Christchurch [New Zealand], Nov 29: India’s young pace sensation Arshdeep Singh said that his bowling partner Umran Malik makes things easy for him and added that they enjoy each other’s company on and off the field.
Shikhar Dhawan and Co are ready to take on New Zealand in the third and final match of the three-game ODI series in Christchurch. India is down 1-0 and will aim to save the series on Wednesday in the final ODI.
The second ODI of the three-match series between India and New Zealand was called off due to rain. The match was called off with the Men in Blue scoring 89/1 in 12.5 overs at the time rain intervened for the final time and put any possibility of further action to rest.
Umran breathed fire in the middle overs against New Zealand in the second ODI. The right-arm pacer hit 150 km/h four times and bagged the wickets of Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell. Arshdeep and Umran made their ODI debuts in the first ODI against New Zealand at Auckland.
“It’s an edge for me to play with Umran. He bowls 155 KMPH and makes things easy for me. We are loving our partnership on the field and off the field as well. Hope it continues for a long. I don’t think my journey is easy or challenging. We as players focus on playing, enjoying the process, and not thinking much about it being easy or challenging. When we perform our best, it feels good. We take the game match by match and don’t really think too much that I want myself here in the next year or so,” Arshdeep said in a pre-match conference.
The 23-year-old Indian pacer had dropped an important catch in the 18th over of Pakistan’s innings against India in the Super Four phase clash of the Asia Cup. He dropped Asif Ali, who took full advantage of the life given to him.
“People love us and our game a lot. So when we perform our best, people love us and when we don’t perform, people show their disappointment. So there is nothing like dealing with this. They express their emotions because we play for India and it’s the fans’ right to express their love or anger. We should accept both,” said the pacer.
In the first match, the hosts trumped India by seven wickets. New Zealand chased down the target of 306 set by India with 2.5 overs to spare in the first ODI of three-match series here at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday. The marathon chase was powered by the stunning century from Tom Latham and the skipper Kane Williamson’s undefeated 94. The duo chased the target with an unbeaten 221-run stand. (Agencies)
Umran Malik bowls 155 KMPH and makes things easy for me: Arshdeep
Cross-border, ISIS-inspired terrorism continues to pose threat, says NSA Ajit Doval
New Delhi, Nov 29: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Tuesday highlighted that cross-border terrorism and ISIS-inspired terrorism continues to pose a threat to humanity.
Addressing a conference in the national capital on the role of Ulema in fostering a culture of Interfaith Peace and Social harmony in India and Indonesia, Doval said “As you all are aware, both our countries have been victims of terrorism and separatism. While we have overcome the challenges to a considerable extent, the phenomenon of cross-border and ISIS-inspired terrorism continues to pose a threat. Cooperation of the civil society is essential in countering the threat from ISIS-inspired individual terror cells and returnees from theatres like Syria and Afghanistan.”
The national security advisor said that the aim of today’s discussion is to bring together Indian and Indonesian Ulema and scholars who can take forward the cooperation in promoting tolerance, harmony and peaceful co-existence.
“This will bolster the fight against violent extremism, terrorism and radicalisation,” Doval said.
“None of the ends for which extremism, radicalisation and the misuse of religion are employed are justifiable on any ground. This is a distortion of religion against which all of us need to raise our voices. Extremism and terrorism is against the very meaning of Islam because Islam means peace and well-being (Salamati/Asalaam). Opposition to such forces should not be painted as a confrontation with any religion. That is a ruse”, he said.
“Instead, we should focus on the real message of our religions, which stands for the values of humanism, peace and understanding. Indeed, as the Holy Quran itself teaches, killing one person is like killing all humanity and saving one is akin to saving humanity. Islam ordains that the most excellent form of Jihad is ‘Jihad Afzal’ – that is, Jihad against one’s senses or ego- and not against innocent civilians,” Doval further said.
