The Delhi government has declared November 19th (Sunday) as a dry day on account of Chhath Puja celebrations. In an order, the Excise Commissioner stated that all liquor shops and opium vends in Delhi will remain closed as per the Delhi Excise Rules. The 4-day Chhath Puja festival is being celebrated from November 17th to 20th this year. The order said business premises of all liquor license holders will remain shut. Notably, the final match of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup between India and Australia will also take place in Ahmedabad on the same dry day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said deepfakes are one of the biggest threats to India's system and can cause chaos in society. Speaking at the BJP's Diwali Milan event, he urged citizens and media to be vigilant about deepfakes' misuse. He cited a viral deepfake video of him dancing Garba, which was debunked by India Today. The video actually featured his lookalike, actor Vikas Mahante. Modi said he hasn't played Garba since he was young. His remarks follow an India Today deep dive into deepfakes' threats to electoral democracy through doctored images, videos and voiceovers targeting politicians.

Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir successfully eliminated five terrorists in the ongoing operation in Kulgam district. The joint effort by Kulgam Police, Army, and CRPF is in its final stage, with incriminating materials recovered. The encounter, which began in the Samno pocket of DH Pora, is a major anti-insurgency operation in South Kashmir. The forces, including the Army's elite units, surrounded the area, leading to a night-long standoff. The operation resumed with gunfire on Friday morning, resulting in the militants coming out as the house they were hiding in caught fire.

Militants in Manipur ambushed an Assam Rifles troop conducting a patrol on Thursday morning by detonating an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and then opening a "heavy burst of firing" at the soldiers. An official said, "Our soldiers fired back at the militants after which they fled from the spot." None of the troops were injured as they were in a mine-protected vehicle. Earlier, 200 personnel from Assam Rifles were deployed to Manipur to target infiltrators from Myanmar involved in recent attacks. Militants planted an IED and unleashed "heavy firing" on the routine patrol before fleeing as soldiers returned fire, escaping unhurt due to their protected vehicle. Search operation for the militants is on.

Rescue efforts are underway for the fifth consecutive day to save 40 workers trapped in an under-construction tunnel in Silkyara, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. A state-of-the-art auger drilling machine, weighing 24 tonnes, has been deployed to expedite debris removal. The machine, flown in by the Indian Air Force from Delhi, is expected to cut through the rubble at a speed of 5 mm per hour. International experts from Norway and Thailand are assisting due to the fragile mountainous terrain. Union Minister VK Singh expressed hope for a successful rescue within two to three days, emphasizing the safety of the workers.

An intense encounter between security forces and terrorists unfolded in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam, specifically in the Samnoo Nehama area. Two terrorists are reportedly trapped as the firefight commenced at the Damhal Hanji Pora region, according to the Kashmir Zone Police. This incident follows an October encounter in Kulgam where two terrorists, affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen, were killed. The region has witnessed heightened security challenges, evidenced by a recent gunfight in Rajouri district, where two Army personnel were injured. The ongoing cordon and search operations underscore the persistent efforts to address the complex security landscape in the area. [ Photo courtesy: DailyexExcelsior1/X ]

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is set to escalate into a cyclonic storm by Friday, with a projected landfall on the Bangladesh coast. The system, currently located east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, is expected to intensify over the next 24 hours, crossing Bangladesh between Mongla and Khepupara on Saturday. Anticipating wind speeds of 55-65 kmph (gusting up to 75 kmph), coastal areas of Odisha are warned of heavy rainfall and winds ranging from 40 kmph to 70 kmph. Fishermen are advised to avoid deep seas until November 18 due to rough conditions. [ photo courtesy: Zoom_arth/X ]  

India expressed deep concern as fighting between Myanmar’s anti-junta groups and government forces escalated near the border, leading to the capture of key areas, including the Rihkhawdar border crossing. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi called for a halt to violence and a constructive dialogue. Over 5,000 Myanmar nationals, including soldiers, sought refuge in Mizoram. The conflict intensified as resistance fighters expanded Operation 1027. Bagchi clarified India's stance, emphasizing the desire for stability and democracy in Myanmar. Amid calls to end ties with the junta, India stressed its actions aligned with national interests.      

Delhi Police arrested 4 people after patients died undergoing illegal surgeries at a clinic in the posh Greater Kailash area in South Delhi. Dr. Neeraj Agarwal, his wife Pooja posing as a surgeon, Dr. Jaspreet, and lab technician Mahender were arrested. Patients alleged Dr. Agarwal, a physician, conducted vital organ surgeries using fake documents. In one case, a gallbladder patient was told Dr. Jaspreet would operate but Pooja did it instead. He died post-surgery. Police say since 2016, 9 complaints have been filed and 7 patients died due to negligence. Raids revealed deficiencies, banned drugs and expired blades. Over 400 blank prescriptions were seized. The shocking case that has revealed a racket of fatal surgeries in an illegal clinic by unqualified people has created a sensation in the national capital. [Image Courtesy: NDTV]

The Uttarakhand government is enlisting the expertise of special rescue teams from Norway and Thailand to assist in the evacuation of 40 trapped laborers in the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel. Contacts have been made with a Thai rescue company known for saving children from a cave in 2018, while Norway's NGI agency is providing specific suggestions for tunnel operations. Indian Air Force aircraft are transporting 25 tonnes of heavy equipment to aid in debris removal, allowing for the deployment of a steel pipe. Experts from Indian Railways are also advising on rescue strategies.