Ambala News

Mastermind behind murder of Punjab kabaddi player nabbed in Delhi, key accused shot dead in encounter

CHANDIGARH: Aishdeep Singh, the mastermind behind the murder of 30-year-old kabaddi player-cum-promoter Kanwar Digvijay Singh alias Rana Balachauria, was arrested on Wednesday by the Punjab Police from the Indira Gandhi International Airport at Delhi. Meanwhile, another key accused in the case Harpinder Middhi was killed in an encounter at Lalru near here in which two police personnel also sustained injuries. Police said the tussle between different gangsters over the organisation of kabaddi tournaments in Punjab led to the shooting. Senior Superintendent of Police of SAS Nagar Harmandeep Hans said Aishdeep Singh, who had been staying in Russia, came to India on November 25 on the directions of gangster-turned-terrorist Dony Bal to execute the murder. He was arrested from Delhi airport when he was planning to escape to Muscat. Aishdeep informed police about his accomplice Harpinder Middhi, a resident of Naushehra Pannuan in Tarn Taran, who actively supported the shooters and was supposed to escape along with him. Acting on the information, police parties led by Deputy Superintendent of Police of Dera Bassi Bikramjit Singh Brar and including inspectors Sumit Mor, Pushvinder Singh and Malkiat Singh conducted a raid at the location pinpointed by him on the Ambala-Lalru Highway near Jharmal River in Lalru. Upon seeing the police party, the suspect Harpinder Middhi opened fire resulting in serious bullet injuries to two police personnel -- head constables Gulab Singh and Kumar Sharma. The police party retaliated in self-defence during which the suspect was injured and was rushed to Civil Hospital Dera Bassi, where he succumbed to injuries, he said. Gang rivalry over kabaddi tournaments leads to killing of player-promoter Rana Balachauria in Mohali Hans said that police have also arrested another accused Jugraj Singh with the help of Amritsar (Rural) Police. All the accused persons involved in this case have been identified and raids are being conducted to nab the remaining accused, he said. Balachauria was shot dead in Mohali on December 15 by associates of gangsters Doni Bal and Lucky Patial. Police have identified the three accused including the two shooters who pumped bullets into Balachauria. They are Aditya Kapoor alias Makhan and Karan Pathak of Amritsar. The duo are currently absconding. Twelve teams of the Punjab AGTF, SSOC and the district police have been hunting for them for the past two days. Hours after the shootout, gangster Dony Bal claimed responsibility for the attack in a Facebook post. I, Donibal, Saganpreet, Mohabbat Randhawa, Amar Khabe, Prabh Daswal, and Kaushal Chaudhary, take responsibility for the killing of Rana Balachauria during the Kabaddi Cup in Mohali. This man (Rana) was in contact with our rivals Jaggu and Lawrence, it read. He had provided shelter to the killer of Sidhu Moosewala and personally looked after him. By killing Rana today, we have avenged the murder of our brother Sidhu Moosewala. This act was carried out by our brothers Makhan Amritsar and Defaulter Karan, it stated. The killing of Balachauria has brought back memories of a similar incident three years ago when another kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal was shot dead in Jalandhar district in the middle of a tournament at Mallian Kalan village. More recently, a 25-year-old kabaddi player named Teja Singh was shot dead in broad daylight in Jagraon in October this year.

Sharma takes up Ambala airport operations with civil aviation minister

Congress hails Shoukath factor as Anvar claims credit for Nilambur win

MALAPPURAM: The UDFs sweep of all local bodies in the Nilambur assembly constituency has triggered a bitter credit war between Congress MLA Aryadan Shoukath and Trinamool Congress leader P V Anvar, with both sides claiming to be the decisive victory factor. UDF captured Amarambalam, Chungathara and Pothukallu grama panchayats and Nilambur municipality all previously ruled by CPM-led LDF marking a complete political turnaround in the Nilambur belt. Claiming credit for the shift, Anvar said his political influence was instrumental in diverting CPM votes to UDF. Even before the local body elections, TMC had announced its support to UDF. Though a few TMC candidates contested in some panchayats, they neither used the party symbol nor had any relevance. What we did was to channel CPM votes towards UDF using my influence. That is the reason for UDFs majestic victory in Nilambur, Anvars office told TNIE. Some Congress leaders have dismissed the claim outright, asserting that the results were driven solely by what it described as the Shoukath factor. Party leaders said it was Shoukaths constituency-wide campaign marked by sustained house-to-house outreach, booth-level coordination and tight micro-planning that swung voters decisively in the UDFs favour. The former MLA (Anvar) fielded around eight candidates in Nilambur municipality alone, in his partys name. The same was done in panchayats such as Moothedam and Vazhikadavu. Then he announced support for UDF. However, Nilamburs politically conscious public did not take such moves seriously, Shoukath said. Even as the Nilambur unit of Congress rejects Anvars narrative, the partys state leadership is moving to bring him into the UDF fold. KPCC president Sunny Joseph has said Anvars induction will not be delayed, a move supported by the League. IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty is learnt to have mediated talks between Anvar and the UDF leadership even before the local body election. However, it was Shoukath and MLA A P Anilkumar who reportedly delayed the entry.

Kerala local body poll results: After intense drama, UDF retains control of Kannur corporation

KANNUR: After a period marked by intense political drama and open threat from rebel factions, the UDF has retained control of Kannur corporation by securing victories in 36 of 56 divisions. The days following the declaration of the election date were fraught with uncertainty, as internal divisions surfaced within the front. Adding to the tension was the challenge from a group led by a former development standing committee chairman and Congress rebel, raising serious concerns about possible defections. For a time, these developments created a real possibility that the balance of power could tilt in favour of the LDF. However, despite the mounting pressure, the UDF ultimately claimed victory, ensuring its continued leadership of the corporation. In the 2020 local body elections, the UDF secured control of the corporation by winning 34 seats, while the LDF claimed victory in 19 divisions and the NDA managed to win just one. This election, the UDF strengthened its position, increasing its tally to 36 divisions. LDFs presence declined, with the front managing to win only 15 divisions. NDA expands footprint, SDPI makes debut Meanwhile, the NDA made notable gains, winning four divisions and establishing a stronger presence in the corporation. NDA secured victories in Kokkenpara, the Temple division, and the Thulicheri division. The front also retained the Pallikunnu division, a seat it had won for the first time in the 2020 election. The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has marked its entry into the corporation by securing victory in the Arakkal division. The partys candidate, Sameera K, won the seat with 1,643 votes, defeating IUML candidate K M Sabeera, who got 1,589 votes. Taking on rebels Despite repeated appeals and discussions by the leadership of the INC and the IUML, three candidates chose to contest the local body election as rebels against official UDF nominees, intensifying the contest. In the Varam division, a rebel candidate took on IUML district vice-president K P Tahir. Another rebel entered the fray in the Adikadalayi division against KPCC member Rijil Chandran Makkutty, while a third contested in the Payyambalam division against Indira P, former deputy mayor. However, the UDF managed secure victories in all three wards. Meanwhile, K K Ragesh, CPM district secretary admitted that the final outcome was unexpected and added that the party would review the results in due course.

Kerala local body poll results: Twenty20 loses Kunnathunad panchayat, several of its sitting seats

KOCHI: Twenty20, the CSR-backed party, suffered a setback in the local body elections, losing Kunnathunad panchayat and several sitting seats. Launched in 2013, the Kizhakkambalam Twenty20 party -- riding high on expectations after promising change -- disrupted mainstream politics in the state after winning four panchayats in the 2020 local body elections. This time, while retaining Aikaranad, Mazhuvannoor and Kizhakkambalam, Twenty20 won 9 of the 18 seats in Thiruvaniyoor panchayat. Despite contesting in 48 panchayats and three municipalities, besides Kochi corporation, the party won only a few seats outside its strongholds, securing one seat in Thrikkakara municipality and six seats each in Vengola and Puthencruz panchayats in Ernakulam district. Twenty20s campaign focused on promises of good roads, food security markets, welfare schemes and safe drinking water, and positioned itself as an alternative to traditional political fronts. Political activity is a long-term process. Parties need clear positions on social and cultural issues and a strong organisational base. Twenty20 lacks these elements. However, retaining three panchayats and creating a base in other panchayats are still satisfactory performances, said D Dhanuraj, founder of the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR). While retaining Aikaranad, Mazhuvannoor and Kizhakkambalam, Twenty20 won 9 of the 18 seats in Thiruvaniyoor panchayat. Meanwhile, Twenty20 chief coordinator Sabu Jacob said the people have rejected the unholy alliance of 25 parties formed by the left and right parties in Kizhakkambalam to defeat Twenty20 loyalists. The party contested alone against all the parties and fronts in Kerala and managed to secure a good vote share in every seat it contested. We also received a good vote share in Kochi corporation. The corruption-free development drive put forward by the Twenty20 party will continue, he said. In Poothrikka and Vengola, the party won seven and six seats respectively, while securing a seat in Manakkad panchayat in Kottayam district. As many as 56 candidates were fielded in Kochi corporation, where the party polled a total of 9,300 votes, with 483 in Chalikkavattom being the highest vote tally.

Kerala local body polls: Twenty20 crashes in Kochi as Kitex outfit shrinks to margins

While the outfit retained power in Kizhakkambalam panchayat, its headquarters, and Aikkaranadu panchayat, it lost Kunnathunadu and Mazhuvannoor panchayats

Maharashtra nears Maoist elimination as 11 top cadres surrender in Gadchiroli

MUMBAI: Maharashtra moves closer to eliminating the Maoist threat by March 2026 as 11 senior Maoist cadres, including four commanders with a combined bounty of Rs 82 lakh, surrendered before state police chief Rashmi Shukla in Gadchiroli. Among the surrendered leaders were divisional committee members Ramesh alias Baju Lekami and Bhima alias Kiran Hidma Kowasi. Lekami, associated with the movement since 2004, served as president of the Edasgondi Gaon Panchayat Janatana Sarkar before becoming a divisional committee member in Bhamragad. Kowasi joined the Maoist ranks in 1998 and became a divisional committee member in 2019. Gadchiroli police said the surrenders deliver a major blow to Maoists in the Dandakaranya region, spanning Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Telangana, marking one of the biggest successes since the surrender of Maoist Politburo member Bhupathi alias Mallojula Venugopal Rao in October, along with 60 others. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had handed over a copy of the Indian Constitution instead of weapons during that program. Police Chief Shukla described the fresh surrender as the beginning of the end of Maoism in Gadchiroli and reaffirmed the commitment to the Union governments March 31, 2026, deadline to eliminate the Left-wing insurgency. She said 112 Maoists have surrendered in Gadchiroli this year alone. The surrender ceremony at Eklavya Hall also saw officers and personnel of the elite C-60 anti-Naxal unit felicitated for operations in the remote Laheri forest, which led to 61 Maoists surrendering and the recovery of 54 firearms. Other surrendered Maoists included Poriye alias Lucky Adama Gota, Ratan alias Sanna Masu Oyam, Kamala alias Rago Iriya Veladi, Poriye alias Kumari Bhima Veladi, Ramaji alias Mura Lacchu Pungati, Sonu Podiyam alias Ajay Sanu Kato, Prakash alias Pandu Kundra Pungati, Sita alias Jaini Tonde Pallo, and Sainath Shankar Made. The surrenders follow intensified anti-Maoist operations across India, with security forces killing over 270 Maoists in the past year in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. So far, more than 1,225 Maoists have surrendered, and 680, including top leaders, have been arrested. The killing of Maoist chief Nambala Kesava Rao, alias Basavaraju, on May 20, marked a major milestone in the fight against the insurgency. According to the Union government, the number of Left-Wing insurgency-affected districts has fallen from 18 in April to 11, signalling significant progress in curbing the movement.

