This week, the Indian-Pakistani conflict over the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir erupted with a bang when the Pakistani military declared on February 27 that it had shot down 2 Indian aircraft inside Pakistani airspace.
A spokesperson for the military Major General Asif Ghafoor said that one of the jets fell inside the Pakistani-controlled part of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while the other fell inside the Indian-controlled part of the region. He said that “one Indian pilot was arrested by troops on the ground while two were in the area.” Later the captured pilot was identified as Wing Commander Abhi Nandan.
In turn, India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar, said that only one aircraft, a MiG-21 fighter, was shot down with the pilot missing in action. He said one Pakistani aircraft was shot down, something Pakistan denied.
Kumar claimed that the Pakistani military used its jets to “target military installations on the Indian side” but due to India’s “high state of readiness and alertness Pakistan’s attempts were foiled successfully.”
Meanwhile, an Indian military Mi-17 helicopter also crashed in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir. Most likely, the helicopter was downed as a part of the ongoing escalation.
A new round of tensions between the sides has been growing since February 14 when radical armed group Jaish-e-Muhammad carried out a suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir killing at least 42 Indian paramilitary soldiers. According to existing data, the suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into a bus carrying paramilitary troopers in Lethpora village, on the road which connects Srinagar with the region’s southern parts. The attacked bus was part of a convoy consisting of 78 vehicles with over 2,500 personnel. The February 14 attack became the deadliest in two decades of the Kashmir conflict.
Following the incident, the Indian government in fact blamed Pakistan for it and demanded the neighbor nation stop “supporting terrorists and terror groups operating from their [its] territory.” It also appealed to the “international community to support the proposal to list terrorists, including Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar, as designated terrorists under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council.”
On February 26, Indian warplanes targeted an alleged camp of radical armed group Jaish-e-Muhammad in Pakistan’s Balakot area. The Indian side claimed that the strike was a “non-military pre-emptive action” and killed over 350 group members, including trainers and senior commanders. The Indian Foreign Ministry claimed that the airstrike was carried out as result of Pakistan’s inability to take measures to destroy the terrorist infrastructure themselves.
However, the Pakistani side commented on the attack by saying that the Indian strike did not result in any notable damage or casualties among alleged terrorists. Furthermore, Islamabad publicly rejects all accusations that it in any way assists insurgent group operating on the contact line between the two countries.
It should be noted that governments and media outlets of the both sides have a very specific manner of covering the conflict. They exaggerate casualties and guilt in escalation of their opponents and underestimate casualties and responsibility of themselves.
On February 28, the situation on the Pakistani-Indian contact line continued to escalate with both sides reinforcing their military positions, deploying additional troops and equipment and putting their nuclear forces on alert. According to some media outlets, there was even an exchange of artillery strikes.
Evaluating the recent public rhetoric of both sides it appears that while New Delhi and Islamabad are set to blame each other for the escalation, they are not interested in starting a hot regional conflict. Additionally, no global power appears to be interested in the development of this scenario.
On the other hand, this situation will lead to a further deterioration of the security situation in the region and contribute to the growth of Pakistani and Indian clandestine activities against each other. One of the key threats is that the ongoing proxy-style conflict is setting conditions for the development and expansion of radical ideologies prevalent in the insurgent groups operating in the region.
The events of February 26-27 once again show how the wretched policy of ignoring state sovereignty in the framework of military actions described as anti-terror efforts has once again led to negative consequences for regional security. While this does not justify the actions of the sides instigating the insurgency of groups with radical ideology and using radical methods, the implementation of this approach itself is often one of the reasons for repeated escalations.
A similar situation can be observed in Syria and Lebanon, where the Israeli military carries out illegal aerial operations and then appears to be wondering why this does not lead to the de-escalation of the regional conflicts.
“The events of February 26-27 once again show how the wretched policy of ignoring state sovereignty in the framework of military actions described as anti-terror efforts has once again led to negative consequences for regional security. While this does not justify the actions of the sides instigating the insurgency of groups with radical ideology and using radical methods, the implementation of this approach itself is often one of the reasons for repeated escalations.” <- That should have been cut out.
Something is fishy about the dual terror attacks in Iran and India-controlled Kashmir. Both attacks use the same method and apparently the type of explosive is similar. Terror attacks in Iranian soil which was originated from somewhere in Pakistan have happened before and Iranian officials asked Pakistani counterparts numerous times to pay attention to the border. After the attack Iranian officials spoke with a tone that I never heard from them, issued warnings of taking the matter into their own hand if Pakistan doesn’t do anything, the rhetoric calmed down quickly as soon as they met with Pakistani officials in Tehran, but for India the situation got worse.
