The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has decided to seize nearly 14 properties belonging to Pakistan-sponsored Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist outfit chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed in Jammu and Kashmir in an attempt to clamp down on terror funding, reported Economic Times.
Reportedly, the ED has identified the “proceeds of crime” invested by Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Ahmed Shah Watali, who is alleged to be terror mastermind Hafiz Saeed’s financier. In August last year, Watali, 70, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) over terror funding.
“The 14 properties identified include bungalows, palatial houses. All these properties will be attached,” a senior officer said according to the Economic Times report.
The Enforcement Directorate had registered a fresh case against Hafiz Saeed on January 19, was already following one against him and others on the basis of a first information report (FIR) filed by the NIA in June 2017, as per the report. The LeT carried out the terror attacks on Parliament in 2001 and Mumbai in 2008.
Addition to that, the ED has identified properties worth Rs 50.73 crore in Mumbai and Pune belonging to controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. These assets were allegedly acquired from the proceeds of crime, the agency sources told the publication. In October 2018, a special NIA court had ordered the attachment of four properties in Mumbai belonging to Zakir Naik, booked under an anti-terror law.
Besides, the ED has identified 13 properties belonging to other militant organisations. Attachments in six cases have already been executed by the agency, the report said.
The ED has also set up a special task force (STF) last month to deal with the rising illegal drug trade through the country’s borders, which is believed to be a source of funding for terrorist groups. The STF will be headed by a special director or an officer of equivalent rank and will comprise a joint director, deputy director and other officers.
In a significant development at a time when the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is tense following Pulwama terror attack and subsequent actions by Indian and Pakistani air forces, the government of India has decided to ban Jamaat-e-Islami, and amended two laws related to Jammu and Kashmir. The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting today, which was informed at a press briefing by Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad.
The union government issued “The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Ordinance” to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004, which is applicable for the state. With the amendment, persons living in the areas beside the international border have been brought under the reservation, at par with persons living in areas adjoining the Actual Line of Control (ALoC). At present, the Act provides reservation to people living near the Line of Actual Control, which means only people living near border areas in the Kashmir region are eligible for these reservations. After this amendment, people living in border areas in the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir will be eligible for reservation under the act.
Due to continuous cross border tensions, persons living alongside International Border suffer from socio-economic and educational backwardness. Shelling from across the border often compels these residents to move to safer places and is adversely impacting their education as Educational Institutions remain closed for long periods. Hence, it was felt justifiable to extend the reservation benefits to persons residing in the areas adjoining International Border on the similar lines of the persons living in areas adjoining Actual Line of Control (ALoC), the government said.
The cabinet also approved Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Amendment order, 2019, to amend the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) order, 1954. The amendment has been issued under the clause (1) of Article 370 of the Constitution. This amendment extends the provisions of 77th and 103rd Amendments of the Constitution to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The 77th Amendment had empowered the government to make any provision for reservation for any caste or class of people. On the other hand, the 103rd Amendment had made provision for 10% reservation for economically backward people not covered under existing reservation laws.
In January this year, the Jammu and Kashmir government, which is currently under governor’s rule, had given consent to the amendments which were cleared by the cabinet today.
MASSIVE. Central Government hereby declares the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), Jammu and Kashmir as an “unlawful association”. Centre banning Jamaat e Islami states it is of opinion that JeI is in close touch with terror outfits and is supporting extremism and militancy in J&K. pic.twitter.com/MFLsEgD8Nn
In a notification published in the Gazette of India, Jammat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir has been declared as “unlawful organisation” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 by the government. The order notes that JeI has been in touch with militant outfits and is supporting extremist activities and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country. It said that JeI is supporting demands from secession from India, and has bee supporting terrorist and separatist groups. The organisation is also involved in anti-national and subversive activities.
After the Indian government had informed that Indian Air Force had destroyed training camps of Jaish‑e‑Mohammed in Balakot by bombing them on the early hours of 26th February, Pakistan had denied that any infrastructure was hit. They had claimed that only four bombs were dropped by IAF and all of them had missed the target by a distance and fell on empty grounds. They had also shared photographs of craters created by the bombs on the ground.
Following this, many people in India, including journalists and politicians, had chosen to believe the government of Pakistan more than India, and were asking for proof of the attack from the government. But now a Pakistani minister has admitted that India had bombed terror camps in Pakistan, that too in Pakistan parliament.
Speaking in a joint session of parliament of Pakistan, rail minister of Pakistan Sheikh Rashid said that 14 fighter planes of Indian Air Force had entered Pakistani air space, and the Madrassa run by “Azhar Sahab” at Jabba hill in Balakot was targeted. He added that at present the Madrassa is as good as not existent, implying that the Madrassa, which also doubles as a camp of Jaish, was destroyed by IAF.
“Azhar Sahab” here means Maulana Masood Azhar, the chief of Jaish‑e‑Mohammed, and it is well known that he runs a Madrassa at Balakot. Rashid informed the parliament that while 14 planes had entered Pakistan, 4 of them bombed the area while the rest 10 remained in defensive formation.
The 14 aircraft that the Pakistan Rail Minister mentioned include 12 Mirage 2000 fighter jets, one Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft Netra, and one unmanned aerial vehicle Heron.
At 7:00 PM today, Chiefs from the Indian Army, Navy and Airforce held a press conference to apprise the media and the nation at large about the nefarious activities of Pakistan against India in the recent days. This is the first statement by the Indian Armed Forces after India carried out airstrikes deep inside Pakistan territory, right up to Balakot, flattening Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camps, as a response to the Pulwama terror attack. Following the airstrikes, Pakistan has breached Indian airspace and attempted to attack Indian military installations. Thwarting the attempt, India lost one MiG21 and shot down one of Pakistan’s F16. After the Pakistani aggression, Wing Commander Abhinandan Vartaman was taken captive by Pakistan and now, per the Geneva convention, Imran Khan as asserted that Wing Commander will be returning to India tomorrow.
Statement by Indian Air Force on Pakistan aggression
The Indian Airforce Chief was the first to deliver a statement. Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor said that IAF fighters were tasked to intercept the intruding Pakistani aircraft and managed to thwart them. Although PAF jets dropped bombs, they were not able to cause any damage. This was pertaining to the events of yesterday when Pakistani F-16s infiltrated the Indian airspace and attempted to attack Indian military installations.
Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor said that Pakistan had earlier said that they had shot down 2 IAF aircraft and that 3 Indian pilots were in Pakistani custody. Later, they revised the figure to 2 IAF jets and 2 Pilots.
He said the fact is that people saw 2 parachutes falling in POJK (Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir). Pakistan l changed their statement to say, 1 Indian pilot was in captivity and this admission came only late in the evening.
He said Pakistan has also claimed that they intentionally dropped weapons in open space where there was no humans or military presence. The fact is, however, they targeted military installations but were intercepted effectively by an ever-ready Indian Airforce and Pakistani plans were thwarted.
Air Vice Marshal Bombs then made a startling revelation. He said that the Pakistani Airforce dropped bombs which fell in army compounds but couldn’t cause damage.
He said Pakistan had also claimed that F-16s were not used in this ‘operation’ against India and that no planes were downed by the Indian Airforce. However, he said that there is enough evidence that Pakistan not only used F16s but also tried to deliberately bomb Indian military installations.
He said that every jet leaves their electronic signatures and that the Indian Airforce can ascertain through electronic signatures which jet was used in the attack.
He said that a part of AMRAM missile which was used to attack Indian military installations was in the possession of the Indian armed forces. These missiles are only carried on F16 jets. These parts were recovered east of Rajouri.
He said that the fact remains that one Pakistani F16 was shot down by Indian MiG 21 Bison. He ended his statement by saying that the Indian Airforce is ready to take on any eventuality. He also said that Indian Airforce has heard that Wing Commander Abhinandan is about to come home and they welcome their pilot back.
