Author: Vividh Bharathi

Nur Khan base among key Pak military infrastructure attacked by Afghanistan; 32 soldiers killed

Kabul, March 2 (IANS) Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence announced on Monday that its Air Force had conducted what it described as precise and coordinated aerial operations against multiple Pakistani military installations, signalling a sharp escalation in the already worsening security situation between the two neighbouring countries.

In a statement posted on X, the Afghan defence ministry said the strikes were aimed at major Pakistani military facilities, including the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, the 12th Division headquarters in Quetta, Balochistan, and the Khwazai Camp in the Mohmand Agency of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

It further claimed that several other strategic command centres across Pakistan were also targeted during the operation.

“Based on preliminary assessments, the strikes successfully caused significant damage to the intended targets. These operations were carried out in response to the recent aerial incursions by the Pakistani military, which struck Kabul, Bagram,” the statement said.

The ministry stressed that any further breach of Afghan airspace or “acts of aggression” by Pakistan would invite “a swift, decisive, and proportionate response”.

The developments come less than a week after Islamabad declared what it termed “open war” on the Afghan Taliban administration following renewed cross-border clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces. Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul and Kandahar on Friday, hours after Afghan forces reportedly attacked Pakistani border troops in retaliation for earlier strikes conducted this week.

The Afghan statement reiterated its warning, asserting that any additional violations of Afghan airspace or “acts of aggression” by Pakistan would be answered with “a swift, decisive, and proportionate response”.

The Nur Khan Airbase, a critical Pakistan Air Force installation near Rawalpindi, had previously been targeted during India’s Operation Sindoor in May 2025.

That earlier strike had damaged select infrastructure at the base, after which repair and restoration activities were reported at the facility.

In a further escalation, the Taliban claimed that 32 Pakistani soldiers were killed in what it described as retaliatory attacks carried out by its forces overnight, reports Afghanistan-based TOLO news.

According to the ministry, the operations were conducted by the 203 Mansouri, 201 Silab, and 205 Al-Badr Corps, resulting not only in fatalities but also in injuries to 10 Pakistani soldiers and the destruction of four military outposts.

The deputy spokesperson for the ministry stated that the forces of Afghanistan also shot down two drones belonging to Pakistan’s military regime.

Sediqullah Nasrat, deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, said, “The country’s defence forces last night launched offensive operations using laser weapons and advanced equipment against the enemy in the provinces of Nangarhar, Paktia, Khost, and Kandahar, led by the 203 Mansouri, 201 Khalid bin Walid, and 205 Al-Badr Corps.”

–IANS

sd/

Restrictions imposed in Kashmir to maintain law and order; schools, colleges shut

Srinagar, March 2 (IANS) Authorities on Monday imposed restrictions across the Kashmir Valley to maintain law and order as all educational institutions were ordered to remain closed for two days.

These restrictions have been imposed to ensure that miscreants and anti-national elements are prevented from exploiting the sentiments of the people in the aftermath of US-Israeli strikes on Iran, officials said.

With a sizeable population of Shia Muslims in many areas of Srinagar city, authorities are enforcing restrictions more strictly in the old city and uptown areas of the city.

All schools, colleges and universities have been closed for two days. All exams scheduled for Monday and Tuesday have been postponed by the Kashmir University.

After the nearly three-month-long winter recess, schools from Class 9 to 12 were scheduled to reopen on Monday.

Police and security forces deployed in strength have erected barricades in the city centre, Lal Chowk, where thousands of protesters had gathered on Sunday to protest Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s killing in US-Israeli airstrikes.

Restrictions have been imposed in all ten districts of the Valley.

The Ladakh administration is also dealing with the situation carefully, as the Kargil district in the Ladakh UT is predominantly Shia Muslim-based.

Vehicular movement is also being disallowed from area to area, while inter-district public transport remained suspended for the day in the Valley.

Traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway is, however, plying normally, though with fewer private vehicles.

Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a security review meeting on Sunday, while DGP Nalin Prabhat is presently in Srinagar to personally oversee the security arrangements and their enforcement on the ground.

