Monthly Archives: August 2018

In the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, a series of precise cross-border strikes targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation began on May 7, 2025, with Indian armed forces demolishing nine major terror hubs, including those linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Bahawalpur, resulting in significant casualties among terrorists, their aides, and Pakistani military personnel.

Facing heavy losses, Pakistan’s Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO) reached out to his Indian counterpart twice, first on the evening of May 7, seeking a cessation of hostilities. Despite these overtures, Indian officials remained sceptical about Islamabad’s intentions, noting that requests for a ceasefire were accompanied by renewed attacks on Indian military targets.

The sincerity of Pakistan’s appeals was thus in question, especially as cross-border firing and drone incursions from Pakistan continued even as ceasefire discussions were underway.

After three days of intense military exchanges, a DGMO-level conversation occurred on May 10 at 3:35 PM, leading to a ceasefire understanding. This truce was negotiated directly through established military communication channels between the two countries, without US mediation, and aimed to de-escalate the rapidly rising tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours. The ceasefire officially took effect later that day, with both sides agreeing to halt all hostilities on land, air, and sea.

Operation Sindoor inflicted severe losses on Pakistan. More than 160 individuals—primarily terrorists, their aides, and Pakistani military personnel—were killed in the Indian strikes, with over 20 deaths reported in Bahawalpur alone, including relatives of JeM chief Masood Azhar.

Pakistani armed forces suffered an estimated 35 to 40 fatalities, though Islamabad officially acknowledged only 11 military deaths and 78 wounded. Indian strikes also caused casualties at several Pakistani air bases: Lahore Airport (2 killed), Sargodha (2 killed, 7 injured), Rahimyar Khan (5 injured), Bahawalpur (2 killed, 8 injured), Sialkot (11 killed), and Rawalpindi (4 killed).

The Indian response was characterised by precision, targeting only terror infrastructure and avoiding civilian areas, as confirmed by Indian officials. The operation also saw significant engagement from Indian security forces, including the Border Security Force (BSF), which targeted launch pads and responded to Pakistani drone incursions.

Despite the current ceasefire, Indian defence officials remain cautious, emphasising that Pakistan’s intentions will continue to be judged by its concrete, verifiable, and irreversible actions against terrorism. Operational readiness remains high along the border, with Indian forces prepared for any potential misadventure from the Pakistani side under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Operation Sindoor marked a significant escalation in India-Pakistan hostilities, resulting in heavy casualties for Pakistan and prompting Islamabad to seek a ceasefire twice through military channels. While the ceasefire holds for now, the situation remains tense, with India maintaining a vigilant posture and demanding sustained action from Pakistan against terrorist groups operating from its soil.

Agencies

A Bangladesh Air Force Yakovlev Yak-130 on final approach at one of its air base

India is accelerating the revival of the long-defunct Kailashahar airfield in Tripura as a direct response to growing strategic concerns over China’s involvement in the redevelopment of Bangladesh’s Lalmonirhat airbase, located less than 20 kilometers from the Indian border and near the critical Siliguri Corridor—often referred to as the “chicken’s neck”. This corridor is a narrow, 22-kilometre stretch that connects mainland India to its north-eastern states, making it a major strategic vulnerability for India.

The Lalmonirhat airbase, a World War-II-era facility, is reportedly being upgraded with Chinese assistance, which has set off alarm bells in New Delhi. The proximity of this airbase to the Siliguri Corridor raises the specter of increased Chinese military influence and surveillance capabilities in a region vital to India’s territorial integrity.

The development is seen as part of a broader pattern of deepening China-Bangladesh defense ties, especially after recent political changes in Bangladesh that have led to a less India-friendly interim administration.

In response, India has moved quickly to revive Kailashahar Airport, which has been non-operational for over three decades. On May 26, 2025, senior officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) conducted a site visit to assess infrastructure, land availability, and operational feasibility, marking the first concrete step toward restarting the airfield.

The airport played a significant role during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, serving as a launchpad for Indian Air Force operations and the initial missions of ‘Kilo Flight’, the precursor to the Bangladesh Air Force. Its recommissioning is expected to serve dual purposes: enhancing regional civilian connectivity and providing a strategic military outpost capable of supporting rapid mobilization and surveillance in a sensitive frontier region.

The revival of Kailashahar is also aligned with India’s broader strategy of strengthening its northeastern infrastructure to counterbalance China’s growing footprint in South Asia. The dual-use modernization plan aims to boost civilian air travel under schemes like UDAN while simultaneously upgrading facilities to accommodate military aircraft in times of need.

