13022026-TTC-01.qxd 2/13/2026 12:33 AM Page 1 c m y b PERU MAY LOSE CONTROL TO CHINA, SAYS US WORLD /thetribunechd 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 146 NO. 43 | 14 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 friday | 13 february 2026 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com BNP LEADS BIG IN PIVOTAL BANGLA POLL OUR TARIFF BENEFITS SAME AS B’DESH: GOYAL BUSINESS REUTERS DAC nod for 114 Rafale jets, sets stage for Russia-like France tie-up Biggest-ever ~3.6L cr acquisition deal likely to be sealed during Macron visit Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service Bangladeshis vote in first General Election since the 2024 Gen Z-driven uprising that toppled PMSheikh Hasina. Trends showed the Bangladesh Nationalist Party racing far ahead of rival Jamaat-e-Islami after huge turnout. INSIDE BJP MP files notice for Rahul ouster from LS SC refuses nod to Haryana’s Aravalli ZooSafariProject Will fight for farmers: LoP slams US deal New Delhi, February 12 The Supreme Court on Thursday refused permission to the Haryana Government to submit a plan on the proposed Aravalli Zoo Safari Project in Gurugram and Nuh districts till the definition of the “Aravalli range” was clarified by experts. Maintaining that it would not allow “anyone to touch the Aravallis”, a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant made it clear that the issue of jungle safari would be taken up with the main matter on the “Aravalli range”. continued on page 10 TO BE 2ND-LARGEST FLEET AFTER SUKHOI 36 RAFALES 176 FIGHTER 272 SUKHOI IAF already has while planes (Rafales) India 30MKI Russia-origin Navy has ordered 26 will have once the new jets in Indian fleet, the marine variant planes acquisitions are done largest variant so far cle and 350-plus Scalp longrange air-launched cruise missiles that played a major role in last year’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the DAC meeting accorded “acceptance of necessity” (AoN) for proposals of the services having an estimated value of about Rs 3.60 lakh crore ($39 billion), the SHIMLA: The HP Cabinet on Thursday approved the Excise Policy and Toll Tax Barrier Policy with a clear focus on strengthening revenue generation while simultaneously expanding welfare, health and education initiatives. Under the new policy, toll barriers would be allotted to bidders quoting above the fixed base price, a move aimed at maximising returns. INSIDE UStopay~260crfor Indianpupil’sdeath SEATTLE: The city of Seattle has reached a $29 mn (Rs 260 cr) settlement with the family of a 23year-old student from India who was struck by a speeding police officer as she crossed a street in 2023. Jaahnavi Kandula was hit by Officer Kevin Dave, who was driving at 119 kmph when he was responding to a drug overdose call. BACK PAGE Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 12 In its biggest-ever push, the Defence Acquisition Council on Thursday approved a proposal to procure 114 Rafale jets from French plane manufacturer Dassault, setting the stage for a long-drawn strategic tie-up for the Indian Air Force’s battle readiness. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the apex decision-making body of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), also okayed the acquisition of six additional US-made Boeing P8-I surveillance planes for the Navy. It also approved the purchase of a high-altitude pseudo satellite (HAPS) vehi- MoD said. The payment schedule will be spread across several financial years and the AoN is the first step towards the acquisition process. The purchase of 114 Rafales will allow France Russia-like dominance in India’s combat jet sector. The planes will be acquired under a Make in India scheme, with Dassault partnering with an Indian company. The Air Force already flies 36 Rafales while the Navy has ordered 26 marine variant planes. After the latest acquisition, India will have 176 Rafales in its fleet, with experts saying increasing the numbers would reduce maintenance costs. continued on page 10 Bidding above base price for HP barriers New Delhi, February 12 BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Thursday initiated a formal process seeking to disqualify Congress MP Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha. The step came in the aftermath of acrimonious exchanges between Rahul and BJP MPs over several controversial issues, including the alleged circulation of former Army Chief Gen MM Naravane’s unpublished book. A combative Rahul, however, was unfazed by the move. In a video message, the RIJIJU SHARES VIDEO OF CONG ‘ABUSING’ BIRLA Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday shared a video claiming that 20-25 Congress MPs had entered the chamber of the Speaker, abused him and also threatened the PM. Congress MP Priyanka termed Rijiju’s charge a lie and said they did not abuse anyone. Leader of the Opposition (LoP) said whether an FIR was filed, a criminal case was registered or a privilege motion was brought against him, he would continue to fight for farmers. continued on page 10 Tribune News Service AAP says Hry CM ‘tried 99 yrs on, govt to vacate North, South to lure’ its Sangrur MLA Blocks today; PMO now at Seva Teerth Ruchika M Khanna Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 12 The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today accused Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini of trying to lure its Sangrur MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj as part of the BJP’s “Operation Lotus” in Punjab. Saini has outrightly denied the claim, saying he “didn’t even know who she was”. AAP general secretary Baltej c m y b Aditi Tandon Nayab Saini rubbishes Op Lotus allegation Pannu alleged that Bharaj was offered the BJP ticket from Sangrur for the 2027 Assembly elections. “The Haryana CM offered the MLA the BJP ticket and whatever else she demanded. The deal was to be finalised in a closed-door continued on page 10 Tribune News Service Seva Teerth will be unveiled by PM Narendra Modi on Friday. MR BHUI New Delhi, February 12 The government will on Friday fully vacate British-era North and South Blocks, which have housed its offices for nearly a century, with the Prime Minister’s Office the last of all segments to move out. On Friday, the PMO will shift to a new address, Seva Teerth, also located in Lutyens’ Delhi continued on page 10
The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). It was started by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist, and is run by a trust comprising four eminent persons as trustees.
The Tribune, the largest selling daily in North India, publishes news and views without any bias or prejudice of any kind. Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language and partisanship, are the hallmarks of the paper. It is an independent newspaper in the real sense of the term.
The English edition apart, the 133-year-old Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi).