In his message on Sunday, the L-G appealed for calm and asked the people to remain peaceful. The L-G said on X, “Chaired a meeting to review the security situation across J&K UT. Called upon all communities to stay peaceful and calm. I salute the unwavering, synchronized resolve of our Police and security forces upholding law and order.”

In addition to Kashmiri doctors and engineers,1200 local students are studying in Iran.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reacted to the development by saying, “I’m deeply concerned about the unfolding developments in Iran, including the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“I appeal to all communities to remain calm, uphold peace, and avoid any actions that could lead to tension or unrest. We must also ensure that those who are mourning in Jammu and Kashmir are allowed to grieve peacefully. The police and administration should exercise utmost restraint and refrain from using force or restrictive measures. The Government of Jammu & Kashmir is in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, to ensure the safety and well-being of J&K residents, including students, currently in Iran”.

–IANS

sq/dpb

Israel launches forceful airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs following Hezbollah’s rocket attack

Beirut/Jerusalem, March 2 (IANS) Israeli warplanes carried out intensive airstrikes at Monday dawn in Beirut’s southern suburbs, hours after rockets were fired from Lebanese territory toward Israel, local television channel al-Jadeed reported.

The Israeli strikes targeted Dahieh, a Hezbollah stronghold in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, prompting residents to flee their homes amid fears of further escalation, according to the report. Ambulances rushed to the affected areas to evacuate casualties. No official toll was immediately available, Xinhua news agency reported.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah group said in a statement that it had launched rockets and drones toward Israel in retaliation for the Saturday killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint Israeli-US strikes on Iran.

“In retaliation for the pure blood of the Guardian of the Muslims … which was unjustly and treacherously shed by the criminal Zionist enemy, and in defense of Lebanon and its people … the Islamic Resistance (in Lebanon) targeted, shortly after midnight between Sunday and Monday, March 2, 2026, the Mishmar HaCarmel missile defense site south of the occupied city of Haifa with a salvo of advanced rockets and a swarm of drones,” the group said.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the rocket attack and warned against dragging the country into further conflict.

“We will not allow the country to be dragged into new adventures, and we will take the necessary measures to apprehend those responsible and protect the Lebanese people,” Salam said.

“Regardless of the party behind it, the rocket launch from southern Lebanon is a reckless and suspicious act that endangers Lebanon’s security and safety and gives Israel pretexts to continue its attacks,” he added.

On the Israeli side, its military said it launched “forceful” airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday in response to projectiles fired by the Iran-aligned Hezbollah, noting it began operating “against Hezbollah’s decision to join the campaign.”

While the military did not specify the targets, Israel’s state-owned Kan 11 TV news reported that several strikes targeted Beirut’s Dahieh district.

The Hezbollah attack with rockets and drones triggered air raid sirens in Haifa, the Upper Galilee, and the Golan Heights. The Israeli military said some projectiles were intercepted while others fell in open areas. No casualties have been reported.

–IANS

int/rs

Tom Holland and Zendaya have tied the knot, says her stylist

Los Angeles, March 2 (IANS) Zendaya and Tom Holland have reportedly tied the knot, claims the actress’ stylist.

Zendaya’s stylist Law Roach broke the news of their marriage on the red carpet at the Actor Awards, telling Access Hollywood, “The wedding has already happened. You missed it.”

When asked, “Is that true?”, Roach laughed and confirmed: “It’s very true,” reports variety.com.

The duo, who met on the set of Marvel’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming” in 2016, went public with their relationship in 2021.

Rumours of their engagement began circulating after Zendaya was spotted at last year’s Golden Globes ceremony with a diamond ring on her left hand.

Later in 2025, Holland confirmed they were betrothed after correcting a reporter who referred to Zendaya as his girlfriend, reports variety.com.

In a clip that circulated online, Holland laughed while clarifying: “Fiancée.”

They reprised their roles as Peter Parker and Michelle Jones Watson in 2019’s “Spider-Man: Far From Home” and 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”

The couple will share the screen twice in 2026, first in June’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and later in July’s “The Odyssey” from director Christopher Nolan.

