<div dir="auto" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">The terror attack in Pahalgam, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/jammu-and-kashmir">Jammu and Kashmir</a>, on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 innocent people and injured multiple, has once again resurrected tensions in South Asia. While India has taken numerous major actions against the neighbouring country, Pakistan has responded with an invitation to seek a &lsquo;neutral international probe&rsquo;, with an open invitation for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/united-nations">United Nations</a> to intervene.</div>
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<div dir="auto">On its face, Islamabad's action is a positive, even pacifying, step. But looked closely &mdash; in the context of history, timing, diplomatic calculation and regional politics &mdash; it looks more a tactical move than a genuine move for justice.</div>
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<div dir="auto">According to several media reports, Pakistan has demanded&nbsp; an &lsquo;independent&rsquo; and &lsquo;neutral&rsquo; investigation overseen by international observers. Pakistan has stressed that only a third-party-led inquiry could &lsquo;credibly establish the truth&rsquo; of the Pahalgam terror attack.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-sachet-the-national-disaster-alert-app-pm-modi-mentioned-in-mann-ki-baat-9006715">What is 'Sachet,' the national disaster alert app PM Modi mentioned in Mann Ki Baat?</a>
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<div dir="auto"> This is essential framing. By insisting on external intervention, Pakistan acts as a helpful player while implying that India is incapable of independently investigating terror attacks in a fair manner. It's a familiar diplomatic script &mdash; one that we have been seeing for quite a while now.</div>
<h2 dir="auto">What history tells</h2>
<div dir="auto">Pakistan&rsquo;s previous record puts to question the credibility of its recent offer. From the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/pulwama">Pulwama</a> bombing, Islamabad has either denied any Pakistani-based terror groups' involvement or insisted on irrefutable evidence, all while hindering or derailing investigations internally.</div>
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<div dir="auto">In the Pulwama case, for example, even after Jaish-e-Mohammed took responsibility and India brought dossiers of evidence, Pakistan stalled under the pretext of &lsquo;examining&rsquo; the evidence &mdash; a tactic now infamous in diplomatic circles.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Likewise, after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/uri-attack">Uri attack</a> (2016) and Pathankot (2016), even so-called &lsquo;joint investigation efforts&rsquo; fell through when Pakistani investigators tried to deflect blame on India.</div>
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<div dir="auto">With this history, Pakistan's present proposal seems to be more aimed at displaying diplomatic maturity in front of the international community than to achieve actual accountability.&nbsp;By talking about an international investigation, Pakistan is trying to shift the script &mdash; from that of a would-be perpetrator (or an accomplice) to that of a stakeholder in the war against terror. It's a classic ploy: Be in a corner, internationalise the crisis so that&nbsp; blame gets watered down.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-give-befitting-reply-to-perpetrators-of-pahalgam-terror-attack-says-pm-modi-9006610">PM Modi sends stern warning after Pahalgam terror attack; 'conspirators and perpetrators will face the harshest response'</a>
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<div dir="auto"> The New York Times pointed out that Pakistan&rsquo;s appeal appears to be partly designed for an American and European audience, where demands for &lsquo;dialogue&rsquo; and &lsquo;neutral probes&rsquo; tend to receive a sympathetic hearing. By presenting itself as reasonable and cooperative, Pakistan attempts to muddy the distinction between victim and perpetrator in the minds of global policymakers.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Yet, there is a potential risk for Pakistan as well: If ever there is an actually independent international investigation (one cannot be sure), it might reveal painful realities regarding terror havens running within its borders.</div>
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<div dir="auto">India, in turn, has to walk a tight rope. Blunt rejection of the offer might be seen as reactive; blind acceptance might enable Pakistan to hijack the process.</div>
<div dir="auto">While Pakistan's proposal for an international investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack is framed as a high-minded gesture, history, timing, and strategic calculations lead to a different conclusion: It is much about diplomatic survival.</div>
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<div dir="auto">Without measurable actions &mdash; such as destroying known terror networks, surrendering terrorists, and prosecuting facilitators &mdash; Pakistan's newest proposal will be perceived as yet another eyewash rather than a genuine step.</div>
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<div dir="auto">More than empty words and diplomatic drama, victims of Pahalgam deserve justice. They deserve real change.</div>

Opinions & Blogs, India News, World, South Asia, Pakistan: More than empty words and diplomatic drama, victims of Pahalgam deserve justice. They deserve real change

The terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 innocent people and injured multiple, has once again resurrected tensions in South Asia. While India has taken numerous major actions against the neighbouring country, Pakistan has responded with an invitation to seek a ‘neutral international probe’, with an open invitation for the United Nations to intervene. On its face, Islamabad's action is a positive, even pacifying, step. But looked closely — in the context of history, timing, diplomatic calculation and regional politics — it looks more a tactical move than a genuine move for justice. According to several media reports, Pakistan has demanded an ‘independent’ and ‘neutral’ investigation overseen by international observers. Pakistan has stressed that only a third-party-led inquiry could ‘credibly establish the truth’ of the Pahalgam terror attack. Also Read: What is 'Sachet,' the national disaster alert app PM Modi mentioned in Mann Ki Baat? This is essential framing. By insisting on external intervention, Pakistan acts as a helpful player while implying that India is incapable of independently investigating terror attacks in a fair manner. It's a familiar diplomatic script — one that we have been seeing for quite a while now. What history tells Pakistan’s previous record puts to question the credibility of its recent offer. From the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to the Pulwama bombing, Islamabad has either denied any Pakistani-based terror groups' involvement or insisted on irrefutable evidence, all while hindering or derailing investigations internally. In the Pulwama case, for example, even after Jaish-e-Mohammed took responsibility and India brought dossiers of evidence, Pakistan stalled under the pretext of ‘examining’ the evidence — a tactic now infamous in diplomatic circles. Likewise, after the Uri attack (2016) and Pathankot (2016), even so-called ‘joint investigation efforts’ fell through when Pakistani investigators tried to deflect blame on India. With this history, Pakistan's present proposal seems to be more aimed at displaying diplomatic maturity in front of the international community than to achieve actual accountability. By talking about an international investigation, Pakistan is trying to shift the script — from that of a would-be perpetrator (or an accomplice) to that of a stakeholder in the war against terror. It's a classic ploy: Be in a corner, internationalise the crisis so that blame gets watered down. Also Read: PM Modi sends stern warning after Pahalgam terror attack; 'conspirators and perpetrators will face the harshest response' The New York Times pointed out that Pakistan’s appeal appears to be partly designed for an American and European audience, where demands for ‘dialogue’ and ‘neutral probes’ tend to receive a sympathetic hearing. By presenting itself as reasonable and cooperative, Pakistan attempts to muddy the distinction between victim and perpetrator in the minds of global policymakers. Yet, there is a potential risk for Pakistan as well: If ever there is an actually independent international investigation (one cannot be sure), it might reveal painful realities regarding terror havens running within its borders. India, in turn, has to walk a tight rope. Blunt rejection of the offer might be seen as reactive; blind acceptance might enable Pakistan to hijack the process. While Pakistan's proposal for an international investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack is framed as a high-minded gesture, history, timing, and strategic calculations lead to a different conclusion: It is much about diplomatic survival. Without measurable actions — such as destroying known terror networks, surrendering terrorists, and prosecuting facilitators — Pakistan's newest proposal will be perceived as yet another eyewash rather than a genuine step. More than empty words and diplomatic drama, victims of Pahalgam deserve justice. They deserve real change.

Pahalgam terror attack: Pakistan's 'neutral' probe demand is a page from playbook of terror sponsor state, and it's not new

A deadly terror attack at the popular tourist area of Pahalgam in South Kashmir on Tuesday (April 22) left 27 dead and at least 20 others injured, officials confirmed. <o:p></o:p>The attack is one of the biggest attacks on civilians and tourists in decades of terror violence in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/jammu-and-kashmir">Jammu and Kashmir</a>.<o:p></o:p>
However, India, a nation that values peace, has never shied away from striking back when its citizens and sovereignty are under threat. Here's how the country has answered some of the deadliest terrorist attacks with grit, strategy, and strength.<o:p></o:p>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/let-top-commander-adil-gouri-and-saifullah-kasuri-orchestrated-pahalgam-terror-attack-sources-8991868">LeT top commander orchestrated Pahalgam terror attack: Sources</a>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">2016 Uri attack: The surgical strike<o:p></o:p></h2>
The 2016 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/uri-attack">Uri attack</a> was carried out on 18 September 2016 by four Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists from Pakistan against an Indian Army brigade headquarters near the town of Uri in Jammu and Kashmir. 19 Indian soldiers were killed in the attack, and 19&ndash;30 others were injured<o:p></o:p>
India&rsquo;s response: Nearly 10 days after the Uri attack that claimed lives of 19 Indian soldiers, India carried out surgical strikes in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, inflicting heavy casualties on terrorists and 'those protecting them&rsquo; and indicating a change of stand on the rules of engagement on the disputed line of control.<o:p></o:p>
On 29 September 2016, teams of Indian Army commandos crossed the Line of Control into Pakistani-administered Kashmir to attack targets up to a kilometer within territory held by Pakistan. The raid occurred ten days after four militants had attacked an Indian army outpost at Uri on 18 September 2016. Estimates of casualties from India's cross-border attack varied widely, with figures of 12 to 70 being reported. The Pakistani government eventually acknowledged the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to nine.<o:p></o:p>
The Indian government termed the attack a surgical strike against &lsquo;militant launch pads&rsquo; in Pakistani territory.<o:p></o:p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">2019 Pulwama attack: The Balakot airstrikes</h2>
The 2019 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/pulwama-attack">Pulwama attack</a> occurred on 14 February, 2019, when a convoy of vehicles carrying Indian security personnel on the Jammu&ndash;Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethapora in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. The attack killed 40 Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based Islamist terrorist group, Jaish-e-Mohammed.<o:p></o:p>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/tv-actors-dipika-kakar-and-shoaib-ibrahim-left-kashmir-hours-before-pahalgam-attack-8991823">TV actors Dipika Kakar and Shoaib Ibrahim left Kashmir hours before Pahalgam attack</a>
India&rsquo;s response: On February 26, 2019, India launched a precision airstrike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) training camp in Balakot, located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strike was in response to the Pulwama suicide bombing just 12 days earlier, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. India, armed with satellite imagery, intelligence reports, and eyewitness accounts, provided evidence of a successful strike that neutralized a significant number of terrorists.<o:p></o:p>
India&rsquo;s message to terror outfits and their sponsors is now unequivocal: There will be consequences. Whether through covert intelligence missions, surgical precision, or airpower, India has shown it is prepared to retaliate &mdash; not just react.<o:p></o:p>

India News: India’s message to terror outfits is clear: There will be consequences. Whether through covert intelligence missions, surgical precision, or airpower

A deadly terror attack at the popular tourist area of Pahalgam in South Kashmir on Tuesday (April 22) left 27 dead and at least 20 others injured, officials confirmed. The attack is one of the biggest attacks on civilians and tourists in decades of terror violence in Jammu and Kashmir. However, India, a nation that values peace, has never shied away from striking back when its citizens and sovereignty are under threat. Here's how the country has answered some of the deadliest terrorist attacks with grit, strategy, and strength. Also Read: LeT top commander orchestrated Pahalgam terror attack: Sources 2016 Uri attack: The surgical strike The 2016 Uri attack was carried out on 18 September 2016 by four Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists from Pakistan against an Indian Army brigade headquarters near the town of Uri in Jammu and Kashmir. 19 Indian soldiers were killed in the attack, and 19–30 others were injured India’s response: Nearly 10 days after the Uri attack that claimed lives of 19 Indian soldiers, India carried out surgical strikes in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, inflicting heavy casualties on terrorists and 'those protecting them’ and indicating a change of stand on the rules of engagement on the disputed line of control. On 29 September 2016, teams of Indian Army commandos crossed the Line of Control into Pakistani-administered Kashmir to attack targets up to a kilometer within territory held by Pakistan. The raid occurred ten days after four militants had attacked an Indian army outpost at Uri on 18 September 2016. Estimates of casualties from India's cross-border attack varied widely, with figures of 12 to 70 being reported. The Pakistani government eventually acknowledged the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to nine. The Indian government termed the attack a surgical strike against ‘militant launch pads’ in Pakistani territory. 2019 Pulwama attack: The Balakot airstrikes The 2019 Pulwama attack occurred on 14 February, 2019, when a convoy of vehicles carrying Indian security personnel on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethapora in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. The attack killed 40 Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based Islamist terrorist group, Jaish-e-Mohammed. Also Read: TV actors Dipika Kakar and Shoaib Ibrahim left Kashmir hours before Pahalgam attack India’s response: On February 26, 2019, India launched a precision airstrike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) training camp in Balakot, located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strike was in response to the Pulwama suicide bombing just 12 days earlier, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. India, armed with satellite imagery, intelligence reports, and eyewitness accounts, provided evidence of a successful strike that neutralized a significant number of terrorists. India’s message to terror outfits and their sponsors is now unequivocal: There will be consequences. Whether through covert intelligence missions, surgical precision, or airpower, India has shown it is prepared to retaliate — not just react.

From Uri to Balakot: How India has struck back at Pakistan in response to terrorists’ attacks

In the wake of Financial Action Terror Force's (FATF) warning to Pakistan for taking prompt action or face blacklisting if it does not control terror-funding in the next few months, China on Friday condemned terrorism in all forms and urged all countries to strengthen their fight against terrorism.

In an exclusive interview to ANI on recently concluded Xi- Modi informal meeting in Tamil Nadu, China's ambassador to India, Sun Weidong, said "India and China are committed to combating terrorism in all its forms. We have also urged all countries to strengthen international cooperation in fighting terrorism."

