Jaish-e-Mohammed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-uk-france-ask-un-to-blacklist-jem-leader-masood-azhar-move-is-likely-to-be-opposed-by-china-200140">(JeM) chief Masood Azhar </a>is in Pakistan and is very unwell, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has confirmed.

"He (Masood Azhar) is in Pakistan. According to my information, he is very unwell. He's unwell to the extent that he cannot leave his house because he is really unwell. So, that's the information I have", Qureshi told CNN in an interview.

Qureshi added that Pakistan will take action against Azhar if India provides "solid, inalienable evidence"&nbsp;against him.

"If they give us evidence which is acceptable to the courts of Pakistan… after all, we will have to justify they will go to the court. If they have solid, inalienable evidence, share it with us so that we can convince the independent judiciary of Pakistan,"&nbsp;he said.

Talking about the decision made by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday where he announced that Islamabad will release Indian Pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan as a peace gesture, Qureshi said, "This was a goodwill gesture and we feel this should be an expression of Pakistan’s willingness to deescalate. We are willing to hand him over as soon as possible."

Abhinandan, flying a MiG -21 Bison fighter plane, was chasing Pakistani jets which transgressed into Jammu and Kashmir yesterday and crossed over to PoK where his aircraft was shot down. He ejected safely and was taken to the custody by the Pakistani Army. He further thanked US President Donald Trump "for taking an interest to deescalate tensions between the two Asian nations".

"He (US President Trump) can play a significant role. The United States can play a significant role. US and Pakistan have had good relations for decades. We have been close allies and today we have a shared objective to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan. I have had a telephonic conversation with United States Secretary of State Michael R&nbsp;Pompeo in which we discussed this evolving situation. I am happy that they have taken note of this rising tension and they want to play a constructive role to deescalate. This is a very welcomed development,"&nbsp;Qureshi said.

"When Pompeo came to Islamabad when had a very constructive and engaging meeting. He invited me to Washington DC and (there) we had another positive meeting,"&nbsp;he added.

During the interview with CNN, Qureshi stated that he could not envision an all-out war between India and Pakistan."I hope not… Pakistan never wants to escalate. Pakistan never wants to be in a hostile position. From day one when this government came to power, (Pakistan) Prime Minister Imran Khan said if you take one step towards peace, we will take two. He wrote to the Indian Prime Minister to let the two Foreign Minister meet on the sidelines in New York so that they can chart a way forward,"&nbsp;he claimed.

"When this Pulwama tragic incident took place, the Prime Minister placed a very balanced and reasonable offer. This is a new government with a new mindset (in Pakistan). We want to live in peace. We have a people-centric agenda. We want to concentrate on fixing the economy. We want to improve governance in Pakistan. We want to eradicate corruption in Pakistan. That’s the mandate given to us by the people of Pakistan. We want to see peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Western front is consuming us. We do not want an Eastern front. We want to put an end to the 17-year-old war that’s going on in Afghanistan,"&nbsp;he added.

Qureshi said that the Pakistani government is "open to any step that leads to de-escalation"."If they have good solid evidence, please sit and talk. Please initiate a dialogue and we will show reasonableness,"&nbsp;he said.

Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar is in Pakistan and is very unwell, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has confirmed. "He (Masood Azhar) is in Pakistan.

Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar is in Pakistan and is very unwell, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has confirmed. "He (Masood Azhar) is in Pakistan. According to my information, he is very unwell. He's unwell to the extent that he cannot leave his house because he is really unwell. So, that's the information I have", Qureshi told CNN in an interview. Qureshi added that Pakistan will take action against Azhar if India provides "solid, inalienable evidence" against him. "If they give us evidence which is acceptable to the courts of Pakistan… after all, we will have to justify they will go to the court. If they have solid, inalienable evidence, share it with us so that we can convince the independent judiciary of Pakistan," he said. Talking about the decision made by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday where he announced that Islamabad will release Indian Pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan as a peace gesture, Qureshi said, "This was a goodwill gesture and we feel this should be an expression of Pakistan’s willingness to deescalate. We are willing to hand him over as soon as possible." Abhinandan, flying a MiG -21 Bison fighter plane, was chasing Pakistani jets which transgressed into Jammu and Kashmir yesterday and crossed over to PoK where his aircraft was shot down. He ejected safely and was taken to the custody by the Pakistani Army. He further thanked US President Donald Trump "for taking an interest to deescalate tensions between the two Asian nations". "He (US President Trump) can play a significant role. The United States can play a significant role. US and Pakistan have had good relations for decades. We have been close allies and today we have a shared objective to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan. I have had a telephonic conversation with United States Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo in which we discussed this evolving situation. I am happy that they have taken note of this rising tension and they want to play a constructive role to deescalate. This is a very welcomed development," Qureshi said. "When Pompeo came to Islamabad when had a very constructive and engaging meeting. He invited me to Washington DC and (there) we had another positive meeting," he added. During the interview with CNN, Qureshi stated that he could not envision an all-out war between India and Pakistan."I hope not… Pakistan never wants to escalate. Pakistan never wants to be in a hostile position. From day one when this government came to power, (Pakistan) Prime Minister Imran Khan said if you take one step towards peace, we will take two. He wrote to the Indian Prime Minister to let the two Foreign Minister meet on the sidelines in New York so that they can chart a way forward," he claimed. "When this Pulwama tragic incident took place, the Prime Minister placed a very balanced and reasonable offer. This is a new government with a new mindset (in Pakistan). We want to live in peace. We have a people-centric agenda. We want to concentrate on fixing the economy. We want to improve governance in Pakistan. We want to eradicate corruption in Pakistan. That’s the mandate given to us by the people of Pakistan. We want to see peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Western front is consuming us. We do not want an Eastern front. We want to put an end to the 17-year-old war that’s going on in Afghanistan," he added. Qureshi said that the Pakistani government is "open to any step that leads to de-escalation"."If they have good solid evidence, please sit and talk. Please initiate a dialogue and we will show reasonableness," he said.

JeM chief Masood Azhar is in Pakistan and is very unwell: Pakistan minister

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

India has dished out to Pakistan what it had been asking for years. Pakistan had been testing India’s patience by carrying out dastardly attacks through its band of home-grown terrorists in Kashmir and other parts of the country. But for how long? It had to happen. India needed to give a strong reply to Pakistan to stop it in its tracks.&nbsp;

For how long could Pakistan expect India to sit quietly as it went about continuing with its state policy of terror? A loud and clear message has been delivered to Pakistan that India will not hesitate in going inside the Pakistani territory to hunt out terrorists and their camps. &nbsp;

Here are the key takeaways:&nbsp; 
 
Meticulous planning: The air strike was well-timed and carefully planned. It is not easy to carry out aerial attacks during the hours of darkness when operations get hampered due to lower visibility. But Indian Air Force chose 3.30 am local time to exploit the advantages to maximum effect when its Mirage 2000 fighter jets dropped bombs on JeM terrorist camp in Pakistan's Balakot. In less than 30 minutes, 12 Mirage 2000 fighter jets completed the job with precision by eliminating the terror camp, which had taken the responsibility for the Pulwama suicide attack in which at least 40 CRPF personnel were martyred. Though exact figures are not readily available, a large number of militants and their leaders and handlers (some reports put the figure between 200 and 300) were killed. &nbsp; 
 
Pakistan caught napping: Pakistan least expected India to cross the Line of Control and conduct airstrikes inside its territory. Pakistan knew of impending response from India in the wake of the outrage following the Pulwama terror attack. Expecting India to carry out another surgical attack following the Uri attack last year, it had moved away several terror launch pads and training facilities from the line of control dividing Kashmir. But the least it had expected that India will dare to launch air strikes on its soil. This is the first time India has resorted to aerial bombing over the disputed border since the 1971 war. Indian warplanes had not crossed the Line of Control even during the brief Kargil conflict in 1999. &nbsp;

Zero tolerance towards terrorism: A hard and decisive message has been delivered to Pakistan that India will not hesitate in taking punitive measures if the former continued with its malicious designs. India had earlier indicated a change of its approach when it carried out surgical strikes in Pakistan occupied Kashmir inflicting heavy casualties on terrorists 10 days after the Uri attack in which 18 Indian soldiers were killed. &nbsp;With Pakistan disregarding all calls from India and the world leaders to close terror camps operating from its soil and prevent infiltration of terrorists into Kashmir, such a reply was long overdue. &nbsp;

Prepared for escalation: The air strike also conveys Indian leadership’s readiness for an all-out confrontation if Pakistan chooses to escalate the situation. Thus far, New Delhi had been held hostage to Islamabad’s manipulation and the threat of use of nuclear weapons if India dared any limited strikes on Pakistan. It resisted the military response, despite the massive outcry back home, for fear of escalation of hostilities. But New Delhi has decided to bite the bullet by extracting revenge on both the occasions. This marks a tectonic shift from India’s earlier stand when it used to share information of terror attacks with Pakistan in the hope that the latter will live up to its promise and take any concrete action against the terrorist groups operating from its soil. &nbsp;

Message to the world: With the world leaders baulking at India’s repeated requests for concerted and timely action against terrorism, New Delhi has decided to walk the talk. India has also sent out a strong signal to the global community that enough is enough and it reserves the right to self-defence against cross-border terrorism. India is unlikely to face any resistance given the global community’s strong condemnation of the Pulwama terror attacks and support to New Delhi. In fact, the US national security advisor John Bolton had gone on to say that Washington supported India's right to 'self-defence' from 'cross-border terrorism'.&nbsp;

What does it augur: There is no doubt that India’s military action has upped the ante and the world is concerned about the escalation of hostilities. The Indo-Pakistan relations have taken a severe hit and there does not seem a ray of hope of any betterment in the situation in the very near future. Any miscalculation by either of the two countries can bring them to the brink of a full-fledged war which does not augur well. Both countries should practice restraint and bide time to give peace another chance.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

India has dished out to Pakistan what it had been asking for years. Pakistan had been testing India’s patience by carrying out dastardly attacks through its band of home-grown terrorists in Kashmir and other parts of the country.

India has dished out to Pakistan what it had been asking for years. Pakistan had been testing India’s patience by carrying out dastardly attacks through its band of home-grown terrorists in Kashmir and other parts of the country. But for how long? It had to happen. India needed to give a strong reply to Pakistan to stop it in its tracks. For how long could Pakistan expect India to sit quietly as it went about continuing with its state policy of terror? A loud and clear message has been delivered to Pakistan that India will not hesitate in going inside the Pakistani territory to hunt out terrorists and their camps. Here are the key takeaways: Meticulous planning: The air strike was well-timed and carefully planned. It is not easy to carry out aerial attacks during the hours of darkness when operations get hampered due to lower visibility. But Indian Air Force chose 3.30 am local time to exploit the advantages to maximum effect when its Mirage 2000 fighter jets dropped bombs on JeM terrorist camp in Pakistan's Balakot. In less than 30 minutes, 12 Mirage 2000 fighter jets completed the job with precision by eliminating the terror camp, which had taken the responsibility for the Pulwama suicide attack in which at least 40 CRPF personnel were martyred. Though exact figures are not readily available, a large number of militants and their leaders and handlers (some reports put the figure between 200 and 300) were killed. Pakistan caught napping: Pakistan least expected India to cross the Line of Control and conduct airstrikes inside its territory. Pakistan knew of impending response from India in the wake of the outrage following the Pulwama terror attack. Expecting India to carry out another surgical attack following the Uri attack last year, it had moved away several terror launch pads and training facilities from the line of control dividing Kashmir. But the least it had expected that India will dare to launch air strikes on its soil. This is the first time India has resorted to aerial bombing over the disputed border since the 1971 war. Indian warplanes had not crossed the Line of Control even during the brief Kargil conflict in 1999. Zero tolerance towards terrorism: A hard and decisive message has been delivered to Pakistan that India will not hesitate in taking punitive measures if the former continued with its malicious designs. India had earlier indicated a change of its approach when it carried out surgical strikes in Pakistan occupied Kashmir inflicting heavy casualties on terrorists 10 days after the Uri attack in which 18 Indian soldiers were killed. With Pakistan disregarding all calls from India and the world leaders to close terror camps operating from its soil and prevent infiltration of terrorists into Kashmir, such a reply was long overdue. Prepared for escalation: The air strike also conveys Indian leadership’s readiness for an all-out confrontation if Pakistan chooses to escalate the situation. Thus far, New Delhi had been held hostage to Islamabad’s manipulation and the threat of use of nuclear weapons if India dared any limited strikes on Pakistan. It resisted the military response, despite the massive outcry back home, for fear of escalation of hostilities. But New Delhi has decided to bite the bullet by extracting revenge on both the occasions. This marks a tectonic shift from India’s earlier stand when it used to share information of terror attacks with Pakistan in the hope that the latter will live up to its promise and take any concrete action against the terrorist groups operating from its soil. Message to the world: With the world leaders baulking at India’s repeated requests for concerted and timely action against terrorism, New Delhi has decided to walk the talk. India has also sent out a strong signal to the global community that enough is enough and it reserves the right to self-defence against cross-border terrorism. India is unlikely to face any resistance given the global community’s strong condemnation of the Pulwama terror attacks and support to New Delhi. In fact, the US national security advisor John Bolton had gone on to say that Washington supported India's right to 'self-defence' from 'cross-border terrorism'. What does it augur: There is no doubt that India’s military action has upped the ante and the world is concerned about the escalation of hostilities. The Indo-Pakistan relations have taken a severe hit and there does not seem a ray of hope of any betterment in the situation in the very near future. Any miscalculation by either of the two countries can bring them to the brink of a full-fledged war which does not augur well. Both countries should practice restraint and bide time to give peace another chance. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Balakot operation: India serves it right and tight to Pakistan

India has avenged the martyrdom of CRPF personnel in the Pulwama attack with its decisive and highly successful intelligence-led operation.

In a pre-dawn air strike, Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 jets flew inside the Pak territory and bombed the biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Balakot in Pakistan.

According to Vijay Gokhale, India’s Foreign Secretary, in the precise air strike that destroyed the terrorist training camp, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated. This facility at Balakot was headed by Maulana Yousuf Azhar (alias Ustad Ghouri), the brother-in-law of JeM chief and India’s most wanted terrorist in Pakistan, Masood Azhar.

On February 14, CRPF personnel were martyred when a terrorist smashed a car-borne IED vehicle into a CRPF convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Pulwama district. JeM was quick to take responsibility for this attack.

In a major encounter the next day, security forces in Kashmir zeroed in and eliminated three terrorists, including the mastermind of this attack. In the gun battle that ensued, four army personnel were martyred.

Opposition leaders had started talking of the “timing” and were even accusing the Narendra Modi government and the ruling BJP of politicising the Pulwama attack ahead of the parliamentary election. The West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had taken the lead by launching a tirade against Modi on this count.

The scenario after Tuesday’s air strike has changed diametrically and leaders, who were briefed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at an all-party meet about the blasting of JeM terror infrastructure in Pakistan, have congratulated the IAF. The main opposition Congress party has also said that it will support security forces in their effort to finish terrorism being exported from across the border.&nbsp;

Without directly mentioning the air strike and the bombing of the JeM terror camps in Pakistan, Prime Minister Modi, while addressing a BJP rally at Churu in Rajasthan on Tuesday said it is a day to celebrate. He was cheered and applauded by the people when he was emphatic in assuring the citizens that the country is in safe hands.

