Aug 11) said that “nuclear sabre-rattling is Pakistan's stock-in-trade.” The MEA said that the international community can draw its own conclusions over the irresponsible remark made by Asim Munir during his visit to the United States. India said that Munir's statement raises doubts about the integrity of nuclear weapons and their control and stated that “the military is hand-in-glove with terrorist groups” in Pakistan. Terming the US a ‘friendly third country’, the MEA statement condemned Munir's remark and set the record straight repeating what Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already declared - that India won't give in to nuclear blackmail. “We will continue to take all steps necessary to safeguard our national security,” it added.

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a statement on the nuclear threat by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir during his visit to the United States. India slammed the Pakistani administration and raised questions about the control of nuclear command&nbsp;

India slams Asim Munir's 'irresponsible' nuclear threat, MEA says 'Pak army is hand-in-glove with terrorist groups'

Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir was trolled for comparing India to a 'shining Mercedes' while calling his country a 'dump truck.' Speaking at an event in Florida, Munir also issued a nuclear threat and said that Pakistan will obliterate any dam that New Delhi builds on the Indus waters. He slammed India over New Delhi's decision to put the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance. He warned that if his country were ever pushed to the brink in a conflict with India, it would "take half the world down" with it. However, netizens trolled him for his 'crude analogy.'&nbsp;According to a report in The Print, Munir said, “I am going to use a crude analogy to explain the situation. India is shining Mercedes coming on a highway like Ferrari [sic], but we are a dump truck full of gravel. If the truck hits the car, who is going to be the loser?” Munir may have intended to praise Pakistan as a less-refined but stronger neighbour to India, but his choice of words backfired and the netizens were quick to troll him. In trying to cast Pakistan as powerful despite lacking India’s polish, Munir instead sparked a wave of mockery on social media, where many users claimed his analogy implied India was superior.&nbsp;On X, critics latched onto his comparison, with one user saying, “The only truth in Munir’s statement is that India is the Mercedes, and his country is the dump truck,” mocking his earlier threats of plunging “half the world” into nuclear war if Pakistan’s survival was at stake. Others accused him of inadvertently admitting Pakistan’s weaknesses, calling the comment a self-own. Another user wrote, “At least they know their reality… they are dump truck and nothing else,” branding Munir a “failed marshal.” Some expressed disbelief, initially thinking his statement was satire, only to realise it was genuine. One quipped, “Pakistan truly deserves Asim Munir as their Army Chief.”&nbsp;Munir's&nbsp; &nbsp;

Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir may have intended to praise Pakistan as a less-refined but stronger neighbour to India, but his choice of words backfired and the netizens were quick to troll him

Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir was trolled for comparing India to a 'shining Mercedes' while calling his country a 'dump truck.' Speaking at an event in Florida, Munir also issued a nuclear threat and said that Pakistan will obliterate any dam that New Delhi builds on the Indus waters. He slammed India over New Delhi's decision to put the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance. He warned that if his country were ever pushed to the brink in a conflict with India, it would "take half the world down" with it. However, netizens trolled him for his 'crude analogy.' According to a report in The Print, Munir said, “I am going to use a crude analogy to explain the situation. India is shining Mercedes coming on a highway like Ferrari [sic], but we are a dump truck full of gravel. If the truck hits the car, who is going to be the loser?” Munir may have intended to praise Pakistan as a less-refined but stronger neighbour to India, but his choice of words backfired and the netizens were quick to troll him. In trying to cast Pakistan as powerful despite lacking India’s polish, Munir instead sparked a wave of mockery on social media, where many users claimed his analogy implied India was superior. On X, critics latched onto his comparison, with one user saying, “The only truth in Munir’s statement is that India is the Mercedes, and his country is the dump truck,” mocking his earlier threats of plunging “half the world” into nuclear war if Pakistan’s survival was at stake. Others accused him of inadvertently admitting Pakistan’s weaknesses, calling the comment a self-own. Another user wrote, “At least they know their reality… they are dump truck and nothing else,” branding Munir a “failed marshal.” Some expressed disbelief, initially thinking his statement was satire, only to realise it was genuine. One quipped, “Pakistan truly deserves Asim Munir as their Army Chief.” Munir's

Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir may have intended to praise Pakistan as a less-refined but stronger neighbour to India, but his choice of words backfired and the netizens were quick to troll him

Asim Munir calls India 'shining Mercedes' and Pakistan 'dump truck', trolled online for 'crude analogy'

As the nation reflects on this defining chapter, here are seven compelling facts that reveal why the Kargil War endures as a symbol of courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the motherland.

As the nation reflects on this defining chapter, here are seven compelling facts that reveal why the Kargil War endures as a symbol of courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the motherland.

Kargil Vijay Diwas: 7 untold facts that redefined India’s most daring war

In a big win for India, the US on Thursday (July 17) designated The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and group responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, as a global terrorist organisation. This is yet another example when Pakistan stands exposed in front of the world and India stands victorious in its attempt to sideline the neighbouring country for its support for terror groups on its soil. The TRF, which claimed responsibility for the horrific Pahalgam terror attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir earlier this year, was protected by the top leaders of the Pakistani government. Not long ago, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar pushed to omit TRF's mention from a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) press statement.<h2>How Pak got TRF's name dropped from UN statement&nbsp;</h2>Back in April this year, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, while speaking in Pakistan’s National Assembly, revealed that Islamabad used its position as a non-permanent member of the UNSC to alter the language in the US-proposed statement, which originally named and shamed TRF. "On behalf of Pakistan, I had two objections [to the statement]. First, only Pahalgam was mentioned and secondly, the blame was put on The Resistance Forum," Dar said, using an alternate name for TRF. "I thought this was not acceptable. You have to write Jammu and Kashmir along with Pahalgam." He added, " I gave clear instructions to our ambassador at the UN to ensure the amendments are made," he said. According to Dar, the process to finalise the statement took 2.5 days as Pakistan refused to accept the initial draft. "I received phone calls from big capitals to come to a consensus on the draft, but I told them nothing doing," he said. Ultimately, Pakistan’s objections were reflected in the final press statement issued by the UNSC.<h2>UNSC statement that Dar spoke about</h2>The UNSC condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam, underlining the need to hold the perpetrators, organisers and the sponsors of "this reprehensible act of terrorism" accountable and bring them to justice. "The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, during which at least 26 people were killed and many more injured," it said in the press statement. The 15 members reiterated that any acts of terrorism were criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat, by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.<h2>India's proof against TRF</h2>In an Operation Sindoor press briefing, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that India in the half-yearly report to the monitoring team of the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee in May and November 2024, had given inputs about TRF. "A group calling itself ‘The Resistance Front’ has claimed responsibility for the attack. This group is a front for the UN-proscribed Pakistani terrorist group, Lashkar-e-Taiba," Misri said. He further informed that in December 2023, India had informed the monitoring team about Lashkar and Jaish-e-Mohammad operating through small terror groups such as the TRF. He said that Pakistan exposed itself when it attempted to remove references to TRF from the UNSC press statement.<h2>Who are the Resistance Front (TRF)?</h2>The Resistance Front (TRF) is an offshoot of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The group reportedly came into being after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) banned TRF, all its forms and front groups in January 2023. The MHA also declared the TRF a terrorist group under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).&nbsp;The TRF is reportedly founded by founder Sheikh Sajjad Gul also known as Sheikh Sajjad and its leaders include LeT operatives Sajid Jatt and Salim Rehmani. Sajjad Gul was designated as a terrorist by the Indian government in 2022. Gul was also involved in hatching a criminal conspiracy to eliminate journalist Shujaat Bukhari along with two of his personal security officers, at the Press Enclave area of Srinagar on June 14, 2018.&nbsp;The group came to the fore when J&amp;K Police busted a unit of over ground workers (OGWs) in Sopore and Kupwara. In the past, the group has issued threats to media houses in the Valley for “traitorous acts.” Ahead of the Pahalgam terror attack, this group claimed responsibility for the Z-Morh Tunnel attack in Ganderbal on October 20, 2024. According to 2022 data, out of 172 terrorists that were killed in Jammu and Kashmir, 108 were linked to The Resistance Front.&nbsp;“TRF is recruiting youth through online medium for furtherance of terrorist activities and has been also involved in carrying out propaganda on terror activities, recruitment of terrorists, infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of weapons and narcotics from Pakistan into J&amp;K. TRF is involved in psychological operations on social media platforms for inciting people of J&amp;K to join terrorist outfits against the Indian state,” the MHA notification stated about TRF.&nbsp;The MHA notification also added that “the activities of TRF are detrimental for the national security and sovereignty of India. A large number of cases have been registered against the members/associates of the TRF relating to planning of killing of security personnel and civilians of J&amp;K, co-coordinating and transporting weapons to support proscribed terrorist organisations…”

The Resistance Front (TRF) has been designated a global terror group by the US. This is yet another example when Pakistan stands exposed in front of the world and India stands victorious in its attempt to sideline the neighbouring country for its support for terror groups on its soil. 

In a big win for India, the US on Thursday (July 17) designated The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and group responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, as a global terrorist organisation. This is yet another example when Pakistan stands exposed in front of the world and India stands victorious in its attempt to sideline the neighbouring country for its support for terror groups on its soil. The TRF, which claimed responsibility for the horrific Pahalgam terror attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir earlier this year, was protected by the top leaders of the Pakistani government. Not long ago, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar pushed to omit TRF's mention from a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) press statement. How Pak got TRF's name dropped from UN statement Back in April this year, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, while speaking in Pakistan’s National Assembly, revealed that Islamabad used its position as a non-permanent member of the UNSC to alter the language in the US-proposed statement, which originally named and shamed TRF. "On behalf of Pakistan, I had two objections [to the statement]. First, only Pahalgam was mentioned and secondly, the blame was put on The Resistance Forum," Dar said, using an alternate name for TRF. "I thought this was not acceptable. You have to write Jammu and Kashmir along with Pahalgam." He added, " I gave clear instructions to our ambassador at the UN to ensure the amendments are made," he said. According to Dar, the process to finalise the statement took 2.5 days as Pakistan refused to accept the initial draft. "I received phone calls from big capitals to come to a consensus on the draft, but I told them nothing doing," he said. Ultimately, Pakistan’s objections were reflected in the final press statement issued by the UNSC. UNSC statement that Dar spoke about The UNSC condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam, underlining the need to hold the perpetrators, organisers and the sponsors of "this reprehensible act of terrorism" accountable and bring them to justice. "The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, during which at least 26 people were killed and many more injured," it said in the press statement. The 15 members reiterated that any acts of terrorism were criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat, by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. India's proof against TRF In an Operation Sindoor press briefing, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that India in the half-yearly report to the monitoring team of the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee in May and November 2024, had given inputs about TRF. "A group calling itself ‘The Resistance Front’ has claimed responsibility for the attack. This group is a front for the UN-proscribed Pakistani terrorist group, Lashkar-e-Taiba," Misri said. He further informed that in December 2023, India had informed the monitoring team about Lashkar and Jaish-e-Mohammad operating through small terror groups such as the TRF. He said that Pakistan exposed itself when it attempted to remove references to TRF from the UNSC press statement. Who are the Resistance Front (TRF)? The Resistance Front (TRF) is an offshoot of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The group reportedly came into being after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) banned TRF, all its forms and front groups in January 2023. The MHA also declared the TRF a terrorist group under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The TRF is reportedly founded by founder Sheikh Sajjad Gul also known as Sheikh Sajjad and its leaders include LeT operatives Sajid Jatt and Salim Rehmani. Sajjad Gul was designated as a terrorist by the Indian government in 2022. Gul was also involved in hatching a criminal conspiracy to eliminate journalist Shujaat Bukhari along with two of his personal security officers, at the Press Enclave area of Srinagar on June 14, 2018. The group came to the fore when J&K Police busted a unit of over ground workers (OGWs) in Sopore and Kupwara. In the past, the group has issued threats to media houses in the Valley for “traitorous acts.” Ahead of the Pahalgam terror attack, this group claimed responsibility for the Z-Morh Tunnel attack in Ganderbal on October 20, 2024. According to 2022 data, out of 172 terrorists that were killed in Jammu and Kashmir, 108 were linked to The Resistance Front. “TRF is recruiting youth through online medium for furtherance of terrorist activities and has been also involved in carrying out propaganda on terror activities, recruitment of terrorists, infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of weapons and narcotics from Pakistan into J&K. TRF is involved in psychological operations on social media platforms for inciting people of J&K to join terrorist outfits against the Indian state,” the MHA notification stated about TRF. The MHA notification also added that “the activities of TRF are detrimental for the national security and sovereignty of India. A large number of cases have been registered against the members/associates of the TRF relating to planning of killing of security personnel and civilians of J&K, co-coordinating and transporting weapons to support proscribed terrorist organisations…”

The Resistance Front (TRF) has been designated a global terror group by the US. This is yet another example when Pakistan stands exposed in front of the world and India stands victorious in its attempt to sideline the neighbouring country for its support for terror groups on its soil.&nbsp;

