There are clear signs of unease inside Pakistan’s security setup, with tensions rising between the Army and the ISI after a series of intelligence failures on the ground.

Field Marshal Asim Munir has now stepped in sharply, warning the intelligence establishment to deliver results, a move that could lead to a reshuffle at the top. The warning follows repeated lapses that have left Pakistani forces exposed in multiple operations, reported news agency IANS.

Officials tracking developments say the Army and the ISI are no longer moving in lockstep. Over the past few months, coordination between the two has weakened, something that was rarely seen earlier.

The strain became more visible after India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’, which, officials say, came without any prior warning from Pakistan’s intelligence agencies. Since then, the situation within the country has only worsened.

Security forces are now stretched across several fronts; battling Baloch insurgent groups, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and dealing with tensions linked to Afghanistan. Losses have been heavy, particularly in areas like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In some pockets, the TTP is said to be running checkpoints and restricting the movement of Pakistani forces. On the ground, there is growing frustration. Troops have flagged weak or missing intelligence, saying it makes operations risky and unpredictable.

Pressure builds within intelligence ranks

Earlier this week, Munir called a meeting of senior Army and ISI officials. Those present said his message was direct: ‘perform or perish’.

That message has not gone down well within the ISI, especially with talk of a major internal reshuffle. Several senior officers could be moved out as part of the changes.

Sources say the Army chief has been unhappy with the lack of actionable intelligence on key militant leaders. A few months ago, the ISI was asked to track and neutralise top figures from the Balochistan National Army (BLA) and the TTP, including Noor Wali Mehsud.

Progress has been limited.

There is also dissatisfaction with the Military Intelligence wing, which has struggled to provide reliable inputs on Taliban leadership. Pakistan has carried out strikes inside Afghanistan, but many of these have not hit intended targets and have instead led to civilian casualties.

Too many fronts, too little clarity

Pakistan is currently dealing with unrest in Balochistan, a growing TTP presence, and an ongoing conflict linked to Afghanistan. Handling all of this at once has stretched the intelligence network thin.

Some officials privately admit the system is under pressure. There was an expectation that after the setback linked to ‘Operation Sindoor’, the establishment would pause and regroup. Instead, operations have expanded.

That has come at a cost.

Repeated intelligence gaps, rising casualties, and now internal friction are beginning to affect morale. Officials warn that unless coordination improves quickly, the situation could worsen for Pakistan’s security forces.

In a rather long post on X/Twitter, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday rued the “unprecedented” and “alarming” transfers of senior officials by the Election Commission of India (ECI) even before the formal notification of assembly elections.

Banerjee said that over 50 high-ranking officials— including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DGP, ADGs, IGs, DIGs, District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police—had been “summarily and arbitrarily” removed, which was tantamount to “political interference of the highest order.”

Calling such action “direct assault” on the Indian Constitution, Banerjee claimed that over 200 lives had been lost during the “deeply flawed” SIR exercise. She accused the ECI of “a clear bias and an uncomfortable submission to political interests” that had “put the people of Bengal at risk”.

“Why is the BJP so desperate? Why this relentless targeting of Bengal and its people? What satisfaction do they derive from forcing citizens, even after 78 years of Independence, to stand in queues and prove their own citizenship?” Mamata Banerjee wrote.

She alleged that supplementary electoral rolls had not been published, in disregard to the directions issued by the Supreme Court (SC), “leaving citizens anxious and uncertain.”

“Meanwhile, senior officers from critical agencies like IB, STF and CID are being selectively removed and dispatched out of the state, pointing to a calculated attempt to cripple Bengal’s administrative machinery.”

Accusing the ECI of having lost “credibility”, Banerjee said: “This is not incidental, it points to a deliberate design to seize control of West Bengal through coercion and institutional manipulation. What we are witnessing is nothing short of an undeclared emergency and an unpromulgated form of president’s rule driven by political vendetta, not democratic principles.”

“Having failed to win the trust of Bengal’s people, the BJP is now attempting to capture the state through coercion, intimidation, manipulation and the misuse of institutions.”

