Month: March 2026

Two Indian flagged LPG carrying vessels have transited through the Strait of Hormuz and now are on their way to India with approximately 92,700 Metric Tons of LPG. Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Shipping Ministry on Friday informed that the vessels Shivalik and Nanda Devi are now expected on March 16 and 17.

“All Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf region are safe, and no untoward incidents involving them have been reported over the last 24 hours. There were 24 Indian-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf, situated to the west of the Strait of Hormuz. Among these, two vessels–the Shivalik and the Nanda Devi, Indian-flagged vessels, both LPG carriers. They safely transited the Strait of Hormuz late last night/early this morning and are now proceeding towards India. These vessels are carrying approximately 92,700 metric tons of LPG; their ports of arrival will be Mundra and Kandla, with expected arrival dates of March 16 and March 17, respectively. Consequently, there are now 22 Indian-flagged vessels remaining in the Persian Gulf, carrying a total of 611 seafarers,” the secretary said.

The Secretary said that it is working in close coordination with ship owners to ensure safety of the Indian crew members.

“The Ministry, specifically the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) is closely monitoring the situation regarding all these Indian-flagged vessels and the Indian seafarers on board, in coordination with ship owners, RPSN agencies, and Indian diplomatic missions. Over the past 24 hours, DG Com–the communication centre of DG Shipping received 312 phone calls and 460 emails. These communications were received from seafarers, their family members, and other stakeholders within the maritime sector, and appropriate responses have been issued. Looking at the past 15 days in this context, we have received over 2,500 phone calls and approximately 5,000 emails, all of which have been duly responded to,” he said.

Meanwhile, the representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader in India, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, on Saturday reiterated that Indian vessels would be allowed to pass through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict in West Asia.

Speaking in an interview with ANI, Ilahi responded affirmatively, “Of course, of course. Yes,” when asked whether Indian ships would be allowed to pass through the Strait. When asked to elaborate on the matter, Ilahi said, “I heard that our embassy tried to provide an opportunity for some Indian ships to cross the Strait of Hormuz.”

He further claimed that the Iranian leadership had been informed about expressions of sympathy from people in India and said Tehran was mindful of India’s energy needs.

“They (Indians) show their loyalty to the oppressed people. Even with the children of the girls’ school, which is attacked by the United States, they show their sympathy, their solidarity. We informed our people in Iran of the sympathy and solidarity of our brothers and sisters in India. And we said that now also they are suffering from a shortage of gas and a shortage of petrol, and we have to provide for them and help them and support them,” Ilahi added.

More than 20 million barrels of crude oil pass daily through the narrow channel separating the Iranian coast from Oman. That volume represents roughly a fifth of global oil consumption and nearly a quarter of all seaborne oil trade. A significant share of the world’s liquefied natural gas also moves through the same passage. When that flow falters even briefly, the consequences cascade across financial markets, supply chains and household budgets around the world. (ANI)

The representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader in India, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, on Saturday reiterated that Indian vessels would be allowed to pass through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict in West Asia.

Speaking in an interview with ANI, Ilahi responded affirmatively, “Of course, of course. Yes,” when asked whether Indian ships would be allowed to pass through the Strait.

When asked to elaborate on the matter, Ilahi said, “I heard that our embassy tried to provide an opportunity for some Indian ships to cross the Strait of Hormuz.”

The current round of conflict in West Asia, which started on February 28, has witnessed fighting between Israel and the United States on one side and Iran on the other.

The conflict escalated following the killing of 86-year-old Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel, after which Iran, in its retaliation, targeted Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries and Israel, causing disruption in the waterway and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability.

Due to the conflict in the region, Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy supply.

Ilahi further said that the special concessions for India on the passage of vessels were a reflection of the Indian public showing solidarity with the Iranian regime against what he described as “oppression” by the US and its allies.

“I can say the majority of Indian people are with Iran. They condemned the oppression. They follow justice. And they don’t want war. Even I can say they are against the war,” he said.

He further claimed that the Iranian leadership had been informed about expressions of sympathy from people in India and said Tehran was mindful of India’s energy needs.

“They (Indians) show their loyalty to the oppressed people. Even with the children of the girls’ school, which is attacked by the United States, they show their sympathy, their solidarity. We informed our people in Iran of the sympathy and solidarity of our brothers and sisters in India. And we said that now also they are suffering from a shortage of gas and a shortage of petrol, and we have to provide for them and help them and support them,” Ilahi added.

