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J&K: BSF men shoot down quadcopter carrying weapon consignment in Kathua district

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Border Security Force (BSF) personnel shot down a quadcopter carrying weapons that had entered into Indian territory in Kathua district of Jammu region, police officials said.

The incident happened at 5:15 am. The Director General of Police (DGP) Jammu and Kashmir, Dilbagh Singh said that an attempt to deliver weapons on this side of fence was foiled when alert BSF men shot down a quadcopter in Kathua area close to the border.

“After searching the drone like quadcopter, a US made M-4 carbine was recovered besides seven grenades, two magazines and 60 rounds,” the DGP said.

After preliminary investigations the DGP said, the delivery was from “Ali Bhai” from across the Line of Control (LOC), who’s name was displayed on the payload.

The police sources said the drone was eight feet wide having blades from four sides. “It seemed that the device was controlled through a remote device from Pakistani post opposite BSF post in Kathua sector,” they said.

Pertinently, so far at least four to six US made M-4 carbines with night fitted devices fitted atop have been recovered from Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists in both Kashmir and Jammu regions.

The sources also said that it has been found that Jaish men use M-4 US made guns in sniping attacks on forces in both Kashmir and Jammu region.

-RJV

Coronavirus cases exceed 8.6 million worldwide

US sees highest single-day spike in Covid cases

New Delhi (NVI): More than 8.6 million people around the world have been confirmed to have the coronavirus, while the death toll is nearing 4,60,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.

Over 4.2 million patients have recovered from the deadly disease globally.

Brazil has 1 million coronavirus cases, second only to the United States in both cases and fatalities. The country’s health ministry said the total now stood at 1,032,913 while the death toll rose to 48,954.

In the US, the total number of coronavirus cases have reached more than 2.2 million while the total number of fatalities have surpassed 1,19,099 in the country.

Meanwhile, South Korea reported 67 new COVID-19 cases, taking the country’s total to 12,373, with 280 deaths, according to the data.

The Mexico City authorities delayed the plan of reopening of the economy as new COVID-19 cases and deaths nationwide continued at near-record levels. The total cases in Mexico stands at 170,485, with 20,394 fatalities.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the coronavirus pandemic was entering a “new and dangerous” phase. While the cases are rising, at the same time people are growing weary of lockdowns and governments are seeking to restart their economies.

-RJV

COVID cases in India climb to over 3.95 lakh, death toll 12,948

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): The coronavirus cases in India saw the highest single-day increase of 14,516 in the last 24 hours, raising the total number to 3,95,048, Union Health Ministry said.

The death toll due to the virus rose to 12,948, with 375 new fatalities being reported in the last 24 hours.

So far, 2,13,831 patients have recovered all over the country.

Maharashtra, with, 1,24,331 positive cases, remains the worst hit state in the country, followed by Tamil Nadu with 5,44,49 cases and Delhi which has reported 53,116 cases.

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of fatalities at 58,93, followed by 1,618 in Gujarat and 495 in Madhya Pradesh.

The death toll in the national capital rose to 2,035, while 23,569 patients in Delhi have recovered so far, the healthy ministry data shows.

The other states with high virus cases are Gujarat (26,141), Uttar Pradesh (15,785), Rajasthan (14,156) and Madhya Pradesh (11,582).

Meanwhile, since the Supreme Court raised questions about the Delhi government’s handling of COVID-19, it has moved to introduce changes and norms. After fixing prices for tests, a high-powered committee has now recommended fixing the costs of hospital beds.

-RJV

Neither has anyone entered our borders, nor is any of our post occupied: PM

New Delhi (NVI): In the all-party meeting convened today to discuss the India-China border face-off, Prime Minister Narendra Modi denied any Chinese intrusion in Indian territory along Line of Actual Control (LAC), while reassuring the leaders that the armed forces are capable of defending borders and have been given a free hand to take all necessary steps.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister clarified that “neither is anyone inside our territory nor is any of our post captured.” He said that 20 brave Indian soldiers “made the supreme sacrifice for the nation in Ladakh but also taught a lesson to those who had dared to look towards our motherland.”

