10 of them turn out to be Rohingya migrants

The BSF on Sunday morning apprehended 21 illegal infiltrators — 11 Bangladeshi nationals and 10 Rohingya migrants — from different locations in Tripura.

Based on specific intelligence inputs, the BSF teams detected suspicious movement at the Agartala railway station, where 11 individuals were found to be Bangladeshi nationals who had illegally entered India and were attempting to travel further within the Indian territory, the BSF official said.

In a separate incident in North Tripura, the BSF personnel intercepted 10 Rohingya migrants, including women and children, who were attempting to cross over to Bangladesh.

Preliminary questioning revealed that they had travelled from Delhi and Jammu and intended to reach Moulvibazar, Bangladesh.

Amid the ongoing festive season, the BSF has heightened its vigil along the Bangladesh border in the entire eastern command, as incidents of illegal infiltration and human trafficking and other trans-border crimes normally escalate.

Last week, Special Director General, BSF (Eastern Command) Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal was on a four-day operational tour to BSF Frontier, Meghalaya, from October 13 to 16 to review the border security architecture and assess operational preparedness along the Indo–Bangladesh International Border.

In Shillong, IG BSF Meghalaya, OP Upadhyay, along with senior frontier officers, had made a comprehensive operational briefing before Aggarwal, outlining the dynamic security scenario along the international border, including challenges posed by rugged terrain, cross-border smuggling, infiltration attempts and emerging transnational threats.

The IG had also highlighted strategic countermeasures undertaken by BSF to strengthen border domination, upgrade technological surveillance systems and enhance tactical mobility of troops.

During the visit, the Special Director General had also toured several Border Outposts (BOPs), halted overnight with troops, and interacted with field commanders and jawans deployed in forward areas.

Later, Aggarwal had also called on Meghalaya Chief MInister Conrad Sangma and Chief Secretary Shakil P Ahammed, for in-depth deliberations on joint security mechanisms, intelligence sharing, and inter-agency synergy to ensure foolproof border management.

Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday visited forward posts in Uttarakhand along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

He reviewed the operational preparedness of an Army brigade and celebrated Diwali with troops deployed in the high-altitude areas of Pithoragarh district and other forward posts. The Kumaon region, where these posts are located, borders China to the north and Nepal to the east.

Gen Dwivedi was briefed on ongoing capability enhancements, including advanced surveillance systems, specialist mobility platforms, integration of next-generation technologies and the use of reconnaissance assets in coordination with other security agencies.

Interacting with personnel stationed in remote areas, the Army Chief commended their resilience, courage and commitment to duty under extreme climatic conditions and difficult terrain. He reaffirmed the Army’s full preparedness to meet evolving security challenges and emphasised the strategic importance of the Kumaon region as a gateway to the borders with Nepal and China.

Gen Dwivedi also reviewed initiatives under Operation Sadbhavana and the Vibrant Villages Programme, including tent-based homestays in Garbyang and Kalapani. He also took stock of road infrastructure, hybrid power systems, medical camps and agricultural support through poly-house cultivation.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and setting up of “mechanisms” to ensure lasting peace after days of violent clashes along the border that left several soldiers, civilians and terrorists dead on both sides, officials said on Sunday.

The breakthrough came following negotiations between Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Afghanistan’s acting Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob in Doha, facilitated by Qatar and Turkiye, according to a statement issued by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry.

“During the negotiation, both sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire and establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries,” the statement read.

The two neighbours also agreed to hold “follow-up meetings” in the coming days to ensure the implementation and sustainability of the truce “in a reliable and sustainable manner” to achieve security and stability in both countries, it said.

The development comes amid heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghan border, triggered by cross-border clashes after alleged Pakistani airstrikes near Kabul last week.

The Doha talks began on Saturday with Pakistan urging the Afghan Taliban authorities to take “verifiable action” against the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad accuses of launching cross-border terrorist attacks from Afghan soil.

