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Kapil Sibal reaches SC against Assam govt’s pushback of illegal immigrants, argues for petitioner’s mother who was declared a foreigner by tribunal and Gauhati HC

Shraddha Pandey
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Kapil Sibal reaches SC against Assam govt’s pushback of illegal immigrants, argues for petitioner’s mother who was declared a foreigner by tribunal and Gauhati HC

On 2nd June 2025, the Supreme Court issued notice on a habeas corpus petition against the Assam government’s alleged ‘illegal’ detention of a Bangladeshi woman named Monowara Bewa who was out on bail since 12th December 2019.

After hearing the petition of the Bangladeshi woman’s son, Justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma, issued notice to the respondents.

In this case, senior advocate Kapil Sibal represented the petitioner and claimed that a Superintendent of Police ‘threw’ the Bangladeshi woman out of India flouting the court order, even as a civil appeal in challenging Guwahati High Court’s order, which upheld her declaration as a foreigner, is pending before the Supreme Court since 2017.

However, when the court said that it would be appropriate to tag the present case with the pending appeal, Kapil Sibal contended that the Bangladeshi woman has been sent back to Bangladesh.

“But in the meantime, she is gone. She’s been thrown out. She’s been sent to Bangladesh,” Sibal said.

To this, Justic Sharma responded, “”[But] we can’t call her back…if she’s already not in the country…”

The Gauhati High Court had earlier upheld the Foreigners’ Tribunal decision that declared the woman a foreigner. The petitioner’s appeal against the order is pending in the Supreme Court.

Interestingly, on one hand, Sibal asserted that the SP violated court order to illegally send the woman to Bangladesh, on the other, he claimed that the petitioner does not know for sure if the woman has actually been deported to Bangladesh or is still in India.

“Your lordships know she has to be produced within 24 hours…not produced, sent straightaway, picked up from the house…directly in violation of this Court’s order in DK Basu…SP goes to the house, picks her up and throws her…how can that be!?” Sibal asked.

In addition to seeking the release of his mother, the petitioner has also sought (i) a direction for restraining “push back” of the detenue; (ii) inquiry against State of Assam for the ‘arbitrary’ arrest and detention; (iii) direction to the Union and Assam governments for initiating departmental proceedings and imposition of damages, LiveLaw reported.

As per the petitioner, the Bangladeshi woman was complying with the bail conditions. However, on 24th May 2025, the police called her to record her statement. After the woman reached the police station, she was not released.

The hearing in this matter will take place next week.

India’s Operation Push-back to detect, detain and deport illegal immigrants

Interestingly,  on Monday (2nd June), the Supreme Court declined to entertain a petition alleging that the Assam government has reportedly launched a “sweeping and indiscriminate drive” to deport persons suspected to be foreigners to Bangladesh.

A vacation bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma asked the All BTC Minority Students Union (ABMSU) to approach the Gauhati High Court for appropriate relief.

Under Operation Push-back, India has deported more than 172 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants back to their home country between 24th and 25th May. The deportations were carried out through the borders located in Bangladesh’s Sylhet, Meherpur and Moulvibazar.

India pushed back a total of 19 Bangladeshi infiltrators in Meherpur on Sunday morning. They were then taken by the Border Guard Bangladesh to a temporary shelter. The Bangladeshi citizens who were living illegally in India were later taken into custody by the police. They infiltrated Indian territory at various points in time and resided in the State of Haryana.

On 29th May, around 160 illegal immigrants were sent back to Bangladesh via Hindon Air Base from Delhi. 

Meanwhile, 29 Bangladeshi nationals, including women and children who were staying illegally in India were taken into custody by the Haryana police. 

Previously, the BSF pushed back 16 Bangladeshi infiltrators back to their home country on 14th May this year. India’s crackdown on illegal Bangladeshi immigrants has rattled the Bangladeshi authorities, especially Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB).

The interim government of Bangladesh, led by ‘chief advisor’ Muhammad Yunus has been rattled by India’s paradigm shift in strategy at dealing with infiltrators.

For decades, India has followed established protocols to deport Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas to their home country. The process has been slow (pending trial in courts), cumbersome (because Bangladesh government and Bangladesh Border Guard often refuse to acknowledge their own citizens) and has failed to attain success.

The situation has been exacerbated due to continued illegal immigration through the porous India-Bangladesh border with the help of agents and brokers but not enough deportations year-on-year. It must be noted that there are more than 2 crore Bangladeshis living illegally in India (2016 data).

Following the undemocratic ouster of Sheikh Hasina and the hostile attitude of the Yunus-led interim government, the deportation protocol has been rendered useless by Bangladesh.

Forced by circumstances, the Indian government has now resorted to what is being unofficially referred to as ‘Operation Push-back.’

The Indian government has devised a new strategy to get rid of Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas who are caught red-handed at the Eastern border as well as living in India illegally for several years.

Instead of going through the hassle of handing them over to the police, registering a FIR, producing them before the court, continuing trials for years and then sending them back through established protocols, the Indian security forces are now increasingly pushing-back the infiltrators to the other side almost instantenously.

In cases where Bangladeshis are nabbed from different cities of India (far from the Eastern borders), they are first flown to either Tripura, Assam or West Bengal and then pushed over to Bangladeshi side. Several States in India including Rajasthan, Tripura and Odisha have stepped up the process of identification of illegal immigrants.

The impact of crackdown on infilitrators have been successful so much so that some Bangladeshis are now ‘voluntarily returning‘ to their home country.

So far, more than 2,000 illegal immigrants have been deported by Indian authorities since  “Operation Sindoor” commenced in the early hours of 7th May after the 22nd April Pakistan-backed Pahalgam terror attack.

India’s crusade against illegal immigration has not been without challenges. Besides international protocols, logistical challenges, political pressure, legal challenges also emerge when NGOs sympathising with illegal infiltrators approach courts seeking stay on deportation.

Some like Colin Gonsalves move Supreme Court to demand free of cost access to schools and hospitals for children of illegal Rohingya immigrants staying in New Delhi.

The Modi government has been working for detecting, detaining and deporting illegal immigrants including Rohingyas and Bangladeshis even for Operation Sindoor was launched and a fresh wave of deportations began under Operation Push-back.

In December 2024, India deported 14 Bangladeshi illegal immigrants staying in Central Delhi back to Bangladesh as a part of a special drive to identify and deport the illegals. Similarly, in December 2024, the South-West Delhi Police deported 8 Bangladeshi illegals.

In 2021, India deported several Rohingyas from Jammu. This came after 170 Rohingya illegals were detained from a camp in Jammu for document verification and later sent to Hiranagar Jail. Many of them were deported eventually outlining India’s deportation efforts despite challenges, international scrutiny and propaganda.

