Two killed in alleged Kuki extremists’ attack in Manipur

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with in Maharashtra’s Nanded | This was the second attack on him — the first came in December 2024, when he averted an assassination bid after a former militant and pro-Khalistan (sovereign state for Sikhs) sympathiser opened fire on him outside the Golden Temple in Punjab’s Amritsar.Even as the motive behind the latest attack on Mr. Badal — at the Mata Sahib Gurudwara, by a ‘Nihang sevadar’ who worked there — is yet to be ascertained, the pattern suggests that the moderate leadership of the Akali Dal in Punjab could be under constant threat from fringe radicals trying to gain space in the religious, or ‘panthic’ (Sikh), constituencies of Punjab.The moderate forces stand for harmony and peace in Punjab, which went through a traumatic phase of militancy between the mid-1980s and early 1990s over the demand for ‘Khalistan’, even though the movement has now lost popular support. The radical elements, on the other hand, conflict with and oppose the moderate leadership. They want to occupy space in Punjab’s politics, and if the moderate leadership weakens, they gain more room to do so.In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the victories of Independent candidates Amritpal Singh — a pro-Khalistan propagator currently jailed in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail under the National Security Act — and Sarabjeet Singh, son of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassin Beant Singh, signalled the emboldening of radical elements in the State. Amritpal’s outfit ‘Waris Punjab De’ has been steadily building support within the ‘panthic’ space, a trend observers link to the weakening of the Shiromani Akali Dal, led by Sukhbir Badal.Simranjit Singh Mann, a known hardliner Sikh leader who has repeatedly raised the bogey of ‘Khalistan’, has also periodically stirred up Punjab’s electoral politics. His victory from Punjab’s Sangrur parliamentary constituency in the 2022 by-election pointed to the fragmentation within the ‘panthic’ fold and the persistence of radical space.The electoral drubbings suffered by the Badal-led SAD — a party considered to follow a moderate approach — over the past decade indicate that the century-old party has lost its traditional support base, leading to a leadership vacuum that radicals are seeking to fill.Given Punjab’s traumatic history with militancy, the majority of its people are unlikely to rally behind radical elements to fill this vacuum. But while the Khalistan movement has lost popular support within the State, some abroad and elsewhere in India retain an interest in keeping the embers of the long-dead movement alive. Published - August 14, 2026 09:26 am IST

Buddhist monks circumambulate around Dhamek Stupa in the ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, an UNESCO heritage site. | India’s Ministry of Culture, in a press release, said that “this global accolade celebrates India’s enduring cultural legacy, showcasing its diverse traditions of architectural brilliance, regional identity, and historical continuity” and highlighted the importance of the Buddhist site.India’s other UNESCO world heritage sitesThe country now has 45 World Heritage Sites according to the UNESCO website. The last addition or ‘inscription’ was in 2024, with the Maratha Military Landscapes located Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Devout Buddhists pray outside Dhamek Stupa in the ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath, India, Saturday, July 18, 2026. |

A cargo vessel leaves a port in the Black Sea. File | The ship employed four Indian seafarers, of whom two have been found to be safe while information about the other two is still awaited.“Indian nationals intending to undertake employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the conflict-affected region are advised to carefully assess the prevailing security risks before accepting such assignments,” the MEA said in its advisory, explaining that “the security situation in and around the Black Sea and adjoining maritime areas remains highly volatile due to the ongoing conflict. Commercial vessels operating in or transiting these waters are facing significant security risks, including missile and drone attacks.” ‘Take precautions’There has been an increase in the number of such incidents since April, resulting in the deaths of five Indian seafarers, the Ministry said.The MEA urged Indian citizens to follow a set of precautions, such as obtaining “comprehensive information from employers/recruitment agencies and ship operators regarding the vessel’s intended route, ports of call, security arrangements, insurance coverage, and emergency response procedures”. The “terms of employment” should “comply with applicable maritime standards and provide adequate provisions for medical care, evacuation, repatriation and compensation in the event of an emergency,” the Ministry said.Indian seafarers were urged to follow all the advisories issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, including one issued on July 23.Search and rescue underwayThe advisory came a day after the MV AGN Ragnar was struck at the port of Odesa. “Four Indian nationals were on board the vessel. As per the latest information, two have been confirmed safe, and information is awaited regarding the other two nationals. Search and rescue operations are underway. The Embassy is in constant touch with the concerned authorities,” the Indian Embassy in Kyiv said, without specifying who had fired the projectile that hit the ship. Earlier on July 19, the MV Golden Leo, a Guinea Bissau-flagged ship was also hit by projectiles that led to the deaths of ten seafarers, of whom four were Indian citizens. This incident had prompted the MEA to summon the chargé d’affaires of the Russian Embassy in India. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the East Asia summit in Manila on July 22, where he expressed “strong concern regarding the safety of Indian seafarers in the region”.‘Commercial shipping should not be attacked’Subsequently, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was in touch with India over the matter. However, he said, “Our armed forces are striking and will continue to strike those vessels that are involved in transporting ammunition, weapons and so on, for the purposes of the Kiev regime.”Responding to this assertion, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal pointed out that the ship was civilian in nature.“As per the information that was made available to us by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration of our country, this particular ship, Golden Leo, which as you know was Guinea-Bissau-flag

