Islamabad, June 15: Two police personnel killed and six others injured after a suicide attack targeted a police check post in the Wahwa area near the Punjab-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border in Pakistan, local media reported on Monday.

The police check post also suffered extensive damage due to the suicide attack. An explosion took place on Sunday after unidentified assailants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the main gate of the checkpost, according to officials, Pakistan’s daily The Express Tribune reported.

District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Sadiq Baloch stated that two police personnel succumbed to their injuries while six other police personnel were seriously injured in the attack. All the injured personnel were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Officials said the check post structure was completely destroyed in the blast. After the attack, heavy contingents of police and security forces rushed to the site of the incident. The area was cordoned off and a search operation was launched to gather evidence from the spot. The blast also led to the collapse of roofs and walls of several houses in the nearby area. Furthermore, more than a dozen local residents were injured in the attack.

Speaking to reporters, Sadiq Baloch said that the suicide bomber was also killed in the blast and further investigations have been launched into the attack, The Express Tribune reported.

Earlier, two police personnel killed after armed assailants opened fire on them in separate incidents in Bannu district of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province last week, local media reported quoting officials’ statement.

On June 12, a police constable was returning home after attending a gathering when he was attacked on Bannu-Miranshah Road. As per initial reports, unidentified armed assailants opened fire on him when he was returning home. He suffered critical injuries and died on the spot, Pakistan’s daily Dawn reported.

In a separate incident, police constable was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside his house. He was seriously injured and taken to a hospital, however, he succumbed to his injuries.

Earlier this month, the monthly security assessment released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) revealed that the security situation in Pakistan deteriorated in May, particularly due to an increase in militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The latest findings by PICSS showed an increase in militant attacks during May after a brief period of relative decline, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, Dawn reported. The sharp rise in attacks, casualties, suicide bombings and kidnappings suggests that security challenges remain severe.

As many as 128 militant attacks occurred in May in comparison to 101 in April, showcasing a 27 per cent rise. As many as 71 people, 68 security personnel and six members of peace committees were killed, while 147 people, 35 security personnel and three peace committee members were injured in the violence in May.

Compared to April, civilian casualties rose from 37 to 71, showcasing a 92 per cent increase, while security personnel fatalities rose from 28 to 68, showcasing a 143 per cent increase. Pakistan witnessed six suicide attacks in May, causing the deaths of 34 security personnel and nine civilians, Dawn reported.

Balochistan was the most affected province of Pakistan in May as it recorded 71 militant attacks, in comparison to 34 in April, showcasing a 109 per cent rise. As many as 54 kidnappings occurred in Pakistan in May. Of them, 52 kidnappings took place in Balochistan alone.

Mumbai, June 15: The Mumbai Crime Branch suspects that notorious drug smuggler Salim Dola, considered a close associate of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and who built an extensive range of assets in Turkey and Dubai, is attempting to mislead investigators during interrogation.

Following the completion of questioning by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Dola, who was arrested in Turkey and brought to India, is now being interrogated by various units of the Mumbai Crime Branch in connection with multiple cases.

According to Crime Branch officials, Dola significantly expanded his alleged drug trafficking operations and network in Mumbai after the Covid-19 pandemic. Investigations have further revealed that he had been residing in Turkey under the alias ‘Ayhan Sheikh’ and was allegedly operating an extensive drug network from there.

Investigators have found that Dola amassed assets worth nearly Rs 100 crore in Dubai and Turkey through proceeds generated from drug trafficking activities. Agencies are now examining the extent of his overseas investments, properties, and financial dealings.

During interrogation, Dola reportedly shared important information about a large synthetic drug manufacturing unit operating in Sangli. According to sources, he informed investigators that nearly 20 consignments of MD (Mephedrone) were manufactured at the facility and supplied to different locations across the country.

The Crime Branch is currently verifying the information provided by Dola and investigating the entire supply chain, distribution network, and financial transactions linked to the alleged drug operation.

Officials said Dola also claimed that the money earned through drug trafficking was invested in properties and businesses in India as well as abroad. Investigating agencies are now trying to determine which assets and commercial ventures were allegedly funded using proceeds from the illegal trade.