This move is intended to reinforce India’s deterrence posture, ensure logistical preparedness, and secure vulnerable border regions, particularly in light of the evolving geopolitical landscape and ongoing India-China tensions.

While India has refrained from officially commenting on China’s role in the Lalmonirhat project, the swift action to revive Kailashahar underscores its resolve to address emerging security challenges and maintain strategic stability in the Northeast. The development of Kailashahar Airport is thus both a symbolic and practical response, reflecting the intersection of historical legacy, regional connectivity, and national security imperatives.

Agencies

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has recently expressed a renewed willingness to engage in dialogue with India to resolve longstanding disputes, including the contentious issues of Kashmir, water-sharing, and trade. During a joint press conference with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran, Sharif emphasised Pakistan’s readiness to seek peaceful solutions through negotiations.

He stated, “We are ready to talk, for the sake of peace on water issues with our neighbour,” and extended this willingness to areas such as trade and counter-terrorism. Sharif underscored that Pakistan’s desire for peace is genuine and that the country is prepared to demonstrate its sincerity if India reciprocates the offer for dialogue.

Sharif’s visit to Iran is part of a broader diplomatic tour, which also includes stops in Turkiye, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan, signalling Pakistan’s intent to strengthen regional ties and seek broader support for dialogue-based conflict resolution. Iranian President Pezeshkian, for his part, echoed the call for a durable ceasefire between India and Pakistan and advocated for dialogue among regional countries to address disputes and foster peace.

The context of Sharif’s statements is particularly significant given the recent deterioration in India-Pakistan relations. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, India took several stringent measures against Pakistan. One of the most consequential was the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, a key agreement signed in 1960 that governs the sharing of water resources from the Indus River and its tributaries.

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal have both reiterated that the treaty will remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irreversibly ceases its support for cross-border terrorism. Jaiswal also highlighted that climate change, demographic shifts, and technological advancements have further complicated the ground realities, necessitating a re-examination of traditional frameworks like the Indus Water Treaty.

In addition to suspending the treaty, India imposed an immediate and comprehensive ban on the import and transit of all goods originating from or exported via Pakistan, effectively halting bilateral trade. This move, formalised through a notification by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, further underscores the depth of the current impasse.

While Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s overture signals Pakistan’s willingness to resume dialogue, the path to normalisation remains fraught with challenges. India’s position remains firm that any resumption of talks or treaties is contingent upon Pakistan taking credible action against terrorism.

The involvement and encouragement of regional actors like Iran indicate a recognition of the broader stakes for peace and stability in South Asia, but tangible progress will depend on substantive shifts in policy and trust-building measures from both sides.

Based On ANI Report

India’s Operation Sindoor, executed in May 2025, has sent shock waves through the global defence community, exposing critical vulnerabilities in the US defence establishment and highlighting the urgent need for reform. The operation’s success, driven by rapid innovation, cost-effective systems, and decisive execution, stands in sharp contrast to the slow, monopolistic, and expensive defence practices that dominate the United States.

Operation Sindoor: Precision, Speed, And Impact

Operation Sindoor was launched in response to a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, killing 26 civilians. India’s military response was swift and surgical: over a four-day campaign, Indian forces targeted terrorist camps and, when Pakistan retaliated, escalated to precision strikes on Pakistani air bases and command centres.

The operation crippled Pakistan’s radar and air defence networks, dismantled command and control, and exposed the weaknesses of Chinese and Turkish-supplied systems. Within hours, Pakistan was forced to seek a ceasefire, underscoring the effectiveness and deterrent value of India’s approach.

Cost-Effective Innovation Vs US Defence Monopolies

India’s military achievements are not just about battlefield success—they are rooted in a philosophy of affordable, scalable, and rapidly deployable systems. The Pinaka rocket, for example, costs less than $56,000, compared to the US GMLRS missile at $148,000. The Akashteer missile defence system was developed and fielded at a fraction of the cost of US-made Patriot or NASAMS platforms. This stands in stark contrast to the US, where a handful of defence giants—Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and General Dynamics—dominate the landscape, stifling competition and innovation.

The US defence industry, once a symbol of strength, now resembles a cartel. The number of prime contractors has shrunk from 51 to fewer than 10, making it difficult for the Pentagon to negotiate or drive innovation. Cost-plus contracting further insulates these firms from risk, encouraging cost overruns and the development of over-engineered, expensive platforms—exemplified by the F-35 fighter jet’s $1.7 trillion lifetime cost and persistent performance issues.

Structural Challenges In The US Defence Industry

The United States defence industry faces significant structural challenges that limit its ability to compete effectively with emerging alternatives like India’s cost-effective manufacturing model. The industry’s concentration among a small number of prime contractors has created what analysts describe as a cartelized system with limited genuine competition. According to Department of Defence studies, the number of prime defence contractors has declined dramatically from 51 to fewer than 10, fundamentally altering the competitive landscape and reducing incentives for innovation and cost reduction. This consolidation has occurred despite soaring defence budgets expected to approach $1 trillion by 2025, indicating that increased spending has not translated into improved competition or efficiency.

The monopolistic concentration of the US defence industry manifests in several problematic ways that directly impact military readiness and fiscal responsibility. Major contractors like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, and General Dynamics dominate the global arms market, with nine of the world’s top 20 defence firms by revenue being American companies. While this concentration once represented strength through specialization and scale, it has evolved into a system where contractors have little incentive to drive innovation, reduce costs, or adapt quickly to changing requirements. The lack of genuine market competition has created an environment where cost-plus contracting shields firms from the consequences of budget overruns and delays.

A 2024 study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies revealed that 61% of major defence contracts now go to companies with no commercial business, rising to 86% when firms like Boeing with limited commercial operations are included. This isolation from broader market pressures has created a defence industry that operates according to different economic principles than the competitive commercial sector. The resulting system prioritizes technical specifications over cost-effectiveness and favours complex, expensive platforms over simpler, more affordable alternatives that might prove more suitable for contemporary warfare requirements.

Acquisition Process Inefficiencies

The US defence acquisition process has become notoriously slow and bureaucratic, often requiring years or even decades to field new equipment. This timeline mismatch with the pace of modern warfare has been starkly exposed by conflicts like the war in Ukraine, where rapid adaptation and production scaling proved crucial to military effectiveness. While American weapons systems like Javelins and HIMARS demonstrated their technical superiority, production systems struggled to keep pace with demand, forcing the Pentagon to rely on ageing factories and slow supply chains to meet urgent requirements.

The acquisition system’s fundamental structure creates perverse incentives that prioritize compliance with bureaucratic processes over operational effectiveness and speed. Many battlefield innovations since 9/11, including counter-IED kits and unmanned systems, were introduced through emergency procurement channels that bypassed formal acquisition processes. While these stopgap measures enabled rapid deployment of critical capabilities, they highlighted the systematic failures of the standard procurement system to respond to urgent operational needs. The reliance on emergency measures for innovation demonstrates that the formal acquisition process has become an obstacle to rather than an enabler of military effectiveness.

Cost-plus contracting models further exacerbate these systemic problems by removing financial risk from contractors and creating incentives for program complexity and duration rather than efficiency and speed. The F-35 fighter jet program exemplifies these challenges, with a lifetime cost estimated at $1.7 trillion and a development process characterized by delays and performance shortfalls. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s acknowledgment that the F-35 represented “a serious mistake” and his warning about creating “perpetual monopolies” reflects growing recognition within the defence establishment that fundamental reform is necessary to maintain American military competitiveness.

Systemic Weaknesses And The Need For Reform

The US acquisition system is notoriously slow, with new equipment often taking years or decades to reach the field. The war in Ukraine exposed the inability of the US industrial base to surge production or adapt quickly, forcing reliance on outdated factories and slow supply lines. Many battlefield innovations since 9/11 were only fielded through emergency channels, bypassing normal procurement—highlighting systemic delays that remain unaddressed.

A further problem is the increasing isolation of US defence firms from commercial markets. Over 60% of major contracts now go to companies with no commercial business, rising to 86% when including firms like Boeing with limited commercial work. This insularity, a legacy of post-Cold War consolidation, has led to a defence sector resistant to market pressures and innovation.

Lessons From India: Agility, Affordability, And Scalability

India’s approach offers a compelling alternative. Its defence industry emphasises rapid development, integration of advanced technology, and cost-effective production. Systems like BrahMos and Akashteer are not boutique prototypes but proven, battle-ready platforms. India’s integrated air defence network, which seamlessly links air force and ground forces, is described by experts as “unique”—even surpassing current US capabilities in some respects.

This model demonstrates that lethality, affordability, and scalability can coexist. India’s ability to deploy, test, and validate new systems in actual combat provides a blueprint for the US to follow, especially as global threats evolve and the pace of conflict accelerates.

Urgent Path Forward For The US

Experts warn that the time for incremental change is over. The US must:

Reform its acquisition process for speed, iteration, and frontline feedback

Break up monopolies or foster genuine competition and alternative suppliers

Treat allies like India and Israel as co-equal production partners, not just buyers

Establish permanent learning teams embedded in conflict zones to feed real-time lessons into system design

A recent White House executive order has acknowledged these issues, directing the Secretary of Defence to deliver a reform plan. But experts caution that true change requires a full-scale overhaul of both procurement and organisational culture.

Facing The China Challenge

China’s massive military and population advantage mean future conflicts will be won not by size, but by the ability to innovate, produce economically, and adapt at speed. As India’s Operation Sindoor has shown, wars of the future will be decided by those who can “think faster, build faster, and fight smarter”.

Conclusion

Operation Sindoor is more than a military victory for India—it is a clarion call for the US to reform its defence establishment. Without urgent action to break monopolies, speed up innovation, and build adaptable, scalable systems, the US risks losing its military edge. The clock is ticking, and the lessons from India are too clear to ignore.

Based On ET News Report

India’s defence establishment has achieved significant milestones in developing autonomous combat capabilities through the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior program, marking a transformative shift toward indigenous unmanned combat aerial vehicles. This comprehensive initiative represents a strategic convergence of cutting-edge technologies, including stealth design principles, artificial intelligence integration, and advanced propulsion systems.

The CATS Warrior, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with NewSpace Research and Technologies, embodies India’s commitment to reducing dependency on foreign defence imports while establishing technological sovereignty in unmanned warfare systems. Simultaneously, the ongoing trials of the indigenous Kaveri engine in Russia signal renewed prospects for self-reliant propulsion technologies that could power future unmanned platforms, creating a synergistic ecosystem of indigenous defence capabilities.

Development And Strategic Context of The CATS Warrior Program

The CATS Warrior represents a paradigmatic shift in India’s approach to aerial combat, emerging from the Aircraft Research and Design Centre under HAL as part of a comprehensive Combat Air Teaming System program. This initiative fundamentally reimagines the traditional pilot-aircraft relationship by introducing autonomous wingman capabilities that can operate in coordination with manned fighter jets, particularly the LCA TEJAS, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), Su-30MKI, and Jaguar platforms. The program’s genesis can be traced to India’s recognition of evolving global warfare dynamics, where unmanned systems increasingly serve as force multipliers that enhance operational effectiveness while minimising human risk exposure.

The strategic imperative driving the CATS Warrior development stems from the need to counter sophisticated enemy air defence systems that pose significant threats to manned aircraft and pilots. Modern integrated air defence systems can detect, track, and engage aircraft from considerable distances, making penetration missions extremely hazardous for human pilots operating expensive fighter platforms.

The CATS Warrior addresses this challenge by serving as an expendable yet highly capable asset that can undertake high-risk missions, including Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) operations, reconnaissance, and precision strikes against critical targets. This approach aligns with global trends in unmanned warfare, where leading military powers increasingly rely on autonomous systems to maintain operational superiority while preserving human resources and costly platforms.

The program received substantial institutional support with HAL management approving internal funding of ₹390 crore (equivalent to ₹438 crore or US$52 million in 2023) for development as of February 2021. This investment reflects the organisation’s confidence in the project’s strategic value and technological feasibility. The development timeline indicates ambitious goals, with integration with the CATS MAX mothership expected to take 1-2 years and first flights scheduled for 2024-25, demonstrating India’s commitment to rapid technological advancement in critical defence sectors.

Technical Design And Stealth Capabilities

The CATS Warrior’s design philosophy prioritises low observability while maintaining operational versatility, incorporating advanced stealth features that enable effective penetration of contested airspace. The aircraft employs a composite structure with hybrid design elements, drawing inspiration from proven platforms such as the MQ-28 Ghost Bat wingman in its front section and the XQ-58 Valkyrie in its mid-fuselage to tail configuration. This design synthesis represents a strategic approach to leveraging successful international concepts while adapting them to Indian operational requirements and manufacturing capabilities.

The stealth characteristics of the CATS Warrior are achieved through multiple design elements that collectively reduce its radar cross-section and enhance survivability in hostile environments. The aircraft features an internal weapons bay that maintains a clean external profile during operations, eliminating the radar signature penalties associated with external weapon carriage. The composite construction materials and carefully sculpted airframe geometry work in concert to scatter and absorb electromagnetic radiation, significantly reducing detectability by enemy radar systems. Additionally, the single serpentine air intake positioned on the top of the fuselage leads to twin engines while minimising radar reflections from the engine compressor faces, a critical design consideration for maintaining stealth characteristics.

