Mairaj Ahmad Khan, a 50-year-old Indian skeet shooter, is set to compete in his fourth Asian Games, showcasing remarkable longevity. The article traces his unique journey from a promising cricketer, who even played with Virender Sehwag, to becoming a decorated shooter with Olympic appearances and World Cup medals. Despite past disappointments, Khan approaches the upcoming games with renewed spirit, embodying wisdom gained over decades in sport.
Aban Ahmad, the youngest son of slain gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad, and a friend died in a high-speed SUV crash in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. Three other occupants were injured and are receiving treatment. Police reported the accident occurred when the driver lost control, and Aban was reportedly en route to meet his jailed brothers.
A father and son have been arrested in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district for the murder of a Special Police Officer (SPO), Bashir Ahmad. A land dispute is suspected to be the motive behind the killing, and the deceased's service weapon was also recovered.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed a charge sheet against six Kashmiri separatist leaders, including Shabir Ahmad Shah, for allegedly instigating large-scale mob violence against police personnel during the funeral procession of a slain terrorist in Srinagar nearly three decades ago.
A man named Fayaz Ahmad has been arrested in Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly creating and sharing a digitally edited video on social media that depicted a fake explosion at a Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) camp along the India-Nepal border. The video, which targeted a sensitive security installation, led to an investigation and his subsequent arrest for breach of peace.
The Allahabad High Court has set aside the life sentences of two men convicted in a 1980 murder case, finding they were minors at the time of the crime. While upholding their conviction, the court referred the matter to the Juvenile Justice Board for appropriate punishment, acknowledging their juvenile status.
A special NIA court in Jammu has rejected the bail application of separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah in a 1996 case involving violence during a funeral procession. The court cited concerns over national security, public order, and potential intimidation of protected witnesses, while the NIA highlighted Shah's alleged role in inciting violence.
Sediqullah Atal's 111 and Qais Ahmad's unbeaten 49, capped by a last-ball six, helped Afghanistan survive 142 overs to force a dramatic draw against Bangladesh.
The Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch's Special Crime Wing has filed a chargesheet against three public servants, including a retired officer, for alleged fraud and corruption involving the manipulation of service records to obtain undue benefits. The case centres on a forged date-of-birth certificate and the facilitation of its incorporation into official records.
A 55-year-old man, Naseem Ahmed, died on Sunday after being allegedly assaulted at a flour mill in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, following an argument. Police have taken two individuals into custody for questioning as they investigate the incident. Family members claim the deceased was a journalist, though police have not confirmed this.
The Anti-corruption Bureau in Jammu and Kashmir has arrested a senior government officer and a middleman for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000. The officer, Naseer Ahmad Khan, from the Agriculture Department, was accused of demanding Rs 2 lakh from a seed dealer, with Rs 1 lakh already paid. The arrests were made during a trap laid by the ACB.
Indian men's and women's skeet teams have both secured bronze medals at the Asian Games. The women's team, comprising Raiza Dhillon, Maheshwari Chauhan, and Parinaaz Dhaliwal, finished third, while the men's team of Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Mairaj Ahmad Khan, and Bhavtegh Singh Gill also claimed bronze. Additionally, Raiza Dhillon and Parinaaz Dhaliwal have qualified for the individual women's skeet final, adding to India's medal tally from the shooting range.
Indian shooting contingent members, including Elavenil Valarivan, Mairaj Ahmad Khan, Anantjit Singh Naruka, and Raiza Dhillon, received a warm welcome upon their return to Delhi after winning medals at the Asian Games. Elavenil expressed confidence despite missing gold, highlighting her win against world and Olympic champions.
A special POCSO court in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, has sentenced a 47-year-old man, Govind Das alias Bablu Kushwaha, to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh for raping a seven-year-old girl. The incident occurred on May 18, 2024, when the accused lured the girl with a toffee.
A Delhi court has acquitted five men accused of rioting and attempted murder during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. The court criticised the investigating agency for trying to "fill the lacuna" in the case and failing to establish the accused's presence at the crime scene, citing weak evidence from CCTV footage and lack of identification by witnesses.
A 22-year-old social media influencer and gym trainer, Arif Ayub Shaikh, has been arrested in Palghar, Maharashtra, on charges of rape, physical abuse, and attempting to force a woman to convert her religion under the guise of marriage. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has labelled the case as "love jihad," alleging a larger network exploiting young Hindu girls in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Police recovered over 100 explicit video clips from Shaikh's phone, with some potentially distributed abroad.
Manasi Joshi and Thulasimathi Murugesan secured India's first medal at the Asian Para Games by reaching the women's doubles SL3-SU5 semifinals. Tokyo Paralympics champion Krishna Nagar also advanced to the quarterfinals in men's singles SH6, alongside numerous other Indian victories in various singles and doubles categories, despite some setbacks.
Police in Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir, have attached a residential house and seized cash, collectively valued at over Rs 21 lakh, allegedly acquired through the illegal trade of drugs and narcotics. The action was taken under the NDPS Act against an individual named Farooq Ahmad Shah.
President Droupadi Murmu extended her congratulations to Indian athletes, including Mirabai Chanu, for their impressive medal-winning performances on Day 4 of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. She highlighted significant achievements such as Chanu's silver in weightlifting, ending a 28-year drought, and historic bronze medals in shooting and soft tennis.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has permitted the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur to host three women's international cricket matches in October. This approval comes with the condition that the stadium deposits Rs 20 lakh for groundwater recharge, addressing its previous failure to use sewage treatment plant (STP)-treated water instead of groundwater for ground maintenance.