What makes these 2 attacks more suspicious is the timing (one day apart) and in the wake of Saudi clown prince visit of Pakistan. To me it seems the attacks were planned to push Pakistani government to the arms of Saudis (which means Americans) even more by deteriorating the relations between Pakistan and it’s 2 big neighbours. Pakistan already has a lawless border with Afghanistan and new hostilities with Iran and India would undoubtedly make it’s leaders extremely nervous. The stage was set beforehand by cutting US military aids to Pakistan which resulted in deficit and economic hardship. Seems by creating financial and security concerns for the new Pak PM (who started unfriendly towards the US but I don’t know about him enough to be sure if he’s genuine, I have my doubts) they try to push them to Saudi/American and away from Iran/China. The situation with Iran seems to be mended (Pakistan declared they’ll fence the 950km border with Iran and monitor it more actively) but with India it’s another matter. It’s amazing how people think Nationalist Hindus are peaceful because, duh, Hindu! In reality nothing is further from the truth. New India after it’s independence started a few wars of conquest and devoured a few countries/states/principalities aside from their 3 wars with Pakistan. The Modi government is very sectarian in nature and rabidly anti-Muslim, the situation in Kashmir is worse than ever and let’s not forget their last year adventure in border with China (sending troops to stop a road construction inside another nation’s soil). If you start that sentence with I___ instead of India, it will be indistinguishable from Israel, quite telling.
So far Pakistan presented the world with evidence for their claims and acted mature by calling for dialogue and declaring they’ll release the Indian pilot to show their goodwill, something which India didn’t in all cases. OTOH, Pakistan is not without it’s own faults and shortcomings. Pakistan army has a mind of it’s own and not always follows the country’s civilian leadership. It’s intelligence agency is under control of army and has a track record of dealing with extremist Wahhabi and Sunni groups. Murdering Shi’as in Pakistan is frequent and so far the various governments were unable (or unwilling) to stop it.
Iran played it’s part to bring India and Pakistan together (i.e the Peace Pipeline, a project to bring them closer by sharing an energy lifeline which went all the way to Iran-Pakistan border but now is dead because Pakistan cancelled it under US/Saudi pressure. Iran-Oman-India pipeline replaced it but unknown if comes to fruition). Cooperation between the 3 countries along with China could bring prosperity, peace and wealth to all, alas Saudis and US has too much influence on Pakistani politics and the recent plot and it’s result (even more Saudi influence) spells disaster for all, including Afghanistan.
Let’s hope cooler heads prevail and these 2 nations with common blood and history can address their artificial differences. Stupid disputes, courtesy of Britain, like always and anywhere the British were involved in plotting a border.
Radical Al Saudi-supported Salafi Jihadist are activated by their paymaster. Then Clown Prince MBS Muhammad Bone Saw, goes around trimpetting a diplomatic offensive. Probably he was offering, behind closed doors, to rein in the militants. Obviously the real Neo-Con/Lib puppeteers Clown-in-Chiefs are located across the Atlantic and PlayStation Conqueror MBS is being played himself.
Same tactics were tried against Russians prior Sochi Winter Olympics. The only way to stop the terror on the short- & middle-long term is to blunt Mohammed Bone Saw. A definitive solution will only come when in NYC & D.C. the puppeteers are downsized by the American people.
Maybe I’m off topic: However, I note that an Indian MiG 21 has taken out a Pakistani F16.
So, 50s Russian design and 60’s built takes out 70s Yanki design and 90’s/00’s build
Yeah but the Mig was piloted by a geriatric.
All out war would bring a smile to the face of the Americun regime.
Southfront’s comment section is full of muslims. Why am I surprised? I thought most of the opposition to the US-Jew-Saudi Axis was based on principles and a desire to support Russia, Iraq, Syria and others standing up to said axis.
I was wrong. Based on the comments I’m seeing, this forum is mostly just muslims that hate Isreal based on religion. Most of you are supporting Russia only because they oppose the Jew agenda in the Middle East.
Pakistan is a Sunni dominated terror state that has been sponsoring terrorists and militants for many decades. Pakistan is basically Turkey only much, much worse both ideologically. Pakistan created and managed the entire Taliban movement from the start; by the way. They are the reason Russia lost Afghanistan. Pakistan backed Al-Queda and sheltered bin Laden until he was found and killed on a Pak army base.
Yep I’m a true blue mussie, got me beer, a true blue mussie beer, a XXXX, and some good buds, and I always pray facing Bondi, Skippy Akbar.
No argument on Isreal, but if you’re supporting Pakistan while backing Russia and Assad, then I must ask… WTF are you thinking? ARE you even thinking?
