What had been the occasions that introduced India and Pakistan to the brink of conflict in 2019?
At 4:42am on February 26 4 years in the past, Pakistan Military introduced that India had despatched its planes into Pakistani territory.
By the point Pakistanis began waking up, the military’s media wing had put ahead extra data: “Indian plane intruded from Muzafarabad sector. Going through well timed and efficient response from Pakistan Air Pressure, launched payload in haste whereas escaping which fell close to Balakot. No casualties or harm.”
The following day, Pakistan responded.
However what occurred previous to Feb 26, 2019, that led to an escalation between the 2 nations?
Right here, Daybreak.com takes a glance again on the chain of occasions that introduced India and Pakistan to the brink of conflict and raised worldwide alarm in regards to the stability of the subcontinent.
Feb 14: IED blast kills 44 Indian soldiers
The epicentre of the escalation was an attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pulwama, through which greater than 40 Indian paramilitary troopers had been killed.
The assault, surpassing one in 2016 when 19 troopers died, noticed explosives packed inside a van rip by means of buses in a convoy of 78 autos carrying some 2,500 members of the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Pressure (CRPF).
Two blue buses carrying round 35 folks every bore the brunt of the explosion round 20 kilometres from the primary metropolis of Srinagar on the primary freeway in direction of Jammu.
The banned outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) claimed duty for the suicide assault, based on The Hindu and a number of different media shops
Editorial: ‘Pulwama attack’
“The fact remains that until Delhi backs down from its militarised approach to the Kashmir issue, the violence will continue. Brutality will only beget more violence. It is only through the path of negotiations involving Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris that the stand-off can be resolved. But for that India will have to shed its rigidity and recognise that Kashmir is indeed a disputed territory — a reality the international community affirms.”
Read more here.
Feb 15: Modi vows ‘strong response’ to Pulwama
The next day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his country would give a “strong response” to the Pulwama attack.
The “blood of the people is boiling” and forces behind the act of terrorism will be definitely be punished, he was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
Modi didn’t identify Pakistan however went on to say: “If our neighbour, which is completely remoted on the earth and thinks it will possibly destabilise India by means of its techniques and conspiracies, then it’s making an enormous mistake”.
Regardless that the investigation was in its preliminary phases, the US singled out Pakistan in its assertion condemning the assault.
“The US calls on Pakistan to finish instantly the help and secure haven offered to all terrorist teams working on its soil, whose solely aim is to sow chaos, violence, and terror within the area,” the statement from the White Home press secretary’s workplace stated.
In the meantime, Islamabad strongly rejected any insinuation that sought to hyperlink the assault to Pakistan with out investigations.
India withdraws Most Favoured Nation status for Pakistan
The same day, the then Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in a press briefing said that Modi’s cabinet had decided to provoke steps to make sure the full diplomatic isolation of Pakistan.
“The MFN standing that had been granted to Pakistan stands withdrawn,” he stated, including: “The Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) will provoke all attainable steps — and I’m referring to […] diplomatic steps — which should be taken to make sure the entire isolation from the worldwide neighborhood of Pakistan.”
Jaitley stated that there was “incontrovertible proof” of Pakistan “having a direct hand within the grotesque terrorist incident”.
No proof, nonetheless, was put ahead.
Feb 16: Pakistan seeks ‘actionable evidence’
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi asked India to probe the Pulwama attack and share “actionable evidence” while assuring of Pakistan’s cooperation on the matter.
In an interview, he said he had told his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and other foreign ministers, whom he met on the sidelines of Munich Security Conference, that the Indian government could undertake some misadventure to capitalise on the outpouring of grief and anger over the Pulwama incident.
Read: Pakistan asks India to share evidence, pledges cooperation
Qureshi stated Modi had two choices: “One is to behave like a typical politician and stage his reactions and coverage whereas maintaining a tally of the subsequent election. Alternatively, he has the choice of being a statesman who thinks about his area, his nation’s poverty, the betterment of his nation, in addition to regional betterment.”