The Foreign Office in a statement on Saturday said Pakistan had stressed the need for the Afghan authorities to honour their “commitments to the international community” and to address Islamabad’s “legitimate security concerns” by taking verifiable action against terrorist entities.

“Pakistan appreciates the mediation efforts of Qatar and hopes these discussions contribute to peace and stability in the region,” it said.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained strained since 2023, with Islamabad repeatedly raising concerns over the use of Afghan soil by militants carrying out cross-border attacks.

The situation further deteriorated following repeated terrorist attacks by TTP, including one in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Orakzai district recently, which claimed the lives of 11 military personnel, including a Lt Colonel and a Major.

The Foreign Office on Wednesday announced that a temporary ceasefire had been agreed with Afghanistan for the next 48 hours amid the recent border hostilities. Later on Friday, the ceasefire was extended.

However, hours after Islamabad and Kabul extended their two-day ceasefire, Pakistan launched fresh air strikes targeting terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan late Friday. Three Afghan cricketers were among several people killed in the strikes, which followed a terror attack at a military installation in North Waziristan, claimed by TTP.

Following the incident, the Afghanistan Cricket Board withdrew from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan, scheduled to be played in late November.

On Saturday, Army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir warned Afghanistan to choose between “peace and chaos” as it asked Kabul to take firm and immediate action against terrorists using Afghan soil to launch attacks inside Pakistan.

The military later says it resumed enforcing the ceasefire, and an Israeli security official confirms that aid deliveries will resume on Monday

Gaza’s fragile ceasefire faced its first major test on Sunday as Israeli forces launched a wave of deadly strikes, saying Hamas militants had killed two soldiers, and an Israeli security official said the transfer of aid into the territory was halted.

The military later said it resumed enforcing the ceasefire, and the official confirmed that aid deliveries would resume on Monday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to discuss the issue with the media.

A little over a week has passed since the start of the US-proposed ceasefire aimed at ending two years of war. US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire remained in place and “we want to make sure it’s going to be very peaceful”.

He told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday that Hamas has been “quite rambunctious” and “they’ve been doing some shooting”. He suggested that the violence might be the fault of “rebels” within the organisation rather than its leadership.

“It’s going to be handled toughly but properly,” he said. Trump did not say whether he thought the Israeli strikes were justified, saying “it’s under review”.

Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday that he may visit Israel in the coming days.

“We’re trying to figure it out,” he told reporters, saying the administration wants to “go and check on how things are going”. Regarding the ceasefire, he said that “there’s going to be fits and starts”.

Health officials said at least 36 Palestinians were killed across Gaza, including children. Israel’s military said it struck dozens of Hamas targets after its troops came under fire.

A senior Egyptian official involved in the ceasefire negotiations, on condition of anonymity, said “round-the-clock” contacts were under way to de-escalate the situation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the military to take “strong action” against any ceasefire violations but did not threaten to return to war.

Israel’s military said militants had fired at troops in areas of Rafah city that are Israeli-controlled according to agreed-upon ceasefire lines.

Hamas, which continued to accuse Israel of multiple ceasefire violations, said communication with its remaining units in Rafah had been cut off for months and “we are not responsible for any incidents occurring in those areas”.

Russian oil has been one of the main irritants for Trump in prolonged trade talks with India – half of his 50% tariffs on Indian goods are in retaliation for those purchases

US President Donald Trump reiterated on Sunday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told him India will stop buying Russian oil, while warning that New Delhi would continue paying “massive” tariffs if it did not do so.

“I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India, and he said he’s not going to be doing the Russian oil thing,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

Asked about India’s assertion that it was not aware of any conversation between Modi and Trump, Trump replied: “But if they want to say that, then they’ll just continue to pay massive tariffs, and they don’t want to do that.”

Russian oil has been one of the main irritants for Trump in prolonged trade talks with India – half of his 50% tariffs on Indian goods are in retaliation for those purchases. The US government has said petroleum revenue funds Russia’s war in Ukraine.

