The Indian Coast Guard and the Gujarat ATS have achieved a major breakthrough against an international drug smuggling network in Gujarat. In a joint operation, the two agencies seized drugs worth approximately ₹3,000 crore from a boat in the Arabian Sea.

Five Pakistani nationals have been arrested in connection with this operation. A total of 526 kilograms of narcotics were recovered from the boat. The arrested individuals are currently being interrogated.

The Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS busted a major drug smuggling network through this joint operation in the Arabian Sea.

Acting on intelligence inputs, the agencies intercepted a suspicious boat at sea. A search of the vessel yielded 526 kilograms of narcotics, estimated to be worth around ₹3,000 crore in the international market.

Five Pakistani nationals on board the boat were arrested during the operation. All the accused are being questioned. Investigative agencies are working to determine the origin of the drug consignment and its intended destination within India.

Efforts are also underway to identify other individuals involved in this network.

Further investigation into the matter is currently ongoing. Details regarding the entire drug supply chain and other individuals linked to the international smuggling network will only be revealed after the investigation concludes.

Thane, Sep 30: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Pradeep Purnekar, was shot dead in Maharashtra’s Thane on Tuesday night, with police intensifying their investigation into the killing on Wednesday.

One suspect has been formally arrested, while another is being questioned in connection with the case.

The attack took place at around 9 p.m. in the Manpada-Manorama Nagar area, near Purnekar’s office and within the jurisdiction of the Kapurbawdi police station.

According to police, unidentified assailants opened fire at Purnekar, hitting him twice. He was rushed to a hospital on Ghodbunder Road, where he died while undergoing treatment.

CCTV footage examined by investigators showed that one of the two detained suspects was present at the scene during the firing and was allegedly involved in the conspiracy, while the other reportedly provided a vehicle to the two accused who carried out the shooting.

One of the suspects has been formally arrested, while the other is being questioned by police. Investigators are also looking for other people who may have been involved in the attack and are examining CCTV footage from the area and surrounding roads to establish the sequence of events and trace the suspects’ movements.

Pradeep Purnekar’s body was sent to Mumbai’s JJ Hospital on Wednesday morning for a post-mortem examination, DCP Prashant Kadam said. “After the post-mortem, a detailed report will be available,” he said.

Reacting to the killing, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey raised concerns over the law-and-order situation in Maharashtra.

“What has happened to Maharashtra? There are so many criminals, mafias, and murderers roaming freely that I cannot even tell you. Whether it is Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Mumbai, and now Thane, late last night, a senior leader of our party, Shiv Sena (UBT), was shot dead…” Dubey told MEDIA.

Reports said the attackers were wearing helmets and masks. Police are examining footage from multiple cameras and other evidence to identify all those involved and determine how the accused fled the scene.

The killing has also raised questions about a possible connection with a proposed agitation against a local builder.

Purnekar had reportedly announced plans to stage a protest over alleged irregularities by a local builder and had sought permission from the Kapurbawdi police for the demonstration. However, police have not confirmed any link between the proposed protest or the builder dispute and the killing.

Investigators are examining multiple possible motives, including political rivalry and personal enmity. The exact reason behind the attack remains under investigation.

Mumbai, Sep 29: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday reacted to the joint protest march announced by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, stating that while protesting is a democratic right, political leaders must examine the authenticity of their claims.

The Thackeray brothers announced a mega protest march in Mumbai on October 4 to highlight alleged bias and irregularities in the Election Commission of India (ECI) under CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

Addressing reporters after chairing the weekly cabinet meeting, CM Fadnavis said, “Everyone has the right to protest in a democracy. I will not criticise who is protesting. However, one must understand how serious the issue is and verify the reality behind the examples cited before taking to the streets. A detailed response will be given after their protest.”

The march will begin at 10 a.m. on October 4 from the Richardson & Cruddas company premises in Byculla and proceed to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters, culminating in a joint public rally around 11:30 a.m.

Raj Thackeray took a direct jab at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after it dismissed the allegations against CEC Gyanesh Kumar as fabricated.

He asked, “If our protest is directed against the Election Commission, why is the BJP feeling the sting? There is a Marathi proverb, Khai tyala khavkhave (a guilty conscience needs no accuser).”

He reiterated that the demonstration transcends party politics and invited all political parties, including ruling coalition members dissatisfied with the ECI’s recent decisions, to join.

In the same briefing, CM Fadnavis addressed two other updates. Following a rally by the Matang community demanding sub-categorisation in reservations, he said a panel chaired by the Chief Secretary will examine their demands, emphasising that benefits must reach deprived sections without creating caste divisions.

He also announced that returning Agniveers will be absorbed into state security forces and police services without mandatory entrance exams or additional basic training. Age relaxations of up to four years and supernumerary posts will be provided to ensure full integration into public service.