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Armed forces honour corona warriors: IAF conducts flypast, choppers shower flowers

New Delhi (NVI): In a big salute to corona warriors by Armed forces, Indian Air Force aircraft are conducting a fly past across the length and breadth of the country today, while Army bands are performing outside hospitals treating coronavirus patients.

The Armed forces are holding these activities in a special thanksgiving exercise to healthcare workers in the country. This comes as the nationwide lockdown has been extended to May 17 to combat Covid-19 and the districts in the country have been divided into red, orange and green zones.

Armed forces have organised multiple events like fly past by fighter and transport aircraft of the IAF from Srinagar to Thiruvanthapuram, and from Dibrugarh to Kacchh.


Army, Navy and Air Force are conducting these activities in a coordinated manner. The Navy and Indian Coast Guard will move ships in formations at sea at select locations while Army bands will visit COVID hospitals and play tunes outside the hospitals in an expression of gratitude to the Corona Warriors.


On Friday, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat had conducted a press conference along with the three services chiefs, announcing the special gesture by the armed forces to honour COVID warriors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also welcomed the decision by CDS Gen, Rawat, saying in a tweet: “…our Forces are, in a unique way, saying a big thank you to our frontline COVID-19 warriors for their endeavour towards making India COVID-19 free…”

The Prime Minister also shared a video via Tweet today, appreciating the unique gesture by the three forces to thank Covid warriors.

Colonel, Major among 5 killed in encounter at J&K’s Handwara, 2 terrorists dead

Shopian encounter
File Photo

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): An Army Colonel, a Major, two soldiers and a J&K police sub-inspector lost their lives in an overnight gunbattle at Handwara area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district while two terrorists were also killed in the gunfight, Army officials said today.

A deadly encounter broke out at Changimul area of Handwara late last evening between terrorists and the security forces after joint teams of the forces laid a siege in the area on the basis of a specific lead about the presence of the ultras hiding there.

Defence Spokesperson in Srinagar, Colonel Rajesh Kalia told NVI that a joint operation was launched by Army and Police, based on an intelligence input that militants had taken as hostages some civilian inmates of a house in Changimul.

“A team comprising five army and JK police officers entered the house and to evacuate the civilians. However, during the process, the team was subjected to heavy volume of firefight. Two militants were killed,” Colonel Kalia said. He said that in the ensuing encounter, security forces personnel comprising two Army officers (a Colonel and a Major) two soldiers and one JK police sub-inspector were killed.

At the encounter site in Handwara this morning. (Photo via arrangement)

Defence sources said that the bodies of two militants have been recovered from the site of encounter. The bodies of slain Army officers, soldiers and J&K police cop have also been retrieved.

Senior police officials said that a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander from Pakistan was among the two terrorists killed in the encounter. Identified as Haider, the LeT commander had sneaked into this side of the LoC in 2017 and was heading a Lashkar module in north Kashmir.

The two martyred officers are Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, a gallantry award winner, and Major Anuj Sood.

Colonel Ashutosh was a decorated officer and an expert in jungle warfare.

Colonel Ashutosh was immensely respected for his quick response to emergencies. A brave Army officer, he once killed a terrorist in a public place at a distance of 5 meters on road in a near hand to hand combat. He was also an expert in jungle warfare.

Colonel Ashutosh Sharma had once killed a terrorist at a public place in a close hand to hand combat.
Major Anuj Sood also lost his life in the encounter, along with two soldiers. The whole team was led by Colonel Ashutosh.

The two deceased soldiers have been identified as Naik Rajesh and Lance Naik Dinesh, while the slain J&K policeman has been identified as Sub-inspector Shakeel Qazi.

J&K Police Sub-inspector Shakeel Qazi.

The operation was started by Army’s 15 and 21 RR regiments yesterday as the para commandos of 9 Para regiment were also rushed to the spot. A house where militants were hiding was also damaged in the gunfight.

The Handwara encounter has been the deadliest in the recent past where security forces suffered heavy causalities. This year, security forces eliminated over 50 militants of which 34 have been killed since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in Kashmir.

Wreath laying ceremony of slain Army personnel and J&K cop held in Handwara today.

Meanwhile, a wreath-laying ceremony of the slain Army personnel and J&K cop was held at battalion headquarters of 30 RR, based in Langate, Handwara today. All senior officers of Police, Army and CRPF participated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the slain soldiers and security personnel.
“Tributes to our courageous soldiers and security personnel martyred in Handwara. Their valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten. They served the nation with utmost dedication and worked tirelessly to protect our citizens. Condolences to their families and friends,” he said in a tweet.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also condoled their deaths. “I offer my tributes to the soldiers and security personnel who fell in action. My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones today. India stands shoulder to shoulder with the families of these brave martyrs,” he tweeted.

