India’s war against terror : Pakistan in fear mode
For the first time since the 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars, India will witness nationwide security drills on May 7, as tension mounted on the India-Pakistan border, post-Pahalgam attack. During this drill, air raid warning sirens will be followed by blackout in cities and towns. Vital plants and installations will be camouflaged in the face of enemy air attacks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chalking out plans to strike at handlers of terrorism in Pakistan, in his meetings with National Security Adviser, Defence Secretary, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy chiefs. Pakistan’s political leaders and army generals are now in fear mode. One can assess this by watching the ongoing debate in Pakistan National Assembly, where leaders from almost all mainstream parties questioned how the army plans to meet India’s challenge. Even maulanas outside Lal Masjid are questioning whether Pakistan’s army can face India’s onslaught. Pakistan army chief Gen Asim Munir has been cornered. He and his generals are parroting the line that any action by India will get a strong and forceful response. But these bravados are only meant to boost the morale of its soldiers and people. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s diplomats have been busy seeking intervention from the US, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Middle East nations, but till now, they are yet to get firm assurances.
How Modi hit at Pakistan where it hurts most
Post-Pahalgam attack, people in Pakistan believe that the entire issue relates to terrorism and it has nothing to do with religion. Pakistan’s political and military leadership wants to hide its brutal act in Pahalgam behind the facade of religion. Pakistanis know that Narendra Modi will not leave the perpetrators unpunished and Pakistan’s army does not have the capability or determination to face india’s challenge. Pakistan Air Force had to abruptly cut short its war exercise because of lack of funds and weapons. Forget defence equipment, Pakistan’s government does not have money even to feed its poor, if IMF refuses to release more tranches under the $8 billion loan assistance. India, on its part, has decided to obstruct Pakistan’s plea for IMF loan. India has changed its executive director on IMF board and has made it clear that since Pakistan is aiding and abetting terrorists, it must not be given IMF assistance. IMF board is due to meet on May 9 to decide on Pakistan’s proposal and India’s vote in this meeting will be vital. On Monday, India stopped Chenab water flow from Baglihar and Salal dams resulting in water shortage in Pakistan. Though the gates of these dams were reopened after 11 years, it cause a huge scare in Pakistan. Till now, under the Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan had been getting abundant water from Indus, Chenab and Jhelum rivers. These three rivers are the lifelines of Pakistan, because the neighbouring country gets 80 per cent of its drinking water from these three rivers. But India exercises 100 per cent control on water flow from these rivers. If India stops water from Indus, Chenab and Jhelum, Pakistan’s agriculture sector will be smashed. This sector grows wheat, paddy, cotton, mustard and other crops. 45 per cent of people in Pakistan work in the cotton sector. A civil war-like situation mayt develop if farmers are deprived of water from Indus system.
Why Congress is making a mockery of itself?
Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai mocked the Centre by brandishing a Rafale toy jet plane tied with ‘nimbu-mirchi’ (lemon-chillies) at a press briefing. He attacked the Modi government for not taking action against Pakistan post-Pahalgam attack. He said, “They bought Rafale jets, but they are lying in hangars with chillies and lemong tied to them. When will the government take action against terrorists and their handlers?” This video was soon circulated in Pakistani media, and its anchors made fun of India. BJP leaders condemned Ajay Rai for mocking India’s Rafale jet fighters. I am surprised that despite Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge promising at the all-party meeting to support Modi government for taking action against Pakistan, their party leaders are making a mockery of this commitment. What Ajay Rai did was a shameful act, He was questioning the fire power of our armed forces. On one hand, Pakistan’s leaders and army generals literally fear Rafale jet fighters acquired by India, and here is a senior Congress leader displaying a toy plane to mock our Air Force. It clearly displays the thinking of Congress leaders behind the veneer of patriotism. I hope, Rahul Gandhi realizes public sentiment. He must have also realized that he commited a mistake in 2019 when IAF struck in Balakote, deep inside Pakistan, to destroy a terrorist hideout post-Pulwama killings. Rahul had at that time questioned Indian Air Force’s claim. It is difficult to comprehend how Congress leaders make irresponsible statements despite clear directions from the party high command to be careful while commeting on the present situation.
For Pakistan, Modi’s silence signals a lull before the storm
India on Saturday banned all direct and indirect imports from Pakistan. It also banned entry of all Pakistan-flagged ships to its ports. Even mail and posts from Pakistan have been stopped. A day earlier, Indian Air Force jets conducted a flypast and landing drill on Ganga Expressway near Shahjahanpur, UP, while the Indian Navy conducted exercises in the Arabian sea. Army troop movements continue on the border of Rajasthan and J&K. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed rallies in Kerala and Amravati (Andhra Pradesh) but he did not mention Pakistan. It was Nara Lokesh, AP CM Chandrababu Naidu’s son, who told the rally that India has “a huge NaMo missile” and Pakistan will be taught a lesson. Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership is presently on tenterhooks, and keeping a careful watch on Indian activity. People living on the Pakistan side of LoC and international bordere have been asked to stock food and water for a month. On Saturday, Pakistan tested its Abdali ballistic missile with a range of 450 km. Pakistan’s ministers are a confused lot. They do not know what to say and what to do to prevent Indian attack. While some ministers are threatening nuclear attacks, others are sending messages of peace. The ground reality is: both the Pakistani leaders and army know the might and capability of Indian army and they are scared. They are also foxed by Modi’s studied silence. For them, Modi’s silence signals a lull before the storm.
