JERUSALEM, Israel,— Israeli passengers flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv landed safely in Israel on Wednesday after a co-pilot, an Omani national, stabbed the plane’s captain and attempted to crash the aircraft, a situation that travelers and crew members stopped by storming the cockpit, Israeli officials said.

The flydubai jet, operating as flight FZ1073, dropped nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds during the struggle, officials said.

Passengers and crew rushed into the cockpit, subdued the co-pilot, and allowed a second set of flydubai pilots traveling on the same flight to take control and land the plane safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

More than 10 hours after the ordeal, the travelers reached Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on a replacement flydubai aircraft.

Many called their survival a miracle and described a chaotic fight to keep the plane from crashing.

Israeli officials said investigators have not yet determined why the attacker acted. Israel and the United Arab Emirates, home to Dubai, established formal diplomatic relations under the 2020 Abraham Accords.

The episode raised fresh worries about aviation safety in a region shaped by years of conflict and led Israel to announce tighter screening of pilots flying into the country.

Passenger Lital Shachaf called the outcome a miracle. “It was awful, crazy, and we thank God that we survived it, we didn’t think we will make it but thank God we are in Israel,” she said.

“We are back home. And we are happy to see everyone here.”

Israel’s national ambulance service said a 51-year-old man was brought to a hospital in Israel for treatment of upper-body injuries and was listed in mild condition.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the event as a serious security incident and said Saudi authorities would question the co-pilot. Flydubai said in a statement that the cause of the incident remained unclear and cautioned against premature speculation.

An Israeli official said the co-pilot was a citizen of Oman. Omani authorities had not issued a response.

Israeli officials praised the passengers, crediting them with preventing a far worse outcome. Netanyahu said 174 people were aboard the flight from Dubai, the majority of them Israeli citizens.

President Donald Trump said he had a lengthy phone call with Netanyahu on Wednesday about the incident.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump gave a detailed version of events, adding, “This is the story that I heard. I don’t know if it’s true, but that’s the story that I got from Bibi.”

A spokesperson for Netanyahu told Reuters that the injured captain, identified by the prime minister’s office as Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, was lying on the floor covered in blood when he managed to release the cockpit door lock.

For Machchhar, now hailed as a hero for helping avert a crash of a flydubai jet bound for Israel, aviation was never part of his childhood dreams.

Passengers who rushed in found the co-pilot striking the plane’s control panel, the spokesperson said.

Asaf Rajuan, one of the passengers who helped hold down the attacker, said he acted on instinct. “This is something you do without thinking, just running to save your daughter’s life, your family’s life,” he said, his forehead still marked with blood from the struggle.

Netanyahu’s office released footage of the prime minister embracing another passenger, Yaniv Hayun, at Ben Gurion Airport.

The office said Hayun had forced his way into the cockpit. “I see you and I see a lion, a big hero,” Netanyahu told him. Hayun was still wearing the blood-stained shirt from the flight.

Flydubai runs daily round-trip flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv, a route widely used by Israeli travelers. The flight normally crosses Saudi and Jordanian airspace.

This is not the first time a flight between Israel and the UAE has been diverted to Saudi Arabia.

A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Riyadh in September 2025 because of a medical emergency, Israeli media reported at the time.

Officials at Tabuk airport, where Wednesday’s flight landed, said both pilots were hospitalized with injuries.

The incident added to security concerns in Israel just weeks before the country’s first election since the October 7, 2023, attacks led by Hamas, with national security a central issue in the campaign.

Far-right security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wrote on X that terrorism is a force that cannot be negotiated with.

Israeli media outlets gave conflicting accounts of the episode, with some reporting that a pilot had attempted suicide by trying to crash the plane.

Early reports from some outlets identified the pilots as Omani and Emirati nationals, while others said they were Russian and Ukrainian.

Doron Spielman, a spokesperson for Netanyahu, told Reuters that Israel plans to verify the identities of pilots on all flights entering the country and conduct security checks on them going forward.

Netanyahu met Sunday with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a rare trip to the Gulf nation.

Israel and the UAE have built close security, military, and economic ties since normalizing relations.

Earlier this year, Israel supplied the UAE with Iron Dome air defense systems along with Israeli personnel to operate them, support that came after Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran and Iran responded with attacks of its own.

The UAE government had not commented on the flydubai incident as of Wednesday.

The Dubai-owned airline said in a statement that an altercation took place in the cockpit, prompting the flight to divert to Tabuk, where it landed without further incident.

The UAE’s aviation regulator, the GCAA, said the flight experienced a security incident that was brought under control.

