PM Modi Arrives in Varanasi, Inaugurates Multiple Developmental Projects

A strong blast ripped through a wall of the CRPF school in Rohini's Prashant Vihar area Sunday morning sending shockwaves across the national capital and the country's top investigation agency, including the NIA, to the spot to find clues into the explosion.

No one was hurt in the incident.

Police said they were probing a possible Khalistani link to the incident after a post circulating on social media claimed that the explosion was in retaliation to the targeting of pro-Khalistan separatists allegedly by Indian agents.

Sources in Delhi Police said it was a low-intensity IED (Improvised Explosive Device) controlled with a timer or remote without shrapnel or ball bearings.

It is suspected that the perpetrators wanted to send a message to the authorities, a senior police officer told PTI.

On continuous hoax bomb calls received by airports, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Asangba Chuba Ao says, " This is something that is being looked into by the aviation regulator...very seriously...they are working towards finding out serious solutions.'

Condemning the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said those involved in this heinous act will not be spared and they will face the harshest response from the security forces.

A doctor and five labourers were killed in indiscriminate firing by terrorists at a tunnel construction site on the Srinagar-Leh national highway on Sunday, officials said.

"The dastardly terror attack on civilians in Gagangir, J&K, is a despicable act of cowardice. Those involved in this heinous act will not be spared and will face the harshest response from our security forces," Shah wrote on 'X'.

Expressing "immense grief" over the loss of lives, the home minister extended his sincerest condolences to the families of the deceased.

"Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured," he said.

Terrorists attacked a tunnel-construction site on the Srinagar-Leh highway in Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, killing a doctor and labourers. The assailants opened fire as workers returned to camp, with two labourers dying on the spot and others later succumbing to injuries. Five individuals are receiving treatment. Security forces have cordoned off the area, and top officials are assessing the situation. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concerns that casualty numbers may rise and condemned the attack.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is stepping in to probe the terror attack, with teams expected to arrive at the site shortly to gather evidence and ascertain the circumstances surrounding this heinous act.

The region has experienced periodic violence, raising concerns about the safety of migrant workers engaged in development projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The casualty figure from the Gagangir attack is not final as there are a number of injured labourers, both local & non-local. Praying that the injured make a full recovery as the more seriously injured are being referred to SKIMS, Srinagar," posts Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah 

Office of LG J&K tweets, "I strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack on civilians in Gagangeer. I assure the people that those behind this despicable act will not go unpunished. We have given full freedom to J&K Police, Army and Security forces."

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday condemned the "horrific" terror attack on migrant labourers in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district.

The terrorists opened fire on a camp housing labourers of a private company working on the construction of a tunnel in the Gund area of the district, they said.

Two labourers died on the spot while two others sustained injuries, the officials said, adding that further details are awaited.

In a post on X, the minister said that the "innocent labourers" were engaged in a vital infrastructure project in Gagangir, Sonamarg.

"I strongly condemn the horrific terror attack on innocent labourers in Gagangir, Sonamarg, Jammu & Kashmir, who were engaged in a vital infrastructure project," Gadkari said.

"I offer my humble tribute to the martyred labourers and extend my deepest condolences to their families during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with the injured for a swift and full recovery," he added.

The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held at Janata Maidan here from January 8 to 10 next, following approval from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, officials said on Sunday.

The event will be jointly organised by the Odisha government and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), a press statement said.

A five-member MEA delegation has already visited the venue to coordinate with state officials and various committees have been formed for smooth execution of the event, it said.

Notable attendees include President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union Ministers, and Majhi. The PM is expected to participate in the main event on the second day and launch the Pravasi Bharatiya Teerth Express, the statement added.

AJSU Party releases first list of 8 candidates for Jharkhand Assembly polls; its supremo Sudesh Mahto to contest from Silli.

A cyclonic circulation over the North Andaman Sea is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm and reach the Odisha-West Bengal coasts by October 24, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds in both the states, the Met office said on Sunday.

