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J&K terror attack 'intelligence failure', Article 370 move didn't stop violence
The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday alleged that the tragic attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, was due to a serious “intelligence failure.” The party further asserted that merely issuing threats to Pakistan will not help resolve the ongoing issues in the Union Territory. In a sharply worded editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', the Uddhav Thackeray-led party rued that the nullification of Article 370, which provided special status to the erstwhile state, has not ended violence in the Kashmir Valley, where Hindus are still being "targeted". The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrated a "political festival" after the contentious provision of the Constitution was revoked in 2019, but left Hindus in the lurch, alleged the opposition outfit, attacking its former ally. Since the August 5, 2019, measure, as many as 197 security personnel, 135 civilians and 700 terrorists have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir, the editorial claimed, reported news agency PTI. Terrorists struck a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people, mostly tourists from other states. Where is National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, who poses as "James Bond", the Marathi daily questioned, reported PTI. "After Pulwama (strike in 2019), the Pahalgam attack was a failure of intelligence agencies," the editorial averred. The BJP has sought West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's resignation for violence against Hindus in her state, but the national saffron party is not ready to take the responsibility for the massacre of Hindus (in Pahalgam), the editorial noted. The publication maintained that Prime Minister Narendra Modi lied when he said the 2016 demonetisation would "break the backbone" of terrorism. Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted terrorism had ended in the Kashmir Valley after Article 370 was nullified, but blood is being shed there every day, the editorial stated, reported PTI. "There are no signs of violence ending in the Valley. Hindus are being targeted. And promises made to (displaced) Kashmiri Pandits have not been realised. On the contrary, Hindus are fleeing (the Valley). The BJP, which claims to be the messiah of Hindus, should be ashamed of it," the editorial emphasised. The Centre is governing Jammu and Kashmir through the Lieutenant Governor, but cries and wails emanating from Pahalgam has made it evident how efficient that is, the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece stated, reported PTI. Issues are not going to get resolved by threatening Pakistan. This will only make "bhakts" (BJP supporters) feel good, the editorial stated, reported news agency PTI. "Who will protect Hindus? It is their (the BJP) business to cry and wail after Hindus die and then blame Pakistan and Muslims. This also happened after Pulwama (attack)," the daily noted, reported PTI. Attacking the BJP-led central government, the editorial alleged that hate on religious lines has been spread throughout the country for the last ten years. (With PTI inputs)
24 April,2025 03:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pahalgam terror attack: Army veterans decode tactical failures and security gaps
As the nation recovers from the shocking tragedy, it raises several critical questions on India’s security and vulnerabilities. What could have been the tactical planning behind this seemingly well-planned attack on civilians that killed at least 26 people?Colonel Ashutosh Kale who has spent long years in Kashmir, fighting insurgency and conducting anti-terrorist operations demystifies the tactical planning and systemic lapses. “There can be several factors that would have been considered while planning. This can range from using a local guide, creating a base close to the attack site to analysing the timing of the attack based on the peak hours for the crowd to gather at the spot. Infiltration route along with the exfiltration route for the terrorist would have been figured out too based on which route gives them a discreet passage to go undetected and let them escape quickly after the attack,” he mentions. Colonel Ashutosh, who has operated in the Pahalgam- Kani Marg area during his service believes that the absence of security forces close by at the attack site would have been considered to carry out the attack. Lt Col Gaurav Bali, SM (Retd.), a decorated Indian Army veteran with over 22 years of service, including more than a decade of operational experience in Kashmir and other insurgency affected regions stresses on intensive planning to carry out an attack