INDIA LAUNCHES OP AJAY TODAY TO BRING HOME CITIZENS FROM ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR ZONE

As the Israel-Hamas war escalated and countries scrambled to bring home their people trapped in the fighting or looking for a way out of the war zone, India Wednesday announced it was launching Operation Ajay to repatriate its citizens from Israel and Palestine starting Thursday.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in a post on X, said, “Launching #OperationAjay to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to return. Special charter flights and other arrangements (are) being put in place. Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad.”

The Indian embassy in Tel Aviv said it has emailed the first lot of registered Indian citizens for the special flight Thursday. “Messages to other registered people will follow for subsequent flights,” it said.

Jaishankar also spoke to UAE’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Wednesday evening. “Discussed the ongoing crisis in West Asia. Agreed to stay in touch,” he tweeted. This was his first contact with a Foreign Minister of an Arab nation after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 and carried out large-scale killings, mostly of civilians.

The UAE and Bahrain have criticised Hamas for the attacks.

LADAKH STANDOFF TO CONTINUE FOR 4TH WINTER

India and China held their 20th round of Corps Commander-level talks to defuse tensions along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, but no immediate resolution was found, ThePrint has learnt. Sources in the defence and security establishment said this meant that soldiers on both sides will continue to remain deployed in forward areas along the LAC for the fourth straight winter.

“The 20th round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side on 9-10 October 2023,” read a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Wednesday.

“The two sides exchanged views in a frank, open and constructive manner for an early and mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in the Western Sector, in accordance with the guidance provided by the national leadership of the two countries, and building on the progress made in the last round of Corps Commanders’ Meeting held on 13-14 August 2023,” said the MEA. It added that both sides agreed to maintain the “momentum of dialogue and negotiations through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms”.

“They also committed to maintain peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas in the interim,” the short statement added.

Friction points such as Galwan Valley, north and south banks of Pangong Tso and the Gogra-Hot Springs area have seen some resolution in the last three years with the creation of buffer zones. There is, however, yet to be any disengagement at the legacy friction points such as Depsang Plains and Demchok. Around 50,000-60,000 troops remain deployed on both sides of the India-China border.

S JAISHANKAR, CANADIAN FM HELD 'SECRET MEETING' IN US OVER NIJJAR

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a “secret meeting” with his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly in Washington last month to resolve a diplomatic row over the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on Wednesday hinted that there have been discrete contacts between the two sides over the Nijjar killing. “Diplomacy is always better when conversations remain private... I will continue to take the same approach when it comes to India,” she said.

A US media report also said Canada is yet to comply with India’s diktat to cut its diplomatic strength in the country to less than half. In fact, sources said, a couple of Canadian diplomats who were out of the country have returned.

The Ministry of External Affairs declined to comment about the meeting which was never disclosed by Jaishankar while the Canadians have spoken of “quiet diplomacy”. Giving an inkling of backchannel talks, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau had said, “we are not looking to escalate. We are going to be quietly doing the work that matters in continuing to having constructive relations with India in this difficult time.”

Jaishankar was in Washington DC from September 27 to 30. The MEA had given details only of his meetings with US leaders and think tanks.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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ISRAEL DEPLOYS 300,000 SOLDIERS AT GAZA BORDER

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Lt Col Jonathan Conricus said on Wednesday that that the Israeli soldiers are ready to execute mission in Gaza.

"Four days after Hamas breached into Israel, attacked Israeli communities, murdered and massacred Israeli citizens and took dozens of Israeli hostages into Gaza, the dead toll is staggering, a 1200 dead Israelis. The overwhelming majority of them civilians and more than 2700 wounded and sadly, something tells me that these are not final numbers," he said.

The IDF spokesperson said that the about 300,000 soldiers have been deployed at Gaza border and claimed that they would ensure that the Hamas will not have any military capabilities at the end of war

He also went on to mention the reason behind the increasing number of deaths in Israel and claimed they are finding bodies of people who were killed during the Hamas attack.

IDF also clarified on the bombing of a building in Gaza which reports claimed was a residential building. The IDF spokesperson claimed that the building was used by Hamas terror group and claimed that the terror group uses civilian buildings for their research and planning. "Hamas being cowards that they are never put signs on their building saying, Welcome to the Hamas Headquarters for planning terrorist activity in Israel."

With Israeli airstrikes reducing city blocks to rubble in Gaza, there are fears that the toll will jump once the bodies beneath the debris are accounted for. However, the carpet bombing has so far failed to suppress rocket attacks by militant group Hamas, which on Wednesday forced the closure of the Ben Gurion airport and disrupted life in the port city of Ashkelon. Humanitarian groups are pleading for the creation of corridors to funnel aid into Gaza.