Statement by Indian Army on Pakistan aggression
Maj Gen Surinder Singh Bagal said, “We continue to maintain strict vigil along both, the Line of Control and the IB sector. Ground-based air defence weapon systems have been put on high alert all along the LoC and also in some parts of the IB. Our mechanized forces have also been put on standby.”
Major General Bagal assured the nation that India was prepared for any contingency. He stated, “I wish to assure the nation that we are fully prepared and in a heightened state of readiness to respond to any provocation by Pakistan. Despite the turn of events, as you are all aware, the Indian Army is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region.”
He also asserted that the Army “will continue to act against agencies which harbour inimical designs against India and the citizens of our country.”
Statement of Indian Navy on Pakistan aggression
Navy Rear Admiral DS Gujral said, ‘We are ready for any misadventure by Pakistan and we are ready for resolute action. We want to ensure the safety and security of our citizens’.
He said that the Navy stands united with the Army and Indian Airforce to thwart any misadventure by Pakistan.
Evidence that F16 used by Pakistan to target Indian military installations provided
In a joint press conference today, the representative of all three wings of the Indian Armed Forces, Army, Navy and the Airforce today exposed Pakistan’s lies and provided evidence that Pakistan had indeed used F16s to target Indian military installations, an attempt that was thwarted by the Indian Air Force.
The Indian Air Force displayed pieces of the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile that was used to target our military installations. The pieces of this missile were found next to Rajouri, in Indian territory. The air to air missile is an American made missile which can be carried only on the American made F16.
Evidence provided by Indian Armed Forces of Pakistan using F16 to attack Indian military assetsEvidence provided by Indian Armed Forces of Pakistan using F16 to attack Indian military assets
The evidence of Pakistan using F16 to attack Indian military installations is significant since America had sold F16 to Pakistan with an end-use monitoring agreement. This meant that Pakistan could use F16 for self-defence but not for aggression against any country. With this evidence, India has also proved that Pakistan has not stuck to its agreement with the USA.
Indian Armed Forces take media questions: ‘As long as Pakistan continues to harbour terrorists, we will continue to target the terror camps’
The representative of all three wings of the Indian Armed Forces, Army, Navy and the Airforce took few questions from journalists belonging to various media organisations. Here are the replies to the questions.
WATCH: Joint press briefing by the Army, Navy and the Air Force in New Delhi https://t.co/SooRKNi5T1
Following are the questions asked and the answers provided:
Q. Do you consider Pakistan targetting Indian military establishment as an act of war?
A: There is no doubt that Pakistan targetted our military installation. We responded swiftly because of which their designs to deliver their bomb load at the intended target was thwarted. That is the task of the Air force which it did swiftly and responsibly, said Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor.
Q: After the air strikes, what is the status of tensions and ceasefire violations across the Line of Control?
A: Our war is against Terrorism. As long as Pakistan continues to harbour terrorists, we will continue to target the terror camps. The ceasefire has increased after February 24th. There have been at least 35 ceasefire violations in the past two days. The Indian Army has responded to the ceasefire with the same intensity, said Major General Surendra Singh Mahal.
Q: Pakistan is pressing for de-escalation. What is the assessment from the Indian Military brass? Is the situation going to escalate or normalise?
A: They targeted military installations on 27 February. Escalation has done by them. We were well prepared. We are prepared for any contingencies, said Major General Surendra Singh Mahal.
Q: Can you give us the damage assessment of the Indian Airstrikes on terror camps?
A: Premature to say the number of casualties on the camp, whatever we intended to destroy we got that result, said aid Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor.
Q: Do we have any evidence against Pakistan claim of no-hit on its airforce jets?
