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BJP holds key meet in Delhi at PM Modi’s residence, discuss organisation reshuffle

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New Delhi, April 17: The top BJP leadership held an important meeting on Wednesday in Delhi regarding the party’s organisational elections, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s residence, was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and BJP’s National General Secretary (Organisation), B.L. Santhosh.

The organisational reshuffle is expected to have a significant impact on the BJP’s electoral strategy ahead of upcoming polls.

Discussions also focused around the upcoming election for the BJP President.

According to party sources, the announcement regarding the election could be made within a week.

In addition to deliberating on the national leadership, the meeting also focused on organisational changes at the state level.

Sources said that the names of new state BJP presidents for states like Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh were discussed.

The election for the BJP President was to be completed by February 2025, but was delayed due to state elections, including Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Delhi.

The party may announce around half a dozen state unit presidents in the next two to three days.

“The election process for choosing the BJP President could begin any time after April 20,” the party sources said.

The election for the BJP President was supposed to take place in January. However, with April halfway through, it remains pending.

J.P. Nadda, who has been serving as the BJP President since January 2020, had his term extended beyond the three-year limit to ensure a smooth transition and proper preparation for the next leadership phase.

According to the BJP constitution, the term of the National President is generally three years, elected through consensus within the party.

Party insiders believe that the delay is due to the careful selection of a leader who can further strengthen the organisation.

BJP is looking for a young organisational structure and this could lead to ouster of some current General Secretaries being replaced by young faces, keeping in mind the future prospects of the party, party sources said.

International News

Indian national among two people killed in attack on Saudi Arabia’s airport, two Indians injured

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An Indian national was among two people killed, while two other Indian nationals were injured, in an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s Dammam on Wednesday, the Indian Embassy said on Thursday.

The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said that it is ascertaining further details and contacting the affected families.

“Saudi authorities have informed that one Indian national was among two people who unfortunately lost their lives in the attack on Dammam airport yesterday night and two Indian nationals were injured. We are ascertaining further details and contacting the affected families. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the deceased and we wish speedy recovery of the injured,” it said in a post on X.

Earlier in the day, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said that two people were killed in the attack that targeted King Fahd International Airport on Wednesday, which includes one Indian resident and one Saudi citizen. It further said that eight people were injured in the attack.

In a statement shared on X, the GACA said, “Further to its earlier statement regarding the attack that targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on the evening of Wednesday, October 21, 2026, corresponding to 10 Jumada Al-Awwal 1448 AH, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) clarifies that the number of fatalities has risen to (2) after an additional fatality was confirmed, involving (1) Saudi citizen and (1) Indian resident. The number of the injured remains at (8), including (1) Saudi citizen, and residents of the following nationalities: (2) Indian, (2) Yemeni, (2) Bangladeshi, and (1) Nepalese. Their injuries range from minor to critical, and they are receiving the necessary medical care at several hospitals.”

Saudi Arabia’s GACA stated that it is working in coordination with the relevant authorities to complete the damage assessment, verify the safety of the facilities, and take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of passengers and personnel and maintain the security and safety of Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation system. It further mentioned that airport operations have resumed and air traffic has returned to normal.

On Sunday, the Indian Embassy advised its nationals in Saudi Arabia to take due precautions under the prevailing situation, visit the nearest safe place in case of an aerial attack, and refrain from filming, publishing or sharing any information, photos and videos regarding the ongoing events.

“The Indian Community in Saudi Arabia is advised to take due precautions under the prevailing situation. In case of an aerial attack, immediately proceed to the nearest safe place (inside a building or an interior room away from windows), and refrain from filming, publishing, or sharing any information, photos, or videos related to the ongoing events,” it posted on X.

The Embassy said that its officials continue to visit hospitals where Indian nationals are undergoing treatment and are in constant touch with their families and providing necessary assistance.

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Crime

BJP worker brutally attacked, shot dead in Bengal’s Malda; police detain one

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Police said on Thursday that a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker was first brutally hacked and then shot dead by a group of miscreants in a minority-dominated Malda district in West Bengal.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night. The deceased has been identified as Samir Ghosh.

