Month: June 2022

Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) on Sunday claimed the responsibility for the Karte Parwan Gurdwara attack in Kabul.

ISKP released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. According to ISKP, ‘Abu Mohammed al Tajiki’ carried out the attack which lasted for three hours.
The group claimed that besides submachine guns and hand grenades, four IEDs and a car bomb were also used in the attack.

It further claimed that about 50 Hindu Sikhs and Taliban members were killed in the attack and the attack was conducted as revenge for the insult of Prophet Mohammed by an Indian politician.

However, in the attack, only two people were killed and seven others were wounded.

Strong action has already been taken against those who made derogatory remarks. A statement was also issued by concerned quarters emphasizing respect for all religions, denouncing insult to any religious personality or demeaning any religion or sect. Vested interests that are against India-Kuwait relations have been inciting the people using these derogatory comments.

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday suspended its spokesperson Nupur Sharma from the party’s primary membership and expelled its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal after their alleged inflammatory remarks against minorities.

At least two civilians, including a Sikh man and a Muslim security guard, died after an attack by ISKP in Afghanistan’s Kabul city on Saturday.

Initial inputs suggested that an explosion took place outside the gate of the Gurdwara killing at least two people. Another explosion was later heard from inside the complex and some shops attached to the Gurdwara caught fire.

The holy Guru Granth Sahib from Gurudwara in Afghanistan’s capital city Kabul was retrieved from the complex, from which plumes of smoke were seen billowing out after the attack early this morning, according to visuals posted on social media.

Visuals posted by locals on social media show a barefoot man carrying the Guru Granth Sahib on his head. The visuals show two or three more people, all walking without footwear accompanying him.

According to Sikh religious belief, the Saroop, a physical copy of the Guru Granth Sahib is considered a living guru. The transportation of Guru Granth Sahib is governed by a strict code of conduct and as a mark of respect, the Guru Granth Sahib is carried on the head, and the person walks barefoot.

According to reports, the Holy Book was taken to the residence of Gurnam Singh, president, of Gurdwara Karte Parwan.

Religious minorities in Afghanistan, including the Sikh community, have been targets of violence in Afghanistan.

In October, last year 15 to 20 terrorists entered a Gurdwara in the Kart-e-Parwan District of Kabul and tied up the guards.

In March 2020, a deadly attack took place at Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Gurudwara in Kabul’s Short Bazaar area in which 27 Sikhs were killed and several were injured. Islamic State terrorists claimed responsibility for the attack. (ANI)

India on Sunday reported 12,899 fresh COVID-19 cases and 15 fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

On Saturday, the country crossed the 13,000-mark for the first time after more than three months with India reporting 13,216 fresh infections in the last 24 hours.
Cumulatively, India’s COVID infection count has surged to 43,296,692 since March 2020 when the pandemic emerged in the country.

With over 12,000 fresh cases, India’s active caseload has gone up to 72,474, which accounts for 0.17 per cent of the total cases.

The government data also informed that as many as 8,518 recoveries were registered in the past 24 hours, thereby, increasing the total recoveries to 4,26,99,363. The recovery rate stands at 98.62 per cent at present.

The daily positivity rate stands at 2.89 per cent while the weekly positivity rate is 2.50 per cent.

In India, the fresh infection was detected after conducting 4,46,387 tests in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of COVID-19 tests to 85.78 crores.

Under the nationwide vaccination program, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 196.14 crores as per provisional reports till 7 am today.

More than 193.53 crores (1,93,53,58,865) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far, out of which, over 12.77 crores (12,77,80,635) balance and unutilized vaccine doses are still available with them.

Amid the recent surge reported in COVID-19 cases across the country, the Health Ministry of India on June 9 urged States and Union Territories to not lower their guards and strictly maintain the COVID appropriate behaviour. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Thursday wrote a letter to States/UTs and directed them to ramp up RT-PCR testing, surveillance, clinical management, vaccination, COVID-19 protocols and take timely pre-emptive actions. Bhushan also advised the government to follow a ‘five-fold Strategy’. (ANI)

Floods and resultant landslides in Assam have claimed 62 lives this year so far.

In the last 24 hours, eight people have died after drowning in flood waters – two each in Barpeta and Karimganj districts, one each in Darrang, Hailakandi, Nalbari and Sonitpur districts and eight people are still missing.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), out of 62 people, 51 people died in floods while 11 were in landslides so far.

Nearly 31 lakh people of 32 districts – Bajali, Baksa, Barpeta, Biswanath, Bongaigaon, Cachar, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Dima Hasao, Goalpara, Hojai, Kamrup, Kamrup (Metro), Karbi Anglong West, Karimganj, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, Majuli, Morigaon, Nagaon, Nalbari, Sivasagar, Sonitpur, Sivasagar, South Salmara, Tamulpur, Tinsukia, Udalguri, have affected in the second wave of the deluge.

