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Express Tribune
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- Climate
- Express Tribune
Karachi shaken by two more earthquakes as six-day tremor tally hits 32
Listen to article Karachi was shaken again on Friday morning by two earthquakes, bringing the total number of tremors in six days to 32. According to Express News, the first quake's epicentre was in DHA, while the second originated in the Malir district. Earlier last night, residents in Bhains Colony and surrounding areas also felt tremors, causing widespread panic. Many residents rushed out of their homes, reciting the Kalma. Since Sunday, Karachi has witnessed multiple low-intensity earthquakes across various localities, escalating concerns among the populace. The National Tsunami Centre director at the Meteorological Department, Ameer Haider Laghari, has warned that the Landhi fault line is expected to remain active for the coming days. He explained that movements in underground tectonic layers are generating energy gradually being released, resulting in these recurring earthquakes. Earlier, according to the National Tsunami Center (Pakistan Meteorological Department), these tremors are not a warning sign of a major natural disaster, but rather a natural geological process. This activity may help balance the local fault line for years to come. Ameer Haider Laghari, head of the National Tsunami Center, explained that the Quaidabad fault line remains active, and the situation could continue for up to a week. The year's first earthquake in Karachi was recorded on March 31, registering 4.7 magnitude with a depth of 19 kilometers. In contrast, this latest sequence has shown a consistent pattern, specifically in Malir and Quaidabad, where nine low- to moderate-intensity earthquakes occurred within two days. Several parts of the city felt the tremors. In an interview with Express News, Ameer Haider Laghari noted that the quakes stem from natural tectonic shifts, where built-up energy in the earth is gradually released, causing seismic activity. He emphasized that this is a global geological process, occurring in some regions more frequently than others. He recalled similar tremors in northern Pakistan, where activation of a fault line triggered panic in Islamabad and nearby areas for several days. READ MORE: 4.6-magnitude quake jolts northwestern Pakistan Laghari assured that the Karachi earthquakes are low-intensity, and each subsequent tremor has been less intense than the previous one. He also clarified that these are not aftershocks, as such minor quakes don't usually produce aftershocks—they are independent seismic events. He warned that Malir, Quaidabad, and surrounding areas may continue to feel tremors for two more days to a week. Pakistan lies in a shallow earthquake zone, meaning most quakes occur at low depths. He also highlighted other active fault lines in the region, including the Landhi fault line, Thana Bula Khan, and the Western Kirthar Range Plate Foundry Fault Line. As a precaution, he advised that residents of structurally weak buildings should evacuate quickly during tremors. People should avoid standing near walls and instead, seek open spaces for temporary shelter. Providing a broader context, Dr. Adnan Khan, Associate Professor and Geologist at the University of Karachi, told Express Tribune that these were minor tremors and not a cause for alarm. He explained that Karachi is situated on a passive tectonic margin, far from any major fault line, making large, destructive earthquakes highly unlikely in the region. 'These tremors are classified as mild, resulting from minor tectonic movements and stress accumulation deep within the Earth's crust,' Dr. Khan stated. READ MORE: 3.6 magnitude quake jolts Quetta He also linked these movements indirectly to Himalayan tectonic activity, where the northward shift of the mountain range, by 4 to 5 cm annually, can generate distant tectonic pressures, occasionally manifesting as low-intensity quakes even in far-off areas like Karachi. Dr. Khan further pointed to human factors that may play a subtle role in altering subterranean stability, including industrial waste incineration and excessive groundwater extraction, both of which can influence local seismic behavior over time. While the scientific consensus remains that these tremors are harmless, both Laghari and stressed the importance of basic safety awareness. Dr. Khan also advised citizens to remain calm during any such tremor and to immediately move to open areas, staying away from walls, foundations, or tall structures.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Time of India
Justice for entire country, not just for myself: Patuli survivor
