Police in Pakistan used tear gas on hundreds of anti-government protesters to stop the crowd headed for capital Islamabad, news agency Reuters reported.

Islamabad high court ruled that opposition politician Imran Khan could hold a mass protest this week. The court dismissed the government&#39;s objection to Wednesday&#39;s protests but ordered that the demonstration be held on a parade ground far from the city&#39;s main government and commercial districts, Geo Television reported.

The court, however, warned that demonstrations should not disrupt life for citizens, according to media reports.&nbsp;

Barricades were set up on major roads, particularly from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province ruled by Khan&#39;s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party, on Monday morning.

The crowd approached roadblocks amid clouds of tear gas near the town of Swabi, about 70 kilometres from Pakistan&#39;s capital Islamabad, Reuters reported.

Around 5,000 party workers were trying to remove the police barricades using cranes near the Swabi Interchange, The Dawn reported.

Khan has vowed to bring millions of people out onto the streets to agitate against prevailing corruption and Panama Papers&#39; revelations about his family&#39;s offshore wealth. He has threatened to &quot;shut down&quot; Islamabad in his bid to oust Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, whom Khan accuses of corruption linked to the &quot;Panama Papers&quot; leak.

Escalating political tensions have led to periodic clashes between supporters of Khan&#39;s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the police, who have arrested scores of opposition workers and used tear gas to disperse protesters.&nbsp;

Party lawmaker Arif Alvi and another senior party official, Imran Ismail, were briefly arrested on Monday.&nbsp;They were released on orders of the interior ministry soon after.

Ismail posted a tweet about his arrest and a picture of the two men smiling.

&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Aressted brutally
&mdash; Imran Ismail (@ImranIsmailPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranIsmailPTI/status/793014969474379776">October 31, 2016</a></blockquote>

&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Sha <a href="https://t.co/tvQTfki6I4">pic.twitter.com/tvQTfki6I4</a>
&mdash; Imran Ismail (@ImranIsmailPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranIsmailPTI/status/793015168250814464">October 31, 2016</a></blockquote>

&nbsp;

A gathering of more than five people was outlawed last week in Islamabad and neighbouring Rawalpindi.

The Panama documents show that Sharif&#39;s children owned offshore holding companies registered in the British Virgin Islands, Reuters reports, but Sharif&#39;s family has denied any wrongdoing. Khan admitted that he owned an offshore company in May. He claims it was to legally avoid paying taxes in Britain on a London property sale. The case regarding the allegations will be heard in Pakistan&#39;s Supreme Court on Tuesday.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Around 5,000 party workers tried to remove the police barricades using cranes near Swabi town

Police in Pakistan used tear gas on hundreds of anti-government protesters to stop the crowd headed for capital Islamabad, news agency Reuters reported. Islamabad high court ruled that opposition politician Imran Khan could hold a mass protest this week. The court dismissed the government's objection to Wednesday's protests but ordered that the demonstration be held on a parade ground far from the city's main government and commercial districts, Geo Television reported. The court, however, warned that demonstrations should not disrupt life for citizens, according to media reports. Barricades were set up on major roads, particularly from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province ruled by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party, on Monday morning. The crowd approached roadblocks amid clouds of tear gas near the town of Swabi, about 70 kilometres from Pakistan's capital Islamabad, Reuters reported. Around 5,000 party workers were trying to remove the police barricades using cranes near the Swabi Interchange, The Dawn reported. Khan has vowed to bring millions of people out onto the streets to agitate against prevailing corruption and Panama Papers' revelations about his family's offshore wealth. He has threatened to "shut down" Islamabad in his bid to oust Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, whom Khan accuses of corruption linked to the "Panama Papers" leak. Escalating political tensions have led to periodic clashes between supporters of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the police, who have arrested scores of opposition workers and used tear gas to disperse protesters. Party lawmaker Arif Alvi and another senior party official, Imran Ismail, were briefly arrested on Monday. They were released on orders of the interior ministry soon after. Ismail posted a tweet about his arrest and a picture of the two men smiling. Aressted brutally — Imran Ismail (@ImranIsmailPTI) October 31, 2016 Sha pic.twitter.com/tvQTfki6I4 — Imran Ismail (@ImranIsmailPTI) October 31, 2016 A gathering of more than five people was outlawed last week in Islamabad and neighbouring Rawalpindi. The Panama documents show that Sharif's children owned offshore holding companies registered in the British Virgin Islands, Reuters reports, but Sharif's family has denied any wrongdoing. Khan admitted that he owned an offshore company in May. He claims it was to legally avoid paying taxes in Britain on a London property sale. The case regarding the allegations will be heard in Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday. (With inputs from Reuters)

Pakistan: Clash between police and anti-government protesters, tear gas fired

&nbsp;One woman was killed and four others were injured today in cross-border shelling on hamlets and posts with mortar bombs along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control in Samba, Jammu and Rajouri districts.

&quot;Pakistani Rangers started firing with small arms followed by mortars at one place and further spread to four or five places in Ramgarh and Arnia sectors of Samba and Jammu district from 0630 hours,&quot; Deputy Inspector General &nbsp;of India&#39;s paramiliBorder Security Force Dharmendra Pareek said.

They fired 82 mm mortar bombs intermittently, Pareek said, adding, BSF gave them a befitting reply.

A woman aged between 21 to 22 years died during shelling in a hamlet in Ramgarh sector of Samba district, SSP Samba Joginder Singh said.

Six persons have been injured in the ceasefire violations since yesterday.

At 0710 hours, three mortar shells landed in border village of Pindi in Arnia sector of Jammu district, injuring four persons identified as Bodraj (44), Niky, Dharana Devi and Chanchla Devi (49), he said.

Two women, Robiya Kouser (28) and Tasveer Bi (24), were injured in Pakistani shelling in Mendhar sector of Poonch district last evening and have been hospitalised, police said.

Pakistani troops indulged in unprovoked ceasefire violation along the Line of Control in Naushera sector of Rajouri district from 0530 hours using small arms, automatics, 82 and 120 mm mortars, Public Relations Officer Defence Lieutenant Colonel &nbsp;Manish Mehta said.

There have been claims of &nbsp;more that 60 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along the LoC and IB in the state since surgical strikes against terror launch pads by the Indian Army in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir.

Yesterday, an elderly woman and a soldier were killed and a girl and two armymen were injured in cross-LoC shelling and firing by Pakistani troops in Poonch and Rajouri districts.

&nbsp;

(PTI)

&nbsp;

They fired 82 mm mortar bombs intermittently, says India's paramilitary Border Security Force

One woman was killed and four others were injured today in cross-border shelling on hamlets and posts with mortar bombs along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control in Samba, Jammu and Rajouri districts. "Pakistani Rangers started firing with small arms followed by mortars at one place and further spread to four or five places in Ramgarh and Arnia sectors of Samba and Jammu district from 0630 hours," Deputy Inspector General of India's paramiliBorder Security Force Dharmendra Pareek said. They fired 82 mm mortar bombs intermittently, Pareek said, adding, BSF gave them a befitting reply. A woman aged between 21 to 22 years died during shelling in a hamlet in Ramgarh sector of Samba district, SSP Samba Joginder Singh said. Six persons have been injured in the ceasefire violations since yesterday. At 0710 hours, three mortar shells landed in border village of Pindi in Arnia sector of Jammu district, injuring four persons identified as Bodraj (44), Niky, Dharana Devi and Chanchla Devi (49), he said. Two women, Robiya Kouser (28) and Tasveer Bi (24), were injured in Pakistani shelling in Mendhar sector of Poonch district last evening and have been hospitalised, police said. Pakistani troops indulged in unprovoked ceasefire violation along the Line of Control in Naushera sector of Rajouri district from 0530 hours using small arms, automatics, 82 and 120 mm mortars, Public Relations Officer Defence Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta said. There have been claims of more that 60 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along the LoC and IB in the state since surgical strikes against terror launch pads by the Indian Army in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir. Yesterday, an elderly woman and a soldier were killed and a girl and two armymen were injured in cross-LoC shelling and firing by Pakistani troops in Poonch and Rajouri districts. (PTI)

Pakistan shells India's border hamlets and posts,woman killed: Border Security Force

Pakistan&#39;s apex court today stayed the execution of the schizophrenic man convicted in 2002 for murdering a cleric, Pakistan daily, the Dawn, reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The hearing of the case will resume in the second week of November after the hanging was postponed on the basis of convict Imad Ali&#39;s mental illness.

&nbsp;

After Ali&#39;s wife submitted a review petition, the Supreme Court issued notices to Advocate General Punjab, Prosecutor General Punjab and Attorney General, seeking their comments on the issue, the daily reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

According to the daily, however, the SC had already rejected a plea as his lawyers said Ali is unfit to be executed since he is unable to understand his crime and punishment.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The hearing of the case will resume in the second week of November

Pakistan's apex court today stayed the execution of the schizophrenic man convicted in 2002 for murdering a cleric, Pakistan daily, the Dawn, reported. The hearing of the case will resume in the second week of November after the hanging was postponed on the basis of convict Imad Ali's mental illness. After Ali's wife submitted a review petition, the Supreme Court issued notices to Advocate General Punjab, Prosecutor General Punjab and Attorney General, seeking their comments on the issue, the daily reported. According to the daily, however, the SC had already rejected a plea as his lawyers said Ali is unfit to be executed since he is unable to understand his crime and punishment. (WION)

Pakistan's top court stays hanging of mentally ill convict?

An armed man tried to fire outside a private school in Haroonabad area of Bahawalnagar in Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province today, Pakistan daily the Express Tribune reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

As panic gripped the area, heavy contingents of police reached the site and safely evacuated the school.

