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Powerful earthquake jolts Pakistan and Afghanistan leaving 13 dead and several injured, tremors felt also in North India

OpIndia Staff
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Powerful earthquake jolts Pakistan and Afghanistan leaving 13 dead and several injured, tremors felt also in North India

At least 13 people have been killed and more than 40 injured after a powerful 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit large regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan on Tuesday night.

Tremors of several seconds were also reported in Delhi and other parts of North India. The earthquake’s epicentre was close to Jurm in northeastern Afghanistan, roughly 300 km north of Kabul and not far from the country’s borders with Tajikistan.

Nine of the confirmed fatalities were recorded in the valley region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan. The nine people who died in northwest Pakistan included five men, two women, and two children. They died as a result of roof collapses in various areas of northwest Pakistan.

More than 200 people in the Swat valley and other parts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwest Pakistan were taken to hospitals in a state of shock. “These terrified people collapsed, and some of them collapsed because of the shock of the earthquake,” informed Bilal Faizi, a spokesman for Pakistan’s emergency services.

Four others were killed, including a child, in Afghanistan in the Laghman province near the country’s border with Pakistan. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Taliban said that all health centers were on standby.

Earlier, Sharafat Zaman Amar, the Taliban’s designated spokesperson for the public health ministry, announced that the earthquake in Afghanistan had so far claimed at least two lives and injured about 20 others.

He added, “Unfortunately, there could be more casualties as the quake was so powerful, in most parts of the country and all hospitals and health facilities are ready to save the lives of people.” Many families were out of their homes celebrating the Persian New Year or Nowruz when the disaster struck.

Indian netizens posted about the tense occurrence on social media. Journalist Richa Anirudh shared a video of her house during the earthquake.

A user showed residents of housing societies moving out of their homes as a precautionary step. 

Another tried to lighten the mood amidst the scary situation.

The Delhi Fire Department received some reports of tilting buildings in Delhi, and teams reached the spot to investigate. According to Delhi Fire Service (DFS) Director Atul Garg, a call was received in the Shakarpur area on Vikas Marg in east Delhi, but ‘no tilting of the building was found.’

Delhi police called it a ‘hoax call’ and clarified that ‘there was already a gap in the building.’ They also mentioned that there was no damage due to the earthquake.

Several anti-India & Pak accounts took it as an opportunity to post fake news using photos and videos of the Turkey earthquake to create panic in India.

The deadliest earthquake to hit Afghanistan in nearly 25 years rocked the Paktika province in June of last year, killing more than 1,000 people. Due to its location at the confluence of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, this area is more susceptible to experience earthquakes.

Last month, a massive earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria. It was the largest earthquake in Turkey since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake. It was felt as far as Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Cyprus, and the Black Sea coast of Turkey. There were more than 10,000 aftershocks in the three weeks that followed the catastrophe.

Here is how Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) is rallying support for Amritpal Singh and his aides

OpIndia Staff
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Here is how Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) is rallying support for Amritpal Singh and his aides

Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), Amritsar has come out to support Amritpal Singh and other arrested Khalistanis. In multiple statements issued by SGPC’s officials, though they restrained themselves from taking Amritpal’s name directly, they criticised the government of Punjab for taking action against the youth.

The first statement came from SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami on March 19. He said, “There are rules laid down by Punjab Police and [Punjab and Haryana] High Court on steps to be taken to arrest someone if an FIR is registered. I believe the action that has been taken since yesterday created an atmosphere of panic among the public. Buses have been stopped. Section 144 has been imposed. The Internet has been suspended.”

OpIndia reported how the Internet became a tool for Amritpal Singh to propagate his agenda and call his supporters to join him in protests. Notably, before the Ajnala incident, where Singh’s supporters attacked the police station, Singh and his associate Daljeet Kalsi released videos urging his followers to reach Ajnala. Details about the incident can be read here, and all reports related to the Ajnala incident can be read here. Considering such situations, it was essential for security agencies to suspend the internet to maintain law and order. Amritpal also used the Clubhouse app to discuss his agenda and bring people under his organisation. OpIndia’s details on Clubhouse discussions can be read here.