India has become the biggest buyer of seaborne Russian oil sold at a discount after Western nations shunned purchases and imposed sanctions on Moscow for its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Trump on Wednesday said Modi had assured him that day that India would stop its Russian oil purchases. India’s foreign ministry said it was not aware of any telephone conversation between the leaders that day, but said that New Delhi’s main concern was to “safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer”. A White House official said on Thursday that India has halved its purchases of Russian oil, but Indian sources said no immediate reduction had been seen.

DIWALI & BANDI CHORH DIWAS ON 21 OCT 2025 CLARIFICATION FROM HARMIANDIR SAHAIB

3-day military lit fest in Chandigarh from November 7

Department of Posts launches medicine delivery service for ECHS beneficiaries

Every inch of Pakistan territory in BrahMos range, warns Rajnath

Army holds 4-day exercise for multi-domain warfare

China carrier to resume Shanghai-Delhi flights after four-year gap

BrahMos’ new unit at Lucknow to deliver first batch of cruise missiles on Saturday

Drones and dealers: Punjab feels the heat of Pakistan’s covert offensive

Largest Naxal mass surrender in Chhattisgarh, 208 join mainstream

Tejas Mark-1A takes to the skies, HAL yet to begin IAF deliveries

Papers of 50 properties linked to DIG, Rs 7.5 crore, 2.5 kg gold seized so far

On eve of another Ladakh protest, MHA orders probe by retd SC judge into Leh violence

CM Mann to invite President, PM for events to mark 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur

50 days on, retreat ceremony yet to start at flood-ravaged Hussainiwala

Shoe hurling attempt at eCJI: AG grants consent for contempt action against advocate

Army revisits Capt Salaria’s bravery, urges UN to revise peacekeeping rules

AI pilot’s father moves SC, seeks fair probe into crash

A British delegation will discuss the shared heritage between the militaries of India and Britain, while a session will be devoted to the diamond jubilee of the 1965 war

The ninth edition of the Military Literature Festival is scheduled to be held in Chandigarh from November 7-9 on the theme of “Heartland and Rimland Powers in Multi-domain Warfare and India”. The western, southern and eastern edges of Eurasia have been categorised as Rimland, with central and northern areas being the heartland.

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria will inaugurate the festival, while Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan will deliver a keynote address on the concluding day. The closing ceremony, dedicated to heroes of the 1965 India-Pakistan War, will be presided over by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Operation Sindoor in the context of employing air power in multi-domain warfare will figure among the discussions along with other topics like multi-domain threats from Pakistan and China, challenges in the maritime domain, role of energy in the changing geopolitical scenario and changing dynamics in Af-Pak region and Iran.

A British delegation will discuss the shared heritage between the militaries of India and Britain, while a session will be devoted to the diamond jubilee of the 1965 war. Homage to martyrs, a bravehearts motorcycle rally, weapons and equipment display, exhibition of military paintings and stamps, screening documentaries, horse show and dog show are other events.

The service was first piloted in Delhi on July 31

The Department of Posts has launched a dedicated service to facilitate the pick-up, booking, transmission, and door-step delivery of medicines that are not available at ECHS polyclinics under Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme, an official statement said on Friday.

Under the initiative launched in collaboration with the Department of Ex-servicemen (DESW), medicines will be procured and packaged through Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) Common Service Centre (CSC) stationed at ECHS polyclinics, while logistics and delivery will be managed by India Post’s trusted delivery network.

“The Department of Posts (DoP), in collaboration with Department of Ex-servicemen (DESW), has launched a dedicated service to facilitate the pickup, booking, transmission, and doorstep delivery of medicines that are not available at ECHS polyclinics under Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS),” the statement said.

The service was first piloted in Delhi on July 31, where it received an encouraging response and subsequently expanded to the NCR region, covering Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

“Building on the success of the pilot wherein more than 1,700 packets of medicines were delivered, a comprehensive mapping of 458 ECHS locations across the country has been completed, and the service will be available across the country from October 17,” the statement said.Non-communicable diseases drive two-thirds of global deaths: Report’
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The service will ensure timely and reliable delivery of medicines to ECHS beneficiaries, the postal department said.