In December 2024, the electricity and water connections of over 400 households were cut, and eviction orders were issued for land that was unlawfully occupied by illegal immigrants. Four Rohingyas were also arrested by the police during the operation.

In Delhi, the police busted a major illegal immigration racket in December 2024 and arrested 11 individuals, including document forgers, Aadhaar operators, and tech experts involved in creating fake websites.  

On 9th December, the Home Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vijay Sharma, said that the authorities have deported around 850 illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators from the state. Sharma was speaking at a public meeting in Bhilai, where he assured that all infiltrators would be identified and deported. Notably, he pointed out that around 500 illegal Bangladeshis have already been deported from Bastar and 350 have been removed from Kawardha.

Last year, the police in various states arrested Bangladeshi illegal immigrants. In some cases, the illegals were involved in criminal activities as well. In August 2024, it was reported that the Delhi Police said in a chargesheet that Bangladeshi illegals were running an illegal organ transplant racket.

On 25th January 2025, Delhi Police apprehended seven Bangladeshi nationals Mohammad Bellal, Mohammad Yeasin, Emon Hossein, Mohammad Ghiyas Uddin, Mohammad Rubel Hossain, Nasruddin, and Tanvir Hasan in a hotel in Delhi for overstaying their visa. The Bangladeshi nationals have been deported to Bangladesh.

In May 2024, Manipur CM Biren Singh informed that 5457 illegal immigrants were detected in the state’s Kamjong district and that the process to deport them all was underway. Of these, 359 have voluntarily returned to Myanmar. Before this, 38 illegal immigrants were deported to Myanmar from Manipur, bringing the total number of illegal Myanmarese migrants deported to 77 since 8th March 2024.  

In June 2024, OpIndia reported about the Manipur government and security agencies waging a war against fake Aadhaar and Voter ID gangs helping illegal immigrants from Myanmar. The police arrested two illegal infiltrators from Myanmar residing in the Churachandpur district and recovered fake identity cards from them. Similar cases were reported in the following months.

Back in 2018, 10 people were arrested for involvement in two fake Aadhaar card rackets operating from the bordering towns of Jirbhim and Moreh. Of the 10 arrested, 9 were illegal Muslim immigrants from Myanmar. One Indian woman Paritha Begum from Tamil Nadu was also arrested. The police raided the house one Mohammad Tomba at Moreh and seized two laptops, four Aadhaar Cards, one printer machine, one laminating film machine, plastic sheets, DVDs and photo paper.

Similarly, in May 2018, around 98 illegal immigrants with fake Aadhaar cards were arrested from Imphal City.

In October 2021, Assam Rifles troops arrested  24 Burmese illegal immigrants who were travelling with counterfeit Aadhaar cards along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district. This came about a week after 11 Myanmar nationals were arrested at Imphal Airport while attempting to board a Delhi-bound flight using forged Aadhaar cards.

In January 2025, three Rohingya Muslims including two women were arrested from Kolkata’s Sealdah railway station.

On 28th January 2025, Jaipur Police in Rajasthan detained 500 people, including 394 Rohingyas and Bangladeshi nationals in a massive crackdown on illegal immigrants. Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph said that the campaign has been launched to address criminal activities and to identify illegal immigrants.

Kapil Sibal is the go-to lawyer in cases that undermine India’s national security

Kapil Sibal, a veteran Congress leader and Supreme Court advocate, has been a consistent legal representative in cases that further the ‘woke Liberal’ cause, especially the ones that involve issues of national security and communal tension. Kapil Sibal represented Shafin Jahan in the Hadiya Love Jihad case, took money from the Islamic terror outfit PFI. In another case, Kapil Sibal sought the release of banned Islamic jihadist outfit PFI’s member and ‘journalist’ Siddique Kappan. He also represented the 2020 anti-Hindu Delhi Riots accused mastermind Umar Khalid before the Supreme Court. Sibal had also joined a group of Rajya Sabha MPs who moved impeachment motion against Allahabad HC judge for calling Islamic extremists “Kathmulla”.

The senior lawyer represented a pro-Pakistan leader in the Supreme Court over a plea challenging the abrogation of Article 370. Sibal earlier falsely claimed that Assam was a part of Myanmar. The legal eagle also represented the All India Muslim Personal Law Board which challenged the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025. After defending Islamists and taking up anti-Hindu causes, Sibal is representing an Bangladeshi illegal’s son in the court.

Rajasthan minister catches illegal electricity supply network of Jalaluddin alias Kallu, accused has earned over 12 crores so far

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan minister catches illegal electricity supply network of Jalaluddin alias Kallu, accused has earned over 12 crores so far

In Ramganj Mandi of Kota district in Rajasthan, Education Minister Madan Dilawar himself has exposed a major crime of electricity theft where a man named Jalaluddin alias Kallu has been supplying power to over 750 houses through unauthorised connections and extorting money for it. As per reports, Minister Dilawar was conducting a Mohalla Meeting in the Suket area of his assembly constituency Ramganjmandi on Sunday, June 1 , when he received complaints of an illegal electricity supply network running in the area.

Minister Dilawar launched an immediate investigation and examined the area. He was informed by locals that Jalaluddin has been supplying stolen electricity along parallel pipelines hidden beside the underground pipeline meant to supply water to the local houses. The minister summoned the concerned officials of the electricity department and asked them to verify the complaints immediately.

While Executive Engineer Vishnu Dutt Lodha and his associates were examining the hidden ‘network’, Minister Dilawar also arrived at the spot. A police team was also ordered to accompany the power supply officials and get the illegal connections cut. The team dug out the pipes, cut the illegal wirings and seized all the cables. The Minister examined the illegal connections. He also ordered the local police station in charge and asked him to book accused Jalaluddin alias Kallu and his associates who have been involved in the power theft and illegal supply of electricity.

The Minister also asked the power supply officials to recover the lost revenues over unpaid bills in the area. He has instructed the officials to ensure that the accused are made to pay the full electricity bills for the power theft, along with the penalty and interest over the period since electricity supply was started in the area.

Accused Jalaluddin and his associates had figured out a way to hide their illegal supply lines besides the underground water supply pipes to evade detection. The accused persons were even operating their own distribution panel (DP). The officials dug out the hidden cables and seized the entire network.

Jalaluddin and his associates booked, Minister asks to recover all lost revenue with interest and penalty

Executive Engineer Vishnu Dutt Lodha has stated to the media that the accused Jalaluddin and his associates have been booked for the crimes of illegal power supply and electricity theft. A penalty of Rs 8,50,000 has been imposed on the accused for damaging the local transformer and stealing electricity. Additionally, 22 complaint reports have been filed against Jalaluddin and others with a cumulative fine of over Rs 18 lakhs.

