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DRDO is building a hypersonic bunker buster that can strike 3,000 km deep into Pakistan or China and destroy underground targets: Read what India has that even Israel doesn’t

श्रवण शुक्ल
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DRDO is building a hypersonic bunker buster that can strike 3,000 km deep into Pakistan or China and destroy underground targets: Read what India has that even Israel doesn’t

India is quietly preparing a new, game-changing weapon that could tilt the strategic equation in South Asia decisively in its favour. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing a lethal bunker-buster variant of the Agni-V missile—a weapon that could obliterate underground enemy facilities deep beneath mountains, concrete bunkers, and fortified command centres.

This isn’t just an incremental upgrade to India’s existing missile capabilities. The new Agni-V is designed to pierce through 80 to 100 meters of reinforced concrete or rock, carrying a colossal warhead weighing between 7,500 to 8,000 kilograms. Such deep penetration capability makes it one of the most powerful non-nuclear conventional weapons under development globally.

What sets this missile apart is not just its raw destructive power, but its ability to travel at hypersonic speeds, estimated between Mach 8 and Mach 20—that’s nearly 10,000 to 24,500 km per hour. At such speeds, enemy air defence systems become virtually useless. By the time detection happens, it’s already too late.

Targeting enemy nuclear nerve centres

India’s primary adversaries—Pakistan and China—have invested heavily in underground military infrastructure. From hidden nuclear weapon sites to deeply buried command-and-control bunkers, these facilities are designed to survive conventional air strikes.

For Pakistan, critical sites such as the Kahuta nuclear facility, Kirana Hills complex, Noor Khan Airbase, and Masroor Airbase represent the backbone of its nuclear and missile programs. Similarly, China has developed numerous hardened missile silos and military bunkers along the Tibetan plateau and in its hinterland.

The Agni-V Bunker Buster is being specifically designed to neutralise such threats. With its deep-penetration capabilities and heavy payload, this missile gives India the ability to disable an enemy’s nuclear infrastructure in a matter of minutes—without needing nuclear warheads.

Agni-V bunker buster missile

Why a bunker buster is essential for India?

The South Asian security environment remains volatile, with both Pakistan and China posing persistent strategic challenges:

  1. Pakistan’s Nuclear Shield:
    Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is the cornerstone of its military strategy. Its nuclear sites are intentionally hidden underground to ensure survivability in case of conflict. Facilities like Kahuta, nestled beneath mountain ranges, are nearly impossible to target with conventional bombs. The Agni-V changes that calculus.
  2. Chinese Military Buildup:
    China’s extensive underground missile silos, storage sites, and command centres, especially along the Himalayan frontier, provide it with considerable military leverage. In the event of a border conflict, India needs the ability to strike these hardened facilities swiftly and decisively.
  3. Geographic Challenges:
    The rugged terrain of the Himalayas and fortified bunkers in both adversary nations make traditional air strikes difficult. Bunker-buster missiles offer a more reliable, stand-off solution.
  4. Lessons from Global Conflicts:
    The June 2025 U.S. strike on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility using the GBU-57 bunker-buster bomb underscored the importance of such weapons. That operation demonstrated how underground nuclear programs can be neutralised without resorting to all-out war. India has clearly taken note.
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Agni-V vs. America’s GBU-57: How India’s missile stacks up

Globally, the U.S. GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) is considered the gold standard in bunker-busting munitions. Weighing 13,600 kg and capable of penetrating up to 60 meters of reinforced concrete or 130 feet of rock, it is a formidable weapon. However, its deployment is complex—it requires the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, one of the most expensive and limited military aircraft in the world.

India’s Agni-V Bunker Buster offers several advantages:

  • Greater Payload: Agni-V carries up to 8,000 kg of explosives, compared to GBU-57’s 2,700 kg payload, meaning greater destructive potential.
  • Deeper Penetration: Capable of boring through up to 100 meters underground, Agni-V outperforms the American MOP’s 60-meter penetration.
  • Mobility and Flexibility: Unlike the GBU-57, Agni-V is a canister-launched missile, deployable from road or rail platforms. It doesn’t require strategic bombers, making it faster, more mobile, and significantly cheaper to operate.
  • Hypersonic Speed: The missile’s speed (Mach 8 to 20) means interception is nearly impossible. The GBU-57, dropped from 50,000 feet, travels at subsonic speeds, making it vulnerable to some defences.
  • Indigenous and Cost-Effective: Developed entirely in India, Agni-V reduces reliance on foreign technology and offers a more economical solution for strategic strike missions.
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Technological edge and precision

The Agni-V Bunker Buster incorporates state-of-the-art technology to ensure precision targeting. Its guidance system integrates:

  • NavIC Navigation: India’s own satellite navigation network ensures accuracy, independent of foreign systems like GPS.
  • Ring Laser Gyroscopes and Micro-Inertial Navigation Systems: These enhance mid-course correction capabilities, ensuring the missile remains on target even under electronic warfare conditions.
  • Two Warhead Options:
    • Airburst Warhead: Destroys surface targets like airfields, radar stations, and enemy troop concentrations.
    • Deep-Penetration Warhead: Targets underground bunkers, missile silos, command centres, and hardened storage facilities.