He also noted that the Iranian embassy had attempted several times to assist in resolving the issue for the “dear brothers and sisters in India”.

Earlier today, two Indian flagged vessels carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) were granted transit through the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian authorities.

One of them is the Shivalik, which, as per the Vessel traffic monitoring site marinetraffic, was last reported to be in the Gulf of Oman and expected to reach its destination by March 21. (ANI)

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has claimed that its forces carried out operations against Pakistani military positions along the disputed Durand Line, as tensions between the two neighbours continue to escalate following cross-border airstrikes and artillery exchanges.

In a statement, the Afghan Defence Ministry said its forces conducted operations in the eastern zone covering Kunar and Nangarhar provinces in response to what it described as actions by Pakistan’s military regime.

“In response to the crimes committed by the Pakistani military regime, Afghan Defense Forces carried out operations along the Durand Line in the eastern zone of Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. During the operation… which resulted in the killing of 14 soldiers and the injury of 11 others. An armored tank and an International vehicle were also completely destroyed and taken out of service,” the Islamic Emirate’s MoD said.

As part of their ‘RejectOppression’ campaign, Afghan forces had earlier launched an airstrike on Pakistan’s strategic military centre.

“In continuation of the ongoing ‘RejectOppression’ retaliatory operation At about 5:00 PM today, Afghan Air Forces carried out an airstrike on the Pakistani military’s strategic center, ‘Hamza’ in Faizabad, Islamabad…” the Islamic Emirate’s statement said.

The development follows the earlier airstrike that Pakistan conducted in Afghanistan, which Kabul said caused civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure.

Officials from Kam Air also confirmed to Tolo News that the airline’s fuel reserves stored at Kandahar Airport were hit during airstrikes carried out by Pakistan’s Air Force (PAF) on Friday.

They added that the fuel stock had been kept for this year’s Hajj flights, raising concerns about disruptions to aviation operations.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid also accused Pakistan of striking civilian infrastructure. In a post on X, Mujahid said the targeted fuel facility supplied domestic airlines and aircraft operated by the United Nations.

He further alleged that Pakistan had previously targeted fuel storage belonging to a trader named Haji Khan Zadah.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said the latest strikes have also resulted in more civilian casualties.

“UNAMA documented at least four civilian deaths and 14 injured, including women and children, as a result of airstrikes in Pul-e-Charkhi area in Kabul Afghanistan last night. We continue to call for an immediate cessation in hostilities to prevent further loss of civilian life,” the mission said.

It added that civilians were bearing the brunt of the renewed violence.

“Civilians, mostly women and children, continue to pay the price for the latest escalation in cross-border violence. Since 26 February, UNAMA has recorded at least 75 civilians killed and 193 injured in Afghanistan as a result of ongoing armed clashes,” the mission said.

According to Tolo News, Pakistan’s military had earlier targeted areas in the Alisher-Terezai district of Khost province near the Durand Line using artillery fire. Four members of a family were killed and three others were injured in the shelling.

The latest escalation comes amid a growing cycle of airstrikes and cross-border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan along the Durand Line.

Relations between the two countries have remained strained since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Pakistan has repeatedly accused Kabul of allowing militant groups to operate from Afghan territory.

On February 26, Pakistan had launched “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq” (Righteous Fury) and declared what it described as “open war” against the Afghan Taliban after the initial airstrikes on Afghanistan.

Islamabad, as per a Geo News report, had said the strikes targeted militant bases and came amid a rise in suicide bombings in Pakistan, claiming that the attackers were operating from Afghan territory.

However, Pakistan has not provided credible proof to justify its belligerent actions against Afghanistan. In the initial airstrikes, too, dozens of women and children were among those who bore the brunt of the attacks, as per a Reuters report.

In response, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan announced a retaliatory campaign, which they named “Radd-e-Zulm”. The IEA said its operation would continue until what it described as Pakistan’s attacks stop, according to TOLOnews. (ANI)

Iran’s Army chief has issued a stern warning that the deaths of crew members from the IRIS Dena warship in the Indian Ocean “will not go unanswered”, as reported by Al Jazeera, citing Iran’s state news agency IRNA.

Major General Amir Hatami, commander-in-chief of the Iranian army, condemned the attack on the vessel, one of the country’s newest warships, which occurred while it was returning from a military exercise.

According to the report, Hatami was quoted by IRNA as saying, “The crew of the Dena destroyer had completed a peaceful mission and were targeted while on their way back to Iran.”