Accused have earned over 12 crores so far, monthly loss to govt over Rs 42 lakhs

Minister Dilawar held a press conference where he stated that the crime of illegal electricity supplying was going on for years. He added that Jalaluddin and his associates were collecting Rs 500 per house in exchange of the electricity. More than 750 households were provided with the illegal supply by Jalaluddin and his team. This crime has been going on almost since electricity first came to the locality, almost 30 years ago, the minister added, saying that Jalaluddin must have earned over 12 crores over the years. This illegal network has been causing the Ramganj Mandi electricity department a loss of over Rs 42 lakhs in electricity bill amounts every single month.

“Spy” Jyoti Malhotra regularly visited Varanasi after her frequent trips to Pakistan, NIA to take her there for questioning

OpIndia Staff
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“Spy” Jyoti Malhotra regularly visited Varanasi after her frequent trips to Pakistan, NIA to take her there for questioning

Jyoti Malhotra, who has been arrested on allegations of espionage for Pakistan is being taken to Varanasi (Kashi), the city of Lord Shiva, by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for interrogation. According to the authorities, every time the YouTuber went to Pakistan, she would consistently visit Varanasi either shortly before or after her visit. This unusual recurrence has now become a major mystery for the investigative agencies, leading the NIA to the sacred place to solve the troubling puzzle.

As a travel vlogger, Jyoti had the opportunity to explore any region of the country, however, her frequent trips to Varanasi raise several questions. Did she create videos of specific, curated locations in Varanasi at someone’s behest and upload them to her YouTube channel “Travel with Jo”? Is it possible that these videos contain a concealed message or sensitive information communicated through coded language? The NIA will now seek answers to numerous such questions in Kashi.

Jyoti Malhotra traveled to Pakistan four times since 2022, reported Dainik Bhaskar. Interestingly, she visited Varanasi each time either before or after her trips. Moreover, she shared videos of these trips on her YouTube channel. Her initial visit to Pakistan’s Kartarpur Corridor was in September 2022. Upon her return, she traveled to Varanasi in October of that year, where she filmed in various locations of the city and uploaded them to her channel.

The YouTuber went to Pakistan once more in April of the following year and returned to Varanasi, a few months later in July. On 9th December of the same year, she made another visit to the holy city by bus. Notably, on 19th December 2023, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Varanasi to inaugurate the Vande Bharat train, she was aboard the same train. She was going from Varanasi to Delhi and recorded a video of the pilot cabin as well as captured close-up images.

She was also in Varanasi during January and February 2025 and explored multiple locations. She went to Kashmir and then moved to Pakistan from there, in March. She also posted a video documenting the same on her YouTube channel.

Who is Jyoti Malhotra

Jyoti Malhotra is a YouTuber and travel vlogger from Hisar of Haryana. Her YouTube channel “Travel with Jo” and Instagram account “@travelwithjoone” are quite popular. She has more than 3.77 lakh subscribers on YouTube and 1.31 lakh followers on Instagram. She has been arrested on charges of working for Pakistan’ ISI. She sent classified information regarding India’s military to Islamabad.

The investigation has uncovered that she maintained communication with Pakistan’s intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and even met with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi who was subsequently expelled from India. Jyoti Malhotra has visited Pakistan multiple times and recorded her trips through videos.

She is also accused of sharing sensitive information under the guise of comparing India and Pakistan in her videos and reels. The authorities have seized over 12 terabytes of digital forensic data from her electronic devices and accounts, which includes evidence of links to the Islamic Republic. She has been charged under the Official Secrets Act and pertinent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). 

Pakistan: 17-year-old Tiktoker Sana Yousuf murdered by her relative, ‘honour killing’ suspected

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: 17-year-old Tiktoker Sana Yousuf murdered by her relative, ‘honour killing’ suspected

On 2nd June, 17-year-old TikTok influencer Sana Yousuf was shot dead at her home in Islamabad. It is yet another chilling reminder of how dangerous it is for women to be visible in Pakistan’s digital space. Police are investigating the case as a potential honour killing, as reportedly her cousin shot her dead.

Sana hailed from the Upper Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She had amassed a massive following on TikTok and Instagram through her content. Her death triggered grief online, with users calling out the toxic patriarchy and extremist mindset that views outspoken women as threats to family “honour”.

Shot twice at point-blank range

According to media reports, the accused was a cousin who had come to visit Sana at her residence. After a brief conversation, he allegedly shot her twice in the chest at close range before fleeing the scene. Her body was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for autopsy. Some social media users suggested the police arrested a man named Umar alias Kaka in connection to her murder.

Speaking to the media, a police spokesperson said, “The assailant entered the residence, fired multiple shots, and fled immediately.” All angles are being explored, including the suspicion of honour killing.

Disturbing responses online

While large sections of Pakistani social media mourned Sana’s death and called it “a murder of dreams and courage”, many Islamists shockingly celebrated her killing. One user said, “Reward the killer”, glorifying violence under the guise of cultural norms.

History repeating itself

The brutal killing of Sana is being compared to the 2016 murder of Pakistan’s first social media celebrity, Qandeel Baloch. She was known for her bold posts and fearless commentary. Qandeel was strangled to death by her own brother Waseem in the name of honour. He later confessed to the crime, saying she had “brought shame” to the family.

Despite global outrage, Waseem was released in 2022 after Qandeel’s parents “forgave” him, exposing the deep flaws in how Pakistan handles cases of honour crimes.

Another teen shot for using TikTok

Earlier this year, 15-year-old Hira Anwar was shot dead in Quetta by her father and maternal uncle for posting TikTok videos. Her father had returned from the US and was reportedly enraged by her refusal to stop using the platform. Both accused confessed and are now in police custody.

A society at war with its women

Sana’s murder will become another statistic in Pakistan. It reflects a society where women’s visibility is seen as provocation and their digital presence as a threat to the honour of the family. As one social media user rightly said, “She deserved to live. To thrive. To speak.” But in Pakistan, even that has a price.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami: A deep-dive into its history and politics, multiple bans, involvement in atrocities against Hindus and war crimes during the 1971 genocide

Dibakar Dutta
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Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami: A deep-dive into its history and politics, multiple bans, involvement in atrocities against Hindus and war crimes during the 1971 genocide

On Sunday (1st June), the Supreme Court of Bangladesh allowed the re-registration of the Islamic extremist outfit ‘Jamaat-e-Islami’ as a political party.

The decision immediately implied that the outfit can list itself with the Election Commission and participate in the general election scheduled to be held in June 2026.

The participation of Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh’s electoral process was restricted by the country’s High Court in August 2013.

The court had found evidence that the extremist outfit violated the election rules and had a charter which refused to recognise Bangladesh as a sovereign and independent nation.

At the same time, Jamaat-e-Islami’s charter was against the ‘secular spirit’ of the Constitution of the country.

The new ruling of the Supreme Court restoring the registration of the Islamic extremists outfit as a ‘political party’ comes days after the same apex court acquitted a 1971 war criminal belonging to Jamaat-e-Islami named ATM Azharul Islam.

