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News18
18 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
India May Pursue Extradition Of Babbar Khalsa Terrorist Batala, Others Linked To Khalistani Network From US
Top sources have told News18 that, following a major crackdown by US law enforcement agencies, all such wanted persons are being pursued legally The Indian government could legally pursue the extradition of Babbar Khalsa terrorist Pavittar Singh Batala and others linked to the Khalistani network from the United States. Top sources have told CNN-News18 that, following a major crackdown by US law enforcement agencies, all such wanted persons are being pursued legally. The potential extradition marks a significant development in India's ongoing efforts to counter cross-border terrorism and dismantle extremist networks operating from foreign soil. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested eight individuals across the country in a significant operation against an international terror network. Among them is Pavittar Singh Batala, a Punjab-based gangster wanted by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) for terror activities linked to the banned group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). The arrests, a result of a coordinated operation involving multiple US law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and SWAT teams, also led to the seizure of a cache of arms, ammunition, and cash, underscoring the severity of their alleged criminal and terror activities. Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) is a Pakistan-backed Sikh separatist organisation designated as a terrorist group by several countries, including India, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, and Malaysia. Its goal is the creation of an independent Sikh state called Khalistan in the Punjab region of India. Batla's will be the second such case after reports indicate that wanted Khalistani terrorist Happy Passia is set to be extradited to India from the United States in the coming days. The pursuit of Batala's extradition falls under the existing extradition treaty between India and the United States, which provides the legal framework for transferring fugitives to face justice in their respective countries. Should the extradition succeed, it would be a major triumph for India, demonstrating strengthened bilateral cooperation on security matters and sending a strong message to Khalistani elements believed to be operating from North America. The NIA has charge-sheeted Jatinder Singh, alias Joti, a key aide of Babbar Khalsa International terrorist Lakhbir Singh, alias Landa, and dreaded gangster Pavittar Batala in a Punjab terror conspiracy case. Jatinder Singh, from the Gurdaspur district of Punjab, was arrested by the NIA in Mumbai on December 23 last year, according to an official statement. Jatinder Singh was involved in the illegal procurement and supply of firearms from Madhya Pradesh to Punjab-based gangsters, the agency said. He was facilitating the supply of weapons to operatives of Pavittar Batala, a close associate of designated terrorist Landa. The weapons were being used by Batala's operatives in Punjab to promote Babbar Khalsa International's criminal-terror activities. On June 12, the NIA searched 15 locations linked with the Babbar Khalsa International in Punjab and Haryana. The places searched included Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Kapurthala, and Rupnagar districts of Punjab, and Sirsa in Haryana in connection with the January grenade attack at a police post in Amritsar. 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.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Tree ATM 4.0 launch to drive Ludh's green action
Ludhiana: Come Saturday, Pahwa auditorium in Guru Nanak Bhawan will be painted green. It will host an event to mark Van Mahotsav. The initiative is being taken by the municipal corporation, in association with Punjab-based NGO CityNeeds, the district administration, and the district forest department The day will begin with a workshop on 'Plantation —The Right Way'. The objective is to train students, volunteers, and Eco Club leaders in effective and scientific plantation practices. The workshop will be addressed by senior environmentalist Balwinder Singh Lakhewali and Brij Mohan Bhardwaj, horticulturist and secretary, SOCH. They will highlight the importance of native species, site preparation, and post-care techniques, scientific methods for plant survival, and the dos and don'ts of community plantations. It will be followed by the Green Guardian Awards 2025. The awards will be presented to individuals and institutions who demonstrated exceptional care of saplings planted under last year's Tree ATM 3.0 campaign. Mayor Inderjit Kaur, along with deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain, MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal, and assistant commissioner Jasdev Sekhon will give away the awards. Following the award ceremony, Tree ATM 4.0 will be formally flagged off, marking the launch of Ludhiana's most innovative mobile plantation service. Through this