Latest news with #India-held
Kuwait Times
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Indian town mourns young twins killed in Pakistani shelling
POONCH: The death of 12-year-old twins who were killed in a Pakistani strike as they fled the town of Poonch in India-held Kashmir has helped unite a community in shock. Zian Khan and his sister Urwa Fatima were hit by an artillery shell on Wednesday as their parents tried to leave the town that has come under repeated attack. The latest clashes are the worst in decades between the nuclear-armed foes and have killed more than 60 civilians on both sides. The twins' mother, Urusa Khan, 30, survived the attack with minor wounds. Their 46-year-old father, Rameez Khan, is in hospital with life-threatening injuries, unaware that his children are no longer alive. 'None of us have ever experienced such a direct targeting of our town or civilian areas in our lifetime,' Sarfaraz Mir, 40, a cousin of the dead twins told AFP. 'No one thought it could happen, but it feels like civilians and the town are being specifically targeted,' he said. 'People are really afraid now.' At least 12 people have been killed and 49 others injured since shelling intensified in Poonch, about 145 miles from Jammu, the second largest city in Indian-administered Kashmir. Only a few thousand residents remain in Poonch, which was home to around 60,000 people. Most of the residents fled on Wednesday evening in cars, buses and even on foot, hours after the unprecedented overnight shelling started. 'We regret that decision' As the twins' family hurriedly tried to leave their home on Wednesday, their mother briefly went back inside to pick up something she had forgotten. 'At that very instant a shell exploded in the narrow lane outside their residence,' Mir said. Urwa died instantly and her brother in hospital later. 'The people only got to the father later... and (he) is still in a critical condition,' he added. The family had moved from a village to Poonch to be near the dead twins' school. 'We regret that decision,' Fiaz Diwan, 30, a family friend and former neighbor in the village of Chaktroo told AFP. 'The news of their death was shocking, unbelievable,' Diwan said. 'They may still have been alive if not for the parents' desire to give them the best education and future.' The twins' death has united disparate communities grappling with loss and destruction in Poonch. Mir said that many had suffered including 'a child whose head was cut off, a victim from the local Sikh minority - but twins are hard to forget'. Poonch 'is a bouquet of communities - Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims - happily living together, and it feels like an attempt to target that,' he said. A Sikh and a Hindu temple complex were damaged in the shelling. Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri on Friday raised the twins' deaths and accused Pakistan of 'targeting and shelling places of worship with a particular design'. 'This includes Gurdwaras (Sikh temples), these convents, and (Hindu) temples. This is a new low, even for Pakistan.' The latest clashes follow an attack last month in the Indian-administered side of disputed Kashmir that killed 26 tourists, mostly Hindu men, which Delhi blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan has denied any involvement and called for an independent probe. Pankaj Sharma, 48, a Hindu from Poonch, bemoaned the twins' death, saying their 'entire lives (were) still ahead of them'. Right after the twins' funeral, their mother went to hospital to be with her gravely wounded husband. 'God has really given her nerves of steel to go through all of this with calm and dignity,' Mir said. — AFP
The Sun
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Indian town mourns young twins killed in Pakistani shelling
POONCH: The death of 12-year-old twins who were killed in a Pakistani strike as they fled the town of Poonch in India-held Kashmir has helped unite a community in shock. Zian Khan and his sister Urwa Fatima were hit by an artillery shell on Wednesday as their parents tried to leave the town that has come under repeated attack. The latest clashes are the worst in decades between the nuclear-armed foes and have killed more than 60 civilians on both sides. Both sides confirmed on Saturday a full and immediate ceasefire that was surprisingly announced first by US President Donald Trump. The twins' mother, Urusa Khan, 30, survived the attack with minor wounds. Their 46-year-old father, Rameez Khan, is in hospital with life-threatening injuries, unaware that his children are no longer alive. 'None of us have ever experienced such a direct targeting of our town or civilian areas in our lifetime,' Sarfaraz Mir, 40, a cousin of the dead twins told AFP. 'No one thought it could happen, but it feels like civilians and the town are being specifically targeted,' he said. 'People are really afraid now.' At least 12 people have been killed and 49 others injured since shelling intensified in Poonch, about 145 miles (230 kilometres) from Jammu, the second largest city in Indian-administered Kashmir. Only a few thousand residents remain in Poonch, which was home to around 60,000 people. Most of the residents fled on Wednesday evening in cars, buses and even on foot, hours after the unprecedented overnight shelling started. 'We regret that decision' As the twins' family hurriedly tried to leave their home on Wednesday, their mother briefly went back inside to pick up something she had forgotten. 'At that very instant a shell exploded in the narrow lane outside their residence,' Mir said. Urwa died instantly and her brother in hospital later. 'The people only got to the father later... and (he) is still in a critical condition,' he added. The family had moved from a village to Poonch to be near the dead twins' school. 'We regret that decision,' Fiaz Diwan, 30, a family friend and former neighbour in the village of Chaktroo told AFP. 'The news of their death was shocking, unbelievable,' Diwan said. 'They may still have been alive if not for the parents' desire to give them the best education and future.' 'Nerves of steel' The twins' death has united disparate communities grappling with loss and destruction in Poonch. Mir said that many had suffered including 'a child whose head was cut off, a victim from the local Sikh minority -- but twins are hard to forget'. Poonch 'is a bouquet of communities -- Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims -- happily living together, and it feels like an attempt to target that,' he said. A Sikh and a Hindu temple complex were damaged in the shelling. Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri on Friday raised the twins' deaths and accused Pakistan of 'targeting and shelling places of worship with a particular design'. 'This includes Gurdwaras (Sikh temples), these convents, and (Hindu) temples. This is a new low, even for Pakistan.' The latest clashes follow an attack last month in the Indian-administered side of disputed Kashmir that killed 26 tourists, mostly Hindu men, which Delhi blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan has denied any involvement and called for an independent probe. Pankaj Sharma, 48, a Hindu from Poonch, bemoaned the twins' death, saying their 'entire lives (were) still ahead of them'. Right after the twins' funeral, their mother went to hospital to be with her gravely wounded husband. 'God has really given her nerves of steel to go through all of this with calm and dignity,' Mir said.
