Poonch, Jan 16 (IANS) Pakistani guns have fallen silent across the Jammu and Kashmir border but villagers close to the frontier said Wednesday they were digging protective bunkers. Indian officials also spoke of reports that the Pakistan Army had got some of its villages hugging the Line of Control (LoC) evacuated. A Poonch district official said named some of the Pakistani villages whose residents have been asked to move out as Tata Pani, Mandol, Khalote and Kahi Gala
New Delhi, Jan 16 (IANS) Pakistan has to take concrete steps to reduce tensions in the wake of the outrage over the killing of two Indian soldiers near the Line of Control, one of whom was beheaded, security analysts say. They also asserted that India's "no business as usual" move towards its neighbour was a reflection of public sentiment. Former Intelligence Bureau chief Ajit Doval said it was for Pakistan to address India's concerns over the killing of its soldiers, through proper follow-up action that India could verify
Poonch, Jan 16 (IANS) Life has turned full circle for many villagers whose homes virtually hug Jammu and Kashmir's porous border with Pakistan. With the Indian and Pakistani militaries locked in fresh shelling and firing, and with tensions peaking, panic has gripped the villages, which had been breathing easy since the 2003 truce. "They (villagers close to the border) are fearing a collapse of the ceasefire agreement (between India and Pakistan)," said a Poonch resident, Aijaz Kazmi
Jammu, Jan 16 (IANS) With rising incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC), residents of villages on the border in Poonch district are scared and apprehensive.
Beijing, Jan 16 (IANS) Despite their border row, India and China are "looking to deepen mutual trust" and the bilateral relationship, a Chinese daily said Wednesday. China Daily also quoted a Chinese military leader as saying that Beijing was "committed to promoting the strategic partnership... with India".
Mathura, Jan 16 (IANS) Indian Army chief General Bikram Singh Wednesday visited the family of Lance Naik Hemraj, who was beheaded by Pakistani troops. "Being the head of the army, I consider them part of my family
Damascus, Jan 16 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The Russian consulate in Syria's Aleppo city has suspended operations, said the Russian foreign ministry. This follows the twin blasts that killed 80 people in the city Tuesday
Washington, Jan 16 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The White House has downplayed media speculations that chemical weapons had been used by President Bashar al-Assad's regime against the Syrian rebels. According to a recent report in the Foreign Policy magazine, a secret American investigation revealed that Assad forces used a poisonous gas against the rebels in Homs city Dec 23, 2012.
Moscow, Jan 16 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The Russian foreign ministry has slammed a request by a few dozen countries that the Syria crisis be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC). "We believe the initiative is untimely and counterproductive for the resolution of the priority task, which is to immediately stop bloodshed in Syria," the ministry said. It said the initiative would only "complicate the search for ways to politically and diplomatically settle the Syrian conflict".
Washington, Jan 15 (IANS) A majority of Americans support tougher measures to counter gun violence, but are divided on how much priority the Obama administration and Congress should give to gun issues, says a new poll released Tuesday. The Washington Post-ABC poll showed that 52 percent of Americans say the mass shooting at the Sandy Hook elementary school, which killed 26 people including 20 children, made them more supportive of gun control.