“I stand in complete solidarity with every officer of the Government of West Bengal and their families, who are being targeted simply for serving the state with honesty and commitment. Bengal has never bowed to intimidation and it never will. Bengal will fight, Bengal will resist and Bengal will decisively defeat every attempt to impose a divisive and destructive agenda on its soil.”

A new report has suggested that the United States may have been aware of, and even supported, Israel’s strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, despite earlier public denials by President Donald Trump.

The development comes at a time of rising tensions in West Asia, with energy infrastructure becoming a key target. While the US had initially said it had no prior knowledge of the strike, the latest claims raise questions about coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv and the risk of further escalation involving Qatar’s gas facilities.

According to a report by Axios, citing Israeli officials, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump were in touch before the strike. The report said the operation was meant to send a strong message to Iran and stop it from interfering with oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Axios further reported that the Israeli Air Force carried out the attack on the gas processing site in southwest Iran on Wednesday night, and that it had been cleared by the White House.

Also Read: ‘Angry’ Israel, ‘Blind’ Iran: Trump ‘defends’ Tehran after Qatar LNG strike; promises no more attacks on South Pars

Qatar seeks answers as tensions spread

After Iran responded with missile fire, officials in Qatar reached out to senior US authorities, including White House envoy Steve Witkoff and military leadership at CENTCOM, seeking clarity on whether Washington had prior information about the strike, the report said.

Witkoff is said to have held multiple calls with Qatari officials and worked to set up an urgent conversation between President Trump and Qatar’s emir.

Earlier, Trump had publicly denied any US involvement, saying Israel acted “out of anger” when it struck the South Pars facility. He maintained that Washington had no advance knowledge of the operation.

In a strongly worded post on Truth Social, Trump said only a small part of the large gas field had been hit. He also insisted that neither the US nor Qatar had any role in the attack.

At the same time, he warned of serious consequences if Iran targets Qatar again. Trump said the United States would not hesitate to respond with overwhelming force if energy installations in Qatar are attacked once more.

Following the strike, Iran targeted LNG infrastructure in Qatar, including sites linked to Ras Laffan Industrial City. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also issued a warning, saying any repeat action against Iran’s energy assets by the US or Israel could lead to a much stronger response.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday released its first list of 88 candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, bringing in several recent entrants from the Congress, including senior leaders Pradyut Bordoloi and Bhupen Kumar Borah.

The announcement signals the BJP’s strategy of expanding its base ahead of the polls by inducting prominent faces from rival parties. Voting for all 126 Assembly seats in Assam will take place in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4, as per the Election Commission of India.

Pradyut Bordoloi, who recently quit the Congress and joined the BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has been fielded from Dispur. Bhupen Kumar Borah, a former state Congress president who switched sides weeks ago, will contest from Bihpuria, a constituency he failed to win in the last two elections. Now contesting on a BJP ticket, the two-time MLA is aiming to return to the Assembly.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will once again contest from Jalukbari, a seat he has represented over multiple terms. Among other candidates announced, minister Pijush Hazarika will contest from Jagiroad, Rupali Langthasa from Haflong, and Prasanta Phukan from Dibrugarh.

In Jorhat, sitting MLA Hitendra Nath Goswami is set for a direct contest against Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi.

Family switch triggers Congress withdrawal in Margherita

Separately, Prateek Bordoloi has pulled out of the race from the Margherita constituency following his father Pradyut Bordoloi’s move to the BJP.

In a letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Prateek Bordoloi said he did not wish to continue as a candidate under the changed circumstances, citing the need to avoid confusion among voters and party workers.

“With utmost respect and a deep sense of responsibility towards the party, I wish to convey my decision to withdraw my candidacy from the Margherita Assembly Constituency. In the present circumstances, following my father’s decision to join another political party. I feel it would not be appropriate for me to continue as a candidate. I believe that the people of Margherita and the countless dedicated Congress workers deserve absolute clarity and confidence in the party’s candidate. It would be unfair to them if any confusion or perception arises regarding my commitment or the party’s position,” he wrote.

The Reserve Bank of India on Thursday stepped in after HDFC Bank’s part-time Chairman Atanu Chakraborty resigned, saying the lender continues to remain stable and well-placed financially.