According to weather officials, wind speeds along and off the Odisha-West Bengal coasts are anticipated to reach 60 km/h from October 23, increasing to 120 km/h from October 24 night to October 25 morning.

Fishermen of both the states have been advised against venturing into the sea from October 23 to 26 as the condition is likely to remain rough.

The weather system is likely to develop into a low-pressure area by Monday afternoon, intensifying into a depression over east-central Bay of Bengal by October 22 and subsequently evolving into a cyclonic storm by October 24, the Met office said, adding that it is likely to bring light to moderate rainfall across many areas, with isolated heavy to very heavy downpours in the coastal areas of Bengal and Odisha from October 23 to 25.

IMD Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the system is likely to take the shape of a severe cyclonic storm. He said parts of Odisha are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall from October 23 onwards.

"Some places in the coastal region may experience 20 cm rainfall on October 24-25. The intensity of the spell may also increase to 20 to 30 cm, and above 30 at some places," he told a local TV channel in Bhubaneswar.

Amid a stalemate in the Maha Vikas Aghadi over the sharing of seats for the Maharashtra assembly polls, allies Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) met NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and held deliberations.

MVA sources said a seat-sharing deal is likely to be sealed in a day or two after arriving at consensus.

Pawar stayed put at YB Chavan Centre in Mumbai where Congress leader Naseem Khan, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Aaditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, Anil Parab, and NCP (SP)'s Anil Deshmukh called on him.

Senior Congress leaders from Maharashtra are in Delhi to attend the central election committee meeting, sources said.

"Talks among MVA allies are centred around 10 to 12 seats to decide which party can give a better candidate," they said.

Naseem Khan told PTI that discussions for building a consensus on the remaining 10 per cent of seats are in progress.

"Since Sharad Pawar is the architect of MVA we met him today and held talks," Khan said.

Senior Congress leader Ajoy Kumar on Sunday criticised the BJP over its allocation of party tickets for the upcoming Jharkhand assembly polls, saying familial ties continue to dominate the largest political party in the country.

"Once again, the BJP has proven that family matters more than the party," Kumar, an AICC executive committee member, said and argued that the allotment of tickets to family members of certain leaders exemplifies the party's double standards.

BJP relentlessly accuses opposition party on the issue of 'Parivarwad', he said, asking whether allotment of party tickets to former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar's daughter-in-law Purnima Das Sahu, former Union Minister Arjun Munda's wife Meera Munda and another former CM Champai Soren's son Babulal Soren fall under the same category.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the ruling NDA will retain all four seats and work hard to snatch the fifth seat from the opposition in the bypolls to be held next month.

By-elections will be held in Dholai, Sidli, Bongaigaon, Behali and Samaguri assembly segments as these seats fell vacant with their MLAs winning the Lok Sabha polls.

"In four out of five constituencies, we had our MLAs and they became parliamentarians. They have taken responsibility for the victory of the candidates in the upcoming bypolls. I am sure that we will be able to retain those four constituencies," he said.

"In the fifth constituency, we did not have an MLA. As a political party, we will try to win that also. If people bless us, we will be able to represent that seat too," he added.

A clash erupted between 2 groups in Delhi's Jahangirpuri, Bullets fired from both side left 1 dead. 

Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Sunday said he would not allow any dilution in the standards of teaching and faculty at all the new AIIMS set up across the country as he vowed to protect the institute's brand.

Addressing the BJMFCON 2024, a forum of doctors from Bihar and Jharkhand practising in Delhi-NCR, Nadda said AIIMS-Delhi was set up in the '60s but it was only in the '80s that it became a brand name.

"It takes 10 to 20 years for any institution to grow and function in full swing. I will not allow the dilution of the standards of AIIMS and will protect its brand name," Nadda said, adding that no compromise will be made in the faculty recruitment.

The health minister also said that the groundbreaking ceremony for AIIMS-Darbhanga will be held soon, while the commissioning of AIIMS-Deoghar has been done and recruitment of staff is presently underway.

