After India successfully conducted air strikes on terror camps operated by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) inside Pakistan, experts observed that New Delhi had ‘crossed the Rubicon’ this time around. It’s a good time to recall that, within Pakistan too, the Rubicon had been crossed in different ways on a few occasions in the recent past by intrepid people, but the outcome had been less than fortunate for the initiators. The Pakistani deep state had prevailed.&nbsp; 
 
Pakistani journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad had dared to explore the complex links between religiously fanatic elements within the Pakistan army and outside. He relied on inside information to report on the continuing infiltration of extremists into the Army and the Jihadi connect. But when he put out a story on the Mehran naval base attack in 2011, saying that it had been an insider job, he had crossed the line as far as the deep state was concerned. In the last week of May, Shahzad was kidnapped, tortured and killed, and his body was left in a drain as a grim reminder to anyone who may have harboured thoughts challenging the status quo. &nbsp; 
 
The heavily protected Mehran naval base, situated near Karachi, had been attacked by a handful of Pakistani Jihadists, and several names complicit in the incident, including retired defence personnel, came to light. The audacious attempt was eventually contained, but not before severe damage was done to some of the navy's expensive assets and the Pakistani defence force’s image. Predictably, in the hysteria that erupted, two things happened. First, denial. And second, approving blame to the US, India and Israel. The second was not bought by the world community, and the first had no leg to stand on after the Pakistani establishment led by General Pervez Musharraf had to crack down on the local perpetrators and weed out radical elements from within the ranks of its Armed Forces.&nbsp;

Shahzad’s Mehran report was the last major one that he would file. He not only wrote that the Mehran attack was an insider job, but also reported that a purge had been in progress which had divided security personnel as well as the rogue elements outside along ethnic and religious lines. But he was not the only journalist to be punished thus. There was the American Daniel Pearl, who too had crossed the Rubicon almost a decade before Shahzad did.&nbsp;

Pearl, who was primarily based in Mumbai while reporting on the south Asian region for The Wall Street Journal, had visited Pakistan as part of an investigative report he was working on, with a view to unravel links involving the Al Qaeda and a British citizen, better known as the ‘Shoe Bomber’. In February 2002, he was kidnapped, tortured and executed by his captors. His decomposed body and the severed head were discovered a few months later. He had entered dangerous territory, one that could expose the complicity of the deep state.&nbsp; 
 
The group that claimed ‘credit’ for the kidnapping and subsequent action was the National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty. This outfit accused Pearl of being an American spy. It demanded the release of all Pakistani terror detainees as well as lifting of the embargo on the US shipment of F-16 fighter planes to Pakistan, as some of the conditions for Pearl’s release. It is inconceivable that an outfit could so brazenly function right inside Pakistan without some sort of official ‘turning the blind eye’ at the least.&nbsp;

It’s not only journalists in Pakistan, whether Pakistani or otherwise, who have paid with their lives for crossing the Rubicon. Even high-profile politicians who summoned the courage to challenge extremist elements, either inside or out of the system, fell to radical elements while the official establishment remained inactive — or implicitly supportive of the fanatics. Salman Taseer is a case in point. A liberal politician associated with the Pakistan Peoples Party of Benazir Bhutto, he was assassinated in January 2011 in Islamabad by his bodyguard, who shot him with an assault rifle 27 times hear his home. Taseer’s crime was that he had vehemently and publicly opposed his country’s blasphemy law, which had the backing of not just extremist groups but also influential sections of the Pakistani Deep State. A show of state mourning was thereafter organised but it deceived none. &nbsp;

Radical elements, both outside the political system and within, had been enraged by his public pronouncements in support of one Asia Bibi, who had been sentenced to death by a court of law for having ‘blasphemed’ Islam. After the assassination, hundreds of prominent Pakistan clerics had lent support to the assassin and urged the people to boycott Taseer’s funeral. &nbsp; 
 
The connect between extremist elements and the Pakistani state has been often commented upon by one of the country’s most prominent former envoy, Husain Haqqani, in his books and public discourses. Haqqani is now located outside Pakistan and has many times quipped that terrorists are more secure in Pakistan than he would be if he were to return to his country. He too crossed the Rubicon many times, but fortunately, he remains safe for now.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

After India successfully conducted air strikes on terror camps operated by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) inside Pakistan, experts observed that New Delhi had ‘crossed the Rubicon’ this time around.

After India successfully conducted air strikes on terror camps operated by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) inside Pakistan, experts observed that New Delhi had ‘crossed the Rubicon’ this time around. It’s a good time to recall that, within Pakistan too, the Rubicon had been crossed in different ways on a few occasions in the recent past by intrepid people, but the outcome had been less than fortunate for the initiators. The Pakistani deep state had prevailed. Pakistani journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad had dared to explore the complex links between religiously fanatic elements within the Pakistan army and outside. He relied on inside information to report on the continuing infiltration of extremists into the Army and the Jihadi connect. But when he put out a story on the Mehran naval base attack in 2011, saying that it had been an insider job, he had crossed the line as far as the deep state was concerned. In the last week of May, Shahzad was kidnapped, tortured and killed, and his body was left in a drain as a grim reminder to anyone who may have harboured thoughts challenging the status quo. The heavily protected Mehran naval base, situated near Karachi, had been attacked by a handful of Pakistani Jihadists, and several names complicit in the incident, including retired defence personnel, came to light. The audacious attempt was eventually contained, but not before severe damage was done to some of the navy's expensive assets and the Pakistani defence force’s image. Predictably, in the hysteria that erupted, two things happened. First, denial. And second, approving blame to the US, India and Israel. The second was not bought by the world community, and the first had no leg to stand on after the Pakistani establishment led by General Pervez Musharraf had to crack down on the local perpetrators and weed out radical elements from within the ranks of its Armed Forces. Shahzad’s Mehran report was the last major one that he would file. He not only wrote that the Mehran attack was an insider job, but also reported that a purge had been in progress which had divided security personnel as well as the rogue elements outside along ethnic and religious lines. But he was not the only journalist to be punished thus. There was the American Daniel Pearl, who too had crossed the Rubicon almost a decade before Shahzad did. Pearl, who was primarily based in Mumbai while reporting on the south Asian region for The Wall Street Journal, had visited Pakistan as part of an investigative report he was working on, with a view to unravel links involving the Al Qaeda and a British citizen, better known as the ‘Shoe Bomber’. In February 2002, he was kidnapped, tortured and executed by his captors. His decomposed body and the severed head were discovered a few months later. He had entered dangerous territory, one that could expose the complicity of the deep state. The group that claimed ‘credit’ for the kidnapping and subsequent action was the National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty. This outfit accused Pearl of being an American spy. It demanded the release of all Pakistani terror detainees as well as lifting of the embargo on the US shipment of F-16 fighter planes to Pakistan, as some of the conditions for Pearl’s release. It is inconceivable that an outfit could so brazenly function right inside Pakistan without some sort of official ‘turning the blind eye’ at the least. It’s not only journalists in Pakistan, whether Pakistani or otherwise, who have paid with their lives for crossing the Rubicon. Even high-profile politicians who summoned the courage to challenge extremist elements, either inside or out of the system, fell to radical elements while the official establishment remained inactive — or implicitly supportive of the fanatics. Salman Taseer is a case in point. A liberal politician associated with the Pakistan Peoples Party of Benazir Bhutto, he was assassinated in January 2011 in Islamabad by his bodyguard, who shot him with an assault rifle 27 times hear his home. Taseer’s crime was that he had vehemently and publicly opposed his country’s blasphemy law, which had the backing of not just extremist groups but also influential sections of the Pakistani Deep State. A show of state mourning was thereafter organised but it deceived none. Radical elements, both outside the political system and within, had been enraged by his public pronouncements in support of one Asia Bibi, who had been sentenced to death by a court of law for having ‘blasphemed’ Islam. After the assassination, hundreds of prominent Pakistan clerics had lent support to the assassin and urged the people to boycott Taseer’s funeral. The connect between extremist elements and the Pakistani state has been often commented upon by one of the country’s most prominent former envoy, Husain Haqqani, in his books and public discourses. Haqqani is now located outside Pakistan and has many times quipped that terrorists are more secure in Pakistan than he would be if he were to return to his country. He too crossed the Rubicon many times, but fortunately, he remains safe for now. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Crossing the Rubicon: Many Pakistani nationals have paid a heavy price for exposing army and jihadi connect

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday hinted that his country may not oppose a joint move by France, Britain and the US in the UN Security Council to list Jaish-e-Mohammed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/masood-azhar-the-moulvi-with-a-limp-who-became-indias-most-wanted-man-201022">terror group's chief Masood Azhar</a> as a global terrorist.

"Time has come for Pakistan to decide in its own interests. We will do what's in Pakistan's interests," Qureshi told Geo TV in an interview.

Last week, the US, the UK and France moved a fresh proposal in the UN Security Council to designate Azhar as a global terrorist, a listing that will subject him to global travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo.

The Security Council Sanctions Committee has 10 working days to consider the fresh proposal submitted by the three members. It is the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist.

When asked whether Pakistan will request its close ally China to veto the resolution once again in the UNSC, Qureshi said his government will try to build a consensus among all parties and do what's in Pakistan's interests.

"We have some global commitments...We will have to take action which doesn't harm our global reputation," he said, without elaborating. Describing the situation following the Pulwama terror attack as a "defining moment" for Pakistan, he said Pakistan doesn't want to go for a war with India.

"We want peace. Our people want jobs, they want reforms in institutions, they want us to crack down on corruption...," he added.

In 2009, India moved a proposal to designate Azhar, whose UN-proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) claimed responsibility for the suicide attack against Indian security forces in Pulwama on February 14 in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed.

In 2016 again, India moved the proposal with the P3 - the US, the UK and France in the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee to ban Azhar, also the mastermind of the attack on the airbase in Pathankot in January 2016.

In 2017, the P3 nations moved a similar proposal again. However, on all occasions, China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, blocked India's proposal from being adopted by the Sanctions Committee.

It remains to be seen how China will vote on the proposal this time.

India has strongly reiterated its appeal to all members of the international community to support the proposal to list terrorists, including Azhar, as designated terrorists under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council, and to ban terrorist organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan.

Tensions between India and Pakistan flared up after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based JeM killed 40 CRPF personnel in Kashmir on February 14.&nbsp;

India Wednesday handed over to Pakistan a dossier on "specific details" of involvement of JeM in the attack.

When asked about the dossier on JeM handed over by India, Qureshi said, "We are examining it and we will respond accordingly."

According to a top government source here, Pakistan has decided to launch a crackdown on terror outfits, including JeM and its chief Azhar, in order to de-escalate the tensions with India and the action is "expected any time soon".

