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One more batch of stranded Afghans evacuated from India

New Delhi (NVI): One more batch of Afghan nationals stranded in India amidst coronavirus pandemic were today airlifted back home.

Among 2500 stranded Afghan nationals, more than 1000 have been evacuated from India so far, said Afghan Envoy to India Tahir Qadiry.

”Our 3rd evacuation flight from Delhi to Kabul is taking place now. So far we have sent home more than 1,000 stranded passengers,” he tweeted.

”We are taking permission for few more flights for Ariana Airlines (5 more evac flights happening) Appreciate full support of the Indian authorities,” he added.

The evacuation process began on March 28, when the first batch of stranded Afghans was ferried back home.

“We started evacuation of some 2500 stranded Afghans from Delhi to Kabul today. @AfghanistanInIN transferred first batch from 3 locations to the airport. Thanks? to Indian authorities (esp PAI) for helping us doing this amidst a total lock-down. Bid farewell to them at the #IGIA,” Qadiry tweeted on that day.

He had given indication in this regard three days earlier.

“Following vigorous follow-ups, the proposal of evacuating all stranded Afghan citizens in India is likely to be approved by the Indian Govt starting tomorrow. We ask our stranded fellow Afghans to contact KamAir for their flight details. Thanks to our Indian partners,” Qadiry tweeted on March 25.

J&K: Infiltration bid along LoC in Kupwara

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): A group of suspected militants tried to infiltrate into Kashmir along the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district today.

Army officials said that a contact was established and the operation is under progress now.

“There was an attempt and brief contact was established. But the number of infiltrators are not known yet,” they said.

Senior Superintendent of Police Kupwara, Shriram Ambarka told NVI that search operation near LoC is on.“Searches are on, no further development so far,” he said.

The militants while trying to infiltrate in this side were challenged by the army.

This is believed to be the first infiltration attempt from the Kupwara side since coronavirus pandemic broke out.

COVID-19: J&K now has 62 positive cases

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): The total number of COVID-19 positive cases has risen to 62 in Jammu & Kashmir, out of which 58 are active cases, while two have died and two have recovered, the UT government said today.

In Kashmir, 50 people have been tested positive with two deaths. In Jammu division, 12 people have been tested positive.

Overall in J&K, 1,704 persons are under observation while 10,355 have kept under home quarantine.

The government said that 516 people are under hospital quarantine while 911 have tested negative.

“3961 are under home surveillance while as 2157 have completed their surveillance period,” the government said. They said reports of four people are awaited.

Meanwhile, in case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll-free No. 108. Pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialling toll free No. 102.

Furthermore a 24×7 toll free national helpline number 1075 has been activated for support, guidance, and response to health related queries on novel coronavirus disease. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has also set up helpline numbers in this regard: 0191-2549676 (UT level Cell for J&K), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 and 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division).

According to the advisory, people are advised to remain calm & not to panic as the prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 in the UT are being monitored at the highest level and necessary action to protect and safeguard the lives of people have been taken by the Government. “The Government has undertaken aggressive contact tracing and testing campaign that is why surge has been found in the number of confirmed positive cases,” the advisory reads.

People have been requested to stay indoors, strictly implement social distancing measures, disclose recent travel history to covid-19 affected countries / areas and report any contact with positive cases voluntarily.

General public has been advised to avoid unnecessary visit to hospitals, in case anyone develops fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical advice promptly by calling on Covid-19 helpline numbers so that they can be provided correct medical advice and directed to the right health facility, if needed.

“People must take basic precautions for personal hygiene; frequent hand washing with soap & water; and observing coughing & sneezing etiquettes,” the Government advisory added.

Coronavirus cases in Pakistan top 2,000

New Delhi (NVI): The tally of positive coronavirus cases in Pakistan has crossed 2,000 today, according to health authorities.

The Ministry of National Health Services said that 105 new patients tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours.

The largest provinces of Punjab had 708 cases, Sindh province had 676, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is at 253, Balochistan at 158, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) at 184 and Islamabad is at 54.

So far, 26 people have died due to the virus and 82 have recovered, according to the media reports.

In addition to this, efforts are also going on to cope with mass breakout by providing more spaces for the patients and Pakistan Railway has also offered at least 30 coaches which were converted into isolation centers.

Foreigners who attended Nizamuddin event violated visa rules: Govt

New Delhi (NVI): The Government today said that foreigners who attended the Tablighi Jamat event at a mosque in Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin, had violated visa conditions. The Centre has now asked states to complete the contact tracing process of the participants at the even “on a war footing”.

The latest development in the matter took place a day after India warned against the use of tourist visas for religious activities, as authorities started hunting for those who attended the congregation despite lockdown.

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba today held a meeting via video-conferencing with all the Chief Secretaries/DGPs of the States where they were sensitised about the intensive contact tracing of Tablighi Jamat participants as this has increased the risk of containment efforts of COVID-19.

During the meeting, the States were also asked to initiate action for violation of visa conditions against the foreigners and the organizers of the Nizamuddin Markaz event which took place around mid-March.

Tableeghi Jamaat workers, both foreigners as well Indians, indulge in Tabligh activities (Chilla) across the country throughout the year, MHA said in a statement yesterday.

Various nationals, particularly from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Kyrgyzstan come for Tabligh activities, it said.

Meanwhile, in today’s meeting, the States were also asked to implement the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana within the next week.

This will involve large cash transfer to beneficiaries. It should be organized in a staggered manner to ensure social distance, the government said in a statement, after the meeting.

It was also noted that lockdown is being implemented effectively all over the country. The States were asked to ensure that intra-state movement of goods is allowed without any hindrance while maintaining social distance.

