"Give It Up Or Go To Jail": Trump Vows To Find F-15 "Leak", Threatens Media

The second F-15 airman had been missing for hours. Iran, according to President Donald Trump, had no idea. Then a "mole" leaked the information to the media, and a hunt began.

"They Didn't Know There Was Somebody Missing"

Speaking in the White House briefing room on Monday, Trump said a media report revealing that US forces had rescued one F-15 crew member but were still searching for a second had complicated the rescue operation by alerting Iran.

"We're looking very hard to find that leaker. They basically said that we have one, and there's somebody missing. Well, [Iran] didn't know there was somebody missing until this leaker gave the information," Trump said.

Trump said the disclosure forced the US military into a far more difficult position. "It became a much more difficult operation because a leaker leaked that we have one, we've rescued one, but there's another one out there that we're trying to get," he said.

Also read: "Entire Iran Can Be Taken Out In One Night": Trump's Warning Before Deadline

"Give It Up Or Go to Jail"

Trump said US authorities would go directly to the media organisation that published the story and demand the identity of the source, warning of prosecution if they refused. It was not immediately clear which media outlet Trump was talking about.

"We think we'll be able to find it out, because we're going to go to the media company that released it, and we're going to say, 'national security, give it up or go to jail,'" he said.

Iran Issued A Bounty After The Story Broke

Trump said after the report was published, Iran put out a public notice offering a reward for the capture of the missing pilot, which further complicated the search and rescue effort.

"The country, Iran, put out a major notice... offering a very big award for anybody that captures the pilot," Trump said.

"We have to find that leaker, because that's a sick person. Probably didn't realise the extent of how bad it was. I can't imagine that the person did, but we're going to find out. It's national security, and the person who did the story will go to jail if he doesn't say," Trump said.

Inside The US Military's Daring Rescue Op

The F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over southwestern Iran on Friday, the first confirmed loss of a US combat aircraft inside Iran since the war began on February 28. 

Both crew members, a pilot and a weapons systems officer, ejected. The pilot was rescued soon after, but the second airman could not be immediately located.

According to the New York Times, Navy SEAL Team 6 commandos carried out the rescue, with hundreds of special operations troops and other military personnel operating deep inside Iranian territory. 

US aircraft dropped bombs and opened fire on Iranian convoys to keep them away from where the airman was hiding. Commandos also fired their weapons to hold off Iranian forces as they moved in, though they did not engage in a direct firefight, the report added.

Before the airman was located, the CIA launched a deception campaign, spreading word inside Iran that US forces had already found him and were attempting a ground extraction. 

President Donald Trump said Monday that the two airmen whose fighter jet was downed over Iran are “recovering very well.”

“They are both recovering very well. They were both injured, and they're doing well,” Trump told reporters at the White House Easter Egg Roll.

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"Difficult To Keep Him Out": Karthik's Clear Hint To BCCI Over RCB Star

Royal Challengers Bengaluru mentor Dinesh Karthik believes it will be difficult to keep Devdutt Padikkal out of the Indian team for long, given the manner in which he is batting in IPL 2026 following stellar domestic performances. Padikkal starred in RCB's big win against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday, scoring a blistering 50 off 29 balls. Asked about Padikkal's composed knock at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Karthik, who is also RCB's batting coach, highlighted his composure during a tough initial phase before opening up.

"The first thing that stands out is his determination. On a pitch like this, when runs don't come easily at the start, many batters try to force a big shot and end up giving their wicket away. Devdutt showed great courage to stay patient when the going was tough," Karthik told Star Sports.

Karthik also suggested that Padikkal's current form would make it difficult for the BCCI selection committee to keep him out of the Indian team for much longer.

"Once he got that first boundary, you could see him switch gears. He's playing proper cricketing shots and hitting the ball with distance. If he continues batting like this, it will be difficult to keep him out of the Indian team for long. He has scored heavily in domestic cricket and we know he's a quality player.

"What's also impressive is the way he's stepping up as a leader in the Karnataka dressing room. Even at 25, he contributes with his ideas and leadership, and that's great to see," Karthik added.

Padikkal's innings featured five boundaries and two sixes, helping RCB reach a mammoth 250/3 after Tim David smashed a 25-ball 70.

RCB won the match by 43 runs, consigning CSK to their third successive defeat.

Former India captain Anil Kumble shared his thoughts on CSK's early challenges in the tournament.

"It's a massive concern for Chennai. If your two most experienced batters, Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad, haven't fired in the first three matches, it becomes a serious challenge. The rest of the batting line-up, apart from Samson and MS Dhoni, is quite young.

"You need at least one of your experienced batters to step up and deliver a big innings. Unfortunately, in the first three games, things haven't gone Chennai's way. It's still early in the season, but they will need to tighten things up quickly," Kumble said.

During his blazing swashbuckling knock, David struck eight sixes and three fours, getting his runs at a strike rate of 280.

Karthik reflected on David's powerful innings and said, "He has a very smooth swing, long levers and all the ingredients required to hit big shots.

