Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, declared a terrorist by India for spearheading a global referendum on Khalistan, alleged the Indian government wants to "kill me" for the secessionist voting campaign in an interview with the Time. With the Financial Times reporting the US foiling a purported plot against Pannun on American soil, he said the "onus is on the Joe Biden administration for my protection." Denying that he called to "bomb Air India" Pannun claimed that his actual call was to "boycott Air India", which the Indian government allegedly twisted. Pannun asserted he's challenging the "terror" narrative peacefully through the referendum. Pannun claimed peaceful democratic resolution was never sought on whether Punjab should be independent since 1947. He revealed plans for "Khalistan referendum voting in Punjab on January 26, 2024." Calling out assassination plots, the banned SFJ leader expects US security against what he calls violent Indian suppression of his banned group's separatist referendum agenda.

In the latest updates coming from the Uttarkashi tunnel rescue site, member of the National Disaster Management Agency, Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata clarified rescuers were "not quite there", with manual diggers reaching only 58 of 60 needed meters. 2-metre digging is still left before 41 trapped workers can be pulled out. Earlier, a top state official suggested drilling was "over" before CM Dhami posted pipe installation was done and workers would "soon" exit. However, NHIDCL MD Mahmood Ahmed did not confirm the drilling completion. With euphoric talk worrying officials, Lt Gen Ata insisted "no premature announcements" will be made stressing "safety and security." All principles will be followed, he said adding "We are not in any hurry..." Authorities voiced notes of caution amid premature official announcements about the marathon tunnel rescue effort approaching fruition.

A Chinook helicopter is present to airlift workers post-extraction from Uttarakhand's collapsed tunnel, where dozens of officials and foreign specialists have joined massive efforts to save 41 trapped men, reports ANI. Medical facilities inside the tunnel have been expanded with a team of doctors and experts being deployed along with the rescuers. CM Dhami and PMO officers are at the crisis site monitoring the situation. Nodal officer Neeraj Khairwal overseeing command from the ground; UK-based engineer Chris Cooper consulting on the rail tunnel rescue; Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain helming NDMA's role; expert Arnold Dix inspecting for most efficient worker extraction; 6 rat-hole mining pros from Madhya Pradesh assisting in hazardous manual drilling. Alongside state agencies, global tunneling, disaster response, and mining experts are providing crucial assistance to ensure the complex mission succeeds in bringing out the workers enduring over 17 days of entrapment.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) gears up to rescue 41 workers trapped in Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel. Equipped with gas cylinders and lights, the NDRF team plans to traverse the rescue pipeline to the other side, with a provision for doctors to assess the workers' health. Using wheel-fitted stretchers and a rope mechanism, the trapped individuals will be pulled to safety one by one. The arduous process follows days of challenging anticipation. The workers, trapped behind a formidable 60-meter wall of debris, faced a critical situation. Manual drilling commenced on Monday, aiming to facilitate the rescue. Overcoming obstacles, an augur machine part obstructing evacuation pipes was successfully removed on the same day through vertical drilling from the top of the mountain. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed gratitude for the tireless efforts, stating, "With the blessings of Baba Baukh Nag and prayers of crores, the pipeline has breached the debris. Soon, the workers will be brought to safety." The anxious wait for the families of the trapped workers now hinges on the meticulous execution of this intricate rescue mission.

AIIMS Rishikesh Assistant Professor Dr. Narinder Kumar said rescued Uttarakhand tunnel workers "will be brought here only if medical treatment requirements cannot be met in Uttarkashi District hospital." He informed that AIIMS has readied 20 trauma and ICU beds with a doctor team to deploy if the state government orders. But primary treatment will occur in Uttarkashi. One anxious mother of a trapped worker said "It has been 17 days since my son has been trapped...I won't believe it until I see it." Separately, rescued worker Gabar Singh's brother Jaimal thanked PM Modi for the operation and praised Minister VK Singh's supervision. With victims nearing freedom, AIIMS has backup beds and staff prepared in case Uttarkashi facilities get overwhelmed handling potentially serious medical issues.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami said rescuers "are minutes away from extricating" the 41 workers trapped for 17 days inside the collapsed Uttarkashi tunnel. He announced that "pipe-laying through the rubble at Silkyara tunnel was complete" in the complex operation making global headlines. In a post, Dhami stated, "With immense blessings...and relentless hard work of the rescue agencies...pipe-laying through the tunnel has been completed and our brothers will soon be evacuated." Garlands awaited the workers, with the evacuated group to be treated at a healthcare facility at the Community Health Center in Chinyalisaur. Relatives of the workers thanked PM Modi for the safe return of their loved ones. Some workers have reportedly exited but authorities haven't officially confirmed. After weeks of uncertainty, Dhami indicated the marathon rescue effort reached fruition with trapped workers tantalizingly close to liberation.

In a significant development, the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand has been breached, offering hope to the families of 41 workers trapped inside. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed the completion of laying pipes for the workers' extraction. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is set to initiate the rescue operation, equipped with ropes and essential tools. Ambulances and doctors stand ready outside the tunnel. The intricate plan involves pulling workers one by one on wheeled stretchers through a 90 cm-wide pipe. The entire process is expected to take a couple of hours for each worker.

A banned hazardous mining method finally made the breakthrough in rescuing the trapped 41 workers in the collapsed Uttarakhand tunnel after high-tech machines failed. 'Rat-hole' mining, involving manual digging of narrow pits, began to manually clear the tunnel rubble and save 41 trapped workers after 17 days. It allowed quick progress as diggers with hand tools burrowed tunnels on all fours like rats. But rat-hole mining's dangers saw India prohibit it in 2014 - though it remains rampantly used in Meghalaya's thin, economics-defying coal seams. In this process of mining, cramped shafts suit small framed miners, including illegally hired children. Despite accidents killing rat-hole workers, the outlawed technique became the last resort to manually inch through debris and reach the men deprived of natural light since November 12.

In a major breakthrough on Tuesday, the rescue team breached the rubble and debris after 16 gruelling days and reached the 41 workers trapped since November 12 inside Uttarakhand's collapsed Silkyara-Barkot tunnel. Sources said around 1:10 pm the rescuers broke through to the missing workers, drawing cheers from the rescue site. Ambulances and a medical team immediately reached the remote spot to rush the workers to hospital once pulled out. In the last leg, 12 risky rat-hole miners had been manually digging towards the workers. CM Dhami confirmed pipes have finally been laid into the tunnel to pull the workers out very soon, ending their over two-week ordeal. Families anxiously await their safe return.

Amid the Israel-Hamas War's 53rd day, a ceasefire extension, facilitated by Egypt, sees positive developments. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expresses gratitude, stating, "I spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry to thank Egypt for its partnership in reaching a hostage deal." Notably, Hamas releases 69 hostages, including 50 Israelis, while Israel frees around 150 Palestinians. As the truce's first break since October 7 unfolds, discussions on minimizing harm to civilians and fostering aid into Gaza progress. The release of additional Israeli hostages is anticipated, marking a notable shift in the conflict dynamics.