India-Pakistan |
Indian army told to retaliate to Pakistan border firing: Antony |
2013-08-20 |
[Dawn] India's army will take "all possible steps" to counter any ceasefire violations by Pakistain along the border between the two countries, the Indian defence minister said Monday, warning not to take New Delhi's restraint for granted. Skirmishes have erupted across the heavily militarised Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border in Kashmire, since five Indian soldiers were killed earlier this month in an ambush which India has blamed on the Pakistain army. Pakistain has denied the claims and reminded New Delhi about the importance of resuming the peace dialogue between the two countries and protecting the touchy ties from 'negative media propaganda', a few weeks ago. However, there is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened... India responded with a clear indication that killing of five of its soldiers on the Line of Control would delay the secretary-level talks with Pakistain, asserting that dialogue could only proceed in an environment free of violence and terror. "Our restraint should not be taken for granted nor the capacity of our armed forces to protect the sanctity of the LoC," Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony was quoted by AFP as saying in the parliament's upper house on Monday. "Now our army will take all possible steps -- sometimes strong action -- to effectively retaliate against every violation along the LoC," he added. Islamabad has refuted involvement of its soldiers in the ambush, one of the deadliest in years targeting Indian troops in the disputed Moslem-majority region. Kashmire has been a cause of conflict between India and Pakistain since 1947 when the departing British colonial power partitioned India and the Kashmire became a disputed territory between the two neighbors. The renewed tensions have jeopardised plans for what the two governments hoped might be a breakthrough encounter between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pak counterpart ![]() ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... on the sidelines of a UN meeting in New York next month. Antony alleged that Pak soldiers were behind as many as 82 ceasefire violations on the border this year and warned of consequences on the country's long-term relations with Islamabad. "Naturally this incident will have consequences on our behaviour at the LoC and on our relationship with Pakistain," he said. Similarly Pakistain Army claimed that India has made 186 ceasefire violations this year alone On August 6 of this month, India lodged a diplomatic protest with Pakistain over an alleged attack on an army post in which five of its soldiers were killed. "The government of India has lodged a strong protest with the government of Pakistain through diplomatic channels," Antony had told politicians a day earlier. "The attack was carried out by 20 heavily-armed terrorists, along with persons in Mighty Pak Army uniform," he had added, however later. |
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India-Pakistan |
Army officers in hotline contact to ease tension |
2013-08-12 |
[Dawn] After a demonstration by a mob outside the Pakistain High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday over the killing of Indian soldiers along the Line of Control, the Foreign Office asked India to beef up security of Pak diplomats and high commission staff. Indian Deputy High Commissioner Gopal Baglay was summoned to the Foreign Office and asked to convey to the Indian government that Pakistain expected it to meet its responsibility of protecting Pak diplomats and allied staff posted there. "We summoned the Indian deputy high commissioner to the Foreign Office to stress that protection of the Pakistain High Commission and Pakistain House is the responsibility of the Indian government," Foreign Office front man Aizaz Chaudhry said. "We called for strengthening security of Pakistain representation in New Delhi." The demonstration was largely peaceful, except for charged youths raising anti-Pakistain slogans. The protesters belonging to the Youth Congress demonstrated outside the high commission and the Pakistain House, the residence of the high commissioner, over the killing of five Indian soldiers in an apparent terrorist attack near the LoC. Pak Deputy High Commissioner Mansoor Ahmed Khan was summoned on Tuesday to the Indian ministry of external affairs over the LoC incident and Defence Minister A.K. Antony in a statement in parliament accused "men in Pakistain Army uniforms" of having aided the attackers. Pakistain rejected the allegations and reiterated its commitment to the 2003 ceasefire agreement. "Pakistain remains committed to the ceasefire agreement of 2003 which is an important confidence building measure and should be respected in letter and spirit," Mr Chaudhry said. Pakistain also had accused India on Tuesday of unprovoked firing in Pando Sector, near Muzaffarabad, in which two soldiers were seriously injured. The military operations chiefs of the two countries spoke to each other over the