SATURDAY 14 JUNE 2025 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 Pages 16 |` 5.00 | LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘WE WILL HUNT THEM DOWN WHEREVER THEY ARE’ KEEZHADI EXCAVATIONS STALIN’S TRUMP CARD IN TN ASSEMBLY POLLS P6 SENSEX 81,118.60 q573.38 WEATHER Partly cloudy sky. Hot and humid weather likely. RAINFALL: 002.6 mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 90% P5 NIFTY 24,718.60 q169.60 ` vs $ 86.13 P9 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 74.42 Plane crash: One Black Box recovered as authorities begin probe The Prime Minister assured the affected families of the nation’s unwavering support Min. 58% TEMPERATURE SUN SETS 18:22 hrs MOON SETS 06:13 hrs New Moon on 25 June THUMBNAILS STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Indian Army's ‘Forever in Operations Division’ conducted a commemorative expedition to Tololing Peak on 11 June to pay tribute to the soldiers who made the sacrifice during the Battle of Tololing in the Kargil War of 1999. In Ladakh on Friday nANI IAF's Apache helicopter makes emergency landing in Pathankot, crew safe: An Apache helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made an emergency landing on Friday in the Nangalpur area of Punjab's Pathankot district due to a suspected technical glitch. The incident occurred while the aircraft was on a routine training sortie. Both the pilot and copilot escaped unhurt, and no damage to civilian life or property has been reported. The helicopter was promptly secured by military personnel, and a technical team has been deployed to inspect the aircraft. NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the site of the Ahmedabad plane crash and expressed solidarity with the affected families, assuring them of the nation’s unwavering support during this difficult time. Mr Modi met those injured in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash that claimed numerous lives, including the lone survivor. The Prime Minister also chaired a review meeting at Ahmedabad Airport with top authorities including the ministers and senior officials. The Prime Minister visited Ahmedabad a day after the devastating Air India plane crash claimed the lives of at least 241 people. The plane, bound for London's Gatwick Airport, Thursday crashed into a medical college complex in Ahmedabad minutes after takeoff, killing everyone, except one, on board. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the dead. The PM, who arrived in Ahmedabad at 8.30 in the morning, went straight to inspect the crash site after which he visited the Civil Hospital, where the injured are receiving treatment. He was accompanied by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister K R Naidu, Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi, Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi, and Director General of Police Vikas Sahay. “Met those injured in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, including the lone survivor and assured them that we are with them and their families in this tough time. The entire nation is praying for their speedy recovery,” the Prime Minister said in a post on platform X. During his visit, PM Modi met with the only survivor of the crash, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a British national, who is currently being treated at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. The PM also interacted with the injured persons and inquired about their condition. Mr Modi had earlier expressed shock and grief over the crash, stating: "The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heart-breaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.” PM Modi also met the family of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijaybhai Rupani. “It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst. I’ve known him for decades. We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times. Vijaybhai was humble and hardworking, firmly committed to the Party's ideology. Rising up the ranks, he held various responsibilities in the Organisation and went on to serve diligently as Gujarat’s Chief Minister,” Mr Modi said in a separate post on X. Everything happened in front of my eyes, can’t believe I am alive: Sole survivor of AI171 crash STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE NIKHIL VYAS & RAHUL GAHLAWAT In what can only be described as a miraculous escape, a British national, is the sole survivor of the tragic Air India AI 171 crash that took place in Ahmedabad. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was en route back to London after visiting Gujarat. Recounting the horrific tragedy, he said: “Everything happened in front of my eyes. I can’t believe I’m alive.” “For a moment, I was certain I was going to die. It was supposed to be a routine flight for the AI-171, bound for London. But within moments of takeoff, chaos erupted,” he told media persons. According to his description, the aircraft hesitated in the air for a few seconds. Then, flashing green and white lights flickered across the cabin. Seconds later, the plane veered off and slammed into the hostel building below. “The impact was deafening,” he said. “I felt it race uncontrollably and then crash into the building. Flames engulfed the cabin. I saw the air hostess and other passengers burn right in front of me,” he added. NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE Israel attacks Iran’s nuclear sites and its top military leaders; Iran retaliates with drones AGENCIES DUBAI, 13 JUNE Israel attacked Iran early on Friday with a barrage of airstrikes that took out top military officers and hit nuclear and missile sites, calling it just the beginning and raising the potential for an all-out war between the two bitter Middle East adversaries. It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq. Iran quickly retaliated, sending a swarm of drones at Israel as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of “severe punishment.” Iran had been censured by the United Nations’ atomic watchdog a day earlier for not complying with obligations meant to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon. For years, Israel had threatened such a strike and successive American administrations had sought to prevent it, fearing it would ignite a wider conflict across the Middle East and possibly be ineffective at destroying Iran’s dispersed and hardened nuclear programme. Israel’s military said about 200 aircraft were involved in the initial attack on about 100 targets. Two security officials said the country’s Video KYC, any-branch update now allowed for dormant bank accounts STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE In a significant move to enhance access and simplify procedures for reactivating dormant bank accounts and claiming unclaimed deposits, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a new circular easing Know Your Customer (KYC) norms. As per the circular, customers can now update their KYC details at any bank branch, including non-home branches, for the purpose of activating inoperative accounts and accessing unclaimed deposits. In a customer-friendly shift, the RBI has also allowed the use of Video-based Customer Identification Process (V-CIP) for such updates. P16 SILVER `1,10,000 GOLD `1,01,880 PM Modi visits crash site, meets kin of deceased Max: 35.2˚C (+0.7) Min: 28.2 ˚C (+1.0) SUN RISES 04:52 hrs MOON RISES 20:23 hrs MORKEL INSISTS ON CONSISTENCY ‘ACT EARLY TO COPE WITH