Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

09 Aug

Two Punjab Soldiers Martyred in Kulgam’s Akhal Forest Operation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaKulgam Akhal forest encounter, Lance Naik Pritpal Singh, Punjab soldiers martyred, Sepoy Harminder Singh

Srinagar, August 9, 2025 — Two Indian Army soldiers from Punjab were martyred during an ongoing counter-terrorism operation in the Akhal forest of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district.The fallen soldiers have been identified as Sepoy Harminder Singh, 26, of Badinpur village in Fatehgarh Sahib, and Lance Naik Pritpal Singh, 28, of Manupur village in Khanna. Both sustained critical injuries during an intense exchange of fire with militants and succumbed while receiving treatment early Saturday.The tragedy comes just a day before Rakshabandhan, deepening the grief for their families. Pritpal Singh, married less than a year ago, was to celebrate his first…

09 Aug

IAF Chief Confirms Downing of Five Pakistani Jets in Operation Sindoor

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAmar Preet Singh IAF, Operation Sindoor IAF, Pakistani fighter jets downed, S-400 air defence kill

Bengaluru, August 9, 2025 — Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has confirmed that the Indian Air Force (IAF) destroyed five Pakistani fighter aircraft during Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory mission launched after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.Speaking in Bengaluru on Saturday, Singh said the strikes were executed using the S-400 air defence system, which also brought down a large airborne early warning aircraft believed to be an AEW&C or ELINT platform at an estimated range of 300 kilometres. He described it as the largest recorded surface-to-air kill in history.“In addition to the confirmed fighter kills, one AEW&C-type aircraft was…

09 Aug

ICICI Bank Hikes Minimum Balance Requirements for Savings Accounts

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, IndiaICICI Bank minimum balance hike, ICICI metro urban rural charges, savings account rules 2025

New Delhi, August 9, 2025 — ICICI Bank has sharply raised the minimum average balance requirement for savings accounts across all categories of branches, with the revised norms taking effect from August 1, 2025. The change marks one of the steepest hikes in recent years for a major private lender, potentially affecting millions of account holders nationwide.In metro and urban branches, the minimum average balance has surged to ₹50,000, a fivefold increase from the earlier ₹10,000 threshold. Semi-urban customers will now have to maintain ₹25,000, up from ₹5,000, while those banking in rural branches face a new requirement of ₹10,000,…

09 Aug

PM Modi, Union Ministers Join Nationwide Raksha Bandhan Festivities

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAmit Shah Rakhi greetings, Piyush Goyal gifts children, PM Modi Raksha Bandhan 2025, Rajnath Singh Brahmakumari

New Delhi, August 9, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Raksha Bandhan with joy and warmth on Friday, welcoming children to his official residence in Delhi. The young visitors tied colourful rakhis on the Prime Minister’s wrist, exchanging smiles and blessings in a heartwarming display of the festival’s essence. The occasion reflected the age-old tradition that honours the unbreakable bond of love and protection between siblings.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also embraced the festive spirit, marking the day with schoolchildren and members of the Brahmakumari organisation. Young girls and women tied rakhis on his wrist, and in return, Singh offered…

09 Aug

Bad News – Man Murders Wife and Two Daughters in Delhi’s Karawal Nagar

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBig news, Family murder, Father, Murder case, New Delhi

National Times Bureau :- A shocking incident has emerged from Delhi’s Karawal Nagar, where a man allegedly murdered his wife and two young daughters. The triple murder took place on the day of Raksha Bandhan, sending shockwaves through the local community. According to the initial police investigation, the accused strangled his wife and daughters, aged five and seven, before fleeing the scene. The suspect, identified as Pradeep, is currently on the run, and police teams are working to track him down. Based on statements from nearby residents, police believe the crime may have been motivated by financial distress, as Pradeep…

09 Aug

Uttarakhand CM Overwhelmed as Rescued Woman Pilgrim Ties Rakhi Made from Saree’s Pallu

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingUttarakhand

Uttarkashi (Rajeev Sharma): In a heartwarming moment amid ongoing rescue efforts in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was visibly moved on Friday when a rescued woman pilgrim from Gujarat tore a piece of her saree’s pallu and tied it on his wrist as a rakhi. The emotional gesture came as a token of gratitude for the state government’s care and support to stranded pilgrims. The incident took place at Harsil helipad when the woman, identified as Dhan Gauri from Ishanpur, Ahmedabad, approached the Chief Minister to personally thank him. Overcome with emotion, she fashioned a rakhi from her saree…

09 Aug

Premier Danielle Smith Heads to Mexico to Boost Alberta’s Trade and Investment Ties

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingAlberta, Danielle Smith, Mexico

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta Premier Danielle Smith will visit Mexico City from August 10 to 13 to strengthen economic, trade, and investment partnerships, marking the first official trip to Mexico by an Alberta premier since 2019. During her four-day mission, Smith will meet with senior government officials, industry leaders, and private-sector representatives to promote Alberta as a secure and reliable partner in energy, agriculture, and technology. The visit aims to identify opportunities for collaboration, encourage investment, and expand Alberta’s The Premier will meet with government officials, the private sector, and industry leaders to encourage new investment and trade with Alberta…

09 Aug

PM Mark Carney Criticizes Israeli Military Escalation in Gaza, Calls for Immediate Ceasefire

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingCanada, Mark Carney

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Mark Carney has sharply criticized the Israeli government’s latest decision to expand military operations across Gaza, warning that the move will only deepen the crisis without bringing peace or security to the region. In a statement issued Saturday, Carney said the escalation would not end the “humanitarian horror” unfolding in Gaza nor ease the suffering of Israeli hostages and Palestinian civilians. “Canada calls for an immediate ceasefire,” the Prime Minister emphasized, adding that Hamas must release all hostages taken during the October 7 attack, lay down its arms, and allow a significant and sustained increase…

09 Aug

B.C. Mountain Biker Survives Close Encounter with Cougar Near Garibaldi Park

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingBritish Columbia, Canada

Squamish, B.C. (Richa Walia): A British Columbia mountain biker had a harrowing experience after being stalked by a cougar for nearly 20 minutes in alpine terrain near Garibaldi Provincial Park, the province’s Conservation Officer Service (COS) confirmed. According to officials, the incident took place earlier this week when the man was riding along a remote mountain trail. The cougar reportedly chased him, made physical contact, and then continued to shadow him as he tried to retreat from the area. In a quick-thinking move, the biker began walking backwards while using his bike as a barrier. He hurled rocks at the…

09 Aug

Kulgam Encounter Claims Lives of Two Army Personnel, Search Operation Continues

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingJammu and Kashmir, Kulgam

Srinagar (Rajeev Sharma): Two soldiers were killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district as security forces continue a prolonged anti-terror mission that has now stretched into its ninth day, the Indian Army said on Saturday. The operation, codenamed Op Akhal, was launched earlier this month after credible intelligence reports about the presence of heavily armed terrorists in the region. Officials confirmed that Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh lost their lives after sustaining critical injuries in an overnight exchange of fire. Two other soldiers were wounded and are undergoing treatment. Paying tribute to the fallen soldiers, the Chinar…