With Beijing assuming the chair of FATF earlier this year, it may seem that Pakistan may escape blacklisting as of now. But trouble continues to loom large over Pakistan if it does not take immediate action on terror funding and terror emanating from its soil.

"Pakistan has been asked to swiftly complete its full action plan by February 2020 and its failure to do so can lead to blacklisting," FATF President Xiangmin Liu said on Friday during a press conference in Paris after completion of the plenary session.

India has time and again raised concerns over Pakistan sponsoring and aiding cross border terrorism.

Details of banned terror outfits operating openly from Pakistan keep coming out.

India has also exposed Pakistan's role in Pulwama and Uri attacks. India believes that Pakistan's action against terrorism is a charade and eyewash.

Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also visited Beijing.

According to Pakistani media reports, during the visit, Khan had sought help from China to evade blacklisting by FATF.

China has also been facing the problem of terrorism in Xinjiang province.

In the wake of Financial Action Terror Force's (FATF) warning to Pakistan for taking prompt action or face blacklisting if it does not control terror-funding in the next few months, China on Friday condemned terrorism in all forms and urged all countries to strengthen their fight against terrorism.

In the wake of Financial Action Terror Force's (FATF) warning to Pakistan for taking prompt action or face blacklisting if it does not control terror-funding in the next few months, China on Friday condemned terrorism in all forms and urged all countries to strengthen their fight against terrorism. In an exclusive interview to ANI on recently concluded Xi- Modi informal meeting in Tamil Nadu, China's ambassador to India, Sun Weidong, said "India and China are committed to combating terrorism in all its forms. We have also urged all countries to strengthen international cooperation in fighting terrorism." With Beijing assuming the chair of FATF earlier this year, it may seem that Pakistan may escape blacklisting as of now. But trouble continues to loom large over Pakistan if it does not take immediate action on terror funding and terror emanating from its soil. "Pakistan has been asked to swiftly complete its full action plan by February 2020 and its failure to do so can lead to blacklisting," FATF President Xiangmin Liu said on Friday during a press conference in Paris after completion of the plenary session. India has time and again raised concerns over Pakistan sponsoring and aiding cross border terrorism. Details of banned terror outfits operating openly from Pakistan keep coming out. India has also exposed Pakistan's role in Pulwama and Uri attacks. India believes that Pakistan's action against terrorism is a charade and eyewash. Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also visited Beijing. According to Pakistani media reports, during the visit, Khan had sought help from China to evade blacklisting by FATF. China has also been facing the problem of terrorism in Xinjiang province.

After FATF warning to Pakistan, China urges all countries to strengthen fight against terrorism

Vicky Kaushal who has been riding <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-sanju-lust-stories-raazi-vicky-kaushal-owns-year-2018--148667">high on the success</a> of his latest films <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-this-is-the-real-life-person-whose-role-vicky-kaushal-played-in-sanju-148312">‘Sanju’</a> and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/watch-manmarziyaan-trailer-vicky-kaushal-abhishek-bachchan-taapsee-pannu-are-love-in-anurag-kashyaps-next-158041">‘Manmarziyaan’ </a>and ‘Raazi’ has now shared the first look poster of his upcoming film ‘Uri’, that is based on Indian Army’s surgical strikes across the LoC with neighbour Pakistan.&nbsp;

The actor who was seen earlier in the role of a Pakistani major in Alia Bhatt’s ‘Raazi’ will now play a commander-in-chief who led a group of paratroopers in the surgical strikes. These strikes took place after Pakistan’s terror outfits attacked an Indian Army camp in Uri in Kashmir.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/vicky-kaushal-bhumi-pednekar-feature-forbes-india-tycoons-tomorrow-list-167780">Also read:&nbsp;Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar feature in Forbes India 'Tycoons of Tomorrow' list</a>

As you can see in the poster, Vicky looks like he means business as he is dressed in the uniform. Yami Gautam will be seen alongside Vicky in the film as an intelligence officer.&nbsp;

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In the early hours of 29th September 2016, Indian soldiers avenged those who were martyred in the URI attacks. This is their brave story. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/URITeaser?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#URITeaser</a> out today at 12 noon.<a href="https://twitter.com/yamigautam?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@yamigautam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SirPareshRawal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SirPareshRawal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RonnieScrewvala?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RonnieScrewvala</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AdityaDhar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AdityaDhar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RSVPMovies?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RSVPMovies</a> <a href="https://t.co/TqhCizjL2c">pic.twitter.com/TqhCizjL2c</a>
— Vicky Kaushal (@vickykaushal09) <a href="https://twitter.com/vickykaushal09/status/1045501437462171648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In an interaction with PTI, Vicky revealed about his training for the film and said, "I am training for five hours every day. Then there is three to four hours of military training, you get to enhance your stamina, go through obstacle training, you are slithering. I am receiving gun training right now.”&nbsp;

He added, "I go to gym and train at the naval base in Cuffe Parade (in Mumbai). Army men help me with training. As of now they are helping us. I have to gain some weight. I am looking forward to the shoot."

Directed by Aditya Dhar, ‘Uri’ is slated to release on January 11, 2019.&nbsp;

Vicky Kaushal who has been riding high on the success of his latest films ‘Sanju’ and ‘Manmarziyaan’ and ‘Raazi’ has now shared the first look poster of his upcoming film ‘Uri’, that is based on Indian Army’s surgical strikes across the LoC with neighbour Pakistan.

Vicky Kaushal who has been riding high on the success of his latest films ‘Sanju’ and ‘Manmarziyaan’ and ‘Raazi’ has now shared the first look poster of his upcoming film ‘Uri’, that is based on Indian Army’s surgical strikes across the LoC with neighbour Pakistan. The actor who was seen earlier in the role of a Pakistani major in Alia Bhatt’s ‘Raazi’ will now play a commander-in-chief who led a group of paratroopers in the surgical strikes. These strikes took place after Pakistan’s terror outfits attacked an Indian Army camp in Uri in Kashmir. Also read: Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar feature in Forbes India 'Tycoons of Tomorrow' list As you can see in the poster, Vicky looks like he means business as he is dressed in the uniform. Yami Gautam will be seen alongside Vicky in the film as an intelligence officer. In the early hours of 29th September 2016, Indian soldiers avenged those who were martyred in the URI attacks. This is their brave story. #URITeaser out today at 12 noon.@yamigautam @SirPareshRawal @RonnieScrewvala #AdityaDhar @RSVPMovies pic.twitter.com/TqhCizjL2c — Vicky Kaushal (@vickykaushal09) September 28, 2018 × In an interaction with PTI, Vicky revealed about his training for the film and said, "I am training for five hours every day. Then there is three to four hours of military training, you get to enhance your stamina, go through obstacle training, you are slithering. I am receiving gun training right now.” He added, "I go to gym and train at the naval base in Cuffe Parade (in Mumbai). Army men help me with training. As of now they are helping us. I have to gain some weight. I am looking forward to the shoot." Directed by Aditya Dhar, ‘Uri’ is slated to release on January 11, 2019.

Vicky Kaushal reveals first look poster of his next film, 'Uri'

Two militants were today killed as the Army foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Uri sector of north Kashmir&#39;s Baramulla district.

The operation is still in progress.

&quot;An infiltration bid was foiled in Uri sector and two terrorists have been killed,&quot; an Army official said here.

Further details are awaited.

Two militants were today killed as the Army foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Uri sector of north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

Two militants were today killed as the Army foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Uri sector of north Kashmir's Baramulla district. The operation is still in progress. "An infiltration bid was foiled in Uri sector and two terrorists have been killed," an Army official said here. Further details are awaited.

Army foils infiltration bid, two militants killed

Four terrorists were killed as security forces intercepted&nbsp;a suicide attack on an army unit in Baramulla&#39;s&nbsp;Uri on Saturday,&nbsp;averting a repeat of the&nbsp;deadly attack by Pakistani terrorists in an army camp in Uri last year.

Police said that the terrorists were suspected to be members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The terrorists are suspected to be members of the fidayeen or a suicide squad and were planning an attack like the one in Uri in September 2016 that claimed the lives of 19 soldiers, Director General of Police SP Vaid told PTI.

&quot;A big tragedy has been averted. Like the suicide attack on the Army base last year, they (terrorists) had similar plans this time, but the police and the Army got the information beforehand,&quot; the top police official said.

An army soldier and two civilians were also killed in the attack.

The encounter took place after the army and the police launched search and cordon operations in Uri&#39;s Kalgai area.

The same day three people were also injured in a grenade attack in a market near the SBI bank in Sopore in Baramulla district.

The 2016 attack that took place on September 18 was the worst attack the army suffered in a decade and was suspected to be&nbsp;carried out by a suicide squad consisting of four terrorists of the&nbsp;Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed.

The Lashkar-e-Taiba had also claimed that one of its perpetrators died in the attack.

Today&#39;s incident follows a similar attack in South Kashmir&#39;s Tral which claimed the lives of three people and 34 people.&nbsp;Terrorists had targeted the convoy of senior Jammu and Kashmir minister&nbsp;<a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Naeem-Akhtar" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/grenade-attack-in-jks-sopore-3-injured/articleshow/60813446.cms~Naeem Akhtar-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Naeem-Akhtar">Naeem Akhtar</a>.&nbsp;17 CRPF personnel were also injured in the attack.

Police said that the terrorists were suspected to be members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba

Four terrorists were killed as security forces intercepted a suicide attack on an army unit in Baramulla's Uri on Saturday, averting a repeat of the deadly attack by Pakistani terrorists in an army camp in Uri last year. Police said that the terrorists were suspected to be members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. The terrorists are suspected to be members of the fidayeen or a suicide squad and were planning an attack like the one in Uri in September 2016 that claimed the lives of 19 soldiers, Director General of Police SP Vaid told PTI. "A big tragedy has been averted. Like the suicide attack on the Army base last year, they (terrorists) had similar plans this time, but the police and the Army got the information beforehand," the top police official said. An army soldier and two civilians were also killed in the attack. The encounter took place after the army and the police launched search and cordon operations in Uri's Kalgai area. The same day three people were also injured in a grenade attack in a market near the SBI bank in Sopore in Baramulla district. The 2016 attack that took place on September 18 was the worst attack the army suffered in a decade and was suspected to be carried out by a suicide squad consisting of four terrorists of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed. The Lashkar-e-Taiba had also claimed that one of its perpetrators died in the attack. Today's incident follows a similar attack in South Kashmir's Tral which claimed the lives of three people and 34 people. Terrorists had targeted the convoy of senior Jammu and Kashmir minister Naeem Akhtar. 17 CRPF personnel were also injured in the attack.

J&K: 4 terrorists killed as security forces foil suicide attack on army unit in Uri

Allowing Indian teleplays to be aired in Pakistan, the Lahore High Court lifted a ban which was imposed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), the Dawn reported.

Pemra had imposed a ban on airing of Indian content in the wake of the Uri attack last year after which the relations between the two countries took a hit.

The petition challenged the Pemra circular saying that the government was indulging in &quot;selective patriotism&quot; as Indian films could be screened but not shown on television, the report added.

The Lahore High Court said that Pemra&#39;s objection to Indian content on television was pointless as the federal government had no objections to it. 
&nbsp;

The ban came in the wake of Uri attack last year after which the relations between the two countries took a hit

Allowing Indian teleplays to be aired in Pakistan, the Lahore High Court lifted a ban which was imposed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), the Dawn reported. Pemra had imposed a ban on airing of Indian content in the wake of the Uri attack last year after which the relations between the two countries took a hit. The petition challenged the Pemra circular saying that the government was indulging in "selective patriotism" as Indian films could be screened but not shown on television, the report added. The Lahore High Court said that Pemra's objection to Indian content on television was pointless as the federal government had no objections to it.

Lahore High Court lifts ban on airing of Indian TV content in Pakistan

India&nbsp;has decided to ditch its sabre-rattling approach after its army warned about the perils of a &quot;controlled warfare&quot; with Pakistan, local media agency Ananda Bazar Patrika has reported. 
 
Certain sections of the Indian government have been keen on inflicting reprisal attacks on jihadist groups in Pakistan but the army feels such stratagem would further escalate hostilities between the two countries, the report said. 
 
The report suggests that New Delhi has paid heed to the warning and is now seeking to put diplomatic pressure instead.&nbsp;

The discussions &mdash; attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Rajnath Singh, defence minister Manohar Parikar, finance minister Arun Jaitley, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Intelligence&nbsp;&mdash; were held in a closed-door meeting recently. 
 
India has&nbsp;decided to present documentary proofs to the rest of the world of Pakistan&rsquo;s involvement in the recent attack in Uri, Kashmir, which claimed lives of 18 Indian soldiers on September 18. 
 
Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj is also scheduled to bring up the Uri terror attack at the UN meeting on September 26. 
 
It has also been decided that the Indian government will pass on evidence to foreign investors in Pakistan in the hope that they will understand how their investment in the country is actually strengthening the hands of terror. 
 
At the same time, India is careful not to internationalise the Kashmir issue through these acts. 
 
New Delhi is optimistic that these international moves will bear results. India&rsquo;s position has already been strengthened by UN general secretary Ban Ki-moon&#39;s strong condemnation of the Uri attack. Even the US, UK, France and Beijing have deplored the attack in no uncertain terms. 
 
Though the Indian government has refrained from&nbsp;a full-fledged attack against Pakistan, the Modi government has instructed the Indian army to increase its presence along the Line of Control (LoC). 
 
The army is expected to retaliate in strongest possible terms in event of a further attack, infiltration or instigation from Pakistan&rsquo;s side. 
 
&ldquo;The action has to be taken without getting influenced by emotions, anger. It has to be taken coolly and with proper planning,&rdquo; junior foreign minister of India VK&nbsp;Singh said. 
 