A: There is enough evidence to show that F-16s were used in this mission through their electronic signatures. Parts of AMRAAM, air to air missile which is carried only on the Pakistani F-16s was recovered east of Rajouri within the Indian territory, indicating that Pakistan has indeed used F-16. No other Pakistani Aircraft can carry AMRAAM missiles, replied Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor.
Q: What were the Pakistani strike package and India’s Strike Package?
A: Pakistani package had JF-17, F-16 and some Mirages. India had scrambled Mirage-2000, Mig-21 and Sukhoi-30 Mki, replied Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor.
Q: What are the forces saying in response to Pakistan sending Wing Commander Abhijit back?
A: We are happy that our pilot who had fallen across the Line of Control and was in custody of Pakistan is being released, we’re extremely happy to have him back. We only see it as a gesture which is in consonance with all Geneva conventions, said Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor.
Q: Do you see this as a goodwill gesture?
A: We see this as a gesture in keeping with the Geneva Convention, replied Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor.
It is indeed intriguing that Indian media repeatedly asked whether India is grateful to Pakistan for vowing to return Wing Commander Abhinandan. Indian Armed Forces were firm in their stand that Pakistan is adhering to the Geneva convention. Also, the Armed Forces have made amply clear that Pakistan tried to attack our military installations and that India is ready for any and all eventualities and would continue to target terror bases as long as Pakistan continues to harbour terrorists.
Following a directive from the Home Ministry, the Information and Technology ministry has asked Youtube today to remove 11 video links pertaining to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by the Pakistan army following air combat on Wednesday.
A Google (which runs Youtube) spokesperson said that the company abides by “valid legal requests from authorities wherever possible, consistent with our longstanding policy and act quickly to remove such material”, adding that the “data on government requests to remove content from Google services is regularly updated in our transparency report.”
Meanwhile, sources from the IT Ministry confirmed that all the links pertaining to the videos which were circulating on social media extensively have been removed by Youtube.
Pakistan authorities held wing commander Abhinandan in captivity after his MiG-21 Bison crashed in PoK yesterday while attempting to hunt back Pakistan Air Force fighters which had entered the Indian air space attempting to attack the Indian military bases.
Following India’s air strike on terror camps in Pakistan on the early hours of 26th February, more than 20 Pakistan Air Force fighters, according to latest reports by the MEA, had tried to enter the Indian air space, but they were chased back by Indian Air Force MiG-21 jets which were on Combat Air Patrol (CAP) at that time. Indian jets had shot down an F-16 jet of Pakistan, while a MiG-21 had crashed inside Pakistan controlled Kashmir and subsequently commander Abhinandan who was flying the jet fell prey to the Pakistanis.
In the aftermath of the crash, the Pakistan Army, violating the norms under the Geneva Convention, released the videos of Indian fighter pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman being captured and interrogated under captivity.
The videos circulated online showed the pilot pulled from the wreckage and was beaten by the mob before the Pakistan Army dispersed the mob. Another video had shown him revealing his identity as asked by the Pakistani military officers. In another video, the brave Indian soldier was shown sipping his tea while refusing to answer specific questions about his aircraft and mission.
These videos started widely being circulated on Social media platforms like Twitter, Whatsapp, Youtube and Facebook.
On Wednesday, India Government had rightly pointed out that Pakistan breached norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention by its ‘vulgar display of injured personnel’.
In its demarche, India noted, “India also strongly objected to Pakistan’s vulgar display of injured personnel of the Indian Air Force in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention. It was made clear that Pakistan would be well advised to ensure that no harm comes to the Indian defence personnel in its custody. India also expects his immediate and safe return.”
In the latest, Pakistan Prime Minister, Imran Khan has confirmed the release Wing Commander Abhinandan tomorrow “as a peace gesture”. However, if Pakistan is assuming that India would submit to this eyewash, Pakistan is highly mistaken as India has already cleared its stand that for any talks to take place between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan PM Imran Khan, first, Imran Khan needs to take ‘Immediately, credible and verifiable’ action against terrorism that breeds on its soil.