Top Indonesian minister Mohammed Mahfud MD is in Delhi on the invitation of National Security Advisor Doval.
Mahfud, the Coordinating Minister for the Political, Legal, and Security Affairs of Indonesia is accompanied by a high-level delegation of Ulema.
Visiting Ulema from Indonesia will also be interacting with their Indian counterparts. The discussion will be on the ‘Role of Ulema in fostering a culture of interfaith peace and social harmony in India and Indonesia’.
“Ulema play a very important role in Islamic society and the objective of such discussion is to bring together Indian and Indonesian Ulema and scholars who can take forward the cooperation to promote tolerance, harmony and peaceful co-existence and counter violent extremism and radicalization,” a source said.
There will be three sessions, first on Islam: Continuity and Change, second on Harmonizing inter-faith society: Practice and Experience and last session will be on Countering Radicalization and Extremism in India and Indonesia.
During the visit, Ulema from Indonesia will also be interacting with leaders from other faiths. Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population.
NSA Doval had visited Indonesia for the second Indo- Indonesia security dialogue in March this year. NSA then invited minister Mehfud to India. (Agencies)
Media must report responsibly during terrorist attacks: Anurag Thakur
New Delhi: “Media must ensure that live reporting in case of a terrorist attack shouldn’t provide clues to attackers and facilitate their ill motives,” said Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur at the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union General Assembly, on Tuesday.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur was addressing the opening ceremony of the 59th Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) General Assembly and Associated Meetings 2022. “Media must report responsibly in an earthquake, fire and terrorist attacks,” Thakur added.
The theme of the 59th Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) General Assembly and Associated Meetings 2022 is “Serving The People-Media’s Role In The Time Of Crisis”. Lauding the work done by the media during the difficult days of the COVID lockdown Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that due to lockdowns, it was the media that connected people with the outside world.
“The COVID crisis has been a time for testing for all of us across the globe. Due to lockdowns, it was the media that connected people with the outside world. In such situations, providing the right and timely information becomes the media’s responsibility,” said Union Minister Anurag Thakur.
Underlining the role of media during the time of Covid, he said that Indian broadcasters and Indian media, in general, ensured that COVID-19 awareness messages and important guidelines reached the people on time. “Indian broadcasters and Indian media, in general, ensured that #COVID19 awareness messages, important govt guidelines and free online consultations were provided. Whereas doctors reached everyone, in every nook and corner of this country,” he said.
Dr L. Murugan, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Apurva Chandra Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting were also present during the opening ceremony. (ANI)
Indian Army trains kites to destroy enemy drones
Auli (Uttarakhand), Nov 29: Indian Army troops are using trained Kites to prey on enemy drones in a first-of-its-kind usage of these birds.
Indian Army is using trained Kites along with dogs for military operations, Army officials said.
Such a capability can help the security forces to tackle the menace of drones coming from across the border to Indian areas in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
Several cases have come to light where drones coming from Pakistani side dropped consignment of drugs, guns and money in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
Recently on November 24, Jammu and Kashmir Police recovered a consignment of weapons and Indian currency that were dropped by a Pakistani drone in the Samba district of Jammu.
The Indian Army demonstrated the use of kites to prey on enemy drones during the ongoing joint training exercise Yuddh Abhyas in Auli, Uttarakhand. (Agencies)
Amit Shah likely to visit Kolkata on Dec 17 for security meet
eeting was scheduled to take place on November 5.
According to the sources from the West Bengal secretariat of Nabanna, the previous meeting scehduled for 5 November was cancelled due to the Union home minister’s other busy schedules.
“Now, Shah’s office has selected December 17 as the tentative date of the meeting,” said source adding that the final confirmation on this count is yet to reach the state secretariat.
If the meeting happens, said a state government official, it will be conducted at the auditorium adjacent to the state secretariat of Nabanna.
As per sources in the state secratariat, the meeting is likely to be attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik and Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang.
