International Archives - Page 46 of 53

Breaking News header International National

Close associate of 26/11 mastermind Hafiz gunned down in Karachi

editor October 2, 2023

OCT 01, 2023 : Mufti Qaiser Farooq, a close friend of Hafiz Saeed of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was assassinated by unidentified gunmen in Karachi, Pakistan. It is believed that Hafiz Saeed was the mastermind of the 26/11 strikes in India. Another preacher with ties to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Maulana Ziaur Rahman, died earlier this month after being shot dead by two motorcycle-riding gunmen while going for a usual evening stroll in Karachi. According to sources, Pakistani agencies are working hard to portray Ziaur Rahman and Mufti Qaiser as pious leaders with no ties to Hafiz Saeed and the LeT. Previously, the head of the Khalistan Commando Force, Paramjit Singh Panjwar, who was also connected to the ISI, was also slain.In February, Bashir Peer, the launch commander of Hizbul Mujahideen and a personal friend of Syed Salahuddin, was assassinated in Rawalpindi by unidentified gunmen close to the ISI offices and the military garrison. He was wounded by a close-range shot and died immediately. The military-industrial complex in Pakistan has become uneasy as a result of Pakistan's ISI moving some of its "assets" to secure areas in the wake of these recent assassinations. The ISI has relocated about a dozen of these people to'safe houses' that they have established. The earlier murders of two other Lashkar operatives, Abu Qasim Kashmiri in Rawalkot and Qari Khurram Shehzad in Nazimabad in September, made the necessity for vigilance in protecting these assets even more obvious. On September 12, local police allegedly found 11 cartridges, some of which were 9mm calibre, belonging to Rahman, a suspected terrorist connected to LeT. He had been using Jamia Abu Bakar, a seminary, as a front for his terrorist activities. He was working there as an administrator. The Pakistan Police classified the murder as a "terrorist attack," implying that domestic "militants" were involved. Investigators are also looking into the possibility that gang rivalry was a factor in the assassination. Rahman's murder comes after a string of assaults in Karachi on religious leaders who were all connected to terrorist organisations via the ISI and actively involved in radicalising and directing youths towards India. [caption id="attachment_3442" align="alignnone" width="300"] Close associate of 26/11 mastermind Hafiz gunned down in Karachi[/caption]

Breaking News header International Ladakh National

IAF To Buy 156 More ‘Prachand’ Light Combat Choppers For Deployment Along Pak & China Border

editor September 29, 2023

New Delhi, Sept 29:The Indian Air Force is going to place orders for 156 more Prachand Light Combat Helicopters with HAL, which would be deployed at both the China and Pakistan front by the IAF and the Indian Army. This could be considered one of the biggest pushes for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' in the defence sector. In the past 15 months, the two agencies have already added 15 of these helicopters to their fleet after testing them in some of the world's worst weather and terrain. Senior defence officials stated that the Indian Air Force, as the leading force, has submitted a request to the government for the purchase of 156 additional Prachand helicopters as a joint acquisition case, which is likely to be granted soon. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, the head of the Indian Air Force, recently made an announcement from abroad on the force's intention to purchase approximately 100 additional Light Combat Aircraft Mark 1A to promote indigenization. In terms of value, the two projects add up to more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore. The Indian Air Force would receive 66 of the 156 helicopters, and the Indian Army would obtain the remaining 90.The Prachand has undergone extensive test flights by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), in accordance with the Indian Air Force's demand that it be a weapon system entirely designed, developed, and manufactured in India. The assault helicopter was created to meet the needs of the Indian armed forces and can operate in both high-altitude and desert areas. The Prachand attack helicopter is the only one in the world that can land and take off at an altitude of 5,000 metres (16,400 feet), making it perfect for use in high-altitude regions like Eastern Ladakh and the Siachen Glacier.It can also damage the enemy's air defence activities and fire a variety of air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles. Additionally, it will be outfitted with more modern Dhruvastra air-to-ground missiles, which can destroy enemy hardened bunkers in both high altitude and other terrain. A sizable number of these helicopters are also being purchased by the IAF in order to keep the equipment prepared for export requirements and sales to friendly foreign nations.To meet all military requirements, more than 300 of these helicopters are anticipated to be in service. Additionally, it is anticipated that these helicopters will quickly find purchasers on the export markets. (Agencies) [caption id="attachment_3350" align="alignnone" width="300"] IAF To Buy 156 More ‘Prachand’ Light Combat Choppers For Deployment Along Pak & China Border[/caption]