Army Chief General MM Naravane also paid tribute to the martyrs. “General M M Naravane #COAS and all ranks of #IndianArmy pay tributes to the valiant braves of our Army and J&K Police for their supreme sacrifice while fighting and eliminating terrorists in #Handwara,” the Indian Army tweeted through its official handle.


“This operation exemplified true tradition and strong determination of the #SecurityForces to safeguard the lives of own citizens. The Commanding Officer leading from the front along with others is testimony to the motto of Service before Self,” the Army said in another tweet.

Former Army Chief and Union Minister, General (Retd) VK Singh also expressed condolences over the death of Army personnel in the operation. “Proud of Col Ashutosh Sharma, Sena Medal Bar-twice decorated, CO 21 RR, who led Maj Anuj Sood,21 RR
NK Rajesh,21 RR LNK Dinesh,21 RR Shakeel Qazi, JKP in #Handwara to rescue civilians Team made the ultimate sacrifice. Shall always be grateful for your service & sacrifice #JaiHind,” he tweeted.

Coronavirus cases in India near 40,000-mark, 1301 deaths so far

(Representational/file photo)

New Delhi (NVI): The Covid-19 cases tally in India has climbed to 39,980, with 1,301 deaths recorded so far, as per the Ministry of Health data this morning.

There are 28,046 active cases now, while 10,632 patients have been cured or discharged.

Yesterday, 37,336 total confirmed cases were recorded, with 1,218 deaths. Going by the data, 83 cases have been recorded in the country in the past 24 hours, highest in a single day.

Doctors and medical experts have noted that there has been a spike in the number of cases as Covid testing has increased in the past few days. At present, around 70,000-80,000 samples are being tested on a daily basis.

However, the country has not reach a peak level in the number of cases or deaths and it may take another few weeks. Doctors have also observed that lockdown has definitely helped in controlling the situation and kept the number of cases from multiplying. They have said that without early restrictions, the curve would have been steeper.

Maharashtra, Gujarat and Delhi have recorded the highest number of cases in the country.

The nationwide lockdown to combat the disease has been extended to May 17 and the districts in the country have been divided into red, orange and green zones.

Meanwhile, Armed forces will today thanks corona warriors in India, with the Air Force conducting a flypast across the country, choppers showering flower petals on hospitals treating Covid patients and Army bands performing outside such hospitals.

The infectious disease has claimed over 2,44,000 deaths worldwide with 3.42 million total positive cases recorded.

Covid-19: 27 more test positive in J&K, tally mounts to 666

Abid Bashir 

Srinagar (NVI): A total of 27 people have tested positive for Covid-19 today in Jammu and Kashmir taking the tally of total of positive cases to 666.

According to the officials, out of the 27 fresh cases, 6 tested positive at SKIMS Lab, while 19 others tested positive at CD hospital Lab and 2 other cases were reported from GMC, Jammu.

Among the 25 cases from the Kashmir division, 15 are from Srinagar, 4 from Anantnag and 03 each from Baramulla and Shopian.

The officials said that among the 15 cases from Srinagar, 5 belong to a single family of Batpora Rainawari. 10 were tested positive on Friday night including eight from Srinagar, one from Narwara, who has a travel history of Delhi and other is a nursing employee from LD hospital.

The male nurse is from Jammu and is presently residing in Solina, Srinagar, the officials said adding that his contacts including his roommates and colleagues have been put under quarantine.

Pertinently, with these 27 fresh cases, the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir has reached to 666 including 60 from Jammu and 606 from the Kashmir division.

As per the officials figures, 128 positive cases including one death and 36 recoveries are from Bandipora, 99 positive cases including one death and recovery are from are Anantnag, 106 including two deaths and 69 recoveries are from Srinagar, 88 including 26 recoveries and 3 deaths are from Baramulla, 77 including 19 recoveries are from Shopian, 55 including 21 recoveries are from Kupwara, 21 including 11 recoveries are from Budgam, 14 with all fourteen recoveries are from Ganderbal, 11 including 03 recoveries are from Kulgam and 07 including 03 recoveries are from Pulwama.

As per the daily information bulletin, 74,083 people in the Union Territory are placed under observation while 9,816 people have been kept under home quarantine. In addition, 404 persons are kept in hospital isolation while 188 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 56,493 persons have completed the surveillance period and 7,174 persons are under home surveillance besides that so far results of 23,460 samples are available.

179 new positive cases in Afghanistan take Covid tally to 2,469

New Delhi (NVI): At least 179 new coronavirus cases have been reported in Afghanistan in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases to 2,469 across the country, according to Afghan media reports.

The country’s Ministry of Public Health spokesman said that 591 samples were tested from 12 provinces in the last 24 hours.

