Sourav Ganguly Urges India to Cut Cricketing Ties With Pakistan After Pahalgam Terror Attack

Former Indian captain and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly said that India should break all cricketing ties with Pakistan.

Ganguly spoke to ANI in Kolkata. Over the years, India and Pakistan have only met in ICC events, such as the T20 and 50 Over World Cups, the ICC Champions Trophy, and Asian Cricket Council (ACC)- organised Asia Cup events.

Speaking to ANI, Ganguly said, “100 per cent, this (breaking ties with Pakistan) should be done. Strict action is necessary. It is no joke that such things happen every year. Terrorism cannot be tolerated.”

Due to strained political relations between the two nations, India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, when they participated in the Asia Cup. The two arch-rivals last played a bilateral series in 2012-13 in India, comprising white-ball matches.

During the recently organised ICC Champions Trophy, India did not travel to Pakistan; instead, they played all their matches in Dubai under a hybrid model.

Also, the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman, Jay Shah, has decided on the hybrid model for all ICC events in the 2024-27 cycle, which will be held in India or Pakistan.

Following the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. (ANI)

‘Amarnath Yatra Will Be Conducted Successfully’: Piyush Goyal

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Friday assured a smooth Amarnath Yatra, which is set to commence on July 3 this year, despite the Pahalgam terror attack.

Despite the attack, Goyal expressed confidence that tourism in Kashmir will resume soon, emphasising that no one can derail Kashmir from its developmental path, highlighting the region’s progress and potential.

“People of India are capable and confident enough that soon tourism will resume there, Amarnath Yatra will be conducted successfully, and no one can derail Kashmir from the developmental path that it has taken,” said Goyal.

Registrations for this year’s Shri Amarnath Yatra began in Jammu and Kashmir on April 15. They took place at 533 branches of Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India, J&K Bank, and Yes Bank across the country.

The Amarnath Yatra is set to commence on July 3 this year, simultaneously from both routes–the Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district. It will culminate on August 9 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

Goyal reiterated that the government has already announced the cancellation of visas for Pakistani nationals, and they must leave India.

“We have already announced it (visa cancellation for Pakistani nationals) and they all must go…,” he said.

Goyal strongly condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack, emphasising that India will not tolerate terrorism. Goyal stated that India has no interest in having trade relations with Pakistan, labelling it a “terrorist nation.”

“India has no interest in having a trade relation with a terrorist nation like Pakistan… There will be no place in India where we will let terrorism rise…,” added the Union Minister.

Referring to Pakistan’s persistent challenge, Goyal made it clear that India has already taken steps to sever ties.

“The loss caused to Pakistan is of no interest to India. What is the use of trading with a terrorist country like Pakistan?” he said. He further assured that India’s decisions, particularly regarding the visa cancellations, would be communicated soon, underscoring that these steps are part of a broader strategy to tackle terrorism.

“As long as 140 crore Indians consider patriotism and nationalism their highest duty, such incidents will continue to trouble the nation,” he added.

Meanwhile on Friday, while extending condolences to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said Central government will identify, trace and punish the terrorists along with their backers.

Recalling the remarks of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Goyal said, “I remember Atal Bihari Vajpayee said, cross-border and state-sponsored terrorism is a menace to civilised society. This is the moment when the entire country comes together and expresses the anger and collective commitment of the nation to give a fitting response to those responsible for this.”

Reminding people of the resolve taken by Prime Minister Narendra over the terror attacks, Goyal said, “We will identify, trace and punish the terrorists and their backers. This is the resolve of every Indian… We faced the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and came back stronger. We gave a befitting reply to Pulwama attacks.”

Union Minister also expressed condolences to all the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

“There is outrage across the country from Kargil to Kaniyakumari against the attack on India’s very fabric. We are all united in grief, pray for the departed and wish for quick recovery of those injured. We pray that strength is bestowed upon those families who are deeply impacted by this heinous and criminal act of terrorists,” Goyal said.

