Dear Gurnam Singh jee and Asia Samachar Editorial Team,
I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for your recent article, “Kashmir Conflict: Sikh Views on Loss, Nationalism and Unity”. Your thoughtful exploration of Sikh perspectives amidst the ongoing tensions in Kashmir provided a nuanced and deeply humanizing account that resonated profoundly with me.
The article’s emphasis on the Sikh Nation’s commitment to peace, unity, and compassion, even in the face of adversity, is inspiring and enlightening. By highlighting voices that advocate for harmony and understanding, you have shed light on the often-overlooked narratives that contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the region’s complexities.
Your dedication to presenting such balanced and insightful journalism is commendable. Articles like this inform and foster empathy and dialogue, which are essential in times of conflict.
Thank you for your continued efforts in delivering meaningful content that bridges communities and promotes understanding.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Leaving behind wife, beloved children, grandchildren & great grandchildren.
Forever remembered as a charming & lovely father.
PATH DA BOGH & ANTIM ARDAS Gurdwara Sahib Sentul 25 May 2025, Sunday, 5pm – 7pm
To everyone who knew him-even in the smallest way-please take this as a warm and personal invitation to join us in remembering him during the Path Da Bogh.
Your presence would truly be appreciated.
For further details, please contact: Sandeep Singh (+60 10 259 2300) Palvin Singh ( +60 16 969 5656)
| Entry: 9 May 2025; Updated: 15 May 2025 | Source: Family
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
The recent terrorist attack in Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent Hindu tourists and left 10 others injured, has once again cast a shadow over the region. The attack in Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist spot near Pahalgam, serves as a stark reminder of the continued violence and the fragility of peace in a region scarred by years of conflict. This attack, in many ways, echoes the tragic Chittisinghpura massacre, where 36 Sikhs were brutally killed by terrorists in the village of Anantnag district on March 20, 2000. The massacre occurred just days before US President Bill Clinton’s state visit to India, highlighting the deepening conflict and the senseless loss of innocent lives. There is a widely held belief that this massacre was itself a product of the geopolitics of the region.
For Sikhs, this tragedy resonates deeply. The Chittisinghpura massacre, much like the recent Pahalgam attack, reflects the devastating impact of terrorism and sectarian violence in Kashmir. It reminds us that civilians, regardless of their faith or background, continue to be caught in the crossfire of political and religious conflict. The memories of Chittisinghpura highlight the human cost of conflict, and they underscore the urgent need for peace and unity in the region.
For us, as Sikhs, the Pahalgam attack is not just a news event; it is a painful reflection of a larger, more entrenched issue that has plagued both India and Pakistan for decades. The violence in Kashmir, the rise of militant extremism, and the deepening of nationalism on both sides of the border all point to a critical issue: the escalation of hate-filled nationalism, whether it is the rise of hardline Islamism in Pakistan or the Hindu nationalist agenda in India.
In this piece we seek to address this issue through what we believe is the Sikh perspective, one grounded in the universal teachings of compassion, equality, and shared humanity of our Gurus. We stand firmly against the divisive ideologies that continue to tear apart the lives of innocent people. We believe it is time to move beyond these manufactured borders, both physical and mental, and to focus on our shared humanity and collective vulnerabilities.
The Deepening of Nationalism: A Dangerous Path
Nationalism has always played a role in the India-Pakistan conflict, but in recent years, we have witnessed a dangerous shift. On both sides of the border, nationalism has taken on a more extreme form, one that is built on hatred and division rather than unity. In India, the rise of Hindutva and the increasing prominence of the Hindu right-wing agenda have fuelled the flames of intolerance. In Pakistan, the growing influence of hardline Islamists has led to an equally dangerous form of nationalism that disregards the rights and dignity of not only non-Muslim minorities, but moderate Muslims as well.
