India

Srinagar, July 17 (IANS) A policeman of the Special Operations Group (SOG) was killed and another injured in a road accident on Friday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district.

Police said that the accident happened at the Bailey Bridge in the Chadoora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

Police said that the two SOG men were travelling in an official vehicle when it hit the steel girder of the Bailey Bridge, leaving both of them injured.

He said the injured personnel were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared one of them dead, while the other is undergoing treatment.

The deceased was later identified as Tariq Ahmad, a resident of Hanjura and the injured as Riyaz Ahmed.

Police have taken cognisance of the incident and launched an investigation. More details are awaited.

The Special Operations Group is a police tactical unit of the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) that specialises in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism, and operates in difficult-to-access terrain.

The unit's missions primarily involve anti-irregular military, apprehension of armed and dangerous criminals, counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, counterinsurgency, covert operation, executive protection, high-risk tactical law enforcement situations, operating in difficult to access terrain, protecting high-level meeting areas, providing security in areas at risk of attack or terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, special reconnaissance in difficult to access and dangerous areas, support crowd control and riot control, and special operations.

This unit is approximately 4000 plus strong.

It is trained and equipped to handle high-stakes situations, and its personnel are selected from more than 1,00,000 personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

The J&K Police have since been very competent on the front lines against anti-terror activities. The SOG members are also the first targets of the militant groups and local separatists alike. Since its inception, the unit has played an important role in suppressing terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 17 (IANS) Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's UDAN scheme has brought Daman its first direct flight to Delhi, according to an official statement on Friday.

The minister described the event as a major milestone that will boost tourism, trade, investment and employment in the Union Territory, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

He made the remarks after flagging off the inaugural Alliance Air flight on the Daman-Delhi-Daman route from the newly operational NAMO Airport.

Calling the launch a historic moment, Naidu said the new service would reduce travel time between Daman and the national capital from nearly 8-10 hours by road to around 2.5 hours by air.

He attributed the achievement to PM Modi's UDAN scheme, saying it has transformed regional air connectivity by linking smaller cities with major destinations.

NAMO Airport -- a dual-use facility operating from the Indian Coast Guard Air Station (ICGAS), Daman -- was inaugurated by PM Modi on June 5 after its foundation stone was laid in April 2023.

Developed by the Union Territory Administration at a cost of Rs 124 crore on a 25-acre site, the airport features a 3,700-square metre terminal capable of handling 14 ATR flights a day and an annual passenger capacity of 3.67 lakh.

Highlighting the region's economic potential, the minister said Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli together are home to more than 7,000 industries, while another 15,000 industries operate in neighbouring Vapi and Valsad.

According to the minister, improved air connectivity would facilitate business travel, attract investments and create employment opportunities.

Naidu also said nearly 20 lakh tourists visit Daman every year, and the new air service is expected to significantly increase tourist arrivals.

However, the government is also planning to expand the runway to accommodate larger aircraft, including Airbus A320-type planes and improve connectivity to cities such as Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad and Patna.

The minister further said the government has extended the UDAN scheme for another 10 years, with an outlay of Rs 29,000 crore to develop 100 new airports and 200 new helipads under the modified scheme.

--IANS

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Jind (Haryana), July 17 (IANS) Indian Railways on Friday added another feather to its cap in clean mobility with Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagging off India’s first hydrogen fuel cell trainset from here, a train that generates its own electricity onboard using hydrogen, the cleanest fuel known.

The 10-coach train running between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana will cover 90 km in just two hours, a landmark in the green mobility journey.

The train is powered by a 3,200 HP propulsion system -- one of the most powerful hydrogen-powered trainsets in operation -- and emits only water vapour.

By leveraging India's own technology and handling everything from design to assembly domestically, India joins the ranks of countries operating hydrogen railways.

Simultaneously, PM Modi dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stones of the National Highway project of over Rs 12,470 crore in Haryana.

