Surat, April 11: At least 50 people were rescued after a massive fire broke out early Friday morning at the Happy Excellencia residential tower located in the upscale Vesu area in Gujarat’s Surat.

The intensity of the fire triggered panic and a large-scale emergency response.

The blaze reportedly began around 8.00 a.m. on the eighth floor of the high-rise and quickly spread to the floors above, affecting at least three levels of the multi-storey building.

Videos from the scene showed thick plumes of smoke billowing from the upper floors of the building as emergency teams worked tirelessly to contain the fire and bring residents to safety

The incident prompted an immediate response from the Surat Fire and Emergency Services, which deployed multiple fire tenders to the scene.

Firefighters carried out a swift and coordinated rescue operation, safely evacuating over 50 residents, including 18 people who were trapped in a flat adjacent to the one where the fire had started. Several others who had taken shelter on the terrace were also rescued using ladders and other safety equipment.

The building is located near the house of Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi. Upon receiving the news, Minister Sanghavi rushed to the site and supervised the emergency efforts in person.

Speaking to the media, he confirmed that there were no casualties and praised the fire brigade for their bravery, comparing their actions to those of “Hanuman in a battle”.

He added that the fire had engulfed the eighth floor and spread upward, but a timely response helped prevent a larger tragedy.

“The fire brigade fought like warriors. Their quick action ensured that all residents were evacuated safely,” Sanghavi said. “Cooling operations are ongoing to prevent any flare-ups.”

Surat Mayor Daxesh Mavani also confirmed that the fire had affected the top three floors of the tower but was now under control.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire, which remains unknown at this point.

Jammu, April 11: A terrorist was killed in a joint operation launched against terrorists in J&K’s Kishtwar district on Friday, officials said.

The terrorist was killed in the joint operation by the army and the other security forces launched on April 9 in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar.

“The operation was based on specific intelligence inputs, which led to a firefight with terrorists, resulting in one terrorist neutralised. The search operation, conducted by the Army and police, aimed to flush out terrorists hiding in the dense forests, continues,” an official said.

Another operation is going on in the Joffar forest area in the jurisdiction of Ramnagar police station in Udhampur district.

A CASO (Cordon and search operation) by the joint forces was started on April 9, and three terrorists are reportedly trapped inside the cordoned off area.

Civilian Rachpal told security forces that three terrorists dressed in black, heavily armed, entered his house around 8.30 p.m. on April 9 and left around 11.30 p.m.

Following the disclosure by the civilian, security forces tightened the cordon, and after reinforcements were called in, the joint forces were closing in on the hiding terrorists, as per the last reports.

On March 3, a police team immediately reached Sanyal village in the Hiranagar area of Kathua district, where five terrorists were spotted.

Since Sanyal village is barely 4 km away from the international border, the group of terrorists spotted in Sanyal village are believed to have recently infiltrated into the Indian side.

The terrorists managed to escape from Sanyal to the Safiyun Jakhole area. The police team engaged the terrorists in a sustained gunfight, killing two terrorists.

Four policemen were martyred in that gunfight. To trace the remaining three terrorists, joint forces started a ‘seek & destroy’ operation, which was extended to higher reaches of Kathua and Rajouri districts.

A brief exchange of gunfire took place between the terrorists and the joint forces in the Billawar area of Kathua district.

On April 8, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting in Srinagar. The meeting was attended by the J&K Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha, the Union Home Secretary, the IB chief, the army chief, the army’s Northern Commander, GOCs of all the corps in J&K, chiefs of paramilitary forces, the J&K DGP and heads of other intelligence agencies.

The Home Minister appreciated the role of the joint forces in curbing terrorism, but gave orders for the total eradication of terrorism from J&K with special focus on the Jammu division of the UT.

New Delhi, April 11: Senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain on Friday, hit out at Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, Sanjay Raut for his controversial remarks on the extradition of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana, questioning whether he is speaking the language of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Hussain’s remarks were a rejoinder to Sanjay Raut accusing the BJP of turning Rana’s extradition into a “festival.”

“These people are celebrating the Tahawwur Rana festival. Kulbhushan Jadhav is rotting in Pakistan’s jail, bring him back. Bring Dawood Ibrahim back. This festival will continue till the Bihar elections,” Raut had said.

In a strongly-worded reply, Hussain questioned Raut’s loyalty and intentions, suggesting his comments echoed the sentiments of the LeT and not of a true Mumbaikar.

“What kind of language is Sanjay Raut speaking? Is he speaking the language of the Indian Army or the army of Lashkar-e-Taiba?” Hussain asked.

“The Lashkar-e-Taiba is in pain. Pakistanis and terrorists are in pain. But why is Sanjay Raut in pain?” he questioned.

Referring to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that claimed over 160 lives, Hussain said Raut’s statements dishonour the martyrs.

“There was an attack in Mumbai on November 26. Many of our people were martyred. Sanjay Raut is insulting their martyrdom,” he said.

“This is not a political matter. This is a national war against terrorism.”

Hussain emphasised that bringing Tahawwur Rana to India from the United States was a significant success in the global fight against terrorism.

“Tahawwur Rana was dragged from America. Those who are against terrorism are celebrating. But Sanjay Raut is mourning,” he said.

“He says this has been done for the Bihar elections. What does that mean? Bihar is also a part of India. If Rana is punished, the whole country will feel justice has been served.”

He also slammed Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar, alleging that some of the party’s leaders were echoing similar sentiments.

“Tahawwur Rana is a terrorist. He was the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attack. Now that he has been brought here, many secrets of Pakistan will be exposed to the world. Yet, the Congress is troubled. That’s unfortunate,” he claimed.

On the Waqf Amendment Bill being discussed in Bengal, Shahnawaz Hussain defended the Narendra Modi government’s intent and lashed out at Opposition and accused it of spreading misinformation.

“The Waqf Amendment Act has been brought for the benefit of poor Muslims. Just like the CAA, people are being misled. Did even one Muslim lose citizenship due to CAA?” he asked.

“TMC, Congress, AIMIM, and other groups are trying to poison the minds of the people. This is deeply unfortunate,” he claimed.

He stated, “The country will run by law. Those who try to take the law into their hands will be dealt with strictly.”