Khaled: 21 Malaysian military personnel in India, Pakistan safe despite escalating border tensions
KOTA TINGGI: Twenty-one Malaysian Armed Forces personnel undergoing military courses in India and Pakistan have been confirmed safe amid escalating conflict between the two missile-armed neighbours.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said 18 officers and personnel are stationed at various military colleges in India, while three are attending training in Pakistan.
"They are not located near the conflict zones along the India-Pakistan border," he told reporters after launching the Boustead Plantations Bhd Veteran Empowerment Project at Ladang Telok Sengat today.
"All of them are safe, and most are expected to complete their courses by the end of the year. Nonetheless, the Defence Ministry is closely monitoring the situation and will take necessary action should the circumstances warrant it," he added.
Also present were Boustead Plantations Berhad chairman Lieutenant-General (Rtd) Datuk Ahmad Norihan Jalal and Johor Lama assemblyman Norlizah Noh.
The update follows reports that Pakistan's military has been granted full authority to retaliate against Indian forces following deadly cross-border attacks.
At least 43 people have been killed so far, including 31 Pakistani civilians and 12 on the Indian side, in what analysts describe as the worst escalation in decades.
India launched airstrikes two weeks after accusing Pakistan of backing a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir – a claim Islamabad has denied.
Pakistan military spokesman Major-General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry claimed five Indian fighter jets were shot down in the latest exchange.
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