J&K leaders lash out at US over strike in Iran
By Ashiq Hussain , Srinagar
Jun 22, 2025 08:20 PM IST
J&K political leaders Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday lashed out at the US for its strikes on Iran calling it a dangerous escalation which can trigger Third World War. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah (File)
National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah said that the US and Israel have always been against the nuclear ambitions of Iran. 'This is not the first time. America and Israel always have this view to not allow Iran to make nuclear weapons. Today it proved that it is their only motive,' Abdullah said.
US bombers made strikes on Iran's three nuclear facilities during the previous night amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
Abdullah also castigated US president Trump for not sticking to his word. 'He had talked about waiting two weeks to see if negotiations would work. They want a regime change. Will there be anything good after regime change,' he said.
'The person or country whom we had expected to intervene, themselves, joined the war. This is their second war -one they are already fighting-- Russia in Ukraine. This means this is moving towards Third World War,' he cautioned.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti castigated Indian government's response to the strikes on Iran by US and Israel, while also lashing out at the neighbouring country for its advocacy of Nobel Peace Prize for Trump. 'The OIC, as expected, has once again limited its response to mere lip service in the wake of the attack on Iran. Meanwhile the country that rushed to recommend Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize now finds itself with egg on its face after he attacked Iran. By launching this attack on Iran, Trump has dangerously escalated tensions plunging the region into a new wave of violence and edging the world closer to the brink of a global conflict,' Mufti said on X.
'Regrettably India long seen as a nation with a historic and principled role in international affairs is not only remaining silent but appears to be aligning itself with the aggressor,' she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
24 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Shah's anti-English position harms India
Union Home Minister Amit Shah's denunciation of the English language is ill-conceived and uninformed, and will only work against the country's unity and development. Speaking at the launch of a book by a former civil servant in Delhi on Thursday, Shah said, ''The time is not far away for people speaking in English in the country to feel ashamed'. The prejudice against English is part of the ideology and politics of his party, and Shah has only given expression to it. He is right in saying that the languages of our country are the jewels of our culture, but wrong in dismissing the role of English as a linking and unifying language. He is also right in saying that we should take pride in our languages, but pride in one's own language need not translate into shame about another language. Languages are not zero sum games, and the knowledge of another language does not mean degradation or devaluation of the mother tongue. Languages gain by interaction. All Indian languages have enriched themselves from their interaction with English. .English not a shame but power: Rahul Gandhi hits back at Amit Shah's remarks, says discouraging it to deny opportunities .English is spoken by over 100 million people in the country, and the number exceeds the number of speakers of most other languages. It is the official language in many states. India is also said to have the second largest English-speaking population in the world. English has served as the official and link language for centuries in our country, which speaks richly diverse languages. It is difficult to imagine English losing its status in the near future, going by the people's attitude towards it. The usefulness and popularity of a language don't always depend on government policies. People's relationship with language is a sensitive matter and governments should handle it with care and caution. .Shah's tirade against English should also be seen in context of the efforts of the central government and the BJP to promote Hindi aggressively. This has resulted in apprehensions about domination of Hindi in non-Hindi states. English was the language of power in India during colonial times but after the British left, it serves as a link language, with an equal relationship with all languages of the country. The replacement of English would lead to its place being taken up by Hindi, which comes with political baggage. English is also India's window to the world in every respect, and closing that window would hurt and set the country back. Shah says India cannot be imagined with a foreign language. But the idea of India is not static--it has room for English, which is no longer considered a foreign language.