The milestone of a hydrogen-powered train marked the latest chapter in the evolution of how the Railways has powered its trains, reflecting India’s broader journey from coal and steam to cleaner, more sustainable sources of energy.

Over the past 12 years, rapid electrification has significantly reduced dependence on imported diesel, paving the way for the next leap in clean rail mobility.

From Jind, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the 157.92-km-long four-lane, fully access-controlled Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway (Packages 1 to 5), developed at a cost of around Rs 9,680 crore.

The Greenfield corridor forms part of the 667 km Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway that will reduce travel time between Delhi and Katra from about 14 hours to nearly six hours, while cutting the Delhi-Amritsar journey from about eight hours to four hours.

The project is expected to significantly decongest NH-44 (GT Road), boost pilgrim and tourist traffic to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, and catalyse industrial and logistics development along the corridor.

The Prime Minister also dedicated the 33.81-km-long four-lane, partially access-controlled Ambala-Kala Amb Highway on NH-7 and NH-344.

The highway will strengthen connectivity between the Ambala urban agglomeration and the Kala Amb industrial belt, improving road links between Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, facilitating tourist movement to hill regions and reducing logistics costs for industries in Kala Amb.

Another major project dedicated was the 40.60-km-long Jind-Gohana Greenfield Highway on NH-352A.

The new highway will reduce travel time between Jind and Gohana from about two hours to just 40 minutes, benefiting commuters, freight transport and the agriculturally significant Jind-Gohana region while improving connectivity to Rohtak, Panipat and the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the 24.27-km-long Hansi-Barwala Brownfield Highway Project, which will upgrade the existing carriageway to a 2/4-lane configuration with paved shoulders.

PM Modi dedicated the Elevated Railway Track in Kurukshetra, a major urban infrastructure project that will eliminate long-standing traffic congestion at railway crossings in the city. The project will ensure smoother vehicular movement, improve road safety and enhance the operational efficiency of both rail and road transport systems.

PM Modi also dedicated major medical institutions to the nation -- Pandit Neki Ram Sharma Government Medical College, Bhiwani, Maharishi Chyawan Medical College and Rao Tula Ram Hospital in Koriawas in Narnaul.

These institutions will expand access to quality medical education in Haryana, increase the number of MBBS seats, improve the availability of specialist healthcare professionals and enable people to access better medical services closer to their homes, thereby strengthening the state's healthcare ecosystem.

Further enriching the region's cultural infrastructure, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the Sikh Museum in Kurukshetra. The museum will showcase the history of Sikhism, the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, their courage, sacrifices and the invaluable contribution of the Sikh community to India's civilisation and culture through the use of modern technology.

--IANS

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Wardha, July 17 (IANS) In a significant breakthrough by police in Maharashtra, a farm labourer was arrested within 24 hours for the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl at her home near the state's Wardha district, officials said on Friday.

The accused has been identified as 30-year-old Rahul Raju Madavi.

According to investigators, the minor was allegedly raped before being bludgeoned to death with a stone at her house in Wardha. Her's partially unclothed body was discovered inside the house by her parents, police said.

Based on a complaint filed by the victim's mother, the police registered a case under charges of murder and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Given the gravity of the matter, the police formed 14 special teams under the guidance of the Sub-Divisional Officer. Three suspects were detained overnight.

Saurabh Kumar Agrawal, Superintendent of Police, Wardha, said that following rigorous interrogation, accused Madavi confessed to committing the rape and murder.

The police suspect that two other individuals may have assisted the accused. Consequently, they have also been taken into custody.

The 12-year-old victim was a fifth-grade student. The family, hailing from Mahagaon in the state's Yavatmal district, had been living in Wardha for the past five years. They resided in a hut located on a farm.

The accused, a labourer, used to frequent the area where the victim's family lived, as he worked in a nearby field.

According to the police investigation, the minor's parents were away from home on Wednesday. Taking advantage, the accused entered the premises and purportedly raped the girl before bludgeoning her to death with a stone.