“The nation will forever remember their valour and sacrifice,” he added.

“Be it deployment, action or counter-action, through land, sea or air, our forces are taking the necessary steps to protect the country,” the PM said. He emphasized that the country today has such capability that no one can even dare look towards an inch of our land.

He said that today, Indian forces are capable of moving together across sectors. While on the one hand, the army has been given freedom to take necessary steps, India has also conveyed its position clearly to China through diplomatic means, he said.

The PM also underscored that India wants peace and friendship, but upholding sovereignty is foremost. He highlighted that the government has given primacy to development of border area infrastructure to make the borders more secure. “Provision has also been made for fighter planes, modern helicopters, missile defence systems and other such needs of our forces,” he said.

He further stated that through the recently developed infrastructure, patrolling capacity at LAC has also increased, adding that through this, the government is better informed about the developments at LAC and is able to monitor and respond better.

“The movement of those which used to take place without any disruption earlier is now checked by our jawans, which at times leads to build-up of tension,” he said.

The prime minister emphasised that through better infrastructure, supply of material and essentials to the soldiers in the difficult terrain has become comparatively easier.

Among those present in the meeting were TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee, JDU chief Nitish Kumar, Congress Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and BSP President Mayawati.

20 Indian troops were killed in a violent face-off with the Chinese army in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley while the de-escalation process was underway on June 15-16 night.

-ARK

J&K: 10 soldiers, 3 pregnant women among 125 new cases, tally at 5,680

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today recorded 125 new Covid-19 positive cases including ten soldiers, three pregnant women and four policemen, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the Union Territory to 5,680.

Officials said that 125 new cases were reported in the UT of which 23 were from Jammu division and 102 from Kashmir division. “50 more patients recovered and were discharged from the hospital that includes 25 from Jammu division and an equal number from Kashmir division,” officials said.

They said that among the new cases, there were ten soldiers, three pregnant women and two doctors. Dr GN Yatoo, Nodal officer for Coronavirus at SKIMS, Soura said that out of 3,126 samples tested at the hospital, 62 turned out to be positive. Giving details, another doctor at the SKIMS said that of the 62 cases, 17 are from Pulwama, 12 from Kulgam, eight from Anantnag, seven from Shopian, six each from Srinagar and Bandipora, three from Baramulla and one each from Budgam, Ganderbal and Kupwara.

Dr Reyaz Untoo, Principal, SKIMS Bemina said that out of 431 samples tested at the hospital, six tested positive, all from Srinagar. Officials said that 33 people tested positive at Chest Diseases hospital Srinagar include ten soldiers from the BB Cant Srinagar, three pregnant women and two doctors.

Of the total Covid cases in J&K (5680), Kulgam has recorded 664 positive cases, Baramulla 562, Srinagar 608, Anantnag 595, Shopian 602, Kupwara 428, Bandipora 258, Budgam 291, Pulwama 282, Ganderbal 66, Jammu 298, Ramban 201, Udhampur 203, Kathua 182, Poonch 108, Samba 124, Rajouri 73, Doda 63, Reasi 31 and Kishtwar 23.

According to the bulletin, of the total 5,680 positive cases in J&K, 1,958 have been reported as travelers while 3,722 as others.

-ARK

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

Ceasefire
Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Pakistani troops today violated ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing and mortar shelling along Line of Control (LoC) in Karnah sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district for the second consecutive day, defence officials said.

The officials said that the Pakistan army targeted forward posts in the area this evening. “The army is responding effectively and giving a befitting reply,” said an official.

“There is no loss of life or property reported so far from Kupwara,” the officials said.

Meanwhile, the shelling was underway from both sides in the Karnah sector when this report was filed.

Earlier, in the day, General officer Commanding (GoC) of Srinagar based Army’s 15 Corps, Lieutenant General BS Raju said that frequent ceasefire violations were an old tactic of Pakistan to give cover to the militants who want to infiltrate into this side of the fence.

