Former principal, rector of St Aloysius College Fr Leo D’Souza SJ passes away
Mangaluru: Former Rector and Principal of St Aloysius College Fr Leo D’Souza SJ passed away at the Father Muller’s Hospital in the city on Tuesday. He was 93.
Born in Mangaluru, he received his early education at the St Aloysius College institutions, with which he was associated all through his life. He also held the posts of principal of the St Aloysius College and rector of the St Aloysius College institutions.
Fr Leo completed his PhD at the Max Planck Society of Germany before establishing the Applied Biology Laboratory at the St Aloysius College (Autonomous) in Mangaluru.
A renowned Jesuit priest, he was world famous for his research work in Botany. Several articles based on his research were also published in international journals.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to higher education and spiritual leadership, Fr Leo was honored with the prestigious Canisius Medal at the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) conference held in Bogota, Colombia, in July 2025.
The funeral mass will be held at the Divine Mercy Church at Fatima Retreat House, Mangaluru at 3 pm on Thursday, following which he will be laid to rest at the Jesuit Cemetery in Attavar.
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Terror threat: Security heightened near key religious, heritage sites in Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Security was tightened across key religious and heritage sites in Delhi on Saturday, including areas around the Red Fort and parts of Chandni Chowk, following intelligence inputs suggesting a possible terror threat, an official said.
Security agencies issued an alert on a possible explosion threat near Red Fort, a major tourist destination and high-security zone, after Central intelligence agencies indicated that Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has allegedly kept prominent religious places in India on its target list.
Sources said specific inputs suggested that a temple in the Chandni Chowk area could be among the potential targets.
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While the intelligence inputs are being verified and assessed, security has been stepped up in and around sensitive religious places and crowded public areas, they added.
Intelligence agencies indicated that LeT could be attempting to carry out an Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-based attack. The alleged plan is reportedly linked to attempts by the terror group to avenge the February 6 blast at a mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, sources said.
Central agencies and Delhi Police units are maintaining close coordination, and surveillance has been intensified through CCTV monitoring, vehicle checks and deployment of additional personnel at vulnerable points. Bomb disposal squads, dog squads and quick reaction teams have also been placed on standby at strategic locations, they added.
The alert comes in the backdrop of the deadly car explosion near the historic Red Fort on November 10, 2025, which killed at least 13 people and injured more than 20 others. The blast occurred when a car loaded with explosives detonated near Gate No 1 of the Red Fort metro station, igniting multiple vehicles nearby and causing panic in the densely populated area.
Security agencies have urged people to remain vigilant and immediately inform police or emergency services about any suspicious objects or activity. However, officials said there is no cause for panic and that the measures are precautionary in nature.
Further intelligence gathering and verification of inputs are underway, an official said.
