Saturday, November 23, 2024
Home Blog Page 2

Swara Bhaskar claims she and her Muslim husband are ‘progressive,’ had earlier canvassed votes for the ‘honour of Prophet Muhammad’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Swara Bhaskar claims she and her Muslim husband are ‘progressive,’ had earlier canvassed votes for the ‘honour of Prophet Muhammad’

Swara Bhaskar who is far more famous for her controversies than films, has yet again jumped to brazenly defend her duplicity after being called out by netizens. The small-time Bollywood actor who otherwise portrays herself as a beacon of feminism was recently spotted meeting a radical Muslim cleric and asking for votes in the name of the ‘honour of prophet Muhammad’ during the recently concluded voting for the Maharashtra assembly election. The result will be out on 23rd November.

Notably, many social media users pointed out the same and also highlighted her conservative attire. However, this didn’t sit well with Bhaskar who on 21st November posted a few photographs of herself in modern outfits with her politician husband Fahad Ahmad to assert that the couple is allegedly progressive. She also slammed the ‘sanghis’ for pointing out her glaring hypocrisy and wrote, “I didn’t realize my wardrobe choices post marriage are a national cyber debate (bizarre).”

Bhaskar, who is a close friend of UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) accused Umar Khalid then referred to the images she shared and termed them as “giving sanghi vermin more fodder for their dung.” She added, “I am sorry Fahad Ahmad doesn’t fit your stereotype of a conservative Muslim husband. LOL,” in a miserable attempt to project him as a liberal. It’s interesting to note that she deliberately chose to share these photos after the voting was over apparently to avoid upsetting MVA’s Muslim vote bank.

Notably, Bhaskar and Fahad Ahmad met extreme Islamist cleric Maulana Sajjad Nomani who had been urging Muslims to cast their votes in large numbers for the NCP (Nationalist Congress Party-Sharad Pawar faction)-Congress-Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) coalition (Maha Vikas Aghadi). Fahad Ahmad is the NCP candidate from the Anushakti Nagar Vidhan Sabha seat.

More importantly, Nomani is infamous for asking Muslims not to send their girls to schools and colleges as it is haram (forbidden) in Islam. Additionally, he warned that parents who send their daughters to school will be sent to Hell (Jahannam). Despite wearing a hijab, he stressed that Muslim females should never be left alone even if she is going to college.

On 17th November, while Bhaskar was campaigning for her husband she alleged, “It’s true that I was born into a Hindu family and it’s true that I married a Muslim. But I want to make it clear that it doesn’t matter which caste or religion you were born into to have respect for Prophet Muhammad,” in a bid to incite religious sentiments to win over Muslim votes.

She added, “Those who are repeatedly questioning the faith and religion of my husband, today I would like to ask them- Where was your faith when Anil Rathod arranged a gathering for Nitesh Rane here, where he insulted your Holy Prophet? Then where was your faith? Where was your faith when the rapists of Bilkis Bano were garlanded by BJP leaders.”

Chhattisgarh: Security forces eliminate 10 Maoists in latest encounter, total 207 Maoists killed in 2024 alone

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Chhattisgarh: Security forces eliminate 10 Maoists in latest encounter, total 207 Maoists killed in 2024 alone

On Friday, 22nd November, at least 10 Maoists were killed in an encounter in the Sukma district of Chhattisgarh.

The information was confirmed by the police who stated that the encounter took place in the jungles of Korajuguda, Datewada, Nagaram, and Bhandarpadar area of Sukma.

Sundaraj P, IGP, Bastar confirmed the operation and revealed that the District Reserve Guard (DRG) team and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) team were part of it.

“The forces had received intelligence about the presence of Maoists in the area. We are yet to identify the bodies of the Maoists recovered,” the IG said further.

As per the reports, the search operation in the case is still underway. However, until now, the police have recovered INSAS rifles, AK-47 rifles, and SLR rifles among others.

Notably, with this, the total number of Maoists killed in this year has reached 207. The authorities in this case were given a tip regarding the presence of Maoists from Konta and Kistaram areas. After this, an operation was launched during which the encounter suddenly broke out.

The 10 bodies of the Maoists have been recovered by the authorities.

Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai lauded the authorities for maintaining zero tolerance towards Naxalism. He said that maintaining peace and development in the Maoist-affected Bastar region is the state government’s top priority.

Further information in the given case is underway.

Congress spokesperson wanted to show photo of Gautam Adani with PM Modi, ends up showing a picture of Adani with Robert Vadra in a DD News show

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Congress spokesperson wanted to show photo of Gautam Adani with PM Modi, ends up showing a picture of Adani with Robert Vadra in a DD News show

The indictment of Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani by the US Department of Justice has given ammunition to the opposition parties to attack the Modi government. However, in desperation to establish their narrative that somehow Adani is corrupt because the US said so and PM Modi is also involved, Congress spokesperson Ajay Verma invited embarrassment and ridicule to his party on National television.

During a debate program on the Adani indictment issue on Doordarshan News on 21st November, Congress spokesperson Ajay Verma tried to push the opposition’s narrative that PM Modi and Gautam Adani are ‘very close’. To do so, the Congress spokesperson showed a picture on his mobile phone to the Television screen, which he thought was of Gautam Adani and PM Modi. However, the debate panellists were in splits as it turned to a picture of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s husband Robert Vadra with Adani. Appearing as a guest on the debate OnlyFact India’s founder Vijay Patel said, “This photo is with Jija Ji (Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s brother-in-law,) not Modiji”.

The Adani-Vadra photo mistakenly shown by Verma was taken in 2009, when Robert Vadra visited Adani’s port and SEZ in Mundra shortly after the UPA government returned to power. As per an HT report, Vadra’s visit was facilitated by a union minister, who was close to the Adani group.

Notably, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani and seven other executives had been accused in connection with an alleged plot to bribe Indian officials. US authorities claim that $250 million (Rs 2100 crore) in bribes were paid to certain Indian officials in exchange for preferential terms on solar power contracts obtained by Adani Green Energy Ltd and Azure Power Global Ltd.

While the Congress party and the leftist ecosystem have already believed and are passing off the US Justice Department’s ‘allegations’ against Adanis as proven truth, the US Department of Justice has accused Gautam Adani of bribing Indian government officials in various state governments between the years 2021 to 2022, of which not a single state was ruled by Modi’s Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). In fact, all the states mentioned in the indictment document were ruled by the anti-BJP parties at that time. In Tamil Nadu, I.N.D.I. Alliance partner DMK was and continues to be in power, in Odisha Biju Janata Dal (BJD) was in power, in Chhattisgarh Congress was in power, and in Andhra Pradesh, YSR Congress Party was in power between Jul 2021 and Feb 2022.

It is pertinent to mention Rahul Gandhi’s fixation with businessman Gautam Adani. Not a day goes by when the Gandhi scion does not say something slandering the businessman and accuses PM Modi of crony capitalism. The Gandhi scion and Congress party has over the last few years gone all out to implicate Adani as a partner in crime with PM Modi. In this line, he even coined terms like ‘Modani’ and claimed that PM Modi is ‘employed’ by Gautam Adani. The Congress party, however, fails to explain that if they are so convinced that Gautam Adani is corrupt and the Modi government treats him favourably, why the Congress government in Telangana signed four MoUs worth Rs 12,400 crore with the Adani group at the sideline of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2024 in Davos, Switzerland.

‘Awarded projects when in power, called him corrupt otherwise’: BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla exposes I.N.D.I. bloc’s hypocrisy over Adani row

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Awarded projects when in power, called him corrupt otherwise’: BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla exposes I.N.D.I. bloc’s hypocrisy over Adani row

On 21st November, Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla exposed the hypocrisy of the opposition parties, including Congress, in a debate with India Today journalist Rajdeep Sardesai over the recent allegations against Indian business conglomerate Gautam Adani. He drew attention to the fact that the opposition parties have been on good terms with businessmen whenever and wherever they’ve held power, awarding him projects but accusing him of corruption and attacking the saffron party when BJP-ruled states do the same.

He countered, “If Rahul Gandhi’s allegations are to be taken at face value, he is saying two things: Adani is completely corrupt and he has colluded with anti-national forces. By that logic how could you give any project to this man anywhere in the country including Rajasthan and Chhatisgarh (when Congress was in Power)? Adani’s visit to Sharad Pawar’s residence should be the most egregious offence. Tomorrow, he (Rahul Gandhi) should not sit with Sharad Pawar.