&nbsp;

A similar incident was reported earlier this year in the vicinity near Viqar-un-Nisa School and College for Girls in Rawalpindi.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Heavy contingents of police, however, reached the site and safely evacuated the school

An armed man tried to fire outside a private school in Haroonabad area of Bahawalnagar in Pakistan's Punjab province today, Pakistan daily the Express Tribune reported. As panic gripped the area, heavy contingents of police reached the site and safely evacuated the school. A similar incident was reported earlier this year in the vicinity near Viqar-un-Nisa School and College for Girls in Rawalpindi. (WION)

Panic ensues as gunman attacks school in Pakistan

Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan yesterday accused Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of pursuing his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi&rsquo;s interests in the country after the government cracked the&nbsp;whip on his supporters, news agency Press Trust of India reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

At least 100 supporters of Khan&#39;s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were arrested on Sunday.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;About 450 people entered Islamabad today,&quot; Pakistan&#39;s interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was quoted as saying by Iran&#39;s television network, Press TV Iran.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;Police intercepted them but most of them ran away, many leaving their cars behind. Police arrested more than 100 of them,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

According to media reports, police resorted to&nbsp;force and used tear-gas and baton to stop the PTI activists from reaching Bani Gala residence of Khan in Pak&#39;s capital, Islamabad. However, no PTI worker suffered serious injuries.

&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the PTI chief lashed out at the government saying: &ldquo;When Nawaz Sharif went to London for whatever kind of surgery, he on the hospital bed first telephoned Modi instead of his mother or children.&rdquo;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Addressing a press conference outside his Bani Gala residence here, he was referring to Sharif&rsquo;s open heart surgery at a London hospital in May, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A day after Pakistan information minister Pervaiz Rashid was sacked over the recent &ldquo;leaked&rdquo; media report about a rift between the civilian and military leaderships on support to militancy, Khan took a jibe at the Nawaz Sharif government.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&ldquo;Nawaz is following Modi&rsquo;s &lsquo;interests&rsquo; in Pakistan. Nawaz is behind the security leaks story which defamed the armed forces. Actually, his and Modi&rsquo;s agenda is same,&rdquo; Khan was quoted as saying.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

He claimed that &quot;everybody knows&quot; that the sacked minister cannot leak sensitive information to the media on his own.

&nbsp;

&ldquo;Rashid is a darbari (courtier) and he did what Nawaz told him to do so.&quot; &nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&ldquo;The whole state machinery is being used to save a corrupt Prime Minister. I will not accept a &lsquo;suspect&rsquo; as Prime Minister of Pakistan. As long as I am alive I will not go after Nawaz Sharif&rsquo;s corruption,&rdquo; the 64-year-old political leader told the press.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Khan went on to say that there was no difference between Pervez Musharraf&rsquo;s dictatorship and Sharif&rsquo;s democracy. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Islamabad police said they recovered five Kalashnikov rifles, a pistol, six magazines, a bulletproof vest, alcohol and three tear gas shells from PTI leader Amin Gandapur&rsquo;s car outside Bani Gala.

&nbsp;

&#39;Mass protests no danger to democracy&#39; &nbsp;

&nbsp;

A lockdown has been announced by&nbsp;Khan&#39;s PTI&nbsp;in a bid to create pressure on Sharif to resign over Panama Papers&#39; revelations about his family&#39;s offshore wealth.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

While talking to international news agency Reuters, Khan&nbsp;dismissed accusations that the November 2 shutdown in Islamabad can lead to a military coup.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;How can a democrat want the military to come in?,&quot; Khan&nbsp;was quoted as saying by Reuters as he dismissed allegations that he wanted the&nbsp;army to topple Sharif.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;He has to answer. He can&#39;t hide behind `democracy in danger`.&quot;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Khan&nbsp;has pledged to bring a million people out on roads to &quot;protest against corruption&quot;.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

However, the Pakistan government has accused Khan of endangering democracy by attempting to draw Pakistan`s powerful military into a political dispute, Reuters reported.

&nbsp;

In a bid to foil the protests, the government has already blocked provincial roads to the capital and arrested around 1,000 Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaf workers so far.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters, PTI)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The opposition leader also accused Pakistan Prime Minister of leaking sensitive information which defamed the armed forces

Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan yesterday accused Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of pursuing his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi’s interests in the country after the government cracked the whip on his supporters, news agency Press Trust of India reported. At least 100 supporters of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were arrested on Sunday. "About 450 people entered Islamabad today," Pakistan's interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was quoted as saying by Iran's television network, Press TV Iran. "Police intercepted them but most of them ran away, many leaving their cars behind. Police arrested more than 100 of them," he added. According to media reports, police resorted to force and used tear-gas and baton to stop the PTI activists from reaching Bani Gala residence of Khan in Pak's capital, Islamabad. However, no PTI worker suffered serious injuries. Meanwhile, the PTI chief lashed out at the government saying: “When Nawaz Sharif went to London for whatever kind of surgery, he on the hospital bed first telephoned Modi instead of his mother or children.” Addressing a press conference outside his Bani Gala residence here, he was referring to Sharif’s open heart surgery at a London hospital in May, news agency PTI reported. A day after Pakistan information minister Pervaiz Rashid was sacked over the recent “leaked” media report about a rift between the civilian and military leaderships on support to militancy, Khan took a jibe at the Nawaz Sharif government. “Nawaz is following Modi’s ‘interests’ in Pakistan. Nawaz is behind the security leaks story which defamed the armed forces. Actually, his and Modi’s agenda is same,” Khan was quoted as saying. He claimed that "everybody knows" that the sacked minister cannot leak sensitive information to the media on his own. “Rashid is a darbari (courtier) and he did what Nawaz told him to do so." “The whole state machinery is being used to save a corrupt Prime Minister. I will not accept a ‘suspect’ as Prime Minister of Pakistan. As long as I am alive I will not go after Nawaz Sharif’s corruption,” the 64-year-old political leader told the press. Khan went on to say that there was no difference between Pervez Musharraf’s dictatorship and Sharif’s democracy. Meanwhile, Islamabad police said they recovered five Kalashnikov rifles, a pistol, six magazines, a bulletproof vest, alcohol and three tear gas shells from PTI leader Amin Gandapur’s car outside Bani Gala. 'Mass protests no danger to democracy' A lockdown has been announced by Khan's PTI in a bid to create pressure on Sharif to resign over Panama Papers' revelations about his family's offshore wealth. While talking to international news agency Reuters, Khan dismissed accusations that the November 2 shutdown in Islamabad can lead to a military coup. "How can a democrat want the military to come in?," Khan was quoted as saying by Reuters as he dismissed allegations that he wanted the army to topple Sharif. "He has to answer. He can't hide behind `democracy in danger`." Khan has pledged to bring a million people out on roads to "protest against corruption". However, the Pakistan government has accused Khan of endangering democracy by attempting to draw Pakistan`s powerful military into a political dispute, Reuters reported. In a bid to foil the protests, the government has already blocked provincial roads to the capital and arrested around 1,000 Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaf workers so far. (WION with inputs from Reuters, PTI)

Sharif pursuing Modi's interests in Pakistan: Imran Khan

Amid continuing ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control, the Indian Army on Saturday said it had destroyed four Pakistani posts in a massive assault in the Keran sector of north Kashmir&#39;s Kupwara district.&nbsp;

The Army said the attack was carried out in retaliation to the ceasefire violations by the Paskistani Rangers earlier in the day, that killed one Border Security Force soldier and injured a civilian. &nbsp;

&quot;Four Pak posts destroyed in massive fire assault in Keran Sector. Heavy casualties inflicted,&quot; the Indian Army&#39;s Northern Command said in a statement on its Twitter account late on Saturday.

An army official confirmed that troops on both sides had been exchanging mortar fire in and around the area since Saturday morning. He gave no further details of the assault.&nbsp;

Interior minister, Rajnath Singh had on Saturday assured the people that the security forces were giving a &quot;befitting reply&quot; to firing from across the border and that the country &quot;will not bow down before anyone&quot;.

On Friday, the Indian Army said in a statement that militants at the border mutilated the body of an Indian soldier after an encounter in the Kupwara district, before crossing back into Pakistan.&nbsp;

The army had accused the Pakistan army posts of &quot;providing support by covering fire&quot; and had warned that the &quot;act will invite an appropriate response&quot;.

Tensions have mounted along the border as both sides traded accusations that each had killed civilians in cross-border shelling in Kashmir.

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The army launched a massive assault in Kashmir's Keran sector a day after militants mutilated an Indian soldier's body

Amid continuing ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control, the Indian Army on Saturday said it had destroyed four Pakistani posts in a massive assault in the Keran sector of north Kashmir's Kupwara district. The Army said the attack was carried out in retaliation to the ceasefire violations by the Paskistani Rangers earlier in the day, that killed one Border Security Force soldier and injured a civilian. "Four Pak posts destroyed in massive fire assault in Keran Sector. Heavy casualties inflicted," the Indian Army's Northern Command said in a statement on its Twitter account late on Saturday. An army official confirmed that troops on both sides had been exchanging mortar fire in and around the area since Saturday morning. He gave no further details of the assault. Interior minister, Rajnath Singh had on Saturday assured the people that the security forces were giving a "befitting reply" to firing from across the border and that the country "will not bow down before anyone". On Friday, the Indian Army said in a statement that militants at the border mutilated the body of an Indian soldier after an encounter in the Kupwara district, before crossing back into Pakistan. The army had accused the Pakistan army posts of "providing support by covering fire" and had warned that the "act will invite an appropriate response". Tensions have mounted along the border as both sides traded accusations that each had killed civilians in cross-border shelling in Kashmir. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Indian Army: Four Pakistan posts destroyed in Keran sector, heavy casualties inflicted

Days after the ouster of Cyrus Mistry as chairman of Tata Sons, a can of worms seems to have opened&nbsp;thanks to the leaked letter of Mistry to the company&#39;s board of directors.

