tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post7444365435690403146..comments2024-03-27T15:36:44.737-07:00Comments on Haq's Musings: Can India "Punish" Pakistan After Uri?Riaz Haqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-49640473509238526862017-02-24T10:37:32.445-08:002017-02-24T10:37:32.445-08:00#Modi blames #Pakistan for #Kanpur #train tragedy ...#Modi blames #Pakistan for #Kanpur #train tragedy when NIA investigators silent : Uttar Pradesh News - #India Today<br /><br />http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/narendra-modi-gonda-pakistan-kanpur-train/1/890869.html<br /><br />While the investigators have been cautious in blaming Pakistan or its intelligence agency ISI for Kanpur train tragedy, PM Modi told an election rally at Gonda in UP that the derailment was a conspiracy hatched across the border.<br /><br />Addressing an election rally at Gonda in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today blamed Pakistan for Kanpur train derailment. About 150 people had lost their lives in the train tragedy November last year.<br />Modi stated that the Kanpur train derailment was a conspiracy hatched across the border. He said that the people of the city need to elect those who were full of patriotism.<br />The Kanpur train derailment case is being investigated by multiple agencies including the National Investigation Agency. The investigators involved with the case have, however, stayed away from naming ISI or confirming a foreign hand behind the derailment.<br /><br />An informed source, privy to probe details, said, "The investigation is in nascent stage."<br />WHY MODI RELATED KANPUR TRAGEDY WITH PAKISTAN: THINGS TO KNOW<br />PM Modi was addressing a poll rally at Gonda, which will go to poll in the fifth phase of elections in Uttar Pradesh. Gonda is close to the Indo-Nepal border and the PM expressed concerns about its safety.<br />"A rail accident happened in Kanpur, few people have been caught. Police found out that it was a conspiracy from across the border. If such people, who will help (conspirators), get elected from here, will Gonda be safe? Will nation be safe then," asked PM Modi.<br />PM Modi's comment is in sharp contradiction to investigations so far by UP police, central railway board and even National Investigation Agency (NIA). These agencies are yet to draw any conclusion on a Pakistan link to Kanpur train derailment. A senior officer of the NIA refused to comment on the issue.<br />The probe conducted by three agencies did not pick any forensic evidence of explosives. The recovery of technical evidence in the form of audio clips is still being examined. A team of NIA has gone to Nepal to make further probe. But no strong leads have emerged so far.<br />However, a clear Pakistani ISI link emerged to Ghorasahan in East Champaran district of Bihar, where an IED was discovered in October last year.<br />Bihar Police had arrested three murder case accused identified as Moti Paswan, Umashankar Prasad and Mukesh Yadav, who spilled beans of ISI link. They told the Bihar Police that the ISI had planned the derailment of Indore-Patna Express in November last year.<br />Moti Paswan told the police that he visited Kanpur rail track before the train derailment. Police also recovered two WhatsApp audio clips from the phone of one of the accused. Two suspects could be discussing Kanpur derailment.<br />Paswan is said to have confessed to having been involved in the train derailment along with two others including Zubair and Ziaul, who have been arrested in Delhi.<br />The NIA earlier this month said that Dubai-based Shamshul Huda was the "mastermind" for the Ghorasahan sabotage behind the Indore-Patna Express train accident in Kanpur on November 16 last year. But, a similar link has not been confirmed by the NIA.<br />Intelligence agencies suspect that Shamshul Hoda could be behind the derailment as he is said to have extensive network of sleeper cells in Delhi, Kanpur, Patna and Nepal. Hoda is further understood to have been in touch with one Sheikh Shafi in Pakistan. Sheikh Shafi is believed to be one who gives regular instructions through Hoda on how to carry out terror attacks in India.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-50560493818098847572016-10-12T19:14:03.058-07:002016-10-12T19:14:03.058-07:00#India wary of growing #Russia-#Pakistan military ...#India wary of growing #Russia-#Pakistan military ties<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/india-wary-of-growing-russia-pakistan-military-ties<br /><br />India has expressed concern over Russia's fledgling but growing defence relationship with Pakistan, ahead of a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of a world summit in India.<br /><br />Mr Putin has, in recent years, moved to establish defence ties with Pakistan as India began diversifying beyond Russia for its defence equipment and deepening ties with the US.<br /><br />Russia and Pakistan have held discussions over the sale of military hardware and signed an agreement last year for the sale of four attack helicopters to Islamabad. In a sign of their growing defence engagement, the two countries held their first joint military exercise, "Friendship 2016", that ended on Monday, much to New Delhi's unease.<br /><br />"We have conveyed our views to the Russian side that military cooperation with Pakistan, which is a state that sponsors and practises terrorism as a matter of state policy, is a wrong approach and it will only create further problems," India's Ambassador to Russia Pankaj Saran was quoted as saying to Russian news agency Ria Novosti last Friday.<br /><br />Russia and India are fond of calling each other "time-tested friends" and are Cold War allies with a diplomatic relationship dating back to 1947.