Muslims denounce Pakistan : How Asim Munir’s gambit failed
Renowned lyricist Javed Akhtar has said, India should now attack Pakistan and show no mercy. He described Pakistani Army Chief Gen Asim Munir as insane. “No mercy should be shown to him”, he said, adding, “the time has come to teach Pakistan a lesson it will remember forever.” Throughout India, after Friday prayers, lakhs of Muslims came out of mosques to denounce the Pahalgam killings. Hurriyat Conference chief Mir Waiz Omer Farooq, while addressing the Friday congregation at Srinagar Jama Masjid, wept. He said, “the brutal attack in Pahalgam is a blot on humanity and a sin in the eyes of Islam…Such killers must be hunted and killed”. It was Gen. Asim Munir’s plan to provoke confrontation between Hindus and Muslims in India. The killers deliberately asked the names and religion of the victims, before they were shot. Some of the killers forced victims to read the ‘kalma’ (Islamic verse) to check whether they were Muslims or not. They did not touch women because they wanted to convey their message to the world through them. This heinous act was part of a well-planned conspiracy. But the Hindus and Muslims of India foiled this plot. Voices are emanating from mosques in India against Pakistan and leaders like Omar Abdullah, Asaduddin Owaisi and Umar Farooq are denouncing Pakistan. The message has gone to the whole world. This is India’s first victory in the ongoing battle.
Classic : How Modi silenced Rahul on Adani issue
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday, took a dig at Congress-led INDIA bloc while inaugurating the deepwater Adani sea port in Vizhinjam. Present on the dais were Kerala CM P. Vijayan, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, other CPI-M and Congress leaders and Adani group chairman Gautam Adani. Modi said, “I would like to say to our CM (Vijayan), a strong pillar of INDI alliance and Shashi Tharoor sitting here..Today’s event here will give sleepless nights to many people.” Chief Minister Vijayan praised Adani group for building this sea port. Modi said, Left leaders and Congress MP praising an industrialist depicts the picture of a New India. Modi then turned towards Gautam Adani and said that the people of Gujarat would feel unhappy because he has not built a similar port in Gujarat. Gautam Adani’s son Karan Adani, MD of Adani Ports and SEZ, told India TV correspondent Nirnay Kapoor that after Vizhinjam port becomes fully operational, transportation costs of goods being exported by and imported to India will be reduced by 30 to 40 per cent. Everybody knows whom Modi was targeting. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had been speaking ad nauseam against Adani for the last 10 years. He had been alleging that Modi gave away ports, airports and power projects to his friend Adani. Rahul had gone to the extent of alleging that Adani did not work at all, but only took advantage of his friendship with Modi. Gautam Adani never spoke a word against Rahul Gandhi. Modi also remained silent. Congress media cell tried its best to tarnish Modi’s image because of Adani. Today, Modi squared up the account. He showed to the world that a Left Front government not only worked with Adani to build a new India, but its chief minister also praised Adani. Modi showed he had nothing to hide. The deepwater sea port that Modi inaugurated at Vizhinjam is a world class port. It is nothing short of a miracle and a big milestone for India’s infrastructure. Not only Kerala, but the whole of India will benefit from this port.
Modi will take action : Timing will be ours, target will be ours
Even as tension continued along the Line of Control post-Pahalgam killings, Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing an event on Thursday, vowed revenge saying, “chun-chun kar jawab dengey”. Shah said, “none of the killers and their handlers will be spared and we will uproot terrorism from every inch of this land”. Meanwhile, Indian Navy conducted a war exercise in Arabian Sea. One thing is crystal clear now. This is the time to take action. This is not the time to show evidence to Pakistan. This is the time to crush the killers and their handlers. The question is: Is Gen. Asim Munir the mastermind behind Pahalgam killings? Were the killings done on his orders? Why did Gen Munir committ this sin? Experts point out that Gen. Munir and his generals had been facing flak for sometime now with Pakistani Taliban committing mayhem on the border with Afghanistan and Balochistan separatists carrying out attacks. More than a thousand Baloch people have been killed by Gen Asim Munir’s army. Yet, the situation in Balochistan is out of control. Some say that Gen Munir wants to downplay rebellion in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa by raising the Kashmir issue. In his speech last week, Gen Munir had described Kashmir as India’s weak vein and he raised the Hindu-Muslim divide issue also. It, therefore, seems logical that Gen Munir, in order to divert attention, ordered the brutal killings of innocent tourists in Pahalgam. By attacking the soul of India, Gen Munir has committed a sin for which he will have to pay a heavy price. Time has come to eliminate those killers and their handlers who shot innocent Indians in cold blood after ascertaining their religion. Prime Minister Modi has already said, none can imagine the type of punishment that will be meted out to the killers and their handlers. The world knows, Modi never flinches when he takes bold decisions.There will be action, at the right time, and decisive.
Pakistan or Jhootistan?