While giving Pakistan every chance to act against terror, Prime Minister Modi has continued to handle the problem with an iron fist. Two-and-half years ago, on 18 September 2016, four heavily armed Pakistani Islamic terrorists had attacked the Uri Army camp killing 19 soldiers. Within days of this attack, India had conducted surgical strikes and demolished a number of terrorist launch pads in Pak Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Coinciding with the punitive action by India after the Uri incident, Prime Minister Modi, while addressing the BJP National Council at Kozhikode in Kerala, had cautioned the people of Pakistan against their leaders saying they were reading the text prepared by those running terrorist outfits. While accepting the challenge of war, Modi had also underscored his priority stating that he would instead like the two countries to wage a war against poverty and illiteracy.

During the 33rd Session of the Human Rights Council in the second fortnight of September 2016, India had focussed global attention on Pakistan and its role in spreading terror by stating that the fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir is cross-border terrorism promoted by Pakistan.

Over the years, Indian soldiers were laying down their life and casualties have continued to mount in Jammu and Kashmir. Besides the Pak sponsored terror or the low-intensity war waged by Pakistan, the Kashmir valley also has been reeling under the impact of violence perpetuated by the large-scale radicalisation of the Kashmiri youth. The pattern is clear, while the terrorists operating from bases in Pakistan have been infiltrating into Jammu and Kashmir to strike targets in the trouble-torn state, the separatists have been working in tandem with their ISI handlers in Pakistan to radicalise the local youth being used to attack the security forces.

As there was a spurt in violent incidents and efforts had failed to ensure steps by Mehbooba Mufti, as chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, to stop the radicalisation of Kashmiri youth, Governor's rule was imposed in the trouble-torn state in June 2018 following the withdrawal of support to the then Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government by the BJP.

JeM chief, Masood Azhar’s involvement in the 2001 Parliament attack, 2016 Pathankot attack, 2008 Mumbai attack and now the Pulwama attack has been established by the Indian authorities with evidence handed over to Pakistan to act appropriately in the war against terror. Masood Azhar was released by India in exchange for passengers of Indian Airlines flight 814 hijacked in December 1999.

Between 2004 and 2014, under the Congress-led UPA I and UPA II, the situation in Kashmir were allowed to drift and the proposals to strike targets inside Pakistan were swept under the carpet. The Modi-led NDA government’s decision to give a free hand to the defence forces and take direct action to demolish the terror infrastructure in Pakistan has led to an upsurge of support for Narendra Modi across India. Major countries are also on the same page with Modi when it comes to fighting terror.

India’s stand vis-a-vis war against terror has been underscored precisely by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at Beijing. In her opening remarks at the Foreign Ministers Meeting of Russia-India-China (RIC), she emphasised that Pakistan is a terror haven and went on to point out that the air strike in Pakistan was aimed against the JeM infrastructure and not against military installations. 
 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

India has avenged the martyrdom of CRPF personnel in the Pulwama attack with its decisive and highly successful intelligence-led operation. In a pre-dawn air strike, Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 jets flew inside the Pak territory and bombed the biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Balakot in Pakistan.

India has avenged the martyrdom of CRPF personnel in the Pulwama attack with its decisive and highly successful intelligence-led operation. In a pre-dawn air strike, Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 jets flew inside the Pak territory and bombed the biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Balakot in Pakistan. According to Vijay Gokhale, India’s Foreign Secretary, in the precise air strike that destroyed the terrorist training camp, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated. This facility at Balakot was headed by Maulana Yousuf Azhar (alias Ustad Ghouri), the brother-in-law of JeM chief and India’s most wanted terrorist in Pakistan, Masood Azhar. On February 14, CRPF personnel were martyred when a terrorist smashed a car-borne IED vehicle into a CRPF convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Pulwama district. JeM was quick to take responsibility for this attack. In a major encounter the next day, security forces in Kashmir zeroed in and eliminated three terrorists, including the mastermind of this attack. In the gun battle that ensued, four army personnel were martyred. Opposition leaders had started talking of the “timing” and were even accusing the Narendra Modi government and the ruling BJP of politicising the Pulwama attack ahead of the parliamentary election. The West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had taken the lead by launching a tirade against Modi on this count. The scenario after Tuesday’s air strike has changed diametrically and leaders, who were briefed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at an all-party meet about the blasting of JeM terror infrastructure in Pakistan, have congratulated the IAF. The main opposition Congress party has also said that it will support security forces in their effort to finish terrorism being exported from across the border. Without directly mentioning the air strike and the bombing of the JeM terror camps in Pakistan, Prime Minister Modi, while addressing a BJP rally at Churu in Rajasthan on Tuesday said it is a day to celebrate. He was cheered and applauded by the people when he was emphatic in assuring the citizens that the country is in safe hands. While giving Pakistan every chance to act against terror, Prime Minister Modi has continued to handle the problem with an iron fist. Two-and-half years ago, on 18 September 2016, four heavily armed Pakistani Islamic terrorists had attacked the Uri Army camp killing 19 soldiers. Within days of this attack, India had conducted surgical strikes and demolished a number of terrorist launch pads in Pak Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Coinciding with the punitive action by India after the Uri incident, Prime Minister Modi, while addressing the BJP National Council at Kozhikode in Kerala, had cautioned the people of Pakistan against their leaders saying they were reading the text prepared by those running terrorist outfits. While accepting the challenge of war, Modi had also underscored his priority stating that he would instead like the two countries to wage a war against poverty and illiteracy. During the 33rd Session of the Human Rights Council in the second fortnight of September 2016, India had focussed global attention on Pakistan and its role in spreading terror by stating that the fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir is cross-border terrorism promoted by Pakistan. Over the years, Indian soldiers were laying down their life and casualties have continued to mount in Jammu and Kashmir. Besides the Pak sponsored terror or the low-intensity war waged by Pakistan, the Kashmir valley also has been reeling under the impact of violence perpetuated by the large-scale radicalisation of the Kashmiri youth. The pattern is clear, while the terrorists operating from bases in Pakistan have been infiltrating into Jammu and Kashmir to strike targets in the trouble-torn state, the separatists have been working in tandem with their ISI handlers in Pakistan to radicalise the local youth being used to attack the security forces. As there was a spurt in violent incidents and efforts had failed to ensure steps by Mehbooba Mufti, as chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, to stop the radicalisation of Kashmiri youth, Governor's rule was imposed in the trouble-torn state in June 2018 following the withdrawal of support to the then Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government by the BJP. JeM chief, Masood Azhar’s involvement in the 2001 Parliament attack, 2016 Pathankot attack, 2008 Mumbai attack and now the Pulwama attack has been established by the Indian authorities with evidence handed over to Pakistan to act appropriately in the war against terror. Masood Azhar was released by India in exchange for passengers of Indian Airlines flight 814 hijacked in December 1999. Between 2004 and 2014, under the Congress-led UPA I and UPA II, the situation in Kashmir were allowed to drift and the proposals to strike targets inside Pakistan were swept under the carpet. The Modi-led NDA government’s decision to give a free hand to the defence forces and take direct action to demolish the terror infrastructure in Pakistan has led to an upsurge of support for Narendra Modi across India. Major countries are also on the same page with Modi when it comes to fighting terror. India’s stand vis-a-vis war against terror has been underscored precisely by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at Beijing. In her opening remarks at the Foreign Ministers Meeting of Russia-India-China (RIC), she emphasised that Pakistan is a terror haven and went on to point out that the air strike in Pakistan was aimed against the JeM infrastructure and not against military installations. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

IAF's Balakot operation against JeM is proof of Narendra Modi government's decisiveness

How Indian Air Force carried out air strikes on terror pads across LoC

France has condemned the "terrible" Pulwama terror attack that killed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-party-meeting-hails-iaf-strikes-lauds-clean-operation-with-no-casualties-199899">40 Indian soldiers</a> and asked Pakistan to put an end to the terrorist groups operating from its soil.

Forty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed on February 14 in Jammu and Kashmir when a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into their bus in Pulwama district, sparking outrage in the country.

"France most firmly condemns the terrible attack perpetrated on February 14 against Indian security forces in Pulwama, for which the terrorist group, Jaish-e-Mohammed, has claimed responsibility," said the acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.

"France recognises India's legitimacy to ensure its security against cross-border terrorism and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/four-bombs-fell-in-jabba-near-balakot-pak-army-spokesman-ghafoor-199896">asks Pakistan to put an end</a> to the operations of terrorist groups established on its territory," the official said in a statement.

France, which stands by India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms, is fully engaged in mobilising the international community to sanction the terrorists responsible for this attack and freezing their financing networks, it said.

The statement came days after a senior French source told PTI that France will be moving a proposal at the UN to ban Masood Azhar, chief of the UN-proscribed JeM which has claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack.

"France solemnly calls on India and Pakistan to exercise restraint so as to avert any risk of military escalation and preserve strategic stability in the region," the statement said.

The resumption of bilateral dialogue between Islamabad and New Delhi is necessary to initiate a peaceful settlement of differences, it said.

India launched a major diplomatic offensive against Islamabad after the Pulwama attack and highlighted Pakistan's role in using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.

The international community led by the US pressed Pakistan to deny safe haven to terror groups operating form its soil and bring the perpetrators of the Pulwama attack to justice.

India has asked Pakistan to take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control.

New Delhi also announced the withdrawal of the Most Favoured Nation status for Pakistan and hiked the customs duty by 200 per cent on goods originating from Pakistan.

France has condemned the "terrible" Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 Indian soldiers and asked Pakistan to put an end to the terrorist groups operating from its soil.

France has condemned the "terrible" Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 Indian soldiers and asked Pakistan to put an end to the terrorist groups operating from its soil. Forty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed on February 14 in Jammu and Kashmir when a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into their bus in Pulwama district, sparking outrage in the country. "France most firmly condemns the terrible attack perpetrated on February 14 against Indian security forces in Pulwama, for which the terrorist group, Jaish-e-Mohammed, has claimed responsibility," said the acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. "France recognises India's legitimacy to ensure its security against cross-border terrorism and asks Pakistan to put an end to the operations of terrorist groups established on its territory," the official said in a statement. France, which stands by India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms, is fully engaged in mobilising the international community to sanction the terrorists responsible for this attack and freezing their financing networks, it said. The statement came days after a senior French source told PTI that France will be moving a proposal at the UN to ban Masood Azhar, chief of the UN-proscribed JeM which has claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack. "France solemnly calls on India and Pakistan to exercise restraint so as to avert any risk of military escalation and preserve strategic stability in the region," the statement said. The resumption of bilateral dialogue between Islamabad and New Delhi is necessary to initiate a peaceful settlement of differences, it said. India launched a major diplomatic offensive against Islamabad after the Pulwama attack and highlighted Pakistan's role in using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. The international community led by the US pressed Pakistan to deny safe haven to terror groups operating form its soil and bring the perpetrators of the Pulwama attack to justice. India has asked Pakistan to take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control. New Delhi also announced the withdrawal of the Most Favoured Nation status for Pakistan and hiked the customs duty by 200 per cent on goods originating from Pakistan.

We recognise India's legitimacy to ensure security against cross-border terrorism: France

Leaders of different political parties on Tuesday congratulated the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-strikes-on-terror-launchpads-meticulous-planning-led-to-successful-air-force-mission-199830">Indian Air Force(IAF)</a> at an all-party meeting on operation targeting a terrorist camp in Pakistan, with the Congress saying that it will support security forces in their endeavour to finish terrorism coming into India from outside.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj briefed the leaders, who included <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/four-bombs-fell-in-jabba-near-balakot-pak-army-spokesman-ghafoor-199896">CPM's Sitaram Yechury</a>, TMC's Derek O'Brian, Omar Abdullah of National Conference and Bhartruhari Mahtab from BJD, on the air strike carried out in the early hours.

Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley, both members of the Cabinet Committee on Security like Swaraj, were also present in the meeting. Azad told reporters after the meeting that political parties lauded the IAF strikes to destroy terror camps in a "clean" operation as there were no civilian casualties.&nbsp;

"We will support our security forces in their endeavour to finish terrorism coming into Indian from outside. The good part was that it was a very clean operation," he said.&nbsp;

NCP's Praful Patel, BSP's Satish Mishra and BJP ally Ramdas Athawale also attended the meeting.&nbsp;

In a swift and precise air strike, India bombed and destroyed Jaish-e-Mohammed's(JeM)&nbsp;biggest training camp in Pakistan early Tuesday, killing over 350 terrorists, trainers and senior commanders, less than two weeks after the terror outfit carried out the suicide attack in Pulwama in which 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives.&nbsp;

Following an all-party meeting called by the government to brief leaders on the operation, the Congress asserted that it will support security forces in their efforts to finish terrorism coming into India from outside as parties praised the IAF for its action.

The prime minister appeared at three public events and hinted at the IAF operation to loud applause from his audiences, even though he did not make any direct reference to the action.

"My soul says today is the day to reiterate what I had expressed in 2014 that I won't let my country down. I pledge to the motherland that I will not let her head bow. Today is a day to pay homage to India's bravehearts. I want to assure people of the country that the nation is in safe hands," Modi said at a rally in Churu in Rajasthan.

In a pinpointed and swift air strike, India pounded JeM's&nbsp;biggest training camp in Pakistan early Tuesday, killing up to 350 terrorists and trainers who were moved there for their protection after the Pulwama attack, officials said.

As the news came out, Rahul Gandhi tweeted his praise for the IAF. "I salute the pilots of the IAF," he said.

Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee echoed the view, saying "IAF also means India's Amazing Fighters. Jai Hind."

Joining in, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati offered her salute and respect for the IAF but added that had the Modi government given a free hand to the armed forces earlier terrorist attacks in Pulwama, Pathankot and Uri would have been avoided. 
&nbsp;

Leaders of different political parties on Tuesday congratulated the Indian Air Force(IAF) at an all-party meeting on operation targeting a terrorist camp in Pakistan, with the Congress saying that it will support security forces in their endeavour to finish terrorism coming into India from outside.

Leaders of different political parties on Tuesday congratulated the Indian Air Force(IAF) at an all-party meeting on operation targeting a terrorist camp in Pakistan, with the Congress saying that it will support security forces in their endeavour to finish terrorism coming into India from outside. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj briefed the leaders, who included CPM's Sitaram Yechury, TMC's Derek O'Brian, Omar Abdullah of National Conference and Bhartruhari Mahtab from BJD, on the air strike carried out in the early hours. Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley, both members of the Cabinet Committee on Security like Swaraj, were also present in the meeting. Azad told reporters after the meeting that political parties lauded the IAF strikes to destroy terror camps in a "clean" operation as there were no civilian casualties. "We will support our security forces in their endeavour to finish terrorism coming into Indian from outside. The good part was that it was a very clean operation," he said. NCP's Praful Patel, BSP's Satish Mishra and BJP ally Ramdas Athawale also attended the meeting. In a swift and precise air strike, India bombed and destroyed Jaish-e-Mohammed's(JeM) biggest training camp in Pakistan early Tuesday, killing over 350 terrorists, trainers and senior commanders, less than two weeks after the terror outfit carried out the suicide attack in Pulwama in which 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives. Following an all-party meeting called by the government to brief leaders on the operation, the Congress asserted that it will support security forces in their efforts to finish terrorism coming into India from outside as parties praised the IAF for its action. The prime minister appeared at three public events and hinted at the IAF operation to loud applause from his audiences, even though he did not make any direct reference to the action. "My soul says today is the day to reiterate what I had expressed in 2014 that I won't let my country down. I pledge to the motherland that I will not let her head bow. Today is a day to pay homage to India's bravehearts. I want to assure people of the country that the nation is in safe hands," Modi said at a rally in Churu in Rajasthan. In a pinpointed and swift air strike, India pounded JeM's biggest training camp in Pakistan early Tuesday, killing up to 350 terrorists and trainers who were moved there for their protection after the Pulwama attack, officials said. As the news came out, Rahul Gandhi tweeted his praise for the IAF. "I salute the pilots of the IAF," he said. Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee echoed the view, saying "IAF also means India's Amazing Fighters. Jai Hind." Joining in, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati offered her salute and respect for the IAF but added that had the Modi government given a free hand to the armed forces earlier terrorist attacks in Pulwama, Pathankot and Uri would have been avoided.

