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PM Modi’s remarks on events at LAC in All-Party Meet being “mischievously interpreted” in some quarters: Union govt

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PM Modi’s remarks on events at LAC in All-Party Meet being “mischievously interpreted” in some quarters: Union govt

The Central Government on Saturday issued a statement clarifying the controversy that erupted after PM Modi’s remarks yesterday during the All-Party Meet (APM) regarding no intrusion from anybody into our borders following the clashes in Galwan Valley.

The statement released by the government says that attempts are being made in some quarters to give a “mischievous interpretation” to the remarks made by PM Modi in the APM meet yesterday.

“The focus of the PM’s remarks in the APM discussions were the events of June 15 at Galwan Valley that led to the loss of 20 Indian military personnel. PM Modi gave glowing tributes to the valour and patriotism of our forces who repulse the designs of the Chinese there. The PM’s observations that there was no Chinese presence on our side of the LAC pertained to the situation as a consequence of the bravery of our armed forces,” the statement read.

Regarding the transgression of the LAC at the Galwan Valley, the statement read: “The violence in Galwan on June 15 arose because the Chinese side was seeking to erect structures just across the LAC and refused to desist from such actions”.

The central government also stated that unlike in past when the Chinese transgressions were not responded or ignored, the Indian forces now decisively counter any violations that happen along the LAC.

The press release said that PM Modi’s words- “Those who tried to transgress our land were taught a befitting lesson by our brave sons of soil” effectively sumps up the ethos of the Indian Armed Forces.

The statement further added that the Indian territory is clear from the map of India and there is no ambiguity about its interpretation. As far as illegal occupation of the Indian land was concerned, the APM was briefed in great detail as to how over the last 60 years, more than 43,000 sq km of area had been yielded under circumstances with which the country is well aware, the press release read. The central government has assured that there will be no unilateral change of the LAC.

Alleging motivated propaganda behind misinterpretation of the remarks made by PM Modi yesterday, the central government statement said, “At a time when our brave soldiers are defending our borders, it is unfortunate that a controversy is being created to lower their morale. However, the predominant sentiment at the APM was of unequivocal support to the Government and the Armed Forces at a time of national crisis. We are confident that the unity of the Indian people will not be undermined by motivated propaganda.”

PM Modi’s calls an All-Party Meet over border tensions with China

Amidst the simmering tensions along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh following violent clashes between the Indian and Chinese troops, an all-party meet was called by PM Modi to discuss the tense situation in Ladakh. PM Modi on Friday issued a stern message to neighbouring China saying that India wants peace and friendship but it won’t compromise on its sovereignty.

Modi also asserted that there has been no intrusion by the Chinese soldiers in the Indian territory. “No one entered Indian territory, nor were Indian posts taken over, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in an all-party meeting this evening to discuss the Ladakh clash in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed. “20 jawans did die, but they taught a lesson to those who had cast their evil eyes on Bharat Mata (India),” PM Modi said.

PM Modi assured that the Indian Armed Forces– Navy, Army and Air Force are all prepared and competent to protect the country. “I am also assuring you that our army is leaving no stone unturned to protect the country. Deployment, Action, Counter Action, Our Army, Navy and Air Force are doing what they have to, to protect the country,” PM Modi said.

Editors Guild slams UP police for filing FIR against Scroll journalist following a complaint by Dalit woman for publishing a fake report on her

OpIndia Staff
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Editors Guild slams UP police for filing FIR against Scroll journalist following a complaint by Dalit woman for publishing a fake report on her

The Editors Guild yesterday hit out at the Uttar Pradesh Police for registering an FIR against Scroll.in Executive Editor Supriya Sharma on the basis of a complaint filed by a Dalit woman. The Guild said that it was an “overreaction” which will “seriously undermine freedom of the media”. The FIR was registered by Varanasi Police under sections of the SC/ST Act and under defamation laws.

