Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Lt Gen TS Shergill (retd), MP Manish Tewari, GOC-in-C Pushpendra Pal Singh and The Tribune Editor-in-Chief Jyoti Malhotra at the inauguration of the 10th Military Literature Festival in Chandigarh on Friday.

Terming the spread of narcotics in Punjab a serious concern, Governor Gulab Chand Kataria said getting the youth addicted to drugs was a weapon being used by adversaries to target the future generation and weaken the country.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the 10^th edition of the three-day Military Literature Festival in Chandigarh on November 13, the Governor said Punjab had a rich history, but drug addiction was hollowing out the state.

“The enemy has understood that India cannot be defeated by weapons in a war, but it can be weakened by targeting its youth,” he said.

Stating that arms and drugs were being smuggled into the country from Pakistan using drones, the Governor said Pakistan did not have the means and courage to carry out such activities on its own, which pointed towards a larger nexus of several powers working to destabilise India.

He said while soldiers stood firm at the frontiers to guard the borders, it was the duty of every citizen, across all spheres, to work earnestly for the development and progress of the country.

Commending the Armed Forces for their role in safeguarding the nation, the Governor said India had extensive experience of fighting wars, beginning soon after Independence. The 1962 India-China War had been a learning experience for the nation, while during the 1965 India-Pakistan War, the Armed Forces were better prepared. Their capabilities and strength were evident during the 1971 war. Even during Operation Sindoor, the world witnessed India’s prowess and strides in self-reliance, he said.

He also said a nation’s biggest strength lay in its literature and heritage, which must be nurtured and passed down through generations. Tales of valour, he added, must be shared with the younger generation.

Pointing out that the military had undergone a revolution, with asymmetric warfare now becoming the norm rather than the exception, Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari said the Russia-Ukraine war, with Ukraine holding on against Russia, had set new benchmarks in asymmetric warfare.

Similarly, during the conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel, Iran had used asymmetry to its advantage and made its adversaries pay a price for the invasion. This, he added, had also raised questions about the relevance of multi-million-dollar platforms, which had been the mainstay of military-industrial complexes across the world and, according to some accounts, had also driven conflicts globally.

Flagging frontier dual-use technologies with sustainable military applications, Tewari said that for 69 of the 74 such technologies required by China, the US was its only peer competitor.

He added that India needed to seriously deliberate on how technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, robotics, the Internet of Things and genomics would shape the future of warfare.

He also raised the issue of defence spending, pointing out that China spent more than the next 22 Asia-Pacific economies combined. This expenditure asymmetry needed to be considered in view of the fact that China’s rise had been less than peaceful, he said.

Lt Gen TS Shergill (retd), chairman of the Military Literature Festival Association, gave an overview of India’s military heritage and discussed contemporary geopolitical developments that had a profound impact on the existing world order.

The 10th Military Literature Festival began at Lake Club, Sector 5, Chandigarh, on Friday, drawing military enthusiasts, students, families and visitors for a three-day celebration of India’s military heritage, history and valour. The festival will conclude on Sunday, November 15.

The opening day witnessed a considerable turnout, with visitors exploring military exhibitions, stalls and a range of activities. School students and children were among the prominent visitors, many of them dressed in Army uniforms. Scouts also participated in the event, adding to its patriotic atmosphere.

Students from various schools visited the venue as part of educational outings, exploring military displays and learning about India’s defence history.

The festival featured a range of attractions, including weapons displays, vintage cars and a philately exhibition showcasing stamps, coins and commemorative collections. Book stalls drew literature enthusiasts, while food courts and clothing stalls catered to other visitors.

The programme also included panel discussions on contemporary defence and geopolitical issues, along with theatrical presentations, documentaries, cultural performances and interactive sessions. These activities aimed to familiarise visitors with India’s military traditions and the experiences of its armed forces.

The festival also drew visitors from the Sukhna Lake area, with families, tourists and locals stopping by to explore the exhibitions and activities.

The three-day event will continue over the weekend, with discussions, presentations and other activities scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

Lt Gen (Retd) KJ Singh, Brig (Retd) Arun Sehgal, Shay Gal and Ambassador Manbir Singh during a session on ‘Iran-Israel Conflict’ at the 10th Military Literature Festival in Chandigarh on Friday. Tribune

Stating that the Iran-Israel conflict presents a demanding test of national power and raises questions about whether military superiority can give a country lasting control over its security, Shay Gal, an Israeli expert, said that a state may possess extraordinary intelligence capabilities, strike targets at great distances and intercept incoming missiles, yet remain vulnerable because its hospitals are inadequately protected, replacement supplies arrive too slowly or its strongest partner defines an acceptable outcome differently.