There is growing anger and anxiety among the leadership of the regional parties, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Member of Parliament (MP) Engineer Rashid and MP Aga Syed Ruhullah, over the mass arrests and demolitions of houses of families of terrorists in Kashmir in the backdrop of the Anantnag attack, which left a policeman dead two days ago.Addressing the Friday (July 24, 2026) congregation at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar, the Mirwaiz said the past two days saw in Kashmir “large-scale detentions, questioning and harassment of youth across Kashmir, with over 2000 young men being picked up on allegations of being “over-ground workers” or OGWs”.“An act of violence by one cannot justify collective punishment for all. The killing should be investigated, and those responsible [in the Anantnag attack] should be dealt with according to law. But innocent youth and their families should not be scapegoats and made to suffer,” said the Mirwaiz.He said the reports of home demolitions of suspected militants, rendering their families homeless, “is another extrajudicial and unjust measure”. “Such measures deepen resentment and are ultimately counterproductive,” said the Mirwaiz.Meanwhile, the Mirwaiz welcomed the release on bail of Kashmiri human rights activist Khurram Parvez and journalist Irfan Mehraj. On student protests in New Delhi, the Mirwaiz said, “Young people raising their genuine concerns should be heard and engaged with, not subjected to policing and force”. He said reports of pellet injuries among protesters “were a painful reminder of the devastating consequences of pellet guns suffered by hundreds of Kashmiris over the decades. “It is sad to see students in Delhi facing it now. Use of force cannot resolve grievances or issues whether in Delhi or Kashmir; dialogue, accountability and engagement are the only way for resolutions ,” he added.In New Delhi, amid the ongoing disruptions in the Parliament, MP Rashid, who heads the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), strongly protested against mass detentions and the bulldozing of residential houses in the Kashmir Valley.AIP spokesman said that as soon as the House assembled this morning, MP Rashid entered the well of the House and protested against mass detentions and the demolition of residential houses in Kashmir. “We feel the pain of the family of the deceased policeman, who was killed in the Anantnag militant attack. Above all, he was one among us. But how can you justify the arrest of 2,500 people and the bulldozing of residential houses? Nobody in this country speaks about Kashmiris and the state oppression against them. You have tried to silence our voices through illogical arguments and the use of brutal force. You have created a martial law-like situation in J&K,”said MP Rashid said. The MP, who is currently serving jail in the Tihar Jail over an alleged terror funding case, said: “The use of force against protesters in Delhi is equally condemnable. But why, in similar situations, are Kashmiris not even allowed to express their pain on social media? The incidents in Delhi have once again raised serious questions about whether New Delhi truly treats Kashmiris as its own people. While policemen were being ruthlessly thrashed on the streets of New Delhi, the response remained within the framework of law and order. In Kashmir, however, when an unidentified militant attacks a policeman, cases are registered against thousands of people and entire communities are subjected to suspicion and punishment.”He also raised the killing of an auto driver, Arif Hussain, in Bhaderwah during an anti-militancy operation. “It is a cold-blooded killing by the police. Before talking to Sonam Wangchuk and offering him juice to break his fast, (Union Minister) Dr. Jitendra Singh must answer how Arif Hussain was killed in cold blood in Bhaderwah. He did not utter a single word against that killing,” said MP Rashid.National Conference leader and Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah 2,500 young men pic

