Page 1452 - Politics
India is proud of your courage, dignity: President, PM lead nation to give rousing welcome to Abhinandan Varthaman
As the wait for Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman's return to India came to an end at 9.20 pm on Friday, good wishes poured in from all quarters with President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeting"Welcome home Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman! India is proud of your courage and sense of duty, and above all your dignity. Wishing you and our entire Air Force every success in the future," the President took to Twitter to share his sentiments and that of the nation of the occasion.Prime Minister Modi in his Twitter said, "The nation is proud of your exemplary courage. Our armed forces are an inspiration for 130 crore Indians. Vande Mataram."Wing Commander Abhinandan stepped on the India soil at 9.20 pm from Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar, Punjab, where thousands had been waiting for hours to have a glimpse of the brave IAF officer.Politicians and ministers across party lines came together to welcome Abhinandan Varthaman home.Home Minister Rajnath Singh too tweeted:
With confident face, IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan walks gracefully to India
After a delay of over five hours by Pakistan, Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman finally touched down the Indian soil on Friday at 9.20 pm with a confident face followed by a graceful walk.A smile on Abhinandan's face characterised with a thick gunslinger moustache with thin mutton chop beard was observed in the videos as soon as he was seen entering India. He shook hands with the Border Security Force personnel who were present at the heavily-guarded Wagah Border to receive him.Wearing blue blazer and grey 'khaki' trouser, Abhinandan was accompanied by an officer of the Pakistan Foreign Office and Indian Defence Attache Group Captain Joy Thomas Kurien. He was handed over by the Pakistan Rangers to the Border Security Force (BSF) following the paperwork.The official Twitter handle of the Defence Ministry's spokesperson posted, "For honour of the Nation, you kept duty ahead of your personal safety. Wearing India Colours on your sleeve, you showed calm and poise .
Guterres welcomes release of Indian pilot, calls for keeping up 'positive momentum'
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman by Pakistan and asked both countries to keep up the "positive momentum".
US slaps new sanctions on Venezuela regime as Russia ups support
The United States and Russia clashed Friday over how to assist ailing Venezuela, with Moscow pledging new relief channeled through President Nicolas Maduro and Washington slapping sanctions over the blocking of US aid it tried to force through the border. A day after Russia and China vetoed a US and European resolution at the UN Security Council that called for unimpeded aid deliveries, Washington said it was targeting six Venezuelan military officers for stopping last weekend's US-led convoy. Four people were killed in the melee as Maduro's forces prevented the 178 metric tonnes of rice, beans and other food from crossing, with the leftist strongman seeing the aid as a pretext for a US-led invasion. "We are sanctioning members of Maduro's security forces in response to the reprehensible violence, tragic deaths and unconscionable torching of food and medicine destined for sick and starving Venezuelans," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. The six include Major ...
3 civilians killed, 1 severely injured as Pak violates ceasefire in J-K's Poonch
Three members of a family were killed in heavy shelling by Pakistani forces near the Line of Control (LoC) in Krishna Ghati sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district.Pakistan resorted to indiscriminate firing across LoC in Poonch on Friday.Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Poonch Ramesh, Kumar Angral told ANI: "Three civilians have died in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Poonch district's Krishna Ghati sector."One civilian severely injured has been rushed to a nearby hospital.Three houses have been damaged as Pakistani army resorted to heavy mortar shelling.More details are awaited.On Thursday, a civilian sustained injury in Pakistani shelling in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The injured was rushed to a hospital, they said.
Saudi Arabia revokes citizenship of Osama bin Laden's son
Saudi Arabia on Friday revoked the citizenship of Hamza bin Laden, son of deceased former Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.Al Jazeera quoted the local media stating that the decision to quash Hamza's citizenship was undertaken in November last year by a royal order.The move came a day after the United States on Thursday offered US $1 million reward for information on slain terrorist Osama bin Laden son's Hamza bin Laden."United States is offering to reward US $1 million for the information leading to the identification and location in any country of the Al-Qaeda leader Hamza Bin Laden," said United States Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security Michael T. Evanoff.When asked about the last information about Hamza bin Laden, Evanoff said, "He is probably in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and probably could go to Iran."The United States declared Hamza as a 'terrorist' in 2017.A statement by the US State Department read, "Hamza bin Laden
Pakistan bowed before diplomatic pressure, ordered Abhinandan's release within 24 hours: Amit Shah
BJP President Amit Shah on Friday described Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman as a symbol of "bravery and valour" and said the diplomatic pressure by India forced Pakistan to order his release within 24 hours.
Wing Commander Abhinandan lands in Delhi
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was released from Pakistan's custody on Friday, reached Delhi around midnight from Amritsar.
17 Palestinians hurt in border clashes with Israel: Gaza ministry
Israeli troops on Friday shot and wounded 17 Palestinians during a protest on the Gaza-Israel border, where rallies have been held for nearly a year, the enclave's health ministry said. A ministry statement reported "17 injuries by the Israeli occupation forces with live ammunition", without giving details on the condition of those shot. It said that three paramedics and one journalist were hurt by tear gas grenades. The Israeli army told AFP that troops used live fire "according to the rules of engagement" with violent demonstrators. "There are close to 8,000 rioters who are throwing stones, who are burning tyres and throwing explosive devices and grenades at troops and at the (border) fence," a spokeswoman said. "In response we are using riot dispersal means and also firing, according to the rules of engagement of course," she said. The conclusions of a UN probe published on Thursday said Israeli forces responding to protests on the Gaza border had committed "violations of ...