Pakistan's hypocrisy EXPOSED: Ishaq Dar once blocked mention of Lashkar backed TRF in UNSC statement

In a big win for India, the US Department of State on Thursday (July 17) designated The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and group responsible for April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, as a terrorist organisation.&nbsp;"Today, the Department of State is adding The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). TRF, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) front and proxy, claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack which killed 26 civilians. This was the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks conducted by LeT. TRF has also claimed responsibility for several attacks against Indian security forces, including most recently in 2024," the statement read.<h2>Who are The Resistance Front (TRF)?</h2>The Resistance Front (TRF) is an offshoot of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The group reportedly came into being after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) banned TRF, all its forms and front groups in January 2023. The MHA also declared the TRF a terrorist group under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).&nbsp;The TRF is reportedly founded by founder Sheikh Sajjad Gul also known as Sheikh Sajjad and its leaders include LeT operatives Sajid Jatt and Salim Rehmani. Sajjad Gul was designated as a terrorist by the Indian government in 2022. Gul was also involved in hatching a criminal conspiracy to eliminate journalist Shujaat Bukhari along with two of his personal security officers, at the Press Enclave area of Srinagar on June 14, 2018.&nbsp;The group came to the fore when J&amp;K Police busted a unit of over ground workers (OGWs) in Sopore and Kupwara. In the past, the group has issued threats to media houses in the Valley for “traitorous acts.” Ahead of the Pahalgam terror attack, this group claimed responsibility for the Z-Morh Tunnel attack in Ganderbal on October 20, 2024. According to 2022 data, out of 172 terrorists that were killed in Jammu and Kashmir, 108 were linked to The Resistance Front.&nbsp;&nbsp;“TRF is recruiting youth through online medium for furtherance of terrorist activities and has been also involved in carrying out propaganda on terror activities, recruitment of terrorists, infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of weapons and narcotics from Pakistan into J&amp;K. TRF is involved in psychological operations on social media platforms for inciting people of J&amp;K to join terrorist outfits against the Indian state,” the MHA notification stated about TRF.&nbsp;The MHA notification also added that “the activities of TRF are detrimental for the national security and sovereignty of India. A large number of cases have been registered against the members/associates of the TRF relating to planning of killing of security personnel and civilians of J&amp;K, co-coordinating and transporting weapons to support proscribed terrorist organisations…”

The Resistance Front (TRF) is an offshoot of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The group reportedly came into being after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019

In a big win for India, the US Department of State on Thursday (July 17) designated The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and group responsible for April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, as a terrorist organisation. "Today, the Department of State is adding The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). TRF, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) front and proxy, claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack which killed 26 civilians. This was the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks conducted by LeT. TRF has also claimed responsibility for several attacks against Indian security forces, including most recently in 2024," the statement read. Who are The Resistance Front (TRF)? The Resistance Front (TRF) is an offshoot of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The group reportedly came into being after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) banned TRF, all its forms and front groups in January 2023. The MHA also declared the TRF a terrorist group under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The TRF is reportedly founded by founder Sheikh Sajjad Gul also known as Sheikh Sajjad and its leaders include LeT operatives Sajid Jatt and Salim Rehmani. Sajjad Gul was designated as a terrorist by the Indian government in 2022. Gul was also involved in hatching a criminal conspiracy to eliminate journalist Shujaat Bukhari along with two of his personal security officers, at the Press Enclave area of Srinagar on June 14, 2018. The group came to the fore when J&K Police busted a unit of over ground workers (OGWs) in Sopore and Kupwara. In the past, the group has issued threats to media houses in the Valley for “traitorous acts.” Ahead of the Pahalgam terror attack, this group claimed responsibility for the Z-Morh Tunnel attack in Ganderbal on October 20, 2024. According to 2022 data, out of 172 terrorists that were killed in Jammu and Kashmir, 108 were linked to The Resistance Front. “TRF is recruiting youth through online medium for furtherance of terrorist activities and has been also involved in carrying out propaganda on terror activities, recruitment of terrorists, infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of weapons and narcotics from Pakistan into J&K. TRF is involved in psychological operations on social media platforms for inciting people of J&K to join terrorist outfits against the Indian state,” the MHA notification stated about TRF. The MHA notification also added that “the activities of TRF are detrimental for the national security and sovereignty of India. A large number of cases have been registered against the members/associates of the TRF relating to planning of killing of security personnel and civilians of J&K, co-coordinating and transporting weapons to support proscribed terrorist organisations…”

The Resistance Front (TRF) is an offshoot of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The group reportedly came into being after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019

Who are TRF: Pakistani outfit responsible for Pahalgam terror attack, now US-designated terrorist group

In a television interview, Pakistan's former Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar was fact-checked about the viral image of a global terrorist with the Pakistan Army present at the funeral of terrorists killed by India during Operation Sindoor. During an interview with Al Jazeera, Khar claimed that the person in the viral image was not a terrorist. However, she was interrupted by the interviewer who said that Pakistan Army did not say the image was fake in press conferences after India's Operation Sindoor.&nbsp;"I am telling you, with authority, with evidence which has been shared with the whole world, that this is not the man that you (India) are claiming it to be. That this is not the man that you are claiming it to be. There are a million Abdul Raufs in Pakistan," the Pakistani politician said, showing the widely circulated image of Rauf at the funeral procession.&nbsp;"They said that he's a member of a political party, and they released his national ID number. That ID number is the same one as on the US sanctions list. So, according to the US sanctions terrorist list, this man is a terrorist," the journalist told Khar. On this, Khar again attempted to claim that the man on the photo and the terrorist are different people. "The Pakistani army is defending this man (in viral photo). The Pakistani army is not defending the person who is proscribed by the US. The ISPR (Inter-Services Public Relations of Pakistan Army) categorically has said that this is not the same person, and you just sat over here and told me that they just defended him and did not say it is not the same person." Nevertheless, the interviewer reminded her that the national ID numbers of the US-designated terrorist and the man in the photo are the same.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former Pak Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, speaking to Al-Jazeera, says that thousands of Abdur Raufs (terrorists) exist in Pakistan. Pak military officials have attended many funerals.... Pakistan leaders have gone totally morally bankrupt! <a href="https://t.co/sRJRVMWSe4">pic.twitter.com/sRJRVMWSe4</a>&mdash; Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) <a href="https://twitter.com/MeghUpdates/status/1942765168116535560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

During an interview with Al Jazeera, Pakistani leader Hina Rabbani Khar claimed that the person in the viral image shown by India was not a terrorist. However, she was interrupted by the interviewer, who said that the Pakistan Army did not say the image was fake 

In a television interview, Pakistan's former Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar was fact-checked about the viral image of a global terrorist with the Pakistan Army present at the funeral of terrorists killed by India during Operation Sindoor. During an interview with Al Jazeera, Khar claimed that the person in the viral image was not a terrorist. However, she was interrupted by the interviewer who said that Pakistan Army did not say the image was fake in press conferences after India's Operation Sindoor. "I am telling you, with authority, with evidence which has been shared with the whole world, that this is not the man that you (India) are claiming it to be. That this is not the man that you are claiming it to be. There are a million Abdul Raufs in Pakistan," the Pakistani politician said, showing the widely circulated image of Rauf at the funeral procession. "They said that he's a member of a political party, and they released his national ID number. That ID number is the same one as on the US sanctions list. So, according to the US sanctions terrorist list, this man is a terrorist," the journalist told Khar. On this, Khar again attempted to claim that the man on the photo and the terrorist are different people. "The Pakistani army is defending this man (in viral photo). The Pakistani army is not defending the person who is proscribed by the US. The ISPR (Inter-Services Public Relations of Pakistan Army) categorically has said that this is not the same person, and you just sat over here and told me that they just defended him and did not say it is not the same person." Nevertheless, the interviewer reminded her that the national ID numbers of the US-designated terrorist and the man in the photo are the same.

During an interview with Al Jazeera, Pakistani leader Hina Rabbani Khar claimed that the person in the viral image shown by India was not a terrorist. However, she was interrupted by the interviewer, who said that the Pakistan Army did not say the image was fake&nbsp;

'There are million Abdul Raufs...': Pak leader Hina Rabbani embarrassed on TV for claiming terrorist as common man - Watch

The Delhi High Court on Monday (Jul 7) dismissed the petition filed by the Turkish company Celebi Airport Services, whose security clearance was removed by the Indian government during the India-Pakistan conflict in May this year over alleged support to Islamabad. The firm handles a large part of the services at nine major airports in India. Following the move, Celebi had filed a legal petition in the Delhi High Court challenging the Indian government’s decision.&nbsp;Bureau of Civil Aviation Safety (BCAS) on May 15 revoked the security clearance of the Turkish, citing national security concerns, after Ankara showed support to Islamabad and condemned India’s strikes on terror camps in Pakistan. Indian armed forces on May 7 launched Operation Sindoor in response to the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, targeting terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). On May 23, Justice Sachin Datta reserved the verdict after hearing the submissions in the matter.&nbsp;Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt Ltd oversee ground handling and cargo terminal operations at several airports in India. Defending the government’s decision, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta highlighted an ”unprecedented” threat to aviation security.&nbsp;Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, who is representing Celebi, on Friday argued that the Centre’s move was against the principles of natural justice. He added that the decision violated the procedure as per the Aircraft Security Rules. He said that the Director General of BCAS ought to have given the petitioners a hearing after issuing a notice of “proposed punishment” along with reasons for their action.&nbsp;In a statement released on May 15, the Civil Aviation Ministry said, “The security clearance in r/o Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd, under the category Ground Handling Agency was approved by DG, BCAS vide letter no. 15/99/2022-Delhi-BCAS/E-219110 dated 21.11.2022.”&nbsp;“In the exercise of power conferred upon DG, BCAS, the security clearance in r/o Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of National Security. This issues with the approval of DG, BCAS,” the statement added.

Bureau of Civil Aviation Safety (BCAS) on May 15 revoked the security clearance of the Turkish, citing national security concerns, after Ankara showed support to Islamabad and condemned India’s strikes on terror camps in Pakistan.

The Delhi High Court on Monday (Jul 7) dismissed the petition filed by the Turkish company Celebi Airport Services, whose security clearance was removed by the Indian government during the India-Pakistan conflict in May this year over alleged support to Islamabad. The firm handles a large part of the services at nine major airports in India. Following the move, Celebi had filed a legal petition in the Delhi High Court challenging the Indian government’s decision. Bureau of Civil Aviation Safety (BCAS) on May 15 revoked the security clearance of the Turkish, citing national security concerns, after Ankara showed support to Islamabad and condemned India’s strikes on terror camps in Pakistan. Indian armed forces on May 7 launched Operation Sindoor in response to the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, targeting terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). On May 23, Justice Sachin Datta reserved the verdict after hearing the submissions in the matter. Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt Ltd oversee ground handling and cargo terminal operations at several airports in India. Defending the government’s decision, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta highlighted an ”unprecedented” threat to aviation security. Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, who is representing Celebi, on Friday argued that the Centre’s move was against the principles of natural justice. He added that the decision violated the procedure as per the Aircraft Security Rules. He said that the Director General of BCAS ought to have given the petitioners a hearing after issuing a notice of “proposed punishment” along with reasons for their action. In a statement released on May 15, the Civil Aviation Ministry said, “The security clearance in r/o Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd, under the category Ground Handling Agency was approved by DG, BCAS vide letter no. 15/99/2022-Delhi-BCAS/E-219110 dated 21.11.2022.” “In the exercise of power conferred upon DG, BCAS, the security clearance in r/o Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of National Security. This issues with the approval of DG, BCAS,” the statement added.

Bureau of Civil Aviation Safety (BCAS) on May 15 revoked the security clearance of the Turkish, citing national security concerns, after Ankara showed support to Islamabad and condemned India’s strikes on terror camps in Pakistan.

Delhi HC dismisses Turkish firm Celebi’s plea on clearance revocation

As social media handles of several Pakistani celebrities became accessible in India on Wednesday (July 3), a massive backlash followed demanding a ban on Pakistani content. #BanPakContent started trending on X with netizens asking the Indian government as to why the ban was removed. However, amid the backlast, several media reports citing sources said that the ban is in place again and was removed due to a 'technical glitch'.The channels were banned after Pahalgam terror attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir in April. In response to the terror attack by a Pakistan-based terror group, India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror sites inside Pakistan. Later, India blocked several Pakistani social media handles and put the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance.&nbsp;<img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250703/image-1751533195779.png"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250703/image-1751533213949.png"> &nbsp;The Instagram and X profiles of Pakistani celebrities such as Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Shahid Afridi, Mawra Hocane and Fawad Khan once again became inaccessible to Indian users by Thursday morning. Additionally, Pakistani YouTube channels such as Hum TV, ARY Digital and Har Pal Geo have also become inaccessible again. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is yet to react to the sudden appearance and disappearance of the handles.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250703/image-1751533273657.png"></figure>

Several social media handles belonging to Pakistani celebrities became accessible in India on Wednesday, prompting a massive backlash. However, by Tuesday, it again became inaccessible and reports have revealed the reason

As social media handles of several Pakistani celebrities became accessible in India on Wednesday (July 3), a massive backlash followed demanding a ban on Pakistani content. #BanPakContent started trending on X with netizens asking the Indian government as to why the ban was removed. However, amid the backlast, several media reports citing sources said that the ban is in place again and was removed due to a 'technical glitch'. The channels were banned after Pahalgam terror attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir in April. In response to the terror attack by a Pakistan-based terror group, India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror sites inside Pakistan. Later, India blocked several Pakistani social media handles and put the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance. The Instagram and X profiles of Pakistani celebrities such as Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Shahid Afridi, Mawra Hocane and Fawad Khan once again became inaccessible to Indian users by Thursday morning. Additionally, Pakistani YouTube channels such as Hum TV, ARY Digital and Har Pal Geo have also become inaccessible again. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is yet to react to the sudden appearance and disappearance of the handles.

