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India can be the voice of reason and security for Israel and peace in the region, has a role to play in mediating conflict: Read what Israel President said about India

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India can be the voice of reason and security for Israel and peace in the region, has a role to play in mediating conflict: Read what Israel President said about India

Israel President Isaac Herzog has said India advocates peace and can definitely pursue the voice of reason and security for Israel and peace for the region. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Isaac Herzog described India as “a very important nation in the world” and “one of the greatest countries on earth”. 

“India is a very important nation in the world and it was my true honour to speak at the joint session of US Congress in Washington in July, just a few weeks after PM Modi spoke. We believe India advocates peace and is a very impressive country, one of the greatest on earth and India can definitely pursue the voice of reason and security for Israel and peace for the region,” the Israel President said. 

He was asked about India’s position on the sequence of events following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7. The war between Israel and Hamas has entered the 41st day. 

Asked if India can play a role to mediate or moderate the conflict, the Israel President talked about the need to rebuild Gaza as a peaceful place and noted that there can then be talk about true dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians and India has a lot to contribute to these ideas. 

“I don’t know, I’m not sure but I say that the day after, part of the issue will be how do we rebuild Gaza again and how we make sure that Gaza is a safe haven and a peaceful place and then we can speak about doing business with the Mediterranean and having Israelis and Palestinians have a true dialogue. India has a lot to contribute to all these ideas,” he told ANI. 

Answering queries, the Israel President said India and his country have been cooperating on combatting terrorism and recalled how the Jewish community was attacked in the Mumbai terror attack. 

“I think for a long time we’ve been sharing know-how on combating terrorism. We remember the Mumbai horrific attacks and how the Jewish community was attacked in Mumbai as well as many from the non-Jewish community. And we always express sorrow. And when we remember that, there are a lot of issues to share. We share in science and technology. We share in doing good to the world in medicine,” he said. 

Herzog expressed his message of affection and friendship to the people and leadership of India. 

“We have a great message as two great ancient nations on how to contribute to the world and there’s a lot of mutual admiration… I want to express a clear message of affection and friendship to the people of India, wherever they are and the leadership of India,” he said. 

The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution calling for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses” in Hamas-ruled Gaza during the action of Israel forces. 

Israel rejected the resolution which did not mention the October 7 attacks in which Hamas killed around 1,400 people and took over 230 hostages. 

The resolution adopted by UNSC called for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors” in Gaza for “a sufficient number of days” to allow full, rapid, safe and unhindered access for UN agencies and partners. It called “for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, especially children, as well as ensuring immediate humanitarian access” by the terms of the resolution. The Council, by additional provisions in the text, called on all parties to refrain from depriving the civilian population in Gaza of basic services and aid indispensable to their survival, consistent with international humanitarian law. 

Twelve members voted in favour of the resolution, none against and there were three abstentions.

Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon had last month urged New Delhi to designate Hamas as a terror organisation in India as well. 

He stated that both India and Israel have a “shared war” against terror and counter-terrorism is one of the areas where the countries align. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first global leaders to condemn the terror attack on Israel. 

India has said it sees the attack by Hamas on Israel as “a terrorist attack” and that it has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine that lives side by side at peace with Israel. 

India has also said there is a universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law and the need to fight terrorism. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Agra: Man from West Bengal stopped from offering Namaz illegally at Taj Mahal, SC banned prayers by outsiders in 2018

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Agra: Man from West Bengal stopped from offering Namaz illegally at Taj Mahal, SC banned prayers by outsiders in 2018

On Thursday (16th November), a tourist from West Bengal was barred from performing ‘namaz’ in the Taj Mahal’s garden. The incident came to the notice after the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel on duty spotted a visitor laying out his prayer mat in the garden.

The CISF personnel intervened and stopped the tourist from offering Namaz within the premises. As per the order of the Supreme Court of India, offering Namaz is not allowed at the ASI site, even at the Shahi mosque in the Taj Mahal premises except on Fridays.

Senior conservation assistant for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Prince Vajpayee commented on the issue and said that the video of the incident was verified and confirmed. “A video surfaced on Thursday and upon verification, it was confirmed that a tourist from West Bengal had unfurled his prayer mat in the Taj Mahal garden, preparing for ‘namaz.’ The CISF personnel promptly intervened,” he added. 

