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Top Hizbul terrorist killed in encounter with security forces in Kashmir’s Pulwama

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

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): In a huge success, security forces today killed Riyaz Naikoo, a top commander of Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen, and his associate in an encounter in Pulwama district of Kashmir.

Two more terrorists were killed in a separate encounter in the same district.

Naikoo, the most wanted terrorist who was involved in several major attacks and recruitment of youth in militancy, was gunned down in a house in Beighpora area of Awantipora.

The encounter started this morning, hours after security forces laid siege of a house after receiving a specific input about the presence of Naikoo and his associate.

The killing of 32-year-old Naikoo is expected to deal a severe blow to the outfit and its recruitment of Kashmiri youth into terrorism as he played a key role in it.

Naikoo was a successor to Hizbul Mujahideen’s poster-boy commander Burhan Wani, who was killed in July 2016 in an encounter with security forces. Naikoo was a mathematics teacher before he took to militancy in 2012. He was wanted in 11 terror-related cases and carried a reward of Rs 12 lakh on his head.

After Zakir Musa’s defection from Hizbul Mujahideen to form his own outfit called ‘Ansar Gazwat ul Hind’, Naikoo took command of the terror outfit in Kashmir. To recall, Zakir Musa was eliminated in an operation last year, police said.

Naikoo had been continuously making audio and video clips and putting them on social media to motivate youth to join militancy and went on recruiting new boys. He was responsible for a large number of youths getting into militant ranks and indulging in serious violence against local population and security forces, police said.

He was a mastermind behind the revival of HM outfit in Jammu and Kashmir, police said. He also released videos/audios on a number of occasions, carrying pro-Pakistan and separatist propaganda. Naikoo executed a series of attacks on policemen, security forces and civilians, they said.

The HM commander also resorted to brutal killings of civilians, branding them police or SF informers. To collect funds for his outfit, he looted orchard owners and farmers.

He was also collecting money from illicit cultivation of opium and ‘bhang’ (cannabis) in south Kashmir. “His outfit figured in narco trade case in Jammu where a huge sum of sale proceeds was transferred to one of his contacts,” police said.

Naikoo had a number of FIR’s registered against him for his involvement in many heinous crimes.

He was involved in the killing of Haji Ghulam Mohd Dar, father of a panchayat sarpanch in Dogripora in March 2014, firing on police bus near Bhatpora Tokena, the killing of Ghulam Mohi-Ud-din Dar, killing of Javaid Akbar Khanday, resident of Khandaypora, killing of a Police Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Mir at Padgampoara crossing, the kidnapping of Constable Naseer Ahmad, looting of nine weapons from the residence of ex MLA Wachi, killing six migrant laborers in Kulgam, killing of truck drivers and fruit traders after August 5, police said.

Apart from this, he also released an audio tape threatening attacks on the jail staff after preferential treatment being provided to militants and the separatists lodged in various jails was discontinued.

In the second encounter at Sharshali today, two terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba were killed. The identification of killed terrorists is being ascertained, police said. Incriminating material including arms and ammunition were recovered from them.

Meanwhile, internet and mobile phone services (SMS+voice calling) were suspended until further by authorities today. A strict curfew was also imposed in the Valley in view of the law and order situation, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said.

The latest crackdown on terrorists came a day after J&K DGP Dilbagh Singh said that anti-militancy operations will be intensified across Kashmir. He was talking to media after a wreath-laying ceremony of three jawans killed in a terror attack in Kupwara district.

Earlier on Sunday, an Army Colonel, a Major, two soldiers and a J&K Police sub-inspector lost their lives in an encounter in Handwara, in which two terrorists were also killed.

To ease EPF compliance by employers, email mechanism to obtain e-sign introduced

New Delhi (NVI): In a relief for employers, who were finding it difficult to use digital or Aadhaar based e-Sign for EPF compliance amid the lockdown, retirement fund body EPFO today said that it has introduced an email mechanism to obtain e-sign.

“In the current scenario of lockdown announced by the Government to control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and other disruptions, the employers are not able to function normally and are facing problems in using their digital signatures or Aadhaar based e-sign on EPFO portal,” the Ministry of Labour & Employment said in a statement.

Due to the ongoing lockdown, many important tasks like KYC attestation, transfer claim attestation, etc are being done online by the authorised persons of employers using their Digital Signatures (DSC) or Aadhar based e-Signs on EPFO portal, the Ministry said.

“For using DSC/e-Sign, one time approval from Regional Offices is required. Due to lockdown, many employers are facing difficulties to send the one time registration requests to the Regional Offices,” the Ministry said in a statement.

Taking cognizance of the problems faced by employers and further ease the compliance procedure, EPFO has decided to accept such requests through email also. An employer can send the scanned copy of duly signed request letter to the concerned Regional Office through mail, the ministry said.

