India&#39;s foreign secretary S Jaishankar on Tuesday summoned Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit and told him that the terrorists&nbsp;who attacked the army base camp in Uri sector of Kashmir had come from Muzaffarabad.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted this information today.

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Preliminary interrogation reveals identity of one of d slain Uri attackers:Hafiz Ahmed,S/o Feroz,R/o Dharbang, Muzaffarabad. 5/n
&mdash; Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/780728202247319552">September 27, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Jaishankar informed Basit that two two men who had allegedly helped the terrorists were apprehended by local villagers,&nbsp;Jaishankar told Basit.

Both men are now in India&#39;s custody.

&quot;Details of guides: Faizal Hussain Awan (20 yrs),S/o Gul Akbar;R/o Potha Jahangir, Muzzaffarabad. Yasin Khurshid(19 yrs),S/o Mohammed Khurshid R/o Khiliana Kalan, Muzzaffarabad,&quot; Swarup was reported as saying by ANI.

Swarup also said that the handlers were identified as Mohammad Kabir Awan and Basharat.

&quot;Foreign Secretary terms continuing cross-border terrorist attacks from Pakistan against India as unacceptable,&quot; he said.

The Uri attack, which claimed the lives of 18 Indian Army soldiers, was immediately followed by India summoning Basit and giving him evidence of Pakistan&#39;s role in the Uri terror attack.

Some of the items that Swarup presented as evidence to Basit included: GPS from the bodies of terrorists with coordinates that indicate the point and time of infiltration across the LoC (Line of Control) and the subsequent route to the terror attack site, grenades with Pakistani markings, communication matrix sheets, communication equipment, other stores made in Pakistan, including food, medicines and clothes.

(WION with inputs from ANI)

India has displayed a list of proofs confirming Pakistan's involvement in the Uri attack on September 18

India's foreign secretary S Jaishankar on Tuesday summoned Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit and told him that the terrorists who attacked the army base camp in Uri sector of Kashmir had come from Muzaffarabad. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted this information today. Preliminary interrogation reveals identity of one of d slain Uri attackers:Hafiz Ahmed,S/o Feroz,R/o Dharbang, Muzaffarabad. 5/n — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) September 27, 2016 × Jaishankar informed Basit that two two men who had allegedly helped the terrorists were apprehended by local villagers, Jaishankar told Basit. Both men are now in India's custody. "Details of guides: Faizal Hussain Awan (20 yrs),S/o Gul Akbar;R/o Potha Jahangir, Muzzaffarabad. Yasin Khurshid(19 yrs),S/o Mohammed Khurshid R/o Khiliana Kalan, Muzzaffarabad," Swarup was reported as saying by ANI. Swarup also said that the handlers were identified as Mohammad Kabir Awan and Basharat. "Foreign Secretary terms continuing cross-border terrorist attacks from Pakistan against India as unacceptable," he said. The Uri attack, which claimed the lives of 18 Indian Army soldiers, was immediately followed by India summoning Basit and giving him evidence of Pakistan's role in the Uri terror attack. Some of the items that Swarup presented as evidence to Basit included: GPS from the bodies of terrorists with coordinates that indicate the point and time of infiltration across the LoC (Line of Control) and the subsequent route to the terror attack site, grenades with Pakistani markings, communication matrix sheets, communication equipment, other stores made in Pakistan, including food, medicines and clothes. (WION with inputs from ANI)

Uri attackers hailed from Muzzaffarpur in Pakistan: Indian government

The recent stories about whether India did carry out a strike deep inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after the Uri attack have fuelled the debate on what possibilities exist to curb the ongoing attacks on Indian military and civilian positions. Since neither side has admitted that such a strike did take place, we can&rsquo;t say with certainty whether the attack was a fact or a figment of the imagination.

But strategically speaking, nobody would openly acknowledge that such strike had taken place. The Indians have already done the damage, and it will now have to be on high alert to fend a counter covert strike. If the Pakistani government admits that the strike had indeed taken place on its soil, it would then have to respond. Otherwise, it risks losing face in its own country. And if both admit, then the two neighbours will be locked in a full-scale war against the other. It is all cloak-and-dagger at this stage.&nbsp;

Both countries will use their financial and PR strength to accuse each other. As the Cold War is no longer raging, Gilgit, Baltistan, Balochistan and Kashmir are all part of the same debate. It has ceased to be a narrow debate between India and Pakistan since Afghanistan and China are also involved.

Hot pursuit: Is it legal? 
Hot pursuit owes its origin to the law of the seas against vessels that are involved in piracy or smuggling. The coastal country would take action in spite of the principle of freedom of the high seas &mdash; the rights of vessels of all nations to navigate freely on the high seas. The right to free navigation on the high seas has been designed to protect innocent vessels, and it ensures that no ship violating the rule is able to escape. This customary doctrine has been codified in the Article 111 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of High Seas (UNCLOS) and in Article 23 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas.&nbsp;

However, the Convention clearly spelled out that the right of hot pursuit ceases as soon as the ship pursued enters the territorial sea of its own country or a third state, so as to not violate the sovereignty of other nations. There is no international law governing &lsquo;hot pursuit&rsquo; over land. However, nations have time and again used the argument of self-defence to enter the territory of another country in pursuit of a terrorist, terrorist organisation, criminals or anyone that is a threat to the defence of the pursuing country.

Under international legal norms on state responsibility, and UN Security Council Resolution 1373, passed shortly after the events of 9/11, state sovereignty implies a duty to control one&rsquo;s territory. A state will not allow its land to be used by the non-state actors &mdash; or terrorist organisations &mdash; to carry out operations against its neighbours. Also, article 51 of the UN charter defines self-defence. It is the action necessary to preserve a country&rsquo;s territorial integrity and political independence.

After 9/11, the nations are increasingly resorting to &lsquo;the expanded doctrine of self-defense&rsquo;; they are citing the above two laws to carry out hot pursuit against other nations even through land boundaries, in absence of a defined law on the same. It is considered a better and a less consequential alternative to a full blown war. However, critics argue that hot pursuit can escalate tensions between nations which can eventually result in a war.

Hot pursuits in the global context 
In 1970, South Africa used the term to justify frequent raids into Angola. The incursions were to target separatists from the South West Africa People&rsquo;s Organization, a group fighting for the independence of Namibia, which was then under South Africa&rsquo;s control.

The phrase &#39;hot pursuit&#39; has been used as a &lsquo;threat&rsquo; by nations when another country does not act against elements of threat in its own territory or is incapable of handling it. In 1949 following the civil war, several Greek communists fled to Albania. The then Greek government threatened Albania with a possible hot pursuit if it allows its territory to be used as a base by the communists. In 1984, the Soviet Union and Afghanistan threatened Pakistan that they would conduct guerilla warfare in its territories if Pakistan did not cut off support to the mujahideen. &nbsp;

Similarly, in 1986, Angola warned Congo about the possible consequence if the latter continued to shelter and train the separatist Unita movement. This forced the then Congolese President Mobutu Sese Seko to investigate the evidence presented by Angola.

The act of hot pursuit has a wide-ranging geopolitical impact. It can involve several players (states). In 1956, when the Hungarian forces, with the backing of Soviet Union, briefly entered the Austrian borders to pursue Hungarian anti-communist rebels, they made the entire combat operation a global incident, impacting the geopolitics of the region. &nbsp;

Since there is no international law defining hot pursuit on land, in some cases countries have entered into bilateral agreements to mitigate the destabilising effects of cross-border incursions. Iraq and Turkey agreed in the 1980s to a joint security zone which few miles in length where both could operate. The US and Mexico also agreed to a deal to pursue drug mafia about 100 miles inside Mexican territory by aircraft. However, such agreements are an exception and not the norm. &nbsp;

India and its neighbours 
India has carried out many hot pursuits in the last few years. All have been undertaken with some understanding with the host country whether they openly agree or not. Because of terror camps in Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, India has gone inside these countries and taken action against armed groups.

Pakistan has been violated many times over by the Americans. But in all those cases there was tacit support from the Pakistani side. The operation to assassinate Osama Bin Laden could not have taken place without a secret understanding between the US and a section of senior Pakistani military leadership.

Hot pursuit &mdash; sign of a good relationship 
The ability to go after terrorists and criminals is a sign of a good relationship between nations. But with Pakistan, India mostly has had a hostile relationship. The camps of terror groups exist due to Pakistan government&rsquo;s patronage. Hot pursuit needs to be carried out with a full understanding that India should be ready that it may escalate into a full-scale war. But military planners will tell you that you must never give time to your opponent to plan a counter-strike. Your attack needs to be devastating enough for the opponent to not being able to get up and fight.

Surgical strike, hot pursuit and global isolation are the new war strategies

The recent stories about whether India did carry out a strike deep inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after the Uri attack have fuelled the debate on what possibilities exist to curb the ongoing attacks on Indian military and civilian positions. Since neither side has admitted that such a strike did take place, we can’t say with certainty whether the attack was a fact or a figment of the imagination. But strategically speaking, nobody would openly acknowledge that such strike had taken place. The Indians have already done the damage, and it will now have to be on high alert to fend a counter covert strike. If the Pakistani government admits that the strike had indeed taken place on its soil, it would then have to respond. Otherwise, it risks losing face in its own country. And if both admit, then the two neighbours will be locked in a full-scale war against the other. It is all cloak-and-dagger at this stage. Both countries will use their financial and PR strength to accuse each other. As the Cold War is no longer raging, Gilgit, Baltistan, Balochistan and Kashmir are all part of the same debate. It has ceased to be a narrow debate between India and Pakistan since Afghanistan and China are also involved. Hot pursuit: Is it legal? Hot pursuit owes its origin to the law of the seas against vessels that are involved in piracy or smuggling. The coastal country would take action in spite of the principle of freedom of the high seas — the rights of vessels of all nations to navigate freely on the high seas. The right to free navigation on the high seas has been designed to protect innocent vessels, and it ensures that no ship violating the rule is able to escape. This customary doctrine has been codified in the Article 111 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of High Seas (UNCLOS) and in Article 23 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas. However, the Convention clearly spelled out that the right of hot pursuit ceases as soon as the ship pursued enters the territorial sea of its own country or a third state, so as to not violate the sovereignty of other nations. There is no international law governing ‘hot pursuit’ over land. However, nations have time and again used the argument of self-defence to enter the territory of another country in pursuit of a terrorist, terrorist organisation, criminals or anyone that is a threat to the defence of the pursuing country. Under international legal norms on state responsibility, and UN Security Council Resolution 1373, passed shortly after the events of 9/11, state sovereignty implies a duty to control one’s territory. A state will not allow its land to be used by the non-state actors — or terrorist organisations — to carry out operations against its neighbours. Also, article 51 of the UN charter defines self-defence. It is the action necessary to preserve a country’s territorial integrity and political independence. After 9/11, the nations are increasingly resorting to ‘the expanded doctrine of self-defense’; they are citing the above two laws to carry out hot pursuit against other nations even through land boundaries, in absence of a defined law on the same. It is considered a better and a less consequential alternative to a full blown war. However, critics argue that hot pursuit can escalate tensions between nations which can eventually result in a war. Hot pursuits in the global context In 1970, South Africa used the term to justify frequent raids into Angola. The incursions were to target separatists from the South West Africa People’s Organization, a group fighting for the independence of Namibia, which was then under South Africa’s control. The phrase 'hot pursuit' has been used as a ‘threat’ by nations when another country does not act against elements of threat in its own territory or is incapable of handling it. In 1949 following the civil war, several Greek communists fled to Albania. The then Greek government threatened Albania with a possible hot pursuit if it allows its territory to be used as a base by the communists. In 1984, the Soviet Union and Afghanistan threatened Pakistan that they would conduct guerilla warfare in its territories if Pakistan did not cut off support to the mujahideen. Similarly, in 1986, Angola warned Congo about the possible consequence if the latter continued to shelter and train the separatist Unita movement. This forced the then Congolese President Mobutu Sese Seko to investigate the evidence presented by Angola. The act of hot pursuit has a wide-ranging geopolitical impact. It can involve several players (states). In 1956, when the Hungarian forces, with the backing of Soviet Union, briefly entered the Austrian borders to pursue Hungarian anti-communist rebels, they made the entire combat operation a global incident, impacting the geopolitics of the region. Since there is no international law defining hot pursuit on land, in some cases countries have entered into bilateral agreements to mitigate the destabilising effects of cross-border incursions. Iraq and Turkey agreed in the 1980s to a joint security zone which few miles in length where both could operate. The US and Mexico also agreed to a deal to pursue drug mafia about 100 miles inside Mexican territory by aircraft. However, such agreements are an exception and not the norm. India and its neighbours India has carried out many hot pursuits in the last few years. All have been undertaken with some understanding with the host country whether they openly agree or not. Because of terror camps in Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, India has gone inside these countries and taken action against armed groups. Pakistan has been violated many times over by the Americans. But in all those cases there was tacit support from the Pakistani side. The operation to assassinate Osama Bin Laden could not have taken place without a secret understanding between the US and a section of senior Pakistani military leadership. Hot pursuit — sign of a good relationship The ability to go after terrorists and criminals is a sign of a good relationship between nations. But with Pakistan, India mostly has had a hostile relationship. The camps of terror groups exist due to Pakistan government’s patronage. Hot pursuit needs to be carried out with a full understanding that India should be ready that it may escalate into a full-scale war. But military planners will tell you that you must never give time to your opponent to plan a counter-strike. Your attack needs to be devastating enough for the opponent to not being able to get up and fight.

