Friday, March 29News and updates from Kashmir

INTERNATIONAL

‘Human rights situation in Kashmir worrying,’ says UNHR commissioner; India expresses regret

‘Human rights situation in Kashmir worrying,’ says UNHR commissioner; India expresses regret

INTERNATIONAL
India on Tuesday voiced regret over comments by the UN's human rights commissioner on the situation in Kashmir, terming the reference as "unwarranted and factually inaccurate". In a statement at the General Debate on the Oral Update by the High Commissioner during the 52nd Session of Human Rights Council, Permanent Representative of India to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey also asserted that New Delhi does not see any role for the human rights commissioner office's in matters that are the country's internal affairs. "We take note of the oral update and thank the High Commissioner. Since the constitutional changes in August 2019, there has been unprecedented progress in Jammu Kashmir, in taking democracy to the grassroots, enhancing people's participation in political pr...
At UNGA, Turkey calls for resolution of Kashmir issue; India expresses regret

At UNGA, Turkey calls for resolution of Kashmir issue; India expresses regret

INDIA, INTERNATIONAL
India lashed out at Turkey and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for raking up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian representative at the UN, Seema Pujana, expressed regret and advised 'Turkey to refrain from making unsolicited comments on our internal matters." India slammed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his remarks on Kashmir during United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, saying the latter's speech constitutes "gross interference" in India's internal affairs and is "completely unacceptable". Taking to Twitter hours after Erdogan raked the Kashmir issue in the UNGA, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, TS Tirumurti, said Ankara should learn to respect the sovereignty of other nations and reflect on its policies more deeply. ...
Former chief of Al Badr shot dead by unknown gunmen in Pakistan

Former chief of Al Badr shot dead by unknown gunmen in Pakistan

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Syed Khalid Raza, who formerly headed Al Badr militant outfit has been shot dead by some unidentified persons in Karachi, Pakistan. As per local media reports, Syed Khalid Raza has been shot from point-blank range in his head at the doorstep of his residence located at Block 7, Gulistan-e-Johar. Police said that the murder was related to robbery and not a targeted killing, ARY News reported. "The attackers did not take belongings after killing Raza," as per the news report. The Police said that Raza is an office-bearer of a private schools’ association. Moreover, he was the vice chairman of the Federation of Private Schools. Following the incident, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori contacted the Additional Inspector General (AIG) Karachi and sought a report on Raza’s killing. He or...
After catastrophic earthquake, Turkey arrests 200 engineers for poor building structures

After catastrophic earthquake, Turkey arrests 200 engineers for poor building structures

INTERNATIONAL
Turkey has arrested around 200 people in connection to buildings that collapsed after the earthquakes devastated the region earlier this month. More than 600 people are being investigated in Turkey over buildings that gave way after the February 6 devastating earthquake, IANS reported. In connection with the tragedy, around 184 suspects, including construction contractors and property owners, had already been arrested, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said in televised remarks on Saturday, BBC reported. As per Turkish media, the arrested include a mayor of one of the towns close to where the tremors rocked, while a few have died during the earthquake. On opposition and construction experts charging the Turkish government with failing to enforce building regulations, though Preside...
Israeli forces kill at least 10 Palestinians in West Bank

Israeli forces kill at least 10 Palestinians in West Bank

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Israeli troops on Wednesday entered a major Palestinian city in the occupied West Bank in a rare, daytime arrest operation, triggering fighting that killed at least 10 Palestinians and wounded scores of others. The raid, which reduced a building to rubble and left a series of shops riddled with bullets, was one of the bloodiest battles in nearly a year of fighting in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. A 72-year-old man was among the 10 killed and 102 people were wounded, Palestinian officials said. The brazen raid, coupled with the high death toll, raised the prospect of further bloodshed. A similar raid last month was followed by a deadly Palestinian attack outside a Jerusalem synagogue, and the Hamas militant group warned that “its patience is running out.” Palestinians inspect t...
Earthquake of 7.2 magnitude hits Tajikistan

