India

New Delhi, July 17 (IANS) Punjab is set to go to the polls in February 2027, but the political temperature in the state is already rising. While a range of issues is expected to dominate the election discourse, security is likely to remain a key concern in the run-up to the Assembly polls.

Intelligence agencies have repeatedly intercepted cross-border communications pointing to plans for targeted killings, attempts to incite communal tensions, and stepped-up drone-based smuggling operations.

An Intelligence Bureau official said the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been attempting to recruit small-time gangsters ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, allegedly to create unrest in the state. According to the official, those recruited are tasked with closely monitoring the situation on the ground and identifying even the smallest disputes.

“These disputes need not necessarily be political and could include personal conflicts, which could then be exploited to fuel tension,” the official added.

The official said the gangsters are reportedly being instructed to infiltrate such disputes and inflame them so that minor incidents escalate into major clashes involving large-scale violence and bloodshed.

“These disputes are often local in nature and can ordinarily be resolved without much difficulty. However, by exploiting these flashpoints, the recruited gangsters are expected to ensure that they spiral into much larger confrontations,” the officials added.

The objective is not necessarily to target any political leader or party, but to inflame local incidents into major episodes of violence that would strain the security apparatus during the election period, the official said.

Another official said the broader aim is to divert the security forces' attention. “By keeping the security establishment occupied with maintaining law and order, the ISI intends to step up large-scale smuggling of drugs and arms across the border,” the official added.

However, the plans are not limited to inflaming minor incidents of violence to divert the attention of the security forces. The Pakistani spy agency has also reportedly instructed its operatives to carry out targeted killings of political leaders to create an atmosphere of fear ahead of and during the elections in Punjab.

Officials said the alleged strategy is part of a broader game plan. According to them, the ISI believes that if the elections are held in an atmosphere of fear, voter turnout could be adversely affected. They also pointed out that, as a border state adjoining Pakistan, Punjab has a much larger deployment of central security agencies than most other states.

“By attempting to create fear during the election period and suppress voter participation, the ISI is also seeking to embarrass the Centre,” the officials said.

Security experts, meanwhile, say Punjab has emerged as one of India's most significant national security challenges.

The ISI is in fact focusing more on Punjab rather than Kashmir nowadays. It knows the situation is volatile in the state and hence wants to exploit it to instil the Khalistan ideology in the state. To drum up the sentiments of the people of Punjab against the establishment, the ISI has been using all sorts of tactics. It has a set of people who just focus on tarnishing the image of the Punjab police and central agencies.

This propaganda involves the use of social media and OTT platforms to defame the security agencies. There is a one-sided narrative that these elements are trying to spread in the state.

Officials said the narrative being circulated focuses only on the alleged excesses committed by the security forces against Khalistani elements, while ignoring the violence and atrocities carried out by Khalistani militants.

The official said that during the peak of militancy in Punjab, ISI-backed Khalistani terror groups had targeted minority communities and killed large numbers of police personnel. However, these acts are largely omitted from the narrative being circulated, which, according to the official, points to a deliberate attempt to build a false narrative against the state and its security agencies.

Counter-terror officials said the coming year is likely to be one of the most challenging for Punjab from a security perspective. According to them, the ISI is expected to operate on multiple fronts, ranging from attempts to trigger local disturbances to larger terror-linked activities. They also said newer methods are being adopted to infiltrate drones into Indian territory, including the use of loud music along the border to mask their movement and avoid detection.

Officials urged the youth not to fall into what they described as attempts by the ISI to lure and exploit them. They cautioned that Punjab must not be allowed to return to the dark days of militancy, when groups such as the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) had spread widespread terror across the state.

--IANS

vn/snj/skp

New Delhi, July 17 (IANS) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off India’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train from Haryana’s Jind, marking a major step towards cleaner and more sustainable rail transportation, the loco pilot highlighted the unique features.

