Month: August 2021

Three sniffer dogs Maya, Ruby and Bobby have returned to India after serving three years with Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) commandos in Afghanistan.

The three ITBP sniffer dogs were airlifted along with 99 commandos of the ITBP, 30 diplomats and 21 civilians from Kabul after India evacuated its embassy and all its staff from Afghanistan post its capture by the Taliban.
The special flight, C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the IAF that took off from the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Tuesday morning with 120 people, including the Indian ambassador and embassy staff made a brief halt at Gujarat’s Jamnagar airforce base before landing at Hindon Indian Air Force Base in Ghaziabad in the evening.

The dogs, part of the K-9 sniffer dog squad part of the 150-member paramilitary personnel deployed at the Indian Embassy in Kabul, had a challenging task in ensuring the safety of all Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials positioned at the Indian Embassy.

The canines were trained at the ITBP Centre NTCD (National Training Centre for Dogs), Bhanu, in Panchkula and were deployed at the Indian Embassy in Kabul sometime in 2019. According to ITBP they worked with zero errors to sniff out terror and secure Indian assets in Kabul.

India evacuated its embassy and all of its staff from Afghanistan in the Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft on Monday and Tuesday.

The Indian officials from Kabul landed at Jamnagar, Gujarat yesterday, and were brought to Delhi later.

Two IAF transport aircraft later landed at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad with people who were evacuated from Kabul to Jamnagar. IAF had sent additional C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to Jamnagar to bring passengers to Delhi.

India has been issuing periodic travel and security advisories for all Indian nationals in Afghanistan, given the deteriorating security situation in the country.

Taliban entered Kabul on Sunday and took over the presidential palace. Thousands of people rushed to the airport in order to leave the country leading to chaotic scenes there. (ANI)

The Delhi court on Wednesday cleared Congress leader Shashi Tharoor of charges in connection with the case involving the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar.

Special Judge Geetanjali Goel of the Rouse Avenue Court said that the accused was discharged and asked him to file a bond.
Shashi Tharoor, who was present during the virtual hearing, thanked the court and said it had been absolute torture for the past seven-and-half years.

Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa told the court that they will be filing the bond today or tomorrow. Tharoor was represented by Senior advocate Pahwa and lawyer Gaurav Gupta.

Public Prosecutor Atul Kumar Srivastava represented Delhi Police in the matter.

Pushkar was found dead in a suite of a luxury hotel in Delhi on the night of January 17, 2014.

Tharoor was the main accused in the matter according to the Delhi Police.

The former union minister, who is currently on bail in the case, was charge-sheeted by Delhi Police under Sections 498-A (husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) and 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Special Judge Geetanjali Goel recently reserved the order after prosecution and defence counsel concluded their arguments on the issue of framing of charges.

Earlier, Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava stressed that Pushkar has undergone mental cruelty which led to her bad health. The Public Prosecutor also argued that it was not an accidental death and relied on the post mortem report which suggested that the cause of death is poisoning which could be oral or injected.

Srivastava had also said that due to the mental cruelty caused to Pushkar, her health became worse. He further added that Pushkar was not facing any health issues earlier but problems begun due to “stress and betrayal”.

Tharoor’s Defence counsel and Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa said that prosecutors were not able to establish evidence against the leader and the theory of injecting poison is in the air and cannot be admissible.

Tharoor’s lawyer also read the statement by Sunanda’s son recorded under section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, in which he had said, “In the mortuary of AIIMS, I asked the doctor who conducted the post mortem about the case of death, he (doctor) responded that there is no foul play or poisoning but the same doctor later went to the media and said that death is due to poisoning. Shashi cannot harm even a fly.” (ANI)

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday asked India’s first-ever Gold Medallist in track and field Neeraj Chopra to head a centre of excellence to groom athletes for the Olympics.

Speaking to the media after meeting Chopra in Chandigarh today, Khattar said, “We are thinking of making the state a hub of sports. It will only happen if all such athletes play their part in it and take it as their responsibility. India has got the 48th position for the first time in the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics. But we are not satisfied with the position. We will try to push the ranking forward to be among the top countries of the world.”
“I have asked Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra to head the centre of excellence to groom athletes for the Olympics. We want to make Haryana a hub of sports,” he added.