Earthquake of 7.2 magnitude hits Tajikistan

INTERNATIONAL
An earthquake of about 7.2 magnitude shook Tajikistan at 8:37 a.m. (0037 GMT) on Thursday at a depth of 10 km (6 miles), Chinese state television CCTV reported, citing the China Earthquake Networks Center. According to media reports, the tremors were felt in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. The epicenter is about 82 km from the nearest border with China and was strongly felt in some areas in China’s western Xinjiang region, including Kashgar and Artux, CCTV reported. Power supply and communication remained normal in Kashgar, state media Xinhua reported. The Xinjiang railroad department called a halt to passenger trains running on the Aksu to Kashgar section of the Southern Xinjiang railway, state media said. Local authorities were inspecting bridges, ...
Kashmiri militant commander killed in Afghanistan, says report

Kashmiri militant commander killed in Afghanistan, says report

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Kashmir-born militant commander, Ejaz Ahmed Ahanger has been reportedly killed in Afghanistan's Kunar province, 'The Print' reported. As per the report, Ejaz Ahmad Ahanger is reported to have been killed recently by the Taliban during its ongoing anti-ISIS operations. The Srinagar-born militant was wanted in India and was involved in attacks on Sikh minority in Afghanistan as well as in militancy in Kashmir. His death has been confirmed by Indian intelligence agencies and family members. A resident of Srinagar, the 50 year old was declared a terrorist by the Ministry of Home Affairs in January. According to The Print's report, Ejaz's sister Fahmida Shafi has told that she has been informed by the authorities about his (Ejaz's) death. Fahmida said, "The police had called h...
‘Thought the earth was going to split open’: Another earthquake of 6.4 magnitude hits Syria-Turkey

‘Thought the earth was going to split open’: Another earthquake of 6.4 magnitude hits Syria-Turkey

INTERNATIONAL
Two weeks after a major earthquake hit the region, the Syria-Turkey border region was hit with another powerful earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale. The earthquake with a depth of 10 KM was centered near the southern Turkish city of Antakya and was felt in Syria, Egypt and Lebanon, Reuters reported. As per the local media reports at least six people died in the fresh earthquake while many structures collapsed. Hatay Mayor Lutfu Savas told HaberTurk broadcaster that he had received reports about some people stuck under rubble after the latest quake. Three people were killed and more than 200 injured, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said. In Samandag, where the country's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority AFAD reported one person dead, residents said more buil...
Children below 12 will not be allowed to perform Haj 2023

Children below 12 will not be allowed to perform Haj 2023

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Saudi Government has decided to disallow children below 12 years of age in a bid to ensure their safety, Haj Committee of India (HCoI), informed Friday. It is intimated that the authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have decided that children below the age of 12 years are not allowed to proceed for Haj 1444(H)-2023 considering the fact that it is not appropriate to accompany children under the age of 12 years to ensure their safety, a notice read. “In view of the position explained above, no application of children below the age of 12 years as of 30-04-2023 including infants will be entertained for Haj 1444 2023. Therefore, all Haj applications of the children below 12 years including infants registered till date will be rejected for Haj 1444-2023,” the circular reads. The ci...
Death toll in Syria, Turkey earthquake crosses 31,600

Death toll in Syria, Turkey earthquake crosses 31,600

INTERNATIONAL
At least 31,643 people were killed by two strong earthquakes that jolted southern Türkiye last week, the country’s disaster agency said Monday. The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, centered in Kahramanmaras province, affected more than 13 million people across 10 provinces, which also included Hatay, Gaziantep, Adiyaman, Malatya, Adana, Diyarbakir, Kilis, Osmaniye and Sanliurfa. Several countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon, also felt the strong tremors that struck Türkiye in the space of less than 10 hours on Feb. 6. Nearly 238,500 search and rescue personnel are currently working in the field, according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). More than 158,000 people have been evacuated from the quake-hit regions so far, AFAD said. A to...