More than 7.31 lakh people have affected alone in Barpeta district followed by 3.54 lakh people in Darrang district, 3.52 lakh people in Bajali, 2.41 lakh in Nagaon, 2.21 lakh in Goalpara, 2.18 lakh in Kamrup, 1.65 lakh in Nalbari, 1.14 lakh in Lakhimpur, 1.25 lakh in Hojai and 1.13 lakh in Bongaigaon.

Following the torrential rains in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and neighbouring country Bhutan, the water level of all major rivers of the state are rising and many rivers are flowing above danger level marks in several places.

The water level of Beki, Manas, Pagladiya, Puthimari, Kopili, Jia-Bharali, and Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger level mark in many places of the state.

The administration of the flood-hit districts has set up 514 relief camps and 302 relief distribution centres and 1,56,365 people are currently lodgings in the relief camps.

Apart from it, many flood-affected people are taking shelter on roads, embankments, and high lands after the flood waters inundated their homes.

The ASDMA report said that 4,291 villages under 118 revenue circles are reeling under flood waters and 66,455.82 hectares of cropland were submerged by flood waters.

More than 25.54 lakh animals have been affected in the current wave of the deluge.

In the last 24 hours, the rescue teams of the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDFR), Fire and Emergency Services and district administration have rescued 9,102 persons including children, and women from different flood-affected areas in 22 districts.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed all district administration that, adequate food supply should be ensured in all flood-affected districts and relief operations should not be compromised and all Deputy Commissioners should place requests for additional human resources for relief operation to the Personnel department.

Further, the Chief Minister directed all breach points to be identified by the Water Resources department and temporary closing works to be undertaken immediately after the receding of flood water, all DCs should take robust steps to monitor the flood-affected areas.

The state government is monitoring the availability of stock of fuel and essential food items in Barak Valley districts in view of the current landslide situation on the connecting roads. (ANI)

Following the attack on Karte Parwan Gurdwara in Kabul on Saturday that resulted in the death of two persons, India has decided to grant e-visas to over 100 Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan on priority.

As per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sources, the decision was taken late last night. Meanwhile, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) on Sunday claimed the responsibility for the Karte Parwan Gurdwara attack in Kabul.
ISKP released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. According to ISKP, ‘Abu Mohammed al Tajiki’ carried out the attack which lasted for three hours.

The group claimed that besides submachine guns and hand grenades, four IEDs and a car bomb were also used in the attack.

It further claimed that about 50 Hindu Sikhs and Taliban members were killed in the attack and the attack was conducted as revenge for the insult of Prophet Mohammed by an Indian politician.

However, in the attack, only two people were killed and seven others were wounded.

Strong action has already been taken against those who made derogatory remarks. A statement was also issued by concerned quarters emphasizing respect for all religions, denouncing insult to any religious personality or demeaning any religion or sect. Vested interests that are against India-Kuwait relations have been inciting the people using these derogatory comments.

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday suspended its spokesperson Nupur Sharma from the party’s primary membership and expelled its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal after their alleged inflammatory remarks against minorities.

At least two civilians, including a Sikh man and a Muslim security guard, died after an attack by ISKP in Afghanistan’s Kabul city on Saturday.

Initial inputs suggested that an explosion took place outside the gate of the Gurdwara killing at least two people. Another explosion was later heard from inside the complex and some shops attached to the Gurdwara caught fire.

The holy Guru Granth Sahib from Gurudwara in Afghanistan’s capital city Kabul was retrieved from the complex, from which plumes of smoke were seen billowing out after the attack early this morning, according to visuals posted on social media.

Visuals posted by locals on social media show a barefoot man carrying the Guru Granth Sahib on his head. The visuals show two or three more people, all walking without footwear accompanying him.

According to Sikh religious belief, the Saroop, a physical copy of the Guru Granth Sahib is considered a living guru. The transportation of Guru Granth Sahib is governed by a strict code of conduct and as a mark of respect, the Guru Granth Sahib is carried on the head, and the person walks barefoot.

According to reports, the Holy Book was taken to the residence of Gurnam Singh, president, of Gurdwara Karte Parwan.

Religious minorities in Afghanistan, including the Sikh community, have been targets of violence in Afghanistan.

In October, last year 15 to 20 terrorists entered a Gurdwara in the Kart-e-Parwan District of Kabul and tied up the guards.

In March 2020, a deadly attack took place at Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Gurudwara in Kabul’s Short Bazaar area in which 27 Sikhs were killed and several were injured. Islamic State terrorists claimed responsibility for the attack. (ANI)

As protests against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme continue in several parts of the country, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to hold a meeting at his residence on Sunday.

