News Analysis India

Tag: Pakistan

  • Harkat 313: New terror outfit posing threat to security grid

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  A batch of foreign terrorists under the banner of a new terror outfit — Harkat 313 — is believed to have snuck into the Kashmir Valley.  According to highly placed sources in the security establishment, the terrorists, who are giving a tough time to security set up, were tasked with attacking vital government installations to disturb the law and order situation in the Kashmir Valley.

    “This is the first time we are hearing about this group. All we know at this point about them is that this group comprises exclusively of foreign terrorists. Whether this name is being floated as a smokescreen, to divert attention away from Lashkar-e-Toiba, which is known to push Pakistani terrorists in the Valley, we don’t know at the moment,” said a senior security official.

    Several high-profile government installations are believed to be in the crosshairs of this terrorist group, the official added. Security was accordingly enhanced up at various points such as the ongoing hydropower projects and the Srinagar airport.

    The security grid is working overtime to find out more about this group, its benefactors and Over Ground Workers (OGWs) in the Valley. The activities of this new group are being seen in the backdrop of Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.

    “We received specific information about some targets, including two vital locations — one in North Kashmir and one in South, that could be in the crosshairs of the terrorists of this new outfit but owing to operational constraints, we cannot reveal them at this point in time,” a top intelligence official told this newspaper.

    With regards to the Srinagar airport, several security review meetings involving various agencies, including Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, J&K Police, CRPF and CISF, have already taken place, in the wake of the terrorist attack on an IAF base on June 28. 

    Meanwhile, the BSF and the army are on high alert as Pakistan is desperately trying to push terrorists into India just before the onset of winter. Over the past three days, seven army personnel were killed in various counter-insurgency operations in J&K’s Poonch district. 

    VITAL Installations Among targetsAs high-profile government installations are believed to be in the crosshairs of this terrorist group, there has been upgrade in security set-up at various points such as the ongoing hydropower projects and the Srinagar airport

  • RSS chief raises concern over Taliban, collusion of China-Pakistan

    By ANI

    NAGPUR: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday showed concern over the geo-political changes in Afghanistan and questioned the intention of Taliban, Pakistan and China while adding that our military preparedness on the borders needs to be strengthened.

    In his annual Vijaya Dashami address, the RSS chief said, “We know Taliban’s history. China and Pakistan support it to this day. Even if the Taliban changed, Pakistan didn’t. Has China’s intentions towards India changed? While dialogues should happen but we need to be aware, alert and prepared.”

    “Their predisposition – passionate fanaticism, tyranny and terrorism in the name of Islam – is sufficient to make everyone apprehensive of the Taliban. But now China, Pakistan and Turkey have coalesced in an unholy coalition with the Taliban. Since Abdali, our north-western borders are once again a matter of serious concern,” said RSS chief.

    Bhagwat said that border security needs to be strengthened not just along the land border but also along the coastline where silent attacks take place.

    He said that the illegal infiltration from across the border should be completely curbed while adding that these infiltrators should be deprived of citizenship rights by creating a national citizen magazine.

    Bhagwat, who recently went to Jammu and Kashmir for the first time after the abrogation of Article 370, while praising the administration urged the government to take necessary measures to stop targeted killings in the valley.

    “Terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir have restarted the spate of targeted killings of nationalists especially Hindus. This is being done to destroy their morale and to re-establish the reign of terror in the valley. The government should fast track its efforts to curb and neutralise the terrorist activities,” added Bhagwat.

    Bhagwat emphasised that it is India’s culture to integrate varied linguistic, religious and regional traditions and to promote mutual cooperation among all while accepting and honouring all as equal with identical opportunities for growth.

    “Our ideals are our common ancestors. It is the grasp of this very fact that the country saw martyrs like Hasankhan Mewati, Hakimkhan Suri, Khudabaksh and Gaus Khan and a revolutionary like Ashfaqullah Khan. They are admirable role models for all,” said Bhagwat.

    ALSO READ | Terrorists resorting to targeted killings in Jammu and Kashmir, says RSS chief

    The Vijaya Dashami address of the RSS chief is considered the most important event for the organisation as it is during his address future plans and vision are put forth for all to follow. It is from this stage that RSS stand on many issues of national importance is known.

    Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami, according to the Hindu calendar is celebrated on the 10th day after the 9 days of Navratri festivities in the month of Ashvina. 

  • Rajnath Singh praises Indira Gandhi for role as PM leading India in 1971 War

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on Thursday for her role in the 1971 war with Pakistan. Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) symposium on the role of women in the armed forces, Rajnath Singh said Indira Gandhi not only was at the helm of affairs of he country, but led it in times of war.

    He also referred to Rani Laxmi Bai and former President Pratibha Patil adding about India’s positive experience about the role of women’s power in national development. “A few years back, Pratibha Patil was the President and the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces,” he said.

    While it was okay to talk about the role of women in the armed forces, their vast contribution in all areas of security and nation-building should be recognised, Rajnath said. “There are a number of examples of women taking up arms to protect their country as well as the rights of the people throughout history. Rani Laxmi Bai is amongst the most revered and respected amongst them,” he said.

    Talking about India’s initiatives towards women’s participation in the armed forces, the defence minister said, “Women have been serving with pride in the Indian Military Nursing Service for over 100 years. The Army had commenced commissioning women officers in 1992. It has now moved to inducting women officers in most of the branches of the Army,” he said.

    “Women are now being accepted for permanent commission and shall be commanding Army units and battalions in the near future,” he added. 

  • Surgical strikes sent a message: Amit Shah

    By Express News Service

    MUMBAI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said in Goa that surgical strikes on Pakistan carried out by India two years ago sent a strong message to the world that no one can interfere with its borders.

    Shah was in Goa to oversee BJP’s preparations for next year’s Assembly polls. He said that under the BJP-led NDA rule, India gives a befitting reply to terrorist attacks which was not the case when the UPA was in power.

    After laying the foundation stone for the National Forensic Science University at Dharbandora village in South Goa, Shah addressed a gathering where he said during the UPA tenure, terrorists from across the border used to infiltrate into India and cause unrest.

    “Delhi would do nothing. But now, India under the leadership of Narendra Modi respond in the language terrorists understand,” said Shah, referring to the 2019 surgical strike in response to a terrorist attack on an Army base in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that through military action, India sent a message to the entire world that no one can interfere with its borders.

    Shah recalled the contribution of late BJP stalwart Manohar Parrikar as defence minister. “Parrikar and Prime Minister Modi will be remembered for years for introducing One Rank One Pension in all three wings of the armed forces,” the home minister said. He added that Parrikar’s contribution should never be forgotten.

  • Surgical strike sent strong message to world on terror: Amit Shah 

    By PTI

    PANAJI: Talking tough against Pakistan over terrorism, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said surgical strike carried out by India five years ago sent a strong message to the world that no one can interfere with its borders.

    He said under the BJP-led NDA rule, India gives a befitting reply to terrorist attacks which was not the case when the Congress-headed UPA was in power.

    Shah was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for the National Forensic Science University at Dharbandora village in South Goa.

    During the UPA government, terrorists from across the border used to infiltrate into India and cause unrest, and Delhi would do nothing, but now, India responds in the same language which they (terrorists) understand, he said.

    Referring to the 2016 surgical strike, Shah said India, through the military action, sent across a strong message to the entire world that no one can interfere with its borders.

    India had conducted the surgical strike on September 29, 2016, across the Line of Control (LoC) as a response to a terrorist attack on an Army base in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

    Shah recalled the contribution of BJP stalwart late Manohar Parrikar as defence minister.

    Parrikar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be remembered for years for introducing One Rank One Pension (OROP) in the armed forces, the home minister said.

    “Parrikar will be remembered for introducing One Rank One Pension for all the three wings of the armed forces under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.

  • Terrorism weapon of choice of non-state actors, irresponsible states: Rajnath Singh

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Terrorism has been employed as a weapon of choice by non-state actors and irresponsible states to advance their political objectives in the region, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday in a thinly-veiled attack on Pakistan.

    In an address at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) seminar on the role of women in the armed forces, Singh said the concept of security is undergoing a “paradigm shift” and the member states of the grouping will have to deal with challenges like terrorism collectively.

    “The concept of security is undergoing a paradigm shift. The changing character of war is bringing threats from our borders to within our society and amongst the people. Terrorism is just the most obvious and diabolical manifestation of this reality,” he said.

    “It has been employed as a weapon of choice by non-state actors and irresponsible states alike for the furtherance of their political objectives,” Singh said at the virtual event.

    The defence minister said the SCO has rejected terrorism in all its manifestations, noting that women have been and will remain equal contributors in the fight against the menace.

    “The SCO as an organisation has unequivocally rejected terrorism in all its manifestations and forms.

    The reality further reinforces the role of all citizens of the SCO in this fight against the common threat that is challenging us,” he said.

    “This fight cannot be won by half the population of our region or a country. Women have been and will remain equal contributors in this fight, both within the armed forces and beyond,” he said.

    In his speech, the defence minister also provided a brief overview of the role being played by women in the Indian armed forces.

    “Our future is in our hands. It is for the SCO nations to ensure regional stability, promote peace, ensure gender equality and work towards the betterment of the entire region.

    We look forward to much greater participation and a bigger role of women in various tasks of the armed forces,” he said.

    In his address, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat said the character of a war has evolved from a predominantly conventional one to a hybrid and grey-zone warfare, adding that cyberspace and outer space are the new revolutionary domains of war fighting.

    “In consequence, the distinction between the roles of men and women in modern day war fighting is getting blurred by the day. The notion of gender gap is passe,” he said.

    The Chief of Defence Staff said women have proved their mettle in demanding combat roles such as fighter pilots, paratroopers, submariners and the like, and their abilities in the cognitive and information domains are unmatched.

    “Indeed, across the globe, countries are gaining valuable experience in the contribution of women warriors and the views shared today will help chart the course for the growing role of women in the emerging combat environment,” he said.

    Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Reenat Sandhu said the past decades have opened up new vistas for women in the Indian armed forces and the women military officers have created a niche for themselves at the global level in UN peacekeeping missions.

    She said India created history in 2007 by deploying the first ever all-female Formed Police Unit (FPU) for UN Peacekeeping in Liberia.

    “Due to their dedication, professionalism and motivation, the all-female Formed Police Unit proved to be a strong, visible role-model, gaining worldwide attention and illustrating the significant contribution that women can make towards global peace and security,” Sandhu said.

    Representatives from almost all the SCO countries participated at the online conference organised by India.

  • Muslims who migrated to Pakistan don’t enjoy much respect there, they belong to India: Mohan Bhagwat

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Hindus and Muslims share the same ancestors and if this thought process had persisted at the time of the freedom movement, India’s partition could have been stopped, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said Tuesday.

    He said the Muslims who migrated to Pakistan don’t enjoy much respect and prestige there while those who stayed here belong to India irrespective of their methodology of worship.

    Bhagwat also called for a harmonious society.

    India’s age-old culture of Hindutva and Sanatan Dharma is liberal, Bhagwat said, adding, “We inherited this culture and nobody can be differentiated due to their way of worshipping. Our (Hindus’ and Muslims’) ancestors are one. If this thought process had persisted at the time of the freedom movement, there would have been a way to stop Partition.”

    Bhagwat made these remarks at the launch of a book on Hindutva icon VD Savarkar.

    He said Savarkar was a nationalist and visionary.

    Bhagwat said Savarkar’s Hindutva was all about a united India where no one is differentiated on the basis of their religion, caste and status and it was based on the idea of country first.

    “Several people talked about Hindutva and unity in the Indian society, it was just that Savarkar spoke about it loudly and now, after so many years, it is being felt that had everyone spoken loudly, no division (of the country) would have happened,” he added.

    “Muslims who migrated to Pakistan after the partition have no prestige in that country, because they belong to India and it cannot be changed. We have the same ancestors, only our methodology of worship is different and we are all proud of our liberal culture of Sanatan Dharma.

    That heritage takes us forward, that is why all of us are living here together,” Bhagwat said.

    He also said whether it is Savarkar’s Hindutva or Vivekananda’s Hindutva, all are the same as they all talk about the same cultural nationalism where people are not differentiated on the basis of their ideology.

