Latest News: India Summons Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner
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Catch the latest news updates of the day here.
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Encounter Underway in J&K's Shopian
Encounter underway between terrorists and security forces in Memander area of Shopian district, reported ANI. More details awaited. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Meemendar area of Shopian following information about presence of militants there, the officials said.
They said the search operation turned into an encounter after militants opened firing towards the security forces, who retaliated.
There were no reports of any casualties so far in the operation, the officials said.
(Source: PTI)
One Dead, Dozens Buried in Indonesia Landslide
Dozens of people are believed buried by a landslide at an unlicensed gold mine in Indonesia's North Sulawesi province, the national disaster agency said Wednesday.
The agency said one person is confirmed dead and at least 13 injured.
"It is estimated that as many as 60 people are buried under landslide and rock material," the agency's statement said, quoting a local emergency response official.
(Source: PTI)
US House Strikes Down Trump's Border Emergency
The US House of Representatives dealt a blow to President Donald Trump on Tuesday, approving a resolution blocking him from obtaining funding for a Mexican border wall through his declaration of a national emergency.
Dismissing a veto threat by the president, the Democratic-controlled House struck down Trump's emergency declaration by a comfortable margin of 245-182, sending the measure to the Republican-held Senate.
(Source: PTI)
Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj Meets Chinese Counterpart Wang Yi
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Wuzhen in the 16th Foreign Ministers Meeting of Russia-India-China. During the meeting, she raised the issue of the Pulwama terror attack. She will also hold bilateral discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
(Source: PTI, ANI)
Top US General Calls Pak Counterpart, Discusses Situation Post IAF Strike
General Joseph Dunford, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Tuesday, 26 February, spoke to his Pakistani counterpart General Zubair Mahmood Hayat to discuss the "current security environment" in Pakistan, the Pentagon said, amid the spike in Indo-Pak tensions following the Pulwama terror attack.
The telephonic talk is the highest level of contact between the two armies a day after India bombed and destroyed Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) biggest terrorist training camp in Balakot in Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing a "very large number" of terrorists, trainers and senior commanders, PTI reported.
Nigeria President Set to be Declared Winner After Rocky Vote
Nigeria's president was poised to be declared the winner of a second term in Africa's largest democracy after urging voters to give him another chance to tackle gaping corruption, widespread insecurity and an economy limping back from recession, AP reported.
While many frustrated Nigerians had said they wanted to give someone new a try, President Muhammadu Buhari, a former military dictator, had the numbers for the victory, his campaign said.
Pak Violates Ceasefire in J&K’s Uri, India Retaliates
Pakistani troops on Wednesday, 27 February, violated the ceasefire in the Uri Sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Indian troops retaliated with cross-border shelling. In the exchange of fire, five soldiers of the Indian Army suffered minor injuries out of which two were evacuated to the Military Hospital for medical treatment. They are in a stable condition, ANI reported.
Trump Predicts 'AWESOME' Future for North Korea if Kim Gives up Nukes
US President Donald Trump touted North Korea's "AWESOME" future if its leader Kim Jong-un, whom he will meet for a high-stakes dinner later on Wednesday, 27 February, agrees to give up his nuclear arsenal.
Trump and Kim are due to meet for one-on-one talks, then dinner, in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, followed by more talks on Thursday, AFP reported.
US Asks Pak to Take 'Meaningful Action' Against Terrorist Groups
The US on Wednesday, 27 February, firmly asked Pakistan to take "meaningful action" against terrorist groups operating on its soil and underscored the importance of avoiding escalation at any cost after India targeted terrorist camp in Pakistan.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also reached out to Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to underscore priority of de-escalating current tensions by avoiding military action”.
Jammu-Srinagar Highway Remains Closed For Third Day
Following landslides and sinking of road, the strategic Jammu-Srinagar highway remained closed for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, 27 February.
"Landslide clearance operation has started at Mom Passi in Ramban-Ramsoo sector. Concrete has been laid to repair the portion of the road that had sunken near the Ramban town,” an official of the traffic department said, as per IANS.