Sources said the tri-service chiefs are expected to attend the meeting and discuss the rollout of the scheme and ways to pacify agitators. This is the second such meeting called by Rajnath Singh in two days.
In a significant move, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday announced an important decision to reserve 10 per cent vacancies in Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles for Agniveers.

In a series of tweets, the Ministry of Home Affairs said, “The Ministry of Home Affairs decides to reserve 10 per cent vacancies for recruitment in CAPFs and Assam Rifles for Agniveers.”

“The MHA also decides to give 3 years age relaxation beyond the prescribed upper age limit to Agniveers for recruiting in CAPFs and Assam Rifles. Further, for the first batch of Agniveer, the age relaxation will be for 5 years beyond the prescribed upper age limit,” the MHA added.

It is pertinent to note that, upon completion of their four years tenure, Agniveers will be getting selection priorities under CAPF’s all the seven different security forces comprising Assam Rifles (AR), Border Security Forces (BSF), Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF), Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Security Guard (NSG) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

Earlier speaking of the employment opportunities for Agniveers, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that upon completion of four years of Agniveers many central ministers and state governments including Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and corporations will give them job priorities.

“In coming days you will get the announcement by various governments and ministries regarding the priority in job opportunities to Agniveers,” the Defence Minister added.

Earlier, in a welcome move, the government had announced a change in recruiting ‘Agniveers’, increasing the maximum entry age from 21 years to 23 years by giving two years of relaxation as a one-time waiver. Granting a one-time waiver, the Union government declared that the Agniveer upper age limit for recruitments via Agnipath Scheme has been extended to 23 years from 21 years.

Issuing an official statement on Agnipath Scheme, the Ministry of Defence mentioned that the one-time waiver in the upper age limit has been granted as recruitment during the two years had not been possible. (ANI)

The flood situation in Assam’s Bajali continued to worsen as more than 3.52 lakh people of the district have been affected by the current spell of the flood.

As per the information, the flood waters of the Pahumara river submerged several villages under the Bhabanipur assembly constituency, which compelled thousands of people to leave their homes.
The flood waters have totally submerged the PWD road connecting Bhabanipur to Barpeta and a thousand bighas of cropland in the district are currently underwater.

Expressing helplessness due to floods in the district, a farmer of the Loukuchi Pathar area Nurul Islam said, “I had taken a loan of Rs 2 lakh from the bank for cultivation, but the flood waters have damaged all my crops. Now, I am totally helpless. In this situation, how will I repay the bank loan now? I am currently taking a shelter on the road with my family as the water level due to the flood that entered my house of about 5-6 feet. We had lost everything in this flood.”

While a college student in the area, Chiranjib Sarkar, said how his college books and educational certificates were destroyed due to floods as they are facing massive problems.

As per the information, more than 300 families are currently taking shelter near the railway track line in the Tanaltari area in the Bajali district after their houses were inundated by the flood waters.

Meanwhile, the district administration, Fire and Emergency Services, State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and the Indian Army are engaged in the relief and rescue operations in the flood-hit areas of the district.

Officer of Fire and Emergency Services Abhishek Sinha said that, so far, they have rescued nearly 500 people from the different flood-hit areas in the state.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 173 villages of the Bajali district are reeling under flood waters.

Meanwhile, in the Nalbari district of lower Assam, more than 1.23 lakh people have been affected by the current wave of the deluge. The flood waters have destroyed several embankments, and roads and washed away many houses in the district.

The flood has devastated Paschim Nalbari, Ghograpar, Barbhag, Nalbari, Tihu, Banekuchi, and the Barkhetri revenue circles of the district and has inundated as many as 203 villages.

The district administration has set up 54 relief camps in the district and nearly 16,000 flood-affected people of the district are currently lodged in these camps.

In the last 24 hours, two people in the district lost their lives after drowning in flood waters.

In the current wave of floods, nearly 1.61 lakh domestic animals in the district have also been affected.

On Friday, the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF and Fire and Emergency Services had rescued 557 people from flood-hit areas of the district.

Earlier in the day, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) also informed that under the influence of strong southerly/southwesterly winds from the Bay of Bengal to Northeast and adjoining East India widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely to be experienced over Northeast India and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during the next 3 days.

“Isolated heavy rainfall likely to continue over Assam and Meghalaya and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura during subsequent 2 days. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall also very likely over Assam and Meghalaya on 18th and over Meghalaya on June 19,” it informed. (ANI)

National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah on Saturday withdrew as a potential opposition candidate for the presidential elections, saying he had “lot more active politics ahead”.

