Crime
Deadly bomb blast near Damascus Shia shrine ahead of Ashura
At least six people have been killed and more than 20 wounded after a bomb exploded near a Shia Muslim shrine south of the Syrian capital Damascus a day ahead of Ashura – a day of mourning observed by Shia Muslims, according to the interior ministry.
The blast near the Sayeda Zeinab mausoleum, Syria’s most visited Shia pilgrimage site, was caused when a motorcycle exploded near a taxi, the interior ministry said on Thursday. It called it a “terrorist bombing”.
State television earlier reported that the explosion was caused by a “bomb placed in a taxi by unidentified people”.
News agency was not able to independently verify the casualty figures and the circumstances around the blast.
“We heard a huge blast and people began to run,” 39-year-old civil servant Ibrahim told news agency.
“Then ambulances arrived and security forces cordoned off the area.”
He said the explosion took place “near a security building around 600 metres from the mausoleum of Sayeda Zeinab”, granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad and the daughter of Imam Ali.
The London-based monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the explosion took place close to positions of Iranian militias, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad alongside Russia in Syria’s continuing conflict now in its 13th year.
Charred taxi surrounded by large crowds
Photos shared by Al-Ikhbariya state TV and pro-government media showed the charred taxi surrounded by large crowds of people and men in military fatigues. The area’s buildings had green, red, and black Ashura flags and banners hung.
In a video shared on social media, people carried two men covered in blood and dust off the ground while calling for help. The glass facades of shops nearby had shattered, while one was on fire.
Ashura is the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram, which is one of the holiest months for Shia Muslims. It marks the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussein, and his 72 companions in the battle of Karbala in the seventh century in present-day Iraq. Ashura marks the peak of the mourning procession.
Sunni Muslims commemorate the day through voluntary fasting as it marks the day Nuh (Noah) left the Ark and the day Musa (Moses) was saved from the pharaoh of Egypt by God.
They also emulate the Prophet Muhammad who used to fast on Ashura in Mecca, where it became a common tradition for the early Muslims.
The explosion is the second in the Sayeda Zeinab neighbourhood in the days leading to Ashura. On Tuesday, Syrian state media citing a police official said that two civilians were wounded after a motorcycle laced with explosives was detonated.
Frequent targets
Earlier this week, two people were wounded in a separate blast outside the shrine, where pilgrims have been flocking to mark a mourning period for Shia Muslims.
The Sayeda Zeinab mausoleum was hit by several deadly bombings during the country’s civil war that erupted in 2011.
Since then, the mosque complex with its turquoise ceramics and gold dome in the Iranian style has been defended by Shia militiamen, mostly Lebanese and Iraqi, as well as by the army.
Attacks have nonetheless declined in recent years, with some of the security measures relaxed.
The Islamic State armed group (ISIL/ISIS) said it was behind a double suicide attack in February 2016, 400 meters from the mausoleum, that killed 134 people, including more than 90 civilians.
The group had also claimed a triple blast near the sanctuary several weeks earlier that took the lives of at least 70 people.
Crime
Dawood Ibrahim Got Call From Mumbai Cop Seeking Money For Daughter’s Wedding; Ex-DGP Sivanandhan Breaks Silence

Mumbai: In an intense conversation with Former Mumbai Police Commissioner and ex-DGP of Maharashtra D. Sivanandhan, Media Journalist Balakrishnan spoke about the nexus between some policemen and the underworld.
In a startling revelation, the Media journalist revealed that during his visit to Dubai some years back, he went to Dawood Ibrahim’s patatial house called the ‘White house’, where the underworld don had received a phone call from Assistant Mumbai Commissioner allegedly seeking money for the gangster’s daughter’s wedding.
In an exclusive conversation, Media Balakrishnan said, “While I was talking to him, his PA came and told him that there is a call for you.”
The journalist said that Dawood winked and told him to keep quiet. While listening to their conversation on speaker, Media journalist heard, “Sir apka beti ka shadi toh apka yaad aya meko.”
Dawood responded by asking, “Kitna Chahye?”
On this, the Assistant Police Commissioner replied saying, “Jo apko lage, Apka beti ka shaadi hai.” Dawood then reportedly sent him Rs 10 lakh.
Speaking on the issue, Sivanandhan explained that not every officer in Maharashtra’s 2.5 lakh with 50000 in Mumbai is corrupt, but since they are recruited from society, some do fall into its darker influences.”We recruit them from the society, and the society comes along with all black, yellow, green colours.”
The conversation came in context about the nexus between some policemen and the underworld.
When ex-DGP of Maharashtra D. Sivanandhan was asked about the nexus between some policemen and the underworld, so much so that people used to talk about gang war within the police. On this, the ex-top cop defended, saying, “Tell me, from where do the policemen come? They come from the same society where the criminals are also coming.”
Further explaining, he also revealed, “In many of the cases where some shootout took place and when we went to raid the criminal’s house, we use to see a police uniform hanging. When we ask, the policeman’s sister was married to the gangster.”
“It’s a society where they live very, very closely,” the top cop confirmed. In another revelation, without sharing the identity, he also added, “There are also policemen working in gangs now.”
He added that, “So when policemen are accused of participating on behalf of some gang or other, I would wouldn’t deny that. I would agree. He added that the irresistable amount of money given to the gangster is unbelievable. Policemen are succumbing to that.”
The cop further raised questions on the government and said, “What was the guarantee or what was the support given by the government for policemen to insulate themselves from such kind of irresistable offers.” “When the policemen is prosecuted, not even a lawyer is given to them,” the ex-DGP said.
Crime
Mumbai Airport Customs Seize Drugs Worth ₹12.5 Crore, iPhones, Laptops And Liquor In Separate Cases; 6 Arrested

Mumbai: In four separate operations, the Airport Customs officials during the period of October till October 28, have seized drugs collectively worth Rs 12.50 crores and iPhones, laptops, liquor bottles and cigarettes totally worth Rs 56 lakh.
According to the agency sources, on the basis of specific intelligence, the Customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), intercepted three passengers arriving from Bangkok to Mumbai.
During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered 6.48 kg of suspected hydroponic weed (marijuana), with an illicit market value of approximately Rs 6.48 crores.
In another case, on the basis of specific information, the Customs officers intercepted two passengers arriving from Bangkok. During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered 3.98 kg of marijuana valued at Rs 3.98 crores.
In the third such case, on the basis of specific intelligence, the Customs officers intercepted one passenger arriving from Bangkok. During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered 1.94 kg marijuana, with an illicit market value of approximately Rs 1.94 crores.
In all the three cases, the narcotic substances were concealed inside the checked-in trolley bag carried by the six passengers, who were arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
In the fourth case, on the basis of profiling, the Customs officers at the airport intercepted three passengers arriving from Sharjah to Mumbai. During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered Apple Iphones 17 pro max (40 pieces), laptops (30 pieces), liquor bottles (12) and cigarettes collectively valued at Rs 56.55 lakh.
The said goods were concealed inside the checked-in trolley bag carried by the passengers, who were arrested under the provisions of Customs Act, 1962.
Crime
Powai Hostage Case: Mumbai Police Detain Rohit Arya After He Holds 15–20 Children Hostage; All Safely Rescued

Mumbai: A tense situation unfolded at RA Studios in Mumbai’s Powai on Thursday after reports that several children attending acting classes on the first floor had been taken hostage. Parents gathered frantically outside the studio as some children were seen looking out of windows in visible distress.
Police teams rushed to the scene after receiving the alert and cordoned off the area. A high alert was declared while officers worked to identify the suspect and determine his motive. The accused, identified as Rohit Arya, has been detained, and the children were later released unharmed, police said.
Authorities said Arya posted a video in which he made threats and set out his demands, and portions of that recording were circulated on social media. In the video he said, “I am Rohit Arya. Instead of committing suicide, I have made a plan and have kept some kids here. I don’t have much demands. I have very simple demands. I have very moral demands and very ethical demands. And I have some questions. I have to talk to some people. I have to ask them questions. If I have a counter-question on their answer, then I have to ask a counter-question. But I want this answer. ” He stated in the confession video that is going viral on social media.
“I don’t want anything else. Neither am I a terrorist, nor do I have a great demand for money. There is no demand for money. So, it is not immoral at all. I have to have simple conversations. And for that, I have taken these kids as a hostage. I have taken them as a hostage according to a plan. Let’s change format. I was really going to do it. I am going to do it. If I am alive, I will do it. If I die, someone else will do it. But it will definitely happen. It will happen with these kids only if they are not harmed. Because the slightest wrong move from your end will trigger me,” Arya stated in confession video.
Mumbai Police officials said the detained man is being questioned and that investigators are verifying the video and tracing any accomplices or underlying motives. Police sources confirmed that no injuries were reported among the children or staff.
Parents at the scene described a harrowing wait until authorities secured the premises and confirmed the children’s safety. The local police have appealed to the public not to share unverified footage that could hamper the investigation. Further details are expected as the probe progresses.
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