All-party meeting hails IAF strikes; lauds 'clean' operation with no casualties

In first cross-border airstrike in 5 decades IAF destroys JeM camps across LoC

India vs Pakistan: A history of conflict

The bombing of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist pad in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan, has broken India’s reticence to use Air Force in an unconventional war which it has been subjected to by Pakistan.&nbsp;

India did not use Air Force against China in 1962 out of fear of escalating the war. Even during the Kargil war in 1999, Indian fighter jets&nbsp;not once crossed the LoC.&nbsp;

Last time Indian fighters crossed into Pakistan was in 1971 when India won hands down and Bangladesh was born. 
 
By using nuclear capable and upgraded Mirage 2000, India has called the nuclear bluff of Pakistan. These planes have the proven capability of flying below the radars and can target beyond visual ranges. The fighters can automatically track and target moving targets as well. In 2008, after the Mumbai attack, Mirage 2000 squadron was kept on standby to attack posts inside PoK, but the final call was not taken.

Mumbai did not become the inflexion point despite higher casualties but Pulwama attack did.

The nuclear bluff had deterred Indian military establishment for the past three decades from using air assets. The defence world suffered from caginess when it came to using the Air Force as an option to hit Pakistan. The very idea of the use of the Air Force created the fear of escalation which eventually would go beyond India’s control. Balakot operation has ended the debate. 
 
The air strike has also sent the message to Pakistan that lost cost war, being waged by them in Kashmir, will turn into a high-cost affair if terror activities continue.

Though this strike is no guarantee against a terror attack, but it definitely showcases India’s resolve to use any means including Air Force against Pakistan.&nbsp;

The bottom line is that India has put conventional might back into the game which Pakistan has been dismissing for a long time on a presumption that nuclear nations will not engage in conventional hostility.

The reaction of the Indian government has been restrained so that it doesn't provide anymore provocation to Islamabad.

India categorically stated on Tuesday that it was a preemptive strike to defend itself from the Jihadi elements from across the border. Under the Charter of the United Nations, Article 51 clearly states that countries have the right to self-defence. It is for this reason, India asserted that it was a non-military strike and civilians were not harmed. This time India took a giant leap but silently.

On top of it, lies the importance of Balakot located in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which is Pakistan and not Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). India by hitting the JeM terrorist camp not only demonstrated its technical capability to hit deep inside Pakistan but also created a new military paradigm whereby terrorist targets deep inside Pakistan from now on would be considered legitimate targets by the Indian military.&nbsp;

Balakot also has a history. In 1831, Maharaja Ranjit Singh eliminated Islamic forces of Syed Ahmed. Maulana Masood Azhar set up his camp in Balakot after his release in 2001. It was here that the conspiracy to bomb Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was hatched. Unlike the last time when India conducted surgical strikes inside POK, this time India has signalled broadening of operations all across Pakistan. 
 
Lastly, by hitting out again, India has shown that it will take unilateral action against Pakistan even if the international community has different views on it. This message has gone all across the world. It was long needed but pending as previous political establishment was strategically lazy in dealing with Pak terror. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The bombing of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist pad in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan, has broken India’s reticence to use Air Force in an unconventional war which it has been subjected to by Pakistan.

The bombing of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist pad in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan, has broken India’s reticence to use Air Force in an unconventional war which it has been subjected to by Pakistan. India did not use Air Force against China in 1962 out of fear of escalating the war. Even during the Kargil war in 1999, Indian fighter jets not once crossed the LoC. Last time Indian fighters crossed into Pakistan was in 1971 when India won hands down and Bangladesh was born. By using nuclear capable and upgraded Mirage 2000, India has called the nuclear bluff of Pakistan. These planes have the proven capability of flying below the radars and can target beyond visual ranges. The fighters can automatically track and target moving targets as well. In 2008, after the Mumbai attack, Mirage 2000 squadron was kept on standby to attack posts inside PoK, but the final call was not taken. Mumbai did not become the inflexion point despite higher casualties but Pulwama attack did. The nuclear bluff had deterred Indian military establishment for the past three decades from using air assets. The defence world suffered from caginess when it came to using the Air Force as an option to hit Pakistan. The very idea of the use of the Air Force created the fear of escalation which eventually would go beyond India’s control. Balakot operation has ended the debate. The air strike has also sent the message to Pakistan that lost cost war, being waged by them in Kashmir, will turn into a high-cost affair if terror activities continue. Though this strike is no guarantee against a terror attack, but it definitely showcases India’s resolve to use any means including Air Force against Pakistan. The bottom line is that India has put conventional might back into the game which Pakistan has been dismissing for a long time on a presumption that nuclear nations will not engage in conventional hostility. The reaction of the Indian government has been restrained so that it doesn't provide anymore provocation to Islamabad. India categorically stated on Tuesday that it was a preemptive strike to defend itself from the Jihadi elements from across the border. Under the Charter of the United Nations, Article 51 clearly states that countries have the right to self-defence. It is for this reason, India asserted that it was a non-military strike and civilians were not harmed. This time India took a giant leap but silently. On top of it, lies the importance of Balakot located in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which is Pakistan and not Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). India by hitting the JeM terrorist camp not only demonstrated its technical capability to hit deep inside Pakistan but also created a new military paradigm whereby terrorist targets deep inside Pakistan from now on would be considered legitimate targets by the Indian military. Balakot also has a history. In 1831, Maharaja Ranjit Singh eliminated Islamic forces of Syed Ahmed. Maulana Masood Azhar set up his camp in Balakot after his release in 2001. It was here that the conspiracy to bomb Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was hatched. Unlike the last time when India conducted surgical strikes inside POK, this time India has signalled broadening of operations all across Pakistan. Lastly, by hitting out again, India has shown that it will take unilateral action against Pakistan even if the international community has different views on it. This message has gone all across the world. It was long needed but pending as previous political establishment was strategically lazy in dealing with Pak terror. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

IAF operation in Balakot: India calls Pakistan’s nuclear bluff

India strikes 'biggest training camp of JeM': Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale

UNSC strongly condemns Pulwama attack by JeM

UNSC strongly condemns 'heinous and cowardly' Pulwama attack by JeM

Less than twenty-four hours after Pakistan’s high-level security committee, the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/unsc-statement-mentioned-jem-in-general-terms-it-does-not-represent-judgment-on-pulwama-attack-china-198964"> National Security Committee</a>&nbsp;met, the Pakistan government through the provincial government of Punjab took over&nbsp;administrative control of Jaish-e-Mohammed's(JeM)&nbsp;two seminaries, said to be its&nbsp;headquarters in Bahawalpur in south Punjab.

The development comes in the backdrop of mounting <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/did-not-ban-jud-under-pressure-proper-process-was-followed-pak-dg-ispr-general-asif-ghafoor-199022">international pressure on Pakistan</a> to take decisive action against the JeM, a globally listed terror outfit that reportedly has its headquarters situated in Pakistan.&nbsp;

JeM had taken responsibility of the Pulwama attack on CRPF that killed over 44 personnel on 14th February even as the global anti-terror funding watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force(FATF) called out Pakistan on its failure to curb terror financing.

FATF had earlier named the JeM, Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT), Jamaat-ud-Dawa(JuD), Filah-e-Insaniyat Foundation(FIF) among few terrorist organizations against which Pakistan had failed to act.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan while making a policy statement on Tuesday had asked India to provide "actionable intelligence" in the Pulwama attack, he also offered a "joint investigation" in the matter.

India has rejected the moves taken by Pakistan in last 24 hours. Sources speaking to WION said, "Pakistan's scrambling to put together even this cosmetic response is evidence of the coordinated diplomatic campaign that India has undertaken across multiple capitals and in Delhi."

In the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, India has upped the ante against Islamabad and has been briefing foreign envoys in Delhi and world capital's about Pakistan's involvement in the attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel.&nbsp;

The Pakistani ministry of interior announced about the takeover in a formal statement that read, “Islamabad: Government of Punjab has taken over the control of a campus comprising Madressatul Sabir and Jama-e-Masjid Subhanallah in Bahawalpur."

It is reportedly the headquarters of JeM and appointed an administrator to manage its affairs. The statement further added “that the campus has a faculty of 70 teachers and currently 600 students were studying in it. The Punjab police has been providing security and protection to the campus”.

Pakistani authorities have maintained that the action was taken in line with the decision of the NSC&nbsp;meeting held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The move comes hours after the Pakistani authorities banned JuD and Filah-e-Insaniyat Foundation, charities run by globally designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed.

The spokesperson of Pakistan’s military wing Major General Asif Ghafoor while addressing a press conference on Friday in reply to WION’s question had said that these actions are being taken not because of any pressure but purely because it is in the interest of Pakistan.

Less than twenty-four hours after Pakistan’s high-level security committee, the National Security Committee met, the Pakistan government through the provincial government of Punjab took over administrative control of Jaish-e-Mohammed's(JeM) two seminaries, said to be its headquarters in Bahawalpur in south Punjab.

Less than twenty-four hours after Pakistan’s high-level security committee, the National Security Committee met, the Pakistan government through the provincial government of Punjab took over administrative control of Jaish-e-Mohammed's(JeM) two seminaries, said to be its headquarters in Bahawalpur in south Punjab. The development comes in the backdrop of mounting international pressure on Pakistan to take decisive action against the JeM, a globally listed terror outfit that reportedly has its headquarters situated in Pakistan. JeM had taken responsibility of the Pulwama attack on CRPF that killed over 44 personnel on 14th February even as the global anti-terror funding watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force(FATF) called out Pakistan on its failure to curb terror financing. FATF had earlier named the JeM, Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT), Jamaat-ud-Dawa(JuD), Filah-e-Insaniyat Foundation(FIF) among few terrorist organizations against which Pakistan had failed to act. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan while making a policy statement on Tuesday had asked India to provide "actionable intelligence" in the Pulwama attack, he also offered a "joint investigation" in the matter. India has rejected the moves taken by Pakistan in last 24 hours. Sources speaking to WION said, "Pakistan's scrambling to put together even this cosmetic response is evidence of the coordinated diplomatic campaign that India has undertaken across multiple capitals and in Delhi." In the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, India has upped the ante against Islamabad and has been briefing foreign envoys in Delhi and world capital's about Pakistan's involvement in the attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel. The Pakistani ministry of interior announced about the takeover in a formal statement that read, “Islamabad: Government of Punjab has taken over the control of a campus comprising Madressatul Sabir and Jama-e-Masjid Subhanallah in Bahawalpur." It is reportedly the headquarters of JeM and appointed an administrator to manage its affairs. The statement further added “that the campus has a faculty of 70 teachers and currently 600 students were studying in it. The Punjab police has been providing security and protection to the campus”. Pakistani authorities have maintained that the action was taken in line with the decision of the NSC meeting held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan. The move comes hours after the Pakistani authorities banned JuD and Filah-e-Insaniyat Foundation, charities run by globally designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed. The spokesperson of Pakistan’s military wing Major General Asif Ghafoor while addressing a press conference on Friday in reply to WION’s question had said that these actions are being taken not because of any pressure but purely because it is in the interest of Pakistan.

Pakistan government takes control of JeM headquarters

China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council on Friday sought to downplay the scathing statement issued by the powerful organ of the world body naming Jaish-e-Muhammad(JeM) in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/pulwama-attack-cannot-be-allowed-to-go-unanswered-198875">Pulwama terror attack</a>, saying the mention of the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/fatf-comes-hard-on-pakistan-says-islamabad-has-not-demonstrated-proper-understanding-of-terror-financing-198944"> Pakistan-based outfit</a> was only in "general terms" and "does not represent a judgement".

At least 40 Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) personnel were killed in a suicide attack by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-is-getting-globally-isolated-move-to-ban-jud-fif-is-cosmetic-response-to-our-diplomatic-campaign-india-198872">Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed(JeM)</a> in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14, sparking outrage in the country.

The powerful UN Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday strongly condemned the "heinous and cowardly" terror attack.

"The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 40 Indian paramilitary forces dead and dozens wounded on February 14, 2019, for which Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility," it said in a statement.

Asked about the statement highlighting the role of JeM claiming the responsibility of the Pulwama attack, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters that Beijing was closely following the developments related to the terror incident.

"Yesterday, the UN Security Council issued a press statement that mentioned that a particular organisation but only in general terms. It does not represent a judgement on the attack," Geng said.

His remarks were seen as an attempt by China, without whose endorsement the UNSC statement could not have been released, aimed at placating its close ally Pakistan and play down the indictment of the JeM.

China has been repeatedly blocking India and several other countries' efforts to bring about a global ban on JeM chief Masood Azhar in the UN's anti-terror 1267 committee.

While China's endorsement of the UNSC statement was reflection of wariness on the part of Beijing to repeatedly defend JeM in the UN body, which casts a shadow on its relations with India, observers say it is to be seen what stand Beijing would take when France moves its resolution seeking to list Azhar as a global terrorist in the UN.

France, also a member of the permanent five of the UNSC, has officially announced that it would move a resolution soon in the 1267 committee seeking Azhar's listing.

Since 2016, China has consistently blocked moves first by India and later by the US, the UK and France to designate Azhar as a global terrorist by putting repeated technical holds.

In his response on Friday Geng said that "China also noted that the Pakistani government showed readiness to cooperate with India on the investigation and that it is also ready to resolve differences with India through dialogue".

"China hopes all parties will work to find the truth about this attack. We hope Pakistan and India will engage in dialogue to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability," he said.

The UN statement also underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these "reprehensible acts of terrorism" accountable and bring them to justice".

The UN condemnation came a day after Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi met top UN leaders including with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to brief them about the escalating tensions in the region in the wake of the Pulwama attack. PTI

China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council on Friday sought to downplay the scathing statement issued by the powerful organ of the world body naming Jaish-e-Muhammad(JeM) in the Pulwama terror attack, saying the mention of the Pakistan-based outfit was only in "general terms" and "does not represent a judgement".

China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council on Friday sought to downplay the scathing statement issued by the powerful organ of the world body naming Jaish-e-Muhammad(JeM) in the Pulwama terror attack, saying the mention of the Pakistan-based outfit was only in "general terms" and "does not represent a judgement". At least 40 Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) personnel were killed in a suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed(JeM) in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14, sparking outrage in the country. The powerful UN Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday strongly condemned the "heinous and cowardly" terror attack. "The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 40 Indian paramilitary forces dead and dozens wounded on February 14, 2019, for which Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility," it said in a statement. Asked about the statement highlighting the role of JeM claiming the responsibility of the Pulwama attack, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters that Beijing was closely following the developments related to the terror incident. "Yesterday, the UN Security Council issued a press statement that mentioned that a particular organisation but only in general terms. It does not represent a judgement on the attack," Geng said. His remarks were seen as an attempt by China, without whose endorsement the UNSC statement could not have been released, aimed at placating its close ally Pakistan and play down the indictment of the JeM. China has been repeatedly blocking India and several other countries' efforts to bring about a global ban on JeM chief Masood Azhar in the UN's anti-terror 1267 committee. While China's endorsement of the UNSC statement was reflection of wariness on the part of Beijing to repeatedly defend JeM in the UN body, which casts a shadow on its relations with India, observers say it is to be seen what stand Beijing would take when France moves its resolution seeking to list Azhar as a global terrorist in the UN. France, also a member of the permanent five of the UNSC, has officially announced that it would move a resolution soon in the 1267 committee seeking Azhar's listing. Since 2016, China has consistently blocked moves first by India and later by the US, the UK and France to designate Azhar as a global terrorist by putting repeated technical holds. In his response on Friday Geng said that "China also noted that the Pakistani government showed readiness to cooperate with India on the investigation and that it is also ready to resolve differences with India through dialogue". "China hopes all parties will work to find the truth about this attack. We hope Pakistan and India will engage in dialogue to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability," he said. The UN statement also underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these "reprehensible acts of terrorism" accountable and bring them to justice". The UN condemnation came a day after Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi met top UN leaders including with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to brief them about the escalating tensions in the region in the wake of the Pulwama attack. PTI

UNSC statement mentioned JeM in general terms, it does not represent judgement on Pulwama attack: China

However much we feel angry over China’s fresh refusal to back India’s demand to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN, which would paralyse his terror network, there is practically nothing that we could do, because we have buckled under Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail, facilitated by China that gave Pakistan nuclear know-how to counter and stunt India. When it came to Pakistani transfers of Western technology to China’s nuclear programme, the United States was ambivalent — and some in the US government were even tacitly supportive.

