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Fresh fighting in West Asia: US hits Larak Island, Iran retaliates in Jordan, UAE

Smoke emanating from a suspected oil facility in Fujairah in UAE after Iranian missile attacks on May 4
An installation hit in West Asia (File pic)

New Delhi, Aug 31 (NVI) After weeks of lull, fighting erupted again in West Asia today with the US launching fresh attacks and Iran retaliating.

The American forces attacked two rocket launchers of Iran on the Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, which killed two people and injured two others, according to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Larak Island is just offshore from the key port of Bandar Abbas and sits right on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global shipping.

Some 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas used to travel through before the war began.

US Central Command (Centcom) said it took “limited, precise action” after observing Iran preparing to “launch rockets and deploy sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz”, according to its spokesperson.

Shortly afterwards, Iran said it had struck US military bases in Jordan in response.

Jordan’s army said it had intercepted eight missiles early today.

Iran’s state TV also said the Iranian army had targeted an air base in the UAE with drones.

However, the UAE’s Ministry of Defence denied the reports that Al-Minhad Air Base had been targeted as “unfounded”. The UAE did confirm it shot down a drone.

The US strike is the first known attack on Iran since President Donald Trump paused a renewed military campaign in late July.

Since the conflict began in February, the strait has effectively been closed, causing wild fluctuations in the price of oil on world markets.

Iran is currently demanding that tanker traffic pass by Larak Island for checks and reportedly forcing vessels to pay $2m (£1.5m) to cross.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency said earlier that the attack on Larak was carried out by drones.

Hours later, Iranian media carried a statement by the IRGC saying it had attacked the US bases of King Hussein and al-Azraq in Jordan with ballistic missiles in response to the Larak Island attack.

Iran’s foreign ministry said on Monday it “strongly condemned the American military aggression on Larak”, saying the strikes on bases in Jordan were a “legitimate defence”.

Meanwhile Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a statement quoted by state TV: “We are not seeking war, but we will deliver a decisive response to the aggressors.”

Hours after the US strike, Trump posted apparent AI videos on Truth Social showing oil infrastructure exploding.

The US and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran on 28 February, with Iran responding by attacking Israel, US bases and allied states in the Gulf, and effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz to marine traffic.

The strait is a narrow stretch of water between Iran, the UAE and Oman that is about 21 miles (33km) at its tightest point.

Trump ​said last week that all mines‌ placed in the Strait of Hormuz by Iran as part of its efforts to blockade the route had been detonated or removed. He said Iran had been warned that any ship ​or boat deploying new mines would be ​destroyed.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi described Trump’s claim as a “propaganda” deception.

The US is also continuing a naval blockade of Iran, which has affected Iran’s ability to export oil.

On Saturday, Centcom said it had disabled three vessels, boarded two and redirected 82 as part of the blockade. (NVI)

Hand Grenade Recovered During Joint Search Operation In J&K’s Kupwara

File Photo

Srinagar, Aug 31 (NVI): Security forces recovered a hand grenade during a joint search operation in the Rashanpora forest area of Kralpora in Kupwara district on Monday, officials said.

The operation was conducted jointly by the Army, the Special Operations Group (SOG) Kralpora and the Jammu and Kashmir Police, they said.

The recovered grenade has been secured and a technical team has been called in for its safe handling and removal, officials said.

Further investigation into the recovery is underway, they added.—(NVI)

India rejects award by a tribunal on Indus Waters Treaty, questions jurisdiction

Logo of External Affairs Ministry

New Delhi, Aug 31 (NVI) The latest award issued by the so-called Court of Arbitration on the Indus Waters Treaty was today rejected by India, which described the tribunal as “illegally constituted”.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) asserted that the tribunal has “no jurisdiction whatsoever” to pronounce on India’s sovereign decisions.

In a statement, the MEA said the tribunal had issued an award concerning interim measures and the status of the Indus Waters Treaty.

The MEA said the Court of Arbitration was constituted by the World Bank in “patent breach” of the terms of the Indus Waters Treaty.

India has consistently maintained that the establishment of the tribunal itself constitutes a grave violation of the treaty and has therefore never appeared before it or taken cognisance of its earlier pronouncements.

“Its pronouncements, now or in the future, will have no effect on India’s actions in connection with the projects being undertaken by India,” the MEA said.

India also made clear that its decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance remains unchanged.

“The so-called Court of Arbitration has no jurisdiction whatsoever to pronounce on India’s sovereign decisions,” the ministry said, adding that the tribunal’s latest award would not affect India’s actions concerning projects being undertaken by the country.

The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, governs the sharing of waters of the Indus River system between India and Pakistan.

India had placed the treaty in abeyance following the escalation in tensions with Pakistan, and New Delhi has repeatedly maintained that the decision remains in force.

