Latest news with #Maulvi


Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘We're tightening the noose': 3 months since Pahalgam, how Army is working to corner terrorists
From night operations to dominating higher ground – with exactly three months having passed since the Pahalgam terror attack, the Army is working overtime to ensure terrorists don't get a moment to settle in dense forests and mountain ranges of Jammu and Kashmir, top officers have told The Indian Express. Earlier, top Army sources said, operations would often be suspended following sunset and would resume at dawn. However, the shift to more night operations is intended to ensure that terrorists can neither rest at one place nor move around easily in the dark. On June 26, search operations during the night led a joint party of the police and security forces to establish contact with a group of terrorists in Basantgarh area of Udhampur, resulting in the killing of a top terrorist commander of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad. Identified as Haider, codenamed Maulvi from Pakistan, he was active in the area for the last four years. Sources also said that security forces have made it a point to occupy the higher ground in the Pir Panjal range. A senior Army officer cited a recent encounter in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar, where a group of terrorists moving upwards towards a ridge was caught off guard by the Army troops, who were already dominating the strategic mountain heights. The militants, who are believed to have been on the way to the South Kashmir side, on the other side of the ridge, were challenged by the troops and retaliated by hurling a grenade. Two terrorists were killed in the morning of May 22. 'We are tightening the noose,' a senior Army officer said. Pointing out that 'the terrorists are finding it increasingly difficult to move', he said, 'We will hunt them down, sooner or later.' Pointing out that 40-50 terrorists in small groups are believed to be active in areas falling on the South of Pir Panjal range in Jammu province, sources said that over 80 per cent are Pakistani nationals. The counter-terror operations, Army sources said, are in progress not only in areas of Rajouri and Poonch districts along the Line of Control, but also in the hinterland areas of Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur and Kathua districts.


Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Encounter in Kishtwar after security forces intensify search operations in Jammu
An encounter broke out Sunday between the Indian Army and some terrorists in Hadal Gal area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar following a search operation in the area. In a post on X, Army's White Knight Corps said: 'OP CHERJI. Based on specific inputs an operation was launched by #IndianArmy in the Hadal Gal area of #Kishtwar Sector. Contact has been established with #terrorists. The #operation is currently in progress'. This comes amid searches in Jammu in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack at Pahalgam in Kashmir where 26 people – mostly tourists but also one local pony operator – were shot dead. Searches have especially intensified in the areas south of the Pir Panjal range. Although there are no details yet, sources said there were intelligence reports that '2-3 terrorists' were reportedly hiding in Hadal Gal and that security forces equipped with night vision devices are conducting searches even during night. This comes nearly a month after a topmost commander of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad was killed in a joint operation by security forces and the police in the adjoining Dudu-Basantgarh area of Udhampur district. According to officials, the terrorist, identified as Haider and codenamed Maulvi, was from Pakistan and was part of a four-member group that is suspected to have entered Basantgarh from the adjoining Kathua district. The police and security forces said thy had been tracking the group since last year after a village defense guard (VDG) and an Army soldier were killed in separate encounters. While Haider was killed on June 26, his accomplices managed to escape into the thick forests.


Indian Express
5 days ago
- Indian Express
IT professional among three arrested, Rs 40.35 lakh hawala money recovered in Bharuch: Police
An IT professional, among three persons, was arrested and Rs 40.35 lakh hawala money was allegedly recovered from them, in Bharuch, said police on Friday. The Bharuch Special Operation Group (SOG) officials arrested the three accused, all residents of Bharuch, on Thursday night. The police identified the accused as Mohammed Javid Patel (24), who works as an IT professional at a private firm; Huzaifa Patel (22), who works as an assistant engineer at a factory, and Zakariya Bariwala (Patel) (23), who works at another private firm. The three accused have been booked under the provisions of the BNSS, said police. According to police, the three accused had on Monday stolen the hawala money from a man's car in Ankleshwar. The man, identified as Maulvi Musa Randera (Patel) of Surat district's Mangrol taluka, works at a madrasa in Maharashtra's Aurangabad, said police. Earlier, the Bharuch police had received a tip-off about three men stealing an Eco car from the parking of Omkar Complex in Ankleshwar. On checking the CCTV footage of the area, the Bharuch SOG police found that the three accused persons, who had come on a two-wheeler, had stolen money from the car, not the vehicle. Further probe led the police to the three accused, who were hiding in a house in Bharuch district's Karmad village, said sources. On Thursday, the Bharuch SOG police arrested the three men. During checking, the police recovered Rs 40.35 lakh from the accused even as the rest of the amount is yet to be seized. After primary interrogation, the trio confessed to the theft in Ankleshwar. Bharuch SOG Police Inspector Anand Chaudhary said, 'Accused Huzaifa knew that his friend Shakir Patel was involved in a hawala racket in Bharuch. A few days back, he had hacked Shakir's mobile phone and was tracking his WhatsApp messages. On Sunday, Huzaifa came to know about a large amount of money being delivered in a garment shop for Maulvi Musa Randera (Patel). Huzaifa along with his two friends reached the area on the said date and started following the Maulvi. The Maulvi, after collecting the money from the shop in his Eco car, left the spot'. Inspector Chaudhary added: 'The three accused later chased the car till the Omkar Complex in Ankleshwar, where the Maulvi parked his vehicle and went for shopping at a nearby store. The three accused meanwhile stole the Rs 48 lakh from his car and escaped.' Based on the statements given by the accused, the Bharuch SOG police questioned the garment shop owner, Afzal Patel, who is also Zakariya's elder brother. During his interrogation, Afzal shared that 'Shakir Patel had told him that one Zahur Patel would deliver Rs 48 lakh in cash at his shop and the same should be given to Maulvi Randera'. On the basis of Afzal's statements, the Bharuch SOG police detained the Maulvi and Shakir Patel for questioning even as accused Zahur Patel is absconding, said sources. Chaudhary further added, 'During the probe, the Maulvi told us that the money was sent by his cousin brother Zahid Nomani, a resident of Zambia, as the former wanted to purchase a house.' Inspector Chaudhary said, 'We cross-checked the information shared by Maulvi and found that his cousin did go to Zambia around five years ago but is not financially sound. A probe has been launched into the matter.' Meanwhile, police sources said that Shakir and Afzal Patel 'had been involved in hawala trading activities for the past couple of years'. The Bharuch police, after seizing Rs 40.35 lakh, informed the Enforcement Directorate officials in Surat, said sources.