Several social media handles belonging to Pakistani celebrities became accessible in India on Wednesday, prompting a massive backlash. However, by Tuesday, it again became inaccessible and reports have revealed the reason

Pakistani celebrities' social media accounts banned again after #BanPakContent trends: Here's why they were accessible

The links of Pakistan army, with terrorists has never been a secret. During 'Operation Sindoor', the photos of top Pakistan officers attending the funeral of these terrorists had gone viral, exposing the decades-old nexus between Pakistan's army and terrorists. However, fresh revelations point to links between the father of Pakistan&rsquo;s Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, and al-Qaeda.
<h2>Who is Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry?</h2>
Lt Choudhry is the voice of the military before the world, but beneath the polished briefings lies a disturbing family history&mdash;his father, Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood, who was a nuclear scientist is linked directly to Osama bin Laden news agency PTI reported citing officials in New Delhi.&nbsp;
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-world-war-2-to-napoleonic-wars-7-of-historys-bloodiest-conflicts-that-claimed-millions-of-lives-9055259">'From World War 2 to Napoleonic Wars': 7 of history&rsquo;s bloodiest conflicts that claimed millions of lives</a>
Lt Gen Chaudhry serves as the head of ISPR which is the media wing of the Pakistani armed forces. Appointed in 2022 by Army Chief General Asim Munir, he has emerged as the key spokesperson during periods of military tension, particularly with India.&nbsp;
As per the United Nations documents, Chaudhry's father, Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood, born in Amritsar, was known to have met the late al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Currently 85 years old, Mahmood lives in Islamabad.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/f-22-f-35-su-57-rafale-and-more-check-out-the-worlds-top-6-stealth-combat-aircraft-9054887">F-22, F-35, Su-57, Rafale, and more: Check out the world&rsquo;s top 6 stealth combat aircraft</a>
Bashiruddin Mahmood began his career at the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in the 1960s and played a vital role in Pakistan&rsquo;s nuclear programme. He worked on facilities including the Kahuta Research Labs and the Khushab complex. After retirement, Bashiruddhin, &nbsp;co-founded Ummah Tameer-e-Nau (UTN) in 1999, an NGO to support humanitarian causes in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan before the US invasion in 2001.
<h2>Meetings With Osama bin Laden&nbsp;</h2>
According to reports, in 2001, Mahmood met with al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Mullah Omar in Afghanistan. He is alleged to have provided insights into the infrastructure necessary for a nuclear weapons programme with bin Laden. These meetings raised red flags across US intelligence agencies.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/indo-pak-war-why-is-ins-vikrant-known-as-indias-sea-fortress-9054543">Indo-Pak war: Why INS Vikrant is considered India's 'sea fortress'</a>
On 24 December 2001, the United Nations officially listed Mahmood as a terrorist for aiding al-Qaida.&nbsp;
US intelligence, which tracked bin Laden's meetings after the deadly 9/11 attacks, freaked out when they saw Laden had met with a prominent Pakistani nuclear scientist. In an interrogation by the CIA and the FBI, Mahmoud claimed that he had only discussed humanitarian issues such as food, health and education with Laden. He was eventually released, although was put on an exit control list by Pakistan.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/operation-sindoor-how-much-fuel-does-a-rafale-jet-burn-per-hour-during-a-mission-9054444">Operation Sindoor: How much fuel does a Rafale jet burn per hour during a mission</a>
Chaudhry's father was also known for unconventional scientific views. His post-retirement work centered on using supernatural beings 'djinns' to generate electricity.&nbsp;
As Pakistan claims to be a victim of terrorism, its military&rsquo;s leadership structure reveals deep-rooted links to jihadist figures and this is one such example.&nbsp;

Fresh revelations point to links between the father of Pakistan’s Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, and al-Qaeda.

The links of Pakistan army, with terrorists has never been a secret. During 'Operation Sindoor', the photos of top Pakistan officers attending the funeral of these terrorists had gone viral, exposing the decades-old nexus between Pakistan's army and terrorists. However, fresh revelations point to links between the father of Pakistan’s Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, and al-Qaeda. Who is Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry? Lt Choudhry is the voice of the military before the world, but beneath the polished briefings lies a disturbing family history—his father, Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood, who was a nuclear scientist is linked directly to Osama bin Laden news agency PTI reported citing officials in New Delhi. Also Read: 'From World War 2 to Napoleonic Wars': 7 of history’s bloodiest conflicts that claimed millions of lives Lt Gen Chaudhry serves as the head of ISPR which is the media wing of the Pakistani armed forces. Appointed in 2022 by Army Chief General Asim Munir, he has emerged as the key spokesperson during periods of military tension, particularly with India. As per the United Nations documents, Chaudhry's father, Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood, born in Amritsar, was known to have met the late al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Currently 85 years old, Mahmood lives in Islamabad. Also Read: F-22, F-35, Su-57, Rafale, and more: Check out the world’s top 6 stealth combat aircraft Bashiruddin Mahmood began his career at the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in the 1960s and played a vital role in Pakistan’s nuclear programme. He worked on facilities including the Kahuta Research Labs and the Khushab complex. After retirement, Bashiruddhin, co-founded Ummah Tameer-e-Nau (UTN) in 1999, an NGO to support humanitarian causes in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan before the US invasion in 2001. Meetings With Osama bin Laden According to reports, in 2001, Mahmood met with al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Mullah Omar in Afghanistan. He is alleged to have provided insights into the infrastructure necessary for a nuclear weapons programme with bin Laden. These meetings raised red flags across US intelligence agencies. Also Read: Indo-Pak war: Why INS Vikrant is considered India's 'sea fortress' On 24 December 2001, the United Nations officially listed Mahmood as a terrorist for aiding al-Qaida. US intelligence, which tracked bin Laden's meetings after the deadly 9/11 attacks, freaked out when they saw Laden had met with a prominent Pakistani nuclear scientist. In an interrogation by the CIA and the FBI, Mahmoud claimed that he had only discussed humanitarian issues such as food, health and education with Laden. He was eventually released, although was put on an exit control list by Pakistan. Also Read: Operation Sindoor: How much fuel does a Rafale jet burn per hour during a mission Chaudhry's father was also known for unconventional scientific views. His post-retirement work centered on using supernatural beings 'djinns' to generate electricity. As Pakistan claims to be a victim of terrorism, its military’s leadership structure reveals deep-rooted links to jihadist figures and this is one such example.

Pakistan’s ISPR chief is son of a nuclear scientist linked to Osama Bin Laden: Report

Commissioned in 2022, this warship now stands as an important asset for rapid response and deterrence in the Arabian Sea for critical situations.

Indo-Pak war: Why INS Vikrant is considered India's 'sea fortress'

India's defence forces have kept an eagle eye on the border since independence. The country has fought three key battles with its neighbours in the 20th century post-independence.

The India-China war in 1962 marked a turning point in relations between the two countries. Although India lost the war, the Line of Actual Control(LAC) became the focus of attention. In 2020, Indian and Chinese soldiers clashed again in Galwan nearly 60 years later. In 1971, India demolished Pakistan handing the biggest military defeat to its neighbour as a new nation Bangladesh was born in South Asia which was earlier called East Pakistan.

Watch |&nbsp;India@75: How India's conflicts with its neighbours changed South Asian politics

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india75-how-indias-conflicts-with-its-neighbours-changed-south-asian-politics-505142/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Indian forces were involved in another clash with Pakistan as the neighbouring country kept its "proxy war"&nbsp;alive to embarrass India as it started the Kargil conflict in 1999. The Indian troops pushed back Pakistan soldiers in Kargil with the help of the Indian Air Force which also aligned with the Indian Army.

Watch |&nbsp;India@75: Origin of India's defence forces

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india75-origin-story-of-indias-defence-force-505470/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In fact, the rise of women power in the defence forces has been a significant development in the last few years. Women have been leading the charge in India's defence forces over the years.

Shivangi Singh became India's first woman Rafale fighter jet pilot as the country inducted the elite fighter aircraft from France. The Indian Air Force ace was flying the MiG-21 Bison before the Rafale fighter.

Captain Abhilasha Barak scripted history after becoming the first woman to join the Army as a combat pilot. Reports say over 9,000 women are currently in service in various wings of the Indian armed forces. Women have also taken up helicopter operations on Indian Naval ships and have taken part in India's Coast guard and special frontier force. India's elite NSG unit has also inducted women commandos.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

&nbsp;

India's defence forces have kept an eagle eye on the border since independence. The country has fought three key battles with its neighbours in the 20th century post-independence.

India's defence forces have kept an eagle eye on the border since independence. The country has fought three key battles with its neighbours in the 20th century post-independence. The India-China war in 1962 marked a turning point in relations between the two countries. Although India lost the war, the Line of Actual Control(LAC) became the focus of attention. In 2020, Indian and Chinese soldiers clashed again in Galwan nearly 60 years later. In 1971, India demolished Pakistan handing the biggest military defeat to its neighbour as a new nation Bangladesh was born in South Asia which was earlier called East Pakistan. Watch | India@75: How India's conflicts with its neighbours changed South Asian politics Indian forces were involved in another clash with Pakistan as the neighbouring country kept its "proxy war" alive to embarrass India as it started the Kargil conflict in 1999. The Indian troops pushed back Pakistan soldiers in Kargil with the help of the Indian Air Force which also aligned with the Indian Army. Watch | India@75: Origin of India's defence forces In fact, the rise of women power in the defence forces has been a significant development in the last few years. Women have been leading the charge in India's defence forces over the years. Shivangi Singh became India's first woman Rafale fighter jet pilot as the country inducted the elite fighter aircraft from France. The Indian Air Force ace was flying the MiG-21 Bison before the Rafale fighter. Captain Abhilasha Barak scripted history after becoming the first woman to join the Army as a combat pilot. Reports say over 9,000 women are currently in service in various wings of the Indian armed forces. Women have also taken up helicopter operations on Indian Naval ships and have taken part in India's Coast guard and special frontier force. India's elite NSG unit has also inducted women commandos. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Watch India@75: India's defence forces & the rise of women power

Pakistan media reports said on Thursday that the Imran Khan government had suspended Samjhauta Express services with India.

Pakistan had earlier suspended the service in the wake of air strikes by Indian jets at Balakot in February after&nbsp;the Pulwama terror attack in which over 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

The service was restarted after Pakistan decided to release Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was taken into custody after his fighter aircraft was shot down by Pakistan forces.

The train service was finally started again on March 4 after Wing Commander Abhinandan arrived in India safely as&nbsp;both countries decided to pushback after the Balakot strikes.&nbsp;

On the Indian side, the train runs from Delhi to Attari and from Lahore to Wagah on the Pakistan side.

The train service was started on July 22, 1976 under the Shimla Agreement that settled the 1971 war between the two nations. It is named after the Hindi word for "agreement", comprises six sleeper coaches and an AC 3-tier coach.&nbsp;

From Lahore, the train departs on Monday and Thursday. The train operates from Delhi on every Wednesday and Sunday.

Pakistan media reports said on Thursday that the Imran Khan government had suspended Samjhauta Express services with India. Pakistan had earlier suspended the service in the wake of air strikes by Indian jets at Balakot in February after the Pulwama terror attack in which over 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

Pakistan media reports said on Thursday that the Imran Khan government had suspended Samjhauta Express services with India. Pakistan had earlier suspended the service in the wake of air strikes by Indian jets at Balakot in February after the Pulwama terror attack in which over 40 CRPF personnel were killed. The service was restarted after Pakistan decided to release Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was taken into custody after his fighter aircraft was shot down by Pakistan forces. The train service was finally started again on March 4 after Wing Commander Abhinandan arrived in India safely as both countries decided to pushback after the Balakot strikes. On the Indian side, the train runs from Delhi to Attari and from Lahore to Wagah on the Pakistan side. The train service was started on July 22, 1976 under the Shimla Agreement that settled the 1971 war between the two nations. It is named after the Hindi word for "agreement", comprises six sleeper coaches and an AC 3-tier coach. From Lahore, the train departs on Monday and Thursday. The train operates from Delhi on every Wednesday and Sunday.