Further, police stated that the investigation is being conducted in consultation with medical experts, and the rape allegation will be confirmed only after the medical report is received.

Moreover, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to investigate the case, with the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) appointed to lead the team. Strict action will be taken against the guilty, and the case will be tried in a fast-track court as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the incident sparked grief and outrage in the area with residents blocking a road for a period, demanding the death penalty for the accused and a fast-track trial. Police have maintained a presence in the village to prevent any further disturbance.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 17 (IANS) In a significant breakthrough in a transnational smuggling racket, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted an international gold smuggling syndicate and arrested six people, including three Filipinos, officials said on Friday.

The syndicate was allegedly being run with the connivance of private persons working at the airport premises, officials said.

The six arrested accused have been identified as Mumbai residents Himanshu Upadhyay, Mohid Hasan Siddiqui and Feroz Sayyed; and three nationals of the Philippines, Lakim Alimudin Nasser, Benny Lloyd Olivo and Christine Joy Andaya Pornasdoro.

According to DRI, the accused have revealed during interrogation that they were working for a smuggling syndicate that smuggled gold through transit passengers from Dubai and Bangkok to Mumbai, with the help of some people working at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in the city.

Earlier this month, the DRI, in coordination with other agencies including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), had busted an interstate wildlife trafficking syndicate across West Bengal and Maharashtra.

Several wildlife species, listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including 15 Slow Lorises, two Binturongs, 28 Star Tortoises, six Egyptian Vultures and two Shikra birds were recovered and rescued.

The Intelligence in the case was developed by DRI, and the matter is now being investigated by the CBI. The six people were subsequently arrested by the CBI.

The DRI has also foiled multiple attempts by passengers arriving from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Colombo to smuggle protected wildlife into India through international airports.

In these operations, species like Albino Red-eared Turtles, Hypo Zero Bearded Dragons, African Spurred Tortoises, Borneo Pythons, Green Iguanas, Mangrove Monitor Lizards, Argentine Black and White Tegus, Goeldi's Marmosets, Yellow Cheeked Gibbons, Indonesian Blue Tongued Skinks, Siamang Gibbons, Woolley Monkeys, Silvery Lutungs, Yellow Belly Ball Pythons, Pastel Ball Pythons and other species were seized and rescued.

The total number of seizures in these operations has reached 440.

--IANS

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Guwahati, July 17 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said the state government is making sustained investments in sports infrastructure, training facilities and equipment support to help young athletes realise their potential and compete at the highest level.

In a post on social media, the Chief Minister said the government's focus is on nurturing sporting talent by creating an ecosystem that enables athletes to progress from the grassroots to the international stage.

"We are investing in our youth to nurture sporting talent and help them realise their dreams on the global arena. This is being done through a mix of infrastructure, training and equipment support," CM Sarma said.

Highlighting the government's ongoing initiatives, the Chief Minister said Assam's sporting journey is continuing "from local fields to the global arena" through a series of projects aimed at strengthening sports infrastructure across the state.

According to the details shared by CM Sarma, the government is setting up High Performance Sports Training and Rehabilitation Centres in three cities to provide scientific coaching and injury management facilities for athletes.

The state is also supplying sports equipment to youth clubs across all Assembly constituencies with the objective of encouraging grassroots participation and identifying promising talent from rural and urban areas alike.

Among the major infrastructure projects, the government is redeveloping the Radha Govinda Baruah Sports Complex and constructing an open stadium at the Amingaon Sports Complex.

The expansion of Khanikar Stadium in Dibrugarh is also underway to improve sporting facilities in Upper Assam and host larger sporting events. In addition, an Archery Academy is being established at Sonari to promote the traditional strength of the region in the discipline and produce athletes capable of representing the state and the country in national and international competitions.

The Chief Minister has repeatedly emphasised that sports development remains a key component of the state's youth empowerment strategy, with the government focusing on modern infrastructure, quality coaching and better access to sporting resources to create a strong pipeline of athletes from Assam.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 17 (IANS) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday described the launch of India's first indigenous hydrogen-powered train as a truly historic moment for the country's green mobility journey, saying it marks a major step towards a cleaner and more self-reliant transport ecosystem.