(WION)

New Delhi now plans to put diplomatic pressure on Pakistan after its army advised the government to refrain from military strikes

India has decided to ditch its sabre-rattling approach after its army warned about the perils of a "controlled warfare" with Pakistan, local media agency Ananda Bazar Patrika has reported. Certain sections of the Indian government have been keen on inflicting reprisal attacks on jihadist groups in Pakistan but the army feels such stratagem would further escalate hostilities between the two countries, the report said. The report suggests that New Delhi has paid heed to the warning and is now seeking to put diplomatic pressure instead. The discussions — attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Rajnath Singh, defence minister Manohar Parikar, finance minister Arun Jaitley, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Intelligence — were held in a closed-door meeting recently. India has decided to present documentary proofs to the rest of the world of Pakistan’s involvement in the recent attack in Uri, Kashmir, which claimed lives of 18 Indian soldiers on September 18. Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj is also scheduled to bring up the Uri terror attack at the UN meeting on September 26. It has also been decided that the Indian government will pass on evidence to foreign investors in Pakistan in the hope that they will understand how their investment in the country is actually strengthening the hands of terror. At the same time, India is careful not to internationalise the Kashmir issue through these acts. New Delhi is optimistic that these international moves will bear results. India’s position has already been strengthened by UN general secretary Ban Ki-moon's strong condemnation of the Uri attack. Even the US, UK, France and Beijing have deplored the attack in no uncertain terms. Though the Indian government has refrained from a full-fledged attack against Pakistan, the Modi government has instructed the Indian army to increase its presence along the Line of Control (LoC). The army is expected to retaliate in strongest possible terms in event of a further attack, infiltration or instigation from Pakistan’s side. “The action has to be taken without getting influenced by emotions, anger. It has to be taken coolly and with proper planning,” junior foreign minister of India VK Singh said. (WION)

Uri terror attack: India pivots stance on 'controlled warfare' amid army warning

India and Pakistan confirmed separately on Tuesday that cross-border shelling by the two countries has killed at least 19 people.&nbsp;

 
Tensions have been high in the region since a militant attack on an Indian army camp in Uri, Kashmir left 19 soldiers dead, and prompted&nbsp;&ldquo;surgical strikes&rdquo; by New Delhi against militants in Pakistan.

 
The two South Asian nations have been blaming each other for violating a 2003 ceasefire amid sour diplomatic relations following the recent tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats.

 
Both sides are at loggerheads, disputing each other&rsquo;s versions&nbsp;on violence in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir following the death of &nbsp;Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July.

 
According to Reuters, Pakistani officials confirmed that at least four people were killed and five injured in its part of Kashmir on Monday, as the two nuclear-armed neighbours exchanged heavy fire concentrated in Pakistan&#39;s Nakyal sector along the Line of Control.

 
&quot;It appears as if a full-blown war is going on between India and Pakistan,&quot; Mohammad Saeed, a resident of the village of Mohra in the region, told Reuters.

 
&quot;Please have mercy and stop it,&quot; he said,

 
Six people were killed and 10 injured in Nakyal and the adjacent Tatta Pani sector last Friday and Saturday, Pakistan said.

 
On the Indian side of the Line of Control, seven people, including three women and two children, were killed on Tuesday in mortar shelling by Pakistan along the Ramgarh sector.

 
On Monday, an Indian soldier and a civilian died in firing in the Rajouri sector on the Line of Control.

 
(WION with inputs from Reuters) 
&nbsp;

'It appears as if a full-blown war is going on between India and Pakistan,' say residents

India and Pakistan confirmed separately on Tuesday that cross-border shelling by the two countries has killed at least 19 people. Tensions have been high in the region since a militant attack on an Indian army camp in Uri, Kashmir left 19 soldiers dead, and prompted “surgical strikes” by New Delhi against militants in Pakistan. The two South Asian nations have been blaming each other for violating a 2003 ceasefire amid sour diplomatic relations following the recent tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats. Both sides are at loggerheads, disputing each other’s versions on violence in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July. According to Reuters, Pakistani officials confirmed that at least four people were killed and five injured in its part of Kashmir on Monday, as the two nuclear-armed neighbours exchanged heavy fire concentrated in Pakistan's Nakyal sector along the Line of Control. "It appears as if a full-blown war is going on between India and Pakistan," Mohammad Saeed, a resident of the village of Mohra in the region, told Reuters. "Please have mercy and stop it," he said, Six people were killed and 10 injured in Nakyal and the adjacent Tatta Pani sector last Friday and Saturday, Pakistan said. On the Indian side of the Line of Control, seven people, including three women and two children, were killed on Tuesday in mortar shelling by Pakistan along the Ramgarh sector. On Monday, an Indian soldier and a civilian died in firing in the Rajouri sector on the Line of Control. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Kashmir: At least 19 killed in cross-border firing, India & Pakistan confirm

Outlawed terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan&#39;s Gujranwala town has put up posters inviting people to attend the last rites in absentia of one of the four militants involved in the deadly attack on an Indian Army installation in Uri, Kashmir, according to The Indian Express.

The posters put up in Gujranwala, roughly 220 kilometres from Pakistan&#39;s capital city of Islamabad, strongly suggest the&nbsp;group&#39;s involvement in the September 18 attack in Uri,&nbsp;which left 20 Indian soldiers dead.&nbsp;

The Indian Army had earlier&nbsp;blamed&nbsp;Jaish-e-Mohammed for the attack.&nbsp;

LeT,&nbsp;a&nbsp;terror group believed to be working out of Pakistan, has been previously blamed by India for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The Indian Express report stated: &quot;The posters name one perpetrator as Gujranwala resident Muhammad Anas, who operated under the alias Abu Siraqa. They invite local residents to join namaaz prayers for the Lashkar-e-Taiba&rsquo;s &#39;lion-hearted holy warrior Abu Siraqa Muhammad Anas, who sent 177 Hindu soldiers to hell at the Uri Brigade camp in occupied Kashmir, and thus drank from the glass of martyrdom&#39;.&quot;

The posters feature the face of Hafiz Saeed, the leader of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa,&nbsp;which is believed to be&nbsp;LeT&#39;s front group.

The posters also inform people that the last rites in absentia will be held at&nbsp;Bada Nullah, near Girjakh, Gujranwala.

It remains unclear if the terrorist organisation has called on people to gather for last rites in hometowns of the other three Uri attack perpetrators.&nbsp;

Ever since the Uri attack, India has claimed that the assault was carried out by militants who were helped by handlers based in Pakistan, allegations that were denied by Islamabad.

But LeT&#39;s public invitation is expected to put even more pressure on the Pakistani establishment.&nbsp;

So far, India&#39;s investigations agency has&nbsp;failed to furnish evidence of any Pakistan-based militant group&#39;s hand in the Uri attacks. Nor has it been able to identify the identities of the perpetrators.

(WION)

Lashkar-e-Taiba has put up posters in Pakistan's Gujranwala, urging people to attend last rites of militant involved in the September attack

Outlawed terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan's Gujranwala town has put up posters inviting people to attend the last rites in absentia of one of the four militants involved in the deadly attack on an Indian Army installation in Uri, Kashmir, according to The Indian Express. The posters put up in Gujranwala, roughly 220 kilometres from Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, strongly suggest the group's involvement in the September 18 attack in Uri, which left 20 Indian soldiers dead. The Indian Army had earlier blamed Jaish-e-Mohammed for the attack. LeT, a terror group believed to be working out of Pakistan, has been previously blamed by India for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The Indian Express report stated: "The posters name one perpetrator as Gujranwala resident Muhammad Anas, who operated under the alias Abu Siraqa. They invite local residents to join namaaz prayers for the Lashkar-e-Taiba’s 'lion-hearted holy warrior Abu Siraqa Muhammad Anas, who sent 177 Hindu soldiers to hell at the Uri Brigade camp in occupied Kashmir, and thus drank from the glass of martyrdom'." The posters feature the face of Hafiz Saeed, the leader of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa, which is believed to be LeT's front group. The posters also inform people that the last rites in absentia will be held at Bada Nullah, near Girjakh, Gujranwala. It remains unclear if the terrorist organisation has called on people to gather for last rites in hometowns of the other three Uri attack perpetrators. Ever since the Uri attack, India has claimed that the assault was carried out by militants who were helped by handlers based in Pakistan, allegations that were denied by Islamabad. But LeT's public invitation is expected to put even more pressure on the Pakistani establishment. So far, India's investigations agency has failed to furnish evidence of any Pakistan-based militant group's hand in the Uri attacks. Nor has it been able to identify the identities of the perpetrators. (WION)

Pakistan-based terror outfit invites people to honour slain Uri attack perpetrator

Indian film actor Salman Khan&#39;s comment that Pakistan artistes should not be treated like terrorists has invited a sharp reaction from nationalist political party Shiv Sena.&nbsp;

Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai said Khan was entitled to his opinion and that anti-Pakistan feelings could only be understood by &quot;patriotic people&quot;.

&quot;This maybe Salman Khan&#39;s matter, but the stand of Shiv Sena is clear that the country which has taken up enmity with us, killed innocent people and infiltrated borders at several areas, we do not think it&#39;s appropriate to maintain relations with any artists or players from that nation. These are feelings of the nation and only patriotic people can understand them,&quot; Desai said.&nbsp;

&quot;It may be his personal opinion, but we don&#39;t agree with it and we should not maintain any kind of relation with Pakistan, which is also the stand of the Shiv Sena,&quot; he further said.

Shiv Sena had ordered Pakistan artists to leave India following the September 18 attack on an Indian Army base in Uri, Kashmir, by four armed men who New Delhi believe were supported by Islamabad.&nbsp;

But when Salman Khan was asked about his opinion about Sena&#39;s ultimatum, he said, &quot;Pakistani artists are just artists and not terrorists. Terrorism and art are two different subjects. They come with proper visa and the government gives them a work permit.&quot;

(WION)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Shiv Sena had asked Pakistan artists staying in India to leave the country following the Uri attack on September 18

Indian film actor Salman Khan's comment that Pakistan artistes should not be treated like terrorists has invited a sharp reaction from nationalist political party Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai said Khan was entitled to his opinion and that anti-Pakistan feelings could only be understood by "patriotic people". "This maybe Salman Khan's matter, but the stand of Shiv Sena is clear that the country which has taken up enmity with us, killed innocent people and infiltrated borders at several areas, we do not think it's appropriate to maintain relations with any artists or players from that nation. These are feelings of the nation and only patriotic people can understand them," Desai said. "It may be his personal opinion, but we don't agree with it and we should not maintain any kind of relation with Pakistan, which is also the stand of the Shiv Sena," he further said. Shiv Sena had ordered Pakistan artists to leave India following the September 18 attack on an Indian Army base in Uri, Kashmir, by four armed men who New Delhi believe were supported by Islamabad. But when Salman Khan was asked about his opinion about Sena's ultimatum, he said, "Pakistani artists are just artists and not terrorists. Terrorism and art are two different subjects. They come with proper visa and the government gives them a work permit." (WION)

Indian nationalist party slams Salman Khan for supporting Pakistan artistes

Peace talks between Islamabad and New Delhi remain suspended, Pakistan&#39;s top diplomat Sartaj Aziz said on Friday.

&quot;No backdoor diplomacy going on between Pakistan and India,&rdquo; Pakistan Prime Minister&rsquo;s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told Express News channel.

Aziz also accused India of blaming Pakistan after every terrorist attack in their country &quot;without providing any solid evidence&quot;.

He also refuted reports that Pakistan was marginalised in international fora.

He said Pakistan was moving in the right direction, citing its closeness to China.

The diplomat said Islamabad continues to enjoy good&nbsp;bilateral relations with western countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

He was responding to queries after a recent newspaper report written by Cyril Almeida suggested that the civilian government feared international isolation if homegrown jihadis were not cracked down by the Pakistani establishment.

&#39;Nervous&#39; India

Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office also suggested that India&#39;s cross-LoC attack in Pakistan-administered Kashmir late last month was a &quot;diplomatic offensive&quot; to mask its poor human rights record in Kashmir, Dawn reported.

Its&nbsp;spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said India&#39;s &quot;nervousness&quot; was evident during its &quot;ceasefire violations along the LoC (Line of Control is a border that separates India and Pakistan)&quot;.

The Foreign Office put the spotlight on the plight of people residing in India-administered Kashmir, saying: &quot;Kashmiri people have been barred from offering prayers for 17 consecutive weeks.&rdquo;

A wave of violent protests ripped through India&#39;s Kashmir after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed by Indian security forces in a July 8 encounter. More than 80 people have been killed so far in the state, which has been in a shutdown mode for over three months.

(WION)

Pakistan's top diplomat Sartaj Aziz also rejected suggestions that Islamabad had been isolated in international fora

Peace talks between Islamabad and New Delhi remain suspended, Pakistan's top diplomat Sartaj Aziz said on Friday. "No backdoor diplomacy going on between Pakistan and India,” Pakistan Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told Express News channel. Aziz also accused India of blaming Pakistan after every terrorist attack in their country "without providing any solid evidence". He also refuted reports that Pakistan was marginalised in international fora. He said Pakistan was moving in the right direction, citing its closeness to China. The diplomat said Islamabad continues to enjoy good bilateral relations with western countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. He was responding to queries after a recent newspaper report written by Cyril Almeida suggested that the civilian government feared international isolation if homegrown jihadis were not cracked down by the Pakistani establishment. 'Nervous' India Pakistan's Foreign Office also suggested that India's cross-LoC attack in Pakistan-administered Kashmir late last month was a "diplomatic offensive" to mask its poor human rights record in Kashmir, Dawn reported. Its spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said India's "nervousness" was evident during its "ceasefire violations along the LoC (Line of Control is a border that separates India and Pakistan)". The Foreign Office put the spotlight on the plight of people residing in India-administered Kashmir, saying: "Kashmiri people have been barred from offering prayers for 17 consecutive weeks.” A wave of violent protests ripped through India's Kashmir after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed by Indian security forces in a July 8 encounter. More than 80 people have been killed so far in the state, which has been in a shutdown mode for over three months. (WION)

India accuses us of every terror attack without solid evidence, says Pak's foreign minister

Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar has urged Pakistan to show &quot;courage&quot; by allowing jihadi&nbsp;fighters to enter Kashmir and &quot;resolve the issue once and for all&quot;.