<br /><br />For years, India depended on Russia for all its military supply. While the two countries remain major defence partners, India is now increasingly sourcing weapons from other countries such as the US and France. Moscow has lost out on major jet and helicopter deals to other countries. Bilateral trade between India and Russia is below US$10 billion (S$13.8 billion), partly due to poor transport links. India's trade with the US is now more than US$100 billion.<br /><br />Officials said Russia would remain an important country for India but experts noted that ties between Pakistan and Russia would remain an irritant for India.<br /><br />"We have always seen Russia as a close ally. Russia will remain important but the Modi government is clearly annoyed with Russia over Pakistan and it is making that clear," said former Indian foreign secretary Lalit Mansingh.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-65205548425277196922016-10-09T21:55:30.745-07:002016-10-09T21:55:30.745-07:00Nadeem Farooq Paracha in Dawn on Two Nation Theory...Nadeem Farooq Paracha in Dawn on Two Nation Theory:<br /><br />In the late 19th century, Nabagopal Mitra, one of the pioneers of Hindu nationalism, authored a paper in which he described the Hindus of India as a nation that was better than the Muslims and the Christians. He added that ‘the basis of national unity in India was the Hindu religion’ and that the Hindus should strive to form an ‘Aryan nation.’<br /><br />In an early 20th century pamphlet, Bhai Paramanand, a leading member of the Hindu reformist movement the Arya Samaj, described the Hindus and Muslims as being two separate nations who were ‘irreconcilable.’ In his autobiography, ‘My Life’, Pramanand mentions how in 1908 he called for an exchange and settling of Hindu and Muslim populations in different geographical areas.<br /><br />In a December 14, 1924 article in the Bombay daily, The Tribune, Congress leader and Hindu nationalist Lajpat Rai too called for a ‘clear partition of the region into a Hindu India and non-Hindu India …’<br /><br />In 1923, poet and playwright, VD Savarkar, coined the word, ‘Hindutva’ in a book (also titled Hindutva). He coined the word to mean ‘Hinduness’ and wrote that the Muslims (and the Christians) of India were outside of ‘Hindu nationhood.’ Then, in 1937 while speaking at the 19th session of the influential Hindu Mahasabha, Savarkar insisted ‘there are two nations in India: Hindus and the Muslims.’<br /><br />In 1939, MS Golwalker — the supreme leader of the radical Hindu organisation the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) — published his book, ‘We, Or Our Nationhood Defined’. In it he asserted that the minority communities of India (specifically, Muslim) should merge with the Hindu nation or perish. He wrote that non-Hindus in India could not be considered Indian unless they were ‘purified’ (i.e. converted to Hinduism).<br /><br />Golwalker described the Hindus as being India’s ‘national race’ and pointed at the example of Nazi Germany’s eradication of the Jews as a way to deal with minorities who refused to adapt to the culture of the national race.<br /><br />Interestingly, during the recent rise in the attacks against Muslims in India, the country’s PM and the chief of the BJP, Narendra Modi, suggested that India’s Muslims should not be rebuked but need ‘purification’ (parishkar). Modi was referring to the use of this word in this context by BJP’s prime ideologue, Pandit Upadhyaya. Upadhyaya had first used the word decades ago as an extension of the Sanskrit word Shuddi used by Hindu nationalist Dr. PS Moonje in 1923. Shuddi also means ‘purification’ and Moonje had used it to mean the conversion of Muslims and Christians to Hinduism.<br /><br />http://www.dawn.com/news/1288952Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-4910196179675234192016-10-06T09:26:35.591-07:002016-10-06T09:26:35.591-07:00World cannot remain indifferent to #Kashmir issue:...World cannot remain indifferent to #Kashmir issue: #NATO Commander. #India #Pakistan https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/155344-World-cannot-remain-indifferent-to-Kashmir-issue-NATO …<br /><br /><br />Chairman Military Committee NATO, General Peter Pavel, Thursday said the scale of counter-terrorism campaign by Pakistan was quite large with impressive results, and mentioned that the country had shown great progress against militancy in last couple of years.<br /><br />According to a statement issued from the PM House here Thursday, General Peter Pavel in a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif here at PM House, termed Pakistan an important and traditional partner of NATO.<br /><br />The Chairman Military Committee NATO said by the virtue of its size, Pakistan could play an important role in the region.<br /><br />“We expect a broader political framework agreement between Pakistan and NATO to unlock further mutual military cooperation,” General Pavel said.<br /><br />PM Nawaz Sharif said his government had a stated policy on Afghanistan, which he expressed from the day first on assumption of his office.<br /><br />“We have conveyed to the leadership of Afghanistan that the enemies of Afghanistan are the enemies of Pakistan and we have stood by our words,” he said.<br /><br />The Prime Minister said even yesterday Pakistan announced an assistance of $ 500 million in addition to an earlier assistance of $ 500 million for Afghanistan to help them overcome problems and achieve stability.<br /><br />“We genuinely believe that stability in Afghanistan is crucial for achieving stability in our own country and the region,” added the Prime Minister.<br /><br />General Peter Pavel said his meetings with all the services Chiefs and others were highly satisfactory.