NEWS DIGEST, Afternoon
27 March 2019: 19 Rajab 1440:Vol: 11, No:161
INDIA
Balakot Strikes Missed, Targeting Error Possible Cause: Australian Strategic Policy Institute
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/iaf-air-strikes-in-balakot-a-miss-targeting-error-australian-report
Amid India’s claims and Pakistan’s counter-claims on the efficacy and potency of the air strikes conducted by the Indian Air Force in PoK’s Balakot, a new report based on high-resolution satellite imagery claims that the intended targets – JeM camps – were not ‘visibly damaged’.The report, by Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), claims that publicly available satellite imagery acquired by European Space Imaging the day after the strike suggests that buildings at the camp were not “visibly damaged or destroyed”. Imagery (of a higher resolution than previously available) shows conspicuously undamaged roofs, says the report, which runs counter to Indian claims of “successfully destroying the intended targets”.The report also claims that the damage (or lack thereof) is not “consistent with either a SPICE 2000 strike or a strike with other munitions”. “We believe that even a weapon with reduced explosive fill would cause damage to buildings that would be identifiable in the satellite imagery,” authors of the report claim.Another striking claim made by the report was that, as per the high-resolution images, all three weapon strikes missed their intended targets by similar distances. They all also missed in the same direction.This, the authors’ claim, suggests that the misses were “caused by a systematic targeting error”.This error was likely caused in a scenario in which the Indian Air Force opted to rely solely on the weapon’s ‘set and forget’ GPS capabilities, they said. “One explanation for the miss is that SPICE 2000 bombs were incorrectly programmed to fly precisely into GPS points that were, say, 33 metres above their intended targets (buildings on top of the ridge line).They performed as programmed and then continued on their trajectories until they struck the valley beneath,” report said. “The image correlates the identified impact sites, the buildings that were the likely targets and a discrepancy between ellipsoidal and orthometric height which we have assumed to equate to 33 metres above the target buildings. Presented in 3D, this correlation results in consistent, parallel trajectories indicating a consistent targeting error,” it added.Another possible explanation for the weapons ‘missing’ their targets was the inter-operational frailties of using French jets, Israeli weapons,US GPS and a targeting system that potentially used maps based on an older local Indian datum, report said. thequint
India’s strike on Balakot: a very precise miss?
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/indias-strike-on-balakot-a-very-precise-miss/
Mission Shakti:controversy around anti-satellite tests
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-with-anti-satellite-missile-india-enters-elite-space-club-5645226/
Pune:Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced that India had become the fourth country in the world to successfully hit a satellite in space with an anti-satellite missile. Indian scientists have successfully carried out the test of an anti-satellite missile by bringing down one of its satellites in the low earth orbit 300 kilometres from the Earth’s surface.This brings India in the select league of nations that claim to have anti-satellite weapons. Only US, China and Russia have demonstrated this capability till now. Israel is also said to possess this capability, though it has not carried out a test so far.“Some time back, our scientists have hit a live satellite 300 km away in the low earth orbit. This was a pre-determined target which has been brought down by an A-SAT. The operation was completed in three minutes. Mission Shakti was a very difficult operation in which very high quality technical capability was required,” Prime Minister said.Satellites are used by countries for navigation, communications and also for guiding their missile weaponry. The ability to bring down an enemy’s missile, therefore, gives a country the capability to cripple critical infrastructure of the other country, rendering their weapons useless.indianexpress
Avoid Militarisation, Uphold Peace in Space: Pak, China on A-SAT
https://www.thequint.com/news/world/mission-shakti-pakistan-china-react
Just hours after Narendra Modi today, announced that India had managed to shoot down a low-orbit satellite using an A-SAT, Pakistan said space should not be militarised. Without naming India anywhere in a statement, Pakistan Foreign Ministry said:“Space is the common heritage of mankind and every nation has the responsibility to avoid actions which can lead to the militarisation of this arena.”China offered a more guarded response when questioned on India’s Mission Shakti. In a reply to PTI, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said:“We have noticed reports and hope that each country will uphold peace and tranquillity in outer space”. Through its statement, Pakistan attempted to show it had a peaceful outlook.“We hope that countries which have in the past strongly condemned demonstration of similar capabilities by others will be prepared to work towards developing international instruments to prevent military threats relating to outer space.” To add a literary twist to its statement, ministry gave a reference of Don Quixote, the delusional hero of the 17th century Spanish novel by Miguel de Cervantes. It said, “Boasting of such capabilities is reminiscent of Don Quixote’s tilting against windmills.”thequint
Something may happen before India general elections, says Imran Khan
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/something-may-happen-before-india-polls-says-imran-khan-pulwama-attack-5644559/
New Delhi:In a significant admission, Pakistan PM Imran Khan has acknowledged that his country can no longer allow terror groups to organise with impunity on its soil. Khan also said that he fears further military hostilities with India in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.In an interview to FT, Khan said, “We cannot take the stance any more where you have these armed groups in our country… We can’t afford being blamed for any terrorist activity, like Pulwama, like what happened.”Khan insisted that there was no place for terrorists in his “new Pakistan”, claiming that he was conducting the most serious crackdown on terrorist groups in the country’s history. “We’re already cracking down on them, we’re already dismantling the whole set-up,” he said. “What is happening right now has never happened before in Pakistan,” he told FT.Khan also claimed that he is “still apprehensive” that “something could happen” before the general elections in India. Describing India as gripped with “war hysteria”,Khan said: “I’m still apprehensive before the elections, I feel that something could happen.”“Indian public should realise that this is all for winning the elections, it’s nothing to do with the real issues of the subcontinent,” he claimed, while blaming Pulwama attack on what he called Modi’s “anti-Muslim” government and its policies in Kashmir.Khan also rejected claims that Pakistan had links to Pulwama. “Boy who blew himself up, 19-year-old boy, was a Kashmiri-Indian boy… His parents said how he was radicalised by some abuse by the security force, so it was an Indian boy, Indian operation, Indian car, Indian explosive. Why was Pakistan blamed?” Khan said.indian express
Mehbooba says will scrap ban on Jamaat, JKLF if voted to power; PDP's Muzaffar Baig offers legal aid
https://www.news18.com/news/politics/senior-pdp-leader-muzaffar-hussain-baig-offers-legal-aid-to-jamaat-e-islami-jklf-against-ban-2078611.html
Srinagar: Senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig Tuesday offered the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu Kashmir and JKLF legal help to contest the ban imposed on them by the Centre, saying while these outfits were ideologically opposed to his party, he would do it to uphold civil liberties."Although both Jamaat-e-Islami and JKLF are our opponents, we are ready to provide legal help in contest the ban imposed on them. It is a matter of principles and for upholding civil liberties," Baig said.The senior leader made the offer of legal assistance to the two banned outfits while addressing a workers' meeting in Baramulla.In her address, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said if her party came to power, it would scrap the ban imposed by the government on JKLF and Jamaat-e-Islami J&K."Banning organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami and JKLF will have far reaching consequences and such measures only increase the level of alienation and frustration among the people," she said.Ex-CM said PDP has a clear stand that ideas cannot be chained, banned or killed."In a democracy, ideas are allowed to flourish and not choked. By taking such undemocratic, unconstitutional and unnatural measures, government, in actual, is trying to show its electorate how tough it is against the Muslims and against Jammu and Kashmir," Mufti said."If PDP comes to power, it will make strenuous efforts to undo the BJP's wrongs and revoke the ban imposed on Jamaat and JKLF," she added.PTI
Will lift ban on Jamaat-e-Islami if voted to power: Mehbooba Mufti
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/will-lift-ban-on-jamaat-e-islami-if-voted-to-power-mehbooba-mufti-5644557/
Ishrat Jahan's Mother Contests Gujarat's Refusal To Prosecute Ex-Cops
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ishrat-jahans-mother-contests-gujarats-refusal-to-prosecute-ex-cops-2013619
