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Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: ISI-backed BKI terror module busted in Batala, 6 held
Six persons belonging to Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module were arrested in Batala on Tuesday, Punjab director general of police Gaurav Yadav said. According to Batala police, the module was being operated by foreign-based handlers Maninder Billa and Mannu Agwan on the directions of terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda and the six accused were involved in lobbing a grenade outside a liquor vend in Batala. 'The grenade didn't explode due to faulty assembly,' the DGP said. Those arrested are all from Batala and have been identified as Jatin Kumar alias Rohan, Barinder Singh alias Sajan, Abraham alias Rohit and Sunil Kumar, all residents of Shukarpura, Rahul Masih of Harnam Nagar and Sohit of Qila Des Raj. Police teams have also recovered one .30 bore pistol from their possession, police added. A case has already been registered under Sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act at Police Station civil lines in Batala, while, Sections 111 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 18-B, and 20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) have been added. According to information, some unidentified bike-borne youth had lobbed a hand grenade outside a liquor vend in the Focal Point area of Batala on May 17 which didn't explode due to faulty assembly, preventing any untoward incident. Yadav said that the arrested accused received instructions from Portugal-based Maninder Billa and BKI mastermind Mannu Agwan, who has recently assumed operational charge after the arrest of Happy Passia in the USA. 'Preliminary investigation has revealed that the module had been directed by its foreign handlers to lob a grenade at any liquor vend with the intent to spread fear among contractors, thereby creating a conducive environment for extortion demands. Further investigations are ongoing to establish forward and backward linkages in this case,' the DGP said. Batala senior superintendent of police (SSP) Suhail Qasim Mir said that following the incident, multiple teams were tasked to investigate the matter using technical and human intelligence inputs. 'Six accused involved in lobbying, logistics and finances were traced and arrested,' the SSP added. The SSP said during the operation, accused Jatin Kumar alias Rohan, who is the main executor of the attack, sustained bullet injuries in a brief encounter with the police, while being taken for recovery of a weapon. 'In a bid to escape, the accused opened fire at the police team and injured retaliatory fire,' the SSP said while adding that accused Jatin has been admitted to the local civil hospital for treatment. The SSP said that the probe had found that the grenade had been assembled by the accused based on instructions received via a video call from Billa and another unknown individual, without any technical knowledge. 'Due to faulty assembly, the grenade didn't detonate,' he added.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - Pakistan's actions should be called state-sponsored terrorism
As a tenuous ceasefire settles after yet another outbreak of military actions between India and Pakistan, the U.S. finds itself in a curious position as peacemaker. Clearly, America's leaders want (and need) to do everything to keep the calm between two nuclear nations with a long history of animosity toward each other and work toward a solution that ensures that violence doesn't resume. But there is something the U.S., and the world, need to come to terms with. Pakistan continually engages in state sponsored terrorism. The investigation into the Pahalgam attacks will eventually reveal how much of a role, if any, that Pakistan had in funding, training and abetting the terrorists. Despite this, there is an uncomfortable truth that Pakistan and its allies (including the U.S.) fail to admit. There are many terrorist groups inside the Pakistani borders. And they aren't exactly hiding from the Pakistani government. The Pakistani government has been accused by not just India but Iran and Afghanistan of providing safe havens for terrorist groups. Also, ask any veteran of Afghanistan, and they will confirm that Pakistan's Northwest tribal areas were a de facto safe haven for groups (including the Taliban) as they crossed into Afghanistan to fight and kill Americans. When Al Qaeda fled the U.S. assault in 2001, they fled into, you guessed it, Pakistan. Most infamously, we all know that Osama Bin Laden was hiding in Pakistan. We also know that the Obama administration and the U.S. military did everything possible to not tell the Pakistani government or military about the operation to kill Bin Laden because they could not trust them with the information. That sentence alone should have been damning, but in this complex world of geopolitics, the U.S. decided the embarrassment of Pakistan harboring Bin Laden was enough. Except it wasn't. In the years since, the Taliban moved in and out of Afghanistan with such regularity that Obama had to increase the number of drone strikes inside Pakistan. Think about that for a second. We had to launch missile strikes on an ally because they had thousands of terrorists