Mumbai Police's crime branch investigating the Baba Siddique murder case on Sunday arrested a scrap dealer from Navi Mumbai for allegedly providing a weapon to shooters, taking the number of persons in custody so far to 10, an official said.

The accused has been identified as Bhagwat Singh Om Singh (32), originally from Udaipur in Rajasthan who is currently staying in Navi Mumbai.

Singh was produced before a court which remanded him to police custody till October 26, the official said.

Police have so far arrested 10 persons, including Bhagwant Singh, from various locations, including five from the Mumbai Metropolitan region for providing logistical support and firearms, in connection with Siddique's killing on October 12.

Two Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs), suspected to have been kept hidden by Maoists, were found in a forest in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district, police said on Sunday.

The recovery was made on the basis of a tip-off that some Maoists had hidden the SLRs in a forest after they escaped following a gunfight with the security forces in May, SP Ashutosh Shekhar said.

The seizure was made from the forest between Ladurudih and Surugada villages in the Karaikela police station area in a joint operation by the CRPF's 157 Battalion, Special Assault Team and district armed police, he said.

The search operation was still underway, he added.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the next government in Jharkhand will be formed by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an official function here, Sarma, the BJP's co-in-charge for Jharkhand Assembly elections, offered his best wishes to all the party candidates.

"We hope that the BJP will form the government in Jharkhand," he said.

Asked if the BJP will get an absolute majority on its own, Sarma said: "It is not my state, Jharkhand is a separate one. We are just guests there and guests can speak with limitations. Our leaders will speak there." He also said people will decide whether the party or NDA will get a majority in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly.

Experts from 18 countries will gather in Vrindavan on Monday for a four-day symposium to discuss the identification and prevention of Johne's disease, which affects ruminants and could also pose a potential health risk to humans as believed by some experts.

The '16th International Paratuberculosis Symposium' (ICP-2024) is being organised by the Department of Biotechnology, GLA University, Mathura, in collaboration with the US-based Paratuberculosis Association.

At the symposium, being held for the first time in Asia, scientists from India and abroad will present updates on the latest research on zoonotic diseases (those transmitted from animals to humans), the organisers said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced or inaugurated developmental projects worth Rs 6,700 crore here.

He made the announcements from Sports Complex, Sigra, in his parliamentary constituency.

Earlier, Modi inaugurated RJ Sankara eye hospital being run by the Kanchi Math.

The hospital will benefit people of 20 districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh as well as those living in the border areas of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, according to people associated with the Kanchi Math.

Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kama Koti Peetha Sri Shankar Vijayendra Saraswati Swami on Sunday said that God has blessed Narendra Modi and his government is 'NDA', which means "Narendra Damodar Das ka Anushasan".

Addressing a function after the inauguration of RJ Sankara Eye Hospital in Varanasi, Shankaracharya said, "God has blessed Narendra Damodar Das Modi and his government is 'NDA' Narendra Damodar Das ka Anushasan (discipline of Narendra Damodar Das)." He said that the government is doing beautiful work for the welfare of everyone as an ideal government in the world.

As many as 24 flights of Indian airlines received bomb threats on Sunday, according to sources.

IndiGo, Vistara, Akasa Air and Air India and Akasa Air are among the airlines that received bomb threats, including international flights, they added.

Six flights each of IndiGo, Vistara and Air India received the threats.

So far this week, more than 90 flights have received bomb threats and most of them have turned out to be hoaxes.

In separate statements, an IndiGo spokesperson said the airline is cognisant of a situation involving flight 6E 58 (Jeddah to Mumbai), 6E87 (Kozhikode to Dammam), 6E11 (Delhi to Istanbul), 6E17 (Mumbai to Istanbul), 6E133 (Pune to Jodhpur) and 6E112 operating (Goa to Ahmedabad).

