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Express Tribune
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
BBC finds videos showing wreckage of Indian jets downed by Pakistan
Pakistani officials have claimed their forces shot down five Indian fighter jets on Wednesday morning amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. While India has not yet issued an official response, BBC Verify has authenticated multiple videos that appear to support parts of Pakistan's claim. One verified video shows what appears to be wreckage from a French-manufactured Rafale fighter jet — part of the Indian Air Force fleet — scattered in a field near Bathinda, in India's Punjab state. In the clip, geolocated by BBC Verify, Indian troops are seen collecting debris from the crash site. Two additional night-time videos from the same area have also been verified. One shows burning debris in a field, while another captures a projectile streaking across the sky before igniting on impact. Analysts believe the footage lends credibility to reports of an aerial confrontation. Justin Crump, a former British Army officer and current CEO of risk intelligence firm Sibylline, told BBC Verify that the debris shown in the videos resembles a French-made air-to-air missile commonly deployed on both Mirage 2000 and Rafale jets. An image circulating on social media further corroborates the claim, showing a tail fin bearing the markings "BS001" and "Rafale". A reverse image search conducted by BBC Verify found no evidence that the image had appeared online previously, suggesting it is not recycled material. The Indian government has yet to confirm or deny the incident, and no official casualty or equipment loss figures have been released. The situation remains tense, and both nations face increasing international pressure to de-escalate.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
South Asia tense as India, Pakistan brace for more clashes
Pakistan's Security Cabinet on Wednesday authorized the military to retaliate against deadly overnight strikes by India, bringing the South Asian region to the brink, amid frantic diplomatic efforts to de-escalate. Global powers from Washington to London and regional players from Beijing to Moscow were in a diplomatic flurry to ease tensions as more clashes appeared imminent between the nuclear-armed rivals. India launched a series of missile strikes, from both the air and surface, inside Pakistan and the part of Kashmir under its control on Tuesday night, killing 26 people and wounding nearly four dozen, the military said. New Delhi said strikes targeted hideouts of Islamist jihadist groups allegedly behind last month's terrorist attack in the Indian part of Kashmir that had killed 26 tourists. Pakistan said those killed were civilians including children as young as three and women. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his country's air force shot down five Indian fighter jets in overnight clashes that erupted after the strikes. At least three French-manufactured Rafale jets were among the planes hit by Pakistani missiles fired from both the air and the ground across the de facto frontier in the disputed region of Kashmir, Sharif said in an address to the parliament. "Up to 80 Indian fighter jets were airborne during the attack, but Pakistani forces chased them away. Five were downed," Sharif said as he praised the response of his country's air force. Sharif's Security Cabinet declared the Indian strikes an act of war and authorized the military to retaliate earlier in the day, in a move that could bring the South Asian region to the brink of another war. Sharif, however, did not say any word about any further escalation in his brief speech in parliament. The National Security Committee called the deadly Indian strikes a act of naked aggression and vowed to respond at a meeting in the capital Islamabad chaired by Sharif. "These illegal acts are blatant violations of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which manifestly constituted acts of war under international law," a statement by Sharif's office said. "The armed forces of Pakistan have duly been authorized to undertake corresponding actions in this regard." The committee has urged the UN Security Council and the world to recognize the gravity of India's illegal actions and hold it accountable. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to both Pakistani and Indian national security advisers overnight in efforts aimed at de-escalation in the region. China, a major power in the region and a close political ally of Pakistan, also called for de-escalation, joining calls by several Gulf Arab states and the United Nations. The deputy foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, another major ally of Pakistan, was expected in Islamabad on Thursday as part of a US-backed effort to bring down tensions. Qatar's premier spoke to Sharif on the phone, while diplomats in Islamabad kept shuttling between the prime minister's office and the foreign ministry to look for some common ground to end what could be a possible disaster. India and Pakistan have fought three wars since their independence in 1947 and returned from the brink of a fourth one on the control of Kashmir, which both countries claim as theirs. India accused Pakistan of backing several groups of Islamist militants who target security forces and civilians in deadly attacks in Kashmir. Islamabad denies the allegations.
