In a deeply troubling development from eastern Uttar Pradesh, nearly 40 Hindu families in the Muslim-majority locality of Chhota Pura in Azamgarh district have put up posters reading “Ghar Bikaau Hai” (House for Sale) on their homes, citing sustained harassment, targeted abuse, and sexual intimidation by local miscreants. The decision, families say, is not out of impulse but born of sheer helplessness, a desperate cry for dignity and safety after being allegedly ignored by the district administration and police.
The trigger was a violent incident on June 3, when women and girls from the Hindu community were performing traditional pre-wedding rituals in Bamhaur, an adjoining locality. The festive mood turned tense when a group of youths from the other community reportedly began filming the women without their consent. When objected to, the men allegedly hurled lewd remarks and attempted to harass the women. Alarmed, the women raised cries for help, prompting male relatives to intervene. What followed was a physical clash between the two sides, which left at least eight people injured.
"The Muslims don't let us celebrate our festivals or weddings, do puja-path or say Jai Sri Ram….they threaten us that once this (BJP) govt goes, we will cut you up, no one will come to save you"
This is what 40-45 Hindu families in Muslim-dominated Bhamahaur village, district… pic.twitter.com/F7aEZnGHpP
According to a Times of Indiareport, a case was subsequently registered against both groups. Six persons were arrested in connection with the incident. Mubarakpur Police, under whose jurisdiction the area falls, stated that they admitted the injured to a local hospital and began investigations promptly. However, the residents claim that the June 3 clash was not an isolated incident but the tipping point in a long pattern of harassment and official apathy.
Residents allege that for months, they have faced abuse for playing devotional songs, DJs at weddings, or participating in cultural festivities. Women and girls reportedly face constant catcalling and intimidation in public spaces. “Our daughters and wives can’t step out without being stared at or followed. Festivals have become stressful instead of joyful. And when we complain, nothing happens,” said a visibly upset local resident.
The failure of authorities to act decisively has only deepened their fears. “We went to the police so many times. We requested better patrolling, stricter action — but nothing changed,” another resident said. “Now, we’ve decided to sell our homes. At least elsewhere we might live in peace.”
Azamgarh Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Madhuvan Kumar Singh acknowledged the issue and said the police have reached out to the families to assure them of protection. “We have taken note of reports that some families are planning to migrate. We are contacting them and assuring them of adequate police presence to ensure their safety,” he was quoted as saying.
The Mubarakpur Police Station in-charge, Nihan Nandan, also stated that the frequency of patrols in the area has been increased following the June 3 incident in an effort to restore calm.
Despite these assurances, most families appear unconvinced. “Where was this protection earlier? Why does it take headlines and protests for the administration to wake up?” questioned another local, gesturing at the fading posters declaring their homes for sale.
The incident has sparked outrage on social media and raised uncomfortable questions about minority-majority dynamics in certain areas, the safety of women, and the responsiveness of local authorities to communal tensions. For now, what remains is a scene of silent protest — walls lined with “Ghar Bikaau Hai” signs, voices of anxiety and defiance echoing through the narrow lanes of Chhota Pura.
Whether this public cry for help leads to meaningful action or fizzles out as yet another forgotten headline will depend on how seriously the state government treats both the grievances and the ground realities.
In a breakthrough for national cyber defense and futuristic communications, India has successfully demonstrated quantum entanglement-based free-space quantum secure communication over a distance of more than 1 kilometer. The landmark experiment was carried out by the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at IIT Delhi, marking India’s formal entry into the era of quantum-secure communications.
The demonstration, a part of the DRDO’s project titled ‘Design and Development of Photonic Technologies for Free-Space QKD’, achieved a secure key transmission rate of 240 bits per second with a remarkably low quantum bit error rate (<7%), using an optical link set up on the IIT Delhi campus. This pioneering effort lays the foundation for real-world deployment of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), quantum networks, and eventually the quantum internet—offering unhackable encryption across strategic domains.
“This is a game changer in future warfare and national cyber security. India has entered a new quantum era,” said Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, congratulating DRDO and IIT Delhi for the achievement.
Quantum entanglement-based QKD provides a major advantage over conventional secure communication systems. Unlike classical encryption methods, quantum systems allow any intrusion attempt to be instantly detected, as the entangled quantum state collapses upon interception—ensuring absolute security, even with imperfect or compromised devices.
The demonstration was led by Prof. Bhaskar Kanseri’s research group and witnessed by top DRDO officials including Director General (MED, COS & CS), Director SAG, Director DFTM, Dean (R&D) IIT Delhi, and DRDO lab scientists.
Importantly, this free-space communication method bypasses the need for expensive underground optical fibers, especially valuable in mountainous or urban terrains where physical infrastructure is difficult or disruptive to install.
This isn’t the team’s first quantum milestone. In 2022, they established India’s first intercity quantum link between Vindhyachal and Prayagraj, and in 2024, achieved 100 km quantum key distribution over telecom-grade fiber, further pushing the frontiers of scalable quantum security.
The research is part of a larger initiative by DRDO to develop next-generation defense technologies through 15 Centres of Excellence at premier institutions like the IITs and IISc. These centers serve as innovation hubs where academia, industry, and government collaborate to tackle critical challenges in India’s defense preparedness.
DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat and IIT Delhi Director Prof. Rangan Banerjee also lauded the team’s efforts, calling it a crucial leap toward India’s quantum-enabled digital sovereignty.
As global powers race to weaponize quantum technologies, India’s successful demonstration of entanglement-based free-space QKD firmly positions it among the frontrunners in securing the quantum communication frontier.
On 15th June Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Cyprus, signifying the first visit by an Indian premier to the island nation in 23 years. He traveled there along with a substantial delegation of approximately 100 officials at the request of President Nicos Christodoulides. The trip also includes Canada for the G7 summit and Croatia as part of the three-nation itinerary.
The visit possesses considerable geopolitical importance in light of the strengthening relations between Turkey and Pakistan. It is regarded as an attempt to balance Ankara’s regional assertiveness, increase bilateral cooperation with a reliable ally and expand New Delhi’s involvement in Europe and the Mediterranean. Consequently, Cyprus has become a crucial part of India’s regional geopolitical strategy.
Meanwhile, on 16th June, PM Modi received the highest honor in Cyprus, the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, from President Christodoulides.
Humbled to receive the 'Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III' of Cyprus. I dedicate it to the friendship between our nations. https://t.co/x4MX3UZbtW
The last Indian prime minister to visit Cyprus was Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002 after Indira Gandhi in 1982. The outreach has taken place at a moment when the relationship with Turkey is highly strained because of its overt support for Pakistan during “Operation Sindoor” which even led to massive boycott calls from Indians.
Deeper cooperation with Cyprus and consequently Greece has been viewed as a strategic counterbalance, as the use of drones provided by Turkey in assaults on India by Islamabad added to New Delhi’s concerns.
Interestingly, the timing of PM Modi’s arrival in Cyprus aligned with rising tensions in West Asia. His official aircraft had to take a different route because the airspace in Israel, Iran and momentarily in Lebanon were closed. It had to fly through the Arabian Sea, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt before arriving on the island.
