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J&K: Terrorist fished out from a stream after 4 days of search in Budgam

Personnel of security forces at an encounter site in Kashmir (File pic)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): After four-days of extensive searches held in Sukhnag stream in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, security forces today recovered the body of a terrorist who had jumped into the stream after initial exchange of fire between terrorists and forces.

The security forces had not called off the operation after inputs and CCTV footage suggested that there was a possibility that one of the terrorists while fleeing had jumped into the stream.

Extensive searches were carried on in the stream with Army pressing in boats. Sources said that on Thursday, Army pressed in navy divers, who recovered some arms and ammunition from the stream.

“The searches were on and early morning today, navy divers fished out the body of a terrorist from the Sukhnag stream,” a police official told NVI. “Initial investigation has revealed that the body is that of Aqib Ahmed from south Kashmir and he was affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit.”

On Monday, joint team of Police, Army and CRPF had launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) in Kawoosa area of Narbal in Budgam district, based on a specific input about the presence of terrorists in the area.

“As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired upon them, triggering an encounter,” the official said. “There was no further contact between terrorists and forces but it was feared that one of the terrorists had jumped into the stream along with weapons he was carrying.”

Meanwhile, security officials said that boats was pressed into service to trace the body who had drowned in the nearby stream during the initial shootout and they have succeeded in fishing out the body of terrorist during the ongoing search operation.

-CHK

India, China agree to disengage quickly at LAC

S Jaishankar attended the RIC Foreign Ministers Meeting hosted by FM Lavrov in Moscow. (Twitter: @DrSJaishankar)

New Delhi (NVI): India and China have agreed that the current situation in the border areas is not in the interest of either side and therefore the border troops of both sides should continue their dialogue, quickly disengage, maintain proper distance and ease tensions.

This was stated in a Joint Statement issued today after meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Moscow last evening which focussed on the four-month-long military faceoff at Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh created after Chinese aggression.
The two leaders, who met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, had “a frank and constructive discussion on the developments in the India-China border areas as well as on India-China relations”, said the statement which mentioned the five-point agreement reached.
“The two Ministers agreed that both sides should take guidance from the series of consensus of the leaders on developing India-China relations, including not allowing differences to become disputes,” it said
Among other points of agreement, the two ministers agreed that both sides shall abide by all the existing agreements and protocol on China-India boundary affairs, maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas and avoid any action that could escalate matters.
“The two sides also agreed to continue to have dialogue and communication through the Special Representative mechanism on the India-China boundary question. They also agreed in this context that the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China border affairs (WMCC), should also continue its meetings,” it said.
The Ministers agreed that as the situation eases, the two sides should expedite work to conclude new Confidence Building Measures to maintain and enhance peace and tranquillity in the border areas, the Joint statement said.
The meeting took place amidst heightened tensions and large mobilisation of troops and military assets, including tanks and heavy artillery, by both sides in the mountainous border area.

Pak violates ceasefire along LoC in J&K’s Poonch

Ceasefire
Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): In yet another ceasefire violation, Pakistan army today resorted to unprovoked firing in Mankote sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, by firing mortars and small arms, defence officials said.

Officials said at around 8:30 am, Pakistani rangers fired mortars and small arms in a bid to target forward posts of Indian army at Mankote and Shahpur in Poonch. “The own troops gave a befitting reply,” a defence official said, adding that “there was no report of any loss to life or property.”

Locals living close to Mankote and Shapur sectors in Poonch district said panic gripped the area and people locked themselves and their livestock to stay safe,” a group of residents said.

Defence sources said that Pakistan started intense shelling post abrogation of Article 370 last year and continues to resort to frequent unprovoked ceasefire violations in both the regions of Kashmir and Jammu since last year post August 5.

“The Indian army has been giving a befitting reply to Pakistan every time it violates ceasefire. Our troops are alert across LoC and are keeping a watch on every attempt made by the neighbour be that ceasefire violation or an infiltration bid,” they said.

