The Assam government has instructed the authorities concerned to probe into alleged singing of Bangladesh’s national anthem at a meeting of Congress Seva Dal in Sribhumi district, officials said on Wednesday.

A senior official of the district administration said they have “received oral instructions from Fishery Minister Krishnendu Paul to enquire into the matter and are looking into the issue now”.

During the Congress Seva Dal meeting on Tuesday at the Indira Bhavan, the party’s district office in Sribhumi town, its leaders began the proceedings after singing two lines of the Bangladeshi national anthem ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’, written by Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore, who also wrote Indian’s national anthem.

After the video of the meeting surfaced on social media, Paul alleged, “The Congress gave birth to Pakistan, and Bangladesh was a part of that country. The national anthem of Bangladesh was sung by the Congress to show their love for the neighbouring country.” He also said instructions were “issued to the district commissioner to take legal action after confirming the truth of the incident”.

Reacting to the controversy, Sribhumi district Congress president Tapas Purkayastha said, “Don’t indulge in politics with Rabindranath Tagore. Our pride, 85-year-old poet Vidhu Bhushan Das, sang only two lines of the song. Criticising this song means insulting Rabindranath Tagore.”

Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi also criticised the BJP and said the ruling party is creating “unnecessary controversy” as it has no other issue to divert people’s attention.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said he has instructed the police to register a case of treason against Congress leaders of Sribhumi district for singing the national anthem of Bangladesh at a party meeting.

Smoke rises after a reported Pakistani drone strike on an Afghan Taliban border post in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan, on October 15. Reuters Photo

Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan have failed in Istanbul after four days of negotiations, Pakistan’s information minister said before dawn Wednesday, accusing the Taliban government in Kabul of refusing to act against militants blamed for deadly cross-border attacks.

The talks followed an earlier round in Doha that produced a ceasefire on October 19 after deadly border clashes between the two sides left dozens dead, including soldiers, civilians and militants.

Pakistan accuses the Taliban of harboring militants linked to a surge in attacks, while Kabul denies its territory is being used against Pakistan.Advertisement

Before dawn on Wednesday, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar took to social media platform X, saying the dialogue “failed to bring about any workable solution,” despite mediation by Qatar and Turkey.

There was no immediate comment from Kabul about Tarar’s remarks.

The latest development came hours after the state media in both countries said there was an impasse in the talks, with the state media from the both sides blaming each other for the failure to reach a deal.

Tarar said Pakistan at the request of brotherly countries Qatar and Turkey gave peace a chance and engaged with the Afghan Taliban government first in Doha and then in Istanbul.

He accused the Taliban of being “indifferent to Pakistan’s losses” even though “Pakistan has always desired, advocated and immensely sacrificed for peace and prosperity for the people of Afghanistan.”  Tarar said Pakistan is thankful to Qatar and Turkey for facilitating this dialogue, which was part of a broader diplomatic push to ease months of heightened tension between Islamabad and Kabul over cross-border attacks and militant safe havens — issues that have strained relations since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan four years ago.

He said that “since the Taliban regime bears no responsibility towards the people of Afghanistan and thrives on war economy, it desires to drag and mire the Afghan people into a needless war.”  Tarar said “Pakistan’s patience has run its course,” and warned that Islamabad would “continue to take all possible measures necessary to protect our people from the menace of terrorism.”

Earlier, on Tuesday, three Pakistani security officials who had direct knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that there was a deadlock in the talks in Istanbul over the reluctance of Kabul in accepting demands about assurances that Afghan soil not be used against Pakistan.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media. They said the host country was trying to end the deadlock so that the final round of the talks could resume as soon as possible.

According to the Pakistani officials, the Taliban delegation was “not fully willing” to accept Pakistan’s proposals and continued to seek guidance from Kabul before making decisions.

Afghanistan-controlled media RTA made similar accusations against the Pakistani side, saying Kabul “made every effort to hold constructive talks,” but that the “Pakistani side does not seem to have this intention.”

As the latest round of the talks was underway in Turkey, US President Donald Trump on Sunday pledged to help resolve the crisis between the two neighbours very quickly.

The recent fighting prompted Qatar to host the initial round of talks, which produced a ceasefire that both sides say is still holding despite the stalemate in Istanbul.

Islamabad-based security analyst Syed Mohammad Ali on Tuesday said Afghanistan’s strategy at the talks was to slow the diplomatic process and shift focus to other bilateral issues. He noted Afghanistan’s “reluctance to give clear, unambiguous and internationally verifiable commitment to act against Afghanistan-based Pakistani Taliban and other militants.”

Pakistan has seen a surge in militant attacks in recent years, mostly blamed on the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, a group closely allied to the Taliban in Afghanistan. Islamabad says the group is being sheltered in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power in 2021.

Authorities in Pakistan have said the country’s military earlier this month targeted hideouts of the TTP in Afghanistan. It triggered deadly clashes between the two countries until Qatar brokered the ceasefire.

All border crossings between the two sides have remained shut for more than two weeks, with trucks carrying goods stranded pending the reopening of key trade routes.