The two are private and rarely talks in public about their relationship. However, they have been open about the perks of working with each other.

“It’s a saving grace. (It’s the) best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Holland said in 2024.

“It’s that perfect thing when you’re on set and a director will give you a note that maybe you don’t agree with, or I know that she doesn’t particularly like, and it’s just that, like, familiar glance at each other of, like, ‘Can’t wait to talk about that later.’”

Meanwhile, Zendaya shared that they met at a chemistry read and attests it’s “strangely comfortable” to act alongside her partner.

“It’s like second nature, if anything,” she told Vanity Fair in 2025.

“You feel extra safe with the person you’re acting beside. I love working with him. He’s so talented, and so passionate about what he does. He always gives things one thousand percent, even if he’s absolutely worn down. I really appreciate that about him. It feels pretty normal.”

–IANS

dc/

Minors kill 14-year-old friend, dump body in Mumbai’s Vihar lake; three detained

Mumbai, March 2 (IANS) Three minors have been detained for allegedly killing their 14-year-old friend and dumping his body in Vihar Lake in an attempt to make the crime appear as an accidental drowning, Mumbai Police said on Monday.

The incident came to light after the post-mortem report ruled out drowning and revealed that the victim, identified as Siddharth Londhe, died due to a severe head injury caused by a blunt object. According to police, there was no water found in his lungs or abdomen, confirming that he had not drowned.

The three accused, aged between 14 and 15, were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board and subsequently sent to the Dongri remand home. One of the accused was Siddharth’s classmate, while the other two were Class 8 students from another school in Bhandup. All four boys lived in the same locality in Bhandup West.

Siddharth, a Class 8 student, resided in Tulshet Pada with his parents and younger brother. His father works as an electrician in Andheri.

On February 22, Siddharth left his home around 3 p.m. after lunch, informing his parents that he was going out to play. When he did not return by evening, his family began searching for him and later approached the Bhandup Police, who registered a kidnapping case since he was a minor.

The following day, Siddharth’s grey T-shirt and black slippers were found near Vihar Lake. The fire brigade was called, and his body was recovered from the lake later that evening. Initially, an Accidental Death Report (ADR) was registered, with police suspecting drowning.

During preliminary questioning, two of the boys told police that they had gone swimming and claimed Siddharth drowned despite their attempts to rescue him. As the post-mortem report was awaited, they were allowed to leave.

However, the post-mortem findings contradicted their statements. Police summoned the boys again and interrogated them separately, during which they allegedly confessed to assaulting Siddharth.

According to investigators, the boys were reportedly upset with Siddharth and allegedly considered him arrogant. They decided to “teach him a lesson” and took him near the lake. One of them allegedly hit him on the leg with a bamboo stick. As Siddharth bent down in pain, another boy struck him on the back of the head with a stick, causing a fatal injury.

Realising that he was not breathing, the accused panicked. They removed his T-shirt and slippers, placed them near the shore, and dumped his body into the lake to stage it as a drowning. Police have registered a case of murder, and further investigation is underway.

–IANS

jk/dpb

Big B calls Jalsa ‘blessings of millions’: Has given me roof for more than 3 decades

Mumbai, March 2 (IANS) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has shared an emotional note describing his iconic Mumbai residence ‘Jalsa’ as a symbol of love, blessings and togetherness spanning over three decades.

Big B took to his blog to express gratitude to fans, whom he lovingly calls his extended family (EF), who gather outside his home every week. He went on to say that the few moments people take out from their busy lives to greet him feel like a “divine presence”.

The icon wrote: “Your blessings and your love for those few minutes in your busy lives , taken out for me is nothing short of a divine presence for me.”

Calling ‘Jalsa’ more than just a house, the thespian described it as a space blessed by millions. He reflected on how the home has sheltered his family for over 30 years, witnessed the birth of his children, and later their weddings.

“JALSA , the blessings of millions for my home , one that has given me roof for more than 3 decades .. one that has blessed my children in their days of birth and their days of wed ..one where the children grew up .. one where their children are growing up,” he wrote.

Describing it as a place that “manifests joy and happiness,” he added that his home stands as a testament to celebration, existence and the enduring togetherness of time.

