Mumbai: In a joint operation, the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) apprehended Pradeep Sharma alias Golu on Saturday in connection with the firing on filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Juhu residence. Sharma is the 14th accused to be arrested in the case. He will be produced before a Mumbai court on Sunday.According to the STF, the Mumbai Crime Branch learnt Sharma’s location through technical surveillance and sought help from the force. Sharma, 23, was picked up from Agra after receiving specific information about his location.While speaking in the Legislative Council recently, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that Shubham Lonkar, an operative linked to the Bishnoi gang, was identified as the prime accused in the case.According to the STF, Sharma was influenced by social media posts made by the Lonkar gang. He told the STF that a former aide, Shivam Dube, asked him to carry out the offence. Thereafter, Sharma roped in two other Agra residents, Vishnu Kushwaha and Deepak.On Feb 1, Deepak travelled to Mumbai and shot at Shetty’s residence. Police said five rounds were fired outside the building and one bullet struck a glass panel. Last year, on Dube’s instructions, Deepak fired at another individual’s home in Rajasthan on May 28. He was arrested by the police along with the firearm then, the STF said.On Feb 15 this year, the STF arrested Deepak, Kushwaha and their five other associates for the firing at Shetty’s house. The group went into hiding to avoid getting caught by the police.Following the firing at Shetty’s residence, police increased patrolling, checkpoints and preventive action against habitual offenders.Chief minister Fadnavis also informed the Legislative Council that the state sought custody of Anmol Bishnoi, who is currently in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA)..

Iran’s claim that it struck a US F-35 Lightning II has drawn sharp global attention, with early indications suggesting that infrared-guided air defence systems may have played a role in the incident now under investigation.A US F-35 stealth fighter was damaged during a combat mission over Iran and forced to make an emergency landing at a US air base in the Middle East, according to American officials. The pilot survived and is in stable condition. While Washington has not fully confirmed Tehran’s claim, it has acknowledged the aircraft was hit by what is believed to be Iranian fire.

Iran has described the incident as a “world’s first hit”, raising questions about how one of the most advanced stealth aircraft may have been tracked and targeted.

Infrared systems in focus

Analysts are increasingly looking at Iran’s infrared-guided surface-to-air systems, which rely on heat signatures rather than radar, as a possible factor.Among the key systems:

Unlike traditional radar-guided systems, these platforms operate passively, meaning they do not broadcast signals that stealth aircraft are designed to evade. This raises the possibility that infrared detection may have complemented or substituted radar tracking in the engagement.

Can infrared systems hit an F-35?

The F-35 is built to minimise both radar and infrared signatures, but it is not completely invisible. Its engine still produces heat, particularly during high-speed or combat manoeuvres.Infrared-guided systems, in theory, can exploit this by:

However, such a hit would still be considered highly challenging. The F-35 is equipped with advanced countermeasures, including flares and electronic warfare systems, and is designed to detect threats early through its sensor fusion capabilities.

What makes this incident significant

Capt Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for US Central Command, said the fifth-generation jet was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when it was forced to land. “The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” he said.Even a partial strike carries weight. The F-35 is widely seen as one of the most survivable aircraft in contested airspace due to its stealth, sensor fusion and network-centric warfare design.If Iranian systems were able to track and hit the jet, it could point to:

The bigger picture

The reported hit comes amid an ongoing conflict in which the US has lost at least 16 aircraft, including multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones, according to a Bloomberg report. Other losses have been attributed to accidents and friendly fire.While US officials maintain that operations are proceeding as planned, analysts note that only “localised air superiority” has been achieved in parts of Iranian airspace.Against this backdrop, Iran’s claim of striking an F-35 — whether through infrared systems alone or in combination with other tracking methods — could mark a shift in how stealth aircraft are challenged in modern warfare.

Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers and key details from ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge‘. Reader discretion is advised if you haven’t watched it yet.Udaybir Sandhu has emerged as one of the most talked-about performers in ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’, a spy thriller that has quickly grabbed audience attention. While the film features major stars including Ranveer Singh, Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, and Sanjay Dutt, Sandhu’s turn as Gurbaaz Singh, also known as Pinda, has sparked fresh interest. The role stands out because it begins with warmth and loyalty, then shifts into one of the film’s biggest emotional twists. His screen presence has helped push his name into the spotlight.

‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ film context

According to Sunday Guardian Live, “Udaybir Sandhu is one of the standout performers in ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’, a spy thriller that has managed to capture the audience’s attention.” The report says he “has managed to gain considerable attention despite being part of a movie that boasts the presence of superstar Ranveer Singh.” It adds that his character is “extremely loyal to Jaskirat Singh Rangi,” and that “there is a lot of emotion shown as he supports his friend through difficult times.”

Canadian law enforcement has found no evidence linking threats or criminal activity in the country to India, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has said, amid improving diplomatic ties between the two nations.RCMP commissioner Mike Duheme said ongoing investigations have not established any connection between alleged intimidation or harassment cases and the Indian government.“We’re not seeing any connection right now with any foreign entity, based on the criminal information, the investigation that we have presently,” he said in an interview with CTV, reported ANI.