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Rajnath meets Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan counterparts in Moscow

New Delhi (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today met his counterparts from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, to boost bilateral defence cooperation between India and the Central Asian countries.

Singh is currently in Moscow on a three-day visit to Russia, to attend the combined meeting of defence ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

In a tweet, the Defence Minister said he had a productive interaction with his Kazakh counterpart Lieutenant General Nurlan Yermekbayev.

“Productive interaction with the Defence Minister of Kazakhstan, Lieutenant General Nurlan Yermekbayev. We discussed ways to add further momentum to India-Kazakhstan defence cooperation,” Singh tweeted.

The Defence Minister said he also interacted with his Tajik counterpart Colonel General Sherali Mirzo on a wide spectrum of defence ties between the two countries.

“Had an extremely fruitful meeting with Defence Minister of Tajikistan, Colonel-General Sherali Mirzo in Moscow. Our talks included a wide spectrum of India-Tajikistan defence relations,” Rajnath Singh wrote.

He also met his Uzbek counterpart Major General Kurbanov Bakhodir Nizamovich in Moscow.

“I had a wonderful meeting with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Defence, Major General Kurbanov Bakhodir Nizamovich in Moscow today. Defence Cooperation remains an important pillar of India- Uzbekistan bilateral relations,” the Defence Minister said.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) comprises eight member states — India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The aim of SCO is to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.

Earlier, the Defence Minister held talks with his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe on ways to ease escalating border tension in eastern Ladakh. During the meeting, he conveyed India’s position on the developments along the LAC, including in the Galwan valley in the Western sector of the India-China Border Areas, in the last few months.

This is Singh’s second visit to Moscow. He had earlier represented India at the Victory Day Parade in Moscow on June 24 that commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi in the Second World War.

-RJV

Delhi’s COVID situation under control, no need to panic: Kejriwal

Kejriwa;
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today assured people that there is no need to panic as the situation is completely under control in Delhi, amid a rise in the number of coronavirus cases in the national capital.

Addressing a virtual media briefing, Kejriwal said, “There is absolutely no need to worry. I have analysed the data over the last few days, spoken to experts, and can say with full responsibility that the situation in Delhi is well under control.”

The chief minister said that Delhi is witnessing a sharp surge in coronavirus cases as his government has doubled the testing.

“From around 20,000 per day to nearly 40,000 daily. On September 4, there were 36,219 tests conducted in the national capital,” he added.

Kejriwal also pointed out that the death rate in the city was below the national average and said data since August 15 showed that one in 100 corona patients have died in the city’s hospitals.

“In June, when a similar case count was being registered, there used to up to 100 deaths a day. We identified the gaps and brought the number of deaths down,” he said. “Yesterday, there were 13 deaths of corona patients in Delhi.”

Kejriwal also assured Delhiites that there was no shortage of beds for COVID-19 patients in the hospitals and added that out of 14,000 beds, only 5,000 are occupied.

“Out of 5,000 beds, 1,600-1,700 beds are occupied by those who belong to other states,” he said.

In addition to this, the chief minister said the bed occupancy has increased due to people from other states getting admitted in the capital’s healthcare facilities.

However, appealing to the people of Delhi to follow preventive measures against COVID-19, Kejriwal said there is no scope for negligent attitude.

He added that his government has taken several steps to reduce deaths due to the virus in the national capital.

-RJV

Indian Army rescues 3 Chinese nationals in north Sikkim

New Delhi (NVI): The Indian Army rescued three Chinese nationals who lost their way in north Sikkim’s plateau area at 17,500 ft altitude and immediately provided them medical assistance.

The incident had taken place on September 3, according to an official press release.

The Army provided medical assistance including oxygen, food and warm clothes to the Chinese citizens, which included two men and a woman.

It also gave them appropriate guidance after which they returned to their destination, the release stated.

The Chinese nationals expressed their gratitude to India and the Indian Army for their prompt assistance.

-CHK

Chinese actions violated bilateral pacts, Rajnath tells Chinese Defence Minister

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meeting the Chinese counterpart General Fenghe in Moscow.