The attack in Pahalgam occurred on Tuesday at Baisaran meadow, where terrorists targeted tourists, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, and leaving several others injured. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans.

Following the attack, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reached Srinagar on Friday and assessed the situation in the valley.

On Thursday, the central government convened an all-party meeting to deliberate on the security situation and formulate a collective response to the attack. After attending the all-party meeting, Rahul Gandhi said, “Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has fully supported the government in taking any action.”

In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post.

India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission persona non grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. The country further decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. (ANI)

Pahalgam terror attack: House of suspect demolished in Kulgam

The house of a suspect in the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people and injured many, was demolished by security forces and Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) authorities, officials said on Saturday.

According to the officials, the house of a suspect, identified as Zakir Ahmad Ganie, at Mutalhama village in Kulgam district was demolished. Ganie is believed to have been involved in the Pahalgam terror attack, which has sent shock waves across the country.

The officials said that Gaine has been active since 2023.

Earlier on Friday, the house of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Adil Thokar, also known as Adil Guree, was demolished.

Adil Guree, a resident of Guree village in Bijbehara block of Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, is believed to have been involved in the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people, including a Nepalese national, mostly tourists. He has been declared the most wanted, and the Anantnag Police have offered a reward of Rs 20 lakh for any specific information leading to his arrest. Two Pakistani nationals were also declared most wanted in the case.

Adil had illegally travelled to Pakistan in 2018, where he reportedly received terror training before returning to Jammu and Kashmir last year.

Meanwhile, unprovoked small firing was carried out by multiple Pakistan Army posts all across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, on the night of April 25 and 26. Indian troops responded appropriately with small arms. No casualties have been reported.

The family of one of the terrorists allegedly involved in the Pahalgam attack, whose house was demolished on Friday morning, has called him a “Mujahideen”.

The houses of two Lashkar-e-Taliba terrorists believed to be involved in the Pahalgam terror attack were demolished earlier. One house of LeT terrorist in Tral, Pulwama and the other of a terrorist, Adil Guree, in Anantnag were demolished.

Speaking with ANI, the sister of the terrorist whose house was demolished in Tral, said, “My one brother is in jail, the other brother is a ‘Mujahideen’, and I also have two sisters. Yesterday, when I came here from my in-laws’ place, I did not find my parents and siblings at their home. Police had taken them all away.”

The sister said the family is innocent and doesn’t know anything about their brother’s involvement.

Moreover, two terrorist associates were arrested by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s (J-K) Kulgam district, the police sources said on Saturday. According to officials, the duo were arrested from Thokerpora in Qaimoh area of the district.

Further details are awaited.

On Friday, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, for the first time following the Pahalgam terror attack, reached Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar and reviewed the security situation of the Union Territory.

This comes amid uproar over terrorists attacking tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured.

The Indian Army is on a high alert, launching several search operations to neutralise the terrorists following the attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people were killed.

The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack. (ANI)

‘That Was Bad One’: US President Donald Trump On Pahalgam Terrorist Attack

In his first remarks following the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, US President Donald Trump termed the attack a “bad one.”

While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump stated that tensions between the two nations on the border have been ongoing for a long time and expressed confidence that both sides will resolve the issue. He emphasised his close ties with India and Pakistan.

When asked about the tensions between India and Pakistan following the attack in Kashmir, Trump responded, “I am very close to India and I’m very close to Pakistan, as you know, and they’ve had that fight for a thousand years in Kashmir. Kashmir has been going on for a thousand years, probably longer than that, and it (terrorist attack) was a bad one yesterday, that (terrorist attack) was a bad one, over 30 people.”

He noted that there have always been tensions between Pakistan and India on the border.

When asked whether he is concerned about tensions between the two nations on the border, Trump said, “Tensions on that border for 1,500 years. So, you know, it’s been the same, but I am sure they’ll get it figured out one way or the other. I know both leaders, there’s great tension between Pakistan and India, but there always has been.”

Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured.

Following the terror attack, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides.

India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960, following nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan, with the assistance of the World Bank, which is also a signatory to the treaty. The talks were initiated by Eugene Black, a former president of the World Bank.