Farooq Abdullah’s name as a potential candidate was mentioned in the meeting of opposition parties by the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier this week.
In a statement, Farooq Abdullah said he was withdrawing his name from consideration and looks forward to supporting the joint opposition consensus candidate.

He said Jammu and Kashmir is passing through a critical juncture and his efforts are required to help navigate these uncertain times.

“I am honoured to have had my name proposed as a possible joint opposition candidate for the office of President of India by Mamata Banerjee. Subsequent to Mamata didi proposing my name, I have received a number of calls from opposition leaders offering their support for my candidature,” he said.

The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said he had taken a few days to discuss this “unexpected development with my family and senior colleagues”.

Farooq Abdullah said he was deeply touched by the support that he has received and is honoured to have been considered for the highest office in the country.

“I believe that Jammu and Kashmir is passing through a critical juncture and my efforts are required to help navigate these uncertain times. I have a lot more active politics ahead of me and look forward to making a positive contribution in the service of J&K and the country. Therefore I would like to respectfully withdraw my name from consideration and I look forward to supporting the joint opposition consensus candidate,” he said.

“I’m very grateful to Mamata didi for proposing my name. I’m also grateful to all the senior leaders who offered me their support,” he added.

NCP leader Sharad Pawar had earlier declined offer to be opposition candidate in presidential election.

Opposition parties have decided to field a common candidate for the presidential election. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday condemned the terrorist attack at Karte Parwan Gurdwara in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul.

He also prayed for the safety and well-being of the devotees. “Shocked by the cowardly terrorist attack against the Karte Parwan Gurudwara in Kabul. I condemn this barbaric attack, and pray for the safety and well-being of the devotees,” tweeted PM Modi.

At least two civilians, including a Sikh man and a Muslim security guard, died after unidentified assailants attacked a Gurudwara in Afghanistan’s Kabul city on Saturday.

Initial inputs suggested that an explosion took place outside the gate of the Gurdwara early this morning killing at least two people. Another explosion was later heard from inside the complex and some shops attached to the gurdwara caught fire. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, so far.

Taking to Twitter, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also condemned the “cowardly attack” on Gurudwara and said that India is closely monitoring developments in the Afghan capital.

“The cowardly attack on Gurudwara Karte Parwan should be condemned in the strongest terms by all. We have been closely monitoring developments since the news of the attack was received. Our first and foremost concern is for the welfare of the community,” he tweeted. (ANI)

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the preparation meeting of Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri on Saturday and sought everyone’s cooperation for smooth and peaceful conduct of the festival.

The Yatra celebrates the annual journey of Lord Jagannath and his two siblings from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple their aunt’s home, some 2.5 kilometres away.
This year, the yatra will be started on July 1.

Speaking in the meeting through video conferencing, Patnaik expressed happiness over the decision to hold the Rath Yatra in presence of the devotees, after a gap of two years.

Earlier, the festival took place without the devotees in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Chief Minister also advised the officials concerned for making all sorts of arrangements in advance so that each devotee in the Rath Yatra could win a great experience.

He, later, thanked the servitor for their help in organizing the Rath Yatra during the COVID-19 Pandemic and for pulling the Chariot to the Gundicha Temple. (ANI)

Bollywood actor Nushrratt Bharuccha recently shared a string of images on her social media, exuding the perfect combination of style and grace.

“Itti si khushi, Itti si hansi, Itta sa Tukdaa Chaand ka…” captioned the ‘Chhorii’ actor on Instagram.
Nushrratt flashed a smile in the very first picture, looking absolutely gorgeous. There was a golden shimmer to her makeup with a touch of shine. Nushrratt chose to accessorize her look by wearing a massive ring and sporting big floral, oxidized earrings that enhanced her facial features.

The second picture gave a glimpse of Nushrratt’s attire. She donned a V-shaped, floral corset top, matched with a skirt, having the same floral print. Nushrratt’s golden-hued eyeshadow and her choice of nude lipstick accentuated her look further.

Nushrratt won hearts in the third picture! She struck a pose, looking sideways, one of her hands slightly raised, while her subtle expressions were totally on point.

The fourth image reveals Nushhrratt striking an elegant pose, looking no less than a diva than she is. Her piercing gaze and sharp features were undoubtedly captivating.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Nushrratt is bathing in the success of her latest film ‘Janhit Mein Jaari’, a light-hearted comedy on safe sex. The film also features actor Anud Singh Dhaka and is directed by Jai Basantu Singh.

Further, Nushrratt has also started shooting for her upcoming project ‘Selfiee’ in Bhopal. Actors Akshay Kumar, Emraan Hashmi and Diana Penty star in this movie as well. (ANI)