Saudi Arabia welcomed 24,000 tourists in the 10 days after it issued tourism visas for the first time, state television reported Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia announced on September 27 it would start offering tourist visas, opening up the kingdom to holidaymakers as part of a push to diversify its economy away from oil.

"In 10 days, some 24,000 foreigners entered Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa," the state television reported, citing the Saudi foreign ministry.

Up until September 27, the ultra-conservative Islamic state only issued visas to Muslim pilgrims, foreign workers and recently to spectators at sporting or cultural events.

To encourage arrivals, authorities announced Sunday they would allow unmarried foreign couples to rent hotel rooms together.

Kickstarting tourism is one of the centrepieces of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 reform programme to prepare the Arab world's largest economy for a post-oil era.

Citizens from 49 countries are now eligible for online e-visas or visas on arrival, including the United States, Australia, several European nations, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, China and Kazakhstan.

Saudi Arabia welcomed 24,000 tourists in the 10 days after it issued tourism visas for the first time, state television reported Tuesday. Saudi Arabia announced on September 27 it would start offering tourist visas, opening up the kingdom to holidaymakers as part of a push to diversify its economy away from oil.

Saudi Arabia welcomed 24,000 tourists in the 10 days after it issued tourism visas for the first time, state television reported Tuesday. Saudi Arabia announced on September 27 it would start offering tourist visas, opening up the kingdom to holidaymakers as part of a push to diversify its economy away from oil. "In 10 days, some 24,000 foreigners entered Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa," the state television reported, citing the Saudi foreign ministry. Up until September 27, the ultra-conservative Islamic state only issued visas to Muslim pilgrims, foreign workers and recently to spectators at sporting or cultural events. To encourage arrivals, authorities announced Sunday they would allow unmarried foreign couples to rent hotel rooms together. Kickstarting tourism is one of the centrepieces of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 reform programme to prepare the Arab world's largest economy for a post-oil era. Citizens from 49 countries are now eligible for online e-visas or visas on arrival, including the United States, Australia, several European nations, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, China and Kazakhstan.

Saudi Arabia welcomes 24,000 tourists in ten days

German authorities on Tuesday were investigating the motive of a Syrian man who hijacked an articulated lorry and smashed it into cars stopped at a traffic light in the city of Limburg, injuring several people.

The public prosecutor's office said it had opened an attempted homicide probe against the 32-year-old suspect, whose name was not released.

"The investigation into what was behind the act is ongoing," the prosecutors said in a statement.&nbsp;

"We cannot comment on the motive in particular -&nbsp;we are pursuing all leads."

Unconfirmed media reports said the Syrian national arrived with the massive migrant influx to Germany in 2015 and that his residency permit had expired on October 1.&nbsp;

Germany has been on alert following several jihadist attacks in recent years claimed by the Islamic State group.&nbsp;

The most deadly was committed in 2016 by a 23-year-old Tunisian,&nbsp;who killed 12 people when he stole a truck and ploughed it through a Berlin Christmas market.

However the authorities remained cautious.

German authorities on Tuesday were investigating the motive of a Syrian man who hijacked an articulated lorry and smashed it into cars stopped at a traffic light in the city of Limburg, injuring several people.

German authorities on Tuesday were investigating the motive of a Syrian man who hijacked an articulated lorry and smashed it into cars stopped at a traffic light in the city of Limburg, injuring several people. The public prosecutor's office said it had opened an attempted homicide probe against the 32-year-old suspect, whose name was not released. "The investigation into what was behind the act is ongoing," the prosecutors said in a statement. "We cannot comment on the motive in particular - we are pursuing all leads." Unconfirmed media reports said the Syrian national arrived with the massive migrant influx to Germany in 2015 and that his residency permit had expired on October 1. Germany has been on alert following several jihadist attacks in recent years claimed by the Islamic State group. The most deadly was committed in 2016 by a 23-year-old Tunisian, who killed 12 people when he stole a truck and ploughed it through a Berlin Christmas market. However the authorities remained cautious.

Germany probes motive of Syrian crash truck hijacker

The United States&nbsp;Supreme Court on Tuesday began hearing arguments in a major LGBT rights dispute over whether a landmark decades-old federal anti-discrimination law that prohibits workplace discrimination on the basis of sex covers gay and transgender employees.

