Author: hamid

  • Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi to visit J&K to meet slain Kashmiri pandits’ kin

    New Delhi, June 9: Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Thursday will visit Jammu and Kashmir to meet the kin of Kashmiri pandits who were recently killed by terrorists.
    Chaturvedi, who will be taking a message of solidarity from the leadership of her party, is likely to meet two to three families including that of government employee Rahul Bhat.
    Earlier this month, the Shiv Sena MP had also written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking the security of the Kashmiri pandits in the valley.
    Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had criticized the central government saying that it has failed to ensure the security of Kashmiri pandits in the Kashmir Valley.
    “We will do whatever it takes but we will not leave the Kashmiri pandits in a lurch. They have been promised a safe return to the valley but all that they have faced is just violence,” The Maharashtra CM told media persons.
    “The situation in Kashmir is deeply concerning. It’s unfortunate that the situation is repeating these times again. We expect GoI to take strong measures to ensure their protection,” Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray said.
    The Shiv Sena has also invoked Balasaheb Thackeray while speaking about the welfare of the Kashmiri pandits.
    A total of 13 civilians have been killed by terrorists in the last three months instilling fear among the locals, especially Kashmiri pandits, who want to flee from the valley.
    Last week, a detailed review of the security situation was carried out by Union Minister Amit Shah in the national capital. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the top security officials were also present. (Agencies)

  • Central agencies ‘seriously’ looking into Al-Qaeda suicide attack threat

    New Delhi, June 8: Central agencies are “seriously” looking into the threat letter sent by terror outfit Al-Qaeda regarding suicide attacks in Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat to “fight for the honour of the Prophet”, said top agency sources.
    Alerts have been issued across Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat through law enforcement agencies to strict the vigil at specific locations like airports, metro, railway stations and market areas, said the source, privy to the development.
    “Security personnel have been instructed to report to the concerned department soon after noticing any suspicious activity,” the agency said.
    In a threat letter dated June 6, Al-Qaeda said it would launch suicide attacks in Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat to “fight for the honour of the Prophet”.
    The letter comes in light of the controversy that has erupted after a few Bharatiya Janata Party leaders made controversial remarks on the Prophet Muhammad.
    “We shall kill those who affront our Prophet and we shall bind explosives with our bodies and the bodies of our children to blow away the ranks of those who dare to dishonour our Prophet… The saffron terrorists should now await their end in Delhi, Bombay, UP and Gujarat,” the letter read.
    Over the last few days, several countries such as Malaysia, Kuwait and Pakistan condemned recent remarks made by a few BJP leaders on Prophet Muhammad. While Nupur Sharma made comments during a TV debate, another leader Naveen Jindal posted a controversial remark on Twitter.
    India, meanwhile, has maintained that the views belong to a few fringe elements only and do not represent those of the Government of India. India also “categorically rejected” the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) statement slamming India as “unwarranted and narrow-minded”.
    Earlier, the BJP suspended spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled media in-charge, Naveen Jindal, over the remarks. The party issued a statement emphasising its intolerance for disrespect of any religious personality. (Agencies)

  • In a fit of rage son hammers father to death in Udhampur

    Udhampur, Jun 07: A man was allegedly murdered by his son in Ramnagar village of Udhampur district on Tuesday.

    Officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a man namely Gopi Chand son of Dhuni Chand resident of Kaghote Ramnagar was brought to District Hospital Udhampur in injured condition but he was declared as brought dead by doctors.

    “It was a case of assault after which cognizance of the matter was taken in police station Ramnagar and investigation was started,” officials said.

    They added that son of victim identified as Joginder Kumar turned out to be main suspect of the incident who was intercepted and detained.

    “He confessed during questioning for his involvement in his murder after which he has been arrested and weapon of offense which is a hammer has been recovered.” said officials.