Ahmedabad: An application was filed in the Special CBI Court, challenging the Gujarat government's refusal to sanction prosecution of retired police officials DG Vanzara and NK Amin in Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case.The petition has been filed by Shamima Kausar, Ishrat Jahan's mother, who also asked the court to share with her the copy of the Gujarat government's letter.Earlier, CBI lawyer RC Kodekar informed special CBI Judge JK Pandya the Gujarat government had denied sanction to prosecute its retired officers under Section 197.The state government's letter claimed the encounter, carried out by the cops, was genuine and 'in the line of duty'.Vanjara, a former DIG of Gujarat Police, and Amin, a retired SP, are 2 of the 7 accused chargesheeted by the CBI in the case.ndtv
5 more men arrested for violence against Gurgaon Muslim family
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/five-more-men-arrested-for-violence-against-gurgaon-family-5644365/
Gurgaon :5 days after a Muslim family was beaten with rods and sticks by a mob inside their home in Gurgaon’s Bhoop Singh Nagar, police Tuesday arrested five more people for the crime. Police said Anil (33), Gaurav (23), Pradeep (28), Lalit (27), and Rohit (26) were arrested from Nayagaon village, where they live. “They are being questioned. Ten people have been arrested so far. We are conducting investigations to nab the others,” said Gurgaon Police PRO.Anil has two cases registered against him at Badshahpur police station, one in 2008 and the other in 2016, said police. Of 10 arrested, 2 others have prior cases registered against them,with 1 having been jailed twice.indianexpress
CBI requests Delhi High Court for more time to investigate bribery case against Rakesh Asthana
https://scroll.in/latest/918062/cbi-requests-delhi-high-court-for-more-time-to-investigate-bribery-case-against-rakesh-asthana
CBI on Wednesday told Delhi High Court that it needs more time to complete the inquiry into a bribery case involving its ex Special Director Rakesh Asthana. In Jan, High Court had granted CBI an extension of 10 weeks to carry out the investigation, PTI reported. In Jan, court had rejected a plea by Asthana, DSP Devender Kumar and an alleged middleman Manoj Prasad to quash the first information report CBI had filed in the case. However, on Wednesday, court questioned the CBI about not giving an advance copy of its plea seeking an extension, to Dayan Krishnan, counsel for Asthana and Kumar.Justice Mukta Gupta said the agency should hand over a copy of the plea to the counsel, and fixed matter for hearing on Thursday.scroll.in
Muzaffarnagar riots: Attachment proceedings against convicts for not appearing in court
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/458261-muzaffarnagar-riots-attachment-proceedings-against-convicts-for-not-appearing-in-court
A court here has initiated attachment proceedings against 6 people for not appearing before it in connection with a murder case during the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots. CJM Rakesh Kumar Gautam on Tuesday issued notices to Ravinder, Prahlad, Bishan Singh, Tendu, Devender and Jitender to surrender in the court on April 16.Earlier, the court had issued arrest warrants against them but they failed to comply with the order. The court has now ordered attachment of their assets and properties. According to a complaint filed by Waseem, his son Shahnawaz was stabbed by eight people in Kawal village on August 27, 2013. The incident led to widespread tension in Muzaffarnagar which more than 60 people were killed. devdiscourse
Muzaffarnagar riots eyewitness killing: Accused surrenders
https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/muzaffarnagar-riots-eyewitness-killing-accused-surrenders-119032601249_1.html
Muzaffarnagar: A person, accused of killing an eyewitness in a Muzaffarnagar riots case, surrendered in a court here on Tuesday.The accused, Shrikant, has been sent to judicial custody by Chief Judicial Magistrate Rakesh Kumar Gautam.According to the prosecution, Ashfaq, who was an eyewitness in the murder case of his 2 brothers, was shot dead in Khatauli town of Muzaffarnagar district early this month. Ashfaq's brothers, Nawab and Shahid, were shot dead during the 2013 riots, in which more than 60 lives were lost and over 40,000 people were displaced. Shrikant had been allegedly putting pressure on Ashfaq to withdraw the case, but he refused.PTI
Can’t appeal against blast verdict under NIA Act:Telangana HC
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/cant-appeal-against-blast-verdict-under-nia-act/articleshow/68590728.cms
Telangana high court on Tuesday told 2007 Mecca Masjid blast victims’ kin that there is no provision in the NIA Act that gives them the right to appeal, even if they are aggrieved by the judgement. The trial court acquitted all the accused last year who were charged in these blasts. Stating that the families of the deceased have been looking forward to NIA for an appeal, Syed Mounis Jafer Abidi, counsel for the victims’ families told the court that they are disappointed as the Act gives only three months time for filing an appeal, which is unfair.TOI
Nirankari Bhawan blast: Amritsar court sets aside extension in detention of 2 accused