In a joint press conference today, the representative of all three wings of the Indian Armed Forces, Army, Navy and the Airforce today exposed Pakistan’s lies and provided evidence that Pakistan had indeed used F16s to target Indian military installations, an attempt that was thwarted by the Indian Air Force.
The Indian Air Force displayed pieces of the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile that was used to target our military installations. The pieces of this missile were found next to Rajouri, in Indian territory. The air to air missile is an American made missile which can be carried only on the American made F16.
The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM (pronounced amm-RAM), is a modern American beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) capable of all-weather day-and-night operations. Designed with a 7-inch (180mm) diameter form-and-fit factor, and employing active transmit-receive radar guidance instead of semi-active receive-only radar guidance, it has the advantage of being a fire-and-forget weapon when compared to the previous generation Sparrow missiles.
This proof provided by the Indian Airforce becomes significant because when America supplied the F16s to Pakistan, it came with an end-use monitoring agreement. This meant that Pakistan was allowed to use the F16s for self-defence and anti-terrorism operations but not for aggression against another country or for escalation of tensions.
What Pakistan did was use the F16 for aggression against India and that too, to target Indian military installations. This would traditionally be considered an act of war against a sovereign state, something which was not allowed under the end-use monitoring agreement between America and Pakistan.
In fact, after this dastardly escalation by Pakistan, the United States of America had communicated to Pakistan in strong terms that Pakistan was not allowed to use the F16 for any other purpose other than self-defence without prior permission of USA.
The proof provided by India has proved beyond reasonable doubt that Pakistan was in contravention of the end-use monitoring agreement between USA and Pakistan by using the F16 and the AMRAAM missile for unprovoked aggression against Indian sovereignty.
India had carried out airstrikes deep inside Pakistan territory, going all the way up to Balakot. Pakistan had responded to India destroying Jaish-e-Mohammed camps by attacking India’s military installations almost signalling to the world that the JeM and other terrorist organisations are the unofficial armies of Pakistan.
Amidst the calls for ‘peace’ by Pakistan PM Imran Khan, the situation on the LoC in multiple border areas of J&K remain tense as Pakistan is indulging in ceasefire violations. On one hand, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan exhorts India to have peace ‘talks’, on the other, his Army is resorting to unprovoked firing on the LoC. As per the latest reports, multiple ceasefire violations have been reported since yesterday.
Jammu & Kashmir: Pakistan violates ceasefire by shelling with mortars and firing of small arms in Sunderbani, Mankote, Khari Karmara and Degwar sectors today. Shelling and firing which started at 6 am paused, and resumed at 3 pm. pic.twitter.com/R5t2ksruER
#JammuAndKashmir: Pakistan violated ceasefire at 1 pm today along the Line of Control in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district. Indian Army retaliated effectively.
The situation between the two nations escalated after Pakistan sought to attack the Indian Military bases in retaliation to India’s air strikes on terror camps in Pakistan. Pakistan Air Force fighters had tried to enter the Indian air space, but they were chased back by Indian Air Force MiG-21 jets which were on Combat Air Patrol (CAP) at that time. Indian jets had shot down an F-16 jet of Pakistan, while a MiG-21 had crashed inside Pakistan controlled Kashmir, and the pilot was captured by locals and handed over to Pakistani Army. According to new revelation, 20 PAF jets had violated the Indian airspace.
Pakistan is reeling under an economic crisis and has been isolated diplomatically. Efforts are being mounted by the Indian government to further alienate the country and pressurise it to act against the terror groups harboured by them. Pakistan is here indulging in psychological warfare, sending a message to the world that it is ready to placate the situation, while continuing its aggression on the ground along the border.
However, Pak PM Imran Khan’s exhortations appear as a red herring as the Pakistan Army continues to wage war by multiple ceasefire violations across the LoC. So instead of preaching sermons to India on peace, Khan should put money where his mouth is and rein in his army which is repeatedly exhibiting unwarranted aggression against India. It appears disingenuous on Pak PM’s part to wax eloquent on peace while his army continues its belligerence unabated against India.