Responding to this Chopra said that he will think about it.

“I will think about being the head of a centre of excellence to groom athletes for the Olympics in Haryana. I will try my best to promote sports in the country,” said Chopra.

Chopra, who has already set his sights on the World Championships title next year, added “Right now, my target is to bring a medal in the world championship next year.”

The 23-year-old created history as he became the first from the country to win a gold in track and field in the Olympics. He threw the javelin to a distance of 87.58m to pick the yellow metal at the Tokyo Games.

Neeraj’s historic golden throw in the Olympics has been listed as one of the 10 magical moments of athletics (track and field) in the Tokyo Olympics by World Athletics. (ANI)

As many as 75 refugees from Pakisan belonging to the Sindhi community who had escaped from the neighbouring country due to “harassment” were granted Indian citizenship in Indore on Tuesday as part of the commemoration of 75 years of India’s independence.

The citizenship certificates were given in the presence of BJP Member of Parliament Shankar Lalwani, former MLA Jitu Jirati and Collector Manish Singh.

Murlilal Madhvani, who arrived in India three decades ago, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the citizenship.

“We were harassed in Pakistan, so we came to India 32 years ago. It has been 32 years since we are living in this nation. Today, we are getting citizenship in India. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this,” he said.

Anjali Kalra, another refugee, said, “We came to India 17 years ago from Pakistan, including family. There were a lot of problems for Sindhis in Pakistan. I thank the Indian Government for accepting us.”

Shankar Lalwani, BJP MP from Indore, who himself belong to the Sindhi community, said more than 600 Pakistani Sindhis living in Indore have been given citizenship so far.

“These Pakistani nationals were living in Indore on long term visa. Today we are giving citizenship to 75 people on the 75th Amrit Mahotsav of Independence. More than 600 Pakistani Sindhis living in Indore have been given citizenship so far,” he said.

Talking about the situation in Afghanistan, he said, “The situation is very critical now. The Central government is working in the right way.” (ANI)

Giving a slew of assurances on issues ranging from women’s rights and safety of Afghan nationals who worked with foreign troops, the Taliban on Tuesday “pledged” that the Islamic emirate in Afghanistan will not pose a threat to any country.

In the first presser in the capital city after the siege of Afghanistan, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid was quoted by TOLO News as saying that “soon they will reach a settlement through which an Islamic government will be established in the country.”

On Sunday, the Taliban entered Kabul and took control of the presidential palace. Taliban leaders have been discussing future government plans in Doha after gaining control of Kabul.

“We want to establish a government that includes all sides,” Mujahid said, adding that they want an end to the war.

Older generations remember the ultraconservative Islamic regime that saw regular stoning, amputations and public executions during Taliban rule before the US-led invasion that followed the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. Under the Taliban, which ruled in accordance with a harsh interpretation of Islamic law, women were largely confined to their homes.

Answering a question about differences between 1990s Taliban and present time, Taliban spokesperson said “the ideology and beliefs are the same because they’re Muslims, but there is a change in terms of experience–they’re more experienced and have a different perspective.”

The Taliban spokesperson assured that the group is committed to providing women with their rights based on Islam. “Taliban are committed to providing women with their rights based on Islam. Women can work in the health sector and other sectors where they are needed. There will be no discrimination against women.”

Mujahid said they have pardoned everyone and will not take revenge against anyone, including former military members and those who worked with the foreign forces. “No one will search their houses,” he said, as quoted by TOLO.

The spokesperson said, “They want all media outlets to continue their activities. “They have three suggestions: No broadcast should contradict Islamic values. They should be impartial, no one should broadcast anything that goes against our national interests.”

Over security of diplomatic missions, Mujahid said that the security of foreign embassies is important to them and they pledge that the embassies will be completely safe.

“The security of embassies in Kabul is of crucial importance to us. We would like to assure all foreign countries that our forces are there to ensure the security of all embassies, missions, international organizations, and aid agencies,” he added.