Pakistan’s army is engaged in fake propaganda and has become the laughing stock before the world. On Thursday, Pakistan Air Force released a video of its fighter jets destroying targets, PAF officers working inside a war room, but moments after the video was posted on social media, twitterati pointed out that most of tthe contents were not original. The video had several fake reels. It contained visuals from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and also visuals of S-300 missile defence system and drones that belong to Turkiye. Even some video war games scenes were added to prepare the PAF video. To boost the morale of its troops, Pakistan Army released visuals of its army chief Gen. Asim Munir standing atop a tank at Tilla fire range, addressing his men. Gen Munir had vanished from official view after the National Security Council met. Pakistan army’s desperate measures to keep the morale of its troops high has now become the butt of jokes. A Pakistani digital creator and journalist Aaliya Shah pointed out that Pakistani troops were singing the Bollywood song “Teri Mitti Me Mil Jaawa” from the hit movie “Kesari” to keep their ‘josh’ high. She was telling Pakistani troops to at least sing Pakistani songs at this crucial time. Interestingly, on Thursday, Pakistan government banned all Indian songs from its FM radio stations. The ground reality is: Pakistan army generals have started losing respect of the commoners because of a media report that most of the top generals have sent their family members to London and Dubai to keep them safe. Though this report is yet to be confirmed, one must admit that in matters of humour, Pakistanis are always ahead.
Modi gives Forces a free hand : Panic in Pakistan
Decks have been cleared for the armed forces to decide on the timing, targets and mode of response to Pakistan post-Pahalgam killings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the armed forces complete operational freedom. On Wednesday, the Cabinet Committee on Security and Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs met to take necessary action. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met the Prime Minister on Tuesday night and discussed the situation. Late after midnight, Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, quoting “credible intelligence” said Indian military action was expected anytime within the next 24 to 36 hours. Let me point out one thing here: Nobody should be surprised over Modi giving full freedom to the armed forces to take military action. Modi always walks the talk. He had clearly said, Pakistan will have to pay a big price for the barbaric attack that took place. Remember Modi’s words. He had said, “From the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world India will identify and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth.” It is this courage and conviction that makes Modi different from other leaders. Earlier, prime ministers used to think about the pros and cons of any military action and used to prevaricate. But Modi’s track record is different. He speaks out clearly and asks the army to take the fight into enemy’s territory. The days of providing credible proof to Pakistan are over. The need for diplomatic niceties is no more required. Pakistan will be given a reply in its own language. Modi has said, the enemies of nation will be razed to the ground. The time has now come. Leaders of Pakistan understand this. Pakistan’s political and military leadership knows that they have little time left.
Why is Pakistan desperate and isolated
Pakistan is frantically seeking support from Saudi Arabia, UAE, China, Britain, Turkiye and Azerbaijan, but has managed to get assurances from only two countries : China and Turkiye. Other countries, including the USA, are hedging and unwilling to help. Pakistan’s Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told the Senate that Pakistan will not strike first, but would respond if attacked. There are calls from senators to release former PM Imran Khan from jail and ask him to join the all-party meeting. Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Mariam Nawaz, chief minister of Punjab, said, India may attack anytime, but Pakistanis need not fear because they have nuclear bombs. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s statement that Pakistan had been nurturing terror groups for the US and UK since several decades has caught the government on the wrong foot. Pakistani senators are openly praising Modi’s diplomacy. One senator Raja Nasir Abbas said, the entire world today stands with India and Pakistan stands isolated. Though the ruling alliance is trying to cover up the damage caused by this remark, Pakistani senators have taken Indian military attack as a fait accompli. On Tuesday, some of the senators tried to desperately seek the support of Indian Muslims in their speeches. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi promptly responded saying, Indian Muslims keep Pakistan “on the toe of their shoes”. Owaisi said, Pakistan will have to pay the price for singling out Hindus for killings in Pahalgam and every Indian would support Modi for his action against Pakistan. What Owaisi said reflects the sentiment of Indian Muslims. The two-minute silence observed during Friday prayer at Srinagar Jama Masjid sends a clear message. Maulanas have said, killing people by singling them out for their religion is anti-Islamic. For the first time, Pakistanis are noticing both Hindus and Muslims raising their voice together and demanding action against terrorists. This is a warning for Pakistan.
Congress should learn from Omar and Owaisi
On Tuesday, the Congress party made a blunder by posting a sketch on its official X handle showing a headless man, without arms and legs. On it was written “Zimmedari Ke Samay Gaayab!”. The sketch was aimed at Modi. It was immediately retweeted by former Pakistani minister Fawad Chaudhry and other Pakistanis. BJP denounced Congress for this sketch. By late evening, the Congress Party deleted its tweet. One thing must be crystal clear: India stands united in its battle against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Both Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge had promised at the all-party meeting that the Congress party would support any action taken against Pakistan. Everybody had praised Congress for its stand. Soon afterwards, some Congress leaders like Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Maharashtra Congress leader Wadettiwar and Gandhi family son-in-law Robert Vadra made remarks that were picked up by Pakistan. Congress then officially issued a statement saying that what Rahul Gandhi and Kharge said was the official stand of the party. But the sketch posted on Congress party’s X official handle raised a fresh controversy. When BJP raised questions, Congress leaders slyly remarked that the party did not mention Modi’s name in the sketch. This is nothing but doublespeak. Congress is saying something and doing something else. Congress party must understand that Pakistan is taking undue advantage of such remarks. At a time when the entire nation is shocked and angry over the killings of innocent people, what was the need for Congress to go to such an extent? It is also true that some BJP leaders overreacted and described Congress as “Pakistani agents”. Such remarks should be avoided. At a time of crisis, we must remain united. Congress leaders should learn from Omar Abdullah and Asaduddin Owaisi. They should know what to speak when enemies of the nation are active.