“One that manifests the joys and happiness of the near and dear .. one that adheres to our living .. one that brings celebration and existence , in the togetherness of time .. ever,” he concluded.

An avid user of his blog, Amitabh, last month reflected on the curious ways in which everyday language borrows from cars and cricket, observing how common expressions often stem from the world of sport and the road.

Taking to his blog, Amitabh shared a motley of phrases used in daily life, such as hard work has “hit a speed breaker” to “pressing the accelerator” when picking up pace, or “putting the brakes on” at the first sign of trouble.

–IANS

dc/

Irresponsible act, endangers security: Lebanese PM after Hezbollah strikes on Israel

Beirut, March 2 (IANS) Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Monday said that those launching rockets from the southern part of the nation are endangering the security and safety of the citizens and giving Israel reasons to continue with its attack.

This came as militant organisation Hezbollah launched a series of rocket attacks towards Israel from Lebanon in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This is also the first time the militant group has attacked Israel since the ceasefire agreement came into force in November 2024.

In a post on X, Salam, without naming Hezbollah, said, “Regardless of the party standing behind it, the launching of rockets from southern Lebanon is an irresponsible and suspicious act that endangers Lebanon’s security and safety and provides Israel with pretexts to continue its attacks on it.”

“We will not allow the country to be dragged into new adventures, and we will take all necessary measures to stop the perpetrators and protect the Lebanese,” he added.

Following the rocket attacks, Israel carried out airstrikes on the Hezbollah-controlled areas of Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it had begun striking the militant targets across Lebanon ​and held Hezbollah responsible.

One rocket was intercepted by air defences while the others fell in open areas, the military said in a statement. The launches triggered air raid sirens across northern Israel.

Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service said there were no immediate reports of casualties from the strikes, though several people sustained minor injuries while running to shelters.

Fire from Lebanon has been rare since a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect in November 2024. Israel has continued to carry out frequent airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon, claiming they are aimed at thwarting “threats.”

The rocket fire followed a formal eulogy from Hezbollah on Sunday, in which the group’s chief, Naim Qassem, described the Israeli assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as “the height of crime.”

–IANS

sd/

Over 8.27 lakh students to appear for TN Class 12 board exams from today

Chennai, March 2 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Government Examinations has announced that the Higher Secondary (Class 12) public examinations for the academic year 2025-26 will be held from March 2 to March 26, while the SSLC (Class 10) examinations will take place from March 11 to April 6 across the state.

A total of 8,27,475 candidates will appear for the Class 12 board examinations beginning Monday. This includes 7,99,692 regular school students and 27,783 private candidates.

The examinations will be conducted at 3,412 centres statewide under elaborate security and monitoring arrangements. In line with recommendations under the State Education Policy, the government has discontinued the Class 11 public examination system. However, re-examinations for students who had not cleared the earlier Class 11 public exams will be conducted from March 3 to March 27 at 2,615 centres.

As many as 25,051 candidates — including 19,107 school students and 5,944 private candidates — will write the arrear examinations. Notably, 281 inmates lodged in prisons across Tamil Nadu will also be appearing for the Higher Secondary public examinations this year, reflecting the state’s continued emphasis on educational access and rehabilitation.

To ensure the smooth conduct of examinations, more than 49,000 teachers will be deployed daily as room invigilators across centres. In addition, over 4,900 flying squads have been constituted to prevent malpractice and maintain transparency in the examination process.

In Chennai district alone, 64,359 students from 578 Higher Secondary schools — comprising 30,663 boys and 33,696 girls — will appear for the Class 12 examinations at 250 centres. Additionally, 3,157 private candidates will write their exams in the district.

Extensive logistical arrangements have been put in place in Chennai to ensure secure handling of question papers and answer scripts.

Five question paper storage depots, five answer script collection centres and 65 distribution routes have been established. Around 6,150 personnel, including 250 chief invigilators, 250 departmental officers, 550 flying and stationary squad members, 4,100 room invigilators, scribes and 1,000 non-teaching staff, have been deployed for examination duties in the district.