As we had reported earlier, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced that Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will be released tomorrow without any preconditions “as a peace gesture”. The decision comes after India had made it clear that there was no scope for any negotiations for his released and it fully expected him to be returned immediately safe and sound. In fact, India had also asserted that it won’t be demanding consular access because our demand is of unconditional release.
While many would buy into the ‘peace gesture’ propaganda, it ought to be remembered that Pakistan was bound by international conventions to return Wing Commander Abhinandan safely. Also, even yesterday, after violating Indian airspace and attempting to attack Indian military installations in an obvious escalation, Imran Khan had proposed talks between the two countries. Even earlier today, Pakistan attempted to intrude upon Indian airspace before being chased away by Indian jets.
Thus, Abhinandan’s release ought to be seen as a glimpse of a ‘New India’, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, rather than ‘Naya Pakistan’ as proposed by his Pakistani counterpart. Unlike an infamous incident in the past, on this occasion, India did not bow, bend or break. India stood strong and reminded Pakistan that it was bound by international conventions to return him safely.
Consider the events of the past couple of days. India attacked terrorist camps within Pakistani territory, not just in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir in response to the Pulwama terror attack. Conducting airstrikes inside the territory of a nuclear armed country is itself unprecedented. Consequently, India received widespread international support for its actions while Pakistan was deserted even by their ‘all-weather friend’ China which directed them to exercise restraint.
On the backdrop for our airstrikes within Pakistani territory, it responded by attempting to attack Indian military installations. In the skirmish that ensued, Wing Commander Abhinandan shot down an F16, the best jet in Pakistan’s airforce, while riding a vintage Mig himself. Pakistan eventually manages to take him into custody but how do events unfold from there on? It has decided to release him unconditionally.
There has been a tectonic shift in the manner in which India is expected to deal with Pakistani terrorists henceforth. Of course, Pakistan could very well try more misadventures but the cost for them has skyrocketed as airstrikes in response to terrorism is no longer out of the equation.
Pakistan must also contend with the fact that Indian nuclear-capable aircraft Mirage 2000, which was used for the airstrikes in terrorist camps, were mere minutes away from Islamabad and there was very little they could do to thwart them. Thus, there has been an entire paradigm shift within the past couple of days itself.
The path ahead for Indo-Pak relations is very clear. ‘New India’ will not remain silent if Pakistan continues to nurture terrorists on their soil. Effectively, India has called out Pakistan’s nuclear bluff.
Regardless of what transpires henceforth, the big picture reflects a significant dent in Pakistan’s proxy war efforts. India entered their territory, helped their assets meet their god and suffered no consequences for its actions. ‘New India’ has started its journey on a strong foot.
Yesterday, after our Mig-21 shot down a Pakistani F16, the Indian Wing Commander’s plane got hit by ground fire. Wing Commander Abhinandan was then captured by Pakistanis. After videos of the Indian Air Force pilot were circulated widely by Pakistani media and users, a section of Indian media too picked the videos up which showed him being beaten up mercilessly by Pakistanis. Thereafter, a video where released where Abhinandan was made to say on video, that he was being well treated by the Pakistanis. This was in contravention of the Geneva convention.
Amidst the high tension between the two countries and ongoing political drama over it, there are certain handles who are busy spreading false and unverified information. Yesterday many people from Indian media and some self-proclaimed liberals were found spreading the Pakistani version of arguments after they claimed that Pakistan has shot down two Indian fighter planes.
However, later, the Pakistan government had itself retracted its initial claim of two Indian planes being brought down and had asserted that one pilot is in their custody.
Meanwhile, in India, a chunk of self-proclaimed liberals and ‘peace preachers’ have been trying to play the capture of the Indian Air Force pilot as a dealing card to make the central government stand down and negotiate with terrorist supporter Pakistan.
