SRINAGAR, 7 July 2020, TON: The Kashmiri journalists throughout the Jammu and Kashmir announced on Tuesday a State vide protest for indefinite period against the highhandedness of bureaucrats from India as well as intelligence and security forces. They were protesting against New Delhi’s new media policy in Jammu and Kashmir State.  The journalists also assembled at the Press Enclave under the banner of “Jammu and Kashmir Media Guild” and were carrying banners that read: “Don’t gag media, we are an equally important pillar of democracy”, “Down with media policy 2020” and :We want freedom”.

President JK Media Guild Mir Ajaz Ahmad said “the intentions of the government clearly indicate an official gag to prevent us from reporting truth.” He said, “But we will not succumb to these pressure tactics. If this policy is not rolled back we will fight against it at every level and even stage protest in Delhi if need arises.” He said all the media forums and associations have exhibited solidarity to fight against this policy.

New Delhi has introduced a new Media Policy for the Jammu and Kashmir, “Media Policy-2020”. In the name of mechanism for monitoring of fake news, freedom of speech and thoughts has been curtailed to the lowest level. Journalists and news organizations have been made answerable to bureaucrats ruling the disputed State from New Delhi as well as intelligence and security officials, who have been empowered to decide which news item is fake or anti-national. All such newspapers and news organizations would suffer total blackout of sharing of official news and the advertisements. The Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) is acting as anti-terror squad using Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) as the tool to harass the journalists.

Meanwhile, other journalists affiliated with various media associations and groups staged a joint protest against the New Media Policy-2020 and demanded its immediate rollback. Media persons in Kashmir have been reporting facts against all odds but after the introduction of new policy, they would be facing a very tough time. May journalists also said that they are being threatened that they may lose lives if noncooperation is witnessed. 

GANDERBAL, 6 July 2020, TON: The annual Amarnath yatra scheduled from July 21 from Baltal in Ganderbal district is in doldrums due to fears of spread of COVID pandemic, official sources said. Although, final decision about the yatra will be taken by the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) today, however, with the detection of 8 new cases of COVID positive in Ganderbal district is made the yatra controversial.

As per the schedule, the 42-day long yatra this year was to begin from 23 June but it could not organized due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

Official sources told route Baltal route in Ganderbal district has been earmarked but go ahead signal has not been given by the authorities.

UNITED NATIONS: 02 July 2020, TON: In a statement, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the stock exchange in Karachi, Pakistan, on 29 June.  He conveyed his deep condolences to the families of the victims and the people and Government of Pakistan. He reiterated the solidarity of the United Nations with the Government and people of Pakistan in their efforts to address terrorism and violent extremism.

Press statement issued Security Council President Christoph Heusgen on 1 July 2020, is reproduced:-

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack that took place in Karachi, Pakistan, on 29 June 2020, which resulted in several people killed.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Pakistan and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of Pakistan and all other relevant authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

KARACHI, 29 June 2020, TON: Terrorist attacked Pakistan financial center, Pakistan Stock Exchange in provincial capital Karachi on Monday, killing at least three people including two guards and a policeman. There were no reports of wounded, however, media reported at least three injuries.   

As per the details, unidentified persons driving silver Toyota Corolla Sedan 2013, bearing Karachi registration plate BAP 629, tried to enter the security barrier near Stock Exchange. When the guards stopped them, the unidentified gunmen got down from the car and opened fire on the guard killing one of them on the spot. Later there was exchange of fire in which another guard and a Policeman was martyred. Sindh Police Additional Inspector General Ghulam Nabi Memon confirmed that the firing took place outside the barrier gate. It was confirmed from eyewitnesses as well as Police authorities that the terrorists could not enter the Stock Market building. At least two terrorist were killed whose dead bodies were shown to the media. However, the security apparatus claimed to have killed four terrorists. Eyewitnesses claimed that they had brought some person in the car who was made hostage and wanted to recover some huge amount, however, their attempt failed. Another eyewitness claimed that there was internal rift between two groups within the Karachi Stock Exchange, having links in Mumbai Stock Exchange over some issue. The witness added that the group has gone underground after the incident as most of them migrated from Indian post 1980s and some of them do not possess valid Pakistani nationality.