The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) has now sought a stay on the operational clearance granted to Air Asia India Pvt Ltd (AAIPL) which is joint venture between Air Asia and Tata Sons.

The FIA has asked the apex court to direct the Delhi High Court to expedite the hearing of this matter. A&nbsp;bench of judges are likely to hear the plea post their Diwali break.

Mistry&#39;s letter to the board of directors had mentioned the forensic report that brought to fore fradulent transaction in the company that involved non-existent parties in India and Singapore. When brought to the notice of the Air Asia board, it considered the tranactions as &quot;non material&quot;. The letter highliighted &nbsp;that the board &quot;belatedly&quot; filed a&nbsp;police report following these claims.

The FIA has accused AAIPL of misgovernance and fraud claiming that the effective control&nbsp;of AAIPL &quot;lies with the foreign partner Air Asia&quot;.

India&#39;s ministry of civil aviation is likely to file a detailed affidavit&nbsp;in this regard in the Delhi High Court within the next fortnight, sources close to the development told WION.

(WION)

Mistry's letter to Tata Sons had mentioned the forensic report that brought to fore fradulent transactions in the company

Days after the ouster of Cyrus Mistry as chairman of Tata Sons, a can of worms seems to have opened thanks to the leaked letter of Mistry to the company's board of directors. The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) has now sought a stay on the operational clearance granted to Air Asia India Pvt Ltd (AAIPL) which is joint venture between Air Asia and Tata Sons. The FIA has asked the apex court to direct the Delhi High Court to expedite the hearing of this matter. A bench of judges are likely to hear the plea post their Diwali break. Mistry's letter to the board of directors had mentioned the forensic report that brought to fore fradulent transaction in the company that involved non-existent parties in India and Singapore. When brought to the notice of the Air Asia board, it considered the tranactions as "non material". The letter highliighted that the board "belatedly" filed a police report following these claims. The FIA has accused AAIPL of misgovernance and fraud claiming that the effective control of AAIPL "lies with the foreign partner Air Asia". India's ministry of civil aviation is likely to file a detailed affidavit in this regard in the Delhi High Court within the next fortnight, sources close to the development told WION. (WION)

Tata-Mistry spat: Federation of Indian Airlines seeks stay on operational clearance to Air Asia India

On Wednesday, Pakistan once again violated ceasefire in the R S Pura sector along the border in Jammu, injuring one Border Security Force officer.&nbsp;

The Indian Army said Pakistan Rangers have pounded civilian areas and Indian paramilitary posts in two sectors, R S Pura and Arnia, with heavy mortar and small arms fire.&nbsp;

&quot;At 2035 hours, Pakistani troops from two posts started firing flat trajectory weapons in the areas of RS Pura,&quot; deputy inspector general of BSF, Jammu frontier, Dharmendra Pareek said.

&quot;Assistant sub-inspector of BSF A K Upadhayay was injured when a shell exploded near him in RS Pura sector. He received splinter injures&nbsp;to his hand,&quot; a BSF spokesman said.

He said the BSF gave a &quot;befitting reply&quot; to the Pakistani fire and gunfire was underway. No casualty had been reported, but the authorities have ordered the&nbsp;closure of schools and advised people to shift to safer places.&nbsp;

&quot;In the wake of the heavy firing, border residents are migrating to safer locations. Whenever there is a&nbsp;lull, they leave their houses to shift to either safe camps or to their relatives houses in safer locations,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Pakistani Rangers violated ceasefire once again and fired mortar shells at Indian military positions and civilian areas in two sectors

On Wednesday, Pakistan once again violated ceasefire in the R S Pura sector along the border in Jammu, injuring one Border Security Force officer. The Indian Army said Pakistan Rangers have pounded civilian areas and Indian paramilitary posts in two sectors, R S Pura and Arnia, with heavy mortar and small arms fire. "At 2035 hours, Pakistani troops from two posts started firing flat trajectory weapons in the areas of RS Pura," deputy inspector general of BSF, Jammu frontier, Dharmendra Pareek said. "Assistant sub-inspector of BSF A K Upadhayay was injured when a shell exploded near him in RS Pura sector. He received splinter injures to his hand," a BSF spokesman said. He said the BSF gave a "befitting reply" to the Pakistani fire and gunfire was underway. No casualty had been reported, but the authorities have ordered the closure of schools and advised people to shift to safer places. "In the wake of the heavy firing, border residents are migrating to safer locations. Whenever there is a lull, they leave their houses to shift to either safe camps or to their relatives houses in safer locations," he said. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India's Border Security Force: Pakistani troops violate ceasefire yet again

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today briefed his Kiwi counterpart John Key about terrorism emanating from Pakistan and the recent Uri attack after which the two sides sought elimination of terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disruption of terrorist networks and their financing, and a halt to cross-border terrorism.

According to official sources, Modi &quot;forcefully&quot; conveyed India&#39;s concerns over cross-border terrorism and last month&#39;s Uri attack which was carried out by Pakistan-based terrorists killing 19 jawans.

&quot;Terrorism remains one of the greatest challenges to global peace and security. Today, the financial, logistical and information networks of terror span the entire globe. The barriers of geography do not safeguard against the threat of radicalization and terrorism. Nations who believe in humanity need to coordinate their actions and policies to counter this threat.

&quot;Prime Minister Key and I have agreed to strengthen our security and intelligence cooperation against terrorism and radicalization, including in the domain of cyber security,&quot; Modi said at a joint media event with Key.

A joint statement issued after the talks said the two Prime Ministers agreed to enhance cooperation, bilaterally as well as in the framework of UN and especially in 1267 Committee, to combat the full spectrum of terrorist threats in all their forms and manifestations.

&quot;They called for eliminating terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disrupting terrorist networks and their financing, and stopping cross-border terrorism.

&quot;Both sides called for the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) that would contribute to the further strengthening of the international counter-terrorism legal framework,&quot; it said.

The two Prime Ministers also pledged to continue the close coordination between the two countries on issues of mutual interest during and beyond New Zealand?s UNSC term, including terrorism sanctions, peacekeeping policy and UNSC reform, the statement added.

New Zealand also welcomed India&#39;s entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime, which would strengthen global non- proliferation objectives.

Asserting that his government was committed to relations with India, Key said the bilateral partnership was growing in several areas including cyber security and trade.

&quot;Both Prime Minister Modi and I underlined a strong intent in advancing nuclear disarmament and non- proliferation,&quot; Key added.

The two leaders also underlined the fact that India and New Zealand are both maritime nations with a strong interest in the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions being stable and prosperous, including by ensuring the safety and security of sea lanes and freedom of navigation.

Accordingly, they agreed to further strengthen the political, defence and security relationship and to drive this enhanced political-security relationship, the two Prime Ministers agreed that the sides establish a Bilateral Ministerial Dialogue through annual meetings, either in India, New Zealand or on the margins of regional or global gatherings.

(PTI)

The two prime ministers agreed to enhance cooperation, bilaterally as well as in the framework of the United Nations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today briefed his Kiwi counterpart John Key about terrorism emanating from Pakistan and the recent Uri attack after which the two sides sought elimination of terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disruption of terrorist networks and their financing, and a halt to cross-border terrorism. According to official sources, Modi "forcefully" conveyed India's concerns over cross-border terrorism and last month's Uri attack which was carried out by Pakistan-based terrorists killing 19 jawans. "Terrorism remains one of the greatest challenges to global peace and security. Today, the financial, logistical and information networks of terror span the entire globe. The barriers of geography do not safeguard against the threat of radicalization and terrorism. Nations who believe in humanity need to coordinate their actions and policies to counter this threat. "Prime Minister Key and I have agreed to strengthen our security and intelligence cooperation against terrorism and radicalization, including in the domain of cyber security," Modi said at a joint media event with Key. A joint statement issued after the talks said the two Prime Ministers agreed to enhance cooperation, bilaterally as well as in the framework of UN and especially in 1267 Committee, to combat the full spectrum of terrorist threats in all their forms and manifestations. "They called for eliminating terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disrupting terrorist networks and their financing, and stopping cross-border terrorism. "Both sides called for the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) that would contribute to the further strengthening of the international counter-terrorism legal framework," it said. The two Prime Ministers also pledged to continue the close coordination between the two countries on issues of mutual interest during and beyond New Zealand?s UNSC term, including terrorism sanctions, peacekeeping policy and UNSC reform, the statement added. New Zealand also welcomed India's entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime, which would strengthen global non- proliferation objectives. Asserting that his government was committed to relations with India, Key said the bilateral partnership was growing in several areas including cyber security and trade. "Both Prime Minister Modi and I underlined a strong intent in advancing nuclear disarmament and non- proliferation," Key added. The two leaders also underlined the fact that India and New Zealand are both maritime nations with a strong interest in the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions being stable and prosperous, including by ensuring the safety and security of sea lanes and freedom of navigation. Accordingly, they agreed to further strengthen the political, defence and security relationship and to drive this enhanced political-security relationship, the two Prime Ministers agreed that the sides establish a Bilateral Ministerial Dialogue through annual meetings, either in India, New Zealand or on the margins of regional or global gatherings. (PTI)

Indian Prime Minister Modi briefs New Zealand PM on terror emanating from Pakistan

A militant attack on a police training academy in Pakistan&#39;s western city of Quetta has left at least 58 people dead and a 118 injured.&nbsp;

The home minister of Balochistan province, Sarfaraz Bugti, said the attack &ndash; which began last night at 11.30 pm local time &ndash; was carried out by three militants&nbsp;and not six as was previously estimated by the&nbsp;Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Bugti said two of the three gunmen blew themselves up to avoid being captured and that the third militant was killed in a gunfight with Pakistani security forces.

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<h5>The attackers are believed to have been affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Almi militant group, an offshoot of the Pakistani Taliban</h5>
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Bugti had previously pegged the death toll at 44,&nbsp;but rescue officials updated the figure to 58.

&quot;In the early morning, we have the latest death toll of 58 people who died during the attack last night,&quot; doctor Nasir Sumalani at&nbsp;Quetta&#39;s government hospital told AFP.

The attackers are believed to have been affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Almi militant group, an offshoot of the Pakistani Taliban,&nbsp;senior Pakistan Army officer Sher Afghan told the Pakistani newspaper Dawn.

The militants had communicated with handlers in Afghanistan and had taken instructions from them, he added.

The attackers stormed the front gate of the Balochistan Police College, gunning down a policeman manning the only entrance to the academy.

There were some 700 police cadets on campus when the attack began.

Most of the&nbsp;injured, some of whom are in critical condition, have been admitted to three diferent hospitals in Quetta &mdash;&nbsp;Civil Hospital, Bolan Medical College Hospital, and Military Hospital.

Bugti said a Frontier Corps official and a captain were among the injured.

&quot;Security forces, including the Frontier Corps and the Pakistan Army light brigade, have cleared 95 per cent of the college area,&quot; Bugti said, when asked about the combing operation that got under way after the gunmen were dead.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack on the training centre and directed provincial and federal authorities to crack down on the perpetrators.

The police training centre&nbsp;is considered one of the most sensitive areas of Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan province. It has previously come&nbsp;under attack in 2006&nbsp;and 2008. In 2006,&nbsp;attackers had fired rockets into the college courtyard.

Meanwhile, the United States also extended its condolences. &quot;We stand with the people of Pakistan and government of Pakistan at this difficult hour, and we will continue to work with our partners in Pakistan and across the region to combat the threat of terrorism,&quot; State Department spokesperson John Kirby said.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Two of the attackers reportedly blew themselves up to avoid being captured, the third was killed in a gun battle with security forces

A militant attack on a police training academy in Pakistan's western city of Quetta has left at least 58 people dead and a 118 injured. The home minister of Balochistan province, Sarfaraz Bugti, said the attack – which began last night at 11.30 pm local time – was carried out by three militants and not six as was previously estimated by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Bugti said two of the three gunmen blew themselves up to avoid being captured and that the third militant was killed in a gunfight with Pakistani security forces. The attackers are believed to have been affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Almi militant group, an offshoot of the Pakistani Taliban × Bugti had previously pegged the death toll at 44, but rescue officials updated the figure to 58. "In the early morning, we have the latest death toll of 58 people who died during the attack last night," doctor Nasir Sumalani at Quetta's government hospital told AFP. The attackers are believed to have been affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Almi militant group, an offshoot of the Pakistani Taliban, senior Pakistan Army officer Sher Afghan told the Pakistani newspaper Dawn. The militants had communicated with handlers in Afghanistan and had taken instructions from them, he added. The attackers stormed the front gate of the Balochistan Police College, gunning down a policeman manning the only entrance to the academy. There were some 700 police cadets on campus when the attack began. Most of the injured, some of whom are in critical condition, have been admitted to three diferent hospitals in Quetta — Civil Hospital, Bolan Medical College Hospital, and Military Hospital. Bugti said a Frontier Corps official and a captain were among the injured. "Security forces, including the Frontier Corps and the Pakistan Army light brigade, have cleared 95 per cent of the college area," Bugti said, when asked about the combing operation that got under way after the gunmen were dead. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack on the training centre and directed provincial and federal authorities to crack down on the perpetrators. The police training centre is considered one of the most sensitive areas of Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan province. It has previously come under attack in 2006 and 2008. In 2006, attackers had fired rockets into the college courtyard. Meanwhile, the United States also extended its condolences. "We stand with the people of Pakistan and government of Pakistan at this difficult hour, and we will continue to work with our partners in Pakistan and across the region to combat the threat of terrorism," State Department spokesperson John Kirby said. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Quetta terror attack: 58 dead in Pakistan after 3 militants storm police college

By Taha Siddiqui

&nbsp;

Three suicide bombers entered a police training academy in the garrison city of Quetta in Pakistan on Monday at about 11:30 pm and wreaked havoc, killing more than 60 fresh recruits.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A battle between the security forces led by Pakistan Army and the assailants ensued and&nbsp;lasted for nearly five hours. The Pakistan Army managed to clear the area, killing one bomber while the other two detonated themselves.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Islamic State claimed the attack through its news agency, posting a photo of the three bombers. &nbsp;However, WION correspondent also received an email from the Pakistani Taliban&rsquo;s Karachi faction that also claimed the attack.&nbsp;Earlier, the Pakistan Army on its official site had&nbsp;said that Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Aalmi was behind the attack&ndash; a group known to have links with another militant outfit al Qaeda.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Security experts are of the view that there is nothing new about conflicting claims&nbsp;as many militants work for different outfits but cooperate with each other during such terror attacks.

&nbsp;

Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel&nbsp;met Prime Minister Nawaz&nbsp;Sharif at a high-level security meeting where the law and order situation of the restive Balochistan province, home to many notorious militant organisations, was discussed.&nbsp;Reports also suggest that militants from the Afghan Taliban have taken a refuge in the province.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Besides the foreign militant groups, local ethnic population has also been waging a war against the Pakistani state for the last three decades as the Baloch people demand a separate state.

&nbsp;

The province grabbed headlines in the&nbsp;recent months after the India Prime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s Independence Day speech where he raised the issue of Balochistan.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

China, Pakistan&rsquo;s so-called all-weather friend, is heavily investing in the province in exchange of access to the Gwadar seaport in the region.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

However, amid the worsening law and order situation in the province, analysts are skeptical if the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) can become a reality one day.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In August, a suicide bombing at a Quetta hospital claimed by the Pakistani Taliban had killed 73 people, including some members of the city&#39;s lawyer community, who had gone there to mourn the fatal shooting of a colleague.

&nbsp;

In the wake of spate in terror attacks in Pakistan in the past two months, questions are being raised about the country&rsquo;s counter-terrorism policy.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Several militant groups, especially those engaged in regional conflicts, continue to exist on Pakistani soil.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&ldquo;You see them operating all around us. Everywhere. They openly hold rallies, and congregations, and put banners across the cities&hellip; So where is the zero tolerance policy and the National Action Plan?&rdquo; says senator Rubina Khalid, who belongs to Pakistan People&rsquo;s Party, which leads the opposition in the parliament.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The National Action Plan was established by government of Pakistan in 2015 following 2014 Peshawar school attack that had left more than 130 children dead. The plan aims to crack down on terrorism.

&nbsp;

Later, the government also announced a zero-tolerance militant policy, however, its implementation is questionable.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&ldquo;There is no good or bad Taliban. They are all the same. Being on [Pakistan&rsquo;s] side does not make you good &ndash; an evil is an evil,&rdquo; Khalid adds.

&nbsp;

(WION)&nbsp;

After a spate of terror attacks in Pakistan over the past two months, questions are being raised about its counter-terrorism policy

By Taha Siddiqui Three suicide bombers entered a police training academy in the garrison city of Quetta in Pakistan on Monday at about 11:30 pm and wreaked havoc, killing more than 60 fresh recruits. A battle between the security forces led by Pakistan Army and the assailants ensued and lasted for nearly five hours. The Pakistan Army managed to clear the area, killing one bomber while the other two detonated themselves. The Islamic State claimed the attack through its news agency, posting a photo of the three bombers. However, WION correspondent also received an email from the Pakistani Taliban’s Karachi faction that also claimed the attack. Earlier, the Pakistan Army on its official site had said that Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Aalmi was behind the attack– a group known to have links with another militant outfit al Qaeda. Security experts are of the view that there is nothing new about conflicting claims as many militants work for different outfits but cooperate with each other during such terror attacks. Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at a high-level security meeting where the law and order situation of the restive Balochistan province, home to many notorious militant organisations, was discussed. Reports also suggest that militants from the Afghan Taliban have taken a refuge in the province. Besides the foreign militant groups, local ethnic population has also been waging a war against the Pakistani state for the last three decades as the Baloch people demand a separate state. The province grabbed headlines in the recent months after the India Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech where he raised the issue of Balochistan. China, Pakistan’s so-called all-weather friend, is heavily investing in the province in exchange of access to the Gwadar seaport in the region. However, amid the worsening law and order situation in the province, analysts are skeptical if the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) can become a reality one day. In August, a suicide bombing at a Quetta hospital claimed by the Pakistani Taliban had killed 73 people, including some members of the city's lawyer community, who had gone there to mourn the fatal shooting of a colleague. In the wake of spate in terror attacks in Pakistan in the past two months, questions are being raised about the country’s counter-terrorism policy. Several militant groups, especially those engaged in regional conflicts, continue to exist on Pakistani soil. “You see them operating all around us. Everywhere. They openly hold rallies, and congregations, and put banners across the cities… So where is the zero tolerance policy and the National Action Plan?” says senator Rubina Khalid, who belongs to Pakistan People’s Party, which leads the opposition in the parliament. The National Action Plan was established by government of Pakistan in 2015 following 2014 Peshawar school attack that had left more than 130 children dead. The plan aims to crack down on terrorism. Later, the government also announced a zero-tolerance militant policy, however, its implementation is questionable. “There is no good or bad Taliban. They are all the same. Being on [Pakistan’s] side does not make you good – an evil is an evil,” Khalid adds. (WION)

Quetta attack: Time to review good and bad Taliban policy

Nepal prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Friday reiterated readiness to participate in China&#39;s ambitious &quot;One Belt, One Road&quot; initiative, saying his country wanted to be benefited from the endeavour.&nbsp;

The prime minister, at his meeting with the Chinese minister of state administration for industry and commerce Zhang Mao, expressed confidence that the development project could benefit the land-locked country.