He emphasised that the sailors faced the assault “despite not being engaged in a direct battle”.

Paying tribute to the fallen personnel, Hatami stated, “The name of Dena and the sacrifice of its crew will remain a symbol of courage and dedication in Iran’s naval history.”

He further affirmed Iran’s resolve, adding, “The army will defend Iran’s maritime borders and strengthen its naval power with even greater determination.”

This stance was reinforced on Friday when the Iranian administration released pictures of the coffins of the fallen IRIS Dena sailors.

In a post on X, the Iranian embassy in India stated, “The pure and honoured bodies of the naval martyrs who lost their lives in the terrorist attack by US forces on the IRIS Dena warship.”

Providing further details on the incident, Esmaeil Baqaei, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, on Tuesday paid tributes to the sailors killed after the frigate was torpedoed and sunk by a US submarine approximately 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle, Sri Lanka.

Baqaei called the action by the United States a “war crime” and a violation of international laws, underlining that the Iranian people would not forget it.

He noted on X that the Dena had been officially invited by the Indian Navy to participate in a joint naval exercise and a port visit before it was attacked near the coasts of India and Sri Lanka.

The spokesperson claimed that the United States deliberately obstructed rescue operations for the sailors.

He argued that this act constitutes aggression under UN General Assembly Resolution 3314 and a grave violation of the laws of war, including Geneva Convention II and Additional Protocol I.

The IRIS Dena sank south of Sri Lanka on 4 March after being struck by a US submarine torpedo approximately 20 nautical miles west of Galle.

Following the incident, the Indian Navy deployed vessels, including INS Tarangini and INS Ikshak, along with P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, to assist Sri Lanka-led search and rescue operations. Of the estimated 180 crew members on board the vessel, around 87 sailors were reported dead. Approximately 32 survivors were rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy and admitted to hospitals in Galle. (ANI)

As the Centre revoked the detention of Sonam Wangchuk with immediate effect, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor welcomed the decision and urged the Supreme Court to evolve a strict norm for maximum periods of detention permissible without trial.

In a post on X, Tharoor criticised the “indefinite detention” without trial, calling it an “undemocratic practice from the colonial era” which he said has no place in a mature democracy.

“Delighted that the Centre has revoked Sonam Wangchuck’s detention, but 169 days seems to have been an inordinately long time. The @SupremeCourtGOI needs to evolve a strict norm for maximum periods of detention permissible without trial. Indefinite detention is an undemocratic practice left over from the colonial era. It has no place in a mature democracy,” he said.

The government has decided to revoke the detention of Sonam Wangchuk with immediate effect by exercising the powers available under the National Security Act (NSA), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Saturday.

MHA said the government remains committed to fostering an environment of peace, stability, and mutual trust in Ladakh so as to facilitate constructive and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders, and that the decision to revoke Wangchuk’s detention has been taken in furtherance of this “objective and after due consideration”.

It further said that the government has been actively engaging with various stakeholders and community leaders in Ladakh with a view to addressing the aspirations and concerns of the people of the region.

However, the MHA pointed out, the prevailing atmosphere of bandhs and protests has been detrimental to the peace-loving character of the society and has adversely affected various sections of the community, including students, job aspirants, businesses, tour operators, tourists and the overall economy.

“The government reiterates its commitment to providing all necessary safeguards for Ladakh. It remains hopeful that the issues concerning the region will be resolved through constructive engagement and dialogue, including through the mechanism of the High-Powered Committee as well as other appropriate platforms,” added the MHA.

In the backdrop of the serious law and order situation that arose in the peace-loving town of Leh on September 24, 2025, Wangchuk was detained on September 26, 2025, under the provisions of the NSA pursuant to an order issued by the District Magistrate, Leh, with a view to maintaining public order. Wangchuk has already undergone nearly half of the period of detention under the said Act.

Earlier, on February 26, the Supreme Court scheduled the final hearing on a plea challenging climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s detention under the National Security Act for March 10. The Court also questioned whether his speeches and social media posts could legitimately be interpreted as provocative and linked to the Leh violence of September 24, 2025. (ANI)

Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is confident of winning all five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar and asserted that the decision on the next Chief Minister of the state will be taken by the alliance’s top leadership.

Speaking to the media here, Jha said meetings of the JD(U) legislature party are being organised as part of the party’s preparations for the upcoming political developments in the state. “The Legislature party meeting is being held at the residence of Upendra Kushwaha, tomorrow the meeting will be held at Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary’s residence,” he said.