(With files from Reuters)

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JERUSALEM,— Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two day visit to Israel on Wednesday, focusing on expanding security, economic and technology cooperation between the two countries.

Modi arrived in Tel Aviv and was greeted at the airport by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu. The two leaders embraced warmly as Modi stepped off the plane and walked down the stairs.

The reception highlighted the closer ties that have developed between Israel and India under Modi’s leadership.

His government has taken a different approach in relations with Israel compared to previous administrations. India had long supported the Palestinians and only established full diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992.

In a statement released by Netanyahu’s office, the leaders’ relationship was described as a close personal bond built on deep and long standing friendship.

The visit comes at a time when Israel has faced growing diplomatic challenges with several allies since the war in Gaza began in October 2023.

During his trip, Modi is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. He is also set to address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, and visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu’s office said the two sides plan to sign multiple agreements covering economic, security and political cooperation.

Before landing in Tel Aviv, Modi wrote on the social media platform X that India and Israel share a strong and wide ranging strategic partnership. He said that relations between the two countries have grown significantly in recent years.

India is considered a key partner for Israel. It is Israel’s second largest trading partner in Asia. Trade between the two countries reached $3.62 billion in the 2025 fiscal year, based on figures from India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Modi made history in 2017 when he became the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel. Netanyahu traveled to India the following year, marking a return visit.

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu said that economic and security matters would be central topics in their discussions.

He also mentioned cooperation in advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

Ahead of the visit, Netanyahu wrote on X that Israel and India are partners in innovation, security and a shared strategic vision. He said the two nations are working together to support stability and progress.

Modi, known for his Hindu nationalist policies, was among the first world leaders to express support for Israel after the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by the Arab Islamist militant group Hamas of Gaza.

Earlier this month, India joined more than 100 countries in criticizing Israel’s new measures to strengthen its control over the occupied West Bank and reduce the limited authority of the so-called “Palestinian” Authority.

The visit comes at a time when the United States has increased its military presence near Iran. Washington has sent a large naval force close to Iran’s coastline as talks over Tehran’s nuclear program remain at a standstill. The Pentagon has also deployed an aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean Sea, heading toward Israel’s coast.

A potential U.S. strike on Iran could lead to retaliation from Tehran. Analysts say such retaliation might target Israel as well as U.S. military bases in Gulf Arab states. Millions of Indian citizens live and work in those countries, sending billions of dollars in remittances back home each year.

(With files from AP | Reuters)

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Michael Rubin | American Enterprise Institute

It is time for the world’s largest democracy to embrace and cultivate the world’s largest people without a nation

The Kurds remain the largest people without a nation. Cursed by geography, perhaps 45 million Kurds live spread across Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Turkey. Point 12 of US President Woodrow Wilson’s 1918 Fourteen Points not only promised “secure sovereignty” for “the Turkish portion of the present Ottoman Empire” but also “autonomous development” for “the other nationalities which are now under Turkish rule.” Two years later, the Treaty of Sèvres promised Turkey’s Kurds independence after one year, but after Mustafa Kemal Atatürk militarily changed the facts on the ground, the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne rescinded the promise of a Kurdistan.

Turkey crushed by brute force subsequent Kurdish uprisings as Kurds sought fulfilment of their national rights while successive Turkish governments pursued a genocidal policy to eradicate the Kurds, not only razing their villages but also banning their language and denying their very existence. Even writing certain letters—Q, W, and X—that exist in Kurdish but not Turkish could lead to lengthy prison sentences. At the height of Kemalism, the laical, Turkish nationalist movement that Atatürk founded, Kurds simply became “mountain Turks” in official parlance.

It was against this backdrop that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) emerged. Like anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, PKK founder Abdullah Öcalan initially embraced both Marxism and armed struggle, though he later renounced both. Öcalan’s prison writings reveal a clear evolution of thought.

While the United States designates the PKK as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation, this designation came nearly two decades after the PKK’s founding, at a time when the Clinton administration was finalising a helicopter sale to Turkey. Following a lengthy process triggered by Turkey’s request for the arrest of PKK members in Belgium, the Brussels Court of Appeal ruled in 2019 that the PKK was not a terrorist group but “a party in a non-international armed conflict”. In other words, the Belgian court considered PKK actions a defensive insurgency.

When Syrian Kurds put Öcalan’s philosophy into action, the result was a progressive democracy with full religious rights and women’s empowerment that looked far more like a Scandinavian social democracy than any of the autocracies surrounding it.

