Monthly Archives: August 2018

The Bench asserted that a soldier injured in combat could not be deprived of benefits merely on technical objections

he Punjab and Haryana High Court rapped the Union of India for opposing war-injury pension to a soldier who lost his eyesight during the 1971 Indo-Pak war and was not treating his injuries attributable to military service.

“The disability suffered Sham Singh was not being treated to be attributable to military service. Such an action on the part of the Union of India and other petitioners cannot be appreciated especially when, it relates to a solider, who fought for the country and had suffered disability and that too in war between two countries,” the Bench of Justice Harsimran Singh Sethi and Justice Vikas Suri asserted, adding that the authorities should, rather, have come forward to grant the benefit of war injury pension rather than raising an “objection qua delay”.

The court observed Sham Singh suffered a grievous injury in December 1971 when “a bomb which came from the Pakistan side exploded near him and due to splinters and heavy smoke and dust, he lost his eyesight, which forced his invalidation from military service.”

The matter was placed before the Bench after the Union of India challenged impugned order dated August 23, 2023, passed by Armed Forces Tribunal’s Regional Bench at Chandigarh vide which Sham Singh was granted benefit of war injury pension from the date of his discharge in January 1973 to January 1975 and after that service pension till the day he died in May 2021. Thereafter, the benefit of liberalised pension was ordered in favour of his wife Karnail Kaur.

The Centre’s stand in the matter was that the claim was raised by Sham Singh at a belated stage – after the lapse of 44 years from the date of rejection of initial claim, “which clearly is barred by limitation hence, the same should not have been allowed”.R

The Bench asserted that a soldier injured in combat could not be deprived of benefits merely on technical objections: “It may be noticed that a solider, who fought for the country in Indo-Pak 1971 war and had suffered the injuries during the bomb explosion, cannot be excluded from the grant of entitled benefit especially, when nothing evident has come on record to show that such solider was in knowledge that he is entitled for the benefit of war injury pension due to the disability suffered by him in Indo-Pak 1971 war.”

The petitioners, on the other hand, “very well knew” that the solider suffered an injury in war and was entitled to the benefit of war injury pension. But the Union ignored the fact and did not grant the benefit he was entitled to.

Rejecting the ground of delay raised by the Union, the Bench held: “Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the present case, the ground taken by the petitioners qua the delay to deny the benefit of war injury pension to Sham Singh cannot be accepted and the present petition is accordingly dismissed.”

The ruling comes as a Division Bench court dismisses a writ petition filed by the Union of India

A soldier on casual leave remains on duty for all intents and purposes, making his death due to high fever during such period attributable to military service, the Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled.

The ruling came as a Division Bench court dismissed a writ petition filed by the Union of India, while affirming the Armed Forces Tribunal’s order granting special family pension to the widow of a soldier who died of high fever while on 20 days’ leave.

Referring to the Disability Pension in Defence Service Rules, the Bench of Justice Harsimran Sethi and Justice Vikas Suri asserted that its provisions clearly stated that casual leave was to be treated as duty period.

The Bench, during the course of hearing, was told that the soldier was sanctioned leave from June 13, 2002 to July 2, 2002. He developed a high fever during the period before being admitted to hospital. The authorities denied the widow’s claim on the grounds that he was on casual leave at the time of his death.

The Tribunal considered all the relevant facts and the rules governing the service, which – among other things – said any officer on casual leave was to be treated on duty for all intents and purposes.

Rejecting the Union of India’s plea, the court observed: “Once the late husband of the respondent is to be treated as on duty during the time he availed casual leave and he suffered from high fever during the said period he availed the casual leave, the same has to be attributed to the military service keeping in view the exigencies of the service. It is not a case that the death of the employee is due to any negligence on his part or for any act which cannot be related even to the military service.”

The Bench also referred to the principle of law settled by the Supreme Court that “even when the officer is on leave, the facts are to be noticed whether the cause of death can be attributed to the military service or not”.

The Bench found no infirmity in the Tribunal’s decision. “Keeping in view the totality of the circumstances, the findings which have been recorded by the Tribunal to grant respondent No. 1 the benefit of special family pension by treating that the death of her husband was attributable to the military service while he was on duty, are correct.”

Finding no ground for any interference by the court, the Bench asserted that perversity was not pointed out in the impugned order “either on the basis of the facts or the settled principle of law”. As such, the writ petition was dismissed.

