Soon after the purported messages between Republic TV CEO, aka Editor-In-Chief Arnab Goswami and Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) Ex-CEO Partho Dasgupta were leaked on Twitter, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan angrily reacted over reports about Goswami having the knowledge about Balakot surgical strike in 2019.
The Pakistan PM took to Twitter on Monday to respond to reports by the Indian media. The purported texts three days before the airstrike indicate Goswami had prior knowledge of the attack and it was designed to drum up support for Modi in his re-election bid in pending parliamentary elections. Khan had alleged about the same in a speech at the U.N. in 2019.
I want to reiterate that my govt will continue to expose India's belligerent designs towards Pakistan & Modi govt's fascism. Int community must stop India from its reckless, militarist agenda before the Modi govt's brinkmanship pushes our region into a conflict it cannot control.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 18, 2021
According to the WhatsApp transcript, Goswami texted Dasgupta three days before the February 26, 2019 airstrike, saying “something big will happen and on Pakistan, the government is confident of striking in a way that people will be elated.”
Dasgupta responded by saying that “the attack on Pakistan would give Modi a sweeping majority” in the upcoming general elections.
The transcripts of the purported texts were filed by the Mumbai Police in relation to the TRP scam case. However, the text exchange raised some serious questions against the ruling party concerning national security by the Opposition
February 2019, a suicide bombing in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir killed more than 40 Indian soldiers. India blamed Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed, which claimed responsibility. Although Pakistan detained Jaish-e-Mohammed’s leaders,
Modi’s government launched a nighttime airstrike on the Pakistani town of Balakot, saying it hit a militant camp. Pakistan said Indian warplanes dropped bombs in a forested area, causing no casualties. Pakistan responded by shooting down an Indian warplane in Kashmir and capturing its pilot, who was later released to ease tensions between the neighbouring countries.
