The US media’s (biased) version of the NATO attack
The US media has defended the NATO attack incident with its biased reporting, ignoring Pakistan's narrative.
While the Pakistani media paid serious attention to NATO strikes on a check-post near the Afghan border, the US media seemed to defend the incident with its biased reporting.
A blog on the TIME magazine website rejected the concept of a proper border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The post states that:
“there is no well-defined difference between the Pakistani military and anti-American insurgents crowded along (the) rugged frontier.”
The report by Mark Thompson concludes that the American forces mistook Pakistani forces as Taliban militants by accident and were confused about the border demarcation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Perhaps Thompson does not know that the attacks were conducted through gunship helicopters and jets which are fully equipped with GPS and can easily distinguish between the borders of two countries. The author also conveniently forgot to mention what would have happened if a similar ‘mistake’ was made by Pakistani forces on NATO troops.
Another American newspaper The Washington Post also called the Pak-Afghan border poorly patrolled and ill-marked and claimed that it was the central sore point in Pak-US relations. The report linked the incident with US military officials’ claims that Pakistani intelligence has supported al-Qaeda and Taliban across the border. The Washington Post report tries to prove the existence of Taliban inside Pakistani territory near Afghan border.
It states:
“During previous exchanges of ground fire across the border, Pakistani officials have said that any firing from their side came from insurgents, not Pakistani troops.”
However, no specific reference to any statement of this kind by Pakistani officials was provided by the newspaper.
In a report published by New York Times, it is indicated that United States forces in eastern Afghanistan have taken more mortar and rocket fire from positions at, or near active Pakistani military posts in recent months, despite complaints to Pakistan about it. The report also reinforces the view that Pakistan has done nothing to respond to United States’ demands to do more against al-Qaeda and Haqqani network which allegedly operate from Pakistan.
American news network CNN’s headline read “NATO admits fault in Pakistan attack”. However, while commenting on the NATO spokesperson’s statement, the channel said that there are insurgents living across the Afghan border in the Pakistani territory who frequently cross the border and attack US troops. However, another report, it included the statement of ISPR spokesperson Major General Athar Abbas:
“”There is no confusion about the locations of these check-posts. They are well inside the border, they are clearly marked and NATO has their location on their maps. There are no more safe heavens in Mohmand. We have cleared them. They would have nowhere to hide.”
While reporting the news about Pakistan’s review of relations with USA, the anchor labelled it as “punishment for USA rather than review”. According to Peter Begen, CNN National Security Analyst, the actions taken by Pakistan are not new. He said that Pakistan pressurizes USA in this way for ensuring that such actions don’t transpire another time. The analysts also mentioned previous incidents of Raymond Davis, Abbotabad operation, killing of security personnel by NATO etc., and hoped that the situation will become plain very soon.
“Much of the violence in Afghanistan is carried out by insurgents that are based just across the border in Pakistan. Coalition forces are not allowed to cross the frontier to attack the militants. The militants, however, sometimes fire artillery and rockets across the line, reportedly from locations close to Pakistani army posts.”
With reference to American officials, it accused Pakistani forces of turning a blind eye to militants who use Pakistani territory for cross-border attacks. The newspaper termed the border as the biggest source of tension between Islamabad and Washington.
ABC News also published a similar story, supplemented by Associated Press reports:
“Coalition forces are not allowed to cross the frontier to attack the militants. However, the militants sometimes fire artillery and rockets across the line, reportedly from locations close to Pakistani army posts.”
It is a frequent practice of American media to present one side of the picture. They don’t highlight Pakistan’s concerns on its sovereignty and the impact of drone attacks. As a result, the American public believes that Pakistan supports terrorism, despite the facts that Pakistan has experienced the greatest number of causalities in the war against terrorism.
It is the need of the hour that Pakistan’s Ministry of Information as well as Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be strong enough to influence the international media for propagating our views and contributions towards a peaceful world.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of The Express Tribune.
Well linked. Americans are the worst terrorists, and it would be too late when we recognise them.
If every Pakistani proves honest to his country, we can make our country much better than any other country even USA, but what to do of these corrupt politicians?
A courageous President of Pakistan has just to speak one sentence on TV, and things will improve in days. What could be that sentence? Guess?Recommend
Gud Effort yaar :)Recommend
And this is shocking because? Does the Pakistani media ever give “unbiased” news? When was the last time the Pakistani media took account of the US or Indian version?
