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Damascus, Dec 10 (IANS) Syria's militant forces that have taken control of Damascus announced a general amnesty for all army personnel conscripted into mandatory service.

In a statement, the militant forces' Military Operations Department declared, "We grant amnesty to all army conscripts under mandatory service. They are guaranteed safety, and any aggression against them is prohibited."

The amnesty is seen as part of broader reconciliation efforts to reintegrate military personnel who may have been captured or fled during the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the official news agency SANA.

Further details about the amnesty or its impact were not immediately clear.

In a stunning turn of events on Sunday, militant forces in Syria seized the capital Damascus and declared the end of Assad's rule, following a rapid offensive that saw major Syrian cities falling like dominos within less than two weeks.

--IANS

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Islamabad, Dec 10 (IANS) Two terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said.

The security forces on Monday conducted the operation in Dera Ismail Khan district of the province on reported presence of terrorists, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Xinhua news agency reported quoting the media wing of the Pakistan Army.

"During the conduct of the operation, the terrorists' location was effectively engaged by own troops," the ISPR said, adding that two terrorists were killed while one was apprehended in injured condition during the operation.

According to the ISPR, a huge cache of weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the terrorists, who remained actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces as well as target killing of civilians in the area.

Clearance operation is being carried out to eliminate the presence of other terrorists from the area, it added.

The military said the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country.

--IANS

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Jaipur, Dec 9 (IANS) A joint declaration was signed between the Israeli Foreign Ministry and Rajasthan's Water Resources Department to enhance international cooperation in the water sector on the inaugural day of the 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024.

Additionally, a ‘Letter of Intent’ was also signed between the Government of Rajasthan and the Danish Embassy to collaborate on the revival of the Saraswati Paleochannel.

Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, addressed the session, emphasising the importance of water conservation. He stated that due to climate change, rainfall patterns have drastically changed, with some regions suffering from severe water scarcity while others face excess. To address these issues, he highlighted the need for efficient water management practices.

Shekhawat said that saving every drop of water is crucial for securing the future of upcoming generations. He further advocated for wastewater treatment, water recycling, and the reduction of irrigation water usage. The minister also praised Israel's successful water management technologies such as drip irrigation and sprinkler systems.

Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat noted that, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a developed nation by 2047, Rajasthan is hosting this three-day conference to attract significant investments and contribute to the nation’s growth.

He assured that the state government is committed to ensuring water security for future generations, with ongoing initiatives such as the Revised PKC-Integrated ERCP, the Yamuna Water MoU, and the Dewas project.

Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department, Abhay Kumar, called for a collective effort to conserve and sustainably manage water resources, ensuring that every drop counts.

The session featured discussions among industry leaders, water resource experts, and other guests on the urgent need for sustainable water management in the face of climate change, rapid urbanisation, and increasing water demand.

--IANS

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