Latest news with #Azan
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Op Sindoor: Panic in border areas, villagers start evacuating to safer places
People in some border villages of Ferozepur and Tarn Taran districts began moving to safer areas amid soaring tensions between India and Pakistan. A family during evacuation from a border village in Ferozepur on Wednesday. (HT Photo) According to reports, the residents of villages, particularly around the Hussainiwala sector, located just 13 km from Ferozepur, have begun evacuating voluntarily following the Indian Armed forces successfully carrying out targeted strikes on nine 'terrorist infrastructure' in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Similar reports were received from the Khemkaran area, which saw intense action during the 1965 war. Most of the border villagers have shifted their children and women members to safer places. The war-like situation is not new for the people of Khemkaran area. They have seen similar evacuations during the 1965 and 1971 wars with the most recent being the 1999 Kargil war. Kasur-Khemkaran axes saw one of the biggest tank battles post-Second World War, with Pakistan suffering significant losses. The engagement at Asal Uttar is widely recognised as a turning point in the 1965 war. In the markets of Khemkaran, a historic small town, it was business as usual with people seen shopping and going about their day-to-day routine. In the Kalas village, youths and other men were huddled discussing the possible scenarios. Several gates of the houses in the village, a few yards from the zero line, were locked with the families moving to safer areas. 'Many have sent children and women to the safer places. However, almost all the men are staying behind,' Balwinder Singh said, adding: 'We stand with the Indian Army which has avenged the Pahalgam attack. Killing civilians in cold blood is a cowardly act. So, what has been done by the army is good. Another resident Sukhchain Singh said, 'We cannot abandon our houses and livestock'. Lakhbir Singh added that nearly 35% people of this village have moved in panic. 'We apprehend that something untoward might happen. Our village is closest to the border and could easily be captured by Pakistani forces in case of a full-scale war,' Lakhbir said. In Mehadipur village, surrounded by an international border from three sides, a group of men were busy playing cards and discussing the possible war scenarios. The village is connected to mainland India via a bridge. 'Residents of this village have already faced evacuation three to four times in the past. These things are not new to us. This time, the people are not evacuating in haste', said Satnam Singh, a villager. In Ferozepur, evacuations have been reported in several border villages, including Tendiwala, Kaluwala, Hajara Singh Wala, and Ghatti Rajjo Kee, among others. 'There has been complete silence across the border since yesterday. We haven't even heard the usual 'Azan', and no Pakistani farmers have shown up in their fields today,' said Surjit Singh, a resident of Chugge Hajara Singh Wala. 'We've seen difficult times before, but we trust our jawans. We hope peace returns soon,' said Baldev Singh, a farmer from Ghatti Rajjo Kee. Ferozepur deputy commissioner Deepshikha Sharma said that the evacuations are voluntary. 'No official directive has been issued. People might be taking precautionary steps on their own. We are ensuring all measures for civilian safety,' she stated. She said that the entire administration is fully alert and prepared.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Are '90 Day Fiance' Alums Nicole Nafziger and Azan Tefou Still Together? Relationship Update
90 Day Fiancé alums Nicole Nafziger and Azan Tefou were among the show's earliest breakout couples, generating viral moments that fans still remember — from Azan bluntly calling Nicole 'lazy' during a desert hike to his infamous confession that he was only '55 percent' attracted to her, their relationship delivered unforgettable drama. Nicole and Azan haven't been on screens since 2019, and fans are curious if the former couple are still together. Nicole and Azan are no longer together. The Florida native confirmed to In Touch in July 2021 that she and Azan had split. 'Azan and I have decided to go our separate ways,' Nicole said in a statement at the time, confirming that they had remained friendly after the breakup. 'We had much love and respect for each other, but we weren't without our faults. Unfortunately, we can no longer continue our journey together.' She continued, 'This may be a shock to many because we stayed strong for so long through it all, but as we move forward and heal, we ask that you respect both parties and not constantly ask about it. Thank you to everyone who has supported us together and continues to support us as separate individuals. Hassan is a good person and deserves to be happy as much as I do. We ended on good terms and I wish him the best.' Nicole and Azan made their TLC debut on season 4 of 90 Day Fiancé in 2016. Their tumultuous relationship quickly captured viewers' attention, leading them to return for season 5 and later appear on seasons 4 and 5 of 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? Nicole met Azan, who was living in Agadir, Morocco, at the time, through a dating app. The single mother left her daughter, May, with family as she flew overseas to meet Azan for the first time. Their first trip was filled with many awkward moments, including the Morocco native commenting that his online girlfriend was 'a bit big.' Despite their cultural differences, including a major disagreement about religion, Azan proposed to Nicole at the end of her trip and began the process of obtaining a K-1 visa so that they could wed in America. Unfortunately, the visa process would become another hurdle in their relationship as In Touch reported in 2018 that his U.S. visa application was denied. Amid the challenges, rumors emerged accusing both Azan and Nicole of infidelity, though the couple denied the allegations. Nicole and Azan's wedding was postponed a few times as their story continued to unfold during the franchise. However, the pair never tied the knot. Nicole's family was vocal about their hesitations about the relationship, as they accused Azan of 'living off her.' 'She sends him money,' Joe explained in a 2018 interview with Radar Online. 'He was going to start a business. My wife was there for a week for the wedding. He would never allow anybody to see his place of business.'
