FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | US-Israel offensive expands, Hormuz closure rattles markets UNITED NEWS OF INDIA Washington/Tehran, 4 March O n Day 5 of the US-Israel strikes on Iran, the conflict continued to widen, with Tel Aviv again trading strikes with both Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia, while a US Navy submarine sunk an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. As the war expanded yet again, Tehran vowed to completely destroy the Middle East’s military and economic infrastructure, as it launched missiles and drones on targets on Bahrain, Kuwait and Israel. Turkey said NATO defenses intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Iran before it entered Turkey’s airspace. The escalating conflict, coupled with the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has rattled global markets. Asian markets tumbled sharply in early Wednesday trading, with import-dependent economies bearing the brunt of the shock. Oil and natural gas prices surged as energy exports from the region faced severe disruption. Adm. Brad Cooper, the top US military commander in West Asia, said US forces have damaged Iran’s air defenses and taken out ballistic missiles, launchers and drones. Israeli military spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said such damage has led to a decline in launches from Iran. Still, explosions echoed in the skies over Jerusalem on Wednesday. Israel’s military said Iran launched missiles toward the country, and Hezbollah sent rockets. Amid the expanding hostilities, Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry said it intercepted and destroyed two cruise missiles near the central city of Al Kharj, around 55 miles southeast of Riyadh. On the Israel-Lebanon front, the Israeli military said it detected several rockets crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory early Wednesday local time. Most were intercepted by the Israeli Air US submarine sinks Iranian warship in Indian Ocean: Washington: A United States Navy submarine sunk an Iranian naval warship with a torpedo strike, marking the first time since World War II that an enemy vessel has been destroyed in this manner, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing, Mr Hegseth said the strike was carried out in international waters by an American fast attack submarine. Earlier, Sri Lankan authorities said that their navy rescued 32 “critically wounded” sailors from the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, which sank on Wednesday (4 March) just outside the country's territorial waters. A Sri Lankan navy spokesperson confirmed that bodies, suspected to be crew members, have been recovered during ongoing rescue operations. “We cannot provide details on the number of dead,” the spokesperson said. Some reports said the Iranian ship, one of its newer vessels had recently participated in the Milan 2026 International Fleet Review hosted by India and was struck while returning home. Force after sirens sounded in northern Israel. Israel later issued a fresh evacuation order for more than a dozen Lebanese villages and towns, mostly in the south, where it said Hezbollah positions were being targeted. Meanwhile, casualties continued to mount in Iran. State media reported that the death toll from five days of US-Israeli attacks had surpassed 1,000. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency later put CM to stage dharna over voter roll deletions STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 4 March Trinamul Congress chairperson and chief minister Mamata Banerjee will stage a dharna at the Metro Channel on Friday, 6 March, to protest against what the party alleges is the arbitrary deletion of voters’ names from electoral rolls. The demonstration is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Preparations are underway for a makeshift stage at the same site where Banerjee had observed a three-week fast more than a decade ago, opposing the Left Front government’s forcible acquisition of farmland for Tata Motors’ automobile project. On its official X handle, the Trinamul Congress declared: “To those plotting against Bengal’s rights, identity and future, your end is inevitable. Guided by the leadership of Smt @MamataOfficial, we reaffirm our commitment to peaceful, constitutional and united resistance.” Party sources indicated that Miss Banerjee will announce the organisation’s future programme during Friday’s protest. According to Trinamul leaders, the names of ministers Dr Shashi Panja and Golam Rabbani, along with state Chief Secretary Nandini Chakrabarty, have been sent for adjudication. They allege that over 250 living individuals have been wrongly marked as deceased. The party further claims that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has disproportionately targeted constituencies where the BJP fared poorly in the 2021 Assembly elections, particularly minority-dominated