The nationalism we see today is not the nationalism of unity, solidarity, or mutual respect. It is a nationalism that thrives on fear, exclusion, and hatred. It is a nationalism that seeks to demonize the “other”, whether that other is a Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, or anyone who does not fit within a narrow, ideological framework. This kind of nationalism is deeply harmful. It teaches us to view one another as enemies rather than neighbours. It reinforces the artificial divisions that have caused so much pain and suffering in our shared history.
As Sikhs, we reject this vision of nationalism. We cannot, in good conscience, support any ideology that promotes hatred, intolerance, or the dehumanization of others. We have witnessed the horrors of division and violence in the past during the partition of India in 1947 when families were torn apart, and lives were shattered by violence. We have seen how nationalist ideologies, whether religious or political, have driven people to commit atrocities in the name of a false sense of superiority or identity or in the service of one’s faith.
The Sikh Perspective: A Vision of Universal Humanism
The Sikh Gurus, in their timeless teachings, have called us to reject hatred, violence, and division. They have shown us that our common humanity is far greater than the artificial lines that divide us. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhi, taught that there is one Creator, and all human beings regardless of their faith, race, or nationality are equal in the eyes of God. “No one is a Hindu, no one is a Muslim,” he famously said, pointing to the folly of religious and cultural divisions that seek to divide us.
Sikhi does not see the world in terms of “us” versus “them.” It teaches us to view all people as equals and to embrace the diversity that makes our world rich and beautiful. The very concept of “Sarbat da Bhala” (the well-being of all) is central to Sikh thought, emphasizing that we must work for the good of all humanity, not just for our own community or nation. This universal humanism is the antidote to the poison of hate-filled nationalism. Sikh teachings call on us to build bridges, not walls; to embrace our common vulnerabilities, our shared needs, and our mutual aspirations.
The Need to Tear Down Borders: Physical and Mental
The conflict between India and Pakistan is fuelled by physical borders, but perhaps more insidiously, it is also driven by mental borders, divisions in our hearts and minds that prevent us from seeing each other as human beings. These mental borders are built on centuries of fear, mistrust, and hatred, and they are perpetuated by governments and ideologies that profit from division.
We must recognize that the physical borders between India and Pakistan are not the true barriers to peace. The real barriers are the walls in our minds, the prejudices, the stereotypes, the hatred that has been passed down through generations. These mental borders are just as real and just as dangerous as the lines on a map, and they are far harder to tear down.
As Sikhs, we believe that it is not only possible but essential to tear down these borders. The teachings of Guru Nanak and the Sikh Gurus encourage us to see beyond national identities, religious affiliations, and ethnic divisions. They urge us to recognize the fundamental equality of all people, regardless of their background, and to treat one another with love, respect, and compassion.
Let’s not add fuel to the fire!
In the midst of these geopolitical tensions, there are groups like Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) who believe that the current conflict between India and Pakistan might somehow benefit the Sikh community in their quest to establish an independent Sikh state, Khalistan. The Middle East Research Institute (MEMRI) published an article on 7th May 2025 where they report that Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the head of SFJ, “told a Pakistani television channel that Sikhs will defend Pakistan in the case of attack by India”. Such wild threatening comments, as well as being contrary to Sikh ethics, are likely, if anything to make the lives of Sikhs in the region even more precarious.
While we acknowledge that the pain and suffering caused by the 1984 anti-Sikh genocide and other injustices should not be ignored, the idea that the break-up of India and Pakistan and the creation of the imaginary state of Khalistan will lead to peace is dangerously misguided. Such ideas fail to recognize the complex historical realities that demonstrate the consequences of partition and balkanization.
The historical examples of Yugoslavia, Ukraine, the Middle East and other former Soviet states provide stark warnings. The breakup of Yugoslavia into smaller, ethnically defined states led to brutal conflicts, ethnic cleansing, and decades of instability. Similarly, the ongoing tensions in Ukraine and the former Soviet states show that creating new national borders does not always lead to peace; it can often deepen existing divisions and lead to even greater suffering. And as for the Middle East, with various wars and conflicts all we can see is bloodshed and turmoil. Nationalism, mixed with religion is indeed a very poisonous mixture.
