Page 1622 - Politics
Cabinet committee on security meets to discuss Pulwama terror attack
The Cabinet Committee on Security met Friday morning to discuss the security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing the meeting. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj were also present at the meeting. Top security officials are learnt to have made a presentation on the incident and the overall security situation in the state. At least 37 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.
Pulwama attack a result of Pak's 'frustration', says J-K Guv
Coming down heavily on Pakistan over the ghastly terror attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Friday said the neighbouring country is "highly frustrated" due to the successful completion of Panchayat elections and a restriction on stone pelting in the state.In an exclusive telephonic interview to ANI, Malik said: "Pakistan is frustrated by successful elections, they could not recruit new terrorists, and stone pelting has stopped so it wanted to do something. We have alerted all installations and cantonments; Pakistan may do something else."Following the terror attack, Pakistan, while terming the attack as a "matter of grave concern", had strongly rejected allegations of the country's link to the incident.In response to this, Malik retorted: "Pakistan is talking nonsense. We saw terrorists holding open rallies in Pakistan saying we will do something and openly threatening India."On being asked to share the next course of action, Malik said after attending the
NSG, NIA teams leave for J-K to join probe into Pulwama terror attack
Experts of anti-terror commando force the National Security Guard (NSG) and investigators of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) left for Jammu and Kashmir on Friday to join the probe into the terror attack in Pulwama in which at least 37 CRPF personnel were killed, officials said. The decision to send the teams was taken in view of the high number of casualties in the worst terror strike in the state since the Uri attack in 2016. On Thursday, a home ministry official had said an NIA team with forensic experts was being sent to Srinagar to assist Jammu and Kashmir Police in forensic evaluation of the scene of crime. Explosive specialists of the Black Cat commando force NSG would also join in the investigation into the attack, another official had said. At least 37 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district ..
Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe condemns Pulwama terror attack
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has condemned the Pulwama terrorist attack and offered his condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At least 37 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. "I strongly condemn the brutal terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pulawama district the worst-ever terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir since 1989. I express my condolences to @narendramodi and the families of police officers who lost their lives," Wickremesinghe said on Twitter. Former president and leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa also took to Twitter to extend his condolences. "I condemn the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir... I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. The world should continue to combat terrorism," he said.
Himachal's CRPF constable martyred in terror attack
Constable Tilak Raj of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district was one of those martyred in the cowardly attack on a CRPF convoy at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, the state government said on Friday.
Pulwama terror attack: BJP cancels all political programmes
All political programmes of BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah, scheduled for Friday have been cancelled following the terror attack on CRPF personnel in Kashmir. At least 37 CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. Top BJP leaders, including Modi and Shah, have been holding rallies and other political programmes in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls.
Terrorism cannot be justified: Nepal condemns Pulwama attack
Nepal has condemned the deadliest terrorist attack in decades in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel on Thursday."The Government of Nepal strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir today (Thursday) that has resulted in the loss of many precious lives," the release from Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs put forth late Thursday.The release further outlined that any kind of heinous act of terrorism cannot be justified, reinforcing Nepal's stand against such kind of manifestations."In line with its principled position, Nepal unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and believes that such heinous acts of terrorism cannot be justified on any ground," the release added.Nepal's Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, on Thursday evening, called his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to extend condolences and concern while condemning the ghastly attack.The dastardly terror attack on a CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's
Pulwama terror attack a 'copy-paste' of Pak-backed terror in Afghanistan: Acting Interior Minister
Afghanistan, while condemning the Pulwama terror attack, said the attack is a "copy-paste of what Pakistan backed terror groups" do in their country."The heinous act of terror in Kashmir has all the hallmarks of a common source & sponsor of terrorism in our region. It is a copy paste of what Pakistan backed terror groups do in Afghanistan. We condemn the attack & convey our condolences to Indian people," Amrullah Saleh, the acting Minister of Interior of Afghanistan, tweeted in the aftermath of the heinous assault.The dastardly terror attack on a CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district claimed the lives of 40 security personnel on Thursday. The convoy comprised of 78 buses in which around 2,500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar - the slain personnel were in a bus which had 42 CRPF men on board.Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Muhammad has since claimed responsibility for the attack which left the bus extensively damaged in a blast and ensuing ..