Further, such establishments, whose authorized officers have approved digital signatures but are not able to locate the dongle, can login to the employer portal and register their e-sign through the link for registration of already registered authorized signatories, it said.

If their name against the approved digital signature is same as that in their Aadhar, the registration of e-sign will not require any further approval. Other authorized signatories can register their e-signs and send the request letters approved by the employers and seek approval of the concerned EPFO Offices, the Labour Ministry said.

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

(File/Representational Image)

Jammu (NVI): Pakistani troops today violated the ceasefire in Shahpur sector along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, defence sources said.

“At about 1540 hours, Pak initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms along LoC in Shahpur sector, District Poonch(J&K),” they said adding that the Indian Army was retaliating befittingly.

Pakistan has been violating ceasefire along LoC almost daily nowadays, even as the whole world is grappling with coronavirus outbreak. Despite appeals for a Ramzan truce by the border residents, to respect the sanctity of the fasting month, Pakistani troops have been resorting to unprovoked ceasefire violations every now and then.

In another big development, top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo was killed along with his aide in an encounter with security forces at Awantipora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district today.

Naikoo was Hizbul Mujahideen’s Chief operational commander in Kashmir and had joined militant ranks of HM outfit in May 2012.

Public transport may restart soon with some guidelines: Gadkari

New Delhi (NVI): Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today said that public transport may open soon with some guidelines while cautioning towards maintaining social distance and adopting all safety measures like hand wash, sanitizing, face masks, etc while operating buses and cars.

The Union Transport Minister was addressing the members of Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India through video conferencing. In his virtual interaction, he assured the bus and car operators of the country that the government is fully aware of their problems, and will fully support them to mitigate their issues, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways said.

Gadkari said that he is in regular touch with the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister in this regard.

He further said the Ministry is looking at adopting the London model of public transport, where government funding is minimal and private investment is promoted.

He also pointed out towards the poor standards of Indian bus and truck bodies which he said, work for only 5-7 years, whereas the European models last for upto 15 years.

The minister also emphasised upon adopting good practices by European countries in the transport space, which he said will also be economically viable for indigenous industry in the longer run.

Speaking on the financial condition of the Indian market during the ongoing pandemic, he said, all stakeholders will have to work together to combat it.

He pointed towards a very good business opportunity being offered by world industry, which is trying to wriggle out of the Chinese market, the Ministry said.

“Indian industry should grasp this opportunity to invite those foreign companies to invest with them in India,” Gadkari said.

Apart from that, members of the confederation made suggestions for improving the condition of public transport which include extending interest payment exemptions, restarting public transport, extending age, life limit, deferring state taxes, extending MSME benefits, extending insurance policy validity, etc.

Bangladesh receives medical assistance from India

(Image source: United News of Bangladesh)

New Delhi (NVI): India handed over the third tranche of emergency medical assistance today, consisting of Covid-19 test kits capable of running 30,000 tests in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is the first partner country to receive these test kits on priority basis reflecting the “importance attached” to the bilateral relationship by India, according to media reports.

The total number of deaths from coronavirus continues to rise in Bangladesh as 3 more people died during the period, taking the total casualties in the country to 186.

Besides, a whopping 790 new cases of coronavirus infection were reported during this period, the highest daily rise since the outbreak began in the country, raising the number of such cases in the country to 11,719, according to United News of Bangladesh.

Considering the worsening situation, the government is about to extend the general holiday again to prevent the transmission of the deadly virus, media reports states.

Pakistan reports highest COVID-19 deaths in a single day

COVID-19: Pakistan imposes mini-lockdown in Islamabad

New Delhi (NVI): Pakistan is witnessing a rapid increase in the positive cases of coronavirus with more than a 1,500 cases being reported in the last 24 hours, taking the total cases to 23,274 with at least 535 fatalities being recorded so far.

Looking at the breakdown of cases, Punjab province has reported 8,693 coronavirus cases, highest among all the provinces, while Sindh has 8,649 positive cases.

On the other hand, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has recorded 3,499 cases, Balochistan is at 1,495, Gilgit-Baltistan at 386, Islamabad at 485 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is at 76 cases so far, according to Geo News.

So far 232,582 tests were conducted, including 10,178 in the last 24 hours.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has recently said that the nationwide lockdown will be lifted gradually, asserting that Pakistan cannot afford an indefinite closure, according tp media reports.

Fact Check: WhatsApp message about free internet till May 17 is fake

New Delhi (NVI): A viral WhatsApp message is claiming that mobile companies are providing free internet to mobile phone users due to lockdown till May 17 in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

After investigating the viral message, the Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has clarified that the message is fake and there has been no such announcement by the Telecom department.

PIB, through its Fact Check Twitter handle said, the claim made in the viral message is false and the link is also fake.

“Claim: A WhatsApp message claims that due to lockdown till May 17, 2020 amid the Corona pandemic, mobile companies have announced to provide free internet to all mobile users.