At the enemy?s gates

India&#39;s foreign minister Sushma Swaraj once again raised the issue of state-sponsored terrorism emanating from Pakistan in her address at the 71st UN General Assembly on Monday. 
 
Swaraj said that Pakistan remains in denial over the violations in Kashmir. She warned that Pakistan must remember that Kashmir is an integral part of India and will remain so.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Pakistan must abandon its dream to obtain territory it covets,&quot; Swaraj said to an applause. 
 
Last week, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif&#39;s stood at the same podium and accused the Indian government of atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir. Swaraj said such allegations were baseless and futile.&nbsp; 
 
She urged Pakistan to introspect and act against the brutality against the Baloch people by its own government. Swaraj said, &quot;I can only say that those accusing others of human rights violations would do well to introspect and see what egregious abuses they are perpetrating in their own country, including in Balochistan. The brutality against the Baloch people represents the worst form of state oppression.&quot; 
 
In a veiled attack on Pakistan, Swaraj asserted that an effective global strategy is needed to fight terrorism and &#39;&#39;any nation that refuses to join hands in this effort must be isolated internationally&quot;. 
 
&quot;These nations, in which UN designated terrorists roam freely, lead processions and deliver their poisonous sermons of hate with impunity, are as culpable as the very terrorists they harbour. Such countries should have no place in the comity of nations,&quot; said Swaraj. 
 
The statement comes in the wake of the Uri terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 18 Indian Army soldiers were killed.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Terrorism is undoubtedly the biggest violation of human rights. We must question who is behind these attacks, who benefits from such attacks, who finances them, who arms them and provides them sanctuary?&quot;&nbsp; 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
EAM <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj">@SushmaSwaraj</a> concludes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA?src=hash">#UNGA</a> address, reiterates the call for action: What happens tomorrow will depend on what we do today. <a href="https://t.co/0mRNr0VkIE">pic.twitter.com/0mRNr0VkIE</a>
&mdash; Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/780408278270357505">September 26, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
She called on the international community to unite across our differences to defeat terrorism, saying the fight against the global scourge cannot be won if distinctions are made between terrorists. 
 
&quot;History proves that those who seed extremist ideologies, reap a bitter harvest. The germ of evil has grown into a hydra-headed monster, backed by technological sophistication that threatens the peace and harmony of our world,&quot; Swaraj said. 
 
Swaraj insisted that India is committed to rebuilding its relationship with its neighbour. The minister denied reports that India had put pre-conditions to holding talks with Pakistan, rather pushed for friendship as a basis to resolve issues.&nbsp; 
 
India asked the global community to urgently adopt a long-pending global treaty on terrorism as well as implement the UN Security Council reform, saying the world needs a more contemporary approach to combating terrorism and a Council that is less outdated. 
 
(WION) 
 
 
&nbsp;

Swaraj called on the international community to recognise that Pakistan is harbouring terrorists and is equally culpable

India's foreign minister Sushma Swaraj once again raised the issue of state-sponsored terrorism emanating from Pakistan in her address at the 71st UN General Assembly on Monday. Swaraj said that Pakistan remains in denial over the violations in Kashmir. She warned that Pakistan must remember that Kashmir is an integral part of India and will remain so. "Pakistan must abandon its dream to obtain territory it covets," Swaraj said to an applause. Last week, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's stood at the same podium and accused the Indian government of atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir. Swaraj said such allegations were baseless and futile. She urged Pakistan to introspect and act against the brutality against the Baloch people by its own government. Swaraj said, "I can only say that those accusing others of human rights violations would do well to introspect and see what egregious abuses they are perpetrating in their own country, including in Balochistan. The brutality against the Baloch people represents the worst form of state oppression." In a veiled attack on Pakistan, Swaraj asserted that an effective global strategy is needed to fight terrorism and ''any nation that refuses to join hands in this effort must be isolated internationally". "These nations, in which UN designated terrorists roam freely, lead processions and deliver their poisonous sermons of hate with impunity, are as culpable as the very terrorists they harbour. Such countries should have no place in the comity of nations," said Swaraj. The statement comes in the wake of the Uri terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 18 Indian Army soldiers were killed. "Terrorism is undoubtedly the biggest violation of human rights. We must question who is behind these attacks, who benefits from such attacks, who finances them, who arms them and provides them sanctuary?" EAM @SushmaSwaraj concludes #UNGA address, reiterates the call for action: What happens tomorrow will depend on what we do today. pic.twitter.com/0mRNr0VkIE — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) September 26, 2016 She called on the international community to unite across our differences to defeat terrorism, saying the fight against the global scourge cannot be won if distinctions are made between terrorists. "History proves that those who seed extremist ideologies, reap a bitter harvest. The germ of evil has grown into a hydra-headed monster, backed by technological sophistication that threatens the peace and harmony of our world," Swaraj said. Swaraj insisted that India is committed to rebuilding its relationship with its neighbour. The minister denied reports that India had put pre-conditions to holding talks with Pakistan, rather pushed for friendship as a basis to resolve issues. India asked the global community to urgently adopt a long-pending global treaty on terrorism as well as implement the UN Security Council reform, saying the world needs a more contemporary approach to combating terrorism and a Council that is less outdated. (WION)

Kashmir is integral to India, Pakistan in denial: India's foreign minister Sushma Swaraj at UNGA

Urging both the nuclear states to &quot;ease it off&quot; as war of words rages between India and Pakistan, &nbsp;Britain has raised serious concerns over increasing tensions the two neighbouring nations following September 18 attack on Indian Army base in Uri sector of Kashmir.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Britain wants easing of tension between Pakistan and India as it is concerned over the current situation (in the wake of Uri attack),&quot; British high commissioner in Pakistan Thomas Drew said on Saturday, according to Pakistan daily Dawn. 
 
The British high commissioner met with Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province chief minister, Shahbaz Sharif, on Saturday to &quot;discuss matters of mutual interest, bilateral relations and situation in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir,&quot; The Dawn reported. 
 
As Drew &quot;lauded&quot; Pakistan for its &quot;responsible attitude in the current situation&quot;, according to the daily, he added that Britain is against violation of human rights anywhere in the world. 
 
Both India and Pakistan have accused each other of indulging into human rights violations in Kashmir Valley and Balochistan, respectively, drawing the&nbsp;attention of world leaders in the recent weeks.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, Shahbaz Sharif has asked Britain to help resolve the Kashmir issue in the wake of the UN resolution, Indian news agency, Press Trust of India, reported.&nbsp; 
 
India&#39;s external affairs minister to address UN over Kashmir issue 
 
India&#39;s external affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj, will be addressing the UN General Assembly on Monday and is expected to respond to Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif&#39;s &quot;diatribe&quot; on Kashmir, said official sources.&nbsp; 
 
The Pakistan Prime Minister said on Saturday that the Uri attack could have been a response to the human rights violations in Kashmir.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_fq3a0-20160925031607.jpg" />
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India&#39;s external affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj in her address to the UNGA on Monday, is expected to offer a stinging response to Pakistan PM&#39;s Kashmir speech.
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First secretary in the permanent mission of India to the UN Eenam Gambhir, within hours of Sharif&#39;s speech hit back saying, &quot;the worst violation of human rights is terrorism&quot;. 
 
India sees in Pakistan as &quot; &#39;a terrorist state&#39; which uses billions of Dollars from international&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, &nbsp;&quot;terrorism&quot; will be the main focus of Swaraj&#39;s address, &quot;reform of the UN Security Council, sustainable development, climate change and peacekeeping&quot; are some issues which will be discussed in the UNGA, India&#39;s envoy to the UN, Syed Akbaruddin, said.&nbsp; 
 
Swaraj will discuss India&#39;s &quot;vision document&quot;, whose contents have not been disclosed but according to Vikas Swaroop, spokersperson for the ministry of external affairs, said &quot;the whole world and the entire country is waiting to hear what the external affairs minister has to say but I think the broad themes that Akbaruddin has outlined are definitely going to be a part of our presentation at this most important forum in the international community&quot;. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

British high commissioner in Pakistan has asked both the nuclear states to 'ease it off' as war of words rages on in the wake of Uri attack

Urging both the nuclear states to "ease it off" as war of words rages between India and Pakistan, Britain has raised serious concerns over increasing tensions the two neighbouring nations following September 18 attack on Indian Army base in Uri sector of Kashmir. "Britain wants easing of tension between Pakistan and India as it is concerned over the current situation (in the wake of Uri attack)," British high commissioner in Pakistan Thomas Drew said on Saturday, according to Pakistan daily Dawn. The British high commissioner met with Pakistan's Punjab province chief minister, Shahbaz Sharif, on Saturday to "discuss matters of mutual interest, bilateral relations and situation in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir," The Dawn reported. As Drew "lauded" Pakistan for its "responsible attitude in the current situation", according to the daily, he added that Britain is against violation of human rights anywhere in the world. Both India and Pakistan have accused each other of indulging into human rights violations in Kashmir Valley and Balochistan, respectively, drawing the attention of world leaders in the recent weeks. Meanwhile, Shahbaz Sharif has asked Britain to help resolve the Kashmir issue in the wake of the UN resolution, Indian news agency, Press Trust of India, reported. India's external affairs minister to address UN over Kashmir issue India's external affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj, will be addressing the UN General Assembly on Monday and is expected to respond to Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif's "diatribe" on Kashmir, said official sources. The Pakistan Prime Minister said on Saturday that the Uri attack could have been a response to the human rights violations in Kashmir. India's external affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj in her address to the UNGA on Monday, is expected to offer a stinging response to Pakistan PM's Kashmir speech. First secretary in the permanent mission of India to the UN Eenam Gambhir, within hours of Sharif's speech hit back saying, "the worst violation of human rights is terrorism". India sees in Pakistan as " 'a terrorist state' which uses billions of Dollars from international Meanwhile, "terrorism" will be the main focus of Swaraj's address, "reform of the UN Security Council, sustainable development, climate change and peacekeeping" are some issues which will be discussed in the UNGA, India's envoy to the UN, Syed Akbaruddin, said. Swaraj will discuss India's "vision document", whose contents have not been disclosed but according to Vikas Swaroop, spokersperson for the ministry of external affairs, said "the whole world and the entire country is waiting to hear what the external affairs minister has to say but I think the broad themes that Akbaruddin has outlined are definitely going to be a part of our presentation at this most important forum in the international community". (WION with inputs from agencies)

Britain 'worried' over Indo-Pak strain

As Kashmir unrest enters day 79, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that people in the Valley want peace and normalcy to return.&nbsp; 
 
During his monthly &#39;Mann ki Baat&#39; radio address, he gave a message to the people of Kashmir saying: &nbsp;&quot;Peace, unity and harmony are the ways to resolve problems and move towards development.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Farmers in Valley are worried for their crops and locals are recognising anti-state players here,&quot; Modi was quoted as saying by Indian news agency IANS.&nbsp; 
 
He also referred to the September 18 attack in Uri sector of Kashmir and praised Indian Army saying: &quot;While politicians speak, military shows bravery; we are proud of our army.&quot; 
 
&quot;Recently our 18 bravehearts laid down their lives in Uri. Such a cowardice attack was enough to stir the nation. I am sure that our soldiers would keep foiling such acts in the future.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
While India has blamed Pakistan for the militant attack in Uri and called for the&nbsp;isolation of the country on the international front, the neighbouring country has refuted the allegations.&nbsp; 
 
Lockdown in Valley&nbsp; 
 
Normal life remained paralysed in Kashmir today, more than two months after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter on July 8 triggering worst unrest in the Valley in about six years.&nbsp; 
 
Curfew was imposed in Kishtwar town of the northernmost Indian state this morning following clashes between a mob and police, Indian news agency PTI reported.&nbsp; 
 
Detention of three people under the Public Safety Act (PSA) triggered agitation and stone pelting in the area, &nbsp;according to the news agency.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Curfew was imposed in Kishtwar town and other nearby areas around 0400 hours (local time) today as a precautionary measure&quot;, senior superintendent of police, Kishtwar, Sandeep Wazir told PTI. 
 
The three persons were detained last night in Kishtwar over attempts of trying to &quot;disrupt peace&quot;, he said.&nbsp; 
 
Violent protests in the Valley have claimed at least 80 lives leaving about 7,000 people injured in the past three months. 
 
