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Six civilians, four jawans killed in Pakistan shelling along LoC in J&K
Ten people, including six civilians, three Army soldiers and a BSF jawan, were killed and over 20 others were injured in ceasefire violations by the Pakistani Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in four districts of J&K on Friday.
The Uri Sector of north Kashmir's Baramulla district witnessed intense shelling and firing from Pakistan throughout the day, targeting around eight villages inhabiting close to the LoC. "Six civilians died in the shelling and firing. Five injured civilians were shifted to Srinagar's Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) hospital," deputy commissioner, Baramulla, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Itoo told The Hindu.
According to the Army, Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violations along the LoC in multiple sectors, including Dawar in Bandipora, Keran in Kupwara, Uri and Naugam in Baramulla in the Kashmir valley.
"Pakistan used mortars and other weapons. Pakistan deliberately targeted civilian areas. Three Indian army soldiers were also killed and three soldiers were injured," Srinagar-based Army spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia said.
The Army said it retaliated strongly, causing substantial damage to Pakistan army's infrastructure and inflicting casualties across the LoC. "Several ammunition dumps and multiple terrorists launch pads have been damaged," the Army said.
The Army also released videos that showed mortars hitting and damaging Pakistani bunkers along the LoC.
Meanwhile, a Srinagar-based Army spokesman said suspicious movement of infiltrators was also observed at the forward posts along the LoC in the Keran Sector on Friday.
"This was accompanied by initiation of an unprovoked ceasefire violation (CFV) by Pakistan along the LoC in Keran Sector by firing mortars and other weapons. A befitting response is being given," the Army said.
Bihar Assembly Elections: NDA to meet on November 15 to elect leader Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday submitted his resignation to the Governor, ahead of the formation of a new government. Earlier, at his government's last Cabinet meeting, Kumar proposed to dissolve it, saying that on November 15 afternoon, NDA legislators would meet to elect the leader of the alliance. "A joint meeting of the all four National Democratic Alliance [NDA] partners in Bihar will be held at 12:30 p.m. on November 15 and the legislators would elect leader of the legislature party to finalise details pertaining to the next government formation," Kumar told media persons after a meeting with leaders of the NDA constituents. "All decisions regarding government formation will be discussed in that meeting and you all [media persons] will be informed thereafter," Kumar added. Kumar may take oath as chief minister for the fourth consecutive term on November 16.  Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar presents his resignation letter to Governor Fagu Chauhan as part of a formal procedure for the formation of the next government in Patna on November 13, 2020. In the recent Assembly election, Kumar's party, the JD (U), had secured only 43 seats -- its worst performance since the party came to power in 2005. But its alliance partner BJP got 74 seats. The other two NDA partners, the HAM(S) and the VIP, won four seats each. Among the Opposition alliance partners, the RJD got 75 seats, while the Congress secured 19, and the Left parties bagged 16 seats. Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra refuses to apologise Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra refused to apologise or retract his tweets on the Supreme Court a day after Attorney General K.K. Venugopal consented to multiple requests for criminal contempt action against him. Kamra reacted in a tweet titled 'no lawyers, no apology, no fine, no waste of space'. In a note attached to the tweet and addressed to "Dear Judges, Mr. KK Venugopal", Kamra said his tweets are his view. "I believe they speak for themselves," he wrote. Kamra's tweets concerned the Supreme Court decision to grant interim bail to Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami on November 11. "My view has not changed because the silence of the Supreme Court of India on matters of other's personal liberty cannot go uncriticised. I don't intend to retract my tweets or apologise for them," his note on Twitter read.  Kunal Kamra. File He said he wished to "volunteer" the time that may be allotted for hearing his contempt case to others "who have not been as lucky and privileged as I am to jump the queue". "May I suggest the demonetisation petition, the petition challenging the revocation of J&K's special status, the mater of the legality of electoral bonds or countless other matters that are more deserving of time and attention," he wrote. On Friday, law students Shrirang Katneshwarkar and Nikita Duhan, along with advocates Amey Abhay Sirsikar, Abhishek Sharad Raskar and Sattyendra Vinayak Muley, filed a joint criminal contempt petition against Kamra based on the consent received from the Attorney General. "The tweets published by the alleged contemnor are in such bad taste that an ordinary prudent man can gather that he has scandalised this Hon'ble Court and further lowered its authority", their petition contended. China acknowledges Joe Biden as U.S. President-elect China congratulated U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on Friday, nearly a week after he was declared winner of the American election, according to the AFP. "We respect the choice of the American people. We express our congratulations to Mr Biden and Ms Harris," said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin at a regular press briefing, referring to incoming vice president Kamala Harris. Wang said China understands "the result of the US election will be determined in accordance with US laws and procedures". China was previously among a handful of major countries including Russia and Mexico that had not congratulated the president-elect. Beijing, commenting earlier this week, simply said that it had "noticed Mr Biden declare he is the winner". Since U.S. media called the presidential race, Trump has not conceded to Biden as has been the traditional practice once a winner is projected. WHO to set up centre for traditional medicine in India The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Friday that it will set up a Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing confidence that just like the country has emerged as the 'pharmacy of the world', the WHO institution will become the centre for global wellness. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the announcement in a video message at an event in which Prime Minister Modi dedicated two future-ready Ayurveda institutions in Jaipur and Jamnagar to the nation via video conferencing on the occasion of the 5th Ayurveda Day.  World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. File The Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Jamnagar (Gujarat) and the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur (Rajasthan) are both premier institutions of Ayurveda in the country. The Jamnagar institute has been conferred the status of an Institution of National Importance (INI) by an act of Parliament and the one at Jaipur has been designated an Institution Deemed to be University (De novo Category) by the University Grants Commission (UGC), according to the AYUSH ministry. In his video message, Ghebreyesus said, "I am pleased to announce that we have agreed to open a WHO Global Centre of Traditional Medicine in India to strengthen the evidence, research, training and awareness of traditional and complementary medicine." "This new centre will support WHO's efforts to implement the WHO traditional medicine strategy 2014-2023, which aims to support countries in developing policies and action plans to strengthen the role of traditional medicine as part of their journey to universal health coverage and a healthier, fairer and safer world," he said. Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments The number of coronavirus cases reported from India stood at 87,54,597 at the time of writing this newsletter, with the death toll at 1,29,106. Evening Wrap will return tomorrow. | 
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