Even as the deadly deluge in Kerala continued to take a toll of life and property across the state -- with the number of deaths rising to 87 on Thursday -- the Centre has deployed all three wings of the armed forces in a massive rescue operation that is currently underway.

The three men affiliated to hardline Hindu groups arrested by the Maharashtra ATS last week wanted to support the Maratha agitation for reservation in jobs and education by setting off bombs near Maratha morchas to send the government a “strong” message, according to officers familiar with the probe.

After around 50 people were stranded at the Sultangarh waterfall in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district, police on Thursday said around 45 people have been rescued while six are still missing.

Wider trade deficit, along with recent outflow of foreign funds, weakened the Indian rupee to a fresh record low during the early morning trade session on Thursday.

One person was killed and three others seriously injured in an attack by a mob over suspicions that they were cow thieves in Biswanath district of upper Assam, police said on Thursday.

 With rains still pouring down heavily leading to flooding of dams and rivers across Kerala, 12 fresh deaths were reported on Thursday, taking the toll to 79, since August 8.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's condition continues to be critical on Thursday as a bulletin is expected shortly from the AIIMS where he has been admitted for the last nine weeks.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday reconstituted the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) including Vice Presidents, Treasurer, General Secretaries, Executive Committee members, Special Invitees, Secretaries, Disciplinary Committee, Election Committee and Campaign Committee.