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SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI: An "accidental" explosion ripped through the Nowgam police station in Srinagar, killing nine people and injuring 32 others, senior officials said while underlining that it was not a terror attack. Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Nalin Prabhat and MHA Joint Secretary (Kashmir) Prashant Lokhande said the incident occurred while officials were handling samples of the large cache of explosives seized in connection with the Jaish-e-Mohammed 'white-collar' terror module case in Haryana's Faridabad. Prabhat and Lokhande read out almost identical statements before the media in Srinagar and New Delhi, respectively, dismissing speculation of a terror attack and stressing that it was an unfortunate accident. Neither officers took any questions from reporters. The explosion occurred around 11:20 pm on Friday when a specialised team was extracting samples from a large and "unstable" cache of explosives confiscated in connection with an ongoing 'white-collar' terror module investigation. A bulk of the explosives was stored securely in an open area at the Nowgam police station. The nine who died include Naib Tehsildar Muzaffar Ahmed Khan and Suhail Ahmad Rather (Revenue Department), Inspector Israr Ahmad Shah of State Investigation Agency, Selection Grade Constable Aijaz Afzal Mir, Constable Mohammad Amin Mir and Constable Showkat Ahmad Bhat from Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Selection Grade Constable Javaid Mansoor Rather and Constable Arshid Ahmad Shah from (crime branch photographers). Mohammad Shafi Parray, a tailor by profession and attached to the sampling team, also died in the blast. Thirty-two people, including 27 police personnel, two revenue officials, and three civilians from the nearby area, were injured, and all of them were immediately taken to hospitals. The massive explosion severely damaged the police station building, and small successive explosions initially hampered rescue operations. Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir condoled the deaths, with L-G Sinha paying floral tributes to the deceased at the Police Control Room, alongside officials that included Corps Commander Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and DGP Prabhat. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, however, said the Srinagar blast is a wake-up call for the Central government to strengthen intelligence and anti-terror mechanisms, and it cannot run from accountability. He demanded an urgent all-party meeting to discuss the "growing threat" of terrorism that continues to receive support from external forces. Rahul Gandhi also expressed concern and paid tributes to the deceased, while hoping for the early recovery of the injured. However, both the Jammu and Kashmir police chief and Lokhande made it clear that the blast occurred while FSL teams were carrying out the prescribed procedure of taking samples from the seized explosives for forensic and chemical examination. "Due to the unstable and sensitive nature of the recovery, the sampling process, the handling was being done with utmost caution," DGP Prabhat said. "However, unfortunately, during this course, last night around 11.20 pm, an accidental explosion took place." The sampling process, necessary due to the "voluminous" nature of the recovery, had been ongoing for two days, he added. The materials being sampled were approximately 360 kg of explosive substances, chemicals, and reagents, including ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and sulphur. A top official said the huge cache of explosives was brought from Haryana's Faridabad in small bags on a pickup truck. About the reason behind transporting the explosives to Kashmir, the official said the original case was registered at the Nowgam police station, and the explosives were the case property of that police station. Hence, there was a need to transport the explosives, the official added. This cache was recovered by the Jammu and Kashmir Police from the rented residence of the arrested accused Dr Muzzamil Ganaie in Faridabad on November 9 and 10. Asked about the possible targets of the 'white-collar' terror module which hoarded the explosives, the official said the investigators were still grappling for clues. "All the information about the possible targets was... purely speculative." Investigations had begun after posters threatening police and security forces appeared on walls in Bunpora in Nowgam, in mid-October. CCTV footage analysis led to the arrest of the first three suspects -- Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid. Their interrogation led to the arrest of Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic turned Imam, who allegedly supplied the posters and radicalised the doctors. The trail led the investigators to Al Falah University in Faridabad, where Dr Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Sayeed were arrested, and the huge cache of chemicals was seized. Investigators believe that a core trio of doctors -- Dr Ganaie, Umar Nabi (the driver of an explosives-laden car that exploded near the Red Fort on November 10, killing 13 people), and Muzzaffar Rather (absconding) -- were running the module. The role of the eighth arrested person, Dr Adeel Rather, the brother of Muzzaffar, is still under investigation. Among those killed in the "accidental" blast at the Nowgam police station was 47-year-old Mohammad Shafi Parray, a local tailor. State Investigation Agency Inspector Israr Ahmad Shah, who was among the nine people killed, joined the police force in 2011. He is survived by a wife, two young children, and elderly parents. Hailing from the Drugmulla area of Kupwara district, Shah was known as a soft-spoken person who focused mainly on his work and had a reputation for being helpful.