Pakistan Monday promulgated a law to streamline the procedure for the implementation of the UN sanctions against individuals and organisations, amid mounting pressure from the global community to rein in the terror groups operating on its soil and curb their financing.&nbsp;

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday hinted that his country may not oppose a joint move by France, Britain and the US in the UN Security Council to list Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday hinted that his country may not oppose a joint move by France, Britain and the US in the UN Security Council to list Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. "Time has come for Pakistan to decide in its own interests. We will do what's in Pakistan's interests," Qureshi told Geo TV in an interview. Last week, the US, the UK and France moved a fresh proposal in the UN Security Council to designate Azhar as a global terrorist, a listing that will subject him to global travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo. The Security Council Sanctions Committee has 10 working days to consider the fresh proposal submitted by the three members. It is the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. When asked whether Pakistan will request its close ally China to veto the resolution once again in the UNSC, Qureshi said his government will try to build a consensus among all parties and do what's in Pakistan's interests. "We have some global commitments...We will have to take action which doesn't harm our global reputation," he said, without elaborating. Describing the situation following the Pulwama terror attack as a "defining moment" for Pakistan, he said Pakistan doesn't want to go for a war with India. "We want peace. Our people want jobs, they want reforms in institutions, they want us to crack down on corruption...," he added. In 2009, India moved a proposal to designate Azhar, whose UN-proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) claimed responsibility for the suicide attack against Indian security forces in Pulwama on February 14 in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed. In 2016 again, India moved the proposal with the P3 - the US, the UK and France in the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee to ban Azhar, also the mastermind of the attack on the airbase in Pathankot in January 2016. In 2017, the P3 nations moved a similar proposal again. However, on all occasions, China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, blocked India's proposal from being adopted by the Sanctions Committee. It remains to be seen how China will vote on the proposal this time. India has strongly reiterated its appeal to all members of the international community to support the proposal to list terrorists, including Azhar, as designated terrorists under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council, and to ban terrorist organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan. Tensions between India and Pakistan flared up after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based JeM killed 40 CRPF personnel in Kashmir on February 14. India Wednesday handed over to Pakistan a dossier on "specific details" of involvement of JeM in the attack. When asked about the dossier on JeM handed over by India, Qureshi said, "We are examining it and we will respond accordingly." According to a top government source here, Pakistan has decided to launch a crackdown on terror outfits, including JeM and its chief Azhar, in order to de-escalate the tensions with India and the action is "expected any time soon". Pakistan Monday promulgated a law to streamline the procedure for the implementation of the UN sanctions against individuals and organisations, amid mounting pressure from the global community to rein in the terror groups operating on its soil and curb their financing.

Foreign Minister Qureshi hints Pakistan may not oppose listing of JeM chief Azhar as global terrorist by UNSC

Jaish-e-Mohammad denies reports of Masood Azhar's death

China has said that it is in touch with both India and Pakistan regarding recent tensions.

Replying to a question at the daily foreign ministry briefing, Chinese foreign ministry's spokesperson Lu Kang said, "China has been in close communication with both sides and promoting peace talks. China will continue playing its constructive roles in this regard as long as it is conducive to an alleviation of the situation and regional peace and stability."

Lu Kang added, "We genuinely hope that India and Pakistan, as important countries in South Asia, will maintain good neighbourliness and friendly ties and settle issues through friendly consultation."

The development comes after Pakistani foreign ministry claimed that that Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov had proposed to mediate between India and Pakistan.

The Indian ambassador to Russia Bala Venkatesh Varma has clarified saying there is no Russian offer of mediation between India and Pakistan and even if Moscow proposes one, New Delhi will not accept it.

"I want to emphasize that we did not receive a formal offer of mediation. And even we do, we will not accept it. So far, no country has offered to mediate in resolving the conflict," Venkatesh Varma said.

All through last week China called on India and Pakistan to exercise restraint but did not mention the issue of terror emanating from Pakistan like US, UK, France, Australia did.

India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj was in China on February 27 for the Russia, India, China foreign ministers meet. During the meet, EAM highlighted the issue of terror from Pakistan and said, "India does not wish to see a further escalation of the situation. "

The Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also spoke to Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on February 28 in which the Chinese side said it "will continue to play a constructive role in easing the current tension."

China has been blocking the listing of Masood Azhar, the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), as an international terrorist under the United Nations security council 1267 committee. &nbsp;Jaish-e-Mohammed is the group responsible for the Pulwama terror attack that killed more than 40 CRPF personnel.&nbsp;

France, US and UK have again proposed the listing of Azhar as an international terrorist and if no country raises any issue by March 13, Azhar will be put on the UN terror list.

(With agency inputs)

China has said that it is in touch with both India and Pakistan regarding recent tensions. Replying to a question at the daily foreign ministry briefing, Chinese foreign ministry's spokesperson Lu Kang said, "China has been in close communication with both sides and promoting peace talks.

China has said that it is in touch with both India and Pakistan regarding recent tensions. Replying to a question at the daily foreign ministry briefing, Chinese foreign ministry's spokesperson Lu Kang said, "China has been in close communication with both sides and promoting peace talks. China will continue playing its constructive roles in this regard as long as it is conducive to an alleviation of the situation and regional peace and stability." Lu Kang added, "We genuinely hope that India and Pakistan, as important countries in South Asia, will maintain good neighbourliness and friendly ties and settle issues through friendly consultation." The development comes after Pakistani foreign ministry claimed that that Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov had proposed to mediate between India and Pakistan. The Indian ambassador to Russia Bala Venkatesh Varma has clarified saying there is no Russian offer of mediation between India and Pakistan and even if Moscow proposes one, New Delhi will not accept it. "I want to emphasize that we did not receive a formal offer of mediation. And even we do, we will not accept it. So far, no country has offered to mediate in resolving the conflict," Venkatesh Varma said. All through last week China called on India and Pakistan to exercise restraint but did not mention the issue of terror emanating from Pakistan like US, UK, France, Australia did. India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj was in China on February 27 for the Russia, India, China foreign ministers meet. During the meet, EAM highlighted the issue of terror from Pakistan and said, "India does not wish to see a further escalation of the situation. " The Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also spoke to Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on February 28 in which the Chinese side said it "will continue to play a constructive role in easing the current tension." China has been blocking the listing of Masood Azhar, the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), as an international terrorist under the United Nations security council 1267 committee. Jaish-e-Mohammed is the group responsible for the Pulwama terror attack that killed more than 40 CRPF personnel. France, US and UK have again proposed the listing of Azhar as an international terrorist and if no country raises any issue by March 13, Azhar will be put on the UN terror list. (With agency inputs)

China is in touch with India, Pakistan & promoting peace talks, says foreign ministry spokesperson

Pakistan plans to take action against militant groups operating on its soil, a minister said on Monday, amid global pressure to act after a suicide bomber killed 40 Indian paramilitary police in Kashmir last month.

But Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry denied Indian accusations that Pakistan was involved in the Feb. 14 attack, which led to a sharp rise in hostilities, saying it "had nothing to do with us".

Nuclear-armed Pakistan and India both carried out aerial bombing missions last week and on Wednesday fought a brief dogfight in the skies over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, but they stepped back from the brink after Islamabad on Friday handed back a captured Indian pilot as a peace gesture.

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Britain and the United States welcomed the pilot's return but urged Islamabad to take action against militant groups carrying out attacks on Indian soil. Islamabad denies assisting the groups or using them as proxies in its rivalry with India.

Previous vows by the Pakistan government to crack down on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-government-not-to-oppose-masood-azhars-listing-as-global-terrorist-at-un-sources-to-wion-201062">anti-India militant groups</a> have largely come to nothing, with militant leaders living freely in Pakistan.

Pakistan's powerful military dictates the South Asian nation's security plans and foreign policy, including relations with India.

Chaudhry said the decision to act was taken at a meeting of the National Security Committee before the suicide bombing, claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), in Kashmir.

"A full-fledged strategy is now in place," Chaudhry told Reuters. "We have different strategies for different groups, but the main aim is that we have to enforce the writ of the state. We have to demilitarise if there are groups (on our soil)."

Pakistan's English-language Dawn newspaper said a source briefed journalists that a crackdown against militant groups was imminent.

"The action would soon be visible as things progress," Dawn cited the source as saying. It did not identify the source or say whether it was from the military or government.

In September 2017, Reuters reported that Pakistan's military had decided to deradicalise armed militant groups and try to get them involved in politics.

That strategy was criticised by civil society groups and the previous civilian government after the emergence of a new party linked to Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. Saeed denied a role in the attack but the new party was later banned.

DRYING UP MILITANTS' FUNDS

Chaudhry said Pakistan would use an "economic, political and administrative strategy" that would adhere to Pakistan's National Action Plan (NAP) formulated in 2014, which vowed to stamp out militant groups.

Analysts say security services carrying out NAP did not target anti-India outfits.

Chaudhry added that Pakistan would also fulfil demands set out by a global watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which put Pakistan on a terrorism watch list in 2018 on the urging of the United States and European nations.

"We have to implement FATF conditionalities, and likewise, we have taken strict measures on money laundering to dry the source of funding for these groups," Chaudhry said.

Chaudhry said the government was looking to close "loopholes" that allowed banned groups to operate.

"With banned groups it will be made sure that they will be banned in practical terms also," he said. "The problem is that they change names and start operating from other names. This needs to be taken care of."

India accused Pakistan of playing a role in the Feb. 14 JeM attack in the Kashmiri city of Pulwama.

"We have looked at the incident and it is our considered opinion that Pulwama has nothing to do with us," Chaudhry said.

The United States, Britain and France proposed last week that the U.N. Security Council blacklist the head of JeM, Masood Azhar. A vote is due to be held in mid-March with a focus on Pakistan's staunch ally China, which has blocked previous attempts by world powers to sanction the JeM chief.

Pakistan's foreign minister last week told CNN that Azhar was in Pakistan and "really unwell".

India on Tuesday bombed what New Delhi called a JeM militant training camp in a forest area in northern Pakistan, killing "many terrorists". Islamabad denied such a camp existed and invited journalists to visit the site.

Villagers in the area said there was no active militant camp but pointed to a nearby madrasa and said it was run by JeM. The military prevented Reuters reports from visiting the madrasa.

Pakistan plans to take action against militant groups operating on its soil, a minister said on Monday, amid global pressure to act after a suicide bomber killed 40 Indian paramilitary police in Kashmir last month.

Pakistan plans to take action against militant groups operating on its soil, a minister said on Monday, amid global pressure to act after a suicide bomber killed 40 Indian paramilitary police in Kashmir last month. But Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry denied Indian accusations that Pakistan was involved in the Feb. 14 attack, which led to a sharp rise in hostilities, saying it "had nothing to do with us". Nuclear-armed Pakistan and India both carried out aerial bombing missions last week and on Wednesday fought a brief dogfight in the skies over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, but they stepped back from the brink after Islamabad on Friday handed back a captured Indian pilot as a peace gesture. Pakistan's English-language Dawn newspaper meanwhile quoted a source as saying a crackdown against terrorist groups is imminent × Britain and the United States welcomed the pilot's return but urged Islamabad to take action against militant groups carrying out attacks on Indian soil. Islamabad denies assisting the groups or using them as proxies in its rivalry with India. Previous vows by the Pakistan government to crack down on anti-India militant groups have largely come to nothing, with militant leaders living freely in Pakistan. Pakistan's powerful military dictates the South Asian nation's security plans and foreign policy, including relations with India. Chaudhry said the decision to act was taken at a meeting of the National Security Committee before the suicide bombing, claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), in Kashmir. "A full-fledged strategy is now in place," Chaudhry told Reuters. "We have different strategies for different groups, but the main aim is that we have to enforce the writ of the state. We have to demilitarise if there are groups (on our soil)." Pakistan's English-language Dawn newspaper said a source briefed journalists that a crackdown against militant groups was imminent. "The action would soon be visible as things progress," Dawn cited the source as saying. It did not identify the source or say whether it was from the military or government. In September 2017, Reuters reported that Pakistan's military had decided to deradicalise armed militant groups and try to get them involved in politics. That strategy was criticised by civil society groups and the previous civilian government after the emergence of a new party linked to Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. Saeed denied a role in the attack but the new party was later banned. DRYING UP MILITANTS' FUNDS Chaudhry said Pakistan would use an "economic, political and administrative strategy" that would adhere to Pakistan's National Action Plan (NAP) formulated in 2014, which vowed to stamp out militant groups. Analysts say security services carrying out NAP did not target anti-India outfits. Chaudhry added that Pakistan would also fulfil demands set out by a global watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which put Pakistan on a terrorism watch list in 2018 on the urging of the United States and European nations. "We have to implement FATF conditionalities, and likewise, we have taken strict measures on money laundering to dry the source of funding for these groups," Chaudhry said. Chaudhry said the government was looking to close "loopholes" that allowed banned groups to operate. "With banned groups it will be made sure that they will be banned in practical terms also," he said. "The problem is that they change names and start operating from other names. This needs to be taken care of." India accused Pakistan of playing a role in the Feb. 14 JeM attack in the Kashmiri city of Pulwama. "We have looked at the incident and it is our considered opinion that Pulwama has nothing to do with us," Chaudhry said. The United States, Britain and France proposed last week that the U.N. Security Council blacklist the head of JeM, Masood Azhar. A vote is due to be held in mid-March with a focus on Pakistan's staunch ally China, which has blocked previous attempts by world powers to sanction the JeM chief. Pakistan's foreign minister last week told CNN that Azhar was in Pakistan and "really unwell". India on Tuesday bombed what New Delhi called a JeM militant training camp in a forest area in northern Pakistan, killing "many terrorists". Islamabad denied such a camp existed and invited journalists to visit the site. Villagers in the area said there was no active militant camp but pointed to a nearby madrasa and said it was run by JeM. The military prevented Reuters reports from visiting the madrasa.

