Afghanistan earthquake: Jaishankar speaks to Muttaqi
New Delhi (PTI): India on Monday started delivering relief materials for people hit by a major earthquake in Afghanistan with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar assuring his Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi of more supplies.
A powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit northern Afghanistan, killing at least 20 people and injuring over 500.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India delivered food items for the families affected by the earthquake.
Earlier, Jaishankar dialled Muttaqi and conveyed condolences over the loss of lives in the earthquake that struck Balkh, Samangan and Baghlan provinces.
"Indian relief material for the earthquake impacted communities is being handed over today. Further supplies of medicines to reach soon," the external affairs minister said on social media.
"Discussed progress in our bilateral relationship since his visit. Welcomed the improving people-to-people contacts between India and Afghanistan. Appreciated the exchange of views on the regional situation," he added.
It is learnt that the Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict figured in the phone conversation between the two foreign ministers.
The military conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan erupted while Muttaqi was visiting India last month.
The clashes erupted following a Pakistani airstrike on Kabul. Afghanistan strongly responded to the attack following which the conflict escalated.
The two sides entered into a ceasefire on October 19 following talks brokered by Qatar and Turkiye.
Days after Muttaqi's trip to India, New Delhi announced upgrading its technical mission in Kabul to the status of an embassy as part of broader efforts to deepen bilateral engagement with Kabul.
India had withdrawn its officials from its embassy in Kabul after the Taliban seized power in August 2021. In June 2022, India re-established its diplomatic presence in the Afghan capital by deploying a "technical team".
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on October 21 said the Indian embassy in Kabul will further augment India's contribution to Afghanistan's comprehensive development, humanitarian assistance, and capacity-building initiatives.
Muttaqi was in India last month for six days that signalled a new approach in New Delhi's ties with Kabul though it has not yet recognised the Taliban set up.
In New Delhi, the foreign minister had said Afghanistan will not allow any elements to use its territory against New Delhi's interests.
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Watch: Tusker rescued from 20-foot well in Sullia after 16-hour operation
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Mangaluru (PTI): A lone tusker that had fallen into an abandoned 20-foot-deep well in Dakshina Kannada district was successfully rescued after forest officials constructed an earthen ramp, allowing the animal to walk out safely, officials said.
The incident occurred when the elephant, aged about 30 years and roaming in the forested Sampaje range of Sullia taluk in the Western Ghats, accidentally fell into the well in the early hours of Monday and was rescued at around 4 pm the same day, they said.
Initially, when the operation began, officials suspected it was a calf. But midway through the rescue, as it made its way out, they realised it was actually an elephant.
The animal remained trapped inside the well for nearly 16 hours before being rescued, officials added.
Huge relief, the elephant is out of the well.
— Harish Upadhya (@harishupadhya) April 13, 2026
The animal has moved into nearby plantations instead of heading back to the forest. Forest teams remain on high alert.#ElephantRescue #Karnataka https://t.co/ZCLU6COXTv pic.twitter.com/begPVx1oki
According to officials, acting swiftly, the Karnataka Forest Department created a gradual ramp from the bottom of the well to ground level using earth-moving equipment, ensuring a safe exit path for the animal.
After spending about 16 hours inside the well, the elephant walked out safely using the ramp and disappeared into the nearby forest, officials said.
A wild elephant trapped in a well in Peraje, Sullia. Rescue underway. Forest officials on-site for hours, digging to bring the animal out safely. Prayers for the gentle giant. #elephants #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/GZ7yp7pA8q
— Harish Upadhya (@harishupadhya) April 13, 2026
Forest department officials told PTI that the tusker did not sustain any injuries despite the fall and remained healthy and alert throughout the operation.
They monitored the animal as it climbed the ramp and returned to its natural habitat.
The timely intervention prevented any harm to the elephant and highlighted the swift response of the forest team in wildlife rescue operations in the Western Ghats region, which is known for human-elephant conflict incidents.
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