Speaking on the occasion, loco pilot Chandrakant Kumar highlighted the unique features of the hydrogen-powered train, saying, “It's too good... The special feature of this train is that it runs on hydrogen and does not cause pollution. It does not emit carbon. This is a very good development and makes it different from other trains, which run on diesel or electricity. This train will operate using hydrogen. Hydrogen is separated from water, from which this train will run.”

Kumar said the operating staff underwent specialised training in Chennai before being assigned to operate the new train.

“Training was given in Chennai for four days,” the loco pilot informed.

Explaining the safety features of the train, Kumar said the system has been designed with advanced mechanisms to ensure safe operations.

“The safety rating is very high. In smoke, in leakage, in flames, it works differently. For operating it, a very comfortable system is provided to loco pilots. In this train, all safety systems are automatic,” he said.

Kumar also explained the speed capabilities of the train, saying, “The speed is 110 kmph, but here it will run at 75 kmph as that section has a speed limit of 75 kmph.”

PM Modi inaugurated the hydrogen-powered train from Jind, Haryana, with the service set to operate on the Jind-Sonipat route. The launch marks India’s entry into a select group of countries exploring hydrogen technology for cleaner rail transportation.

The project reflects Indian Railways’ focus on innovation, energy efficiency and environmentally sustainable transport, while supporting India’s clean energy goals and net-zero carbon emission targets.

The Jind-Sonipat section has been selected as the pilot route for hydrogen train operations. An indigenous hydrogen storage and refuelling facility has been established at Jind, and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) has granted the required licence for storage and dispensing of compressed hydrogen gas.

With the launch, India joins countries including Germany, Japan, China and the United States that are exploring hydrogen-powered rail systems. As the technology remains in an early stage, only a limited number of nations currently operate or test such trains.

--IANS

rs/dpb

New Delhi, July 17 (IANS) National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanoongo on Friday said that the Telangana government has been asked to take action after a class 2 student of a private school in Hyderabad was asked by a teacher to recite the 'Kalma', and that a detailed report has been sought from the state government.

A class 2 student at a school in Hyderabad’s Saidabad area, was reportedly assigned the task as a homework activity in his school diary, the pictures of which have been widely circulated on social media.

The school management had on Thursday terminated the services of the teacher concerned.

Speaking to IANS, NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo said: "We have received a complaint from an organisation called 'Seva Nyayasthan Foundation'. The complaint stated that a school in Hyderabad has been giving Hindu students homework to memorise the 'Kalma'."

"This is a serious matter and amounts to a blatant violation of Article 28(3) of the Constitution of India. We have issued a notice to the Telangana state government regarding this matter, directed it to take appropriate action, and sought a detailed report," he added.

Earlier, soon after the student's parents learnt about the alleged attempt by the teacher to make the child memorise Islamic religious texts, they took up the matter with school authorities and confronted the management. They expressed deep anger and questioned the inappropriate conduct of the school, questioning the attempts to vitiate the academic environment for children.

Some videos of parents engaged in verbal exchange with the school authorities also went viral on social media.

The parents demanded stern and swift action against the school authorities and those involved in pressurizing students to undertake such activity. The matter turned bigger as local community members joined the parents in protesting against alleged "inhuman practices" at the school.

The incident drew strong condemnation from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

Calling it an assault on children’s impressionable minds, VHP’s Vinod Bansal said, “Schools are temples of knowledge, not centres for imposing religious education. The incident of teaching kalma to innocent second-grade students in Bhagyanagar (Hyderabad) is a direct assault on children's constitutional rights and parents' trust. Strict action should be taken against the guilty school management.”

--IANS

cg/rad

Reasi, July 17 (IANS) National Conference (NC) leader Tariq Bhat on Friday apologised over his purported controversial remarks related to Maharaja Hari Singh, saying that although he had made the statement based on a history book, he would still take his words back to respect the sentiments of the people of Jammu.

Bhat had sparked a row by claiming that the people of Jammu were not with India but were with Maharaja Hari Singh.