In a column published on the front page of the Jaish mouthpiece al-Qalam, Azhar wrote Islamabad&#39;s pro-jihad policy in Kashmir in the 1990s had weakened India&#39;s military capability, saying it had been reduced&nbsp;from a &quot;serpent to an earthworm&quot;.

Jaish-e-Mohammad, a jihadist organisation determined to liberate Kashmir from India, has been blamed by New Delhi for waging the deadly attack on an Indian Army installation in Uri, Kashmir, on September 18.&nbsp;

Azhar&nbsp;also slammed the Pakistani establishment for its recent dithering policies.

He said Pakistan, not India, should have &quot;cancelled the SAARC conference&quot;.

Azhar&#39;s exhortations come days after reports emerged about friction between the civilian government and the army over the latter&#39;s seemingly pro-jihadi policies.

According to a recent report penned by Dawn&#39;s Cyril Almeida, the civilian government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had asked the army to not protect Azhar and Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi.

But Azhar in his column stressed that allowing jihadi groups to enter Kashmir would put India under pressure, saying the &quot;bitter memories of 1971&quot; would be &quot;dissolved into the triumphant emotions of 2016&quot;.&nbsp;

He said the Indian army was not particularly strong, as evidenced by the Pathankot and Uri attacks on Indian Army installations, which killed three and 18 security personnel respectively. &quot;What remained of its military prowess was exposed in Pathankot and Uri,&rdquo; he wrote.&nbsp;

(WION)

Masood Azhar slams Islamabad for going soft on India, days after the government reportedly asked the army to swoop on homegrown jihadis

Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar has urged Pakistan to show "courage" by allowing jihadi fighters to enter Kashmir and "resolve the issue once and for all". In a column published on the front page of the Jaish mouthpiece al-Qalam, Azhar wrote Islamabad's pro-jihad policy in Kashmir in the 1990s had weakened India's military capability, saying it had been reduced from a "serpent to an earthworm". Jaish-e-Mohammad, a jihadist organisation determined to liberate Kashmir from India, has been blamed by New Delhi for waging the deadly attack on an Indian Army installation in Uri, Kashmir, on September 18. Azhar also slammed the Pakistani establishment for its recent dithering policies. He said Pakistan, not India, should have "cancelled the SAARC conference". Azhar's exhortations come days after reports emerged about friction between the civilian government and the army over the latter's seemingly pro-jihadi policies. According to a recent report penned by Dawn's Cyril Almeida, the civilian government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had asked the army to not protect Azhar and Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi. But Azhar in his column stressed that allowing jihadi groups to enter Kashmir would put India under pressure, saying the "bitter memories of 1971" would be "dissolved into the triumphant emotions of 2016". He said the Indian army was not particularly strong, as evidenced by the Pathankot and Uri attacks on Indian Army installations, which killed three and 18 security personnel respectively. "What remained of its military prowess was exposed in Pathankot and Uri,” he wrote. (WION)

Jaish chief tells Pakistan to let militants enter Kashmir and 'resolve issue'

Chinese analysts believe India&#39;s decision to seal its border with Pakistan reflected a &quot;Cold War mentality&quot;&nbsp;as it would hurt bilateral trade between the two countries, Chinese newspaper Global Times reported.

&quot;India is&nbsp;making a very irrational decision, since no exhaustive investigation has been conducted after the Uri incident, and no evidence proves Pakistan is behind the attack,&quot; Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow of the Institute of International Relations of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said.

Hu also felt that&nbsp;it was important for the Kashmir issue to be resolved soon.&nbsp;

Wang Dehua, director of the Institute for Southern and Central Asian Studies at the Shanghai Municipal Center for International Studies, also believes that sealing the border would heighten tensions between the countries. &quot;The country&#39;s decision reflects its Cold War mentality, and would only cause deeper hatred among residents living in Indian- and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir,&quot; he said.

He also felt that getting China, Pakistan and India on one side would get difficult in future.

India is planning to completely close its border with Pakistan by December 2018 amid a&nbsp;surge in infiltration bids by jihadis.

Relations between India and Pakistan have hit a new low following the attack on an Indian Army installation in Uri, Kashmir, on September 18. Eighteen soldiers were killed in the attack by four heavily-armed men, who New Delhi believes were supported by Islamabad.

India subsequently conducted surgical strikes to eliminate terror launch pads in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on the intervening night of September 28 and 29.

The rising ceasefire violations across the Line of Control (the border separating the two South Asian nations) has been cited by New Delhi as another reason to shut its 3,323-kilometre border. Recently, an unnamed senior Indian Army official said Pakistan was guilty of violating ceasefire 25 times since India launched the surgical strikes in the last week of September.

(WION)

&nbsp;

Chinese analysts reckon New Delhi's 'irrational' decision would hurt bilateral trade and 'cause deeper hatred' among Kashmiris

Chinese analysts believe India's decision to seal its border with Pakistan reflected a "Cold War mentality" as it would hurt bilateral trade between the two countries, Chinese newspaper Global Times reported. "India is making a very irrational decision, since no exhaustive investigation has been conducted after the Uri incident, and no evidence proves Pakistan is behind the attack," Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow of the Institute of International Relations of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said. Hu also felt that it was important for the Kashmir issue to be resolved soon. Wang Dehua, director of the Institute for Southern and Central Asian Studies at the Shanghai Municipal Center for International Studies, also believes that sealing the border would heighten tensions between the countries. "The country's decision reflects its Cold War mentality, and would only cause deeper hatred among residents living in Indian- and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir," he said. He also felt that getting China, Pakistan and India on one side would get difficult in future. India is planning to completely close its border with Pakistan by December 2018 amid a surge in infiltration bids by jihadis. Relations between India and Pakistan have hit a new low following the attack on an Indian Army installation in Uri, Kashmir, on September 18. Eighteen soldiers were killed in the attack by four heavily-armed men, who New Delhi believes were supported by Islamabad. India subsequently conducted surgical strikes to eliminate terror launch pads in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on the intervening night of September 28 and 29. The rising ceasefire violations across the Line of Control (the border separating the two South Asian nations) has been cited by New Delhi as another reason to shut its 3,323-kilometre border. Recently, an unnamed senior Indian Army official said Pakistan was guilty of violating ceasefire 25 times since India launched the surgical strikes in the last week of September. (WION)

India's decision to seal Pakistan border reflects 'Cold War mentality'

A prominent Pakistani journalist, who recently reported about the heated standoff between the civilian government and the army over treatment of jihadi groups in the country, has been barred from travelling abroad.

Cyril Almeida, an assistant editor at Pakistani newspaper Dawn, took to Twitter to say that he has been put on the &#39;Exit Control List&#39;, days after he published about how Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif confronted army&#39;s intelligence chief Rizwan Akhtar and accused his agency of protecting jihadist groups operating in the country. People on the Exit Control List are prohibited from leaving the country.&nbsp;

Almeida was supposed to board a flight to Dubai for a family vacation on Tuesday, but was told the previous evening that he could not leave the country.

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I am told and have been informed and have been shown evidence that I am on the Exit Control List.
&mdash; cyril almeida (@cyalm) <a href="https://twitter.com/cyalm/status/785559786519666688">October 10, 2016</a></blockquote>
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I feel sad tonight. This is my life, my country. What went wrong.
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<a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1288350">In an October 3 story that was published on the front page of Dawn</a>, Almeida had quoted unnamed officials who had attended the All Parties&#39; Conference as saying that Nawaz Sharif bluntly told Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general Rizwan Akhtar that his agency had to take tough measures against jihadist groups or risk facing international isolation.

Almeida was unable to name his sources in the report because no-one wanted to come on record.

Almedia&#39;s report stated that the civilian government did not want the ISI to provide covert help to jihadis.

The story created ripples in Islamabad. The Pakistani government denied the veracity of the report thrice, each rebuttal more strongly worded than the previous one.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister&#39;s office denied any such confrontation and termed the news story as &quot;misleading&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;The participants were unanimous that the published story was clearly violative of universally acknowledged principles of reporting on National Security issues and has risked the vital state interests through inclusion of inaccurate and misleading contents which had no relevance to actual discussion and facts,&quot; the third statement issued by the Office of Prime Minister read.

Dawn&nbsp;has defended Almeida&#39;s story, saying it &quot;was verified, cross-checked and fact-checked&quot;.

The report was particularly embarrassing for Islamabad as it was published barely a fortnight after four armed men launched a deadly attack on an Indian Army installation in Uri, Kashmir. India believes that Islamabad helped the four militants in launching the assault, which left 18 Indian soldiers dead.

At the time, Pakistan was attempting to pressure India about its human rights violation in Kashmir but the Uri attack eclipsed the civil unrest in the Valley. Pakistan was condemned&nbsp;in international fora for its inability to clamp down on jihadis living in the country.&nbsp;

(WION)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Cyril Almeida had reported about a confrontation between the government and the army over divergent policies in tackling homegrown jihadists

A prominent Pakistani journalist, who recently reported about the heated standoff between the civilian government and the army over treatment of jihadi groups in the country, has been barred from travelling abroad. Cyril Almeida, an assistant editor at Pakistani newspaper Dawn, took to Twitter to say that he has been put on the 'Exit Control List', days after he published about how Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif confronted army's intelligence chief Rizwan Akhtar and accused his agency of protecting jihadist groups operating in the country. People on the Exit Control List are prohibited from leaving the country. Almeida was supposed to board a flight to Dubai for a family vacation on Tuesday, but was told the previous evening that he could not leave the country. I am told and have been informed and have been shown evidence that I am on the Exit Control List. — cyril almeida (@cyalm) October 10, 2016 × I feel sad tonight. This is my life, my country. What went wrong. — cyril almeida (@cyalm) October 10, 2016 × In an October 3 story that was published on the front page of Dawn, Almeida had quoted unnamed officials who had attended the All Parties' Conference as saying that Nawaz Sharif bluntly told Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general Rizwan Akhtar that his agency had to take tough measures against jihadist groups or risk facing international isolation. Almeida was unable to name his sources in the report because no-one wanted to come on record. Almedia's report stated that the civilian government did not want the ISI to provide covert help to jihadis. The story created ripples in Islamabad. The Pakistani government denied the veracity of the report thrice, each rebuttal more strongly worded than the previous one. The Prime Minister's office denied any such confrontation and termed the news story as "misleading". "The participants were unanimous that the published story was clearly violative of universally acknowledged principles of reporting on National Security issues and has risked the vital state interests through inclusion of inaccurate and misleading contents which had no relevance to actual discussion and facts," the third statement issued by the Office of Prime Minister read. Dawn has defended Almeida's story, saying it "was verified, cross-checked and fact-checked". The report was particularly embarrassing for Islamabad as it was published barely a fortnight after four armed men launched a deadly attack on an Indian Army installation in Uri, Kashmir. India believes that Islamabad helped the four militants in launching the assault, which left 18 Indian soldiers dead. At the time, Pakistan was attempting to pressure India about its human rights violation in Kashmir but the Uri attack eclipsed the civil unrest in the Valley. Pakistan was condemned in international fora for its inability to clamp down on jihadis living in the country. (WION)

Senior Pakistani journalist barred from leaving country after writing ISI-government showdown report

Popular Pakistani actor Fawad Khan has spoken out for the first time about the increasing tension between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Uri attacks and the subsequent surgical strikes by India.

In a Facebook post on Friday, the 34-year-old wrote that as a father of two children, he wished for a more peaceful world. &nbsp;

&quot;As a father of two little children, I pray and wish like many others that together we can build and live in a more peaceful world. I believe we owe it to our children who will shape our tomorrow,&quot; stated the actor, whose Bollywood film &quot;Ae Dil Hai Mushkil&quot; releases in India on October 28. He does a cameo in the film.

He concluded by saying: I thank all my fans and fellow artists from Pakistan, India and people in general all over the world who have shown continued support for their belief in love and understanding to unite a divisive world. 
&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

Paskistani artistes were banned from working in India by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers&#39; Association (IMPPA) last month in the wake of the Uri attack that claimed the lives of 19 soldiers. All Pakistani artistes and technicians are barred from working in the country till the bilateral tensions cease,&nbsp;according to a motion passed by the association.&nbsp;

The Mahrashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a political party based in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, had also issued an ultimatum to Pakistani artistes ordering them to leave the country.&nbsp;The party has also threatened to stall the releases of &quot;Ae Dil Hai Mushkil&quot; and &quot;Raees&quot;, starring Pakistani actors.&nbsp;

Indian filmmaker Karan Johar, who has directed Fawad in &quot;Ae Dil Hai Mushkil&quot;, had spoken out against the MNS ban, saying that banning artistes was not a solution and that the film industry must not be made a &quot;soft target&quot; in times like these.

Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor, who co-stars with Fawad, actress Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai in &quot;Ae Dil Hai Mushkil&quot; also cautioned against &#39;getting swept away with bitterness and negativity&#39;.

&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to sound preachy and like a &lsquo;healer talker&rsquo; but we are living in some hard times right now. I hope that you guys don&rsquo;t get swept away with the bitterness and negativity, the violence that&rsquo;s happening around the world and around us,&rdquo; the actor told the press a few days back.