He added, “I believe such actions remind people about the old days [insurgency in Punjab]. I want to tell the government of Punjab that there is a system for everything. There is a system to impose laws. But if we create an atmosphere like that, people get afraid. In such a situation, the public sees things from a different perspective. I believe government should understand that if they want to arrest someone, there is a way and procedure [that should be followed]. But the way the government has acted, it is creating an atmosphere of panic which is not good [for the state].”

“Every government has policies. If they see aggression against them, they take extreme steps like this. But I believe the situation should have been handled differently,” said Dhami.

Later, SGPC issued an official statement. Giani Harpreet Singh, Jathedar, Shri Akal Takht Sahib said, “Governments should refrain from adopting the practice of oppression and illegal detentions of the youth who speak for their rights in a democratic manner because Punjab has already suffered a lot, and now it is necessary to move towards a better future.”

SGPC claimed youth (Amritpal and his associates) are “who speak for their rights in a democratic manner”. On contrary to the claims, they were seen waving weapons, including guns and swords, across the state. Reports suggest he was raising a private militia in the guise of de-addiction centres. His links with the Pakistani spy agency ISI and designated terrorist organisation Sikhs For Justice came to the fore during the investigation. Any of these activities cannot be seen as a “democratic” way of raising a voice.

Reminding of the time of insurgency in the state, Singh added, “In the memories of Punjab, there are deep wounds of oppression of the past governments, and no government has ever been serious to take corrective measures.”

Accusing the government of making the Sikh youth scapegoats, he said, “This context cannot be ignored that there is a lot of dissatisfaction in the mentality of Sikh youth against the discriminations and excesses by successive governments of time. But there are also big powers which constantly remain waiting for opportunities to play with the emotions of the Sikh youth to make them directionless and scapegoats.”

Furthermore, the statement read, “He also advised the Sikh youth to walk on the path of transforming their intellectual & academic life instead of taking the path of conflict and invited them to preserve golden future of Qaum (community).” On one hand, SGPC official asked to leave the path of conflict but on the other hand it came out in support of the group that openly called for conflict with the establishment.

Singh advised the youth not to fall for temptations to act against the state government. He said, “The planning of establishments of the time is very brainy, therefore, the youth should refrain from getting involved in any temptation, which gives the government an opportunity to suppress the Sikh youth.”

He accused the government of creating a situation to weaken the Sikhs religiously and politically. He said, “The government’s policy of weakening the Sikhs religiously and politically creates a vacuum and unrest among the Sikhs and this practice is neither in the interest of the governments nor Punjab. The political discriminations of the governments from time to time have played a big role in filling the feeling of alienation in this country among the Sikhs who made the most sacrifices for the freedom of India, but today the time is demanding that the governments should learn from the mistakes of the past. By simplifying the perennial religious, political and economic issues of the Sikhs, the sense of alienation among the Sikhs should be eliminated.”

On March 20, Dhami issued another statement. He said, “It is not in the interest of the state to arrest the youths by creating fabricated stories without any charge. Punjab has seen many eras and it is very unfortunate that the present government of the state has added another chapter to the situation.”

Dhami condemned the action taken by the police and said it was not right to “deliberately target innocent Sikh youths in Punjab.” He added, “The Sikh youth of Punjab have contributed a lot to the progress of not only the state but also the country and the world. But it is sad that Sikh youths are looked at with suspicion repeatedly. The present government of Punjab is also making a similar mistake.” Dhami further advised the government to provide youth employment and stop “misuse government machinery only for political gain”.

Again, Amritpal Singh and his associates were not innocent. They were calling for a separate Sikh nation, Khalistan. Amritpal was raising a private militia and actions like the attack on Ajnala Police Station brought his organisation under the radar of the security agencies.

In a statement on March 21, Harpreet Singh, Executive Jathedar Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib, said, “It appears the government is creating unnecessary panic among the public. The internet is down, and because of this, misinformation is spreading among people. The right information is not reaching everyone. Similar misadventures were done by the then-government three decades ago. Sikhs and the rest of the country faced its effects. A similar scheme is being run to paint Sikhs in a bad picture, to damage Punjab and for political gains. Sikh youth of ages 16-17 are being detained illegally.”