Pakistan-Afghanistan peace talks fail to bring ‘any workable solution’

Police examine digital communications records

Based on the inputs of intelligence agencies, a police team under the leadership of SSP, Kapurthala, Gaurav Toora, has arrested an employee working as Safai Sewak at the Kapurthala Army Cantonment on allegations of espionage for a foreign country.

The accused, identified as Raja, resident of Mushakved in Kapurthala district, was taken into custody near Y-Point, Kanjali, during a routine patrol and checking operation, officials said.

Raja was employed as a private sanitary worker inside the Army Cantonment on a contractual basis. During his arrest, the police searched his mobile phone and allegedly found evidence of communication with contacts in Pakistan. Investigating officers claim that the accused had been sending photographs of restricted Army areas and sharing sensitive information related to military establishments.

The SSP stated that there were indications that the accused was receiving money from Pakistani handlers in exchange for the information. Officials described the matter as a serious breach of national security, claiming that the information transmitted could compromise the security, integrity, and operational confidentiality of defence installations.

Following the initial findings, an FIR has been registered. Raja has been booked under Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, along with Section 152 of the BNS. The accused has been taken into custody and further investigation is underway to determine the extent of the information shared and to identify any possible associates.

Cops are reportedly examining digital communication records, financial transactions and other evidence to establish the scope of the suspected espionage activity. Police sources said that central security agencies also join the probe, considering the sensitivity of the case.

Army Chief pays tribute to bravehearts on Infantry Day

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The Army on Mondaycommemorated Infantry Day, also known as Shaurya Diwas, with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, honouring the valour, sacrifice and indomitable spirit of infantry soldiers.

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi laid a wreath at the Amar Chakra of the Memorial, paying tribute to those who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation.

Three decorated war veterans — Major Ashish Sonal, Vir Chakra (Retd), a veteran of Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka (1990); Honorary Captain Kunwar Singh, Vir Chakra (Retd), who took part in Operation Meghdoot at Siachen (1989); and Lance Naik Amrit, Vir Chakra (Retd), a participant in Operation Cactus Lily during the 1971 war — also laid wreaths on behalf of Infantry veterans, reaffirming the enduring legacy of gallantry and selfless service.

As part of nationwide celebrations, several events were held to mark the historic occasion, including the Field Marshal KM Cariappa Memorial Seminar in Lucknow, the Shauryaveer Run and a felicitation ceremony for Veer Naris at Delhi Cantonment. An Infantry Magazine, highlighting the Infantry’s multi-dimensional capability development and chronicling heroic sagas, was also released.

Observed annually on October 27, Infantry Day holds a special place in the nation’s history. On this day in 1947, Indian infantrymen were the first troops to land at Srinagar airport. Their subsequent operations repelled the Pakistan-backed invasion and safeguarded India’s territorial integrity. The day stands as a tribute to the Infantry’s steadfast dedication and unmatched valour in defending the nation’s sovereignty.

he day marks the historic event of October 27, 1947, when the 1st Battalion of the Sikh Regiment was airlifted to Srinagar to repel invading Pakistani forces and defend the Kashmir Valley

Army personnel participate in a ceremony to mark the 79th Infantry Day at Chandimandir on Monday.

The 79th Infantry Day, commemorating the selfless service, courage and valour of the Army’s largest fighting arm and the bedrock of India’s defence, was observed by the Western Command at Chandimandir on Monday.

The day marks the historic event of October 27, 1947, when the 1st Battalion of the Sikh Regiment was airlifted to Srinagar to repel invading Pakistani forces and defend the Kashmir Valley.

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, paid homage to infantrymen, who had made the supreme sacrifice, by laying a wreath at the Veer Smriti War Memorial.

In his message, he complimented the infantrymen for their devotion to duty and indomitable spirit while serving under difficult conditions. He exhorted all ranks to continue to draw inspiration from the heroic deeds of the bravehearts and remain steadfast in their resolve to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country.

9TH MLF 2025 Program Brochure

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 8th Pay Commission, which is likely to be implemented from January 1, 2026.

The recommendations of the pay panel will benefit about 50 lakh central government employees and 69 lakh pensioners.

The commission will comprise one chairperson; one member (part time) and one member-secretary. It will make its recommendations within 18 months of the date of its constitution.The panel, to be chaired by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, will submit an interim report to the government.

Asked about the date of implementation of the pay panel award, I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “The specific date will be decided once the interim report comes in… But, mostly it should be January 1, 2026.”

The Cabinet had in January 2025 accorded an in-principle approval for setting up of the 8th Pay Commission.

IIM (Bangalore) Professor Pulak Ghosh has been named as the part-time member, while Petroleum Secretary Pankaj Jain will be the Member Secretary.

Earlier, on April 8, 2023, President Murmu took a sortie in the Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter jet at Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam

President Droupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces (IAF), will take a sortie in the Rafale fighter jet at Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana on Wednesday.

Earlier, on April 8, 2023, President Murmu took a sortie in the Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter jet at Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam.

The Rafale was deployed during Operation Sindoor, India’s national response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan.