August 14, 1985, Forty Years Ago: Assam Solution
Building Collapse
Fifty-two people were killed and many injured, 24 of them seriously, in the worst-ever house collapse in Bombay when a part of Mombatiwala chawl building number 47 situated at Nagpada came down. An unidentified number of persons are feared trapped in the debris, according to the fire brigade and local residents. Among those trapped are some persons who were sleeping in taxis on which debris fell.
Train Explosion
Four people, including two Army personnel, were killed and 35 injured when an explosion occurred in the military coach of the 52-Dn Sealdah Express between Gagwal and Hiranagar stations of the Jammu-Pathankot section of Northern Railway. The cause of the explosion is not known. Fire brigade personnel from Sambha, Katwa and Hiranagar rushed to the spot and put out the fire. The spokesman said passengers travelling in other coaches were safe.
Bank Workers' Strike
The strike by the All-India Confederation of Bank Officers Organisations (AICOBOO) paralysed work in nationalised banks in the country. While the strike was total in most cities, in the capital it affected the working of the banks only partially. Some banks even claimed that their branches functioned 'normally'. The AICOBOO is demanding pay revision with retrospective effect from July 1, 1983, a 16.7 per cent increase in salary against 15 per cent announced by the government, and withdrawal of the decision regarding recategorisation of posts.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Operation Sindoor: 2 BSF personnel awarded Vir Chakra posthumously; 16 others to get gallantry medal
NEW DELHI: Two BSF martyrs will be conferred Vir Chakra and 16 other personnel, police gallantry medals for having fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the armed forces during Operation Sindoor , successfully defending sensitive border posts in Jammu and Kashmir and destroying enemy posts and their surveillance equipment in firm retaliatory action. Both the Vir Chakra awardees -- late Sub-Inspector Mohd Imteyaj and late Constable Deepak Chingakham -- will be honoured for valiantly defending the highly-sensitive border outpost Kharkola in Jammu, which is barely 200 m from the international border, against intense shelling and drone attacks by the enemy. BSF troops led by post commander Imteyaj mounted a precise and resolute retaliation, inflicting heavy damages to the counterpart post and their gun positions. During the wee hours of May 10, Imteyaj spotted rogue drones intruding over Kharkola with an intent to drop explosive payloads or guide mortar fire, and tactically moved out from the bunker and reorganised his troops to successfully neutralise an enemy drone. Constable Deepak Chigakham moved along with his 'buddy' Imteyaz. However a mortal shell, likely dropped by the drone, exploded, causing grievous splinter injuries to Imteyaz, Deepak and two others. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 11 Foods That Help In Healing Knee Pain Naturally Undo Not the ones to give up, both Imteyaz and Deepap continued fighting. While Imteyaz motivated the troops, Deepak crawled unaided to the morcha and held his position. Both the bravehearts were later evacuated to Army hospital in Jammu but succumbed to their injuries. The home ministry meanwhile announced that 16 BSF personnel – Assistant Commandants (ACs) Abhishek Srivastav and Alok Negi; Deputy Commandant (DC) Ravindra Rathore; Inspector Devi Lal; Sub-Inspector (SI) Vyas Dev; Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs) Udai Vir Singh and Rajappa BT; Head Constables (HCs) Brij Mohan Singh and Sahib Singh; and Constables (CT) Bhupendra Kumar Bajpai, Rajan Kumar, Basavaraja Shivappa Sunkada, Depeswar Barman, Suddi Rabha, Kanwaraj Singh and Manohar Xalxo – will be conferred medals for five separate gallant actions undertaken between May 7 and 10 on the international border in J&K. Braving injuries and high-risk challenges, the honoured 'Seema Praharis' had challenged the adversary with precision strikes, helped replenish ammunition supplies and ensured that their fellow BSF personnel and posts were safe. Seven of the 16 gallantry medal awardees are being honoured as well for their valiant action in Kharkola outpost. As AC Abhishek Srivastav, along with HC Brij Mohan Singh and constables Bhupendra Bajpai, Rajan Kumar, Basavaraja Shivappa Sunkada and Depeswar Barman, retaliated against heavy shelling from Pakistan, even neutralising one of their drones, an enemy mortar shell exploded just outside of the morcha, causing grievous injuries to Singh, Barman, Bajpai, Kumar and Sunkada. AC Srivastav, who was under probation training, fearlessly rushed towards the injured post commander and jawans and managed their evacuation. AC Alok Negi, during intense enemy fire at FDL Mukhyari from May 7 to 20, 2025, led defensive action, repositioned personnel and mortar assets and coordinated precise retaliatory strikes on key enemy posts. Constables Chowdhury and Waghmare executed relentless and accurate fire, significantly blunting enemy positions. ASI Udai Vir Singh, during a heavy assault by Pakistan on BOP Jabowal, Jammu Sector on May 10, 2025, successfully destroyed a Pakistani surveillance camera, denying real-time monitoring of BOP's and troops movement. Despite sustaining a life-threatening shrapnel wound to his upper lip from HMG fire, he refused evacuation and continued engaging the enemy, neutralising their HMG nest. SI Vyas Dev and Constable Suddi Rabha deployed in forward posts in Jammu area were detailed for replenishment of ammunition to forward troops. During this risk prone mission, an enemy 82 mortar shell exploded near them causing multiple splinter injuries to both. Dev remained conscious, stabilised himself and, along with Suddi, continued the mission. Dev's left leg had to be amputated later. Deputy commandant Ravindra Rathore and his team — Inspector Devi Lal, HC Sahib Singh and constable Kanwaraj Singh — successfully implemented an operation for the safety of a BSF Jawan whose life was in peril. During a coordinated assault by Pakistani troops on May 9-10 on BSF BOPs Karotana Khurd, Karotana Forward and Suchetgarh, BOP Karotana Khurd reported a critical shortage of AGS ammunition. ASI(GD) Rajappa B T and CT(GD) Manohar Xalxo undertook the risky mission to resupply ammunition but a mortar shell exploded near the magazine, grievously injuring Rajappa and wounding Xalxo's right hand. Still, both completed the task.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Martyr's family awaits support
