Union Home Minister Amit Shah said India’s anti-narcotics agencies have achieved a major breakthrough with the return of wanted drug trafficker Mohammad Salim Dola from Türkiye, reaffirming the government’s “zero tolerance” policy against drug syndicates.

In a post on X, Amit Shah said, “Zero tolerance against narco syndicate… our anti-narcotics agencies have extended their claws across borders through a robust network of global agencies. Now no matter where they hide, no place is safe for drug kingpins.”

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in coordination with international partners, secured Dola’s return under ‘Operation Global-Hunt’. He was taken into custody upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport early on Monday. Dola, a 59-year-old from Mumbai, was the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice issued at India’s request in March 2024 and had been absconding for years. He is wanted in multiple narcotics trafficking cases and is accused of running a transnational drug network spanning the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

Officials said his two-decade-long criminal record includes involvement in major drug seizures involving heroin, charas, mephedrone, mandrax and methamphetamine, particularly in Maharashtra and Gujarat, where he allegedly acted as a bulk supplier to distribution networks. Dola is also wanted by Gujarat ATS and Mumbai Police. His son, Tahil Salim Dola, along with other associates, had earlier been arrested in 2025 after extradition from the UAE.

Bishkek, Apr 28: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that ‘Operation Sindoor’ demonstrated India’s firm resolve that terrorism epicentres were no longer immune to justifiable punishment

Speaking at the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Kyrgyzstan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh calls for a unified front to tackle terrorism, separatism, extremism by eliminating safe havens andrejecting any political exceptions

“Terrorism has no nationality, no theology; Nations must take firm & collective stance against the menace,” he said. “SCO should not hesitate in seeking appropriate action against those who abet, shelter & provide safe havens to terrorists. It is SCO’s responsibility to ensure regional as well as global peace & stability. Need to focus on global consensus where co-existence, co-habitation and compassion take precedence over chaos, competition and conflict.”

The Defence Minister said, “Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s firm resolve that terrorism epicentres are no longer immune to justifiable punishment.”

Singh, as he addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on April 28, 2026, underlining the need to forge a unified front to tackle the “evils” of terrorism, separatism and extremism by eliminating safe havens and rejecting any political exceptions.

He asserted that the sight of state-sponsored cross-border terrorism which attacks the sovereignty of a nation must not be lost as there is no place for double standards.

The Defence Minister emphasised that SCO should not hesitate in seeking appropriate action against those who abet, shelter and provide safe havens to terrorists.

“By tackling terrorism, separatism, and extremism without exception, we transform regional security from a challenge into a cornerstone for peace and prosperity,” he said.

Describing counter-terrorism as a foundational principle of SCO, Singh said that the organisation had condemned such acts and ideologies in a common fight against the menace.

He recalled last year’s Tianjin Declaration which brought out India’s firm and collective stance against terrorism, terming it as a testimony to the country’s zero-tolerance outlook towards terrorism and its perpetrators.

“The real test of collective credibility remains in consistency. We must not forget that terrorism has no nationality and no theology. Nations must take a firm and collective stance against terrorism,” the Defence Minister said.

He highlighted the significant role being played by the regional anti-terrorist structure of SCO, saying that the joint statement of the Heads of State on ‘Countering radicalisation leading to terrorism, separatism, and extremism’ issued during India’s Chairmanship symbolises shared commitment in this regard.

Singh said that, in view of the present global uncertainties, SCO holds a pivotal role as today’s world view appears fractured and countries are becoming increasingly inward-looking.

“Do we need a new world order or a world which is more orderly? We need an order where every citizen of this world is treated with dignity and respect. We need an order where differences do not become disputes and disputes don’t precede disasters. The real crisis today is not of a non-existent order but a tendency to question the established rule-based world order. We must focus on a global consensus where co-existence, co-habitation and compassion take precedence over chaos, competition and conflict,” he said.

The Defence Minister said that it was the responsibility of SCO to ensure regional as well as global peace and stability.

“We should continue to follow the path of dialogue and diplomacy and not of unrelenting force. We should not allow it to become an era of violence and war, but an era of peace and prosperity. Let me recall the message of Mahatma Gandhi that an eye for an eye makes everyone blind and before every action we must remember how that action can make a difference to the life of a poor and needy. As people responsible for defence and security, we have the responsibility to uphold this spirit of brotherhood and harmony. The real test of power is not in using it against the poor and the weak, but to use it in the interest of those who are unable to defend themselves,” he said.

Singh voiced India’s belief that SCO possesses the requisite strength and resolve to significantly contribute towards peace and stability.

The ancient Indian philosophy of VasudhaivaKutumbakam embodies this sense of togetherness, overcoming all differences of race and religion, he said.

The Defence Minister reiterated India’s commitment to contribute constructively to the implementation of the SCO’s mandate, advocating that greater cooperation and mutual trust among member states based on equality, mutual respect and deeper understanding can make this organisation a beacon of hope and peace.

During the meeting, he, along with member countries, held discussions on matters related to the aspects of security, terrorism and radicalisation affecting the region and its wider implications on the peace and tranquility of the world.

The SCO members emphasised the symbolic significance of 2026, which marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the organisation and how its role is becoming more important than ever due to growing unpredictability and uncertainty.

New Delhi, Apr 28: Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s firm resolve that “terror epicentres” are no longer immune to “justifiable punishment”, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday, in remarks widely seen as a warning to Pakistan over cross-border terrorism.