The justices, on the second day of their new nine-month term, kicked off a scheduled two hours of arguments in three related cases as LGBT rights activists held a demonstration near the courthouse.

The Supreme Court delivered an important gay rights decision in 2015 legalising same-sex marriage nationwide. Its dynamics on LGBT issues, however, changed following the 2018 retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, a conservative who backed gay rights in major cases and wrote the same-sex marriage ruling.

At issue is whether gay and transgender people are protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which forbids employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of sex as well as race, colour, national origin and religion.

The legal fight focuses on the definition of "sex" in Title VII. The plaintiffs, along with civil rights groups and many large companies, have argued that discriminating against gay and transgender workers is inherently based on their sex and consequently is illegal.

A couple of hundred demonstrators advocating for LGBT rights gathered a short distance from the white marble courthouse on an overcast day in the U.S. capital. They chanted for equal rights and held signs including ones that read, "Do fire Trump. Don't fire LGBTQ workers," "Discrimination is bad for business" and "LGBT Americans power our economy."

Police moved demonstrators away from the plaza in front of the courthouse due to concern over "suspicious" packages.

"I am here because I'm a queer person and right now my right to live my life as everyone else is being determined by nine people, none of whom are queer, all of whom are cisgender," said Washington resident Raegan Davis, 21. "I feel like it's important for our voices to be part of this conversation because if we aren't here there's no guarantee that they will."

'This has to stop'

A small group of demonstrators opposing gay and transgender rights also was present holding signs including two that read, "Fear God" and "Sin and shame, not pride."

"This has to stop. The more and more we give to the homosexual community, the more and more this nation is going to be destroyed," said Jacob Phelps, 36, from Topeka, Kansas, who held a sign that read, "Jesus will return in wrath." "It's very easy in the workplace, shut your mouth, do what you’re supposed to do."

The court's 5-4 conservative majority includes two justices appointed by President Donald Trump, whose administration has argued that Title VII does not cover sexual orientation or gender identity.

The arguments present the court with its first major test on gay and transgender rights since Trump appointed conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh to replace Kennedy, with the four liberal justices sympathetic to LGBT rights. Kavanaugh, whose approach to gay rights is unclear, could provide a pivotal vote.

A ruling in favour of the plaintiffs would give gay and transgender workers greater protections, especially in the 28 US&nbsp;states that do not already have comprehensive measures against employment discrimination. A ruling against the plaintiffs would mean gay and transgender people in those states would have few options to challenge workplace discrimination.

The court will hear two cases about gay people who have said they were fired due to their sexual orientation. One involves a former county child welfare services coordinator from Georgia named Gerald Bostock. The other involves a New York skydiving instructor named Donald Zarda. He died after the case began and the matter is being pursued by his estate.

The third case involves a Detroit funeral home's bid to reverse a lower court ruling that it violated Title VII by firing a transgender funeral director named Aimee Stephens after Stephens revealed plans to transition from male to female.

Rulings in the cases are due by the end of June.

Trump, a Republican with vigorous support among evangelical Christian voters, has pursued policies taking aim at gay and transgender rights. His administration has supported the right of certain businesses to refuse to serve gay people on the basis of religious objections to gay marriage, restricted transgender service members in the military and rescinded protections on bathroom access for transgender students in public schools.

Trump's Justice Department and the employers in the cases have argued that Congress did not intend for Title VII to cover gay and transgender people when it passed the law. Conservative religious groups and various Republican-led states back the administration.

Big business, typically eager to avoid liability in employment disputes, is backing the LGBT plaintiffs. More than 200 companies, including Amazon, Alphabet Inc's Google and Bank of America Corp, joined a friend-of-the-court brief asking the justices to rule in favour of the plaintiffs.

The United States Supreme Court on Tuesday began hearing arguments in a major LGBT rights dispute over whether a landmark decades-old federal anti-discrimination law that prohibits workplace discrimination on the basis of sex covers gay and transgender employees.

