The dastardly Pulwama attack sponsored by Pakistan and carried out by JeM terrorists that left 40 CRPF soldiers dead, has resulted in widespread anger across the Nation. Following the attack, India moved quickly to mount a diplomatic offensive by speaking to representatives of 25 countries, the ambassadors of Arab nations and withdrawing the Most Preferred Nation (MFN) status from Pakistan. After the withdrawal of MFN from Pakistan, basic customs duty on all goods exported from Pakistan to India has been increased to 200% with immediate effect, tweeted Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
India has withdrawn MFN status to Pakistan after the Pulwama incident. Upon withdrawal, basic customs duty on all goods exported from Pakistan to India has been raised to 200% with immediate effect. #Pulwama
This would very well result in a massive economic and trade shock to the already nearing bankrupt state of Pakistan. The import from Pakistan to India amounted to upwards of $2 Billion. With the customs duty hiked, as a response to the Pulwama attack, the financial state of Pakistan would take a hit.
The top 10 goods imported by India from Pakistan is as follows:
Top 10 items imported from Pakistan to India
Some of the products that are exported from Pakistan and are bound to take a hit for the enemy nation are cotton, oilseeds, some fruits, polymers, wool, fabric, leather, cement etc.
Currently, the customs duty on some of the items are as follows:
Cotton: 14%, Fruits: 74%, leather: 0%, Mineral oil etc: 20%, Ores: 26%, Glass: 26%. Now, the customs duty would be increased by 200% on all goods.
While the customs duty on imports from Pakistan has been hiked to 200%, there is a strong sense that India is gearing up to respond to Pakistan in the same coin for the dastardly attack that left 40 soldiers dead.
In today’s bizarre news, United Nations designated terrorist group Jamat-ud-Dawa leader Hafiz Saeed has started a journalism school in Lahore city in Pakistan reports India Today. The school named Institute of Strategy and Communication (ISAC) reportedly offers a number of short-term and long-term courses in reporting, videography, Vlogging, social media influence, short film and documentary production
According to the report, the cost of a week-long certificate is Rs 3000 as mentioned in the brochures released by the Institute. The institute is regularly visited by Saifullah Khalid, President of terrorist Saeed’s political party Milli Muslim League (MIM) and designated terrorist Hafiz Abdul Rauf, head of Fala-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) which is an arm of Lashkar-e-Taiba also run by Saeed.
“Media is a new war weapon, our enemies are using the media to their advantage, the new age four frontal wars could only be won using media”, said MIM President Saifullah Khalid in a video released by the institute. “Camera and pen are the strongest tools in fifth generation warfare which are being taught here”, added Hafiz Abdul Rauf, Chief of FIF, a globally designated terrorist organisation.
Last year in November, the National Investigation Agency had issued non-bailable warrants against Pakistan based terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Saeed and Syed Salahuddin, Chief of terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen.
Pakistan has often been mocked for being a sorry excuse of a nation. From selling donkeys after it went almost bankrupt, to letting globally designated terrorist fight elections. Now, it seems Pakistan, which is only a parody of a real nation, has gone a step further and allowed a terrorist to teach journalism as well.
In the wake of the dastardly attacks on the CRPF convoy, planned and executed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad’s terrorist, which claimed 44 lives of the CRPF personnel, many eminent personalities have taken to Twitter to express their seething rage and grief against the perpetrators of the heinous crime. However, some of the out-of-job celebrities are using the occasion to further their warped propaganda.
like extreme right wing religious groups spreading hate and riots in India are not India, Jaish e Mohammed is not Pakistan
Actor Jaaved Jaaferi took to Twitter to express his anger Over the attack but when a Twitter user asked him to name and shame Pakistan’s complicity in the attack, Jaaved not only refused to do so, he instead used the opportunity to equate Hindus with the terror ranks of Jaish, claiming that an act by a few cannot be used to paint the entire country as complicit.
However, this defense of Pakistan by Jaaferi is untenable. It is a common knowledge that Jaish-e-Muhammad is a terrorist organisation that enjoys considerable patronage from the ISI and the Pakistan Army, which are the defacto organisations governing Pakistan.
Pakistan has also consistently blocked India’s request to designate Masood Azhar, the chief of JeM, as UN designate terrorist with the help of its all-weather ally China. Pakistan also allows its land to be used by JeM cadres for training and indoctrination purposes.
So when Jaaved Jaaferi says JeM is not Pakistan and equates them with Hindus in India, he is not only condoning Pakistan’s role in the terror attacks that happen in India, but he is also vilifying Hindus of India and advancing his depraved propaganda. By not calling out Pakistan’s culpability in the dastardly attack that claimed 44 of our brave soldiers, Jaaved Jaaferi has also insulted the sacrifice of those soldiers.
Jaaved Jaaferi has been associated with Aam Aadmi Party, whose founder, Arvind Kejriwal had earlier undermined the Indian Armed Forces by asking them to furnish the proof of Surgical Strikes conducted in September 2016.
It is indeed astounding that an Islamic fanatic just blew up hundreds of kgs of explosives claiming that he will go to heaven for blowing up ‘cow piss drinkers’, but some of Bollywood’s ‘secular liberals’ still find ways to drag Hindu religious groups into their argument.
The country was jolted on the day of 14th of February when a Pakistan backed JeM terrorist rammed an SUV laden with over 300 kg of explosives into the CRPF bus carrying personnel, at Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama. It left 40 personnel martyred and several others injured.
The Prime Minister, on Friday, paid his tribute to mortal remains of the CRPF jawans when they were brought to Delhi’s Palam Airport.
Here, we have brought you the details about the soldiers from different states of India, who had lost their lives due to a dastardly attack by Islamic terrorists.
Uttar Pradesh
The state of Uttar Pradesh witnessed the most number of martyrs. The 12 soldiers who lost their lives, hailed from small villages of districts like Chandauli, Maharajganj, Shamli, Devaria, Mainpuri, Kannauj and Unnao. The Yogi government has announced Rs 25 lakh as exgratia for the martyred, and also has promised employment to an individual from each family.
Martyrs from the state of Uttar Pradesh. Photo credits – News 18
“I am proud that my son gave up his life for the nation but Government should give a befitting reply to Pakistan as soon as possible. The action should be so strong that Pakistan dare not enter our territory and kill our soldiers ever again” Ramayan Maurya, father of martyred soldier Vijay Kumar Mourya was quoted. Mourya had joined the CRPF nine years ago. He left behind his wife and a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter.
Punjab
Four of the martyred soldiers belonged to the state of Punjab. Kulwinder Singh of Anandpur Sahib, Sukhjinder Singh of Tarantarn, Jaimal Singh of Moga and Manider Singh Attri of Gurdaspur were amongst the soldiers who lost their lives.
Martyrs from Punjab. Photo credits- News18
Punjab CM Amarinder Singh has announced sum of Rs 12 lakh to the families of the martyred. He has also said that soldiers will be given full state honours.
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala
Martyrs from the state of Tamil Nadu. Photo credits- News18
Constable Subramanian G of 82nd battalion and Constable Sivachnadran C of 92nd battalion, who lost lives in the terror attack, hailed from the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Their families have been accorded Rs 20 lakh from the state government.
Martyr from the state of Karnataka. Photo credits- News18
Constable H Guru, a native of Mandya district of Karnataka had joined CRPF nearly 7-8 years ago. He was posted in Jharkhand, before being posted in Jammu and Kashmir. He was amongst the jawans who were in the convoy of that fateful day.
Martyr from the state of Kerala. Photo credits- News18
Constable Vasantha KVV of Wayanad, Kerala had served the CRPF for nearly two decades. “We should give freedom to our forces to eliminate terrorism once and for all” Said Sajeev, martyred soldier’s cousin brother.
West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam
Martyrs from the state of West Bengal.
Local residents of Howrah district of West Bengal witnessed mourning, after the news of CRPF personnel named Bablu Santra getting martyred in the terror attack dawned. Local residents gathered at the deceased soldier’s house to pay respect.
“Where is the protection for those protecting the country? The government should ensure that the deaths of the soldiers are avenged in such a manner that the perpetrators never forget” Raghubir Mondal, nephew of Babu Santra, said.
Jawan Sudip Biswas of 98th battalion had joined CRPF, four years ago. The 27-year-old was the sole breadwinner of his family. Reports say that he had asked his mother to arrange his marriage recently. He also wanted to build a concrete house for his family.
Martyrs from the state of Odisha.
82nd battalion’s Manoj K Behera and 61 Battalion’s Parshana K Sahu, hailed from Odisha. Behera came from Ratnapura village of Cuttack and has left behind parents, wife and a one -year old daughter. Parshana K Sahu has also left behind his wife, a daughter, and a son. Sahu’s daughter Ranu has said that she and her family are proud of the soldier’s sacrifice for the nation.
Martyr from the state of Assam.
Head Constable Maneswar Basumatari had served 25 years in the CRPF before he got martyred in the attack. He has left behind by his wife, two children, and a brother. He hailed from Baksa district’s Kalbari village.
Bihar and Jharkhand
Martyrs from the state of Bihar.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered district magistrates of Patna and Bhagalpur to hand over a cheque of ex gratia of 11 lakh Rupees each to the families of Ratan K Thakur and Sanjay Sinha, who lost their lives in the attack in Pulwama. Rs 25 lakh will also be given from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to each family.
Martyr Ratan K Thakur’s father has said that he is ready to send his another son to the duty, to protect the motherland. But, he added, that he wants the government to take revenge from Pakistan, for the martyrdom of his son.
Martyr from the state of Jharkhand.
Head Constable Vijay Soreng of 82nd battalion, who hailed from the state of Jharkhand also lost his life in the attack. His family will be receiving corpus of Rs 1 lakh from the government. Vijay’s mother has said that country should exact revenge from Pakistan, for the martyrdom of her son. Vijay was serving forces since 1993.
Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh
Martyrs from the state of Uttarakhand.
Assistant Sub Inspector Mohan Lal of 110th battalion and Constable Virendra Singh of 45th battalion lost their lives in Pulwama on Thursday. Mohan Lal, age 53, belonged to Uttarkashi district and Virendra Singh belonged to Udamsingh Nagar.
The Uttarakhand IAS Associating will be contributing one-day salary to the families of the martyrs.
Martyrs from the state of Himachal Pradesh.
Constable Tilak Raj of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh has left behind two sons and the younger one is just 22-days old. The child was yet to be named. His wife is still bed-ridden recovering from the delivery. His family has been compensated Rs 5 lakh from the state government. Tilak’s brother has stated that the government should first handle the informers in Kashmir who provide overground support to the terrorists.
Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh
Martyrs from the state of Rajasthan.
Five families of Rajasthan from districts of Dholpur, Rajsamand, Jaipur, Bharatpur, and Kota are mourning the martyrdom of soldiers, who lost lives in the terror attack. The Rajasthan government has decided to give the sum of Rs 25 lakh to the families, along with a government job to one family member.
Ashvni K Kaochi, age 30, of 35th battalion also lost his life in the attack. His bereaved family from Jabalpur will revive Rs 1 crores and a house from the state government. Ashvni is the third martyr from his village of Khudawal of Jabalpur. He used to encourage other youths from his village to join forces.
Maharashtra
Martyrs from the state of Maharashtra.
Maharashtra government has announced a compensation of Rs 50 lakh each to the families of 115th battalion’s Head Constable Sanjay Rajput and 3rd battalion’s Rathod Nitin, who lost their lives in the terror attack. Both Rajput and Rathod hailed from the Buldhana district of the state.
The Siddhivinayak Temple trust in Mumbai has also announced financial assistance of Rs 51 lakh for the families of the two martyred soldiers. The trust will also provide another Rs 25 lakhs to the Queen Mary Technical Institute in Pune to help in the rehabilitation of disabled soldiers from Maharashtra.
Jammu and Kashmir
Martyr from the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Head constable Naseer Ahmed of Dodasan Bala village in Rajouri district had turned 46, one day before the dastardly act, took his life. He belonged to the 76th battalion.
He is survived by his wife, two children, five elder sisters and an elder brother who serves in the J&K armed police.
In the aftermath of the Pulwama Terror Attack where over 40 CRPF soldiers lost their lives, another Army officer has been martyred at Nowshera sector of Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir in an IED explosion.
A Jawan has also been injured in the incident, as reported by the Indian Express. The Soldiers were reportedly inspecting a freshly dug area when the IED exploded.
In the same sector, two army personnel, including a major, were martyred on January 11.
Expressing solidarity with the whole country and the Armed Forces, the Reliance foundation has pledged full support to the families of the martyred CRPF soldiers in the deadly Pulwama terrorist attack on February 14. As a mark of gratitude to the slain soldiers, the Foundation has issued a press release in which it has volunteered to take full responsibility for the education and employment of the children of the martyred soldiers and also for the livelihood of the families.
Reliance Foundation Press, Courtesy: Twitter
The Foundation condemned the barbaric terrorist attack in its press release, saying “No evil power in this world can break India’s unity or our resolve to defeat terrorism, which is an enemy of the humanity”. The Foundation had also offered to provide the best possible treatment to the injured soldiers in the Reliance Hospital. It has also expressed readiness to take up any other responsibility that the government of India might place on the foundation in this regard. Reliance Foundation is the philanthropic branch of the Mukesh Ambani owned Reliance Industries Limited.
On February 14, 40 soldiers had lost their lives in the ghastly terrorist attack carried out by a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist on a convoy of the CRPF personnel in Pulwama district.
Lyricist Javed Akhtar recently announced on Twitter that he and his wife Shabana Azmi had turned down an invite to attend a literature conference in Karachi, Pakistan following the heinous terror attack at Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir.
Kranchi art council had invited. Shabana and me for a two day lit conference about Kaifi Azmi and his poetry . We have cancelled that . In 1965 during the indo Pak war Kaifi saheb had written a poem . “ AUR PHIR KRISHAN NE ARJUN SE KAHA “
Shabana Azmi had also tweeted that it was time to call a halt to cultural exchanges between India and Pakistan and that she stands “in solidarity with the grieving families” of the martyrs.
#Pulwama attack There is no way we can carry on with cultural exchanges between India and Pakistan even as our martyrs are laying down their lives for us. I stand in solidarity with the grieving families.
This Karachi conference on Kaifi Azmi was supposed to be held on 23rd and 24th February.
While Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi took to Twitter to proclaim their concern for the Indian Armed Forces and their patriotism by cancelling the event owing to the Pulwama attack, according to a TOI report on the 13th of February, Azmi had been diagnosed with Swine Flu and was recuperating in a hospital.
As per reports, Javed Akhtar too has contacted the flu. Bollywood Hungama, on the 15th of February, quoted her as saying, “Luckily, he doesn’t need to be hospitalized. His preventive medication had started when I was diagnosed with swine flu. So it’s a milder attack. We are taking care of it at home.”
Shabana Azmi was also reported to have been smiling over the irony of having to deal with a swine-flu spouse on Valentine’s Day.
OpIndia could not confirm whether Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi have recovered from their Swine flue. However, it would surely seem that the primary reason for them cancelling their engagement was more owing to their health rather than their respect for our fallen heroes. Now, the only question that remains is why the duo chose to misrepresent their reasons on Social Media.
The death toll in the horrific terrorist attack sponsored by the terrorist state of Pakistan has reached 44, making it one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian government has now briefed the Heads of Missions of Arab countries about Pakistan’s role in the Pulwama attack.
India met the Ambassadors of Ambassadors of UAE, Iran, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Morocco, Egypt and Kuwait.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the sacrifices of “our brave security personnel shall not go in vain”, people across the country have demanded the strongest possible action against the dastardly terrorist attack.
Earlier, Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale briefed the envoys of key countries in India on Friday to apprise them on Pakistan’s involvement in supporting terrorism.
The meeting was part of the government’s diplomatic outreach to work towards, what has been described by the government as an attempt of “complete isolation” of Pakistan.