Why Pakistan’s nuclear threat is hollow
At a time when the entire nation, in one voice, wants action against Pakistan for the Pahalgam massacre, some leaders in the neighbouring country are threatening use of nuclear weapons. Giving nuclear threats has been a favourite pastime of Pakistani leaders. During the Kargil conflict, the then Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Shamshad Ahmed had once saids his country would use any weapon in its arsenal to defend the borders. At that time, American intelligence agencies had also indicated that Pakistan could use nuclear weapons, but nothing of the sort happened. In 2006, after the terror attack in Uri, Pakistan’s then Defence Minister Khawaza Asif had said that if his nation’s security was threatened, it would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons. Indian army carried out surgical strikes soon after, but no nuclear weapon was used. In 2019, when CRPF jawans were martyred in a suicide attack by terrorists in Pulwama, the then Pakistani PM Imran Khan had said, “can we take the risk of miscalculation given the weapons that we and India have?” Now, Pakistan has again started issuing threats to use nuclear weapons and missiles, but the Indian army and its intelligence agencies know the reality behind such hollow threats. Defence experts say, Pakistan’s nuclear threats do not carry much weight, its economy is in a bad shape, and the army does not even have adequate funds for movement and deployment of troops and weapons. Pakistan’s former Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa once told a gathering of select newspersons that his army can fight a war for only three days, because it does not have adequate diesel for movement of tanks. Pakistan’s financial crisis is no secret. It neither has money, nor the grit to fight a war. On the other hand, the might and capability of Indian armed forces have increased tremendously over the last 10 years. On Monday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, the ‘josh’ is high and all the three wings of armed forces are ready. The forces are now waiting for a green signal from Prime Minister Modi.
Congress leaders must not play into Pakistan’s hands
The Congress party on Monday issued a statement saying, “some Congress leaders have been speaking to the media (on Kashmir and Pakistan). They speak for themselves and do not reflect the INC’s views. There should be absolutely no doubt whatsoever at this most sensitive of times that the Congress Working Committee resolution, the views expressed by Shri Mallikarjun Kharge and Shri Rahul Gandhi and the views of authorised AICC office bearers ALONE represent the position of the INC.” Why did the Congress issue this statement? It was because Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah had said on Saturday that he was “not in favour of a war with Pakistan”. When Pakistani news channels picked up his remark, Siddaramaiah clarified saying, “I did not say there should be no war…War should be a nation’s last resort – never the first, nor the only option. Only when every other means to defeat the enemy has failed, should a country be compelled to go to war”. Maharashtra Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday incredulously remarked, “Do terrorists have time to check the religion of victims before killing?” Soon, Pakistani media picked up his remark. Congress leaders soon realized the blunders that they committed after watching public reaction. Those who said there must be no war, realized how angry people in India are over the brutal Pahalgam killings. Some leaders said, India should not attack Pakistan because Pakistanis who are unhappy with their army, will become united and make the army stronger. They have now realized their mistake. Gen. Asim Munir wants this to happen. The theory that if war starts, it will unite Pakistan, is an old one. Had the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee cared about this, India would never have carried out the nuclear tests in Pokharan, due to fear of sanctions. The bogey of India being isolated was shown at that time. Had Modi cared about world opinion, he would neither have ordered surgical strikes or air strikes. The world order has changed and thinking on old lines won’t work. We should leave it to the Prime Minister on what to do, how to do and when to do. We must not bother about Pakistan’s threats at all.
One Nation, One Voice : Action must against Pakistan
The entire nation, in one voice, wants a strong and quick response from India to avenge the Pahalgam killings. All political parties and all religious leaders have given their full support to the Prime Minister on this issue. Jammu & Kashmir assembly on Monday passed a resolution calling for action against the enemies of humanity. National Conference, Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP, Left parties and Hurriyat leaders wanted Pakistan should be taught a lesson. Dr Farooq Abdullah, who normally favours a dialogue with Pakistan, has said, “I use to favour dialogue with Pakistan every time, but how will we answer those who lost their loved ones?..Not Balakot, today the nation wants such action to be taken so that these kinds of attacks never happen…We regret that our neighbour today also does not understand that it has murdered humanity..We will give a befitting reply to them.” AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi lashed out at Pakistan saying, “You are not just half an hour behind, you are half a century behind India. Your country’s budget is not even equal to our military budget…Remember, if you go into another country and kill innocent people, no country will remain silent….The terrorists are worse than the Khawarij. This act shows they are the successors of ISIS.” J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah, in an emotional speech, said, “there can be no sin bigger than the brutal killings in Pahalgam. They killed people after ascertaining their religion….This is the begining of their end, when we will take action…They insulted Kashmiriyat tradition.” Omar Abdullah said, “I will be cursed if I now go to the Centre and ask for statehood at this critical moment.” What Farooq, Omar Abdullah and Asaduddun Owaisi said reflects the inner voice of every Indian. Now is the time for the entire nation to stand united and teach a lesson to the sponsors of terrorists.