<br /><br />“I am highly impressed with the state of affairs, professional standards and approach of Pakistan Armed forces. I would like to acknowledge the comprehensive counter terrorism strategy which has achieved a lot and there are many lessons for NATO to learn from it,” Chairman Military Committee NATO said.<br /><br />The Prime Minister said that India was creating problems and has resorted to double standards on the issue of Indian occupied Kashmir.<br /><br />The Prime Minster said that India unfairly blamed Pakistan for Uri attack without investigating into the incident.<br /><br />“India does not realise that the youth of IoK have re-energized the freedom struggle. We want peaceful relations with all of our neighbours. Pakistan would continue to extend moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmir cause.<br /><br />The atrocities by the Indian forces have resulted into the loss of precious human lives and blinded hundreds through the use of brutal force,” the Prime Minister said.<br /><br />The Pakistani armed forces had rendered matchless sacrifices in the war against terrorism, he said. This war is immensely backed by the entire nation, government and political leadership of our country to guarantee a peaceful homeland for our future generations, he added.<br /><br />“The ongoing military operation Zarb-i-Azb is the largest military counter terrorism offensive by any single country, which has broken the backbone of terrorists,” the Prime Minister emphasized.<br /><br />On the issue of eastern border, General Peter Pavel said that the world and the UN have to be consistent on principles and rules.<br /><br />“I have listened to your yesterday’s speech in the Parliament where you eloquently expressed the issue of Kashmir. The Kashmir issue has to be addressed as two nuclear powers are party to it and the world cannot remain indifferent and must be concerned,” Chairman Military Committee NATO said.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-19543007271997877902016-10-05T09:27:38.902-07:002016-10-05T09:27:38.902-07:00#India Army recording fake exercises as evidence f...#India Army recording fake exercises as evidence for #Kashmir "#surgicalstrikes": #Indian Occupied #J&K legislator<br />http://www.firstpost.com/india/army-recording-fake-exercises-as-evidence-for-pok-surgical-strikes-jk-mla-sheikh-abdul-rashid-3036172.html<br /><br />Amid the growing clamour for making public the evidence of the recent surgical strikes by India on terror launch pads in PoK, controversial Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid on Wednesday said the Army was video graphing "fake exercises" in Leepa Valley near LoC to offer them as proof for the same.<br />The MLA from Langate in Kashmir's Kupwara district claimed that since the last three days, the Army was making footage of fake strikes in Leepa Valley in his constituency in order to show them as proof of the surgical strikes.<br /><br />"Fake targets are being made and I want to tell the whole world that if they show some proof, it is of Leepa and is fake and we can prove it," he said. He alleged that there had been no firing at two of the five places where the Army claimed that it conducted the strikes.<br />"Two of the five places are in my area. I tried to know from the people and to the best of my knowledge, there has been no firing there for the past 20 days," the legislator said.<br />Alleging that the surgical strikes were a "drama to divert the attention from Kashmir", which has been reeling under violence for around three months, Rashid asked the Army to not fall into the hands of politicians .<br />"You (Army) claim to be a credible organisation. You should not enact drama for politicians, by virtue of which your credibility may get lost," he said. The MLA said Pakistan took international media to the LoC to show them that no such strikes were carried out.<br />If India was truthful in its claims, they would have also done the same, he said. He also asked India and Pakistan not to make Kashmir a "battleground" for their vested interests.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Union Minister Hansraj Ahir said on Wednesday that the Army has handed over to the government video clips of the cross-LoC surgical strikes as per laid down procedure.<br /><br />Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-38127567922548175752016-10-04T16:40:00.396-07:002016-10-04T16:40:00.396-07:00President Lukashenko of #Belarus arrives in "...President Lukashenko of #Belarus arrives in "isolated" #Pakistan. #Modi #BJP - Dunya News<br />http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/355624-President-of-Belarus-reaches-Pakistan<br />President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko reached Pakistan on Tuesday on invitation of Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif, reported Dunya News.<br /><br />PM Nawaz received Belarusian president at Noor Khan Air Base. He will meet President Mamnoon Hussain, speaker National Assembly (NA) Ayaz Sadiq as well.<br /><br />Lukashenko will sign contracts regarding textile, agriculture and education projects. This is his second visit to Pakistan in 16 months. He will also inaugurate Pakistan-Belarus business forum on the fourth day.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-75658987939840056312016-10-04T16:16:15.472-07:002016-10-04T16:16:15.472-07:00"Isolated" #Pakistan in 3rd #EU-Pakistan..."Isolated" #Pakistan in 3rd #EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue - #European External Action Service! http://europa.eu/!hN86Ff via @EU_Commission<br /><br />The 3rd Session of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue was held in Brussels on 4 October 2016 between the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, and Sartaj Aziz, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Foreign Affairs.