This has bolstered radical Islamists and extremist outfits in the country, who are now being revived from political irrelevance by the Muhammad Yunus-led regime.

Brief political history of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh

Jamaat-e-Islami was founded in 1941 by an Islamic extremist named Abul Ala Moududi. It was banned twice in Pakistan in the years 1959 and 1964.

Soon after the establishment of Bangladesh, founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman banned the extremist outfit for siding with Pakistan and committing genocide against the Bengali population during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

The ban was lifted after the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

His daughter, Sheikh Hasina, who led the Awami League government, banned the Islamic extremist organisation and its student wing in August 2024 under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

However, Jamaat-e-Islami was unbanned within a month by ‘chief advisor’ Muhammad Yunus.

It must be mentioned that the extremist organisation has received the support of the Khaleda Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) since the start.

It was under Ziaur Rahman’s administration in May 1979 that the Jamaat-e-Islami participated in politics for the first time. The Islamic extremist outfit returned the favour by helping the BNP come to power in 1991.

The BNP-Jamaat Alliance won in 2001 and remained in power till 2006. By 2008, Jamaat-e-Islami was down to 2 seats. Thereafter, it could not contest any election. The extremist outfit is now hoping to capitalise on growing Islamist ideology in the country and make inroads into Bangladesh politics.

Operation Searchlight, 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and the role of Jamaat-e-Islami

In the General elections held in December 1970, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of the Awami League secured a huge majority (167 seats) in the provincial legislature in East Pakistan.

With constant interference in the affairs of East Pakistan by its Islamic counterpart, Rahman had begun demanding for greater regional autonomy.

This was just within 13 years of the Partition of the Indian subcontinent, when Muslims sought for a separate country of their own.

Although united by the common Faith, the resentment between the West and East Pakistan towards each other continued to grow.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), who won the most seats in West Pakistan in 1970 elections, was opposed to the demands of Rahman. He had threatened to boycott the Assembly and sought for the dissolution of the provincial legislature in East Pakistan, if PPP was not included in the government.

Miffed over the denial of power and autonomy to East Pakistan, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called civil disobedience movement, on March 7, 1971. Bhutto feared civil war and President Yahya Khan, therefore, declared martial law and ordered the arrest of Rahman and other leaders.

In order to contain the civil and political unrest, the Pakistan army launched Operation Searchlight on March 26, 1971. Rahman, disillusioned by the high-handedness of West Pakistan, had already called for independence from West Pakistan.

The Pakistani soldiers launched their attack on the Bengali population in Rajararbagh and Peelkhana area. They put Mujibur Rahman behind bars and ambushed the Dhaka university, resulting in the death of 9 teachers and 200 students in Iqbal Hal.

Similarly, the Pakistan army continued with its barbaric attacks on civilians in Old Dhaka, Tejgaon, Indira Road, Mirpur, Kalabagan and other places.

On the same night, several people in Chittagong were shot dead by the army personnel. National newspapers, including, Daily Ittefaq, the Daily Sangbad were shut down and their offices were set ablaze, resulting in the death of several media personnel. Mass graves were dug out and hastily bulldozed.

An estimated 700 people were burnt to death in Dhaka. Similarly, they set fire to the houses of slum dwellers, fired bullets at those running away to save their lives, razed a Kali Mandir and also destroyed the Central Shaheed Minar.

It is believed that around 10,000-35,000 Bengalis were killed by the Pakistan army under the Operation Searchlight while the death toll to increased to over 3 lacs in the months to follow.

“Thanks to God that Pakistan could have been saved,” Bhutto had famously remarked.

The genocide against the Bengali population intensified. In the months to follow, around 4 lac Bengali women were raped by the Pakistan army while a majority of the victims being Hindus.

All these atrocities and crimes against humanity, committed by the Pakistani Army were made possible by members of Jamaat-e-Islami, which operated 3 armed outfits named ‘Al Badr’, ‘Al Shams’ and ‘Razakars’.

The situation worsened, forcing neighbouring India to step in to prevent the further continuation of genocide. In 14 days, Pakistani forces under AK Niazi signed the Instrument of surrender and thus a new nation of Bangladesh was born on 16th December 1971.

The International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh), established in 2010, found 10 extremists associated with Jamaat-e-Islami ‘complicit’ in the 1971 genocide.

These include

  1. Abdul Kader Mullah (executed in December 2013)
  2. Ghulam Azam
  3. Muhammad Kamaruzzaman (executed in April 2015)
  4. Delwar Hossain Sayeedi
  5. Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid (executed in November 2015)
  6. Abul Kalam Azad
  7. Motiur Rahman Nizami (executed in May 2016)
  8. Mir Quasem Ali (executed in September 2016)
  9. Abul Kalam Muhammad Yusuf
  10. Chowdhury Mueen-Uddin

Ghulam Azam and Abul Kalam Muhammad Yusuf died in 2014 while Delwar Hossain Sayeedi expired in 2023 of natural causes. Abul Kalam Azad remains absconding to date. Chowdhury Mueen-Uddin is now a British citizen and has not been arrested.

5 extremists associated with ‘Jamaat-e-Islami’ Bangladesh were hanged to death between December 2013 and September 2016.

Targeted violence against Hindus by Jamaat-e-Islami after 1971 genocide

On 6th December 1992, a strong mob of 5000 Muslim men, armed with bamboo sticks and roads, tried to storm a cricket match played between India and Bangladesh at the Dhaka National Stadium.

Screengrab of the 1992 news report by United Press International

Their attempts were foiled by the police, who fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the frenzied mob. As per a report by United Press International, a mob of 1000 Muslim men barged into the Hindu Shiva temple in Thatari Bazar district of Dhaka and razed it to the ground.

Islamists also attacked a Hindu temple in the Narinda district and gravely injured an 88-year-old Hin du priest in a bomb attack. Muslim mob also tried to break into the Dhakeswari Mandir in Dhaka.

They also looted shops belonging to the Hindus and smashed the cars of the minority community with sticks and iron bars.

According to the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM), the pogrom was executed by the radical Islamist outfit Jamaat-e-Islami which was an alliance partner of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The riots were not spontaneous but rather well-planned. An estimated 2400 Hindu women were gang raped, and 3500 temples and religious establishments were destroyed by frenzied Muslim mobs.

Over 28000 homes and 2500 commercial buildings belonging to the Hindu community were razed. An estimated 700 Hindus were killed in the carnage. The numbers were conservative as acknowledged by several prominent politicians at that time.

Screengrab of the BBC report

After Jamaat-e-Islami won the 2001 Bangladesh election alongside its ally BNP, unspeakable atrocities were committed on the Hindu community. Many Bangladeshi Hindus were forced to flee the country after the planned carnage.

