If the Global Times is to be believed, Chinese experts feel larger, fixed-wing drones, such as the GJ-1 and GJ-2 armed reconnaissance drones, can be deployed along China's borders including the border with India. The idea in the from a proposal has been floated by a Chinese legislator Hou Yun, who also happens to be a commander with China's People's Liberation Army.&nbsp;

Hou serves with the PLA Tibet military command and believes China should deploy more advanced drones on the borders. So, on March 5, Hou plans to push a proposal before China's National People's Congress, the annual gathering of the Chinese Parliament.&nbsp;

The report by the Global Times has more insights. It says the PLA deployed drones during the India - China border standoff that began last year.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-chinese-lawmaker-wants-larger-drones-for-border-management-367259">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-chinese-lawmaker-wants-larger-drones-for-border-management-367259/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

So far, only small or medium sized drones have been in use but they have short endurance and are vulnerable to rain and they face challenges in reconnaissance missions during foggy weather conditions. &nbsp;

After pulling back troops from Pangong Tso, the Chinese press and social media platforms have been buzzing about Chinese drones and their capabilities.&nbsp;

Over the weekend, a drone maker in Shenzhen commended two employees claiming that they supported the Chinese troops during last year's border clash. The disclosure was part of an article shared on Wechat. It was taken down but the claims have been widely shared across the Chinese internet. The Chinese drone company claims its technology was used to conduct reconnaissance and that two of its employees, Zhao Bo and Shi Zhilong were present on the ground, embedded into the Chinese military units.&nbsp;

The Chinese military has been harnessing the drone technology for a while now. Last year in September, the Chinese press released this propaganda video claiming that drones were delivering food to the soldiers near the India-China border.&nbsp;

If the Global Times is to be believed, Chinese experts feel larger, fixed-wing drones, such as the GJ-1 and GJ-2 armed reconnaissance drones, can be deployed along China's borders including the border with India.

If the Global Times is to be believed, Chinese experts feel larger, fixed-wing drones, such as the GJ-1 and GJ-2 armed reconnaissance drones, can be deployed along China's borders including the border with India. The idea in the from a proposal has been floated by a Chinese legislator Hou Yun, who also happens to be a commander with China's People's Liberation Army. Hou serves with the PLA Tibet military command and believes China should deploy more advanced drones on the borders. So, on March 5, Hou plans to push a proposal before China's National People's Congress, the annual gathering of the Chinese Parliament. The report by the Global Times has more insights. It says the PLA deployed drones during the India - China border standoff that began last year. WATCH | So far, only small or medium sized drones have been in use but they have short endurance and are vulnerable to rain and they face challenges in reconnaissance missions during foggy weather conditions. After pulling back troops from Pangong Tso, the Chinese press and social media platforms have been buzzing about Chinese drones and their capabilities. Over the weekend, a drone maker in Shenzhen commended two employees claiming that they supported the Chinese troops during last year's border clash. The disclosure was part of an article shared on Wechat. It was taken down but the claims have been widely shared across the Chinese internet. The Chinese drone company claims its technology was used to conduct reconnaissance and that two of its employees, Zhao Bo and Shi Zhilong were present on the ground, embedded into the Chinese military units. The Chinese military has been harnessing the drone technology for a while now. Last year in September, the Chinese press released this propaganda video claiming that drones were delivering food to the soldiers near the India-China border.

China may deploy drones on border with India 

South Africa has decided to reopen 20 land borders on Monday with a new set of rules.&nbsp;

In a statement on Saturday, Department of Home Affairs said, the move follows a cabinet decision to reopen the 20 land borders to ordinary travel.&nbsp;

The country’s land borders have been closed since January 11 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-extends-national-state-of-disaster-by-another-month-362876" hreflang="en">South Africa extends national state of disaster by another month</a>

The Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi is scheduled to be at Lebombo Border Post, Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza at Beitbridge and Director-General Tommy Makhode at Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg on Monday, February 15, 2021, when the land ports of entry reopen, the statement said.&nbsp;

Minister Motsoaledi said any person presenting themselves at any of the borders with fake COVID-19 certificates will be denied entry and barred from visiting South Africa for a period of at least five years.

“We appeal to travellers to ensure that they have all the requisite travel documents, including valid Covid-19 tests, when they present themselves to officials at our borders. Truck drivers should adhere to laws, regulations and agreements in place in the border area. This will go a long way in minimising congestion,” Minister Motsoaledi said.&nbsp;

South Africa has decided to reopen 20 land borders on Monday with a new set of rules. In a statement on Saturday, Department of Home Affairs said, the move follows a cabinet decision to reopen the 20 land borders to ordinary travel.

South Africa has decided to reopen 20 land borders on Monday with a new set of rules. In a statement on Saturday, Department of Home Affairs said, the move follows a cabinet decision to reopen the 20 land borders to ordinary travel. The country’s land borders have been closed since January 11 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also read| South Africa extends national state of disaster by another month The Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi is scheduled to be at Lebombo Border Post, Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza at Beitbridge and Director-General Tommy Makhode at Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg on Monday, February 15, 2021, when the land ports of entry reopen, the statement said. Minister Motsoaledi said any person presenting themselves at any of the borders with fake COVID-19 certificates will be denied entry and barred from visiting South Africa for a period of at least five years. “We appeal to travellers to ensure that they have all the requisite travel documents, including valid Covid-19 tests, when they present themselves to officials at our borders. Truck drivers should adhere to laws, regulations and agreements in place in the border area. This will go a long way in minimising congestion,” Minister Motsoaledi said.

South Africa to reopen 20 land borders

At least 60 people have been injured after oil and gas tankers got destroyed by multiple blasts causing a massive fire at Afghanistan's biggest trade crossing with Iran, officials said on Sunday.

Fire Truck Explodes: Over 300 fuel vehicled gutted in fire

As they restore ties through a landmark deal, Qatar and Saudi Arabia opened their borders on Saturday. Saudi Arabia had shut its border with Qatar in June 2017 as part of sanctions. Saudi had said the sanctions were part of response to Qatar backing radical Islamist groups and closeness to Iran. Qatar has always denied the charges.

A Qatari source told AFP that traffic at the Abu Samrah crossing, 120 kilometres (75 miles) south of Doha, resumed around 0700 GMT.

Saudi Arabia, along with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, all of which also imposed an embargo on travel and trade, agreed to lift the restrictions at a Gulf Cooperation Council summit in the kingdom on Tuesday.

The day before the summit, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah had announced on state television that a deal had been agreed to "open the airspace and land and sea borders between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar".

Only a trickle of cars arrived at the palm tree-lined, whitewashed border post to make the short crossing to the Saudi side after news broke that the frontier had reopened.

A smaller number made the journey from Saudi Arabia to Qatar, where strict measures to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus have been imposed.

"I'm very happy the border is open again," said Qatari Jaber al-Marri, as he approached a checkpoint in his Land Cruiser SUV, adding that he had relatives in the neighbouring kingdom.&nbsp;

"A lot of Qataris have relatives in Saudi Arabia," he said.

"The coming days will be better," added the man, holding a negative coronavirus test result in his hand.

(With AFP inputs)

As they restore ties through a landmark deal, Qatar and Saudi Arabia opened their borders on Saturday. Saudi Arabia had shut its border with Qatar in June 2017 as part of sanctions.

As they restore ties through a landmark deal, Qatar and Saudi Arabia opened their borders on Saturday. Saudi Arabia had shut its border with Qatar in June 2017 as part of sanctions. Saudi had said the sanctions were part of response to Qatar backing radical Islamist groups and closeness to Iran. Qatar has always denied the charges. A Qatari source told AFP that traffic at the Abu Samrah crossing, 120 kilometres (75 miles) south of Doha, resumed around 0700 GMT. Saudi Arabia, along with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, all of which also imposed an embargo on travel and trade, agreed to lift the restrictions at a Gulf Cooperation Council summit in the kingdom on Tuesday. The day before the summit, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah had announced on state television that a deal had been agreed to "open the airspace and land and sea borders between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar". Only a trickle of cars arrived at the palm tree-lined, whitewashed border post to make the short crossing to the Saudi side after news broke that the frontier had reopened. A smaller number made the journey from Saudi Arabia to Qatar, where strict measures to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus have been imposed. "I'm very happy the border is open again," said Qatari Jaber al-Marri, as he approached a checkpoint in his Land Cruiser SUV, adding that he had relatives in the neighbouring kingdom. "A lot of Qataris have relatives in Saudi Arabia," he said. "The coming days will be better," added the man, holding a negative coronavirus test result in his hand. (With AFP inputs)

Saudi Arabia-Qatar border reopens after thaw in relations

Watch this week's West Asia Post as Ghadi Francis talks to Ali Hamdan, an adviser to the Lebanese Parliament Speaker for more on the Lebanon-Israel maritime talks. Also on the show, we explore how autocrats are hijacking mega sporting events to expand their soft power? For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM, only on WION.

The West Asia Post - Episode 3

The Afghan Security Forces (ASF) on Monday night destroyed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) camp at the Afghanistan Pakistan border. The operation lasted for two hours from 11 PM to 1 AM and resulted in two Lashkar cadres being killed. This includes LeT commander Abu Bakar from Khyber Agency in Pakistan, whose body was left on the Afghan side.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-pak-border-sanctuary-for-terror-groups-pentagon-310240" hreflang="en">Afghan-Pak border sanctuary for terror groups: Pentagon</a>

During the action, two members of Afghan Security Forces also died and five were injured. The incidence happened close to Durand Line at Spinzara near Durbaba area of Naizan district of Nangarhar. Durand Line is the name of Afghanistan Pakistan border and the area of operation is in the eastern province of Nangarhar that borders Pakistan.

The action came after Lashkar-e-Taiba reportedly established camps in Wargah and Tordarah on the border and were launching attacks on Afghan forces from there. Members of the Taliban were also present during the operation. Sources believe that the causalities on LeT and Taliban side is much higher as the dead and injured were taken by those who were fleeing back to Pakistan in vehicles.

The development comes even as Pentagon in its report on Afghanistan said, "Afghanistan-Pakistan border region remains a sanctuary for various groups" and this includes Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT).

Last month a United Nations report said that about 6,500 Pakistanis foreign terrorist fighters are present in Afghanistan including 1,000 belonging to Pakistan based terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. The report said, most of the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba fighters are co-located with Taliban fighters and are hand in glove with them.