The United States Supreme Court on Tuesday began hearing arguments in a major LGBT rights dispute over whether a landmark decades-old federal anti-discrimination law that prohibits workplace discrimination on the basis of sex covers gay and transgender employees. The justices, on the second day of their new nine-month term, kicked off a scheduled two hours of arguments in three related cases as LGBT rights activists held a demonstration near the courthouse. The Supreme Court delivered an important gay rights decision in 2015 legalising same-sex marriage nationwide. Its dynamics on LGBT issues, however, changed following the 2018 retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, a conservative who backed gay rights in major cases and wrote the same-sex marriage ruling. At issue is whether gay and transgender people are protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which forbids employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of sex as well as race, colour, national origin and religion. The legal fight focuses on the definition of "sex" in Title VII. The plaintiffs, along with civil rights groups and many large companies, have argued that discriminating against gay and transgender workers is inherently based on their sex and consequently is illegal. A couple of hundred demonstrators advocating for LGBT rights gathered a short distance from the white marble courthouse on an overcast day in the U.S. capital. They chanted for equal rights and held signs including ones that read, "Do fire Trump. Don't fire LGBTQ workers," "Discrimination is bad for business" and "LGBT Americans power our economy." Police moved demonstrators away from the plaza in front of the courthouse due to concern over "suspicious" packages. "I am here because I'm a queer person and right now my right to live my life as everyone else is being determined by nine people, none of whom are queer, all of whom are cisgender," said Washington resident Raegan Davis, 21. "I feel like it's important for our voices to be part of this conversation because if we aren't here there's no guarantee that they will." 'This has to stop' A small group of demonstrators opposing gay and transgender rights also was present holding signs including two that read, "Fear God" and "Sin and shame, not pride." "This has to stop. The more and more we give to the homosexual community, the more and more this nation is going to be destroyed," said Jacob Phelps, 36, from Topeka, Kansas, who held a sign that read, "Jesus will return in wrath." "It's very easy in the workplace, shut your mouth, do what you’re supposed to do." The court's 5-4 conservative majority includes two justices appointed by President Donald Trump, whose administration has argued that Title VII does not cover sexual orientation or gender identity. The arguments present the court with its first major test on gay and transgender rights since Trump appointed conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh to replace Kennedy, with the four liberal justices sympathetic to LGBT rights. Kavanaugh, whose approach to gay rights is unclear, could provide a pivotal vote. A ruling in favour of the plaintiffs would give gay and transgender workers greater protections, especially in the 28 US states that do not already have comprehensive measures against employment discrimination. A ruling against the plaintiffs would mean gay and transgender people in those states would have few options to challenge workplace discrimination. The court will hear two cases about gay people who have said they were fired due to their sexual orientation. One involves a former county child welfare services coordinator from Georgia named Gerald Bostock. The other involves a New York skydiving instructor named Donald Zarda. He died after the case began and the matter is being pursued by his estate. The third case involves a Detroit funeral home's bid to reverse a lower court ruling that it violated Title VII by firing a transgender funeral director named Aimee Stephens after Stephens revealed plans to transition from male to female. Rulings in the cases are due by the end of June. Trump, a Republican with vigorous support among evangelical Christian voters, has pursued policies taking aim at gay and transgender rights. His administration has supported the right of certain businesses to refuse to serve gay people on the basis of religious objections to gay marriage, restricted transgender service members in the military and rescinded protections on bathroom access for transgender students in public schools. Trump's Justice Department and the employers in the cases have argued that Congress did not intend for Title VII to cover gay and transgender people when it passed the law. Conservative religious groups and various Republican-led states back the administration. Big business, typically eager to avoid liability in employment disputes, is backing the LGBT plaintiffs. More than 200 companies, including Amazon, Alphabet Inc's Google and Bank of America Corp, joined a friend-of-the-court brief asking the justices to rule in favour of the plaintiffs.

United States Supreme Court takes on workplace gay and transgender rights

The leader of Al-Qaeda's South Asian branch was killed in a US-Afghan joint raid in southern Afghanistan last month, Afghan officials confirmed Tuesday.

Asim Umar, who led Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) from its inception in 2014, was killed during a raid September 23 on a Taliban compound in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province.

Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security said Umar was a Pakistani citizen, though some reports claim he was born in India.

He "was killed along with six other AQIS members, most of them Pakistani", the NDS said on Twitter, adding that Umar had been "embedded" with the Taliban.

The raid was part of a lengthy and confusing overnight operation from September 22-23 for which the US provided air support.

Authorities said they would investigate reports that 40 civilians, including children, were killed in an airstrike during the operation.

The NDS said that among the six other AQIS members killed in the raid was a man identified as "Raihan", a courier for Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.

US Forces-Afghanistan declined to comment.

Under a stalled withdrawal plan negotiated between the US and the Taliban, Washington agreed to pull troops from Afghanistan if the insurgents abide by security guarantees and cut all ties with Al-Qaeda.

The US and the Taliban had been negotiating for a year to reach a deal that would have cut US forces in Afghanistan and could have paved the way to a reduction in violence, but President Donald Trump scuttled that agreement last month, citing Taliban violence.

Even if the deal had been finalised, observers doubted whether the Taliban would ever really separate from Al-Qaeda.

The US invaded Afghanistan after the Taliban refused to hand over Al-Qaeda's leader Osama bin Laden following the September 11, 2001 attacks against America.&nbsp;

The middle-aged Umar was relatively unknown when he was picked to lead the newly created AQIS in 2014.&nbsp;

The jihadist branch was established to try to rouse fighters in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

An Afghan Taliban source said in 2014 that Umar had worked with the Punjabi Taliban, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chapter in Pakistan's most populous province, for some years before linking up with Al-Qaeda.

Umar -&nbsp;an alias -&nbsp;was named by al-Zawahiri in a video message.

A Pakistani intelligence official said Umar had travelled to Syria, though it was not possible to confirm this.

The leader of Al-Qaeda's South Asian branch was killed in a US-Afghan joint raid in southern Afghanistan last month, Afghan officials confirmed Tuesday. Asim Umar, who led Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) from its inception in 2014, was killed during a raid September 23 on a Taliban compound in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province.

The leader of Al-Qaeda's South Asian branch was killed in a US-Afghan joint raid in southern Afghanistan last month, Afghan officials confirmed Tuesday. Asim Umar, who led Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) from its inception in 2014, was killed during a raid September 23 on a Taliban compound in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province. Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security said Umar was a Pakistani citizen, though some reports claim he was born in India. He "was killed along with six other AQIS members, most of them Pakistani", the NDS said on Twitter, adding that Umar had been "embedded" with the Taliban. The raid was part of a lengthy and confusing overnight operation from September 22-23 for which the US provided air support. Authorities said they would investigate reports that 40 civilians, including children, were killed in an airstrike during the operation. The NDS said that among the six other AQIS members killed in the raid was a man identified as "Raihan", a courier for Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. US Forces-Afghanistan declined to comment. Under a stalled withdrawal plan negotiated between the US and the Taliban, Washington agreed to pull troops from Afghanistan if the insurgents abide by security guarantees and cut all ties with Al-Qaeda. The US and the Taliban had been negotiating for a year to reach a deal that would have cut US forces in Afghanistan and could have paved the way to a reduction in violence, but President Donald Trump scuttled that agreement last month, citing Taliban violence. Even if the deal had been finalised, observers doubted whether the Taliban would ever really separate from Al-Qaeda. The US invaded Afghanistan after the Taliban refused to hand over Al-Qaeda's leader Osama bin Laden following the September 11, 2001 attacks against America. The middle-aged Umar was relatively unknown when he was picked to lead the newly created AQIS in 2014. The jihadist branch was established to try to rouse fighters in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. An Afghan Taliban source said in 2014 that Umar had worked with the Punjabi Taliban, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chapter in Pakistan's most populous province, for some years before linking up with Al-Qaeda. Umar - an alias - was named by al-Zawahiri in a video message. A Pakistani intelligence official said Umar had travelled to Syria, though it was not possible to confirm this.

South Asia region Al-Qaeda chief killed in Afghanistan: Officials

Rajnath Singh performs 'Shastra Puja', takes a sortie in Rafale

The historic town of Mahabalipuram <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinese-president-to-visit-chennai-for-second-informal-summit-with-pm-modi-253244">is all set to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping</a> for the second informal summit in Tamil Nadu. 
 