The soldier was enrolled in the Army in October 1984 and passed away in August 1998 during active service due to “corrosive acid poisoning and perforation of stomach” after he had consumed some

Twenty-seven years after a soldier died while in service, the Armed Forces Tribunal has held that his death, resulting from a psychiatric disorder, is attributable to military service, and his widow is entitled to higher pensionary benefits. The soldier was enrolled in the Army in October 1984 and passed away in August 1998 during active service due to “corrosive acid poisoning and perforation of stomach” after he had consumed some poisonous substance. A medical board had found him to be suffering from “paranoid state” (delusional disorder) and “bronchial asthma”, for which he had been admitted to various military hospitals for treatment.

In his remarks on the court of inquiry held to inquire into the circumstances of his death, the Brigade Commander had stated that the soldier was not in a correct frame of mind and took acid without knowing the after-effects of the poison. Hence, being a psychiatric case, his death should be attributable to military service in a peace station. The pension authorities, however, rejected the widow’s claim for a special family pension, which is higher than an ordinary family pension, on the grounds that the cause of death was neither attributable to nor aggravated by military service. Several appeals against the rejection order were also rejected.

The tribunal’s Chandigarh bench, comprising Justice Umesh Chandra Sharma and Air Marshal Manavendra Singh, held that from perusal of the Defence Services Regulations for the Army, it was clear that the opinion of the administrative authority — that is, the Brigade Commander, Commanding Officer, or court of inquiry — is relevant. From the record, it is established that as per the opinion of the court of inquiry recommended by the Brigade Commander, the disease due to which the soldier had died was attributable to military service. Therefore, the widow of the deceased is entitled to a special family pension by virtue of Regulation 213 of the Pension Regulations for the Army, 1961.

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Observing that the Brigade Commander had also agreed with the said opinion of the court of inquiry, the Bench said that relevant sections of the Entitlement Rules for Casualty Pensionary Awards, 1982, mention “psychosis and psychoneurosis” affected by “stress and strain” under the classification of disease, and the case of the widow is also covered under the said category.

CELEBRATING THE DIAMOND JUBILEE: INDO PAK WAR 1965 SOME LIGHTHEARTED ANECDOTES (Maj Gen Harvijay Singh, SM) Whether apocryphal or real, here are a few anecdotes that add their own ‘Masala’ to the intensity of the battles. The battles will continue till 23 Sep and even beyond, I intend covering more. 1. Pakistan drew up a brazen plan to infiltrate Jammu and Kashmir to induce insurgency and destabilize the region. Operation Gibraltar was launched in August 1965, Pakistan Army soldiers of the Special Services Group (SSG), Mujahids (Muslim warrior) and Razakars (Volunteer Guerrilla), disguised as locals entered the state. Every infiltrating commando was given two rifles and additional ammunition; one to fight with and the second to be distributed to locals to start what was called a – massive indigenous war against Indian occupation; I classify it as belligerence bordering on comical foolhardiness.

2. On the night 6-7 Sep, approximately 180 commandos parachuted into Punjab to sabotage airfields at Pathankot, Adampur, and Halwara. What followed was a grassroots counteroffensive – villagers, NCC cadets, and local police formed search parties. By dawn, 138 were captured and 22 killed. These civilians, armed with little more than farming tools, turned into defenders of national security; band bajaa diyya.

3. Indian troops used sugarcane fields to great advantage in Barki, Asal Uttar and Phillora to execute stealthy “fire and-move”. The natural cover allowed them to advance undetected and surprise the enemy; while the Pattons had superior firepower, the cane had superior concealment.

4. On 6 Sep, as 3 JAT advanced stealthily toward Dograi, a civilian bus—reportedly carrying tourists accidentally entered the operational zone near the Ichhogil Canal. The soldiers, already in combat formation, were stunned to see the bus emerge from the dust. The passengers, equally bewildered, mistook the armed troops for a ceremonial parade. One version claims that Lt Col Hayde, the CO himself signalled the bus to turn back with a mix of stern urgency and humour – one thing is confirmed, Pakistanis were not expecting the 6 Sep offensive.

5. Anna Hazare served as a driver (Sepoy) in the Army Service Corps. He was posted in the Khem Karan Sector during the war, he narrowly survived an air attack. That near-death experience reportedly became a turning point. As per his own account, he took a personal vow to dedicate his life to public service and humanity.

