Monthly Archives: August 2018

PTI

Islamabad, May 9

Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested by paramilitary Rangers on Tuesday while he was present at the Islamabad High Court for the hearing of a corruption case, a day after he took on the country’s powerful army for allegedly hatching a plot to kill him.

His party confirmed the arrest of the 70-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician.

The arrest comes a day after the powerful army had accused Khan of levelling baseless allegations against a senior officer of the spy agency ISI

The chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who travelled from Lahore to the federal capital Islamabad, was undergoing a biometric process at the court when the Rangers broke open the glass window and arrested him after beating lawyers and Khan’s security staff, according to senior party leader Shireen Mazari.

TV footage showed the Rangers grabbing Khan from the collar and bundling him into a prison van.

“Mr Khan has been arrested in a land transfer case to property tycoon Malik Riaz and is being handed over to National Accountability Bureau (NAB)”, a NAB official confirmed to PTI.

He said that Khan has been arrested in the Al-Qadir Trust case. “His arrest warrants were issued today morning and subsequently he is arrested,” he said.

“What laws? Courts attacked by Rangers as if invading an occupied land – lawyers & IHC staff also beaten. This is Pakistan today – a fascist State where the High Court has been attacked by paramilitary forces,” Mazari said.

“State terrorism – breaking into IHC premises to abduct Imran Khan from court premises. Law of the jungle in operation. Rangers beat the lawyers, used violence on Imran Khan and abducted him,” tweeted Mazari.

The party alleged that Khan was being tortured but it was not confirmed independently.

The Dawn newspaper reported that IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq directed the Islamabad police chief, the interior ministry secretary and the additional attorney general to appear before the court within 15 minutes.

Chief Justice Farooq said that he was showing “restraint” and warned that he would “summon” the prime minister if the Islamabad police chief did not appear before the court.

“Come to court and tell us why Imran has been arrested and in which case,” Justice Farooq was quoted as saying by the paper.

Islamabad police released a brief statement quoting Inspector General (IG) Akbar Nasir Khan as saying that Khan had been arrested in relation to the case which concerns allegations that Bahria Town allotted land worth Rs 530 million to Al-Qadir Trust, owned by the PTI chairman and his wife Bushra Bibi.

The police chief also said that the situation in Islamabad was “normal”. He added that Section 144 had been imposed in the federal capital and action would be taken against violators.

Quoting Barrister Gohar Khan, who was at the court during Khan’s arrest, Dawn said the former prime minister was “tortured”.

“They hit Imran’s head and leg…his wheelchair was also tossed aside during the arrest,” Gohar was quoted as saying by the paper.

Former information minister and PTI Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said Khan has been abducted from Court premises and scores of lawyers and general people have been tortured. “Imran Khan has been whisked away by unknown people to an unknown location, CJ Islamabad HIgh Court has ordered Secy interior and IG police to appear within 15 min in the court,” he tweeted.

Another senior leader Hammad Azhar said that Khan’s arrest was “not acceptable” and asserted that the party chief “is our red line”. He called on the nation to take to the streets against Khan’s arrest.

Another PTI leader Azhar Mashwani alleged that Khan had been “abducted” from inside the court by the Rangers. He said that the party had given an immediate call for staging protests in the country.

“They are torturing Imran Khan right now […] they are beating Khan sahib. They have done something with Khan sahib,” another leader Musarrat Cheema said in a video message posted on the party’s Twitter handle.

Khan has been facing a slew of cases since his ouster through a no trust vote in April last year. He has rejected all these cases as political victimisation by the ruling alliance.

Currently, Khan is facing over 140 cases related to terrorism, blasphemy, murder, violence, inciting to violence.

PUNJABI SONG SUNG TO REMIND ALL ABOUT SACRIFICE OF FAUJI MAYTRS

Our Correspondent

Jammu, May 6

Emotions ran high when the body of Havildar Neelam Singh, who was among the five soldiers killed in an encounter in Rajouri, reached his native village of Dalpat in Akhnoor, Jammu district, on Saturday.

Proud of my son

I am proud of my son. He was a brave commando who laid down his life fighting terrorists. He was a born warrior. As a child, he always wanted to join the Army.