like this. “Terrorist attacks of this nature are rarely spontaneous; they are marked by layered and deliberate planning. Likely components include reconnaissance, route familiarisation, identification of soft targets, insider intelligence and planned exfiltration. Given the location, an area frequented by tourists, they most likely studied footfall trends, identified security rotation gaps and exploited periods of low vigilance. The targeting of a tourist vehicle suggests a psychological aim: to instil fear, create disruption and tarnish the region’s image, beyond just inflicting casualties," he says. Also called as Mini Switzerland, Pahalgam is a popular tourist destination. While the gorgeous meadows of Kashmir have always been mired with infiltration and attacks from across the border, this brings into question - what made the famed tourist spot of Baisaran valley so vulnerable?“Remoteness of Baisaran valley could have played a major factor since the closest location is Pahalgam which is 45 minutes on foot. Also, thick forest cover allows easy access and exit considering this is a very sparsely populated area. Tulian valley to the East or Kani Marg to the Northeast are further thickly forested areas which allow places to hide to for extended periods.”, says Colonel Ashutosh. Questions are being raised on the loopholes that could have orchestrated the attack. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara in a recent interaction with the media, called it a glaring failure of the country’s intelligence.Lt Col Gaurav Bali, SM (Retd.), who has over a decade of operational leadership in Kashmir and other insurgency hit zones, says, “This incident reflects a multi-tiered lapse in security protocols. Potential loopholes include lack of dynamic surveillance; particularly on secondary and less patrolled routes, gaps in actionable human intelligence (HUMINT), absence of layered vehicle screening and insufficient checkpoints and possible underestimation of local facilitators, who often serve as critical enablers. Infiltration with weapons into what is deemed a “secured zone” exposes not just a breach in perimeter security, but also a complacency in threat assessment mistaking temporary quiet for enduring peace.” With this attack, Pakistan’s role in orchestrating cross-border terrorism is yet again in focus. While Pakistan has denied its involvement in the attack, Colonel Ashutosh believes otherwise. “Such an operation cannot be done without professional support. The Pak army and ISI must be involved, and it is very apparent. This is affirmed by the logistics (the terrorists were using M4 Carbines and AK-47), the robust operational and tactical planning involved and provision of local intelligence through the existing ISI OGW network since TRF is not so strong , nor does it have the professionalism unless supported to carry out such an attack. While this attack shows clear signs of professional backing, in attacks of this stature, Army swiftly activates SOPs.“The Army’s response is swift, calibrated, and mission focused. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in such situations generally include area domination through cordon and search operations (CASO), intelligence integration with local police and central agencies to track movements and hideouts, strategic preventive deployment to thwart follow-on attacks, civil military synergy to reassure the local populace without excessive militarisation”, says Lt Col Gaurav Bali. “The immediate priorities are twofold: neutralise the threat and safeguard the social fabric ensuring communal harmony while maintaining operational tempo.” he adds. According to Colonel Ashutosh, some of the strategies that can help tackle terrorism in J&K include imposing Presidents Rule, ensuring a unified command to avoid friction between the DGP (J&K Police) and the GOC 15 Corps (the Senior-most Army Officer In the Valley), isolating and squeezing Pakistan diplomatically, a suitable strong retaliatory military action and continuing with Investments and Infrastructure Development. The country is shaken. While it takes time to recover from the tragedy and the security forces strive to nab the terrorist - what to expect in the upcoming days?“We can expect heightened security presence, particularly on tourist routes and vulnerable pockets, pinpoint operations targeting identified or suspected modules, focused narrative management by the administration to prevent panic and maintain tourism flow, and deep dive scrutiny into local networks, with emphasis on digital footprints and financial transactions that could reveal facilitation chains.” concludes Lt Col Gaurav Bali. While the pain is fresh and India mourns the loss of its innocent citizens, what need to be seen is how India responds in the days to come.