Advanced Avionics And Mission Systems Integration

The CATS Warrior incorporates sophisticated avionics systems that enable autonomous operation while maintaining compatibility with manned aircraft platforms. The core avionics suite includes an electro-optic/infrared payload system that provides real-time visual and thermal imaging capabilities for target identification and battlefield surveillance. An Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system delivers advanced target detection and tracking capabilities while maintaining low probability of intercept characteristics that enhance stealth performance. The integration of an inertial navigational unit ensures precise navigation and positioning even in GPS-denied environments, critical for operations in contested airspace where electronic warfare may disrupt satellite-based navigation systems.

The electronic warfare capabilities of the CATS Warrior extend beyond passive stealth measures to include active jamming systems designed to disrupt enemy radar and communication systems. These capabilities enable the platform to serve multiple roles within a single mission profile, transitioning seamlessly between reconnaissance, electronic attack, and kinetic strike operations as tactical situations evolve. The prototype utilises an indigenous Mission Computer developed by the Systems for Landing and Reconnaissance Development Centre (SLRDC), demonstrating India’s growing capability in critical avionics technologies that were previously dependent on foreign suppliers.

The autonomous capability framework incorporates dynamic mission scheduling systems that optimise aircraft deployment for real-time combat scenarios. This advanced artificial intelligence integration enables the CATS Warrior to adapt mission parameters based on evolving battlefield conditions, threat assessments, and target prioritisation without requiring constant human intervention.

Propulsion System And Performance Characteristics

The CATS Warrior employs a twin-engine configuration utilising modified PTAE-7 engines developed by the Aero Engine Research and Development Centre, designated as PTAE-W variants specifically optimised for the unmanned platform. These engines represent a significant advancement over the original PTAE-7 engines used on the DRDO Lakshya target drone, incorporating enhanced performance characteristics and improved reliability features. Each PTAE-W engine measures 1.27 meters in length, 330 millimetres in diameter, and weighs 65 kilograms, providing a compact yet powerful propulsion solution that contributes to the aircraft’s overall stealth profile.

The exhaust system design incorporates chevron nozzle technology similar to that employed on the F-35 Lightning II, serving dual purposes of reducing jet blast noise signatures and minimising radar emissions. This design feature contributes to the aircraft’s overall stealth characteristics while improving acoustic signature management, particularly important for covert operations and reduced detection probability. The performance envelope includes a maximum speed of Mach 0.9, cruise speed of 790 km/h (Mach 0.6), and a service ceiling of 9,000 meters, providing substantial operational flexibility across diverse mission profiles. The combat range of 350 kilometres enables effective operations within the tactical radius of manned aircraft, while the maximum range of 700 kilometres extends operational possibilities for long-range autonomous missions.

Weapon Systems And Combat Capabilities

The CATS Warrior’s armament configuration reflects a sophisticated approach to multi-role combat operations, incorporating both internal and external weapon carriage options that optimise stealth performance while maximising firepower. The internal weapons bay accommodates two DRDO Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAAW), each weighing up to 155 kilograms, providing substantial precision strike capability against hardened targets and critical infrastructure. The external hard-points can carry two short-range or beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, with each external station capable of supporting up to 170 kilograms of ordnance. This configuration enables the platform to engage both air and ground targets within a single mission profile, maximising operational efficiency and mission success probability.

The total weapon load capacity of 650 kilograms provides substantial firepower for a platform of the CATS Warrior’s size class, enabling engagement of multiple targets or employment of specialised munitions for specific mission requirements. The modular weapon system design accommodates future integration of advanced munitions, including the CATS ALFA-S precision-guided munitions, with capacity for up to 24 units of these smaller weapons systems. This flexibility ensures the platform can adapt to evolving threat environments and mission requirements without requiring fundamental design modifications.

The integration of precision-guided munitions capability transforms the CATS Warrior from a simple target drone into a sophisticated combat platform capable of conducting complex strike missions. The combination of internal storage for larger weapons and external carriage options for air-to-air missiles enables the aircraft to serve as both a loyal wingman providing defensive capabilities and an offensive strike platform capable of independent target engagement. The autonomous target engagement capability, combined with real-time data sharing with manned aircraft, creates a synergistic combat system that multiplies the effectiveness of traditional fighter aircraft operations.

