Month: March 2026

Shimla Police on Saturday clarified that allegations circulating on social media regarding a foreign national posing ‘suspiciously’ in the city are misleading and not supported by evidence.

In a fact-check statement issued on Friday, police said a complaint was received on Friday alleging that a person, who identified himself as a Bangladeshi Muslim on Instagram, was wandering around in Shimla in a different appearance and had reportedly visited the Kali Bari temple. The complaint further alleged that the individual was moving around in Lower and Middle Bazaars wearing a saree and extorting money from people.

Following a detailed investigation, police identified the person as Islam Mohammad Shahidul, son of Mohammad Sharif Ali, a native of Rajshahi, Bangladesh, currently residing in Shimla and studying at Alakh Prakash Goyal (APG) University. He is around 30 years old.

“During inquiry, it was found that the individual is a student of the Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC) course at APG University from 2024 to 2028 and is currently studying in the fourth semester,” Shimla Police said.

Police further stated that during questioning, the individual informed that he belongs to the transgender (Kinnar) community and is a devotee of Goddess Kali. “He visits temples such as Kali Bari and Jakhu temple and has been frequenting markets and temples during Navratri. No complaint has been received from any individual regarding extortion of money.

“However, he stated that if someone voluntarily offers money, he does not refuse,” the statement added.

Verification of documents confirmed that all his credentials are valid. “His old and current passports, Study Visa Type S-1, Stay Visa, National ID Card, university fee slips, and academic certificates were found to be genuine,” police said.

Shimla Police emphasised that no wrongdoing has been established so far, adding that further investigation into the matter is ongoing. (ANI)

Amid escalating tensions following recent attacks by Pakistan’s military in parts of Afghanistan, officials said that the process of delivering aid to residents of affected areas is ongoing, TOLO News reported.

Nooruddin Turabi, head of the National Disaster Management Authority, stated that aid distribution to residents displaced by the attacks is being carried out on the orders of the Prime Minister. He noted that the displaced population requires urgent and expanded support, and efforts are ongoing to address their needs.

“Anyone who has been displaced is being provided assistance based on our capacity. In coordination with other institutions, it has been decided that the eastern provinces will be assigned to the disaster management authority for aid delivery, while the southern provinces will be handled by Sermeyasht,” Turabi said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that military operations in Afghanistan would continue without a specific timeline, underscoring that there is no doubt about their continuation.

Political analyst Roman Shirzad criticised Pakistan, saying it has historically taken advantage of Afghanistan’s vulnerabilities. He urged Afghan institutions, including defence, interior, and intelligence bodies, to remain vigilant and prevent external influence, TOLO news reported.

Experts have warned that continued tensions between Kabul and Islamabad could have serious implications for regional stability. They noted that the ongoing conflict risks worsening security conditions and increasing broader instability in the region.

Another political analyst, Jannat Fahim Chakari, said the prolonged conflict could have severe political and economic consequences for both countries, TOLO News reported.

The developments come after Maulana Fazlur Rahman, leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, said at a press conference that Islamabad’s attempts to control the Afghan government have been a mistake, adding that a stable and independent Afghanistan would serve Pakistan’s interests. (ANI)

The United Arab Emirates on Saturday said that its air defence systems successfully intercepted multiple aerial threats, including 20 ballistic missiles and 37 unmanned aerial vehicles, launched from Iran.

According to an official statement shared by UAE Ministry of Defence, “The UAE air defences systems on 28th March 2026 engaged 20 ballistic missiles and 37 UAVs launched from Iran.” The interception comes amid what authorities described as continued hostile actions targeting the country.

Providing a broader operational update, the Ministry stated, “Since the start of the blatant Iranian attacks, UAE air defences have engaged 398 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,872 UAVs.” The figures underline the scale and persistence of the aerial threats faced by the UAE in recent weeks.