24 April,2025 12:42 PM IST | Mumbai | Katyayani Kapoor
Pahalgam terror attack: 65 Maharashtra tourists flown back to Mumbai
In the aftermath of the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the first group of stranded tourists from Maharashtra arrived safely in Mumbai in the early hours of Thursday, as per PTI reports. This evacuation is part of a large-scale effort led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the Shiv Sena to bring home those affected by the incident. A special flight carrying 65 Maharashtrian tourists landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at approximately 3:30 am IST. These individuals had been stranded in Jammu and Kashmir following Tuesday’s ghastly terror strike at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 people, including six from Maharashtra. Deputy Chief Minister Shinde flew to Srinagar on Wednesday evening to personally oversee and expedite the rescue and return operations. “Following the dreadful terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the first special flight carrying 65 stranded Maharashtrian tourists arrived in Mumbai at 3:30 am on 24 April,” a Shiv Sena functionary told PTI. This marked the beginning of a larger, multi-phase evacuation plan, with two more flights scheduled to bring additional groups of stranded tourists back to Mumbai later in the day. The effort is being described by Shiv Sena representatives as a “coordinated and compassionate mission” aimed at ensuring the “safe, swift, and dignified return of every citizen impacted by this national tragedy”. A dedicated delegation from the Shiv Sena was dispatched to Kashmir earlier this week to assist with logistics, provide support to those affected, and manage coordination on the ground. “Our top priority remains the safety and well-being of all Maharashtrians stranded in Kashmir. We are working round the clock to make sure that no one is left behind, and every Marathi Manoos returns home safely,” the party functionary emphasised. India on Wednesday announced a series of steps to give a strong message to Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism, stating that the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance and the integrated checkpost at Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed a special press conference after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) and said Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC visa Exemption scheme. The CCS meeting, which lasted over two hours, was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS), which met on Wednesday, was briefed in detail on the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were killed. The CCS condemned the attack in the strongest terms and expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hoped for the early recovery of the injured. In the briefing to the CCS, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out. The families of victims of the Pahalgam terror attack mourned the loss of their loved ones as they urged the government to take strong action against the perpetrators of the heinous crime. The attack, carried out by terrorists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday, is one of the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. The attack was one of the biggest terror attacks in the region after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. (With inputs from PTI)
24 April,2025 12:03 PM IST | Mumbai
Legal notice served to state govt, civic chief over PAP rehabilitation plans
A legal notice has been served to the principal secretary of the urban development and environment departments of the state government as well as to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani over the Maharashtra government’s decision to use the Mulund and Deonar dumping grounds for the rehabilitation of Dharavi who are residents ineligible for housing in the area being developed under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. Advocate Sagar Devre, who served the notice on April 22, said that as per the solid waste management rules, landfills are fit for human habitation only 15 years after their closure. The state government has decided to allot 124 acres of Deonar dumping ground land and 12 acres of the Mulund dumping ground for the rehabilitation of Dharavi residents. Advocate Devre, who is fighting against a rehabilitation project on salt pan in the eastern suburbs, said, “As per point 31 of the Solid Waste Management Rules, the use of closed landfill sites after fifteen years of post-closure monitoring can be considered for human settlement or otherwise only after ensuring that gaseous and leachate analysis comply with specified standards.” He added, “The rules mention that the post-closure care of landfill sites shall be conducted for at least fifteen years with a long-term monitoring or care plan. They also mandate monitoring the leachate collection system and groundwater, maintaining groundwater quality in accordance with requirements and maintaining and operating the landfill gas collection system to meet required standards.” The closure of the Mulund dumping ground in its final stages and the processing of its waste will be completed by next year. After that, the BMC can take over the dumping ground land. Spread over 24 hectares, the Mulund dumping ground came into being in 1968 and was closed in 2018. Around 66 per cent of waste processing at the site is completed.
24 April,2025 11:49 AM IST | Mumbai | A Correspondent
Matunga to Lokhandwala: Citywide road digging puts Mumbaikars at risk