Parts in the Valley have been shut down for a third consecutive month now in response to a protest call given by separatist leaders, who demand freedom for the Valley, Reuters reports.&nbsp;Markets, schools and colleges remain shut in most parts.&nbsp; 
 
According to the international news agency, the separatists have extended their protest programme to September 29.&nbsp; 
 
In the wake of Uri attack, the security forces have stepped up vigil, according to Reuters. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

During his monthly radio address, Modi praised Indian Army recalling Uri attack and said Kashmiris are 'recognising anti-state players'

As Kashmir unrest enters day 79, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that people in the Valley want peace and normalcy to return. During his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' radio address, he gave a message to the people of Kashmir saying: "Peace, unity and harmony are the ways to resolve problems and move towards development." "Farmers in Valley are worried for their crops and locals are recognising anti-state players here," Modi was quoted as saying by Indian news agency IANS. He also referred to the September 18 attack in Uri sector of Kashmir and praised Indian Army saying: "While politicians speak, military shows bravery; we are proud of our army." "Recently our 18 bravehearts laid down their lives in Uri. Such a cowardice attack was enough to stir the nation. I am sure that our soldiers would keep foiling such acts in the future." While India has blamed Pakistan for the militant attack in Uri and called for the isolation of the country on the international front, the neighbouring country has refuted the allegations. Lockdown in Valley Normal life remained paralysed in Kashmir today, more than two months after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter on July 8 triggering worst unrest in the Valley in about six years. Curfew was imposed in Kishtwar town of the northernmost Indian state this morning following clashes between a mob and police, Indian news agency PTI reported. Detention of three people under the Public Safety Act (PSA) triggered agitation and stone pelting in the area, according to the news agency. "Curfew was imposed in Kishtwar town and other nearby areas around 0400 hours (local time) today as a precautionary measure", senior superintendent of police, Kishtwar, Sandeep Wazir told PTI. The three persons were detained last night in Kishtwar over attempts of trying to "disrupt peace", he said. Violent protests in the Valley have claimed at least 80 lives leaving about 7,000 people injured in the past three months. Parts in the Valley have been shut down for a third consecutive month now in response to a protest call given by separatist leaders, who demand freedom for the Valley, Reuters reports. Markets, schools and colleges remain shut in most parts. According to the international news agency, the separatists have extended their protest programme to September 29. In the wake of Uri attack, the security forces have stepped up vigil, according to Reuters. (WION with inputs from agencies)

People of Kashmir want peace, says Indian PM as unrest enters day 79?

As tensions continue to mount between India and Pakistan in the wake of September 18 terror attack on an Indian army base in Uri sector of Kashmir, China has assured unequivocal support to Pakistan against &quot;foreign aggression&rdquo;, Pakistan daily Dawn has reported.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;In case of any [foreign] aggression our country will extend its full support to Pakistan,&rdquo; consul general of China in Pakistan city of &nbsp;Lahore,Yu Boren, was quoted as saying by Punjab chief minister&#39;s office on Friday. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Beijing&#39;s top diplomat conveyed the message during a meeting with Punjab&nbsp;chief minister Shahbaz Sharif.&nbsp; 
 
According to press release issued by the chief minister&#39;s office, &nbsp;China also supports Pakistan&#39;s stance on Kashmir dispute.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;We are and will be siding with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. There is no justification for atrocities on unarmed Kashmiris in (India)-held Kashmir and the Kashmir dispute should be solved in accordance with aspirations of the Kashmiris,&quot; Yu said, according to the report.&nbsp; 
 
The $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic border (CPEC) was another key issue discussed during the meet. According to the CM office, CPEC passes through a part of the disputed region in India because of which India has raised objections over the project.&nbsp; 
 
The Uri attack has triggered a fresh war of words between India and Pakistan. While India has blamed Pakistan for the militant attack on the army base in Uri that killed at least 18 Indian soldiers, Pakistan, denied the allegations and lashed out at India for pinning the blame without any proper investigation.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI)

The remark by a top Beijing diplomat comes amid mounting tensions between India, Pakistan after the Uri attack

As tensions continue to mount between India and Pakistan in the wake of September 18 terror attack on an Indian army base in Uri sector of Kashmir, China has assured unequivocal support to Pakistan against "foreign aggression”, Pakistan daily Dawn has reported. “In case of any [foreign] aggression our country will extend its full support to Pakistan,” consul general of China in Pakistan city of Lahore,Yu Boren, was quoted as saying by Punjab chief minister's office on Friday. Beijing's top diplomat conveyed the message during a meeting with Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif. According to press release issued by the chief minister's office, China also supports Pakistan's stance on Kashmir dispute. "We are and will be siding with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. There is no justification for atrocities on unarmed Kashmiris in (India)-held Kashmir and the Kashmir dispute should be solved in accordance with aspirations of the Kashmiris," Yu said, according to the report. The $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic border (CPEC) was another key issue discussed during the meet. According to the CM office, CPEC passes through a part of the disputed region in India because of which India has raised objections over the project. The Uri attack has triggered a fresh war of words between India and Pakistan. While India has blamed Pakistan for the militant attack on the army base in Uri that killed at least 18 Indian soldiers, Pakistan, denied the allegations and lashed out at India for pinning the blame without any proper investigation. (WION with inputs from PTI)

China assures Pakistan of support against 'foreign aggression'

Continuing his stand to take firm action against the perpetrators of the deadly Uri attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met with the Army, Air Force Chiefs of Staff and Naval Vice Admiral to discuss the prevailing security conditions. 
 
Apart from Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh Suhag, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and the Naval Vice Admiral, the National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval was also present for the meeting at the Prime Minister`s residence. 
 
Besides discussing the prevailing security situation in the country, discussions were also held on India`s response to the Uri attack, in which New Delhi has held Islamabad responsible. 
 
Later in the day, the Modi will fly to the country&#39;s southern state of Kerala, where he will address party office-bearers in Kozhikode and is expected to break his silence on the government`s response to the terror attack on the Army base. 
 
Immediately after the Uri attack, Modi had vowed in a strongly worded tweet that he will not let the perpetrators go &quot;unpunished&quot;. 
 
Earlier, the country&#39;s Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had asserted that the Prime Minister`s promise to punish those behind the Uri terror attack would not remain just words. 
 
Last Sunday, a militant attack on an army base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, had claimed the lives of eighteen soldiers. 
 
While 17 soldiers died on Sunday, the army confirmed that one more critically injured soldier succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, pushing the death toll to 18. 
 
The armed militants lobbed grenades into their tents and barracks, while the soldiers were sleeping. 
 
The ensuing fire led to a large number of casualties. Twenty-eight injured soldiers are being treated at a military hospital.&nbsp; 
 
(ANI)

Discussions were also held on India's prevailing security situation

Continuing his stand to take firm action against the perpetrators of the deadly Uri attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met with the Army, Air Force Chiefs of Staff and Naval Vice Admiral to discuss the prevailing security conditions. Apart from Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh Suhag, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and the Naval Vice Admiral, the National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval was also present for the meeting at the Prime Minister`s residence. Besides discussing the prevailing security situation in the country, discussions were also held on India`s response to the Uri attack, in which New Delhi has held Islamabad responsible. Later in the day, the Modi will fly to the country's southern state of Kerala, where he will address party office-bearers in Kozhikode and is expected to break his silence on the government`s response to the terror attack on the Army base. Immediately after the Uri attack, Modi had vowed in a strongly worded tweet that he will not let the perpetrators go "unpunished". Earlier, the country's Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had asserted that the Prime Minister`s promise to punish those behind the Uri terror attack would not remain just words. Last Sunday, a militant attack on an army base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, had claimed the lives of eighteen soldiers. While 17 soldiers died on Sunday, the army confirmed that one more critically injured soldier succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, pushing the death toll to 18. The armed militants lobbed grenades into their tents and barracks, while the soldiers were sleeping. The ensuing fire led to a large number of casualties. Twenty-eight injured soldiers are being treated at a military hospital. (ANI)

India: Modi meets defence brass to discuss Uri response

Pakistan plans to take Interpol&#39;s help in extraditing Baloch&nbsp;separatist leader Brahamdagh Bugti, interior minister&nbsp;Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said. 
 
&quot;The Federal Investigation Agency will send a formal reference to Interpol within the next few days for the extradition of Brahamdagh Bugti,&quot;&nbsp;Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune quoted him as saying. 
 
The call for extradition comes after Bugti approached the Indian consulate in Geneva, where he is living in exile, to inquire about India&#39;s asylum process.&nbsp; 
 
India&#39;s interior ministry has recieved his application for asylum and will be reviewing it.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Their [Indians&#39;] feelings about Brahamdagh Bugti and their invitation to him unmistakably establish who is behind terrorism (in Balochistan),&quot; Nisar said. 
 
The minister also said, &quot;The Indians don&#39;t have any evidence, so what sort of investigation can Pakistan carry out? They have blamed us just to defame Pakistan,&quot; referring to the Uri attack, in which 18 Indian army soldiers were killed in an encounter with four militants.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from ANI) 
 
&nbsp;

Baloch separatist leader Brahamdagh Bugti recently asked India, which has backed his cause, to grant him political asylum

Pakistan plans to take Interpol's help in extraditing Baloch separatist leader Brahamdagh Bugti, interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said. "The Federal Investigation Agency will send a formal reference to Interpol within the next few days for the extradition of Brahamdagh Bugti," Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune quoted him as saying. The call for extradition comes after Bugti approached the Indian consulate in Geneva, where he is living in exile, to inquire about India's asylum process. India's interior ministry has recieved his application for asylum and will be reviewing it. "Their [Indians'] feelings about Brahamdagh Bugti and their invitation to him unmistakably establish who is behind terrorism (in Balochistan)," Nisar said. The minister also said, "The Indians don't have any evidence, so what sort of investigation can Pakistan carry out? They have blamed us just to defame Pakistan," referring to the Uri attack, in which 18 Indian army soldiers were killed in an encounter with four militants. (WION with inputs from ANI)

Pakistan plans to take Interpol's help in extraditing Baloch leader

Speaking at a national meet of his party the BJP&nbsp;in India&#39;s southern state of Kerala on Saturday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to directly address the people of Pakistan. 
 
The Indian Prime Minister&nbsp;challenged the people of Pakistan to a fight -- but one to end poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy in his first speech after the Uri attack in Kashmir in which 18 Indian soldiers had been killed. 
 
&quot;Let us see which country wins, India or Pakistan,&quot; he said. 
 
Modi said both India and Pakistan will win when they stand together and&nbsp;speak in one voice. 
 
But while he extended an olive branch to the people of&nbsp;Pakistan, it wasn&#39;t all sugary sweet. Prime Minister Modi also adopted a harder tone, and warned Pakistan that the Uri attack would not be forgotten by India. 
 
&quot;Terrorists should hear out clearly that India will never forget the Uri attack.... I want to tell the leadership of Pakistan that the sacrifice of our 18 jawans (soldiers) will not go in vain,&quot; Modi said at a public meeting held on the Kozhikode beach on the sidelines of the BJP&#39;s national meet. 
 
Referring to the country again, he said: &quot;India has never bowed before terrorists, and it never will. Because of one country, the entire continent of Asia is beleaguered with terrorism. The country wants blood, wants to kill innocents and is stuck to doing that.&rdquo; 
 
And he blamed Pakistan for &quot;exporting&quot;&nbsp;the terrorists who carried out the attack on the Indian army camp in Kashmir last Sunday. 
 
&quot;The leaders of the neighbouring country who read out scripts written by terrorists are singing the Kashmir song. Today from here, I want to talk to people of Pakistan directly. I want to remind them that before 1947, your forefathers had saluted this land,&quot; he said. 
 
He went on to add that every terrorist attack in South Asia -- be it&nbsp;Bangladesh or Afghanistan -- can be traced back to Pakistan. And that the country was responsible for harbouring terrorists. 
 
&quot;Every nation is holding only one country responsible for terrorism. Only one country in Asia is safe haven for terrorists. This is the only country engaged in exporting terror across the world. 
 
&quot;Terrorism is enemy of humanity. Humanitarians all over the world have to unite and condemn terror,&quot; he said. 
 
Mr Modi asked the people of Pakistan to question their leaders. 
 
&quot;You should ask your leaders why they were not able to handle PoK, erstwhile Bangladesh, Pakhtunistan, Gilgit and Balochistan and were trying to mislead you by talking about Kashmir,&quot; he said. 
 
He told them their government&nbsp;cannot &quot;handle&quot;&nbsp;Pakistan-controlled&nbsp;Kashmir but misleads its own people by talking about Kashmir. 
 
&quot;Ask them,&nbsp;you can&#39;t handle Gilgit, PoK, Balochistan which is with you, then why mislead people by talking of Kashmir?&rdquo; 
 
The 21st&nbsp;century is Asia&#39;s century, Mr Modi said, but that added that&nbsp;one country was hindering the continent&#39;s success. He was of course referring again to Pakistan. 
 
