Himalayan Express

Author: Himalayan Express

  • Rahul Gandhi Says Modi Government Will Go, Calls for ‘Repair of Democracy’

    Rahul Gandhi Says Modi Government Will Go, Calls for ‘Repair of Democracy’

    Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would leave office and the Narendra Modi-led government would also go, asserting that the process of “repair of democracy” would begin thereafter.

    In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi wrote, “Gyanesh Kumar will go. This government will go. Then the repair of democracy will begin.” He also shared a video clip of his address to INDIA bloc MPs at the Central Hall of Parliament.

    On Friday, Gandhi had alleged that the issue extended beyond Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, describing it as a “much deeper problem” that, according to him, required the termination of the current government.

    Addressing INDIA bloc MPs at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, Gandhi claimed that the Opposition’s protests had shaken the government’s foundations and alleged that it was now under pressure.

    “There is a much deeper problem than Gyanesh Kumar and it requires termination of this current government,” he had said, adding that the issue was worth fighting for.

    Gandhi also asserted that continued pressure from the Opposition could bring down the government. “If we continue to push the way we have in the last three-four days, I guarantee this government will fall,” he said.

    The Opposition’s campaign comes amid a controversy over reported disagreements within the Election Commission of India. A report by The Indian Express stated that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over the preceding 10 months, largely concerning decisions and orders related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

    Responding to the reported objections, the Election Commission maintained that differing views and observations were a normal part of institutional deliberations. It also asserted that its orders carried full legal sanction and followed established statutory procedures.

    The issue has intensified the political confrontation between the Opposition and the ruling government, with electoral processes and the functioning of constitutional institutions emerging as key points of debate.

  • Panama-Flagged Oil Tanker Carrying 22 Indian Seafarers Attacked by Drone Near Sharjah

    Panama-Flagged Oil Tanker Carrying 22 Indian Seafarers Attacked by Drone Near Sharjah

    A Panama-flagged crude oil tanker, MT GEM NO. 2, carrying 22 Indian nationals as crew members, was subjected to a drone attack at Sharjah Anchorage on October 9, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said.

    In a post on X, Sonowal said he was relieved to report that all 22 Indian seafarers onboard the vessel were safe following the incident.

    The minister added that the government was continuously monitoring the situation and remained in contact with the ship management company to ensure the safety and security of the Indian crew members.

    The incident has raised concerns over maritime security in the region, where commercial vessels remain vulnerable to emerging security threats.

    The government is keeping a close watch on developments and coordinating with the relevant authorities and the ship management company to monitor the situation and safeguard the interests of Indian seafarers.

  • India Closely Monitoring Regional and Global Security Developments: Rajnath Singh

    India Closely Monitoring Regional and Global Security Developments: Rajnath Singh

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said India is closely monitoring developments in its neighbourhood and beyond, along with their strategic implications, amid major changes in modern warfare and the global security order.

    Addressing Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at the Jodhpur Air Force Station, Singh said the established world order was changing rapidly, while the contours of the future global order had yet to emerge.

    “India is continuously monitoring developments in our region and beyond along with their broader strategic implications,” he said after witnessing an aerial display at the air force station.

    The Defence Minister said India’s armed forces were undergoing a fundamental transformation structurally, materially and strategically, guided by the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

    Clarifying India’s approach to defence self-reliance, Singh said the vision did not mean isolating the country from the rest of the world. Instead, it involved building domestic capabilities to design, develop, manufacture, maintain and upgrade critical defence technologies.

    His remarks highlighted India’s focus on strengthening indigenous defence capabilities while remaining attentive to evolving regional and international security challenges.

    Exercise Tarang Shakti provides a platform for showcasing air power and advancing engagement among participating air forces, as India continues to focus on modernising its armed forces and enhancing defence preparedness.

  • Army Detects and Destroys Five Landmines Along LoC in Poonch

    Army Detects and Destroys Five Landmines Along LoC in Poonch

    The Indian Army detected and safely destroyed five landmines along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Saturday.

    According to officials, two landmines were detected by an Army patrol party near the border fence in the Basoni Top area on Saturday morning. Three other landmines had been found in the same area on Friday.

    The explosives were subsequently destroyed through controlled explosions by the Army’s Bomb Disposal Squad. The operation was carried out safely, and no damage was reported.