1 2 3 Kolkata: "I miss and feel the pain of losing Bitan every day," says Soheni Adhikary , her voice trembling as she remembers her late husband, Bitan Adhikary, a Florida-based techie from Patuli who was among the 26 persons killed in a terror attack at Pahalgam in Kashmir on April 22. A month after the cold blooded killing of her husband by terrorists who turned the picturesque meadow in Pahalgam into a killing field, Soheni is still unable to put the pieces together and move on. "It still feels unreal. I can't describe how broken and helpless I've felt from within since that horrific day. One month has passed since that day but I feel his absence every single moment and each day without him seems like eternity," Soheni said while breaking down over the phone call. Bitan, who settled in Florida in 2019, was on a much-awaited vacation to Srinagar with his wife and three-and-a-half-year-old son Hridaan, on coming back to India. In an earlier interaction, Soheni narrated in detail to TOI how the peaceful getaway turned into a nightmare when they had to flee with their toddler amid gunfire, hiding with others. Terrorists confronted Bitan, asked his religion, ordered him to recite Kalma, and shot him dead when he admitted being Hindu. Dressed in Pathan suits, Soheni said they filmed the attack. After Bitan collapsed, Soheni tried CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation but couldn't save him. Speaking to TOI on Wednesday, Soheni said she doesn't want to recall the day but admitted that the nightmarish memories are still fresh in her mind. "The sight of Bitan's lifeless body keeps coming before me every moment. They just refuse to go," she said. A week after the attack, NIA visited Kolkata and collected her statement. When asked if the investigators are keeping her in the loop with the developments of the investigation, she said she wouldn't like to discuss the same. Following the Operation Sindoor counter-terrorism action by India, Soheni thanked the govt for avenging her husband's death. She said that the govt action could have brought the much-needed solace to her dead husband's soul. However, there has been no public information about any of those terrorists directly part of the ambush being arrested or killed yet. "It doesn't matter if a month, a week, or a year has passed. All I want is justice, not just for Bitan but for every innocent life lost," she said on Wednesday.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
A tale from the 1971 war: When not reciting the Kalma landed IAF pilot Air Commodore Jawahar Lal Bhargava (retd) in Pak captivity
1 2 Chandigarh: Terrorists asking tourists at Baisaran in Pahalgam to recite the Kalma (Islamic declaration of faith) before opening fire has a chilling parallel to an incident during 1971 India-Pakistan war , when Air Commodore Jawahar Lal Bhargava (retd) faced a similar ordeal when he was captured in Pakistan and failed to recite the Kalma. Bhargava was made a prisoner of war (POW) and returned to India only after living for around a year in Pakistani captivity . Recalling his experience, Bhargava, who was a young flight lieutenant at that time, told TOI it was his first sortie beyond enemy lines, when he took off from Barmer air force station in Rajasthan on Dec 5, 1971 morning to launch an attack. He was flying HF-24 (Hindustan Fighters), popularly known as 'Marut', when he was shot down. On Dec 5, 1971, around 9am, his aircraft was hit by ground fire and he decided to eject. His parachute barely opened when he touched down. Aircraft had crashed into a sand dune on the Pakistan side adjoining Rajasthan. He immediately took out some important items from the survival pack, buried his G-suit under the bushes, set his watch on Pakistan standard time and started marching away from the aircraft. He managed to survive for around 12 hours without being identified. During this period, he introduced himself as pilot Mansoor Ali of Pakistan Air Force (PAF), whose plane was shot by Indian forces. He even showed Pakistan currency to convince people meeting him after his crash. According to Bhargava, who is presently settled in Panchkula, the villagers in Pakistan were least bothered about his identity and helped him considering an injured soldier. However, he came across some Pakistani Rangers while staying in a village. One of the soldiers of Pakistan Rangers asked him to read the Kalma. "He even offered that he will read and I have to follow him. As I failed to read it, I was exposed and was arrested and handed over to the Pakistan army," Bhargava recalled. Recalling Dec 1, 1972, when he along with other POWs returned from Pakistan's captivity, the 83-years old veteran said they came via the Attari-Wagah border where the then Punjab chief minister, Giani Jail Singh, received them. Initially, they were taken to the local air force unit, where chilled beer and a sumptuous lunch were arranged, which they had enjoyed almost after one year. Thereafter, they were flown to Palam air force base, where they united with their families. Bhargava, a former Ranji Trophy cricketer, said he considered his wife, Anu, whom he lost two months ago because of an illness, more courageous than him as she faced all the traumas in his absence. "When the news about the crash of my aircraft was told to her, she told everyone that nothing will go wrong and that he will return," says Bhargava. He said she came to know about him only when his parachute, ejection seat and the G-suit were found by an army search team and the same were handed over to his squadron. Later, in mid-Jan 1972, his family was informed about his POW status in Pakistan. Thereafter, all heaved a sigh of relief and waited for his return.
