Thirty-seven Maoist cadres, including 12 women, surrendered in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district, police said on Sunday. Of these, 27 were wanted with a combined bounty of ₹65 lakh. They laid down arms under the state’s “Poona Margem” initiative, aimed at rehabilitating ex-cadres into society. Key surrenderees include Kumali alias Anita Mandavi, Geeta alias Lakshmi Madkam, Ranjan alias Soma Mandavi, and Bhima alias Jahaj Kalmu, each with a ₹8 lakh reward on them. Under the government’s rehabilitation scheme, each will receive ₹50,000 immediately, along with skill-training and land assistance. Police also noted that over 508 Maoists in Dantewada and more than 2,200 across Chhattisgarh have surrendered in the past 23 months, signaling a weakening of the insurgency. (PC: The Hindu)

India is strengthening security along the Siliguri Corridor, the narrow link between the northeast and the rest of the country. Three new military bases are coming up at Dhubri, Kishanganj, and Chopra. These bases will host rapid deployment teams, intel units, and special forces. India is acting after Bangladesh’s political shift toward China and Pakistan. Reports say Bangladesh may buy Chinese J-10C jets and work with Beijing on drones. India fears this could raise risks along the sensitive border. With new bases, Rafale jets, BrahMos missiles, and stronger air defence, India aims to protect the corridor and keep it secure. (PC: India Today)

In the early hours of Sunday, a Mercedes G63 lost control near Delhi’s Vasant Kunj, crashed into three people waiting at an auto stand by Ambience Mall. A 23-year-old man, identified as Rohit from Uttarakhand, died on the spot, while two others were injured and rushed to hospital. The driver, 29-year-old Shivam from Karol Bagh, was detained; police say the vehicle veered off due to a road diversion. (PC: AFP)

A Class 8 student from Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh — and a national-level skater — leapt from his school’s third floor after repeatedly apologising. CCTV footage from his private school shows him saying “sorry” 52 times in four minutes, allegedly under threat from the principal, who told him his skating career could be ruined. The incident followed the discovery that he had brought his mobile phone to school and recorded a classroom video. He was rushed to a private hospital in critical condition, but his health has now stabilised. (PC: NDTV)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Maulana Mohammad Asim Qasmi, imam of the Bilali Mosque in Haldwani’s Banbhulpura, and his associate Nazar Kamal, an electrician, in connection with the car bomb blast near Delhi’s Red Fort. They were picked up based on call detail records linked to Dr. Umar Nabi, the main accused in the blast. The two have been taken to Delhi for interrogation. Security has been increased around the mosque in Haldwani, and the investigation is expanding, with more questioning in Nainital. (PC: The Hindu)

A Delhi court has sent three doctors and a preacher to 10-day judicial custody in the Red Fort blast case. The accused — Muzammil Ganaie, Adeel Rather, Shaheena Saeed, and Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Wagay — were produced before the court on Saturday. The NIA has arrested seven people so far in the case, which is linked to a “white-collar” terror module uncovered by Jammu and Kashmir Police. Officials say the group was connected to a suicide bombing plot. The main bomber, Dr Umar-un-Nabi, used an explosives-filled car for the attack. Investigators are still tracking more suspects across multiple states. 

India is strengthening the Siliguri Corridor by building three new military bases to protect its key link to the northeast. The new stations at Dhubri, Kishanganj, and Chopra are designed for quick deployment and stronger surveillance. This move comes as Bangladesh’s new interim government grows closer to China and Pakistan, with plans to buy advanced Chinese jets and work on drone projects. India sees this as a security risk because the corridor is only 22 kilometres wide and crucial for connecting over 45 million people. With new bases, Rafale jets, and BrahMos missiles, India aims to secure the region and prevent any threat.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Mahmood Madani triggered a major row by saying, “If there is oppression, there will be jihad.” He claimed the government and judiciary were hurting minority rights and said recent court rulings showed “pressure” on judges. Madani argued that cases moving ahead despite the Places of Worship Act were signs of constitutional breach. The BJP hit back, accusing him of provoking Muslims and attacking the Supreme Court. BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma said Madani’s words were dangerous and “anti-national.” He urged strict action and warned that India would not accept any call that harms peace or unity. (PC: India Today)

Air travel in India may face delays as airlines work to fix a major software glitch in Airbus A320-family aircraft. IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express are updating systems after Airbus warned that strong solar radiation could affect flight-control data. Around 400 aircraft in India may be impacted. The DGCA has ordered immediate upgrades, and more than half the planes have already been fixed. No cancellations have been reported so far, but some flights are delayed. Airbus said this is one of its biggest recalls and stressed that safety remains its top priority as airlines rush to complete the changes. (PC: India Today)

A heartwarming video from a high-altitude border post shows Indian Army soldiers improvising a game of cricket in extreme winter conditions. With heavy snowfall covering the landscape, troops used a snowball as the cricket ball and a shovel as the makeshift bat. The light-hearted moment captured the soldiers’ resilience and ability to stay upbeat despite harsh weather and demanding terrain. The clip has quickly gone viral, drawing admiration for their spirit, camaraderie and creativity while guarding the nation’s frontiers.