Karnataka Clears 5-Crore Upgrade for Udupi Lighthouse Beach, Announces Grants for Kambala Events

State boosts coastal tourism with new infrastructure projects and financial support for 23 Kambala events across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.

A growing fascination for old timepieces keeps Kochi's watch repairers ticking

As fast fashion and easy-to-replace gadgets take over our lives, something unexpected is happening inside Kochis smallest shop fronts. Repairers say they are now seeing more young faces teenagers and people in their early twenties coming in with watches that have stories behind them. Instead of throwing an old piece away, they want it repaired and given a second life. Its a small but telling shift back to valuing things that last. Ambika P R, who runs Nice Watch and Services near Shastri Nagar in Maradu with her husband Ramesh C M, says the shift is unmistakable. The younger generation is much into this trend of using and reusing vintage products, she says. Students and young professionals often walk in with their parents Titan pieces or inherited mechanical watches, wanting them to be brought back to life. At the 80-year-old Gejo Watch Centre on Sahodaran Ayyappan Road, Ravipuram, the story is more layered. The shop, established in 1945, has seen the industry evolve. We are old people. Customers these days are fewer than in our prime, says George C V, the shop owner. Smartwatches, he explains, have encouraged a use-and-discard attitude. But those who come in usually do so for deep personal reasons. One boy wanted his watch repaired because it was a core memory he got it as a gift after clearing SSLC, George recalls. That sentiment keeps this trade going. Meanwhile, at Sruthy Times, Panampilly Nagar, owner Shaji K D takes a more cautious view. He says repairing old watches is not always practical. If the inside is broken, the parts must be fully replaced, and even then, we cant guarantee perfect functioning, he explains. Still, he remains committed to servicing the older styles analogue, winding and automatic watches insisting that the newer smart ones are basically unrepairable. A snap from Lonan Watch House in Thevara Junction Yet, even he admits that emotional value often wins. People bring their grandparents watches or clocks, some almost 85 years old, just to preserve the vintage charm, he says. At Ganesh and Sons Watch & Old Clock Repair, Chittoor Road, Valanjambalam, Ramesh T G highlights the biggest hurdle: spare parts. The motive is to keep something meaningful alive in a world where such pieces are becoming rare, he says. But getting original parts is difficult. He notes that younger customers increasingly request specific strap colours or metal finishes to suit their personal style another sign of vintage aesthetics finding relevance. And its not just heirlooms from decades past. Some young customers are taking charge of preserving their own family possessions. Take Angel Saju, a college student from Thevara, who still uses her mothers 20-year-old Swiss watch. She brings it in regularly for battery replacements and servicing. It still works perfectly, and it feels special to use something my mother wore every day, she says. For her, maintaining it is not a chore. Its a connection. Across Kochi, the revival is quiet but noticeable. Motivated by nostalgia, sustainability, aesthetic reasons or the desire to preserve family heirlooms, young customers are giving watch repairers something they havent felt in years: the sense that their craft still matters.

Fronts meet their match in Twenty20 in Kizhakkambalam

Govt to give 5 lakh each to 23 Kambalas

Shambala, Doctor Dolly and Buckingham catch the eye

LDF, UDF draw up independent route to win Kizhakkambalam

KOCHI: Aiming to defeat the Kitex-backed Twenty20 party, which has dominated the Kizhakkambalam panchayat for the past 10 years, both the Congress-led UDF and the CPM-led LDF have fielded independent candidates to avoid a possible splitting of votes in the upcoming local body elections. Out of the total 21 wards, the CPM has fielded a candidate only in the Choorakode ward, while the Congress has candidates in four wards Choorakode, Kanamburam, Kummanode and Kunnathukudy. BJP has also fielded candidates in four wards Pukkattupady, Kanamburam, Choorakode and Kummanode. A total of 59 independent candidates are in the fray in the panchayat. Following the move, the Twenty20 party leadership alleged that the LDF and the UDF have fielded common independent candidates to defeat the Twenty20 candidates in the panchayat. V Gopakumar, state vice-president of Twenty20, told TNIE that the workers of both CPM and Congress are working together in the panchayat. Congress and CPM party workers are campaigning for the same independent candidates. In some wards, they have a common party election office too. The aim is to defeat the Twenty20 party candidates, he said. After this years delimitation exercise, the number of wards has increased to 21. Earlier, when asked about their candidates in the panchayat, UDF and LDF leaders had denied having any understanding or tie-up between the two fronts. Between 2010 and 2015, the UDF was in power in the local body. In 2015, Twenty20 wrested the panchayat by winning 17 out of 19 wards. In 2020, the party won in 18 wards. After this years delimitation exercise, the number of wards has increased to 21. Meanwhile, the SDPI has also fielded two candidates in the panchayat. In the 2015 elections, SDPI candidate Abdul Rahman had won from the Kavanguparambu ward. The Twenty20 party, launched in 2013 with a medical camp in the area, gained public support through a series of development and welfare initiatives in Kizhakkambalam. Gopakumar added that UDF and LDF have candidates in the other three Twenty20-ruled panchayats Aikkaranad, Mazhuvannoor and Kunnathunad.

Severe cold grips north India; IMD warns of cold wave, fog across multiple states

NEW DELHI: Cold conditions prevailed across north India on Sunday, with the Amarnath yatra base camp being the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir at minus 4.3 degrees Celsius and parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan reporting minimum temperatures between three and seven degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said cold wave conditions were very likely to prevail in isolated pockets over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha on Monday and Tuesday. In Delhi, the minimum temperature was recorded at eight degrees, up from 6.8 degrees a day ago and yet 1.6 notches below normal. The maximum temperature was 24.7 degrees Celsius, 0.1 notch below normal, while the relative humidity was 92 per cent in the morning. For Monday, the weather department forecast a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 25 degrees Celsius, with mist expected. Pollution levels in Delhi remained in the very poor category on Sunday, prolonging the spell of toxic air that has hung over its residents for several weeks now. The city logged a 24-hour average AQI of 308. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between 0 and 50 is classified good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor and 401 and 500 severe. Further in the north, the night temperatures in Kashmir rose by several degrees but stayed below the freezing point, officials said. The Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir, which serves as the base camp for the annual Amarnath yatra, was the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir as the minimum settled at a low of minus 4.3 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Srinagar -- the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir -- settled at minus 0.9 degrees Celsius, a rise of 3.2 degrees compared to the previous night. The gateway town to the valley, Qazigund, recorded a low of minus one degree Celsius, while the minimum settled at minus 0.8 degree Celsius in north Kashmir's Kupwara, and 1.1 degrees Celsius in south Kashmir's Kokernag, according to officials. The meteorological department said the weather would remain generally cloudy but dry on Sunday, and a brief spell of light snowfall at isolated places in the higher reaches of north and central Kashmir is likely on December 8. In Himachal Pradesh, The IMD predicted dense fog in parts of the state until Wednesday. A yellow alert for dense fog was also issued in parts of the reservoir area of the Bhakra dam in Bilaspur district and over some parts of the Balh valley in Mandi district during early morning till Monday. In Punjab, Faridkot remained the coldest place, with the minimum temperature settling at 4.4 degrees Celsius, while in Haryana, Narnaul saw the lowest temperature at 4.6 degrees Celsius, according to the local meteorological department. Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a minimum temperature of 8.2 degrees Celsius. In Punjab, Bathinda and Gurdaspur recorded a minimum temperature of 4.6 degrees Celsius, while Ferozepur recorded 6 degrees, Amritsar 6.1 degrees, Ludhiana 6.8 degrees, and Patiala 8.9 degrees. In Haryana, Bhiwani recorded a low of six degrees, Hisar 6.2 degrees, Sirsa 6.6 degrees, Karnal seven degrees, Rohtak 7.8 degrees, and Ambala 9.8 degrees. Rajasthan, similarly, reeled under intense cold, the Meteorological Centre here said. Fatehpur in the Sikar district continued to record the lowest minimum temperature, albeit at 3.5 degrees Celsius, slightly up from 2.3 degrees a day ago. According to the weather department, Lunkaransar (Bikaner) recorded a low of 5 degrees Celsius, followed by Dausa at 6 degrees, Churu at 6.3 degrees, Vanasthali (Tonk) at 6.4 degrees and Jhunjhunu at 7.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday morning. The department said a fresh but weak western disturbance is likely to cause partly cloudy skies in some parts of the state over the next few days. Under its influence, the minimum temperature is expected to rise by two to three degrees Celsius, providing relief from the cold wave, it said. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, eight districts recorded minimum temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, the IMD said, noting a cold wave in parts of the state. Gumla recorded the lowest temperature in the state at 3.5 degrees Celsius up from three degrees Celsius while Khunti logged five degrees Celsius, the IMD weather bulletin stated. The minimum temperature in Jharkhand's capital, Ranchi, was 7.5 degrees Celsius, while Daltonganj recorded 6.5 degrees and Jamshedpur recorded 9.6 degrees Celsius. Deputy Director of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre, Abhishek Anand, said, North-westerly winds prevailing in the lower tropospheric levels over Jharkhand have caused the drop in mercury. Dry weather conditions are likely to prevail across the state over the next five days.The minimum temperature may rise by 2-3 degrees Celsius during the next 72 hours, he added. In West Bengal, the mercury dipped below the 10-degree mark for the first time this winter in the state's plains with Sriniketan in Birbhum districts recording a minimum temperature of 9.8 degrees Celsius on Sunday, the IMD said. Its forecast for West Bengal suggested dry weather across all districts of West Bengal for the next week, with shallow to moderate fog likely in the northern districts. Darjeeling was the coldest in the hills at 6.2 degrees Celsius, while the other Himalayan tourist town of Kalimpong was warmer at 10.5 degrees Celsius. The other places which recorded low night temperatures are Alipurduar (11 degrees), Kalyani (11.4 degrees), Purulia (11.4 degrees) and Panagarh (11.9 degrees). Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 15.2 degrees Celsius, the IMD said, forecasting mist in the morning on Monday. IMD further predicted dense fog conditions in isolated pockets of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura between December 8 and 12. It was also very likely in parts of west Madhya Pradesh on Monday and in Odisha until Tuesday. In west India, a gradual fall by two to three degrees over the next three-four days is expected, and no significant change is anticipated thereafter, the IMD said.