Perhaps this is why Turkey was so intent on crushing the Kurdish experiment in Syria. For Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, it is hard to abide a functioning democracy next door when his country is an autocracy with a failing economy. Ideologically, Erdoğan simply resents Kurds, both because of his own racism and his religious intolerance. Most Kurds are Muslim, but they embrace a more traditional Sufi exegesis, whereas Erdoğan’s Muslim Brotherhood outlook categorises all those who do not adhere to his own intolerant outlook as blasphemers who deserve death.

Erdoğan now responds to the Kurds in two ways. In Iraqi Kurdistan, he co-opts the tribal leadership. Iraqi Kurdistan today is akin to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a proxy state whose governance Ankara decides rather than its own citizens. Massoud, Masrour, and Areen Barzani—respectively the leader, son and heir apparent, and grandson and future leader—all recognise that if they diverge from Ankara, they will be on the receiving end of a Turkish drone. In Turkey and Syria, he uses his army or Islamist proxies.

The Kurds are between a hammer and the anvil; they have nowhere to go.

It is against this backdrop that India should step forward. There are ancient cultural and linguistic, if not civilisational, ties between India and the Kurds. Kurds are Indo-Iranians and likely share ethnic ties to South Asia in the distant past. Many scholars believe Kurds were among those prehistoric peoples who migrated from the Indian subcontinent to West Asia.

The Yezidism and Zoroastrianism some Kurds practised and still practise have links to the ancient Vedic religion so influential in the development of Hinduism. Today, Kurds and Indians share an aversion to Islamist extremism and terrorism.

Supporting Kurds, both with scholarships and other opportunities denied to them in Turkey and Syria, would affirm the principles India’s post-independence leaders have embraced. While the PKK had formally dissolved, enabling Kurdish political organisations safe haven to organise would help cultivate moderate forces crucial to future stability in West Asia or the post-Islamic Republic of Iran.

Turkey and Syria might object, but Indian leaders should not allow Ankara and Damascus a veto over New Delhi’s interests. It is time for the world’s largest democracy to embrace and cultivate the world’s largest people without a nation.

Michael Rubin is a former Pentagon official whose major research areas are the Middle East, Turkey, Iran and diplomacy. He is author of “Dancing with the Devil: The Perils of Engaging Rogue Regimes” (Encounter, 2014). He is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute AEI. His major research area is the Middle East, with special focus on Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Kurdish society.

The article first published at aei.org

The opinions are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of iKurd.net or its editors.

Copyright © 2026, respective author or news agency, American Enterprise Institute | aei.org

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Investigation Finds Fuel Switch Misstep May Have Led to Fatal Air India Crash

NEW DELHI,— A preliminary investigation into last month’s Air India crash that killed 260 people suggests that the aircraft’s engines lost power shortly after takeoff when both fuel control switches were mistakenly moved to the cutoff position, according to a report released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, flying from Ahmedabad to London, crashed minutes after liftoff on June 12, marking one of the deadliest aviation disasters globally in more than a decade.

The AAIB report, published early Saturday, pointed to cockpit confusion and the critical misplacement of engine fuel switches as key contributing factors.

Surveillance footage from Ahmedabad airport showed the deployment of the aircraft’s ram air turbine—an emergency backup power system—which activates when the engines fail. This system’s activation indicated both engines had lost thrust soon after departure.

According to the cockpit voice recordings cited in the report, one of the pilots questioned the other about shutting off the fuel supply. The other pilot denied doing so. The transcript did not clarify which pilot made which statement.

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, an experienced flight instructor with over 15,000 flight hours, was commanding the flight. His co-pilot, First Officer Clive Kunder, 32, had more than 3,400 hours of flying experience.

The report states that the switches controlling fuel flow to the engines were flipped to the “cutoff” mode nearly at the same time. Investigators noted this switch-off typically occurs only when parking at a gate or during emergencies like an engine fire—not during climb-out after takeoff.

“There was no indication of an engine fire or similar emergency at that time,” the AAIB report noted. The aircraft attempted to regain power, with signs that both engines tried to relight before the crash, but the plane had already lost too much altitude.

Both fuel switches were later found in the “run” position at the crash site, further puzzling investigators as to how they were moved earlier in the flight. U.S. aviation analyst John Nance stated that it would take about one second to manually flip each switch, hinting at a possible human error.

Experts emphasized that such switches are designed to prevent accidental engagement. “They are not meant to be turned off mid-flight,” said U.S. safety consultant Anthony Brickhouse. “If it was done by a pilot, that demands a serious look.”

India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu advised the public to wait for the final investigation report before drawing conclusions.

