Tuesday, March 19News and updates from Kashmir

INTERNATIONAL

Another Kashmiri youth trapped in Russia-Ukraine conflict after falling victim to fraudulent job scam

Another Kashmiri youth trapped in Russia-Ukraine conflict after falling victim to fraudulent job scam

INTERNATIONAL
The family of a Kashmiri youth, Azad Yusuf Kumar from Posha One Awantipora, is distressed as he is ensnared in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The incident comes to the fore days after another Kashmiri youth Zahoor Ahmed, a resident of north Kashmir was reported to be missing from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Azad's harrowing journey began when he stumbled upon a YouTube channel named “Baba Vlogs” operated by a consultant named Faisal Khan, based in Dubai. Faisal enticed Azad with job opportunities in cooking and cleaning, which seemed to align with his skills, his family said. Azad embarked on a journey from Mumbai to Sharjah, where he was provided tickets to Moscow, Russia, by the said consultant. Upon reaching Russia, Azad and his companions were coerced into signing agreeme...
Kashmiri man goes missing in Russia after being wounded

Kashmiri man goes missing in Russia after being wounded

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A Kashmiri man has gone missing along with two others in Russia, Mid Day reported on Thursday. According to the report, Zahoor Ahmed Sheikh, a resident of Hajinar village in Tangdhar area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district, has been reported missing in Russia since December. Zahoor Ahmed Sheikh, the Kashmiri youthh, who had previously worked in Chandigarh, embarked on a journey to Russia in December 2023, accompanied by two companions – Arbaab from Uttar Pradesh and Asfaan from Hyderabad. The trio suffered injuries in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict after being allegedly deceived under the pretense of securing jobs as helpers, but they were later transferred to red-zone border areas where they found themselves caught in the crossfire. Sources quoted by the newspaper said, ...
‘Forced to leave’: French journalist Vanessa Dougnac leaves India after 25 years

‘Forced to leave’: French journalist Vanessa Dougnac leaves India after 25 years

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French journalist Vanessa Dougnac, who served as a foreign correspondent in India for numerous international news outlets, announced her departure from the country following the government's revocation of her Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, citing concerns over her reporting. In a statement, Dougnac expressed her reluctance to leave India, where she had lived for 25 years, worked for 23 years, and considered her home. She highlighted that the decision was not hers but enforced by the Indian government. The Foreigners Registration Office accused Dougnac of creating a biased negative perception of India through her reporting, alleging it could incite disorder. This move sparked solidarity from around 30 foreign correspondents, who penned an open letter urging Indian authorities t...
Earthquake hits Afghanistan, jolts felt across Kashmir

Earthquake hits Afghanistan, jolts felt across Kashmir

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On Saturday night, mild tremors shook Kashmir, creating panic among locals in several areas of the region. According to LastQuake, on Saturday evening, an earthquake of 5.0 magnitude hit the Hindukush region in Afghanistan 36.0642 N; 70.0311 E. The epicentre of the earthquake was 168 kilometres inside the earth and at a distance of 119 km east of Baghlān in Afghanistan. Several districts from the valley including Anantnag, Kulgam, Srinagar, Shopian, Bandipora, Kupwara among others reported the jolts. As per initial reports, no damage has been reported from the quake.
Israeli forces stealing hundreds of bodies from Gaza Strip cemeteries

Israeli forces stealing hundreds of bodies from Gaza Strip cemeteries

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Israeli forces have abducted over 350 bodies from the graveyards in Gaza strip in Palestine. Reports from the Israeli Broadcasting Authority have stated that they are looking for hostile bodies, among the dead bodies that they have brought out of their graves. In a stark revelation, the Government Media Office in Gaza unveiled a new atrocity, detailing the destruction of a cemetery in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood, where approximately 1,100 graves were desecrated. Official statements assert the involvement of Israeli military vehicles in the excavation of graves and the callous removal of martyrs' bodies, exhibiting a flagrant disregard for the sanctity of the deceased and the cemetery. Moreover, suspicions of organ theft have been raised following reports that Israeli forces alle...
Amid Internet ban, controversy, PTI marginally leads in Pakistan general elections

