Vijayapura: A soldier of the Border Security Force (BSF) and an ambulance driver were killed in an incident of serial accident that occurred near Nidgundi town on Wednesday.

The accident victims are identified as BSF soldier Mounesh Rathod, who was a native of Kalagi village in Muddebihal taluk, and ambulance driver Ritesh from Kerala. The accident reportedly occurred as a truck hit Rathod’s motorbike and later collided with the ambulance from behind.

A case in this regard has been registered at the Nidgundi Police Station and the officers are investigating.

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Moscow: In a major development, Russia has officially acknowledged the deployment of North Korean troops fighting alongside its forces in the ongoing Ukraine war.

Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, confirmed the participation of North Korean fighters while briefing President Vladimir Putin on the "complete liberation" of the Kursk border region. According to Russian state media outlets TASS and Ria Novosti, Gerasimov specifically highlighted the "role of North Korean servicemen" in the conflict.

"I want specially to note the participation of servicemen of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in liberating border areas of the Kursk region ... in accordance with the Treaty on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our countries," Gerasimov said, referring to North Korea by its official name.

This marks the first time a Russian official has publicly acknowledged the involvement of North Korean troops in the war. North Korea, however, has not issued any official confirmation regarding the deployment.

Gerasimov further stated that North Korean soldiers have been "accomplishing combat objectives shoulder to shoulder" with Russian forces, demonstrating "high professionalism, endurance, courage, and heroism" during combat operations.

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, also commented on the development, acknowledging the presence of North Korean troops. "Gerasimov reported that North Korean fighters, fighting shoulder to shoulder with Russian soldiers in the Kursk Region, demonstrated resilience and heroism. We will never forget our friends," she said in a Telegram post, as reported by Sputnik.

Meanwhile, South Korean and U.S. intelligence estimates suggest that approximately 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Ukraine’s front lines since October last year. Reports indicate that about 4,000 of these soldiers have been wounded, and an additional 3,000 troops may have been sent earlier this year.

The deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea were formalized during a summit last June, where President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a comprehensive partnership treaty. The agreement commits both nations to provide military support "without delay" if either comes under attack.