Latest news with #Pak-occupied
NDTV
5 days ago
- General
- NDTV
"People Understand We Can't Negotiate With Terror-Sponsor Pak": Kanimozhi
New Delhi: Pakistan sponsors terrorism and India cannot negotiate with such a country, DMK MP Kanimozhi told NDTV Tuesday evening, after she returned from leading a cross-party delegation to Russia, Spain, Slovenia, Greece, and Latvia as part of the federal government's global outreach initiative to brief friendly nations on Operation Sindoor and the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Asked about the message her delegation took to Moscow, Madrid, Ljubljana, Athens, and Riga, the Tamil Nadu leader said the biggest message was that the Indian government had sent opposition leaders to speak on its behalf to some of the most powerful nations in the world. She also said political leaders and think tanks across Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Greece, and Latvia were briefed about Pakistan's continuing support of cross-border terrorist activities, something Islamabad denies despite a growing mountain of evidence to the contrary. "I think the most important message we took was that it was an all-party delegation... led by opposition MPs. In fact, except for one person all of us were from opposition parties." "I think that in itself was a message... that India stands together when it comes to dealing with terrorism and with what happened in Pahalgam," she said, referring to the horrific attack on April 22 by The Resistance Front, a proxy of banned Pak-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Four terrorists shot dead 26 people, mostly civilians, at a picturesque tourist hotspot in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam Valley, triggering widespread condemnation in India and abroad. India responded first with diplomatic measures, including suspending key Indus Waters Treaty that provides irrigation for nearly 80 per cent of all of Pak's farms, and then launched Operation Sindoor - precision military strikes against terror camps in Pak and Pak-occupied Kashmir. Pak, which had scoffed at India pointing out, again, that the terrorists had been supported by the deep state in that country, responded with strikes of its own - which were mostly neutralised by India - triggering a 100-hour military conflict that ended with a ceasefire on May 12. Kanimozhi told NDTV the nations her delegation had visited had said they stood with India over the Pahalgam attack, particularly after it was explained that India has tried to reason with Pakistan and attempted to find a peaceful solution to this long-standing problem. "Everybody condemned what happened in Pahalgam... we explained that this is not the first time and that time and again it (Pak-sponsored terror attacks) have been happening..." "We explained that we have been able to trace these attacks back to Pakistan and that these terrorists continue to be sponsored and protected in that country," Kanimozhi said. In each nation and meeting the delegation stressed, the DMK leader said, that "we have tried, many times, to reach out to Pakistan to resolve conflicts we have with them but they have never stopped sponsoring terrorist attacks against us, which has cost us many lives," "People understand that we can't negotiate with a state sponsoring terrorism." But now, back in India, Kanimozhi returns to the traditional business of holding the government to account. On the matter of the opposition's demand for a special session of Parliament - to discuss the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, and associated national security concerns, she told NDTV there are "clarifications" and "explanations" that will be sought of the ruling party. Her comments on this come after eyebrow-raising comments by Chief Of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan last week and this over losses suffered by the Indian military during Op Sindoor. At an event in Singapore last week General Chauhan confirmed, for the first time, that India had suffered losses, specifically fighter jets. This was after weeks of speculation that Pak air defences had shot down at least six Indian military aircraft, including at least one Rafale. India had first firmly denied any such claim. However, last week the General indicated otherwise, saying the focus should be on India hitting its targets rather than losses suffered. He made similar comments today, telling a Pune university that "professional militaries are not affected by temporary losses as overall outcomes are more important than such setback". Kanimozhi told NDTV none of the nations she visited had actually asked about this particular issue, but indicated a responsible opposition would ask these questions of the government.