“The manufacturing of essential goods should be ensured. It should also be ensured that the supply chains of such goods are maintained,” the Government said in a statement.

406 stranded Russians evacuated from India

New Delhi (NVI): A fresh batch of 406 Russian nationals, who were stranded here due to lockdown, were sent back home today, in the fourth such ferry.

”On April 1, a fourth dedicated flight departed from IGI Airport in #NewDelhi with 406 stranded Russian tourists on board, ” Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev said in a statement.

“This was a fourth dedicated flight to bring our compatriots home. This mission required dedication on behalf of many agencies,” he said.

He expressed his gratitude to the airmen who made these flights possible as well as to compatriots whose fortitude proved to be up to the highest mark of strategic partnership between our countries.

The Embassy offered compatriots who reached the airport on the eve of the departure food, which included traditional Russian dishes. Citizens who could not board the airplane were lodged at a comfortable hotel in Delhi until the next flight.

Kudashev thanked the Ministry of External Affairs, DGCA, local administrations and police of various states for their kind support and selfless effort in these challenging times.

”Both Russia and India face same challenges and work together to contain the spread of infection while securing the interests of our citizens, many of whom face difficulties while away from home,” the envoy said.

”Our leaders, President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are in personal touch over this matter,” Kudashev added

Covid-19 death toll climbs to 6 in Bangladesh

Bangladesh lockdown

New Delhi (NVI): Bangladesh today reported one more fatality from coronavirus as the death toll due to Covid-19 climbed to six in the country.

In addition to this, three more people have been tested positive for COVID-19, raising the total number of coronavirus cases to 54, according to United News of Bangladesh.

Health Minister Zahid Maleque has claimed that the country’s medical facilities are capable enough to handle the crisis. “Every day, we’re improving our healthcare system. Ventilators are being added to different hospitals. In addition, we’re preparing more hospitals to treat coronavirus patients,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), a platform of former and current cricketers, has decided to support the poor people during the coronavirus crisis.

They formed two committees — Advisory Committee and Convening Committee — comprising current and former star cricketers, cricket organisers and fans, according to the media reports.

Kabul shrine attacker was Kerala-born ISIS terrorist: Report

The terror attack on a Sikh shrine in Kabul left 25 dead and 8 injured. (Photo Credit: Twitter @TOLOnews)

New Delhi (NVI): The Indian national, who carried out a terror attack at a Sikh shrine in Kabul last week, has been identified as Mohammad Muhsin of Kerala, according to an Afghan media report.

At least 25 people were killed and 8 were wounded in the attack on the shrine on March 25.

The real name of the Indian attacker of the Sikh temple in Kabul city was Mohammad Muhsin, Khaama Press News Agency has reported, citing unnamed officials of the Intelligence Bureau.

“Originally hailing from Kerala of India, Muhsin left for Afghanistan in 2018 to join the offshoot of the Islamic State terror group or the ISIS Khurasan,” it said.

The report said Muhsin’s mother has confirmed that she received a message that her son was killed during the attack on Sikh temple in Kabul.

The ISIS Khurasan had earlier issued a statement, claiming that the attack was carried out by Abu Khalid al-Hindi.

The Amaq News Agency, affiliated with the terror group had also released a photo of the suicide bomber.

According to Indian investigators, 21-year-old Muhsin had worked in Dubai for some time before going to Afghanistan to join the ISIS.

Rs 1 cr for kin of health workers if they die while treating Covid-19 cases: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore for families of healthcare professionals if they die while treating or serving any Covid-19 patient.

The Delhi CM made the announcement while addressing at a virtual briefing. “If anyone loses their life while serving any Covid-19 patient, be it sanitation workers, doctors or nurses or any other staff, temporary or permanent, from private or government sector, their family will be given Rs 1 crore as our mark of respect for their service,” he tweeted.

Kejriwal further said that every protection will be taken to protect the medical staff dealing with Covid-19 patients.

“Every precaution will be taken to protect our medical staff dealing with #COVID19 patients but despite that if anything untoward happens to them, we will take care of their families,” he tweeted.

The announcement comes even as 90 positive cases have been reported in Delhi till now.

In addition to this, 1,637 positive cases of coronavirus have been found in India, while the death toll is at 38, according to the Health Ministry.

221 more complete quarantine in Kashmir, sent back home

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): 221 more persons completed their quarantine period here today and were allowed to go home, the Jammu and Kashmir administration said.

This comes a day after the first batch of 78 persons completed a 14-day quarantine period at hotel Heemal in Srinagar.

Additional Deputy Commissioner and In-charge Quarantine Centers, Srinagar, Syed Hanief Balki said that 221 persons were sent back to their respective homes in SRTC buses after completing 14-day mandatory quarantine period.

The tests sample of these people came negative and now they have been asked to quarantine themselves in their respective homes for the next period as a precautionary measure.

These have arrived in Srinagar from different parts of India and abroad. These people included females and children as well, Balki said.

One of the persons who completed his quarantine period and was heading home thanked the administration for the facilities. “We were properly looked after; food and lodging too were good. We appeal everyone to cooperate with the government to stop the spread of coronavirus,” the person told NVI on condition of anonymity.

Among these 221 persons, a mother holding her baby was also seen coming out of one of the quarantine centers in Srinagar.

As a precautionary measure to limit the spread of coronavirus, hundreds of travelers, including students, who arrived in Jammu and Kashmir from other countries, primarily from Bangladesh, were isolated soon upon their arrival and then shifted to the quarantine facilities.

More than 90 quarantine facilities have been identified and established in Srinagar. More than 2000 persons returning from outside countries so far have been accommodated in these facilities.

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