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First Post
25-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Is Pakistan developing a nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile that could hit US?
The Pakistani military is reportedly building an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), capable of carrying nuclear warheads, that could reach the United States. The development, which has sparked concerns in Washington, would make Pakistan enter the select few nations that possess these long-range strategic missiles read more Pakistani military personnel stand beside a Shaheen III surface-to-surface ballistic missile during Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad, Pakistan March 23, 2019. Image used for representational purpose/Reuters Pakistan is reportedly developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with the capability to reach the United States. According to a report by Foreign Affairs, the Pakistani military's move has rung alarm bells in Washington. Currently, there are only a handful of countries, including the US and Russia, that possess the ICBM. If Pakistan is successful in developing the strategic nuclear missile, it would join the likes of these nations. Let's take a closer look. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What are ICBMs? Intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs , are self-guided weapons to deliver nuclear warheads over long distances. Also known as strategic or long-range ballistic missiles, they can travel more than 5,500 kilometres. After being powered by a rocket, these missiles follow an unpowered trajectory toward their targets, as per the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. The maximum range of ICBMs varies from 7,000 to 16,000 kilometres. This means some of these weapons can hit targets virtually anywhere in the world, according to the Federation of American Scientists. ICBMs can be launched in different ways – from underground missile silos, heavy trucks, mobile launchers on rails or submarines. Is Pakistan developing an ICBM? Pakistan is developing an ICBM to carry nuclear warheads that could reach the US, as per the Foreign Affairs report. If Pakistan acquires the long-range ballistic missile, 'Washington will have no choice but to treat the country as a nuclear adversary,' the report noted, citing US intelligence sources. 'Although Pakistan claims its nuclear programme is strictly focused on deterring India, which enjoys conventional military superiority, US intelligence agencies have concluded that the Pakistani military is developing an ICBM that could reach the continental United States,' it said. According to the piece, Pakistan's motive to develop such a weapon may be to deter the US from either attempting to eliminate its arsenal in a preventive attack or intervening on New Delhi's behalf in a future Indian-Pakistan conflict. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Regardless, as US officials have noted, if Pakistan acquires an ICBM, Washington will have no choice but to treat the country as a nuclear adversary—no other country with ICBMs that can target the United States is considered a friend. In short, mounting nuclear dangers now lurk in every region of vital interest to the United States,' the report added. Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme kick-started in the early 1970s in the wake of regional tensions, especially after India's nuclear tests in May 1974. Within days of India's subsequent tests in May 1998, Pakistan launched a series of six nuclear tests, officially becoming a nuclear-armed state. As per an Al Jazeera report, Pakistan has more than 170 nuclear warheads. Which nations have ICBMs? Eight nations, including the US, China, France, Israel, Russia, India, the United Kingdom, and North Korea, have acquired intercontinental ballistic missiles, according to the Arms Control Association. The Titan Missile, shown from above during a tour of the 103-foot Titan II Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) site which was decommissioned in 1982, at the Titan Missile Museum in Sahuarita, Arizona, US, February 2, 2019. File Photo/Reuters India's homegrown Agni-5 ICBM successfully took its maiden test flight using the Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) technology in March 2024. With this, India entered the league of a select group of countries that can put multiple warheads atop a single intercontinental ballistic missile. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In September 2024, China had said it carried out a test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile into international waters, drawing criticism from neighbouring nations. Last October, North Korea launched a new ICBM, which flew for 86 minutes – the longest flight recorded yet, towards waters off its eastern coast. With inputs from agencies
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: YouTuber Jasbir sent to judicial custody in spying case
The district court here on Monday sent YouTuber Jasbir Singh (41) to judicial custody after his two-day police remand ended. Singh was arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan on June 4. He was produced in the Mohali court and the state special operations cell (SSOC) chose not to seek an extension of his police remand. Consequently, the court ordered that Jasbir be lodged in Rupnagar jail. His counsel Mohit Dhupar said Jasbir will be produced in court again on June 23. Jasbir's cousin Purushottam Singh said his brother was innocent and had been falsely implicated. 'He is fully cooperating with the police investigation. The family plans to challenge the arrest in court in the coming days,' he said. Earlier, Jasbir was quizzed during his five-day police remand. The SSOC also interrogated a 32-year-old woman from Jalandhar, a close acquaintance of Jasbir, whose name surfaced during the investigation. She was summoned and questioned for several hours on Sunday. According to an official, privy to the probe, the woman disclosed that Jasbir had taken her to Delhi three to four times and introduced her to several individuals. 'She accompanied him for Pakistan Day celebrations, an event typically open for only those with digital invitations. Jasbir reportedly gained entry to the event through his close ties with an individual named Danish and brought the woman along,' the official said, pleading anonymity. Notably, India had expelled Pakistani diplomat Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, last month for espionage activities. Police have also started examining the woman's phone and social media accounts as part of the investigation. It was discovered that Jasbir had been providing her with financial assistance over an extended period. Authorities are now working to determine the source of this funding and under whose instructions it was provided, an official added. A forensic examination of Jasbir's laptop revealed that an ISI agent, believed to be acting as a contact or informant, had downloaded three to four applications on it. Following the arrest of another accused, Jyoti Malhotra, Jasbir reportedly deleted several applications from his device. The forensic team is currently attempting to recover the deleted data to identify the nature of these applications and their possible links to espionage activities. The SSOC believes that recovering the deleted data and further analysing the communications could lead to major breakthroughs in the case. The investigation is ongoing. An FIR against Jasbir has been registered under Section 152 (threatening India's sovereignty, unity, integrity) and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act at Police Station SSOC, Mohali.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Spying-accused YouTuber Jasbir Singh remanded in judicial custody, kin defend him outside court
