The Border Security force and Pakistan Rangers decided to allow maintenance of the existing defence-related construction along the border on Thursday. While no new construction will be allowed, each force will allow the other to carry out maintenance work of the border outposts and observation points on the zero line. The two forces decided to devise a mechanism of enhanced detection and communication to check ceasefire violations and cross-border firing. Pakistan raised the massive pounding on border settlements by the BSF in the Jammu sector in January, which started after the Rangers objected to a defence structure being constructed on 150 yards of land.
Indian Islamic scholars issue fatwa against ISIS
Over 1,000 Islamic scholars, including muftis and imams from India, have issued a 15-volume fatwa against the leader, fighters and followers of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. In a letter to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon last month, these scholars described themselves as believers and followers of Islam, and strongly condemned the actions of the ISIS. They appealed to the international community to have a better understanding of what it means to be a Muslim and a follower of Islam, and not to abuse it by associating it with terrorist outfits like the ISIS.
Unclaimed investments will go for senior citizens' healthcare
The Centre is planning to use unclaimed amounts in government investment schemes to provide healthcare to the country's senior citizens, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Thursday. He said state governments across the country have expanded public health care but the number of doctors are still inadequate. "We have about 5,00,000 doctors short still," he said
Mumbai 7/11 serial train blasts verdict today
The special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act court will pass its verdict in the 2006 serial train blast case on Friday. On July 11, 2006, a series of seven blasts was carried out over a period of 11 minutes on suburban trains in Mumbai, claiming 187 lives.
Modi hits back at Sonia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi rebutted Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's barb that he was a hawabaazi, a person full of empty talk. He twisted the word around to suggest that his credibility was being questioned by "those involved in 'hawalabazi'", or illegal money transiers. "People steeped in corruption are troubled by our rigorous decisions against black money hoarders so they stall the functioning of the government," Modi said. "We tried talking to all Opposition parties to revive parliament session. All agreed, except one," he said.