The state secratariat is also expecting a separate meeting between West Bengal CM and Shah.
Besides, as per the political experts, the meeting and Union home minister’s visit to the state is expected to be crucial on various counts.
“If the meeting happens, it will be extremely crucial before the forthcoming three- tier panchayat elections in the state scheduled next year over which the tension between the ruling Trinamool Congress and opposition BJP is already at its peak,” stated political expert..
It is also to be seen that whether besides his official schedule, Shah meets the state BJP leaders or attends any party function in the state and all eyes will be focused on what message the Union home minister conveys to his party leaders. However, there is no confirmation on anything on this count with the state BJP leaders as yet.
Finally, all eyes will be on whether there will be a separate meeting between Mamata Banerjee and Nitish Kumar in the backdrop of the fact that the latter is emerging as an important opposition face before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Laxmi Singh Becomes First Woman Police Commissioner in UP After Major IPS Reshuffle, Gets Charge of Noida
In a major reshuffle, the Uttar Pradesh government on Monday midnight, appointed new Police Commissioners for the three newly-formed commissionerates and also transferred the Police Commissioners of Noida and Varanasi.
The state government has appointed Inspector-General of Police (IG), Lucknow range, Laxmi Singh, as the first woman Police Commissioner of the state giving her the charge of Noida.
She will replace Alok Singh, who has been posted to the Director General of Police (DGP) headquarters in Lucknow.
Varanasi Police Commissioner, Satish Ganesh has been posted to the DGP headquarters while Additional Director General of Police (ADG), Ashok Mutha Jain (who was on waiting) has replaced him.
IG, Ajay Mishra, who was also on waiting, will be the first Police Commissioner of Ghaziabad while IG (Prisons), Preetinder Singh will be Police Commissioner of Agra.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Bareilly, Ramit Sharma has been made the first Police Commissioner of Prayagraj while IG (Home) Tarun Gaba has been shifted as the IG, Lucknow range.
Ayodhya Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Prashant Verma will take over as Bahraich Superintendent of Police (SP), replacing Keshav Kumar, who will take over as Additional Police Commissioner, Agra.
Ghaziabad SSP, Muniraj will be the new Ayodhya SSP.
Prayagraj SSP, Shailesh Pandey will go to Mathura in the same capacity replacing Abhishek Yadav, who will take over as SP (Intelligence).
Agra SSP, Prabhakar Chaudhary goes to Sitapur Pradeshik Armed Constabulary as Commandant.
Non-local resident dies of suffocation due to gas leakage, another hospitalized in Sopore
SOPORE: A non-local died while another one was hospitalised due to suffocation caused by a gas leak in Sopore town of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday.
An official said that the non-local died while his colleague was hospitalised after suffocation caused by a gas leak when they were sleeping in a truck in Fruit Mandi Sopore. The deceased has been identified as Rakesh Kumar and another one, who has been shifted to SDH Sopore has been identified as Anwesh Kumar. “They were residents of the Gurdaspur locality of Punjab.” The official said they were ascertaining further details regarding the same.
BSF shoots Down Pakistan drone, foils drug smuggling bid at Punjab border
Amritsar: The Border Security Force (BSF) today foiled yet another bid to smuggle drugs into Punjab as it shot down a drone at the border in Chaharpur district.
“Border Security Force troops deployed at the border shot down a drone entering from Pakistan into Indian territory in the area falling near Village – Chaharpur, District – Amritsar Rural. Area was cordoned, police and concerned sister agencies informed,” BSF said
One Hexacopter was recovered in partial damaged condition and the BSF also found suspected item in white colour polyethene attached underneath.
“BSF recovered 1 Hexacopter in partial damaged condition along with suspected item in white colour polyethene attached underneath lying in a farming field on own side of border fencing near Village – Chaharpur,” PRO BSF added.