The spokesperson also informed that Taliban deputy leader and co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has returned to Afghanistan.

Earlier today, the Taliban had announced a “general amnesty” for all Afghan government officials and urged them to return to work, including women corresponding with Sharia law. (ANI)

The government is committed to the safe return of all Indian nationals from Afghanistan and will institute flight arrangements once Kabul airport is open for commercial operations, MEA said on Tuesday.

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a release that the main challenge for travel to and from Afghanistan is the operational status of Kabul airport and this has been discussed at high levels with India’s partners, including by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

The release said in view of the prevailing situation in Kabul, it was decided that Indian Embassy personnel would be immediately moved to India.

It noted that a number of Indians are stranded in that country, some of whom are employed by third country organizations.

“This movement has been completed in two phases and the Ambassador and all other India-based personnel have reached New Delhi this afternoon,” it said.

“Nevertheless, we understand that a number of Indians are stranded in that country, some of whom are employed by third country organizations. Our immediate priority is to obtain accurate information about all Indian nationals currently in Afghanistan. They and or their employers are requested to urgently share the relevant details with MEA’s Special Afghanistan Cell,” it added.

The MEA said it has already received requests from Afghan Sikh and Hindu community leaders, and are in touch with them.

“As regards Afghan nationals, our visa services will continue through an e-Emergency visa facility, which has been extended to Afghan nationals. This can be accessed through our e-visa portal,” the release said.

The MEA said the government has been issuing periodic travel and security advisories for all Indian nationals in Afghanistan, given the deteriorating security situation there.

Those already in Afghanistan were urged to return immediately while others were advised not to travel there, it said.

“The main challenge for travel to and from Afghanistan is the operational status of Kabul airport. This has been discussed at high levels with our partners, including by EAM with the US Secretary of State. Government of India is committed to the safe return of all Indian nationals and will institute flight arrangements once Kabul airport is open for commercial operations,” the release said.

Taliban had entered Kabul on Sunday and took over the presidential palace. (ANI)

The evacuation of 120 Indian nationals from Afghanistan to Jamnagar on Tuesday came about with India parking its C-17 aircraft at Ayni Air Base in Tajikistan as there was a huge rush at Kabul airport.

Sources said India parked its C-17 Globemaster at IAF’s Ayni Air Base in Tajikistan for its use in evacuation.
They said Indian aircraft were on standby at Ayni Air Base and C-17 flew to Kabul when cleared by the US which is controlling Kabul airport.

Taliban entered Kabul on Sunday and took over the presidential palace. Thousands of people rushed to the airport in order to leave the country leading to chaotic scenes there . It made impossible for any aircraft to the airport.

The Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster with 120 people, including the Indian ambassador and embassy staff, landed at Jamnagar airbase from Afghanistan earlier in the day.

Two IAF transport aircraft later landed at Hindan airbase in Ghaziabad with people who were evacuated from Kabul to Jamnagar. IAF had sent additional C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to Jamnagar to bring passengers to Delhi.

India is also exploring options to hire charter planes to evacuate more Indians from Afghanistan, sources said.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday that the government is committed to the safe return of all Indian nationals from Afghanistan and will institute flight arrangements once Kabul airport is open for commercial operations.

The MEA said in a release that the main challenge for travel to and from Afghanistan is the operational status of Kabul airport and this has been discussed at high levels with India’s partners, including by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

The release said in view of the prevailing situation in Kabul, it was decided that Indian Embassy personnel would be immediately moved to India.

It noted that a number of Indians are stranded in that country, some of whom are employed by third country organizations.

“This movement has been completed in two phases and the Ambassador and all other India-based personnel have reached New Delhi this afternoon,” it said. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

The meeting is being held in the backdrop of the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover of the country.
The meeting is being attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla is among the senior officials present.

Earlier in the day, an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster with 120 people, including the Indian ambassador and embassy staff, landed at Jamnagar airbase from Afghanistan.

Sources said Prime Minister has been constantly in touch with officials regarding the situation. He was taking stock of the situation till late night yesterday and was updated when the flight took off. He instructed that adequate arrangements shall be made to ensure providing food for all those who returned at Jamnagar in Gujarat.