Now, when we see Azhar on the rampage, causing incalculable harm to India’s strategic interests, it is worth our while to recall that ever since Pakistan acquired nuclear weapons, they exploited it to the hilt, mounting attack after attack on us with little wherewithal for India either to punish Pakistan or change its behaviour. While Pakistan got away by inflicting a 26/11 on India or mounting an attack on Indian Parliament, or later at Uri, Pathankot and Pulwama — bleeding us to “thousand cuts” — we have thus far remained content with a few symbolic hangings and strikes and unsubstantial, effete cries for revenge.&nbsp;

We took little notice of the implications of Pakistan’s growing nuclearisation for managing the situation in Kashmir since 1991, a fact highlighted by the Subrahmanyam Committee probing the Kargil debacle. Perhaps the fuller implications of Bhutto’s famous pronouncement in 1965, that “If … India builds the atom bomb…. Pakistan will eat grass or leaves, even go hungry, but we will get one of our own” are on display now.

If we are particularly appalled by the carnage at Pulwama unleashed by JeM, and particularly miffed over China’s dogged intransigence, it is important to understand the India-centric foundations for the China-Pakistan relationship seen in the prism of the three crucial wars. The Sino-Indian war of 1962 made the value of strategic cooperation fully apparent to the Chinese and the Pakistanis and brought a rapid resolution to their own outstanding border dispute.

&nbsp;The Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 in which there was a real prospect of Chinese intervention on Pakistan’s behalf formed the basis of China’s status as the “all-weather friend” in the Pakistani public imagination. The 1971 Indo-Pakistani war — in which though Beijing failed to come to Islamabad’s aid — set in motion security cooperation of an even more significant nature. After Pakistan’s devastating defeat, China helped the country develop a set of military capabilities to ensure that it would never face the same fate again. Central to this was China’s backing for Pakistan’s nuclear ambition which, as it stands today, has given Pakistan the near-sovereign right to inflict substantial damage on India without the prospect of incurring any substantial retaliation. In reality, China’s greatest contribution to Pakistan’s security is something more important than that: the ultimate means of self-defence. That’s the reason why India cannot tinker with Pakistan despite grave provocations or can do little even as Pakistan continues to harbour terrorists like Masood Azhar, Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.

Perhaps that’s also the reason why India’s best bet is not militarism but diplomacy. Rightly, it appealed to all members of the international community to “support the proposal to list terrorists, including JeM chief Masood Azhar, as a designated terrorist and to ban terrorist organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan.” Though nations like the US, the UK, Russia, and France have expressed solidarity with India in combating terrorism, China kept its stand on Masood Azhar unchanged perhaps because supporting Azhar could be a handle to needle India and appease Pakistan to extract strategic benefit from it. &nbsp;

Pakistan’s autonomy and even survival as a state have been preserved by its nuclear capacity. But, its dependence on China to achieve this comes with a threat of spillover terrorism to the world community, and this threat arising out of Sino-Pak entente cordiale has to be appreciated by the UNSC. China is a looming threat to the security architecture of Southeast Asia with a verifiable record to trigger irresponsible proliferation if one is mindful of an unchecked fissile material trade as one of the consequences of the break-up of the Soviet Union. It is only a matter of time before terrorists get a nuclear weapon. And the worse fallout of this adventurism is that akin to India having to contend with Kashmir, China has Xinjiang, and Pakistan Baluchistan to deal with, where a ‘nuclear deterrent relationship’ cannot be established with non-state actors, as targeting them with even a small nuclear weapon would be impossible without incurring unacceptable collateral damage and provoking global outrage. We all know what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

(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.)

However much we feel angry over China’s fresh refusal to back India’s demand to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN, which would paralyse his terror network, there is practically nothing that we could do, because we have buckled under Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail, facilitated by China that gave Pakistan nuclear know-how to counter and stunt India.

However much we feel angry over China’s fresh refusal to back India’s demand to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN, which would paralyse his terror network, there is practically nothing that we could do, because we have buckled under Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail, facilitated by China that gave Pakistan nuclear know-how to counter and stunt India. When it came to Pakistani transfers of Western technology to China’s nuclear programme, the United States was ambivalent — and some in the US government were even tacitly supportive. Now, when we see Azhar on the rampage, causing incalculable harm to India’s strategic interests, it is worth our while to recall that ever since Pakistan acquired nuclear weapons, they exploited it to the hilt, mounting attack after attack on us with little wherewithal for India either to punish Pakistan or change its behaviour. While Pakistan got away by inflicting a 26/11 on India or mounting an attack on Indian Parliament, or later at Uri, Pathankot and Pulwama — bleeding us to “thousand cuts” — we have thus far remained content with a few symbolic hangings and strikes and unsubstantial, effete cries for revenge. We took little notice of the implications of Pakistan’s growing nuclearisation for managing the situation in Kashmir since 1991, a fact highlighted by the Subrahmanyam Committee probing the Kargil debacle. Perhaps the fuller implications of Bhutto’s famous pronouncement in 1965, that “If … India builds the atom bomb…. Pakistan will eat grass or leaves, even go hungry, but we will get one of our own” are on display now. If we are particularly appalled by the carnage at Pulwama unleashed by JeM, and particularly miffed over China’s dogged intransigence, it is important to understand the India-centric foundations for the China-Pakistan relationship seen in the prism of the three crucial wars. The Sino-Indian war of 1962 made the value of strategic cooperation fully apparent to the Chinese and the Pakistanis and brought a rapid resolution to their own outstanding border dispute. The Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 in which there was a real prospect of Chinese intervention on Pakistan’s behalf formed the basis of China’s status as the “all-weather friend” in the Pakistani public imagination. The 1971 Indo-Pakistani war — in which though Beijing failed to come to Islamabad’s aid — set in motion security cooperation of an even more significant nature. After Pakistan’s devastating defeat, China helped the country develop a set of military capabilities to ensure that it would never face the same fate again. Central to this was China’s backing for Pakistan’s nuclear ambition which, as it stands today, has given Pakistan the near-sovereign right to inflict substantial damage on India without the prospect of incurring any substantial retaliation. In reality, China’s greatest contribution to Pakistan’s security is something more important than that: the ultimate means of self-defence. That’s the reason why India cannot tinker with Pakistan despite grave provocations or can do little even as Pakistan continues to harbour terrorists like Masood Azhar, Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi. Perhaps that’s also the reason why India’s best bet is not militarism but diplomacy. Rightly, it appealed to all members of the international community to “support the proposal to list terrorists, including JeM chief Masood Azhar, as a designated terrorist and to ban terrorist organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan.” Though nations like the US, the UK, Russia, and France have expressed solidarity with India in combating terrorism, China kept its stand on Masood Azhar unchanged perhaps because supporting Azhar could be a handle to needle India and appease Pakistan to extract strategic benefit from it. Pakistan’s autonomy and even survival as a state have been preserved by its nuclear capacity. But, its dependence on China to achieve this comes with a threat of spillover terrorism to the world community, and this threat arising out of Sino-Pak entente cordiale has to be appreciated by the UNSC. China is a looming threat to the security architecture of Southeast Asia with a verifiable record to trigger irresponsible proliferation if one is mindful of an unchecked fissile material trade as one of the consequences of the break-up of the Soviet Union. It is only a matter of time before terrorists get a nuclear weapon. And the worse fallout of this adventurism is that akin to India having to contend with Kashmir, China has Xinjiang, and Pakistan Baluchistan to deal with, where a ‘nuclear deterrent relationship’ cannot be established with non-state actors, as targeting them with even a small nuclear weapon would be impossible without incurring unacceptable collateral damage and provoking global outrage. We all know what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. (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.)

The China-Pakistan entente poses a grave threat to the world

France will push for a new proposal to list Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist. Jaish-e Mohammad, the Pakistan based terror group, took responsibility of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-hopes-pakistan-india-will-exercise-restraint-engage-in-dialogue-says-china-on-pulwama-tensions-198315">Pulwama attack</a> that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14.

France's decision came after a discussion between Philippe Etienne, Diplomatic Advisor to the French President, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday morning.&nbsp;

In 2016, India had requested the Security Council Committee, established pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1267, to include Masood Azhar in the list of "designated sanctioned entities", declaring him an international terrorist.

China has been blocking his listing citing lack of consensus.

Just a day after the ghastly Pulwama attack, India asked China again if it will support Azhar's listing as an international terrorist; Bejing reiterated its stance.

Spokesperson of Chinese foreign ministry, Geng Shuang, said, "the UN Security Council 1267 Committee has detailed criteria for the listing and designation procedures for terrorist entities or individuals. China will continue to deal with the relevant listing issue in a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/jem-has-been-included-in-security-council-counter-terrorism-list-we-have-dealt-with-masood-azhar-issue-professionally-china-197566">constructive and responsible manner</a>. We will also keep in close communication with all relevant parties on this issue."

Paris will also be backing Pakistan's continuation on the FATF greylist. Islamabad was put on the greylist last year after which the South Asian nation came under the financial jurisdiction with “structural deficiencies” in anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT).

India has started a diplomatic campaign against Pakistan to isolate the country as a fallout of Pulwama terror attack. The Ministry of External Affairs briefed envoys of more 30 countries over Islamabad's involvement in Pulwama&nbsp;terror attack and its continued support to terror as a state policy.

Meanwhile, Iran has named a Pakistani national in connection to last week's terror attack which killed 27 of its Revolutionary Guards. Local media reported that Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Ground Force, Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour said Hafiz Mohammad Ali, a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/suicide-bomber-who-killed-27-members-of-irans-guards-was-pakistani-guards-commander-198313">Pakistani national, was behind the terror attack</a>.

Over the weekend, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-india-iran-lashes-out-on-pakistan-on-terror-front-summons-pak-envoy-197945">Iran summoned its envoy to Pakistan</a> and lodged a strong protest against the terror attack. Tehran also highlighted the growing number of terrorist attacks "designed in and led from Pakistan including the latest terrorist attack", according to a release from Iranian foreign ministry.

France will push for a new proposal to list Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist. Jaish-e Mohammad, the Pakistan based terror group, took responsibility of Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14.

France will push for a new proposal to list Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist. Jaish-e Mohammad, the Pakistan based terror group, took responsibility of Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14. France's decision came after a discussion between Philippe Etienne, Diplomatic Advisor to the French President, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday morning. In 2016, India had requested the Security Council Committee, established pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1267, to include Masood Azhar in the list of "designated sanctioned entities", declaring him an international terrorist. China has been blocking his listing citing lack of consensus. Just a day after the ghastly Pulwama attack, India asked China again if it will support Azhar's listing as an international terrorist; Bejing reiterated its stance. Spokesperson of Chinese foreign ministry, Geng Shuang, said, "the UN Security Council 1267 Committee has detailed criteria for the listing and designation procedures for terrorist entities or individuals. China will continue to deal with the relevant listing issue in a constructive and responsible manner. We will also keep in close communication with all relevant parties on this issue." Paris will also be backing Pakistan's continuation on the FATF greylist. Islamabad was put on the greylist last year after which the South Asian nation came under the financial jurisdiction with “structural deficiencies” in anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT). India has started a diplomatic campaign against Pakistan to isolate the country as a fallout of Pulwama terror attack. The Ministry of External Affairs briefed envoys of more 30 countries over Islamabad's involvement in Pulwama terror attack and its continued support to terror as a state policy. Meanwhile, Iran has named a Pakistani national in connection to last week's terror attack which killed 27 of its Revolutionary Guards. Local media reported that Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Ground Force, Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour said Hafiz Mohammad Ali, a Pakistani national, was behind the terror attack. Over the weekend, Iran summoned its envoy to Pakistan and lodged a strong protest against the terror attack. Tehran also highlighted the growing number of terrorist attacks "designed in and led from Pakistan including the latest terrorist attack", according to a release from Iranian foreign ministry.

Pressure mounts on Pakistan as France decides to move proposal to ban JeM chief Masood Azhar at UN 

Giving a strong message to terrorists and Pakistan, after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-mastermind-of-pulwama-attack-killed-in-encounter-4-soldiers-dead-too-198057">Pulwama attack</a>, top officials of the security forces on Tuesday said that anyone who picks up the gun will be killed.&nbsp;

The joint press conference was chaired by newly appointed Chinar Corps Commander, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-anyone-who-has-picked-up-a-gun-will-be-killed-says-indian-army-198231">Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon</a>, apart from IG Kashmir police, SM Pani and IG Operations CRPF, Zulfikar Hassan.&nbsp;

Dhillon said that since the attack on CRPF convoy, forces were tracking Jaish leadership in Kashmir adding that the attack was controlled by Pakistan army and Interservice intelligence.&nbsp;

On Pulwama attack:

After the attack on CRPF convoy which claimed 40 lives, Dhillon said that in less than 100 hours, they eliminated the top operational commander of JeM Kamran. "I'm happy to inform you that we have hit this module and eliminated them.&nbsp;

Sources had earlier told WION that since the attack, forces were on toes to hit the terrorists involved in the attack. This was the deadliest attack that was witnessed in Kashmir in more than two decades. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Giving details about the injuries and damage forces suffered, Corps Commander said that all officers who were injured yesterday are stable and out of danger. "All officers led from the front, the brigadier who is injured, had cut short his leave and joined the operations directly after flying back," he said adding that forces maintained calm to avoid civilian casualties.&nbsp;

He said that there was an excellent synergy between the police, CRPF and the Indian army which has yielded good results.&nbsp;

Appeal to local terrorists:

Asking mothers to ask their sons to leave the path of violence, Dhillon made an appeal to the terrorists to surrender or get killed. "I want to tell local youth who have picked guns and especially their mothers, to please request their sons to surrender and get back to the mainstream. Anyone who has picked the gun, he will be eliminated," he told media. He added that authorities have a good surrender policy.&nbsp;

The inspector general of police Kashmir range, SP Pani added that the youth have come back and joined the mainstream, however they wouldn't give details about them as they may face a backlash.&nbsp;

On investigation:

The officials, however, declined to diverge details about the investigation, saying that this was an ongoing process and details will be shared at right time. However, sources had told WION that the explosive used in the attack could have been locally purchased but needed a chemical expert to put it all together.&nbsp;

Remember, agencies suspect that an Afghan war veteran named Abdul Rashid Ghazi is another brain behind the attack, as the vehicle bound attacks are frequently witnessed in Afghanistan. Forces believe that he had entered Kashmir in December and was an IED expert.&nbsp;

Dhillon said that they are ready to deal with anything after the exit of U.S forces from Afghanistan as fear looms that Pakistan may send expert terrorists to the valley to inflict more harm, given their expertise.&nbsp;

"These types of car bombs happened in the past but this was different. We have seen such attacks in Syria and other counties. We are ready to deal with such attack," he added.&nbsp;

About Jaish-e-Mohammed:

Dhillon said that Jaish was the brainchild of Pakistan army and are being controlled by them including the ISI and there seems to be a clear involvement of Pakistan in the attack. "The attack was masterminded by Pakistan, JeM and ISI. We have leads but wouldn’t share details," Dhillon said.&nbsp;

There have been reports of attacks on Kashmiri students and residents who are living outside valley following the Pulwama attack, although MHA has issued advisories to states to prevent such attacks, IG CRPF Operations, Zulfiqar Hasan asked people to reach out to them at 14411 to help them if they feel unsafe.

