logo
'We'll show them what's next': After Indus dam, Pak Army Chief Asim Munir now fixes target on RIL Jamnagar refinery

'We'll show them what's next': After Indus dam, Pak Army Chief Asim Munir now fixes target on RIL Jamnagar refinery

Economic Times13 hours ago
Synopsis
Pakistan's Army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, threatened to target India's economic infrastructure, specifically Reliance's Jamnagar refinery, in a future conflict. He also warned of missile strikes on Indian dams if the Indus Waters Treaty is suspended. Munir urged overseas Pakistanis to increase their support for the nation, highlighting Pakistan's strategic diplomatic position.
Agencies In an alarming address at a private dinner in Tampa, Florida, Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir explicitly threatened to target India's economic infrastructure in any future conflicts. According to a TOI report, he singled out Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd refinery at Jamnagar, Gujarat — the world's largest single-site refining complex. This marks the first time such a key economic asset has been named as a potential military target by Pakistan's top military leadership.
Popularly considered the most powerful man in Pakistan, Munir referenced a social media post combining a Quranic verse and a photo of Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani. The 11th Pak Army Chief declared that he had authorized the message during recent hostilities 'to show them what we will do the next time,' TOI reported citing media reports based on accounts from attendees of the closed-door event. The speech also included a chilling warning regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. Munir vowed that Pakistan would launch missile strikes on Indian dams if the treaty remains suspended. Speaking to members of the Pakistani diaspora, he said, 'We will wait for India to build a dam, and when it does so, phir 10 missile sey faarigh kar dengey [we will destroy it with 10 missiles].'
Read Also | Nuclear sabre-rattling is Pakistan's stock-in-trade: India slams Asim Munir's threat, calls Pak 'irresponsible' nuke state This statement was delivered at a black-tie event hosted by Pakistan's honorary consul in Tampa, with about 120 diaspora members present. Phones and digital devices were banned, and no official transcript was issued, but multiple eyewitnesses have shared details with media outlets. Munir's visit to Florida was primarily to attend the retirement ceremony of General Michael Kurilla, outgoing commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), who lauded Pakistan as a 'phenomenal partner' in counterterrorism efforts and received Pakistan's highest civilian honour at the event. Addressing the audience, Munir also exhorted overseas Pakistanis to increase their support for the nation. Using evocative Hindi film-style language, he remarked, 'Kisi ki maa kaali ho sakti hai, aur kisi ki dharti-maa kaali ho sakti hai, par maa maa hoti hai [someone's mother might be dark-skinned, and the earth of someone's motherland might be dark, but a mother is a mother].' He also asserted that Pakistan's foundation on the Kalimah would ensure divine blessings of rich natural resources like rare earth metals and hydrocarbons. On the diplomatic front, Munir commented on recent strains between India and the US, suggesting Pakistan's unique ability to 'balance rival powers' and take 'masterclasses' in diplomacy. He claimed Pakistan's success comes from openly appreciating those who do good, citing the nomination of former US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Prize as an example.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Irish President Condemns Attacks On Indian Diaspora, Says 'Deep Sense Of Gatitude'
Irish President Condemns Attacks On Indian Diaspora, Says 'Deep Sense Of Gatitude'

India.com

time23 minutes ago

  • India.com

Irish President Condemns Attacks On Indian Diaspora, Says 'Deep Sense Of Gatitude'

Irish President Michael D Higgins has condemned the rise in attacks against the Indian diaspora in Ireland. On Tuesday, he expressed a "deep sense of gratitude" to the Indian community in Ireland and said Indian presence, work and culture have been a source of enrichment and generosity. "We are all mindful of the immense contribution this community has made, and continues to make, to so many aspects of Irish life, in medicine, nursing, the caring professions, in cultural life, in business and enterprise, to cite just some. Their presence, their work, their culture, have been a source of enrichment and generosity to our shared life," he said in a released statement as quoted by Hindustan Times.