As part of continuing diplomatic efforts on the matter, Foreign Secretary has met around 25 Heads of Mission based in New Delhi, which included all P-5 countries – US, China, Russia, the UK and France – (permanent members of UN security council), all South Asian countries and several other important partners like Japan, Germany, Republic of Korea and others.
This all-out diplomatic offensive is being seen by many as a precursor to the retaliatory action that might be taken by India. In that context, meeting the Heads of Missions of Arab countries becomes more than significant considering the Arab countries are more inclined towards siding with Pakistan in a conflict situation.
Iran has squarely blamed Pakistan for the suicide bombing that killed more than 2 dozens of its troops earlier this week. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards blamed “Pakistan’s security forces” for supporting the terrorists who perpetrated the attack.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards says “Pakistan’s security forces” supporting the perpetrators of a suicide bombing that killed 27 troops earlier this week
Revolutionary Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari also threatened Pakistan with retaliation if it does not take action against the terrorist outfit on its own.
BREAKING: Iranian general says his country will take its own measures if Pakistan does not punish militants who attacked Revolutionary Guards
“Pakistan’s government, who has housed these anti-revolutionaries and threats to Islam, knows where they are and they are supported by Pakistan’s security forces,” he said. In a thinly veiled threat, Major General Jafari said, “If (the Pakistan government) does not punish them, we will retaliate against this anti-revolutionary force, and whatever Pakistan sees will be the consequence of its support for them.”
It is notable here that on 13 February, just a day before the Pulwama attack, 27 personnel of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard were killed and 13 others were injured when an explosive-laden car blew up beside a vehicle transporting the personnel in Khash-Zahedan road near the Sistan-Balochistan province near Pakistan border.
The Pulwama attack had also happened in a similar manner when an IED laden SUV had blown up near a CRPF vehicle transporting our Jawans on February 14.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also warned Pakistan of terrible consequences following the Pulwama Terror Attack that claimed the lives of over 40 of our soldiers. Since then, there have been significant developments. The NSA of the USA in a conversation with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval recognized India’s right to self-defense.
With Iran threatening retaliation after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Indians that there will be consequences, the signs appear to be ominous for Pakistan.
Ever since Sister Lucy Kalapura took part along with the other six nuns to protest against the Jalandhar diocese bishop Franco Mulakkal, who is accused of raping one of them multiple times, the Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) has been extremely critical of her and has often tried to rein in her supposed ‘violations’. The FCC today has issued another canonical warning letter to her to alter her attitude and mind, failing which she will be dismissed from the Congregation.
Franciscan Clarist Congregation Superior General issues 2nd canonical warning letter to Sister Lucy Kalapura; states ‘… invite you to change your mind&attitude sincerely…If you don’t respond positively I will be constrained to proceed with your dismissal from Congregation”.
The nun, known for possessing nonconformist tendencies, has been threatened multiple times by the FCC for her perceived transgressions. Earlier, the Catholic Church had sent a warning to Sister Lucy Kalapura for ‘attending channel discussions’, writing articles in ‘non-Christian newspapers’ and ‘making false accusations’ against the Catholic leadership. According to FCC, nun Lucy Kalapura has committed various offences such as publishing a book of poems without the church’s permission, getting a driver’s license and buying a car, uploading a Facebook post with her choice of attire, along with participating in TV debates and making remarks critical of the church.
Sister Lucy was summoned for her infractions to FCC’s headquarters in Aluva, 260 km away from Mananthavady in Wayanad. Asserting that she hadn’t done anything wrong, she remarked that she didn’t go there. She also alleged that she will participate in the protest again, should there be a protest against Franco Bishop.
Franco Mulakkal, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar, is accused of raping a 44- year-old nun at a guest house in Kuravilangad in May 2014 and subsequent sexual exploitations afterwards. The nun had registered a complaint in June 2018 and has also claimed that despite her complaints, the church took no action on the bishop. The congregation had also stood by the rape accused and referred to him as an “innocent soul”.
Franco Bishop was arrested after the investigating team found evidence against him but was subsequently released on a conditional bail asking him to appear before the investigation team once every two weeks and also to surrender his passport.