    “Why should we differentiate? We are born in the same country, we fought for it. It is just our methodology to worship god that is different. And different ways to worship god has been our tradition,” Bhagwat said.

    The RSS chief said it would not be inappropriate to call the current era as “Savarkar’s era as its an era of nationalists”.

  • Pakistani terror suspect arrested, arms recovered

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Police have arrested a 40-year-old Pakistani national, who allegedly has ISI links and is involved in a plot to carry out a terror attack here, from east Delhi’s Laxmi Nagar area and seized arms and ammunition from his possession, officials said on Tuesday.

    Mohammad Ashraf alias Ali, a resident of Pakistan’s Punjab province, came to India via Bangladesh and had been staying in the country for 10 years after obtaining Indian identity cards through forged documents, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Singh Kushwaha said.

    He was posing as a ‘maulana’ (religious preacher) and was arrested on Monday night, the DCP said. Ashraf was recruited by the Pakistani spy agency ISI directly after he completed his schooling and was trained for six months, he added.

    Officials said Ashraf was in contact with an ISI handler whom he identified as Nasir and was supposed to get information about the planned terror attack. He has changed five-six locations in a span of 10 years, they said.

    He never stayed at any specific location for long and to acquire documents, he also got married to a woman here, they said. At his instance, an AK-47 and several other arms and ammunition have been recovered.

    Ashraf has been arrested under relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosives Act and Arms Act, the police said.

    Police suspect that he is part of a terror module. Further investigations are on including if a lone wolf attack had been planned, they said.

  • Pakistani national nabbed with 6 kg heroin along Indo-Pak border in Amritsar

    By PTI

    AMRITSAR: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday apprehended a Pakistani smuggler along the India-Pakistan border and recovered six kilogram of heroin from his possession.

    Deputy Inspector General, BSF Bhupinder Singh said the patrolling troops of the BSF on Saturday morning noticed some suspicious movement across the barbed fencing at theIndo-Pak border Rajatal village.

    During a search operation, BSF troops apprehended a Pakistani national and recovered more than six kilogram of heroin from his possession, said the DIG.

    The Pakistani national has been identified as Kashi Ali, a resident of Lahore in Pakistan.

    The DIG said further investigation was underway.

  • In first meet with PM Modi, US Vice President Kamala Harris talks of Pakistan’s role in terrorism

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  US Vice President Kamala Harris, in her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referred to Pakistan’s role in terrorism and urged Islamabad to act on terror groups so that India’s and America’s security is not impacted.

    “When the issue of terrorism came up, the Vice President suo motu referred Pakistan’s role in that regard. She asked Pakistan to take action so that this will not impact US security and that of India. She agreed with the Prime Minister’s briefing on the fact of cross-border terrorism and the fact that India has been a victim of terrorism for several decades now and on the need to rein in, and closely monitor Pakistan’s support for such terrorist groups,” Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said in a press briefing after the meeting.

    ALSO READ | In her first meeting with PM Modi, US Vice President Harris talks about defending democracies

    During the meeting, Modi and Harris decided to boost bilateral ties and discussed various issues of regional and global importance, including Afghanistan and Indo-Pacific. In a joint press interaction with Modi, Harris said it was important that India and the US protect democracies in the best interest of their people.

    “As democracies around the world are under threat, it is imperative that we defend democratic principles and institutions within our respective countries and around the world. And that we maintain what we must do to strengthen democracies at home and it is incumbent on our nations to of course protect democracies in the best interests of people of our countries,” she said.

    ALSO READ | Afghanistan crisis, COVID and climate focus of Modi-Biden talks, Quad summit

    Earlier on Thursday, the PM held a bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison where the leaders discussed defence, energy and other issues. “They discussed a wide range of subjects aimed at deepening economic and people-to-people linkages between India and Australia,” the PMO tweeted.

    According to a statement by the MEA, the two leaders expressed satisfaction at the ongoing negotiations on a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement. They welcomed former Australian PM Tony Abbott’s visit to India by as Special Trade Envoy and noted the commitment of both sides to achieve an early harvest announcement on an interim agreement by December.