Page 1468 - Politics
Armed Forces present evidence of shooting down Pak F-16 at joint press conference, say ready to deal with all eventualities
Pakistan used a F-16 aircraft in its futile attempt to target military establishments in India on Wednesday, senior officials of the three armed forces said at a joint media briefing on Thursday, where they presented proof of the intercepted and shot down aircraft. The chiefs also assured the nation that the defence forces are in a state of heightened readiness to deal with any eventuality. Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor who began the briefing by narrating details of Wednesday's intrusion by Pakistan into Indian air space said, "On February, 27 at around 1000 hours, Indian Air Force aircraft detected a large package of Pakistan Air Force Aircraft heading toward Indian territory. They breached the Indian air space west of Rajouri in Sunderbani area."The engrossing aircraft were at various levels. IAF fighters including Mig-21 Bison, Sukhoi 30 MKI and Mirage 2000 were tasked to intercept the intruding Pakistan aircraft. The Pakistan intruding aircraft attempting to target our military ...
Indian military and diplomatic pressure secures Wing Commander Abhinandan's release
India used diplomatic and military pressure to ensure that Pakistan releases Wing Commander Abhinandan unconditionally, top sources said here on Thursday, soon after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced on Thursday that the pilot will be freed tomorrow.Prime Minister Narendra Modi made no compromises on the Pakistani proposal for holding talks, the sources said.Khan announced in Pakistan Parliament that Abhinandan will be released on Friday as a peace gesture.India mounted pressure on Pakistan through the international community, with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval holding talks with the US and other P-5 countries, the sources said.The External Affairs Ministry also exerted pressure on Pakistan through the Arab world, they said.Abhinandan, flying a MiG -21 Bison fighter plane, was chasing Pakistani jets which transgressed into Jammu and Kashmir yesterday and crossed over to PoK where his aircraft was shot down. He ejected safely and was taken to the custody by Pakistani .
Release of Wing Commander Abhinandan, best news of day: Robert Vadra
Robert Vadra, businessman husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, on Thursday said that the announcement about release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman by Pakistan is the best news of the day.Speaking to ANI Vadra said: "It is the best news for his family and everyone in India. We are very proud of him and our security forces. Peace is significant and very important."Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday announced that Indian Pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan will be released on Friday as a peace gesture. Wg Cdr Abhinandan, flying a MiG -21 Bison fighter plane, was chasing Pakistani jets that had transgressed into Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday and in the process crossed over to Pakistan occupied Kashmir where his aircraft was shot down. He ejected safely but was taken in custody by the Pakistani Army.
20 Pakistani jets tried enter Indian Air Space on Feb 27: Sources
Around 20 Pakistani jets tried to carry out strikes at military installations in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday using laser bombs but the Indian fighter planes engaged them and chased them away, in the first such aerial combat since 1971.Sources said here on Thursday that the jets of the Pakistan Air Force crossed the Line of Control (LoC) at 9.45 am, contradicting the Pakistani claims that its fighters remained away from the LoC.Giving details of yesterday's transgression by the Pakistan Air Force, the sources said that after the 20 fighter planes crossed into the Indian air space, they were engaged by the MiG jets which were on alert after Tuesday's air strikes at Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror camp in Balakot.The Pakistani jets were chased by a fleet of MiG fighter planes, one of which, flown by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, crossed into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and was shot down.Before being hit, Abhinandan shot down one F-16 fighter.India has seen visuals of Pakistan ...
Delhi HC uphold EC's decision to allot two-leaves symbol to AIADMK
The Delhi High Court on Thursday upheld the Election Commission of India's decision to allot the 'Two leaves' symbol of the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) to the EPS-OPS faction of Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.A division bench comprising of Justice GS Sistani and Sangita Dhindra Sehgal dismissed the petition filed by TTV Dhinakaran and VK Sasikala.The dispute arises out of competing claims over AIADMK's "two leaves" election symbol from TTV Dhinakaran-Sasikala on one side and Palaniswami -Panneerselvam on the other side.Soon after the death of AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa on December 5, 2016, the party split into two factions. While one faction was led by Sasikala-Dhinakaran-Panneerselvam, the other was led by Palaniswami. However, Panneerselvam and Palaniswami joined hands later to oust Sasikala and Dhinakaran from the party.On November 23, 2017, the Election Commission allotted the two-leaves symbol to the ...
Cohen told truth about no collusion with Russia: Trump
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said his former attorney Michael Cohen had repeatedly lied during his testimony before a senate panel but told the truth that his 2016 election campaign did not collude with the Russian government.