The Editors Guild said, “The use of criminal provisions of the law against journalists has now become an unhealthy and despicable trend that has no place in a vibrant democracy. It needs to be resisted as well as eliminated.” “The Guild respects all laws of the land as also the right of Mala Devi to defend herself against any acts of injustice. But it also finds the flagrant misuse of such laws unjustifiable and reprehensible,” it added.

The statement by Editors Guild concluded, “Worse, the increasing frequency of such misuse of laws by the authority is tantamount to shooting the messenger and destroying a key pillar of India’s democracy.”

It is a familiar cry of journalists when they are treated as ordinary citizens. When the police proceeds as per law against one of their own, they cry victimhood and persecution. In this particular instance, the complainant Mala Devi alleged that her story was misreported by the journalist and presented as if she (Mala Devi) was facing extreme poverty and hunger, when that was actually not the case. The report claimed that she was facing extreme hunger during the lockdown in a village adopted by Prime Minister Modi, but the woman has completely denied that report and accordingly filed case against the journalist for spreading lies about her.

Another reason why Editors Guild could be seriously distressed is the fact that the stringent SC/ST Act has been evoked against Supriya Sharma. However, it is one law that all liberals resolutely swear by. Scroll.in, itself, had published articles claiming that the dilution of the Act by the Supreme Court harms the cause of the Dalit community.

Screenshot of the headline of a Scroll.in article

Scroll.in had claimed that “In worrying about the liberty of the privileged, the judges may have forgotten that caste is anti-liberty.” But when the same law is applied to one of their own, Editors Guild suddenly feels that proceeding as per law is unjustifiable. Thus, it is quite clear that they want such laws only to be applied to the masses, never to them.

For their part, Scroll.in has decided to stand by their journalist and what she had reported. They have claimed that while speaking to them, Mala Devi had stated that she is a domestic worker and is currently struggling for food. However, the portal has not shared any audio or video evidence of the woman’s statement.

On the other hand, Mala Devi has told in her FIR that she is facing no problem during the lockdown, and she has food for her and her family to eat. She also said that she is working as a Safai Karmachari in the Municipal corporation, and not a domestic worker as claimed by the Scroll report.

But instead of slamming Scroll.in for publishing fake report about a Dalit woman, The Editors Guild chose to take their side, and in the process claimed that the Dalit woman is lying in her FIR against the journalist.

It is important to note that Scroll.in has spread numerous fake news in the past. Most recently, they had spread fake news regarding the Food Corporation of India. While Editors Guild appears to be always willing to defend journalists and slam the Police even when they are proceeding as per law, it appears that they do not have much to say when journalists engage in flagrant malpractices.

Chinese state media claims Indian student from Kerala in China apologised after making offensive comments on the country

OpIndia Staff
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Chinese state media claims Indian student from Kerala in China apologised after making offensive comments on the country

Chinese state media Global Times has reported that one Indian student, identified as only his last name ‘Kadukkasseri’ has apologised after making offensive comments on the Chinese. The state media has claimed that Jiangsu University (JSU) in Jiangsu of East China, where he studied, has reportedly threatened to take disciplinary action against him as well. As per the report, the student took to the Chinese version of the Chinese app TikTok, Douyin, and posted offensive slurs such as ‘Chinks’ ‘Chinese pigs’ and ‘d**khead’.

Following this, Global Times claims that the Chinese people took to Weibo, Chinese version of Twitter, a platform which is banned in China, and demanded his immediate deportation.

The report further claims that the JSU administration has confirmed that Kadukkasseri is indeed their student. He was earlier believed to be a contender of top 10 Outstanding Youths Award, but after the ‘controversy’, he will no longer be eligible for the same. Global Times then cites one Jiangsu University employee identified as Wu who claimed that university will “punish Kadukkasseri” for his “wrongdoings” as per the regulations on overseas students after a further investigation.