Pakistan suspends Samjhauta Express services: Report

There are four power centres in Pakistan. Sitting atop the other three is the military, which controls one-third of Pakistan’s economy and almost all its terror groups. The other three centres of quasi-power are the government, the judiciary and the mullahs. The media is powerless. Civil society has no voice.&nbsp;

The Pakistani army is obsessed with India for one overriding reason: it justifies the army’s indispensability to the country and is good for business. The Pakistani army is run like a private limited company. Indian strategists working on counter-terror operations make the mistake of thinking that Pakistan’s “deep state” is responsible for Islamabad’s malignant behaviour. &nbsp;

There is no deep state in Pakistan. The army is the deep state and its tactics are open, even brazen. The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) makes no secret of its subversive role. Its public relations division (ISPR) is run by Major General Asif Ghafoor, who deals daily in Goebbelsian propaganda.&nbsp;

The Pakistani army’s Fauji Foundation owns businesses across Pakistan. In a written reply to Pakistan’s Senate in 2016, a glimpse of the army’s business holdings was revealed. As Dawn reported: “There were nearly 50 projects and units functioning in the country under the administrative control of Fauji Foundation, Shaheen Foundation, Bahria Foundation, Army Welfare Trust (AWT) and Defence Housing Authorities (DHAs).&nbsp;

According to the details provided in the reply, eight DHAs were established in major cities. These DHAs — mostly created through ordinances — are in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi-Islamabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Peshawar and Quetta. Besides, there are 16 projects/units functioning under the AWT, 15 under the Fauji Foundation and 11 under the Shaheen Foundation.”

Projects under the Fauji Foundation include plants manufacturing everything from cement and fertiliser to energy and cereal. The Fauji Foundation itself claims on its website that it runs 18 industries. Quite apart from official holdings, the Pakistani army controls benami land and foreign bank accounts.&nbsp;

The country’s defence budget at $10 billion is 3.5 per cent of Pakistan’s GDP —nearly double India’s (1.8 per cent) as a ratio of GDP. Few countries spend more on defence as a percentage of GDP than Pakistan. China’s defence budget is 1.4 per cent of GDP. A significant portion of Pakistan’s defence budget is siphoned off by the army’s top brass. There is little oversight.&nbsp;

To keep the defence budget high and the illicit money machine ticking over, the Pakistani army needs an enemy. India fits the bill. The Pakistani army is not interested in Kashmir. It uses the state to prosecute a low-cost, low-intensity proxy conflict with India, deploying its terrorist arms to attack India and keep tensions simmering just below boiling point.&nbsp;

A key part of this strategy is to maintain a facade of seeking talks with India. For the Pakistani military, talks and terror go together. Structured &nbsp;dialogue with India gives Islamabad respectability in the eyes of the international community, diluting the impression that it is a pariah state. But the Pakistani army has no intention of allowing talks, when they do take place, to actually succeed in resolving the Kashmir issue. A resolution would end the conflict. The army’s role in Pakistan would diminish. So would the Fauji Foundation’s fortunes.&nbsp;

India’s peace lobby comprises several well-meaning activists. The Pakistani army’s civil society proxies engage in endless track two meetings with them. The purpose: build a bridge to eventually open a dialogue between India and Pakistan at the political level. Meanwhile, the Pakistani army’s terror proxies — Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen — launch periodic attacks on Indian targets to ensure that the low-intensity conflict continues.&nbsp;

The Indian Air Force’s Balakot strike deep inside Pakistan changed the low-cost terror business model that the Pakistani army had perfected over years. Suddenly, the cost had risen. The loss of hundreds of terrorists and several Pakistani army officers in Balakot was just one blow.&nbsp;

An equally punishing one could be lying around the corner: blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The Paris-based body monitors money laundering and terror financing globally. The Pakistani establishment engages copiously in both. If the FATF blacklists Pakistan, it could severely damage that country’s already fragile economy.&nbsp;

Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pakistan’s foreign minister, was so rattled by the possibility of blacklisting that he told journalists at a recent press conference in Lahore: “The Foreign Office is calculating the annual loss if Pakistan is pushed in the blacklist by the FATF as India is lobbying for this.”&nbsp;

Indian foreign policymakers have been ambivalent over Pakistan. Diplomatic relations remain unchanged. A private member’s bill to declare Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism has been shelved. Cross-border trade continues as before, notwithstanding the withdrawal of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status. Even the ludicrous retreat ceremony at the Wagah border post between BSF jawans and Pakistani Rangers goes on unabated daily. Pakistan craves equivalence with India. Indian policymakers give it far too many opportunities to claim false equivalence.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Pakistani army keeps a beady eye on India, obsessing over every Pakistani rupee it can extract from the longest geopolitical fraud it has pulled off for decades through its proxy war of terror against &nbsp;India. The new Indian government, whichever alliance forms it, must end the charade that enriches the Pakistani army at the cost of Indian lives.

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-pakistan-army-private-limited-2738313">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

There are four power centres in Pakistan. Sitting atop the other three is the military, which controls one-third of Pakistan’s economy and almost all its terror groups.

There are four power centres in Pakistan. Sitting atop the other three is the military, which controls one-third of Pakistan’s economy and almost all its terror groups. The other three centres of quasi-power are the government, the judiciary and the mullahs. The media is powerless. Civil society has no voice. The Pakistani army is obsessed with India for one overriding reason: it justifies the army’s indispensability to the country and is good for business. The Pakistani army is run like a private limited company. Indian strategists working on counter-terror operations make the mistake of thinking that Pakistan’s “deep state” is responsible for Islamabad’s malignant behaviour. There is no deep state in Pakistan. The army is the deep state and its tactics are open, even brazen. The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) makes no secret of its subversive role. Its public relations division (ISPR) is run by Major General Asif Ghafoor, who deals daily in Goebbelsian propaganda. The Pakistani army’s Fauji Foundation owns businesses across Pakistan. In a written reply to Pakistan’s Senate in 2016, a glimpse of the army’s business holdings was revealed. As Dawn reported: “There were nearly 50 projects and units functioning in the country under the administrative control of Fauji Foundation, Shaheen Foundation, Bahria Foundation, Army Welfare Trust (AWT) and Defence Housing Authorities (DHAs). According to the details provided in the reply, eight DHAs were established in major cities. These DHAs — mostly created through ordinances — are in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi-Islamabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Peshawar and Quetta. Besides, there are 16 projects/units functioning under the AWT, 15 under the Fauji Foundation and 11 under the Shaheen Foundation.” Projects under the Fauji Foundation include plants manufacturing everything from cement and fertiliser to energy and cereal. The Fauji Foundation itself claims on its website that it runs 18 industries. Quite apart from official holdings, the Pakistani army controls benami land and foreign bank accounts. The country’s defence budget at $10 billion is 3.5 per cent of Pakistan’s GDP —nearly double India’s (1.8 per cent) as a ratio of GDP. Few countries spend more on defence as a percentage of GDP than Pakistan. China’s defence budget is 1.4 per cent of GDP. A significant portion of Pakistan’s defence budget is siphoned off by the army’s top brass. There is little oversight. To keep the defence budget high and the illicit money machine ticking over, the Pakistani army needs an enemy. India fits the bill. The Pakistani army is not interested in Kashmir. It uses the state to prosecute a low-cost, low-intensity proxy conflict with India, deploying its terrorist arms to attack India and keep tensions simmering just below boiling point. A key part of this strategy is to maintain a facade of seeking talks with India. For the Pakistani military, talks and terror go together. Structured dialogue with India gives Islamabad respectability in the eyes of the international community, diluting the impression that it is a pariah state. But the Pakistani army has no intention of allowing talks, when they do take place, to actually succeed in resolving the Kashmir issue. A resolution would end the conflict. The army’s role in Pakistan would diminish. So would the Fauji Foundation’s fortunes. India’s peace lobby comprises several well-meaning activists. The Pakistani army’s civil society proxies engage in endless track two meetings with them. The purpose: build a bridge to eventually open a dialogue between India and Pakistan at the political level. Meanwhile, the Pakistani army’s terror proxies — Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen — launch periodic attacks on Indian targets to ensure that the low-intensity conflict continues. The Indian Air Force’s Balakot strike deep inside Pakistan changed the low-cost terror business model that the Pakistani army had perfected over years. Suddenly, the cost had risen. The loss of hundreds of terrorists and several Pakistani army officers in Balakot was just one blow. An equally punishing one could be lying around the corner: blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The Paris-based body monitors money laundering and terror financing globally. The Pakistani establishment engages copiously in both. If the FATF blacklists Pakistan, it could severely damage that country’s already fragile economy. Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pakistan’s foreign minister, was so rattled by the possibility of blacklisting that he told journalists at a recent press conference in Lahore: “The Foreign Office is calculating the annual loss if Pakistan is pushed in the blacklist by the FATF as India is lobbying for this.” Indian foreign policymakers have been ambivalent over Pakistan. Diplomatic relations remain unchanged. A private member’s bill to declare Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism has been shelved. Cross-border trade continues as before, notwithstanding the withdrawal of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status. Even the ludicrous retreat ceremony at the Wagah border post between BSF jawans and Pakistani Rangers goes on unabated daily. Pakistan craves equivalence with India. Indian policymakers give it far too many opportunities to claim false equivalence. Meanwhile, the Pakistani army keeps a beady eye on India, obsessing over every Pakistani rupee it can extract from the longest geopolitical fraud it has pulled off for decades through its proxy war of terror against India. The new Indian government, whichever alliance forms it, must end the charade that enriches the Pakistani army at the cost of Indian lives. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Pakistan army is obsessed with India because it justifies its indispensability

Indian foreign secretary meets Mike Pompeo, asks Pakistan to curb terror

India has suffered enough of proxy war in the last 30 years, which continues in Imran Khan’s ‘Naya Pakistan’ with same vigour as hitherto fore. &nbsp;

The surgical strikes launched in 2016&nbsp;after the terrorist attack in Uri, was the first signal that India has changed its strategy of being ‘Defensive’ as a responsible country, to adopting ‘Offensive Defense’ for protection of its citizens from Pakistan-sponsored Proxy war through the terrorist groups like JeM, LeT&nbsp;and others.&nbsp;

They continue infiltrating into India with the help of Pakistani Army and ISI, kill innocent people and lure the youth of Kashmir towards the misplaced version of Jihad, after a prolonged dose of radicalisation through Madrasas in the name of education. Some segments of the youth of Kashmir find a reason to be lured by money and privileges offered to them. The absence of any worthwhile industries due to lack of investors due to provisions like Article 370, deterring any sensible industrialist to invest in Kashmir is another reason for growing fundamentalism. &nbsp;

The recent terrorist attack on the CRPF convoy killed at least 40 personnel. The attack, claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) which has the patronage of the Pakistan Army and ISI, proved that proxy war against India has become the state policy of Pakistan.

India had no other option but to give a befitting response.&nbsp;India is now convinced that surgical treatment of the terrorists is required by the complete application of ‘Comprehensive National Power’ (CNP) of India because Pakistan was unlikely to take any action against them. &nbsp;

The air strikes and aftermath&nbsp;

On February 26, 2019, a set of 12 Mirage 2000 aircraft carried out pinpoint precision strikes using SPICE-2000 guidance kit fitted on conventional bombs, making them highly accurate ‘smart bombs’ carrying out this daring raid/surgical airstrike to destroy the largest training camp of JeM. The strikes were non-military, pre-emptive action, specifically targeted at the JeM camp at Balakot in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province deep inside Pakistan territory. The target chosen was a training camp located in a thick forest on a hilltop far away from any civilian presence. India also indicated its desire of no further escalation, as the strike was directed against the terrorist group responsible for Pulwama attack and not against the state of Pakistan, its establishment or its people. &nbsp;

The air strikes had the desired effects as it is learnt that 80 per cent of bombs struck at the precise designated targets. It not only struck the heartland of terror by striking the designated targets, but it also exhibited the Pakistan Armed Forces in poor light as they failed to detect such strike, rendering all their air defence systems surprised. It also called their nuclear bluff, as Pakistan has been holding back India from military action into their territory by blackmailing that if India crosses the LoC/IB it will respond with a nuclear weapon.&nbsp;

This air strike proved that India reserves the right of self-defence and will strike terrorists wherever they are, even if amounts to getting into Pakistan territory, and would keep all options on the table, in case Pakistan decides to climb the escalation ladder in our response.&nbsp;

As expected, to salvage its pride Pakistan Air Force using three F-16 aircraft entered Indian air space with an intent to take on a military target was deterred by alert IAF combat patrol and they had to cross back to their territory. The dogfight between the F-16 and our MIG-21 resulted in both jets crashing down resulting in an unfortunate ejection of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman drifting to the Pakistani side of LoC. The Indian pilot got heroes welcome on coming back to India, whereas Pakistan refused to acknowledge the loss of F-16 aircraft and Wing Commander Shamsuddin, and preferred to hide the loss because the use of F-16 aircraft amounted to the violation of their ‘End User Agreement’ with the US. The recent flip flop by Pakistani establishment indicates its panic reaction&nbsp;after Jaish-e Mohammad (JeM) claimed the responsibility of Pulwama suicide attack.