6. During the assault on Barki, a logistics hiccup led to a bizarre situation: one company received crates of pickles instead of ammunition. The jawans, already exhausted and low on supplies, opened the boxes expecting grenades or rifle rounds—only to find jars of mango pickle sloshing around. The quartermaster later admitted the mix-up was due to a mislabelled consignment from a civilian depot. The soldier nicknamed their position “Achaar Post.”

7. During the Battle of Asal Uttar, Pakistanis tanks were abandoned by their crews in great haste or confusion, often still running. Troops reportedly from 4 GRENADIERS and 3 CAVALRY climbed into these tanks, figured out the controls, and drove them back to Indian lines.

8. Brigadier Anthony Albert ‘Tony’ Lumb was commander of 4th Armoured Brigade of Pakistan army). He was commissioned in 9th Royal Deccan HORSE and fought in the World War II with the regiment. After 1947, this regiment was allotted to India. Tony opted for Pakistan army. As destiny would have it, in the Khem Karan sector, Tony was fighting against his old regiment 9 Deccan HORSE of the Indian army

. 9. The Deputy Commissioner of Ambala, MS Gill (former Election Commissioner of India) requisitioned hundreds of civilian trucks with handwritten chits to transport the 4 Mountain Division. The truckers, did not f linch. One driver reportedly asked, “Sir, should I bring back prisoners too, or just drop the soldiers?”

10. While Pakistan got a lot of military aid from America, Pakistani Patton tanks had not carried out any tank firing for over two years as training ammunition provided by Americans was hoarded as ‘war reserve’.

11. 11 Sep soon after dawn, a soldier from 3 CAVALRY (on his morning call) spotted some tanks near Mahmudpura. A team led by 2 Lt PJS Mehta of 3 CAVALRY consisting of two sections of 1 DOGRA (now 7th Battalion the Mechanised Infantry Regiment), was sent to check out. They were greeted by a few dishevelled Paki soldiers coming out of the sugarcane fields and surrendering. They included the CO of Pakistan’s 4 Cavalry, his intelligence officer, two squadron commanders and 16 other ranks; big fish.

12. While 4 HORSE and 17 HORSE advanced towards Phillora, a tank crew found themselves momentarily halted—not by enemy fire, but by a stubborn cow standing squarely in the middle of the road near Libbe village. The tank commander, frustrated but amused, reportedly radioed: “Obstacle ahead. Not hostile. Four legged. Unarmed. Unmoved.” Do you have any anecdote to share? Please do.