“#PIBFactCheck: This claim is absolutely false and the given link is fake. The Department of Telecommunications has not made any such announcement,” read the clarification, tweeted by PIB’s Fact Check unit in Hindi.

Social media platforms are flooded with fake news and misinformation around coronavirus. To counter such viral fake messages, PIB has initiated Fact Check handle. One can also submit such messages or claims on PIB’s official website.

PM Garib Kalyan scheme: Rs 34,800 cr financial help to 39 cr people so far, says Govt

New Delhi (NVI): Around 39 crore poor have people received financial assistance of Rs 34,800 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) as on May 5, the Ministry of Finance said today.

The digital payment infrastructure was announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on March 26 to protect poor people from the impact of the lockdown due to COVID-19.

Under PMGKP, the government announced free food grains and cash payments to women and poor senior citizens and farmers.

“Using the digital payment infrastructure, around 39 crore poor people received financial assistance of Rs 34,800 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) as on May 5, announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 26 March to protect them from the impact of the lockdown due to COVID-19,” the Ministry of Finance said in a statement.

The swift implementation of the package is being continuously monitored by Central and State governments, it said.

The progress achieved under various components of PMGKP is as follows:

1. Rs 16,394 crore front-loaded towards payment of the first installment of PM-KISAN to 8.19 crore beneficiaries.

2. With the second installment, Rs 2,785 crore credited to 5.57 crore Women Jan Dhan account holders as on May 5.

3. Rs 1405 crore disbursed to about 2.82 crore old age persons, widows and disabled persons. Benefits transferred to all 2.812 crore beneficiaries.

4. 2.20 crore Building and Construction Workers received financial support amounting to Rs 3492.57 crore.

5. A total of 6.19 lakh MT of food grains has been distributed, covering 12.39 crore beneficiaries by 22 States/UTs.

6. 2.42 lakh MT of Pulses have also been dispatched to various States/UTs.

7. Pulses have been distributed so far to 5.21 crore household beneficiaries out of 19.4 crore such beneficiaries.

8. Under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) scheme 4.82 free cylinders already delivered to beneficiaries.

9. 6 Lakh members of Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has taken the benefit of online withdrawal of non-refundable advance from EPFO account amounting to 2985 crore.

10. Rs 21,032 crore released to states to liquidate pending dues of both wage and material under the MGNREGA scheme.

The ministry further said that fintech and digital technology have been employed for swift and efficient transfer to the beneficiary.

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) had ensured the amount is directly credited into the account of the beneficiary.

Fact check: Google forms titled ‘Rescue flights from India’ for stranded Indians fake

New Delhi (NVI): A lot of misinformation is circulating on social media, as the Indian government is preparing a mega evacuation plan to bring back around 14,800 Indian nationals stranded in 12 countries from May 7.

A message with links to Google forms or docs titled ‘Rescue Flights From India’ for Indians stranded abroad is doing rounds on social media, especially messaging app WhatsApp. The message asks people to click on some links if they want themselves to be registered for the evacuation process from countries like Canada, US Australia.

Taking note of the message being widely circulated on WhatsApp, the Fact Check unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has clarified that the Central Government has not issued any Google forms tilted ‘Rescue flights from India’, for stranded Indians abroad.

PIB, through its special Fact Check Twitter handle informed that no such forms have been circulated by the Centre and advised not to click on these links and to register only through the official Embassy website.

PIB tweeted: “Claim: A WhatsApp message is circulating with links to Google Forms titled ‘RESCUE FLIGHTS FROM INDIA’, for stranded Indians.

#PIBFactCheck: Indian Govt has not issued any such forms. It’s advised not to click on these links & to register only through the official Embassy website.”

As per the SOPs issued by the MHA yesterday, to bring back stranded Indians nationals from abroad, all such persons will register themselves with the Indian Missions in the country where they are stranded, along with necessary details as prescribed by MEA.

Liquor shops in Mumbai shut again, only essential shops to open

(Source:Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): All liquor shops in Mumbai remained shut today after Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner issued an order in this regard late yesterday, as the government expressed concern over overcrowding outside such shops and neglect of social distancing norms.

BMC released revised guidelines in this regard yesterday as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of Covid-19. Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi issued an order yesterday saying that only “groceries, medical/chemist shops will be allowed to be opened.”

Maharashtra is the most affected state in the country with a number of cases from Mumbai and Dharavi declared as a hotspot.


“All malls, market complexes and markets shall remain closed in urban areas, i.e. areas within the limits of Municipal Corporation and municipalities. However, shops selling essential goods in market complexes are permitted,” the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai said in an order.

Mumbai alone has recorded nearly 10,000 COVID-19 cases. Maharashtra has recorded over 15,000 cases so far, highest in the country. At least 617 people died to coronavirus disease in the state.

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