The missile’s canister-based design allows for rapid deployment from mobile platforms, enhancing survivability and tactical flexibility. In a crisis, this means India can quickly position and launch the missile, catching adversaries off-guard.

Global bunker-buster arsenal: How India fares

Only a handful of nations possess credible bunker-busting capabilities:

  • United States: GBU-57 MOP, GBU-28, and BLU-109 bombs. Delivery depends on expensive, limited bombers.
  • China: DF-15C ballistic missile with limited 20-25 meter penetration.
  • Russia: KAB and BetAB bombs, capable of shallow penetration (up to 5 meters).
  • South Korea: Hyunmoo-4 and Hyunmoo-5 missiles, 24-meter penetration, 600 km range.
  • Israel: Jericho-3 missile with 11,000 km range but only 800-900 kg payload.

With its combination of deep penetration, hypersonic speed, and heavy payload, India’s Agni-V Bunker Buster will likely rank as the second-most powerful system after the U.S. MOP—and arguably more flexible due to its mobile, canister-based launch capability.

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Pakistan’s vulnerable military installations

Several high-value Pakistani facilities would be within Agni-V’s strike range:

  • Kahuta Nuclear Facility: Pakistan’s primary nuclear weapons research and production centre, buried beneath mountains.
  • Kirana Hills: Secret underground tunnels and bunkers storing nuclear weapons and hosting tests.
  • Noor Khan Airbase: Underground weapons depots and command centres supporting Pakistan’s air force.
  • Masroor Airbase: Near Karachi, known for missile storage and nuclear warhead stockpiling.

Neutralising these facilities could significantly degrade Pakistan’s retaliatory strike capabilities in a conflict scenario.

The bigger strategic message

Agni-V is more than a weapon—it’s a statement. It reflects India’s growing defence self-reliance, technological prowess, and willingness to prepare for high-intensity conflict scenarios. In particular:

  • Credible Deterrence: The ability to destroy hardened enemy sites reinforces India’s strategic deterrence posture.
  • Self-Reliant Defence: Fully indigenous design aligns with India’s push for defence self-sufficiency under ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
  • Regional Power Projection: Signals to adversaries that India is capable of swift, precise, and overwhelming retaliation, even against underground targets.

With the Agni-V Bunker Buster, India is entering an elite league of nations possessing deep-strike, high-speed, bunker-penetrating missile technology. Its development underscores India’s intent to neutralise emerging threats proactively, ensuring no underground enemy site remains beyond reach.

In the evolving security dynamics of South Asia, where nuclear posturing and hardened military facilities are the norm, such a capability isn’t just desirable, it’s essential for maintaining peace through strength.

Amid reports of hurried deal before Trump’s deadline, Piyush Goyal affirms India does not do trade deals based on timeline, will happen only when it is win-win for both sides

OpIndia Staff
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Amid reports of hurried deal before Trump’s deadline, Piyush Goyal affirms India does not do trade deals based on timeline, will happen only when it is win-win for both sides

Amid reports claiming that a trade deal between India and the USA will be signed withing the next 48 hours ahead of president Donald Trump’s July 9 deadline for reciprocal tariff, Indian govt has firmly said that the country does not do trade deals based on timeline. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday made it clear that any trade deal with America would only happen when it is a win-win situation for both the countries, and it can’t be subject to any deadline.

Talking to reporters in Delhi, Goyal said, “India discusses on its own terms and we never make a trade deal based on a timeline. When the deal is good, fully matured, and in the national interest, then we accept it.”

He added that discussions are ongoing with various countries, including the European Union, New Zealand, Oman, the United States, Chile, Peru etc. Goyal said, “negotiations for agreements are underway with many countries. A free trade agreement happens only when there is mutual benefit. When the deal is made while safeguarding India’s interests, keeping in mind that national interest will always remain paramount, then India is always ready to make deals with developed countries.”

Earlier, reports citing sources claimed that an interim trade deal between India and the US is likely to be signed within the next 48 hours – days before the 9 July deadline of Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs is set to expire.

President Trump threatened a 26% duty on Indian goods as part of his April 2 “Liberation Day” reciprocal tariffs, which were temporarily lowered to 10% to buy time for negotiations with the 9 July deadline.

As per reports, a trade delegation from India was still in Washington for the negotiations that started last week. The Indian trade delegation led by special secretary Rajesh Agarwal has extended its stay in Washington due to non-conclusion of the deal.

It was reported that while negotiations were in the final stages, it was stuck with India not relenting on Trump’s demand to open the agriculture and dairy sectors completely to the US. According to sources, India has refused to budge on lowering tariffs on genetically modified corn, soybeans, rice and wheat grown in the US.

Earlier on  June 27, Donald Trump said that US will soon have a trade deal with India and said that it will be a great deal. Trump said, “Everybody wants to make a deal and have a part of it. Remember a few months ago, the press was saying, You really have anybody of any interest? Well, we just signed with China yesterday. We are having some great deals. We have one coming up, maybe with India. Very big one.”

