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Pak resorts to ceasefire violation along LoC in J&K’s Poonch

Representational Image (File)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Pakistan resorted to intense shelling of mortars and small arms in sectors of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, defence officials said today.

Defence officials said that Pakistan resorted to unprovoked firing in Shahpur and Kirni sectors of Poonch district by firing mortars and small arms.  “Our troops gave a befitting response,” he said.

Officials sources said that at around 9:30 am, Pakistani Army resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation (CFV) along the LoC in Shahpur and Kirni sectors by firing mortars and other weapons,” they said, adding that a befitting response is being given to the Pakistani aggression.

There were no reports of any casualties so far. This year, a record number of 1,660 CFVs have taken place in J&K.

-CHK

Coronavirus cases near 10.7 million worldwide

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases are nearing 10.7 million around the world, over 5.6 million people have recovered, and more than 5,15,000 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University tally.

United States coronavirus cases rose by nearly 50,000, marking the biggest one-day spike since the start of the pandemic. More than half of new cases each day come from US states of Arizona, California, Florida and Texas, home to 30 percent of the country’s population.

In Brazil, the total number of coronavirus infected cases has exceeded 1.4 million while the death toll surpassed 60,000 in the country.

Italy’s hard-hit northern region of Lombardy accounted for considerably more than half of the nation’s latest confirmed 187 coronavirus cases – raising the total to 240,760 nationwide. The Health Ministry also reported 21 new deaths, raising to 34,788 the total of known deaths.

Thailand has confirmed six new cases of Covid-19, all related to returnees who are staying in state quarantine. The country has recorded no local transmission of the virus for more than five weeks.

Tokyo confirmed more than 100 new coronavirus infection cases on Thursday, the Japanese capital’s highest daily tally in two months.

In Germany, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases increased by 503 to 195,228. The reported death toll rose by 9 to 8,994.

-CHK

Terrorists using mosques to target forces in Kashmir is ‘reprehensible’: Spl DG CRPF

July 18 Shopian encounter: Army completes summary of evidence
An encounter site in Kashmir (File Pic)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Security forces doesn’t search or touch religious places while conducting anti-militancy operations and the use of mosques by terrorists to target the forces is highly reprehensible and shouldn’t be allowed by the mosque committees, Jammu and Kashmir’s Special Director General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Zulfikar Hassan today said

While attending a wreath laying ceremony of a CRPF man, who was killed yesterday, at Sopore shootout in which a civilian was also killed, the special DG CRPF said that the terrorists had taken position from inside the mosque and were waiting for the CRPF team to arrive.

The wreath laying was organized by the CRPF at RTC Humhama where police, CRPF and Army officials were present.

“I find the use of mosques by militants to target forces as highly reprehensible. We don’t enter or search religious places keeping in view their sanctity,” Hassan said. He said that mosque committees across Kashmir must ensure that mosques are hijacked by the terrorists.

He further added that, “The civilian got killed in the firing from the mosque. We are technically clear that the bullet was fired from the mosque that hit the civilian in his back. I have personally visited the spot, met people and checked the camera. It is beyond doubt that the civilian was killed by terrorist fire,” he said.

He said the boy accompanying his grandfather was extremely scared. “He was rescued by the CRPF man from the spot,” Hassan said.

The special DG CRPF said that use of mosques by terrorists seems to be a new dimension in Kashmir. “In the anti-militancy operations, security forces conduct searches in villages, forests, houses but never inside mosques. Security forces have great respect for the religious places. Even before the attack at Sopore, we have conducted searches in nearby areas but we didn’t search the mosque there,” the Special DG CRPF said.

He said it is the second attempt after Khrew, Pampore in Pulwama district, where two terrorists took refuge in a mosque.

He has urged the mosque heads and management bodies across Kashmir to ensure that terrorists aren’t allowed to enter mosques to hide and then target forces. “They have to play a role here and ensure that the religious places aren’t allowed to be used for terrorist activities,” DGP said.