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday released its first list of 99 candidates for the Maharashtra assembly elections, scheduled to be held on November 20. As per the list, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will contest from Nagpur South West, while state BJP president Chandrashekhar Krishnarao Bawankule will contest from the Kamthi seat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hit out at previous governments for neglecting eastern Uttar Pradesh and said Kashi's identity has for long been that of a centre of religion and spirituality but it will now emerge as a big centre of healthcare.

The prime minister was addressing the inauguration ceremony of the RJ Sankara Eye Hospital in his Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency.

Reciting the Sanskrit couplet "Tamaso ma jyotirgamay (lead me from darkness to light)", Modi also said that he was feeling "blessed" to be back in Varanasi again.

"For a long time, Kashi's identity has been that of a centre of religion and spirituality but now, it is also set to emerge as a big centre of healthcare with various top-of-the-line health treatment facilities now available in Varanasi," the prime minister said.

Akasa Air spokesperson says, "The following Akasa Air flights operating on October 20, received security alerts--QP 1102 flying from Ahmedabad to Mumbai, QP 1378 flying from Delhi to Goa, QP 1385 flying from Mumbai to Bagdogra, QP 1406 flying from Delhi to Hyderabad, QP 1519 flying from Kochi to Mumbai, QP 1526 flying from Lucknow to Mumbai. The Akasa Air Emergency Response team was immediately activated and initiated all standard operating procedures, including informing regulatory authorities and monitoring the situation in real-time."

Addressing at the inauguration ceremony of RJ Shankara Eye Hospital in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "RJ Sankara Eye Hospital is a blend of spirituality and modernity.  It will serve the elderly as well as the kids while providing employment to the youth..."

The Trinamool Congress on Saturday announced candidates for the November 13 by-elections to six assembly constituencies in West Bengal.

The bypolls were necessitated due to resignations of sitting MLAs of the six segments following their victory in this year's Lok Sabha elections.

The TMC fielded Sangita Roy from Sitai in Cooch Behar district, Jay Prakash Toppo from Madarihat in Alipurduar, Sanat Dey from Naihati, Sk Rabiul Islam from Haroa in North 24 Parganas, Falguni Singhababu from Taldangra in Bankura, and Sujoy Hazra from Medinipur in Paschim Medinipur district, the party said in a release.

The TMC won five of these seats in the 2021 assembly polls, except for Madarihat, which was held by the BJP. 

More than 20 flights of Indian airlines received bomb threats on Sunday, according to sources.

IndiGo, Vistara, Air India and Akasa Air are among the airlines that received bomb threats, including international flights, they added.

Six flights each of IndiGo, Vistara and Air India received the threats.

In separate statements, an IndiGo spokesperson said the airline is cognisant of a situation involving flight 6E 58 (Jeddah to Mumbai), 6E87 (Kozhikode to Dammam), 6E11 (Delhi to Istanbul), 6E17 (Mumbai to Istanbul), 6E133 (Pune to Jodhpur) and 6E112 operating (Goa to Ahmedabad).

Vistara said it got security threats for six flights -- UK25 (Delhi to Frankfurt), UK106 (Singapore to Mumbai), UK146 (Bali to Delhi), UK116 (Singapore to Delhi), UK110 (Singapore to Pune) and UK107 (Mumbai to Singapore).

The AAP on Sunday released a list of candidates for the November 13 bypolls to four assembly seats in Punjab.

The party shared the list on X.

The AAP has fielded Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon, who joined the party after quitting the Shiromani Akali Dal in August, from Gidderbaha.

It named Ishaan Chabbewal, the son of AAP Hoshiarpur MP Raj Kumar Chabbewal, as its candidate from Chabbewal (SC) segment.

Harinder Singh Dhaliwal is the party candidate from Barnala seat and Gurdeep Singh Randhawa from Dera Baba Nanak seat.

After the flight received a bomb threat on email, Alok Shrivastava (DCP, Rajasthan) said our team, and bomb disposal reached the spot on time.

Aircraft has been screened.

Nothing major has been discovered. 