The Ministry confirmed, “The attacks resulted in the martyrdom of 2 members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, in addition to the martyrdom of a Moroccan civilian contracted by the Armed Forces, as well as 8 fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian and Indian nationalities.”

In addition to the fatalities, a significant number of individuals sustained injuries.

“A total of 178 people were also injured, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate and severe,” the statement said.

The injured included nationals from a wide range of countries, reflecting the diverse expatriate population residing in the UAE. Among those affected were citizens of the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Turkey, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia, Sweden and Tunisia.

The Ministry of Defence reiterated its readiness to respond to any future threats, emphasising its commitment to safeguarding national security. “The Ministry of Defence affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country, in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability and safeguards its interests and national capabilities,” the statement added.

The latest developments come amid heightened tensions in the region, with the UAE maintaining a high state of alert and continuing to strengthen its defensive measures against evolving aerial threats. (ANI)

The US Central Command on Saturday released the footage of its airstrikes on the Iranian naval vessels amid the heightened tensions in West Asia.

In a post on X, the US Central Command said, “For decades, Iranian naval vessels have threatened and harassed global shipping in regional waters, but those days are over.”

Meanwhile, Iran has claimed that the US has suffered “heavy casualties” in the strikes on two US Army “hideouts” in Dubai, as the conflict in West Asia continues, the State Media Tasnim News Agency reported.

According to the news agency, a spokesperson for the Central Headquarters of Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya said that more than 500 US Army personnel were in these “hideouts”, around 400 in the first and 100 in the second “hideout”.

The IRGC identified these locations and carried out precise missiles and drone strikes and inflicted heavy casualties, as per the spokesperson’s claims reported by the Tasnim News Agency.

The spokesperson claimed that the ambulances in Dubai were busy for hours transferring the dead and wounded Americans.

The spokesperson added, “Trump and the commanders of the US Army must have fully understood that the region will turn into a graveyard for American soldiers, and they will have no choice but to surrender to the divine will of the heroic people and the brave warriors of Islam.”

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned Gulf countries against backing the US-Israel. Pezeshkian advised countries not to allow the US-Israel to use their lands to strike Iran if they want to ensure development and security in their nation.

He reiterated that Iran will strongly retaliate against the US-Israel if the infrastructure or economic centres of Tehran are targeted.

“We have said many times that Iran doesn’t carry out preemptive attacks, but we will retaliate strongly if our infrastructure or economic centres are targeted,” Pezeshkian said in a post on X.

“To the countries of the region: If you want development and security, don’t let our enemies run the war from your lands,” he added. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Phase I of Noida International Airport at Jewar, calling it a symbol of “India’s new spirit” and highlighting its potential to drive development in Uttar Pradesh.

He emphasised that the airport will serve as a catalyst for development, creating opportunities for the youth and farmers of Uttar Pradesh while benefiting surrounding regions like Agra, Mathura, and Ghaziabad.

Phase I of the airport has been developed at a total investment of around Rs 11,200 crore under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

In his address, PM Modi said, “Today, we are beginning a new chapter of the Viksit Uttar Pradesh, Viksit Bharat campaign. The country’s largest state has today become one of the states with the highest number of international airports in the nation. I was fortunate to lay the foundation stone of this airport, and now I am also fortunate to inaugurate it. But I have shared this privilege with all of you. Today, we are beginning a new chapter of the Viksit Uttar Pradesh, Viksit Bharat campaign. The country’s largest state has today become one of the states with the highest number of international airports in the nation.”

“It will also bring opportunities for the farmers and youth of western Uttar Pradesh. The planes will fly, and it will become a symbol of the identity of a developed Uttar Pradesh. I congratulate the people of western Uttar Pradesh. Today’s event is a symbol of India’s new spirit,” he said.

“The Uttar Pradesh that made me a Member of Parliament has now also linked its identity with the name of this airport. This Noida airport will greatly benefit Agra, Mathura, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Etawah, and many other places,” he further said.

