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Vande Bharat and Chenab Bridge Take Spotlight at World Expo 2025 in Osaka

New Delhi: India’s two engineering wonders, the Vande Bharat Express and the Chenab Bridge, are holding the world in awe at the currently ongoing World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, where the Indian Pavilion is attracting sizeable traffic and universal admiration, particularly among Japanese visitors. Hosted on Yumeshima, an artificial futuristic island off Osaka’s shores, the World Expo was opened to the world on April 13 and will conclude on October 13, with millions from around the globe visiting. Among the several global exhibits, India’s Indian Railways exhibit has become a focal point, showcasing India’s leap forward in infrastructure, technology, and sustainable development. Stealing the show at its center is the Chenab Bridge, the highest railway bridge in the world, elegantly curving itself over the Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir. Standing alongside are the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge constructed in the difficult Himalayan landscape, and the streamlined Vande Bharat Express, renowned for its high speed, energy efficiency, and high-tech passenger facilities. The display also features innovations in electric locomotives, highlighting Indian Railways’ drive towards green and sustainable transport. Japanese guests, with their own high-speed rail culture, have been especially interested, lingering around interactive digital screens and live presentations mapping the evolution of one of the world’s largest rail networks. What is remarkable to many is not only the size and scope of India’s railway initiatives but also the strong emphasis on sustainability, safety, and accessibility. The Indian Railways part falls in perfectly with the Expo 2025 theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” and its three pillars: Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives. With immersive experiences, compelling narratives, and innovative visuals, India is not just demonstrating its engineering capabilities but also its vision for a networked, sustainable tomorrow, where tradition and innovation come together and infrastructure supports people and planet.

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Operation Sindoor: Navy Officer’s Remarks on IAF Losses ‘Twisted,’ Says Indian Embassy

Amid rising media chatter over reported IAF setbacks in Operation Sindoor, the Indian Embassy in Indonesia has stepped in to clear the air, stating that the Navy officer’s remarks were twisted out of context and widely misinterpreted. The controversy flared after Defense Attaché Captain Shiv Kumar, during a seminar presentation, reportedly made remarks about the IAF’s role in the anti-terror offensive. These comments quickly made headlines, sparking speculation and political noise. “The remarks have been quoted out of context. The reports floating in the media misrepresent the speaker’s actual message and intent.” The embassy clarified that the officer’s main point was to highlight the disciplined and professional nature of India’s military, which functions entirely under civilian command—a contrast to some neighboring countries. It also reaffirmed that Operation Sindoor, launched in May in response to the brutal Pahalgam terror attack, was a calibrated and non-escalatory strike targeting terror infrastructure, not a military confrontation aimed at provocation. “The intent was never to sensationalize losses but to highlight India’s responsible and strategic approach,” said an official. As tensions simmer across the region, the embassy’s swift response aims to shut down any attempts at twisting operational details or sowing confusion about India’s military stance. Operation Sindoor Sparks Political Firestorm: Defence Attaché’s Remarks Ignite ControversyOn June 10 in Indonesia, Defense Attaché Captain Shiv Kumar made a striking revelation, disclosing that the Indian Air Force suffered aircraft losses during the first wave of Operation Sindoor against terror camps in PoK and Pakistan. Captain Kumar explained that the initial limitations set by political leadership—instructing forces not to strike Pakistan’s military infrastructure or air defenses—may have contributed to the IAF’s early setbacks. “Only because of the constraint given by the political leadership…” he noted, highlighting the tight leash under which the forces operated initially. However, Kumar also emphasized how tactics shifted after the losses. “We then targeted military installations, first suppressing enemy air defenses, and launched precision attacks using BrahMos missiles,” he said, showcasing India’s decisive retaliation strategy in the later phases. But the remarks, once leaked, triggered a political storm back home. The Congress party pounced on the statement, calling it a “direct indictment” of the BJP-led government’s strategy.Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera, questioned why the PM refused to convene an all-party meet and alleged the government was “terrified” of what might be revealed if Parliament were to probe deeper. As the row intensifies, the Indian Embassy in Indonesia has already clarified that the Navy officer’s comments were taken out of context—but the debate back home shows no signs of cooling down.

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Udhampur Encounter Erupts Ahead of Amarnath Yatra: Operation ‘Bihali’ Launched by Forces

Just days before the sacred Amarnath Yatra is set to commence on July 3, security forces were engaged in a high-voltage encounter with terrorists in the Kuru area of Basantgarh, Udhampur district. Acting on credible intelligence about terrorist movement in the area, the Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police jointly initiated a counter-terror operation named ‘Operation Bihali’. As per official updates from the White Knight Corps, contact has been established and the operation is currently underway. This sudden escalation has put the entire security grid on high alert, especially with lakhs of pilgrims expected to travel to the holy Amarnath cave shrine over the next several weeks. The gunfight comes at a crucial time, as forces ramp up security and surveillance to ensure a safe and peaceful Yatra season. The fresh encounter also acts as a grim reminder of the April Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 innocent tourists, leaving the nation in shock. Notably, it’s been just over a month since India executed Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure deep inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Punjab, where over nine terror hubs were dismantled and 100+ terrorists neutralized. With this latest offensive in Udhampur, India is making it crystal clear — there will be zero tolerance for terror, and any threat to the nation’s peace, especially during sensitive occasions like the Amarnath Yatra, will be met with swift and decisive action. Security forces continue to dominate the region with air surveillance, ground combing, and intelligence-based movements to ensure no disruption occurs during the Yatra. As the operation intensifies, the message is loud and clear: Bharat ab chup nahi baithega — har goli ka jawab milega!

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India Refuses to Sign SCO Joint Statement Over Terrorism Silence, Sends Strong Message on Pakistan’s Role

In a bold move during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers’ meet in Qingdao, China, India blocked the release of a joint statement, taking a firm stand against what it described as the group’s failure to address the pressing issue of cross-border terrorism.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, representing India, declined to sign the draft communique, citing its lack of direct mention of terrorism originating from across the border — a clear reference to Pakistan. Singh asserted that terrorism, especially when used as a state policy tool, must be condemned outright and without double standards.“The threat we face today stems from growing radicalisation and extremism. Terrorism cannot coexist with peace,” Singh said during his address. He emphasized that the SCO must take a unified and uncompromising stance against terror in all forms.Highlighting the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack — which India blames on Lashkar-e-Taiba — Singh said that India’s Operation Sindoor was a direct response to such brutality. “India has adopted a zero-tolerance policy. We’ve shown that even the heartlands of terrorism are not beyond our reach,” he declared.With China chairing the SCO this year and Pakistan also among the member states, India’s refusal to toe the line sends a sharp diplomatic message. Singh warned that nations giving safe haven or support to terror groups for selfish gains must face consequences.Despite India’s global efforts, including calls for international action against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, recent developments have posed challenges. Notably, Pakistan’s diplomats have secured key roles at the UN, including chairing the 1988 Sanctions Committee and vice-chairing the Counter-Terrorism Committee.“The SCO cannot afford silence or ambiguity when it comes to terror.

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A bus going from Bihar to Delhi caught fire, and five passengers were burned alive

New Delhi. Five people died in a sudden fire in a moving bus near Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh this morning. Many passengers in the bus also got burned. The bus was going from Bihar to New Delhi. According to information, a private sleeper bus (bus number: UP17 AT 6372) going from Begusarai in Bihar to Delhi caught fire due to a short circuit on the Lucknow-Raebareli Road, Mohanlalganj on Kisan Path in Lucknow. Even after the fire, the bus kept running for about a kilometer. The driver and conductor immediately fled from the spot. The passengers sitting in the bus were taken out by breaking the glass with the help of the police and common people. Fire engines controlled the fire in about half an hour. When the firemen went inside the bus, the bodies of five people were found there. The passengers burned by the flames were taken to the hospital for treatment. Except for one of the dead, the other four have been identified. According to reports, there were about eighty passengers in the bus. The deceased include two children, two women, and a man. The time of the accident is said to be around 5 am. At that time, everyone was sleeping on the bus. Except for one man, the rest of the passengers have been identified. According to the information received, after the fire broke out, the bus kept running in a burning condition for some time. The driver and conductor escaped by breaking the glass. The main gate got jammed due to the fire. Those who could escape through other routes were saved. According to the information, the accident took place on the Kisan Path passing near PGI Kalli. Local people informed the police about the accident. People who came out of the bus said that after stopping the bus, the driver and conductor jumped out of the window near the driver and escaped.