Haphazardly excavated stretches across the city are not only an eyesore and nuisance for pedestrians—they also hinder citizens’ access to emergency services, which could have disastrous consequences. mid-day reached out to residents whose safety is being compromised owing to road-digging work. Both Mumbaikars and emergency service providers expressed concerns about vehicles having to ply narrow roads during crises, with the latter revealing that due to congestion and diversions caused by ongoing roadwork, the response time of responders is being impacted, sometimes resulting in loss of life. CENTRAL MUMBAI (MATUNGA, SION, WADALA, MAHIM) Rajyogi Jaimal Singh Marg at Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar near Sion Koliwada has been dug up for concreting work. The Guru Nanak College of Arts, Science and Commerce is on this stretch. When mid-day visited the spot, it was found that no proper safety arrangements were being followed during the work. The dug-up section of Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar’s Rajyogi Jaimal Singh Marg on April 6. FILE PIC “The whole scenario has made life outside the college a bit miserable, causing untold hardships to pedestrians, school-going kids, college students, the disabled and the elderly. It is high time the civic authorities take cognisance of this menace and get the road back in order,” said Professor K Praveish Vishwanath Aiyar, visiting faculty with the college. A student stressed the need for proper barricading and following safety measures, not only for the sake of his peers, but every pedestrian. EASTERN SUBURBS (MULUND, GHATKOPAR, CHEMBUR) There has been digging outside the MT Agrawal Hospital in Mulund West as a section of the road outside the facility is being concreted in patches, but luckily, the hospital does not cater to patients facing emergencies and has been under construction. However, due to the digging, the road outside the hospital is constantly jammed as it is on several bus routes. Fortunately, the road near the fire brigade office has not been affected. The stretch outside MT Agrawal Hospital in Mulund West. PIC/Rajendra B. Aklekar “Road digging is leading to severe traffic jams and delays for commuters. Dust generation from digging has contributed to increased air pollution, posing a health hazard to residents. The lack of coordination between different departments is leading to unplanned road digging. Some roads are being dug up even though they were in good condition or concreted just months ago. All this is making our daily life chaotic, leading to frustration. Digging has also impacted footpaths, inconveniencing pedestrians,” said citizen activist Alka Dand. The road outside the Wamanrao Muranjan Madhymik and Uchhamadhyamik Vidyalaya in Mulund. PIC/RAJESH Gupta Incessant digging outside the Wamanrao Muranjan Madhymik and Uchhamadhyamik Vidyalaya in Mulund East has led to problems for school students. A parent complained that the students are almost trapped inside the facility. A BMC contractor at the site said they would try and fix the stretch at the earliest. SOUTH MUMBAI (COLABA, CUFFE PARADE, CHARNI ROAD) Concreting work in this area has not just put residents of respective areas in trouble, but has also made life harder for providers of emergency services. “Mumbai roads are congested even when roads are not excavated. Now, dug-up stretches only added to our problems. From an increase in travel time to making navigation of routes difficult, we face many issues. Ideally, it takes 10-15 minutes to get from JJ Hospital to Bombay Hospital. The road outside the Wamanrao Muranjan Madhymik and Uchhamadhyamik Vidyalaya in Mulund. PIC/Rajesh Gupta But considering the congestion caused by concreting work, it takes 30 minutes or more in peak office hours to cover the same distance. Plus, when there are patients inside, we must be very careful about potholes and uneven roads. Also, our job demands that we drive fast but safely. Diversions due to dug-up roads cause chaos. Additionally, when the roads are excavated, heavy trucks that are brought to work sites damage surrounding roads, where we need to drive slowly, putting the patients at risk,” said Sampat, an ambulance driver. A N Bacchao, fire marshal, Nariman Point Fire Brigade, said, “Small lanes in the town area of the city have been one of the biggest challenges. Also, dug-up roads have become another big headache. The problem is that all roads are dug simultaneously, leaving no alternative routes for us to reach the accident spots. Also, even if they keep one half of the road functional while working on the other, our vehicles are such that this functional space isn’t enough. It is very difficult for our marshals to carry ladders and other equipment to reach the actual spot of the fire break-out. This hampers our response times. However swiftly we depart from fire stations, dug-up roads prevent us from reaching accident spots as soon as possible. By the time we reach there, it happens that many people start jumping out of buildings due to suffocation or fear, leading to loss of human life. Also, road diversions create another nuisance as today one road is closed and the next day another one is, which leads to confusion and wastage of time.” WESTERN SUBURBS (BANDRA, ANDHERI) Residents of SV Patel Nagar and Lokhandwala in Andheri West have pointed out that during emergencies, the fire brigade and ambulance operators may find it difficult to reach certain spots as some roads are either shut or have been narrowed down. Abhijeet Sonone, an Andheri West resident, said, “There is a road that connects SV Patel Nagar Road with Jankidevi School Road. At one location, the stretch has been closed, and traffic has been diverted via an internal road that is already narrow. If there is a fire or a local has to be rushed to the hospital tomorrow, how will they go? The road is extremely narrow.” An excavated road at Lokhandwala in Andheri West Some internal roads in SVP Nagar have been dug up for concreting work. When mid-day visited the spot, it was evident that fire engines or ambulances would find it a daunting task to enter the narrow lanes. The situation was no different in the upscale Lokhandwala area. Anil Menon, a Lokhandwala Complex resident, said that due to ongoing road work, members of his housing society, which faces the main road, have not been able to open their windows. Abhijeet Sonone, who resides near SV Patel Nagar (right) Anil Menon, a Lokhandwala Complex resident He added, “In our area, a road has been dug up for concreting purposes, but going by the pace at which the work is going on, the project won’t be completed before monsoon. There is a lot of dust pollution due to the ongoing work. The road is also narrow now, so how will vehicles such as fire engines and ambulances reach our area if there is any emergency?”
24 April,2025 11:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-day
Mumbai: Friend booked for negligence after teen dies in Malad bike accident
The grieving father of a 16-year-old boy killed in a road mishap has filed a case of negligence against his friend, who was riding the bike they were on. According to the police, the incident occurred around 11.45 PM on April 6, on the flyover near MTNL Junction in Malad West. Param Soni, riding pillion, was returning from Ram Navami celebrations with his friend Thapa when the latter allegedly lost control of his bike and crashed. Both sustained severe injuries and were rushed to Shatabdi Hospital by their other friends. During treatment, Soni succumbed to his injuries the following day. Originally from Gujarat, Soni lived with his parents and elder brother in the Khot Dongri area of Malad East. He was a Std 10 student and had appeared for his board exams this year. His family, which had travelled to the neighbouring state to perform his last rites, returned to Mumbai last week. “In the complaint, Soni's father alleged that the accident occurred due to Thapa’s recklessness riding and that he held Thapa responsible for his son’s untimely death,” an officer from Malad police station said. Thapa has been booked under Sections 106(1) (causing death by negligence) and 281 (rash driving or riding on a public way) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 184 (driving dangerously or recklessly) of the Motor Vehicles Act.
24 April,2025 11:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
Pahalgam terror attack: ‘They asked if we were Hindu, then they opened fire’
The relatives of Atul Mone, Sanjay Lele and Hemant Joshi—three cousins from Dombivli West who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22—told mid-day they were still coming to terms with their loss. “We are in a deep state of shock. It feels like our lives are never going to be the same again,” said Rajashree Akul, a relative of Mone. The cousins, along with their families, had departed from Ahmedabad via flight to Jammu and Kashmir two days before the tragic incident. Mone was travelling with wife Anushka, 35, and 18-year-old daughter Richa. Lele was accompanied by his wife Kavita, 46, and 20-year-old son Harshal. Joshi was with his wife Monika, 45, and 16-year-old son Dhruv. According to their relatives, the families were enjoying their trip before things took a horrific turn. Rajesh Prasade, who remembered the times he would play badminton with Hemant Joshi “We spoke with Atul’s wife, Anushka, after the attack. She was devastated. Her husband had been shot in the stomach by terrorists and succumbed to his injury in front of her eyes,” Rajashree said. “All three families lived near Bhagshala in Dombivli. When we saw the news on television that an attack had taken place in Pahalgam, we all panicked and called Anushka. She didn’t pick up. Then the news about Atul’s death flashed on our TV screen, we again called Anushka and she said that everything had changed and wept,” said Rahul Akul. The Akuls claimed the terrorist had asked their victims their religion before commencing to open fire. “Anushka said the terrorists asked, ‘Yahan Hindu kon hain’, to which Sanjay raised his hand. He was then shot in the head, and Joshi was shot in the chest,” Rahul added. “Harshal told us the terrorists, dressed in combat uniform fatigues, asked people whether they were Hindu before opening fire multiple times,” he added. “We demand strict action against the perpetrators of this attack. Mone was the sole breadwinner of the family, and his daughter wants to be a chartered accountant. Who will fulfil her wish? Anushka’s life will never be the same again,” Rajashree said. Rajashree and Rahul Akul, relatives of Atul Mone, at their residence Rajesh Prasade, 62, told mid-day that the Joshi family was a very loving one. “Hemant and I played badminton together. We are in shock. His son, Dhruv, is like my own son. We are grieving,” he said. Another relative said, “We are in a state of shock and are processing the news of Hemant’s death. We had spoken with him. He said he would be back in a week’s time. We are coordinating with the family to conduct their last rites.” Mone, Lele and Joshi’s bodies are being brought to Dombivli. Their last rites will be performed at the cremation ground on Shiv Mandir Road. ‘Deeply disturbing’ P V SindhuOlympic silver medal-winning badminton ace via X ‘My heart aches for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. So much pain. So much loss. No reason, no cause can ever justify such brutality’ Neeraj ChopraOlympic gold medal-winning javelin star via X ‘Heartbroken by the tragic attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Prayers for the victims and their families’ Abhinav BindraOlympic gold medal-winning shooter via X ‘Heartbroken by the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Terror has no place in our world , we must stand united against hatred and violence’ Donald Trump US President ‘Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The US stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!’ J D Vance US Vice-President ‘Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating attack. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack’ Benjamin Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister ‘I am deeply saddened by the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that killed and injured dozens of innocents. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Israel stands with India in its fight against terrorism.’