NBC video report.

Air India, now owned by Tata Group after its 2022 takeover from the Indian government, acknowledged the preliminary findings and said it is cooperating with the authorities.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are assisting in the probe. Boeing and GE, which built the aircraft and its engines, both expressed support for the investigation.

According to the report, the aircraft reached an altitude of 650 feet before descending rapidly and crashing into a structure after hitting trees and an incinerator chimney. Most of the 242 passengers and crew died in the crash, along with 19 people on the ground.

The AAIB has recovered both the flight data and cockpit voice recorders. The final report is expected within a year.

(With files from Reuters)

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DHARAMSHALA, India,— The Dalai Lama announced Wednesday that he will be reincarnated and that only the institution he founded has the exclusive authority to recognize his next incarnation, directly contradicting China’s claim that it must choose his successor.

Speaking ahead of his 90th birthday celebrations in Dharamshala, where he has lived since fleeing Tibet in 1959, the Dalai Lama addressed questions about the future of his position, a matter closely watched by the United States, India, and China due to its political and religious significance.

According to the Dalai Lama, the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit organization he established, will oversee the recognition of his reincarnation. “The institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,” he said in a video message shown to over 100 monks gathered in a library in Dharamshala, prompting applause.

He emphasized that the Trust, in consultation with leaders of Tibetan Buddhist traditions, holds exclusive authority over the search and recognition process, following past customs. “No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter,” he added.

China’s government, however, maintains that it must approve the identity of the next Dalai Lama, using a ritual established during the Qing dynasty, which involves drawing lots from a golden urn. Beijing views the Dalai Lama as a separatist and has repeatedly insisted the successor must be chosen on Chinese soil.

The 14th Dalai Lama, whose full spiritual name is Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso—commonly shortened to Tenzin Gyatso—was born on July 6, 1935, in what is now Qinghai province. Originally named Lhamo Dhondup, he was recognized as the reincarnation of his predecessor at just two years old.

Since February 22, 1940, he has held the title of Dalai Lama and is a respected spiritual leader worldwide who received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to promote peace and Tibetan self-determination.

Samdhong Rinpoche, a senior official of the Gaden Phodrang Trust, told reporters that the Dalai Lama is currently in good health and has not yet issued formal instructions regarding his successor. Rinpoche also noted that the next Dalai Lama may be of any gender and could come from any country, without restriction to Tibet.

Penpa Tsering, head of the Central Tibetan Administration — the Tibetan government-in-exile based in India — said the Dalai Lama is open to visiting Tibet again if his health allows and if China permits. This would be his first visit since 1959.

Tsering explained that China reportedly demanded the Dalai Lama remain in Tibet permanently if he returns, a condition the spiritual leader rejected. The Dalai Lama reportedly said that while he would consider visiting Tibet and China if permitted, he would not reside there due to the absence of freedom. He also linked this stance to his view that his reincarnation will be born “in a free world.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated Beijing’s position at a news conference, stating that the government must approve the successor of prominent religious figures like the Dalai Lama, following traditions dating back to imperial China. Mao added that China respects freedom of religious belief.

The Tibetan government-in-exile said it is seeking additional sources of funding after the United States eased some restrictions on financial support for Tibetans living abroad. The U.S. has expressed its support for Tibetan human rights and has stated opposition to China’s efforts to control the selection of the Dalai Lama’s successor.

(With files from Reuters | Agencies)

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AHMEDABAD, India,— An Air India flight carrying 242 people en route to London’s Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after takeoff from the western Indian city of Ahmedabad on Thursday, killing 241 on board, officials said.

Authorities said only one person survived when the Air India jet slammed into a student hostel during lunchtime, a crash that also killed at least 24 people on the ground, according to local media reports.

Ramesh Viswashkumar, the lone survivor among the 242 passengers aboard the London-bound aircraft, had been seated near an emergency exit and managed to escape by jumping from the plane, police confirmed.

The aircraft went down in a residential area near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, striking a hostel complex associated with B.J. Medical College, according to local police. Officials confirmed the crash is among the deadliest aviation incidents in India’s recent history.

Authorities stated that the plane issued a distress call shortly after taking off at 1:39 p.m. local time (0809 GMT), but lost contact moments later.

The aircraft was identified as a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which first entered service in 2011. Thursday’s accident marks the first major crash involving this model, according to data from the Aviation Safety Network.

Emergency crews and local volunteers worked through the afternoon to recover bodies and assist survivors in the surrounding area. More than 100 bodies, many badly burned, were brought to Ahmedabad’s civil hospital for postmortem examinations, police said.