Meanwhile, concerns have been expressed European Union heads of mission on the escalation of violence. The statement possed by EU mission in Afghanistan said, "The attacks by the Taliban against Afghan National Defence and security forces are undermining the prospect for Intra Afghan negotiation, this must end and a full-fledged ceasefire enter into force"&nbsp;

EU mission strongly condemned the "targeted killings" which have "risen sharply in recent weeks" directed against the clergy, journalist, media workers, human rights defenders. The EU said: "The violence must stop now and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire put in place" and "a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire is a subsequent step that needs to accompany the infra afghan negotiations". 
&nbsp;

The Afghan Security Forces (ASF) on Monday night destroyed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) camp at the Afghanistan Pakistan border. The operation lasted for two hours from 11 PM to 1 AM and resulted in two Lashkar cadres being killed.

The Afghan Security Forces (ASF) on Monday night destroyed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) camp at the Afghanistan Pakistan border. The operation lasted for two hours from 11 PM to 1 AM and resulted in two Lashkar cadres being killed. This includes LeT commander Abu Bakar from Khyber Agency in Pakistan, whose body was left on the Afghan side. Also read: Afghan-Pak border sanctuary for terror groups: Pentagon During the action, two members of Afghan Security Forces also died and five were injured. The incidence happened close to Durand Line at Spinzara near Durbaba area of Naizan district of Nangarhar. Durand Line is the name of Afghanistan Pakistan border and the area of operation is in the eastern province of Nangarhar that borders Pakistan. The action came after Lashkar-e-Taiba reportedly established camps in Wargah and Tordarah on the border and were launching attacks on Afghan forces from there. Members of the Taliban were also present during the operation. Sources believe that the causalities on LeT and Taliban side is much higher as the dead and injured were taken by those who were fleeing back to Pakistan in vehicles. The development comes even as Pentagon in its report on Afghanistan said, "Afghanistan-Pakistan border region remains a sanctuary for various groups" and this includes Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT). Last month a United Nations report said that about 6,500 Pakistanis foreign terrorist fighters are present in Afghanistan including 1,000 belonging to Pakistan based terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. The report said, most of the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba fighters are co-located with Taliban fighters and are hand in glove with them. Meanwhile, concerns have been expressed European Union heads of mission on the escalation of violence. The statement possed by EU mission in Afghanistan said, "The attacks by the Taliban against Afghan National Defence and security forces are undermining the prospect for Intra Afghan negotiation, this must end and a full-fledged ceasefire enter into force" EU mission strongly condemned the "targeted killings" which have "risen sharply in recent weeks" directed against the clergy, journalist, media workers, human rights defenders. The EU said: "The violence must stop now and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire put in place" and "a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire is a subsequent step that needs to accompany the infra afghan negotiations".

Exclusive: Afghan forces destroy LeT camp at Af-Pak border; kill commander

Central American migrants entered Mexico from Guatemala in small groups on Saturday after brief clashes earlier in the day when dozens of people tried to force their way across the border and were pushed back by Mexican security forces.President Donald Trump has threatened to hurt Mexico and Central American countries economically if they allow <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexican-troops-block-us-bound-caravan-travelers-275151">large groups</a> to reach the US&nbsp;border. The latest exodus from Honduras has been accompanied by US&nbsp;border agents.

<img alt="Closed border" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dc668e25-1fc6-48c7-9e5f-72757fc1b663" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_46.jpg" /> 
[ Closed points of entry at the Mexican border cause great distress (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Mexican security officials closed the border at the crossing between Tecun Uman, Guatemala and Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico, after the morning scuffles. But once order was restored, Mexico began letting in groups of around 20 at a time.

Mexico has offered migrants work in the south, but those who do not accept it or seek asylum <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-the-us-mexican-border-migrants-give-up-hope-of-crossing-269434">will not be issued safe conduct</a> passes to the United States, the interior ministry said.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-migrant-policy-sends-thousands-of-children-including-hundreds-of-babies-back-to-mexico-255315">US migrant policy sends thousands of children including hundreds of babies back to Mexico</a>

<img alt="Crowd of migrants gather at the border" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cc8f451b-02e1-4f94-8e01-0d19c5014f8c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_53.jpg" /> 
[Migrants at the Guatemala-Mexico&nbsp;border seeking asylum (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Guatemalan authorities say some 4,000 people have entered the country since Wednesday, the biggest surge since Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador signed accords with the United States that increase pressure on them to deal with migrants.

Many of the migrants are seeking to escape poverty, violence or other social problems in Central America. However, while a few have expressed an interest in staying in Mexico, most are eager to take their chances in the United States.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has launched a series of initiatives to create jobs in the poorer south. Still, under his rule, Mexico's economy has significantly under-performed the United States, stagnating through 2019.

Television footage from the morning showed a group of migrants jostling and clashing with members of Mexico's National Guard on the bridge separating Guatemala from Mexico.

Women carrying small children could be seen at the front of the group on the bridge. Guatemala's government later issued a statement saying some people were using children to try to secure entry and offered to repatriate migrants who failed.

Mexican officials have so far controlled the situation more successfully than when a large caravan sought to force its way through at the same crossing in October 2018.

After being kept out, most migrants withdrew to Tecun Uman to await the arrival of the main caravan behind them. About 400 of the migrants who entered Guatemala this week have been sent home, its government said.

Central American migrants entered Mexico from Guatemala in small groups on Saturday after brief clashes earlier in the day when dozens of people tried to force their way across the border and were pushed back by Mexican security forces.

Central American migrants entered Mexico from Guatemala in small groups on Saturday after brief clashes earlier in the day when dozens of people tried to force their way across the border and were pushed back by Mexican security forces.President Donald Trump has threatened to hurt Mexico and Central American countries economically if they allow large groups to reach the US border. The latest exodus from Honduras has been accompanied by US border agents. [ Closed points of entry at the Mexican border cause great distress (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Mexican security officials closed the border at the crossing between Tecun Uman, Guatemala and Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico, after the morning scuffles. But once order was restored, Mexico began letting in groups of around 20 at a time. Mexico has offered migrants work in the south, but those who do not accept it or seek asylum will not be issued safe conduct passes to the United States, the interior ministry said. Also Read: US migrant policy sends thousands of children including hundreds of babies back to Mexico [Migrants at the Guatemala-Mexico border seeking asylum (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Guatemalan authorities say some 4,000 people have entered the country since Wednesday, the biggest surge since Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador signed accords with the United States that increase pressure on them to deal with migrants. Many of the migrants are seeking to escape poverty, violence or other social problems in Central America. However, while a few have expressed an interest in staying in Mexico, most are eager to take their chances in the United States. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has launched a series of initiatives to create jobs in the poorer south. Still, under his rule, Mexico's economy has significantly under-performed the United States, stagnating through 2019. Television footage from the morning showed a group of migrants jostling and clashing with members of Mexico's National Guard on the bridge separating Guatemala from Mexico. Women carrying small children could be seen at the front of the group on the bridge. Guatemala's government later issued a statement saying some people were using children to try to secure entry and offered to repatriate migrants who failed. Mexican officials have so far controlled the situation more successfully than when a large caravan sought to force its way through at the same crossing in October 2018. After being kept out, most migrants withdrew to Tecun Uman to await the arrival of the main caravan behind them. About 400 of the migrants who entered Guatemala this week have been sent home, its government said.

Migrants enter slowly at Guatemala-Mexico border after scuffles

A day after the Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) issued orders of shutting down mobile network in the one-kilometre border of Bangladesh with India and Myanmar, the BTRC issued fresh orders asking telecom operators to restore network on Wednesday.

“Please reinstate operations of the BTS (Base Trans-Receiver Stations) near the Bangladesh-India border sites immediately,” the email to BRTC read.

On Tuesday, Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission had asked telecom operators to shut down the mobile network in the one-kilometre border areas with India and Myanmar.

However, as many as 10 million people in as many as 36 districts of Bangladesh were affected due to the network shut down. As many as 1500 mobile towers were shut down and that also affected few kilometres area inside the border.

People in six districts of Bangladesh sharing its border with Indian states of Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya like Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet, Mymensingh Rangpur and Rajshahi were largely affected.

Bangladesh authorities did not mention reasons for the mobile network shut down in border areas, however, a letter written to the BTRC stated ‘security concerns in the present circumstance’.

While Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission asked telecom operators to restore services immediately, nationalised telecom service like Grameenphone and other private telecom operators like Banglalink, Robi and Teletalk have informed authorities that they will take at least one day to fully restore services.

A day after the Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) issued orders of shutting down mobile network in the one-kilometre border of Bangladesh with India and Myanmar, the BTRC issued fresh orders asking telecom operators to restore network on Wednesday.

A day after the Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) issued orders of shutting down mobile network in the one-kilometre border of Bangladesh with India and Myanmar, the BTRC issued fresh orders asking telecom operators to restore network on Wednesday. “Please reinstate operations of the BTS (Base Trans-Receiver Stations) near the Bangladesh-India border sites immediately,” the email to BRTC read. On Tuesday, Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission had asked telecom operators to shut down the mobile network in the one-kilometre border areas with India and Myanmar. However, as many as 10 million people in as many as 36 districts of Bangladesh were affected due to the network shut down. As many as 1500 mobile towers were shut down and that also affected few kilometres area inside the border. People in six districts of Bangladesh sharing its border with Indian states of Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya like Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet, Mymensingh Rangpur and Rajshahi were largely affected. Bangladesh authorities did not mention reasons for the mobile network shut down in border areas, however, a letter written to the BTRC stated ‘security concerns in the present circumstance’. While Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission asked telecom operators to restore services immediately, nationalised telecom service like Grameenphone and other private telecom operators like Banglalink, Robi and Teletalk have informed authorities that they will take at least one day to fully restore services.

Bangladesh restores mobile network in border areas with India

The telecom regulator in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-50-killed-in-bangladesh-cold-wave-271114">Bangladesh</a> recently ordered network carriers to halt services along the India-Bangladesh border. The regulator cited security reasons.&nbsp;

No network is available on a kilometre-long stretch along the India-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-halts-breast-milk-scheme-after-islamist-backlash-271038">Bangladesh</a> border. According to the official statement released on Monday, this was done "for the sake of the country's security in the current circumstances".

Reuters reported that the decision was taken after the new Citizenship (Amendment) Act was passed in India, with Bangladesh fearing an influx of Muslim migrants from India. The act aims to give Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities in the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

The act was met with violent protests and agitation across the country.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The telecom regulator in Bangladesh recently ordered network carriers to halt services along the India-Bangladesh border. The regulator cited security reasons. No network is available on a kilometre-long stretch along the India-Bangladesh border.