Officials stated that all precautionary measures are in place to conduct the examinations smoothly and fairly across Tamil Nadu.

–IANS

aal/dpb

South Korea: Lee set to hold summit talks with Singapore PM to discuss AI, nuclear energy

Singapore, March 2 (IANS) South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is set to hold summit talks with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday, with the two leaders expected to discuss ways to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), nuclear energy and other areas.

The meeting will mark the second summit between Lee and Wong in four months, following their previous talks during Wong’s visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where the two countries upgraded their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership.

Ahead of the summit, Lee was welcomed by Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, ceremonial head of state, at an official ceremony and attended a naming ceremony for “Vanda Lee Jae Myung Kim Hea Kyung,” an orchid hybrid named after Lee and the first lady to honor Lee’s state visit.

“The summit is expected to solidify existing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and infrastructure and broaden collaboration in promising sectors such as AI and nuclear power,” presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing.

To help lay the groundwork for cooperation, the two nations plan to sign five memorandums of understanding (MOUs) in areas including AI, small modular reactors, and digital and science and technology, Kang said.

Following the talks, Lee and Wong will jointly announce their agreement to begin negotiations to upgrade the bilateral free trade agreement, which entered into force in 2006 and currently covers goods and services, Yonhap news agency reported.

As part of efforts to further deepen AI cooperation, Lee will attend the AI Connect Summit, a bilateral business forum involving entrepreneurs and business leaders in the field.

AI is one of the key areas of cooperation between the Asian tech powerhouses. South Korea is strong in semiconductors, data center infrastructure and manufacturing AI, while Singapore has advanced AI governance and regulation and serves as a hub for AI data in Southeast Asia.

–IANS

jk/

Game changer: Reza Pahlavi thanks Trump for Iran strike

Washington, March 2 (IANS) Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has described the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as “the game changer we’ve been waiting for”, declaring that the moment marks “the beginning of the very end of the regime”.

In a Washington Post opinion piece and a televised interview on Fox News, Pahlavi publicly thanked US President Donald Trump for ordering strikes that he said have shifted the balance of power inside Iran.

“Mr. President: Thank you,” Pahlavi wrote. “Those words gave the Iranian people strength, and I am certain they will meet this moment.”

In the Fox News interview, he said: “There’s no question that this is the game changer we’ve been waiting for.”

He added that “the jubilation of Iranians at home and abroad shows how much people were hoping for this moment,” and said he joined “millions of Iranians thanking President Trump from taking this into action and delivering on his promise.”

Pahlavi argued that the Islamic Republic had for decades operated as “an expansionist revolutionary enterprise, subverting neighbors’ sovereignty, fueling conflicts around the world, and pursuing nuclear weapons and the long-range missiles to deliver them.”

He cited what he described as the regime’s record against Americans, writing that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps “is responsible for the deaths of a thousand or more Americans, including at least 603 U.S. service members through Iranian-supplied roadside bombs.”

In his interview, Pahlavi said he was “leading this transition” and had “the support of millions of Iranian people.” He outlined plans for what he called “a very strong, stable transition” aimed at avoiding chaos.

He pointed to a detailed roadmap known as the “Iran Prosperity Project”, describing “the first hundred days critically important” period to stabilise the country. In his opinion piece, he said the transition plan was designed to ensure “no dissolution of institutions, no power vacuum, no chaos.”

“Our path forward will be transparent: a new constitution drafted and ratified by referendum, followed by free elections under international oversight,” he wrote.

In the television interview, he estimated that from the start of the transition to a final referendum would “not be longer than a couple of years at the most.”

Pahlavi also framed a future democratic Iran as a strategic and economic partner for Washington. “We, as Iranians, look at America as our best partner in reconstructing ourselves,” he said.

He suggested that reopening Iran’s market could generate “probably over a trillion dollars worth of impact and revenue to the American economy just by Iran’s market.”

In his closing lines in the Washington Post, Pahlavi wrote: “When the Iranian people succeed in reclaiming their freedom in the days ahead, President Trump will be remembered as a leader who stood with them when it mattered most.”

–IANS

lkj/rs