New Delhi, May 22: Short Range Ballistic Missile ‘Agni-1’ was successfully test-launched from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha, on Friday, said the Ministry of Defence.

The launch validated all operational and technical parameters. The test was carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command, said an official statement.

On September 24, 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, in collaboration with the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), carried out the successful launch of the Intermediate Range Agni-Prime Missile from a rail-based mobile launcher system, under a full operational scenario.

This next-generation missile is designed to cover a range of up to 2,000 km and is equipped with various advanced features.

The first-of-its-kind launch was carried out from a specially designed rail-based mobile launcher having the capability to move on the rail network without any preconditions, said an official statement.

It provides for cross-country mobility and has the capability to launch within a short reaction time with reduced visibility. It is self-sustained and is equipped with all independent launch capability features, including the state-of-the-art communication systems and protection mechanisms.

The Missile trajectory was tracked by various ground stations, and it was a textbook launch meeting all mission objectives. This successful launch would enable futuristic rail-based systems induction into services. The launch was witnessed by senior scientists of DRDO and Officers of the Strategic Forces Command.

The Road Mobile Agni-P has already been inducted into service after a series of successful flight trials.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, SFC and the Armed Forces on the successful test of the Intermediate Range Agni-Prime missile and stated that this flight test has put India in the group of select nations which have developed a canisterised launch system from the rail network.

Srinagar, May 22: Continuing its crackdown against drug trafficking and narcotics-related activities under the ongoing anti-drug campaign and ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan’, J&K Police today attached properties worth over Rs 1 crore belonging to alleged drug peddlers in Baramulla, Shopian and Kulgam districts under the provisions of the NDPS Act.

In Baramulla, Police attached a residential property valued at approximately ₹30 lakh belonging to notorious drug peddler Zahid Ahmad Mir son of Ghulam Hassan Mir, resident of Checkthan Chanpora, Tangmarg, under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act.

The action followed investigation and enquiry conducted in connection with multiple NDPS cases registered against the accused, including FIR No. 37/2017 under Section 8/20 NDPS Act, FIR No. 34/2025 under Sections 8/21-29 NDPS Act and FIR No. 07/2026 under Sections 8/21-29 NDPS Act of Police Station Tangmarg.

Police said the property was found prima facie disproportionate to the known lawful sources of income of the accused and is suspected to have been acquired through proceeds generated from illicit narcotic activities. The attachment proceedings were initiated after detailed examination of revenue records, income details, statements of local witnesses and bank transaction records, which allegedly indicated financial transactions disproportionate to the declared income of the accused.

In Shopian, Police attached a residential house falling under Khasra Nos. 187 and 188 valued at ₹21,99,478 belonging to Shameem Ahmad Bhat son of Ab Jabbar Bhat, resident of Poterwal Keegam, in connection with FIR No. 275/2025 of Police Station Shopian.

Police said the property was identified as having been acquired through proceeds generated from the illegal trade of drugs and narcotics. The attachment proceedings were carried out in the presence of a duly constituted police team, Executive Magistrate, Lambardar and Chowkidar to ensure compliance with legal procedures and transparency.

Meanwhile in Kulgam, Police attached a double-storied residential house valued at ₹51 lakh belonging to Umar Yousuf Rather son of Mohd Yousuf Rather, resident of Chinigam Frisal, Yaripora, in connection with FIR No. 69/2021 of Police Station Yaripora.

The attachment proceedings were carried out under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act through the competent authority SAFEMA in the presence of a police team and Executive Magistrate.

In another action, Kulgam Police along with revenue officials carried out a demolition drive in the jurisdiction of Police Station Manzgam, during which a shop/store belonging to Bashir Ahmad Ganie son of Abdul Karim Ganie, resident of Avil KB Pora, was demolished after following due legal procedure. Police also retrieved three marlas of state land under Khasra No. 59 from the alleged drug peddler.

J&K Police reiterated its commitment towards a zero-tolerance policy against the drug menace and said stringent action against narcotics traffickers and their illegally acquired assets will continue to ensure a drug-free society. Police also urged the general public to share information regarding drug trafficking and related activities.

Srinagar, May 22: In a major crackdown against the illegal sale and distribution of psychotropic and intoxicating drugs under the ongoing anti-narcotics drive, Police in Baramulla achieved a significant success in Pattan area by unearthing an illicit drug supply network operating through medical establishments.

Police Station Pattan received credible information that one Musadiq Rashid Yatoo son of Ab Rashid Yatoo resident of Yadipora Pattan, proprietor of “Musa Medicate” located near Trauma Hospital Pattan, was clandestinely involved in the illegal sale of psychotropic/intoxicating drugs among the youth of the area.

Acting swiftly on the information, case FIR No. 108/2026 was registered at Police Station Pattan and investigation was initiated. During the course of investigation, search warrants were obtained from the Hon’ble JMIC Court Pattan. Subsequently, a raid was conducted by Police Station Pattan in presence of Executive Magistrate 1st Class Pattan, Drug Control Officer and independent witnesses.