US, ALLIES WARN HEZBOLLAH AGAINST ESCALATING CONFLICT IN ISRAEL

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has been cautioned by the United States and its allies against escalating the conflict in Israel. This comes after the deployment of US military assets to prevent a potential widening of the war, multiple US officials aware of the matter told CNN. A message has been sent to Hezbollah to stay out of the conflict through a number of channels, including the Lebanese govt and the Hezbollah-allied Speaker of Lebanon's Parliament, Nabih Berri.

The US won't officially engage with what has been designated a terrorist group, so Berri is one natural conduit, as per CNN.

A senior defence official said on Monday, "We are deeply concerned about Hezbollah making the wrong decision and choosing to open a second front to this conflict," adding: "We are working with Israel and with our partners across the region to contain this to Gaza."

Hezbollah is a highly trained, well-armed and sophisticated military force that also receives Iranian support, so its entry into the conflict would mark a significant escalation. But current and former senior officials don't believe Hezbollah is eager to join the war, largely because the risks for the group would outweigh any potential rewards.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean in large part as a message to Hezbollah and its Iranian backers to refrain from entering the war. US security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House on Tuesday: "Let me be clear, we did not move the carrier for Hamas. We moved the carrier to send a clear message of deterrence to other states or non-state actors that might seek to widen this war."

THE REST

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4 DEAD, 80 INJURED AFTER NORTH EAST EXPRESS TRAIN DERAILS IN BIHAR

At least four people were killed and around 80 others injured after the North East Express train derailed in Bihar on Wednesday. An official said that the incident took place close to Raghunathpur station near Buxar around 9.35 pm. The train, which started from Anand Vihar Terminus in Delhi, was on its way to Kamakhya near Guwahati in Assam.

Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey said that the teams of the national and state disaster response forces have reached the incident site.

EC CHANGES POLL DATE FOR RAJASTHAN TO NOV 25

Following representations from parties and social organisations, the Election Commission of India has shifted the date of polling in Rajasthan from November 23 to November 25.

The earlier date coincided with Devuthani Ekadashi, considered auspicious by many. The day also marks the beginning of the wedding season.

On Wednesday, the EC said that “representations have been received from various political parties, social organisations and also issues raised in various media platforms for change of date of poll considering large scale wedding/social engagement on that day, which may cause inconvenience to large number of people, various logistic issues and may lead to reduced voters participation during poll.”

MANIPUR GOVT BANS CIRCULATION OF IMAGES AND VIDEOS OF VIOLENCE

Three days after a video of a Kuki-Zomi man being burned began doing the rounds on social media and Whatsapp, the Manipur govt on Wednesday declared it will book and prosecute people found circulating images and videos of violence.

An order by the Governor issued through the state Home Department on Wednesday stated that the state govt took circulating images of violent activities “very seriously and with utmost sensitivity.” It stated that images of activities such as inflicting bodily harm and damage to public or private property are likely to facilitate the mobilisation of “mobs of agitators and demonstrators,” aggravating the law and order situation in the state. The order stated that the govt has decided to “restrain” the spread of such images as “a positive step towards bringing normalcy in the State.

In a separate order on Wednesday, the state govt extended suspending mobile internet services in the state for another five days, stating that “there is apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and hate video messages inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation” in Manipur.

PATHANKOT ATTACK KINGPIN KILLED OUTSIDE PAKISTAN MOSQUE

Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operative Shahid Latif, the key conspirator behind the attack on the Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Pathankot in 2016, was killed by unidentified gunmen in Pakistan’s Sialkot district on Wednesday morning.

According to the Sialkot police statement, the shooting took place at about 5.30 am. “This morning, three unknown gunmen entered the Noor Madina Masjid in Mundeke under Daska Sadr Police in Sialkot district and opened fire while people were offering Fajr prayers. In the firing, Shahid Sahib and his bodyguard, Hashim, were killed. We can call it targeted killing. We are already calling it terrorism,” Sialkot district police officer, Hasan Iqbal, told the media. Another person, identified as Abdul Ahad, was injured in the attack.

Sources in the Indian security establishment identified ‘Shahid Sahib’ as Shahid Latif, the handler of the four attackers who entered the Pathankot air base in January 2016. Three IAF personnel were killed in the attack.

In its chargesheet filed in December 2016, the NIA had called Latif a key conspirator behind the Pathankot attack, along with JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar.

CBI FILES FIR AGAINST NEWSCLICK, EDITOR PURYAKASTHA FOR FOREX BREACH

The CBI registered an FIR against NewsClick and its founder Prabir Purkayastha for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and carried out searches at the office and residence of the portal's founder on Wednesday, officials said.

Purkayastha, was recently arrested by the Delhi police in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

It is alleged that the private company (NewsClick) had received unexplained export remittance of approximately Rs 28.46 crore through four foreign entities in violation of FCRA provisions, the CBI spokesperson said. He said it is alleged that there was an "unexplained receipt" of foreign funds of approximately Rs 9.59 crore by incorrect characterization of the fund as FDI.

The Delhi Police had alleged that funds were fraudulently infused by an active member of the propaganda department of the Communist Party of China, Neville Roy Singham.

SUPREME COURT DIVIDED ON PLEA TO RECALL TERMINATION OF 26-WEEK FOETUS

The Supreme Court has delivered a split verdict on a govt plea to recall permission to a woman to terminate a 26-week pregnancy. Justice Hima Kohli and Justice BV Nagarathna, who on Monday allowed the termination request, yesterday differed in light of a report by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, which said the foetus is "viable", i.e., it has a strong possibility of survival.

Justice Kohli said she is now disinclined to permit the woman to terminate her pregnancy. Justice Nagarathna dismissed the govt's plea, saying the bench's previous order was well-reasoned.

The matter has now been referred to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud to be assigned to a larger bench.

On Monday, the woman, a mother of two, told this bench that she suffers from health issues, including postnatal depression, and is unable to raise a third child. The court accepted her abortion request.

On Tuesday the govt filed the AIIMS report and asked the court to recall its order.

"Why only after our order? Why were they not candid earlier? Which court wants to stop a foetus with a heartbeat? Certainly not us, for heaven's sake," an anguished Justice Hima Kohli demanded. "There is a way to overturn a court order (but) not like this. Why after order was passed? It is not like we did not hear you," Justice Kohli and Justice BV Nagarathna said.

Essentially, the govt has cited the AIIMS report to suggest that since the foetus has, so far, had a normal and healthy progression, aborting it now would not technically be a "termination". It would, instead, be a preterm delivery and amount to the "murder" of the foetus.

SUPREME COURT DECLINES DIVORCE TO 89-YEAR-OLD MAN

Noting that the institution of marriage occupies an important place and plays an important role in society, the Supreme Court has refused to grant divorce to an 89-year-old man on the ground of “irretrievable breakdown of marriage” as his 82-year-old wife opposed it.

Under the Hindu Marriage Act, there are several grounds for divorce, including adultery, cruelty, desertion, etc, but “irretrievable breakdown of marriage” is not among them.

Justice Bela M Trivedi said, “The respondent (wife) all throughout her life has maintained the sacred relationship since 1963 and has taken care of her three children all these years, despite the fact that the appellant-husband had exhibited hostility towards them.”

DELHI POLICE IFSO UNIT BUSTS INTERSTATE RACKET OF ‘ONLINE FRAUDSTERS’

The Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Delhi Police has busted an interstate racket which duped users with tempting deals on social networking sites and arrested two alleged members.

The arrested duo, Sonam of Delhi and Juned Akhtar of Noida, executed fraudulent transactions amounting to as large as Rs 30 lakh, according to the specialised unit which looks after cybercrime cases.

Unsuspecting shoppers used to get a call allegedly from one of the accused once they clicked links given in the advertisements posted in online platforms. The racket members used to allegedly then share links which were to be downloaded on mobile phones. Once these links were clicked, the victims lost control over their phones and the scammers stole OTPs to execute frauds.

“We have gone to the crux of the matter and have found how this module was being operated. Those who have been arrested hold clues to others involved in this and the IFSO unit is in the know-how of cracking this case fully. We will soon arrest all involved in this setting and will completely bust the racket,” Deputy Commissioner of Police, IFSO unit, Prashant P. Gautam said.

NUMBER OF MF INVESTORS CROSSES 40 MILLION, SIP FLOWS SCALE A NEW HIGH

The number of unique mutual fund investors crossed the 40-million mark in September 2023, the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi) said on Wednesday.

According to industry executives, though the penetration remains low, reaching the 40-million mark is of significance for the 'nascent' industry.

Last month, the NSE said the total number of unique investors directly investing in the stock market has surged to 80 million for the first time. The latest 10 million additions took place in just eight months.

WORLD CUP MATCH 9: A CLINICAL INDIA ROUT AFGHANISTAN BY 8 WICKETS

Rohit Sharma oozed class and elegance en route to a recording-breaking hundred, leading India to an emphatic eight-wicket win over Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup in New Delhi on Wednesday.

On a batting beauty, India skipper Rohit (131 off 84) was unstoppable and flaunted his envious range of strokes. is record seventh World Cup hundred off 63 balls helped India gun down the target in 35 overs.

Earlier, Hasmatullah Shahidi's dogged 80 and the young Azmatullah Omarazai's gutsy 62 took Afghanistan to 272 for eight, after opting to bat first.

Results so far: India Played 2 Matches, Won both. Afghanistan Played 2, lost both

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn. - Orson Welles

OFF TRACK

These are actual excuse notes from parents to the school:

My son is under a doctor's care and should not take P.E. today. Please execute him.

Please excuse Aman from P.E. for a few days. He fell out of a tree and misplaced his hip.

Please excuse Rajeev for being. It was his father's fault.

Please excuse our son for missing school yesterday. We forgot to pick up the Sunday paper, and when we picked it up Monday, we thought it was Sunday.