NEW DELHI, Aug 5: Picture postcard Meghalaya can leverage the ‘India Cine Hub’ portal for filmmaking with a revamped and unified single-window system, offering streamlined access to filmmaking permissions and services across India.
With GIS features and common forms, the portal supports ease of doing business and showcases India’s film-friendly policies, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan said on Tuesday.
He was speaking at a high-level conference with State and Union Territory Information & Public Relations (I&PR) Secretaries in New Delhi.
The Meghalaya government has already come out with the “Film Tourism Policy 2025” which will position the state as a preferred destination for film tourism and creative production. The policy provides financial incentives, institutional support, promotes local talent and generates employment.
Stating that grassroots cinema initiatives empower women and local communities through low-cost theatres, Murugan highlighted the role of global events such as World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), and International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in showcasing India’s creative talent, boosting creative economy, promoting cultural diplomacy and empowering creative minds of tomorrow.
The Minister laid emphasis on the recently launched Indian Institute of Creative Technology that aims to skill youth in animation, gaming, music and other creative fields.
The conference aimed to strengthen Centre-state coordination in public communication, ensure full-scale implementation and functionality of Press Sewa Portal and India Cine Hub, and explore collaborative opportunities for developing film infrastructure and promoting India’s creative economy across regions.
During the event, I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju emphasised the vital role of Centre-state collaboration in effective communication and media development. He highlighted the rise of digital creators, vernacular media and the need to empower district-level I&PR setups.
Jaju urged all states to integrate with the Press Sewa Portal for smoother publication processes and flagged concerns over disjointed responsibilities in media departments. He highlighted the economic potential of cinema and content creation, stressing the need to expand beyond metros and support local talent.
Initiatives like India Cine Hub were introduced to promote filmmaking and enable creators to monetise content.
Jaju termed WAVES a global movement and announced plans for a radio conclave during IFFI in Goa to deepen dialogue and cooperation across the media ecosystem.
One of the major focus areas of the conference was sensitisation and onboarding of the concerned officers of the states and the UTs on the Press Sewa Portal. Developed by the Press Registrar General of India, the portal is a single-window digital platform that facilitates registration and compliance processes related to periodicals.
Another highlight was the emphasis on revamped India Cine Hub portal that went live last year. This portal now functions as a single-window system for film-related facilitation across India, offering integrated access to filming permissions, incentives, and resource mapping at the central, state and local levels.
The India Cine Hub portal supported GIS-based location mapping, crowd-sourced content from industry professionals, and differentiated workflows for filming, non-filming, and incentives. The conference discussed processing of applications and contributing verified data to improve India’s appeal as a global filming destination.
The promotion of low-cost cinema halls in underserved areas was also discussed. Despite India being one of the highest producers of films globally, access to cinema infrastructure remained uneven. The Ministry proposed the development of modular and mobile cinema models to serve Tier-3 and Tier-4 towns, rural regions, and aspirational districts.
The conference discussed how to identify low screen density zones using GIS mapping, repurpose existing public infrastructure, streamline licencing through single-window systems, and offer tax and land policy incentives to attract private investment in affordable cinema infrastructure.
Participation in major film and content platforms like IFFI and WAVES Bazaar also featured in the deliberations. The states and the UTs were encouraged to use these platforms to showcase their filming locations, promote regional incentives, and support local talent.
Another major area of discussion was the development of India’s live entertainment economy. The conference deliberated with states on utilising existing sports and cultural infrastructure for events, integrating permission workflows into the India Cine Hub, appointing nodal officers, and establishing policy and fiscal support for investment in live entertainment infrastructure.
Cine Hub portal offers state filmmaking future
EC directs Bengal govt to suspend 4 election officers, file FIR against them
Kolkata, Aug 5: The Election Commission of India (ECI), on Tuesday, directed the West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant to suspend four election officials posted with the two Assembly constituencies in two districts of West Bengal for their involvement in wrongful addition of names in the electoral rolls of these two seats.
These four officers are Debottam Dutta, the electoral returning officer (ERO) and Tathagata Mondal, assistant electoral returning officer (AERO) of the Baruipur (Purba) Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district, and Biplab Sarkar, ERO and Sudipta Das, AERO of the Moyna Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district.
In addition to that, the commission has also directed the Chief Secretary to register an FIR against one data entry operator, Surojit Halder. Debottam Dutta and Biplab Sarkar are West Bengal Civil Service (executive) officers.