News18
19-05-2025
- News18
Panipat School Teacher Fired For Teaching Kalma To Class 8 Students
Last Updated: The principal said the teacher recited a line from the Kalma to answer students' questions about Muslim practices similar to Hindu Aarti or Hanuman Chalisa A controversy erupted at a school in Panipat, Haryana, after a teacher reportedly taught the Kalma to Class 8 students. The issue came to light when the children from Saraswati Vidya Mandir were heard reciting it at home, prompting their parents to raise concerns with the school. The teacher was subsequently dismissed. The incident took place two days ago, following the morning assembly. Mahjib Ansari, also known as Mahi, a Sanskrit teacher at the school, conducted a lecture in Class 8 during which she taught the Kalma. The children, upon returning home, hummed the Kalma, which caught the attention of their families. Upon inquiry, the children revealed that their teacher had taught it to them at school. Concerned parents subsequently gathered and approached the school on Saturday, demanding action against the teacher. They also informed the police, anticipating potential escalation. Lengthy discussions ensued between the school administration, parents and the teacher. The parents insisted that such teachings were unacceptable and demanded the teacher's removal. Responding to the parents' demands, the school principal, Indu, dismissed the teacher. Principal Indu stated that the teacher, who had been employed at the school for a year, was a Sanskrit teacher. According to the principal, the teacher explained that the children had asked about Muslim practices similar to Hindu Aarti or Hanuman Chalisa. To satisfy their curiosity, she recited a line from the Kalma. The principal further mentioned that the teacher, aware of the repercussions, had apologised for her actions. When questioned about the teacher's nickname 'Mahi' being used instead of her full name, the principal clarified that it was due to the length and complexity of her real name, which is correctly recorded in the school register. First Published: May 19, 2025, 11:39 IST
Time of India
19-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
1971 war tales: Indian Air Force pilot's Kalma episode & Pak captivity
Air Commodore Jawahar Lal Bhargava (retd) CHANDIGARH: Terrorists asking tourists at Baisaran in Pahalgam to recite the Kalma (Islamic declaration of faith) before opening fire has a chilling parallel to an incident during 1971 India-Pakistan war , when Air Commodore Jawahar Lal Bhargava (retd) faced a similar ordeal when he was captured in Pakistan and failed to recite the Kalma. Bhargava was made a prisoner of war (POW) and returned to India only after living for around a year in Pakistani captivity . Recalling his experience, Bhargava, who was a young flight lieutenant at that time, told TOI it was his first sortie beyond enemy lines, when he took off from Barmer air force station in Rajasthan on Dec 5, 1971 morning to launch an attack. He was flying HF-24 (Hindustan Fighters), popularly known as 'Marut', when he was shot down. On Dec 5, 1971, around 9am, his aircraft was hit by ground fire and he decided to eject. His parachute barely opened when he touched down. Aircraft had crashed into a sand dune on the Pakistan side adjoining Rajasthan. He immediately took out some important items from the survival pack, buried his G-suit under the bushes, set his watch on Pakistan standard time and started marching away from the aircraft. He managed to survive for around 12 hours without being identified. During this period, he introduced himself as pilot Mansoor Ali of Pakistan Air Force (PAF), whose plane was shot by Indian forces. He even showed Pakistan currency to convince people meeting him after his crash. According to Bhargava, who is presently settled in Panchkula, the villagers in Pakistan were least bothered about his identity and helped him considering an injured soldier. However, h e came across some Pakistani Rangers while staying in a village. One of the soldiers of Pakistan Rangers asked him to read the Kalma. 'He even offered that he will read and I have to follow him. As I failed to read it, I was exposed and was arrested and handed over to the Pakistan army,' Bhargava recalled. Recalling Dec 1, 1972, when healong with other POWs returned from Pakistan's captivity, the 83-years old veteran said they came via the Attari-Wagah border where the then Punjab chief minister, Giani Jail Singh, received them. Initially, they were taken to the local air force unit, where chilled beer and a sumptuous lunch were arranged, which they had enjoyed almost after one year. Thereafter, they were flown to Palam air force base, where they united with their families. Bhargava, a former Ranji Trophy cricketer, said he considered his wife, Anu, whom he lost two months ago because of an illness, more courageous than him as she faced all the traumas in his absence. 'When the news about the crash of my aircraft was told to her, she told everyone that nothing will go wrong and that he will return,' says Bhargava. He said she came to know about him only when his parachute, ejection seat and the G-suit were found by an army search team and the same were handed over to his squadron. Later, in mid-Jan 1972, his family was informed about his POW status in Pakistan. Thereafter, all heaved a sigh of relief and waited for his return.
