Security forces have intensified their combing operations in the dense West Bastar forests after a fierce encounter left 12 Maoists dead and claimed the lives of three DRG personnel.

A coordinated offensive involving teams of DRG Bijapur-Dantewada, STF, CRPF and CoBRA unfolded deep inside Maoist-dominated terrain early Wednesday. According to Bijapur SP Dr Jitendra Yadav, the forces came under sustained Naxal gunfire around 9 am, triggering a prolonged encounter.

By afternoon, the bodies of 12 Maoist cadres had been recovered, while weapons seized from the area included SLR rifles, INSAS rifles, .303 rifles and other ammunition. Bastar Range IG Sundarraj P confirmed that identification of the deceased Maoists is still underway.

Three DRG personnel killed, two injured

The operation came at a grave cost, with three DRG personnel — Head Constable Monu Waddi, Constable Dukaru Gonde and Jawan Ramesh Sodi — losing their lives. Two others sustained injuries but are reported to be out of danger after receiving medical care.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai paid tribute to the fallen personnel and lauded the forces, stating that the action reflects a clear weakening of Maoist networks in the region. He said arrangements for treatment of the injured have been ensured and reiterated the government’s commitment to ending Maoist violence.

Forces strengthen search and area sealed

SP Yadav said additional reinforcements have arrived and the encounter zone has been fully cordoned off for intensified operations. Continuous combing is underway to locate remaining Maoist cadres.

Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma noted that forces have been consistently making gains in anti-Naxal missions, calling the latest action a significant strike against Maoist groups.

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is grappling with widespread disruption across major airports as flight delays and cancellations continue for the second consecutive day. With operations strained and punctuality plunging sharply, thousands of passengers have been left inconvenienced across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

IndiGo’s on-time performance dips sharply

Government data showed the airline’s on-time performance had dropped to 35%, a rare slump for the carrier known for punctuality. IndiGo, which operates more than 2,200 flights daily, saw over 1,400 flights delayed on Tuesday, followed by around 200 cancellations by Wednesday afternoon.

Mumbai Airport issued an advisory alerting passengers to check their flight status, citing airline-related operational issues impacting departures and arrivals.

New duty norms trigger severe crew shortage

A major factor behind the disruptions is the implementation of revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules last month. The updated norms mandate longer rest hours and more humane rosters for pilots and cabin crew. Sources indicated many flights were grounded over the past 48 hours as crew availability dipped sharply.

IndiGo acknowledged a “multitude of unforeseen operational challenges” including technology glitches, winter schedule adjustments, weather-related issues and the new rostering norms. The airline said it has begun calibrated schedule adjustments for the next 48 hours to restore normalcy.

FDTL rules cap crew flying to eight hours a day and mandate a minimum rest period of 10 hours within a 24-hour window, with rest time amounting to twice the flight duration.

Airports across India see cancellations

The ripple effect of IndiGo’s disruptions has been felt nationwide:

• Hyderabad’s RGIA reported 33 cancellations, leading to long queues and disrupted travel plans.
  
• Bengaluru Airport saw 42 cancellations, including 22 arrivals and 20 departures, impacting routes to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Goa and Kolkata.
  
• Delhi Airport also saw congestion as a slowdown in the Amadeus system, used for check-ins and reservations, added to delays.
  

Passengers vent frustration

Several passengers took to social media to share their ordeal.
One traveller stranded in Hyderabad since early morning said they missed an important meeting due to continuous delays. Another flyer complained their Udaipur-bound flight was repeatedly delayed, calling the experience “a joke”.

IndiGo issues apology, offers rebooking

IndiGo said it is offering alternate travel options or refunds to affected travellers and urged passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport. The airline reiterated its commitment to stabilising operations “as quickly as possible”.

The Centre has reversed its directive that required all smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app, following backlash from opposition leaders, civil rights groups and users who raised concerns over privacy and potential misuse.

Government cites rising downloads, public feedback

According to the government, the order was rolled back as user downloads had surged — with over six lakh installations within 24 hours and 1.4 crore total users. Officials said the mandate was originally intended to push wider adoption, but public feedback prompted a re-evaluation.

The official statement reiterated Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s earlier assurance in Parliament that the app is deletable and does not enable snooping. The minister emphasised that in a democracy, every user has the right to remove applications they do not wish to use.

Opposition slams move, flags privacy concerns

Several opposition leaders criticised the initial directive, claiming it risked turning the app into a surveillance tool, echoing earlier privacy controversies. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called the decision “ridiculous”, while Karti Chidambaram compared the mandate to practices in authoritarian countries. Leaders from other parties also raised objections, describing it as a move that could compromise personal data.

What the Sanchar Saathi app offers

Sanchar Saathi, developed by the Department of Telecommunications, is designed to help users secure their digital identities, report suspicious activity and access cyber safety awareness material. It is available both as a mobile app and a web portal. The government maintains the app has no function beyond safeguarding users from cyber threats.