-ARK

Govt denies restricting Chinese Apps, says no such order issued by NIC

New Delhi (NVI): A viral message is doing rounds on social media claiming that the Government has restricted some Chinese Apps from being made available on online App stores.

Taking note, the Fact Check Unit of PIB did an investigation and found the message to be fake. The PIB has rejected any such order issued by the NIC (National Informatics Centre), stating that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has prohibited the use of Chinese Apps like Tik Tok and CamScanner.

“Claim: A viral message of an order allegedly from NIC claims that @GoI_Meity has prohibited some apps from being made available on App Stores. #PIBFactCheck: The Order is #Fake. No such instruction has been given by @GoI_MeitY or NIC,” PIB’s Fact Check Unit said in a tweet.

The report falsely claims that the NIC has directed the Regional Executive and representatives of Google India Pvt Ltd. and Apple India Pvt Ltd, under the instructions of MeitY to restrict the functioning of Chinese Applications “from the respective stores with immediate effect…”

The fake order has also listed 15 Chinese Apps that are to be restricted.

There is an anti-China sentiment in the country after the killing of 20 Indian soldiers in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley clash with Chinese troops on June 15 night. Some political leaders and trade organisations have also called for boycotting Chinese goods. However, the Government has appealed to the people not to fall prey to any rumors.

-ARK

WATCH | Indian Tri-Service contingent that will march in Victory Day Parade in Russia

A glimpse of the full dress rehearsal by the Tri-Service contingent of Indian Armed Forces before it leaves for Russia to participate in the 75th World War II Victory Day Parade to be held in Moscow on June 24. Read story
-ARK

WFP’s life-saving transport service under threat as funds run out

(Image credit: WFP)

New Delhi (NVI): World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, has been moving passengers and huge volumes of health and other supplies at a time when maximum commercial flights have been grounded due to COVID-19 pandemic.

However, just as demand for this service is reaching its peak, it could grind to a halt before the end of July unless substantial funding can be secured to keep WFP’s transport fleet moving, the organisation said in a release.

“Of the $965 million needed to maintain the operation through to the end of the year, only $178 million has so far been confirmed or advanced,” WFP said.

WFP has so far flown 375 passenger and cargo flights to destinations across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

In addition to this, more than 2,500 responders from more than 80 aid organizations have been flown to destinations where their assistance is urgently needed.

Furthermore, enough cargo to fill 120 Jumbo Jets is waiting to be transported in the coming weeks.

Using a network of global and regional transportation hubs, WFP Aviation has over recent months transported huge volumes of urgently-needed medical supplies – including PPE, masks and ventilators – as well as staff from scores of aid organisations.

WFP has also helped set up for the humanitarian and health community include two field hospitals, one in East and the other in West Africa, and to date 16 medical evacuations have been carried out, including with WFP-contracted air ambulances.

-CHK/ARK

Afghanistan’s COVID tally crosses 27,800, death toll at 548

New Delhi (NVI): The coronavirus cases in Afghanistan saw a rise of 346 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total number to 27,878, according to Afghan media reports.

The death toll due to the virus rose to 548 with two new fatalities being reported in the last 24 hours.

Among the fresh cases reported, Kabul once again was on top of the list with 231 cases followed by Kandahar with 25 positive cases.

In addition, 25 cases were reported in Paktia, 19 in Bamiyan, 9 in Helmand, 6 in Uruzgan, 6 in Kunduz, 5 in Takhar, 4 in Zabul, 2 in Nuristan and 1 in Nangarhar.

While no tests were conducted in Herat and Balkh due to a lack of testing kits. The two provinces are the main cities after Kabul with the highest number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus, as per reports.

In terms of fatalities, the two deaths were reported in Helmand Province. No deaths were reported in other Provinces in the last 24 hours.

The Afghan Ministry of Public Health said 7,692 people have recovered from the respiratory disease in Afghanistan.

So far, 62,492 people have been tested for COVID-19 in the country, as per media reports.

-RJV

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