In response to the Pahalgam terror attack and directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Mumbai on Wednesday conducted large-scale security drills across various locations including railway stations, workshops, grounds and civic establishments in Mumbai. The exercise was aimed to test emergency response, inter-agency coordination, and citizen preparedness in a wartime or terror scenario. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) along with Maharashtra State Civil Defence Force also conducted drills on wartime preparedness at multiple locations across Mumbai on Wednesday as part of Operation Abhyaas, officials said. The exercise was led by the Maharashtra State Civil Defence Force, with coordination from local authorities in line with directives from the Government of India, the officials said. In an official statement, the BMC said that the drills were aimed to test the city's emergency response capabilities and inter-agency coordination in the event of a wartime scenario. It said that the drills involved simulation-based exercises designed to evaluate readiness and operational protocols in real-time conditions. Civil Defence Director Prabhat Kumar, and the Additional Municipal Commissioner of BMC and Chairperson of the Mumbai City District Disaster Management Authority, Dr Ashwini Joshi briefed about the drills in Mumbai. A press conference was held at BMC regarding today's drill, attended by AMC (Eastern Suburbs) Prabhat Kumar (ADG, Civil Services), Dr. Ashwini Joshi, and AMC (City).VC: @KIRTISURVE #BMCMumbai #EmergencyPreparedness #CivilServices #UrbanSafety #PublicSafety… pic.twitter.com/NGeoHlxtR9 — Mid Day (@mid_day) May 7, 2025 Speaking to the press after the drill, Civil Defence Director Prabhat Kumar explained that the exercise was conducted under "Operation Abhyaas." He said that several agencies, including the district administration, BMC, fire brigade, NDRF, Home Guards, NCC, NSS, and paramedic staff, participated in the exercise. The drills are a part of broader national efforts to ensure cities are equipped to respond effectively in emergencies, including wartime threats. Meanwhile, at 4 PM, a siren blared at Cross Maidan in south Mumbai, setting off a flurry of activity as part of a drill simulating an air strike. Civil Defence and NDRF personnel took part in a simulation drill in Mumbai amid rising border tensions, as India and Pakistan exchanged heavy artillery fire.By: @76Shadabkhan #CivilDefence #IndiaPakistanTensions https://t.co/HBp3M3ePWv pic.twitter.com/ni1YVgeXCW — Mid Day (@mid_day) May 7, 2025 The teams of civil defence, fire brigade, etc were seen dealing with a situation. The exercise involved coordinated efforts from multiple emergency response teams. A similar scene was witnessed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), one of the busiest stations in the city which was one of the targets of the terrorists during the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack. Preparations for the drill at Mumbai CSMT are in full swing. Conducted between platforms 7-8 with no disruption to regular ops. Siren guidelines clearly announced & public is cooperating smoothly.VC: @KIRTISURVE @rajtoday #CSMT #SecurityDrill #SafetyFirst pic.twitter.com/m29jN7gbFC — Mid Day (@mid_day) May 7, 2025 A civil defence team from Central Railway on Wednesday conducted drills at CSMT for the preparedness of security forces in case of an emergency. The drill involved demonstrations on fire safety measures, methods for extinguishing fires, procedures to follow during air strikes, and techniques for rescuing and reviving injured civilians. As part of the exercise, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel also conducted separate and joint security drills.