“The Commission further directs that strict compliance with the above instructions shall be ensured and an action-taken report sent to the Commission at the earliest,” the communique from the ECI to the Chief Secretary said. The office of the west Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal, first conducted a thorough probe against these two EROs, two AEROs, and one data entry operator, following complaints received against them on their involvement in the wrongful addition of names in the electoral rolls of these two constituencies.
Thereafter, the office of the CEO also forwarded a report on their findings to the commission, where it was reported that the said officers had not only failed in performing duties as EROs and AEROs while disposing of the applications but also violated the policy of data security while sharing their login credentials of the election registration database with unauthorised persons.
If proven guilty, the punishment of the erring individuals will be imprisonment for a term of at least three months, but it might extend to two years, and with a fine, the CEO has reminded the Chief Secretary in the communique.
IANS
USTM researchers formulate herbal antimicrobial cream using rare black turmeric
Guwahati, Aug 5: A pioneering team of researchers at USTM made an exciting breakthrough in herbal healthcare, formulating a 100% natural antimicrobial cream using rare black turmeric (Curcuma caesia Roxb).
This innovation marks a major step forward in plant-based skincare solutions, offering powerful healing properties, exhibiting good sensory appeal with smooth texture, pleasant color, easy blending, and cleansing without chemical additives, according to a Press release.
After five years of rigorous scientific research and clinical testing, scaling four territories,
Karbianglong, Khetri, Moirang, and Nongpoh in North East India, the formulation, now patented and published in the Indian Patent Journal on July 25, 2025, has demonstrated remarkable results in treating a range of chronic skin conditions. The formulation has been widely appreciated across scientific forums and peer circles, earning acclaim for its innovative approach, rigorous methodology, and integration of traditional knowledge with modern biomedical research.
The research was led by PhD scholar Rana Mukherjee from USTM’s Department of Applied
Biology, under the supervision of Dr. Deboja Sharma, Associate Professor from the Department of Applied Biology, and co-supervised by Prof. G.D. Sharma, Vice Chancellor of USTM.
Moumita Sarkar from Nagaon is also a co-inventor in the project. “We took five years of intensive research to finally craft this groundbreaking formula,” said Dr. Deboja Sharma.
“We tested it on fifty individuals with the human ethical permission, and the
results were simply stunning. One patient suffering from chronic bedsores recovered completely. Others with severe acne, bacterial and fungal infections also saw dramatic improvements.”
Tested across four regions in Northeast India—Karbianglong, Khetri, Moirang, and Nongpoh, the cream demonstrated remarkable effectiveness.
During early investigational stages, the team benchmarked their formulation against herbal
creams available in the local market, only to find that most contained chemical additives. In
contrast, USTM’s innovation stands out as 100% pure and herbal, setting a new standard in
natural skincare solutions.
The anti-microbial soothing cream, made from Black Turmeric (Curcuma caesia Roxb.), Aloe vera, Coconut oil, and Sandalwood oil, offers anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and UV protection benefits. Designed to heal, soothe, and moisturize, it’s ideal for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and treats conditions like eczema, acne, sunburns, and infections—without any synthetic chemicals or preservatives.
USTM is currently engaging with pharmaceutical companies to bring this unique formulation to market.
However, funding remains a key challenge, and the team hopes that support from the
industry and public health stakeholders will help transform their innovation into a widely
available product.
Mizoram varsity’s 15th position in national rankings a testament to its excellence: Guv
Aizawl, Aug 5: Mizoram Governor, General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd) said on Tuesday that Mizoram University’s (MZU) 15th position among Central Universities in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings was noted as a testament to its excellence.
The Governor, who is the Chief Rector of Mizoram University (MZU), graced a grand ceremony at the varsity to celebrate the university’s prestigious A+ Grade (CGPA 3.30) accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
Congratulating the Central University, General Singh (Retd), for achieving the coveted NAAC A+ Grade, lauded its remarkable progress since its establishment in 2000 and formal operations in 2001.
He highlighted the university’s emergence as a leading academic institution in Northeast India and nationwide, citing its consistent inclusion among the top 100 universities in the NIRF, with an impressive 77th rank in the latest evaluation and MZU’s 15th position among Central Universities in the NIRF rankings was noted as a testament to its excellence.
The Governor expressed confidence in MZU’s potential for further growth, urging the university community to pursue even greater achievements through dedicated and visionary efforts.
With 43 international students from 15 countries, MZU’s diverse and high-quality academic environment is a point of pride, he added and encouraged students and faculty to uphold integrity and diligence, positioning MZU as a nurturing ground for ethical leaders and a future leader in research, innovation, and technology.
