United News of Bangladesh

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed his willingness to allow a "neutral investigation" into the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, where 26 people, including a Nepalese national, were killed. The attack, among the deadliest since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, has prompted strong diplomatic and security measures from the Indian government against Pakistan, which has been accused of providing support to the handlers and backers of the terrorist group involved. Indian military alleges Pakistani troops fired across Kashmir border for 2nd night Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Sharif said Pakistan is open to participating in a "credible" probe, reports NDTV. "The recent tragedy in Pahalgam is yet another example of this perpetual blame game, which must come to a grinding halt. Continuing with its role as a responsible country, Pakistan is open to participating in any neutral, transparent and credible investigation," Sharif said. The Resistance Front (TRF), considered a proxy of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Sinovac hosts "Open Day for International Media" to showcase global collaboration Pakistan has repeatedly been accused of sheltering and financing terror outfits engaged in cross-border operations. Indian intelligence reports suggest that Adil Ahmed Thoker, a key suspect in the attack, crossed over into Pakistan, received military training from terror groups there, and infiltrated into India six years later along with several Pakistani militants. "Pakistan has always condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," Sharif further said. His comments come a day after Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told the New York Times that Pakistan was "ready to cooperate" with "any investigation which is conducted by international inspectors."    

India has received "strong expressions of support and solidarity" from many governments around the world, including Bangladesh, which have unequivocally condemned the recent terror attack. The Indian Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met on Wednesday evening under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and recorded its appreciation for such sentiments, which reflect zero tolerance for terrorism. The CCS was briefed in detail on the terrorist attack on 22 April 2025 in Pahalgam, in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were killed. A number of others sustained injuries. The CCS condemned the attack in the strongest terms and expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hoped for the early recovery of the injured. Prof Yunus seeks greater Qatari investment, offers exclusive economic zone Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh separately strongly condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in India, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives. “Bangladesh extends deepest condolence to the families of the victims and expresses heartfelt sympathy to all those affected by the mindless act of violence," said the MoFA on Wednesday. Bangladesh reiterated its "unwavering commitment" to the global fight against terrorism. In the briefing to the CCS, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out. It was noted that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in the Union Territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development, said Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in a statement on the decision of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). Recognising the seriousness of this terrorist attack, he said, the CCS decided upon the following measures: (i) The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. (ii) The Integrated Check Post Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 01 May 2025. (iii) Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas. Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India. (iv) The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions. (v) The overall strength of the High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effected by 01 May 2025. The CCS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigil, said the Indian Foreign Secretary. It resolved that the perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account, he said. "As with the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana, India will be unrelenting in the pursuit of those who have committed acts of terror, or conspired to make them possible," Misri said.