Speaking during a session on the ‘Iran-Israel Conflict’ at the 10th edition of the Military Literature Festival in Chandigarh on November 13, Gal, Principal of the Line of State think tank and a former Vice President of Israel Aerospace Industries, said that Israel’s objectives against the Iranian regime must address the full spectrum of threats, including nuclear weapons capabilities, long-range attacks, and the financing and military capabilities of organisations that wage wars across national borders.

This, he said, requires a clear political objective before the use of force, along with sufficient national endurance to pursue an arrangement that remains effective even when promises are broken.

He added that the distinction between the Israeli government and the Iranian people is equally important, emphasising that Israel’s conflict is with a regime that has built its power through hostility and repression.

Gal said that India’s experience in integrating indigenous and foreign systems, adapting under pressure and confronting Turkish-origin weapons deserved Israel’s attention.

Israel must draw on Indian operational experience and indigenous engineering capabilities, he stressed.

Pointing out that paying for a weapon does not give any nation control over its manufacturers, production schedules or export permissions, Gal said that India understands this reality through Washington’s historical ties with Pakistan.

Former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt Gen KJ Singh, said that Israel and Iran had not started out as enemies. Iran was the second Muslim-majority country, after Turkey, to recognise Israel.

From 1948 to 1979, the two countries enjoyed very good relations until the regime change brought about by the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

He said that the two countries had enjoyed close cooperation, including an oil pipeline from Eilat to Ashkelon. In return, Israel provided considerable technology and know-how in weapons and missile manufacturing.

Therefore, some of the weapons Israel faces today are based on technology that initially came from Israel itself.

Relations deteriorated due to Arab nationalism, while the conflict between Iran and Israel was also shaped by fears of Arab and Sunni nationalism and the influence of Soviet communism, he said.

Ambassador PS Hayer presented an assessment of Iran’s political and strategic outlook, discussing the country’s inward-looking political structure, religious influence, economic dependencies and nuclear enrichment trajectory.

He also examined the implications of American domestic politics, including the US midterm elections, for Washington’s approach towards Israel.

Brig Arun Sehgal (retd), a strategic analyst, identified four critical dimensions of the conflict: Iran’s nuclear capabilities, its capacity for retaliation, the expanding role of drones and the involvement of non-state actors such as Hamas and the Houthis.

He also discussed the importance and strategic relevance of the Strait of Hormuz, strategic shelters and the implications of a possible escalation involving tactical nuclear weapons.

Former Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Friday said civil defence networks were activated in 427 districts across the country on May 7, 2025, during Operation Sindoor to help preserve the element of surprise, underscoring the importance of coordinated preparedness for future conflicts.

Speaking at the 21st Annual Security Leadership Summit of the Central Association of Private Security Industry (CAPSI), General Dwivedi highlighted the growing role of private security personnel in India’s national security architecture, saying future wars would not be fought only at the borders but also around power plants, industrial facilities, mines, hospitals, data centres and other critical infrastructure.

He said Operation Sindoor had demonstrated that private security agencies and civil defence networks would play an equally important role in preparing the country for future conflicts.

equally important role in preparing the country for future conflicts.

Referring to the widespread presence of private security personnel, he said they were stationed “at housing society gates, bank entrances, hospitals, energy installations, coal mines, industries, data centres and ports”.

Calling for stronger integration with security agencies, General Dwivedi said, “No unit wins alone. What stopped the drones in Operation Sindoor was no single wonder weapon. It was layers: the sensors of one organisation, the jammers of another, the guns of a third, linked into one picture. Internal security is no different.”

“The security warrior is the outermost layer, the first sensor. Without links between the layers there is no defence in depth, only a collection of posts. Therefore, three links,” he said. Elaborating further, he stressed the need for coordination between private security personnel and emergency responders. “A known officer at the nearest police station, drills with the fire service and civil defence, and ensuring that a guard’s report is taken seriously,” he said.

Highlighting emerging threats, the former Army Chief said, “Conflict is now fought in three places at once: the physical world, the digital world and the human mind. A rumour, a radicalised individual, a compromised insider, each is a weapon.”

