“Our fathers sinned ,,, , but we have to bear their iniquities” -- former Nagaland Speaker Z Lohe quotes Bible :::::: He talks about "lies" ::: He points out the 'exploitation' of native Nagas ... :: Says "bona fide citizens of Nagaland are treated to be the secondary citizens"

There is a deliberate pressure in his voice. The pain. Welled up eyes.  He is an angry Naga today.

The statement from Z Lohe, former Speaker, is quite unusual in content. The person I know is a "soft spoken" gentleman and would avoid harsh words even after losing his last castle.

But this time - he has chosen to issue a written statement -- Read on:

"In the event of the water having no mandate to talk about Naga politics, what mandate the fish can have to talk about Naga politics either. This is exactly how these people from Manipur used to rate the Nagas of Nagaland," came his statement in the context of unwarranted words and phrases used against veteran S C Jamir.

Lohe says: "The bona fide citizens of Nagaland are considered and treated to be the secondary citizens by these opportunists as though we are born to serve them. 

Yet, these outsiders are emboldened by the local sponsors."  --- This is a veiled attack on his onetime friend and compatriot Neiphiu Rio, the state chief minister. 

"In matters of the Naga National Movement, the public is the water and the cadres are the fish. Who survives by whom? By the water the fish survives. Look at the recent smack of the two NSCN (IM) leaders, namely, VS Atem and Raising at Dr SC Jamir, the former CM and former Governor saying the latter has no legitimacy to talk about Naga politics," Lohe explained.

He referred to the financial matters and adds: 

"The State Government has availed loans under the guise of physical developments from many financial institutes. 

I believe the loan dues with the principle and the interest must have been accrued, possibly, to the tune of thousands of crore. “Our fathers sinned and are no more, but we have to bear their iniquities” (Lamentations 5:7). It is definitely impossible for the borrower to clear the loans in those banks during their tenure of holding the office. This immense financial burden is to be passed on to the future leaders, the next generation to bear. 

Not only the existing generation but including the future generation is robbed by the exploiters."  

Lohe refers to Chief Minister's Aug 15 speech wherein a claim was made a Ministerial level panel has been constituted by the centre to take forward the pending parleys.

"The said announcement of the Chief Minister was a total lie. The NSCN (IM)’s claim of Ajit Lal’s appointment as the Interlocutor too is a total lie. 

Ajit Lal has replaced R K Mishra, and thus Ajit remains to be the Advisor, North East as his predecessor held it as before. 

The CM’s claim and the NSCN (IM)’s claim are not accidental but indeed both are intentional bearing much implications.," he said. 

The former Law Minister also says:

"These white lies are the very specimen of how these type of leaders and the very type of the pseudo Naga national workers have jointly been subjugating the common man of Nagaland to their whims all these years since from 2003."  

Then he maintains:

"When I speak the truth about their anti-Nagaland people activities, I am branded as anti-Naga nationalism and its unity. 

Whereas, when the Nagas in particular and the indigenous citizens of Nagaland in general are mistreated, harassed, intimidated, threatened and illegally taxed by the exploiters, it is patriotism and those patriots are sacrificing their lives for the Naga unity. 

"This is the neo-Naga-culture invented and established by the opposition less NPF Government. 

Nevertheless, the locals preferred to remain subservient to the exploiters, what else one can do. 

 May God remember the few remnants upholding the truth."  -- 

There is a tone of helplessness in the voice of a great fighter. It speaks of his frustration and actually shows how the Naga society is losing confidence in itself.   

Lohe, however, is candid -- 

"Not every cadre, and obviously not those cadres from Nagaland in NSCN (IM), but the higher echelons in this group love the existing status of ceasefire with the GoI and the indefinite political negotiation which is their paradise. 

"The strategy of the higher echelons, the sole decision makers, is how to prolong the process of negotiations by invoking unpractical agenda as to intricate the process.

 The longer the negotiation is prolonged, the wealthier the higher echelons become at the very cost of the indigenous citizens of Nagaland. 

"These decision makers are no more fighting for the Nagas but they strive to retain the status quo so as to continue their exploit of the people of Nagaland in connivance with the present State Govt." 

"We are unfortunate that we have this set of leaders as national cadres who are laced with avarice, malice and prejudice towards their own brethren. 

As long as we remain under their command, we can hardly become a blessed community since God hates dishonesty," says former Speaker. 

American columnist George Will once said – columnists must have three seductive skills – he must be pleasurable, concise and gifted at changing the subject frequently.  

Has the Naga society reached such a stage ?

ends 

"Today's Religion is Democracy and ... Today's politics is Development" ::::: Oct 7 will mark .... a unique Namo record :::: It will be 25 years since Modi first took oath as Gujarat's Chief Minister ::: He has not been out of 'power' since then for two decades and half

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address a major Seva Jyoti programme at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on October 7, 2026, marking 25 years since he first took oath as Gujarat's Chief Minister.

A ‘Vadnagar to Varanasi Sewa Yatra’ is also underway. 

As part of the yatra, youth set off from both cities simultaneously, travelling through seven states, covering long distances and making night halts in villages where they are performing voluntary service and cleanliness drives. 

The Prime Minister was born at Vadnagar and Varanasi is his parliamentary constituency since 2014.  

Key Highlights of October 7  :::  Events

Main Event in New Delhi : 

The Delhi BJP is hosting a grand Seva Jyoti event at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium with around 5,000 attendees. 

Processions from local mandals across Delhi will converge at the venue prior to the address.

• Nationwide & State Outreach: As part of the month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan (September 17 – October 17, 2026), senior leaders are participating in state events. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend a Seva Jyoti Yatra program in Kurukshetra, Haryana.  

PM Narendra Modi and BJP national president Nitin Nabin are likely to attend the programme in person and address party leaders, workers and supporters gathered at the venue. 

Across India, in most districts the BJP offices will relay the video recording of the Prime Minister's speech on a giant screen.

As part of the celebrations, several senior BJP leaders will participate in Seva Jyoti Yatra programmes across Haryana on October 7.

BJP general secretary Smriti Irani will participate in the Seva Jyoti Yatra in Jind. This will be her first visit to Haryana in her capacity as the state in-charge.

As many as 12 different types of public welfare programmes will be organised to mark 25 years of seva by the ‘Pradhan Sevak’ - PM Modi.

Beginning on September 17, the month-long celebrations of PM Modi’s birthday shall culminate a month later on October 17.

The events are held every year, during which thousands of party workers organise ‘seva camps’ across the country to disseminate the message of public service.

NaMo Seva's untold stories, blood donation camps, musical and theatrical performances in local languages, Aangan Milan Sewa, Matru Samvad, Sewa Jyoti Kalash Yatra and Seva Mera Yogdaan are among the 12 programmes planned during the Abhiyaan. 

In West Bengal there will be Mashal Yatra by BJP karyakartas after the speeches are delivered. 

Several exhibitions will be held in Kolkata and other places displaying photographs and other exhibits of Modi's achievements both as the Gujarat chief minister and later as the Prime Minister since 2014, BJP West Bengal president Samik Bhattacharya announced at a media press conference.  "It is a significant day for us in West Bengal too as after 49 long years of anti-people government, we have able to establish a democratic BJP dispensation," he said. 

The exhibition in West Bengal will also highlight the achievements of initial 150 days of Governance under chief minister Suvendu Adhikari. 

The Left parties ruled over Bengal for 34 years between 1977 and 2011 and after that Mamata Banerjee-led TMC was in power in the state for 16 years.  

Samik Bhattacharya said - "We also intent to pass on a Big Picture message to the people of West Bengal. 

"Today's Religion is Democracy and Today's politics is Development".  

ends 

Namo's much awaited Cabinet reshuffle on cards ::: BJP does caste management in UP Rajya Sabha candidates list, drops Union Minister Puri

BJP does caste management in UP Rajya Sabha candidates list, drops Union Minister Puri  

There is sub-regional balance too.

Priyanka Singh Rawat brings an Awadh connection and Prakash Pal represents the Kanpur-Bundelkhand belt. 

Dharampal Singh and Shruti Gangwar provide representation from Rohilkhand.   

Ram Pratap Singh Chauhan hails from western Uttar Pradesh and is organisational face. Vidyasagar Sonkar and Radhakant Ojha are associated with Purvanchal areas. 

The new list of saffron party candidates includes three OBC candidates, two Scheduled Caste candidates and three from the general category. 

Two of the eight nominees are women.  