Hindustan Times
26 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Trump issues worldwide travel alert for Americans amid Israel-Iran conflict: Here are dos and don'ts
The Donald Trump-led State Department on Sunday posted a 'Worldwide Caution' on its travel alert page, citing the conflict between Israel and Iran. This comes a day after the US struck three Iranian nuclear bases. Trump stated that he is not ruling out a regime change in Iran. Donald Trump issued a travel alert for Americans worldwide(AP) In its latest alert, the State Department said: 'The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East.' Officials further warned Americans about potential demonstrations against US citizens and interests. 'The Department of State advises U.S. citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution. Please read carefully our Travel Advisory, country information, and any recent security alerts when planning travel,' the press release read. Read More: How China, Pak, others reacted to US airstrikes on Iran: 'Catastrophic consequences' Meanwhile, the department also posted an update on Israel and the West Bank, saying the embassy in Jerusalem and Branch Office Tel Aviv will not be open to provide emergency US passport services on Monday, June 23. 'US citizens seeking to depart Israel or the West Bank should take the first available option, even if it is not your first choice of destination. Ben Gurion Airport remains closed, and there are still no regularly scheduled commercial or charter flights operating from there." Dos for Americans Abroad Monitor Local Conditions: Check country-specific travel advisories on for real-time updates on security risks. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at to receive alerts and facilitate emergency contact. Maintain a Personal Safety Plan: Prepare for unexpected crises by identifying safe locations, keeping emergency contacts updated, and ensuring your phone is charged, per the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia's security alert. Consider Evacuation Options: In Israel, contact the US Embassy for evacuation flights or cruise ships, as announced by Ambassador Mike Huckabee. Read More: Every US citizen a 'target': Iran after US strikes on Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow nuclear sites Don'ts for Americans Abroad Do Not Travel to High-Risk Areas: Avoid travel to Israel, Iraq, or Iran due to armed conflict, terrorism, and civil unrest. The State Department explicitly warns against travel to Iran, advising those present to shelter in place. Avoid Large Gatherings: Steer clear of protests or crowds, which may target US citizens or interests, especially in the Middle East. Do Not Ignore Airspace Closures: Refrain from planning air travel through regions with closed airspace, such as Israel or Iran, where commercial flights are limited.
Hindustan Times
36 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
2 held for sheltering Pahalgam attackers
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two men for allegedly harbouring the terrorists who killed 26 civilians in Pahalgam two months ago, the agency said on Sunday, marking the first set of arrests in connection with the terror attack. ITBP personnel patrol an area at Betaab Valley of Pahalgam ahead of reopening of tourists places in the area, which were closed in view of security considerations after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, in Anantnag district, Sunday (PTI) In a statement, NIA said that Pahalgam residents Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar knew about the terror affiliations of the three gunmen and provided them with shelter, food and logistical support in the days leading up to the April 22 attack. 'Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack. The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists who selectively killed the tourists on the basis of their religious identity,' the anti-terror agency said in a statement and added the two have been charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act's (UAPA) Section 19 (punishment for harbouring or concealing a terrorist). The agency did not disclose further information about the two men. Also Read | Pahalgam probe: In hunt for gunmen, 2 possibilities on radar Since the terror strike, security forces have killed six terrorists in separate encounters across Kashmir, but the Pahalgam attackers remain at large. Authorities detained close to 2,000 people for questioning in the aftermath of the attack. 'The duo has also disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack, and have also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT),' the anti-terror agency said in the statement. Also Read | 'Attack on every Indian's soul': PM Modi on Pahalgam terror attack at G7 Summit Authorities earlier identified the suspected attackers as Hashim Musa, also known as Suleiman, and Ali Bhai, also called Talha Bhai — both Pakistani nationals — and local operative Adil Hussain Thokker. The agency did not clarify on Sunday if the three terrorists alluded to in its statement were same as the ones identified earlier. NIA, which is formally investigating the case, has questioned hundreds of people over two months, including suspected collaborators, pony operators, vendors and tourism workers. Investigators have also examined videos and photographs taken by families at Baisaran meadow on the day of the attack. HT reported on Sunday that security forces are pursuing two theories about the whereabouts of the terrorists, with officials divided over whether the attackers remain in hiding or have fled to Pakistan. The Resistance Front, a proxy group for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba organisation, claimed responsibility for the attack. Indian agencies say the group is a front used by Pakistan to avoid international sanctions. As first reported by HT on April 24, intelligence agencies traced the attack's digital communications to safe houses in Muzaffarabad and Karachi, establishing Pakistani involvement in what officials described as similar to the control room-operated 2008 Mumbai attacks. India responded with Operation Sindoor on May 7, bombing nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in pre-dawn strikes that killed at least 100 militants. The operation sparked four days of cross-border fighting involving fighter jets, missiles and artillery.
