FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLII No. 139 | INDORE | SUNDAY | OCTOBER 26, 2025 | Pages 16 ` 4 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in Sports Ro-Ko’s epic stand steers India to emphatic consolation win P.16 US President Donald Trump on Friday departed for his Asia trip, where he will visit Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. The three-nation tour will begin in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where Trump is scheduled to attend the ASEAN Summit before proceeding to Japan and South Korea. At the conclusion of the tour, he is set to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the White House said. White House Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday that Trump will meet Xi on the morning of October 30 in South Korea before returning to Washington. Trump is expected to arrive in Malaysia on Sunday (October 26) morning. Malaysia is currently chairing the annual meetings of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partners. He will attend the ASEAN Summit on October 2627, marking his first participa- fp Briefs NEW DELHI National Herald hearing on Oct 30 A Delhi court on Saturday adjourned to October 30 the hearing on the cognisance of the charge sheet filed by the ED in the National Herald case. Special Judge Vishal Gogne deferred the hearing saying certain clarifications were required from the Enforcement Directorate. PUNE/SATARA Techie held in doc rape case Police on Saturday arrested a software engineer in connection with the alleged suicide of a 28-yearold woman doctor in Maharashtra's Satara district, an official said. A team from the Phaltan police arrested Prashant Bankar, one of the two men the doctor had named in a suicide note written on her palm, from Pune, he said. NEW DELHI Fugitive gangster deported from US The CBI, in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs, has secured the return of wanted fugitive Lakhvinder Kumar from the United States, the CBI said on Saturday. EDITIONS: INDORE Don says North Korea ‘sort of a nuclear power’ US President Donald Trump said that North Korea is “sort of a nuclear power” as he departed for Asia, where a possible meeting with Kim Jong Un could take place. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked whether he would recognise North Korea as a nuclear state — a condition Pyongyang has set for talks with Washington. “Well, I think they are sort of a nuclear power,” he said. “They’ve got a lot of nuclear weapons, I’ll say that.” Reports suggest US officials have discussed a potential Trump-Kim meeting, though it is not currently on the official agenda. First phase of all-India SIR to begin with 10-15 states Our Staff Reporter 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 Social media to blame Viral social media reels showing young people firing carbide guns during Diwali celebrations are believed to have triggered a surge in demand. As these videos spread rapidly, small manufacturers and online sellers capitalised on the trend, releasing unsafe, lowquality versions that now continue to circulate despite enforcement drives. Indian envoy-US dy secy discuss energy trade PTI WASHINGTON The India-US energy security partnership and recent developments in energy trade and ties were discussed between India's Ambassador to Washington Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Deputy Secretary of Energy James Danly on Saturday. The meeting came in the backdrop of the proposed bilateral trade deal between India and the US, which, according to an official, is "very near" to concluding. "We are Aussie cricketers stalked, molested ACCUSED ARRESTED City residents and cricket lovers were left shocked and shamefaced after two Australian women cricketers were stalked and molested by a youth when they were going to a café near their hotel on Thursday morning. The cricketers were in the city for their match against South Africa that was played on Saturday. Police have arrested the accused, identified as Aqeel alias Nitra (29), resident of Khajrana area (currently living in Azad Nagar area of the city), and registered a case under Sections 74 and 78 of BHOPAL very near as far as deal is concerned," the official said on Friday. Kwatra in a social media post said he had a "fruitful discussion" with Danly on the "India-US energy security partnership and shared perspectives on recent developments in energy trade and ties". E-paper Cinema Satish Shah remembered fondly P.14 The Election Commission is likely to roll out the first of pan-India Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters' list next week beginning with "10 to 15 states", including those going to polls next year, officials said Saturday. Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal will to polls in 2026 and they are amongst the states where the voters' list cleanup exercise will begin first. The poll authority is likely to announce the first phase of SIR middle of next week, in which as many as "10 to 15 states" would be included, officials said. The EC will not hold the electoral roll cleanup exercise in states where local body elections are taking place or are due, as the grassroots poll machinery is busy with it and may not be able to focus on SIR, they said The SIR in such states will be held in later phases.The voters' list cleanup exercise has concluded in Bihar where the final list with nearly 7.42 crore names was published on September 30. WASHINGTON MUMBAI Readers’ Corner Leadership Leads to... P.6 Our Staff Reporter Banned carbide gun still being sold online as ‘monkey-scare’ device The carbide gun, responsible for hundreds of eye injuries across Madhya Pradesh, including Bhopal, continues to be sold online despite being officially banned. The device, now marketed as a “monkeyscare gun,” remains available through e-commerce sites and private sellers, in open defiance of state orders. Originally meant for farmers to scare away monkeys, birds and wild animals, the gun uses calcium carbide mixed with water to release acetylene gas that explodes with a sharp blast. NASHIK INDORE Trump to ‘play dirtier’ with Canada over ad Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced that Canada will suspend the U.S. ad that angered President Trump, pausing the campaign from Monday in an effort to restart trade talks. Trump, speaking to reporters on Friday before leaving for Asia, again criticised the ad sharply. “You know, it’s a crooked ad,” he said. “They could have pulled it tonight. Well, that’s dirty play, but I can play dirtier than they can.” Trump announced on his Truth Social platform late Thursday, accusing Canada of releasing a “fake” and “crooked” ad that he claimed misrepresented Reagan’s views on tariffs. BHOPAL PTI Later, he will join a working dinner with US-ASEAN leaders. The White House highlighted that the trip will cover trade talks, peace dialogues, and discussions on US-China tensions. After Malaysia, Trump will travel to Japan to meet the new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, where they will discuss trade agreements and security cooperation. 4Continued on | P8 PUNE NEW DELHI tion since skipping the summits in 2018, 2019, and 2020. During his time in Kuala Lumpur, Trump will hold an expanded bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday afternoon. He is also slated to participate in a signing ceremony with the Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand, whose countries engaged in a brief border conflict in July that left dozens dead and displaced many people. Agencies UJJAIN WORLD Trump on Asia trip, all eyes on Xi meet Agencies iii QUALITY @ VALUE Trump says trade deal with S Korea pretty close to final ASEAN SUMMIT | US President will visit Malaysia, Japan and South Korea WASHINGTON ESTD-1983 As cricketers were walking towards a café, Aqeel, who was on a motorcycle, started following them and tried to grab one of them as he passed by them BNS (Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita), which deals with outraging the modesty of a woman and using criminal force with intent to disrobe. According to the compliant made by Danny Simmons, Australian team security manager, to the police, the incident took place around 11 am. He said both cricketers had informed him that they were going to the ‘Democracy alien concept for Pak, must end rights abuses’ PTI UNITED NATIONS Asserting that democracy is an "alien" concept for Pakistan, India has called upon Islamabad to end grave human rights violations in territories under its illegal occupation, where the population is in "open revolt" against military occupation, repression, brutality and exploitation. Responding to references made by Pakistan's envoy at the UN Security Council's open debate on 'The United Nations Organisation: Looking into the Future' on Friday, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, said, "The people of Jammu and Kashmir exercise their fun- 270 Maoists killed this year IANS NEW DELHI A decade-long integrated approach combining security, development, and rehabilitation has taken the Union government closer to its target of ridding the country of Maoism by March 2026, an official said on Saturday, pointing to the killing of 270 rebels in 2025 alone. The official also highlighted a 53 per cent drop in violent incidents in 2014-2024 as compared to the previous decade.In 2025, the security forces arrested 680 Maoists and facilitated 1,225 surrenders, the official said in a statement. In 2025, 521 LWE cadres have surrendered so far, and in the last two years. INDIA SLAMS PAK AT UN The people of J&K exercise their fundamental rights in accordance with India’s time-tested democratic traditions, says Indian envoy damental rights in accordance with India's time-tested democratic traditions and constitutional framework." "We, of course, know that these are concepts alien to Pakistan," he said. The envoy reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir "has Satish Shah (74) noted actor, best known for his comic roles in Hindi films and television serials died on Saturday at his apartment in Bandra reportedly due to kidney failure. His death was confirmed by his personal assistant of 30 years Ramesh Kadatala. He was married to designer Madhu Shah. Shah, a kutchi from Mandvi in Gujarat, Do Yaro directed by graduated from the Kundan Shah in Film and Television 1983. Institute, Pune, and He was nomimade is debut in nated for a Filmfare 1978 in Arvind award in the "Best Desai ki Ajeeb Dasactor in comic role" tan directed by category and from Saeed Mirza and then on he never Satish Shah did some cameo had to look back. roles in few other films. But Acting offers came pouring the real break came when he not only from producers of played the role of municipal Hindi films but television commissioner Mr D'Mello in serials as well. With sitcoms