Earlier the local newspaper Indian Express, citing police sources, reported that all 242 passengers and crew on board perished in the crash. The victims included 217 adults, 11 children, and two infants. Air India reported that among them were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.

Police said that the plane struck a doctors’ hostel and parts of the fuselage were spread across the grounds. The aircraft’s tail section remained lodged atop the building. Visuals from the site showed thick plumes of smoke, with the structure partially collapsed. Fire crews battled flames while medics transferred injured residents of the hostel.

CNN News-18 reported that many of the deceased in the building were medical students using the dining area at the time of impact.

“My son was having lunch at the hostel when the crash happened,” said Ramila, a local resident, speaking to ANI news agency. “He survived by jumping from the second floor. He has injuries but is alive.”

At the crash site, rescue teams cleared approximately 70 to 80 percent of the debris, with the remainder expected to be removed overnight. A senior police officer confirmed that structural integrity assessments were underway for the hostel and neighboring buildings.

An investigation is ongoing. Flightradar24, an aviation tracking platform, noted that the last signal from the aircraft was received seconds after departure.

Video footage from the area showed the aircraft passing low over homes before vanishing from view and a fireball erupting moments later.

A U.S.-based aviation safety expert, Anthony Brickhouse, reviewed the footage and told Reuters that the aircraft’s landing gear appeared to be down—an unusual configuration for takeoff, suggesting mechanical or procedural irregularities.

Boeing, the aircraft’s manufacturer, said it is aware of the incident and is gathering information. Its shares dropped nearly 7% in pre-market trading on Thursday. Engine manufacturer GE Aerospace plans to dispatch a team to assist in retrieving cockpit and engine data, according to CNBC TV18.

The British Foreign Office stated it is in contact with Indian authorities to determine the full scope of the incident and provide consular support. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the crash images “devastating.” King Charles has also been briefed on the incident, according to Buckingham Palace.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted condolences on X, saying the event was “beyond words.”

Previous Major Crashes in India:

• August 2020: An Air India Express plane overshot the runway during monsoon conditions in Kozhikode; 21 fatalities.

• May 2010: Air India flight crashed in Mangaluru after failing to land properly; 158 deaths.

• July 2000: An Alliance Air flight crashed into a neighborhood in Patna; more than 50 dead.

• April 1993: An Indian Airlines jet crashed on takeoff in Aurangabad; 55 fatalities.

• August 1991: All 69 on board killed when a flight crashed near Imphal.

• October 1988: More than 130 dead in a crash on approach to Ahmedabad.

• January 1978: 213 lives lost when an Air India flight plunged into the Arabian Sea shortly after takeoff from Mumbai.

(With files from Reuters)

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Manish Rai | iKurd.net

The Pakistani Army is fighting tooth and nail to push its false narrative that it emerged victorious in the recent military confrontation with India. The arch-rival India became the first country to strike 11 airbases of a nuclear-armed nation in a single operation. But despite this fact, Pakistani generals are confident that they will be successful in selling this lie to the common Pakistani, as their core competency is deceiving.

This incident is not an isolated case of Pakistan’s deception to hide the facts. It is merely the latest chapter in Pakistan’s long history of manufacturing falsehoods to cover up its failures. The Pakistani military and intelligence apparatus have repeatedly misled their citizens, downplaying defeats, disowning their soldiers, and manipulating media to project a façade of strength and control.

The Pakistani establishment’s reliance on propaganda and deception is not just a strategy; it is a fundamental characteristic of its governance. Let’s have a look at some important lies and false propaganda spread in Pakistani society by the Army.

Presence on Siachin – This myth that the Pakistani army is present in the Siachen glacier and is eyeball to eyeball with Indian forces is widely believed by Pakistanis. The fact is that the glacier, which is regarded as the highest battlefield in the world, has been under the total control of the Indian army since 1984.

Pakistanis are behind the Soltoro Ridge, much below the heights of the Siachin, and the glacier itself cannot be seen, even from forward Pakistani positions. Ironically, Pakistan has publicly said over the last few years that it is open for talks on mutual withdrawal from Siachin. It’s hard to understand as it challenges common sense that how you can withdraw from a position where you are not present.

Victory in the 1965 War – Pakistan celebrates September 6 as “National Defence Day” to commemorate the sacrifices made by its soldiers in defending Lahore from advancing Indian troops. September 6, 1965, marks the day when Indian troops crossed the international border to launch an attack on Pakistani Punjab.

