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'Trump knew about Israel's plan to attack Iran - and the UK could get sucked in'
'Trump knew about Israel's plan to attack Iran - and the UK could get sucked in'

Daily Mirror

time13-06-2025

  • Politics
  • Daily Mirror

'Trump knew about Israel's plan to attack Iran - and the UK could get sucked in'

Israel has seized its moment - launching more than 200 warplanes at Iran, hitting weapons research sites and perhaps setting back its nuclear weapons ambitions for years. As the smoke clears from direct hits all over Iran, with nuclear scientists killed and the regime severely humiliated this is the closest the region has come to all-out war in years. Crucially it is possible Israel has dealt a severe blow to Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions. It was the most telegraphed and devastating Israeli military operation in decades but it has shaken the Middle East balance of power from its axis, seriously hitting Tehran. And although it has come as no great surprise it marks a major turning point in Iran's history as it decides whether to declare all-out war on Israel and prompt a much wider conflict. This attack could also escalate the possibility of Iranian-backed covert missions against the west, including the UK, which is a marked ally of both the US and Israel. Sources suggest Israel would have attacked Iran's nuclear programme sooner but its Mossad intelligence agency was busy placing agents deep within Iran. Nevertheless, variations of this attack have been wargamed for years by Israel and even the US whose conflict planners have regularly updated blueprints for war with Tehran. But military planners in Tel Aviv calculate that with Lebanese Hezbollah to the north crippled and Hamas in Gaza on the run there was no better time to hit Iran. Also it has been clear for some time that Iran was proceeding towards enriching Uranium to weapons-grade levels. With its sworn ambition to end Israel the attack was inevitable and the west will calculate that stopping Iran getting rid of Iran's nuclear weapons plans, if it has, was a good idea. And losing so much proxy military power to Israeli attacks in the past few years has meant Iran's response has been severely limited but it could still mobilise a million troops. There has been speculation that Israel launched some of its attacks from within Iran, perhaps using Mossad-trained dissidents to target sites, personnel for assassination and mark key weapons depots. The key to all of this is will be the Iranian response - thus far more than 100 explosive drones and possibly even ballistic missiles sent back in revenge - elicit an overt US involvement? And any US involvement will also likely suck the UK into a conflict and increase the risk of terror attacks across Europe, with Britain certainly in Iran's crosshairs. There is no doubt that the US, behind the scenes, will have been deeply involved in intelligence sharing with Israel in the build-up to this huge escalation. In recent days America has quietly been withdrawing assets and people from diplomatic missions from sensitive parts of the Middle East. It is thought Israel has killed at least three of Tehran's top military commanders, a number of nuclear scientists and there are suggestions civilians have been killed. But as more than 100 weapons make their way towards Israel, prompting air-raid sirens throughout the country, the world is watching. The Iranian regime will feel it has to respond but the huge question is how much? A much bigger response could trigger a US involvement and Tehran does not want that. This morning senior defence sources have told me so far the UK military is not involved in defending Israel and was not involved in the attacks on Iran. Interestingly the US and Iran were in talks over its nuclear attempts and just hours before this attack tension over a suggested collapse in negotiations had receded. It is impossible to imagine the US was not told about the attack on Iran beforehand and perhaps Donald Trump even endorsed it, having been briefed about how big it was going to be.

Punjab mobilises its elite forces along border
Punjab mobilises its elite forces along border

Hindustan Times

time10-05-2025

  • Politics
  • Hindustan Times

Punjab mobilises its elite forces along border

Rising in tandem with the Indian Army and the other security agencies to tackle any challenge arising from military escalation between India and Pakistan, Punjab Police have mobilised their elite forces — Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams, Special Operations Groups (SOG) and Ghatak forces — as the second line of defence along the Pakistan border. As many as 16 companies from Punjab Armed Police (PAP) have also been deployed, following a thorough ground assessment. Additionally, more than 90 nakas have been set up along the border at strategic points, complete with specialised heavy vehicles. The SWAT, SOGs, Ghatak squads — trained on the manuals developed by Israil's national intelligence agency Mosaad — are generally brought in for VVIP duties, such as visits by the President and Prime minister. An ADGP rank officer disclosed that Punjab Police had been working to develop these elite units as the 'second wall' since 2017. 'The special cops who have been trained for war-like situations have been moved to the sensitive border areas to meet out any challenge arising out of the escalation,' said a senior police official. SWAT had played a major role in neutralising terrorists during the Dinanagar attack in July 2015. The very next year, these teams were also deployed outside the Pathankot airbase in another terrorist attack. 'Responding to and neutralising terrorist threats within Punjab, safeguarding high-profile individuals and sensitive locations, and acting swiftly during emergencies and high-risk situations are the primary fortes of this force,' said a senior Punjab Police functionary. As Punjab Police have also cancelled leaves of all cops right from the rank of constable, the entire force remains on standby, keeping in view its role in civil defence and combat operations in case of need. According to another senior officer posted in security wing, the Punjab Police are also reviewing the security of politicians, singers and other protectees. 'Minute-to-minute collaboration is underway with the BSF and other agencies at the borders. We are ready to face any challenge emerging out of the current situation,' another senior officer from law and order wing said. Mossad-trained units ready as second line of defence Typically tasked with VVIP protection, such as visits by the President or Prime Minister, these elite forces have been trained using manuals developed by Israel's national intelligence agency Mossad, equipping them with specialised capabilities in high-stakes operations. Among them, the SWAT, formed in 2011 to enhance counter-terrorism capabilities, stands out. Initially established to protect political figures, the team received training from Israeli experts via Athena Security, a private firm hired by the Punjab government. This training encompassed Krav Maga — a martial art and self-defence system developed for the Israeli military — as well as room intervention techniques and other specialised tactics. Armed with advanced firearms such as Glock 17s, Beretta 92S, Heckler & Koch MP5, AK-47s, and sniper rifles like the Steyr SSG 69, the teams are also equipped with lightweight protective gear, hands-free communication devices, night-vision equipment and bullet-resistant transport for effective response to high-risk situations.

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