No Dialogue with Pakistan Before Action on Terror Outfits: EAM
Read all the latest updates on the India-Pakistan tensions here.
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External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday, 13 March, said India cannot have dialogue with Pakistan unless the neighbouring country acted against terror outfits on its soil, asserting that "talks and terror cannot go together".
Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah has reached India on Wednesday, 13 March, to deliberate on the Kartarpur corridor issue on Thursday, 14 March, reported ANI. A Pakistani delegation will visit India on Thursday for the meeting, which would be followed by an Indian delegation's visit to Islamabad on 28 March.
Earlier in the day, speaking at the Aaj Tak Suraksha Sabha interaction, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asserted that Pakistan had lost a pilot flying the F-16 jet that was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack.
She added that India is aware of the identity of the Pakistani pilot, but refused to give more details.
- China has repeatedly blocked India’s bid to get Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist
- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will take a decision on listing JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist on 13 March
- India moved a proposal for Azhar’s listing in 2009 after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks but China put a ‘technical hold’ on it
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Pak Mobilises Additional Troops, Weaponry Along LoC: Report
Amid heightened Indo-Pak tension, sources in the security establishment on Wednesday said that Pakistan has mobilised additional troops and military equipment from its frontier with Afghanistan to forward positions in several sensitive sectors along the LoC in Kashmir.
The Indian Army on Wednesday also issued a stern warning to Pakistan against targeting civilians along the LoC, saying any further provocation or misadventure by it will have "dire consequences".
Official sources said the warning came after Pakistan targeted forward posts in Nowshera sector with 155 mm artillery guns which was retaliated by the Indian Army with Bofors guns.
Sources said the military officials of the two armies spoke over the hotline on Tuesday during which India had asked Pakistani side not to target civilian population along the LoC.
Action by Defence Forces Against Terrorism, Not Civilians: Indian Army
The Indian Army on Wednesday, 6 March, categorically stated that the Pakistan Army has employed “heavy artillery" to target civilian areas in Krishna Ghati and Sunderbani sectors along the LoC in the last 24 hours.
The army reiterated that all actions taken by the Indian defence forces are targeted towards counter-terrorism and terrorist infrastructure, away from civilian areas.
Read the full story here.
IAF Submits Dossier to Govt to Prove Airstrike Was Successful: Report
The Indian Air Force has purportedly submitted a dossier to the government that includes proof that its 26 February airstrike across the LoC in Balakot was successful, with 80 percent of bombs hitting the targets, India Today TV reported on Wednesday, 6 March, citing IAF sources.
The dossier apparently includes high-resolution satellite images and synthetic aperture radar imagery as proof.
Read the full story here.
Militant Gunned Down in J&K During Exchange of Fire
A militant was gunned down by the J&K police forces during an an exchange of fire. Operations are on the state’s Kralgund area.
JeM Was Used by Intelligence to Target India in My Time: Musharraf
Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday said the Jaish-e-Mohammed was a terror outfit but indicated that his country's intelligence had used it to carry out attacks in India during his tenure.
Making the disclosure in a telephonic interview to Pakistani journalist Nadeem Malik of Hum News in his talk show, Musharraf also welcomed the action against the JeM, saying it had tried to assassinate him twice in December 2003, as per a video clip shared on the journalist's Facebook and Twitter page.
Asked why he had not taken action against the organisation during his stint in power (1999-2008), he claimed those times were "different". Both India and Pakistan were involved in a clandestine struggle, "carrying out bombings in each other's territory", he said, adding his country's intelligence agencies were engaged in it.
Read the full story here.
‘JeM Does Not Exist in Pak’: Military Contradicts Foreign Minister
Jaish-e-Mohammed, which claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack, does not exist in Pakistan, the military spokesperson said, days after Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi admitted that the terror outfit's chief was present in the country.
The already sour relations between India and Pakistan have worsened after Pakistan-based JeM claimed responsibility for the 14 February Pulwama attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.
Read the full story here.
Gandhi Doesn't Believe IAF or SC, Does He Believe Pak: RS Prasad
Addressing a press conference, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, 7 March, talked about the evidence of the IAF strikes on Balakot, saying that the families of the CRPF martyrs are seeking proof of what went down.
Responding to Gandhi, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad hit back and said, “Totally condemn the blatant lies of Rahul Gandhi. He doesn’t believe the Indian Air Force. He doesn’t believe the Supreme Court, doesn’t believe the CAG. Does he want to believe Pakistan? He is inadvertently or deliberately playing into hands of Rafale competitors.”
