TA tribute to NSG

For 58 hours, as a bunch of determined, and lethally armed, terrorists held Mumbai to ransom, out to destroy everything the city, and India, stands for, our men in uniform have taken them on, bravely and against all odds.

Finally, at considerable cost to themselves, the security forces have brought the grim nightmare to an end.

For this, no words will be enough to pay tribute them. As a stunned nation gropes around for a ray of hope, our heroes in uniform stand tall, assuring us that the nation’s, and our own, destiny, is in safe hands.

Many people forget that India is a tough nation. Toothless leaders have turned India into a soft nation. People forget that India has fought back Muslim terrorism in Kashmir; Sikh terrorism in Punjab, Christian terrorism in Nagaland and Hindu terrorism in Assam, and amongst the Naxalites

 

Terrorists came on boats: Deshmukh

The terrorists, who created havoc in Mumbai overnight, came by boats and struck at 10 places but their number is not known immediately, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said.

Addressing a press conference in the wee hours, he said two terrorists had been killed in encounters with police and security forces and nine suspects have been detained.

The terror attacks began between 9 pm and 9.15 pm with indiscriminate firing and bomb blasts, Deshmukh said.

The terrorists came by boats and started firing, he said but their number was not immediately known.

The attackers threw grenades and fired indiscriminately while storming the hotels across Mumbai, he added.

At least two sten guns have been recovered from the terrorists, the Chief Minister said.

To a question, he said it was not immediately known as to who was involved in the attacks as the entire police force is concentrating on saving lives.

He said around 200 National Security Guard (NSG) commandos had been dispatched from Delhi for the operation to flush out terrorists.

Asked whether foreigners were the target of the attacks, the Chief Minister disagreed, saying it could not be said.

——-

Almost all the locations attacked by suspected terrorists in south Mumbai Wednesday night were preferred hangouts of foreign tourists. Here is a list of the seven places under attack:

* Leopold Cafe in Colaba, a favourite hangout with the tourist crowd in south Mumbai (Firing)

* Hotel Taj Intercontinental, a five-star hotel in south Mumbai (Firing)

* Hotel Trident (formerly Hotel Oberoi), a five-star hotel in south Mumbai (Firing)

* Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Formerly Victoria Terminus), the headquarters of Central Railway and a World Heritage Building in south Mumbai (Firing)

* Bade Miyan Gali behind the Hotel Taj (Firing)

* Mazagaon (Explosion)

* Vile Parle suburb in north Mumbai (Explosion)

Four top police officials, including Mumbai Police Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, were among the 11 policemen killed, as security forces took on terrorists in Mumbai in the early hours of Thursday, authorities said.

Two Indian Police Service (IPS) officers – additional police commissioners Ashok Kamte and Sadanand Date – were killed in separate gun battles with terrorists following a series of attacks in India’s financial capital, the officials said.

Mumbai Police “encounter specialist” Vijay Salaskar were also shot dead in another gun battle.

Karkare was heading investigations into several recent cases of terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

There were six other police officials among the at least 80 killed in the coordinated terror attacks late on Wednesday night.

———-

The Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad’s chief Hemant Karkare was gunned down when he was leading an operation at Mumbai’s Taj Hotel against terrorists on Wednesday. He was hit by three bullets in his chest.

Karkare (54) was gunned down when he was leading an operation at Hotel Taj against terrorists who had taken 15 people, including seven foreigners, as hostages. He was hit by three bullets in his chest.

Karkare was probing the September 29 Malegaon blast case. He was an IPS officer of the 1982 batch, who had served with the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for nine years in Austria.

He was a man known for his discipline and fair investigation.

 

90 killed in Mumbai terror attack

November 26, 2008 22:40 IST
Last Updated: November 27, 2008 02:49 IST

02:50 AM: Communist Party of India-Marxist leader and Member of Parliament N N Krishnadas, who is staying at the Taj Mahal Hotel, reports that as late as 2:10 AM, explosions could be heard from within the premises.

Krishnadas told CNN that he is holed up in a room, and outside of the noise of explosions and gunfire has no real idea what is happening within the premises.

Meanwhile, the fire that broke out in one of the hotel’s middle floors has been spreading upwards, adding a fresh hazard both to the police and CRPF personnel engaged in the anti-terrorist operation and to the guests within the hotel.

Even as police sources upped the toll in today’s terrorist strikes in Mumbai at 80 and counting, police continue to lay siege to the Taj Mahal Hotel, where two terrorists are believed to be holding at least 15 guests hostage on one of the upper floors of the hotel.

The police are at this point in time unsure whether the two hostage takers are the only terrorists within the hotel.
Meanwhile, the Indian Army has moved into the Oberoi and the Trident, the two other South Mumbai hotels targeted in today’s terrorist strikes.

A battalion of the Indian army entered the Oberoi and began an operation against the terrorists holed up inside. The army was called in after the police took several casualties, including the deaths of some senior officers.

With the army now in charge of this phase of the operation � the first time the Indian army is operating in the city since the 1992 riots � the police has fallen back and is focusing on cordoning off the area.

Vaihayasi Pande-Daniel, reporting for Rediff.com from outside the Oberoi Hotel, reports that with the cordon being drawn tight, people waiting outside are in a state of panic, and desperately searching for information. A group of senior bankers from Hyderabad are among those inside the hotel to attend a conference; their Mumbai-based colleagues are outside, awaiting word of their fate.

02: 25 AM: Mumbai’s Anti-Terrorist Squad chief Hemant Karkare died of bullet wounds in the ongoing battle against armed terrorists that is raging across several parts of South Mumbai.

Vijay Salaskar, an officer attached to the Mumbai police who has been famed as an ‘encounter specialist’, was seriously injured in the ongoing gun battle and has been rushed to hospital. In all, seven Mumbai policemen are believed killed thus far.

