New Delhi (PTI): The government is learnt to have cleared a proposal to procure ammunition for Pinaka multi-launch rocket systems at a cost of Rs 10,200 crore, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on January 13 said that two Pinaka contracts -- one for high explosive pre-fragmented ammunition and another for area denial munitions -- are set to be inked before end of the current fiscal.

The people cited above said the procurement has been given the required go ahead.

The two types of ammunition are being procured for around six Pinaka regiments that the Army plans to deploy to bolster its combat prowess along the northern frontier with China.

The Army already has four regiments of Pinaka rocket systems.

While the Pinaka MK-I rocket system has a range of around 40 km, the Pinaka II variant can hit targets at a distance of 60 km.

The Army is enhancing the combat prowess of its artillery units along the frontier with China by procuring an array of weapons systems including an additional batch of 100 K9 Vajra howitzers, swarm drones, loitering munitions and surveillance systems.

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Hyderabad: A 15-year-old girl, Aliya Begum, lost her life after being attacked with stones while trying to protect her father from a mob lynching. The incident took place in Antarum village, Zaheerabad, Telangana. Police have arrested two accused in connection with the case.

What happened?

Muhammad Ismail, a resident of Antarum village in Zaheerabad, was allegedly urinating near the house of Veera Reddy and Vijay Reddy. This led to an altercation between them, after which Veera Reddy, Vijay Reddy, and around 40 others attacked Ismail.

Seeing her father being assaulted, Aliya intervened to protect him. However, the attackers pelted stones at her as well. Aliya sustained severe injuries and was hospitalised. After fighting for her life for three days, she succumbed to her injuries on February 15.

Initially, Aliya's parents had not filed a complaint. However, lawyers Afsar Jahan and Sujat approached the Superintendent of Police (SP) and provided details of the incident, following which a case was registered against the accused.

What did the police say?

Zaheerabad DSP P. Satthayya stated that the attack took place on February 11 when a verbal altercation over Muhammad Ismail urinating near a house escalated into a physical assault. Vijay Reddy and Veera Reddy, along with others, attacked Ismail. When Aliya intervened to save her father, the mob pelted stones at her.

Aliya was also suffering from cancer, which was discovered during the investigation. Her family had not informed hospital staff about the attack. Villagers later reported the incident to the police. Following a post-mortem, Aliya’s body was handed over to her family. Two accused have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody.

Demand for strict action against the accused

The incident has left the entire village in shock, with many demanding strict and immediate action against the accused.

Local MLA Kausar Mohiuddin, who visited the victim's family, stated that this brutal attack was not just on Aliya and her father but on the entire community. Amjadullah Khan of the ‘Majlis Bachao Tehreek’ demanded a judicial inquiry under a High Court judge, the arrest of all accused, ₹25 lakh compensation for the victim’s family, a government job for a family member, and housing under the Indiramma Housing Scheme.