07 May,2025 07:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWestern Railway, while sharing Mumbai local train updates, on Wednesday evening said that some suburban services were affected after heavy rains and winds hit Mumbai. In a post on X, Western Railway wrote, "Due to heavy rain and wind over the Mumbai Suburban Section, local trains are affected between Churchgate and Marine Lines stations." It said that an incident of a piece of cloth on Overhead Equipment (OHE) and also tree branch fallen at another location have been reported. The officials said that series of sparks were reported at Marine Lines station and the was also a report of cloth on overhead wire, a tree branch fallen at another location. The Western Railway said that the Up and Down slow line trains held up since 16.25 hrs. Both fast lines are operating normally. Staff was attending the sites promptly and train operations over the section will restart soon, it said. Due to heavy rain and wind over the Mumbai Suburban Section, local trains are affected between Churchgate and Marine Lines stations.An incident of a piece of cloth on OHE and also tree branch fallen at another location have been reported.Up and Down slow line trains held up… — Western Railway (@WesternRly) May 7, 2025 In an update, the Western Railway said that train operations on UP Slow Line were restored at 17.11 hrs. The incident comes in a day after train services were affected after rains and winds hit the city on Tuesday night. Mumbai local train services on Western Railway and Central Railway were on Tuesday night affected after rain and gusty winds hit parts of the city, the officials had said on Tuesday. A piece of cloth on the overhead wire near Dahisar led to multiple instances of sparking and power issues, the officials said. The repeated sparking caused momentary panic among passengers as it led to fluctuations inside the AC local train, they had said. "Due to rain and wind over the Mumbai suburban section, suburban train services were affected and running late. A piece of cloth has been reported hanging over the Overhead Equipment (OHE) on the Dahisar Up through line. Some local trains were temporarily regulated/held up and are running only after ensuring all safety measures," a Western Railway spokesperson had said. Some services on the Central Railway (CR) were also affected after tripping of overhead equipment due to gusty winds and rains on Tuesday. A Central Railway spokesperson said that CR lines were also affected following tripping of overhead equipment in various sections following heavy wind and rain at around 9:30 pm on Tuesday. Some passengers were also stranded on the trans-harbour line as services were hit by rain and wind on May 6 night. Several parts of Mumbai experienced rain, thunderstorm and gusty winds on Tuesday night, marking a sudden shift in the city’s weather.
07 May,2025 06:40 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a weather alert for Mumbai, predicting thunderstorm, lightning, winds and moderate spells of rains. In a nowcast warning issued by the IMD Mumbai at 4 pm on May 7 said, "Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and moderate spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 50-60 kmph very likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Palghar, Mumbai, Thane during next 3-4 hours." It said, "Take precautions while moving out." Mumbai on Tuesday night witnessed a change in weather pattern that continued on Wednesday. The city has been receiving moderate and light spells of rains since Tuesday night. Meanwhile, after witnessing lightning storms on Tuesday, Mumbai and its surrounding districts are once again on alert as thunderstorms, gusty winds, and rainfall are expected to continue on Wednesday. The IMD has issued a 'yellow alert' for the city and adjoining areas for the next 24 hours, warning of possible disruption and urging residents to remain cautious. According to the IMD, many areas across Konkan, Goa, Marathwada, and Gujarat are expected to get light to moderate rain over the next few days. The rain will be accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds, it said. On May 7, Konkan and Goa are likely to experience rain and stormy weather, with winds blowing at 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, possibly going up to 60 kilometres per hour. On May 8, similar weather is expected in Marathwada. On May 9, this stormy weather will likely reach the Gujarat region. In addition, hailstorms (rain with small balls of ice) may happen in Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada on May 7. The IMD had earlier on Tuesday also issued a 'yellow alert' for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and some other parts of Maharashtra, predicting thunderstorm and light rains. The IMD had stated that thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) at isolated places were very likely. A similar weather alert was issued for adjoining Thane and Palghar districts of Maharashtra. The IMD had also predicted thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds at isolated places in Raigad, Pune, Jalgaon, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur Beed, Jalna, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Latur, Amravti, etc.
07 May,2025 04:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday hailed the Indian armed forces and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for carrying out Operation Sindoor and maintained that the video footage of the missile strikes leaves no room for doubt, reported news agency PTI. In retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes early Wednesday on nine targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base Muridke. In a video message, Fadnavis said, "Let us congratulate the Indian armed forces and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the strike. It was a precision strike that destroyed nine terrorist camp sites. This time, the video footage of the airstrike is available, leaving no scope for anyone to seek proof of it," reported PTI. Calling it a proud moment for the country, he said the attack demonstrated India's resolve in the fight against terrorism. "The attack on us will not be tolerated by Bharat. It will be avenged properly and we did it today," he stated. He noted that 'Operation Sindoor', the very name of the military offensive symbolised the seriousness and significance of the mission, hinting at the deep national sentiment behind the strike. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar on Wednesday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the armed forces for successfully conducting 'Operation Sindoor' and giving a befitting reply to Pakistan-sponsored terror elements, reported PTI. Retaliating against the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces on early Wednesday carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke. Talking to reporters, Shinde congratulated the armed forces, PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for conducting military strikes under Operation Sindoor two weeks after the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, reported PTI. India has given a befitting reply to terror elements operating from Pakistan, he said. "The nation has complete faith in the capabilities of our armed forces, and stands united behind them," said Ajit Pawar, lauding the soldiers involved in the operation, reported PTI. He said Operation Sindoor has once again demonstrated that India will not tolerate Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pawar said the nation had been outraged after the Pahalgam terror attack, and that the retaliatory strikes sent a strong and clear message. "This morning's meticulously planned offensive crippled the terror networks, destroying nine camps operated by Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed," said the deputy chief minister. Praising the political leadership that backed the armed response, Pawar noted, "Decisive political will is crucial for cross-border military action. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently shown such resolve," reported PTI. He also congratulated Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for standing firmly behind the armed forces. "It is the strength of our military, the determination of our leadership, and the unity of our people that led to the success of Operation Sindoor," Pawar said. (With inputs from PTI)
07 May,2025 03:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTwo individuals alleged to be middlemen have been arrested in connection with the Rs 65 crore Mithi river desilting scam, according to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police. These arrests mark the first in a growing investigation involving senior municipal officials and contractors. As per PTI, the accused have been identified as Ketan Kadam and Jai Joshi. They were taken into custody following coordinated searches carried out on Tuesday by a special investigation team of the EOW at their residences and offices. The team also searched the premises of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials Prashant Ramgude and Ganesh Bendre, along with contractors tied to the project. According to PTI reports, Kadam and Joshi are believed to have acted as facilitators in the rental of silt pusher machines and multi-purpose amphibious pontoon units manufactured by a firm named Matprop. Investigators allege that BMC officials manipulated the tendering process to favour this particular supplier by including specifications tailored exclusively to Matprop’s machinery. Co-accused Dipak Mohan and Kishore Menon of Matprop allegedly offered the machines to the BMC for Rs 3.09 crore. A team of BMC officials visited the company’s plant in Kerala, after which tenders were floated using identical technical requirements effectively eliminating all other competitors and ensuring Matprop’s monopoly. Desilting work using Matprop’s equipment was charged at a significantly inflated rate. While the previous cost for standard desilting was Rs 1,609 per metric tonne, this was raised to Rs 2,193 per metric tonne with the use of the specialised machines. Although BMC’s vigilance department objected to the steep hike, the inflated rate was eventually cleared. The EOW has confirmed a payment of Rs 17.07 crore was made to the contractors under the scheme. Moreover, the special investigation team has alleged that fraudulent invoices were raised for transporting sludge out of Mumbai, activity that remains unverified. Further revelations suggest that when a contractor attempted to purchase equipment from Matprop, he was redirected to Kadam and Joshi. The duo allegedly offered to rent the machines for Rs 8 crore over a two-year period, eventually settling the deal at Rs 4 crore. A case has been registered against 13 individuals, although only Kadam and Joshi have been arrested thus far. The two are expected to be produced in court later today. The Mithi river, which flows through key parts of Mumbai, plays a vital role in the city's flood management during monsoon season. (With inputs from PTI)
07 May,2025 01:06 PM IST | MumbaiVisitors to Juhu beach in Mumbai, particularly marine enthusiasts, have recently been delighted to spot large numbers of Blue Buttons (Porpita porpita)—a strikingly beautiful marine species on the beach in large numbers. Experts told Mid-Day that sightings of this marine animal occur annually along Mumbai’s coastline, typically a few weeks ahead of the monsoon. The presence of this species highlights the rich biodiversity found along Mumbai’s beaches. Marine experts and conservationists are now calling for increased public awareness about such seasonal phenomena and the broader ecological significance they represent. Commonly referred to as Blue Buttons, Porpita porpita are small marine animals found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. In Mumbai, they tend to arrive on the city’s shores just before the onset of the monsoon. Traditional fishing communities have even regarded them as natural indicators of the approaching rainy season. Shaunak Modi, Marine Ecologist and Director of the Coastal Conservation Foundation, explained:"As strong pre-monsoon onshore winds start, they bring ashore a lot of things that are floating in the open ocean. In Mumbai, the first onhsore winds which start between March and May, bring millions of Blue buttons (Porpita porpita) which can be seen washed ashore on our beaches and rocky shores.These are small pelagic animals; which means they live in open waters. But unlike other animals, they have little to no control over their movement and spend their lives floating on the water’s surface. As the winds change, they’re all pushed towards land and can be seen on our shores by the thousands every day.These animals are closely related to jellyfish but unlike them, they don’t sting and pose no harm to humans." Wildlife photographer and marine life enthusiast Karan Solanki also recently visited Juhu beach in the hopes of capturing this seasonal phenomenon.“Recently, I visited Juhu Beach in Mumbai to photograph a very special monsoon visitor—Porpita porpita, also known as the Blue Button. This beautiful creature appears along Mumbai’s shores (with the help of winds & ocean currents) every year and is considered a symbol of the arrival of the monsoon season in India.It is frequently observed or spotted by marine-life enthusiasts on beaches like Juhu and Girgaon Chowpatty in Mumbai during this time."
