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J&K: CRPF officer, 2 terrorists killed in Pulwama encounter

Personnel of security forces at an encounter site in Kashmir (File pic)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer and two unidentified terrorists were killed in an encounter that broke out in village Bandzoo of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, police said.

A police official said a cordon was laid in village Bandzoo in Pulwama district on the basis of a specific input about presence of two terrorists. “When the forces zeroed on a suspected spot where terrorists were believed to be hiding, they opened fire at the forces triggering an encounter. The terrorists came out of the house amid indiscriminate firing,” he said, adding that “in the ensuing gunfight, two terrorists were killed.”

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Vijay Kumar, said that two terrorists were killed in an operation at Bandzoo village of Pulwama. “Two AK-47 riffles were recovered from their possession,” he said.

The IGP also added that a CRPF official also got injured in the initial shootout, who later succumbed on the way to hospital.

Defence spokesman in Srinagar, Colonel Rajesh Kalia, said that two terrorists were killed and two Ak 47-riffles recovered. He said a search operation was on.

CRPF officials identified the slain officer as Head Constable Sunil Kala of 182 Battalion. The operation was jointly launched by the police, Army and the CRPF.

Today’s encounter is 11th in a row in the past three weeks in South Kashmir districts, where 30 terrorists have been killed.  With the killing of two terrorists today, the total number of terrorists killed this year has reached 108 which include top commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansaar Gazwatul Hind (AGH).

The IGP Kashmir has been maintaining that militancy will be wiped-out from South Kashmir in the remaining days of the ensuing month after which focus will be shifted to north Kashmir. He said that there were 100 to 200 terrorists active in Kashmir including those who successfully managed to sneak into this side of the LoC this year so far.

-CHK

COVID cases in India climb to over 4.40 lakh, death toll at 14,011

COVID tally
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 4,40,215 and fatalities from the virus have gone up to 14,011, according to Union Health Ministry.

In the past 24 hours, 14,933 fresh COVID-19 infections and 312 new deaths were reported in the country.

At least 2,48,189 patients have been cured of the virus or discharged.

In terms of total number of cases, Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state with 1,35,796 coronavirus cases followed by Delhi with 62,655 and Tamil Nadu with 62,087 positive cases.

The other states with high virus cases are Gujarat (27,825), Uttar Pradesh (18,322), Rajasthan (15,232) and Madhya Pradesh (12,078).

In terms of deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 6,283 fatalities, ministry said.

The death toll in the national capital surged to 2,233 while another 36,602 patients have recovered so far, healthy ministry data shows.

Meanwhile, Karnataka government has announced strict lockdown measures in Bengaluru by sealing the COVID-19 clusters areas in the state capital.

Besides, another southern Indian city Chennai is already witnessing lockdown imposed by Tamil Nadu government following the rise of coronavirus cases and lockdown measures have been put in Madurai also.

-RJV

Over 6,000 Covid-19 cases in J&K, 4 minors among 132 new cases

Over 3,200 cops COVID positive in J&K and 15 succumbed to virus
File photo

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): The number of COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir today crossed 6,000 mark as four minors, including a CRPF personnel and a soldier were among 132 fresh cases that tested positive for the deadly virus.

Officials said that among the new 132 new cases, 69 were tested positive at SKIMS, 22 at JVC Bemina and rest at other hospitals. There were four minors, a soldier and a CRPF personnel among today’s fresh Covid positive cases.

Among 132 new cases, 122 belong to Kashmir division while 10 are from Jammu division, officials said, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 4,712 including 2,709 recoveries and 75 deaths while the total number of positive cases in Jammu has reached 1,376 including 822 recoveries and 10 deaths.

The officials said that the total number of active cases in J&K is 2,472 including 1,928 from Kashmir and 544 from Jammu. With 149 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in J&K has reached 3,531 which is 57.99 percent of the total cases.

Cases that tested positive in J&K today include 12 from Kulgam, 22 each from Srinagar and Shopian, 2 from Anantnag, 18 from Baramulla, 13 from Kupwara, 10 from Pulwama, 20 from Budgam and 3 from Bandipora in Kashmir. There are 10 from Jammu including 1 each from Jammu district, Rajouri and Doda, 2 from Kuthua and 5 from Poonch.

As per officials figures, 693 positive cases including 10 deaths and 476 recoveries are from Kulgam, 695 including 10 deaths and 420 recoveries are from Srinagar, 636 including 420 recoveries and 10 deaths are from Shopian, 608 including 14 deaths and 428 recoveries are from Anantnag, 617 including 14 deaths and 267 recoveries are from Baramulla, 453 including 327 recoveries and 05 deaths are from Kupwara, 453 including 233 recoveries and 01 death is from Bandipora, 323 including 150 recoveries and 04 death are from Pulwama, 346 including 133 recoveries and 06 deaths are from Budgam, 273 including 233 recoveries and 01 death is from Ganderba.