    They added that some verbal duel that took place between father-son duo last evening was reason of the incident.” Son, in a fit of anger, attacked his father with hammer while he was sleeping.”—(KNO)

  • Shopian Gunfight: BVSc-Turned-Hizb Militant Was Active From 26 Months

    ‘He Was Category-B Militant; Searches Continue’

    Srinagar, June 7: More than 26 months after going missing, BVSc-turned-Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant killed in a gunfight with joint team in Shopian was category-B militant, Inspector General of Police said on Tuesday.

    Raja Nadeem son of Abdul Rahman Rather of Ashmuji Kulgam, pursuing Bachelor’s degree in veterinary science (BVSc) 4th semester at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences (SKUAST), was killed in the encounter at Aloora Badimarg area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district.

    The 22-year-old was missing since March 27, 2020, officials said.
    “He was B category (militant),” IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar told GNS. “Searches continue,” he said.

    The encounter had started after joint team of police and army launched a joint team of police and army in the area. (GNS)

  • 3 Magnetic IEDs airdropped by drone defused in Jammu

    The devices were Packed Inside Children Tiffin Boxes

    Jammu, Jun 07: Security forces recovered three IED’s, attached as payload with a drone, which were brought down by border security force late last night in Akhnoor sector and diffused through a controlled explosion.

    “Alert BSF troops fired two rounds on hearing humming sound which was about 800 mtrs in height in Akhnoor area at about 1045 hrs last night. All concerned informed,” a BSF spokesman told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

    Further sources said that drone activity were again observed in Kanachak area. “The troops fired some shots towards the drone. Immediately police party was deployed and they followed the anti-drone SOP in the general area,” said a police officer.

    “At around 11 pm at Dayaran area of Kanachak, police party observed the drone activity and fired at it again,” the officer said, adding, “The payload attached with the drone was brought down.” However, the officer said, the drone could not be brought down.

    “The payload contained three magnetic IEDs packed inside children tiffin box with timer set to different timings of 3 hours, 8 hours etc,” he said, adding, “The IED has been deactivated and diffused through controlled explosion.” The officer said that a case has been registered and investigations taken up—(KNO)

  • Foreigner among two LeT militants killed in Kupwara Gunfight: IGP Kashmir

    Srinagar, June 07: Two militants including a foreign militant were killed in an encounter in Kandi area of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Tuesday.

    On the behalf of IGP Kashmir, The Kashmir Police Zone tweeted, ” Two militants of outfit LeT including one Pakistani militant namely Tufail killed. Search still going on,”.

    Earlier reports reaching GNS that a joint team of Police and Army launched a cordon and search operation in Kandi.

    As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off a gunfight.(GNS)

  • Militancy on ‘death bed’ in Kashmir: J&K LG Manoj Sinha

    Says elements on other side can’t digest robust growth of economy, huge tourist influx; Security Forces, Admin preparing to their full capacity

    Srinagar, Jun 06: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Monday said that militancy was on its “death bed” in Kashmir and some elements on the other side were attempting to create instability as they can’t digest robust growth of economy and huge tourist influx in the Valley.

    Talking to reporters on the side-lines of a function at SKICC here, the LG as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that people of Kashmir fully understand the current situation in Kashmir and they are collectively up against whatever has happened in the past few weeks.

    “When the lamp is about to go off, its flames flare more. Militancy was about to end and was counting its days,” the LG said as per KNO. He said that the administration and the security forces were preparing to their full capacity.

    “Some elements on the other side are attempting to create instability. They can’t digest the robust economy and tourism here,” the LG said. He was interacting with the media for the first time after attending the marathon security review meet chaired by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi where all top security officials from J&K and MHA were in a huddle in the wake of target killings in Kashmir. Militants have been killing members from the Kashmiri Pandit community, non-local labourers and also non-local officials in various parts of Kashmir.

    The LG, who participated in the two crucial rounds of meeting in Delhi, following the killing spree, didn’t share the strategy to be adopted by the UT administration to curb the target killings. However, he hinted at dealing with the militants more sternly. “We are ready to deal with the situation….,” he said and credited the people of Kashmir for condemning the killings collectively.