HEAT’ “Banks shall endeavour to provide the facility of updation of KYC in such accounts and deposits through VideoCustomer Identification Process (V-CIP),” the RBI circular noted. In another major reform, Banking Correspondents (BCs) ~ who operate in remote and underbanked areas ~ have been officially empow- ered to facilitate periodic and updated KYC processes. These correspondents often function through kirana stores, NGOs, self-help groups (SHGs), and microfinance institutions (MFIs). Customers with no change in KYC information or only an address change may now provide self-declaration through BCs. These declarations can be submitted electronically or in physical form, including the use of biometric-based e-KYC authentication. The RBI also reiterated the existing mandate that banks must transfer unclaimed deposits or inoperative accounts older than 10 years to the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund. Mossad spy agency was also able to position explosive drones inside Iran ahead of time and then activate them to target missile launchers at an Iranian base near Tehran. The Israeli attack hit several sites, including Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz, where black smoke could be seen rising into the air. Later in the morning, Israel said it had also destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran. Among those killed were three of Iran’s top military leaders ~ armed forces chief of staff Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, and the top commander of the Guard’s ballistic missile programme, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh. Iran confirmed all three deaths. Authorities on Friday recovered one of the two black boxes of the ill-fated Air India Flight AI171 that crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday, even as Air India confirmed that 241 people on board the aircraft, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani died in the disaster, while one person survived. At least four MBBS students and the wife of a doctor also died as the plane crashed into the BJ Medical College building in Ahmedabad. The Digital Flight Data Recorder, popularly called ‘black box’ was recovered from the roof of the hostel building of BJ Medical college while efforts were underway to recover the second one, which is typically mounted on the tail of the plane. In the event of an air accident, the black box is the most valuable piece of equipment as it offers investigators clues about what went wrong, from technical failures to human error. It is actually two components packed into one casing, the first being Flight Data Recorder (FDR), which records the technical data of the aircraft like speed, altitude, engine performance, and navigation details. The second component is Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) which stores audio from the cockpit, including pilot conversations and other sounds from the flight deck. Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) also recovered a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) from the debris of the plane which could holds crucial visual footage. DGCA directive: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday directed enhanced safety inspections of Air India’s Boeing 787-8/9 models in the wake of the fatal plane crash near AhmedabadairportThechecksinclude inspection of fuel parameter monitoring and associated system checks, Inspection of Cabin air compressor and associated systems, electronic engine control-system test, engine fuel driven actuatoroperational test and oil system check, serviceability check of hydraulic system and review of take-off parameters. PM Modi briefed by Netanyahu on ‘evolving situation’ as India urges restraint, diplomacy to resolve situation STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi, briefing him on the "evolving situation" following the launch of a military operation by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) against Iran, earlier in the day. “Received a phone call from PM Netanyahu of Israel. He briefed me on the evolving situation. I shared India's concerns and emphasised the need for early restoration of peace and stability in the region,” PM Modi posted on X after the phone call. Mr Netanyahu's office stated that he spoke with world leaders, including PM India enjoys close and friendly relations with both countries. The Indian missions in both countries are in contact with the Indian community, and nationals have been advised to exercise caution, stay safe. Modi, after Israel began 'Operation Rising Lion' to remove the "Iranian threat of annihilation". Earlier, New Delhi expressed deep concern over the recent developments between Iran and Israel, calling for restraint and diplomacy to resolve the situation. Israel on Friday launched unprecedented strikes on Iran, targeting its nuclear programme and senior military leaders. The attack may have cascading implications, leading the Middle East into fresh uncertainty, increasing the risk of a regional war. “India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a deescalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues,” a Foreign Ministry statement said, calling for restraint. The statement said: “We are deeply concerned at the recent developments between Iran and Israel. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites." India, China agree to expedite steps to resume direct air services STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the developments in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Beijing on 27 January. They agreed to continue to stabilise and rebuild ties with a priority on people-centric engagements. NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE Amid reports that China provided diplomatic and military support to Pakistan during its recent conflict with India, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met China’s Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, who is on a two-day visit to India. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the developments in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Beijing on 27 January. They agreed to continue to stabilise and rebuild ties with a priority on peoplecentric engagements. Mr Misri appreciated the Chinese side’s cooperation for the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this year. He noted the discussion in the April meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism for cooperation in trans-bor- der rivers for the resumption of the provision of hydrological data and other cooperation, and hoped for progress on this. The two sides agreed to expedite the steps to resume direct air services between the two countries. The Indian diplomat hoped for the early conclusion of an updated Air Services Agreement. The two sides further agreed to take practical steps for visa facilitation and exchanges between media and think-tanks. “The two sides positively assessed the activities planned under the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China and agreed to facilitate the same,” the Ministry of External Affairs said. The two sides agreed to hold certain functional dialogues, including in the economic and trade areas, to discuss and resolve specific issues of concern. This was the first high-level interaction between the two nations since the brief conflict between India and Pakistan last month in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. (Representational image)