News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Kabir Khan Reveals CBFC Asked To Cut 'Maulvi' Om Puri's 'Jai Shree Ram' Chant In Bajrangi Bhaijaan
The censors felt that the dialogue would hurt certain sentiments, especially those of the Muslim population. Kabir Khan's Bajrangi Bhaijaan, starring Salman Khan as the lead, is one of the most talked-about films in both their filmographies. With its deep political messaging and balanced entertainment, the film has amassed a great fan following over the years. As the film clocks 10 years, the director opened up to SCREEN and revealed that the CBFC asked him to make a major edit. In the film, Om Puri played the role of a Maulvi in Pakistan. His character appeared during a crucial part of the film and emphasised humanity above religious and national boundaries. However, in one of the scenes, he remarked, 'Thoda sa humare paas bhi hai Kashmir." When asked if Kabir Khan felt that this could be seen as provocative, the filmmaker said, 'No, I wasn't thinking too much back then." Kabir Khan said, 'I just followed my heart. But you're right, today, people judge a film before watching it. But back then, not one person said the film was offensive. Although there was a line the censors wanted me to cut, when Om Puri says 'Jai Shri Ram' to Salman as he's seeing them off." The filmmaker added, 'They thought it might upset people, especially the Muslim population. But I fought for it. I remember watching the film at Gaiety Galaxy, one of the most quintessential single-screen experiences in Mumbai. The theatre, packed with Muslim blue-collar workers from Bandra, erupted in cheers when that line came. It was the clearest sign that everyone who doubted it was wrong. You could see how deeply the moment landed with them." When asked if Kabir had anticipated that the film would strike an emotional chord with the audience, he said, 'Not at that level. I knew it was emotional, but I thought it'd be funnier than emotional. After the release, I visited theatres and saw people just sitting in their seats, not getting up. I realised they were trying to compose themselves. They were sobbing. That's when it hit me, this is really emotional. Even now, when I rewatch the last part, I get misty-eyed. And if I'm tearing up, then I can understand the impact it's had on audiences." In the same chat, Kabir Khan also revealed that Om Puri was not the first choice for the role. Kabir Khan had initially approached Naseeruddin Shah, who loved the script and the character, but couldn't finally be in the film. First Published: July 17, 2025, 10:22 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
6 days ago
- News18
Karnataka Man Accuses Wife Of Forced Conversion, Threatening Him With False Rape Case
Last Updated: A Karnataka man has alleged that his wife and her family coerced him into religious practices and secretly changed his name during a Muslim wedding ceremony. A man in Karnataka has accused his wife of forcing him to convert to Islam and threatening him with rape complaints if he did not obey her. According to an NDTV report, the man, Vishal Kumar Gokavi, hailing from the Gadag district of the state, alleged he had been in a relationship with Tahseen Hosamani for three years. They got their marriage registered in November 2024. However, Hosamani forced him they marry again as per Muslim customs, he alleged, as per the report. As he agreed to the same, their marriage rituals according to Islamic traditions concluded on April 25. Gokavi has now claimed that his name was changed without his knowledge during the ceremony. He also said he was unknowingly converted by a 'Maulvi' (Muslim cleric) during the event, according to the report. Later, as the man's family wanted them to marry as per Hindu traditions, Hosamani protested to the same under pressure from her family, the man claimed. He also alleged that Hosamani and her mother, Begum Banu, had forced him to offer namaz and attend jamaat, according to the report. As the case was reported, the police registered a complaint under Section 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class) and Section 302 (protects individuals from actions intended to harm their religious sentiments) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Last week, the Uttar Pradesh Police arrested a man in Shahjahanpur after a woman alleged that he sexually exploited her for two years, made objectionable videos and pressured her to convert to Islam. Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajesh Dwivedi told PTI on Sunday that the 32-year-old woman alleged in her complaint that the man, Mohammad Naveed alias Qasim Pathan, befriended her on Instagram two years ago by posing as a Hindu. The police registered a case against Naveed, his brother Kaif, Akil, Alam, Uzma and Shaman under sections related to rape, forced abortion and relevant provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.