Mumbai, May 24: Shiv Sena Social Media In-charge, Rahool Kanal, in letters addressed to the Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has made a strong plea for the suspension of flights from Mumbai to Istanbul until Turkey clarifies its stand on terrorism and distances itself from supporting Pakistan.

He expressed concern on Friday over Turkey’s recent actions in supporting Pakistan against India’s fight against terrorism.

“Given the gravity of the situation, I strongly believe that India should revaluate its relationship with Turkey,” he said.

“Mumbai being a significant contributor to India’s tourism industry (36 per cent of total tourism) has a substantial impact on international relations. Indians are among Turkey’s biggest visitors and spenders. However, until Turkey publicly denounces its support for Pakistan in India’s fight against terrorism, I urge the government to consider banning all flight services from Mumbai to Turkey,” Kanal added.

He said the three flights from Mumbai to Istanbul by Turkish Airlines and one flight by Indigo on May 29 should be suspended.

“Banning these flights would be befitting response to Turkey’s actions, demonstrating India’s commitment to national security and sovereignty,” he added.

The potential measures which were suggested were: Diplomatic Action, immediate suspend of diplomatic relations with Turkey; Economic sanctions by restricting trade and investment between the countries; Raising the issues on international forums to build global consensus against Turkey’s actions and imposing a tourism ban.

According to Kanal, India accounts for 30 per cent of total tourists in turkey, with more than three lakh people visiting the country in 2024.

Earlier on May 22, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India expects Turkey to strongly urge Pakistan to end its support to cross-border terrorism.

“We expect Turkey to strongly urge Pakistan to end its support to cross-border terrorism and take credible and verifiable actions against the terror ecosystem it has harboured for decades. Relations are built on the basis of sensitivities to each other’s concerns,” Jaiswal added.

Following Turkey’s alleged support for Pakistan, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security revoked the security clearance of a Turkish firm Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd, citing national security concerns.

Celebi has filed a plea in the Delhi High Court against the decision.

Chennai, May 24: In the wake of a deadly rockslide at a stone quarry in Sivaganga that claimed six lives, the Tamil Nadu Department of Geology and Mining has issued a statewide directive to inspect stone quarries and tighten safety protocols.

According to the order, deputy and assistant directors in each district must conduct safety inspections in at least 10 quarries every month and submit detailed reports to the Commissionerate.

District Collectors and Zonal Joint Directors of mining have also been directed to supervise inspection efforts and ensure strict enforcement of regulations.

The initiative is aimed at addressing growing concerns over safety violations and illegal operations in the state’s stone quarrying sector.

Activists have long alleged rampant irregularities, including the unauthorised use of explosives, which they say are responsible for the increasing number of fatal incidents in recent years.

In one such incident, three people died in an explosion in Virudhunagar, while another worker was killed in Tirupur after an oxygen cylinder exploded during unloading.

A communication from the mining department to all districts underscored the life-threatening risks posed by rockslides and blasts. It cited poor adherence to safety guidelines and regulatory conditions as key contributors to the accidents.

The department emphasised the urgent need for inspections to enforce proper safety. The Sivaganga rockslide is the latest in a string of quarry-related accidents in Tamil Nadu, particularly as the demand for M-sand in construction has increased the scale of quarrying operations.

In August last year, two people died in a blast at an illegal quarry in TN Palayam near Gobichettipalayam. Investigations into the Sivaganga accident are currently underway.

Police officials said they are awaiting drone survey results and a technical analysis of the quarry operator’s blasting methods.

“The revenue and mines department has completed drone surveys across all five quarries in Sivaganga district,” an official confirmed.

Jammu, May 23: Joint security forces continued anti-terrorist operations on Friday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, even as no fresh firing exchanges were reported from the area.

The security forces launched the operation against a group of 3 to 4 terrorists reportedly hiding in the Singhpora Chatroo area of Kishtwar district Thursday morning.

One soldier was martyred in the encounter between the joint forces and the terrorists, while two other soldiers were injured.

Army’s Nagrota headquartered White Knight Corps said on X on Friday, “In a solemn ceremony, Chief of Staff @WhiteKnight_IA paid tribute to #Braveheart Sep Gaykar Sandip Pandurang, who made the supreme sacrifice in the finest traditions of the #IndianArmy.

“His courage and #sacrifice will inspire generations of soldiers”.

Officials said on Friday that firing stopped Thursday evening, and there has been no exchange of fire thereafter.

“A massive search operation was launched jointly by the Special Operations Group of J&K Police, the Army and paramilitary forces to track down the terrorists hiding in the dense forest. Additional troops have been inducted, and operations are ongoing to neutralise the terrorists,” officials said.

The J&K Director General of Police (DGP), Nalin Prabhat, also visited the Singhpora-Chatroo area where a major anti-terrorism operation is currently underway.

“The DGP personally visited the dense forests and mountainous terrain, encouraged the deployed personnel, and issued directions to ensure that all terrorists involved are dealt with strictly and brought to justice,” said an official.

He said DGP Prabhat lauded the synergy among all security agencies and reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Jammu and Kashmir Police to maintaining peace and order in the region through sustained and focused operations.

It must be recalled that Joint forces have been involved in aggressive operations against terrorists, their overground workers (OGWs) and sympathisers in Jammu and Kashmir.

These operations were intensified after April 22, when Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists segregated tourists on the basis of religion and killed 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local, in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam.

The cowardly terrorist act outraged the entire nation. India launched precision-guided targeted attacks on terrorist infrastructure in Muridke near Lahore, Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Pakistan responded by heavy mortar shelling on the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in J&K, targeting civilian facilities.

At least 200 houses and shops were destroyed in Pakistani shelling, while hundreds of border residents were forced to abandon their villages to move to safer locations. The border residents have not fully returned to their homes yet as the security forces are still defusing unexploded Pakistan shells in Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla and Kupwara districts.

India responded positively to a ceasefire after the DGMOs of the two countries reached an understanding on June 12.

But, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has made it clear that the understanding will be respected only as long as Pakistan does not allow any terrorist activity on its soil against India.