TWO BRAHMINS, ONE THAKUR ON LIST

The upper-caste nominees include two Brahmins and one Thakur leader. Ram Pratap Singh Chauhan is a BJP state general secretary and its Western Uttar Pradesh region in-charge. He represented Etmadpur in Agra as an MLA from 2017 to 2022.

Radhakant Ojha is a senior advocate at the Allahabad High Court in Prayagraj and has been elected president of its Bar Association twice. Gopi Krishna Pandey is a senior BJP organiser involved in grassroots campaigns and organisational work.

Key leaders including Arun Singh and Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and another minister B L Verma have been dropped.  

The move by the party leadership is largely seen as a surprise move and is indicative of the fact that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will go ahead with his plans for cabinet reshuffle sooner than later.

Arun Singh 

Arun Singh, Seema Dwivedi, Neeraj Shekhar (former PM Chandrashekhar's son) , Brij Lal and Geeta Shakya also do not figure on the list. 

Dinesh Sharma, who previously held a Rajya Sabha seat from the state, is now the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.  

Vidyasagar Sonkar is a Dalit nominee. He is a leader from Jaunpur and former MP and MLC. He has served as deputy leader in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council and as a BJP state general secretary.  

The candidates' list has three OBC names -  reflecting the BJP’s effort to balance caste representation and organisational experience ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls.

The OBC nominees represent the Lodhi, Pal and Kurmi communities. Among them is Prakash Pal, who heads the BJP’s Uttar Pradesh OBC Morcha and has previously led its Kanpur-Bundelkhand organisational region.  

TWO WOMEN NOMINATED

Former Barabanki MP Priyanka Singh Rawat and 

Shruti Gangwar, daughter of Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar, are the two women on the list.

This is also a hint that a few Governors could also be changed and even dropped in the weeks to come.

Priyanka Singh Rawat, a Uttar Pradesh BJP vice-president and national executive member, defeated Congress veteran P L Punia by around two lakh votes in the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

Gangwar, an IIT graduate, chairs the Urban Co-operative Bank in Bareilly and is active in the Bareilly-Baheri region. She described her nomination as an important step towards women-led development and greater participation of women in policymaking.  

Priyanka Singh Rawat 

The Election Commission has fixed October 6 as the last date for filing nominations. Polling will be held on October 16.

The ruling BJP is comfortably positioned to win eight seats and the Samajwadi Party (SP) expected to secure two, both parties could see their candidates elected unopposed if no additional nominees enter. 

ends 

Eastern Flank rejects NSCN-IM (Hebron) "reconciliation offer" ::: Says "Hebron's claim of being a messenger of Peace is seen with Deep Political Skepticism"

When the going gets 'tough' and your tricks are "caught" -- its skepticism everywhere. Trust becomes an issue and by the time 'sunset' is near -- everybody knows the credibility is in "question".  

In a strongly worded statement - much to the uneasiness of Kohima protagonists and other stakeholders of meta-physical and Status quo club - the Eastern Flank has snubbed its brethren in the Hebron.  

Worse, it has been also stated that any "breach" in future into the peaceful fabrics in Eastern Nagalim will "not be tolerated."

"The Provincial Govt of NSCN (eastern flank) has taken note of the arrival of the Hebron/NSCN led by Maj Gen (retd.) Ramkathing Varah, Collective Leadership Member in Eastern Nagalim under the banner of Peace Campaign and reconciliation between Maj. Gen. (retd.) Ang Mai, Chairman of (NSCN-K/AM) and Yung Aung. Chairman of (NSCN-K/YA) factions. We are subjecting to close scrutiny the movements and political activities in Eastern Nagalim and beyond, 

...

and we regard its claim to come as a messenger of peace and Naga Unity with deep political skepticism." 

Is it turning out a Mirror case or the good old 'as you sow, so shall you reap' -- say analysts in Delhi.

The reference is to the NSCN-IM past record when it considered everyone else a fraud and maintained a holier-than-thou approach in dealings with with every other group or Govt of India's sincere gestures.

Even veteran S C Jamir was being dubbed as an unauthorized individual and now EF says the "credibility' of  Hebron is in question. 

Look at the mirror boy !!

The Eastern Flank statement signed by Angyo Jacob Tangshang Naga, Political Coordinator, Eastern Nagalim Provisional Govt, says:

"The credibility of the Hebron to speak for the Naga political question is fundamentally in question. 