Despite the ongoing conflict in West Asia and energy disruption, PM Modi assured that the government is working to ensure the burden does not fall on common families and farmers.

“At a time when the world is worried due to ongoing conflict in West Asia and shortages of essentials like food, fuel and fertilisers, India is tackling the crisis with full strength. The government is ensuring that the burden does not fall on common families and farmers,” he said. (ANI)

Actor Preity Zinta shared her excitement after attending rock band Def Leppard’s concert in Mumbai, calling the experience a “full circle” moment.

Taking to social media, the actor revealed that the outing was a last-minute plan with actor Dino Morea, whom she referred to as her “concert buddy.”

“Sometimes last minute plans Rock..Thank you so much @thedinomorea ( my concert buddy ) for letting me pile on last minute for the @defleppard concert. I had a such a blast. The Mumbai heat did not dampen our spirits & it was so much fun. I had a such a blast. The Mumbai heat did not dampen our spirits & it was so much fun,” she wrote.

Zinta admitted that she was familiar with only a few songs by the band but left the concert delighted as they performed all of them. She described the experience as nostalgic and joyful, celebrating the spontaneity of last-minute plans and the company of close friends.

“I must confess I knew just four songs but went home happy cuz they played them all. Here’s to last minute plans, friends you can pile on to last minute & rock concerts that take you down memory lane. #ting,” she added.

Reflecting on a special memory, the actor shared that the band’s popular track “PS – Pour some sugar on me was a track I had on repeat, when I first came to Mumbai. Now this is what I call life coming full circle,” Preity concluded the post.

Mumbai recently witnessed a landmark night for rock music as legendary British band Def Leppard performed in the city for the first time, in a concert produced and promoted by BookMyShow Live. The evening began with a high-energy opening act by Indian rock band Indus Creed, who performed popular tracks like ‘Top of the Rock’, ‘Fireflies’ and ‘Pretty Child’.

Def Leppard’s setlist traced the full arc of their celebrated career, seamlessly weaving together iconic anthems, hitting it off with ‘Rejoice’, building momentum with ‘Let’s Get Rocked’, riding the riffs with ‘Heartbreak’, ‘Photograph’, ‘Rock of Ages’, ‘Animal’, ‘Foolin” and ended the night on a high with ‘Pour Some Sugar on Me’. Each track was met with thunderous roars, reverberating the venue with their unwavering energy, as fans relived the music that has defined decades of rock history, as per the press release.

Joe Elliot, the lead singer of the band, spoke about their excitement to perform in India and chuckled that it only took them 49 years to get here. Joe also took to the stage solo, performing ‘Two Steps Behind’ in a moment that had the entire crowd singing along. He shared that while fans often request a solo performance, this was the first time he had honoured that request, making the evening all the more memorable for fans in Mumbai. Reflecting on the band’s journey, Joe added, “If someone had told us back then that we’d one day perform for a crowd in India, I would have laughed. When you’re 16 or 17 and starting a band, you never imagine it going this far.”

The concert drew fans across generations, with families, long-time followers and new listeners coming together to celebrate rock music. Following earlier performances in Shillong, the Mumbai concert marked another major stop in the band’s India tour, with Bengaluru set to host the final leg. (ANI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of using the “victim card” in politics while releasing the BJP’s chargesheet against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.

He accused Mamata Banerjee of pretending to be a victim during elections, adding that the people of Bengal have now understood her tactics.

The state will conduct elections in two phases, on April 23 and April 29, with counting of votes for both phases scheduled for May 4.

Addressing the press conference in Kolkata, Shah said, “Mamata Banerjee has always played the politics of the victim card. At times, she gets her leg broken; at other times, she has her head bandaged; sometimes she falls ill; and then again, she stands before the Election Commission feigning helplessness while hurling abuses at the institution. But I have come to tell her that the people of Bengal have now thoroughly understood this politics of the victim card…”

Further, Shah pointed out that only in Bengal were judicial officers deployed during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), a situation not seen anywhere else in the country.