Today, it was seen that many handles on social media were circulating images and video in which a woman was shown as the WC Abhinandan’s wife. The handles claimed that the pilot’s wife is requesting the BJP and PM Modi to stop using the soldiers for getting ‘electoral benefits’.
via Twitter
One such person Sunil Baisoyia who claims to be a Congress worker in his Twitter bio was seen circulating the fake video.
Via Twitter
Many other people, among whom one Aftab Alam, who claims to be a Delhi University Assistant professor have also shared the fake video in a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation.
Image courtesy: @AgentSaffron via TwitterImage Courtesy: @AgentSaffron via Twitter
These videos being shared by several people, including workers of political parties is fake. In fact, Wing Commander Abhinandan’s wife has issued no such statement, neither the woman in the video is his wife. Abhinandan’s father had recently come out to issue a statement where he expressed immense pride in his son and the fact that he was serving the nation. He had also requested to leave them alone. It is highly unlikely that Abhinandan’s wife would have released a statement and hence, the videos being spread to blackmail for “peace”, is fake.
Earlier today, sources have reported that the government of India has refused to allow Pakistan to use WC Abhinandan as a bargaining chip and asserted that he should be released immediately under the rules of Geneva convention. India had asserted that Pakistan is trying to use an Indian pilot as a bargaining chip and trying to create a ‘Kandahar’ like situation. As per recent reports, after a tough stand by India, Imran Khan has declared that they will release Wing Commander Abhinandan tomorrow.
After giving terror state of Pakistan a clean chit by claiming it had no role in the Pulwama terrorist attack, senior Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu has yet again attempted to absolve the terror state of Pakistan from its crime of perpetrating terror on Indian soil and blamed both sides for recent tensions across the Line of Control.
Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, who often expresses his love towards the terrorist state of Pakistan, has written a two-page letter indicating his surrender to the terrorist state of Pakistan. In his letter titled ‘We have a Choice’, Sidhu has targetted the ‘nationalists’ for seeking the destruction of terrorist camps inside Pakistan. Sidhu goes to the extent of blaming India for targetting terror camps.
“On both sides of the border, tacticians are planning for the worst. They must think the worst of one another because only in thinking the worst do they believe that they can protect and defend. But this belief is a mirage,” Sidhu equated India’s non-military pre-emptive strikes with Pakistan’s attack on India’s military assets.
Navjot Sidhu’s open letter Part-1
Asserting that “a community cannot be blamed for the actions of a few”, he said he stood by the conviction that only dialogue and diplomatic pressure will count for a great deal in seeking a long-term solution to the presence and practice of terror outfits operate within and across the border. By advocating peace talks with a rogue nation, Sidhu deliberately ignores that India has been trying to peacefully negotiate with Pakistan, which has yielded no results.
Alike the liberals of the ‘peace-loving’ industry, Navjot Singh Sidhu has expressed his sympathies towards the captured Indian Airforce pilot and asserted that any further escalation by the Indian government to target terrorist camps will result in similar incidents causing huge irreparable losses to both nations.
Navjot Singh Open letter Part-2
In his letter, Navjot Singh has shockingly brought references of ultra-left activist Gauri Lankesh, Govind Pansare, Kalburgi, deceased student Rohit Vermula to target nationalist forces which had promptly asked for the end of terrorist forces in Pakistan.
“I stand against the fear that killed Gauri Lankesh, Rohith Vermula, Gobind Pansare, MM Kalburgi, Najeeb? ASI Ravinder Singh. It is choice, not choice that will determine our nation’s destiny. We can choose to be patriots. To ask what kind of nationalism this is that turns Indian against Indian,” said Sidhu.
This is not the first time that Sidhu has expressed his love for the terrorist state of Pakistan. In the past, Navjot Singh Sidhu had caused a severe controversy after he posed with dreaded Khalistani terrorist Gopal Singh Chawla during his controversial visit to Pakistan to inaugurate the Kartarpur corridor.