New Delhi (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has bluntly told his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe that actions by the Chinese military at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) were in violation of bilateral agreements and understandings and that Beijing should work with New Delhi for complete disengagement at earliest from all friction areas, including Pangong Lake.

During his meeting with Wei in Moscow last night, Singh also told his counterpart that China should work for “de-escalation in border areas in accordance with the bilateral agreements and protocols on maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas, strictly respect and observe the line of actual control and should not make attempts to unilaterally change status quo”, according to an official statement issued here today.

Singh said the current situation should be handled responsibly and neither side should take any further action that could either complicate the situation or escalate matters in the border areas, it said.

The meeting, which lasted for 2 hours and 20 minutes, saw “frank and in-depth discussions about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as on India-China relations,” it said.

Singh categorically conveyed India’s position on the developments along the LAC, including in the Galwan valley in the Western Sector of the India-China Border Areas in the last few months.

The Indian Defence Minister told Wei that “the actions of the Chinese troops, including amassing of large number of troops, their aggressive behaviour and attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo were in violation of the bilateral agreements and not in keeping with the understandings reached between the Special Representatives of two sides.

He stated clearly that while the Indian troops had always taken a very responsible approach towards border management, “there should also be no doubt about our determination to protect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement said.

The Chinese Defence Minister said both sides should scrupulously implement the consensus reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping and continue to solve the issues through dialogue and consultation, strictly follow the various bilateral agreements, strengthen the regulation of frontline troops and not undertake any provocative actions that might escalate the situation.

The two sides should focus on overall situation of India-China relations and work together to de-escalate the situation as soon as possible, and maintain peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas, the Chinese Defence Minister said and suggested that both sides should maintain communication at all levels including between the two Ministers.

Singh said both sides should take guidance from the consensus of the leaders that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas was essential for the further development of our bilateral relations and that two sides should not allow differences to become disputes.

“Accordingly, the two sides should resolve the ongoing situation and outstanding issues in the border areas peacefully through dialogue,” the Indian Defence Minister said.

The Chinese Defence Minister conveyed that Chinese side too desired to resolve the issues peacefully, the statement said.

Singh said the two sides should continue their discussions, including through diplomatic and military channels, to ensure complete disengagement and de-escalation and full restoration of peace and tranquillity along the LAC at the earliest.

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India today crossed the 4 million-mark and has reached 40,23,179, after 86,432 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, according to Union Health Ministry data.

The country’s death toll has gone up to 69,561 after 1,089 new fatalities were reported in the country during this period.

In worst-hit Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases climbed to 8,63,062, followed by Tamil Nadu with 4,51,827 cases, and Andhra Pradesh with 4,76,506 cases. With this recovery rate further improves to 80 per cent in India.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 3,257

Andhra Pradesh- 4,76,506

Arunachal Pradesh- 4,775

Assam- 1,21,224

Bihar- 1,44,104

Chandigarh- 5,268

Chhattisgarh- 40,634

Dadra Nagar Haveli & Diu – 2,467

Delhi- 1,85,220

Gujarat- 1,01,533

Goa- 19,863

Haryana– 71,983

Himachal Pradesh- 6,830

Jammu and Kashmir- 40,990

Jharkhand- 48,039

Karnataka- 3,79,486

Kerala- 82,104

Ladakh- 2,935

Madhya Pradesh- 70,244

Maharashtra- 8,63,062

Manipur- 6,699

Meghalaya- 2,734

Mizoram- 1,046

Nagaland- 4,107

Odisha- 1,16,678

Puducherry- 16,164

Punjab- 60,013

Rajasthan- 87,797

Sikkim- 1,843

Tamil Nadu- 4,51,827

Telangana- 1,38,395

Tripura- 14,507

Uttarakhand- 23,011

Uttar Pradesh- 2,53,175

West Bengal– 1,74,659

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 48

Andhra Pradesh- 4,276

Arunachal Pradesh- 7

Assam- 345

Bihar- 701

Chandigarh- 68

Chhattisgarh- 337

Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 2

Delhi- 4,513

Goa- 220

Gujarat- 3,076

Haryana- 759

Himachal Pradesh-

Jammu and Kashmir- 7

Jharkhand- 44

Karnataka- 6,170

Kerala- 326

Ladakh- 35

Madhya Pradesh- 1,513

Maharashtra- 25,964

Manipur- 35

Meghalaya- 14

Nagaland- 10

Odisha- 531

Puducherry- 280

Punjab- 1,739

Rajasthan- 1,108

Sikkim- 5

Tamil Nadu- 7,687

Telangana- 877

Tripura- 1

Uttar Pradesh- 3,762

Uttarakhand- 312

West Bengal- 3,452

However, a total of 31,07,223 people have been cured or discharged. Total active cases stand at 8,46,395.