Rebel trouble continues to rankle UDF in Kannur

KANNUR: The UDF continues to be beset by rebel trouble in Kannur corporation, despite having settled the latest round of political upheaval. Although the civic body is largely considered a front stronghold, history tells a different story about its shifting power dynamics. Following its formation in 2015, the LDF took hold of the reins of power, thanks to the unexpected support of a group of Congress rebels. And this set the tone, as rebels have played a decisive and often unpredictable role in shaping the political landscape of the corporation. In the upcoming election, rebel candidates pose a stiff challenge to the UDF in three key divisions. In Adikadalayi, UDF candidate Rijil Chandran Makkutty, former state president of the Youth Congress and KPCC member, is facing unexpected opposition from V Muhammadali, a Muslim League member. In Varam division, IUML district vice president K P Tahir is pitted against Rayees K V, another rebel contender. Both Muhammadali and Rayees were suspended by the Muslim League state committee for defying the UDFs official line and contesting independently. In Payyambalam, sitting deputy chairperson Indira P is taking on Bindu K N, the Payyambalam mandala vice president who chose to break ranks and file her nomination as a rebel. Her decision led to her removal from the Congress, which intensified the political rift within the division. Kannur DCC chief Martin George dismissed the influence of rebel candidates, saying they stand no real chance against official candidates. He described the current buzz around them as mere hype that would fade as the election approaches. According to him, UDF supporters remain loyal to the front and will not split their votes, regardless of the noise created during the campaign. P K Ragesh rose to prominence in Kannur city politics when he helped elect the citys first mayor -- E P Latha of the CPM in 2015. That year, the UDF and the LDF both won 27 seats in the 55-member council, and Ragesh, who had left the Congress, won as an independent. He backed the LDF, and was named deputy mayor. In 2019, he switched sides again and supported a UDF-led no-confidence motion against mayor Latha, which passed the council. Later that year, after discussions led by K Sudhakaran, he rejoined the Congress. This allowed Suma Balakrishnan to become mayor, while Ragesh continued as deputy mayor. In 2023, however, he was expelled from the party following an internal dispute. This year, Ragesh has fielded 11 candidates in important wards under the banner of the Aikya Janadhipathya Samrakshana Samithi, which is part of the Rajivji Cultural Forum. Ragesh said he and the candidates supporting him are focused on building a corruption-free corporation and are committed to contributing to its overall development. Certain UDF leaders place their personal interests over public welfare, which has hindered the citys development, and my fight is against such individuals, he added. CPM Kannur district secretary K K Ragesh expressed confidence that the LDF would return to power in the upcoming election, saying the electorate is now seeking genuine development. Speaking about the civic scenario, Ragesh claimed that Kannur corporation, under UDF rule, has witnessed the least progress among all municipal corporations in the state, attributing the stagnation to widespread corruption. The heart of Kannur city is with development, he added.

Putthige Mutt seer seeks metro rail between Udupi and Mangaluru, national recognition for Kambala

Udupi Paryaya Putthige Mutt submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Udupi on November 28 placing eight demands for comprehensive development of Udupi district

Ambala cylinder blast: Mother and child among two dead; massive fire now under control

Punjab: 4 Operatives Linked To Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Held; Planned Attacks In Tricity, Patiala

The accused were arrested by the Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force and the SAS Nagar police following an exchange of fire near Steel Strips Towers on the Dera Bassi-Ambala highway in SAS Nagar district: Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav

Terror Plot Foiled In Punjab, Four Members Of Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Arrested

Police raided a house along the Dera Bassi-Ambala highway, where the four opened fire on them. The accused were planning targeted attacks in Chandigarh and Patiala.

Speech-impaired delivery agent leaves man emotional, touches hearts

Ambala: A speech-impaired Blinkit delivery agent has won everyones hearts after a video of him went viral, showing him working hard despite having a disadvantage. A content creator from Haryana posted a video on Thursday, November 20, which showed a speech-impaired delivery agent asking him for help. The heartwarming Instagram reel instantly went viral. In Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Association seeks Budgetary grant of 5 crore to 25 Kambala organisers

The Gritty Lives Of Kambala Buffaloes: How Karnataka Trains Its Fastest Athletes

In Kambala, buffaloes are not farm animals. They are trained competitors, treasured assets and community symbols. Owning a strong Kambala buffalo pair is pride and responsibility.

800 Years, One Royal Family And A Kambala That Still Stops Coastal Karnataka

No other buffaloes are allowed to race alongside this pair. It is a gesture of respect that has survived centuries, even as governments, borders and laws have changed around it.

Kambala Runners: The Men Who Train By Climbing Trees And Tilling The Earth

Runners climb areca nut trees for grip strength and balance, pushing their feet against smooth bark until their legs burn. They swim across ponds at sunrise to build lung capacity.

Digital arrest scam: SC restrains grant of bail to persons accused of duping 73-year-old woman AoR

NEW DELHI: In the suo motu case of digital arrest scams, the Supreme Court on Monday, in an unusual and rare decision, restrained the release from jail of the persons accused of duping a 73-year-old woman Advocate-on-Record. It was pointed out to the court that the accused in the woman AoR's case might be released soon, as the 90-day period is about to expire, then the bench passed its order restraining the accused's release. The top court's two-judge bench, headed by Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, passed the restraining order before taking a strict view of the incident. The Court importantly directed that the accused will not be granted bail by any Court during the pendency of the investigation and subject to further orders, and fixed the matter for further hearing on Monday, November 24, the day Justice Kant will become the 53rd CJI. During the hearing on Monday, AoR (Advocate On Record) and lawyer, Vipin Nair mentioned SCAORA's (Supreme Court's Advocate on Record's Association) intervention in the case, by filing an application, as he argued that how badly the woman AoR faced harassment. Echoing similar voices with Nair, the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta supported SCAORA's intervention, saying he personally interacted with the woman AoR when she faced the ordeal. Hearing these submissions from Nair and Mehta, the bench allowed SCAORA's intervention application. The top court was hearing the suo motu case involving victims of digital arrests related to forged documents. Talking to TNIE , Nair said that SCAORA has been permitted to assist the Court on the next date of hearing. In the Suo moto Digital arrest matter, Justice Kant and Justice Bagchi on Monday allowed the intervention application filed by SCAORA espousing the case of a senior lady AOR, who was duped of Rs. 3.29 crores, Nair told TNIE. The court had earlier, in one of its hearings, called for harsh and stringent action to be taken to control cyber frauds, particularly digital arrest scams, adding that it will deal with this issue with iron hands. The court had earlier, in its last hearing on October 27, widened the ambit of the issue of digital arrest cases, as it had issued notices to all the states and Union Territories in the matter relating to these kinds of frauds across the country. On October 17, the court took suo motu cognisance of the issue after hearing a complaint by a senior citizen couple who had been defrauded of their life savings through a digital arrest scam last week. Earlier, the court had said, The fabrication of judicial orders bearing forged signatures of the judges strikes at the very foundation of the public trust in the judicial system, besides the rule of law. Such action constituted a direct assault on the dignity of the institution. Such a grave criminal act cannot be treated as an ordinary or routine offence of cheating or cyber crime. The top court also sought the assistance of the Attorney General (AG) for India, R Venkataramani, in the issue. It highlighted that the fabrication of judicial orders bearing forged signatures of the judges strikes at the very foundation of the public trust in the judicial system, besides the rule of law. Expressing its displeasure over such kind of offences, the apex court had said, such kind of action constituted direct assault on the dignity of the institution. The apex court also had earlier stressed that there must be a coordinated effort between the central and state police and other authorities to unearth the full extent of the enterprise involving forging judicial documents, extortion, robbery of innocent people, most importantly, the senior citizens. In the complaint, the 73-year-old woman from Ambala in Haryana alleged that scammers illegally forged Supreme Court orders to confine her in a digital arrest and extort more than Rs 1 crore. She claimed that the fraudsters produced a fake judicial order purportedly issued by the Supreme Court judge and forcing her to surrender and succumb to the demands of the scamsters. After going through the complaint of the woman, the top court issued notice to Union of India (UOI) through the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the CBI through its Director, Principal Secretary Department of Home, SP Cyber Crime at Ambala. Noting that the issue was serious, the top court also asked the Haryana government and SP cyber crime Ambala to file the status report of the investigation taken place so far.

Hanged At Dawn, Cremated In Secret: Inside Nathuram Godse's Execution

Nathuram Godse and Narayan Apte were hanged before sunrise on November 15 at Ambala Central Jail. Godse appeared inconsolable, while Apte remained composed

Hunger stir launched seeking closure of poultry waste rendering unit at Ambayathode

Karshaka Congress leader Biju Kannanthara, who recently filed a petition against DIG Yathish Chandra, opened the strike at Ambalamukku

Red Fort Blast: Air Ticket From Srinagar To Delhi Found From House Of Doctor Held From Saharanpur

Saharanpur (UP), Nov 13: A flight ticket showing that Dr. Adil Ahmad, a Jammu and Kashmir native arrested from Saharanpur last week, had travelled from Srinagar to Delhi on October 31, just days before the November 10 car explosion near Red Fort that killed 13 people and injured over 20. According to officials, the air ticket bearing Adils name and travel date was recovered from a garbage pile outside his rented house in Aman Vihar Colony, Manakmau, along Ambala Road [] The post Red Fort Blast: Air Ticket From Srinagar To Delhi Found From House Of Doctor Held From Saharanpur appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

UP: Saharanpur doctor denies rumours of arrest, says cooperating in Delhi blast probe