Bitter relationship between Cyprus and Turkey
Cyprus is an island near Syria and Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. It is situated at the intersection of Europe, Western Asia and Africa, playing a vital role in logistics and trade routes. It is a member of the European Union (EU), notwithstanding its geographical location in Asia.
Cyprus gained independence from the British in 1960. Only three years later, the uneasy power sharing between its two main communities, Greek and Turkish Cypriots erupted into violence, prompting the deployment of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force.
With the Greek Junta’s assistance, the Greek Cypriots staged a coup in 1974 in an attempt to unite the island with Greece. Afterward, Turkey launched an invasion and although Nicosia’s legal government was reinstated, Turkish troops have never completely left from there.
In fact, its northeastern region has proclaimed independence as the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” a status that is recognized only by Ankara which maintains remote control over the one-third of the nation as Greek Cypriots govern the two-thirds of the land, which is recognized as the “Republic of Cyprus.”
Image via Mappr
This persistent division has yet to be resolved as the latter continues to deploy troops in the area, in defiance of United Nations resolutions that advocate for a reunified island governed by a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. The United Nations has unsuccessfully tried numerous times to mediate and assist the two sides negotiate.
Encounters involving the leaders of Turkey and Cyprus are uncommon and generally take place by chance. The lack of diplomatic relations between the two nations is a consequence of the ugly conflict that has lasted for decades, leading to further disputes and confrontations between the two sides.
Signal to Turkey
Turkey aims to become a significant force in the politics of Indian subcontinent and the Muslim world. India wants to send a clear message to Ankara to change its stance on Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir because it is infuriated at the country’s support for the terror state. Turkey has always maintained that India and Pakistan should work together to find a solution to the bilateral problem of Jammu and Kashmir.
It did not talk about the local plebiscite or the United Nations resolution. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, however, offered to negotiate when he visited Pakistan in 2024 as his government changed its position on the issue in recent months. He remarked that Turkey would act solely if there was mutual agreement from the two sides as it maintains close relations with both.
Nevertheless, Ankara procured Pakistani Super Mushshak trainers in addition to providing Pakistan with its corvettes under the MILGEM project, much to India’s dismay. The former previously supplied Pakistan with Songar and Bayraktar drones. Additionally, it agreed to refurbish 41 of Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets for $75 million.
It even delivered an electronic warfare training range and sophisticated targeting pods for Pakistan’s JF-17 aircraft. The National Aerospace Science and Technology Park in Pakistan and Turkish drone company Baykar inked an agreement in 2023 to collaborate on the development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
An IC-130 Turkish Air Force aircraft landed in Pakistan on 27th April and a Turkish Navy anti-submarine corvette docked at Karachi port on 2nd May, to aid Pakistan and send a strong message to India at a time when tensions between the two neighbours were at their highest after the 22nd April Pahalgam terrorist attack.
PM Modi’s journey to Cyprus and possible touring of the United Nations-controlled buffer zone (Green Line) could be interpreted as a strong statement of support for Cyprus in the face of Turkish expansionism. This serves India’s larger goal of diplomatically isolating Islamabad along with opposing the expanding Turkey-Pakistan axis.
Cyprus has already demonstrated its closeness to India by firmly supporting its positions on terrorism, Kashmir and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms. Cyprus not only condemned the Pahalgam incident but also declared that it intends to highlight the subject of Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism at the European Union.
As a result, the visit supports India’s Mediterranean strategy by lining up with a significant regional actor who opposes Turkey’s aggression.
Cyprus essential to EU and Mediterranean outreach
Cyprus plays a crucial part in India’s larger infrastructure and commerce goals because of its location in the Eastern Mediterranean. It has been recognized as a potential logistical hub along the route that connects Indian ports to European markets via the Middle East, as New Delhi pushes for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
Cyprus is included in the pivotal corridor. According to the Indian Envoy, Delhi is working to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047 through the India-Cyprus Economic Corridor. “We have a policy to become a ‘developed India’ by 2047, and they have ‘Vision 2035,’ so there is a synergy there. I think advantage of Cyprus is that it can serve as a gateway to the European Union as well as the larger region around it,” he highlighted.
Image via La Jaune et la Rouge
There are substantial offshore energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean as well and Cyprus is a key player in regional gas development initiatives. India’s goal of diversifying its energy imports is in line with this strategic priority.
PM Modi visit addressed ways to strengthen energy cooperation, particularly in face of simmering regional tensions over claims to sea resources by other countries, particularly Turkey. The Eastern Mediterranean natural gas exploration market remains fraught with contentions because of its drilling operations.
Likewise, the opening of a representative office in Mumbai by Eurobank, one of the largest banks in Cyprus, aims to facilitate the entry of Indian companies into the European Union and foster the flow of capital and business between Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
The island is a great place for Indian businesses looking to enter the European market because of its developed financial services sector, advantageous tax structure and well-established maritime industry.
Another strong argument for India to strengthen ties is the country’s upcoming presidency of the European Union Council in the first half of 2026. India’s aspirations to secure wider commercial accords with the bloc, such as the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which both parties seek to finalize by the end of 2025, can be fueled by a solid engagement with Nicosia.
Image via BBC
PM Modi’s visit leverages the nation’s influence within the EU to help open the door for more robust India-EU cooperation on trade, security and global governance concerns. India’s global initiatives are also expected to receive further EU endorsement owing to strengthened ties with Cyprus.
Cyprus, which is embroiled in territorial conflicts with Turkey and is dealing with security issues, is eager to increase defense cooperation and would appreciate any help from India. The fact that PM Modi’s visit came before his departure for Canada and attendance at the G7 Summit is also indicative of New Delhi’s efforts to rally international support in the wake of “Operation Sindoor.”
Strong ties between New Delhi and Nicosia
India has constantly advocated for a solution to the dispute plaguing Cyprus that is grounded in European Union principles, international law and United Nations (UN) resolutions. It maintains that the only acceptable political solution for the divided island is a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.
Three Indian officers, Lieutenant General PS Gyani, Major General Diwan Prem Chand, and General KS Thimayya, have served as Force Commanders for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), demonstrating New Delhi’s significant commitment to the organization.
Thimayya who died while serving in Cyprus is honored locally with a 1966 postage stamp and a street bearing his name. One Indian Army officer remains involved in the United Nations peacekeeping effort as of the middle of 2025.
Image via CollectorBazar
Cyprus has also steadfastly backed India’s global ambitions and always supported its fight against terrorism.. The island nation has openly supported India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council as well as the India-United States Civil Nuclear Agreement, in international regulatory bodies including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
The signing of several Memoranda of Understanding between Indian and Cypriot companies during the business roundtable held in Limassol, which was attended by both PM Modi and President Christodoulides, greatly enhanced bilateral interaction between the two countries.
Formal agreements were made between the Cyprus Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange International Exchange which is in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) of Gujarat.
The agreement between National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Eurobank Cyprus to activate India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in the country represented yet another critical milestone, enabling smooth cross-border payments for both businesses and tourists.