Poonawalla further pointed out, “You asked Supriya Shrinate a lot of questions but you didn’t ask her when Adani acquired the Mundra port.? When he did get the six SECIs (Solar Energy Corporation of India) that she was just screaming about. When did he enter the power sector and become the biggest power player? When did he get his first coal mine which was outside India? All during the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) tenure.”

He highlighted the blatant hypocrisy and stated, “I am not defending Adani. I am saying that if he is considered corrupt or has done something wrong then what allows the chief minister (Mamata Banerjee) to invite him and hand over Tajpur Port in West Bengal? If he is corrupt how come he is corrupt in one part of the country and not others? When Dighi Port was handed over to him by Uddhav Thackeray was he corrupt or not? Thirdly, I want to ask you a very specific question. The TMC (All India Trinamool Congress never demanded a JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee). I am reading an official statement of Derek O’Brien, ‘I appeal to the state governments to probe the Adani Group wherever they have a project.’ It is their stand.”

On 21st November, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi demanded the immediate arrest of Gautam Adani and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of protecting him. “It is now pretty clear and established that Adani has broken both Indian law and American law. I am wondering why Adani is running around as a free man in this country. It is a vindication of what we have been saying. The PM is protecting Adani and the PM is involved in corruption with Adani,” he claimed.

“American investigations have found him culpable in a Rs 2,000 crore scam. He should be arrested immediately. Madhabi Buch (SEBI chairperson) who has been protecting Adani should be arrested too,” he declared at a press conference in Delhi.

US prosecutors including Breon Peace with ties to anti-India billionaire Geroge Soros have charged Gautam Adani, his nephew and others with masterminding a USD 265 million bribery conspiracy to obtain state energy contracts between 2020 and 2024, drawing harsh accusations of corruption against the Adani Group, one of the country’s biggest corporations. However, the accusations have been deemed “baseless” by the Adani Group. The development has kicked a political storm in India with the opposition trying to exploit the opportunity for petty political gains.

‘We have lost everything’: Kashmiri Pandits lament as Jammu Development Authorities demolish their shops, assert they weren’t served any notices

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘We have lost everything’: Kashmiri Pandits lament as Jammu Development Authorities demolish their shops, assert they weren’t served any notices

On Wednesday, 20th November, massive outrage was witnessed in Jammu city as around 12 shops belonging to displaced Kashmiri Pandits were razed to the ground by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) without prior notice. The shops that were taken down were located on the land of the JDA in the city. This action enraged the shop owners who protested against the authorities and demanded action against them. 

According to officials, the shops, which were being removed as a part of the demolition drive, were constructed by displaced Kashmiri Pandits on the JDA land adjacent to the Muthi camp about three decades earlier. “The old shops were located on land belonging to the JDA, which had given a deadline to the Kashmiri Pandits to remove their arrangements on their own within three months, failing which encroachments would be removed,” the officials were quoted as saying. 

However, the Kashmiri Pandits who were settled in the locality three decades ago demanded action against the authorities saying that no prior notice was issued regarding the demolition of the properties. JDA Vice President Pankaj Sharma claimed that notices to the concerned parties were sent on 20th January and that they had ‘promised’ to vacate the shops. “After that due to elections, no action could be initiated from our side,” he said.

As per Sharma, there were 25 kanals of land in the Muthi area, where Kashmiri Pandit refugees were initially settled in one-room domed dwellings, followed by two-room apartment allocations in Purkhu and Jagti. “Since residences are to be built here for 208 underprivileged people, a tender has also been advertised. In such cases, we must evacuate the land. Despite this, the state has assured to set up ten shops for these people,” he said.

While this happened, several political parties like the BJP, PDP, and Apni Party expressed dissatisfaction over the action and demanded resettlement of the concerned Kashmiri Pandits.

“Heartbreaking scenes emerge as Kashmiri Pandit shopkeepers stand helplessly by the rubble of their demolished shops, reportedly brought down by the JDA without prior notice. This comes as yet another blow to a community that has endured unimaginable hardships for decades,” Mehbooba Mufti of PDP said.