He said that the BJP would not only remove infiltrators from the voter list but also expel them from the country.

“SIR is happening across the entire country, yet nowhere else did judicial officers have to be deployed–only in Bengal. What is the reason for this?… Mamata Banerjee should answer this to the people of Bengal… She is levelling allegations against SIR; however, today I wish to ask the people of Bengal: should those infiltrators who have been kept here be allowed to decide the future of Bengal?… I want to make it clear on behalf of the BJP that we are resolved to identify and expel every single infiltrator from the country, not merely from the voter lists but from across the entire nation, and this is my party’s agenda,” he said.

“On May 6, the BJP government will be formed in West Bengal, and within 45 days, the land required for fencing the border will be provided by the Bengal BJP government to the Government of India, and we will stop infiltration,” he further said.

Shah criticised West Bengal Chief Minister for including 77 communities in the OBC category, claiming that 75 of them were Muslim communities. He questioned whether OBC status should now be determined based on religion.

“The people of Bengal should know that Mamata Banerjee included 77 communities in the OBC category, out of which 75 are Muslim communities. Are there no other communities left? Will OBC now be decided on the basis of religion? This will not continue for long,” he said.

Shah said that after the BJP comes to power, it will provide a 5-year age relaxation for young people whose age limits had expired due to recruitment scams.

He also assured that these individuals would be given an opportunity in SSC recruitments, with a focus on ensuring a transparent recruitment process.

“In the numerous recruitment scams that have occurred, the age limit for many young people has already expired. We will provide a 5-year relaxation in this, and for those young people whose age limit for recruitment has expired, we will also give them an opportunity in SSC recruitments, along with ensuring a transparent recruitment process,” he said. (ANI)

Two more merchant vessels carrying petroleum products for India are crossing Strait of Hormuz. Indian Navy warships are on standby to provide support to them, sources told ANI.

More vessels are expected to follow soon, the sources added.

Earlier, Speaking at a joint inter-ministerial briefing, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Rajesh Kumar Sinha said authorities are closely monitoring the situation and maintaining coordination with various stakeholders.

“In the Gulf region, there has been no information in the last 24 hours regarding any incident involving Indian-flagged ships or Indian seafarers. All are safe,” Sinha said.

He added that Indian ships operating in the Persian Gulf are also safe.

“In the Persian Gulf, there are 20 ships sailing under the Indian flag, with around 540 Indians onboard, and they are also safe,” he said.

Sinha further said the Directorate General of Shipping has been actively responding to queries and concerns through its communication centre.

“In the last 24 hours, the DG Shipping communication centre, which operates 24 hours a day, received 98 calls and 335 emails, all of which were responded to,” he said.

On Friday, India reiterated its urgent call for the preservation of safe and uninterrupted maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz, emphasising that international law must be upheld amidst the deteriorating security situation in West Asia. The government confirmed it is maintaining a vigilant watch over regional volatilities to protect national energy interests.

During the weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that New Delhi is actively coordinating with global partners to ensure stability.

“We are closely following all developments in West Asia. We continue to call for ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as a matter of priority,” Jaiswal noted.

Providing a significant update on maritime safety, the spokesperson revealed that four Indian-bound vessels transporting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) successfully navigated the strategic chokepoint. (ANI)

Ahead of state assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, with West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and BJP State President Samik Bhattacharya, released the BJP’s “charge sheet” in Kolkata against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.

Addressing the press conference in Kolkata, Shah asserted that the upcoming elections in Bengal will be a choice between “fear and trust.”

He criticised Mamata Banerjee’s leadership, accusing her of fostering a politics of lies, violence, and corruption over the past 15 years.

The state will conduct elections in two phases, on April 23 and April 29, with counting of votes for both phases scheduled for May 4.

