40 years ago October 9, 1986: India-Pakistan ties nosedive

In recent weeks, India and Pakistan have seen a marked deterioration in their bilateral relations, according to official sources in New Delhi. The prospect of improving the situation in the near future appears bleak, as hopes for normalization following the Rajiv-Zia meeting in December seem to have been misplaced due to what New Delhi perceives as Islamabad's unwillingness to compromise.

The Centre is expected to soon grant approval for the introduction of electronic voting machines (EVMs). The Election Commission's proposal to transition to voting machines was discussed by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs following a demonstration of the equipment. The government, however, has decided to seek input from all political parties before making a final decision.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, saboteurs set fire to the Mahjur Bridge over the Srinagar flood channel in Jammu and Kashmir. The bridge, which connects approximately 12 villages to the city, was rendered unusable in the attack. Despite the efforts of eight firefighters, it took seven hours to extinguish the blaze.

In Bihar, a tragic event unfolded in the village of Dharmia, located in the Rafiganj police circle of Aurangabad district. Eleven individuals, belonging to the families of two landowners, were killed in what authorities describe as a premeditated attack by individuals associated with the Mazdoor Kisan Sangram Samiti (KMSS). The assailants employed firearms and other sharp-edged weapons in the assault.

The motive for the attack is believed to be retaliation for the alleged "murder" of five individuals from marginalized communities in a neighboring village.