Exposed: Pakistan’s propaganda machine
Pakistan army chief Gen. Asim Munir on Saturday again harped on the Hindu-Muslim “two-nation theory” at the military academy passing out parade, and said, this theory was central to the existence and identity of his country. Gen. Munir and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif told the parade that their armed forces were ready to retaliate if India launches an attack. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreing Minister Ishaq Dar has said that if India launches attack, it must not underestimate his country’s capability. “We have nuclear bombs and missiles and we will give a strong response”, he said. Wartime posturings apart, the fact remains that Pakistan cannot win a conventional war against India and India cannot be browbeaten by the threat of nuclear weapons. Last year, I had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi in my television show in Delhi, and the PM jocularly replied that he had gone to check in Pakistan and found nothing. However, there is one point in which Pakistan can remain pro-active. It can peddle lies and with the social media platforms working overtime, it is easier to do this. In one video, made viral by Pakistani elements, a man appeared claiming to be an Indian army officer and held Indian army responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack. This man is clearly a tool working for Pakistan’s propaganda machine and he has nothing to do with the Indian army. All the claims that he was making are plain lies. Another narrative that was set in motion is that the CRPF deployment at the meadow in Pahalgam was removed a few days before the terror attack, on the directions of a senior official. This is a white lie. Pakistan also released a so-called list of Pahalgam victims to claim that there were 15 Muslims among those killed. This is another big lie. No need to add more such examples here. In the coming days, more lies will be peddled and efforts will be made to divide people in India by creating scares. Such narratives will be put in motion to appear as if they are authentic. All of us must remain careful and tell others to refrain from trusting such propaganda as gospel truth. In today’s information technology age, propaganda is a powerful tool and all of us should be wary.
Indus Water : Modi has struck at Pakistan’s jugular vein
After a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Friday, Water Resources Minister C R Paatil said, the government is working on short-term, medium-term and long-term measures to ensure that “not even a drop of water from Indus river system goes to Pakistan”. Responding to this, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that “any move to stop or divert Pakistan’s share of water under the Indus Waters Tready, will be met with full force, and “no one should harbour any illusions about or resolve”. Pakistan Deputy PM Ishaq Dar said, his country will appeal to the United Nations to intervene. Pakistan People’s Party chief Bilawal Bhutto said, “blood will flow if our share of water is stopped”. Already because of water shortage in summer, inter-province protests have begun in Sindh and Punjab, with people trying to stop movement of tankers carrying petroleum fuel to Punjab. People of Sindh are alleging that Punjab province is depriving them of their due share of water. Eight per cent of Pakistan’s agricultural output is dependent on water from Indus river saystem. Nearly 90 per cent of Pakistan’s food production is also depending on Indus river and its tributaries. Hydel power plants in Pakistan are dependent on Indus river water flow. To put in brief, nearly 25 pc of Pakistan’s GDP depends of Indus water river system and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has struck at this jugular vein. It is true that India presently lacks infrastructure to completely stop the flow of Indus water to Pakistan, but alarm bells are already ringing in Pakistan. Four wars were fought during the last 70 years, several diplomatic conflicts took place, but the Indus Water Treaty was never fiddled with. After Pahalgam killings, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown the courage to keep the treaty in abeyance. People in Pakistan will now be starved of water and power. They will then realize the consequence of sheltering, training and sending terrorists to India.
Why homes of terrorists were razed
All-out action against terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir continues, with houses of five Lashkar terrorists demolished by security forces in the Valley. The houses of Adil Hussain Thoker in Bijbehara, Anantnag, Asif Sheikh in Awantipora, Shahid Ahmed Kuttay in Shopian, Zahid Ahmed in Kulgam and Ahsan Sheikh in Pulwama were razed on Friday. These homes belonged to terrorists who were getting support from Pakistan. Prime Minister Modi had openly said in his Bihar rally that the edifices of terrorism will be razed to the ground. On Saturday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, his country was ready to join any “impartial, transparent probe into Pahalgam killings”, but he seems to have forgotten that India no more asks for evidence, it responds with lightning speed. Those days of India sending dossiers about terrorists to Pakistan are over, India now sends army, not dossiers. Already, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in an interview to Sky News, has admitted that Pakistan had been nurturing terrorist groups for the last 30 years to help USA and UK. On Friday, Indian Air Force jets conducted ‘Exercise Aakraman’ near Line of Control. Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi held meetings with commanders in Srinagar and Udhampur to chalk out plans. All eyes are now on Indian armed forces.