07 May,2025 12:49 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavAfter witnessing lightning storms on Tuesday, Mumbai and its surrounding districts are once again on alert as thunderstorms, gusty winds, and rainfall are expected to continue today. The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for the city and adjoining areas for the next 24 hours, warning of possible disruption and urging residents to remain cautious. पूर्वी भारत में 08 मई से उष्ण लहर का एक नया दौर शुरू होने की संभावना है।उत्तर-पश्चिम और मध्य भारत में 07 मई तक गरज, बिजली, ओलावृष्टि, तेज़ हवा के साथ वर्षा जारी रहने की संभावना है और उसके बाद इसकी तीव्रता में कमी आने की संभावना है।गुजरात राज्य और पूर्वी राजस्थान में 06-08 मई… pic.twitter.com/1nMdgzIcDJ — India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 6, 2025 According to the IMD, many areas across Konkan, Goa, Marathwada, and Gujarat are expected to get light to moderate rain over the next few days. This rain will be accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds. On May 7, Konkan and Goa are likely to experience rain and stormy weather, with winds blowing at 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, possibly going up to 60 kilometres per hour. On May 8, similar weather is expected in Marathwada. On May 9, this stormy weather will likely reach the Gujarat region. In addition, hailstorms (rain with small balls of ice) may happen in Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada on May 7. Also, there could be very strong thunderstorms with powerful winds in: Gujarat on May 7 and 9, and Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada on May 7 Conditions in Mumbai In Mumbai, overcast skies and thunderstorms are expected particularly in the afternoon and evening hours. Rainfall is likely to be light to moderate, accompanied by wind speeds between 40 and 50 kilometres per hour. The maximum temperature is expected to dip slightly, settling around 31 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature will hover near 28 degrees Celsius. Weather in nearby districts Thane is predicted to experience overcast skies with thunderstorms likely after noon. Wind velocities will be in the 40 to 50 kilometres per hour range, and temperatures are anticipated to range between 34 degrees Celsius maximum and 27 degrees Celsius minimum. Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious, particularly in areas with loose structures or large trees. Navi Mumbai will likely see moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds, with temperatures similar to Thane. Drizzles were already reported in some parts of the city during the early morning hours. Palghar district is forecasted to have partial cloud cover, with a possibility of light to moderate rain and thunderstorms post-noon. Wind speeds are expected to reach 30 to 45 kilometres per hour, with maximum temperatures around 31 degrees Celsius and minimums near 25 degrees Celsius. The meteorological department has specifically cautioned agricultural workers and residents to remain vigilant, given the increased risk of sudden squalls and lightning strikes.
07 May,2025 12:25 PM IST | MumbaiThe officials said that two separate tree-fall incidents were reported in Thane on Tuesday night, prompting swift action from the Fire Brigade and Disaster Management teams. No injuries were reported in either case. The first incident occurred around 9:30 PM near the Tuljabhawani Temple at Ganeshwadi, Pachpakhadi (Thane West). A tree fell onto the road, partially obstructing traffic. Firefighters from the Pachpakhadi Fire Station, along with Disaster Management personnel, responded with an emergency tender and a pickup vehicle. The tree was quickly cut and removed, and traffic flow was restored. The second incident took place around 9:52 PM in front of N.K.T. College near Gayatri Mandir, Kharkar Ali (Thane West). The Jawaharbagh Fire Station dispatched a team with an emergency tender and a rescue vehicle. Tree-removal operations were promptly carried out, and no casualties were reported. Meanwhile, the officials on Wednesday said that three people were killed as a tree fell on a moving auto-rickshaw in the Kolsewadi locality of Thane district amid heavy unseasonal rains accompanied by strong winds, reported news agency PTI. The incident took place on late Tuesday night. The deceased were identified as rickshaw driver Umashankar Varma (53), Nanda Raut (35) and Sitaram Shelke (45), police said, reported PTI. The Thane Municipal Corporation's Disaster Management Cell reported that the city recorded 20 mm of rainfall between 8:45 PM and 10:15 PM. There were 13 incidents of tree collapse, said Yasin Tadvi, the chief of the disaster management unit, reported PTI. In neighboring Palghar district, strong winds and heavy rain led to damage to brick kilns and standing crops, officials said. Thunderstorm, rain bring respite from heat in Mumbai A sudden spell of thunderstorms and heavy rain in parts of Mumbai and its adjoining areas on Tuesday evening brought much-needed relief from the sweltering summer heat. Parts of neighbouring Thane and Raigad districts also experienced thunderstorms coupled with rains. Some western suburbs, such as Borivali, Kandivali, Malad, Andheri and Bandra received heavy showers, while parts of eastern suburbs and the island city witnessed light to moderate rain following a dust storm with gusty winds. The thunderstorm slowed down the road traffic and also affected suburban local trains on the Western Railway and Central Railway networks, delaying services by at least 15 to 20 minutes. (With inputs from PTI)