Meanwhile, Railway Police Chief Ashok Sharma told Rediff.com that at least 40 people were killed inside Mumbai’s nodal Chatrapathi Sivaji Terminus. “The attack started around 9.35 pm,” Sharma said. “Two terrorists were inside. We can confirm at least 40 people killed.”

It is yet unclear whether the terrorists are still on-site, have left, or been killed. Sharma said there had been no firing from within the terminus for the last two hours. “Despite this, we are not allowing people to go into the station as we are worried that the terrorists might have planted bombs or left live grenades in the station,” he said.

Sharma said the official belief is that the two terrorists had sneaked out of the station in the confusion following the original assault.

Sudhir Dalvi, a sub-inspector attached to the Mumbai cell of the Anti-Terrorist Squad, told Sheela Bhatt for Rediff.com that his boss, ATS chief Hemant Karkare, and senior police officers Vijay Salaskar and Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte, were killed in an incident outside Mumbai’s Cama Hospital.

“Our chief Karkare, my senior officer Salaskar and ACP Kamte died while engaging terrorists outside the Cama hospital,” a sobbing Dalvi told Rediff.com. “All of a sudden, terrorists threw grenades at Karkare leading to chaos. We are unable to confirm whether they fell to terrorist fire or were killed by the grenades.”

Meanwhile, the army has moved into the Trident Hotel, the third five-star hotel in the South Mumbai region that had been targeted in tonight’s coordinated terrorist strikes.

02:10 AM: It is now believed that 15 people, at least seven of them foreigners, have been taken hostage by two terrorists and are being held on the roof of the Taj Mahal Hotel.

Rakesh Patel, a London-based businessman who managed to escape, told NDTV that the two terrorists, estimated to be in their early 20s, came to a restaurant on the ground floor of the Taj, rounded up the hostages and took them to the 18th floor. Patel, who was one among them, managed at that point to escape.

Patel said the terrorists asked if any of the hostages were carrying American or British passports, and said he got the clear impression that they wanted foreigners.

01:50 AM: Krishnakumar reports from the Juhu region that a bomb went off in a taxi that was speeding along the Western Express Highway from Vile Parle towards Andheri, killing two people and injuring two others.

“The taxi exploded and went up in flames as it sped past the traffic island under the flyover at the domestic airport,” an eyewitness said on phone. “The vehicle, which was up in flames soon after it crossed the traffic signal, was on the left
side. A bystander and a person in the taxi were killed.

Reports indicate that this was perhaps the night’s highest-intensity blast. Krishnakumar reports that the taxi’s doors were found a distance of 50 meters or more away, and body parts of the victims had been thrown even further.

01:43 AM: At least two suspected terroristswere shot dead minutes earlier at the corner of Mumbai’s Chowpatty. Rediff’s Vaihayasi Pande-Daniel, who is on the site, reports that the area has been cordoned off and is swarming with police officers; the Skoda is under guard and a cellphone, a jacket, and items of footwear are strewn around the vehicle.

Meanwhile at the Taj Mahal Hotel, the standoff between police, who have surrounded the hotel, and terrorists who are holed up inside, continues.

A short while ago, power went off in parts of the hotel, adding to the sense of panic and fear. Well known food critic Sabina Sahgal Saikia, who is inside the hotel, told NDTV on phone just now that the guests are terrified, and unaware of just what is happening around them. It is unclear at this point in time whether the power has been turned off by the police as they battle the terrorists.

01:27 AM: Rediff’s Vaihayasi Pande Daniel calls in from the Marine Drive region to report that the approaches to the South Mumbai area have been shut down, and that sounds of firing are audible as far away as Mumbai’s famed Queen’s Necklace stretch, though the source of the firing is unclear.

Meanwhile, a foreign national who managed to escape from the Taj Mahal Hotel, where a state of seige currently exists, told NDTV that armed and masked gunmen were wandering around inside the hotel, looking for people with American or British passports.

The eyewitness account appears to confirm the growing belief among law enforcement circles that this latest attack is aimed directly at foreign nationals — hence the choice of star hotels as prime targets. They further theorize that automatic weapons are being used rather than bombs in order to orchestrate such targeted mayhem.

Meanwhile, the real dangers of the situation are being exaggerated by a proliferation of rumors. One such that has been aired on a few channels including CNN suggested that firing was taking place at the JW Marriott, another five star hotel in the Juhu region of suburban Mumbai. A source in the hotel however confirmed to Rediff just now that there was no alarm at the hotel, and no incident of any kind had taken place.

12:44 AM: A gun battle is ongoing in the Taj Hotel in Colaba. Within the last ten minutes, a guest at the hotel got word out to CNN via email that a grenade had exploded within the hotel premises just then.

Additional Commissioner of Police AN Roy and other officials confirmed that some armed terrorists are holed up in the iconic hotel.

Police officials said they have no information of a hostage situation; they say guests have been sequestered in safe areas of the hotel, and the police are now engaged in flushing out the terrorists from their hiding place.

 

Death tolls 60

he death toll in the serial blasts that rocked Guwahati and upper Assam in the morning, reached 50 with more injured succumbing to the injuries in the hospitals. People, who browsed for ‘NE News’ or ‘Assam News’ in the morning, got a rude shocker, as terrorists carried out 11 blasts in Guwahati, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar and Barpeta. In Guwahati, Dispur Road, Pan Bazar, Fancy Bazar and Ganeshguri Flyover have been targeted.

The impact of the serial blasts was so high that people and vehicles both charred beyond recognition. The dead bodies were seen lying here and there. Over 200 people were injured in the blasts. They are being treated in various hospital. Forensic experts believed that IDE and RDX of high intensity were used to trigger the blasts. The blasts were carried out in a planned manner and Assam government failed to prevent the blasts even though it was repeatedly warned by the Centre.