Expressing confidence in the NDA’s prospects in the Rajya Sabha elections, Jha said the alliance expects a clean sweep. “We will win all five Rajya Sabha seats,” he said.

On the question of who would succeed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Jha said the matter would be decided collectively by the top leaders of the NDA. “The top leaders of the NDA will decide who will become the next CM of Bihar,” he said.

The remarks come amid political developments in Bihar after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar recently filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections, signalling the end of his long tenure as the state’s Chief Minister. Kumar had earlier emphasised that Bihar is steadily progressing with the support of the central government.

Addressing a gathering during the Samriddhi Yatra in Madhepura earlier this week, Nitish Kumar said development work in the state is moving forward steadily. “Development is taking place in the district today. Bihar is also receiving full cooperation from the central government. Now, Bihar will progress in every way and will be among the country’s progressive states,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar formally joined the JD(U) on March 8. Addressing party workers after joining, Nishant Kumar praised his father’s leadership and said he would work to uphold the trust placed in him. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday performed Bhoomi Poojan of the Shillong-Silchar Corridor, the first access-controlled Greenfield four-lane High-Speed Corridor in North-East India.

The 166 km corridor, with an investment of around Rs 22,860 crore, will significantly improve connectivity between Meghalaya and Assam.

The project will reduce the distance between Guwahati and Silchar and cut travel time from 8.5 hours to approximately 5 hours, boosting economic growth and cross-border trade in the region, according to a release.

Speaking at the occasion, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “India is moving forward with the resolve to transform itself into a developed nation. On behalf of Assam, it is our endeavour that as India becomes developed, our Assam, too, will emerge as a strong and robust state. This is our goal. Elections in Assam are just around the corner. On behalf of the Barak Valley and the people of Assam, I wish to convey this message to the Prime Minister: The people of Assam will bring back the Modi government”.

The Prime Minister also performed Bhoomi Poojan for an elevated corridor on NH-306 from Trunk Road near Capital Point to Rangirkhari Point in Silchar (Phase I).

The project will decongest one of Silchar’s busiest roads, improve connectivity with neighbouring states such as Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur, and contribute to the economic development of the Barak Valley.

He laid the foundation stone for a new College of Agriculture at Patharkandi in the Karimganj district. The institution will strengthen the ecosystem of agricultural education and research in Assam and provide students from the Barak Valley and neighbouring regions access to high-quality agricultural education closer to home.

On March 13, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various development works worth over Rs 4,570 crore in Kokrajhar, Assam.

In Guwahati, the Prime Minister dedicated and initiated 13 projects worth Rs 19,577.58 crore spanning multiple sectors of hydrocarbons, power, shipping, railways, etc. at a programme held at Jyoti Bishnu Antarjataik Kala Mandir in the presence of Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

At the same programme, Prime Minister Modi handed over land ownership to tea workers, ushering in a new dawn of development in the state. The Prime Minister, on the occasion, also released the 22nd PM KISAN instalment across the country. (ANI)

New video footage has captured the “moment Iran’s IRGC aerospace launched swarm of drones at US-Israeli positions,” providing a detailed look at a highly coordinated aerial offensive initiated from a remote desert facility.

The visuals, shared in a post on X and on Telegram by state broadcasters, show several delta-wing drones positioned along a paved runway under a bright sun.

Upon ignition, the drones launch simultaneously, emitting bright orange flashes from their boosters and kicking up dense clouds of dust and sand.

As the sequence progresses, the camera captures the drones ascending rapidly into the sky, leaving behind thick white smoke trails.

The footage transitions to show the aircraft flying in a tight formation across the horizon, moving away from the launch site as part of the reported “swarm” deployment.

Earlier another state media outlet showed the display of a portion of the IRGC Drone Power in a large tunnel.

Coinciding with the release of these visuals, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed the launch of the 48th phase of its retaliatory campaign.

In a statement released on Saturday, the IRGC announced the “successful execution of the 48th wave of its ongoing retaliatory Operation True Promise 4 against Zionist and American targets.”

This latest offensive was reportedly carried out in coordination with the Lebanese resistance group, Hezbollah.

Military officials identified the primary targets within the occupied territories as being situated in the northern sector, specifically focusing on “Galilee, Golan, and the occupied city of Haifa.”

Beyond these areas, several “American bases throughout the region” were also struck during this stage of the conflict.

According to Press TV, the 48th wave utilised a sophisticated mix of weaponry, including “solid-fuel Kheibar Shekan missiles, liquid-fuel Qadr missiles, and attack drones.”