IMPHAL, Nov 17: The NPP on Sunday withdrew support from the BJP-led Government in Manipur, even as violence continued to rock the state as offices of the Congress and the saffron party were ransacked in the hill district of Jiribam where an unidentified body was found earlier in the day, officials said. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp A BJP MLA's ancestral house was vandalised in Imphal Valley while a building owned by Ashab Uddin, the Independent legislator of Jiribam, was ransacked, officials said. The incidents occurred a day after irate mobs set fire to the residences of ...Read More >
Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak announced the examination of the Jhansi Medical College fire report after a tragic incident claimed 10 infants' lives. Investigations point to a short circuit as the cause. Amid electoral criticism, Congress calls for reverting to ballot papers following a recent election loss. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak confirmed on Wednesday that the report regarding the devastating fire at Jhansi Medical College has been received. An investigation into the details of the report will be conducted to determine the causes of the tragic incident. ...Read More >
Srinagar, Nov 27 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir's Road Transport Corporation (RTC), a crucial backbone of public transportation, has raised serious concerns over the barring of its buses from entering Srinagar city limits. The move has triggered alarm within the Corporation, with officials cautioning about significant disruptions to public transport services and daily commutes, alongside substantial financial losses for the RTC. The restriction, in effect since November 4 when the maiden session of the Assembly commenced, is causing a daily revenue loss of Rs. 4 lakh to the Corporation. In a lette ...Read More >
Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan has called for the replacement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with ballot papers, citing concerns over the legitimacy of election results. Ranjan raised doubts about the EVM's accuracy, suggesting that the results may be influenced and advocating for a ballot paper system like many other countries. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also echoed similar sentiments, accusing EVMs of wasting votes from marginalized communities. This comes after the Congress' defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly election. The Supreme Court, however, dismissed a petition seeking th ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: BJP leader Amit Malviya on Tuesday accused Rahul Gandhi of being "so arrogant that he did not even greet the President" during the 75th Constitution Day event held in Parliament. This comes as the grand old party has often voiced its criticism against the saffron party for not inviting President Droupadi Murmu at the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building last year and Ram Temple consecration this year. "Rahul Gandhi is so arrogant that he did not even greet the President. Just because she comes from the tribal community, is a woman and Rahul Gandhi is the prince of ...Read More >
In this edition of Frontline Conversations, former Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare discusses how the Ladki Bahin scheme, which provided direct cash transfers to 2.35 crore women, transformed both the economic landscape and political dynamics of the State. The programme, which distributed Rs.7,500 across five instalments to women earning less than Rs. 2.5 lakh annually, not only empowered women with financial independence but also proved to be a decisive factor in Mahayuti's electoral victory, marking a shift in Maharashtra's traditionally male-dominated political ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 18 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party leader and in-charge of the party's National IT Department, Amit Malviya, on Monday, criticised the Congress party's 'hypocrisy' over their stance on the Adani Group, pointing to past investments and agreements made with the corporate conglomerate by Congress-ruled states. Taking to social media platform X, Malviya referenced Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's recent "public admission of accepting money" from the Adani Group on November 10, 2024, pointing out that this acknowledgment contradicted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's ...Read More >
A top Army officer has raised significant concerns in his review of women Commanding Officers (COs), flagging "ego issues", "frequent complaints", and "lack of empathy". The feedback letter was written by Lieutenant General Rajeev Puri, the outgoing Corps Commander of the 17 Corps, to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command. The letter, dated October 1, 2024, provides an analysis of challenges observed in units led by women COs within the 17 Corps over the past year. The letter has sparked discussions within the military and among defence analysts about the Army's effor ...Read More >
Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the third edition of Nayi Chetna - Pahal Badlaav Ki, a national campaign against gender-based violence, at Rang Bhawan Auditorium, New Delhi yesterday. Delivering his address, Shri Chouhan stated that the Government has taken a slew of initiatives for women's economic and social development. He stressed that gender-based violence is not an issue that persists in rural areas, but in urban areas as well. He said with the presence of Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smt. Annpurn ...Read More >
ISKCON Kolkata has reported ongoing attacks on their monks in Bangladesh to the Indian government, urging intervention. The recent arrest of monk Chinmoy Krishna Das highlights increasing threats against Hindu religious orders, urging the intervention of both Indian authorities and the United Nations for minority protection. ISKCON Kolkata has reported ongoing attacks on their monks and members in Bangladesh to the Indian government, seeking immediate intervention. The recent arrest of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das underscores the persistent threats faced by Hindu religious orders, includin ...Read More >