Although ULFA’s involvement in the serial blasts in Assam is suspected, the intelligence sources believe that Bangladesh-based HuJI could be behind the blasts. The recent communal clashes between local Assamese and Bangladeshis are being attributed to the serial blasts in Assam. Some Islamic terrorist organizations may have carried out the blasts to seek revenge. However, nothing can be said at the moment, as the investigation is still going on. The recent Assam blasts shook the nation, which just celebrated Diwali two days ago.

As expected, Union Home Ministry, Prime Minister and many other leaders have condemned the serial bomb blasts in Assam. Union MoS for Home Shakeel Ahmed tried to take a swipe on BJP and other Sangh Parivar groups even though he was asked about Assam bomb blasts. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi looked lost to find words, while the AGP demanded the immediate resignation of the government.

The BJP, which has been gunning for the head of the UPA government on the issue of terrorism, is on a defensive after the Mumbai ATS proved the Saffron angle to Malegaon blasts. The blame game, which began a few months ago, is not on its peak and no political party is trying to address the real issue. They are just worried about their vote banks. In such a situation, it won’t be surprising, if we witness more terror attacks in the country over the next few months.

 

Breaking News

Mayawati has cancelled the allotment of land for a railway coach factory in Sonia Gandhi’s constituency Rae Bareli, just three days before the Congress chief was scheduled to attend a ceremony at the site to mark the beginning of construction. The Uttar Pradesh chief minister’s decision is being seen by state Congress leaders as a move targeted at Sonia Gandhi. She is believed to have been unhappy with a rally Sonia Gandhi held last month in Dadri against land acquisition from farmers in Badalpur, Mayawati’s village. Considered a dream project of the Congress chief, the rail factory with an investment of Rs 1,689.25 crore was expected to provide employment to at least 10,000 people from the area. The move marks a new low in the relationship between Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party and the Congress-led coalition at the Centre, which she had supported from outside till early this year. It is expected to raise the temperature in the run-up to the general elections next year. But state government officials said Mayawati’s order on Saturday canceling the allotment of 189.25 hectare near Lalganj had everything to do with opposition from villagers. Principal Secretary (Information) Vijay Shankar Pandey told reporters on Sunday that the government’s decision was based on the district magistrate’s report about resentment among farmers over the acquisition of land. The government had allotted the land on May 19 this year. Rae Bareli district magistrate Santosh Srivastava in his October 10 report to the state government said that “land acquisition could lead to law and order problems in Rae Bareli”, Pandey said. The DM said the proposed factory required nearly 700 acre land and farmers were afraid that their land might be acquired for the purpose. Pandey added that instructions had been issued for the arrangement of alternative land for the project. “As of now there is no land for the project,” Pandey said. Reacting sharply, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) spokesman Akhilesh Pratap Singh said: “The decision had once again demonstrated that the BSP government was against development of the state.” Local Congress leaders said though Sonia Gandhi won’t have the Bhoomi Pujan of the rail project to attend, she might still address a scheduled rally at Lalganj on October 14. “Sonia Gandhi’s programme is still on. It may take place in some form or the other,” said Kishori Lal Sharma, a party leader making preparations for the rally. UPCC chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi said people of Dehar, Sohawal and Bannamau villages had given their consent in writing for the acquisition and that the “state government’s move will stall development”. She said the state government had not given the go-ahead to three other projects being set up in Rae Bareli.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said India had a negative approach during the drawn first Test on Monday. “We were the only ones trying to take the game forward,” said Ponting after India finished on 177-4 having been set an unlikely winning target of 299. “We played aggressive cricket. I am not surprised by the way they played, the Indian team play a lot of drawn games. We dominated this Test match.” The sides now head to Mohali for the second Test, which starts on Friday. Ponting said he went into the final day in Bangalore expecting “a really good contest”. “We got some extra runs we thought might have needed. We gave it our best shot with the ball but we just didn’t create enough opportunities,” he added. “We could not win it at the end, but it was a pretty good start to the series for us.” India paceman Zaheer Khan, who was man-of-the-match after claiming five wickets in the tourists’ first innings and also scoring an unbeaten 57, said Australia’s failure to force victory meant they would be under more pressure in the rest of the series. “They know they can’t take our 20 wickets. They couldn’t get me and Bhajji (Harbhajan Singh) out, what else do you want? They are under pressure, we know that,” he said. “On a fifth day wicket their spinners couldn’t do us any harm. That tells everyone what their spin attack is all about. “Even their pacers, they didn’t look like getting a wicket, especially on the fifth day on a wicket like this.”

– By Sagar Satapathy, Editor-in-Chief (Breaking News online) There has been a huge hue and cry over the financial health of ICICI Bank during the recent market meltdown. The ICICI Bank suffered huge losses, causing panic among the investors. But everyone forgot that ICICI Bank remains a big power in the banking sector and it has enough money to overcome any temporary crisis. The rumours, speculations and all permutations and combinations proved wrong, as the ICICI Bank led the market surge yesterday. Only a few days ago, situation was so bad that ICICI Bank MD and CEO KV Kamath, Finance Minister P Chidambaram and the RBI had to step in to assure the investors of ICICI Bank’s stability and growth. It is not known whether some vested interests played the spoilsport by indulging in a malicious campaign against the ICICI Bank. But the bank proved anyone wrong and emerged as a strong force to reckon with in the banking industry. ICICI Bank not only managed to generate trust and confidence among its investors, but led the way in market surge. As a result, other banks such as HDFC Bank, SBI and others also witnessed good results. The ICICI Prulife from ICICI Prudential still remains a big hit among the investors. The ICICI Prulife is rated high among other insurance and unit-linked products. It has been a huge relief to see ICICI Bank on top again. Millions of investors in India can now feel safe and secure. Their money should be always safe with ICICI Bank. There is no doubt about this.

Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways have entered into a code sharing alliance. The two airliners signed a pact for common fuel management, ground handling, network rationalisation and cross-crew use. They will also work together on cross-sales and staff training. The new alliance between Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines has much significance, as it does not have any equity implication.