The telecom regulator in Bangladesh recently ordered network carriers to halt services along the India-Bangladesh border. The regulator cited security reasons. No network is available on a kilometre-long stretch along the India-Bangladesh border. According to the official statement released on Monday, this was done "for the sake of the country's security in the current circumstances". Reuters reported that the decision was taken after the new Citizenship (Amendment) Act was passed in India, with Bangladesh fearing an influx of Muslim migrants from India. The act aims to give Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities in the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The act was met with violent protests and agitation across the country. (With inputs from agencies)

Bangladesh suspends network services along border with India

The EU on Friday formally established its first standalone border force, boosting the Frontex service with a new permanent corps that will number 10,000 officers by 2027.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-singapore-trade-deal-takes-effect-on-november-21-260881">The adoption by EU</a> member states means Frontex,&nbsp;the border and coast guard agency for the bloc's Schengen area,&nbsp;will have personnel wearing its uniform and on its payroll who can be deployed to the EU's external borders to handle crises or general management.

Frontex currently has up to 1,500 officers active at any time but they are seconded to the agency by member states for short missions, along with ships and aircraft.

The EU regulation adopted Friday also expands the agency's mandate, which "will allow Frontex to play a bigger role in supporting member states in border control, on returns and in cooperating with third countries," said Maria Ohisalo, interior minister of Finland, which presently holds the EU's rotating presidency.

'First uniformed service'

Frontex, whose headquarters is in Poland's capital Warsaw, has been called on to handle numerous migration situations, most notably in 2015 when a million asylum-seekers entered the EU, many of them Syrians fleeing war.

While the number of migrants has fallen under a 2016 deal done with neighbouring Turkey, threats from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to "open the gates" once more have raised alarm in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-concerned-by-iran-nuclear-enrichment-announcement-260166">EU capitals</a>.

Frontex says its new corps will be "Europe's first uniformed service",&nbsp;a boast affirming the EU's goal to build integrated security institutions to match its economic and political heft.&nbsp;

Last month, it launched its first recruitment drive for more than 700 border guards who will be operational in January 2021.

"The agency will provide support at the request of the member state concerned or on its own initiative and in agreement with the member state concerned," the European Council said in a statement.

The Schengen area comprises 22 of the EU's 28 member states, with four more,&nbsp;Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania,&nbsp;due to be included in the future. Two EU countries have opt-outs from the area: Ireland and Brexit-bound Britain.

Another four <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-top-court-rules-poland-broke-rule-of-law-with-judicial-reforms-260119">European countries</a> outside the EU but with close relations with it,&nbsp;Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland,&nbsp;are also part of the Schengen area.

Frontex's budget has swelled steadily in the 14 years of its existence and will jump 26 per cent from this year to next to stand at 421 million euros ($464 million).

The EU on Friday formally established its first standalone border force, boosting the Frontex service with a new permanent corps that will number 10,000 officers by 2027.

The EU on Friday formally established its first standalone border force, boosting the Frontex service with a new permanent corps that will number 10,000 officers by 2027. The adoption by EU member states means Frontex, the border and coast guard agency for the bloc's Schengen area, will have personnel wearing its uniform and on its payroll who can be deployed to the EU's external borders to handle crises or general management. Frontex currently has up to 1,500 officers active at any time but they are seconded to the agency by member states for short missions, along with ships and aircraft. The EU regulation adopted Friday also expands the agency's mandate, which "will allow Frontex to play a bigger role in supporting member states in border control, on returns and in cooperating with third countries," said Maria Ohisalo, interior minister of Finland, which presently holds the EU's rotating presidency. 'First uniformed service' Frontex, whose headquarters is in Poland's capital Warsaw, has been called on to handle numerous migration situations, most notably in 2015 when a million asylum-seekers entered the EU, many of them Syrians fleeing war. While the number of migrants has fallen under a 2016 deal done with neighbouring Turkey, threats from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to "open the gates" once more have raised alarm in EU capitals. Frontex says its new corps will be "Europe's first uniformed service", a boast affirming the EU's goal to build integrated security institutions to match its economic and political heft. Last month, it launched its first recruitment drive for more than 700 border guards who will be operational in January 2021. "The agency will provide support at the request of the member state concerned or on its own initiative and in agreement with the member state concerned," the European Council said in a statement. The Schengen area comprises 22 of the EU's 28 member states, with four more, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania, due to be included in the future. Two EU countries have opt-outs from the area: Ireland and Brexit-bound Britain. Another four European countries outside the EU but with close relations with it, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, are also part of the Schengen area. Frontex's budget has swelled steadily in the 14 years of its existence and will jump 26 per cent from this year to next to stand at 421 million euros ($464 million).

European Union establishes standalone border force to boost Frontex service

Pakistan suffered heavy casualties after its military clashed with Afghan border troops in the Chitral district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa recently. 
 
The media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the news and said that six of its soldiers sustained injuries while five citizens were also wounded in the clash, according to the EurAsian Times. 
 
The ISPR claimed that Afghan security forces fired mortars and heavy machineguns from Nari District, Kunar province. 
 
It further stated that the Afghan border post, from where the firing was initiated, suffered "substantial damage" in the retaliatory measures taken by its personnel. 
 
While Islamabad is building a fence on its border with Afghanistan, Kabul has remained wary of its neighbour. Pakistan had supported the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. 
 
Kabul also has objections regarding the exact path of the 'Durand Line' which is the border shared by the two nations that were marked out by the Britishers in 1890s.

Pakistan suffered heavy casualties after its military clashed with Afghan border troops in the Chitral district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa recently. The media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the news and said that six of its soldiers sustained injuries while five citizens were also wounded in the clash, according to the EurAsian Times.

Pakistan suffered heavy casualties after its military clashed with Afghan border troops in the Chitral district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa recently. The media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the news and said that six of its soldiers sustained injuries while five citizens were also wounded in the clash, according to the EurAsian Times. The ISPR claimed that Afghan security forces fired mortars and heavy machineguns from Nari District, Kunar province. It further stated that the Afghan border post, from where the firing was initiated, suffered "substantial damage" in the retaliatory measures taken by its personnel. While Islamabad is building a fence on its border with Afghanistan, Kabul has remained wary of its neighbour. Pakistan had supported the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Kabul also has objections regarding the exact path of the 'Durand Line' which is the border shared by the two nations that were marked out by the Britishers in 1890s.

Pakistan troops suffer casualties in border clash with Afghanistan forces

United States&nbsp;forces patrolled part of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syrian-army-turkish-force-clash-near-border-report-258885">Syria's border with Turkey</a> on Thursday in the first such move since Washington withdrew troops from the area earlier this month, an&nbsp;AFP correspondent reported.

Five armoured vehicles bearing US flags patrolled a strip of the frontier north of the town of Qahtaniyah, an area where regime forces were expected to deploy as part of a deal with Turkey, the correspondent said.

The patrol was accompanied by Kurdish fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces, the main US ally in the years-long battle against the Islamic State group.

US forces used to patrol the section of the border north of Qahtaniyah before Washington announced its pullback on October 6.&nbsp;

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it is part of an eastern stretch of the frontier where US forces are seeking to maintain a presence.&nbsp;

"They want to prevent Russia and the regime from reaching parts of the border that lie east of the city of Qamishli," the de-facto capital of Syria's Kurdish minority, Observatory head Rami Abdul Rahman said.

The patrol follows the arrival of US reinforcements in Syria from neighbouring Iraq in recent days, in what has been seen as a reversal of US President Donald Trump's pullout order.

Washington has begun reinforcing positions in Deir Ezzor province with extra military assets in coordination with the SDF to prevent the Islamic State group and other actors from gaining access to oil fields in the area, a US defence official has said.

The Turkish army and its Syrian proxies launched an offensive against Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria on October 9 with the aim of creating a buffer zone.

The invasion left hundreds dead and displaced tens of thousands, prompting Ankara and Moscow to hold a summit in Sochi.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-says-kurdish-withdrawal-in-northeast-syria-complete-258817">Under the deal signed in the Russian Black Sea resort</a>, Turkey is to assume control over one 120 kilometre&nbsp;wide section in the centre of the border, while Syrian government forces are to deploy in sections to the east and west.

Along the whole length of the border, a 10-kilometre-deep buffer zone is to be created on the Syrian side which will be jointly patrolled by Russian and Turkish troops.&nbsp;

United States forces patrolled part of Syria's border with Turkey on Thursday in the first such move since Washington withdrew troops from the area earlier this month, an AFP correspondent reported.

United States forces patrolled part of Syria's border with Turkey on Thursday in the first such move since Washington withdrew troops from the area earlier this month, an AFP correspondent reported. Five armoured vehicles bearing US flags patrolled a strip of the frontier north of the town of Qahtaniyah, an area where regime forces were expected to deploy as part of a deal with Turkey, the correspondent said. The patrol was accompanied by Kurdish fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces, the main US ally in the years-long battle against the Islamic State group. US forces used to patrol the section of the border north of Qahtaniyah before Washington announced its pullback on October 6. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it is part of an eastern stretch of the frontier where US forces are seeking to maintain a presence. "They want to prevent Russia and the regime from reaching parts of the border that lie east of the city of Qamishli," the de-facto capital of Syria's Kurdish minority, Observatory head Rami Abdul Rahman said. The patrol follows the arrival of US reinforcements in Syria from neighbouring Iraq in recent days, in what has been seen as a reversal of US President Donald Trump's pullout order. Washington has begun reinforcing positions in Deir Ezzor province with extra military assets in coordination with the SDF to prevent the Islamic State group and other actors from gaining access to oil fields in the area, a US defence official has said. The Turkish army and its Syrian proxies launched an offensive against Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria on October 9 with the aim of creating a buffer zone. The invasion left hundreds dead and displaced tens of thousands, prompting Ankara and Moscow to hold a summit in Sochi. Under the deal signed in the Russian Black Sea resort, Turkey is to assume control over one 120 kilometre wide section in the centre of the border, while Syrian government forces are to deploy in sections to the east and west. Along the whole length of the border, a 10-kilometre-deep buffer zone is to be created on the Syrian side which will be jointly patrolled by Russian and Turkish troops.

United States conducts first Northeast Syria border patrol since pullback

Kurdish YPG forces in Syria have not fully withdrawn from the border territory as agreed in a Russia-brokered accord, and Turkey will soon discuss next steps with Moscow, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday.

Cavusoglu said a Russian military delegation was coming to Turkey to discuss joint patrols set to begin on Tuesday. He repeated that if the YPG did not withdraw some 30 kms (18 miles) from Turkey`s border, Turkish forces would clear them out.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Sunday it had agreed to withdraw more than 30 km (19 miles) from the Turkish border, an announcement welcomed by Damascus which said Turkey should now end its "aggression" in northeast Syria.

Turkey launched its cross-border offensive on October 9 targeting Kurdish YPG forces in northeast Syria after President Donald Trump pulled US troops out of the area.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Russia's Vladimir Putin then agreed on October 22 that Syrian border guards and Russian military police would clear the border area up to 30 km into Syria of YPG fighters over a six-day period that ends Tuesday.