&quot;All countries in Asia is working forward to make sure that 21st century becomes Asia&#39;s 21st century except one country. There is one nation in Asia whose aim is this century does not become Asia&#39;s and is associated with terrorism. Question is not only about India, everywhere this is one country which is exporting terrorism everywhere,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
 
(WION, with inputs from DNA and PTI)

He challenged them to a fight -- but one to end poverty and unemployment. Then got tough, said 'India will never forget Uri attack'

Speaking at a national meet of his party the BJP in India's southern state of Kerala on Saturday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to directly address the people of Pakistan. The Indian Prime Minister challenged the people of Pakistan to a fight -- but one to end poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy in his first speech after the Uri attack in Kashmir in which 18 Indian soldiers had been killed. "Let us see which country wins, India or Pakistan," he said. Modi said both India and Pakistan will win when they stand together and speak in one voice. But while he extended an olive branch to the people of Pakistan, it wasn't all sugary sweet. Prime Minister Modi also adopted a harder tone, and warned Pakistan that the Uri attack would not be forgotten by India. "Terrorists should hear out clearly that India will never forget the Uri attack.... I want to tell the leadership of Pakistan that the sacrifice of our 18 jawans (soldiers) will not go in vain," Modi said at a public meeting held on the Kozhikode beach on the sidelines of the BJP's national meet. Referring to the country again, he said: "India has never bowed before terrorists, and it never will. Because of one country, the entire continent of Asia is beleaguered with terrorism. The country wants blood, wants to kill innocents and is stuck to doing that.” And he blamed Pakistan for "exporting" the terrorists who carried out the attack on the Indian army camp in Kashmir last Sunday. "The leaders of the neighbouring country who read out scripts written by terrorists are singing the Kashmir song. Today from here, I want to talk to people of Pakistan directly. I want to remind them that before 1947, your forefathers had saluted this land," he said. He went on to add that every terrorist attack in South Asia -- be it Bangladesh or Afghanistan -- can be traced back to Pakistan. And that the country was responsible for harbouring terrorists. "Every nation is holding only one country responsible for terrorism. Only one country in Asia is safe haven for terrorists. This is the only country engaged in exporting terror across the world. "Terrorism is enemy of humanity. Humanitarians all over the world have to unite and condemn terror," he said. Mr Modi asked the people of Pakistan to question their leaders. "You should ask your leaders why they were not able to handle PoK, erstwhile Bangladesh, Pakhtunistan, Gilgit and Balochistan and were trying to mislead you by talking about Kashmir," he said. He told them their government cannot "handle" Pakistan-controlled Kashmir but misleads its own people by talking about Kashmir. "Ask them, you can't handle Gilgit, PoK, Balochistan which is with you, then why mislead people by talking of Kashmir?” The 21st century is Asia's century, Mr Modi said, but that added that one country was hindering the continent's success. He was of course referring again to Pakistan. "All countries in Asia is working forward to make sure that 21st century becomes Asia's 21st century except one country. There is one nation in Asia whose aim is this century does not become Asia's and is associated with terrorism. Question is not only about India, everywhere this is one country which is exporting terrorism everywhere," he said. (WION, with inputs from DNA and PTI)

In first public address after Kashmir terror strike, Indian PM Modi addresses people of Pakistan

Russia on Friday clarified that it will not be holding any anti-terror exercise with Pakistan in Kashmir or in any other &quot;sensitive or problematic areas like Gilgit and Baltistan&quot;. 
 
It came soon after a mechanised infantry unit of the Russian military arrived in Pakistan to participate in the first-ever joint military drills dubbed &#39;Friendship-2016.&#39; 
 
&quot;The only venue of the exercise is Cherat. All reports alleging the drills taking place at the High Altitude Military School in Rattu are erroneous and mischievous,&quot; a statement from the Russian Embassy said.&nbsp; 
 
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup had earlier said that India&#39;s &quot;sensitivities&quot; towards Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism are well-known and same was also conveyed to its strategic partner Russia.&nbsp; 
 
Lieutenant-General Asim Saleem Bajwa, the director-general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces tweeted, &quot;A contingent of Russian ground forces arrived in Pakistan for first ever Pak-Russian joint exercise for two weeks from September 24 to October 10.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
About 200 soldiers from each side will take part in the two-week war games. 
 
Pakistan said the development reflected the increased cooperation between the two countries and &quot;indicates a desire on both sides to broaden defence and military-technical cooperation&quot;. 
 
The joint military exercise, starting on September 24, was earlier reported to have been cancelled in the wake of the September 18 attack on an Indian army base in Jammu and Kashmir that left 18 soldiers dead. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Russian Embassy assured it will avoid sensitive areas, including Kashmir, during its two-week long military drills with Pakistan

Russia on Friday clarified that it will not be holding any anti-terror exercise with Pakistan in Kashmir or in any other "sensitive or problematic areas like Gilgit and Baltistan". It came soon after a mechanised infantry unit of the Russian military arrived in Pakistan to participate in the first-ever joint military drills dubbed 'Friendship-2016.' "The only venue of the exercise is Cherat. All reports alleging the drills taking place at the High Altitude Military School in Rattu are erroneous and mischievous," a statement from the Russian Embassy said. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup had earlier said that India's "sensitivities" towards Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism are well-known and same was also conveyed to its strategic partner Russia. Lieutenant-General Asim Saleem Bajwa, the director-general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces tweeted, "A contingent of Russian ground forces arrived in Pakistan for first ever Pak-Russian joint exercise for two weeks from September 24 to October 10." About 200 soldiers from each side will take part in the two-week war games. Pakistan said the development reflected the increased cooperation between the two countries and "indicates a desire on both sides to broaden defence and military-technical cooperation". The joint military exercise, starting on September 24, was earlier reported to have been cancelled in the wake of the September 18 attack on an Indian army base in Jammu and Kashmir that left 18 soldiers dead. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Not holding any anti-terror exercise with Pakistan in sensitive areas: Russia

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) cancelled multiple flights after Civil Aviation Authority&rsquo;s (CAA) announced closing of airspace over the country&rsquo;s northern areas on Wednesday, according to multiple reports. 
 
&quot;As per directives of &nbsp;CAA (Civil Aviation Authority), the air space over Northern areas will remain closed on Wednesday.&nbsp;Inconvenience regretted,&quot; PIA spokesperson Danyal Gilani said on Twitter. 
 
Flights to northern areas including Gilgit and Skardu in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir were cancelled.&nbsp; 
 
The move to impose airspace restrictions comes amid escalating tensions with India, Indian news agency PTI said. However, Pakistan daily, the Dawn, pointed out that no reason was given for closure of airspace.&nbsp; 
 
India and Pakistan are at loggerheads with each-other following terror attack on Indian Army base in the Uri sector of Kashmir Valley where 18 soldiers were killed. Four militants involved in the terror strike were also shot dead during one of the worst such raids in over two decades in Kashmir. 
 
A showdown at United Nations General Assembly has also laid bare the tensions between the two nations with both the countries hurling allegations at each other over continuing unrest and human rights violations in Kashmir in India and Balochistan in Pakistan.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

Flights to northern areas, including Gilgit and Skardu, in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir were cancelled

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) cancelled multiple flights after Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) announced closing of airspace over the country’s northern areas on Wednesday, according to multiple reports. "As per directives of CAA (Civil Aviation Authority), the air space over Northern areas will remain closed on Wednesday. Inconvenience regretted," PIA spokesperson Danyal Gilani said on Twitter. Flights to northern areas including Gilgit and Skardu in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir were cancelled. The move to impose airspace restrictions comes amid escalating tensions with India, Indian news agency PTI said. However, Pakistan daily, the Dawn, pointed out that no reason was given for closure of airspace. India and Pakistan are at loggerheads with each-other following terror attack on Indian Army base in the Uri sector of Kashmir Valley where 18 soldiers were killed. Four militants involved in the terror strike were also shot dead during one of the worst such raids in over two decades in Kashmir. A showdown at United Nations General Assembly has also laid bare the tensions between the two nations with both the countries hurling allegations at each other over continuing unrest and human rights violations in Kashmir in India and Balochistan in Pakistan. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Pakistan imposes airspace curbs as tension escalates with India?

Unlike in the case of Pathankot terror attack, India&#39;s offer to Pakistan to verify involvement of its nationals in the Uri terror strike will be &quot;limited&quot; to providing fingerprints and DNA samples of terrorists killed in the incident. 
 
Briefing reporters a day after Indian foreign secretary S Jaishankar summoned Pakistan high commissioner to India Abdul Basit and issued a demarche over the Uri attack. MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that &quot;irrefutable evidence&quot; was shown to the envoy that points to the involvement of Pak-based groups and individuals or territory under Pakistan control. 
 
Noting that the foreign secretary conveyed details of the various items that had been recovered from the terrorists, he said, Jaishankar &quot;showed the Pakistan high commissioner the GPS tracking devices, pictures of Pakistan-made grenades and the finger prints of one of the terrorists&quot;. 
 
Jaishankar also listed some of the incidents including a foiled infiltration bid in Nowgam sector on July 30 that resulted in the death of two terrorists and two Indian soldiers, one along the line of control (LoC) in Macchil sector on August 8 resulting in the death of three BSF personnel and one terrorist, and an encounter in Srinagar on August 15 in which a CRPF commandant was killed and 11 CRPF personnel were injured. 
 
The nature and frequency of this infiltration belie the claim of the Pakistani DGMO that the border has &#39;water-tight arrangements&#39; from the Pakistani side, the foreign secretary conveyed to Basit. 
 
&quot;On the contrary, such bids cannot be continuously mounted without the active and collaborative support of Pakistani security forces,&quot; he told the Pakistan envoy. 
 
Swarup said, &quot;It is, of course, widely known that the training and arming of terrorists are freely taking place in Pakistan and Indian territory under its control. Acknowledged leaders of terrorist organisations have also been given free rein and parade around even in Islamabad. Such terrorism is not only directed against India but is now increasingly recognised as a larger regional concern.&quot; 
 
The foreign secretary also reminded Basit of the capture of Pakistani terrorist Bahadur Ali &quot;to whom we had even offered consular access to Pakistan&quot;. 
 
(This piece first appeared in DNA)

India said that evidence was shown to the Pak envoy pointing to the involvement of Pak-based groups in the attack

Unlike in the case of Pathankot terror attack, India's offer to Pakistan to verify involvement of its nationals in the Uri terror strike will be "limited" to providing fingerprints and DNA samples of terrorists killed in the incident. Briefing reporters a day after Indian foreign secretary S Jaishankar summoned Pakistan high commissioner to India Abdul Basit and issued a demarche over the Uri attack. MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that "irrefutable evidence" was shown to the envoy that points to the involvement of Pak-based groups and individuals or territory under Pakistan control. Noting that the foreign secretary conveyed details of the various items that had been recovered from the terrorists, he said, Jaishankar "showed the Pakistan high commissioner the GPS tracking devices, pictures of Pakistan-made grenades and the finger prints of one of the terrorists". Jaishankar also listed some of the incidents including a foiled infiltration bid in Nowgam sector on July 30 that resulted in the death of two terrorists and two Indian soldiers, one along the line of control (LoC) in Macchil sector on August 8 resulting in the death of three BSF personnel and one terrorist, and an encounter in Srinagar on August 15 in which a CRPF commandant was killed and 11 CRPF personnel were injured. The nature and frequency of this infiltration belie the claim of the Pakistani DGMO that the border has 'water-tight arrangements' from the Pakistani side, the foreign secretary conveyed to Basit. "On the contrary, such bids cannot be continuously mounted without the active and collaborative support of Pakistani security forces," he told the Pakistan envoy. Swarup said, "It is, of course, widely known that the training and arming of terrorists are freely taking place in Pakistan and Indian territory under its control. Acknowledged leaders of terrorist organisations have also been given free rein and parade around even in Islamabad. Such terrorism is not only directed against India but is now increasingly recognised as a larger regional concern." The foreign secretary also reminded Basit of the capture of Pakistani terrorist Bahadur Ali "to whom we had even offered consular access to Pakistan". (This piece first appeared in DNA)

Will provide 'limited' help to Pakistan in Uri attack probe: Indian foreign secretary

Pakistan&#39;s Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali slammed Pakistani political parties for supporting terrorists on Monday.&nbsp; 
 
The Chief Justice while addressing a public meeting hit out at Pakistani political parties supporting terrorism for their own vested interests.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;It is disappointing to see some political parties supporting terrorists for their own interest,&rdquo; he said, Geo News, a private Pakistani news channel reported.&nbsp; 
 
His comments come a day after four militants inflitrated an Indian army headquarters in Uri in India&#39;s northern Kashmir state near the Line of Control. In the encounter 18 Indian army soliders died and the four militants were killed. &nbsp; 
 
Jamali was quoted by Geo News saying &quot;terrorism&quot; is thriving in Pakistan because of &quot;external powers and internal patronisation.&quot; 
 
(WION) 
 
 
&nbsp;

The Chief Justice hit out at Pakistani political parties supporting terrorism for their own vested interests

Pakistan's Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali slammed Pakistani political parties for supporting terrorists on Monday. The Chief Justice while addressing a public meeting hit out at Pakistani political parties supporting terrorism for their own vested interests. “It is disappointing to see some political parties supporting terrorists for their own interest,” he said, Geo News, a private Pakistani news channel reported. His comments come a day after four militants inflitrated an Indian army headquarters in Uri in India's northern Kashmir state near the Line of Control. In the encounter 18 Indian army soliders died and the four militants were killed. Jamali was quoted by Geo News saying "terrorism" is thriving in Pakistan because of "external powers and internal patronisation." (WION)

Pakistan Chief Justice accuses political parties for supporting terrorism

The US House of Representatives has introduced the &#39;Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act&#39;, a bill which labels Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism, the Press Trust of India reported.&nbsp; 
 
The bill was introduced by Republicans Ted Poe and Dana Rohrabacher. 
 
Poe, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism said, &quot;It is time we stopped paying Pakistan for its betrayal and designate it for what it is: a state sponsor of terrorism. 
 