During his speech at the forum, PM Modi emphasized Cyprus’s growing presence as India’s economic partner, especially in terms of foreign direct investment. Furthermore, conversations with Cypriot business leaders in Limassol are aimed at strengthening commercial connections.
Moreover, trade data showed that in the fiscal year 2023-2024, bilateral trade between India and Cyprus totaled $136.96 million. Cyprus also holds a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with India and is a major source of foreign investment in India.
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation in December 2022 marked the beginning of a steady advancement in defence collaboration. Additionally, both nations signed a 2025 Bilateral Defense Cooperation Program (BDCP) in Nicosia. Coordination is currently managed by the Indian Defence Attache to Cyprus who is stationed at the Indian Embassy in Cairo.
The majority of the more than 11,000 Indian citizens living in Cyprus, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), are employed in industries like shipping, information technology, financial technology, agriculture, household services and higher education. A structured cooperation to establish a bilateral startup bridge is being explored by Startup India and Invest Cyprus in acknowledgment of this expanding people-to-people connection.
Additionally, PM Modi’s outreach to Cyprus conveys to Europe that India is looking for a tangible alliance that can provide New Delhi more diplomatic clout in the future, especially as it develops itself as a prominent voice of the Global South on the international scene.
The visit to Cyprus, thus, is important for an array of geopolitical, diplomatic, economic and strategic reasons which demonstrate its increasing significance in India’s larger regional and global perspective.
Milking tragedies for traction has become an inhuman ‘trend’ in this era of social media. What exacerbates this is the complicity of a section of the mainstream media. An unforgettable tragedy unfolded in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad as a London-bound Air India flight crashed moments after takeoff on 12th June 2025. However, the TRP-hungry Indian television anchors like Rajdeep Sardesai decided to platform an American TikToker and self-proclaimed aviation expert named Captain Steve Scheibner, who changes his opinions faster than a chameleon changes its colour, to determine the cause of the crash.
While the nation was shocked over the crash of the Boeing-manufactured 787 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad and mourning the loss of 241 innocent lives, IndiaToday ‘journalist’ Rajdeep Sardesai invited Captain Steve to his show, who blamed Air India 171 pilots for the crash. The pilots of the crashed plane were identified as Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, who had over 9,000 hours of flying experience.
Captain Steve, a former US Navy pilot self-proclaimed aviation expert peddled a conspiracy theory that the pilots may have accidentally retracted the flaps instead of the landing gear during the initial climb. He described this as “a tragic mistake.”
“If that happens, it’s big — and that explains why the aeroplane stopped flying. The lift over the wings died because the flaps were retracted too early,” he said.
Rajdeep Sardesai decided to lap up an American TikToker’s speculation as ‘expert opinion’ and allowed him to peddle lies about Indian pilots who died trying their best till the last to prevent the crash. This was when neither the black box was recovered nor the voice recorder. Also, Sardesai did not even properly question the basis of Captain Steve’s conspiracy theory blaming pilots who are not even alive to defend themselves.
Apparently, Rajdeep Sardesai was awestruck after seeing an American old man with an accent, dressed up in a pilot uniform as if ready to take-off any moment, confidently passing off his speculation as ‘expert opinion’.
Besides blaming the pilots, Captain Steve also suggested power loss, fuel contamination, a bird strike, or flap configuration error as possible causes behind the crash. Not only IndiaToday, but CNBC-TV18, and several other mainstream media channels invited the American pilot-turned-TikToker, to blame Air India pilots without a shred of evidence.
Interestingly, in his YouTube videos and during his multiple appearances on Indian news channels, Captain Steve ruled out an immediate twin-engine failure. “We can see both engines. There’s no indication they’re not producing thrust — no sparks, no flames. Everything looked smooth,” Steve said.
Indian mainstream media gave airtime to a conspiracy theorist: Sensationalism over sensitivity
It happens only in India that a social media influencer gets significant airtime on major television news channels and digital media platforms to discuss a deadly airplane crash, all while posing as an ‘expert’ although armed not with facts but speculations and conspiracy theories.
Captain Steve initially posited that the crash might have been caused from a simple pilot error, suggesting that co-pilot Clive Kunder may have mistakenly raised the flaps instead of retracting the landing gear, causing a loss of lift.
The mainstream media not only in India but also in Britain widely aired Captain Steve’s theory, putting an immediate blame on the pilots without any evidence from the ongoing investigation and ripping the professional reputation of the two pilots posthumously.
Boeing and aviation tragedies
None of the prime-time anchors questioned the basis of Steve’s claims, placing blind faith in his self-declared ‘expertise’. News anchors like Rajdeep Sardesai mindlessly offered a platform to Captain Steve to push his Boeing-friendly agenda and deflect scrutiny from mechanical or manufacturing issues.
Notably, the catastrophic incident has once again highlighted Boeing’s association with yet another tragic aviation event. Its stock was down about 5% on 12th June when New York stock markets closed. Last year, the company struggled with a safety crisis, quality control problems and a disastrous seven-week strike by the wrokers that cost it around $1 billion each month.
Boeing continues to cope with the fallout from two fatal crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft in 2018 and 2019, which claimed 346 lives. Last month, the firm and the Department of Justice came to an agreement that would exempt it from criminal liability for the crashes.
From platforming social media influencers like Captain Steve, flashing AI-generated visuals of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani seated in the ill-fated plane to shoving mics in the face of grieving families of all those who lost their lives in this incident, Indian media has totally abandoned seriousness and sensitivity that such heart-wrenching tragedies deserve.
Sardesai and big media outlets like IndiaToday essentially allowed Captain Steve’s speculative narrative gain traction through their program just because of his polished presentation as an aviation expert, despite the fact that his primary visibility comes from social media rather than active role in crash investigations. Apparently, filling the prime-time with sensationalized narrative devoid of facts and sensitivity even in the face of a tragedy, trumped substantiated reporting and journalistic ethics.
Captain Steve takes U-turn after more facts emerge about the cause of the Air India crash
As if platforming a social media influencer as an unmatched aviation expert was not embarrassing enough, Captain Steve decided to further embarrass the ilk of Rajdeep Sardesai by changing tunes about the cause of Air India crash. After new evidence surfaced, especially a clearer video showing the deployment of the ram air turbine (RAT) on the aircraft, Captain Steve quickly shifted his stance.
In a YouTube video, Steve pointed to dual engine failure as the citing the RAT’s activation, the lone survivor’s account of a loud bang and flickering lights, and reports of the pilot’s mayday call indicating loss of thrust. Captain Steve conveniently changed tunes, after hogging media attention, garnered global viewership and boosted his social media following all on the basis of his ‘pilot-error’ hypothesis.
Media outlets achieved increased viewership but at the cost of pushing false narrative, especially in the aftermath of a tragedy. This, however, was a disgraceful mockery and humiliation of the victims of the tragedy and their families.
While Captain Steve was chasing media headlines and social media clout, the mainstream media chased rhetoric to fill prime-time and declare instant judgment. Sardesai and several other news anchors chose to rely on the speculative commentary of a social media influencer sitting in the United States, sidelining local aviation professionals who could have provided more contextually relevant insights.