areas. Party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee alleged that in Malda and Murshidabad, between 70 and 80 per cent of voters per constituency have b een referred for adjudication. Mamata Banerjee herself has appeared before the Supreme Court, arguing that genuine voters’ names have been unfairly struck off. Party leaders claim that more than 110 people, including Block Level Officers, have died under the strain of electoral rollrelated work or after discovering their names missing from draft lists. Trinamul Congress workers from Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, and the districts of South and North 24-Parganas are expected to participate in Friday’s dharna. Old wounds, new battle: India take on England in T20 WC semi BD NARAYANKAR/UNI Mumbai, 4 March If cricket were a religion ~ and in India it frequently masquerades as one ~ then Thursday evening at the Wankhede Stadium will resemble a grand congregation. The occasion is India versus England in the semifinal of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The mood is hopeful, anxious and faintly combative. The English once arrived on our shores in ships; today they arrive with spreadsheets, video analysts and bats thick enough to chop firewood. In 2022, they dismantled India in a semifinal so efficiently that it felt like a bureaucratic exercise. India retaliated in 2024 with equal authority. Now the ledger reads one-all, and both sides would very much like to write the final entry in bold ink. India's strength lies not only in its stars but in its variety. Sanju Samson, fresh from his unbeaten 97, has reminded selectors and sceptics alike that elegance can coexist with audacity. He is no longer a cameo artist; he has become central to the plot. Suryakumar Yadav, captain and craftsman, plays shots that appear to have been sketched rather than coached. When in rhythm, he can turn good bowling into a public grievance. Hardik Pandya provides the swagger ~ the cricketer who can clear the ropes and, in the same breath, send down heavy overs that demand respect. His role is less about statistics and more about presence. Then there is Tilak Varma, young yet unflustered, who bats as though he has been briefed on the future and finds it agreeable. Ishan Kishan brings impatience to the top order ~ sometimes reckless, often exhilarating. Shivam Dube, the local son of Mumbai, knows these boundaries like an old friend; expect him to treat short deliveries with scant courtesy. • Turn to Page 12 the figure at 1,045. Tehran has been at the centre of the strikes, along with the cities of Karaj and Isfahan. Reports indicated that at least five people were killed in fresh attacks, with schools among the sites hit. LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | Thursday, 05 March 2026 India sets up MEA control room amid evolving situation in West Asia, Gulf UNITED NEWS OF INDIA New Delhi, 4 March Amid the prevailing situation in parts of West Asia and the Gulf region, the Ministry of External Affairs has established a Special Control Room to assist Indian nationals and monitor developments closely. The Control Room will operate daily from 9 am to 9 pm and can be reached through a dedicated toll-free number, 1800118797, as well as multiple New Delhi-based lines: 91 11 2301 2113, 91 11 2301 4104 and 91 11 2301 7905. The move comes as part of the government's efforts to ensure timely support and information for Indian citizens in the region. In addition to the central facility, the MEA has shared emergency contact numbers of Indian missions across several countries in West Asia. These include the Indian Embassy in Bahrain (973 39418071), Iran (98 9128109115 / 98 912810910 / 98 912810910 / 98 932179359), and Iraq (964 771 651 1185 / 964 770444 4899). Emergency numbers have also been issued for Israel (972 54 7520711 / 972 54 2428378), Jordan (962 770 422 276), and Kuwait ( 965 65501946). In Lebanon, Indian nationals can contact 961 76860128, while in Oman assistance is available via WhatsApp at 968 98282270 or the toll-free number 80071234. For those in Qatar, the emergency number is 974 55647502. In Ramallah, Palestine, Indian nationals may reach 970 592916418. In Saudi Arabia, separate contacts have been provided for Riyadh (966 11 4884697 / 800 247 1234 toll free) and Jeddah (966 126648660 / 966 12 2614093). Meanwhile, in the United Arab Emirates, assistance is available through WhatsApp at 971 543090571 and the toll-free number 800 46342. India has a significant diaspora presence across the Gulf and West Asia, with millions of Indian nationals living and working in the region. The establishment of the Control Room and the circulation of embassy helplines are part of precautionary measures aimed at ensuring their safety and facilitating swift communication in case of emergencies. The MEA said it continues to closely monitor the situation and stands ready to extend all possible assistance to Indian citizens in the region.