hotline in an attempt to calm down tensions. According to ISPR chief Maj Gen Asim Bajwa, Director General of Military Operations Maj Gen Ashfaq Nadeem in his conversation with his Indian counterpart said there was no truth in the (Indian) allegation of LoC violation. The Indian DGMO shared his side's version of the event. "Pakistain Military has strongly protested Indian violation of LoC in Pando Sector," Gen Bajwa added. Under the ceasefire agreement reached on Nov 25, 2003, the two sides committed not to target each other's posts and personnel. The agreement has largely held and was considered as one of the main successes in the grinding of the peace processor. However, if you can't say something nice about a person some juicy gossip will go well... violations increased in January this year and have been holding up the third round of the resumed peace dialogue between the two countries The two sides are now preparing to restart the round and dates for talks on Wullar Barrage and Sir Creek have been proposed by Pakistain. Meanwhile, ...back at the abandoned silver mine, the water was up to Jack's neck and still rising. And then he smelled the smoke... Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan warned that baseless Indian allegations against the Pakistain Army would undermine the grinding of the peace processor. Rejecting the Indian government's accusation about an attack on its troops, he asked how the Pakistain Army could have launched such an attack 5km across the boundary line. The minister said the Indian media was unleashing negative propaganda against Pakistain. The hue and cry of the Indian government and media was beyond comprehension, he added. He advised the Indian government not to blame the Pakistain Army for its own failures. Chaudhry Nisar said Pakistain wanted peaceful relations with India and it was possible only through bilateral efforts. He said unnecessary allegations would only vitiate the atmosphere and block the way for resolution of outstanding issues through talks. AFP adds: The foreign ministry said Pakistain wanted a strengthening of existing channels to stop "such ill-founded reports" in the future. Indian army front man Rajesh Kalia said the two sides had exchanged fire late on Tuesday but only "small arms" were used. In India, the opposition accused the government of letting Pakistain off the hook over the killing of soldiers, as the attack triggered uproar in parliament. Indian army had initially blamed the attack on Pak troops but later withdrew the statement. "Our defence minister has given a clean chit to Pakistain," Sushma Swaraj, lower house leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said. He "has let the country down. He must apologise to the nation", she said as the uproar forced parliament's adjournment. Senior BJP leader L. K. Advani told politicians "this is no time for talks" as news channels ran footage of the arrival of the soldiers' flag-draped coffins in New Delhi. |
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India-Pakistan |
Sharif seeks to ease India tensions |
2013-08-09 |
[Dawn] Prime Minister ![]() ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... tried Thursday to ease tensions with India by urging both sides to work swiftly to shore up a 10-year ceasefire threatened by recent attacks. Sharif said that it was imperative for both India and Pakistain to take effective steps to ensure and restore ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC), the heavily militarized border dividing the disputed Kashmire region. The prime minister expressed these views during a briefing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials at the Foreign Office in Islamabad. He made the remarks after a Pak civilian was injured by firing from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmire. The remarks also come shortly after the Indian government for the first time directly accused the Mighty Pak Army of involvement in an ambush that killed five Indian soldiers on Monday in Kashmire. Pakistain denied any part in Monday's incident. India's Defence Minister A.K. Antony alleged that specialist Pak troops had been involved in the attack and hinted at stronger military action. But Sharif, who was elected in May and who backs rapprochement with India, said he was looking forward to meeting his Indian counterpart on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September. In remarks and released by his office, he said existing military channels could be more "optimally utilised" to prevent the situation from escalating further. Pakistain, he said, is prepared to discuss steps with India for further strengthening of existing mechanisms both at the political and military levels. |
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India-Pakistan |
Firing injures Pakistani civilian at Kashmir border |
2013-08-09 |