It, however, has become a norm for the television news channels to prioritise speed over accuracy, sensationalism over sensitivity, rhetoric over facts, clout-chasing social media influencer over a reliable expert, and TRP over ethics and empathy.
This shamelessness peaked when Rajdeep Sardesai after giving airtime to a TikToker whose aviation credentials are overshadowed by his dramatic social media commentary, to peddle conspiracy theories, put up a post saying “Too many ‘experts’ injurious to health.”
“Important: Captain Steve now changes his theory on Flight AI 171. Says ‘dual engine failure’ most likely cause. Qs remains: why would 787 BOTH engines flame up suddenly? Net-net:Too many ‘experts’ injurious to health. Best to wait for black box reveal,” Sardesai wrote on X.
Important: Captain Steve now changes his theory on Flight AI 171. Says ‘dual engine failure’ most likely cause. Qs remains: why would 787 BOTH engines flame up suddenly? Net-net:Too many ‘experts’ injurious to health. Best to wait for black box reveal.? https://t.co/5H3qouU3bf
Imagine, it takes an embarrassing tune change of a self-proclaimed ‘expert’ Sardesai platformed on his show to realise that ‘too many experts are injurious to health’, probably Sardesai knew that such experts may be injurious to health but not beneficial for TRPs. Also, what a timely realisation that waiting for black box reveal instead of furthering conspiracy theories is best thing to do.
Notably, Steve Scheibner is a former US Navy pilot, who once flew P-3 aircraft, and is now a commercial pilot with a significant following on social media. Captain Steve has over 6 lakh 20 thousand subscribers on YouTube. For his TikTok and YouTube videos, Steve hands out paper and pens, inviting passengers to jot down their questions for him to answer. He then offers technical and funny answers to their questions and puts up those videos on his social media handles and YouTube.
Incidentally, earlier this year, the American Airlines pilot was rebuked by the Delhi Air Traffic Controller (ATC) or not taxiing fast enough at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Steve was reprimanded for taxiing at 12 knots while at maximum gross weight. The aircraft was then directed to a “penalty box” – a holding area away from active runways. In a YouTube video, published on 25th March 2025, Captain Steve boasted how, despite being rebuked by Delhi ATC, he remained adamant about not taxiing fast.
Conclusion
Indian media channels could have called Indian aviation professionals, including retired commercial pilots to objectively analyse the potential causes of the crash, if at all, it was so necessary, to do so instead of waiting for authorities reveal black box data.
However, suffering from the ‘American ne bola hai toh theek hi hoga’ syndrome, the Indian mainstream media and alleged journalists like Rajdeep Sardesai chose to recklessly platform someone may be a aviation professional but was as speculative about the Air India crash as any other social media user with no aviation background or expertise.
Probably, they thought a pilot uniform-donning American ‘expert’ would come across as more credible than anyone else, even Indian aviation experts.
By amplifying unverified and unreliable voices as well as their conspiracy theories, the mainstream media not only disrespected the victims of the tragedy but also undermined their own credibility or whatever remaining shreds of it, while the country mourns the innocent lives lost.
As long as the media falls for the temptation of quick narratives and sensationalism just to garner viewership or fill airtime, they will continue parading social media influencers as authorities and experts, only to get embarrassed and backtrack later.
The meeting of G7, a group consisting of USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, is being held in Canada. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also going to Canada for this annual summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to this meeting by the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. PM Modi’s visit to Canada is taking place at a time when the relations between the two countries are trying to rebound after recent lows. Notably, Canada has become a refuge for Khalistani and Islamic terrorists in the last few years.
This G7 meeting in Canada is being held in Alberta. Prime Minister Modi is reaching Canada on Monday (June 16) for this summit to be held on 16-17 June 2025. Meanwhile, it is reported that Khalistani terrorists have planned protests and are thinking about even attacks on Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Alberta. This work can be carried out by many Khalistani terrorist organizations currently present in Canada. Many of these have been active for a long time.
Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)
Babbar Khalsa is one of the oldest and most organised Khalistani terrorist groups. It has its roots in the Babbar Akali movement of the 1920s, but it formally took shape in 1978 after clashes between the Akhand Kirtani Jatha and the Nirankaris on Baisakhi day.
Babbar Khalsa is banned in India under the UAPA law. After the assassination of Nirankari chief Gurbachan Singh on April 24, 1980, followers of Bibi Amarjit Kaur declared themselves as Babbar Khalsa. It started operating from Canadian soil in 1981.
Pakistani intelligence agency ISI funds its activities. This organisation was behind the bombing of Air India’s Kanishka plane in 1985, killing more than 300 people. Apart from this, this organisation had assassinated Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. Its leader Wadhawa Singh Babbar currently lives in Pakistan.
Apart from Wadhawa Singh, terrorists like Lakhbir Landa, Harvinder Rinda and Goldy Brar currently work for Babbar Khalsa International. All of them want to spread unrest in India while sitting outside India.
International Sikh Youth Federation
The International Sikh Youth Federation is also banned by India under UAPA. It works through its branches in the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and the US. The main objective of ISYF is also to create Khalistan. This organization was earlier run by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s nephew Lakhbir Singh Rode.
Rode died in Pakistan in 2023. Currently his son Bhagat Brar is involved in its operations. He is a businessman in Canada but keeps visiting Pakistan to seek support for Khalistani activities. He is also kept on a no-fly list by Canada.
Apart from this, another terrorist Manveer Singh Duhda is currently living in Canada and gives money to ISYF and increases its terrorist activities. Apart from this, terrorists like Sulinder Singh Virk and Malkit Singh Fauji are also involved with this organisation.
Sikh Liberation Front
Sikh Liberation Front, a group of Khalistanis settled abroad, includes Khalistanis from Canada, Britain and America. It is different from other Khalistani groups because it has no formal online or public existence. It works more like a group than an organization.
It includes three groups from America and Canada. Indian security agencies keep a constant watch on its activities. Its work is currently looked after by Moninder Singh Bual. He is a resident of Vancouver, Canada and is close to Canadian Khalistani leader Jagmeet Singh.
Khalistan Zindabad Force
Khalistan Zindabad Force, formed in 1993 under the leadership of terrorist Ranjit Singh Neeta, is currently banned in India under UAPA. Three KZF terrorists were recently killed in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh. KZF mainly instigates Sikh youth online and gets them to launch attacks to create unrest.
KZF also carried out the attack on the post in SBS Nagar, Punjab. Its links extend from America, Canada, Malaysia to Germany and Nepal. This organization has taken responsibility for several terror attacks, from the blast in Jhelum Express in 1996 to the bomb blast in Paharganj, Delhi in 2000.
Its chief Neeta is also banned under UAPA. He is wanted by NIA and Punjab Police. A terrorist named Bhupinder Singh Bhinda is also involved in this organization. He had planned to kill the head of Dera Radhasoami Satsang Vyas, he was also sentenced in this case. Apart from this, a terrorist named Gurmeet Singh Bagga is also involved in this organization.
Sikhs For Justice
Sikh for Justice (SFJ) is a Khalistani organization working from America. It was formed in 2009 by lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. It also wants to create an independent Khalistan. SFJ has continuously organized Khalistan Referendum in the name of creating a separate state Khalistan all over the world. Apart from this, this organization has been continuously promoting terrorism on social media.