Dear Sir,

1. A Lt Gen, an infantry officer commissioned in 1981 after commanding a Corps was appointed as Dy COAS. He after 38 years of service sought and got premature retirement (PMR) in 2019. He approached me yesterday, 09 Sep 2025 complaining that he gets pension less than that of a Brigadier. He in his lengthy message to me in email told me that when he got his retirement prematurely his pay was fixed as that of an Army Cdr as he did not have two years residual service to become an Army Cdr. He was granted the pay of an Army Cdr of Rs 2,25,000 pm. On retirement his pension in 2019 came to 50% of that which is Rs 1,12,500 pm. He moans rightly that he gets pension less than that of a Brigadier from Jul 2024 in OROP-III.
2. Pension of PMR Army Cdr is less than that of Col TS. I corrected him saying that he gets pension less than Col TS with 32.50 years of service which is Rs 1,1,4,125 pm from Jul 2024 in OROP-III. Then he sent me a judgment of AFT, PB, New Delhi which directed the Govt of India to make OROP applicable to officers who got PMR even after issue of policy letter on OROP dated 07 Nov 2015.
3. Options of Min of Def. I told him the Min of Def has two options. One is to implement the judgment of AFT, PB, New Delhi and give OROP to PMR soldiers too. The second option is to challenge the judgment of AFT, PB, New Delhi in Hon’ble Supreme Court. The Govt of India has a battalion of Advocates who get fat appearance fees of Rs 10,000 when they sign the attendance register of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.
4. Equality under Article 14 of the Constitution. Now the Hon’ble Supreme Court sees the main argument of AFT, PB, New Delhi on Article 14 of the Constitution which talks about Equality. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in a catany of judgments ruled that the principle of Equality must satisfy twin conditions. One is Govt of India when classifies pensioners into two groups, the classification must have intelligible differentia. Then the second condition is there must be nexus or causal connection between objective to be achieved by such a classification.
5. Classification of one Group of Soldiers into Two Groups. The meaning is there must be some differentiation in such a division or classification of one group of pensioners into two or more. The AFT, PB, New Delhi said officers whether they superannuate and those who get PMR are of one homogeneous class. I am not an advocate to say whether the Min of Def is right in making pensioners into two classes. One class of pensioners who retired on superannuation and enjoy OROP like I. Another class who seeks PMR even after knowing that the policy letter of OROP dated 7 Nov 2015 bars them from getting OROP. But in several judgments the Hon’ble Supreme Court ruled the Govt of India has the power to classify pensioners into many classes. In the judgment in IESM Vs UOI on OROP, the Supreme Court explained that those who get benefit of Assured Career Progression (ACP) as in 5th CPC and those who get Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) as in 6th CPC are two different classes though all such pensioners are Sepoys to Havildars. Because to get pension of Havildar a Sepoy must put in 30 years of service in ACP whereas in MACP to get pension of Havildar, the Sepoy must put in 24 years of service. Therefore, pensioners who got pension of Havildar due to ACP and MACP belong to two different classes.
6. Second Condition of Objective to be Achieved should have Nexus to Such a Classification. The Govt of India should not blindly classify one homogeneous group into two or more groups though they have the power to make such a classification. The objective sought to be achieved in denying benefit of OROP to those who seek PMR after 7 Nov 2015 is to dissuade soldiers to seek premature retirement. The main demand of Ex-Servicemen who agitated since 4th CPC in 1976 is that they get less pension compared to current pensioners as the benefit of 4th CPC was not passed onto to those who retired in earlies CPCs. Soldiers are also denied serving for 60 years to keep Army young. Therefore, the Govt of India has deprived them of employment and decent livelihood. Because of this they argued for OROP to pensioners which is the same pension for the same rank with same length of service irrespective of date of retirement. So, the objective of classifying pensioners into two classes as Non PMR and PMR is to dissuade the soldiers to seek premature retirement. Is objective of such classification of PMR and Non PMR has been achieved? Frankly I do not know.
7. T SEWA’s Argument of PMR to get Benefit of OROP. When Justice L Narasimha Reddy came to AF Station Hakimpet, Secunderabad to hear the grievances of Ex-Servicemen on OROP, T SEWA argued that since those who seek PMR are just less than 5%, it is unjust to deny them the benefit of OROP. Moreover, the soldiers do not seek PMR unless they have pressing demands such as looking after ailing wife or parents or children. It is incorrect to say they go after greener pasture after seeking PMR. Justice L Narasimha Reddy accepted the argument of T SEWA and in his report suggested PMR soldiers also should get OROP. But Min of Def rejected the report of Justice L Narasimha Reddy and his report is consigned to the dustbin or shredder.
8. I do not know whether the Min of Def has approved to grant OROP to PMRs also implementing the judgment of AFT, PB, New Delhi.
9. Pension Army Cdrs in 8th CPC. I tried to pep up the morale of the Lt Gen (Army Cdr) that 8th CPC is likely to enhance pay of Army Cdrs by a fitment factor of 2 as assessed by many experts. In that case the Army Cdrs will draw pay of Rs 2,25,000 x 2 = Rs 4,50,000 pm from Jan 2026. Then his pension will be 50% of Rs 4,50,000 pm which comes to Rs 2,25,000 pm which is much higher than what he is drawing today at Rs 1,12,500 pm. I did not have the heart to tell him that Col TS with 32.50 years of service (compared to service of 38 years of Lt Gen) will draw pension of Rs 1,14,125 pm x 2 (fitment factor) = Rs 2,28,250 pm higher than the PMR Army Cdr.

Warm regards,
Brig CS Vidyasagar (Retd)

To mark diamond jubilee commemorations of the 1965 India-Pak war,

As part of the Diamond Jubilee commemorations of the 1965 India-Pak war, the Western Command is holding a weapon and equipment display at Sector 17 here on September 12 and 13.

#InsideTheCapital: The top brass of the three services are scheduled to meet for an annual review in Kolkata on September 15 where the CDS may have a message on the ‘way forward

For the past two weeks, a debate is raging among military circles over the proposed creation of ‘theatre commands’. Arguments have been made favouring such a command structure, while those against cite the ‘excellent coordination’ among the armed forces during Operation Sindoor to argue a case of not needing ‘theatre commands’.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, whose primary task is creating ‘theatre commands’, has acknowledged ‘dissonance’ on the subject. The top brass of the three services are scheduled to meet for an annual review in Kolkata on September 15 where the CDS may have a message on the ‘way forward’.