The arrangements are in full swing with administration working round the clock to ensure adequate security and cleanliness across the city for the summit. 
 
"We are happy that our area got cleaned as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to visit soon. This is a historic place and now with the expected visit of the two leaders, the city has got cleaner, roads have been repaired and security arrangements have been made," a sculptor told ANI. 
 
"We are happy that our Mahabalipuram will be known globally and tourism will increase because of this visit," he added. 
 
Xi is expected to visit Mahabalipuram for his second informal summit with PM Modi in the coming days. 
 
Earlier in the day, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief MK Stalin expressed happiness over the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu for an informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modiam comprising BJP president Amit Shah in both the states.

The historic town of Mahabalipuram is all set to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping for the second informal summit in Tamil Nadu.

The historic town of Mahabalipuram is all set to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping for the second informal summit in Tamil Nadu. The arrangements are in full swing with administration working round the clock to ensure adequate security and cleanliness across the city for the summit. "We are happy that our area got cleaned as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to visit soon. This is a historic place and now with the expected visit of the two leaders, the city has got cleaner, roads have been repaired and security arrangements have been made," a sculptor told ANI. "We are happy that our Mahabalipuram will be known globally and tourism will increase because of this visit," he added. Xi is expected to visit Mahabalipuram for his second informal summit with PM Modi in the coming days. Earlier in the day, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief MK Stalin expressed happiness over the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu for an informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modiam comprising BJP president Amit Shah in both the states.

Mahabalipuram: Preparations in full swing for informal summit between Modi, Jinping

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/historic-day-for-indias-forces-says-rajnath-singh-as-india-receives-first-rafale-jet-254537">Defence Minister Rajnath Singh</a> paid tributes to former French President Jacques Chirac and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during a speech ahead of India receiving the first of the Rafale fighter aircraft in France on Tuesday. 
 
Singh said October 8 is a milestone for Indo-France strategic partnership and marks a new high in bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries. 
 
"Former President Jacques Chirac had laid the basic groundwork for a strategic partnership between India and France along with Prime Minister Vajpayee," said Singh. 
 
Singh thanked French aviation major Dassault, which manufactures the Rafale, for sticking to the delivery timeline of the fighter jet. 
 
"I am sure the delivery of the remaining aircraft and the weapon systems will be on time. The acquisition of Rafale by India will ensure global peace, prosperity and environmental sustainability in the region," he added. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rajnath-singh-lands-in-merignac-airport-to-receive-rafale-fighter-jet-254515">Singh received the first Rafale jet</a> following a traditional `Shastra Puja` at the Dassault facility in Merignac. 
 
"I am glad many officials and airmen of the Indian Air Force are being trained for flying, maintenance, support and logistics. The training will help the officials achieve technical knowledge and professional expertise," said Singh. 
&nbsp;

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tributes to former French President Jacques Chirac and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during a speech ahead of India receiving the first of the Rafale fighter aircraft in France on Tuesday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tributes to former French President Jacques Chirac and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during a speech ahead of India receiving the first of the Rafale fighter aircraft in France on Tuesday. Singh said October 8 is a milestone for Indo-France strategic partnership and marks a new high in bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries. "Former President Jacques Chirac had laid the basic groundwork for a strategic partnership between India and France along with Prime Minister Vajpayee," said Singh. Singh thanked French aviation major Dassault, which manufactures the Rafale, for sticking to the delivery timeline of the fighter jet. "I am sure the delivery of the remaining aircraft and the weapon systems will be on time. The acquisition of Rafale by India will ensure global peace, prosperity and environmental sustainability in the region," he added. Singh received the first Rafale jet following a traditional `Shastra Puja` at the Dassault facility in Merignac. "I am glad many officials and airmen of the Indian Air Force are being trained for flying, maintenance, support and logistics. The training will help the officials achieve technical knowledge and professional expertise," said Singh.