The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives are aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa, along the ancient trade routes of Silk Road.

The prime minister assured their active participation in Chinese President Xi Jinping&#39;s pet projects. &quot;Relationship between Nepal and China has remained trouble-free for ages and needs to be further strengthened. I believe that frequent exchanges of high-level visits help to enhance our ties,&quot; foreign relations advisor to the Prime Minister Rishi Raj Adhikari quoted Dahal.&nbsp;

The visiting Chinese minister lauded the conducive environment for Chinese companies and the timely implementation of Nepal-China joint projects. With nearly three billion people inhabiting areas covered by the proposed economic belt, it represents the biggest market in the world with unparalleled potential.

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Intelligence sub inspector Akbar Ali was waiting at a bus stop near his home in Charsadda district when the gunmen opened fire

Nepal prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Friday reiterated readiness to participate in China's ambitious "One Belt, One Road" initiative, saying his country wanted to be benefited from the endeavour. The prime minister, at his meeting with the Chinese minister of state administration for industry and commerce Zhang Mao, expressed confidence that the development project could benefit the land-locked country. The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives are aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa, along the ancient trade routes of Silk Road. The prime minister assured their active participation in Chinese President Xi Jinping's pet projects. "Relationship between Nepal and China has remained trouble-free for ages and needs to be further strengthened. I believe that frequent exchanges of high-level visits help to enhance our ties," foreign relations advisor to the Prime Minister Rishi Raj Adhikari quoted Dahal. The visiting Chinese minister lauded the conducive environment for Chinese companies and the timely implementation of Nepal-China joint projects. With nearly three billion people inhabiting areas covered by the proposed economic belt, it represents the biggest market in the world with unparalleled potential. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Islamic State gunmen kill Pakistani intelligence official

A constable of India&#39;s Border Security Force was killed and three others injured today in cross-border firing along the international border in India&rsquo;s Jammu district.

&quot;Pakistan Rangers opened indiscriminate firing and mortar shelling on forward BoPs (border outposts) and civilian areas in several sub sectors along IB (in Jammu district) overnight,&quot; a senior BSF officer said, Indian news agency PTI reported.

&quot;In the firing and shelling, one BSF jawan was martyred and another injured,&quot; the officer said, adding that the BSF troops guarding the border were giving a &ldquo;befitting reply&rdquo;.

There has been firing of small and automatic weapons and mortars on over 25 BoPs and civilian areas in R S Pura, Arnia, Suchetgarh, Kanachak, and Pargwal sub sectors of Jammu district since last night and the firing is continuing, the officer told PTI.

On the other side of the border,&nbsp;Pakistan&#39;s&nbsp;Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said two people including a one-year-old baby were killed and seven others injured in the cross-border firing on Sunday night&nbsp;, the Dawn reported.

&quot;Due to unprovoked Indian firing at the Working Boundary last night, a civilian Muhammad Latif of village Janglora and a minor Haniya embraced shahadat while seven civilians were injured,&quot; a statement from ISPR said, the Dawn reported.&nbsp;

The Indian Border Security Force constable&nbsp;who was killed in the cross-border firing&nbsp;has been identified as Constable Susheel Kumar.

According to Indian police, two women were also injured in the firing in R S Pura sector and have been hospitalised.

(WION with inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

On the other side of the border, Pakistan said two people including a one-year-old baby were killed in the firing

A constable of India's Border Security Force was killed and three others injured today in cross-border firing along the international border in India’s Jammu district. "Pakistan Rangers opened indiscriminate firing and mortar shelling on forward BoPs (border outposts) and civilian areas in several sub sectors along IB (in Jammu district) overnight," a senior BSF officer said, Indian news agency PTI reported. "In the firing and shelling, one BSF jawan was martyred and another injured," the officer said, adding that the BSF troops guarding the border were giving a “befitting reply”. There has been firing of small and automatic weapons and mortars on over 25 BoPs and civilian areas in R S Pura, Arnia, Suchetgarh, Kanachak, and Pargwal sub sectors of Jammu district since last night and the firing is continuing, the officer told PTI. On the other side of the border, Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said two people including a one-year-old baby were killed and seven others injured in the cross-border firing on Sunday night , the Dawn reported. "Due to unprovoked Indian firing at the Working Boundary last night, a civilian Muhammad Latif of village Janglora and a minor Haniya embraced shahadat while seven civilians were injured," a statement from ISPR said, the Dawn reported. The Indian Border Security Force constable who was killed in the cross-border firing has been identified as Constable Susheel Kumar. According to Indian police, two women were also injured in the firing in R S Pura sector and have been hospitalised. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Indian Border Security Force constable killed in cross-border firing

In a stern warning to Pakistan, the United States asked its partner to go clamp down on&nbsp;terror networks operating in their country, and said that it will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary. &nbsp;

The acting under secretary on countering the financing of terrorism, Adam Szubin, told a Washington audience that the US was committed to working with Pakistan to confront terrorist operations, but asserted that Washington would not shy away from taking unilateral action.&nbsp;

He said that Pakistan&#39;s powerful spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), is not taking action to disrupt and destroy all existing terror networks in the country, or worse, supporting the groups.&nbsp;

&quot;The problem is that there are forces within the Pakistani government - specifically in Pakistan&#39;s Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI - that refuse to take similar steps against all the terrorist groups active in Pakistan, tolerating some groups - or even worse,&quot; Adam Szubin said. &quot;This is a distinction we cannot stand for.&quot;

&quot;We continue to urge our partners in Pakistan to go after all terrorist networks operating in their country. We stand ready to help them. But there should be no doubt that while we remain committed to working with Pakistan to confront ongoing terrorist financing and operations, the US will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary, to disrupt and destroy these networks,&quot; Szubin warned.

Washington insisted that Pakistan has been - and remains - a critical counter-terrorism partner in many respects as it has often been the victim of several brutal terror attacks on schools, markets and mosques.&nbsp;

&quot;Pakistan has achieved success in its ongoing operations against traditional terrorist safe havens in northwest Pakistan. It has officially designated Islamic State as a terrorist organisation. And it has gone after the funding and operational capabilities of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP,&quot; he said.

The US reiterated that Pakistan has not placed adequate pressure on the Haqqani network of militants to prevent them from plotting attacks in neighbouring Afghanistan.&nbsp;

The commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, had said last month, &quot;the Haqqanis operationally have been able to continue to conduct operations in&nbsp;Afghanistan. They constitute the primary threat to Americans, to coalition members and to Afghans, especially in and around Kabul.&quot; But Pakistan continues to deny the presence of militant sanctuaries on their side of the border.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Sending a strong message to Islamabad, Washington said Pakistan's spy agency was not acting against all terror groups on its soil

In a stern warning to Pakistan, the United States asked its partner to go clamp down on terror networks operating in their country, and said that it will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary. The acting under secretary on countering the financing of terrorism, Adam Szubin, told a Washington audience that the US was committed to working with Pakistan to confront terrorist operations, but asserted that Washington would not shy away from taking unilateral action. He said that Pakistan's powerful spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), is not taking action to disrupt and destroy all existing terror networks in the country, or worse, supporting the groups. "The problem is that there are forces within the Pakistani government - specifically in Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI - that refuse to take similar steps against all the terrorist groups active in Pakistan, tolerating some groups - or even worse," Adam Szubin said. "This is a distinction we cannot stand for." "We continue to urge our partners in Pakistan to go after all terrorist networks operating in their country. We stand ready to help them. But there should be no doubt that while we remain committed to working with Pakistan to confront ongoing terrorist financing and operations, the US will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary, to disrupt and destroy these networks," Szubin warned. Washington insisted that Pakistan has been - and remains - a critical counter-terrorism partner in many respects as it has often been the victim of several brutal terror attacks on schools, markets and mosques. "Pakistan has achieved success in its ongoing operations against traditional terrorist safe havens in northwest Pakistan. It has officially designated Islamic State as a terrorist organisation. And it has gone after the funding and operational capabilities of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP," he said. The US reiterated that Pakistan has not placed adequate pressure on the Haqqani network of militants to prevent them from plotting attacks in neighbouring Afghanistan. The commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, had said last month, "the Haqqanis operationally have been able to continue to conduct operations in Afghanistan. They constitute the primary threat to Americans, to coalition members and to Afghans, especially in and around Kabul." But Pakistan continues to deny the presence of militant sanctuaries on their side of the border. (WION with inputs from agencies)

US warns Pakistan: Ready to act unilaterally to destroy terror networks if ISI continues supporting militants

Four people including two children and a soldier were killed in cross-border firing between India and Pakistan today.

An 18-month-old girl and another civilian were killed in &ldquo;unprovoked firing&rdquo; by the Indian Army, the Pakistani military said.

The firing took place in the villages of Harpal, Pukhlian and Charwah around the border of the nuclear-armed countries, AFP reported.

The Indian police said that the late night firing took place in its RS Pura sector, killing an Indian border security guard and a six-year-old boy.

Six other Indians were also injured during the exchange, an Indian police officer was reported as saying.

