Latest news with #YearoftheElephant
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
In US, Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir threatens to hit Reliance's Jamnagar refinery: Report
In a provocative and hostile speech laced with threats against India, Pakistan's army chief General Asim Munir reportedly hinted at targeting Reliance Industries Ltd's Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat, in the event of any future military confrontation. This marks the first time a Pakistani military leader has signalled an intent to strike India's vital oil infrastructure. Pakistani Army chief general Asim Munir reportedly made a nuclear threat in case his country faced an existential threat in a future war with India.(AFP file) Addressing a private dinner gathering in Tampa, Florida, Asim Munir referred to a social media post featuring RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani alongside a Quranic verse, claiming he personally authorised it during a recent standoff with India 'to show them what we will do next time,' The Times of India reported. independently couldn't verify the development. The verse, from Surah Al-Fil (The Elephant), is interpreted by many as an allegory for an aerial strike in the context of modern warfare. Historically, it refers to the 'Year of the Elephant' (around 570 CE), when an invading army led by Yemen's ruler Abraha was destroyed by divine intervention, flocks of birds dropping stones of baked clay, the report added. By naming Mukesh Ambani, Munir appeared to single out a figure who embodies India's economic strength and global standing. In the address to the Pakistani diaspora, Munir also reportedly made a nuclear threat in case his country faced an existential threat in a future war with India. In a strong response to Munir's nuclear threat from US soil, the ministry of external affairs said India has already made it clear that it will not give in to nuclear blackmail and that it will continue to take all steps necessary to safeguard national security. The MEA said Munir's remarks reinforced the well-held doubts about the integrity of nuclear command and control in Pakistan, where the military is "hand-in-glove" with terrorist groups. "Pakistan strongly rejects the immature remarks made by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs earlier today...," the Foreign Office said while responding to media queries regarding the MEA statement. The Pakistani Army chief on Sunday completed his second high-profile trip to the US in less than two months, during which he met senior US military and civilian leaders and also interacted with the Pakistani diaspora.
India.com
5 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Why is Mukesh Ambani's Reliance's Jamnagar refinery on Pakistan's target? Asim Munir is planning to...
Why is Mukesh Ambani's Reliance's Jamnagar refinery on Pakistan's target? Asim Munir is planning to... Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir has once again visited the US and from there he has threatened to launch a nuclear attack on India. The Pakistani Army Chief also indicated an intention to target Reliance Industries Limited's refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in the event of any military conflict with India in the future. The Jamnagar refinery is the world's largest single-site refining complex. Speaking at a formal dinner in Tampa, Florida in the US, Munir referred to a post on social media. It had a picture of RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani with a verse from the Quran. However, this has led to speculation that Munir is threatening the richest Indian conglomerate with assets ranging from oil to telecom and retail. What the threat's connection to elephant? According to information from open sources, this verse refers to the Year of the Elephant, around 570 AD. Abraha, the ruler of Yemen at that time, led an army of elephants to destroy the Kaaba. Then Allah sent flocks of birds carrying baked clay stones, which attacked and destroyed Abraha's army. Why Pakistan is eying Gujarat refinery? Munir chose Ambani for his threat because the RIL chief is a symbol of India's economic power and potential. However, other oil installations and assets could also be considered vulnerable. The sheer size of the Jamnagar complex makes it a major draw in India's refining sector. It has an annual capacity to process 33 million tonnes of crude oil. This is 12% of India's total refining capacity. It is a major exporter of refined petroleum products. In the past, there have been varying reports from intelligence agencies about threats to such installations, especially the RIL refinery, from Pakistan-based terrorist groups.