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition is now gearing up for a national protest after losing Maharashtra state elections. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, which suffered a crushing defeat in last week's Maharashtra state elections, is now gearing up for a national protest against the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which it blames for its loss. The MVA, led by the Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (led by Sharad Pawar), is planning to challenge the use of EVMs in court and demand a return to ballot paper voting. Fo ...Read More >
In a heart-wrenching incident, a 30-year-old Dalit youth, who was brutally thrashed, succumbed to his injuries during treatment at a hospital in the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, and four people have been arrested in this connection. The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of Subhashpura police station on Tuesday, however, the matter came to light after a video surfaced on social media showing four persons beating the youth with sticks and pipes mercilessly. In the video, the victim, identified as Vishnu Jatav, was seen being thrashed by a group of men in a field in Indergarh vil ...Read More >
Junaid Ahmed Bhat, a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist allegedly involved in a deadly attack near a tunnel construction site in Gagangir, Jammu and Kashmir, was killed by security forces in Dachigam forest. The operation, based on intelligence inputs, turned into a gunfight, resulting in Bhat's death. In a significant counter-terrorism operation, security forces neutralized Junaid Ahmed Bhat, a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, in the Dachigam forest region on Tuesday. Bhat was implicated in an assault near a tunnel construction site in Gagangir, Jammu and Kashmir. The operation commenced following precise ...Read More >
Chandigarh [India], December 3 (ANI): Punjab Legislative Assembly Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday, slammed the BJP-led central government for neglecting the interests of farmers in Punjab and Haryana. Bajwa's scathing attack comes amidst growing discontent among farmers in the region, who feel their concerns have been ignored by the ruling party. "Ever since the BJP government has come to power, they have not taken a single decision that is in the interest of the farmers of India, especially the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. It is their fundamental rig ...Read More >
ISKCON Kolkata has raised concerns with India over ongoing persecution of its monks and Hindu communities in Bangladesh, following the arrest of monk Chinmoy Krishna Das. ISKCON Kolkata has seriously raised concerns with the Indian government over the ongoing persecution of its monks and Hindu religious communities in Bangladesh. This is after the recent arrest of monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, a development that is very worrying in light of a series of attacks on members of the Hindu Vaishnavite order and other minority communities. ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson Radharaman Das shared with PTI that ...Read More >
New Delhi: The annual all-India conference of directors general of police and inspectors general of police will begin in Bhubaneswar on Friday where issues related to internal security, Jammu and Kashmir, and pro-Khalistan elements, among others are likely to be discussed, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, among others will attend the three-day conference where cyber crimes, challenges posed by AI tools and threats emanating from drones are also expected to be discussed. About 250 officers of DGP and IGP ...Read More >
Sub-Inspector Narender Reddy alerted his staff, who traced the autorickshaw within a few hours with the help of cybercrime and forensic experts. Later, the bag along with the ten tolas of gold ornaments was handed over to Hena Parveen. Karimnagar: The Gangadhara police traced ten tolas of gold ornaments that a woman lost within a few hours and handed over the ornaments to her. According to police, a resident of Laxmidevipalli of Gangadhara mandal, Hena Parveen along with her mother came to Karimnagar town on Wednesday. After completing work, she returned to the village in an autorickshaw and ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Border Security Force (BSF) has completed the deployment of two fresh battalions, comprising more than 2,000 personnel, in the Jammu region to better plug infiltration from across the Pakistan front and check the recent spurt of terrorist activities in the area. Officials in the security establishment told PTI that the new troops of these units have been deployed "in depth areas" as the "second line of defence" just behind the BSF border deployment along the international border (IB) with Pakistan. These two BSF battalions were recently withdrawn from the anti-Naxal operations ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Uttar Pradesh administration has imposed restrictions on the entry of outsiders into violence-hit Sambhal until December 10, with officials urging leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi to reconsider his planned visit on Wednesday. Moradabad divisional commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said there is a need for calm in the region, and that "any provocation could escalate the situation" in the district. "The situation in Sambhal is normal right now, but tensions persist," Singh said. "The District Magistrate has banned the entry of people from outside until 10 December ...Read More >
Champhai (Mizoram) [India], December 3 (ANI): Assam Rifles, in collaboration with the Excise and Narcotics Department, recovered 22 grams of Heroin No. 4 worth Rs 15.40 lakh and apprehended a woman in the Zote area of Champhai district on Monday. The operation, based on specific intelligence, led to the discovery of the contraband hidden inside the woman's clothing bag. The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Tlangmawii, along with the seized consignment, has been handed over to the Excise and Narcotics Department, Champhai, for further legal proceedings. Also Read | Rahul Gandhi To Visit Sam ...Read More >