Maybe, even PM Modi, who is scheduled to address the commanders at Kolkata, can give an opinion on the matter. In the past, he has been vocal on the issue of ‘jointness’ at such events.

Last week, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi joined the debate saying ‘theatre commands’ are very important and are needed for ‘executing’ all tasks during a conflict. Navy Admiral DK Tripathi shares his opinion. On August 27, speaking at the two-day brainstorming seminar at Army War College, Mhow, he said “the Navy was committed to ‘theatreisation’ as the ultimate goal”.

A day earlier to that, at the same event at Mhow, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh advised against creating theatre commands saying “we, for now, don’t need any new structure”. The IAF Chief suggested a ‘joint planning and coordination centre’ at New Delhi that would communicate decision execution to any force. He warned against disrupting the existing structure and said it was ‘not a very good idea’.

The way forward

‘Theatre commands’ – the nomenclature – is military jargon for creating geographically defined area of operations. It would have a single military commander controlling all war-fighting assets of three armed forces like planes, copter, guns, tanks, equipment, ships, missiles and manpower. This is visualised as a self-contained formation.

But before reaching the level of ‘theatre commands’ the CDS listed out 196 tasks for integration forces, of which 56 have been completed so far. These aim to improve operational efficiency and administrative effectiveness.

Already joint nodes have been created for logistics of three forces. The Parliament has passed a law empowering commanders heading tri-services organisations like theatre commands with disciplinary powers over their subordinates. The CDS is authorised to issue joint instructions and orders to the Army, Navy and Air Force. This replaces the old system where each service issued its own separate orders for multi-service matters.

A programme called “Jointness 2.0” emphasises creating a new, shared culture among the armed forces while respecting each service’s uniqueness. This involves consolidating the best practices from each service and implementing symbolic initiatives like tri-service participation in national events.

The slow down

The post of CDS formally came into being on January 1, 2020, when Gen Bipin Rawat was appointed. Gen Chauhan succeeded Gen Rawat in September 2022. In these five-plus years, the process seems to be slowed down as military transformation at this scale is being attempted for the first time in India.

At the Combined Commanders Conference at Lucknow in September last year, the military brass had suggested raising of three Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs). The command for Northern Theatre would have its headquarters in Lucknow; the Western theatre looking at Pakistan would have its HQ in Jaipur, while a Maritime Theatre Command would be based out of Thiruvananthapuram.

The forces have a distinction between jointness and integration. Jointness entails coordination in planning, operations, training, communications and acquisitions. Integration would be the need to amalgamate different sensors, systems, weapons and networks of each service and have a common commander.

Who is the commander

There is no single authority, to ‘control’ theatre commanders. Among the possibilities is placing the theatre commanders under the CDS, or under the Defence Minister with the CDS acting as an intermediary. This would need refining the government notification of December 24, 2019, which does not empower the CDS with an operational role. The IAF Chief suggested on August 26 “let us seek an operational role for the CDS”.

The IASV Triveni, a 50-foot yacht, has been built in Puducherry

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday virtually flagged off an all-women Tri-services circumnavigation sailing expedition ‘Samudra Pradakshina’.

Triveni, the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV), set sail from the Gateway of India, Mumbai.

Singh described the voyage as a glowing symbol of ‘Nari Shakti’ — the collective strength, unity and jointness of the three Services, ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and its military diplomacy and global vision.

Over the next nine months, 10 women officers will sail onboard the indigenously built IASV Triveni on an easterly route covering approximately 26,000 nautical miles. They will cross the Equator twice, round the three great Capes — Leeuwin, Horn and Good Hope — covering all major oceans and some of the most dangerous waters, including the Southern Ocean and the Drake Passage.

The team will also make four international port calls before returning to Mumbai in May 2026. The IASV Triveni, a 50-foot yacht, has been indigenously built in Puducherry.

The 10-member crew includes Expedition Leader Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar, Deputy Expedition Leader Squadron Leader Shraddha P Raju, along with Major Karamjeet Kaur, Major Omita Dalvi, Captain Prajakta P Nikam, Captain Dauli Butola, Lieutenant Commander Priyanka Gusain, Wing Commander Vibha Singh, Squadron Leader Aruvi Jayadev and Squadron Leader Vaishali Bhandari.