Student ‘apologises’

Chinese state media claims that the Indian student it identifies as ‘Kadukkasseri’ apologised for his actions through a written statement on Weibo and claimed that his intention was not to hurt the feelings of the Chinese people. He ‘expressed regret’ over his ‘hate comments’ and how it affected the reputation of the university. “My actions were unintentional and impulsive. I promise things like this won’t happen again,” he was quoted by Chinese state media.

India-China Standoff

The current stand-off between India and China began on May 5-6 over China’s incursions into the India side at Pangong Tso in Ladakh. The movement of troops and heavy machinery along and across the LAC has been objected to by India. As per the ANI report, Indian forces have also been airlifted from other high altitude areas to the Eastern Ladakh sector. On Monday night, 20 Indian soldiers, including a Colonel were killed when Chinese troops had attacked with stones, batons, and barbed wires. In fierce combat that took place on extremely hostile terrain, 20 Indian soldiers had lost their lives to injuries and exposure. China is believed to have suffered 43 casualties but the communist state, as usual, has been obscure about information.

BSF shoots down Pakistani drone carrying weapons and grenades in Kathua

OpIndia Staff
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BSF shoots down Pakistani drone carrying weapons and grenades in Kathua

A Pakistani spy drone was shot down by the Border Security Force (BSF) early morning on Saturday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua. The drone which was loaded with weapons and explosives was shot down at 5:10 am.

Taking to Twitter, Border Security Forces informed that the alert BSF jawans have shot down a spy drone from Pakistan which was carrying 01 M4 carbine machine(US Made), 02 filled magazines (60 Rds), 07 Chinese grenades near Kathua International border.

Reportedly, the 8X8 (from blade to the blade) drone was seen flying over Kathua village in the vicinity of Border Outpost Pansar (BOP) Kathua when a BSF patrol party spotted it. The BSF jawan fired nine rounds at the drone and shot it down when it was 250 metres inside the Indian borders.

As per the preliminary information, the weapons and explosives were meant to deliver to the terrorists present in the valley. The Pakistani rangers present at the Pakistani side post opposite BOP were reportedly controlling the drone.

The incident comes days after clash in Galwan Valley between the Indian troops and Chinese People Liberation Army in which 20 Indian army personnel including Commanding officer of Bihar regiment Colonel Santosh Babu lost their lives.

Prior to this, earlier in January, the BSF had shot down another spy drone along the international border in Jammu in the forward post of Arnia belt

Annual Hajj pilgrimage likely to be cancelled as Saudi Arabia is hit by second wave of coronavirus pandemic

OpIndia Staff
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Annual Hajj pilgrimage likely to be cancelled as Saudi Arabia is hit by second wave of coronavirus pandemic

As Saudi Arabia is facing a second wave of coronavirus epidemic, the authorities are now thinking to call off this year’s annual hajj pilgrimage for the first time in recent history. According to the reports, Saudi Arabia which has lately reported fresh coronavirus cases may cancel the highly anticipated Muslim holy pilgrimage to Mecca this year.

Since the first week of June, the number of new coronavirus cases has doubled and according to the Ministry of Health, 4,919 new cases were reported on Wednesday alone, reversing the earlier trend in the Islamic kingdom.

The Authorities in Saudi Arabia had started relaxing lockdown norms in May as the Coronavirus cases were showing a downward trend. Curfew times were reduced, congregational prayers in mosques were allowed, businesses were opened and domestic flights were resumed.

But since June 1, the new Coronavirus cases started rising sharply. Following the fresh scare, the authorities in Saudi had re-imposed a lockdown in the city of Jeddah from June 6, with imposing a curfew and ban on all non-essential work and activities. Officials say that the cases have increased as people violated social distancing norms during the lockdown period, especially during the Ramazan month. It is believed that people ignored government’s directives by holding iftar parties after the day-long fast with large gatherings of friends and family.

Coronavirus impacts 2.5 million Muslim pilgrims

The impact of the second wave of the pandemic has now affected over 2.5 million Muslims from around the world who visit Mecca every year for the hajj pilgrimage. The annual pilgrimage of Hajj may not happen at all this year.

