Tributes paid to 26/11 attack martyrs

Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde, Minister of Industries, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Prakash Mehta, Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria and DGP Sanjeev Dayal were among dignitaries who paid homage at the 26/11 police memorial site at the Mumbai Police Gymkhana in south Mumbai.

"I pay homage to the brave policemen who fought for Mumbai's safety and laid down their lives for us on 26/11.

We are proud of them and we will strive hard for safety and security of our state," said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis could not attend the commemorative meeting as he is scheduled to attend various functions to be presided by President Pranab Mukherjee in Pune and Wardha in the state later today.

The chief minister in his message said, "We will strengthen police force with better equipment. It is out priority."

Family members of the policemen, who lost their lives during the November 2008 attacks, were also present during the ceremony.

On November 26, 2008, 10 Pakistani terrorists arrived by sea route and opened fire indiscriminately at people killing 166, including 18 security personnel, and injuring several others, besides damaging property worth crores.

The then Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare, army Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Mumbai's Additional Police Commissioner Ashok Kamte and Senior Police Inspector Vijay Salaskar were among those killed in the attack.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

Death toll rises to 61 in Pakistan suicide attack at Wagah Border

Ten women, eight children and three security personnel were among the 61 people who have died in the attack that took place yesterday when a suicide attacker detonated a powerful bomb at Wagah.

Over 100 people were injured in the incident and are being treated in different Lahore's hospitals where emergency has been declared.

The blast took place when a large number of people were returning after attending the flag lowering ceremony at themain Indo-Pak land border crossing, which is heavily guarded by the Punjab Rangers.

A young suicide-bomber blew himself up near the main exit gate of Parade Avenue at 6.03 pm (local time), causing colossal devastation.

"The death toll of the devastating suicide attack at Wagah border has risen to 61. The condition of some injured is still critical and the doctors are battling to save their lives," Punjab Emergency Services Rescue spokesman Jam Sajjad said.

About 43 bodies have been handed over to the families while the remaining are yet to be recognised, Sajjad said.

"We have sought the help of the National Registration Database Authority (Nadra) for recognition of 18 bodies," he said.

The law enforcement agencies have launched operation inthe residential areas in Wagah and taken about 20 suspects  into custody, Lahore police spokesman Niyab Haider Naqvi said.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News