The identical day Indian Performing Deputy Excessive Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia was handed a protest word over the allegations levelled by Indian officers in opposition to Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Excessive Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood was additionally summoned by the Indian exterior affairs ministry and issued a “sturdy demarche” in reference to the assault.
Moreover, Indian Excessive Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria was recalled by New Delhi for consultations within the aftermath of the bombing.
Within the midst of escalating tensions between the neighbouring nations, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman arrived in Pakistan on February 17 on his first state go to to the nation since changing into the inheritor to the throne in 2017.
Feb 17: Fear engulfs Muslims living in IOK
Kashmiris in India and occupied Kashmir bore the brunt of the Pulwama attack.
According to a report by Al Jazeera, dozens of Kashmiris had been threatened, assaulted or pressured to vacate their residences.
A complete shutdown was noticed in occupied Kashmir in opposition to the “harassment and attacking” of Kashmiri residents in India and the Valley.
PCB regrets India’s blocking of PSL coverage
The strained relations between India and Pakistan made their way to sports as well with the broadcast of the Pakistan Super League 2019 being blocked in India.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regretted India’s blocking of “all digital protection” of PSL. The cricket board’s assertion got here after the official Indian broadcaster for PSL, IMG Reliance, stated it will not be producing reside PSL matches.
Learn: India urged to boycott Pakistan clash in World Cup
Feb 18: Pakistan calls back high commissioner in India
India begins arguments in Jadhav case before ICJ
Against the backdrop of already escalating tensions between the two nuclear powers, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) formally commenced a public hearing on the conviction of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, with India presenting its arguments first.
This was the primary official confrontation between the 2 nations publish the Pulwama assault, albeit in robes, lawyer versus lawyer.
The listening to didn’t begin with out spectacle as MEA joint secretary Deepak Mittal clasped his fingers in a dramatic Namastay ignoring the hand supplied by Pakistan’s lawyer common on the time Anwar Mansoor Khan.
Learn: India fails to answer critical questions in Jadhav case: Pakistan
Op-Ed: ‘Shun the TV, stop a war’
“I have been studiously following the mantra given by George Perkovich, and, accordingly, haven’t watched Indian TV news for a couple of years or more. I would advise my Pakistani friends to do the same with their TV. Switch it off.”
Read more by Jawed Naqvi here.
Feb 19: PM Imran asks Delhi to share evidence
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s first response to the Pulwama attack and the ensuing rhetoric from India came on February 19.
Via a video message, he addressed both the nation as well as India.
He said he wanted to respond right away after Delhi had accused Pakistan of having a hand in the attack, “but we had a very important visit from the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, we had an investment conference happening that we had been preparing for for a long time”.
Prime Minister Imran said Islamabad would take action if Delhi shared any actionable evidence concerning the suicide bombing in Pulwama.
While offering cooperation and another chance at a dialogue over the Kashmir issue, the premier also warned India against any act of aggression, saying Pakistan would not hesitate in retaliating to a provocation.
He made it clear, however, that he hoped better sense would prevail.
“You wish to remain stuck in the past, and each time something happens in Kashmir, you want to hold Pakistan responsible. Instead of trying to resolve the Kashmir issue, start a dialogue or move forward, you want to make Islamabad your whipping boy again and again.
“I am telling you clearly, this is naya Pakistan. It is a new mindset, a new way of thinking. We believe that it is in our interest that our soil is not used for carrying out terrorist attacks in other countries, nor do we want outsiders to come and carry out terror attacks here. We desire stability.”
Read: ‘A measured and calculated response’ — analysts back PM Imran’s offer to India
India spurns PM Imran’s olive branch
In a statement that spurned Islamabad’s effort to defuse tensions, New Delhi described PM Imran’s assertion that Pakistan itself has been the largest sufferer of terrorism as “removed from the reality”.
“We aren’t shocked that the prime minister of Pakistan refuses to acknowledge the assault on our safety forces in Pulwama as an act of terrorism. Prime minister of Pakistan has neither chosen to sentence this heinous act nor condoled with the bereaved households,” India’s Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) complained.