The most compelling example, however, is Western Europe, which offers a clear counter-narrative to the idea of balkanization. After the devastation of World War II, European nations, which had been at war for centuries, came together to form powerful transnational structures, such as the European Union and NATO. This cooperation, founded on mutual respect and shared goals, has created a region where nations that were once enemies now work together for collective prosperity and peace.
While Sikhs like any other community in the world have a legal right to self- determination, there is a big gap between exercising this basic human right wherever one may be living, and the case for separatism. Especially at this current moment, instead of seeking division, we must embrace unity, not only between India and Pakistan but across the entire region. A fragmented, divided South Asia would only perpetuate the cycles of violence and hatred. It would serve no one’s interests, not the Sikhs, not the Hindus, not the Muslims, nor the future generations who will inherit these borders.
Embracing Humanism
The violence in Kashmir, much like similar conflicts the world over, is symptomatic the failure to recognize our common humanity. We, as Sikhs, must reject all ideology of division and hatred. That means doubling our commitment to the universal and humanist teachings of Sikhism. We cannot afford to allow nationalism and religious extremism to dictate our futures. It is therefore time to break the cycle of hate and violence and to build a future based on mutual respect and understanding.
We call on the people of India and Pakistan, on Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and those without any faith allegiance to reject the ideologies of hate and division. Let to say to those who use religion to justify violence, stop bringing our great faith traditions into disrepute. Let us work together to build a future where we can all live in peace, security and dignity.
Gurnam Singh is an academic activist dedicated to human rights, liberty, equality, social and environmental justice. He is an Associate Professor of Sociology at University of Warwick, UK. He can be contacted at Gurnam.singh.1@warwick.ac.uk
Manjit Kaur, a UK-based therapist and counsellor, is a presenter at the 1 Show Live at Panjab Broadcasting Channel, UK. She can be contacted via email at manjitkaur1show@gmail.com
* This is the opinion of the writerS and does not necessarily represent the views of Asia Samachar.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Next stop for NKJ 2025 tour is Sentul, KL. The UK-based Jatha, led by Harinder Singh, will then be in Kajang (Sunday, May 11) and Seremban (Sunday, May 11 & Monday, May 12). Click here for posting at Facebook or Instagram.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Sardar Darshan Singh Punea s/o Late Sdr Naran Singh
11.9.1941 – 8.5.2025
Setapak, KL
Village: Jalal di Waal; District: Ludhiana
It is with great sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved father, husband and grandfather.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, his children, grandchildren, relatives & friends.
AKHAND PATH
Friday, 16th May to Sunday, 18th May Gurdwara Polis High Street, Kuala Lumpur
Akhand Paath will be commencing on Friday at 9am and the Akhand Paath Da Bhog will be held on Sunday, 18th May 2025 from 10 am to 12 noon. Your attendance will be greatly appreciated by our family.
For further information, kindly contact Gurprit 016 685 4154 Manoj 016 222 3581
| Entry: 8 May 2025; Updated 11 May 2025 | Source: Family
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Also deeply missed by Grandchildren and Great grandchildren
LAST RITES 10th May 2025 (Saturday) 1.00 pm: Cortège leaves from No 1, Solok Stadium 4, Ipoh Garden 31400, Ipoh, Perak 2.00 pm: Saskkar (cremation) at Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Ipoh Crematorium
PATH DA BHOG 24th May 2025 (Saturday) 9.30am to 12pm Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Ipoh, Perak
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Press briefing on Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, after India claimed that it struck bases in Pakistan where alleged terrorist attacks were being planned and directed. – Screengrab from broadcast
By Tarunjit Singh Butalia | Pakistan |
I come from a family with a two-century-old ancestral tradition of serving in the military for three nation states. My sixth generation ancestor, Sardar Ganda Singh Butalia, served in the Khalsa Army of the Sikh Empire in the early 1800s, while my grandfather, Capt. Ajit Singh Butalia served in the British Army in the 1930s. My father, Major Karamjit Singh Butalia, was in the Indian Army from the 1960s to the early 1980s.
