Category: News

Koraput, June 22 (UDN): In a significant breakthrough in anti-Maoist operations, security forces have recovered a huge cache of arms, ammunition and explosives from a Maoist dump concealed in the dense forests of Badlipahad under Boipariguda police station limits in Odisha’s Koraput district.

The recovery was made during an intensive search operation conducted by the District Voluntary Force (DVF), Koraput, on the basis of specific intelligence inputs received from surrendered Maoist cadres. The operation was launched in the forested areas bordering Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, a region considered vulnerable to Maoist activities.

During the combing operation, security personnel unearthed the hidden dump at around 5.30 am on Monday.

The seized materials include one INSAS rifle, one country-made firearm, six Claymore mines weighing approximately 18 kg, multiple tiffin bomb-based Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) weighing around 14 kg, a Maoist kit bag, Maoist literature, medicines and food items.

According to police, the recovered cache is suspected to belong to cadres of the banned Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC). The arms and explosives were allegedly stockpiled for use in attacks against security forces and civilians.

Officials described the seizure as a major success that has dealt a significant blow to Maoist activities in the region and may have averted potential threats.

The operation assumes significance as Koraput district continues its efforts to achieve the goal of becoming completely Naxal-free by March 31, 2026. Security forces, including the Special Operations Group (SOG), District Voluntary Force (DVF) and Border Security Force (BSF), have intensified anti-Maoist operations and are carrying out regular combing and area domination exercises to prevent any resurgence of extremist activities.

Gandhinagar, June 22: Ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC), the Dedicated Freight Corridor has emerged as a major driver in enhancing Gujarat’s logistics infrastructure and overall cargo handling capacity.

The improved freight connectivity is expected to significantly reduce transit time, lower logistics costs, and improve efficiency in goods movement across key industrial and port-linked routes in the state.

Officials highlighted that the Dedicated Freight Corridor is strengthening integration between industrial zones, logistics parks, and major ports, thereby streamlining supply chains and supporting faster movement of goods.

The development is anticipated to further reinforce Gujarat’s position as a leading industrial and logistics hub, attracting investment and supporting export-oriented growth.

The initiative aligns with broader efforts to modernize India’s freight infrastructure and improve competitiveness in global trade networks.

New Delhi, June 22, 2026: The Aadhaar mobile application has recorded over 3.1 crore downloads, highlighting the growing adoption of digital identity services across India. The platform has also facilitated mobile number updates for nearly 40 lakh users, demonstrating increased reliance on digital self-service features.

The rising usage reflects a strong shift toward convenient, paperless, and time-saving processes for managing Aadhaar details. Users are increasingly choosing the mobile application to carry out essential updates without visiting physical enrolment centres.

The trend underscores the government’s ongoing push toward digital governance and improved citizen access to essential identity services.

The app continues to enhance accessibility, efficiency, and user experience in managing Aadhaar-related services nationwide.

Mumbai, June 22: Indian equity markets closed higher on the day, driven by strong gains in IT and pharmaceutical stocks, which boosted overall investor sentiment.

Benchmark indices BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty 50 ended in positive territory as buying activity strengthened across select sectors. IT stocks led the rally, supported by expectations of steady global demand and resilient earnings prospects, while pharmaceutical stocks also witnessed sustained investor interest.

Market participants noted that optimism in export-oriented and defensive sectors helped offset volatility in broader markets, contributing to the upward movement in indices.

Analysts suggest that continued momentum in IT and pharma segments may support near-term market stability, though global economic cues and institutional flows will remain key drivers of future direction.

June 22: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has eased margin requirements for commodity derivatives positions that are backed by the early pay-in of underlying goods, a move aimed at improving market efficiency and reducing costs for participants.

The regulatory change is expected to benefit traders, hedgers, and other market participants by providing margin relief when commodities are delivered in advance against derivatives positions. The measure is designed to better align margin requirements with the reduced risk associated with positions backed by actual goods.

SEBI said the revised framework will help strengthen the commodity derivatives ecosystem by encouraging greater participation and improving the ease of doing business in commodity markets. The move is also expected to support efficient price discovery and enhance liquidity across commodity exchanges.

Industry experts believe the relaxation could particularly benefit producers, processors, and traders who use derivatives markets to manage price risks. By lowering the margin burden on eligible positions, market participants may be able to deploy capital more efficiently while maintaining effective risk management practices.

The decision forms part of SEBI’s broader efforts to modernize India’s commodity markets and create a more robust regulatory environment that balances market growth with investor protection.

Market observers view the reform as a positive step toward deepening participation in commodity derivatives trading and strengthening India’s position as a growing commodities marketplace.

June 22: India’s women’s hockey team captain Salima Tete has credited the squad’s unwavering focus and determination following the team’s successful campaign at the Nations Cup, saying the players entered the tournament with a clear goal of bringing the trophy home.

Reflecting on the title-winning performance, Salima said the team remained committed to its objective throughout the competition and displayed resilience in crucial moments. She noted that the players shared a strong belief in their abilities and worked collectively to achieve the desired result.

The victory marks a significant achievement for Indian women’s hockey, highlighting the team’s progress and growing confidence on the international stage. Players and coaching staff have been praised for their disciplined performances and ability to handle pressure during key matches.

Salima emphasized that the triumph was the result of consistent preparation, teamwork, and the dedication shown by every member of the squad. She also acknowledged the support of coaches, support staff, and fans who stood behind the team throughout the tournament.

Sports observers view the Nations Cup title as an important milestone that could provide further momentum to Indian women’s hockey as it prepares for future international competitions.

The captain’s remarks reflect the spirit and determination that guided the team throughout its successful campaign, culminating in a memorable title victory for India.

June 22: A recent market report indicates that the upcoming MSCI index rejig could result in foreign inflows exceeding ₹30,000 crore into Indian equities, reflecting sustained global investor interest in the country’s financial markets.

The expected inflows are likely to be driven by global fund managers and passive investment funds that track MSCI indices, as they rebalance their portfolios in line with revised index weightings. Such adjustments typically lead to increased allocation toward markets and stocks with higher representation in the index.

According to the report, large-cap and index-heavy stocks are expected to be the primary beneficiaries of the rebalancing exercise, as they tend to carry higher weightage in global benchmark indices. This could provide near-term liquidity support and influence stock-specific movements in the domestic market.

Analysts suggest that India continues to remain a key focus area for foreign institutional investors, supported by strong macroeconomic fundamentals, robust corporate earnings, and long-term growth prospects. The MSCI rejig is expected to act as an additional catalyst for capital inflows into the market.

However, experts also caution that actual inflow figures may vary depending on global risk sentiment, currency movements, and broader macroeconomic conditions at the time of implementation. Volatility in global markets could also influence the pace and scale of fund allocations.

Market participants are expected to closely track the rebalancing process, as it may have a significant impact on liquidity trends, sectoral performance, and overall market direction in the short term.

Overall, the report highlights continued confidence among global investors in Indian equities, reinforcing the country’s position as a key destination in emerging market portfolios.