The tourist was led to the control room, where he expressed surprise at the prohibition on performing ‘namaz’ at the Taj Mahal. He was then allowed to continue his visit to Agra after submitting a written apology. Vajpayee clarified that Namaz was not performed and that the man later adhered to the rules.

4 people were arrested in 2022 for offering Namaz on the Taj Mahal premise

Notably, this is not the first time a man has been caught offering Namaz on the Taj Mahal premises after the ASI banned it in the year 2018, allowing only locals to perform it on Fridays. On 26th May 2022, a similar incident was reported where 4 individuals were arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police for offering Namaz in the Taj Mahal premises on a non-Friday. All the accused had been booked under section 153 of the Indian Penal Code. 

The ASI Agra Circle, Raj Kumar Patel was then quoted as saying that even on Fridays only residents of the Tajganj locality, where the mausoleum is located, are allowed to pray between 12 pm and 2 pm.

SC banned prayers by outsiders, allowed locals only on Fridays

It is important to note that the Supreme Court of India in the year 2018 refused to allow prayers by outsiders at the mosque on the premises of the Taj Mahal, maintaining that the monument’s preservation was paramount.

The three-judge bench of the apex court headed by the Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, in its judgment, had stressed that the Taj Mahal must be preserved as it is one of the seven wonders of the world. It further added that there was no need to conduct prayers within the complex of the Taj Mahal.

Also, in January 2018, the district administration had ordered that people should produce valid ID proof showing that they were residents of Agra, before entering the complex to offer Namaz. The administration barred outsiders from entering the complex, which remains closed to tourists every Friday.

ASI banned daily Namaz at the Taj Mahal as per SC orders

Months after the judgement by SC, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in December 2018 banned the offering of Namaz at the Taj Mahal on all days except Fridays. Superintending Archaeologist, ASI (Agra circle) had said, “Namaz can only be offered on Fridays and that, too, by local residents only.” 

Meanwhile, the President of the Taj Mahal Intezamia Committee, Syed Ibrahim Hussain Zaidi blamed the “Anti-Muslim” mindset of the central and state governments for the decision. 

Nuh: Stones pelted by madrasa ‘children’ on Hindu women going for Puja, several injured, Police summon Maulvi as tension grips area

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Nuh: Stones pelted by madrasa ‘children’ on Hindu women going for Puja, several injured, Police summon Maulvi as tension grips area

In Haryana’s Nuh, a group of Hindu devotees, mostly women, reportedly came under attack from a nearby madrasa while going for the ‘Kuan Pujan’ ritual. The incident was reported on the night of 16th November.

“Some women were headed for Kuan Pujan and we have received a complaint that some children from the madrasa pelted stones at them. People from both communities have gathered here in this regard. The police spoke to them and sent them back home. We are filing an FIR and the accused, the maulvi of the madrasa have been called and they will be rounded up immediately. We appeal to the people to maintain peace, and proper investigation will be conducted,” Narendra Singh Bijarniya, Superintendent of Police, Nuh, said. The police appealed to people to maintain peace in the aftermath of the alleged incident.

The police added that no serious injuries have been reported and the details of injured persons can only be shared after the medical examination.

More than six women have been injured in the attack, according to Navbharat Times. Some children have also reportedly been injured in the attack. According to Haryana Tak, police deployment has been increased around Jama Masjid in Nuh.

The Kuan Pujan ritual was being observed by the local women for the son of one Ram Avatar, a resident of ward No 11 in Nuh. As per the reports, the women were heading to the Kailash Mandir at around 8.30 pm when stones were pelted at them. When the women were returning from the temple, the accused began to pelt stones at them for a second time. This led to tension in the area with members from both communities coming face to face.

The police arrived on the spot and prevented the situation from escalating. Angry residents raised slogans against the police administration. Meanwhile, two to three people have reportedly been detained and some people have been interrogated. Injured women were admitted to Nuh CHC for treatment.

Earlier, violence had broken out in Nuh during the Jalabhishek Yatra organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on July 31 this year. Six people were killed and a cleric died in an attack on a mosque in adjoining Gurugram.

On 31st July, a Brajmandal Jalabhishek Shobha Yatra carried by Hindus in Muslim-dominated Nuh in Mewat was attacked by Islamists. Stones were pelting, shots were fired by the accused hiding in the surrounding hills of Aravalli, and full-blown vandalism was perpetrated on Hindus claiming at least six lives.

