China calls for 'swift and fair investigation' into Pahalgam attack
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Beijing (PTI): China has called for a "swift and fair investigation" into the Pahalgam terror attack and expressed support for its all-weather ally Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and security interests amid Islamabad's rising tensions with India.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday held a telephonic conversation with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Dar briefed Wang -- also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee -- on the latest tensions between Pakistan and India "following a terrorist attack in the Kashmir region", it said in the report.
For his part, Wang said China was closely following the developments, stressing that combating terrorism was a shared responsibility of the entire world while reaffirming Beijing's consistent support for Pakistan's firm counterterrorism efforts, it added.
"As an ironclad friend and an all-weather strategic cooperative partner, China fully understands Pakistan's legitimate security concerns and supports Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and security interests," the report quoted Wang as saying.
"China advocates for a swift and fair investigation and believes that conflict does not serve the fundamental interests of either India or Pakistan, nor does it benefit regional peace and stability," Wang noted.
China hopes both sides will remain restrained, move toward each other, and work together to de-escalate the situation, he added.
Dar emphasised that Pakistan had consistently and firmly fought terrorism and was against any actions that could lead to an escalation of the situation, according to the report.
Pakistan is committed to managing the situation in a mature manner and will maintain communication with China and the international community, Dar said, the news agency reported.
On April 23, China "strongly condemned" the brutal terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.
"We strongly condemn the attack. China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun had told a media briefing.
"We mourn for the lives lost and express sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured," he had said.
Separately, China's Ambassador to India Xu Feihong had also condemned the attack.
"Shocked by the attack in Pahalgam and condemn (it)," he had said in a post on X.
"Deep condolences for the victims and sincere sympathies to the injured and the bereaved families. Oppose terrorism of all forms," he had said.
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Mangaluru: Main accused believed Suhas Shetty posed threat to him, says Police Commissioner
Mangaluru: Mangaluru Police have arrested eight individuals in connection with the murder of rowdy-sheeter Suhas Shetty, who was killed on Thursday night in the jurisdiction of the Bajpe police station.
The arrested have been identified as Abdul Safwan, Niaz, Mohammad Muzamil, Khalandar Shafi, Ranjit, Nagaraj, Mohammad Rizwan, and Adil Mehroof.
Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal, addressing the media, said that ten individuals have been identified so far in the case and eight have been taken into custody. He revealed that Abdul Safwan is the main accused in the case.
According to the police, Safwan had been attacked by a gang in 2023 and feared that Suhas Shetty’s group would attempt to kill him. Believing his life to be in danger, Safwan allegedly planned the murder of Suhas Shetty.
In this context, Safwan contacted Adil Mehroof, the brother of Fazil, who was murdered in 2022. Police said that Adil agreed to help and promised a payment of Rs 5 lakh for the murder, of which Rs 3 lakh was paid in advance.
Commissioner Agrawal further stated that Niaz, another accused, involved his acquaintances Nagaraj and Ranjit in the plot. The group closely monitored Suhas Shetty’s movements before carrying out the murder on May 1, he added.
The investigation is still ongoing and further arrests are likely in the coming days, police said.
