Bharat Bandh live updates: Traders shut markets nationwide on Monday to express solidarity with Pulwama martyrs' families

During the Bharat bandh, traders would observe a day-long fast and take out a tribute march in their respective states.

All wholesale and retail markets will remain closed on Monday in several parts of the country as traders' body Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has called for a nation-wide bandh to express solidarity with the families of Pulwama martyrs. CAIT said commercial markets will remain closed and there will be no business activity. 

During the bandh, traders would observe a day-long fast and take out a tribute march in their respective states. CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said the body is planning to organise substantial financial assistance which will be directly given by traders to the families of martyrs. The bandh will be observed in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir among other states. During the 'peaceful' bandh, only business establishments will remain closed and essential items and public transport will operate. 

CAIT also announced that they would launch a campaign to boycott Chinese goods. "In the wake of China supporting Pakistan, the CAIT has decided to launch a national campaign to boycott Chinese goods," the traders' body said. 

18 February 2019

14:02 IST

All India Cine Workers Association also announced a total ban on Pakistani actors and artists working in the film industry. In a letter, the association states that despite the official ban if any organisation insists on working with Pakistani artistes, the AICWA will ban them and strict action will be taken against them.

All India Cine Workers Association announce a total ban on Pakistani actors and artists working in the film industry. #PulwamaAttack pic.twitter.com/QpSMUg9r8b

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2019

11:17 IST

Top Jaish-e-Mohammed operative Kamran, who is said to be the mastermind of the Pulwama suicide bombing, is believed to have been killed in an ongoing encounter between terrorists and security forces in Pinglan area in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. At least two terrorists had been trapped by security forces in a house. As per sources, the house in which they were holed up has been blasted by security forces.