INDIA: When half a dozen trucks loaded with construction material screeched to a halt on their farms, Baryam Singh and fellow residents in the Indian village of Bobiya sensed they were soon going to lose more land to the military.
The farmers chased away the contractors and laborers with protests and threats of deflated tires, knowing it was only a temporary reprieve.
“The military infrastructure has been growing in our village and our farmlands are shrinking,” Singh told the Thomson Reuters Foundation, like other farmers sitting around him nodded.
“More than 50% of our agricultural land is under military lockdown,” he said of the village on the border with Pakistan.
Over the past 15 years, the Indian army and the country’s Border Security Force (BSF) have been acquiring land to fortify defenses in the border districts of Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Border Welfare Committee, a local organization campaigning for the rights of border residents.
Both India and Pakistan administer the disputed state of Kashmir in part while claiming it in full.
The fertile land where Jammu and Kashmir meet Pakistan has become dotted with barbed wire and land mines, leaving hundreds of farmers cut off from their farms, often with no warning or compensation, said Bobiya villagers.
“This is adding to the economic distress of farmers who don’t have alternative sources of livelihood,” said Singh.
After India revoked the autonomy of its portion of Kashmir in August, farmers in border areas now fear to lose even more of their land to the military, according to ID KHajjuria, an activist who heads up the Jammu and Kashmir Forum for Peace and Territorial Integrity.
With India bringing Jammu and Kashmir deeper into its fold, the central government will have greater power to seize territory in the border regions in the name of national security, he warned.
“The local elected political representatives will now have a very limited say in the functioning of the (Jammu and Kashmir) government,” KHajjuria said.
Jammu divisional commissioner Sanjeev Verma said that all farmers in Jammu province would eventually be paid for their land.
“Whatever new agricultural land is being acquired, the farmers will get financial compensation,” he said in a phone interview.
Some have already been compensated, he added, though he declined to specify how many.
’I AM LANDLESS NOW’
The defense system includes a fence of about 900 km (560 miles) in length that sits several kilometers into India from the border, slicing through villages and leaving vast tracts of farmland on the other side of the fence toward Pakistan.
India’s government is also working on a “Wall of Defense” along the border between India and Pakistan, according to the Border Security Force.
The project consists of a 10-meter-high (32-foot) mud embankment to protect residents of India’s border villages from frequent cease-fire violations that both sides blame on each other.
There are also plans to install high-tech surveillance systems to plug gaps where physical surveillance is not possible, India’s ministry of home affairs announced last year.
Members of the Border Welfare Committee — which is based in the city of Kathua — said that thousands of hectares of Indian farmland now sit untouched on the other side of the fence.
Technically, farmers can still get to their land, but the checkpoints in the fence are opened only during specific times of day and farmers have to walk for hours to reach their fields, explained Bharat Bhushan Sharma, the committee’s vice president.
Even if they do manage to successfully cultivate their crops, “there is always a threat of cross-border fire,” said Sharma, who is also head of Bobiya village.
“And then (they) can’t protect their crops from wild animals.”
Committee president Nanak Chand, 87, said he lost almost eight hectares of land to the fence when it was first built in 2004.
“Three months ago, the military acquired the remaining two hectares of farmland as well,” he said. “I am landless now.”
Chand was given 3 million rupees ($42,000) as compensation, which he says is not enough to buy himself an equivalent piece of land in a peaceful part of the country.
KHajjuria agreed, saying that “with developers and businessmen from other states rushing to Jammu and Kashmir, land prices are likely to soar and it would make it difficult for poor border residents to buy land in peaceful areas.”
In December 2018, Chand filed a petition with the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on behalf of farmers living in the border areas of the affected districts.
The petition called for the government to pay rent for farmland on the Pakistan side of the fence and provide farmers with compensation for each crop season during which their land remains uncultivated.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, the BSF and the local administration have not yet filed their responses, according to lawyers representing the farmers.
Jugal Kishore Sharma, a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party who represents the Jammu-Poonch parliamentary constituency, could not specify how much of the land along the border currently being used by the military is farmland.
But he said officials in the border districts are in the process of measuring that amount.
“Thereafter, the government will start paying rent to farmers,” he said in a phone interview.
WAITING FOR PEACE
Often times, when the border fence cuts through a farm, it also isolates the village in which the farm is located, said Mohammad Arif Khan, 67, head of Behrooti village in Poonch district.