The Indian film industry is deeply divided on the issue. While some artistes have critised the decision to ban Pakistani performers, many in the industry such as Randeep Hooda, Sonali Bendre and Nana Patekar have supported the move.

(WION)

Paskistani artistes were banned from working in India by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association last month

Popular Pakistani actor Fawad Khan has spoken out for the first time about the increasing tension between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Uri attacks and the subsequent surgical strikes by India. In a Facebook post on Friday, the 34-year-old wrote that as a father of two children, he wished for a more peaceful world. "As a father of two little children, I pray and wish like many others that together we can build and live in a more peaceful world. I believe we owe it to our children who will shape our tomorrow," stated the actor, whose Bollywood film "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" releases in India on October 28. He does a cameo in the film. He concluded by saying: I thank all my fans and fellow artists from Pakistan, India and people in general all over the world who have shown continued support for their belief in love and understanding to unite a divisive world. × Paskistani artistes were banned from working in India by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA) last month in the wake of the Uri attack that claimed the lives of 19 soldiers. All Pakistani artistes and technicians are barred from working in the country till the bilateral tensions cease, according to a motion passed by the association. The Mahrashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a political party based in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, had also issued an ultimatum to Pakistani artistes ordering them to leave the country. The party has also threatened to stall the releases of "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" and "Raees", starring Pakistani actors. Indian filmmaker Karan Johar, who has directed Fawad in "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", had spoken out against the MNS ban, saying that banning artistes was not a solution and that the film industry must not be made a "soft target" in times like these. Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor, who co-stars with Fawad, actress Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai in "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" also cautioned against 'getting swept away with bitterness and negativity'. “I don’t want to sound preachy and like a ‘healer talker’ but we are living in some hard times right now. I hope that you guys don’t get swept away with the bitterness and negativity, the violence that’s happening around the world and around us,” the actor told the press a few days back. The Indian film industry is deeply divided on the issue. While some artistes have critised the decision to ban Pakistani performers, many in the industry such as Randeep Hooda, Sonali Bendre and Nana Patekar have supported the move. (WION)

Pakistani actor Fawad Khan on Indo-Pak tensions: Wish we can build a more peaceful world

Pakistan has been debarred from the upcoming 12-nation Kabaddi World Cup in India amid&nbsp;escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Iran will take on newcomers the United States in Friday&#39;s opening round of the tournament, which will also feature Australia, South Korea, England, Poland, Kenya and Argentina.

Confirming the news, International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) chief Deoraj Chaturvedi said that Pakistan has been denied entry in the upcoming tournament because it is not the right time to engage with them.

&quot;Pakistan is a valuable member of the IKF but looking at the current scenario and in the best interest of both the nations, we decided that Pakistan must be refrained from the championship,&quot; Chaturvedi was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Pakistan accused the IKF of unfairly targeting their country, while insisting that both rival nations should have been excluded if there were security concerns.

Comparing his country&#39;s exclusion with that of Football World Cup without Brazil, Pakistan Kabaddi Federation secretary Rana Muhammad Sarwar said that &quot;a Kabaddi World Cup is no World Cup without Pakistan&quot;.

Hostilities between the two nations have flared up, after the Indian Army declared last week that they had carried out surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) to neutralise terrorists from crossing&nbsp;into India. Two Pakistani soldiers and over 30 terrorists were reportedly killed in the attack.

The surgical strikes were in response to the terrorist attack at Uri, in Jammu and Kashmir, that killed 19 Indian Army soldiers.

(ANI)

International Kabaddi Federation chief said that Pakistan has been denied entry because it is not the right time to engage with them

Pakistan has been debarred from the upcoming 12-nation Kabaddi World Cup in India amid escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Iran will take on newcomers the United States in Friday's opening round of the tournament, which will also feature Australia, South Korea, England, Poland, Kenya and Argentina. Confirming the news, International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) chief Deoraj Chaturvedi said that Pakistan has been denied entry in the upcoming tournament because it is not the right time to engage with them. "Pakistan is a valuable member of the IKF but looking at the current scenario and in the best interest of both the nations, we decided that Pakistan must be refrained from the championship," Chaturvedi was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, Pakistan accused the IKF of unfairly targeting their country, while insisting that both rival nations should have been excluded if there were security concerns. Comparing his country's exclusion with that of Football World Cup without Brazil, Pakistan Kabaddi Federation secretary Rana Muhammad Sarwar said that "a Kabaddi World Cup is no World Cup without Pakistan". Hostilities between the two nations have flared up, after the Indian Army declared last week that they had carried out surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) to neutralise terrorists from crossing into India. Two Pakistani soldiers and over 30 terrorists were reportedly killed in the attack. The surgical strikes were in response to the terrorist attack at Uri, in Jammu and Kashmir, that killed 19 Indian Army soldiers. (ANI)

Pakistan prohibited from participating in Kabaddi World Cup in India

The European Parliament&#39;s vice-president has lauded India&#39;s &quot;proactive operation&quot; against militants in India-administered Kashmir on Tuesday, Indian news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Vice president Ryszard Czarnecki has been&nbsp;quoted as saying:&nbsp;&quot;India&#39;s cross-border action against terrorists on its borders with Pakistan should be commended and supported by the international community. &nbsp;India has clearly indicated that these attacks were not against the Pakistani state, but focused against terror groups that threatened peace and stability in the region.&quot;

&nbsp;

Czarnecki&#39;s comments were published in the European Parliament&#39;s monthly magazine where he praised India&#39;s decision and called on the European Union to continue to put pressure on Pakistan to get rid of terror outfits from within its borders.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;The time has come for the world to act decisively against terrorism, and ensure that no terror group is assured of a secure haven in any part of the world,&quot; he said.

&nbsp;

&quot;India deserves global support in its fight against terror emanating from Pakistan, for if left unchecked, these individuals and groups would be attacking Europe and the West, soon. It is also important for the European Union to maintain pressure on Pakistan to eliminate the terror networks that operate within its borders,&quot; the Press Trust of India quoted him saying.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Czarnecki&#39;s further added that the surgical strikes carried out were&nbsp;&quot; probably a first by India&quot;, a retaliation after militants&nbsp;attacked an Indian army base in Uri, close to the Line of Control.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;We have witnessed the alarming growth of Pak-linked terror modules in Europe and other parts of the world. The close proximity between the Pak security establishment and terror groups has also given rise to a situation where organisations propagating Islamic militancy in Pakistan enjoy de facto state patronage,&quot; Czarnecki said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from PTI)

 
&nbsp;

Ryszard Czarnecki praised India's 'proactive action' against militants and asked EU to pressure Pakistan to eliminate terror groups

The European Parliament's vice-president has lauded India's "proactive operation" against militants in India-administered Kashmir on Tuesday, Indian news agency PTI reported. Vice president Ryszard Czarnecki has been quoted as saying: "India's cross-border action against terrorists on its borders with Pakistan should be commended and supported by the international community. India has clearly indicated that these attacks were not against the Pakistani state, but focused against terror groups that threatened peace and stability in the region." Czarnecki's comments were published in the European Parliament's monthly magazine where he praised India's decision and called on the European Union to continue to put pressure on Pakistan to get rid of terror outfits from within its borders. "The time has come for the world to act decisively against terrorism, and ensure that no terror group is assured of a secure haven in any part of the world," he said. "India deserves global support in its fight against terror emanating from Pakistan, for if left unchecked, these individuals and groups would be attacking Europe and the West, soon. It is also important for the European Union to maintain pressure on Pakistan to eliminate the terror networks that operate within its borders," the Press Trust of India quoted him saying. Czarnecki's further added that the surgical strikes carried out were " probably a first by India", a retaliation after militants attacked an Indian army base in Uri, close to the Line of Control. "We have witnessed the alarming growth of Pak-linked terror modules in Europe and other parts of the world. The close proximity between the Pak security establishment and terror groups has also given rise to a situation where organisations propagating Islamic militancy in Pakistan enjoy de facto state patronage," Czarnecki said. (WION with inputs from PTI)

European Parliament VP lauds India's surgical strikes

The Indian Express newspaper reported Wednesday that it had spoken to eyewitness across the Line of Control -- the line dividing India and Pakistan -- and that the witnesses&nbsp;had provided it graphic accounts of the Indian army&#39;s surgical strikes last week on &quot;jihadists&#39; staging posts&quot; in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The eyewitnesses told the Indian Express &quot;how bodies of those killed in clashes before dawn on September 29 were loaded onto trucks for secret burials. The&nbsp;eyewitnesses also described brief but intense fire engagements that destroyed makeshift buildings that housed jihadists before they left for the last stage of their journeys across the LoC&quot;.&nbsp;

The Express reported that the eyewitnesses&#39;&nbsp;reports corroborate India&#39;s claims that it had carried out the surgical strikes --&nbsp;a claim that is denied by Pakistan. Pakistan has so far said there were no strikes on its territory, and that only its forward military posts had come under small arms and mortar fire. (Pakistan does however at this point have an Indian soldier in its custody&nbsp;who the Indian army says &quot;inadvertently crossed the LoC&quot;.)&nbsp;

The eyewitness accounts, the Express reported, also provide,&nbsp;for the first time,&nbsp;details about some of the locations targeted in the Indian army&#39;s special forces&#39;&nbsp;operation. Both the Indian and Pakistani governments have given out no information on those so far. The Express also reported that the eyewitness accounts it had collated suggested the number of jihadists killed&nbsp;in the strikes was far lower than the 38-50 figure that the Indian side has given out. (Addressing a press conference the morning after the strikes, the Indian director general of military operations had said the strikes had inflicted &quot;significant casualties&quot;. He had not given an exact&nbsp;number but unnamed sources had told a number of news organisations (including WION) that between 38 to 50 jihadists had been killed in the strikes.)&nbsp;

An answer India &#39;would never forget&#39;

The Indian Express spoke to five eyewitnesses, getting in touch&nbsp;with them via their families living on the Indian side of the LoC. Questions were sent to them &quot;using a commercially available encyrpted chat system&quot;.&nbsp;The identities of the eyewitnesses have been withheld for the safety of their relatives on the Indian side of the LoC, the Express said.&nbsp;

A total of five eyewitnesses were spoken to.&nbsp;The Express reported that the most detailed account of the fighting came from two eyewitnesses who visited Dudhnial, a small hamlet some 4 km across the LoC. The Express said &quot;local residents told one of the eyewitnesses that loud explosions... were heard from across the Al-Haawi bridge late in the night, along with intense small-arms fire.&quot;&nbsp;

The eyewitnesses told the Express that&nbsp;locals did not come out to see what was happening, &quot;so did not see Indian soldiers&quot; but they gathered from members of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (which has been&nbsp;designated a terror outfit by a number of countries) that they had been attacked.&nbsp;

The eyewitnesses added that &quot;five, perhaps six, bodies were loaded on to a truck early next morning, and possibly transported to the nearest major Lashkar camp at Chalhana&quot;.

The Express reported another eyewitness as saying that Friday prayers at a mosque in Chalhana ended with a cleric vowing to avenge the deaths of the men killed the previous day. &quot;The Lashkar men gathered there were blaming the Pak army for failing to defend the border&quot;&nbsp;and &quot;saying they would soon give India an answer it would never forget&quot;.&nbsp;

&#39;Unsafe, one step back&#39;

The Indian Express also reported that it had accessed nine intelligence alerts issued the week before the surgical strikes. It said the alerts &quot;flagged only small groups of five to 10 infiltrators biding their time at launch pads&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;They were basically sitting around thinking it was business as usual,&quot; the Express quoted an official familiar with the intelligence as saying. &quot;Many of them would have died crossing the LoC anyway, when they hit our defences but this (the strikes) has made them feel unsafe one step back in their journeys.&quot;

(WION)

The accounts corroborate the Indian version of events; Pakistan has denied the strikes ever took place on territory controlled by it

The Indian Express newspaper reported Wednesday that it had spoken to eyewitness across the Line of Control -- the line dividing India and Pakistan -- and that the witnesses had provided it graphic accounts of the Indian army's surgical strikes last week on "jihadists' staging posts" in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The eyewitnesses told the Indian Express "how bodies of those killed in clashes before dawn on September 29 were loaded onto trucks for secret burials. The eyewitnesses also described brief but intense fire engagements that destroyed makeshift buildings that housed jihadists before they left for the last stage of their journeys across the LoC". The Express reported that the eyewitnesses' reports corroborate India's claims that it had carried out the surgical strikes -- a claim that is denied by Pakistan. Pakistan has so far said there were no strikes on its territory, and that only its forward military posts had come under small arms and mortar fire. (Pakistan does however at this point have an Indian soldier in its custody who the Indian army says "inadvertently crossed the LoC".) The eyewitness accounts, the Express reported, also provide, for the first time, details about some of the locations targeted in the Indian army's special forces' operation. Both the Indian and Pakistani governments have given out no information on those so far. The Express also reported that the eyewitness accounts it had collated suggested the number of jihadists killed in the strikes was far lower than the 38-50 figure that the Indian side has given out. (Addressing a press conference the morning after the strikes, the Indian director general of military operations had said the strikes had inflicted "significant casualties". He had not given an exact number but unnamed sources had told a number of news organisations (including WION) that between 38 to 50 jihadists had been killed in the strikes.) An answer India 'would never forget' The Indian Express spoke to five eyewitnesses, getting in touch with them via their families living on the Indian side of the LoC. Questions were sent to them "using a commercially available encyrpted chat system". The identities of the eyewitnesses have been withheld for the safety of their relatives on the Indian side of the LoC, the Express said. A total of five eyewitnesses were spoken to. The Express reported that the most detailed account of the fighting came from two eyewitnesses who visited Dudhnial, a small hamlet some 4 km across the LoC. The Express said "local residents told one of the eyewitnesses that loud explosions... were heard from across the Al-Haawi bridge late in the night, along with intense small-arms fire." The eyewitnesses told the Express that locals did not come out to see what was happening, "so did not see Indian soldiers" but they gathered from members of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (which has been designated a terror outfit by a number of countries) that they had been attacked. The eyewitnesses added that "five, perhaps six, bodies were loaded on to a truck early next morning, and possibly transported to the nearest major Lashkar camp at Chalhana". The Express reported another eyewitness as saying that Friday prayers at a mosque in Chalhana ended with a cleric vowing to avenge the deaths of the men killed the previous day. "The Lashkar men gathered there were blaming the Pak army for failing to defend the border" and "saying they would soon give India an answer it would never forget". 'Unsafe, one step back' The Indian Express also reported that it had accessed nine intelligence alerts issued the week before the surgical strikes. It said the alerts "flagged only small groups of five to 10 infiltrators biding their time at launch pads". "They were basically sitting around thinking it was business as usual," the Express quoted an official familiar with the intelligence as saying. "Many of them would have died crossing the LoC anyway, when they hit our defences but this (the strikes) has made them feel unsafe one step back in their journeys." (WION)

