Explosions reported in Iran’s Bandar Abbas as Tehran launches new missiles toward Israel
Tehran: Massive explosions were reported in Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas on Thursday. The blasts occurred near Bandar-e Bahonar in the First Naval Zone of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, close to the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Iran also reported a fresh wave of strikes beginning around midnight with loud explosions in eastern Tehran. Shockwaves were felt across parts of the capital, though the exact targets were not immediately clear, according to a report published by The Sunday Guardian.
Overnight strikes were also reported in the Kurdish cities of Sanandaj, Saqqez and Bukan. Iranian authorities have confirmed more than 150 cities across the country have been attacked since Saturday.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had launched a 19th wave of retaliatory attacks targeting Israel and US bases in the region, according to a report by Al Jazeera.
Iran launched a new round of missiles toward Israel on Thursday, according to the Israeli military and Iranian state media. Air raid alerts were issued in several areas including Tel Aviv. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
“The Israeli Air Force has identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel,” the military said, adding that air defence systems were operating to intercept the threat.
Iran’s state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting also confirmed the missile launches.
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Strictest action promised after students forced to remove sacred thread at Bengaluru CET exam centre
Bengaluru (PTI): Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesha G on Monday said the government has decided to take the “strictest possible action” against those responsible for allegedly forcing some students to remove their ‘janivara’ (sacred thread) before entering the venue of the CET exam last week.
He said a committee of senior officials constituted to inquire into the incident reported that, prima facie, it appears the students were “intentionally” made to remove the ‘janivara’.
The city police have already booked three staff members of a private college in Bengaluru for allegedly forcing some students to remove their ‘janivara’ before entering the venue of the Common Entrance Test (CET-2026) last week.
Similar incidents last year in Shivamogga and Bidar had triggered controversy, following which the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) issued clear directions not to force students to remove any religious identification or symbol during exams.
“Despite KEA taking measures such as appointing dress code officials and providing training on dos and don’ts to prevent such incidents from recurring after last year’s cases, there has been a dereliction of duty this time,” Jagadeesha told reporters here.
“To take strict action against those responsible, an FIR has been registered, and arrests have been made. An inquiry has been conducted by senior officials, and those responsible have been suspended,” he added.
Stating that the inquiry report has been submitted at the district level, he said it will be forwarded to the government.
Based on the findings, it has also been decided that KEA will not conduct CET exams at the institution where the incident occurred, he added.
“The strictest possible action is being taken by the district administration and the government,” he added.
The deputy commissioner had constituted a committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner to investigate the incident and submit a report within two days.
“Exams have been held at several centres across the state, and nowhere else has this issue occurred. If students were forced to remove ‘janivara’ at this centre, it appears that it was intentional. We have taken it seriously,” he said, adding that strict action has been recommended to ensure such incidents do not recur.
Noting that senior officials were appointed for the inquiry, the DC said that after a thorough investigation and verification—which included statements from students, the school principal, exam observers, CCTV footage, and documents—it prima facie appears that students were intentionally made to remove the ‘janivara’.
“We are recommending strict action. The government has also ordered a detailed police investigation, and an FIR has been registered in connection with the incident,” he added.