Meanwhile, Muslim nations are urging Saudi Arabia to provide clarity on whether the annual ritual will go ahead as scheduled in late July.

Already, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei have cancelled the annual Hajj event and other countries are also expected to make a decision in coming days regarding attending the pilgrimage. In France, faith leaders have urged Muslims to “postpone” their pilgrimage plans until next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision to cancel the Hajj will be the first time since the kingdom was founded in 1932. Earlier, Saudi Arabia had managed to hold the pilgrimage during previous outbreaks of Ebola and MERS.

PM Modi launches Rs 50,000 crore ‘Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan’ to boost employment for returned migrants in 116 rural districts

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi launches Rs 50,000 crore ‘Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan’ to boost employment for returned migrants in 116 rural districts

PM Modi on Saturday launched a massive employment scheme, the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan, to create jobs for millions of migrant workers who returned to their native places during the pandemic.

The Rs 50,000 crore scheme was launched through video conferencing by PM Modi which was attended by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi. In addition, chief minister of 5 other concerned states and union territories joined the virtual launch of the employment scheme from Telihar village in Khagaria district of Bihar.

“So far, migrants were helping to build the cities. Now, they will get jobs near their homes. Till now, you were assisting in the development of cities. From now onwards, you will help in the development of your villages, your neighborhoods,” PM Modi said.

“The Government of India has decided to launch a massive rural public works scheme ‘Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan’ to empower and provide employment opportunities to the migrant workers who have returned during the lockdown and other rural citizens,” the Prime Minister’s office said ahead of the launch.

Here are the highlights of the ‘Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan’:

The scheme will be operated in 116 districts of 6 states–Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha. All the districts in these states have received an influx of more than 25,000 migrants during the lockdown.

The scheme aims to empower unemployed migrant workers by providing them with employment for 125 days with a resource envelope of Rs 50,000 crore.

Under this programme, the focus of the government will be to complete 25 different types of works to create jobs and build infrastructure in rural regions of the country.

The different types of work will entail building pucca houses for poor in villages, plantation drives at several places and construction of animal sheds. For potable water, ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ will be taken forward in collaboration with various Gram Sabhas. With ‘Garib Rojgar Kalyan Abhiyaan’, the centre also plans to empower every household in villages with fast and reliable internet connection.

“Skill mapping has already been started to help migrants. This means, that your skills will be identified while you are staying in your villages and job providers will seek you based on your skills,” PM Modi said.

The scheme will be a synchronised effort between 12 different ministries or departments—rural development, Panchayati Raj, road transport and highways, mines, drinking water and sanitation, environment, railways, petroleum and natural gas, new and renewable energy, border roads, telecom and agriculture. According to Rural development secretary, NN Sinha, the laying of fibre optics cable, railway works, rurban mission jobs, sanitation works, waste management, poultry, farm ponds and imparting skills through Krishi Vigyan Kendras will be provided to the migrant workers under the scheme.

‘Vyapam whistleblower’ and Congress sympathiser doctor shares fake image of ‘brutality of Chinese forces on unarmed Indian soldiers’

OpIndia Staff
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‘Vyapam whistleblower’ and Congress sympathiser doctor shares fake image of ‘brutality of Chinese forces on unarmed Indian soldiers’

Activist doctor Anand Rai on Saturday posted an image of an injured soldier claiming that it was an image of an injured Indian soldiers who survived the brutality of the Chinese soldiers in Ladakh standoff.

Tweet by Anand Rai

In his tweet, Dr Rai claimed that this is an image of one of the soldiers who was attacked by the Chinese soldiers at the Galwan Valley. He claimed that he has nail injuries all over his body and further questioned the Prime Minister why were the armed forces stopped from picking up the weapons.

However, the above image is that of Thai soldiers dating as far as 2016.

Image from a 2016 blog

A 2016 blog which talked about training of Thai soldiers had put up the image of injury received by the soldiers during the training. In fact, a reverse search of above image also shows that the image has been used by one online shopper on an e-commerce website as his profile picture.