“What began as targeted demolitions of assets of tribal community has now been extended to Kashmiri Pandits, further deepening their sense of alienation and loss. We urge CM Omar Abdullah to step in and address this grave injustice with compassion and urgency,” she added indicating that the shops were demolished without issuing prior notices.

She also shared a video of an old victim crying over the demolition of his shop saying, “We have lost everything. Where shall we go now?”

J&K Apni Party founder chief Altaf Bukhari said, “Jammu Development Authority (JDA) should not have demolished the temporary shops belonging to Kashmiri Pandit refugees at Muthi Camp, Jammu. These small establishments have been the primary source of livelihood for these poor migrants for over past three decades. If demolition was necessary, the administration should have first arranged alternatives to protect their livelihoods.”

“Such actions are disappointing, especially under an elected government that is expected to prioritize the welfare of its citizens. I urge the administration to ensure justice for the affected shop owners by either permitting them to rebuild their shops or providing them with suitable alternatives to sustain their livelihoods,” he added.

BJP spokesperson GL Raina meanwhile called the demolition an ‘act of revenge’ by the NC-Congress coalition government. He demanded to provide immediate alternative arrangements to the affected families.

JDA meanwhile reiterated that the said land of Muthi Camp has now been allotted for the construction of 208 flats for the economically weaker sections. However, Relief Commissioner Arvind Karwani assured that new shops would be built soon for the affected shopkeepers. 10 shops are almost ready for these people, which are in Camp-2.

Regarding this incident, the BJP further directly targeted the NC-Congress coalition government. It is believed that after the change of government, such action on the Kashmiri Pandit community could be a part of a political vendetta.

Notably, in October this year, the NC-Congress alliance formed a government in the Union Territory designating Omar Abdullah as the CM. Now, all the parties like the BJP, PDP, and Apni Party are requesting the CM to provide immediate alternative arrangements to the affected displaced Kashmiri families.

CPIM declares Adani ‘guilty’ of corruption just because some American lawyers say so, demands a CBI case to probe allegations made against him in the US

OpIndia Staff
-
0
CPIM declares Adani ‘guilty’ of corruption just because some American lawyers say so, demands a CBI case to probe allegations made against him in the US

On Thursday, 21st November, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPIM declared the Adani Group industrialist Gautam Adani guilty of bribery and accused the Modi-led government of protecting the businessman. This is a day after the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, charged prominent Indian executives including the Chairman of the Adani Group Gautam Adani by linking them to an alleged bribery and fraud scheme. Notably, the US Court levelled mere allegations against Adani, however, the CPIM declared the industrialist guilty of corruption as it demanded a probe into the case.

As the US Department of Justice stated, ‘the charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.’ However, the CPIM, in its statement, already declared the industrialist guilty after it indicated that the ‘large-scale bribery charges by Adani had to be exposed in the United States.’

“It is shameful that such large-scale bribery and suborning of government officials by the Adanis had to be exposed not in India but in the United States through their criminal justice system.  Gautam Adani and his business empire have had full protection from the Modi government in executing his unlawful and criminal activities,” the official press statement by the CPIM read.  

The statement also accused Prime Minister Modi of allegedly protecting the industrialist from investigation and inquiry. “PM Modi himself had shielded Adani from any enquiry or prosecution on the charges emanating from the Hindenburg expose,” it added.

“The Modi government cannot hide behind any smokescreen now. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) must be directed to immediately file a case based on the material provided by the prosecution in the United States.  Bribery of public servants comes under the Prevention of Corruption Act, under the CBI’s remit. A full-fledged investigation by an independent agency is required to unearth all other wrongdoings by the Adani group of companies,” the party demanded.

The Adani group meanwhile has denied all the allegations of alleged bribery levelled by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission. “The allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against the directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied,” the Directors of Adani Group stated. The Indian conglomerate further noted that all legal recourse is being sought.

On the other hand, CPIM party leader Brinda Karat while talking to the news agency targeted the BJP over the incident and stated that the BJP was protecting the interest of the Adani Groups. “We have demanded to book Adani on corruption charges and proceed against him, including arrest. We have also demanded that an independent investigation into all the other allegations should be conducted. Even in the Hindenburg revelations, he was defended. It is directly Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government led by him who have extended protection and defended Adani personally… It is a shame for our country that it is the United States of America’s Justice Department which has collected all this information because it believes that US Companies were misled,” Karat was quoted as saying.