Defence Minister Rajnath hails Chirac, Vajpayee at Rafale handover

Russia was not informed in advance by the United States or by Turkey about US&nbsp;plans to pull troops back from Syria's northeast border region ahead of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-says-syria-attack-plans-complete-trump-delivers-threat-254495">Turkish military operation</a>, the Kremlin said on Tuesday (October 8, 2019).

Russia, a close ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has emerged as a leading power broker in Syria over more than eight years of civil war and has said that Syria's territorial integrity must be respected by all outside powers.

Turkey said earlier on Tuesday that it had finished preparing for a military operation in northeast Syria after Washington began withdrawing its troops.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow had not been given advance warning.

"No, no one notified (us)," he told reporters on a conference call.

He added that it remained to be seen, however, how many US&nbsp;troops would actually be withdrawn. He noted what he said were past US statements about troop withdrawals that had not led to concrete action.

"We are very closely watching the situation," he said.

&nbsp;

Russia was not informed in advance by the United States or by Turkey about US plans to pull troops back from Syria's northeast border region ahead of a Turkish military operation, the Kremlin said on Tuesday (October 8, 2019).

Russia was not informed in advance by the United States or by Turkey about US plans to pull troops back from Syria's northeast border region ahead of a Turkish military operation, the Kremlin said on Tuesday (October 8, 2019). Russia, a close ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has emerged as a leading power broker in Syria over more than eight years of civil war and has said that Syria's territorial integrity must be respected by all outside powers. Turkey said earlier on Tuesday that it had finished preparing for a military operation in northeast Syria after Washington began withdrawing its troops. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow had not been given advance warning. "No, no one notified (us)," he told reporters on a conference call. He added that it remained to be seen, however, how many US troops would actually be withdrawn. He noted what he said were past US statements about troop withdrawals that had not led to concrete action. "We are very closely watching the situation," he said.

Not informed about US plans to withdraw troops from Syria: Russia

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-terrorist-killed-in-encounter-with-security-forces-in-awantipora-254365">A second terrorist was killed in a joint operation by the Army, Jammu &amp; Kashmir police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Tuesday. </a> 
 
He was affiliated to Jaish-e-Mohammad, said the police. Earlier today a Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist was gunned down in the same operation.

"He was identified as Ufaid Farooq Lone who was involved in several terrorist activities including recent grenade attacks, threatening and beating of shopkeepers and fruit-growers post abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. He also motivated other youths to join militant ranks," said J&amp;K police.

The joint operation was launched by security forces on Monday evening. So far, the security forces have conducted four successful anti-terrorist operations since September 28.

On September 28, at Batote, Ramban district forces eliminated three hardcore militants of Hizbul Mujahideen. The next day at Kangan in Ganderbal, forces eliminated two recently infiltrated group members of Jaish.

A second terrorist was killed in a joint operation by the Army, Jammu & Kashmir police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Tuesday. He was affiliated to Jaish-e-Mohammad, said the police.

A second terrorist was killed in a joint operation by the Army, Jammu & Kashmir police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Tuesday. He was affiliated to Jaish-e-Mohammad, said the police. Earlier today a Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist was gunned down in the same operation. "He was identified as Ufaid Farooq Lone who was involved in several terrorist activities including recent grenade attacks, threatening and beating of shopkeepers and fruit-growers post abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. He also motivated other youths to join militant ranks," said J&K police. The joint operation was launched by security forces on Monday evening. So far, the security forces have conducted four successful anti-terrorist operations since September 28. On September 28, at Batote, Ramban district forces eliminated three hardcore militants of Hizbul Mujahideen. The next day at Kangan in Ganderbal, forces eliminated two recently infiltrated group members of Jaish.

Awantipora: Second terrorist killed in encounter with security forces

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iaf-continues-to-serve-india-with-utmost-dedication-excellence-pm-modi-on-87th-air-force-day-254363">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> is slated to address election rallies in Haryana and Maharashtra, the two states which will go to polls shortly. 
 
Assembly polls in both Haryana and Maharashtra will be held on October 21 and the results will be announced on October 24. 
 
In Maharashtra, Modi will carry out nine rallies from October 14 and is slated to address four rallies in Haryana from October 17. 
 
