Month: October 2020

By Amiya Kumar Kushwaha & Sushil Batra

Corona Jihad, carrying out lone-wolf attacks, targetted killing of persons related to the RSS to hurt religious sentiments which may lead to riots, and targetting important leaders by using anaesthesia injection were among the plans in the discussion of alleged Islamic State members, said the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The NIA made the submissions in a chargesheet filed against five alleged operatives of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) accusing them of using the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)to instigate Muslims against the Indian government.

“The investigation established that the accused Sadiya and one Doctor Ishfaq had also discussed about ‘Corona Jihad’ and desired that Corona pandemic should be used to destroy country, which shows her anti-national mentality,” the NIA said in its chargesheet filed before a local court here in September this year.

The chargesheet named a Kashmiri couple, Jahanzaib Sami and Hina Bashir Beigh, Hyderabad-based Abdullah Basith and Pune-based Sadiya Anwar Shaikh, and one Nabeel Siddick Khatri as accused in the matter.

The NIA said that Facebook had blocked the account of Sadiya Shaikh due to posting of radical contents on the social media portal and added that she had also questioned by Anti-Terrorist Squad of Pune Police for her radical posts in 2015.

The agency, in its chargesheet, said the accused were also hatching conspiracy for exciting disaffection against the Government of India, for a raise funds for procurement of sophisticated weapons, explosive material for preparing IEDs and to commit unlawful activities for promoting and furthering the ideology of banned terrorist organization promoting enmity between different communities of the country and ISIS.

As per the facts, circumstances and evidence came on record, it clearly establishes the complicity of the accused persons Jahanzaib, Hina, Basith, Sadiya and Nabeel intention to establish Islamic State in India by making a base of ISIS in Kashmir, it said.

“The accused persons had conspired to propagate the ideology of ISIS by garnering support of the like-minded people to carry out terrorist activities in India in the form of carrying out terrorist attacks by way of exploding IEDs and also by way of mass killings by using heavy vehicles for rampage on the busy streets/roads with the help of lone wolf attackers thereby striking terror in the minds of the people, radicalizing and instigating the vulnerable Muslim youths to join ISIS, establishing small cells across the country to work for ISIS in India, raising funds, collecting weapons for carrying out lone wolf attack, making IEDs, target killing of persons related to RSS so that the religious sentiments could be hurt which may further result in riots,” the chargesheet said.

The NIA alleged that the accused wanted to utilize the anti-CAA protests by instigating Muslims against non-Muslims through social media and graffiti-making on walls, for arson the government building/ properties so that riots could happen and they could exploit gullible Muslims in joining ISIS.

“Thus all these accused persons were conspiring for exciting disaffection against Govt. of India, promoting enmity between different communities of the country on the ground of religion andfor committing subversive activities in India to carry forward the ideology of ISIS in India,” the NIA said in its chargesheet.

According to the chargesheet, after the arrest of a Kashmir couple, the other three accused had formatted their devices.

“In the end of 2019, Nabeel tried to make Hydrogen Gas by using drain cleaner, aluminium foil and water at his own protein shop situated at Kaushar Bagh, Pune with the intention to use it in the lifting of balloons. Such balloons were supposed to be used for explosion during riots for targeting non-Muslims,” the agency said.

The NIA also said that the probe has revealed that accused persons Jahanzaib and Nabeel were also planning to organise mass killings with the help of suicide belt or IED by invoking 3-4 persons of Middle-East countries or by running over a truck on the crowd gathered during Ganpati Festival and thus causing a stampede resulting in a large number of fatal casualties.

They were also planning to target important leaders by using Anesthesia injection, the NIA said.

Earlier Hina Bashir Beigh had contracted COVID-19 while in the custody of the NIA. The Special Cell had arrested the other three accused, for allegedly having links with Islamic State Khorasan Province on March 8. The case was later transferred to NIA. (ANI)

The Chinar Corps of the Indian Army on Tuesday celebrated the 74th Infantry Day at Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar here to honour the supreme sacrifice of the gallant soldiers in fighting the Pakistani invaders in Jammu and Kashmir in 1947.

The celebration began with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony by Lieutenant General BS Raju, General Officer Commanding, Chinar Corps. Officers of all ranks paid tributes to the fallen soldiers at War Memorial at Badami Bagh Cantonment here.

“I want to congratulate the personnel of the Infantry deployed at high altitudes and hinterlands on this day. The Infantry goes where no other power can. I pray for the well-being of our soldiers,” Lt Gen Raju told ANI here.

The Indian Army celebrates October 27 every year as the ‘Infantry Day’, as it was on this day that the 1st Battalion of the Sikh Regiment landed at Srinagar airbase and displayed resoluteness and extraordinary courage to thwart the evil designs of the Pakistan Army, who had invaded Kashmir with the help of tribal raiders in 1947.