Conclusion

The HAL CATS Warrior program represents a transformative milestone in India’s defence technology development, demonstrating the nation’s capability to conceive, develop, and produce cutting-edge unmanned combat systems that address critical operational requirements while reducing dependency on foreign suppliers.

The comprehensive integration of stealth technology, artificial intelligence, autonomous operation capabilities, and indigenous propulsion systems creates a platform that significantly enhances India’s aerial warfare capabilities. The program’s emphasis on manned-unmanned teaming operations positions Indian Air Force capabilities at the forefront of global military aviation trends while providing unique operational advantages in contested environments.

The successful development and deployment of the CATS Warrior, combined with the maturation of the indigenous Kaveri engine program, establishes India as a significant player in the global unmanned systems market while creating strategic advantages that extend beyond immediate military applications. 

IDN (With Inputs From ET News)

With snow still covering area around the gurdwara, a path has been cleared for pilgrims

The doors of Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara, a famous Sikh pilgrimage site in the upper Garhwal Himalayan region in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, opened for devotees on Sunday.

After the arrival of ‘Panj Pyare’ in the morning, the doors were opened for the devotees amidst ‘ardas’, Shabad Kirtan and Gurbani.

With this, the pilgrimage to the Hemkund Sahib has commenced.

The gurdwara, situated at an altitude of 15,000 feet, was decorated with flowers and colorful flags. President of Hemkund Gurdwara Trust Narendrajit Singh Bindra and other officials were also present.

With snow still covering the area around the gurdwara, a path has been cleared for devotees.

On Saturday, the first batch of Sikh devotees led by ‘Panj Pyare’ from Govindghat Gurdwara left for Hemkund Sahib with the holy ‘Nishan Sahib’. The group stayed the night at Ghangaria Gurdwara. In the morning, the group left for Hemkund Sahib amid chants of ‘Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal’.

The pilgrimage to Hemkund Sahib begins in May every year and continues till October. During this, lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad reach there to pay obeisance.

Arrangements have been made by the police to ensure the safety and smooth journey of the devotees. Teams of State Disaster Response Force have also been deployed at the main stops of pilgrimage route

Commanding a border outpost within eyeball-to-eyeball contact of a Pakistani post along the International Border, Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari led her troops to silence three forward hostile posts across the zero line (area closest to enemy territory) by giving a…

Commanding a border outpost within eyeball-to-eyeball contact of a Pakistani post along the International Border, Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari led her troops to silence three forward hostile posts across the zero line (area closest to enemy territory) by giving a befitting reply.

Apart from Neha, six women constables held a gun position on a forward border post, with their ‘josh’ rising with every bullet they fired at enemy positions across the IB in Samba-RS Pura-Akhnoor sectors.

Neha, a third-generation officer from her family in Uttarakhand, takes pride in being part of the BSF and commanding a border outpost in the Pargwal forward area of the Akhnoor sector in the Jammu district during Operation Sindoor.

“I feel proud to be manning a post along the International Border with my troops. It is approximately 150 meters away from the Pakistani post in the Akhnoor-Pargwal area,” Neha said.

Her feelings are vivid as she confidently says that commanding the post during Operation Sindoor was an honour for her. “It was an honour to serve at the forward post and give a befitting reply with all available weapons from my post to enemy posts,” she added.

Giving details of how she silenced three hostile posts resorting to unprovoked firing on her position during Operation Sindoor, she said, “I had three posts falling in my area. I pinned down the people at all three hostile locations. We hit them with every weapon we had. They were forced to flee their posts.” The posts were decimated to ensure they were silenced, she said, adding that her troops performed their best during retaliation.

Expressing the high morale among the troops manning the post, she said, “The ‘josh’ was quite high. Everyone among us gave their best, because everything we did was for the country and its honour.” Neha’s grandfather served in the Army, and her parents are from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), making her a third-generation officer in the family. “My grandfather served in the Army. My father was in the CRPF. My mother is in the CRPF. I am a third-generation officer in the force,” she said.

She maintained that women did not lag behind, as they stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their male counterparts to give Pakistan a befitting reply during the three-day-long skirmishes.

“I had 18 to 19 women border guards with me. To be precise, six women were engaged in direct firing at observation post locations. We are proud of them,” said Neha, who was the lone BSF woman officer to command a forward post along the IB in Jammu frontier during the operation.