07 May,2025 12:13 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentIn response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Mumbai will conduct a large-scale drill titled Abhyas at 4 pm on Wednesday across various locations. The exercise aims to test emergency response, inter-agency coordination, and citizen preparedness in the event of a wartime or terror scenario. The drill will begin with an air raid siren triggered by the Indian Air Force, followed by a simulated fire incident. Civil Defence sirens will be activated across various zones, and mock rescue operations will be carried out by coordinated teams comprising police, fire brigade, health workers, and other emergency agencies. As per sources, Civil Defence has identified sensitive areas for the drill, including Tarapur, BARC in Chembur, and parts of South Mumbai such as Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Worli, and CST. Citizens, especially in South Mumbai, will be gathered and briefed on wartime protocols—what to do, how to respond, and what to avoid. “This is part of the Maharashtra Police Civil Defence Unit’s preparedness programme. Our personnel are trained to handle such operations,” said an officer from the Mumbai police. Authorities prepare Railway Protection Force (RPF) also conducted a full-scale drill at CSMT station on Tuesday, involving over 100 personnel from RPF, Government Railway Police (GRP), Maharashtra Security Force (MSF), and Home Guards. Officials getting ready for a drill on Tuesday at CSMT. Pic/Shadab Khan The drill included baggage scanning, sniffer dog sweeps, and passenger evacuation simulations. Rail officials confirmed that a fully functional siren system is already in place for use during disasters or accidents. Meanwhile, the BMC stated it would activate its disaster network upon receiving alerts from the Civil Defence. “These drills help us identify preparedness gaps, whether related to fire, bomb threats, or crowd control in civil structures,” said a civic source. Blackouts to be enforced A senior Civil Defence official confirmed that blackouts will be enforced in at various locations across the state, with specific guidelines to be issued by Wednesday afternoon. During blackout drills—particularly at night—residents must switch off all lights, including those in vehicles and homes, and refrain from using mobile phones. Movement outside should be avoided until the all-clear siren is sounded. “These blackout measures are designed to prevent aerial visibility of human settlements by enemy forces,” the official said. As per state government directives, all District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) have been instructed to ensure full coordination and availability of Search and Rescue (SAR) equipment such as quick response vehicles, tents, and medical supplies. Pre-drill meetings with police, fire, health, and other agencies have also been mandated. However, not all departments are directly involved. “Traffic police have no specific role in this operation,” confirmed Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Anil Kumbhare. Authorities expect the public to cooperate and treat the drill as a serious test of the city’s readiness in the face of growing security threats. Objectives of today’s drill >> Assess the effectiveness of the air raid warning system>> Activate hotline/radio links with the Indian Air Force>> Test control and shadow control room functions>> Train civilians and students on civil defence in hostile attacks>> Implement blackout and camouflage measures>> Test the readiness of fire, rescue, and depot teams>> Evaluate evacuation plans and their execution HelplinesMaharashtra Disaster Management Control Room 1070 / 112 / 9321587143 BMC: 1916 Drill areasTarapur, BARC in Chembur, Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Worli, and CSMT For those at homeIf you hear sirens, stay inside your house and be calm For those at stations or in trainsTrains will operate as usualAn announcement will be made at local stations in case of emergencies, with directions on ‘what to do’ Contact the RPF in case of confusion or for clarity For those on the roadIf you are driving or in a vehicle, stay calm and continue to drive or advise the driver not to stopDo not panic or hamper ongoing traffic by stopping on the road or at traffic signals For those at the airportServices will operate as usual An announcement will be made at the airport in case of emergencies, with directions on ‘what to do’ Airport officers and staff have been directed to remain on stand-by to guide passengers to the nearest evacuation/safety points within the airport premises in case of emergency Schools and collegesAll schools and colleges will operate as usual 4 to 8 pmTime drills will be conducted in Mumbai today
