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Poonch terror attack: 12 held for questioning, CASO on for 2nd day as BSF, NSG review border belt

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3 years ago

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At least twelve suspects have been detained for questioning while a massive cordon-and-search-operation (CASO) continued for the second day on Saturday as security forces continue to probe the terrorist attack on an Indian Army truck that left five soldiers dead in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district.

According to officials, a large-scale CASO bolstered by drones and sniffer dogs is currently underway in Bhata Dhurian-Tota Gali and neighbouring areas of the border district to hunt down the terrorists who carried out the attack even as twelve people have been detained and are being questioned in connection with the April 20 attack.

They said that utmost caution is being exercised during the CASO as the terrorists may have rigged the dense forests with deep gorges and caves with improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Following the attack, traffic on the Bhimber Gali-Poonch road was stopped and people have been advised to go to Poonch via Mendhar.

Reports said that Border Security Force (BSF) Director General S L Thaosen and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Mukesh Singh, besides top officials from the National Security Guard (NSG) conducted a security review of the border belt and also visited the scene of the attack.

They said that fourteen people were detained for questioning and two of them were later released.

On Thursday, April 20, five Indian Army jawans were killed after their vehicle caught fire on the Poonch-Jammu highway in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to reports, an army vehicle caught fire in Bhatta Durian Forest in BG Sector of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir resulting in the deaths of five Army personnel and injuries to another.

As per preliminary investigations, the Army truck was carrying fruits and other items to a forward village for Iftar that was supposed to be hosted by the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles unit on Thursday evening.

Reports quoting sources said the attack is suspected to have been carried out by a group of three to four terrorists who may have used a sticky bomb or a grenade due to which the Army truck caught fire.

They said the conspirators and attackers may have spent over a year in Poonch and adjacent Rajouri to get a lay of the land, adding that terror outfit Jammu and Kashmir Gaznavi Force (JKGF) is said to be active in the area and its “commander”, Rafiq Ahmed alias Rafiq Nayi, hails from the region.

According to a report, the terrorists used armour-piercing bullets and a sticky bomb to target the Army vehicle that was carrying fruits, vegetables and other items for an Iftar party which was to be hosted by them in a frontier village.

As per an India Today report, sticky bombs—which can be attached to vehicles and set to explode via timers or detonated remotely—and armour-piercing steel core bullets were used in the Poonch terror attack.

Quoting sources, the report said that forensics found evidence of 36 rounds, including armour-piercing rounds being fired at the Army truck and also recovered two grenade pins from the scene, besides also finding evidence of Kerosene vapours near the charred truck.

As per reports, 7.62 MM steel core armor-piercing bullets that are Made in China, were used in the attack.

Army sources said the truck caught fire because of the likely use of grenades.

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West Bengal Governor dissolves Assembly amid political transition 

Governor R N Ravi dissolved the West Bengal Assembly after the 2026 poll results, with the BJP securing a majority in the state elections.

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2 hours ago

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May 7, 2026

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The West Bengal Legislative Assembly was dissolved following the conclusion of the 2026 Assembly elections, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party secured a clear majority in the state.

Governor R N Ravi issued the order dissolving the Assembly as the state prepared for the transition of power after the election results. According to reports, the BJP won 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, while the Trinamool Congress secured 80 seats.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned the election outcome and alleged irregularities in the poll process, claiming the mandate had been “looted”.

The dissolution came as the tenure of the existing Assembly ended on May 7, 2026. The development has sparked political discussions over the formation of the next government in the state.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee held a meeting with newly elected Trinamool Congress MLAs in Kolkata and reportedly raised concerns over internal sabotage during the elections.

The BJP is expected to begin the formal process of government formation in West Bengal after its decisive victory in the Assembly polls.

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Eknath Shinde’s helicopter returns to Mumbai mid-flight due to bad weather

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s helicopter was forced to return to Mumbai after the pilot detected approaching storm conditions during a flight to Thane district.

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3 hours ago

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May 7, 2026

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Eknath_shinde (1)

A helicopter carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was forced to return to Mumbai on Thursday after encountering adverse weather conditions during a flight to Thane district.

According to officials, Shinde had departed from Mahalaxmi Racecourse in south Mumbai around 3.30 pm and was travelling to Murbad in Thane district to attend a wedding function related to a party worker’s family.

The helicopter reportedly reached the Airoli area in Navi Mumbai when the pilot noticed an approaching storm and informed the deputy chief minister about the deteriorating weather conditions. Following the alert, the flight was turned back as a precautionary measure.

The helicopter later landed safely at the Pawan Hans facility in Juhu, Mumbai. Officials said Shinde was accompanied by members of his staff, including personal assistant Prabhakar Kale, special executive officer Balsingh Rajput and media adviser Vinay Patrdukar.

The incident comes amid changing weather conditions and storm activity reported in parts of Maharashtra in recent days.

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Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant among 32 inducted in Bihar cabinet expansion

Nishant Kumar entered the Bihar cabinet for the first time as 32 ministers from NDA allies took oath in a major expansion of the state government.

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6 hours ago

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May 7, 2026

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Bihar government cabinet

A major cabinet expansion took place in Bihar on Thursday, with 32 leaders from the ruling NDA alliance inducted into the state government. Among the prominent names was Nishant Kumar, son of former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who entered the cabinet for the first time.

The expansion included representatives from all major NDA allies in the state. According to reports, the BJP secured 15 ministerial berths, while JD(U) got 13 positions. Two ministers were inducted from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), while Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha received one berth each.

The oath-taking ceremony was held in Patna in the presence of senior NDA leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Nishant Kumar’s induction comes weeks after he formally entered active politics. His entry into the Bihar cabinet is being viewed as a significant development for JD(U), which had long projected an anti-dynasty image under Nitish Kumar’s leadership.

The cabinet reshuffle follows Nitish Kumar’s move to the Rajya Sabha earlier this year and the formation of the government led by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.

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