&quot;Not only is Pakistan an untrustworthy ally, Islamabad has also aided and abetted enemies of the US for years,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;From harbouring Osama bin Laden to its cozy relationship with the Haqqani network, there is more than enough evidence to determine whose side Pakistan is on in the War on Terror. And it&#39;s not America&#39;s,&quot; he added.&nbsp; 
 
PTI reported Poe as saying US President Barack Obama will have to issue a report stating whether Pakistan has backed international terrorism or not within 90 days. &nbsp; 
 
&quot;Thirty days after that, the secretary of state must issue a follow-up report containing either a determination that Pakistan is a state sponsor of terrorism or a detailed justification as to why Pakistan does not meet the legal criteria for designation,&quot; Poe said. 
 
Congressman Pete Olson condemned the Uri attack and said, &quot;I strongly condemn this terrorist attack on an Indian army base in Kashmir that resulted in the death of 18 Indian soldiers. India is a strong partner and ally in peace.&quot; 
 
&quot;I support every effort to find out who committed this heinous act, so that the perpetrators are brought to justice. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

The bill was introduced by Republicans Ted Poe and Dana Rohrabacher

The US House of Representatives has introduced the 'Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act', a bill which labels Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism, the Press Trust of India reported. The bill was introduced by Republicans Ted Poe and Dana Rohrabacher. Poe, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism said, "It is time we stopped paying Pakistan for its betrayal and designate it for what it is: a state sponsor of terrorism. "Not only is Pakistan an untrustworthy ally, Islamabad has also aided and abetted enemies of the US for years," he said. "From harbouring Osama bin Laden to its cozy relationship with the Haqqani network, there is more than enough evidence to determine whose side Pakistan is on in the War on Terror. And it's not America's," he added. PTI reported Poe as saying US President Barack Obama will have to issue a report stating whether Pakistan has backed international terrorism or not within 90 days. "Thirty days after that, the secretary of state must issue a follow-up report containing either a determination that Pakistan is a state sponsor of terrorism or a detailed justification as to why Pakistan does not meet the legal criteria for designation," Poe said. Congressman Pete Olson condemned the Uri attack and said, "I strongly condemn this terrorist attack on an Indian army base in Kashmir that resulted in the death of 18 Indian soldiers. India is a strong partner and ally in peace." "I support every effort to find out who committed this heinous act, so that the perpetrators are brought to justice. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims," he said. (WION with inputs from PTI)

US lawmakers introduce bill labelling Pakistan 'state sponsor of terrorism'

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressed the United Nations General Assembly session in New York amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan.&nbsp; 
 
Pakistan&nbsp;expressed readiness for a &quot;serious and sustained dialogue&quot; with India for peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, especially Jammu and Kashmir. 
 
Sharif insisted resolution of the long-standing Kashmir dispute is imperative to achieving peace in the region.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Confrontation should not be a strategy in South Asia, we want peace with India, we have gone a long way to start talks. India has put preconditions to talks. But I must say these talks are no favour to Pakistan. It is in the interest of both India and Pakistan to address the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Peace cannot be reached without talks on Kashmir,&quot; he said. 
 
But Pakistan&#39;s repeated attempts to raise the Kashmir issue at international fora have gained little traction. Pakistan has been on the backfoot after India claimed it had evidence that the recent Uri attack on the Indian Army base was carried out by Pakistan&#39;s banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).&nbsp; 
 
India asserted that Pakistan is in complete denial of the recent Uri attack on the Indian Army base.&nbsp;Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup took to Twitter to slam Nawaz Sharif&#39;s UNGA speech. 
 
Swarup said Sharif&#39;s statement glorifying&nbsp;slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani at the UN shows&nbsp;Pakistan&#39;s continued attachment to terrorism. 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Pak PM Sharif at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA?src=hash">#UNGA</a> glorifies Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani in UN&#39;s highest forum. Shows continued Pak attachment to terrorism.
&mdash; Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/778660066794680321">September 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
 
The Pakistan Prime Minister had referred to slain Hizbul commander Burhan Wani as a &quot;young leader&quot; and said he has &quot;emerged as the symbol of the latest Kashmiri Intifada, a popular and peaceful freedom movement.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
Sharif said an indigenous uprising has been noted in the Indian state of Kashmir that has been met by brutal oppression from the Indian forces.&nbsp; 
 
Sharif called for a fact-finding mission to be sent by the United Nations to Kashmir to probe the atrocities. He said Pakistan &quot;fully supports the demand of the Kashmiri people for self-determination&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I demand an independent inquiry into the extrajudicial killings in Kashmir, demand an end to the curfew.&quot; 
 
Sharif said Pakistan will also share a dossier with United Nations Secretary-General on the alleged Indian brutalities in Kashmir. 
 
Responding to Sharif&#39;s allegations, Swarup said India&#39;s only condition for talks is an end to terrorism. 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
PM Sharif at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA?src=hash">#UNGA</a> says India poses unacceptable conditions to dialogue. India&#39;s only condition is an end to terrorism. This not acceptable?
&mdash; Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/778659426098044929">September 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
 
Sharif stressed that economic development was Pakistan&#39;s priority but the goal can only be achieved through peace and stability in the region.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;My country has been the principal victim of terrorism including that &nbsp;supported, sponsored, financed from abroad. Thousands of our people have been injured in these terrorist attacks. &quot; 
 
He said such attacks have only strengthened Pakistan&#39;s resolve to fight the scourge of terrorism. 
 
&quot;We will not allow externally sponsored terrorism and threats of destabilisation to cause turbulence in Pakistan.&quot; 
 
He termed terrorism a global phenomenon and urged the international community to take collective action, &quot;The international community must take action, collectively and not unilaterally to fight the problem.&quot; 
 
&quot;We will not win the fight against violent extremism so long as we do not address the roots causes of violent extremism like socio-political injustice, denial of legitimate rights of nations and people,&quot; said Sharif. 
 
(WION)

India asserted that Pakistan's statement at the UN confirms it is harbouring banned terrorists and is in complete denial of the Uri attack

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressed the United Nations General Assembly session in New York amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Pakistan expressed readiness for a "serious and sustained dialogue" with India for peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, especially Jammu and Kashmir. Sharif insisted resolution of the long-standing Kashmir dispute is imperative to achieving peace in the region. "Confrontation should not be a strategy in South Asia, we want peace with India, we have gone a long way to start talks. India has put preconditions to talks. But I must say these talks are no favour to Pakistan. It is in the interest of both India and Pakistan to address the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Peace cannot be reached without talks on Kashmir," he said. But Pakistan's repeated attempts to raise the Kashmir issue at international fora have gained little traction. Pakistan has been on the backfoot after India claimed it had evidence that the recent Uri attack on the Indian Army base was carried out by Pakistan's banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). India asserted that Pakistan is in complete denial of the recent Uri attack on the Indian Army base. Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup took to Twitter to slam Nawaz Sharif's UNGA speech. Swarup said Sharif's statement glorifying slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani at the UN shows Pakistan's continued attachment to terrorism. Pak PM Sharif at #UNGA glorifies Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani in UN's highest forum. Shows continued Pak attachment to terrorism. — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) September 21, 2016 The Pakistan Prime Minister had referred to slain Hizbul commander Burhan Wani as a "young leader" and said he has "emerged as the symbol of the latest Kashmiri Intifada, a popular and peaceful freedom movement." Sharif said an indigenous uprising has been noted in the Indian state of Kashmir that has been met by brutal oppression from the Indian forces. Sharif called for a fact-finding mission to be sent by the United Nations to Kashmir to probe the atrocities. He said Pakistan "fully supports the demand of the Kashmiri people for self-determination". "I demand an independent inquiry into the extrajudicial killings in Kashmir, demand an end to the curfew." Sharif said Pakistan will also share a dossier with United Nations Secretary-General on the alleged Indian brutalities in Kashmir. Responding to Sharif's allegations, Swarup said India's only condition for talks is an end to terrorism. PM Sharif at #UNGA says India poses unacceptable conditions to dialogue. India's only condition is an end to terrorism. This not acceptable? — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) September 21, 2016 Sharif stressed that economic development was Pakistan's priority but the goal can only be achieved through peace and stability in the region. "My country has been the principal victim of terrorism including that supported, sponsored, financed from abroad. Thousands of our people have been injured in these terrorist attacks. " He said such attacks have only strengthened Pakistan's resolve to fight the scourge of terrorism. "We will not allow externally sponsored terrorism and threats of destabilisation to cause turbulence in Pakistan." He termed terrorism a global phenomenon and urged the international community to take collective action, "The international community must take action, collectively and not unilaterally to fight the problem." "We will not win the fight against violent extremism so long as we do not address the roots causes of violent extremism like socio-political injustice, denial of legitimate rights of nations and people," said Sharif. (WION)

Pakistan PM Sharif glorifies Hizbul's Burhan Wani in UN speech, India says it proves Pakistan supporting terrorism

By Taha Siddiqui 
 
Heightened tensions after the Uri terror&nbsp;attack in Jammu and Kashmir state&nbsp;and fear-mongering about an impending &#39;nuclear war&#39;&nbsp;have brought the&nbsp;relationship between India and Pakistan to a new low. While the&nbsp;local&nbsp;media focuses&nbsp;only on the speech of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the United Nation&#39;s General Assembly, internationally,&nbsp;all eyes are back on Pakistan&#39;s role in supporting terrorism in the region&nbsp;following the Uri attack.&nbsp; 
 
On September 18, there was a terror attack on Indian Army brigadier headquarters in Uri, Jammu and&nbsp;Kashmir, which was&nbsp;dubbed by the Indian media as &quot;the deadliest attack on security forces in the state&nbsp;in two decades&quot;. Eighteen&nbsp;Indian Army soldiers were killed in the attack that&nbsp;New Delhi claimed was aided by jihadists from across the border. 
 
&quot;Pakistani security elite is in denial of what is happening globally. They are being isolated. And their interests even clash with the aspirations of the Pakistani public&nbsp;who want peace with India,&quot; says Marvi Sirmed, a political commentator who is part of Track II dialogue between India and Pakistan.&nbsp;Track II dialogues aim to bring together individuals from various professional backgrounds from both countries to foster peace. 
 
Sirmed feels that such aspirations do not&nbsp;make it to the mainstream media. &ldquo;The mainstream Pakistani media is overshadowed by those who are close to the military which does not want to have peace with India. They are from the middle and upper class backgrounds, and usually direct beneficiaries of the status quo, and therefore do not want such change,&rdquo; she adds, explaining that even on social media such proxies of the Pakistani security establishment have taken over the narrative and made the debate anti-India. 
&nbsp; 
At the same time, the hawks in the military and civilian domain having been talking about&nbsp;a nuclear war between the two nuclear-armed nations. &ldquo;Pakistan may be forced to use nuclear weapons if any region under its territory is threatened by any foreign force. We cannot let Bangladesh be repeated,&rdquo; says Brigadier Asad Munir, a retired military officer, who used to head an intelligence division in the Pakistani tribal belt. 
&nbsp; 
Certain sections of the media have also whipped up talks of a full-blown war with the neighbours. Messages such as &quot;Pakistan will be attacked by India soon&quot; are being circulated by a few mediapersons considered to be close to the military. 
 
The Pakistan Army has also upped its shields with its chief Raheel Sharif talking about &quot;thwarting any sinister design against integrity and sovereignty&quot; of the country. 
 
&quot;Armed forces of Pakistan are fully prepared to respond to an&nbsp;entire spectrum of direct and indirect threat,&quot; the military&#39;s media wing statement read. 
 
&quot;Taking note of a hostile narrative being propagated by India, COAS [Chief of Army Staff] said that we are fully cognizant and closely watching the latest happenings in the region and their impact on the security of Pakistan,&quot; the statement said. 
 
Some in Pakistan have pointed fingers at India for fomenting tension in the region.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;For all the investments in peace since 2002, and gains made after 2008, both following incidents of violence in India, the rollback to rock bottom is unfortunate but not unforeseen,&rdquo; says Salman Zaidi, an Indo-Pak expert and a research fellow at Jinnah Institute. 
 
