National

Two PSOs of Iltija Mufti Suspended Following Her Visit to Billawar

Published

1 year ago

February 10, 2025

Iltija Mufti, a leader of the PDP, announced on Monday that her two personal security officers (PSOs) have been suspended for allowing her to travel to Billawar in the Kathua district, where a young man named Makhan Din reportedly took his own life after facing alleged police torture. Iltija informed the media that she made the trip around 6 am, and the suspension orders were issued upon her return.She criticized Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for dining with friends in New Delhi while two innocent individuals in Billawar and Baramulla had lost their lives. Iltija pointed out the irony that although her PSOs were suspended for fulfilling their duties, the state government has not taken action against the Station House Officer (SHO) in Kathua, who is accused of torturing Makhan Din. She expressed concerns that the safety of the people in Jammu and Kashmir is not a priority for either the state or central government, and she called on National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah to clarify the priorities of his son, CM Omar Abdullah.

In response, former chief minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti condemned the government’s decision to suspend Iltija’s PSOs. She remarked on X, “It’s ironic and unjust that Iltija’s two PSOs are being penalized for no wrongdoing of their own. They are being punished simply because Iltija managed to reach Kathua despite being confined at home like a criminal. Meanwhile, there has been no accountability for those responsible for the deaths of Waseem Mir in Sopore and Makhan Din in Billawar. The ruling NC government, which came into power vowing to ensure security and dignity for the public, remains an indifferent observer. They are not only shirking their responsibilities but are also normalizing these unjust and abnormal actions.”

Both Mehbooba Mufti and Iltija were placed under house arrest in Srinagar on Saturday while attempting to visit Billawar and Sopore to meet the families of the deceased. Waseem Mir was killed while driving his truck and failing to stop at an army checkpoint.

Despite the restrictions, Iltija successfully reached Billawar on Sunday to show support for Makhan Din’s family. Later, she was scheduled to hold a press conference at the party headquarters in Jammu, but police reportedly confined her to the state guest house where she was staying.

National

Pickup Vehicle Crashes Into Divider, Two Killed Including Child

Published

55 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Namma Kudla

Uttar Pradesh: A tragic road accident took place in Uttar Pradesh when a pickup vehicle lost control and crashed into a road divider.

The driver and a three-year-old girl died on the spot due to the impact of the crash. Nine passengers who were travelling in the vehicle sustained injuries. They were rushed to the district hospital for treatment.

Reports said the victims were travelling to their native village to celebrate the Holi festival. A video showing the horrifying scene of the accident has gone viral on social media.

Preliminary reports suggest that overspeeding may have led to the accident. Police have started an investigation into the incident.

National

Five from Karnataka Killed in Car–Container Collision in Andhra Pradesh

Published

24 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Namma Kudla

Andhra Pradesh: Five people from Karnataka were killed on the spot after the car they were travelling in rammed into a container truck from behind in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district on Tuesday.

The accident occurred near Gangavaram in Palamaneru while the victims were on their way to Tirupati temple from Bengaluru. According to police, the car crashed into the rear of a container vehicle with great force, leaving the vehicle completely mangled.

The deceased have been identified as Mohandas (71), Nagaraj (61), Kusuma (61), Jayanti (59), and Pooja (33). All of them were residents of Rajajinagar in Bengaluru.

Preliminary reports suggest that the impact of the collision was so severe that all five occupants died at the scene. Police have registered a case at the Palamaneru police station and further investigation is underway.

More details are awaited.

National

Woman Kills Ex-Lover Over Blackmail in Ballia

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

Namma Kudla

Uttar Pradesh: A married woman allegedly killed her former lover in Ballia after he blackmailed her with private videos, police said.

According to police, the victim was identified as Pankaj Gupta, a resident of Azamgarh. He was reportedly in a relationship with the woman from a nearby village.

Police said the woman wanted to end the relationship. However, Gupta allegedly began blackmailing her using obscene videos and harassed her repeatedly.

Unable to bear the threats, the woman informed her brother and sister-in-law. The trio allegedly planned the murder during a wedding function on February 5.

On February 7, they allegedly called Gupta to the village on a pretext. He was strangled to death, police said. The accused then poured acid on his face to hide his identity and tried to destroy evidence.

An unidentified body with a disfigured face was found on February 10. The crime was later solved during the investigation.

Police have arrested three accused, including the woman, and sent them to judicial custody. Efforts are on to arrest other suspects involved in the case.