Oppn voice muffled in Tripura Assembly, says CPI(M) legislator
Accusing Deputy Speaker Biswabandhu Sen of political bias, Opposition CPI (M) MLAs Thursday alleged their voices were muffled in the Assembly. The deputy speaker was presiding over the interim Budget session in the Assembly in absence of Speaker Rebati Mohan Das. Tapan Chakraborty, the CPI(M) chief whip in the House, said the opposition bench legislators were not allowed to speak on a Calling Attention Notice, moved by CPI (M) MLAs Shyamal Chakraborty and Sahid Choudhury to highlight the plight of paddy farmers in Sepahijala district in view of the rising water level at Rudrasagar Lake. Choudhury walked out of the House in protest, he said. We were not allowed to speak, but a ruling party MLA was given nearly 15 minutes to make irrelevant statements. Our MLAs were forced to remain silent. The deputy speaker was partial in his approach, Chakraborty told reporters. There is no freedom of speech in the House, he said. We severely condemn the role of the deputy speaker in ...
Cambodia urges Pakistan, India to exercise restraint
Cambodia on Thursday called on Pakistan and India to exercise "utmost restraint" and avoid further clashes.
Protests to greet PM in Vizag on Friday
Protests seeking special category status to Andhra Pradesh will greet Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he lands in this port city on Friday to address a public rally.
JK govt approves delegation of powers for transfer of state land to govt departments
The Jammu and Kashmir governor administration Thursday approved delegation of powers regarding transfer of state or departmental land to other departments in favour of divisional and deputy commissioners in case of development or public utility projects. The decision was taken at a State Administrative Council (SAC) meeting which was chaired by Governor Satya Pal Malik, an official spokesman said. He said the SAC decided the divisional commissioners concerned would be authorised to decide the cases relating to transfer of state or departmental land exceeding 10 Kanals upto 100 Kanals (free from encumbrances) to the state government departments for public purposes or developmental programmes, within his or her territorial jurisdiction. Similarly, the deputy commissioners concerned would be authorised to decide the cases relating to transfer of state land upto 10 Kanals (free from encumbrances), the spokesman said. He said the revenue department would decide cases relating to transfer ..
Modi's critics should admit 'chowkidar sher hai', says Pradhan
Post India's air strike on terror camps in Pakistan, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's detractors would now admit that "chowkidar sher hai" (watchman is a lion). Addressing a BJP programme at Derabis in Kendrapara district, Pradhan said those who questioned the ability of the 'Chowkidar' hailed the Indian Air Force (IAF) which, in turn, praised the prime minister. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has time and again jibed at Modi as "chowkidar chor hai" in the context of the Rafale fighter jet deal. The origin of the line dates back to the run-up of the 2014 general elections when Modi had promised to work as a 'chowkidar' to guard the people's money and their trust once elected to the top office. The Union Petroleum minister also said that some people were asking where was Modi's 56-inch chest, immediately after the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. In less than 15 days of the incident, ...
PM chairs high-level meeting on security amid India-Pakistan tensions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday chaired a high-level meeting on security amid the heightened tensions with Pakistan and after Imran Khan announced the release of an Indian Air Force pilot captured by his country. Officials sources said the meeting was attended by chiefs of the three Services, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Several other senior officials also attended the meeting held at the prime minister's residence here. An IAF pilot was captured by Pakistan after an air combat on Wednesday during which the two sides said they shot down each other's warplanes that followed an unsuccessful attempt to target Indian military installations in retaliatory strikes that sparked fears of war. Khan Thursday announced that IAF's captured pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, will be released on Friday as a gesture of peace and the ...
Ready to deal with any Pak maritime misadventure, says Navy
The Indian Navy Thursday said it is in a high state of readiness to deal with any Pak maritime misadventure amid rising tensions between the two neighbours. Pakistani Air Force on Wednesday carried out a retaliatory strike across the Line of Control(LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and attempted to target military installations, a day after India's strike on the JeM facility in Balakot. "The Navy is deployed in a high state of readiness and remains poised on surface, under sea and in air to deter, prevent and defeat any misadventure by Pakistan in maritime domain," a Defence spokesperson said in a statement. "The Navy assures of a resolute, swift and strong response when needed. We stand as one with the Army and Air Force to ensure the safety and security of the nation and our citizens," he said.
CBI registers cases to probe fraudulent letter to Maharashtra CM on PMO letterhead
About 10 months after complaints from the Prime Minister's Office, the CBI has registered two cases to probe alleged fraudulent use of the letterhead of a joint secretary in the top office in letters seeking favours, including one addressed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, officials said. It is alleged that one of the fraudulent letters was addressed to the Chief Minister on a purported PMO letterhead signed by Debashree Mukherjee, Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office, on November 27, 2017, the agency has said in the FIR. "It is alleged in above said purported letter (was) to favour Vilayati Ram Mittal, Navi Mumbai in connection with the development of plot in Bandra," the FIR said. The agency alleged that the purported letter said that local authorities are biased and helping some developers. Another fraudulent letter also on a purported PMO letterhead under the signature of Mukherjee was directed to the DRDO, Pune and was sent through fax. The said letter ..
