Indian Sub-continent

New Delhi, Oct 25 (PTI) Congress president Rahul Gandhi Thursday said forcing CBI director Alok Verma to go on indefinite leave was "illegal" and alleged that it was done as the government panicked over the possibility of him investigating the Rafale jet deal.

Addressing a press conference here, he claimed that Verma's removal was an "insult" to the Constitution, the chief justice of India and the leader of the opposition.

The move was "illegal", the Congress chief said.

Srinagar, Oct 25 (PTI) Two militants were killed Thursday in a gunbattle with security forces in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Kreeri area in the early hours following information about presence of militants there. Militants opened fire towards security forces, and two ultras were killed in the ensuing gunbattle, a police official said.

"The encounter at Kreeri in Baramulla is over. Two militants have been killed," the official said.

Hyderabad, Oct 25 (PTI) Leaders cutting across political affiliations condemned the attack Thursday on YSR congress leader Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, who was injured when he was attacked by a man with a small knife at the airport lounge here.

Telangana minister for IT and Industries KT Rama Rao strongly condemned the incident and demanded the culprits be punished.

"I wish him a speedy recovery," he tweeted.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi demanded a probe on any possible security lapses at Visakhapatnam Airport.

KANPUR: Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association will host three matches of Ranji Trophy in Kanpur. Giving this information, its media in-charge A A Talib said that a total of three matches will be played at the popular Green Park stadium here.

Karachi, Oct 24; PTI: Sixteen Indian fishermen have been arrested by Pakistani authorities for allegedly straying into the country's territorial waters, a security official said Wednesday.

They were arrested on Monday by personnel of the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) during an operation.

A security official told PTI that three boats of the fishermen were also confiscated.

A case has been registered against them at the Dock Police Station in Karachi.

GANASHAKTI: The Left parties will organise a public hearing on the Rafale deal in the national capital Wednesday with a view to take forward their demand for a probe by the joint parliamentary committee in the issue.

Legal, policy experts and Left leaders will speak on the matter and the public will also participate in the deliberations, according to Left leaders.

CPI leader D Raja said the Left parties will raise the demand for a JPC probe into the alleged scam in the Rafale fighter jet deal and will evolve their strategy to take on the government on the issue.

New Delhi, Oct 24 (PTI) Opposition parties Wednesday slammed the government for CBI Director Alok Verma's removal amid an escalating feud between him and his deputy Rakesh Asthana, with the Congress dubbing it the "last nail" in the agency's independence and the CPI(M) calling it illegal.

Adding its voice to the debate, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) asked the reasons for sending the CBI director on leave.

New Delhi, Oct 24 (PTI) The CBI has overhauled the team probing allegations of corruption against its former Special Director Rakesh Asthana, bringing in completely new faces, officials said Wednesday.

There have been changes from the investigation officer to supervisory levels, they said.

M Nageswar Rao, a 1986-batch Odisha cadre IPS officer, who took over the duties and functions of CBI director late last night, appointed Satish Dagar as Superintendent of Police to probe the case, they said.

Surat (Guj), Oct 24 (PTI) A priest associated with the Swaminarayan sect here in Gujarat was arrested Wednesday for allegedly raping a 20-year-old woman on two occasions under the pretext of offering money for her mother's surgery, the police said.

The accused Nikunj alias Karan Swarupdas Babubhai Savani (24) had allegedly raped the woman, a local resident, around a fortnight ago in a room adjacent to the Swaminarayan temple at Dabholi under Katargam police station and again on October 23, a police official said.

Shahjahanpur (UP), Oct 24 (PTI) A 70-year-old woman was allegedly raped by a distant relative here, police said Wednesday.

A first information report (FIR) was lodged Tuesday on the basis of a complaint from the woman, they added.

The woman, a resident of Rampur, had come to Dhakiya Ranvas village under the Sidhauli police station and was allegedly raped by a distant relative here on September 28, station in-charge Birja Ram said.