Giving a strong message to terrorists and Pakistan, after the Pulwama attack, top officials of the security forces on Tuesday said that anyone who picks up the gun will be killed.

Giving a strong message to terrorists and Pakistan, after the Pulwama attack, top officials of the security forces on Tuesday said that anyone who picks up the gun will be killed. The joint press conference was chaired by newly appointed Chinar Corps Commander, Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon, apart from IG Kashmir police, SM Pani and IG Operations CRPF, Zulfikar Hassan. Dhillon said that since the attack on CRPF convoy, forces were tracking Jaish leadership in Kashmir adding that the attack was controlled by Pakistan army and Interservice intelligence. On Pulwama attack: After the attack on CRPF convoy which claimed 40 lives, Dhillon said that in less than 100 hours, they eliminated the top operational commander of JeM Kamran. "I'm happy to inform you that we have hit this module and eliminated them. Sources had earlier told WION that since the attack, forces were on toes to hit the terrorists involved in the attack. This was the deadliest attack that was witnessed in Kashmir in more than two decades. Giving details about the injuries and damage forces suffered, Corps Commander said that all officers who were injured yesterday are stable and out of danger. "All officers led from the front, the brigadier who is injured, had cut short his leave and joined the operations directly after flying back," he said adding that forces maintained calm to avoid civilian casualties. He said that there was an excellent synergy between the police, CRPF and the Indian army which has yielded good results. Appeal to local terrorists: Asking mothers to ask their sons to leave the path of violence, Dhillon made an appeal to the terrorists to surrender or get killed. "I want to tell local youth who have picked guns and especially their mothers, to please request their sons to surrender and get back to the mainstream. Anyone who has picked the gun, he will be eliminated," he told media. He added that authorities have a good surrender policy. The inspector general of police Kashmir range, SP Pani added that the youth have come back and joined the mainstream, however they wouldn't give details about them as they may face a backlash. On investigation: The officials, however, declined to diverge details about the investigation, saying that this was an ongoing process and details will be shared at right time. However, sources had told WION that the explosive used in the attack could have been locally purchased but needed a chemical expert to put it all together. Remember, agencies suspect that an Afghan war veteran named Abdul Rashid Ghazi is another brain behind the attack, as the vehicle bound attacks are frequently witnessed in Afghanistan. Forces believe that he had entered Kashmir in December and was an IED expert. Dhillon said that they are ready to deal with anything after the exit of U.S forces from Afghanistan as fear looms that Pakistan may send expert terrorists to the valley to inflict more harm, given their expertise. "These types of car bombs happened in the past but this was different. We have seen such attacks in Syria and other counties. We are ready to deal with such attack," he added. About Jaish-e-Mohammed: Dhillon said that Jaish was the brainchild of Pakistan army and are being controlled by them including the ISI and there seems to be a clear involvement of Pakistan in the attack. "The attack was masterminded by Pakistan, JeM and ISI. We have leads but wouldn’t share details," Dhillon said. There have been reports of attacks on Kashmiri students and residents who are living outside valley following the Pulwama attack, although MHA has issued advisories to states to prevent such attacks, IG CRPF Operations, Zulfiqar Hasan asked people to reach out to them at 14411 to help them if they feel unsafe.

Army claims victory says eliminated JeM leadership in less than 100 hours after Pulwama attack

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaish-e-mohammed-commander-army-major-and-five-others-killed-in-pulwama-gun-battle-198095">Maulana Masood Azhar</a>, the dreaded architect of some of India's biggest terror attacks, was an "easy man" to handle in custody with one slap enough to make him blurt out details of his movements, says a former police officer who interrogated him several times.

Azhar, who used a Portuguese passport to enter India through Bangladesh and reach Kashmir, was arrested in February 1994 in Anantnag in South Kashmir.

In custody, intelligence agencies did not have to use "coercive method" against Azhar to extract information as he started speaking after the "first slap" from an army officer and gave deep insights into the functioning of terror groups operating from Pakistan, the officer said.

"He was an easy man to handle and a slap from an army officer shook him completely," former Director General of Sikkim Police Avinash Mohananey, who interrogated Azhar many times during his two-decade tenure in the Intelligence Bureau said.

After his release in exchange of passengers of hijacked IC-814 flight of Indian Airlines in 1999 by the then BJP government, Azhar formed Jaish-e-Mohammed and scripted many audacious terror strikes in India, including on Parliament House, Pathankot air force base, army camps in Jammu and Uri, and the latest suicide attack on CRPF in Pulwama which claimed the lives of 40 personnel.

While in custody, Azhar, in his early 50s now, shared information about recruitment process and functioning of terror groups in Pakistan at a time when the intelligence agencies were still grappling to understand the proxy-war unleashed by Pakistan's espionage agency ISI, said Mohananey, a 1985-batch IPS officer who headed the Kashmir desk in the agency at that time.

"There were several occasions when I met him in Kot Balwal jail and interrogated him for hours together. We did not have to use any coercive method as information flowed consistently from him," he said.

Azhar gave the Indian agencies vital insights into the diversion of Afghan terrorists into Kashmir Valley and merger of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami (HuJI) into Harkat-ul-Ansar, represented by him as its general secretary, the officer said.

After his arrival in India from Bangladesh in 1994, Azhar travelled to Saharanpur before reaching Kashmir where he held meetings of warring factions of HuM and HuJI to formulate a common policy, Mohananey said.

"I came on a forged Portuguese passport for ensuring that HuM and HuJI are together in the valley. It was not possible for me to cross the Line of Control on foot," the police officer recalled Azhar telling them.

A man of mannerism and etiquette during interrogation sessions, Azhar used to give a detailed answer to any question that was asked to him, he said.

The Jaish chief, during his stint as a journalist with 'Sada-e-Mujahid', a tabloid published from Karachi, had in 1993 travelled with a group of Pakistani scribes to some countries, drumming up support for "Kashmir cause', he said.

Mohananey recalled that Azhar would often boast that police could not be able to keep him in custody for long as he was important for Pakistan and the ISI.

"You are underestimating my popularity. The ISI would ensure that I am back in Pakistan," the police officer recalled him as saying.

Surprisingly, some foreigners were kidnapped from Delhi 10 months after his arrest in February 1994 and the kidnappers had demanded his release. 
The plan failed with the arrest of Omar Sheikh, who was also released in the 1999 exchange and was later involved in the gruesome beheading of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in Pakistan.

Another attempt to free him was made by a shadow group of Harkat-ul-Ansar, Al-Faran, which demanded his release in exchange of five foreigners kidnapped in Kashmir in July 1995.

Before shifting out to another posting, the officer said, "I met him again in 1997 when he was in the same jail. I informed him that I was proceeding to a new posting to which he wished me good luck."

"I was at new posting when I heard about his release on December 31, 1999, in exchange for passengers of IC-814. He really meant it when he said that we would not be able to keep him for long," he said.

The JeM chief is now believed to be in his native Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province.

The then BJP-led NDA government had released Azhar, along with Omar Sheikh and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar alias 'Latram', in exchange of passengers of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 from Kathmandu to New Delhi which was taken to Kandahar in Afghanistan.

After the negotiations failed with hijackers, the government succumbed to their demands and the then external affairs minister Jaswant Singh took the three terrorists to Kandahar in Afghanistan in a special plane to ensure the release of passengers of the hijacked plane.

Maulana Masood Azhar, the dreaded architect of some of India's biggest terror attacks, was an "easy man" to handle in custody with one slap enough to make him blurt out details of his movements, says a former police officer who interrogated him several times.

Maulana Masood Azhar, the dreaded architect of some of India's biggest terror attacks, was an "easy man" to handle in custody with one slap enough to make him blurt out details of his movements, says a former police officer who interrogated him several times. Azhar, who used a Portuguese passport to enter India through Bangladesh and reach Kashmir, was arrested in February 1994 in Anantnag in South Kashmir. In custody, intelligence agencies did not have to use "coercive method" against Azhar to extract information as he started speaking after the "first slap" from an army officer and gave deep insights into the functioning of terror groups operating from Pakistan, the officer said. "He was an easy man to handle and a slap from an army officer shook him completely," former Director General of Sikkim Police Avinash Mohananey, who interrogated Azhar many times during his two-decade tenure in the Intelligence Bureau said. After his release in exchange of passengers of hijacked IC-814 flight of Indian Airlines in 1999 by the then BJP government, Azhar formed Jaish-e-Mohammed and scripted many audacious terror strikes in India, including on Parliament House, Pathankot air force base, army camps in Jammu and Uri, and the latest suicide attack on CRPF in Pulwama which claimed the lives of 40 personnel. While in custody, Azhar, in his early 50s now, shared information about recruitment process and functioning of terror groups in Pakistan at a time when the intelligence agencies were still grappling to understand the proxy-war unleashed by Pakistan's espionage agency ISI, said Mohananey, a 1985-batch IPS officer who headed the Kashmir desk in the agency at that time. "There were several occasions when I met him in Kot Balwal jail and interrogated him for hours together. We did not have to use any coercive method as information flowed consistently from him," he said. Azhar gave the Indian agencies vital insights into the diversion of Afghan terrorists into Kashmir Valley and merger of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami (HuJI) into Harkat-ul-Ansar, represented by him as its general secretary, the officer said. After his arrival in India from Bangladesh in 1994, Azhar travelled to Saharanpur before reaching Kashmir where he held meetings of warring factions of HuM and HuJI to formulate a common policy, Mohananey said. "I came on a forged Portuguese passport for ensuring that HuM and HuJI are together in the valley. It was not possible for me to cross the Line of Control on foot," the police officer recalled Azhar telling them. A man of mannerism and etiquette during interrogation sessions, Azhar used to give a detailed answer to any question that was asked to him, he said. The Jaish chief, during his stint as a journalist with 'Sada-e-Mujahid', a tabloid published from Karachi, had in 1993 travelled with a group of Pakistani scribes to some countries, drumming up support for "Kashmir cause', he said. Mohananey recalled that Azhar would often boast that police could not be able to keep him in custody for long as he was important for Pakistan and the ISI. "You are underestimating my popularity. The ISI would ensure that I am back in Pakistan," the police officer recalled him as saying. Surprisingly, some foreigners were kidnapped from Delhi 10 months after his arrest in February 1994 and the kidnappers had demanded his release. The plan failed with the arrest of Omar Sheikh, who was also released in the 1999 exchange and was later involved in the gruesome beheading of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in Pakistan. Another attempt to free him was made by a shadow group of Harkat-ul-Ansar, Al-Faran, which demanded his release in exchange of five foreigners kidnapped in Kashmir in July 1995. Before shifting out to another posting, the officer said, "I met him again in 1997 when he was in the same jail. I informed him that I was proceeding to a new posting to which he wished me good luck." "I was at new posting when I heard about his release on December 31, 1999, in exchange for passengers of IC-814. He really meant it when he said that we would not be able to keep him for long," he said. The JeM chief is now believed to be in his native Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province. The then BJP-led NDA government had released Azhar, along with Omar Sheikh and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar alias 'Latram', in exchange of passengers of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 from Kathmandu to New Delhi which was taken to Kandahar in Afghanistan. After the negotiations failed with hijackers, the government succumbed to their demands and the then external affairs minister Jaswant Singh took the three terrorists to Kandahar in Afghanistan in a special plane to ensure the release of passengers of the hijacked plane.

One slap from Indian army officer was enough to rattle JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar, says his interrogator

Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists responsible for the ghastly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama have been identified as Rashid Ghazi and Kamran, the main commanders of the terror outfit, sources told WION. &nbsp;

Both, Ghazi and Kamran, are believed to be located in and around Jammu and Kashmir's Tral. The duo is believed to have trained <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/adil-ahmad-dar-the-man-who-carried-out-the-pulwama-attack-197476">Adil Ahmad Dar</a>, who carried out the terror attack on Thursday.

Sources also informed that Ghazi is said to have fought in Afghanistan and was handpicked by JeM chief Masood Azhar. Ghazi is believed to be an expert in Improvised Explosive Device (IED)

As per sources, the motive of the attack was to avenge the death of Azhar's nephews.

Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/leaders-at-all-party-meeting-strongly-condemn-dastardly-terror-act-of-14th-february-197746">an all-party meeting</a> called by Centre to deliberate upon the situations arising out of Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir passed a resolution strongly condemning the ''dastardly terror act''.&nbsp;

The meeting chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh released the resolution which read, "We strongly condemn the dastardly terror act of 14th February at Pulwama in J&amp;K in which lives of 40 brave jawans of CRPF were lost".

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The resolution passed at the all-party meeting: We strongly condemn the dastardly terror act of 14th February at Pulwama in J&amp;K in which lives of 40 brave jawans of CRPF were lost. <a href="https://t.co/0OjGkgS6He">pic.twitter.com/0OjGkgS6He</a>
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The resolution did not name Pakistan but asserted that India has been facing the menace of the cross-border terrorism which of late, it added, is being actively encouraged by forces from the neighbouring country.

"India has displayed both firmness and resilience in dealing with these challenges. The entire nation speaks in one voice to express its determination to fight these challenges. Today, we stand united in solidarity with our security forces in fighting terrorism and in defending the unity and integrity of India," it said.

Over 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist rammed a vehicle carrying over massive explosives into their bus on Srinagar-Jammu national highway on Thursday at around 3.15 pm at Ladhu Modi Lethpora. The convoy consisted of 78 buses in which around 2,500 CRPF personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar.

Following the attack, India on Friday announced the withdrawal of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan. New Delhi had granted MFN status to Pakistan in 1996, a year after the formation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), but Pakistan never reciprocated.

Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists responsible for the ghastly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama have been identified as Rashid Ghazi and Kamran, the main commanders of the terror outfit, sources told WION.

Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists responsible for the ghastly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama have been identified as Rashid Ghazi and Kamran, the main commanders of the terror outfit, sources told WION. Both, Ghazi and Kamran, are believed to be located in and around Jammu and Kashmir's Tral. The duo is believed to have trained Adil Ahmad Dar, who carried out the terror attack on Thursday. Sources also informed that Ghazi is said to have fought in Afghanistan and was handpicked by JeM chief Masood Azhar. Ghazi is believed to be an expert in Improvised Explosive Device (IED) As per sources, the motive of the attack was to avenge the death of Azhar's nephews. Meanwhile, an all-party meeting called by Centre to deliberate upon the situations arising out of Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir passed a resolution strongly condemning the ''dastardly terror act''. The meeting chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh released the resolution which read, "We strongly condemn the dastardly terror act of 14th February at Pulwama in J&K in which lives of 40 brave jawans of CRPF were lost". The resolution passed at the all-party meeting: We strongly condemn the dastardly terror act of 14th February at Pulwama in J&K in which lives of 40 brave jawans of CRPF were lost. pic.twitter.com/0OjGkgS6He — ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019 × The resolution did not name Pakistan but asserted that India has been facing the menace of the cross-border terrorism which of late, it added, is being actively encouraged by forces from the neighbouring country. "India has displayed both firmness and resilience in dealing with these challenges. The entire nation speaks in one voice to express its determination to fight these challenges. Today, we stand united in solidarity with our security forces in fighting terrorism and in defending the unity and integrity of India," it said. Over 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist rammed a vehicle carrying over massive explosives into their bus on Srinagar-Jammu national highway on Thursday at around 3.15 pm at Ladhu Modi Lethpora. The convoy consisted of 78 buses in which around 2,500 CRPF personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar. Following the attack, India on Friday announced the withdrawal of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan. New Delhi had granted MFN status to Pakistan in 1996, a year after the formation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), but Pakistan never reciprocated.