The Governor further commended MZU’s advancements in academic and research domains, including its alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, implementation of the Academic Bank of Credits, an h-index of 98 in research publications, and ownership of 46 patents. He praised MZU for being a pioneer in Northeast India by offering online courses through MOOCs and SWAYAM platforms and establishing the region’s only DRDO Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence.
He highlighted the university’s inclusive and sustainable initiatives, such as its disability-friendly and eco-friendly campus, as well as its active engagement in extension activities. MZU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dibakar Chandra Deka expressed pride in the university being among the few central universities in India, out of 56, to secure the NAAC A+ Grade.
IANS
Myth vs reality: India is not a ‘tariff king’ at all as labelled by Trump
New Delhi, Aug 5: While US President Donald Trump has labelled India as a “tariff king”, the claim doesn’t hold up against actual trade data and global comparisons with other nations.
While India’s simple average tariff is approximately 15.98 per cent, the trade-weighted average, which better reflects the duties actually applied on traded goods, is only 4.6 per cent, as per World Bank data, much lower than what is commonly believed.
Trade-weighted average tariffs measure the actual duties paid based on trade volume. This means that most of India’s high tariffs apply to sectors with low import volumes, such as agriculture or automobiles.
In contrast, the bulk of US exports to India – pharmaceuticals, energy products, machinery, and chemicals – face much lower duties, typically 5-8 per cent, as per official data. A significant portion of India’s imports enter duty-free, thanks to various schemes like Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Export-Oriented Units (EOUs), and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
In FY 2023-24, India imported over $42.2 billion worth of goods from the US. Nearly 75 per cent of this trade came from only 100 key product categories, and most of these faced low or minimal tariffs. For example, for crude oil and LNG, the import duty of Rs. 1.1 per tonne and 2.75 per cent accounts for 18.25 per cent of US imports to India.
In industrial machinery, a tariff of 7.5 per cent makes up 9.75 per cent of imports. Coal, with a 5 per cent duty, contributes 8.8 per cent of imports, and medical equipment has duties between 5 per cent and 7.5 per cent, with a 4.6 per cent import share.
Aircraft and parts carry a low tariff of 2.5 per cent, constituting 3 per cent of total imports and fertilisers with a tariff ranging from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent make up 1 per cent of imports, as per official data. When stacked against other countries, both developed and developing, India’s tariffs are far from extreme, sources say.
India’s weighted average is just 4.6 per cent, which is lower than Vietnam (5.1 per cent) and Indonesia (5.7 per cent) and is nearly equal to the European Union (5 per cent). In 1990, India’s average tariff was as high as 80.9 per cent. Following economic reforms in the early 1990s, tariffs were gradually reduced, falling to 33 per cent by 1999.
By 2023, India’s simple average tariff dropped further to 15.98 per cent, while the trade-weighted average stood at 4.6 per cent. India’s regulatory and safety standards are generally less restrictive than those of countries like the EU, Japan, or China.
On the other hand, the US itself imposes very high duties on several important products. These tariffs, many exceeding 100 per cent, are applied across a range of products, including dairy, agriculture, textiles, and autos, reflecting deep-rooted domestic concerns similar to those seen in countries like India.
IANS
Fostering jihad and terrorism, Bangladesh moves closer to Pakistan under Yunus
Dhaka: Close monitoring of Bangladesh-Pakistan relationship requires critical thinking. The bilateral relations have hastened due to the dynamics of internal polity within the two countries along with the anti-India detestation.
Pakistan, a praetorian ideological Islamic state is linked to Al-Qaeda’s jihadi network. In post-Sheikh Hasina’s Bangladesh under Muhammad Yunus’ interim administration, the jihadi groups and radical Islamists are re-grouping due to poor governance and lawlessness, threatening to destroy the secular fabric of the nation carved out of ‘hasa Aandolan’, the Bengali Language Movement which gave rise to Bengali nationalism.
Driven by this Bengali nationalism, people of East Pakistan had unified to create Bangladesh. Over the years, Bangladesh’s economic development and economic indicators have improved much more than Pakistan.
Due to political instability, terrorism, chaos and violence, criminality and corruption, weak governance and insurgency the wheel of economic and industrial development in Pakistan stopped a long time ago.