Praising the role of women in combat at forward posts and their engagement in firing on Pakistani posts, Inspector General of BSF Shashank Anand said, “BSF women personnel played an outstanding role in this operation. Although they had the option to move to the battalion headquarters, they chose to stay at forward posts with their male counterparts and responded strongly to Pakistan.”

Anand said that BSF women personnel, including Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari, had shown exemplary courage by manning forward posts and engaging enemy positions near the IB. “Women BSF soldiers played a crucial role in this operation and stood at the front lines to protect the country’s sovereignty and borders,” he said.

Constable Shankari Das, who too manned a gun position on a forward post, said, “We have our duties. Just as we are deployed at the border, we carry out our tasks as usual. Our senior commanders briefed us on the situation and warned that firing might take place. We were instructed to respond to fire with fire. So, as soon as firing started, we responded with fire,” she said.

Similarly, constables Swapna Rath, Anita, Sumi, Milkeet Kour, and Manjeet Kour were manning gun positions at various posts, like their male counterparts, and giving a befitting reply to Pakistani troops. “We feel proud to man gun positions and retaliate. It was an honour for us,” Manjeet Kour said.

The BSF has hit back at 76 Pakistani border outposts and 42 forward defence locations (FDLs), and destroyed three terrorist launch pads among several other posts, in a strong retaliation to unprovoked firing and shelling by Pakistani Rangers along the IB in the Jammu frontier under Operation Sindoor. They damaged 70 forward Pakistani posts.

The BSF action came after Pakistan launched heavy shelling on 60 Indian posts and 49 forward positions, providing cover for an attempted infiltration by 40–50 terrorists, officials said.

A Bench led by Justice Surya Kant said its May 19 interim order staying Shah’s arrest and asking the minister to join the probe shall continue

Satya Prakash Tribune News Service

The Supreme Court on Wednesday closed the proceedings against Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah before the state high court over his controversial remarks against Col Sofia Qureshi – the face of India’s press briefings on ‘Operation Sindoor’.

“Let the High Court close the proceedings in view of the case here (Supreme Court. Let there shall be no parallel proceedings,” a Bench led by Justice Surya Kant said.

Giving more time to the SIT set up on its orders, the top court posted the matter for further hearing after the summer vacation when it will consider another status report to be filed by the SIT.

The Bench ordered that the interim order staying Shah’s arrest and asking the minister to join the probe shall continue till further orders.

Rejecting Shah’s apology the Supreme Court had on May 19 ordered the Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police to constitute an SIT led by an IGP and comprising two other IPS officers to probe his controversial remarks against Col. Sofia Qureshi.

On Wednesday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Bench on behalf of the Madhya Pradesh Government that the SIT has been constituted and it has already started the probe and has seized the mobile phone of the accused along with a script of his speech. Statements of some witnesses have also been recorded, he said. However, noting that the probe was at an initial stage, Mehta sought more time.

Shah – a Madhya Pradesh BJP leader — sparked a major controversy with his objectionable comments against Col Qureshi, whom he tried to project as a “sister of terrorists” while addressing a gathering in Ramkunda village near Indore on Monday, prompting the Congress to demand his resignation.

After he came under fire for his remarks, Shah said if anyone was hurt by his statement, he was ready to apologise 10 times and that he respected Col. Qureshi more than his sister.

In an embarrassment to the BJP, the Madhya Pradesh High Court had on May 14 ordered registration of an FIR against Vijay Shah for passing “dangerous” and “scurrilous” remarks using “language of the gutters” against Col Sofia Qureshi, saying his remarks had the propensity to cause disharmony, feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between members of different religions.

“You (Shah) are a public figure… a seasoned politician. You should weigh your words when you speak. Should we display your video here?…Media people are not going into depth of your video…you were at a stage where you were going to use abusive language, very filthy language…but something prevailed on you and you stopped. This is an important issue for the Armed Forces. We need to be very responsible,” the top court had said on May 19, rejecting his apology.

Equipped with advanced sensors and mitigation technology, a ground-based Counter-Unmanned Aerial System enhances battlefield survivability and operational security

Vijay Mohan Tribune News Service

About a fortnight after Indian air defence networks played a crucial role in neutralising Pakistani drones and missiles during ‘Operation Sindoor’, the Army has outlined its operational philosophy for the deployment of ground-based Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) to deal with such threats.

“A ground-based C-UAS is designed to detect, track and neutralise hostile drones in real time and it ensures protection against aerial threats during tactical operations and critical infrastructure defence. Equipped with advanced sensors and mitigation technology, this system enhances battlefield survivability and operational security,” a request for information (RFI) issued by the Ministry of Defence on Wednesday for procurement of such equipment states.

