Terrorism attack foiled in Islamabad, suicide jackets recovered
Islamabad, April 14: A terrorism attack was foiled by the law enforcement agencies in Islamabad and two suicide jackets along with arms and ammunition were recovered on Saturday, the media reported.
According to local police officials, two explosives-laden jackets and arms were found from the capital's Golra area in the G-14 sector neighbourhood. The recovered arms and ammunition included hand grenades, ball bearings, pistols and bullets, they added.
Islamabad Police said that the suicide vests weighed six to eight kg and have been made recently to carry out the terrorist activities in the city.
The Bomb Disposal Squad of police successfully defused the jackets and a search operation was also being conducted in the area to arrest the culprits, the reports added.
Police's timely action saved the country's capital from an untoward incident, said Dunya News while quoting security officials, adding that the Counter Terrorism Department registered first information report and launched an investigation into the incident.
The incident also spread terror among the residents of Islamabad. Security forces have issued high alert in the city and additional contingents are deployed at the sensitive points.
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Guv Gehlot clears bill paving way for Panchayat elections through ballots
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has given his assent to the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act that will pave the way for holding the Panchayat elections through ballots instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Following the assent, the Act was notified in the state gazette on Wednesday.
The bill was passed by both houses of the Karnataka legislature in March during the budget session, amid protests by the opposition BJP.
As per the law, the principle of secrecy of the ballot is a cornerstone of free and fair elections, as recognised by the judiciary, which emphasised that the secrecy of the ballot protects voters from coercion, intimidation, and undue influence, thereby safeguarding the sanctity of the democratic process in several judgments of the Supreme Court.
Some concerns have been raised regarding the functioning of EVMs, necessitating a return to the robust secret ballot paper system to restore public trust, according to the Act.
Justifying its decision, the Karnataka government said there is “a growing consensus on the need to strengthen electoral mechanisms that prioritise anonymity and transparency”.
