The United States is seeking more information on the potential misuse of F-16 fighter jets used by Pakistan against India after Balakot air strikes, PTI reported.
This move comes after Indian Air Force displayed evidence of Pakistan using the F-16 even though it had initially denied using the jets.
A letter signed by the Noble winners, under the aegis of the Laureates and Leaders for Children, a platform founded by India's Nobel peace laureate Satyarthi, was submitted to India and Pakistan's Permanent Representatives to the United Nations on Saturday, 2 March, it said.
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- Indian armed forces said that they were prepared to retaliate, if Pakistan chooses to escalate the situation
- In his first statement after the strikes, PM Modi addressed BJP workers via a video conference and said, “India will live as one, work as one, grow as one and fight as one”
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Ceasefire Violations Along LoC Resumes
Pakistani troops Monday violated ceasefire by targeting forward posts and villages along the Line of Control in Akhnoor sector here, breaking a two-day lull in cross-border skirmishes, amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions.
"The firing from across the border started around 0300 hours and stopped at 0630 hours," a defence spokesman said. He said Pakistan initiated the unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing mortar shells and small arms on forward posts and villages.
UK's PM May Calls on Imran Khan To Take Action Against Terror Groups
Downing Street said that on Sunday, 3 March, British PM May spoke to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan, reported PTI.
During the phone conversation between the two leaders, May welcomed Khan's commitment to reduce tensions following the return of captured Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman by the Pakistani authorities earlier this week.
"The Prime Minister May welcomed his commitment to reducing tensions with India, and the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.
"The leaders discussed the need to address the causes of this conflict. The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of Pakistan taking action against all terrorist groups, in support of global efforts to combat terrorism,” the spokesperson said.
Both leaders also "reiterated their commitment" to the UK-Pakistan bilateral relationship during the interaction.
During an urgent question in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 27 February, UK Foreign Office minister Mark Field had told MPs that the UK would continue to support a listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed and its leader, Masood Azhar, under a UN Security Council Resolution.
59 Nobel Laureates Urge India-Pak To Diffuse Tensions
A letter signed by the Noble winners, under the aegis of the Laureates and Leaders for Children, a platform founded by India's Nobel peace laureate Satyarthi, was submitted to India and Pakistan's Permanent Representatives to the United Nations on Saturday, 2 March, it said.
"In the best interest of our children, we, the Laureates and Leaders for Children call upon the Prime Minister of India HE Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Pakistan HE Imran Khan to demonstrate wise leadership and exercise immediate restraint at this critical juncture, to avoid any escalation into a full-fledged war," reads the joint appeal, according to the statement from Satyarthi's office.
This is for the first time ever that such a large number of Nobel laureates, ranging from peace laureates to those from the fields of economics, chemistry, physics and medicine have come together with a joint appeal to call attention to the lives and future of more than half a billion children in India and Pakistan that are at stake, the statement claimed.
Bipin Rawat to Review Preparedness of Forces
General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Army Commander, Northern Command visited White Knight Corps will review the operational preparedness of the forces in the Corps Zone in view of the current situation along LoC and International Border.