The present situation of Bangladesh sadly mirrors that of Pakistan in disconcerting ways. Leaning heavily into Islamist ideology, the interim administration led by Yunus is deliberately crippling the once-thriving garment industry of Bangladesh. Bangladesh is currently the world’s second largest exporter of garments, behind only China.
A sluggish performance and compounding political problems in this sector have derailed its growth. Dhaka’s financial claim from Islamabad is to the tune of USD $4.32 billion as a fair share from the assets of undivided Pakistan before 1971.
Moreover, Bangladesh has also demanded USD $200 million received as foreign aid from countries and agencies to then East Pakistan during the extremely deadly November 1970 Bhola cyclone.
These demands were raised at the sixth round of Foreign Secretary-level bilateral consultations held between the two countries after a hiatus of 15 years, in Dhaka on April 17. In terms of population, Bangladesh was a 56 per cent partner and its foreign exchange earnings stood at 54 per cent.
If any equality principle is followed, Bangladesh can claim at least 50 per cent. Dhaka has demanded a formal apology from Pakistan for the atrocities committed before and during the Liberation War but Islamabad has shown no propensity to do so.
The visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Dhaka was scheduled in April this year but was postponed due to the direct involvement of Pakistan in the horrifying killings of tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
Having rescheduled his visit to later this month, Dhaka is again gearing up to welcome a Pakistani Foreign Minister after a gap of 13 years who will be accompanied by a large Pakistani delegation.
A Joint Working Group comprising officials from the Bangladesh foreign ministry and the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka has been formed as both countries plan to sign several MoUs during Dar’s visit, particularly in trade, investment, and other areas like agriculture, digital economy, environment protection, marine sciences, green infrastructure, culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
Both Bangladesh and Pakistan have also established direct air connectivity after nearly a decade and signed an MoU on granting on-arrival visas to diplomatic and official passport holders. The decision was taken on July 23 during the visit of Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to Dhaka and his meeting with Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
Bangladesh seeks to resolve pending financial entitlements and historically unresolved issues with Pakistan. In a significant move earlier this year, Bangladesh purchased white rice from Pakistan under a government-to-government deal.
This direct trade also established a direct maritime connectivity between the two countries. The Yunus administration is keen to “reset” ties with the tyrannical Pakistan, which had undermined democracy in East Pakistan, crushed people’s rights by the bayonet of the gun, plundered the economy and reminded the Bengali Muslims the superiority of Urdu language while denigrating Bengali. Surprisingly, Yunus is playing to the tune of jihadists and radical Islamists in deciding the foreign policy course of Bangladesh.
It is likely that Bangladesh may raise the issue of the Rakhine or Humanitarian Corridor with Pakistan. The proposed corridor may be used as a cover for geopolitical restructuring. Recently, three officers from the Pakistan Army Medical Corps had visited Bangladesh. Interestingly, these three officers had newly-issued passports with no stamps or other markings on the pages with one-year validity indicative of a specific purpose of the visit.
They had visited Ramu Cantonment, headquarter of Bangladesh Army’s 10th Infantry Division. This division is one of three within the Chattogram Division and was formed as part of the Bangladesh Armed Forces’ Goal 2030 development vision.
There is likelihood of Pakistani involvement in activities related to the Arakan Army at Ramu within a broader regional context, where the role of Arakan Army and the strategic presence of China cannot be overruled. The Arakan Army gets funds and arms and weapons from China to protect Chinese economic interests in the Rakhine State of Myanmar, particularly the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor.
The timing, the nature of travel documents and the choice of a highly sensitive military zone like Ramu point to a joint Bangladesh-Pakistan covert military arrangement. Looking at Pakistan’s inimical overtures, it is relevant to point out that Pakistan may leverage the situation by positioning its non-state actors in Bangladesh, making them mingle with the Rohingya refugees and working in conjunction with the radical-Islamist coterie promoting anti-India activities.
(The writer is an expert on South Asia and Eurasia. He was formerly with Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. Views expressed are personal)
IANS
Defence Ministry gives nod for military hardware worth Rs 67,000 crore to beef up armed forces
New Delhi, Aug 5: The Defence Acquisition Council, under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Tuesday approved various proposals for buying military hardware at a total cost of about Rs 67,000 crore.
Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was accorded for the procurement of Thermal Imager-based Driver Night Sight for the Indian Army’s BMP fleet. This will enhance the night driving capability of BMPs and provide higher mobility and operational advantage to the Mechanised Infantry, according to an official statement.
For the Indian Navy, AoN was accorded for the procurement of Compact Autonomous Surface Craft, BrahMos Fire Control System & Launchers, and upgradation of BARAK-1 Point Defence Missile System.