According to Zaidi, recent statements made by Indian government officials about strikes inside Pakistan have activated the war machinery in the country. &ldquo;There are ample precedents in the past of rapid conflict escalation. One hopes that war,&nbsp;nuclear or conventional, does not break out, yet if it starts, the Indian side will initiate it. The possibility is not remote,&rdquo; he adds. 
&nbsp; 
But Sirmed says there is some hope given that Pakistani military for the first time used the term terrorists&nbsp;to describe&nbsp;the Uri attackers. &quot;This shows a change in approach. They are calling the perpetrators terrorists in the press statement issued by the military media wing. This gives me some hope that Pakistan Army may change its policy towards Kashmir jihadists. But such a huge network cannot be dismantled in a day, so it will take time,&quot; she adds.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
(WION) 
&nbsp;

Talks of war with India have intensified among the hawks in Pakistan, but internationally it is seen as supporting terror in the region

By Taha Siddiqui Heightened tensions after the Uri terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir state and fear-mongering about an impending 'nuclear war' have brought the relationship between India and Pakistan to a new low. While the local media focuses only on the speech of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the United Nation's General Assembly, internationally, all eyes are back on Pakistan's role in supporting terrorism in the region following the Uri attack. On September 18, there was a terror attack on Indian Army brigadier headquarters in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, which was dubbed by the Indian media as "the deadliest attack on security forces in the state in two decades". Eighteen Indian Army soldiers were killed in the attack that New Delhi claimed was aided by jihadists from across the border. "Pakistani security elite is in denial of what is happening globally. They are being isolated. And their interests even clash with the aspirations of the Pakistani public who want peace with India," says Marvi Sirmed, a political commentator who is part of Track II dialogue between India and Pakistan. Track II dialogues aim to bring together individuals from various professional backgrounds from both countries to foster peace. Sirmed feels that such aspirations do not make it to the mainstream media. “The mainstream Pakistani media is overshadowed by those who are close to the military which does not want to have peace with India. They are from the middle and upper class backgrounds, and usually direct beneficiaries of the status quo, and therefore do not want such change,” she adds, explaining that even on social media such proxies of the Pakistani security establishment have taken over the narrative and made the debate anti-India. At the same time, the hawks in the military and civilian domain having been talking about a nuclear war between the two nuclear-armed nations. “Pakistan may be forced to use nuclear weapons if any region under its territory is threatened by any foreign force. We cannot let Bangladesh be repeated,” says Brigadier Asad Munir, a retired military officer, who used to head an intelligence division in the Pakistani tribal belt. Certain sections of the media have also whipped up talks of a full-blown war with the neighbours. Messages such as "Pakistan will be attacked by India soon" are being circulated by a few mediapersons considered to be close to the military. The Pakistan Army has also upped its shields with its chief Raheel Sharif talking about "thwarting any sinister design against integrity and sovereignty" of the country. "Armed forces of Pakistan are fully prepared to respond to an entire spectrum of direct and indirect threat," the military's media wing statement read. "Taking note of a hostile narrative being propagated by India, COAS [Chief of Army Staff] said that we are fully cognizant and closely watching the latest happenings in the region and their impact on the security of Pakistan," the statement said. Some in Pakistan have pointed fingers at India for fomenting tension in the region. “For all the investments in peace since 2002, and gains made after 2008, both following incidents of violence in India, the rollback to rock bottom is unfortunate but not unforeseen,” says Salman Zaidi, an Indo-Pak expert and a research fellow at Jinnah Institute. According to Zaidi, recent statements made by Indian government officials about strikes inside Pakistan have activated the war machinery in the country. “There are ample precedents in the past of rapid conflict escalation. One hopes that war, nuclear or conventional, does not break out, yet if it starts, the Indian side will initiate it. The possibility is not remote,” he adds. But Sirmed says there is some hope given that Pakistani military for the first time used the term terrorists to describe the Uri attackers. "This shows a change in approach. They are calling the perpetrators terrorists in the press statement issued by the military media wing. This gives me some hope that Pakistan Army may change its policy towards Kashmir jihadists. But such a huge network cannot be dismantled in a day, so it will take time," she adds. (WION)

Uri attack aftermath: Fear-mongering about nuclear war in Pakistan

India&#39;s Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar has summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit over the Uri attacks, sources close to MEA told ANI. 
 
Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar too reacted strongly to the recent attack in Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Uri district and said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s statement about punishing those behind the deadly attack will not remain a mere statement. 
 
Speaking at an event organised by the All India Management Association (AIMA), Parrikar said, &quot;Something may have gone wrong in Uri. It is a sensitive matter. I believe in zero error. As a nation should ensure this is not repeated again. I will take steps to ensure it doesn&#39;t go wrong again.&quot; 
 
Further warning Pakistan, he said, &quot;Not saying specifically on this incident, but if I want I can have a knee-jerk reaction. I normally prefer to implement things rather than talk. PM Modi&#39;s statement that &#39;those behind Uri attack will not go unpunished&#39;, will not remain a mere statement.&quot; 
 
Security has been beefed up in the Valley, especially after the Uri attack in which 18 Army soldiers lost their lives, and defence forces are on high alert and on the lookout for any untoward elements. 
 
(This piece first appeared in DNA)

Security has been beefed up in the Kashmir valley after the Uri attack that killed 18 Indian Army soldiers

India's Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar has summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit over the Uri attacks, sources close to MEA told ANI. Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar too reacted strongly to the recent attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri district and said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement about punishing those behind the deadly attack will not remain a mere statement. Speaking at an event organised by the All India Management Association (AIMA), Parrikar said, "Something may have gone wrong in Uri. It is a sensitive matter. I believe in zero error. As a nation should ensure this is not repeated again. I will take steps to ensure it doesn't go wrong again." Further warning Pakistan, he said, "Not saying specifically on this incident, but if I want I can have a knee-jerk reaction. I normally prefer to implement things rather than talk. PM Modi's statement that 'those behind Uri attack will not go unpunished', will not remain a mere statement." Security has been beefed up in the Valley, especially after the Uri attack in which 18 Army soldiers lost their lives, and defence forces are on high alert and on the lookout for any untoward elements. (This piece first appeared in DNA)

India summons Pak envoy Basit over Uri attack

Pakistan will not be sending its intelligence chief to India to attend a conference of top security experts of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries that starts Thursday, Indian news agency PTI reported today.&nbsp; 
 
As tensions continue to fester between two countries, especially in the wake of attack on Indian Army base in Uri sector of Kashmir Valley, director general of intelligence bureau of Pakistan, Aftab Sultan, will not attend the SAARC meeting and that country will be represented by an official of the Pakistan High Commission, a home ministry official has been quoted as saying.&nbsp; 
 
Intelligence chiefs of all other SAARC nations --Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives besides India --are set to participate in the two-day conference, being hosted by director of intelligence bureau Dineshwar Sharma.&nbsp; 
 
According to a statement issued by the home ministry, the aim of the meeting is to strengthen SAARC anti-terror mechanism.&nbsp; 
 
The agenda of the meeting includes functioning of SAARC Terrorist Offences Monitoring Desk (STOMD) and the SAARC Drug Offences Monitoring Desk (SDOMD), countering terrorism and strengthening anti-terrorism mechanisms in SAARC, intelligence sharing and police cooperation, human resource development and relationship building, combating corruption and cyber crimes, among others.&nbsp; 
 
The first such meeting was held in New Delhi in February 2012. 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

Attack on Indian army base in Uri and continuing unrest in Kashmir has led to deterioration of bilateral relations between the two countries

Pakistan will not be sending its intelligence chief to India to attend a conference of top security experts of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries that starts Thursday, Indian news agency PTI reported today. As tensions continue to fester between two countries, especially in the wake of attack on Indian Army base in Uri sector of Kashmir Valley, director general of intelligence bureau of Pakistan, Aftab Sultan, will not attend the SAARC meeting and that country will be represented by an official of the Pakistan High Commission, a home ministry official has been quoted as saying. Intelligence chiefs of all other SAARC nations --Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives besides India --are set to participate in the two-day conference, being hosted by director of intelligence bureau Dineshwar Sharma. According to a statement issued by the home ministry, the aim of the meeting is to strengthen SAARC anti-terror mechanism. The agenda of the meeting includes functioning of SAARC Terrorist Offences Monitoring Desk (STOMD) and the SAARC Drug Offences Monitoring Desk (SDOMD), countering terrorism and strengthening anti-terrorism mechanisms in SAARC, intelligence sharing and police cooperation, human resource development and relationship building, combating corruption and cyber crimes, among others. The first such meeting was held in New Delhi in February 2012. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Pakistan intelligence chief to skip SAARC meet in India

Ten terrorists were killed by the Indian Army in Lachipura area of Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Uri sector on Tuesday, ANI reported.
<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FLASH?src=hash">#FLASH</a> Two more terrorists killed by Army in Lachipura area of Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Uri sector. Total 10 terrorists killed.
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/778194651748589568">September 20, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
 
Two days after the terror attack in Uri, Pakistani troops today &quot;violated the border ceasefire&quot; in the same sector of Kashmir, targeting Indian Army positions with small firearms, PTI reported. 
 
&quot;Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing by small arms towards Indian positions in Uri sector this afternoon,&quot; an army official said. 
 
In Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, a Pakistani colonel said that there was no firing. He, however, added that both&nbsp;sides were on high alert and strengthening their positions. 
 
Pakistan&#39;s foreign office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said that no shot had been fired by Pakistan, after Indian television channels said troops of both countries had exchanged fire. 
 
&quot;There seems to be some activity across the border but there has been no activity from our side, not one shot fired from here,&quot; he told Reuters. 
 
The Indian Army official said that the firing from across the Line of Control took place between 1.10 pm and 1. 30 pm today, according to a PTI report. 
 
The ceasefire violation comes two days after four Jaish- e-Mohammad militants stormed an army base in Uri Sector, killing 18 soldiers and injuring several others. All the four militants were also killed. 
 
The terror attack has heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

An Indian Army official said that the firing took place from across the line of control today

Ten terrorists were killed by the Indian Army in Lachipura area of Jammu and Kashmir's Uri sector on Tuesday, ANI reported. #FLASH Two more terrorists killed by Army in Lachipura area of Jammu and Kashmir's Uri sector. Total 10 terrorists killed. — ANI (@ANI_news) September 20, 2016 Two days after the terror attack in Uri, Pakistani troops today "violated the border ceasefire" in the same sector of Kashmir, targeting Indian Army positions with small firearms, PTI reported. "Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing by small arms towards Indian positions in Uri sector this afternoon," an army official said. In Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, a Pakistani colonel said that there was no firing. He, however, added that both sides were on high alert and strengthening their positions. Pakistan's foreign office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said that no shot had been fired by Pakistan, after Indian television channels said troops of both countries had exchanged fire. "There seems to be some activity across the border but there has been no activity from our side, not one shot fired from here," he told Reuters. The Indian Army official said that the firing from across the Line of Control took place between 1.10 pm and 1. 30 pm today, according to a PTI report. The ceasefire violation comes two days after four Jaish- e-Mohammad militants stormed an army base in Uri Sector, killing 18 soldiers and injuring several others. All the four militants were also killed. The terror attack has heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. (WION with inputs from agencies)

10 terrorists killed in Kashmir's Uri after Pakistan 'violates' ceasefire

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Tuesday called on India to&nbsp;immediately cease &ldquo;atrocities&rdquo; in Kashmir and settle the issue peacefully&nbsp;according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people and the United Nations Security&nbsp;Council (UNSC) resolutions. 
 
OIC secretary general Iyad Ameen Madani, at a meeting on the sidelines of the&nbsp;United Nations General Assembly yesterday, reaffirmed the group&rsquo;s &ldquo;resolve to&nbsp;remain the voice of the Kashmiris&rsquo; at the international stage&rdquo;. 
 
Adviser to the prime minister on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz in a meeting&nbsp;addressing the OIC contact group on Kashmir mentioned the killing of Hizbul&nbsp;Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani by India&rsquo;s security forces, saying that such&nbsp;measure cannot break the spirit of the Kashmiris. 
 
&quot;Underscoring that the Kashmir dispute remains central to lasting peace and&nbsp;stability in South Asia, the adviser regretted that India had failed to reciprocate&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s proposal of meaningful engagement for the resolution of the Jammu&nbsp;and Kashmir dispute,&quot; PTI reported from a statement by the OIC contact group. 
 
Azad Jammu and Kashmir president Masood Khan gave a detailed overview of&nbsp;&lsquo;violations of human rights and international humanitarian law&rsquo; being carried&nbsp;out by Indian forces in Kashmir and representatives of the Kashmiri people&nbsp;briefed the meeting about &lsquo;continued Indian brutalities&rsquo; in the region. 
 
Foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Turkey expressed concern over the situation&nbsp;in Kashmir and emphasised the urgency of resolving the dispute. 
 
The representative of the government of Niger said that the international&nbsp;community could not remain indifferent in the wake of grave human rights&nbsp;violations, and urged the OIC to find means to resolve the conflict. 
 
The conclusions of the meeting will be submitted for appropriate action to the&nbsp;council of foreign ministers of the OIC. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

The group has urged India to settle the issue peacefully?according to wishes of the Kashmiri people and UNSC resolutions

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Tuesday called on India to immediately cease “atrocities” in Kashmir and settle the issue peacefully according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. OIC secretary general Iyad Ameen Madani, at a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, reaffirmed the group’s “resolve to remain the voice of the Kashmiris’ at the international stage”. Adviser to the prime minister on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz in a meeting addressing the OIC contact group on Kashmir mentioned the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani by India’s security forces, saying that such measure cannot break the spirit of the Kashmiris. "Underscoring that the Kashmir dispute remains central to lasting peace and stability in South Asia, the adviser regretted that India had failed to reciprocate Pakistan’s proposal of meaningful engagement for the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute," PTI reported from a statement by the OIC contact group. Azad Jammu and Kashmir president Masood Khan gave a detailed overview of ‘violations of human rights and international humanitarian law’ being carried out by Indian forces in Kashmir and representatives of the Kashmiri people briefed the meeting about ‘continued Indian brutalities’ in the region. Foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Turkey expressed concern over the situation in Kashmir and emphasised the urgency of resolving the dispute. The representative of the government of Niger said that the international community could not remain indifferent in the wake of grave human rights violations, and urged the OIC to find means to resolve the conflict. The conclusions of the meeting will be submitted for appropriate action to the council of foreign ministers of the OIC. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation asks India to cease 'atrocities' in Kashmir

Lance Naik Chandrakat Galande -- one of the 18 soldiers killed in the terrorist attack on an army camp in Uri, Kashmir on Sunday -- was cremated this morning with full military honours in the Indian state of Maharashtra.&nbsp; 
 
The Press Trust of India (PTI) reported that a procession was taken out in Galande&#39;s village,&nbsp;Jashi, in the Satara district,&nbsp;rangolis were drawn outside homes in honour of the fallen soldier, and that thousands of villagers came to pay their final respects to the fallen 27-year-old soldier.&nbsp; 
 
Another soldier who died in the attack -- Sandip Somnath Thok -- was cremated last night in his home village, Khadangli,&nbsp;also in Maharashtra state, as gathered villagers shouted &quot;Bharat mata ki jai&quot; and &quot;Sandeep Thok Amar Rahein&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
PTI said a procession was also taken out in Thok&#39;s village, and that rich tributes were paid to Thok by state rural development minister Dadaji Bhuse, and other officials. 
 
