National

India and Pakistan Armies Conduct Brigade-Level Flag Meeting to Discuss LoC Management

Published

1 year ago

April 10, 2025

On Thursday, the Indian and Pakistani armies convened a brigade commander-level flag meeting in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir to address border management issues, particularly in light of recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC). This marks the second meeting between the two sides in a matter of days.

The discussions took place at the Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point, led by brigadier-level officers from both nations. According to officials, “The flag meetings are a standard procedure for managing the LoC and are in line with the understanding between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMO) of both sides. Today’s gathering was focused on addressing routine matters along the Line of Control,” stated Defence spokesperson Lt Colonel Suneel Bartwal.

Sources indicate that Indian Army representatives raised concerns about infiltration attempts, ceasefire violations, and the detonation of IEDs, formally protesting to their Pakistani counterparts. On April 1, the Pakistan Army initiated a ceasefire violation after a mine explosion in the Krishna Ghati sector during their patrol along the LoC, which subsequently led to unprovoked firing. The Indian Army effectively responded to these provocations and is reported to maintain a strong presence along the LoC.

Following the incident, another 75-minute brigade commander-level flag meeting took place the next day, April 2, at the Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point, where both sides underscored the importance of upholding peace along the border. Earlier, on February 13, the Pakistani military had similarly breached the ceasefire through unprovoked fire on Indian posts in Poonch, prompting a robust response from the Indian Army.

The violation by the Pakistan Army in the Krishna Ghati sector was particularly concerning as it occurred a day after two Indian Army personnel, including a captain, lost their lives in an IED explosion allegedly set off by suspected terrorists in the Akhnoor sector on February 11. Notably, there has been a recent spike in ceasefire violations along the LoC, a stark contrast to the relative calm that followed the renewed ceasefire agreement established on February 25, 2021.

National

11 Hospitalised After Dead Lizard Found in Birthday Cake

Published

2 days ago

August 16, 2026

Namma Kudla

Maharashtra : Eleven people were hospitalised after eating a birthday cake that allegedly contained a dead lizard in Nalasopara, Maharashtra.

The incident took place during a birthday celebration. The affected group included seven children and four women.

According to reports, they complained of sudden stomach and chest pain shortly after eating the cake.

They were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Doctors said that all 11 patients are in stable condition.

The incident has raised serious concerns about food safety and hygiene standards in bakeries.

The case comes amid growing concerns over food safety in Maharashtra. Earlier, a rat was allegedly seen inside an ice cream freezer at a Blinkit store in Thane’s Godrej Hill area in Kalyan.

In another incident, food safety officials suspended the FSSAI licence of a Blinkit-linked facility in Malad West after finding several violations.

The recent incidents have increased calls for stricter checks on food storage, hygiene and safety standards across the state.

National

Dead Russell’s Viper Found on Vande Bharat Express

Published

2 days ago

August 16, 2026

Namma Kudla

Ernakulam: A dead Russell’s viper was found on a passenger seat inside a Vande Bharat Express in Ernakulam, causing panic among passengers.

The incident took place on Friday, August 14, at around 2.30 pm. The train was scheduled to leave Ernakulam Junction for Bengaluru.

The incident came to light before the train began its journey. Vinu Varghese, who works for an insurance company in Ernakulam, had booked a ticket to travel to Coimbatore with his two-year-old child.

When he returned to his seat after visiting the restroom, he noticed the dead snake lying on the seat. He was shocked and immediately informed the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) and railway staff.

The railway staff quickly responded to the situation. With the help of passengers, they removed the dead snake from the coach.

After the snake was removed, the passengers felt relieved. Vinu Varghese later filed an official complaint through the railway portal.

In his complaint, he questioned the safety and cleanliness standards on the train. He said passengers pay a significant amount for travelling on Vande Bharat trains and expected better safety measures.

Varghese said the railway staff later apologised for the incident.

The incident has also raised questions about how a snake entered the passenger compartment. Vande Bharat trains are air-conditioned and have sealed gangways and automatic doors that open only at designated stations.

The incident has raised concerns about pest control and safety protocols on the train. Railway authorities have ordered a detailed investigation into the matter.

This is not the first reported incident involving a snake on a Vande Bharat train. In December 2025, a passenger was allegedly accused of deliberately placing a snake inside the Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat Express.

National

West Bengal Man Detained in Bengaluru over Alleged Terror Links

Published

3 days ago

August 15, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bengaluru: Bengaluru police have detained a 25-year-old man from West Bengal over his alleged links with a terror group.

The accused has been identified as Asafool Mallik. He is a native of Naopara village in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.

Police detained Mallik in the Jigani area after receiving information about his alleged suspicious online activities.

According to the police, Mallik had allegedly established contact with a person identified as Imran Haider through Facebook. Haider, who is from Afghanistan, is suspected to have links with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Police said Mallik allegedly wanted to travel to Afghanistan and join the group. He also allegedly discussed retaliatory attacks against the Pakistan Army and possible attacks in India.

Mallik had reportedly applied for a visa to travel to Afghanistan. However, he later dropped the plan due to financial difficulties and family responsibilities, police said.

Mallik was living near APC Circle in Jigani. He had been working as a security guard at Tata Advanced Limited in the Jigani Industrial Area since December 2025.

Police said they received information about his activities while conducting patrols in the Bommasandra Industrial Area.

During questioning, Mallik allegedly said he was angry over what he believed were attacks on Muslims in Pakistan. He also reportedly expressed anger over Pakistan’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Police further said Mallik was allegedly being encouraged to retaliate if Muslims faced difficulties in India.

Police later examined Mallik’s mobile phone. They allegedly found chats, voice calls and audio conversations between Mallik and Haider.

The police are now examining the chats, recordings and other material recovered from the phone.

The investigation is underway to determine the extent of Mallik’s alleged links with the terror network.