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has launched an investigation into three cases of violence in Manipur, including the abduction and killing of six women and children from the State's Jiribam district on November 11. The anti-terror agency re-registered three cases afresh on November 13 after the Ministry of Home Affairs decided to hand over the cases to it considering the gravity of the offences amid escalating violence in the strife-torn State. "The objective is to unearth the larger conspiracy behind the brutal attacks," an NIA spokesperson said on Tuesday (November 26, 2024). Last ...Read More >
Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated that the army has shifted Jammu and Kashmir's focus from "terrorism to tourism" while working towards 'Viksit Bharat 2047.' He emphasized the army's contribution to national security, development, and disaster relief, highlighting its role in achieving a "Progressive" and "Peaceful" India.Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi said that while moving towards the goal of 'Viksit Bharat 2047,' the army has been able to transform the idea of Jammu and Kashmir from "terrorism to tourism." While addressing an event at Savitribai Phule Pu ...Read More >
Srinagar: The minimum temperature has plummeted and settled below freezing point across Kashmir with many of the stations including Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recording the season's coldest night. According to the news agency -- Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the night temperature in Srinagar settled at minus 2.1 degree Celsius. Shopian was the coldest in Kashmir as the mercury plummeted and settled at minus 5.5 degree Celsius. Pahalgam, a famous tourist destination, recorded minus 5.0 degree Celsius while Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort recorded a low of minus 2.5 degree ...Read More >
The gunfight continued between security forces and terrorists in the upper mountain belt of Harwan. In a major breakthrough, the security forces killed a wanted terrorist, who was responsible for terror attack in Ganderbal, during an ongoing encounter in the upper reaches of Dachigam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The Kashmir Zone Police in a social media post announced the killing of the terrorist, identified as Junail Ahmed Bhat. The Police said that Bhat was an A category terrorist of Lashkar-e-Taiba terror outfit and was involved in the killing of civilians in Ganderbal, Gagangir and o ...Read More >
Bhopal, December 3: In a shocking incident, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) allegedly stabbed his wife and sister-in-law to death in Bhopal on Tuesday, police said. The accused was identified as Yogesh Maravi, an ASI posted in Mandla district. The shocking incident came to the fore when the house help came in the morning for work and heard screams from inside the house. The domestic help started banging door in panic and alerted some neighbours. In the meantime, Maravi opened the door and fled from the spot, police said. The incident occurred in an area under the jurisdiction of Aishbagh pol ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) chargesheeted another accused in the Magadh (Zone) CPI (Maoist) revival attempts case, the agency said in a statement. Binod Shankar alias Vinod Shankar Singh, a resident of Kaimur district of Bihar, is the 6th accused to be chargesheeted in the case, the agency said. The chargesheet was filed on Monday. Also Read | Pune: Doctors Perform Rare Laser Surgery on Woman Pregnant With Monoamniotic Twins To Save Healthy Foetus at KEM Hospital. A supplementary chargesheet has been filed against him under various sections o ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 26 (UNI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday greeted the people on the occasion of 75th Constitution Day. On social media handle X, Kharge said, "The Constitution of India, painstakingly and carefully drafted by our foremothers and forefathers, is the lifeblood of our nation. It guarantees us social, economic and political rights. It constitutes India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC". He said, "Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity are not ...Read More >
BJP leaders, including Amit Malviya, CR Kesavan, and Pradeep Bhandari, accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of arrogance after he allegedly failed to greet President Droupadi Murmu, a tribal woman, during her speech on Constitution Day. Malviya claimed that Gandhi's refusal to acknowledge the President stemmed from her tribal background, while Kesavan and Bhandari pointed to Gandhi's "dynastic entitlement" and anti-tribal sentiments. The President, addressing Parliament, highlighted the significance of India's Constitution and lauded the government's efforts in social justice and inclusive dev ...Read More >
A tragic accident resulted in the death of a policeman in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district. Liaqat Ali, a selection grade constable, died when his car skidded off the road and into a gorge. Rescuers recovered his body, which was sent for postmortem. A tragic accident in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district led to the death of a policeman when his vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge. Officials reported that Selection grade constable Liaqat Ali, a 2009 batch officer, was driving to his home in the Bani area when he lost control of his car, resulting in the fatal crash ...Read More >
New Delhi, November 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the government at the Centre has strengthened the spirit of the Constitution over the last 10 years. Addressing the Constitution Day celebrations at the Supreme Court, PM Modi highlighted that in the last 10 years, more than 53 crore bank accounts were opened, more than 4 crore pukka houses were given and more than 10 crore free gas connections were given. "In the last 5-6 years, by providing tap water facilities in more than 12 crore houses, the government made the lives of citizens easy, particularly of women," he sai ...Read More >