Pakistan's DG ISPR denied the existence of JeM and its leader Maulana Masood Azhar on its soil. Later, Pakistan Foreign Minister accepted that he was in Pakistan. Subsequently, Pakistan arrested 44 JeM terrorists including Maulana Masood Azhar’s son and brother under tremendous international pressure.

Options for India post air strikes&nbsp;

In our national interest to prevent the proxy war by Pakistan, India has to use every element of CNP. It means India has to exercise a multipronged approach including - diplomatic, political, economic and military offensive against Pakistan. As the main player, the Pakistani Army will not like to compromise on promoting proxy war, because their influence and relevance in their country is due to their role of being the sole protector from “Indian threat” and keeping Kashmir issue alive. To deal with the rogue state India will have to consider some “out of box options”.&nbsp;

Diplomatic option&nbsp;

The global community is well aware of Pakistan being the epicentre of terrorism, as it continues to harbour, train, support and utilise terrorists in its surroundings to include India, Afghanistan and Iran, as its strategic assets. After Osama Bin Laden being found in Pakistan, the deniability tool of Pakistan has taken a beating. We have to keep the diplomatic offensive on so that the global community is convinced with our actions. The world opinion seems to be against Pakistan, with a fresh proposal to declare Maulana Masood Azhar a global terrorist and we need to push it through. While India may like to globally isolate Pakistan but it is practically not possible because some of the countries have a strategic interest in it. The US National Security Advisor (NSA) advocated India has the right of self-defense and the similar sentiment expressed by other states (except China) did convince the international community for our offensive-defense to prevent proxy war. The diplomatic offensive needs to continue for a long term effect because the global climate is prone to frequent changes. The US needs Pakistan to keep their interest alive in Afghanistan. Pakistan is priceless for China in terms of financial investments in CPEC. We, therefore, need smart diplomacy with China. &nbsp;

Economic offensive

Scrapping unilateral ‘Most Favoured Nation’ status and imposing 200 per cent tariffs is a symbolic gesture due to extremely low trade volume and that too skewed in our favour. We need to build a strong case with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to declare them ‘Black instead of Grey’ in the next meeting which will affect its formal economy.&nbsp;It, however, needs to be noted that the terror industry of Pakistan functions on parallel economy fuelled by narcotic trade, Pakistan Military and ISI funding. It is, therefore, imperative that we close the tap in Kashmir by the conviction of separatists involved in money laundering to the pangs of terror industry within Kashmir. Water flowing uninterrupted to Pakistan is the main source for their cultivation and power generation, more so in Punjab, which is home to the maximum ruling elite of Pakistan.&nbsp;We should start by utilising full quota of water authorised to India as per Indus water treaty, and also suspend the treaty to re-negotiate further, till Pakistan shuns proxy war against India. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Political offensive &nbsp; &nbsp;

India should move a step ahead from pure sympathy and moral support towards the barbaric treatment of Balochi nationals by the Pakistani military. India could consider giving asylum to their leaders and later may step up to allow them to form the ‘government in exile’ in India. India should start asserting its legal right over Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Military options

India has called the Pakistani bluff about the use of nuclear weapons and has all the options on the table to respond militarily to Pakistan proxy war. The space for the conventional war exists between the proxy and nuclear war. Pakistan is unlikely to adopt the nuclear option it has. Also, India should continue taking appropriate measures to bring all the separatists and facilitators of Pakistan's proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir to books. &nbsp; 
 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

India has suffered enough of proxy war in the last 30 years, which continues in Imran Khan’s ‘Naya Pakistan’ with same vigour as hitherto fore. The surgical strikes launched in 2016 after the terrorist attack in Uri, was the first signal that India has changed its strategy of being ‘Defensive’ as a responsible country, to adopting ‘Offensive Defense’ for protection of its citizens from Pakistan-sponsored Proxy war through the terrorist groups like JeM, LeT and others.

India has suffered enough of proxy war in the last 30 years, which continues in Imran Khan’s ‘Naya Pakistan’ with same vigour as hitherto fore. The surgical strikes launched in 2016 after the terrorist attack in Uri, was the first signal that India has changed its strategy of being ‘Defensive’ as a responsible country, to adopting ‘Offensive Defense’ for protection of its citizens from Pakistan-sponsored Proxy war through the terrorist groups like JeM, LeT and others. They continue infiltrating into India with the help of Pakistani Army and ISI, kill innocent people and lure the youth of Kashmir towards the misplaced version of Jihad, after a prolonged dose of radicalisation through Madrasas in the name of education. Some segments of the youth of Kashmir find a reason to be lured by money and privileges offered to them. The absence of any worthwhile industries due to lack of investors due to provisions like Article 370, deterring any sensible industrialist to invest in Kashmir is another reason for growing fundamentalism. The recent terrorist attack on the CRPF convoy killed at least 40 personnel. The attack, claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) which has the patronage of the Pakistan Army and ISI, proved that proxy war against India has become the state policy of Pakistan. India had no other option but to give a befitting response. India is now convinced that surgical treatment of the terrorists is required by the complete application of ‘Comprehensive National Power’ (CNP) of India because Pakistan was unlikely to take any action against them. The air strikes and aftermath On February 26, 2019, a set of 12 Mirage 2000 aircraft carried out pinpoint precision strikes using SPICE-2000 guidance kit fitted on conventional bombs, making them highly accurate ‘smart bombs’ carrying out this daring raid/surgical airstrike to destroy the largest training camp of JeM. The strikes were non-military, pre-emptive action, specifically targeted at the JeM camp at Balakot in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province deep inside Pakistan territory. The target chosen was a training camp located in a thick forest on a hilltop far away from any civilian presence. India also indicated its desire of no further escalation, as the strike was directed against the terrorist group responsible for Pulwama attack and not against the state of Pakistan, its establishment or its people. The air strikes had the desired effects as it is learnt that 80 per cent of bombs struck at the precise designated targets. It not only struck the heartland of terror by striking the designated targets, but it also exhibited the Pakistan Armed Forces in poor light as they failed to detect such strike, rendering all their air defence systems surprised. It also called their nuclear bluff, as Pakistan has been holding back India from military action into their territory by blackmailing that if India crosses the LoC/IB it will respond with a nuclear weapon. This air strike proved that India reserves the right of self-defence and will strike terrorists wherever they are, even if amounts to getting into Pakistan territory, and would keep all options on the table, in case Pakistan decides to climb the escalation ladder in our response. As expected, to salvage its pride Pakistan Air Force using three F-16 aircraft entered Indian air space with an intent to take on a military target was deterred by alert IAF combat patrol and they had to cross back to their territory. The dogfight between the F-16 and our MIG-21 resulted in both jets crashing down resulting in an unfortunate ejection of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman drifting to the Pakistani side of LoC. The Indian pilot got heroes welcome on coming back to India, whereas Pakistan refused to acknowledge the loss of F-16 aircraft and Wing Commander Shamsuddin, and preferred to hide the loss because the use of F-16 aircraft amounted to the violation of their ‘End User Agreement’ with the US. The recent flip flop by Pakistani establishment indicates its panic reaction after Jaish-e Mohammad (JeM) claimed the responsibility of Pulwama suicide attack. Pakistan's DG ISPR denied the existence of JeM and its leader Maulana Masood Azhar on its soil. Later, Pakistan Foreign Minister accepted that he was in Pakistan. Subsequently, Pakistan arrested 44 JeM terrorists including Maulana Masood Azhar’s son and brother under tremendous international pressure. Options for India post air strikes In our national interest to prevent the proxy war by Pakistan, India has to use every element of CNP. It means India has to exercise a multipronged approach including - diplomatic, political, economic and military offensive against Pakistan. As the main player, the Pakistani Army will not like to compromise on promoting proxy war, because their influence and relevance in their country is due to their role of being the sole protector from “Indian threat” and keeping Kashmir issue alive. To deal with the rogue state India will have to consider some “out of box options”. Diplomatic option The global community is well aware of Pakistan being the epicentre of terrorism, as it continues to harbour, train, support and utilise terrorists in its surroundings to include India, Afghanistan and Iran, as its strategic assets. After Osama Bin Laden being found in Pakistan, the deniability tool of Pakistan has taken a beating. We have to keep the diplomatic offensive on so that the global community is convinced with our actions. The world opinion seems to be against Pakistan, with a fresh proposal to declare Maulana Masood Azhar a global terrorist and we need to push it through. While India may like to globally isolate Pakistan but it is practically not possible because some of the countries have a strategic interest in it. The US National Security Advisor (NSA) advocated India has the right of self-defense and the similar sentiment expressed by other states (except China) did convince the international community for our offensive-defense to prevent proxy war. The diplomatic offensive needs to continue for a long term effect because the global climate is prone to frequent changes. The US needs Pakistan to keep their interest alive in Afghanistan. Pakistan is priceless for China in terms of financial investments in CPEC. We, therefore, need smart diplomacy with China. Economic offensive Scrapping unilateral ‘Most Favoured Nation’ status and imposing 200 per cent tariffs is a symbolic gesture due to extremely low trade volume and that too skewed in our favour. We need to build a strong case with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to declare them ‘Black instead of Grey’ in the next meeting which will affect its formal economy. It, however, needs to be noted that the terror industry of Pakistan functions on parallel economy fuelled by narcotic trade, Pakistan Military and ISI funding. It is, therefore, imperative that we close the tap in Kashmir by the conviction of separatists involved in money laundering to the pangs of terror industry within Kashmir. Water flowing uninterrupted to Pakistan is the main source for their cultivation and power generation, more so in Punjab, which is home to the maximum ruling elite of Pakistan. We should start by utilising full quota of water authorised to India as per Indus water treaty, and also suspend the treaty to re-negotiate further, till Pakistan shuns proxy war against India. Political offensive India should move a step ahead from pure sympathy and moral support towards the barbaric treatment of Balochi nationals by the Pakistani military. India could consider giving asylum to their leaders and later may step up to allow them to form the ‘government in exile’ in India. India should start asserting its legal right over Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Military options India has called the Pakistani bluff about the use of nuclear weapons and has all the options on the table to respond militarily to Pakistan proxy war. The space for the conventional war exists between the proxy and nuclear war. Pakistan is unlikely to adopt the nuclear option it has. Also, India should continue taking appropriate measures to bring all the separatists and facilitators of Pakistan's proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir to books. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

India must opt for 'out-of-box' options to counter proxy war by Pakistan

When India is fighting a war against terror and has even conducted an airstrike and bombed the Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) terrorist training facility at Balakot in Pakistan, the leaders of Congress and other opposition parties are busy targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP by casting aspersions and ascribing motives to the direct offensive launched by India to uproot and destroy the terror factories in Pakistan.

After the Pulwama attack, Prime Minister Modi was quick in announcing that the Indian Armed Forces have been given full powers to handle the situation and counter cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

After the February 26 airstrike that targeted the terror infrastructure at Balakot, Pakistan Air force F-16 jets entered the Indian territory to target military installations. They were intercepted and chased away by Indian Air Force pilots. The Pakistani offensive resulted in the downing of an F-16 aircraft. India's brave fighter pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan, whose aircraft was also hit, was captured when he ejected and landed inside the Pakistani territory. Under immense diplomatic pressure mounted by India and also the threat of direct action in case Pakistan chose to remain defiant, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced in his Parliament that Abhinandan would be released.

“The Indian Air Defence system was on full alert in the morning of 27 February - a day after the Balakot airstrike. Build up of Pakistan Air Force aircraft on their side of LoC was noticed in time and additional aircraft were scrambled to tackle Pak incursion. When there was an attempt to attack Indian military installations, PAF aircraft were engaged and forced to withdraw by Mirage-2000, Su-30 and MiG-21 Bison aircraft from the Indian side. They left in a hurry as demonstrated by large missed distances of the weapons dropped by them. &nbsp;During combat, use of F-16 by PAF and multiple launches of AMRAAM (American beyond visual range air-to-air missile) were conclusively observed. Prompt and correct tactical action by Su-30 aircraft, in response to AMRAAM launch, defeated the missile. Parts of the missile fell in area East of Rajouri in J&amp;K, injuring a civilian on ground.” With this statement on Tuesday, the Indian Ministry of Defence has blasted the false claim by Pakistan of shooting down an Su-30, which was obviously a cover up for loss of its own aircraft.

In the meanwhile, even as Pakistan imposed a ban on Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafeez Saeed led Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) on Tuesday, there has been no let up and Pakistan has continued to violate the ceasefire along the line of control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and there have been civilian casualties too.