inside their borders. The Pakistanis were among the first to call for talks with the new Taliban government after the U.S. exit, claiming the Taliban victory had 'broken the shackles of slavery.' There was a small problem. The Taliban's origins in Pakistan means there are plenty of Pakistani Taliban supporters who want that type of government where they live. These Pakistan Taliban militants are now carrying out terror attacks on Pakistanis. You read that right. The terror group that the Pakistani government supported is now killing Pakistani citizens while operating out of Pakistan. The Inter-Service Intelligence, Pakistan's intelligence service has long had a comfortable relationship with the Taliban, much to the chagrin of the United States and others. But they didn't just help the Taliban. We know that the Inter-Service Intelligence has funded and trained groups with the intent of carrying out terror operations in India. Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terror group inside Pakistan, carried out the 2001 terror attack on India's Parliament and the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The training, weapons, money and planning all originated in Pakistan. Here's the thing. They are still in Pakistan. Its founder Hafiz Saeed, has a $10 million bounty on his head by the United States and yet he sits in a military protected residence with a private park in Pakistan. Iran also claims that Pakistan has funded terrorists to conduct attacks within its borders and has itself launched attacks on terror sites in Pakistan. Iran said that Pakistan is funding Sunni separatists movements in eastern Iran. If that sounds familiar, it is the exact same playbook that India claims Pakistan is doing in Indian controlled Jammu and Kashmir. Iran accusing Pakistan of terrorism might cause American readers some bemusement. After all, the U.S. has designated Iran a state sponsor of terrorism because of 'repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.' Cuba, North Korea and Syria are on that list too. But if you do that math, you might be left scratching your head. Pakistani terror groups (including the Taliban) have killed more Americans than Iran, Cuba, North Korea and Syria combined. Pakistan has more known terror groups within its borders than these countries and has allowed those groups to conduct attacks on all its neighbors as well as its own citizens. If India and Pakistan sit down to talk, President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio need to take a hard line on Pakistan. It was already worrying that Pakistan is using Chinese fighters in this current conflict, giving the Chinese valuable data on how their fighter does in combat. They should also be worried about Pakistan's plan to let China build a port in Gwadar, which would be a massive threat to the U.S. and its access to the Persian Gulf. But even more important is the worry that Pakistan and its Inter-Service Intelligence will continue to support and foster terrorist groups that will attack India, allowing them to plan attacks on targets much closer to home. Jos Joseph is a master's candidate at the Harvard Extension School at Harvard University. He is a Marine veteran who served in Iraq and lives in Anaheim, Calif. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Pakistan's actions should be called state-sponsored terrorism
As a tenuous ceasefire settles after yet another outbreak of military actions between India and Pakistan, the U.S. finds itself in a curious position as peacemaker. Clearly, America's leaders want (and need) to do everything to keep the calm between two nuclear nations with a long history of animosity toward each other and work toward a solution that ensures that violence doesn't resume. But there is something the U.S., and the world, need to come to terms with. Pakistan continually engages in state sponsored terrorism. The investigation into the Pahalgam attacks will eventually reveal how much of a role, if any, that Pakistan had in funding, training and abetting the terrorists. Despite this, there is an uncomfortable truth that Pakistan and its allies (including the U.S.) fail to admit. There are many terrorist groups inside the Pakistani borders. And they aren't exactly hiding from the Pakistani government. The Pakistani government has been accused by not just India but Iran and Afghanistan of providing safe havens for terrorist groups. Also, ask any veteran of Afghanistan, and they will confirm that Pakistan's Northwest tribal areas were a de facto safe haven for groups (including the Taliban) as they crossed into Afghanistan to fight and kill Americans. When Al Qaeda fled the U.S. assault in 2001, they fled into, you guessed it, Pakistan. Most infamously, we all know that Osama Bin Laden was hiding in Pakistan. We also know that the Obama administration and the U.S. military did everything possible to not tell the Pakistani government or military about the operation to kill Bin Laden because they could not trust them with the information. That sentence alone should have been damning, but in this complex world of geopolitics, the U.S. decided the embarrassment of Pakistan harboring Bin Laden was enough. Except it wasn't. In the years since, the Taliban moved in and out of Afghanistan with such regularity that Obama had to