The YPG is the main component of the SDF and is viewed by Ankara as terrorists due to their links to Kurdish insurgents in southeast Turkey. But the SDF has been a key ally of the United States in the fight against Islamic State militants.

&nbsp;

Kurdish YPG forces in Syria have not fully withdrawn from the border territory as agreed in a Russia-brokered accord, and Turkey will soon discuss next steps with Moscow, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday.

Kurdish YPG forces in Syria have not fully withdrawn from the border territory as agreed in a Russia-brokered accord, and Turkey will soon discuss next steps with Moscow, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday. Cavusoglu said a Russian military delegation was coming to Turkey to discuss joint patrols set to begin on Tuesday. He repeated that if the YPG did not withdraw some 30 kms (18 miles) from Turkey`s border, Turkish forces would clear them out. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Sunday it had agreed to withdraw more than 30 km (19 miles) from the Turkish border, an announcement welcomed by Damascus which said Turkey should now end its "aggression" in northeast Syria. Turkey launched its cross-border offensive on October 9 targeting Kurdish YPG forces in northeast Syria after President Donald Trump pulled US troops out of the area. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Russia's Vladimir Putin then agreed on October 22 that Syrian border guards and Russian military police would clear the border area up to 30 km into Syria of YPG fighters over a six-day period that ends Tuesday. The YPG is the main component of the SDF and is viewed by Ankara as terrorists due to their links to Kurdish insurgents in southeast Turkey. But the SDF has been a key ally of the United States in the fight against Islamic State militants.

Turkey says Kurdish YPG has not fully withdrawn from Syria border region

Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has termed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bangladesh-border-guards-shoot-kill-indian-soldier-official-256586">the firing incident on border in which a BSF soldier was killed by the BGB as 'unfortunate'</a> and said this should not affect the cordial relationship between the two countries. 
 
"This was an unfortunate event, which should not affect the cordial relationship between Bangladesh and India," Dhaka Tribune quoted him as saying on Friday. 
Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB) had on Thursday opened fire on a Border Security Force (BSF) party, killing one constable and injuring another when the party was trying to trace an Indian fisherman along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal. 
 
"We are set to identify the conflicting issues between the two forces, and design peaceful solution to restore the friendly bonding between them," said the Bangladeshi Home Minister. 
 
Head Constable Vijay Bhan Singh of the BSF died after he received bullet injuries on his head. Another constable-cum-boatman received bullet injuries on his right hand. 
According to the BSF, three Indian fishermen had gone for fishing in the river Padma in the border area on Thursday morning. 
 
"Two fishermen returned and approached the BSF post at Kakmarichar and said that the BGB apprehended them all. They, however, released two of them in order to call BSF post-commander for a flag meeting," BSF had said. 
 
"Around 10:30 am, the Post Commander along with five troopers in the BSF boat, approached the BGB patrol in the water channel of River Padma near the boundary. During the flag meeting, the BGB patrol did not release the Indian fisherman and also tried to cordon (gherao) the BSF troops," added the BSF. 
 
Sensing the situation worsening, the BSF party immediately returned following which the BGB troops opened fire on them. 
 
BGB, however, claimed they "fired in self-defence" during a flag meeting along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal's Murshidabad. 
 
"It should be noted that four out of the four BSF members were wearing uniforms and the rest were wearing half pants-gauze. Also, it is important to note that the BSF team had weapons," the BGB had said in a statement. 
 
The Bangladeshi Border Guards had said that it told the BSF if they want to take the prisoners back, they would be given a formal return with the flag meeting. 
 
"BGB patrol team informed them that you too came to Bangladesh illegally. So you too will be handed over through official flag meeting," it added. 
 
The BGB further said, "The BSF members were then forced to flee. When the BGB stopped them, the BSF members started firing. Speedboats continued to enter India. The BGB then fired in self-defence. Later, it was reported that one BSF member was killed."

Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has termed the firing incident on border in which a BSF soldier was killed by the BGB as 'unfortunate' and said this should not affect the cordial relationship between the two countries.

Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has termed the firing incident on border in which a BSF soldier was killed by the BGB as 'unfortunate' and said this should not affect the cordial relationship between the two countries. "This was an unfortunate event, which should not affect the cordial relationship between Bangladesh and India," Dhaka Tribune quoted him as saying on Friday. Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB) had on Thursday opened fire on a Border Security Force (BSF) party, killing one constable and injuring another when the party was trying to trace an Indian fisherman along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal. "We are set to identify the conflicting issues between the two forces, and design peaceful solution to restore the friendly bonding between them," said the Bangladeshi Home Minister. Head Constable Vijay Bhan Singh of the BSF died after he received bullet injuries on his head. Another constable-cum-boatman received bullet injuries on his right hand. According to the BSF, three Indian fishermen had gone for fishing in the river Padma in the border area on Thursday morning. "Two fishermen returned and approached the BSF post at Kakmarichar and said that the BGB apprehended them all. They, however, released two of them in order to call BSF post-commander for a flag meeting," BSF had said. "Around 10:30 am, the Post Commander along with five troopers in the BSF boat, approached the BGB patrol in the water channel of River Padma near the boundary. During the flag meeting, the BGB patrol did not release the Indian fisherman and also tried to cordon (gherao) the BSF troops," added the BSF. Sensing the situation worsening, the BSF party immediately returned following which the BGB troops opened fire on them. BGB, however, claimed they "fired in self-defence" during a flag meeting along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal's Murshidabad. "It should be noted that four out of the four BSF members were wearing uniforms and the rest were wearing half pants-gauze. Also, it is important to note that the BSF team had weapons," the BGB had said in a statement. The Bangladeshi Border Guards had said that it told the BSF if they want to take the prisoners back, they would be given a formal return with the flag meeting. "BGB patrol team informed them that you too came to Bangladesh illegally. So you too will be handed over through official flag meeting," it added. The BGB further said, "The BSF members were then forced to flee. When the BGB stopped them, the BSF members started firing. Speedboats continued to enter India. The BGB then fired in self-defence. Later, it was reported that one BSF member was killed."

Bangladesh Home Minister calls cross-border firing incident 'unfortunate', says it should not affect relationship with India

Security forces are keeping a strict vigil on the movement of government vehicles at Jammu-Srinagar National Highway after receiving a recent alert by intelligence agencies. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/to-support-terrorism-is-pakistans-state-policy-fatf-has-created-pressure-on-it-ajit-doval-255788">The intelligence agencies have warned security forces</a> and local police about the "latest strategy" of the terrorists, who are planning an attack on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. 
 
The terrorists could&nbsp;use car bombs to target the security forces. 
 
"It appears that the latest strategy of the terrorists to target the security forces is by way of car bombs and IED. There is local expertise to carry out attacks on the lines of Pulwama terror attack," an input stated. 
 
According to the agencies, the National Highway (NH) connecting Srinagar with Jammu remains vulnerable as there has been a lot of information regarding the planning of the attack. 
 
Another input claims that Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has been given the task to plan an attack on the National Highway by terror groups backed by Pakistan. 
 
Recently in a meeting held in Pulwama, with the help of Pakistan Army and ISI, three top terrorist organisations - Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/more-than-45-terrorists-being-trained-at-jaish-e-mohammeds-balakot-facility-255870">Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)</a> have been given responsibilities to carry out terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, other parts of India and for political and police killings. 
 
A document&nbsp;says that&nbsp;a meeting was held at a location in Pulwama recently where three terror groups were briefed about the responsibilities assigned to them by their masters. 
 
As per the input, JeM has been assigned the responsibility of carrying out the attack along the national highway. 
 
LeT has been given responsibility to carrying the attack on interior security installations while as Hizbul Mujahideen has been assigned the task to ensure shutdown and police/political killings. 
 
On Monday, in an early morning operation, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-to-hold-state-assembly-elections-in-jammu-kashmir-soon-pm-modi-241578">Jammu and Kashmir</a> police along with other security forces arrested two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists from Ganderbal, Kashmir. AK 47 rifles and ammunition have been recovered.

Security forces are keeping a strict vigil on the movement of government vehicles at Jammu-Srinagar National Highway after receiving a recent alert by intelligence agencies.

Security forces are keeping a strict vigil on the movement of government vehicles at Jammu-Srinagar National Highway after receiving a recent alert by intelligence agencies. The intelligence agencies have warned security forces and local police about the "latest strategy" of the terrorists, who are planning an attack on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The terrorists could use car bombs to target the security forces. "It appears that the latest strategy of the terrorists to target the security forces is by way of car bombs and IED. There is local expertise to carry out attacks on the lines of Pulwama terror attack," an input stated. According to the agencies, the National Highway (NH) connecting Srinagar with Jammu remains vulnerable as there has been a lot of information regarding the planning of the attack. Another input claims that Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has been given the task to plan an attack on the National Highway by terror groups backed by Pakistan. Recently in a meeting held in Pulwama, with the help of Pakistan Army and ISI, three top terrorist organisations - Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) have been given responsibilities to carry out terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, other parts of India and for political and police killings. A document says that a meeting was held at a location in Pulwama recently where three terror groups were briefed about the responsibilities assigned to them by their masters. As per the input, JeM has been assigned the responsibility of carrying out the attack along the national highway. LeT has been given responsibility to carrying the attack on interior security installations while as Hizbul Mujahideen has been assigned the task to ensure shutdown and police/political killings. On Monday, in an early morning operation, Jammu and Kashmir police along with other security forces arrested two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists from Ganderbal, Kashmir. AK 47 rifles and ammunition have been recovered.

Security forces on alert as terrorists plan attack on Jammu-Srinagar Highway

Pakistan-backed terror groups are using <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nia-to-probe-incidents-of-pakistan-drones-smuggling-arms-into-india-253236">small drones to smuggle weapons and narcotics into India</a>, in view of which the security forces have been given clearance to shoot down drones flying at 1,000 feet or below. 
 
"Security agencies deployed along the international border have been given the clearance to shoot down drone crossing the boundary and flying at 1,000 feet and below," government sources told ANI. 
 
For any drone flying at heights above 1,000 feet, the final clearance will have to be taken from the agencies concerned as the flying object can be an aeroplane also, the sources said. 
 
Recently, the security forces including the Border Security Force have been spotting small drones crossing the international border in Punjab where the Chinese-origin unmanned aerial vehicles have even been used to supply assault rifles and drugs. 
 
Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at Hussainiwala border post in Ferozepur spotted a drone on Monday night entering into India from the Pakistani border. A search operation was launched after Punjab police were informed about the development. The local police are investigating the matter," BSF sources had said. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bsf-spots-drone-along-india-pakistan-border-254531">The sightings come amid escalated tensions between India and Pakistan</a> over the Kashmir issue.

