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Akhilesh Yadav will leave state on March 10: UP BJP president

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As Uttar Pradesh enters the final and the seventh phase of polling, State BJP President Swatantra Dev Singh said that after the poll results on March 10, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav will finally leave the state and will travel to London.

The State BJP President in an exclusive interview with IANS said, till the sixth phase of polling, the BJP will win more than 300 seats. Akhilesh Yadav, who claims to win 400 seats, will leave Uttar Pradesh on March 10 for London and close down his party office.

Asked about the SP Chief’s claims that the BJP will face defeat, Singh said, “Akhilesh Yadav’s comments should not be taken too seriously. He made such remarks in 2014, 2017 and in 2019 as well. Leaders like him have forged various alliances in the past and will lose their relevance during the current Assembly polls.”

The BJP is a disciplined party, he said, adding, “I recently met an electoral officer from Bengaluru, who said elections are taking place peacefully in Uttar Pradesh. Our party workers participate in elections by following all rules and regulations. There is no indiscipline in our party. Any individual can make any kind of claims against us? Our party workers focus on their work. They do not have any time for controversies.”

On the question of Sanghmitra Maurya, daughter of former Cabinet Minister Swami Prasad Maurya, campaigning against the party, Singh said, “She has not campaigned against our party. If and when the issue comes to our attention, we will take a decision on it.”

Singh further said, “The BJP talks only about development. But if there was an exodus of a particular community during the previous government, then it is our duty to inform the people about it. Whatever wrong doings the SP government had committed, people have a right to know about it. A party like the SP openly backs terrorists.”

On BJP asking for votes from Muslim women, Singh said, “Muslim women have become free from regressive practices such as Triple Talaq. They have been allotted houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and have full faith in the Narendra Modi government. Muslim women have benefited from various welfare schemes launched by the Centre and the state government. They will surely vote in large numbers for the BJP.”

On the question why BJP has not fielded a single Muslim candidate, the State BJP president said, “BJP is a worker-based party. It reviews the candidates who were allotted tickets in previous elections after which they are finally given tickets.”

Asked how will the BJP fight the caste-based alliances in Purvanchal, Swatantra Dev Singh said, “This time people are voting in the name of development and the rule of law.”

How do you see the SP, Congress and the BSP faring during this election, he added, “All three parties are fighting to remain relevant. They are no match to the BJP, which is again going to form the government in Uttar Pradesh with full majority.”

How will you see the BJP performing during the last six phases of elections, he said, “The BJP will win more than 300 seats of the six phases held so far. This time women are actively participating in the electoral process and are voting in favour of Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. People will vote only for development. The BJP will again form the government with an absolute majority in the state.”

Asked about the five poll issues on which the BJP is contest elections, he said, “Law and order, housing for the poor, toilets, free ration and transparent governance. All the opposition parties only want to exploit the poor. In a global pandemic like Covid-19, the BJP government worked to serve the poor and the marginalised sections of the society. Parties like the SP and the BSP are nowhere. The welfare schemes of the government both by the Centre and the state have successfully reached every village and people have benefited from them. Basic facilities like electricity have considerably improved in the state.”

Crime

From Saree Shop Heist To Terror Funding: Maharashtra ATS Raids 19 Pune Locations Of ISIS Terror Module, Questions Suspects Linked To ISIS Operative

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Mumbai: In a major development in the ongoing probe into the Pune ISIS module, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), in coordination with Pune police, carried out extensive search operations across the city on Thursday.

The raids targeted the residences and offices of 19 suspected individuals in Kondhwa, Khadak, Khadki, Wanwadi, and Bhosari, officials said. ATS teams from Mumbai and Pune conducted simultaneous searches to uncover digital evidence, documents, and communication devices linked to the module’s network. Several suspects were taken into custody for questioning, though authorities did not confirm any fresh arrests or seizures. Investigations are ongoing.

According to ATS, the operations were linked to C.R. No. 7/2023, investigating individuals previously arrested for alleged involvement in a sleeper ISIS module operating in Maharashtra. Sources said the raids targeted the residences and offices of the suspects, who are believed to have close links with ISIS operative Talha Liyakat Ali Khan (37). Khan was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) after a two-year international manhunt. He was intercepted at Mumbai airport in May this year while attempting to return to India from Indonesia.

On June 4, 2025, the Maharashtra ATS arrested Khan from Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai, where he was held in NIA custody, in connection with the April 8, 2023, Satara saree showroom robbery. Khan is alleged to have raised funds and facilitated the purchase of firearms used in the heist, in which Rs 1 lakh was looted and the perpetrators escaped on a motorcycle. He is the fourth individual to be arrested in the case. Officials said the stolen proceeds were reportedly channelled to finance ISIS-linked terror activities.

Sources said that during custody, Khan made several significant disclosures aiding the investigation. Following his statements, the ATS conducted search operations on Thursday. The individuals whose premises were searched are under ATS scrutiny and are believed to be close associates of Khan. Some suspects were reportedly in contact with him during the two years he was absconding and are believed to have been involved, directly or indirectly, in radicalisation and providing logistical support to the ISIS-linked terror module.

Investigations by NIA and ATS revealed that Khan, along with co-accused Fayaz Shaikh, played a key role in raising funds for the Pune ISIS terror module and in organising a secret IED workshop in Pune’s Kondhwa area in April 2022.During this workshop, members of the ISIS module allegedly fabricated and tested improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The session was reportedly attended by several accused, including Zulfikar Barodawala, Mohammed Imran Khan, Mohammed Yunus Saki, Abdul Kadir Pathan, Simab Kazi, Shamil Nachan, Akif Nachan, and Shahnawaz Alam, among others.The suspects were reportedly involved in radicalisation, recruitment and fabrication of explosive devices as part of a larger terror conspiracy.

The plot, which could have posed a serious threat to national security, came to light in 2023 when Pune police detained two suspects from Kothrud in a bike theft case after searches of their residence and subsequent investigation revealed their alleged links to ISIS operatives, leading to the case being transferred to the Maharashtra ATS and later to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Officials said Khan and Fayaz Sheikh went underground after the Pune ISIS module was dismantled in 2022. Between July and August that year, the duo left India with their families, reportedly seeking employment in Oman. After being declared wanted by Indian agencies, Omani authorities ordered them to leave the country or face deportation. The pair then traveled to Iran, where they were detained on December 8, 2024, and interrogated for five months until May 5, 2025. In the following days, they reached Indonesia but were initially denied entry. While attempting to return to India secretly from Jakarta in May 2025, they were intercepted by the Bureau of Immigration at Mumbai International Airport (T2) and subsequently taken into NIA custody.

The ATS has said that the investigation into Khan’s network is ongoing, Further questioning and analysis of the seized digital evidence are expected to provide more leads in the case.

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World Jr C’ships: India beat Korea in quarters to assure first-ever mixed team medal

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Guwahati, Oct 9: India rode on the energy of the vociferous fans and the knowledge of the home conditions to beat Korea and assure themselves of a historic BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships medal at the National Centre of Excellence, here on Thursday.

The hosts came through a nerve-wracking quarterfinal clash that lasted almost three hours and needed the team to pick themselves up after a heartbreaking reversal in the opening set to beat Korea 44-45, 45-30, 45-33 to set up a semi-final clash against Asian U-19 Mixed Team champions Indonesia, who defeated Chinese Taipei 45-35, 45-35.

The semi-final appearance also assured India of their first-ever mixed-team medal in the history of the BWF World Junior Championships.

The way India had lined-up for the quarterfinals, it was quite clear that they were heavily relying on their singles players to bail them out in case the Koreans made the most of their doubles strength.