He noted that more than one crore Indians were employed in private security through over 35,000 agencies across the country. “One crore security warriors constitute the largest human sensor network in the country. I call it the first sensor of the nation. Trained and connected, it is a strategic asset. Untrained and unrecognised, it is a strategic gap. You are not on the edge of India’s security architecture. You are inside it,” he said.

He also stressed the need to formally recognise the experience gained by long-serving security personnel.

“Think of a security warrior with 15 years of service: fires, crowds, thefts, medical emergencies and a few frightening nights. On paper, he is still unskilled. That is not merely unfair. It is disrespectful to a national asset,” General Dwivedi said.

Referring to the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, the former Army Chief also called for simplifying and speeding up the licensing process for private security agencies.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) officer allegedly shared highly sensitive military information with an operative linked to a Pakistani intelligence agency in exchange for nude photographs, according to a Delhi Police chargesheet.

The Wing Commander allegedly leaked details of secret war plans, drone unit capabilities, combat aircraft deployment, military exercises and sensitive military installations. Police said the alleged disclosures could pose a serious threat to India’s military preparedness and national security.

The officer has been in custody for the past five months in connection with a case registered under the Official Secrets Act.

According to the chargesheet, the officer was in contact with the Pakistani operative on WhatsApp between January 12 and April 1, 2026. During this period, he allegedly shared classified military information. He was intercepted and searched on April 1 for allegedly carrying a smartphone into his office.

The police alleged that the operative sent the officer a nude photograph, following which he shared a page from a secret IAF war plan. The chargesheet further claimed that the accused proposed an arrangement under which he would provide a page from the war plan documents for every nude photograph he received.

What information was allegedly leaked?

The chargesheet said the officer shared details about a secret IAF drone unit, including its strength, organisational structure and operational procedures. The information allegedly included details of drone trials, operational capabilities, flight endurance and weapon-targeting systems.

Police also alleged that he disclosed possible deployment locations for the drone unit in the event of a war-like situation. Such information could provide an adversary with insights into India’s operational preparedness and military strategy.

The officer is also accused of sharing details about the deployment of fighter aircraft in Leh and a military exercise held at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Suratgarh, Rajasthan.

According to the police, he also shared the locations of sensitive military installations and details of troop deployments during wartime.

Five junior officers’ devices allegedly targeted

The chargesheet further alleged that the Pakistani operative sent the accused several apps and links containing suspected malware or spyware.

Police claimed that the officer facilitated the installation of specific malware and spyware on the electronic devices of five officers serving under his command. Investigators suspect this may have been an attempt to gain access to sensitive information stored on their devices and intercept their communications with senior officers.

The Delhi Police has also cited digital records of the communication between the officer and the alleged Pakistani operative.

An examination of the officer’s WhatsApp data revealed the exchange of 3,008 text messages, 65 photographs, 65 reactions, 42 voice calls, four video calls and six URLs between the two individuals, according to the police.

Investigators are now examining the full extent of the sensitive information allegedly shared and whether any other person was involved in the alleged conspiracy.

Headline: Pak operative allegedly sent nude photos; IAF officer shared secret war plan, Delhi Police says

An Indian Air Force (IAF) officer allegedly shared highly sensitive military information with an operative linked to a Pakistani intelligence agency in exchange for nude photographs, according to a Delhi Police chargesheet.

The Wing Commander allegedly leaked details of secret war plans, drone unit capabilities, combat aircraft deployment, military exercises and sensitive military installations. Police said the alleged disclosures could pose a serious threat to India’s military preparedness and national security.

The officer has been in custody for the past five months in connection with a case registered under the Official Secrets Act.

According to the chargesheet, the officer was in contact with the Pakistani operative on WhatsApp between January 12 and April 1, 2026. During this period, he allegedly shared classified military information. He was intercepted and searched on April 1 for allegedly carrying a smartphone into his office.

The police alleged that the operative sent the officer a nude photograph, following which he shared a page from a secret IAF war plan. The chargesheet further claimed that the accused proposed an arrangement under which he would provide a page from the war plan documents for every nude photograph he received.

What information was allegedly leaked?

The chargesheet said the officer shared details about a secret IAF drone unit, including its strength, organisational structure and operational procedures. The information allegedly included details of drone trials, operational capabilities, flight endurance and weapon-targeting systems.

