Saturday, June 14, 2025 | 33 Pages | `5 & for State (+4 pages) `6 THE FREE PRESS JOURNAL Reg.No MCS/048/2021-23; RNI No. 1541/1957 M.p.c.s office Mumbai. PIN 400001 Vol. 68 No. 216 | Leader in E-paper circulation l www.freepressjournal.in ● EDITIONS: ● MUMBAI ● INDORE ● PUNE ● BHOPAL ● NASHIK ● KONKAN ● E-paper ● Member: Audit Bureau of Circulation (July to December 2024) NATION Bihar CM Nitish Kumar meets JD-U leaders to discuss seat-sharing formula for upcoming assembly poll War rattles oil markets Oil prices surged 7% on Friday after Israel struck Iranian nuclear and military targets, heightening fears of a broader conflict that could disrupt global crude supplies. US benchmark crude rose to $72.88 a barrel while Brent jumped to $74.32. Stock markets tumbled, with the Dow plunging 508 points and the S&P 500 down 0.7%. Investors fear a prolonged escalation may further constrain Iranian oil exports, already limited by sanctions. Analysts noted that while prices spike after such attacks, they often settle if supply chains remain unaffected. Still, energy and global market sentiment remains tense amid rising geopolitical uncertainty. Gold hits record high Gold soared by ₹2,200 to reach ₹1,01,540 per 10 grams in Delhi on Friday, driven by safe-haven buying amid escalating Middle East tensions. This marks the third consecutive day of gains. Silver also jumped ₹1,100 to ₹1,08,100 per kg. On MCX, August gold contracts hit ₹1,00,403 in early trade. April had previously seen a record of ₹1,01,600. With Israel’s military action against Iran unsettling investors, demand for gold has spiked globally. Traders say the rally reflects broader uncertainty and may continue if the conflict worsens, pushing more investors toward safer, inflation-resistant assets like gold and silver. Shoot-at-sight in Dhubri Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma ordered shoot-atsight orders in Dhubri district at night following communal unrest and provocations. The district, bordering Bangladesh, witnessed tensions after meat was found near a temple. Posters by a group demanding Dhubri’s inclusion in Bangladesh further escalated fears. Sarma blamed a "beef mafia" and communal forces for the disturbances and promised swift arrests. RAF and CRPF deployments were announced, with Sarma vowing to personally monitor law and order. He warned against communal provocation during festivals and assured strict action to prevent Dhubri from slipping out of administrative control. SEE NATION Mahavitaran eyes Mumbai State-run Mahavitaran has filed a petition to distribute electricity across Mumbai, challenging incumbents like BEST, Adani Electricity, and Tata Power. Already active in Mulund and Bhandup, the firm aims to expand into regions like Colaba, Bandra, and Mira Bhayandar. It cited Mumbai’s growing demand — currently at 4,000 MW — driven by metro, coastal road, and data centre growth. Mahavitaran has proposed lower tariffs and plans to double Maharashtra’s generation capacity to 81,000 MW, with a focus on green energy. The move could reshape Mumbai’s power sector by offering affordable and sustainable electricity through an established public distributor. Cinema Check out our verdict on OTT and film releases India head coach Gautam Gambhir has returned to India due to a family emergency Edit End of dreams in the ill-fated Dreamliner Israel strikes Iran nuclear sites 200 planes, Three top 100 targets generals dead AP DUBAI Israel on Friday afternoon renewed attacks on targets in Iran, targeting military sites in Shiraz and Tabriz. Israel attacked Iran early Friday with a barrage of airstrikes that took out top military officers and hit nuclear and missile sites, calling it just the beginning. The strikes came amid simmering tensions over Iran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program. Hours later, Israel’s military said it had begun intercepting Iranian drones launched in retaliation. Iran quickly retaliated, sending a swarm of drones at Israel as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini warned of “severe punishment.” Iran had been censured by the U.N.'s atomic watchdog, IAEA, a day earlier for not complying with obligations meant to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon. Israel’s military said about 200 aircraft were involved in the initial attack on about 100 targets. The Israeli attack hit several sites, including Iran’s main enrichment facility at Natanz, where black smoke could be seen rising into the air. Later in the morning, Israel said it had also destroyed dozens of radar installations and surfaceto-air missile launchers in western Iran. Israel military spokesman Tehran fires 100 drones Retaliation: Blasts in Tel Aviv & Jerusalem Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said Israel has “significantly damaged” Natanz and that the operation was “still in the beginning.” Among those killed were three of Iran’s top military leaders, one who oversaw the entire armed forces, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, one who led the paramilitry Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, and another who ran the Guard’s ballistic missile program, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh. Iran confirmed all three deaths, a significant blow to Tehran’s governing theocracy and will complicate efforts to retaliate against Israel. he Israeli military said it has identified incoming missiles launched from Iran towards Israel. Defence systems were operating to intercept the missiles, CNN said. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) instructed the public to move into bomb shelters. Large explosions were heard in Tel Aviv and Israel, CNN’s team on the ground reported. “All of Israel is under fire” from Iranian projectiles, the IDF said on X. Iran said its retaliation on Israel has begun on Friday evening, state media said. “Moments ago, with the launch of hundreds of various ballistic missiles toward the 4Contd on | nation T FPJ News Service MUMBAI Israeli Iron Dome air defence intercepts missiles occupied territories, the operation of decisive response to the savage attack of the Zionist regime has begun,” reported IRNA, the Islamic Republic's official news agency. It added the Iranian military had dubbed its operation “Severe Punishment”. 4Contd on | nation Make N-deal before ‘NO ELEVATED RADIATION’ more hits: Trump I nternational Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi called Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Friday following airstrikes on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility, an Israeli presidential spokesperson told Fox News. Grossi told Herzog that the facility was severely damaged in the strikes, according to Israeli media reports. "We are currently in contact with the Iranian nuclear safety authorities to ascertain the status of relevant nuclear facilities and Agencies WASHINGTON US President Donald Trump warned Iran to “make a deal” before it’s “too late” after Israel bombed Iranian nuclear sites and killed top regime officials. “There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end,” Trump said on Friday morning. “Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left.” The strikes have triggered fears that the Middle East risks descending into another catastrophic regional war. Trump said he “gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal” to shutter its nuclear program, but “no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, to assess any wider impacts on nuclear safety and security," Grossi said in a statement. At present, the competent Iranian authorities have confirmed that the Natanz enrichment site has been impacted and that there are no elevated radiation levels. " "This development is deeply concerning. I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, 4Contd on | nation they just couldn’t get it done.” “I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come,” he added. Iran’s “hardliners” did not heed warnings, and “they are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!” he wrote. 4See also | world How Israel waged secret drone war from inside Iran For years, Israel meticulously planned an unprecedented operation to cripple Iran’s nuclear and missile programs—culminating in a devastating strike executed with weapons and drones secretly planted inside Iranian territory. According to senior security officials, the mission, codenamed Operation Rising Lion, relied on a triad of clandestine efforts that allowed Israel to strike from within Iran’s borders. The first component involved Mossad agents establishing a hidden drone base near Tehran. Explosive-laden UAVs had been smuggled into Iran over an extended period and stockpiled at this covert facility. When Israeli fighter jets launched their assault, these drones activated simultaneously, striking surface-to-surface missile launchers that posed a direct threat to Israel. The second prong centered on disabling Iran’s air defenses. Precision-guided missile systems were smuggled into central Iran and strategically positioned near key radar installations and anti-aircraft batteries. As the operation commenced, these hidden weapons activated first— blinding Iranian defenses and ensuring Israeli jets could operate unchallenged in Iranian airspace. The most audacious element, however, was the deployment of Mossad commandos deep inside Iran. These operatives placed advanced munitions near critical military sites, allowing for surgically precise strikes once the operation began. “This was groundbreaking thinking,” a security official told The Times of Israel. “Agents operated undetected in Iran’s heartland, deploying cutting-edge systems right under the regime’s nose.” 4Contd on | nation Delhi deeply concerned FPJ News Service MUMBAI Bibi calls Modi, briefs him on situation India on Friday voiced “deep concern” over the rising tensions between Israel and Iran, following targeted Israeli airstrikes on suspected nuclear facilities in Tehran. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a strongly worded statement urging both sides to exercise restraint and resolve differences through dialogue and diplomacy. “We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites. India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards de-escalation,” the ministry said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he received a phone call from Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who briefed him on the evolving security situation following. 