The National Integration Council (NIC) meeting was dominated by the issues such as terrorism and anti-Christian violence. While the UPA leaders tried to focus only on anti-Christian violence and Communalism, the BJP-led NDA tried to take a swipe at the UPA government on the issue of rising terror activities in the country. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh expressed deep regret and anguish over the communal violence in Assam, Orissa and Karnataka. The NIC adopted a resolution condemning all acts of violence and terrorism and resolved to deal with such activities firmly. Gujarat CM Narendra Modi stole the show by taking the UPA government into task on the issue of terrorism. The BJP CMs demanded a tough terror law, which was rejected by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil. On the expected lines, Samajwadi Party, CPI and CPM warned against targeting the Muslim community as terrorists. The Prime Minister also supported their views. The NIC meet also witnessed a war-of-words between Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil. Naveen Patnaik refuted all charges against his government and revealed that Centre had delayed sending forces to tackle the communal violence. Later, he urged everyone to forget all political difference and work together towards the growth and development of all sections of the society. The NIC, which met after a gap of 3 years, is comprised of 146 members including all Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, leaders of national and regional political parties and eminent personalities. Senior BJPO leader, former Deputy PM and leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, LK Advani, who was invited as #134 to the NIC meet, did not attend, taking it as an insult to his stature. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Jaswant Singh was also not invited to the NIC meet.

Even as the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court ordered a stay on the cancellation of land allotment for Sonia Gandhi’s dream Rail Coach Factory in Rae Bareli, Mayawati sprung another surprise by imposing Section 144 in Rae Bareli on the eve of Sonia Gandhi’s rally. The government has denied permission for the rally citing law and order problem. The latest development could lead to a bitter face-off between Maywati and Sonia Gandhi. Mayawati took this decition after some congress minister supports the terrorist. And may be possible that sonia will announce some fund/relief for terrorists. So Mayawati impossess Section 144 in Rae Bareli. As we know that Arjun Singh, Amar singh Supports the terrorist and blam on Delhi Police and ignore the death of mohan chand sharma ( who died in fighiting with terrorist in jamiya nagar). We are very happy and with Mayawati for imposing Section 144 in Rae Bareli. Mayawati and Narendra Modi only two breave leaders in India rest of all are bharwa(hijra).

Paul Krugman, a Professor at Princeton University, United States, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Economics. Paul Krugman is an Op-Ed columnist for New York Times. Mr. Paul Krugman received the Nobel Prize for Economics for his commendable work on international trade and economic geography. Paul Krugman developed models that explained observed patters of trade between the countries. He also explained what goods are produced where and why. Paul Krugman’s theories explained why worldwide trade is dominated by a few countries that have similar policies and why some countries import the same goods they export.

 

Todays Top news

WWE No Mercy Results – October 5, 2008 The 11th WWE No Mercy was held on October 5, 2008 at the Rose Garden in Portland (Oregon). The WWE No Mercy saw some nail biting finish and complete excitement. Here are the final results of WWE No Mercy 2008: ECW Championship: Matt Hardy beat Mark Henry by pin Women’s Championship: Beth Phoenix (with Santino Marella) beat Candice Michelle (with Santino Marella) by pin Rey Mysterio beat Kane by DQ Contender for World Heavyweight Title: Batista beat JBL by pin Contender for World Heavyweight Title: Big Show beat The Undertaker by KO/Referee Stoppage WWE Championship: Triple H beat Jeff Hardy by countering a pinfall attempt World Heavyweight Championship: Ladder Match – Chris Jericho (with Lance Cade) beat Shawn Michaels

5 killed, 80 injured in Communal Violence in Dhule, Maharashtra At least 5 people were killed and 80 others injured in violent clashes between Hindus and Muslims in Dhule in Maharashtra. The injured included 8 policemen and additional collector M Y Patel. The rioters burnt several houses, damaged hundreds of vehicles and looted shops. The communal clashes took place in Azad Nagar, Moglai, Gurudwara, Bhangar Bazar and Ekveera Devi Chowk in Dhule town. Curfew has been imposed in Dhule following the communal violence. Security forces have been put on high alert. The injured have been rushed to hospital to Dhule Civil Hospital. The trouble started when Muslims torn off banners of Hindu Rajashan Samiti that appealed people to attend a public meeting in Dhule.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari: J&K Terrorists are no Freedom Fighters In a clear deviation from the official line taken by Pakistani leaders since the partition, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari said that militants in Jammu & Kashmir are no freedom fighters, but they are just terrorists. Asif Ali Zardari’s statement has surprised all both in India and Pakistan. Zardari also said that India has never been a threat to Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif’s PML(N) has strongly objected to Zardari’s statement and decided to take up this issue in the Parliament. There is an outrage in Pakistan over Zardari’s remarks against J&K militants. Both Congress and BJP have welcomed Zardari’s statement and saw it as a positive development towards improvement of relations between both countries. However, the communal People’s Democratic Party (PDP), an UPA ally, termed Zardari’s statement as unfortunate. PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti criticized Zardari and said that protesters in Kashmir cannot be termed as terrorists. If we read between the lines, she defended terrorists and terrorism.

Fight for Nano Project: Battle hots up between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh Sunday has been hectic for Nano officials, as they visited both Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to make a survey of sites available for the possible shifting of Nano Car project, which was pulled out of Singur, West Bengal. Both Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh governments have made a strong bid to welcome Nano project in their respective states. The Nano officials from Tata Motors held talks with the Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh governments on Sunday. Another state Gujarat has become a strong contender to bag Tata’s dream Nano car project. If there is someone who can easily overcome any challenges to make an industrial project possible in his state, it is none other than Gujarat CM Narendra Modi. His political and social clout in Gujarat may impress Ratan Tata to move his Nano project to Bhuj, Gujarat. According to sources, Tata officials will soon meet Gujarat government officials to discuss the matter. Other states such as Maharashtra, Haryana and Orissa also invited Tatas to shift their Nano project to their states. But the main battle is between Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. Let’s wait and watch for the winner of this hot game. Whoever wins at last, the loser is West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, whose investor-friendly image has taken a huge beating.