It was banned by the Modi government in 2019 under UAPA. This group sometimes tampers with the map of India and threatens to kill Indian leaders and officers. SFJ has also announced rewards for this work.
The face of this organization is Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. Pannu constantly uses social media to advance the Khalistani agenda. He has had links with many terrorists before this as well.
Khalistan Commando Force
Khalistan Commando Force was formed in 1986. Its aim was to create Khalistan through violence. These people used to get involved in armed attacks, kidnapping for ransom and robbing banks, raising funds to buy weapons and train people. Its leader was Paramjit Singh Panjwar.
Under the leadership of Panjwar, KCF carried out many terrorist attacks in the late 80s and 90s. These included political murders to murders in colleges. KCF also killed 10 Rai Sikhs in Ferozepur. Its aim was to create fear in the state of Punjab.
After this, they killed Major General B.N. Kumar, head of the Bhakra Beas Management Board, and 18 students at Thapar Engineering College in Patiala. Panjwar is the mastermind of KCF. He continuously hatches anti-India conspiracies.
Khalistan Tiger Force
Khalistan Tiger Force or KTF was founded by Jagtar Singh Tara. He was earlier a member of Babbar Khalsa International. Tara was involved in the assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh on August 31, 1995. India has currently banned Khalistan Tiger Force.
Jagtar Singh Tara was arrested in 2015 from Thailand. This organization has links to Britain, Canada, America, France and even Spain. KTF includes terrorists like Arshdeep Dalla and Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal. They are constantly hatching anti-India conspiracies.
Threat of terror attack during PM Modi’s Canada visit
When a head of state attends a global summit, the focus is usually on cooperation, development and policy. But in the case of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Alberta for the G-7, Khalistani terrorists, sheltered by the Canadian government, have turned the tables.
The Khalistanis are not isolated voices living in hidden corners. They are heavily funded and spread across India, Europe and the US. In some cases, they are even being helped by entire governments.
Pakistan’s ISI is a well-known name in this story. The international community should indeed be concerned about how many of these terrorists roam freely in Canada, the UK, the US and mainland Europe. Countries that often promote human rights and the rule of law are the ones that provide shelter to these terrorists.
Khalistani terrorists have already shown by attacking Indian diplomats that they will not hesitate to target any Indian. In such a situation, the Mark Carney government in Canada needs to be wary of the threat these organisations pose.
On 13th June (local time), terrorists belonging to the Islamic Fulani Militia killed around 200 people of the Christian community in an attack on a village in central Benue State of Nigeria. The attack started late on Friday, and continued till the early hours of Saturday (14th June) in the village of Yelewata. Most of the victims, according to the Vatican News, were displaced Christians living in shelters provided by local Catholic mission.
Reuters quoted Amnesty International as saying, “Many people are still missing… dozens injured and left without adequate medical care. Many families were locked up and burnt inside their bedrooms.” Amnesty International did not take name of the Islamic terrorist group that orchestrated the killings in its social media post.
Benue is located in the Middle Belt of Nigeria and is dominated by Muslims in the North and Christians in the South. There have been frequent attacks on the Christians in the area by the Islamic Fulani Militia. However, these attacks have often been described as conflicts between the herders (Islamic Fulani Militia), and farmers (predominantly from the Christian community).
In May this year, at least 42 people were shot dead by suspected Islamic Fulani Militia members in a series of attacks across Gwer West district in the same region. Since 2019, over 500 lives have been lost in the region. 2.2 million people have been forced to leave their homes.
Police confirmed several dead in the attack
The Benue State Police Command confirmed that several people died in the attack initiated by “suspected bandits” who invaded the community. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Edet Udeme, issued a statement stating that tactical teams were deployed in the region swiftly to counter the attack. There was a fierce gunfight between the attackers and the police. PPRO categorically avoided taking name of the Islamic terrorist organisation behind the attack.
The PPRO said, “Some of the attackers were neutralised in the process. But it is with great sadness that we report that some individuals also lost their lives and others sustained injuries during the incident.”
He added, “While the exact number of civilian casualties has yet to be officially confirmed, security personnel and medical workers are on ground attending to the injured. Our men are still in pursuit of the attackers. We will continue to do all it takes to keep everyone safe.”
President Tinubu doesn’t call out Islamic Fulani Militia for the attack
The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, tried to hide the fact that the Islamic Fulani militia carried out the attack and avoided taking its name in a statement issued following the attack.
I have been briefed on the senseless bloodletting in Benue State.
Enough is enough! I have directed the security agencies to act decisively, arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict, and prosecute them.
In a post on X, Tinubu wrote, “I have been briefed on the senseless bloodletting in Benue State. Enough is enough! I have directed the security agencies to act decisively, arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them. Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings. This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue. Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness and justice.”
Nowhere in the statement did he categorically call out the Islamic terrorists or the group behind the attack.
Pope Leo prayed for the victims of the attack
On 15th June, Pope Leo prayed for “security, justice, and peace” in Nigeria before delivering the Sunday Angelus prayer.
Pope Leo prays for the victims of a “terrible massacre” in Benue State, Nigeria.
Around 200 people were “brutally killed” in Yelwata, in the Guma Local Government Area on the night of the 13th/14th June, the Pope said, most of them internally displaced persons “sheltered by the… pic.twitter.com/gOZw8Ny0L2
He added that he was thinking in particular of the “rural Christian communities of Benue State who have been relentless victims of violence”. However, Pope Leo also refrained from naming the perpetrators of the attack.
‘Save Nigerians or resign’ – Pro-Atiku group tells Tinubu
Atiku Support Organisation (ASO), which is a political pressure group, has issued a statement condemning the inaction by President Tinubu over the “unending genocide” in Benue State. The group has called for the resignation of the President if he cannot save Nigerians from such massacres.
In a statement, National Publicity Secretary of ASO, Dr Victor Moses, described the continuous attacks on the Benue people as a “catastrophic failure” of the government. The statement read, “While global leaders like Pope Leo XIV have courageously condemned these atrocities from faraway Rome, our ‘Commander-in-Chief’ maintains an unfortunate silence as his citizens are slaughtered like animals and hunted like game.”
ASO pointed out that over 1,200 people have died since January this year in Benue State and yet no arrests, no prosecutions, no military action or visit by the President have taken place.
The group added, “This isn’t mere incompetence; it’s wilful dereliction of constitutional duty,” while referring to the ongoing “invasion” of rural Benue communities by armed groups who “murder fathers, rape mothers and burn children alive”.
ASO laid down three demands including deployment of the military to secure Benue State, relocation of the Chief of Army Staff to Benue State and a Presidential visit to the massacre sites.
The Islamic Fulani Militia – Christian farmers conflict of Nigeria
The conflict between Islamic Fulani Militia and the Christian farmers in Nigeria is a long-standing conflict. In the name of the need for land and water, Fulani militia has repeatedly targeted Christians living in the south. The nomadic Fulani herders from the North traditionally migrate southward and then attack the Christian farmers.