During the raid, the accused was caught red-handed while illegally selling psychotropic drugs. 07 strips comprising 105 tablets of Tramadol were recovered and seized on spot in accordance with law. The accused was immediately arrested.

During sustained interrogation, the accused disclosed that the psychotropic drugs were being supplied by one Irfan Yousuf son of Mohd Yousuf Wani resident of Sherpora Bangil, proprietor of “Wani Pharma Distributor” near GDC Pattan, who was allegedly supplying such drugs without proper billing and legal procedure. Accordingly, the distributor’s premises near GDC Pattan were searched and sealed in presence of Executive Magistrate and Drug Control Officer after obtaining a separate search warrant from the Hon’ble JMIC Pattan. Simultaneously, the residential house of the accused at Sherpora Bangil was also searched.

During the searches, 69 strips comprising 690 tablets of Etisoma-0.25 (Etizolam) and 10 strips comprising 100 tablets of Cloprax-B20 were recovered. Both accused persons have been arrested in the instant case. During investigation, both medical establishments were also sealed by the Drug Control Officer and Executive Magistrate as per law.

Moreover, digital devices including 02 Laptops, 01 Tab, 01 DVR and 02 Mobile Phones belonging to the accused persons have also been seized for further forensic and technical examination.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain backward and forward linkages, identify the supply chain and uncover involvement of other persons connected with the illicit trade of narcotic and intoxicating drugs/medicines.

J&K Police remains committed towards eradicating the drug menace from society and appeals to the general public to cooperate with Police by sharing any information related to drug peddling or substance abuse in their areas.

Srinagar, May 22: In continuation of the sustained campaign against drug abuse and narcotics trafficking under the Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan, Police in Kulgam, in close coordination with the Civil Administration, carried out a demolition drive against illegally acquired property belonging to the drug peddlers at Srandoo, Kulgam.

The action was conducted in the presence of the Executive Magistrate and senior officials from the Police and Civil Administration as part of the ongoing crackdown on individuals involved in the drug trade and related unlawful activities. During the drive, property comprising two stories structure (housing cowshed) and storage of Firewal belonging to Bashir Ahmad Dar son of Ghulam Mohiuddin Dar resident of Srandoo and a Shop belonging to drug peddler Waseem son of Abdul Rashid Dar resident of Srandoo were demolished in accordance with legal procedures.

The said individuals have remained involved in drug peddling activities, posing a serious threat to the youth and society by promoting the menace of narcotics in the area. The action reflects the firm resolve of kulgam Police and the District administration to dismantle the infrastructure and financial networks supporting the illegal drug trade.

J&K Police reiterates its commitment towards making the drug-free society and urges the general public to extend cooperation by sharing information regarding drug peddling or any suspicious activities in their areas. Strict action as per law shall continue against all those found involved in narcotics trafficking or facilitating such crimes.

Rajiv Singh shifted to key Centre post

New Delhi/Imphal, May 22: Incumbent Director General of Police (DGP) of Ladakh, Mukesh Singh, is set to become the new police chief of Manipur after the current DGP Rajiv Singh was appointed as Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat, a top official said on Friday.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the transfer of Mukesh Singh to Manipur on inter-cadre deputation for a period of three years. According to an official order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, the decision was taken following a proposal received from the Ministry of Home Affairs on May 15, 2026.

Mukesh Singh, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories) cadre, is a B.Tech graduate in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and joined the IPS in 1996. He assumed charge as the DGP of the Union Territory of Ladakh on January 15, 2026.

Earlier, he served in several sensitive assignments in Jammu and Kashmir, including as Superintendent of Police in Reasi, Pulwama, Poonch and Jammu during periods of heightened militancy and insurgency-related operations.

Meanwhile, the ACC has also approved the appointment of Rajiv Singh as Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat, according to another DoPT order.

Rajiv Singh, a 1993-batch IPS officer of the Tripura cadre, has been serving as the DGP of Manipur since June 1, 2023. Before taking charge as the state (Manipur) police chief, he served as Additional Director General of Police in Tripura and later as Inspector General (Operations) at the CRPF headquarters in New Delhi.

He took over as the head of the Manipur Police during one of the most turbulent phases in the state following the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3, 2023. The ethnic violence began after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organised in the hill districts by tribal organisations protesting the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

The ethnic conflict has so far claimed at least 260 lives, displaced thousands of people, and severely affected normal life across both hill and valley districts. The prolonged unrest also led to the imposition of President’s Rule in the state for nearly a year.

Manipur remained under President’s Rule from February 13, 2025, before it was revoked on February 4 this year, just hours ahead of the formation of a new BJP-led government in the state.

BJP-led NDA legislature party leader Yumnam Khemchand Singh was subsequently sworn in as the Chief Minister.

Officials said the appointment of a new DGP assumes significance as the state government and security agencies continue efforts to restore normalcy and strengthen law and order in the violence-affected state.