initiative, citizens can book a free tree plantation at their site. After evaluation, volunteers from Marshall Aid will visit with tools and native saplings to conduct professional plantation, supported by geo-tagging and follow-up checks. CityNeeds tree ATM has now entered its fourth year. "The survival rate of last year's plantation was 54% overall, but the ones planted within a boundary wall or fencing had an 80% survival rate. So, we have decided not to plant saplings in public areas without tree guards and are aiming for a 70% survival rate of plants this year," said Maneet Dewan, founder of CityNeeds. Bookings for Tree ATM 4.0 have already started and can be made at . "The service is free and includes saplings, tools, and trained volunteers, but CityNeeds will be very particular about site selection. "The site must have fencing, water supply, and a designated caretaker," said Jasdev Sekhon. BOX HIGHLIGHTS OF EVENT The day will begin with a workshop on 'Plantation —The Right Way'. The objective of the workshop is to train students, volunteers, and Eco Club leaders in effective and scientific plantation practices It will be followed by the Green Guardian Awards 2025. The awards will be presented to individuals and institutions who demonstrated exceptional care of saplings planted under last year's Tree ATM 3.0 campaign Following the award ceremony, Tree ATM 4.0 will be formally flagged off, marking the launch of Ludhiana's most innovative mobile plantation service KNOW MORE ABOUT TREE ATM Through this initiative, citizens can book a free tree plantation at their site. After evaluation, volunteers from Marshall Aid will visit with tools and native saplings to conduct professional plantation, supported by geo-tagging and follow-up checks Bookings for Tree ATM 4.0 have already started and can be made at The service is free and includes saplings, tools, and trained volunteers
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
More embarrassment for All India Football Federation as international sports court declares Inter Kashi as I-League champions
In April — three weeks after the final round of matches were played — the All India Football Federation (AIFF) handed over the I-League trophy to Churchill Brothers. Three months on, the federation will have to organise another ceremony — and this time hand over the trophy to Inter Kashi. The Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected the AIFF Appeal Committee's decision to award the title to Churchill Brothers of Goa and declared that Kashi, instead, should be declared the second-division champions. The decision, which came on Friday, will end a months-long saga that overshadowed a nail-biting season. The international sports court's verdict will come as further embarrassment for an under-fire AIFF as it had earlier announced Churchill Brothers as the I-League champions. Their decision came after its Appeal Committee ruled against Inter Kashi in a matter related to the fielding of an 'ineligible player'. The Varanasi club had ended in second spot after points were deducted from their tally. Truth will always emerge victorious! 💪🏼🧡#IndianFootball #ILeague #HarHarKashi #Kashi — Inter Kashi (@InterKashi) July 18, 2025 However, Inter Kashi approached the CAS, which asked the AIFF to reverse its decision. 'The AIFF shall forthwith declare Inter Kashi FC as winner of the I-league 2024-25 season,' the Lausanne-based CAS said in its order, according to the Press Trust of India. 'The appeal filed on 4 June 2025 by Inter Kashi FC against the decision issued on 31 May 2025 by the Appeal Committee of the All-India Football Federation is partially upheld. The decision issued on 31 May 2025 by the Appeal Committee of the All India Football Federation is set aside.' On January 13, Namdhari beat Inter Kashi 2-0 in the I-League. After the match was over, Inter Kashi disputed the result, alleging that Namdhari had fielded an ineligible player, Cledson Carvalho da Silva — also known as Dé. They contended that Dé should have been suspended under the AIFF's rules, claiming he had accumulated four yellow cards through the season. The fact that one of his yellow cards led to a sending-off presented a confusing scenario for the parties involved. It took more than one month for the AIFF's Disciplinary Committee, headed by a former Uttarakhand High Court judge, to announce its verdict. On February 24, the committee upheld Inter Kashi's appeal and handed them a 3-0 win. At that point, it placed Inter Kashi above Churchill Brothers in the title race. Namdhari immediately appealed the decision. The Punjab-based club claimed that the AIFF's portal 'did not show' that the player was suspended for the match and hence, they fielded him. Another month later, on March 27, the AIFF Appeals Committee, headed by a former Allahabad High Court judge, put the earlier decision in abeyance. It meant that Churchill regained their position at the top of the table. The appeals committee said it would continue hearing the case on April 28, long after the league was done and dusted. On April 6, the final day of the I-League, Churchill did just enough against Real Kashmir to finish top of the table