Pakistan plans to take action against terrorists operating from its soil: Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary

Pakistan may take "decisive action" against all proscribed organisations, including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and even withdraw its opposition to the move to list <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/intel-agencies-trying-to-ascertain-reports-on-masood-azhars-death-officials-200916">the terror outfit's chief Masood Azhar</a> in the UN Security Council terror list, according to a media report on Sunday.

The US, the UK and France on Wednesday moved a fresh proposal in the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based chief Azhar as a global terrorist, a listing that will subject him to global travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo.

In a major policy decision, Pakistan is set to take decisive action against all proscribed organisations as well as against the head of banned JeM, a senior security official familiar with the development was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune.

It is not clear what specific action would be taken against Azhar but the official hinted that Pakistan may withdraw its opposition to the listing of JeM chief as global terrorist by the UN Security Council.

"The state has to decide whether individual is important or the larger national interest of the country," the official said when asked if Pakistan would no more oppose the UNSC action against Azhar.

The Security Council Sanctions Committee will consider within 10 days on the fresh proposal moved by the three permanent veto-wielding members of the 15-nation Security Council.

The proposal is the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist.

In 2009, India moved a proposal to designate Azhar, whose UN-proscribed JeM claimed responsibility for the suicide attack against Indian security forces in Pulwama on February 14 in which over 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed.

In 2016 again, India moved the proposal with the P3 - the United States, the United Kingdom and France in the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee to ban Azhar, also the mastermind of the attack on the air base in Pathankot in January, 2016.

In 2017, the P3 nations moved a similar proposal again. However, on all occasions, China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, blocked India's proposal from being adopted by the Sanctions Committee.

The official, however, insisted that the move to take action against such individuals was taken before the Pulwama attack, the report said.

He also clarified Pakistan's decision to act decisively was taken not to give any "face saving" to India.

"We need to correct ourselves in our own national interests and not someone else's," the official was quoted as saying in the report.

The official further said that the Pakistani authorities had conducted investigations into the Pulwama terror attack on CRPF personnel in and found "no evidence whatsoever of any involvement of Pakistan or any organisation in it."

Stressing that the country's leadership was determined to take action against anyone found involved in the Pulwama attack, he said the dossier shared by India with Pakistan had nothing in it that suggested involvement of any Pakistani organisation.&nbsp;

Pakistan may take "decisive action" against all proscribed organisations, including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and even withdraw its opposition to the move to list the terror outfit's chief Masood Azhar in the UN Security Council terror list, according to a media report on Sunday.

Pakistan may take "decisive action" against all proscribed organisations, including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and even withdraw its opposition to the move to list the terror outfit's chief Masood Azhar in the UN Security Council terror list, according to a media report on Sunday. The US, the UK and France on Wednesday moved a fresh proposal in the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based chief Azhar as a global terrorist, a listing that will subject him to global travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo. In a major policy decision, Pakistan is set to take decisive action against all proscribed organisations as well as against the head of banned JeM, a senior security official familiar with the development was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune. It is not clear what specific action would be taken against Azhar but the official hinted that Pakistan may withdraw its opposition to the listing of JeM chief as global terrorist by the UN Security Council. "The state has to decide whether individual is important or the larger national interest of the country," the official said when asked if Pakistan would no more oppose the UNSC action against Azhar. The Security Council Sanctions Committee will consider within 10 days on the fresh proposal moved by the three permanent veto-wielding members of the 15-nation Security Council. The proposal is the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. In 2009, India moved a proposal to designate Azhar, whose UN-proscribed JeM claimed responsibility for the suicide attack against Indian security forces in Pulwama on February 14 in which over 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed. In 2016 again, India moved the proposal with the P3 - the United States, the United Kingdom and France in the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee to ban Azhar, also the mastermind of the attack on the air base in Pathankot in January, 2016. In 2017, the P3 nations moved a similar proposal again. However, on all occasions, China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, blocked India's proposal from being adopted by the Sanctions Committee. The official, however, insisted that the move to take action against such individuals was taken before the Pulwama attack, the report said. He also clarified Pakistan's decision to act decisively was taken not to give any "face saving" to India. "We need to correct ourselves in our own national interests and not someone else's," the official was quoted as saying in the report. The official further said that the Pakistani authorities had conducted investigations into the Pulwama terror attack on CRPF personnel in and found "no evidence whatsoever of any involvement of Pakistan or any organisation in it." Stressing that the country's leadership was determined to take action against anyone found involved in the Pulwama attack, he said the dossier shared by India with Pakistan had nothing in it that suggested involvement of any Pakistani organisation.

Pakistan may take 'decisive action' against Jaish-e-Mohammed: Report

India's most wanted terrorist and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-may-take-decisive-action-against-jaish-e-mohammed-report-200955">Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar</a> is "alive", a Pakistani media report said on Sunday, quoting unnamed sources close to his family.

The media reports claiming that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/intel-agencies-trying-to-ascertain-reports-on-masood-azhars-death-officials-200916">JeM leader is dead are false</a>, Geo Urdu News reported.

The report came amid speculation on social media that JeM founder has died.

However, there was no official confirmation.

Quoting unnamed sources close to the family of the JeM chief, the channel said Azhar is "alive", without elaborating on his health condition.

There was no official word on Azhar's fate from the Pakistan government.

"I don't know anything at this moment," Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told PTI, when asked about media reports claiming the death of Azhar.

A resident of Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province, Azhar formed the&nbsp;Jaish-e-Mohammed in 2000.

The 50-year-old Azhar, who was released by the NDA government in 1999 in exchange of hostages of the hijacked Indian Airlines plane IC-814, has been accused of being the mastermind of the 2001 Parliament attack, suicide attack on Jammu and Kashmir state assembly, attack on Pathankot IAF base and the latest Pulwama terror strike.

Meanwhile, Intelligence agencies in New Delhi were trying to ascertain reports on social media about the death of Azhar in Pakistan.

The Indian officials said they had no information other than that Azhar was undergoing treatment at an army hospital after suffering renal failure. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Jaish terror group's Balakot camp, where training was imparted to recruits to carry out suicide attacks, was targeted by the IAF in an air strike last week, following the Pulwama terror attack in which over 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

The Indian government has claimed that it achieved spectacular success by destroying the facility.

In an interview to CNN, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi earlier admitted that the JeM chief is in his country and is "very unwell", but said the government can act against him only if India presents "solid" and "inalienable" evidence that can stand in a court of law.

"He is in Pakistan, according to my information. He is unwell to the extent that he can't leave his house, because he's really unwell," Qureshi said.

The US, the UK and France last week moved a fresh proposal in the UN Security Council to designate Azhar as a global terrorist, a listing that will subject him to global travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo.

The proposal was moved Wednesday by the three permanent veto-wielding members of the 15-nation Security Council. The Security Council Sanctions Committee will have 10 working days to consider the fresh proposal submitted by the three permanent members.&nbsp;

India's most wanted terrorist and Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar is "alive", a Pakistani media report said on Sunday, quoting unnamed sources close to his family.

India's most wanted terrorist and Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar is "alive", a Pakistani media report said on Sunday, quoting unnamed sources close to his family. The media reports claiming that JeM leader is dead are false, Geo Urdu News reported. The report came amid speculation on social media that JeM founder has died. However, there was no official confirmation. Quoting unnamed sources close to the family of the JeM chief, the channel said Azhar is "alive", without elaborating on his health condition. There was no official word on Azhar's fate from the Pakistan government. "I don't know anything at this moment," Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told PTI, when asked about media reports claiming the death of Azhar. A resident of Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province, Azhar formed the Jaish-e-Mohammed in 2000. The 50-year-old Azhar, who was released by the NDA government in 1999 in exchange of hostages of the hijacked Indian Airlines plane IC-814, has been accused of being the mastermind of the 2001 Parliament attack, suicide attack on Jammu and Kashmir state assembly, attack on Pathankot IAF base and the latest Pulwama terror strike. Meanwhile, Intelligence agencies in New Delhi were trying to ascertain reports on social media about the death of Azhar in Pakistan. The Indian officials said they had no information other than that Azhar was undergoing treatment at an army hospital after suffering renal failure. Jaish terror group's Balakot camp, where training was imparted to recruits to carry out suicide attacks, was targeted by the IAF in an air strike last week, following the Pulwama terror attack in which over 40 CRPF personnel were killed. The Indian government has claimed that it achieved spectacular success by destroying the facility. In an interview to CNN, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi earlier admitted that the JeM chief is in his country and is "very unwell", but said the government can act against him only if India presents "solid" and "inalienable" evidence that can stand in a court of law. "He is in Pakistan, according to my information. He is unwell to the extent that he can't leave his house, because he's really unwell," Qureshi said. The US, the UK and France last week moved a fresh proposal in the UN Security Council to designate Azhar as a global terrorist, a listing that will subject him to global travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo. The proposal was moved Wednesday by the three permanent veto-wielding members of the 15-nation Security Council. The Security Council Sanctions Committee will have 10 working days to consider the fresh proposal submitted by the three permanent members.

Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar 'alive', says Pakistan media

In the latest development with respect to the Pulwama terror attack, an audio clip has emerged which is believed to carry a message from Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar's brother.&nbsp;

In the clip, accessed by WION, the JeM leader admits damage to its training centre by Indian aircraft. The clip has surfaced even when Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan has denied the presence of any terror camps in Balakot when the Indian Air Force carried out strikes earlier this week.&nbsp;

The audio message is believed to be delivered by Azhar's younger brother Maulana Amman who is heard admitting that the Indian aircraft have bombed shelters where jihadis were being trained.

Pakistan has maintained that India bombed what was apparently a forest reserve.

Meanwhile, an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/up-to-50-killed-in-indian-air-strike-on-pakistans-balakot-italian-journalist-quoting-eyewitness-200787">Italian journalist has told WION</a> that between 40 to 50 people were killed in the Indian air strikes on Pakistan's Balakot on Tuesday night. The air strikes — carried out by Mirage 2000s — Indian authorities have said, targeted a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp.&nbsp;

Reports in the Indian media had earlier said the death toll may have been as high as 350. The Pakistanis had said there had been no deaths at all.&nbsp;

The journalist — Francesca Marino — told WION that she had got confirmation from her source that the death toll was between 40 and 50, and the wounded between 35 to 40.&nbsp;

She told WION's Bhairavi Singh her source was a person living in the area.&nbsp;

"Yesterday I've got confirmations... 100% reliable confirmations," Marino, who was speaking from Rome, told WION.&nbsp;

She added that the dead included 12 young trainees of the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group who had all been sleeping in the same area.&nbsp;

Marino told WION that the dead included a JeM trainer called Mufti Moeen, and a bomb expert called Usman Ghani. &nbsp;

Mario added that "the population there is very scared, it is very difficult to get evidence out of there" but that "I am confident I will also get some video proof".&nbsp;

In the latest development with respect to the Pulwama terror attack, an audio clip has emerged which is believed to carry a message from Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar's brother.

