On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a conversation with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, extending greetings for Eid and Nowruz and addressing the changing dynamics in West Asia. PM Narendra Modi spoke with Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian amid West Asia tensions (File photos). In a statement, Modi said, “I spoke with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and extended greetings for Eid and Nowruz.” We conveyed our hope that this festive season will bring peace, stability, and prosperity to West Asia. In the discussion, the Prime Minister raised alarms about recent assaults on vital infrastructure in the area, stating that he “condemns attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains.” He also emphasized the necessity of maintaining uninterrupted global trade flows, noting that he “reiterated the importance of protecting freedom of navigation and keeping shipping lanes open and secure.” This is the second phone call between the Prime Minister and Iran’s President since the West Asia conflict began on February 28. Earlier this month, Modi noted that he had spoken with Pezeshkian about the “serious situation in the region,” during which he “expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.” The PM also highlighted the safety and security of Indian nationals and the “need for unhindered transit of goods and energy,” emphasizing that these continue to be India’s “top priorities.” 

 At a book-signing event for his novel ‘The Cantonment Conspiracy,’ former Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane was questioned about his future writing plans. According to news agency ANI’s report from Pune on Friday, he informed reporters that he is now focused solely on fiction writing. Former Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane’s autobiography ‘Four Stars of Destiny’ is still unpublished and lies at the heart of a significant political controversy. (Photo from PTI archives). It arrived about seven weeks after his sole non-fiction work — the unpublished memoir ‘Four Stars of Destiny,’ awaiting government approval — had shaken the nation’s Parliament. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, attempted to quote excerpts from it to claim that the BJP government’s policy was feeble against China amid the 2020 border clashes. “I’ve consistently written periodically, not just military reports but also for various army academic journals.” I had also penned a few short stories, one of which was published in the magazine Femina. “He said he is now solely interested in writing fiction,” he was quoted as stating in Pune. Regarding his novel ‘The Cantonment Conspiracy’, released last year, he remarked, “I’m pleased to report that the book is doing relatively well for a debut author who didn’t know how to write.” Writing this book has been a fascinating journey, marking my shift from soldier to storyteller. 

 Chandra Shekhar, a cow vigilante known as Farsa Baba, died in a road accident on the Agra-Delhi highway near Mathura around 4 am on Saturday, sparking a large protest and traffic jam by furious locals that was resolved by afternoon. Protesters block the Mathura-Agra-Delhi highway after cow vigilante dies in suspicious circumstances. (HT) Supporters of Baba claimed he was run over by cow smugglers after attempting to halt a truck purportedly transporting cattle near the Kotvan border. The Mathura district administration stated that Baba, accompanied by a disciple, had intercepted a container truck on the highway. The vehicle with a Nagaland license plate was stopped on suspicion of transporting cows. However, an inspection revealed it was carrying soap, phenyl, and shampoo. Protesters vandalized police vehicles on the Agra-Delhi highway. (HT ). District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh stated that a truck registered in Rajasthan, carrying wire, reached the location during the early morning amid thick fog. Poor visibility caused it to crash into the group, killing Farsa Baba instantly. The truck driver was injured and the vehicle damaged, the DM added. After the incident, rumors circulated that Farsa Baba had been intentionally killed, leading to a road blockade and stone-throwing. Officials hurried to the site, efforts to pacify the crowd, and promised a thorough investigation, per the Mathura administration. Social media videos showed protesters damaging police and administrative vehicles as authorities tried to reopen the road. 