Editorial: ‘PM’s bold offer’
“No doubt Pulwama is a huge tragedy for India. But the alarming rise of war hysteria in that country — propagated unabashedly by chest-thumping nationalist elements in the Narendra Modi-led government as well as the media and entertainment industries — must be stemmed before it morphs into an unstoppable monster.
“India and Pakistan must collectively work towards engagement and rein in the forces that spew venom. Both must remember that even in times of discord between our governments, saner elements in the artist and sports communities have been the doves of peace.”
Read more here.
Feb 20: UN offers help in defusing tensions
With the rhetoric and tensions rising on both sides, the international community also began to express concern over the developing situation.
Expressing deep concern “on the enhance in tensions between India and Pakistan”, UN Secretary Basic Antonio Guterres requested each South Asian nations to train most restraint and supplied his “good places of work” to ease the disaster.
US President Trump gives measured response
United States President Donald Trump said that his government would comment on the suicide bombing in Pulwama at “an appropriate time”.
While answering a question from the media regarding the attack, Trump said: “I’ve watched; I’ve obtained numerous reviews on it. We may have remark [on it] at an acceptable time. It could be fantastic in the event that they [Pakistan and India] get alongside.”
Earlier the identical day, State Division Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino throughout a press briefing stated the US authorities was in contact with each governments concerning the incident.
China hopes India, Pakistan can ‘exercise restraint’
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang, in a press conference, said: “Pakistan and India are both important countries in South Asia. A stable Pakistan-India relationship is crucial to regional peace, stability and development.
“At present, the situation in South Asia is generally stable, which is hard-won and should be cherished and upheld by relevant parties. China hopes that Pakistan and India can exercise restraint, engage in dialogues and realize an early soft landing of this issue.”
Saudi Arabia stresses need for ‘de-escalation’
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Saudi International Minister Adel al-Jubeir stressed the necessity for “de-escalation” between India and Pakistan.
“Will Saudi Arabia step in to mediate or assist out in any means?” the host requested.
To this the international minister — after asserting that each nations had been vital to Saudi Arabia — responded by saying : “It pains us to see battle between two nations that we imagine to be pleasant nations to Saudi Arabia.
“We imagine that instability on this a part of the world presents a hazard to the remainder of the world.”
Op-Ed: ‘Geopolitical challenges’
“The complex external circumstances surrounding the country demand prudent management of foreign relations. Fast-changing regional geopolitics have a direct bearing on our national security and internal political stability.
“Given our geostrategic position there is a greater need to take a more balanced approach.”
Read more by Zahid Hussain here.
Feb 21: UN chief calls for ‘meaningful’ engagement
United Nations Secretary General Guterres called upon India and Pakistan to resolve their variations by means of “significant mutual engagement”.
This was the second assertion issued by the UN secretary common on the rising tensions between India and Pakistan for the reason that Pulwama assault.
Congress tells Modi not to ‘play politics’ over Pulwama
India’s opposition Congress party echoed criticism of PM Modi that he was utilizing the Pulwama tragedy for electoral positive aspects and requested him to personal ethical duty for the intelligence failure within the killing of paramilitary males by a home-grown suicide bomber.
Congress’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala stated: “Modi was shooting for a film (produced by Discovery channel) until about 6:45pm in Rampur the day the assault occurred. The assault occurred at 3:10pm, the Congress gave its response at 5:15pm. Nonetheless, the prime minister got here out of the Corbett Nationwide park at 6:45pm and inspired slogans in his favour. He then went onto savour chai-naasta (tea and snacks) at 7pm at a authorities visitor home when the nation was shocked and mourning.”
“When the entire nation was mourning the lack of lives of our jawans within the Pulwama assault within the afternoon, PM Modi was busy taking pictures for a movie until the night. Is there any PM on the earth like this?” he requested.
NSC orders acceleration of anti-terrorism ops
The National Security Committee convened at the Prime Minister’s Office for a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran, throughout which the nation’s high decision-makers mentioned the geo-strategic and nationwide safety surroundings in gentle of the Pulwama incident and its aftermath.