Thok&#39;s body had been flown from Srinagar to&nbsp;Ojhar Airport in Nashik district in an Indian Air Force plane, and then transported to his village by road. PTI reported his parents, relatives, and villagers as having broken down on seeing his body.&nbsp; 
 
Galande&#39;s body was brought to Jashi this morning;&nbsp;his&nbsp;cremation was attended by state food and civil supplies minister Vijay Shivtare, and consumer protection minister Girish Bapat.&nbsp; 
 
Galande had joined the Army in 2004. He is survived by a wife, two sons, his parents, and two brothers.&nbsp; 
 
Thok is survived by his parents, an elder brother, and two unmarried sisters. He had made a number of attempts to join the army, finally being accepted in 2014.&nbsp; 
 
(WION, with inputs from PTI)

The soldiers were cremated with full military honours in India's western state of Maharashtra

Lance Naik Chandrakat Galande -- one of the 18 soldiers killed in the terrorist attack on an army camp in Uri, Kashmir on Sunday -- was cremated this morning with full military honours in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The Press Trust of India (PTI) reported that a procession was taken out in Galande's village, Jashi, in the Satara district, rangolis were drawn outside homes in honour of the fallen soldier, and that thousands of villagers came to pay their final respects to the fallen 27-year-old soldier. Another soldier who died in the attack -- Sandip Somnath Thok -- was cremated last night in his home village, Khadangli, also in Maharashtra state, as gathered villagers shouted "Bharat mata ki jai" and "Sandeep Thok Amar Rahein". PTI said a procession was also taken out in Thok's village, and that rich tributes were paid to Thok by state rural development minister Dadaji Bhuse, and other officials. Thok's body had been flown from Srinagar to Ojhar Airport in Nashik district in an Indian Air Force plane, and then transported to his village by road. PTI reported his parents, relatives, and villagers as having broken down on seeing his body. Galande's body was brought to Jashi this morning; his cremation was attended by state food and civil supplies minister Vijay Shivtare, and consumer protection minister Girish Bapat. Galande had joined the Army in 2004. He is survived by a wife, two sons, his parents, and two brothers. Thok is survived by his parents, an elder brother, and two unmarried sisters. He had made a number of attempts to join the army, finally being accepted in 2014. (WION, with inputs from PTI)

Pakistan 'violates' ceasefire in Uri as India pays respects to slain soldiers

Making a statement during the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva on Monday, India said that cross-border terrorism promoted by Pakistan was the fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir. 
 
India said it firmly believes that a policy of &quot;zero tolerance&quot; against terrorism is as much an international obligation as it is a commitment to its own people, a day after four Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists killed 18 Indian army soldiers in Kashmir. 
 
&quot;India has been a long-suffering victim of terrorism emanating from our neighbourhood. The fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir is cross-border terrorism promoted by Pakistan which is so ruthless that it doesn&#39;t shy away from using civilians and even children by putting them in harm&#39;s way, at the forefront of violent mobs instigated and supported by their handlers from across the border,&quot; said India. 
 
India also called upon the Council to urge Pakistan to dismantle the terrorism infrastructure and stop acting as an epicentre of terrorism. 
 
&quot;It is time that moral and material support provided by Pakistan to the perpetrators of this continuing heinous violence on the Indian soil should attract this Council s attention,&quot; it added. 
 
India once again raised the &quot;blatant abuse and violation of human rights in the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and in other parts of Pakistan, including Balochistan.&quot; 
 
India said it has moved beyond the country&#39;s domestic problem and was adversely impacting the stability of the entire region. 
 
&quot;Pakistan&#39;s continued mistreatment of large parts of its own population has created a cauldron of tumult that has begun to jeopardise the safety and security of its neighbouring countries.&quot; 
 
It added that the fact that known terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin have been able to hold huge rallies in Pakistan&#39;s main cities is a reflection of the state of affairs and can mean only one thing, an active support for such personalities and the designated organisations they lead in blatant disregard of rule of law is the new normal in Pakistan. 
 
&quot;Rather than internationalising issues with India, Pakistan should cleanse itself of its terrorists.&quot; 
 
India urged the Council to take a holistic view of this threat and not permit the use of terrorism as state policy to be masqueraded as advocacy of human rights. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

India's statement at the UNHRC said the policy of zero tolerance against terror is as much an international obligation as its own

Making a statement during the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva on Monday, India said that cross-border terrorism promoted by Pakistan was the fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir. India said it firmly believes that a policy of "zero tolerance" against terrorism is as much an international obligation as it is a commitment to its own people, a day after four Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists killed 18 Indian army soldiers in Kashmir. "India has been a long-suffering victim of terrorism emanating from our neighbourhood. The fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir is cross-border terrorism promoted by Pakistan which is so ruthless that it doesn't shy away from using civilians and even children by putting them in harm's way, at the forefront of violent mobs instigated and supported by their handlers from across the border," said India. India also called upon the Council to urge Pakistan to dismantle the terrorism infrastructure and stop acting as an epicentre of terrorism. "It is time that moral and material support provided by Pakistan to the perpetrators of this continuing heinous violence on the Indian soil should attract this Council s attention," it added. India once again raised the "blatant abuse and violation of human rights in the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and in other parts of Pakistan, including Balochistan." India said it has moved beyond the country's domestic problem and was adversely impacting the stability of the entire region. "Pakistan's continued mistreatment of large parts of its own population has created a cauldron of tumult that has begun to jeopardise the safety and security of its neighbouring countries." It added that the fact that known terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin have been able to hold huge rallies in Pakistan's main cities is a reflection of the state of affairs and can mean only one thing, an active support for such personalities and the designated organisations they lead in blatant disregard of rule of law is the new normal in Pakistan. "Rather than internationalising issues with India, Pakistan should cleanse itself of its terrorists." India urged the Council to take a holistic view of this threat and not permit the use of terrorism as state policy to be masqueraded as advocacy of human rights. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India at UNHRC: Pakistan must stop acting as epicentre of terrorism

US Secretary of State John Kerry has asked Pakistan to stop jihadists from using their country as safe havens. 
 
&quot;(Pakistan) Prime Minister (Nawaz Sharif) and Secretary Kerry expressed strong concern with recent violence in Kashmir - particularly the army base attack - and the need for all sides to reduce tensions,&quot;&nbsp;State Department Spokesperson John Kirby said, The Times of India reported. 
 
US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner also urged India and Pakistan to &quot;work closely&quot; to tackle the menace in the subcontinent.&nbsp;&quot;We&#39;ve seen some progress; we want to see more,&quot; he said. 
 
The statements come a day after&nbsp;Kerry met Sharif yesterday on the sidelines of the United Nationas General Assembly (UNGA) session. 
 
Prime Minister Sharif on Monday sought help from the United States to resolve tensions between India and Pakistan, as he raised the issue of alleged human rights violations and killings in the Indian state of Kashmir.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The Prime Minister said that more than 107 people have been assassinated in Kashmir, thousands injured and worst human rights violations are being committed at the state level,&quot; according to a readout of the meeting issued by Pakistan. 
 
Sharif met US Secretary of State John Kerry on the sidelines of the UN summit in New York, amid a fresh war of words between Pakistan and India after terrorists killed 18 Indian soldiers in Kashmir. 
 
He urged Washington to &quot;play a role&quot; in the resolution of the long-standing dispute.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had two very productive meetings at the&nbsp;start of General Assembly visit with US Secretary of State John Kerry &amp; PM of New Zealand,&quot; Pakistan&#39;s envoy to the UN Maleeha Lodhi tweeted. 
 
&quot;PM urged the US to play a role in the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute and highlighted human rights abuses in occupied Kashmir,&quot; she said. 
 
Sharif told Kerry that he &quot;still remember President (Bill) Clinton&#39;s promise that the&nbsp;US will play its role to help out in resolving bilateral disputes and issues between Pakistan and India.&quot; 
 
&quot;I expect US Administration and Secretary Kerry to use his good offices to help in resolving bilateral issues between Pakistan and India,&quot; the statement quoted Sharif as saying. 
 
Sharif had earlier called on the permanent members of the UN Security Council demanding that India should be forced to stop its alleged brutalities in Kashmir. 
 
He has said he will highlight the Kashmir issue in his address at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday. 
 
Sunday&#39;s attack on the Indian army in Uri by terrorists has sparked outrage and triggered calls for Pakistan&#39;s diplomatic isolation. &nbsp; 
 
India claimed the items carried by the four terrorists had Pakistani markings and that the initial reports indicated they belonged to the&nbsp;Pakistan-based Jaish-E-Mohammed terrorist group. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The comment comes a day after Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif met US Secretary of State John Kerry on sidelines of UN meet

US Secretary of State John Kerry has asked Pakistan to stop jihadists from using their country as safe havens. "(Pakistan) Prime Minister (Nawaz Sharif) and Secretary Kerry expressed strong concern with recent violence in Kashmir - particularly the army base attack - and the need for all sides to reduce tensions," State Department Spokesperson John Kirby said, The Times of India reported. US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner also urged India and Pakistan to "work closely" to tackle the menace in the subcontinent. "We've seen some progress; we want to see more," he said. The statements come a day after Kerry met Sharif yesterday on the sidelines of the United Nationas General Assembly (UNGA) session. Prime Minister Sharif on Monday sought help from the United States to resolve tensions between India and Pakistan, as he raised the issue of alleged human rights violations and killings in the Indian state of Kashmir. "The Prime Minister said that more than 107 people have been assassinated in Kashmir, thousands injured and worst human rights violations are being committed at the state level," according to a readout of the meeting issued by Pakistan. Sharif met US Secretary of State John Kerry on the sidelines of the UN summit in New York, amid a fresh war of words between Pakistan and India after terrorists killed 18 Indian soldiers in Kashmir. He urged Washington to "play a role" in the resolution of the long-standing dispute. "Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had two very productive meetings at the start of General Assembly visit with US Secretary of State John Kerry & PM of New Zealand," Pakistan's envoy to the UN Maleeha Lodhi tweeted. "PM urged the US to play a role in the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute and highlighted human rights abuses in occupied Kashmir," she said. Sharif told Kerry that he "still remember President (Bill) Clinton's promise that the US will play its role to help out in resolving bilateral disputes and issues between Pakistan and India." "I expect US Administration and Secretary Kerry to use his good offices to help in resolving bilateral issues between Pakistan and India," the statement quoted Sharif as saying. Sharif had earlier called on the permanent members of the UN Security Council demanding that India should be forced to stop its alleged brutalities in Kashmir. He has said he will highlight the Kashmir issue in his address at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday. Sunday's attack on the Indian army in Uri by terrorists has sparked outrage and triggered calls for Pakistan's diplomatic isolation. India claimed the items carried by the four terrorists had Pakistani markings and that the initial reports indicated they belonged to the Pakistan-based Jaish-E-Mohammed terrorist group. (WION with inputs from agencies)

US urges Pakistan to do more to tackle terror menace

The global community today stood behind India in its hour of loss following the Uri attack which claimed the lives of 18 army personnel, with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon saying the perpetrators would be brought to justice. 
 
France and Canada also condemned the attack and said they stand with India in the fight against terrorism, as international denunciation continued to pour in against the brazen assault carried out by suspected Pakistan-based terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed. France also called for peaceful settlement of disputes in Kashmir. 
 
In a statement, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon asserted that the perpetrators of the attack would be brought to justice and all stakeholders would meet their responsibilities to maintain peace and stability. 
 
&quot;France most firmly condemns the terrible terrorist attack perpetrated on 18 September against an Indian army camp in the region of Kashmir. It conveys its condolences to the families of the 17 Indian soldiers killed in this attack. 
 
&quot;France remains at India&#39;s side in the combat against terrorism. It calls on every State to fight effectively against terrorist groups operating on their territory or from their territory against other countries,&quot; it said. 
 
France also recalls the importance it attaches to bringing calm and the peaceful settlement of disputes in the region of Kashmir, a French foreign ministry statement said. 
 
Condemning the militant attack on an army camp, the UN Secretary General hoped the perpetrators of the crime would be brought to justice and re-establishing stability and preventing any further loss of life will be the priority of &quot;all involved&quot;. 
 