In Jammu, 310 including 204 recoveries and 7 deaths are from Jammu district, 212 including 121 recoveries and 1 death is from Udhampur, 208 including 134 recoveries are from Ramban, 196 including 112 recoveries are from Kathua, 128 including 50 recoveries from Samba, 114 including 79 recoveries are from Poonch, 83 including 01 death and 35 recoveries are from Rajouri, 68 including 49 recoveries and 01 death are from Doda, 32 including 23 recoveries are from Reasi and 25 including 15 recoveries are from Kishtwar.

As per the daily information bulletin, 2,57,565 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 39,718 persons have been kept under home quarantine besides that 2472 persons are in hospital isolation while 30 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 168,407 persons have completed surveillance period and 46,853 persons are under home surveillance besides that so far results of 313,687 samples are available.

Out of 3,13,687, the number of samples tested negative stands at 3,07,599 while as 6,088 have been tested positive. Among them, 2,472 are active and 3,531 have recovered while 85 people have died.

Coal India won’t be hit by commercial mining: CIL

New Delhi (NVI): Coal India Limited (CIL) today said that it would continue to be the country’s leading coal producer even after the sector is opened up for private companies, the company said in a statement.

Coal India Limited (CIL) in a major move to increase its coal output and reduce import dependency of coal in the ensuing years has devised a transformative plan to engage Mine Developer cum Operators (MDO) in its mines.

The Maharatna coal mining behemoth in the process has identified a total of 15 greenfield projects, as on date, to operate through MDO model of which 12 are open cast and 3 underground. Combined, they have a total targeted capacity of around 168 Million Tonnes/Year (MTY). While the OC projects have a targeted capacity of 162 MTY, UG projects add up to the rest close to 6 MTY. The contract period would be for 25 years or life of mine whichever is less.

CIL will engage MDOs of international repute, having state-of-the-art-technology through open global tenders, who shall excavate, extract and deliver coal to the coal companies of CIL as per the approved mining plan. CIL’s Board recently has given its nod in regard to standard bid document and request for bids for the engagement of MDOs.

CIL is laying out plans to complete the formalities by 2021-22 so that all projects become operational and start yielding the output to contribute in 1 BT by 2023-24.

Upcoming identified projects of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, South Eastern Coalfields and Central Coalfields Limited will form major segments for the MDO mode with targeted capacities of 65.5 MTY, 52.4 MTY and 45 MTY respectively. Eastern Coalfields Limited and Northern Coalfields Limited between them will have projects with targeted capacities of 3 MTY and 2 MTY respectively.

Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) for 2 Projects, Siarmal OC of MCL (40 MTY) and Kotre-Basantpur Pachmo of CCL (5 MTY) together having a targeted capacity of 45 MTY has been floated in 2019-20.  While NIT for 5 Projects for a targeted capacity of 68 MTY will be floated in the ongoing fiscal, for the balance 8 projects NIT will be floated in the fiscal, 2021-22.

Engagement of reputed MDOs would have multiple advantage of technology infusion, operational efficiency in the system apart from increased production. MDOs will facilitate R&R issues, land acquisitions, green clearances and coordination with State and Central Pollution Boards. Since contracts to them are on long-term basis allied infrastructure also would be developed.

SC allows Puri Rath Yatra with no public attendance

Jagannath Rath Yatra is held in Odisha's Puri every year.

New Delhi (NVI): The Supreme Court today gave a go-ahead to the Odisha Government to make necessary arrangements to conduct the Puri’s Rath Yatra from June 23, while keeping in view the necessary protocols in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the interest of public health and safety of citizens in view of possible spread of coronavirus, the three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde, decided in favour of modifying its June 18 verdict, restraining the state government from holding Rath Yatra this year across Odisha.

The apex court said it would leave it to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration and the Odisha government to conduct Rath Yatra “in a very restricted manner without allowing devotees congregation” after the state government assured it would coordinate with the Centre to organise the festival.

The Centre, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, strongly argued in favour of conducting Rath Yatra in Puri. The Odisha government, which had on June 18 not supported holding of Rath Yatra as it apprehended spread of coronavirus, too, filed an affidavit supporting organising the event in Puri. Its counsel Harish Salve assured the court that the state government will act responsibly and contain the spread. “If cases rise, it will reflect badly on us. We will take care of it,” Salve told the court.


Last evening, the Odisha government said it will take “favourable action” when the Supreme Court (SC) takes up hearing of petitions seeking modification of its order stopping Rath Yatra in Puri scheduled on June 23. “The state government will take favourable action as legally permissible on the request of the Gajapati Maharaj when the writ petition W.P.(C) No. 571 of 2020 is taken up for hearing before the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” the Law department had said in a press release.

On Saturday, the Gajapati Maharaj, in a letter, requested Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to take steps to allow Rath Yatra in without any congregation of the general public and with the state government taking appropriate steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

-ARK

Afghanistan’s COVID tally crosses 29,100, death toll at 598

New Delhi (NVI): The coronavirus cases in Afghanistan saw a rise of 310 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total number to 29,143, according to Afghan media reports.