24 April,2025 11:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Apoorva Agashe
Pahalgam terror attack: Sharad Pawar visits families of Pune victims
In the aftermath of the brutal terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam, senior NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Sharad Pawar paid solemn visits to the grieving families of two Pune residents who lost their lives in the incident. According to PTI, Pawar visited the homes of Santosh Jagdale and Kaustubh Ganbote on Thursday morning, offering floral tributes and extending heartfelt condolences to their bereaved families. The bodies of Jagdale and Ganbote arrived at Pune International Airport at around 5:30 AM before being taken to their respective residences in Karvenagar and Kondhwa, where friends, family, and well-wishers gathered to pay their last respects. The duo, who were close friends in life, will be cremated at Vaikunth Crematorium later in the day, PTI reports. Ganbote, who ran a snacks business, and Jagdale, an interior designer by profession, were holidaying in Kashmir with their wives and Jagdale's daughter Asavari when the attackers struck. As per PTI, they were among the 26 civilians, largely tourists, who were killed when terrorists opened fire at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam — one of the deadliest attacks in the region in recent years. Pawar first visited Jagdale’s residence, speaking with his grieving relatives and paying floral tributes at his mortal remains. He later visited Ganbote’s home, offering similar condolences. “It is a heart-wrenching loss for Pune and the nation,” Pawar reportedly said. Elsewhere in Maharashtra, the last rites of Atul Mone, another victim from Dombivli, were also held. His family members expressed immense grief and demanded swift justice. Rahul Akul, a relative, told ANI that Mone was shot after being identified as a Hindu. “They were targeted. All three were sole breadwinners. We want strict action against the culprits as soon as possible,” he said. Meanwhile, as per PTI, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited a temporary camp near Srinagar Airport to meet stranded tourists from the state. In a post on X, he stated that he was there “not just as Deputy CM but as a fellow Maharashtrian” to personally reassure citizens of their safety and coordinate their return. “I met many of our stranded tourists—tired, anxious, but resilient,” Shinde posted. “Their spirits were lifted just by knowing their government is with them. We will bring them home with care, dignity, and full support.” Efforts to assist stranded tourists are being overseen by Dr Shrikant Shinde’s team, who have been coordinating logistics and offering emotional support on the ground. (With inputs from PTI)
24 April,2025 11:38 AM IST | Mumbai
Mumbai: 20-year-old student from Jammu and Kashmir duped of Rs 4.30 lakh
On April 23, a 20-year-old engineering student from Jammu and Kashmir who was duped of Rs 4.30 lakh by cyber criminals in a 'task fraud', said the city police as per PTI reports. The victim lives in the college hostel in Matunga. According to an official, the student received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number in which the sender introduced herself as 'Pallavi Jha'. She offered the victim a "task," claiming he could earn Rs 2,000 to 8,000 everyday by posting online reviews. After he agreed, he was added to a Telegram channel and initially received payment for completing a task, the official said. Later on, he was assigned a bigger tasks and asked to deposit money as security, leading him to transfer a total of Rs 4.30 lakh over time. As the demand for the money continued, the victim realised that he has been scammed. After this he lodged a complaint with Matunga police. As per PTI reports, an official said that the probe was underway. Meanwhile, the Cyber Crime Unit of Hyderabad Police arrested a 22-year-old man from Navi Mumbai for his alleged involvement in a high-value online investment fraud on Monday. The fraud cost a Hyderabad resident over Rs2.43 crore on April 21. According to ANI, the accused, identified as Rashmit Rajendra Patil, a private employee residing in Navi Mumbai, played a key role in the scam. He is said to be the account supplier. He was apprehended by a special police team, assisted by other officers from the Cyber Crime wing. According to the press release, the victim, a 56-year-old man from Hyderabad, was referred to the SAMCO Securities and IIFL applications through social media. He downloaded and logged in to these applications to invest the money for earning purposes. Initially, these investments appeared to yield steady returns, with the profits reflected in a virtual wallet within the app. The fraudsters claimed that the accumulated profits could be withdrawn into his personal bank account within one to three days, after deducting a six per cent tax. Believing them to be genuine, he deposited multiple amounts. Convinced by the ongoing profit displays and smooth transactions, the victim continued transferring money to different bank accounts listed in the application. Eventually, he deposited a total of Rs2.43 crore across multiple transactions. However, once the amount reached this substantial figure, the scammers abruptly blocked his access to withdrawals and ceased all communication. Following the victim's complaint, a case was registered under Crime Number 348/2025, invoking relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Following a thorough investigation, the police identified Patil's involvement and successfully arrested him in Maharashtra. (With inputs from PTI and ANI)