Gurdev Singh, havildar Neelam Singh’s father

The five soldiers were killed when a group of terrorists triggered an explosion in the Kandi area of Rajouri on Friday.Singh’s children — 10-year-old daughter Pawana and six-year-old son Ankit — were inconsolable when they saw the Tricolour-wrapped coffin of their father. Thousands of people gathered near the cavalcade, which brought the body, and raised slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Neelam Singh Amar Rahe”.

L-G, Army pay homage

J&K L-G Manoj Sinha and officials from the Army on Saturday paid homage to five soldiers killed in an explosion in Rajouri district, officials said on Saturday. A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the IAF station in Jammu. PTI

Vandana Singh, Singh’s wife, stood in shock. Tears rolled down her eyes seeing the body of her husband.

The mortal remains were brought in a cavalcade from the Indian Air Force station in Jammu, where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, among other top Army, police and administration officials, paid homage to the slain soldier at a wreath-laying ceremony.

A distraught Pawana, who was unable to control her emotions, asked her relatives to bring her father back. “Papa ko kya hua (What has happened to papa)?” she said as she touched the face and hands of her father.

Singh’s father Gurdev Singh said he was proud of his son, who gave his life for the country. He said his son always wanted to join the armed forces.

The soldier’s father-in-law Captain Raghvir Singh Bhau (retd) echoed Gurdev’s sentiments. “He was brave and never feared anything. He was part of dozens of successful operations in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir. He brought laurels to the para unit and the Army,” he said.

Singh was cremated in Akhnoor in the presence of his family, senior officials of the administration and locals with full military honours. His brother and CISF jawan, Angad Singh, lit the pyre amid chants of “Jai Shaheed, Jai Army, Jai Hind”.

Tribune News Service

Solan, May 6

Paratrooper Pramod Negi, who was martyred in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri sector in an encounter with terrorists, was cremated with full state and military honours at his native place Shillai in Sirmaur district today.

Negi joined the Army in 2017 and was serving in the 9 Para Regiment. He was bestowed with a red cap due to his exemplary service in various operations and was deployed in the special task force. He is survived by a younger brother (also in the Army) and his parents. Ex-servicemen of Paonta Sahib and Shillai also mourned his untimely demise.

A large number of people turned up to pay their last respects to the brave soldier. His inconsolable parents spent anxious moments waiting for the body that arrived in the evening. Negi had talked to his parents only three days ago.

Shillai MLA Harshwardhan Chauhan was also present on the occasion. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also mourned the loss of Paratrooper Pramod Negi’s life. He said the people would always remember the supreme sacrifice made for the motherland. He assured the kin of all possible help from the state government.

PTI

New Delhi, May 7

Next year’s Republic Day Parade here could see all-women marching and band contingents with authorities working on such a proposal for the ceremonial event to be held at Kartavya Path, defence sources said.

The defence ministry, in March, had circulated an office memorandum to the three services and various ministries and departments on the planning for the 2024 parade, they said.

The memorandum mentioned such a proposal being considered and added that a “de-briefing meeting” was held under the chairmanship of the defence secretary in early February, the sources said.

After deliberations, it has been decided that the Republic Day Parade 2024 will have only women participants in the contingents (marching and band), tableaux and other performances during the parade at the Kartavya Path, says the memorandum.

A few all-women contingents, and women officers, including those leading military contingents comprising men, have taken part in the annual parade on Rajpath (now Kartavya Path) in the last few years.

India showcased its military might and vibrant cultural heritage during the 74th Republic Day Parade held on January 26 this year, with ‘Nari Shakti’ being a dominant theme.

The Indian Air Force marching contingent of 144 air warriors was led by a woman officer, with three supernumerary male officers in the 2023 parade, which was the first Republic Day celebrations held at the ceremonial boulevard since the revamping of the Central Vista and renaming of Rajath last year.

The first Republic Day celebrations were held in 1950 at the Irwin Stadium (renamed Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium), and since 1951, the ceremonial parade has been taking place on Rajpath.

Various states and Union Territories, besides several departments and ministries every year showcase culture and heritage, among other themes, through colourful tableaux.

In the 2023 parade, ‘Nari Shakti’ was the dominant theme in the tableaux of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Tripura.

The government in recent years has been pushing for a larger role for women in the armed forces.

In a historic first, the Indian Army recently inducted five women officers into its Regiment of Artillery.  

PTI

Rajouri/Jammu, May 6

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday took stock of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir’s border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, where terrorists have killed 35 people, including 26 soldiers, in eight attacks since October 2021.