A Counter-Terrorism Department official said that the attackers were carrying significant quantities of ammunition and grenades in backpacks. However, personnel, who were part of the Rapid Reaction claimed on the condition of anonymity that when they saw the bodies of neuteralized attackers, neither grenades, nor large quantity of arms and ammunition was there but later some placed different items including mobile phones beside the dead bodies, which was also displayed to media.

Meanwhile, the Indian media and Indian Military Intelligence run social media groups are carrying out extensive propaganda that Balochistan Liberation Army has accepted the responsibility of the attack. The names of Tasleem Baloch, Shehzad Baloch, Salman Hammal, Siraj Kungur are being publicized by the Indian intelligence agencies through their social networking. It has also come to light that India has established various call centers in Karachi and other cities of Pakistan, manned round the clock, where such propaganda articles, news items and video clips are regularly viralized.  New Delhi has shifted hundreds and thousands of illegal Indian with criminal background in Pakistan, especially Karachi who are also involved in terrorist activities. Such individuals are able to get Pakistani nationality by bribing NADRA employees and have been tasked to create unrest in Sindh and Balochistan by eliminating Baloch presence in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Karachi, especially Layari.

ISLAMABAD, 27 June 2020, TON:  In one of the most shocking incident in the history of commercial aviation there are reports that Government of Pakistan admitted to have grounded 262 airline pilots; 109 commercial and 153 airline transport pilots with 'dubious' credentials, suspected of dodging their exams following inquiries into their qualifications. They included 141 from PIA, nine from Air Blue, 10 from Serene Airline, and 17 from nonexistent Shaheen Airlines, which has closed down. The authorities in PIA and Air Blue complaint that although they would comply but had so far not received the list of pilots to be grounded, which appeared in the international and national media. Reports from Minister’s office claims that lists had been sent to airlines and same would also be available on the Civil Aviation’s website.

It is on record that that in May 2020, the Pakistan Airlines Pilots Association (PALPA) gave a statement, “The aircraft’s landing gear has always been a grave cause for concern. Numerous ‘technical logs’ concerning this particular aircraft will validate PALPA’s contentions… The CAA has also failed in its duty as the regulator. Airworthiness of an aircraft is a concern that falls exclusively within the regulatory domain of the CAA. The crash has occurred due to the unfitness of the aircraft itself… negligence of the PIA management in entirety in ensuring maintenance of its aircraft is a dominant factor in plane crash.” PALPA had demanded a thorough investigation into the PIA aircraft crash by involving the association and international bodies to probe beside technical aspects, into the aircraft’s health prior to the flight, investigators must consider the working conditions of the ground staff and flight crew as well as internationally acknowledged air safety rules. They also expressed serious reservations over the abilities and capabilities of the Special Investigation Board (SIB).

In a joint statement, The International Federation of Airline Pilots’ Associations and the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations called for the crash probe to be conducted on international standards, urging against “premature conclusions” based on incomplete or speculative information. There was collusion between pilots and Civil Aviation officials since late 2018 over appointment officers from Pakistan Air Force in PIA including present Chief Executive Officer Air Marshal Arshad Mahmood Malik. In another development, the International Air Transport Association and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency have expressed concerns over such a large number of pilots having dubious credentials.

As per the details, Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan told media that authorities had been investigating pilots were accused of having someone sit one or more papers for them, and sometimes even all the eight papers required for an airline pilot's licence. It has come to light that at least 28 of the pilots had already been found to have obtained academic degrees are suspected to be illegitimate and if confirmed would face criminal charges and termination from would service.