The proposed India-USA bilateral trade agreement (BTA) aims to double trade between the two nations to USD 500 billion by 2030.

Kashmir: Palestinian and Hezbollah flags, banners of Khamenei and others waved during Muharram procession, deceased Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah’s poster pasted on police station

OpIndia Staff
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Kashmir: Palestinian and Hezbollah flags, banners of Khamenei and others waved during Muharram procession, deceased Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah’s poster pasted on police station

The Islamic month of Muharram is currently underway and processions are being carried out throughout the nation. On 4th July, a significant procession took place in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. Thousands of individuals took part in this event. However, the participants waved flags associated with Iran and the terrorist organization Hezbollah during the event.

Additionally, many took to the streets carrying images of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei and the Iranian commanders as well as terrorists who lost their lives in the Israeli assault including Hassan Nasrallah.

The authorities and law enforcement had previously taken down such flags from public areas. However, the situation escalated when they reappeared during the procession. The people also chanted slogans in favour of Iran. Furthermore, images of the deceased high-ranking commanders of Iran were displayed. A similar occurrence was noted during the Muharram procession in Budgam.

On 3rd July, a day after the police had taken banners with Hassan Nasrallah’s picture out of public spaces, a massive number of mourners demonstrated outside a police station in the town of Magam, which is outside Srinagar.

The action had infuriated the agitators who were chanting slogans while holding photographs of Shia religious and political leaders, including Ali Hosseini Khamenei, the current supreme leader as well as Iranian spiritual and political leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Additionally, they plastered posters of Hassan Nasrallah on the police station’s wall amid chaos and sloganeering.

A sea of Palestinian flags was also witnessed during the procession on 8th Muharram alongside giant portraint of Ali Khamenei and other leaders of the Islamic Republic. There were no adverse incidents, however, diversions transpired. Last year, the police had to register multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) over similar occurrences as the attendees rasied pro-Palestinian slogans. Hence, the main road had been inaccessible for procession.

On the eighth day of Muharram, the Shia community organized a procession in Srinagar along the traditional route. This marks the third consecutive year that the police have granted permission for the procession. It commenced at Guru Bazaar in the downtown area and proceeded to Dalgate via Jahangir Chowk, Lal Chowk, Tanki Pora and Maulana Azad Road. The administration has established a specific time for the mourners to ensure that daily life in the city remains undisturbed.

The Muharram processions were prohibited in Srinagar and other areas of Kashmir following the jihad and terrorism supported by Pakistan in the early 1990s. However, the authorities rescinded the ban in 2023 after observing the progress and peace in the valley. According to the police, comprehensive security arrangements have been put in place for the processions.

Moreover, a traffic advisory had been issued. Security and traffic arrangements will also be coordinated for Yaum-e-Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram. CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) has also been deployed at multiple places along with local cops and traffic police.

‘Pakistan had just 30 seconds’: Shehbaz Sharif’s advisor exposes how BrahMos strike shattered Pak military’s nerve centre

OpIndia Staff
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‘Pakistan had just 30 seconds’: Shehbaz Sharif’s advisor exposes how BrahMos strike shattered Pak military’s nerve centre

In a startling admission that exposes Pakistan’s agenda, a top aide to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has revealed that his country’s military had merely 30-45 seconds to determine whether an incoming BrahMos missile carried a nuclear warhead during a critical moment in this May’s Operation Sindoor.

During an interview, Rana Sanaullah, Prime Minister Sharif’s special advisor, described the scenario. He was detailing how the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile’s strike on Pakistan’s strategically vital Nur Khan Airbase left decision-makers scrambling to avert Armageddon. “When India fired BrahMos and it hit Nur Khan airbase, Pakistan’s military had 30 or 45 seconds to determine if it carried a nuclear warhead,” Sanaullah stated, emphasising that any misjudgment could have ignited global nuclear conflict.

Operation Sindoor: The trigger

The missile crisis erupted against the backdrop of soaring tensions following the 22nd April Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, where Pakistan-linked terrorists killed 26 tourists. India responded on 7th May with Operation Sindoor, a multi-pronged military campaign targeting terrorist infrastructure. Initial strikes destroyed camps of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen, killing over 100 terrorists.

When Pakistan retaliated with drone and missile attacks on India, it was all intercepted by Indian defences. India escalated dramatically. On the night of May 9-10, BrahMos missiles screamed toward eleven Pakistani airbases, including Sargodha, Jacobabad, Rafiqui, and the crown jewel of Pak military, Nur Khan in Chaklala, Rawalpindi.

The Nur Khan Strike: A 45 second nightmare for Pakistan

Nur Khan Airbase is no ordinary facility. Housing the Pakistan Air Force’s VIP fleet, advanced Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones, and serving as a key command node. Its location just outside Pakistan’s military headquarters in Rawalpindi makes it a strategic nerve centre of Pakistan’s military. The base had been targeted before by India during the 1971 war, but never with such terrifying speed.