In fact, this war was initiated by Pakistan by launching Operation Gibraltar as the first phase, in which Pakistan’s special forces infiltrated the Indian side of Kashmir. In the second phase, whose code name was Operation Grand Slam, Pakistanis aimed to attack the vital Akhnur Bridge in Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistani generals mistakenly assumed that this route is a lifeline for India, as it’s the only supply route for Indian forces in the Kashmir valley. This was not the case at all, as India’s supply route to Kashmir did not pass through Akhnur. (The National Highway 1A passed through Udhampur and Ramban, not Akhnur.)

In this war, no pre-determined objectives were achieved by the Pakistanis, and if we look at each other’s territory held by both sides, Pakistan was at a loss there, too. India had captured around 1920 square kilometres of Pakistani territory, whereas Pakistan could capture only 550 square kilometres.

But Pakistan deluded its public permanently by declaring 6th September as its Defence Day, and celebrated with a great amount of pomp and show every year.

Downplaying Baloch Movement – For decades, the Pakistani establishment has termed the Baloch insurgency as a low-intensity conflict confined mostly to the countryside of Balochistan. Islamabad always rejected the conflict in Balochistan as a mere law and order problem created by some tribal Baloch sardars, who want more funds from the federal government.

But the reality is that the Baloch struggle is the longest-running full-fledged insurgency of South Asia, which aims to create an Independent Balochistan. The occupied Balochistan, despite being the most resource-rich part of the country, remains under military control, facing human rights abuses and a media blackout.

Despite its strategic importance, Balochistan’s local population is marginalized, fuelling anger among the masses.

1971 Defeat was Due to Political Failure – Just days before his retirement on November 29, 2022, General Qamar Javed Bajwa termed the East Pakistan debacle of 1971 a “political failure,” and complained that the sacrifices of the armed forces were never properly acknowledged.

GHQ has always made the common Pakistani people believe that the 1971 disaster was a political failure, and the military was not involved in any disastrous decisions of that war. In reality, all the decisions leading to and during the war were solely taken by the military dictatorship headed by General Yahya Khan.

The root cause of Pakistan’s defeat in 1971 was its army adopting a barbaric approach to quell an uprising that arose due to the West ignoring its eastern populace, as well as refusing to politically accommodate them. The West Pakistan military leadership assumed that the Bengalis of East Pakistan could not be trusted. This led to resentment amongst the Bengalis who voluntarily fought back against the oppressors.

No Information on Losses in Kargil Conflict – The 1999 Kargil War serves as one of the most egregious examples of the Pakistani military’s disinformation tactics. Pakistani soldiers, primarily from the Northern Light Infantry, were sent to infiltrate Indian positions in the Kargil region under the disguise of Kashmiri militants.

Pakistan’s military leadership vehemently denied any role in the conflict. This lie persisted for over two decades within the Pakistan establishment’s discourse that was aimed at deceiving not only the world but also the families of the soldiers who had perished.

It was only in September 2024 that Pakistan’s Army Chief, General (Now Field Marshall) Asim Munir, finally acknowledged the military’s direct involvement in the Kargil conflict, posthumously honouring the soldiers who had died.

But till today, Pakistan’s army is not disclosing how many soldiers have died in the conflict. However, two former Prime Ministers of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, at different intervals of time acknowledged the loss of large numbers of soldiers. Bhutto mentioned that it was over 3000, whereas Mr Sharif stated that due to the misadventure of General Pervez Musharraf, his country lost 4000 soldiers in the conflict.

Pakistan’s deep state has always pushed the narrative that most of the political leaders are corrupt and are solely responsible for all the hardships faced by the country. And the Army is the only organization that can bring order and ensure stability and security.

But the fact of the matter is that long military rule has left intractable and spillover impacts on Pakistan’s politics, economy, and foreign policy. Until Pakistan confronts the reality that its military, not India, not the West, not Israel, is its greatest internal threat, it will remain a nation in decline, shackled by the very institution that was supposed to defend it.

Manish Rai, a senior long-time contributing writer for iKurd.net, see below.

The opinions are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of iKurd.net or its editors.

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Manish Rai | iKurd.net

Fierce attacks by Baloch rebels have shaken the Pakistani Army, while it was predominantly occupied on the Indian front. Balochistan’s provincial capital, Quetta, saw six attacks on Pakistani forces in just one day. Pakistan mobilised its Army units from Balochistan and redeployed on the Eastern border with India because of a recent military confrontation with India.

The ongoing operations of the Baloch insurgents put additional pressure on the Pakistan army as they spread thin. The biggest rebel group, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), launched an operation named Herof military exercise in which it claimed to carry out over 71 coordinated attacks at more than 51 locations.