Officials said reinforcements were rushed to the spot where the attack took place, on July 22, 2026. | The incident took place around 12:30 p.m. at the Anantnag-Kokernag road in south Kashmir. Initial reports suggested that the policeman, who was on the Amarnath yatra duty, was fired upon by terrorists.The policeman was left injured in the attack and was shifted to a hospital. Officials said the policeman, Ashiq Hussain from Budgam, “later succumbed to his injuries”.Officials said reinforcements were rushed to the spot where the attack took place and a search operation was on to trace the attackers.The attack has come after a long lull witnessed in Kashmir, especially during the stringent measures in place for the annual Amarnath yatra in Kashmir. Published - July 22, 2026 01:57 pm IST

Image used for representational purposes. File | The order comes as the maritime security situation in West Asia worsens following attacks on two merchant vessels in the Strait.Mr. Sonowal ordered real-time vessel-by-vessel monitoring of Indian seafarers and directed the appointment of dedicated liaison officers for every affected Indian sailor.The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) will coordinate the response round the clock in association with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Indian Navy, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Indian missions in Iran, Oman and the UAE, as well as other maritime stakeholders.This follows attacks on the merchant vessels MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa in the Strait of Hormuz. The two ships together had 30 Indian crew members in a total strength of 46.One Indian seafarer was killed and another injured aboard MT Al Bahiyah, while nine Indian nationals on MT Mombasa suffered injuries, including two who remain critically injured.Expressing grief over the casualties, Mr. Sonowal condemned the attacks on civilian merchant vessels, saying India had conveyed its strong disapproval of such incidents which endangered innocent seafarers performing a vital role in maintaining global supply chains. He assured affected families of all possible government support.Operational dashboardThe Minister directed the Secretary, MoPSW, and the Director General of Shipping to establish a comprehensive operational dashboard to track every Indian seafarer aboard vessels in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman, irrespective of the ship’s flag.The dashboard will provide real-time information on vessel location, ownership, cargo, crew welfare, threat levels, intended voyage, next port of call, and the availability of food, fuel, medicines, and communication facilities.Mr. Sonowal also instructed officials to ensure every vessel transiting the affected waters undertakes a fresh threat assessment before sailing.Shipowners, vessel managers, and licenced recruitment and placement agencies have been asked to submit compliance reports confirming that no Indian seafarer is being compelled to sail without adequate information, protection, and support. He reiterated that the government’s response would remain firmly focused on the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers. Published - July 14, 2026 09:51 pm IST

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal speaks during a media briefing, in New Delhi on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. | MEA condemned the attacks on the commercial vessels MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, which had a total of 30 Indian seafarers onboard, and reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue and diplomacy to bring peace and stability to West Asia.The attacks on the two Emirati oil tankers came amid escalating hostilities between the U.S. and Iran.Fourteen Indians have died in the West Asia conflict since it began following the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran on February 28.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India is "deeply concerned" by the attacks on MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa during their transit through the Strait of Hormuz and that both the vessels were carrying 30 Indian seafarers, among their combined crew of 46."Of the 12 Indian nationals onboard MT Al Bahiyah, one has tragically lost his life and another has been injured. Of the 18 Indian nationals onboard MT Mombasa, nine have sustained injuries, including two who are reported to be seriously injured," it said."We strongly condemn these attacks and acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz," it added in a statement.The MEA also reiterated India's "deep concern on account of the resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities in the West-Asian region and call for immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue and diplomacy in the interests of peace, security and stability in the region"."In particular, the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must cease in order that free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, can be restored at the earliest," it said.The MEA extended its "deepest condolences" to the family of the deceased Indian national and wished speedy recovery to those injured.It said the Indian missions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are closely monitoring the situation and are in touch with the authorities concerned in the Gulf nation to ensure all possible assistance to the affected Indian seafarers."The Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi was summoned this morning by the Ministry of External Affairs and a strong protest against these attacks was lodged with him," it said.MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing that India's strong protest was conveyed to the Iranian diplomat and that these attacks must stop at the earliest."We are closely following the developments in West Asia. We continue to call for safe and unimpeded navigation and flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz. This is key for ensuring energy and economic security of people across the world," he said.The Defence Ministry of the UAE said on social media that MT Mombasa and MT Al Bahiyah were "targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani territorial waters". The attacks on the two merchant ships came two days after an Iranian attack on the Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS Galaxy left an Indian crew member missing.The fresh escalation in tensions has raised questions over the fragile peace deal finalised between the U.S. and Iran in June.— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) July 14, 2026 Published - July 14, 2026 05:51 pm IST