  • The Missile’s Lethal Edge: The air-launched BrahMos, an Indo-Russian co-developed supersonic cruise missile. It travels at Mach 2.8-3.0 (~3450 km/h), leaving target areas with virtually no warning time. Its low-altitude “terrain-hugging” flight path makes detection extraordinarily difficult.
  • The Decision Window: Sanaullah’s account underscores that Pakistan’s air defence systems identified the missile with only half a minute to analyse its payload and trajectory. “This BrahMos missile coming silently if it had been nuclear… to make the decision in just 30 seconds… shows how dangerous it was,” he stressed.
  • Near-Apocalypse: Though the missile was conventionally armed, Sanaullah admitted the blinding uncertainty nearly provoked catastrophe: “Had there been a misunderstanding… action taken from that side… the entire world could have been plunged into nuclear war”.

Satellite evidence and damage

Satellite imagery later confirmed the BrahMos’ devastating precision. At Nur Khan, images showed shattered hangars, cratered runways and damaged radar installations. Similar destruction was documented at Sargoda, Sukkur, Bholari, and Rahim Yar Khan airbases – crippling Pakistan’s air defense readiness.

Pakistan initially denied the extent of damage, but Deputy PM Ishaq Dar later conceded: “India attacked two important airbases.” The blow was so severe that Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir woke PM Sharif at 2:30 AM to report the Nur Khan strike.

Ceasefire: Competing narratives of de-escalation

  • Pakistan’s False Version: Sanaullah credited former U.S. President Donald Trump with brokering peace, even nominating him for a Nobel Prize. Saudi Prince Faisal allegedly relayed Pakistan’s ceasefire request to Indian EAM Jaishankar.
  • India’s Rebuttal: New Delhi flatly denies third-party involvement, insisting Pakistan’s DGMO initiated de-escalation talks after absorbing the airbase strikes.

The unspoken doctrine: India’s nuclear posture and aftermath

After four days of fire exchanges, the ceasefire took hold on 10th May, but the BrahMos episode exposed Pakistan’s defence vulnerabilities. Sanaullah’s alarm omits a critical factor. It is India’s No First Use (NFU) nuclear policy. Pakistan’s military planners would likely have assumed that BrahMos wasn’t nuclear-tipped, as India reserves such payloads for ballistic missiles under its NFU framework. This suggests the “30-second panic” narrative may exaggerate the nuclear risk for political effect and gain international attention for the victim card.

India’s possible missile sale to Greece sparks tensions in Pakistan’s ally Turkey, Turkish media claims it will be used to target Ankara

OpIndia Staff
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India’s possible missile sale to Greece sparks tensions in Pakistan’s ally Turkey, Turkish media claims it will be used to target Ankara

During the recent visit to Greece, the Indian Air Force Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari met with his Greek counterpart. According to a local Greek media report, both nations have signed an agreement on defence cooperation. The agreement reportedly included potential deal for India to supply its Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LR-LACM) to Greece.

Turkish media outlet TR Haber has reported that India has extended an offer to supply the missile, which has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). While no official confirmation has been made by India or Greece regarding the missile transfer, TR Haber claimed that India has offered a cruise missile with a range exceeding 1,000 kilometres to Greece, citing various Greek media sources.

This probably missile transfer has reportedly triggered unease in Türkiye. This development has reportedly raised an alarm over the possibility of Greece acquiring such strategic weapons from India.

The missile is capable of targeting major sites like airbases, a defence system, radar installations, and other high-value targets with precision. This raises a serious concern in Ankara. The speculation comes amid already tense India-Turkey relations, especially following Turkey’s excessive military support and cooperation with Pakistan during India’s “Operation Sindoor”, where Turkish drones and weapons were reportedly supplied to Pakistan.

Growing tension in Turkey

India-Greece agreement has raised tension within Turkish defence circles. If Greece acquires the Indian LR-LACM, it could carry out major strikes on Turkish airbases. Then this will be similar to how India allegedly targeted Pakistani bases during Operation Sindoor. The LR-LACM is said to be developed along similar lines at the BrahMos missile, known for its low altitude, high speed flight path that makes interception extremely difficult.

The LR-LACM has a range exceeding 1,000 Km and is capable of carrying both conventional and unconventional warheads. It is developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the LR-LACM underwent its maiden test flight in 2024

Turkish media reaction: “Targeting Ankara”

The Turkish media has responded firmly to the speculation. A TR Haber article titled “India brings 1,000-km range cruise missiles to the Aegean! They will target Turkey!” suggests that Greece may have sought operational insights from India’s Operation Sindoor to prepare for potential strikes on Turkey. The article also claimed that Greece has gathered specific performance data on India’s Rafale fighter jets.

Historical hostility between Greece and Turkey

Tensions between Greece and Turkey are not new. The two NATO members have had a long-standing rivalry marked by military conflicts and territorial disputes over the Aegean Sea, airspace violations, the Cyprus issue, and, more recently, competition over energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean. Despite being part of the same military alliance and sharing certain EU cooperation frameworks, the relationship remains fragile.

