LIVE news updates: Hatred is never benign: Priyanka Gandhi on NZ shooting 

Expressing condolences over the deaths in the shooting in two mosques in New Zealand, Congress General Secretary and eastern Uttar Pradesh in-charge Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday said hatred is "never benign".

"The horrific terrorist act in New Zealand should be a warning to the whole world -- hatred is never benign," she tweeted.

Twenty-eight-year-old Brenton Tarrant, the main suspect in the Christchurch terror attack that claimed 49 lives, was charged with murder at a court here on Saturday as New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern vowed to change the country's gun laws.

Two Indians -- Ancy Ali (25) from Thrissur in Kerala and Faraj Ahsan (31) in Hyderabad -- are among the dead, reports said.

The whereabouts of a few Gujaratis who were visiting New Zealand's Christchurch, where 49 persons were killed in a deadly terror attack on two mosques on Friday, remained unclear on Saturday.

The state government was awaiting a response from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which was expected by late Saturday.

According to unconfirmed sources, about four to five visitors from Gujarat were feared to be present at the two mosques in Christchurch when the shootings took place

Ancy Ali, a 25-year-old Keralite female student, was among the 49 people killed in the horrific terror attack on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday, the Kerala Police said.

Ancy was doing her post-graduation in Christchurch and was living with her husband Abdul Nassar near the mosques where the firings took place.

Traders in Pollachi are planning a protest shutdown on Tuesday and a rally to demand a court-monitored probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the serial sexual abuse-cum-blackmail case.

A trader said the shutdown and rally would see participation of different political parties and social organisations as well.

After days of protests by students, political parties and various social organisations, it was relatively calm in Pollachi on Saturday. However, protests were held in some parts of the state

Diksha Dagar became only the second Indian woman golfer to win on Ladies European Tour after clinching the South African Open, eking out a one-shot victory with a bogey-free final round

Far-right Australian Senator Fraser Anning who blamed the New Zealand terror attack on Muslim immigration was egged at an event in Melbourne city on Saturday and slammed by the country's politicians for his comments.

Video footage recorded at the press conference appeared to show Queensland Senator Anning halfway through the event when a teenager cracked an egg over his head while filming with a mobile phone.

The senator responded by punching the 17-year-old. The latter was then tackled to the ground by Anning's supporters and held in a chokehold.

Delhi BJP writes to EC appealing it to "appoint Special Observer for the mosques especially in Muslim dominated areas so that political/religious leaders cannot spread hate among people to influence elections"

An Army personnel was injured Saturday in a landmine explosion along the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar sector of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

He was part of a patrolling party and was injured due to initiation of a mine near the anti-infiltration obstacle system at Tarkundi village of Balakote, a police official said.

He said the injured soldier was evacuated to a hospital for treatment

Making it clear that he does not trust Pakistan's intent behind opening the Kartarpur Corridor, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday said that Pakistan's "agenda is nefarious and political, and aimed at exploiting the sentiments of the Sikhs".

Underlining the need to keep a close watch on the Corridor project, the Chief Minister said while he is in favour of the opening of Corridor, which is a matter of devotion for the Sikhs, there is need to exercise caution.

Police said three youths were arrested on Saturday for allegedly firing gun shots in the air outside Hari Niwas Palace here creating panic among people.

The search for their another accomplice is underway, a police spokesman said.  He said four youths, who were on their way out from the bar at Hari Niwas, fired gun shots in the air outside the hotel late Friday night. Later they fled from the spot in an SUV and a motorcycle.

A case was registered under various sections of the Ranbir Penal Code, including 366 (endangering life or personal safety of others), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 34 ( acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) and under the Arms Act and, the spokesman said.

The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) has adopted two resolutions piloted by India on single-use plastics and sustainable nitrogen management.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the resolutions were adopted at the fourth session of UNEA which was held in Nairobi from March 11 to 15 on 'Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Production and Consumption'.

India's High Commission in New Zealand on Saturday said that it has been pursuing with local authorities whereabouts of seven Indians and two Indian-origin persons after the terror attacks on two Christchurch mosques. Two Indians are receiving treatments, the Indian mission said.

"We have been pursuing with NZ auth whereabouts of 9 Indians, incl 2 PIOs. 2 indians receiving treatment. Following up with NZ Govt for others. Also r in regular touch with their families (sic)," the Twitter account of the Indian High Commission in New Zealand said.

