Page 1455 - Politics
Bunkers built in last village of Poonch sector to ensure locals' safety
Bunkers are being constructed in the last village of Poonch sector in order to ensure the safety of locals residing here.The village, identified as Karamara, is one that is witnessing constant firing in the wake of escalated tension along the Indo-Pak border. People living in that area claim that Pakistan is less than a kilometre from their village and firing occurs almost everyday.Locals have also alleged that bullets and mortars are fired from both ends and the bunkers that are being built by the government are expected to bring some respite.Speaking to ANI, Ayaz Khan, a local, said: "Firing happens here daily. I have grown up seeing this. For the last 5 to 10 days a lot of bunkers have been built. More bunkers are being constructed; this is going to help us a lot."Another local named Mohd. Jahangir also asserted that the bunkers will be of great help as firing here is a routine."This is the last village of Poonch. Continuous firing happens here. Whenever Pakistan fires it is ...
No OIC member-state offered to mediate between India, Pak: MEA
India on Friday put forth that no OIC member-state offered to mediate between India and Pakistan in the wake of tense relations between the neighbours, on the sidelines of the 46th Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers Meeting here."There was no offer to mediate (between India and Pakistan) by any OIC member," Secretary (ER) TS Tirupathi said at a special media briefing.He, however, refused to comment on a question related to Saudi Arabia and UAE's alleged involvement in Pakistan releasing detained Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander AbhinandanVarthaman.India also put forth its nonchalance with regard to Pakistan's absence from the meeting, with Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar stating, "We are not keeping an attendance sheet of the ministers who are coming or not coming. As the secretary has mentioned we are very grateful that we have been invited by the UAE to participate and we are very happy to participate at the OIC Minister's ...
Vijender Gupta levels corruption allegations on Delhi govt; demands inquiry into postings
Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta on Friday said he would meet Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to demand an inquiry against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led government into officers' transfer and postings in Trade and Taxes department of Delhi government.He claimed, "Between February 14, 2015, and August 4, 2016, the Services Department was working under the elected Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. During this period, the government had posted a large number of their own corrupt senior officers to the Trade and Taxes department.Gupta said, "In Trade and Taxes Department, 18 senior officers of their liking were posted with the approval of CM Kejriwal. Of these, 9 officers were posted by Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and 9 officers, by then Secretary, Services Rajender Kumar, at the behest of CM Kejriwal.""Kejriwal's Govt itself admitted that these officers, who were posted by them in the most sensitive department of Trade and Taxes, were not fit even to be given the job of a peon. ...
Pak violates ceasefire along LoC in Mendhar, Balakote, Krishna Ghati sectors
Pakistan violated ceasefire at various places along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.At 1800 hours, Pakistan violated ceasefire along LoC in Mendhar and Krishna Ghati sectors of Rajouri and Poonch' Balakote. Earlier in the day, at 1615 hours, Pakistan initiated unprovoked firing by shelling with mortars and firing of small arms in Rajouri district's Nowshera sector along the LoC.Gawahalan, Chokas, Kiker and Kathi posts in the Uri sector are some other place where Pakistan violated ceasefire on Friday.Indian Army and BSF are giving a befitting reply to Pak's ceasefire violations. Further details are awaited.
In response to Pak-backed terrorism, India has definitively changed the rules of the game: EFSAS
With India carrying out a daring aerial strike operation at a large Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) camp deep inside Pakistan on Tuesday, New Delhi has finally discarded its policy of strategic restraint and unveiled a new security doctrine in which Pakistan can no longer export terror to India without paying a heavy price for it, according to a European think-tank.In its commentary, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS), a non-profit think tank, based in Amsterdam, chronicles the events leading to the airstrikes by India and the subsequent foiled military action by Pakistan across the Line of Control (LoC).The air raids were in response to the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, in which around 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives after a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into their convoy. The deadly assault, orchestrated by Pakistan-based JeM, was the deadliest one on security forces in Kashmir.The strikes destroyed a major camp of JeM and eliminating a ...
Pakistan's airspace to be opened in phases today
Pakistan will be opening its airspace for commercial flights in phases from today, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).Meanwhile, a Notice to the Airmen (NOTAM) has been freshly issued till March 4, after the previous NOTAM expired for suspension on Friday.Quoting the authorities, ARY News reported that flight operations at Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta airports will start from 6 pm (local time) today, while the decision for the resumption of flights at Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad and others will be taken later.Furthermore, only domestic flights will be starting their operations at the chosen airports from today while Pakistan's national airlines will resume flight operations from midnight.Tensions have been high between India and Pakistan after around 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives in the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, the responsibility of which has been claimed by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).Following this, the Indian Air ...