OpIndia reported on March 21 that there were misinformation campaigns running on social media. Had the internet not been suspended, it would have created a situation of panic among the public as the misinformation by anti-India elements spiked exponentially as soon as the crackdown on Amritpal Singh began. Many social media accounts spreading misinformation were banned for Indian users by March 21 before the suspension was lifted in some areas. Notably, Mo Dhaliwal, the brain behind the anti-India toolkit during farmer protests, also tweeted urging Rihanna to speak up for Punjab.

He added, “It is very important to stabilise Punjab as it is a border state. If they [the govenrment] want to stabilise the state, they have to sit with Sikhs and talk. They have solved the problems of the Sikhs. The state and country cannot stay peaceful if the government keeps creating such panic. If you want the state to remain peaceful, you should restrain such actions. The state and the centre should sit and solve the problems [of the state]. The action against Sikh youth, especially those who are young, must stop. The state government should make its stand clear.”

Crackdown on Amritpal Singh

On March 18, Punjab Police and central agencies launched a massive crackdown on pro-Khalistan separatist leader Amritpal Singh. So far, over 110 associates of Singh have been arrested. However, he is still on the run. Internet was suspended on March 18 for one day, but the suspension was extended for two more days. Police have alleged that Singh was in contact with ISI and received funds from Pakistan. Furthermore, it has been reported that Singh was creating a private army in the guise of an anti-drug drive and de-addiction centre. Following the crackdown, official Indian Government establishments in London and San Francisco were attacked.

JPMorgan Chase’s Nickel worth millions in Dutch warehouse turns out to be bags of stone

OpIndia Staff
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JPMorgan Chase’s Nickel worth millions in Dutch warehouse turns out to be bags of stone

On Monday, March 20, the Wall Street Journal reported that a mix-up in a Dutch warehouse caused JPMorgan Chase, an American global financial services firm, to acquire bags of stones that were wrongly assumed to be nickel. 

The company purchased this nickel worth $1.3 million years ago and kept it in Access World’s Rotterdam warehouse in the Netherlands. Reportedly, an operator for the warehouse weighed bags that were thought to contain 54 metric tons of nickel, only to find that they were filled with stones, according to The Wall Street Journal.

According to media reports, the firm was ignorant of the material stored in warehouse bags until last week when the London Metal Exchange (LME) reported that sacks containing around 54 tonnes of nickel in an unnamed warehouse had failed to meet its criteria.

The LME did not disclose the company’s name, but it was later revealed that the bags belonged to JPMorgan Chase.

Reportedly, it’s still unclear whether the bags ever contained nickel, or if the issue is the result of an error, theft, or fraud. Warehouses are responsible for checking and confirming metal under the LME’s requirements. Warehouses must be insured, whereas actual metal traders are often protected against hazards such as theft.

In a statement, Access World, which owned the warehouse, said it is inspecting “warranted bags of nickel briquettes at all locations” and that it believes the issue to be “an isolated case and specific to one warehouse in Rotterdam.”

However, Access World, rather than JPMorgan, is likely to experience financial burdens because it is in charge of inspecting metal upon admission and keeping it safe while it is in the shed. The LME has stated that it is working with the operator to determine what went wrong.

UP SDO who had put up Osama bin Laden’s poster calling him ‘world’s best engineer’ sacked from govt job

OpIndia Staff
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UP SDO who had put up Osama bin Laden’s poster calling him ‘world’s best engineer’ sacked from govt job

Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has sacked the official who had put up a poster of terrorist Osama Bin Laden and hailed him as the ‘best engineer in the world’.

The state-run power distribution company terminated the services of Ravindra Prakash Gautam, Sub-divisional officer (SDO) Farukkhabad. 

On Monday, UPPCL chairman M Devraj issued Gautam’s termination order after an inquiry committee found him guilty of ‘engaging in an anti-national act that tarnished the image of the department.

In June last year, it was reported that Ravindra Prakash Gautam, former SDO (Nawabganj) posted in Kayamanganj in UP’s Farrukhabad had put up the poster of Al-Qaeda terrorist Osama bin Laden in his office and had claimed that Laden was the best engineer in the world. He had framed his opinion after he read a book on Laden which mentioned that ‘Laden had a degree in civil engineering and was associated with many crucial projects in Saudi Arabia in the initial phase of his life’.

After the video of the poster of Laden hanging in his office with the caption “Respected Osama Bin Laden, the best engineer in the world” went viral over social media platforms the SDO was suspended by Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam and an investigation was initiated. 