<br /><br />The two sides welcomed the continued strengthening of relations between the European Union and Pakistan and agreed to elevate their partnership even further. In this respect, they agreed to work on replacing the Five-Year Engagement Plan, adopted in 2012, with an EU-Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan. Every effort will be made to finalise the new Engagement Plan by the middle of 2017, for approval by the next EU-Pakistan Summit.<br /><br />Both sides discussed migration and refugees issues. The Pakistan side underlined the need for addressing the root causes of migration and taking an integrated approach encompassing different aspects of migration. The EU acknowledged the challenges faced by Pakistan in hosting over 3 million refugees and is ready to consider providing additional support, including for their repatriation to Afghanistan in safety and dignity. They agreed to further strengthen cooperation on migration issues, including irregular migration, and reaffirmed their commitment to the continued implementation of the EU-Pakistan Readmission Agreement.<br /><br />The EU side emphasised its continuing support for democratic institutions, electoral reform, the rule of law, economic development and poverty reduction in Pakistan.<br /><br />The Pakistan side highlighted the steps taken by the Government of Pakistan for the promotion and protection of human rights, including women, children and minority rights. The EU side welcomed these steps, especially the Human Rights Plan of Action adopted by the Government of Pakistan and its decision to strengthen its human rights institutions. Both sides also took note of the first GSP+ progress report. The EU side encouraged continued efforts towards the effective implementation of key human rights conventions.<br /><br />The Pakistan side highlighted the improved security situation and its positive impact on economic revival and higher investment in Pakistan. The EU acknowledged the significant efforts by the Government of Pakistan and the sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism and reaffirmed EU’s continued support. Both sides committed to further develop their cooperation on Counter-Terrorism, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation. They also agreed to strengthen dialogue on defence matters, including through EU-Pakistan Staff interactions.<br /><br />On regional security, the EU encouraged Pakistan to continue its efforts in promoting peace in Afghanistan and appreciated Pakistan's support for a successful outcome of the Brussels Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan on 5 October 2016.<br /><br />The Pakistan side apprised the EU about recent developments in the region, including the current situation in Kashmir. Noting with concern the recent developments, the EU side underlined the need for resolving disputes through dialogue and constructive engagement.<br /><br />Both sides agreed to further broaden and deepen cooperation under the new Strategic Engagement Plan and discussed matters related to trade, economy and energy. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as climate change, research and higher education. Both sides recognised the importance of mutual cooperation in the field of energy and looked forward to holding the first energy meeting still in 2016.<br /><br />The next EU-Pakistan Joint Commission, to be held in November in Islamabad, will further enhance the dialogue between the two sides.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-18221870547817106912016-10-04T11:11:33.099-07:002016-10-04T11:11:33.099-07:00Like #AAP's Kejriwal, Congress's Sanjay Ni...Like #AAP's Kejriwal, Congress's Sanjay Nirupam demands proof, says #India's #SurgicalStrikes Vs #Pakistan 'Fake'<br /><br />http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/surgical-strikes-vs-pak-fake-need-proof-congress-sanjay-nirupam-1469994<br /><br />The Congress today disowned its leader Sanjay Nirupam's suggestion that last week's surgical strikes across the Line of Control are "fake" unless the government offers proof.<br /><br />At the same time, the party said the government must "call Pakistan's bluff".<br /><br />"It's time for the government to expose Pakistan's malicious propaganda. The evidence should be made public," said party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.<br /><br />Asserting that there is "no question of any doubt" about the strikes, Mr Surjewala said: "We would like to urge the PM to stop politicising the bravery of Indian soldiers for myopic political gain."<br /><br />Earlier today, Mr Nirupam had made controversial statements raising doubts about the strikes.<br /><br />"Every Indian wants #SurgicalStrikesAgainstPak but not a fake one to extract just political benefit by #BJP," he tweeted.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Attacked for the comment, he later clarified, "I'm not saying you release all video footage, I don't think so either... as it may not be in the interest of national security... but there is a need to show some proof."<br /><br />The Congress spokesperson said: "We have taken serious note of Sanjay Nirupam's statements."<br /><br />Pakistan has asserted that India has flagrantly misrepresented cross-border firing as raids across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. The ruling BJP says that politicians like Mr Nirupam are bolstering that claim by seeking evidence.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-45491580897130915512016-10-04T09:04:53.468-07:002016-10-04T09:04:53.468-07:00#Surgicalstrikes: Ignore #Pakistan claims, but #In...