Speaking about the situation in the Kashmir valley, Lt Gen BS Raju said, “The situation in the valley is better now. People should take advantage of this. Children should focus on their education and youngsters should look at ways to productively engage themselves. There are also many opportunities to engage in entrepreneurial activities here.” (ANI)

By Sahil Pandey

Reacting to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s ‘nine children’ jibe at RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on Tuesday said the former is resorting to such “unpleasant language” because he has realized that he is losing the elections.

“Nitish Babu is all set to lose. Now he is doing loose talks and making personal attacks. Nitish was considered to be cool-headed but he gets aggressive, threatens the youth and pushes them out of the rally. When an arrogant leader’s throne shakes and they use unpleasant language then it shows that his loss is visible,” Surjewala told ANI here.

The Congress Leader called the Jamoora comment made by Bihar Minister Sanjay Jha against LJP chief Chirag Paswan ‘undignified and unacceptable’.

“This language is undignified and unacceptable. This kind of language shows what is their mindset. JDU and BJP both are doing loose talks. In Nadda’s rally, seats were empty and Nitish Kumar is fighting with people. They are using this language as they can see their imminent loss,” he adds.

Defending the Mahagathbandan (grand alliance), AICC general secretary said, “Our alliance is above caste. JDU-BJP alliance is on fear, hatred, and divisions. Our Mahagathbandan is for progress, employment, industries, and the people will decide what is the truth. Sushil Modi destroyed Bihar in 15 years. Who couldn’t save Patna is aiming to save Bihar.”

In an apparent attempt, Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar made a personal attack on Lalu Prasad Yadav. Addressing a rally for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections 2020 on Monday, Kumar took a dig at Lalu for having nine children (seven daughters and two sons).

Nitish said these (Lalu-Rabri) are the leaders who have 8-9 children, including seven daughters. But, they have no faith in their daughters and promoted sons only.

The Bihar assembly elections will be held in three phases – October 28, November 3 and November 7 – and counting of votes will take place on November 10. (ANI)

Air quality deteriorates in the national capital with the rise of pollutants in the atmosphere and overall Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) is in the “very poor” category, said the Delhi Pollution Control Committee data on Tuesday.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 346 in Rohini, 329 in RK Puram, 377 in Anand Vihar, and 363 in Mundka, all four in the ‘very poor’ category, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

In an attempt to curb the increasing air pollution in the national capital, the Delhi government recently launched the ‘Red Light On, Gaadi Off’ campaign as part of its ‘Yuddh Pradushan Ke Viruddh’ (War Against Pollution) initiative.

Along with this, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai had also announced the launch of a campaign starting on Monday to include the citizens of the capital in raising awareness on air pollution. (ANI)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday held “warm and productive” meeting with the US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on key bilateral, regional and global issues and said the bilateral ties have grown substantially in every domain.

He said the two countries were working closely in plurilateral and multilateral formats and he was looking forward to 2+2 dialogue between the two countries on Tuesday.

“Warm and productive meeting with @SecPompeo. Discussed key bilateral, regional and global issues. Reviewed progress in ties: grown substantially in every domain. Our foreign policy consultations and cooperation have expanded,” Jaishankar said.

“Working closely on plurilateral and multilateral formats. Looking forward to the 2+2 Dialogue tomorrow,” he added.

The meeting between the two leaders came after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with US Defence Secretary Mark Esper.

Both Pompeo and Esper arrived here on Monday to take part in the third 2+2 dialogue between the two countries.

Pompeo said he was pleased to be back in New Delhi for constructive meetings including the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.

“Pleased to be back in New Delhi for constructive meetings, including the U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue with Indian Foreign Minister @DrSJaishankar, U.S. Secretary of Defense @EsperDoD, and Indian Defense Minister @rajnathsingh. Looking forward to productive discussions!” he said in a tweet.

Mark Esper also tweeted about his arrival in India for the dialogue.

“Happy to touch down in the world’s largest democracy. Thanks to Air Vice Marshal Alok Sharma & Ambassador Kenneth Juster for the warm welcome,” he said. (ANI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that BJP’s landslide victory in Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council elections clearly reflects Ladakh’s unwavering trust in BJP and Prime Minister’s leadership.

He thanked the people of Ladakh for “choosing development and prosperity”.

“BJP’s landslide victory in Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council elections clearly reflects Ladakh’s unwavering trust in BJP and Prime Minister’s leadership. I thank the people of Ladakh for choosing development and prosperity. Congratulations to our karyakartas of Ladakh unit of BJP,” Shah said in a tweet.

