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Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SAD MP Harsimrat writes to Jaishankar, seeks safe return of Punjab farmer who crossed over to Pak
Chandigarh, Shiromani Akali Dal MP and former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal Monday urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to ensure safe return of a 23-year-old Punjab farmer, who inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan on June 21. SAD MP Harsimrat writes to Jaishankar, seeks safe return of Punjab farmer who crossed over to Pak Amritpal Singh, a resident of Khaire ke Uttar village in Ferozepur district, went missing along the India-Pakistan border on June 21. He had gone to tend his farmland located across the barbed fencing near Border Outpost Rana under Border Security Force supervision. Amritpal failed to return before the scheduled closure of the gate at 5 pm. The BSF held three to four flag meetings with Pakistani Rangers, who initially denied any sightings of an unknown person. However, on June 27, the Pakistani Rangers confirmed to the BSF authorities that Amritpal was in the custody of local police. In a post on X, Harsimrat said she has urged the external affairs minister to initiate diplomatic communication with relevant authorities in Pakistan to ensure the safe release of Amritpal. "I have apprised the external affairs minister that this incident occurred because Amritpal was suffering from mental stress & emotional disturbance. Have also urged the minister to offer consular and legal access to Amritpal and his family during this difficult period," the Bathinda MP said. Harsimrat also shared a letter which she wrote to the Union minister. "On 21st June, Amritpal, in a mentally distressed state, went to plough his agricultural land, which is situated on the Indian side but extends beyond the border fence, an area that often leads to confusion among local farmers. "Due to his psychological condition, he accidentally crossed the international border and entered Pakistani territory. He was apprehended by Pakistani authorities and, as per the latest information, is being held in a jail under the custody of Punjab Police, Pakistan," she wrote in the letter. She said Amritpal's family and the local community are deeply distressed by his detention, especially considering his mental health challenges. "His inadvertent crossing was not an act of intent but a result of his vulnerable mental state, as corroborated by his family and local officials. International protocols and past precedents emphasize the need for compassionate handling and diplomatic resolution in such inadvertent border crossing cases, particularly when the individual involved is mentally unwell," she wrote in the communication. Amritpal's father Jugraj Singh on Saturday urged the External Affairs Ministry to ensure his safe return to India at the earliest. Amritpal is married and has a three-month-old daughter. He owns around 8.5 acres of farmland located beyond the border fencing on the Indian side. He had left on his bike that afternoon but did not return in the evening on June 21. The BSF even reopened the frisking gate before dusk in search of him, but he could not be found, his father said. During summer months, farmers are allowed to access land between the barbed-wire fence and the international border under strict BSF monitoring between 8 am and 5 pm. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
06-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Family seeks MEA help as Pak Rangers confirm detention of Ferozepur farmer
The family of a 23-year-old Punjab farmer, who inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan a fortnight ago, urged the Union external affairs ministry on Saturday to ensure his safe return to India at the earliest. The farmers's father has urged Union external affairs minister S Jaishankar to ensure his son's safe return to India at the earliest. (HT File) Amritpal Singh, from Khaire ke Uttar village in Ferozepur district, went missing along the India-Pakistan border on June 21. He had gone to tend his farmland located across the barbed fencing near Border Outpost (BOP) Rana under Border Security Force (BSF) supervision. Singh failed to return before the gate was scheduled to close around 5pm. The BSF personnel later found human footprints heading towards the Pakistani side, raising the possibility of an unintentional border crossing. The BSF held three to four flag meetings with Pakistani Rangers, who initially denied any sightings of an unknown person. On June 27, the Pakistani Rangers confirmed to the BSF authorities that Singh was in the custody of local police. Sub-divisional magistrate (Guru Har Sahai) Udaydeep Singh Sidhu along with other officials on Saturday visited Amritpal's residence in Ferozepur. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann is cognisant of the situation and the state government is in touch with the Union external affairs ministry to bring him back from Pakistan, they told the family. Amritpal's father Jugraj Singh has urged district officials that the state should discuss the matter with the Union external affairs minister S Jaishankar to ensure his son's return. Amritpal is married and has a three-month-old daughter. He owns around 8.5 acres of farmland located beyond the border fencing on the Indian side. He had left on his bike that afternoon but did not return in the evening. The BSF even reopened the frisking gate before dusk in search of him, but he could not be found, his father said. During summer months, farmers are allowed to access land between the barbed-wire fence and the international border under strict BSF monitoring between 8am and 5pm. Several farmers from border districts including Fazilka, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar and Tarn Taran have agricultural land in this area, known as the 'zero line'.