“Hindu leaders said there were a series of attacks against them, including murder, looting and rape which began as the results were announced. They said Islamist parties and the BNP targeted them because they supported the rival Awami League political party in those elections,” a report by BBC stated.

Hindu temple vandalised in 2013 attack

In February 2013, Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing ‘Islami Chhatra Shibir’ attacked over 50 Hindu temples and targeted more than 1,500 houses and businesses of the persecuted minority community. They carried out arson in several districts of Bangladesh, such as Gaibandha, Chittagong, Rangpur, Sylhet, Bogra, etc.

A year later in February 2014, BNP members and Jamaat-e-Islami extremists launched 160 attacks on the Hindu community.

On 12th February this year, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published a 104-page report [pdf] detailing atrocities committed against vulnerable Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.

The report is titled ‘Human Rights Violations and Abuses related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh.’ 

It found that a majority of attacks on the Hindu community took place during ‘victory processions’ of individuals, celebrating the ouster of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

OHCHR noted that the attackers were local supporters of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. Page 62 of the report stated –

“Some local members and supporters of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami opposition parties bear responsibility for human rights abuses committed during revenge attacks, including against members of the Hindu community.”

In September 2024, human rights activist and exiled Bangladeshi blogger Asad Noor revealed that Hindus were being forced to join the ‘Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh.’

Noor informed that members of the radical Islamist outfit visited Kalmati Ward No.2 in Khuniagach Union of Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila. They preyed upon 27 poor, destitute Hindus and forced them to join ‘Jamaat-e-Islami.’

According to Asad Noor, the radicals threatened to kill the victims and remove them from the nation. Forced by circumstances, the impoverished Hindus had to comply with their diktat. The Jamaat-e-Islami members coerced them into signing some forms and gave them Islamic books to brainwash them into changing their Hindu Faith.

Hafiz Mohammed Shah Alam, the Assistant Secretary of the Jamaat-e-Islami (Lalmonirhat Branch), was present during the forced induction of Hindus into the radical outfit.

Pakistan admits in its dossier that scale of Operation Sindoor was much bigger than what India revealed, lists 8 additional targets hit by Indian Air Force

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan admits in its dossier that scale of Operation Sindoor was much bigger than what India revealed, lists 8 additional targets hit by Indian Air Force

According to a classified Pakistani dossier, India’s airstrikes during “Operation Sindoor” targeted at least 8 more places deep within the country and were significantly more extensive than what was previously known, reported NDTV.

This revelation provides fresh insight into the extent of India’s retaliation in the wake of the horrific Pahalgam terror attack when Hindu tourists were massacred on 22nd April.

Pakistan’s “Operation Bunyan un Marsoos” dossier’s maps illustrated attacks on Peshawar, Jhang, Hyderabad, Sindh, Gujrat, Punjab, Gujranwala, Bhawalnagar, Attock and Chor. The Indian Air Force and the Director General of Military Operations did not reveal attacks on these sites in the press conferences after last month’s strikes. The recent disclosure helps one understand Islamabad’s plea for a ceasefire to New Delhi. Additionally, it contradicts Pakistan’s lofty claims of causing significant harm to the Indian side and not suffering damages in Indian strikes.

Map in Pakistan dossier (Source: NDTV)

The scope and breadth of Indian counterstrike has been thoroughly explained in in-depth briefings by the Indian military establishment. Given this situation, the exclusion of these targets seems to be a well-thought-out strategy designed to force Pakistan itself to unveil the total damage themselves.

Satellite imagery made available by Maxar Technologies had shown the destruction resulting from the precision strikes India launched against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, targeting nine targets, including the Lashkar-e-Taiba training center in Muridke and the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters in Bahawalpur. Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Rawalakot, Chakswari, Bhimber, Neelum Valley, Jhelum, and Chakwal were among the other places that were struck during the operation.

Map in Pakistan dossier showing India attack on May 9/10 (Source: NDTV)

During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan fired a barrage of drones and missiles at residential areas and military installations throughout India’s western side, despite New Delhi’s clear statement that it had solely struck terror sites. India hit Pakistan’s military bases in respsonse. Nur Khan, Rafiqui, Murid, Sukkur, Sialkot, Pasrur, Chunian, Sargodha, Skaru, Bholari and Jacobabad were among the eleven air bases that were targeted. The three-day escalation came to an end when Pakistan was forced to request a ceasefire due to the severe damage suffered by the country.

India has emphasized that a clear red line has been established by Operation Sindoor. Any terrorist attack in India would now be viewed as a war crime, prompting severe punishment. During the most recent conflict, Indian capabilities were clearly demonstrated. Furthermore, as the Pakistan dossier suggests, India hit harder and farther than it admitted.

‘Usual practice followed for under construction sites during monsoons’: Mumbai Metro MD slams Mid-Day over misleading report on rain measures

OpIndia Staff
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‘Usual practice followed for under construction sites during monsoons’: Mumbai Metro MD slams Mid-Day over misleading report on rain measures

Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) Managing Director Ashwini Bhide has strongly refuted a report by local news outlet Mid-day, which claimed that the city’s metro infrastructure was resorting to “cheap tarpaulin rain fixes” to protect its stations during the monsoon. Taking to social media platform X, Bhide clarified that the use of temporary rainproof covers is a standard practice at under-construction sites in Mumbai to facilitate uninterrupted and safe work during the monsoon season.

The controversy erupted after Mid-day published an article titled “Rs 37,000 crore Mumbai metro line 3 gets cheap tarpaulin rain fix,” pointing to the use of temporary waterproofing measures at a few Metro Line 3 stations, including Acharya Atre Chowk and BKC. The article implied that such measures were indicative of poor planning and a lack of preparedness for Mumbai’s notorious rains.

In a series of detailed posts on X, Bhide addressed the claims head-on.

“Some entry exits of @MumbaiMetro3 which are under construction are covered with rainproof material as part of the usual practice being followed by under construction sites during monsoon season of Mumbai so that the construction activity safely continues even during rains,” she posted.

She further clarified that the specific image cited in the report was of the BKC station’s Entry/Exit point connecting to the upcoming Metro Line 2B, which is still under construction. “It is temporarily covered to avoid rain water ingress during this monsoon. The glass facade work is in progress inside the Entry Exit—after that, the covering will be removed,” she added.

Highlighting the strategic importance of the site, Bhide stated that this particular entry/exit will eventually provide “paid-to-paid connectivity” between Metro Lines 2 and 3. This connectivity will allow commuters from Dahisar and Andheri via Line 2 to seamlessly transfer to Line 3 and travel towards key city destinations such as Siddhivinayak, Mantralaya, and Cuffe Parade.