Egypt Today
28-04-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Military Spokesman: Egypt's enhanced combat capabilities ready to deter ongoing, future threats to safeguard national security on all strategic fronts
CAIRO – 28 April 2025: Due to the ongoing regional and international changes, Egypt faces shifting challenges across all strategic fronts and this pushed the General Command of the Egyptian Armed Forces- backed by the political leadership- to adopt a comprehensive development strategy aimd at safeguarding the state's capabilities and gains besides maintaining its national security, said Spokesman of the Egyptian Armed Forces Staff Officer Gharib Abdel-Hafez in an interview with Youm7 on Monday. He added that since 2013, the Armed Forces have experienced an unprecedented arms expansion, marked by the diversification of weapon sources. During this time, the military has focused on enhancing its combat capabilities and technical proficiency through a comprehensive modernization strategy. This effort aims to upgrade all major branches of the Armed Forces, align with the rapid evolution of combat systems and methods, and ensure readiness to carry out missions under all conditions and across all strategic directions. Regarding the enhancement of naval capabilities, the Staff Officer stated that two naval fleets have been established to secure maritime operations in both the Mediterranean and Red Seas. These fleets have been equipped with modern naval assets to strengthen both offensive and defensive capabilities along Egypt's 2,936 kilometers of coastline. He further noted that Egypt has signed several diversified arms deals, the most prominent of which include the French-manufactured Mistral-class landing helicopter docks and the German-made Type 209/1400 attack submarines. The naval fleet has also been reinforced with Italian-made FREMM multipurpose frigates, the Egyptian-built Gowind-class corvettes, and domestically manufactured MEKO A200 frigates. Regarding the Air Forces, Abdel-Hafez said that the latest generation of multi-role fighter aircraft—such as the Rafale and others— joined the air forces fleet, as they are capable of striking designated targets at long ranges and under diverse operational conditions. In parallel, he continued, the Egyptian Air Defense Forces have undergone substantial modernization. Egypt now possesses a sophisticated and integrated air defense system that aligns with the most advanced global armament standards. This system incorporates reconnaissance, early warning, radar, and air surveillance components, all designed to detect and respond to threats promptly and effectively. The military spokesman said that the Egyptian Armed Forces manufactured anti-drone systems and radars, combat identification systems, in cooperation with the research centers at the Armed Forces and other civlians institutions. Egypt has also constructed several ground, naval, and air bases to address growing security challenges along its borders. Key installations include the Mohamed Naguib Military Base, the Sidi Barrani Military Base, and the July 3 Naval Base. The Staff Officer added that additional bases, such as the Berenice Military Base, have been established to protect the Red Sea coastline and secure the southern strategic direction, ensuring the Armed Forces are prepared to counter any threats to national security. The military spokesman emphasized that the Armed Forces' enhanced capabilities and combat readiness provide the necessary deterrent power to execute any current or future missions required to safeguard Egypt's national security across all strategic directions. He further affirmed that the Egyptian state remains fully capable of protecting the interests and resources of its people and is consistently prepared to confront the challenges and threats arising from evolving regional and international dynamics. Staff Officer Gharib Abdel Hafez also explained that the Armed Forces paid great attention to enhance combat efficiency. This was clearly demonstrated through joint training exercises with friendly countries, according to carefully studied plans. Regarding the Armed Forces' role in combating terrorism, the military spokesman emphasized that the true guarantee for confronting terrorism lies in addressing its root causes through a scientific and comprehensive approach. This strategy aims to ensure security and social stability—key pillars of the Egyptian state—and is built on three core axes: security, social, and developmental. He noted that one of the clearest indicators of the success of Egypt's efforts is the recognition by international organizations—most notably the United Nations—of the country's comprehensive counterterrorism strategy. This recognition was highlighted in the UN's semi-annual report issued in January 2022, which addressed the global threat posed by terrorist organizations and the UN's support for member states in countering it. The report specifically praised Egypt's efforts in combating terrorism, citing a marked decline in terrorist activity in North Sinai, increasing defections among militant elements, and the subsequent weakening and fragmentation of terrorist groups. It also highlighted Egypt's investment in infrastructure, transportation, and housing in Sinai as vital components of its developmental approach to counterterrorism. The official military spokesman for the Egyptian Armed Forces highlighted the military's pivotal role in supporting the country's comprehensive development through several initiatives. Key infrastructure initiatives include the redevelopment of slum areas, the construction of new residential cities in several governorates, the establishment of water desalination plants, the development and modernization of numerous hospitals and medical centers, and the creation of advanced road networks. Since June 30, 2014, the Armed Forces have been tasked with implementing 460 development projects across the Sinai Peninsula, serving all sectors of comprehensive development, Abdel-Hafez said. These projects are carried out in collaboration with national companies and consulting offices, contributing not only to infrastructure advancement but also to the creation of job opportunities for Egyptian youth.