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has rejected a petition by the Enforcement Directorate to add charges of receiving and concealing stolen property in the alleged Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association fund scam. While the court upheld the ED's right to file such an application, it found insufficient merit in the current material to invoke sections 411 and 424 of the Ranbir Penal Code, stating that the alleged acts were part of the principal transaction of conspiracy and breach of trust.
India's skeet shooting teams secured two bronze medals at the Asian Games, with both the men's and women's teams reaching the podium. This achievement provided a much-needed boost to India's shooting campaign, despite individual shooters Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Raiza Dhillon narrowly missing out on individual medals, finishing fourth in their respective events.
Punjab FC's IFA Shield campaign concluded after a narrow 3-4 defeat on penalties to defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the semi-final. The match remained goalless after 120 minutes of competitive play, with both teams creating chances before the shootout decided the winner.
UAE-based Al Fursan consortium, led by Sheikh Ahmad bin Faisal Al Qasimi, has announced the acquisition of Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters FC from Magnum Group. The ownership transfer will occur in phases, concluding by the end of the 2026-27 season, with new management taking over for the upcoming season.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has removed over 4,700 books, including banned publications, from colleges across the Union Territory after a comprehensive review of nearly 2.2 million publications. This action follows a controversy over objectionable content and aims to uphold constitutional values and national integrity in higher education institutions.
India's men's and women's skeet shooting teams have both secured bronze medals at the Asian Games in Nagoya. While the teams celebrated podium finishes, individual shooters Raiza Dhillon, Parinaaz Dhaliwal, and Anantjeet Singh Naruka, despite reaching the finals, narrowly missed out on individual medals. This marks India's first-ever Asian Games medal in the women's team skeet event.
Indian skeet shooter Anantjeet Singh Naruka has positioned himself strongly for the Asian Games final, tying for the lead after four qualification rounds. While other Indian male shooters struggled, Naruka's performance offers hope. In women's skeet, Raiza Dhillon and Parinaaz Dhaliwal are also in contention for individual medals, and the women's team holds a bronze medal position, though facing tough competition. The final qualification rounds are crucial for India's medal aspirations.
Security forces in Kashmir have arrested eight overground workers (OGWs) of terror outfits in three separate operations across Shopian and Pulwama districts. The arrests led to the recovery of grenades, AK magazines, mobile phones, pistols, and other incriminating materials, significantly disrupting terror networks in the region.
A powerful suicide blast during Friday prayers at a mosque near police lines in Kohat, northwest Pakistan, killed at least 16 people, including police personnel and civilians, and injured dozens. A militant group, Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack, which involved an explosives-laden vehicle and an exchange of fire.
Veteran skeet shooter Mairaj Ahmad Khan expresses strong optimism about the future of Indian shooting, attributing the potential rise to government-backed initiatives like Khelo India. He is preparing for his third Asian Games appearance and believes India will have the best team across all shooting disciplines in the next four years, thanks to enhanced grassroots development and support systems.
Young Indian shuttler Mansi Singh secured a runner-up finish at the Indonesia Masters Super 100 badminton tournament, losing to China's Xu Wen Jing in the women's singles final. This marks her second runner-up finish this year.
East Bengal FC squandered a two-goal lead against Jordanian champions Al Hussein SC, settling for a 2-2 draw in their AFC Champions League Two Group D opener.
China has made a strong start at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with teenage swimmer Yu Zidi setting a new Games record and Olympic champion Pan Zhanle defending his title.
Ibrahim Zadran has been appointed captain of Afghanistan's T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against India, which will be played in New Delhi. The squad sees the return of fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq and all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, featuring a blend of experienced players like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, alongside uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman.
India experienced a day of mixed fortunes at the Asian Games, highlighted by Mirabai Chanu's historic silver medal in weightlifting, ending a long wait for an Asiad medal. The nation also secured several bronze medals in skeet shooting, men's badminton, and soft tennis. While Chanu shone, the shooting contingent faced challenges, and other sports like wushu, table tennis, squash, women's hockey, and kabaddi saw Indian athletes advance or dominate their events.
India is set to begin its Asian Games shooting campaign in Nagoya with a formidable 30-member squad, featuring Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and other world-class performers. The team aims to build on its previous success, with strong prospects in rifle, pistol, and shotgun events, facing a significant challenge from China.
India, having already secured the T20 series against Afghanistan, is likely to experiment with its playing XI in the third and final match in New Delhi. This provides an opportunity for players like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and others on the bench to get game time before the Asian Games, while Afghanistan aims for an improved performance to boost morale.
The Indian mixed disability cricket team secured a significant 118-run victory over England in the final T20I, celebrating their win by emulating Sourav Ganguly's famous shirt-waving act at the Lord's balcony.
While introducing the Bigg Boss 20 contestants, host Salman Khan got candid about his breakup, his ignorance about memes and the world of social media, and was surprised to learn that ScoutOP makes Rs 30 lakh a month playing esports.
A special NIA court in Jammu has rejected the bail plea of Insha Jan alias Insha Tariq, an accused in the 2019 Pulwama suicide attack that killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, observing that sufficient material existed on record to presume that the accusations against her were prima facie true.