BLA in a press statement said that it has taken control of many cities and set up check posts on highways, including main highway N-65 connecting Balochistan and Sindh, and took over many government facilities like the Levies Police Station and NADRA Office.

These well-coordinated attacks clearly illustrate that if Pakistani Army units in Balochistan are redeployed to other fronts, even for a short period, the state apparatus is very vulnerable and is at the mercy of rebels. With these extensive attacks, the Baloch insurgents once again demonstrated their reach, capability, and ability to coordinate complex attacks.

Almost all the Federal and State security and intelligence forces have a significant presence in Balochistan. The Pakistan military, including the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard, all maintain a presence in Balochistan, with the most significant branch being the Army.

The Pakistan Army XII Corps, commanded by a three-star general who serves concurrently as the commander of the southern command, is based in Quetta and is responsible for the province. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) operates four bases in Balochistan. The primary base is Samungli in Quetta and is home to the 31st Fighter Wing.

The Pakistan Navy operates four naval bases on the Arabian Sea in Balochistan. The primary base is the deep-water port of Gwadar in western Balochistan, which is the second largest port in Pakistan after Karachi. The port is also home to the 3rd Battalion of the Pakistan Coast Guard. The three smaller naval bases are located in Jiwani, Ormara, and Pasni.

The Pakistan Intelligence apparatus also maintains a mammoth deployment in Balochistan. The Inter-Service Intelligence Directorate (ISI) is responsible for strategic intelligence as well as conducting operations and has a large element in Quetta. The ISI’s Joint Signals Intelligence Bureau (JISB) operates signal intelligence collection stations in Saindak, which covers the western border, and in Gwadar, which covers the shipping lanes of the Gulf of Oman.

In addition to the ISI, each service has military intelligence assets, collectively known as MI, which support tactical requirements. In addition to these forces of the Federal government, the Pakistan Ministry of Interior (MOI) controls the Balochistan Police and the Frontier Corps in the province.

The Balochistan Police have jurisdiction across the province and are responsible for fighting crime and maintaining law and order. The Balochistan Constabulary, sometimes referred to as levies, provides an adjunct to the police in the remote areas of the province.

The Frontier Corps Balochistan (FCB) is deployed in large numbers in the province. It’s a paramilitary force under the Ministry of Interior (MOI) and is a critical link in the security architecture of the province. The Pakistani establishment, despite deploying so many forces in large numbers, always struggles to maintain full control over Balochistan.

These spates of attacks that have taken place in the last few days demonstrate that the Baloch insurgency has entered into a crucial new phase. After the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, large quantities of highly sophisticated weapons, which were used by Afghan security forces, have made their way to the region’s black markets. Many of these US-made weapons have ended up in the hands of Baloch armed groups as well, like M16A2 and M16A4 assault rifles, Trijicon ACOG optics, and M203 under-barrel grenade launchers.

In addition to small firearms and RPG-7 pattern rocket launchers, Baloch insurgents are using various machine guns like PK(M) and MG3 variants. Sometimes, insurgents have also been spotted using heavy machine guns (HMGs).

Baloch armed groups have gradually moved towards the consolidation of what was previously a fragmented insurgency. Over the last few years, insurgent groups have either merged or formed tactical alliances to put up a united fight against the Pakistani state. By doing this, they were able to have a better pool of resources and better coordination to carry out complex operations.

Also, the leadership of the armed groups has shifted from Tribal chiefs to the well-educated and highly motivated Baloch middle class. And these new ranks of Baloch insurgents are transforming the insurgency into well-organized guerrilla warfare.

As a matter of fact, Baloch armed groups have increased their capabilities many times over in every dimension. Over the years, Baloch rebels have improved their communication capabilities and armaments significantly. The longevity and resilience of the insurgents are undoubtedly a strength, as they have learned to adapt and respond to various counterinsurgency methods of the state.

On the ground, these groups are capable enough and can give a bloody nose to the Pakistani army through guerrilla tactics like Ambush, IED blasts, Sniper fire, and Suicide attacks. It’s a hard truth that Balochistan is slowly slipping from Pakistan’s hands, and it’s only a matter of time before Islamabad will witness a second division of the country unless it does a major course correction in Balochistan.

Manish Rai, a senior long-time contributing writer for iKurd.net, see below.

The opinions are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of iKurd.net or its editors.

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NEW DELHI,— U.S. President Donald Trump announced Saturday that India and Pakistan have reached a “full and immediate ceasefire” following four days of escalating attacks on military positions along their tense border.

