LIVE! Navjot Singh Sidhu removed from 'The Kapil Sharma Show'

LIVE

Sat, 16 February 2019

Navjot Singh Sidhu removed from 'The Kapil Sharma Show'

Timeline Refresh

21:36 Navjot Singh Sidhu removed from 'The Kapil Sharma Show'

Navjot Singh Sidhu has been sacked from The Kapil Sharma Show after his controversial comments on Pulwama terror attack, a source told ANI.

The channel has already started with the process of removing Navjot and will replace him with actor Archana Puran Singh, said the source.

Cricketer turned politician Sidhu, a cabinet minister in the Punjab government, was an important member of the comedy show.

Reacting to the Pulwama terror attack, which left 40 CRPF personnel killed, Sidhus comments drew flak from various quarters.

"For a handful of people, can you blame the entire nation and can you blame an individual? It is a cowardly act and I condemn it firmly. Violence is always condemnable and those who did it must be punished," Sidhu had said during a media interaction on Friday.

Finding the comments insensitive, people started reacting angrily and #boycottsidhu started trending on social media. -- ANI

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday reviewed the law and order situation in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack and appealed to the people to maintain peace and communal harmony so that the forces trying to disrupt the peaceful environment of the state are defeated.

Malik was speaking at a high-level meeting convened at Raj Bhavan in Jammu to review the present law and order situation in the state in the aftermath of the terror attack which left 40 CRPF personnel dead in the Awantipora area of Pulwama district Thursday, an official spokesman said.

He said the governor directed the police to take strict action without mercy against those indulging in any type of violence, arson or rumour mongering irrespective of political and religious affiliation

Malik also reviewed the situation of students from Jammu and Kashmir studying in various universities and colleges across the country, the spokesman said.

He said the meeting was informed that liaison officers appointed at all major locations were working effectively and coordinating with university authorities and the local police to ensure the safety of the students.

Some minor developments happened in Baba Fareed Institute of Technology, Dehradun, Maharishi Markand University, Ambala and Chitkara University, Batti, Himachal Pradesh. In all three places, liaison officers worked with the deans and vice chancellors to ensure safety of the students, the spokesman said.

He said the governor directed the liaison officers that they should continue to be in close touch with J&K students and ensure their safety.

The governor was informed that the divisional commissioner, Jammu, held a meeting of the Peace Committee here on Friday. In the meeting, all parties universally condemned the unfortunate incidents in the city and agreed to restrain their supporters from indulging in any unlawful behaviour, the spokesman said. -- PTI

19:56

Security personnel and civilians hold a candle march in Bhopal to pay tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in Pulwama attack

19:53 US envoy conveys to FO his govts message on Kashmir attack

United States Charg d'Affaires Ambassador Paul Jones on Friday called on Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua to convey "an important message" from the Trump administration, a Foreign Office source said.

The Maharashtra Congress on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of getting into campaign mode and raising nationalistic fever centred on the Pulwama attack even as mortal remains of its martyrs was en route to native villages for last rites.

PM Modi was on a day-long visit to Maharashtra Saturday and at public gatherings in Yavatmal and Dhule, he spoke of Thursday's attack on the CRPF convoy and said sacrifice of the martyred jawans wouldn't go in vain and its perpetrators would be punished.

Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Ratnakar Mahajan said, "This has exposed his (PM Modi) false concerns for fallen soldiers. When the country is in mourning over the Pulwama incident, the PM expects opposition parties to stand by the government irrespective of political differences. But, he himself is campaigning for his party and creating a feverish nationalistic pitch."

"The mortal remains of the martyrs are just reaching native places for last rites and the PM has already begun campaigning for his party. People are sure to notice this contradiction," Mahajan alleged.

Mahajan said Modi had come to Dabhadi in Yavatmal district five years ago for "chai pe charcha" programme with farmers.

"He (Modi) remembered this today (in his speech at a rally) but forgot to mention that a farmer from this village wrote a letter to him before committing suicide," Mahajan said.