Saharanpur (UP): Doctor Babar, a physician at the Famous Medicare Hospital in Saharanpur, on Wednesday denied rumours that he had been detained following the arrest of his colleague Dr Adil Ahmad, who is accused of having links with the proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. Speaking to PTI , Dr Babar said he was very much present at the hospital and available to meet anyone. I am cooperating fully with the investigating agencies, but people should not spread false rumours, he said. He clarified that he has been working at the hospital for the past three years, while Dr Adil joined in March. I met him only after he joined the hospital. Before that, I had no acquaintance with him. His behaviour was polite and professional, and neither patients nor staff ever had a complaint against him, the general physician said. Expressing dismay over Adil's alleged involvement in terror activities, Babar said, It is painful that such educated people are indulging in shameful acts. About his participation in Adil's wedding, Dr Babar said, Four of us from the hospital had attended his marriage. We went as colleagues attending a fellow doctor's wedding, not that of a terrorist. He further said Adil had done his wedding shopping in Saharanpur and had even brought the items to the hospital on several occasions. We had reached Kashmir two days before the wedding to do some sightseeing. On the day of the baraat, we did not join the procession as only four people were allowed. We instead went out to see places, Dr Babar said. There was nothing suspicious about the atmosphere at the wedding, it was like any other traditional Muslim ceremony, he said, adding that Adil's wife is also an MD doctor. Adil was highly competent in his medical profession. His diagnosis and treatment were excellent, and patients always went back satisfied, Babar said, recalling that he last met Adil the day he was arrested. He had told me earlier that his mother was unwell and he might go home for a few days, he added. Babar said Adil never used a laptop and was only occasionally seen speaking on the phone during hospital hours. I visited his residence and nursing home a couple of times, but nothing about his work or lifestyle suggested he could be involved in anti-national activities, he said. He confirmed that the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force and other investigating agencies had questioned him and added, I am ready to cooperate with any agency that wants to talk to me. Dr Adil Ahmad, from Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir, was arrested on November 7 by the Jammu and Kashmir Police with the assistance of local police and Special Operations Group (SOG). Investigators traced his movements in Saharanpur on November 11, where he had been working at Famous Hospital for the past six months. He earlier served at another private hospital in the city. Adil had been living in a rented house in Bapu Vihar Colony on Ambala Road. Locals described him as a quiet tenant who kept to himself but frequently received late-night visitors, with several vehicles often seen parked outside. The Jammu and Kashmir Police filed a case in Srinagar on October 28 after posters supporting the proscribed outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed appeared in several areas. CCTV footage allegedly showed Adil putting up the posters, leading investigators to trace him to Saharanpur. He was taken into custody from Famous Hospital and handed over to Srinagar Police on transit remand. Following his arrest, the medical facility terminated his employment and removed his nameplate, with hospital manager Dr Manoj Mishra saying that Adil had always appeared polite and professional, showing no signs of suspicious activity. A powerful blast near Delhi's Red Fort on November 10 left 12 people dead and more than 20 injured. The incident came days after a white-collar terror module, allegedly linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, was busted in Faridabad and Haryana. Eight people, including three doctors associated with Al-Falah University in Faridabad, were arrested in the case, and large quantities of explosives were recovered during raids.

Hyundai i20 behind Red Fort blast linked to Pulwama resident, multi-state probe on

The investigation into Monday's explosion near Red Fort that claimed eight lives has revealed the white Hyundai i20 involved in the blast, bearing a Gurugram registration number, was last owned by a resident of Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, sources said. Based on inputs from Delhi Police, Gurugram Police detained Mohammad Salman, a resident of Gurgaon, for questioning. During interrogation, Salman disclosed that he had sold the car about a year and a half ago to one Devendra, a resident of Okhla in southeast Delhi, and handed over all sale-related documents to Gurugram Police, sources added. Further probe revealed that Devendra subsequently sold the vehicle -- a Hyundai i20 with the registration HR26CE7674 -- involved in the blast to a buyer in Ambala, Haryana. Investigators said details of the transaction and ownership trail are being verified and shared with central security agencies. According to sources, the car was eventually purchased by a man named Tariq from Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. Police are now working to establish how the explosion occurred when the slow-moving car halted at a traffic light near the Red Fort Metro station on Monday evening. The blast that also injured 20 people initially sent intelligence and security agencies into a tizzy as no clear material evidence of bomb like shrapnel and others has been recovered from the site so far. However, the extent of the impact pointed to a possible terror angle. Either they (the occupants in the car) were transporting explosives from one place to another or were taking a vehicle laden with explosives material in a crowded area, which then exploded. It is still a subject of investigation, said a source, adding that the truth will likely emerge as forensic analysis continues. Following the explosion, a nationwide alert was sounded, leading to enhanced security in crowded areas. The intelligence agencies are probing all angles including the potential role of Pakistan-based terror modules Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. The agencies said that they had alerted the state law enforcement of a possible terror attack at crowded places in Delhi by terror outfits based in Pakistan. The sources stated that the intensity of the blast was extremely high and car and auto fragments were seen scattered across the road. Window panes were flung at a distance of around 300 meters and shattered due to the force of the explosion, they added. It also shattered nearby streetlights and damaged surrounding structures. Meanwhile, the US Embassy issued an advisory urging its citizens to avoid the areas surrounding the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk in Delhi and also crowds. A blast that comes with a warning: Delhis old fear returns

Ninth edition of Mangaluru Kambala on December 27

BJP accuses Kejriwal of building Sheeshmahal 2.0 with govt resources; AAP calls claims 'fake, fabricated'

The Sheeshmahal controversy that dogged Arvind Kejriwal during his tenure as Delhi Chief Minister has resurfaced this time in Punjab. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief of misusing Punjab government resources for personal comfort, alleging that he had been allotted a 7-star, two-acre luxury bungalow in Chandigarhs Sector 2 from Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns quota. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Delhi BJP dubbed Kejriwal Punjabs Super CM and claimed that the man who pretended to be an aam aadmi (common man) has built another Sheesh Mahal. The party also shared what it claimed were satellite images of the property, saying, After vacating the Sheesh Mahal in Delhi, Punjabs Super CM has had an even more magnificent one prepared in Chandigarh. Big Breaking - Super CM 2 CM 2 Acre 7 pic.twitter.com/d3V4W23yRw BJP Delhi (@BJP4Delhi) October 31, 2025 Rebel AAP MP Swati Maliwal echoed the BJPs claims, alleging that Kejriwal was using Punjab government aircraft for personal and party-related travel. Yesterday, he boarded a government helicopter from outside his house for Ambala, and from there, a Punjab government private jet took him to Gujarat for party work. The entire Punjab government seems to be serving one man, she wrote on X. The AAP swiftly hit back, dismissing the allegations as fake and fabricated. Ever since the Prime Ministers fake Yamuna story was exposed, the BJP seems to have lost its cool. Fake Yamuna, fake pollution figures, fake claims of rainfall, and now fake 7-star claims, the party said in a statement. , , , 7 7 https://t.co/ZlGsIYwtNr Aam Aadmi Party Delhi (@AAPDelhi) October 31, 2025 AAP argued that the Chandigarh administration falls under the BJP-led Centres control, questioning, If the BJP claims the house was allotted, where is the allotment letter? The party said the image being circulated was merely of the Punjab chief ministers camp office. The row mirrors last years controversy over alleged illegal construction at Kejriwals official residence on Flag Staff Road in Delhi, where he was accused of violating norms and spending over Rs 45 crore on renovations. That residence, dubbed the Sheesh Mahal by the BJP, had triggered a political storm during the Delhi election campaign .

Bihar poll push: Haryana BJP rallies migrant workers to vote back home

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has devised a multi-pronged strategy to assist the migrant population from Bihar living in Haryana to return home and cast their votes in the forthcoming polls. Bihar goes to polls in two phases on Nov 6 and 11. Special buses have been arranged to ferry these voters back to Bihar, and factory owners have been requested to grant paid leave to migrant workers. As the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan engage in a tough contest, the saffron party hopes its efforts will impress natives of Bihar residing in Haryana and help sway the vote. This move is part of the BJPs broader strategy to maximize voter turnout in the Bihar elections. According to party sources, the initiative also aims to ensure that migrant workers exercise their right to vote and encourage others to do the same, regardless of their political preferences. Sources said the party has identified a significant population of migrants from Bihar living across 12 districts of Haryana. The majority of these voters are industrial labourers employed in factories across the National Capital Region (NCR) including Gurugram, Faridabad, Rewari, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Sonipat, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Hisar, Ambala, Yamunanagar, and Karnal. The saffron party has contacted over one lakh voters residing in Haryana, while the total number of migrants from Bihar with votes registered back home is estimated to be between 2.5 and 3 lakh. The strategy aims to ensure that these registered Bihar voters are present at their respective polling booths on election day. The partys outreach focuses on promoting the BJP governments message of good governance, drawing a clear contrast with the past, said a party leader. Sources added that the BJP had initiated this strategy months earlier, during Bihar Diwas celebrations in March, with an eye on the upcoming Bihar elections in November. The outreach, designed to strengthen emotional and social bonds, culminated during Chhath Puja festivities, which were attended by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Recently, the BJP organized a series of meetings including one chaired by CM Nayab Singh Saini to finalize the election strategy. Senior leaders were assigned specific responsibilities to handle the logistical arrangements for migrant voters, ensuring their presence in Bihar on polling day. To facilitate this, the party is dispatching Vistarakas (campaign workers) from Haryana to Bihar for voter mobilization and engagement. Haryana BJP leaders are also actively reaching out to factory owners, urging them to grant paid leave to Bihari migrant workers to remove a major obstacle to their participation in the assembly polls, sources said.

Following major setbacks, Maoists replace top positions to sustain morale among cadres

RAIPUR: Amid repeated setbacks, the strength of the politburo and Central Committee (CC) members in thedecision-making body inCPI (Maoist), have dwindled from 45 to 20 during the last couple of years, and now to a single digit. However, the Red Brigade of left-wing extremists, facing a serious leadership crisis, have simultaneously undertaken damage control exercises to fill the void created by the loss of important influential leaders. And their mid-level or senior commanders were assigned the ranks as the frontline Maoist leaders, the intelligence sources told. There are barely 2-3 politburo and around half a dozen CC members remaining, taking responsibility in different regions like Abujhmad, Jharkhand, Odisha border, Amravati border and other key hideouts. Abhay for anonymity: How Maoists evade police action In a discreet move, the senior leaders are given positions as figureheads to show up numbers as a strength, ensuring that the morale of their cadres is not dented, a senior officer in the know-how of the development andbased in Bastar region further revealed. The Politburo & CC members are bestowed with key responsibilities, different organisational roles, besides steering military activities. The Maoist guerrillas, after over four decades of waging war on the state and security forces, are fast losing ground, and their influence has substantially declined in the last few years. The Maoist organisation, under the given circumstances, are not following their customary procedures regarding promotion of their senior cadres to the politburo or as CC members, the practice firmly followed earlier. For elevation to the top position, neither proposals are sought nor general body meetings or discussions that used to happen spanning over mutiple days earlier to elevate seniors through the department promotional committee are taking place now, the officer added. Another reason for such a make-do approach is that the topMaoist leaders not able to interact safely and conveniently amid existing challenges and restricted mobility. So, the procedures the Maoists executed to make up the higher positions, remain conventionally digressed, appearing rudimentary and makeshift, TNIE learnt. In 2025, more top Maoist leaders were killed than in any other year. The forces eliminated the general secretary of CPI (Maoist), Basava Raju alias Nambala Keshav Rao, and at least eight CC members cited to be the masterminds of several violent incidents where many jawans and innocent civilians were killed. India on verge of eradicating Naxal-maoist terror: PM Modi