India surgical strikes: Eyewitnesses provide graphic accounts of Indian Army's operations against militants in Pak-administered Kashmir

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today assured his country&#39;s full support to New Delhi as he condemned the September 18 Uri attack in Kashmir during the meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;Singapore is a firm believer in India, we continue to contribute where we can,&quot; he was quoted as saying by Indian news agency ANI. Loong also condemned the death of Indian soldiers during the attack on Indian Army base in the Valley about two weeks ago.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Meanwhile, another news agency, PTI, reported that the two countries have decided to strengthen cooperation in countering threats of rising terrorism.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

According to the Indian news agency, Modi termed cross- border terrorism and increasing radicalisation as &quot;grave challenges&quot; that endanger the very fabric of the two societies.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It&#39;s pertinent to mention that war of words has intensified between India and Pakistan following last week&#39;s surgical strikes by India in Pak-administered Kashmir last week and millitant attack on Indian Army camp in Baramulla on Sunday night. &nbsp;Both the countries accused each other of cross-border firing on Monday.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In the wake of growing Indo-Pak strain, Moscow has also voiced terror concerns with Russia&#39;s ambassador to New Delhi Alexander M Kadakin saying that it &quot;welcomes&quot; the surgical strike by India as every country has a right to defend itself. He also insisted that&nbsp;his country had always been with India in fighting cross-border terrorism.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Meanwhile, amid rising international pressure, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has reiterated that his government&#39;s top policy priority is to &quot;end violent extremism and terrorism in the country&quot;.

&nbsp;

&quot;War against terrorism and violent extremism is the&nbsp;main component of our national policy aimed at bringing peace and security in the country,&quot; Sharif was quoted as saying by PTI.

&nbsp;

He was speaking&nbsp;at a meeting today&nbsp;convened to review the progress of National Action Plan (NAP) devised after the 2014 Peshawar school attack to eliminate militancy.

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Growing Indo-Pak strain has drawn attention from across the world in the past few weeks, especially after Sep 18 Uri attacks

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today assured his country's full support to New Delhi as he condemned the September 18 Uri attack in Kashmir during the meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. "Singapore is a firm believer in India, we continue to contribute where we can," he was quoted as saying by Indian news agency ANI. Loong also condemned the death of Indian soldiers during the attack on Indian Army base in the Valley about two weeks ago. Meanwhile, another news agency, PTI, reported that the two countries have decided to strengthen cooperation in countering threats of rising terrorism. According to the Indian news agency, Modi termed cross- border terrorism and increasing radicalisation as "grave challenges" that endanger the very fabric of the two societies. It's pertinent to mention that war of words has intensified between India and Pakistan following last week's surgical strikes by India in Pak-administered Kashmir last week and millitant attack on Indian Army camp in Baramulla on Sunday night. Both the countries accused each other of cross-border firing on Monday. In the wake of growing Indo-Pak strain, Moscow has also voiced terror concerns with Russia's ambassador to New Delhi Alexander M Kadakin saying that it "welcomes" the surgical strike by India as every country has a right to defend itself. He also insisted that his country had always been with India in fighting cross-border terrorism. Meanwhile, amid rising international pressure, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has reiterated that his government's top policy priority is to "end violent extremism and terrorism in the country". "War against terrorism and violent extremism is the main component of our national policy aimed at bringing peace and security in the country," Sharif was quoted as saying by PTI. He was speaking at a meeting today convened to review the progress of National Action Plan (NAP) devised after the 2014 Peshawar school attack to eliminate militancy. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Russia and Singapore support India against cross-border terror, Sharif vows to act against militancy?

Amid brewing tensions between India and Pakistan, Pakistan&#39;s top diplomat, Sartaj Aziz, today said that the two South Asian countries have decided to reduce tensions, Indian news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Referring to the first contact between the national security advisors &nbsp;(NSA) &nbsp;of the two countries following the September 18 Uri attack in Kashmir that killed at least 19 Indian soldiers, the adviser to Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister on national security and foreign Affairs, Aziz, informed that India&#39;s NSA Ajit Doval and his Pakistani counterpart Nasir Janjua spoke over the&nbsp;phone and talked about diffusing tensions along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border between the two countries.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;Pakistan wants to reduce tensions on LoC and focus on Kashmir,&quot; Pakistani broadcaster Geo News quoted him as saying.

&nbsp;

Indian Army last week said that it had carried out surgical strikes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Wednesday across the terror launch pads. The surgical strikes were viewed as a retaliation to the militant attacks in Uri.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A&nbsp;militant attack was also reported at the headquarter of Baramulla area of Kashmir on Sunday night that killed one security personnel.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Aziz also referred to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif&#39;s recent remarks at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and said that Sharif had explained to the world leaders that the incidents of border tensions would continue between both countries without the resolution of Kashmir dispute.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Indo-Pak border skirmishes&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Meanwhile, both the nations continue to accuse each other of violating ceasefire along the Indo-Pak border.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Indian Army today claimed that Pakistan targeted army posts and civilian post areas in the border town of Poonch, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Public relations officer of Indian defence ministry, Manish Mehta, was quoted as saying by the international news agency that Indian forces gave a befitting reply to the ceasefire violations.

&nbsp;

&quot;Pakistan army carried out unprovoked ceasefire violations in Poonch sector in Shahpur area, using small arms, automatic (weapons) and mortar (shells). We have given them a befitting reply and ceasefire violation is still continuing,&quot; Mehta said in Jammu city.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;Presently, we don&#39;t have any report of loss to civilians. However, we have not suffered any kind of causality or any kind of loss,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

While on the other hand, AFP quoted a&nbsp;statement by Pakistan&#39;s military that read: &quot;Indian troops yet again resorted to unprovoked firing after midnight at the Line of Control (LoC) in Iftikharabad sector and Pakistani troops befittingly responded.&quot; &nbsp;According to the statement, the exchange ended in the morning.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

While diplomatic efforts are on to diffuse tensions, the two South Asian countries today accused each other of ceasefire violations

Amid brewing tensions between India and Pakistan, Pakistan's top diplomat, Sartaj Aziz, today said that the two South Asian countries have decided to reduce tensions, Indian news agency PTI reported. Referring to the first contact between the national security advisors (NSA) of the two countries following the September 18 Uri attack in Kashmir that killed at least 19 Indian soldiers, the adviser to Pakistan's Prime Minister on national security and foreign Affairs, Aziz, informed that India's NSA Ajit Doval and his Pakistani counterpart Nasir Janjua spoke over the phone and talked about diffusing tensions along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border between the two countries. "Pakistan wants to reduce tensions on LoC and focus on Kashmir," Pakistani broadcaster Geo News quoted him as saying. Indian Army last week said that it had carried out surgical strikes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Wednesday across the terror launch pads. The surgical strikes were viewed as a retaliation to the militant attacks in Uri. A militant attack was also reported at the headquarter of Baramulla area of Kashmir on Sunday night that killed one security personnel. Aziz also referred to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's recent remarks at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and said that Sharif had explained to the world leaders that the incidents of border tensions would continue between both countries without the resolution of Kashmir dispute. Indo-Pak border skirmishes Meanwhile, both the nations continue to accuse each other of violating ceasefire along the Indo-Pak border. Indian Army today claimed that Pakistan targeted army posts and civilian post areas in the border town of Poonch, Reuters reported. Public relations officer of Indian defence ministry, Manish Mehta, was quoted as saying by the international news agency that Indian forces gave a befitting reply to the ceasefire violations. "Pakistan army carried out unprovoked ceasefire violations in Poonch sector in Shahpur area, using small arms, automatic (weapons) and mortar (shells). We have given them a befitting reply and ceasefire violation is still continuing," Mehta said in Jammu city. "Presently, we don't have any report of loss to civilians. However, we have not suffered any kind of causality or any kind of loss," he added. While on the other hand, AFP quoted a statement by Pakistan's military that read: "Indian troops yet again resorted to unprovoked firing after midnight at the Line of Control (LoC) in Iftikharabad sector and Pakistani troops befittingly responded." According to the statement, the exchange ended in the morning. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Pakistan, India NSAs agree to reduce tensions across border: Sartaj Aziz

Amid growing Indo-Pak strain following the September 18 Uri attack in Kashmir Valley and ensuing surgical strikes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India has never coveted any territory or attacked another country.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The comments were made during an inauguration ceremony in the national capital, Delhi, when in an apparent dig at Pakistan Modi said: &quot;India has never coveted territory, never attacked another country, yet thousands of Indians gave their lives in the first World War.&quot;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;In the last two years, you have seen how the government rescued people from conflict situations, not just Indians but foreigners too,&quot; Modi was quoted as saying during an event. &nbsp;He inaugurated Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra, a facility dedicated to the Indian community abroad, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

On September 18, militants infiltrated an Indian army base in Uri near the border in which at least 18&nbsp;soldiers were killed. India had&nbsp;hit back by conducting surgical strikes across Pakistan&#39;s side of the Line of Control at militant launchpads on Wednesday night.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

India&#39;s interior minister Rajnath Singh praised the soldiers for their bravery and said,&nbsp;&quot;The country as well as the whole world is aware of this (surgical strikes)..The way our jawans [soldiers] displayed valour and have made India proud.&quot;

&nbsp;

The minister also insisted to&nbsp;&quot;just wait and watch&quot; in reference to releasing the footage of the surgical strikes carried out.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pakistan is maintaining that its border is impenetrable and the strikes never happened.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Indian Army on Friday slammed Pakistani media for showing false videos depicting Indian casualties in one of the operations carried out by the neighbouring country amid escalating tensions. The Army labelled it as &quot;black propaganda&quot; for showing &quot;morphed images&quot;, Indian agency the Press Trust of India reported.

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Indian Prime Minister's statement comes as tensions continue to fester between India, Pakistan after Uri attack and ensuing surgical strikes

Amid growing Indo-Pak strain following the September 18 Uri attack in Kashmir Valley and ensuing surgical strikes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India has never coveted any territory or attacked another country. The comments were made during an inauguration ceremony in the national capital, Delhi, when in an apparent dig at Pakistan Modi said: "India has never coveted territory, never attacked another country, yet thousands of Indians gave their lives in the first World War." "In the last two years, you have seen how the government rescued people from conflict situations, not just Indians but foreigners too," Modi was quoted as saying during an event. He inaugurated Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra, a facility dedicated to the Indian community abroad, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. On September 18, militants infiltrated an Indian army base in Uri near the border in which at least 18 soldiers were killed. India had hit back by conducting surgical strikes across Pakistan's side of the Line of Control at militant launchpads on Wednesday night. India's interior minister Rajnath Singh praised the soldiers for their bravery and said, "The country as well as the whole world is aware of this (surgical strikes)..The way our jawans [soldiers] displayed valour and have made India proud." The minister also insisted to "just wait and watch" in reference to releasing the footage of the surgical strikes carried out. Pakistan is maintaining that its border is impenetrable and the strikes never happened. Meanwhile, the Indian Army on Friday slammed Pakistani media for showing false videos depicting Indian casualties in one of the operations carried out by the neighbouring country amid escalating tensions. The Army labelled it as "black propaganda" for showing "morphed images", Indian agency the Press Trust of India reported. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Modi: India never attacked another country, coveted territory

Nepal, the current South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Chair, on Saturday said it will hold talks with member states to push for holding the group&#39;s annual summit at the earliest.&nbsp;

Foreign minister Prakash Sharan Mahat said all necessary initiatives would be taken to ensure the participation of all eight member states.&nbsp;

Addressing a press conference, Mahat said SAARC states must be sensitive towards holding the 19th SAARC Summit which was postponed after five countries pulled out, including India. &nbsp;

&quot;SAARC is an important forum for advancing regional cooperation and development,&quot; the minister said.

The conference was scheduled to be held in Pakistan&#39;s capital Islamabad in November. India, followed by Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, refused to travel to Pakistan for the summit citing security concerns.&nbsp;

Continued tensions along the Line of Control and cross border terrorism by Pakistan made the environment unconducive for holding the meeting, India had announced earlier in the week.&nbsp;

The decision by the five member states forced Nepal to postpone the summit, as the summit cannot be held even if one member refuses to attend.&nbsp;

Mahat said that Pakistan as host should make a conducive environment for holding the summit.