    Pertinently, the MHA officials have chaired a series of meetings in New Delhi to evolve a joint strategy to be adopted to prevent killings of minorities and non-locals. As part of the new strategy, sources said safe-zones will be created for the members of minority community, more deployment of forces in vulnerable areas and where there is militancy threat, will take place. Day and night patrolling, sources said is part of the new security strategy as well. “There won’t be any security measure that would instil or spread fear among people across Kashmir given the fact that Valley is full of tourists at this stage and all preparations have been made for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra commencing on June 30,” an official privy to the series of meetings held in New Delhi, including the one chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah where National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, J&K DGP Dilbagh Singh besides officers from the intelligence bureau of New Delhi and J&K were present—(KNO)

  • Sheikh Sudais, Imams And Scholars Of The Two Holy Mosques Condemn Statements By Indian Official

    MAKKAH: The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques issued a statement on Monday condemning the insulting statements made by the spokesperson of the Indian Bhartiya Janta Party against the Prophet Muhammad (May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him).

    The Statement said: “The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque denounced in the name of the President and in the name of preachers, imams, scholars and employees of the Presidency the offensive statements and drawings of the Holy Prophet, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him.“

    The statement further said: “It is stressed that such a heinous act does not represent respect for religions, and that those who did such an act did not read in the biography of the Prophet, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, for it is better than trampling on the earth, and the light of humanity, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, and the mercy that is bestowed upon the worlds.

    The statement affirmed the Kingdom’s position calling for respecting beliefs and religions, spreading peace among all, and not violating the symbols of the Islamic religion.

  • India rejects OIC’s comments over controversial remarks against Prophet

    NEW DELHI, June 6: India on Monday hit out at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for its criticism of the country in the wake of the alleged derogatory remarks made against Prophet Mohammed by two BJP functionaries.
    External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India categorically rejects the OIC Secretariat’s “unwarranted and narrow-minded comments” and asserted that New Delhi accords the highest respect to all religions.
    “The offensive tweets and comments denigrating a religious personality were made by certain individuals. They do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India,” Bagchi said.
    He said strong action has already been taken against these individuals by relevant bodies.
    The BJP has already suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma while it expelled the party’s Delhi unit media head Naveen Jindal for their controversial remarks following widespread anger in several Gulf countries over their comments.
    Amid protests by Muslim groups over the remarks, the party had also issued a statement aimed at assuaging the concerns of minorities and distancing itself from these members, asserting that it respects all religions and strongly denounces the insult of any religious personality.
    Bagchi said, “It is regrettable that OIC Secretariat has yet again chosen to make motivated, misleading and mischievous comments. This only exposes its divisive agenda being pursued at the behest of vested interests”.
    The MEA spokesperson was responding to media queries on the comments by the OIC.
    “We would urge the OIC Secretariat to stop pursuing its communal approach and show due respect to all faiths and religions,” he said.
    The OIC had slammed India for the comments against the Prophet even urged the UN to take necessary measures to ensure that the rights of Muslims are protected. (Agencies)

  • Imran Khan to be arrested: Pak Minister

    ISLAMABAD, June 5:  Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said that former Prime Minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan will be arrested once his protective bail expires, the local news reported today.
    Ahead of PTI’s proposed second long march to Islamabad, the Peshawar High Court (PHC), on June 2, granted Imran Khan three-week transit bail against a surety bond of Rs 50,000.
    The PTI Chairman moved the PHC against his possible arrest in case he marches to Islamabad again.
    Sanaullah tweeted that Imran Khan has been booked in over two dozens of cases including rioting, sedition, chaos and armed attacks on the federation during his Aazadi March, adding that the security officials deployed outside his Bani Gala residence will arrest him on the expiry of his protective bail granted by the court.
    The Minister said that they welcome Imran Khan to Islamabad and the complete security is being provided to him as per the law. Islamabad police said that in view of Imran Khan’s expected return to Islamabad from Peshawar, security around Bani Gala has been beefed up. (UNI)