Acting high commissioner for Canada to India Jess Dutton strongly condemned the terrorist attack and said, &quot;The Government of Canada extends condolences to the victims and their families. 
 
&quot;We are appalled by these attacks and stand with the Government of India in the fight against terrorism,&quot; he added. 
 
The US and UK had also condemned the attack yesterday. 
 
(PTI)

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the perpetrators would be brought to justice. France and Canada also condemned the attack

The global community today stood behind India in its hour of loss following the Uri attack which claimed the lives of 18 army personnel, with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon saying the perpetrators would be brought to justice. France and Canada also condemned the attack and said they stand with India in the fight against terrorism, as international denunciation continued to pour in against the brazen assault carried out by suspected Pakistan-based terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed. France also called for peaceful settlement of disputes in Kashmir. In a statement, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon asserted that the perpetrators of the attack would be brought to justice and all stakeholders would meet their responsibilities to maintain peace and stability. "France most firmly condemns the terrible terrorist attack perpetrated on 18 September against an Indian army camp in the region of Kashmir. It conveys its condolences to the families of the 17 Indian soldiers killed in this attack. "France remains at India's side in the combat against terrorism. It calls on every State to fight effectively against terrorist groups operating on their territory or from their territory against other countries," it said. France also recalls the importance it attaches to bringing calm and the peaceful settlement of disputes in the region of Kashmir, a French foreign ministry statement said. Condemning the militant attack on an army camp, the UN Secretary General hoped the perpetrators of the crime would be brought to justice and re-establishing stability and preventing any further loss of life will be the priority of "all involved". Acting high commissioner for Canada to India Jess Dutton strongly condemned the terrorist attack and said, "The Government of Canada extends condolences to the victims and their families. "We are appalled by these attacks and stand with the Government of India in the fight against terrorism," he added. The US and UK had also condemned the attack yesterday. (PTI)

World community rallies behind India after Uri attack

A Kashmiri student was expelled today from Northern India&#39;s Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for posting &quot;objectionable&quot; comments on Facebook over the terror attack on the army base in Uri. 
 
AMU Vice Chancellor Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah took a &quot;very serious view&quot; of the issue and expelled the student, who was pursuing M.Sc in Organic Chemistry, after personally probing the matter, university spokesman Rahat Abrar said. 
 
&quot;Lt Gen Shah said that there is no scope whatsoever at AMU for tolerating any incident which smacks of anti-national sentiments,&quot; the spokesman said. 
 
The student, Mudassar Yusuf from Srinagar, had offered his apologies to the Vice Chancellor yesterday for posting the comments stating that he was &quot;carried away by sentiments&quot;, according to university sources. 
 
However, the university authorities decided to go ahead with his expulsion keeping in view the sensitivity of the matter, the sources said. 
 
BJP Lok Sabha Member from Aligarh, Satish Kumar Gautam had also written to the Vice Chancellor demanding stringent action against the student for his Facebook post. 
 
Heavily armed militants suspected to be from Pakistan- based JeM had yesterday stormed an army base in Uri in Kashmir, killing 18 jawans.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

The student, had offered his apologies to the Vice Chancellor yesterday stating that he was 'carried away by sentiments'

A Kashmiri student was expelled today from Northern India's Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for posting "objectionable" comments on Facebook over the terror attack on the army base in Uri. AMU Vice Chancellor Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah took a "very serious view" of the issue and expelled the student, who was pursuing M.Sc in Organic Chemistry, after personally probing the matter, university spokesman Rahat Abrar said. "Lt Gen Shah said that there is no scope whatsoever at AMU for tolerating any incident which smacks of anti-national sentiments," the spokesman said. The student, Mudassar Yusuf from Srinagar, had offered his apologies to the Vice Chancellor yesterday for posting the comments stating that he was "carried away by sentiments", according to university sources. However, the university authorities decided to go ahead with his expulsion keeping in view the sensitivity of the matter, the sources said. BJP Lok Sabha Member from Aligarh, Satish Kumar Gautam had also written to the Vice Chancellor demanding stringent action against the student for his Facebook post. Heavily armed militants suspected to be from Pakistan- based JeM had yesterday stormed an army base in Uri in Kashmir, killing 18 jawans. (PTI)

India: Kashmiri student expelled from university for posting 'objectionable' comments about  Uri attack on FB

Pakistan&#39;s chief of army staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif held a corps commanders&#39; conference today to review the the Pakistan army&#39;s operational preparedness. 
 
The meeting was held at the army&#39;s general headquarters in Rawalpindi and looked to assess the state of Pakistan&#39;s security, both internal and external.&nbsp; 
 
Taking note of the &quot;hostile narrative being propagated by India&quot;&nbsp;-- Sharif was referring to the aftermath of Sunday&#39;s attack on an Indian army camp in Uri, Kashmir in which 17 soldiers were killed -- the&nbsp;COAS &quot;we are closely watching the latest happenings in the region&quot; and their impact on Pakistan&#39;s security.&nbsp; 
 
Expressing his satisfaction with the Pakistani army&#39;s operational preparedness, he said the country&#39;s armed forces are fully prepared to respond to the entire spectrum of direct and indirect threats. He said the armed forces, together with &quot;our resilient nation&quot;, has surmounted every challenge and will thwart any sinister design against the integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan in the future as well. 
 
Sartaj Aziz, the Pakistan Prime Minister&#39;s adviser on foreign affairs, meanwhile accused India today of trying to deflect attention away from the situation in Kashmir by blaming Pakistan for the Uri attack. 
 
(WION)

Taking note of the 'hostile narrative being propagated by India', the army chief said 'we are closely watching the latest happenings'

Pakistan's chief of army staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif held a corps commanders' conference today to review the the Pakistan army's operational preparedness. The meeting was held at the army's general headquarters in Rawalpindi and looked to assess the state of Pakistan's security, both internal and external. Taking note of the "hostile narrative being propagated by India" -- Sharif was referring to the aftermath of Sunday's attack on an Indian army camp in Uri, Kashmir in which 17 soldiers were killed -- the COAS "we are closely watching the latest happenings in the region" and their impact on Pakistan's security. Expressing his satisfaction with the Pakistani army's operational preparedness, he said the country's armed forces are fully prepared to respond to the entire spectrum of direct and indirect threats. He said the armed forces, together with "our resilient nation", has surmounted every challenge and will thwart any sinister design against the integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan in the future as well. Sartaj Aziz, the Pakistan Prime Minister's adviser on foreign affairs, meanwhile accused India today of trying to deflect attention away from the situation in Kashmir by blaming Pakistan for the Uri attack. (WION)

After Uri, Pak reviews army's operational preparedness

Pakistan on Sunday rejected India&#39;s allegations over Uri attack in the Kashmir Valley that left at least 17 Indian soldiers dead.&nbsp; 
 
An Indian army base in Uri, about 100 km away from northern Indian state Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s summer capital Srinagar, was attacked by gunmen on Sunday in what is being labelled as worst such attack in over a decade. 
 
According to an AFP report, the militants broke into the base near the de facto border with Pakistan before dawn and lobbed grenades at tents and barracks housing soldiers, before opening fire with automatic weapons, the army said. &nbsp; 
 
Following the deadly attack where four terrorists were gunned down, India blamed the neighbouring country for the raid while Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh called Pakistan a &#39;terrorist state&#39;.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Pakistan is a terrorist state and it should be identified and isolated as such,&quot; Singh said on Twitter, adding that the militants &quot;were highly trained, heavily armed and specially equipped&quot;. 
 
Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi also assured a &#39;befitting reply&#39; to the attack.&nbsp; 
 
Pakistan, however, has denied the allegations. &nbsp;In an interview to a TV channel, Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria &nbsp;said the Indian allegations against Pakistan are &quot;totally baseless and irresponsible&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Pakistan always sought concrete evidence from India to prove its accusations, but it failed to do so,&quot; he was quoted as saying.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;India has a history of blaming Pakistan immediately after a terror attack, which always proved wrong in investigations. India is using different tactics to divert the world attention from the situation in occupied Kashmir&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army had earlier demanded &quot;actionable intelligence&quot; to support India&#39;s accusation. Pakistan army spokesman Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa said that following the attack, Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries discussed the situation along the Line of Control through hotline. 
 
&quot;Refuting the unfounded and premature Indian allegation, Pakistani DGMO asked his counterpart to share any actionable intelligence,&quot; Radio Pakistan reported citing an ISPR release. 
 
The Pakistani DGMO also rejected allegations of cross-border infiltration and said that &quot;watertight arrangements&quot; were in place on both sides of the LoC and the Working Boundary. He also asked India to share evidence, Indian daily DNA reported.&nbsp; 
 
Kashmir Valley in India is already gripped with unrest for more than two months following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. About 80 people have died and thousands have been injured in the ensuing clashes between protesters and security forces.&nbsp; 
 
That &nbsp;Uri attack is likely to further sour the ties between the two countries that are headed for a showdown at the UN summit.&nbsp; 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

India has blamed the neighbouring country for the deadly raid as interior minister Rajnath Singh labelled Pakistan as a 'terrorist state'

Pakistan on Sunday rejected India's allegations over Uri attack in the Kashmir Valley that left at least 17 Indian soldiers dead. An Indian army base in Uri, about 100 km away from northern Indian state Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar, was attacked by gunmen on Sunday in what is being labelled as worst such attack in over a decade. According to an AFP report, the militants broke into the base near the de facto border with Pakistan before dawn and lobbed grenades at tents and barracks housing soldiers, before opening fire with automatic weapons, the army said. Following the deadly attack where four terrorists were gunned down, India blamed the neighbouring country for the raid while Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh called Pakistan a 'terrorist state'. "Pakistan is a terrorist state and it should be identified and isolated as such," Singh said on Twitter, adding that the militants "were highly trained, heavily armed and specially equipped". Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi also assured a 'befitting reply' to the attack. Pakistan, however, has denied the allegations. In an interview to a TV channel, Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said the Indian allegations against Pakistan are "totally baseless and irresponsible". "Pakistan always sought concrete evidence from India to prove its accusations, but it failed to do so," he was quoted as saying. "India has a history of blaming Pakistan immediately after a terror attack, which always proved wrong in investigations. India is using different tactics to divert the world attention from the situation in occupied Kashmir". Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army had earlier demanded "actionable intelligence" to support India's accusation. Pakistan army spokesman Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa said that following the attack, Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries discussed the situation along the Line of Control through hotline. "Refuting the unfounded and premature Indian allegation, Pakistani DGMO asked his counterpart to share any actionable intelligence," Radio Pakistan reported citing an ISPR release. The Pakistani DGMO also rejected allegations of cross-border infiltration and said that "watertight arrangements" were in place on both sides of the LoC and the Working Boundary. He also asked India to share evidence, Indian daily DNA reported. Kashmir Valley in India is already gripped with unrest for more than two months following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. About 80 people have died and thousands have been injured in the ensuing clashes between protesters and security forces. That Uri attack is likely to further sour the ties between the two countries that are headed for a showdown at the UN summit.

Pakistan rejects India's allegations  after Uri attack leaves at least 17 Indian soldiers dead

About six to eight militants on Sunday attacked the guard post at the residence of Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s ruling People&#39;s Democratic Party&#39;s (PDP) district president and snatched weapons of police personnel, Indian news agency PTI reported.&nbsp; 
 
Unidentified militants perpetrated the attack in the northern state at the residence of advocate Jawed Ahmed Sheikh, district president of PDP at Dayalgam in Anantnag at around 9.30 PM and snatched four AK rifles (also known as the Kalashnikov) from the security personnel, a police official was quoted as saying.&nbsp; 
 
It&#39;s pertinent to mention that PDP is ruling the northernmost state in coalition with India&#39;s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).&nbsp; 
 
Following the attack, an alert was reported sounded in south Kashmir area to trace the militants, he said. 
 
The police official also confirmed to the news agency that this is the fifth such incident of weapon snatching in the Valley after Kashmir Valley was gripped with unrest following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.&nbsp; 
 
The attack was reported on the same day when an Indian Army base was attacked in the Uri area &nbsp;of Kashmir leaving at least 17 soldiers dead.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

Unidentified militants perpetrated the attack at the residence of advocate Jawed Ahmed Sheikh, district president of PDP at Dayalgam

About six to eight militants on Sunday attacked the guard post at the residence of Jammu and Kashmir's ruling People's Democratic Party's (PDP) district president and snatched weapons of police personnel, Indian news agency PTI reported. Unidentified militants perpetrated the attack in the northern state at the residence of advocate Jawed Ahmed Sheikh, district president of PDP at Dayalgam in Anantnag at around 9.30 PM and snatched four AK rifles (also known as the Kalashnikov) from the security personnel, a police official was quoted as saying. It's pertinent to mention that PDP is ruling the northernmost state in coalition with India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Following the attack, an alert was reported sounded in south Kashmir area to trace the militants, he said. The police official also confirmed to the news agency that this is the fifth such incident of weapon snatching in the Valley after Kashmir Valley was gripped with unrest following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. The attack was reported on the same day when an Indian Army base was attacked in the Uri area of Kashmir leaving at least 17 soldiers dead. (WION with inputs from PTI)

India: Militants attack residence of ruling party's leader in Kashmir, flee with four rifles

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