The team has undergone three years of rigorous training, beginning with smaller offshore expeditions on Class B vessels and advancing to IASV Triveni, a Class A yacht acquired in October 2024. Their preparation included progressively challenging voyages along India’s western seaboard and a landmark international expedition from Mumbai to Seychelles and back earlier this year, which validated their seamanship, endurance and self-sufficiency.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh were present with the Minister at his office at South Block, New Delhi.

Western Naval Commander Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan was present at Gateway of India when the vessel sailed out.

1. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said that the process of theaterisation, which involves integrating the Army, Air Force and Navy, is inevitable though it may take time to implement. He noted that dealing with multiple agencies makes theaterisation the necessary solution and stressed that discussions are ongoing about its execution. His remarks came after launching the book Operation Sindoor: The Untold Story of India’s Deep Strikes Inside Pakistan, where he affirmed that while theaterisation will happen, the timeline for its materialisation remains uncertain_BS.
2. In response to Pakistan’s use of drone swarms after Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army plans to strengthen its air surveillance along northern and western borders with advanced radar systems. These include up to 45 Low Level Light Weight Radars (Enhanced), 48 Air Defence Fire Control Radar-Drone Detectors, and 10 improved 3D AESA radars with electro-optical and passive RF tracking. Integrated into the Akashteer air defence network, these systems will improve detection of low radar cross-section drones, enable day-night tracking, and feed data to weapon systems for faster, more accurate interception of hostile UAVs and aerial threats_IE.
3. India plans to expand its Navy to over 200 warships and submarines by 2035 to secure maritime interests and counter threats from China and Pakistan. Currently operating 140 warships, the Navy has 55 under construction in Indian shipyards worth ₹99,500 crore, with approval for 74 more indigenous vessels. Future projects include new submarines, stealth frigates, destroyers, corvettes, mine countermeasure vessels, and a second aircraft carrier. However, India’s underwater capabilities remain a concern as Pakistan and China strengthen their fleets. Negotiations are ongoing for advanced diesel-electric submarines with AIP and land-attack capabilities to address the gap_TOI.
4. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has emphasised strict maintenance of the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) after the Indian Army reported damage to its tail drive shaft (TDS), a vital component of its transmission system. The defect led to a fleet-wide safety check ordered by the Directorate General of Electronics & Mechanical Engineers. HAL stated that “One-Time Checks” are routine but critical for airworthiness, stressing adherence to maintenance schedules. The issue comes months after ALH fleets of the Navy and Coast Guard were grounded following a fatal crash in Porbandar, with ongoing investigations into root causes such as structural flaws and operational stress in demanding environments_HT, MP.
5. DRDO’s Defence Technology and Test Centre (DTTC) in Lucknow held a conclave with over 100 participants from MSMEs, start-ups and industry bodies to promote collaboration in defence R&D and production for the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor. The event focused on skill development, funding, consultancy and technology transfer, with DRDO assuring full support to MSMEs in line with Aatmanirbhar Bharat goals. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the opportunity for MSMEs to drive indigenous defence innovation, while senior DRDO officials stressed their role in achieving self-reliance by 2047_Pnr, Hindu.

