New Delhi, June 7: India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for a major Indian Air Force (IAF) exercise scheduled to take place near the southern sector of the India-Pakistan International Border in Rajasthan from Saturday, June 7, to Sunday, June 8.

The exercise is part of the IAF’s regular operational preparedness and will be conducted in airspace near the border.

According to the NOTAM, the aerial drill will commence at 3:30 p.m. on June 7 and conclude at 9:30 p.m. the following day.

During this period, airspace over the designated region will be restricted to ensure the safe and seamless execution of air operations.

An official from the Indian Air Force confirmed that the combat exercises will feature a range of advanced air assets, including frontline fighter jets such as Rafale, Mirage 2000, and Sukhoi-30, in addition to surveillance platforms and other support systems.

Although the Ministry of Defence has not officially connected the exercise to ongoing geopolitical tensions, the timing and location of the drill carry notable implications.

This sector has become a focal point amid rising tensions following a deadly cross-border terror attack in Pahalgam. That incident triggered reciprocal airspace restrictions by both India and Pakistan, significantly straining bilateral relations.

India recently closed its airspace to all Pakistani-registered and military aircraft from April 30 to May 23.

This action followed Pakistan’s earlier decision to bar Indian flights from its airspace, marking an escalation in diplomatic and military frictions.

The situation remains tense along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, where frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops have prompted firm retaliatory responses from Indian forces.

This comes against the backdrop of India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’, which was launched on May 7, in retaliation to the terror attack in Pahalgam, where terrorists killed 26 innocent people.

New Delhi, June 7: A man who issued a death threat to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has been arrested by a team from the North-West District Special Staff of the Delhi Police.

The accused was apprehended from Ghaziabad following swift investigative efforts after the threatening call was made late on Thursday night.

According to police officials, the threat call was made to the Ghaziabad Police Control Room (PCR) while the accused was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.

Shortly after the threat was received, the Delhi Police Control Room was alerted, and the matter was escalated due to the high-profile nature of the target.

Investigators identified the caller and tracked his location, but by the time authorities reached the source, the suspect had switched off his mobile phone.

After intensive tracing efforts, the Special Staff managed to arrest him from a hideout in Ghaziabad.

Preliminary interrogation has revealed that the accused is a law graduate (LLB), who had been facing personal turmoil due to a troubled marriage. His wife had recently left him, which reportedly pushed him into emotional distress.

Before making the death threat, he had placed another call in which he demanded to speak to his wife, police said.

Interestingly, the accused was found in possession of fake identification cards that appeared to be police credentials, raising suspicions that he may have attempted to impersonate law enforcement personnel.

Officers stated that he repeatedly tried to mislead the police during questioning.

“Assessment of the threat perception of VIPs or VVIPs is conducted by security agencies on the direction of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA),” a senior Delhi Police officer said.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is entitled to Z-category security under the standard protocol. Security agencies are expected to reassess her security cover following this incident, officials confirmed.

Police are continuing their investigation to determine whether the accused has any prior criminal history or links to other disruptive activities.

Authorities have also launched a separate enquiry into the use of forged police IDs found in his possession.

New Delhi, June 7: Muslims across India are celebrating Bakrid, also known as Eid al-Adha, on Saturday with religious fervour and devotion.

The day began with special congregational prayers held at mosques and Eidgahs in cities and towns nationwide, as people gathered in large numbers to mark the sacred festival.

Eid al-Adha, or the “Festival of Sacrifice,” honours the unwavering faith and obedience of Prophet Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice his son as an act of submission to God.

In commemoration of this act of devotion, Muslims around the world perform ‘qurbani’, the ritual sacrifice of animals such as goats, sheep, or buffalo, and distribute the meat among family, friends, and those in need.

In India, the festival is being observed with great enthusiasm. In Delhi and Noida, large numbers of devotees offered Bakrid prayers early in the morning at major mosques. According to announcements from local mosque committees, Namaz timings varied slightly, in Noida, prayers were held around 7:00 a.m., while in Greater Noida, the timings ranged from 6:45 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. depending on the mosque.

In Kalyan, Thane district of Maharashtra, police presence was heightened near the historic Durgadi Fort due to parallel events planned by the Thackeray and Shinde factions, both claiming to continue the legacy of Dharmaveer Anand Dighe’s “Ghantanaad” movement, a 39-year-old tradition.

In other parts of India, the celebrations continued peacefully.

In Khurja, Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, large crowds assembled at the Eidgah for morning prayers.

In Bhagalpur (Bihar), thousands gathered at Tatarpur Masjid, CTS Ground, and Shahjangi Maidan to offer prayers. Similarly, in Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Eidgah Mosque saw significant attendance during the morning Eid al-Adha Namaz.

Bakrid celebrations are expected to continue throughout the day, with families coming together for festive meals, acts of charity, and community bonding.

Authorities across major cities have deployed additional security to ensure peaceful observances.