Srinagar, May 26: Police on Monday arrested a drug peddler and recovered narcotic substances from his possession in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara border district.

“Continuing its firm action against drug trafficking and its harmful impact on society, the Kupwara Police today apprehended a drug peddler during a ‘Naka’ (checkpoint) operation, dealing a significant blow to the drug menace in the region,” said police in a statement.

“A police party from Police Post Bazar, under the supervision of senior officers, had established a checkpoint at Geerhatchi as part of routine surveillance and anti-drug operations. During the naka checking, a suspicious individual approaching from Zangli towards Kupwara attempted to evade the checkpoint. However, the alert naka party acted swiftly and apprehended the suspect before he could flee. Upon initial questioning, the individual identified himself as Faisal Ahmad Sheikh, son of Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh, resident of Kupwara. A subsequent search led to the recovery of a heroin-like substance from his possession,” the statement mentioned.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the accused was actively involved in the supply and distribution of narcotics, particularly targeting the youth in Kupwara town and the Hyhama belt, thereby contributing to the rise of drug abuse in the region.

“Accordingly, a case under FIR No. 149/2025 U/S 8/21 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Kupwara, and a detailed investigation has been initiated to uncover the broader network involved,” the police said.

“The arrest of the said individual is seen as a major respite for the local population, especially the parents and families concerned about the growing drug abuse among the youth. Kupwara Police remains committed to its zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking,” the officials said.

It must be mentioned that J&K Police and the security forces have launched an aggressive campaign against drug smugglers and drug peddlers, as the roots of drug smuggling have been traced to across the border in Pakistan.

Security forces and intelligence agencies believe that money generated by hawala rackets and drug smuggling is finally used to sustain terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Patna, May 26: After nearly a year of no reported Covid-19 cases in Bihar’s capital, two suspected Coronavirus cases have surfaced at a private hospital located on Patna’s Bailey Road in the last 24 hours, sparking concern within the health administration.

According to a hospital official, both patients had initially visited the OPD with complaints of cold, cough, fever, and breathing difficulties four days ago.

Upon medical examination, a drop in oxygen saturation levels was noted in both individuals, prompting the hospital to conduct Covid-19 testing.

One of the patients, whose condition was found to be critical, has been admitted to the hospital, while the other recovered with outpatient treatment.

The hospital has notified the Civil Surgeon’s office, and confirmation of both cases is currently awaited from the district health authorities.

Civil Surgeon Dr. Avinash Kumar Singh confirmed the development and said, “We are in contact with the hospital. Appropriate action will be taken after we verify the test results.”

A senior doctor at the hospital disclosed that three to four more patients have visited in recent days with similar symptoms, including respiratory distress, but refused to undergo Covid-19 testing despite medical advice.

Health officials have termed this behaviour as alarming, especially in light of a gradual nationwide rise in active Covid-19 cases.

The resurgence of Coronavirus in Patna after such a long gap has put the district health machinery on alert.

Surveillance and preventive measures are expected to be tightened across hospitals and public areas.

While the state had been reporting zero or negligible cases for several months, this sudden development indicates that Covid-19 may still be lingering silently.

The Bihar Health Department is assessing the situation and may issue updated testing guidelines and advisories if further cases are detected.

Health experts are urging citizens not to ignore flu-like symptoms and to get tested if advised.

Hospitals have also been directed to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases immediately.

Vadodara, May 26: Gujarat’s Vadodara is ready to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, as he returns to his home state for the first time since the launch of Operation Sindoor.

The visit will see the inauguration and foundation laying of multiple development projects valued at Rs 82,000 crore.

The Prime Minister will receive a grand welcome from more than 25,000 women, who will shower him with flowers in a special ‘Sindoor Samman Yatra’.

The Dawoodi Bohra community is also preparing to greet him with enthusiasm, while various cultural performances are being lined up in honour of the Indian Armed Forces and Operation Sindoor.

Vadodara Municipal Corporation officials have ramped up preparations and security arrangements ahead of the visit.

VMC Commissioner Arun Mahesh Babu told media, “We are happy that PM Modi is coming here. The public has started arriving, and good arrangements have been made by the municipal and police departments. This event is being organised to honour and thank our armed forces and PM Modi for Operation Sindoor. People should participate extensively.”

Speaking to media, BJP Vadodara Metropolitan President Jaiprakash Soni said, “After the success of Operation Sindoor, the Prime Minister is coming here. A grand welcome will be given by Nari Shakti in the form of Sindoor Samman Yatra. 25,000 women will welcome him by showering flowers.”

Mrinali Kulkarni, one of the women participants, told media, “We are very excited and eager to see the Prime Minister. We salute the work he has done. Our army has done a great job under Operation Sindoor. We are proud of them and want to tell PM Modi to keep up the good work.”

A woman from the Dawoodi Bohra community also shared her excitement with media, saying, “We are here to express our gratitude to PM Modi for the successful Operation Sindoor. This is the first time that he is coming to Gujarat since the operation, and we are very excited.”

During his visit, PM Modi will first reach Dahod, where he will inaugurate the Loco Manufacturing Shop-Rolling Stock Workshop and address a public gathering in Kharod. He will also lay the foundation for various government and railway projects worth Rs 24,000 crore.

Two trains will be flagged off via video conferencing from Dahod. The first, the Sabarmati-Veraval Vande Bharat Express, will run six days a week and connect Sabarmati with Veraval, near the Somnath temple. The second, the Valsad-Dahod Express, will operate daily, covering a 346 km distance with 17 coaches.

Additionally, PM Modi will inaugurate a railway production unit in Dahod, built at a cost of over Rs 21,000 crore under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. He will also flag off an electric locomotive from the Dahod manufacturing plant.

The Prime Minister will then travel to Bhuj to launch development projects worth more than Rs 53,400 crore. These include initiatives in Kandla Port, solar energy, power transmission, and road infrastructure.

He will also unveil four drinking water supply schemes costing Rs 181 crore, designed to benefit 4.62 lakh people across 193 villages and one town in the Mahisagar and Dahod districts.

PM Modi is scheduled to lead a three-km-long roadshow from Ahmedabad Airport to Indira Bridge, where over 50,000 BJP workers and citizens are expected to gather. He will spend the night at Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar.

On the morning of May 27, at 10.30 a.m., he will hold another roadshow in Gandhinagar, expected to be joined by over 30,000 BJP workers. Following this, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation for projects worth Rs 5,536 crore at Mahatma Mandir.

Among the key projects, the Prime Minister will inaugurate 22,055 houses built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for Rs 1,006 crore. He will also lay the foundation for Phase 3 of the Sabarmati Riverfront, estimated to cost Rs 1,000 crore.

In a move to boost urban development, PM Modi will distribute cheques worth Rs 3,300 crore to urban local bodies under the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana.