Singh takes charge as Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff
New Delhi: Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh assumed the duties of Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Doctrine Organisation Training) on May 31, said a press note from the Indian Navy. According to the press note, Singh is a recipient of Vishisht Seva Medal in 2011 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2016 for his exemplary service to the nation. He is an alumnus of UP Sainik School Lucknow and the prestigious National Defence Academy which he joined in July 1979. The press note said, “A specialist in Navigation and Aircraft Direction, the Flag Officer has served in a large number of operational naval ships. He was the Navigating officer of INS Kamorta (during Op PAWAN), and Destroyer Ranjit, besides being the Fleet Navigating Officer of Western Fleet during Op PARAKRAM.” (ANI)
Mortal remains of Odisha’s first Everester reach home
Bhubaneswar: The mortal remains of Odisha’s first Everester, Kalpana Dash, arrived from New Delhi on Sunday. Dash, 53, passed away while descending from the Himalayan summit on May 23 at a height of around 8,600 feet. Her body was brought to Delhi from Kathmandu, Nepal, and then flown to the Biju Patnaik International Airport here. The state government had made arrangements for the body to be received at the city airport and taken to Kalinga Stadium Complex where Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera, accompanied by his department officials, paid their last respects to the departed soul. Dash, who hailed from Dhenkanal, was the state’s first Everester. She first scaled the peak in 2008 and later trekked several mountains across Europe, South America, North America and Africa. (IANS)
2,500 kg sea cucumber seized
Nagapattinam (TN): Nearly 2,500 kg sea cucumber valued at Rs 1 crore meant to be smuggled to foreign countries was seized from a godown here Sunday and two people were arrested in this connection, Coastal Security Group police said. Acting on a tip-off, a special team of CSG police personnel conducted search operations in a godown here this morning and found 2,500 kg sea cucumbers hidden there. The sea cucumber was meant to be taken to Tuticorin and then smuggled to foreign countries, police said. The accused were arrested under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, they added. A mini-lorry kept in the premises was also seized, the police said. Sea cucumbers are classified as endangered species and their harvest is banned under the Wildlife Protection Act. These are in great demand in South-East Asian countries. (PTI)
Body of Pakistani intruder found
Jammu: The body of a man, suspected to be a Pakistani intruder, was recovered along the Indo-Pak border in Jammu district, officials said on Sunday. The body was found when the Border Security Force troops were patrolling along the International Border (IB) late Saturday night at Bhag Nallah in Pargwal-Khour sector of the district, they said. According to the officials, two pension passbooks and Pakistani currency worth Rs 20 (two 10-rupee notes) were recovered from the deceased. The body was handed over to Pargwal Police Post and after examination, it was shifted to the mortuary of Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, they added. (PTI)