BJP President JP Nadda called the win historic and expressed his gratitude to the people of Ladakh for their faith in the party.

“BJP’s victory in Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh election is historic. BJP has won 15 out of 26 seats. I congratulate Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and all karyakartas of Ladakh unit of BJP. Gratitude to the people of Ladakh for their faith in BJP,” Nadda said in a tweet.

Congress won nine seats and independent candidates won from the remaining two seats.

Voting for LAHDC was held on Thursday. (ANI)

BJP leader Narayan Rane on Monday claimed that he felt that actor Sushant Singh Rajput did not die by suicide but was murdered, and if the case is probed then a Maharashtra minister will end up in jail.

Speaking to reporters, Rane said, “As far as Sushant’s case is concerned, I have been saying in the past as well that it is not a suicide but a murder. Since it is murder then on that night the person who went to Sushant’s house asked him about the murder of Disha and following that there must have been a fight between them and then Sushant was murdered in that fight, this is what I feel.”

“Also at that time, a minister was present in Sushant’s house. That is why I say that if the case of Sushant is opened then a Minister of Maharashtra will have to go to jail,” Rane added.

In August, Rane had alleged that Sushant Singh Rajput’s former manager Disha Salian, who died after she jumped off the 14th floor of a building in Mumbai’s Malad in June, was raped and murdered.

Addressing a press conference, Rane had said: “Disha Salian did not commit suicide she was raped and murdered. One of the young ministers from the current Maharashtra government attended the party where Disha Salian was also present… Maharashtra Government trying to save the culprit.”

“Mumbai Police Commissioner must bring the truth about Sushant Singh Rajput and Disha Salian’s murder,” he had said.

Rane had also claimed that Sushant Singh Rajput did not “commit suicide” and alleged that the actor was murdered. (ANI)

Filmmaker Mira Nair is planning to re-release 1991 ‘Mississippi Masala’ film as an anthem for the United States Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

At the launch of the Tribeca Chanel women filmmaker program, Through Her Lens, Mira Nair delivered a speech reflecting on her journey from India to Hollywood that began with her 1991 film Mississippi Masala, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Nair revealed that she is tracking down the negatives for rerelease as “an anthem for Kamala” Harris for her vice-presidential candidature. Harris is the daughter of an Indian mother and Jamaican father, added The Hollywood Reporter.

“When Mississippi Masala [opened], there were lines around the block of interracial couples from everywhere who wanted to see … people who looked like themselves onscreen,” she said during the afternoon tea, which featured remarks from Tribeca’s Jane Rosenthal and Paula Weinstein and appearances by the likes of Emilia Clarke, Glenn Close and Angela Bassett. “Three decades later, it continues to speak the truth.”

The Hollywood Reporter said it had reached out to Nair for clarification on the release plans but has not heard back as of press time. (ANI)

As many as 32 Naxalites including 10 women have surrendered at the Barsoor police station, here saying they were impressed by the rehabilitation drive ‘Lone Varatu’ (return to home) of the district police and were disappointed with the ‘hollow’ Maoist ideology.

Dantewada Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Pallava welcomed 32 Naxalites who surrendered collectively to the police on Sunday.

“Out of 32 Naxalites who have surrendered, 6 have rewards on their heads. Through this campaign ‘Lone Varatu’ (return to home) a total of 150 Naxalities have surrendered in the last three months, including 42 having rewards on their heads. At least 50-60 Naxalites want to surrender,” Pallava added.

In a statement, the police said that six of those who surrendered had a reward of four lakh rupees on their heads.

“Out of 32 Naxalites who surrendered, 19 are residents of Bakeli village. While there are four from Korkotti and three each from Udenar, Tumarigunda and Matasi villages. They are accused of attacking police teams, attacking officials associated with organizing elections and construction works,” the statement said.

The police did not reveal the identity of the surrendering Naxals, citing security reasons.

According to police, the Naxal who had surrendered are from the Naxalite Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan, Revolutionary Women Adivasi Organization, Chetna Natya Mandali (Cultural Branch of Maoists) and Janatana Government Group. (ANI)

Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas who is currently shooting for her upcoming project in Germany, on Monday took out a moment to practice golf “in between the shots.”

The 38-year-old actor who will soon be seen alongside Keanu Reeves in ‘The Matrix 4,’ took to Instagram to share a short clip of herself.

The video sees the Former Miss World dressed in an all-black attire paired with solid white coloured shoes. She is seen aiming at the golf ball with complete concentration in the video.

Making clear that she has squeezed out some time from her shooting schedule to hit the golf park, she wrote, “In between ‘shots’ #PracticeMakesPerfect,” in the caption.

The ‘Baywatch,’ actor had earlier last week posted a picture with her pet dog Diana in the streets of Germany. (ANI)