"It would have been good if Modi had expressed sympathy for the dead farmer while remembering his last visit here," the Congress leader said. -- PTI

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has announced that he will be donating Rs 5 lakh each to the families of 40 CRPF personnel who were martyred in the Pulwama terror attack.

A spokesperson of the 76-year-old actor said he is currently finding out from several government sources where and how the amount will be distributed to ensure it is expedited.

"Yes, Mr Bachchan will be giving Rs 5 lakh to each of the martyr's families and is currently finding out the correct process to do so," the spokesperson said in a statement.

The 76-year-old actor had on Friday cancelled his appearance as a special guest at Virat Kohli's Foundation event, which will now take place on Saturday. -- PTI

Security of Kashmiri separatists having suspected links with Pakistani intelligence agency ISI will be withdrawn after an assessment by the Jammu and Kashmir administration, a top official said.

The security review of all such individuals with suspected links with the ISI will be carried out following a suggestion given by the central government, he said.

The home secretary of Jammu and Kashmir government will carry out the review of the security of separatists and will take a decision on withdrawal, a security official said.

The state government will do the security review of the separatists as most of them have security being provided by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, he said.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar on Friday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said the security given to people getting funds from Pakistan and its snooping agency ISI should be reviewed.

"Some elements in Jammu and Kashmir have links with the ISI and the terrorist organisation. Their security should be reviewed," he had said.

Forty CRPF personnel were killed and five others injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.

The bus was part of a convoy of 78 vehicles carrying the CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Friday said those responsible for the attack will pay "a very heavy price" and security forces will be given a free hand to deal with the terrorists.

In a hard-hitting speech, Modi said the "blood of the people is boiling and forces behind the act of terrorism will be definitely punished". -- PTI

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Saturday hit out at the Modi government, saying that while it doled out crores of rupees to industrialists such as Anil Ambani and Vijay Mallya, it promised just Rs 3.50 per day to farmers.

Gandhi was speaking at a convention of tribals here in Chhattisgarh.

"Lakhs and crores of rupees have been given to the people like Anil Ambani, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Vijay Mallya and Lalit Modi, but farmers will get just Rs 3.50 per day," he said, referring to the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme, under which farmers cultivating up to two hectares (five acres) will get direct cash support of Rs 6000 annually.

"When the announcement of Rs 6,000 for farmers was made in the Union Budget, BJP MPs were thumping their desks in Lok Sabha," Gandhi said.

"Is this a joke?" he asked.

He promised that if the Congress was voted to power after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, a minimum income guarantee would be given to the poor and the money would be deposited directly into their bank accounts.

"The poll promises (made by Modi) regarding transfer of Rs 15 lakh into everyone's bank account and providing two crore jobs have not been implemented," he said.

"The decision of demonetisation made you to stand on queues (outside banks). If it was a fight against black money then why all honest people had to stand on queues," Gandhi asked. -- PTI

An Army officer was killed today while defusing an improvised explosive device at Nowshera sector in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district.

The explosive had been planted by intruders from Pakistan along the Line of Control.

The incident comes just 48 hours after 41 CRPF personnel were killed in the worst terror attack on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.

"Nothing we can do will be enough, but the least I can do is offer to take complete care of the education of the children of our brave CRPF jawans martyred in #Pulwama in my Sehwag International School @SehwagSchool , Jhajjar. Saubhagya hoga"

Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag

"I'm donating my one month's salary for the martyrs of #PulwamaTerrorAttack and want everyone to come forward and support the families. It is our moral duty to always standby them and make them feel proud of their sacrifices. Jai Hind"

Boxer Vijender Singh

Reliance Foundation said it is ready to assume full responsibility for the education and livelihood of the families of the CRPF personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack.

Apollo Hospital has offered to treat free injured troopers of the Central Reserve Police Force who survived the terror blast near Awantipora in Kashmir.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh Saturday reviewed the security situation in the country, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, two days after the killing of 40 CRPF jawans in an audacious terror attack in Pulwama, officials said.

The meeting was attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval among others.

During the meeting, top security officials briefed the home minister about the prevailing situation in the country, including along the Indo-Pak border, a Home Ministry official said.

The meeting took stock of the security measures in place to foil any design of the Pak-based terrorist groups to disturb peace in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in hinterlands, the official said.

The home minister directed the officials to ensure that all possible steps are taken to hunt down terrorists currently operating in Kashmir valley, another official said.

Those who attended the meeting include Union Home Secretary Ajit Doval and Director of Intelligence Bureau Rajiv Jain.

Forty CRPF personnel were killed and five injured in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, by a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber in South Kashmir's Pulwama district.

Massive protests and candlelight marches were held on Friday in different parts of the country against the attack and curfew was imposed in Jammu city following violence during demonstrations there. -- PTI

National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah on Saturday expressed disappointment over a resolution passed in an all-party meeting in Delhi for not including in it an appeal to maintain calm in the wake of violence in Jammu and tension in other states over the Pulwama terror attack.

An all-party meeting, called by the government and attended by senior leaders of all major parties, passed a resolution condemning the terror attack and the support being given to it from across the border. Members of the opposition extended support to the government in tackling the challenge.

"Disappointed the resolution did not include a call for calm. Reports of violence in Jammu & tension in university/college campuses in some states, I would have expected an appeal for calm to have gone with the condemnation & condolences," Omar Abdullah wrote on Twitter. -- PTI

The Centre on Saturday asked all states to ensure safety and security of the students and people from Jammu and Kashmir living in their areas in the wake of threats to them in some parts of the country, officials said.

The advisory came hours after Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured an all party meeting of doing the needful for the protection of the Kashmiri students and people who were allegedly threatened after the terrorist attack in Pulwama in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed.

A home ministry official said there have been some reports of students and other residents of Jammu and Kashmir experiencing threats and intimidation.

"Therefore, the home ministry today issued an advisory to all states/UTs to take necessary measures to ensure their safety and security," the official said.

Some Kashmiri youths studying in the Uttarakhand capital, Dehradun, have alleged that they were harassed and have been asked by their landlords to vacate accommodations fearing attacks on their properties in the aftermath of the attack. -- PTI

A Delhi court Saturday dismissed the bail plea of Christian Michel, arrested in connection with an alleged scam in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal.

Special judge Arvind Kumar rejected Michel's plea in the cases filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate.

Michel, extradited from Dubai, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on December 22 last year.

On January 5, Michel was sent to judicial custody in the ED case. He is also lodged in judicial custody in the CBI case related to the scam.

Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the case by the ED and the CBI. The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. -- PTI

The curfew in Jammu continued for the second day and the Army's presence was stepped up on Saturday, a day after violent protests rocked the city over a suicide attack that killed 40 CRPF jawans in Kashmir.

Nine more Army columns were deployed in the city, bringing the total to 18 columns, and the force staged flag marches in sensitive localities.

Officials said the University of Jammu postponed all examinations scheduled for the day and mobile Internet services remained suspended across Jammu region.

Srinagar-bound vehicles stranded on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway due to a landslide in Ramban were allowed to move forward amid tight security arrangements, they said.

"The curfew is being implemented strictly and there is no report of any untoward incident from anywhere," Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jammu-Samba-Kathua range, Vivek Gupta told PTI.

Deputy Commissioner (Jammu) Ramesh Kumar said authorities were monitoring the situation and a decision to relax the curfew, which was imposed Friday, would be taken later in the day.

The Army was conducting flag marches in sensitive localities of the city on Saturday, the officials said.

A defence spokesperson said the Army on Saturday deployed nine more security columns with air support to help the administration to maintain law and order in the entire city. Nine Internal Security Columns (ISCs) of the Army were deployed on Friday.

"Helicopters and UAVs of the Army also put into operation to monitor the situation. The proactive approach jointly taken by J&K Police, Civil administration (Divisional Commissioner and District Collector's office) and Indian Army has ensured the situation in control," the spokesman said.

The city was rocked by anti-Pakistan protests during a general strike called by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI).

People took to the streets to denounce the attack and also held candlelight rallies to pay homage to the jawans. Nine people, including some policemen, were injured in stone-pelting incidents on Friday and several vehicles were torched. -- PTI

Image: Army personnel patrol a street during a curfew, imposed after violent protest against the Pulwama terror attack, in Jammu. Photograph: PTI Photo

Nobel laureate and economist Amartya Sen has said primary education and healthcare have not received the desired attention in India, but sounded optimistic that the upcoming Lok Sabha elections will bring some "good results".

He claimed that schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and Rashtriya Swastha Bima Yojana do not aim at improving primary healthcare in the country.

"Just giving money will not help primary healthcare and the schemes are guided by narrow thinking... only to take credits," Sen said at a programme in Santiniketan on Friday.

He also alleged that the amount of money spent for improvement of health and education is not enough in this country.

"Primary healthcare is being neglected here," the Nobel laureate said, adding those who can afford it, go to private facilities as the condition of government primary healthcare is not up to the mark.

He, however, expressed hope that the forthcoming general election would yield some "good results".

"Everyone is excited about the forthcoming (Lok Sabha) election and we hope that the result will be good, the country will progress. I am not a pessimist. I believe in democracy," Sen said.

Comparing the primary healthcare services between India and China, he said the neighbouring country can learn democracy from us but "we have to know how their economy progressed so rapidly". -- PTI

A Delhi court on Saturday extended interim protection from arrest granted to Robert Vadra till March 2 in a money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate.

Special judge Arvind Kumar granted the relief to Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

The ED, through its lawyer Nitesh Rana, told the court that it needed to question Vadra in the case and opposed his anticipatory bail plea on the ground of non-cooperation.

The businessman, however, denied the charge and said he was ready to come for questioning as and when called.

The court had on February 2 granted him interim bail till February 16 and asked him to appear before the Enforcement Directorate and cooperate in the investigation.

The case relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property, located at 12, Bryanston Square, worth 1.9 million pounds, which is allegedly owned by Vadra. -- PTI

The Academy of Motion Picture Art & Sciences has announced a roll back of its decision to present four categories of Oscars during the commercial breaks.

In its attempt to keep the live telecast under three hours, the Academy had decided to present four categories -- cinematography, film editing, live action shorts and makeup and hairstyling -- during commercial breaks with the winners' speeches set to air later in the broadcast.

Academy president John Bailey, a cinematographer himself, in an email to the members had said the change would be on a rotation each year, meaning that at least four different categories would use this format in 2020 and that the four mentioned would be exempt.

The news had to led to a huge controversy with many Hollywood A-listers such as George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Christopher Nolan, among others, urging the Academy to reverse its decision.

In a brief statement on Friday, the Academy's Board of Governors said, "The Academy has heard the feedback from its membership regarding the Oscar presentation of four awards - Cinematography, Film Editing, Live Action Short, and Makeup and Hairstyling."

"All Academy Awards will be presented without edits, in our traditional format. We look forward to Oscar Sunday, February 24," it added.

Earlier, the American Society of Cinematographers had sent a letter to the Academy urging a roll back of its decision.

The letter was signed by directors Michael Mann, Alejandro G Inarritu, Guillermo del Toro, Denis Villeneuve and actors such as Brad Pitt, Robert DeNiro, Elizabeth Banks, Peter Dinklage and Kerry Washington.

del Toro and his Mexican counterpart, Alfonso Cuaron were among the first to criticise the Academy's decision on Twitter. -- PTI

A court in Bihar has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to conduct an inquiry against Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and two senior bureaucrats in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal.

The special POCSO court in Muzaffarpur passed the order on Friday on an application filed by an accused, Ashwani, a self-styled medical practitioner who allegedly used to inject the home's inmates with sedatives before they were subject to sexual abuse.

Ashwani had alleged in his petition that the CBI was "suppressing facts" in course of the investigation which would come to light if the roles of "former DM, Muzaffarpur, Dharmendra Singh, senior IAS officer Atul Kumar Singh, former divisional commissioner of Muzaffarpur and currently principal secretary, the Social Welfare Department, and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar" were probed.

POCSO judge Manoj Kumar directed the CBI to conduct an inquiry against the aforementioned people.