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Where Are 90 Day Fiance's Nicole Nafziger and Azan Tefou Now? Updates on the Former Couple
90 Day Fiancé alums Nicole Nafziger and Azan Tefou (a.k.a Hassan M'Raouni) were once a mainstay in the franchise, having appeared in seasons 4 and 5 of the flagship series and seasons 3 and 4 of the spinoff 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?. However, the former couple last appeared in a 90 Day Fiancé show in 2019, and they called it quits a few years later. Amid their absence from TLC, fans have been curious about where Nicole and Azan are now. Nicole revealed in 90 Day Fiancé season 4 that she was a single mom living in Florida when she met Azan, a native of Agadir, Morocco. She left her then-toddler daughter, May, with her family while she flew to Morocco to visit Azan for the first time, and the fitness trainer commented that she was 'a bit big.' She promised to lose weight and embarked on a wellness journey with his help. Nicole and Azan ran into a few challenges throughout their romance, including cultural differences and disagreements over religion. Despite their issues, Azan proposed to Nicole and began the process of obtaining a K-1 visa so that they could wed in America. Unfortunately, the visa process became another obstacle in their relationship, as In Touch reported in 2018 that his request for a visa in the U.S. was denied. Amid the issues, reports surfaced of both Azan and Nicole cheating in their relationship, which they said were false. Nicole and Azan's wedding was postponed a few times as their story continued to unfold on Happily Ever After?. However, the pair never tied the knot. Nicole confirmed to In Touch in July 2021 that she and Azan had split. 'Azan and I have decided to go our separate ways,' she said in a statement at the time, confirming that they had remained amicable. 'We had much love and respect for each other, but we weren't without our faults. Unfortunately we can no longer continue our journey together.' Nicole continued, 'This may be a shock to many because we stayed strong for so long through it all. But as we move forward and heal, we ask that you respect both parties and not constantly ask about it. Thank you to everyone who has supported us together and continues to support us as separate individuals. Hassan is a good person and deserves to be happy as much as I do. We ended on good terms and I wish him the best.' Nicole has not been very active on social media following her split from Azan. However, in August 2023, she returned to Instagram to share a pool selfie with her daughter. 'Summer in August? Welcome to Florida! Edit: Never mind, it's summer everywhere rn, I just have no idea what I'm talking about. my bad,' she wrote in the caption, leaving many fans confused at the time. Additionally, Nicole has been the subject of controversy a few times in the years since her and Azan's exit from the 90 Day Fiancé franchise, as she has been accused of sharing clickbait posts claiming that either she or Azan has died on more than one occasion. The most recent incident occurred in April 2025 when she posted a black and white photo of herself and Azan with the caption, '#RIP I am absolutely shattered and heartbroken to confirm he died.' Nicole included a link to an article about celebrities who passed away in 2024, and Azan's name did not appear to be included in the list. It's not clear what Azan is up to today, as he stopped posting on his Instagram page in 2020 and leads a private life. He previously used the account to share workout videos, gym selfies and more.
