The nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan on May 28, 1998, in Chagai mountains of Balochistan have resulted in devastating consequences for the region and its people, according to activists. The radiation emitted from the atomic explosions have caused serious health problems for the people, particularly the children. It has also seriously impacted the water bodies and flora of Balochistan. #nuclear #nucleartests #Chagai #balochistan #health #Pakistan #atomic What We Offer In-Depth Analysis and Exclusive Reports: Our team of experienced journalists and analysts delve deep into the complexities of regional and international issues, providing you with exclusive reports and thorough analysis. Whether it’s the intricate political dynamics of Balochistan, the ongoing developments in POK, or the security challenges in Kashmir, we bring you stories that matter. Timely and Accurate Updates: Stay informed with our timely updates on the latest events and trends. From breaking news to detailed feature stories, NVI ensures you are always ahead of the curve with accurate and reliable information.
Persecution of Hindus, Christians and other minorities in Pakistan
Minorities, like Hindus and Christians, have been suffering immense atrocities in Pakistan. Very frequently, some or the other member of a minority community, whether Hindu or Christian, is subjected to humiliation, tortrure and cruelty in various forms. While men are thrashed and even lynched, their girls are raped and forcibly converted to Islam to be married to a Muslim man against their choice. Most tragically, the victims of these victims get no support from the police, the government or even the judiciary. #pakistan #minorities #Hindus #christians
India’s neighbours participate in Modi’s grand oath-taking ceremony
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the visiting leaders who congratulated him for the historic third consecutive term in office.
New Delhi, June 9: Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive time, in a grand ceremony on Sunday evening that saw the leaders of seven neighbouring countries invited as honoured guests.
Modi, clad in white kurta and churidar and donning a blue jacket, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashparati Bhawan here.
The 74 year old leader took the oath in the name of God to loud cheers from the large number of guests, which included leaders from India’s neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean Region.
The leaders who attended the ceremony included President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe; President of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu; Vice-President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif; Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina; Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth accompanied by his spouse; Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’; and Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay. Leaders of Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan were accompanied by Ministers.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the visiting leaders who congratulated him for the historic third consecutive term in office. Thanking them for gracing the occasion, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR Vision’.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that in his third term, India will continue to work for the peace, progress and prosperity of the region in close partnership with the countries, even as it pursues its goal of VIKSIT BHARAT by 2047, a statement said.
In this context, he called for deeper people-to-people ties and connectivity in the region. He further added that India would continue to amplify the voice of the Global South in the international arena.
The leaders also attended a Banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President while welcoming them and conveying her wishes to Prime Minister Modi in the service of the nation, stated that India’s democratic exercise was not only a moment of pride for its people, but an inspiration to millions around the world.
The participation of leaders from India’s neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region on the momentous occasion of swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, underlines India’s deep-rooted bonds of friendship and cooperation with the region, a statement said.
Journalists, opposition groups boycott controversial Punjab Defamation Bill
The central Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the media bodies announced a total boycott of coverage concerning all government affairs as a mark of protest.
Islamabad, June 9: The controversial Punjab Defamation Bill 2024 was officially brought into effect and became a full-fledged law in Pakistan after the province’s Acting Governor Malik Ahmed Khan signed it. Seen as a draconian bill which curbs press freedom in the country, the bill was boycotted by various organisations and opposition groups in the National Assembly.
Drawing great ire from journalist groups and civil society organisations, the central Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the media bodies announced a total boycott of coverage concerning all government affairs at both the provincial and federal proceedings in the National Assembly as a mark of protest.
The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND), held an emergency meeting to discuss the development and decided to record their protest against the law.
Just hours after the bill was passed, a joint petition was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) by journalists Riaz Ahmad Raja and Jaffar Ahmad Yar challenging its legality. The petition asked the high court to strike down the defamation law, saying it violated the fundamental rights of citizens protected in the Constitution.
