Israel Apologises After Sharing Map Showing J&K in Pakistan, Northeast India In Nepal
A diplomatic stir erupted this weekend after the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) released a regional map misrepresenting India's territorial boundaries, sparking widespread outrage and prompting a formal apology.
The controversy began on Friday when the IDF shared a graphic highlighting the reach of Iranian missiles in the wake of escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran. The map inaccurately portrayed Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan and parts of Northeast India within Nepal's borders. India's inclusion within the missile range was part of the broader illustration.
Iran’s Missile Capabilities
The post, which was intended to showcase Iran's military capabilities, carried a stark warning: “Iran is a global threat. Israel is not the end goal, it’s only the beginning.” It went on to justify the military operation, stating, “We had no other choice but to act.”
Wrong Map Of India
However, the visual quickly caught the attention of Indian users on X (formerly Twitter), who condemned the misrepresentation of India's sovereign territory. One user highlighted in the community notes, “Map posted by Israel Defense Forces incorrectly shows Jammu & Kashmir as part of Pakistan. @MEAIndia @IsraelinIndia.” Dozens of others echoed the same sentiment, calling for immediate correction and accountability.
Reply From Israel Defence Forces
In response to the backlash, the IDF issued an apology on Saturday. Acknowledging the mistake in a reply to one of the posts, the military said, “This post is an illustration of the region. This map fails to precisely depict borders. We apologise for any offence caused by this image.”
The timing of the controversy is significant, coming amid intense military conflict between Israel and Iran. On Friday, Israel launched a sweeping aerial offensive targeting Tehran’s nuclear enrichment infrastructure. The strikes reportedly eliminated several high-ranking Iranian military figures, killed more than 70 people, and inflicted heavy damage on strategic sites. Iran retaliated shortly after, firing waves of drones and missiles at Israeli cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
The violence only intensified on Saturday, as both nations exchanged further attacks, deepening fears of a broader regional conflict.
According to the now-deleted map, Iran's missile capabilities span across at least 15 countries — among them Russia, Ukraine, China, Sudan, and India — underlining the potential scale of threat posed by Tehran’s arsenal.
While the IDF’s apology may offer a diplomatic balm, the incident has once again spotlighted the critical importance of accurate geopolitical representation, especially amid fragile global tensions.
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