Shoot at sight orders for tiger poachers in Maharashtra

May 23, 2012

Mumbai, May 23: Alarmed by the deaths of two tigers in Maharashtra forest reserves, state Forest Minister Patangrao Kadam announced that over 500 armed guards will be recruited for the four forest reserves of the state and will be given shoot at sight orders against poachers.

This comes a week after an alert by the state Forest Department that poachers in Madhya Pradesh have been paid an advance of Rs. 40 lakhs to kill 25 tigers.

Mr Kadam announced that 523 new guards will be recruited soon and will be deployed at four forest reserves of the state -- Tadoba, Pench, Melghat and Sahyadri. He also added that no action would be taken against those armed guards who shoot suspected poachers.

The minister lamented the fact that two tigers died after they were caught in a steel trap and died in Tadoba forest reserve in Chandrapur district. "A CID inquiry has been instituted to find out whether they died because of poaching or were electrocuted," he added.

Mr Kadam has also appointed a four-member committee of experts to advise the government on steps to be taken for precautions against poaching of tigers.

Steps have also been taken to keep electricity supply in check as one of the reasons for deaths of tigers has been electrocution. The irrigation department has also been alerted to ensure maximum water holes.

As many as 100 new patrol vehicles for range officers have also been allotted. Teams of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) have been deployed in these forests.

A secret fund of Rs.50 lakh has also been sanctioned to give incentives to informers providing tips about smugglers and poachers to the forest officials.

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Indian Air Force’s Tejas fighter jet crashes during Dubai air show

News Network

November 21,2025

An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet crashed on Friday, November 21, afternoon during its aerial demonstration at the Dubai Air Show, plunging to the ground at around 2:10 pm local time while performing a manoeuvre before thousands of spectators.

The IAF confirmed the incident, stating that a Tejas aircraft participating in the show had crashed and that further details were being gathered. An Air Force spokesperson said more information would be shared after initial assessments.

The crash sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky near the airport, causing panic among visitors, including families and children who had gathered to watch the display. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the pilot managed to eject before the aircraft went down. Emergency response teams rushed to the scene, and officials have not released information on casualties or damage so far.

The Tejas is a 4.5-generation, multi-role fighter aircraft developed indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Designed for versatility, it is capable of offensive air support, close combat, ground attack missions and maritime operations. The aircraft family includes single-seat fighters and twin-seat trainers for both the Air Force and Navy.

HAL describes the latest version, the LCA Mk1A, as the most advanced in the series, featuring an AESA radar, an upgraded electronic warfare suite with radar-warning and self-protection jamming, smart multifunction displays, a digital map generator, a combined interrogator–transponder system and a modern radio altimeter. These enhancements significantly improve the aircraft’s combat capability and survivability.

Further updates from IAF and UAE authorities are awaited.

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