Breaking News header International National

At Least 13 Dead, 70 Injured In Bomb Blast In Pakistan

editor September 29, 2023

Karachi, Sep 29: In Pakistan's unrest-ridden Balochistan region, a massive bomb exploded near a mosque on Friday, killing at least 13 people and injuring at least 70 others as people gathered for a demonstration to commemorate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. According to News, the explosion happened in the Mastung district. An official reported that the explosion happened close to the mosque where people had gathered to celebrate the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, or Eid Miladun Nabi. According to Mastung Assistant Commissioner Atta Ul Munim, the explosion, which appears to be "massive" in scope, happened close to Madina Mosque. The Dawn newspaper stated that the explosion left at least 13 people dead and 70 more injured. The injured are being sent to a medical facility as an emergency has been declared in the hospitals, according to Station House Officer (SHO) Javed Lehri. "Some of the injured are in critical condition," the government stated. (Agencies) [caption id="attachment_3338" align="alignnone" width="300"] At Least 13 Dead, 70 Injured In Bomb Blast In Pakistan[/caption]

Breaking News header International National

Over 2500 killed, missing as 186,000 people cross Mediterranean to Europe in 2023

editor September 29, 2023

Sep 29 : Over 2,500 people died or have gone missing while trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe so far this year, reportes.However, over the same time period, about 186,000 people arrived in European nations. According to reports, the UN Security Council heard from Ruven Menikdiwela, director of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in New York, that of the 186,000 migrants who crossed the Mediterranean, 83%—or around 130,000 people—landed in Italy. She added that some migrants also arrived in other nations, including as Greece, Spain, Cyprus, and Malta. The Security Council was informed that more persons this year than last year have perished or gone missing while travelling by water, according to Al Jazeera. The Security Council was informed that more people had perished or gone missing this year compared to previous year during the perilous maritime passage. Menikdiwela stated that as of September 24 alone, "over 2,500 people were accounted as dead or missing." Over the same period in 2022, 1,680 people died or went missing, so this amount represented a significant increase.Menikdiwela added that the UN Refugee Agency believed there was "no end in sight" to the number of people dying while travelling by land and sea to reach Europe, both of which are extremely risky. According to Al Jazeera, she told the council that the land route from sub-Saharan African nations to the sea crossing places off the beaches of Tunisia and Libya "remains one of the world's most dangerous." "Lives are also lost on land, away from public attention," Menikdiwela continued. The UNHCR representative claimed that the migrants and refugees "risk death and gross human rights violations at every step." Over 102,000 migrants reportedly attempted to cross the Mediterranean from Tunisia this year, which represents a 260% increase from last year, while more than 45,000 reportedly attempted to cross from Libya, she said.…

header International Jammu and Kashmir National Political

Canada should share evidence with India: Omar

editor September 28, 2023

SRINAGAR: Omar Abdullah, the head of the National Conference, said on Thursday that Canada should provide India with the proof of its accusations regarding the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar so that New Delhi can, if necessary, take "corrective measures." "Canada claims that India was responsible for some occurrence there. According to Abdullah, they ought to give India access to the evidence. He claimed that S. Jaishankar, the minister for external affairs, had stated that India would respond if Ottawa shared its proof with New Delhi. The same thing was said by India at the UN as well. If there is any proof, the foreign minister urged you to provide it. After that, India would take any necessary corrective action that is required. Only verbal allegations would not be effective; India should be given the proof, according to Abdullah, who served as the state minister for foreign affairs in the Vajpayee administration. The previous chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir expressed regret at the tension in relations between India and Canada. "The two nations had positive relations, whether it was through trade or interpersonal interactions. There would be study trips from our pupils, he continued. Following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's suspicions of a ''possible'' participation of Indian spies in the killing of Nijjar in June, the relations between India and Canada came under intense strain.India has dismissed the accusations as "absurd" and "motivated," and in retaliation for Ottawa's removal of an Indian official over the matter, has also expelled a senior Canadian ambassador. [caption id="attachment_3301" align="alignnone" width="300"] Canada should share evidence with India: Omar[/caption]

Breaking News header International Jammu and Kashmir National

Crackdown on terror-gangster network: NIA conducts searches at 51 location in 6 states,1 detained

editor September 27, 2023

NEW DELHI: In connection with the crackdown on the terror-gangster network, the NIA conducted raids at 51 locations across six states on Wednesday, according to officials. According to a National Investigative Agency (NIA) officer, the NIA is conducting raids at 51 sites in 6 states in connection with 3 cases involving associates of the Lawrence, Bambiha, and Arsh Dalla gangs. The official reported that during the raids, a member of the Arsh Dalla gang was captured. While Arshdeep Singh aka Arsh Dalla, a mobster turned terrorist, is residing in Canada and Davinder Bambiha was slain in an encounter with Punjab Police in 2016, Lawrence Bishnoi is still incarcerated. [caption id="attachment_3253" align="alignnone" width="300"] Crackdown on terror-gangster network: NIA conducts searches at 51 location in 6 states,1 detained[/caption]

Breaking News header International Jammu and Kashmir National

J&K unveils first-of-its-kind space lab in Kishtwar Govt school

editor September 27, 2023

KISHTWAR: An official spokesperson announced the opening of a space lab, the first of its type in Jammu and Kashmir, in a government school in the Kishtwar region, calling it a "historic moment" for the Union Territory. The ground-breaking space lab, created by Vyomika Space Academy as part of the ISRO space tutor initiative and supported by the Directorate of Education Jammu, marks a significant advancement in educational technology, the official said. According to him, the facility is furnished with cutting-edge telescopes, drones, aircraft, and models of ISRO rocket and satellite demonstrations. The official said in a statement today that "this will allow students to explore the wonders of the cosmos and notable space missions from ISRO." He said that the unveiling ceremony took place at the Government Higher Secondary School for Boys in Kishtwar with Devansh Yadav, the Deputy Commissioner, and Prehlad Bhagat, the Chief Education Officer, in attendance. The school's employees and students were present to witness this historic cosmic occurrence, the official stated. He claimed that Govind Yadav, the chief executive of Vyomika Space Academy, lectured the group on specifics regarding the lab's operation and its ability to motivate and advance students' knowledge of space, science, and technology. The Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner urged students to utilise this "remarkable space lab" to its fullest potential, stressing that doing so will not only promote a deeper understanding of space but also encourage pupils to think about pursuing jobs in the field. According to him, "this initiative is expected to spark interest in astronomy-related activities at the school level, possibly pointing students in the direction of careers in this fascinating field." The spokesman added that Vyomika Space Academy will host a state-level inter-school hydro rocket and astronomy workshop on October 15 in observance of the birth anniversary of former president A P J Abdul Kalam. Students from classes 6 through 12 will have the opportunity to receive skill development training sessions from these cutting-edge labs. The representative said that students from different schools are encouraged to take part and broaden their knowledge in these fascinating disciplines. [caption id="attachment_3237" align="alignnone" width="300"] J&K unveils first-of-its-kind space lab in Kishtwar Govt school[/caption]

Breaking News header International National

Waheeda Rehman to be conferred with Dadasaheb Phalke Award

editor September 26, 2023

NEW DELHI: The greatest distinction in Indian cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, will be given to veteran actor Waheeda Rehman this year, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur announced on Tuesday. Rehman, who is regarded as one of India's top actors, is best known for his roles in the films Pyaasa, CID, Guide, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Khamoshi, and Trishul. Thakur made the announcement on his official X account. The minister added, "I feel a tremendous sense of satisfaction and pride in announcing that Waheeda Rehman ji is receiving the renowned Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award this year for her outstanding contribution to Indian Cinema.Rehman, 85, made her acting debut in the Telugu films "Jayasimha" and "Rojulu Maraayi" from 1955. The 1956 Dev Anand-starring movie "CID" was her acting debut in Hindi. The renowned actor has appeared in more than 90 films in various languages over the course of a career spanning more than five decades. For her performance as a clanswoman in "Reshma and Shera" (1971), she won a National Film Award. She has already received the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan awards. Her receiving this lifetime achievement award at a time when the historic Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam has been approved by Parliament is a deserving tribute to one of the leading ladies of Indian cinema who has devoted her life outside of the film industry to philanthropy and the betterment of society. In addition, Thakur wrote in his post on the microblogging website, "I congratulate her and respectfully offer my regards to her rich body of work that is an important part of our film heritage. Rehman last appeared in the coming-of-age sports drama "Skater Girl" in 2021. [caption id="attachment_3215" align="alignnone" width="227"] Waheeda Rehman to be conferred with Dadasaheb Phalke Award[/caption]

