Former Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno was sentenced Friday (August 28, 2026) to 5 years in prison after a court found him guilty of accepting bribes from a Chinese company in exchange for helping it secure a contract to build a hydroelectric plant
Can you name a single woman Renaissance master? Updated on: Aug 29, 2026, 13:08:29 IST By Gowri S Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link The bias in art history has marginalized women's contributions, leading to forgotten works. From forgotten Renaissance masters to overlooked abstract pioneers:
Mohan Bhagwat billboard appears in Times Square ahead of RSS chief’s New York eventVideos showed his image prominently displayed at the iconic Manhattan location ahead of the August 29 programme. Published on: Aug 29, 2026, 13:42:58 IST By HT News Desk Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link A
Techie who started career with TCS reveals ‘things that surprised’ him after joining MicrosoftThe techie talked about various perks offered to employees at Microsoft and how his outlook towards corporate world changed after joining the company. Updated on: Aug 29, 2026
A federal judge on Friday (August 28, 2026) ruled that laws that President Donald Trump’s administration used to cancel visas and initiate deportation proceedings against noncitizen college students based on their pro-Palestinian advocacy and criticism of Israel are unconstitutional
Underground Since 1999, Who Was Top Maoist Leader Modem Balakrishna Killed In Chhattisgarh?
Underground Since 1999, Who Was Top Maoist Leader Modem Balakrishna Killed In Chhattisgarh?
In a significant development, security forces on Thursday eliminated a top Maoist leader in a fierce encounter in the dense forests of Gariyaband district on the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border.
A total of 10 Naxals were killed, including senior CPI (Maoist) central committee member Modem Balakrishna, known by several aliases such as Venkateswarlu, Balanna, Ramchander, Babanna, Bhaskar, and Rajendra.
Originally from Madikonda in Telangana's Warangal district, Balakrishna had deep roots in Hyderabad where he studied SSC at Sulthanbazar Government High School and later pursued his intermediate at Malakpet Junior College between 1981 and 1983.
Influenced by the ideology of leaders of the Radical Students Union (RSU) like Sambamurthy and Santosh Reddy, he joined the Maoist movement as a full-time cadre in 1983, moving into the Bhadrachalam forests.
The Maoist leader's early years were marked by multiple arrests. He was first picked up at Bhadrachalam bus stand in 1984 and spent over two years in Warangal Central Jail.
Arrested again in 1987 in Mahaboobnagar, he was imprisoned in Musheerabad Jail until his release in 1990 in exchange for kidnapped TDP MLA Venkateswara Rao.
Over the next decade, he rose steadily through the Maoist ranks. In April 1991, he was appointed district committee secretary (DCS) of Mahaboobnagar and, by May 1991, he became a regional committee member (RCM) for South Telangana.
Balakrishna's activities continued despite being arrested once again in Kurnool in 1993, where he spent six years in Chanchalguda Central Jail. Released on conditional bail in 1999, he went underground, subsequently emerging as secretary of the Odisha state organizing committee (SOC).
In recent years, he was in charge of the western bureau under the Odisha state committee of CPI (Maoist), making him a key strategist and one of the senior-most figures in Maoist hierarchy.
According to the CRPF, the operation was carried out by troops of the C/207 CoBRA unit along with Gariyaband police in the Bhaludigi forest area.
“A fierce encounter with Naxals is ongoing. Ten Naxals, including Central Committee and State Committee members, have been neutralized," the CRPF said, adding that weapons were also recovered from the site.
In its statement, the Chhattisgarh Police noted: “As per initial reports, a senior Naxal commander has been neutralised. The encounter is still ongoing, and reports indicate several Naxals have been killed."
Swipe Left For Next Video
Government sources confirmed that Balakrishna was among those neutralised. Security agencies consider this operation to be one of the biggest blows to Maoist leadership in the region in recent months.
By neutralising Balakrishna, who had nearly four decades of experience in insurgency, the forces have disrupted Maoist operational command in the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border zone. The operation in Gariyaband continues, and officials said further details on recoveries and identification of other slain cadres will follow.