#Surgicalstrikes: Ignore #Pakistan claims, but #Indians deserve to know the truth #Modi #BJP #Kashmir https://goo.gl/q2pjd2 via @CatchNews India may be compelled to provide the evidence it has of the 'surgical strikes' it claims it conducted across the Line of Control (LoC) to destroy terrorist launch pads in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).<br /><br />There have been unconfirmed stories of how the Special Forces wore helmet cameras to capture the destruction they wrought on the enemy - almost following the script of Zero Dark Thirty. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said "just wait and watch" when asked about the purported video evidence of the strikes across the LoC.<br /><br />Both Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as well as the Congress party have asked the government to "call Pakistan's bluff" by making public the evidence of the 'surgical strikes'. The BJP retaliated by accusing the Opposition of questioning the army's competence.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-10733790149746367022016-10-04T08:54:07.910-07:002016-10-04T08:54:07.910-07:00#WhiteHouse detects fraud & shuts down #India ...#WhiteHouse detects fraud & shuts down #India petition seeking to declare #Pakistan ‘#terror sponsor’ via @htTweets http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/white-house-winds-up-online-petition-seeking-pak-declared-terror-sponsor/story-vbVolojSsbfRWRUNoPVdbI.html<br /><br />The White House has abruptly shut down on suspicion of fraud an ongoing online petition that asked it to designate Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism, citing a law introduced in the House of Representatives last week.<br />In a blurb headlined, ‘Closed Petition’, the White House’s ‘We the People’ web page, which hosts the initiative inviting petitions to the administration, said on Monday, “This petition has been archived because it did not meet the signature requirements. It can no longer be signed.”<br />The petition had, until October 21, to gather 100,000 signatures to merit a response from the White House under the rules of the programme, which it had already collected, and several times more. At closure, the petition had 625,723 signatures.<br /><br />The website said “no more”, but a White House official told Hindustan Times on condition of anonymity that there were “some technical issues with some of the signatures” that needed to be looked into. Some of the signatures “could potentially be removed if there is evidence of fraud” consistent with the terms of participation, the official added.<br />Supporters of the petition, which had generated considerable excitement among Indian Americans and in India, will be disappointed, especially as a counter-petition demanding a similar designation for India — as a “terrorist state” — was still up on the We the People page; although way behind, with nearly 66,000 signatures.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-50397830893746685142016-10-02T23:01:35.716-07:002016-10-02T23:01:35.716-07:00In #Kashmir, doubts that Indian soldiers actually ...In #Kashmir, doubts that Indian soldiers actually infiltrated across the border. #SurgicalStrike #Pakistan #India<br /><br />https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/in-kashmir-doubts-that-indian-soldiers-actually-infiltrated-across-the-border/2016/10/02/cbf46cec-88ac-11e6-8cdc-4fbb1973b506_story.html?postshare=6951475463820443&tid=ss_tw<br /><br />BANDALA, PAKISTAN — Villagers in three areas along the de facto border between Indian- and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir said this past week that they had fled their homes in fear after intense shelling and firing from the Indian side but that they did not believe India’s claim Thursday that it had sent armed troops to conduct late-night “surgical strikes” on militant targets there. <br /><br />In several dozen interviews, residents of the Bhimber, Chamb and Sahmani districts adjoining the Line of Control said they had been jarred from sleep by the barrage of firepower Wednesday. But none said they had seen or heard anything that supported India’s claim that it carried out cross-border strikes on several staging areas for militant groups that left “double digits” of militants dead.<br /><br />Pakistani officials have repeatedly denied India’s claims, saying that Indian troops only fired small arms across the Line of Control, killing two Pakistani soldiers. Tensions between the rival nuclear powers are at the highest level in a decade. <br /><br />Muhammad Bota, 40, a mason in this hillside village, said that his son woke him up shouting, “India has attacked!” and that the night was filled with noise.<br /><br />“We are used to routine shelling, but this was unending, with deafening sounds,” he said. “We believed it was the start of war, and I prayed for the safety of my family and recited all the Koran verses I could remember.”<br /><br />But Bota, like many other residents interviewed, said he did not see any signs of Indian troops attacking or crossing the fortified line less than a mile away.<br /><br />“All the villagers were up, and we didn’t see any troops from the other side or helicopters,” he said. “India says it killed militants here, but the people who live here know each other for generations. If there were some militants somewhere around, they couldn’t have gone undetected. This is all propaganda of India.”<br /><br />In Bhimber, a town several miles from the Line of Control, a store salesman named Mehran Younas Sheikh, 31, said that all schools and government offices had been shut down since the intensive firing started and that many people living close to the border had fled to the town.<br /><br />------<br /><br />Under domestic pressure to retaliate, the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced it had conducted a five-hour overnight paramilitary attack on several suspected terrorist camps, killing scores. Pakistan’s military claimed that it killed eight Indian soldiers in retaliatory fire and that two of its men had died when India shelled a border post in Sahmani. <br /><br />A cross-border strike by India would be the first major breach of the Line of Control it has publicly acknowledged in years of hostile but cautious relations with Pakistan. In the past it has avoided an overt provocation that could risk a wider conflict, while accusing Pakistan of harboring and supporting terrorist groups. <br /><br />In several villages, residents described fleeing quickly from the heavy late-night gunfire, many leaving their livestock and crops. Bashir Papra, 55, said his family decided to leave their home in Chamb because the Indian shelling “was so heavy we felt our whole village would come down.”<br />Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-72203937983591973842016-10-02T22:30:33.741-07:002016-10-02T22:30:33.741-07:00Sir, Pakistan doesn't even know what's com...Sir, Pakistan doesn't even know what's coming its way and India won't even have to fire any bullets to do that.Chandranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-50358244410121361232016-10-02T08:26:45.140-07:002016-10-02T08:26:45.140-07:00Life normal in #Pakistan Azad #Kashmir, but tense ...Life normal in #Pakistan Azad #Kashmir, but tense on #India side. #SurgicalStrike #Modi http://dailym.ai/2dF6Aw3 via @MailOnline<br /><br />BAGSAR, Pakistan (AP) — Life seems quite normal in the villages along the Pakistani side of Kashmir. But on the Indian side, villagers are spending sleepless nights in temporary shelters amid soaring tensions between the two nuclear-armed rivals.<br />On the Pakistani side, markets and schools were open, shepherds escorted their goats and cows to graze, and children were seen visiting shops to buy candies during a visit Saturday by dozens of media members to the border village of Bagsar, some 166 kilometers (103 miles) northeast of Islamabad.<br />The two neighbors' contentious frontier includes a rugged 740-kilometer (460-mile) mountainous stretch called the Line of Control, which is heavily guarded by both sides.<br /><br />Since 2003, a cease-fire has largely held despite regular small-scale skirmishes. Each side routinely blames the other for starting any violence and insists they are only retaliating.<br />That was the case Saturday as Pakistani military officials took pains to refute the Indian version of the latest Kashmir conflict. The Indian army claims they carried out a 'surgical strike' on Sept. 29 near the village and destroyed a "terrorist launching pad" used by Kashmir-based militants.<br />Pakistani military spokesman Maj. Gen. Asim Salim Bajwa told visiting journalists that the Indian claim was a lie. He said Indian troops opened fire unprovoked with small arms and mortars after 2 a.m. in five separate spots along the border. Two Pakistani soldiers were killed in the barrages that continued until 7 a.m. and stopped only when the Pakistani army began retaliating, he said.<br />"That was simply the cease-fire violation on the LoC which was effectively and strongly punished," Bajwa said.<br />The Indian attack came about 10 days after a deadly assault on an Indian base in Kashmir. On Sept. 18, suspected rebels using guns and grenades sneaked into a base in Indian-controlled Kashmir and killed at least 17 soldiers.<br />On the Indian side, civilian officials said the frontier was largely calm but they were still not taking chances. Thousands of civilians slept in temporary shelters for the second night.<br />"Every year we go through these hardships. There seems to be no end to it in sight," said Mohan Lal, a villager in a shelter in the village of Khour.<br /><br /><br />Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-3817562/Life-normal-Pakistani-Kashmir-tense-Indian-side.html#ixzz4LwSfyl00 <br />Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on FacebookRiaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-87779337396084476362016-10-01T10:44:11.811-07:002016-10-01T10:44:11.811-07:00#Iran, #Pakistan Carrying Out Joint #Navy Drills i...#Iran, #Pakistan Carrying Out Joint #Navy Drills in Arabian Sea: https://sputniknews.com/military/20161001/1045903575/iran-pakistan-maritime-exercises.html … via @SputnikInt<br /><br /><br />The joint exercise of naval forces of Iran and Pakistan is aimed at practicing search and rescue operations and communication between ships, according to local media.<br /><br />MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Naval forces of Iran and Pakistan are holding joint maritime exercise near Pakistan's port city of Karachi in the Arabian Sea, media reported Saturday.<br /><br />According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, bilateral exercises in the territorial waters of Pakistan started following relevant discussions between commanders of Iranian and Pakistani navies. The joint maritime exercise is aimed at practicing search and rescue operations and communication between ships.<br /><br />The Iranian navy is represented by Lavan chopper carrier, Khanjar and Falakhen missile boats and Konarak logistic carrier, according to the media.