Latest news with #Ilahi
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Suspected spy held in Haryana's Panipat was in touch with Pak-based ISI handler, say police
A 24-year-old youth, who has been arrested in Panipat district for allegedly supplying sensitive information to some individuals in Pakistan, was also in touch with a Pak-based ISI handler, Haryana Police sources said on Thursday. The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is Pakistan's premier military intelligence agency. The suspect, Nauman Ilahi (24) from Kairana in Uttar Pradesh, worked as a factory security guard and is accused of supplying sensitive information to Pakistan. He was nabbed on Tuesday. Illahi's arrest came amid heightened alert in Haryana in the wake of the recent military confrontation with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack last month. Just over a week ago, on May 3, the Amritsar rural police arrested two men — Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih — for allegedly photographing and sharing sensitive details of Army cantonments and airbases. Investigators believe the duo had direct links to Pakistani intelligence operatives. In a separate case, Malerkotla police arrested two individuals — including a 31-year-old woman, Guzala, and her associate Yameen Mohamad — on May 11 for allegedly aiding a Pakistani official posted at the High Commission in Delhi. Police say the two were part of a broader espionage network operating in the region. The latest arrest before Ilahi's came from Bathinda, where on May 13, a tailor working inside the military station was taken into custody on suspicion of spying. Authorities revealed that he was the second civilian linked to espionage from that location — the first being Sunil Kumar, a cobbler arrested on April 29. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to cease all firing and military actions on land, air and sea with immediate effect following four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes that brought the two countries to the brink of full-scale war. Ilahi was reportedly staying with his sister, Zeenat, and brother-in-law, Irfan, in Hali Colony in Panipat. Zeenat and Irfan, however, told reporters that Illahi mostly stayed at the factory or headed to his Kairana home. In between, sometimes he used to visit their home, they said. Expressing surprise at Ilahi's arrest, Irfan said, 'The last time he came here was a few days ago, and he said he was going to Delhi. Afterwards, we had police coming to our home and questioning us and taking our statements.'Zeenat, his sister, however, was more stern in her reaction.'If he has done this kind of activity as is being alleged, then he should be severely punished,' she said. Illahi has studied till Class 10, the family informed.
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Panipat security guard held for alleged espionage
The Panipat police on Wednesday arrested a 24-year-old security guard on suspicion of sharing sensitive information with Pakistani contacts. This marks the fourth such incident in the past few weeks in connection with alleged espionage activities. The accused, Nauman Ilahi, hails from Kairana in Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh and was employed as a guard at an industrial unit in Panipat. According to Karnal superintendent of police Ganga Ram Punia, who also holds additional charge of Panipat, Ilahi was taken into custody on Tuesday based on credible intelligence inputs. During interrogation, authorities claim, Ilahi admitted to having connections with individuals in Pakistan and leaking critical information. 'An FIR has been registered at the Industrial Area police station based on evidence gathered so far. His mobile phone has been seized for further investigation, which remains at a preliminary stage,' said SP Punia, adding that more individuals are being questioned and inputs are being verified with other agencies. The arrest comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Just over a week ago, on May 3, the Amritsar rural police arrested two men — Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih — for allegedly photographing and sharing sensitive details of Army cantonments and airbases. Investigators believe the duo had direct links to Pakistani intelligence operatives. In a separate case, Malerkotla police arrested two individuals — including a 31-year-old woman, Guzala, and her associate Yameen Mohamad — on May 11 for allegedly aiding a Pakistani official posted at the High Commission in Delhi. Police say the two were part of a broader espionage network operating in the region. The latest arrest before Ilahi's came from Bathinda, where on May 13, a tailor working inside the military station was taken into custody on suspicion of spying. Authorities revealed that he was the second civilian linked to espionage from that location — the first being Sunil Kumar, a cobbler arrested on April 29.
The Print
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Suspected spy held in Haryana's Panipat for sharing information with Pakistan
'…(Ilahi) was in contact with some people in Pakistan and was supplying sensitive information to them,' Karnal SP Ganga Ram Punia, who is also holding an additional charge as Panipat SP, said. The suspect, Nauman Ilahi (24), is from Kairana in Uttar Pradesh, who had been working as a private security guard in the district, the police said on Wednesday. Chandigarh, May 14 (PTI) A suspected spy was arrested in Panipat district on Tuesday for allegedly supplying sensitive information to some individuals in Pakistan, Haryana Police said. When asked who Illahi was in touch with, Punia said, 'These things are part of investigations. We have seized his mobile phone, and further investigation is ongoing.' Illahi's arrest comes amid heightened alert in Haryana in the wake of the recent military confrontation with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack last month. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to cease all firing and military actions on land, air and sea with immediate effect following four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes that brought the two countries to the brink of full-scale war. This arrest comes close on the heels of another incident in which Punjab Police said they have arrested two persons, including a woman, for their alleged involvement in espionage activities linked to a Pakistani official posted at the High Commission in Delhi. PTI SUN AMJ AMJ AMJ This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Farmers deploy next-gen solution to protect world's most expensive spice: 'Amazing innovation'
Scientists are moving quickly to protect India's production of an iconic and coveted spice, saffron, from rising threats like record-setting temperatures, urbanization, and unpredictable rainfall. Reuters reported on the impact on the Kashmir region, which accounts for 90% of the nation's production. Saffron is the world's most valuable spice that can command up to 325,000 rupees ($3,800 USD) a kilogram (2.2 pounds). Cultivating it is labor-intensive and includes picking the saffron by hand off of the bright purple flowers of crocus plants. India is second in the world to Iran in saffron production, with much of it in the farms of the Kashmir town of Pampore. Unfortunately, that output is lagging. In the 2010-11 financial year, the nation produced 8.8 tons of the spice. By 2023-24, the federal government revealed that number had been cut by more than a third to 2.8 tons. To address the issue, farming crocus plants indoors is a remedy to the outdoors' ever-changing and frequently inhospitable climate. One of the scientists involved, Dr. Bashir Ilahi, told Reuters that cultivating saffron indoors in tubes with essential nutrients and appropriate levels of moisture offers many advantages. "Growing saffron in a controlled environment demonstrates temperature resistance and significantly reduces the risk of crop failure," Ilahi noted. While many local farmers relish in the old-school process of growing it outdoors, Ilahi and others have found takers after giving demonstrations on indoor farming. Abdul Majeed, president of Kashmir's Saffron Growers Association, called the development an "amazing innovation." Majeed himself is an indoor grower. The scientists' proactive solution using indoor farming is part of many attempts to leverage the new technology. A startup, Plenty, is an exciting solution that can help cut down on pesticide use while using less land and water than conventional outdoor plots. Scientists have even gone so far as to explore indoor farming that includes growing crops in the dark. While those examples of indoor farming are intended to minimize the use of land, water, and pesticides, India's use of it joins other attempts to get creative in fighting climate threats. There's a global effort to engineer more resilient crops that can withstand the increase in threats like floods, extreme heat, and droughts. To get there, scientists are trying to learn new insights about how plants protect themselves against threats. It's a big challenge, but all of these innovations can help protect against food insecurity while helping to make agriculture more efficient and viable in the long term. Do you think we still have a lot to learn from ancient cultures? Definitely Only on certain topics I'm not sure No — not really Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. As long as the world keeps getting hotter, extreme weather events and more challenging conditions for agriculture look to be a certain reality. Some saffron growers in India are urging the country to do even more to protect farmers against the rising risks to the crop. "The government should promote indoor saffron cultivation on a much larger scale as climate change is affecting the entire world, and Kashmir is no exception," saffron grower Manzoor Ahmad Mir related to Reuters. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
