Archives for September 2025

Chandigarh: The legendary Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighter jets, the the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s combat fleet for more than six decades, streaked through Indian skies for the last time on Friday — its final adieu edged in history and many a remembrance.

The sun shone bright, the skies cloudless and a brilliant blue, providing a picture perfect setting for the elaborate farewell to the Russian origin warhorse that was inducted into the IAF in the 1960s.

Describing the MiG-21 as a mighty machine and a national pride, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said there is deep attachment to the aircraft that shaped our confidence.

“MiG-21 is not only an aircraft or machine but also proof of deep India-Russia ties,” the minister said.

“The history of military aviation is incredible. The MiG 21 added many proud moments in our military aviation journey,” Singh told the gathering.

Besides him, former IAF chiefs A Y Tipnis, S P Tyagi and B S Dhanoa, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first man on the International Space Station, and scores of veterans, many who had piloted the aircraft, were present on the occasion.

Air Chief Marshal A P Singh flew the sortie of the MiG-21 Bison aircraft with call sign Badal 3. Dilbagh Singh, who became the IAF chief in 1981, led the first MiG-21 Squadron here in 1963.

The culmination of MiG-21 operations took place with a ceremonial flypast and decommissioning event, marking the closure of a historic chapter in India’s air power.

The country’s first supersonic fighter and interceptor aircraft were retired at the decommissioning event in Chandigarh, where it was first inducted.

The ceremony began with the arrival of the minister, the chief guest at the occasion, followed by a spectacular display by IAF’s elite skydiving team ‘Akash Ganga’, which skydived from a height of 8,000 feet.

This was followed by a majestic flypast of the MiG-21 aircraft accompanied by precision of the air warrior drill team and an aerial salute.

The fighter pilots flew MiG-21s in the three-aircraft Badal formation and the four-aircraft Panther formation roared over the skies one final time.

The Surya Kiran aerobatic team also enthralled the audience with their breathtaking manoeuvres.

MiG-21 jets, belonging to number 23 Squadron, took part in the flypast ceremony, and were given a water cannon salute.

The Jaguar and the Tejas aircrafts also took part in the ceremony. Tejas is a single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft capable of operating in high-threat air environments. It has been designed to undertake air defence, maritime reconnaissance and strike roles.

After its first induction, the IAF procured over 870 MiG-21s to boost its overall combat prowess.

The supersonic jets were the dominant platforms during 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. The aircraft also played a key role in the 1999 Kargil conflict as well as the 2019 Balakot airstrikes.

The aircraft has also had a troubled safety record and involved in multiple crashes in the last six decades. The ageing fleet prompted some to describe the aircraft as “legacy coffins”.

The MiG-21 jets made their last operational flights at the Nal Air Force Station in Rajasthan’s Bikaner, a month ahead of the formal retirement ceremony.

As part of the symbolic farewell, Air Chief Marshal Singh had also flown solo sorties of the MiG-21 from Nal on August 18-19.

Leh:A home ministry team held a series of meetings here to review the overall security situation as curfew remained in force for the third consecutive day in Leh town on Friday, officials said.

No untoward incident was reported from anywhere, officials said.

The curfew was clamped in the town on Wednesday evening after widespread violence resulted in the death of four persons and injuries to 90 others during a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to advance talks with the Centre on demand for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.

“The overall security situation remained peaceful across Ladakh.The restrictions are likely to be relaxed later in the day to allow people to buy essential commodities,” a police official said.

Over 50 persons were detained following the widespread clashes, while strict restrictions under prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons also remained in force in other major towns, including Kargil.

Police and paramilitary personnel in riot gear were seen patrolling the deserted streets to maintain law and order.

People in many areas complained that they are running short of essential supplies including ration, milk and vegetables.

Leh District Magistrate Romil Singh Donk has ordered closure of all government and private schools, colleges, and other educational institutions for two days from Friday. Besides, anganwadi centres will also remain closed, the DM had said.

The officials said a high-level team of officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs reached Leh on Thursday to review the security situation.

They had held a series of meetings with the Lt Governor and civil and police officers besides the representatives of the LAB.

“The meeting decided that a preparatory meeting with the Home Ministry will take place in New Delhi on September 27 or 28, subject to confirmation of date by the MHA. The meeting will be attended by three representatives each from the LAB and KDA (Kargil Democratic Alliance) besides Ladakh MP (Mohd Hanifa Jan).

“The preparatory meeting shall be followed by an immediate official meeting of the Home Ministry with a High Powered Committee comprising seven members each from LAB and KDA on four-point agenda,” a joint statement issued by LAB chairman Thupstan Chhewang and co-chairman Chering Dorjay said.

LAB and the KDA have been jointly spearheading an agitation over the past four years in support of their demands – statehood, extension of sixth schedule of the constitution, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil and Public Service Commission.

They have held several rounds of talks with the government in the past, reaching an agreement on job guarantees and the additional Lok Sabha seat which will be decided by the delimitation commission, leaving the focus on the demand for statehood and sixth schedule. The next round of talks with the Centre is scheduled for October 6.

Meanwhile, shops and business establishments opened in Kargil this morning after a day-long closure in response to a call given by KDA. However, policemen have been deployed in strength and were seen patrolling the sensitive areas of the town.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over phone to enquire about the Karur stampede and also called TVK party president Vijay to convey his condolences over the death of his supporters in the incident, party sources said on Monday.

Thank you, my dear brother Rahul Gandhi for reaching out to me over phone, conveying your heartfelt concern over the tragic incident in Karur and sincerely enquiring about the measures taken to save the precious lives of those under treatment Stalin said.