Two IAF transport aircraft landed at Hindan airbase in Ghaziabad on Tuesday evening with the people evacuated from Kabul. IAF had sent additional C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to Jamnagar to bring passengers to Delhi.

Taliban entered Kabul on Sunday and took control of the presidential palace.

The government has been closely monitoring all developments in Afghanistan. It has also been issuing periodic advisories for the safety and security of Indian nationals in Afghanistan including calling for their immediate return to India. (ANI)

The Kerala government has written to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) urging for the safe evacuation to India of 41 Malayalees stranded in Afghanistan.

In a letter to MEA, the state government’s Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) stated that they have received several panic calls from stranded Malayalees, including women and children.

“Some of the messages received here stated that the Taliban are verifying the identity of the stranded Indians and are taking away their passports and other important documents,” the letter read.

“Considering the huge threat that is hanging on the lives of the Malayalees, you may kindly make necessary arrangements to safely evacuate the 41 stranded Malayalees as early as possible,” it added.

Violence surged in Afghanistan after US and NATO troops began to withdraw in May. On Sunday, the Taliban completed their takeover of the country by entering Kabul and causing the civilian government to collapse.

The Taliban took control of the presidential palace, and have been discussing the formation of their government in Afghanistan.

Panic has gripped the Afghan capital as people fear a return to the Taliban’s brutal rule and the threat of reprisal killings. (ANI)

The US adversaries on Monday seized on ‘military failure’ and ‘heavy blow’ of the Taliban’s sudden rise to power in Afghanistan.

Paul D Shinkman, writing in US News said that China, Iran and Russia wasted no time attempting to advance their own interests after the subsequent chaos in Afghanistan as the Taliban assumed power.

Russia saw an apparent opportunity to settle deep-seated Cold War scores with the US and with NATO. China seized on what it considers the greatest example of failed American hubris about its ability to exert its will abroad. And Iran highlighted a US battlefield failure that appears to have emboldened its own ambitions for the region, reported US News.

Beijing announced that it “respects the wishes and choices of the Afghan people” and would recognize the Taliban as the rightful government, US News reported.

Beijing was quick to exploit the situation to promote its criticisms of the US, said Shinkman.

Afghanistan’s collapse “was unthinkable for the US and the rest of the West – even beyond their most pessimistic predictions,” according to an op-ed in China’s English-language state news service Global Times, considered a mouthpiece for the Chinese Communist Party.

“The drastic change in Afghanistan’s situation is undoubtedly a heavy blow to the US,” it continued. “It declared the complete failure of US intent to reshape Afghanistan. In the meantime, the US desperate withdrawal plan shows the unreliability of US commitments to its allies: When its interests require it to abandon allies, Washington will not hesitate to find every excuse to do so.”

China considers Afghanistan a potential blind spot in its mission to quell Islamic terrorists with designs on its restive Xinjiang province, as well as a potential obstacle to its economic investments in the region, including in Afghanistan’s precious minerals, says Shinkman.

A separate op-ed in the Global Times described the situation in Afghanistan as a “complete humiliation for the US”.

Meanwhile, Iran described the 20-year-long US mission as a “military failure” and a new opportunity to establish peace in Afghanistan.

“The military defeat and the US withdrawal from Afghanistan should offer an opportunity to restore life, security and lasting peace in that country,” Iran’s new ultra-conservative president, Ebrahim Raisi, said in a call with outgoing Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, according to Iranian state TV.

But, the starkest criticism from Russia whose own failed mission in Afghanistan in the 1980s preceded the collapse of the Soviet Union, says Shinkman.

Officials in Moscow emphasized the imperfect trope that the same insurgents the US covertly armed and supported in the 1980s to defeat the Soviets had, they claim, turned that weaponry back onto America.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel a series of statements from then-US President Ronald Reagan calling the Afghan mujahedeen militants “freedom fighters.”

“This is just direct speech,” Zakharova wrote, according to a translation of her remarks. “Historical evidence of American geopolitical experiments, for which they never bear responsibility,” reported US News. (ANI)