“propagating our views and contributions towards a peaceful world.” Really?Recommend
The role of the foreign media is always negative. Wu’s always propaganda about Pakistan’s policy is followed. You tried your best to highlight the concerns.Well DoneRecommend
@NAdir But US media claims to be neutral and independent; unlike the Pakistani one.Recommend
@NAdir:
Pakistani media very often gives US or Indian views, and reports fairly, though probably more because of their love of sensation through any means rather than any love of honest journalism.
Anyways, are you even defending this action? Do you not even care about the soldiers that have been murdered, the havaldars and the sipahis? Are you that much of a US lackey? Have you lost even that honour of being a Pakistani?Recommend
@Mustafa: I havnt claimed that there coverage is honest. Dont make things up as you go along. Please read my comment again. My point is that why is there lack of objectivity surprising? These are all commercial news organizations with clear constituencies. Why does it matter to us what they are reporting? Is our national honour a function of foriegn news coverage?Recommend
Congratulations, Pakistan is finally showing courage and fighting back against the NATO/US assaults. This is the first step towards an era of prosperity for Pakistan. Pakistan should cancel all US bribes which are no help to Pakistan and only finance more NATO/US military crimes. Pakistan should also use its air force to shoot down any Obama child killing drones violating its territory. Pakistan should learn a lesson from all the countries that have “befriended” the US/NATO Axis and as a result have been invevitably destroyed and enslaved by their criminal agendas. For a long term strategy, Pakistan and Afghanistan should form trade and defense alliances with friendly countries, for example Russia and Turkey. The US/NATO presence in that area is entirely for its own selfish agendas and must be entirely eliminated from that region, failing that would lead both Pakistan and Afghanistan to their own destruction.Recommend
I would like to know the truth. The truth that both sides continuously hide from the public.Recommend
When will the Pakistani’s and all the Muslims learn to wake up and realize who the real enemy, I love being American but its time we all stand up against the imperialistic interests of the west. The oppression against this region and all other parts of the world is immense, we really need to see the truth already.Recommend
This is a childish write up Mr. Author. How could you come to the conclusion that the western media, that includes big names such as Washington Post, NYT, CNN, USA today, ABC news etc., are biased against Pakistan, which in other words, means that, whatever is reported in the Pakistani media based on version of events given by Pak army and officials is gospel of truth. My dear sir, as a journalist, you must refrain from making sweeping statements about any event that hasn’t yet been proved and established beyond any reasonable doubt.
The first and foremost thing about the incident that has taken place on Pak-Afghan border is that it lacks any motivation on the part of NATO forces to act the way they acted. By killing Pak soldiers, they were only jeopardizing the good and vital relationship with Pakistan. It simply doesn’t make any sense.
Besides, according to Pak media, the firing continued for more than two hours, if that is so, then, it is more than enough time to not only alert high level authorities in Islamabad and Washington, but, enough to alert all the capital cities of the important countries of the world.
I don’t think the truth will be made available to us common people very soon, but, eventually, it will be revealed. As always we have to wait.Recommend
I still feel USA is Pak. enemy no 1 and we should be in Mexico wheeling and dealing with the right peopleRecommend
I think you have to keep “All the Muslims” out of this because there is no such thing as “all the Muslims”. This issue will be handled properly now in Afghanistan.@Sara:Recommend
@MD: …..the actually are!! its a pattern they have followed…!!Recommend
US main stream media and its bias is all about supporting the Washington’s establishment. Its protects capitol hill’s interests within and beyond its borders. Its nothing new to be expected from them but its a refreshing change form ET’s to publish blogs like these and the previous of US call of duty in FATA. Good job ETRecommend
U guys gotta see when some white christian does act of terror how media potrays in america first news gonna be like this he was mentally ill second news station will say
he was home less so he join those peoples and third station will say he was mad about
some thing but every one defend oh man then in the last church comes out to defend him
in the name of church and jesus and big funny thing i all ways laugh about the neiighburs
of that man how they comments he was normal man we never expected hahahahhahRecommend
Pakistani media is PAKISTANI Media and they should and must support Pakistan
And i thank our media for exposing the AmericansRecommend
@MD Big names don’t matter if they don’t publish the truth. Biasness is always biasness whether by Pak media or US press. Unfortunately, we have mentally became slaves of West. That’s why we wish to follow each and every trend over there regardless of its impacts on our society.Recommend
Truth is the first casualty in any war, and I feel the US and Pak are not in war as of now. But, from the way, one of the parties talks in jingoistic tones, ratcheting up anti-US passions, and vitiating the atmosphere, then a modern-day unconventional war seems likely soon. The problem with being too patriotic is that it clouds our vision completely.
