Sushma Swaraj Raises Pulwama Attack With Chinese Foreign Minister

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday, 27 February, raised the Pulwama suicide attack on the CRPF soldiers in her bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wuzhen, a day after India destroyed a major terror training camp in Pakistan.

“I am visiting China at a time when there is grief and anger in India. It is the worst terrorist attack directed against our security forces in Jammu and Kashmir,” Swaraj said in her opening remarks during the meeting held on the side-lines of Russia, India, China Foreign Ministers meeting.

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External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj raised the recent Pulwama suicide attack on the CRPF soldiers in her bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wuzhen, a day after India destroyed a major terror training camp in Pakistan.

“I am visiting China at a time when there is grief and anger in India. It is the worst terrorist attack directed against our security forces in Jammu and Kashmir,” she said in her opening remarks during the meeting held on the side-lines of Russia, India, China Foreign Ministers meeting.

“The attack was carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammad, the Pakistan-based and supported terrorist organisation,” she said.

Pakistan Armed Forces spokesperson, Major General Asif Ghafoor, on Twitter claimed "Indian Air Force violated Line of Control. Pakistan Air Force immediately scrambled. Indian aircraft gone back."

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday, 25 February, said that India's "dream" of isolating Pakistan will never be fulfilled, amidst simmering tensions between the two countries following the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers.

Addressing a conference on Kashmir in Islamabad, Qureshi said a number of foreign dignitaries were scheduled to visit Pakistan in near future.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Muhammad will be the chief guest on Pakistan Day Parade on 23 March, he said. He said German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas will pay the visit on 12 March and the EU High Representative will also visit Islamabad soon.

Qureshi said India's "dream" of isolating Pakistan will never be fulfilled.

Qureshi said Pakistan was not in favour any conflict with India.

Talking about the heightened tensions after the Pulwama attack, he said India's response was predictable. "It behaved in the same manner as it did after Mumbai attacks," he said.

The Foreign Minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan offered help in probe the sucide attack and also announced that Pakistan would not allow its soil to be used against any country.

Pakistan's Senate or upper house of the parliament on Monday unanimously passed a resolution condemning "threats" by India in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, PTI reported.

The resolution - moved by Raja Zafar-ul-Haq of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz - appreciated the Imran Khan-led government's stance of offering assistance to India in investigations of the attack and to take action on actionable intelligence or evidence, Radio Pakistan reported.

Four out of the five CRPF personnel injured in the Pulwama attack on 14 February have been discharged.

One soldier is still undergoing treatment at 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar, ANI reported.

NIA investigators pieced together remnants of the vehicle – used by the suicide bomber in the Pulwama terror attack – from the scene of incident. They identified it with the support of forensic and automobile experts.

A Maruti Eeco vehicle with Chassis number MA3ERLF1SOO183735 Engine G12BN164140 was sold to Md Jaleel Ahmed Haqani, a resident of Heaven colony, Anantnag, in the year 2011.

It subsequently exchanged hands seven times and finally reached Sajjad Bhat, son of Md Maqbool Bhat, who is a resident of Anantnag's Bijbehara.

Sajjad, who had acquired the vehicle on 4 February 2019, was a student of Siraj-ul-Uloom in Shopain. A raid was conducted by an NIA team at his house with the help of J&K Police on 23 February. However, Sajjad was at his house and has been evading arrest since then. He has reportedly joined JeM. A photograph circulating on social media purportedly shows him holding weapons.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday, 25 February, telephoned his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and briefed him about the regional situation in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers, PTI reported.

In a statement, Pakistan's Foreign Office said that State Councillor Wang thanked the foreign minister for the call and appreciated Pakistan's efforts.

"He agreed that the unfolding regional situation was serious with implications for peace and security of the entire region," it said.

The EU on Sunday, 24 February, asked Pakistan to take "clear and sustained" actions targeting not only all UN-listed transnational terrorist groups but also individuals claiming responsibility for attacks in the wake of the Pulwama terror strike, PTI reported.

Federica Mogherini, high representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy and vice president of the EU Commission, urged Pakistan and India to urgently "de-escalate" tensions between the two countries.

She spoke to Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and discussed the current situation, a delegation of the European Union (EU) said in a statement.

The Supreme Court on Monday, 25 February, dismissed a plea seeking probe into an alleged conspiracy behind the February 14 Pulwama terror attack.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna was hearing a PIL filed by lawyer Vineet Dhanda. The plea sought probe into an alleged conspiracy in the attack which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.