"The process of highway restoration will hopefully take four-to-five hours. Thereafter the stranded traffic will be allowed to move carrying out decongestion," he added.
Kolkata Police Arrests 2 JMB Workers, Recovers Explosives
In a joint operation, the Kolkata STF and Murshidabad Police arrested two Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) workers on Wednesday, 27 February.
Explosives were recovered from their possession during the arrest, ANI reported.
4-storey Building Collapses in Delhi's Karol Bagh, No Injuries Reported
A four-storey commercial building located at Padma Singh Road in New Delhi’s Karol Bagh collapsed on Wednesday, 27 February. No injuries or casualties were reported, as per ANI.
Rupee Recovers 6 Paise Against US Dollar in Early Trade
The rupee strengthened by six paise to 71.01 against the US dollar in early trade on Wednesday, February, at the interbank forex market on some selling of the greenback by exporters and banks amid sustained foreign fund inflows, PTI reported.
A positive opening for the stock markets also boosted the domestic currency, dealers said.
The Sensex, meanwhile, surged 266 points a day after IAF air strike on Pakistan.
ISRO to Launch Defence Satellite in March for DRDO
In a special mission in March, the Indian space agency will launch an electronic intelligence satellite (Emisat) for the DRDO, 28 third party satellites and also demonstrate its new technologies like three different orbits with a new variant of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket, said a top official, as per IANS.
The exact date has not been specified yet.
"It is a special mission for us. We will be using a PSLV rocket with four strap-on motors. Further, for the first time we will be trying to orbit the rocket at three different altitudes," K Sivan, chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) told IANS.
Heavy Snowfall Forces Closure of Educational Institutes in HP
All educational institutions in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh will remain closed for two days, 27 and 28 February, due to heavy snowfall in the region, ANI reported.
Def Min, Three Service Chiefs to Meet on Wednesday
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa and Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba will meet on Wednesday, 27 February, to discuss important proposals for the armed forces, ANI reported.
Opposition Parties to Meet in Delhi on Wednesday Post IAF Strikes
Left parties will participate in the meeting of the Opposition parties, scheduled to be held later on Wednesday, 27 February, ANI reported.
Left had earlier said that it will not participate in the meeting. The Pulwama attack and India's response to it are on the agenda of discussion.
Robert Vadra Appears Before ED for Questioning
Robert Vadra Reaches the Enforcement Directorate office on Wednesday, 27 February, for questioning in connection with a money laundering case, ANI reported.
ED officials said that Vadra arrived at the agency's Jamnagar office in central Delhi at 10:40 am.
The case relates to the ownership of overseas assets worth 1.9 million pounds in London by Vadra.
Pakistani Jets Violate Indian Air Space, Drop Bombs on Way Out
A day after the Indian Air Force carried out air strikes across the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistani jets violated the Indian air space on Wednesday, 27 February, and dropped bombs on their way out, reported PTI quoting officials.
Srinagar, Jammu and Leh Airports Shut
Srinagar, Jammu and Leh airports were Wednesday closed for civilian air traffic shortly after an IAF jet crashed in Budgam district and amid escalation of cross-Line of Control shelling between armies of India and Pakistan.
"The civilian air traffic has been suspended temporarily in view of the emergency," an official of the Airport Authority of India told PTI.
While the official did not specify the nature of the emergency, it is believed the step was taken in view of an IAF jet crashing in Budgam district this morning.
France to Bring Proposal to Ban Masood Azhar After Assuming UNSC Presidency: Sources
France is working on a proposal to ban chief of the UN-proscribed Jaish-e Muhammad (JeM) Masood Azhar after it assumes the Presidency of the powerful UN Security Council in March, sources said, as per PTI.
The rotating monthly Presidency of the 15-nation UN Security Council (UNSC) will go from Equatorial Guinea to France on 1 March.