Pulwama attack: Sitharaman returns to India, to attend CCS meeting
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman returned to India from Sweden on Friday and will attend a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir.Union Minister Arun Jaitley, who will assume charge as the Finance Minister today, is also likely attend the meeting, sources said.Besides the Prime Minister, the CCS comprises the ministers for Home, Finance, Defence and External Affairs.Forty CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy was targeted on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on Thursday.The convoy comprised 78 buses in which around 2500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar.Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was caused by a suicide bomber, according to a local news agency.Home Minister Rajnath Singh will be visiting Srinagar after the CCS meeting to take stock of the situation in the wake of the attack. He will hold
US asks Pak to immediately end 'support' and 'safe haven' to all terrorist groups
The White House asked Pakistan to immediately end "support" and "safe haven" to all terror groups as it strongly condemned the Pulwama terrorist attack. Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday that left at least 37 personnel dead and many critically wounded. "The United States calls on Pakistan to end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating on its soil, whose only goal is to sow chaos, violence, and terror in the region," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a late night statement on Thursday. "This attack only strengthens our resolve to bolster counterterrorism cooperation and coordination between the United States and India," she said in a strongly-worded statement issued by the White House.
US experts suspect ISI role in Pulwama terrorist attack
The involvement of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Thursday's terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir has raised serious questions about the role of the Pakistani spy agency, ISI, in it, American experts on South Asia have said. The Pakistan-based JeM has claimed responsibility for the attack that left at least 37 personnel dead and many critically wounded. The experts said the terror strike shows the United States has failed to persuade Pakistan to act against Jaish-e-Mohammad and other terrorist groups. "The self-proclaimed involvement of JeM in the attack raises serious questions about the role of the ISI in supporting the masterminds of this operation," Bruce Riedel, a former CIA analyst, told PTI. The terrorist attack, which has direct footprints inside Pakistan, poses the first major challenges to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, said Riedel, who is now a scholar at the Brookings Institute think-tank. "This will be a real challenge for Imran Khan, the first serious challenge of his ...
US Congress passes bill to avert government shutdown
The US House of Representatives has passed a legislation on spending and border security to avert another government shutdown, hours after the bill was approved by the Senate.
Trump to declare national emergency to build border wall
US President Donald Trump will sign an executive order declaring a national emergency, which will empower him to fund the construction of a massive wall along the US-Mexico border to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country and curb drug smuggling. The move would help Trump get USD 5.6 billion for the construction of the wall that, he has asserted, is essential for national security. President Trump will sign the government funding bill, and as he has stated before, he will also take other executive action - including a national emergency - to ensure we stop the national security and humanitarian crisis at the border, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement. The President is once again delivering on his promise to build the wall, protect the border, and secure our great country, she said. The White House statement came soon after Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell made the move public. I had an opportunity to speak with President Trump and he, I ..
Pulwama terror attack: Political leaders condemn the ghastly attack
The terror attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir on Thursday evoked strong condemnation from political leaders from across the country.Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the attack, that took place in Pulwama claiming the lives of 40 personnel and asserted that the sacrifices of the brave security personnel will not go in vain.President Kovind too condemned the attack and assured that the entire nation is united to fight against the forces of terror and evil.Union minister Jitendra Singh told ANI, "It's a dastardly act done out of desperation. I call to question those who while living in India and describing themselves as mainstream Kashmir politicians tend to be apologetic about these terror activities sponsored from across Indian soil."Hansraj Ahir, MoS Home asserted that a befitting reply to those who attacked the jawans will be given. Ahir told ANI, "The IED blast that took place in Pulwama has martyred many of our CRPF jawans. The martyrdom of the jawans is unfortunate .