At least 2,000 women and children took shelter in the Nalhar temple amid heavy firing from the Islamists. Police had discovered provocative videos and audio on social media and messages revealing that the violence was planned well in advance with an aim to “kill 20-30 people” when the yatra reached Bhadas.

USA: Media again gears up to brand Trump as the devil, as court upholds his freedom of speech

OpIndia Staff
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USA: Media again gears up to brand Trump as the devil, as court upholds his freedom of speech

With the US Presidential elections less than a year away, the leftist media has upped its ante to demonise potential Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump.

The British weekly newspaper, The Economist, has published its 38th annual guide titled ‘The World Ahead 2024’ on Thursday (16th November) and dubbed Donald Trump as the ‘greatest danger to the world’ for the upcoming year.

“A shadow looms over the world…And in all that time no single person has ever eclipsed our analysis as much as Donald Trump eclipses 2024. That a Trump victory next November is a coin-toss probability is beginning to sink in,” it claimed.

The Economist conceded that Donald Trump is ahead of the incumbent US President Joe Biden by a large margin in the swing states and also acknowledged that the legal witch-hunt against him in the form of ‘civil lawsuits’ and ‘criminal prosecutions’ only strengthened his position for the 2024 US Presidential elections.

“This is a perilous moment for a man like Mr Trump to be back knocking on the door of the Oval Office. Democracy is in trouble at home. Mr Trump’s claim to have won the election in 2020 was more than a lie: it was a cynical bet that he could manipulate and intimidate his compatriots, and it has worked,” the British newspaper brazened out.

“Mr Trump would be unbound in his pursuit of retribution, economic protectionism and theatrically extravagant deals. No wonder the prospect of a second Trump term fills the world’s parliaments and boardrooms with despair. But despair is not a plan. It is past time to impose order on anxiety,” it continued with the fear-mongering.

The Economist dubs Donald thread as ‘threat to America’

It further claimed that Donald Trump poses threat to America and its institutions. “The greatest threat Mr Trump poses is to his own country. In pursuing his enemies, Mr Trump will wage war on any institution that stands in his way, including the courts and the Department of Justice,” The Economist wrote.

In order to demonise Trump, the British newspaper claimed that his victory would somehow rejoice China and would remain ‘just another big power.’ It also alleged that the former US President would be bad for the country’s economy and lead to escalated cost of living for ordinary Americans.

“Mr Trump’s indifference to human rights might make the Saudi government more biddable once the Gaza war is over, and strengthen relations with Narendra Modi’s government in India,” the British newspaper went on a tirade.

British Newspaper claims Trump’s re-election will be watershed moment

“Mr Trump’s lust for a deal and his sense of America’s interests are unconstrained by reality and unanchored by values,” it lamented that Trump’s return to Oval office would stop US funding of the Russia-Ukraine war.

“By asserting that America has no global responsibility to help deal with climate change, Mr Trump would crush efforts to slow it. And he is surrounded by China hawks who believe confrontation is the only way to preserve American dominance. A second Trump term would be a watershed in a way the first was not,” The Economist claimed.

“Victory would confirm his most destructive instincts about power. His plans would encounter less resistance. And because America will have voted him in while knowing the worst, its moral authority would decline. The election will be decided by tens of thousands of voters in just a handful of states. In 2024 the fate of the world will depend on their ballots,” it further attempted to distort public perception about Donald Trump and influence voting preferences.

Gag order ‘paused’ against Donald Trump

On Thursday (16th November), a gag order that barred former US President Donald Trump from commenting on the staff of the court was temporarily lifted by the Associate Judge of the New York Appellate Division’s First Department.

Citing constitutional and statutory rights, Justice David Friedman paused the gag order following a request by the attorneys of Donald Trump in a $250 million business fraud case.

The gag order was originally imposed on the former US President after he commented on the principal law clerk (named Allison Greenfield) of Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron.

Following the temporary lifting of gag orders, Trump’s attorney Christopher Kise said, “Fortunately the Constitution and the First Amendment protect everyone, including President Trump…The public will again have full access to what is really taking place in this unprecedented trial.”