Source: News18
Related Posts: Internet angry as reports suggest Malti Chahar eliminated James unsure over future after Lakers eliminated Prithviraj Sukumaran's mother claims son is being ‘eliminated’ from industry CSK look to continue playoffs push against eliminated LSG If Eliminated IDF Says It Eliminated Hamas Jailer Who Psychologically Tortured Six Israeli Captives India Eliminated From Hong Kong Sixes Following Back-To-Back Losses Significant Setback What makes Republic Day parade significant this year Hamas response to US Gaza plan is significant - but there are key omissions
Did Mica Miller have kids, where are John Paul 'JP' Miller's kids now? Latest update amid Death of a Pastor's WifeMica Miller was 30 when she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at North Carolina’s Lumber River State Park on April 27, 2024. Published on: Aug 29, 2026
1 days ago
Degrees have become central to how we understand educational progress. Colleges are expanding, enrolments are growing, and more youngsters enter the workforce every year with certificates in hand. By that measure, we should be more educated than we have ever been
1 days ago
A special court has taken cognisance of the National Investigation Agency’s chargesheet in connection with the November 10 blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, ANI reported on Saturday. This paves the way for judicial proceedings in the case to begin. The NIA has named 13 persons in the chargesheet
1 days ago
When Samay Raina returned with India’s Got Latent season 2, all eyes were on the comedian as fans were eager to see how he would navigate the show after all the legal battles. However, many were disappointed as they felt the show had become too filtered and didn’t have the same level of humour
1 days ago
I was never supposed to be there. I had almost skipped that work meeting, but something made me go. Across the room sat someone who had been trying to meet me for nearly a year after first reaching out over Instagram. Neither of us had expected this to be our first meeting
1 days ago
Sweating more doesn’t mean burning more fat: Fitness trainer busts common workout myths, reveals what actually works Published on: Aug 29, 2026, 13:13:43 IST By Akanksha Agnihotri Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Fitness trainer Chadoy Leon emphasises that soreness and sweat do not equate
1 days ago
The month of September begins on Tuesday, September 1, bringing with it a few important changes and deadlines that can affect household expenses, tax compliance, banking and travel. While some of these changes take effect from the first day of the month
1 days ago
A good ring light can make a noticeable difference to video calls, selfies, makeup videos and social media content by providing even, flattering illumination. For creators, it can also help reduce harsh shadows and improve the overall appearance of videos without requiring a complicated lighting
1 days ago
The next big name in weight-loss medicine may not be another appetite suppressant. A new experimental compound called TOFA is attracting attention after researchers found that it helped obese mice lose body fat while preserving lean muscle mass, without making them eat less
1 days ago
Across the globe in Australia, a toddler with speech delays delighted her family with her first word - "orange" - after she and her twin sister received a free book in the post about colours. It came from Imagination Library, the literacy programme begun by late global superstar Dolly Parton
1 days ago
Whether you are beginning your mindful eating journey or are someone who is a pro at ensuring you hit protein goals every day, eating healthy is more than one thing. When you only focus on one part of your plate, it can negatively affect your body and health even if you are eating all the eggs
1 days ago
Two World records were broken less than 40 minutes apart at the Diamond League in Zurich on Thursday (August 27, 2026), with 400m hurdler Alison dos Santos of Brazil making his way into the history books and Masai Russell of the USA breaking the women’s 100m hurdles mark
1 days ago
Congress leaders on Friday alleged that Penguin Random House India succumbed to pressure from the Union government with respect to former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot alleged that the publisher was under pressure
1 days ago
Liverpool have agreed a deal worth up to £123m for Paris St-Germain forward Bradley Barcola. PSG initially valued the France attacker at £145m, but the Reds have agreed a package worth an initial £106m with £17m in potential add-ons. The 23-year-old is expected to have a medical this weekend
1 days ago
AIMIM expels Telangana MLC Mirza Rahmath Baig; asks him to resign from postThe party has not officially disclosed the grounds for Baig’s expulsion. It is also not immediately known whether he was served any prior notice Published on: Aug 29, 2026, 13:59:53 IST By Srinivasa Rao Apparasu
1 days ago
Trends on social media have people in a chokehold. Whether it is a specific Starbucks drink, Labubus, pumpkin spice for autumn or flip-flops making a comeback, it is inevitable that people get carried away with these trends and want to jump on the bandwagon. However
1 days ago
Blaak lauds Savita-Bichoo camaraderie in women, flags post-Sreejesh goalkeeping gap in menBlaak lauds Savita-Bichoo camaraderie in women, flags post-Sreejesh goalkeeping gap in men Published on: Aug 29, 2026, 14:06:35 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Amstelveen
1 days ago
SC to hear plea seeking mandatory disclosure of ethanol content in petrol on Aug 31SC to hear plea seeking mandatory disclosure of ethanol content in petrol on Aug 31 Published on: Aug 29, 2026, 11:21:21 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link New Delhi
1 days ago
A federal judge has ruled in favour of artificial intelligence company Anthropic in its legal battle against the Pentagon after the government labeled the company as a supply chain risk earlier this year. U.S. District Judge Rita Lin issued a written order Thursday night that the Pentagon acted
1 days ago
Bored of oats? Chef Kunal Kapur's soft moong dal idli with smoky roasted tomato chutney recipe is perfect for breakfast Updated on: Aug 29, 2026, 11:09:28 IST By Sanya Panwar Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Here's how to make chef Kunal Kapur's moong dal idli + roasted tomato chutney
1 days ago
King Harald V of Norway, who went into exile in the United States as a child during the Nazi occupation of his homeland and refused a string of European noblewomen to marry his school sweetheart, died on Friday (August 28, 2026). He was 89. The palace said he died at the National Hospital in Oslo
1 days ago
Suspected Pakistan drone spotted near LoC in Poonch; Jammu and Kashmir on high alertSecurity forces are searching nearby areas for any weapons, contraband or other material that the drone may have dropped, and to prevent further incursions. Published on: Aug 29, 2026
1 days ago
A U.S. federal judge blocked President Donald Trump's executive order on Thursday (August 27, 2026) curbing the use of mail-in ballots, the latest twist in a legal dispute months before November's midterm elections. Mr. Trump signed an order in March seeking to restrict mail-in voting ahead of the
1 days ago
How international supermarkets can break up a dinner rut without costing a fortune Published on: Aug 29, 2026, 11:20:18 IST AP Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link How international supermarkets can break up a dinner rut without costing a fortune How international supermarkets can break up a
1 days ago
A US judge on Friday awarded nearly $147 million in to plaintiffs' lawyers who won a $425 million jury verdict against Alphabet's Google in a last year, while denying the company's bid for an order rejecting the jury's verdict.Here are the details:US District in San Francisco granted the fee
1 days ago
From forced labour to living heritage: Sao Tome's colonial plantations Published on: Aug 29, 2026, 11:22:20 IST AFP Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link From forced labour to living heritage: Sao Tome's colonial plantations From forced labour to living heritage: Sao Tome's colonial plantations
1 days ago
‘ ₹5.93 lakh for two’: Indian couple’s detailed breakdown of 13-day New Zealand honeymoon tripThe couple shared that their initial estimate was ₹8 lakh, but with meticulous planning, they reduced their spending to less than ₹6 lakh. Updated on: Aug 29, 2026
1 days ago