The latest development comes amid continuing differences between India and Pakistan over the interpretation and implementation of the treaty, particularly concerning India’s hydropower projects on rivers covered by the agreement. (NVI)

Indian Navy gets 2nd Diving Support Vessel ‘Nipun’

INS Nipun inducted in Indian Navy

Mumbai, Aug 31 (NVI) The prowess of Indian Navy was further strengthened today with the commissioning of INS Nipun, the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Nistar Class.

The commissioning, conducted at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, marks a significant enhancement of the Navy’s deep-sea diving, underwater intervention and submarine rescue capabilities.

With the hoisting of the Commissioning Pennant, INS Nipun has formally entered operational service with the Indian Navy, ready to support those who operate beneath the waves and contribute to safeguarding India’s maritime interests.

The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Naval Staff, in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.

Senior naval officers, representatives from Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, veterans, distinguished guests and families of the commissioning crew were also in attendance.

Indigenously designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam, INS Nipun is a significant addition to the Indian Navy’s specialist underwater capability.

INS Nipun is a purpose-built platform designed primarily for deep-sea diving and underwater operations.

The ship is capable of supporting saturation, air and heliox diving and is equipped with remotely operated underwater systems for inspection and intervention.

Its specialised diving complex, dynamic positioning capability and associated life-support and medical facilities enable sustained and complex operations at sea.

INS Nipun is also capable of supporting submarine rescue operations, significantly strengthening the Indian Navy’s ability to respond to underwater contingencies.

Along with her sister ship INS Nistar, the ship substantially enhances the Navy’s specialist capability in diving, underwater intervention, salvage and submarine rescue.

The ship’s crest and motto embody the spirit of her specialised role and the men who venture into the depths.

The motto, ‘Far Beneath, Few Beyond’, reflects the resolve, skill and endurance required to operate in one of the most challenging domains of the maritime environment.

In his address, the Chief of Naval Staff stated that the induction of INS Nipun reflects the seamless synergy between the Indian Navy, Hindustan Shipyard Limited and the domestic industrial network.

He further stated that proving the role-worthiness of all diving systems during sea trials in a single sortie stands as a testament to the nation’s technical confidence and engineering prowess.

CNS emphasised that combat readiness remains the Indian Navy’s highest priority amidst an increasingly contested maritime environment and growing threats to global maritime highways.

He noted that, based on the West Coast under the Western Naval Command, INS Nipun will be a powerful addition to the specialised underwater capabilities required to sustain multi-domain operations.

The CNS highlighted that the niche capabilities of INS Nipun, available with only a handful of global navies, enable a swift response to distressed submarines of the Indian Navy as well as partner nations.

This capability positions India as the ‘Preferred Submarine Rescue Partner’ in the region, while also providing specialised support for underwater salvage and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions.

Addressing the commissioning crew, CNS stated that they inherit not just a sophisticated platform, but also the onerous responsibility to shape the ship’s soul and instil spirit into her steel.

Exhorting the crew to live up to the ship’s motto of ‘Nischay, Nirbhay, Nipun’ (Resolve, Fearlessness and Professional Mastery), he urged them to remain anchored in the core naval values of Duty, Honour and Courage.

J&K: ACB Chargesheets Former Junior Assistant in Rs 12.65 Lakh MDM Scam

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, Aug 31 (NVI) The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a chargesheet against a former junior assistant for allegedly misappropriating 256.40 quintals of rice and cooking costs under the Mid Day Meal scheme, causing a loss of over Rs 12.65 lakh to the state exchequer, officials said on Monday.

The chargesheet was filed against Mohd Farooq, then junior assistant and dealing hand for the Mid Day Meal scheme in the office of the Zonal Education Officer (ZEO), Manjakote, they said.

The case was registered on December 28, 2018, following a verification that had revealed the alleged misappropriation of around 200 quintals of rice meant for the fourth quarter of 2014-15 under the Mid Day Meal scheme in Manjakote zone, the ACB said.

During investigation, it was found that Farooq and then ZEO Manjakote Shah Nawaz Khan, who has since died, allegedly prepared fake and fabricated indents and authority letters by manipulating official records, in connivance with storekeeper Mumtaz Hussain, officials said.

Scrutiny of records and an opinion from the Forensic Science Laboratory established prima facie that 256.40 quintals of rice valued at Rs 8,03,557.60 and Rs 4,61,578 in cooking costs were allegedly misappropriated, they said.

The total loss to the state exchequer was assessed at Rs 12,65,135.60, the ACB said.

The chargesheet was filed under provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act and the Ranbir Penal Code relating to criminal misconduct, forgery, use of forged documents, destruction or falsification of records and criminal conspiracy.

As the then ZEO had died, prosecution sanction was obtained for the in-service accused, Farooq, the officials said.