Consider the holes in your passionate defence:
1.) Washington Post, NYT, CNN, USA today, ABC news – all they have better credibility than any source emanating from Pakistan. As for Pak army, their credibility is below zero level.
2.) GPS can easily distinguish between the borders of two countries – but they cannot distinguish between terrorists and those providing sanctuary to terrorists who are supposed to be allies.
3.) In the porous border region, heavy firing is done by Pak troops, to help the insurgents cross the border. This is the standard operating procedure in the western border with India.
4.) Pakistan has experienced the greatest number of causalities; and so we are the biggest defenders of the world against terrorism – This is a often-repeated story, that does not cut ice with anyone. Just because my house gets burgled so often, does it mean that I am serious about fighting the burglars? The fact is: Pak has created thousands and thousands of terrorists, and a few hundreds are attacking their own masters now, for some reason. You are paying the price for sowing wild seeds. Don’t use it as a pretext to cover up your criminal misdeeds and to accuse others.
5.) “propagating our views and contributions towards a peaceful world.” – For starters, why don’t you list out the contributions made by Pak towards a peaceful world? Can you even name one ?
People like you have to come out of your jingoistic shell. The world community is trembling in fear about the possibility of our golden nukes falling in the hands of some stray bearded-groups. Imagine what will happen to the humanity if a paranoid group with a severe persecution complex hits the nuclear panic button.
So, if the world community feels that it is in Pak that the future of the humanity is going to be decided, then, we need to address these fears, without resorting to victim-hood stories and without referring to our abilities to create mushroom clouds.
The onus is on Pak to dispel these fears. And Pak has to dispel these fears, not by concocting counter-conspiracy theories, but by solid action. Not by propaganda anymore.Recommend
duh!Recommend
At some point during the article, you develop a clear sense that the author’s definition of “bias” is any report not consistent with Pakistan’s account of the NATO raid. In other words, “anybody who has a different story to tell, is an idiot”.
While he points out some obvious errors (could be deliberate) in these media reports, you cannot just berate any piece of news that hurts your nationalism. You won’t find the Pakistani media doing reports like militants firing from across the border at coalition forces. Our media’s too busy preaching to the choir how sweet and innocent and awesome we are, and how the evil white people, jealous of our prosperity, are trying to take over.
To develop a clear picture of things, you need to get yours news from multiple sources. That includes the Western media sources.Recommend
@hassan:
How come one argue with a “Dheet”? Whatever you have said in above comment or think is 110% true.Recommend
US spokesman convey the message from US President, just only 24 pakistani soldiers killed ,SOR…………………………………………………..
they were not a single Ramond Davis, for whom US President himself come out ,not through spokesman……………………………….
But to remind you Pakistanis helped in FALL of GREAT USSR ,
Now Insha Allah it is USA, some people may think the biggest JOKE,
But before FALL of USSR , It was also a JOKE to say about USSR,Recommend
@Sara:
Pls come back to pakistan, we need torch bearers like you.Recommend
The new ambassador to the U.S. has a tough job in revitalizing the deteriorated relationship.Recommend
Considering the situation i dont think the U.S army or the U.S government would ever accept it as a mistake and sayign sorry doesnt mean that they mean it… they know that as a nation we are not complete we have issues among our ownselves so this just leads to the fact that even if we highlight every mistake and every issue it wont make any difference in front of anyone…Recommend
Where is the bias dude? Do you really think there was no firing from Pak side (May be from non State actors)?
