MONDAY 01 JUNE, 2026 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard I S R A E L C A M PA I G N LEBANON CASTLE UNDER SIEGE SATWIK AND CHIRAG CAPTURE SINGAPORE OPEN CROWN Israel took over the medieval castle of Beaufort in Lebanon on Sunday. Netanyahu called it a ‘dramatic shift’ in the campaign against Hezbollah A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9 Nepal squatting on Indian land, admits PM Shah  NEW DELHI  J8.00  PAGES 12 BACK-TO-BACK B’LURU BRILLIANCE G O M E S H S @ Ahmedabad Says both sides agreed to rope in historians, surveyors and experts to seek resolution P R E S S T R U S T O F I N D I A @ Kathmandu NEPAL Prime Minister Balendra Shah was on Sunday quite candid about his country encroaching territories in India, in his response to questions in Parliament on the long-running border dispute. This was his first intervention in Parliament after taking over as prime minister. Shah said both countries have agreed to take the help of historians, surveyors and experts to seek resolution, adding that Kathmandu has also held diplomatic discussions on the issue with China and the UK. Nepal and India have an old boundary dispute over Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura, with both countries claiming sovereignty over them. India maintains that the territories are part of Uttarakhand and has said the issue should be addressed through bilateral dialogue. “The Nepal government has officially sent a diplomatic note to India, mentioning the issue of encroachment of territories by India, including Lipulekh, and we have already received their response,” Shah told Parliament. “Both the countries have agreed to resolve the issue sitting together with the help of historians, surveyors and concerned experts through diplomatic means.” He, however, added that it is not only India that has “encroached” land in Nepal, the latter too had done the same with India. “You will be surprised to know about a fact, which I have learnt recently only after becoming the Prime Minister. India has not only encroached Nepalese territories, but Nepal has also encroached India’s territories in many places,” said Shah. “Now both countries should study the facts and sit together as friends and resolve the issue.” Shah said Kathmandu also held diplomatic discussions on the issue with China — the three places are located near the trijunction of India, Tibet and Nepal — and the United Kingdom. He said he took up the matter with the UK because it dates back to a period when the British Raj ended. Earlier this month, Nepal’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri said the country is committed to resolving the border issue with India through diplomatic channels. Chhetri’s comments had come days after India firmly rejected Nepal’s objection to the upcoming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via the long-established Lipulekh Pass, dismissing Kathmandu’s territorial claims over the region as an “unilateral artificial enlargement” that New Delhi finds untenable. After becoming prime minister, I came to know that not only has India encroached on Nepal’s land, but Nepal has also encroached on India’s land in multiple places Balendra Shah, Nepal PM Former envoy raps Shah Former Nepalese ambassador to India Nilambara Acharya said Shah has “no information regarding Indian territories being encroached by Nepal”. He added that 97% of the border disputes between the two countries have already been resolved Missing pillars in border areas There are reports about some Nepalese citizens using land in India and some Indians using land in Nepal because of missing border pillars in some areas, but the Nepal government as such has not encroached India’s territory, former Ambassador Acharya said EXPRESS READ 60 Mamata MLAs give crucial party meet a miss Only 20 of 80 Trinamool Congress MLAs turned up at a meeting called at former Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s house in Kolkata on Sunday. The meeting was eventually cancelled, causing embarrassment to the party. It tried to downplay the incident by claiming that its MLAs and workers were being targeted by the police. P8 House panel to discuss NEET paper leak from today Amid continuing furore over the NEET paper leak, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports will convene for two-day deliberations on Monday. The panel will deliberate on the merits of pen-and-paper examinations versus computer-based testing and examine NEET- and NTA-related issues. Royal Challengers Bengaluru players celebrate with the trophy after winning the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday | BCCI Main accused Asad | EXPRESS DAYS after a 16-year-old boy named Surya Chauhan was stabbed to death under the Khoda police station area of Ghaziabad district in Uttar Pradesh, the main accused fell to police