President Murmus Rafale moment with IAF pilot Pakistan claimed it captured during Op Sindoor

As President Droupadi Murmu became the first Indian head of state to fly in the Rafale aircraft, a notable moment saw her alongside an Indian Air Forece (IAF) pilot Pakistan falsely said it had captured in Operation Sindoor. On Wednesday, Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the Indian armed forces, took a half-hour sortie in a Rafale aircraft from the Air Force Station in Haryana's Ambala. Ahead of the exercise, she posed with Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh just before taking to the skies. Singh, the countrys first woman Rafale fighter jet pilot, was claimed to have been captured during Operation Sindoor by a pro-Pakistan social media handle. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check had on 10 May dismissed the claim as fake. The Rashtrapati Bhavan released a photograph of the president posing with Singh atop a ladder used for boarding and deboarding the aircraft. The sortie on Rafale is an unforgettable experience for me. This first flight on the potent Rafale aircraft has instilled in me a renewed sense of pride in the nation's defence capabilities. I congratulate the Indian Air Force and the entire team of Air Force Station, Ambala for pic.twitter.com/Ud3LX8uqBU President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 29, 2025 The Rafale jets were used in Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 to destroy terror infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled territories, following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The strikes triggered four days of clashes that ended with a cessation of hostilities on May 10. Before the sortie, the President was given a guard of honour and briefed on the Rafales operational capabilities. Wearing a G-suit and sunglasses, Murmu was seen posing for pictures and flashing a thumbs-up gesture before the French-made jet, flown by Group Captain Amit Gehani, Commanding Officer of 17 Squadron, took off at 11:27 am. The sortie lasted about 30 minutes, covering roughly 200 kilometres, and reached a height of about 15,000 feet above sea level and a speed of approximately 700 kilometres per hour, according to the Presidents office. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh also flew a Rafale fighter jet from the same fleet, leading a formation sortie in coordination with the aircraft carrying the President. Upon landing, the President shared her delight in the visitors book, saying, The sortie on Rafale is an unforgettable experience for me. This first flight on the potent Rafale aircraft has instilled in me a renewed sense of pride in the nation's defence capabilities. I congratulate the Indian Air Force. Notably, Murmu made history as the first president to fly in two different IAF fighter aircraft. She had earlier undertaken a sortie in a Sukhoi-30 MKI in April 2023 from Tezpur, Assam. President Murmu's flight follows in the footsteps of former Presidents who have flown in fighter jets, starting with APJ Abdul Kalam (Sukhoi 30 MKI) on June 8, 2006, and Pratibha Patil (Sukhoi 30 MKI) on November 25, 2009. Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, Rafale jets were formally inducted into the IAF's 17 Squadron, the 'Golden Arrows', in September 2020 at the Ambala Air Force Station. The first five Rafale aircraft, which had arrived from France on July 27, 2020, were inducted into the Squadron.

Who Is Shivangi Singh? Trailblazing Rafale Pilot Who Flew With President Murmu At Ambala

Wing Commander Shivangi Singh, Indias only woman Rafale pilot, witnessed President Droupadi Murmus historic Rafale sortie at Ambala.

Operation Kashmir: When 941 Indian Soldiers Took On Thousands; One Strategic Move Made History

Two Tempest aircraft from Ambala launched a fierce airstrike, firing 815 rounds of 20 mm shells that destroyed enemy trucks, killed many, and forced the remaining troops to flee

President Murmu takes Rafale sortie, poses with jets first woman pilot

Ambala: President Droupadi Murmu undertook a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet from the Air Force Station here on Wednesday, and described it as an unforgettable experience that instilled in her a renewed sense of pride in the nations defence capabilities. During her visit, the president posed with Squadron leader Shivangi Singh, just before she Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

VIDEO: President Droupadi Murmu Takes Sortie in Rafale Fighter Jet from Ambala Airbase

President Droupadi Murmu took a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet from Ambala Air Force Station, Haryana. The event marks another proud moment for the Indian Air Force, with Air Chief Marshal A P Singh also flying from the same base.

President Droupadi Murmu Takes Sortie In Rafale Fighter Jet

AMBALA, Oct 29: President Droupadi Murmu undertook a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet from the Air Force Station in Haryanas Ambala on Wednesday. Air Chief Marshal A P Singh also flew in a sperate aircraft from the same airbase. Before getting on to the Rafale jet, the President wore a G-suit. Murmu, who was [] The post President Droupadi Murmu Takes Sortie In Rafale Fighter Jet appeared first on Northlines .

President Murmu Takes Sortie In Rafale Fighter Jet At Ambala Air Force Station

President Murmu took a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet at the Ambala Air Force Station. The Rafale played a key role in 'Operation Sindoor' against terror targets in Pakistan.

President Murmu Flies In Rafale Fighter From Airbase Key To Op Sindoor

President Droupadi Murmu has taken off from the Ambala Air Force Base in Haryana for a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet.

Historic flight: President Murmu takes Rafale sortie in Ambala - watch

Prez Murmu Arrives in Ambala to Take Sortie in Rafale Fighter Jet

Former presidents A P J Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil had undertaken sorties in Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft

Watch: President Murmu, Supreme Commander of Indian Armed Forces, takes Rafale sortie, same jet that crushed PAF in Operation Sindoor

President Droupadi Murmu flew in a Rafale fighter jet from Ambala Air Force Station. This marks a significant moment for the Indian Air Force and showcases India's advanced defence capabilities. The President previously flew in a Sukhoi-30 MKI in 2023. The Rafale jets were inducted in 2020 and played a role in Operation Sindoor in May 2025.

President Murmu arrives in Ambala to take sortie in Rafale fighter jet

Rafale jets were used during Operation Sindoor, launched by India in response to the April 22 dastardly Pahalgam terror attack

LIVE | President Droupadi Murmu takes historic Rafale sortie at Ambala Airbase, showcases air power

President Droupadi Murmu To Fly Sortie In Rafale Fighter Jet Tomorrow

President Droupadi Murmu will take a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet from Ambala Air Force base in Haryana on Wednesday.

President Murmu to Take Sortie in Rafale Tomorrow

President Droupadi Murmu will on Wednesday take a sortie in a Rafale jet, the Indian Air Force's frontline fighter aircraft from the Ambala airbase

President Droupadi Murmu to take a sortie in Rafale Fighter on October 29

NEW DELHI: Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, President Droupadi Murmu, will be taking a sortie in an Indian Air Force combat fighter on Wednesday. In a statement, the Rashtrapati Bhawan said: The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, will visit Ambala, Haryana, on October 29, where she will take a Sortie in Rafale. Earlier on April 8, 2023, the President took a sortie in a Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft at the Tezpur IAF station, Assam. She will be the first President to fly in IAFs most modern Rafale fighter aircraft. DroupadiMurmu has already flown in a Sukhoi-30MKI in 2023 President Murmu was scheduled to visit Ambala on October 18, but had to postpone her visit due to unknownreasons. It will be her maiden visit to one of the oldest Indian Air Force stations, which houses one of the Squadrons of the French-built fighter aircraft Rafale.The Rafale jet is considered a 4.5 generation fighter aircraft and is armed with unmatched weapon systems and sensors with multi-role capability. As earlier reported by TNIE, besides jamming enemy radars, the Rafale has the capability to strike enemy targets from an unchallenged standoff range of more than 300 km. The Rafale jets are loaded with India-specific modifications, including Israeli helmet-mounted displays, radar warning receivers, low-band jammers, 10-hour flight data recording, infra-red search and tracking systems, among others. The earlier sortie of President Murmu in a Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft was at the Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam on April 8, 2023. The President was airborne for around 30 minutes, flying over Brahmaputra and Tezpur valley with the mighty Himalayas on one side. President Murmu is the third President and the second woman President to undertake such a sortie. Prior to her, former Presidents like Pratibha Patil and APJ Abdul Kalam had also flown in the fighter jet. With Rajnath onboard, first Rafale jet for IAF shows off skills in France

President Murmu to take sortie in Rafale fighter jet on Wednesday

President Droupadi Murmu will experience a Rafale fighter jet sortie in Ambala, Haryana on Wednesday. This follows her previous flight in a Sukhoi-30 aircraft in Assam earlier this year. The President's visit to Ambala will mark another significant aviation experience for her. The Rashtrapati Bhavan confirmed the upcoming event.

54 Haryana youth deported from US after travelling via dunki route

CHANDIGARH: About ten months after over 300 illegal immigrants were deported from the United States on three military flights, another 54 youth from Haryana who travelled to America via the dunki route have now been sent back to India. Of the 54 who landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday evening, 16 are from Karnal, 14 from Kaithal, five each from Ambala and Kurukshetra, four from Yamunanagar, three from Jind, two from Sonepat, and one each from Rohtak, Panipat, Fatehabad, and Panchkula, sources said. The home district of one deportee is yet to be confirmed. Sources said that after the youth arrived in Delhi, police teams from their respective districts brought them back by bus and handed them over to their families following proper documentation and verification. The illegal immigrants had travelled to the US in search of work but were detained by authorities and later deported. A police official said that the deported youth have so far not filed any complaints against any agents. One of the youth from Karnal had a criminal case registered against him regarding electricity theft, which is under trial, and he was out on bail, he said. The official added that an Excise Act case had earlier been registered against one of the youth from Kaithal, who had skipped a court hearing and will now be produced before the court. Another youth from Sonepat had previously faced an Arms Act case. One of the deported youth, Naresh Kumar from Kaithal, said he spent Rs 57 lakh to reach the United States, having sold his farmland for Rs 42 lakh. His brother contributed Rs 6.5 lakh after selling his own land, while he borrowed Rs 6 lakh as a loan and another Rs 2.5 lakh from a relative. He was later caught and spent the past fourteen months in a detention centre in the US. Continuing his account, Kumar said he travelled to the US via the dunki route through Panama, a journey that took about two months. He initially paid Rs 42 lakh to the travel agent, followed by Rs 6 lakh upon reaching Guatemala, another Rs 6 lakh in Mexico, and the remaining amount after crossing the US border. Three youth, identified as Ajay from Bhairon Khera, Laabjot Singh from Nimnabad, and Naveen from Pillukhera in Jind, were also handed over to their families. Laabjot Singh from Jind said he reached the US last year after his family sold 1.5 acres of their three-acre landholding to pay Rs 50 lakh to the travel agent. After travelling through tough terrain and jungles, I reached there but was caught as I crossed the border and had been languishing in the detention centre for 11 months before being sent back, he said. Ankur Singh from Karnal said he reached the US in October 2022 after paying Rs 29 lakh, a journey that took four months. He added that in February this year, he was arrested in Georgia while working at a liquor store and later sent to a detention camp. Jind Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Singh warned that travelling abroad through illegal means endangers ones life. Before applying for a visa, one should thoroughly verify the agent or organisation and never fall for false promises made by unknown people. Going abroad illegally is not only a waste of money but also sends a negative message to society, he said. Confirming that 14 youth have been deported by the US and the police are verifying their background, Superintendent of Police of Kaithal, Upasana, said, All have been handed over to their family members. In July this year, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said that the US had deported a total of 1,563 Indian nationals since January. Union Minister of Power and former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar reiterated that youth travelling abroad through the dunki route is harmful to them and their families. We want youth to get jobs and go abroad through legal means. The Haryana government has set up a department for this purpose, which facilitates the process, and many youth have already been placed abroad through it. More requisitions for jobs abroad have also come in. During my visit to Dubai, I had meetings in this regard, he said.