In the latest development with respect to the Pulwama terror attack, an audio clip has emerged which is believed to carry a message from Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar's brother. In the clip, accessed by WION, the JeM leader admits damage to its training centre by Indian aircraft. The clip has surfaced even when Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan has denied the presence of any terror camps in Balakot when the Indian Air Force carried out strikes earlier this week. The audio message is believed to be delivered by Azhar's younger brother Maulana Amman who is heard admitting that the Indian aircraft have bombed shelters where jihadis were being trained. Pakistan has maintained that India bombed what was apparently a forest reserve. Meanwhile, an Italian journalist has told WION that between 40 to 50 people were killed in the Indian air strikes on Pakistan's Balakot on Tuesday night. The air strikes — carried out by Mirage 2000s — Indian authorities have said, targeted a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp. Reports in the Indian media had earlier said the death toll may have been as high as 350. The Pakistanis had said there had been no deaths at all. The journalist — Francesca Marino — told WION that she had got confirmation from her source that the death toll was between 40 and 50, and the wounded between 35 to 40. She told WION's Bhairavi Singh her source was a person living in the area. "Yesterday I've got confirmations... 100% reliable confirmations," Marino, who was speaking from Rome, told WION. She added that the dead included 12 young trainees of the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group who had all been sleeping in the same area. Marino told WION that the dead included a JeM trainer called Mufti Moeen, and a bomb expert called Usman Ghani. Mario added that "the population there is very scared, it is very difficult to get evidence out of there" but that "I am confident I will also get some video proof".

In audio message, JeM admits damage to training camp in Pakistan after Indian strikes

Intelligence agencies were trying to ascertain reports on social media about <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/jem-chief-masood-azhar-suspected-to-be-afflicted-with-renal-failure-undergoes-regular-dialysis-200758">the death of Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group chief Masood Azhar in Pakistan,</a>&nbsp;officials said on Sunday.

The officials said they had no information other than that Azhar was undergoing treatment at an army hospital after suffering renal failure.

A resident of Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province, Azhar formed the Jaish-e-Mohammed in 2000.

The 50-year-old Azhar, who was released by the NDA government in 1999 in exchange of hostages of the hijacked Indian Airlines plane IC-814, has been accused of being the mastermind of the 2001 Parliament attack, suicide attack on Jammu and Kashmir state assembly, attack on Pathankot IAF base and the latest Pulwama terror strike.

The social media was filled with reports that Azhar had died, but there was no confirmation as of now, the officials said.&nbsp;

Jaish terror group's Balakot camp, where training was imparted to recruits to carry out suicide attacks, was targeted by the IAF in an air strike last week, following the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

The government has claimed that it achieved spectacular success by destroying the facility.

In an interview to CNN, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi earlier admitted that the JeM chief is in Pakistan and is "very unwell", but said the government can act against him only if India presents "solid" and "inalienable" evidence that can stand in a court of law.

"He is in Pakistan, according to my information. He is unwell to the extent that he can't leave his house, because he's really unwell," Qureshi said.&nbsp;

Intelligence agencies were trying to ascertain reports on social media about the death of Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group chief Masood Azhar in Pakistan, officials said on Sunday.

Intelligence agencies were trying to ascertain reports on social media about the death of Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group chief Masood Azhar in Pakistan, officials said on Sunday. The officials said they had no information other than that Azhar was undergoing treatment at an army hospital after suffering renal failure. A resident of Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province, Azhar formed the Jaish-e-Mohammed in 2000. The 50-year-old Azhar, who was released by the NDA government in 1999 in exchange of hostages of the hijacked Indian Airlines plane IC-814, has been accused of being the mastermind of the 2001 Parliament attack, suicide attack on Jammu and Kashmir state assembly, attack on Pathankot IAF base and the latest Pulwama terror strike. The social media was filled with reports that Azhar had died, but there was no confirmation as of now, the officials said. Jaish terror group's Balakot camp, where training was imparted to recruits to carry out suicide attacks, was targeted by the IAF in an air strike last week, following the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. The government has claimed that it achieved spectacular success by destroying the facility. In an interview to CNN, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi earlier admitted that the JeM chief is in Pakistan and is "very unwell", but said the government can act against him only if India presents "solid" and "inalienable" evidence that can stand in a court of law. "He is in Pakistan, according to my information. He is unwell to the extent that he can't leave his house, because he's really unwell," Qureshi said.

Is JeM chief Masood Azhar dead? Intelligence agencies verifying reports, say officials

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday hit out at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for playing the nuclear and Muslim cards against India and denounced Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfits, describing these as “demon” outfits.

Attacking Khan, he said the Pakistan Prime Minister makes “weird” comments in his country’s Parliament.“He (Khan) says we have atom bomb, etc. Do we not have those? We also have,” Owaisi said addressing a gathering in Hyderabad.

He also asked Khan to desist from playing the Muslim card to target India.“Muslims of this country know better. Handle your ‘Lashkar-e-Shaitaan’ (a reference to Lashkar-e-Taiba) and Jaish-e-Shaitaan (a reference to Jaish-e-Mohammad),” the Lok Sabha member said, in his message to the Pakistan Prime Minister.

The Muslim leader also denounced JeM chief Masood Azhar, saying he should not be called a “Maulana” but a “devil’s dog and butcher of humanity”.

“Exploding bombs, attacking people is not Islam,” the MP from Hyderabad said, adding “India’s enemies are our (Muslims’) enemies too.”

Owaisi also slammed Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi who said yesterday that Masood Azhar is in Pakistan but “too ill”.

“He (Qureshi) asked for evidence. What more evidence do they need? His organisation (Jaish-e-Mohammad) is banned,” he said.

Owaisi said Khan was also misrepresenting the role of Tipu Sultan and Bahadur Shah Zafar in his speeches.

“Tipu Sultan was never against Hindus but against the regimes, whosoever led those,” he said.

He expressed happiness over the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, was in Pakistan’s captivity after his MiG-21 fighter plane was shot down on February 27.

The AIMIM chief also went on to add, “We praised the government over air strikes (on JeM camp in Balakot) in response to the Pulwama terror attack. But, now the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) needs to answer, how the terrorists were able to procure explosives? How they got hold of American weapons? Why was there intelligence and diplomatic failures? ”

Addressing a gathering in Hyderabad on the occasion of 61st revival day of AIMIM, he said, “Sixty years ago, at this very place, Jinnah came. We didn’t accept Jinnah’s message. We said India is our country.Those who understood Islam, stayed in India while the ‘razakars’ (volunteers), who adhered to the message of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, went to Pakistan,” the AIMIM chief said.

Owaisi also claimed that all sorts of allegations were levelled against him in the last four years. “What was our mistake? Are we against Hindus? Are we against Dalits?” he questioned.

“You may doubt because I am a Muslim but if BJP is saying ‘mera booth, sabse mazboot (my booth is the strongest), then I am saying ‘mera sarhad majboot toh desh mazboot (if my borders are protected, then my country is protected’.

So when you vote, keep in mind what is good for the nation and not the strength of someone’s booth,” AIMIM chief told the gathering. He also vowed to `finish BJP from Secundarabad and Congress from entire Telangana`.

&nbsp;

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday hit out at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for playing the nuclear and Muslim cards against India and denounced Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfits, describing these as “demon” outfits.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday hit out at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for playing the nuclear and Muslim cards against India and denounced Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfits, describing these as “demon” outfits. Attacking Khan, he said the Pakistan Prime Minister makes “weird” comments in his country’s Parliament.“He (Khan) says we have atom bomb, etc. Do we not have those? We also have,” Owaisi said addressing a gathering in Hyderabad. He also asked Khan to desist from playing the Muslim card to target India.“Muslims of this country know better. Handle your ‘Lashkar-e-Shaitaan’ (a reference to Lashkar-e-Taiba) and Jaish-e-Shaitaan (a reference to Jaish-e-Mohammad),” the Lok Sabha member said, in his message to the Pakistan Prime Minister. The Muslim leader also denounced JeM chief Masood Azhar, saying he should not be called a “Maulana” but a “devil’s dog and butcher of humanity”. “Exploding bombs, attacking people is not Islam,” the MP from Hyderabad said, adding “India’s enemies are our (Muslims’) enemies too.” Owaisi also slammed Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi who said yesterday that Masood Azhar is in Pakistan but “too ill”. “He (Qureshi) asked for evidence. What more evidence do they need? His organisation (Jaish-e-Mohammad) is banned,” he said. Owaisi said Khan was also misrepresenting the role of Tipu Sultan and Bahadur Shah Zafar in his speeches. “Tipu Sultan was never against Hindus but against the regimes, whosoever led those,” he said. He expressed happiness over the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, was in Pakistan’s captivity after his MiG-21 fighter plane was shot down on February 27. The AIMIM chief also went on to add, “We praised the government over air strikes (on JeM camp in Balakot) in response to the Pulwama terror attack. But, now the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) needs to answer, how the terrorists were able to procure explosives? How they got hold of American weapons? Why was there intelligence and diplomatic failures? ” Addressing a gathering in Hyderabad on the occasion of 61st revival day of AIMIM, he said, “Sixty years ago, at this very place, Jinnah came. We didn’t accept Jinnah’s message. We said India is our country.Those who understood Islam, stayed in India while the ‘razakars’ (volunteers), who adhered to the message of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, went to Pakistan,” the AIMIM chief said. Owaisi also claimed that all sorts of allegations were levelled against him in the last four years. “What was our mistake? Are we against Hindus? Are we against Dalits?” he questioned. “You may doubt because I am a Muslim but if BJP is saying ‘mera booth, sabse mazboot (my booth is the strongest), then I am saying ‘mera sarhad majboot toh desh mazboot (if my borders are protected, then my country is protected’. So when you vote, keep in mind what is good for the nation and not the strength of someone’s booth,” AIMIM chief told the gathering. He also vowed to `finish BJP from Secundarabad and Congress from entire Telangana`.

Exploding bombs, attacking people is not Islam: Asaduddin Owaisi to Masood Azhar

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-terror-attack-pakistans-denial-mode-on-jaish-involvement-continues-200626">Masood Azhar</a>, the founder of the dreaded terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), is suspected to be afflicted with renal failure and is under regular dialysis at an army hospital in Rawalpindi in Pakistan, officials said here Saturday.

This suggestion of security officials came after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the JeM chief is "unwell".

"Recent reports indicate that Masood Azhar is now afflicted with renal failure and is under treatment and regular dialysis at the army hospital in Rawalpindi, the headquarters of the Pakistan Army," a senior security official said.

Qureshi said Thursday: "He is in Pakistan, according to my information. He is unwell to the extent that he can't leave his house, because he's really unwell".

The Jaish-e-Mohammad chief was a close associate of Osama bin Laden, terror motivator in several African countries and also known by many as the Pakistani cleric who brought jihad into the religious discourse at mosques in the UK, the official said.

The influence of the 50-year-old terror mastermind was so huge that, when he was released by India in exchange for freeing the hijacked Indian Airlines aircraft IC-814 on December 31, 1999 in Kandahar, Laden hosted a banquet for him the same night.

In the banquet, Laden recalled how he and Azhar had first worked together in 1993, the official said.

Azhar was arrested for preaching jihad in Jammu and Kashmir in 1994. One of his British recruits, Omar Shaikh, as a member of the terrorist group Harkat-ul-Ansar (HuA), kidnapped four western tourists in India in 1994 in order to secure the release of Azhar.

However, security agencies succeeded in releasing the hostages and arresting Shaikh.

Again in 1995, five western tourists were kidnapped by HuA and eventually killed in order to gain the release of Azhar.