Bhide concluded her thread with a pointed remark on the complexity and scope of the metro infrastructure project. “Building a completely new mass transit system which can transform the way the city travels is a far more complex process than what one can imagine. However, be rest assured that it is being ensured with tireless efforts and meticulousness,” she wrote.

The Mid-day article had described the MMRCL’s temporary rainproofing steps—including the use of plastic sheets, tarpaulins, and bund walls—as “roadside repair-like” measures and questioned the project’s monsoon readiness, especially in light of the recent water ingress incident at the Acharya Atre Chowk station. However, Bhide’s clarification drew attention to the difference between operational stations and areas still under construction, urging the public to avoid alarmist interpretations.

Industry experts and infrastructure observers have echoed Bhide’s clarification, noting that the use of temporary waterproofing is a widely accepted measure in construction projects during the rainy season, especially in a city like Mumbai with heavy and unpredictable monsoon patterns.

As Metro Line 3 continues to inch toward full-scale operation, MMRCL faces not only engineering challenges but also growing scrutiny from both media and the public. However, Bhide’s prompt and detailed response demonstrates the agency’s commitment to transparency and project integrity.

Uttar Pradesh: Mohammad Salman posed as Hindu man, abducted, raped and assaulted Dalit Hindu girl, sentenced to life – Exclusive details

Anurag
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Uttar Pradesh: Mohammad Salman posed as Hindu man, abducted, raped and assaulted Dalit Hindu girl, sentenced to life – Exclusive details

On 29th May, a special SC/ST court in Barabanki sentenced Mohammad Salman to life imprisonment along with multiple jail terms for raping a Dalit girl, attempting forced religious conversion, and hurling casteist abuses. Notably, Salman got in touch with the Dalit girl posing as a Hindu man named “Sumit Kanojia”.

In the judgment, Justice Veena Narayan, who found Salman guilty under IPC Sections 376, 366, 406, 504, 506, Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Act, and Section 3 and 5(1) of the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act.

The case was registered on 15th December 2023 after the victim’s brother filed a complaint stating his 18-year-old sister had gone missing two days earlier. He had told police that she was in contact with a man over the phone and accused the person of luring her.

Victim lured under false identity, taken to multiple locations

OpIndia accessed the judgment in the matter. According to court records, the victim belonged to the Scheduled Caste community. She had been in touch with a man who introduced himself as “Sumit Kanojia”, and was in touch with her over the phone for nearly two years. She believed him to be from her own caste and community. Salman had promised marriage and pretended to be a Hindu throughout their interactions.

On the night of 13th December 2023, the victim’s mother and sister-in-law were at home and the men of the family had gone to attend a wedding. The victim left the home around 8 PM and carried jewellery and cash with her. She was last seen leaving the house with Salman, who picked her up on a bike. When her family members tried contacting her on the phone, it was switched off.

Initially, the family tried to find her on their own in which they failed. A police complaint was then filed by her brother. An FIR was registered on 15th December 2023. Police swung into action immediately and an investigation was launched.

According to the victim’s statement in court, Salman took her first to Vishnupuram Colony in Shahjahanpur. They stayed at a rented accommodation for around 20 days, where he kept her confined. The victim repeatedly requested him to get married, but he refused.

After staying in Shahjahanpur for 20 days, they shifted to Maigalganj where they lived for around six to seven months. There too, she remained confined, locked in a room. She cooked for herself while Salman would go out alone and return after several hours. The victim told the court that he had broken her mobile phone and severed all her communication with the outside world.

Initially, the victim had no knowledge of Salman’s true identity. When they started living together, she found out that his real name was Mohammad Salman. She also found out that he was already married and had children. But by then, she had already been physically assaulted, sexually exploited, and isolated for months. After she learnt about his identity, he reportedly told her that he would marry her only if she converted to Islam.

Salman posed as Hindu, later revealed to be married Muslim man

During trial, it was established beyond doubt that Mohammad Salman had deliberately assumed a fake identity as “Sumit Kanojia” to gain the victim’s trust. He claimed that he belonged to the same community as the victim. He carefully tailored his conversations to align with her beliefs and background. This deception extended over nearly two years of phone interactions. During that time, he assured the victim of marriage and posed as a suitable match from within her own community.

The victim’s brother deposed in court that the family had earlier caught her video calling a man. When they questioned the girl, she claimed that the man’s name was Sumit Kanojia and he was from another village but of the same caste. The family scolded her and warned not to contact the man. However, within two days, she resumed her contact with Salman.

Salman continued his act and even tried to convince the family that he was a Hindu and wanted to marry their daughter. He used to wear hindu sacred thread Kalawa and tilak to convice the victim and her family. The mother reportedly told him to wait until the girl’s father returned from work in Kerala.

Salman, on the other hand, had no intention to reveal his true identity. The girl got to know his real name only after they started living together. The disclosure shattered her trust. However, by then, he had already taken her to unfamiliar places, deprived her of communication, and sexually assaulted her repeatedly. The revelation of his identity became the basis of charges under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, as he had pressured the victim to convert to Islam once his identity was exposed.

Victim’s ordeal – Rape, threats, and confinement

The victim narrated the ordeal of suffering for over seven months in the court. She explained how he lured her away from her home under the false identity of a Hindu man, raped her multiple times against her will, and kept her in isolation. She stated that he first established physical relations with her at Shahjahanpur and then continued to do so in Maigalganj.

Following the revelation of his true identity, despite her objections and insistence that they should get married first, Salman told her that marriage would only happen if she converted to Islam. When she refused, she said, he abused her using casteist slurs and threatened to kill her and dump her body where no one would find her.

The victim remained confined in Maigalganj for around six to seven months. She told the court that Salman used to go out frequently but never took her anywhere. She was not allowed to step outside even once. During this time, she also became pregnant, which was confirmed in her medical examination. However, according to the prosecution, Salman forcibly administered abortion pills, leading to miscarriage.

The victim faced trauma after learning about his real identity and marital status. The fact that he was already married with children was hidden from her throughout. The court found her testimony consistent, credible, and unwavering despite cross-examination, noting that the duration, circumstances, and repeated nature of the abuse made her account highly reliable.

The police were able to trace the victim on 25th July 2024, more than seven months after she had gone missing. The police acted on inputs from sources and traced her to a location near Mittai Canal Bridge in Barabanki. A team reached the spot where she was recovered. However, Salman managed to escape. The police then brought her to the station and recorded her statement. A supplementary medical examination was conducted.

The victim informed the court that she was in a relationship with Salman for over four years. On his instructions, she had taken her mother’s jewellery and Rs 40,000 in cash before leaving with him. Salman sold off her jewellery and used the cash she had brought from home.

Charges invoked under IPC, SC/ST Act, and anti-conversion law

Following the victim’s recovery and her detailed statements to the police and magistrate, the charges against Salman were expanded. While the initial FIR filed on 15th December 2023 included Section 366 of the IPC for kidnapping and Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Act, the police later added more serious charges. These included rape, criminal breach of trust, caste-based abuse, criminal intimidation, and attempted forced religious conversion.