When troops on both sides are in a state of combat readiness and it is time for the nation to remain united to face the enemy, the Congress party and other opposition parties are working overtime and throwing posers about the outcome of the February 26 airstrike. They all are asking the same question in tandem and the people at large are viewing this as an attempt by the opposition to politicise the situation keeping in view the upcoming general election. What is also alarming is that the opposition leaders are even pointing their fingers questioning the “timing of the post-Pulwama offensive (ahead of the Lok Sabha polls).

Gloating over the situation prevailing in India are those at the helm of affairs in Pakistan. That country’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in an interview, has talked of differences among the political parties in India with regard to the numbers of terrorists killed in the airstrike. In a video that’s gone viral, Qureshi is heard saying, "The Congress party is questioning the claim that terror camps have been destroyed and a large number of terrorists have been killed."

On the current situation, the nation is also witnessing a war of words on social media between the BJP and opposition leaders. What is particularly capturing headlines are a couple of tweets by senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh. After citing a certain news-report and asking “what is the truth behind the bombing of Balakot”, Singh said in another tweet:&nbsp;

After the Air Strike conducted by our Air Force in the wake of the Pulwama attack, doubt is being expressed in a section of foreign media and as a consequence of this, the credibility of the government of India is being questioned. 
 
The remarks by opposition leaders are being seen as an attempt by the opposition leaders to dilute the gravity of the Pulwama attack and undermine India’s war against terror. The direct beneficiary of this is Pakistan.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

When India is fighting a war against terror and has even conducted an airstrike and bombed the Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) terrorist training facility at Balakot in Pakistan, the leaders of Congress and other opposition parties are busy targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP by casting aspersions and ascribing motives to the direct offensive launched by India to uproot and destroy the terror factories in Pakistan.

When India is fighting a war against terror and has even conducted an airstrike and bombed the Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) terrorist training facility at Balakot in Pakistan, the leaders of Congress and other opposition parties are busy targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP by casting aspersions and ascribing motives to the direct offensive launched by India to uproot and destroy the terror factories in Pakistan. After the Pulwama attack, Prime Minister Modi was quick in announcing that the Indian Armed Forces have been given full powers to handle the situation and counter cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. After the February 26 airstrike that targeted the terror infrastructure at Balakot, Pakistan Air force F-16 jets entered the Indian territory to target military installations. They were intercepted and chased away by Indian Air Force pilots. The Pakistani offensive resulted in the downing of an F-16 aircraft. India's brave fighter pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan, whose aircraft was also hit, was captured when he ejected and landed inside the Pakistani territory. Under immense diplomatic pressure mounted by India and also the threat of direct action in case Pakistan chose to remain defiant, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced in his Parliament that Abhinandan would be released. “The Indian Air Defence system was on full alert in the morning of 27 February - a day after the Balakot airstrike. Build up of Pakistan Air Force aircraft on their side of LoC was noticed in time and additional aircraft were scrambled to tackle Pak incursion. When there was an attempt to attack Indian military installations, PAF aircraft were engaged and forced to withdraw by Mirage-2000, Su-30 and MiG-21 Bison aircraft from the Indian side. They left in a hurry as demonstrated by large missed distances of the weapons dropped by them. During combat, use of F-16 by PAF and multiple launches of AMRAAM (American beyond visual range air-to-air missile) were conclusively observed. Prompt and correct tactical action by Su-30 aircraft, in response to AMRAAM launch, defeated the missile. Parts of the missile fell in area East of Rajouri in J&K, injuring a civilian on ground.” With this statement on Tuesday, the Indian Ministry of Defence has blasted the false claim by Pakistan of shooting down an Su-30, which was obviously a cover up for loss of its own aircraft. In the meanwhile, even as Pakistan imposed a ban on Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafeez Saeed led Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) on Tuesday, there has been no let up and Pakistan has continued to violate the ceasefire along the line of control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and there have been civilian casualties too. When troops on both sides are in a state of combat readiness and it is time for the nation to remain united to face the enemy, the Congress party and other opposition parties are working overtime and throwing posers about the outcome of the February 26 airstrike. They all are asking the same question in tandem and the people at large are viewing this as an attempt by the opposition to politicise the situation keeping in view the upcoming general election. What is also alarming is that the opposition leaders are even pointing their fingers questioning the “timing of the post-Pulwama offensive (ahead of the Lok Sabha polls). Gloating over the situation prevailing in India are those at the helm of affairs in Pakistan. That country’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in an interview, has talked of differences among the political parties in India with regard to the numbers of terrorists killed in the airstrike. In a video that’s gone viral, Qureshi is heard saying, "The Congress party is questioning the claim that terror camps have been destroyed and a large number of terrorists have been killed." On the current situation, the nation is also witnessing a war of words on social media between the BJP and opposition leaders. What is particularly capturing headlines are a couple of tweets by senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh. After citing a certain news-report and asking “what is the truth behind the bombing of Balakot”, Singh said in another tweet: After the Air Strike conducted by our Air Force in the wake of the Pulwama attack, doubt is being expressed in a section of foreign media and as a consequence of this, the credibility of the government of India is being questioned. The remarks by opposition leaders are being seen as an attempt by the opposition leaders to dilute the gravity of the Pulwama attack and undermine India’s war against terror. The direct beneficiary of this is Pakistan. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By politicising Balakot airstrike, opposition leaders have given Pakistan a big reason to cheer

The Indian response to the Pulwama terror attacks, when Indian Air Force (IAF) Mirage jets pounded Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camps at Balakot (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province) Pakistan and probably other JeM camps at Muzaffarabad and Chakothi in Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK) causing considerable damage, killing about 300 terrorists including their top Commanders, was carefully calibrated.

The government of Pakistan had made a solemn commitment in January 2004 not to allow its soil or territory under its control to be used for terrorism against India.&nbsp;Since the government of Pakistan failed to honour its commitment and since there was credible evidence that JeM was attempting further suicide attacks in India, a pre-emptive strike became absolutely necessary. &nbsp;

The camp at Balakot has a long history. Ayesha Jalal in her book ‘The Partisans of Allah’ calls it “the point of entry of Jihad and Islamic warriors” in the Indian subcontinent. In the 1830’s, the British allowed Syed Ahmad Shah of Raebareli to gather forces around Balakot to attack the Sikhs who ruled the area. However, Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s army killed the Wahabis in 1831 and the Jihad against non-Muslims ended in failure. &nbsp;

The present camp was set up during the time of former Pakistani President Zia-ul-Haq to train Afghan Mujahideen and organisations like Harkat-ul-Ansar and Hizbul Mujahideen, used this camp till the JeM made it an important centre since 2000.

The Balakot camp is particularly important due to the fact that it runs three terror courses. The Daura-e-Aam is a basic course, which all fresh recruits to terrorism undergo. Those who excel and show potential are admitted into the more advanced Daura-e-Khas. Only the elite terrorists who show a high degree of motivation and willingness to die are sent for the Daura-e-Zarar. Here the syllabus includes attacks on convoys, fidayeen attacks and suicide bombing. &nbsp;

The Balakot camp has been run by the Masood Azhar family since 2000 and his brother-in-law Yusuf Azhar was said to be running the camp at present. &nbsp;

Yusuf Azhar is wanted by the CBI as he is one of the seven accused in the IC 814 hijacking case of December 1999. It should be clear that while the tenants in the camps at Balakot, Muzaffarabad and Chakothi keep changing, the owner has remained the same - Pakistan’s ISI. &nbsp;

Although Pakistan had used trained irregulars to attack Jammu and Kashmir in 1948 and again during Operation Gibraltar in 1965, the use of terrorists to further its interests really took off in the late 1980’s after the success of this policy in Afghanistan. &nbsp;

Since Pakistan has been exporting terror for such a long time and this policy has widespread support within the Pakistan establishment, one surgical strike or another air strike is not going to make it give up this long-standing policy of asymmetric warfare. &nbsp;

Given the support for terrorism within the Pakistani public, the military and intelligence agencies, Islamabad most likely would be unwilling to abandon terrorism as a tool of foreign policy and contend with the emergent terrorist threat ravaging Pakistan and its surrounding region. &nbsp;

Pakistan’s security establishment has a visceral hatred of India and according to Christian Fair in her article ‘The Militant Challenge in Pakistan’ published in Asia Policy magazine (January 2011), the international community should abandon optimism that Pakistan can or will change course and should prepare for increasing Islamist violence in the region and beyond. However, by its airstrike, India has put Pakistan on notice, suggesting that she will not take terrorist attacks lying down and will hit back using various means at its command. &nbsp;

By calling it ‘a non-military pre-emptive action’ India has chosen to calibrate its response and not escalate the situation beyond a point. &nbsp;

While India and the world community have been hoping that Pakistan will eschew terror, there is no evidence that Pakistan is changing course, so far. &nbsp;

Hilary Clinton, then US, Secretary of State during her press conference in Islamabad in October 2011 had famously said, “You can’t keep snakes in your backyard and expect them to only bite your neighbours. You know, eventually these snakes are going to turn on whoever has them in the backyard.” &nbsp;

Although Pakistan’s tolerance of jihadi terror has had a devastating effect on its own society, polity and economy, yet the army and the ISI who call the shots in Pakistan are not willing to make a U-turn. India will, therefore, have to stay the course and make the cost of terror in India prohibitive to Pakistan. Already Pakistan is a basket case and going to the IMF, China and Saudi Arabia to bail out its economy. It cannot launch a sustained war given its precarious economic condition. &nbsp;

China has also invested very heavily in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and cannot afford that this investment is jeopardised. Its own economy is heavily weighed down by debt and the trade war with the US is hurting it badly. &nbsp;

India must, therefore, be resolute at this moment and act in a carefully calibrated manner to make Pakistan give up the use of terror against it. This is no time for jingoism and even though it is election season, all politicians should remain circumspect and make responsible statements. It is best to let our defence forces speak through their actions. 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-a-carefully-calibrated-move-2725112">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

&nbsp;

The Indian response to the Pulwama terror attacks, when Indian Air Force (IAF) Mirage jets pounded Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camps at Balakot (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province) Pakistan and probably other JeM camps at Muzaffarabad and Chakothi in Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK) causing considerable damage, killing about 300 terrorists including their top Commanders, was carefully calibrated.

The Indian response to the Pulwama terror attacks, when Indian Air Force (IAF) Mirage jets pounded Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camps at Balakot (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province) Pakistan and probably other JeM camps at Muzaffarabad and Chakothi in Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK) causing considerable damage, killing about 300 terrorists including their top Commanders, was carefully calibrated. The government of Pakistan had made a solemn commitment in January 2004 not to allow its soil or territory under its control to be used for terrorism against India. Since the government of Pakistan failed to honour its commitment and since there was credible evidence that JeM was attempting further suicide attacks in India, a pre-emptive strike became absolutely necessary. The camp at Balakot has a long history. Ayesha Jalal in her book ‘The Partisans of Allah’ calls it “the point of entry of Jihad and Islamic warriors” in the Indian subcontinent. In the 1830’s, the British allowed Syed Ahmad Shah of Raebareli to gather forces around Balakot to attack the Sikhs who ruled the area. However, Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s army killed the Wahabis in 1831 and the Jihad against non-Muslims ended in failure. The present camp was set up during the time of former Pakistani President Zia-ul-Haq to train Afghan Mujahideen and organisations like Harkat-ul-Ansar and Hizbul Mujahideen, used this camp till the JeM made it an important centre since 2000. The Balakot camp is particularly important due to the fact that it runs three terror courses. The Daura-e-Aam is a basic course, which all fresh recruits to terrorism undergo. Those who excel and show potential are admitted into the more advanced Daura-e-Khas. Only the elite terrorists who show a high degree of motivation and willingness to die are sent for the Daura-e-Zarar. Here the syllabus includes attacks on convoys, fidayeen attacks and suicide bombing. The Balakot camp has been run by the Masood Azhar family since 2000 and his brother-in-law Yusuf Azhar was said to be running the camp at present. Yusuf Azhar is wanted by the CBI as he is one of the seven accused in the IC 814 hijacking case of December 1999. It should be clear that while the tenants in the camps at Balakot, Muzaffarabad and Chakothi keep changing, the owner has remained the same - Pakistan’s ISI. Although Pakistan had used trained irregulars to attack Jammu and Kashmir in 1948 and again during Operation Gibraltar in 1965, the use of terrorists to further its interests really took off in the late 1980’s after the success of this policy in Afghanistan. Since Pakistan has been exporting terror for such a long time and this policy has widespread support within the Pakistan establishment, one surgical strike or another air strike is not going to make it give up this long-standing policy of asymmetric warfare. Given the support for terrorism within the Pakistani public, the military and intelligence agencies, Islamabad most likely would be unwilling to abandon terrorism as a tool of foreign policy and contend with the emergent terrorist threat ravaging Pakistan and its surrounding region. Pakistan’s security establishment has a visceral hatred of India and according to Christian Fair in her article ‘The Militant Challenge in Pakistan’ published in Asia Policy magazine (January 2011), the international community should abandon optimism that Pakistan can or will change course and should prepare for increasing Islamist violence in the region and beyond. However, by its airstrike, India has put Pakistan on notice, suggesting that she will not take terrorist attacks lying down and will hit back using various means at its command. By calling it ‘a non-military pre-emptive action’ India has chosen to calibrate its response and not escalate the situation beyond a point. While India and the world community have been hoping that Pakistan will eschew terror, there is no evidence that Pakistan is changing course, so far. Hilary Clinton, then US, Secretary of State during her press conference in Islamabad in October 2011 had famously said, “You can’t keep snakes in your backyard and expect them to only bite your neighbours. You know, eventually these snakes are going to turn on whoever has them in the backyard.” Although Pakistan’s tolerance of jihadi terror has had a devastating effect on its own society, polity and economy, yet the army and the ISI who call the shots in Pakistan are not willing to make a U-turn. India will, therefore, have to stay the course and make the cost of terror in India prohibitive to Pakistan. Already Pakistan is a basket case and going to the IMF, China and Saudi Arabia to bail out its economy. It cannot launch a sustained war given its precarious economic condition. China has also invested very heavily in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and cannot afford that this investment is jeopardised. Its own economy is heavily weighed down by debt and the trade war with the US is hurting it badly. India must, therefore, be resolute at this moment and act in a carefully calibrated manner to make Pakistan give up the use of terror against it. This is no time for jingoism and even though it is election season, all politicians should remain circumspect and make responsible statements. It is best to let our defence forces speak through their actions. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Pulwama terror attack: India's response was carefully calibrated