The PIL said that nearly 370 kg of RDX was used to carry out the attack and it required a through probe, PTI reported.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday, 25 February, alleged that though the Modi government had intelligence inputs about the Pulwama attack, it did not take any step as it was more keen on "playing politics over the dead bodies of jawans."

Banerjee said this while addressing the Trinamool Congress' extended core committee meeting in Kolkata.

"The central government was aware that such an attack can take place, there were intelligence inputs. Then why didn't the government take action to protect our jawans. The government allowed them to die, so that they can do politics over the dead bodies of jawans in the elections," Banerjee said.

They want to create a "war hysteria" ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the TMC president alleged, PTI reported.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday, 24 February asked his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to "give peace a chance" and assured him that he "stands by" his words and will "immediately act" if New Delhi provides Islamabad with "actionable intelligence" on the Pulwama attack.

Khan's remarks came a day after Modi in a rally in Rajasthan said, "There is consensus in the entire world against terrorism. We are moving ahead with strength to punish the perpetrators of terrorism...The scores will be settled this time, settled for good...This is a changed India, this pain will not be tolerated...We know how to crush terrorism."

A statement released by the Pakistan Prime Minister's Office said, "PM Imran Khan stand by his words that if India gives us actionable intelligence, we will immediately act." PM Modi should "give peace a chance", Khan said in the statement.

Muslim religious leaders and scholars on Sunday condemned the terror attack at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed and blamed Pakistan for the dastardly act.

At a convention, called 'Rashtriya Ekta Adhiveshan', held under the aegis of 'Rashtriya Shia Sufi Sangh', prominent Muslim religious leaders and scholars condemned the Pulwama terror attack and held Pakistan responsible for the same, a release issued by the organiser said.

They hailed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that India's fight was against terrorists and not against the Kashmiris.

Pakistani authorities have appointed two administrators to supervise a seminary and a mosque believed to be the headquarters of the Jaish-e-Mohammad, the terror outfit which claimed responsibility for the Pulwama suicide attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Punjab government in Pakistan has appointed the administrators two days after it announced taking over the control of Madrassatul Sabir and Jamia-e-Masjid Subhanallah in Bahawalpur, over 400-km from Lahore.

The seminary and mosque are believed to be the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit.

"The Punjab government has appointed Mohammad Ali, district Auqaf administrator and Ghulam Abbas, regional Auqaf administrator to supervise the administrative affairs of Jamia-e-Masjid Subhanallah and Madrassatul Sabir, Bahawalpur, respectively," said a senior official of the Punjab government.

Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday announced enhancement of Risk and Hardship Allowance under RH Matrix for CAPF personnel from Rs 9700 to Rs 17300 per month for troops upto the rank of Inspector & from 16900 to 25000 for officers.

(Source: ANI)

Amidst heightened Indo-Pak tensions, Pakistan’s three former foreign secretaries have urged their government to be prepared to deter any “aggressive action” by India after the deadly Pulwama terror attack while engaging in “robust diplomacy” to end the crisis peacefully.

In a joint article published in Dawn newspaper on Sunday, former foreign secretaries Riaz Hussain Khokhar, Riaz Mohammad Khan and Inamul Haq urged the media, political leadership, intelligentsia and public opinion makers in the two countries to show "responsibility to exercise restraint and take measures to bring some equanimity to the troubled environment".

Titled 'A time for restraint', the article started with asserting that "Tension between Pakistan and India is dangerously high" as Prime Minister Modi gave a free hand to his army to take retaliatory action for Pulwama.

“This fraught situation can spark a conflict with incalculable consequences for both Pakistan and India. Can they pull back from the brink?” they wrote.

They held that “Pulwama is not Mumbai” because the “signature is clearly that of an indigenous operation” and unlike Mumbai when India followed restraint, New Delhi after Pulwama “resorted to beat the drums of war.”

They wrote that "Pakistan faces the challenge to avert a catastrophe that Indian actions may precipitate in South Asia." "First and foremost, Pakistan must be ready to deter any possible aggressive action, without being provocative. Preparedness will itself pre-empt escalation," they said.

Asking India for serious response to Prime Minister Imran Khan's offer to investigate any actionable information, they said, "simultaneously, Pakistan is engaged in and must continue robust diplomacy at every level internationally, bilaterally and at the United Nations".

The BSF on Saturday, 23 February, was brought back to Srinagar after 14 years as the Centre moved 100 additional companies of paramilitary troops to Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, officials said, as per PTI.

Home Ministry sources in Delhi said that 100 companies of paramilitary forces, including 35 from the BSF, are being deployed as part of a routine pre-election exercise ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Officials said the BSF has been brought back to the Valley after 14 years.