Meanwhile the US Embassy in Islamabad reported having received a letter signed by PIA Chief Executive Arshad Malik saying, “It is also ensured that all pilots flying PIA flights are having genuine licences endorsed by the government of Pakistan.” Earlier, PIA’s spokesman said the letter had been sent to all heads of foreign missions in Pakistan as well as international aviation regulators and safety monitoring agencies.

In the latest development, Captain Chaudhry Salman, head of the Pakistan Airline Pilots' Association, said in a news conference in Karachi that here is no truth in these allegations and claims by aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan were false as their licences are not fake.  He added 39 pilots out of the 262 accused of obtaining fake pilot licenses had either died or retired years ago.

WASHINGTON, 22 June 2020, TON: Tahawwur Hussain Rana and his close associate, David Headley alias Syed Dawood Gilani, an American national who were mastermind of 26 November 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people and injured hundreds other were arrested by US Court and both confessed their involvement in masterminding the terrorism in Indian city of Mumbai.

Interestingly, both these individuals and their families belong to Shia (Shiite) faith and cannot have any connection with an orthodox Sunni group Lashkar-e-Tayyiaba but court mistakenly mentioned their links with Sunni groups, which lack substance and any base. There are also reports that family of Tahawwur Hussain Rana belongs to a minority groups in Pakistan and their asylum papers mentions the same. India has planned to use Tahawwur Hussain Rana against Pakistan to put diplomatic pressure..

Attorney of absconder military terrorist, Tahawwur Hussain Rana submitted his plea while the federal government's response is due by 26 June. The next hearing is scheduled on 30 June 2020. A federal jury convicted him of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism in Denmark and to Lashkar-e-Tayyiaba in Mumbai attacks inside India. It was transpired during Tahawwur Hussain Rana's trial in Chicago that evidences that attackers linked with Rana were planning to storm the Jyllands Posten facility in Copenhagen, take hostages, behead innocent employees of the newspaper, throw their heads to the street below, and set up a stronghold fight to the death with Danish forces. With regard to Mumbai attacks, his associate David Headley testified at trial that Rana provided him the cover to conduct surveillance of Mumbai for the attacks. 

As per the details, top terrorist was released from jail on compassionate ground after testing positive for the COVID-19 was rearrested in Los Angeles on 10 June following an extradition request by India, where he is a declared fugitive while US District Judge Jacqueline Chooljian of the Central District of California has scheduled his hearing on 30 June 2020. Assistant US Attorney John J Lulejian told a federal court in Los Angeles last week that there are fears that he may flee to Canada or some other place.

 According to the extradition treaty between Canada and India, extradition may be refused when the offence for which extradition is requested is punishable with death under the laws of the requesting state and the laws of the requested state do not provide such punishment for the conduct constituting the offence, unless India assures Canada that the death penalty shall not be executed, if imposed. US is trying to handover Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face trial in connection with Mumbai attacks.

NEW DELHI, 17 June 2020, TON: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has summoned leaders of major political parties at New Delhi on Friday, 19^th June to carry out a brainstorming on options in the prevailing situation on Chinese and Nepalese borders. If we recall, during his Wednesday’s speech Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “India wants peace but is capable of giving a reply if situation demands.”

In response to phone call by Indian Minister for External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned New Delhi not to underestimate Beijing’s determination to safeguard what it considers its sovereign territory. China has responded to misadventure by India forces which crossed the Line of Actual Control first and tried to justify India action. Casual response from Washington over ongoing rift between India and China on LAC has led India to adopt a peaceful strategy.

Meanwhile, Chinese side has asked Indian side to carryout investigation first to ascertain who is at fault. Beijing desires an apology from Indian side for escalating the situation at Line of Actual Control (LAC). On the other hand Indian side is justifying its action on the ground that China has erected a structure in the Galwan Valley. Satellite images revealed no new construction in the last two months other than communication pathways early this year at quite a distance from LAC.

