logo
Search for Pahalgam terror suspect carried out after Chennai flight landed, says Sri Lankan police

Search for Pahalgam terror suspect carried out after Chennai flight landed, says Sri Lankan police

NEW DELHI: A SriLankan Airlines Chennai–Colombo flight underwent a comprehensive security inspection upon its arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on Saturday, following intelligence input from India regarding the possible presence of suspected terrorists linked to the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
Sources revealed that security was also heightened at Chennai Airport after authorities received an email claiming that Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives were on board a Colombo-bound SriLankan Airlines flight. This email was received after the flight had already departed for Colombo, they added.
According to sources, the aircraft was thoroughly checked, no suspicious individuals were found, and the airplane was subsequently cleared for further operations.
In an official statement, SriLankan Airlines confirmed that Flight UL 122, operated by aircraft 4R-ALS, was subjected to a comprehensive security search upon its arrival in Colombo.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Greta Thunberg faces deportation after Israel seizes Gaza aid boat
Greta Thunberg faces deportation after Israel seizes Gaza aid boat

Business Standard

time8 hours ago

  • Business Standard

Greta Thunberg faces deportation after Israel seizes Gaza aid boat

A group of international activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, are being deported from Israel after their Gaza-bound humanitarian vessel was intercepted in international waters, Israeli authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The yacht Madleen, carrying 12 passengers and a small consignment of aid, was seized by Israeli forces and towed to the port of Ashdod on Monday. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which organised the voyage, said all activists were detained and moved to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport for deportation. According to Israel's foreign ministry, the boat's mission was a 'media provocation'. 'While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity – and which included less than a single truckload of aid – more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel within the past two weeks,' the ministry said in a post on X. Aid mission blocked at sea The Madleen had departed from Italy on June 1, carrying rice, baby formula, and other symbolic humanitarian items for Gaza. The vessel also included activists from Brazil, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey. Among those on board were French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan and Al Jazeera journalist Omar Faiad. The Israeli military dubbed the Madleen a 'selfie yacht' and downplayed the significance of its cargo. Defence Minister Israel Katz said the blockade was necessary to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas. International law dispute and media criticism The Freedom Flotilla Coalition condemned the interception as a violation of international law. 'This is an example of Israel threatening the unlawful use of force against civilians and attempting to justify that violence with smears,' the group said. They also likened the incident to the deadly 2010 Mavi Marmara raid, when Israeli commandos stormed a Turkish aid flotilla, resulting in 10 deaths. Humanitarian crisis and rising scrutiny The incident comes amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has now entered its 20th month. The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a prolonged military offensive in Gaza. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 54,880 people have been killed since the start of the war. While Israel has begun to allow limited aid via the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation—a new channel supported by the US and Israeli governments—critics argue that the effort remains inadequate. Humanitarian organisations continue to call for greater access, citing severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel in the besieged enclave. (With agency inputs)

'We saw them between two tracks': 4 dead in Thane mishap; not sure how many fell from two trains, say railway officials
'We saw them between two tracks': 4 dead in Thane mishap; not sure how many fell from two trains, say railway officials

Time of India

time9 hours ago

  • Time of India

'We saw them between two tracks': 4 dead in Thane mishap; not sure how many fell from two trains, say railway officials