Congress sources said Gandhi telephoned the chief minister to enquire about the Karur stampede.

The Leader of Opposition also called up TVK president Vijay to convey his condolences over his supporters’ death a party source said.

The death toll in the September 27 stampede at a political rally led by actor-politician Vijay at Karur in western Tamil Nadu climbed to 40 on Sunday. Over 60 people are being treated as in-patients, and at least two are critical, officials said.

As the toll mounted, Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) moved the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench seeking a CBI or an independent probe into the stampede. Vijay, facing flak from various quarters, also announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh each to the families of the victims, while expressing profound grief over the incident.

Karur police booked a case under provisions including negligence against TVK office-bearers, while forensic experts commenced probe and covered spots like a sewer where a couple of bodies were allegedly found. Traders, shops and commercial establishments in Karur downed the shutters as a mark of respect to the deceased.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured, while the state government has announced a solatium of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured.

The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee announced Rs 1 crore to the families of the dead and BJP announced Rs 1 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday likened the India-Pakistan final in the Asia Cup to Operation Sindoor, and said the outcome remained the same and India won.

Operation Sindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers.

India had named its military operation “Operation Sindoor” following the Pahalgam terror attack, as it targeted terrorists based in Pakistan and then engaged in a conflict with the Pakistani military.

Tilak Varma the sinewy left-hander, produced a heady cocktail of chutzpah and discretion to guide India to their ninth Asia Cup title, following a five-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in a thrilling final on Sunday.

Needing 10 off the last over Tilak deposited the controversial trouble monger Haris Rauf into mid-wicket stands before Rinku Singh, getting his first hit of the tournament, sent the Indian fans into delirium with a winning boundary.

Curfew remained in force for the sixth day in this violence-hit town on Monday with Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta set to chair a meeting to review the overall security situation.

“The situation remained by and large peaceful in the curfew-bound areas with no untoward incident reported from anywhere. Police and paramilitary forces are deployed in strength in sensitive areas and are maintaining strict vigil to maintain law and order,” an official said.

He said the Lt Governor has convened a high-level meeting at Raj Bhavan to review the security situation in view of the last rites of ex-serviceman Tsewang Tharchin of Skurbuchan and Rinchen Dadul (21) of Hanu later in the day.

The last rites of two youngsters Stanzin Namgyal (24) and Jigmet Dorjay (25) were performed on Sunday. The four persons had died on September 24 amid widespread violence in the town.

The officials said mobile internet services continued to remain suspended in Leh town, while prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons also remained in force in other major parts of the Union Territory, including Kargil.

The curfew was imposed in Leh town on Wednesday evening following widespread violent protests during a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to advance talks with the Centre on the demands for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. More than 150 persons, including some 80 policemen, were also injured in the clashes.

Over 60 persons, including two councilors, were taken into custody. They include climate activist Sonam Wangchuk who was detained under the National Security Act on Friday and subsequently lodged in Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.

Curfew was relaxed for four hours in a phased manner in the town on Saturday and the relaxation period passed off peacefully.

New Delhi: The government has appointed Shirish Chandra Murmu as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India for a three-year term.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment, sources said on Monday.

Murmu is currently Executive Director at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

New Delhi: An illegal storage unit of firecrackers was busted in the Badarpur area on Wednesday, the police said, adding that an arrest was made in the case as well.

Ahead of the festive season, around 225 kilograms of firecracker material was seized, the police added.

“The accused has been identified as Dharamvir Singh, a resident of Badarpur. A team had been tasked to act against illegal stocking and sale of firecrackers,” a police officer stated.

On September 16, police received a tip-off about the illegal storage of firecrackers in the Moladband area of Badarpur. Following verification of the information, a raid was conducted on Wednesday at a rooftop room of a building. During the search, police discovered a substantial stock of firecrackers weighing around 225 kilograms. Singh, who was present at the scene, was apprehended immediately, the officer added.

During questioning, Singh allegedly disclosed that he had procured the consignment from Palwal in Haryana two days earlier. He planned to sell the firecrackers during the upcoming festive season, but failed to produce any valid license or authorisation for their storage or sale.

“Storing such a large quantity of firecrackers without safety measures or authorisation poses a serious threat to public safety. Immediate action was taken to seize the material and apprehend the accused,” he added.

A case has been registered under the relevant legal provisions, and further investigation is underway to trace the source and identify others involved in the illegal supply chain, the police stated.

Akhilesh Yadav

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday criticised the ruling BJP over the alleged killing of a 20-year-old NEET aspirant in Gorakhpur by suspected cattle smugglers, saying that despite seeking votes on the promise of ending cattle smuggling, the UP government has failed to curtail such activities in the last nine years.

The Gorakhpur incident shows that the government’s slogan of zero tolerance has become zero Yadav said at a press conference.

In Gorakhpur, the victim, Deepak Gupta, was allegedly killed in a confrontation between cattle smugglers and villagers on Monday night, prompting protests by locals.

The SP chief alleged that the BJP was encouraging such illegal trade. “Questions have been raised many times that people of the Bharatiya Janata Party have worked to promote such business (cattle slaughter), and as a result, India is number one in (meat) exports and many people have also invested in it,” he claimed.

They were taking votes in the name of banning cattle slaughter, but “even after 9 years, smuggling is taking place there and a young man has lost his life”, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.

Yadav also extended his critique to alleged land-grabbing activities. “The Bharatiya Janata Party and its associates are constantly trying to grab valuable land, and information about this has been coming from different districts at different times,” he alleged.

He said that similar reports are coming from Varanasi and now from Gorakhpur, where a “scam is going on on a large scale regarding land”.