Do you really think that NATO guys just came and fired on a Pakistani check post to kill all these soldiers, do you think it was because of some personal animosity between NATO and Pak troups?Recommend
@Abhi:
As a Pakistani, I must admit the truthfulness of our own army that there was no presence of any militancy in the area where those two checkposts were located. Even if there was firing, NATO is not allowed to enter into our territory. If NATO enters into Pakistani territory, it is a violation in itself. Secondly, this is not the first incident of this kind. Haven’t you known the reports that 72 Pakistani soldiers have been killed in this kind of attacks by NATO during last three years. For God sake, if we don’t support our own sovereignity and independence, no angles will ever come to defend us. We should stand up as a nation rather than republishing the truthless stories of US media.Recommend
@hassan:
Very well done you hit the bulls eye.Recommend
and Pakistani media presents “both sides” of the story? honestly – does Pakistan have any credibility, anywhere on earth, in any matter? As if all your media outlets were the paragon of unbiased journalism
Do the Saudis really like you? The Chinese? Iran has love for y’all, right? Oh yeah, Karzai said he’d side with Pakistan in a war….pfffffffft
I know, I know… the North Koreans are Pakistan’s friends, AQ Khan saw to that!
Let’s apply the patented conspiracy addict quip, “Who does this benefit?”
Why should the world believe Pakistan? Don’t you guys have some “blasphemers” to kill somewhere? So the ISI is gonna retaliate by sending its jihadi minions against NATO? Isn’t that what the ISI does every day anyway?Recommend
LOL – what a joke this article is.Recommend
@hassan:
Well stated sir .Recommend
“and hoped that the situation will become plane very soon.”
Editors: Plain, not plane.
Well-argued article though.Recommend
Pakistani media is extremely biased so why are you complaining about Western press ?Recommend
An enlightening report and a good food for thought.Recommend
This will happen as long as Pakistan continues taking American money.Recommend
@Pakistani: Whats “your territory” when you train rogues that kill people across the borders in India and Afghanistan? Why should any nation respect your borders given the deeds of your useless army? Be prepared for more…..Recommend
@Kafir: This will happen as long as pakistanis keep talking of ummah or religion based crap and keep training rogues to cause trouble in neighbouring nations. Not because you take aid. US gives aid to 100 nations in this world.Unfortunately among those nations- there are some rogue nations.Recommend
@Akbar Which nation are you part of? Don’t say it Pakistan.Recommend
pakistan zndabad bt imran khan aye ga to ye naara thik hone ka chance he so r haan aghr guarntee ka swal he to guarantee nai warrantee zrur he hmaare pas jb hm hi aaaage bhrr k apne mlk ko nai smbhalen ge media m a k azadi show nai kren ge politics m nai ayen ge blke srf facebook p beth k byanat chortye rhen ge to kch b nai ho gaRecommend
@hassan:
Talking of credibility, let me quote three recent instances:
President Obama said that Raymond Davis enjoyed diplomatic immunity. We all now know that he was a CIA operator.
US Senator John Kerry promised trial of Raymond Davis at USA. Nothing of the sort is being done.
Mike Mullen, Chairman US Joint Chiefs of Staff, initially denied receipt of the ‘Memo” and after about a week admitted when he was sure that he would not be able to defend his lies.
When the top leaders do not have the moral courage to speak the truth, how do you expect the soldiers who attacked the Pakistani post take responsibility for the mishap.Recommend
Do you know for a fact that the version being reported in the Pakistani Media is true? Or, the one in the American Media is true?
Look at it from a neutral perspective. US comes into Pakistani Territory and kills Pakistanis. That sounds like its US’s fault. But, ask another question. Why did US think it can come into Pakistani Territory in the first place? This is Pakistan’s fault that US was allowed/given permission to breach the border lines.
Another question. Why would US intentionally attack Pakistani posts? They know the people in Pakistan will get hysterical and this will only complicate matters in Afghanistan. They know that their supply routes were dependent on Pakistan.
The only plausible explanation is that they were mistaken or there was firing from the Pakistanis. On both scenarios Pakistani Military is to blame. Either they didn’t establish the red lines or were foolish enough to attack an enemy far more powerful than they could ever imagine.Recommend
@Tahir Alit:
Talking of credibility, let me quote this instance:
Pakistan sends its army into Kargil in neighboring India and claims it has no hands in it. They even refuse to collect their army officers’ dead body washing their hands off them, showing how much their own army men mean them. I guess this shows you how responsible Higher-ups in the Pakistan army are to you!!Recommend
@Just another observer: You are probably right, so am I.Recommend
@Tahir Alit:
“You are probably right, so am I.” Does this mean “You are probably right, and i am also probably right” or “You are probably right, and i AM right”
Btw, u calling a known fact “probably right” (which even the Pakistan army higher ups had to finally own up due to all the proofs available), shows ur bias to the truth. You seem like a guy who just takes in whatever news suits ur liking and rejects everything else as conspiracy…!Recommend
@Anoop:
Another question. Why would US intentionally attack Pakistani posts? They know the people in Pakistan will get hysterical and this will only complicate matters in Afghanistan. They know that their supply routes were dependent on Pakistan.
