Encounter Breaks Out Between Security Forces, Terrorists In J&K's Sopore

An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district on Thursday, police said.

"An encounter has started at Check Mohalla Nowpora in the area of PD (police district) Sopore," the Jammu and Kashmir Police (Kashmir Zone) said in a post on X.

An #encounter has started at Check Mohalla Nowpora in the area of PD #Sopore. Police & security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice

— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) April 25, 2024

The operation is currently underway, the police said.

Further details were awaited. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Vladimir Putin Biopic Set For Release, With An AI Twist

An upcoming film titled 'Putin' has grabbed attention for its promise to delve deep into the life and personality of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Using advanced AI technology, the movie aims to portray Putin's character over six decades, including moments from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Scheduled for release in September, the trailer shows Putin in unusual situations, like wearing a soiled diaper and practicing karate.

Directed by Polish filmmaker Besaleel, also known as Patryk Vega, the film is described as a "psychological thriller" that aims to uncover the mysteries surrounding Putin's personality. Vega highlights the extensive three-year process of filming, advanced AI techniques, and careful storytelling used to explore the motives and actions of one of today's most talked-about political figures.

The producers are dedicated to presenting a detailed and realistic depiction of Putin's story, utilising cutting-edge AI to achieve this. Set to be released in English, 'Putin' promises to provide viewers with an unprecedented look into the complexities of Putin's life and influence.

In a statement released via PR Leap, Polish studio AIO said the film will be released in 35 countries and describes itself as "up close and personal with the Kremlin leader's story.".

The studio has released a 2.5-minute trailer for the film.

According to the makers, the movie was filmed over three years in locations such as the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Israel, Syria, Jordan, and Poland. The movie's timeliness is one of its most significant aspects.

"Putin is not just a film," filmmaker Vega states. "It's a response to a global quest to understand the motives and actions of one of the most controversial figures in contemporary politics. My production's mission is to provide viewers with a 'user manual' for Putin.

Ankita-Vicky, Rashami Lit Up Arti Singh's Sangeet Ceremony

Television actress and Krushna Abhishek's sister Arti Singh is all set to marry her fiance Dipak Chauhan on April 25. The to-be-wed couple kicked off their pre-wedding celebrations earlier this week. On Tuesday night, Arti and Dipak hosted a sangeet ceremony in the presence of friends and family. For the night, bride-to-be Arti Singh was seen wearing a stunning green lehenga while her fiance can be seen complimenting her in a printed kurta. In one photo, bride-to-be Arti could be seen holding Dipak close. Another photo featured Dipak and Arti posing with their family. Arti's brother, Krushna Abhishek also joined the couple for a happy picture.

Other attendees at the sangeet included Ankita Lokhande, Vicky Jain, Rashami Desai, Yuvika Singh, Devoleena Bhattacharjee, Karan Singh Grover, Kishwer Merchant, Shefali with her husband Parag among others.

Take a look at some pictures from the night:

Earlier, several photos and videos from the actress' haldi function went viral on the Internet. In one of the viral videos, Arti Singh can be seen dancing joyfully while planting a kiss on Dipak's cheeks. Her brother Krushna Abhishek and sister-in-law Kashmera Shah also joined in the celebration.

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A post shared by Star Style Story 🦋 (@starstylestory)

Arti Singh shared two photos on her Instagram handle. Sharing the pictures, she wrote, "Sabse Khoobsurat Rang, Haldi Ka Rang, Mere Pyar Ke Rang. (Most beautiful colour, Haldi's colour) Couldn't be happier as dreams turn into reality. #Day1 #Haldi #DipakKiArti."

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A post shared by Arti singh sharma (@artisingh5)

Opening up about her marriage, Arti Singh told ETimes TV that it is a "purely arranged marriage." She said, "It's purely an arranged marriage. There was obviously a period of courtship where we wanted to get to know each other better and assess our compatibility. We first spoke on July 23 last year and met after his birthday (August 5). As things progressed, I decided to commit to this relationship in November. However, we didn't move forward until both our families approved of our union. On January 1, Dipak proposed marriage to me with a ring at my guruji's temple in Delhi and I said yes. I consider that moment as my engagement.”

अकेले पूरी चेन्नई की टीम से भिड़ गया, जबड़े से छीन ली जीत, ठोकी सेंचुरी

चेन्नई सुपर किंग्स ने टॉस हारने के बाद कप्तान रुतुराज गायकवाड की शतक और शिवम दुबे की तेज फिफ्टी के दम पर 4 विकेट के नुकसान पर 210 रन का स्कोर खड़ा किया. मार्कस स्टोइनिस ने अकेले लड़ते हुए धुंआधार सेंचुरी ठोकी और टीम को जीत दिलाकर वापस लौटे.

Wallets, Mobiles Stolen During BJP Candidate's Ramayan Roadshow

A Meerut businessman raised both his hands and chanted the Jai Shri Ram slogan as a BJP roadshow featuring Ramayan stars crossed his shop. The downside: he lost Rs 36,000 as someone from the crowd picked his pocket.