“They are protecting the interests of their companies from this fraud by Adani. Whereas the government of India, led by PM Modi is protecting him and his companies and giving him permission, license, and patronage to loot India and India’s resources… What are you saying about India to the rest of the world? That this government is protecting the most corrupt entities? This is a time when it is in India’s interest that this man be booked immediately under corruption charges. And along with that, an independent investigative agency to look into all the other issues,” she added.

Commenting on the issue, BJP leader Sambit Patra then said that the company would defend itself and the law would take its course. “Today, since morning, we have been seeing in the media an issue regarding a company. There is a case against that company in the US. There are allegations and counter-allegations. We believe that as far as the company and the case against it are concerned, the company will issue a statement and defend itself on its own. The law will take its course,” Patra said while addressing a press conference.

He also slammed Congress President Rahul Gandhi for sensationalizing the issue unnecessarily. This was after Gandhi targeted Adani and the BJP government and demanded the industrialist’s arrest based on the allegations by an American probe agency.

“Today, Rahul Gandhi again showed the same behaviour and presented the topic as he used to present. This isn’t new. He has used the same names and the same ways through which he tried to put a new allegation on PM Modi. He always tries to sensationalize things and describe them in a way that how big the matter is. He did the same before 2019 when he raised the issue of Rafael fighter planes, he claimed that a big revelation would be made, this topic has geared momentum in the whole world, ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai’, etc… During the COVID 19, he used to do press conferences in the same way, but at the end, he had to go to the Supreme Court and apologize… It’s his way to attack the structure of India and the people who save it,” Patra said slamming Gandhi over the issue.

It is however, crucial to note that the Adani Group has strongly refuted bribery allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of the Adani Green. “As stated by the US Department of Justice, ‘the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.’ All possible legal recourse will be sought,” the statement by Adani stated.

Hypersonic ballistic missile hits Dnipro, Ukraine: Putin says it was ‘combat testing’ to show they can hit anywhere with nuclear warheads. What it means

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Hypersonic ballistic missile hits Dnipro, Ukraine: Putin says it was ‘combat testing’ to show they can hit anywhere with nuclear warheads. What it means

In what would be the first use of such a potent nuclear-capable weapon in the more than 1,000-day war Ukraine Air Force claimed on Thursday (21st November) that Russia had fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) towards the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, responded to the Ukrainian Air Force’s allegations by saying that Russia launched a hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile attack on a Ukrainian military installation, demonstrating Moscow’s capacity to target any nation whose armed forces were used against Russia.

President Putin said, “In response to the use of American and British long-range weapons, on November 21 of this year, the Russian armed forces launched a combined strike on one of the facilities of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine. In combat conditions, one of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested, among other things. In this case, with a ballistic missile in a nuclear-free hypersonic equipment.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the use of the new missile “a clear and severe escalation” in the war and demanded strong global condemnation. According to one US official quoted by Reuters, Russia warned Washington right before the strike, while another said the US had briefed Kyiv and allies on the possibility of using such a weapon.

Ukraine first suggested that Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile, a weapon designed for long-range nuclear strikes that had never been used in warfare. However, US authorities and NATO confirmed Putin’s classification of the weapon as an intermediate-range ballistic missile with a lesser range of 3,000-5,500 kilometres (1,860-3,415 miles).

Earlier this week, Ukraine fired 6 missiles into Russian territory. As per the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine fired six US-made ATACMS missiles at Russia’s Bryansk region. It was followed by British Storm Shadow missiles. The Ministry further stated that the Russian military shot down five Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as ATACMS, and damaged one more. This came after US President Joe Biden allowed Ukraine to fire American-made missiles supplied to the East European country into Russia. Russia had said that Ukraine’s use of the ATACMS, the longest-range missiles supplied by Washington, was a clear indication that the West intended to intensify the conflict.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, reacting to the development, said that the United States is “throwing oil on the fire” with the decision. Accusing outgoing President Joe Biden of increasing tensions with this decision, Peskov said, “If such a decision has been taken, it means a whole new spiral of tension and a whole new situation with regard to US involvement in this conflict”. Peskov also said that such a decision by the Biden administration signals NATO’s direct involvement in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Hypersonic missile strike on Dnipro: What it means

The Russia-Ukraine war has been creating concerns of a potential nuclear escalation since the day it started. The outgoing US President allowing Ukraine to fire American-supplied long-range missiles into Russian territory, barely weeks before he has to vacate his office for a new President, had effectively taken the war closer to becoming a nuclear conflict. Russia responded soon after with a major change in its nuclear doctrine, including a clause that would allow it to attack non-nuclear nations with nuclear weapons.

Visuals of the recent hypersonic missile attack on Dnipro show multiple hits and blasts. As per Putin’s press briefing, it was the latest Oreshnik missile system that Russia used for ‘combat testing’ on Ukraine, displaying that they are capable of hitting anywhere in Ukraine with nuclear weapons and they have a missile system that can evade the defence systems deployed in Ukraine. They are not officially NATO defence systems, but they have been supplied by NATO nations. Plainly speaking, Putin meant that the Oreshnik did not contain a nuclear warhead this time, but it could have. This was Russia demonstrating that they are capable of hitting Ukraine, or any other European capital, with nuclear warheads.

Videos of the blast on Dnipro showed multiple strikes. Reuters quoted Oslo-based missile tech expert Fabian Hoffman saying that the multiple strikes mean the missile was carrying MIRVed(Multiple Independently targetable Re-entry Vehicle) payload. The payload is exclusively associated with nuclear missiles. Ukrainian airforce has reported that the missile originated from Astrakhan in Russia, 700 km away from Dnipro.

The recent escalations, triggered by the Biden administration, also mean that when Donald Trump assumes office, he will have a difficult time to fulfill his promise of stopping the war. Trump has vocally criticised the relentless spending of US taxpayers’ dollars for sending military aid to Ukraine and fuelling a war.

Pakistan: Deadly attack on passenger vans kills over 40 people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram, reports indicate Sunni militants targeting Shias

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Pakistan: Deadly attack on passenger vans kills over 40 people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram, reports indicate Sunni militants targeting Shias

 At least 38 people were killed and 11 others were injured in a gun attack on passenger vans in the Ochat area of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Lower Kurram district on Thursday, the Dawn reported, citing the police. Latest reports from the area are saying that the death toll has risen to 44 after many injured persons eventually succumbed.

Station House Officer of Ahmady Shama, Kaleem Shah, confirmed the death toll and the number of people who got injured, which included three women, the Dawn reported.

Local reports say that most of the passengers in the convoy were Shia Muslims from Parchinar, and the convoy, despite being under the protection of police and the Army, was attacked by some Sunni militant groups as it entered Sunni-majority villages. Some independent reports stated that the death toll could be much higher. Viral videos on social media are displaying badly damaged vans with injured and deceased persons lying scattered.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, while speaking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court, also confirmed the same figures, describing the attack as part of a troubling series of incidents in recent days.

“This past week has been difficult and upsetting; now 38 people have been martyred in Kurram,” Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said. He assured that authorities were in close contact with provincial officials, emphasising that the government would support Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in any way possible, the Dawn reported.

“We see a new incident every day now and are in constant contact with the KP authorities, the KP inspector general of police, and the chief minister. They need help,” Naqvi said.

“They are one of our provinces, a part of our country, and we will not leave them behind…We are going to help however we can,” he added.

According to KP government spokesperson Barrister Saif, the attack began with an assault on police personnel before targeting the passenger convoy from both sides. The convoy reportedly consisted of around 200 vehicles, Saif said. He said that the area was attended by district officials, senior police officers, and emergency responders, and an investigation is currently underway, the Dawn reported.

Speaking to Dawn, Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud suggested that while sectarian violence had occurred in the region before, the targeting of civilians in this attack raised the possibility of terrorism.

Earlier, the medical superintendent at Alizai Hospital, Dr Muhammad Ishaq, reported 33 fatalities and 30 injuries, with many of the injured being referred to hospitals in the district and others transferred to Peshawar.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari described the assault on innocent passengers as a “cowardly and inhumane” act and called for swift punishment of those responsible.