Shah said, “In the coming elections, Bengal has to choose between fear and trust. For the last 15 years, politics of fear and corruption has been going on. Mamata Banerjee has created a new way of politics by using lies and violence to move her politics forward. The basis of TMC coming to power is lies, fear and violence. But since 2011, BJP has been fighting against this, and I believe that this time BJP will form the government in Bengal.”

“In today’s press conference, we have come with a chargesheet against the 15 years of rule by the TMC government. This chargesheet is filed against the Mamata Banerjee government on behalf of the people of Bengal, which the BJP is voicing. In a way, the people of Bengal have to decide in the coming elections whether to choose fear or to choose trust,” he said.

Shah expressed confidence that, despite these tactics, the BJP, which has been opposing such practices since 2011, will form the next government in Bengal.

He also praised Suvendu Adhikari for his extensive tour of the state, addressing key issues.

“Elections have been announced in Bengal. All BJP workers, under the leadership of our state president, have stepped into Bengal with the resolve to form a BJP government. This election in Bengal is also very important for national security. The security of the entire eastern region is connected to Bengal. After the BJP government was formed in Assam, infiltration has almost ended. Now, only one route remains from where infiltrators enter the entire country, and that is Bengal,” he said.

“Our opposition leader, Shri Suvendu Adhikari ji, has also toured the entire Bengal before the elections, taking the issues of disorder, anarchy, economic distress, and especially infiltration prevalent in Bengal to every individual,” he said.

He criticized the TMC for failing to deliver on its promise of a “Sonar Bangla,” turning Bengal into a hub for criminal syndicates and stifling industrial growth, which he described as a “graveyard for industry.”

“This chargesheet is a compilation of the dark deeds of the TMC government over 15 years. It is the story of a regime that established syndicate rule by dangling the dream of Sonar Bangla and exploiting the people of Bengal. Under TMC’s misrule, Bengal has turned into a laboratory for corruption. Criminal syndicates are tormenting the public from top to bottom. In the absence of development, Bengal has become, in a way, a graveyard for industry,” he said. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that Cuba was ‘next’.

Trump, while delivering remarks at the Future Investment Initiative, gave remarks on Cuba after he was talking about US strikes on Iran.

“And Cuba’s next, by the way. But pretend I didn’t say that. Cuba’s next,” he said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Cuba was a disaster because its economic system does not work.

“The reason why Cuba doesn’t have oil or fuel is because they want it for free. Cuba is a disaster because their economic system doesn’t work,” Rubio had said.

Earlier on March 26, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Thursday said that health should be protected at all costs and never be at the mercy of geopolitics, energy blockades and power outages with respect to Cuba.

Ghebreyesus said that the situation in Cuba is deeply concerning as the country struggles to maintain health service delivery.

“Health should be protected at all costs and never be at the mercies of geopolitics, energy blockades and power outages. The situation in Cuba is deeply concerning as the country struggles to maintain health service delivery at a time of immense turbulence, leading to energy shortages that have been affecting health.”

The first boat in a humanitarian aid flotilla has arrived in Cuba to support the island amid a worsening US energy blockade that is deepening its economic and energy crises, as per Al Jazeera.

A boat carrying about 30 people, including food, medicine, solar panels, and bicycles, arrived in Havana, the capital city, on Tuesday, part of the “Nuestra America” or “Our America” convoy that set out from Mexico last week, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The convoy comes as US President Donald Trump and his allies continue to express their desire for regime change in Cuba, using greater energy restrictions to further degrade the Cuban economy. Trump has stated that he could “take” Cuba and select a government more amenable to US demands.

The vessel on Tuesday — called the “Granma 2.0” in reference to the boat that ferried Cuban revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro to the island as part of an effort to overthrow the regime of US-backed strongman Fulgencio Batista — departed from Puerto Progreso, in Merida, Mexico, last week. Two other vessels are also en route, as reported by Al Jazeera. (ANI)