The death toll due to the virus rose to 598 with 12 new fatalities being reported in the last 24 hours.

Among the fresh cases reported, the highest count was reported in Kabul with 166 cases, followed by Kandahar with 37 positive cases.

Likwise, one case was reported in Paktia, 3 in Nangarhar, 9 in Takhar, 5 in Bamiyan, 22 in Baghlan, 2 in Logar, 21 in Kunduz, 3 in Parwan,7 in Wardak, 9 in Helmand, 5 in Kunar, 5 in Badakhshan, 3 in Ghor and 6 in Zabul.

Also, the ministry reported seven COVID-19 deaths reported in Kabul, two in Nangarhar, One in Baghlan and two in Wardak in the last 24 hours.

The Afghan Ministry of Public Health said 8,841 people have recovered from the respiratory disease in Afghanistan.

So far, 65,847 people have been tested for COVID-19 in the country.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry yesterday said that the number of new coronavirus cases in Afghanistan has gradually declined in the past 10 days.

-RJV

Coronavirus death toll tops 1,500 in Bangladesh; tally exceeds 1.15 lakh

(Image source: United News of Bangladesh)

New Delhi (NVI): As Bangladesh is witnessing a spurt in the number of coronavirus cases and deaths, 38 new fatalities were reported in the last 24 hours taking the total death toll to 1,502.

In addition to this, 3,480 new cases were also detected during this period, taking the total number of Covid-19 patients in the country to 1,15,786, according to United News of Bangladesh.

So far, 46,755 people have recovered in the country after 1,678 more patients were recovered during this period.

The detection rate of new patients was recorded 22.37 percent.

Given the total number of detected cases, the recovery rate is 40.38 percent while the mortality rate 1.30 percent in the country.

Meanwhile, at least 5 physicians in the country have died while saving lives of patients suffering from coronavirus during the pandemic.

-CHK

Nepal COVID-19 tally hits 9,561; death toll 23

New Delhi (NVI): Nepal reported 535 new cases of coronavirus today, taking the national tally to 9,561, according to local media reports.

The country’s Ministry of Health and Population said, Of the newly infected persons, 461 are males and 74 females. In total, 8,667 males and 894 females have been recorded to have contracted the disease, so far.

Currently, 76 of the 77 districts in the country have witnessed the transmission of COVID-19 virus, as per media reports.

In the last 24 hours, 370 people achieved recovery and were discharged form the hospitals, taking the tally of recovery cases to 2,142.

Apart from this, 6,198 samples have been tested through PCR in past 24 hours. In total, 181,371 samples were tested through the PCR and 268,103 through the RDT.

Meanwhile, 23 persons have died in the country so far. No coronavirus related death was reported today in Nepal.

The COVID-19 infection has spread across all districts of the country except in Rasuwa of Bagmati.

-RJV

Pakistan COVID-19 tally surpasses 1.81 lakh; nearly 3,600 dead

New Delhi (NVI): Pakistan has been witnessing a daily surge in the number of coronavirus cases as the tally crossed 1,81,088 today with more than 3,590 deaths.

Looking at the breakdown of cases, Sindh province has reported 69,628 coronavirus cases, highest among all the provinces, while Punjab has 66,943 positive cases.

On the other hand, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has recorded 21,997 cases, Balochistan is at 9,475, Gilgit-Baltistan at 1,288, Islamabad at 10,912 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is at 845 cases so far, according to Geo News.

So far, nearly 71,458 people have recovered from the deadly contagion in the country.

In addition to this, the country has conducted a total of 11,02,162 tests, including 30,520 carried out during the last 24 hours.

-CHK

Rajnath Singh leaves for 3-day visit to Russia for Victory Day Parade

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (File pic)

New Delhi (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today left for a three day visit to Russia to attend the the 75th Victory Day Parade of World War II.

During his visit, Singh will also hold talks with top Russian military brass to further deepen the India-Russia defence and strategic partnership.

In this regard, the Union Minister also tweeted, “Leaving for Moscow on a three day visit. The visit to Russia will give me an opportunity to hold talks on ways to further deepen the India-Russia defence and strategic partnership. I shall also be attending the 75th Victory Day Parade in Moscow.”

A tri-service 75-member Indian military contingent has already reached Moscow to participate in the parade. The Indian team will participate in the parade alongside armed forces personnel from at least 11 countries, including China.

“The Indian participation in the Victory Day parade will be a mark of tribute to the great sacrifices made by Russia and other nations in the Second World War in which Indian soldiers also participated and made supreme sacrifice,” the Defence Ministry stated.

The meeting is considered to hold high importance amid escalating border tensions between India and China.

Reportedly, it is the first visit abroad by a senior union minister in four months as foreign travels were restricted in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

-CHK

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