Online shopping website

As can be seen, a Malaysian shopping website shows this image consistently in Google search.

Malaysian website

As can be seen, a user with above image wrote an a review on the Malaysian shopping website on 25th June, 2019, a year ago.

Dr Anand Rai and history of misleading tweets

In August 2019, he had published confidential medical report to falsely malign Baba Ramdev’s associate. Publishing a report of one Acharya Balgovind he claimed that Baba Ramdev’s associate and Chairman of Patanjali Ayurved Acharya Balkrishna smokes marijuana. The doctor had deliberately used the medical report of a different person with an obvious different name in an attempt to malign the entrepreneur.

Prior to this, he had spread a vulgar lie about Union Minister Smriti Irani and had alleged she had gone to take ‘prasad’ from the ashram of a certain Baba named Virendra Dev Dikshit and also affixed an alleged photo of her with that Baba as ‘proof’. This Baba in question has featured prominently in the news recently after UP and Delhi police raided three centres run by him to rescue 47 women and six minor girls. He has been accused of keeping these girls inhumanly confined, who as per reports, were also sexually assaulted.

Dr Anand Rai wanted to contest the 2018 Madhya Pradesh assembly elections on a Congress ticket, but the party had denied him a ticket. Although he was denied the ticket, he maintains a close relationship with senior Congress leaders, and his Facebook page is a testimonial of that fact.

Family members of Sourav Ganguly test positive for Wuhan Coronavirus

OpIndia Staff
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Family members of Sourav Ganguly test positive for Wuhan Coronavirus

Family members of BCCI President Sourav Ganguly have tested positive for the Wuhan Coronavirus. The wife of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) Secretary Snehashish Ganguly, the elder brother of Sourav Ganguly, has tested positive for the virus. Her parents have tested positive for the virus as well.

In addition to that, a domestic help at Snehashish’s Mominpur home has tested positive for the virus as well. They are currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital and their condition is reported to be stable.

“All the four complained of some health issues, which were similar to the symptoms of COVID-19 when they were staying at another residence and not at Ganguly’s ancestral house in Behala. After testing positive, all the four were shifted to a private nursing home,” a health department official said.

Snehashish himself has tested negative for the virus. Reportedly, whether they are discharged or will continue to remain under treatment will depend on the results of further tests that are conducted. “Whether they will be discharged or not, depends on the result of the tests,” an official at the nursing home stated.

West Bengal has a current total of 13090 confirmed cases of the Wuhan Coronavirus. Of these, 5258 are active cases while 7303 have been discharged. 529 individuals have succumbed to the disease in the state.

While China builds new fortifications, India moves its jets and helicopters to forward bases along LAC: Report

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While China builds new fortifications, India moves its jets and helicopters to forward bases along LAC: Report

Following the violent clash between the Indian and Chinese security forces at Galwan Valley in Ladakh, India is now preparing for escalation from the opposing side. According to a report by The Times of India, India has moved its fighter jets and helicopters to its forward bases along the 3488 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC). Similarly, warships have been also been deployed in the Bay of Bengal region.

In anticipation of another premeditated attack, India has dispatched its Apache helicopters and Chinook heavy-lift choppers to the forward areas. While Apache helicopters can destroy tanks using air-to-ground missiles and rockets, the Chinook heavy-lift choppers are efficient in carrying troops and howitzers to high-altitude regions. A top military officer informed that all necessary steps have been taken to prevent “spiralling of the escalation matrix.”

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has placed several Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-29 and Jaguar fighters at the forward bases and activated all airbases along the northern border with China. The said airbases include Leh, Srinagar, Awantipur, Bareilly, Chabua, Hasimara, and Tezpur. Combat air patrols have been heightened in the region, owing to the new developments at the border. An air-bridge has been formed, between Ladakh and Chandigarh, with the help of C-17 Globemaster-III, AN-32 transport aircraft, and C-130J Super Hercules to transport weapons and soldiers to forward bases.