The attacks used to be seasonal, during the period when Fulani militia used to move southwards, and largely manageable. However, over time, they have escalated into a violent and deadly conflict.
There has been a number of cases of violence over the years, with Islamic militia groups repeatedly attacking the Christian community. Political inaction, lack of prosecutions, and rising ethnic and religious polarization have further worsened the situation.
In the past decade, thousands have been killed and millions have been displaced, leading to food insecurity and other economic issues. Some states did enact laws banning open grazing, but the enforcement of such laws has remained weak.
Islamic Fulani Militia has long history of attacking Christian community
In August 2021, at least 22 people were killed and 134 houses were burnt in four villages in Southern Kaduna State of Nigeria. Christian community leaders accused state-sponsored militia of the attack.
In December 2023, over 140 people were killed and 300 were injured in the central Nigerian state of Plateau. Security personnel were sent to prevent further clashes in the region. The attack, which began in the Bokkos area, spread to Barkin Lath, where 30 people were found dead.
Ahead of the G7 summit in Canada, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is an invitee, Khalistanis are using children for ‘protests’ and anti-India propaganda.
In a disturbing video that has now surfaced on social media, Khalistanis were seen using kids to desecrate the Indian tricolour and make them kick the portraits of PM Narendra Modi.
From the visuals, it became clear that the children were being encouraged to defile the Indian flag and the portrait of the Indian Prime Minister by Khalistanis standing away from the frame. A total of 6 children were involved in the disturbing action.
ब्रेन वॉशेड खालिस्तानी बच्चे भारतीय ध्वज और पीएम मोदी की तस्वीरों को लात मार रहे हैं।
Khalistanis are mimicking Islamists, who are known to use children and women to attain their religious and political goals, through their radical activities.
In the meantime, another video of a Khalistani extremist named Manjinder Singh was shared on X (formerly Twitter) wherein he was seen vowing to kill Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Yes, I am ready to kill Modi politics, (to) ambush Modi. [He] is an enemy of Canada, this Hindu terrorist Narendra Modi,” Singh told journalist Mocha Bezirgan.
G7: Khalistanis Across North America Meet in Calgary to Ambush and Kill India’s PM’s Politics
“Yes, I am ready to kill Modi politics, [to] ambush Modi,” said Manjinder Singh, leading the convoy from Gurdwara Dashmesh in Calgary.
Indian Sikhs speak out against Khalistanis and use of children for spreading hatred
Sikh BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa spoke to PTI and stated, “Every Sikh is deeply disturbed and ashamed to see incidents in Canada where Sikh children are inflicting hatred.”
“It’s shocking how some people are using young children for political gain, portraying them in a way that resembles Taliban propaganda,” he pointed.
“This misrepresents Sikh children and fills them with hate, damaging the global image of Sikhs by labeling us as extremists. This goes completely against the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the principles of Sikhism, which promote dialogue and service to humanity,” Sirsa emphasised.
VIDEO | On Sikh children being used for protest in Canada against PM Narendra Modi, Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) says, "Every Sikh is deeply disturbed and ashamed to see incidents in Canada where Sikh children are inflicting hatred. It's shocking how some… pic.twitter.com/HGeTkO0150
“I have a grievance with the entire Sikh community of India — why does the entire community remain silent when our Prime Minister is abused abroad?” remarked President of the All India Anti-Terrorist Front Maninderjeet Singh Bitta.
Delhi: On Sikh children being used in protests in Canada against PM Narendra Modi, Maninderjeet Singh Bitta, President of the All India Anti-Terrorist Front, says, "…I have a grievance with the entire Sikh community of India — why does the entire community remain silent when… pic.twitter.com/2UfXAQ5yGM
“I think many of the things happening today, especially what the kids are doing, they don’t even understand. So, it becomes the responsibility of elders and their families to help them understand what’s going on…What happened it’s truly unfortunate,” AAP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh stated.
Jalandhar, Punjab: On Sikh children being used for protest in Canada against PM Narendra Modi, Former cricketer and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh says, "…I think many of the things happening today, especially what the kids are doing, they don’t even understand. So, it… pic.twitter.com/hhFiZKe8BQ
“It was very shocking to see and hear. We do not support what happened. Today what PM Modi is doing, he is setting an example with his leadership…” stated the Secretary of Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib, Harbans Singh.
Patna, Bihar: On Sikh children being used for protest in Canada against PM Narendra Modi, Secretary of Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib, Harbans Singh says, "It was very shocking to see and hear. We do not support what happened. Today what PM Modi is doing, he is setting an example with… pic.twitter.com/q9zoMaBP3j
“These are children from another country being misled, and they are inciting the sentiments of people in India. Their minds have been brainwashed, which is not acceptable from any perspective. The Canadian government must take this issue seriously. It is wrong to defame our Prime Minister Modi in this manner, a leader who is working tirelessly for Sikhs, the nation, and the world…” remarked Sardar Trilochan Singh.
Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh: On Sikh children being used for protest in Canada against PM Narendra Modi, former Secretary, Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh, Sardar Trilochan Singh, says, "These are children from another country being misled, and they are inciting the sentiments of… pic.twitter.com/mZJC8SeFHk
Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) fighters targeted five distinct assaults against the Pakistani army in Zamuran and Panjgur, resulting in deaths of four Pakistani army personnel. During these operations, the army’s surveillance cameras were taken out, while BLA fighter Riaz, alias Aman, was killed, according to a statement by Jeeyand Baloch, the BLA spokesperson.
Baloch Liberation Army fighters first struck Pakistani army personnel in the Dashtok Bamblo region of Zamuran at approximately 8 a.m. In another incident in the Zamuri sector of Zamuran, BLA fighters conducted a remote-controlled IED attack on Pakistani army troops who were collecting water near their base. This assault resulted in the immediate death of one Pakistani soldier, the statement indicated.
In addition, BLA fighters targeted and dismantled surveillance cameras placed by the Pakistani army near their encampment in the Sah Dem area of Zamuran on Friday, June 13. The Pakistani army utilised a quadcopter for reconnaissance on fighters, which was also hit and destroyed. On Friday night, Baloch Liberation Army fighters executed a hand grenade attack on a Pakistani army checkpoint at Kalam Chowk in the Chitkan region of Panjgur. This explosion killed one Pakistani soldier and left two others injured, according to the statement.
Baloch Liberation Army fighter Riaz, alias Aman, died due to a landmine explosion triggered by the Pakistani army in the Sahiji mountain range, as reported by Jeeyand Baloch.
Earlier, five personnel from the Pakistani security forces were killed and several others, including a senior officer, sustained injuries during two separate attacks conducted by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), as detailed in a statement from the group’s spokesperson. In the first event, BLA fighters ambushed a Pakistani military convoy in the Kund Kapran area of Zamuran within the Kech district.