Its competencies submitted on the 2nd January, 2020 represent a departure from the established Naga political principle and expose the extent to which its political position has diverged from the broader Nagas aspiration". 

The splinter group says: "Peace cannot be invoked as a pretext for their expansion nor can unity be preached by those whose own political conduct has contributed to division within the Naga national movement. 

"No group possesses the political mandate to redefine the Naga national position for its own Convenience and the Naga political issue cannot be reduced to an arrangement acceptable to New Delhi, 

nor can the Naga national principle be subordinated to constitutional limitations imposed by India," the statement says.

The Govt of India sources claim they were aware of the movement of a Team from the Hebron camp and were keeping close vigil.

The latest statement from the Eastern Flank only "exposes" the predicament now being faced by both the Hebron as well as the Kohima protagonists.

This may help New Delhi form a final opinion on wide range of issues sooner than later, analysts opine. 

The Eastern Flank also said:

"Most grave and still unresolved is the killing of our four cadres Maj. Sochipem Phungshok, Sgt. Major Zairei, Sgt. Bahnle Ahlahpyah and Sgt. Thansomi Vashi at Hongpei village on 28th March, 2026. 

The Hebron/NSCN has yet to provide a satisfactory explanation for these deaths. 

"Until such serious matters are addressed, its sudden projection of itself as a harbinger of peace and unity will inevitably be viewed with suspicion."

"We therefore caution all Naga national workers and brothers in arms across different camps to remain vigilant against attempts to exploit the language of peace and reconciliation for their advantage," the statement ran. 

In Delhi circles; these are also seen as the limitation of 'influence' Kohima now has over the developments unfolding or likely to unfold.

"Eastern Nagalim is not a political vacuum nor is it a territory where any organisation can unilaterally establish authority or dictate terms under the guise of peace.

Let it be understood clearly: Eastern Nagalim will not accept Indian political influence through Hebron disguised as reconciliation." 

The 'provincial' dispensation formed earlier this year after formalisation of the split further says: "Any genuine initiative for Naga unity must rest on political integrity and adherence to the fundamental Naga national principle. 

Any further attempt to breach our peaceful fabric here in Eastern Nagalim will not be tolerated."

ends 

Between 'friends' they got away calling each each other 'a liar' and "a dull fellow" ::::: "Whither goest thou?" .... Politics and Naga Politicians -- "With a view to updating police organisation the cabinet under Jamir had decided to introduce IPS in Nagaland"

One can flirt with Death to prove that we are truly alive !! It's all in human nature.  

The past -  even in good humour - cannot stay silent.

The Naga Students Federation (NSF) is perhaps more likely to be considered a "mandated body" because there is an elaborate democratic process and electioneering involved in it and all Naga students can vote. 

The Naga Hoho too is an old body. Earlier the organization leadership moved from one tribe to another, according to sources, by rotation. It was not structured. Only in the nineties a structured body was created. The process essentially marked a coming together of a group of Naga leaders and intellectuals.

Blogger in old NSF office - 2022 visit 

M Vero was the first president of Naga Hoho and in the 1990s at Kohima it was common knowledge that Vero was an ardent opponent of Chief Minister Vamuzo. Vero had defeated Vamuzo in 1989 assembly polls. 

But later Vero became his Agriculture Minister when Vamuzo headed the JLP ministry in 1990.  "Quo vadis" is a Latin phrase that translates directly to "Where are you going?" or "Whither goest thou?" 

One can hardly predict. Naga veteran S C Jamir and flamboyant Vamuzo easily fell into such a category. 

In 1990, the NSCN was 'banned' by the then Chandrashekhar Govt. ULFA too was banned and the AGP government was dismissed in Assam. 

President's Rule was imposed.

But the big fallout was political at Kohima. There was a huge argument between the then Chief Minister Vamuzo and Congress stalwart S C Jamir - who had only a few months back brought in non-MLA Vamuzo as the Chief Minister to oust K L Chishi.

Timing is crucial in politics. The Chandrashekhar government took the decision at a time when Vamuzo was politically 'stronger' having the disqualification of 10 MLAs revoked. The Congress(R) comprising 12 legislators including Neiphiu Rio had already merged with the NPC.