bullets in an encounter early on Sunday morning. According to police, the main accused, Asad, who had repeatedly stabbed the boy on the afternoon of Eid, was attempting to flee the city when police intercepted him at around 4 am. A police team surrounded him in Vasundhara area, but he allegedly opened fire at FAIRYTALE finishes are hard to come by in sport. As much as one hopes for it, such moments do not happen to every sporting legend. Virat Kohli chased it for 18 years in the Indian Premier League (IPL) before the Royal Challengers Bengaluru came together to win their first title in 2025. On Sunday, in Ahmedabad, Kohli had his moment. Again. With an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls — also his fastest IPL fifty (25) in 19 years — the former captain took RCB to their second title, beating Gujarat Titans in front of 90000 fans who were cheering for him. However, the chase and title were possible because of their bowling attack, led by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who removed Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan early to break the contest. They were reduced to 115/6, and from thereon, despite Washington Sundar’s fighting fifty that took GT to 155/8, it was RCB’s game to lose. For the first 15 years, RCB remained a batting dynasty led by Kohli, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle. Over the years, almost every batting superstar, especially overseas, would have turned up for the franchise. They headlined victories while bowlers remained in the shadows. Now, the batters aren’t the lead protagonists anymore. It was the Kumars, Hazlewoods and Krunals who won them their first IPL title. And it is they who made the fairytale possible for Kohli. P11 Six dead in Saidulajab building collapse, green corridor created for ambulances N I T I N R A W AT @ New Delhi A day after a multi-storey building collapsed in south Delhi’s Saidulajab area near Saket metro station, six of the 14 people retrieved from the debris on Sunday succumbed to their injuries, while eight others were injured. According to the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), a call was received on Saturday around 7.40 pm regarding a building collapse at lane number 5, Saidulajab. Authorities found that a multi-storey building, spread over around 300 to 400 square yards, situated at Khasra number 261, plot numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4, had completely collapsed. As per locals, around 10 to 15 people were suspected to be trapped under the debris, an official said. Officials said all concerned Emergency Support Functions, including Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Services, CATS, MCD, NDRF, DDMA, SDM, Chattarpur, ADM (South) and DM (South East), responded promptly. Search and rescue operations started and are continuing. During the rescue operation, 14 people were ex- tricated from the rubble. The exact cause is yet to be ascertained. Authorities have initiated a detailed inquiry to determine whether structural weaknesses, ongoing construction activity or any violation of building norms contributed to the tragedy . Search and rescue opera- NDRF personnel look for trapped people at the crash site on Sunday | PARVEEN NEGI tions are still in progress. Heavy machinery, including hydras, JCBs, and rotavators, has been deployed at the site to expedite the rescue efforts, the official added. DCP (South) Anant Mittal said that on Saturday around 7.35 pm, they had information about a building collapse in Saidulajab Village. Local police responded immediately and initially rescued six people from the debris. A green corridor was established to ensure ambulance movement from the site, and dedicated police teams were deployed at AIIMS Trauma Centre, Safdarjung and Madan Mohan Malaviya hospitals to facilitate medical aid, police said. Students alleged construction work had recently been underway on upper floors of the building and many portions appeared newly built. P3 BJP wins three out of four civic body polls in HP H A R P R E E T B A J W A @ Chandigarh IN a setback for the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls, the BJP—the main Opposition party—won three out of the four municipal corporations in Himachal Pradesh, results of which were announced on Sunday . The BJP won Mandi, Dharamshala and Solan, while the Congress could only manage to win Palampur. It is being seen as a morale booster for the saffron party and strengthening the opposition’s position. For the ruling party, these results have triggered introspection besides providing an early indication of the political mood. The BJP emerged victorious in the Mandi Municipal Corporation elections, winning 12 of the 14 wards, thus retaining control of the civic body for a second consecutive term. Bid to strike balance in DKS govt General