-CHK

India’s COVID tally crosses 6 lakh; death toll 17,834

covid cases
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The coronavirus cases in India saw a rise of 19,148 in the last 24 hours, taking the total number to 6,04,641, Union Health Ministry said.

The death toll due to the virus rose to 17,834, with 434 new fatalities being reported in the last 24 hours.

As many as 3,59,859 COVID-19 patients have been cured of the virus or discharged so far.

With this, the recovery rate from the coronavirus disease in India, the fourth worst-hit country in the world, has improved to 59.43 per cent.

In terms of total number of cases, Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state with 1,80,298 coronavirus cases followed by Tamil Nadu with 94,049 and Delhi with 89,802 positive cases.

The other worst affected states are Gujarat (33,232) Uttar Pradesh (24,056), West Bengal (19,170) and Rajasthan (18,312).

In terms of deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 8,053 fatalities, ministry said.

The death toll in the national capital surged to 2,803 while another 59,992 patients have recovered so far, healthy ministry data shows.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that 90,56,173 samples were tested for COVID-19 in the country till yesterday.

Apart from that, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the Covid-19 situation in the country yesterday with Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and senior officials of their ministries.

-RJV

J&K: 15 CRPF men, 5 cops among 198 new cases, tally at 7,695

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today recorded 198 fresh positive cases for the deadly virus that include 15 CRPF personnel, three Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) jawans, and five policemen, taking the total number of positive cases in the UT to 7,695.

Officials said that among the new cases, 85 were tested positive at SKIMS, 15 at JVC Bemina, 80 at CD hospital and the rest at other hospitals. “New cases include 15 CRPF men, two BSF men, five policemen and three SSB men too,” they said.

Among 198 new cases, 179 belong to Kashmir division while 19 are from Jammu division, officials said, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 6,065 including 3,690 recoveries and 92 deaths while the total number of positive cases in Jammu has reached 1,630 including 1,166 recoveries and 13 deaths.

The officials said that the total number of active cases in J&K is 2,734 including 2,283 from Kashmir and 451 from Jammu.

With 134 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in the UT has reached 4,856 which is 63.10 percent of the total cases.

Cases tested positive in J&K include 32 from Srinagar, 1 from Kulgam, 49 from Baramulla, 32 from Shopian, 8 from Anantnag, 16 from Kupwara, 6 from Budgam, 24 from Pulwama and 11 from Ganderbal in Kashmir while as 19 from Jammu include 11 from Jammu, one from Udhampur, 3 from Doda and two each from Samba and Rajouri.

As per the daily information bulletin, 2,85,126 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 40,118 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides that, 2,734 persons are in hospital isolation while 35 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 1,95,659 persons have completed the surveillance period and 46,475 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 3,71,486 samples are available out of which 3,63,791 stand negative while 7,695 have been tested positive. Among positive cases, 2,734 are active and 4,856 persons have recovered while 105 have died.

-ARK

MHA declares 9 individuals linked to Khalistani groups as designated terrorists

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Home Affairs today declared nine individuals as designated terrorists under provisions of amended UAPA Act, for trying to revive militancy in Punjab.

The MHA, under the leadership of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, declared these persons as terrorists for their involvement in “various acts of terrorism from across the border and from foreign soil”.

“They have been relentless in their nefarious efforts of destabilizing the country, by trying to revive militancy in Punjab through their anti national activities and through their support to and involvement in the Khalistan Movement,” the ministry said in an official statement.

According to the ministry, out of nine individuals, four belong to Pakistan-based terrorist organisations. They include Wadhawa Singh Babbar, chief of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI); Lakhbir Singh, who heads International Sikh Youth Federation; Ranjeet Singh, chief of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZB) and Paramjit Singh, who leads Khalistan Commando Force.