This follows the earlier completion of the 47th wave, which took place on Friday.

The previous 47th phase targeted strategic locations such as the “Negev Desert, including Nevatim,” which is home to one of the largest airbases in the region.

Other strikes were directed at “Be’er Sheva,” described as a technological hub, and the city of “Lod.”

Notably, the IRGC also reported hitting “al-Udaid,” identified as the “United States’ most important airbase in the West Asia region,” located in Qatar.

The operation further extended to the “hiding places of the anti-Iran Komala terrorist group,” employing both “solid-fuel Kheibar Shekan missiles and liquid-fuel Qadr missiles.”

Press TV further reported that during the 46th wave, which also occurred on Friday, the IRGC utilised “Khorramshahr, Kheibar Shekan, Emad, and Qadr missiles.”

Highlighting the impact on the ground, the Corps noted the psychological toll of the strikes, stating, “Siren to siren and a scramble to enter shelters, this is the current state of the Zionists at this moment.”

Since the onset of hostilities late last month, the IRGC has reportedly deployed “hundreds of ballistic and hypersonic missiles as well as attack drones.”

On the defensive front, the Corps claimed to have downed five invading aircraft on Friday, including “Orbiter 4, Hermes, and MQ-9 Reaper drones.”

Military records cited by the state broadcaster indicate that a total of “114 reconnaissance and combat drones” have been neutralised by Iran’s “advanced air defence systems” since the start of the aggression.

In a final escalation of the psychological campaign, the IRGC has reportedly begun sending Hebrew text messages to residents within the occupied territories.

The warning message stated, “By the permission of God, we will bring upon you days of darkness in which you will wish for death, but you will not find it.” (ANI)

The United States State Department has announced a bounty of USD 10 million for intelligence leading to Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, alongside several other high-ranking Iranian officials.

The move on Friday follows an escalation in regional hostilities after coordinated US-Israeli strikes targeted Iranian military installations, which were met with retaliatory missile and drone offensives across the Middle East on February 28.

The incentive was launched via the State Department’s “Rewards for Justice” initiative. This programme provides financial compensation for information that assists in finding or bringing to justice individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism directed at the United States.

In addition to Khamenei, the programme’s updated list includes Iran’s interior minister and the minister of intelligence and security.

In a social media update, Rewards for Justice stated, “Got information on these Iranian terrorist leaders? Send us a tip. It could make you eligible for a reward and relocation.”

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump claimed that the Iranian government is “about to surrender” in the face of the ongoing Middle East crisis.

According to Axios, which cited officials from G7 nations, the President made these comments during a virtual summit with world leaders on Wednesday. During the Group of Seven discussions regarding the results of Operation “Epic Fury,” Trump reportedly told allies that he had “got rid of a cancer that was threatening us all.”

As the regional conflict enters its second week with persistent drone and missile exchanges, the US President launched a scathing verbal attack on Tehran’s leadership, labelling them “deranged scumbags.”

He further remarked that it was his “great honour” to eliminate them. Discussing the extensive military campaign against Iran, the President asserted that Washington is conducting operations to “destroy the terrorist regime of Iran” through military means. (ANI)

A health update on Bigg Boss 17 contestant and YouTuber Anurag Dobhal has left his fans worried after his manager said his condition has become “serious and worse”.

Dobhal is currently receiving medical care following a car crash earlier this month.

He was hospitalised after his car collided with a divider on the Delhi-Dehradun highway while he was streaming live on Instagram. Following the accident, he was admitted to the hospital.

In the early hours of Saturday, his manager, Rohit Panday, took to Instagram Stories to provide an update on the YouTuber’s health. He stated that Dobhal’s condition, which had initially been “stable”, had later deteriorated due to complications.

“Update: Anurag Bhai’s condition was stable until this morning, but it has become serious and worse because his lungs were partially damaged in the accident, which led to a severe infection. He has been diagnosed with severe pneumonia,” his Instagram story read.

Panday further informed followers that Dobhal is under close medical supervision and asked everyone to pray for his recovery. “He is currently under the supervision of doctors. We would request you all to pray for him.”

For context, Dobhal, one of India’s most popular motovloggers who also appeared on Bigg Boss 17, allegedly attempted to commit suicide during the livestream earlier this month. In the video, he spoke about challenges in his personal life and indicated that the clip could be his “last video”.

According to Dobhal, he had been under mental pressure from family members following his inter-caste marriage. (ANI)