NDTV
23-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
India To Talk To World Bank, Global Watchdog Over Pak's 'Terror Funds' Supply: Sources
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. India plans to intensify efforts to spotlight Pakistan's funding of cross-border terrorism, focusing on discussions with the World Bank and the Financial Action Task Force, following Pak's push for $20 billion aid amid ongoing military tensions. New Delhi: India, fresh from the military success of Operation Sindoor, is set to raise the pitch of efforts to highlight globally Pakistan's continued funding of cross-border terror activities, government sources told NDTV Profit Friday afternoon. Sources said a two-pronged approach will involve a June meeting with the World Bank about aid money and a discussion to put Pak back on the 'grey list' of the Financial Action Task Force, a global agency monitoring terror funding activities. This comes amid media reports in Pak that Islamabad wants the World Bank to fast-track a 10-year, $20 billion loan deal - for private sector growth and climate resilience - agreed in January. Days earlier the International Monetary Fund cleared a billion-dollar bailout. The IMF said Pakistan had "met all required targets" to receive a fresh instalment of the $2.3 billion package. The Indian government had earlier expressed its disappointment that international agencies have chosen to transfer billions in 'aid' to Islamabad at this time, i.e., in the aftermath of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, and military escalation by the Pakistan Army. Delhi was particularly irked that the IMF chose to release the funds while Pakistan was in the middle of firing a barrage of drones and missiles at military and civilian centres in western India. The IMF, sources said, had been presented with data showing misuse of its funds by Pak. India abstained from voting on the aid proposal last month but it passed anyway, despite many of the other member countries having condemned Pak for the Pahalgam terror attack. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned the IMF, and other international funding bodies, Pak had already announced plans to spend government money - including that received as aid - in rebuilding locations the Indian military had identified as terror outfit HQs and training camps. READ | '14 Crore To Masood Azhar...': Rajnath Singh's Warning On Pak Terror Plans Op Sindoor targeted nine such locations - four in Pak and five in Pak-occupied Kashmir. Mr Singh also warned that Pak plans to give tax revenue - as much as Rs 14 crore, money the cash-strapped country could put towards education or healthcare - to Masood Azhar. Azhar is recognised by the United Nations as an 'international terrorist', and is the leader of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed that was behind the 2019 Pulwama and 2016 Uri terror attacks. READ | "Indirect Terror Funding": Rajnath Singh Cautions IMF Over Pak Aid "The IMF's aid to Pak is form of indirect funding to terror," Mr Singh said, "Any financial assistance to Pak is funding terror activities. The IMF should reconsider its decision." Pak's 'Terror Funder' Status In 2018 Pak was put on a 'grey list' of the Financial Action Task Force, or FATF, a global watchdog for financing terrorism and money laundering. In 2022 it was removed from that list. FATF said the Pak government had reasonably strengthened its anti-money laundering setup and worked on combating terror financing, besides addressing technical deficiencies. Being on the 'grey list' meant Pak struggled to get aid from financial institutions like the IMF. ARCHIVES | Pak Taken Off Global Watchdog's 'Grey' List For Terror Financing India, one of the 40 FATF members, had strenuously objected to Pak's removal from the 'grey list', saying Islamabad continues to harbour terrorists and funds their organisations. This issue has also been flagged in other international forums, like the United Nations and the UN Security Council. The latter had tough questions for Pak after the Pahalgam attack. Meanwhile, the Pak government has also sought an additional $4.9 billion from international banks to meet its external financing needs and strengthen its foreign exchange reserves.
Mint
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
‘Politics within the country is our right' Here's what multi- party delgation from India will tell the world
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Tuesday briefed three of the seven multi-party delegations ahead of their visits to different countries to put across India's stand following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. After the briefing by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Congress leader Salman Khurshid said that there was no interference by anyone in understanding between India and Pakistan. "There was no mediation. But when such things happen in the worlds different people try to send a message. But whatever has happened, has happened only between the two nations. When the matter escalated, it was between our two nations. When it ended, it ended between the two nations. It was initiated by the Pakistan DGMO, they said that we should end this. We said that it should be done if they are ready," Khurshid, the former Minister of External Affairs said. "Politics within the country is our right, our duty; it is different. But outside the country, what we have to say, is different," he said. Members of the delegations headed by JD(U)'s Sanjay Jha and Shiv Sena's Shrikant Shinde attended the briefing in which they are expected to be told about their agenda and its finer details. "Our message to world leaders will be that enough is enough and that Pakistan has acted like a thief asked to probe his own crime whenever India has in the past trusted its words on acting against terrorism," JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha said. Jha is leading a delegation to Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia. Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde, who is leading a delegation to the UAE and some African countries, said they will highlight Pakistan's links to terror incidents in India. Misri, sources said, briefed MPs and other members of the delegations that Indian action was targeted against terror sites in Pakistan and Pak-occupied Kashmir, and not against military installations and civilians. It was only after Pakistan's attempts to attack Indian military installations and the civilian population that India hit back, he said. TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, who was included at the last minute after his party protested the government's "unilateral" decision to pick its MP Yusuf Pathan, also joined the meeting. Banerjee is part of the delegation led by Jha which will be travelling to Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. 'Different things are being spread, especially by the media in Pakistan - what happened on 7th May, what happened on 22nd April, what happened between 7th to 11th May. They are spreading lies across the world,' said BJP leader SS Ahluwalia Sources said the major talking points of the meeting way that India has suffered from terror for such a long time and that Pakistan has tried to spread terror everywhere. 'While India focused on economic development Pakistan's focus was on terror,' the meeting discussed. That Pakistan was the first to defy ceasefire on several occasions and that Pakistan attacked many cities was also discussed. The leaders discussed that it was important for countries to realise the design of Pakistan. India decided to send seven all-party delegations, each led by a prominent leader from various political parties, to different countries to highlight India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju had earlier released the list of memberswho will be part of each of these delegations. The list includes Members of Parliament from multi-parties which have been divided into seven groups consisting of 8-9 members. A leader has been assigned for each group who will lead the delegation on a global level. The delegation will meet Parliamentians, think tanks and Indian community. The briefing will mainly be about Pahalgam and the earlier attacks. Our message to world leaders will be that enough is enough and that Pakistan has acted like a thief asked to probe his own crime. The tour is expected to last 10 days, commencing on May 23. The parliamentarians' groups are likely to visit several key world capitals, including the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and Japan, ANI reported.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
But she worked with Fawad Khan: Ridhi Dogra says she was 'bullied' for taking a stand against Abir Gulaal after Pahalgam
The last month was filled with anxiety and dread as India and Pakistan were on the brink of a war following the terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 dead. India's retaliatory Operation Sindoor against terror bases in Pakistan and Pak-occupied Kashmir led to Pakistan responding with artillery firing and drone attacks against many major Indian cities, particularly those close to the border. One heavily-targeted city was Jammu, home to actor Ridhi Dogra, among millions of others. In conversation with HT, the actor recalls the scary times. (Also read: Ridhi Dogra responds to backlash over working with Fawad Khan: 'We can open our arms and close them too when needed') "It was very scary," says Ridhi, who was born and brought up in Jammu, adding, "We were constantly in touch with my family in Jammu and our relatives in Amritsar. There was a complete blackout. They could see things in the sky from their homes. It's a big feeling of helplessness. I was just praying and crying, and also feeling grateful for our armed forces, who were there at the border. It was not anything you wish upon anybody. It was a very hard time." Ridhi adds that while Jammu and Kashmir has seen tensions and strife before, she took solace in how the entire country stood up with the region in solidarity. "This is not the first time there's been tension in the state. We have lived that. So many times we hear there is a bomb blast in Jammu outside some temple. That's where we live. For us, this is very big. The fact that our country has stepped up and taken a stand is also very big," says the actor. Ridhi was set to be seen in Abir Gulaal this month. The film saw her share screen with Vaani Kapoor and Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, making his Bollywood comeback after 9 years. But after the Pahalgam terror attack, the film's release was delayed indefinitely. Even though Ridhi supported the decision not to release the film in India, the actor says she was bullied on social media. She explains, "In the case of the film, I spoke for our country, and suddenly I was being bullied by saying 'arre but she worked with (Fawad Khan)'. But I was firm. Don't bully me. I am as much a citizen of this country as you. When I did that work, I was very mindful of the laws of our country. I didn't do anything illegal. And today, when we are in this situation, I feel I want to stand by my country, my armed forces. And not because I am anything important, but just because you all are too."