As per official records, since January this year, over 1,820 ceasefire violations have taken place in J&K, majority of them in Poonch, Rajouri, RS Pura, Keran, Tangdhar, Machil and Uri sectors of the J&K UT. An army official said that it is the Pakistan army that violates the 2003 CF pact every time. “We are always giving them a befitting response. There have been casualties on both sides,” he said, adding that “this year so far, there is a surge in CFV from across the LoC.”

Pertinently, after a long gap of over three decades, the government in the J&K UT has once again started construction of community bunkers in villages close to LoC in J&K.

However, NVI was the first to break the story about construction of community bunkers in Uri, Tangdhar and Gurez sectors of north Kashmir’s Kupwara, Bandipora and Baramulla district. The construction of almost 140 bunkers is in a full swing in areas close to LoC.

-RJV

 

India’s COVID tally crosses 45-lakh mark with a spike of 96k new cases

covid cases
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): India witnessed a record single-day spike of 96,551 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the overall tally to 45,62,415, Union Health Ministry said.

The country’s death toll has reached 76,271 with 1,209 fatalities reported during this period. However, this was the second day in a row that a record spike was recorded in both cases and deaths.

Notably, the number of active cases stand at 9,43,480, while the number of patients discharged from the hospital has reached 35,42,664.

In worst-hit Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases climbed to 9,90,795, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 5,37,687 cases, and Tamil Nadu with 4,86,052 cases.

The other worst affected states are Karnataka (4,30,947), Uttar Pradesh (2,92,092) and Delhi (2,05,482).

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of death toll at 28,282 followed by 8,154 deaths in Tamil Nadu.

The death toll in the national capital surpassed to 4,666, while 1,75,400 patients have recovered so far, the healthy ministry data shows.

According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a total of 5,40,97,975 samples tested up to September 10. Of these, 11,63,542 samples were tested yesterday.

Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja warns that there is a possibility of more deaths due to COVID-19 in the state due to shortage of ventilators.

-RJV

 

UK govt announces new visa route for international students

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): The UK government has announced a new visa route for international students that is to start from October 5, delivering on its promise to introduce a new points-based immigration system.

The new “Student Route” visa system is based on points — a total of 70 — which an applicant is required to secure to gain a visa, a statement from the British High Commision said.

The new process is more streamlined for students and their sponsoring institutions, it said.

Students will achieve the required points if they can demonstrate that they have an offer from an approved educational institution, speak English and are able to support themselves during their studies in the UK.

“Students will also now be able to make a visa application up to 6 months before their course starts (up from 3 months previously) and they will not be required to resubmit proof of academic qualifications with their visa application, the statement added.

The new route treats students equally, with all international students using the same, simplified route when it opens for applications no matter where they come from, it said.

Jan Thompson, Acting High Commissioner to India, said, “India is one of the UK’s largest source of international students and our world-leading education system has always been a key part of our bilateral relationship.”

“Last financial year, nearly 50,000 Indian nationals were granted a study visa – they are the ambassadors of the Living Bridge that connects our countries. Now that we have left the EU, we can introduce this streamlined visa route and the Graduate Route in summer 2021, to ensure the brightest and the best students continue to pick the UK,” she said.

Barbara Wickham, Director, British Council India, said the new system offered “greater flexibility and ease of immigration for applicants.”

“With the post study work benefits of the Graduate Route and the launch of the Student Route, the UK has further solidified its commitment towards international students, and enabling more than ever, their dreams of pursuing a world-class education,” she added.

As a result of the coronavirus, some overseas students are choosing to defer their entry onto courses in the UK until the Spring semester of early next year.

Therefore, the government chose to introduce the new route now so that students would be able to benefit from the new streamlined process whilst still giving sponsors time to adapt after their Autumn intake this month.

It also reiterated that there would be no limit on the number of international students who can come to the UK under the route.

Besides the Student Route, the Child Student Route for younger international students will also open from October 5.

