Photo for representation only. Source: iStock.

Srinagar, April 10

The Army on Saturday paid floral tributes to Havildar Mohammad Saleem Akhoon who was shot dead by militants in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a solemn ceremony at Badamibagh Cantonment, Chinar Corps Commander, Lt Gen D P Pandey and all ranks paid homage to the gallant soldier on behalf of the proud nation, an Army spokesman said.

He said Akhoon was on leave in his native village and unarmed when he was attacked by militants on Friday.

The injured soldier was immediately evacuated to District Hospital Janglat Mandi, Anantnag, but the doctors there declared him bought dead.

Akhoon (43) had joined the Territorial Army in 2004 and belonged to Bijbehara village of Bijbehara tehsil in Anantnag district of south Kashmir.

Akhoon is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son.

“The mortal remains of Akhoon were taken for last rites to his native place, where he would be laid to rest with full military honours. In this hour of grief, the Army stands in solidarity with the bereaved family and remains committed to their dignity and wellbeing,” the spokesman said. — PTI 

Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, April 10

The Haryana Police detained several farm union leaders and supporters on Saturday as the protesters blocked the Kundli-Mewat-Palwal (KMP) Expressway as part of their ongoing protest against the central agri laws.https://www.youtube.com/embed/dM7vTqDTscQ

The police were seen forcibly removing the activists at Rewasan toll plaza to clear the way for motorists.

Farmers blocked the Kundli–Manesar–Palwal expressway at some places in Haryana early on Saturday.

Also read: Farmers block KMP expressway at three points in Jhajjar

The blockade started at 8 am and would last 24 hours.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of protesting farmer unions spearheading the agitation against the agriculture-related legislations, on Friday gave a call for a 24-hour blockade of the KMP expressway.

A long traffic jam was witnessed on both sides the KMP.

Farmers block the KMP expressway near Mandothi village in Jhajjar district on Saturday and protesters camp at the Rewasan toll plaza in Nuh. Sumit Tharan & S Chandan

Tribune News Service

Sonepat, April 10

Intensifying their stir against the Centre’s three contentious agricultural laws, farmers today blocked the 136-km Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) and Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal (KGP) expressways.

The call for a 24-hour blockade was given by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farmer unions spearheading the agitation. The blockade started at 8 am and will last 24 hours till Sunday morning.

Farmers, including women, carried flags of their organisations and raised slogans against the government. They squatted on the expressways while slamming the Centre for not repealing the farm laws.

As per the scheduled programme, hundreds of farmers gathered at the KMP and KGP zero point and then proceeded towards a toll plaza on the KMP e-way near Nahra-Nahri village where they staged a protest.

Farmer leaders Dr Darshan Pal, Jagjeet Singh Dallewal, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Surjeet Singh Phul, Harinder Singh Lakhowal and Baldev Singh Sirsa were also present at the toll plaza. They addressed farmers, appealing to them to maintain peace during the protest.

They also said the today’s blockade was a warning to the Centre.

Because of the road blockade, long queues of vehicles, especially commercial four-wheelers, were seen in Sonepat.

However, the SKM’s call for blockade did not evoke much response at Nuh, Manesar and Farukhnagar.

The blockade was scheduled to continue till 8 a.m. on Sunday. However, the Gurugram police had diverted traffic near Panchgaon and Farukhnagar and advised commuters to avoid travelling on the super expressway.

Suchha Singh of Phillaur said, “We have been camping at the Delhi Borders for the past four months, but the Centre did not pay heed to our demands.”

In Jhajjar, farmers blocked the KMP expressway at three points near Aasoda, Mandothi and Badli villages

Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan said, “It is a long battle, not against the Modi government but against the corporate sector. Farmers are ready for a long haul. They will continue their dharna until the three farm laws are repealed.”

SAD politicising sensitive issue, says CM

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. File photo

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 10

Terming the probe into the Kotkapura firing case as totally fair, impartial and unbiased, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday said his government will challenge the orders of the High Court for quashing the investigation of the Punjab Police SIT or removing its chief in the Supreme Court.

Reacting to media reports in this regard, the Chief Minister said he has directed the state government’s legal team in the case to examine the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court as soon as the copy is received, and prepare to challenge the same in the apex court if either the SIT probe is directed to be scrapped or its leader is asked to be removed.

He said he had full faith in the state’s legal team, headed by Siddharth Luthra, Senior Advocate from Delhi, who appeared for the state in the case before the High Court.

Won’t spare guilty, will ensure justice

The Kotkapura firing case will be taken to its logical conclusion and nobody who is guilty will be spared, irrespective of his political affiliation or position, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said, declaring his commitment to fulfilling every single poll promise of his government, including ensuring the much-awaited justice for the families of the victims of the firing case.

