Latest news with #Indian-controlled
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Indian official says political ‘constraints' led to jet losses
Firefighters give water cannon salute to a Rafale jet during its induction ceremony into the Indian Air Force at the Ambala Air Force Station in Ambala. PHOTO: AFP NEW DELHI – India's political leadership didn't permit strikes on Pakistani military bases at the start of hostilities between the two countries in May, allowing Islamabad to shoot down its fighter jets, according to a military official. 'I do agree we did lose some aircraft. That happened only because of the constraints given by the political leadership to not attack the military establishment or their air defence,' India's military attachė to Indonesia, Shiv Kumar, said at a seminar on the India-Pakistan conflict at the Universitas Dirgantara Marsekal Suryadarma in Jakarta on June 10. The worst clash between the nuclear-armed neighbours in half a century erupted May 7, with both sides trading air, drone and missile strikes, as well as artillery and small-arms fire along their shared border. It was triggered by an attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir on April 22 that killed 26 civilians in what India called an act of terrorism orchestrated by Pakistan. Islamabad has denied involvement. Mr Kumar's comments are the most direct explanation so far from an Indian official on why the country lost fighter jets during the conflict with Pakistan. The assertion from a military official that a political directive at the start of the conflict could be responsible for the downing of the planes may embolden India's opposition, which is scrutinising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government over the hostilities. India's Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of External Affairs didn't respond to emails seeking comments sent after office hours. India's embassy in Indonesia said in a post on X that Mr Kumar's comments at the seminar were 'quoted out of context' and that he had wanted to convey that the 'Indian Armed Forces serve under civilian political leadership.' In an interview in May, chief of defence staff of armed forces, Anil Chauhan, had accepted India lost an unspecified number of fighter aircraft but blamed the downing of the jets to tactical mistakes which were rectified. New Delhi changed its policy after the initial losses, 'destroying' Pakistan air defence which allowed India to hit subsequently several military installations, including key airbases, Mr Kumar said. India claimed to have hit 11 Pakistan airbases alongside the destruction of air defence installations. Mr Kumar said Islamabad capitulated after Indian strikes disabled several of its key military installations, leading New Delhi to conclude that 'Pakistan will never use their nuclear weapon against India.' BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Euronews
6 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
India refuses to sign SCO statement over claims of pro-Pakistan bias
Beijing's ambitions for greater regional influence faced a setback on Thursday when India refused to sign a joint statement proposed at a meeting of the China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), over concerns the document was biased toward Pakistan for not mentioning April's terror attack on Indian tourists. According to an anonymous source familiar with the matter, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh objected to the statement, saying it undermined India's stance on key issues like terrorism and regional security. India has blamed Pakistan for supporting the perpetrators responsible for the April 22 attack in which 26 people — mostly Hindu tourists from India — were killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Pakistan has denied any involvement. Singh reportedly argued that the joint statement "aligned with Pakistan's narrative" because it did not include the attack, but mentioned militant activities in Balochistan, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorised to speak to the media. Pakistan frequently accuses India of backing separatist movements in Balochistan, allegations that New Delhi denies. Singh, without explicitly naming Pakistan, urged the SCO to criticise countries that use 'cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists.' He said members should unite in eliminating terrorism and ensure accountability for those who aid such activities, without mentioning Pakistan. 'Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the hands of non-state actors and terror groups. Dealing with these challenges requires decisive action,' said Singh, according to a defence ministry statement. The April 22 killings embroiled the two nuclear-armed nations in the most serious military confrontation in decades. After days of exchanging fire, both sides agreed to a US -brokered ceasefire to de-escalate tensions. The signing ceremony took place during a gathering of SCO defence ministers, a regional bloc created by China and Russia to counter US influence in Asia. China has largely taken over the running of the SCO, staging joint drills and holding summits, whilst Russia remains involved in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While little known globally, the SCO has become one of China's main instruments to expand its political and economic reach into areas traditionally neutral, such as India, or closely linked to Russia such as Central Asia.
