Tel Aviv: Iran has launched over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shared an illustration of an underground weapons cache on his social media platform 'X' and declared the attack as a "Victory from God and a near conquest." He added that "the strikes of the resistance front on the worn-out and decaying body of the Zionist regime will be more striking."
نَصرٌ مِنَ الله و فَتحٌ قرِيب... pic.twitter.com/l53SfjEslF
— KHAMENEI.IR | فارسی 🇮🇷 (@Khamenei_fa) October 1, 2024
ضربات جبههی مقاومت بر پیکر فرسوده و رو به زوال رژیم صهیونی، بحول و قوهی الهی کوبندهتر خواهد شد.
— KHAMENEI.IR | فارسی 🇮🇷 (@Khamenei_fa) October 1, 2024
In response, Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, stated, “Israel is under attack from Iran. Israel will prevail. Iran's fanatic genocidal theocrats have made a fatal mistake.”
Israel under attack from Iran. 🇮🇱 will prevail. Iran’s fanatic genocidal theocrats have made a fatal mistake. pic.twitter.com/FA4bCA9eDL
— 🇮🇱 Reuven Azar (@ReuvenAzar) October 1, 2024
Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari described the attack as a "severe and dangerous escalation." He confirmed that most of the incoming missiles were intercepted by Israel's defense systems in coordination with a coalition led by the United States. However, a few missiles hit central and southern Israel.
“Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest levels of readiness. Our operational plans are ready. We will respond wherever, whenever, and however we choose, in accordance with the directive of the government of Israel,” Hagari stated, emphasising that Iran and its proxies have been attacking Israel from seven fronts since October 7.
“Iran’s attack is a severe and dangerous escalation. There will be consequences…We will respond wherever, whenever and however we choose, in accordance with the directive of the government of Israel.”
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 1, 2024
Watch IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari regarding Iran’s large-scale… pic.twitter.com/A8pyC7eawI
He reiterated that the IDF would continue to take all necessary measures to defend the nation and protect its citizens.
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Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