-CHK

 

After a long gap, 3 Hizb terrorists killed in Baramulla gunfight: J&K officials

J&K Encounter
Security forces in Kashmir (File Pic)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Senior Army and police officials today said that the three slain terrorists killed in Yeddipora, Pattan in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district yesterday were affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen and it was almost after a long gap that Hizb terrorists were killed in the district.

They said that it seems that Hizbul Mujahideen is trying to ‘re-establish its base in north Kashmir’ but alert forces are ready to foil such moves.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), North Kashmir range, Muhammad Sulaiman Choudhary said that acting on a tip off, joint teams of police, Army and CRPF laid a siege at around 5 am at Yeddipora, Pattan. “The terrorists were hiding in a house. There were 12 civilians including children who were held hostage by the terrorists,” DIG said.

He said that an Army Major and two Special Operation Group (SOG) men were injured in the initial exchange of fire but all are stable and out of danger.

“Two of the slain terrorists were locals and have been identified as Shafkat Ali Khan of Rawatpora, Delina and Hanan Bilal Sofi of old town Baramulla. The identity of the third one is being ascertained,” DIG Sulaiman Choudhary said. He said that two AK -47 riffles, four magazines, one pistol and two pistol magazines besides incriminating matter were recovered.

The DIG north Kashmir said that the slain belonged to the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. He said it was almost after four years that Hizb terrorists were killed in north Kashmir, the DIG admitted saying that it was after a long gap as in the past many years terrorists from Lashkar and Jaish were killed in the northern districts including the recent encounters of Handwara, and Kreeri areas of the district.

“It seems that Hizb is trying to re-establish its base in north Kashmir. We are alert and ready to foil all the plans of Hizb that are aimed at its revival in north Kashmir,” the DIG said.

Speaking on the occasion, commander 20 Sector RR Brigadier N K Mishra said that all the three terrorists were given an opportunity to surrender but they refused. “It was a day-long operation that lasted for 12 hours. Three to four houses were involved. While making the surrender offer to militants, one of the hiding militants fired one bullet that hit our Major Rohit. He is stable,” Mishra said.

He said that the operation was a deliberate one as first priority was given to evacuate 12 civilians. “This group was active since long time and was involved in attacks on forces,” the army officer said.

In addition to this, the army officer said that local terrorist recruitment has gone down in north Kashmir. “In 2018, 38 terrorists joined militancy, in 2018 the number was 19 and this year the number is very less,” he said, adding that whenever any local boy joins militancy, the army approaches his parents and relatives and puts in best efforts to bring the person back.

“We have succeeded on this front. If youth of this area would join mainstream, this area (north Kashmir) would be the country’s best area on the developmental front,” he said.

Meanwhile, speaking about the query on alleged misbehavior and thrashing of journalists near the encounter site yesterday, the DIG and Brigadier appealed to scribes to refrain from going closer to the gunfight sight stating that stray bullets can hit anyone. “I will look into the issue as to what happened yesterday,” the DIG north Kashmir said.

-RJV

 

ICMR issues advisory, recommends test on-demand for COVID-19

corona
(File/Representational image)

New Delhi (NVI): The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued a new advisory on COVID-19 testing strategy, in which it has recommended ‘testing on demand’ for individuals.

As per the latest advisory, testing on demand should be done for individuals undertaking travel to countries or states mandating a negative COVID-19 test report at the point of entry and those who wish to get themselves tested.

“State governments to decide the simplified modalities to facilitate testing on demand” the advisory said.

