Over 95 kg ganja were seized by the Telangana Excise and Prohibition Department in separate operations. The total value of the contraband and vehicles seized is estimated to be over ₹51 lakh.

In the first operation, the State Task Force (STF) arrested Jaliloddin Siddiqui Ahmed Hussain and Lakshmibai while they were travelling in a car near Pothureddypalli on National Highway 65. The team seized 20.6 kg ganja worth about ₹10 lakh.

The two were taken into custody and a third individual, Krishna Kona, has also been booked in connection with the case.

According to investigators, Hussain works as a machine operator in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, but turned to ganja trafficking two years ago. Despite a previous arrest and jail term in a similar offence in 2023, he continued smuggling ganja from Sileru to various locations across Maharashtra.

Ganja from Odisha

In a separate operation in Bhadrachalam, officials seized 75 kg ganja and a car, together worth ₹41 lakh, near the Godavari sand ramp. The contraband was being transported from Odisha to Rajasthan. Acting on a tip-off, the enforcement team intercepted the vehicle and arrested two individuals from Rajasthan, Anil Kumar Sharma and Mukesh Kumar Dev.

During questioning, the duo said the ganja had been supplied by Durga Prasad from Palvancha, who has been booked.

Meanwhile, the Sangareddy Prohibition and Excise Department registered three separate cases, resulting in the seizure of 3.315 kg ganja and the arrest of three individuals. Officials also seized the vehicles used for transport of the contraband.

Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium.
| Photo Credit: R.V Moorthy

Teams of Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and dog squad, along with Delhi Police teams rushed to the Arun Jaitley Stadium after the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) received a bomb threat which turned out to be hoax, an official said.

“We received a bomb threat via email on the address of DDCA. We immediately forwarded it to Delhi Police. The Delhi Police bomb squad came and inspected the whole venue. Nothing was found,” DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma told PTI.

Follow Operation Sindoor updates on May 9

Sources in the Delhi Police said that multiple teams were immediately rushed to the stadium and the location was checked thoroughly.

“Nothing suspicious was found. Further, we have stepped up security in and around the stadium,” said the source.

Bomb threat to MA Chidambaram stadium

A “threat” has been received, which claimed that a bomb would be detonated if cricket events were to be held at MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai, police said.

Chennai City Police Commissioner Arun said security beefed up to places where more people gather in the city and an investigation has been ordered.

The CP added that the threat was made via an e-mail, which warned against cricket events at the stadium.

Srinagar: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Friday called for political intervention to resolve issues between India and Pakistan, saying military action cannot be a solution to bring peace in the region. Addressing a press conference here, she appealed the leadership of both the countries to exercise restraint and put an immediate halt to attacks on each other.

“Pulwama and Pahalgam are two such incidents that brought the two countries on the verge of a catastrophe. If it continues like this, then there is a danger to the whole world.

“Be it Kargil, Pulwama, Pahlagam or Pathankot, we have seen whenever there is a military action, it only treats symptoms, it does not treat the root cause of the problem. It doesn’t bring any solution and doesn’t help in maintaining permanent peace,” she said.

The former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir said nothing can be achieved through military intervention.

“Our country is emerging as a huge force in the world, the internal situation is not good in Pakistan. So, both the countries should attempt to have political intervention. Nothing can be achieved from military intervention,” she added.

The PDP president said the situation, especially on the borders on both the sides, is very tense, and there is an immediate need for de-escalation.

“People are leaving their homes, some have lost their lives, including children and women. There is an urgent need for restraint. The immediate need is to de-escalate the situation. The leadership of both the countries should make up their minds and think seriously about de-escalating the situation,” she said.

Civilians on both sides of J-K are getting killed. They did not start this war, it is not happening because of their will but they are paying a huge price right now, she added.

Referring to the children killed in cross-border shelling, she asked what was the fault of children and women?

“I urge the leadership of both the countries to stop attacks for God’s sake. Till how long will the people of J-K bear this brunt,” she said, breaking down into tears.

She said both the countries seem to have served their purpose of the attacks.

“Both the countries have settled their scores. So, why then blood of children is being spilled,” she said.

She appealed the prime ministers of the two countries to pick up their phones and talk to each other and put a halt on the attacks.

“Both the countries are nuclear powers, and we are at the brink of war. First of all, the people of J-K will perish, then this whole region and the world cannot be saved. I appeal to the leadership whether it is the military leadership in control in Pakistan, we have a democratic system in our country, to stop these attacks. We have had enough. You have achieved your targets.

“These attacks are against humanity. I hope the leadership will listen to the voices of the people of J-K. Enough blood has been spilled now, it should be stopped,” she said.

She also appealed to the media on both the sides to speak the truth.

“There is a limit to war propaganda. I appeal the media not to spread panic by their propaganda,” she said.