"For him, it's about ensuring those elements remain consistent in practice. Because he bats in the middle order, he often gets fewer balls in a match compared to top-order batters. So, in the nets, it's important that he faces enough deliveries and stays in a good rhythm.

"The rest of his game is already very strong. Over the last 12-18 months, he has been one of the most consistent batters in the world in this format." RCB skipper Rajat Patidar, who led the team to its maiden title last season, was not to be left behind in the run feast, chipping in with 48 off just 19 balls, and Kevin Pietersen termed the knock a "turning point" of the match.

"You could see the confidence in Rajat Patidar. He wasn't satisfied with just winning the title. He wanted to contribute more. Tim David's innings was outstanding and filled with big sixes, but for me, Patidar's knock was the turning point.

"When Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli and Phil Salt took some time to get going, Patidar came in and accelerated beautifully. The way he adapted to the conditions and found those sixes with such ease changed the momentum of the game," Pietersen said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Body Found In Remote Pool Identified As Hungarian Reality Star-Influencer

Police in Gran Canaria, Spain have confirmed that a body found in a remote natural pool belongs to Hungarian reality TV star and influencer Annabella Lovas, according to a report by The Sun UK. The 32-year-old was identified through dental records after investigators sent a tooth sample to Interpol as part of a lengthy and detailed investigation.

Lovas had first been reported missing in November 2024. Police later traced her to an apartment in Playa del Ingles, where she confirmed she was safe. However, concerns were raised again soon after she disappeared once more, according to the news report.

On March 6 last year, a body was discovered in a natural pool in the Berriel Ravine following heavy storms. The woman was found partially naked, and her body had been in the water for around three weeks. Forensic experts struggled to obtain DNA due to the condition of the remains.

Search teams used drones and helicopters to scan the difficult terrain but were unable to locate any belongings or clues.

According to The Mirror, Police believe Lovas may have been living on the streets after running out of money. Investigators suspect she died elsewhere on the island before floodwaters carried her body to the remote location.

Police chief Pablo Fernandez Sala described the investigation as complex and demanding. He said officers initially relied on distinctive tattoos to try to identify the victim. The dental analysis later provided the breakthrough needed to confirm her identity.

Lovas rose to fame in 2021 after appearing on the Hungarian version of The Bachelor and later built a strong following on social media.

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He Stopped A Thief At A British Supermarket, It Cost Him His 17-Year Career

A 54-year-old employee at Waitrose has lost his job after stopping a shoplifter at a London store, bringing an end to his 17-year career, according to The Metro.

Walker Smith said the incident happened at the Clapham Junction branch when a customer alerted him that a man had filled a bag with Lindt Gold Bunny Easter eggs. Smith said he recognised the man as a repeat offender and stepped in to recover the stolen items.

According to the news report, he grabbed the bag, but a brief struggle followed as the shoplifter tried to take it back. The bag tore, chocolates fell to the floor, and the suspect ran out of the store. Smith admitted he later threw a broken piece of chocolate in frustration, though he said it was not aimed at anyone.

Smith said he had been warned earlier not to confront shoplifters, but growing frustration over frequent thefts pushed him to act. He claimed such incidents had become common, with limited security staff on certain days.

A few days later, he was called into a meeting and dismissed. Smith said he apologised and described the store as "like family", but the decision stood. He added that he is now worried about paying rent after recently moving into his own flat.

Retail crime has been rising across the UK, with over 5 lakh shoplifting cases recorded in England and Wales in the past year. Industry groups say many retail workers face abuse and pressure while dealing with theft.

Waitrose said its policies are designed to protect staff and customers, adding that employees are expected to follow safety rules and avoid situations that could put lives at risk.

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US Almost Did Not Rescue Its F-15 Airman Thinking It Was An Iranian Trap

Navy SEAL Team 6 special operations troops went into the mountains of Iran on Saturday night to rescue the missing US F-15 airman. But before that, the mission came close to never launching at all.

US President Donald Trump told Axios that when a radio message came through from the stranded weapons systems officer of the downed F-15E, US officials initially suspected it was an Iranian deception designed to lure American forces into a trap.

Trump told the US news outlet the airman sent a short, unusual message after ejecting from the aircraft. "He said: 'Power be to God.'" 

After the radio message came through, they suspected he might already be in Iranian custody and that the Iranians were "sending false signals" to draw US forces in.

Trump also said the US military had "beeping information" about the officer's location, which was being tracked even as doubts about the radio message grew.

As per the report, people who knew the officer confirmed he was a religious person.

"Thousands Were Hunting Him Down"

The F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over southwestern Iran on Friday, the first confirmed loss of a US combat aircraft inside Iran since the war began on 28 February. Both crew members ejected. The pilot was recovered shortly after, but the weapons systems officer could not be immediately located.

7,000 Feet Up, Alone, Armed With Handgun: US Airman's 48 Hours In Iran

Speaking to Axios an hour after confirming the rescue, Trump said that "thousands of these savages were hunting him down."