The United Nations associate spokesperson Eri Kaneko urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint and said, “We take positive note of reports that the two countries have engaged to de-escalate the situation to exercise maximum restraint.”

ISLAMABAD, 15 June 2020, TON: The Pakistani authorities have alerted its security apparatus as Indian authorities have tasked their personnel posted at the Indian Embassy in Islamabad to carryout nefarious acts. Last month Indian officials hired Kashmiris holding Pakistani national identity cards to cross over the Indian side of Line of Control to meet officials of D Company of Border Security Force. Sources at Mirpur and Rawalakot confirmed that they were tasked to smuggle made in Pakistan arms and ammunition into Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir and India through Ferozpur.

It is interesting to note that today on Monday 15 June, Indian Embassy claimed that two junior officials of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad along with their official vehicle went missing and their whereabouts are not known. The sources inside Embassy claimed that they had no knowledge of any such incident and it was not immediately known if they had returned or not.

ISLAMABAD, 10 June 2020, TON: A senior Indian diplomat was summoned to register Pakistan’s strong protest over the ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jandrot Sector, on 9th June 2020, resulting in serious injuries to four innocent civilians. Due to indiscriminate and unprovoked firing by the Indian occupation forces, 26 years old Nasreen Akhtar d/o Ali Akhtar, resident of Sandhara village; 24 years old Rabia w/o Muhammad Shakeel and 7 years old Momina d/o Muhammad Hameed residents of Dera Sher Khan village; and 7 years old Munshi s/o Sukan Din, resident of Bamroch village sustained serious injuries.

The Indian occupation forces along the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB) have continuously been targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars and automatic weapons.

In 2020, India has so far committed 1296 ceasefire violations resulting in 7 martyrdom and serious injuries to 98 innocent civilians. Condemning the deplorable targeting of innocent civilians by the Indian occupation forces, it was underscored that such senseless acts are in clear violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, and are also against all established humanitarian norms and professional military conduct. These egregious violations of international law reflect consistent Indian attempts to escalate the situation along the LoC and are a threat to regional peace and security.

It was added that by raising tensions along the LoC and the WB, India cannot divert attention from the grave human rights situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K). Indian side was called upon to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding; investigate this and other such incidents of deliberate ceasefire violations and maintain peace along the LoC and the WB. The Indian side was also urged to allow the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to play its mandated role as per the United Nations Charter.

MOLDO, 6 June 2020, TON: A high level face to face meeting between senior military officers of China and India was scheduled on Saturday at Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) point in Moldo on the Chinese side in the Ladakh sector.

Corps Commander 14 Corps, Lt Gen Harinder Singh from Indian side and Commander South Xinjiang Military Region, Major General Liu Lin from Chinese chaired the meeting.  Indian side demanded PLA withdrawal from Pangong Tso, Hot Springs and Galwan Valley while Chinese side highlighted a list of Line of Actual Control (LAC) violations in establishment of BoPs and road infrastructure. 

The meeting ended in a failure as both side could not reach to any agreement to return to April 2020 positions. The Chinese side made it clear that unless New Delhi remove all the encroachments in the form of infrastructures and stop trespassing of unmanned Chinese areas, further talks would be fruitless.  

Narrating the outcome of the meeting, Chushul based commanding Office of an Infantry Battalion who also witnessed talks said that such issue cannot be resolved in one meeting. The communication is in progress in which India has been asked to ensure certain actions as a prerequisite for the next meeting.

The Chinese side has reprimanded Indian side for LAC violations including espionage through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). As per Article V of the 1996 Agreement between India and China  aircraft cannot fly within 10 km of the LAC, allowing survey aircrafts and helicopters to fly up to the distance one kilometers from the LAC. 

Meanwhile, at New Delhi the US Ambassador held meeting with the Government and military officers. However, Embassy sources have not confirmed of either the meeting taking place or not.