China builds new fortifications

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have also built up their forces in regions such as Galwan Valley, Pangong Tso, Depsang, Gogra-Hot Springs and Chushul. Several new fortifications have been built on the north bank of Pangong Tso from Finger-4 to 8 (mountainous spurs with 8 km distance between them.) China has deployed J-11 and J-8 fighters in Galwan and Hot Springs areas whereas long-range bombers have been accumulated at Kashgar and Hotan in Tibet. Reportedly, China can deploy as many as 20 fighter squadrons from the 8 airbases in Tibet and other airfields in the North. Due to high-altitude and low atmospheric pressure, the weapon and fuel-carrying capacity of Chinese jets are limited.

India-China Standoff

The current stand-off between India and China began on May 5-6 over China’s incursions into the India side at Pangong Tso in Ladakh. The movement of troops and heavy machinery along and across the LAC has been objected to by India. As per the ANI report, Indian forces have also been airlifted from other high altitude areas to the Eastern Ladakh sector. On Monday night, 20 Indian soldiers, including a Colonel were killed when Chinese troops had attacked with stones, batons, and barbed wires. In fierce combat that took place on extremely hostile terrain, 20 Indian soldiers had lost their lives to injuries and exposure. China is believed to have suffered 43 casualties but the communist state, as usual, has been obscure about information.

2008 Mumbai terror attacks key conspirator and David Headley aide Tahawwur Rana arrested in America after India requests extradition

OpIndia Staff
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2008 Mumbai terror attacks key conspirator and David Headley aide Tahawwur Rana arrested in America after India requests extradition

Tahawwur Rana, a former Pakistani military doctor, who is convicted in United States for his involvement in 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has now been arrested in Los Angeles. The arrest was made after India requested extradition. The Pakistani-born-Canadian is likely to be extradited back to India, where he will face charges for plotting Mumbai terror attacks.

According to the reports, Rana, who has been in US jail for more than 10 years in prison for supporting terrorist groups and plotting Mumbai attacks, faces extradition to India on murder conspiracy charges.

He was earlier convicted of his role in Mumbai terror attacks, but US prosecutors had failed to prove a terrorism charge connecting him directly to the terror attacks. Later, the 59-year-old Rana was serving a 14-year sentence and last week he was granted early release from a Los Angeles federal prison because of poor health and amidst coronavirus scare.

Rana was arrested two days later and now remains in custody in Los Angeles, from where he is likely to be extradited back to India.

Tahawwur Rana plotted Mumbai terrorists along with David Headley

Tahawwur Rana was convicted in Chicago for providing support for the Pakistani terror group, Lashkar-e-Taiba – the main conspirator of the Mumbai attacks and also on charges of supporting a possible terror attack against a Danish newspaper that printed cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in 2005.

Terrorist Rana was convicted for a far more serious charge of providing support to the 10 men who carried out the attacks in Mumbai, which killed 166 people, injured nearly 240.

Meanwhile, the lawyers representing Rana said he had been cheated by his high school friend, David Coleman Headley, the terrorist who plotted the Mumbai attacks and also an approver. Headley pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder, was sentenced to 35 years in prison. As part of his plea deal, he cannot be extradited to India.

It is believed that Rana had allowed Headley to open a branch of his Chicago-based immigration law business in Mumbai as a cover story and travel as a representative of the company in Denmark. The prosecutors said Rana knew Headley had trained as a terrorist. Headley had also shared information to Rana regarding the scouting missions he conducted in Mumbai and of the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, where the terror attack took place.

Headley, who was born in the US to a Pakistani father and American mother, said his hatred of India dated back to his childhood when his school was bombed by Indian military planes during a war between the countries in 1971. Headley was reportedly close associate of Rahul Bhatt, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt’s son. As per reports, a day prior to the deadly Mumbai attack in 2008, Headley had warned Bhatt and asked him not to go to South Mumbai on 26th November, 2008, the day of the attack.

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