New York Attorney General Letitia James had filed a civil business fraud lawsuit against Donald Trump, his sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. and the top executives of Trump’s Organisation for supposedly inflating assets of the former US President, falsely boosting his net worth and making financial gains.

She has sought $250 million in damages from Donald Trump in the Manhattan Supreme Court and wants to disbar the former US President and his sons from running businesses in New York.

While reacting to the development, Trump said, “His (Judge Engoron) Ridiculous and Unconstitutional Gag Order, not allowing me to defend myself against him and his politically biased and out of control, Trump-Hating Clerk, who is sinking him and his Court to new levels of LOW, is a disgrace.”

Madhya Pradesh votes today, Shivraj Chouhan against ‘Hanuman’ and a family battle in Raghogarh: Here are key constituencies with big players in the fray

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Madhya Pradesh votes today, Shivraj Chouhan against ‘Hanuman’ and a family battle in Raghogarh: Here are key constituencies with big players in the fray

As Madhya Pradesh goes to the polls today for the crucial Assembly election, the main battle is between Congress and the BJP. Many prominent leaders of both parties, including Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and State Congress Chief Kamal Nath, are in the fray.

Here’s a glimpse into key battlegrounds that will shape the political landscape of the state.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been fielded by his party from the Budhni assembly constituency. The Congress has pitted actor Vikram Mastal against him. The 40-year-old played the role of ‘Hanuman’ in the 2008 TV serial ‘Ramayan 2’.

In the Chhindwara assembly constituency, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath is contesting from his home turf against the BJP’s Vivek Bunty Sahu, former Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha president for Chhindwara district.

Kamal Nath had won the by-elections from Chhindwara in 2019 by defeating the BJP’s Sahu by a margin of 25,837 votes. Kamal Nath’s tenure as chief minister ended in March 2020 following the rebellion by his party colleague Jyotiraditya Scindia, which led to Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s government coming back to power in the state.

Former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh’s son Jaivardhan Singh is contesting from his ‘family’ bastion, the Raghogarh constituency. However, with Jyotiraditya Scindia joining the BJP camp, the contest may get tricky.

Scindia, who is now the Union Civil Aviation Minister, has persuaded Hirendra Singh, alias Bunty Banna, son of Digvijaya Singh’s cousin Mool Singh, into the BJP camp. Bunty Banna has been fielded against Jaivardhan Singh from Raghogarh by the BJP.

BJP National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, one of the party heavyweights who has been roped in by the central leadership to contest in the state, is contesting from the Indore-1 constituency. The former Indore mayor has been pitted against Congress’ Sanjay Shukla.

Though Shukla had won the 2018 assembly elections from Indore-1, the constituency had traditionally been a BJP stronghold.
Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel, yet another BJP heavyweight, has been fielded from Narsingpur. The Union Minister has replaced his brother, Jalam Singh Patel, who had won twice from the same seat.

The Congress has fielded Lakhan Singh Patel, who will be contesting against Prahlad Singh Patel in Narsingpur. Lakhan had earlier lost the battle to the BJP’s Jalam Singh Patel in the 2018 assembly elections. Narsinghpur, dominated by the Patel community, stands as a focal point in this election.

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra is contesting from the Datia seat. Mishra is up against Congress’ Avdhesh Nayak, a former RSS functionary. Mishra, a two-time MLA from the BJP, had defeated Congress’ Bharti Rajendra in the 2018 assembly with 72,209 votes.

In Lahar assembly constituency, the BJP has fielded Ambrish Sharma to contest against Congress’ Govind Singh. Singh has the record of recording seven consecutive wins from Lahar. The BJP wants to make inroads into this Congress bastion.
The counting of votes in the state will take place on December 3.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

From Congress’ Bhupesh Baghel fighting against his nephew to TS Singh Deo fighting against former Congress leader: Some key Chhattisgarh poll battles

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From Congress’ Bhupesh Baghel fighting against his nephew to TS Singh Deo fighting against former Congress leader: Some key Chhattisgarh poll battles

The second phase of Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh is set to take place on November 17 for the remaining 70 seats of the 90-member assembly. Over 18,800 polling stations have been set up for the second phase of polling. Out of the 90 seats, 70 seats are going to the polls today. A total of 958 candidates are in the fray across the 70 seats. 

Raipur City West Assembly constituency has the number of candidates with 26 contestants, and the lowest is in Daundilohara constituency with four contestants.