24 April,2025 11:31 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pahalgam terror attack: Maharashtra arranges special flights for 183 tourists
In the wake of recent Pahalgam terror attack, the Maharashtra government has stepped in to ensure the safe return of its citizens. Acting swiftly on the directives of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, two special flights have been arranged to bring back a total of 183 tourists stranded in the region. According to government officials, an Air India aircraft carrying 100 tourists from Maharashtra is scheduled to land in Mumbai this evening. Alongside this, an Indigo flight is expected to bring home an additional 83 individuals, marking a coordinated effort by the authorities to prioritise citizen safety. The list of passengers aboard the Air India flight has been attached for reference. काश्मिरातील महाराष्ट्राच्या नागरिकांना परत आणण्यासाठी आणखी एका विशेष विमानाची व्यवस्था झाली आहे. एअर इंडियाचे हे विमान महाराष्ट्रातील 100 पर्यटकांना घेऊन आज मुंबईला येईल. या विमानातील प्रवाशांची यादी सोबत जोडली आहे.मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांनी निर्देश दिल्यानंतर आज 2 विशेष… pic.twitter.com/WqRdPkWs2L — CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) April 24, 2025 Union Minister Muralidhar Mohol has been actively involved in overseeing the operation and extending logistical support. His office has been working closely with both the Ministry of Civil Aviation and state officials to facilitate the swift movement of travellers. The Maharashtra state government has decided to bear the entire cost of these special flights. India on Wednesday announced a series of steps to give a strong message to Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism, stating that the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance and the integrated checkpost at Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed a special press conference after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) and said Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC visa Exemption scheme. The CCS meeting, which lasted over two hours, was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS), which met on Wednesday, was briefed in detail on the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were killed. The CCS condemned the attack in the strongest terms and expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hoped for the early recovery of the injured. In the briefing to the CCS, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out. The families of victims of the Pahalgam terror attack mourned the loss of their loved ones as they urged the government to take strong action against the perpetrators of the heinous crime. The attack, carried out by terrorists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday, is one of the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. The attack was one of the biggest terror attacks in the region after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
24 April,2025 10:41 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Special squad will ensure charitable trust hospitals don’t turn away the needy
A Special inspection squad will be formed to prevent healthcare services from being denied to needy patients, especially those who are sometimes turned away by public charitable trust-run hospitals as they are unable to pay deposits. In a meeting held in Mumbai on Wednesday to review the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF), Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis instructed government officials to form a special squad in coordination with the charity commissioner, health department officials and a CMRF member to ensure that no hospital registered under public charitable trust refuses treatment to poor and needy. “The cell will monitor beds’ availability and occupancy of the beds in the respective hospitals,” a statement issued by the chief minister’s office mentioned. According to the Charity Trust Rules, it is mandatory for hospitals to reserve 10 per cent of beds in hospitals for the poor and an equal percentage for weaker sections of society. It was in this meeting that Fadnavis emphasised strict compliance with the rules that mandate the reservation of beds for the poor and weaker sections of the people. “A district-level committee should be formed to monitor the implementation of the rules. It will be compulsory for the hospitals to update details of beds, funds and treatment online,” Fadnavis stated. On March 31, a seven-month pregnant woman died after the Pune-based Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital refused to admit her, allegedly because she could not pay a Rs 10 lakh deposit amount that the hospital administration demanded. In the wake of the tragedy, the recent directives from the Maharashtra chief minister assume significance. Now, CMRF health services on WhatsApp The chief minister has instructed officials to make all services under the CMRF available on WhatsApp, so that applicants can have access to all government health services and schemes on the go. As per official records, since December 2024, over R67 crore has been disbursed to more than 7600 patients under the CMRF.
24 April,2025 09:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev Shivadekar