“As per information available so far, a group of assassins first hacked Ghosh brutally. Thereafter, to ensure his death, he was shot from close range, which led to his death on the spot,” said a state police officer.

After receiving news of the incident, high-ranking police officials from the district reached the spot on Wednesday night.

The reason for this murder and those involved in the brutal killing were being investigated.

The police have detained one person who was being questioned.

Gosh’s family members have accused local miscreants associated with Trinamool Congress of being responsible for the brutal murder because he was associated with the BJP.

However, the local Trinamool Congress leadership has denied the allegations. Acute tension prevailed in the area.

It is learnt that the incident took place on Wednesday night in the Ramkeli area of ​​​​English Bazar police station in Malda district. Allegedly, while the people were busy with idol immersion, some people entered Gosh’s house.

It is alleged that before anyone realised anything, he was attacked with sharp weapons. After that, he was also shot at from a close range to ensure his death, his family members alleged.

The brother of the deceased BJP worker said that his brother had been receiving threats in various ways for a long time for his association with the BJP, and he was even asked to leave the locality.

However, he did not leave the house out of fear. The incident took place on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami.

The brother of the deceased person also alleged that Gosh was alone at home at the time of the incident. The miscreants took advantage of that opportunity and entered the house and committed the brutal act.

The brother also claimed that all the accused persons have links with the Trinamool Congress. He also claimed that this murder had been planned for a long time.

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Crime

Delhi Police busts interstate heroin network, arrests seven; drugs worth Rs 60 Cr seized

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Delhi Police busted an interstate heroin supply and manufacturing network extending from Delhi and Haryana to Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, arresting seven accused and recovering 8.128 kg of heroin worth approximately Rs 60 crore in the international market.

The operation, conducted by the Special Staff of Rohini district under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, also led to the seizure of 3.291 kg of chemicals and raw materials used in heroin manufacturing, Rs 12.81 lakh in cash, three SUVs, a motorcycle and equipment used in the illegal drug production process.

According to the police, the operation was carried out by a team led by Inspector Sandeep Godara under the supervision of ACP (Operations) Ajmer Singh. The investigation uncovered links between suppliers, a heroin manufacturing unit and a person involved in illegal opium poppy cultivation.

The operation began on September 16, when police received information about narcotics movement in the Begumpur police station area. Acting on the tip-off, a team laid a trap in Sector 32, Begumpur, and intercepted a car. The police arrested Laxman Hooda, 58, a resident of Rohtak, Haryana, and recovered 300 grams of heroin and Rs 3 lakh in cash from the vehicle.

On September 17, the police arrested another accused, Anil alias Bhola, 51, from Sonipat, Haryana, and recovered 501 grams of heroin from his car. Anil has been involved in 12 criminal cases. He had previously been arrested in an NDPS case registered at Bhalswa Dairy police station in 2025.

After being granted interim bail, he failed to surrender and was subsequently declared a proclaimed offender by a court.

Further investigation and technical surveillance led the police to a heroin manufacturing facility in Sita Colony, Jankipuram, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on October 4.

The police arrested Bablu, 35, and recovered 6.275 kg of freshly manufactured heroin. They also seized 2.504 kg of sodium, 787 grams of acetic anhydride, a gas cylinder, a mixer-grinder, utensils, a tub, an electronic weighing machine, polythene and other manufacturing equipment.

Following Bablu’s interrogation, the police traced and arrested Ruksar Ali alias Raju, the alleged owner and main source supplier of the manufacturing facility, from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, after an extensive search. Ruksar has previously been involved in three NDPS cases, according to the police.

On October 6, Ajaj Ahmed, 38, was arrested in Bareilly for supplying crude opium to Ruksar. The police recovered 501 grams of heroin and a motorcycle from him.

The investigation subsequently led to the arrest of Mohammad Azhar, 20, from Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, on October 16. He allegedly supplied heroin and crude opium to Ajaj. The police recovered 551 grams of heroin, Rs 9,81,700 in cash and a car from his possession.

On October 18, the team reached Jharkhand’s Chatra district, a Naxalite-affected area, and arrested Prakash Kumar, 31. He supplied raw opium to the other accused and was involved in illegal opium poppy cultivation on his agricultural land.

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