No Ceasefire Violation Along Loc in J&K, Def Min Calls off Scheduled Visit
An uneasy calm prevailed along the Line of Control (LoC) in the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir with no report of ceasefire violation by Pakistan over the past 20 hours, officials told PTI.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has called off her scheduled visit to Jammu province to review the situation along the borders in the wake of intense shelling over the past nine days besides inaugurating two vital bridges in Samba and Akhnoor sectors, they said.
A defence spokesman said there was no report of ceasefire violation by Pakistan anywhere along the LoC in Jammu province, especially in the worst-hit Rajouri and Poonch districts since Wednesday afternoon.
UK Will Extend All Assistance in Dealing With Terrorism: UK NSA
UK NSA Mark Sedwill spoke to NSA Ajit Doval at the former's request on Thursday, 7 March. Sedwill expressed solidarity with India in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, according to sources.
He said that all assistance in dealing with any form of terrorism will be extended to India bilaterally through counter-terrorism cooperation, intelligence sharing and by bringing the perpetrators of terrorist attacks to justice.
CISF Operationally Prepared For Tackling Any Eventuality: DG
Speaking on the security situation in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack, Ranjan Kumar, DG, CISF in Jammu and Kashmir said, "We are operationally prepared for tackling any eventuality. Whenever we get any input from sister agencies, we immediately take measures to ensure that those threat perceptions inputs are addressed well."
China Praises Pakistan's 'Restraint' and Willingness to Talk With India to Ease Tensions
China has praised Pakistan's "restraint" and willingness to talk with India to ease tensions between the two countries in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, Reuters reported on Thursday, 7 March.
China's Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou had visited Pakistan on Wednesday and reportedly met the country's PM Imran Khan, army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
"China has paid close attention to the present situation between Pakistan and India, and appreciates Pakistan's remaining calm and exercising restraint from the beginning, and persisting in pushing to lower the temperature with India via dialogue," the Chinese Foreign Ministry cited Kong as saying, according to Reuters.
Pak Army Chief Calls For Continued Vigilance to be Prepared for Response to Any Threat
Amid lingering tensions between India and Pakistan, the latter's army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday "directed for continued state of vigilance and alertness so as to be prepared for response to any threat."
A conference of corps commanders in Pakistan on Thursday reviewed the geo-strategic environment and situation due to the "ongoing Pakistan India standoff".
The forum expressed strong will, resolve and determination to defend Pakistan against any misadventure or aggression, according to the media wing of the Pakistan armed forces. It further expressed concerns over alleged "atrocities" by Indian security forces in Kashmir.
IAF in 'High State of Preparedness, Ready to Thwart Any Act of Aggression from Pakistan'
The Indian Air Force in a statement on Thursday said that it is in a "high state of preparedness, to proactively engage any perceived threat in the present security scenario."
The IAF further clarified that the eleven entry/exit points located along the Indo-Pak airspace boundary are still closed.
Sitharaman Approves Re-Organisation of Army HQ for Additional Deployment on Borders
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has approved the re-organisation of Army Headquarters because of which more officers would now be available for deployment on the borders.
Army Chief Visits Forward Areas in Rajasthan to Review Operational Preparedness
Army chief Bipin Rawat on Thursday visited forward areas in the Barmer and Suratgarh sectors of Rajasthan to review operational preparedness. The army chief expressed confidence in the capabilities of the Indian Army to thwart any attempts by Pakistan to de-stabilise the situation, reported ANI.
UN Rejects Hafiz Saeed's Plea for Removal from List of Banned Terrorists
In a significant development, the United Nations has rejected an appeal of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, the 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind, to remove his name from its list of banned terrorists, government sources cited by PTI said on Thursday.
The UN decision to reject appeal of Saeed, also a co-founder of terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, came after India provided detailed evidence including "highly confidential information" about his activities, sources told PTI, adding that the verdict of the global body was conveyed to his lawyer Haider Rasul Mirza earlier this week.
Saeed, chief of UN-designated terrorist organisation Jammat-ud-Dawa (JuD), was banned on 10 December 2008 by the United Nations Security Council after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people were killed.
Meanwhile, according to sources cited by ANI, the visa requests of a UN team to interview Saeed were rejected by the Pakistan’s consulate in New York. The UN ombudsman had to settle for a video interview of Saeed rather than an in-person interview.
Punjab Govt in Pak Takes Control of JuD and FIF Headquarters: Sources
The Punjab government in Pakistan has taken control of the headquarters of Hafiz Saeed's JuD and Falah-e-Insaniat, sources cited by ANI said.
The government will also take control of a JuD mosque and madrasa in Lahore's Chauburji on Thursday night.
Commander of US Special Ops Command Meets Army Chief
General Raymond A Thomas III, Commander of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), called upon and interacted with Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Thursday and discussed issues of strategic and mutual concern, according to ANI.
Pak Seals JuD Headquarters; Detains More Than 120 Suspected Militants
Pakistan authorities on Thursday sealed the Lahore headquarters of Hafiz Saeed-led Jamaat-ud-Dawa and its charity wing Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation and detained over 120 suspected militants as part of an ongoing crackdown on banned groups.
"Under the National Action Plan (NAP), the government has taken complete control of the banned JuD and FIF headquarters in Lahore and Muridkey," said a statement issued by the Punjab Home department on Thursday.
It said the government has been taking over the control of the mosques, seminaries and other institutions of the banned organisations in the province. "We have intensified action against the banned organisations," it said.
(PTI)
Hafiz Saeed Barred from Delivering Friday Sermon in Pakistan
Hafiz Saeed has been barred by the government from delivering weekly Friday sermon at Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) headquarters in Lahore in Pakistan's Punjab province.
This is perhaps for the first time in years that Saeed despite being present in Lahore will not be able to deliver Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid Qadsia, the JuD headquarters in Lahore.
Saeed was never stopped from delivering Friday sermons even during the years when Masjid Qadsia's control was under the Punjab government.
"As the Punjab police have sealed the Jamia Masjid Qadsia, Saeed will not be allowed to enter the premises to give his weekly sermon on Friday," a senior official of the Punjab government told PTI.
"Saeed requested the Punjab government to allow him give sermon on Friday at Qadsia Masjid but it was turned down. This is significant with regard to the 'clout' of Saeed as for the first time he is not being allowed by the government to give sermon on Friday," he added.
Pakistan authorities on Thursday sealed the Lahore headquarters of JuD and FIF and detained over 120 suspected militants as part of an ongoing crackdown on banned groups.
Pakistan Examining Dossier Sent by India on Pulwama: Foreign Office
Spokesperson of Pakistan’s Ministry Foreign of Affairs, Dr Mohammad Faisal, said the dossier sent by India is still under examination and a “considered view” will be conveyed soon. In a tweet, he wrote, “We have seen the news report in “India Today” which claims that Pakistan has ‘rejected’ the dossier given by India about the attack in Pulwama. This is incorrect. Dossier is being examined and we will soon convey our considered view on it.”
India Today reported that Pakistan has rejected India’s claim that Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar was behind the Pulwama Terror Attack.
Defence Ministry Approves Proposal to Increase Army Officers for Forward Units
The Defence Ministry approved a proposal to increase the number of Army officers for forward units on Thursday, 7 March, reported The Indian Express.
The ministry has also approved the creation of the post of Deputy Chief of Army Staff Strategy to deal with force planning, the daily reported.
Pakistan’s Punjab Govt Takes Control of JuD Headquarters in Lahore
Won’t Let Armed Groups Function in Pakistan: Imran Khan
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday that his government would not let any armed groups function in the country amid intensifying crackdown on Islamist groups and their leaders.
"Under the National Action Plan (NAP), we will not permit any armed group in Pakistan. No country does this. This was decided by all the parties of Pakistan. Since our government came to power, we have decided that we will implement the NAP," Khan said while addressing a rally in Tharparkar district.
"Pakistan's soil will not be allowed to be used for terrorism," he was quoted as saying by Geo News.
India's Envoy to Pakistan to Reach Islamabad on Saturday: MEA
India's High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria will reach Islamabad on Saturday, 9 March having completed his consultations in New Delhi, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
Bisaria had been called to New Delhi for consultations following the Pulwama attack last month.
"High Commissioner of India to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, is returning to Islamabad after having completed his consultations in India. He will reach Islamabad on 9 March 2019 and resume his duties," MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in response to a media query regarding Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan's return to Islamabad.
Pakistan Needs to Take Action Against Terrorists
MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar addressed a press conference on Saturday, 9 March, saying that “Naya Pakistan needs to demonstrate nayi soch, naya action against terrorists and cross border terrorism.”
Pakistan Needs to Explain Use of F-16 Aircraft: MEA
The spokesperson said that there are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 aircraft and that one F-16 was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan. He also said that India has asked USA to examine whether the use of F-16 against India is in accordance with terms and conditions of sale.