I am a child of the India-Pakistan war of 1965 – I was born when my father was away fighting a war for the Indian Army against Pakistan. Today, when India and Pakistan are on the brink of war, I am reminded of my childhood in 1971 in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh. My father and two of his brothers were in the armed forces at war with Pakistan. I remember my brave grandmother, who on the outside was so proud of having three sons at war, but on the inside, she was torn apart – she wished at least one of her sons would come home when the war ended… I remember her telling me that the only people who want to go to war are the ones who have never seen a war.
To better understand yesterday’s (May 6, 2025) missile attacks by India on nine civilian sites (including two mosques) in Pakistan, we must understand some of the dynamics of the Pakistan-India relationship over Kashmir.
Kashmir, often called the paradise of South Asia, has a complex and tumultuous history. It has been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan since their independence in 1947. The region’s beauty, with its snow-capped mountains and lush meadows, has been overshadowed by decades of violence and political unrest.
India blames Pakistan for promoting insurgency in Kashmir, while Pakistan accuses India of doing so in Balochistan. The reality, however, is more nuanced – both nations seem to at least provide moral support to insurgents on the other side of the border between Pakistan and India.
The serene beauty of Kashmir has been juxtaposed with the horrific reality of killings and brutality for decades, by terrorists and security forces. The recent reminder of this came on April 22, 2025, when about 25 civilians (mostly Hindus) were brutally gunned down in the tourist town of Pahalgam in the Kashmir valley. And this happened when over half a million soldiers were present in this part of the restive Indian region.
One would expect a nation like India, which upholds the principles of democracy and law, to conduct a thorough, independent investigation into the Pahalgam killings. Surprisingly, India chose not to pursue this path, despite Pakistan’s offer to collaborate and the United States’ urging for an independent probe.
However, India, in a knee-jerk reaction without proper independent investigations into the Pahalgam massacre and without sharing much evidence linking the nine sites attacked to the April 22 massacre, just 14 days later yesterday launched several missiles into Pakistani territory under the pretext of “hitting terrorist camps” as a response to “the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attacks.” The operation was titled “Sindoor,” referring to the red powder worn by a newly wed Hindu woman whose husband was killed in Pahalgam – this is a misuse of religious terminology to promote “patriotism of hate” – discussed later.
The missile strikes in India are being projected as justice for the Pahalgam victims, while Pakistan has called the strikes an “act of war”. This tit for tat between the nuclear armed rivals is now past sabre ratlling. Pakistan claims to have downed five indian fighter jets, and both sides admit to heavy firing as well as civilian casualties along some areas of the line of control dividing the two armies. We seem to be moving quickly into active warfare between these two nuclear-armed countries, with neighbouring China having declared its allegiance to Pakistan.
Let us not forget that this is not the first time India has carried out strikes inside Pakistan without proper independent investigations. In February 2019, in response to a suicide attack on a paramilitary convoy at Pulwama in Kashmir, within 12 days of the incident, the Indian Air Force carried out a strike inside Pakistan, claiming to have killed militants and terrorists responsible for the suicide attack. Satellite imagery analysis of the site hit showed “minimal damage to the buildings concerned.”
This is now the second time that India has launched a strike into Pakistan on the excuse of exacting justice for attacks in Kashmir, without proper independent investigations. In 2019, it acted within 12 days of the Pulwama attack, and this time, 14 days after the Pahalgam massacre.
For a democracy that claims to follow the rule of law, this is shameful. Without proper investigations, attacking sites in a neighbouring nation as a punishment for terrorist attacks undermines justice for the victims. The Pulwama victims were not served justice in 2019, and neither have the 2025 Pahalgam victims been served justice through the knee-jerk missile attacks carried out in both cases by India inside Pakistan.