Imran Khan’s offer to return the Indian fighter pilot in their custody has once again triggered a debate about how to deal with a neighbour whose conduct rekindles memories of the strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. And what we do to protect ourselves from an unpredictable neighbour who turns hot and cold in a blink? &nbsp;

There is a poem by Robert Frost that tells us that strong fences make good neighbours. How one wishes that those in charge of our foreign policy had pondered on the wisdom of these words. Now it is too late to mend badly breached fences. India has wasted too much time and effort chasing the mirage of living in peace with a neighbour with whom we don’t share much anymore.

It’s the fatal nostalgia of the pre-partition refugees that has caused most of the havoc. The memories of a childhood spent in a village across the Ravi or any other river in Punjab or carefree student days in Lahore have fueled futile dreams of unhindered passage from one country to another.

These dreams have changed into nightmares more than once because we choose to remain blind to ground reality. It’s not just that Pakistan is a theocratic state and we are secular or they are ruled by the armed forces and we are a democracy.&nbsp;

Ever since the reign of General Zia, the spread of fanatical aggressive version of Wahabi Islam has changed the whole context of our bilateral relations. Two generations have grown up in Pakistan and India who have shared memories only of clashes on the battlefield and cricket pitches. You may argue that that love for Bollywood, shared taste in food continue to act as strong glue between the two people divided in 1947 but we fool no one but ourselves.&nbsp; 
 
When it comes to war and peace it is the coincidence or conflict of national interest that is decisive. It is impossible to overlook that India and Pakistan have followed divergent trajectories for decades. Pakistan had opted long before its break up in 1971 to look West. 
 
It's forged close relationships with Saudi Arabia, Libya and other oil-rich fundamentalist countries that funded its nuclear programme. But more grace from Indians point of view is the alliance it has skillfully reinforced with People's Republic of China. China has stood steadfast with Pakistan since 1962. One may chant ad nauseam that in international relations there are no permanent friend and no eternal enemies but the enduring strategic ties between Pakistan and China seem to refute Palmerston effectively.&nbsp;

The enmity between India and Pakistan has not really abated despite numerous confidence-building measures and countless rounds of talks at various levels. What explains the failure of diplomacy is the basic incompatibility of national interests defined in terms of vested interests of ruling elites.&nbsp; 
 
When we talk of neighbours and friends we should not forget that the power equations are unbalanced by distant friends tilting the balance in favour of proximate neighbours. A former President of Pakistan had titled his autobiography as ‘Friends not Masters’ but the harsh reality is that it is the 'Puppet Master' who has been pulling the strings from behind not so opaque a curtain since the years of Cold War. Pakistan remains an invaluable strategic asset for both the US and China. We should not hasten to rejoice that both have admonished Pakistan after Pulwama.&nbsp;

China has advised both its friends to respect the concept of sovereignty and the POTUS has grandly pronounced that he is confident that good sense will prevail on both sides to deescalate. The majority of members of the Security Council have agreed on a resolution naming Masood Azhar as an international terrorist. In past, China has blocked all such moves to save Pakistan from embarrassment. It may do so again. What are India’s options if this happens?

With the passage of time, Pakistan has succeeded in transforming bilateral disputes with India into trilateral issues. China’s OBOR project passing through POK is just one example, hyphenating Af-Pak has muddied water further. Its sanctions against Iran have tightened the role on which India is walking.&nbsp; 
 
Cancer treatment isn’t based on surgical strikes. Chemotherapy is not done without painful after effects and grave hazards. No one can in his wildest dreams dare utter the word radiation. You can’t nuke the malignancy in this case. Haste can only result in waste. Slow and Steady should be the resolve.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) 
&nbsp;

Imran Khan’s offer to return the Indian fighter pilot in their custody has once again triggered a debate about how to deal with a neighbour whose conduct rekindles memories of the strange case of Dr.

Imran Khan’s offer to return the Indian fighter pilot in their custody has once again triggered a debate about how to deal with a neighbour whose conduct rekindles memories of the strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. And what we do to protect ourselves from an unpredictable neighbour who turns hot and cold in a blink? There is a poem by Robert Frost that tells us that strong fences make good neighbours. How one wishes that those in charge of our foreign policy had pondered on the wisdom of these words. Now it is too late to mend badly breached fences. India has wasted too much time and effort chasing the mirage of living in peace with a neighbour with whom we don’t share much anymore. It’s the fatal nostalgia of the pre-partition refugees that has caused most of the havoc. The memories of a childhood spent in a village across the Ravi or any other river in Punjab or carefree student days in Lahore have fueled futile dreams of unhindered passage from one country to another. These dreams have changed into nightmares more than once because we choose to remain blind to ground reality. It’s not just that Pakistan is a theocratic state and we are secular or they are ruled by the armed forces and we are a democracy. Ever since the reign of General Zia, the spread of fanatical aggressive version of Wahabi Islam has changed the whole context of our bilateral relations. Two generations have grown up in Pakistan and India who have shared memories only of clashes on the battlefield and cricket pitches. You may argue that that love for Bollywood, shared taste in food continue to act as strong glue between the two people divided in 1947 but we fool no one but ourselves. When it comes to war and peace it is the coincidence or conflict of national interest that is decisive. It is impossible to overlook that India and Pakistan have followed divergent trajectories for decades. Pakistan had opted long before its break up in 1971 to look West. It's forged close relationships with Saudi Arabia, Libya and other oil-rich fundamentalist countries that funded its nuclear programme. But more grace from Indians point of view is the alliance it has skillfully reinforced with People's Republic of China. China has stood steadfast with Pakistan since 1962. One may chant ad nauseam that in international relations there are no permanent friend and no eternal enemies but the enduring strategic ties between Pakistan and China seem to refute Palmerston effectively. The enmity between India and Pakistan has not really abated despite numerous confidence-building measures and countless rounds of talks at various levels. What explains the failure of diplomacy is the basic incompatibility of national interests defined in terms of vested interests of ruling elites. When we talk of neighbours and friends we should not forget that the power equations are unbalanced by distant friends tilting the balance in favour of proximate neighbours. A former President of Pakistan had titled his autobiography as ‘Friends not Masters’ but the harsh reality is that it is the 'Puppet Master' who has been pulling the strings from behind not so opaque a curtain since the years of Cold War. Pakistan remains an invaluable strategic asset for both the US and China. We should not hasten to rejoice that both have admonished Pakistan after Pulwama. China has advised both its friends to respect the concept of sovereignty and the POTUS has grandly pronounced that he is confident that good sense will prevail on both sides to deescalate. The majority of members of the Security Council have agreed on a resolution naming Masood Azhar as an international terrorist. In past, China has blocked all such moves to save Pakistan from embarrassment. It may do so again. What are India’s options if this happens? With the passage of time, Pakistan has succeeded in transforming bilateral disputes with India into trilateral issues. China’s OBOR project passing through POK is just one example, hyphenating Af-Pak has muddied water further. Its sanctions against Iran have tightened the role on which India is walking. Cancer treatment isn’t based on surgical strikes. Chemotherapy is not done without painful after effects and grave hazards. No one can in his wildest dreams dare utter the word radiation. You can’t nuke the malignancy in this case. Haste can only result in waste. Slow and Steady should be the resolve. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Pakistan has long been an unpredictable and unreliable neighbour

For India to arise, for Bharat to be resurgent, Kashmir must be reintegrated into India. It is a question of national security, national identity and throwing off outside interference. Otherwise, India's war of independence will continue at a proxy level with Pakistan and the numerous terrorist organisations allied with it.

India's national sentiment about Kashmir has shifted radically since the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, in which a Pakistan-supported Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber took the lives of more than forty of India's paramilitary forces. India's change of mindset over Kashmir is irreversible and the old appeasement policy is no longer acceptable. A new national vision has arisen that wants a permanent solution to the problem.

The airstrike on terrorist bases in Balakot, Pakistan, on February 26 is a clear manifestation of this new policy and will be followed with similar strong actions as required. It marks the new and determined response of the Narendra Modi government. Pakistan does not listen to the language of diplomacy, which only becomes a cover for its subversive actions. India understands this well and the global community is coming to recognise it too. 
&nbsp; 
There is no going back to the old attitudes that have prevailed since 1947. No more tolerance for terror. No more protection for separatists. Full integration of Kashmir into India. This is the only solution and long term befitting reply to Pakistan's continual terrorist attacks on India.

The outpouring of emotion and outrage after Pulwama has been exceptional and has reached all parts of the country. This is particularly notable given the comparable lack of outrage when the entire Kashmiri Pandit population was driven out by militants in 1990, along with a massive loss of life and property - a veritable genocide of a religious community. This emotion continues after the Balakot retaliatory strikes and is likely to be sustained until Pakistan stops its aggression.

What has caused this radical shift in attitude? It begins with the greater sense of identity and nationalism that we find today in the Modi era, in which it is no longer wrong to be patriotic and proud of India as a nation and a great civilization. It reflects the new aspirational ethos for which being Indian or even being Hindu is no longer something to make excuses about.

It is a complete loss of patience as the Kashmir issue remains problematic after seventy years that have failed to bring peace, despite extensive dialogue, compromise, and the extension of special benefits for Kashmir.

Most importantly, it is not just an issue of local separatists but of global terrorism, with ISIS coming into India. The tactics and sophisticated explosives used in the Pulwama attack indicate training and support by both the Pakistan Army and groups connected to ISIS. If not dealt with firmly, these radical forces can threaten India as a whole, and affect other countries as well.

The response 
 
Removing security from and arresting separatists, stringent economic sanctions against Pakistan and diverting river waters from flowing into Pakistan are important initial steps. The Balakot airstrike and continued retaliatory measures are the second and more significant phase that demonstrates India's new resolve.

All Indians should be allowed to move, conduct business and own property in Kashmir - just as Kashmiris are allowed to do so in the whole of India, as they possess many properties and businesses throughout the country. The special status and autonomy afforded to Kashmir should be revoked and the concerns of Jammu and Ladakh be given their place, not just those of the Valley.

Military retaliation is certainly justified. It is no longer a question merely of Kashmir or India, but of global terrorism centered in Pakistan. The new Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, appears as impotent as previous Prime Ministers to control Pakistan's military domination and support for terrorism. In fact, he came to power with the help of the same jihadi groups behind the Pulwama attack, with Jaish-e-Mohammed supporting his campaign in Punjab.

The roots of terrorism in Pakistan must be addressed, not simply the branches that extend into Kashmir. While it is necessary to engage the international community with diplomatic sanctions on Pakistan, India must act according to its own interests extending to military responses. The world does not honour a weak country, particularly in the face of terrorism. We must compare how the United States, China or Russia firmly deal with terrorism with the softness that India has followed until Narendra Modi's new policy today.&nbsp;

This stronger Indian response is better for Kashmiris, whom Pakistan will never bring peace to. Full integration with India will result in greater prosperity for Kashmir and restore cultural harmony. Show us one province in Pakistan where there is harmony, even among Muslim sects and where any minorities are treated fairly?&nbsp;

While dangers exist in a more aggressive policy relative to Pakistan, there are more significant dangers in continuing the same policies that have resulted in the current situation. The Narendra Modi government knows this and is carefully planning action on all levels, including military, to comprehensively address Pakistan's ongoing proxy war with India through Kashmir. 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The Zee News. Read the <a href="https://zeenews.india.com/blogs/why-indias-new-assertive-kashmir-policy-is-essential-2183995.html">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

&nbsp;

For India to arise, for Bharat to be resurgent, Kashmir must be reintegrated into India. It is a question of national security, national identity and throwing off outside interference.