The clarification comes as the market reacted sharply to the leadership change, with investors closely watching what it could mean for one of India’s most important banks. The RBI said it has cleared the bank’s proposal for an interim arrangement for the chairman’s role and sees no immediate cause for concern.

Chakraborty reportedly resigned citing issues with the lender over “values and ethics”.

RBI flags no red flags on governance or financial health

In its statement, the central bank said its regular reviews have not thrown up any serious issues in the way the bank is run. It described HDFC Bank as a financially sound institution, with adequate capital buffers and enough liquidity to meet its obligations.

The regulator also pointed out that the bank continues to be managed by an experienced leadership team, backed by a professional board. As a Domestic Systemically Important Bank, HDFC Bank remains closely monitored, and the RBI said it will stay engaged with the bank’s management during this phase.

Following the resignation, the bank held a call with analysts and investors on Thursday morning to address concerns and explain the transition. These calls matter more when there’s a sudden change at the top, and markets are already on edge.

HDFC Bank remains a key player in the country’s banking system, and what the management signals next could influence investor confidence in the short term.

The market reaction, however, was immediate. Shares of the bank fell sharply during the day, reflecting nervousness around the sudden change at the top.

The stock dropped over 5 per cent at one stage. At the time of filing this report, it was trading at Rs 804, compared to Rs 846 at the previous close, a decline of more than 4 per cent.

HDFC Bank, among India’s largest private lenders, currently has a market capitalisation of Rs 12,38,131.08 crore.

The National Commission for Women has officially jumped into the ‘Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke’ matter, and not quietly. Using its powers under the NCW Act, 1990, the commission took suo motu cognizance of media reports around the song.

According to the commission, the content looks ‘sexually suggestive and objectionable at first glance’. It also flagged possible violations under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Information Technology Act, and even the POCSO Act.

Also Read: CBFC drops bombshell in ‘KD’ song row; says ‘Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke’ was NEVER submitted for certification

The controversy is no longer just online chatter. Official summons have been issued to Nora Fatehi, Raqueeb Alam, Sanjay Dutt, producer Venkat K. Narayana, and director Kiran Kumar.

They’ve all been asked to appear before the commission on March 24, 2026 at 12:30 pm, along with relevant documents.

The National Commission for Women, in exercise of its powers under the NCW Act, 1990, has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports alleging obscenity and vulgarity in the song “Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke.”

Observing that the content prima facie appears to be sexually suggestive,…

— NCW (@NCWIndia) March 19, 2026

Government bans the song

The drama didn’t stop there. Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed in the Lok Sabha that the song has been officially banned.

His statement was blunt: ‘freedom of speech cannot be absolute if it crosses the line of cultural decency’.

That one line has now become the center of a much bigger debate online.

Damage control mode on

Sensing the storm, the makers are already trying to fix things fast. A “sanitised” version of the track, with completely new lyrics, is expected to drop.

All of this is happening just weeks before the release of KD – The Devil on April 30. Directed by Prem, the film is a big-budget Kannada period action drama known for its gritty and high-energy style.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first warning. On March 17, the National Human Rights Commission had already issued a notice over the song’s alleged double-meaning and objectionable lyrics.

Nora Fatehi breaks silence

Amid all this chaos, Nora Fatehi finally spoke up on social media. She clarified that she distanced herself from the project once she understood the meaning and possible consequences of the lyrics.

She claimed that she initially didn’t fully grasp the song’s meaning. But once she did, she stepped back, not just from the song, but also from any promotions related to it.

Around 18,000 people aged between 18 and 45 have died of heart attacks or heart failure in Haryana over the past six years, the state Assembly was informed on Wednesday.

The figures, shared by the government in a written response, came after a Congress MLA asked for detailed data on such deaths since 2020, along with any possible links to Covid-19 infection or vaccination. The government clarified that no study or survey has been carried out to examine any such connection.

According to the data placed before the House, a total of 17,973 deaths were recorded between January 2020 and January 2026. The yearly breakdown shows 2,394 deaths in 2020, rising to 3,188 in 2021, followed by 2,796 in 2022 and 2,886 in 2023. The numbers continued to climb, reaching 3,063 in 2024 and 3,255 in 2025. In January 2026 alone, 391 such cases were reported.