Mahat also urged for a decision to be made on holding the summit, saying it is imperative to encourage harmonious relations between the member states to enhance regional development.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Nepal said it is Pakistan's responsibility as a host nation to ensure a conducive environment to hold the summit

Nepal, the current South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Chair, on Saturday said it will hold talks with member states to push for holding the group's annual summit at the earliest. Foreign minister Prakash Sharan Mahat said all necessary initiatives would be taken to ensure the participation of all eight member states. Addressing a press conference, Mahat said SAARC states must be sensitive towards holding the 19th SAARC Summit which was postponed after five countries pulled out, including India. "SAARC is an important forum for advancing regional cooperation and development," the minister said. The conference was scheduled to be held in Pakistan's capital Islamabad in November. India, followed by Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, refused to travel to Pakistan for the summit citing security concerns. Continued tensions along the Line of Control and cross border terrorism by Pakistan made the environment unconducive for holding the meeting, India had announced earlier in the week. The decision by the five member states forced Nepal to postpone the summit, as the summit cannot be held even if one member refuses to attend. Mahat said that Pakistan as host should make a conducive environment for holding the summit. Mahat also urged for a decision to be made on holding the summit, saying it is imperative to encourage harmonious relations between the member states to enhance regional development. (WION with inputs from agencies)

SAARC Summit: Nepal to hold talks with member states to salvage meet

China has vetoed India&#39;s application to the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief a terrorist for the second time.&nbsp;

The country&#39;s six-month &#39;technical hold&#39; on India&#39;s application was to lapse&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;but has now been extended for another six months. Had China not raised further objection, the resolution designating Azhar as a terrorist would have been passed automatically.&nbsp;

India blames Azhar&#39;s JeM for the attack on an army base in Uri last month that killed 19 soldiers and also for the attack on an air force station in Pathankot in January.

New Delhi had submitted a detailed dossier on Azhar and moved the UNSC 1267 Committee following the attack in Pathankot.

&quot;The technical hold on India&#39;s listing application submitted to the 1267 committee in March, 2016 has already been extended. There are still different views on India&#39;s listing application. The extended technical hold on it will allow more time for the Committee to deliberate on the matter and for relevant parties to have further consultations&quot; China&#39;s Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told PTI in Beijing.

&quot;The UNSC organises its work as mandated by relevant resolutions of the Security Council. China always maintains that on the listing matter, the 1267 Committee should stick to the main principles of objectivity, impartiality and professionalism, base its judgments on solid evidence and decide upon consensus among the members of the Security Council,&quot; he said in a written reply to a question, PTI reported.

On&nbsp;March 31&nbsp;this year, China was the only member of the 15-member UNSC to freeze India&#39;s application seeking ban on Azhar under the Sanctions Committee.&nbsp;Being placed on the 1267 sanctions list would result in assets freeze and travel ban.&nbsp;

The 14 members supported New Delhi&#39;s bid to place the JeM leader and Pathankot attack mastermind on the sanctions list. But China put the application on &#39;technical hold&#39; at the last minute.&nbsp;

Besides India, the US, the UK and France had also &quot;co-sponsored&quot; the resolution seeking Azhar&#39;s listing as a terrorist.

India had back then criticised the UN sanctions committee for taking a &quot;selective approach&quot; in tackling terrorism and for its failure to designate terrorists.&nbsp;

It had said that it found it &quot;incomprehensible&quot; that while JeM was listed in the UNSC Committee as far back as 2001 for its terror activities and links with the al-Qaeda, the designation of the group&#39;s main leader, financier and motivator as a terrorist has been put on a technical hold.

In June last year, China, a key ally of Pakistan, had blocked India&#39;s demand under the Council&#39;s anti-terrorism resolutions&nbsp;for taking action against Pakistan for releasing Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Zaki-ur-Lakhvi, mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

China&#39;s move to extend the technical hold are likely to cast a cloud over the expected meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Goa during the upcoming BRICS Summit on&nbsp;October 15-16.&nbsp;

The country has also opposed India&#39;s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

On Saturday, it announced a new hydroelectric project on a tributary of the Brahmaputra that may impact the flow of water into India, raising concerns that may use its control of river water as a leveraging tool over India in its disputes involving Pakistan.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

This is the second time Beijing has vetoed New Delhi's move to put sanctions on the alleged Uri attack mastermind

China has vetoed India's application to the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief a terrorist for the second time. The country's six-month 'technical hold' on India's application was to lapse on Monday but has now been extended for another six months. Had China not raised further objection, the resolution designating Azhar as a terrorist would have been passed automatically. India blames Azhar's JeM for the attack on an army base in Uri last month that killed 19 soldiers and also for the attack on an air force station in Pathankot in January. New Delhi had submitted a detailed dossier on Azhar and moved the UNSC 1267 Committee following the attack in Pathankot. "The technical hold on India's listing application submitted to the 1267 committee in March, 2016 has already been extended. There are still different views on India's listing application. The extended technical hold on it will allow more time for the Committee to deliberate on the matter and for relevant parties to have further consultations" China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told PTI in Beijing. "The UNSC organises its work as mandated by relevant resolutions of the Security Council. China always maintains that on the listing matter, the 1267 Committee should stick to the main principles of objectivity, impartiality and professionalism, base its judgments on solid evidence and decide upon consensus among the members of the Security Council," he said in a written reply to a question, PTI reported. On March 31 this year, China was the only member of the 15-member UNSC to freeze India's application seeking ban on Azhar under the Sanctions Committee. Being placed on the 1267 sanctions list would result in assets freeze and travel ban. The 14 members supported New Delhi's bid to place the JeM leader and Pathankot attack mastermind on the sanctions list. But China put the application on 'technical hold' at the last minute. Besides India, the US, the UK and France had also "co-sponsored" the resolution seeking Azhar's listing as a terrorist. India had back then criticised the UN sanctions committee for taking a "selective approach" in tackling terrorism and for its failure to designate terrorists. It had said that it found it "incomprehensible" that while JeM was listed in the UNSC Committee as far back as 2001 for its terror activities and links with the al-Qaeda, the designation of the group's main leader, financier and motivator as a terrorist has been put on a technical hold. In June last year, China, a key ally of Pakistan, had blocked India's demand under the Council's anti-terrorism resolutions for taking action against Pakistan for releasing Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Zaki-ur-Lakhvi, mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. China's move to extend the technical hold are likely to cast a cloud over the expected meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Goa during the upcoming BRICS Summit on October 15-16. The country has also opposed India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). On Saturday, it announced a new hydroelectric project on a tributary of the Brahmaputra that may impact the flow of water into India, raising concerns that may use its control of river water as a leveraging tool over India in its disputes involving Pakistan. (WION with inputs from PTI)

China dampens India's attempt to tag Masood Azhar as terrorist

&nbsp;

United Nations secretary-general Ban ki-moon on Friday urged India and Pakistan resolve their differences through diplomacy and dialogue, and even offered to act as a mediator.&nbsp;

He asked both South Asian nations &quot;to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation.&quot;

The UN chief&#39;s statement comes after Pakistan&#39;s envoy Maleeha Lodhi prompted Ban to personally mediate the situation.&nbsp;

Lodhi told AFP &quot;This is a dangerous moment for the region,&quot; referring to the recent &quot;surgical strikes&quot; by India on militant launchpads near the Line of Control (LoC), inside Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.&nbsp;

&quot;The time has come for bold intervention by him if we are to avoid a crisis, because we can see a crisis building up.&quot;

India&#39;s mission to the United Nations defended its actions saying &quot;our response was a measured counter-terrorist strike.&quot;

&quot;India has no desire to aggravate the situation,&quot; and that &quot;it is reflective of our desire to respond proportionately to clear and imminent threat posed by terrorists in that instance. With our objectives having been met that effort has since ceased.&quot;&nbsp;

Tensions have been rife between the two neighbours since India&#39;s surgical strike on Wednesday, which was in response to the Uri attack on September 18 in which four militants had infiltrated the Indian army base and killed 19 Indian soldiers.&nbsp;

Stephane Dujarric, UN spokesman said the secretary-general &quot;would welcome all proposals&quot; or initiatives aimed at de-escalation.&quot;

He added that the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), which looks into ceasefire violations along the LoC, will report to the UN chief on the latest incidents of ceasefire violations.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

UN's observer mission to report on ceasefire violations in Kashmir as tension escalates between India and Pakistan

United Nations secretary-general Ban ki-moon on Friday urged India and Pakistan resolve their differences through diplomacy and dialogue, and even offered to act as a mediator. He asked both South Asian nations "to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation." The UN chief's statement comes after Pakistan's envoy Maleeha Lodhi prompted Ban to personally mediate the situation. Lodhi told AFP "This is a dangerous moment for the region," referring to the recent "surgical strikes" by India on militant launchpads near the Line of Control (LoC), inside Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. "The time has come for bold intervention by him if we are to avoid a crisis, because we can see a crisis building up." India's mission to the United Nations defended its actions saying "our response was a measured counter-terrorist strike." "India has no desire to aggravate the situation," and that "it is reflective of our desire to respond proportionately to clear and imminent threat posed by terrorists in that instance. With our objectives having been met that effort has since ceased." Tensions have been rife between the two neighbours since India's surgical strike on Wednesday, which was in response to the Uri attack on September 18 in which four militants had infiltrated the Indian army base and killed 19 Indian soldiers. Stephane Dujarric, UN spokesman said the secretary-general "would welcome all proposals" or initiatives aimed at de-escalation." He added that the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), which looks into ceasefire violations along the LoC, will report to the UN chief on the latest incidents of ceasefire violations. (WION with inputs from AFP)

UN urges India, Pakistan to exercise restraint, offers to mediate over Kashmir issue

Pakistan rangers violated the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Akhnoor district in the early hours today, according to multiple media reports.

Heavy mortar shells were fired at 4 AM in the Pallanwala sector. There have been no casualties or injuries.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FLASH?src=hash">#FLASH</a> Ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Pallanwala sector of Akhnoor (J&amp;K) started around 4 am, firing still going on.
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/782033794735845376">October 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The Pakistani forces had opened fire at the Border Security Forces (BSF), the primary border guarding force of India, at 10 AM on Friday.&nbsp;

According to PTI, this is the fifth ceasefire violation in September 2016 and the third in the past 36 hours.&nbsp;

The spurt in ceasefire violations comes a day after the Indian Army carried out &ldquo;surgical strikes&rdquo; along the Line of Control (LoC) on militant launchpads, killing 38 terrorists.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from PTI)

Pakistan violated ceasefire in the Akhnoor sector in the early hours on Saturday, the third in last 36 hours

Pakistan rangers violated the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir's Akhnoor district in the early hours today, according to multiple media reports. Heavy mortar shells were fired at 4 AM in the Pallanwala sector. There have been no casualties or injuries. #FLASH Ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Pallanwala sector of Akhnoor (J&K) started around 4 am, firing still going on. — ANI (@ANI_news) October 1, 2016 × The Pakistani forces had opened fire at the Border Security Forces (BSF), the primary border guarding force of India, at 10 AM on Friday. According to PTI, this is the fifth ceasefire violation in September 2016 and the third in the past 36 hours. The spurt in ceasefire violations comes a day after the Indian Army carried out “surgical strikes” along the Line of Control (LoC) on militant launchpads, killing 38 terrorists. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Pakistan violates ceasefire in J&K's Akhnoor district, firing still on

India&rsquo;s interior minister Rajnath Singh today assured that all attempts are being made to secure the release of an Indian soldier who inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan on Thursday.

&quot;All attempts are being made to secure his release,&quot; Singh told reporters.

Singh added that New Delhi will take up the matter with Islamabad for the soldier&rsquo;s early release.

Chandu Babulal Chohan, 22, crossed the Line of Control (LOC) when the Indian army carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan Administered Kashmir.

Indian Army sources had said yesterday that &quot;one soldier from 37 RR with weapon has inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control. Pakistan has been informed by the DGMO on the hotline.&quot;

The sources later clarified that his crossing over was not related to the surgical strikes.

&quot;Such inadvertent crossing by Army and civilians are not unusual on either side. They are returned through existing mechanisms,&quot; they had said.

The Indian Army had yesterday rejected as &quot;false and baseless&quot; reports in a section of Pakistani media that eight Indian soldiers were killed and one captured by Pakistani military in retaliatory fire.

Indian Army sources said, &quot;As regard (to the) report of killing of eight Indian Army personnel reported in sections of Pakistan media, the report is completely false and baseless.&quot;

India had carried out surgical strikes on seven terror launch pads across the LoC with the Army inflicting &quot;significant casualties&quot; on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from Pakistan Administered Kashmir.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

India claims the soldier 'inadvertently' crossed the Line of Control while Pakistan says he was captured after India's surgical strikes

India’s interior minister Rajnath Singh today assured that all attempts are being made to secure the release of an Indian soldier who inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan on Thursday. "All attempts are being made to secure his release," Singh told reporters. Singh added that New Delhi will take up the matter with Islamabad for the soldier’s early release. Chandu Babulal Chohan, 22, crossed the Line of Control (LOC) when the Indian army carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan Administered Kashmir. Indian Army sources had said yesterday that "one soldier from 37 RR with weapon has inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control. Pakistan has been informed by the DGMO on the hotline." The sources later clarified that his crossing over was not related to the surgical strikes. "Such inadvertent crossing by Army and civilians are not unusual on either side. They are returned through existing mechanisms," they had said. The Indian Army had yesterday rejected as "false and baseless" reports in a section of Pakistani media that eight Indian soldiers were killed and one captured by Pakistani military in retaliatory fire. Indian Army sources said, "As regard (to the) report of killing of eight Indian Army personnel reported in sections of Pakistan media, the report is completely false and baseless." India had carried out surgical strikes on seven terror launch pads across the LoC with the Army inflicting "significant casualties" on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from Pakistan Administered Kashmir. (WION with inputs from PTI)

All attempts being made to secure release of Indian soldier: Interior minister

The US has called for &quot;de-escalation of the political discourse&quot; between India and Pakistan amid the war of words between the two nations after Uri terror attack that prompted New Delhi to pull out of the SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November.