The seat in Patan Assembly constituency will witness a triangular fight between Congress, BJP and Janata Congress Chhattisgarh. 

Congress has fielded Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel from his traditional seat while BJP has fielded Baghel’s nephew and MP Vijay Baghel against him. Janata Congress Chhattisgarh has fielded the party’s chief and former chief minister Ajit Jogi’s son, Amit Jogi in the Patan seat. 

Other key constituencies in the second phase of polling include Ambikapur, Raipur City South, Korba, Sakti, Durg Rural, and Lormi among others. 

Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo will be seeking the mandate for Congress in the Ambikapur Assembly constituency. BJP has fielded Rajesh Agrawal, who was a former Congress leader. Deo has been three times MLA from the seat since 2008. 

Sakti Assembly constituency will see an electoral battle between Congress’ Charan Das Mahant and BJP’s Khilawan Sahu. Das is currently serving as the speaker in the Chhattisgarh assembly and also a three-time MLA and three-time MP from the seat. 

Chhattisgarh’s former home minister Brij Mohan Agrawal is seeking a voter’s mandate from Raipur City South for BJP while Congress has fielded Mahant Ram Sundar. 

BJP has fielded its state chief and MP Arun Sao from Lormi constituency against Congress’ Thaneshwar Sahu. 

In Korba Assembly constituency, Congress has fielded Jai Singh Agrawal who is presently the Revenue Minister of the state while BJP has fielded party vice president Lakhanlal Dewangan. 

Union Minister and MP Renuka Singh is contesting from Bharatpur-Sonhat Assembly constituency where Congress has fielded Gulab Singh Kamro. 

In the second phase, voting will take place from 8 am to 5 pm, while in nine polling stations of Bindranavagarh assembly constituency, voting will be held from 7 am to 3 pm. 

The Election Commission concluded the first phase of polling in Chhattisgarh for 20 seats on November 7. The counting of votes to the 90-member assembly will be done on December 3.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Iran orchestrated October 7 Hamas attacks to derail India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor that includes Israel: Israeli President Isaac Herzog

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Iran orchestrated October 7 Hamas attacks to derail India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor that includes Israel: Israeli President Isaac Herzog

Israel President Isaac Herzog on Thursday accused Iran of “orchestrating” the October 7 attacks by Hamas to “derail” the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor which was paving the way for Israel’s inclusion in the region and peace process.

Herzog further claimed that Iran is supporting the “terror machine” by providing billions of dollars aiming to undermine the regional situation.

In an exclusive interview to ANI, President Isaac Herzog said, “We are also attacked from the north by Hezbollah which is a huge terror organization, that has taken over Lebanon under the arms of Iran. And the real umpire of evil here starts in Tehran and spreads Islamic fundamentalism of the worst kind to the entire region.”

“They have taken over Syria, Lebanon and Gaza, and now from Yemen, we are attacked and Iraq, and everybody should be aware that there is an Iranian evil effort to undermine the regional situation,” he added.

The Israel President said that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) that was announced during the G20 Summit sidelines in India was a visionary step giving more strength to New Delhi and paves the way for Israel’s inclusion in the region’s development.

He further alleged that Iran wanted to “derail” this effort of Israel’s inclusion and the “huge peace vision.”

India, the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union had signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

“Around two months ago in the G20 summit, Prime Minister Modi, US President Joe Biden announced a special corridor of energy, communications, business, and science from Israel all the way down to India for Saudi Arabia in the Gulf and Jordan. An amazing vision that connects all of us together will connect Europe to Southeast Asia and even America all the way to Australia. That is a grand vision that gives India huge strength on the way,” Herzog said.

“But somebody decided they wanted to derail this effort of inclusion of Israel and this huge peace vision of President Biden…this empire of evil Iran, who is working extra hours to undermine any inclusion of Israel in the region and any peace process. And all nations in the world must fight Iran for pursuing this evil approach” Herzog added.

On being asked if Tel Aviv has any evidence of Tehran’s involvement in the October 7 attacks, Herzog said that although he does not have anything specific, but pointed out that “terrorist leaders” met in Beirut just weeks before the attack.