District data shows wide variation

The district-wise data reveals significant differences across the state. Yamunanagar reported consistently high numbers, with deaths recorded at 387 in 2020, 461 in 2021, 375 in 2022, 378 in 2023, 410 in 2024 and 389 in 2025.

In contrast, Rohtak reported much lower figures during the same period – 33, 41, 40, 27, 30 and 30 respectively. Gurugram’s numbers stood at 113 in 2020, 105 in 2021, 116 in 2022, 114 in 2023, 93 in 2024 and 83 in 2025.

The government said the data was compiled based on inputs received from district authorities.

Argentine football great Lionel Messi became only the second player in history to score 900 goals in top-level play when he scored in Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup match against Nashville SC.

Messi scored in the seventh-minute, marking his 900th goal overall in his professional career at Geodis Park in the Concacaf Champions Cup last-16 second-leg tie against Nashville. Moreover, the Argentine scored his eighth Concacaf Champions Cup goal and now has 10 direct goal contributions for Inter Miami CF (8 goals, 2 assists). Since his debut in the competition, only Angel Sepúlveda (11) has more goal involvements.

The Miami captain joined long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo in an illustrious group. Ronaldo, 41, reached 900 goals after scoring for Portugal against Croatia in September 2024.

Messi and Ronaldo, who have won the Ballon d’Or a combined 13 times, are the only players in the history of the men’s game to reach the 900-goal landmark.

The 38-year-old Argentine striker has also scored a plethora of goals for FC Barcelona, Paris St‑Germain and Argentina during a glittering career in which he has won the Ballon d’Or eight times. In 2012, he set the record for the most goals in a calendar year (91), with 79 for Barcelona and 12 with Argentina. He is also the fastest player to score 100 Champions League goals in just 123 outings.

Despite Messi’s historic goal, Inter Miami bowed out of the Concacaf Champions Cup as the aggregate finished tied 1-1, but Nashville advanced on the away goals rule. With a goalless draw in the first leg, Nashville SC came in with a slight advantage if it could score an away goal.

Messi broke the deadlock in the seventh minute, sending a left-footed shot past Brian Schwake to place Inter Miami up 1-nil on aggregate. The visitors obtained the equaliser in the 74th minute through the boots of Cristian Espinoza, who struck off a half-volley in the box to score the goal that decided the series. Espinoza was named the Superior Player of the Match for his performance.

Nashville SC advanced to the quarterfinals, setting a new best for the club in the Concacaf Champions Cup. The MLS club awaits the winner of the Club America and Philadelphia Union series.

With Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Rajya Sabha win, talk around his successor has picked up pace in the state. A recent remark by Kumar about his deputy Samrat Choudhary, a BJP minister, has added to the chatter. But senior JD(U) leader and minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary has pushed back, saying the comment has been read out of context.

The buzz began after Kumar, during his Samriddhi Yatra in Jamui on Wednesday, pointed to Choudhary and said he would be “looking after Bihar” and that the state would move ahead rapidly. The statement led to suggestions in some quarters that the Chief Minister was hinting at his successor.

JD(U) says remark was routine, not a signal

Responding to the speculation, Chaudhary said he was present when the remark was made and dismissed the interpretation outright. He stressed that Kumar has often publicly encouraged his colleagues in a similar manner and that there was nothing unusual in what was said.

He added that Samrat Choudhary, as deputy chief minister, has been working closely with Kumar and fulfilling his responsibilities. According to Chaudhary, reading a larger political message into the comment was unwarranted.

The JD(U) leader was speaking to reporters at the Chief Minister’s residence late last evening after an Iftaar gathering hosted by Kumar. He also underlined Kumar’s long-standing outreach to minorities, noting that such invitations during Ramadan have been a consistent practice.

When asked if the occasion carried any emotional undertones, Chaudhary avoided a direct reply, saying political decisions are shaped by circumstances rather than sentiment.

Political transition likely to reshape Bihar leadership

With talk of Kumar stepping aside gaining traction, attention has shifted to the possible shape of the next government. The BJP, currently the largest party in the Assembly, is expected to take the lead in such a scenario.