Recognised as one of the most successful international treaties, it has endured frequent tensions, including conflict. It has provided a framework for irrigation and hydropower development for over half a century.

The Treaty allocates the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan and the Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India. At the same time, the Treaty allows each country certain uses of the rivers allocated to the other. The treaty allocates 20 per cent of the water from the Indus River System to India, with the remaining 80 per cent to Pakistan. (ANI)

Vikrant Massey

Vikrant Massey To Play Sri Sri Ravi Shankar In Siddharth Anand’s ‘White’

Actor Vikrant Massey is all set to take on the role of spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in the upcoming film titled ‘White.’

The film will be backed by producers Siddharth Anand and Mahaveer Jain.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to his Instagram on Friday to confirm the news, along with a picture of Siddharth, Mahaveer, and Massey.

Take a look

https://www.instagram.com/p/DI3PhcNsfzx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

White, directed by Montoo Bassi, is described as a “global thriller” that revolves around the story of how Colombia’s brutal 52-year-long civil war was resolved–a largely untold chapter of modern peace-building.

The movie will be produced under Siddharth Anand’s Marflix Pictures and Mahaveer Jain Films, along with Peacecraft Pictures, with production set to begin in Colombia later in July this year.

Meanwhile, Vikrant has many exciting projects lined up, including a series with ace director Rajkumar Hirani.

Last year, Vikrant surprised everyone with his cryptic post regarding his decision to take a break from acting. However, many speculated that the actor had announced his ‘retirement’ from the industry.

Later, Vikrant issued a statement clarifying that people had misinterpreted his post. He also mentioned that his intention was not to imply retirement but rather to take a temporary hiatus from acting as his “physical and mental health have taken a hit.”

“Acting is all I can do. And it has given me everything I have. My physical and mental health have taken a hit. I just want to take some time off to better my craft. I feel a sense of monotony at the moment. My post has been misinterpreted as me quitting or retiring from acting. I want to take some time off to focus on my family and health. I will be back when the time feels right,” Vikrant said. (ANI)

Vatican City: Murmu Pays Homage To Pope Francis

President Droupadi Murmu paid homage to Pope Francis at the Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on Friday along with senior Indian ministers, Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said the President Murmu paid homage at the Saint Peter’s Basilica.

She was accompanied by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju; Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, George Kurian, MEA said in a post on X.

“President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn paid homage to His Holiness Pope Francis at the Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. President Murmu was accompanied by Minister @KirenRijiju and MoS @GeorgekurianBjp to pay respects.”

President Droupadi Murmu is on visit to the Vatican City for two days from April 25 to 26 to attend Pope Francis’s state funeral and offer condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India.

Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta on April 21, according to a statement from the Vatican. He was the first Latin American pontiff to lead the Roman Catholic Church after taking over from Pope Benedict XVI on March 13, 2013.

On April 26, President Murmu will attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City, where dignitaries from around the world will also be present.

In a press release, MEA stated, “His Holiness Pope Francis will be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world.”

India on Thursday declared that state mourning will be observed on April 26 in honour of the funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis, the Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See.

On Thursday, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs made the declaration through a statement and further announced that the national flag would be flown at half-mast on the day throughout India in all buildings where it is flown regularly, and there would be no official entertainment.

Earlier, the ministry announced three days of state mourning as a mark of respect for His Holiness Pope Francis’s passing. Two days of state mourning were observed on April 22 and April 23, and one day of state mourning will be observed on the day of the funeral.

On April 22, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh visited the Apostolic Nunciature (Embassy of the Holy See) in New Delhi to sign the condolence book. India has declared three days of State Mourning for Pope Francis’s passing.

On April 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over Pope Francis’s death, stating that the Pontiff’s affection for the people of India would always be cherished.

“Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world. From a young age, he devoted himself to realising Lord Christ’s ideals. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope,” PM Modi stated in a post on X.”I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-around development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace,” the Prime Minister said.