The plea lamented that journalists were not consulted before the passing and approval of the defamation law, arguing that it was ludicrous and unconstitutional to allow a person to bring a claim of defamation without any proof.
Balochistan: BLA says it killed 7 Pakistani soldiers
Quetta, April 24 (NVI) Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) tonight claimed to have killed 7 personnel of the occupying Pakistan Army and injured 4 in different attacks in Balochistan.
These attacks in Zamuran, Kolwah and Kalat districts included remote-controlled IED blasts and armed attacks, BLA spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said.
Enemy security posts were also captured at some locations, he said.
Pakistan announces tit-for-tat measures against India; Hostility growing
New Delhi, April 24 (NVI) Hostility is growing between India and Pakistan as outrage over the Pahalgam carnage continues across the country, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promise punishment to “every terrorist, their handlers and their backers” through measures that would be “beyond their imagination”.
The hostilities between the two neighbours were being witnessed in the diplomatic sphere, with India last night announcing certain measures, including suspension of Indus Water Treaty (IWT), and Pakistan responding today by several measures, including closure of its airspace for Indian flights and stoppage of trade.
Pakistan also said it will not recognise the Simla Agreement of 1972 while claiming that suspension of the Indus Water Treaty amounted to an “act of war”.
Meanwhile, India started steps to stop flow of water of three common rivers — Indus, Chenab and Jhelum — over which Pakistan has full claim under the IWT.
Under the 1960 Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, India has control over the remaining three common rivers of the Indus basin — Ravi, Beas and Sutlej.
There is persisting anger across India that Pakistan should be held accountable for the gruesome massacre of 26 people, including 25 tourists, in Pahalgam by three terrorists having linkages across the border.
Reflecting the anger, Prime Minister Modi said the act by the terrorists was an attack on the “soul of India” and “every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done”.
Addressing a pre-scheduled public event in Madhubani in Bihar, he underlined that “Terrorism will not go unpunished…. The entire nation is firm in this resolve” and thanked leaders of various countries for standing with India “in these times”.
Modi said, “India will identify, track and punish every terrorist, their handlers and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth. India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism.”
He said the punishment would be “beyond their imagination”, in a message seen as a clear warning to the terrorist commanders and Pakistani military which nurtures the terrorists.
Significantly, he spoke some crucial sentences of warning in English, apparently to send out a message to the world at large about his government’s intentions.
Earlier, last night, his government announced 5 measures to hit Pakistan. Besides deciding to suspend the IWT, the Indian government announced suspension of all visas for the Pakistani nationals and closure of the Wagah-Attari border.
Scaling down of the diplomatic mission staff of both the countries and expulsion of military attaches of Pakistan and withdrawal of its own in Islamabad were among other decisions taken after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) yesterday.
The Pakistan government, after a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by all-powerful Army Chief General Asim Munir, warned that suspension of IWT will be considered as “an act of war”.
It announced closure of its airspace for all Indian-owned and operated flights with immediate effect and non-recognition of the Simla Agreement of 1972 under which, besides other things, the Line of Control (LoC) was recognised bilaterally as a de-facto border.
Pakistan also decided to suspend all forms of trade with India, including those routed through third countries.
It also announced certain decisions mirroring those of the Indian government, like closure of the Wagah border, scaling down of the diplomatic mission staff to 30 members effective April 30 and expulsion of military attaches.
It also said that Pakistan would respond to India’s “hostile actions with full national strength”.
The other measures announced by India include the immediate closure of the Integrated Check Post Attari as well as the issuance of a deadline for Pakistanis to leave the country before May 1, 2025.
Also, Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are now deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under an SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India. (NVI)
Pahalgam attack: India to suspend Indus Water Treaty, take other steps against Pakistan
New Delhi : With the Pahalgam terror attack having “linkages” across the border, India tonight announced a slew of punitive steps against Pakistan, including suspension of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty that determines distribution of 6 common rivers.