The poster that was put up by the now-terminated SDO in his office

According to the order issued by the UPPCL chairman, “Him (Ravindra Prakash Gautam) considering Osama bin Laden as the best engineer and pasting his photo in the office are signs of extreme indiscipline. Despite being a public servant, he committed an anti-national act and also against the corporation that damaged the department’s reputation.”

A number of other accusations were made against him by the DVVNL investigative committee, including causing loss of revenue, inappropriate behaviour towards senior officers, and negligence in departmental work.

Gautam, in his defence, gave several bizarre arguments, one such was that if some people in this country can idolize Nathuram Godse who killed Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi then why can he not idolize Osama Bin Laden. 

How Amritpal Singh was trained by ISI, had links to SFJ and how Pannu is now issuing threats over crackdown: Details

OpIndia Staff
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How Amritpal Singh was trained by ISI, had links to SFJ and how Pannu is now issuing threats over crackdown: Details

On March 21, a Hindustan Times report revealed that Pakistani spy agency ISI trained pro-Khalistan separatist leader and chief of Waris Punjab De Amritpal Singh in Georgia before coming to India. Furthermore, it has been revealed that Singh had close links to the banned Khalistani terrorist organisation Sikhs For Justice. HT quoted unnamed officials in India’s counter-terrorism apparatus saying key portions of the conspiracy were hatched in Dubai.

A person aware of intelligence analysis of Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal said, “During his stay in Dubai, which is a hub for ISI agents, Amritpal Singh was offered money as part of a well-orchestrated plan to revive militancy in Punjab. He was sent to Georgia for training by ISI before his flight to India.” Amritpal Singh is a part of the conspiracy hatched by Pakistan to revive militancy in Punjab, the officer said.

He added, “Amritpal Singh also has links with SFJ and even campaigned for the latter’s activities on social media.” Singh was close to Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, founder of SFJ, who is a designated terrorist under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

Reports suggest that Amritpal Singh, who claimed to be running de-addiction centres, was found to be running a drug smuggling network in India with the help of ISI. Amritpal was allegedly using low-quality cheap antidotes to ensure prolonged dependency on drugs in inmates at the centres.

Weapons procured from Pakistan were recovered from the centres. Furthermore, the drone intrusions across the border to drop drugs and weapons spiked after he arrived in India in September 2022. Agencies noted that Singh was creating a ‘private militia’ at his drug de-addiction centres. He had named it the “Anandpur Khalsa Fauj (AKF)”. According to the investigating agencies, the group was misappropriating funds in the name of Khalistan under the supervision of his uncle Harjit Singh.

Jaswant Singh Rode, brother of Pakistan-based Lakhbir Singh Rode, was the source of drugs for Amritpal Singh. Rode was also linked to his main handler Avtar Singh Khanda’s link Paramjeet Singh Pamma. The official told HT, “Besides, he has links with drug smugglers across the border identified by their pseudo names – Billa, Bilal and Rana.” Not to forget, the Mercedes car he was using to travel across Punjab was allegedly given to him by Ravel Singh, a notorious drug dealer.

Another round of “Khalsa Vaheer” was planned from March 19, starting from Muktsar Sahib Gurudwara and ending at Damdama Sahib Gurudwara on Baisakhi. The idea was to increase his influence in the Malwa region. The march was deliberately scheduled on the Barsi (death anniversary) of controversial singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala. Notably, Moosewala’s mother praised Amritpal Singh in her address at the Barsi event.

SFJ issued threats over a crackdown on Amritpal Singh

Irked by the crackdown on Amritpal Singh, SFJ’s chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannu issued a threat against Punjab Government and Central Government. In a video statement, he issued a threat to damage powerhouses in Delhi. He also asked his followers to reach the Delhi border. Pannu said in the statement that Singh was connecting thousands of Sikhs to Anandpur Sahib with Khalsa Vaheer. He was keeping youth away from drugs. He alleged the work done by Singh irked the Indian government leading to a crackdown against him. He called it the beginning of a war. He threatened to damage the Pragati-3 powerhouse in his statement.

Amritpal Singh urged his followers to support Referendum 2020

In a Clubhouse discussion, Amritpal Singh urged his followers to support Sikhs For Justice’s Referendum 2020. He categorically said that everyone who is demanding Khalistan should be supported but with caution. He saw no problem supporting deemed terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu’s SFJ as it demands a separate nation for Sikhs. A detailed report on publicly available Clubhouse recordings of Amritpal Singh can be read here.

