Pigeon detained after threatening Indian Prime Minister
Message referencing 1971 war between India and Pakistan found on bird close to militarised border
Indian officials have taken a pigeon into custody after it was found carrying a threatening note addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi near the country's heavily militarised border with Pakistan.
"We took it into custody last evening," police inspector Rakesh Kumar toldAFP.
He added the message referenced the 1971 conflict between India and Pakistan: "The Border Security Force found it with a note in Urdu saying something like, 'Modi, we're not the same people from 1971. Now each and every child is ready to fight against India.'"
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It is believed to have been signed by the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, reports Sky News.
It is unclear what will now happen to the pigeon.
This is not the first case of avian warfare between the two nations - last year, Indian police seized and searched a bird they suspected Pakistan was using for espionage, fearing it was carrying spy equipment.
In 2013, Indian security forces found a dead falcon fitted with a small camera and in 2010, another pigeon was detained over spying fears, says the Guardian.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The areas of Punjab and Kashmir have been a flashpoint in recent months with militants from both sides launching attacks.
Tensions have reached boiling point in the last week after an Indian military operation hit militants across the border without warning – a move said to have infuriated the Pakistani government.
-
10 concert tours to see this winterThe Week Recommends Keep cozy this winter with a series of concerts from big-name artists
-
What are portable mortgages and how do they work?the explainer Homeowners can transfer their old rates to a new property in the UK and Canada. The Trump administration is considering making it possible in the US.
-
What’s the best way to use your year-end bonus?the explainer Pay down debt, add it to an emergency fund or put it toward retirement
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
-
Americans traveling abroad face renewed criticism in the Trump eraThe Explainer Some of Trump’s behavior has Americans being questioned
-
Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Will Starmer’s India visit herald blossoming new relations?Today's Big Question Despite a few ‘awkward undertones’, the prime minister’s trip shows signs of solidifying trade relations
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
'Axis of upheaval': will China summit cement new world order?Today's Big Question Xi calls on anti-US alliance to cooperate in new China-led global system – but fault lines remain