Supersonic cruise missile BrahMos successfully test fired
Balasore (Odisha): Supersonic cruise missile BrahMos was on Monday successfully test fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur. The missile was launched at about 10.15 am from the launch complex three of the ITR and successfully flew in its pre-set trajectory meeting its mission objectives, Defence Research and Development (DRDO) sources said. Today’s test launch comes close on the heels of two trials of BrahMos missile conducted on May 21 and 22 this year in which the major sub-systems manufactured indigenously under the ‘Make in India’ campaign were tested, they said. Through this spate of trials the critical indigenous components including fuel management system and other non-metallic airframe components have qualified to form part of the missile, the sources said. The missile was successfully test fired on May 21 from the ITR as part of service life extension programme. “The life extension test firing of BrahMos was conducted from a Static Inclined Launcher, proving the efficacy and longevity of the system which was witnessed by scientists,” the sources had earlier said. BrahMos is a joint venture between DRDO and the NPOM of Russia. The highly versatile BrahMos has been operationalised in the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. BRAHMOS has established itself as a major force multiplier in modern-day complex battlefields with its impeccable land-attack, anti-ship capabilities with multi-role and multi-platform abilities. (PTI)
BJP activists smear black oil on Tharoor’s office
Thiruvananthapuram: Bharatiya Janata Party youth wing activists on Monday smeared black oil on Congress leader Shashi Tharoor’s constituency office here over his comment that a “Hindu Pakistan” would be created if the ruling party at the Centre returned to power. Tharoor however, was not present in the office when the incident took place. He was attending other functions here. The Yuva Morcha activists, shouting anti-Tharoor slogans, barged into the office and even tied a banner saying “Hindu Pakistan” office. Thiruvananthapuram district BJP President S. Suresh said the incident was a protest against a wrong statement. “This protest took place as Tharoor is the Lok Sabha member from here and hence this is nothing but a natural protest because of his erroneous statement,” said Suresh. Senior Congress legislator V.D. Sateeshan told the media that the incident was a show of the BJP’s arrogance. State Congress President M.M. Hassan and Leader of opposition Ramesh Chennithala strongly condemned the act. Speaking on “Threats faced by Indian Democracy and Secularism” at an event here last week, Tharoor said: “The great danger is that if they are able to win a repeat of their current strength in the Lok Sabha, then frankly our democratic constitution as we understand will not survive because they will have all the three elements they need to tear up the Constitution of India and write a new one. (IANS)
Landslide forces closure of new route to Vaishno Devi shrine
Jammu: A landslide on Monday struck the Tarakote Marg, the new seven-km track to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, forcing its closure, a senior police officer said. However, no one was injured in the incident, Senior Superintendent of Police, Reasi, Tahir Sajad Bhat said. He said the landslide occurred along the new track near Himkoti and efforts were on to clear the debris. The new track was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 19. Officials said the landslide triggered by rains hit the track around 8 am, causing some damage to the infrastructure. The new track between Banganga and Adhkuwari was approved by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in February 2011 to decongest the rush of pilgrims on the existing six-km track. Almost the entire track has been covered with sturdy shelter sheds to protect pilgrims against shooting stones and rain. Pilgrimage to the cave shrine atop the Trikuta hills was going on smoothly from the traditional route. (PTI)
Girl beats up eve teaser in Rajasthan; video goes viral
Jaipur: A boy was beaten up by a girl in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur city for reportedly defaming her, a video of which has gone viral on social media. The video shows the girl, who seems to be an athlete, confronting the accused and later beating him black and blue with a stick. “Main yaha mehnat karne aati hu aur tu mere naam kharab karega (loosely translates to ‘I come here to work hard and you are defaming me’),” the girl can be seen shouting at the boy in the video. “He is spreading rumours among his friends that this girl is his girlfriend and talks to him 4-5 times a day,” she said to the onlookers and later slapped the boy. SP Bharatpur, Anil Tank, however, said no complaint has been lodged in connection with the matter. “The girl has not lodged any complaint in the matter which happened four to five days back,” Rajesh Kumar, SHO, Kotwali police station area said. (PTI)