<br /><br />Read more: https://sputniknews.com/military/20161001/1045903575/iran-pakistan-maritime-exercises.htmlRiaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-79375087397790704392016-10-01T08:13:28.454-07:002016-10-01T08:13:28.454-07:00As #India threatens #IWT with #Pakistan, #China bl...As #India threatens #IWT with #Pakistan, #China blocks tributary of #Brahmaputra in #Tibet for dam http://toi.in/PJ_yAa via @timesofindia<br /><br />BEIJING: China has blocked a tributary of the Brahmaputra river in Tibet as part of the construction of its "most expensive" hydro project+ , which could cause concern in India as it may impact water flows into the lower riparian countries.<br />The Lalho project on the Xiabuqu river+ , a tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo (the Tibetan name for Brahmaputra), in Xigaze in Tibet involves an investment of 4.95 billion yuan ($740 million), Zhang Yunbao, head of the project's administration bureau was quoted as saying by Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency on Saturday.<br />Xigaze also known as Shigatse is closely located to Sikkim. From Xigaze, the Brahmaputra flows into Arunachal Pradesh.<br />Terming it as the "most expensive project", the report said the project, whose construction began in June 2014, was scheduled to be completed in 2019.<br />It is not clear yet what impact the blockade of the river+ will have on the flow of water from the Brahmaputra into the lower riparian countries like India and Bangladesh as a result, it said.<br />Last year, China had operationalised the $1.5 billion Zam Hydropower Station, the largest in Tibet, built on the Brahmaputra river, which has raised concerns in India.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-74997112750338153242016-09-30T17:12:22.401-07:002016-09-30T17:12:22.401-07:00Last year when Indian government claimed its force...Last year when Indian government claimed its forces crossed into Myanmar for cross-border operation against Naga militants, the Myanmar denied any Indian incursion there, according to Myanmar Times:<br /><br />"Myanmar government official has denied that the attack took place on this side of the border, adding that Myanmar’s foreign policy is to “not accept any rebel group gaining a foothold to fight neighbouring countries”.<br /><br />President’s Office director U Zaw Htay said India’s ambassador to Myanmar had met Myanmar’s deputy minister of foreign affairs to explain about the raid “on Indian territory, near the border with Myanmar”.<br /><br />“We will cooperate with India to fight the rebels if they give us information about them,” he said.<br /><br />http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/14978-government-denies-india-operation-took-place-inside-myanmar.htmlRiaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-90594411827931908112016-09-30T10:44:42.508-07:002016-09-30T10:44:42.508-07:00#India's claimed #SurgicalStrike another "...#India's claimed #SurgicalStrike another "Longewala"? Air Marshall Bawa" #Indian Army faked the entire operation." http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/War-veterans-book-reiterates-doubts-over-Armys-role-in-Longewala-battle/articleshow/26545285.cms<br /><br />In his book, to be released on December 3, Major Gen Atma Singh - a Vir Chakra awardee -- has claimed that Army's version of the battle is "exaggerated" and has given credit to the Indian Air Force for the victory.<br />Brig Chandpuri had sought the damages of Re 1 from both the retired officers on the grounds that he wanted justice and not money.<br />The case was filed after Maj Gen Atma Singh made an allegation in February 2008 that "no ground battle was fought and the Army had merely rehearsed it on a sand model after the ceasefire to cover up the failure of senior military commanders."<br />Another officer, Air Marshal Bawa, who was commanding the Jaisalmer base from where IAF Hunter fighter aircraft operated in that battle had stated that the "Army had faked the entire operation."<br />The Battle of Longewala was fought in the western sector, in Rajasthan, during the Indo-Pak war in December 1971. Brigadier Chandpuri of 23 Punjab regiment, then a major, was leading just 100 men and had frustrated a formidable attack by a Pakistani brigade comprising around 2,800 troops backed by an armoured regiment of 45 tanks. Chandpuri was given the second highest gallantry award of the country — Maha Vir Chakra.<br />Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-48430764142993534652016-09-30T10:30:05.296-07:002016-09-30T10:30:05.296-07:00Backtracking: Now #India says no helicopters were ...Backtracking: Now #India says no helicopters were used in ‘#SurgicalStrike’ across LoC in #Kashmir<br /><br />http://tribune.com.pk/story/1191350/backtracking-india-says-no-helicopters-used-surgical-strikes/<br /><br />Just a day after India claimed that its army carried out “surgical strikes” inside Pakistan with the support of military choppers, a senior Indian minister retracted the claim saying “these did not involve any aerial operations.”<br /><br />“There were no aerial strikes,” Indian Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, himself an ex-Indian Army man, told The Hindu during an interview.<br /><br />Rathore said the Indian Army crossed the Line of Control (LoC) “on the ground” for carrying out what he termed were “pre-emptive strikes”. “That is not like crossing the international border.”<br /><br />‘Surgical’ farce blows up in India’s face<br /><br />On Thursday, soon after the Indian military claimed that it had carried out “surgical strikes” against perceived “terrorist launch pads” on the Pakistani side of the LoC in disputed Kashmir region, the Pakistani Army ripped to shreds the Indian farcical claim as an “illusion being deliberately generated by the Indians to create false effects”.<br /><br />Rathore’s remarks appeared to endorse the version of the army’s media wing, ISPR, which insisted: “there has been no surgical strike by India, instead there had been cross-border fire initiated and conducted by India.”<br /><br />While Indian media grossly exaggerated New Delhi’s claim, the Pakistani media, however, questioned its authenticity.<br /><br />The Indian Express had called it a “defining moment” but said the government must now be vigilant to ensure that the “clamour for more” did not fuel an escalation in hostilities.<br /><br />The Hindustan Times welcomed the strikes in an editorial headlined “Befitting response”, and said India would “take satisfaction from the revenge, served cold”.<br /><br />Strategic analysts laugh off Indian claim<br /><br />The Indian army provided little insight as to how the entire operation was conducted. The media there, however, said the operation was a combination of heliborne and ground forces. Special forces were para-dropped for the operation, it added. It said alleged terror launch pads targeted were in the range of 2- 3 kilometres from the LoC.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-84435849258123067232016-09-30T10:08:43.289-07:002016-09-30T10:08:43.289-07:00#Pakistan captures an #Indian soldier. Did #India ...#Pakistan captures an #Indian soldier. Did #India soldiers do #SurgicalStrike in #Kashmir "inadvertently"? CNN<br /><br />http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/30/asia/kashmir-tensions-pakistan-capture-indian-soldier/<br /><br />Did Indian soldiers carry out "surgical strikes" across LoC "inadvertently"? Here's what CNN is reporting: The soldier inadvertently crossed the border to the Pakistani side of the Line of Control, which divides the Indian and Pakistani-administered portion of Kashmir, said Colonel Rohan Anand, press officer for the Indian Army.Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-39440081539655946372016-09-29T14:45:14.304-07:002016-09-29T14:45:14.304-07:00Kadeer: " Demographic dividend with a high sa...<br />Kadeer: " Demographic dividend with a high savings rate is a must otherwise a lower savings rate will be disastrous and very damaging."<br /><br /><br />Sharma addresses this argument by saying "it's a chicken-or-egg issue: it's not at all clear which comes first, strong growth or high savings" <br /><br /><br />https://books.google.com/books?id=CBqZCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT148&lpg=PT148&dq=ruchir+sharma+rise+and+fall+of+nations+savings+rate&source=bl&ots=RFo0J0gSOU&sig=Gid5HW-C7yW91rKcAACDtrKsXEw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwicy_GSxLXPAhVS2GMKHQv7AkAQ6AEIQDAF#v=onepage&q=savings%20rate&f=false<br /><br />In Pakistan's case, a bigger work force, including growth of woking women in two-income families, will have the income needed to increase savings. <br /><br />http://www.riazhaq.com/2011/09/working-women-seeding-silent-social.htmlRiaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-39948946396431129072016-09-29T13:41:32.657-07:002016-09-29T13:41:32.657-07:00Demographic dividend with a high savings rate is a...Demographic dividend with a high savings rate is a must otherwise a lower savings rate will be disastrous and very damaging.Kadeernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-51140387755066244252016-09-29T11:36:23.312-07:002016-09-29T11:36:23.312-07:00'Ruchir Sharma challenges the WEF competitiven...'Ruchir Sharma challenges the WEF competitiveness criteria and argues that young demographics and growing labor force are far more important.'<br /><br />These are all supply-side factors that affect potential real GDP growth: <br />i) Population growth, Demographic dividend, participation rate are LABOR supply factors.<br />ii) Domestic savings rate, foreign investment, remittances, aid are CAPITAL supply factors.<br />iii) Competitiveness, governance are EFFICIENCY (Total Factor Productivity) supply factors<br /><br />Real GDP growth-rate potential = Efficiency X Capital X Labor Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-50478065591737321792016-09-29T09:01:10.401-07:002016-09-29T09:01:10.401-07:00Looks like a regular border skirmish has been potr...Looks like a regular border skirmish has been potrayed as a "surgical strike" by India. <br /><br />G. AliAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-60555674504211934882016-09-29T08:34:01.628-07:002016-09-29T08:34:01.628-07:00Svordasfk: "The competitive index measures i... Svordasfk: "The competitive index measures infrastructure that allows an economy to compete globally"<br /><br /><br />That may be but is that the key determining factor of growth? Ruchir Sharma challenges the WEF competitiveness criteria and argues that young demographics and growing labor force are far more important. <br /><br />Young people are generally more productive and innovative than older people. <br /><br />Countries in Europe and some countries like Singapore are all likely to grow much more slowly because of their aging populations. <br /><br />Pakistan, on the other hand, will be an outperformer because of its young demographics and growing labor force. Riaz Haqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00522781692886598586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848640164815342479.post-90705547853405829122016-09-29T07:34:16.505-07:002016-09-29T07:34:16.505-07:00The competitive index measures infrastructure that...The competitive index measures infrastructure that allows an economy to compete globally. The operative word is 'allows' therefore your Finland example and Richie Sharma citation is tangential and unrelated. A business like Nokia losing out to Apple is a business competition and may not be due to lack of infrastructure of the country. Too many employees, poor management or products that fail could be the reasons as well. <br /><br />Please use your investor acumen here.Svordasfknoreply@blogger.com