Latest news with #OperationFalcon
Asia News Network
4 days ago
- Asia News Network
‘Operation Falcon' in India's Assam nets 42 people in crackdown on rhino poaching
August 12, 2025 NEW DELHI – The Assam government has arrested over 40 people, including several with suspected links to international trafficking syndicates, under the state's year-long anti-poaching campaign 'Operation Falcon', officials said on Monday. Launched in 2024 in response to a sudden surge in rhino killings, the operation targets both domestic and cross-border networks responsible for hunting the endangered one-horned rhinoceros for its horn. The Indian one-horned rhino, found mainly in Assam's Kaziranga National Park and a few other protected areas, is a UNESCO World Heritage species and a global conservation success story — but remains vulnerable to poaching driven by demand in illicit markets. Rhino horns, falsely believed in some parts of Asia to have medicinal or aphrodisiac properties, fetch exorbitant prices on the black market, fuelling organised crime. Trafficking routes often extend from Assam through Myanmar and onward to Southeast Asian destinations, where the horns are sold to clandestine buyers. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the crackdown as an unprecedented joint effort between the Assam Police and the state forest department, blending 'on-ground surveillance with advanced digital intelligence' to hunt down suspects. 'Operation Falcon — breaking the back of poaching and illegal animal trade,' he posted on social media, pledging that the campaign will continue until poaching is eradicated. The arrests — spread across Biswanath, Darrang, Nagaon, Karbi Anglong, Sonitpur, Udalguri, Dibrugarh, and Cachar districts — have disrupted several interstate and international smuggling channels. Some detainees are allegedly part of larger organised crime rings with tentacles in neighbouring countries. Assam, home to more than two-thirds of the world's one-horned rhino population, has witnessed both highs and lows in rhino conservation. A record drop in poaching in 2022 had raised hopes, but fresh killings in late 2023 and early 2024 prompted the government to launch Operation Falcon as a zero-tolerance measure. Authorities believe the coordinated crackdown will have a lasting deterrent effect. 'We are committed to ensuring that Assam remains a safe haven for the rhino,' the chief minister said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
42 poachers held, gangs trading in rhino horns busted since '24
1 2 Guwahati: At least 42 poachers were arrested, six major rhino poaching gangs with links to illegal trade of animal parts through Myanmar were identified and nine poaching attempts were foiled under 'Operation Falcon' by the Assam Police and forest department since the operation was launched last year. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma shared a video on 'X' on Monday, hailing the success of the departments' efforts against poaching. He said the operation broke the back of poaching and illegal animal trade. He added that poachers were chased, using all available resources, and nabbed. The programme was launched in 2024 against poachers following the killing of two rhinos in Kaziranga, which prompted authorities to rethink their anti-poaching strategy. The operation uses extensive on-ground intelligence and advanced digital surveillance to track and foil poaching attempts and hunt down traffickers involved in illegal rhino-horn trade. Under the operation, inter-state and international nexus were identified, and six major rhino poaching gangs were linked to illegal trade through Myanmar. Nine rhino poaching attempts have been foiled so far, as mentioned in the video clip. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 10 Best Mattresses by Consumer Reports (Here's What You May Not Want to Miss) QuestionHero Learn More Undo Highest number of arrests were made in Biswanath, which shares the border with the northern boundary of Kaziranga National Park. Nagaon and Karbi Anglong, from where six and five poachers were arrested respectively, also share a border with the park. 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.