The chargesheet was produced before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption Court, Rajouri, on Monday. The court has fixed September 29 as the next date of hearing.—(NVI)

PM Modi meets Iranian President, reiterates need for dialogue to end West Asia stalemate

PM Modi with Iranian President Pezeshkian in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan today

New Delhi, Aug 31 (NVI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and discussed the developments in West Asia with an emphasis on the need to resolve all issues through dialogue and diplomacy.

The two leaders, who met on the sidelines of the SCO Summit, also discussed bilateral ties.

The “recent developments in the West Asia conflict” were discussed with the two leaders sharing their perspectives on the evolving situation, an official statement said.

Prime Minister Modi expressed concern at the escalation of tensions in the region and reiterated India’s consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, it said.

“Prime Minister also reiterated the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region,” the statement said.
Calling for safeguarding the freedom of navigation and commerce, PM Modi emphasized that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including commercial shipping and seafarers must not be harmed under any circumstances, the statement said.

Reiterating India’s readiness to closely cooperate with Iran in multilateral organizations, including BRICS and SCO, Prime Minister conveyed that he looked forward to welcoming President Pezeshkian to India for the BRICS Summit, it added. (NVI)

Nepal Floods death toll rises to 903, number of missing is 4247

Kathmandu, Aug 31 (NVI) The death toll due to the August 26 floods in Nepal has risen to 903 while around 4,247 people remain unaccounted for, according to the latest update from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).

The update states that 267 people have been injured, of whom 146 have already been discharged.

Yesterday, the rescuers evacuated 7 Indians and 15 Chinese nationals from a hydropower project.

The number of people still unaccounted for includes 865 in Rasuwa and 1,558 in Nuwakot, based on data from District Emergency Operation Centres. A further 933 people from hydropower projects have been reported missing.

Among those unaccounted for are 25 Nepal Police personnel, 45 Nepali Army personnel, 13 Armed Police Force personnel, 15 customs officials and three immigration officials.
The disaster has also left 592 foreign nationals missing, along with 127 Nepalis travelling with tourists.
Three people from Langtang National Park and three from the quarantine office are also listed as missing. (NVI)

 

Authorities have so far rescued 10,451 people, with the Nepali Army carrying out air rescues of 252 foreign nationals and 3,344 Nepalis.

A total of 411 helicopter flights have been conducted, including 17 flights on Monday.

More than 20,800 security personnel have been mobilised for rescue and relief operations-8,722 from the Nepali Army, 7,894 from Nepal Police and 4,203 from the Armed Police Force.

Relief materials have been dispatched to affected areas through 37 trucks, 35 Bolero vehicles and eight helicopter flights. On Monday, two tonnes of food supplies were sent to Uttargaya and Dhunche, along with medicines, health materials and five portable generators. Nuwakot has received relief through 16 vehicles and helicopters.

The government has allocated Rs 1 crore each to Rasuwa and Nuwakot, Rs 50 million to Dhading and Rs 6.75 crore to 15 affected local governments as cash relief. Fuel stocks in affected areas currently stand at 25,000 litres of diesel, 21,000 litres of petrol and 10,000 litres of aviation fuel.

Meanwhile, six surgical medical teams have been deployed, and unidentified bodies recovered from the disaster are being kept at 21 hospitals in different districts pending identification.

Security forces recover arms, ammunition from hideout in J&K’s Shopian

File Photo

Srinagar, Aug 31 (NVI) Security forces recovered a cache of arms and ammunition after busting a suspected terrioists hideout in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, officials said.

A joint operation was launched by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF at Naikpora Memender area following specific intelligence inputs, they said.

During searches in an orchard, the forces recovered an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 60 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, a pistol, a grenade and six rounds of 9 mm ammunition, officials said.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the recovered weapons and their intended use, they added.(NVI)

Tragedy on Jammu Road: Ex-Serviceman Dies After Throat Is Slit by Kite String

REpresentational Image

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, August 31 (NVI): An ex-serviceman died after his throat was allegedly slit by a Chinese kite string while he was riding a motorcycle in Bishnah area of Jammu district on Monday, officials said.

The deceased was identified as Lakhwinder Singh, a resident of Diwan Garh in Samba district.

According to officials, Singh sustained a serious cut injury to his throat after coming in contact with a Chinese nylon kite string while travelling on his motorcycle. He was rushed to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Bishnah, where doctors declared him brought dead.

The incident reportedly occurred near Jinder Khurd along the Ring Road in Bishnah.

Police have taken cognizance of the incident and initiated further proceedings.—(NVI)

Several gates of Salal Dam opened after rise in inflow amid rains

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, Aug 31 (NVI) Several gates of the Salal Dam in Jammu and Kashmir were opened after two days of continuous rainfall led to a rise in inflow into the reservoir, officials said on Monday.

The weather conditions improved in the region on Monday following the spell of rain, while authorities continued to monitor the water level and inflow into the reservoir.

Residents living in downstream areas have been advised to remain cautious and follow safety advisories issued by the authorities, officials said.(NVI)

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