France, a permanent member of the Council with veto powers, is working on the proposal (to ban Azhar) and it should be ready soon, informed sources told PTI, adding that the proposal against the JeM chief could perhaps be moved in the Sanctions Committee under the French presidency.
Pak Troops Shell Indian Posts in Uri
Pakistani troops on Wednesday intensely shelled Indian posts in Uri Sector of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said, as per PTI.
The shelling comes a day after the IAF carried out air strikes on Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camps inside the neighbouring country.
Pakistani Army fired mortar shells towards Indian posts in the early hours of Wednesday, a police official said.
SC to Hear Centre's Plea Seeking Stay on Eviction of Tribals on Thursday
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear on Thursday the Centre's plea seeking a stay on the possible eviction of around 11.8 lakh tribals and traditional forest dwellers, whose claim for right over forest land has been rejected under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi took note of the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the Centre's plea be listed for hearing on an urgent basis, PTI reported.
WB Govt Shifts Pak Inmates to High-security Cells Amid Rising Tension
The West Bengal government has shifted 14 Pakistani prisoners, lodged in two correctional homes, to separate barracks and "high-security" cells, amid soaring tension between India and its western neighbour, a senior official said, as per PTI.
The state government's move comes days after a 50-year-old Pakistani convict was allegedly killed by fellow inmates in Rajasthan's Jaipur Central jail.
Two Dead As IAF Aircraft Crashes in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam
An IAF aircraft crashed near the Garend Kalan village in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam area, leaving at least two dead, news agencies reported on Wednesday, 27 February.
Pakistan Confirms Strikes Across LoC in India
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has confirmed that Pakistan undertook strikes across the Line of Control (LoC), but within Pakistani airspace.
In an official statement, Qureshi said, “Sole purpose being to demonstrate our right, will and capability for self defence. We have no intention of escalation, but are fully prepared to do so if forced into that paradigm.”
Pakistan Stops Domestic and International Flight Operations
Pakistan has stopped its domestic and international flight operations from Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Islamabad airports.
China Reiterates Call for India, Pakistan to 'Exercise Restraint'
China has reiterated its call for India and Pakistan to ‘exercise restraint’.
Defence Acquisition Council Approves Procurement of Equipment Worth Rs 2700 Cr
The Defence Acquisition Council on Wednesday, 27 February, approved the procurement of defence equipment worth about Rs 2,700 crore, officials quoted by PTI said.
The approval was granted for procurement of three Cadet Training ships for the Indian Navy, which would be utilised to provide basic sea training for officer cadets including women officer under trainees, NewsNation reported.
MEA Briefing at 3:15 PM Amid Rising Tensions Between India, Pakistan
Ministry of External Affairs will hold a briefing at 3:15 pm.
Pak Deputy High Commissioner Summoned by MEA
Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah has been summoned by Indian Ministry of External Affairs. The union ministry has lodged a strong protest over Pakistan’s Air Force attack on Indian military installations, reported PTI.
Take 'Meaningful Action' Against Terrorist Groups: US to Pak
The US today firmly asked Pakistan to take "meaningful action" against terrorist groups operating on its soil after India's counter-terrorism action against it and asked the two neighbours to exercise restraint and avoid escalation at any cost.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a phone call with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also called for avoiding military action.
(Source: PTI)
Commercial Operations Resume at Amritsar Airport
Commercial operations at Amritsar airport, which was suspended early in the day, began even as the airports in Chandigarh, Pathankot, Halwara, Adampur and Bathinda remained on high alert in view of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
"The arrival and departure of all civil flights from Amritsar international airport, which was suspended earlier, has began," Guru Ram Dass International Airport Director Manoj Chansoria said.
Two Lynched in Assam
Two persons were lynched today by an irate mob which held them responsible for the killing a village headman in Assam's Chirang district, police said.
The two men had allegedly killed the headman of Gargaon village under Bijni police station Tuesday and had buried his body in a graveyard, the police said.