The visit of the defence minister to Rajouri comes a day after five elite para commandos of the army were killed during an anti-terrorist operation in the forested Kandi area of the district.

Singh, accompanied by Army chief General Manoj Pande and Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, reached Ace of Spades Division headquarters in Rajouri after a brief stopover in Jammu, also interacting with the troops engaged in the ongoing operation against terrorists, the officials said.

Five army personnel were killed and a major-rank officer was injured during a combing operation — ‘Operation Trinetra’ — in the Kandi area on Friday. A holed-up terrorist was killed and one more is believed to be injured on Saturday morning.

Officials said the army chief reached Jammu from Delhi ahead of the defence minister, who followed him minutes later. The Lt Governor also joined senior civil and army officers in receiving the defence minister.

Northern Army commander Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Corps commander White Knight Corps, and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, are also accompanying Rajnath to Rajouri, the officials said.

After getting a brief on the operation in Kandi forest, the defence minister chaired a high-level security meeting to review the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in Rajouri and Poonch, before returning to Jammu, they said.

Earlier in the day, Lt Gen Dwivedi visited the encounter site and was briefed on the developments in the ongoing ‘Operation Trinetra’ by ground commanders.

Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu, which were declared terrorism-free more than a decade ago, have been rocked by a series of deadly attacks by terrorists in the past 18 months.

The loss of five jawans in Kandi forest is the third major incident this year. It took place at a time when the forces had been engaged in a massive combing operation for the past 15 days following an ambush on an army truck in Bhata Dhurian (Poonch). 

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 7

The Army’s Chandimandir-based Western Command is conducting a major field exercise during the month of May to validate offensive battlefield concepts.

Offensive formations of the Army will participate in the exercisethat will be carried out in the western regions of Punjab.

“The exercise is planned to validate offensive capability of formations post rebalancing, test efficacy of latest inductions,upgraded weapons and equipment,” an Army spokesperson said on Sunday.

The drill will also test the enhanced force ratios accrued of the forces along the entire western front as part of the proactive strategy.

Validation of tactical concepts of these formations on ‘canal-based operations’ and ‘fighting manoeuvres through built-up areas’ designed to launch a swift punitive blow to the adversary will be the key features of the exercise.

The exercise will put into practice the synergy between all arms and services, including the Indian Air Force, in a semi developed terrain.

It will be one of the biggest exercises in the recent times and will be witnessed by the top military officers, the spokesperson said.

PTI

Islamabad, May 6

A day after India criticised the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the foreign ministers of Pakistan and China on Saturday expressed their firm commitment to continue their cooperation on the multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects.

This came at the 4th edition of the Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad co-chaired by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang here.

“Pakistan and China have reiterated their abiding commitment to the high-quality development of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project,” state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

Earlier, speaking at a press conference after the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Goa, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said: “On the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, I think it was made very clear, not once but twice in the SCO meeting, that connectivity is good for progress, but connectivity cannot violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Later, Bilawal addressing a joint press conference with Qin said this year marked the completion of a decade of CPEC, which has accelerated socio-economic development, job creation, and improvement of people’s livelihoods in Pakistan.

The CPEC Corridor is a USD 60 billion corridor being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) with China’s assistance.

India is opposed to the CPEC as it passes through the PoK, giving China access to the Arabian Sea through the Gwadar port in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.

“This corridor project remains a win-win economic initiative opened to all investors around the world,” Bilawal said, adding that Pakistan reiterated its “abiding commitment to its [CPEC’s] high-quality development”.

“CPEC remains a shining example of the Belt and Road Cooperation, which is accelerated socio-economic development, job creation and improvement of the people’s livelihoods in Pakistan,” he said.

Bilawal also said Pakistan was profoundly grateful to China for its generous and timely assistance as “we continue to grapple with the headwinds in the global economy”.

He said Pakistan and China always supported each other on issues of core national interests in both bilateral engagements and multilateral forums. “We appreciate China’s steadfast support on all our issues including its principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.” “We deeply appreciate China’s firm support for Pakistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and national development as well as China’s principled and just stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.” India has previously criticised statements by Pakistani and Chinese leaders on the Kashmir issue, saying that New Delhi rejected their unwarranted references to the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

“We have consistently rejected such statements and all parties concerned are well aware of our clear position on these matters. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh are and always will be integral and inalienable parts of India. No other country has locus standi to comment on the same,” a Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson had said earlier in response to comments by China and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue.

