1. Israel-Hamas War: Blast goes off at Gaza Church, Hamas claims several dead; PM Modi dials Palestinian President
2. Canada removes 41 diplomats from India after New Delhi threatens to revoke diplomatic immunity
3. Manipur: NIA arrests second suspect in Bishnupur bomb blast case in July
4. Expect the unexpected and thereby plan: Defence Minister Singh tells top military brass

What Else

• ‘Cash for Query’ Row: Big Jolt to TMC’s Mahua Moitra as Hiranandani Turns Approver
• Afghan Taliban decides to formally join China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’
• ‘Pakistan blindly trusts China’: Kakar to Xi
• Pakistan: Plan to repatriate illegal aliens to stay unchanged, says FO
• Six terrorists killed, 4 soldiers martyred in KP operations
• COAS visits PAF airbase to witness ‘Indus Shield 2023’ exercise

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Israel-Hamas War: Blast goes off at Gaza Church, Hamas claims several dead; PM Modi dials Palestinian President

• Amid the escalating war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, an explosion struck a Greek Orthodox church where displaced Palestinians had taken refuge on Thursday leaving many dead and injured.
• The US, on the other hand, reiterated support for Israel and emphasized securing the release of hostages held by Hamas as a top priority.
• Biden further said he would urge Congress to approve massive funding to help Ukraine and Israel, saying that this was an investment for the US’ future as a global leader.
• Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak pressed Israel to let more humanitarian aid into Gaza as he stepped up a campaign by Western leaders to reinforce support for Israel. (here)
• State Department advises all Americans overseas ‘to exercise increased caution’ in worldwide alert: The US State Department on Thu advised all US citizens worldwide “to exercise increased caution” due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, (and) demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.”
• The issuance of the worldwide caution alert is a significant message amid protests that have erupted throughout the Middle East in response to the Israel-Hamas war, with many demonstrators targeting US diplomatic compounds.
• State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said Thu that “we take several factors into consideration when making that determination” to issue a worldwide alert. (here)
• PM dials Palestinian President, condoles death of civilians: PM Modi spoke to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and condoled the loss of civilian lives at a hospital blast in Gaza.
• He also reiterated India’s long-standing principled stand on the Israel-Palestine issue.
• “Shared our deep concern at the terrorism, violence, and deteriorating security situation in the region,” PM Modi said after talk. (here)
• US intel, European source put Gaza hospital death toll at dozens or low hundreds: The US intelligence believes that anywhere from 100-300 people were killed at the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, US media reported Thu,
• a European official put the toll at 50 or less.
• Hamas authorities claimed that the hospital had been targeted by Israeli airstrikes, and put the death toll at 500, an account that was widely reported worldwide. (here)
• Chinese citizens told to “Find A way on their Own” to leave Israel: China is facing criticism for its handling of the evacuation of its citizens in Israel, as they are asked to purchase their tickets for commercial flights, in contrast to other govts that are actively assisting their citizens in leaving the region amidst conflicts, VOA reported. (here)
• China condemns ‘heinous attack’ on hospital and urges ceasefire as priority at UNSC: Beijing has condemned what it called a “heinous attack” on a Gaza hospital that brought the Palestinian death toll to nearly 3,500, [?] and it warned that the region will be “engulfed” without a complete ceasefire.
• Chinese ambassador delivered China’s statement to the UNSC on Wed as Washington voted amid the Israel-Gaza war against a UN resolution to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians. (here)
• China PLA stationed up to 6 warships in Middle East over past week amid rising tensions from Israel-Gaza war: reports: Up to 6 Chinese warships have been operating in the Middle East over the past week, according to reports.
• The 44^th Naval Escort Task Force has been involved in routine operations in the area since May and last week spent several days on a visit to Oman, including a joint exercise with the country’s navy, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry website.
• The task force left the capital Muscat on Sat, en route for an unspecified destination, state media reported.
• During the visit, Chinese commanders met Omani military officials and visited military institutions, while sailors from both countries toured each other’s shops. They also organized a basketball game, according to the state news agency Xinhua. (here)

Canada removes 41 diplomats from India after New Delhi threatens to revoke diplomatic immunity

• Canada has evacuated its 41 diplomats and 42 other members of the staff from India after New Delhi said that it would revoke their diplomatic immunity.
• Amid India-Canada diplomatic tensions, Canadian FM Melanie Joly said, “…I can confirm that India has formally conveyed its plan to unethically remove diplomatic immunities for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and dependents in Delhi by Oct 20.”
• “Given the implications of India’s actions on the safety of our diplomats, we have facilitated their safe departure from India,” said Joly.
• Joly continued and said that this will impact the level of services to citizens of both countries adding his country was pausing in-person services in 3 major cities (here)

Manipur: NIA arrests second suspect in Bishnupur bomb blast case in July

• The National Investigation Agency on Thu arrested a 2^nd suspect in connection with a bomb blast that took place in violence-hit Manipur in July.
• NIA arrested Md. Islauddin Khan, in coordination with Manipur Police, in the case of the bomb blast, which took place at Kwakta, Bishnupur in a Scorpio vehicle on Jun 21.
• The case was initially registered by Manipur Police at Moirang in Bishnupur and later re-registered by NIA on June 23 in Imphal.
• 3 persons were injured and the bridge, along with nearby houses, were damaged because of the impact of the blast. (here)

Expect the unexpected and thereby plan: Defence Minister Singh tells top military brass