[Dawn] Pak military officials on Thursday said Indian troops opened fire and seriously wounding a male civilian along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmire. Officials said Indian troops shot up around 8:30 am in the Tatta Pani sector, "seriously" wounding one civilian who was evacuated to a military hospital. "Today (in the) morning at about 0830 hours, Indian troops resorted to unprovoked firing at the LoC (Line of Control) ... One civilian Kaka Sana Muhammad ... was seriously maimed due to the unprovoked firing by Indian troops," the official said. "The injured Kaka Sana is being evacuated to a military hospital," said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity. The incident comes amid a recent spike in tension across the heavily militarised border as India accused Pak forces of being involved in an attack on one of its army posts in which five of its soldiers were killed. "The attack was carried out by 20 heavily-armed terrorists, along with persons in Mighty Pak Army uniform," said Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony. Pakistain rejected the allegations and reiterated its commitment to a ceasefire agreement reached in 2003. "These are baseless and unfounded allegations. Our military authorities have confirmed that there had been no exchange of fire that could have resulted in such an incident," a Foreign Office statement on the reported LoC incident said on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Pakistain asked Indian authorities to beef up security for its diplomats and high commission staff after a demonstration outside the Pakistain High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday over the killing of the Indian soldiers. The military operations chiefs of the two countries also spoke to each other over the hotline in an attempt to calm down tensions. Under the Nov 25, 2003 ceasefire agreement, Pakistain and India committed not to target each other's posts and personnel. ![]() a person who gets all wrapped up in himself makes a mighty small package... violations increased in January this year and have been holding up the third round of the resumed peace dialogue between the two countries. The two sides are now preparing to restart the round and dates for talks on Wullar Barrage and Sir Creek have been proposed by Pakistain. Analysts say the attack has also complicated efforts to arrange a meeting between India's veteran Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pak premier Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... |
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India-Pakistan |
Indian air chief makes veiled threat |
2013-01-14 |
[Dawn] The Indian air force chief accused Islamabad of ceasefire violations on Saturday, warning that New Delhi might have to look at "some other options for compliance" if such incidents continued. "We have a Line of Control (LoC), we have a ceasefire agreement, we have certain structures and mechanisms which are sacrosanct and any violation of these with impunity, especially what has been happening in the last few months, is totally unacceptable," Air Chief Marshall N.A.K. Browne said while talking to news hounds on the sidelines of a function. "We are monitoring the situation carefully because if these things continue to be the way they are and these violations continue to take place, then perhaps we may have to look at some other options for compliance," he said. The IAF chief, who is India's most senior armed forces officer, was asked about suggestions he had given to the politicianship on the situation on the LoC. Refusing to explain the options being looked at by the government, he said: "Options are options. We do not discuss these options openly. If the violations continue, we may have to look at the whole issue all over again." On Friday, Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony had said that enough troops had been deployed along the LoC and the government was taking all steps to protect the nation's interests and prestige of the armed forces. |
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India-Pakistan |
India again denounces US military aid to Pakistan |
2011-05-29 |
NEW DELHI - India has again denounced U.S. military aid to Pakistan which it says is being used by Islamabad against Indian interests, local media reported on Saturday. New Delhi has long accused Pakistans powerful military of aiding militant attacks on Indian soil, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, a charge Islamabad denies. This (aid) is being used against us, which is not a nice gesture on the part of (the) U.S. and we have raised this issue with them many times, Defence Minister A.K. Antony was quoted as saying by the Indo-Asian News Service. U.S. aid to Pakistan is viewed with concern in India and has been an irritant as Washington looks to upgrade strategic and economic ties with the emerging Asian power. Pakistan has received $20.7 billion worth of U.S. assistance over the past decade, about two-thirds of it military aid. |
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India-Pakistan |
India To Install Radars in Maldives |
2009-08-22 |
NEW DELHI - India will help the Republic of Maldives build a maritime surveillance system, among other defense-cooperative measures agreed to during the Aug. 20-22 visit of India Defence Minister A.K. Antony to the Indian Ocean island nation. The system's radars will be linked to the Indian Navy and Coastal Guard headquarters, a senior Indian Navy official said. India is also likely to give Maldives two Coast Guard helicopters in coming months, the Navy official said. Indian Defence Ministry sources said Maldives is emerging as an important logistics and intelligence base for India. Antony and his delegation met with Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed and Defence Minister Ameen Faisal, who told reporters Aug. 21 that the security concerns of both countries are intertwined. Analysts said the move was part of India's efforts to counter growing Chinese influence in the region. "If China is building a port in Hambantota, India outflanks the same by a strong presence in Male and so on. What could even be termed as a great game in the Indian Ocean will be seen in the years ahead," said defense analyst Rahul Bhonsle, a retired Army brigadier. But Zach Mathews, a retired Indian Navy commodore, said India is more worried about countering Pakistan's influence on the island chain, which is 400 nautical miles from the Indian coast. "Maldives is a Muslim country, and having an independent nation close to the Indian subcontinent and under control of forces inimical to India would be a disaster," Mathews said. In 1988, India sent forces to Maldives at the request of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom during a coup attempt. When the Indian troops arrived in Maldives by air, the terrorists and rebels escaped from Male but were overpowered by Indian Navy warships. Maldives has an India-First policy, says Vijay Sakhuja, a director at the Indian Council of World Affairs here. "Maldives has emphatically denied that there are Chinese naval facilities on any of its island territories and assured [us] that it has no plans [to allow any] in the future. Instead, it seeks an exclusive security arrangement with India and does not wish to approach regional and extraregional powers for such agreements," said Sakhuja. Analysts said Maldives needs help securing its littorals from piracy, terrorism, contraband trade, drug smuggling and human smuggling by local and foreign actors. "There is a need not just for Indian interests, but also [for] overall global interests, given the large quantum of trade passing through this region, which is likely to grow exponentially once the present financial crisis recedes. Unless these sea lanes are secured, there would be many more Somalia-like situations happening in the region," said Bhonsle. "I would not view it as an Indian security net but a global trade security net for which other South Asian countries of Sri Lanka and Maldives and those on the East African coast would remain critical. This global trade safety net through the Indian Ocean will be led by India, given the strategic location and large naval presence." The Indian delegation also included Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar, DG Armed Forces Medical Services Lt. Gen. N.K. Parmar, DG Coast Guard Vice Adm. Anil Chopra and Deputy Chief of Navy Staff Vice Adm. D.K. Joshi, according to an Indian Defence Ministry press release. |
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India-Pakistan |
India wants to sort out unresolved issues with China |
2009-06-26 |
NEW DELHI - Indias defence minister on Thursday said New Delhi was committed to resolving its list of complex, unresolved issues with China through peaceful means, the Press Trust of India news agency reported. India says China occupies 38,000 square kilometres (14,670 square miles) of its territory, while Beijing claims 90,000 square kilometres of Indian territory, or the whole of the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. The two Asian neighbours fought a brief but bloody war in 1962. There is enough space for both India and China to grow into influential nations in the evolving international order, Defence Minister A.K. Antony was quoted as saying at a military function in New Delhi. He said there were complex unresolved issues but added that India believes that these should be resolved through peaceful means. |
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India-Pakistan |
Work begins on India's first home built aircraft carrier |
2009-02-28 |
KOCHI: India on Saturday laid the keel of the country's first aircraft carrier here, heralding the coming of age of the Indian Navy as a maritime power. Speaking at the Cochin Shipyard Ltd, Defence Minister A.K. Antony described the occasion as a "historic moment for India". "It is a crucial milestone and a moment to cherish in the country's maritime history." The yard began steel cutting for the project in April 2005, after the government sanctioned the design in January 2003. The planned ship will be 260 metres long and 60 metres wide and will be propelled by two LM2,500 gas turbines that will enable it to attain speed of over 28 knots. It will also have two runways and a landing strip and carry a maximum of 30 aircraft. |
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India-Pakistan |
