India

Kamal Haasan calls for plebiscite in Kashmir, terms PoK as 'Azad Kashmir'

Chennai, Feb 18: Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan has batted for a plebiscite in Kashmir and questioned the government as to what they are "afraid of".

At an event here on Sunday, the Makkal Needhi Maiam leader Haasan said, "Why India is not holding a plebiscite in Kashmir? What are they (government) afraid of?"

Referring to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK)...

That’s not a selfie, says union minister after his pic with coffin of braveheart draws flak

New Delhi, Feb 18: After drawing flak for allegedly posting a selfie with the mortal remains of a slain CRPF soldier, Union Minister KJ Alphons alleged that some miscreants circulated his photograph on social media to reduce his reputation.

In a letter written to Kerala's Director General of Police (DGP), the Union Minister said that he was attending the...

Army major, two Jaish militants among seven killed in Pulwama encounter

Srinagar, Feb 18: Four Army personnel, including a major, and two Jaish terrorists were killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Monday, three days after a suicide bomber from the group drove his explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus in the area, defence officials said.

A civilian was also killed in the exchange of fire...

Double murder: Youth Congress dawn-to-dusk hartal begins in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 18: The dawn-to-dusk hartal in Kerala, called by Youth Congress (YC), in protest against the double murder of its activists in Kasaragod district on Sunday night began on Monday.

Youth Congress State President Deen Kuriakose said the hartal will be observed peacefully and urged its activists not to indulge in violence.

Hospitals, banks, marriage functions, tourist...

Pulwama terror: CRPF issues advisory against fake pics of body parts of jawans

New Delhi, Feb 17: The CRPF on February 17 cautioned people against “fake pictures” being circulated online of body parts of its 40 jawans killed in the Pulwama attack, the deadliest terrorist strike on security forces in Kashmir Valley in three decades.

“It has been noticed that on social media some miscreants are trying to circulate fake pictures of...

Rajinikanth won't contest LS polls, not support any party

Chennai, Feb 17: Popular Tamil actor Rajinikanth, who had already confirmed his entry into politics, but was yet to launch his own political party, on Sunday announced that his Rajini Makkal Mandram (fans club) will not contest the ensuing Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu.

In a statement here, after holding a meeting with district office bearers of the...

IED blast: Army Major killed was to tie knot next month

Dehradun, Feb 17: Major Chitresh Bisht, who was killed while defusing a landmine along the LoC in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, was all set to get married next month.

Major Bisht was leading a bomb disposal squad team for sanitisation when mines were detected on the track in Naushera sector on Saturday. The...

Pulwama: Kashmiri students in Delhi fear for security

New Delhi, Feb 17: Several Kashmiri students here said they were in a state of fear after reports of alleged harassment of Kashmiris following the Pulwama terror attack, even as police asserted that security had been enhanced in the national capital and they would ensure the safety of all citizens.

According to media reports, several Kashmiris living outside the...

4 arrested for making objectionable remarks on Pulwama attack in UP

Lucknow, Feb 17: The Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday arrested four people for allegedly making objectionable comments in connection with the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPFpersonnel were killed.

Three of them -- a man from Ballia, a person from Mau district and a first-year student of a private college here -- were arrested for making...

J&K administration withdraws security of 5 separatist leaders

Srinagar, Feb 17: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday issued orders to withdraw security of five separatist leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, officials said.

Besides the Mirwaiz, the security cover for Shabir Shah, Abdul Gani Lone, Bilal Lone and Hashim Qureshi has been withdrawn, they said. However, there is no mention of pro-Pakistan separatist Syed Ali...