Muslim mob vandalises Hindu temple, beheads idol of Goddess Shitala: Read how Islamic extremists are fanning communal tension in Tripura, one act at a time

Dibakar Dutta
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Muslim mob vandalises Hindu temple, beheads idol of Goddess Shitala: Read how Islamic extremists are fanning communal tension in Tripura, one act at a time

On Wednesday (2nd July) night, a violent Muslim mob desecrated a Hindu temple and beheaded the idol of Goddess Shitala. The incident occurred in Tatuatilla locality in Udaipur in the Gomati district of Tripura.

According to reports, the matter came to light only on Thursday (3rd July) morning. Local Muslims in the area have been raising objections against Hindus performing Puja at the temple since 29th June.

They claimed that the timing of the Hindu rituals coincided with that of Azaan. Three days later on Wednesday, they vandalised the Hindu Mandir to hurt religious sentiments of the Hindu community.

On learning about the matter, the police reached the spot and pacified the situation. A large contingent of security forces, including CRPF and TSR, was deployed to avert any untoward incident.

The visarjan (immersion ceremony) of the broken idol of Goddess Shitala was arranged and conducted by local Hindus in their presence.

According to Hindu residents, the area is home to illegal Bangladeshi Muslims. It has come to light that a temple of Goddess Shani was demolished in a similar fashion a few days earlier.

In the meantime, Udaipur SDPO Nirman Das claimed, “We are treating the matter with utmost seriousness. Additional forces have been deployed to ensure peace and prevent any escalation.” So far, none of the accused have been arrested.

Islamic extremists fomenting trouble in Tripura

This is not the first time that violent Muslim mobs have resorted to creating communal tension in the State of Tripura.

Over the past 1.5 years, Islamic extremists have resorted to multiple acts, aimed specifically to hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community.

These include cow slaughter in public, violent agitation in the name of Waqf protests, targeting of Hindu homes and shops, multiple cases of temple vandalism and idol desecration, and even co-opting the national ‘Hijab movement’ to destroy peace and harmony in the Northeastern State.

1. Public Cow slaughter on BakriEid

In June 2025, Muslims publicly slaughtered a cow on BakriEid to hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. The police in the Gomati district of Tripura arrested four people in connection with the case.

The case is from Chanban area of ​​Udaipur subdivision. After receiving the information, Tripura Police reached the spot and confirmed the violation of rules related to animal sacrifice.

Soon after, arrangements were made to bury the remains of the cow in the ground. Seeing the tension rising in the area, adequate security forces were deployed to prevent the repetition of cow slaughter in the open.

2. Violence in the name of Waqf

In April this year, Muslims protesting against the newly enacted Waqf Amendment Act attacked police personnel on the Kailashahar highway in Unakoti district of Tripura.

According to reports, several people including police personnel were injured during the attack. The Muslim mob targeted the law enforcement authorities after being told to stop their rally owing to security concerns.

They were scheduled to take out a procession from Tilabazar to SDM’s former office. A Muslim man anonymously admitted to attacking the police after their plans were thwarted.

Tripura: Muslims attack police personnel during protest march against new Waqf law
Muslims attack police in Kailashahar, image via North East Today

“Everything was going peacefully until we were stopped at Kubjar. We were only raising our democratic demand. Suddenly, the police intervened, and in the confusion, a scuffle broke out,” he said.

The police resorted to a lathi charge in defence. The Muslims continued their attack, injuring police constable Debjit Das and SDPO Kailashahar Jayanta Karmakar in the process. The cops arrested 7 attackers in connection with the case.

With the help of DIG Rathiranjan Debnath, the situation was brought under control. A team of TSR, CRPF and BSF were deployed in the area to prevent any untoward situation. A local Congress leader named Badruj Jaman was leading the protest march against the new Waqf law.

3. Riots and targeting of Hindu homes and shops

In October 2024, violent clashes broke out in the Kadamtala block area of North Tripura after a Muslim mob attacked Hindu houses and members of a local club over the collection of paid subscriptions (chanda) for Durga Puja.

The attack comes 3 days before the commencement of the annual Hindu festival. According to a report by Tripura Chronicle, a local club organising the Durga Puja sought a contribution of ₹5000 from a Muslim driver named Jahar Mia.

He was reportedly travelling to Assam with some of his relatives. Mia refused to pay, leading to a heated argument and confrontation between him and the club members.

Later, a Muslim mob siding with the driver broke into the houses of the Hindu club members and attacked their families.

They did not spare women and children during the targeted attack. The victims sustained injuries and an atmosphere of tension gripped the entire neighbourhood.

During the orgy of violence, the Muslim mob vandalised two homes and a beauty parlour. In visuals that have surfaced on social media, scared Hindu residents were seen narrating their ordeal and showcasing the extent of damage caused to their property.

An arson attack was also carried out in the Kadamtala Bazar area. Muslim mobs, armed with machetes, terrorised Hindus and looted shops in the market area. One man was brutally killed and 17 others were injured during the onslaught on the Hindu community.