Is Pakistan Defending JeM, Asks MEA
In 2004, President Musharraf had made a solemn public commitment that they would not allow any territory under their control to be used for terrorist activity in any manner, the spokesperson said.
In light of this, Kumar said it is regrettable that Pakistan still continues to deny Jaish-e-Mohammed's own claim of taking ownership of Pulwama attack. He also noted that Pakistan’s Foreign Minister said 'they (JeM) have not claimed responsibility of the attack, there is some confusion, he said. He questioned whether Pakistan was defending the JeM.
He also added that Pakistan has not shown any serious intent to address the concerns of India and the international community in this regard.
Designate Masood Azhar a Terrorist: MEA Spokesperson
The spokesperson also reiterated India’s request to designate Masood Azhar as a terrorist. “All members of the UNSC are aware about JeM training camps in Pakistan and about the chief of JeM Masood Azhar and his presence in Pakistan. We call upon all members of UNSC to list Masood Azhar as a designated terrorist under UN sanction committee,” he said.
Indian High Commissioner Back in Islamabad
Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria returned to Islamabad on Saturday, 9 March and will resume his office soon, reported ANI, quoting sources. The report also said that sources added Bisaria would articulate India’s expectations with emphasis and more clearly.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood is also expected to reach New Delhi on Saturday.
Where is Second Aircraft Pakistan Claims to Have Downed, Asks MEA
The spokesperson said the statement by the IAF stating clearly that India has lost only one aircraft, is in the public domain.
“If, as Pakistan claims, they have a video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft, why have they not shown it to the international media even after more than one week,” he asked. He added that Pakistan should be asked as to where the fuselage of the aircraft is and what has happened to the pilots.
Pak to Put Group of Banned Outfits in High Risk Category: Report
Pakistan has decided to "upgrade" a group of banned outfits, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), to a "high" risk category and start monitoring and re-examining their activities to comply with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) obligations, according to a media report on Saturday.
The Paris-based global watchdog against financial crimes had expressed dissatisfaction over considering these entities as "low" to "medium" risk by Islamabad, and said Pakistan did "not demonstrate a proper understanding of the terror financing risks posed by Daesh (ISIS), Al Qaeda, Jamaat-ud-Dawa(Jud), Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Haqqani network (HQN), and persons affiliated with the Taliban".
The proscribed organisations will be examined under heightened security checks at all layers of legal, administrative, investigative and financial regimes, the Dawn newspaper reported.
Indian Army Shot Down a Pakistani Drone in Rajasthan: Reports
Indian Army troops shot at a Pakistani drone along the international border in Sri Ganganagar sector in Rajasthan as it had entered Indian airspace, reported ANI quoting Army sources.
Pakistan High Commissioner to India Returns to India
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood returns to India via Attari-Wagah border and arrives at Amritsar airport. He will reach Delhi later today.
Pakistan Violates Ceasefire in Akhnoor
Pakistan violates ceasefire in Keri Battal area of Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir, reported ANI.
Indian Army Shoots Down Pakistani Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in Rajasthan
The Indian Army, on Saturday, 9 March, shot down a Pakistani unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that intruded Indian airspace at Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar sector, ANI reported.
BJP Will Turn up Poll Heat on Air Strike Sceptics: Sushma Swaraj
The BJP will use leaflets to ask people whether they would vote for parties that questioned the valour of the country's armed forces in connection with the February 26 air strike and the aerial engagement with Pakistan fighter jets the next day.
Speaking at a gathering of the BJP's women workers on Sunday, 10 March, senior leader and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj signalled that the military action against Pakistan after the 14 February Pulwama attack would be a poll issue for the ruling party.
"We should ask questions about whether our jawans should count the dead bodies (after dropping bombs on terror camps) or return safely after carrying out the air strike. BJP workers should ask counter-questions to those who raise doubts about the impact of our air strike," Swaraj said.
"We (BJP) should ask questions like whether you (voter) will support parties that side with separatists. We should ask people whether they want to vote for those who question the valour of our jawans," she said.
"We will have two leaflets of which one will be about these logical counter statements. BJP workers should use it during the poll campaign. The other leaflet will be about government welfare schemes for women. The two leaflets will be made available soon," Swaraj said.
PoK activists Condemn Pulwama Attack
Activists from PoK condemned Pulwama terror attack at a side event during 40th session of UNHRC in Geneva.