The ICMR advisory stressed that, no emergency procedure, including deliveries, should be delayed for lack of test and allowed for testing on demand. “Pregnant women should not be referred for a lack of testing facility and all arrangements should be made to collect and transfer their samples to the testing facilities,” it said.

Apart from this, the apex research body said that mothers who test positive for COVID-19 should be advised to wear a mask and undertake frequent handwashing while handling their baby for 14 days.

“They should also be advised on breast cleaning before feeding the neonate. These measures are likely to reduce transmission to their babies,” the advisory added.

According to the advisory, a single RT-PCR, TrueNat, CBNAAT and rapid antigen positive test is to be considered confirmatory without any repeat testing. If symptoms develop following a negative RAT test, a repeat RAT or RT-PCR should be done.

It also suggested that 100 per cent people living in containment zones should be tested by RAT, particularly in cities where there has been widespread transmission of the infection, the ICMR advisory stated.

“No re-testing is recommended prior to discharge from a Covid-19 facility after clinical recovery, including for transfer from a Covid area and facility to a non-Covid area,” it added.

Furthermore, the ICMR recommended home quarantine for all individuals for 14 days before undergoing elective surgery to minimise chances of infection before the procedure.

-RJV

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

Representational Image (File)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): The Pakistani army yet again resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation in Balakote sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, by firing mortars and small arms, officials said today.

They said at around 9:30 am, Pakistani rangers fired mortars and small arms in a bid to target forward posts of Indian army at Shahpur, Kirni, and Degwar sectors 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 Shapur and Kirni 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 also 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 1800 ceasefire violations have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir, 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 Union Territory 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

Coronavirus cases surpass 26.5 million globally

Coronavirus cases surpass 52 mn globally; US reports record 1.36 lakh infections

New Delhi (NVI): More than 26.5 million people around the world have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, and over 872,000 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

At least 17.6 million patients have been cured and recovered worldwide.

Brazil, the second most affected country from COVID-19 after the US, recorded 51,194 cases within 24-hours and surpassed 4.09 million mark. The country’s death toll stands at 1,25,502.

In the US, the total number of cases stand around 6.19 million while more than 1,87,200 people have lost their lives due to the deadly virus.

South Korea recorded 168 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, posting the lowest daily tally in three weeks after imposing stricter social distancing rules to contain a second wave of infections.

With this, the total number of cases rose to 21,010, with 333 deaths in the country, according to the the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong has tested about 656,000 people, almost 10 per cent of its population, with a government program to provide tests to everyone so far finding eight new cases.

In another development, Mozambique will next week lift the state of emergency imposed in April to try to limit the spread of coronavirus. The total confirmed COVID-19 cases in Mozambique stood at 4,265 including 26 deaths, much lower than neighbouring South Africa, which has topped 6,35,000 infections.

Apart from this, the World Health Organization (WHO) Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan in a media brefing said, the first doses of a vaccine against COVID-19 will probably start becoming available in the second or third quarter of next year.

-RJV

India’s COVID tally hit 4 million mark with spike of 86k new cases

covid cases
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): India witnessed a record single-day surge of 86,432 fresh cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, rising the overall tally to 40,23,179, Union Health Ministry said.

1,089 deaths were recorded since yesterday, taking the total number of COVID-19 fatalities to 69,561.

So far, 31,07,223 patients have been cured and recovered all over the country while active cases stands at 8,46,395.

In worst-hit Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases climbed to 8,63,062, followed by Tamil Nadu with 4,51,827 cases, and Andhra Pradesh with 4,76,506 cases. With this recovery rate further improves to 80 per cent in India.

The other worst affected states are Karnataka (3,79,486), Uttar Pradesh (2,53,294) and Delhi (1,85,220).

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of fatalities at 25,964 followed by 7,687 deaths in Tamil Nadu.

The death toll in the national capital surpassed to 4,513, while 1,58,586 patients in Delhi have recovered so far, the healthy ministry data shows.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a total of 4,77,38,491 samples tested up to September 4. Of these, 10,59,346 samples were tested yesterday.

Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said that of the total active cases, less than 0.5 per cent patients are on ventilators, 2 per cent in ICUs and less than 3.5 per cent on Oxygen support.

-RJV

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