My travels in South Asia have taught me a few lessons at a significant price. First, do not trust Indian media for news on Pakistan or Pakistani media for news on India. This also applies now. Both countries, aided by their media, are out to project a “holier-than-thou” image of their nation, with the other being evil and barbaric. Reviewing and making sense of news and developments in South Asia from multiple independent, reliable sources is needed, and social media should not be used to get news updates.
Secondly, Pakistani people love Indian people, but in general, resent the Indian government, especially the current Hindutva Modi government. On the other hand, Indians in general don’t make a distinction between Pakistani people and the Pakistani government – both are viewed as the same and as evil and enemies of India.
But there are pathways forward for the people of India and Pakistan despite their governments going to war. Let us remember that the people of India and Pakistan are not at war, even though their governments may be. Just as the Pakistani public nearly unanimously condemned the recent brutal attack in Pahalgam, I hope the Indian public will also condemn the recent missile attacks on Pakistan, which included two mosques in which women and children were killed. The people-to-people relationship between the two countries in the interest of peace and mutual security is ever more needed today than before.
It is time for peacemakers to stand up and share our empathy with those on the other side. For way too long, in South Asia, “patriotism of hate” – to love India, you must hate Pakistan and vice versa – has ruled the day. A paradigm shift is much needed, in which one can love one’s country and not hate the other. But this can only happen people-to-people on both sides of the border, interacting with each other, empathising, making friends, and building trust.
By ordering missile strikes under the pretext of securing justice for the victims of the Pahalgam massacre without proper independent investigations and without sharing much evidence linking the nine sites attacked with Pahalgam massacre, the Indian government has not only denied justice to the terrorist victims of Pahalgam (2025) but also makes a mockery of justice.
Since yesterday, I have been in touch with several friends and others from South Asia. I find it strange that most people in India don’t feel the necessity for a proper, independent investigation into the Pahalgam massacre to ascertain who carried it out. They further don’t seem to care if the nine sites attacked yesterday are connected to the Pahalgam massacre or not. The victims of the brutal massacre in Kashmir have been used as pawns of hate, while justice for them has been publicly claimed but in reality denied.
The sad part is that with yesterday’s missile attacks on Pakistan, justice has been served for the Pahalgam attack in the eyes of India; in their opinion, there really isn’t any need to carry out an independent investigation into the massacre that killed over 25 persons in Pahalgam just two weeks ago – a sham justice wrapped in patriotic religious terminology of missiles has already been served yesterday.
The victims of the barbaric Pahalgam attack deserve better than Modi’s attempt to subvert their brutal suffering for his internal Hindutva political agenda and for the people of India to buy this lie as a part of their patriotism. What a mockery of justice for victims of the brutal Pahalgam massacre…
Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia, a US-based interfaith activist and scholar with deep roots in East and West Punjab in South Asia, had served as Research Associate Professor at The Ohio State University. In 2021, he published My Journey Home: Going Back to Lehnda Punjab, based on a visit to his ancestral home in Pakistan more than 70 years after his grandparents left it in 1947.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Setapak High School former students with their former teacher Master Daljit Singh in Kuala Lumpur in April 2025
By Manjit Singh | Malaysia |
In a display of gratitude and respect, a group of us – former Sikh students of Setapak High School – recently gathered in the backdrop of the 2025 Vaisakhi celebrations, to honour our cherished teacher, Master Daljit Singh ji. We organised an impromptu appreciation dinner to celebrate his remarkable journey and dedication to education and the Sikh community.
Mr Daljit Singh, fondly known as Master Ji within the Sikh community circle in Malaysia, was a former teacher at the Setapak High School and also a former Jathedar of Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM). Through his visionary insight in 1974, the first school Sikh Society in the history of Malaysia was established in Setapak High School, Kuala Lumpur . He went on to retire as the headmaster of Sekolah Rendah Wangsa Maju, in 1993 or thereabouts, reaching the pinnacle of his teaching career.