“Two enemy vehicles were subjected to intense fire. One was obliterated, leading to the immediate deaths of five occupying soldiers and causing injuries to several others,” Jeeyand Baloch stated. In another operation earlier on Monday, BLA fighters reportedly targeted a police vehicle near Bakra Mandi along the Eastern Bypass of Quetta. This grenade attack resulted in injuries to Station House Officer (SHO) Noorullah and several other officers.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
An old, narrow bridge spanning the River Indrayani at Talegaon in Maharashtra’s Pune district collapsed on the afternoon of 15th June, killing four persons and injuring fifty-one. It disintegrated at approximately 3:15 pm while carrying between 150 and 200 people. People started to panic when a portion of the packed building broke, plunging them into the swift-moving river.
??? A weekend trip turned into horror. ? Bridge collapse at Maval near Kundamala has left 5 feared dead and 25+ missing.
— Hinduism_and_Science (@Hinduism_sci) June 15, 2025
The emergency response teams received the alert by 3:30 pm. “A total of 51 people are injured and admitted to different hospitals, taking treatment, and four individuals have died. Three were identified as Chandrakant Salve, Rohit Mane and Vihaan Mane and one was male but unidentified,” informed District Collector Jitendra Dudi.
The search operation is now completed as every missing individual has been found. A total of fifty-five people were rescued.
In the Pune bridge collapse case, the rescue operation has been concluded as all missing persons have been accounted for, according to NDRF officials. A total of 55 people were rescued, out of which 4 have died. Identities of three deceased individuals have been confirmed, while… pic.twitter.com/wuUes0tsYs
The tragedy happened near Kundamala, a prominent picnic location on the Indrayani River which had risen as a result of several days of intense rain. There is a 70 to 80 foot stone slope at the beginning of the 470-foot bridge, per a report in NDTV.
Afterward, it is joined by two iron portions that are 100 feet long and a cement portion that is 200 feet long. The bridge is only four feet wide. Shelarmala and Kundamala villages are connected by the bridge.
Officials stated that just two people and one bike can cross the bridge at a time due to its extreme limited width. Together with a significant throng, there were, however, seven or eight bikes on the bridge at the time of the catastrophe. There were apparently at least 100 picnickers on the 30-year-old iron bridge when it caved in, despite the fact that it wasn’t raining at the time.
The Maval tehsil occurrence, according to Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, was the result of structural failure brought on by rust and overcrowding. “We have received various versions of the incident. As per the preliminary information, the bridge was old and rusted. Many people were standing on the bridge when it collapsed,” he pointed out, reported The Times of India.
There was a warning board prohibiting two-wheelers from entering the bridge, which was designated as a pedestrian-only structure. Girish Mahajan, the Maharashtra Disaster Management Minister, who was on the scene to supervise rescue operations, indicated that the bridge fell because of the weight of an extensive crowd.
He outlined, “The bridge was meant only for pedestrians. It seems people on the bridge did not pay heed to the instructions, which caused the incident.” He also declared that the deceased’s family would receive Rs 5 lakh as compensation.
“The bridge had become weak. The Dehu Road Cantonment Board and police have put up boards in the area and near the entry to the bridge about the danger it poses. But tourists do not heed the advice. They throng the bridge, especially during monsoon, for taking selfies and making videos,” pointed out Bharatiya Janata Party leader Balasaheb Shelar, who lives in the neighboring village of Shelarmala, reported The Indian Express.
Local police patrol the area on Saturdays and Sundays to prevent tourists from crossing the bridge. “But once police leave, tourists make their way here from different points. There is no permanent police presence here,” a local voiced.
“The area is under the Dehu Road Cantonment board. It is not feasible to post policemen on both sides of the bridge every day. The cantonment board and police have put up boards warning tourists to stay away from the bridge,” stated Joint Commissioner of Police Shashikar Mahavarkar.
Gross negligence despite regular requests
Over the past few months, Kundmala has seen a rise in the number of tourists. Authorities disclosed that approximately 8,000 people crossed the deteriorating bridge each weekend, regardless of its inability to accommodate the volume of traffic. The bridge also developed potholes, which led to two-wheelers colliding.
Locals had temporarily covered the potholes on the bridge with cement blocks as there was no long-term fix. Two years ago, the residents wrote a letter to the Public Works Department and the Gram Panchayat, demanding that the bridge be repaired and that visitors not be allowed to move across it. Nevertheless, authorities had not conducted a structural assessment of the bridge in recent years.
Additionally, there was no security in the place. The administration started stationing police personnel close to the bridge every Saturday after the villagers made repeated requests. Ravindra Chavan, a minister and MLA for the Bharatiya Janata Party, approved Rs 80,000 last year to restore the damaged bridge.
However, the repairs were not made with the funds. Digambardada Bhegde, a former MLA had called for the building of a new bridge across the river in 2017. The funds were not spent on the repair work. “I request the Maharashtra government to please provide funds for the reconstruction of the bridge over the Indrayani River. Only one person can cross the bridge. There are eight to ten villagers near it,” he wrote in a letter.
The politician added, “Farmers, workers, and students need to cross the bridge, who do it on foot. However, two-wheelers and four-wheelers cannot pass through this. We request the Public Works Department and the administration to reconstruct the bridge.” The matter also echoed in the Parliament. However, the administration disregarded the appeal.
Shrirang Barne, a Shiv Sena MP from Maval, accused the local government and police of being at fault and stated, “I held a meeting and told them that during monsoon heavy rush of tourists happens at Kundamala and they should take all precautions.”
What happened on the fateful day
A lot of people had come from neighboring towns like Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad to see the rapids and the rock formations of the riverbed at Kundamala since it was a Sunday,. The Indrayani River splits here into whirlpools and little waterfalls, particularly during the rainy season.
Witnesses informed that while people crowded onto the bridge to record movies and take pictures, two-wheeler riders attempted to pass, sparking conflicts. The center of the building fell into the river at this precise instant. According to locals, they were the first to rescue people who were hurt or drowning. The district collector asserted that the fire department, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other authorities were to the location in fifteen minutes.
According to officials, a local had called the police control center to alert them about the gridlock on the bridge just hours before the occurrence. Three officials arrived on the scene shortly once and dispersed the crowd. However, the mob returned as soon as the police left triggered the collapse.
“We had imposed prohibitory orders at major tourist spots. Though Kundamala was not mentioned by name, our order clearly mentions that tourists should stay away from all waterfalls and water related spots,” the district collector insisted. Last year, a new bridge was approved and on 10th June, a work order was issued.
Witnesses unveiled that the iron bridge swayed for around five minutes before succumbing to the combined weight of multiple two-wheelers and visitors. According to a person, locals rushed to the scene to start rescue efforts as screams rippled through the air. “I struggled for 15 minutes in the water and finally held a pipe and came out,” he voiced.
A second witness who was on the location reported that there were at least fifty individuals on the bridge when the fatal incident unfolded. “People had their scooters and motorcycles parked on the bridge. Nobody paid heed to danger signs,” she charged.
People recall terrifying ordeal
A man who was admitted to the hospital narrated his distressing experience. He stated that a large crowd had assembled on the bridge, causing the road to become congested with vehicles approaching from both directions. The crowd congregated in one area, leading to the incident. “People standing in the middle of the bridge were swept away. We fell on the stones and got injured,” he added.