National Security

6. Border villages in Jammu’s Pallanwala and R S Pura sectors, long plagued by cross-border shelling, are now devastated by flash floods from swollen Chenab River, which submerged homes, destroyed farmland, and displaced 3,000-4,000 people. Residents pleaded for relocation and relief, saying the devastation is the worst in memory, with families evacuated by the Indian Army after entire areas were inundated. Villagers, who have endured repeated shelling over decades, now face shattered livelihoods and uncertainty as floods compound their suffering_Pnr.
7. A Pakistani national was caught by the BSF on Sunday night around 10 pm while trying to enter Indian territory in the RS Pura sector along the international border. He was taken into custody and is being interrogated to determine his intentions and purpose. It is suspected he attempted infiltration as a guide. The incident comes amid rising tensions on the India-Pakistan border, with recent cases of infiltration and terrorist attacks being reported_AU (Hindi).
8. Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu on Sunday paid homage to Indian Army soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1962 India-China war, at the historic Helmet Post war memorial near Walong in Anjaw district of the state. In a series of posts on X, Khandu said he was humbled to offer his heartfelt tribute to the fearless soldiers_Pnr.
9. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 196 teams across 164 locations in India hit by rain and cloudburst-related disasters, with the highest concentration in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. This is one of the largest deployments, exceeding the usual 100–120 teams during peak monsoon. Rescue efforts are ongoing in flood-hit areas, with over 7,346 people rescued in Punjab alone, while searches continue for missing personnel in Uttarakhand and J&K’s Kishtwar. Alongside rain-related incidents, NDRF teams are also tackling emergencies like the recent Dhanbad mine collapse that claimed at least seven lives_HT.
10. Punjab is facing its worst floods in decades, with nearly four lakh people affected, 48 lives lost, around 2,000 villages hit, and damages estimated at over ₹13,000 crore. Experts attribute the crisis not only to heavy rains and swollen rivers but also to human factors such as encroachments, blocked drains, illegal mining, and unregulated construction. With rainfall 53% above normal this monsoon, the situation has been worsened by climate change, which is intensifying rainfall patterns. Standing crops on 1.72 lakh hectares have been destroyed, livestock lost, and experts warn that poor management of reservoirs and dams has amplified the disaster’s impact_Hindu.
11. Security forces have finalised plans to launch a decisive offensive against Naxals after the monsoon, with CRPF and CoBRA units mobilised for deployment in Bastar, Chhattisgarh. Around 30 new forward operating bases will be set up to push deeper into Maoist strongholds, complementing the 65 new camps opened in the past 18 months. Senior officials, including the Union home secretary, IB chief, CRPF DG, and Chhattisgarh DGP, reviewed the strategy, with Union home minister Amit Shah setting March 2026 as the deadline to end Naxalism_AA.
12. Security forces in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh, recovered and destroyed a cache of Maoist arms-making materials, including items for firearms and explosives, after busting a hideout in the forests near Gunjeprati village under Usoor police station. The operation was carried out by a joint team of CRPF’s 229th and 196th battalions along with the 205th CoBRA unit, who unearthed the dump during a search mission_MP.
13. India and Bangladesh will hold talks in Delhi under the Joint River Commission to address water sharing of 14 cross-border rivers, with Dhaka sending a 10-member team. Bangladesh views the meeting as preparation for renegotiating the 1996 Ganga Waters Agreement, due for renewal in 2026, and is expected to seek a longer renewal period and changes in water use by India. Dhaka is also likely to request mechanisms for managing river waters and India’s support in establishing a joint flood forecasting system_Hindu.
14. Several stalled automobile projects in India involving Chinese companies are resuming after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasised development partnership during their SCO Summit meeting in Tianjin. Firms like Leamotor and BYD are re-entering with electric vehicle (EV) models, supported by eased visa restrictions and investment approvals. Partnerships include BYD with Ashok Leyland for EV components and JSW Motors with Chinese firms for passenger and commercial vehicles, while Stellantis explores joint ventures. Chinese technology is seen as scalable and affordable, particularly in EVs, which will benefit from the reset in bilateral ties_FE.
15. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia, India, and China are conscious of their shared interests across multiple sectors and are moving towards stronger mutual partnerships. Referring to the recent SCO summit in Tianjin, where Prime Minister Modi, President Putin, and President Xi met, Lavrov highlighted their focus on economic growth, social problem-solving, and improving living standards. The trilateral bonhomie drew attention globally, with US President Donald Trump criticising India and Russia for aligning closely with China_Hindu.
16. India and Iran will hold foreign office consultations in Tehran this week to strengthen ties, focusing on Chabahar Port operations and the International North-South Transport Corridor. This marks the first structured dialogue since the June military conflict between Iran and US-Israel. The talks will be followed by a trilateral meeting with Armenia, aimed at boosting regional connectivity. Ahead of the talks, NSA Ajit Doval and Iran’s SNSC secretary Ali Larijani discussed expanding economic, security, and defence cooperation, alongside advancing the Chabahar project, with potential updates on the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process also expected_ET.

