24 killed as gunmen open fire on Iranian military parade
Tehran, Sep 22: At least 24 people, including civilians were killed and over 50 injured when gunmen disguised as soldiers opened fire on an elite military parade in the Iranian city of Ahvaz on Saturday.
The dead and wounded were both military personnel and civilians, including a journalist watching the parade, IRNA news agency reported. The attackers opened fire on the parade at 9 a.m. from a nearby park in an assault that lasted around 10 minutes.
The parade was part of nationwide celebrations in Iran to mark the 30th anniversary since the end of the eight-year war with Iraq that started in September 1980 and ended in August 1988.
"The terrorists disguised as Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and Basiji (volunteer) forces opened fire to the authority and people from behind the stand during the parade," said Governor of Khuzestan Gholam-Reza Shariati, according to IRNA.
The separatist group the Patriotic Arab Democratic Movement in Ahwaz claimed responsibility for this attack.
The group is supported by "foreign antagonists," including Saudi Arabia, the agency said.
Three of the attackers were gunned down during clashes with the security forces and one other arrested, news agencies reported.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif blamed "a foreign regime" backed by the US for the attack. "Terrorists recruited, trained, armed and paid by a foreign regime have attacked Ahvaz," he said in a tweet, adding: "Iran holds regional terror sponsors and their US masters accountable for such attacks."
Earlier, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani used the occasion of the military parade to compare US President Donald Trump to the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, according to Press TV.
Speaking at a military rally in Tehran, he said Trump will fail in the "economic and psychological war" he's launched against Iran, just as Hussein failed in his 8-year war against the Islamic Republic".
"Iran will neither abandon its defensive weapons nor will reduce its defence capabilities," Rouhani said.
"Rather it will increase its defence power day by day. The fact that they are angry at our missiles shows that these are the most influential weapons Iran has."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka HC raps state over protest against Waqf Act amid pending SC case
Bengaluru, Apr 17 (PTI): The Karnataka High Court on Thursday criticised the state government for permitting a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act while the matter is still under consideration by the Supreme Court.
Justice M Nagaprasanna observed that allowing such a demonstration was inappropriate given the ongoing proceedings before the apex court.
"The state shall bear in mind that the matter is seized by the apex court qua the amendment to the Waqf Act, and a protest of this kind should not be permitted," the judge stated.
The court directed the government to ensure public roads are not obstructed by such events and emphasised that protests must be held only at designated locations and with official approval.
"If there is no permission, there is no protest," the court asserted.
These observations came during the hearing of a petition filed by Rajesh A, a resident of Mangaluru.
The plea challenged a communication issued by the city’s Police Commissioner, directing both private bus operators and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation not to operate services along a section of National Highway 73 from noon to 9 PM on Friday, due to a protest against the Waqf Act amendment.
According to the petitioner, the advisory caused undue disruption to public transport. Advocates Hemanth R Rao and Leelesh Krishna represented him.
In response, the state government told the court that the initial communication had been revised and normal traffic flow would be maintained.
However, authorities advised that heavy and medium commercial vehicles take alternative routes as a precaution.
The matter will be heard again on April 23.