S C Jamir and Vamuzo 'used their old personal friendship' to topple K L Chishi 

One evening the 'fight' between Vamuzo and S C Jamir had turned quite serious. It actually broke out in front of Vamuzo's deputy chief minister - in charge of the Finance portfolio - I K Sema.

An upset Jamir told Vamuzo, "You want to do away with Congress, can anyone survive in Indian politics without Congress. You know, the AGP government was dismissed by your Chandrashekhar government. But

it was done at the behest of Congress".

Vamuzo jumped on this. Jamir had given him a fantastic escape route. In fact, after banning of ULFA and NSCN, Vamuzo was under pressure.

Some Congress leaders including pradesh Congress chief Shikiho Sema claimed the centre must have 'consulted' the Vamuzo Govt before banning the NSCN. 

Vamuzo retorted sharply at Jamir, "You mean, the AGP government was dismissed at the behest of Congress... you mean both ULFA and NSCN were banned at the behest of Congress. 

Meaning your party wanted this ban on NSCN".

Table was turned. A smart political operator, I K Sema gauged the mood in the room and told Vamuzo's PA (a south Indian) to type his resignation letter.  But both senior leaders were always friends. Later when we asked Jamir about Vamuzo's argument and use of the phrase - 

'at the behest'

Jamir's response : 

"I always knew there was something wrong in his head. He did not understand English as well".

But political damage was done. Vamuzo then dropped all Congress ministers.  

Bolero era - Roads and Vehicle on National Highway 

  

Congress pradesh office bearers led by president Shikiho Sema (a former NSF president) smelt a rat and they issued a statement demanding that Jamir has to clarify whether he really said NSCN was banned 'at the behest of Congress' as claimed by Vamuzo.

Shikiho had turned a radical nationalist and also named his son 'Bharato'. In 2026 - he could have easily figured in PM's  'Mann Ki Baat'.

 

The signatories included the likes of K V Pusa, NPCC general secretary. 

They met at Rainbow Ezung's residence (opposite Vizol's house near NST premises) and the copy of the letter was passed on to the central government and Shikiho's "friends in central agencies".

It was really one of the serious challenging times for Jamir. But all the rebellion still could not corner Jamir in real sense.  

Around 1994-95, once S C Jamir said on the floor of the assembly, "Mr Speaker Sir, in Naga politics, I think, I made only two mistakes...".

 

Everybody including those in the press gallery were more than attentive. Maybe there was a breaking news on cards.

But Jamir surprised everyone when he said -- "One mistake was I made Vamuzo the Chief Minister and later in 1993, I made K L Chishi the Finance Minister".

Needless to add, both were furious.

On different occasions both the leaders reacted. Chishi said Jamir thought everyone else around him is a 'pawn'. 

Vamuzo was usual flamboyant - "You are a habitual liar" - he told Jamir straight.

Vamuzo and Jamir were bosom friends personally. Once during a heated argument in the House, Jamir said something only a true friend can tell another truly yours.

"I don't know Sir, why this dull fellow is sitting here". And the real climax was both started laughing at each other. 

Shurhozelie, a good debater himself, was up on his feet and said -- "Next time when the Govt High School holds debate competitions, they should invite Shri Jamir and Vamuzo as special guests".   

The Jamir-Vamuzo friendship was almost legendary and so when we refer to these leaders - one must rejoice the spirit of healthy politics. 

In 2026, some words from either on each other should be therefore taken with a pinch of salt. 

 

Another highlight of the Vamuzo regime in 1990 was the ability of the NSF to pressurise the authorities.

The apex NSF under R Paphino (who later became NPC MLA) was not "youth wing" of any political party.

The organisation was really a force worth appreciating its strength. 

The Vamuzo government was even forced to change the superannuation policy forcing hundreds of senior officials and state government

employees taking retirement as the clause "57 years of age or 33 years of service whichever is earlier".

Likes of DIPR Director K Peseyie lost his job within minutes the Governor M M Thomas had signed the Ordinance. 

The incumbent Lok Sabha MP, S Supongmeren Jamir was a key player in the erstwhile Paphino-led team. The NSF then had asked both the lawmakers Late Vizol and Late Shikiho Sema to resign and come back home.

The complaint had cropped up when the then Union Home Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed (only Muslim Home Minister) had described the NSF as a "parochial body".  