-CHK

Pashtuns protest against Pakistan army’s brutalities in Waziristan

New Delhi (NVI): Members and supporters of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) today held a peaceful protest march against Pakistan army’s atrocities in Waziristan region in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, amid a growing attack on the local population by the Pakistani forces.

The protesters, also including locals from the area, marched towards Razmak forte in Waziristan and staged a sit-in. The protest, however, was called off later as the senior PTM leaders reached an understanding with Pakistan armed forces to hold a jirga (a tribal council) on September 14 to discuss the security forces brutality in the region.

The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), or the Pashtun Protection Movement, is a social movement for Pashtun human rights, based in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
It was launched in May 2014 and continues to demand justice for Pashtuns in Pakistan.

Just like in Balochistan, Pakistani forces are targetting innocent locals in the region on mere suspicion of belonging to rebel outfits. In Waziristan, people are often subjected to torture and brutal thrashing by the Pakistan army to coerce them into accepting that they have links with the Taliban or other terrorist outfits.

Apart from that, residents in Waziristan still prove their identity on check posts and face harassment by security forces. In June this year, a video had gone viral on social media, showing the brutal torture of the Pakistan army on civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This had raised concerns over growing human rights violations in the region.

The video shows Pakistan Army personnel kicking a blindfolded man lying on ground. For several years now, the Pakistan army has launched operations in FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where they target civilians, especially those who have been raising their voice against brutalities, torture and killings.

A large number of Pashtuns in Pakistan have accused the Imran Khan government of discrimination against them as they suffer from poverty, hunger and unemployment in the region. Many Pashtuns, like Baloch people, demand freedom from Pakistan.

-ARK

Two M-16 rifles used in 1965 Vietnam war recovered along LoC in J&K’s Baramulla

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A huge cache of arms and ammunition, including two M-16 rifles, that were used by the US army in 1965 Vietnam war, was recovered during a cordon and search operation in Duljana area along the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

A defence official said that a joint team of Army’s 8RR unit and Jammu and Kashmir police launched a cordon and search operation in Duljana forest after receiving credible inputs about the presence of arms and ammunition in the area.

“During search operation, huge quantity of arms and ammunition including two M 16 Rifles and pistols were recovered,” the officials said. It is pertinent to mention here that in 1965, US army used M-16 rifles during the Vietnam war in forests.

An army official said that on September 9, a credible input was received from J&K Police regarding presence of a cache of small arms in general area, Dulanja in Uri.

He said that after deliberate planning, a specific search was launched in general area Dulanja Infantry Safe Line (ISL) by a team that continued throughout the day. “The searches culminated in the recovery of War-like stores in general area cutting on September 10,” he said.

The arms and ammunition recovered during the searches include two M-16 Rifles, two Pistols, four Magazines (M-16 Rifle), and four magazines (Pistols), the officer said.

Meanwhile, a senior police official said that a case in this regard has been registered and further investigation has been taken up. “We are trying to work on leads as to how these weapons had reached the Dulanja area and for whom the consignment was meant,” the official said.

-ARK

1,592 fresh Covid cases take J&K’s tally to 49,134 

Over 3,200 cops COVID positive in J&K and 15 succumbed to virus
File photo

 Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today recorded yet another spike of 1,592 coronavirus cases, including 112 travelers, taking the total number of positive cases in the Union Territory to 49,134.

Today’s spurt comes a day after over 1,600 positive cases were reported, the highest single day rise in the UT. Of the total cases, 34,267 are from Kashmir and 14,867 from Jammu division.

Officials said that among 1,592 new cases, 822 belong to Kashmir division while 770 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division has reached 34,267 including 26,778 recoveries. On the other hand, the total number of positive cases in Jammu division has reached 14,867 including 7,437 recoveries and 131 deaths.

The officials said that the total number of active cases in J&K is 14,074 including 6,775 from Kashmir division and 7,299 from Jammu division. With 344 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in the UT has reached 34,215 which is 69.57 percent of the total cases which was over 78 percent a few day before.