Among the new cases 75 were reported in Kabul, 23 in Herat, 18 in Balkh, 16 in Jawzjan, 15 in Kandahar, 10 in Ghazni, 7 in Baghlan, 5 in Logar, 4 in Takhar, 3 in Ghor, 2 in Zabul and 1 in Helmand.

An official spokesperson said, 249 medical personnel are currently infected with the coronavirus in the country.

In the past one week, at least 7,000 tests for COVID-19 were done, which shows that capacity is developing, as per media reports.

According to the ministry, so far more than 11,068 samples have been tested.

At least, 331 people have been cured or discharged while 72 have died across the country.

Coronavirus: 677 policemen infected in Bangladesh

(Image source: United News of Bangladesh)

New Delhi (NVI): A total of 677 members of Bangladesh Police have been diagnosed with coronavirus so far, according to United News of Bangladesh.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has recorded the highest number of coronavirus cases in the country.

Meanwhile, the total number of deaths from coronavirus continues to rise in Bangladesh as 5 more people have died in the last 24 hours, taking the total casualties in the country to 175.

Besides, a whopping 552 new cases of coronavirus infection were reported during this period, raising the number of such cases in the country to 8,790.

In addition to this, as part of effort taken by the government, 318 more Bangladeshis have returned home from Delhi and Chennai in two special flights today.

Most of the returnees are patients who got stuck in India due to current lockdown there amid coronavirus outbreak. Students are also there among the returnees.

COVID-19 cases top 18,500 in Pakistan; 421 dead so far

New Delhi (NVI): Pakistan is witnessing a rapid increase in the positive cases of coronavirus with more than a 1,000 cases being reported in the last 24 hours, taking the total cases to 18,662 with at least 421 fatalities being recorded so far.

Looking at the breakdown of cases, Punjab province has reported 6,854 coronavirus cases, highest among all the provinces, while Sindh has 7,102 positive cases.

On the other hand, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has recorded 2,799 cases, Balochistan is at 1,136, Gilgit-Baltistan at 340, Islamabad at 365 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is at 66 cases so far, according to Geo News.

In addition to this, Pakistan had reported 400 recoveries in the last 24 hours taking the number of recovered patients to 4,715 in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Sindh province has banned all religious gatherings during the holy month of Ramzan in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Central Administrative Tribunal to resume work in Green Zones

Batla House
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions today said that the Central Administrative Tribunal can duly function in the Green Zones identified by the government from May 4, 2020.

The functioning of the Principal bench and other branches of the CAT were earlier suspended from March 24, after the nationwide lockdown was announced.

The release states that the courts shall function duly following the guidelines such as maintaining the Social Distance, making the sanitary arrangements and avoiding the direct contact.

For the benches and courts that are in Red and Orange Zones, only the cases of urgent nature can be filed through electronic mail service (e-mail) by contacting the Registrar of the concerned Bench, who in turn shall furnish the e-mail id to the intending Advocate or Party.

The details thereof shall be worked out by the HoD of the Benches in consultation with the Registry of the Principal Bench, if the case needs to be dealt with urgently. The hearing shall be sone through video conferencing.

If the Advocates of the Bar Association of such Benches are agreeable for hearing of pending cases through such mechanism, the cases shall be identified by the registry and hearing shall take place through the same system in a time slot that may be decided by the HoD on daily basis.

This arrangement for the CATs will be in place till May 5 or until further orders.

 

Pulwama encounter: Two militants killed, search ops underway

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Two unidentified militants have been killed in an ongoing encounter that raged between security forces and militants at Dangarpora area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, police officials today said.

A senior police official said that two militants were killed in the gunfight, adding that search operation is on in the area. Kashmir Zone police also tweeted in this regard.

Earlier in the day, security forces had launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the area after they received specific inputs about the presence of militants hiding in a residential house.

As the security forces zeroed in on the house, the hiding militants started firing upon the forces who thereafter retaliated, triggering an encounter.

“We have killed both the militants after heavy exchange of firing,” the police official said.

Locals of Dangarpora, however, said the residential house where militants were hiding, was damaged in the exchange of fire between militants and security forces.

The authorities have also snapped internet services in the area as a precautionary measure. With the killing of two more militants, the number of militants killed in Kashmir since the outbreak of pandemic Covid-19 raised to 32 whereas, the total number of militants killed in this year so far is 52.

Passenger train services suspended till May 17

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Railways today announced that its passenger train operations will continue to remain suspended till May 17 in respect with the extension of the nationwide lockdown.

The movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places shall be carried out by Shramik Special trains, as required by state governments, as per the guidelines issued by Ministry of Home Affairs.

However, freight and parcel train operations shall continue, as at present.

The government on Friday announced extension of the lockdown by two more weeks, with effect from May 4 to contain the Covid-19 outbreak.

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