Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday, 21 February, announced that the government has decided to hold India’s share of water to Pakistan.
Gadkari’s tweet comes a week after at least 40 CRPF personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama terror attack. However, the project’s implementation was already approved in December 2018.
“We will divert water from Eastern rivers and supply it to our people in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab," Nitin Gadkari said in a series of tweets.
Earlier today, Congress and the BJP traded barbs, blaming each other for politicising the attack.
Meanwhile, NIA on Wednesday took over the Pulwama attack probe and re-registered the case. MHA had on Tuesday transferred the case to the NIA.
- NIA has re-registered the case and formed a team to investigate the terror strike, an NIA spokesperson said
- Pakistan PM Imran Khan had, on Tuesday, said the Indian government should engage in talks and discussion and warned that Pakistan will retaliate if India considers attack.
- On 18 Feb, three Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists including the suspected mastermind of the Pulwama attack were gunned down in an encounter
- Four army men, including a Major, and one civilian were also killed
- 40 CRPF personnel were killed after a car carrying about 350 kg of explosives hit a CRPF convoy of 78 vehicles on 14 February
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Imran Khan Asks Pak Military to 'Respond Decisively' to Any Indian 'Aggression'
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan authorised the military to "respond decisively and comprehensively to any aggression or misadventure" by India, amidst heightened tensions between the two sides following the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers.
Prime Minister Khan, who chaired a key meeting of the National Security Council said the Pakistan government was "determined to demonstrate" that it is capable of protecting its people.
He authorised the armed forces of Pakistan to "respond decisively and comprehensively to any aggression or misadventure by India," said a statement issued after the meeting.
"This is a new Pakistan and we are determined to demonstrate to our people that the State is capable of protecting them," Khan was quoted as saying by the Radio Pakistan.
India to to Stop Its Share of Water Flowing to Pakistan
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday announced that the government has decided to hold India's share of water flowing to Pakistan. Rather, the water from the Eastern rivers will be diverted to the people in Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab, he said in a tweet.
Gadkari’s tweet comes a week after at least 40 CRPF personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama terror attack which was claimed by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). However, the project’s implementation was already approved in December 2018.
“The construction of dam has started at Shahpur-Kandi on Ravi river. Moreover, UJH project will store our share of water for use in J&K and the balance water will flow from 2nd Ravi-BEAS Link to provide water to other basin states,” he said.
Imran Khan Holds NSC Meeting Amidst Heightened Indo-Pak Tensions
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday chaired a key meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) during which the country's security situation was discussed, amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, PTI reported.
Ahead of the NSC meeting, Prime Minister Khan and Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa held a one-on-one meeting during which they discussed the region's security situation, Geo TV reported, citing sources.
Later during the NSC meeting, the Pulwama attack and situation arising out of it were discussed, the channel said, quoting sources.
'Withdrawal of Security to Separatists a Step Towards Nailing Anti-National Elements', Says J&K's BJP
The BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir unit on Thursday, 21 February, welcomed the state administration's decision to withdraw security cover of separatist leaders in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, and said it is a step towards "nailing anti-national elements" in the state, PTI reported.
“We welcome the administration's decision to withdraw security cover of separatists. Security withdrawal is a step towards nailing anti-national elements. Those who favour Pakistan need to be taught a lesson,” said state BJP chief Ravinder Raina.