We had earlier arranged to pick up Master ji from his residence for the evening held a cosy vegetarian restaurant. The dinner was a blend of nostalgia, reminisces, laughter and heartfelt tributes.
We shared stories of how Master ji not only taught us the usual classroom lessons , but also lifetime lessons that shaped our Sikhi values and life ambitions. For both students and beloved teacher, the gathering served as a moment to reflect upon, seek comfort and remember those comrades who had passed on.
The dinner ‘gup-shup’ was indeed a journey down memory lane. Master ji recalled his journey from his initial dabbling into education in the early 1960s in Terengganu, his early days in KL, his unique educational Malaysian experiment of undergoing teachers training in UK which included the life changing experience of boarding a British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) plane that would transport him 7,000 miles to the Malayan Teachers’ Training College in Kirkby, Liverpool. He recalled fondly his involvement in SNSM and retirement, and much later establishing the Senior Citizens Retreat Centre in Ulu Yam Baru, Selangor. The narrative captured the spirit of a teacher mentor who gave his all to his students and community, day in and day out.
Master Daljit Singh with students at the Setapak High School, Kuala Lumpur, in an undated photo
When asked about his feelings, in his usual steady and calm demeanour Master ji, revealed: “To see all of you here tonight reminds me why I loved teaching so much. It was never just about textbooks or exams—it was about helping you become who you are meant to be. And seeing you all here, thriving, fills my heart with joy”.
Master Daljit Singh with the Sikh student leaders at Setapak High School (undated).
As the evening drew to a close, in a fitting finale to a night that will remain etched in our memory— each gave a tight heartfelt hug to Master Ji (it was definitely not a hand-shake occasion), as a tribute not just to a teacher, but to a legacy of empowering students to think critically, inspiring a love for learning, nurturing youth on the importance of Sikh identity and Punjabi language and leaving a lasting impact on the Sikh community, proof that the seeds of emphatic kindness he planted so many years ago continue to blossom in beautiful ways.
To sum it up, the dinner was just a small way of showing our appreciation to Master Daljit Singh ji, who at 85-years-old, remains an enduring symbol of inspiration, wisdom and compassion to many of us who passed through his hands or classrooms, shaping our knowledge, values and perspectives.
(Manjit Singh, PhD, who served with Malaysia’s Department of Civil Aviation, is a seasoned Malaysian aviation professional, who moved on from the comfort of the Malaysian civil service to work for International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, a specialised agency of the United Nations, headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand)
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
Amritsar and a number of other northern Indian cities will be closed to civilian airlines today after India unleashed its attack on targeted Pakistan sites in respond to the April 22 killings in Pahalgam in India Kashmir.
Pakistan has also closed its airspace to civilian flights following the attack, impacting Lahore and other airports.
The Indian airports impacted include Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh), Leh, Jammu and Srinagar (J&K), Bikaner (Rajasthan) and Hindon in Delhi NCR.
Malaysia Airlines has suspended until May 9 all flights to and from Amritsar, pending the situation on the ground.
Batik Air Malaysia, a Malaysian full-service airline and a subsidiary of Indonesia’s Lion Air Group, has also announced flight cancellation to and from Lahore, Pakistan and Amritsar for today and tomorrow.
India struck nine Pakistani sites today (May 7) that it said comprised “terrorist infrastructure”, two weeks after 26 people were killed in an attack in Indian Kashmir, which New Delhi blamed Islamabad for. Islamabad says six locations were targeted and eight people killed, reported Reuters.
Three fighter jets crashed in India’s Jammu and Kashmir territory on Wednesday, four local government sources told Reuters, hours after India said it struck nine Pakistani “terrorist infrastructure” sites across the border.
A Pakistani military spokesperson told the news agency five Indian aircraft had been shot down, a claim not confirmed by India.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