Almost immediately after Azhar's release, Jaish-e-Mohammad was formed and it carried out its first suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir in April 2000 by striking the Badami Bagh cantonment in Srinagar.

The 24-year-old bomber, Asif Sadiq, was one of Azhar's earliest recruits and student from Birmingham. At this time, Azhar also began using several al-Qaeda recruits.

In 1979-1989, after he suffered injuries in the Soviet?Afghan War, he was chosen as the head of Harkat-ul-Ansar's department of motivation.

In the early 1990s, Azhar became the general secretary of Harkat-ul-Ansar and visited international locations to recruit, raise funds and spread the message of pan-Islamism.

Among his destinations were Zambia, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, the United Kingdom and Albania.

He also went to Kenya to meet an al-Qaida affiliate of Somalia in 1993 and in August 1993, Azhar entered the UK for a speaking, fund-raising, and recruitment tour with the message of jihad.

Azhar made contacts in Britain with people who helped to provide training and logistical support for terrorist plots.

In January 1993, Azhar visited Bangladesh along with Sajjad Afghani, a terrorist leader to facilitate the intrusion of Afghani to India.

Azhar was part of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen or Harkat-ul-Ansar, when he was arrested in 1994 in India for spreading hate.

Azhar formed Jaish-e-Mohammad after his release in 1999 when Indian Airlines flight IC 814 was hijacked and taken to Kandahar.

Since then, the JeM has been involved in terror attacks in the country.

The terror group was responsible for the attack on Indian Parliament on December 13, 2001 in which nine security personnel and officials were killed.

On January 2, 2016, a heavily armed group of JeM attacked the Pathankot airbase in which seven security personnel were killed.

The JeM also carried out the attack on Uri brigade headquarters on September 18, 2016, killing 17 soldiers and injuring 30 others.

On February 14 this year, the JeM carried out a suicide attack on a CRPF bus in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir killing 40 Jawans.

Masood Azhar, the founder of the dreaded terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), is suspected to be afflicted with renal failure and is under regular dialysis at an army hospital in Rawalpindi in Pakistan, officials said here Saturday.

Masood Azhar, the founder of the dreaded terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), is suspected to be afflicted with renal failure and is under regular dialysis at an army hospital in Rawalpindi in Pakistan, officials said here Saturday. This suggestion of security officials came after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the JeM chief is "unwell". "Recent reports indicate that Masood Azhar is now afflicted with renal failure and is under treatment and regular dialysis at the army hospital in Rawalpindi, the headquarters of the Pakistan Army," a senior security official said. Qureshi said Thursday: "He is in Pakistan, according to my information. He is unwell to the extent that he can't leave his house, because he's really unwell". The Jaish-e-Mohammad chief was a close associate of Osama bin Laden, terror motivator in several African countries and also known by many as the Pakistani cleric who brought jihad into the religious discourse at mosques in the UK, the official said. The influence of the 50-year-old terror mastermind was so huge that, when he was released by India in exchange for freeing the hijacked Indian Airlines aircraft IC-814 on December 31, 1999 in Kandahar, Laden hosted a banquet for him the same night. In the banquet, Laden recalled how he and Azhar had first worked together in 1993, the official said. Azhar was arrested for preaching jihad in Jammu and Kashmir in 1994. One of his British recruits, Omar Shaikh, as a member of the terrorist group Harkat-ul-Ansar (HuA), kidnapped four western tourists in India in 1994 in order to secure the release of Azhar. However, security agencies succeeded in releasing the hostages and arresting Shaikh. Again in 1995, five western tourists were kidnapped by HuA and eventually killed in order to gain the release of Azhar. Almost immediately after Azhar's release, Jaish-e-Mohammad was formed and it carried out its first suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir in April 2000 by striking the Badami Bagh cantonment in Srinagar. The 24-year-old bomber, Asif Sadiq, was one of Azhar's earliest recruits and student from Birmingham. At this time, Azhar also began using several al-Qaeda recruits. In 1979-1989, after he suffered injuries in the Soviet?Afghan War, he was chosen as the head of Harkat-ul-Ansar's department of motivation. In the early 1990s, Azhar became the general secretary of Harkat-ul-Ansar and visited international locations to recruit, raise funds and spread the message of pan-Islamism. Among his destinations were Zambia, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, the United Kingdom and Albania. He also went to Kenya to meet an al-Qaida affiliate of Somalia in 1993 and in August 1993, Azhar entered the UK for a speaking, fund-raising, and recruitment tour with the message of jihad. Azhar made contacts in Britain with people who helped to provide training and logistical support for terrorist plots. In January 1993, Azhar visited Bangladesh along with Sajjad Afghani, a terrorist leader to facilitate the intrusion of Afghani to India. Azhar was part of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen or Harkat-ul-Ansar, when he was arrested in 1994 in India for spreading hate. Azhar formed Jaish-e-Mohammad after his release in 1999 when Indian Airlines flight IC 814 was hijacked and taken to Kandahar. Since then, the JeM has been involved in terror attacks in the country. The terror group was responsible for the attack on Indian Parliament on December 13, 2001 in which nine security personnel and officials were killed. On January 2, 2016, a heavily armed group of JeM attacked the Pathankot airbase in which seven security personnel were killed. The JeM also carried out the attack on Uri brigade headquarters on September 18, 2016, killing 17 soldiers and injuring 30 others. On February 14 this year, the JeM carried out a suicide attack on a CRPF bus in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir killing 40 Jawans.

JeM chief Masood Azhar suspected to be suffering from renal failure, undergoes regular dialysis

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

Three days of India-Pakistan power play

Ghost of Kandahar: How Masood Azhar's release keeps haunting India

Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday suggested that India is capable of carrying out an operation similar to the 2011 US action in Pakistan to eliminate Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

His remarks at an event related to the campaign to clean River Ganga came a day after the Indian Air Force pounded the main terror camp of <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">Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit </a>in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

Referring to the US operation in Abbottabad, Jaitley said, "It is said that a week is too long a time in politics. In our country the way people get enthusiastic, if you look at the last 24 hours, one week would appear to be a day.&nbsp;

"The kind of things we see...I remember when the US Navy SEAL had taken Osama bin Laden from Abbottabad, can't we do the same?"

"We could earlier only imagine, desire and get frustrated and disappointed (for failing to conduct such operations). But today, it is possible," he said at the event dedicated to generating funds to clean river Ganga.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation at DRDO. Jaitley contributed Rs one lakh in his personal capacity for the programme to clean the river.&nbsp;

The US' special forces had raided Osama's hideaway, a compound in Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa north of Islamabad, killing the dreaded terrorist.&nbsp;

Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday suggested that India is capable of carrying out an operation similar to the 2011 US action in Pakistan to eliminate Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday suggested that India is capable of carrying out an operation similar to the 2011 US action in Pakistan to eliminate Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. His remarks at an event related to the campaign to clean River Ganga came a day after the Indian Air Force pounded the main terror camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. Referring to the US operation in Abbottabad, Jaitley said, "It is said that a week is too long a time in politics. In our country the way people get enthusiastic, if you look at the last 24 hours, one week would appear to be a day. "The kind of things we see...I remember when the US Navy SEAL had taken Osama bin Laden from Abbottabad, can't we do the same?" "We could earlier only imagine, desire and get frustrated and disappointed (for failing to conduct such operations). But today, it is possible," he said at the event dedicated to generating funds to clean river Ganga. The event was organised by the Ministry of Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation at DRDO. Jaitley contributed Rs one lakh in his personal capacity for the programme to clean the river. The US' special forces had raided Osama's hideaway, a compound in Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa north of Islamabad, killing the dreaded terrorist.

India too capable of operation similar to US action against Osama in Abbottabad: Arun Jaitley

<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">US, UK, France ask UN to blacklist JeM leader Masood Azhar; move likely to face opposition from China</a>

The United States, Britain and France proposed on Wednesday that the United Nations Security Council blacklist the head of Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad, which said it attacked an Indian paramilitary convoy in disputed Kashmir.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/hanoi-summit-in-no-rush-we-want-to-do-the-right-deal-says-trump-ahead-of-joint-agreement-signing-200145">Hanoi summit: 'In no rush, we want to do the right deal', says Trump ahead of joint agreement signing</a>

North Korea's Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump met for the second day of talks in Hanoi Thursday aimed at building on their last meeting eight months ago.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/my-loyalty-to-donald-trump-has-cost-me-everything-says-former-lawyer-michael-cohen-in-congressional-testimony-200137">If Trump loses </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/my-loyalty-to-donald-trump-has-cost-me-everything-says-former-lawyer-michael-cohen-in-congressional-testimony-200137">2020</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/my-loyalty-to-donald-trump-has-cost-me-everything-says-former-lawyer-michael-cohen-in-congressional-testimony-200137"> election, there will never be </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/my-loyalty-to-donald-trump-has-cost-me-everything-says-former-lawyer-michael-cohen-in-congressional-testimony-200137">peaceful</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/my-loyalty-to-donald-trump-has-cost-me-everything-says-former-lawyer-michael-cohen-in-congressional-testimony-200137"> transition of power: Michael Cohen</a>

&nbsp;US President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen accused him of breaking the law while in office and said for the first time that Trump knew in advance about a WikiLeaks dump of stolen emails that hurt his 2016 election rival, Hillary Clinton.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-will-not-keep-quiet-to-any-act-of-terrorism-says-ambassador-to-us-200144">India will not keep quiet to any act of terrorism, says Ambassador to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-will-not-keep-quiet-to-any-act-of-terrorism-says-ambassador-to-us-200144">US</a>

India's Ambassador to the US, Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said that India will not keep quiet to any act of terrorism and giving "appropriate response" to all terrorism incidents is the new normal for the country.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/meghalaya-mine-navy-recovers-second-body-200142">Meghalaya mine: Navy recovers </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/meghalaya-mine-navy-recovers-second-body-200142">second</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/meghalaya-mine-navy-recovers-second-body-200142"> body</a>

The Indian Navy on Wednesday recovered the second body from the flooded rat-hole mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

US, UK, France ask UN to blacklist JeM leader Masood Azhar; move likely to face opposition from China The United States, Britain and France proposed on Wednesday that the United Nations Security Council blacklist the head of Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad, which said it attacked an Indian paramilitary convoy in disputed Kashmir.

US, UK, France ask UN to blacklist JeM leader Masood Azhar; move likely to face opposition from China The United States, Britain and France proposed on Wednesday that the United Nations Security Council blacklist the head of Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad, which said it attacked an Indian paramilitary convoy in disputed Kashmir. Hanoi summit: 'In no rush, we want to do the right deal', says Trump ahead of joint agreement signing North Korea's Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump met for the second day of talks in Hanoi Thursday aimed at building on their last meeting eight months ago. If Trump loses 2020 election, there will never be peaceful transition of power: Michael Cohen US President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen accused him of breaking the law while in office and said for the first time that Trump knew in advance about a WikiLeaks dump of stolen emails that hurt his 2016 election rival, Hillary Clinton. India will not keep quiet to any act of terrorism, says Ambassador to US India's Ambassador to the US, Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said that India will not keep quiet to any act of terrorism and giving "appropriate response" to all terrorism incidents is the new normal for the country. Meghalaya mine: Navy recovers second body The Indian Navy on Wednesday recovered the second body from the flooded rat-hole mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, news agency ANI reported.

News brief: Big stories of the day

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

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

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

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

The United States, Britain and France proposed on Wednesday that the United Nations Security Council blacklist the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/india-to-push-for-listing-jem-chief-masood-azhar-as-global-terrorist-at-ric-meet-in-china-199779">head of Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad</a>, which said it attacked an Indian paramilitary convoy in disputed Kashmir.

However, the move is likely to be opposed by China, which previously prevented the Security Council's Islamic State and Al-Qaeda sanctions committee from sanctioning JeM leader Masood Azhar in 2016 and 2017.

Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/jem-chief-masood-azhar-shifted-to-facility-near-bahawalpur-from-rawalpindi-military-hospital-intel-sources-199732"> Masood Azhar shifted from military hospital to highly protected facility, says Intel sources</a>

China's UN mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new proposal.

The February 14 attack, the most deadly in Kashmir during a 30-year-long insurgency, increased tensions between Pakistan and India with the nuclear-armed neighbours both saying they had shot down each other's fighter jets on Wednesday.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-asks-india-and-pakistan-to-de-escalate-tension-avoid-military-to-resolve-differences-200141">United States</a>, Britain and France have asked the 15-member Security Council sanctions committee to subject Azhar to an arms embargo, global travel ban and asset freeze. The committee operates by consensus and members have until March 13 to raise objections, according to the proposal seen by Reuters. 
 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/india-pakistan-tension-unless-nation-presents-united-front-terrorism-will-not-be-defeated-200191">Also read: Unless nation presents </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/india-pakistan-tension-unless-nation-presents-united-front-terrorism-will-not-be-defeated-200191">united</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/india-pakistan-tension-unless-nation-presents-united-front-terrorism-will-not-be-defeated-200191"> front, terrorism will not be defeated</a>

When the council committee previously considered blacklisting Azhar in 2017 the Chinese Foreign Ministry said there were clear rules for listing a person or group as a terrorist, and that China has always believed the relevant UN&nbsp;committee should operate on the principles of objectivity.

JeM is a primarily anti-India group that forged ties with Al-Qaeda and was blacklisted by the UN Security Council in 2001. In December 2001, Jaish fighters, along with members of another Pakistan-based militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, attacked India's parliament, which almost led to a fourth war.

The Security Council condemned the February&nbsp;14 attack in a statement last week, which was agreed after several days of negotiation. Diplomats said China had been opposed to a reference of JeM, however, the agreed statement did eventually note that JeM has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has written at least twice to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and they spoke on the phone on Tuesday. In a Feb. 26 letter, seen by Reuters, Qureshi called on Guterres and the Security Council to urge India to halt "acts of aggression."

India's UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin told Reuters on Wednesday: "Our efforts are focused on countering terrorism and we are working with many global partners in pursuit of that objective."

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that the United Nations has had contacts with India at "various levels." He said on Wednesday that Guterres was available to mediate should both parties agree.

"The United Nations message both publicly and privately to both sides is to urgently take steps to lower tensions through meaningful mutual engagement and meet the responsibilities to maintain peace and security in the region," Dujarric said.

The United States, Britain and France proposed on Wednesday that the United Nations Security Council blacklist the head of Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad, which said it attacked an Indian paramilitary convoy in disputed Kashmir.

The United States, Britain and France proposed on Wednesday that the United Nations Security Council blacklist the head of Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad, which said it attacked an Indian paramilitary convoy in disputed Kashmir. However, the move is likely to be opposed by China, which previously prevented the Security Council's Islamic State and Al-Qaeda sanctions committee from sanctioning JeM leader Masood Azhar in 2016 and 2017. Also read: Masood Azhar shifted from military hospital to highly protected facility, says Intel sources China's UN mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new proposal. The February 14 attack, the most deadly in Kashmir during a 30-year-long insurgency, increased tensions between Pakistan and India with the nuclear-armed neighbours both saying they had shot down each other's fighter jets on Wednesday. The United States, Britain and France have asked the 15-member Security Council sanctions committee to subject Azhar to an arms embargo, global travel ban and asset freeze. The committee operates by consensus and members have until March 13 to raise objections, according to the proposal seen by Reuters. Also read: Unless nation presents united front, terrorism will not be defeated When the council committee previously considered blacklisting Azhar in 2017 the Chinese Foreign Ministry said there were clear rules for listing a person or group as a terrorist, and that China has always believed the relevant UN committee should operate on the principles of objectivity. JeM is a primarily anti-India group that forged ties with Al-Qaeda and was blacklisted by the UN Security Council in 2001. In December 2001, Jaish fighters, along with members of another Pakistan-based militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, attacked India's parliament, which almost led to a fourth war. The Security Council condemned the February 14 attack in a statement last week, which was agreed after several days of negotiation. Diplomats said China had been opposed to a reference of JeM, however, the agreed statement did eventually note that JeM has claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has written at least twice to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and they spoke on the phone on Tuesday. In a Feb. 26 letter, seen by Reuters, Qureshi called on Guterres and the Security Council to urge India to halt "acts of aggression." India's UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin told Reuters on Wednesday: "Our efforts are focused on countering terrorism and we are working with many global partners in pursuit of that objective." UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that the United Nations has had contacts with India at "various levels." He said on Wednesday that Guterres was available to mediate should both parties agree. "The United Nations message both publicly and privately to both sides is to urgently take steps to lower tensions through meaningful mutual engagement and meet the responsibilities to maintain peace and security in the region," Dujarric said.

US, UK, France ask UN to blacklist JeM leader Masood Azhar; move likely to face opposition from China

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

The Pulwama terrorist attack and the listing of Pakistan-based <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/jem-chief-masood-azhar-shifted-to-facility-near-bahawalpur-from-rawalpindi-military-hospital-intel-sources-199732">Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar</a> as a global terrorist by the UN is expected to figure prominently at Russia, India and China (RIC) Foreign Ministers' meeting being held here on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Besides attending the annual trilateral meeting, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj would also hold bilateral talks with her Chinese and Russian counterparts on the sidelines of the meeting in which the listing of Azhar by the UN's 1267 committee is expected to figure.

Swaraj's meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi assumes significance as it is the first high-level interaction between the two countries after the Pulwama terror attack that left 40 CRPF personnel dead.

China, a veto-wielding member, has <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">consistently blocked India</a>, the US, the UK and France's efforts to list Azhar as a global terrorist since 2016 but endorsed a scathing statement issued by UN Security Council on February 21 on the Pulwama attack.

The UNSC statement on the Pulwama attack stated that "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.

But after endorsing the statement in which JeM has been named, China the next day in an apparent attempt to placate Pakistan sought to play it down, saying that the mention of JeM in the statement was only in general terms and does not represent a judgement.&nbsp;

The issue of listing of Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN is expected to come up before the 1267 committee of the UN Security Council again as France, also a veto-wielding member of the high-power UN body, said it would move the resolution again.&nbsp;

The issue is also expected to figure prominently in Swaraj's talks with Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov.

This is the 16th meeting of the RIC Foreign Ministers.&nbsp;

During the meeting, the three Foreign Ministers will focus on the implementation of our leaders' consensus and exchange views on major international regional issues of common concern and deepening trilateral cooperation. I am sure this meeting will achieve positive outcomes, Chinese Foreign Minister Geng Shuang told a media briefing in Beijing on February 20.

The Pulwama terrorist attack and the listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN is expected to figure prominently at Russia, India and China (RIC) Foreign Ministers' meeting being held here on Wednesday.

The Pulwama terrorist attack and the listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN is expected to figure prominently at Russia, India and China (RIC) Foreign Ministers' meeting being held here on Wednesday. Besides attending the annual trilateral meeting, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj would also hold bilateral talks with her Chinese and Russian counterparts on the sidelines of the meeting in which the listing of Azhar by the UN's 1267 committee is expected to figure. Swaraj's meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi assumes significance as it is the first high-level interaction between the two countries after the Pulwama terror attack that left 40 CRPF personnel dead. China, a veto-wielding member, has consistently blocked India, the US, the UK and France's efforts to list Azhar as a global terrorist since 2016 but endorsed a scathing statement issued by UN Security Council on February 21 on the Pulwama attack. The UNSC statement on the Pulwama attack stated that "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. But after endorsing the statement in which JeM has been named, China the next day in an apparent attempt to placate Pakistan sought to play it down, saying that the mention of JeM in the statement was only in general terms and does not represent a judgement. The issue of listing of Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN is expected to come up before the 1267 committee of the UN Security Council again as France, also a veto-wielding member of the high-power UN body, said it would move the resolution again. The issue is also expected to figure prominently in Swaraj's talks with Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov. This is the 16th meeting of the RIC Foreign Ministers. During the meeting, the three Foreign Ministers will focus on the implementation of our leaders' consensus and exchange views on major international regional issues of common concern and deepening trilateral cooperation. I am sure this meeting will achieve positive outcomes, Chinese Foreign Minister Geng Shuang told a media briefing in Beijing on February 20.

India to push for listing JeM chief Masood Azhar as global terrorist at RIC meet in China

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-pulwama-attack-pakistan-army-tells-masood-azhar-hafiz-sayeed-to-lie-low-sources-198507">Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar</a> has been shifted from a military hospital in Rawalpindi to a highly protected facility called Kotghani near Bahawalpur in Pakistan, according to the inputs received by intelligence agencies from across the border.

“Three days after the attack on the CRPF convoy by the Jaish suicide bomber on February 14, Azhar was shifted to the facility in Kotghani where he has been kept in tight security,” the inputs received by the intelligence agencies suggest.

The agencies have also received certain inputs about a possible meeting between Hizbul Chief Sayyed Salahuddin and Azhar after the <a href="http://cms.wionews.com/india-news/maruti-eeco-used-in-pulwama-terror-attack-owner-on-the-run-nia-199691">Pulwama terror attack</a> but sources said they are probing the details further.

Jaish Chief Masood Azhar was in the Rawalpindi military hospital when the suicide bomber struck the CRPF convoy killing 44 personnel and injuring many others.

The security forces have been successful in eliminating Jaish terrorists Kamran and Ghazi, who are believed to have provided training and other logistics support to the suicide bomber in carrying out his attack.

India has exerted immense pressure on Pakistan through multiple international agencies but Pakistan is denying any complicity in the attacks or the role of Azhar and his gang in it.

Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar has been shifted from a military hospital in Rawalpindi to a highly protected facility called Kotghani near Bahawalpur in Pakistan, according to the inputs received by intelligence agencies from across the border.

Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar has been shifted from a military hospital in Rawalpindi to a highly protected facility called Kotghani near Bahawalpur in Pakistan, according to the inputs received by intelligence agencies from across the border. “Three days after the attack on the CRPF convoy by the Jaish suicide bomber on February 14, Azhar was shifted to the facility in Kotghani where he has been kept in tight security,” the inputs received by the intelligence agencies suggest. The agencies have also received certain inputs about a possible meeting between Hizbul Chief Sayyed Salahuddin and Azhar after the Pulwama terror attack but sources said they are probing the details further. Jaish Chief Masood Azhar was in the Rawalpindi military hospital when the suicide bomber struck the CRPF convoy killing 44 personnel and injuring many others. The security forces have been successful in eliminating Jaish terrorists Kamran and Ghazi, who are believed to have provided training and other logistics support to the suicide bomber in carrying out his attack. India has exerted immense pressure on Pakistan through multiple international agencies but Pakistan is denying any complicity in the attacks or the role of Azhar and his gang in it.

Masood Azhar shifted from military hospital to highly protected facility: Intel sources

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's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be leaving for China for the 16th Russia, India, China (RIC) meet on Tuesday. The meet will take place on Wednesday in Wuzhen, Zhejiang. The meet will be chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and will be attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Sushma Swaraj.

Announcing the visit, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a press release said, "The ministers are expected to exchange views on the global situation, regional developments of common concern, address global challenges such as terrorism and discuss trilateral exchanges and activities. "

Speaking on the RIC meet, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said, "During this meeting, the foreign ministers of the three countries will take the implementation of the important consensus of the leaders as the main thrust, focus on the current international landscape, exchange in-depth views on major regional and international issues of mutual interest and deepen third-party cooperation. "

The Russian foreign ministry said the focus will be on Afghanistan, Syria and the situation in Korea. Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, "The foreign ministers plan to exchange views on the most pressing international and regional matters, in particular, resolving the situation in Afghanistan, the Middle East, Syria, Libya and Yemen, the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and to discuss fighting terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking, as well as ensuring international information security."

