Two Indian men shot dead in Italy
ROME, April 19: Two Indian men were shot dead in Covo, in Italy’s Bergamo province, shortly after leaving a warehouse used as a place of worship during a gathering for the Vaisakhi festival, local media reported. The attack took place on Friday just before midnight in the square outside the Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur Ji, located in an industrial area. The victims were identified as 48-year-old Raginder Singh, a resident of Covo, and 48-year-old Gurmit Singh from Agnadello. According to reports, the attacker approached the men, opened fire, and fled the scene in a car. Around ten shell casings were recovered, and investigators are considering the possibility of a premeditated killing rather than a spontaneous altercation. A witness claimed the shooter was also an Indian national who frequented the gurdwara, and said a third person was grazed by bullets but survived. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the motive behind the shooting. (PTI)
Three students shot near Iowa campus nightlife zone
IOWA CITY, April 19: A shooting during a large fight in a nightlife district near the University of Iowa left three students wounded early Sunday, according to police and university officials. Iowa City police said officers were responding to reports of a large altercation in downtown Iowa City when they heard gunshots being fired. Multiple victims were transported to hospitals with gunshot injuries, though the total number of injured people has not been confirmed. No arrests had been made as of Sunday morning, according to a campus alert. The incident occurred near the university campus in a busy pedestrian mall area filled with bars and restaurants. The university issued multiple emergency alerts urging students to avoid the area while investigations continued. Officials also noted there was no indication at this stage that the victims were specifically targeted. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds condemned the violence, calling it senseless and offering state assistance to support the ongoing investigation. Authorities say the case remains under active investigation as they work to identify suspects and determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting. (AP)
Pakistan denies visas to 92 Indian devotees
ISLAMABAD, April 19: A report published by Khalsa Vox claims that Pakistan denied visas to 92 Indian Sikh devotees who were initially approved to travel between April 10–19 to attend Khalsa Sajna Diwas at Gurdwara Panja Sahib. The article says the decision has sparked criticism, with author Sudeep Singh alleging that the move reflects “flawed policies” and hurts religious sentiments. Singh argued that the affected devotees, though not using traditional Sikh surnames, follow Sikh faith and traditions. He also claimed the issue highlights broader concerns about access for Sehajdhari Sikhs and accused Pakistan of discriminatory intent, while stressing the deep cultural ties between Hindu and Sikh communities. The report further notes that the matter has been raised with Pakistan authorities by Sikh representatives in Delhi. (IANS)