The attack triggered retaliatory measures, prompting the law enforcement authorities to intervene. A large contingent of police and paramilitary forces, including Tripura State Rifles (TSR), was deployed to pacify the situation.

Following the incident, the local administration imposed Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) in the area for 3 days, preventing the assembly of 5 or more people.

4. Multiple cases of temple vandalism

In the same month, extremists vandalised a Shiva temple in Pekucherra village in Panisagar block in North Tripura district. This led to communal clashes in the area.

Communal clashes erupt in North Tripura after unknown miscreants vandalise Shive Temple (Source: ENews Time and Northeast Herald)

In August 2024, an idol of Goddess Kali was found beheaded in Katraibari village in Ranirbazar area of Tripura. The incident sparked communal tension in the area over the desecration of the 30-year-old temple.

Idol of Goddess Kali found beheaded: Tripura witnesses communal violence over temple desecration, houses and vehicles set on fire
Idol of Goddess Kali vandalised, car burns after arson attack, images via East Mojo

5. Hijab row in Tripura

The debate over the wearing of hijab by female Muslim students, in complete disregard to existing school uniform rules, reached the northeastern State of Tripura in August 2023.

Muslims students, studying at the government-run Koroimura Higher Secondary School in the Sepahijala district courted controversy after they flouted school norms and attended classes in hijab.

The headmaster of the Koroimura Higher Secondary School, Priyatosh Nandi, intervened in the matter and urged all students to wear school uniforms irrespective of religion.

He told the media, “After a meeting with teachers, I recently directed all students to attend school wearing proper uniform. However, girl students from the minority community said they cannot follow this directive as wearing hijab is a religious belief.”

A group of Hindu boys thereafter wore saffron-coloured kurta to the school in protest. They however assured to wear school uniform if every student, irrespective of their religion, followed it.

In the meantime, a 10th Std Muslim student (studying at the same school) vandalised the room of the headmaster in ‘protest’. He was thereafter thrashed by a group of people. 

‘Monojit’s Bar’: How Kolkata Law College Union room became a den of alcohol, intimidation and violence under rape-accused TMC leader’s control

Balendu Singh Angad
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‘Monojit’s Bar’: How Kolkata Law College Union room became a den of alcohol, intimidation and violence under rape-accused TMC leader’s control

For years, South Calcutta Law College’s student union room was not a space for debate or leadership training. Instead, under the control of Monojit “Mango” Mishra, it transformed into an unauthorised bar a nightly hub for alcohol, intimidation, and criminal activity that foreshadowed the horrific gang rape of a 24-year-old student on 25th June. Multiple sources, including students and faculty, describe a reign of terror enabled by systemic inaction despite Manojit’s extensive criminal history.

The union room: From campus hub to ‘Monojit’s bar’

Speaking to NDTV, a batchmate of Manojit said, He seized the union room for his personal fiefdom. Every evening, Monojit and his associates used to drink alcohol in the union room, turning it into a de facto bar and party spot. The union room became synonymous with harassment, where female students were photographed, their images allegedly morphed and circulated in WhatsApp groups. Manojit reportedly threatened to shoot staff over minor issues and once brutally assaulted a security guard.

A decade of impunity: Complaints ignored, crimes unchecked

Monojit’s ability to operate freely stemmed from a shocking pattern of institutional failure. At least 11 criminal cases were filed against Monojit across Kolkata police stations since 2013, including assault, molestation, theft, and vandalism. A 2019 complaint accused him of tearing a woman’s clothes on campus and molesting a woman in Swinhoe Lane in March 2022. 

In 2023, he was rusticated for stabbing a guy. Despite the fact that he was readmitted in 2017. In 2024, he was inexplicably hired as a contractual clerical staff member, earning ₹500 daily. As a former Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) functionary, Manojit wielded political influence. Though TMCP claims he was removed in 2021, his ties allowed him to bypass accountability for years.

The 25th June attack: A crime enabled by negligence

The rape inside the college guard room was a culmination of this unchecked culture. On Manojit’s order, security guard Pinaki Banerjee allegedly locked the campus gate and ignored the victim. He is now in arrest. Police suggest he may turn approver, confirming Manojit’s control.

In the hope of silencing the survivor. Co-accused Pramit Mukherjee and Zaib Ahmed recorded the assault. Apart from that, Monojit reportedly entrapped the victim by promising a union position, a hollow offer since no official student body existed for years.

Fallout and reckoning

In the aftermath, authorities have taken belated action:
•⁠ ⁠Mishra was fired, and payments made to him were ordered recovered. The Bar Council of West Bengal cancelled his membership.
•⁠ ⁠Co-accused students were expelled, and campus security was overhauled, including restricted hours and female guards.
•⁠ ⁠A 5-hour crime scene reconstruction with the accused aimed to solidify evidence.

Institutional soul-searching: Who enabled “Mango’s Bar”?

As investigations continue, critical questions remain unanswered. Why did college leadership ignore a 2022 anonymous letter warning of Monojit’s danger? How did police fail to act on seven FIRs? And why did teachers stay silent after being threatened with violence?