The five others are from Germany, USA, UK and Canada based terror organisations:

* Bhupinder Singh Bhinda: Germany based key member of terrorist organization, “Khalistan Zindabad Force”

* Gurmeet Singh Bagga: Germany based key member of terrorist organisation, “Khalistan ZindabadForce”

* Gurpatwant Singh Pannun: USA based key member of Unlawful Association, “Sikh for Justice”

* Hardeep Singh Nijjar: Canada based Chief of “Khalistan Tiger Force”

* Paramjit Singh: United Kingdom based Chief of terrorist organization,“BabbarKhalsa International”

In August 2019, the Central Government had amended the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 to include the provision of designating an individual as a terrorist. Prior to this amendment, only organizations could be designated as terrorist organizations.

-ARK

Lord Jagannath’s ‘Bahuda Yatra’ held successfully, Puri to remain shut tmrw

Subrat Kumar Sarangi

Bhubaneswar (NVI): The return journey of Lord Jagannath, also known as ‘Bahuda Yatra’ was organised without devotees in Odisha’s Puri today as the deities made their way back to the Jagannath temple after 9 days stay at Gundicha temple.

The holy trinity of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra made their way back to the 12th-century old temple as servitors and police personnel pulled back the chariots, as per the centuries-old custom, this time without devotees though, due to the Covid pandemic.

For the first time, this Yatra also- just like Rath Yatra- happened without a congregation of devotees as the district administration had called for shutdown up to 2nd July, following Supreme Court guidelines on COVID-19.

The deities returned to the temple with their individual chariots — Nandighosha (Lord Jagannath), Taladhwaja (Lord Balabhadra), Darpadalana (Devi Subhadra) in a ceremonial procession ritual.

Only those police personnel and servitors, whose COVID-19 taste reports came negative, were allowed to perform the ceremonial rituals.

The Supreme Court, which earlier allowed Rath Yatra without congregation of devotees, had asked the Odisha government to engage only COVID-19 free persons in the nine-day Rath Yatra festival.

-RJV//ARK

PM Modi quits Weibo as India bans 59 Chinese apps

New Delhi (NVI): With India deciding to ban 59 Chinese mobile apps, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s account on the Twitter-like ‘Weibo’ app also went blank today, as his photos, posts and comments were found removed.

The Prime Minister had joined the social media app a few years ago. The microblogging website, like Twitter, follows a complex procedure to remove VIP accounts. There was a delay in granting access to remove the PM’s account as well, for reasons best known to Weibo.

The PM had 115 posts on the app before deletion and as the concerned officials delayed the process to grant permission to quit the platform, it was decided to manually delete all posts. However, after much effort, 113 posts were removed and two posts left were where the Prime Minister has photos with the Chinese President.

Since it is difficult to remove posts with the photo of their President (Xi-Jinping), that is why two posts still remained. Apart from that, all of the PM’s posts have been removed.

This comes two days after the Ministry of Information Technology in a statement said that a decision regarding the banning of 59 Chinese mobile apps has been taken while citing the “emergent nature of threats” from mobile applications. It said that the apps were banned based on the information that they were engaged in activities “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity, defence, security and public order” in India.

Union Minister of Communications, Electronics and Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad said Monday that the move was taken to ensure the country’s integrity and protect data and privacy of Indians.

“For safety, security, defence, sovereignty & integrity of India and to protect data & privacy of people of India the Government has banned 59 mobile apps. Jai Hind!” Prasad said in a tweet after his Ministry took the decision to ban several apps including TikTok, Shareit, WeChat, etc.

India and China are currently locked in a bitter standoff at multiple locations in Eastern Ladakh, especially after the June 15 violent clash between the Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives.

-ARK

12 top militants on radar, terror recruitment down by 48 percent: J&K Police

Kashmir terror attack
Representational Image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir police today said that 12 top commanders were on its hit list including Hizbul Mujahideen commander Dr Saifullah and Jaish-e-Muhammad’s IED expert Lamboo Bhai, whose movements are being tracked to ensure they are eliminated as soon as possible.

Giving a round-up of counter-insurgency operations conducted in first six months of the year, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said that 12 top commanders are on police radar. “The 12 commanders include Dr Saifullah of Hizb and Lamboo Bhai of Jaish, who is an expert in IED making. Besides, Gazi Rashid, who is new Jaish chief in Kashmir, and is hiding in Khrew area of Pulwama, is also on our radar,” the IGP said while addressing a press conference at Police Control Room (PCR) here.

Kumar said that 118 militants were killed this year while 67 joined militancy from January to June, compared to 129 last year during this period. “24 new recruits have already been killed in encounters and rest are active in the field,” he said.

He said that of the 118 militants killed this year, 57 belonged to Hizbul, 24 from Lashkar-e-Taiba and 22 from Jaish. “Seven militants from ISJK were also killed while one slain militant was from Al-Badr,” the IGP said.

He said police achieved big success during the recent operations in the form of killing of top commanders including Hizb’s Reyaz Naikoo, Haider of Lashkar, Qari Yasir of Jaish, Burhan Koka of Ansaar Gazwatul Hind (AGH) and Fouji Bhai, an IED expert of Jaish. “We were also able to kill Hizb’s poster boy who was luring youth towards militancy and raising funds
(Junaid Sehrai),” he added.

He said local militant recruitment went down this year by 48 percent “which is a big success for the forces”. “Among the 67 new recruits, 24 were killed, 12 arrested and rest are in the field,” he said and urged parents to appeal their children who have joined militancy to return back. “We promise we will facilitate their return and won’t lodge any case against them,” the IGP said.

He said that a misconception was being created on social media that militants were short of weapons and were using pistols only, which is not true. “In the first six months of this year, 118 militants were killed, we recovered 62 AK-47 rifles, 9 SLRs, one M-4 carbine, one Pika and only 44 pistols,” he said. “Small weapons are used by militants to carry out attacks in areas where there is a public rush.”

He said that 66 militant modules were busted and 66 weapons were seized that include 21 Ak-47 rifles, 2 SLRs, one INSAS and 42 weapons. “In total, from the slain militants and from the modules we busted, 200 weapons were recovered,” the IGP said, adding that 22 hardcore militants were arrested including top Hizb commander Naveed.

The IGP said that 309 Over Ground Workers (OGWs) have been arrested this year so far. “Fifteen civilians were killed in militancy-related incidents,” he said. He said police is facing a challenge of “social media usage for militants and their supporters”. Terming it as an “online militancy”, the IGP said that a lot of activities are being carried out on social media and so far 21 FIRs have been registered.

He said the police also took a decision to ensure burial of slain local militants in Handwara and Baramulla areas of north Kashmir in presence of few family members and a magistrate, in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. “This was to prevent the spread of a pandemic,” he said. “So far, 79 bodies of local militants have been buried in Handwara and Baramulla in the presence of the magistrate and their family members.”

About the Narco trade, he said this has a militancy link as funds are directly being given to the militants. “So far 304 cases have been registered and 500 people involved in this have been arrested. Heroin worth Rs 200 Crore has been seized and cash of Rs 1.37 Crore seized as well,” he said.

-ARK

29 BSF personnel test Covid positive in Odisha’s Malkangiri

Subrat Kumar Sarangi

Bhubaneswar (NVI): At least 29 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were tested positive for Covid-19 in Malkangiri district of Odisha yesterday as the state witnessed the highest single-day spike of coronavirus with total 36 infections.

These 29 BSF jawans had returned to the district from Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharastra, Madya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tripura, UP, West Bengal, according to the District Collector. Total 35 BSF personnel in the district have been found positive so far, while total positive cases in the district stand at 96.

The positive cases in the state are increasing day by day and so far 25 deaths have been reported. There are 7,316 confirmed cases in the coastal state.

Apart from that, 2 new corona positive cases have been detected – two staffers at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack city.

Meanwhile, the state government has declared that Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and Bhubaneswar Development Authority offices will remain closed for the public for 15 days.

Besides that, following a COVID death of a senior official of NALCO, Angul, Collector Manoj Kumar Mohanty has directed all industrial plants of the district to restrict the movement of their employees as well as those coming from other states also.

The Collector also informed in his letter today that if the plants violate the direction of the administration, then complete shutdown of the plant area may take place, keeping the greater interest of the public in view.

-ARK

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