Police also alleged that he disclosed possible deployment locations for the drone unit in the event of a war-like situation. Such information could provide an adversary with insights into India’s operational preparedness and military strategy.

The officer is also accused of sharing details about the deployment of fighter aircraft in Leh and a military exercise held at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Suratgarh, Rajasthan.

According to the police, he also shared the locations of sensitive military installations and details of troop deployments during wartime.

Five junior officers’ devices allegedly targeted

The chargesheet further alleged that the Pakistani operative sent the accused several apps and links containing suspected malware or spyware.

Police claimed that the officer facilitated the installation of specific malware and spyware on the electronic devices of five officers serving under his command. Investigators suspect this may have been an attempt to gain access to sensitive information stored on their devices and intercept their communications with senior officers.

The Delhi Police have also cited digital records of the communication between the officer and the alleged Pakistani operative.

According to the police, an examination of the officer’s WhatsApp data revealed the exchange of 3,008 text messages, 65 photographs, 65 reactions, 42 voice calls, four video calls and six URLs between the two individuals.

Investigators are now examining the full extent of the sensitive information allegedly shared and whether any other person was involved in the alleged conspiracy.

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Gulab Chand Kataria, Manish Tewari, TS Shergill  attend 10th Military Literature Festival in Chandigarh
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Maj Gen Amrit Pal Singh Retd

The ongoing conflict in West Asia has a deep-rooted history of existential differences between the principal protagonists. Since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and developments leading to the US-led strike on Iran in June 2025, the escalation reached a peak when US and Israel launched combined airstrikes on Iran that began on February 28, 2026, targeting Iran’s military infrastructure, nuclear assets, and leadership.

The June 2026 ceasefire and memorandum of understanding (mediated through Pakistan) temporarily curbed full-scale ground/air combat, though low-level strikes and maritime incidents persist. In November 2026, reports emerged that Iran transmitted a conditional proposal through Qatar featuring seven demands, including ending the naval blockade and ‘US acts of aggression’as the US weighs potential renewed military campaigns during the post-election period.

Elevated Geopolitical Instability

The US midterm elections have evinced more interparty and intraparty stress than usual. Europe is plagued by widespread protests that have turned violent. The Middle East, a region where a degree of tension is the norm, is experiencing regular tensions between Sunnis and Shiites, while the Gulf states’ level of stress has soared due to the war in Iran. The conflict has spilled into parts of Africa, particularly around the Horn of Africa, and virtually every other region of the world because of its impact on trade and energy. Last but not the least, there is still a war on in Ukraine that has wrecked Russia’s economy and inflicted damage on both sides.

The US disengagement from Europe, and the difficulty of European nations to fill the gap has forced Europe to reconsider its present and future, which has ultimately led to destabilisation. In the Middle East, the US stance has forced the Mecca accord into existence and triggered a war that has hurt the economies of virtually every country on earth, including Israel.

The geopolitical situation between the ongoing Iran war and Europe is marked by severe security spillovers, direct Iranian threats against European soil, economic strain and a growing internal divide over transatlantic alignment. Direct threats to Europe include missile warnings by Iranian military commanders and parliamentarians, who have threatened to target European countries, specifically Italy and Germany, if the US uses bases on their territories to launch strikes against Iran.

Nations like Germany have backed US/allied positions, but countries like Spain have sharply criticised the military intervention as illegal under international law, prompting diplomatic and trade retaliation threats from US President Donald Trump. There are geographically different concerns as Eastern and Northern European states remain hyper-focused on Russian deterrence and Ukraine, whereas Southern and Mediterranean European nations prioritise energy security, maritime stability and migration fallout from the Middle East.

GCC countries and Regional Security Gulf countries have stepped up diplomacy with Iran in a bid to de-escalate tensions across the Middle East amid fears of renewed US strikes and the intensifying hostilities between Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The three nations that signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August – Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye – and diplomats from Qatar met in October 2026 with high-ranking Iranian officials to mark the first high-level contact between Iran and the Mecca mutual defence pact nations since the US-Israel war on Iran began.

Iran has long advocated for a regional security architecture that would reduce or eliminate US military presence. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, however, remain deeply integrated into the US security system. The recent war has certainly raised questions about the reliability of American security guarantees, but this has encouraged these countries to diversify security partnerships rather than fundamentally redefine strategic alignments.