Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the BSF’s 61st Raising Day celebrations on Friday as the Chief Guest at the 176th Battalion campus in Haripar Bhuj. He paid homage to BSF personnel who sacrificed their lives, laying a wreath at the memorial. The BSF, responsible for guarding the India-Pakistan border, was formed in 1965 after the Indo-Pak war, replacing the State Armed Police Battalion. Starting with 25 battalions, it expanded over time to tackle challenges such as militancy in Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and the Northeast. Today, the force has 193 battalions (including three NDRF units) and seven artillery regiments, securing borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The BSF also handles anti-infiltration duties in Kashmir, counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast, anti-Naxal missions in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, and security at integrated check posts along both borders. During Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam attack on April 22, BSF units on the Jammu frontier destroyed more than 118 Pakistani posts, severely weakening Pakistan’s surveillance infrastructure. Shah noted that even in peacetime, BSF remains alert and responds swiftly based on accurate intelligence.

As the world’s largest border-guarding force with more than 2.7 lakh personnel, the BSF has played a crucial role in national security for over six decades. The 2024 Raising Day parade was held in Jodhpur, where Shah highlighted the sacrifices of BSF personnel. Up to 2024, 1,992 BSF members have laid down their lives, and 1,330 have received medals, including Maha Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakras, Vir Chakras, Shaurya Chakras, Sena Medals, and Police Medals.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police’s State Investigation Agency (SIA) carried out a significant raid at the Jammu office of the Kashmir Times newspaper on Thursday. During the operation, authorities recovered several alarming items, including cartridges for an AK-47 rifle, pistol rounds, and grenade levers. The discovery of these materials has raised serious concerns and is part of an ongoing investigation into the activities allegedly promoted by the publication.

The raid began early in the morning and involved a thorough search of the newspaper's premises, including electronic devices and important documents. Alongside the ammunition, three grenade levers were also seized. These findings have prompted the police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against Kashmir Times editor Anuradha Bhasin. The FIR alleges that the newspaper was involved in spreading content that threatens India's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as glorifying secessionism.

This incident adds to the tense backdrop of previous actions taken against the Kashmir Times. For context, the newspaper’s office in Srinagar was sealed by the Jammu and Kashmir administration in October 2020 amid similar allegations. The Jammu office raid marks another serious step in the authorities’ crackdown on what they describe as activities hostile to national security.

From the Kashmir Times’ perspective, the raid is seen as an attempt to silence one of the few independent voices willing to critically engage with power dynamics in the region. The newspaper issued a statement underscoring its commitment to speaking truth to power despite pressures to delegitimize and intimidate independent media outlets.

On a broader note, this raid highlights the delicate balance between national security concerns and freedom of the press, especially in contested regions like Jammu and Kashmir. The recovery of military-grade cartridges inside a newspaper office is alarming and fuels questions about how such materials found their way there, triggering a deeper probe into potential networks or connections. In political circles, officials have cautioned that any action must be based on verified wrongdoing rather than pressure tactics. The Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Surinder Singh Choudhary, emphasized that accountability is important but should be fair and justified.

This unfolding situation will likely have wider implications for media operations and political discourse in the region, as well as on the ongoing struggle to maintain law and order while respecting democratic freedoms. The raid at the Kashmir Times office in Jammu, the recovery of lethal ammunition, and the resulting legal actions present a complex case involving national security, media freedom, and regional stability—a story that will continue to develop as investigations deepen.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.

Anmol Bishnoi, one of India’s most wanted fugitives and younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, arrived in Delhi on Wednesday after being deported from the United States. The NIA took him to Patiala House Court soon after his landing. He was deported on November 18, marking a major breakthrough for Indian agencies investigating him in several high-profile cases. ANI shared the first image of him in NIA custody, showing him being escorted by officials.

Anmol faces at least 18 criminal cases in India, including the conspiracy to murder former minister Baba Siddiqui, involvement in the killing of rapper Sidhu Moose Wala in May 2022, and the firing incident outside Salman Khan’s home. His cousin, Ramesh Bishnoi, appealed to the central government to ensure Anmol’s safety, claiming he is being targeted only because he is Lawrence Bishnoi’s younger brother. He added that their family respects the law and trusts the investigation process.

Originally from Punjab’s Fazilka district, Anmol fled India in 2021 using a forged passport. Investigators say he travelled through Nepal, Dubai, and Kenya before reaching the US, where he was last publicly seen in April 2023 in California. He was arrested earlier this year, which started his deportation process.

Zeeshan, son of Baba Siddiqui, said their family had registered as victims of crime in the US and received updates on the case. They were informed on November 18 that Anmol had been removed from US territory. Zeeshan urged Mumbai Police to question Anmol, calling him a threat to society and demanding answers about his father's killing and the Salman Khan firing case.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

Madvi Hidma, a 43-year-old top Maoist commander linked to at least 26 major attacks on security forces and civilians, was killed in an encounter in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday. He was behind several of the deadliest Maoist strikes, including the 2017 Sukma attack that left 26 CRPF personnel dead and the 2010 Dantewada massacre in which 76 CRPF personnel were killed. He also played a key role in the 2013 Jhiram Valley attack that claimed the lives of 27 people, including senior Congress leaders from Chhattisgarh, and the 2021 Sukma–Bijapur encounter that killed 22 security personnel.

Sources said Hidma’s wife, Raje, and other Maoist members such as Chelluri Narayana and Tech Shankar were also killed in the operation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah was briefed by senior officials following Hidma’s elimination, which occurred before the November 30 deadline set by the forces.

Born in 1981 in Purvathi village in Sukma, Chhattisgarh, Hidma headed the PLGA Battalion No. 1, considered the Maoists’ most lethal strike unit. He was the youngest member of the CPI (Maoist) Central Committee and the only tribal leader from Bastar to reach this rank. A reward of ₹50 lakh had been announced for his capture.

Officials highlighted that the security forces’ operations in Bastar over recent years have been significant. According to IG P. Sundarraj, over 450 Maoists have been killed in the region in the last two years, and more than 300 cadres—including senior leaders—have surrendered in recent months. He added that over 2,200 Maoists have returned to the mainstream in the past 20 months, and expressed confidence that Chhattisgarh could be free of Naxal influence by March 31, 2026.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI

Frances Wong, who led a global anti-scam team at an international bank, discovered that her own mother had fallen prey to a scam. Motivated by this, she left her position and founded White Byte, a company dedicated to educating vulnerable individuals and businesses about scam prevention. Frances discusses how she connects with the elderly, migrant workers, and other at-risk groups, the advice she gives to victims, and the guidance she would offer her younger self.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

A month has passed since global leaders met in Egypt for a peace summit aimed at securing a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Since then, both parties have traded accusations of breaching the deal. Andrea Heng reviews the progress made during the first month and examines whether the fragile truce can endure, in conversation with Dr. Eyal Mayroz, Senior Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

Last weekend, millions across the U.S. took part in No Kings protests opposing Donald Trump. Although the president denied any desire to be a king, he shared an AI-generated video showing himself as one, piloting a fighter jet and dropping excrement on demonstrators. Jonathan Freedland discusses with political scientist Barbara Walter the strategies the Trump administration is employing against protesters.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian

Recent reports indicate an increase in online threats and scams, alongside a local company under police investigation for suspected involvement in a Cambodian scam operation. What do these incidents reveal about our digital vulnerabilities? Hairianto Diman discusses this with Helena Huang, Associate Research Fellow at the Digital Impact Research team, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.