Curfew imposed in Srinagar, “Greater Kashmir” suspends publication from Sunday Kashmir is on boil again. Indefinite curfew has been imposed in all 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley to prevent people from taking out the march from Lal Chowk to LoC tomorrow. The separatist Coordination Committee (CC) has asked the people to reach Lal Chowk on October 6. Several separatist leaders including Jaffar Akbar Bhatt, Sajad Lone and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have been put under house arrest. Meanwhile, Jammu & Kashmir’s leading newspaper “Greater Kashmir” has suspended its publications from Sunday following the denial of curfew passes. Another local TV channel has been taken off air by the government for allegedly showing hatred and divisive content.

Lakshmi Mittal loses £16.6 billion in Global Meltdown The global meltdown, which caused widespread crisis in many bigger firms across the world, has affected Steel Baron Lakshmi N Mittal too. According to media reports, Lakshmi Mittal has lost 16.6 billion pounds in the global credit crunch that crashed major stock markets in the world in the last few months. Another NRI businessman Anil Agarwal, also lost 2.7 billion pounds. Lakshmi Mittal was considered as the richest person in Britain before the global credit crunch happened. His stakes fell from 33.24 billion pounds to 16.63 billion pounds during this weekend. The report was published on Sunday Times.

Chamunda Devi Stampede Death Toll reaches 215 The Rajasthan government has put the death toll in the Chamunda Devi temple stampede at 215. The government has also announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh for the families of each dead. In addition, children who have lost their fathers will receive a payment of Rs. 4000 per month till adulthood. Children, who have lost only their mothers, will receive Rs. 1500 per month till their adulthood. Parents of the deceased will get Rs. 2000 per month. According to the Rajasthan government, families of victims and injured will get the benefits of health insurance, self-employment schemes and training facilities.

Communal Violence in Assam: 29 kiled, 70 injured With the death of four people in police firing on Sunday, the death toll in the communal violence in Assam reached 29. At least 70 people are reportedly injured in the clashes between tribal Assamese people and migrant Bangladeshis in the last couple of days. Shoot-at-sight order has been issued in Central Assam, as the violence spread to other parts of the state. Over 250 houses were burnt in Assam since the communal violence broke out. Udalguri was the worst-affected district. According to media reports, Pakistani flags were hoisted by the Bangaldeshi migrants in the trouble-torn areas of Assam. The violence was started by Bangaldeshi migrants, when they attacked local Bodos. The Bodos supported by other local communities retaliated, which triggered a widespread conflict between the two communities. Over 1,000 soldiers have been deployed to contain the violence. Curfew has been imposed in the troubled areas. The Union Home Ministry, which talked about the imposition of President’s Rule in Orissa over communal violence in Kandhamal, remains silent over Assam violence since the state is ruled by Congress.

’93 Surat Blasts: Former Gujarat Minister Mohammad Surti sentenced to 20 years Former Congress Minister from Gujarat Mohammad Surti and four other accused were sentenced to 20 years in prison in the 1993 Surat blasts case. Seven other accused were handed over a 10-year jail term. Mohammad Surti and other accused were convicted in the twin blasts in Surat, which killed a teenager girl and injured 31 in 1993. The blasts were conducted in retaliation to Babri demolition in 1992. The blasts had taken place in January 1993 in Varachha area and on the platform number one of Surat railway station during the communal riots. Mohammad Surti was a former minister of state for Fisheries. All accused belonged to minority community. The TADA court also slapped a fine of Rs. 5 lakh on Surti and other four other accused. One accused was acquitted due to lack of evidence. Eight accused are still absconding.

Rice meets Pranab, 123 Agreement to be signed later US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who arrived in India this morning, met India’s External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi. Both leaders later addressed a joint press conference and said that India and the US will soon sign the 123 Agreement to operationalise the civilian nuclear deal. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said once the US President George Bush signs the bill, the process will be be complete and India will be in a position to sign the 123 Agreement. Condoleezza Rich gave a diplomatic statement – “There are no open issues left in the 123 Agreement”.

 

Mohan Chand Sharma died

Police Special Cell Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma died in hospital on Friday (19 september 2008) after receiving several bullet injuries during an encounter with terrorists in south Delhi earlier in the day.

Breaveheart Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who had sustained three bullet injuries during today’s encounter with terrorists at Batla House, Jamia Nagar in South Delhi, died in the hospital. Mohan Chand Sharma, who was leading the entire operation, was critically injured and was admitted to Holy Family Hospital in New Delhi.

Minutes before he succumbed to his injuries, BJP leaders LK Advani and Rajnath Singh had visited him in the hospital. Mohan Chand Sharma was one of the most capable police officers in the country. He had received four President’s Medals and three other police medals in his career. He had killed over 40 terrorists in different encounters.

India salutes its brave son, who became a martyr for his motherland. Breaking News Online pays rich tribute to martyr MC Sharma and send condolence message to his bereaved family. Long Live Shahid Mohan Chand Sharma!

Time line:
Following is the sequence of events, according to Delhi Police, of Friday’s shootout in which two suspected terrorists were killed, two managed to escape and one was captured:

Around 10 am:

* A team of 20 people led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Sanjeev Yadav reaches Jamia Nagar. The team takes position on the buildings around apartment block L-18.

Between 11-11.45 am:

* Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who was not wearing a flak jacket, knocks on the front door of an apartment on the fourth floor of L-18 building.

* Sharma asks the inmates to come out for police verification. Occupants open fire from a .3 mm pistol.

* Three bullets hit Sharma; two pass through his body. Sharma falls down as the policemen take shelter.