During questioning, Dola further claimed that the drug network had links to Dawood Ibrahim and his syndicate. However, investigators have clarified that these claims are being treated as part of the ongoing investigation and are being independently verified. Authorities are examining the extent of the alleged involvement of underworld operatives and identifying individuals who may have assisted in running the network.

Several Crime Branch teams have questioned Dola regarding multiple cases, including investigations related to the Satara and Mysuru drug factory operations.

Meanwhile, Crime Branch Unit-3 is separately probing Dola’s alleged involvement in the kidnapping and extortion case of Andheri-based businessman Sajid Electricwala.

During interrogation, Dola also claimed that he had sold some of the properties he had purchased in Dubai. The Crime Branch is verifying these claims and gathering details regarding his alleged foreign assets, bank accounts, and investments.

Dola’s police custody is set to end on Monday, following which he will be produced before a court for further proceedings. Investigating agencies believe that his continued interrogation could lead to significant revelations about international drug trafficking networks, financial transactions, overseas assets, and possible underworld connections linked to the narcotics trade.

New Delhi, June 15: A Delhi court on Monday extended till June 29 the judicial custody of 10 accused in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The accused were produced before the Rouse Avenue Court through video conferencing from Tihar Jail upon the expiry of their previously granted judicial custody. The court extended the judicial custody of Yash Yadav, Mangilal Biwal, Dinesh Biwal, Vikas Biwal, Dhananjay Lokhande, Tejas Harshad Shah, Shubham Khairnar, Manisha Waghmare, Manisha Sanjay Havaldar and Dr Manoj Shirure till June 29.

The Rouse Avenue Court also permitted the CBI to interrogate accused Shubham Khairnar, Manisha Waghmare and Dhananjay Lokhande inside jail on June 17, 18 and 19, respectively.

The probe agency has been allowed to question each of the accused for one hour as part of its ongoing investigation into the alleged examination paper leak.

The CBI has so far arrested 13 accused in the case and is investigating an alleged network involved in procuring and circulating NEET-UG question papers ahead of the examination.

Earlier, on June 1, the Rouse Avenue Court had remanded accused Dr Manoj Shirure, Tejas Harshadkumar Shah and Manisha Sanjay Havaldar to judicial custody till June 15. The Central agency has alleged that Shirure, a Latur-based doctor, played a key role in facilitating three students, including the son of an accused coaching centre owner, in obtaining Chemistry questions from alleged kingpin P.V. Kulkarni before the examination.

Shah, a Physics faculty member at Pune-based Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy (APMA), is alleged to have received leaked Physics questions from co-accused Manisha Havaldar.

The case pertains to the alleged leak of the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper, following which the CBI registered an FIR on May 12 on the basis of a complaint lodged by the Department of Higher Education under the Union Ministry of Education.

According to the probe agency, Pune-based education consultant Manisha Waghmare was among the intermediaries involved in mobilising students who allegedly paid lakhs of rupees to attend special coaching sessions where questions that later appeared in the NEET-UG 2026 examination were dictated and discussed.

The CBI has claimed that Waghmare facilitated prospective candidates for special coaching classes conducted by NTA-appointed senior Botany teacher Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, who is suspected to be the co-mastermind behind the Biology paper leak.

Chemistry professor P.V. Kulkarni has been identified by the probe agency as the alleged kingpin of the paper leak network.

Meanwhile, the Centre has stepped up preparations for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21 after the original examination held in May was cancelled following allegations that some questions had been leaked.

Amid preparations for the re-test, Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan recently reviewed the arrangements with National Testing Agency officials and warned that the “full might and weight of the law” would fall on anyone attempting to distort, disrupt or tamper with the integrity of the examination process.

The Centre has put in place enhanced security measures, including transportation of question papers by the Indian Air Force and deployment of CRPF and CISF personnel to assist local authorities in ensuring secure conduct of the re-examination.

The NTA has also announced an additional 15 minutes for candidates and increased space for rough work in answer booklets.

The Centre has maintained that coordinated efforts by the Union government, state governments and district administrations are aimed at safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the re-examination process.