ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy said on Tuesday that it had thwarted an Indian submarine’s attempt to infiltrate the country’s waters at a time when tensions continue to remain high between the two South Asian, nuclear-armed neighbors.
“Pakistan Navy thwarted every effort of Indian submarine to avoid the detection. To maintain peace, the Indian submarine was not targeted which reflects Pakistan’s desire for peace,” a spokesman said in the statement.
According to Pakistan, this was the second instance of an Indian submarine being detected since November 2016.
The statement added that India should learn from this incident and work toward peace. “The Pakistan Navy used its specialized skills to ward off the submarine, successfully keeping it away from entering Pakistani waters,” the statement added.
Tensions along the border have remained high since February 14 when a suicide bomber killed at least 40 paramilitary troopers in the Pulwama district of Indian-administered Kashmir, with New Delhi maintaining that the attack was carried out by a Pakistan-based militant outfit, Jaish-e-Mohammad. Pakistan denies the allegations.
The incident led to both the countries indulging in airstrikes resulting in Pakistan capturing an Indian Air Force pilot on February 27.
While Islamabad decided to release Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman on March 1 as a peace gesture, Pakistan’s armed forces continue to remain vigilant.
Pakistan Navy foils India’s attempt to infiltrate with submarine
Pakistan Navy foils India’s attempt to infiltrate with submarine
- Says vessel was not deployed to maintain peace
- Tensions remain high between the two nuclear-armed neighbors
Pakistan unveils world’s ‘largest’ Markhor sculpture in Kaghan Valley
- Massive structure, standing 105 feet high and 38 feet wide, took five years to complete
- Authorities aim to draw tourists to mountainous north, raise awareness about species
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has unveiled the world’s “largest” sculpture of the Markhor, the country’s national animal, in the scenic Kaghan Valley, Radio Pakistan reported on Friday, highlighting cultural pride, wildlife heritage and the country’s growing focus on tourism.
By immortalizing the Markhor in stone, authorities aim to draw tourists to the mountainous north and raise awareness about the species, a symbol of national identity and a conservation-success story.
“The massive structure, standing 105 feet high and 38 feet wide, took five years to complete,” Radio Pakistan reported. “The Kaghan Valley, known for its breath-taking landscapes, now hosts this record-breaking tribute, attracting visitors from across the country and beyond.”
The Markhor, a wild mountain goat native to the high-altitude regions of northern Pakistan, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has distinctive corkscrew-shaped horns and remarkable agility on rocky terrain.
Once heavily threatened by overhunting and habitat loss, the Markhor’s fortunes have rebounded in recent decades thanks to conservation efforts and community protection programs. Its increasing population has led to its conservation status being downgraded from “Endangered” to “Near Threatened.”
Local tourism officials say the new sculpture is expected to draw significant numbers of visitors to Kaghan Valley, giving a boost to local economies while reinforcing interest in wildlife conservation and Pakistan’s natural heritage.