S Ali Kashmiri, Chairman, United Kashmir People’s National Party, said, "Pak Army officials are openly asking Kashmiris to go for suicide attacks. It's an alarming situation," ANI reported.
“It is time to dismantle all terror operating groups, be it in PoK or Pakistan. Pakistan government needs to take responsibility and get rid of these non-state actors. They are not only destroying local but also international peace,” said M Hassan, human rights activist from PoK.
‘Need Responsible Solution’: China on UN Ban on JeM Chief Azhar
Amid reports that the resolution to declare Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist would come up in the UN Security Council on 13 March, China on 11 March said "a responsible solution" can only come through discussions.
Beijing also said security issues constituted an "important topic" in its talks to ease tensions between Pakistan and India following the Pulwama terror attack.
Pak Air Force, Army on High Alert
The F-16 squadron of the Pakistani Air Force is on high alert after the 26 February Balakot airstrike conducted by the Indian Air Force, reported Hindustan Times.
According to the daily, Pakistani air restriction continues along the border with India, and a Special Forces brigade from Sialkot of the Pak Army have been deployed along the LoC.
India's Investigation Establishes JeM Link to Pulwama Attack: Report
India's investigation into the Pulwama terror attack has established Jaish-e-Mohammed's involvement, reported Hindustan Times.
The daily reported that the group used the same IP address from near Rawalpindi to upload the confession video of Adil Ahmad Dar – who rammed the explosives-laden car into the CRPF convoy – and the statement of its spokesperson.
This proof is a part of the evidence that has been given by India to Pakistan and top diplomats.
Will China Back India or Block the UN Bid to Ban Masood Azhar?
On Wednesday, 13 March, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) could designate Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a UN-designated global terrorist if no member country opposes the proposal moved by the US, UK and France in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack.
The Pakistan-based terror outfit claimed responsibility for the 14 February attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama.
Read the full story here.
India Knows About the Identity of F-16 Pilot: Nirmala Sitharaman
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman spoke about the Indian Air Force air strike on a JeM camp in Balakot and asserted that Pakistan had lost a pilot flying the F-16 jet that was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.
She was speaking at an interaction at the Aaj Tak Suraksha Sabha.
Sitharaman also replied in the affirmative when asked if the identity of the pilot was established. However, she did not give any details.
IAF Spots Pak Jets go Super Sonic 10 km From LoC
Indian air defence radars detected two Pakistani Air Force jets go supersonic 10 km from LoC (within their territory) in the Poonch sector, reported ANI quoting government sources. Loud bangs heard last night in the area were due to sonic booms, according to the news agency. Indian air defence and radar systems have been kept on high alert.
Pakistan Dy HC Reaches India, to Discuss Kartarpur Tomorrow
Syed Haider Shah, Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner to India who reached Amritsar on Wednesday to discuss the Kartarpur corridor issue, said, “We want to open Kartarpur Corridor so that Sikh people from here can visit it in Pakistan. The meeting will be held tomorrow (14 March).”
Pakistan Regrets India's Move to Not Issue Visas to Journalists for Kartarpur Meeting
Pakistan expressed disappointment over India's decision to not issue visas to Pakistani journalists to cover the first meeting between the two countries on the Kartarpur Corridor.
The meeting will take place on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border on Thursday, 14 March.
"Regrettable that India has not given visas to Pakistani journalists for the Kartarpur meeting tomorrow," Dr Mohammad Faisal, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, tweeted.
"Hope the #PakKartarpurSpirit and meeting tomorrow will bring a change for the better for people of both countries," he added.
No Dialogue with Pakistan Before Action on Terror Outfits: Sushma Swaraj
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday, 13 March said India cannot initiate a dialogue with Pakistan unless the neighbouring country acted against terror outfits on its soil, asserting that "talks and terror cannot go together".
Talking on 'India's World: Modi government's Foreign Policy', she stated that Pakistan needs to control the ISI and its army who are bent on destroying the bilateral relations time and again.
"We do not want talk on terror, we want action on it. Terror and talks cannot go together," she said.
Swaraj also questioned Pakistan's retaliation to the Indian air strikes in Balakot when, she said, India had specifically targeted the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
"Why did the Pakistani military attack us on behalf of JeM? You not only keep JeM on your soil, but fund them and when the victim country retaliates, you attack it on the terror outfit's behalf.
"If Imran Khan (Pakistan prime minister) is so generous and a statesman, he should give us Masood Azhar," she said.
The external affairs minister said India can have a good relationship with Pakistan, provided the neighbouring country takes action against terror outfits.