Pakistan-backed terror groups are using small drones to smuggle weapons and narcotics into India, in view of which the security forces have been given clearance to shoot down drones flying at 1,000 feet or below.

Pakistan-backed terror groups are using small drones to smuggle weapons and narcotics into India, in view of which the security forces have been given clearance to shoot down drones flying at 1,000 feet or below. "Security agencies deployed along the international border have been given the clearance to shoot down drone crossing the boundary and flying at 1,000 feet and below," government sources told ANI. For any drone flying at heights above 1,000 feet, the final clearance will have to be taken from the agencies concerned as the flying object can be an aeroplane also, the sources said. Recently, the security forces including the Border Security Force have been spotting small drones crossing the international border in Punjab where the Chinese-origin unmanned aerial vehicles have even been used to supply assault rifles and drugs. Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at Hussainiwala border post in Ferozepur spotted a drone on Monday night entering into India from the Pakistani border. A search operation was launched after Punjab police were informed about the development. The local police are investigating the matter," BSF sources had said. The sightings come amid escalated tensions between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.

Security forces cleared to shoot down drones flying at 1000 feet amid sightings across border

Turkish troops and their Syrian rebel allies attacked Kurdish militia in northeast Syria on Wednesday, pounding them with airstrikes and artillery before starting a cross-border ground operation that could transform an eight-year-old war.

Daniele Pagani, Bureau Chief, West Asia on Turkey-Syria conflict

Turkish troops and their Syrian rebel allies attacked Kurdish militia in northeast Syria on Wednesday, pounding them with airstrikes and artillery before starting a cross-border ground operation that could transform an eight-year-old war. Know about the latest updates from Daniele Pagani, Bureau Chief, West Asia

Daniele Pagani, Bureau Chief, West Asia speaks on Turkey-Syria conflict

United States&nbsp;border agents arrested or stopped nearly one million undocumented migrants at the southern border with Mexico in the last 12 months, the most in more than a decade, a top official said Tuesday.

The surge came amid President Donald Trump's tough efforts to halt illegal immigration, which began to show results only in the last three months when border arrests plummeted.

Acting Director of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Mark Morgan said migrants arrested at the border fell to just over 52,000 in September, the final month of the 2019 fiscal year, down from over 144,000 in May and the lowest monthly figure in one year.

The surge came mainly from Central American migrants fleeing poverty and violence, crossing in large groups and family units into the US from Mexico and turning themselves in to ask for asylum.

For most that meant being processed by immigration officials and then released to await a hearing on their asylum claim, but they usually disappeared into the US interior hoping to settle.

The Trump administration has stepped up efforts to discourage an exodus from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador by asking Mexico to impede their transit and requiring them to apply for asylum in the first country they enter -- meaning either Guatemala or Mexico.

"CBP is continuing to collaborate with our foreign partners -- particularly, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras -- to address this as a regional crisis," Morgan said in a White House briefing.

The administration has ordered the expulsion of any asylum seekers back to Mexico and is fighting a court injunction blocking the implementation of that order.

Besides restricting the ability of migrants to claim asylum, the White House has pressed forward on erecting more wall along the 3,200-kilometre&nbsp;border, diverting Defense Department funds committed to other programs for wall construction after Congress declined to provide the budget.

Morgan said 71 miles of new barrier had been built and predicted that a total of 450 miles would be completed by the end of 2020.

"It's a tough process," he said. "You have to obtain the land and land acquisition is a tough thing."

United States border agents arrested or stopped nearly one million undocumented migrants at the southern border with Mexico in the last 12 months, the most in more than a decade, a top official said Tuesday.

United States border agents arrested or stopped nearly one million undocumented migrants at the southern border with Mexico in the last 12 months, the most in more than a decade, a top official said Tuesday. The surge came amid President Donald Trump's tough efforts to halt illegal immigration, which began to show results only in the last three months when border arrests plummeted. Acting Director of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Mark Morgan said migrants arrested at the border fell to just over 52,000 in September, the final month of the 2019 fiscal year, down from over 144,000 in May and the lowest monthly figure in one year. The surge came mainly from Central American migrants fleeing poverty and violence, crossing in large groups and family units into the US from Mexico and turning themselves in to ask for asylum. For most that meant being processed by immigration officials and then released to await a hearing on their asylum claim, but they usually disappeared into the US interior hoping to settle. The Trump administration has stepped up efforts to discourage an exodus from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador by asking Mexico to impede their transit and requiring them to apply for asylum in the first country they enter -- meaning either Guatemala or Mexico. "CBP is continuing to collaborate with our foreign partners -- particularly, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras -- to address this as a regional crisis," Morgan said in a White House briefing. The administration has ordered the expulsion of any asylum seekers back to Mexico and is fighting a court injunction blocking the implementation of that order. Besides restricting the ability of migrants to claim asylum, the White House has pressed forward on erecting more wall along the 3,200-kilometre border, diverting Defense Department funds committed to other programs for wall construction after Congress declined to provide the budget. Morgan said 71 miles of new barrier had been built and predicted that a total of 450 miles would be completed by the end of 2020. "It's a tough process," he said. "You have to obtain the land and land acquisition is a tough thing."

US detained nearly one million migrants in 12 months

Last night, India's Border Security Force (BSF)&nbsp;spotted a Pakistani-origin drone in the Firozpur area of Punjab near the India-Pakistan border.

The BSF spotted the same drone almost five times between ten pm and 12 midnight, during which it crossed the border into India once. Military officials are still investigating the incident in collaboration with the&nbsp;Punjab state police. The state police, on September 22, recovered a large number of AK-47 assault rifles, satellite phones and grenades dropped in Punjab's Tarn Taran district through eight drone sorties between September 9 and 16. One drone crashed&nbsp;due to a technical problem.

Since India scrapped the Article 370 of the Constitution this year, Pakistan's Intel agencies and ISI have&nbsp;been using the terror networks of Khalistan Zindabad Force and others to drop weapons, fake currencies and other material&nbsp;to the Indian side of the border. The state police have made a few arrests in Tarn Taran and allege that the men captured are terrorists of the Khalistan Zindabad Force who are actively working to carry out these drone activities against India with the intention to execute 26/11-like terror attacks at religious places across Punjab.

The Punjab Police's&nbsp;investigation reveals that the Pakistan-based chief of the KZF, Ranjeet Singh, alias Neeta, and his Germany-based associate Gurmeet Singh, alias Bagga, were involved in the delivery of weapons from across the border. Additionally, with the help of local sleeper cells, they radicalised and recruited local members to foment trouble. Punjab police, along with the forensic team have&nbsp;recovered a few parts of the drone which include&nbsp;a GPS antenna fitted in the drone. Some parts of the drone have been disposed of&nbsp;in canals near the villages.

Indian Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria has already expressed concerns over how small drones can become a big threat to&nbsp;border security in the future. He earlier said that the Indian Air Force was in the process of procuring sensors and other equipment to thwart drone attacks.

The Border Security Force has been kept on high alert following reports of drones dropping weapons into the Indian territory and returning to Pakistan undetected.

Last night, India's Border Security Force (BSF) spotted a Pakistani-origin drone in the Firozpur area of Punjab near the India-Pakistan border. The BSF spotted the same drone almost five times between ten pm and 12 midnight, during which it crossed the border into India once.

Last night, India's Border Security Force (BSF) spotted a Pakistani-origin drone in the Firozpur area of Punjab near the India-Pakistan border. The BSF spotted the same drone almost five times between ten pm and 12 midnight, during which it crossed the border into India once. Military officials are still investigating the incident in collaboration with the Punjab state police. The state police, on September 22, recovered a large number of AK-47 assault rifles, satellite phones and grenades dropped in Punjab's Tarn Taran district through eight drone sorties between September 9 and 16. One drone crashed due to a technical problem. Since India scrapped the Article 370 of the Constitution this year, Pakistan's Intel agencies and ISI have been using the terror networks of Khalistan Zindabad Force and others to drop weapons, fake currencies and other material to the Indian side of the border. The state police have made a few arrests in Tarn Taran and allege that the men captured are terrorists of the Khalistan Zindabad Force who are actively working to carry out these drone activities against India with the intention to execute 26/11-like terror attacks at religious places across Punjab. The Punjab Police's investigation reveals that the Pakistan-based chief of the KZF, Ranjeet Singh, alias Neeta, and his Germany-based associate Gurmeet Singh, alias Bagga, were involved in the delivery of weapons from across the border. Additionally, with the help of local sleeper cells, they radicalised and recruited local members to foment trouble. Punjab police, along with the forensic team have recovered a few parts of the drone which include a GPS antenna fitted in the drone. Some parts of the drone have been disposed of in canals near the villages. Indian Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria has already expressed concerns over how small drones can become a big threat to border security in the future. He earlier said that the Indian Air Force was in the process of procuring sensors and other equipment to thwart drone attacks. The Border Security Force has been kept on high alert following reports of drones dropping weapons into the Indian territory and returning to Pakistan undetected.

BSF spots drone along India-Pakistan border

Jammu Divisional Commissioner, Sanjeev Verma on Saturday directed the Deputy Commissioners of border districts to expedite the pace of work on the construction of border bunkers to ensure their timely completion.

He issued the directions during a meeting convened to review the progress on construction of bunkers along international border and LoC in Jammu districts.

The Deputy Commissioners apprised the Divisional Commissioner about the progress of works on under construction individual and community bunkers in their respective districts.

It was informed that 1063 community and individual bunkers have been completed in district Samba, 869 in district Jammu, 1039 in district Kathua, 1238 in district Rajouri and 4431 in district Poonch, while work on the remaining bunkers is under process.

Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner also took stock of supply of construction material including cement and steel.

DC's informed that sufficient material is available and supply is regular.

Verma also directed the DCs for regular monitoring the construction of bunkers. He further directed to set weekly/monthly targets and expedite the pace of work for the completion of individual and community bunkers at the earliest.&nbsp;

Jammu Divisional Commissioner, Sanjeev Verma on Saturday directed the Deputy Commissioners of border districts to expedite the pace of work on the construction of border bunkers to ensure their timely completion.

Jammu Divisional Commissioner, Sanjeev Verma on Saturday directed the Deputy Commissioners of border districts to expedite the pace of work on the construction of border bunkers to ensure their timely completion. He issued the directions during a meeting convened to review the progress on construction of bunkers along international border and LoC in Jammu districts. The Deputy Commissioners apprised the Divisional Commissioner about the progress of works on under construction individual and community bunkers in their respective districts. It was informed that 1063 community and individual bunkers have been completed in district Samba, 869 in district Jammu, 1039 in district Kathua, 1238 in district Rajouri and 4431 in district Poonch, while work on the remaining bunkers is under process. Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner also took stock of supply of construction material including cement and steel. DC's informed that sufficient material is available and supply is regular. Verma also directed the DCs for regular monitoring the construction of bunkers. He further directed to set weekly/monthly targets and expedite the pace of work for the completion of individual and community bunkers at the earliest.