The Print
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
War for taking back PoK should be war of choice: Ex-DGMO Anil Bhatt
War, he said, should be the last option and should not be waged since India had achieved its strategic aims. In an interview with PTI Videos on Thursday, retired Lt Gen Anil Kumar Bhatt also expressed his displeasure at suggestions in social media by many warmongers who were unhappy with the conflict ending in four days on the grounds that it was an opportunity to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. New Delhi, May 16 (PTI) Military conflict with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack has brought into focus the importance of drones in modern warfare, which along with space and cyberspace will write the new paradigm of future wars, a former Director General of Military Operations, who oversaw the Doklam crisis, has said. 'Let me tell you, a war or taking back Pak-occupied Kashmir, should be a war of choice, taken by a decision. That is not what was planned this time. Yes, the Indian military was prepared for it, if the escalating ladder took you there,' said Bhatt, who is guiding the growth of the private space technology sector in the country after retirement in June 2020. As DGMO, Bhatt was one of the most senior military officers in the hierarchy, in-charge of ensuring that the armed forces were operationally ready at all times. Reporting directly to the army chief, the DGMO is intimately involved in shaping strategies to deal with immediate and long-term security challenges, besides coordinating with the other two services as well as civilian and paramilitary security forces. In times of crisis and escalated tensions, it falls on the DGMO to communicate with his opposite number. Currently, the DGMO is Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai. Bhatt was DGMO in 2017 when India was locked in a 73-day military standoff with China in the Doklam tri-junction near the Sikkim sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). A four-star lieutenant general is the second highest rank in the army, below a five-star general. A field marshal is largely a ceremonial or war-time rank. 'So what I would tell all my fellow countrymen is, war is a serious business. A very, very serious business. And a nation goes for it when all possible options are over. We had options less than war (during the current crisis) and gave a sense to it,' said Bhatt, who spent 38 years in the Army. Bhatt said coordination between the three services is very important as present day wars are fought not in just one domain but multiple fronts Asked how important drones were in the latest conflict, he said the unmanned aerial vehicles have created an entirely new paradigm in warfare and the militaries of the world began focusing on it when they achieved spectacular success for Azerbaijan in winning a nearly lost war against a well-armed Armenia. The drones were Turkish made. Turkiye also supplied drones to Pakistan, which sent swarms of them over Indian air space for surveillance and sometimes lethal payloads. Bhatt agreed that relatively inexpensive drones costing as little as Rs 2 lakh were able to destroy armoured tanks worth Rs 20-30 crore in the two Azerbaijan-Armenia wars in 2017 and 2020. This made it clear that war theatres of the future will be dotted with drones. To that there are two more new elements, Bhatt noted. 'Previously, we used to say that wars are fought on land, sea and in the air. But there are two new domains, very, very effective and important domains — space and cyber space — that are now emerging,' said Bhatt. He is now director general of the Indian Space Association, the industry body of the space sector. Bhatt said the space sector is critical to future warfare as satellites play an important role in intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance, besides guiding missiles and aircraft to their desired targets. 'But in the future every country will have to protect its assets in space and also know what are the adversaries' assets in space,' he said. Bhatt said several countries have demonstrated anti-satellite weapons and are also developing suicidal satellites that go near an adversary's satellites and destroy it. 'There are kamikaze satellites they are talking of… China has been demonstrating such capabilities,' Bhatt said. He said space-faring nations were also developing capabilities to repair satellites orbiting the earth and refuelling them. 'Actually a satellite dies, not because its components go away or something. It dies primarily because its source of energy goes away. So, now techniques are being found to refuel a satellite,' Bhatt said. He said India has nine or 10 military satellites for surveillance purposes and has plans to put in place a constellation of 52 satellites for space-based surveillance. 'These 52 satellites definitely will increase our capability. Today, our gap is filled by companies like Maxar, PlanetM among others. But we would obviously want our own satellites. Shutter control is very important,' Bhatt said. He said the Pahalgam attack was seen in strategic circles as an attempt by the Pakistan Army to stay relevant in their country after a series of setbacks, including the attack on the Pakistan corps commander residence in 2023 by supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan. Bhatt said India has drawn a new red line for dealing with Pakistan by warning them of a strong response to every act of terror on Indian soil. 'We have set a new normal — you cross the red line, we will hit back. Of course it will require us to be more prepared. But for Pakistan there is no other method,' he said. In his view, the keeping in abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty has been a very effective method. Another method, he added, was for India to keep focusing on its growth story while keeping an eye on Pakistan's activities. 'It's up to you. You put Pakistan on your front screen and drive your car. Or look at the economy and keep driving it. Keep them (Pakistan) in the rear view mirror, it will be enough. Don't distract yourself from what they are doing,' he said. Bhatt recalled former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's observations on war. 'Prime Minister Vajpayee had mentioned once… It is very easy to start a war but it is very difficult to terminate it. And that gave much clarity. In war, the challenge is the ability to then stop a war. And secondly, do you achieve your war aims and at what cost?' The former army officer said this does not mean that a nation should not be prepared for war. 'If you are prepared for war, you prevent a war. And with any adversary, be it on the north or on the west, we have to be prepared. And the preparation is to prevent a war,' Bhatt said. Bhatt also referred to Israel, saying its name is often suggested as an example in India. 'Israel is in an asymmetric war with a country. There is no country. There is no army. There are no nuclear bombs on the other side. We have to realise we are dealing with an adversary which has a significant army. Not only that, it has a very strong backer,' he said. PTI VJ SKU MIN MIN MIN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
