Security Alert Health Shock Political Fallout Rock States Nationwide

Fresh encounter rocks J&K

The detection of a heavily armed group of foreign terrorists in the Majalta area of Udhampur district has raised serious security concerns, given the region’s proximity to Northern Command headquarters and other strategic installations. Despite repeated contacts during extensive combing and search operations in recent months, the terrorists—trained in jungle warfare—have evaded capture by exploiting dense forests, rugged terrain and natural cave-like hideouts in the upper reaches of the district. A fresh encounter broke out on Monday in the thickly forested Soan area under Majalta police station when a joint team of security forces engaged the militants following specific intelligence inputs. During the initial exchange of fire, a Special Operations Group (SOG) jawan of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Amjad Ali Khan, was critically injured and later succumbed to excessive blood loss. Two other personnel sustained injuries. Security forces intensified operations on Tuesday, deploying additional troops and sealing all possible escape routes to track down the terrorists, who fled deeper into the forest.

Inspector General of Police Bhim Sen Tuti said a tight security cordon remains in place and the operation is ongoing. A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the district police lines in Udhampur to honour the fallen cop, with senior police and civil officials paying tributes before his mortal remains were sent to his hometown in Poonch district.

Six kids test HIV positive in MP

A routine medical lifeline turned tragic for six families in Madhya Pradesh after children suffering from thalassemia tested positive for HIV, allegedly due to contaminated blood transfusions. The cases were reported between January and May this year in Satna district and involve children aged 12 to 15 who had been receiving regular transfusions at Government hospitals in Satna and Jabalpur, as well as a private medical facility. State Health Minister Rajendra Shukla has ordered a probe and sought a detailed report to determine whether the infections occurred only at Government hospitals or elsewhere as well. Officials confirmed that all affected children are currently undergoing HIV treatment and are stable. The parents of one child have also tested HIV positive, while families of the five children tested negative. Satna Collector Satish Kumar S said routine testing revealed the infections and that an internal hospital committee, along with a State-level investigation, is examining blood banks, donors and testing centres. Preliminary assessments suggest contaminated blood transfusions as the most likely cause. Authorities have warned of strict action if negligence is established. The incident sparked sharp political reactions, with the Congress demanding accountability and alleging systemic failures in the state’s healthcare system.

WB sports minister steps down

Two days after a major spectator rampage disrupted a high-profile football event featuring Argentine star Lionel Messi at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accepted Sports Minister Aroop Biswas’s resignation from the sports portfolio and initiated sweeping administrative action. The State Government issued show-cause notices to Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar and Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Mukesh Kumar, suspended a deputy commissioner, and withdrew the services of the stadium’s CEO. Biswas, who remains in the cabinet with other portfolios, sought to step aside from the sports department to ensure an impartial inquiry. Banerjee said she would personally oversee the department until investigations conclude.

Acting on recommendations of a three-member probe committee headed by retired Justice Ashim Kumar Roy, the Government also constituted a Special Investigation Team of four senior IPS officers to probe the chaos, which forced the event’s premature end. The incident triggered sharp political reactions, with the BJP alleging ticketing irregularities and demanding central agency probes, while Governor C.V. Ananda Bose flagged systemic failures and called for a judicial inquiry. Property damage from the vandalism is estimated at Rs 2 crore, and arrests have been made.