Kuwait Times
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
India-Pakistan war hits shared love of film, music
WAGAH BORDER: Indian Bollywood film actresses Sonam Kapoor (center) and Kirron Kher (left), and Pakistani actor Fawad Afzal Khan (second left) watch the daily retreat ceremony performed by Pakistani Rangers and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at India-Pakistan Border Wagah Post on September 17, 2014. -- AFP LAHORE: While conflict raged between the powerful militaries of India and Pakistan, a battle was also fought on the cultural front lines despite years of shared love for films and music. The deadly fighting in early May—the worst in decades—affected artists previously untouched by animosity between their leaders. Ali Gul Pir, a Pakistani rapper and comedian with a huge Indian following, released a song years ago mocking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While he was spared consequences then, in May his YouTube channel and Instagram profile were blocked in India. 'Indians now recognize that the digital space serves as a bridge between Pakistanis and Indians, and they seem intent on severing that connection,' Pir told AFP. The collapse in bilateral relations was caused by a deadly April attack on tourists in India-administered Kashmir, which New Delhi blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan denied the allegation and, after tit-for-tat diplomatic retaliation, their militaries fought for four days before a ceasefire was reached. The conflict hit the music industry for the first time, with Pakistani singer Annural Khalid also remembering how her Indian following dropped off. 'Delhi was my top listening city before the ban,' said Khalid, who has 3.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify. 'I suffered a great loss in the audience' from India, she told AFP. 'Listeners were deprived of content because music was turned into something it is not,' Khalid added. The conflict also scrubbed out some prior exchanges, such as the soundtrack of the 2017 film 'Raees' on Spotify in India. It now shows only Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan, without his Pakistani co-star Mahira Khan. With Pakistan producing just a handful of movies each year under strict censorship rules, Bollywood has always proven popular among viewers. 'I grew up watching Bollywood. We have the same traumas, we have the same history, we have the same stories,' said Pakistani film critic Sajeer Shaikh. Pakistani actors and directors have for decades seen making it to Bollywood as the ultimate recognition. But this month, Indian star Diljit Dosanjh announced his latest movie, 'Sardaar Ji 3', which features four Pakistani actors, would be released 'overseas only', after New Delhi banned Pakistani content and artists from productions. 'Abir Gulaal', a love story starring Pakistan's Fawad Khan and Indian actor Vaani Kapoor, was scheduled to hit Indian cinemas on May 9 but the release was postponed. Even some in the industry who had previously backed the cross-border artistic trade changed their tune last month. 'Everything should be banned... cricket, films, everything,' said Indian actor Suniel Shetty, who has a big fan following in Pakistan. He starred in the 2004 movie 'Main Hoon Na', which subtly promotes peace between India and Pakistan. 'It's something really unfortunate about politics, creating that rift and putting boundaries around art,' said Dua Zahra, assistant manager at Warner Bros South Asia's music label in Pakistan. — AFP
Scroll.in
01-06-2025
- Scroll.in
Nagpur woman who crossed Line of Control from Kargil booked for espionage
A woman from Maharashtra's Nagpur city who crossed the Line of Control from Kargil earlier this month has been booked on allegations of espionage, The Indian Express quoted the police as saying on Saturday. Sunita Jamgade (43), who was reported missing on May 14, had crossed the Line of Control from the Hundermaan village in Ladakh last month. She had left her teenage son behind at a hotel. The woman had crossed the Line of Control amid heightened tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which left 26 persons dead. Jamgade had been untraceable for nine days, till the Pakistani Rangers handed her over to Indian authorities on May 23. She was taken back to Nagpur on May 28 and presented before a special court, which sent her to police custody till June 2. The provisions invoked against her include those related to violating the Official Secrets Act, The Times of India reported. Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone V Niketan Kadam claimed that the woman crossed the Line of Control as she wanted to meet a man named Zulfikar, whom she had been in contact with on social media, The Indian Express reported. 'During the investigation, we found several chats on her phone,' the official told the newspaper. 'While there were conversations with multiple individuals, Zulfikar stood out.' Nevertheless, Kadam said that no evidence had yet emerged that Jamgade had shared sensitive information with anyone. However, the deputy commissioner of police said that her phone was found in a formatted state, and that a suspicious app had been installed on it, The Times of India reported. Forensic teams are attempting to extract any deleted data from the phone.
