Escalating Tensions: Iran Faces Casualties Amid US-Israel Attacks
Casualties Rise in Iran Amid Ongoing Attacks
According to the Iranian Red Crescent, at least 555 individuals have lost their lives in Iran following military actions initiated by the United States and Israel. Over the last two days, attacks have targeted 131 cities across Iran, as reported by the humanitarian organization.
In a separate development, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced missile strikes aimed at the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli air force command center. Earlier, Israel's military declared an escalation in its operations against Iran, pledging to intensify strikes on critical regime components.
Additionally, Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that the Natanz nuclear facility was hit during the military operations on Sunday. However, Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN watchdog, stated that there was “no indication” of any damage to Iran's nuclear sites.
Flight Disruptions Due to Ongoing Conflict
Flight operations to and from West Asia have been severely affected due to the ongoing conflict following Iran's retaliatory strikes against a joint military operation by Israel and the United States on February 28. Approximately 100 flights were canceled from Delhi, alongside 30 from Chennai, 50 from Bengaluru, 45 from Kochi, and 20 from Thiruvananthapuram, among others.
On the previous day, Indian airlines had already canceled around 350 flights. This was in addition to the suspension of all Indian carriers' flights to Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has urged travelers to verify their flight status with airlines prior to arriving at airports.
Allegations of Indian Involvement in Nijjar's Killing
Canadian security officials have reportedly gathered evidence suggesting that Indian consular staff in Vancouver provided information that may have contributed to the 2023 assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. A report from a Canadian news outlet, citing two unnamed officials, claims that an Indian official, acting as a visa officer at the Vancouver consulate, collected information about Nijjar from members of the Indian community in British Columbia, where the separatist resided.
These allegations stem from investigations conducted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, along with intelligence from Canada's spy agency and its allies in the US and the UK.
This report surfaced during Canadian Prime Minister Mike Carney's inaugural visit to India since assuming office.
Nijjar was shot dead by masked assailants on June 18, 2023, an event that significantly strained relations between New Delhi and Ottawa after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in the murder, a claim that New Delhi has denied.
Maharashtra Government to Enforce Police Verification for Delivery Workers
The Maharashtra government plans to mandate police verification for delivery personnel and gig workers employed by online food and quick-commerce companies, as stated by the state’s labor minister. Akash Fundkar highlighted that many delivery workers are hired through online platforms and third-party contracts, which allows companies to evade direct accountability.
The state home department has engaged in discussions with the labor department, proposing a requirement for a police clearance certificate for delivery workers, Fundkar noted.
He emphasized that any worker found operating without police verification “should be removed, and action will be taken against companies that fail to comply” with this directive.