The decisions were taken at a long meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and announced by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
Addressing the media, Misri said, “Recognising the seriousness of this terrorist attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decided upon the following measures:
1) The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.
2) The integrated checkpost Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 1st May 2025.
3) Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC visa Exemption scheme. Any SPES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under SPES visa has 48 hours to leave India.
4) The Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared persona non grata. They have a week to leave India.
5) India will be withdrawing its own Defence, Navy and Air advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. (NVI)
Kashmir: 2 infiltrating terrorists killed by Indian Army near LoC
Srinagar, April 23 (NVI) Foiling an infiltration attempt, Indian Army today killed 2 terrorists, suspected to be Pakistanis, while they were trying to sneak into the Kashmir Valley from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The two terrorists were spotted at around 1 AM past midnight trying to cross the Line of Control (LoC) in Sarjeevan area of Uri in Baramulla district, the Army said.
The alert Indian troops immediately surrounded them and challenged them, leading to a gunfight, the Army said.
The Army said it had prior information that some terrorists might be intending to cross over.
The gun battle resulted in the killing of the two terrorists, it said, adding their identification was being ascertained.
Two AK assault rifles, 5 magazines, one pistol and 10 kgs of explosives, besides other items, were recovered from the slain terrorists, the Army said.
Clearly, the terrorists were trying to enter Kashmir valley to cause bloodshed like in Pahalgam and by killing them, a possible act of terror has been averted.
Meanwhile, another gunfight was underway between security forces and an entrapped group of terrorists in a village in Kulgam district of South Kashmir. (NVI)
Pahalgam terror attack: Outrage growing along with demands for action against Pakistan
Srinagar, April 23 (NVI) A day after the carnage by some terrorists in Pahalgam, outrage was growing across the country, leading to calls for revenge, with focus on Pakistan.
Investigation was picking pace and sketches of 3 terrorists and photographs of 4 terrorists were publicised today, implying that those responsible for the bloodshed of innocent tourists had been identified.
The sketches were prepared on the basis of eye witness accounts by the Forensic Team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) which immediately took over the probe after the killing of 27 tourists and one local person by the terrorists in Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam in South Kashmir.
Among the 4 terrorists, 2 are said to be locals and 2 Pakistanis, thus bringing our neighbouring country into the picture again.
As these details were trickling out, anger was increasing among the masses who want “revenge” by not only eliminating the terrorists who carried out the attacks but also their masters sitting across the border in Pakistan.
Amid this atmosphere, Prime Minister Narendar Modi cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia and returned home this morning and immediately held a meeting with NSA Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who rushed to Kashmir last night, today met victims of the terror attack in Srinagar and Anantnag and visited the site of the massacre in Pahalgam to understand how the incident took place.
He also laid wreath on the coffins of those killed in the attack and repeated that the culprits would not be spared.
Soon after Shah’s return to Delhi, a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) was chaired by the Prime Minister and it was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Jaishankar, Doval, Misri and some other top officials.
Prior to the meeting, Rajnath Singh said the government will take all those steps which are necessary and appropriate.
“We will not only reach those who carried out this attack but even those who conspired against India while being behind the curtain…. Those responsible for this (terror) act will have to pay very soon and the nation will see it,” he said at an event in New Delhi. (NVI)
Pakistani terrorists kill 27 tourists, injure 12 in targeted attack in Kashmir
Srinagar, April 22 (NVI) Suspected Pakistani terrorists today carried out a massacre in the scenic Pahalgam in Kashmir, killing at least 27 tourists and injuring 12 others.
The terrorists, numbering 4, struck in Baisaran area of Pahalgam at around lunch time when a large group of tourists, including women, were enjoying the beauty of the place, officials said.
While some were having snacks at an eatery, some others were just loitering when the terrorists arrived on the scene, according to eye witnesses.
The area where the terrorists struck is a trekking zone, away from the main Pahalgam town.