Relations between the two south Asian countries have worsened in the recent past with India blaming Pakistan for an attack on its army base in September killing 19 soldiers of the Indian Army.

India later launched what it called &quot;surgical strikes&quot; across the border in Pakistan. Pakistan, however, denied any such strikes.

The state of Kashmir sandwiched between India and Pakistan has been claimed in full by both the two countries ever since they gained independence from Britain in August 1947.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Two children and a soldier of India's Border Security Force were among the ones killed

Four people including two children and a soldier were killed in cross-border firing between India and Pakistan today. An 18-month-old girl and another civilian were killed in “unprovoked firing” by the Indian Army, the Pakistani military said. The firing took place in the villages of Harpal, Pukhlian and Charwah around the border of the nuclear-armed countries, AFP reported. The Indian police said that the late night firing took place in its RS Pura sector, killing an Indian border security guard and a six-year-old boy. Six other Indians were also injured during the exchange, an Indian police officer was reported as saying. Relations between the two south Asian countries have worsened in the recent past with India blaming Pakistan for an attack on its army base in September killing 19 soldiers of the Indian Army. India later launched what it called "surgical strikes" across the border in Pakistan. Pakistan, however, denied any such strikes. The state of Kashmir sandwiched between India and Pakistan has been claimed in full by both the two countries ever since they gained independence from Britain in August 1947. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India-Pakistan cross-border firing kills 4

A three-member delegation from the Taliban&#39;s political office in Afghanistan is currently in Pakistan to hold peace talks to end Afghanistan&#39;s 15-year-long war. The meet comes close on the heels of an informal meet between&nbsp;the Taliban and&nbsp;both&nbsp;US and Afghanistan officials in Qatar, the first of the talks&nbsp;in more than a year.&nbsp;

Political officials from Qatar --&nbsp;Shahabuddin Dilawar, Jan Mohammad and Abdul Salam Hanafi --&nbsp;and some other officials will brief the Pakistani security agencies about&nbsp;the Qatar meetings, of&nbsp;which Pakistan was not a part, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

According to Reuters, a Taliban official had said&nbsp;a Pakistan security&nbsp;agency&nbsp;arrested a senior Taliban commander&nbsp;in a house raid in Quetta to express discontent at being left out of the Qatar talks.&nbsp;

&quot;We don&#39;t know what&#39;s going on, but this is second time during the past two months that Pakistani authorities raided a madrassa in Quetta to arrest senior Taliban member,&quot; the Quetta-based Taliban said.

While Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that the delegation will visit Pakistan, it&nbsp;denied that Qatar talks ever took place.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Pakistan foreign ministry said that it is not aware of any Taliban delegation visiting Pakistan.&nbsp;

Pakistan had hosted the first round of peace talks between Afghanistan and the Taliban, but had cancelled the second after the news broke out that&nbsp;the&nbsp;Afghan Taliban leader,&nbsp;Mullah Omar,&nbsp;had been dead for two years.&nbsp;

The Taliban had been keeping Omar&#39;s death&nbsp;a secret.&nbsp;Official statements were released in his name after his death.

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

The meet comes close on the heels of talks between Qatar and US and Afghan officials, of which Pakistan was not a part

A three-member delegation from the Taliban's political office in Afghanistan is currently in Pakistan to hold peace talks to end Afghanistan's 15-year-long war. The meet comes close on the heels of an informal meet between the Taliban and both US and Afghanistan officials in Qatar, the first of the talks in more than a year. Political officials from Qatar -- Shahabuddin Dilawar, Jan Mohammad and Abdul Salam Hanafi -- and some other officials will brief the Pakistani security agencies about the Qatar meetings, of which Pakistan was not a part, Reuters reported. According to Reuters, a Taliban official had said a Pakistan security agency arrested a senior Taliban commander in a house raid in Quetta to express discontent at being left out of the Qatar talks. "We don't know what's going on, but this is second time during the past two months that Pakistani authorities raided a madrassa in Quetta to arrest senior Taliban member," the Quetta-based Taliban said. While Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that the delegation will visit Pakistan, it denied that Qatar talks ever took place. The Pakistan foreign ministry said that it is not aware of any Taliban delegation visiting Pakistan. Pakistan had hosted the first round of peace talks between Afghanistan and the Taliban, but had cancelled the second after the news broke out that the Afghan Taliban leader, Mullah Omar, had been dead for two years. The Taliban had been keeping Omar's death a secret. Official statements were released in his name after his death. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Taliban delegation visits Pakistan for peace talks

A new army chief will be appointed by the Pakistan government within 10 days to replace incumbent General Raheel Sharif, a senior minister has been quoted as saying by Indian news agency PTI.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;The government has not yet decided [as to who will be the new army chief] but is likely to announce his name in week or ten days&#39; time,&quot; Associated Press of Pakistan quoted state minister for Capital Administration Tariq Fazl Chaudhry as saying.

&nbsp;

General Raheel, who is poised to retire by November end, set to &nbsp;had announced several months ago that he will not seek a second term unlike his predecessor General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It is prerogative of the Prime Minister to appoint the new army chief under the law. &nbsp;The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been under pressure&nbsp;to name General Raheel&#39;s successor &nbsp;to end uncertainty amids domestic and external security challenges.

&nbsp;

While outgoing army chief can give his advice, Sharif&#39;s powers are absolute in this regard.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from PTI)

Incumbent General Raheel Sharif, set to retire in November, had said several months ago that he will not seek a second term

A new army chief will be appointed by the Pakistan government within 10 days to replace incumbent General Raheel Sharif, a senior minister has been quoted as saying by Indian news agency PTI. "The government has not yet decided [as to who will be the new army chief] but is likely to announce his name in week or ten days' time," Associated Press of Pakistan quoted state minister for Capital Administration Tariq Fazl Chaudhry as saying. General Raheel, who is poised to retire by November end, set to had announced several months ago that he will not seek a second term unlike his predecessor General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani. It is prerogative of the Prime Minister to appoint the new army chief under the law. The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been under pressure to name General Raheel's successor to end uncertainty amids domestic and external security challenges. While outgoing army chief can give his advice, Sharif's powers are absolute in this regard. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Pak to appoint new army chief within ten days

Even as ceasefire violations continued along the Line of Control, Pakistan on Friday said its establishment is committed to maintaining peace, security and stability in the region.&nbsp;

During a debate on conventional weapons at the United Nations General Assembly&#39;s Disarmament and International Security Committee on Thursday, Pakistan envoy said, &quot;It (Pakistan) neither wants, nor is it engaged in an arms race in the region,&quot; according to reports in a Pakistani publication, Dawn. &nbsp;

Hinting at India, Pakistan&#39;s permanent representative to the UN, ambassador Tehmina Janjua said Islamabad is concerned over the growing transfer of conventional armaments in volatile regions. &ldquo;South Asia is a sensitive region where one state&#39;s military spending grossly and vastly out shadows all others,&rdquo; pointing to India&#39;s defence spending. India set aside $51 billion last year for its defence budget, while Pakistan itself spends $8 billion to $10 billion a year on its military. &nbsp;

India has repeatedly urged international action against the threat of terrorism, describing its neighbour Pakistan as the &quot;hotbed of terrorism&quot;. The Indian Army had conducted surgical strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which was believed to be in retaliation to the Uri attack on the army carried out by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad.&nbsp;

Despite the growing tensions along the border, Islamabad said it is focused on the crucial conventional force balance that has the potential of fuelling instability and jeopardising the delicate regional balance.

Janjua said military expenditures have been rapidly growing and more money was being spent on fuelling and exacerbating conflicts than on preventing them, Dawn reported.&nbsp;

Urging development of legislative, regulatory, enforcement and institutional mechanisms to address the issue, the ambassador said efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons must not give way to an unworkable imbalance of conventional weapons similar to those that had triggered two world wars.

The envoy told that Pakistan is reviewing its arms trade treaty to regulate trade and transfer of conventional weapons and note its entry into force. Janjua said Pakistan shared the concerns about the acquisition and use of small arms and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by non-state actors and terrorists.&nbsp;

(WION)&nbsp; 
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Despite military expenditures ranging in billions per year, Pakistan denies being part of the arms race in the South Asian region

Even as ceasefire violations continued along the Line of Control, Pakistan on Friday said its establishment is committed to maintaining peace, security and stability in the region. During a debate on conventional weapons at the United Nations General Assembly's Disarmament and International Security Committee on Thursday, Pakistan envoy said, "It (Pakistan) neither wants, nor is it engaged in an arms race in the region," according to reports in a Pakistani publication, Dawn. Hinting at India, Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN, ambassador Tehmina Janjua said Islamabad is concerned over the growing transfer of conventional armaments in volatile regions. “South Asia is a sensitive region where one state's military spending grossly and vastly out shadows all others,” pointing to India's defence spending. India set aside $51 billion last year for its defence budget, while Pakistan itself spends $8 billion to $10 billion a year on its military. India has repeatedly urged international action against the threat of terrorism, describing its neighbour Pakistan as the "hotbed of terrorism". The Indian Army had conducted surgical strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which was believed to be in retaliation to the Uri attack on the army carried out by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad. Despite the growing tensions along the border, Islamabad said it is focused on the crucial conventional force balance that has the potential of fuelling instability and jeopardising the delicate regional balance. Janjua said military expenditures have been rapidly growing and more money was being spent on fuelling and exacerbating conflicts than on preventing them, Dawn reported. Urging development of legislative, regulatory, enforcement and institutional mechanisms to address the issue, the ambassador said efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons must not give way to an unworkable imbalance of conventional weapons similar to those that had triggered two world wars. The envoy told that Pakistan is reviewing its arms trade treaty to regulate trade and transfer of conventional weapons and note its entry into force. Janjua said Pakistan shared the concerns about the acquisition and use of small arms and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by non-state actors and terrorists. (WION)

Pakistan not engaged in arms race in South Asia, envoy tells UN

A Pakistani anti-terror court today ordered police to arrest cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and cleric Tahirul Qadri by November 17 in connection with an attack on the Pakistan Television headquarters during an anti-government protest in 2014.