Breaking News header International National

Khalistan supporters protest outside the Indian Consulate in Vancouver

editor September 26, 2023

EP 26, 2023 : After Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that the Indian government was responsible for the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, dozens of supporters of Khalistan demonstrated outside the Indian Consulate in Vancouver. Demonstrators sang, performed music, and waved flags of Khalistan. Some of them burned the Indian flag outside the Indian Consulate in a trash container. In Toronto, there were also similar protests. According to Canadian news outlet CTV, protesters referred to Nijjar's death as a "assassination" and demanded a public investigation into the matter. Supporters of Khalistan had various demonstrations scheduled in Canadian cities.According to CTV News, the World Sikh Organisation issued a warning in advance about the potential for "incitement and interference" and urged attention. Tejinder Singh Sidhu, head of the World Sikh Organisation, urged for the capture of those responsible for Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder in a statement. He added, "We encourage community members to immediately contact law enforcement if they feel unsafe or observe attempts to incite violence," according to CTV News. Prior to a rally planned by supporters of Khalistan, the Vancouver Police Department closed the street surrounding the Indian Consulate in Vancouver. According to CTV News, barriers have been put up to block the entrance to the Indian Consulate's premises on Howe Street in Vancouver. Vancouver Police sent a message on X, the platform that replaced Twitter, stating, "#VanTraffic: Howe Street is restricted to vehicular traffic between W Cordova and W Hastings Street. A different route should be considered till further notice. Howe Street is now open to all vehicular traffic, according to a post from Vancouver Police later in the day that was posted on X. After Justin Trudeau claimed on September 18 that India was involved in the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force head Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, relations between India and Canada have been strained. On June 18, Nijjar, an Indian terrorist, was assassinated in front of a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.India, on the other hand, dismissed the accusations, calling them "absurd" and "motivated". The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement stating, "We have seen and rejected the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as well as the statement by their Foreign Minister." The MEA said in its statement, "Allegations of Government of India involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated." In response to Canada's expulsion of a senior Indian diplomat over New Delhi's alleged participation in Nijjar's murder, India also expelled a top Canadian diplomat.The claims made by Canada regarding India's "potential links" to the execution of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar were described as "politically driven" by Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday. "Yes, I do believe there is some prejudice present here. They have accused them and initiated legal action. We believe that the Canadian government's accusations are primarily motivated by political motives, Bagchi stated at a press conference. [caption id="attachment_3196" align="alignnone" width="300"] Khalistan supporters protest outside the Indian…

Breaking News Coronavirus header Health International National

China’s ‘Batwoman’ warns that there could be more Covid-like ‘outbreaks’ in the future

editor September 26, 2023

SEP 25, 2023 : Shi Zhengli, regarded as one of China's top virologists, has issued a warning that a new coronavirus is likely to emerge in the near future. Shi Zenghli, known as "batwoman" for her study into viruses that spread from animals, particularly bats, to people, declared in a report that the world needed to be ready for a disease similar to Covid-19. In a study report she co-authored with her colleagues, she stated, "If a coronavirus caused diseases to emerge before, there is a high chance it will cause future outbreaks."Shi's team at the Wuhan Institute of Virology assessed the likelihood of 40 different coronavirus species spreading to humans and classified half of them as "highly risky." The study was based on an examination of a number of viral characteristics, such as population size, genetic diversity, host species, and any prior zoonotic infections (diseases that spread from animals to people). Six of these 40 are known to have already led to human infection with illnesses. Future illness emergence "is almost certain, and it is highly likely that a [coronavirus] disease will emerge again," the report stated.The study was released in the English-language journal Emerging Microbes & Infections in July, but it wasn't until this month that it started trending on Chinese social media. This may be in part due to the study's non-Chinese language, but a researcher from the CDC in the country claimed it also showed a desire to move on from the topic in light of China's abrupt reversal of its zero-Covid regulations. "Sometimes in private conversations, when talking with other public health scholars, we have noticed that Chinese authorities are downplaying Covid-19, intentionally or unintentionally, and some cities have stopped releasing infection data," the scientist, who wished to remain anonymous, said to the South Morning China Post.The Wuhan team has also discovered sensitive and speedy testing methods that might be applied to continuously keep an eye on these dangerous infections. They have also discovered key hosts of the disease, including intermediate species like camels, civets, pigs, and pangolins as well as natural hosts like bats and rodents. Despite the significance of this research, many Chinese virologists have refrained from commenting on Shi's most recent discoveries because of the intense emotions surrounding it. The Wuhan Institute of Virology has come under fire, with some US legislators espousing the idea that Covid-19 was the result of an unintentional lab leak.This explanation, however, is still hotly debated because many experts think the illness actually started in an animal, presumably a bat, and then spread to people via an unnamed host. There is no evidence to support the lab leak idea, according to declassified US intelligence papers disclosed in June, although it cannot be ruled out. [caption id="attachment_3187" align="alignnone" width="300"] China's 'Batwoman' warns that there could be more Covid-like 'outbreaks' in the future[/caption]

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