 Odisha Congress MLA Mangu Khila and 36 others narrowly escaped a tragedy after the rear tyre of the bus they were travelling on caught fire during its journey from Bhubaneswar to Nabarangpur, police said.. Police said no injuries were reported, with the driver’s quick response and the alertness of passengers playing a key role in ensuring everyone got out safely. (Representative Image/Raju Shinde/Hindustan Times). The incident occurred near Ramabhadrapuram in Andhra Pradesh, according to PTI news agency.. All passengers and crew members were safely evacuated before the vehicle was completely gutted in the blaze, Khila was quoted as saying while speaking to reporters.. Police said no injuries were reported, with the driver’s quick response and the alertness of passengers playing a key role in ensuring everyone got out safely.. Fire services personnel and local authorities reached the spot and brought the fire under control, though the bus could not be saved.. Also Read | ‘Not the same’: Delhi’s Uttam Nagar residents bring in Eid with bated breath amid heightened security. MLA evacuated. Khila, the MLA from the Chitrakonda assembly segment in Malkangiri district, said, “The bus caught fire when all the passengers, including me, were in deep sleep.. The driver’s presence of mind saved all. He stopped the bus, opened all the windows and awakened all the passengers.”. “A major tragedy was averted. I had boarded the bus at Rasulgarh bus stand in Bhubaneswar and was going to Malkangiri,” he said, adding that another bus later picked up the passengers to continue the journey.. Police have launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire.. Also Read | 6 killed, 9 injured as sleeper bus rams trailer on Rajasthan highway. Bus accident in Rajasthan kills 2 minors. At least six people, including two minors, were killed and nine others injured on Friday afternoon after a sleeper bus collided with a trailer near Sarwardi village on a national highway in Rajasthan’s Balotra district, police said.. Balotra Superintendent of Police Ramesh said six people died on the spot, while the critically injured have been referred to an advanced treatment centre.. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ashok Kumar said the accident occurred around 4 pm when the bus, travelling from Jodhpur to Sanchore, collided with a trailer approaching from the opposite direction towards Jodhpur. The crash took place as the bus driver attempted to overtake two vehicles ahead and struck the trailer on the driver’s side, he added. 

 The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026—expected to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday—fixes the number of IPS officers on deputation across various levels in the CAPF and introduces a unified law with a single framework for all five CAPFs. The government notes in the bill that IPS officers are essential for effective functioning and coordination between the Centre and States. (CISF | Official X account). This development occurs despite protests from CAPF associations, which have opposed the long-standing practice of deputing IPS officers to senior positions. The associations had petitioned the Supreme Court, which on May 23, 2025, directed the government to “progressively reduce” the deployment of IPS officers up to the rank of inspector generals in CAPFs. However, the government argued in the bill that IPS officers are essential for smooth operations and coordination between the Centre and States. “Central Armed Police Forces carry out national security duties in close collaboration with State authorities; to preserve Centre-State relations and ensure tight coordination between the Union and the States, Indian Police Service officers are vital for the effective performance of these forces,” stated the bill’s statement of objects and reasons. Also Read: Centre to deploy 480 CAPF companies for West Bengal assembly elections. The draft bill, which formalizes the deputation of IPS officers, requires that 67% of Additional Director General (ADG) posts be filled by IPS officers on deputation, 50% at the Inspector General (IG) level, and 100% at the Special Director General (SDG) and Director General (DG) ranks. “In case of any inconsistency between any rule made under this Act with any other rule or Order, whether made or issued before or after the commencement of this Act, the rules made under this Act shall prevail,” the draft bill states. On Friday, members of the Alliance of All Ex Paramilitary Forces Welfare Association held a press conference, calling for the draft bill to be referred to the Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs for consultation. HR Singh, a former CRPF Additional Director General (ADG) who was a cadre officer and alliance member, said, “If the government has decided to introduce a bill to circumvent the Supreme Court judgment, that bill should at least be sent to the Parliamentary Committee.” Input from all stakeholders should be gathered. Retired CAPF officers contend that career stagnation and the induction of external IPS officers result in very few non-IPS officers attaining the Additional Director General (ADG) rank in CAPFs. For instance, all four ADG positions in BSF that are sanctioned are occupied by IPS officers from the 1995-97 batches. The most senior BSF cadre officer, from the 1987 batch, remains an IG. In the ITBP, none of the three ADG positions are occupied by CAPF cadre officers.