"BJP is confident about its report card. The work done by the party like abrogation of article 370, triple talaq, NRC, an airstrike is still in people's mind, so we have no tension," said a source. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamallapuram-gets-a-facelift-ahead-of-modi-xi-informal-summit-254322">The Prime Minister will start the rallies</a> just four days before the last date of election campaigning - October 19. 
 
Scores of BJP star campaigners like Piyush Goyal, Prakash Javadekar, Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Yogi Adityanath and others will also carry out rallies and election programs, the source revealed. 
 
"Apart from this, around 10,000 BJP workers are working on this platform", the source revealed. 
 
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had bagged 23 seats in Maharashtra, while the Sena emerged victorious in 18 constituencies. 
 
Whereas in Haryana, the BJP has set a target of bagging over 75 seats in the 90-member Assembly. 
 
"PM will not do any campaigning this week. He will start it after meeting and greeting the President of China," a source privy to the development said. 
 
Xi Jinping is slated to visit the country for an informal summit with Prime Minister Modi in the coming days. 
 
Unlike the last time, both the chief ministers -&nbsp;Devendra Fadnavis and Manohar Lal Khattar -&nbsp;have a good image among the people, the source added. 
 
Unhappy leaders, who did not get the tickets, will be sorted by the team comprising BJP president Amit Shah in both the states.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to address election rallies in Haryana and Maharashtra, the two states which will go to polls shortly. Assembly polls in both Haryana and Maharashtra will be held on October 21 and the results will be announced on October 24.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to address election rallies in Haryana and Maharashtra, the two states which will go to polls shortly. Assembly polls in both Haryana and Maharashtra will be held on October 21 and the results will be announced on October 24. In Maharashtra, Modi will carry out nine rallies from October 14 and is slated to address four rallies in Haryana from October 17. "BJP is confident about its report card. The work done by the party like abrogation of article 370, triple talaq, NRC, an airstrike is still in people's mind, so we have no tension," said a source. The Prime Minister will start the rallies just four days before the last date of election campaigning - October 19. Scores of BJP star campaigners like Piyush Goyal, Prakash Javadekar, Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Yogi Adityanath and others will also carry out rallies and election programs, the source revealed. "Apart from this, around 10,000 BJP workers are working on this platform", the source revealed. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had bagged 23 seats in Maharashtra, while the Sena emerged victorious in 18 constituencies. Whereas in Haryana, the BJP has set a target of bagging over 75 seats in the 90-member Assembly. "PM will not do any campaigning this week. He will start it after meeting and greeting the President of China," a source privy to the development said. Xi Jinping is slated to visit the country for an informal summit with Prime Minister Modi in the coming days. Unlike the last time, both the chief ministers - Devendra Fadnavis and Manohar Lal Khattar - have a good image among the people, the source added. Unhappy leaders, who did not get the tickets, will be sorted by the team comprising BJP president Amit Shah in both the states.

PM Modi to address nine election rallies in Maharashtra, four in Haryana

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iaf-symbol-of-valour-and-courage-amit-shah-on-air-force-day-254437">BJP president Amit Shah</a> on Monday said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had repealed Article 370 within months of returning to power with an increased majority and urged people to take to task those who had "opposed" the move. 
 
Addressing a rally in poll-bound Maharashtra, he said the Modi government had taken steps for empowering the OBCs and given constitutional status to National Commission for Backward Classes. 
 
He said the government was moving in the direction shown by BR&nbsp;Ambedkar to empower the weaker sections. 
 
"You gave Narendra Modiji 300 seats (in the Lok Sabha polls). Modiji removed Article 370 in five months," he said. 
 
"Article 370 should have been scrapped or not? Is Kashmir an integral part of India or not? Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked for integrating Kashmir with Bharat or not? Will you not question those who oppose it?" Shah asked. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/minimum-use-of-force-should-be-motto-of-police-everywhere-says-amit-shah-254336">The Union Home Minister</a> also heaped praises on Pankaja Munde, a Minister in Maharashtra government, who is contesting from Beed. 
 
He remembered her father and former union minister Gopinath Munde, saying he had done a lot of work for uplifting farmers, labourers and backward sections. 
 