The SHO submitted a report to the CO on 25th July 2024, recommending the additional charges based on the girl’s account and medical evidence. Accordingly, Salman was charged under Section 376 of the IPC for raping the girl after luring her under a false promise of marriage, and under Section 406 for having misappropriated her jewellery and cash. Sections 504 and 506 were added for caste-based verbal abuse and threats to kill. The court also allowed the addition of Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act after it was found that Salman knowingly targeted the girl for being Scheduled Caste. Most significantly, the prosecution added Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, based on the girl’s repeated assertions that Salman pressured her to convert to Islam as a precondition for marriage, a demand she refused.

The judge observed in the judgment that the deceitful identity, the abuse of trust, and the caste and communal angle of the crime elevated its seriousness and justified the inclusion of all the above provisions.

Medical examination and supporting witness statements

Following her recovery, the victim was sent for a medical examination. Dr Priya Singh, who conducted the examination, told the court that the girl had engaged in recent sexual activity. However, there were no signs of physical injury found due to the lapse of time. The court was informed that the hymen was torn, consistent with the victim’s account of repeated sexual intercourse over several months. The doctor further confirmed that the girl was not a minor, and her approximate age was found to be around 18 years.

The court relied on both medical evidence and the testimony of prosecution witnesses. The victim’s brother provided details of the sequence of events leading to the disappearance, the family’s initial attempts to locate her, and the shock they experienced upon discovering the accused’s real identity. He also stated that the victim had told the family over the phone, after her rescue, that she had been deceived and pressured to convert.

The investigating officers also corroborated the chain of events. IO Dr Veenu Singh and CO Jagat Ram Kanojia confirmed that after the victim’s recovery, statements were recorded, maps were drawn of the locations involved, and the new charges were added to the FIR.

During the course of the investigation, the police found out the real identity of Salman and traced his house location. However, it was found to be locked. The neighbours informed the police that Salman’s wife’s delivery was due and the family had left for the same.

Court’s findings based on testimonies

In her detailed judgment, Justice Narayan observed that the victim’s testimony remained unwavering, specific, and consistent at all stages. The judge remarked that although the case involved an adult woman, the issue of consent did not arise, as the accused had obtained her trust through fraudulent means, posed as a Hindu, and later used coercion, isolation, and threats to continue a sexual relationship under false pretences.

Rejecting the defence’s arguments that the victim had left home voluntarily and that no force was used, the court held that consent obtained through lies and manipulation is not valid in law, particularly when the victim is confined, cut off from her family, and forced to act under sustained psychological pressure.

Consequently, the court found Salman guilty under all relevant sections and sentenced him to life imprisonment for rape, with additional terms for the other charges. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently, and the convict was taken into custody immediately after pronouncement.

Detailed sentence awarded by the court

The court sentenced him to life under SC/ST Act. He was sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25,000 under Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.

For kidnapping the victim, Salman was sentenced to ten years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 10,000. For criminal breach of trust, he was awarded three years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000. For intentional insult, the court awarded one year of simple imprisonment, and for criminal intimidation, he received two years of rigorous imprisonment. All sentences will run concurrently.

4 tonnes of looted explosives buried in dense jungle: As CRPF, Odisha police recover 2.5 tonnes, read how Naxals hatched an elaborate plan to obtain gelatin sticks

OpIndia Staff
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4 tonnes of looted explosives buried in dense jungle: As CRPF, Odisha police recover 2.5 tonnes, read how Naxals hatched an elaborate plan to obtain gelatin sticks

On 2nd June, security forces found 2.5 of the 4 tonnes explosive materials that Maoists had stolen in the Sundergarh district of Odisha. The special operations group (SOG), district volunteer force (DVF), India Reserve Battalion (IRB), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jharkhand’s elite Jaguar Force participated in the coordinated action which was headed by the Odisha police.

A combing operation on the Gandhamardhan Hill range on the Balangir-Bargarh district boundary led to the discovery of the explosives, Maoist uniforms and other materials. Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania stated, “Odisha police have been working day and night on a sustained basis to ensure that the entire looted explosive consignment is recovered. All due care is being taken for safety of personnel searching for the explosive materials in the forest.”

According to Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG-western range) Brijesh Rai, the recovery operation employed deep search metal detectors (DSMD) to find explosives hidden among dry leaves and buried underground in a forest area along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border.

“SOG (Special Operation Group) is leading the other forces in the search operation. We still have 1.5 tonnes of explosives left to recover. There are natural craters in the forest, which the Maoists have used to hide the explosives. So far, we know that the ultras have hidden the explosives within a four kilometre stretch of forest,” he explained.

An official informed, “While some of the explosives were buried under the earth, others could be located from underneath rocks.” The ongoing hunt started on 28th May, the day after the Maoists stole the explosives when they were being taken to a stone quarry to be used for blasting.

The officer stated that the site was in Jharkhand, some distance from the Odisha border and part of the Saranda forest, but did not provide the precise location of the explosive recovery. However, according to sources, the explosives were discovered near Saranda Forest at Tirilposh, which is on the Odisha-Jharkhand interstate border.

The security forces retrieved some of the explosives after a fierce gunfight with the Maoists on 30th May, finding about 30% of the stolen materials till then. Brijesh Rai also reported that some explosive gelatin sticks were uncovered in a Maoist hideaway in a forest near Koida in Sundargarh district on the Odisha-Jharkhand border, during a search operation.

A senior officer outlined, “To conceal explosives from aerial and ground surveillance, the Maoists buried the explosives underground. An intense search and intelligence inputs helped us to seize the explosives. Efforts are on to recover the remaining explosives.” According to sources, the seized materials will be examined by the police to ascertain their composition and the provenance of the consignment.

Quarry owner violated protocol, NIA initiates parallel probe

On 27th May, a truck brought 200 packets of explosives to the Banko Stone Quarry in Sundargarh district. Each box weighed roughly 20 to 25 kilograms and contained roughly nine gelatin sticks. While the explosives were being unloaded, a group of around 25-30 armed men reached there, threatened the driver and held him at gunpoint. They took the van into a nearby forest and escaped with all the explosives, which included mostly gelatine sticks and detonators.

According to an earlier investigation, the quarry owner did not transfer the explosives in line with the protocol because the vehicle’s route was remote. Maoists took down the CCTV camera that was placed in the quarry, leaving the police in the dark as well. The authorities mentioned that Shravan Agrawal, the proprietor of the quarry, has two explosive licenses: one in his wife’s name and one in his own.

Police are also looking into recent delivery and stock details. The area where the loot transpired was located beside the Saranda forest, recognized as a Maoist hideout in the West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. Police declared, “Soon after the incident, a preliminary enquiry suggested the involvement of naxals active in the Saranda forest under West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.”

