Ahmedabad, Oct 12: Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ), which operates Mundra Port in Gujarat, on Monday said it will not handle containerised cargo originating from Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan at all its terminals from November 15.

The decision comes nearly a month after the seizure of 2,988 kg of heroin at Mundra Port located in Kutch district of Gujarat.

In a "trade advisory" issued on Monday, the company said the decision is applicable to all terminals operated by APSEZ across India.

"Dear valued customer. Please be informed that with effect from November 15, APSEZ will not handle EXIM (export-import) containerised cargo originating from Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"This trade advisory will apply to all terminals operated by APSEZ and including third party terminals at any APSEZ port till further notice," said a communication by the company.

However, the company did not give any reason for the move.

On September 13, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) detained two containers that had arrived at Mundra Port from Kandahar in Afghanistan via Bandar Abbas port of Iran.

The declaration accompanying the containers claimed they had "semi-processed talc stones".

However, a thorough examination had established that the two containers in fact contained 2,988 kg of heroin worth Rs 21,000 crore, which was concealed in "the lower layers" of "jumbo bags" topped with talc stones, said a PIB release last month.

The DRI had arrested eight persons, including five foreign nationals, in connection with the seizure of the drugs.

Recently, probe into the drugs haul was handed over to the anti-terror agency NIA.

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Varanasi: Comedian Shyam Rangeela has finally filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate from the Varanasi parliamentary constituency on Tuesday, May 14, the last day of filing papers.

Rangeela, who intended to contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi had alleged on Monday that he was being denied a nomination from the seat, as he along with several other candidates were reportedly made to wait for filling papers on May 10th and May 13th.

Shyam Rangeela, taking to his official ‘X’ handle, wrote, "With your love and support, I have completed all the requirements as per the rules and submitted the nomination. I also have full faith in the democracy of this country. Now the next two-three days are crucial. Thank you all very much for your cooperation. My electoral future rests in the hands of all election officials who are the custodians of our democracy. With the hope that they all strengthen our faith, Yours Shyam Rangeela.”

Alongside, Shyam, BJP candidate Narendra Modi, Log Party's Vinay Kumar Tripathi, BJP's Surendra Narayan Singh, independent candidates Dinesh Kumar Yadav, Reena Rai, Neha Jaiswal, Ajit Kumar Jaiswal, Ashok Kumar Pandey, Sandeep Tripathi filed their nomination papers on Tuesday.

According to the Election Commision of India, a total of 41 candidates have filed nomination papers from the Varanasi constituency.