All seven people on board a Ranchi-Delhi air ambulance died after the aircraft crashed in Jharkhand’s Chatra district on Monday evening. The plane went down in the Kasiyatu forest area near Simaria.   The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the Beechcraft King Air BE9L took off from Ranchi at 7:11 pm. It lost contact with Air Traffic Control at 7:34 pm. The aircraft was operated by Redbird Airways.   Those on board included a patient, two pilots, a doctor, a paramedic and two attendants. “The search and rescue team is at the location and the AAIB team is being dispatched,” the DGCA said. (PC: India Today)

An air ambulance flying from Ranchi to Delhi crashed in Jharkhand’s Chatra district on Monday evening. One person died in the accident. The victim was Sanjay Kumar, 41, a burn patient being taken for treatment.   The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the aircraft took off at 7:11 pm. It lost communication and radar contact at 7:34 pm. The plane was a Beechcraft King Air BE9L operated by Redbird Airways. Seven people were on board, including two pilots, a doctor and a paramedic.   Rescue teams reached the site. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will probe the crash. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team of Manipuri film Boong after it won Best Children’s and Family Film at the British Academy Film Awards.   In a post on X, he said, “Congratulations to all those associated with this film. This is indeed a moment of immense joy, especially for Manipur. It also highlights the immense creative talent in our nation.”   The film is directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and backed by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. It tells the story of a young boy searching for his father. The award ceremony was held in London. 

Rahul Gandhi met Kotdwar gym trainer Mohammad Deepak Kumar weeks after a Republic Day dispute over a shop name triggered tensions.   The row began on January 26 when some people allegedly asked a shopkeeper to change his shop’s name. Deepak said he objected when the group argued with the owner. Police later filed FIRs from both sides.   After meeting Gandhi, Deepak said, “He told me not to be afraid. He said I have not done anything wrong.” He added, “He said he will come to Kotdwar and join my gym.”   Deepak said his gym membership dropped from 150 to 12–15 daily. (PC: X)

The Indian Air Force has grounded its fleet of single-seat HAL Tejas fighter jets after a crash earlier this month. The jet met with an accident while landing after a routine training sortie at a key air base. Sources said there was a suspected technical glitch. The aircraft suffered severe damage and may be written off. The pilot ejected safely and was not seriously injured. Around 30 Tejas jets have been grounded for detailed checks. This is the third Tejas crash since induction. The IAF has not issued an official statement on the latest incident. (PC: India Today)

The Indian Air Force has lost another Tejas Light Combat Aircraft in an accident earlier this month. The jet was landing at a key air base after a routine training sortie. Sources said a suspected technical fault may have caused the incident. The aircraft suffered heavy airframe damage and could be written off. The pilot ejected safely and did not suffer serious injuries.   This is the third Tejas jet lost since induction. The first crash took place near Jaisalmer in March 2024. The second happened during the Dubai Airshow in November 2025, when the pilot was killed. The IAF has not issued an official statement so far. (PC: India Today)

National security agencies have arrested eight men for allegedly planning a terror attack in India. Officials said the group had suspected links to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence and Bangladesh-based outfits. Six suspects were picked up from Uthukuli, Palladam and Thirumuruganpoondi in Tamil Nadu. Two others were detained earlier in related action. Some of the accused are believed to be Bangladeshi nationals. Delhi Police said the operation followed an inquiry into online posts supporting terror groups. The accused were allegedly using fake Aadhaar cards and working in Tiruppur garment units. Police seized eight phones and 16 SIM cards. Officials said the investigation is ongoing. (PC: X)

A Delhi court on Saturday sent four Indian Youth Congress workers to five days of police custody over their protest at the AI Impact Summit.   The court said the act “imperils not merely the event’s sanctity but also the Republic’s diplomatic image before foreign stakeholders.” It added that the conduct went beyond “legitimate dissent.”   Police had arrested the workers for allegedly breaching security at Bharat Mandapam and raising anti-national slogans. The court noted they come from different states and may abscond. (PC: The Indian Express)

Sources said the handler of the recently busted Lashkar-e-Taiba module was in direct touch with top leaders, including 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed.   The handler, Shabbir Ahmad Lone, is a Kashmiri militant now based in Bangladesh. Officials believe he guided the eight suspects arrested by Delhi Police.   Sources said Lone had been in contact with Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi since 2007. Proof of these links was found during his earlier arrest.   Investigators also suspect support from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence. The eight suspects were held in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Phones and SIM cards seized are being examined.

Three militants of Jaish-e-Mohammed were killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, officials said on Sunday. The operation was carried out by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force. The Army’s White Knight Corps said it was launched after “credible intelligence inputs”. The gunfight began in the Chatroo area around 10:30 am. Officials said the militants opened fire when troops moved close to their hideout. One of those killed was identified as Saifullah. Security forces recovered two AK-47 rifles and ammunition from the site. Search operations are continuing in the area. (PC: HT)