Damascus, April 17: The reported overnight missile strikes on two Syrian airbases turned out to be a false alarm as there was no attack, state TV reported on Tuesday.

After midnight, Syrian state media outlets and the War Media, the media wing of the Syrian army and its allies, reported that Syrian air defences responded to a missile strike believed to be carried out by Israel, reports Xinhua news agency. 

The reports claimed that six missiles targeted the Shayrat airbase in the province of Homs, but most of them were intercepted.

They also reported that three other missiles targeted the Dumair airbase in the north of Damascus, but were also intercepted before reaching the targets. 

The false alarm came as the Syrian military has been on the highest alert against further attacks following the joint airstrikes on Syria launched on April 13 by the US, France and Britain in retaliation to the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government forces.

Syria has strongly rejected the allegations as fabrication.

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New Delhi, Jan 15: The returning officer for the New Delhi Assembly segment has directed the police to investigate an incident of BJP candidate Parvesh Verma allegedly distributing shoes to electors at a Valmiki temple in violation of the poll code.

Citing complaints received about the alleged act of "corruption," the returning officer has instructed the station house office of the area to initiate the action for violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and has sought an action-taken report at the earliest.

Verma, however, claimed that he honoured the sanitation workers by placing shoes on their feet at the temple and no footwear was distributed.

Police sources confirmed that a non-cognizable report (NCR) has been filed based on the complaint against Verma, and further investigation has been initiated.

Under Section 123 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 (1) (A), offering or distributing any gift, gratification, or promise by a candidate or their agent, or by any person with the candidate's consent, to any elector is considered a corrupt practice.

According to the returning officer's order, advocate Rajnish Bhaskar filed a complaint through WhatsApp, alleging that Parvesh Verma, the BJP candidate for the New Delhi seat, was distributing shoes to electors at the Valmiki Temple near the Mandir Marg Police Station.

The complainant also submitted two videos purportedly showing Verma "distributing" shoes to women.

Responding to the allegations, Verma, in a statement said that he personally honoured sanitation workers at the Valmiki Mandir by placing shoes on their feet as a mark of respect for their hard work in keeping the city clean.

"No shoes were distributed. Only a few shoes were offered as a mark of respect towards the sanitation workers," claimed an aide of the BJP leader.

The development comes amid corruption charges made against Verma by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and his party members, accusing him of trying to sway voters in the BJP's favour using unfair means.