Along with the businessman, Kulbhushan, a dozen people, including some journalists, and a BJP leader were mugged and mobiles were stolen during the roadshow.

"Jai Siyaram my dear ones of Meerut. Today, Sita, Ram and Laxman who acted in Ramayana, will be among you from 3:00 onwards at Nandan Cinema Kailashpuri, New Road, Shastri Nagar, Surajkund, to have your darshan. I will be fulfilled by seeing you all," Arun Govil, of Ramayan fame, BJP's Meerut candidate posted on X.

जय सियाराम मेरे मेरठ के प्रियजनों
आज आपके बीच रामायण में अभिनय करने वाले सीता राम और लक्ष्मण आपके दर्शन करने के लिए आपके बीच 3:00 से नंदन सिनेमा कैलाशपुरी नई सड़क शास्त्री नगर सूरजकुंड पर पहुंचेंगे आप सभी दर्शन से में कृतार्थ हो पाऊंगा आपकी प्रतीक्षा में आपका अरुण गोविल pic.twitter.com/MYW29xkRWt

— Arun Govil (@arungovil12) April 22, 2024

The roadshow featured his other co-stars from the iconic show - Dipika Chikhlia, who played Sita, and Sunil Lahri, who essayed the role of Lakshman.

ऐसे ही मेरठ को नहीं कहा जाता क्रांतिधरा जब यहां से ज्वाला उठाती है तो वह पूरे राष्ट्र में जाती है रामराज्य की ज्वाला जल चुकी है लिए आप भी अपनी आहुति अधिक मतदान कर प्रदान करें pic.twitter.com/EyrcMS3qQr

— Arun Govil (@arungovil12) April 22, 2024

"I was at sitting at my shop. I raised my hands and chanted Jai Shri Ram. There was a big crowd. As I got back and searched my pocket, there was no money. I fainted right there. I lost Rs 36,000," said a crestfallen Kubhushan.

Businessman who lost Rs 36,000 during the roadshow

 Police have detained at least 3 people and are questioning them

An investigation is underway. 
 

"No Warranty For Modi's Guarantee": Revanth Reddy On Congress's Chances

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has expressed confidence his party the Congress will win 14 of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Mr Reddy became Chief Minister in December 2023 after the Congress defeated K Chandrashekar Rao's Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).

"Every medicine has an expiry date," Mr Reddy told reporters in Karnataka's capital Bengaluru during an informal interaction, adding Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lose the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

The Chief Minister did not tell whether his confidence comes from the party winning the assembly election in the southern state.

The BJP and its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have been against the well-being and development of southern states, the Chief Minister alleged.

"There is no warranty for Modi's guarantees," Mr Reddy said.

He dared the Opposition BRS to win even a single seat in the Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP may stand to gain from the votes that the BRS will lose, but the Congress will still be able to take at least 14 seats, Mr Reddy said.

He said the Congress party, unlike the BJP and the RSS that have been discriminating against southern states, has always been inclusive by appointing leaders from these states to key cabinet and party positions, even when the Congress had swept the Hindi heartland.

Though Mr Reddy criticised Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM of allegedly colluding with the BJP to polarise voters during election season, he admitted that in a city as Hyderabad where terror groups have tried to radicalise young Muslims, the presence of a political party as AIMIM helped in containing radicalisation.

Mr Reddy recently campaigned in Kerala too. He said the BJP will likely be restricted to a maximum of 20 among the 130 seats in the southern states. In the northern states, the BJP's numbers will decrease from what it had got in 2019.

The elections are being held in seven phases. Votes will be counted on June 4.

On CCTV, UP Businessman Pushes Man Off 5-Star Hotel's Terrace After Fight

A pre-wedding party turned violent when a businessman pushed a man who had an argument with his son off the terrace of a five-star hotel in Uttar Pradesh. The chilling incident that happened in the early hours of Sunday has been captured on a CCTV camera installed at the hotel in Bareilly. In one of the frames, the victim can be seen touching the feet of the accused, moments before he was thrown off the terrace.

Victim Sarthak Agrawal - a businessman in the health sector - has been admitted to a medical college in critical condition.

The victim had gone to the hotel with his friends, including Ridim Arora whose father threw Mr Agrawal from the terrace, to attend the party. Soon after an argument broke out between them that escalated into a physical fight around 2 AM. Ridim then called his father Sanjeev Arora, a textile businessman, to the scene.

Footage shows a heated argument between the two groups before Sanjeev Arora enters the frame. Mr Agrawal was seen touching his feet after which Mr Arora grabbed him by his collar, slapped him and then pushed him off the hotel terrace. He doesn't stop there, he then turns to a man standing next to him and beats him up.

Sarthak Agrawal's father Sanjay Agrawal has denied any connection with the accused, saying, "Neither my son nor I have any idea who these people are."

 A First Information Report stated the accused were drunk and attacked the victim without any provocation. A case of assault causing grievous harm has been registered in connection to the incident.