Imdt Neighbourhood

20. The fifth edition of Sagarmatha Friendship, a joint military exercise between the Nepal Army and China’s People’s Liberation Army, began in Kathmandu. The 10-day drill will focus on disaster management, UN peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and related areas. Held alternately in Nepal and China since 2017, the exercise aims to enhance the Nepal Army’s capacity through bilateral and multilateral engagements and professional exchanges_Pnr, ET.
21. Five people, including a woman and four children, drowned when a rescue boat carrying flood victims capsized in Punjab’s Jalalpur Pirwala due to strong currents, while others were rescued. Pakistan has recorded over 900 deaths and 1,044 injuries from rain and flood-related incidents since late June, with Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, PoJK, and Pakistan Occupied Gilgit-Baltistan worst hit. Over 7,800 houses were damaged and more than 6,000 livestock lost_Pnr.

Extended Neighbourhood

22. Russia launched its largest air assault on Ukraine since the war began, firing 810 drones and missiles that killed four people, wounded dozens, and damaged government buildings in Kyiv. Ukraine said it shot down most of the drones and missiles, but key sites were hit, including a government headquarters. President Zelensky urged stronger sanctions on Russia and more air defence support, while leaders of France and the UK condemned Moscow’s “cowardly strikes.” Russia claimed it targeted military and industrial facilities, though Kyiv accused it of deliberately escalating the war and showing no interest in peace talks_HT, Mint, FE, BS, IE, MP, Statesman, TOI.
23. A Houthi drone launched from Yemen struck Israel’s southern Ramon Airport near Eilat, forcing the closure of airspace and suspension of flights, according to the Israeli military. While some drones were intercepted, at least one hit the area, echoing a May incident when a Houthi missile near Israel’s main airport injured four and disrupted flights for months. In retaliation, Israel later targeted and destroyed the main airport in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa_BS, MP.
24. Australia has unveiled its MQ-28A “Ghost Bat” drone, an unmanned combat aircraft developed with Boeing to serve as a robotic wingman for fighter jets, marking its biggest defence push in decades. With $650 million invested, about 70% of components will be made domestically, aiming to reduce reliance on imports and potentially export the system. The Ghost Bat, cheaper than the F-35 and capable of a 2,300-mile range, represents a revival of Australia’s defence industry amid what officials call the largest conventional arms race since World War II, as China and US allies ramp up military modernisation_IE.
25. Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned after his Liberal Democratic Party suffered a historic defeat in July’s parliamentary elections. At 68, Ishiba said he delayed stepping down until completing tariff negotiations with the US, which concluded with reduced duties on Japanese auto exports. He described his resignation as a painful but necessary step to prevent further division within the party. A leadership vote to select his successor will be held in October, and Ishiba will remain in office until a new leader is chosen, ending his one-year tenure as prime minister_TOI.
26. Over 300 South Korean workers detained in a US immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia will be released and repatriated after negotiations between Seoul and Washington. South Korea will send a chartered plane to bring them back, while Foreign Minister Cho Hyun heads to the US for further talks. The case sparked concern in Seoul, especially given South Korea’s recent $450 billion investment commitments in the US and its status as a key American ally. The issue also followed the first meeting between President Donald Trump and President Lee Jae Myung_TOI.
27. Undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea have disrupted internet access across parts of Asia and West Asia, with India and Pakistan among those affected, according to NetBlocks. The incident caused delays on services like Microsoft’s Azure cloud, though the cause remains unclear. Concerns have arisen that Yemen’s Houthi rebels may have targeted the lines, though they deny past involvement. The outages hit key cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and also affected Kuwait and the UAE, where users reported slower speeds. Authorities warn repairs could take weeks as ships must locate and fix the damaged cables_TOI.

The troops rescued them from the first floor of a building with a ladder, and then evacuated them over 3 km in a boat, followed by 15 km in an Army vehicle to a safer place

The Indian Army used improvisation to rescue a young mother along with her newborn who had been marooned in a flood-hit village in Punjab and used boats and other vehicles to transport them to a safe location.

Sappers of the Kharga Corps received information of a distressed mother, having undergone C-section operation, stuck in an inundated village along with her 15-day-old baby,” an officer said on Sunday.

“The troops swung into action and rescued them from the first floor of a building with an improvised ladder, and then evacuated them over 3 km in a boat, followed by 15 km in an Army vehicle to a safer place,” he added.

Enhancing its flood-relief operations, the Army has deployed as many as 47 columns to carry out extensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in parts of Punjab and Jammu that have been inundated by heavy floods.

Army Aviation and Indian Air Force Helicopters have also been activated along with formation engineers, medical teams and communication resources to provide immediate relief, a spokesperson for Western Command said on Sunday.