As a result, “the villages (are) deprived of even the basic facilities and infrastructure,” he explained.
The huge razor-wire fence has turned Behrooti into what locals have described as an open prison.
“Our village doesn’t have roads and health care facilities. There is no Internet or mobile phone connectivity,” said Mohammad Nisar Khan, 30, another resident.
“A zoo is visited by people every day, but here the outsiders are not allowed. Socially, we are completely isolated.”
The knowledge that the military plans to add high-tech surveillance equipment to the fence is disheartening, said Khan, who like many Indians living on the border is holding out hope that the fence will one day be moved onto the border itself.
“We’ll become permanent prisoners if the fence gets upgraded at its current location,” he said.
While the residents of Behrooti feel trapped in their village by the fence, others fear it will force them to leave their homes for good.
“There’s little chance that our next generation will be in a position to continue living here (at the border),” said Meer Chand, a rice farmer in Nanga village, 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Bobiya.
“We’ve lost hope that there will ever be peace between India and Pakistan. We have neither security of life nor livelihood.” (Reporting by Ashutosh Sharma, Editing by Jumana Farouky and Zoe Tabary. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women’s and LGBT+ rights, human trafficking, property rights, and climate change.
India’s increasing defenses eat away at farmland along border with Pakistan
India’s increasing defenses eat away at farmland along border with Pakistan
- More than 50% of our agricultural land is under military lockdown, a villager said
- Technically, farmers can still get to their land, but the checkpoints in the fence are opened only during specific times of day
Pakistani commerce minister in Iraq for key trade talks after over two decades
- Relations between Pakistan and Iraq have received a boost with a number of ministerial-level exchanges in recent years
- The 9th Joint Ministerial Commission session, the first since 2001, will focus on deepening bilateral economic partnership
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Commerce Minister Jam Kamal arrived in Baghdad on Monday to lead the Pakistani delegation at key trade talks that are being held after more than two decades, the Pakistani commerce ministry said.
Kamal will lead the Pakistani side at the 9th session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iraq. This is the first session to take place since the previous JMC meeting held in Islamabad in 2001.
Upon his arrival at the Baghdad International Airport, the Pakistani commerce minister was received by Iraq’s Minister for Housing and Construction Bangen Rekani, Pakistan Ambassador to Iraq Muhammad Zeeshan Ahmed, and Pakistani Ministry of Economic Affairs Secretary Dr. Kazim Niaz.
“The 9th JMC session, scheduled during Mr. Jam Kamal’s visit, is expected to open new avenues for economic collaboration and further solidify the longstanding friendship between the two nations,” the Pakistani commerce ministry said.
“This visit underscores Pakistan’s commitment to fostering stronger ties with Iraq in various domains, including trade, infrastructure, and regional development.”
Relations between Pakistan and Iraq have received a boost with a number of ministerial-level exchanges in recent years. The two countries have held discussions on enhancing defense and law enforcement cooperation, focusing on counterterrorism, counternarcotics and intelligence-sharing.
The Pakistani commerce ministry said the historic nature of the JMC session highlights mutual determination of both countries to deepen their economic partnership after a hiatus of over two decades.
Kamal also discussed a range of topics of mutual interest, including enhancing trade ties, boosting economic cooperation and fostering closer collaboration in key sectors, in his meeting with the Iraqi housing and construction minister.
“Both sides expressed optimism about revitalizing bilateral engagements and addressing shared challenges,” the commerce ministry added.
Warner, Williamson, Joseph and Mitchell to make debut in Pakistan Super League 2025
- All six franchises assembled their squads at the glittering PSL 2025 Player Draft ceremony on Monday
- PSL 2025 is scheduled to take place between April 8 and May 19, with 116 players from 10 countries
ISLAMABAD: New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell became the first pick of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 Player Draft as the two-time winners Lahore Qalandars roped him in to bolster their batting order at a ceremony in Lahore on Monday afternoon, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.
Mitchell, who has played 70 T20Is, will make his PSL debut later this year. Left-handed batter David Warner was pouched by 2020 PSL champions Karachi Kings as they made use of the second pick in the first Platinum round. Warner, with his wealth of experience including 12,727 T20 runs in 392 T20 matches, will also be among the list of notable debutants this season.
Peshawar Zalmi used the Right to Match option for Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who was picked by Quetta Gladiators. Kohler-Cadmore has represented Zalmi in the last four PSL editions. Gladiators then picked up New Zealand’s Mark Chapman, who has played 81 T20Is in his 10-year long international career and is a dual international as well.