The case will be taken to its logical conclusion and nobody who is guilty will be spared, irrespective of their political affiliation or position, said the Chief Minister, declaring his commitment to fulfilling every single poll promise of his government, including ensuring the much-awaited justice for the families of the victims of the firing case.

Expressing full confidence in SIT chief Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh, and the probe conducted so far under his supervision, the Chief Minister said he was an extremely competent and experienced officer who had been working relentlessly on the case since the SIT was constituted. The inquiry is being conducted in a completely fair and unprejudiced manner by the SIT under the leadership of Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, he said, adding that neither changing the officer nor setting up a fresh SIT at this stage was acceptable to his government. He pointed out that the investigations were in an advanced stage, with four challans already filed against persons in the 2015 case that followed the Bargari sacrilege incident, with final reports submitted to the sessions court for trial.

The Chief Minister also slammed SAD president Sukhbir Badal for continuing to play “dirty politics” over such a grave and sensitive issue.

Pentagon claims Delhi’s misgivings misplaced

Photo for representation only. – iStock file photo

NEW DELHI, APRIL 10

India has lodged diplomatic protests here and in Washington DC over the passage of its warship, USS John Paul Jones, through its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) without consent. India and the US differently interpret a key clause in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

India is among the group of countries insisting that its consent is essential for an external military power to hold exercises, in particular those involving the use of weapons or explosives. The US, however, maintains that this interpretation restricts the concept of a free and open ocean, and needs to be challenged, which it does practically every year. The only additional element this year is that the US Navy also issued a statement immediately after the passage.

The Pentagon insisted that Indian misgivings were misplaced, stating it was an “innocent passage” to assert navigational rights and freedoms. Interestingly, the Pentagon claimed that the passage tool place through Maldives’ EEZ without requesting prior permission. — TNS

TMC election strategist dares BJP to release full conversation

As the fourth phase of polling in West Bengal concluded today, the BJP was quick to lap up the purported claims of ruling TMC’s election strategist Prashant Kishor to buttress its argument that the saffron outfit has gained popular support in the state.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 10

As the fourth phase of polling in West Bengal concluded today, the BJP was quick to lap up the purported claims of ruling TMC’s election strategist Prashant Kishor to buttress its argument that the saffron outfit has gained popular support in the state.

Prashant Kishor

BJP won’t cross 100-seat mark

I am glad BJP is taking my chat more seriously than words of their own leaders. They should show courage & share the full chat instead of getting excited with selective use of parts of it. I have said this before & repeating again – BJP will not to cross 100 in WB.

The BJP IT cell head and co in charge for West Bengal Amit Malviya argued that Kishor’s comments made to a few Delhi-based journalists during a social media audio discussion amounted to the TMC conceding defeat in the state Assembly elections.

Further, the saffron party’s IT cell went all out to amplify the clips of the purported audio conversation in which Kishor is heard saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to enjoy as much popularity in West Bengal as Chief Minister and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee. Kishor is also heard saying that 27 per cent Dalit voters in the state are voting for the BJP. In the audio, which Malviya shared on Twitter, Kishor can be heard making claims that there’s anti-incumbency factor against the TMC and it is also at the receiving end because of appeasement politics.

“On a day Bengal is voting for 4th phase on as many as 44 seats, TMC cadre and leaders woke up to find out that Mamata Banerjee’s election strategist (Prashant Kishore) has conceded the election. Every voter in Bengal has these videos on their mobile and is watching them as s(he) queues up to vote,” tweeted Malviya, who also claimed that the TMC election had just been thrown away.

Kishor purportedly stated during the conversation that PM Modi enjoyed cult status to an extent that a substantial chunk of population in the state gives him a demigod status. “There is anti-incumbency against the TMC and polarisation is a reality, says Mamata Banerjee’s strategist in an open chat,” Malviya said.

Taking purported claims of Kishor to strengthen BJP’s narrative against Mamata for minority appeasement, Malviya quoted TMC’s election strategist having said that “all that the Left, Congress and TMC ecosystem have done in the last 20 years is Muslim appeasement. It has resulted in resentment.”

Meanwhile, Kishor, on his part, also took to Twitter to counter the saffron party.

‘PM enjoys cult status’

Prashant Kishor purportedly stated during the conversation that PM Modi enjoyed cult status to an extent that a substantial chunk of population in the state considers him a demigod. “There is anti-incumbency against the TMC and polarisation is a reality, says Mamata Banerjee’s strategist in an open chat,” BJP IT cell head and co in charge for West Bengal Amit Malviya said.