Crackdown on Amritpal Singh

On March 18, Punjab Police launched a massive crackdown on Amritpal Singh with support from Central agencies. Around 114 of his associates and followers have been arrested so far, including actor Daljeet Kalsi who is believed to be his advisor and financer. Singh managed to escape after a car chase on March 18 and is on the run. Punjab Police revealed Singh has connections to SFJ and ISI. His treasurer received funds from Pakistan. Four of his associates were shifted to Dibrugarh, Assam. The state govt suspended mobile internet and imposed Section 144 in the state. Internet in some locations is still suspended. NIA reached Punjab to take over the case on March 21.

‘Van was coming from AAP office’: Delhi Police registers 100 FIRs over anti-Modi posters, 6 arrested for property defacement

OpIndia Staff
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‘Van was coming from AAP office’: Delhi Police registers 100 FIRs over anti-Modi posters, 6 arrested for property defacement

After several posters against Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed on walls and poles in various parts of the capital were found, the Delhi Police filed 100 FIRs and arrested six people.

One of the posters that read ‘Modi hatao, desh bachao’ called for the overthrow of the PM Modi-led government at the Center.

Speaking to ANI, Special CP Deependra Pathak said “Delhi Police registered 100 FIRs while 6 people were arrested for objectionable posters including some against PM Narendra Modi across the city. Posters didn’t have details of the printing press. FIR has been filed under sections of the Printing Press Act and Defacement of Property Act.”

Special CP Pathak also added that the police had intercepted a van as soon as it left the Aam Aadmi Party office. A few posters were seized and some people were also arrested.

Some media reports state that the police took down over 2,000 “anti-Modi” posters from various locations across the city.

According to a TV9 Bharatvarsh report, Over 50,000 of these posters were meant to be put up across Delhi, according to police officials investigating the case. Two printing presses were ordered for this purpose. Also, several workers were hired at the same time to put up these posters across the city from Sunday night to Monday morning.

Anti-Modi posters (Image via ETV Bharat)

This comes after posters attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi were put up in several locations throughout West Delhi. The poster stated that Modi must be ousted to save the nation (Modi hatao Desh bachao). However, neither a symbol nor the name of any party or organization was mentioned on the posters. Such anti-Modi posters were seen across Metro pillars in Janakpuri, Tilak Nagar, Uttam Nagar, Vikaspuri, and Subhash Nagar. 

Delhi Police officials have clarified that out of the 100 FIRs, 36 are on anti-Modi posters, rest are in connection with other posters.

Note: This article has been updated with latest information on number of FIRs.

Amritpal Singh changed looks and attire, local Gurudwara helped him escape from a village in Jalandhar: What the eyewitness said

OpIndia Staff
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Amritpal Singh changed looks and attire, local Gurudwara helped him escape from a village in Jalandhar: What the eyewitness said

On March 21, it was revealed that a local Gurudwara in the village Nangal Ambian, district Jalandhar, helped pro-Khalistani separatist fugitive Amritpal Singh escape. In a statement, an eyewitness told the news agency ANI, “We got to know today morning when the police came that Amritpal and his associates were here in the village on March 18. He changed clothes at the local gurudwara, had food&then went away on a motorcycle. Babaji, who’s being questioned by police now, had admitted that Amritpal came here.”

Though the Punjab Police have not confirmed the footage, the CCTV footage sourced from the local villagers showed Amritpal Singh in a different attire escaping on a motorbike. Reportedly, Singh had fled Mehatpur in a Maruti Brezza car. He reached the Nangal Ambian village and stayed in a Gurudwara, where he changed his attire and escaped on a motorbike.

A Dainik Bhaskar report pointed out that before the escape, Singh removed Bana and changed attire to grey trousers and a zipper. He was seen wearing a pink Dastar (turban) and black sunglasses. He was not carrying his Kirpan in the footage. It appears Singh also trimmed his beard, which is forbidden for Amritdhari Sikhs. He escaped on the bike with registration number PB 08 CU 8884. The report said the person who escaped with him had been identified as his media advisor.