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PM Modi inaugurates historic projects in Jammu and Kashmir; flags off Vande Bharat trains

Katra: To take connectivity and infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir to new heights, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several important development projects at the Shrine Board and 39 Sports Stadium, Katra. The highlight of the event was the inauguration of the Chenab Bridge – the world’s tallest railway arch bridge, a wonderful example of India’s engineering capability. Along with this, the Prime Minister also inaugurated India’s first railway cable-stayed bridge, Anji Khad Bridge. A four-lane flyover at the Bemina Junction bypass on NH-44 in Srinagar and Sangram Chowk (NH-01) was also inaugurated to ease urban traffic. The projects for which PM Modi laid the foundation stone include: The PM dedicated to the nation the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project, which fully connects the Kashmir Valley with the Indian Railways network. On this historic occasion, the PM flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains: These projects will boost tourism, ease traffic, strengthen trade, and provide better healthcare and connectivity to the people. This event is a strong step towards a “Developed India”.

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Many agencies, including the Army and the IB, are investigating

Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Mumbai on January 19, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth about Rs 38,800 crore. According to information, a person was trying to enter the PM’s program organized at the MMRDA ground by showing a fake NSG identity card. However, after suspicion, he has been taken into custody. Bandra Kurla Complex Police said that the arrested accused, 35-year-old Rameshwar Mishra, is a resident of Navi Mumbai. He is claiming to be a soldier of the Guards Regiment of the Indian Army. The police are now investigating the matter. At the same time, many agencies like the Army, IB, Delhi Police, and PM Security Officer are investigating the information of the suspect as to why he was trying to enter the VVIP section. 4500 policemen will be deployed for the security of the PM 4500 policemen will be deployed for the security of the PM. Apart from this, four contingents of the State Reserve Police Force and Rapid Action Force for anti-riot squad were deployed in his program. Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex and surrounding areas were declared a no-fly zone due to the PM’s arrival. Apart from this, vehicular movement was stopped on some roads. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated two new Mumbai Metro lines on his Mumbai tour on Thursday! He inaugurated the second phase of Mumbai Metro’s 2a and 7 routes! It has been built for Rs 12600 crore. These lines are spread over a 35 km-long elevated corridor from Andheri to Dahisar. The 18.6 km long Metro Line 2A connects Dahisar (East) to the 16.5 km long DN Nagar (Yellow Line) while Metro Line 7 connects Andheri (East) to Dahisar (East). The PM laid the foundation stone of these Metro lines in 2015.

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Massive Tragedy: Air India Flight AI-171 Crashes After Takeoff from Ahmedabad, All 242 Feared Dead

Ahmedabad: In a heartbreaking incident, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Flight AI-171), flying from Ahmedabad to London, crashed shortly after takeoff today, with all 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members, feared dead. The flight departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport but lost contact within minutes, crashing in the Meghaninagar area, a densely populated locality in the city. The crash triggered a large explosion, with thick black smoke and flames visible from several kilometers away. The accident occurred around 1:38 PM IST, soon after the aircraft took off from Runway 23. Local residents reported hearing strange engine noises before the plane descended sharply and hit the ground. Emergency response teams rushed to the scene, including more than a dozen fire trucks, multiple ambulances, and personnel from both BSF and NDRF, with three teams comprising 90 officials deployed for rescue operations, which are ongoing. Government Officials Take Immediate Action Upon receiving news of the crash, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu departed for Ahmedabad. Both the central and state administrations have mobilized to coordinate relief and support efforts. Investigation Underway Though the exact reason behind the crash has yet to be confirmed, preliminary findings suggest a possible technical failure or engine malfunction. The DGCA, along with Air India’s internal technical team, has initiated a thorough investigation. Nation Grieves the Loss The incident has sent shockwaves across the country. National leaders, including the Prime Minister and the President, have expressed their condolences to the bereaved families. Special assistance counters have been set up at Ahmedabad and Delhi Airports to provide support and information to relatives of those on board.

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