“I am not dealing with the specific attack here; I don’t have specific information but just a few weeks before the attack, all the terrorist leaders met together in Beirut, Hassan Nasrallah of Hezbollah, number 2 in Hamas, and Al-Nakhalah of Islamic Jihad, with the commander in-charge from Iran, the commander of revolutionary guard from Iran was orchestrating this,” the Israeli President further said.

He added, “They met in Beirut. Not only that, the Foreign Minister of Iran threatened specifically against the agreement, apostille agreement between Israel, the United States and Saudi Arabia with clear threats about how it will impact the situation so you can add one in one, the conclusions are clear, Iran is supporting in billions of dollars this terror machine all over the world”.

On October 7, over 2000 Hamas terrorists breached the Israeli borders and carried out a horrific terror attack, killing more than 1400 people.

Following this, Israel launched a strong counter-offensive targeting the Hamas units in Gaza.

The incident was widely condemned globally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first leaders to strongly condemn the “terrorist attack” and expressed solidarity with Israel.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

India to continue using American Cummins engine for the Zorawar light tank project even though the delayed German engine is now available

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India to continue using American Cummins engine for the Zorawar light tank project even though the delayed German engine is now available

Indian agencies have decided that they will continue to use the American Cummins engine for the entire Zorawar light tank project, which got delayed by a few months due to issues in the supply of German engines.

“The German clearances have come now and their firms are ready to supply the engines but it has now been decided that we will go ahead with the Cummins engine only for the entire programme,” sources in the Defence Research and Development Organisation said.

The Zorawar light tank project was earlier planned to be developed with a German engine but it got delayed due to a lack of German export control clearances known as BAFA clearance after which it was decided to be developed with the American engine.

The Zorawar light tank is a joint venture between DRDO and private sector firm Larsen and Toubro.

The light tank prototype with the American Cummins engine is almost ready and will start undergoing trials by the end of this year.

After the internal trials, the main trials will start in the desert sector first and after that, they will be taken to the high-altitude areas of Ladakh and the Sikkim sector.

The tank is planned to be used in all terrains and will be tested in all conditions for that purpose, the sources said.

The need for the light tank was felt during the ongoing standoff with China in 2020 when the People’s Liberation Army showed up along the Line of Actual Control with their light tanks which can travel and manoeuvre faster than the conventional tanks.

The tank has been named after the legendary General Zorawar Singh who led multiple successful victories in Tibet which is now controlled by the Chinese Army.

After the standoff started, the Indian Army had to induct a considerable number of T-72 and T-90 tanks in operational areas, gaining tactical surprise over the adversary and thereby forcing the adversary on a back foot. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

J and K: Bomb explodes near Shiv Mandir in Poonch a month after posters threatening Hindus and Sikhs to leave their homes appeared in the area

OpIndia Staff
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J and K: Bomb explodes near Shiv Mandir in Poonch a month after posters threatening Hindus and Sikhs to leave their homes appeared in the area

On Wednesday, November 16, a blast took place at a bus stand near a Shiv Mandir in the Surankote area of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir. After the blast, shrapnel was found on the walls of the Hindu temple. There is no official confirmation of any casualties. The incident happened exactly a month after mysterious posters threatening Hindu and Sikh families to leave their homes had appeared here in Poonch.

Following the incident, there was an atmosphere of panic in the area. A forensic team has been called to the spot by the police and security around the blast site has been tightened.

In the video published by news agency ANI, security personnel with guns can be seen taking stock inside the temple. Holes and marks are also visible in many places on the walls of the temple.

The ‘mysterious’ explosion as officials called it, created a crater on the ground. The cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained. However, it could be a grenade attack, sources said. Security agencies have initiated an investigation.

Meanwhile, talking about the incident, the temple priest Atul Sharma stated that the explosion took place at around 8.50 pm on Wednesday. He recalled standing at the door of the temple when he heard a loud noise. He added that the guard informed him about the blast and urged him not to enter the temple premises. Following this, the priest called the relevant authorities. SHO and DSP arrived at the location after this.

Priest Atul Sharma further said that the Indian Army personnel also arrived at the scene and assessed the situation. The priest confirmed that the explosion resulted in no damage, however, the explosion was so strong that everyone got scared and ran helter-skelter. Many ran inside the temple to take shelter.