#WATCH | Pune | Bridge collapse incident on the Indrayani River | One of the injured in the incident says, "There was a huge crowd on the bridge. The road was jammed due to vehicles coming from both sides… The crowd gathered at one place and the bridge collapsed… People… pic.twitter.com/i4DniEBY6y
An individual noted that there were over 150-200 people on the bridge, however, there were more than 50 individuals at the specific location where the bridge gave way. He revealed that there were five to six bikes present and a traffic jam transpired. His brother pulled down two people amid the panic due to the damage on the other part of the bridge.
They fled downwards to save their lives. “It is God’s grace that my family is safe,” he mentioned. Another person also recounted the horrifying ordeal and thanked Lord Ram for protecting him and his family. “Today is the rebirth of me and my family,” he expressed.
#WATCH | Bridge collapse incident on the Indrayani River | Pune | Swapnil Kollam, who claims to be an eyewitness, says, "There were more than 150-200 people on the bridge but at the place where the bridge collapsed, there were more than 50 people…It is God's grace that my… pic.twitter.com/tav0tfym4c
“I must have been on the bridge for 10-15 minutes. There was a huge rush. I think at least 200 people had jammed the bridge. There were also some two-wheelers trying to get through the surging crowd. When the bridge suddenly collapsed, at least 50 people fell on each other. Some were swept away by the strong current of the water,” revealed an eyewitness.
He added, “When the bridge got overcrowded, the middle portion collapsed suddenly. Local villagers rushed in and saved some of the tourists. I myself pulled out two tourists. I saw at least four people being swept away by the strong current.”
“There was a notice pasted on both ends of the bridge which prohibited the entry of two-wheelers but no one heeded it. The situation was so grave that protective grills were installed on the bridge around 10 days back,” stated another person while emphasising that more than 150 people were on the bridge at the time of the instance.
The injured were being treated at three hospitals, based on district officials. An investigation regarding the absence of police presence in spite of the area’s popularity during the monsoon season has also been ordered. The Pune Zilla Parishad’s additional CEO (Chief Executive Officer), Chandrakant Waghmare stated that it was unclear who was in charge of maintaining the bridge.
He, then, assured, “But action will be taken.” The district collector mentioned, “We have decided to set up a five-member committee to find out whether the structural audit of the bridge was done. We will also find out whether the bridge was declared unsafe.” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the relief efforts as all three offered condolences over the disaster.
Yet another case of love jihad against Hindu girls by trapping them in love affairs and marrying them has come to light from Madhya Pradesh, this time from Indore. The name of Congress councilor Anwar Qadri alias Anwar Dakait has also come to light in this case. It is being reported that Anwar Qadri had given lakhs of rupees to his two henchmen, Sahil Sheikh and Altaf Khan, to trap Hindu girls, and then later convert them to Islam after marrying them.
Anwar Qadri had apparently given money to both of them and told them to trap Hindu girls by marrying them and then asked them to push them into prostitution. Now the police is investigating this Indore love jihad case. The councilor is currently absconding. Raids are being conducted to search for him.
The police had arrested the accused Sahil and Altaf in the case on Friday, June13. Both have admitted to taking money from the Congress councilor. Sahil admitted that he was given Rs 2 lakh to marry a Hindu girl. At the same time, Altaf also admitted that he too had received Rs 1 lakh. The councilor had promised to give the remaining amount after ‘the work’ was completed. A video of the statements of both is also going viral.
लव जिहाद पर सनसनीखेज खुलासा
– लव जिहाद की फ़ैक्ट्री चलाता है अनवर कादरी – साहिल शेख़ को दो लाख रुपए दिए – अल्ताफ़ को एक लाख रुपए दिए
In this video, love jihadis Sahil and Altaf also show pictures of some Hindu girls on their phones. They had trapped these girls by creating Hindu IDs on social media. Then they called them for a meeting and sexually exploited them. After this, there was a plan to get married to them and convert them to Islam. The accused said that the Congress councilor had also asked them to force these girls into ‘dhandha’.
The police has registered a case against Congress councilor Anwar Qadri on the basis of the statement of the two accused. After this, when they reached Qadri’s house to arrest him, he could not be found. Now the police is continuously searching for him. The police said that Sahil and Altaf are still being interrogated, and they will be in remand till Monday (June 16).
Bajrang Dal busted the Indore love jihad case by catching the accused red handed
Sahil Sheikh and Altaf Khan were caught red handed by Bajrang Dal workers when they had gone to meet a Hindu girl in a public place. Bajrang Dal caught Sahil in the Super Corridor area. After this, the girl was sent home and both the accused were beaten up.
The workers handed them over to Banganga police. Sahil works in a car showroom, while Altaf is a painter.
The Bajrang Dal worker revealed that a chat was found open in the mobile phone of one of the accused. In this, he is talking to a Hindu youth and threatening him. The accused says, “I am the girl’s boyfriend and live in Narwal. Do whatever you can. I will make her accept Islam and you will not be able to do anything to me.” When the youth asked the reason, he said, “This is what is written in our religion.”
The accused further said, “Why are you asking all this? You are a man of the organization, I know everything. People from your organization are also connected to me.” After this, when Bajrang Dal searched his phone, they also found photos of Mahakal Darshan with Hindu girls.
The accused used to trap Hindu girls by keeping Hindu names on Instagram. Sahil had created fake IDs in the name of Arjun and Altaf had created fake IDs in the name of Raj. They used these IDs to befriend Hindu girls. Bajrang Dal filed a case against both of them. Police arrested both the accused. At the same time, there is a demand for the immediate arrest of Congress councilor Anwar Qadri who funded this conspiracy.
The case was filed on the complaint of two Hindu women
Police said that two victims had filed a complaint against Sahil and Altaf. On the basis of this, a case was registered against 20-year-old Altaf Khan, resident of Sanwer Road, Banganga, and Sahil Sheikh, resident of Narwal, under rape and other sections of the BNS.
— कालुराम चौधरी ??? ?️?? (@KrChoud42412520) June 15, 2025
Altaf raped a 19-year-old
The 19-year-old victim reached Banganga police station with her mother and lodged a complaint against Altaf. The girl said that she works in a parlor and Altaf is her neighbor. Being neighbors, normal conversation started between the two.
After a while, Altaf proposed to the girl. He said that he wants to marry her. However, due to Altaf’s actions, the girl distanced herself from him. Seeing this, Altaf entered her house, threatened to kill her and raped her.
A victim asked to wear burqa, taken to a cafe and raped
Another Hindu victim works as a caretaker. The victim has filed the complaint against Sahil Sheikh. The victim said that she started talking to Sahil on Instagram five months ago. He befriended her by telling her that he was a Hindu. On May 12, he called the victim to meet him and took her to his friend’s room on Sanwer Road.
Here, Sahil told the girl that he loves her very much. He also made physical relations with her by promising marriage. The victim did not tell this to anyone for fear of defamation. Then when the truth came out, she distanced herself from Sahil. But on May 30, Sahil again called her to meet him at a cafe in Vijay Nagar and raped her there.
The girl said that when she protested, Sahil lured her with money. Sahil said, “You just convert once, I will give you as much money as you ask for.” The girl said that Sahil also forced her to wear a burqa.