Cong slams PM; demands Goa Carnival celebrations be cancelled
The Goa unit of the Congress Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for 'not changing his campaign schedule' despite the tensions on the Indo-Pak border, and demanded cancellation of the Carnival festivities in the state. The BJP-led state government was shedding "crocodile tears" over nationalism, Goa Congress chief Girish Chodankar said here. Prime minister Modi did not cancel his "campaign schedule" amid rising tensions on the border, and even a terror attack was being politicised, he alleged. "Indian Air Force's Wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman is in Pakistan's custody and people are concerned about him. But the prime minister is silent," he alleged. "We request the PM to take some time out from his campaign and make efforts to bring back our wing commander," Chodankar said. "And if the prime minister is behaving like this, what can we expect from the Goa government. They only have crocodile tears to show their patriotism. "The same government will tell .
Country worried about the safety of IAF pilot but PM busy strengthening polling booths: Kejriwal
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Thursday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for interacting with BJP workers through a video-conference, saying when the entire country was worried over the safety of IAF pilot who is in Pakistan's custody, he was busy strengthening polling booths. The prime minister on Thursday interacted with about one crore BJP workers in 15,000 locations through what the party said was the "world's largest video conference". Kejriwal had earlier urged Modi to postpone his mega video-conference, saying the nation's energy must be spent on getting the IAF pilot back from Pakistan's custody. An IAF pilot was captured by Pakistan after an air combat Wednesday during which the two sides said they shot down each other's warplanes that followed an unsuccessful attempt to target Indian military installations in retaliatory strikes that sparked fears of war. IAF sources identified the pilot as Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. Speaking in the Delhi Assembly, Kejriwal ...
India claims conclusive evidence of use of F-16s in Pak raid
India has conclusive evidence that Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) F-16s were involved in the aerial engagement on the Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday as parts of AIM 120 AM-RAAM missile were found on the Indian side.
Cong distances itself from Sidhu's remarks, says atmosphere not conducive for dialogue with Pak
The Congress on Thursday said the current atmosphere is not conducive for a dialogue with Pakistan and termed the suggestions made in this regard by its leader and Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu as his personal opinion and not that of the party. "There is a time to act and there is a time to talk. Dialogue can only take place when the atmosphere is conducive for dialogue and the current atmosphere is not conducive for a dialogue," Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters. Asked about the comments made by Sidhu, he said, "If Mr Navjot Singh Sidhu has an opinion, that is his personal opinion and it is not the opinion of the Indian National Congress." The Punjab minister has insisted that dialogue and diplomatic pressure will count for in seeking a long-term solution to terror outfits operating across the border, amid strain in India-Pakistan ties in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack and subsequent developments. "I stand by my conviction that dialogue and ...
Cong, NCP slam Maha govt over drought, recruitment issues
Senior Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil Thursday alleged that the Maharashtra government has failed to implement drought relief measures and carry out recruitment drive. Addressing a press conference at the end of the budget session, Vikhe Patil said the opposition had planned that it would highlight the failures of the government during a debate on the vote-on-account presented in the legislature on Wednesday. "However, due to tension between India and Pakistan, the session had to be curtailed. So, we tabled what we had to say on the floor of the House. Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has assured to respond to our views in writing within a week's time," the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly said. Vikhe Patil added that despite announcing a mega recruitment drive last year, the government was yet to initiate the process. The BJP-led dispensation has also failed to implement drought relief measures, he said. Leader of Opposition in the Council .
Hooda says Hry budget reflection of 'failure' of economy under BJP rule, demands white paper
Alleging that the Haryana budget was a reflection of the overall failure of the economy under the BJP rule, former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday demanded a white paper on the state of economy. He accused the M L Khattar-led BJP government of leading the state to bankruptcy. "The budget is a reflection of the overall failure of the economy under the BJP government... Allocations on important segment of economy have been reduced and mismanagement of finances is clearly evident... the government must issue a white paper on state of economy," Hooda told a news conference here. Senior Congress leaders from the state -- including Karan Singh Dalal, Raghubir Singh Kadian and Geeta Bhukkal, all of whom are MLAs -- were also present at the conference. Hooda said the total outstanding debt of the state, projected in the budget presented by Finance Minister Abhimanyu earlier this week, was nearly Rs 1.79 lakh crore, which has gone up from under Rs 70,000 crore when Congress ...