Egypt passes bill that could keep Sisi in power until 2034
Egyptian lawmakers on Thursday (local time) overwhelmingly voted to pass a series of controversial constitutional amendments, including an extension to presidential terms which could see President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi staying in power until 2034.The approval received in the Egyptian Parliament will then head for a national referendum. Under the proposal, the presidential terms will be extended from the current four years to six years and give more powers to the country's military, CNN reported quoting Egypt's Al Ahram news."Some 485 members of the 596-seat assembly approved the changes in a Thursday session, more than the two-thirds quota required to pass any changes to the country's national charter," according to Al Ahram Online.Sisi's second four-year term is due to end in 2022. Following this, the term would be extended to six years and the proposal would allow the Egyptian President to run for two more terms. However, any person after Sisi will be only allowed to run for two ...
'Unless Pak is wiped out, peace won't be attained in South Asia': Exiled Sindhi activist condemns Pulwama attack
Exiled Sindhi political activist Shafi Burfat condemned the barbaric terror attack on a CRPF convoy that claimed the lives of about 40 security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district and accused Pakistan of sponsoring and exporting terrorism in both India and Afghanistan.Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was carried out by a suicide bomber, according to a local news agency.In a strong-worded statement, Burfat, who is the chairman of Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM), said that the international community must acknowledge the fact that unless Pakistan is "not eradicated from the face of Earth", the establishment of global peace and security in South Asia will never be attained."The foundations of Pakistan are rooted in radical Islamism and it has been a source of extremist Islamist terrorism since its beginning. Pakistan has been the mastermind and exporter of terrorism in India and Afghanistan and nourishing global ...
Pulwama attack: US lawmakers extend solidarity and support
Several US lawmakers Friday expressed solidarity with India in the wake of a dastardly terror attack on a paramilitary convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district and said that the two countries stand united in condemning and defeating terror. Cutting across party lines, over 50 Congressmen and Senators took to social media to express their solidarity with people of India and called for strict action against the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and its state sponsors. The JeM has claimed responsibility for the attack that took place about 20 km from Srinagar. I strongly condemn the terror attack in Kashmir. The United States stands with our friends in India, and I send heartfelt condolences to the families that lost loved ones, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer tweeted. Senator Robert Menendez said he was outraged by the terror attack, "one of the deadliest in the region since 1989". Senator Johnny Isakson strongly criticised the terror strike and pledged the US' support to India in defeating
US Senate approves William Barr as attorney general
The US Senate on Thursday (local time) voted to confirm William Barr as the nation's next attorney general, putting him in charge of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's inquiry into alleged Russian intervention in the 2016 presidential elections.The Senate voted 54-45 for Barr's nomination. The veteran lawyer is expected to take oath before the end of this week.Barr became the first confirmed chief of the Justice Department, barely few months after Jeff Sessions stepped down from his post after he was at loggerheads with Trump over a number of issues, The Hill reported.Sessions, who tendered his resignation in November last year, had recused himself from Mueller's probe.White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders termed Barr's approval as "a major victory for justice and the rule of law in America."As attorney general, Barr is set to take part in Mueller's probe, which is investigating links between the Russian government and Trump's campaign. It is also probing whether the US President ...
Pulwama attack: US urges countries to deny safe haven to terrorists
The United States on Thursday strongly condemned the terror attack on a CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district and called on countries from across the globe to deny safe haven and support for terrorists designated under UN Security Council resolutions.In the deadliest terror attack on security forces in Kashmir, around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy was targetted in Pulwama district on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway."The United States condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack today on an Indian Central Reserve Police Force convoy in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and their families, and wish a speedy recovery to those injured," State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino said in a statement.Underlining that the US is resolutely committed to work with India to fight terrorism, Paladino added, "The UN designated, Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Muhammad has claimed ...
'Such acts of terrorism futile for peace': Altaf Hussain condemns Pulwama attack
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain strongly condemned the deadly terror attack on a CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district which was carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit based in Pakistan, saying that such acts of terrorism will be futile for the peace in the region.In the deadliest terror attack on security forces in Kashmir, around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy was targetted in Pulwama district on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.Taking to his Twitter handle on Thursday (local time), Hussain expressed his condolences to the families of the 40 security personnel killed in the attack and prayed for a speedy recovery of those injured."My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the early recovery of injured. May God give them strength to bear this irreparable loss," he tweeted.The convoy comprised 78 buses in which around 2,500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar.A bus, in which 42 CRPF ...