In an address at a conclave of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Bishkek, Singh also called on the influential grouping to not lose sight of “state-sponsored” cross-border terrorism and that there should not be any place for any “double standards” in combating the menace.

Delving into ongoing conflicts and geopolitical upheavals, Singh said that the “real test of power” is not in using it against the poor and the weak, but to use it in the interest of those who are unable to defend themselves.

There is a need to focus on global consensus where “co-existence, co-habitation and compassion take precedence over chaos, competition and conflict”, he said.

The defence minister emphasised that the SCO should not hesitate in seeking appropriate action against those who “abet, shelter and provide safe havens” to terrorists.

“We must not lose sight of state-sponsored cross-border terrorism which attacks the very sovereignty of a nation state. There is no place for any double standards and SCO should not hesitate in seeking appropriate action against those who abet, shelter and provide safe havens to terrorists,” he said.

Singh strongly pitched for a unified front to tackle the “evils” of terrorism, separatism and extremism.

“By tackling terrorism, separatism, and extremism without exception, we (can) transform regional security from a challenge into a cornerstone for peace and prosperity,” he said in presence of defence ministers from China, Russia and other member states of the grouping.

The defence minister described terrorism as the the “most serious threat” to the emerging world order and noted that counter-terror cooperation has been a “foundational principle” of the SCO.

“On April 22, we remembered the victims of the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The carnage in Pahalgam shook the entire humanity,” he said.

“During Operation Sindoor, we demonstrated our firm resolve that terrorism epicentres are no longer immune to justifiable punishment,” he added.

Singh also recalled the declaration unveiled at last year’s SCO summit in Chinese city of Tianjin saying it brought out firm and collective stance against terrorism.

“It was a testimony to our zero-tolerance outlook towards terrorism and its perpetrators, which was endorsed by this esteemed forum. But the real test of our collective credibility remains in consistency,” he said.

“We must not forget that terrorism has no nationality and no theology. No grievance, real or supposed, can become an excuse for terrorism and humanitarian loss,” he said.

The defence minister highlighted the significant role being played by the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure and referred to the joint statement of the Heads of State on ‘Countering Radicalisation leading to Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism’ that was issued during India’s chairmanship of the grouping.

He further stated that in view of the present global uncertainties, the SCO holds a “pivotal role”.

“Do we need a new world order or a world which is more orderly? We need an order where every citizen of this world is treated with dignity and respect. We need an order where differences do not become disputes and disputes don’t precede disasters,” he said.

“The real crisis today is not of a non-existent order but a tendency to question the established rule-based world order. We must focus on a global consensus where co-existence, co-habitation and compassion take precedence over chaos, competition and conflict,” he said.

Singh noted that it is the responsibility of SCO to ensure regional as well as global peace and stability.

“We should continue to follow the path of dialogue and diplomacy and not of unrelenting force. We should not allow it to become an era of violence and war, but an era of peace and prosperity,” he said.

“Let me recall the message of Mahatma Gandhi that an eye for an eye makes everyone blind and before every action, we must remember how that action can make a difference to the life of a poor and needy,” he said.

“As people responsible for defence and security, we have the responsibility to uphold this spirit of brotherhood and harmony. The real test of power is not in using it against the poor and the weak, but to use it in the interest of those who are unable to defend themselves,” he stated.

Singh highlighted India’s belief that SCO possesses the requisite strength and resolve to significantly contribute towards peace and stability.

The ancient Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ embodies this sense of togetherness, overcoming all differences of race and religion, he said.

The defence minister also reiterated India’s commitment to contribute constructively to the implementation of the SCO’s mandate, advocating that greater cooperation and mutual trust among member states based on equality, mutual respect and deeper understanding can make this organisation a beacon of hope and peace.

During the meeting, Singh along with his counterparts from other member countries, discussed ways to deal with the challenge of terrorism and radicalisation.

The SCO members emphasised the symbolic significance of 2026, which marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the organisation and how its role is becoming more important than ever due to growing unpredictability and uncertainty, according to the defence ministry.

Singh landed in the capital city of Kyrgyzstan on Monday.

The SCO, comprising India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus, is an influential economic and security bloc that has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations.

It was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Pakistan became its permanent member along with India in 2017. Iran joined the grouping in 2023 and Belarus in 2024.

New Delhi, Apr 28: New Delhi has strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Mali that killed Defence Minister Sadio Camara and several others in a wave of coordinated violence across the country.

In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it “strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in Mali targeting multiple locations,” extending condolences to the victims’ families and expressing solidarity with the government and people of Mali. It also conveyed “sincere condolences on the demise of General Sadio Camara,” reaffirming India’s commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms.

Camara was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing that targeted his residence near the capital Bamako. Government officials said a vehicle laden with explosives rammed into his home, triggering a massive blast. He reportedly engaged the attackers before succumbing to injuries in hospital. The attack also killed members of his family and caused significant damage to nearby structures, including a mosque.

The assault is part of a broader surge in violence, with jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, along with separatist factions, launching coordinated strikes across multiple regions including Gao, Kidal and Mopti.

Reports said Mali’s junta leader Assimi Goïta was moved to a secure location after his residence was also targeted. Meanwhile, clashes continued in the north, where separatist groups claimed advances. The attacks mark one of the most intense escalations of violence in recent years in Mali, which has long grappled with insurgencies and instability in the Sahel region.