EAM Sushma Swaraj will also hold bilateral meets with her Russian and Chinese counterparts.

The meeting comes in the backdrop of the Pulwama terror attack whose responsibility was claimed by Pakistan based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed(JEM). India has been trying to declare the chief of JEM Masood Azhar as an international terrorist under the 1267 committee of the United Nation Security Council but has been blocked many times by China.

China has been non-committal about its listing of Azhar. Last week in its daily briefing Geng Shuang said, China will engage in relevant discussions in a "constructive and responsible manner" and "keep close communication and coordination with India and other parties concerned."

The last RIC foreign ministerial meeting took place in New Delhi on 11 December 2017. That meet came in the backdrop of Doklam crisis when Chinese forces tried to build a road on Bhutanese territory and the attempt was thwarted by Indian forces but led to a &nbsp;two-month-long standoff, the worst in many decades.

RIC meet at the leaders level — Prime Minister Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping took place on 30 November last year on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina. The meet took place after a gap of 12 years.

India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be leaving for China for the 16th Russia, India, China (RIC) meet on Tuesday. The meet will take place on Wednesday in Wuzhen, Zhejiang.

India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be leaving for China for the 16th Russia, India, China (RIC) meet on Tuesday. The meet will take place on Wednesday in Wuzhen, Zhejiang. The meet will be chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and will be attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Sushma Swaraj. Announcing the visit, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a press release said, "The ministers are expected to exchange views on the global situation, regional developments of common concern, address global challenges such as terrorism and discuss trilateral exchanges and activities. " Speaking on the RIC meet, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said, "During this meeting, the foreign ministers of the three countries will take the implementation of the important consensus of the leaders as the main thrust, focus on the current international landscape, exchange in-depth views on major regional and international issues of mutual interest and deepen third-party cooperation. " The Russian foreign ministry said the focus will be on Afghanistan, Syria and the situation in Korea. Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, "The foreign ministers plan to exchange views on the most pressing international and regional matters, in particular, resolving the situation in Afghanistan, the Middle East, Syria, Libya and Yemen, the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and to discuss fighting terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking, as well as ensuring international information security." EAM Sushma Swaraj will also hold bilateral meets with her Russian and Chinese counterparts. The meeting comes in the backdrop of the Pulwama terror attack whose responsibility was claimed by Pakistan based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed(JEM). India has been trying to declare the chief of JEM Masood Azhar as an international terrorist under the 1267 committee of the United Nation Security Council but has been blocked many times by China. China has been non-committal about its listing of Azhar. Last week in its daily briefing Geng Shuang said, China will engage in relevant discussions in a "constructive and responsible manner" and "keep close communication and coordination with India and other parties concerned." The last RIC foreign ministerial meeting took place in New Delhi on 11 December 2017. That meet came in the backdrop of Doklam crisis when Chinese forces tried to build a road on Bhutanese territory and the attempt was thwarted by Indian forces but led to a two-month-long standoff, the worst in many decades. RIC meet at the leaders level — Prime Minister Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping took place on 30 November last year on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina. The meet took place after a gap of 12 years.

Terror, Afghanistan in focus as EAM Sushma Swaraj heads to China for RIC meet

Terrorist activities of Jehadi Islamic organisations in a part of Jammu and Kashmir has reached a new and crucial stage that calls for decisive and conclusive response from the Indian state. &nbsp;

The recent terrorist act in Pulwama, causing the death of 40 CRPF jawans travelling in a bus and not engaged in battle, makes it the turning point. It is “now or never” for ending terrorism in these parts of J&amp;K.&nbsp;

Violence to overawe a civilian population to attain political goals is terrorism. This type of violence is also a tool for dismembering a nation. The concern today is how, we as Indians, deter this terror and safeguard national integrity?&nbsp;

In Tamil Nadu, I was in charge in the Chandrashekar government [1990-91] and the process began by dismissing the Karunanidhi government. Tamils fully cooperated and we were able to decimate the LTTE without any civilian death. In the ensuing Assembly elections, the DMK won only two seats in the 224-seat House. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The dismemberment of Kashmir and the religious cleansing of Hindus from the state are the goals of J&amp;K Islamic terrorism.

In a cassette distributed in a mosque in Srinagar on June 8, 2007, Al Qaeda [now morphed into ISIS] confirmed that for Islam, India as presently constituted, is the target for terrorist acts and religious cleansing. The forced exodus of five lakh Hindu Kashmiris, principally the Pandit community, was beginning of religious cleansing in the Kashmir Valley.&nbsp;

In J&amp;K, terrorism today is a premeditated, politically motivated and Jehadi Islamic religion-inspired violence perpetrated against the non-combatant target population, primarily those of Hindu faith, by clandestine agents to secure compliance by intimidation, to overawe the Hindu civilian population. &nbsp;

Terrorism in the state,&nbsp;thus, is a strategy of violence to generate fear and disruption, with the ultimate aim to secure the balkanisation of the Indian nation, the rubbishing of its ancient Hindu civilisation, secured through capitulation of law-abiding civilian citizens.&nbsp;

J&amp;K is thus today a terrorist-challenged state, which has profound national security implications.&nbsp;

Combating such terrorism has, however, become extremely complicated and multi-dimensional. Hence, we need to understand it’s nature and scope clearly before an effective strategy to deter terrorism can be formulated. There has been a paradigm change in terrorism’s character since 1968, caused by three specific innovations of the 20th century.&nbsp;

First, the invention of television with instant satellite relay, which has suddenly given small unknown groups the possibility of worldwide publicity. &nbsp;

Internet has raised that publicity potential manifold. The fact that most terrorist incidents take place in democratic states, may in part, be due to its availability.&nbsp;

Under an authoritarian regime like China, terrorists can be cut off from their media audience in the target country, thereby reducing to a minimum all the expected impact of their actions.

With freely available media, small groups of terrorists can attain heavy leverage against powerful opponents by getting wide publicity on small political events. The impact is mostly psychological and meant for media coverage. But it has the desired effect of promoting fear, shock and awe in the civilian population.

Hence, democratic India now need&nbsp;to formulate their counter-terrorist strategy keeping this in view, by imposing reasonable restrictions permitted in the Constitution on democratic freedom without destroying the basic structure of democratic practice itself.

Second is the incredible sophistication of hand-held weapons, especially it’s miniaturisation and proliferation that have enabled a small number of criminally-minded persons to do great harm.&nbsp;

Third, easy communication through internet and cell/satellite phones-enabled networking between various disparate terrorist groups. The ISI of Pakistan is engaged in assisting this enterprise to unravel India, and push it toward balkanisation. Hence, a terror cartel and networking has emerged in India.&nbsp;

A counter-terror strategy for India thus requires a paradigm shift from the traditional law &amp; order approach of providing more personnel and sophisticated weapons.&nbsp;

What then are the elements of this counter-terror strategy? &nbsp;In my view, there are three steps for an effective strategy to eliminate terror in J&amp;K.

First, all remaining traces of so-called “disputed status” of Jammu and Kashmir must be erased. For that, India must write to the United Nations withdrawing the illegal application filed by then Prime Minister Nehru.&nbsp;

It is illegal because it violated the 1935 British Indian Constitution on the Instrument of Accession Clause, which the J&amp;K Maharaja had signed merging the state into India. &nbsp;Also Nehru never took Cabinet approval for the application. Hence, it is illegal and not binding on successive Indian governments since the Cabinet had not cleared it.

Second, Article 370 of the Constitution labelled as “temporary” by the Constituent Assembly, should be deleted as per procedure laid out in the Constitution itself, which is that a notification prepared by the Cabinet for its abolition is issued by the President of India. With that, Article 35 A will also fade away.&nbsp;

Third, 10 lakh former servicemen should be liberally provided with funds and weapons and requested to go to the Valley and settle down there with their families. After five years, they can return and the houses they acquire can be occupied by the expelled Hindu Kashmiris.&nbsp;

Fourth, liberally help the Kashmiri Muslim youth with clean credentials, and even surrendered extremists, to get education and jobs anywhere in India.&nbsp;

I know many who are today more patriotic and able than the average citizen.

Finally, for five years, impose AFSPA all over the state, introduce POTA and have no election for the first two years. The success of these proposals will be obtained only in the next two years. Pakistan, which is ripe for dismemberment, needs to be broken into four — Baluchistan, Pakhtoonistan, Sindh, and residual West Punjab.&nbsp;

For this, India has to obtain the tacit support of China and US by their non-interference. For doubting Thomases remember, China did not interfere in 1965, 1971 and 1999 Indo-Pak wars.

(This article was originally published on the DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-india-s-moment-to-act-is-here-2722269">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Terrorist activities of Jehadi Islamic organisations in a part of Jammu and Kashmir has reached a new and crucial stage that calls for decisive and conclusive response from the Indian state.

Terrorist activities of Jehadi Islamic organisations in a part of Jammu and Kashmir has reached a new and crucial stage that calls for decisive and conclusive response from the Indian state. The recent terrorist act in Pulwama, causing the death of 40 CRPF jawans travelling in a bus and not engaged in battle, makes it the turning point. It is “now or never” for ending terrorism in these parts of J&K. Violence to overawe a civilian population to attain political goals is terrorism. This type of violence is also a tool for dismembering a nation. The concern today is how, we as Indians, deter this terror and safeguard national integrity? In Tamil Nadu, I was in charge in the Chandrashekar government [1990-91] and the process began by dismissing the Karunanidhi government. Tamils fully cooperated and we were able to decimate the LTTE without any civilian death. In the ensuing Assembly elections, the DMK won only two seats in the 224-seat House. The dismemberment of Kashmir and the religious cleansing of Hindus from the state are the goals of J&K Islamic terrorism. In a cassette distributed in a mosque in Srinagar on June 8, 2007, Al Qaeda [now morphed into ISIS] confirmed that for Islam, India as presently constituted, is the target for terrorist acts and religious cleansing. The forced exodus of five lakh Hindu Kashmiris, principally the Pandit community, was beginning of religious cleansing in the Kashmir Valley. In J&K, terrorism today is a premeditated, politically motivated and Jehadi Islamic religion-inspired violence perpetrated against the non-combatant target population, primarily those of Hindu faith, by clandestine agents to secure compliance by intimidation, to overawe the Hindu civilian population. Terrorism in the state, thus, is a strategy of violence to generate fear and disruption, with the ultimate aim to secure the balkanisation of the Indian nation, the rubbishing of its ancient Hindu civilisation, secured through capitulation of law-abiding civilian citizens. J&K is thus today a terrorist-challenged state, which has profound national security implications. Combating such terrorism has, however, become extremely complicated and multi-dimensional. Hence, we need to understand it’s nature and scope clearly before an effective strategy to deter terrorism can be formulated. There has been a paradigm change in terrorism’s character since 1968, caused by three specific innovations of the 20th century. First, the invention of television with instant satellite relay, which has suddenly given small unknown groups the possibility of worldwide publicity. Internet has raised that publicity potential manifold. The fact that most terrorist incidents take place in democratic states, may in part, be due to its availability. Under an authoritarian regime like China, terrorists can be cut off from their media audience in the target country, thereby reducing to a minimum all the expected impact of their actions. With freely available media, small groups of terrorists can attain heavy leverage against powerful opponents by getting wide publicity on small political events. The impact is mostly psychological and meant for media coverage. But it has the desired effect of promoting fear, shock and awe in the civilian population. Hence, democratic India now need to formulate their counter-terrorist strategy keeping this in view, by imposing reasonable restrictions permitted in the Constitution on democratic freedom without destroying the basic structure of democratic practice itself. Second is the incredible sophistication of hand-held weapons, especially it’s miniaturisation and proliferation that have enabled a small number of criminally-minded persons to do great harm. Third, easy communication through internet and cell/satellite phones-enabled networking between various disparate terrorist groups. The ISI of Pakistan is engaged in assisting this enterprise to unravel India, and push it toward balkanisation. Hence, a terror cartel and networking has emerged in India. A counter-terror strategy for India thus requires a paradigm shift from the traditional law & order approach of providing more personnel and sophisticated weapons. What then are the elements of this counter-terror strategy? In my view, there are three steps for an effective strategy to eliminate terror in J&K. First, all remaining traces of so-called “disputed status” of Jammu and Kashmir must be erased. For that, India must write to the United Nations withdrawing the illegal application filed by then Prime Minister Nehru. It is illegal because it violated the 1935 British Indian Constitution on the Instrument of Accession Clause, which the J&K Maharaja had signed merging the state into India. Also Nehru never took Cabinet approval for the application. Hence, it is illegal and not binding on successive Indian governments since the Cabinet had not cleared it. Second, Article 370 of the Constitution labelled as “temporary” by the Constituent Assembly, should be deleted as per procedure laid out in the Constitution itself, which is that a notification prepared by the Cabinet for its abolition is issued by the President of India. With that, Article 35 A will also fade away. Third, 10 lakh former servicemen should be liberally provided with funds and weapons and requested to go to the Valley and settle down there with their families. After five years, they can return and the houses they acquire can be occupied by the expelled Hindu Kashmiris. Fourth, liberally help the Kashmiri Muslim youth with clean credentials, and even surrendered extremists, to get education and jobs anywhere in India. I know many who are today more patriotic and able than the average citizen. Finally, for five years, impose AFSPA all over the state, introduce POTA and have no election for the first two years. The success of these proposals will be obtained only in the next two years. Pakistan, which is ripe for dismemberment, needs to be broken into four — Baluchistan, Pakhtoonistan, Sindh, and residual West Punjab. For this, India has to obtain the tacit support of China and US by their non-interference. For doubting Thomases remember, China did not interfere in 1965, 1971 and 1999 Indo-Pak wars. (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.)