• Def Min Rajnath Singh on Wed commended the Army for its high standard of operational readiness and said “war preparedness” should be a continuous phenomenon and that the military should always be ready for uncertainties.
• His comments came while addressing the Army Commanders’ Conference,2023 that commenced on October 16.
• In his address, Singh touched upon the changing nature of war and the introduction of “unconventional and asymmetric warfare” in conventional wars.
• “….. Expect the unexpected and thereby plan, strategize, and prepare accordingly,” he added.
• On Borders with Pakistan: He said, “I compliment the excellent synergy between the CAPF/ Police forces and the Army in tackling the menace of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.“
• On India-China Border: Commenting on the current situation along the India-China border, Singh expressed full confidence in the Army for any contingency.
• Notably, his comments came days after India-China held the 20^th round of CC-level talks on the Indian side to end the stand-off along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh. (here)

‘Cash for Query’ Row: Big Jolt to TMC’s Mahua Moitra as Hiranandani Turns Approver

• Darshan Hiranandani, son of real estate billionaire Niranjan Hiranandani, turned approver in a “cash for query” row involving TMC leader Mahua Moitra and claimed that he used the Rajya Sabha MP’s Parliamentary login to ask questions from the govt.
• The statement comes ahead of the hearing on Fri in the defamation case filed by Moitra against a BJP MP who accused her of taking “bribes” to ask questions in Parliament.
• Moitra sought a permanent ban and damages against MP, advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, social media platform X, search engine Google, YouTube, and 15 media houses and to restrain them from making, publishing, circulating per se defamatory, ex facie false and malicious statements against her. (here)

 [NEIGHBORHOOD]

Afghan Taliban decides to formally join China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’

• The Taliban admin Thu expressed the desire to formally become part of President Xi BRI as part of its efforts to rebuild war-torn Afghanistan through Chinese investment.
• “We requested China to allow us to be a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Belt and Road Initiative… are discussing technical issues today,” Reuters reported
• The reference to the “economic corridor” pertains to a significant section of the BRI located in Afghanistan’s neighbor, Pakistan.
• Kabul also disclosed that a technical team would soon be dispatched to China for discussions on this matter. (here)

 ‘Pakistan blindly trusts China’: Kakar to Xi

• In a meeting with Chinese President Xi, Caretaker PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Thu reaffirmed the unwavering trust and commitment between Pakistan and China, branding their bilateral partnership as one made in “heaven”.
• The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 3^rd BRF at the Great Hall of People, a gathering attended by leaders and delegates from approximately 140 nations.
• The interim PM also emphasized that Pakistan would stand steadfastly by China’s side and would not allow anything to undermine this vital strategic partnership.
• During his opening remarks in today’s meeting, PM Kakar reiterated strong support for the “One China policy”, stressing that their commitment would be demonstrated through actions, not just words.
• Kakar made it clear that Pakistan had no intentions of retracting from its close ties with China.
• He described the BRI as a pragmatic and practical response to the political, economic, and civilizational challenges faced by numerous nations worldwide. (here)

Pakistan: Plan to repatriate illegal aliens to stay unchanged, says FO

• The FO said on Thu that the plan to repatriate illegal immigrants living in the country will stay unchanged and the deadline for all “illegal aliens” to leave will not be extended
• In reply to a question, she confirmed that a briefing session was held at the Foreign Ministry for foreign missions on the illegal foreigners’ repatriation plan (IFRP).
• She said that Secretary of Interior Aftab Durrani and acting Foreign Secretary Ambassador gave the briefing.
• Elaborating key points of the briefing, she said the govt had announced the plan on Sept 26 to repatriate all illegal and undocumented foreigners, including those who have overstayed their visas, with effect from Nov 1. (here)

Six terrorists killed, four soldiers martyred in KP operations

• As many as 6 terrorists were killed and 4 soldiers were martyred during 2 operations in separate tribal districts, a statement issued by the ISPR said Thu.
• The fierce encounters between the terrorists and security forces took place on the night between Oct 18 and 19 in North and South Waziristan districts,
• The ISPR mentioned that the first engagement occurred in North Waziristan’s Gharyoum area, where the security forces “effectively engaged the terrorists’ location” and killed 6 militants.
• The killed terrorists included a high-value target, terrorist ringleader Hazrat Zaman alias Khawarey Mullah, who was actively involved in multiple terrorist activities in the area and was wanted by law enforcement agencies, the ISPR said.

COAS visits PAF airbase to witness ‘Indus Shield 2023’ exercise

• Chief of Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir on Thu paid a visit to an operational air base of Pakistan Air Force to witness the ongoing aerial exercise “Indus Shield” 2023,
• According to army media wing ISPR, the air chiefs of Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Hungary were guests who witnessed PAF’s 14-nation mega air exercise.
• Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion, the air chief lauded the utmost support extended by the army chief in the pursuit of PAF’s modernization drive and appreciated the wholehearted participation from the 14 allied countries.
• He also said that this would pave the way for military-to-military cooperation in the backdrop of futuristic aerial warfare.
• In addition, he also highlighted that the center’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and resources have played a pivotal role in ensuring the successful execution
• These crucial aspects are diligently taught at the Airpower Center of Excellence, creating a cohesive impact on operational capabilities.”
• He reiterated his commitment to support the vision of Air Chief to incorporate smart inductions, and cutting-edge niche technologies in the domains of cyber, artificial intelligence, IT, space, and specialized innovations. (here)