Michael Bracewell and Matthew Short were the last two picks in the Platinum one round as they were gleaned by Multan Sultans and Islamabad United, respectively. Bracewell, an all-format player for New Zealand has played 149 T20s having scored 2,744 runs and taken 66 wickets. Short will add to Islamabad’s explosive batting line-up as they look to add a fourth PSL Trophy to their cabinet later this year.
“In the Platinum round two, Quetta Gladiators and Karachi Kings had two picks each. Gladiators used their Wild Card pick option to snare all-rounder Faheem Ashraf to their squad,” the PCB said in a statement.
“Aggressive Kiwi opening batter Finn Allen was the other player Quetta picked in this round. Allen, 25, has played 47 T20Is for New Zealand and scored 1,141 runs with the help of two centuries and at a strike rate of 158.69.”
Karachi Kings strengthened their pace arsenal as they went for Adam Milne as their first pick of the Platinum two round and followed it up by using Wild Card on Mohammad Abbas Afridi.
Milne will bring in extra pace to PSL 2025 along with his experience of 186 T20s in which has bagged 213 wickets at an average of 23.61. On the other hand, Abbas Afridi, who will now ply his trade for the Kings, was the leading wicket taker – 23 wickets, for Multan Sultans in PSL 2023 and also became part of the team of the tournament.
The Diamond round of picks saw Peshawar Zalmi, Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars bag quality overseas talent in the form of Corbin Bosch, Jason Holder and Kusal Perera. Bosch was picked by Zalmi, Holder by United and Perera by Qalandars.
Peshawar Zalmi topped up their pace stocks by picking Bangladesh’s Nahid Rana in the Gold category round one. Rana, 22, has impressed one and all with his express pace in his brief international career.
In the same category, Islamabad United picked Aussie left-arm fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis, who has bagged 176 T20 wickets at an average of 22 in 140 games. He will join his fellow countrymen Riley Meredith and Short on the United roster for PSL 2025.
“In the Silver category round three Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain was picked up by Qalandars. In a first, United States of America’s (USA) Andries Gous made it to the HBL PSL 2025 and he will turn up for Islamabad United,” the statement read.
“Multan Sultans added Irish pacer Josh Little and West Indies’ spinner Gudakesh Motie to their side during this round.”
In the supplementary round one, Kane Williamson was picked by Karachi Kings, who will join his New Zealand teammate Milne. He will be one of the notable overseas signings for Kings along with Mohammad Nabi, David Warner and Litton Das. Johnson Charles, Tom Curran, Kusal Mendis and pacer Alzarri Joseph were bagged by Sultans, Qalandars, Gladiators, and Zalmi, respectively in the supplementary round one.
In the round two, Sam Billings was snared by Qalandars who used Right to Match card against defending champions Islamabad United, who later picked up Rassie van der Dussen. Quetta Gladiators made a strong pick as they bagged Australia’s Sean Abbott adding more pace and batting firepower to their line-up. Shai Hope was picked by Sultans while Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi will return to Karachi Kings this year.
Shoaib Malik will feature in his tenth consecutive PSL edition as he was picked up by Quetta Gladiators in the Supplementary round three. Among the two Emerging rounds of picks, notable selections were made. Batting prodigy Hasan Nawaz went to Gladiators’ roster, while talented Maaz Sadaqat was picked up by Zalmi.
Saad Masood the right-arm leg-spinner, who can bat as well and made headlines in the recent Champions T20 Cup in Rawalpindi, found home in Islamabad United and will be marshalled by Shadab Khan himself. Hunain Shah returns to Islamabad United while Ubaid Shah was picked up by Multan Sultans.