Notably, first time since the Covid-19 outbreak, active cases has reached over 14,000 in J&K.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 218 from Srinagar, 75 from Baramulla, 68 from Pulwama, 190 from Budgam, 49 from Anantnag, 56 from Bandipora, 85 from Kupwara, 15 from Kulgam, 02 from Shopian and 64 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while as 770 from Jammu division include  421 from Jammu, 48 from Rajouri, 47 from Kathua, 28 from Udhampur, 35 from Samba, 08 from Ramban, 31 from Doda, 78 from Poonch, 28 from Reasi and 46 from Kishtwar,” officials disclosed.

As per the daily information bulletin, 5,05,236 persons in the UT are under observation while 44,022 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides, 14,074 persons are in isolation.

According to the bulletin, 3,94,169 persons have completed surveillance period and 52,126 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 11,52,563 samples are available out of which 1,103,429 tested negative while 49,134 have tested positive. Among positive cases, 14,074 are active and 34,215 persons have recovered.  

-ARK

India, Japan sign pact to enhance interoperability between defence forces

New Delhi (NVI): In a significant development, India and Japan have signed a defence pact to establish a framework for reciprocal provision of supplies and services between their armed forces, thus enhancing interoperability between the two sides.

Critically, the agreement for Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between the Armed Forces of India and The Self-Defense Forces of Japan has been signed at a time when China has increased its aggression in the region and created tensions, including at the Line of Actual Control with India in the Ladakh sector.

The pact, signed here by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar and Ambassador of Japan Suzuki Satoshi, establishes the “enabling framework for closer cooperation between the Armed Forces of India and Japan in reciprocal provision of supplies and services while engaged in bilateral training activities, United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, Humanitarian International Relief and other mutually agreed activities,” an official statement said.

“The agreement will also enhance the interoperability between the Armed Force of India and Japan thereby further increasing the bilateral defence engagements under the Special Strategic & Global Partnership between the two countries,” it added.

Both India and Japan are facing troubles from China and the two countries have been working on enhancing defence cooperation under bilateral and multilateral formats.

The two countries are already working together under the format of Quad, comprising the US, India, Japan and Australia, to ensure free navigation in the Indo-Pacific region, against the backdrop of growing aggressiveness by China.

PM to inaugurate 1.75 lakh houses built under PMAY-G in MP on Sept 12

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in a virtual event – ‘Grih Pravesham’ and inaugurate 1.75 lakh houses built under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) in Madhya Pradesh on September 12 via video conferencing.

All of these houses have been built/completed during the current challenging COVID-19 pandemic period, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will also be present on the occasion and the program will be telecast Live on DD News.

PM Modi had given a clarion call of “Housing for All by 2022”, for which a flagship programme of PMAY-G was launched on November 20, 2016. So far 1.14 crore houses have already been built across the country under the programme, PMO said.

In the state of Madhya Pradesh, 17 lakh poor households have also benefited from this scheme till now. These are all households of poor people who either had no house or lived in dilapidated makeshift homes, as per the official statement.

Each beneficiary under the scheme is given 100% grant of Rs 1.20 lakh with a sharing ratio of 60:40 between Centre and State. Funds for all these houses constructed under PMAY-G are given by way of 4 instalments directly into the bank account of the beneficiary after verification of various stages of construction through Geotagged photographs. The scheme envisages to construct 2.95 crore houses by the year 2022.

In addition to the unit assistance, the beneficiaries are provided support of unskilled labour wages for 90/95 person days under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and assistance of Rs 12,000 for construction of toilets through Swachh Bharat Mission- Gramin, MGNREGS or any other dedicated source of funding.

The scheme also has provisions for convergence with other schemes of the Central Government and State/UTs for providing LPG connection under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Scheme, electricity connection, access to safe drinking water under Jal Jeevan Mission, etc.

Madhya Pradesh Government, through its “Samridh Paryavas Abhiyaan”, has dovetailed 17 other schemes like social security, pension scheme, ration card, Prime Minister Kaushal Vikas Yojana, National Rural Livelihood Mission, etc to provide additional benefits, the PMO said in a release.

-ARK

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