The union room’s transformation from campus space to criminal enclave symbolizes a profound governance failure. For students and faculty, justice requires not only punishing Mishra but also holding accountable those who allowed his “bar” to operate with impunity.

Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid case: Court to hear plea seeking to ban Namaz and seal the mosque, High Court rejects Muslim side’s plea challenging new survey

OpIndia Staff
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Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid case: Court to hear plea seeking to ban Namaz and seal the mosque, High Court rejects Muslim side’s plea challenging new survey

The long-running dispute between Shahi Jama Masjid and Harihar Mandir in the Chandausi zone of Sambhal district, Uttar Pradesh, has again gained prominence. A new petition has been filed in the Chandausi court demanding a temporary ban on Namaz in the mosque and seal the site. Notably, Hindu organizations say that the Shahi Jama Masjid was initially the Harihar Mandir.

The court has accepted this petition and fixed the date of 21 July 2025 for hearing. The petition was filed by one Simran Gupta, asking to ban the offering of namaz in the mosque until the survey and legal status of the disputed site is cleared. It has been claimed in the petition that this site was a part of the temple complex and archaeological evidence is also present there.

Simran Gupta argued in the petition that until it is decided whether the place is a temple or a mosque, no religious activity should be allowed. He has also demanded that the mosque be sealed and put under the supervision of the DM till the ASI survey and the court cases are settled.

In the meanwhile, the Allahabad High Court has delivered a crucial verdict allowing survey of the disputed site. The High Court has rejected the petition moved by the Muslim faction, thus affirming the order of the lower (trial) court to survey the controversial site. This ruling allows the way for a new survey of the mosque compound.

Keeping in view the sensitivity of the matter, the local authorities and police are alert. Arrangements are being made for the next court-ordered survey, and officials have averred they are determined to keep the process peaceful and unbiased.

Violence during previous survey

The issue made national news last year when riots erupted during the second round of court-ordered survey of the Masjid. A massive crowd had amassed at the location during the process, and tensions rapidly mounted into fighting. Five people lost their lives in the altercation, and a number of police officers were severely injured.

After the violence, 96 individuals were detained, and FIRs were registered against 2,750 unidentified individuals. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) that was established to investigate the case has now filed a 1,100-page chargesheet in court, identifying 22 individuals as the main accused. Among them is Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq, who has been made the principal accused. Another individual, Suhail Iqbal, has been removed from the chargesheet.

Background of the case

The case initially emerged in December 2023, when a civil suit was lodged in Sambhal Court by four Hindu petitioners, Shankar Giri, Indresh Kumar Gautam, Ramashankar Giri, and Harishankar Giri. They alleged that the Shahi Jama Masjid is erected on the site of a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, which was traditionally referred to as Harihar Mandir.

The petitioners prayed for permission to hold regular worship of gods at the location, a ground survey of mosque premises, and an injunction against Islamic religious activities there. They alleged that traces of Hindu religious architecture, such as stone carvings, idols, and temple-type structures, were apparent within the mosque.

The Civil Judge (Senior Division), Sambhal, in January 2024, ordered a local survey of the site by a court commissioner. But the mosque’s management committee, Anjuman Intezamia Committee, opposed this in the High Court as being illegal and provocative. The court initially ordered a stay on the survey.

This has evoked a call from Hindu factions for the location to be identified as a temple, while the Muslim population insists that the location has been a mosque for centuries. With the court now permitting a fresh survey, all attention is focused on the developments to come and the next hearing.

China using strategy of “killing with a borrowed knife,” gave Pakistan real-time inputs during Operation Sindoor to harm India without soiling its own hands: Deputy Chief of Army Staff

OpIndia Staff
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China using strategy of “killing with a borrowed knife,” gave Pakistan real-time inputs during Operation Sindoor to harm India without soiling its own hands: Deputy Chief of Army Staff

Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of Army Staff, has said a few things concerning the contributions of China and Turkey towards Pakistan during the Operation Sindoor, India’s four-day military operation against Pakistan in May. Speaking at an event hosted by FICCI in Delhi, General Singh said that China provided Pakistan with real-time information about India’s military movements during the operation, which began after the Pahalgam terror attack on 22nd April that left 26 people dead, mostly tourists.

As per General Singh, Pakistan was in the forefront, but it wasn’t alone. He described how China was backing Pakistan behind the scenes, providing crucial intelligence throughout the conflict. Pakistan received live feeds on India’s “important vectors”. While speaking at a military level, Pakistan informed India that they knew of a particular vector being “primed” and “ready for action,” patently displaying that they were receiving live feeds, quite possibly from China.

General Singh indicated this was not surprising. He noted that 81% of all Pakistan’s hardware over the last five years has been from China, and, as a result, it is not surprising that China can play with a kind of “live testing ground” in Pakistan. He likened it to being like a laboratory, where China gets to observe how its equipment functions when put into real war-like situations without actually joining the battlefield.

