NEW DELHI: The US department of justice’s indictments against Nikhil Gupta do not read like a high-stakes espionage thriller; they, if true, point to an amateur crude plot conceived and sought to be executed with no regard to the basics of intelligence tradecraft. Serving and retired security establishment officials feel, going by the claims of FBI, the whole affair seemed to brazen violate every rule in the book that even rookie interns at any agency across the globe wouldn’t, a recklessness that is associated with an overzealous operative in a terrible hurry who was not bothered with irritants like protocol requiring restraint.“Forget a senior, any mid-level officer in an agency in the know would have shut it down instantly given the amount of red flags the whole thing generated,” said a retired govt officer.From the outset, the operation violated the cardinal rule of tradecraft – never link an agency directly to the street. DOJ documents show the conversation stressed on unnecessary involvements.“Handlers never communicate directly with low-level criminal middlemen using traceable electronics. Yet, DOJ documents reveal that Vikash Yadav and Gupta exchanged routine messages on encrypted platforms that were clearly compromised,” said an officer. The handlers, sources said, always use “dead drops or cut-outs” – multiple layers of individuals who don’t know each other – to ensure if one person is caught, the trail to the state ends immediately. DOJ documents show Yadav sending his own contact information and even a “selfie” to Gupta. The photograph showed him in an official military uniform, complete with visible insignia. This single act effectively handed FBI the “who” of the operation before it had even begun.“In a real operation, a handler is a ghost; here, Yadav comes across as a digital pen pal. The ‘trap’ was not just visible; it was screaming. When Gupta sought a hitman, he reached out straight away to a ‘criminal associate’ who was, in reality, a confidential source of the US’s Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), a place teeming with double agents like Pakistani American David Coleman Headley aka Daood Gilani of 26/11 notoriety and those who have been responsible for breakthroughs in the drive against Latin American drug cartels as well as stunning failures. This source then introduced Gupta to a ‘hitman’ who was a DEA undercover officer,” another official said.An agency would have spent months vetting these assets. Instead, Gupta and Yadav sprinted into the ambush. The financial trail was equally catastrophic. On June 9, 2023, the conspirators arranged for an associate to hand over $15,000 in cash to the undercover agent in a car in Manhattan. This was a ‘Financial Op-Sec’ suicide. By moving physical cash in a place like Manhattan to a man they had never met, they turned a geopolitical plot into a common street crime captured on federal surveillance. In a real operation, money for “wetwork” is laundered through complex front companies or transferred via untraceable methods to avoid physical exposure.Perhaps the most damning evidence of their “continuing despite the trap” was the aftermath of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing in Canada. Rather than going “dark” to avoid regional heat, Yadav allegedly sent Gupta a video of Nijjar’s bloodied body and a message stating that the New York target was now a “priority”. “By discussing an assassination so casually and explicitly linking the two hits, they surrendered all deniability and handed DOJ the narrative of a transnational repression plot,” an official said.By the time Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic, he wasn’t a victim of a brilliant sting; he was the inevitable casualty of an eagerness, whose parenthood remains doubtful, that broke basic rules while the trap was being set in plain sight.

Mumbai: One family member was dead, two others were hospitalised, and a wedding trip turned into a nightmare after a parapet segment of an underconstruction Metro 4 viaduct structure fell on an autorickshaw and a car passing below on LBS Road in Mulund on Saturday.On Sunday, the family asked: If MMRDA would recover Rs 5 crore in fines from the contractor, why should they accept anything less than Rs 1 crore?The relatives refused to accept the body of the deceased, Ramdhan Yadav (50), until press time, as their demand remained unmet. “His body is the proof of the tragedy on us. Once we take his body back to our village and proceed with cremation, we will be left on our own,” said Sarvesh Yadav, a relative. Ramdhan, a sarpanch of Barsathi village in Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur, is survived by three daughters aged 24, 16 and 12. By evening, MMRDA announced a compensation package of Rs 35 lakh-Rs 40 lakh, which included Rs 15 lakh financial aid from the authority, an insurance sum of Rs 15-20 lakh, and a Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia payment.As the tragedy fell on the day of a family wedding, several relatives were already in Mumbai. The next day, the family was scattered: some kept watch at Upasani Hospital, where Mahendra (52) and Rajkumar (25) remained in critical condition; others gathered at Mulund police station. However, most of them were at the office of MLA Mihir Kotecha, seeking justice, with one govt job for the immediate kin of Ramdhan and a total compensation of no less than Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore. “Their logic was that if MMRDA fined the contractor Rs 5 crore, that money should reach the family, as they lost a human being. We sympathise with the family and are willing to help them to the best of our capacity,” said Kotecha. However, a source close to the MLA said the family was going too far in their demands.Standing outside the hospital, Rajkumar’s cousin Urmila Yadav said, “No politician came forward to even fix our food and water for the day.” She said that even the washroom facilities at the hospital were limited for the female members; the hospital allowed only a handful inside the building.No statement came from the hospital, nor was the press allowed to interact with the doctors or the staff. Relatives said Rajkumar, the autorickshaw driver, underwent an operation, but he was still not conscious. They said the damage to the leg was extensive, and his upper body was also severely injured. He has a 21-year-old son and a teenage daughter, and he is the only earning member. While Mahendra could speak, he had broken ribs and remained critical.