The first set went accordingly as Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu went down 5-9 in the first boys’ doubles against Cho Hyeong Woo and Lee Hyeong Woo. The girls’ doubles combination of Vennala K and Reshika U managed to reduce the deficit by one point by beating Cheon Hye In and Moon In Seo 10-9 before Rounak Chouhan brought them within one point by beating Choi Ah Seung 11-9.

However, a 4-9 loss for C Lalramsanga and Aanya Bisht in the mixed doubles against Lee and Cheon meant that Unnati Hooda had to win 15 points before her opponent Kim Han Bi could reach nine. Unnati began strongly by taking a 3-0 lead, but Kim managed to draw level at 6-6, and it felt that the set was slipping from India’s hands.

However, Unnati dug deep, played long rallies to win five straight points to build pressure on her opponent, and then went on to draw level at 44-44. However, her serve on set point landed in the net, and the distraught Unnati just dropped her racquet in despair.

India made two substitutions ahead of the second set, with Lalramsanga replacing Gobburu in boys’ doubles and Vishakha Toppo coming in for Bisht.

Lalramsanga and Bhargav then gave India a positive start with a 9-7 win over Cho and Lee and Vennala and Reshika extended that advantage to six points. India never looked back thereafter and by the time Unnati took the court for the second set, they were already leading by nine points and all she had to do was wrap up the set.

The third set started in the same manner as Lalramsanga and Bhargav gave India a 9-4 lead but Vennala and Reshika ran out of steam after the first 10 points and the Korean combination of Cheon and Moon put their team ahead by two points.

Chouhan then stepped up turned the match decisively in India’s favour with a 11-4 win over Choi and gave India a five point lead. Lalramsanga and Bisht then increased that lead to seven points and Unnati then hammered Kim 9-4 to kick-off the celebrations.

Speaking about the tactical changes in the second set, India’s doubles coach Ivan Sozonov of Russia said the changes were made because he felt Gobburu and Bisht were feeling the pressure of the occasion and they needed to change something to catch the Koreans off-guard. “I am very happy with the way Lalramsanga played and also how Rounak and Unnati handled the pressure,” he added.

Badminton Association of India secretary general Sanjay Mishra was understandably elated as BAI and the team management had set their eyes on winning a mixed-team medal. “The players had been preparing at this very venue for the last few months and we were confident that we could win a medal if they played to their potential. I am very happy that everyone stood up when it mattered today and I am sure they have the ability to beat Indonesia and reach the final,” he added.

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Mumbai Accident: Porsche Crashes On Western Express Highway During Alleged High-Speed Race With BMW; Driver Injured

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Mumbai: A Porsche car, reportedly engaged in a high-speed race with a BMW, lost control and crashed into a divider on Mumbai’s Western Express Highway late Wednesday night. The luxury vehicle, a 718 Boxster, bearing the number plate DN 09Q 1777, sustained extensive damage on its right side due to the violent impact, while the driver suffered injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

According to preliminary reports, the Porsche was allegedly being driven recklessly when the driver lost control near a busy stretch of the highway. The force of the crash caused parts of the car’s front and side panels to crumble, scattering debris across the road. Visuals shared by news agency media show the wrecked sports car lying by the divider, its airbags deployed and police personnel inspecting the site.

While no casualties have been reported so far, authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the accident. Officials are also probing whether the Porsche and the BMW were involved in illegal street racing and if there was any violation of speed limits or other traffic regulations.

This crash comes just two days after another major accident in Mumbai, where a speeding car plunged into the Arabian Sea off the Coastal Road. On Monday night, a 29-year-old driver, identified as Frashogar Darayush Battiwala, lost control of his Ertiga vehicle while allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. The car broke through the railing and fell nearly 30 feet into the water near Worli around 11 pm.

In a heroic rescue effort, Maharashtra Security Force (MSF) personnel Pandurang Kale and Vikas Rathod, along with a Byculla Police constable, jumped into the sea and pulled Battiwala to safety using a rope. He sustained minor injuries and was later taken to a hospital for treatment. Police later registered a case against him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act.

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