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/nirankari-bhawan-blast-amritsar-court-sets-aside-extension-in-detention-of-accused-5644614/
Amritsar :Additional Sessions Judge, Amritsar, has set aside the extension in detention of accused and investigation period that was granted to the police by an Ajnala court in Nirankari Bhawan bomb blast case.While the judge accepted revision of the Ajnala court order, technically setting aside the order in the case, he is yet to issue an order on next course of action.In an order dated Feb.13, 2019, Ajnala court had extended the detention period of both accused, Avatar Singh and Bikramjit Singh, from 90 days to 180 days. Further, police was also given double time to file the challan in the case in which 3 persons were killed during a grenade attack in Nirankari Bhawan of Adliwal on Nov.18, 2018. Police had demanded extra time for investigating the Pakistan angle in grenade attack.The accused had challenged extension in a higher court on March 5, and revision was accepted by setting aside Ajnala court grant in detention and probe period. indianexpress
Opposition allege fraud during demonetisation, release video of alleged BJP worker exchanging notes
https://scroll.in/latest/918001/opposition-allege-fraud-during-demonetisation-release-video-of-alleged-bjp-worker-exchanging-notes
Opposition leaders have alleged money laundering during demonetisation in 2016 and aired a video purportedly showing a BJP worker from Gujarat charging 40% commission to exchange invalid notes after deadline to do so was over. Video shows a person exchanging money purportedly after Dec.31, 2016, deadline set by Centre to exchange old notes. Amount exchanged was Rs 5 crore.However, Opposition have not authenticated the video and claimed it was filmed by journalists from a news portal called Tricolour News Network World.The video was released during a press conference in Delhi jointly addressed by several Opposition leaders,including Sharad Yadav from Loktantrik Janata Dal, Hemant Soren of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Manoj Jha from RJD, and Congress leaders Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad Mallikarjun Kharge and Kapil Sibal.scroll
EC Asks NITI Aayog's Rajiv Kumar to Explain Criticism of Congress's poll promise
https://thewire.in/government/ec-asks-niti-aayogs-rajiv-kumar-to-explain-criticism-of-congresss-nyay
New Delhi: Election Commission has reportedly sought a response from NITI Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar on his remarks attacking the Congress over its minimum income guarantee promise.Sources in the poll panel said that since Kumar is part of the “bureaucratic executive”, such remarks may be violative of the model code of conduct.“It is not a case of one politician attacking the other or one party attacking the other,” said a functionary.“He is a public servant and ideally should not have made such a statement which is seen as working to the BJP’s advantage. His comments have been sought,” a source in the EC told Indian Express.Kumar had accused the Congress of promising the moon to win elections. He had also tweeted, “The proposed income guarantee scheme fails the economics test, fiscal discipline test and execution test.”thewire
Maharashtra’s Dalit unrest is facing its big political test
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/news/maharashtras-dalit-unrest-is-facing-its-big-political-test/articleshow/68590595.cms
NAGPUR: In Maharashtra’s direct face off between two rival alliances, the shadow of BR Ambedkar looms large. 15 months after the Bhima Koregaon agitation set off nation-wide echoes, a new Dalit assertion is struggling to find space in Maharashtra’s divided election landscape.There’s a craving for a new leadership, which is leading some Dalits towards old wine in new bottles such as the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi led by Prakash Ambedkar. The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi aims to represent the new post Bhima Koregaon assertion but lacking political heft on the ground seems unlikely to play any role beyond that of spoiler. Prakash Ambedkar, who had a political re-birth of sorts after the Dalit bandh post the Bhima Koregaon protests, has given tickets to a range of Dalit subcaste like Mangs and Matangs to rid himself of the Mahar tag. However he is being targeted for allegedly selling out to BJP by dividing the anti BJP vote. Asks Pune-based activist former judge Justice BG Kolse Patil, organizer of Elgaar Parishad, who recently quit Ambedkar’s front: “Why is Ambedkar not allying with the opposition? I tried hard, I went to meet Rahul, Sonia, but Prakash Ambedkar refused to even meet Rahul Gandhi. “Kolse Patil, who was keen to contest from Aurangabad, says he left the Vanchit Aghadi when he realized that Ambedkar did not want to ally with the Opposition and would end up benefiting the BJP.TOI
As BSP and Congress divide the Muslim vote in Saharanpur, is it advantage BJP?