Inclined to entrust CBI with investigation of all digital arrest cases: Supreme Court

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday said it is inclined to entrust to the CBI the probe into digital arrest cases after taking into consideration the magnitude and pan-India spread of such crimes, and sought details of FIRs registered in different states and union territories. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to all the States and UTs on digital arrest cases and posted the suo motu cases registered by it on a complaint of an elderly women defrauded by fraudsters on November 3. The top court noted the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, that cyber crime and digital arrest cases are originating from off-shore locations like Myanmar and Thailand and directed the probe agency to come up with a plan to probe these cases. We will monitor the progress of the CBI investigation, issue whatever directions are necessary, it said. The bench asked the CBI to respond whether it needs more resources, including cyber experts who are not in police force, to investigate digital arrest cases. On October 17, taking note of rising incidents of online frauds in the country, especially digital arrests to dupe citizens by fabricating judicial orders, the top court sought responses of the Centre and the CBI, saying such offences strike at the very foundation of public trust in the system. The top court took cognisance of a glaring case of digital arrest of a senior citizen couple in Haryana's Ambala on the basis of forged orders of the court and probe agencies by fraudsters to extort Rs 1.05 crore. The bench said it is no ordinary crime where it could have asked the police to expedite the probe and take the case to its logical conclusion but a matter where coordinated efforts between the central and state police are required to unearth the full extent of the criminal enterprise.

North AP Soaks In Nagula Chavithi Fervour

Devotees damage fencing at Kambala sanctuary; foresters call for eco-sensitive celebrations

Snow leopard population in doubled Himachal; two new species recorded for first time

CHANDIGARH: The highly endangered snow leopard population in Himachal Pradesh has almost doubled, rising to 83 from 44 individuals recorded in 2021, according to the latest survey jointly conducted by the Nature Conservation Foundation and the Wildlife Wing of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department. Significantly, for the first time, two new species, the Pallass cat and the woolly flying squirrel, have also been spotted during this survey. The second state-wide snow leopard assessment report, The Status of Snow Leopard in Himachal Pradesh 2025 , confirms the species strong presence across high-altitude landscapes, particularly in Spiti, Pin Valley, Upper Kinnaur and Tabo, which recorded the highest densities. The copy of the report, which is with this newspaper, reads, Our sampling resulted in 44 individual adult snow leopards identified from 262 independent detections across the six sites. At the level of the sites, our sampling from high occupancy stratum resulted in USL having 12 individual snow leopards from 90 detections, Tabo with 6 individual snow leopards from 46 detections, Pin with 8 individual snow leopards with 35 detections and Kinnaur having 9 individual snow leopards from 58 detections. From the low occupancy stratum, Lahaul-Pangi had 8 individual snow leopards from 32 detections, and Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) had 1 individual snow leopard from 1 detection. The survey found snow leopard density ranging from 0.16 to 0.53 individuals per 100 km. Using large-scale camera trapping across six representative sites covering nearly 26,000 km, researchers photographed adult leopards 262 times, leading to an estimated state-wide count of 83 adults, excluding cubs. At the state level, our SECR analysis resulted in the estimated snow leopard density of 0.35 (95% CI: 0.23 - 0.53) snow leopards per 100 km and abundance of 83 (95% CI: 67 - 103) adult snow leopards in Himachal Pradesh. Density and abundance in the high occupancy strata were 0.46 (0.37 - 0.57) snow leopards per 100 km and 59 (48 - 73) snow leopards. In the low occupancy strata, density and abundance were 0.18 (0.14 - 0.23) snow leopards per 100 km and 24 (19 - 30) snow leopards, it added. The report further stated that mountain ungulates such as blue sheep and ibex are key determinants of the snow leopard population. It is widely accepted that the availability of wild ungulates determines the population of large carnivores. We found fluctuations in wild ungulate abundance over the years, and the snow leopard density has largely remained constant. Blue sheep fluctuated in abundance from 786 in 2020 to 1,094 in 2024, whereas ibex fluctuated in abundance from 92 in 2020 to 146 in 2024, it read. It is not just snow leopards; during this survey, two new species the Pallass cat and the woolly flying squirrel were also recorded for the first time. This large-scale camera trapping exercise across the state also recorded other mammals residing in snow leopard landscapes of Himachal Pradesh. In 2024, we got a newer and first-time record for two species, the Pallass cat recorded near Nako in Kinnaur, and the Woolly flying squirrel recorded from Miyar Valley in Lahaul, stated the report. The survey states that blue sheep, Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan wolf, Himalayan ibex, common leopard, mountain weasel, Himalayan musk deer, red fox, stone marten and yellow-throated marten were also recorded. The incidental detections of these mammals contribute to refining range maps, documenting previously unrecorded occurrences, and identifying critical biodiversity hotspots within the landscape. These findings enhance understanding of species distribution, habitat use and potential ecological corridors, offering crucial data for conservation planning beyond snow leopards. As seen from the ensemble outputs, the two main prey species of the snow leopard, ibex and blue sheep, are found dispersed across the snow leopard landscape of Himachal Pradesh. The Ibex occurs primarily in rugged areas from around Pin Valley in Spiti going west, including regions of Kibber to Lossar in Spiti and large areas of Lahaul including Bhaga, Miyar and Chandra valleys. Parts of Chamba (Pangi and Bharmour) are also regions of high occurrence for them. The blue sheep on the other hand are a bit more restricted with high occurrence areas around Hangrang valley of Kinnaur and across the Spiti region, particularly Tabo and USL. They prefer more undulating areas with proximity to cliffs, it reads. It further added, Musk deer were predicted to occur predominantly across the Greater Himalayas with particularly high occurrence in Chamba (especially Pangi), parts of Lahaul, Kullu and lower Kinnaur. Musk deer detections were mostly in areas near tree cover. Brown bears were found to occur predominantly across the valleys in Lahaul, Chamba (Pangi and Bharmour), and parts of Kinnaur. Additionally, they were found to occur at the edge of Pin Valley connecting towards the Kullu and Kinnaur regions. They seem to prefer regions along the valley, especially near meadows. Wolves were seen to occur in more rolling, plateau-like areas around Spiti and Lahaul. Interestingly, common leopards were found to have high occurrence along the southern rims of the snow leopard distribution within Himachal Pradesh, with increased occurrence in parts of Kinnaur (upper and lower) and high elevations of Kullu and Chamba. They also were seen to occur in pockets of Lahaul, it concluded. The study followed the Snow Leopard Population Assessment of India protocol, developed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in line with the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP). Talking to this newspaper, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Spiti Wildlife Division, Goldy Chhabra said, The Spiti landscape is one of Indias most ecologically significant and biodiverse regions. Going forward, our vision is to deepen scientific understanding of the movement ecology of the snow leopard, a keystone species and apex predator of this landscape. Simultaneously, we aim to document lesser-known species, including herpetofauna and amphibians, among others, to showcase the true species richness and ecological importance of the Spiti landscape to the world. Leopard sighting in Haryana A search operation for a leopard was launched and an alert sounded by the forest department in Dhulkot after receiving information about the big cats sighting in a village in Ambala district of Haryana. CCTV footage from the nearby area purportedly showed a wild animal resembling a leopard, they said, but the forest department is yet to confirm its presence. The forest department made an announcement in the village, urging residents to remain vigilant. A search for the animal is underway, according to officials.

Frequent disruption of LPG cylinder supply worries households

In the latest incident, cylinder movement to six districts was affected as the drivers stayed away from work following a strike at BPCL LPG bottling plant at Ambalamedu

Chhath Puja rush: Railways deploys war room; Ambala Cantt sees massive crowd

Kambala season to kick start on November 15 in coastal Karnataka

Buffalo aged below three years will not be allowed in any of the races

Issue DNT and DNC certificates to Ambalakarars and Valiyars

Supreme Court Flags Rising Digital Arrest Cases, Seeks Centres Response

New Delhi, Oct 17: The Supreme Court on Friday took serious note of the digital arrest of a senior citizen couple in Haryanas Ambala, where fraudsters allegedly used forged judicial and agency orders to extort 1.05 crore. The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, registered the matter suo motu after a 73-year-old woman [] The post Supreme Court Flags Rising Digital Arrest Cases, Seeks Centres Response appeared first on Northlines .

Supreme Court expresses grave concern over rising digital arrests scams, seeks responses from Centre and CBI

Fraudsters armed with forged Supreme Court orders allegedly defrauded a septuagenarian woman in Ambala of over 1 crore, prompting the Supreme Court to call for coordinated action by Central and State authorities

SC voices concern over rising instances of digital arrest in country, seeks Centre's response

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday took serious note of the digital arrest of a senior citizen couple in Haryana's Ambala on the basis of forged orders of the court and probe agencies by fraudsters to extort Rs 1.05 crore. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi flagged the rising number of digital arrest cases across the country and sought the response of the Centre, CBI in a case registered as suo motu after the 73-year-old woman wrote to Chief Justice of India B R Gavai. The bench said forging apex court, high court orders, signatures of judges to digitally arrest innocent people, including senior citizens, strikes at the bottom of trust and faith of people in judicial institutions. The fabrication of judicial orders bearing forged signatures of judges strikes at the very foundation of the public trust in the judicial system besides the rule of law. Such action constituted direct assault on the dignity of the institution, the top court said. It added that such a grave criminal act cannot be treated as an ordinary or solitary offence of cheating or cyber crime. We are also inclined to take judicial notice of the fact that the instance case is not the sole instance. It has been largely reported many times in the media that such crimes have taken place in different parts of the country. We are, therefore, of the view that action and coordinated efforts between the central and state police are required to unearth the full extent of the criminal enterprise involving forging judicial documents, extortion/robbery of innocent people most importantly the senior citizens, the bench said. It sought assistance of the Attorney General and directed the Haryana government and Ambala cyber crime department to file a status report on the probe done so far in the case of senior citizen couple. The matter was brought to the court's notice by the complainant woman who alleged that scamsters produced a forged court order with stamp and seal for arrest and surveillance of the couple between September 3 and 16 to defraud over Rs 1 crore through multiple bank transactions. The woman said the court orders were shown through multiple audio and video calls by people impersonating as CBI and ED officers to arrest them. The top court was informed that two FIRs were lodged with the cyber crime department at Ambala under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhitya (BNS).

