World

India-Pakistan Fighting: PM Sharif says Pakistan responding to attacks

India-Pakistan Fighting: PM Sharif says Pakistan responding to attacks

PM Sharif says Pakistan responding to attacks

Wednasday, May 7, 2025

In a post on X, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decried the strike as an “act of war”.

“Pakistan has every right to give a befitting reply to this act of war imposed by India and a befitting reply is being given,” he said.

“The enemy will never be allowed to succeed in his nefarious objectives,” he said, adding that the morale of the Pakistani nation is high.

India accuses Pakistan of firing into village in Indian-administered Kashmir

The Indian military says Pakistan fired into Bhimber Gali, a village near the Line of Control (LoC) dividing Pakistan- and India-administered Kashmir.

In a post on X, the army said it is “responding appropriately in a calibrated manner”.

‘It’s a shame,’ Trump says of India-Pakistan escalation

US President Donald Trump has been asked by reporters about the ongoing crisis.

“It’s a shame. We just heard about it as we were walking in the doors of the Oval (Office),” he said.

“I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past. They’ve been fighting for a long time,” the US president added.

"I hope it ends very quickly."

Pakistan’s PM summons National Security Committee

Shehbaz Sharif has summoned the National Security Committee to meet at 10am (05:00 GMT) today, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar has said, according to state broadcaster Pakistan Television.

Head of Pakistan’s Punjab province tells residents to stay in their homes

Maryam Nawaz Sharif, chief minister of the Pakistani province of Punjab, has urged residents to avoid leaving their homes “unnecessarily” and to heed instructions from the authorities following India’s attacks.

In a statement shared on social media, she also instructed hospitals, rescue workers, and other state institutions to “remain on alert on an emergency basis”.

“We want peace, but with respect. If war is imposed, the entire nation will become an army,” the chief minister said.

Pakistan will defend its sovereignty ‘by all means’: Foreign minister

Ishaq Dar has denounced India’s attacks as a “flagrant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty”.

“It has jeopardized regional peace,” the foreign minister wrote on X, adding that the country would defend its “sovereignty & territorial integrity by all means”.

UN chief calls for ‘maximum military restraint from both countries’

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, has released the following statement:

“The secretary-general is very concerned about the Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border.

“He calls for maximum military restraint from both countries. The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan.”

‘A dangerous escalation’
Kamal Hyder, Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan

These attacks took place at several different locations.

According to the Pakistani military sources, Pakistan is right now responding with the befitting response at several locations across the Line of Control and across the border.

We were able to hear fighter jets up in the air.

So it is indeed an evolving situation, but Pakistan is now confirming that it is already carrying out reprisal attacks against the Indian missile attack.

This is a dangerous escalation given the fact that Pakistan has said that it wanted concrete evidence after the Pahalgam attack, saying that India was quick to point the finger of blame at it.

Pakistan said it wanted a neutral inquiry; the attackers are still at large and Pakistan said this was a knee-jerk reaction.

US says it’s in touch with both Pakistan and India

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce has called on both countries to “work towards a responsible resolution that maintains long-term peace and regional stability in South Asia”.

“We remain in touch with the governments of both countries at multiple levels,” she said.

The United States has close relations with India and voiced solidarity after April’s attack. Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week called top officials from both nuclear-armed nations and advised de-escalation.

India-Pakistan fighting: India fires missiles into Pakistan

India-Pakistan fighting: India fires missiles into Pakistan

6 May, 2025
India’s army has launched "Operation Sindoor" – hitting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan’s military says India attacked Pakistan with missiles in three places and that Islamabad will respond.

The Indian army said, "Justice is served" in a post on X after the missiles were fired.

Tensions have been escalating between India and Pakistan since the deadly attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, 2025 which India blamed on Pakistan. Pakistan has denied any involvement.

Pakistan will respond ‘at a time and place of its own choosing’

The spokesman for Pakistan’s armed forces has said the military respond to India’s strike "at a time and place of its own choosing".

"It will not go unanswered,"
the spokesman said in the statement, which was carried by the Associated Press of Pakistan.

DG ISPR:

India has struck three places from air.
Bahawalpur, Kotli and Muzaffarabad

All planes of Pakistan Air Force are airborne. All strikes were made by India from its own airspace.

Pakistan will respond to it at a time and place of its own choosing. It will not go… pic.twitter.com/AdL6lIh0jr

— APP (@appcsocialmedia) May 6, 2025

Pakistani military says 2 killed, 12 injured

We’ll bring you more on the aftermath of India’s attacks as soon as we can.

Pakistani military official: India attacks targeted 3 cities

Abid Hussain, Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan

Lieutenant Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, director general of public relations for Pakistan’s Armed Forces, confirmed India fired missiles at three different cities.