India, China agree to maintain stability and peace on ground

So far, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China has been inflexible to this suggestion. As of now, the ‘disengagement’ has happened only at one sector — Pangong Tso. – File photo

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 10

India and China military-level talks have hit a deadlock. India has made it clear that pulling back troops from friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh could be done only after the Chinese army ‘disengages’ from areas like Gogra, Hot Springs and the Depsang plains.

So far, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China has been inflexible to this suggestion. As of now, the ‘disengagement’ has happened only at one sector — Pangong Tso.

A statement of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) today gave details of the outcome of the meeting of military commanders on Friday. “It was highlighted that completion of disengagement in other areas would pave the way for two sides to consider de-escalation of forces and ensure full restoration of peace and tranquility and enable progress in bilateral relations,” it said.

Sources in New Delhi explained that until there was a timeline for the three-step process for pulling back troops, weapons and war equipment from the entire stretch of the LAC in eastern Ladakh, India could not focus on a complete pull back only for the Pangong Tso sector.

The MoD statement came after a marathon 13-hour meeting between the Corps Commander-level officers of both sides at the Chushul-Moldo border point on April 9 that ended around 11. 30 pm. “The two sides had a detailed exchange of views for the resolution of the remaining issues related to disengagement along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh,” it said.

The two sides agreed to jointly maintain stability on the ground, avoid new incidents and jointly maintain peace in the border areas.

ndia has established a bilateral air bubble arrangement with Sri Lanka for operation of special international passenger flights between the two countries, the Civil Aviation Ministry said on Saturday. – File photo

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 10

India has established a bilateral air bubble arrangement with Sri Lanka for operation of special international passenger flights between the two countries, the Civil Aviation Ministry said on Saturday.

With this, India now has such pacts with 28 countries, including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Canada, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, the Maldives, Nigeria, Qatar, the UAE, the UK and the USA.

Under an air bubble pact between two countries, special international passenger flights can be operated by their airlines into each other’s territories under restrictive conditions stipulated by the respective countries.

“India has finalised an air bubble agreement with Sri Lanka, making it the sixth such arrangement in SAARC region and the 28th in total,” the Civil Aviation Ministry said on Twitter. “Eligible passengers will be able to travel between the two countries in the near future,” it stated.

Scheduled international flights have been suspended in India since March 23, 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But special international passenger flights have been operating under the Vande Bharat Mission since May last year and under bilateral air bubble arrangements since July.

The 240th Corps Commanders’ Conference chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa was held at GHQ, Rawalpindi and the participants undertook a comprehensive review of global, regional and domestic security environment.
The Pakistan Army’s top brass on Thursday discussed the situation along the border with India, including the Line of Control, after an agreement to restore the ceasefire agreement.
The 240th Corps Commanders’ Conference chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa was held at GHQ, Rawalpindi and the participants undertook a comprehensive review of global, regional and domestic security environment.
The army said in a statement the forum expressed confidence in operational preparedness of the army displayed during recently-held formation exercises.
“Forum held a detailed discussion on the situation along the Eastern Border/LOC especially the environment post ceasefire understanding 2021 between the DGMOs,” it said.
In February, Pakistan and India agreed to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and address each other’s core issues and concerns which have the propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence.
An agreement was reached between the two countries after the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact.
A joint statement issued in Islamabad and New Delhi after the talks said the two sides reviewed the situation along the LoC and all other sectors in a “free, frank and cordial atmosphere.”
“Both the DGMOs have agreed that the existing 2003 understanding should be implemented in letter and spirit,” Pakistani army spokesman Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar had said.
The conference also expressed satisfaction over positive developments in Afghan peace process and efforts made so far.
The meeting was also apprised about military engagements with friendly countries.
The commanders undertook a detailed review of security situation in the newly-merged districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
The meeting also reviewed internal security situation, including the ongoing third wave of COVID-19 and reaffirmed the resolve of the armed forces to extend full support to civil administration in controlling the pandemic.
The Corps Commander Conference is held regularly to review the external and internal security situation.
Meanwhile, a two-week long multinational air exercise ACES Meet 2021-1 hosted by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) concluded on Thursday at one of its Operational Bases.
Saudi defence attaché Air Vice Marshal (Pilot) Staff Awad Abdullah Al Zahrani and US Air Attache Colonel Wallin David were also present in the ceremony along with observers from Bahrain, Egypt and Jordan.
“With the successful and meaningful conduct of exercise, we have consolidated our resolve that we stand by each other as allies and friends,” said Air Commodore Ali Naeem Zahoor, Base Commander PAF Base.
The exercise was organised by the Airpower Centre of Excellence (ACE) set up by the PAF in 2016 to transform air force capabilities to meet future challenges and to strengthen relations with friendly air forces.