Elaborating upon the operational philosophy, the RFI states that a ground-based C-UAS is an advanced, integrated defence solution designed to detect, track, identify and neutralise hostile drones operating within a designated airspace.

Utilising a combination of radar, radio-frequency detection, electro-optical and infrared sensors and artificial intelligence, the system can classify targets as friendly, adversary or unidentified while displaying them on a handheld operator screen with distinct colour codes.

Once a non-friendly drone is identified, the C-UAS can engage through soft-kill, that is radio frequency jamming or spoofing up to 3 km, or a hard-kill measures, that is the use of remote-controlled weapons, lasers, projectiles or swarm drones which physically destroy the platform, up to 5 kilometres.

The remote-controlled weapons ensure precise target elimination, while autonomous swarm drones can conduct high-speed interceptions carrying removable explosive payloads.

A threat library stores up to 1,000 drone profiles allowing continuous software upgrades for evolving threats. Fully operable by a single user from a ground control station, the system supports simultaneous engagement of multiple targets with an intuitive manual override function for operational flexibility, the RFI states.

The Army wants U-CAS that are able to detect radio frequencies in the bandwidth of 100-8,000 megahertz, with the ability to detect micro, mini and small drones at a distance of at least 3 km, 5 km and 8 km, respectively, by using radar and radio frequency, and at a distance of 1,200 metres to 3,000 metres using electro-optical and infrared sensors. These systems should be able to track 25 targets simultaneously.

The 19-year-old student of engineering walked out of jail on Tuesday night after having spent over a fortnight behind bars for her social media post

It was an emotional reunion for a teen student with her family as she walked out of jail on Tuesday night after having spent over a fortnight behind bars for her social media post criticising the Indian government amid the Indo-Pak conflict.

The 19-year-old student of engineering was granted bail by the Bombay High Court which had made scathing remarks against the Maharashtra government for “being bent upon ruining her life” and turning her into a “hardcore criminal”.

The court had also pulled up the girl’s college — Sinhgad Academy of Engineering — for issuing a rustication order against the girl “hurriedly” without giving her an opportunity to explain herself.

The high court suspended the rustication order and directed the authorities at the Yerwada central jail, where the girl was lodged, to release her forthwith on Tuesday itself.

Pursuant to the order, the student, originally from Jammu and Kashmir, was released from the jail around 9.30 PM on Tuesday after all formalities were completed, her lawyer Farhana Shah said.

Her family members were present outside the jail for the emotional reunion and wished to stay away from the media glare and made only general statement that they had faith in the Constitution and the legal system of the country.

The controversy began on May 7 when the student, pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering (Information Technology) degree, shared a post on Instagram from an account named ‘Reformistan.’  However, realising her mistake, she deleted the post and also apologised for reposting it.

Despite her deleting the post swiftly, the Kondhwa police in Pune registered an FIR against her on May 9 and arrested her.

She was later sent to judicial custody at Yerwada prison. The college also rusticated her immediately.

Challenging her rustication and seeking quashing of the FIR, the student approached the Bombay High Court.

On Tuesday, the High Court strongly condemned the government’s response, labeling it “absolutely shocking” and “radical.”  The court ordered her immediate release to allow her to appear for her ongoing semester examinations and directed the Sinhgad Academy of Engineering to provide her with a hall ticket and, if necessary, arrange security and a separate classroom for her exams.

The police were also instructed to ensure adequate protection for the student when she attends college, addressing her expressed fears.

Kishor Patil, principal of the engineering college, said the institute has issued the girl the admit card. “The college has issued the admit card to the student on Wednesday. She will be appearing for the exam tomorrow,” he said.

The principal, however, refused to elaborate on whether any special classroom or arrangements have been made for the girl during the exams.

She had missed two papers due to her arrest and sought permission from the High Court to take them as a special case but the college said that the decision rested with the Pune-based university, prompting the court to permit her to file an application with the university for this purpose.

The High Court questioned the college’s “hurried” approach, saying that its role should be to reform, not punish, the student.

The court stressed that she should not have been arrested in the first place especially given her prompt deletion of the post and expressing remorse, and apology.

The college’s May 9 rustication letter cited “disrepute to the institution,” “anti-national sentiments,” and a “risk to the campus community and society” as reasons for its decision.

While cautioning the student to act responsibly in the future, the High Court reserved its sternest remarks for the state’s handling of the sensitive situation.