They said the force was temporarily deployed in the Valley – for a week – during the unrest of 2016, but was withdrawn immediately.

The Kashmir divisional administration on Saturday, 23 February, asked the general public “not to heed the rumours suggesting other motives” behind the fuel rationing and sought their cooperation.

“Rationing of fuel ordered because of shortage of stocks from persistent closure of highway. Efforts are underway to replenish the stocks at the earliest and the rationing order will be withdrawn as soon as the stocks are received,” the administration said, as per ANI.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Saturday, 23 February, tweeted saying that party president Farooq Abdullah has reached out to Union Minister Rajnath Singh about the panic spreading across the Valley, forcing people to ration up on resources.

“He has requested the Union government to step in with a statement and steps that reassure people,” Omar said.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Saturday tweeted saying that the administration should take steps to reduce sense of panic in Jammu and Kashmir.

Twenty-seven villages along the Line of Control in Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district have been asked to vacate at short notice, reports Hindustan Times.

Earlier, news agency PTI reported that people in villages along Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have also been asked by authorities to remain alert amidst mounting.

The joint resistance leadership (JRL) on Saturday called for a shutdown on Sunday against the arbitrary arrest of JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik and the mass crackdown and ‘illegal detention’ of more than 200 Jamaat-e -Islami cadre and leadership.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reportedly in a meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

Meanwhile, the leaves of commandants have been cancelled and public services like health have been asked to gear up for emergency-like situation.

Reacting on the movement of 100 additional companies to Jammu and Kashmir, Home Ministry sources said that the movement of troops was pre-election induction.

Meanwhile, the Government Medical College in Srinagar cancelled winter vacation of its faculty members and directed them to positively report for work on Monday.

The Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, which provides ration to people through its outlets, has directed its staff members in south Srinagar to ensure completing sale of food grains in their respective areas by Saturday evening.

They were also directed to keep ration depots and sale outlets open on Sunday as well.

Protests were held at various places on Saturday in Nepal over Pulwama terror attack, reports news agency ANI. Hundreds of people gathered at Parsa, Majottari Rupandehi and other adjoining districts staged demonstration, condemning the attack and expressing solidarity with India, according to officials.

Lt Gen YK Joshi, General Officer Commanding “Fire & Fury Corps” visited forward locations in Western Ladakh today and reviewed operational preparedness in the sector, reports news agency ANI.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has written a letter to the UN rights chief over alleged human rights violations in Kashmir, reported news agency PTI.

Qureshi said his letter to UN High Commissioner for the Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Friday was a follow up on his letter dated December 16, 2018 over "the deteriorating human rights situation" in Kashmir.

"I wish to underscore that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory," he said.

"The issue of Jammu and Kashmir remains an outstanding item on the agenda of UN Security Council," Qureshi said.

Condemning the attacks on Kashmiris following the Pulwama incident, PM Modi said, “Our fight is against terrorism and enemies of humanity. Our fight is for Kashmir not against Kashmir, not against Kashmiris. What happened to Kashmiri students in last few days, such things should not happen in this country”.

In an appeal to the families of the martyrs, prime minister said, “Not just India, entire world is with you. Have faith on the soldiers and the government”.

He also said that in New India, the government will not sit back and bear the pain as it knows how to fight with terrorism.

Nearly 150 people, mainly from the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir including its chief Abdul Hamid Fayaz, were detained during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday as tension gripped the Valley ahead of a hearing by the Supreme Court on Article 35A of the Constitution, reported news agency PTI.

Though police termed the detentions as routine saying that leaders and potential stone pelters have been picked up in the past, officials privy to the developments said this is the first major crackdown on the Jamaat-e-Islamia.

Members of National Conference hold protest march against the recent alleged attacks on Kashmiris.

“We are protesting against targeting of Kashmir businessmen and students in different parts of the country. No word of sympathy was given by the PM Modi. Everyone should fight politically, in this regard we are against crackdown and gherao,” news agency ANI quoted Ali Mohammad Sagar of National Conference, as saying.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Saturday questioned the legality of the crackdown on Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir leaders, saying the "arbitrary" move will only "precipitate matters" in the state.

"In the past 24 hours, Hurriyat leaders & workers of Jamaat organisation have been arrested. Fail to understand such an arbitrary move which will only precipitate matters in J&K," Mehbooba tweeted.

"Under what legal grounds are their arrests justified? You can imprison a person but not his ideas," she said.

Police swooped on Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir members in Kashmir during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, and detained around two dozen of its cadres, including its chief Abdul Hamid Fayaz, officials said in Srinagar.