There is also discussion within political circles about a larger role for Kumar’s son Nishant, who recently entered active politics. Sources indicate he could be considered for a key position, including that of deputy chief minister, if a transition takes place.

In a surprise move, Trinamul Congress has fielded Pabitra Kar against Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram.

Mr Kar, a Trinamul Congress leader, joined the BJP with Mr Adhikari in December 2020. He was the chief election strategist of Mr Adhikari in Nandigram. Mr Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee by a slender margin.

The people of Nandigram distributed sweets and played with abir to celebrate Mr Kar’s candidature. The leader said he would fight together to defeat Mr Adhikari.

Mr Kar recently joined Trinamul Congress and Mr Abhishek Banerjee, party’s national general secretary handed over the party flag and welcomed him to the party. Mr Kar’s candidature was kept secret and no one knew that he would be the candidate before Mr Banerjee announced his name.

People of Nandigram had approached Mr Banerjee and requested him to open Sebaashray camps in Nandigram. Accordingly, Sebaaashray camps were opened in Nandigram I and II. The camps were a big success and the people of Nandigram started shifting their allegiance to Trinamul Congress.

Political experts said it would be difficult for Mr Adhikari to travel to Nandigram and Bhawanipore to organise campaign meets. He will have to concentrate in Bhawanipore which is the constituency of Miss Mamata Banerjee.

Trinamul Congress leaders held a meeting today with the workers in Bhawanipur. The party is giving special emphasis on the wards where the party trailed behind the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

The Trinamul Congress announced its list of candidates last Tuesday, re-nominating Indranil Sen from the Chandannagar Assembly constituency for the third consecutive term.

A singer by profession, Indranil Sen first contested from Chandannagar as a TMC candidate in 2016, winning the seat and later becoming a member of the state Cabinet. He retained the constituency in 2021, and the party has once again placed its trust in him for the upcoming Assembly elections.

Following the announcement, Indranil Sen met party workers in Chandannagar on Wednesday. He first held a meeting at a lodge in the Kalupukurdhar area, after which he addressed a Press conference.

Speaking to the media, he said: “Significant development work has been carried out in Chandannagar. However, if anyone feels that certain tasks remain incomplete or that more work is needed, they may send me a list, and I will ensure those are completed. Details of future development initiatives will be shared through official notices and press briefings.”

Responding to allegations by the CPI-M candidate that healthcare infrastructure in the area is in a poor state, Indranil said: “He should undergo a medical check-up, particularly an eye examination. Government hospitals are available to him, along with the Swasthya Sathi scheme and health insurance facilities. If he needs any personal assistance, I am ready to help.”

He added that while considerable work has been completed, some tasks may still be pending. “The central government has withheld significant funds due to the state. I urge it to release the outstanding dues so that further development projects can be undertaken in this constituency,” he said.

Expressing confidence ahead of the polls, he added: “By 7 May, Mamata Banerjee will once again assume office as Chief Minister, marking her fourth term.”

Addressing party workers, Indranil urged them to conduct door-to-door outreach across the constituency. “Maintain cordial relations with everyone. Ensure that every voter can exercise their franchise freely. Regardless of whom they choose to vote for, it is our duty to ensure that no one faces any obstruction in casting their vote,” he said.

Soon after the Trinamul Congress announced its list of candidates for the Assembly election, a section of senior party leaders ~ from Farakka in Murshidabad to Cooch Behar ~ expressed unhappiness after being denied tickets to contest from their respective constituencies.

Although former North Bengal Development Minister Rabindranath Ghosh has not publicly aired his grievances, he reportedly spoke to several other leaders, who were also denied tickets. Mr Ghosh had wished to contest from the Natabari Assembly constituency.

Four-time MLA from Rajganj in Jalpaiguri, Khageshwar Roy, issued a 48-hour ultimatum before taking “drastic steps” after receiving calls from party representatives. Mr Roy said he was contacted by several leaders who were denied tickets, including Rabindranath Ghosh, Sourav Chakraborty, Arghya Roy Pradhan, Binaykrishna Barman and Hiten Barman from Cooch Behar. According to Mr Roy, many of them expressed deep disappointment, saying they could not continue in the party under the circumstances.

“I was defeated by money,” Mr Roy alleged, adding that he had not expected such a decision as the district party president had confirmed his candidature only hours before the official announcement. In protest, he resigned from the post of district chairman and issued a 48-hour deadline to the party leadership.

Notably, athlete Swapna Barman has been fielded from the Rajganj Assembly constituency in place of Mr Roy.

Meanwhile, former Alipurduar MLA and former chairman of the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA), Sourav Chakraborty, posted a pointed remark on social media. “Your policy is excellent ~ insurance companies don’t have anything like this. Alipurduar has seen development worth Rs 200 crore. Let the election be held under the leadership of the person who has taken all the tenders,” he wrote.

Commenting on Mr Ghosh’s exclusion, outgoing North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha said it was the party’s decision and that he might be assigned other responsibilities.

Candidates fielded by the Trinamul Congress across north Bengal have already begun campaigning, primarily targeting the BJP. In Siliguri, Mayor Goutam Deb has launched his campaign, describing his candidature as his “last desire” to be elected as MLA from Siliguri to bring development according to his vision. However, a section of party insiders appeared unhappy. In the comment section of one of Mr Deb’s posts, a user listed 94 ‘negative’ points including teachers’ recruitment scam related to the present government and his role, urging voters to consider them before pressing the EVM button.

In Malda, former minister Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury, who is not contesting despite his willingness, welcomed the candidate list, calling it a strategically sound selection by party chief Mamata Banerjee and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

On the other hand, sitting MLA from Farakka, Md Manirul Islam, who failed to secure a ticket this time has announced his decision to contest as an Independent against the official candidate. He also said he would field another candidate in Samserganj in Murshidabad.

“I have been made a scapegoat since I protested at the Farakka BDO office over the SIR exercise. I am in the hearts of the people of Farakka, and they will support me. I will contest from Farakka,” Manirul Islam said.

The Trinamul Congress (TMC) is facing unrest in South 24-Parganas after a section of party workers launched protests in Canning East, demanding that sitting MLA Saokat Molla be retained as the candidate from the constituency instead of being shifted to Bhangar.

The protests began on Tuesday night, shortly after the ruling party released its list of candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections, replacing as many as 74 nominees across the state. In Canning Purba, Molla ~ a two-time MLA from the seat in 2016 and 2021 ~ has been fielded from Bhangar, while the party has nominated Baharul Islam, a district-level functionary from Bhangar, for Canning East.

Agitated supporters gathered at Jibantala in the Canning II block, staging demonstrations outside the MLA’s office. Protesters blocked roads, burnt tyres, and raised slogans through the night, opposing what they termed the imposition of an “outsider” candidate. The agitation resumed on Wednesday morning, with demonstrators reiterating their demand that Molla, whom they described as a “son of the soil”, be fielded again from Canning East. Local leaders also joined the chorus. Ichhauddin Sardar, a panchayat functionary from the Sarengabad area, said residents would not accept a candidate from outside the constituency. “We want our own representative.

Saokat Molla has been working here for years,” he said. Molla, however, refrained from commenting on the controversy. “I have nothing to say. I will abide by whatever decision the party takes,” he stated, indicating adherence to the party line. On the other hand, Baharul Islam sought to downplay the unrest, asserting there was no rift within the party. “The party’s decision is final. There is no difference of opinion with Shaukat-da,” he said. Meanwhile, BJP leader Abhijit Das Boby took a swipe at the ruling party, claiming the developments reflected internal tensions within the TMC leadership, led by Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee.

After the Election Commission of India removed the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police, Commissioner of Kolkata Police and the top layer of police administration, the poll body has now removed 12 District Magistrates and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Commissioner in a fresh round of administrative reshuffle ahead of the West Bengal Assembly election.

In a notification issued on 18 March, the commission directed the immediate transfer and posting of senior IAS officers as District Magistrates-cum-District Election Officers (DEOs) across key districts, signalling a continued effort to tighten administrative neutrality in poll-bound West Bengal.

The reshuffle spans across multiple districts, with the ECI replacing key administrative heads and appointing new District Magistrates-cum-District Election Officers.

