FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms Vol. 15 No. 56 | BHOPAL | SUNDAY | AUGUST 10, 2025 | Pages 16 ` 4 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 FREE www.freepressjournal.in ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: BHOPAL UJJAIN WORLD Sports Made a mistake by rushing back after... P.15 PRESS PUNE INDORE NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Readers’ Corner Kargil War Heroes... P.6 Zelenskyy: Will not give land to Russia Cinema Wickedly woe-tastic P.14 IIT-I’s ‘AeroVision’ to forecast air quality of next 6 days Our Staff Reporter INDORE Indian Institute of Technology Indore has developed a breakthrough technology, AeroVision, which works like a weather forecast system—but instead of predicting rain, it forecasts air quality for the next six days in every city and town of India. Developed by Prof Manish Kumar Goyal and his research team, including Kuldeep Singh Rautela from the Department of Civil Engineering, AeroVision is powered by advanced Artificial Intelligence combining Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), Long ShortTerm Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Units (GRU). It also collects weather information such as temperature, rainfall, wind speed, air pressure, and humidity, as well as atmospheric conditions like how high pollution can rise in the atmosphere and how many hours of sunshine are available. This data is collected hourly from a 25-kilometer grid across different regions. Prof Goyal said, “This system converts complex pollution data into a simple, colour-coded Air Quality Index (AQI) following Indian standards, along with health warnings and activity recommendations. It enables AeroVision predicts levels of six key pollutants l M2.5, PM10, CO, l SO2, NO2 and O3 l Accuracy consistently above 95% The technology analysis 12 years of hourly air quality data along with weather and atmospheric information to arrive at the results individuals, communities, and policymakers to plan outdoor activities, take preventive health measures, and respond to pollution events in advance.” 4Continued on | P8 After Saurabh case, Lokayukta SPE doesn’t lay hands on new cases But EOW has swung into action and registered more than 15 cases in just seven months The SPE carried out raids on residential and business premises of Saurabh Sharma in December last year Nitendra Sharma ‘BrahMos primary offensive weapon in Op Sindoor’ Agencies PUNE Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman, Samir V Kamat, emphasised on Saturday that India's BrahMos missiles and the Akashteer defence systems were instrumental technologies that played a key role in Operation Sindoor, carried out in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. According to the DRDO chairman, the BrahMos missile, primarily launched from Sukhoi Mk 1, was used during the offensive phase. Meanwhile, the anti-drone Akashteer was the mainstay for defensive weapon systems. "When it comes to offensive weapons, BrahMos was the primary weapon used, which was launched from fp Briefs NEW DELHI 4 astronauts back on Earth SpaceX has safely brought back four astronauts from the U.S., Japan, and Russia back on Earth, said NASA on Saturday. NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov returned to Earth after spending about 148 days on the International Space Station. TEL AVIV ‘Not going to occupy Gaza’ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel will not occupy Gaza but will instead demilitarise the territory and set up a peaceful civilian administration. "We are not going to occupy Gaza - we are going to free Gaza from Hamas," Netanyahu said. our Sukhoi Mark 1 platform. When it comes to defensive weapon systems, the Akashteer system, the anti-drone system and the MRSAM were used," the DRDO chairman said during a press interaction in Maharashtra's Pune. Kamat further mentioned how the Akashteer network helped in identifying any threats coming towards India, and also in deciding what kind of weapon could be used to neutralise such threats. 4Continued on | P8 OP SINDOOR | IAF chief gives details of May 7 strikes on terrorist hqs ‘Downed 6 Pak aircraft’ PTI ‘Took care of ghost of Balakot’ BENGALURU The Indian Air Force (IAF) shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and a large aircraft during Operation Sindoor, in the largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill by India, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh said on Saturday. This is the first official comment on the damage caused to Pakistan during the Indian strikes over three months ago. Many opposition leaders have been attacking the government over the delay in revealing the extent of damage caused to both India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, which was in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. Singh, who was delivering the 16th Air Chief Marshal L M Katre Memorial Lecture here, also presented a detailed account of the May 7 strikes on Talking about the Balakot air strike, post Pulwama terror attack, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh said there were no images available, and it became a big issue. "Unfortunately, we couldn't tell our own people as to what we have been able to achieve. But (this time) we were lucky, and we got these videos out in the open," he said."I am happy that we could take care of that ghost of Balakot," he asserted. ‘Clear political will’ ‘Shot plane from 300 km’ Air Chief Marshal AP Singh credited the "political will" of the Cente for the success of Operation Sindoor. He emphasised that there were "no restrictions" on armed forces and any constraints that the armed forces exercised were self-made. "A key reason for success was the presence of political will. There was very clear political will and very clear directions given to us. No restrictions were put on us...” Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh said one large aircraft, which could be either an aircraft or an AWC, which was taken at a distance of about 300 kilometres. “This is actually the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill that we can talk about," he said. He also said that there were indications of at least one AWC in that AWC hangar, and a few F16s, were also being damaged terrorist headquarters and other terror assets near the border and inside Pakistan. "We have at least five fighters confirmed killed and one large aircraft, which could be either an aircraft or an Vadra received Rs 58 cr proceeds of crime in Gurugram land deal: ED IANS NEW DELHI As part of a tainted land deal in Gurugram, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s husband and businessman Robert Vadra received Rs 58 crore as proceeds of crime, the Enforcement Directorate has told a Special Court in a money laundering case. While Rs 53 crore were routed through Sky Ligh Hospitality, another Rs 5 crore were routed through Blue Breeze Trading, said the ED in its chargesheet against Vadra and others.The Special PMLA court in Delhi has fixed August 28 to 20% discount on return rly journey tickets take cognisance of the ED complaint and issued a notice to Vadra. The federal agency, in its prosecution complaint, said, “These funds, derived from the scheduled offence, were allegedly utilised by Vadra to acquire immovable properties, make investments, advance funds/loans, and settle liabilities of his various group companies.”The ED told the court that its investiga- tion led to the provisional attachment of 43 immovable properties, totalling Rs 38.69 crore, identified as direct or value equivalent to Proceeds of Crime.While seeking punishment for the accused under Section 4 of PMLA with maximum jail term of seven years and confiscation of the properties, the ED said properties identified as direct proceeds of crime include Land in Bikaner, Rajasthan; Units in Good Earth City Centre, Gurugram; Units in Bestech Business Tower, Mohali and Residential units in Jay Ambe Township, Ahmedabad. 4Continued on | P8 Two soldiers killed in gunfight with terrorists PTI PTI NEW DELHI SRINAGAR To manage surge in passengers during festivals in the later part of the year, the Railway Ministry on Saturday announced a scheme offering a 20 per cent discount on tickets booked for travel between October 13-26 and return from November 17 to December 1 from the same train. The discount will be on tickets booked from August 14, and the rebate will not be applicable on flexi fare trains such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duranto, etc. Two Army soldiers were killed and as many injured in an overnight gunfight with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, in one of the longest anti-terror operations in the Valley that entered the ninth day on Saturday, officials said. The Army's Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, in a post on X, paid tributes to the soldiers killed in the encounter and said that the operation was still underway. Two terrorists have been killed in the encounter that began on August 1 after security forces launched a cordon and search operation in a forest at Akhal in the south Kashmir district, following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists there. The identity and the group affiliation of the slain terrorists have not been ascertained so far. In a post on X on Saturday, the Chinar Corps said, "Chinar Corps honours the supreme sacrifice of the Bravehearts, L/Nk Pritpal Singh and Sep Harminder Singh, in line of duty for the Nation. 4Continued on | P8 indications of at least one AWC in that AWC hangar, and a few F-16s, which are under maintenance there, were also being damaged. ICICI Bank hikes minimum balance for new savings accounts to Rs 50K Trump to meet Putin in Alaska on Aug 15 for Ukraine peace deal The Indian Railway's freight train has successfully reached Anantnag Goods Shed in the Kashmir Valley for the first time from Rupnagar, Punjab, marking a significant milestone in connecting the Kashmir region to the national freight network. The arrival of a freight train carrying cement is set to accelerate infrastructure projects and improve living standards for the people of Kashmir. The inaugural freight train was loaded with 21 BCN wagons of cement. The journey, spanning approximately 600 kilometres, culminated at the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed today in less than 18 hours. ICICI Bank has raised the minimum balance requirement for its new savings bank accounts opened on or after August 1 by five times to Rs 50,000. The minimum monthly average balance (MAB) for savings bank accounts till July 31, 2025 for ICICI Bank customers was Rs 10,000. Similarly, MAB for semiurban locations and rural locations have been increased five times to Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,000, respectively, according to information available on the ICICI Bank website. In case account holders fail to meet the MAB, customers will be liable to pay penal charges of 6 per cent of the shortfall in required MAB, or Rs 500, whichever is lower. The balance in the savings bank account of ICICI Bank earns interest of 2.5 per cent per annum, it said. The increased MAB will be applicable for new accounts opened on or after August 1, 2025. Customers who have opened accounts before August 1 will have to maintain the old level of MAB as of now. Salary account holders or PM Jandhan account holders and basic savings bank deposit account holders are exempt from this high MAB as these are zero balance accounts. to support a new era of logistical and economic growth in the Kashmir region. The cement transported on this train will be used for crucial projects, including the construction of roads, bridges, public infrastructure, and residential housing in the Kashmir Valley. This event marks the first-ever cement loading specifically for this facility, underscoring its readiness 4Continued on | P8 Agencies 4Continued on | P8 US President