Kashmir

Indian security forces have arrested more 500 people since New Delhi imposed a communications blackout and security clampdown in divided Kashmir, where people remained holed up in their homes for a fourth day.

Pakistan's ruling and opposition lawmakers on Aug. 7 thanked Turkey and China, for supporting their country's stance in the current crisis, involving Kashmir. 

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan vowed on Aug. 6 to challenge at the UN security council India's decision to strip Kashmir of its special autonomy, a move he warned could provoke conflict in the region.    

Indian authorities say they have detained three political leaders in Kashmir because they are a threat to peace, with the Muslim-majority region under lockdown following an explosive government move to revoke its special autonomy.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Pakistani counterpart discussed India's scrapping of Kashmir's special status on Aug. 5.

Hindu nationalist authorities made Presidential Decree which abolishes Special status of the state Jammu and Kashmir, guaranteed under Indian Constitution.
Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the measure in parliament despite massive protests from the opposition. He said it would become law as soon as it was signed by the president.

India's government revoked disputed Kashmir's special status by presidential order on Aug. 5 as thousands of newly deployed troops descended and some internet and phone services were suspended in the restive Himalayan region where most people oppose Indian rule.

Yannis Behrakis, one of Reuters' most decorated and best-loved photographers, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 58.

After joining the news wire 30 years ago, Behrakis covered many of the most tumultuous events around the world, including conflicts in Afghanistan and Chechnya, a huge earthquake in Kashmir and the Egyptian uprising of 2011.

"We welcome the Turkish offer of mediation not only in defusing the current situation but also in helping to bring lasting peace and stability to South Asia by helping Pakistan and India sit together and have a meaningful result-oriented conversation on the core issue that afflicts South Asia, and that is Kashmir," Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi told Anadolu Agency.       

Foreign Office Minister urges India and Pakistan to de-escalate tension in region, The Hindu reports.