The trial in the high-profile case was transferred vide order dated February 7 to the Special POCSO court at Saket in Delhi where hearing is likely to commence from next week, CBI sources said. -- PTI

Political parties on Saturday put up a united face and expressed India's determination to fight terrorism following the Pulwama terror attack, underlining their solidarity with security forces for defending the country's unity and integrity.

A meeting of all political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress, passed a resolution condemning the terror attack and support being given to it from across the border.

The resolution did not name Pakistan but asserted that India has been facing the menace of the cross-border terrorism which of late, it added, is being actively encouraged by forces from the neighbouring country.

"India has displayed both firmness and resilience in dealing with these challenges. The entire nation speaks in one voice to express its determination to fight these challenges. Today, we stand united in solidarity with our security forces in fighting terrorism and in defending the unity and integrity of India," it said.

The meeting convened by Home Minister Rajnath Singh was attended by Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and Jyotiraditya Scindia of the Congress, Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Derek O'Brien of the Trinamool Congress, Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena, Jithendra Reddy of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, D Raja of the Communist Party of Indai, Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference, Ram Vilas Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party among others.

The parties were briefed about the attack in Pulwama in South Kashmir and the steps being taken by the government so far, a Home Ministry official said.

Naresh Gujral of the Akali Dal, Upendra Kushwaha of the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party and Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav are among others who are attending the meeting. -- PTI

Indian high commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria has arrived at the ministry of external affairs for consultations with senior officials and leadership on Pulwama terror attack.

Bisaria was called to New Delhi yesterday after the Cabinet Committee of Security meeting to hold consultations on diplomatic action against Pakistan.

Asserting that the sacrifice of the 40 CRPF personnel killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama will not go in vain, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said security forces have been given a free hand to punish the perpetrators of the attack.

At a public function in Maharashtra's Pandharkawada in Yavatmal district, where he launched a number of projects, Modi also slammed Pakistan saying it has become a synonym for terrorism.

"Sacrifice of Pulwama martyrs will not go in vain. Our security forces have been given a free hand to punish the perpetrators of the attack," the prime minister said, and warned that even if the terrorist organisations try to hide, they will be sought out and punished for the crime they have committed.

Forty CRPF personnel were killed and five injured in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.

"All of us can feel the pain of families of the Pulwama martyrs. We understand your anger," Modi said.

Referring to Pakistan, the prime minister said, "A nation which is on the verge of bankruptcy has now become the second name for terror."

Modi also sought to know from the people present at the event whether they were happy with his work and the efforts he was taking.

At the event, the prime minister inaugurated an Eklavya Model Residential School for tribal students and handed over the keys of houses constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to some of the beneficiaries.

Modi flaged off the Ajni (Nagpur)-Pune train service through video link and also distributed certificates and cheques under the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission to women Self-Help Groups. -- PTI

A group of protesters on Saturday blocked the railway tracks at Nalasopara station in Palghar district of Maharashtra to protest against the terror attack in Pulwama that killed 40 CRPF personnel.

The protesters got onto the tracks around 8.20 am and started raising slogans against Pakistan, the officials said, adding that train services on the route were affected due to the protest.

In a tweet, the Western Railway said, "Several protesters have blocked the tracks at Nallasopara due to which train movement has been affected at Nallasopara & beyond. GRP, RPF are making efforts to convince the people & evacuate the tracks & normalize the train movement."

Chief spokesperson of the WR, Ravinder Bhakar, said the protest started at 8.20 am when people came on the railway tracks and stopped the movement of trains.

"Trains are not operating between Nalasopara and Virar stations, while services between Vasai to Churchgate are normal. Forces have been called in to disperse the agitating crowd," he said.

The protesters shouted slogans of 'Bharat mata ki jai'. They also raised slogans against Pakistan for the Pulwama terror attack and demanded action against the neighbouring country for sponsoring and sheltering terrorists

and terror groups, another official said.

"The agitation is likely to affect the the schedule of the long-distance trains as well," he added.

Photograph: Sahil Salvi/Rediff.com

12:29 NIA team visits Pulwama attack site

A team National Investigation Agency has arrived at the site of Pulwama terror attack to join the probe.

On Thursday, a home ministry official had said an NIA team with forensic experts was being sent to Srinagar to assist Jammu and Kashmir Police in forensic evaluation of the scene of crime.

The decision to send the team was taken in view of the high number of casualties in the worst terror strike in the state since the Uri attack in 2016.

An all-party meeting to discuss India's plan of action on the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir has begun at the Parliament.

The meeting, chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh saw the attendance of Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah Communist Party of India leader D Raja and other party leaders.

The decision to convene the all-party meeting was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

Forty CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's arrival in Pakistan on his first official visit to the country has been delayed by a day for 'unknown reasons'.

He was scheduled to reach Islamabad on Saturday but due to a slight change, he will arrive on Sunday, according to the Foreign Office.

However, the programmes of his stay in Pakistan will remain unchanged, it said.

Prince Mohammad, who is also the deputy prime minister and minister of defence, will be conferred with Nishan-e-Pakistan -- the highest civilian award -- during his visit to the country, the Express Tribune reported.

A top official said that the arrival has been delayed by a day for 'unknown reasons'.

Preparations have been made to give an 'unprecedented warm welcome' to the Saudi Prince who will be received personally by Prime Minister Imran Khan and his cabinet members at the Nur Khan Airbase, the report said.

Abdul Razzak Dawood, Advisor to prime minister on trade, said investment deals worth $10-15 billion dollars would be signed during the trip.

On the top of the list is an agreement to set up an oil refinery in Pakistan. Elaborate security arrangements have been planned during the visit of the powerful heir to the Saudi throne. -- PTI

10:42

Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba arrives at the residence of Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

10:09 Day after being flagged off, Vande Bharat Express runs into trouble

A day after it was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's first semi-high speed train, Vande Bharat Express, ran into some trouble early on Saturday, with officials saying that it was a case of 'skidding wheels' which is being looked at by engineers.

The incident occurred around 15 kilometres from Tundla junction in Uttar Pradesh.

The train was coming back from Varanasi to get ready for it's first commercial run on February 17.

"It was a case of cattle run over due to which there was some problem of wheels skidding. Engineers are looking at it," said Northern Railway CPRO Deepak Kumar.

After removing the obstacles, the train resumed its journey to Delhi at around 8:15 am, officials said.

Train 18, which was recently named Vande Bharat Express by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, has been manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai.

It became India's fastest train by hitting speeds of over 180 kmph during a trial run on a section of the Delhi-Mumbai Rajdhani route. -- PTI

09:46

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat pays tribute to CRPF ASI Mohan Lal who lost his life in Pulwama Attack. -- ANI

09:35

Western Railway tweets:

Several protesters have blocked the tracks at Nallasopara due to which train movement has been affected at Nallasopara & beyond. GRP, RPF are making efforts to convince the people & evacuate the tracks & normalize the train movement.

09:23

Mortal remains of CRPF jawan Rohitash Lamba have been brought to his native place in Govindpura, Jaipur. -- ANI

08:34 US supports India's 'right to self-defence': Bolton tells Doval

United States National Security Adviser John Bolton told his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on Friday that America supports India's right to self-defence.

Bolton telephoned Doval on Friday morning to express his condolences for the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir and offered the US' full support to India in confronting terrorism.

"I told Ajit Doval today that we support India's right to self-defense. I have spoken to him twice, including this morning... and expressed the US' condolences over the terrorist attack,' he told PTI.

Bolton said the US has been very clear to Pakistan on ending support to terrorist safe havens.

"We have been very clear on that score... And, we are continuing to be in discussions we are going to have with the Pakistanis," he said.

Earlier, the White House and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asked Pakistan to end its support to terrorist safe havens inside the country.

'We stand with #India as it confronts terrorism. Pakistan must not provide safe haven for terrorists to threaten international security,' Pompeo said on Twitter.

In a stern message to Pakistan, the White House asked Islamabad to 'immediately end' its 'support' to all terror groups and not to provide 'safe haven' to them, as the US condemned the brutal Pulwama terror attack claimed the lives of at least 41 Central Reserve Police Force soldiers. -- PTI

Timeline Refresh

TOP STORIES