Having sparked off a major political controversy with his tweet -- that the Gujarat riots led to the formation of terror outfit Indian Mujahideen -- All India Congress Committee general secretary Shakeel Ahmed on Monday said he was surprised by the Bharatiya Janata Party's strong reaction to the comment as he was merely referring to the charge-sheet filed by the National Investigation Agency after the Bodh Gaya serial blasts
Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Monday refused to comment on Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed's controversial tweet on the origin of Indian Mujahideen, a banned terror outfit. While Shinde did not comment when asked about Ahmed's tweet that Indian Mujahideen was formed after the Gujarat riots, his deputy R P N Singh feigned ignorance over the tweet.
Radical Islamist networks are deliberately targeting Muslim youths embedded within the country's professional and academic ecosystems, leveraging their skills, mobility, and digital reach to quietly strengthen operational capabilities. This trend highlights a dangerous evolution in terror recruitment -- one that exploits ideological faultlines, online echo chambers and transnational radical Islamist influences to attract individuals who outwardly embody India's modern and aspirational narrative, points out Dr Kanchan Lakshman.
Ten days after the devastating car explosion near the Red Fort, in which 13 people lost their lives and several others were injured, investigators say the incident is part of a broader terror conspiracy involving a professional network of radicalised individuals based in Faridabad, Saharanpur and Kashmir.
The Pakistan cricket team left for Dubai for the marquee Champions Trophy clash against arch-rivals India without opener Fakhar Zaman, who suffered an injury during the opening match against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. The left-handed batter has been replaced by Imam-ul-Haq in Pakistan's squad.
The Committee of Management, Shahi Jama Masjid, moved the high court challenging the suit and the Sambhal court order which directed the survey through an advocate commissioner.
But Stokes then introduced Ahmed in the afternoon session and the youngster ripped apart Pakistan's middle order.
IMAGES from the Champions Trophy Group A match played between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, in Dubai on Sunday.
Waiting for ministry confirmation, but good decision to give Pak the nod: Tirkey
In the statement issued on Thursday, the commission said the violation of any order or directive of the commission is a punishable offence under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
West Indies were bowled out for 163 before they fought back to dismiss Pakistan for 154 shortly before the close of play.
Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, remains on high alert following violence that erupted on November 24 over a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. Police have deployed heavy security ahead of Friday prayers and a court hearing on the survey, which is expected to be tense. The violence, which left four people dead and several injured, stemmed from claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site of the mosque.
An independent candidate was on Friday shot dead, while a Pakistan People's Party nominee went missing in the port city of Karachi.
India captain Rohit Sharma played down concerns around his fitness after a crucial group A match of the Champions Trophy against Pakistan. Despite a brief period off the field during the Pakistan innings, Rohit assured that his hamstring was "okay." Meanwhile, Virat Kohli's century led India to a six-wicket victory, putting them on the verge of a semifinal berth.
The result took Scotland to the top of Group B with five points, with one fixture left to play against Australia on Saturday evening in St Lucia.
David Warner and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis scored half-centuries as 2021 champions Australia opened their account in the T20 World Cup with a 39-run win against Oman.
Pakistan and Bangladesh will face off in a dead rubber match in the Champions Trophy on Thursday, both teams looking to salvage some pride after disappointing tournament performances. Both teams have suffered heavy defeats to New Zealand.
Pakistan overcame a jittery start on a rain-hit opening day of the first test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi as Saim Ayub and Saud Shakeel scored fighting half-centuries
The latest case was registered at the Dhoomanganj police station on Monday, the official added.
Pakistan have dropped plans to conduct "major surgery" on the national team as it included senior players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi in the Test squad for the two-match series against Bangladesh.
In comments that are likely to stoke a controversy, Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed on Wednesday said the blast near Bharatiya Janata Party's office in Bangalore will certainly help the opposition party politically on the eve of election.
A day after the Congress sought to reach out to its allies, party general secretary M Shakeel Ahmed on Saturday called on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to discuss 'things important to the state and general national scenario'. Emerging from a meeting with Banerjee, which lasted for about 45 minutes, Ahmed told reporters, "It is a courtesy call. We discussed things which are important to West Bengal and the general national scenario."
Undeterred by the controversy surrounding its seat sharing talks with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, the Congress has begun moves for an 'honourable alliance' with the Trinamool Congress in poll-bound West Bengal.
Saud Shakeel's crafty 134 fetched Pakistan a handy first-innings lead before their spinners blew away England's top order to boost their hopes of a memorable series victory on day two of the deciding third Test in Rawalpindi on Friday.
Spinners took 16 wickets on Sunday as Jomel Warrican's seven-wicket haul restricted Pakistan's second innings to 157, setting a target of 251 for West Indies, who failed to get a partnership going on the turn-heavy track.
An alleged associate of underworld don Chhota Shakeel and a businessman were arrested under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act charges for allegedly threatening Congress Member of Legislative Assembly Baba Siddiqui over a property dispute, the police said in Mumbai.
Asked how many seats the Congress would fight on, Singh said they would be flexible in seat sharing.
Shaheen Afridi also missed the last two Tests against England in October.
New Zealand clinched the tri-nation title by beating hosts Pakistan by five wickets in the final in Karachi on Friday to give them a major boost ahead of next week's Champions Trophy.
Virat Kohli anchored a tricky chase with an unbeaten 100.
The Congress has appointed observers to coordinate meetings of its legislature party in four states where assembly election results will be declared on Sunday.
Pakistan have made four changes to the side for the second Test against England after resting senior cricketers including former captain Babar Azam from the rest of the series.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi Wednesday held consultations with senior party leaders, including A K Antony, as talks for an alliance with Jharkhand Mukti Morcha for the next Lok Sabha polls and formation of a coalition government in Jharkhand reached the final stage.
The Congress on Tuesday distanced itself from senior party leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's remarks that he would be "unhappy" if the Commonwealth Games was a success and that only "evil" will patronise such events.
Rashid Alvi was dropped as the Congress spokesperson with the All India Congress Committee on Sunday bringing in a new team of eight spokespersons, retaining existing three and inducting five fresh faces.
The Congress on Tuesday remained undecided whether to go it alone in poll-bound Jharkhand or tie up with regional parties.
As a divided Union Cabinet shunned the ordinance route on the food bill issue, Congress said no option is ruled out over the legislation, though it would "prefer" its passage by Parliament.
Congress party on Wednesday distanced itself from party leader Shakeel Ahmed's remarks -- that the blast near Bharatiya Janata Party's office in Bangalore will help the Opposition party politically -- and said it does not view the problem of terrorism in terms of political benefit or loss.
Dubbing the Bharatiya Janata Party ministry in Karnataka as the "most corrupt government in free India", the Congress on Wednesday demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and all ministers indicted by the Lokayukta in the illegal mining case. "Those holding constitutional positions should uphold high moral traditions. Yeddyurappa and all ministers involved in the nefarious activities should quit," party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed told reporters.
Prices of computers and charges for Internet connections may be reduced soon, Union Minister of State for Communication and Information Technology, Shakeel Ahmed said on Tuesday.