FINAL SQUADS
Islamabad United: Matthew Short, Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan (all Platinum), Imad Wasim (mentor) and Azam Khan, Jason Holder (both Diamond), Ben Dwarhuis, Salman Irshad, Salman Ali Agha (Brand Ambassador) and Haider Ali (all Gold), Andries Gous, Colin Munro, Muhammad Nawaz and Rumman Raees (all Silver), Hunain Shah, Saad Masood (both Emerging)
Supplementary – Riley Meredith and Rassie van der Dussen
Multan Sultans: Michael Bracewell, Mohammad Rizwan and Usama Mir (all Platinum), David Willey (mentor), Iftikhar Ahmed (Brand Ambassador) and Usman Khan (all Diamond), Chris Jordan, Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Hasnain (all Gold), Akif Javed, Gudakesh Motie, Josh Little, Faisal Akram and Tayyab Tahir (all Silver), Ubaid Shah and Shahid Aziz (both Emerging)
Supplementary – Johnson Charles, Muhammad Amir Barki, Shai Hope and Yasir Khan
Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (all Platinum), Corbin Bosch, Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Haris (all Diamond), Abdul Samad, Hussain Talat and Nahid Rana (all Gold), Arif Yaqoob, Najeebullah Zadran, Max Bryant, Mehran Mumtaz and Sufyan Moqim (Brand Ambassador) (all silver), Ali Raza and Maaz Sadaqat (both Emerging)
Supplementary – Ahmed Daniyal and Alzarri Joseph
Quetta Gladiators: Faheem Ashraf, Finn Allen and Mark Chapman (Platinum), Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir (mentor) and Rilee Rossouw (all Diamond), Akeal Hosein, Saud Shakeel (Brand Ambassador) and Mohammad Wasim Jr. (all Gold), Haseebullah Khan, Khawaja Muhammad Nafay, Kyle Jamieson, Khurram Shahzad and Usman Tariq (all Silver), Mohammad Zeeshan and Hasan Nawaz (both Emerging)
Supplementary – Danish Aziz, Kusal Mendis, Sean Abbott and Shoaib Malik
Karachi Kings: Adam Milne, David Warner and Mohammad Abbas Afridi (all Platinum), Hasan Ali and James Vince, Khushdil Shah (all Diamond), Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Irfan Khan and Shan Masood (all Gold), Arafat Minhas (Brand Ambassador), Litton Das, Mir Hamza, Tim Seifert and Zahid Mehmood (all Silver), Fawad Ali and Riazullah (Emerging)
Supplementary – Kane Williamson, Mohammad Nabi, Omair Bin Yousuf, Mirza Mamoon
Lahore Qalandars: Daryl Mitchell, Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Shah Afridi (all Platinum), Haris Rauf (Brand Ambassador), Kusal Perera and Sikandar Raza (all Diamond), Abdullah Shafique, Jahandad Khan and Zaman Khan (all Gold), Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, David Wiese, Muhammad Akhlaq and Rishad Hossain (all Silver), Mohammad Azab and Momin Qamar (both Emerging)
Supplementary – Mohammad Naeem, Sam Billings, Salman Ali Mirza and Tom Curran
Pakistan army chief vows to root out militancy on visit to troubled northwest
- Pakistan has struggled to contain militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, since its truce with Pakistani Taliban broke down in 2022
- Islamabad has frequently accused Afghanistan of supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks, Kabul denies the allegation
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief, Gen Asim Munir, on Monday promised to eliminate militancy from the South Asian country, the military said, as the army commander visited the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province that has witnessed a surge in attacks in recent months.
Pakistan has struggled to contain surging militancy in KP, which borders Afghanistan, since a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban and the state broke down in November 2022. The TTP and other militant groups have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.
On Monday, Gen. Munir visited the provincial capital of Peshawar, where he was given a briefing on the prevailing security situation and the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the region, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.
“The enemy may try to sow discord and fear, but we will not relent. Hostile elements will be dealt with an iron hand,” he was quoted as saying by the ISPR. “They will continue to suffer heavy losses, and their capacity to inflict harm will be decimated.”
The army chief said that any attempt to disturb the peace of the nation would be met with “decisive and overwhelming force,” praising the unwavering resolve and sacrifices of armed forces and law enforcement agencies
“Through their dedication, courage, and supreme sacrifices, we have successfully degraded the operational capabilities of terrorist organizations, both within our borders and beyond,” he said.
“Our forces have relentlessly pursued and eliminated key terrorist leaders, dismantled their infrastructure, and neutralized their cells, sending a clear message that terror has no place in our land. This war is ongoing and we would take it to its logical conclusion.”
The visit by the army chief came two days after Pakistani security forces killed nine militants in two separate engagements in KP’s North Waziristan district, which borders Afghanistan.
Islamabad has frequently blamed the surge in militancy on Afghanistan, accusing it of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny involvement and insist that Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.
Separately, Gen. Munir interacted with members of various political parties, including Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, in Peshawar.