The family members of the headman, named Gauranga Das, along with villagers launched a search for him last night after he failed to return home till late.
(Source: PTI)
Trump, Kim Handshake Kicks off Nuclear Summit
US President Donald Trump shook hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the start of their second summit today, saying the totalitarian state could enjoy a brilliant future if it gives up nuclear weapons.
Trump predicted a "very successful" summit as the pair prepared for dinner at the luxury Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi to follow up on their initial historic meeting in Singapore in June.
In a brief sit-down ahead of one-on-one talks, Trump repeated his view that North Korea had "tremendous" economic potential.
(Source: PTI)
Amid Indo-Pak Tension, Bsf on Alert at Bangladesh Border
The BSF has issued an alert and has taken all preventive measures at the India-Bangladesh border in the eastern part of the country to ensure "miscreants or terror elements" don't cross over taking advantage of the tension at the Indo-Pakistan border, an official of the force today.
Bangladesh and West Bengal share about 2,216.7 km border, of which a large portion is unfenced.
BJP Leader Asks J&K Police Stop Harassing Jammu Youth
A senior J-K BJP leader today accused the state police of harassing the city's youth on "selective basis" in the wake of the anti-Pakistan protests over the Pulwama terror attack.
A curfew was clamped in Jammu city on 15 February following massive protests, a day after 40 CRPF personnel died in Pulwama. The crowd torched vehicles while rival groups pelted stones at each other at some places including Gujjar Nagar.
All Polling Stations of Assam to Have VVPAT System: CEO
All polling stations in Assam will have VVPAT system during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Chandra Sahu said today.
A VVPAT device is a printer attached to the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM). The VVPAT devices dispense a slip with the name and symbol of the party candidate for which a person has voted, thus enabling verification of the voting process.
AAP Govt to Give Electricity Subsidy to Farmers
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has decided to give electricity subsidy of Rs 105 per KW per month on fixed charges to farmers in Delhi, an official statement said today.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday.
"The agriculture electricity subsidy is expected to benefit at least 11,000 consumers. A provision of Rs 7.50 crore has been made for this," the statement said.
J&K Schools Within 0-5 kms of International Border to Remain Shut
All government and private schools within a range of 0 to 5 kms from International Border to remain closed tomorrow.
(Source: ANI)
4 Indian Passengers Stranded at Lahore Airport After Pak Closes Airspace
Four Indian passengers are stranded at the Lahore airport after the Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) closed its airspace on Wednesday in the wake of tensions with India.
"The PIA's PK-270 Lahore to Delhi was to leave for its destination on Wednesday but due to suspension of flight operations the four Indian passengers are stranded at Allama Iqbal International Airport," an official of CAA told PTI.
(Source: PTI)
Tiger Found Dead in Gujarat Had Traversed from MP
The tiger that was found dead in Mahisagar district of Gujarat on Tuesday, had travelled from Ratapani sanctuary located in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, officials said today.
The Gujarat forest department confirmed that it was the same tiger that was captured on camera around two weeks back in Mahisagar district, the first sighting of a tiger in the state in three decades. The authorities, however, ruled out poaching as the cause of its death.
Lioness Found Dead in Gujarat
A lioness was found dead in Tulsishyam range of Gir forest in Gujarat today, a forest official said.
According to the official, prima facie no foul play was suspected in the death of the lioness, believed to be around 11 years old.
Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Junagadh, D T Vasavada said the carcass has been sent for post-mortem.
HC to Pronounce Verdict in National Herald Eviction Case Tomorrow
The Delhi High Court is likely to pronounce its verdict on a plea by National Herald publisher AJL challenging a single judge order to vacate the premises on Thursday.
A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao had reserved its decision on February 18 after hearing arguments of the Centre and Associated Journals Ltd (AJL).
During the arguments earlier, AJL, represented by senior advocate Abhishek M Singhvi, had said that transfer of the company's majority shares to Young India (YI) would not make Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi the owners of the Herald building.
(Source: PTI)