Amongst key outcomes of the assembly was an order to speed up anti-terrorism operations within the nation to re-establish the state’s writ, and the reinstatement of a ban on the Hafiz Saeed-led Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) and its charity arm, the Falah-i-Insaniyat Basis (FIF).
Feb 22: ‘Talks, not war,’ says army spokesperson
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A day after the high-level NSC meeting, the then Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor held a press conference, in which he highlighted a sample of “staged” incidents going down in India and occupied Kashmir every time Pakistan was “shifting in direction of stability”.
“At any time when there may be imagined to be an vital occasion in Pakistan, or the nation is shifting in direction of stability, then there may be at all times some form of staged incident in both India or occupied Kashmir,” the DG ISPR stated, including that such incidents additionally appear to happen when India is simply months away from elections.
Maj Gen Ghafoor rubbished rumours that Pakistan is making ready for conflict. “We aren’t making ready to provoke something. Now we have the proper to answer your preparations for conflict.”
He warned that the Pakistan Military’s battle-hardened forces would offer a army response that might catch India off guard if and when crucial.
“We don’t want to go into conflict, however please relaxation assured that ought to you provoke any aggression ─ first, you’ll by no means be capable of shock us. Pakistan armed forces won’t ever be shocked by you. However let me guarantee you, we will shock you.”
Army chief warns India against ‘misadventure’
Army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa, during a visit to the LoC, warned India in opposition to aggression, saying any misadventure would obtain resolute response from his troops.
Chatting with the troops on the frontlines in Chirikot and Bagsar sectors, Gen Bajwa stated: “Pakistan is a peace-loving nation however we is not going to be intimidated or coerced. Any aggression or misadventure shall be paid again in identical coin.”
Learn extra: ISPR DG suggests Indian army chief should follow ‘Gen Bajwa’s vision for regional peace’
Qureshi writes letter to UNSC
Foreign Minister Qureshi wrote a letter to the United Nations Safety Council (UNSC) president, drawing his consideration to what he known as a “deteriorating safety state of affairs” within the area ensuing from Indian rhetoric within the wake of the Pulwama assault.
Within the letter, seen by Daybreak.com, he additionally harassed the necessity for the worldwide neighborhood to step in and “dissuade India from its present war-mongering”.
Feb 23: India, Pakistan facing a ‘very dangerous situation’: Trump
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“Right now between Pakistan and India, there is a very, very bad situation. A very dangerous situation,” Trump told reporters within the Oval Workplace.
“We want to see it [hostilities] cease. Lots of people had been simply killed. We need to see it simply cease. We’re very a lot concerned in that [process],” he added.
Dawn Exclusive: A time for restraint
“In the nuclear age, it is axiomatic that an all-out nuclear conflagration is unthinkable. So it should also be unthinkable for the two nuclear neighbours to initiate a conflict that has the potential of getting out of control. They must learn to prevent and manage crises rather than spawn and fuel them. It is painful to watch media these days where there appears to be a no holds barred frenzy to stoke fires of hatred.”
“From India, there are reports of instances of whipping up mob passions against Kashmiris and Pakistan. The leadership, intelligentsia, public opinion makers in the two countries, all have an urgent responsibility to exercise restraint and take measures to bring some equanimity to the troubled environment.”
Read the piece here.
Feb 24: Modi reminds Imran of promise to fight poverty with India
Modi, while speaking at a public meeting in Tonk in Rajasthan, recalled a promising dialog he earlier had with Prime Minister Imran and urged him to maintain his phrase as a Pathan and struggle poverty and illiteracy along with India as an alternative of combating one another.
He additionally focused the Congress for its assault on the federal government over the Pulwama suicide bombing. “It’s unhappy to see a number of folks talking within the language of Pakistan whereas residing in India. These are the identical individuals who will go to Pakistan and request them to do something to overthrow the Modi authorities,” he stated.
“These are the identical individuals who didn’t take any concrete steps to curb terrorism after the 2008 Mumbai assaults.”