Speaking to IANS, Tariq Bhat said: "On July 12, I attended a huge rally organised by the National Conference in Jammu's Maharaja Hari Singh Park, where whatever I said while answering questions asked by the media was based on a book. But some of my brothers did not like what I said. I believe that if an entire region like Jammu holds a different view while I alone hold another, then the voice of the people carries greater weight. Whatever people are saying is the reality; the book can be wrong."

"So, respecting the sentiments and honour of the people of Jammu, I take back my words and apologise for my mistake," he added.

He further mentioned that the remarks made by him were his individual opinion and the National Conference leadership had nothing to do with it.

"NC's senior leader Sheikh Bashir had condemned the statement made by me, saying that the party does not agree with the remarks. So, I thought that when my party thinks that whatever I said was wrong, then certainly I have committed a mistake," Bhat admitted.

However, the NC leader referred to the book titled 'Modern Indian History', written by V.D. Mahajan, saying: "Still, if anyone wants an explanation (for whatever I said) can read this book. Everything is written here about the merger (of J&K with India), the country's partition and other details."

"If this book is wrong, which is quite possible as authors write according to their view...I will read what the new books say on this and understand how wrong I was. But, understanding the sentiments of the people of Jammu, I beg pardon for my statement," he stated.

Further explaining his stand, Bhat said: "I did not intend to criticise the Maharaja, but yes, I did say that 'Jammu BJP leaders didn't have a role in sacrificing for the country'; this was a political remark, and parties keep criticising each other."

"Still, whoever has been hurt by my remarks, please forgive me," he reiterated.

--IANS

cg/dpb

Kolkata, July 17 (IANS) Prohibitory orders have been issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 prohibiting assembly of four or more people around the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata from Friday morning and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel have also been deployed there to avoid any violations of the order.

The actions have been taken following the announcement by former West Bengal Minister, Siddiqullah Chowdhury, for holding mass prayers later in the day today at the Bankra Mosque within the airport premises.

The process for the relocation of the 136-year-old mosque had started last week on national security grounds.

Although the relocation process had started after years of negotiations, some minority organisations and those linked to the Trinamool Congress, the previous ruling party in the state, have started protesting over the relocation process.

Chowdhury, who is the leading face of such a protest, had given a call for mass prayers at the original venue of the mosque on Friday afternoon, ignoring the administration's order barring entry to the mosque through entry-passes and offering prayers there.

Amid Chowdhury’s call for mass prayers, the Bidhannagar City Police, under whose jurisdiction the airport comes, had issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023 around the airport premises.

A huge deployment of security personnel including CAPF, cops from the Bidhannagar City Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) had been deployed in the area to prevent any tension or violence over the call for mass prayers.

Special patrolling is also underway at Gate No. 7 of the airport, which was the earlier entry point to the mosque and the surrounding areas.

Police are constantly making announcements on microphones asking people not to violate the prohibitory orders and assemble in the area in large numbers. The administration is also keeping an eye on the situation to ensure that there is no impact on airport passengers.

The 136-year-old Gauripur Jama Masjid is known as the 'Bankra Masjid'. The mosque is located within the airport. There has been talk of relocating the mosque for a long time. The airport has two runways – the main runway is used for take-offs and landings, while the second runway is smaller. The mosque is located at a short distance from that second runway.

Experts say that if the first runway is temporarily closed for maintenance, there will be problems with large aircraft taking off and landing.

Airport officials said that the mosque also poses a risk to aircraft taking off and landing, and that work on expanding the second runway has also been stalled.

There have been discussions about moving the mosque for several decades, but no firm decision has been reached on the issue so far.

After the change of regime in West Bengal, initiatives were started by the Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari-led BJP government in the state for relocating the mosque from inside the airport.

--IANS

src/rad

New Delhi, July 17 (IANS) Former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari on Friday said he was deeply hurt after feeling that his dignity had been compromised within the party, a day after resigning from all his posts.