https://scroll.in/article/917842/elections-2019-as-bsp-and-congress-divide-the-muslim-vote-in-saharanpur-is-it-advantage-bjp
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath began his 2019 Lok Sabha campaign from Saharanpur on March 24 after paying his respects at the Shakhumbari Temple here. This was the venue from where he also began his 2017 Assembly election campaign, which saw BJP win 325 of state’s 403 seats.Saharanpur is of significance even to the grand alliance of the Samajwadi Party, BSP and RLD. Alliance has picked Deoband in Saharanpur to launch its joint election campaign in Uttar Pradesh, and will hold its first joint rally here on April 7.Muslims constitute 42% of the total population of Saharanpur. Lok Sabha constituency shot into national limelight during 2014 Lok Sabha elections when Congress candidate Imran Masood threatened to chop Narendra Modi into pieces. What followed was a deeply polarised election. Backed by the majority Hindu community, BJP’s Raghav Lakhanpal defeated Masood by around 65,000 votes. 5 years later, Masood and Lakhanpal are ready for yet another face-off.But there is a third candidate who is in the reckoning this time, and he has possibly made the contest trickier. The seat belongs to BSP as part of the agreement between the grand alliance partners, and Mayawati has decided to field popular leader Fazlur Rahman from here. Many believe this could lead to a split in the Muslim vote, making it easy for Lakhanpal to win again.“Masood works for the community but Rahman has the numbers,” said Khalid Hasan, who lives in Saharanpur town.scroll.in
Goa Dy CM Sudin Dhavalikar dropped from Cabinet after 2 MGP MLAs join BJP
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sudin-dhavalikar-goa-cabinet-mgp-mlas-bjp-5645227/
New Delhi:Hours after 2 MGP MLAs joined BJP, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday dropped deputy CM and MGP chief Sudin Dhavalikar from the state cabinet.In a communication addressed to Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, Sawant said, “I have dropped Sudin Dhavalikar from the cabinet. The decision on filling up the vacant seat will be taken very soon.”CM Sawant will take over the Transport and Public Works portfolios held by Dhavalikar.Goa tourism minister Manohar Ajgaonkar and another MGP MLA, Dipak Pawaskar, merged its legislative wing with BJP early Wednesday. Dhavalikar accused BJP of robbing MGP at midnight. “MGP is a party of the people. At night, the chowkidars who have committed dacoity on MGP, have shocked the people of Goa. People of Goa are watching this. People will decide on the course of action,” he said.Briefing the press on the development, CM Sawant said Dhavlikar was dropped for working against BJP alliance. With 2 MGP MLAs joining them, BJP now has the strength of 14 MLAs in the house — equal to the Congress. Meanwhile, bypolls will be held for three Assembly seats on April 23. The bypolls were neccessiated after 2 Congress MLAs defected to BJP and BJP MLA Francis D’Souza passed away.indianexpress
UP: Denied ticket, BJP MP from Hardoi joins SP
https://indianexpress.com/elections/uttar-pradesh-bjp-mp-does-not-write-chowkidaar-on-his-wall-resigns-and-joins-samajwadi-party-5645469/
BJP MP from Hardoi (UP) Anshul Verma on Wednesday joined the Samajwadi Party in the presence of party chief Akhilesh Yadav and senior leader Azam Khan.Interestingly, Verma claimed that he handed his resignation to a “chowkidaar” (watchman) at BJP office in Lucknow on Wednesday.Speaking to reporters at the SP office, Verma said, “How many of you can say that you are making your children ‘chowkidaar’? I was told (by BJP) that you did not write ‘chowkidar’ on your wall. Jenab, I want to say one thing. Vikas kiya hai, vikas karenge. Chowkidar nahi, Anshul hi ban kar rahenge…(Will continue working towards development, instead of becoming a watchman, we will become radiant).”“I gave my resignation to a chowkidar at the state office. I could not do much but gave him a day’s salary,” Verma added.indian express
IPL Muslim players get permission for jerseys sans liquor logos
http://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/ipl/2019/mar/24/muslim-players-get-permission-for-jerseys-sans-liquor-logos-1955104.html
Chennai: It’s a matter of faith for Muslim cricketers featuring in the IPL and their teams are ready to ensure they can keep religious beliefs intact.Islam prohibits consumption or promotion of alcohol. Cricketers in the past decided not to wear jerseys with logos promoting liquor brands. Madhya Pradesh pacer Avesh Khan and Mumbai left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla are examples, while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore. This year also, players in certain IPL teams have obtained permission to not display logos which hurt their religious sentiments. There are other teams ready to accept in the eventuality of receiving such requests.“Moeen Ali will play for us, with Mohammed Siraj. Muslim cricketers usually decide against promoting liquor and tobacco. This year too it was the same. We are very mindful of religious sensitivity, and keeping their beliefs in mind, we have accepted their requests,” a Royal Challengers Bangalore official told Express.Of the eight teams, Delhi Capitals featuring Avesh and Rajasthan Royals with no Muslim player in their ranks do not have partners or sponsors promoting alcohol. Kolkata Knight Riders with Royal Stag as principal sponsor do not feature any Muslim cricketer. The other five teams have Muslims and brands as sponsors that they might be uncomfortable with.newindianexpress
