‘Probe TV anchor chats’

INDIAN opposition parties called on Monday (18) for an investigation into chat messages from a top TV anchor that they said showed prior knowledge of air strikes carried out by prime minister Narendra Modi’s government against Pakistan in 2019.

Arnab Goswami (right), editor-in-chief of Republic TV network, told the head of a TV ratings agency that India would launch a “bigger than a normal strike” on its neighbour – three days before Indian combat jets struck alleged militant targets on Pakistani soil.

The raid brought the two nations to the brink of war. “On Pakistan, the government is confident of striking in a way that people will be elated,” a transcript of the messages sent by Goswami said. “Exact words used.”

The messages, reported by Indian media and seen by Reuters, are part of a chargesheet filed by police in Mumbai investigating alleged fixing of ratings by Republic – charges the network denies.

Goswami denied prior knowledge of the air strikes. “India’s intention to hit back at Pakistan after the Pulwama attack was an officiallystated position,” he said in a statement released by Republic. “There was no doubt in any nationalist Indian’s mind that we would hit back,” he added, accusing opposition parties of acting as a “mouthpiece” for Pakistan.

Spokesmen for India’s defence and foreign ministries did not respond to requests for comment on the transcripts.