The Chinese foreign minister said China stood ready to work with Pakistan to promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), accelerate the CPEC construction, deepen cooperation in fields such as industry, agriculture, information technology, and disaster prevention and mitigation, and help Pakistan restore its economy and improve people’s livelihood.

At the press conference, Bilawal said Pakistan and China have stood with each other for decades and will continue to do so in the decades to come. He said Pakistan will continue to firmly support China on all core issues of its national interests.

He reiterated Pakistan’s firm support for China “on all its core issues, including One-China policy, Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and the South China Sea”.

Bilawal said the partnership between the two countries has grown over the years and enjoys consensus across generations and political divides.

“We had an in-depth exchange of views on the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation. We agreed to the significance of this partnership for the mutual benefit of our two nations in the face of new developments,” he said.

The minister said Pakistan-China friendship is irreversible and the mutual warmth and trust between the peoples of the two countries is a shining example of multi-cultural cooperation.

“China can always count on Pakistan as its most reliable partner and trusted friend. Friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. The centrality and criticality of Pakistan’s all-weather partnership with China cannot be overstated,” Bilawal said.

He also said that Pakistan was against bloc politics or greater power competition of any kind and looked forward to working together with all countries to address common challenges of development and connectivity.

Arjun Sharma

Jammu, May 5

In a bid to promote tourism in border areas along China and Pakistan, the Ladakh administration has urged the Army to allow tourists coming from different parts of the country to visit villages close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Line of Control (LoC).

While the LAC is shared between India and China in eastern parts of Ladakh, the LoC is shared with Pakistan. The villages where administration plans to push tourism along borders include Gogra-Hot Springs along the LAC and the Mushkoh valley in Drass close to the LoC.

Kacho Mehboob Ali Khan, Secretary, Tourism, Ladakh, recently reviewed the tourist flow in border areas and ordered establishment of police posts at required locations for the proper management of tourist movement where it is allowed.

“He has also urged Army’s 14 Corps based in Ladakh to issue a written communication on the opening of Marsamik-la and Gogra-Hot Springs for tourists,” a Ladakh administration official said.

The Ladakh Tourism Department has also urged the Army to expedite the process and allow tourist till a designated location in the Mushkoh valley of Drass.

Khan has asked the Ladakh police to establish checkposts at Demchok, Sasoma in the Nubra valley and the Siachan base camp in consultation with defence establishments by May 15 as tourist season has already started.

The department is also planning to gather the tourist data of the Upshi, Serchu and Shinku-la areas on a daily basis. Data will also be collected from the Rezang La War Memorial and the Kargil War Memorial to assess the exact number of tourists visiting these sites.

Khan said, “Efforts are being made to promote border tourism, which aims at the comprehensive development of villages in border parts of the country.”

Noor Mohammad, Block Development Council (BDC) Chairman, Drass, said some areas in the region were as beautiful as the Kashmir valley but due to restrictions, tourists were not allowed in many parts, including the famed Mushkoh valley where tulips grow in abundance.

“It is mostly the Drass region of Kargil which witnessed action during the Kargil war. We want to bring development to the region by boosting tourism in the area for which I have submitted many memorandums to the administration,” he added.

PTI

London, May 6

Lord Indarjit Singh is the British Sikh peer who hands over a key item of the regalia to King Charles III during his Coronation at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday, symbolic of the multi-faith note being struck at the traditionally Christian ceremony.

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The 90-year-old peer will form part of a procession of peers who walk up to the altar before handing over the Coronation Glove, which is a demonstration of the Sovereign as advocate and challenger for the protection and honour of the people. It also bears a second meaning, as a reminder of holding power, symbolised in the royal Sceptre, gently in a gloved hand.

“It’s a great honour for myself, but much more for the wider Sikh community, in this country, in India and further afield wherever Sikhs are across the globe. It’s a recognition of the King’s view of inclusivity,” said Lord Singh, in an interview ahead of the historic ceremony.

He will be joined by Lord Syed Kamall, 56, of Indo-Guyanese heritage, who will represent the Muslim faith and present the Armills or a pair of bracelets and Lord Narendra Babubhai Patel, 84, will represent the Hindu faith and hand over the Sovereign’s Ring. Baroness Gillian Merron, 64, who is Jewish, will carry the Robe Royal to the King.