The procurement of the Compact Autonomous Surface Craft will provide the capability to the navy for detection, classification and neutralisation of threats in anti-submarine warfare missions, the statement said.
the Indian Air Force, AoN was accorded for the procurement of mountain radars and the upgradation of the SAKSHAM/SPYDER weapon system. The procurement of mountain radars will enhance the air surveillance capability along and across the borders in the mountainous region.
The upgradation of SAKSHAM/SPYDER System for integration with the Integrated Air Command and Control System will enhance the air defence capability, the statement said. AoN was also accorded for the procurement of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) for the three Services.
The proposed MALE RPAs can carry multiple payloads and weapons and operate at longer ranges for long endurance missions. They will significantly enhance round-the-clock surveillance and combat capability of the armed forces, the statement said.
In addition, the DAC has also accorded AoN for sustenance of C-17 and C-130J planes of the Indian Air Force fleet and a comprehensive annual maintenance contract of the S-400 Long Range Air Defence Missile System, the statement added.
Ministry of Defence had also last month signed a contract with public sector defence company Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of Air Defence Fire Control Radars for the army, worth approximately Rs 2,000 crore.
With a minimum 70 per cent indigenous content, these Fire Control Radars will be able to detect all forms of airborne threats, including fighter aircraft, attack helicopters and enemy drones. This would mark a significant milestone in the modernisation of the Air Defence Regiments and enhance the army’s operational readiness.
IANS
Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus unveils ‘July Declaration’
Dhaka, Aug 5: Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday unveiled the July Declaration and announced that the revised constitution would include it as a scheduled annexure, incorporating the “uprising” as a foundational moment in Bangladesh’s democratic transformation.
Yunus stated that the “Student-Mass Uprising 2024” will be given full state and constitutional recognition under a revised constitution to be adopted by the next elected government.
He unveiled the July Declaration at a grand public gathering at the South Plaza of the National Parliament on Tuesday, marking the first anniversary of the ouster of the Awami League government, Dhaka Tribune reported.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Golam Parwar, Nationalist Citizen Party’s Nahid Islam, Ganosamhati Andolan’s Jonayed Saki, Nagorik Oikko’s Mahmudur Rahman Manna, and Gono Odhikar Parishad’s Nurul Haque Nur and others attended the public gathering.
At the public gathering, Yunus said that the document of the declaration is written to present the “aspirations” of the people of Bangladesh. He said the people of Bangladesh expressed their expectations to safeguard the rights of the present and the future generations through an environmental friendly, climate resilient, sustainable and inclusive development plan, United News of Bangladesh reported.
While reading out the 28-point declaration, he said, “Therefore, the people of Bangladesh express their desire that the student-people uprising of 2024 will get proper state and constitutional recognition and that the July Declaration will feature in the schedule of the reformed constitution as framed by the government formed through the next national election.” July Declaration is a political manifesto marking the first anniversary of the fall of the Awami League government.
The anti-discrimination student movement had first raised the idea for a declaration in December last year. After their demand, the interim government decided to issue the July Declaration, Dhaka Tribune reported. Meanwhile, the students who were involved in the protests to overthrow former Prime Minister Hasina, boycotted the event, stating that their “courage” became “worthless” in less than a year, as not all of them received invitations.
Abdul Hannan Masud, the coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) and Senior Joint Chief Coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), took to his social media, stating that he boycotted the event.
“I heard that this government could not invite the 158 coordinators and co-coordinators, the legitimate body of the July Uprising. They may have set up a few seats, but there will not be room for 158 people,” Masud posted.
“Those whose courage and leadership led to this coup and this government are worthless in less than a year. If my fellow fighters, who led the movement to overthrow Hasina, do not get the respect they deserve, I, Abdul Hannan Masood, personally announce to boycott tomorrow’s July Declaration programme,” the post added. Students’ Federation General Secretary Saikat Arif also said that they had decided not to participate in the event.
IANS
Uttarkashi: IAF on standby to join rescue operations in Harshil as cloudburst triggers disaster
New Delhi, Aug 5: As sudden cloudburst triggered massive mudslides and landslides in Harshil, Uttarakhand on Tuesday, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is on high alert and ready to join the ongoing rescue operations being carried out by the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
IAF sources confirmed to IANS that helicopters from three major airbases – Chandigarh, Sarsawa, and Bareilly – have been placed on standby for aerial rescue and supply missions. The assets include two Chinooks, two Mi-17V5s, two Cheetahs, and one Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), said an IAF official on the condition of anonymity.