Time to teach another lesson to Pakistan
Even as the Army, CRPF and J&K police conducted a joint combing search operation to hunt terrorists who killed 28 tourists at the famous Baisaran valley meadow of Pahalgam, Kashmir, crucial details are emerging about how the attack was planned and executed by a Lashkar-e-Tayyaba hit-and-run cell. It is obvious that the attack was masterminded by Pakistanis sitting across the Line of Control. Home Minister Amit Shah laid wreaths on the coffins of 28 tourists who were killed in the heinous attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his Saudi Arabia visit and returned to Delhi to chalk out India’s firm response to this attack. US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the prime ministers of UK, Australia and several other countries have condemned this attack. There is not an iota of doubt that those who killed innocent and unarmed tourists in Pahalgam are not only cowards, but enemies of humanity and Kashmiriyat. Kashmir is famous for treating tourists and guests with care and love. These terrorists fired indiscriminately on tourists after ascertaining their identities. Such murderers must not be allowed to live, at any cost. Their aim was clear: to strike fear among tourists who flood Kashmir Valley during summer. The terrorists wanted to deprive middle class and poor Kashmiris of their only source of earnings from tourism. To understand their motive, it is necessary to realize that tthe number of tourists to Kashmir Valley jumped eight times to 8.32 crore during the last five years after Article 370 was abrogated in 2019. The influx of tourists has resulted in steep rise in earnings of Kashmiris in the Valley. Pakistan’s army generals sitting in Rawalpindi with their spy agency ISI, are unwilling to see peace returning to the Valley. Seondly, the timing of this attack. It was carried out at a time when the visiting US Vice-President J.D.Vance was still in India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a visit to Saudi Arabia. Pakistan does not want India to forge friendly ties with the US and Saudi Arabia. These two nations, at one time, were considered close to Pakistan. Now, times have changed. India has time and again made Pakistan realize that the old days are gone. India now replies to Pakistan in its own language by striking deep into its territory. Yet, Pakistan continues to train, support and fund terrorists who carry out attacks inside India. I am confident that our brave army would mete out punishment to these murderers at the earliest, and our government will leave no stone unturned to teach a lesson to those who sent these terrorists.
Like leopards, Pakistan Army will never change its spots
Pakistan army chief Gen Asim Munir has raked up Jinnah’s two-nation theory, saying “Muslims are different from Hindus”. The general, in a provocative speech, said, “Our forefathers realized we were different from Hindus in every aspect of life, our religion, our customs, our traditions, our thoughts and our ambitions are different. That’s why they laid the foundation of two-nation theory. We are two nations, we are not one nation”. Gen Asim Munir is known as ‘Mullah General’ in Pakistan, and his remarks have justified this tag. He was not addressing a gathering of Maulanas. He was addressing Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, where Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, his ministers and other army generals were present. The convention was meant to garner more investments from those of Pakistani origin, but the army chief himself became the Maulana at the convention. On attacks by Baloch freedom fighters, the general said: “Do you think terrorists can take away the destiny of our nation? The 13-lakh strong Indian Army, with all its weapons, if it cannot intimidate us, do you think these terrorists can subdue our army?” The Army chief then raked up Kashmir by describing it as Pakistan’s “jugular vein” and promised to help separatists. India immediately reacted and said that Pakistan has “only one role in Kashmir, and that is, it must vacate its illegal occupation of Pak Occupied Kashmir”. Gen Munir, who took over as Army Chief three years ago, is supposed to retire this year. Shahbaz Sharif’s government is going to give him an extension, as was evident during the Pakistani PM’s speech where he praised Munir. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while speaking at an event in Gujarat, said: “Pakistan is still stuck with its terrorism industry… India has changed; I wish I could say Pakistan has changed. Unfortunately, they continue to develop bad habits in many ways.” Jaishankar is right. The world has changed, but Pakistan has not. It is stuck with old issues. The speech of Mullah General is quite evident. The very existence of Pakistan army starts by spewing venom against India and ends with keeping the Kashmir issue alive. Pakistan army’s task begins from giving sanctuary to terrorists, and ends with large chunks of properties being handed over to Army generals. Pakistan is now in a dark abyss, facing mounting debts and people suffering from hunger. Pakistan is practically isolated throughout the world. None of the big economic powers want to lend money to Pakistan, and yet, Pakistan is unwilling to change. In Hindi, there is a proverb “Rassi Jal Gayi, Par Bal Nahin Gaya” (literal meaning, the rope is burnt, but its strands remain).
Why reel making can be risky
Navi Mumbai Police detained four youths for creating a scare by making a video reel with one of them lying inside a moving MUV’s boot with one hand dangling outside. On Monday evening between Vashi and Sanpada, the stunt was performed and a video reel was posted on social media. Within two hours, police nabbed the four youths with the vehicle outside Sanpada railway station. When asked, the youths said they wanted to make a reel to promote their shop selling second-hand laptops. One youth lay inside the boot, the second one drove the car, and the other two youths made the reel, while riding a bike. The reel ends with the boot being opened and the youth saying “Don’t be afraid, I sell laptops”. The shopowner Kuldeep Nishad claimed that his shop’s sale rose after the reel was posted on social media. Police released them with a warning and the youths promised not to make such reels in future. In my ‘Aaj Ki Baat’ show on Wednesday, I had shown how a mother was drowned while making a reel and her kid was frantically shouting “Mummy”. The Navi Mumbai reel was a marketing gimmick to shock viewers and make them buy products. In Bengaluru, a man was caught in ED’s net when he posted a fake picture. S. Satish from J.P.Nagar, Bengaluru posted the pic of a dog on social media claiming that he had bought the world’s costliest wolfdog from the US for Rs 50 crore. An ED team reached his home to inquire how he paid Rs 50 crore. His bank accounts were checked. No big financial transaction of this amount was found. Finally it was found that Satish had made a false claim. The pic of the so-called wolfdog was that of an Indian breed dog belonging to his neighbour. The moral: Do not believe anything that is posted on social media as gospel truth.