Mohali: Spying-accused YouTuber Jasbir Singh was remanded in judicial custody after the conclusion of his police remand on Monday. He was produced before the Mohali district court, after the end of his two-day remand with the state special operations cell (SSOC) of Punjab Police. Since SSOC did not seek an extension of remand, the court ordered that Jasbir be lodged in Ropar jail under judicial custody. Jasbir has been arrested on serious charges of spying for Pakistan. The arrest triggered strong reactions from family. Outside the courtroom, Purushottam Singh, Jasbir's cousin, publicly defended him, claiming that his brother was innocent and cooperating with police during the investigation. "An innocent youth is being framed," he said, adding that the family would challenge the police action in court in coming days. Jasbir, previously remanded for five days, was interrogated by SSOC. During questioning, the name of a woman from Jalandhar had emerged in the case. The 32-year-old woman was summoned and questioned for several hours. She reportedly accompanied Jasbir on multiple visits to Delhi, where he introduced her to various people. She was also present at a Pakistan Day event — an invite-only function requiring digital passes. Police officials claimed that Jasbir managed entry due to his close connections with a man named Danish. Investigators are now analysing the woman's phone and social media accounts. Preliminary findings suggest Jasbir had been financially supporting her for some time. Police are trying to establish the source and purpose of this funding and whether it was linked to his alleged espionage activities. A forensic analysis of Jasbir's laptop has also raised serious concerns. Investigators revealed that several applications were deleted after the arrest of another accused, Jyoti Malhotra. Data recovery efforts are underway to identify and examine those deleted applications, which could be crucial in tracing communication patterns and digital links. Around 150 contact numbers linked to Pakistan were recovered from Jasbir's mobile phone, many of which reportedly belong to individuals associated with ISI and Pakistan Army officers. Police believe Jasbir was in active communication with these contacts, prompting further scrutiny from central intelligence agencies. The investigation continues, with authorities believing that the full extent of the spy network and its operations may soon come to light through forensic and financial tracking.
New Indian Express
09-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Espionage case: Punjab YouTuber Jasbir Singh sent to 14-days judicial custody
CHANDIGARH: A Mohali court on Monday sent Punjab YouTuber Jasbir Singh, arrested on espionage charges to fourteen days' judicial custody. Singh alias Jaan Mahal, a resident of Mahlan village in Rupnagar district, was arrested on June 4 and was sent to Ropar Jail from Mohali. He was running a YouTube channel "JaanMahal Video" with over 11 lakh subscribers, ostensibly posting travel and cooking vlogs. Singh was produced before the court after the completion of the two-day police remand. Speaking to the presspersons, the counsel appearing for Mr Singh said that they will file his bail application. Meanwhile, his female friend, hailing from Jalandhar, was questioned for hours at the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) of the Punjab Police. According to the police, She has told them that Singh took her to Delhi several times and once accompanied her to an invitation-only Pakistan Day event hosted by the Pakistan High Commission, despite her not having an official invite. Singh allegedly used his close ties with Pakistan operative Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish to secure her entry, according to police sources. The woman also claimed that Singh had been providing her with financial assistance for some time. Her phone and social media accounts are currently being examined as part of the broader investigation into a suspected Pakistan-backed espionage network. According to investigators, Danish had been attempting to lure more young women into the network. Singh is also suspected to have been in contact with another Pakistani Intelligence Operative (PIO), Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa.
Hindustan Times
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Espionage case: YouTuber Jasbir's female friend grilled, was receiving funds from him, say cops
The woman friend whose name had surfaced during the interrogation of espionage accused YouTuber Jasbir Singh, 41, was questioned for hours at the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on Sunday. As per sources, the woman, 32, from Jalandhar, has revealed that Jasbir had taken her to Delhi three to four times and she had even accompanied him to the invitation-only Pakistan Day event, hosted by the embassy. She said Jasbir had taken her along, despite not having an official invitation, as he had close ties with a man named Danish. Notably, India had expelled Pakistani diplomat Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, last month for espionage activities. Was receiving funds from Jasbir As per information, police have started examining the woman's phone and social media accounts. Preliminary findings suggest that Jasbir had been providing her financial support for some time. Authorities are now investigating why the funds were provided and at whose behest. Jasbir's phone records show links with 150 Pak officials Meanwhile, forensic teams found three to four suspicious applications in Jasbir's laptop. The accused, who runs a YouTube channel called 'Jaan Mahal' and has 1.1 million subscribers, had allegedly deleted several apps following the arrest of influencer Jyoti Malhotra last month. The forensic team is now working to recover this data, which, SSOC officials believe, could lead to significant breakthroughs. As per sources, 150 Pakistani contact numbers were found on Jasbir's phone, mostly belonging to ISI and Pakistani Army officers with whom he frequently communicated. Interrogation revealed that these contacts instructed Jasbir to post positive videos about Pakistan and promote Pakistani content widely. Jasbir was also urged to engage Indian youth through his content. Sources revealed that Danish, in particular, sought to involve more young women in these efforts. Investigators have also learned that Pakistan's intelligence operations are increasingly focused on targeting Indian youth. Jasbir was also allegedly in touch with Pakistani Intelligence Operative (PIO) Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, a member of a terror-backed espionage network, besides Jyoti Malhotra, who remains in custody. On Saturday, a Mohali court extended Jasbir's police remand by two more days. He was arrested on June 4 on espionage charges.