"Even the population was looking for him. They offered people a bonus if they captured him," he said.

Trump said Iran shot down the F-15 using a shoulder-fired missile, adding, "They got lucky."

The crew member survived more than 24 hours in the mountains while wounded before being rescued in a special forces operation on Saturday. Around 200 soldiers from special operations units participated in the rescue, Trump said.

How The CIA Bought Time

Before the airman's location was confirmed, the CIA launched a deception campaign of its own, spreading word inside Iran that US forces had already found him and were attempting a ground extraction. The aim was to buy time and throw Iranian search teams off course.

Inside The "Most Daring" Rescue Op In US History: What We Know, And Don't

The CIA used what officials described as "unique capabilities" to track the airman as he moved through mountainous terrain and avoided locals. Once his precise location was pinpointed, it was shared with the White House, the Pentagon and the US military, and a special forces team was inserted nearby on Saturday night.

According to the New York Times, Navy SEAL Team 6 commandos led the rescue, with hundreds of special operations troops and other military personnel operating deep inside Iranian territory. US aircraft dropped bombs and opened fire on Iranian convoys to keep them away from the airman's position. 

Iran Says The Operation Failed

Iran's military denied that the rescue took place. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for the military's central command, Khatam Al-Anbiya, said the US operation had been "completely foiled."

"The so-called US military rescue operation, planned as a deception and escape mission at an abandoned airport in southern Isfahan under the pretext of recovering the pilot of a downed aircraft, was completely foiled," he said in a video statement on state television.

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India Makes First Iranian Oil Purchase In 7 Years, With "No Payment Hurdle"

Indian refiners have purchased Iranian oil amid the Middle East conflict that has disrupted supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, the oil ministry said on Saturday.

The world's third-biggest oil importer and consumer, India has not received a cargo from Tehran since May 2019, following US pressure not to buy Iranian crude, but supply disruptions from the war have hit the country.

"Amid Middle East supply disruptions, Indian refiners have secured their crude oil requirements, including from Iran; and there is no payment hurdle for Iranian crude imports," the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on X.

The news reports and social media posts of an Iranian crude cargo being diverted from Vadinar, India to China due to “payment issues” are factually incorrect. 🇮🇳India imports crude oil from 40+ countries, with companies having full flexibility to source oil from different sources…

— Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas #MoPNG (@PetroleumMin) April 4, 2026

Last month, the United States temporarily removed sanctions on Iranian oil and refined products to ease supply shortages.

India has secured its full requirements of crude oil for the coming months, the ministry added.

"India imports crude oil from 40-plus countries, with companies having full flexibility to source oil from different sources and geographies based on commercial considerations."

India has also bought 44,000 metric tons of Iranian liquefied petroleum gas loaded on a sanctioned vessel. The ministry said the vessel, which berthed at the western port of Mangalore on Wednesday, is discharging the fuel.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Bangladesh Writes To BCCI To Salvage Tour, Repair Ties After T20 WC Pull-Out

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has approached the BCCI to salvage India's white-ball tour in September and repair ties strained after Dhaka's decision to pull out of the T20 World Cup in India. It is understood that BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul's regime could end soon, and an interim board may initiate discussions with the Indian cricket board. The BCB, believed to be run by sports ministry adviser and anti-India hardliner Asif Nazrul, decided not to send the team to India on the pretext of security issues after Mustafizur Rahman was not allowed by the BCCI to play in the IPL.

The BCB had requested that their matches be shifted to Sri Lanka, but the ICC did not find merit in the request, ruling out any security concerns for the team in India.

Indo-Bangla cricket ties have traditionally been cordial, but recent developments have led to a marked deterioration.

"Yes, the BCB has sent a letter to the Indian cricket board. Not only regarding the Indian men's team's white-ball tour of Bangladesh in September, there is also the men's 50-over Asia Cup, which the BCB is set to host next year," a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.

It is understood that the BCB is keen to host India, as six white-ball matches featuring the Men in Blue would stabilise the board's finances for the year, given the revenue generated from linear and digital broadcast rights sales.

Tamim in line for BCB presidency?

Among several items on its agenda, the BCB has discussed the resignation of four directors during Aminul Islam Bulbul's tenure as president.

There is strong resentment within Bangladesh's cricketing circles over Bulbul's continuation, especially after he expressed helplessness in convincing interim government head Muhammad Yunus to send the team to India.

"The investigation committee looking into the T20 World Cup non-participation fiasco will present its report to the government on April 9.

"It will be interesting to see how Bulbul's position stands once that report is tabled. In that case, an interim board will take over, and re-elections will be held within 90 days. All eyes will also be on Bangladesh's foreign minister's visit to Delhi," said a source tracking developments.

It is understood that former Bangladesh skipper and the country's most accomplished opener, Tamim Iqbal, could be a strong candidate for the BCB presidency.

Iqbal, who urged the government and the BCB to adopt a prudent and practical approach rather than a hostile response, is a choice that the Indian cricket board would also not oppose

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