“The political representatives showed vivid clarity on unflinching support of the armed forces and LEAs in nation’s fight against terror and agreed on the need for a unified front beyond political colors against the extremist philosophy of terrorist groups,” the ISPR added.
Authorities start dismantling bunkers in clashes-hit northwestern Pakistani district
- Tribal and sectarian clashes since Nov. 21 have killed at least 136 people in Kurram, causing medicine, food and fuel shortages
- On Jan. 1, warring sides agreed on the demolition of bunkers and handover of heavy weapons to authorities under a peace agreement
PESHAWAR: Authorities in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province have started dismantling bunkers built by rival tribes in the Kurram district, which has been hit by deadly clashes in the last two months, an official said on Monday.
Kurram, a northwestern district of around 600,000 people in KP, has been rocked by tribal and sectarian clashes since November 21, when armed men attacked a convoy of Shia passengers, killing 52 people.
The attack sparked further violence and blockade of a main road connecting Kurram’s main town of Parachinar with the provincial capital of Peshawar, causing medicine, food and fuel shortages in the area, as casualties surged to 136.
Authorities last week issued a notification regarding dismantling of the bunkers in Lower Kurram, more than a week after a council of tribal and political elders brokered a peace deal between the two sides.
“One bunker each has been demolished in Balishkhel and Khar Kali area of Lower Kurram and arrangements for the demolition of the rest are being made,” Lower Kurram Assistant Commissioner Hafeez-ur-Rehman told Arab News over the phone.
“The bunkers are being dismantled using explosives, under the supervision of the district administration.”
Under the peace agreement signed on Jan. 1, both sides agreed on the demolition of bunkers and the handover of heavy weapons to authorities within two weeks.
Any party that launches an attack after the signing of the deal will be considered a “terrorist” and action will be taken against it. A fine of Rs10 million ($35,933) will be imposed on those who violate the terms of the deal by using weapons against each other, according to the peace agreement.
Land disputes in the volatile district will be settled on a priority basis with the cooperation of local tribes and the district administration. Opening of banned outfits’ offices will be prohibited in the district, while social media accounts spreading hate will be discouraged via collective efforts backed by the government.
The decisions were made by the KP apex committee, which comprises civilian and military leadership in the province.
Muhammad Ali Saif, a spokesperson for the KP government, confirmed the start of a drive to demolish all such structures in the volatile district.
“All bunkers will be dismantled in light of the apex committee decision and the peace agreement,” he said, adding that it was essential to restore peace in the area.
However, a shortage of food and medicines persists in the district and provincial authorities have been supplying relief goods and transporting ailing and injured people from Kurram to Peshawar via helicopters.
Pakistani forces kill 27 militants in southwestern Balochistan province
- Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by landmass and rich in mineral resources, has been the site of a low-level insurgency by Baloch separatists
- Separatist militants last week seized Zehri town in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district, setting government property on fire and robbing Rs768,000 from a bank
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces have killed 27 militants in the southwestern Balochistan province, the military said on Monday, in the latest incident in the insurgency-hit region.
The militants were killed in an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Kacchi district, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.
The deceased had been involved in militant activities against security forces as well as innocent civilians and were “highly wanted” by the law enforcement agencies.
“Multiple hideouts, including caches of arms, ammunition and explosives, were also destroyed during the operation,” the ISPR said in a statement.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by landmass and rich in mineral resources, has long faced a low-level insurgency led by separatist groups, who accuse Islamabad of exploiting the province’s natural resources, such as gold and copper, while neglecting the local population.
Successive Pakistani governments have denied the allegations, saying they prioritized Balochistan’s development through investments in health, education and infrastructure projects.
On Monday, a roadside bomb blast killed one person in Balochistan’s Turbat district, while dozens of ethnic Baloch separatists last week entered Zehri town in the Khuzdar district and seized control of its main market, setting government properties on fire and robbing Rs768,000 ($2,745) from a private bank.
Footage and pictures seen by Arab News showed armed fighters roaming the streets of the town after seizing weapons, vehicles and motorbikes from the Levies paramilitary force. The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) separatist group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Security forces reclaimed the town following skirmishes with the militants, during which one soldier was injured. Provincial authorities later sacked 15 Levies personnel for showing “cowardice” by surrendering to armed militants, according to a government notification.
Violence by Baloch separatist factions, primarily the BLA, killed about 300 people last year, according to official statistics, marking an escalation in the decades-long conflict.