Mumbai: Pune resident Subham Lonkar, a key associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang who allegedly masterminded the firing at filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Juhu bungalow, is believed to be holed up in Portugal, while Zeeshan Akhtar, another Bishnoi gang member who allegedly played a key role in the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, is apparently under protection in PakThreats to Bollywood: P>istan, police sources said.Akhtar has reportedly been given shelter by gangster Harwinder Singh alias Rinda who has been linked to terrorist acts in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.Police are also examining the role of ‘overseas handlers’ Harry Boxer and Arzoo Bishnoi, who allegedly guide shooters and logistics modules. Arzoo’s name had found a mention in the social media post released after the firing at Shetty’s bungalow, while Boxer hit headlines for issuing voice messages threatening actor Ranveer Singh.Lawrence Bishnoi is currently lodged in Sabarmati jail in Ahmedabad.Police claimed that information available also indicates a rift between Bishnoi and his long-time associate Goldy Brar, which surfaced around mid-2025. Bishnoi felt that Goldy, who is hiding in the US, did not help him after his brother Anmol was arrested there.Bishnoi has allegedly joined hands with Noni Rana, the younger brother of Haryana-based gangster Kala Rana, alias Virendra Pratap, and deployed Boxer in the US to handle gang activities. Bishnoi and Noni have reportedly worked together over the past few months, with the latter’s network making ransom and extortion calls and collecting money for the former.Goldy has reportedly started working with Azerbaijan-based Rohit Godara.Officials believe the split has led to the formation of parallel factions within the syndicate, altering command structures and operational methods. Investigators said Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti, suspected to be moving between foreign locations, has also emerged as a known associate of the syndicate.Police sources said that the gang’s modus operandi has evolved significantly, relying on compartmentalised operations and recruiting youths with minimal criminal background. Handlers reportedly assign isolated tasks — such as arranging vehicles, weapons, or safe houses — without revealing the larger conspiracy, making infiltration by traditional police informers increasingly difficult. “Overseas handlers identify targets, issue instructions through digital medium, arrange funding via hawala and crypto and recruit shooters locally in India. This decentralised model allows the gang to operate globally while maintaining behind the scenes. Many foot soldiers involved in local operations are first-time offenders from economically weaker backgrounds. These youths are allegedly recruited through Instagram, encrypted messaging apps, and online gangster fan pages glorifying the Bishnoi network,” a police officer said.

JAMMU: Gulam Ali Khatana, a BJP Rajya Sabha member from J&K, is under fire for allocating a lion’s share of his MP local area development fund (MPLAD) to projects in UP than in the state he represents in the Upper House of Parliament.“What is the purpose of nominating an MP from J&K if 94% of his development funds are spent in Uttar Pradesh? This exposes the harsh truth: J&K’s representation has been reduced to symbolism, while its people are denied their rightful share,” governing National Conference spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said.Khatana, who joined the BJP in 2008 and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2022 from Jammu region, is a native of Jammu.Under the MPLAD scheme, nominated Rajya Sabha members are permitted to recommend development works in any state or district across the country. Using the scheme, Khatana recommended 139 development projects in Shahjahanpur, three in Pilibhit, one in Chandauli and one in Badaun in UP.In Jammu and Kashmir, he recommended 17 projects for Jammu district, six for Samba, one for Kathua, six for Poonch and two for Rajouri.PDP spokesperson Aditya Gupta said, “He entered Parliament from J&K, but his development funds went to UP. This is the BJP model. Votes from Jammu, funds for UP.”“Jammu wasn’t betrayed by outsiders, it has always been our own MPs and MLAs who sold our interests,” Gupta said.Khatana defended his decision. “I was nominated MP. I can recommend works in any part of the country,” he told TOI.Sadiq said that when Khatana was nominated, it was projected as a move to empower the Gujjar community.Khatana comes from the Gujjar community.

NEW DELHI: The Mumbai Port Authority (MPA) and the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) are still awaiting the delivery of three patrol boats, more than eight months beyond the maximum stipulated timeline under their contracts. In the case of two other major ports — Paradip and VO Chidambarnar, two such boats were delivered late.The four major port authorities awarded these contracts to Mumbai-based Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Ltd. Patrol boats for ports are specialized, fast, and agile vessels designed for security, surveillance, and law enforcement in harbours and coastal areas.The four major port authorities awarded these works to Mumbai-based Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works LtdThe MPA awarded a tender to the firm in September 2024 to hire two fully operational patrol boats for deployment over seven years. The boats were scheduled to be delivered by March 23, 2025, but the company failed to meet the deadline.Last month, the port authority issued a termination notice to the company, citing its failure to provide substitute patrol boats with similar technical specifications during the period of non-availability or delay. The letter, dated January 8, 2026, also stated that the delay had caused a loss of Rs 35 lakh to the port authority. The company was asked to confirm compliance by January 20, failing which the contract could be terminated.The MPA did not respond to repeated queries regarding the status of the contract.Similarly, the NMPA awarded a contract to the same firm in August 2024 for hiring one patrol boat, with delivery scheduled for May 2025. The company was permitted a delayed delivery until July 2025, subject to the maximum applicable liquidated damages. However, the boat has still not been delivered.A senior NMPA official said the contracted cost of the patrol boat was Rs 9.7 crore, and it remains undelivered. The port authority has also not terminated the contract despite the delay.Sources in the ports and shipping ministry said that since port authorities are empowered to take decisions regarding contracts and operations, they are responsible for initiating appropriate action.

Bengaluru: From a quiet sericulture village on the outskirts of the city in the 1990s, Devanahalli has transformed into one of Bengaluru’s most powerful growth engines, rapidly evolving into a vibrant hub for employment, industry, and investment. Ever since the start of operations at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) — one of the busiest airports in India — the region has witnessed a dramatic economic shift over the past two decades.With the proposed Airport City, Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR), Aerospace Park, and a wave of high-value residential developments, Devanahalli has emerged as the epicentre of north Bengaluru’s expansion. The steady influx of global manufacturers, technology firms, and allied industries has not only altered the skyline but also generated thousands of jobs, reinforcing its position as a high-growth corridor.

Further strengthening the region’s growth trajectory, the state govt recently notified the ‘Devanahalli Special Investment Region’ (SIR), spanning 3,117.9 acres across 13 village panchayats. The initiative by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) aims to consolidate and upgrade key industrial clusters — including Devanahalli General Phase 1, Devanahalli General Industrial Area Phase 2 and Adhinarayana Hosahalli Phase 2 — into globally competitive economic hubs equipped with world-class infrastructure and civic amenities.According to KIADB officials, the SIR notification addresses long-standing infrastructure concerns raised by industrialists and entrepreneurs. The industrial townships will now be withdrawn from the administrative control of local bodies and brought under direct state govt oversight. “Often, the local bodies neglected development in these areas despite industries paying taxes. This hindered production and manufacturing activities. By notifying them as SIRs, the areas will be placed under the direct monitoring of the state govt,” a KIADB official said.Officials added that jurisdictional overlaps had also created operational hurdles, citing recent property tax notices issued by two village panchayats to the Taiwan-based Foxconn. “Such issues arise because of overlapping authority, which the SIR framework seeks to address,” the official noted.Under the SIR framework, the state can notify an industrial area exceeding 2,500 acres — or 1,250 acres in the case of industrial zones — as an SIR. Commerce and industries minister MB Patil said, “The main objective of granting SIR status is to transform these regions into centres of economic activity supported by premium infrastructure, modern civic amenities, centres of excellence, and a proactive policy framework.“Once notified, the state govt assumes full authority to regulate and develop the region. “Administratively, each SIR will be governed by an apex body approved by KIADB and will report to a regional development authority (RDA), project development agencies under the govt, or special purpose vehicles, as assigned,” a KIADB official said, adding that the model mirrors the Electronics City Industrial Township Authority.The RDA will function as the local planning authority, overseeing infrastructure, taxation, and regulation within the SIR. While the apex authority will serve as a single-window system for investors, the RDA will assess and collect taxes, with 30% remitted to the parent local body.

As the Indian cricket fans on social media platforms are saying, Pakistan was prepared for Abhishek Sharma, but Ishan Kishan came out of the syllabus.

After the duck of Abhishek Sharma, Kishan was on a rampage at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The Jharkhand-born registered the fastest ever half-century in the history of India-Pakistan rivalry on the evening of February 15.

Ishan Kishan ran a rampage in Colombo

The weather forecast predicted rain throughout the day; in reality, it was raining runs from Ishan Kishan’s bat. The left-handed batter touched the 50-run mark in only 27 balls in the T20 World Cup 2026 match for the group stage. It was his first ever fifty against Pakistan as well.

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Because of the rampage, Team India was able to quickly recollect themselves after sustaining the early blow in the form of Abhishek Sharma. From 1/1 in the first over to 88 for 2 in 8.4 overs, the Men in Blue scored 87 runs at a rapid pace. Kishan’s timely knock continued for 77 runs against 44 balls. His swashbuckling innings was decorated with ten 4s and three 6s, with a strike rate of 192.5.

Ishan disrupted India-Pakistan record

It was the fastest ever half-century recorded in an India vs Pakistan match. In the process, the keeper-batter surpassed the previous record holders in the list. He left behind Iftikhar Ahmed, Misbah-ul-Haq, Virat Kohli, and Gautam Gambhir to place himself at the top of the ladder.

In 2022, Ahmed completed his half-century in 32 balls; Misbah needed 33 deliveries to do that in 2007. Before Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli was holding the record for smashing the fastest half-century as an Indian cricketer against Pakistan. Kohli achieved the feat in 2016, facing 36 balls. Gautam Gambhir, currently head coach of Team India, scored a half-century in 38 balls back in 2007.

Meanwhile, India won the match with ease. They posted a total of 175 in exchange for 7 wickets, and Pakistan, in reply, claimed only 114 runs against all of their batters in 18 overs. Which means India, the defending champion, won the contest on February 15, 2026, by 61 runs. Ishan Kishan was named as the best player of the match for his difference-making 77-run innings.

After the match, India captain Suryakumar Yadav praised the keeper-batter for the unmatchable effort. With this win, India claimed three wins in three back-to-back matches in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Fastest half-centuries in the history of the India vs Pakistan match:

Read More: “Mine and Abhishek Sharma’s runs are equal in the T20 World Cup”: Fans brutally troll India opener as he is dismissed for duck against Pakistan

NEW DELHI: US commander of Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, during his India visit on Sunday, “applauded the tactical execution” of the Indian military operations against Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and said “there is always a lesson to learn from every conflict in the world”.He said the US-India defence relationship is on a “steeply upward trajectory”, even as he flagged concerns about increasing “coercion” and “aggression” in the Indo-Pacific region.

In reply to a TOI query about his views on Op Sindoor, the US commander, who was interacting with a select group of journalists, said, “First of all, I have tremendous reverence for the terrible event (Pahalgam terror attack) that preceded the crisis. In my discussion with my partners, I applaud the tactical execution (of operations). We also sincerely applaud the restraint that was exhibited. We hope to work together to see that such a terrible event doesn’t happen again.” The Admiral also said that he has seen a deep commitment from the Indian military to learn lessons from this conflict.Asked what lessons the US took away from Op Sindoor which saw Chinese weapons being used by Pakistan, Admiral Paparo said, “Complex long-range weapons have complex long- range kill chains”. With the “combination of sensors, communication, propulsion, warheads, seekers in the 21st century, geography is no longer a commodity…”On China’s increasing military might, the Admiral, who is responsible for all US military operations in the region, said, “Deterrence is our highest duty. It is my job to think through the worst-case scenario and to be prepared for that. India shares some of those concerns in the Indo-Pacific, as the region is home to 60% of the world’s population, more than 60% of the world’s GDP and seven of the world’s largest militaries.“We deal with those concerns with the growing partnerships… mutually respectful, sovereign relationship between the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy,” he said, adding both the US and India are committed to the principles of sovereignty, freedom of navigation and freedom of seas.“We applaud India as a great net contributor to the security of the Indian Ocean region,” he said. The two sides are also looking at boosting maritime security cooperation, including in the sphere of undersea domain awareness.With the impending MILAN exercise in mind, Admiral Paparo said, “It is great to see the deepening of Indo-US defence partnership, enshrined in the recent defence agreement signed in Kuala Lumpur (Oct 31, 2025) between US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh. A number of joint exercises like Yudh Abhyas in Alaska, MILAN, Malabar series, COPE India exercise and Tiger Triumph series and people-to-people contacts are strengthening the ties between India and the US. And we treasure this relationship.”About modern warfare strategies, the Admiral said, “Increasingly, the 21st century will be dominated by actors who master the information environment, that is, space, counter-space, electronic warfare, low observability and other technologies.”On the upcoming AI summit hosted by India, he said, “PM Modi’s visionary AI summit. I celebrate India’s vision on how to make use of AI in the 21st century. AI has many defence connections and United States Indo-Pacific Command is at the forefront of AI employment for defence.”