August 17, 2026: Security agencies have detained 253 people across 14 states in a major crackdown on the ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network ahead of Independence Day, while the BJP has announced its new team of national office-bearers. The Election Commission has also published the draft electoral roll in Telangana.
Top India Headlines
- Security Agencies Detain 253 People Across 14 States in Terror Crackdown
Security agencies detained 253 people across 14 states, including Punjab, in a coordinated operation against the ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network ahead of Independence Day. The operation was conducted on August 12. - BJP Announces New Team of National Office-Bearers
BJP National President Nitin Nabin announced the party’s new team of national office-bearers. The appointments include 13 National Vice Presidents, including Vasundhara Raje Scindia, Tirath Singh Rawat, Ram Madhav and Baijayant Jay Panda. - Telangana Election Commission Publishes Draft Electoral Roll
The Election Commission has published the draft electoral roll in Telangana. Chief Electoral Officer Sudarshan Reddy said 78.30% of enumeration forms had been collected, while around 92 lakh applicants enrolled in the electoral roll will be served notices. - ₹60,000 Crore Road Network Planned Around Pune to Ease Congestion
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said a road network worth around ₹60,000 crore will be developed in and around Pune to make the city congestion- and pollution-free. - Commercial Operations Begin at Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport
Commercial operations commenced at the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Vizianagaram district, marking a major development in air connectivity for North Andhra Pradesh. - SC Refuses to Interfere with EC’s 2002 Base Year for Sikkim SIR
The Supreme Court declined to interfere with the Election Commission’s decision to use 2002 as the base year for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Sikkim. - Security Forces Launch Joint Search Operation in Udhampur
Security forces launched a major cordon and search operation in the Ramnagar forest area of Udhampur district following inputs about the suspected movement of two unidentified persons. - Seven Women Devotees Killed in Bihar Temple Stampede
Seven women devotees were killed in a stampede at the Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai district, Bihar, during the third Monday of Sawan. More than 10 devotees were injured in the incident. - Cloudburst Damages Pilgrim Route in Himachal Pradesh
A massive torrent following a cloudburst at ‘84 Chala’ in Chamba district washed away an iron bridge and severely damaged the pedestrian route used by pilgrims visiting the Maa Bhagwati Khundi Wali Temple. - NGT Seeks Karnataka Government Response Over Fish Mortality in Belagavi
The National Green Tribunal has sought responses from the Karnataka government and four other authorities over allegations of mass fish mortality in a lake near Ambedkar Circle in Athani town of Belagavi district.