For India to arise, for Bharat to be resurgent, Kashmir must be reintegrated into India. It is a question of national security, national identity and throwing off outside interference. Otherwise, India's war of independence will continue at a proxy level with Pakistan and the numerous terrorist organisations allied with it. India's national sentiment about Kashmir has shifted radically since the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, in which a Pakistan-supported Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber took the lives of more than forty of India's paramilitary forces. India's change of mindset over Kashmir is irreversible and the old appeasement policy is no longer acceptable. A new national vision has arisen that wants a permanent solution to the problem. The airstrike on terrorist bases in Balakot, Pakistan, on February 26 is a clear manifestation of this new policy and will be followed with similar strong actions as required. It marks the new and determined response of the Narendra Modi government. Pakistan does not listen to the language of diplomacy, which only becomes a cover for its subversive actions. India understands this well and the global community is coming to recognise it too. There is no going back to the old attitudes that have prevailed since 1947. No more tolerance for terror. No more protection for separatists. Full integration of Kashmir into India. This is the only solution and long term befitting reply to Pakistan's continual terrorist attacks on India. The outpouring of emotion and outrage after Pulwama has been exceptional and has reached all parts of the country. This is particularly notable given the comparable lack of outrage when the entire Kashmiri Pandit population was driven out by militants in 1990, along with a massive loss of life and property - a veritable genocide of a religious community. This emotion continues after the Balakot retaliatory strikes and is likely to be sustained until Pakistan stops its aggression. What has caused this radical shift in attitude? It begins with the greater sense of identity and nationalism that we find today in the Modi era, in which it is no longer wrong to be patriotic and proud of India as a nation and a great civilization. It reflects the new aspirational ethos for which being Indian or even being Hindu is no longer something to make excuses about. It is a complete loss of patience as the Kashmir issue remains problematic after seventy years that have failed to bring peace, despite extensive dialogue, compromise, and the extension of special benefits for Kashmir. Most importantly, it is not just an issue of local separatists but of global terrorism, with ISIS coming into India. The tactics and sophisticated explosives used in the Pulwama attack indicate training and support by both the Pakistan Army and groups connected to ISIS. If not dealt with firmly, these radical forces can threaten India as a whole, and affect other countries as well. The response Removing security from and arresting separatists, stringent economic sanctions against Pakistan and diverting river waters from flowing into Pakistan are important initial steps. The Balakot airstrike and continued retaliatory measures are the second and more significant phase that demonstrates India's new resolve. All Indians should be allowed to move, conduct business and own property in Kashmir - just as Kashmiris are allowed to do so in the whole of India, as they possess many properties and businesses throughout the country. The special status and autonomy afforded to Kashmir should be revoked and the concerns of Jammu and Ladakh be given their place, not just those of the Valley. Military retaliation is certainly justified. It is no longer a question merely of Kashmir or India, but of global terrorism centered in Pakistan. The new Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, appears as impotent as previous Prime Ministers to control Pakistan's military domination and support for terrorism. In fact, he came to power with the help of the same jihadi groups behind the Pulwama attack, with Jaish-e-Mohammed supporting his campaign in Punjab. The roots of terrorism in Pakistan must be addressed, not simply the branches that extend into Kashmir. While it is necessary to engage the international community with diplomatic sanctions on Pakistan, India must act according to its own interests extending to military responses. The world does not honour a weak country, particularly in the face of terrorism. We must compare how the United States, China or Russia firmly deal with terrorism with the softness that India has followed until Narendra Modi's new policy today. This stronger Indian response is better for Kashmiris, whom Pakistan will never bring peace to. Full integration with India will result in greater prosperity for Kashmir and restore cultural harmony. Show us one province in Pakistan where there is harmony, even among Muslim sects and where any minorities are treated fairly? While dangers exist in a more aggressive policy relative to Pakistan, there are more significant dangers in continuing the same policies that have resulted in the current situation. The Narendra Modi government knows this and is carefully planning action on all levels, including military, to comprehensively address Pakistan's ongoing proxy war with India through Kashmir. (This article was originally published on The Zee News. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Why India's new assertive Kashmir policy is essential

The pre-dawn air strike on the Jaish-e-Mohammed’s largest terrorist camp in Balakot, 80 km deep into Pakistani territory in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s backyard, has transformed the 71-year-old paradigm around India’s strategy on combating Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.&nbsp;

Crossing the Line of Control (LoC) had been studiously avoided in previous conflicts with Pakistan. Even in the 1999 Kargil war, Indian air strikes had been conducted from India’s side of the LoC. Tuesday morning’s air strikes will have two broad consequences: military and electoral. &nbsp;

Though Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale has termed the strikes “non-military and pre-emptive”, they were non-military only in the sense that they did not target Pakistan’s military installations. However, since terror groups like the JeM, LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen are arms of the Pakistani military, the reported killing of hundreds of Jaish terrorists will send the strongest message the Pakistani army has received in decades.&nbsp;

The cost of terrorism has just gone up manifold. No longer can the Pakistani army’s sponsored, funded and armed terror groups attack Indian targets at will without paying a heavy price. The precise damage done to terror camps in Pakistan will soon emerge with greater clarity. But there is no doubt that the days of Pakistan-based terror groups enjoying relative immunity from strong Indian retaliation are over.&nbsp;

The second consequence is obviously electoral. With less than six weeks to go before the first phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the conclusion is inescapable: this alters the chemistry and mathematics of the election. Much now depends on how Pakistan reacts to the successful Indian strikes. If it downplays their impact, it can avoid escalation of the conflict. India has been quick to brief the envoys of all major powers about the pre-emptive nature of the strikes against a legitimate new terror threat from the Jaish. Pakistan says it will approach the United Nations. That move will go nowhere since four permanent members of the UNSC — the United States, Britain, France and Russia — have firmly backed India.&nbsp;

In the coming days, as attention shifts to electoral campaigning, opposition criticism of the government’s action, currently muted, will emerge. Unity over tackling Pakistan-sponsored terrorism has always been tenuous. It is unlikely to hold for long now.&nbsp;

After the 9/11 terror attack on the United States in 2001, the country rallied behind President George W Bush. Democrats and Republicans spoke in one voice. The retaliatory “shock and awe” US air attack on terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan was supported across the American political and media spectrum.&nbsp;

Unless a nation presents a united front, terrorism will not be defeated. In the US there hasn’t been a single major terror strike on the mainland by Al-Qaeda or the morphed Islamic State (IS) since 2001. &nbsp;In India, after every terror attack by jihadi groups based, trained and funded by Pakistan, recriminations start. Opposition parties feign support but within days visceral politicking begins.&nbsp;

The air strikes come at an unexpected time for the opposition. Congress President Rahul Gandhi had acquired a spring in his step. The introduction of Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra into formal politics had created euphoria among Congress workers, especially in Uttar Pradesh. The Pulwama strike took place four hours before Priyanka was scheduled to address a press conference. Wisely, she cancelled it, speaking for just two minutes to condemn the attack, details of which were just filtering in.&nbsp;

The Congress party leadership now fears that Tuesday’s air strikes have fundamentally altered the arithmetic of the 2019 Lok Sabha election in favour of the BJP. The fear is two-fold. First, that public outrage is so strong that national security has now become a key electoral issue, overshadowing the Congress’ attack on jobs and rural distress.&nbsp;

Second, with less than 45 days to go before the first phase of a multi-phase Lok Sabha poll begins (in 2014, the first of seven phases was held on April 7), the impact of the air strikes on public sentiment will last well into the elections.&nbsp;

There was always an inevitability of the Modi government taking strong military action against terror assets inside Pakistani territory. The United States has unrivalled access to global intelligence inputs. When asked about India’s likely response to the Pulwama terror attack last Friday, President Donald Trump told reporters enigmatically that India was “looking at something very strong”.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meanwhile said little specifically except underlining that it was time for action and the time for talks was over. He added that he had given the armed forces a free hand to act. It is now known that the go-ahead for action against the JeM terror camp was given by the Prime Minister just days after the Pulwama terror attack on the CRPF convoy.&nbsp;

In an interview to a newspaper eight days before the Pulwama terror attack, Rahul had displayed his new combative role with gusto: “Mr Modi’s credibility is gone. Do me a favour, when you go out of here, when you stop at a red light, look at someone who is not really rich, and say ‘chowkidar’, and see if he answers ‘chor hai.’ When I am riding around Delhi, I hear them saying, ‘chowkidar chor hai.”&nbsp;

That is an epithet unlikely to resonate well in public discourse today.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-electoral-impact-of-air-strikes-2724785">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

The pre-dawn air strike on the Jaish-e-Mohammed’s largest terrorist camp in Balakot, 80 km deep into Pakistani territory in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s backyard, has transformed the 71-year-old paradigm around India’s strategy on combating Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

The pre-dawn air strike on the Jaish-e-Mohammed’s largest terrorist camp in Balakot, 80 km deep into Pakistani territory in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s backyard, has transformed the 71-year-old paradigm around India’s strategy on combating Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Crossing the Line of Control (LoC) had been studiously avoided in previous conflicts with Pakistan. Even in the 1999 Kargil war, Indian air strikes had been conducted from India’s side of the LoC. Tuesday morning’s air strikes will have two broad consequences: military and electoral. Though Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale has termed the strikes “non-military and pre-emptive”, they were non-military only in the sense that they did not target Pakistan’s military installations. However, since terror groups like the JeM, LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen are arms of the Pakistani military, the reported killing of hundreds of Jaish terrorists will send the strongest message the Pakistani army has received in decades. The cost of terrorism has just gone up manifold. No longer can the Pakistani army’s sponsored, funded and armed terror groups attack Indian targets at will without paying a heavy price. The precise damage done to terror camps in Pakistan will soon emerge with greater clarity. But there is no doubt that the days of Pakistan-based terror groups enjoying relative immunity from strong Indian retaliation are over. The second consequence is obviously electoral. With less than six weeks to go before the first phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the conclusion is inescapable: this alters the chemistry and mathematics of the election. Much now depends on how Pakistan reacts to the successful Indian strikes. If it downplays their impact, it can avoid escalation of the conflict. India has been quick to brief the envoys of all major powers about the pre-emptive nature of the strikes against a legitimate new terror threat from the Jaish. Pakistan says it will approach the United Nations. That move will go nowhere since four permanent members of the UNSC — the United States, Britain, France and Russia — have firmly backed India. In the coming days, as attention shifts to electoral campaigning, opposition criticism of the government’s action, currently muted, will emerge. Unity over tackling Pakistan-sponsored terrorism has always been tenuous. It is unlikely to hold for long now. After the 9/11 terror attack on the United States in 2001, the country rallied behind President George W Bush. Democrats and Republicans spoke in one voice. The retaliatory “shock and awe” US air attack on terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan was supported across the American political and media spectrum. Unless a nation presents a united front, terrorism will not be defeated. In the US there hasn’t been a single major terror strike on the mainland by Al-Qaeda or the morphed Islamic State (IS) since 2001. In India, after every terror attack by jihadi groups based, trained and funded by Pakistan, recriminations start. Opposition parties feign support but within days visceral politicking begins. The air strikes come at an unexpected time for the opposition. Congress President Rahul Gandhi had acquired a spring in his step. The introduction of Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra into formal politics had created euphoria among Congress workers, especially in Uttar Pradesh. The Pulwama strike took place four hours before Priyanka was scheduled to address a press conference. Wisely, she cancelled it, speaking for just two minutes to condemn the attack, details of which were just filtering in. The Congress party leadership now fears that Tuesday’s air strikes have fundamentally altered the arithmetic of the 2019 Lok Sabha election in favour of the BJP. The fear is two-fold. First, that public outrage is so strong that national security has now become a key electoral issue, overshadowing the Congress’ attack on jobs and rural distress. Second, with less than 45 days to go before the first phase of a multi-phase Lok Sabha poll begins (in 2014, the first of seven phases was held on April 7), the impact of the air strikes on public sentiment will last well into the elections. There was always an inevitability of the Modi government taking strong military action against terror assets inside Pakistani territory. The United States has unrivalled access to global intelligence inputs. When asked about India’s likely response to the Pulwama terror attack last Friday, President Donald Trump told reporters enigmatically that India was “looking at something very strong”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi meanwhile said little specifically except underlining that it was time for action and the time for talks was over. He added that he had given the armed forces a free hand to act. It is now known that the go-ahead for action against the JeM terror camp was given by the Prime Minister just days after the Pulwama terror attack on the CRPF convoy. In an interview to a newspaper eight days before the Pulwama terror attack, Rahul had displayed his new combative role with gusto: “Mr Modi’s credibility is gone. Do me a favour, when you go out of here, when you stop at a red light, look at someone who is not really rich, and say ‘chowkidar’, and see if he answers ‘chor hai.’ When I am riding around Delhi, I hear them saying, ‘chowkidar chor hai.” That is an epithet unlikely to resonate well in public discourse today. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

India-Pakistan tension: Unless nation presents united front, terrorism will not be defeated