Pulwama attack: India's moment to act is here

A Hindu-American advocacy group and an organisation of Kashmiri Pandits have urged the US to take action against the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit and its leader Masood Azhar and to condemn the alleged role of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and China in providing physical and diplomatic cover to such terror organisations.&nbsp;

The move came days after a deadly terror attack on the convoy of CRPF personnel in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. A suicide bomber from the Pakistan-based JeM drove his explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus on February 14, killing 40 security personnel.

The two groups handed over a letter, jointly signed by them, to the US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback urging the Trump Administration to take action, both at the international as well as at the domestic levels, to censure the terrorist organisation.&nbsp;

"We call upon the US government to condemn in all international fora the role played by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and China in providing physical and diplomatic cover to terrorists like Masood Azhar that have wreaked havoc in Kashmir," said the letter, signed jointly by the Indo-American Kashmir Forum (IAKF) and the Hindu American Foundation (HAF).

The IAKF represents the Kashmiri Pandit community residing in the US, while the HAF is a non-profit advocacy organization for the Hindu-American community.&nbsp;

The letter was read in full before Brownback and the participants of the International Religious Freedom held at the US Capitol on Tuesday, by Vijay Sazawal, the international convener of the IAKF.

Sazawal said "there is a cultural genocide happening in Kashmir".

"The environment of intolerance at the grassroots level only feeds into the ecosystem which breeds terrorists like Masood Azhar who then carry out such transnational attacks in Afghanistan and India," said Jay Kansara of the HAF.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, another organization of Kashmiri Pandits said it would host a virtual conference to highlight the paradigm shift which has occurred within the community globally.

&nbsp;"The conclave will be an opportunity for the global audience to hear the prespectives of speakers' (from Jammu and Kashmir) and policy positions on the theme of the conference in the light of the present-day developments," the Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD) said in a statement.

Former J-K finance minister Abdul Rahim Rather, Peoples' Democratic Party leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig, chairman of J-K People's Conference Sajjad Gani Lone, president of J-K Bharatiya Janata Party Ravinder Raina, and former union minister and Congress leader Manish Tewari are likely to address the global multi-media event, to be attended by community members from various parts of the world, the media release said.

In a separate statement, the Kashmir Hindu Foundation condemned the February 14 terror attack, saying these attacks in Kashmir prove that the radical jihadi mind-set has penetrated deep into the psyche and polluted the minds of a major population of Kashmiri Muslims in the Valley.&nbsp;

A Hindu-American advocacy group and an organisation of Kashmiri Pandits have urged the US to take action against the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit and its leader Masood Azhar and to condemn the alleged role of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and China in providing physical and diplomatic cover to such terror organisations.

A Hindu-American advocacy group and an organisation of Kashmiri Pandits have urged the US to take action against the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit and its leader Masood Azhar and to condemn the alleged role of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and China in providing physical and diplomatic cover to such terror organisations. The move came days after a deadly terror attack on the convoy of CRPF personnel in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. A suicide bomber from the Pakistan-based JeM drove his explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus on February 14, killing 40 security personnel. The two groups handed over a letter, jointly signed by them, to the US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback urging the Trump Administration to take action, both at the international as well as at the domestic levels, to censure the terrorist organisation. "We call upon the US government to condemn in all international fora the role played by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and China in providing physical and diplomatic cover to terrorists like Masood Azhar that have wreaked havoc in Kashmir," said the letter, signed jointly by the Indo-American Kashmir Forum (IAKF) and the Hindu American Foundation (HAF). The IAKF represents the Kashmiri Pandit community residing in the US, while the HAF is a non-profit advocacy organization for the Hindu-American community. The letter was read in full before Brownback and the participants of the International Religious Freedom held at the US Capitol on Tuesday, by Vijay Sazawal, the international convener of the IAKF. Sazawal said "there is a cultural genocide happening in Kashmir". "The environment of intolerance at the grassroots level only feeds into the ecosystem which breeds terrorists like Masood Azhar who then carry out such transnational attacks in Afghanistan and India," said Jay Kansara of the HAF. Meanwhile, another organization of Kashmiri Pandits said it would host a virtual conference to highlight the paradigm shift which has occurred within the community globally. "The conclave will be an opportunity for the global audience to hear the prespectives of speakers' (from Jammu and Kashmir) and policy positions on the theme of the conference in the light of the present-day developments," the Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD) said in a statement. Former J-K finance minister Abdul Rahim Rather, Peoples' Democratic Party leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig, chairman of J-K People's Conference Sajjad Gani Lone, president of J-K Bharatiya Janata Party Ravinder Raina, and former union minister and Congress leader Manish Tewari are likely to address the global multi-media event, to be attended by community members from various parts of the world, the media release said. In a separate statement, the Kashmir Hindu Foundation condemned the February 14 terror attack, saying these attacks in Kashmir prove that the radical jihadi mind-set has penetrated deep into the psyche and polluted the minds of a major population of Kashmiri Muslims in the Valley.

Hindu-American, Kashmiri Pandit groups urge US to take action against JeM, Masood

Ambassador of France to India Alexandre Ziegler on Wednesday said that his country is “pushing” to put <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">Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar</a> on the UN sanctions list.

This will be the second time that France will put forth its proposal at the United Nations.

In 2017, &nbsp;France, supported by the United States and the United Kingdom, had moved a proposal at the UN Sanctions Committee 1267 to get Azhar declared as a “global terrorist”, but it was blocked by China.

"We are very much pushing in that direction. It has been two years that we are trying to put him on the UN sanctions list," Ziegler told ANI at the five-day Aero India 2019 show which began here today.

India’s attempts to list Azhar at the UN Security Council have been repeatedly blocked by China at the behest of Pakistan.

JeM had claimed responsibility for the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives.&nbsp;

Ambassador of France to India Alexandre Ziegler on Wednesday said that his country is “pushing” to put Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar on the UN sanctions list.

Ambassador of France to India Alexandre Ziegler on Wednesday said that his country is “pushing” to put Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar on the UN sanctions list. This will be the second time that France will put forth its proposal at the United Nations. In 2017, France, supported by the United States and the United Kingdom, had moved a proposal at the UN Sanctions Committee 1267 to get Azhar declared as a “global terrorist”, but it was blocked by China. "We are very much pushing in that direction. It has been two years that we are trying to put him on the UN sanctions list," Ziegler told ANI at the five-day Aero India 2019 show which began here today. India’s attempts to list Azhar at the UN Security Council have been repeatedly blocked by China at the behest of Pakistan. JeM had claimed responsibility for the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives.

Trying to put JeM chief Masood Azhar on UN sanctions list: France envoy to 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.&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

Indian intelligence sources have told the Zee group that Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed have been told to lie low after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/awantipora-crpf-convoy-hit-by-explosives-laden-vehicle-several-jawans-killed-197418">the Pulwama attack</a>.&nbsp;

At least 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives in the Pulwama attack after a local youth, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/adil-ahmad-dar-the-man-who-carried-out-the-pulwama-attack-197476">Adil Ahmad Dar</a>, rammed a car laden with explosives into a bus carrying the Central Reserve Police Force men.&nbsp;

The attack was later claimed by the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed which is headed by Azhar.&nbsp;

Saeed is a co-founder of the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. India says he is the mastermind of the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks, in which over 165 civilians were killed.&nbsp;

According to the sources, about 80 kilograms of RDX were used in the Pulwama attack.&nbsp;

They sources added that the RDX used in the attack was procured by the Pakistani Army in Rawalpindi and handed over to JeM operatives. The process of collecting the RDX reportedly began in March 2018 and the explosive smuggled in backpacks, cylinders and coal bags to Pulwama's Tral village.&nbsp;

Tensions between India and Pakistan have been running high since the attack.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said India was blaming Pakistan for the attack "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-attack-india-blaming-pakistan-without-evidence-says-imran-khan-198266">without any evidence</a>".&nbsp;

He asked why Pakistan would help carry out such an attack when it was heading towards "stability".&nbsp;

He also added that Pakistan would be forced to retaliate should India attack it.&nbsp;

Both Azhar and Saeed are Pakistani nationals. Azhar has been living in Pakistan — as does Saeed — since he was released by India after the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814 in December 1999.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Indian intelligence sources have told the Zee group that Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed have been told to lie low after the Pulwama attack. At least 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives in the Pulwama attack after a local youth, Adil Ahmad Dar, rammed a car laden with explosives into a bus carrying the Central Reserve Police Force men.

Indian intelligence sources have told the Zee group that Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed have been told to lie low after the Pulwama attack. At least 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives in the Pulwama attack after a local youth, Adil Ahmad Dar, rammed a car laden with explosives into a bus carrying the Central Reserve Police Force men. The attack was later claimed by the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed which is headed by Azhar. Saeed is a co-founder of the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. India says he is the mastermind of the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks, in which over 165 civilians were killed. According to the sources, about 80 kilograms of RDX were used in the Pulwama attack. They sources added that the RDX used in the attack was procured by the Pakistani Army in Rawalpindi and handed over to JeM operatives. The process of collecting the RDX reportedly began in March 2018 and the explosive smuggled in backpacks, cylinders and coal bags to Pulwama's Tral village. Tensions between India and Pakistan have been running high since the attack. On Tuesday, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said India was blaming Pakistan for the attack "without any evidence". He asked why Pakistan would help carry out such an attack when it was heading towards "stability". He also added that Pakistan would be forced to retaliate should India attack it. Both Azhar and Saeed are Pakistani nationals. Azhar has been living in Pakistan — as does Saeed — since he was released by India after the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814 in December 1999.

After Pulwama attack, Pak tells Masood Azhar, Hafiz Sayeed to lie low: Sources

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 

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