The US state department also said it would continue to put pressure on them to respond to those groups who are seeking safe haven on Pakistan&#39;s borders.

&quot;What we have said it many times from the podium&nbsp;is we want to see closer and normalisation of relationship between India and Pakistan,&quot; state department deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner said told reporters at his daily news conference.

&quot;It would benefit the region. We want to see de-escalation in the political discourse between the two countries and greater communication and coordination between them,&quot; Toner said.

At the same time, the state department refrained from commenting on India&#39;s decision to pull out of the SAARC Summit.

&quot;I would refer you to the Government of India to comment on their decision not to attend this meeting,&quot; state department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner said.

He said it is not for the US to &quot;offer a prescription&quot; to de-escalate tension between the two South Asian neighbour.

&quot;It is in mutual interest for both the countries to put aside tensions and establish more normal channels of communication,&quot; the deputy spokesperson said.

&quot;While we have seen Pakistan make progress on some of the terrorist groups operating within its own borders and carrying out attacks within its borders, we continue to put pressure on them to respond to those groups who are seeking safe haven on Pakistan&#39;s borders,&quot; Toner added.

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the US have continued to &quot;encourage India and Pakistan to find ways to resolve their differences, not through violence, but through diplomacy.&quot;

&quot;We have condemned violence, particularly terrorist attacks,&quot; he said.

He was responding to a question on India&#39;s decision not to attend the SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November citing continuous cross border terrorism by Pakistan against India.

(PTI)

Washington said it continues to put pressure on both nations to 'de-escalate political discourse'

The US has called for "de-escalation of the political discourse" between India and Pakistan amid the war of words between the two nations after Uri terror attack that prompted New Delhi to pull out of the SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November. The US state department also said it would continue to put pressure on them to respond to those groups who are seeking safe haven on Pakistan's borders. "What we have said it many times from the podium is we want to see closer and normalisation of relationship between India and Pakistan," state department deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner said told reporters at his daily news conference. "It would benefit the region. We want to see de-escalation in the political discourse between the two countries and greater communication and coordination between them," Toner said. At the same time, the state department refrained from commenting on India's decision to pull out of the SAARC Summit. "I would refer you to the Government of India to comment on their decision not to attend this meeting," state department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner said. He said it is not for the US to "offer a prescription" to de-escalate tension between the two South Asian neighbour. "It is in mutual interest for both the countries to put aside tensions and establish more normal channels of communication," the deputy spokesperson said. "While we have seen Pakistan make progress on some of the terrorist groups operating within its own borders and carrying out attacks within its borders, we continue to put pressure on them to respond to those groups who are seeking safe haven on Pakistan's borders," Toner added. Meanwhile, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the US have continued to "encourage India and Pakistan to find ways to resolve their differences, not through violence, but through diplomacy." "We have condemned violence, particularly terrorist attacks," he said. He was responding to a question on India's decision not to attend the SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November citing continuous cross border terrorism by Pakistan against India. (PTI)

US urges India, Pakistan to choose diplomacy, not violence

India will expedite the construction of three dams on River Chenab, Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided in a high-level meeting he chaired in New Delhi today to review the sharing of water as per the Indus treaty with Pakistan.&nbsp; 
 
The three dams are Pakul Dul, Sawalkot and Bursar Dam on the Chenab river. India has also decided to use its legal rights in the Indus treaty to the fullest. An inter-ministerial task force for Indian rights will be formed for western rivers under the treaty. India will also use the potential of 18,000 megawatt of power from the western rivers under Indus water treaty, official sources told WION. 
&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
IndiaBlood and water cannot flow together: PM tells a meeting on Indus Water Treaty.
&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/780366392008650753">September 26, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The decision follows the attack, called the worst in two decades, on an army brigade in Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Uri on September 18 in which 18 Indian Army soldiers were killed. Following the terror attack there was an immediate clamour for a retaliation against Pakistan that is widely believed to be behind the ambush in Uri in India, but PM Modi brushed aside all talk of war.&nbsp; 
 
Amid India&#39;s increasing efforts to isolate Pakistan diplomatically on the issue of &quot;exporting terror&#39;&#39;, India&#39;s review of the Indus Treaty is another step in exerting more pressure on Pakistan.&nbsp; 
 
The Indus Water Treaty was signed between the two South Asian neighbours in 1960. The meeting looked at the pros and cons of the treaty under which India and Pakistan share the waters of six rivers.&nbsp; 
 
The treaty&nbsp;gives up to 80 per cent of the water from six rivers &mdash; the Beas, Ravi, Sutlej, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum &mdash; shared by the two countries&nbsp;to Pakistan, and has,&nbsp;therefore, been called in India&nbsp;&quot;too soft&quot; on Pakistan.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
National security advisor (NSA), foreign secretary, water resources secretary, and senior PMO officials were present in the meeting on Indus Treaty.&nbsp; 
 
Water ministry sources said a presentation was given to the Prime Minister about the implications of the treaty on India-Pakistan relations.&nbsp; 
 
Officials at the Pakistan foreign ministry are still waiting for any official intimation with regards to the Indus Water Treaty. &quot;There are commissioners on both sides that communicate with each other. We will see what changes India is proposing. They cannot do anything that is not in the agreement, and the World Bank is guarantor to that,&quot; the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.&nbsp; 
 
He stressed upon the fact that the treaty took 12 years to finalise. &quot;Pakistan and India negotiated for twelve years to settle on this agreement. A lot of effort went into it,&quot; the official added. 
 
Meanwhile, some commentators have taken to the social media reminding &#39;India that if it wages a water war on Pakistan, China - Pakistan&#39;s all-weather friend will do the same with India and use water as war tool.&#39; 
 
Last week, India&#39;s foreign affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup had said that there were differences between the two neighbours on implementing the Indus Waters Treaty. 
 
He had also said that any cooperative arrangement requires goodwill and mutual trust on both sides.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

Eighty per cent of water from 6 rivers is given to Pakistan, India's review of the treaty is a step in exerting pressure on its neighbour

India will expedite the construction of three dams on River Chenab, Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided in a high-level meeting he chaired in New Delhi today to review the sharing of water as per the Indus treaty with Pakistan. The three dams are Pakul Dul, Sawalkot and Bursar Dam on the Chenab river. India has also decided to use its legal rights in the Indus treaty to the fullest. An inter-ministerial task force for Indian rights will be formed for western rivers under the treaty. India will also use the potential of 18,000 megawatt of power from the western rivers under Indus water treaty, official sources told WION. IndiaBlood and water cannot flow together: PM tells a meeting on Indus Water Treaty. — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 26, 2016 The decision follows the attack, called the worst in two decades, on an army brigade in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri on September 18 in which 18 Indian Army soldiers were killed. Following the terror attack there was an immediate clamour for a retaliation against Pakistan that is widely believed to be behind the ambush in Uri in India, but PM Modi brushed aside all talk of war. Amid India's increasing efforts to isolate Pakistan diplomatically on the issue of "exporting terror'', India's review of the Indus Treaty is another step in exerting more pressure on Pakistan. The Indus Water Treaty was signed between the two South Asian neighbours in 1960. The meeting looked at the pros and cons of the treaty under which India and Pakistan share the waters of six rivers. The treaty gives up to 80 per cent of the water from six rivers — the Beas, Ravi, Sutlej, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum — shared by the two countries to Pakistan, and has, therefore, been called in India "too soft" on Pakistan. National security advisor (NSA), foreign secretary, water resources secretary, and senior PMO officials were present in the meeting on Indus Treaty. Water ministry sources said a presentation was given to the Prime Minister about the implications of the treaty on India-Pakistan relations. Officials at the Pakistan foreign ministry are still waiting for any official intimation with regards to the Indus Water Treaty. "There are commissioners on both sides that communicate with each other. We will see what changes India is proposing. They cannot do anything that is not in the agreement, and the World Bank is guarantor to that," the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. He stressed upon the fact that the treaty took 12 years to finalise. "Pakistan and India negotiated for twelve years to settle on this agreement. A lot of effort went into it," the official added. Meanwhile, some commentators have taken to the social media reminding 'India that if it wages a water war on Pakistan, China - Pakistan's all-weather friend will do the same with India and use water as war tool.' Last week, India's foreign affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup had said that there were differences between the two neighbours on implementing the Indus Waters Treaty. He had also said that any cooperative arrangement requires goodwill and mutual trust on both sides. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India to build 3 dams on Chenab: PM Modi reviews Indus treaty with Pakistan

After taking on Pakistan for &quot;exporting terror&quot;, Indian&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reportedly chair a high-level meeting to review&nbsp;the Indus Waters treaty -- signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 --&nbsp;on Monday.

Reports said&nbsp;Modi will meet officials from the foreign, water resources,&nbsp;and other ministries, and that the meeting will look at the pros and cons of the treaty under which&nbsp;India and Pakistan share the waters of six rivers.

PTI however said there had been no official confirmation that the meeting would be held.

And that officials of the water resources and foreign ministries&nbsp;denied any knowledge of such a meeting being convened by the Prime Minister.&nbsp;

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<h5>There have been consistent calls in India to scrap the treaty which gives 80% of waters from six rivers shared by the two countries to Pakistan</h5>
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There have been consistent calls in India for the government to scrap the treaty in order&nbsp;to mount pressure on Pakistan in the aftermath of the attack on September 18 on the army camp in Uri, Kashmir in which 18 Indian soldiers lost their lives.

The treaty&nbsp;gives up to 80% of the waters of six rivers &mdash;? the Beas, Ravi, Sutlej, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum &mdash; shared by the two countries&nbsp;to Pakistan and has&nbsp;therefore been called, in India,&nbsp;&quot;too soft&quot; on Pakistan.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
The treaty&nbsp;was signed by Indian&nbsp;Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan President Ayub Khan in September 1960. 
 
(WION, this report first appeared in DNA)

The meeting comes in response to the terror attack on an Indian army camp in Kashmir in which 18 soldiers lost their lives

After taking on Pakistan for "exporting terror", Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reportedly chair a high-level meeting to review the Indus Waters treaty -- signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 -- on Monday. Reports said Modi will meet officials from the foreign, water resources, and other ministries, and that the meeting will look at the pros and cons of the treaty under which India and Pakistan share the waters of six rivers. PTI however said there had been no official confirmation that the meeting would be held. And that officials of the water resources and foreign ministries denied any knowledge of such a meeting being convened by the Prime Minister. There have been consistent calls in India to scrap the treaty which gives 80% of waters from six rivers shared by the two countries to Pakistan There have been consistent calls in India for the government to scrap the treaty in order to mount pressure on Pakistan in the aftermath of the attack on September 18 on the army camp in Uri, Kashmir in which 18 Indian soldiers lost their lives. The treaty gives up to 80% of the waters of six rivers —? the Beas, Ravi, Sutlej, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum — shared by the two countries to Pakistan and has therefore been called, in India, "too soft" on Pakistan. The treaty was signed by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan President Ayub Khan in September 1960. (WION, this report first appeared in DNA)

India PM Modi may chair meeting today to review Indus Waters Treaty

China on Monday refuted media reports claiming&nbsp;incursion by its troops in northeastern Arunachal Pradesh earlier this month, Indian news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;There are mutually identified disputed areas on the LAC. Fish tail was one such area where the incident occurred. Both the armies were conducting routine patrols when it happened,&quot; a senior Chinese Army officer was quoted as saying by the news agency referring to reports of Chinese troops crossing the &nbsp;Line of Actual Control (LAC) along the border region. &nbsp;However, he hinted that there was a face-off with the Chinese Army, which has been &quot;resolved&quot;.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

According to initial reports from Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh, more than 40 troops built temporary shelters at &#39;Plum post&#39;, an area 45 km inside the Line of Actual Control (LAC) ,&nbsp;to claim that the territory belonged to them, PTI had reported.

&nbsp;

However, according to the Indian news agency, the incursion was detected by a joint patrol of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which is one of the five Central Armed Police Forces of India, and Indian Army on September 9. This was followed by a joint barrel drill, said sources.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

While some of the troops left on September 13, others left after India and China held a Flag meeting on September 14 on the Chinese side, PTI said&nbsp;quoting sources.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Earlier this year in March, Chinese incursion was also reported in the northern Ladakh sector.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from PTI)&nbsp; 
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A senior army official denied reports of Chinese troops crossing the ?Line of Actual Control (LAC)

China on Monday refuted media reports claiming incursion by its troops in northeastern Arunachal Pradesh earlier this month, Indian news agency PTI reported. "There are mutually identified disputed areas on the LAC. Fish tail was one such area where the incident occurred. Both the armies were conducting routine patrols when it happened," a senior Chinese Army officer was quoted as saying by the news agency referring to reports of Chinese troops crossing the Line of Actual Control (LAC) along the border region. However, he hinted that there was a face-off with the Chinese Army, which has been "resolved". According to initial reports from Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh, more than 40 troops built temporary shelters at 'Plum post', an area 45 km inside the Line of Actual Control (LAC) , to claim that the territory belonged to them, PTI had reported. However, according to the Indian news agency, the incursion was detected by a joint patrol of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which is one of the five Central Armed Police Forces of India, and Indian Army on September 9. This was followed by a joint barrel drill, said sources. While some of the troops left on September 13, others left after India and China held a Flag meeting on September 14 on the Chinese side, PTI said quoting sources. Earlier this year in March, Chinese incursion was also reported in the northern Ladakh sector. (WION with inputs from PTI)

China refutes 'incursion' in India's Arunachal Pradesh?

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