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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Bhujbal’s chopper lands in Pune parking lot

Mumbai : In what is suspected to be a breach of aviation protocols, a chartered helicopter ferrying Food & Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal from Mumbai to Pune skipped a designated helipad and landed in a vehicle parking lot almost a km away.   The shocker happened in Purandar taluka, where Bhujbal was slated to attend a function marking the 200 th  birth anniversary of the social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule in his home village Khanwadi.   As crowds of bewildered people watched...

Bhujbal’s chopper lands in Pune parking lot

Mumbai : In what is suspected to be a breach of aviation protocols, a chartered helicopter ferrying Food & Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal from Mumbai to Pune skipped a designated helipad and landed in a vehicle parking lot almost a km away.   The shocker happened in Purandar taluka, where Bhujbal was slated to attend a function marking the 200 th  birth anniversary of the social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule in his home village Khanwadi.   As crowds of bewildered people watched from around the sprawling parking lot, the helicopter appeared to drop speed in its flight, flew over some overhead high-tension electric cables, and descended gingerly into the parking lot - raising a thick dust-storm in which it disappeared for seconds - before touching the ground.   Moments later, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) senior leader Bhujbal and others stepped out of the chopper, looked around in the unfamiliar territory before several vehicles and police teams rushed there. Minutes before there was chaos and confusion with some locals shouting warnings at the ‘wrong landing’.   Eyewitnesses said that the chopper’s powerful rotors created a thick dust storm and sparked alarm among the people in the vicinity, and many scrambled to the spot to check what exactly was going on in the parking lot.   Later, the Pune Police said that a designated helipad was available for the chopper landing but were at a loss to explain how the pilot missed it and veered off quite a distance away in the vehicle parking space. Subsequently, they asked the pilot to fly it to the correct landing spot.   Shaken and angry local NCP leaders questioned how a pilot flying a VIP on an official trip could mistake a parking lot for a helipad when the weather and visibility was clear. They demanded to know whether the helipad was improperly marked or it was a question of communication or sheer negligence.   The Pune Police indicated that they would report the matter to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) which may take action against the errant pilot and the helicopter company.   “There was no accident. We all emerged safely. The helicopter pilot landed wrongly in a parking lot because the helipad was not visible. All of us are fine and there is nothing to worry,” said Bhujbal, before he was whisked off by his security team.   “There are many faults in numerous airplanes and helicopters, including maintenance issues and other problems. That's why I keep saying consistently that VIPs must exercise caution while flying. Fortunately, an accident was averted today, but that doesn't mean the authorities should be negligent. We expect the government to take urgent precautions.” Rohit R. Pawar, MLA, NCP (SP)

11 bunkers linked to most wanted Maoist Misir Besra destroyed in Jharkhand's Saranda



In a major operation, security forces on Tuesday destroyed 11 underground bunkers believed to be used by top Maoist leader Misir Besra, who carries a reward of ₹1 crore. They also defused seven powerful Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the dense Saranda forests of Chaibasa.


Police said the bunkers were specially built for Besra and his team. “Proper arrangements were made for the stay of top Maoist leader, Misir Besra and his squad,” a police officer stated.


The bunkers were of different sizes—25x35 feet, 20x25 feet, and 15x20 feet—indicating a well-planned setup. Security forces also found six Maoist dumps at the site. Items recovered included a printer, two batteries, cartridges, a lathe machine, 18 pipes, 15 metres of wire, and various daily-use items.


During a thorough search in the forest villages of Luiya and Bakrabera, under Tonto police station, seven IEDs were recovered. Five were found on Monday, and two more on Tuesday.


“One of the IEDs weighed 15 kg, two were 10 kg each, one was 5 kg, and two were 4 kg. For safety, the bomb disposal team defused them on the spot,” said a statement from the police headquarters.


Earlier, on Thursday, security personnel had demolished five more Maoist bunkers in the Kalpaburu forests under Jaraikela police station, also in Chaibasa. It is suspected that CPI (Maoist) members used those bunkers after conducting attacks.


Before that, on April 5, security forces discovered and destroyed 16 more Maoist bunkers. According to the Superintendent of Police, Chaibasa, each of these could hold 40 to 50 Maoist members, showing the large presence of insurgents in the area.


This action is part of an ongoing operation to weaken Maoist support systems and prevent future attacks. Police are maintaining high alert and are closely watching the area for any signs of senior Maoist movement.


Currently, Maoist activity in Jharkhand is mostly limited to the Saranda forests, as they have been cleared from most other parts of the state. Police believe that around 85 to 90 Maoists are hiding in the Saranda region, which is heavily laced with IEDs, making it difficult for security forces.


A joint operation in the Kolhan and Saranda forests of Chaibasa began in November 2022, after intelligence reports pointed to the presence of senior Maoist leaders, including Misir Besra. The operation is being carried out by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jharkhand Police.

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