AAI organises Startup Conclave
Airports Authority of India organised the Startup Conclave under the Startup initiative "Innovate for Airports" on 28th February, 2019 at the Airports Authority of India Officer's Institute.AAI developed its Startup Policy jointly in conjunction with Startup India Team under Invest India and the same released recently by Suresh Prabhu, the Minister of Commerce and Industry & Civil Aviation during the Global Aviation Summit in Mumbai.During the event, 8Startups were awarded the "Letter of Consent" under this initiative by Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary, Civil Aviation and Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra, Chairman AAI. These Startups, selected out of the 275 valid responses, will now work in close coordination with the 10 notified "Champion Airports" all over the country where they would do testing of their products directly at the airport.On this occasion, Suresh Prabhu, the Minister of Commerce and Industry & Civil Aviation addressed the startups present through a video ...
From claiming 'telephone bargaining of posts' to 'recounting minister' jibe, PM Modi hits hard at UPA dispensation
Several members of the council of ministers in the past UPA government were on the target of Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he launched one of the most scathing attacks on Congress in the recent past on Friday.From evoking the 'Zero loss' jibe to accusing the UPA government of 'bargaining ministerial posts over the phone', Prime Minister Modi seemed in full-campaign mode while addressing a public rally in the southernmost coast of India."India has seen Prime Ministers who say that out of every rupee only 15 paise reaches poor. India has seen arrogant cabinet ministers who say zero loss to a scam worth lakhs of rupees," said Prime Minister Modi, in a veiled attack to the past Congress governments.PM Modi avoided taking names but used the 'recounting minister' reference to taunt a former minister for applying for a 'family-pack' of bail."The NDA government has taken concrete steps against corruption. Fake companies have been shut, fake beneficiaries removed. The corrupt now have to ..
Decision to create Railway zone proof of NDA's commitment for
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said the NDA government's decision to create a South Coast Railway Zone headquartered here shows its commitment for Andhra Pradesh's development. The Prime Minister also listed the Centre's various efforts in the state, in what is seen as a response to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu's taunt asking him if he was not ashamed to visit the state with 'empty hands.' Without naming Naidu and in an apparent reference to his aligning with the Congress, Modi said the TDP supremo was now hobnobbing with those who "spared no efforts to hurt" Andhra's pride. He also lashed out at those whom he described as speaking in support of Pakistan against the backdrop of the tensions between the two countries, and asked them to 'introspect' on why their comments were being lauded in the neighbouring country. Apparently referring to some opposition parties and the proposed Mahagathbandhan, Modi said "Why are the parties of 'Mahamilavat' (highly
Special electoral roll revision drive in Rajasthan
The Election Commission will launch a two-day special campaign in Rajasthan beginning Saturday to allow eligible voters to get their names included in the voter list, Chief Electoral Officer Anand Kumar said in a statement on Friday. Under the voter verification and information programme, the names of eligible voters will be added in the electoral roll at all polling stations of the state, it said. From 9 am to 6 pm, booth-level officers will remain present at all 51,965 polling stations in the state. Kumar appealed to representatives of political parties to get the names of eligible voters included in the list. He said that the work of adding names to voter lists will continue even after the special drive. Voters can get their names included in the list 10 days before the last date for filing of nomination for the parliamentary election, Likely to be held in April-May.
AIADMK top guns hail PM as "Narasimha avtar" for airstrikes
Narendra Modi has taken the "Narasimha avatar", Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said Friday, likening him to the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as he and chief minister K Palaniswami showered praise on the Prime Minister for 'decimating' terrorists in Pakistan in air strikes. Panneerselvam said Modi did not buckle under the threat of terrorism and instead had taken the "Narasimha avatar", a reference to Hindu faith in which Lord Vishnu takes the ferocious incarnation in the form of human body with the head of a lion to destroy demon king Hiranyakasibu. "Without buckling under the threat of terrorism of the neighbouring country, Modi took Narasimha avatar and decimated hundreds of terrorists which the world lauded," he said at a function here where the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation various highway and railway projects in Tamil Nadu. He was referring to India's February 26 pre-dawn air strikes on a terror camp in Pakistan days after the killing of 40
Pakistan will respond to any aggression in self-defence: Army chief
Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday said his country would respond in self-defence to any act of "unprovoked aggression" by the Indian military.