However, adverse weather conditions over the higher reaches of Uttarakhand hampered air operations on Tuesday. “Helicopters were ready to take off today itself, but due to poor visibility and heavy rains, it was unsafe to operate,” the official said.
The helicopters will proceed to the Harshil sector once the weather permits and join the multi-agency relief effort. “Once deployed, they will assist in casualty evacuation, delivery of relief materials, and support to ground rescue teams,” the official added.
Meanwhile, the Indian Army has already deployed 150 personnel who reached the mudslide-hit area near Dharali village within minutes of the disaster. The NDRF and ITBP teams are also on the ground, conducting search-and-rescue operations amid extremely challenging terrain and continuous rainfall.
The situation in Harshil remains tense as multiple families have been reported stranded or missing due to the flash floods and debris flow. With communication lines snapped in some areas and roads washed away, air support is expected to play a crucial role once the weather improves.
Rescue agencies are coordinating closely to minimise casualties and deliver timely relief in the affected regions. Continuous rainfall remains the biggest hurdle in the response effort. IANS
Hunted and hiding: ISI moves Masood Azhar across safe houses as Jaish-e-Muhammad cadres’ morale crumbles
New Delhi, Aug 5: In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, the Pakistan terror groups faced plenty of casualties. While over 100 terrorists were killed, their headquarters, launchpads and training facilities were also destroyed. Now, with the Pakistan establishment helping terror groups such as the Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad rebuild their facilities, it is also important for them to keep the chiefs safe.
In the aftermath of the Indian retaliatory strikes and also the recent Operation Mahadev, the morale of the cadre is extremely down. In such an event, the establishment has given top-notch security to Lashkar-e-Toiba chief, Hafiz Saeed and Jaish-e-Muhammad head, Masood Azhar.
Intelligence officials say that when compared to the two groups, the morale of the Jaish-e-Muhammad terrorists is far worse than compared of the Lashkar-e-Toiba. This is to do with several factors. If one looks at Operation Sindoor, it was the Jaish-e-Muhammad which was hit the hardest. The first the Indian armed forces took down the Jaish-e-Muhammad headquarters at Bahawalpur.
Secondly, the strike also killed 10 members of Azhar’s family, including his brother Rauf Asghar. While Azhar cannot make any public appearances now since the Indian agencies are tracking him very closely, the ISI has shifted his location multiple times after Operation Sindoor. For nearly ten days, he was kept at a safe house in Rawalpindi.
In the wake of this, Pakistan’s former Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto, had said that Azhar was taken to Afghanistan. While moving him to multiple locations to keep him off the radar, the ISI has ensured that he is nowhere near Bahawalpur.
Moreover, the Jaish-e-Muhammad has also decided not to rebuild its headquarters at this location. They are chasing a location that is closer to an army establishment in Pakistan. Azhar, at the time of the strike, was not present at the Bahawalpur facility that was known as Jamia Subhan Allah.
He was at the Jamia Usman O Ali, which is a Mosque located in a populated part of the city. This is where his old residence is, and it is near a hospital. However, immediately after the attack, he was moved out of his old residence. He was even taken to Gilgit-Baltistan, which is nearly 1,200 kilometres away from the Bahawalpur facility.
He remained at Skardu. The Intelligence agencies tracking him learnt that he was at this place for close to 20 days. During this period, he was made to shuttle between two different mosques. It was at the same time that he had been housed in a Madrasa, a government guest house.
Later on, he was moved to a private guest house before being taken out of Skardu. Azhar also had a brief stay at Peshwar, the same place he was housed following the Balakot air strike, during which a Jaish-e-Muhammad facility had been hit.
The ISI is also keeping a close guard on Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, who are believed to be housed in a safe house in Islamabad. With Azhar going underground, his cadres are losing morale.
In order to keep their resolve and spirits high, some members of the Jaish-e-Muhammad have been circulating old audio clips. They are passing it off as the latest ones and are falsely claiming that Azhar has not run away and remains housed in Bahawalpur itself. Azhar is, without a doubt, one of the most dangerous terrorists in the world.
He is responsible for multiple deadly attacks in India. The recent one was the attack at Pulwama. In order to secure his release from an Indian jail, his men had orchestrated the IC-814 hijack. Following his release, he founded the Jaish-e-Muhammad, and one of their first attacks was on the Indian Parliament.
IANS