Taking a swipe at Beijing, General Singh mentioned one of the Thirty-Six Stratagems,  an influential Chinese essay on tactics employed in war and politics. He pointed to the strategy of “killing with a borrowed knife,” citing that China was employing Pakistan to harm India, rather than getting directly involved. “China, the old victim nice, would prefer to have the neighbour harm and not soil its own hands,” he said.

The general also mentioned Turkey’s role, which, he said, supported Pakistan diplomatically and perhaps in other ways during the operation. Post-conflict, Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif visited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who pledged complete support for Pakistan. Erdogan also demanded greater cooperation in counter-terrorism and intelligence sharing.

Operation Sindoor was initiated by India on 7th May, in response to the ghastly terror strike in Pahalgam. India held Pakistan-based terrorists responsible for the murder of 26 individuals, most of them were tourists, and a local who tried to help them. India responded by carrying out pinpoint strikes against nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). More than 100 terrorists were said to have been killed in the operation.

Pakistan retaliated by carrying out drone strikes across India’s border states, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri and Poonch districts. At least ten Indian civilians were killed, and various areas were damaged as a result of the strikes.

A ceasefire was agreed on 10th May, but Indian authorities later asserted that Pakistan had contacted them for de-escalation only 48 hours into the operation, demonstrating the pressure they felt.

Indore: Molester shooting coach Mohsin Khan used to focus on trapping Hindu girls, called Muslim girls sisters, boasted about having ‘nude video calls’ in front of his students

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Indore: Molester shooting coach Mohsin Khan used to focus on trapping Hindu girls, called Muslim girls sisters, boasted about having ‘nude video calls’ in front of his students

In the case of sexual exploitation of Hindu girls by Mohsin Khan in Indore, victims have made new revelations about the coach who was arrested in Indore on charges of rape and sexual harassment. The victims told how Mohsin Khan used to call Muslim girls his sisters and he had deliberately targeted Hindu girls.

The Hindu girls were so enamored with him that in general conversations, they would even say that ‘for sir I am ready to be locked in a suitcase.’

This revelation has been made by a victim herself who was trapped in Mohsin Khan’s trap in a conversation with Organiser’s journalist Subhi Vishwakarma. In Subhi’s ground report, the girl can be clearly heard saying all these things.

Hindu girls were Mohsin’s target

According to the ground report of Organiser, the victim said that Mohsin used to make lewd comments about Hindu girls and also used to have video calls with the girls on ‘Omegle App’ while being naked.

As per the victim, Mohsin used to say that all Muslim girls are his sisters, but Hindu girls are his target. He also used to ask Hindu boys to ‘use and throw’ the girls.

Mohsin used to stop Hindu girls from wearing Kalawa or applying Tilak. Mohsin Khan used to feed meat to those girls who did not eat it. This included Jain and Rajput girls.

‘I can eat beef, I can get it packed in my suitcase’

Mohsin used to give pills to girls in the name of helping them gain power and pills to boys in the name of stamina. The victim told that a girl started praying at 4 in the morning under the influence of Mohsin. That girl started saying ‘Assalam Aleikum’ or ‘Allah Hafiz’.

Another girl studying in the coaching even jokingly said that she could ‘eat beef for Mohsin or even let him pack her in a suitcase.’

Married women used to go to Mohsin’s flat by telling lies

Mohsin used to call several Hindu girls to his flat. His friends also used to bring married Hindu women to the flat. Many girls used to stay at his flat on the pretext of going to coaching or college.

Mohsin especially targeted minors aged 12 to 15 years. This also included a Dalit receptionist. The victim said that Mohsin even talked to a 12-year-old girl about her breasts.

The victim further said that Mohsin used to openly talk about his naked video calls in front of them.

Diatribe against Hindu leaders like PM Modi and UP CM Yogi

The victim further said that Mohsin would tell the girls to recite Kalma once and told them it is very holy. Mohsin also used to speak ill of leaders like PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath.

Mohsin would also stop the girls from going to the temple and would say, “You offer water to God, it is better to give that water to the poor.”

Mohsin used to compare himself to Virat Kohli. Mohsin used to make fun of things related to Hindu religion. Some students had told Mohsin that instead of offering chaadar, one should help the poor, but after that, Mohsin used to get angry.

The victim said that slips of paper were found in water bottles in Mohsin’s flat. Something was written on these slips.

Mohsin also opposed Israel. He would tell the girls not to eat certain chips or snacks because they were associated with Israel.

The Additional Commissioner of Police said that Mohsin has been charged under rape, POCSO Act, SC/ST Act and Madhya Pradesh’s anti-conversion law. The police are giving priority to the case and are committed to providing justice to the victims.

Officials say they are conducting awareness campaigns to prevent repeat of such cases..

What was the entire matter

Mohsin Khan, the coach of Dream Olympic Shooting Academy in Indore, used to trap Hindu girls, rape them and convert them by blackmailing them. Objectionable videos of 30 women were found on Mohsin Khan’s phone.

Mohsin had confessed to deliberately targeting Hindu girls in a video. Police have so far registered 8 FIRs in this case. These include charges of rape, POCSO Act and fraud.

You can read the original report here.

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