with 40 points whereas Inter Kashi defeated Rajasthan United to end the season that afternoon with 39 points. They hoped that if the AIFF's appeals committee gave the verdict in their favour, like the disciplinary panel, they would get the three points and leapfrog Churchill to become champions. Amidst confusion and outcry over the lack of clarity regarding the champions, the appeals committee brought forward the hearing to April 12. And after speaking to all parties, it sided with Namdhari, thus paving the way for Churchill to be crowned the champions on April 20 — two weeks after the league was over. Inter Kashi approached CAS even as the AIFF handed over the trophy to Churchill. Now, with the CAS ruling in their favour, the AIFF will have to take the trophy back from Churchill and hand it over to Inter Kashi.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Efforts on for safe return of Punjab farmer in Pak police custody, BSF tells family
Bathinda: Nearly four weeks after young Punjab farmer Amritpal Singh inadvertently crossed over into Pakistani territory from his field across the border fence, BSF has informed his family that efforts were being made for his safe return. The family received a letter Thursday from Punjab Frontier BSF headquarters that Pakistan police were investigating the case. Amritpal's family fears Pakistani authorities may suspect him of crossing over intentionally as a spy. In response to a letter from Amritpal's father, Jugraj Singh, to BSF headquarters on July 4, the border force has said Pakistan Rangers was being repeatedly approached for Amritpal's return. However, Pakistan Rangers has said he was in police custody and an "investigation" was in progress. Amritpal — a married man with an infant son — hails from Khere Ke Uttar village and has agricultural land in the jurisdiction of Rana Panjgrain, which is near the Zero Line. On June 21 afternoon, he signed the BSF register at the fence to cross over to his field but didn't sign out. Later, BSF personnel found footprints heading towards Pakistan and realised he had inadvertently crossed the border. On June 22, an FIR was registered and, five days later, BSF told his family Pakistan Rangers had confirmed he was in its custody. The family is desperate to get him back safely and has repeatedly approached BSF and other Indian authorities. Ferozepur MP Sher Singh Ghubaya met BSF DG Daljit Singh Chawdhary on July 5 and urged him to reach out to Pakistan Rangers through Punjab-based officials of BSF by holding flag meetings. On July 11, Jugraj met Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria, accompanied by BJP's Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi. The governor immediately had a telephonic conversation with BSF officials. Jugraj said they were living in anxiety and had been reaching out to civil and BSF authorities for nearly four weeks but to no avail.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Tripura power corp to go ahead with smart meter installation
Agartala: Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd (TSECL) has confirmed its decision to proceed with the installation of smart/prepaid electricity meters for domestic consumers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This decision has been met with strong opposition from political parties, civil society organisations, and consumer groups across the state. Protesters have criticised BJP's stance on smart meters, pointing out the party's contradictory position in West Bengal, where it opposed the installation of smart meters. Following protests over allegedly inflated electricity bills, the West Bengal govt halted the installation of smart meters for domestic consumers. "The BJP's actions in Tripura contradict their stance in West Bengal," said Jitendra Chaudhury, leader of the opposition. "The West Bengal govt recognised the issues and stopped the installation work," he added. Despite the backlash, TSECL managing director Biswajit Basu defended the decision, stating that the allegations against smart meters are unfounded and that any issues are likely due to human error or local problems. In a related development, TSECL has issued a showcause notice to TDS Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd, a Punjab-based billing agency, after uncovering significant irregularities in Tripura's energy meter billing system. An investigation led by Tripura power minister Ratan Lal Nath revealed large-scale underbilling and potential corruption in Khowai district. The investigation found that meter readers submitted average billing data despite having fully functional meters, leading to financial losses for TSECL. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Basu emphasised the benefits of smart meters, stating, "Smart meters will reduce TSECL's loss burden, improve consumer compliance, and enhance service quality. We've launched a campaign to educate consumers on the advantages of smart meters. The technology is reliable, similar to UPI transactions, which have not reported discrepancies." As the controversy continues, TSECL remains firm in its commitment to modernizing the state's electricity infrastructure.
