Author: Yusara Askari

Around 100 Kashmiri youth missing in last three years after visiting Pakistan on visa
8Feb By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Around 100 Kashmiri youth missing in last three years after visiting Pakistan on visa

Around 100 youths from Kashmir who travelled to Pakistan on a visa have gone missing in the last three years, India’s security establishment notified on Sunday."They have either never returned or have returned but are missing," said an IPS officer adding that they can be part of 'sleeper cells' of terror organisations.The officer further said as more proactive outreach programmes have been taken up and more surveillance mechanisms placed, the incidents of youth going missing are "decreasing proportionately"."Either these youth are being brainwashed and thereafter being trained or are allured to carry out anti-India propaganda. It is a big challenge before us to bring such youth back in the fold," explains the officer, who is part of the counter-insurgency team in the Valley.The Kashmiri yo
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India ready to supply LCA, missiles to IOR nations: Defence Minister
5Feb By Yusara AskariNo Comments

India ready to supply LCA, missiles to IOR nations: Defence Minister

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that the country is ready to supply various types of missile systems, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and other weapons systems including missiles, helicopters, tanks and artillery guns to friendly foreign countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).“India is ready to supply various types of missile systems, LCA/helicopters, multi-purpose light transport aircraft, warship and patrol vessels, artillery gun systems, tanks, radars, military vehicles, electronic warfare systems and other weapons systems to IOR nations,” Rajnath Singh said at IOR Defence Ministers’ Conclave.The Defence Minister further emphasized India’s role in humanitarian assistance in the maritime neighbourhood and said, “India has always been at the forefront of humanitari
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‘Time to extend hand of peace’: Pakistan Army chief Gen Bajwa
3Feb By Yusara AskariNo Comments

‘Time to extend hand of peace’: Pakistan Army chief Gen Bajwa

In a surprise statement on Tuesday, Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that the country is committed to the ideal of mutual respect and peaceful co-existence and “it is time to extend a hand of peace in all directions”.He was speaking at the graduation ceremony of Pakistan Air Force cadets with an aim to reach out to India.“Pakistan and India must also resolve the longstanding issue of Jammu and Kashmir in a dignified and peaceful manner as per the aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir and bring this human tragedy to its logical conclusion,” General Bajwa said according to a statement issued by the military.His remarks, however, were a sharp contrast to his pitch against India, particularly after New Delhi carried out aerial strikes at terror training camps in Pakistan
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Nepal calls for immediate release of Myanmar leaders detained after military coup
2Feb By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Nepal calls for immediate release of Myanmar leaders detained after military coup

Hours after Myanmar’s military seized power and imposed a one-year state emergency by detaining democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Nepal said that it is “concerned about the safety and well-being of the detained civilian leaders” and called for their release."We are equally concerned about the safety and well-being of the detained civilian leaders including President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and call for their immediate release," read an official statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The Ministry further stated that it is "closely following the developments in Myanmar"."Nepal has been closely following the recent developments in Myanmar. We believe that all parties involved will respect the will of the Myanmar people and hope that the
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China says India border row won’t be linked with bilateral ties: Report
31Jan By Yusara AskariNo Comments

China says India border row won’t be linked with bilateral ties: Report

Stressing on the importance of bilateral relations, China has said that the border issue with India will not be linked with the growth of overall ties with India.“The border issue between China and India shall not be linked with bilateral relations,” said Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, at a press briefing on Friday.His remarks came after Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on Thursday said that the relationship between India and China were at a ''crossroads'' and choices made by the two countries will have "profound repercussions" for the entire world."Experiences of the past have taught us the importance of stabilising our relationship (with China) even while adjusting to changes. From that, we can seek proper guidance that will be to the benefit of both na
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Farhan Majeed becomes Kashmir’s youngest qualified pilot
28Jan By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Farhan Majeed becomes Kashmir’s youngest qualified pilot

20-year-old Farhan Majeed from the Pulwama district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir has become the youngest Kashmiri to obtain the license of a commercial pilot.After passing his 12th class from Mantaqui Higher Secondary School in Pulwama’s Awantipora, Farhan joined the flying academy Global Konnect Aviation Services Pvt Ltd in Uttrakhand to get trained as a commercial pilot.“I received my license as a commercial pilot in November last year,” Farhan said.“There is an airbase of the Indian Air Force and we can hear the sounds of helicopters and other planes all day. This motivated me to become a pilot. I am very proud of being the youngest pilot in Kashmir to holds Indian Commercial Pilot License. All the credit goes to my family and God,” he said.“Everybody has the poten
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Violence-free DDC polls biggest achievement of our administration: J&K LG
28Jan By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Violence-free DDC polls biggest achievement of our administration: J&K LG

On the occasion of India’s 72nd Republic Day, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha said the holding of violence-free District Development Council (DDC) elections is the biggest achievement of his government.“The DDC polls that were held across Jammu and Kashmir in eight phases in November and December last year were the maiden elections since 1990 that were held without any intervention of separatists and militants. It was for the first time in the past three decades that none of the groups called for poll boycott and people came out to vote without any fear or threat,” Sinha said.“These elections were violence-free as security forces kept militants at bay. There were no threat posters, nor were the political workers and candidates targeted. It should not be construed that
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India’s Narcotics Bureau nabs heroin smugglers with Sri Lanka-Pakistan links
22Jan By Yusara AskariNo Comments

India’s Narcotics Bureau nabs heroin smugglers with Sri Lanka-Pakistan links

Indian Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials in Chennai have caught two Sri Lankan Tamils who were the main conspirators in Rs.100 crore International drugs smuggling case.The two conspirators were living in Chennai by concealing their real identity.As per reports, the case is about a drug-laden vessel, ‘Shenaya Duwa’, that was intercepted by Indian Coast Guard in November last year, off the Tuticorin Coast in Tamil Nadu.99 packets of heroin, 20 boxes of synthetic drugs and five 9mm pistols were unearthed from an unapproachable location on-board the vessel, besides a Thuraya satellite phone set.The preliminary investigation had revealed that the drugs were transferred onto the Sri Lankan vessel ‘Shenaya Duwa’ on the high seas by a Pakistani dhow from Karachi and the contraband was meant
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‘India will not reduce troops unless China initiates process’: Rajnath Singh on Ladakh row
22Jan By Yusara AskariNo Comments

‘India will not reduce troops unless China initiates process’: Rajnath Singh on Ladakh row

Reiterating India’s stance on the eastern Ladakh standoff, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that the country will not reduce the number of troops unless China initiates the processHe also said India is developing infrastructure in border areas at a "very fast rate", adding China has objected to some of the projects."Reduction in the number of troops won't happen. India won't reduce troops deployment unless China initiates the process," he said in an interview.When asked about the dialogue process with China on the row, Singh said, "There is no deadline when it comes to matter like the ongoing standoff. You can't fix a date.""We are confident of finding a solution through talks," he said.About a news report that China was constructing a village in Arunachal Pradesh, the defence
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India, China in constant communication for next round of senior commanders meeting: MEA
14Jan By Yusara AskariNo Comments

India, China in constant communication for next round of senior commanders meeting: MEA

Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that it is maintaining close communication with China through diplomatic and military channels with the objective of ensuring complete disengagement in all friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that the two sides are in constant communication through diplomatic and military channels for holding the next round of senior commanders meeting.“India and China continue to maintain close communication through diplomatic and military channels with the objective of ensuring complete disengagement in all friction points along the LAC in the western sector and for full restoration of peace and tranquillity,” he said.Srivastava said the last round of Working Mechanism for Con
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