An National Investigation Team (NIA) team began probing the incident a day after YB Khurania and other senior police personnel visited the scene. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has also been established by the Odisha Police for inquiry. NIA dispatched a team to the scene on 27th.

“An NIA team visited Rourkela to investigate the incident. Preliminary probe suggests left-wing extremists operating from Saranda forests in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand were involved in the loot of the blasting explosives,” Brijesh Rai stated previosuly.

YB Khurania hurried to Sundargarh district to evaluate the situation as he was concerned that the stolen explosives would be utilized for subversive purposes. He spent two days camping in Rourkela and met with senior police officers several times to keep an eye on activities to recover the explosives. Additionally, the DGP had instructed police to increase protection in regions that were susceptible.

The loot has raised concerns because Maoists operating in Jharkhand’s Saranda forests use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to carry out attacks as security forces in neighboring states have stepped up their anti-Naxal operations by identifying and neutralizing senior leadership of the banned group. This sparked a significant flush-out campaign along the bordering area by Odisha Police and its anti-Naxal organization Special Operation Group (SOG).

As per the latest details, the stone quarry owner, Shravan Agrawal, who also owns the explosive warehouses, has been arrested by the Special Investigation Team.

End of red terror by March 2026

The Modi administration is determined to eradicate naxalism by March 2026. The government has pursued an aggressive military strategy to confront Naxal terrorism, which is already in its final stages. In recent weeks, extensive operations like “Operation Kagar” in the Karegutta hills and Chhattisgarh Abujhmadh have wiped out dozens of Naxal leaders, who had bounty worth crores on them.

The government launched several operations in January 2024 with the goal of eliminating Naxalism in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra (Gadchiroli), Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana. Additional camps were also set up as part of the action by security forces. Around one lakh paramilitary troops, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), its elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) units, District Reserve Guards (DRG), and state police, have been deployed in the areas affected by left-wing terrorism to eliminate naxal terrorism from its final bastions.

The government’s zero tolerance policy, along with an aggressive military approach, has bore significant results with the Maoist violence going down by 77% between 2010 to 2021. There has been considerable decrease in the incidents of violence from 2258 incidents in 2009 to 509 incidents in 2021. The number of naxal-affected districts has also reduced over the past 10 years from 106 districts in 2015 to 6 districts (Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, and Sukma in Chhattisgarh, West Singhbhum in Jharkhand and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra). Additionally, the deaths resulting from Maoist terror have reduced by 90%.

The number of Naxalites killed in encounters has increased from 63 to 2089. In 2024, 928 Naxalites surrendered, and so far, 718 have surrendered in the first four months of 2025. From 2019 to 2025, the central forces, in collaboration with state police, have established a total of 320 camps in Naxal-affected states, including 68 night-landing helipads. The number of fortified police stations, which was 66 in 2014, has now increased to 555.

Speaking in the Pariliament in March, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Parliament that Naxalism will be eradicated from the country by 31st March 2026. He stated that between 2004 and 2014, 16,463 violent incidents were registered , but in the last ten years, this number has gone down by 53 per cent. The deaths of security personnel have also reduced by 73% in the past 10 years.

With the Naxal leadership being wiped out steadily by the security forces, the Naxal movement is now staring at its inevitable end. The recent killing of Maoist leader Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju, who used to walk around with a multi-layer security cover of about 60-70 armed naxals, demonstrates the enhanced accuracy of the security forces in carrying out recent anti-Naxal operations.

In addition to the removal of prominent Naxal leaders, numerous dreaded Maoists have also surrendered due to the progress made in remote regions as a result of government policies. Since the inception of the operation, the security forces have eliminated over 400 naxal terrorists so far while more than 800 Maoists have given up arms and the numbers are only increasing with every anti-Maoist action.

Operation Jalrahat-II: Assam Rifles and Indian Army continue flood relief efforts in North East India on the third day of the operation

ANI
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Operation Jalrahat-II: Assam Rifles and Indian Army continue flood relief efforts in North East India on the third day of the operation

On the third consecutive day of Operation JALRAHAT-II, troops of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles continued their flood rescue and humanitarian relief efforts across Imphal Valley, rescuing 944 civilians from waterlogged and inaccessible regions. The operation included the distribution of 1,500 food packets and 4,000 bottles of clean drinking Water.

The troops from the Indian Army and Assam Rifles also organised a dedicated Medical Camp at the Wangkhei Angom Leikai Rehabilitation Camp on 02 June 2025 and provided medical aid to over 250 displaced civilians. The medical team provided emergency treatment for injuries, infections, dehydration and other ailments. Special attention was given to children, the elderly and patients with chronic conditions.

Additionally, the camp focused on awareness around hygiene, sanitation, and disease prevention to reduce the risk of secondary health crises (Assam Rifles).

In the Wangkhei Ningthem area, in Manipur, troops of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles responded to an SOS call from the family of a man who had sustained a deep cut on his right ankle and was stranded without access to medical care. Braving submerged lanes, a medical team reached the location and carried out on-site suturing, stabilising the injury and preventing further complications.

In a timely and courageous response to a distress call, the troops launched a rescue operation in the early hours of 02 June 2025 to save civilians stranded in the flood-affected General Area Heingang of Imphal East District, Manipur. Braving adverse conditions, the troops acted swiftly and efficiently, executing the rescue between midnight and 2:15 AM with utmost professionalism.

During the operation, Assam Rifles successfully rescued four civilians trapped by rising floodwaters. Among them were Mr. P. Koba, aged 40, and his 17-year-old son, P. Alex, who were stranded inside a double-storey building. In a simultaneous effort, troops also evacuated 60-year-old Ahongshabam Ibecha and her 25-year-old grandson, A. Suresh, who were trapped in a residence. All individuals were safely relocated to secure locations away from the affected zone.

The rapid deployment, effective coordination, and commitment of the personnel not only averted a potential tragedy but also brought timely relief to families in distress.

Despite continued rainfall, difficult terrain, and logistical constraints, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles remain on the ground undeterred, providing critical assistance, medical care, and reassurance to thousands impacted by the disaster.

Earlier on June 2, Manipur Fire Service, Assam Rifles, SDRF, NDRF, and Indian Army conducted joint evacuation operations to rescue stranded medical students and staff from the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal, following severe waterlogging triggered by heavy rainfall.

Earlier on May 31, Imphal witnessed a flood-like situation in several areas after relentless rainfall, leading to waterlogging.

Roads were submerged, disrupting daily life and causing distress to residents trying to navigate the inundated paths.

Low-lying areas in and around the city were the worst affected, as stormwater drainage systems failed to cope with the volume of rainwater. In many places, homes and shops experienced water seepage, forcing residents to use makeshift measures to protect their belongings. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

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