In a statement, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sukhchain Singh Gill said, “Amritpal Singh has not been arrested yet. We are making all efforts to arrest him. We’re hopeful that we’ll arrest him soon…It is difficult to say that. Punjab Police is receiving full cooperation from other states and central agencies”. Furthermore, four people have been arrested for helping Singh escape.

IGP Gill said, “Those arrested for helping Amritpal to flee from Mehatpur include Manpreet Manna (28 years) of village Nawan Killa of Shahkot, Gurdeep Singh Deepa (34) of village Bal Naun in Nakodar, Harpreet Singh Happy (36) of Kotla Nodh Singh village of Bullowal Hoshiarpur and Gurbhej Singh alias Bheja of village Goindara of Faridkot.”

Crackdown on Amritpal Singh

On March 18, Punjab Police launched a massive crackdown on Amritpal Singh with support from Central agencies. Around 114 of his associates and followers have been arrested so far, including actor Daljeet Kalsi who is believed to be his advisor and financer. Singh managed to escape after a car chase on March 18 and is on the run. Punjab Police revealed Singh has connections to SFJ and ISI. His treasurer received funds from Pakistan. Four of his associates were shifted to Dibrugarh, Assam. The state govt suspended mobile internet and imposed Section 144 in the state. Internet in some locations is still suspended. NIA reached Punjab to take over the case on March 21.

Pakistan: Top ISI brigadier killed during an encounter with militants in South Waziristan

ANI
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Pakistan: Top ISI brigadier killed during an encounter with militants in South Waziristan

Pakistan military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday said that a brigadier from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Mustafa Kamal Barki, was killed during an encounter with “hardcore terrorists” in South Waziristan’s Angoor Adda, Pakistan-based Dawn newspaper reported. 

The ISPR in a statement said that an intense exchange of fire took place between the two sides, adding that Brigadier Mustafa Kamal Barki was killed “while leading the encounter from the front” and seven others were injured, including two who were critically wounded. The military’s media affairs wing said Brigadier Barki and his team “put up a valiant resistance against the terrorists during the encounter and the officer sacrificed his life for the peace of the motherland”.

“Defence forces of Pakistan and intelligence agencies pledge to reaffirm and demonstrate firm resolve to eliminate the menace of terrorism from every inch of the country,” the ISPR said, as quoted by Dawn. 

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed regret over the incident and said Brigadier Barki had “sacrificed his life for the peace of motherland”, adding that his sacrifice would not go in vain. 

“The terrorists will be found out [and] they will have to pay a heavy price,” the foreign minister said. 

PTI Chairman Imran Khan also said he was “saddened” to hear of the news and extended his condolences to the brigadier’s family, Dawn reported. 
ISPR recently confirmed that two children were killed during an operation against suspected “militants” on the border of North and South Waziristan districts, Dawn reported. 

According to ISPR, two children died during the operation, in which officials alleged that eight people, whom the media wing called “militants” also left two soldiers wounded. 

“Upon information about the presence of militants in the Zinghara area of South Waziristan, security forces carried out an operation,” said the statement. 
Earlier, unconfirmed media reports claimed that the children were killed in a drone strike but in the ISPR statement, there was no mention of a “drone strike,” reported Dawn.

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

Rajasthan Police claims interview of Lawrence Bishnoi, currently lodged in Punjab’s Bathinda jail, did not take place in their state

ANI
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Rajasthan Police claims interview of Lawrence Bishnoi, currently lodged in Punjab’s Bathinda jail, did not take place in their state

Rajasthan police on Tuesday said that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who has been arrested in a case related to the alleged conspiracy to recruit youth to carry out terror strikes in Delhi and other parts of the country, didn’t give any interview to any channel when he was in the state. 

“Lawrence Bishnoi was wanted in a case at Jawahar Circle Police station, in which he was brought to Jaipur on a production warrant. Lawrence stayed in Rajasthan for a total of 20 days. He was in Jawahar Circle Police station for 15 days and in jail for 5 days, but I would like to make it very clear that Lawrence Bishoni’s interview, telecast on a news channel, didn’t happen while he was in Rajasthan,” Jaipur Commissioner of Police Anand Srivastava told ANI. Recently two interviews of Bishnoi, purportedly recorded over a Video call, were aired by a private TV channel. 