In Cooch Behar, Raju Mishra has been removed and Jitin Yadav appointed in his place, while in Jalpaiguri, Ravi Prakash Meena has been replaced by Sandeep Ghosh.

Uttar Dinajpur has also seen a change, with Surendra Kumar Meena making way for Vivek Kumar.

Similar changes have been affected in Malda and Murshidabad, where Preeti Goya and Nitin Singhania have been replaced by Rajanvir Singh Kapur and R Arjun respectively.

In Nadia, Nikhil Nirmal has been removed and Srikant Palli has been brought in, while in Purba Bardhaman, Ayesha Rani has been replaced by Sweta Agarwal.

The commission has also reshuffled leadership in the two 24-Parganas districts, appointing Shilpa Gourisaria in North 24-Parganas in place of Shashank Sethi, and Abhishek Kumar Tiwary in South 24-Parganas, replacing Arvind Kumar Mina.

In the northern hill district of Darjeeling, Sunil Agarwal has been replaced by Harishanker Panicker, while in Alipurduar, R Vimla has been removed and T Balasubramanian has been posted as the new District Magistrate-cum-DEO.

In Kolkata, KMC Commissioner Anshul Gupta has been replaced by Smita Pandey, who will also serve as the District Election Officer for Kolkata North, while Randhir Kumar has been appointed as DEO for Kolkata South.

The commission has instructed that the newly-appointed officers take charge with immediate effect and submit a compliance report by 3 p.m. on Thursday.

It has also made it clear that officers who have been transferred out will not be assigned any election-related duties until the completion of the electoral process.

The sweeping changes come amid heightened scrutiny of the state administration, with the ECI taking a series of stringent measures to ensure free and fair elections in West Bengal.

The back-to-back removal of top bureaucrats and police officials indicates the commission’s assertive stance in maintaining neutrality and strengthening poll preparedness across the state.

Third day in a row, Election Commission of India (ECI) in a fresh notification the poll body removed five Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) across crucial police ranges in West Bengal, further intensifying its administrative intervention ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

This comes after the ECI removed top ranking police officers in the rank of CP, IG SPs and DC level earlier.

In its latest order, the Election Commission of India directed the removal and replacement of DIGs in Raiganj, Murshidabad, Burdwan, Jalpaiguri and Presidency ranges.

The commission has also issued detailed instructions regarding the new postings and asked the incoming officers to assume charge by Thursday morning.

As per the notification, Amit Kumar Bharat Rathore, a 2009-batch IPS officer who was serving as DIG of traffic and road safety, has been appointed as the new DIG of Raiganj Range. He will be replacing Nimbalkar Santosh Uttamrao who was recently posted there.

In Murshidabad Range, Ajit Singh Yadav, a 2011-batch IPS officer who was previously serving as SP (DEO), has been brought in as the new DIG.

He replaces Sudhir Kumar Neelakantam, who had only recently been shifted to the post from Raiganj Range but has now been removed by the commission.

In Jalpaiguri Range, the commission has replaced DIG Waqar Raza with Anjali Singh, a 2009-batch IPS officer who was serving as DIG, Traffic.

The move is being seen as significant given the strategic importance of north Bengal during elections.

Similarly, in Burdwan Range, DIG Shyam Singh has been removed and replaced with Shrihari Pandey, a 2011-batch IPS officer who was earlier posted as DIG of Intelligence Branch in north Bengal.

The ECI has also affected changes in the Presidency Range where Kankar Prosad Bami has been posted as the new DIG replacing Bhaskar Mukherjee.

The commission with these transfers has completed the reshuffle across five key zones, although the focus of the directive remains on ensuring administrative neutrality and efficiency in sensitive regions.

The latest reshuffle comes in the backdrop of an unprecedented overhaul carried out by the Commission earlier this week.

In that round, several top-ranking police officials, including those at the level of Inspector General (IG), Commissioners of Police (CP), Superintendents of Police (SPs), and a Deputy Commissioner in Kolkata Police, were removed or transferred.

This followed a major administrative shake-up that saw the removal of key bureaucrats, including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police and the Kolkata Police Commissioner, soon after the announcement of the poll schedule.

Subsequently, the commission replaced IG-level officers in both south Bengal and north Bengal, along with Commissioners of Police in multiple urban commissionerates such as Asansol-Durgapur, Howrah, Barrackpore and Chandannagar. In addition, over a dozen SP-level officers were transferred across districts, significantly altering the policing structure at the grassroots level.

Officials said the continuing reshuffle reflects the commission’s intent to exercise strict control over the administrative and law-and-order machinery to ensure free and fair elections.

The poll body has also reiterated that officers who have been removed or transferred should not be assigned any election-related duties until the completion of the electoral process.

While the sweeping changes have drawn political reactions from the state leadership over their timing and scale, the commission has continued with its phased restructuring, signalling a firm approach to election management in West Bengal.

Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah at Anfield saw Liverpool overturn a first-leg deficit to secire a 4-1 aggregate victory over Galatasaray and book a Champions League quarterfinal versus Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool produced a performance of authority and class to emphatically overturn a 1-0 deficit from last week’s first meeting in Istanbul, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah getting the goals.

Szoboszlai opened the scoring midway through a first half that ended with Salah seeing a penalty saved, before Ekitike and Gravenberch struck in a two-minute spell soon after the restart.

With just over an hour gone, Salah did get on the scoresheet – this after a Wilfried Singo own goal had been disallowed for offside against Jeremie Frimpong – with a trademark curler for his 50th Champions League goal.

The Egyptian then hit the crossbar before being substituted due to injury in the only negative to emerge from an otherwise wholly positive evening for Arne Slot and his team, who can now look forward to a last-eight showdown with PSG.

Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid beat Tottenham Hotspur on aggregate in the round of 16 and made it to the quarter-finals of Europe’s premier competition for the 13th time (from a total of 20 participations). Furthermore, it is the eighth time under the tenure of Diego Pablo Simeone.

Atletico twice came back to stifle Tottenham and reach the quarter-finals, despite eventually losing in London. The home side had the better of the first half and led at the break through Randal Kolo Muani’s header, only for Julián Alvarez’s 14th Champions League goal in 17 appearances to cancel it out after the restart.

Spurs offered a quick response through a curling Xavi Simons strike but Dávid Hancko’s header all but ended their hopes. A Simons penalty in added time gave the hosts victory on the night, but Atleti progressed 7-5 on aggregate.

They will take on FC Barcelona in the last-eight, with the first leg at Camp Nou and the second at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

A viral social media post claiming that Iran has blocked Indian ships in the Strait of Hormuz has been flagged as false by the government, even as concerns around global shipping routes remain high.

In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs’ Fact Check unit warned users against sharing “false and baseless claims”, urging caution at a time when tensions in the region have already heightened anxieties around energy supplies.

Govt debunks viral claim on Indian ships

The misleading post alleged that Iran had stopped 22 Indian vessels from crossing the Strait of Hormuz and linked it to a wider geopolitical standoff.

However, according to information shared by authorities, all 22 Indian-flagged vessels operating in and around the Strait are safe, with 611 people on board accounted for. The vessels include those stationed near the critical shipping route.

The clarification came alongside operational updates from the Shipping Ministry, which said maritime activity continues under close monitoring. Officials added that India has maintained a steady naval deployment in the region through Operation Sankalp to secure key sea lanes.

Fake News Alert!

Please stay alert against such false and baseless claims and posts on social media! pic.twitter.com/hI3PsItbGE

— MEA FactCheck (@MEAFactCheck) March 19, 2026

Ships moving, supplies stable despite tensions

Even as global tensions continue, the movement of Indian cargo has not been halted. An Indian-flagged crude oil tanker carrying over 80,000 metric tonnes of oil recently reached Gujarat. Two LPG carriers had also completed their journey earlier this week after safely crossing the Strait.

Officials said they are staying in close touch with shipping companies, logistics partners and Indian missions overseas to keep things running smoothly. Ports, too, have been asked to step in with support where needed, including easing some charges.

They also made it clear that there is no immediate danger to Indian ships or crew. At the same time, people have been advised not to trust viral posts and to follow only confirmed, official updates.