JeM commanders responsible for Pulwama terror attack identified, traced in Tral: Sources

The involvement of Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM) in Thursday's<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/reject-insinuation-by-india-to-link-pulwama-attack-to-pak-without-investigation-pak-government-197496"> terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir </a>has raised serious questions about the role of the Pakistani spy agency, ISI, in it, American experts on South Asia have said.

The Pakistan-based JeM has claimed responsibility for the attack that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-countries-should-uphold-responsibility-to-deny-safe-haven-to-terrorists-says-us-after-pulwama-attack-197497">left over 40 CRPF</a> personnel dead and many critically wounded.&nbsp;

The experts said the terror strike shows the United States has failed to persuade Pakistan to act against <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/adil-ahmad-dar-the-man-who-carried-out-the-pulwama-attack-197476">Jaish-e-Mohammad</a> and other terrorist groups.

"The self-proclaimed involvement of JeM in the attack raises serious questions about the role of the ISI in supporting the masterminds of this operation," Bruce Riedel, a former CIA analyst, told PTI.

The terrorist attack, which has direct footprints inside Pakistan, poses the first major challenges to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, said Riedel, who is now a scholar at the Brookings Institute think-tank.&nbsp;

"This will be a real challenge for Imran Khan, the first serious challenge of his administration," he said.

Anish Goel, a former National Security Council official in the previous Obama administration, said the horrific attack highlights just how actively Pakistan-based terrorist groups still operate in Kashmir.

"By claiming such quick credit for the attack, Jaish-e-Mohammed is clearly indicating that they will continue to cause trouble in the region and stoke tensions between Pakistan and India," he said.

"In the wake of this attack, there will likely be increased pressure on Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi to take action against all militant groups still active in Kashmir," said Goel.

Alyssa Ayres from the Council on Foreign Relations said, "Unfortunately, the attack also shows the limits of US and international policy efforts to date to persuade Pakistan to take serious action against these groups. The urgent question is what else the international community can do."

According to Moeed Yusuf from the US Institute of Peace, the current situation has all the making of an India-Pakistan crisis.&nbsp;

"Prime Minister Modi cannot take it lying down but Pakistan isn't going to be able to absorb any Indian action either. Things are simply too tense between India and Pakistan," he said.

Ironically, the biggest deterrent to any escalation is the presence of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman in the region, he said.&nbsp;

"Salman arrives in Pakistan on Friday and is coming to India too. His visit will be seriously overshadowed. The Saudi relationship is too important for either side to want that to happen," he noted.

"I think the damage to India-Pakistan relations is going to be immense, even if the situation doesn't escalate. The hope was that India and Pakistan will get back to talking after the Indian elections later this year. I think the hawks on both sides are going to make it very difficult for that to happen now," Yusuf said.&nbsp;

"Terrorist attacks as in Kashmir are not possible without an ideology or theology that justifies terrorism and brainwashes its followers that massacring others leads a person to paradise. The terrorist mindset must be removed along with the terrorist infrastructure on the ground," said noted Hindu scholar David Frawley.

The latest attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed is another example of how Pakistan's intelligence services continue to sponsor terrorist incursions into India, Washington-based Hindu American Foundation said.

"While it's heartening to see that a wide swath of the international community is unequivocally condemning the attack, such statements of solidarity must be backed up by actions which help bring to an end the ability of such terrorist groups to kill with impunity and destabilize the region," the foundation said.

Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP)-USA in a statement demanded that United Nations designate Masood Azhar as global terrorist.

"China should be ashamed of itself in blocking Azhar's ban at the UN. Indian diaspora demands that if Pakistan is sincere in seeking peace with India, it should arrest Maulana Masood Azhar and his cohorts and disband all terrorist organisations station in Pakistan."&nbsp;

"Pakistan is a pariah nation anyhow and if it wants to exist in the real world, it should not play games, resort to lies, and abet terrorism. It should get rid of all terrorist organization from its soil," it said. &nbsp;

The involvement of Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM) in Thursday's terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir has raised serious questions about the role of the Pakistani spy agency, ISI, in it, American experts on South Asia have said.

The involvement of Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM) in Thursday's terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir has raised serious questions about the role of the Pakistani spy agency, ISI, in it, American experts on South Asia have said. The Pakistan-based JeM has claimed responsibility for the attack that left over 40 CRPF personnel dead and many critically wounded. The experts said the terror strike shows the United States has failed to persuade Pakistan to act against Jaish-e-Mohammad and other terrorist groups. "The self-proclaimed involvement of JeM in the attack raises serious questions about the role of the ISI in supporting the masterminds of this operation," Bruce Riedel, a former CIA analyst, told PTI. The terrorist attack, which has direct footprints inside Pakistan, poses the first major challenges to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, said Riedel, who is now a scholar at the Brookings Institute think-tank. "This will be a real challenge for Imran Khan, the first serious challenge of his administration," he said. Anish Goel, a former National Security Council official in the previous Obama administration, said the horrific attack highlights just how actively Pakistan-based terrorist groups still operate in Kashmir. "By claiming such quick credit for the attack, Jaish-e-Mohammed is clearly indicating that they will continue to cause trouble in the region and stoke tensions between Pakistan and India," he said. "In the wake of this attack, there will likely be increased pressure on Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi to take action against all militant groups still active in Kashmir," said Goel. Alyssa Ayres from the Council on Foreign Relations said, "Unfortunately, the attack also shows the limits of US and international policy efforts to date to persuade Pakistan to take serious action against these groups. The urgent question is what else the international community can do." According to Moeed Yusuf from the US Institute of Peace, the current situation has all the making of an India-Pakistan crisis. "Prime Minister Modi cannot take it lying down but Pakistan isn't going to be able to absorb any Indian action either. Things are simply too tense between India and Pakistan," he said. Ironically, the biggest deterrent to any escalation is the presence of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman in the region, he said. "Salman arrives in Pakistan on Friday and is coming to India too. His visit will be seriously overshadowed. The Saudi relationship is too important for either side to want that to happen," he noted. "I think the damage to India-Pakistan relations is going to be immense, even if the situation doesn't escalate. The hope was that India and Pakistan will get back to talking after the Indian elections later this year. I think the hawks on both sides are going to make it very difficult for that to happen now," Yusuf said. "Terrorist attacks as in Kashmir are not possible without an ideology or theology that justifies terrorism and brainwashes its followers that massacring others leads a person to paradise. The terrorist mindset must be removed along with the terrorist infrastructure on the ground," said noted Hindu scholar David Frawley. The latest attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed is another example of how Pakistan's intelligence services continue to sponsor terrorist incursions into India, Washington-based Hindu American Foundation said. "While it's heartening to see that a wide swath of the international community is unequivocally condemning the attack, such statements of solidarity must be backed up by actions which help bring to an end the ability of such terrorist groups to kill with impunity and destabilize the region," the foundation said. Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP)-USA in a statement demanded that United Nations designate Masood Azhar as global terrorist. "China should be ashamed of itself in blocking Azhar's ban at the UN. Indian diaspora demands that if Pakistan is sincere in seeking peace with India, it should arrest Maulana Masood Azhar and his cohorts and disband all terrorist organisations station in Pakistan." "Pakistan is a pariah nation anyhow and if it wants to exist in the real world, it should not play games, resort to lies, and abet terrorism. It should get rid of all terrorist organization from its soil," it said.

Involvement of JeM raises Pak's ISI role in Pulwama attack: Ex-CIA analyst

A Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-attack-what-we-know-so-far-197443">rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a bus ferrying CRPF jawans</a> on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama.&nbsp;The attack left 40 people dead.&nbsp;

Officials said there were a total of 42 people in the bus including the driver.&nbsp;The attack on the bus — it was travelling in a convoy — took place at 3.15 pm near Awantipora.&nbsp;There had been 70 vehicles in the convoy which had been transporting 2,500 personnel from Jammu to Srinagar.&nbsp;

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K Vijay Kumar, Advisor to J&amp;K Govt to ANI: Death toll in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pulwamaattack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pulwamaattack</a> is around 40 <a href="https://t.co/mUPCRcZnhz">pic.twitter.com/mUPCRcZnhz</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1096051185356820481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The attack also left dozens injured — body parts could be seen strewn around the site of the attack — and a steadily-climbing death toll. The first reports had said eight CRPF personnel had died; that figure quickly turned into 12, and then continued to climb upwards.&nbsp;

The death toll makes this the worst terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in decades. Nineteen Indian soldiers had died in the attack on the army camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri in September 2016, which led to India's surgical strikes.&nbsp;

Officials said the terrorist was carrying over a 100 kgs of explosive in his vehicle. He had been driving on the wrong side of the road and rammed head-on into the CRPF bus.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the attack in a text message sent to the Kashmiri news agency GNS.

The terrorist who carried out the attack was identified as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/adil-ahmad-dar-the-man-who-carried-out-the-pulwama-attack-197476">Adil Ahmad Dar from Kakapora in Pulwama</a>; pictures and video of him began to flood social media soon after the attack.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sacrifices-of-our-brave-security-personnel-shall-not-go-in-vain-modi-says-after-pulwama-attack-197456">"despicable" and "dastardly" attack</a>, saying "the sacrifices of our brave security personnel shall not go in vain".&nbsp;

Modi added that he had spoken with Home Minister Rajnath Singh about the situation in Kashmir.&nbsp;

He also spoke with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval who, ANI reported, was overseeing the situation in Kashmir and being briefed by senior CRPF officials.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Home Minister Rajnath Singh, says,"The attack was carried out by Pakistan backed Jaish e Mohammed. A strong reply will be given and I assure the people of the country this." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PulwamaAttack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PulwamaAttack</a> <a href="https://t.co/OdhLUtNK8h">pic.twitter.com/OdhLUtNK8h</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1096070940755148801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Singh meanwhile said that "the attack was carried out by the Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammed".

He added that "a strong reply will be given and I assure the people of the country this".&nbsp;

K Vijay Kumar, adviser to the government of Jammu and Kashmir, told ANI that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) would join the investigation into the attack.&nbsp;

Sources meanwhile said the Cabinet Committee on Security would meet at 9:15 am on Friday.&nbsp;

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Sources: Cabinet Committee on Security to meet at 9:15 AM tomorrow <a href="https://t.co/N2qMtmezx4">pic.twitter.com/N2qMtmezx4</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1096065840221483008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Mobile internet services meanwhile have been suspended in all of south Kashmir — Pulwama is one of the four districts of south Kashmir — and their speed slowed down to 2G in Srinagar district.

&nbsp;

A Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a bus ferrying CRPF jawans on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama. The attack left 40 people dead.

A Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a bus ferrying CRPF jawans on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama. The attack left 40 people dead. Officials said there were a total of 42 people in the bus including the driver. The attack on the bus — it was travelling in a convoy — took place at 3.15 pm near Awantipora. There had been 70 vehicles in the convoy which had been transporting 2,500 personnel from Jammu to Srinagar. K Vijay Kumar, Advisor to J&K Govt to ANI: Death toll in #Pulwamaattack is around 40 pic.twitter.com/mUPCRcZnhz — ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2019 × The attack also left dozens injured — body parts could be seen strewn around the site of the attack — and a steadily-climbing death toll. The first reports had said eight CRPF personnel had died; that figure quickly turned into 12, and then continued to climb upwards. The death toll makes this the worst terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in decades. Nineteen Indian soldiers had died in the attack on the army camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri in September 2016, which led to India's surgical strikes. Officials said the terrorist was carrying over a 100 kgs of explosive in his vehicle. He had been driving on the wrong side of the road and rammed head-on into the CRPF bus. The Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the attack in a text message sent to the Kashmiri news agency GNS. The terrorist who carried out the attack was identified as Adil Ahmad Dar from Kakapora in Pulwama; pictures and video of him began to flood social media soon after the attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the "despicable" and "dastardly" attack, saying "the sacrifices of our brave security personnel shall not go in vain". Modi added that he had spoken with Home Minister Rajnath Singh about the situation in Kashmir. He also spoke with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval who, ANI reported, was overseeing the situation in Kashmir and being briefed by senior CRPF officials. #WATCH: Home Minister Rajnath Singh, says,"The attack was carried out by Pakistan backed Jaish e Mohammed. A strong reply will be given and I assure the people of the country this." #PulwamaAttack pic.twitter.com/OdhLUtNK8h — ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2019 × Singh meanwhile said that "the attack was carried out by the Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammed". He added that "a strong reply will be given and I assure the people of the country this". K Vijay Kumar, adviser to the government of Jammu and Kashmir, told ANI that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) would join the investigation into the attack. Sources meanwhile said the Cabinet Committee on Security would meet at 9:15 am on Friday. Sources: Cabinet Committee on Security to meet at 9:15 AM tomorrow pic.twitter.com/N2qMtmezx4 — ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2019 × Mobile internet services meanwhile have been suspended in all of south Kashmir — Pulwama is one of the four districts of south Kashmir — and their speed slowed down to 2G in Srinagar district.

Terror attack on CRPF convoy in Jammu & Kashmir's Pulwama: Death toll climbs to 40

New Delhi on Friday withdrew the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/reject-insinuation-by-india-to-link-pulwama-attack-to-pak-without-investigation-pak-government-197496">Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status accorded to Pakistan</a> following <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/adil-ahmad-dar-the-man-who-carried-out-the-pulwama-attack-197476">Pulwama attack on CRPF personnel</a> in which at least 40 lost their lives.&nbsp;

India had granted MFN status to Pakistan in 1994. Under it, a country grants equal trade advantages like low tariff or high import quota. Pakistan never granted India MFN.

India will be also taking action to diplomatically isolate Pakistan.&nbsp;

Briefing the media after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-attack-ccs-meet-gets-underway-to-discuss-security-situation-in-jk-197529">Cabinet Committee on Security meet</a> in New Delhi on Friday, Finance minister Arun Jaitley said, "MEA will initiate all possible steps and I am referring to all possible diplomatic steps which have to be taken to ensure the ''complete isolation'' of Pakistan from the international community for having a direct hand in this incident"

India will also ask the world to form a consensus on comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism which it had introduced more than two decades ago at the United Nation.

Finance minister said," MEA will also with International Community to make sure that Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism lying with UN is now adopted"

The CCS took an assessment of the situation and discussed the incident in which a large number of CRPF died, Jaitly said.&nbsp;

Jaitley added, ''Security forces will take all possible take steps to ensure full security is maintained and ensure those who committed this heinous crime are made to pay a heavy cost''.&nbsp;

According to Jaitley, CRPF will make detailed arrangements to transport the bodies of the deceased to their relatives.&nbsp;

The CCS observed a two-minute silence before the meeting and expressed its condolences to the victims of the heinous attack.

Meanwhile, Rajnath will leave for Srinagar along with several officials in order to take stock of the situation.&nbsp;

After the Uri attack, India along with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan had boycotted the SAARC Summit in Islamabad.