Gulf Today
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Indian town mourns twins killed in shelling
The death of 12-year-old twins who were killed in a Pakistani strike as they fled the town of Poonch in India-held Kashmir has helped unite a community in shock. Zian Khan and his sister Urwa Fatima were hit by an artillery shell on Wednesday as their parents tried to leave the town that has come under repeated attack. The latest clashes are the worst in decades between the nuclear-armed foes and have killed more than 60 civilians on both sides. The twins' mother, Urusa Khan, 30, survived the attack with minor wounds. Their 46-year-old father, Rameez Khan, is in hospital with life-threatening injuries, unaware that his children are no longer alive. "None of us have ever experienced such a direct targeting of our town or civilian areas in our lifetime," Sarfaraz Mir, 40, a cousin of the dead twins told AFP. "No one thought it could happen, but it feels like civilians and the town are being specifically targeted," he said. "People are really afraid now." At least 12 people have been killed and 49 others injured since shelling intensified in Poonch, about 145 miles (230 kilometres) from Jammu, the second largest city in Indian-administered Kashmir. Only a few thousand residents remain in Poonch, which was home to around 60,000 people. Most of the residents fled on Wednesday evening in cars, buses and even on foot, hours after the unprecedented overnight shelling started. As the twins' family hurriedly tried to leave their home on Wednesday, their mother briefly went back inside to pick up something she had forgotten. "At that very instant a shell exploded in the narrow lane outside their residence," Mir said. Urwa died instantly and her brother in hospital later. "The people only got to the father later... and (he) is still in a critical condition," he added. The family had moved from a village to Poonch to be near the dead twins' school. "We regret that decision," Fiaz Diwan, 30, a family friend and former neighbour in the village of Chaktroo told the media. "The news of their death was shocking, unbelievable," Diwan said. "They may still have been alive if not for the parents' desire to give them the best education and future." A bouquet of communities The twins' death has united disparate communities grappling with loss and destruction in Poonch. Mir said that many had suffered but twins are hard to forget". Poonch "is a bouquet of communities – Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims – happily living together, and it feels like an attempt to target that," he said. A Sikh and a Hindu temple complex were damaged in the shelling. India's Foreign Secretary raises issue of deaths Indian foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Friday raised the twins' deaths and accused Pakistan of "targeting and shelling places of worship with a particular design". "This includes gurdwaras (Sikh temples), these convents, and (Hindu) temples. This is a new low, even for Pakistan." Right after the twins' funeral, their mother went to hospital to be with her gravely wounded husband. "God has really given her nerves of steel to go through all of this with calm and dignity," Mir said. Agence France-Presse
Int'l Business Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Indian Town Mourns Young Twins Killed In Pakistani Shelling
The death of 12-year-old twins who were killed in a Pakistani strike as they fled the town of Poonch in India-held Kashmir has helped unite a community in shock. Zian Khan and his sister Urwa Fatima were hit by an artillery shell on Wednesday as their parents tried to leave the town that has come under repeated attack. The latest clashes are the worst in decades between the nuclear-armed foes and have killed more than 60 civilians on both sides. The twins' mother, Urusa Khan, 30, survived the attack with minor wounds. Their 46-year-old father, Rameez Khan, is in hospital with life-threatening injuries, unaware that his children are no longer alive. "None of us have ever experienced such a direct targeting of our town or civilian areas in our lifetime," Sarfaraz Mir, 40, a cousin of the dead twins told AFP. "No one thought it could happen, but it feels like civilians and the town are being specifically targeted," he said. "People are really afraid now." At least 12 people have been killed and 49 others injured since shelling intensified in Poonch, about 145 miles (230 kilometres) from Jammu, the second largest city in Indian-administered Kashmir. Only a few thousand residents remain in Poonch, which was home to around 60,000 people. Most of the residents fled on Wednesday evening in cars, buses and even on foot, hours after the unprecedented overnight shelling started. As the twins' family hurriedly tried to leave their home on Wednesday, their mother briefly went back inside to pick up something she had forgotten. "At that very instant a shell exploded in the narrow lane outside their residence," Mir said. Urwa died instantly and her brother in hospital later. "The people only got to the father later... and (he) is still in a critical condition," he added. The family had moved from a village to Poonch to be near the dead twins' school. "We regret that decision," Fiaz Diwan, 30, a family friend and former neighbour in the village of Chaktroo told AFP. "The news of their death was shocking, unbelievable," Diwan said. "They may still have been alive if not for the parents' desire to give them the best education and future." The twins' death has united disparate communities grappling with loss and destruction in Poonch. Mir said that many had suffered including "a child whose head was cut off, a victim from the local Sikh minority -- but twins are hard to forget". Poonch "is a bouquet of communities -- Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims -- happily living together, and it feels like an attempt to target that," he said. A Sikh and a Hindu temple complex were damaged in the shelling. Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri on Friday raised the twins' deaths and accused Pakistan of "targeting and shelling places of worship with a particular design". "This includes Gurdwaras (Sikh temples), these convents, and (Hindu) temples. This is a new low, even for Pakistan." The latest clashes follow an attack last month in the Indian-administered side of disputed Kashmir that killed 26 tourists, mostly Hindu men, which Delhi blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan has denied any involvement and called for an independent probe Pankaj Sharma, 48, a Hindu from Poonch, bemoaned the twins' death, saying their "entire lives (were) still ahead of them". Right after the twins' funeral, their mother went to hospital to be with her gravely wounded husband. "God has really given her nerves of steel to go through all of this with calm and dignity," Mir said. The graves of twins Zian Khan and Urwa Fatima AFP
Express Tribune
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Parliament aflame with unity, pride
An air of pride and steely resolve swept through the National Assembly on Wednesday as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle closed ranks to denounce India's reckless midnight misadventure, calling it the act of a regime drunk on its own delusions. In fiery speeches, they hailed Pakistan's armed forces for delivering a blow in the early hours of Wednesday that the enemy neither anticipated nor could withstand, turning a night of provocation into a morning of reckoning. Addressing the NA session convened in the wake of the Indian air strikes, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif remarked that India, intoxicated by the pride of its Rafale jets - which Pakistan had downed in a spectacular display of valour — received a "resounding reply" from Pakistan's armed forces following the attempted air incursion. "We exercised restraint, we could have downed ten aircraft," he said, adding that those who doubted Pakistan's conventional capabilities were now jolted into sense. "The Pakistan Armed Forces delivered a crushing response," the prime minister said. "On that dark night when India launched a cowardly assault, our military turned it into a moonlit one." Lawmakers across party lines, including National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Zartaj Gul, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Senator Ishaq Dar and PTI's Barrister Gohar, delivered impassioned speeches lauding the armed forces and condemning Indian aggression. "We stand shoulder to shoulder with our forces," the prime minister declared, who revealed that the Indian assault involved nearly 80 fighter jets. "Our eagles were fully prepared. As soon as India dropped its payload, our hawks struck and brought down five jets." PM Shehbaz also recounted a pattern of provocation. He said that on April 22, a terrorist attack in India-held Pahalgam was swiftly blamed on Pakistan, within ten minutes of the incident, and used as pretext for military aggression. "They accused us without evidence. Meanwhile, in the recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express, we possess undeniable proof of Indian links," he said. The prime minister said Pakistan had offered international investigations into the Pahalgam incident but India rebuffed the gesture. "Our air force was on alert around the clock. India may flaunt its Rafales, but wisdom and courage determine victory, not expensive machines. I salute Air Chief Zaheer Babar and our brave pilots." The prime minister added that the operation's restraint was deliberate. "We brought down five jets, it could have been ten. But our falcons exercised prudence." Calling for political reconciliation, he said, "I am ready to meet all colleagues, even in their chambers. This is the only way forward to make Pakistan a great nation." 'No longer 2001 or 2003' PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also addressed the house, reaffirming condolences over the loss of civilian lives in the Indian strikes. "The martyrs included women and children. These deaths did not occur in the course of battle but due to India's brutal aggression," he said. "Only thieves and cowards attack under the cover of night," Bilawal said. "Had they any courage, they would have attacked in daylight and faced our soldiers. Instead, they targeted children." He added: "It's no longer 2001 or 2003. The world won't accept terrorists being defined solely by religion. For two weeks we patiently tolerated false accusations. Islamabad knew it was innocent and demanded neutral investigations." Calling Kashmir a just cause, Bilawal said: "We stand with truth and justice, backed by international law and UN resolutions. India stands with lies and deceit. We will unmask its true face to the world." He praised the Pakistan Air Force for shooting down Indian jets "like mosquitoes" and reiterated that Pakistan would continue responding in kind. "India may be bigger in population and wealth, but as they say, 'the bigger they are, the harder they fall'." "Pakistan hasn't fully responded yet. But when it does, it will be within the bounds of international law and the UN Charter. We reserve the right to respond at a time and place of our choosing," he warned.