The answer to your question is not that simple. At first I think we need to understand that the US is not a monolith as is generally perceived. On the face of it might appear to be one single whole but once it comes to the US international dealings there are conflicting centers of power within the US political, military and private systems. The Military Industrial System is one such powerful and influential entity. It seems to keep its military industrial interests supreme whenever a clash of interests seem to be emerging. Similarly, the Pentagon might have differences with the US Administration once it comes to definition, interpretation and/ or pursuance of core US interests. To top it up, at times in unison with any of the power centers described above, and on occasions as independent forces, the different LOBBIES exert their influence to create a predicament for the US administration. The wars of these conflicting agendas sometimes manifest in incidents/ happenings like 26 Nov attack in Mohmand Agency.
Unfortunately, no US investigations has or will ever uncover machinations of these power centers. Ironically, the world will only witness the aftermath and experience the fallout.Recommend
@Just another observer:
You seem to be a guy who is easily influenced by propaganda. Your comments were based on Indian propaganda as Pakistan never refused to receive Army officer’s dead body as stated by you. In fact, it was the Indians who refused to receive their pilot named Nachikita who was made pow after his plane was shot down. On the other hand what instances I have quoted are substantiated and documented.Recommend
@Tahir Alit:
Propaganda?!!! If the Pakistan army was denying that it was their men in Kargil, do u think they would have accepted the bodies?!!. Its just common sense!
its only much later when the truth was out in front of the whole world and it was forced to accept that indeed it was their own men, they started accepting the dead bodies. So there were bodies which Indian Army.had to burry.prior to that….
Regarding Nachiketa, I did surf the net to get more info because I am not aware of India having denied that he was their pilot and did not find any links to indicate as such. I gathered that he was released within a week and also gathered that India did admit to having lost 2 of their planes during action (news(dot)bbc(dot)co(dot)uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/354120(dot)stm). So i dont really see why they would have to deny it given this info..Recommend
@Just another observer:
Nachiketa was handed over to the Red Cross representatives as the Indians refused to receive him. Later he was grounded, ill treated by the Indians during the interrogation on return and nobody has ever heard his name after that, probably thrown out of service or died because of the treatment meted out to him by his colleagues. If you find out anything about him, let me know.
To end the discussion about the ‘biased reporting’ , according to a report published in a a British newspaper today, the Americans have admitted that their soldiers committed a mistake. So relax.Recommend
@Tahir Alit:
Now what you have said can be called a propaganda. Where did u get the info that he was ill treated on return to India?!!! and of him not having been heard of again..?
http://articles.latimes.com/1999/jun/05/news/mn-44496
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tObBVLw0h5g&feature=player_embedded
wiki:”Nachiketa is currently a Wing Commander and flies Ilyushin Il-78 mid air refuelling transport aircraft with No. 78 Squadron IAF stationed at Agra”.
Just because Pakistan army treats its own men as if they are expendable, doesnt mean that every other country treats their soldiers the same way!!Recommend
@Tahir Alit:
now u seem to be the guy who is easily influenced by propaganda, or may be the guy who instigates one! No rhym or reason, just to make a point, u make up facts, because if you wanted to know the truth it would not have taken u much of your time to figure it out:
Here are the links for u:-
http://news(dot)bbc(dot)co(dot)uk/olmedia/360000/audio/361437davidwillis(dot)ram
http://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=tObBVLw0h5g&feature=playerembedded
(p.s. that this video link is shared as proof that he is alive and kicking and not for views expressed on it.)
Wiki: Nachiketa is currently a Wing Commander and flies Ilyushin Il-78 mid air refuelling transport aircraft with No. 78 Squadron IAF stationed at Agra.