In a post on X, the minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the country's first indigenous hydrogen-powered train on the Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana.

Powered by a 1,200 kW hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system, the 10-coach train emits only water vapour, making it a near-zero emission mode of transport, Goyal said.

He added that the launch marks a significant milestone in the country's journey towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat and reflects the government's commitment to innovation-led, sustainable growth.

According to the minister, the project is backed by indigenous hydrogen storage and refuelling infrastructure developed at Jind, enabling India to join a select group of countries pioneering hydrogen-powered rail transport.

The train will initially operate on the 89-km Jind-Sonipat section of Northern Railway.

Unlike conventional diesel or electric trains, the hydrogen-powered train generates electricity onboard through a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Hydrogen stored in onboard cylinders reacts with oxygen from the atmosphere inside the fuel cell to generate electricity for the train's traction motors. The only by-products of the process are water vapour and heat.

The train consists of two hydrogen driving power cars and eight trailer coaches, with each power car producing 1,200 kW of power. Designed to carry around 2,600 passengers, it can run at a maximum speed of 110 kmph, making it one of the largest hydrogen-powered passenger trainsets developed globally.

To support operations, Indian Railways has established the country's first integrated railway hydrogen ecosystem at Jind, where hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, compressed for storage and supplied through dedicated refuelling infrastructure.

The project also incorporates multiple safety systems, including hydrogen leak detectors, flame, heat and smoke sensors, continuous ventilation, and automatic shutdown mechanisms. According to the Ministry of Railways, the system complies with international safety standards and statutory requirements prescribed by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).

The hydrogen train is part of Indian Railways' broader green transition strategy after electrifying more than 99 per cent of the country's broad gauge network. It also supports India's National Green Hydrogen Mission and long-term net-zero goals.

--IANS

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Ghaziabad, July 17 (IANS) In a shocking incident, a 15-year-old died after being allegedly pushed from the fourth floor of a building by her purported stalker in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, police said on Friday.

The accused has been arrested by Ghaziabad Police and sections of murder have been added to the First Information Report (FIR), lodged in connection with the case.

According to officials, the incident took place on July 15 at around 10 p.m. The accused, who has been identified as 30-year-old Shanawaz, reportedly fled after pushing the minor girl to her death.

According to the mother of the victim, her daughter had gone to buy milk from a nearby shop when the accused allegedly abducted her.

He then reportedly took her to the fourth floor of the building before pushing her.

Moreover, the victim's mother mentioned that a verbal spat had broken out between Shanawaz and her daughter a few days ago and that she had even slapped the accused.

The mother further alleged that the accused has been stalking her daughter for the last few weeks.

Meanwhile, in a shocking incident of betrayal and sexual assault reported from the state's Lalitpur district, a 19-year-old woman was abducted by a man with whom she was allegedly in a relationship for the last four years and gangraped by him and his friends in a moving car, police said on Thursday.

Speaking on the case, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kalu Singh said: "The victim had been in a relationship with the accused, Badal Raja, for the past four years and preliminary investigation suggests she had accompanied him voluntarily."

According to officials, the victim's mother lodged a complaint with the police, alleging that her daughter was forcibly taken away in a car by a local resident, Badal Raja, along with two of his associates.

During the course of the investigation, police arrested two of the accused. A third unidentified accused was later apprehended during a police encounter, in which he sustained a bullet injury to his leg. He is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.

--IANS

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Ahmedabad, July 17 (IANS) The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on Friday announced the arrest of five more accused in its investigation into an alleged module linked to the banned Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), taking the probe beyond the eight arrests made earlier this month.

The ATS said the latest arrests were made after disclosures and evidence gathered during the police remand of the previously arrested accused.

According to the agency, the five newly arrested men were members of the proscribed Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed and, along with the accused arrested earlier, were involved in testing explosive devices.