Terrorists on Saturday fired on a police woman Khushboo Jan at her village in Vehil area of Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir. She sustained critical injuries & was evacuated to hospital where she succumbed. We condemn this gruesome terror act & stand by her family at this critical juncture

If Pakistan was sincere in tackling terror, then it should at least hand over to India Dawood Ibrahim, Sayeed Salahudeen and other terrorists who are Indian citizens and residing in that country, government sources said Saturday.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday condemned the shooting at two mosques in New Zealand, saying the whole world should stand united in the fight against terrorism.
"This heinous act is an attempt to spread fear and hatred and there can be no justification for such attacks," Malik said in a message

Folk Singer Teejan Bai, Larsen and Toubro chairman Anil Kumar Naik, scientist S Nambi Narayanan, actor Manoj Bajpayee and 106-year-old environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka were among the 54 noted citizens conferred the Padma award by President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday. Teejan Bai and Naik received the second highest civilian award Padma Vibhushan.

RSS leader Darshan Lal Jain who is trying to find the mythical river Saraswati, MDH founder CEO Mahashay Dharam Pal Gulati, medical professional Ashok Laxmanrao Kukade, Nambi Narayanan, mountaineer Bachendri Pal and former CAG V K Shunglu were among those awarded Padma Bhushan.

Three criminals were killed in a police encounter on Saturday morning in Bihar's Vaishali district, police said. Police has seized two AK-47 rifles and other arms.

A Special Task Force team killed the criminals — Manish Kumar Singh and two others — who were involved in looting gold and were wanted by several states, Inspector General Kundan Krishnan said.

Two maoists were killed in an exchange of fire with the police in Agency area of Visakhapatnam district on Saturday.

According to Visakhapatnam Rural police, 20 maoists were moving around in Buradamamidi village in the Agency area around 1 am and they opened fire at police personnel engaged in combing operations.

Police personnel opened fire in retaliation in which two maoists were killed, the other ultras escaped under the cover darkness, an official said. Pedabayalu area committee member Sudhir headed the team of ultras, police said adding they were yet to identify the deceased. One CRPF jawan was injured in the exchange of fire, police said.

The parents of an Indian-origin software engineer who went missing after the shooting during Friday prayers at a mosque in Christchurch in New Zealand are still clueless about his whereabouts even after a day.

At least 49 worshippers were killed in attacks on the Al Noor Mosque in central Christchurch and the Linwood Mosque in the city's suburb, seen as one of the worst attacks on Muslims in that country.

The engineer, Farhaj Ahsan, has been working in New Zealand for the past seven years. He is married and has two children. "We are yet to get information about my son. We are concerned about him," Ahsan's mother Fatima said on Saturday.

India continues to work with the UN Security Council sanctions committee on the listing of Masood Azhar as a global terrorist and will show patience on the issue, official sources said Saturday, days after China blocked a proposal at the world body to ban the JeM chief.

They also said steps taken by Pakistan in the last few days, against terror groups are cosmetic in nature.

"India continues to work with the UNSC's sanction committee on listing of JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist," official sources said.

India believes "terrorism is a major issue for China. They know a number of terror groups are based in Pakistan", sources added.

Three militants belonging to two different underground outfits were arrested by security forces in Manipur, police said.

Two members of proscribed militant outfit Kangleipak Communists Party (KCP) were arrested by a team of Manipur police commandoes and Gurkha Rifles while conducting a search operation at Ningthoukhong Bazar in Bishnupur district on Wednesday, a press release issued by PRO of Manipur Police said Friday.

A day after 49 people were killed in the horrific Christchurch mosques shootings, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Saturday showed solidarity to the Muslim community, saying "this is not the New Zealand people know".

She made the remark during her 40-minute address at the Christchurch Canterbury Refugee Centre, where she delivered a message of unity to the country's Islamic community, the worst affected by the bloody massacre of Friday, when gunmen opened fire at two mosques.

"You were quick to mention this is not the New Zealand that you know. I want to reaffirm that today. This is not New Zealand," Arden, draped in a black pant-suit with a dupatta covering her head, told the Muslim leaders and the media in attendance.

Several of those killed or wounded in the shooting rampage at two New Zealand mosques on Friday were from the Middle East or South Asia, according to initial reports from several governments.

The live-streamed attack by an immigrant-hating white nationalist killed at least 49 people as they gathered for weekly prayers in Christchurch. Another 48 people suffered gunshot wounds in the attacks.

Bangladesh's honorary consul in Auckland, Shafiqur Rahman Bhuiyan, told The Associated Press that "so far" three Bangladeshis were among those killed and four or five others were wounded, including two left in critical condition.

Two Jordanians were among those killed, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by the state-run Petra news service. Foreign Ministry spokesman Sufian Qudah had earlier said that a Jordanian man was killed and eight others were wounded.