Jammu and Kashmir: District Deputy Commissioners to expedite bunker construction in border areas

The US Defense Department said Tuesday it was freeing up $3.6 billion in funds budgeted for other projects to build a wall on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-closure-of-us-mexico-border-next-week-to-stem-asylum-surge-206626">Mexican border </a>as ordered by President Donald Trump.

Six weeks after being confirmed by Congress, Defense Secretary Mike Esper has signed off on the diversion of funds from 127 "deferred military projects" both inside and outside the country, said Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffmann.

Explainer: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-how-does-the-situation-on-the-us-mexico-border-compare-with-the-past-225130">How does the situation on the US-Mexico border compare with the past?</a>

In February Trump, frustrated that Congress would not provide funding for the 18-foot (5.5-meter) barrier, declared a "national emergency" at the border in order to obtain $6.6 billion from other budgeted accounts for wall construction aimed at stemming the flow of undocumented migrants from Mexico and Central America.

That included an initial $2.5 billion from Pentagon spending that was to have been used for programs to combat the drug trade and other operations.

Multiple lawsuits against the wall led a federal judge to place an injunction blocking the funding until the cases could be reviewed.

But in a major political victory for the president, in July the Supreme Court overturned that ruling, allowing work to go ahead.

Since then, Pentagon funds have gone toward Department of Homeland Security projects to replace existing portions of wall along the 2,000 mile (3,200 kilometer) frontier, while no new wall has been erected.

In addition, the Defense Department has deployed thousands of uniformed troops to the Mexican border to help monitor security and provide backup logistics for hundreds of thousands of detained migrants.

'Slap in the face'

Building the wall was one of Trump's central campaign pledges in the 2016 president election battle, along with a promise that Mexico, and not US taxpayers, would foot the estimated $25 billion bill.

With a new election coming up next year, Trump has recently appeared sensitive to charges that no new mileage of wall has been built yet.

"When we rip down and totally replace a badly broken and dilapidated Barrier on the Southern Border, something which cannot do the job, the Fake News Media gives us zero credit for building a new Wall. We have replaced many miles of old Barrier with powerful new Walls!" Trump tweeted in July.&nbsp;

"The Wall is going up very fast despite total Obstruction by Democrats in Congress, and elsewhere!" he wrote last week.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that Trump's was pursuing the wall "to boost his own ego" and called it "a slap in the face to the members of the Armed Forces."

While Pentagon chief Esper's go-ahead signaled a likely surge in new wall building work immediately, the project could face more legal challenges.

Jack Reed, the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called for Congress to oppose "misusing defense dollars in this manner."

"Clearly, this administration is trying to circumvent Congressional authority and this ill-advised attempt should be legally challenged and struck down by the courts," Reed said in a statement.

The American Civil Liberties Union meanwhile said it would sue on the grounds of abuse of power by Trump.

"The fact that the government sat on these so-called 'emergency funds' for seven months further confirms that this is nothing but an unlawful power grab," said ACLU staff attorney Dror Ladin.

The US Defense Department said Tuesday it was freeing up $3.6 billion in funds budgeted for other projects to build a wall on the Mexican border as ordered by President Donald Trump.

The US Defense Department said Tuesday it was freeing up $3.6 billion in funds budgeted for other projects to build a wall on the Mexican border as ordered by President Donald Trump. Six weeks after being confirmed by Congress, Defense Secretary Mike Esper has signed off on the diversion of funds from 127 "deferred military projects" both inside and outside the country, said Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffmann. Explainer: How does the situation on the US-Mexico border compare with the past? In February Trump, frustrated that Congress would not provide funding for the 18-foot (5.5-meter) barrier, declared a "national emergency" at the border in order to obtain $6.6 billion from other budgeted accounts for wall construction aimed at stemming the flow of undocumented migrants from Mexico and Central America. That included an initial $2.5 billion from Pentagon spending that was to have been used for programs to combat the drug trade and other operations. Multiple lawsuits against the wall led a federal judge to place an injunction blocking the funding until the cases could be reviewed. But in a major political victory for the president, in July the Supreme Court overturned that ruling, allowing work to go ahead. Since then, Pentagon funds have gone toward Department of Homeland Security projects to replace existing portions of wall along the 2,000 mile (3,200 kilometer) frontier, while no new wall has been erected. In addition, the Defense Department has deployed thousands of uniformed troops to the Mexican border to help monitor security and provide backup logistics for hundreds of thousands of detained migrants. 'Slap in the face' Building the wall was one of Trump's central campaign pledges in the 2016 president election battle, along with a promise that Mexico, and not US taxpayers, would foot the estimated $25 billion bill. With a new election coming up next year, Trump has recently appeared sensitive to charges that no new mileage of wall has been built yet. "When we rip down and totally replace a badly broken and dilapidated Barrier on the Southern Border, something which cannot do the job, the Fake News Media gives us zero credit for building a new Wall. We have replaced many miles of old Barrier with powerful new Walls!" Trump tweeted in July. "The Wall is going up very fast despite total Obstruction by Democrats in Congress, and elsewhere!" he wrote last week. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that Trump's was pursuing the wall "to boost his own ego" and called it "a slap in the face to the members of the Armed Forces." While Pentagon chief Esper's go-ahead signaled a likely surge in new wall building work immediately, the project could face more legal challenges. Jack Reed, the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called for Congress to oppose "misusing defense dollars in this manner." "Clearly, this administration is trying to circumvent Congressional authority and this ill-advised attempt should be legally challenged and struck down by the courts," Reed said in a statement. The American Civil Liberties Union meanwhile said it would sue on the grounds of abuse of power by Trump. "The fact that the government sat on these so-called 'emergency funds' for seven months further confirms that this is nothing but an unlawful power grab," said ACLU staff attorney Dror Ladin.

Pentagon frees $3.6 billion for wall construction on Mexican border

Pakistan resorting to incessant ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir has caused severe unrest in villages across the border.

Adversely affected by the continues mortar shelling and firing, residents of Poonch district which has witnessed ceasefire violation four times in the past week are living in constant worry.

The cross border firing has forced locals in the district to stay indoors. However, those who had stepped out for work have been left stranded.

At the time of the incident on Sunday, Mohammad Tariq, a resident of Shahpur, said, "The firing has been taking place since last two hours here. We are not able to reach our homes and don't know in what condition our family members are. We have been waiting here for two to two-and-a-half hours. Only God knows how our family members are back at home."

In the last ceasefire violation incident reported on Sunday, one Indian Army soldier lost his life. At about 1 PM, Pakistan resorted to ceasefire violation by firing of small arms and shelling with mortars in Poonch.

Ever since the Central government abrogated Article 370 accorded to Jammu and Kashmir and gave it a status of a Union territory, Pakistan has been resorting to new lows disturbing the lives of people residing in the border areas.

Though the Indian side has been retailing effectively, the peace in the vicinity remains disrupted.

Crying foul, Mohammad Rashid, another resident of the Poonch district said, "People here are forced to stay indoors due to firing. Nobody knows whether their loved ones are alive or dead. We request the government to do something and stop this. Or they should shift us to some other place from here. Firing is taking place from both sides. People are scared because of this. They can't work and forced to stay at home."

Before Sunday, Pakistan violated ceasefire in Poonch sector on August 29 and August 27.

Earlier, heavy shelling was reported from two locations in Poonch on August 26.

Reportedly, seven people, including five soldiers and a 10-day-old baby, were killed and several others injured in frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC since July.

Also, in general area of Delina Chowk, a terrorist was apprehended after a joint check-post manned by police and Army drew fire from a truck.&nbsp;

Another terrorist entered a nearby locality, sources had said.

Notably, the latest incident of ceasefire violation from across the border took place a day after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday reviewed the operational preparedness of the formations deployed on the Indo-Pakistan border during his visit to the Northern Command.

Pakistan resorting to incessant ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir has caused severe unrest in villages across the border. Adversely affected by the continues mortar shelling and firing, residents of Poonch district which has witnessed ceasefire violation four times in the past week are living in constant worry.

Pakistan resorting to incessant ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir has caused severe unrest in villages across the border. Adversely affected by the continues mortar shelling and firing, residents of Poonch district which has witnessed ceasefire violation four times in the past week are living in constant worry. The cross border firing has forced locals in the district to stay indoors. However, those who had stepped out for work have been left stranded. At the time of the incident on Sunday, Mohammad Tariq, a resident of Shahpur, said, "The firing has been taking place since last two hours here. We are not able to reach our homes and don't know in what condition our family members are. We have been waiting here for two to two-and-a-half hours. Only God knows how our family members are back at home." In the last ceasefire violation incident reported on Sunday, one Indian Army soldier lost his life. At about 1 PM, Pakistan resorted to ceasefire violation by firing of small arms and shelling with mortars in Poonch. Ever since the Central government abrogated Article 370 accorded to Jammu and Kashmir and gave it a status of a Union territory, Pakistan has been resorting to new lows disturbing the lives of people residing in the border areas. Though the Indian side has been retailing effectively, the peace in the vicinity remains disrupted. Crying foul, Mohammad Rashid, another resident of the Poonch district said, "People here are forced to stay indoors due to firing. Nobody knows whether their loved ones are alive or dead. We request the government to do something and stop this. Or they should shift us to some other place from here. Firing is taking place from both sides. People are scared because of this. They can't work and forced to stay at home." Before Sunday, Pakistan violated ceasefire in Poonch sector on August 29 and August 27. Earlier, heavy shelling was reported from two locations in Poonch on August 26. Reportedly, seven people, including five soldiers and a 10-day-old baby, were killed and several others injured in frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC since July. Also, in general area of Delina Chowk, a terrorist was apprehended after a joint check-post manned by police and Army drew fire from a truck. Another terrorist entered a nearby locality, sources had said. Notably, the latest incident of ceasefire violation from across the border took place a day after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday reviewed the operational preparedness of the formations deployed on the Indo-Pakistan border during his visit to the Northern Command.

Residents of border hamlets living in fear due to continues ceasefire violation by Pakistan

Greece is to step up border patrols, move asylum-seekers from its islands to the mainland and speed up deportations in an effort to deal with a resurgence in migrant flows from neighbouring Turkey.