According to Trump, the agreement came after a night of U.S.-mediated negotiations. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said, “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed on X that both countries had agreed to halt hostilities without delay.

“Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity!” Dar wrote.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that the ceasefire would start at 5 p.m. Indian Standard Time (1130 GMT). The ministry also mentioned that Pakistan’s top military operations official reached out to his Indian counterpart Saturday afternoon, and both sides agreed to end all cross-border firing. They plan to hold another round of talks on May 12.

The ceasefire announcement came amid concerns over the possibility of nuclear escalation. Earlier Saturday, Pakistan’s military said a key defense and civilian body overseeing the country’s nuclear arsenal would meet.

However, Pakistan’s defense minister later clarified that no such meeting was scheduled.

Hostilities flared on Wednesday when India launched strikes on what it described as “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistani Kashmir.

This came two weeks after an attack on Hindu tourists in Indian Kashmir left 26 dead. Pakistan has rejected India’s accusations of involvement in the attack.

Since Wednesday, both nations have exchanged artillery fire, drone strikes, airstrikes, and missile launches, intensifying fears in the region.

India and Pakistan have been locked in a bitter rivalry over Kashmir since gaining independence from Britain in 1947. Both nations claim Kashmir in full but control only parts of it. They have fought three wars, two over Kashmir, and have faced repeated flare-ups over the years.

India accuses Pakistan of fueling an armed insurgency in its portion of Kashmir since 1989, an uprising that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

New Delhi also blames Pakistan-based militant groups for attacks across India. Pakistan denies the charges, insisting its support for Kashmiris is only moral, political, and diplomatic.

(With files from Reuters)

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NEW DELHI,— India carried out airstrikes on Pakistani territory and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir on Wednesday, marking the most severe military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in more than 20 years.

Pakistan’s military said its forces shot down five Indian fighter jets in response to the attacks, though India has not confirmed those claims.

According to Islamabad, six locations were hit by Indian missiles, leaving eight people dead, 35 injured, and two missing.

India’s defense ministry stated it had targeted nine Pakistani “terrorist infrastructure” sites, including facilities connected to the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba militant groups.

These groups were linked to last month’s deadly attack on Hindu tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir that killed 26 people, an Indian defense source told Reuters.

“India has shown considerable restraint in both the selection of targets and the execution of this operation,” the Indian defense ministry said in an official statement.

Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, described the strikes as an “act of aggression” and a “blatant act of war.”

Chaudhry told reporters all military measures were taken in defense of Pakistan’s sovereignty, and Islamabad has informed the United Nations Security Council that it reserves the right to respond to Indian aggression as needed.

Heavy artillery fire and shelling erupted along the Line of Control in Kashmir, the de facto border between India and Pakistan, according to local police and witnesses. Both countries have long claimed the Muslim-majority Himalayan region, fighting two wars over it since 1947.

While the two sides recommitted to a ceasefire agreement in 2021, cross-border strikes are rare, particularly by India on targets beyond Pakistani Kashmir.

Indian officials labeled the military operation “Operation Sindoor.” Analysts noted the significant scale of the attack raised the risk of escalation between the rival nations.

U.S. President Donald Trump called the situation “a shame” and expressed hope for a swift resolution. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both countries to exercise “maximum military restraint,” his spokesperson said.

Indian media aired footage of explosions and large smoke plumes over Pakistani territory. Crowds were seen fleeing affected areas.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the country was responding to the Indian attacks, though he did not provide further details. Punjab province, the country’s most populous, declared an emergency, placing hospitals and emergency responders on high alert.

According to Pakistan’s defense minister, two mosques were among the buildings hit by Indian strikes, and all targeted sites were civilian, not militant.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Indian Army stated, “Justice is served,” following the strikes.

Indian stock futures showed mild losses after news of the attacks, with the GIFT NIFTY index trading 0.3% lower than the NIFTY 50’s previous close. Several airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and Qatar Airways, canceled flights over Indian and Pakistani airspace due to airport closures.

An Indian embassy spokesperson in Washington told Reuters that evidence pointed to the involvement of Pakistan-based militants in the April tourist killings.

India named two Pakistani nationals as suspects but has not released further evidence. Pakistan denies any role in the incident.

Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval reportedly spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Indian officials briefed counterparts in Britain, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, according to Indian sources.

Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst based in Washington, told Reuters, “Given the scale of this strike, we can expect a sizable Pakistani response. The next moves from both countries will show just how serious this crisis could become.”

(With files from Reuters)

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