NEWS

New Delhi:  The Srinagar-based Jaish-e-Mohammad operative Ashiq Baba has claimed that the deadly attack on Pulwama police-lines in 2017 in which eight security personnel died was led by JeM Kashmir terrorist Mufti Waqas. This has spilled the beans on Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad’s activities.

The details of JeM’s actions form part of Baba’s interrogation after his detention for his alleged role in the attack on the Army base at Nagrota. His apprehension, said sources, is proving to be a mine of information as he had been to JeM camps in Pakistan and met top leaders close to Jaish boss Maulana Masood Azhar and can provide a description of activities and jihadi leaders he met.

New Delhi:  A senior police officer has been given charge to keep a vigil on rumours in social media and as many as 16 people have been arrested in connection with the lynching of two men in Karbi Anglong district of Assam. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held a high-level meeting to review the situation and asked Director General of Police Kuladhar Saikia to prevent spread of rumours and take action against troublemakers.

At a press conference, Saikia said among those arrested, included the man who allegedly fanned the rumour on social media that child lifters have entered Assam. While Additional Director General of Police Mukesh Agarwal is monitoring the investigation, ADGP Harmeet Singh has been given the charge to keep vigil on rumours on the social media, he said.

New Delhi: The Centre has sought applications from ‘talented and motivated Indian nationals willing to contribute towards nation building” to become bureaucrats at the Joint Secretary (JS) rank. This mid-ranking position usually filled by officers selected through Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams.

The ministry of personnel said it was looking for 10 outstanding individuals with expertise in the areas of financial services, revenue, economic affairs, agriculture, cooperation and farmer welfare, road transport and highways, shipping, environment, forest and climate change, new and renewable energy, civil aviation and commerce. “It’s an endeavour to get the best from whichever source available,” said minister of state of department of personnel and training Jitendra Singh said.

New Delhi:  The Congress on Sunday has struck a note of caution by saying that it will not ignore the interests of its state leaders for the sake of regional tie-ups. Political parties across the country have put their heads together to cobble out an anti BJP alliance for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Congress media head Randeep Surjewala has said that while the party has a time-tested policy of working with ideologically compatible parties, it will not abandon the interests of its state leaders.

The Indian National Congress will never sacrifice the interests of a state leadership and aspirations of its workers. An ideal balance will be struck on a state to state basis, Surjewala said. He made the case for state-specific alliances while arguing for a larger coalition with like-minded parties in national interest. The Congress has a time-tested and well defined policy of working hand in hand with ideologically compatible political parties," he said.