February 10, 2018
February 10, 2018
India has given proof to United States that weapon systems like the US TOW-2A anti-tank guided missiles given to Pakistan for use against Taliban are now being used against Indian Army.
At least 9 Indian soldiers have been killed in 2018 in Pakistani ceasefire violations and fire assaults directed against Indian Army positions along the Line of Control – the boundary between the two countries.
US made TOW 2A anti-tank missiles were purchased by Pakistan for "self-defence" and to support US operations against terrorists in Afghanistan. The sale of 2000 anti-tank guided missiles to Pakistan was cleared by the US Congress in October 2007.
India and US renewed a 10-year defence framework agreement in 2015. And a year later, US designated India as a major defence partner.
Subsequently, the US Congress voted to bring India on a par with its other NATO allies (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) for sale of defence equipment and technology transfer.
The "misuse" of the missiles by the Pakistan Army was flagged at appropriate levels in the US government, top sources told India Today. It is understood that remnants of US TOW-2A missile recovered after a fire assault was brought to New Delhi as proof and was shown to US representatives.
Flagging the misuse of the missiles with the US is part of India's policy to isolate Pakistan in the global arena.
In past, India has objected to sale of lethal weapons to Pakistan. In one of his first tweets of this year, President Donald Trump accused Pakistan of deceiving the United States. He said Pakistan was harboring terrorists even US poured billions of dollars in foreign aid.
"The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" President Trump had tweeted on 1st January 2018.
Courtesy/Source: India Today