WORLD
Israel-Hamas ceasefire holds amid tense calm in Gaza Strip
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/israel-hamas-ceasefire-holds-tense-calm-gaza-strip-190326114821217.html
Gaza:A Palestinian rocket struck Israel and the Israeli military conducted an air raid in Gaza despite a ceasefire announced by Hamas, but the exchange of fire appeared to end overnight on Wednesday. There were no immediate reports of any damage or casualties from the latest rocket fire, which the Israeli army said was launched at around 8pm (18:00 GMT).Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other groups said "the rocket that hit near Ashkelon was the work of an individual and the factions are committed to calm" - as long as Israel is.A security source in Gaza said an air raid hit a Hamas military base in Khan Yunis following the projectile launched at Israel.A fraught quiet has settled over the Gaza Strip after Israeli air raids on the besieged coastal enclave that began on Monday after a rocket strike on a home in central Israel. An Egyptian-brokered ceasefire, announced around 19:00 GMT on Monday, was confirmed by a Hamas spokesperson, but the exchange of fire between armed groups in Gaza and the Israeli military continued, residents in the strip said.The latest flare-up took place after a long-range missile was fired from Gaza into the Israeli community of Mishmeret - 20km north of Tel Aviv - early Monday, wounding seven people.No group from Gaza has claimed responsibility, but Israel blamed Hamas, the movement that rules the strip, and deployed tanks and reservists at the Israeli fence east of the Gaza Strip.aljazeera
Palestinian volunteer medic killed by Israeli forces in Bethlehem
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/palestinian-volunteer-medic-killed-israeli-forces-bethlehem-190327113632957.html
Israeli forces shot and killed an 18-year-old Palestinian medic after the army raided a refugee camp in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.Sajid Muzher was shot in the abdomen and later died on the operating table at Beit Jala Hospital, Palestinian medical sources said.The sources added that the young man was killed when Israeli soldiers opened fire while he was wearing a medic's vest trying to save the injured protesters in the Dheisheh refugee camp.Witnesses pointed out that the Israeli soldiers were deployed in large numbers in the alleys and streets of the camp, with snipers positioned on rooftops amid the shooting.
Syria requests urgent UN Security Council meeting on Golan
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/syria-requests-urgent-security-council-meeting-golan-190327065204978.html
Syria is calling on the United Nations Security Council to hold an urgent meeting on US decision to recognise the Golan Heights as Israeli territory.President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Monday in which the United States recognised Israel's annexation of the strategic plateau, despite UN resolutions recognising the Golan as Israeli-occupied territory.In a letter seen by AFP, the Syrian mission to the United Nations asked the council presidency, held by France, to schedule an urgent meeting to "discuss the situation in the occupied Syrian Golan and the recent flagrant violation of the relevant Security Council's resolution by a permanent member-state."Aljazeera
IS attack on US-backed fighters kills 7 in Syria
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/is-attack-on-us-backed-fighters-kills-7-in-northern-syria/articleshow/68582522.cms
Islamic State group claimed responsibility for an attack on a checkpoint of US-backed forces in the northern Syrian town on Manbij that killed seven fighters on Tuesday. The attack indicates that IS can still launch deadly insurgent strikes and is far from being completely defeated, despite losing all the territory it once controlled in Iraq and Syria. Islamic State militants were blamed for several attacks in Manbij area in recent months.Sharfan Darwish of the Manbij Military Council told AP that the attack came shortly after midnight at one of entrances to Manbij, targeting the fighters who "were carrying out their mission of protecting'' the town.AP
Egypt adds 145 people, including journalists, to terror list
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190327-egypt-adds-145-people-including-journalists-to-terror-list/
Egypt has added some 145 people to the country’s terror list, including two journalists, as the country’s crackdown on press freedom continues, Arabi21 has reported.The Court of Cassation announced yesterday that journalists Moataz Matar and Mohammed Nasser were to be kept on list for at least five years, claiming their programmes were supportive of the now banned Muslim Brotherhood party.The two journalists, now based in Turkey, fled Egypt after the military coup that ousted the country’s first democratically elected President Mohamed Morsi, and brought, then military General, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to power.Matar and Nasser are regularly targeted by Egyptian media, who accuse them of promoting terrorism and attempting to destabilise the country. The two regularly appear in videos on Matar’s YouTube channel discussing current affairs in the Middle East.Egypt has witnessed an immense suppression of freedom of speech under President Al-Sisi. Some 500 websites have been blocked in the country in recent months, under justification of “national security”.MEMO