    Officials said that forward areas along the LoC are equipped with landmines as part of an anti-infiltration obstacle system designed to prevent infiltration across the border.

    However, heavy rainfall can sometimes dislodge these mines and wash them away from their original positions, causing them to surface in nearby areas and potentially endangering security personnel and civilians.

    The incident highlights the risks posed by displaced landmines in border areas, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

  • Victory Smiles On Those Who Anticipate Changes In Character Of Warfare: IAF Chief

    Victory Smiles On Those Who Anticipate Changes In Character Of Warfare: IAF Chief

    Victory smiles on those who anticipate changes in the character of warfare and adapt accordingly, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said on Friday.

    In his address at a seminar on ‘Central Role of Air Power in the Evolving Battlespace’, he also reiterated that the two major ongoing conflicts in the world, and India’s own experience during Operation Sindoor last year, have underlined the primacy of air power.

    The gathering, hosted by a defence think-tank at the Subroto Park here, is a parallel event held in Delhi, on the sidelines of the mega multilateral air exercise ‘Tarang Shakti’ currently underway at Jodhpur Air Force Station in Rajasthan.

    Seven foreign nations, including the US, France, Germany and Australia, are participating in the second edition of the exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force, with their air assets.

    The US’ multi-role stealth fighter jet F-35 is taking part in the exercise for the first time.

    At the seminar at the Air Force Auditorium, the IAF Chief said victory smiles upon those who anticipate changes in the character of warfare.

    If one doesn’t anticipate changes and waits for them to happen and then adapt, then maybe it will be a bit late, in this era of rapidly evolving technology and changing nature of warfare, he said.

    On Thursday, Air Chief Marshal Singh led celebrations marking the IAF’s 94th anniversary through a grand ceremony at Hindan Air Base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

    Earlier, in his address at Air Force Day, he said conflicts in several parts of the world have shown that air power is the primary means of protecting national interests.

    On last year’s Operation Sindoor, the air chief marshal said the IAF showed the speed of its combat operations.

    He asserted that since its inception in 1932, the IAF has evolved into an exceptional, capable, network-centric, multi-domain force ranked among the finest in the world. (Agencies)

  • Padma Angmo Among 3 IIS Officers Empanelled For Joint Secretary-Level Posts

    Padma Angmo Among 3 IIS Officers Empanelled For Joint Secretary-Level Posts

    The Centre has empanelled three officers of the 2002 batch of the Indian Information Service (IIS) for holding posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent.

    The officers are Padma Angmo, Himani Sarad and Pankaj Pandey, according to an Information Note issued on October 6, 2026.

    Pertinently, Angmo has served in Ladakh at the Commissioner Secretary rank in various departments during her deputation to the Union Territory.

    She is currently posted as Additional Director General (ADG) of the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) in New Delhi under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

  • Gaurav Yadav Appointed Regular DGP Of Punjab

    Gaurav Yadav Appointed Regular DGP Of Punjab

    The Punjab government on Friday appointed 1992-batch IPS officer Gaurav Yadav as the regular Director General of Police (DGP), an official order said.

    Yadav was appointed as the officiating DGP in July 2022.

    His name was among the three officers empanelled by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for appointment as the regular DGP from a panel of 14 senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers sent by the state government.

    Special DGP Sharad Satya Chauhan (Punjab Vigilance chief) and senior IPS officer Harpreet Singh Sidhu (awaiting posting) were the other two officers on the panel sent by the UPSC.

    According to the Punjab government order, the UPSC, vide its letter dated July 1, had empanelled three IPS officers from the panel communicated by the state government as suitable for appointment to the post of DGP.

    Yadav’s appointment as head of the state police force has been made on consideration of the panel received from the UPSC, the order said.

    His tenure shall be for a minimum period of two years from the date of assumption of charge of the office, it said. (PTI)

  • SC Judge Justice Sheel Nagu Recuses From Hearing Punjab Govt’s Plea Against HC Order For CBI Probe

    SC Judge Justice Sheel Nagu Recuses From Hearing Punjab Govt’s Plea Against HC Order For CBI Probe

    Supreme Court judge Justice Sheel Nagu on Friday recused from hearing the Punjab government’s plea seeking a stay on a high court direction to the CBI to probe corruption allegations against people linked to the AAP-led government and submit a report within two months.