U.S. to sell Harpoon missiles to India |
2008-09-11 |
The United States on Wednesday announced the sale of two dozen Harpoon II anti-ship missiles to India. The deal, worth over $170 million, was made public as Defence Minister A.K. Antony began a high-level visit to the U.S. This would be the first sale of American missiles to India. The Pentagon has notified Congress of a possible sale to India of the Harpoon Block II missiles, which would arm squadrons of the maritime-role version of Jaguar warplanes of the Indian Air Force. The Pentagon's Defence Security Cooperation Agency said India had sought 20 AGM-84L Harpoon missiles, which are fired from fixed-wing aircraft, and four ATM-84L Harpoon Block II Exercise missiles, containers, training devices, spare and repair parts. If the Harpoon deal goes through, it would be the fourth major U.S. arms sales to India over the last three years. Washington has already sold to India ANTPQ37 weapon-locating radars, six Hercules C-130J transport aircraft and eight maritime P-8 reconnaissance aircraft. India has also asked for supply/technical support, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, technical data and publications, U.S. government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, the DSCA said. "This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the U.S. by helping to improve the security of an important partner and to strengthen the U.S.-India strategic relationship, which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in South Asia," the Pentagon said. "India intends to use the Harpoon missiles to modernise its Air Force's Anti-Surface Warfare mission capabilities and improve its naval operational flexibility. The missiles will assist the Indian Navy to develop and enhance standardisation and operational ability with the United States. India will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces," the Pentagon added. The Department of Defence said the proposed sale and support would not affect the basic military balance in the region. The prime contractor will be the Boeing Company of St Louis, Missouri, and there are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. The Pentagon said: "Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. government or contractor representatives to India permanently. "There may be U.S. government or contractor personnel in the country on a temporary basis in conjunction with program technical and management oversight and support requirements." U.S. defence majors such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon and others are also bidding for other lucrative Indian contracts, including an estimated $10 billion sale of 126 fighter jets, $3 billion sale of 246 light helicopters. Also companies such as General Electric and Westinghouse would be bidding for sale of nuclear reactors to India. |
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India-Pakistan |
'Won't allow terrorists to disrupt J&K polls' |
2008-07-23 |
The government on Tuesday said the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections would be held in "time" and any attempt by terrorists to disrupt the process would be dealt with firmly. "The government and security forces have a single-point agenda to ensure that elections are held peacefully and fairly," Defence Minister A.K. Antony said in the backdrop of a sharp increase in infiltration attempts from across the Line of Control in the past three months. "We have reports that more attempts would be made in the next few months, in the run-up to the elections," Mr. Antony told journalists on the sidelines of an Army seminar here. "We would spare no effort to defeat these attempts of anti-national forces." The troops had been asked to be pro-active, keeping in mind human rights. Mr. Antony said security experts held meetings to take stock of the situation and frame a strategy to counter the threat of terrorists. Infiltration attempts Army authorities have said April and May this year accounted for almost 90 infiltration attempts, most of which were foiled. But Home Ministry officials claimed that nearly 100 terrorists had entered the Kashmir valley. Cumulative figures for the last six months show a staggering 161 infiltration bids after a dip in the past two years, with most of the attempts reported from the Uri, Machail and Keran sectors in northern Kashmir, say Army sources. Based on radio intercepts of militants, they said, the bulk of those attempting to cross were from the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammed, with instructions to enforce a poll boycott at gunpoint. |
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India-Pakistan |
India signs $962 million C-130J deal |
2008-03-18 |
![]() The estimated value of the aircraft along with ground-support equipment and spares was around 962 million dollars, Antony said. Delivery of these aircraft is likely to be completed by December 2011, Antony added. The Indian deal involves an upgraded version of the Hercules, which began production in 1997, the company said. |
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