If voted to power, will implement all recommendations of Swaminathan Commission: O P Chautala
Former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala on Friday said if the INLD is voted to power after the next state assembly elections, it will implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission. "Farmers are country's backbone, if they are happy, nation will be happy and prosperous. After we come to power, the first thing we will do is to implement all the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission," Chautala said while addressing a 'Jan Adhikar' rally of his party in Hansi, near here. He said when the INLD was in power, the government had started "Sarkar aapke dwar programme" to solve people's problems, "but today the people have to approach the government and yet their problems remain unresolved". Notwithstanding electoral setback the Indian National Lok Dal had to face in the recent Jind bypolls, the party supremo claimed that the INLD will bounce back in the upcoming parliamentary and later in the state assembly polls. Om Prakash Chautala, who is serving a 10-year ...
Gen Bajwa speaks to top military officials and envoys of US, UK over Indo-Pak tensions
Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday briefed top American military officials and envoys from the US, the UK and China here over the Indo-Pak tensions and said the country would retaliate to any aggression in self defence. Gen Bajwa spoke over telephone with the commander of the US Central Command (USCENTCOM Gen Joseph Votel), the UK's Chief of Defence Staff (General Sir Nicholas Carter) and the Australia's Chief of Defence Forces (General Angus Campbell) and ambassadors of US, UK & China in Pakistan, Armu spokesperson Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) informed them about the tensions with India. "Prevailing stand off between Pakistan & India & its impact on peace & stability in the region & beyond discussed," Maj Gen Ghafoor tweeted. He said that COAS told them: "Pakistan shall surely respond to any aggression in self defence." The telephonic contacts came amid tensions between the two neighbours after Pakistan detained an
Rahul Gandhi challenges Modi to hold a press conference
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a press conference and answer questions of the public. Since he became the PM in 2014, Modi has not held a press conference in all this time, Gandhi said, addressing a public rally here. "I address press conferences; have you seen the 'chowkidar' addressing a press conference? He is not only a 'chor' (thief) but also 'darpok' (coward)," Gandhi said. The Congress leader claimed Modi speaks falsehood all the time. "If you want to hear truth, come here but if you want to hear lies, then go to Narendra Modi's rallies," Gandhi said, addressing the crowd in suburban Bandra. He also slammed the PM for 'protecting' the likes of absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi. "Modi will call Mehul Choksi as Mehul bhai (brother) but call you (people) 'Mitron' (friends)," he said. Gandhi said the Congress will give 500 sq feet houses to slum dwellers in Mumbai under the slum development scheme if voted to ...
Modi, defence deals take centre stage at Rahul's rally
As the border tensions melted away, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday resumed his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, catapulting defence deals, farmers' issues and unemployment back to the centre stage.
China urges UNSC to reconsider sanctions on North Korea
China on Friday urged the UN Security Council to reconsider the sanctions imposed on North Korea in order to move forward in the negotiations for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula after a second summit between US President Donald Trump and Pyongyang leader Kim Jong-un ended inconclusively.
Happy with release of IAF pilot, but Pak needs to do more to fight terror: V K Singh
Union Minister and former Army chief V K Singh on Friday said he was happy that Pakistan was releasing Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, but the neighbouring country needs to do a "lot more" to fight terrorism. The Centre is taking "appropriate measures" and "such steps are not revealed", the minister of state for external affairs told reporters on the sidelines of an event in his Lok Sabha constituency when asked about the Centre's next step amid the escalating tension between India and Pakistan. "Returning #WingCommanderAbhinandan is a welcome move, however, it is the first of many steps that #Pakistan must take to reinforce their commitment to peace. We need an affirmative and verifiable action by Pakistan against terrorism," he said in a tweet. Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan on Wednesday, is set to return home on Friday, a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced his release as a "gesture of peace". "It must be understood that #Pakistan has not done us a .
Sushma says Muslims in India microcosm of its diversity, not influenced by extremist ideology
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday told the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) conference that Muslims in India were a microcosm of its diversity and very few of them have fallen prey to the poisonous propaganda of radical and extremist ideologies.
Jordan's King Abdullah II speaks to Pak PM; discusses Indo-Pak tensions
Jordan's King Abdullah II Friday spoke to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and offered his country's mediation to help deescalate tensions with India, according to an official statement. Premier Khan briefed Abdullah II about his initiatives to maintain peace between Pakistan and India for the sake of the people of the two countries and the region, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement. The king conveyed his concern over the escalating situation between Pakistan and India." Khan said that the "core issue between the two countries remained the issue of Kashmir" that needs to be resolved as per the UN Resolutions. "Khan said that his government's agenda was to promote peace and prosperity for the people of Pakistan through poverty alleviation and social welfare programmes. However, the war hysteria unleashed in India was threatening peace of the region," the statement said. Tensions have escalated between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama attack claimed by ...