In conclusion,.. Not every country treats their army as expendables..!!!Recommend
@Tahir Alit:
I can smell something burning, can you smell it too? The thing might be burning elsewhere but smell has its origin definitely in the East! And by the way Alit, I never knew there was only one Nachiketa in IAF, if at all the BBC story is true. On another note, I can’t open the links referred to by ‘un’ just another burner sorry observer! I guess BBC has only provided the link opening rights to Nachiketa and there another observer, who is the only just person here!Recommend
@Tahir:
How lame can your argument get!
here’s the link to the page which contained the audio link i sent before:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/361260.stm
and here is the text extract from it if u cant open it:
“Pilot returned:
Renewed artillery exchanges across the LoC came as captured Indian fighter pilot Flight Lieutenant K Nachiketa was released by the Pakistani authorities as a gesture of “goodwill”.
The pilot walked through a checkpoint at Amritsar to be greeted with hugs and garlands of flowers. He was flown to Delhi where he met briefly with the Indian Prime Minister.
Flt Lt Nachiketa was taken prisoner on 27 May after his MiG fighter came down close to the border between Indian- and Pakistani-administered Kashmir. “Recommend
@Just another observer:
You are either a professional hired to launch propaganda against Pakistan or someone keen to dig out the truth. If the latter is true, I would request you to contact Nachiketa and ask him yourself as to how he was treated. I know that he was enjoying excellent health when he left Pakistan. So now it is clear that after interrogation on return he was side-lined, deprived of being a privileged fighter pilot and permitted to fly transport plane only. That is the reason we never heard about him. I am really happy that he is alive and flying.
I am sure, Nachiketa must have gone through a lot of mental agony while telling lies on the video, probably coerced to give such statement as he looks evasive (after all he is in service). About the other pilot, he died of plane crash and not executed as shamelessly stated in the video.Recommend
@Tahir Alit:
If my need was to just go about spreading propaganda, i would not have put in the disclaimer along with Nachiketa’s video.
And ur statement: “deprived of being a privileged fighter pilot and permitted to fly transport plane only. That is the reason we never heard about him.” does not make sense. As in if he was still a fighter pilot u would have heard of him?!! how?!! why?
Again, using common sense, if the army had ill treated him, he does not have any reason to be still serving in the army. During that time the Indian sky was opening up to a lot of private passenger airlines and they did employee lot of ex-army pilots who had retired after serving in the Short Service commission. And more so him being a ‘war hero’ for Indians those private airlines would have latched him up in a jiffy because it would have added to their brand value.
The flying of a fighter plane requires a lot of physical fitness to withstand the gravitational forces exerted on the body. He would have injured his back during ejection and/or crash landing which would have made him incapable of flying those jets again withstanding the levels of G forces.
Also why would the Indian army torture him and then still keep him in service? and why torture/ill-treat him in the first place, you make it seem as if he was a spy who defected into the enemy side!!!
You have not given any proofs of ur claims and are just harping about him being ill treated just to counter my pointing out that the Pakistan army gave up on its own people in Kargil, which has enough proof available, and if u are a truth seeker urself, it should not be too hard to find:
http://pakistan-observer.blogspot.com/2010/02/kargil-war.html
In A.H Amin’s words:
“Karnal Sher Khan was fighting till August 1999 as the plate below his picture at a Pakistan Army mess indicates.This means that these indomitable warriors were fighting like Lions while their shameless opportunist commander Musharraf had abandoned them in July 1999 to die fighting without ammunition and rations
What can one conclude ! It was the human heart that failed in Kargil and this heart which failed was housed in the ribcage of men sitting in the GHQ and not on the rocky pinnacles of Kargil ! Once the supply lines were closed under Indian threat of a counter attack , these brave men all Pakistan Army regulars were abandoned to die , pounded by artillery fire , bayoneted by overwhelming numbers , weakened by starvation ! Who can hear their cries ! Our ears are covered with heaps of lies ! Truth died at Kargil ! What remains is a body guard of lies!”Recommend
@Just another observer:
You did not complete the quoted news item. Let me complete for you, ” He did not comment on how he had been treated, simply saying he was keen to return to Kashmir to complete his mission”. This sentence substantiates my point of view. Firstly, he was non-committal about the treatment meted out to him in Pakistan because, naturally, he could not praise Pakistanis. And secondly, at that time he was absolutely healthy as he showed his keenness to return to Kashmir to complete his mission. Its only after his interrogation that things changed for him. Any ways. Nachiketa said in the CNN video that he had learnt to reconcile. So good luck to him and to you also.Recommend