“Attacking innocent passengers is a cowardly and inhumane act,” he quoted in a post on X by Pakistan Peoples Party’s media cell.

“The President stressed on the need to provide timely medical aid to the injured and take action against those responsible,” the post further read.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack, stressing the importance of providing the best medical care to the injured and promising to identify and punish the perpetrators.

“The enemies of the peace of the country attacked the convoy of innocent citizens, which is tantamount to brutality. All attempts of anti-national elements to destroy the peace of the beloved country will be thwarted…The evil elements involved in the incident will be identified and punished accordingly. Saboteurs cannot demoralise the brave Pakistani nation by such cowardly actions,” Sharif said, as reported by Dawn.

KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also condemned the attack and dispatched a delegation to Kurram to assess the situation.

Last month, two terrorists were killed in an operation in North Waziristan, and 12 security personnel were killed in a checkpost attack in Bannu.


(With inputs from ANI)

Canada: Indian consulate forced to cancel camps after Trudeau govt does not provide even ‘minimum security’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Canada: Indian consulate forced to cancel camps after Trudeau govt does not provide even ‘minimum security’

On Thursday (21st November), the Consulate General of India in Toronto informed that it had to cancel some consular camps after Canadian security agencies, at the behest of the Trudeau government, denied it ‘minimum security’.

In a statement, the Indian consulate stated, “Due to continued inability conveyed by security agencies to provide minimum security against heightened threats, Consulate has had to cancel some more consular camps. Most of them were not at any places of worship, including one at a Police facility.”

“Consulate is fully sensitive to the difficulties faced by close to 4,000 elderly members of the diaspora in the Greater Toronto Area- both Indian and Canadian nationals- who have been deprived of an essential consular service,” it further emphasised.

The development comes amid the ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada, caused by unfounded allegations of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against Indian diplomats of aiding in extra-territorial killings on Canadian soil.

This was not the first time that the Indian consulate was forced to cancel camps, owing to the failure of the Trudeau government to provide ‘minimum security.’

“In view of the security agencies conveying their inability to provide minimum security protection to the community camp organizers, Consulate has decided to cancel some of the scheduled consular camps,” the Consulate General in Toronto tweeted on 7th November this year.

Uttar Pradesh: Mohammed Zahid molests minor Hindu college student, tries to force her to marry and convert, arrested

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Uttar Pradesh: Mohammed Zahid molests minor Hindu college student, tries to force her to marry and convert, arrested

On Wednesday, 20th November, the Uttar Pradesh Police arrested an individual identified as Mohammed Zahid for forcing a Hindu minor student into marriage and conversion. The accused is a teacher at a college and it is believed that he molested a minor girl forcing her to convert her religion to Islam.

Zahid also offered her Rs 1 lakh and threatened to fail her in the college exams for not cooperating with him. The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the law and has been arrested by the Police.

According to media reports, Mohammed Zahid taught mathematics at National Inter College in Mandi Dhanaura area of ​​Amroha district. He expressed his ‘love’ for one of his Hindu minor students and tried to force her to marry him. Zahid also asked her to convert her religion and molested her for refusing to accept his proposal. The girl, notably, was a class 9 student.

The matter came to light after the Hindu student complained about the teacher at her home. She said that she was molested and was forced to marry and convert her religion to Islam. Following this, the family members initially informed the college principal about the teacher but no action was initiated. Zahid, however, continued with his misbehavior.

He again did obscene acts with the minor student inside the class. He then offered her Rs 1 lakh and continued to pressure her to marry him. He also threatened her that she would be failed in the college exams if she failed to accept his proposal.

After this, the family members of the Hindu girl contacted the police. They also organised massive protests in the college demanding strict punishment for Zahid. He, meanwhile, attempted to flee from the spot but the police apprehended the accused at the right time.

A case has been registered against Zahid under several sections including POCSO. The college management has also suspended him. Further investigations are underway.

123...6,973Page 2 of 6,973

Contact: [email protected]

About us

News and opinion website that brings you reports and narrative from a perspective often ignored or suppressed by the mainstream media of India.

Follow us

© OpIndia.com