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Business Standard
23-04-2025
- Business Standard
'They asked our names, then opened fire': Survivors recount Pahalgam attack
Terrorists opened fire on tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing 26 and injuring several others, marking the deadliest attack in Jammu and Kashmir in recent times Rimjhim Singh New Delhi 'At first, we thought it was fireworks... then people started screaming,' recounted a survivor, narrating the horror that unfolded in Pahalgam's serene Baisaran meadow on Tuesday. In one of the deadliest civilian attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, terrorists disguised in uniform carried out the attack, killing 26 tourists — some while they posed for photos, others while simply enjoying local snacks. The attack occurred in the Baisaran meadow, around 5 km from the popular hill station of Pahalgam. A video circulating on social media shows a man walking through the serene Baisaran meadow shortly before the violence began. The footage, now a grim reminder of the tragedy, shows the calm being shattered by the sudden sound of gunfire and terrified screams — audible just seconds into the clip. In another clip, the same person is seen fleeing the area, confirming that a terrorist attack had taken place. 'A terrorist attack has taken place here… we escaped narrowly… god will protect us,' he said in the video. Speaking to reporters, the survivor recounted his experience, admitting that fear gripped him during the assault. At first, he mistook the sounds of gunfire for fireworks. 'We thought it was firecrackers when we heard two to three rounds. When we heard people screaming, we ran for our lives,' India Today quoted him as saying. 'Such an attack has never happened there. This is probably the first time that such an attack has happened there. We never believed that such a thing would happen as the atmosphere was peaceful. It is unfortunate,' the tourist said. 'They asked for our names, then opened fire': Survivor Police officials say survivors provided harrowing details of the attack. 'Three to four men in 'uniform' descended from the dense forests. They asked for our names. We thought they were policemen,' a woman told an officer. 'Suddenly, they opened fire on the men and left the women unharmed.' Some were shot at point-blank range. Those trying to escape were also targeted. 'One survivor said they ran to nearby tents. The attackers followed, called a man out, spoke to him, and shot him,' an officer said, as quoted by Indian Express. Another added the terrorists remained in the area for about 20 minutes, firing without fear. 'Forced to recite Azan before opening fire', says survivor A Pune-based family of five was caught in the terror attack in Pahalgam, which occurred while the family was taking photos in traditional Kashmiri attire. A woman from the family told India Today that the attackers targeted Hindu tourists. 'The terrorists suddenly appeared and began firing indiscriminately... forced them to recite the Azan,' she said. Comparing it to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, she added, 'They were wearing uniforms like local police and had printed army-style masks.' 'He died on the spot, in front of my eyes': Wife recalls Pahalgam terror attack Manjunath, a resident of Shivamogga, Karnataka, was killed in the terrorist attack while vacationing with his family in Pahalgam. His wife, Pallavi, shared the harrowing experience, saying, 'It happened around 1.30 pm… He died on the spot, in front of my eyes.' Recalling the aftermath, she said, 'Three local people rescued me.' Pallavi believes the assailants targeted Hindus, quoting one as saying, 'I won't kill you. Go tell this to Modi.' She urged authorities to expedite the return of Manjunath's body: 'It needs to be airlifted. We want it brought back immediately,' she said. Newlywed navy officer killed in Pahalgam attack Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old Navy officer from Karnal, Haryana, was among those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack — just days after his wedding. On his honeymoon with his wife, Narwal was shot dead by terrorists during their visit to Kashmir. 'We were just having bhelpuri... and then he shot my husband. The gunman said my husband was not a Muslim and then shot him,' his wife recalled. Narwal, posted in Kochi, had joined the Navy two years ago.
India Today
22-04-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Hindus were singled out, shot: Tourist's blow-by-blow account of Pahalgam attack
A family of five from Maharashtra's Pune came under a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon, when gunmen opened fire on tourists gathered in a valley. The attack, which took place as the family posed for photographs in traditional Kashmiri attire, has been claimed by a shadow outfit affiliated with the Pakistan-based targeted firing occurred in a popular tourist zone bustling with visitors, many of whom had gathered for photos in the scenic to India Today TV, one of the survivors — a woman from the Pune family — recounted a blow-by-blow account of what actually happened at the attack site and claimed that the terrorists singled out Hindu tourists and shot them."The terrorists suddenly appeared and began firing indiscriminately. While some of them opened fire, others grabbed the Hindus present and forced them to recite the Azan. Then they resumed firing and shot my father and uncle," she said, adding that the assailants claimed their religion was "in danger" because of the Hindus. She further compared the method of the assault to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. "The terrorists attacked only the men. It was very similar to what happened during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. They were wearing uniforms like those of local police and had printed masks that resembled what army personnel wear," she TO SURVIVOUR'S ORDEAL HERE advertisementIn the deadliest assault in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama attack, terrorists sprayed bullets at a popular meadow near Pahalgam on a busy Tuesday afternoon, with at least 26 feared dead and several six kilometres from the tourist hub of Pahalgam, the lush meadow of Baisaran — nicknamed "mini Switzerland" for its pine-fringed slopes — turned into a site of horror. Armed terrorists stormed the grassland, opening fire on unsuspecting tourists who were picnicking, riding ponies, or gathered near food stalls, according to officials and PM Modi conveyed his condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the attack and vowed strict action against the terrorists involved in the heinous act. "They (terrorists) will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger," the Prime Minister, who is currently in Jeddah, said in a post on Reel