Egypt: Activist Alaa Abdel Fattah 'to be released from prison'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/egypt-activist-alaa-abdel-fattah-released-prison-190327080259796.html
After five years in prison, Alaa Abdel Fattah, a high-profile Egyptian blogger and rights activist, is due to be released from prison on Wednesday, his family said. His sister Mona Seif, a prominent human rights activist herself who founded the No to Military Rule movement, tweeted that the family was still waiting for the release process to begin."We hope it goes smoothly without any unnecessary delays and detours that only serve to put him through even more stressful times," she posted. Abdel Fattah was arrested in 2013 and eventually sentenced to five years in prison in a trial that lasted over a year.aljazeera
Egypt calls for BBC boycott over ‘biased coverage’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190326-egypt-calls-for-bbc-boycott-over-biased-coverage/
Yemen's war: Air raid kills 7, including 4 children
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/yemen-war-kitaf-air-raid-kills-including-children-190327061306049.html
Seven people, including four children, were killed in an air raid near a hospital in a rural area of northwest Yemen, aid group Save the Children said.The organisation, which supports hospital, said that 2 adults were also unaccounted for after the attack on Tuesday. Save The Children said a missile struck a petrol station near the entrance to Kitaf rural hospital, about 100km from the city of Saada, at 9:30am local time."The missile was said to have landed within 50 metres of the facility's main building," it said.aljazeera
NZ police probe mosque-attack ties after man dies in standoff
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/nz-police-probe-mosque-attack-ties-man-dies-stand-190327021527305.html
New Zealand police launched a "high-priority" investigation on Wednesday to find out whether a man who died after an early morning standoff with officers had links to the mosque attacks that killed 50 people. Police raided the 54-year-old man's home on Tuesday night and found a cache of firearms after receiving a tip-off from the public about "suspicious behaviour", Police Commissioner Mike Bush said in a statement."A high priority investigation is under way to determine whether or not the deceased man posed a threat to the community," said Bush.They stopped the man in his car just outside the city of Christchurch and began negotiations that lasted for about three hours.aljazeera
Jamaat-e-Islami leader Liaqat Baloch for Nobel, Pak civil award for New Zealand PM Ardern
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/449298-ji-leader-for-nobel-pak-civil-award-for-jacinda-ardern
Lahore: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan acting ameer Liaqat Baloch has suggested that New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern should be nominated for Nobel peace prize for her statesmanship and heart winning behaviour towards the victim Muslim community in the country following the terrorist attacks in two mosques that left 50 killed.Addressing a meeting of JI central office-bearers at Mansoora Tuesday, he said the New Zealand Prime Minister should be extended an invitation to visit Pakistan and she should be awarded the highest civil award of Pakistan, he added.Baloch said price-hike was out of control. Thenews
Pig's Head Found at Site for Mosque in France, Walls Smeared with Blood
https://www.news18.com/news/world/pigs-head-found-at-site-for-mosque-in-france-walls-smeared-with-blood-2078025.html
Bordeaux: Workers building a mosque in southwestern France found a pig's head and animal blood at the entrance to the site on Monday, the latest in a series of attacks on Muslim places of worship over the past decade.Construction of the mosque in the small town of Bergerac — known for its fine Bordeaux wines and for its association with literary figure Cyrano de Bergerac — has been contested since it was first proposed in 2017 and finally approved in Oct. 2018, despite widespread local opposition."The perpetrators smeared the walls with animal blood and placed a severed pig's head" on the front gate of the construction area, the deputy public prosecutor of Bergerac, Charles Charollois, said.AFP
UK fears rise in terrorism as 3,000 British children attend Pak madrassas annually: Daily Mail
https://www.aninews.in/news/world/europe/uk-fears-rise-in-terrorism-as-3000-british-children-attend-pak-madrassas-annually20190326193937/
London: UK fears a rise in terrorism after a secret government report revealed that around 3,000 British children enrol in Pakistani madrassas, known to have terrorist links, annually, according to the Daily Mail. The government report reveals that every year, thousands of British children are taken to Pakistan to enrol in "extremist summer schools" which teach a "glorified version of jihad,"Daily Mail reported while quoting sources.British officials fear that youngsters are radicalised at these extremist schools and return to UK with a "warped ideology," posing a terrorism risk to the society.In fact, this fear is strengthened by the fact that two of the perpetrators of July 7, 2005, London bombings - Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer - attended madrassas in Pakistan a year before launching the brutal attack which claimed the lives of 52 people."It is highly likely that this education in Pakistan, even for short periods of time, increases the risk of exposure to extremism for British-Pakistani children. Enrolment at madrassas poses the greatest risk of exposure to more serious forms of religious extremism," a source told the British paper.ANI
Meeting with Taliban cancelled due to objections by Afghan govt, says PM Imran
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1937240/1-meeting-taliban-cancelled-due-objections-afghan-govt-says-pm-imran/
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday suggested an interim setup in Afghanistan as a possible solution to an apparent impasse in the ongoing peace process, while blaming the Afghan government for the stalemate in talks.The suggestion came during PM Khan’s interaction with journalists at his office here on Monday.“Afghan government was a hurdle in peace process that was insisting that Taliban should talk to it,” said PM Khan.The premier also confirmed that he had cancelled a scheduled meeting with Taliban leadership due to objections raised by the Afghan government.The Afghan peace process can only be successful if there is a neutral interim government, which can hold free and transparent elections to be participated by all the stakeholders, the premier said.“How much time it will take to set up an interim government and hold free elections, I cannot say,” he added.PM noted that the US had acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan’s role for bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan. He said US thought it was only Pakistan that could bring Taliban to the negotiating table.Express PAK
Afghanistan slams Pakistan over Imran Khan's remarks; recalls ambassador for consultations
https://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-afghanistan-slams-pakistan-over-imran-khan-s-remarks-recalls-ambassador-for-consultations-2733601
Afghanistan has recalled its ambassador from Pakistan over reported remarks by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan that suggested Kabul should set up an interim government, calling the comments "irresponsible. "Afghanistan has dismissed the remarks by Pak PM, calling them 'irresponsible' and 'interference' in the internal affairs of the country.DNA
In US pursuit of peace talks, perilous rift opens with Afghan leader: Reuters
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/in-us-pursuit-of-peace-talks-perilous-rift-opens-with-afghan-leader-5645114/
Washington’s relationship with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani appears increasingly at risk of permanent damage, the consequence of a US policy shift that has so far excluded his government from talks with the Taliban and of his own determination to retain power and manage peace efforts himself.The feud threatens to undermine the already narrow chances for a peace accord that President Donald Trump hopes would end America’s longest war. Current and former U.S. officials tell Reuters they believe Ghani is positioning himself to perhaps be a spoiler in still-fragile negotiations, angry that the Afghan government has been kept out of talks and worried about the implications for his presidency.But from Ghani’s perspective, the negotiations themselves, led by U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, feel like a personal betrayal and a capitulation by the United States that could return the Taliban to power, Afghan officials say.“Khalilzad wants to show that he is the champion of peace and President Ghani does not want to be the villain. The president believes he is being betrayed,” an Afghan government official said.The growing rift between Kabul and Washington over peace negotiations erupted in public view on March 14 when Ghani’s national security adviser, Hamdullah Mohib, slammed Khalilzad and accused the Afghan-born veteran US diplomat of perhaps trying to steal Afghan presidency for himself.
Brunei to impose death by stoning for gay sex, adultery
https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/brunei-to-impose-death-by-stoning-for-gay-sex-and-adultery-119032700949_1.html
Adultery and gay sex in Brunei will be subject to death by stoning from next week, authorities said, under a strict Sharia law that has been on hold for four years amid criticism.The tiny sultanate will implement the harsh new penal code -- which also prescribes amputation of a hand and foot for theft -- next Wednesday. Homosexuality is already illegal in Brunei but it will now become a capital offence. The law only applies to Muslims.AFP
Flash: views & NEWS
From Mahometan to Kiwi Muslim: History of New Zealand's 1% Muslim Population:Eva Nisa and Faried F. Saenong
https://thewire.in/world/history-of-islam-muslims-new-zealand
BJP's Rise Has Meant a Shrinking Number of Muslim Lawmakers in India:Christophe Jaffrelot
https://thewire.in/rights/christophe-jaffrelot-majoritarian-state-muslims-parliament
Anti-graft laws in India have exhibited a marked tendency to grind slowly: Fali S Nariman
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/tolerating-the-corrupt-5644319/
Acquitted of terror, Wahid Sheikh campaigns for wrongfully jailed: Bilal Kuchay
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/spent-years-life-jail-innocent-190326224850570.html
Media misreports: Claims a monk was beaten by Muslim men for praising Yogi Adityanath
https://www.altnews.in/media-misreports-claims-a-monk-was-beaten-by-muslim-men-for-praising-yogi-adityanath/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:33 PM)
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