Speaking after his resignation, Tiwari said, “…When a loyal, dedicated and honest party worker like me feels that my dignity has been hurt, it naturally pains every party leader and worker. I had also spoken to Tejashwi Yadav, but nobody listened…”

Tiwari’s remarks came after he stepped down from the party, alleging that there was “no space for dedicated and loyal workers” in the RJD.

One of the party’s most prominent public faces for several years, Tiwari announced his resignation through an emotional video released late on Thursday evening.

In the video, he said, “Today, I resigned from all my posts in the party. I did so in the presence of state president Mangani Lal Mandal and other senior leaders whom I told that there was no point in remaining in the party while enduring humiliation.”

"But there are many people in the party who are hollowing it like termites. Sadly, Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the opposition, seems surrounded by such elements", added Tiwari.

Tiwari, who regularly represented the RJD in television debates and media interactions, also expressed gratitude to party chief Lalu Prasad for giving him the responsibility of serving as the party’s spokesperson and media in-charge in 2014.

He said he had conveyed his concerns to RJD working president Tejashwi Yadav, but claimed that his grievances remained unaddressed.

Tiwari’s resignation marks the exit of one of the RJD’s most recognisable media faces ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. Throughout his tenure, he was a regular presence in televised political debates and often defended the party’s stand on key political issues.

The RJD has not yet issued an official response to Tiwari’s resignation or the allegations made by the former spokesperson.

--IANS

rs/dpb

Raipur/Narayanpur, July 17 (IANS) In a significant boost to anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, Narayanpur Police along with the 58th battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) successfully recovered a concealed weapon dump belonging to Naxals during a joint search operation on Friday.

The coordinated effort was carried out in the dense forests under the Kohkameta police station area, aimed at strengthening security in the district’s Naxal-free zones and preventing the resurgence of extremist activities.

Acting on specific intelligence, the security personnel launched an intensive search in the Kachchapal forest region. After thorough combing, the teams discovered a well-hidden cache of arms and ammunition that Naxals had reportedly stashed away for future use.

The recovery marks another success in the sustained campaign to cleanse the area of leftover war material from earlier insurgent operations.

The police officials informed that items seized included one .303 rifle, one .315 rifle, and a locally made barrel launcher. Security forces also recovered 17 live cartridges of .303 bore, 10 live cartridges of 7.62 mm, and four 12-bore cartridges. Also, an empty .303 magazine, two cartridge fillers, and three .303 tracer rods were found at the site.

All the recovered materials have been carefully seized and handed over for further examination.

A formal case has been registered at the Kohkameta police station, and legal proceedings against the Naxal operatives involved are underway, the officials further said.

The police officials said the continued vigilance of Narayanpur Police and central security forces in the region will be maintained and even intensified.

For several months now, joint teams have been conducting regular and intensive search operations across the district’s vulnerable pockets. These proactive measures have led to the consistent recovery of weapons, explosives, and other contraband previously hidden by Naxal groups.

By systematically eliminating these hidden arsenals, the forces are not only disrupting potential militant activities but also reinforcing the atmosphere of peace and normalcy that residents have been experiencing in recent times.

Senior officials have praised the seamless coordination between the district police and the BSF unit, noting that such joint operations play a crucial role in maintaining law and order.

Local administration remains committed to sustaining pressure on anti-national elements while simultaneously focusing on development initiatives to win the trust of tribal communities.

The successful operation in Kachchapal forest is expected to further deter Naxal outfits from using the area as a safe haven for storing arms.

As security forces continue their pursuit, authorities have appealed to locals to share any relevant information that could help in neutralising remaining threats.

With multiple such recoveries reported in the recent past, Narayanpur district is steadily moving towards complete eradication of Naxal influence, paving the way for lasting peace and progress in the region.