Several countries have condemned the Pulwama attack which killed more than 40 CRPF personnel. The United States called on Pakistan to act on terrorist groups operating on its soil but China still hasn't reacted.&nbsp;

New Delhi on Friday withdrew the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status accorded to Pakistan following Pulwama attack on CRPF personnel in which at least 40 lost their lives.

New Delhi on Friday withdrew the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status accorded to Pakistan following Pulwama attack on CRPF personnel in which at least 40 lost their lives. India had granted MFN status to Pakistan in 1994. Under it, a country grants equal trade advantages like low tariff or high import quota. Pakistan never granted India MFN. India will be also taking action to diplomatically isolate Pakistan. Briefing the media after Cabinet Committee on Security meet in New Delhi on Friday, Finance minister Arun Jaitley said, "MEA will initiate all possible steps and I am referring to all possible diplomatic steps which have to be taken to ensure the ''complete isolation'' of Pakistan from the international community for having a direct hand in this incident" India will also ask the world to form a consensus on comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism which it had introduced more than two decades ago at the United Nation. Finance minister said," MEA will also with International Community to make sure that Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism lying with UN is now adopted" The CCS took an assessment of the situation and discussed the incident in which a large number of CRPF died, Jaitly said. Jaitley added, ''Security forces will take all possible take steps to ensure full security is maintained and ensure those who committed this heinous crime are made to pay a heavy cost''. According to Jaitley, CRPF will make detailed arrangements to transport the bodies of the deceased to their relatives. The CCS observed a two-minute silence before the meeting and expressed its condolences to the victims of the heinous attack. Meanwhile, Rajnath will leave for Srinagar along with several officials in order to take stock of the situation. After the Uri attack, India along with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan had boycotted the SAARC Summit in Islamabad. Several countries have condemned the Pulwama attack which killed more than 40 CRPF personnel. The United States called on Pakistan to act on terrorist groups operating on its soil but China still hasn't reacted.

India withdraws 'Most Favoured Nation' status accorded to Pakistan after Pulwama attack

China said today that it had dealt with the issue of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/adil-ahmad-dar-the-man-who-carried-out-the-pulwama-attack-197476">Masood Azhar, the Jaish-e-Mohammed</a>&nbsp;(JeM) chief, in "an earnest, professional and responsible manner".

Just after the Pulwama attack on Thursday,<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-calls-on-pakistan-to-immediately-end-support-to-all-terrorist-groups-white-house-197523"> India's ministry of </a><a class="gr-progress" href="http://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-calls-on-pakistan-to-immediately-end-support-to-all-terrorist-groups-white-house-197523">external</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-calls-on-pakistan-to-immediately-end-support-to-all-terrorist-groups-white-house-197523"> affair </a>had called on the member of the international community to list&nbsp;JeM chief Masood Azhar under the 1267 sanctions committee of United Nation security council (UNSC).&nbsp;

The MEA had said,"We strongly reiterate our appeal to all members of the international community to support the proposal to list terrorists, including JeM Chief Masood Azhar, as a designated terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council and to ban terrorist organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan."

China has repeatedly blocked listing of Masood Azhar as an internationally-designated terrorist under the UNSC 1267 Committee.

Today China's foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said: “As to the issue of the listing, I can tell you that 1267 committee of the Security Council has clear stipulations on the listing and the procedure of terrorist organization and individuals and the JeM which has taken the responsibility of the attack has been included on the Security Council counter-terrorism list.”

"As to the listing of the individual, we have always dealt with the issue in an earnest, professional and responsible manner," he added.

The Chinese foreign ministry said it was "deeply shocked" over the Pulwama attack and offered "condolences and sympathies to the injured and families of the bereaved."

“We are deeply shocked by this attack. We offer our condolences and sympathies to the injured and families of the bereaved. We firmly oppose and strongly condemn all form of terrorism,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said.

“We hope all relevant regional countries will cooperate to deal with the threat of terrorism and jointly uphold the regional peace and stability,” he said.

India in February 2016 had approached the UN Security Council(UNSC) Sanctions Committee with the proposal to designate Masood Azhar under the 1267 sanction regime. While the US, UK and France backed India's bid, China continued to block it.

While condemning the attack, India's foreign ministry said, "Government of India is firmly and resolutely committed to taking all necessary measures to safeguard national security."

China said today that it had dealt with the issue of Masood Azhar, the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief, in "an earnest, professional and responsible manner". Just after the Pulwama attack on Thursday, India's ministry of external affair had called on the member of the international community to list JeM chief Masood Azhar under the 1267 sanctions committee of United Nation security council (UNSC).

China said today that it had dealt with the issue of Masood Azhar, the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief, in "an earnest, professional and responsible manner". Just after the Pulwama attack on Thursday, India's ministry of external affair had called on the member of the international community to list JeM chief Masood Azhar under the 1267 sanctions committee of United Nation security council (UNSC). The MEA had said,"We strongly reiterate our appeal to all members of the international community to support the proposal to list terrorists, including JeM Chief Masood Azhar, as a designated terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council and to ban terrorist organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan." China has repeatedly blocked listing of Masood Azhar as an internationally-designated terrorist under the UNSC 1267 Committee. Today China's foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said: “As to the issue of the listing, I can tell you that 1267 committee of the Security Council has clear stipulations on the listing and the procedure of terrorist organization and individuals and the JeM which has taken the responsibility of the attack has been included on the Security Council counter-terrorism list.” "As to the listing of the individual, we have always dealt with the issue in an earnest, professional and responsible manner," he added. The Chinese foreign ministry said it was "deeply shocked" over the Pulwama attack and offered "condolences and sympathies to the injured and families of the bereaved." “We are deeply shocked by this attack. We offer our condolences and sympathies to the injured and families of the bereaved. We firmly oppose and strongly condemn all form of terrorism,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said. “We hope all relevant regional countries will cooperate to deal with the threat of terrorism and jointly uphold the regional peace and stability,” he said. India in February 2016 had approached the UN Security Council(UNSC) Sanctions Committee with the proposal to designate Masood Azhar under the 1267 sanction regime. While the US, UK and France backed India's bid, China continued to block it. While condemning the attack, India's foreign ministry said, "Government of India is firmly and resolutely committed to taking all necessary measures to safeguard national security."

JeM included in Security Council counter-terrorism list, we have dealt with Masood Azhar issue professionally: China

After meeting top members of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-calls-on-pakistan-to-immediately-end-support-to-all-terrorist-groups-white-house-197523">cabinet committee on security</a>(CCS) on Friday morning, PM Modi said all Indians are angry right now after the terror attack at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday evening.

In the CCS meeting, India decided to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-withdraws-most-favoured-nation-status-accorded-to-pakistan-after-pulwama-attack-197539">withdraw Most Favoured Nation(MFN)</a> status to Pakistan.

"I warn terrorists they will pay a big price," the prime minister said.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> PM Narendra Modi pays tribute to CRPF soldiers who lost their lives in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PulwamaTerrorAttack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PulwamaTerrorAttack</a>, says, "logon ka khoon khaul raha hai, yeh main samajh raha hun. Humare suraksha balon ko purn swatantra de di gayi hai." <a href="https://t.co/kxdCIKe88q">pic.twitter.com/kxdCIKe88q</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1096284014992863232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Terrorists have made a big mistake," he asserted.

"The forces behind this act of terrorism and those responsible for it, will be definitely be punished."

The prime minister said India is united in its hour of grief.

"If our neighbour which is totally isolated in the world thinks it can destabilise India through its tactics and conspiracies, then it is making a big mistake," he said.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> PM Narendra Modi at the launch of Vande Bharat Express observes a two-minute silence for the CRPF personnel who lost their lives in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PulwamaAttack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PulwamaAttack</a>. <a href="https://t.co/PIRRVHUrFI">pic.twitter.com/PIRRVHUrFI</a>
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The prime minister thanked all nations who supported India after the attack on Pulwama in which over 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

A suicide bomber from the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group had rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus in Pulwama district killing on Thursday evening killing at least 40 personnel and leaving many critically wounded.&nbsp;

"I pay tribute to soldiers who lost their lives at Pulwama. Our security forces have been given full freedom. We have full faith in their bravery," the PM said.

"I understand sentiments of those criticising us but I want to urge them, it is an emotional time, stay away from political one-upmanship, the prime minister insisted.

 
&nbsp;

After meeting top members of the cabinet committee on security(CCS) on Friday morning, PM Modi said all Indians are angry right now after the terror attack at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday evening.

After meeting top members of the cabinet committee on security(CCS) on Friday morning, PM Modi said all Indians are angry right now after the terror attack at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday evening. In the CCS meeting, India decided to withdraw Most Favoured Nation(MFN) status to Pakistan. "I warn terrorists they will pay a big price," the prime minister said. #WATCH PM Narendra Modi pays tribute to CRPF soldiers who lost their lives in #PulwamaTerrorAttack, says, "logon ka khoon khaul raha hai, yeh main samajh raha hun. Humare suraksha balon ko purn swatantra de di gayi hai." pic.twitter.com/kxdCIKe88q — ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2019 × "Terrorists have made a big mistake," he asserted. "The forces behind this act of terrorism and those responsible for it, will be definitely be punished." The prime minister said India is united in its hour of grief. "If our neighbour which is totally isolated in the world thinks it can destabilise India through its tactics and conspiracies, then it is making a big mistake," he said. #WATCH PM Narendra Modi at the launch of Vande Bharat Express observes a two-minute silence for the CRPF personnel who lost their lives in #PulwamaAttack. pic.twitter.com/PIRRVHUrFI — ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2019 × The prime minister thanked all nations who supported India after the attack on Pulwama in which over 40 CRPF personnel were killed. A suicide bomber from the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group had rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus in Pulwama district killing on Thursday evening killing at least 40 personnel and leaving many critically wounded. "I pay tribute to soldiers who lost their lives at Pulwama. Our security forces have been given full freedom. We have full faith in their bravery," the PM said. "I understand sentiments of those criticising us but I want to urge them, it is an emotional time, stay away from political one-upmanship, the prime minister insisted.

Those responsible for Pulwama attack will definitely be punished: PM Modi

Forty CRPF jawans were killed on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama after a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the bus they were travelling in.&nbsp;

Dozens of people were injured in the attack.&nbsp;

The bus the CRPF jawans had been travelling in was turned into a mangled heap of iron, and body parts could be seen strewn around the area.&nbsp;

A CRPF official said the bus had been travelling in a convoy of some 70 vehicles.

He added that the convoy had been travelling from Jammu to Srinagar.&nbsp;

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CRPF Official on Pulwama attack: There were 70 vehicles in the convoy and one of the vehicles came under attack. The convoy was on its way from Jammu to Srinagar. <a href="https://t.co/B0SaEEU5wE">https://t.co/B0SaEEU5wE</a>
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Police said they have identified the terrorist who carried out Thursday's attack as Adil Ahmad from Kakapora in Pulwama. And that he joined the Jaish-e-Mohammed in 2018.&nbsp;

The terror group has claimed responsibility for the incident, they added.&nbsp;

ANI added that the Jaish-e-Mohammed had claimed responsibility for the attack in a text message sent to the Kashmiri news agency GNS.

CRPF Director General RR Bhatnagar said there were 2,500 security personnel in the convoy. He added that an "investigation is underway" and the "injured being taken care of".

Zulfiqar Hassan, IG CRPF (Operations) added that the Jammu and Kashmir Police are investigating the attack. He added that the injured have been "shifted to hospital" and that a "post-blast analysis is being done at the spot".&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to Bhatnagar about the attack.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Zulfiqar Hassan, IG CRPF(Operations) on Pulwama blast: J&amp;K Police has taken up the investigation. The injured shifted to hospital. Post-blast analysis being done at the spot <a href="https://t.co/BsOi2nJhfh">pic.twitter.com/BsOi2nJhfh</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1096012786797293568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The bus carrying the CRPF jawans was attacked on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Pulwama's Awantipora area, a police official told PTI.

Further details are awaited, he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

Forty CRPF jawans were killed on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama after a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the bus they were travelling in.

Forty CRPF jawans were killed on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama after a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the bus they were travelling in. Dozens of people were injured in the attack. The bus the CRPF jawans had been travelling in was turned into a mangled heap of iron, and body parts could be seen strewn around the area. A CRPF official said the bus had been travelling in a convoy of some 70 vehicles. He added that the convoy had been travelling from Jammu to Srinagar. CRPF Official on Pulwama attack: There were 70 vehicles in the convoy and one of the vehicles came under attack. The convoy was on its way from Jammu to Srinagar. https://t.co/B0SaEEU5wE — ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2019 × Police said they have identified the terrorist who carried out Thursday's attack as Adil Ahmad from Kakapora in Pulwama. And that he joined the Jaish-e-Mohammed in 2018. The terror group has claimed responsibility for the incident, they added. ANI added that the Jaish-e-Mohammed had claimed responsibility for the attack in a text message sent to the Kashmiri news agency GNS. CRPF Director General RR Bhatnagar said there were 2,500 security personnel in the convoy. He added that an "investigation is underway" and the "injured being taken care of". Zulfiqar Hassan, IG CRPF (Operations) added that the Jammu and Kashmir Police are investigating the attack. He added that the injured have been "shifted to hospital" and that a "post-blast analysis is being done at the spot". Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to Bhatnagar about the attack. Zulfiqar Hassan, IG CRPF(Operations) on Pulwama blast: J&K Police has taken up the investigation. The injured shifted to hospital. Post-blast analysis being done at the spot pic.twitter.com/BsOi2nJhfh — ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2019 × The bus carrying the CRPF jawans was attacked on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Pulwama's Awantipora area, a police official told PTI. Further details are awaited, he added. (With inputs from PTI)

J&K: 40 CRPF jawans killed in Awantipora after JeM terrorist rams explosive-laden vehicle into their bus

National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday claimed to have arrested a JeM operative for his alleged involvement in a terror attack on CRPF Group Centre in Lethpora village in Pulwama district.

The arrested JeM operative has been identified as Fayaz Ahmad Magray.

“Accused Fayaz will be produced in the Special NIA Court, Jammu, and will seek his custody for further investigation and unearthing of the larger conspiracy,” said NIA in a statement on Monday.

“NIA on Monday arrested accused Fayaz Ahmad Magray, son of late Jalalludin Magray, a&nbsp;resident of village Lethpora, Police Station Awantipora, District Pulwama, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, in case RC No. 10/2018/NIA/DLI (attack on CRPF Group Centre, Lethpora),” said the investigation agency.

A terrorist attack on CRPF Group Centre, Lethpora, was carried out in the intervening night of December 30-31, 2017 by three terrorists of proscribed terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

During investigation by NIA, the three terrorists were identified as Fardeen Ahmad Khandey, son of Ghulam Mohideen Khandey, resident of Nazeempora, Tral, Pulwama district, Manzoor Baba, son of Ali Mohammad Baba, resident of Drubgam, Pulwama, and a Pakistani terrorist, namely, Abdul Shakoor, resident of Rawalakot area of PoK.

All the three terrorists were killed in the encounter. In this attack, five CRPF personnel were martyred and three were grievously injured. NIA said that arrested accused Fayaz Ahmad Magray is an active over ground worker (OGW) of proscribed terrorist organisation JeM.

“He is a key conspirator who provided logistical support such as providing shelter to the terrorists and conducting reconnaissance of the CRPF Group centre, Lethpora before the terrorist attack,” said the central agency.