Joining politics : Why Robert Vadra will have to wait
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi’s husband Robert Vadra was questioned for the third consecutive day by Enforcement Directorate in connection with Gurugram land deal. He was interrogated for 18 hours in the last three days. Priyanka accompanied her husband, and waited for him at the reception to come out. On Thursday, Robert Vadra told reporters that his popularity has risen and he wanted to join politics. Robert Vadra’s ambition is to join active politics. He has been noticed working actively in Amethi and Rae Bareli during elections, and occasionally, he voices his aspiration for joining politics. He wants a role for himself in Congress, but presently, he has been halted by Gandhi-Nehru family. This is the reason why he frequently alleges that he is being made a political scapegoat for his land deals. By doing charities and appearing on public forums, and by being active during election campaigns, he has expressed his intention to join public life several times, but he is yet to get any positive signal from his in-laws’ family. It seems, Robert Vadra will have to wait for now.
Will Balochistan break away from Pakistan?
Separatist Baloch rebels held an entire train hostage in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province and gave 48-hour ultimatum threatening to execute all hostages if Baloch prisoners are not released. According to Radio Pakistan, 27 rebels have been killed and 155 passengers have been rescued till now. Balochistan Liberation Army, which claimed responsibility for this hijack, claimed they have killed 30 Pakistani soldiers and taken 214 passengers, including many soldiers, hostages. The entire hijack was planned meticulously by BLA, and Pakistani spy agency ISI and army had no whiff of this plot. The rebels first blew up the rail track, forcing the driver to stop the Jaffar Express. The train driver was injured in firing. The hijack took place in remote hilly terrain, while the train was on its way to Peshawar from Quetta. There are 17 tunnels on the route, and the rebels struck at tunnel number 8. This is not the first rebel attack. In November last year, BLA rebels attacked a passenger bus killing 26 people. The Quetta-Peshawar railway line has been attacked several times in the past. Pakistan Railway had stopped train services on this route, but in October last year, the service was resumed. A train hijack of this sort is really a matter of shame for any army, particularly when 182 soldiers were taken hostages. Naturally, top Pakistani army officials were unaware of the plot and they woke up only when an entire train was taken hostage. An attack by rebels of this sort is clearly the consequence of atrocities committed by the army over the past two decades in Balochistan. The Baloch people are demanding a separate sovereign country. They allege that Pakistan government is looting their region’s abundant natural resources. Balochistan borders Iran and Afghanistan, and both these countries have been helping Baloch rebels. For Pakistan, dousing the fire of separatism in Balochistan has become a tough job. The only consolation for us is that Pakistan government and its army has, till now, not blamed India for this train hijack. Pakistan is presently facing a crisis of existence. People in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa provinces have revolted against the Islamabad government. There have been anti-army protests in Pak Occupied Kashmir too.
Modi says, ‘For India, Mauritius is family’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the highest national honour of Mauritius, ‘Order of the Star and Key of Indian Ocean’ on its National Day in Port Louis on Wednesday. Modi dedicated this honour to the ancestors of the people of this island nation. Addressing an event on Tuesday, Modi said, “for India, Mauritius is not just a partner country. For us, Mauritius is family. This bond is deep and strongly rooted in history, heritage and the human spirit.” Modi handed over OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) cards to Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam and his wife Veena. Modi gifted Mauritius President Dharam Gokhool and First Lady Vrinda Ganga water collected from Prayagraj during the recently concluded Maha Kumbh. At a reception, Modi mentioned Lord Shri Ram and Ramcharitmanas and described how the construction of Ram Lala temple in Ayodhya has made the people of Mauritius happy. Nearly 70 per cent population in Mauritius are of Indian origin, since more than half of them are descendants of indentured labourers (girmitiya mazdoor) who were sent to plantations in Mauritius by the then British colonial rulers from the states of Bihar and UP. Modi spoke in Bhojpuri to the delight of Mauritians present at the function. Since assembly elections are going to be held in Bihar later this year, opposition leaders will naturally say that Modi has begun his election campaign from the soil of Mauritius. One must admit that Modi is unmatched when planning such events. Modi knows when to hit a four when opportunity arises.
Indians trapped by cyber gangs in Myanmar rescued
An Indian Air Force C-17 transport aircraft evacuated 283 Indian nationals who were trapped through fake job offers by cyber fraud gangs, largely run by Chinese operators. These gangs are active in Myawaddy region on Myanmar-Thailand border. The Indians were forced to work in fraudulent call centres and were asked to indulge in cybercrime and other online frauds. The next batch of 255 Indian nationals is scheduled to land in another IAF aircraft at Hindon air base on Wednesday. Some of these Indians had shared videos seeking help from Indian government, which contacted authorities in both Myanmar and Thailand to carry out a joint operation. Official data show, nearly 30,000 Indian nationals who had gone to Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam in search of good jobs, have not yet returned. More than half of them are in the 20-39 years age group. The Cyber Crime Coordination Centre in Ministry of Home Affairs, which analyzed cyber crimes being committed from South East Asia, found that a large number of Indians were targeted. Nearly one lakh Indians had complained to Cyber Crime Control cell. This is an ongoing operation and more Indian nationals trapped in southeast Asian countries by cyber fraud gangs will be rescued in the coming weeks.