“As far as the procession goes, that is fairly usual and normal. It’s always there on a Commonwealth Day service. The unusual element is the presentation of the gifts, that we go in turn to the King who is seated on a throne on a platform and offer him – in my case, it will be the Coronation Glove,” he explains.

Singh, who is the founder of the Network of Singh Organisations (NSO) and was honoured with a CBE by the late Queen Elizabeth II for services to interfaith harmony, has known Charles personally for many years. The duo have discussed their shared views on the respect for all religions and the importance of religious harmony.

“I have known King Charles for many years, we met on many occasions, seminars, presentations, and I admire the work he is doing against global warming, care of the environment and so on. But I admire his attitude to religion even more,” said the community leader and prominent interlocutor on the Sikh faith in the UK. 

PTI

Imphal, May 6

The death toll in the ethnic violence which has engulfed Manipur increased to 54, officials said even as unofficial sources placed the figure at several scores dead and more than 150 injured.

Life returned to a wary normalcy in Imphal Valley on Saturday as shops and markets reopened and cars started plying on the roads.

Security presence which has been bolstered by flying in more Army troops and Central police forces was clearly visible on all major roads and areas. Roadblocks and cordons have been set up in areas where militant groups had engaged security forces on Friday.

Large number of people, including students, were seen assembled at Imphal airport to try get a flight out of the troubled state.

Meanwhile, an Assam Rifles column has been instructed to pick up all Naga students in Imphal from pick up points on Sunday for a trip back to Kohima.

Survivors at various refugee camps set up for victims of the riots which broke out on Wednesday night said several villages have been torched.

Nearly 10,000 Army, para-military and central police forces have been deployed in the state where rioting broke out after demonstrations were organized by tribals, including Kukis and Nagas, on Wednesday against a move to give the majority Meitei community, scheduled tribe status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of the population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals, who include Nagas and Kukis, account for another 40 per cent of the population and live mostly in the hill districts which surround the Valley.

Of the 54 officially declared dead, 16 bodies were kept in the morgue of the Churachandpur district hospital, while 15 bodies were at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal East district, officials said.

The Regional Institute of Medical Sciences at Lamphel in Imphal West district reported 23 dead, the official said.

Meanwhile, five hill-based militants were killed and two India Reserve Battalion jawans were injured in two separate encounters in Churachandpur district on Friday night, police said.

An encounter took place at Saiton in Churachandpur district between the security forces and the militants in which four militants were gunned down, the police said.

Militants opened fire at security forces at Torbung forcing them to return the fire. In the exchange of fire one militant was killed and two IRB jawans were injured, the police said.

A defence spokesperson said a total of 13,000 people were rescued and shifted to safe shelters, some in army camps as the Army brought Churachandpur, Moreh, Kakching and Kangpokpi districts under its “firm control”.

“In the past 12 hours, Imphal East and West districts witnessed sporadic incidents of arson and attempts by inimical elements to establish blockades. However, the situation was controlled by a firm and synergised response,” the Defence official said on Friday night.

The bodies were brought from districts such as Imphal East and West, Churachandpur and Bishenpur.

Many people with bullet injuries are also being treated at RIMS and Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences.

“Prompt response by Security Forces led to rescuing of civilians of all communities from various minority pockets of areas affected by violence. As a result, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Moreh and Kakching are now under firm control with no major violence reported since yesterday night,” the PRO said.

“Total of approximately 13,000 civilians have been rescued and are currently staying in various ad-hoc boarding facilities specifically created for the purpose within Company Operating Bases & Military Garrisons,” the defence official said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the situation in Manipur with Chief Minister N Biren Singh and top officials on Friday, even as the Centre dispatched additional security forces and anti-riot vehicles to maintain peace there.

Around 1,000 more central paramilitary personnel with anti-riot vehicles reached Manipur on Friday, sources said.

Trains to Manipur have been cancelled with immediate effect on Friday due to the prevailing in the state, a Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) spokesperson said.

Violence first erupted in Torbung area in Churachandpur district during the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organised by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) on Wednesday to protest the demand of Meiteis for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The march was organised by tribals after the Manipur High Court asked the state government last month to send a recommendation to the Centre within four weeks on the demand for ST status by the Metei community.

During the march in Torbung, an armed mob allegedly attacked people of the Meitei community, leading to retaliatory attacks in the valley districts, which escalated the violence throughout the state, police said. 

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