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The court in Islamabad issued the orders during regular hearing of PTV attack case.

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Judge Kausar Abbas Zaidi expressed annoyance at police failure to implement its orders, according&nbsp; to a court official.

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The judge also ordered that Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) and firebrand cleric and chief of Pakistan Awami Tehrik Tahirul Qadri should be arrested and presented before the court by November 17 along with 68 supporters of the two parties who were involved in the attack.

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The attack occurred on September 1, 2014 when Khan and Qadri were protesting in Islamabad against alleged poll rigging and demanding removal of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

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At the height of tension about 400-500 supporters of two leaders invaded and Pakistan Television (PTV) headquarters and forced it to cease transmission.

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The transmission was restored after some hours when army troops intervene and persuaded the protesters to disperse peacefully.

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It was for the time when the state television was taken off air since 1999 military coup by Pervez Musharraf who toppled the Sharif-led government.

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The latest orders by the court amid Khan launching another protest on November 2 to force Sharif step down over the issue of alleged corruption.&nbsp;

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(PTI) 
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The court in Islamabad issued the ordered the arrest of the cricketer-turned-politician during a hearing of PTV attack case

A Pakistani anti-terror court today ordered police to arrest cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and cleric Tahirul Qadri by November 17 in connection with an attack on the Pakistan Television headquarters during an anti-government protest in 2014. The court in Islamabad issued the orders during regular hearing of PTV attack case. Judge Kausar Abbas Zaidi expressed annoyance at police failure to implement its orders, according to a court official. The judge also ordered that Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) and firebrand cleric and chief of Pakistan Awami Tehrik Tahirul Qadri should be arrested and presented before the court by November 17 along with 68 supporters of the two parties who were involved in the attack. The attack occurred on September 1, 2014 when Khan and Qadri were protesting in Islamabad against alleged poll rigging and demanding removal of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. At the height of tension about 400-500 supporters of two leaders invaded and Pakistan Television (PTV) headquarters and forced it to cease transmission. The transmission was restored after some hours when army troops intervene and persuaded the protesters to disperse peacefully. It was for the time when the state television was taken off air since 1999 military coup by Pervez Musharraf who toppled the Sharif-led government. The latest orders by the court amid Khan launching another protest on November 2 to force Sharif step down over the issue of alleged corruption. (PTI)

Pakistan's anti-terror court orders Imran Khan's arrest

Pakistan&rsquo;s apex court has said that schizophrenia does not fall in its legal definition of mental disorders, allowing the execution of a mentally ill man convicted of murder.&nbsp;

 
Fifty-year-old Imdad Ali was sentenced to death for murdering a cleric in 2001 but in 2012 government doctors certified Ali as being a paranoid schizophrenic.&nbsp;

 
Ali&rsquo;s lawyers say he is unfit to be executed as he is unable to understand his crime and punishment. Doing so, the lawyers say, would violate Pakistan&rsquo;s obligations under a United Nations treaty, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

 
A bench of Pakistan&rsquo;s Supreme Court comprising of three judges and led by chief justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, however, ruled that schizophrenia is &quot;not a permanent mental disorder&quot;.

 
&quot;It is, therefore, a recoverable disease, which, in all the cases, does not fall within the definition of &#39;mental disorder&#39;,&quot; the judges said in Thursday&#39;s verdict, Reuters reported.

 
The verdict was based on two dictionary definitions of the term &#39;schizophrenia&#39;, as well as a 1988 judgment by India&#39;s top court.

 
Dr Tahir Feroze, a government psychiatrist who has treated Ali for the last eight years of his incarceration, told Reuters,he and two other doctors certified Ali&#39;s condition in 2012.

 
Ali suffers from delusions that he controls the world, is persecuted and he hears voices in his head that command him, according to Feroze and Safia Bano, Ali&#39;s wife.

 
&quot;He is completely delusional,&quot; Bano told Reuters.

 
According to the American Psychological Association schizophrenia is &nbsp;&quot;a serious mental illness characterised by incoherent or illogical thoughts, bizarre behavior and speech, and delusions or hallucinations, such as hearing voices&quot;.

 
Ali&#39;s lawyer, Sarah Belal, says the government report certifying Ali&#39;s condition had never been presented in court before 2016, Reuters reported.

 
In its judgment, the court dismissed the medical records and an affidavit from Feroze.

 
Pakistan has executed 425 people since reintroducing the death penalty in 2014. Ali will now be executed on Wednesday.

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(WION with inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

The verdict clears the way for the execution of a mentally ill man convicted of murder

Pakistan’s apex court has said that schizophrenia does not fall in its legal definition of mental disorders, allowing the execution of a mentally ill man convicted of murder. Fifty-year-old Imdad Ali was sentenced to death for murdering a cleric in 2001 but in 2012 government doctors certified Ali as being a paranoid schizophrenic. Ali’s lawyers say he is unfit to be executed as he is unable to understand his crime and punishment. Doing so, the lawyers say, would violate Pakistan’s obligations under a United Nations treaty, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. A bench of Pakistan’s Supreme Court comprising of three judges and led by chief justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, however, ruled that schizophrenia is "not a permanent mental disorder". "It is, therefore, a recoverable disease, which, in all the cases, does not fall within the definition of 'mental disorder'," the judges said in Thursday's verdict, Reuters reported. The verdict was based on two dictionary definitions of the term 'schizophrenia', as well as a 1988 judgment by India's top court. Dr Tahir Feroze, a government psychiatrist who has treated Ali for the last eight years of his incarceration, told Reuters,he and two other doctors certified Ali's condition in 2012. Ali suffers from delusions that he controls the world, is persecuted and he hears voices in his head that command him, according to Feroze and Safia Bano, Ali's wife. "He is completely delusional," Bano told Reuters. According to the American Psychological Association schizophrenia is "a serious mental illness characterised by incoherent or illogical thoughts, bizarre behavior and speech, and delusions or hallucinations, such as hearing voices". Ali's lawyer, Sarah Belal, says the government report certifying Ali's condition had never been presented in court before 2016, Reuters reported. In its judgment, the court dismissed the medical records and an affidavit from Feroze. Pakistan has executed 425 people since reintroducing the death penalty in 2014. Ali will now be executed on Wednesday. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Schizophrenia not a mental illness: Pakistan's top court

Hizb-ul-Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin on Thursday asked Pakistan to extend military support to help &#39;secede&#39;&nbsp;Jammu and Kashmir state&nbsp;from India.

 
&ldquo;The festering (Kashmir) issue is not going to resolve through talks or resolutions&hellip; Pakistan should militarily support Kashmiris by providing resources to the mujahideen (freedom fighters),&rdquo; he said at a press conference in Pakistan&rsquo;s Muzaffarabad, Pakistan daily, The Dawn reported.&nbsp;

 
&ldquo;If the mujahideen get military support, not only Kashmir will clinch freedom but the map of the subcontinent will also undergo a change,&rdquo; the daily quoted him as saying.&nbsp;

 
Salahuddin ,who is the chairman of &nbsp;United Jihad Council, also claimed that Jammu-based Muslims were being terrorised by the radical Hindu organisation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (the ideological parent of India&#39;s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party), and the official machinery.

 
&ldquo;The governments in Islamabad and Muzaffarabad should also raise the problems of Jammu-based Muslims at national and international forums,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;

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(WION)

 
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Syed Salahuddin ,the chairman of?United Jihad Council, also claims that Muslims based in India's Jammu are being terrorised

Hizb-ul-Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin on Thursday asked Pakistan to extend military support to help 'secede' Jammu and Kashmir state from India. “The festering (Kashmir) issue is not going to resolve through talks or resolutions… Pakistan should militarily support Kashmiris by providing resources to the mujahideen (freedom fighters),” he said at a press conference in Pakistan’s Muzaffarabad, Pakistan daily, The Dawn reported. “If the mujahideen get military support, not only Kashmir will clinch freedom but the map of the subcontinent will also undergo a change,” the daily quoted him as saying. Salahuddin ,who is the chairman of United Jihad Council, also claimed that Jammu-based Muslims were being terrorised by the radical Hindu organisation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (the ideological parent of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party), and the official machinery. “The governments in Islamabad and Muzaffarabad should also raise the problems of Jammu-based Muslims at national and international forums,” he said. (WION)

Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin asks Pak for military help: Reports

A terrorist and seven Pakistan Rangers were killed today by India&#39;s Border Security Forces (BSF) amid crossfire on the international border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir state in which one BSF personnel was injured, India&#39;s news agency PTI reported.&nbsp; 
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Update: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BSF?src=hash">#BSF</a> says it killed 7 Pak Rangers &amp; one terrorist in retaliatory fire along International Border in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kathua?src=hash">#Kathua</a> in J&amp;K.
&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/789464990361149442">October 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Pakistan Rangers, the border force of Pakistan, resorted to sniper attacks at Indian posts at Hira Nagar in Kathua at around 9.35 AM, BSF said in an official statement. &nbsp;A BSF constable Gurnam Singh was injured in the firing

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An aggressive offensive was launched by the Indian border guarding forces against the Pakistani firing, the statement mentioned.&nbsp;

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&quot;In a befitting reply to a sniper attack of Pak Rangers at 9:35 this morning in Hira Nagar Sector of Jammu, BSF launched an offensive,&quot; BSF was quoted as saying by Indian news agency ANI.&nbsp;

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In a befitting reply to a sniper attack of Pak Rangers at 9:35 this morning in Hira Nagar Sector of Jammu, BSF launched an offensive: BSF
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/789462779145048065">October 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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During intermittent firing of small arms and area weapon one militant and seven Rangers were shot dead: BSF
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/789462844295094272">October 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Today in Hira Nagar Sector Pak Rangers injured one BSF trooper Constable Gurnam Singh, he was evacuated &amp; his condition is critical: BSF
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/789465410110300161">October 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Gave a befitting response, so they were rattled &amp; fired again today morning: DK Upadhyay, IG BSF Jammu Range on 7 Pak Rangers killed <a href="https://t.co/2FV6rnqAeu">pic.twitter.com/2FV6rnqAeu</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/789486821780578304">October 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Singh, whose condition is considered to be critical, was evacuated with the cover fire to Government Medical College, Jammu, PTI reported.&nbsp;

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This firing from Pakistan was effectively retaliated and that has claimed the casualties of Pakistani forces, the release said.&nbsp;

However,&nbsp;Pakistan Army has claimed that there was no loss of life on its side.

