CRPF inspector Health Min
Dudu. “In the encounter, one inspector of CRPF suffered bullet injuries and has attained martyrdom. The operation continues,” he
stated. Following a strong retaliation by the joint patrolling party, the terrorists reportedly fled the scene. Reinforcements have been rushed to the area, and a search operation has been launched to track down and neutralise the militants.
This incident marks the latest in a series of terror-related events in the region.
The forest area of Basantgarh witnessed a similar attack in April when a village defence guard was killed in a gunfight with terrorists— the first such incident in nearly two decades. Security agencies view these attacks as attempts by Pakistani handlers to revive terrorism in the Jammu region.
The attack comes just five days after a gunfight in Doda district resulted in the death of an army captain and a heavily armed terrorist. With this latest fatality, the number of terror-related deaths in Jammu and Kashmir this year has risen to 74, including 21 security personnel and 35 terrorists.
The Jammu region’s six districts—Doda, Kathua, Reasi, Poonch, and Rajouri—have accounted for 30 of these deaths, comprising 14 security personnel and six terrorists. As tensions continue to escalate, security forces remain on high alert across the region.
change the situation,” an official source stated. The ministry has reportedly explained these aspects to some Residents Doctors’ Associations in recent meetings.
To address broader concerns, a committee chaired by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) will be formed to examine various aspects of hospital security and facilities for residents, including duty rooms, working conditions, and canteen services.
“Hospitals are public facilities and cannot be turned into fortresses. We have urged doctors to call off their strike, as patient care is being affected,” an official emphasised.
The doctors’ strike in the national capital, now in its second week, continues to cause difficulties for patients.
Medical professionals nationwide are demanding swift enactment of a special law to address violence against healthcare personnel and improved safety protocols within medical facilities.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for intervention in realising their demands, which include declaring hospitals as safe zones with mandatory security measures, similar to airports.
the petition, directed the special court for people’s representatives to defer its proceedings against Siddaramaiah until the next hearing on August 29. The judge clarified that “No injunction has been granted” but emphasised the need for the special court to await further developments in the High Court case.
The legal battle has drawn high-profile representation, with senior advocate and Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Siddaramaiah, while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented the Governor.
Speaking to reporters after filing the petition, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence in the judiciary and defended his political career. “My conscience is very clear,” he stated, highlighting his 40-year tenure in politics without “a single black spot.” The Chief Minister accused the BJP and JD(S) of conspiring against him using the Raj Bhavan and vowed to fight both legally and politically.
The case has intensified the political divide in Karnataka, with both the Congress and BJP taking to the streets. Congress workers staged protests in various district headquarters, including Bengaluru, Mangaluru, and Hubballi-Dharwad, denouncing the Governor’s action. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar led a high-profile demonstration at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park, joined by several cabinet ministers in a show of strength.
Meanwhile, the BJP, led by state president B Y Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, held a dharna near the Vidhana Soudha, demanding Siddaramaiah’s resignation. BJP leaders argued that the Chief Minister has lost the moral right to continue in office and should step down to ensure a transparent investigation.
The political rhetoric escalated further when Congress MLC Ivan D’Souza, during a protest in Mangaluru, made a controversial statement suggesting that Governor Gehlot might be forced to flee Raj Bhavan, drawing parallels to the recent political turmoil in Bangladesh.
This comment drew sharp criticism from BJP state president Vijayendra, who called for strict action against D’Souza.