Chaudhry said the attacks were launched from India’s territory and no breach of Pakistani airspace took place.

The missiles targeted the civilian population in Muzzafarabad and Kotli in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, as well as in Bahawalpur, a city in Pakistan’s Punjab province, he said.

In depth analysis  with kemal Hyder.

US urges India and Pakistan to de-escalate Kashmir tensions after deadly attack

US urges India and Pakistan to de-escalate Kashmir tensions after deadly attack

Thursday, May 1, 2025
Tensions are rising between India and Pakistan following the killing of 26 tourists in Indian Kashmir. India blames Pakistan for the attack — an allegation Islamabad strongly denies. In response, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged both nuclear-armed neighbors to de-escalate the situation and avoid further violence.

Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford reports .

Israel violating international law in Palestinian territories: UN expert

Israel violating international law in Palestinian territories: UN expert

Thursday, May 1, 2025  
As the International Court of Justice examines Israel’s conduct in the war on Palestinian territories and its responsibilities as an occupying power, Al Jazeera's Sami Zeidan interviews Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Albanese outlines Israel’s repeated violations of international law and UN resolutions.

US-Ukraine deal amid ongoing Russian attacks

US-Ukraine deal amid ongoing Russian attacks

Thursday, May 1, 2025  
Those attacks come as the US and Ukraine announced the establishment of a reconstruction investment fund. Ukraine's prime minister says the details will be discussed in parliament in the coming hours. The long-awaited agreement allows Washington access to Kyiv's rare earth minerals. The US says the deal is proof it's committed to a peace process that will end the Russia-Ukraine war.

Al Jazeera’s Zein Basravi joins live from Ukraine's capital Kyiv.

Pahalgam attack: India stops visa service for Pakistani citizens, what steps did India take against Pakistan?

Pahalgam attack: India stops visa service for Pakistani citizens, what steps did India take against Pakistan?

Thursday, 24 April 2025

India on Thursday, 24 April 2025 announced the suspension of visa services for Pakistani citizens with immediate effect.

Giving this information, the Indian Foreign Ministry said, "The decision has been taken in view of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam." The Indian Foreign Ministry said that all the existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani citizens will be considered canceled from 27 April 2025. Medical visas issued to Pakistani citizens will be valid only till 29 April 2025. Indian citizens are advised not to travel to Pakistan. All Indian citizens who are currently in Pakistan are also advised to return to India as soon as possible."

On Tuesday, 22 April 2025, terrorists attacked Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir and killed 26 people. Many were injured. Most of the people killed were tourists.

Pahalgam is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Kashmir.

What steps did India take against Pakistan?

On Wednesday, 23 April 2025, the Cabinet of Security Affairs headed by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in New Delhi Many decisions were taken in the meeting of the Committee (CCS).

India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had said that cross border linkages of this terrorist attack have been found. After this, India informed about the decisions taken in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security Affairs.

Many decisions were taken in this meeting, including suspending the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan and closing the Attari border. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed about the decisions taken in the CCS meeting.

India has decided to suspend the 1960 Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan with immediate effect. This decision will remain in force until Pakistan stops supporting cross-border terrorism in a credible manner.

India has also decided to close the Attari Integrated Check Post with immediate effect. The government has said that those who have come here on the basis of valid documents can go back through this route before 1 May 2025.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that now Pakistani citizens will not be able to travel to India on the basis of visas issued under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). Visas previously issued to Pakistani citizens under SVES will be considered cancelled. All Pakistani citizens who are in India under SVES will have to leave India within 48 hours.

The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Force advisers of the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata. They have been given a week's time to leave India. India is also recalling the Defence/Military, Naval and Air Force advisers of its High Commission in Islamabad. These posts will be considered abolished in both the High Commissions.

Five support staff of these military advisers will also be withdrawn from both the High Commissions.

The number of employees in the High Commissions will be gradually reduced from 55 to 30. This decision will come into effect from May 1, 2025.

The CCS reviewed the security situation in India and asked the security forces to remain extremely vigilant.

It was said in the meeting that strict action will be taken against those who conspired for the Pahalgam attack.

Pahalgam attack: Pakistan takes strict steps in response to India's action

Pahalgam attack: Pakistan takes strict steps in response to India's action

Thursday, 24 April 2025

After the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan has also announced to take several steps in response to India's action against Pakistan.

Several decisions were taken in the National Security Council meeting held in Islamabad on Thursday, 24 April 2025, under the chairmanship of Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

These include the announcement of suspending bilateral agreements with India, closing airspace and borders and suspending trade.

Like India, Pakistan has also asked defense advisors and their assistants to leave the country. Also, it has limited its diplomatic staff.

