Govt Announces 127 Gallantry Awards, Including For Op Sindoor; India Restores Embassy In Kabul; Latest From Bihar Election Campaign; And More

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Government Honours Armed Forces with 127 Gallantry Awards, Including for Operation Sindoor

The Central Government has released a gazette notification recognizing exceptional bravery and service by defence personnel, with President Droupadi Murmu approving 127 gallantry awards and 40 distinguished service awards to Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel.

The honours include 4 Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras, 16 Shaurya Chakras, 2 Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 58 Sena Medals (Gallantry), 6 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and 26 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). Additionally, 290 Mention-in-Despatches were approved—115 from the Indian Army, 5 from the Navy, 167 from the Air Force, and 3 from the Border Roads Development Board.

Notable recipients include Colonel Koshank Lamba, awarded the Vir Chakra for executing the first-ever rapid air mobilisation of specialised equipment at short notice, ensuring timely inter-command induction with complete secrecy. Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht was honoured for displaying exceptional courage and operational brilliance, leading his unit to completely destroy terrorist camps during counter-terrorism operations.

Indian Air Force personnel featured prominently: Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu's squadron conducted successful strikes over predetermined targets using formidable fighter aircraft, achieving all designated objectives. Group Captain Animesh Patni commanded a strategic Surface-to-Air Missile squadron at a forward base, guiding his team with precision to inflict significant losses on adversaries without suffering any damage.

Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik flew as deputy mission leader in an unescorted midnight strike package through adversary airspace defended by potent air defence systems and aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art beyond visual range missiles. His tactical low-level formation routing and aggressive manoeuvring successfully neutralized heavily fortified targets despite miniscule launch windows and restricted penetration opportunities.

Squadron Leader Siddhant Singh led a three-aircraft formation for stand-off precision strikes requiring exceptional flying skills and precise weapon control until impact. Operating amid heavily networked air defences including long and medium-range Surface-to-Air Guided Weapons and Air Defence aircraft, his accurate planning and highest level of airmanship ensured mission success against particular structures.

Again, Trump Claims India to Reduce Russian Oil Imports After Modi Conversation

US President Donald Trump announced yet again that India will significantly reduce oil purchases from Russia, following his Diwali conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House.

"I spoke to Prime Minister Modi today and we just have a very good relationship. He's not going to buy much oil from Russia," Trump stated during the Diwali celebrations.

The US President emphasized Modi's commitment to ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict, saying, "He wants to see that war end as much as I do. He wants to see the war between Russia and Ukraine to end."

Trump claimed India has already begun cutting back on Russian oil imports. "They've cut it way back, and they're continuing to cut it way back," he added.

Trump praised the bilateral relationship, stating, "I love the people of India. We're working on some great deals between our countries."

Former Punjab DGP, Ex-Minister Booked for Murder After Son's Mysterious Death

Retired Punjab DGP Mohammad Mustafa and his wife, former state minister Razia Sultana, face murder charges following their son's death under suspicious circumstances in Panchkula on October 16.

Aqil Akhtar Mustafa, 35, a practicing lawyer, was found dead at the family home. While relatives claimed drug overdose, viral videos show Aqil allegedly accusing his father of an affair with his wife and warning his family was conspiring to kill him.

The FIR, registered October 20, also names Aqil's wife and sister. A Special Investigation Team will examine all evidence, including the August video where Aqil detailed discovering the alleged affair in 2018 and accused his family of false imprisonment and forced rehabilitation.

Mustafa, a 1985-batch IPS officer who retired in 2021, was close to former CM Amarinder Singh. Sultana, a three-time Malerkotla MLA, served as cabinet minister twice.

Police confirmed no initial foul play was suspected, but investigators now promise a thorough, unbiased probe.

India Restores Full Embassy Status in Kabul

India has upgraded its Technical Mission in Kabul, Afghanistan to a full-fledged embassy, marking a significant shift in diplomatic engagement with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

The Ministry of External Affairs announced Tuesday that the restoration follows Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's recent visit to India. The embassy had been closed since the Taliban takeover in 2021.

"This decision underscores India's resolve to deepen bilateral engagement with the Afghan side in all spheres of mutual interest," the MEA stated, emphasizing contributions to Afghanistan's development, humanitarian assistance, and capacity-building initiatives.

The upgrade was finalized during Muttaqi's meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi, where security concerns surrounding the embassy were addressed.

Bihar election corner

BJP MPs Accuse Karnataka Congress of Fundraising for Bihar Polls, CM Denies Charges

Two Karnataka BJP MPs have accused the state's ruling Congress of collecting funds for Bihar elections through corrupt means, triggering a political clash.

MPs Jagadish Shettar and B Y Raghavendra alleged that cabinet ministers are "looting through officials" via transfers and renewals to send money to the poll-bound state. "All ministers are collecting money for Bihar polls. It has become their main business," Raghavendra claimed in Shivamogga.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah flatly denied the accusations, stating not even "5 paise" has been sent to Bihar. "They were doing it, now they are accusing us," he countered.

Deputy CM D K Shivakumar challenged the BJP to provide evidence backing their allegations.

Prashant Kishor Accuses BJP of Coercing Jan Suraaj Candidates to Withdraw

Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor accused the BJP of threatening his candidates to withdraw from Bihar elections, displaying photographs of Union ministers Amit Shah and Dharmendra Pradhan meeting JSP nominees who later pulled out.

Three candidates have withdrawn citing various reasons. Kishor claimed 14 candidates face pressure but many refuse to succumb. "The BJP lacks courage to fight us," he alleged, vowing to defeat the NDA in polls scheduled for November 6 and 11.

Tejashwi Yadav to Campaign Against Candidate Using His Own RJD Symbol in Bihar

Bihar's Mahagathbandhan faces chaos in Gaura Bauram constituency, where RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav will campaign against a candidate contesting on his party's lantern symbol.

RJD initially fielded Afzal Ali Khan but later allocated the seat to ally Vikassheel Insaan Party. When asked to withdraw, Khan refused and filed nomination using RJD's symbol. Election officials confirmed his papers were valid and couldn't be withdrawn.

The opposition disarray deepens with RJD-Congress clashing on six seats, CPI-Congress on four, and VIP-RJD on one. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has boycotted Bihar polls entirely after seat-sharing talks collapsed, citing RJD's "political cunningness." Observers warn infighting could benefit the BJP-led NDA.

Tejashwi Questions Nitish Kumar's Health After Rally Video Goes Viral

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has renewed questions about Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's health, sharing a video from a recent rally showing the veteran leader in an awkward moment.

The footage captured Kumar attempting to garland BJP candidate Rama Nishad but being stopped by JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha. After handing the garland to Nishad, he placed it around her neck himself.

"If the chief minister is healthy, then why is he acting like this while reading a written speech?" Tejashwi questioned on X.

At the same rally, Nitish Kumar attacked rival Lalu Prasad Yadav, accusing him of doing "nothing for women" and installing his wife Rabri Devi as chief minister during the fodder scam. "Some people only cared about their own families, but we work for all people," Nitish said, highlighting his government's women's empowerment initiatives over seven years.

You’re all caught up—until next time.