Supongmeren is today pradesh Congress chief but his conduct has been always friendly to the BJP-NPF regime at Kohima. 

Activist Theja Therieh was ANCSU president and later NSF Speaker in the 1990s. The ANCSU had demanded I K Sema's resignation when UGC scale was not given to Science College teachers. ANCSU also had issues with a Nagaland University Vice Chancellor.

 

Prior to that, the students' protest had left the then Chief Minister S C Jamir red-faced in the mid-eighties as two students had died and the NSF Martyrs' Park was set up.

The protest was against the introduction of IPS cadre in Nagaland.

Many years later, veteran Jamir wrote a booklet, "Don't Mind, I am still Growing" (released on his birthday Oct 17, 2023).

There in Jamir shared about his mild differences with SMH Burney, then the state Governor, vis-a-vis the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) and Naga Mothers' Association protest against the Jamir government's 

decision to implement or introduce 'IPS norms' for the state police.

"With a view to improving and updating police organisation the cabinet under me decided to introduce IPS in the state.....To my utter surprise some of the senior police officers were totally against it", wrote Jamir.

That way, even New Delhi understands that the Rio regime has been handled with soft gloves not only by students but also by other pressure groups and even the local media.

Amit Shah showed trust in Rio hoping the chief minister would

deliver Solution and a lasting peace -- both still remaining far away.

We Journalists - I am afraid - are more often behind the times.

ends 

Israeli Minister under attack on flyDubai co-pilot 'attempt' ::: “From the moment the scale of the failure began to emerge, the leadership, as is its custom, disappeared" :::: co-pilot planned to crash plane into skyscraper in 9/11-style attack

Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that al-Hammani planned to secretly kill Machchhar, shut down the aircraft’s engines and crash the plane into a building in Tel Aviv on September 30.  

Hamam al-Hammani, who is under arrest and being questioned in the UAE, told investigators that he intended to continue Flight 1073 normally after disposing of the captain, obtaining landing clearance and then crashing the aircraft into a building or another plane at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israeli media reported.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Minister of Transportation Miri Regev in the Knesset : File snap

The co-pilot planned to wait until the aircraft was over Jordan before attempting to seize control, apparently to avoid raising the alarm and give himself enough time to carry out the attack. He planned to carry out the attack in July but abandoned it at the last moment because he was friends with a member of the crew, Israeli media reported. 

The flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammani, who attacked Captain Smit Machchhar in the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight cockpit last week, had planned to kill him, hijack the aircraft and carry out a 9/11-style attack by crashing the plane into a skyscraper in Tel Aviv, according to investigators. 

An initial Israeli investigation also found that the 29-year-old Omani national acted alone in the attack.  

Opposition leaders in Israel have stepped up calls on Sunday for Transportation Minister Miri Regev to resign or be fired over her ministry’s failure to prevent last week’s attack by an Omani copilot aboard a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv.

The demands came as the attempted terror attack on flydubai Flight 1073 prompted mounting scrutiny of Israel’s oversight of foreign airlines, including reports that senior Israeli bodies had warned for years that the Transportation Ministry was not properly carrying out its obligatory security checks on foreign flights, including oversight of their pilots.

“From the moment the scale of the failure began to emerge, the leadership, as is its custom, disappeared. In a worthy, properly functioning government, [Regev] would have submitted her resignation yesterday evening. 

Since she did not, the prime minister should have fired her immediately,” Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot said in a statement on Sunday.

The plot bore similarities to the infamous September 11, 2001, attacks, when 19 al-Qaida-trained hijackers seized control of four US passenger planes, and deliberately crashed three of them into the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Nearly 3,000 people were killed in that massacre.

On September 30, Hammami attacked Machchhar, an Indian pilot, with a crash axe in the cockpit and attempted to take control of the flight. During the struggle, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 witnessed a steep descent from around 36,000 feet to nearly 17,000 feet in about two minutes, causing extreme structural stress and stripping parts of the plane's rudder. 

There were 174 passengers on board.

The disaster was averted when an injured Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing the crew members and passengers to breach the flight deck and overpower the co-pilot. Two off-duty pilots who were also onboard later took control of the flight and made a safe landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. The passengers were later flown to Ben Gurion Airport.

al-Hammami had also visited Ben Gurion Airport several times in recent months while working for flydubai. 

During a visit in June, he reportedly focused on gathering information and planning the attack.  

The Opposition leaders drew a direct connection between the flydubai failure and the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 invasion of southern Israel, arguing that the government’s failure to prevent the two attacks, as well as its refusal to investigate and accept responsibility, reflected the same failures of leadership. 

Israel will mark the third anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks, which killed 1,200 people, on Wednesday.

The government, Regev and the Transportation Ministry have denied responsibility for any security breach preceding the flydubai incident,

Smit Machchhar, India pilot, has said that there was tense moment inside the cockpit, describing how a prayer break was followed by two impacts and a desperate attempt to regain control.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who praised the Indian pilot for his actions and invited him, along with PM Narendra Modi, to light a ceremonial torch at Israel's next Independence Day celebrations.

The incident took place aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. 

ends 

Vishwaguru has given upon itself a new role :::: "... in recent months we have got a little bit more involved beyond advocacy" on Russia-Ukraine war, says Dr Jaishankar

"We have been advocating it for many years, and in recent months we have got a little bit more involved beyond advocacy. 

We have conversations with both Russia and Ukraine in this regard. We are trying to be helpful, starting with the Black Sea safety of shipping issue," External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said.

He maintained that India has moved beyond advocacy and stepped up its efforts in recent months for the resolution of the Ukraine conflict by engaging in conversations with both Ukraine and Russia.

This is largely seen as the first public acknowledgement of New Delhi's role in ending the lingering war.

Dr Jaishankar's comments at an event came days after Russian President Vladimir Putin said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "good ideas" to find a mutually acceptable solution to the conflict. 

Ukraine Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also said on Friday that Kyiv received separate proposals from India and three other nations for a possible ceasefire.

Dr Jaishankar said India is focusing on ensuring the safety of shipping in the Black Sea as well as on grain exports and energy supplies. For over four years, India has been consistently pushing for resolving the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

PM Modi had earlier said -- "This is not an era of War".

In 2026, the Prime Minister gave another one-liner pitching for peace stating - "From the endless war; there is a need to move to the End of War". 

"Our position on that conflict has been very clear, which is that we would like to see an end to this conflict. This will require dialogue and diplomacy. There has to be negotiations in this regard," Dr Jaishankar said at the Munich Leaders' Meeting in New Delhi.

Jaishankar said India is "going beyond that to cover some immediate concerns which both of them (Russia and Ukraine) have on grain exports, energy exports, non-attack possibilities. 

Those are ongoing conversations right now".

Dr Jaishankar also spoke highly about Russia and some of the policies pursued by Moscow over the years --  

"At a time when much of the world preferred backing a military regime next to us, Russia was a country with which our relations were very good and we are shaped in many ways by that legacy".  This was in reference to America's controversial role in strategic matters with regard to Pakistan.   

He was also critical of the US and pointed out the fallout.

"No one in the room would disagree with the fact that the landscape today is primarily marked by a radical repositioning of the United States

. A repositioning which is a posture of choice," he said, suggesting that, in a way, it has "deliberately" become a "lonelier power".

"Today, the relationship (New Delhi-Moscow) has widened beyond that... It is very much more today an economic relationship as well. 

So there is a military component, there are nuclear component, there is space issues, but there is a significant amount of trade and investment between the two countries and energy and resources as well... 

India's experience has been quite positive and consistently positive. Having said that, we are seeing today an unfortunate conflict. Our position on that conflict has been very clear, which is that we would like to see an end to this conflict. This will require dialogue and diplomacy". 

Prime Minister Modi held wide-ranging talks with Russian President Putin in Bishkek on August 31 where he noted that the "endless war must now give way to end of war".

The external affairs minister also delved into India's historical ties with Russia. "India and Russia have historically very good relations, particularly since the 1950s. That history is not forgotten."

He said that the Soviet Union "stood by us in many ways when our security, when our territorial integrity was under threat".

"At a time when much of the world preferred backing a military regime next to us, Russia was a country with which our relations were very good and we are shaped in many ways by that legacy," he said.

Jaishankar said the engagement has significantly widened now. "It is very much more today an economic relationship as well. There is a military component, there are nuclear components, there is space aspect, but there is a significant amount of trade and investment between the two countries and energy and resources as well". 

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