“In 2001 also, he was detained under Public Safety Act (PSA) by Jammu and Kashmir Police and he remained under detention for 16 months,” NIA further said in the statement.&nbsp;

National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday claimed to have arrested a JeM operative for his alleged involvement in a terror attack on CRPF Group Centre in Lethpora village in Pulwama district.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday claimed to have arrested a JeM operative for his alleged involvement in a terror attack on CRPF Group Centre in Lethpora village in Pulwama district. The arrested JeM operative has been identified as Fayaz Ahmad Magray. “Accused Fayaz will be produced in the Special NIA Court, Jammu, and will seek his custody for further investigation and unearthing of the larger conspiracy,” said NIA in a statement on Monday. “NIA on Monday arrested accused Fayaz Ahmad Magray, son of late Jalalludin Magray, a resident of village Lethpora, Police Station Awantipora, District Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir, in case RC No. 10/2018/NIA/DLI (attack on CRPF Group Centre, Lethpora),” said the investigation agency. A terrorist attack on CRPF Group Centre, Lethpora, was carried out in the intervening night of December 30-31, 2017 by three terrorists of proscribed terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). During investigation by NIA, the three terrorists were identified as Fardeen Ahmad Khandey, son of Ghulam Mohideen Khandey, resident of Nazeempora, Tral, Pulwama district, Manzoor Baba, son of Ali Mohammad Baba, resident of Drubgam, Pulwama, and a Pakistani terrorist, namely, Abdul Shakoor, resident of Rawalakot area of PoK. All the three terrorists were killed in the encounter. In this attack, five CRPF personnel were martyred and three were grievously injured. NIA said that arrested accused Fayaz Ahmad Magray is an active over ground worker (OGW) of proscribed terrorist organisation JeM. “He is a key conspirator who provided logistical support such as providing shelter to the terrorists and conducting reconnaissance of the CRPF Group centre, Lethpora before the terrorist attack,” said the central agency. “In 2001 also, he was detained under Public Safety Act (PSA) by Jammu and Kashmir Police and he remained under detention for 16 months,” NIA further said in the statement.

NIA arrests JeM operative in terror attack on CRPF Group Centre in J&K

Two alleged Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) members have been arrested on charges of planning to carry out terror strikes in the national capital during Republic Day celebrations, Delhi Police officials said on Thursday.

They were identified as Abdul Latif Ganaie (29), alias Umair alias Dilawar, and Hilal Ahmad Bhat (26) residents of Jammu and Kashmir's Wakura and Batapora areas respectively.

Dilawar was arrested on the intervening night of January 20-21 after police got a tip off from military intelligence that a house in Laxmi Nagar was frequented by suspicious persons, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell P S Kushwah said.

Police learnt that Dilawar would come near Rajghat to meet someone and accordingly a team was deployed there. Subsequently, he was arrested with incriminating material, he said.

A .32 bore pistol and 26 live cartridges were recovered from him. Three rubber stamps of JeM commanders and other material was also recovered from his possession, he added.

It took the Delhi Police a few months to identify Dilawar, the DCP said.

A team was rushed to Jammu and Kashmir to nab his other associates. Two hand grenades were recovered from his house there, Kushwah said.

Bhat, who had carried out the recce of various places for terrorist strikes in Delhi, was also arrested from Bandipora, he said.

During interrogation, they revealed that they were JeM members and that Dilawar is the terror outfit's Ganderbal district commander, Kushwah said.

Dilawar told police that he was in touch with his Pakistan-based handler Abu Mauz through Telegram and WhatsApp, he said.

He further revealed that Mauz had given him more than a dozen hand grenades, a pistol and 30 live cartridges through an Aaqib, the DCP said.

Dilawar was asked to use those grenades on the armed and police forces in Jammu and Kashmir and in parts of Delhi to disrupt Republic Day celebrations, Kushwah said.

He told police that he had given two grenades to one Abid in Jammu and Kashmir and he used them to attack Army personnel of 5 RR in Sumbal, Bandipora on January 4, the officer said.

Dilawar also gave some grenades to one Shahbaz in Srinagar and to Bhat, Kushwah said.

Jammu and Kashmir police was informed about this network, following which Shahbaz was arrested on Tuesday, he said.

Dilawar came in contact with radical elements during a four-year course at a madrasa in Sopore. He started chatting with these fringe elements on various social platforms, the DCP said.

Impressed by Dilawar's posts, Mauz communicated with him and radicalised him by sending various audio and video clips of JeM chief Maulana Azhar Masood, Kushwah said.&nbsp;

He said Mauz also instructed Dilawar to go to Delhi to conduct a recce of VIP areas, places of heavy footfalls in posh markets, vital places and gas pipeline to identify blast targets.

Dilawar was previously arrested in two cases of stone pelting in 2016 in the area of Sadar Ganderbal police station, he said.&nbsp;

Two alleged Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) members have been arrested on charges of planning to carry out terror strikes in the national capital during Republic Day celebrations, Delhi Police officials said on Thursday.

Two alleged Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) members have been arrested on charges of planning to carry out terror strikes in the national capital during Republic Day celebrations, Delhi Police officials said on Thursday. They were identified as Abdul Latif Ganaie (29), alias Umair alias Dilawar, and Hilal Ahmad Bhat (26) residents of Jammu and Kashmir's Wakura and Batapora areas respectively. Dilawar was arrested on the intervening night of January 20-21 after police got a tip off from military intelligence that a house in Laxmi Nagar was frequented by suspicious persons, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell P S Kushwah said. Police learnt that Dilawar would come near Rajghat to meet someone and accordingly a team was deployed there. Subsequently, he was arrested with incriminating material, he said. A .32 bore pistol and 26 live cartridges were recovered from him. Three rubber stamps of JeM commanders and other material was also recovered from his possession, he added. It took the Delhi Police a few months to identify Dilawar, the DCP said. A team was rushed to Jammu and Kashmir to nab his other associates. Two hand grenades were recovered from his house there, Kushwah said. Bhat, who had carried out the recce of various places for terrorist strikes in Delhi, was also arrested from Bandipora, he said. During interrogation, they revealed that they were JeM members and that Dilawar is the terror outfit's Ganderbal district commander, Kushwah said. Dilawar told police that he was in touch with his Pakistan-based handler Abu Mauz through Telegram and WhatsApp, he said. He further revealed that Mauz had given him more than a dozen hand grenades, a pistol and 30 live cartridges through an Aaqib, the DCP said. Dilawar was asked to use those grenades on the armed and police forces in Jammu and Kashmir and in parts of Delhi to disrupt Republic Day celebrations, Kushwah said. He told police that he had given two grenades to one Abid in Jammu and Kashmir and he used them to attack Army personnel of 5 RR in Sumbal, Bandipora on January 4, the officer said. Dilawar also gave some grenades to one Shahbaz in Srinagar and to Bhat, Kushwah said. Jammu and Kashmir police was informed about this network, following which Shahbaz was arrested on Tuesday, he said. Dilawar came in contact with radical elements during a four-year course at a madrasa in Sopore. He started chatting with these fringe elements on various social platforms, the DCP said. Impressed by Dilawar's posts, Mauz communicated with him and radicalised him by sending various audio and video clips of JeM chief Maulana Azhar Masood, Kushwah said. He said Mauz also instructed Dilawar to go to Delhi to conduct a recce of VIP areas, places of heavy footfalls in posh markets, vital places and gas pipeline to identify blast targets. Dilawar was previously arrested in two cases of stone pelting in 2016 in the area of Sadar Ganderbal police station, he said.

Delhi: JeM members arrested for allegedly planning attacks on Republic Day

The National Investigation Agency has detained an alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed operative Muneer-ul-Hassan Qadri from Jammu and Kashmir police on Saturday.

The NIA's arrest has been made in connection with the 2016 terror attack on an army camp in the state's Nagrota.

The attack on the army camp had claimed the lives of seven soldiers and two officers. The counter operation had killed three Pakistani terrorists and recovered a huge quantity of firearms, ammunition, explosives and other articles.

The JeM operative was in the custody of police for some time.&nbsp

A case was registered by the National Investigation Agency into the incident in December 2016 under sections 120B, 121, 307 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) and sections seven and 27 of the Arms Act, 1958.&nbsp

The attack on the army camp had claimed the lives of seven soldiers and two officers. The counter operation had killed three Pakistani terrorists and recovered a huge quantity of firearms, ammunition, explosives and other articles

The National Investigation Agency has detained an alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed operative Muneer-ul-Hassan Qadri from Jammu and Kashmir police on Saturday. The NIA's arrest has been made in connection with the 2016 terror attack on an army camp in the state's Nagrota. The attack on the army camp had claimed the lives of seven soldiers and two officers. The counter operation had killed three Pakistani terrorists and recovered a huge quantity of firearms, ammunition, explosives and other articles. The JeM operative was in the custody of police for some time. A case was registered by the National Investigation Agency into the incident in December 2016 under sections 120B, 121, 307 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) and sections seven and 27 of the Arms Act, 1958.

Jammu and Kashmir: NIA takes custody of JeM operative involved in 2016 Nagrota army camp terror attack

Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed has directed its cadres to step up and intensify its ' Jihad ' in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a gathering at its Markaz known as Beteha Masjid in Karachi city, JeM commander Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar claimed responsibility for the April 26 grenade attack in the Tral township of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rauf said in his speech, "During ongoing `Daura Tafseer', news of JeM cadres fighting at battlefronts (in J&K) was pouring in. On April 25 JeM cadres were engaged in fighting against the enemy and were killed the day after ( April 26). Their funeral processions were being carried out and meanwhile, another team of JeM launched attack to take avenge of killings of cadres on the previous day".

Such statements by JeM from Pakistan have exposed Islamabad's malicious designs in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rauf motivated cadres and told them not to forget the real motive for and behind `Jihad'. He said, "At the battlefront, there is no dearth of `Mujahideen', who have been waiting in queues to enter into J&K to kill the enemy.

The Jaish-e-Mohammed has been banned in Pakistan since 2002, but it continues to train terrorists in Pakistan occupied Kashmir and provides them weapons to create troubles in Jammu and Kashmir.

Having maintained close relations with the Taliban and al Qaeda, it has carried out several attacks primarily in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rauf has asked its cadres to mentally and physically ready to join cadres at battlefield. "The war of jihad' is entering into an extremely dangerous phase, where enemies would be trying to eliminate Mujahideen from well inside their own locations. Time is likely to come when mujahideen and others will have to take shelter in forests and plan strategy of survival".

From January to April this year, 55 terrorists have been killed by the security forces in the Kashmir valley. A majority of these terrorists were from Pakistan who crossed the border to create disturbances in Jammu and Kashmir.

On several occasion, India has accused Pakistan for sheltering terrorists and providing them open space to wage `jihad in the Kashmir Valley.&nbsp

Addressing a gathering at its Markaz known as Beteha Masjid in Karachi city, JeM commander Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar claimed responsibility for the April 26 grenade attack in the Tral township of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed has directed its cadres to step up and intensify its ' Jihad ' in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a gathering at its Markaz known as Beteha Masjid in Karachi city, JeM commander Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar claimed responsibility for the April 26 grenade attack in the Tral township of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. Rauf said in his speech, "During ongoing `Daura Tafseer', news of JeM cadres fighting at battlefronts (in J&K) was pouring in. On April 25 JeM cadres were engaged in fighting against the enemy and were killed the day after ( April 26). Their funeral processions were being carried out and meanwhile, another team of JeM launched attack to take avenge of killings of cadres on the previous day". Such statements by JeM from Pakistan have exposed Islamabad's malicious designs in Jammu and Kashmir. Rauf motivated cadres and told them not to forget the real motive for and behind `Jihad'. He said, "At the battlefront, there is no dearth of `Mujahideen', who have been waiting in queues to enter into J&K to kill the enemy. The Jaish-e-Mohammed has been banned in Pakistan since 2002, but it continues to train terrorists in Pakistan occupied Kashmir and provides them weapons to create troubles in Jammu and Kashmir. Having maintained close relations with the Taliban and al Qaeda, it has carried out several attacks primarily in Jammu and Kashmir. Rauf has asked its cadres to mentally and physically ready to join cadres at battlefield. "The war of jihad' is entering into an extremely dangerous phase, where enemies would be trying to eliminate Mujahideen from well inside their own locations. Time is likely to come when mujahideen and others will have to take shelter in forests and plan strategy of survival". From January to April this year, 55 terrorists have been killed by the security forces in the Kashmir valley. A majority of these terrorists were from Pakistan who crossed the border to create disturbances in Jammu and Kashmir. On several occasion, India has accused Pakistan for sheltering terrorists and providing them open space to wage `jihad in the Kashmir Valley.

JeM directs its cadres to strengthen 'jihad' in Kashmir

Top officials of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaspal-atwals-name-was-removed-from-home-ministrys-blacklist-of-sikh-extremists-months-ago-sources-33783">Home Ministry headed by BJP leader</a> Murli Manohar have reportedly told a parliamentary panel that Sikh youths are being trained by Pakistan&#39;s intelligence agency - ISI- and are targeting several members of the community settled in Canada.

The officials have informed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sikhs-in-pakistan-being-forced-to-convert-to-islam-26984">the Committee on Estimates that Sikh</a> youth are being radicalised through messages being&nbsp;disseminated on the Internet and social media. The report named - Central armed police forces and internal security challenges-evaluation and response mechanism - which was tabled before Parliament on Monday cites Pakistan&#39;s ISI trying to spread its terror plans not only in Punjab but also in other parts of the country.

&quot;Sikh youth are being trained at ISI facilities in Pakistan. Interdictions and interrogations have revealed the use of jailed cadres, unemployed youth, criminals and smugglers by Pakistan-based Sikh terror groups for facilitating terror attacks,&quot; the report said. Sikh youths based or settled in Europe, the US and Canada are also being misguided, the report observes.

&quot;The problem is further accentuated by the fact that the terror groups have started using secure social media platforms and proxy servers etc. To avoid detection by intelligence and law enforcement agencies,&quot; the report notes.

&quot;Activities of radicalised people returning from conflict areas and the threat of lone wolf attack are also a challenge,&quot; it said.

The ministry has told the panel that India continues to be the focus among Pakistan-based terror organizations including &nbsp;Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM), Indian Mujahideen(IM) and SIMI.

&quot;Since its formation in September 2004, CPI(Maoist) has emerged as the most potent among the LWE outfits active in the country,&quot; the report said.

The officials have informed the Committee on Estimates that Sikh youth are being radicalised through messages being disseminated on the Internet and social media.

Top officials of the Home Ministry headed by BJP leader Murli Manohar have reportedly told a parliamentary panel that Sikh youths are being trained by Pakistan's intelligence agency - ISI- and are targeting several members of the community settled in Canada. The officials have informed the Committee on Estimates that Sikh youth are being radicalised through messages being disseminated on the Internet and social media. The report named - Central armed police forces and internal security challenges-evaluation and response mechanism - which was tabled before Parliament on Monday cites Pakistan's ISI trying to spread its terror plans not only in Punjab but also in other parts of the country. "Sikh youth are being trained at ISI facilities in Pakistan. Interdictions and interrogations have revealed the use of jailed cadres, unemployed youth, criminals and smugglers by Pakistan-based Sikh terror groups for facilitating terror attacks," the report said. Sikh youths based or settled in Europe, the US and Canada are also being misguided, the report observes. "The problem is further accentuated by the fact that the terror groups have started using secure social media platforms and proxy servers etc. To avoid detection by intelligence and law enforcement agencies," the report notes. "Activities of radicalised people returning from conflict areas and the threat of lone wolf attack are also a challenge," it said. The ministry has told the panel that India continues to be the focus among Pakistan-based terror organizations including Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM), Indian Mujahideen(IM) and SIMI. "Since its formation in September 2004, CPI(Maoist) has emerged as the most potent among the LWE outfits active in the country," the report said.

Sikh youths from Canada & Europe being trained at ISI facilities in Pak: Home Ministry to parliamentary panel

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