I’m not on either side, but I am against the people who arranged this fight, the USA, and or Israel. Starting wars and selling weapons to both sides is an old tactic of the US, the Iran Iraq war comes to mind.
Blabla… nice dodge but I it’s obvious where most of your sympathies lie. It’s with the country that has blasphemy laws and sponsors terrorists, not the secular folks.
I’ll make it simple: in South Asia, Pakistan = Turkey/Saudi/ISIS while India = Russia/Syria (oversimplified, but an apt comparison).
You guys are suffering a severe case of cognitive dissonance here.
They know what you don’t… update yourself about Pakistan instead of sounding like a CIA mercenary when it comes to Pak. And excuse me btw… if Russia can side with Syria and Iran and also Israel whats wrong with these guys saying what they have said?
People don’t hate Israel because of religion, they hate them because they are cu*ts.
“Additionally, no global power appears to be interested in the development of this scenario.” >FALSE ” then appears to be wondering why this does not lead to the de-escalation of the regional conflicts.” >FUNNY
so many words so little said
Hard situation: Pakistan are supporters of jihadists in Syria and support al-qaeda loving Turkey. Also, Kashmiri people are being oppressed by India. But india is a good partner of Russia and a great weapon customer. And india is good leverage against US, India is also an ally of Iran. not easy to pick a side. let them fight it out or resolve it even better… peace is always best option. otherwise say goodbye to all your tech support and phone scammers lol
Boxman is bang on.southfront is prorussian and still support the Islamic line when it comes to India..all Muslims and Christians are anti Indian and India is supposed to be a friend of russia.so Putin don’t expect India to be on your side when m NATO and USA squeeze your balls
Also india uses all russian hardware.for the 1st time in hostoryi a mig has shot down a f16,that too a mig21 .but still Russians are pro Muslim who screwed the Russians in Afghanistan,and anti Indian don’t expect sympathy from India when NATO and USA bust your balls
ya me to
and i already know which army i shall bless and assist and it ain’t india
But who would win, would it be the American bomb makers supplying Pakistan, or the Israeli bomb makers supplying India?
defend ABORTION RIGHTS in Kashmir, Golan and the West Bank!
For now, Heaven is holding back the wind of the Third World War. Of course, this war will not start because of this conflict. Jesus said: “You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end (τελος – in this context: fulfillment) is not yet.” (Matthew 24:6, HCSB)
The global nuclear war, (this will be the fulfillment of the sign of Jesus), will start with an ethnic conflict: “For nation will rise against nation”, as in 2008 in Georgia. (Matthew 24:7) Then Russia will again move to help allies, but this time Americans will attack unexpectedly. (Daniel 11:29, 30)
This is the context: “And [the king of the north] will go back (to) his land with great wealth [1945. This detail indicated that Hitler will attack also the Soviet Union and will fight to the bitter end]; and his heart (will be) against the holy covenant [Soviet Union introduced state atheism and believers were repressed]; and will act [it means activity in the international arena]; and go back to his own land [1991-1993. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. Russian troops returned to their country]. At the appointed time [he] will return back [it also means the breakup of the European Union and NATO. Many countries of the former Eastern block will return to a military alliance with Russia], and will enter into the south [the detonator will be the ethnic conflict to the south of Russia’s borders], but it will not be as the former [2008 – Georgia] or as the latter [Ukraine], for the dwellers of coastlands of Kittim [USA, in the beginning without Britain] will come against him, and he will be dejected, and will go back.” (Daniel 11:28-30a)
This time it will be a world war not only by name. The “great sword” will also be used. (Revelation 6:4) Jesus characterized him in this way: “Terrors [φοβητρα] both [τε] and [και] unusual phenomena [σημεια – unusual occurrences, transcending the common course of nature] from [απ] sky [ουρανου] powerful [μεγαλα] will be [εσται].” (Luke 21:11)
Some ancient manuscripts contain the words “and frosts” [και χειμωνες]. The Aramaic Peshitta: “and will be great frosts” [וסתוא רורבא נהוון]. We call this today “nuclear winter”.
In Mark 13:8 there are also words of Jesus: “and disorders” [και ταραχαι] (in the sense of confusion and chaos). The Aramaic Peshitta: “and confusion” [ושגושיא] (on the state of public order).
There will be also significant tremors, food shortages and epidemics along the length and breadth of the regions as a result of using this weapon.
Jesus presented here a complete picture of the consequences of the global nuclear war. He also stated: “All these are but the beginning of the birth pains”. (Matthew 24:8)
Why in this forum removed the truth?