The newly arrested individuals are Bilal Abid Shera, Mohammed Aiyub Kadiwal alias Mohammed Khadiyasan, Mohammed Shafi Mukhi alias Shafi Chapi, Mohammed Hasan Karadiya alias Hasan Haidarpuri, and Mohammed Aiyub Sunasara alias Mohammed Khali.

"Two days ago, ATS questioned several people regarding the case. These people were among them. These five individuals belong to various districts of the state," an official told IANS.

Further details regarding the nature of the seized material, forensic findings and specific charges are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.

The latest arrests build on an operation announced on July 3, when the ATS arrested eight people, seven from Gujarat and one from Madhya Pradesh, for their alleged links to JeM.

The agency had then alleged that the accused were attempting to establish an active network of the banned outfit in Gujarat, recruit members, spread its ideology and remain in contact with Pakistani handlers.

The ATS had registered a case under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

During the earlier phase of the investigation, the ATS said it had recovered 254 pieces of literature, including JeM flags and digital material allegedly linked to the organisation. Investigators also alleged that some of the accused had translated JeM literature into Gujarati to aid the spread of the group's ideology.

"The accused were acting on the instructions of Pakistani handlers and were attempting to establish a support network for the banned organisation in Gujarat," officials had said.

The probe remains ongoing, with the ATS indicating that further investigation is underway into the module's activities, contacts and alleged operational plans.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 17 (IANS) “This is great, India!”, remarked former UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Erik Solheim on Friday, hours ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagging off India’s first hydrogen-powered train from Haryana’s Jind.

The train has 10 coaches, making it one of the largest hydrogen-powered passenger trains in the world.

“The project combines advanced propulsion technology with dedicated hydrogen storage, refuelling and operational infrastructure, and will demonstrate the feasibility of clean rail transportation in India,” former UN Under-Secretary-General Solheim wrote on X.

Solheim, the former Norwegian diplomat, politician and environment minister, played a crucial role in 2018 as the United Nations Environment Programme Executive Director in convincing India to phase out single-use plastics by 2022, a major achievement in his crusade against plastic pollution.

Solheim is optimistic that India can act as a catalyst for curbing greenhouse gas emissions too.

The train will run from Jind to Sonepat and has been designed for a top speed of 110 kmph. Unlike conventional electric trains that draw power from overhead wires or diesel locomotives that burn fuel, the hydrogen train generates electricity onboard using a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Hydrogen stored in onboard cylinders combines with oxygen from the atmosphere inside the fuel cell to produce electricity, which powers the train's traction motors.

The only by-products of this electrochemical process are water vapour and heat, making it a near-zero-emission mode of transport, the Ministry of Railways said.

Additionally, the train has two hydrogen-powered power cars and eight trailer coaches, with each power car producing 1,200 kW (1,600 hp). Designed to carry around 2,600 passengers, it has a maximum speed of 110 kmph, making it one of the largest hydrogen-powered passenger train sets developed globally.

To support operations, Indian Railways has established the country's first integrated railway hydrogen ecosystem at Jind. Hydrogen is produced on-site through electrolysis, compressed for storage and dispensed into the train through dedicated refuelling stations.

However, the facility can store nearly 3,000 kg of hydrogen for regular operations. Moreover, given hydrogen's highly flammable nature, Indian Railways has incorporated multiple safety systems across the train and refuelling infrastructure. These include hydrogen leak detectors, flame, heat and smoke sensors, continuous ventilation and automatic shutdown systems that cut off the hydrogen supply if any abnormality is detected.

The project has also undergone independent safety assessment and complies with international standards as well as the statutory requirements of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).

According to the ministry, the hydrogen train represents the next step in its green transition after electrifying more than 99 per cent of the country's broad gauge network.

The project also supports India's National Green Hydrogen Mission and long-term net-zero goals, with hydrogen-powered trains likely to be introduced on other routes, including heritage railways, in the future, it added.

--IANS

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