increase the number of drone strikes inside Pakistan. Think about that for a second. We had to launch missile strikes on an ally because they had thousands of terrorists inside their borders. The Pakistanis were among the first to call for talks with the new Taliban government after the U.S. exit, claiming the Taliban victory had 'broken the shackles of slavery.' There was a small problem. The Taliban's origins in Pakistan means there are plenty of Pakistani Taliban supporters who want that type of government where they live. These Pakistan Taliban militants are now carrying out terror attacks on Pakistanis. You read that right. The terror group that the Pakistani government supported is now killing Pakistani citizens while operating out of Pakistan. The Inter-Service Intelligence, Pakistan's intelligence service has long had a comfortable relationship with the Taliban, much to the chagrin of the United States and others. But they didn't just help the Taliban. We know that the Inter-Service Intelligence has funded and trained groups with the intent of carrying out terror operations in India. Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terror group inside Pakistan, carried out the 2001 terror attack on India's Parliament and the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The training, weapons, money and planning all originated in Pakistan. Here's the thing. They are still in Pakistan. Its founder Hafiz Saeed, has a $10 million bounty on his head by the United States and yet he sits in a military protected residence with a private park in Pakistan. Iran also claims that Pakistan has funded terrorists to conduct attacks within its borders and has itself launched attacks on terror sites in Pakistan. Iran said that Pakistan is funding Sunni separatists movements in eastern Iran. If that sounds familiar, it is the exact same playbook that India claims Pakistan is doing in Indian controlled Jammu and Kashmir. Iran accusing Pakistan of terrorism might cause American readers some bemusement. After all, the U.S. has designated Iran a state sponsor of terrorism because of 'repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.' Cuba, North Korea and Syria are on that list too. But if you do that math, you might be left scratching your head. Pakistani terror groups (including the Taliban) have killed more Americans than Iran, Cuba, North Korea and Syria combined. Pakistan has more known terror groups within its borders than these countries and has allowed those groups to conduct attacks on all its neighbors as well as its own citizens. If India and Pakistan sit down to talk, President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio need to take a hard line on Pakistan. It was already worrying that Pakistan is using Chinese fighters in this current conflict, giving the Chinese valuable data on how their fighter does in combat. They should also be worried about Pakistan's plan to let China build a port in Gwadar, which would be a massive threat to the U.S. and its access to the Persian Gulf. But even more important is the worry that Pakistan and its Inter-Service Intelligence will continue to support and foster terrorist groups that will attack India, allowing them to plan attacks on targets much closer to home. Jos Joseph is a master's candidate at the Harvard Extension School at Harvard University. He is a Marine veteran who served in Iraq and lives in Anaheim, Calif.
Morocco World
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Pakistan's Ambassador to Morocco Calls for Dialogue to Resolve Tensions with India
Rabat — Pakistan's Ambassador to Morocco Syed Adil Gilani shared with Morocco World News (MWN) his insights on the ongoing Pakistan-India tensions, calling for diplomatic dialogue and international intervention to alleviate the volatile situation. The ambassador described the current crisis as 'unfortunate,' stressing the dangerous implications of potential escalations between two nuclear powers. 'If it converts to war, the future is very delicate and very dangerous,' he said, while asserting Pakistan's commitment to international nuclear protocols. Current tensions not about Kashmir While Kashmir remains a longstanding dispute, the ambassador argued, the current tensions stem from different origins. He characterized the situation as 'just the election gimmick' of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting the escalation is politically motivated rather than driven by territorial disputes. 'The current situation can be diffused and resolved by bilateral dialogues,' the Ambassador said, noting that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had 'immediately offered an independent enquiry' into recent incidents of contention. Communication channels remain open Despite mounting tensions, Ambassador Gilani revealed that communication channels between the two nations remain open. Pakistan's Security Advisor and Director-General of Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) and Indian Security Advisor held talks yesterday [Wednesday], phone talks to communicate how to resolve this situation immediately, Ambassador Gilani noted. Pakistan seeks peaceful relations with India, but it retains the right to respond to provocations. 'Pakistan is a peaceful nation and we want dialogue,' he said, adding that Pakistan would only respond if provoked. 