the hugely-popular Jane Bhi like Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi and Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, he became a household name nationally. In Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi he played 55 different characters in an equal number of episodes along with Swarup Sampat, Shafi Inamdar and Rakesh Bedi. His role as Indravadan Sarabhai in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai opposite Ratna Pathak was widely acclaimed. Said producer Ashok Pandit, "Satish was a very versatile actor known for his comic sense 4Continued on | P8 Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Mother of Adnan Khan, the youth arrested from Bhopal by Delhi Police Special Cell for alleged links to an ISIS module, has rejected the charges and criticised media for its coverage. Adnan’s mother, Shayna Khan, a theatre artist, said her family was being unfairly depicted. “Whatever is being written, is that the truth? Are we really like that?” she said. “I am associated with theatre. I perform in Ramayan and say Jai Shri Krishna,” she said, expressing anger over reports that described her son as part of an extremist network. ‘Sarabhai vs Sarabhai’ actor dies at 74 Kanti Gala been, is, and will always be" an integral and inalienable part of India. Strongly rebuking Islamabad, Harish said, "We call upon Pakistan to end the grave and ongoing human rights violations in the areas illegally occupied by it, where the population is in open revolt against Pakistan's military occupation, repression, brutality and illegal exploitation of resources." Harish also emphasised that the UN must undertake "real, comprehensive reforms," saying that the 80-year-old Security Council architecture no longer reflects contemporary geopolitical realities. 4Continued on | P8 Daily flight to Sharjah from today Our Staff Reporter INDORE The flyers of the city as well as the region are going to get a big bumper flights bonanza from Sunday. Direct flights are going to start for Jammu, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Nashik and New Delhi under the winter schedule that is effective from Sunday. Another good news is that the frequency of Indore-Sharjah-Indore flights is going to increase from 4 days in a week to all 7 days of a week from Sunday itself. The number of flights operated from the city’s Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, the busiest airport of the State, will cross 100 marks. Currently, 84 flights are being operated from Indore Airport. Detail report on PG-2 We are not as portrayed, says mom of youth held for ISIS links offgrid MUMBAI Accused Aqeel alias Nitra café ‘The Neighbourhood’. As they were walking towards the café, Aqeel, who was on a motorcycle, started following them and tried to grab one of the cricketers as he passed by them. Then he turned back and again tried to grab the other cricketers and then sped away. Meanwhile, the terrified cricketers first messaged and then called Simmons and told him about the incident. Meanwhile, a helpful passerby managed to note down the motorcycle’s number, which proved crucial in arresting the accused. Soon after the complaint, the MIG police swung into action and traced Aqeel with the help of the motorcycle number and arrested him. Additional DCP (crime) Rajesh Dandotiya said that the police team had to examine about 100 CCTVs installed at various locations to arrest the accused. and terrific sense of timing. "Shah did more than 250 Hindi films, including hits like Main Hoon Na, Kal ho na ho, Fanaa, Om Shanti Om, Chupke Chupke, Kabhi Han Kabhi Na, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun. Shah was cojudge of "Comedy circus" series with Archna Puran Singh. The Hindi film industry paid rich tributes to Shah. 4Continued on | P8 Shayna, known in theatre circles for playing diverse roles, is associated with a Mumbai-based group but is less active in Bhopal. Her husband, Syed Gulfam, works as an accountant, and their younger daughter is a school student. When reporters reached the family’s home on Saturday, a girl at the window said no one was available to speak. Neighbours described Adnan as polite and academically inclined. “We never saw anything suspicious. People here mostly keep to themselves,” said one resident. Adnan’s family earlier said he was focused on his Chartered Accountancy exams. Investigators, however, allege he was radicalised online and linked to messaging groups sympathetic to ISIS. He was arrested on October 18 in a joint operation by the Delhi Police Special Cell and Madhya Pradesh ATS. 4Continued on | P8 Pak Def Minister warns of ‘open war’ with AF IANS ISTANBUL Pakistan and Afghanistan on Saturday began the second round of peace talks in Istanbul even as Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif reportedly continued to engage in aggressive rhetoric by warning Kabul of an "open war" if the talks fail. The first round of PakistanAfghanistan talks, mediated jointly by Qatar and Turkey, took place in Doha on October 18-19.While the Afghan delegation is led by Deputy Interior Minister Rahmatullah Mujib and includes Anas Haqqani, brother of the Afghan Interior Minister Noor Ahmad Noor, Pakistan is represented by a two-member delegation of security officials. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said in Sialkot that the outcome of the fresh round of talks would likely be revealed by Sunday. See World