Though police termed the detentions as routine, officials privy to the developments said this is the first major crackdown on the organisation that is part of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, a separatist conglomerate.

The Jamaat issued a statement condemning the detentions and said "...The move is a well designed conspiracy to pave way for further uncertainty in the region."

The Jamaat claimed that during the intervening night of February 22 and February 23, police and other agencies launched a mass arrest drive and raided many houses in the Valley, wherein dozens of its central and district level leaders were arrested, including its Ameer (chief) Jamaat Dr Abdul Hamid Fayaz and advocate Zahid Ali (spokesperson).

North American community of Indian origin in New Jersey, which included majority of organisations of the Indian diaspora, came together on 22 February to hold a candlelight vigil in the Royal Alberts Palace in Woodbridge in protest against the Pulwama attack.

More than hundred US-based Indians protested outside the Pakistan consulate in New York, on 22 February, in the wake of the Pulwama attack.

“United States has developed a much better relationship recently with Pakistan,”said US President Donald Trump on Saturday, 23 February, reported Reuters.

Speaking at a White House event on trade negotiations with China, Trump noted that his country’s relations with Pakistan had improved over the “last short period of time.”

A group of unidentified people reportedly arrived in Bengaluru’s Indranagar branch of Karachi Bakery and demanded that its name be changed.

The people running the bakery covered the word 'Karachi' to pacify the situation, said Twitter user Prajwal.

In a circular, the Ministry of Home Affairs has authorised 100 paramilitary companies to be rushed to Jammu and Kashmir with immediate effect. The CRPF has been requested to “ensure immediate movement” of the armed forces, by the ministry.

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Yasin Malik was detained Friday, 22 February, night amid indications of a wider crackdown on separatists in Jammu and Kashmir, officials told PTI.

Police and paramilitary forces have been put on high alert but there was no confirmation about any more detentions, reported the news agency.

US President Donald Trump said that the India-Pakistan standoff, in the aftermath of Pulwama attack, is a “very dangerous situation,” reported AFP.

"It's very dangerous situation between the two countries," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Indian-Americans from in and around Chicago on Friday held peaceful protests outside the Pakistani and Chinese diplomatic missions.

They urged the Chinese Consulate in Chicago that Beijing should "stop sheltering and supporting hard line extremist terrorists" at the United Nations.

"China should urge Pakistan to stop supporting terrorism worldwide," Bharat Barai, chairman of Indian American Cultural Centre, said in a memorandum to the Consul General of China in Chicago.

This was the first ever protest by the Indian-American community in front of the Chinese Consulate in Chicago.

The National Students Union of India’s Goa President Ahraz Mulla wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman making a "request to stop the dancing on songs at Wagah Border during the period of mourning," reported ANI.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has written a letter to the United Nations Security Council accusing India of threatening regional security, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Friday, a day after the powerful UN body named Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in a statement condemning the "heinous" Pulwama attack perpetrated by the terror outfit in Jammu and Kashmir.

He also said India is accusing Pakistan for the Pulwama attack without any proof.

"It is with a sense of urgency that I draw your attention to the deteriorating security situation in our region resulting from Indian belligerence and threats of use of force against Pakistan. The situation poses a threat to international peace and security," Qureshi said in the letter addressed to UNSC president Anatolio Ndong Mba.

He alleged that India is blaming Pakistan for the Pulwama attack "to cover up its own operational and policy failures".

The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has urged the ASEAN nations and the International Community to support India’s fight against terrorists and terrorist organisations. Delivering the Valedictory Address at the 4th India-ASEAN Expo & Summit today, he said an environment of peace and security are prerequisites for trade and commerce to flourish. “This Summit must acknowledge the fact and ensure that the soil of any country should not be used for propagating terrorism,” he said.

Pakistan government has taken control of a Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters in Bahawalpur, located in the Punjab province of Pakistan, reported ANI.

British High Commission in India spokesperson has said that UK is actively pursuing the listing of Masood Azhar under UN Security Council Resolution 1267.

“We're once again actively pursuing this listing and we are working with other members of the UNSC to help achieve it.”

Hitting back at the Congress for its attack on the Modi government over the Pulwama terror attack, the BJP said some political parties are “not standing with the country” for petty politics when nations across the world have backed India.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra dismissed as lies the Congress' claim that Prime Narendra Modi was “completely oblivious” to the terror strike or “insensitive” as he “continued” with his prior engagements after the attack, and asserted that such lies need not be responded to.

At a press conference, Patra also attacked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and some other opposition leaders, claiming that they have spoken on the same lines as Pakistan has by questioning the timing of the attack.

Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, Major General Asif Ghafoor, DG ISPR, Pakistan Army claimed that Pakistan is not preparing for war. He further alleged that it is India who is sending death threats.

He further alleged that whenever there is an important event in Pakistan or when Pakistan is “strengthening” itself, some sort of incident happens in India.

“In 2001, attack on the Indian parliament took place ahead of general and presidential elections,” he alleged in his press conference.

China's lone opposition in the 15-member UN Security Council to any mention of terrorism resulted in a delay of nearly one week in issuance of a statement by the powerful body on the dastardly Pulwama terror attack, reported PTI quoting sources.

However, the US assiduously worked as “pen holder” making various adjustments to get the approval by all other members of the Council, the sources told PTI.

While China was trying to water down the UNSC statement on Pulwama, Pakistan worked against issuance of any statement. Pakistan's Permanent representative at the UN Maleeha Lodhi even met the President of Security Council but her efforts did not bear any fruit, they said.

China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Friday sought to downplay the scathing statement issued by the powerful organ of the world body naming Jaish-e-Muhammad in the Pulwama terror attack, saying the mention of the Pakistan-based outfit was only in "general terms" and "does not represent a judgement".

Asked about the statement highlighting the role of JeM claiming the responsibility of the Pulwama attack, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters that Beijing was closely following the developments related to the terror incident.

"Yesterday, the UN Security Council issued a press statement that mentioned that a particular organisation but only in general terms. It does not represent a judgment on the attack," Geng said.

Over 300 Indian-Americans gathered at the India House in Houston to express their solidarity and mourn the killing of 40 Indian soldiers in one of the worst terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.

A condolence meeting was organised by India Culture Center Houston and Indian-American Community of Greater Houston during which the terror attack in Kashmir unanimously.

They urged that all nations need to stand together with India and the US in their fight against those carrying out such "brutal crimes".

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) arrested two alleged Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists from Deoband in Saharanpur district, Director General of Police O P Singh said on Friday, 22 February.

The two men arrested are Shahnawaz Ahmad Teli from Kulgam and Aquib Ahmad Malik from Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir.

Both were involved in recruiting members for the JeM, UP DGP OP Singh said.

The UN Security Council resolution on Pulwama attack contained specific language proposed by India through its partner countries including the naming of JeM, and calling for bringing the perpetrators of the crime to justice, offcial sources said, reported PTI.

India has mounted a diplomatic offensive to isolate Pakistan in the international community for its support to terror groups and cross border terrorism.

The UNSC resolution to bring perpetrators of the Pulwama terror attack has been adopted unanimously by the UNSC (permanent and non-permanent members) including China. It contains specific language that India had proposed via partner countries, including the naming of JeM and bring perpetrators to justice, reported ANI.

In a significant move, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday, 21 February strongly condemned the 14 February Pulwama terror attack by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group that killed 40 CRPF soldiers.

UNSC underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of "the reprehensible acts" of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.

"The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in over 40 Indian paramilitary forces dead and dozens wounded on 14 February, 2019, for which Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility," a press statement issued by the UNSC body said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan authorised the military to "respond decisively and comprehensively to any aggression or misadventure" by India, amidst heightened tensions between the two sides following the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers.

Prime Minister Khan, who chaired a key meeting of the National Security Council said the Pakistan government was "determined to demonstrate" that it is capable of protecting its people.

He authorised the armed forces of Pakistan to "respond decisively and comprehensively to any aggression or misadventure by India," said a statement issued after the meeting.

"This is a new Pakistan and we are determined to demonstrate to our people that the State is capable of protecting them," Khan was quoted as saying by the Radio Pakistan.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday announced that the government has decided to hold India's share of water flowing to Pakistan. Rather, the water from the Eastern rivers will be diverted to the people in Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab, he said in a tweet.

Gadkari’s tweet comes a week after at least 40 CRPF personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama terror attack which was claimed by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). However, the project’s implementation was already approved in December 2018.

“The construction of dam has started at Shahpur-Kandi on Ravi river. Moreover, UJH project will store our share of water for use in J&K and the balance water will flow from 2nd Ravi-BEAS Link to provide water to other basin states,” he said.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday chaired a key meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) during which the country's security situation was discussed, amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, PTI reported.

Ahead of the NSC meeting, Prime Minister Khan and Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa held a one-on-one meeting during which they discussed the region's security situation, Geo TV reported, citing sources.

Later during the NSC meeting, the Pulwama attack and situation arising out of it were discussed, the channel said, quoting sources.