The Vatican has also released images of Pope Francis in an open coffin, dressed in a red robe with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand. The pictures were taken in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis’s residence at the Vatican.

The dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, will lead the funeral service. At the end of the funeral, Cardinal Re will deliver the final commendation–a concluding prayer in which the Pope will be formally entrusted to God–and the body will be moved to St. Mary Major for burial. (ANI)

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

M’rashtra To Act Against Overstaying Pakistanis: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday announced a stringent crackdown on Pakistani nationals overstaying in the state, following a central government decision to suspend visa services for citizens of Pakistan.

Speaking to the media, Fadnavis said, “The central government has decided to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals who have come to India. We have sought a list (of Pakistani nationals who have come to India), they are being identified and police officials have been instructed to ensure that no Pakistani national stays in Maharashtra for more than 48 hours…Action will be taken against Pakistani nationals who overstay (in Maharashtra”

The Chief Minister emphasised that all district police units have been directed to conduct strict surveillance and ensure compliance with the new directive. “We will monitor it fully and send them out. Those who overstay will face legal action,” he said.

Fadnavis also confirmed that he held a detailed discussion with Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the issue. “I had a detailed talk with the Union Home Minister and action will be taken as per his Guidance,” he stated.

Earlier, on Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Chief Ministers and asked them to identify all Pakistani nationals in their respective states, according to sources.

Amit Shah also spoke with all chief ministers on the issue, asking them to identify all Pakistani nationals in their respective states and take steps to ensure their prompt return to Pakistan.

A decision has been made to cancel all types of visas, effective immediately. Shah has also asked the Chief Ministers to take steps to ensure the prompt return of the people to Pakistan.

This comes after terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. (ANI)

Indus Water Treaty Is Most Unfair To People Of J-K: Abdullah

Expressing strong disapproval over the Indus Water Treaty, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said the pact which was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 is the “most unfair document” to the people of the Union Territory.

Addressing the media, Omar Abdullah said, “The government of India has taken some steps. As far as J-K is concerned, we have never been in favour of the Indus Water Treaty. We have always believed that the Indus Water Treaty has been the most unfair document to the people of J-K.”

Chief Minister also discussed assurances received from the Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the safety of J-K residents in other states.

“It is regrettable that this attack took place and we ensured that whatever issues that were kept in front of us in the meeting, we will work on them. During this meeting, I spoke with the Union Home Minister and he assured me that all steps will be taken to ensure the safety of the people of J-K who are staying in other states…An advisory will be issued by the Home Ministry and the Union Minister also spoke with the Chief Ministers of many states,” he added.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will hold a meeting regarding the Indus Water Treaty at his residence in the national capital on Friday evening.

Besides the Home Minister and the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, CR Paatil, other senior government officials will attend this meeting.

Sources told ANI, “India has formally notified Pakistan in writing about the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty.”

Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, as informed the Secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources, Syed Ali Murtaza, about this decision of the Indian government through a letter. India has issued a notice for changes in the treaty. The letter states that the Indian government has given notice to the Pakistani government for amendments to the treaty.

This decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) held on April 23, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar.

This comes after terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. (ANI)

Jaishankar Holds Discussions With Israeli, Argentinian Ambassadors

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met with the ambassadors of Israel and Argentina in New Delhi on Friday and held discussions on several aspects of the bilateral relationship, including the condemnation of the heinous Pahalgam terrorist attack.

In a series of post on X, External Affairs Minister shared the details of the meetings held with the envoys of the two countries.

EAM Jaishankar appreciated Israel’s steadfast support in combating cross-border terrorism.

“A good discussion with Ambassador Israel @ReuvenAzar in New Delhi today. Appreciated Israel’s steadfast support in combating cross-border terrorism,” EAM Jaishankar wrote.

Upon meeting the Argentinian ambassador, Jaishankar welcomed Argentina’s strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack. Both also held discussions about the advancement of ties between the two countries.

“Met Ambassador @CaucinoMariano of Argentina today. Welcome Argentina’s strong condemnation of Pahalgam terror attack. Spoke about advancing our bilateral and multilateral cooperation”, he wrote on X.

Earlier on Friday, the envoys of US, Israel and Spain had arrived at the South Block office of the Ministry of External Affairs. While speaking to media, Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar said called the Pahalgam terror attack a “watershed moment” and said that discussions were held on areas of mutual concern that have to do with fight against terrorism.

On Thursday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had briefed ambassadors of select countries based in New Delhi, including Germany, Japan, Poland, the UK, and Russia, on the Pahalgam terror attack.

Top diplomats from the United States, European Union, Italy, Qatar, Japan, China, Russia, Germany, and France, among others, were seen arriving at the Ministry of External Affairs located in South Block in the national capital.

Foreign Secretary Misri briefed the envoys from G20 countries, including those from China and Canada in a meeting that lasted for 30 minutes according to sources.

Following the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides.

India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also assured the country that the terrorists responsible for this attack, along with those who conspired it, will face punishment beyond their imagination, The Prime Minister asserted that the time has come to eliminate the remaining strongholds of terrorism and that the willpower of 140 crore Indians will now break the backbone of the perpetrators of terror. (ANI)

Defence Expert Criticises Pakistan’s Decision To Suspend Simla Agreement

Defence Expert DS Dhillon on Friday said that Pakistan’s decision to suspend the Simla Agreement of 1972 was a “suicidal” move since it frees India from the obligation to respect the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, which was a result of the ceasefire in 1971.

He said that the implication of Pakistan suspending the Simla Agreement was that India was not obliged to respect the LoC and could cross the same.

“Like India has suspended the Indus water treaty, Pakistan has also threatened to suspend the Simla Agreement. I will say that this is a good thing because it also ends the existence of the Line of Control (LoC). This means that India is not obligated to respect the LoC. Ye karke Pakistan apne gale main rassa dalega (This is suicide for Pakistan). This also makes India free to cross the LoC,” Dhillon told ANI.

Responding to the statement made by Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, the Defence expert said that his remarks were “laughable” since the US earlier threatened to stop funding for Pakistan’s involvement in aiding terrorism.

“Pakistan’s Foreign Minister has openly accepted that their country used to train terrorists. He has put the entire blame on US and west, stating that we trained because they said so. This is laughable since the US threatened to stop funding them, diverting those funds to train terrorists. This is a baseless allegation. They are trying to save face by blaming the US since it stopped Pakistan’s funding for aiding terrorism,” Dhillon said.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat said that it was not crucial to understand on whose instructions Pakistan was aiding terrorism but to answer them on the same. He said that Pakistan can’t evade accountability for the terrorist attacks by making such remarks (blaming the US).

“It is not important to know on whose instructions Pakistan is doing this. Our nation and nation’s security is important, and if anyone tries to meddle with it, we will answer them. This is why we didn’t politicise the matter and stand with the government. Pakistan can’t evade its accountability. This is childish talk. We hope that strict action is taken against the terrorists so that people of the country can feel secure,” Bhagat told ANI.

He further stated that the central government must take action against those responsible for the security lapse in the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.

“The government must take action against terrorists on the other side of the border. However, it must also investigate the security lapse and take action against those responsible for the same,” the Congress leader said.

These remarks come after Pakistan suspended the Simla Agreement, which was signed between Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto after the 1971 war.

Moreover, the Pakistan Defence Minister admitted that his country has been funding and backing terrorist groups. In a video clip that has now gone viral, Pakistan’s defence minister is in conversation with Sky News’s Yalda Hakim, when she asks him, “But you do admit, you do admit, sir, that Pakistan has had a long history of backing and supporting and training and funding these terrorist organisations?”

Khwaja Asif in his reply says, “We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about 3 decades… and the west, including Britain…That was a mistake, and we suffered for that, and that is why you are saying this to me. If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later on the war after 9/11, Pakistan’s track record was unimpeachable.”

The Pakistani Defence Minister has also in the interview with Sky News presenter Yalda Hakim warned of an “all-out war” possible with India. (ANI)