SC Flags Rise in Digital Arrest Cases, Seeks Centres Reply

SC takes suo motu cognisance of Ambala digital arrest fraud; seeks Centre, CBI response on rise in cyber extortion cases targeting senior citizens.

'Assault On Judiciary': SC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance Of Fraud Involving Forged Court Documents

The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of a digital arrest scam after a senior citizen couple from Ambala lost Rs 1.5 crore to fraudsters impersonating CBI officers.

Karnataka association to shortly release rules for conduct of Kambala races

Among the rules include a bar for Kambala jockeys or other personnel from hitting buffaloes when they enter the plain land after crossing the slush track

Doubling of coastal railway line to be executed in three phases, says K.C. Venugopal

The first phase will cover the doubling of the 14-kilometre stretch from Ambalappuzha to Alappuzha

Dalit IPS officer's death: Wife urges Haryana CM to act against senior officers named in suicide note

CHANDIGARH: Senior IAS officer Amneet P. Kumar on Thursday urged Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini to register an FIR and arrest those named in her husband Y. Puran Kumars suicide note. She also requested security for her family. Chief Minister Saini visited Amneet on Thursday to offer condolences, accompanied by senior officials including Minister Krishan Lal Panwar, Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, Home Secretary Sumita Misra, and others. Amneet, Commissioner and Secretary in Haryanas Foreign Cooperation Department, was part of an official delegation to Japan led by the CM. She returned to India on Wednesday upon receiving the news of her husband's death. Sources said Amneet, in a confidential letter to the CM, expressed anguish over grave injustice and administrative inaction 48 hours after her husband's death. The nine-page suicide note names senior police officers for his alleged harassment and mental torture. In her letter, Amneet expressed deep grief and a sense of injustice over the loss of her husband, a Presidents Medal awardee. She urged that his suicide note, titled Final Note, be treated as a dying declaration, citing cognizable offences under the SC/ST Act, and called his death a major loss to those who saw him as a symbol of empowerment. In her demands to the CM, Amneet has sought: Immediate registration of an FIR against all individuals named in the suicide note and complaint, suspension and arrest of the accused to prevent tampering with evidence or influencing the investigation, permanent security cover for her family, particularly her two daughters, citing threats and emotional distress, protection of the familys dignity and rights in the face of continued harassment and fear. Meanwhile, Kumar's body has been kept at the mortuary of Government Medical Super Specialty Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16. Officials stated that the autopsy would be conducted by a board of doctors once the family is ready and procedural clearances are obtained. Oppn demand impartial probe On Thursday, several political leaders urged the government for an impartial investigation into the death of the senior IPS officer. Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda demanded an impartial probe saying that it is the state governments responsibility to ensure justice. If a senior police officer is not safe in the state, one can imagine the plight of ordinary citizens, Hooda said. Congress MP from Ambala, Varun Chaudhary, alleged that Scheduled Caste officers are being harassed by senior officials in the BJP government, pushing them into mental distress. An FIR should be registered against those named in the suicide note. All documents recovered from Kumars house should also be preserved, he added. Former Union Minister and Congress MP from Sirsa, Kumari Selja said, If an honest officer is driven to suicide due to systemic failures, it is a matter of grave concern. I extend my condolences to the bereaved family and demand a high-level, impartial investigation to ensure such incidents do not recur. Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala called the incident a case of forced suicide, describing it as both shocking and deeply tragic. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said, While the Chief Minister remains silent, we hope the Chandigarh Administration and the Union Home Ministry will heed to the plea of Puran Kumars wife and ensure justice. He questioned, Is Haryanas BJP government so prejudiced that a Dalit IPS officer neither receives a hearing nor justice?

Udupi kambala association gets govt.s recognition

Schoolboy injured after being hit by speeding van in Ashok Nagar

A senior official of the city traffic police said R. Rajakaviyan, a Class 7 student, was on his way to a private school in West Mambalam on a bicycle from his home on Ashok Nagar 7th street when the accident occurred

Chandigarh MP Tewari demands MRTS for the city, point of call status for the airport

CHANDIGARH: Congress Member of Parliament from Chandigarh and former Union Minister Manish Tewari said that an integrated Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) connecting Chandigarh with its adjoining cities of Mohali, Panchkula, and New Chandigarh must be established. He also reiterated the need to grant Point of Call status to the Chandigarh International Airport to enable more international flights from the region. Addressing an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) today, he recalled that during his tenure as the Member of Parliament from Anandpur Sahib, he had written to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in November 2019, urging for the establishment of the MRTS Chandigarh linking it with Ambala, Panchkula, Mohali, New Chandigarh and Kurali. Tewari stressed that this proposed transport system would link Chandigarh with neighbouring areas of Punjab and Haryana, making not only intra-city transportation easier but also enhancing regional business connectivity as it would unleash the creative, innovative and economic potential of the region. However, he lamented that the Central Government has not been paying due attention to the issue, while the Punjab and Haryana governments and the Chandigarh administration currently lack the capacity to undertake such a major project independently. He also reiterated the need to approve the Chandigarh International Airport as a Point of Call to facilitate more international flights. Tewari explained that many domestic airlines operating from Chandigarh also fly to international destinations, and there is no restriction on them to increase their international operations; however, granting a Point of Call status would open up many more global routes from the airport as foreign Airlines would be able to operate to and fro from the Mohali-based Chandigarh International Airport. He noted that he has repeatedly raised this demand with the Central Government since 2019 onwards, but due to pressure from mega airport operators, this is being subverted as they do not want regional aviation hubs to develop. Tewari said that several administrative reforms are required in Chandigarh and that he has been consistently voicing these demands both inside and outside Parliament. He emphasised the urgent need for major fundamental structural changes in the city to make business activities more efficient and profitable. The current Governance Model of Chandigarh is unviable, ossified, redundant and unsustainable to meet the aspirations of the people of Chandigarh. There should be a properly empowered Mayor in Council directly elected by all the electors of Chandigarh for a term of a five-year term. The Mayor in Council must have control over all subjects except land, public order and police, which can best in the Chief Secretary or Administrator till the Political Questionof Chandigarh is finally settled. He said the Centre must take the initiative as a 100% Centrally funded and financed project, as this has become a pressing need of the hour. Tewari further underlined the need for policy reforms and infrastructure improvements to make industrial operations smoother and more business-friendly in the region. He assured the gathering that he would continue to strongly advocate for the concerns of the industrial, commerce and business sectors of the region.

Namo Bharat Train to slash Delhi-Panipat travel time: 3-hour journey cut down to just 60 minutes; know stoppages, distance and other details

The project is expected to benefit approximately 1 lakh commuters by providing a safe, comfortable, and efficient travel option. Moreover, it will help alleviate traffic congestion on the Delhi-Ambala Highway (NH-44).

Introducing an old resident ofWest Mambalam

A houseowner has made this baobab feel welcome by giving it breathing space; but it has to be protected from passersby

Alert Railway Staff, Doctors Help Woman Deliver Baby At Ambala Station

A woman travelling from Jammu to Kanpur gave birth to a baby at Ambala Cantonment station with help from police and doctors; both are stable at Civil Hospital Ambala Cantonment.

Top Maoist leaders remain prime targets for forces in Chhattisgarh; nine leaders eliminated in 2025

RAIPUR: The ongoing anti-Maoist operation after the monsoon has been intensified with a renewed warning conveyed to the top Maoist leaders, asking them to give up arms and surrender, or else be prepared to be eliminated. The Chhattisgarh police and the Central forces affirmed that the sustained offensive against the left-wing extremists inflicted massive setback to the banned outfit, owing to which the Maoist leaders evidently remain fully aware that there is no safe place for them anywhere in the affected Bastar region. Bastar Inspector General of police, Sundarraj P, claimed that they consistently get solid information about the locations of top Maoist leaders, and they can be eliminated anytime by security forces. They can either surrender and join the mainstream or get killed in the ongoing decisive operations by the troops, the IG told TNIE . Despite adverse weather and tough geographical conditions besides other challenges, the forces are vigorously engaged in strategically planned anti-Maoist campaigns, keeping in mind the March 31, 2026, deadline set by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Most of the Central Committee (CC) members, who are only next to the Politburo of CPI (Maoist) in hierarchy, remained active in the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee during the last three decades, during which they waged a war against the state and the forces. Many of these CC members were cited to be the masterminds of numerous violent incidents, even leading to casualties of several jawans and the killing of innocent civilians. 71 Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarhs Dantewada in a single day following 'Lon Varratu' campaign appeal Police believe the remaining top 10 Maoist leaders are active in Bastar and adjoining border states. The CC members carry huge bounty on their heads in various states of the country.In the year 2025, the forces eliminated the general secretary of CPI Maoist Basava Raju alias Nambala Keshav Rao and eight CC members. The Bastar police also shared the names of the remaining top 10 Maoist leaders who the police believe are active in Bastar and adjoining border states. They includefour Polit Bureau membersGanpathi alias Mupalla Laxman Rao alias Ramanna, Malojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupathi, Devji alias Devanna alias Sudarshan, and Mishir Besra alias Bhaskar. Additionally, six CC members are Ganesh Uike, Anal Da alias Marandi, Malla Raji Reddy alias Murli, Ramder alias Majjidev, Madvi Hidma alias Deva alias Sainath, and Pullari Prasad Rao alias Malkapuram alias Bhaskar. The inhospitable rugged terrain of Abujhmad, spread over 4000 sq km in the district of Narayanpur and touching Bijapur, Dantewada, and Kanker was once the common address for most of the top Maoist leaders for decades. The dense forests earlier provided safe havens and hideouts for armed Maoist cadres and their top leadership. During the last three years, the Maoists' strongholds have been significantly weakened due to the establishment of several security camps and ongoing anti-Maoist operations, besides the development initiatives by the government in the region. The forces are swiftly acting on intelligence inputs about the movement of Maoist cadres, even in the dense forested terrain. The polit bureau CC members are bestowed with key responsibilities, different organisational roles, besides military activities in the banned outfit.

