Friday, March 1st, 2019
Sushma Swaraj urges OIC to press states backing terror; Pakistan skips meet
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to put pressure on countries that shelter and fund terrorist groups, telling its foreign ministers’ meeting that such states must be asked to dismantle terror infrastructure. Pakistan stayed away from the meeting in Abu Dhabi. What Swaraj said Speaking as guest of honour, Swaraj said that to save humanity, states providing safe haven and money to terrorists must be told to shut down the camps on their soil and stop supporting such organisations. She said theRead More
India wanted to fly IAF pilot home, but Pakistan refused: sources
India had wanted to send a special aircraft to bring back captured Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman from Pakistan, but permission was refused, sources said. Pakistan announced that the pilot, captured on Wednesday after he ejected during an aerial fight with a Pakistani F-16, would be released through Wagah later that day. Two routes considered Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the release the previous day, but the manner of the handover complicated the pilot’s return. There were two options: by road through Wagah, or by a flight fromRead More
“That is all I’m supposed to tell you”: Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s composure
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, the Indian Air Force pilot held by Pakistan, drew praise for his composure and good judgement in captivity. Pakistan said it would release him the following day as a gesture of peace. How he was captured According to the IAF, before coming down in Pakistani territory the Wing Commander had been pursuing a Pakistani F-16, which he engaged with an R-73 air-to-air missile. The Pakistani fighter, believed to be a two-seat version of the jet, was shot down. The 34-year-old then had to eject and landedRead More