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News18
9 hours ago
- General
- News18
F-35B Stealth Jet: Why The Crown Jewel Of British Navy Has Been Stranded In Kerala For A Week
UK's most advanced fighter jet has been stuck at Thiruvananthapuram airport since June 14. Sources say India offered hangar space and technical help but the British Navy declined A British F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet remains grounded at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for the seventh consecutive day, after it made an emergency landing on June 14 due to low fuel and adverse weather. The aircraft later developed a suspected hydraulic failure, which has prevented it from taking off since. The jet is widely considered a crown jewel of the Royal Navy's aviation fleet. The jet, operating from the UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, was on a routine flight outside Indian airspace when it diverted to Kerala—a designated emergency recovery site under pre-agreed contingency protocols between the Indian and UK air forces, reportedly part of Operation Highmast. Developed by Lockheed Martin, the F-35B is considered a crown jewel of the Royal Navy's aviation fleet—offering advanced stealth, short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capability, and highly classified sensor systems. Its presence on Indian soil, even temporarily, has drawn attention due to the tight operational secrecy surrounding the platform. #Breaking | A British F-35 jet remains grounded in Kerala, 6 days after an emergency landing. India offered assistance, but the UK Navy declined. @kaidensharmaa shares more details @Elizasherine | #F35 #BreakingNews #IndiaUK #Kerala — News18 (@CNNnews18) June 21, 2025 Refused Hangar And Shelter Offers Since landing, the F-35B has remained parked in the open on the tarmac, under close observation, with access limited to British personnel. Initial Repairs Failed, Bigger UK Team Expected Soon after the emergency landing, a UK Navy technical team from the HMS Prince of Wales was flown in to assess and fix the issue. According to PTI, six of those technicians returned to the ship on Tuesday afternoon, while three personnel—including the pilot—remain at Thiruvananthapuram to oversee ongoing efforts. A larger 30-member team from the UK is now expected to arrive within 48 to 72 hours to carry out further inspections and attempt more extensive repairs. If the hydraulic fault cannot be resolved on site, a British military transport aircraft may be sent to airlift the jet out of India, sources said. IAF And Local Support The emergency was first detected and cleared by the Indian Air Force's Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), which tracked the aircraft's distress signal and authorised the unscheduled landing. The Indian Air Force has since continued to provide logistical support. The airport operator, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Ltd (TIAL), has been facilitating the stay of the British team by providing accommodation and meals. A local ground handling agency was also arranged at the Royal Navy's request. Still No Clearance For Departure While efforts to fix the snag continue, the F-35B will only be cleared for departure—whether by air or transport aircraft—after legal, diplomatic, and aviation safety clearances are in place, officials said. First Published: June 21, 2025, 15:12 IST
News18
25-04-2025
- Politics
- News18
Why 2025 Pahalgam Attack Is A Reminder Of 2000 Chittisinghpura Massacre
Similar Attack 25 Years Apart: The Chittisinghpura incident had led to the killing of 35 Sikh villagers on March 20, 2000, ahead of the visit of then US President Bill Clinton With several similarities, the Pahalgam attack served as a bleak reminder of the Chittisinghpura massacre in Jammu and Kashmir in 2000. The Chittisinghpura incident had led to the killing of 35 Sikh villagers on March 20, 2000, just ahead of the visit of then US President Bill Clinton to India. The timing was seen as an attempt to provoke communal tensions and draw international attention to Kashmir. The Pahalgam attack on tourists occurred on April 22, 2025, coinciding with US Vice President JD Vance's visit to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to Saudi Arabia. At least 26 tourists, including Hindus and a Nepali national, were killed. Top government sources say militants aimed to disrupt diplomatic engagements and reignite global scrutiny over Kashmir. Both attacks targeted civilians to provoke communal violence. Indian authorities react to Pakistan's reaction on Pahalgam terror attack @payalmehta100 with @Elizasherine | #PahalgamTerrorAttack #JammuAndKashmir #IndusWaterTreaty — News18 (@CNNnews18) April 25, 2025 WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN CHITTISINGHPURA In Chittisinghpura, Sikhs in Kashmir, were specifically targeted. Militants in army uniforms had rounded up men near gurdwaras and executed them. The attack was carried out by the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Later, terrorist David Headley confessed to its involvement. Chittisinghpura was aimed at destabilising India ahead of Clinton's visit and increasing Hindu-Sikh tensions. Survivors claimed attackers shouted pro-India slogans, fueling conspiracy theories about state involvement. The attack caused an exodus of Sikhs from Kashmir and heightened communal fears. Clinton's visit was overshadowed by the massacre in 2000. The US condemned the attack but avoided explicitly blaming Pakistan. Pakistan has called the move of India's decision on Indus Water Treaty an act of war @siddhantvm with @Elizasherine | #PahalgamTerrorAttack #JammuAndKashmir #IndusWaterTreaty — News18 (@CNNnews18) April 25, 2025 WHAT HAPPENED IN PAHALGAM In Pahalgam, non-Muslim tourists were singled out and militants asked victims to recite Islamic verses (kalma) and checked for circumcisions to identify non-Muslims. Pahalgam is claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an LeT affiliate. Indian authorities identified Saifullah, a top LeT commander, as the mastermind. The TRF has been opposed to India's revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status in 2019. Various groups have also been against the domicile rights for non-locals. The attack sought to disrupt tourism and signal resistance to demographic changes. Protests, however, have erupted, with demands for retaliation against Pakistan. The attack has also triggered a tourism crisis, with thousands canceling trips. Locals have condemned the attack, fearing economic collapse. Global leaders, including US President Donald Trump and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, have condemned the violence. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry denied involvement but expressed condolences. First Published:
