Politics

Ready to foil any infiltration bid by Pakistan, say Indian soldiers

Balakot, Aug 22 (ANI): Indian soldiers posted in forward areas of India Pakistan border, in state of Kashmir say they are ready to foil any attempts by Pakistan to pump in infiltrators across the border. Kashmir has witnessed almost uninterrupted ceasefire violation by Pakistan since August 15. Heavy firing by Pakistan Rangers had commenced last night in the area of Abdulian and Korotana from 2 AM and continued till 6 AM in the morning. Commanding officer of Indian Army’s Bihar Regiment, S Chatterji said, his unit has witnessed 12 instances of ceasefire violation by Pakistan in last month alone. But Chatterji is positive that the Indian Army, along with the paramilitary force BSF (Border Security Force), will hold their ground and stop any attempt to infiltrate by Pakistanis. Chatterji assured that in spite of difficult terrain, the border fence is guarded 24 x7and any bid to infiltrate will be foiled. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his speech, accused Pakistan of waging a "proxy war" by sending militants to attack India.

Aug 22, 2014

Pakistani army again violates ceasefire in Kashmir, one civilian injured

Rajouri, Aug 22 (ANI): Villagers in Kashmir are living under the shadow of death as Pakistan army continues to violate ceasefire along the Line of Control. Heavy firing by Pakistan Rangers commenced last night in the area of Abdulian and Korotana from 2 AM and continued till 6 AM in the morning. One civilian has been injured after a shell hit his home near the LoC. No casualties have been reported. The Pakistani army targeted BSF posts in the RS Pura sector, forcing Indian soldiers to retaliate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his speech, recently accused Pakistan of waging a "proxy war" by sending militants to attack India. Earlier, Modi government had called off Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pakistan citing the country's meetings with Kashmiri separatists and continuous ceasefire violations.

Aug 22, 2014

India will not be cowed down by anyone, says BJP chief to Pakistan

Hyderabad, Aug 22 (ANI): BJP chief Amit Shah said that India will not be cowed down by anybody and there will be no compromise on national honour and integrity. Addressing BJP workers in Hyderabad, Shah said the BJP-led government has made it clear that there will be no compromise on national pride. He said the decision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government to call off dialogue with Pakistan over the latter's move to hold talks with Kashmiri separatist leaders demonstrates India's new foreign policy. Shah took over as BJP chief on July 09.

Aug 22, 2014

Kerala Heading Gujarat Way? Liquor to be Banned, Residents Left High and Dry

India's biggest consumer of alcohol, Kerala, will be liquor-free in 10 years, after the ruling United Democratic Front coalition called for prohibition, phased over 10 percent reduction each year.

Aug 22, 2014

Hajj pilgrims undergo training session in Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 22 (ANI): For the first time, a special training program was organised for aspiring Hajj pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday (August 21). The two-day orientation program in Srinagar was a joint initiative by the district administration and Hajj Training Forum Bangalore and the State Hajj Committee. Based on the past experiences of pilgrims, the authorities organised the training program, where videos were played to give a real-time feel of the pilgrimage. The pilgrims were directed on what kind of suitcases and handbags to be carried. They were also asked to keep photocopies of passports and were told about the importance of the pilgrimage. Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Shah, said the first-of-a-kind training program would help pilgrims undertake pilgrimage without any hurdles.

Aug 22, 2014

Russian park of Communist achievements gets a makeover

After communism collapsed, the massive Moscow exhibition centre extolling the virtues of the planned economy fell into disrepair, but a spurt of Soviet nostalgia has given the facility a facelift. Duration: 02:10

Aug 22, 2014

Animal fans embrace their wild side on the streets of Berlin

Fans of dressing up as furry animals connected with their wild side, taking part in a costume parade in Berlin. Duration: 01:05

Aug 22, 2014

Syrians return to Qadam district after reconciliation deal

The Syrian authorities and rebels agreed to a truce in the southern Damascus district of Qadam which was a battlefield for more than a year. Duration: 00:33

Aug 22, 2014

Artillery pounding leaves Donetsk residential street in ruins

Fierce fighting between government forces and pro-Russian rebels left dozens of civilians dead on Wednesday with artillery pounding central Donetsk as Ukrainian troops pushed on with a bloody offensive. Duration: 00:38

Aug 22, 2014

Bihar Bypolls: 42.27% Turn Out as Suspense Increases

Bihar bypolls saw a 42.27 percent turn out till 4pm on Thursday.

Aug 21, 2014

Nine people killed in Assam-Nagaland border violence

Guwahati, Aug 21 (ANI): Police said on Thursday (August 21) that nine people have been killed due to violence in border areas of Assam and Nagaland. Director General of Police of Assam's capital, Guwahati, said that several reasons were responsible for ignition of the issue, including armed tribals. Meanwhile, Mos for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, met chief ministers of Assam, Tarun Gogoi, and Nagaland, TR Zeliand, on Thursday to find solution to the flaring chaos. The situation turned tense after 22 people were injured in clashes between the police and protesters in Gologhat district of Assam on Wednesday (August 20). The security was stepped up and army staged a flag march in Golaghat.

Aug 21, 2014

Assam-Nagaland border clashes: Gogoi, Zeliang assure resolving issue at the earliest

Guwahati, Aug 21 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday met his Nagaland counterpart TR Zeliang today to hold discussions over the simmering tension along the border of two states. Both chief ministers also met Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju to find out ways to reduce tension between the two states. The chief ministers said that they are making sincere efforts to resolve the clashes at the border.

Aug 21, 2014

Sanjiv Chaturvedi not eligible for AIIMS CVO post: Harsh Vardhan

New Delhi, Aug 21 (ANI): Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan said on Thursday that Indian Forest Service officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi is not eligible for the post of Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Chaturvedi, an Indian Forest Service officer of the Haryana cadre, was removed from the post of Chief Vigilance Officer ( CVO) of AIIMS. This was done even though his appointment order had been for a fixed tenure of four years, ending in June 2016. Chaturvedi also has a reputation as a whistle blower and was reportedly transferred numerous times for exposing scams.

Aug 21, 2014

BJP is conspiring to break country's federal structure: Jharkhand CM

Ranchi, Aug 21 (ANI): Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday alleged that BJP is conspiring to break the country's federal structure which has come under threat as non-BJP CMs are being jeered at government functions in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After Maharashtra and Haryana Chief Ministers, it was the turn of Hemant Soren to be hooted by crowds in the presence of Modi at a function in Ranchi on Thursday to inaugurate a power project. As soon as Soren came up on the stage for his speech, the attendees of the rally started hooting at him.

Aug 21, 2014

SC issues notice to centre on Uttarakhand governor's plea

Haridwar, Aug 21 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Thursday referred a case regarding the removal of Uttarakhand governor Aziz Qureshi to a five-judge bench after Qureshi approached the Court challenging the Narendra Modi-led government's move to make him quit the post.The court response came after senior consul Kapil Sibal said that a governor can only be removed by the president and the home secretary could not just pick up the phone and ask him to resign. He said there has to be a procedure to secure the resignation of a governor.

Aug 21, 2014