--IANS

sktr/dpb

Srinagar, July 17 (IANS) Police in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar said on Friday that they have attached four properties worth Rs 3.34 crore under the NDPS Act.

A police statement said that in a major action against drug trafficking under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan - 100 Days Campaign, Srinagar Police has attached four immovable properties worth Rs 3,34,51,957 under the provisions of Section 68F of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

The attachment was carried out by the Police Station Safakadal during the investigation of NDPS cases. The properties have been identified as illegally acquired assets derived from proceeds of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

The attached properties include a three-storey residential house constructed on land recorded as Abadi Deh, valued at Rs 1,19,90,765, situated at Estate Nawakadal, belonging to Adnan Lateef Sheikh, son of Late Mohd Lateef Sheikh, resident of Braripora, Nawakadal, involved in FIR No. 74/2026 under Section 8/22 NDPS Act of Police Station Safakadal; Single-storey residential house constructed on land measuring 7 marlas and 50 sq. ft., valued at Rs 1,18,28,965, situated at Estate Palpora, belonging to Danyal Ahmad Bisati, son of Aijaz Ahmad Bisati, resident of Palpora, Noorbagh, involved in FIR No. 24/2025 under Sections 8/20, 29 NDPS Act of Police Station Safakadal.

Double-storey residential house constructed on approximately 4.5 marlas of land, valued at Rs 71,31,905, situated at Estate Barthana, Qammerwari, belonging to Shahid Gul, son of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, resident of Barthana, Qammerwari, involved in FIR No. 48/2026 under Section 8/20 NDPS Act of Police Station Safakadal; and a single-storey residential house constructed on three marlas of land (under and appurtenant thereto), valued at Ra 25,00,322, situated at Estate Goripora, belonging to Adil Ahmad Mir, son of Mohammad Sultan Mir, resident of Palpora, Srinagar, involved in FIR No. 62/2025 under Sections 8/21, 29 NDPS Act of Police Station Safakadal.

The accused persons have been served with attachment orders and prohibited from selling, leasing, mortgaging, transferring, or otherwise disposing of the attached properties, or creating any third-party interest therein, without prior permission of the competent authority.

This action forms part of the sustained campaign of Srinagar Police against the menace of drug trafficking and reflects its firm resolve to dismantle the financial infrastructure of narcotics networks by targeting assets acquired through the proceeds of the illicit drug trade.

Srinagar Police reiterated its commitment to making society drug-free and urged citizens to cooperate by sharing information related to drug trafficking with the nearest police station or through the Police Helpline.

--IANS

sq/dpb

Amaravati, July 17 (IANS) With the Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco sector in Andhra Pradesh being gripped by a crisis due to surplus crop, the State government is planning to limit the production in the coming season.

Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu said on Friday that farmers would be sensitised to limit production to 81 million kilograms for the 2026-27 season.

The Tobacco Board had authorised production of 142 million kg for Andhra Pradesh during the 2025-26 season, but actual production is estimated at nearly 240 million kg.

The surplus production, weak exports and sluggish procurement have pushed thousands of farmers into financial distress.

The agriculture minister on Friday held a teleconference on FCV tobacco procurement. Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Social Welfare Minister Dola Sri Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, Tobacco Board Chairman, the Executive Director (ED), and the Director of Agriculture participated in the meeting.

According to an official release, the discussions focussed on measures to accelerate tobacco procurement and ensure farmers receive a remunerative price.

Minister Atchannaidu noted that procurement have gained momentum over the past four days, with 8.5 lakh kilograms of tobacco being procured daily.

With the current maximum price at ₹250, Minister Atchannaidu urged the Tobacco Board to pressure tobacco-buying companies to further increase the price.

He stated that with the procurement gathering pace, there is possibility of farmers securing even better prices.

Minister Atchannaidu advised the Tobacco Board Chairman and Executive Director to hold discussions with companies to ensure that even lower-quality tobacco fetches a remunerative price.

During the previous season, FCV tobacco fetched over ₹360 per kg but this time the price has plummeted to below ₹250. The average auction price was only ₹219.50 per kg about 10 days ago.

The distress faced by farmers is attributed to failure in production planning, procurement and export policy.

Taxation has also added to the farmers’ woes. According to farmers, over 70 per cent increase in excise duty on cigarettes disrupted the tobacco value chain.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had written separate letters to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in May about the hardships being faced by FCV tobacco farmers because of the revised taxation policy on cigarettes.

The Chief Minister said the revised tax regime, effective from February 1, 2026, had adversely affected tobacco farmers in the State. He said the increase in GST on cigarettes from 28 per cent to 40 per cent, and a steep hike in excise duty ranging from ₹2,050 to ₹8,500 per 1,000 cigarettes depending on category and length, was affecting the interests of tobacco growers.

--IANS

ms/rad

New Delhi, July 17 (IANS) In a continuation of Operation Hard Ball, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Nitish Kaushal, an alleged associate of jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, in Vermont, the USA. The arrest is part of the FBI's ongoing investigation and crackdown on organised crime syndicates linked to gangsters of Indian origin.

Kaushal's arrest came just two days after the FBI placed him on its Most Wanted list.

"Nitish Kaushal is wanted by the FBI for his alleged involvement in a transnational criminal organisation engaged in, among other things, acts involving murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, extortion, weapons trafficking, money laundering, and human smuggling. This organisation originated in the Punjab state of India and operated in the Central District of California and elsewhere,” the FBI said in a post on X.

The FBI said that the Bhagwanpuria syndicate is involved in several serious offences, including murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, extortion, weapons smuggling, human trafficking and human smuggling.

Kaushal was part of the organisation and was involved in carrying out serious crimes, including kidnapping and assaults on behalf of the syndicate.

On June 25, the US District Court for the Central District of California had issued an arrest warrant against him. He had been charged with the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisation (RICO) Conspiracy.

Indian officials described the arrest as a welcome development, saying it would help dismantle the gangster-terror nexus. They said both networks operate in close coordination, with their activities backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), whose primary objective is to revive the Khalistan movement in Punjab through organised criminal and terror networks.

Operation Hard Ball, which began early this month, has been a sustained action by the FBI, and the drive aims at dismantling gangster networks. As many as 24 arrests have been made across the US, Canada and Spain so far as part of the campaign. There were also 37 indictments made in this case.

At the centre of the investigation is jailed Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. US prosecutors have accused him of orchestrating murders, extortion and international drug trafficking from prison in India through smuggled mobile phones. The FBI is also searching for Bishnoi's close aide, Goldy Brar, who carries a bounty of $50,000.

This action by the FBI and the Canadian authorities also led to a major revelation regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in June 2023.

Under then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, India was accused of being involved in the killing, an allegation New Delhi strongly denied. The row led to a sharp deterioration in diplomatic ties between the two countries. However, relations have improved significantly since Mark Carney took over as Canada's Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on several occasions on the sidelines of international events, with the two leaders agreeing to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors, including security. India has repeatedly warned the US, Canada and several other countries about the threat posed by the gangster-terror nexus, stressing that it endangers not only India but the wider international community as well.

An Intelligence Bureau official said Operation Hard Ball has exposed the fact that these syndicates are no longer confined to one region but have grown into a transnational security concern.

"Backed by Pakistan's ISI, these gangs have evolved into transnational criminal syndicates that pose a threat to several countries. They have expanded their drug trafficking operations and use violence and extortion to exert control over sections of the Indian diaspora," the official said.

The official said the biggest victims of these syndicates in Canada have been members of the Indian diaspora. Those who refused to support them were threatened and targeted, while more recently even Canadian nationals have come under attack. Their activities have declined following a sustained crackdown by US and Canadian authorities. The official added that India has consistently shared actionable intelligence, which has played a key role in enabling these operations.

--IANS

vn/snj/skp