Public Support for Imran : Challenge to Sharif
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party Tehreek-i-Insaf on Tuesday night called off its protests in Islamabad after army launched a midnight crackdown on his supporters. Hundreds of supporters have been rounded up. On Tuesday, jailed former PM Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi led a convoy of vehicles carrying thousands of supporters, who were engaged in pitched battles with security forces. Several persons were reportedly killed in violence and Army had to take over control of key installations in Islamabad.
Imran Khan, presently incarcerated in a jail in Rawalpindi, had given a call to “break the shackles of slavery” to his supporters. In a message to the people, he asked them to choose between Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor who surrendered and died in Rangoon in British custody, and Tipu Sultan of Mysore, who died fighting the British. Imran Khan had entrusted his wife Bushra Bibi the responsibility of conveying his message to the people. PTI’s demand is that Imran Khan should be released from prison immediately. Since most of the courts in Pakistan have acquitted Imran Khan in several cases, his supporters have been demanding his immediate release. Secondly, after the victory of Donald Trump as President of USA, supporters of Imran Khan are hopeful of getting assistance from the US in dislodging Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s government. But Shahbaz Sharif is unwilling to be cowed down. He wants to crush the protests with the help of the army.
One can say bluntly that there is no Constitution worth the name at the moment in Pakistan, nor is there any sense of security among the common people. Human rights laws have been given the go-by and people hailing from middle and lower middle classes are facing serious financial problems due to inflation and food shortage. It is in this context that people came out on the streets of Islamabad on Monday and Tuesday to face the security forces. They are ready to lay down their lives. Upheaval in Pakistan is not good news for its big neighbour India. When situation spirals out of control in a neighbouring country, terrorist forces come to the fore and the risks can spread.
India-Pak relations: Terrorism has to stop for normalcy
The dastardly terror attack on innocent labourers within 100 hours of a new National Conference government being sworn in Jammu & Kashmir has come as a shock to people both in the Valley and the rest of the country. Among those killed were labourers from Bihar, MP and Punjab who were gunned down by Pakistan-backed terrorists, during dinnertime at a campsite of a tunnel construction company in Ganderbal district. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba claimed responsibility. Among those killed was a Kashmiri doctor Dr Shahnawaz Dar, who was supposed to return home for the post-wedding function of his daughter.
Architectural designer Shashi Bhushan Abrol also fell to the bullets of terrorists. Lt. Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha and Home Minister Amit Shah have asked security forces to track down and eliminate the perpetrators of this dastardly attack. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, people of J&K have given their reply to terrorists by taking part in elections in large numbers and they would never allow any halt in the pace of progress. National Conference leader Dr Farooq Adullah said, Pakistan will have to face consequences if it continues with such terror attacks. Already, National Investigation Agency has begun its probe and security has been strengthened near all infrastructure projects in the Valley. Pakistan-based Sajjad Gul, the chief of TRF, is said to be the brain behind this terror attack. During the last one year, terrorists had been carrying out sporadic attacks against labourers from Bihar and UP in J&K.
In June this year, they had killed nine persons after attacking a bus, but this was a major attack, after 12 years, when a migrant labourers’ camp at a tunnel project, which will link Srinagar with Leh, was targeted. Clearly, it shows Pakistan’s frustration over the victory of democracy in Jammu & Kashmir, where both Lok Sabha and assembly elections were held peacefully this year and a large number of voters participated. Pakistan wants to stop the pace of work that is going on railway, roads, bridges and tunnels, and in order to achieve this, it has asked the terrorists to take out soft targets like migrant labouers. Pakistan will have to pay for its pernicious act. It was hardly three days ago when Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Mian Nawaz Sharif met Indian mediapersons and spoke about the need for burying the past and forging ffriendship with India. Nawaz Sharif was explaining how former PM Imran Khan followed anti-India policies which have brought about a stalemate in bilateral relations. Nawaz Sharif must understand one key point: Until and unless the Pakistan army stops sending terrorists to India, and its spy agency ISI discontinue giving training and funds to terrorists, relations between India and Pakistan can never become normal.
Zakir Naik in Pakistan : What’s the game?
In a move aimed at irking India on the issue of terrorism, Pakistan accorded a state welcome to fundamentalist Islamic preacher Zakir Naik after he arrived on a three week-long visit. Zakir Naik is one of India’s most wanted extremists facing charges of giving hate speeches, funding terrorists and encouraging money laundering. He has been hiding in Malaysia to evade extradition to India. Zakir Naik will address public gatherings in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. He has gone to Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and is going to meet top Pakistani leaders and officials.
Questions are being raised in Pakistan about the reason why a radical preacher is being accorded a state welcome. He has been spreading hate against all non-Islamic faiths. Dr Zakir Naik is being accompanied by his son Fariq Naik, whom he wants to launch as a preacher. Zakir Naik projects himself as a saviour of Muslims and claims he is trying to show Muslims the right path. I have seen videos of his speeches where he openly advocates conversion of non-Muslims. In one of his speeches, Zakir Naik was asked by somebody whether non-Muslims in India who are sympathetic towards Islam, will ever reach ‘jannat’ (heaven) after death?
In reply, Zakir Naik explained that there are several levels of ‘jannat’ . “Even if one supports Islam, he or she cannot attain ‘jannat’ unless converted to Islam”, he said. A preacher having such a bigoted outlook, whether in Pakistan or in Malaysia, will only spread hate. Zakir Naik is an enemy of India. By going to Pakistan, he will definitely get undue encouragement.