Donald Trump has announced that he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin next Friday, August 15, 2025, in Alaska. The meeting is expected to focus heavily on efforts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Trump revealed the details on his Truth Social account. He wrote, "The highly anticipated meeting between 4Continued on | P8 Russia wants East Ukraine WASHINGTON PTI NEW DELHI First-ever freight train reaches Anantnag Agencies The Special Police Establishment (SPE) of Lokayukta has gone into silence after acting against the former constable of the transport department, Saurabh Sharma. After raiding the official and residential premises of Sharma, the Lokayukta SPE did not take any major action. The SPE carried out raids on the residential and business premises of Sharma in December last year. The raids stirred up a hornet’s nest in the state. After 52 kg of gold and Rs 10 crore were found in a car belonging to an associate of Sharma, the government and the Lokayukta were cornered. The SPE did not carry out any major action afterwards. On the other hand, another probe agency, EOW, is in action. In the past seven months, it has registered more than 15 cases. EOW has registered a case against the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Hemant Katare, regarding the Bhopal Development Authority land deal and against former IFS officer LM Belwal in regard to irregularities in the state Livelihood Mission, the paddy scam, the Sahara land scam, GST evasion, and the issuance of fake death certificates in the Jeevan Jyoti insurance case. It has also registered an FIR against Rajesh Sharma in connection with cheating farmers, preparing fake bank guarantees, forgery in the PM Housing Scheme, a rip-off in the construction of ponds under the Amrit Sarovar scheme, and fake guarantees in the liquor scam. These were the major cases for which EOW took action. EOW has become active to deal with scams. On the contrary, Lokayukta is moving at a snail’s pace. Except for some small cases, the Lokayukta SPE is keeping mum on high-profile issues. There has been a major change in the Lokayukta SPE. The government has appointed Yogesh Deshkumh as director general of Lokayukta after transferring Jaydeep Prasad from the post. The transfer is seen as linked to the Saurabh case. AWC, which was taken at a distance of about 300 kilometres. This is actually the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill that we can talk about," he said. He also said that there were offgrid NEW DELHI BHOPAL myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska. Further details to follow. 4Continued on | P8 India welcomes summit ndia on Saturday welcomed next week's summit talks between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), endorsing the move, said India stands ready to support the efforts as it recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's consistent position that "this is not an era of war". I DEFENCE PRODUCTION HITS RECORD RS 1.51L CR Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced a sweeping proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine during a meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff, offering a halt in hostilities in exchange for Ukraine's eastern regions, the Wall Street Journal reported on Aug. 8, citing European and Ukrainian officials. According to European officials briefed on a call by Witkoff, Putin told Wikoff that Russia would agree to a full ceasefire if Kyiv withdrew its forces from Donetsk Oblast, giving Moscow full control of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, as well as Crimea, WSJ reported Arms supplier Salim Pistol held in Nepal Agencies Aencies NEW DELHI NEW DELHI The annual defence production has achieved a record high of Rs 1,50,590 crore for the Financial Year (FY) 202425. The milestone represents a robust 18% growth over the previous fiscal's output of Rs 1.27 lakh crore, and a staggering 90% increase since FY 2019-20, when the figure was Rs 79,071 crore, as stated in the release. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has lauded the collective efforts of the Department of Defence Production and all stakeholders, i.e., DPSUs, public sector manufacturers, and the private industry, in achieving this landmark. He termed the upward trajectory a clear indicator of India's strengthening defence industrial base. Highlighting the achievement on X, Singh credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for the remarkable growth, underscoring the nation's strides towards becoming a global de- India's most wanted illegal arms supplier, Sheikh Salim alias 'Salim Pistol', has been arrested in Nepal, police said on Saturday. According to officials, Salim Pistol was arrested by the Delhi Police special cell and Indian security agencies in a joint operation with the Nepal Police. For years, Salim had been supplying sophisticated weapons from Pakistan into India. Investigators have found evidence linking him to Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, and Dawood Ibrahim's DCompany. Salim Pistol was a key supplier of arms to top gangsters, including Lawrence Bishnoi and Hashim Baba. His name surfaced in the Sidhu Moosewala murder case as well. He was arrested by Delhi Police in 2018, but later managed to flee abroad. fence manufacturing hub. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi, India's defence production has hit a record high! The annual defence production has soared to an alltime high figure of Rs 1,50,590 crore in the Financial Year (FY) 2024-25. These numbers indicate a robust 18% growth over the previous fiscal's output of Rs 1.27 lakh crore, and a staggering 90% increase since FY 2019-20, when the figure was Rs 79,071 crore," he posted on X. According to the release, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and other PSUs accounted for approximately. 77% of total production, while the private sector contributed 23%. 4Continued on | P8