The statement of this meeting rejected India's decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty, saying that any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water of Pakistan's share under this treaty would be considered an act of war and would be responded to with full force.

The statement said that in view of India's reckless and irresponsible behaviour of willfully disregarding international conventions, UN Security Council resolutions and international obligations, Pakistan will exercise the right to suspend all bilateral agreements with India, including the Shimla Agreement, until India desists from its behaviour of promoting terrorism within Pakistan, committing killings abroad and non-compliance with UN resolutions on Kashmir.

Pakistan has announced the immediate closure of its airspace to all airlines owned or operated by India, as well as the immediate closure of the Wagah border.

However, as per the announcement, those who have crossed the border into India with valid documents can return through this route till April 30, 2025.

Pakistan has suspended all visas granted to all Indian nationals under the SAARC Visa Waiver Programme, except Sikh pilgrims, and said these should be treated as cancelled. Indian nationals residing in Pakistan on such visas have been directed to leave the country within 48 hours.

Further, the announcement said that all trade with India is also being suspended and this will also apply to trade through any third country.

Pakistan has also declared Indian defence/military advisers in Islamabad as persona non grata and asked them to leave the country immediately, while the support staff of these advisers have also been directed to return.

According to the announcement, the number of staff at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad will be limited to 30 from April 30, 2025.

Pakistan's National Security Council has said that in the absence of any credible investigation and verifiable evidence, attempts to link the Pahalgam attack to Pakistan are futile, irrational and a sign of logical failure.

The statement also said that Pakistan condemns all forms of terrorism without any discrimination and has suffered heavy losses as a leading country in the world against terrorism.

The Council says that India's clichéd narrative of being a victim cannot hide its culpability in promoting terrorism on Pakistani soil nor can it divert attention from the systematic and human rights violations taking place in India's Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan has said that contrary to Indian claims, it has irrefutable evidence of Indian-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan, including the confession of former Indian Navy officer Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav.

Russia’s Putin declares unilateral Easter ceasefire in Ukraine conflict

Russia’s Putin declares unilateral Easter ceasefire in Ukraine conflict

Sunday, Apr 20, 2025  
President Vladimir Putin has announced a unilateral Easter truce in Russia’s war on Ukraine, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said shortly after that Ukrainian air defence units were fighting off an attack by Russian drones, adding that it was “another attempt by Putin to play with human lives”. Zelenskyy said on X that, “air raid alerts are spreading across Ukraine” and “Shahed drones in our skies reveal Putin’s true attitude toward Easter and toward human life”.

Al Jazeera’s Zein Basravi reports from Kyiv, while Yulia Shapovalova joins live from Moscow. Meanwhile, Hanna Shelest, Director of the Security Studies Program at Ukrainian Prism—a foreign policy and security think tank—joins Al Jazeera’s live from Odesa, Ukraine.

Trump threatens to abandon efforts to broker peace in Ukraine

Trump threatens to abandon efforts to broker peace in Ukraine

Saturday, Apr 19, 2025  
Nearly 100 days into his presidency, Donald Trump's made little headway in his efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Moscow rejected his 30-day ceasefire proposal. And Trump has butted heads with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy. His soft stance towards Moscow is worrying European allies. Meanwhile, the fighting continues unabated. Trump is now threatening to abandon efforts to broker peace. Is it a threat to pressure Presidents Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy?

Presenter: Dareen Abughaida
Guests:
Vladimir Sotnikov, Associate Professor of International Relations, Higher School of Economics
Donald Jensen, Former US diplomat in Moscow
Mattia Nelles, Chief Executive, German-Ukrainian Bureau think-tank

Meme warfare in Trump’s battle with Beijing

Meme warfare in Trump’s battle with Beijing

Saturday, Apr 19, 2025
A trade war that pits the world’s two largest economies against each other is now under way. Alongside the tariff battle is a heated battle of narratives and messages between the two countries.

Contributors:
Andy Mok - Senior Research Fellow, Center for China and Globalisation
Jude Russo - Managing Editor, The American Conservative
Isaac Stone Fish - CEO, Strategy Risks
Yun Sun - Director of China Program, Stimson Center

On our radar

On April 15, the civil war in Sudan hit the two-year mark. The Sudanese media landscape has been devastated. According to Reporters Without Borders, since the war began, nearly 450 journalists have fled the country. Meenakshi Ravi has more.

How Trump’s '51st state' talk galvanised Canadian voters

Donald Trump’s public musings about how Canada should become the United States’ 51st state, has Canadians rallying around their flag. The Listening Post’s Ryan Kohls discusses the Trump effect and the unprecedented impact it is having on Canadian nationalism and politics.

Featuring:
Rachel Gilmore – Host, Bubble Pop
Jonathan Kay – Editor, Quillette
David Moscrop – Author and Journalist