INDIA-PAKISTAN TENSION - 2025.02.20 | SITUATION UPDATE

The situation remains calm and no ceasefire violations have been reported from either side in the last 24 hours. However, both India and Pakistan have launched a post-war propaganda campaign aimed at garnering public and international support. Notably, in a recent discussion, the Netherland Foreign Minister Casper Veldkamp strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025 and appreciated India’s support for a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar met with Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing and appreciated China's firm support for Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Casualties - 

# India - 18 deaths, including 5 soldiers/ 46 injured

# Pakistan - 51 deaths, including 11 military personnel/ 121 injured, including 78 Pakistani armed forces.

1.  Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during his meeting with Netherlands' Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp on 19.05.2025, admired the country's strong condemnation of the 22 April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and its support for a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.

• Taking to the social media platform X, Jaishankar has expressed gratitude for the Netherlands' hospitality, noting his discussion with his counterpart on deepened bilateral ties between the two nations and pressing global issues.

2.  Indian Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri on 19.05.2025 briefed the Parliamentary panel on Pahalgam attack investigation. He said that the probe revealed that terrorists involved in the attack communicated with masterminds in Pakistan.

• Haryana Police and federal agencies said on 19.05.2025 afternoon that they had uncovered a 'network of spies' feeding Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) with classified data, potentially including information about military bases at a time of heightened tension between the two countries.
• Police from Haryana's Nuh said they had arrested a second individual linked to the 'spy ring'.

3.  Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, visited Naval Dockyard, Karachi to pay tribute to Pakistan Navy for its pivotal role in Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.

• The Prime Minister interacted with officers and sailors of Pakistan Navy and lauded their exemplary professionalism, combat readiness, and steadfast commitment to national defence.

HEADING ARTICLES

Jaishankar lauds Netherlands' support on terrorism, boosts bilateral ties. (https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/jaishankar-lauds-netherlands-support-on-terrorism-boosts-bilateral-ties-125052000067_1.html)

'Terrorists talked to masterminds in Pakistan': Foreign secretary Vikram Misri briefs Parliament panel on Pahalgam attack probe. (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/terrorists-talked-to-masterminds-in-pakistan-foreign-secretary-vikram-misri-briefs-parliament-panel-on-pahalgam-attack-probe/articleshow/121271394.cms)

SUB NEWS ARTICLES

Second Pak 'Spy' Arrested In Haryana's Nuh In Post-Op Sindoor Crackdown. (https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pakistan-spy-network-pak-spy-ring-busted-haryana-nuh-district-arman-jyoti-malhotra-pakistan-spy-jyoti-malhotra-youtube-channel-8452127)