Qureshi takes former envoys’ input
Foreign Minister Qureshi met former international secretaries and envoys to be able to formulate a method to navigate developments on the international affairs entrance as New Delhi ratcheted up regional tensions.
Op-Ed: ‘A militant-free Pakistan’
“Both India and Pakistan need a paradigm shift to move from covert warfare to strategic realism, which can enhance the chances of the resolution of conflicts between the two countries. Strategic realism stands on the concept of the authority of the state as an authoritative actor, that can undermine or limit the functionality of individuals or non-state actors — if both sides agree to do so.”
Read more here.
Give peace a chance: Imran responds to Modi
Prime Minister Imran, responding to Modi’s feedback, assured him that he stands by his phrases that if India supplies Pakistan with “actionable intelligence” concerning the February 14 assault in occupied Kashmir’s Pulwama, “we are going to instantly act”.
PM Imran sought to reiterate Pakistan’s need to see stability within the area, saying Modi ought to “give peace an opportunity”.
Learn extra: The losers in political chest-thumping
Feb 25: FM postpones Japan tour
The Foreign Office announced that Foreign Minister Qureshi had postponed his journey to Japan because of the “delicate state of affairs” brewing within the area within the wake of the Pulwama assault.
‘Pakistan armed forces fully prepared for befitting response to Indian aggression’
The Pakistani armed forces are fully prepared to present a “befitting response” to India if it resorts to any aggression or misadventure, the army’s media wing stated.
The assertion got here after a gathering between the military and air chiefs of the nation, which adopted a go to by the COAS to the Air Headquarters in Islamabad.
Feb 26: Indian aircraft violate LoC
The very next day, Indian military planes violated the Line of Control, intruding from the Muzaffarabad sector.
“Pakistan Air Pressure instantly scrambled” and Indian plane went again, stated ISPR.
‘Time for India to wait for our response’: ISPR DG
The same evening Maj Gen Ghafoor held a press conference, debunking India’s claims on the LoC violation.
Learn: Experts question India’s claim of destroying militant camp near LoC
“At the moment, the prime minister has requested everybody to prepare for each eventuality. We’re all prepared. Now it’s time for India to attend for our response,” he asserted.
“The response will come at some extent and time of our selecting the place our civil army management decides, and as a matter of truth, has determined,” he added, reiterating the assertion issued after the NSC assembly convened by the premier.
“Now we have already uncovered India and can do it once more so the world is aware of what precisely India needs.”
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Feb 27: 2 Indian aircraft shot down; pilot captured
The next day Pakistan Air Force (PAF) undertook strikes throughout the LoC from Pakistani airspace.
“The only objective of this motion was to display our proper, will and functionality for self defence. We don’t want to escalate, however are absolutely ready if pressured into that paradigm,” the Ministry of International Affairs (MoFA) stated in an announcement.
“In response to PAF strikes this morning […] Indian Air Pressure crossed the LoC. PAF shot down two Indian plane inside Pakistani airspace. One of many plane fell inside Azad Jammu and Kashmir whereas the opposite fell inside IOK,” stated ISPR.
“One Indian pilot arrested by troops on floor whereas two within the space.”
On March 1, Indian Air Pressure (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan was handed over in a gesture of peace to India — announced by Prime Minister Imran.
Learn: ‘Real statesmanship’: Twitter erupts in praise over PM Khan’s decision to release Indian pilot
“In our need for peace, I announce that tomorrow, and as a primary step to open negotiations, Pakistan can be releasing the Indian Air Pressure officer in our custody,” stated PM whereas addressing a joint session of Parliament on February 28, warning: Pakistan’s efforts for de-escalation shouldn’t be construed as a “weak spot”.
Editorial: ‘Towards normality’
“The political opposition in India has begun to ask tough questions of the narrative put forward by the BJP-led government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but hawkish elements in Indian politics and the media may try and push for further reckless action.
“For its part, Pakistan must continue with its measured response of pledging to act only in self-defence, while emphasising the need for peace in the region.”
Read more here.
Header illustration by Leea Contractor.
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