* Head Constable Balwan Singh suffers injury on right hand.

* Sharma is taken to the nearby Holy Family Hospital, where doctors immediately wheel him into the operation theatre to remove a bullet lodged in his stomach.

* Senior police officials, including Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Karnal Singh and Deputy commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Alok Kumar arrive at Jamia Nagar.

* Various teams of the Special Cell are pressed into the service along with a platoon of elite National Security Guards commandos.

* Teams wearing protective gear once again try to move into the apartment.

* As both side trade fire, police asked people in the area to remain indoors.

* Police fired a total of 22 rounds; occupants of apartment retaliate with eight rounds.

* Two suspected terrorists are gunned down, even as two others managed to flee from the rear of the apartment, apparently by jumping onto the roof of an adjoining building; one man is captured as police move into the apartment.

* Police teams remove the bodies of the dead and take away the captured man to an undisclosed location.

Around 11.45 am:

* Police declare the firefight over.

* People come out of the their houses and chant anti-police slogans, expressing their anger to reporters for wrongly reporting that terrorists were hiding in a nearby mosque.

4 pm:

* Delhi Police Commissioner YS Dadwal holds press conference to announce that one of the dead was Asif, mastermind of Delhi bombings.

7 pm

* Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, grievously injured in the police raid, is dead.

Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, injured in Delhi encounter, died in a Delhi hospital on Friday.

Forty-one-year-old Sharma, a highly decorated officer who received three bullet injuries in his abdomen, thigh and right arm in the gunbattle at Jamia Nagar in South Delhi, succumbed to his injuries at the Holy Family hospital at 7 pm, doctors attending him said.

A recipient of seven gallantry medals, Sharma, who had led the police team against the militants wanted in connection with Delhi and Ahmedabad blasts, underwent an operation to remove the bullets from his body.

“We have lost our best man,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Karnal Singh told PTI.

Inspector Sharma led Friday’s encounter in South Delhi’s Jamia Nagar area where two terrorists were killed and another was arrested.

Earlier, Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal said that Inpector Sharma was one of the bravest officers in the the force.

Intelligence sources have said that Atif, one of the militants killed today, masterminded Delhi blasts. Atif was the brain behind serial blasts in Ahmedabad, Japiur. (With PTI inputs)

Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who was injured in the encounter in Jamia Nagar early on Friday, has died in a Delhi hospital.

Forty-two-year-old Sharma, who led the police action against the terrorists in Jamia Nagar, received three bullet injuries in his abdomen, thigh and right arm in the gunbattle. He succumbed to his injuries at the Holy Family hospital at 7 pm, doctors attending him said.

“He was bleeding profusely,” says Reverend Arthur Thampu, medical director of the Holy Family Hospital.

“We have lost our best man,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Karnal Singh mourned.

Earlier, Police Commissioner Y S Dadhwal described Mohan Chand as “one of our most brave officers”.

In the 10 years since he joined the special cell, Inspector Sharma won six medals. He was involved in some of the police’s biggest cases.

He had helped nail the men involved in the attack on Parliament and was credited with helping to kill 35 terrorists. Another 85, who were arrested, were also tracked down by him.

Sharma is survived by 2 children, a son and a daughter

 

Mohan Chand Sharma died in hospital

Police Special Cell Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma died in hospital on Friday (19 september 2008) after receiving several bullet injuries during an encounter with terrorists in south Delhi earlier in the day.

Breaveheart Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who had sustained three bullet injuries during today’s encounter with terrorists at Batla House, Jamia Nagar in South Delhi, died in the hospital. Mohan Chand Sharma, who was leading the entire operation, was critically injured and was admitted to Holy Family Hospital in New Delhi.

Minutes before he succumbed to his injuries, BJP leaders LK Advani and Rajnath Singh had visited him in the hospital. Mohan Chand Sharma was one of the most capable police officers in the country. He had received four President’s Medals and three other police medals in his career. He had killed over 40 terrorists in different encounters.

India salutes its brave son, who became a martyr for his motherland. Breaking News Online pays rich tribute to martyr MC Sharma and send condolence message to his bereaved family. Long Live Shahid Mohan Chand Sharma!

Time line:
Following is the sequence of events, according to Delhi Police, of Friday’s shootout in which two suspected terrorists were killed, two managed to escape and one was captured:

Around 10 am:

* A team of 20 people led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Sanjeev Yadav reaches Jamia Nagar. The team takes position on the buildings around apartment block L-18.

Between 11-11.45 am:

* Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who was not wearing a flak jacket, knocks on the front door of an apartment on the fourth floor of L-18 building.

* Sharma asks the inmates to come out for police verification. Occupants open fire from a .3 mm pistol.

* Three bullets hit Sharma; two pass through his body. Sharma falls down as the policemen take shelter.

* Head Constable Balwan Singh suffers injury on right hand.

* Sharma is taken to the nearby Holy Family Hospital, where doctors immediately wheel him into the operation theatre to remove a bullet lodged in his stomach.

* Senior police officials, including Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Karnal Singh and Deputy commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Alok Kumar arrive at Jamia Nagar.

* Various teams of the Special Cell are pressed into the service along with a platoon of elite National Security Guards commandos.

* Teams wearing protective gear once again try to move into the apartment.

* As both side trade fire, police asked people in the area to remain indoors.

* Police fired a total of 22 rounds; occupants of apartment retaliate with eight rounds.

* Two suspected terrorists are gunned down, even as two others managed to flee from the rear of the apartment, apparently by jumping onto the roof of an adjoining building; one man is captured as police move into the apartment.

* Police teams remove the bodies of the dead and take away the captured man to an undisclosed location.

Around 11.45 am:

* Police declare the firefight over.

* People come out of the their houses and chant anti-police slogans, expressing their anger to reporters for wrongly reporting that terrorists were hiding in a nearby mosque.