    As the matter came before a bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu, Justice Datta said, “this cannot be heard by Justice Nagu.”

    Justice Nagu frequently dealt with cases involving the AAP-led Punjab government during his tenure as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court before his subsequent elevation to the top court.

    Senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, appearing for the Punjab government, submitted that they were not relying on judgements dealt by Justice Nagu.

    Justice Datta said, “no, no. We are in very difficult times Mr. Gupta. One doesn’t know, from where the attack will come from. There are 17 other benches. We will sign the order to place the case before the CJI, you mention.”

    On Monday, the state government moved the top court against the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s direction on a petition filed by advocate Nikhil Saraf.

    The allegations include cash for transfers and cash for getting favourable policies.

    The petitioner submitted that no action has been taken yet, even after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sent communications to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. (Agencies)

  • INDIA Bloc MPs To Meet At Samvidhan Sadan; All Options For Protest On Table: Sources

    INDIA Bloc MPs To Meet At Samvidhan Sadan; All Options For Protest On Table: Sources

    INDIA bloc MPs will meet at the Central Hall of the Samvidhan Sadan at 3 pm on Friday and could proceed for another protest against “vote chori”, sources said.

    They also said the INDIA bloc has sought time from President Droupadi Murmu and if they do not get an appointment, “all options are on the table”.

    The sources said Seva Teerth, Rashtrapati Bhawan, vice-president’s residence, and the residences of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah could be the likely options for the venue for the protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls.

    It would be the fourth straight day of protests.

    Earlier on Thursday, Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said the INDIA bloc has requested an appointment from President Murmu and is awaiting a response from the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

    He said the first request letter was sent on October 2. Subsequently, the Rashtrapati Bhavan asked for the names of leaders who would attend the meeting.

    “Accordingly, we submitted the request again on October 5, along with the names, seeking an appointment on October 7, 8 or 9,” Venugopal had said.

    “So far, we have received no response. We will wait until Friday,” he had said.

    Last week, the INDIA bloc had finalised a joint action plan on the SIR row, including holding rallies and “save democracy” marches.

    Intensifying their protest, the INDIA bloc leaders on Thursday staged a sit-in at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Rajghat to highlight what they alleged was “hijacking” of the country by Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Shah and the CEC through a criminal conspiracy of vote chori .

    It was the third consecutive day of protests against the CEC and alleged vote chori by the opposition leaders, who pledged to continue their agitation until the CEC resigns.

    After two days of fierce protests during which several leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, were detained and forcibly removed by the police, the opposition leaders gathered at the Rajghat on Thursday to offer floral tributes and pray for “wisdom to the BJP government and the chief election commissioner”.

    The opposition’s aggressive push comes days after a report by The Indian Express said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected on record at least 14 times over the last 10 months, mostly to decisions and orders related to the SIR of electoral rolls.

    Under fire over objections raised by two of its commissioners, the Election Commission had asserted that differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberations in any institution and that all its orders carry full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures. (Agencies)

  • MC Kathua intensifies enforcement against banned polythene, seizes 12 quintals of prohibited material

    MC Kathua intensifies enforcement against banned polythene, seizes 12 quintals of prohibited material

    In a major enforcement drive aimed at curbing the use, sale and distribution of banned polythene and single-use plastic, a team of Municipal Council conducted a series of inspections and raids at major wholesale establishments across Kathua town.
    During the enforcement action, the municipal team seized approximately 12 quintal banned polythene material from the premises of wholesalers.
    The seized material has been taken into municipal custody for further action under the applicable rules and regulations.
    The enforcement drive was carried out to ensure strict compliance with the Plastic Waste Management Rules- 2016 and other applicable provisions governing the manufacture, storage, sale and use of plastic materials.
    The Municipal Council has reiterated its commitment to strengthening enforcement against banned plastic and promoting responsible waste management practices across Kathua town. The public, traders and business establishments have been urged to refrain from the use, sale and storage of prohibited plastic items and extend cooperation to the civic authorities in keeping Kathua clean and environmentally sustainable.