Post Pulwama, the Indian media proves it is the BJP’s propaganda machine

On Feb. 14, an Indian paramilitary convoy was attacked in Pulwama in India-administered Kashmir, resulting in the death of 40 Indian officers. The Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Muhammad soon claimed responsibility. In retaliation, the Indian Air Force carried out an airstrike on an alleged militant training camp in Balakot in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Indian Foreign Secretary V.K. Gokhale claimed that it “struck the biggest camp” and that a “large number” of terrorists were killed. Without any official statement on the number of casualties by the Indian government, the Indian news…

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European Parliament Members ask India to ‘End Crackdown’ on Rights Activists In Kashmir

Twenty members of the European Parliament have written to Central ministers, expressing concern about “worrying signs of shrinking civil society space in India”. Twenty members of European parliament have written to the Indian government and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) expressing concern over the crackdown on human rights defenders. They have urged India to create a more open civil society space. The letter is addressed to the ministers of law and justice (Ravi Shankar Prasad), tribal affairs (Jual Oram) and social justice and empowerment (Thaawarchand Gehlot), and to the NHRC’s…

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If this isn’t​ war, what is? Handwara villagers ask after 4 days encounter

When the chatter of gunfire erupted across the village Baba Gund, at a little after 3 pm on February 28, security forces told a group of civilians to take shelter in the home of fruit seller Farooq Ahmed. As the encounter continued, a few more villagers were directed into the house, and then a few more, until there were 17 people crammed into Ahmed’s small 10 feet by 10 feet room. Afternoon gave way to evening, then evening to night, night to day, and on and on for three long…

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Nobel laureates urge Imran, Modi to defuse tensions

Fifty nine Nobel laureates have written letters to the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan urging them to “defuse the rising tensions” between the two countries, according to a statement.A letter signed by the Nobel laureates, under the aegis of the Laureates and Leaders for Children — a platform founded by Nobel peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi — was submitted to India and Pakistan’s Permanent Representatives to the UN on Saturday, the statement said on Sunday. “In the best interest of our children, we, the Laureates and Leaders for Children call…

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Anti-Social elements have started Kashmir Tourism boycott campaign: KCCI

Valley’s travel and trade bodies have accused some anti-social elements in India for damaging Kashmir tourism by launching ‘Kashmir boycott campaign’.In a joint press conference, the representatives from travel and hospitality sector urged Government of India and other state governments to expose and punish these ‘anti-social and communal elements’ who are running boycott campaigns asking travelers not to visit Kashmir. Senior Vice President of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Nasir Hameed Khan said they will be visiting different states to counter the ‘boycott Kashmir campaign’ launched by certain…

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Divide Jammu & Kashmir to curb terrorism: BJP MLA GS Damor

The MLA backed an announcement of a senior Army officer that whoever raises arms against the state would be eliminated as it would deter local elements who back terrorists. Amid stand-off along the Line of Control by Indian and Pakistani forces after the Pulwama terror attack and following air strikes, a BJP MLA from Madhya Pradesh has suggested division of Jammu and Kashmir to curb insurgency, a statement that invited immediate criticism from the Congress. Speaking to the media on Sunday evening on aerial strikes by the Indian Air Force…

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Opposition chorus grows for proof of air strike in Pakistan

Claims and counterclaims by the government and the Opposition sent political temperatures soaring on Monday as the Congress party asked why the government was not providing details of the casualties inflicted in the air strikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camp in Pakistan last week, while the government accused the Congress party of echoing Pakistan’s line. Prime Minister Narendra Modi implicitly warned Pakistan about supporting terror groups that target India. All of this came even as Indian Air Force chief BS Dhanoa steered clear of a question on the number of casualties,…

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Conduct simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls: Political parties to EC

Representatives of almost all political parties sought simultaneous national and assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir as they met an Election Commission (EC) team in Srinagar on Monday, officials said. The Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora-led team arrived in the state for a two-day visit to review security preparedness for the polls amid an escalation of violence in the state, which has been under the President’s rule since December 19. Assembly elections have to be held within six months of the imposition of the President’s rule while the national polls…

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