CM launches Citizen Connect Centre

The centre, established at Vellayambalam, will facilitate citizen feedback, grievances redressal, and public communication. The public can share their opinions, suggestions, and complaints through the toll-free number 1800-425-6789

Naxal leadership shrinks to 13 as security forces tighten grip

NEW DELHI: A day after Union Minister Amit Shah rejected the Naxalites ceasefire offer , a dossier prepared by the security and intelligence agencies revealed that after a series of arrests, surrenders and encounters, the top leadership of the Left Wing Extremists has now been dwindling with only 13 figures in its apex body - four members of the Politburo and nine members of the Central Committee. According to officials, the goal of eliminating armed Naxals by March 31, 2026, could be met much earlier, possibly by the end of this year. However, they added that a few of the members of People Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) are still at large and they might try to escalate violence, but they too would meet the same fate. The dossier states that Madvi Hidma, the most-wanted Maoist leader believed to be heading the outfit, has been unable to maintain contact with the remaining top leadership. At its peak by mid-2000, the Politburo and the Central Committee of the CPI (Maoist) had over two dozen members, who provided ideological base and formulated strategy for armed struggle, and kept the LWE network operative in more than 10 states of the country. But over the years, with better intelligence gathering and effective anti-Naxal operations by security forces, their leadership and support base have eroded, officials said. Why cant Centre accept Maoists ceasefire offer? asks CPIs D Raja Now with the elimination of high-value Naxal leaders in Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand, including general secretary Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraju, Chalapati and Modem Balakrishna, only a few aged senior operatives are surviving, they said. The only remaining challenge is the PLGA, if security forces neutralise it in the coming days, India could, for the first time in about 60 years, be free of the Naxal chain of command. Senior leaders such as Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad (killed in 2010), Kishanji alias Koteshwar Rao (killed in 2011) and Kottam Sudarshan (died in 2023). The year 2025 saw major successes on the part of the security forces, as Basavaraju alias Nambala Keshava Rao, Chalapati and Modem Balakrishna were among those killed. The Politburo of CPI (Maoist) has now been struggling to find ideological leaders. Only a few like Muppala Laxman Rao alias Ganapati, the acting General Secretary; Misir Besra, a senior ideologue; Mallojula Venugopal alias Bhupathi, an influential strategist; and Malla Raji Reddy alias Sangram are surviving and trying to continue with their activities in the Red Zone, said a senior security official. The officials, quoting the dossier, said that there are currently around 8001,000 armed cadres active, which is far less than the 6,000 to 8,000 nearly a decade ago. But still they can be a potent threat, particularly in dense forest areas- Abujhmaad and Bastar, where the terrain is to their advantage, the official said, while adding that, but still, operations based on actionable intelligence might give the desired results.

Five killed in collision between two cars in Kurukshetra

KURUKSHETRA: Five people were killed in a head-on collision between two cars on the KaithalKurukshetra road, around 8 kilometres from here, on Monday morning, police said. Station House Officer (SHO) of Adarsh Police Station, Dinesh Singh, stated that the accident occurred around 7 am near Ghararsi village and is believed to have been caused by overspeeding. The impact was so severe that both vehicles were completely mangled. Locals had to cut open the car doors to rescue those trapped inside, Singh said. One of the cars, carrying six passengers from Bubka village in Ambala, sustained significant damage in the collision. Five of its occupants died on the spot. The deceased were identified as: Praveen, son of Swaraj Pawan and Rajendra, sons of Bal Kishan Urmila, wife of Pawan Suman, wife of Sanjay Another passenger, 18-year-old Vanshika, suffered serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment. Four people travelling in the other car were also injured. They were identified as: Santosh (45), wife of Dharampal and resident of Papanawa Jati Road Rishipal (55), son of Karm Singh Leela Devi (52), wife of Rishipal Praveen (40), son of Jita Ram The group was reportedly en route to Mulana in Ambala for medical treatment. It is learnt that Leela Devi had recently undergone surgery and was being taken for a follow-up consultation. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem examination, while the injured have been admitted to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital for treatment, police added.

Another inmate flee from Central Jail Ambala, climb jail wall with help of electricity wire

An inmate, Ajay Kumar, facing serious charges, escaped from Central Jail Ambala on Saturday, marking the second security lapse in 45 days. He scaled an 18-foot electricity pole and used a wire to cross the boundary wall, exploiting power cuts. Two officials were suspended.

Sikhs observe 350th Shaheedi Shatabdi Nagar Kirtan Yatra in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Hyderabad witnessed an overwhelming display of devotion and reverence during the Shaheedi Nagar Kirtan, dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahibji on Friday, September 26. The Nagar Kirtan Yatra departed from the Gurdwara Saheb Barambala, located in Kishanbagh towards Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh on Friday. The event was attended by Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Shambala and Mojito excel

Man assaulted at Saidapet railway station dies; one arrested

The Mambalam GRP registered the case after officials from the Government Royapettah Hospital alerted them about the death of the man, who was admitted to the hospital with severe injuries from Saidapet railway station earlier this week.

Chandigarh Diary | Haryanas Anil Vij drops minister from his X bio

Haryana minister Anil Vij has dropped the word minister from his bio on social media platform X. Earlier, his bio read Anil Vij Minister Haryana, India, but it now says Anil Vij Ambala Cantt Haryana, India. Vij said he does not want to gain popularity or followers because of his ministerial post. He added that his followers grew faster without the minister tag and that Vij itself is a tag now. About a year ago, he also removed the tag from his Facebook account. In the past, Vij has openly criticised his own party leaders, accusing them of running a parallel BJP in Ambala Cantonment. Jakhar, Mundian in war of words post Modi visit Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar and Punjab cabinet minister Hardeep Singh Mundian clashed after Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to flood-hit areas and his announcement of a Rs 1,600 crore relief package. Jakhar said he was not aware of Mundians political rank or career. I know state agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, but I had not heard of Mundian until he attended PM Modis meeting, he remarked. In response, Mundian accused Jakhar of having a feudal mindset. He said he had respected Jakhar as a wise leader, but was shocked by his comment. The exchange has added to the ongoing political mudslinging in Punjab. Rahul Gandhis gift for six-year-olda new cycle A six-year-old boy from flood-hit Amritsar has received a new bicycle, promised to him by senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. During his September 15 visit to Ghonewal village in Ajnala, Gandhi met Amritpal Singh, who was crying after his cycle rusted in floodwaters. Gandhi hugged him, called him a brave boy, and promised him a replacement. On Monday, a team from the Amritsar Congress Committee, led by Sourabh Madaan Mithu, delivered the cycle on Gandhis behalf. They also connected Amritpal with Gandhi through a video call, where the boy and his family thanked him for the kind gesture. Harpreet Bajwa Our correspondent in Chandigarh hsbajwa73@gmail.com

Saatvik, GK Energy, Jinkushal Launch IPOs to Raise 1,480 Crore

Ambala-based Saatvik Green Energy announced a 900 crore initial public offering in the price band of 442465 per equity share of face value 2

Maoists announces temporary suspension of armed struggle, ask govt to declare 'ceasefire'

RAIPUR: The outlawed CPI (Maoist), in a purported statement, has announced a temporary suspension of its armed struggle to facilitate peace talks, but has asked the government to declare a one-month 'ceasefire' and halt security operations to initiate the process. Reacting to the development, the Chhattisgarh government said it was verifying the authenticity of the statement, which surfaced on social media on Tuesday. In the purported statement issued by Maoists, the rebels have appealed to the government to share their decision on the issue via the Internet and government news media, including radio. The two-page statement, dated August 15, was issued in the name of Abhay, a spokesperson of the central committee of Maoists, and came nearly four months after the killing of Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju , general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who holds the home portfolio, told reporters on Tuesday that the authenticity of the statement was being verified and the best way for Maoists is to surrender and avail rehabilitation benefits. The term 'ceasefire' is highly objectionable as there is no war-like situation that requires one. In a democracy, talks cannot be conditional, yet once again, they have set preconditions. However, after verifying the statement, discussions will be held within the government, he said. INTERVIEW | Basavaraju killing a success, but gun cant kill ideology The Maoists, in the statement, said they had proposed a ceasefire to the government earlier, asking for one month to consult with the highest leadership comrades of the outfit. But unfortunately, the central government did not express its favourable stand on it. Rather, it has further intensified its operations, the statement said. To take forward the process of peace talks that was started on the initiative of the party's general secretary (late Basavaraju), we are making it clear that in view of the changed global and national circumstances, as well as the continuous requests being made by the country's Prime Minister, Home Minister and senior police officers to give up arms and join the mainstream, we have decided to shun arms, it said. We have decided to declare a temporary halt to the armed struggle. We are making it clear that in the future, we will fight shoulder to shoulder with all political parties and organisations fighting for the public cause as far as possible, the statement added. The CPI (Maoist) offered direct talks with the Centre. We are ready to talk to the Union Home Minister or persons appointed by him or a delegation on this issue. But we will have to inform the party about our changed opinion. Therefore, our request to the Central Government is to give us one month to consult with our comrades working in different states across the country and those imprisoned, it said. We are also ready to exchange views with the government on this subject, primarily through video call. Therefore, we are making it clear once again that (the government should) immediately declare a formal ceasefire for a month, stop search operations and take forward the peace process, it said. The statement also carried a note, saying it was issued late due to several reasons. Reacting to the statement, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range Sundarraj P told PTI that police have taken note of the press release issued in the name of the CPI (Maoist) Central Committee regarding the laying down of arms and the prospect of peace talks. The authenticity of the release is being verified and its contents are under careful examination, he added. It is reiterated that any decision on engagement or dialogue with the CPI (Maoist) lies solely with the government, which will take an appropriate call after due consideration and assessment of the situation and circumstances, the IPS officer added. 'Surrender or get eliminated like Basavaraju': Bastar top cop's warning to Maoist leaders

Congress MP Priyanka buys toys for Anganwadi children in Wayanad

Wayanad: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday inaugurated an Anganwadi at Sulthan Bathery here, interacted with the children and bought them their favourite toys. Priyanka inaugurated the Varipra Smart Anganwadi in Ambalavayal Panchayat and then asked the children about their favourite toys, a party statement said. She jotted down the toy mentioned by each Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

SC refuses to entertain plea by kin of slain Maoist leader Basavaraju

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea by the kin of top Maoist leader Nambala Keshav Rao, who was killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh in May, over the handing over of his body for performing final rites. Rao, widely known as Basavaraju, along with 26 others was killed in Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

'Parallel BJP In Ambala': Anil Vij's Claim Sparks Buzz Of Internal Rift In Haryana

Anil Vij sparked speculation about an internal rift within the BJP-led Haryana government by alleging that a parallel BJP was operating in Ambala.

Dalit leader from Telangana appointed as Maoist Partys general secretary

Hyderabad: The Communist Party of India (Maoist) has appointed Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devuji as the general secretary of the banned outfit. The move follows the killing of former chief of the Maoist party Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraj, along with 27 guerrillas in Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh on May 21. The Maoist party has also Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Tippiri Tirupathi, a senior Maoist leader from Jagtial district, the native district of Muppala Lakshman Rao, likely to succeed Nambala Keshav Rao, as CPI (Maoist) general secretary

Thippiri Tirupati Appointed as CPI (Maoist) Central Committee Secretary

Karimnagar native, who joined the Maoist movement in 1983, takes charge after Nambala Kesava Raos death; carries 1 crore bounty and linked to 2010 Dantewada attack.