Amid Internet ban, controversy, PTI marginally leads in Pakistan general elections

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Vote counting is currently underway for the Pakistan general election, following the closure of polls on Thursday. The election saw challenges including a crackdown on jailed ex-prime minister, Imran Khan's party, sporadic violence, and connectivity issues due to government suspension of mobile and internet services. Polling took place from 8 AM to 5 PM on Thursday, with a nationwide public holiday declared to facilitate over 120 million voters. Although the exact polling percentage is yet to be determined, results from individual polling stations are beginning to come in throughout the nation. However, it may take a few hours before complete constituency results are available. A total of 266 National Assembly seats were contested out of 336, with polling postponed on at least o...
Traditonal circular assemblies across Yemen raise war alarm as US-UK strikes continue unabated

Traditonal circular assemblies across Yemen raise war alarm as US-UK strikes continue unabated

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On Sunday, traditional tribal assemblies were convened in various parts of Yemen against the ongoing US-UK aggression in the country. As per local media, an assembly was converted in Sunday in the Tur al-Mahamra area of the Bayt al-Faqih District in Hodeida province, rallying against the perceived US-UK aggression on Yemen. This expansive gathering, joined by representatives from the educational sector, was orchestrated to declare a resolute opposition to the foreign intervention and to reassert unwavering support for both the Yemeni people and the Palestinian resistance. Guided by Director Hussein Sahl, alongside local and tribal leaders and influential social figures, the participants passionately hoisted the flags of Yemen and Palestine. Through chants and slogans, they voca...
US aerial assault shatters historic citadel of Al-Rahba in Syria

US aerial assault shatters historic citadel of Al-Rahba in Syria

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The Ministry of Culture on Saturday said that the egregious aerial assault carried out by US forces had resulted in a massive damaged to the historic Citadel of al-Rahba, a medieval Arab fortress situated on the west bank of the Euphrates River in al-Mayadeen city, Deir Ezzor. In a statement, the Ministry emphasized the blatant violation of international norms and conventions, specifically pointing to the breach of Article 4 of the 1954 Hague Convention, which mandates the protection and respect of cultural property. This citadel, dating back to the 9th century AD and known as Qal'at al-Rahba, holds immense historical significance. Perched atop a mound with an elevation of 244 meters (801 ft), al-Rahba commands a strategic position overlooking the Syrian Desert steppe. However, the r...
‘Attacking our military in areas where ISIS is defeated and on death bed’: Syria on US airstrikes

‘Attacking our military in areas where ISIS is defeated and on death bed’: Syria on US airstrikes

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Hours after the United States forces conducted an aerial assault on several sites and towns in the eastern region of Syria, near the Iraqi borders, the Syrian side has issued a statement. In its statement, Syria has said that this aggressive action resulted in numerous civilian and military casualties, injuries, and significant damage to both private and public properties. The statement highlighted that the targeted region in eastern Syria is where the Syrian army is actively combating the last remenants of the ISIS terrorist organization, "implying a concerning alliance between the US forces and this extremist group." According to the military statement, the dawn aggression by the US "lacks justification and appears to be an attempt to undermine the Syrian army's effectiveness in...
US launches massive strikes in Iraq and Syria, casualties unknown

US launches massive strikes in Iraq and Syria, casualties unknown

INTERNATIONAL
The United States conducted major airstrikes, striking 85 targets across seven locations in Iraq and Syria. United States said that the operation marks the initiation of a series of larger-scale actions against Iranian-backed militias responsible for recent attacks on US troops in the Middle East. Reports from local media indicate that the US airstrikes specifically targeted sites in Ayyash, Al-Mayadin, and Al-Bukamal in eastern Syria, as well as locations near the Iraqi border also stating that the number of casualties may be quiet high, however, as of now, nothing has been reported.T As per the local media, the he bombing lasted for hours. The attack came hours after a drone attack by on a US military outpost in Jordan on Sunday. The incident resulted in the death of three US...