The government`s Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence convened on Saturday for an emergency session after the arrival on Thursday of more than a dozen migrant boats carrying around 600 people, the first simultaneous arrival of its kind in three years.&nbsp;

The increase in arrivals has piled additional pressure on Greece`s overcrowded island camps, all of which are operating at least twice their capacity.

Arrivals - mostly of Afghan families - have picked up over the summer, and August saw the highest number of monthly landings in three years.&nbsp;

Greece`s Moria camp on the island of Lesbos - a sprawling facility where conditions have been described by aid organisations as inhumane - is also holding the largest number of people since the deal was agreed.

On Saturday, the government said it would move asylum-seekers to mainland facilities, increase border surveillance together with the European Union`s border patrol agency Frontex and NATO, and boost police patrols across Greece to identify rejected asylum seekers who have remained in the country.

It also plans to cut back a lengthy asylum process, which can take several months to conclude, by abolishing the second stage of appeals when an application is rejected, and deporting the applicant either to Turkey or to their country of origin.

"The asylum process in our country was the longest, the most time consuming and, in the end, the most ineffective in Europe," Greece`s deputy citizen protection minister responsible for migration policy, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, told state television.

Responding to criticism from the opposition that the move was unfair and unlawful, Koumoutsakos said, "Asylum must move quickly so that those who are entitled to international protection are vindicated ... and for us to know who should not stay in Greece."

The government was "determined to push ahead with a robust returns policy because that is what the law and the country`s best interest impose, in accordance with human rights," he said.

Greece was the main gateway to northern Europe in 2015 for nearly a million migrants and refugees from war-torn and poverty-stricken countries in the Middle East and Africa.&nbsp;

A deal between the EU and Turkey in March 2016 reduced the influx to a trickle, but closures of borders across the Balkans resulted in tens of thousands of people stranded in Greece.

Humanitarian organisations have criticised Greece for not doing enough to improve living conditions at its camps, which they have described as "shameful".

 
&nbsp;

Greece is to step up border patrols, move asylum-seekers from its islands to the mainland and speed up deportations in an effort to deal with a resurgence in migrant flows from neighbouring Turkey.

Greece is to step up border patrols, move asylum-seekers from its islands to the mainland and speed up deportations in an effort to deal with a resurgence in migrant flows from neighbouring Turkey. The government`s Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence convened on Saturday for an emergency session after the arrival on Thursday of more than a dozen migrant boats carrying around 600 people, the first simultaneous arrival of its kind in three years. The increase in arrivals has piled additional pressure on Greece`s overcrowded island camps, all of which are operating at least twice their capacity. Arrivals - mostly of Afghan families - have picked up over the summer, and August saw the highest number of monthly landings in three years. Greece`s Moria camp on the island of Lesbos - a sprawling facility where conditions have been described by aid organisations as inhumane - is also holding the largest number of people since the deal was agreed. On Saturday, the government said it would move asylum-seekers to mainland facilities, increase border surveillance together with the European Union`s border patrol agency Frontex and NATO, and boost police patrols across Greece to identify rejected asylum seekers who have remained in the country. It also plans to cut back a lengthy asylum process, which can take several months to conclude, by abolishing the second stage of appeals when an application is rejected, and deporting the applicant either to Turkey or to their country of origin. "The asylum process in our country was the longest, the most time consuming and, in the end, the most ineffective in Europe," Greece`s deputy citizen protection minister responsible for migration policy, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, told state television. Responding to criticism from the opposition that the move was unfair and unlawful, Koumoutsakos said, "Asylum must move quickly so that those who are entitled to international protection are vindicated ... and for us to know who should not stay in Greece." The government was "determined to push ahead with a robust returns policy because that is what the law and the country`s best interest impose, in accordance with human rights," he said. Greece was the main gateway to northern Europe in 2015 for nearly a million migrants and refugees from war-torn and poverty-stricken countries in the Middle East and Africa. A deal between the EU and Turkey in March 2016 reduced the influx to a trickle, but closures of borders across the Balkans resulted in tens of thousands of people stranded in Greece. Humanitarian organisations have criticised Greece for not doing enough to improve living conditions at its camps, which they have described as "shameful".

Greece to increase border patrols and deportations to curb migrant influx

<div class="content" itemprop="articleBody">
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday called for redrawing the Indian map which shows not only <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-has-been-changing-demography-of-pok-gilgit-baltistan-activists-240014">Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK)</a> as its territory but also <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/gilgit-baltistan-in-open-letter-says-pakistan-only-an-assumed-supervisor-236089">Gilgit-Baltistan</a>.

"When we speak of our boundaries, they are not our boundaries. We have boundaries far beyond them. I say when we redraw Indian map, we should include not just PoK but also Gilgit-Baltistan," he said during an event in Delhi.

Listing out schemes and infrastructure projects implemented by the Centre in the border villages of Jammu and Kashmir, the minister said that he would want to bring in people of 'opposite ideology' and debate with them.

"It is a matter of research why these people curse the Army that protects them. Today, we are in a position to question them... Why should we waste our resources on protection of those who are enemies of the nation," asked Singh.

Giving a blueprint of how to ensure that local residents of the border areas who are considered the first line of defence stay intact, RSS Sah Sarkaryavah Krishna Gopal said the onus of this lies on those living in the cities.

"The onus to ensure that the first line of defence of boundaries -- the locals -- remain intact lies on the rest of India. You need to ensure you visit them and provide your services. The government cannot do it alone," said the senior RSS functionary.

The RSS is rooting for a strong bond with the bordering regions of the country, asking citizens to visit these areas regularly and be vigilant as the government alone cannot be tasked with protecting national sovereignty.

Gopal said the people from the rest of the country need to provide their services to them even if they do not ask for. "Treat these 11,000 villages as pilgrimages, donate and serve, they will be yours," he said.
</div>

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday called for redrawing the Indian map which shows not only Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) as its territory but also Gilgit-Baltistan.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday called for redrawing the Indian map which shows not only Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) as its territory but also Gilgit-Baltistan. "When we speak of our boundaries, they are not our boundaries. We have boundaries far beyond them. I say when we redraw Indian map, we should include not just PoK but also Gilgit-Baltistan," he said during an event in Delhi. Listing out schemes and infrastructure projects implemented by the Centre in the border villages of Jammu and Kashmir, the minister said that he would want to bring in people of 'opposite ideology' and debate with them. "It is a matter of research why these people curse the Army that protects them. Today, we are in a position to question them... Why should we waste our resources on protection of those who are enemies of the nation," asked Singh. Giving a blueprint of how to ensure that local residents of the border areas who are considered the first line of defence stay intact, RSS Sah Sarkaryavah Krishna Gopal said the onus of this lies on those living in the cities. "The onus to ensure that the first line of defence of boundaries -- the locals -- remain intact lies on the rest of India. You need to ensure you visit them and provide your services. The government cannot do it alone," said the senior RSS functionary. The RSS is rooting for a strong bond with the bordering regions of the country, asking citizens to visit these areas regularly and be vigilant as the government alone cannot be tasked with protecting national sovereignty. Gopal said the people from the rest of the country need to provide their services to them even if they do not ask for. "Treat these 11,000 villages as pilgrimages, donate and serve, they will be yours," he said.

Redraw Indian map with PoK, Gilgit-Baltistan: Union Minister Jitendra Singh

India and Bangladesh on Wednesday held the seventh round of Home Minister-level bilateral talks here and both sides discussed on issues of bilateral interests including strengthening cooperation in border management and security.

The talks took place between Home Minister Amit Shah and his Bangladeshi counterpart Asaduzzaman Khan.

"Met Mr Asaduzzaman Khan, Home Minister of Bangladesh. Had an extensive discussion on the bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh," Shah tweeted.

Giving out details of the meeting, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali, told reporters,&nbsp;"Our Home Minister today met the newly appointed Home Minister of India Amit Shah and they exchanged views on a number of issues between the two countries."

"We discussed border management and security issues and there has been complete unanimity of views between the two sides. So, there is no dispute between us. We are trying to strengthen our cooperation to make border management more effective," he said.

Last month, the Home Ministry informed the Lok Sabha that a total amount of Rs 1138.48 crore has been spent in fencing the International Border between India and Bangladesh during the last five years.

The total length of the International Border is 4096.70 km. So far, fencing has been completed for 2803 km and the probable date of completion is December 2020.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

India and Bangladesh on Wednesday held the seventh round of Home Minister-level bilateral talks here and both sides discussed on issues of bilateral interests including strengthening cooperation in border management and security.

India and Bangladesh on Wednesday held the seventh round of Home Minister-level bilateral talks here and both sides discussed on issues of bilateral interests including strengthening cooperation in border management and security. The talks took place between Home Minister Amit Shah and his Bangladeshi counterpart Asaduzzaman Khan. "Met Mr Asaduzzaman Khan, Home Minister of Bangladesh. Had an extensive discussion on the bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh," Shah tweeted. Giving out details of the meeting, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali, told reporters, "Our Home Minister today met the newly appointed Home Minister of India Amit Shah and they exchanged views on a number of issues between the two countries." "We discussed border management and security issues and there has been complete unanimity of views between the two sides. So, there is no dispute between us. We are trying to strengthen our cooperation to make border management more effective," he said. Last month, the Home Ministry informed the Lok Sabha that a total amount of Rs 1138.48 crore has been spent in fencing the International Border between India and Bangladesh during the last five years. The total length of the International Border is 4096.70 km. So far, fencing has been completed for 2803 km and the probable date of completion is December 2020.

India, Bangladesh discuss cooperation in border management

The American Civil Liberties Union on Tuesday asked a federal judge to stop the Trump administration`s ongoing separation of families at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/see-saw-border-unique-way-of-protest-at-us-mexico-border-239422">US-Mexico border</a>, saying the government had taken more than 900 children from their parents since the policy officially ended last year. &nbsp;

In June 2018, the government said it would end its "zero tolerance" policy of prosecuting those who<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-honduras-agree-to-create-20000-jobs-and-stem-migration-238995"> illegally cross the border</a> and separating them from their children after a public outcry and a legal challenge by the ACLU.&nbsp;

US District Court Judge Dana Sabraw in San Diego ordered the reunification of more than 2,800 migrant children in a court supervised process.

On Tuesday, the ACLU went back to court claiming that the government was still separating families, making exceptions to its pledge to end the practise.

“The government is systematically separating large numbers of families based on minor criminal history, highly dubious allegations of unfitness, and errors in identifying bona fide 
parent-child relationships."

The Trump administration has tried to deter record numbers of migrant families arriving at the US-Mexico border seeking refuge from poverty and violence in countries like Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

The government has said it separates families when it suspects the parent has a criminal record or questions the relationship between the adult and the migrant child.