The interviews featuring Bishnoi, who is presently being held in the high-security Bathinda jail, sparked controversy regarding the use of mobile phones by inmates inside the jail. 

“Lawrence Bishnoi’s interview which aired on 14 March showed his hair and beard are longer than when he was in Rajasthan. When he was here, the day-to-day photography and videography are present in the CCTV cameras which is very different,” he added. 

Ahead of the first death anniversary of Sidhu Moosewala, an interview by the prime accused in his murder, Lawrence Bishnoi, purportedly from inside jail raised questions. 

Moosewala was killed in broad daylight in Punjab’s Mansa on 29 May last year. Police suspect gangster Lawrence Bishnoi masterminded the murder, along with his close aide Goldy Brar, a Canada-based gangster.

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

Punjab police release pictures of Amritpal Singh in different attires seeking help to identify him, invokes NSA against the Khalistan supporter

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab police release pictures of Amritpal Singh in different attires seeking help to identify him, invokes NSA against the Khalistan supporter

On Tuesday, March 21, the Punjab police, which has been desperately searching for Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh, released his few photographs in different attires and sought help to identify him. The police claimed that Amritpal, who has been eluding arrest for the last four days, had used a bike to flee.

“There are several pictures of Amritpal Singh in different attires. We are releasing all of these pictures. I request you display them so that people can help us to arrest him in this case,” says Punjab IGP Sukhchain Singh Gill.

Meanwhile, a new CCTV footage is being widely circulated in which Amritpal Singh was seen crossing a toll plaza in Punjab on Tuesday. According to sources, Amritpal switched many cars to flee but the footage showed him leave in an SUV Maruti Suzuki Brezza car.

Inspector general of police (IGP) Sukhchain Singh Gill said that the Punjab police have recovered a Brezza car using which Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh fled from Mehatpur.

The IGP recounted the events that led to the extremist pro-Khalistani preacher eluding capture thus far. “Four accused who helped Amritpal escape have been arrested. A .315 bore rifle has been recovered from the Brezza car”, Gill said.

According to the IGP, Amritpal Singh stayed in a gurdwara in Nangal Ambian village after providing a slip to the police in Mehatpur. He later changed into a shirt and trousers and fled on two motorcycles.

According to reports, Punjab police discovered Amritpal Singh’s clothes in the SUV car recovered from the Bullar village in Jalandhar district’s Shahkot city on Tuesday. According to sources, Amritpal was observed wearing the same clothes when he fled the police trap on March 18. According to reports, the vehicle has been impounded at the Shahkot Police Station.

Police invoke NSA

The Punjab Police have said that a non-bailable arrest warrant was issued against Amritpal Singh on March 18 and the strict National Security Act has been invoked. So far, 154 people have been detained in connection with the investigation.

“Those arrested for helping Amritpal to flee from Mehatpur include Manpreet Manna (28) of Nawan Killa village of Shahkot, Gurdeep Singh Deepa of Bal Naun in Nakodar, Harpreet Singh Happy (36) of Kotla Nodh Singh village of Bullowal Hoshiarpur and Gurbhej Singh alias Bheja of village Goindara of Faridkot”, the senior cop said, adding that three more people accompanying the wanted preacher to flee from Nangal Ambian Gurdwara are still absconding.

Punjab HC raps up police over “intelligence failure” resulting in Amritpal Singh evading arrest

Meanwhile, during the hearing of the habeas corpus petition on Amritpal Singh, the Punjab and Haryana High Court pulled up the Punjab police over the “intelligence failure” that led to the pro-Khalistan preacher giving police the slip.

“When there was a threat to the security of the country, what was the government doing till now? They were roaming around with weapons. How did he manage to escape despite so many police? What are 80,000 police doing when the country’s security is in danger?” the High Court said.

The Punjab police, in turn, told the High Court that the stringent National Security Act (NSA) has been invoked against Amritpal Singh. Besides, a non-bailable warrant has also been issued against the Khalistani leader.

The AAP administration in the state responded to the High Court by saying it is doing all possible to apprehend Amritpal Singh.

Earlier in the day, OpIndia reported that a team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) reportedly reached Punjab on Tuesday. Media reports quoted sources as saying that the NIA is seeking details and documents related to the Amrit Pal’s Singh case from the Punjab police and may take over the case from today (Tuesday).

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