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
New BSF video shows Pakistani soldiers ‘fleeing' during India's Operation Sindoor strikes
A new video released by the Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday shows Pakistani soldiers seemingly fleeing during India's retaliation under Operation Sindoor, which involved targeting Pakistani border posts. The strikes were part of a strong response between May 8 and 10, following India's offensive against terror camps in Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. DIG Indreshwar, during a press conference in Jammu, said that BSF surveillance systems picked up movement from a group of 40–50 terrorists near Sialkot on the night of May 8. 'We launched a preemptive strike in the Samba region to foil their infiltration attempt,' he said. Commenting on the reaction from across the border, the DIG added, 'They fled their posts. They were not prepared for such a strong response. But we expect that they will restore their terror infrastructure in the future.' The BSF also confirmed it caused significant damage to terror infrastructure and Pakistani positions along the International Border during Operation Sindoor, which was launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead. The footage, shared by the BSF, captures a moment at 1 minute and 9 seconds where Pakistani soldiers are seen escaping after hearing Indian strikes near their posts. It also shows Pakistan Rangers scrambling for cover as Indian forces strike critical terror-linked locations. The visuals depict the destruction of Pakistani army outposts, emphasising the precision and scale of the Indian operation. The video underscores India's assertive stance on cross-border threats and highlights its push for operational transparency through recorded military action. 'The Border Security Force (BSF) has released footage of its retaliation and the destruction caused to Pakistani forces during #OperationSindoor, conducted between May 8–10,' BSF posted on X. The Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday revealed that it had carried out strikes on 76 Pakistani border posts and 42 forward defence locations (FDLs), while also destroying three terrorist launch pads during Operation Sindoor. The strikes came in response to unprovoked firing and shelling by the Pakistani Rangers along the International Border (IB) in the Jammu region. 'Pakistan fired on our 60 border outposts and 49 forward defence locations. In response, we opened fire on 76 of their posts and 42 FDLs,' BSF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Chiterpaul Singh informed reporters. He said that a major terror launch pad operated by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) near the Sunderbani sector had been eliminated. 'There is no movement seen from that area now,' he added. BSF's Jammu Frontier Inspector General Shashank Anand confirmed that intelligence inputs validated the destruction of multiple launch pads, which also resulted in casualties among both terrorists and Pakistani Rangers during targeted strikes. 'A Lashkar-e-Taiba launch pad opposite the 'chicken neck' area was neutralised on the night of May 9–10 using a special weapon system,' said the IG, who also mentioned that launch pads at Loni, Mastpur, and Chabbra were destroyed. 'We are still assessing the total damage in coordination with our partner agencies. Three launch pads and several posts were destroyed. Many Pakistani villages were vacated by Rangers,' he added. Anand said that after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, the BSF and Army had intensified deployments in critical zones such as Rajouri and Poonch. In Jammu, Samba, and Kathua, the BSF also strengthened its positions. "After April 22, Pakistani Rangers reduced their visibility at forward posts, but BSF maintained aggressive field domination. Our troops, including women personnel, stood firm and ready for eventuality,' Anand said. He added that Pakistani forces, seemingly shaken, responded with shelling in Akhnoor the next night, to which the BSF gave a strong counterattack. 'On the night of May 9 and 10, we targeted Lashkar-e-Taiba launch pads and destroyed one just three kilometres from the border.' From Sunderbani, DIG Virendra Datta said intelligence had alerted them about a group of 18–20 terrorists attempting to infiltrate. 'We responded with a strategic mortar offensive, surrounding enemy posts. Several Pakistani positions were destroyed,' he said. Anand also commended the bravery of women personnel posted at the border. 'Our women troops had the option to relocate to battalion headquarters, but they chose to remain at forward posts. Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari and other women constables engaged enemy fire with bravery,' the IG stated. The BSF also reported that Pakistan had used low-flying drones for attacks. 'On the morning of May 10, Pakistan deployed low-flying drones targeting our posts. Our troops engaged them, but one drone dropped its payload on a post, leading to the martyrdom of two BSF personnel and one Army jawan,' he said. In a retaliatory move, the BSF launched major counter-strikes targeting Pakistani bunkers, surveillance gear, and communication towers in the Sialkot area. 'To honour our martyrs, we will name two posts after them. A post in Samba will be named 'Sindoor',' Anand announced. Responding to reports of white flags on the Pakistani side, Anand said, 'There has been communication at the DGMO level. No communication was made at the lower level. We are watching their actions closely. Any decision will be based on their future conduct.' (With ANI, PTI inputs)
