Working to repair F-35B: British high commission on stranded fighter jet in Kerala
New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI): As an F-35B fighter jet of the UK's Royal Navy remained stranded in Kerala for over 10 days, British authorities on Wednesday said efforts are underway to repair the aircraft.
The jet, worth over USD 110 million and known to be one of the most advanced fighters globally, made an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14.
The aircraft is part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group of the UK's Royal Navy.
"We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram international airport as quickly as possible," a British high commission spokesperson said.
"We thank the Indian Authorities for their continued support," the official said.
The aircraft was unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales due to adverse weather conditions.
Prioritising safety, the aircraft was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram international airport where it landed safely.
The aircraft has subsequently developed an engineering issue while on the ground which precluded its return to the carrier, it is learnt.
Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales assessed the aircraft and it was decided that the support of a UK-based engineering team was needed.
To minimise disruptions to the regular airport operations, the aircraft will be moved to a space in the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility hangar once specialist equipment and UK engineering teams arrive, people familiar with the matter said.
Days after the fighter jet's emergency landing, the Indian Air Force said it was providing all necessary support for the "rectification and subsequent return" of the aircraft.
The HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group carried out military drills with the Indian Navy earlier this month.
The F-35B is the only fifth generation fighter jet with short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, making it ideal for operating from smaller decks, austere bases and ships.
Known simply as the 'Lightning' in British service, the F-35 model is the short take off/vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the fighter jet that is designed to operate from short-field bases and air-capable ships.
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Seven arrested in Manipal for ganja, LSD peddling, consumption
Udupi (Karnataka), Aug 18 (PTI): Seven individuals were arrested in Manipal on charges of peddling and consuming narcotics, including ganja and LSD, police said here on Monday.
Four of the accused—Ajish (28), Vipin (32), Bipin (24), and Akhil (26), all from Kerala—were first apprehended after their samples tested positive for ganja consumption. Interrogation revealed that they were being supplied by Manish (34) of Kasaragod.
A raid at Manish’s flat in Vidyaratna Nagar on August 17 recovered 653 grams of ganja, digital scales, a crusher, cash, and a mobile phone. He has been remanded to judicial custody and is counted among the seven arrested.
Separately, a raid on August 16 at a rented room in Ishwara Nagara led to the arrest of Afshin (26) from Kerala and Shivanidhi Acharya (20) of Udupi. Police recovered 1.237 kg of ganja, 0.038 grams of LSD strips, and related paraphernalia.
Investigations indicated that the accused had been targeting both students and migrant workers in Manipal and Mangaluru. The operation was coordinated under the guidance of Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar.