07 May,2025 11:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday hailed Operation Sindoor as a powerful response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, describing it as "just the trailer" with the "movie yet to come", reported news agency ANI. Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the armed forces, Shinde emphasised that the operation has delivered justice for the 26 civilians killed in the brutal attack in Jammu and Kashmir. "I thank PM Modi and our armed forces, who have done a terrific job... They have given a befitting reply to terrorists and Pakistan. Yeh toh trailer hain, picture abhi baaki hain (This is just the trailer, the picture is yet to come)," he said. "I welcome the actions being taken under Operation Sindoor. I thank PM Modi for that... Innocent people were killed in Kashmir's Pahalgam in front of their families... Justice has been served to the people of the country," Shinde further said, reported ANI. Eknath Shinde underscored the government's unwavering resolve, adding, "And again I thank PM Modi, and he will not spare Pakistan." He highlighted the symbolic significance of the operation, noting, "Under [PM Modi's] leadership, this Operation Sindoor has taken place and has avenged those mothers and sisters whose 'sindoor' was taken away." The Maharashtra Deputy CM asserted that the strikes, which targeted nine terrorist sites, have garnered international support, with countries worldwide backing India's actions, reported ANI. "Countries from all over the world are supporting it... It is just the beginning," he said. Shinde also issued a stern warning to Pakistan, stating, "Pakistan stands nowhere before India, and if it does something, our armed forces will erase Pakistan from the world's map." Shinde's remarks come on the heels of the successful execution of Operation Sindoor by the Indian Armed Forces. The operation, which utilised special precision munitions, led to the destruction of nine terror targets in a coordinated strike. Sources revealed that the Indian forces targeted and obliterated four sites in Pakistan, including key locations in Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Sialkot, while five other targets in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) were also successfully hit. The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force jointly carried out the operation, mobilising assets and troops. The strikes on all nine targets were successful, sources further revealed. The Indian forces selected the locations to target top Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) leaders involved in sponsoring terrorist activities in India. (With inputs from ANI)
07 May,2025 11:16 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentSenior Inspector Ravindra Katkar of Worli Police Station has been suspended following allegations of procedural misconduct in the arrest of a Vile Parle-based doctor. Police sources revealed that the offence in question was bailable and did not justify immediate arrest, raising serious concerns over the legality of the action taken by the officer.The incident surfaced last month when a 24-year-old man from Chembur lodged a complaint against Dr Atul Wankhede, alleging that the physician had prescribed him painkillers for chronic back pain, which subsequently led to a worsening of his condition. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the complainant had first consulted Dr Wankhede in November 2024.When the patient failed to experience relief after taking the prescribed medication, he sought a second opinion at Poddar Hospital in Worli. There, a staff member allegedly informed him that Dr Wankhede’s master’s degree was forged and that he was practising medicine illegally. Following this, the complainant wrote to the Maharashtra Medical Council and discovered that several similar complaints had previously been lodged against the same doctor. The FIR further alleges that Dr Wankhede also forged his MBBS degree certificate from KEM Hospital in Pune.“The incident falls under the jurisdiction of the Vile Parle Police, and the offence alleged is bailable,” a senior police official told Mid-Day. “According to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, if the prescribed punishment for an offence is less than seven years, the police cannot arrest the accused outright—they must first serve a notice to appear and cooperate with the investigation. In this case, the officer bypassed due process by arresting the accused without proper authorisation from his seniors.”The arrest took place on 26 April, when a team from Worli Police Station picked up Dr Wankhede from his residence in Juhu, allegedly acting on a tip-off that he was planning to flee the country.Dr Wankhede was produced before the Dadar Metropolitan Magistrate Court on 29 April and granted bail upon furnishing a cash bond of Rs 50,000.According to senior officials in the Mumbai Police, the unauthorised arrest angered senior leadership. “The suspension order was issued by top IPS officers, who viewed the inspector’s actions as a clear breach of protocol and jurisdictional overreach. A departmental enquiry has been launched, and he will remain suspended pending the outcome,” a senior IPS officer said.Despite multiple calls from Mid-Day, Inspector Katkar remained unavailable for comment.Meanwhile, a separate inquiry has been initiated into the alleged forging of Dr Wankhede’s medical qualifications.
07 May,2025 11:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerADVERTISEMENT
