Islamabad, Dec 8 (PTI) Pakistan on Friday said it will allow convicted Indian death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav to meet his wife and mother on December 25
Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April on charges of espionage and terrorism
The International Court of Justice in May had halted his execution on India's appeal
Jadhav has been allowed to meet his wife and mother on December 25, Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said
During his weekly news briefing, the spokesman said a staff member from the Indian High Commission will also be present during the meeting
Earlier on November 10, Pakistan had agreed to allow his wife to meet him
India has been pressing Pakistan to grant a visa to Jadhav's mother, Avantika, on humanitarian grounds
External Affairs Minister Sushma Sawraj had recently discussed Jadhav's case with Pakistani High Commissioner to New Delhi Sohail Mahmood
Pakistan has repeatedly denied India consular access to Jadhav on the ground that it was not applicable in cases related to spies
Jadhav had filed an appeal with Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to seek clemency, which is still pending
In October, the Pakistan Army had said it is close to a decision on the mercy petition of Jadhav
Pakistan claims its security forces arrested him from restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy
Jadhav's sentencing had evoked a sharp reaction in India
After India approached the International Court of Justice, a 10-member bench on May 18 restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav till adjudication of the case
The ICJ has asked Pakistan to submit its response or memorial by December 13 before the court could start further proceedings in the case.
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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