PixxelSpace-led consortium to make country's first commercial earth observation constellation
PixxelSpace-led consortium to make country's first commercial earth observation constellation

Indian Express

time23 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

PixxelSpace-led consortium to make country's first commercial earth observation constellation

A private consortium of four space start-ups led by Bengaluru-based PixxelSpace has won a bid to build and run the country's fully-indigenous commercial earth observation satellite constellation, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) said Tuesday. According to the agreement, the consortium will invest Rs 1,200 crore over next five years to set up the 12-satellite constellation. It will own, manufacture, launch, develop ground infrastructure, operate the satellite constellation as well as commercialise the data generated. 'By generating high-resolution, indigenous satellite data, the initiative will significantly reduce India's reliance on foreign sources, ensure data sovereignty, and position the country among the global leaders,' said IN-SPACe. The bid for partnership with the government — which will provide technical and policy support — was won by the consortium of PixxelSpace, Piersight Space, Satsure Analytics India, and Dhruva Space, at the financial stage. At least two other consortiums, led by Astra Microwave Products and GalaxEye Space, had also been shortlisted after a technical evaluation. The satellites will be equipped with panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral, and microwave SAR sensors — which can produce images of the Earth in varying degrees of detail. The data would be used in the fields of agriculture, infrastructure development and urban planning, disaster management, security, as well as climate change monitoring. '(This) demonstrates the capability and confidence of Indian companies to lead large-scale, technologically advanced, and commercially viable space missions that serve both national and global markets,' said Dr Pawan Goenka, IN-SPACe Chairman. The constellation will be deployed in a phased manner over four years to ensure continuous service upgrades and expanded coverage. Once the constellation becomes operational, it will be among the most advanced earth observation systems in the world. 'We are grateful to IN-SPACe and the Government of India for trusting our consortium with this historic mission. Together with our partners Satsure, Dhruva and PierSight, we look forward to building world-class space-tech capabilities that serve the whole planet from Indian soil. This is India's moment to lead the world in space-powered solutions,' said Awais Ahmed, CEO of PixxelSpace.

Thailand warns it may act in 'self-defense' after soldier hurt by a mine blast near Cambodian border
Thailand warns it may act in 'self-defense' after soldier hurt by a mine blast near Cambodian border

The Hindu

time23 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

Thailand warns it may act in 'self-defense' after soldier hurt by a mine blast near Cambodian border

Thailand's Army warned that it may have to 'exercise the right of self-defence' in response to continuing incidents it blames on Cambodia, in which Thai soldiers patrolling along the two countries' border have been wounded by land mines. A statement from Thai Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree said a sergeant was patrolling the border with seven other soldiers on Tuesday morning when he 'stepped on an anti-personnel landmine covertly planted by the Cambodian side, resulting in severe injuries to his left ankle.' The incident and the Thai reaction indicate the precariousness of the ceasefire that took effect on July 29 with the aim of ending five days of armed clashes over disputed territory along their border. The fighting killed dozens of people on both sides, including civilians, and displaced more than 2,60,000. Tuesday's land mine incident was the fourth of its kind in about a month, and the second since the ceasefire. It took place about 1 km from Ta Muen Thom temple, which Thailand claims is located in its Surin province. The area, which was the scene of heavy fighting in July, is one of several along the border that both countries claim as their own. In another disputed area Saturday, a Thai sergeant major suffered severe injuries, including losing his left foot, while two privates suffered lesser injuries. 'This incident serves as clear evidence that the Cambodian side has violated the ceasefire agreement and shows no respect for international humanitarian law, particularly the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use and placement of all types of anti-personnel landmines,' said the Thai army statement about the latest incident. Both countries are parties to the international agreement. The statement noted the multiple similar incidents and declared that Thailand 'has consistently adhered to peaceful approaches and has not been the initiating party.' 'However, should circumstances become compelling, it may be necessary to exercise the right of self-defense under international law principles to resolve situations that cause Thailand to continuously lose personnel due to violations of ceasefire agreements and sovereignty encroachments by Cambodian military forces,' it warned. Cambodia's Defense Ministry 'categorically and unequivocally rejects the baseless, false, and deliberately misleading allegations from the Thai side regarding the injuries of Thai soldiers,' said its spokesperson, Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata. 'Cambodia, as a proud and responsible State Party to the Ottawa Convention, maintains an absolute and uncompromising position: we have never used, produced, or deployed new landmines under any circumstances, and we strictly and fully honor our obligations under international law,' she said, echoing previous official denials. Ly Thuch, senior minister and first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority, noted that Cambodia has cleared more than 1 million mines and nearly 3 million other pieces of unexploded ordnance left over from more than three decades of war and civil unrest that began in 1970, according to an interview with the Cambodian state news agency AKP. Cambodia and Thailand have clashed in the past over their 800-km border. Tensions had been growing since May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store