New Delhi: India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday added that it will operate 270 flights repatriation flights from the United Arab Emirates, starting October 1 to bring its citizens back who want to return home amidst COVID-19.

The ministry said its new schedule, which will run until Oct. 25, constitutes the seventh phase of its repatriation mission, known as Vande Bharat. The state-owned budget airline, Air India Express will operate these flights. They may be supplemented later, if needed, by other Indian carriers, it added.

The flights will leave for India from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Dubai airports to several domestic destinations in India. The seventh phase of the repatriation mission covers a number of new Indian airports.

The schedule announced on Monday also includes flights to bring back Indians from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. In Oman, the flights will operate from both Muscat and Salalah airports. From Saudi Arabia, the airports of origin are Dammam and Riyadh.

Meanwhile, 269 flights will be operated to the UAE from Indian cities by Air India Express for 24 days from Oct. 1. These flights will take back Indians who live and work in the UAE.

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Bengaluru: A 27-year-old man allegedly killed his mother and sister, injured his nephew and later attempted to end his own life in Anekal taluk of Bengaluru Rural district, police said.

The accused, Mohan Gowda, is reported to have killed his mother Asha (55) and sister Varshita (34), and attacked Mayank (11), the son of Varshita.

According to police, the incident came to light after Gowda sent a video message to his relatives stating that he would commit suicide. Alarmed by the message, family members rushed to his house.

As the main door was locked, they entered by breaking open the back door. Inside, Asha and Varshita were found dead, while Gowda and Mayank were lying injured with their throats slit.

Both the accused and the injured boy were shifted to a hospital, where they are undergoing treatment.

Police said Gowda had reportedly invested in a chit fund and had taken loans. He was allegedly facing pressure from creditors. Preliminary investigation suggests that financial stress could be a reason behind the incident.

Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police Chandrakanth said Attibele Police reached the spot around 10.30 pm after receiving information. He said initial findings indicate that Gowda was under severe debt.

Police also said that based on the video message, the family may have been under distress due to financial issues. It is suspected that Gowda attacked his family members before attempting suicide.

A case has been registered at Attibele Police Station and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events and motive.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)