The Print
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
11 August 2025: INDIA MPs detained, faint during protest on ‘vote chori' & other news of the day
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Delhi government and civic bodies to start picking up stray dogs from all localities and keep them at shelters, terming the menace in the city as 'extremely grim'. Delhi police have detained protesting MPs, including Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi, Sanjay Raut, and Sagarika Ghose. Some MPs also fainted during the protest including TMC MP Mahua Moitra. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is leading a protest march today of INDIA alliance MPs to the Election Commission headquarters against alleged voter fraud and special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said that dog shelters should be created to accommodate around 5000 stray dogs. Another girl sets herself on fire in Odisha, fights for life A 13 year-old girl in Odisha's Barghat district allegedly set herself on fire and is currently struggling for life at a hospital, police said Monday. This marks the fourth such incident within a month in the state. The minor was in a half-burnt condition when villagers rescued her from a football ground. Mumbai civic body covers Kabutarkhana once again Mumbai's Dadar area city civic body has covered the pigeon feeding spot, or 'Kabutarkhana' with plastic sheets once again, days after agitators removed the tarpaulin cover. Security has been ramped up in the area to deter people from feeding the birds, officials said Monday. Security operation in J&K's Kishtwar enters second day The security operation to neutralise two most wanted Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists entered the second day on Monday, in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district. Officials say the terrorists—Riyaz Ahmad and Mudassar Hazari—are believed to be hiding in Bhangna forest in Dool area, 25 km away from Kishtwar town. The search operation started Sunday following intelligence input about the Hizbul terrorists' presence. More than 40 arrests made under anti-poaching exercise in Assam According to a video clip shared Monday by Assam Chief Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma, over 40 arrests have been made, several gangs with international links identified and poaching attempts foiled since last year under 'Operation Falcon' against Rhino Killings in the state. Sharing the video in an X post, he said poachers have been chased using all available resources. Kerala Governor sparks row with 'Partition Horror Day' directive A row was sparked in Kerala Monday over a reported June circular in the Raj Bhavan, directed to universities, to observe 14 August as 'Partition Horror Day.' V Sivankutty, the state education minister, and LoP V D Satheesan questioned the Governor's authority to issue the circular without the approval of the council of ministers. Lok Sabha passes two sports bills The Lok Sabha passed two sports bills Monday after a brief discussion, amid opposition protests over the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. The lower house took up the National Sports Governance Bill and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill for consideration in the passage, after reassembling at 2pm, following the adjournment. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya said the bills were key reforms aimed at building a transparent, accountable and world-class ecosystem in India. FM introduces Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, aiming to provide tax exemptions to subscribers of the Unified Pension Scheme. The Bill seeks to amend the Income Tax Act, 1961 and the Finance Act, 2025. The Bill also proposes changes in the scheme of block assessment with regard to Income Tax search cases, and to provide certain direct tax benefits to public investment funds of Saudi Arabia. Home Minister to inaugurate All India Speakers Conference on August 24 Delhi Vidhan Sabha Speaker Vijender Gupta announced Monday that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the All India Speakers' Conference on August 24 at the Delhi Assembly. Gupta said that 32 Speakers and Deputy Speakers, chairmen and deputy chairmen, have confirmed their participation in the event. 'This is the first time in India that such an event is happening,' he added. Saksham Thakur is an intern with The Print. Also read: Akhilesh & Mahua jump barricade, Rahul rushes to TMC MP's aide as Oppn march to EC runs into police wall
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Operation Falcon saves Assam rhinos, says CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
GUWAHATI: The Assam government has achieved a significant success in protecting the one-horned rhinos – the pride of the state – from poachers since it launched 'Operation Falcon. 'Operation Falcon is a collaborative effort of the Assam Police and the Assam Forest Department launched last year. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted a video of Operation Falcon through X on Monday, stating, it was breaking the back of poaching and illegal animal trade. According to the video, the killings of two rhinos prompted a rethink in anti-poaching strategy vis-à-vis the launch of Operation Falcon against poachers.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
More than 40 arrests made under anti-poaching exercise in Assam, says video shared by CM Himanta Biswa Sharma
'More than 40 arrests have been made, several gangs with links to international outfits identified and multiple poaching attempts foiled since last year under 'Operation Falcon' against rhino killings in Assam,' according to a video clip shared by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday (August 11, 2025.) 'Poachers have been chased, using all available resources, from on-ground to digital intelligence,' he said. '#OperationFalcon – breaking the back of poaching and illegal animal trade,' he said in a post on X, sharing a video on the success of the drive. The video mentioned that 'Operation Falcon' is a collaborative effort between the Assam Police and the Forest Department. The programme was launched in 2024 against poachers as the killing of two rhinos prompted the authorities to rethink their anti-poaching strategy. 'The poachers were chased ruthlessly using all available resources and tracked through extensive use of on-ground and digital intelligence,' it said. "Under the operation, inter-State and international nexus has been identified, six major rhino poaching gangs have been identified linked to illegal trade through Myanmar, and nine rhino poaching attempts have been foiled," the video clip said. Altogether 42 poachers have been arrested across the State – 18 in Biswanath, eight in Darrang, six in Nagaon, five in Karbi Anglong, two in Sonitpur and one each in Udalguri, Dibrugarh and Cachar. 'Operation Falcon will continue till we eliminate poaching from Assam,' the video asserted. The one-horned rhinos of the State are targeted by poachers for their horns, which are superstitiously believed to possess medicinal or healing values, though scientific studies have shown no truth in such beliefs.