The tourists were from various parts of the country, including Delhi and Karnataka. They included some newly-married couples, possibly on honeymoon travel.
Among the dead was Manjunath from Shivamoga in Karnataka, who was on a vacation with his wife Pallavi and minor son.
“I think, it happened around 1.30 pm….Three to four people attacked us…. He (Manjunath) died on the spot, in front of my eyes… It still feels like a bad dream,” said a distraught Pallavi as she was trying to come to terms with the reality.
“I told them – kill me too. You’ve already killed my husband. One of them said, ‘I won’t kill you. Go tell this to Modi’,” she added.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in a post on X, condemned the attack. “Kannadigas are among the victims of this shocking incident. Upon receiving the news, I convened an emergency meeting and reviewed the situation with the Chief Secretary and senior police officials. I have also spoken to the Resident Commissioner in Delhi,” he wrote.
“We are closely monitoring the developments. All necessary support will be extended. Please be assured, the Government of Karnataka stands firmly with those affected,” he wrote.
Considering the gravity of the attack, Union Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Kashmir to take stock of the situation after speaking to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia from today.
TTP claims to have killed 5 Pakistani soldiers
Peshawar, April 21(NVI) Under its ongoing Operation ‘Al-Khandaq’, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) tonight claimed to have killed at least 5 Pakistani soldiers and injured several others in attacks, including using Snipers.
Giving details of the operations carried out by TTP since last night, its spokesman Muhammad Khorasani said this afternoon, a soldier was killed in a sniper attack on the Warsak Nakai post in Tirah Shalubar area of Bara district of Khyber province.
Another sniper attack was carried out on the Tandi Sar post in Bara district of Khyber province in the afternoon, in which an FC personnel was killed, he said.
One more sniper attack was carried out on Topo Sar located in Tirah Bhutan Sharif area of Bara district of Khyber province this afternoon, in which an army soldier was killed, he said in statement to NVI.
A military personnel was injured in a sniper attack on the “Bush Picket” located in the Tapi area of the Miranshah district of North Waziristan province at 9:30 am, the spokesman said.
The Baizai police station in the village of Mian Khan in the Katlang district of Mardan province was attacked with hand grenades and other weapons, with reports of loss of life and property, he said.
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan retaliated against a joint attack by the CTD and the police in the Mullakhel area of the Mianwali district of the southern Punjab province, with reports of loss of life and property for the forces.
All the Mujahideen were safe in this operation, while the police fled from there, he said.
Yesterday, FC ambushed Mujahideen in Alakah Dela of Tiarza district of South Waziristan province. Mujahideen retaliated and killed two FC personnel and managed to escape safely.
BLA shows prowess days after Pakistan Army Chief’s blabbering
Quetta, April 21 (NVI) Just days after Pakistan Army Chief General Asim made tall claims, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) carried out two operations on a single night in Balochistan which showed its prowess.
The freedom fighters of BLA conducted a blockade and captured a Post of the paramilitary Levies last night in separate operations.
In one operation, BLA freedom fighters conducted a blockade and carried out snap checks on the main highway between Turbat and Hoshap, its spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said in a statement.
The fighters maintained control of the main highway for several hours, he said.
Meanwhile, another squad of freedom fighters captured Gwandh Saren Levies post in Hoshap and arrested the force’s personnel stationed there.
Fighters seized all weapons from post and levies personnel were later released, the spokesman said.
Baloch Liberation Army carried out these audacious operations just days after Pakistan Army Chief claimed that a few armed Baloch freedom fighters would not succeed in harming the Pakistani military. So, it’s a kind of embarrassment for the Pakistani military. (NVI)
TTP reaches out to ‘proud’ people of Pakistani Punjab for support against Army
Peshawar, April 16 (NVI) Aiming to extend its influence to Punjab Province of Pakistan, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) today advised the “proud people” of the region that they should avoid being part of “so-called peace armies” or becoming “fuel for the conspiracies of the (Pakistan) Army”, which it described as a “corrupt and traitorous institution”.
In a statement, the Pakistani Taliban said, “For the past few days, conspiracies have been being hatched to form local peace committees under the patronage of the government in various areas of Punjab, especially Dera Ghazi Khan and Taunsa Sharif, in which some unscrupulous and self-serving elements of the ruling party of Punjab are at the forefront.”
The statement, issued by TTP spokesman Muhammad Khorasani, went on to add, “We want to convince the proud, religious and enlightened people of Punjab that the Pakistani army and government had earlier tried to make the Mujahideen and the people fight each other by forming peace committees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“But thank God, the proud people there, by showing insight and independence, saved themselves from becoming the fuel of this war and thwarted the army’s heinous conspiracies.”
He said that after its “failure” in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Pakistan “government wants to play the same heinous game on the land of Punjab and is seeking to achieve its nefarious goals by pitting the people of Punjab against the Mujahideen.”
The spokesman underlined to the “conscious and loyal people of Punjab” that “our war and goals” also very clear.
“This war is not against your nation and people, but against the oppressive, corrupt and tyrannical military class that has been imposing itself on this country, which has been looting national resources for the past 77 years and is the biggest obstacle in the path of Islam and freedom,” he said.
“We strongly appeal to the proud people of Punjab that these army and security institutions, which consume more than 80 percent of the national treasury budget every year in the name of public safety, are actually these corrupt and traitorous institutions who want to push you into this war for their corruption and dominance so that you too can become fuel for this fire,” the spokesman said.
“Therefore, we request all the proud and religious nations to avoid becoming part of these so-called peace armies and becoming fuel for the conspiracies of the army,” he added.
“Our war is an intellectual and ideological battle, which is ongoing for the elimination of this oppressive system and oppressive army and the implementation of the Islamic system,” Khorasani said.
“We hope that you will keep yourself away from this temptation by maintaining the traditions of your history, protecting your honor, dignity and religion,” he concluded. (NVI)
Now, TTP to target business interests of Pakistani military to ‘break its back’
Peshawar, April 16 (NVI) With an aim of “breaking the back” of the Pakistani Army, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) today ordered its cadres to destroy products manufactured in the military-run factories and burn down the vehicles transporting such stuff.
It was in January this year that the TTP had decided to target economic and commercial interests of the Pakistani military, considering these as their “real strength”. At that time, it had given shops and commercial units 2 months’ time to dispose off the stuff produced in military-run companies.
In a statement issued today, the TTP said it was 3 months and 10 days ago that the outfit had “formally announced that the target of our military and jihadi attacks would be the security institutions imposed on Pakistan and their supported elements.”
The statement issued by TTP spokesman Muhammad Khorasani said the leadership of the outfit had taken that decision “since every citizen knows that the real source of power of Pakistan’s oppressive and oppressive army is its financial and commercial institutions.”
He said because of “these economic resources, this (Pakistan) army has been imposing its influence on the country and the nation for the past 77 years and has ruined the lives of every section of the nation.”
He said, “These same military institutions are behind every evil and corruption that has taken place in the beloved homeland.”
Accordingly, the leadership of TTP decided that in the future, along with security personnel, the commercial and economic institutions of the army will also be targeted “so that their backs can be broken economically and their evil can be eradicated”, he said.
Khorasani said since the two-month “grace period” given to the shopkeepers to sell the military products in their shops to avoid financial losses is over, the TTP has “ordered all Mujahideen to burn or otherwise destroy military products. Similarly, the vehicles transporting these products should also be set on fire.”
He said the “prominent business entities” run by the military are : NLC, FWO, Fauji Cement, Askari Bank, Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), Askari Cement, Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF), Fauji Foundation, Fauji Foods, Askari Fuels and DHA. (NVI)