23-06-2025
- Politics
Pakistan condemns Trump for bombing Iran a day after recommending him for a Nobel Peace Prize
ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan condemned U.S. President Donald Trump for bombing Iran, less than 24 hours after saying he deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for defusing a recent crisis with India. Relations between the two South Asian countries plummeted after a massacre of tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir in April. The nuclear-armed rivals stepped closer to war in the weeks that followed, attacking each other until intense diplomatic efforts, led by the U.S., resulted in a truce for which Trump took credit. It was this 'decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership' that Pakistan praised in an effusive message Saturday night on the X platform when it announced its formal recommendation for him to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Less than 24 hours later, however, it condemned the U.S. for attacking Iran, saying the strikes 'constituted a serious violation of international law' and the statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a phone call Sunday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressed his concern that the bombings had targeted facilities that were under the safeguards of the IAEA. Pakistan has close ties with Iran and supports its attacks on Israel, saying it has the right to self-defense. There was no immediate comment on Monday from Islamabad about the Trump Nobel recommendation, which also followed a high-profile White House lunch meeting between the president and Pakistan's powerful army chief, Asim Munir. Thursday's meeting, which lasted more than two hours, was also attended by the Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Representative for Middle Eastern Affairs. According to a Pakistani military statement, a detailed exchange of views took place on the 'prevailing tensions between Iran and Israel, with both leaders emphasizing the importance of the resolution of the conflict.' While Pakistan was quick to thank Trump for his intervention in its crisis with India, New Delhi played it down and said there was no need for external mediation on the Kashmir issue. The Himalayan region of Kashmir is divided between Pakistan and India but claimed by both in its entirety. India accuses Pakistan of backing militant groups in the region, which Pakistan denies.
Arab Times
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
From Peace Prize To Condemnation: Pakistan Criticizes Trump's Iran Bombing
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan condemned U.S. President Donald Trump for bombing Iran, less than 24 hours after saying he deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for defusing a recent crisis with India. Relations between the two South Asian countries plummeted after a massacre of tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir in April. The nuclear-armed rivals stepped closer to war in the weeks that followed, attacking each other until intense diplomatic efforts, led by the U.S., resulted in a truce for which Trump took credit. It was this 'decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership' that Pakistan praised in an effusive message Saturday night on the X platform when it announced its formal recommendation for him to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Less than 24 hours later, however, it condemned the U.S. for attacking Iran, saying the strikes 'constituted a serious violation of international law' and the statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a phone call Sunday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressed his concern that the bombings had targeted facilities that were under the safeguards of the IAEA. Pakistan has close ties with Iran and supports its attacks on Israel, saying it has the right to self-defense. There was no immediate comment on Monday from Islamabad about the Trump Nobel recommendation, which also followed a high-profile White House lunch meeting between the president and Pakistan's powerful army chief, Asim Munir. Thursday's meeting, which lasted more than two hours, was also attended by the Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Representative for Middle Eastern Affairs. According to a Pakistani military statement, a detailed exchange of views took place on the 'prevailing tensions between Iran and Israel, with both leaders emphasizing the importance of the resolution of the conflict.' While Pakistan was quick to thank Trump for his intervention in its crisis with India, New Delhi played it down and said there was no need for external mediation on the Kashmir issue. The Himalayan region of Kashmir is divided between Pakistan and India but claimed by both in its entirety. India accuses Pakistan of backing militant groups in the region, which Pakistan denies.
Toronto Star
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Pakistan condemns Trump for bombing Iran a day after recommending him for a Nobel Peace Prize
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan condemned U.S. President Donald Trump for bombing Iran, less than 24 hours after saying he deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for defusing a recent crisis with India. Relations between the two South Asian countries plummeted after a massacre of tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir in April. The nuclear-armed rivals stepped closer to war in the weeks that followed, attacking each other until intense diplomatic efforts, led by the U.S., resulted in a truce for which Trump took credit.