'For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, at least,' he pointed out. Call for international involvement Gilani called upon the international community to help de-escalate tensions between the two neighboring countries. 'If the United Nations or Security Council can just analyze the situation, then things will become normal between the two countries and world peace will come back,' he suggested. Meanwhile, he expressed concern about the current state of affairs, describing it as a 'very sensitive, crucial moment' where 'within 2-3 days anything can happen.' Pakistan's nuclear stance Speaking about concerns about nuclear capabilities, Gilani recalled Pakistan's responsible approach: 'Pakistan is totally following the world agreements on nuclear arms, never to be used, only for peaceful purposes. And that is our aim, and we have been doing it.' As one of the world's nuclear powers, Pakistan maintains that its arsenal is solely for deterrence, in line with its commitment to international agreements on nuclear weapons. Path forward The ambassador concluded with an appeal for reason to prevail, suggesting that the current crisis could be resolved if political considerations were set aside. He called for all countries to 'condemn terrorist action anywhere in the world,' describing terrorism as 'the most dangerous thing for the world and the future.' Ambassador Gilani's comments provide insight into Pakistan's diplomatic position during a period of heightened tensions, stressing his country's stated preference for dialogue over confrontation while maintaining readiness to defend itself if necessary. Background of the recent escalation India launched military strikes against its neighboring Pakistan on Wednesday, killing at least 26 civilians according to Pakistani officials. The move came in retaliation for a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir last month. Dubbed 'Operation Sindoor,' the strikes mark the most serious escalation between the nuclear-armed rivals in years, raising fears of a wider conflict. The Pahalgam attack has sent India-Pakistan relations into a tailspin. India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty is particularly concerning, as it threatens Pakistan's water access from six critical rivers that India controls upstream. Both countries have taken increasingly harsh diplomatic steps — India has canceled Pakistani visas, while Pakistan is threatening to withdraw from the Simla Agreement. They've expelled each other's diplomats, closed border crossings, and restricted airspace access. The military strikes have thrown regional air travel into chaos. Pakistan has shut down large parts of its airspace, forcing international airlines to completely avoid the region. Indian domestic flights face major disruptions with several northern airports closed. The situation in Indian-administered Kashmir has grown increasingly tense. Security forces have rounded up over 2,000 locals under counterterrorism laws and demolished homes of suspected militant sympathizers. Military operations have intensified across the territory. Meanwhile, both armies are exchanging artillery fire along the Line of Control in Kashmir. Indian officials have started evacuating civilians from border villages that could face Pakistani retaliation. Tags: IndiaPakistanPakistan India tensions
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Jaisalmer man arrested on spying charges for Pakistan: Police
Jaipur: A resident of Rajasthan's Jaisalmer was arrested on Thursday by the Rajasthan police's intelligence department for allegedly spying for Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) for the last 12 years. 'The man, identified as Pathan Khan, had been working for the ISI since 2013. Upon receiving information from some internal sources of the department, our officers detained him on March 18 and formally arrested him on Thursday after a thorough questioning,' director general (DG) of intelligence department Sanjay Agrawal said. According to the officials, he came in contact with ISI officials when he visited Pakistan in 2013. 'The ISI officials lured him with money, and he was later also given espionage training . It was (later) found that he was in regular touch with the ISI handlers since then and had been passing sensitive confidential information from the Jaisalmer's international border area,' Agrawal said. 'He, majorly, used to pass the information through some social media platform. He was also provided some forged SIM cards. He had also constantly been paid by the ISI through various sources,' Agrawal added. When he was detained by the police on March 18, he identified himself as a farmer, Ravi Kishan, who has a field at Zero RD area of Noor-Ki-Chakki village in the Jaisalmer district. The area is close to the border area, police said. On Thursday, the police arrested him and also lodged a case under necessary sections of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 against Pathan on Thursday. 'We are probing the role of the information he passed to the ISI over the years. It is suspected he used to send videos and photos of the BSF staff and their work from the sensitive and protected area of the international border. Further investigation is underway,' said Agrawal.