4Contd on | nation PM takes stock of situation Burnt, broken, yet FPJ News Service AHMEDABAD Even as the nation came to grips with the enormity of the plane crash in Ahmedabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the city to personally assess the situation. He immediately visited the crash site to review the aftermath. The PTI reports he spent about 20 minutes at the site. In the time he spent there, he inspected the damaged medical hostel and mess building affected by the crash. He was accompanied by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Min- ister of Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, Union Minister of Jal Shakti C R Patil, Gujarat Civil Aviation Minister Balvantsinh Rajput, Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi, Minister of State Jagdish Vishwakarma, Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi, State Director General of Police Vikas Sahay, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department Manoj Kumar Das, and a retinue of other senior administrative officials. Following his visit to the crash site, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. There, he inquired about the health of the injured patients receiving treatment and offered support to the grieving families, urging them to stay strong in this difficult time. The PM also met the doctors and healthcare personnel who sustained injuries in the accident. 4Contd on | nation ‘DGCA warned AI on safety lapses’ Safety checks ordered on Dreamliner fleet FPJ News Service MUMBAI AHMEDABAD As a high-level investigation gathers momentum, a chilling revelation has emerged, casting a shadow of doubt over Air India's safety protocols. Sanat Kaul, former Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), disclosed on Friday that the civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), had repeatedly issued letters to Air India, highlighting "improper safety inspections and other lapses." Kaul's comments, made as experts from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Boeing, and British investigators delve into the wreckage, hint at potentially grave oversights. He sug- gested that "possible omissions on the part of Air India employees responsible for safety checks or poor implementation of the regulatory inspections and audits by regulators could be among the contributory factors for the disaster." This revelation amplifies concerns about the airline's adherence to stringent safety standards. "The DGCA had written to Air India several times, pointing out multiple issues, mainly regarding safety, things like improper inspections and other lapses," Kaul stated to IANS, emphasizing the persistent nature of these warnings. "So, the question now arises about the maintenance procedures followed by Air India." 4Contd on | nation Dhairya Gajara The DGCA had written to Air India several times, pointing out multiple issues, mainly regarding safety, things like improper inspections and other lapses. So, the question now arises about the maintenance procedures followed by Air India. Sanat Kaul, former Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation Twentyfour hours after 241 passengers flying on the Air India-operated Boeing 747-8 Dreamliner aircraft died in the horrific plane crash in Ahmedabad, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) sprung into action and directed Air India to carry out additional maintenance actions on all their Boeing Dreamliner aircraft. On Friday, the Director of Airworthiness from the DGCA office ordered Air India to carry out enhanced safety checks on its Dreamliner aircrafts, including Boeing 787-8 and Boeing 787-9 equipped with Genx engines, in coordination with the concerned regional DGCA offices. 4Contd on | nation Heavy rains expected Vishwas survived PIC: SALMAN ANSARI Briefs GAMES FPJ News Service AHMEDABAD On a day scorched into memory by fire and grief, one man emerged from the wreckage — burnt, broken, but breathing. Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, was one of 242 souls aboard Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London. Minutes after take-off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Inter- Devashri Bhujbal national Airport, the aircraft crashed into the hostel block of BJ Medical College, erupting into a maelstrom of flames, screams, and mangled metal. Every other passenger and crew member perished. Vishwas alone survived. Seat 11A — that’s where he was. Just seconds after takeoff, as the aircraft tore into the building, flames consumed the cabin. Everyone around him died. Somehow, Vishwas walked out alive. 4Contd on | nation BLACK BOX RECOVERED FPJ News Service AHMEDABAD As grief settles over the city, investigators have found a vital clue: the aircraft’s black box has been recovered from the wreckage.Confirmed by Reuters, the discovery marks a critical step forward in the investigation. This rugged, bright orange device—incorrectly dubbed "black"—is the holy grail in aviation accident probes. “This is the most important piece of evidence we could hope for,” said a senior official from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), speaking anonymously. “It will tell us what the wreckage cannot.” Despite the name, the black box is painted orange for visibility and is built to survive extreme crashes and fires. 4Contd on | nation MUMBAI Mumbaikars can expect heavy rainfall with thunderstorms over the weekend as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced revival of monsoon activity in Mumbai and it's metropolitan regions. An Orange Alert for 'Heavy to very heavy rainfall & thunderstorm with lightning & gusty winds (50-60 kmph) has been issued for Mumbai for June 14 and Yellow Alert for June 15 and 16. While for Thane, Orange Alert is issued for June 14 and 15, and for Raigad Red Alert for June 14 and thereafter Orange Alert for three days. "The alerts are issued as the weather conditions are favourable for heavy rainfall activity. This is revival of monsoon and the conditions will remain for the next four to five days. Heavy rainfall is expected across the state, however, Konkan and Madhya Pradesh will see more effects of the cyclone circulation," said Sushma Nair, IMD Mumbai scientist. 4Contd on | nation