 
&quot;Indians resorted to unprovoked fire/shelling on working boundary in Shakargarh sector today. Pak Rangers befittingly responded. No loss on Pak side,&quot; Director General Inter- Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen Asim Bajwa tweeted.

 
&quot;Indian claim of hitting or killing any Pakistani soldier/Ranger with firing at anytime of today at LOC/working boundary absolutely false,&quot; he said.

 
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(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

BSF launched an offensive following a sniper attack by Pakistan Rangers on Friday morning , Pakistan Army denies

A terrorist and seven Pakistan Rangers were killed today by India's Border Security Forces (BSF) amid crossfire on the international border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir state in which one BSF personnel was injured, India's news agency PTI reported. Update: #BSF says it killed 7 Pak Rangers & one terrorist in retaliatory fire along International Border in #Kathua in J&K. — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 21, 2016 × Pakistan Rangers, the border force of Pakistan, resorted to sniper attacks at Indian posts at Hira Nagar in Kathua at around 9.35 AM, BSF said in an official statement. A BSF constable Gurnam Singh was injured in the firing An aggressive offensive was launched by the Indian border guarding forces against the Pakistani firing, the statement mentioned. "In a befitting reply to a sniper attack of Pak Rangers at 9:35 this morning in Hira Nagar Sector of Jammu, BSF launched an offensive," BSF was quoted as saying by Indian news agency ANI. In a befitting reply to a sniper attack of Pak Rangers at 9:35 this morning in Hira Nagar Sector of Jammu, BSF launched an offensive: BSF — ANI (@ANI_news) October 21, 2016 × During intermittent firing of small arms and area weapon one militant and seven Rangers were shot dead: BSF — ANI (@ANI_news) October 21, 2016 × Today in Hira Nagar Sector Pak Rangers injured one BSF trooper Constable Gurnam Singh, he was evacuated & his condition is critical: BSF — ANI (@ANI_news) October 21, 2016 × Gave a befitting response, so they were rattled & fired again today morning: DK Upadhyay, IG BSF Jammu Range on 7 Pak Rangers killed pic.twitter.com/2FV6rnqAeu — ANI (@ANI_news) October 21, 2016 × Singh, whose condition is considered to be critical, was evacuated with the cover fire to Government Medical College, Jammu, PTI reported. This firing from Pakistan was effectively retaliated and that has claimed the casualties of Pakistani forces, the release said. However, Pakistan Army has claimed that there was no loss of life on its side. "Indians resorted to unprovoked fire/shelling on working boundary in Shakargarh sector today. Pak Rangers befittingly responded. No loss on Pak side," Director General Inter- Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen Asim Bajwa tweeted. "Indian claim of hitting or killing any Pakistani soldier/Ranger with firing at anytime of today at LOC/working boundary absolutely false," he said. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India's Border Security Force kills 7 Pakistan Rangers, 1 terrorist amid crossfire?in Jammu and Kashmir

In a bid to thwart Imran Khan&#39;s attempt to lockdown Islamabad on November 2, Nawaz Sharif-led Pakistan government is planning to &nbsp;put the cricketer-turned-politician under house arrest, local media reports suggested today.&nbsp;

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Responding to the reports of arrests of PTI leadership on Thursday,the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief said: &quot;We are ready for everything, We have learned from the 2014 dharna&nbsp; (protest) and the party is now well prepared to face any untoward situation.&quot; &nbsp;

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Khan had earlier invited the people, &#39;suppressed by corruption&#39;, to join the November 2 protest as he hits out at the Prime Minister over his Panama Papers links, the Express Tribune reported.&nbsp;

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According to media reports, a list of senior PTI leaders and party workers is being prepared to avert the protest.&nbsp;

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These key party leaders and workers will be taken into custody and arrested before November 2, the reports suggested.&nbsp;

 
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(WION with inputs from&nbsp;Taha Siddiqui)&nbsp;

The PTI chief earlier called the people of Pakistan to join the November 2 protest in Islamabad against corruption

In a bid to thwart Imran Khan's attempt to lockdown Islamabad on November 2, Nawaz Sharif-led Pakistan government is planning to put the cricketer-turned-politician under house arrest, local media reports suggested today. Responding to the reports of arrests of PTI leadership on Thursday,the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief said: "We are ready for everything, We have learned from the 2014 dharna (protest) and the party is now well prepared to face any untoward situation." Khan had earlier invited the people, 'suppressed by corruption', to join the November 2 protest as he hits out at the Prime Minister over his Panama Papers links, the Express Tribune reported. According to media reports, a list of senior PTI leaders and party workers is being prepared to avert the protest. These key party leaders and workers will be taken into custody and arrested before November 2, the reports suggested. (WION with inputs from Taha Siddiqui)

Ready to face anything: Imran Khan on Pak government's 'attempts' to foil Nov 2 protest

Amid Indo-Pak strain, a complete ban on airing of Indian content in Pakistan will be implemented from October 21, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) said in a statement on Wednesday.&nbsp;

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The decision was taken at the&nbsp;120th meeting of the authority held at PEMRA headquarters. The meeting was presided over by Absar Alam.

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120th Meeting of the Authority held at PEMRA Headquarters today. Meeting was chaired by Absar Alam, Chairman. <a href="https://t.co/Rzs807kOvZ">pic.twitter.com/Rzs807kOvZ</a>
&mdash; Report PEMRA (@reportpemra) <a href="https://twitter.com/reportpemra/status/788645575944208384">October 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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&quot;The ban will come into effect at 3 PM on October 21, and radio and television stations which violate the ban will have their licences suspended without a prior show cause notice,&quot; PEMRA said in a statement.

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&quot;Pemra, with the authority vested by the federal government, today announces the cancellation of the one-sided rights given to India by the Pervez Musharraf government.&quot; &nbsp;

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According to the Pakistan daily, the Dawn, the ban extends to all Indian content on cable and radio being aired in the country.

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In the wake of complaints that most of the local channels were using more than five per cent foreign contents as allowed by the regulator, PEMRA had already decided to get tough with the Indian content, Indian news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

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Earlier this month,&nbsp;Pemra granted Absar Alam the authority to revoke or suspend licenses of companies airing Indian content without providing prior notice, the Dawn reported.

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On August 31,&nbsp;PEMRA said that &quot;strict action would be taken against the channels airing foreign content more than the prescribed limit and traders selling illegal DTH sets,&quot; &nbsp;according to PTI.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Tensions are running high between the two South Asian neighbours, India and Pakistan, following the September 18 Uri attack on Indian Army base in Kashmir and ensuing surgical strikes by India in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Pakistan, however, has denied the claims of Indian Army conducting surgical strikes on its soil. Both countries continue to accuse each other of ceasefire violations.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The decision comes as tensions run high between India and Pakistan and both countries continue to accuse each other of ceasefire violations

Amid Indo-Pak strain, a complete ban on airing of Indian content in Pakistan will be implemented from October 21, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) said in a statement on Wednesday. The decision was taken at the 120th meeting of the authority held at PEMRA headquarters. The meeting was presided over by Absar Alam. 120th Meeting of the Authority held at PEMRA Headquarters today. Meeting was chaired by Absar Alam, Chairman. pic.twitter.com/Rzs807kOvZ — Report PEMRA (@reportpemra) October 19, 2016 × "The ban will come into effect at 3 PM on October 21, and radio and television stations which violate the ban will have their licences suspended without a prior show cause notice," PEMRA said in a statement. "Pemra, with the authority vested by the federal government, today announces the cancellation of the one-sided rights given to India by the Pervez Musharraf government." According to the Pakistan daily, the Dawn, the ban extends to all Indian content on cable and radio being aired in the country. In the wake of complaints that most of the local channels were using more than five per cent foreign contents as allowed by the regulator, PEMRA had already decided to get tough with the Indian content, Indian news agency PTI reported. Earlier this month, Pemra granted Absar Alam the authority to revoke or suspend licenses of companies airing Indian content without providing prior notice, the Dawn reported. On August 31, PEMRA said that "strict action would be taken against the channels airing foreign content more than the prescribed limit and traders selling illegal DTH sets," according to PTI. Tensions are running high between the two South Asian neighbours, India and Pakistan, following the September 18 Uri attack on Indian Army base in Kashmir and ensuing surgical strikes by India in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Pakistan, however, has denied the claims of Indian Army conducting surgical strikes on its soil. Both countries continue to accuse each other of ceasefire violations. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Pak to ban Indian TV and radio content from Oct 21

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