Raja Subramani RAMAKRISHNA BADSESHI @ Kalaburagi STRESSING the need for caution as Karnataka Assembly elections are two years away, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said the party remains non-committal on composition of the state’s new cabinet under Chief Minister-designate D K Shivakumar, and that all decisions would be taken only after the June 3 swearing-in ceremony . Addressing reporters in Kalaburagi, Kharge said discussions were underway on ministers, deputy chief ministers and key appointments, but nothing formal had been placed before the Congress high command. “No proposal has come yet. Once it comes, discussions will be held on how many ministers and deputy chief ministers should be appointed,” he said. On a phased expansion, Kharge indicated that 8-10 minis- ters may be sworn in alongside Shivakumar on Wednesday with remaining slots filled , within a fortnight or a month. “We have to think of many things while creating deputy chief minister posts too. The high command is considering all facts and everything will be known by Wednesday .” On the search for a new president of the state unit after Shivakumar vacates the post, Kharge said the party high command was looking for someone who could “work very fast and bring everyone together as well.” Ghaziabad stabbing accused killed in encounter N A M I TA B A J PA I @ Lucknow India doubles specialists rally to overcome Indonesia pairing of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Fikri in men’s doubles final on Sunday. The Indian pair, after going behind initially, fought back to win 18-21, 21-17, 21-16. This is huge outcome for World No. 4 combo as they waited for over two years to come this far | P11 them. Officers retaliated, and Asad was shot in the exchange. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to the gunshot injuries. On Saturday, the Ghaziabad Police had announced a reward of `50,000 for any information leading to his arrest. A c c o rd i n g t o AC P, I n dirapuram, Abhishek Srivastava, the Ghaziabad Police, on Saturday, apprehended three persons, including Asad’s accomplices Farhan, Atif and his father Nawab, who is named in the FIR. The arrested were presented in a local court, which sent them to judicial custody . Chauhan had just passed his Class 10th board exams. According to DCP (City) Dhawal Jaiswal, Chauhan and Asad allegedly argued over riding a motorcycle. Later, the victim was allegedly called by Asad to his place in the neighbourhood street in Lokpriya Vihar. When Chauhan went there, the accused stabbed Chauhan in his abdomen. Though the victim had tried to escape, he was overpowered by the other accused and stabbed repeatedly the police said. , Chauhan’s family had demanded justice from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. PARCHED CITY GRAPPLES WITH WATER SHORTAGE As summer intensifies, locals of many Delhi neighbourhoods struggle to cope with challenges of water scarcity | P4 takes charge as 3rd CDS J A V A R I A R A N A @ New Delhi IN a twin change of guard at the helm of India’s defence establishment, China-Pakistan expert General N S Raja Subramani on Sunday took charge as the third Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Admiral Krishna Swaminathan as the 27th Lt Gen NS Raja Admiral Krishna Chief of the Naval Staff. Subramani Swaminathan Gen Subramani succeeds Gen Anil Chauhan, whose ten- Rifles in 1985 and served as ure ended on Saturday He takes Vice Chief of the Army Staff . charge at a time when the from July 2024 to July 2025. Meanwhile, Adm Swamiarmed forces are pushing ahead nathan succeeded Adm with the theatre comDinesh K Tripathi, who mand refor ms, triretired on Sunday. service integration Speaking to reporters and accelerated We will accelerate after taking charge, modernisation. Speaking to report- the development, Adm Swaminathan said induction and ers, Gen Subramani his top priority will be integration of said his primary focus to ensure the Navy indigenous will be transformation maintains the highest weapons in our of the armed forces level of operational armed forces and organisational rereadiness and combat Gen N S Raja for ms to “enhance effectiveness. Subramani, CDS Adm Swaminathan, jointness, synergy and who joined the force on integration”. On modernisation, he said, “Greater July 1, 1987, is a specialist in collaboration between the mili- communication and electronic tary industry academia, start- warfare. He takes charge as the , , ups and the research ecosystem Navy aggressively pursues indigenous warship construcwill be the key enabler.” He had been serving as Mili- tion, submarine induction, tary Adviser at the National carrier battle group operaSecurity Council Secretariat. tions, and unmanned systems He was commissioned into the amid growing tensions in the 8th Battalion of the Garhwal Indo-Pacific region.