"Gopinath Munde devoted his whole life for the sugarcane farmers, labourers in the sugar mills. Pankaja too is working for the backward sections of society," he said. 
 
Shah also greeted people on Dussehra. " It is the festival of victory of good over evil and inspires us to keep moving forward in life." 
 
BJP is contesting Maharashtra polls in alliance with Shiv Sena. The state will go to the polls on October 21.

BJP president Amit Shah on Monday said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had repealed Article 370 within months of returning to power with an increased majority and urged people to take to task those who had "opposed" the move.

BJP president Amit Shah on Monday said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had repealed Article 370 within months of returning to power with an increased majority and urged people to take to task those who had "opposed" the move. Addressing a rally in poll-bound Maharashtra, he said the Modi government had taken steps for empowering the OBCs and given constitutional status to National Commission for Backward Classes. He said the government was moving in the direction shown by BR Ambedkar to empower the weaker sections. "You gave Narendra Modiji 300 seats (in the Lok Sabha polls). Modiji removed Article 370 in five months," he said. "Article 370 should have been scrapped or not? Is Kashmir an integral part of India or not? Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked for integrating Kashmir with Bharat or not? Will you not question those who oppose it?" Shah asked. The Union Home Minister also heaped praises on Pankaja Munde, a Minister in Maharashtra government, who is contesting from Beed. He remembered her father and former union minister Gopinath Munde, saying he had done a lot of work for uplifting farmers, labourers and backward sections. "Gopinath Munde devoted his whole life for the sugarcane farmers, labourers in the sugar mills. Pankaja too is working for the backward sections of society," he said. Shah also greeted people on Dussehra. " It is the festival of victory of good over evil and inspires us to keep moving forward in life." BJP is contesting Maharashtra polls in alliance with Shiv Sena. The state will go to the polls on October 21.

Question those who opposed repealing Article 370, says Amit Shah

The recruitment drive for a Territorial Army (TA) Battalion in this Jammu and Kashmir town has drawn overwhelming response with youth from forward&nbsp;areas also coming to join the force. 
 
Colonel Ashish Rikhey, CO, 160 TA Battalion, said the recruitment drive was being held for Territorial Army Battalion based in Kupwara. 
 
"This rally is for recruitment to 160 TA battalion. This is the second day of the four-day drive and 4000-5000 youth are expected to participate," he said. 
 
"The response is overwhelming. Quite a large number of youth are from the forward areas like Kandhar, Machil, Gurez and other areas," he said. 
 
Raja Khan, a youth who took part in the rally, said unemployment was very high among the valley youth and Army was a good option. 
 
"I have participated in the race followed by a physical test. I want to say to the youth that they should join the Army as it is a very good force and what they say outside about it is not true," he said. 
 
Naseem Ahmed Khan, another youth who had come to take part in the recruitment process, said they were being treated with respect. "All (the youth) must come here to join the Army. The discipline of the Army is praiseworthy," he said.

The recruitment drive for a Territorial Army (TA) Battalion in this Jammu and Kashmir town has drawn overwhelming response with youth from forward areas also coming to join the force.

The recruitment drive for a Territorial Army (TA) Battalion in this Jammu and Kashmir town has drawn overwhelming response with youth from forward areas also coming to join the force. Colonel Ashish Rikhey, CO, 160 TA Battalion, said the recruitment drive was being held for Territorial Army Battalion based in Kupwara. "This rally is for recruitment to 160 TA battalion. This is the second day of the four-day drive and 4000-5000 youth are expected to participate," he said. "The response is overwhelming. Quite a large number of youth are from the forward areas like Kandhar, Machil, Gurez and other areas," he said. Raja Khan, a youth who took part in the rally, said unemployment was very high among the valley youth and Army was a good option. "I have participated in the race followed by a physical test. I want to say to the youth that they should join the Army as it is a very good force and what they say outside about it is not true," he said. Naseem Ahmed Khan, another youth who had come to take part in the recruitment process, said they were being treated with respect. "All (the youth) must come here to join the Army. The discipline of the Army is praiseworthy," he said.

Youth from J&K border areas take part in Territorial Army recruitment drive

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Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Bharat Sharma

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