Three LeT terrorists arrested from the same area and on the same day when the blast happened

Notably, on the day the blast took place, the police had put up notices at the houses of several drug peddlers in the Poonch district. Additionally, the police had also arrested three terrorists including a government teacher in Salain village, which is in the same area where the explosion occurred. The accused were identified as Abdul Rashid Salian, Mehraj Ahmed and Ajaz Ahmed Shaikh (the government teacher).

Two pistols, four magazines, six mobile phones and cash worth Rs 2.5 lakh were recovered from those arrested. The police confirmed that the accused had to transport the consignment, which had reportedly been brought from across the border, to South Kashmir in a Tempo Traveller via Mughal Road.

The Safari vehicle in which the terror operatives had to shift the consignment to the Tempo Traveller has also been seized. The terror module reportedly belonged to the Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

A case was registered and all three were being questioned.

Posters threatening Hindus and Sikhs pasted on houses in Poonch in Jammu & Kashmir

Notably, precisely one month earlier on October 14, mysterious posters threatening Hindu and Sikh families to leave their homes had come up in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district. Posters were plastered on many residences, and warnings were issued to vacate their properties or else face the consequences. 

People noticed the warnings outside their homes at around 6 in the evening on 14th October which alarmed them. “All Hindus and the Sikh community are reminded to leave this area as soon as possible. Otherwise, you would have to pay a heavy price for it,” according to the Urdu message inscribed on the posters.

The incident had sparked fear among people in the area. They had asked the army and police to take action against the anti-national elements who issued a threat to them.

Female boxer from Assam held captive by ‘social media friend’ in Nigeria after she suddenly reached Lagos to meet him, family receives ransom calls with threats

OpIndia Staff
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Female boxer from Assam held captive by ‘social media friend’ in Nigeria after she suddenly reached Lagos to meet him, family receives ransom calls with threats

A female boxer and gym trainer from Guwahati in Assam is reportedly being kept captive by her ‘social media friend’ in Nigeria. The victim identified as Barnali Baurah Saikia suddenly went to Nigeria on 28 October to meet a Nigerian man she met online through her husband. However, she had no contact with her family for the next three days. She did, however, manage to contact her family on the fourth day and let them know about her predicament.

She has been abducted by her social media friend, a young man named King and his aide Daniel. Her family said that they have received ransom calls from the Nigerian man, after which they have filed an FIR with the police.

Bornali’s husband, Nayan Saikia, introduced her and family members to the Nigerian youth who identified himself as King about six months back on social media. He came to know the family well. Barnali and King grew close to each other through chats and video calls after that. As their intimacy increased over time, she made the decision to meet him in Nigeria by flying there on a tourist visa. After suddenly deciding to meet him, Barnali Saikia packed her bags and travelled to the faraway country on 28th October, taking a flight to Lagos from Bengaluru.

However, this wasn’t a happy encounter between the ‘friends’ as he snatched away her visa, passport and cash after he came to receive her at the airport in the Nigerian city of Lagos. She was then held captive by King and Daniel, and could not contact her family members for three days.

Fortunately, she somehow managed to contact her family members on the fourth day of captivity through a WhatsApp call, seeking their help in order to secure her release from her abductors. She said that she had been kept captive in a room, and she was not being given enough food to eat.

In the meanwhile, King called the family members, asking for ransom in exchange for her release. He called her parents demanding ransom with threats. After that, the family filed an FIR with the police.

“On October 28 my mother went to Bangalore to Lagos in Nigeria along with my father’s acquaintance. It was all fine in the beginning but in the last few days she has not been given food and basically, she has been abducted,” informed the victim’s daughter. Furthermore, she mentioned that her mother left on a 14-day visa on 28 October. Her tourist visa has already expired.

Her family has filed a formal complaint with the Dispur Police station and stated that Barnali Baurah Saikia was not allowed to reach the airport by King despite having a return ticket booked by her husband on 13 November at 10:45 pm.

The family has also contacted the Delhi crime branch for additional assistance to ensure their daughter returns home safely. Her husband Nayan Saikia said that he has sought the help of Indian authorities to intervene for the safe release of his wife from King and Daniel, two abductors.

Her husband Nayan Saikia said that initially Barnali was kept at a hotel, and later she was shifted to a room. He said that he has already transferred around ₹5.5-6 lakh to King, but his wife has not been released.

Apart from being a boxer, Barnali Baruah Saikia is a certified coach and works as a trainer at the leading gym in Guwahati.

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