BSF statement
“On 28th November at about 10:47 pm, Border Security Force troops deployed at border heard buzzing sound of a suspected drone entering from Pakistan into Indian territory in the area falling near Village – Chaharpur, District – Amritsar (Rural). As per drill, the troops tried to intercept the suspected drone by firing. Bullet hit the Drone due to which it fell down on the ground. The whole area was cordoned and Police & concerned sister agencies were informed,” the statement read.
“Further, during the initial search, BSF party recovered 01 Hexacopter (Wt – appx _ kgs) in partially damaged condition along with a suspected item in white colour polythene attached underneath (Gross wt – kgs) lying in a farming field on Indian side of border fencing near Village – Chaharpur.”
“Alert troops of BSF once again were able to capture a drone and foil smuggling attempt,” Said BSF.
NIA raids 20 spots across Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab in gangster-terror nexus case
NEW DELHI, Nov 29: In a fresh crackdown against gangster nexus, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday morning launched massive multi-State raids covering Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana, sources said.
The raids are being conducted at the residential and other premises linked to gangsters in more than six districts across these four States and Delhi in an ongoing case aimed to dismantle and disrupt the emerging nexus between terrorists, gangsters and drug smugglers based in India and abroad, sources added.
The raids are focussed on gang nexus linked to Lawrence Bishnoi, Neeraj Bawana and Tillu Tazpuriya and Goldy Brar, who are already under the lens of the anti-terror agency.
These searches were planned after the questioning of several gangsters by the NIA. In October, the NIA arrested an advocate here and a gangster from Haryana following a mega search operation conducted during the day at 52 locations across north India’s four States and Delhi.
The arrested advocate was identified as Asif Khan, a resident of Gautam Vihar in the Usmanpur area of North East Delhi. The agency sleuths arrested him after they recovered four weapons and a few pistols (in semi-knocked down condition), along with ammunition, from his house during searches conducted at his residence.
During the interrogation, the NIA said it was revealed that Asif was in touch with jailed gangsters. The NIA also arrested one Rajesh alias Raju Mota who hails from Basaudi, Sonepat (Haryana).
Mota, according to the NIA, has multiple criminal cases registered against him.The gangster nexus works both inside and outside the Jail and the gang members actively assist gangsters and criminals in carrying out various types of criminal and illegal activities, the agency said.
In September, NIA also conducted searches at 52 locations in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi as well as the National Capital Region (NCR).
The searches earlier conducted included the premises of Sampat Nehra of Churu-Rajasthan; Naresh Sethi (notorious gangster-criminal) of Jhajjar in Haryana; Surender alias Cheeku of Narnaul in Haryana; Naveen alias Bali of Bawana in Delhi; Amit alias Dabang of Tajpur in Outer Delhi; Amit Dagar of Gurugram in Haryana; Sandeep alias Bandar, Salim alias Pistol of North-East Delhi; Qurban and Rizwan Khurja of Bulandshahr in U.P. and their associates.
During the searches, NIA has seized pistols and revolvers, ammunition, few weapons in semi-knocked down condition and other incriminating documents, digital devices, details about benami property created through proceeds of crime, cash, gold bars and gold jewellery and threat letters.
The NIA crackdown followed the launch of investigations against this nexus by the anti-terror agency after the re-registration of two cases, earlier registered by Delhi Police, on August 26 this year.
A few of the most desperate gang leaders and their associates based in India and abroad, who are spearheading and carrying out such terror and criminal activities were identified and booked. (Agencies)
Lowest Covid cases recorded in country since April 2020
New Delhi, Nov 29: India logged 215 new coronavirus infections, the lowest since April 2020, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,46,72,068, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.
The active cases further declined to 4,982, while the death toll climbed to 5,30,615 with one fatality being reported from Delhi, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The active cases comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate increased to 98.80 per cent, according to the ministry.
A decrease of 141 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,36,471, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.
According to the ministry’s website, 219.91 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.
India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.
The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year. (AGENCIES)