Dr. Ahmed Mohiyuddin Saiyed, a 35-year-old terror suspect linked to a ricin poison plot, was assaulted by three other inmates at Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad. The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and local police are investigating the motive, with initial reports suggesting the attackers may have been “flaunting their patriotism.” Saiyed sustained injuries but is reportedly out of danger. The incident has raised concerns over security lapses within the high-security facility. (PC: PTI)

Investigators have recovered a self-recorded, undated video of Dr Umar un-Nabi, the suspected driver in the November 10 Red Fort car blast, in which he reframes suicide bombing as a “martyrdom operation,” not an act of self-harm. In the footage, he argues that the commonly understood concept of suicide bombing is “misunderstood” and describes martyrdom as dying at a specific time and place by choice. The video was retrieved from a damaged phone, reportedly discarded in a pond near his brother’s home in Pulwama. (PC: HT)

Sources say Delhi suicide bomber Dr Umar Mohammad, also known as Umar-un-Nabi, shot his video at least a week before the Red Fort blast. He had visited his home in Pulwama and handed one of his phones to his brother. After hearing about the arrests of Nabi’s colleagues, the brother panicked and threw the phone into a pond. Investigators later recovered it and found Nabi’s video praising suicide bombings as “martyrdom”. The phone was damaged, and the clip was retrieved only after days of repair. Officials say the video was likely recorded inside Al Falah University, where the group met. (PC: NDTV)

Two booth-level officers (BLOs) in Kerala and Rajasthan died by suicide during the ongoing voter roll revision. Their families said heavy workload and long hours pushed them to this point. Another BLO in West Bengal died of a stroke, which her family linked to stress. BLOs in many districts are protesting, saying they face unrealistic targets, late-night orders, and pressure to finish digital data entry. Kerala saw major demonstrations, while Bengal reported fear among people about being removed from the voter list. The Election Commission has said no direct link has been proven, but anger on the ground is growing. (PC: India Today)

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday arrested Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, founder and chairman of the Al-Falah group, in a money laundering case. Officials said he was taken into custody after searches at 19 locations in the NCR. The case is linked to alleged fake accreditation claims, fund diversion and misuse of university money. The ED said the group showed rapid growth, but its financial records did not match. Investigators found cash, digital devices, documents and shell companies linked to his family. The case also comes as the university is under a wider terror-related probe. Siddiqui has been sent to ED custody. (PC: HT)

India has begun issuing next-generation e-passports with new security features to make travel safer and faster. The passports come with RFID chips that store encrypted biometric data, including photos and fingerprints. These chips allow quick and secure checks at immigration counters and help prevent fraud. The upgrade is part of Passport Seva Programme 2.0, which uses AI tools, online document uploads, and faster verification systems. The government has already issued over 80 lakh e-passports. All new passports will now be e-passports, and India plans a full shift by 2035. Mobile Passport Seva Vans will help reach remote areas. (PC: India Today)

Security forces in Andhra Pradesh have arrested 31 suspected Maoists and sympathisers after the morning encounter that killed top leader Madvi Hidma and five others. The state’s anti-terror unit, Octopus, carried out raids in Vijayawada, Krishna and NTR districts. Police said nine of those arrested were former security guards of CPI (Maoist) General Secretary Devuji. The rest belonged to Maoist units from South Bastar and had entered Andhra Pradesh as migrant workers. ADGP Mahesh Chandra Laddha said, “We will not allow them to set up base again.” Diaries and contacts of sympathisers were recovered. A high alert is in place. (PC: The Indian Express)

Delhi Red Fort blast co-conspirator Jasir Bilal Wani was Dr. Umar Nabi's first choice for suicide bombing but backed out citing poor economic conditions and Islamic prohibition against suicide. The NIA arrested the Qazigund resident for providing technical support, learning drone and rocket modifications through encrypted Telegram channels while watching Russia-Ukraine and Hamas-Israel drone warfare videos. The 28-year-old political science bachelor was intensely brainwashed for months by Nabi, who wanted him as a suicide bomber rather than Jaish-e-Mohammed's over-ground worker. The plan collapsed in April. Previously arrested co-conspirator Amir Rashid Ali provided safe houses and registered the explosive-laden Hyundai i20 that killed 15 near Red Fort last week. (PC: NDTV & X)

A video of Dr Umar un Nabi, the main accused in the Red Fort blast, has surfaced online. In the clip, he calls suicide bombings a “misunderstood concept” and describes them as “martyrdom operations.” He says such attacks involve a person going to a place knowing he will die. The video was likely recorded before November 10. The blast near Red Fort killed over 10 people. The NIA says Nabi was driving the car that exploded. The agency has also arrested another alleged co-conspirator. Police are probing a larger plan involving coordinated suicide attacks.

Top Maoist commander Madvi Hidma was killed in an encounter in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitharamaraju district. Police said the clash took place early in the morning in the Maredumilli forest near the Andhra, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana border. Six Maoists, including Hidma and his wife, were found dead. Hidma was wanted for 26 major attacks, including the 2010 Dantewada strike, the 2013 Jhiram Ghati attack, and the 2021 Sukma-Bijapur ambush. He carried a reward of ₹50 lakh. His death is seen as a big blow to Maoist groups, who are already weakened by recent surrenders and strong security action. (PC: NDTV)