2026

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Nanded police have arrested as many as seven people following the violent clash and firing incident that occurred near the Langar Sahib Gurdwara at Naginaghat on Saturday evening.The police, to secure these arrests, launched an inter-district and inter-state operation using several specialized teams. Following the violence, cross-FIRs were registered that named suspects from both the sides — visiting pilgrims and local group.Superintendent of police Abinash Kumar, while talking to TOI, confirmed receiving reports of the public clash and gunfire on Saturday. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the SP personally led a team to the scene to conduct a thorough inspection and restore order.In the first FIR, hotel operator Kamalpreet Singh Sindhu (33), a resident of Abchalnagar, alleged that on Saturday evening, he was inside his hotel when the pilgrims argued with Manjyot Singh Sheti and Paramjit Singh Chawla.When Sindhu tried to intervene, a pilgrim aged around 30–35 allegedly pulled out a gun and aimed at him with an intention to kill.He fired and the bullet hit Sindhu in the thigh. The complaint further stated that another pilgrim assaulted Chawla on the head with a stick. Based on this, Wazirabad police registered a case under sections 109(1), 118(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 3/25 and 7/25 of the Arms Act.A counter FIR was registered on the complaint of Lovepreet Singh Chahal (21), a resident of Maku village in Firozpur district of Punjab. He alleged that around 5.30 pm on Saturday, Sindhu, Paramjit, Kunal Numberdar, Balpreet Chawla, Manjyot and Gopi attacked him and others with swords and sticks near the gurdwara, allegedly due to an altercation on Jan 2.A case was registered under various sections of the BNS, along with Section 4/25 of the Arms Act.Kumar said as many as five special teams were formed.“A team was sent to Punjab, while others were deployed at Akola, Ardhapur, Bidar and neighbouring states.” Based on intelligence inputs, two accused were arrested from Nanded, while 5 others were arrested in coordination with Akola, Buldhana and Nanded police.

Regional airline Star Air is launching direct flights connecting Ahmedabad to Diu and Kolhapur to Nanded, with a stopover in Ahmedabad, starting January 15. This expansion enhances connectivity within Maharashtra and leverages Ahmedabad as a key hub, offering better travel options for business, leisure, and student travelers across Western India. the launch of new flight services commencing January 15. The airline will introduce direct flights connecting Ahmedabad to the popular tourist destination of Diu. Additionally, a new route will link Kolhapur and Nanded in Maharashtra, with a crucial stopover in Ahmedabad, further strengthening the airline’s network. These new services highlight Star Air’s commitment to developing regional air travel. The expansion is expected to benefit a wide range of passengers, including business travelers seeking efficient transit, students commuting between cities, families visiting relatives, and pilgrims traveling to religious sites. The strategic addition of these routes aims to foster economic activity and tourism in the regions served. New Routes and Connectivity The introduction of direct flights from Ahmedabad to Diu, and the Kolhapur-Ahmedabad-Nanded route, marks a significant step in enhancing inter-city travel. Ahmedabad is positioned as a vital network hub, offering seamless connectivity. Passengers flying from Kolhapur or Nanded can now easily reach Ahmedabad, and from there, connect to Diu or other destinations. This also provides convenient one-stop access to Goa (Mopa) via Diu. The expanded network is particularly beneficial for Maharashtra, improving travel options between its key cities. By utilizing Ahmedabad as a central point, Star Air aims to streamline travel across Gujarat and Maharashtra, promoting greater mobility and accessibility. Strategic Focus and Commercial Outlook Shilpa Bhatia, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Star Air, emphasized the airline’s strategic vision. “These new services underscore our strategic focus on Gujarat as a critical market and reflect our confidence in the increasing demand for reliable regional air connectivity,” Bhatia stated. She added that by expanding routes and increasing flight frequencies, Star Air aims to support tourism and business travel while fueling regional economic growth and development. Impact The launch of these new routes by Star Air is expected to stimulate regional economic growth by improving business travel efficiency and promoting tourism. Enhanced air connectivity can lead to increased visitor numbers, better access to markets for local businesses, and greater convenience for residents. This development could positively influence the local economies of Diu, Ahmedabad, Kolhapur, and Nanded, and potentially inspire further investment in regional aviation infrastructure. Impact Rating: 6 Difficult Terms Explained Regional carrier: An airline that operates flights within a specific geographical region, typically focusing on smaller cities or routes not served by major airlines. Inter-city connectivity: The ease and availability of travel and communication links between different cities. Network hub: A major airport or city that serves as a central point for an airline’s operations, facilitating connections between various destinations.

Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib’s 350th martyrdom anniversary will be celebrated on January 24 and 25. In this regard, Indian Railways is going to run two additional reserved special trains from Chandigarh and Hazrat Nizamuddin for devotees travelling to Nanded. Nanded Special Trains: This year, the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib will be celebrated in Nanded, Maharashtra. Devotees from across the country will arrive here on January 24 and 25, 2026. Keeping in mind the convenience of these devotees, Indian Railways has decided to run two additional reserved special trains from Chandigarh and Hazrat Nizamuddin. Both special trains will be particularly beneficial for passengers from Madhya Pradesh. According to railway officials, the stoppages of these special trains will provide better connectivity for passengers from major stations in Madhya Pradesh to reach Nanded. The railways have appealed to passengers to check the train timetable and reservation status before their journey to ensure a smooth travel experience. Special Trains to Pass Through These Stations in MP Both special trains will pass through Bina Junction, Bhopal Junction, and Itarsi Junction in MP. This will provide direct rail connectivity for passengers from Sagar, Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Narmadapuram, Harda, Betul, and surrounding districts to travel to and from Nanded. The difficulties faced by passengers due to limited options on normal days will be significantly reduced with these special trains. Chandigarh-Nanded-Chandigarh Special Train Number: 04524/04523 Chandigarh-Nanded-Chandigarh Reserved Special Train is being run.

Paying obeisance at the Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday sought Holy City status for Nanded Sahib.Mann said the state government would formally discuss the idea with the Maharashtra government, underscoring that the sacred town holds immense spiritual significance for Sikhs and humanity at large. Noting that Amritsar Sahib, Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo have been declared holy cities, he asserted that his government remains fully committed to the Guru Sahiban. The CM also paid obeisance at the holy shrine of Kalgi Dhar Patshah, met the shrine management and witnessed a strong turnout of devotees and local residents. Addressing the gathering, he said, “Nanded Sahib is a sacred place not only for Sikhs but for entire humanity, as Guru Gobind Singh spent a considerable part of his life on this holy land.” Mann asserted that the holy city status would be a befitting tribute to Guru Gobind Singh, adding, “The 350th Shaheedi Diwas (Martyrdom Day) of Guru Teg Bahadur, who laid down his life for religious freedom and human rights, has been commemorated by the state government with deep devotion and reverence.”

The meeting was presided over by Guardian Minister Atul Save, who also holds the portfolios of Other Backward Classes Welfare, Dairy Development, Non-Conventional Energy, and Divyang Welfare Nanded: The District Planning Committee (DPC) on Thursday approved the draft annual plan for Nanded district for the financial year 2026–27, with an outlay of Rs 732.26 crore in a meeting presided over by Guardian Minister Atul Save, who also holds the portfolios of Other Backward Classes Welfare, Dairy Development, Non-Conventional Energy, and Divyang Welfare. The meeting was held at the District Planning Bhavan in Nanded. Guardian Minister Atul Save assured that a recommendation would be made at the state-level meeting to seek a substantial increase in the district’s financial allocation beyond the approved limit of Rs 732.26 crore. He also directed all departments to ensure 100 per cent utilisation of funds approved under the 2025-26 plan within the stipulated timeframe. The minister clarified that the final district plan for 2026–27 would be determined based on the limits set by the government and the actual demands submitted by the district administration. He stated that efforts would be made to secure funds in line with the proposals submitted by various district agencies.