TENSIONS have escalated in the aftermath of a suicide attack in disputed Kashmir, with nine people killed in a gun battle that broke out as Indian soldiers scoured the area for militants.
As troops began conducting searches, they came under heavy gunfire, leading to a clash that killed four soldiers, three suspected militants, a police official and a civilian.
The operation follows a
February 14 suicide attack
on a paramilitary convoy that killed at least 40 soldiers, the worst attack against Indian government forces in Kashmir’s history.
India blamed the attack on Pakistan and promised a “jaw-breaking response”.
Pakistan has warned India against linking it to the attack without an investigation, saying that it was part of New Delhi’s “known rhetoric and tactics” to divert global attention from human rights violations in Kashmir.
India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the Muslim-majority region in its entirety.
ELSEWHERE, the former head of the far-right Alternative for Germany party has appeared in court on charges of perjury.
Frauke Petry appeared before the regional court in Dresden to defend herself against accusations that she made false statements to parliament while under oath, denying that she made erroneous statements intentionally. She remains a politician in Germany’s national parliament.
MEANWHILE, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has declined to say if he nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Trump’s assertion on Friday that Abe had nominated him for the honour and sent him a copy of the letter has led to criticism in Japan.
Questioned in parliament about reports he had done so, Abe said: “In light of the Nobel Committee’s policy of not disclosing recommenders and nominees for 50 years, I decline to comment.”
Trump’s claim that Abe had sent him a “beautiful copy” of a letter sent to the Nobel Committee could not be immediately verified.
FINALLY, Tributes have been paid to Dionissis Arvanitakis, a baker who provided free bread to refugees on the Greek island of Kos, after his death at the age of 77.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker released a statement expressing his respect “for an exemplary European citizen” who showed “rare generosity and sensitivity towards the hundreds of unfortunate immigrants”.
Juncker said: “My Europe is the one Dionissis Arvanitakis symbolised.”
In March 2015, he started giving away 100 kilos of bread a day.
Arvanitakis said at the time: “I know what it feels like to have nothing.”
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