In a more than 200-page motion, the rights group said the administration is “separating young children based on such offences as traffic violations, misdemeanour property damage, and disorderly conduct violations.”&nbsp;

Sometimes separations have occurred based on “the assertion that the parent does not appear to be doing a proper job parenting,” the motion said.

The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ACLU motion. But the administration has said the practice is aimed at protecting children who may be in danger.

Given the potential harm to children of being taken from caregivers, the ACLU is seeking to block the government from separating children from parents, regardless of their criminal history.

"The administration must not be allowed to circumvent the court order,” said Lee Gelernt, lead ACLU attorney in the family lawsuit, in a statement, referring to the original ruling from the judge last year, when both sides agreed to enforce it.

The filing said 911 children were separated from their parents &nbsp;- including babies and toddlers - from June 28, 2018 to June 29, 2019.

Immigration and child advocates, Democratic lawmakers and the United Nations have condemned separations.&nbsp;

The American Civil Liberties Union on Tuesday asked a federal judge to stop the Trump administration`s ongoing separation of families at the US-Mexico border, saying the government had taken more than 900 children from their parents since the policy officially ended last year.

The American Civil Liberties Union on Tuesday asked a federal judge to stop the Trump administration`s ongoing separation of families at the US-Mexico border, saying the government had taken more than 900 children from their parents since the policy officially ended last year. In June 2018, the government said it would end its "zero tolerance" policy of prosecuting those who illegally cross the border and separating them from their children after a public outcry and a legal challenge by the ACLU. US District Court Judge Dana Sabraw in San Diego ordered the reunification of more than 2,800 migrant children in a court supervised process. On Tuesday, the ACLU went back to court claiming that the government was still separating families, making exceptions to its pledge to end the practise. “The government is systematically separating large numbers of families based on minor criminal history, highly dubious allegations of unfitness, and errors in identifying bona fide parent-child relationships." The Trump administration has tried to deter record numbers of migrant families arriving at the US-Mexico border seeking refuge from poverty and violence in countries like Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. The government has said it separates families when it suspects the parent has a criminal record or questions the relationship between the adult and the migrant child. In a more than 200-page motion, the rights group said the administration is “separating young children based on such offences as traffic violations, misdemeanour property damage, and disorderly conduct violations.” Sometimes separations have occurred based on “the assertion that the parent does not appear to be doing a proper job parenting,” the motion said. The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ACLU motion. But the administration has said the practice is aimed at protecting children who may be in danger. Given the potential harm to children of being taken from caregivers, the ACLU is seeking to block the government from separating children from parents, regardless of their criminal history. "The administration must not be allowed to circumvent the court order,” said Lee Gelernt, lead ACLU attorney in the family lawsuit, in a statement, referring to the original ruling from the judge last year, when both sides agreed to enforce it. The filing said 911 children were separated from their parents - including babies and toddlers - from June 28, 2018 to June 29, 2019. Immigration and child advocates, Democratic lawmakers and the United Nations have condemned separations.

Over 900 children separated at US border since policy halted: American Civil Liberties Union

Understanding US-Mexico immigration deal and what drives Central American families to migrate

Mexicans tries to emigrate to US by crossing under the border fence

Four Pakistani F-16s were detected flying close to the Punjab border early Monday morning.&nbsp;

The news agency ANI reported that at 3 am Monday morning, Indian radars detected a large-sized UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) and four F-16s flying close to the Indian border in Punjab's Khemkaran sector.&nbsp;

ANI added that India scrambled Sukhoi 30MKIs and Mirage jets in response after which the Pakistani jets retreated further into their territory.&nbsp;

Tensions between India and Pakistan have been high ever since the Indian Air Force conducted an air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakote in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunwa province on February 26.&nbsp;

A day later, on February 27, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iaf-pilot-abhinandan-varthamans-parents-get-standing-ovation-on-flight-to-delhi-200462">Indian and Pakistani jets engaged in a dogfight</a> after Pakistan dropped bombs on Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir from its side of the Line of Control. India says the bombs were targeting military installations but that they missed their targets.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Sources: At 3 AM today, Indian radars detected a large sized UAV &amp; package of 4 Pakistani F-16s flying close to Indian border in Khemkaran sector in Punjab. India scrambled Su-30MKIs &amp; Mirage jets in response after which the Pakistani jets retreated further into their territory. <a href="https://t.co/ZKTbw8zPZo">pic.twitter.com/ZKTbw8zPZo</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1112708039205883906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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It was the first time in over 40 years the air forces of the two countries had engaged in combat.&nbsp;Both sides lost a plane each — India a MiG-21 and the Pakistanis an F-16.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Four Pakistani F-16s were detected flying close to the Punjab border early Monday morning. The news agency ANI reported that at 3 am Monday morning, Indian radars detected a large-sized UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) and four F-16s flying close to the Indian border in Punjab's Khemkaran sector.

Four Pakistani F-16s were detected flying close to the Punjab border early Monday morning. The news agency ANI reported that at 3 am Monday morning, Indian radars detected a large-sized UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) and four F-16s flying close to the Indian border in Punjab's Khemkaran sector. ANI added that India scrambled Sukhoi 30MKIs and Mirage jets in response after which the Pakistani jets retreated further into their territory. Tensions between India and Pakistan have been high ever since the Indian Air Force conducted an air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakote in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunwa province on February 26. A day later, on February 27, Indian and Pakistani jets engaged in a dogfight after Pakistan dropped bombs on Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir from its side of the Line of Control. India says the bombs were targeting military installations but that they missed their targets. Sources: At 3 AM today, Indian radars detected a large sized UAV & package of 4 Pakistani F-16s flying close to Indian border in Khemkaran sector in Punjab. India scrambled Su-30MKIs & Mirage jets in response after which the Pakistani jets retreated further into their territory. pic.twitter.com/ZKTbw8zPZo — ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2019 × It was the first time in over 40 years the air forces of the two countries had engaged in combat. Both sides lost a plane each — India a MiG-21 and the Pakistanis an F-16.

Indian radar catches four Pakistani F-16s flying close to the border in Punjab

Schools reopened in southern Israel and traffic-clogged Gaza's streets on Wednesday in signs of a pullback from the most serious escalation of cross-border fighting in months.

But while violence eased amid Egyptian mediation, Israeli forces and Palestinian militants were on hair-trigger footing, with rocket attacks from Gaza and Israeli air strikes in the enclave briefly resuming late on Tuesday after a day-long lull.

Despite dozens of rocket launchings and Israeli attacks, no deaths have been reported. Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile interceptors have destroyed some of the rockets and Palestinian militants vacated facilities targeted in the air strikes.

Towns in southern Israel, where rocket-warning sirens have disrupted daily life since the current round of fighting began on Monday, reopened classrooms. In Gaza, schools were also operating and cars filled the streets.

The Gaza frontier remained tense, however, with Israeli troops and tanks deployed along the border. Both Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group made clear that attacks by the other side would not be tolerated.

Even if the crisis subsides, it could shadow Israel's April 9 election, in which right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has campaigned on a tough security platform.

TENSIONS BUILDING

The latest fighting has added to tensions that were already building ahead of the first anniversary on March 30 of the start of weekly Gaza protests at the border. Some 200 Gazans have been killed and thousands wounded by Israeli fire during those protests, and one Israeli soldier has been killed.

Israel says its use of lethal force is meant to stop attempts to breach the border and launch attack on its troops and civilians.

The protesters are demanding the right to return to lands Palestinians fled or were forced to leave in Israel during fighting that accompanied its founding in 1948.

Seven Israelis were injured in Monday's initial rocket attack that hit the village of Mishmeret, 120 km (75 miles) north of Gaza. No other casualties in Israel have been reported. Twelve Palestinians have been wounded by Israeli strikes, Gaza health officials said.

Egypt was expected to pursue further truce talks on Wednesday, said a Palestinian official involved in the efforts.

UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov told the Security Council on Tuesday he had been working with Egypt to secure a ceasefire and that a fragile calm had taken hold.

Security is a major issue for Netanyahu, in power for a decade and beset by corruption allegations that he denies. He is facing his strongest electoral challenge from a centrist coalition led by a former general.

In Dheisha refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, a 17-year-old Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli troops during clashes with stone-throwers, an ambulance service official said, identifying him as a volunteer wearing a paramedic uniform. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.

Schools reopened in southern Israel and traffic-clogged Gaza's streets on Wednesday in signs of a pullback from the most serious escalation of cross-border fighting in months.

Schools reopened in southern Israel and traffic-clogged Gaza's streets on Wednesday in signs of a pullback from the most serious escalation of cross-border fighting in months. But while violence eased amid Egyptian mediation, Israeli forces and Palestinian militants were on hair-trigger footing, with rocket attacks from Gaza and Israeli air strikes in the enclave briefly resuming late on Tuesday after a day-long lull. Despite dozens of rocket launchings and Israeli attacks, no deaths have been reported. Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile interceptors have destroyed some of the rockets and Palestinian militants vacated facilities targeted in the air strikes. Towns in southern Israel, where rocket-warning sirens have disrupted daily life since the current round of fighting began on Monday, reopened classrooms. In Gaza, schools were also operating and cars filled the streets. The Gaza frontier remained tense, however, with Israeli troops and tanks deployed along the border. Both Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group made clear that attacks by the other side would not be tolerated. Even if the crisis subsides, it could shadow Israel's April 9 election, in which right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has campaigned on a tough security platform. TENSIONS BUILDING The latest fighting has added to tensions that were already building ahead of the first anniversary on March 30 of the start of weekly Gaza protests at the border. Some 200 Gazans have been killed and thousands wounded by Israeli fire during those protests, and one Israeli soldier has been killed. Israel says its use of lethal force is meant to stop attempts to breach the border and launch attack on its troops and civilians. The protesters are demanding the right to return to lands Palestinians fled or were forced to leave in Israel during fighting that accompanied its founding in 1948. Seven Israelis were injured in Monday's initial rocket attack that hit the village of Mishmeret, 120 km (75 miles) north of Gaza. No other casualties in Israel have been reported. Twelve Palestinians have been wounded by Israeli strikes, Gaza health officials said. Egypt was expected to pursue further truce talks on Wednesday, said a Palestinian official involved in the efforts. UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov told the Security Council on Tuesday he had been working with Egypt to secure a ceasefire and that a fragile calm had taken hold. Security is a major issue for Netanyahu, in power for a decade and beset by corruption allegations that he denies. He is facing his strongest electoral challenge from a centrist coalition led by a former general. In Dheisha refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, a 17-year-old Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli troops during clashes with stone-throwers, an ambulance service official said, identifying him as a volunteer wearing a paramedic uniform. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.

Tense calm on Gaza-Israel border after flareup

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