States

A temple festival elephant turned violent near Nooranad in Alappuzha, injuring its mahout and damaging several parked vehicles. Wildlife officials later tranquilised the animal and moved it away. The injured mahout is undergoing treatment at Kottayam Medical College, police said

Mumbai ATS arrested 21-year-old engineering student Ayan Sheikh for alleged links with banned terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed and ISIS. He is accused of sharing extremist propaganda, attempting online radicalisation and recruitment via Telegram, while investigators analyse seized digital evidence and possible funding links

Six children, including five girls, drowned in a water-filled pit in Lohargava village, East Champaran. Villagers said the tragedy occurred when one girl slipped while bathing, and others jumped in to save her. Authorities recovered the bodies

A farmer, Rajeev, reportedly died in a suspected elephant attack in Sulthan Bathery while trying to drive off an elephant from his farm. Forest officials await postmortem confirmation amid local complaints over inadequate protection and compensation

The Indian Army opened fire after detecting suspicious movement along the Line of Control in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, thwarting a possible infiltration bid. The White Knight Corps has intensified surveillance amid ongoing anti-terror operations in the border region

The Election Commission of India received a report from West Bengal’s CEO flagging deliberate delays by electoral officers during the Special Intensive Revision. The office recommended disciplinary action, while a dispute erupted with the West Bengal Civil Service (Executive) Officers’ Association

A 13-year-old boy, Unais Khan, was killed by a bullet at a birthday party in Lucknow’s Krishna Nagar area. The firearm, allegedly handled by the host, discharged accidentally. Police have seized the gun and are questioning minors present

The Indian Army has stepped up surveillance along the Jammu and Kashmir border amid rising drone and balloon sightings from Pakistan. Officials say these intrusions aim to distract security forces, but infiltration attempts by terror groups like LeT and JeM have been thwarted

Air India repatriated 149 passengers from Dubai amid Middle East tensions on flight AI916D, marking the first special operation by an Indian airline. Earlier, 143 crew members returned safely on flight AI918D

Garuda Aerospace unveiled a drone capable of tranquilising elephants from the air, reducing risks to humans and wildlife. C P Radhakrishnan inaugurated the UAV, highlighting its role in indigenous technology for human-elephant conflict mitigation

Thousands of women gathered at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple for the annual Attukal Pongala festival, preparing ritual offerings in a massive display of devotion. The women-only event, once listed in the Guinness World Records, transformed the city into a vast spiritual arena

  The Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench suggested allowing five court-named persons to offer 15-minute symbolic prayers near the Deepathoon atop Tirupparankundram hill, amid a contempt plea over Karthigai Deepam lighting and political controversy surrounding prohibitory orders 

Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar will soon enter active politics, with Janata Dal (United) set to announce his new role. State minister Sharwan Kumar said Nishant will receive a significant responsibility, amid speculation about a possible Rajya Sabha nomination

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation for Puducherry projects worth ₹2,700 crore, spanning roads, urban mobility, healthcare, education, industrial estates, and water supply, aiming to boost infrastructure, economic growth, and ease of living across the Union Territory

A massive blast at SBL Energy Limited explosives factory in Nagpur, Maharashtra, killed 17 and injured 18. PMO announced ex-gratia relief, while rescue operations continue. Authorities, including NDRF and PESO teams, are investigating the cause of the tragedy

Thousands protested across Kashmir, including Srinagar, condemning the US-Israel strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Shia-majority areas held peaceful marches, religious leaders expressed solidarity with Iranians, and a complete strike was called by local Muslim organizations

Lac-made ‘gulal gota,’ traditional Holi colour shells from Jaipur, are seeing rising demand nationally and internationally. Social media reels have revived this royal-era craft, boosting artisan income, increasing production, and attracting younger generations to preserve the centuries-old festive tradition

Ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu polls, V. K. Sasikala launched Amma Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK), invoking J. Jayalalithaa’s legacy, challenging T. T. V. Dhinakaran and reshaping the state’s fragmented “Amma” political landscape

Catholicos Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews III of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church welcomed Prime Minister Modi’s stance supporting the Church’s unity. Speaking at Vattasseril Thirumeni’s memorial, he emphasized historical legacy, Supreme Court rulings, and the need to maintain a united Malankara Church

In Kasaragod, Kerala, the Sree Poobanam Kuzhi Temple hosted a community Iftar during the Brahmakalashotsavam festival, reflecting religious harmony. Local Muslim residents, unable to attend previous feasts due to Ramadan, shared dates and meals in the temple courtyard

In Devanahalli, Karnataka, a residential school owner Dhananjay and his wife Shailaja were booked under the POCSO Act for repeated sexual harassment of minors, illegal confinement, and cover-up. Victims contacted parents, prompting police action and ongoing legal proceedings

DMK and Congress began formal seat-sharing talks for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, with Congress seeking more than 25 seats, a Rajya Sabha berth, and a share in power

Palayam Imam VP Suhaib Maulavi urged Muslims to open mosques and homes for Hindu devotees during the Attukal Pongala festival, promoting interfaith harmony and fraternity amid ongoing debates over the “Kerala Story 2” movie

In Madurai, elaborate security measures have been deployed at Tirupparankundram Subramanya Swamy Temple ahead of Narendra Modi’s visit, coinciding with foundation stones and inaugurations of projects worth over ₹7,100 crore across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry