Officer killed, 16 injured in Jordan terror attack
Amman, Aug 12 : A security officer was killed in an exchange of fire with terrorists in the Jordan's capital Amman, government officials said late on Saturday.
Minister of State for Media Affairs Jumana Ghunaimat said the terrorists hiding in a building in Al Salt city opened fire on security forces who were chasing them.
The terrorists, the Minister said, were behind an attack on Friday by an explosive device that killed a security officer in Fuheis in Amman.
"When the police forces entered the building, the terrorists blew up the building," Xinhua quoted her as saying in a statement. The terrorists refused to surrender and started opening heavy fire.
At least 16 other civilians and officers were injured, according to security sources who preferred to be anonymous. The security operations are still ongoing until late Saturday while three terrorists were arrested, said the Minister. Medics at Salt Public Hospital called for blood donation.
"We have many injuries... Many of the injured are in serious conditions. We need blood donations," one of the medics at the hospital said.
On Friday, a Jordanian officer was killed and six others were injured when a primitive explosive device detonated in Fuheis area near Amman, according to a news release from the Interior Ministry.
The Ministry said that investigations were underway and no group claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