'We saw them between two tracks': 4 dead in Thane mishap; not sure how many fell from two trains, say railway officials THANE: Some activists said overcrowding combined with the platform curve may have led to eight commuters simultaneously falling off two local fast trains going in opposite directions at Mumbra station Monday morning. Central Railway, however, clarified the incident did not occur on the curve. Some speculated that scuffles inside compartments might have been a cause. About the scratch marks found on the exterior of the last coach of the CSMT-bound train involved in the incident, a CR official said the rake was taken to Kalwa car shed to ascertain if the marks were sustained during the incident or were pre-existing. Those dead were identified as Ketan Saroj (23), a BPO employee and resident of Ulhasnagar, Vicky Mukhyadal (34), a railway policeman returning home to Kalyan from duty, Rahul Gupta (27) from Diva, and Mayur Shah (44) from Thane. The nine injured were Priyanka Bhatia (26) from Shahad; Sneha Dhonde (21) from Titwala; Adesh Bhoir (26) from Kasara; Rihan Shaikh (26) from Bhiwandi; Tushar Bhagat (22) from Titwala; Manish Saroj (26) from Diva; Machhindra Gotarne (39) from Vashind; and Shiva Gavli (23) and Anil More (40). They were all admitted to Jupiter Hospital. It was not clear how many people fell from each of the trains, railway officials said. Of the four dead, though, Mukhyadal was in the Karjat-bound train and two others – Saroj and Gupta -- were in the CSMT bound local; it is not yet clear which train Shah fell off. Sources said the guard of the Kasara–CSMT train raised an alarm after spotting passengers lying between the tracks. Eyewitnesses at Mumbra described a horrific scene with injured commuters lying in the gap between the up and down fast lines. Commuters and cops immediately jumped onto the tracks to help. Commuter Deepak Shirsat said crowding at Diva led to intense footboard pressure, causing his friend to fall. 'We tried pulling the chain, but it didn't stop the train,' he said. CR's chief PRO Nila said, 'Of the nine injured, five were hurt while travelling inside the compartment, and four fell off the train. All were shifted to nearby hospitals.' A CR official said, 'This is an unheard-of incident in the history of Mumbai's suburban system. There are incidents of people falling down but these are isolated. It is shocking 8 people fell at the same time.' He said the gap between two passing trains is 2 m or 6.5 ft. It means a person has to be hanging out by 3.5 ft to have collided with a passenger from opposite train. 'This is indeed baffling,' he said. The railways have now decided to introduce non-AC locals with automatic door closure and enhanced ventilation features by Jan 2026. Parallelly, they have initiated procurement of 238 AC locals. Tenders for AC rakes were floated and cancelled for 'administrative reasons' two years ago. On the sharp curve theory,commuter activist Rafique Shaikh said, 'Load often shifts to one side due to the curve, making it hard for footboard travellers to hold on.' CM Devendra Fadnavis said railways have begun an investigation. State minister Girish Mahajan announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for kin of each of the deceased and free medical care for the injured.

Thane train mishap: Overcrowding? Brushing of bags? Or did metal object do it?
Thane train mishap: Overcrowding? Brushing of bags? Or did metal object do it?

Time of India

time9 hours ago

  • Time of India

Thane train mishap: Overcrowding? Brushing of bags? Or did metal object do it?

MUMBAI: Railway officials are probing multiple angles to find out the cause of Monday's freak accident near Mumbra station that killed four commuters and left nine injured. Initial indications were that the incident may have occurred when two trains crossed each other on a sharp curve. With coaches packed to capacity, passengers standing on footboards may have been pushed or may have lost their balance due to brushing of backpacks from the opposite train. The sharp curvature near the accident spot may have reduced the lateral gap between trains, increasing chances of contact. "It is possible bags of passengers on one train brushed against those standing precariously on the edge of the footboard on the other train," said a senior railway official. However, CR officials said the incident did not happen on the curve but closer to the station. By Monday evening, CR officials said they were also suspecting a metal object may have brushed against the CSMT-bound local. CR has launched a probe into scratch marks seen on the exterior of the last coach of that local. An eyewitness was quoted by PTI as saying, "Someone from the coach ahead of ours fell off after hitting a wall or something hit our coach." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo There is also the possibility the incident was triggered by a combination of factors -- overcrowding, jostling to board or alight, and at the same time bags of passengers brushing. There is intense overcrowding on the Thane-Karjat/Kasara stretch. Harried commuters say the daily experience of boarding or alighting itself is a fight. Railway authorities are also examining if a scuffle or sudden lurch due to braking could have contributed to the tragedy.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store