Narbatpur (Buxar): The lane to Havildar Sunil Singh Yadav's home in Narbatpur village now bears his name, but the house stands in silence. The 46-year-old soldier of the Army's EME unit died on June 6 from injuries sustained in a drone attack during Operation Sindoor in Jammu and Kashmir. He fought for 27 days at Udhampur Army Hospital after being critically wounded on May 9. His father, Janardan Singh, said, "I will salute the Tricolour this Independence Day and imagine I am saluting my martyred son." The family has sought a gas agency in Sunil's name, a govt job, a martyr's gate and a statue. "The DM assured us, but nothing has started," Janardan said. His mother, Pavadharo Devi, recalled his caring nature while his younger brother Anil said it still feels like Sunil is "just on duty". Sunil joined the Army in 2002 and was promoted to Havildar in 2023. His wife now lives in Lucknow with their children, determined to fulfil his dream of making them officers. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
11K security personnel to be deployed near Red Fort; surveillance intensified across Delhi
The national capital is being fortified for Independence Day — snipers at high-rise buildings, heightened camera surveillance across the city and more than 11,000 security personnel and 3,000 traffic police for security in and around the Red Fort. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (August 15, 2025 will address the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort. Delhi Police, the Army and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the area for the day, with multiple layers of security in place. Delhi Traffic Police has issued strict instructions, restricting commercial vehicles from entering the capital after 10 pm on Thursday (August 14), among others. Special teams have been deployed at all the major railway stations, inter-state bus terminals, airports, and metro stations for round-the-clock monitoring. Passenger screenings, baggage checks, and random identity verifications have been intensified, the officials said. Security has also been stepped up at water treatment plants to protect vital installations in the national capital, they said, adding that a special focus is on north and central districts in Delhi. Delhi Police Commissioner S. B. K. Singh has designated a DCP-rank officer to oversee the anti-drone mechanism, they said, adding that surveillance along the Yamuna has also been intensified with speed boats deployed in the river. On Wednesday, Mr. Singh briefed officers on the arrangements with a key directive to ensure there are no bird feeding points in the areas surrounding the Red Fort. 'The Delhi Police, in coordination with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), has asked non-vegetarian eateries to dispose of food waste properly so flocks of birds are not attracted,' a senior police officer said. This measure aims to prevent any disturbance to helicopter movement on August 15. Officers were also instructed to remain alert and ensure that all arrangements are executed on time. Traffic personnel were briefed to enforce restrictions and maintain smooth vehicular movement. Apart from physical deployment, surveillance through CCTV cameras, drone detection systems, and facial recognition cameras and ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras will be used to monitor the venue and its surrounding areas, a senior police officer said. For the first time, under-vehicle surveillance systems (UVSS) will be deployed at five parking areas of the Red Fort to scan the underside of vehicles for explosives, weapons or contraband, the officer said. The technology uses cameras and scanners to detect threats or anomalies, bolstering security at the checkpoints and sensitive locations. The admission to Red Fort on August 15 is strictly through invitation cards and only labelled vehicles will be allowed in its vicinity, the officer said. Headcount cameras to track crowd numbers and devices to flag unattended or suspicious objects will also be deployed, while intrusion-detection cameras will monitor the restricted zones, the officer said. The special police commissioner (law and order) and deputy commissioners have been directed to maintain strict vigil in their respective jurisdictions, he said. Snipers and rooftop surveillance teams will be deployed to secure the high-rises near the Red Fort, while movement in the designated restricted zones will be strictly regulated through access control mechanisms, the officer added. Apart from multiple security drills, night patrolling and enhanced foot patrolling, plain-clothed surveillance teams are being mobilised to strengthen ground presence, especially in the sensitive zones, another officer said. "Social media platforms are also being closely monitored by the cyber units to detect and neutralise any possible online threats or misinformation campaigns that may disrupt peace," the officer said. More than 10,000 security personnel and 3,000 traffic cops, including paramilitary forces and special commandos, have been deployed for the Independence Day week, police said. Anti-sabotage checks, vehicle barricading, and verification drives are being intensified in coordination with the intelligence agencies, officials said. Commissioner Singh has also issued an order banning the use of sub-conventional aerial platforms such as paragliders, hang-gliders, UAVs, drones, hot air balloons and other remotely piloted aircraft over Delhi skies between August 2 and August 16. "These aerial platforms can be potentially misused by anti-social elements or terrorist outfits for para-jumping or launching airborne attacks, posing a serious threat to public safety, VIP security, and critical installations during the Independence Day celebrations," an official order said. All district police units have been directed to conduct foot patrolling in the markets, Metro stations, bus terminals, and other public gathering points. Senior officers have been told to remain on the ground and review the security arrangements personally. Surprise inspections and flag marches have also been planned across various districts to instil confidence among the citizens and deter the miscreants, officials said. Delhi Police is working in close coordination with the central security agencies and intelligence units to ensure that no loopholes remain in the security apparatus during this critical period, officials said.
