Morning Brief: Baloch Separatists Hijack Train In Pakistan; Rs 4,800 Crore Spent On Developing Border Villages Along China Frontier; IAF To Fast-Track Plan To Buy 114 Fighters; And More

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Baloch Separatists Hijack Train In Pakistan

A passenger train carrying around 500 people was hijacked by Baloch separatists in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on 11 March. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility, stating they had taken 214 hostages and killed 30 Pakistani military personnel. The group demanded the release of Baloch political prisoners and activists, threatening to execute hostages if security forces did not retreat.

By late Tuesday night, Pakistani forces had rescued around 80 passengers, with state media reporting the deaths of 13 Baloch fighters. Independent reports suggested the army was struggling with the operation due to the terrain, the remoteness of the area, and the fact that the train had been hijacked in a tunnel. Independent reports suggested that the Pakistan army was struggling with the operation due to the difficult terrain, the remoteness of the area, and the train being hijacked inside a tunnel.

India Spends Rs 4,800 Crore On Border Villages Along China Frontier

India has spent Rs 4,800 crore on the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China so far, Home Minister Amit Shah has revealed. The programme focuses on developing border villages along India's boundary with Tibet in Arunachal, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal and Ladakh by improving infrastructure, connectivity, and livelihoods to prevent outmigration. India launched this initiative in response to China’s construction of villages along the LAC, where it has been relocating people from the interiors to establish a civilian presence. These villages enable residents to act as the eyes and ears of the People’s Liberation Army.

IAF To Fast-Track Plan To Buy 114 Fighters

The Indian Air Force is fast-tracking the procurement of 114 medium, multirole fighter jets under the Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme, aiming to induct the first aircraft within five years. To speed up the process, only limited trials will be conducted, as six of the seven contenders have already been tested in previous evaluations.

The only new entrant requiring full testing is Boeing’s F-15EX, while the Rafale, Eurofighter, Gripen, F-21, F/A-18 Super Hornet, and MiG-35 have all been assessed earlier. If any of these aircraft have undergone significant upgrades, they may be evaluated in the shortened trials. The fast-tracked selection process is intended to avoid delays, as extensive trials can take up to two years.

Other Developments

Adityanath Poster At Former Nepal King's Rally Triggers Row

Former Nepal king Gyanendra Shah received a massive welcome in Kathmandu on Sunday after urging public support to secure the country’s future amid the growing unpopularity of the K P Sharma Oli government. Among the crowd, a poster of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stood out, sparking a controversy. Adityanath, a known supporter of Nepal’s monarchy, is now being linked to the rally. Oli’s supporters cited the poster as proof of India’s involvement, while pro-Gyanendra groups dismissed it as a planted conspiracy. Rally organisers denied any official approval for Adityanath’s image, saying only the national flag and Gyanendra’s portrait were permitted.

India Revising Tariff Cut Offers For Next Round Of US Trade Talks

US VP JD Vance to Visit India Next Month

US Vice President JD Vance will visit India later this month with his wife, Usha Vance, according to Politico. The details of the trip remain undisclosed, but this will be Vance’s second international visit after his heated remarks at the Munich Security Conference in France. During his first foreign trip, he criticised European leaders for failing to defend free speech, claiming the US was more concerned about these issues in Europe than threats from Russia or China. Vance also accused European leaders of ignoring public concerns, calling it a path to democratic decline. His wife, Usha Vance, born to Indian immigrants, will be visiting her ancestral country for the first time as second lady.

Rs 8,000 Crore Greenfield Cities Plan Stuck

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has yet to finalise the eight new greenfield cities to be developed under the Rs 8,000 crore grant allocated by the Fifteenth Finance Commission in 2021. Although the selection process was completed in 2023, delays in finalization risk the grant lapsing by March 31, 2026. The ministry had received 26 proposals from 21 states, later adding two more after extending the opportunity to North East states. Officials warn that spending Rs 1,000 crore per city within a year is challenging due to hurdles like land acquisition and clearances.

US To Resume Military Aid As Ukraine Accepts Ceasefire Plan

The United States has agreed to resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after Kyiv signalled willingness to accept a 30-day ceasefire with Russia. In a joint statement issued after talks in Saudi Arabia, both countries confirmed Ukraine’s openness to an immediate ceasefire that could be extended by mutual agreement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the proposal covers all hostilities, including missile strikes, drone attacks, and frontline fighting. US President Donald Trump expressed hope that Russia would accept the plan, with a meeting between the US and Russia expected soon. Following the talks, Washington announced it would immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Kyiv.

From The States

Assam: Last Full Budget Before Polls Focuses On Land, Indigenous Rights

The Assam government’s 2025-26 Budget focused on land policies and indigenous rights ahead of next year’s Assembly elections. Finance Minister Ajanta Neog announced that inter-religion land transfers will now require state government approval, formalizing a decision made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma last year. Sarma justified the move, saying it aimed to prevent communal tensions while ensuring constitutional compliance. Another key announcement was the relocation of the 10th Assam Police Battalion to a site where a violent eviction took place last year. The budget comes after last year’s temporary restriction on inter-religion land sales ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Owaisi's AIMIM To Contest All Seats In 2026 Bengal Polls

The AIMIM has announced that it will contest all seats in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, citing the state’s Muslim population as over 40 per cent. Party spokesperson Imran Solanki, at a press conference in Kolkata, highlighted AIMIM’s past electoral performances in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi. He claimed the party received significant votes in Bengal’s panchayat elections, including 60,000 in Malda and 25,000 in Murshidabad. AIMIM outlined its political agenda, focusing on issues concerning Muslims, Dalits, and tribals. The press conference was held under the instructions of party chief Asaduddin Owaisi to discuss AIMIM’s expansion strategy.

You’re all caught up—until next time.