A commission agent from the local grain market was shot dead by two bike borne assailants here, police said on Sunday.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates the RJ Sankara Eye Hospital. PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate development projects worth Rs 6100 crores on his visit to his constituency.

PM Narendra Modi arrives at Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport in Varanasi. CM Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel welcomes him at the airport.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh carries Hindu Swabhiman Yatra in Purnea.

Search operation by investigative and security agencies continues outside CRPF School in Prashant Vihar.

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive a warm welcome in Varanasi on Sunday, with BJP workers stationed at various points in the city to shower flower petals on him, party leaders said.

Police personnel have been deployed in adequate numbers in view of PM Modi's visit.

NSG commandos reach the spot, where a blast was reported near CRPF school in Prashant Vihar area, Rohini earlier today, as the investigation continues.

Protests erupted in Budhana town here over rumours that a youth arrested for allegedly making an "objectionable" social media post against Islam had been released by police

 An encounter between security forces and terrorists is underway along the Line of Control (LOC) in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army officially stated on Sunday.

In a post on X, the Indian Army's Chinar Corps said that a joint anti-infiltration Operation was launched in the area.

A loud blast took place near a CRPF school in Prashant Vihar area in Delhi's Rohini on Sunday morning. No one was injured in the incident, officials said.

PM Narendra Modi to visit Varanasi and lay the foundation stone of several development projects. 

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah flagged off the region’s first International Marathon at the Polo Stadium in Srinagar on Sunday.

 Over 2,000 runners participated in the event, which took place along the picturesque Dal Lake, marking a significant moment for Kashmir. Athletes from 13 countries, including top runners from Europe and Africa, joined the marathon.  

A blast was heard outside CRPF School in Rohini's Prashant Vihar area early in the morning. Police and FSL team present on the spot.

 Pakistan has reported 39 polio cases this year, with two fresh cases of the crippling disease being detected in the Sindh province, authorities said on Sunday.

The latest cases were confirmed on Saturday in the Sanghar and Mirpurkhas districts of the province, the Dawn newspaper reported.

A layer of fog engulfs parts of the national capital as air pollution has been on constant rise. The AQI at Anand Vihar area of Delhi has dropped to 454 recorded at 8:30 am, putting it under the 'Severe' category.
The AQI at Dwarka, sector-8, has fallen to 311 at 8:30 am, marked under the 'Very Poor' category.
The AQI at ITO in the national capital stood at 232 at 8:30 am, marked under the 'Poor' category.

A blast has been reported outside the CRPF School in the Prashant Vihar area of Rohini district on Sunday. 

Toxic foam seen floating on the Yamuna River as pollution level in the river rises.   

Long distance running great Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda won the men's elite race while Alemaddis Eyayu of Ethiopia took the women's title at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon here on Sunday.

 Mumbai court has granted bail to advertising firm director Bhavesh Bhinde, the prime accused in the case of a hoarding collapse in Ghatkopar area here that claimed 17 lives in May this year.

A day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's private residence was targeted in a drone attack from Lebanon, Iran's United Nations Mission on Saturday claimed that Lebanese militant group Hezbollah was behind the attack that was reported at Caesarea in Israel.

A layer of fog also engulfed Nehru Park and surrounding areas as the AQI dropped to 254, which is categorised as 'Poor' 

An infiltration attempt was foiled along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kamalkot, Uri sector of Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir, in which a terrorist was gunned down, on Sunday
Acting on intelligence from Baramulla Police, a joint operation was carried out by the Indian Army's 8 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Baramulla Police.

Omar Abdullah and actor Suniel Shetty flag off Kashmir's first-ever International Marathon from Polo Stadium, Srinagar.

The BJP on Saturday protested outside Chief Minister Atishi's residence on Mathura Road here and demanded that the CAG report be tabled in the Delhi Legislative Assembly.

A layer of smog engulfs the Akshardham and the surrounding areas as the AQI in the area rises to 353, categorised as 'Very Poor' as per the Central Pollution Control Board.