Imran Khan was in Lahore to ensure 'smooth' handing over of Indian pilot: Sources
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was present in Lahore to oversee the 'smooth' handing over captured Indian Air Force pilot to India at the Wagah border on Friday, official sources said. Khan arrived in Lahore on Friday afternoon, a couple of hours before IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was brought to the Wagah border from Islamabad, amid high security. "PM Khan's main purpose of being in the town was to oversee the 'smooth' handing over of the captured Indian pilot to the Border Security Force," an official source told PTI. He said during his stay Khan held a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, who praised the premier for ordering the release of the Indian pilot. They said this gesture would establish that Pakistan was a peace loving country and wanted peace with its neighbouring countries especially India. Buzdar said: "This move will help de-escalte tensions between India and Pakistan." "The prime minister stayed in the city
Abhinandan lands in Delhi
Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman landed in Delhi Friday night, hours after he was handed over to India by Pakistan after being in captivity for nearly three days. A group of people gave a rousing welcome to him at the Palam airport, from where he would be taken to a medical facility for examination. He was handed over to Indian authorities at Attari-Wagah border Friday evening. Varthaman, who was captured on February 27 by Pakistan following a dogfight between the two air forces in which his MIG-21 was shot down, returned home from his nearly three-day captivity, a major step towards defusing a near-war situation triggered by India's retaliation over Pakistan's continued support for terrorism. He finally emerged at 9.10 p.m(IST) at the Wagah checkpost on the Pakistani side, accompanied by Pakistani rangers, the Indian air attache posted in the High Commission in Islamabad. He was wearing a civilian clothes -- a dark jacket and khakhi trousers, walking proudly toward the ...
IAF pilot Abhinandan returns from Pakistan (Third Lead)
Ending high-pitch drama and uncertainty stretching over several hours, Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, captured by Pakistanis two days ago after his MiG-21 crashed inside Pakistan, returned to India on Friday night.
Russia offered to mediate, provide venue to India, Pak to hold talks: FO
Russia on Friday offered to mediate and provide venue to Pakistan and India for the talks to resolve their current differences, Pakistan Foreign Office said. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi over telephone and discussed the situation in the region following escalation of tensions between the two neighbours, it said. "Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov reiterated his country's offer of mediation and provision of venue for the talks between India and Pakistan," the FO added. Qureshi appreciated Russia's balanced and constructive role in de-escalation of tensions in the region. He welcomed the Russian offer and said that he had acknowledged Moscow's constructive role in Parliament while addressing the joint session earlier in the day, which was well received. The two Foreign Ministers agreed to continue consultations for promotion of peace and stability in the region, according to FO.
Prez issues order extending quota for EWS in JK
President Ram Nath Kovind issued an order extending the benefits of reservation to economically backward sections in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday night. A notification in this regard was issued after a meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took a decision on Thursday to issue the order, a Home Ministry official said. With this, the 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections has been made applicable in Jammu and Kashmir also. This would pave the way for reserving state government jobs to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir who are from economically weaker sections belonging to any religion or caste, the official said. Ten per cent reservation to economically weaker sections was introduced in the rest of the country through the 103rd Constitutional Amendment in January 2019. The central government's move came as Jammu and Kashmir is currently under the President's Rule.
3 villagers killed, 2 injured in heavy shelling by Pak forces along LoC
Three members of a family were killed and two others injured as Pakistani forces heavily shelled areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Friday, officials said. Pakistani forces targeted civilian areas with mortar bombs and heavy guns, including Howitzer 105 mm, they said, adding that Indian forces retaliated effectively. In the heavy shelling, three members of a family were killed and another was injured in Salotri in Poonch district, where shells hit several houses, they said. Twenty-four-year-old Rubana Kosar and her son Fazan (5) and nine-month-old daughter Shabnam were killed in the shelling. Rubana's husband Mohd Yunis was injured, they said. Earlier in the day, a woman, identified as Naseem Akhtar, was injured in the firing by Pakistani forces in the Mankote area of Poonch, officials said. Besides Salotri and Mankote, shelling also took place in Krishnagati and Balakote areas in Poonch district. In violation of the ceasefire agreement ...
PM gave free hand to armed forces to tackle terrorism: Irani
Union minister Smriti Irani Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a free hand to the armed forces to deal with terrorists and their supporters. She was addressing BJP's women volunteers at Agra College here under 'Mann Ki Baat' programme of the party. After the Pulwama tragedy, there was a lot of anger in the country and people wanted the government to give a fitting reply to promoters of terrorism, the textiles minister said. She also praised External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for the latter's clear and firm stand at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting. Forty CRPF personnel were killed and many injured on February 14 in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a JeM suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.
Welcome home, Wing Commander Abhinandan: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and several Union ministers including Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday welcomed Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman soon after he returned via Wagha border to India.
OIC nations important partners in fight against terror, says official
The OIC nations have expressed zero tolerance towards terrorism, T.S. Tirumurti, Secretary of Economic Relations at the Ministry of External Affairs, told the media on Friday.
France extends complete solidarity with India in fight against terrorism
France Friday extended its complete solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms, as it welcomed the easing of tensions between India and Pakistan and the release the IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman. "I welcome the easing of tensions between India and Pakistan as well as the release of the Indian Air Force pilot detained in Pakistan. I hail the two governments' choice of restraint and responsibility and urge them to resume bilateral dialogue," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said. France, which is assuming the presidency of the United Nations Security Council from Friday, will do its utmost so that those responsible for the terrible attack in Pulwama are sanctioned, he said. France reiterated its complete solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms. The US, the UK and France on Wednesday moved a fresh proposal in the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based terror group JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, a .
Proud of you, Sitharaman says after IAF pilot's safe return
Commenting on Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthamans safe return to India from Pakistans custody, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said the nation was proud of the brave officer.