4 pm:

* Delhi Police Commissioner YS Dadwal holds press conference to announce that one of the dead was Asif, mastermind of Delhi bombings.

7 pm

* Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, grievously injured in the police raid, is dead.

Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, injured in Delhi encounter, died in a Delhi hospital on Friday.

Forty-one-year-old Sharma, a highly decorated officer who received three bullet injuries in his abdomen, thigh and right arm in the gunbattle at Jamia Nagar in South Delhi, succumbed to his injuries at the Holy Family hospital at 7 pm, doctors attending him said.

A recipient of seven gallantry medals, Sharma, who had led the police team against the militants wanted in connection with Delhi and Ahmedabad blasts, underwent an operation to remove the bullets from his body.

“We have lost our best man,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Karnal Singh told PTI.

Inspector Sharma led Friday’s encounter in South Delhi’s Jamia Nagar area where two terrorists were killed and another was arrested.

Earlier, Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal said that Inpector Sharma was one of the bravest officers in the the force.

Intelligence sources have said that Atif, one of the militants killed today, masterminded Delhi blasts. Atif was the brain behind serial blasts in Ahmedabad, Japiur. (With PTI inputs)

Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who was injured in the encounter in Jamia Nagar early on Friday, has died in a Delhi hospital.

Forty-two-year-old Sharma, who led the police action against the terrorists in Jamia Nagar, received three bullet injuries in his abdomen, thigh and right arm in the gunbattle. He succumbed to his injuries at the Holy Family hospital at 7 pm, doctors attending him said.

“He was bleeding profusely,” says Reverend Arthur Thampu, medical director of the Holy Family Hospital.

“We have lost our best man,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Karnal Singh mourned.

Earlier, Police Commissioner Y S Dadhwal described Mohan Chand as “one of our most brave officers”.

In the 10 years since he joined the special cell, Inspector Sharma won six medals. He was involved in some of the police’s biggest cases.

He had helped nail the men involved in the attack on Parliament and was credited with helping to kill 35 terrorists. Another 85, who were arrested, were also tracked down by him.

Sharma is survived by 2 children, a son and a daughter

 

Mohan Chand Sharma died in hospital

Police Special Cell Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma died in hospital on Friday (19 september 2008) after receiving several bullet injuries during an encounter with terrorists in south Delhi earlier in the day.

Breaveheart Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who had sustained three bullet injuries during today’s encounter with terrorists at Batla House, Jamia Nagar in South Delhi, died in the hospital. Mohan Chand Sharma, who was leading the entire operation, was critically injured and was admitted to Holy Family Hospital in New Delhi.

Minutes before he succumbed to his injuries, BJP leaders LK Advani and Rajnath Singh had visited him in the hospital. Mohan Chand Sharma was one of the most capable police officers in the country. He had received four President’s Medals and three other police medals in his career. He had killed over 40 terrorists in different encounters.

India salutes its brave son, who became a martyr for his motherland. Breaking News Online pays rich tribute to martyr MC Sharma and send condolence message to his bereaved family. Long Live Shahid Mohan Chand Sharma!

Time line:
Following is the sequence of events, according to Delhi Police, of Friday’s shootout in which two suspected terrorists were killed, two managed to escape and one was captured:

Around 10 am:

* A team of 20 people led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Sanjeev Yadav reaches Jamia Nagar. The team takes position on the buildings around apartment block L-18.

Between 11-11.45 am:

* Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who was not wearing a flak jacket, knocks on the front door of an apartment on the fourth floor of L-18 building.

* Sharma asks the inmates to come out for police verification. Occupants open fire from a .3 mm pistol.

* Three bullets hit Sharma; two pass through his body. Sharma falls down as the policemen take shelter.

* Head Constable Balwan Singh suffers injury on right hand.

* Sharma is taken to the nearby Holy Family Hospital, where doctors immediately wheel him into the operation theatre to remove a bullet lodged in his stomach.

* Senior police officials, including Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Karnal Singh and Deputy commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Alok Kumar arrive at Jamia Nagar.

* Various teams of the Special Cell are pressed into the service along with a platoon of elite National Security Guards commandos.

* Teams wearing protective gear once again try to move into the apartment.

* As both side trade fire, police asked people in the area to remain indoors.

* Police fired a total of 22 rounds; occupants of apartment retaliate with eight rounds.

* Two suspected terrorists are gunned down, even as two others managed to flee from the rear of the apartment, apparently by jumping onto the roof of an adjoining building; one man is captured as police move into the apartment.

* Police teams remove the bodies of the dead and take away the captured man to an undisclosed location.

Around 11.45 am:

* Police declare the firefight over.

* People come out of the their houses and chant anti-police slogans, expressing their anger to reporters for wrongly reporting that terrorists were hiding in a nearby mosque.

4 pm:

* Delhi Police Commissioner YS Dadwal holds press conference to announce that one of the dead was Asif, mastermind of Delhi bombings.

7 pm

* Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, grievously injured in the police raid, is dead.

Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, injured in Delhi encounter, died in a Delhi hospital on Friday.

Forty-one-year-old Sharma, a highly decorated officer who received three bullet injuries in his abdomen, thigh and right arm in the gunbattle at Jamia Nagar in South Delhi, succumbed to his injuries at the Holy Family hospital at 7 pm, doctors attending him said.

A recipient of seven gallantry medals, Sharma, who had led the police team against the militants wanted in connection with Delhi and Ahmedabad blasts, underwent an operation to remove the bullets from his body.

“We have lost our best man,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Karnal Singh told PTI.

Inspector Sharma led Friday’s encounter in South Delhi’s Jamia Nagar area where two terrorists were killed and another was arrested.

Earlier, Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal said that Inpector Sharma was one of the bravest officers in the the force.

Intelligence sources have said that Atif, one of the militants killed today, masterminded Delhi blasts. Atif was the brain behind serial blasts in Ahmedabad, Japiur. (With PTI inputs)

Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who was injured in the encounter in Jamia Nagar early on Friday, has died in a Delhi hospital.

Forty-two-year-old Sharma, who led the police action against the terrorists in Jamia Nagar, received three bullet injuries in his abdomen, thigh and right arm in the gunbattle. He succumbed to his injuries at the Holy Family hospital at 7 pm, doctors attending him said.

“He was bleeding profusely,” says Reverend Arthur Thampu, medical director of the Holy Family Hospital.

“We have lost our best man,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Karnal Singh mourned.

Earlier, Police Commissioner Y S Dadhwal described Mohan Chand as “one of our most brave officers”.

In the 10 years since he joined the special cell, Inspector Sharma won six medals. He was involved in some of the police’s biggest cases.

He had helped nail the men involved in the attack on Parliament and was credited with helping to kill 35 terrorists. Another 85, who were arrested, were also tracked down by him.

Sharma is survived by 2 children, a son and a daughter

 

Delhi Police Killed 2 innocent.

Delhi Police Killed 2 innocent (sorry they are Terrorists, but may be possible that our Home Minister may say “they are our brother and innocent”).

Police say they have secured the area where the shoot-out happened

The Delhi police on Friday shot dead two persons, suspected to be terrorists involved in the September 13 blasts, in a lane near the Khalifullah mosque in South Delhi’s Jamia Nagar. “The special cell got information from the control room and came here to nab the men. From the information we have now, two persons were killed and two of the special cell policemen have sustained bullet injuries,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (south) HGS Dhaliwal. Though the area falls under his jurisdiction, the operation was carried out by the special cell of the Delhi police, which handles high profile criminal and terrorism cases. Dhaliwal said the operation was not in a mosque as some rumours suggested. The police said, based on the information they had, they reached the L-18, near Batla House, at around 11 am to apprehend the suspects. The police said the suspects opened fire and they had to retaliate. Special Cell Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma took a bullet in his abdomen and a head constable was injured, the police said. The police said of the five suspects, one was injured and arrested while two managed to escape. The locals said the police started the combing operation as early as 9 am. The locals also said they were not sure if there was any crossfire. Soon after the firing ended, some the residents raised slogans against the establishment and the police. “Last time also, they came into the area a day before Id and conducted a similar operation. There must be a thorough probe and it should be clearly established if those killed were really terrorists,” Salim Mohammed, a resident said. The police are searching for the two suspects in the neighbourhood. Atiq, a terrorist wanted in connection with the serial blasts in Delhi and Ahmedabad , and his associate were killed in the encounter. Acting on intelligence inputs, the police raided the house where Atiq and four other militants were holed up, the police said. In the exchange of fire that ensued, Atiq and another terrorist were killed, Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Karnail Singh told reporters. While one terrorist was arrested, two managed to escape during the operation, he said. Mohan Chand Sharma, who led the team, and a head constable were injured in the heavy exchange of fire. Sharma suffered a bullet injury in the abdomen, Dhaliwal said. The police team had gone in search of the terrorists after the prime suspect in the Ahmedabad serial blasts Abu Basher had identified the four-storied house near a mosque in Jamia Nagar where he along with Delhi serial blasts mastermind Mohammed Subhan Qureshi had taken shelter in July. Basher was brought to Delhi on Thursday from Ahmedabad for questioning after the last week’s serial blasts in Delhi that claimed 24 lives. Indian Mujahideen, a shadow outfit of the Students Islamic Movement of India and Lashkar-e-Tayiba, had claimed responsibility for the Delhi attack. Dhaliwal rubbished reports that the encounter took place in a mosque. Meanwhile, 40-year-old Balwant, one of the two policemen of the special cell involved in the encounter with the terrorists in Jamia Nagar, is now recuperating from bullet injuries at the AIIMS’ Trauma Centre.

Police are under pressure to catch the bombers.

Mohan Chand Sharma who also received bullet injuries in the abdomen during the encounter, is undergoing surgery at the Holy Family Hospital at Okhla Road. “The condition of Balwant is stable. He has a gunshot injury in the right arm. We are going to operate on him soon,” Sushma Sagar, assistant professor, surgery, AIIMS Trauma Centre, told PTI. “We have also got to see if the gunshot has fractured any of his bone and torn muscles and and nerves,” she added. Sagar also confirmed that two persons were brought dead along with the police officials. Police said two terrorists and two officers of their special cell were injured in the encounter. A top Islamic militant suspected of involvement in the wave of bomb attacks on Indian cities has been killed in a shoot-out in Delhi, police say. They say the man identified as Atif was killed with another man in a “fierce exchange” of gunfire at a house in the mainly Muslim Jamia Nagar district. Two Indian policemen were injured in the operation and a third suspect was captured alive. At least 20 people died in a multiple bomb attack on Delhi last week. News channels showed an ambulance taking away a bloodied person from the crowded site of Friday’s gun battle. A large contingent of policemen had surrounded the four-storey home where the suspected militants were supposed to be hiding, witnesses told the BBC. Unclear “The police were firing at the fourth and top storey of the building,” one eyewitness said. “A lot of people had gathered around the building.” Police arrived at the house after receiving information that some “suspected militants” were hiding there, senior Delhi police official Karnail Singh told reporters. “They opened fire on the police when we approached the house,” he said. “Two of our men, including an inspector, were injured.” Two militants were killed during the ensuing gun battle and one was arrested, he added. On Wednesday, Delhi police issued sketches of three men who they believe were involved in the attacks. About 90 people were injured when the five devices went off in busy shopping areas within minutes of each other. An e-mail purportedly from a group calling itself the “Indian Mujahideen” claimed it carried out the attacks. On Thursday, India revealed plans to upgrade its intelligence-gathering ability following a spate of bombings. A new centre will be established to research surveillance and preventative measures and become a focus for counter-terrorism strategies.