Units that included Punjab-based Armed Forces personnel decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra for gallantry during the 1965 India-Pakistan War will be felicitated by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. The ceremony will take place at the ninth edition of the Military Literature Festival (MLF) scheduled to be held from November 7 to 9.
The Commanding Officers of 11 Army and Air Force units, along with their senior JCO, are expected to attend the event.
The family of Chaman Lal, a railway firefighter who was awarded the Ashoka Chakra during the war for battling a blaze that had engulfed an ammunition and petroleum train, will also be felicitated.
The Governor, who will inaugurate the festival, will also honour the veterans from Punjab who had participated in the 1965 war, the diamond jubilee of which is being commemorated this year, or their surviving kin.
Chairperson of the MLF Association, Lt Gen TS Shergill (retd), said that the theme of the event this year is “Heartland and Rimland Powers in Multi-domain Warfare and India”.
He further said that the western, southern and eastern edges of Eurasia have been categorised as Rimland, with central and northern areas being the heartland and this entire region has immense geo-strategic significance.
This year’s discussions will focus on contemporary national and international issues such as the conduct of Operation Sindoor and employment of air power in multi-domain warfare, multi-domain threats from Pakistan and China, challenges in the maritime domain, role of energy in the changing geopolitical scenario and changing dynamics in Af-Pak region and Iran.
Chief of Defence Staff to deliver keynote address
Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Anil Chauhan, will deliver a keynote address on the concluding day. A British delegation will discuss the shared heritage between the militaries of India and Britain
Homage to martyrs, a bravehearts motorcycle rally, weapons and equipment display, exhibition of military paintings and stamps, screening documentaries, horse show and dog show are other events being organised.
Notably, the two 1965 war recipients of the highest gallantry award, Param Vir Chakra, Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore and Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid belonged to Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, respectively.
he Military-Civil Fusion Capsule (MCFC), an initiative by Indian Army at fostering synergy between armed forces, civil administration, BSF, police, CRPF, intelligence agencies among others, concluded on Wednesday.
The capsule was spread over 15 days wherein a series of structured engagements, including exchange of ideas and brain-storming sessions, familiarisation and cross-establishment visits, were undertaken.
Army spokesperson Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said, “It was inaugurated on October 15 and witnessed wide participation from all the stakeholders with the objective of institutionalising coordination from operational to grassroots levels. The initiative was to know each other’s strengths, challenges and collaboration towards achieving seamless integration and coordination. Cross-establishment visits were undertaken to Army units, IIM Jammu, IIT Jammu, the Divisional Commissioner’s Office, Jammu Zone Police Headquarters and border outposts, encouraging first-hand experience and focusing on operational integration.
He said that specialised sessions during the capsule included deliberations on Perception Management and Information Operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), synthesis of intelligence inputs and joint police – Army coordination mechanisms.
An Agniveer jawan was injured after his service rifle accidentally went off following a practice session in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Thursday, officials said.
The incident took place in forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) after a firing practice in the district, they said.
The rifle went off while he was cleaning it, resulting in an accidental shot that hit his toe. He was given treatment at a nearby hospital, the officials added.
MoD/ Armed Forces
Extract
The Kapurthala police, in coordination with central intelligence agencies, have dismantled an espionage network allegedly involved in leaking sensitive Army information to Pakistan.
Senior Superintendent of Police Kapurthala Gaurav Toora while confirming it said here today that three persons have been arrested for secretly photographing Army Cantonment areas and sharing classified military details across the border in exchange for money.
The accused were identified as Raja, a resident of Muskvad in Kapurthala, Jaskaran, a resident of Dharamkot Moga, and Gurnam Singh of Ferozepur.
The SSP said the operation began after Kapurthala police received credible intelligence that Raja, who was employed privately as a sweeper inside the Kapurthala Army cantonment, was establishing covert communication with Pakistani handlers.
Using his mobile phone, he allegedly clicked photographs of restricted Army installations and passed on sensitive information, including details linked to strategic military plans.
The information was shared with central intelligence agencies, following which a joint operation was launched. An FIR was registered at Kotwali police station, Kapurthala, on October 28 under Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Raja was arrested the same day and taken into custody for interrogation.
During preliminary questioning, Raja confessed to sending secret photographs and classified information to Pakistan. He further disclosed that he was working on the directions of Jaskaran Singh, who facilitated the transfer of sensitive data in exchange for cash.
Jaskaran was named in the FIR and arrested on October 29. During interrogation, Jaskaran admitted that he had travelled to Ferozepur where he met Gurnam Singh.
Gurnam was also named in the case and arrested on October 30 from district courts, Ferozepur. Six mobile phones and digital devices have been seized from the accused and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for examination.
Police records also indicate that Jaskaran and Gurnam had previous criminal cases registered against them in different districts.
Indian Air Force (IAF) has accepted the request of the Punjab Government to display MiG-21 fighter jets at five schools.
Education Minister Harjot Bains said the recently retired MiG-21 aircraft would be displayed at Schools of Eminence (SoE) at Ludhiana, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Nangal and Kharar.
According to IAF, the schools should be of senior secondary level, have at least 2,000 students and would have to maintain the air frames.
Bains said the formalities were being worked out and the designated schools would have the fighter jets soon.
The minister said the Punjab Government had planned to collaborate with the IAF for ceremonial deployment events at these schools to foster a spirit of excellence, besides igniting patriotism and fuel dreams of students. Last month, Bains had written to Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh stating, “Together, we can create a living tribute to the MiG-21 and ignite the spirit of service and patriotism in our future generations.”
Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma visited forward areas along the Sino-Indian border in Ladakh and reviewed the operational and defence preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), officials said.
On Thursday, Lt Gen Sharma witnessed ‘Exercise AstraShakti’ in the icy heights of the high-altitude areas of the Union Territory, symbolising the readiness, innovation and indomitable spirit of the Northern Command, officials said.
“Lt Gen Pratik Sharma visited forward posts in the Tangtse sector of Eastern Ladakh to review the operational readiness and defence preparedness on Thursday,” they said.
The Northern Army Commander, after being briefed about the prevailing security situation and ongoing developments, complimented the troops for their unwavering commitment, high state of readiness and professional excellence while operating in challenging terrain and extreme climatic conditions.
The conversion of a mud airstrip at Nyoma, close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in south-eastern Ladakh, into a full-fledged airbase capable of handling fighter operations, offers several operational and logistics advantages to the Indian Armed Forces, but the base is not without some vulnerabilities.
While there is no official word from the Ministry of Defence or the Indian Air Force on the status of the upgradation works, which were expected to be completed this month, social media is abuzz with reports of the base being operationalised for fighter operations, with some pictures of SU‑30s purportedly operating from the base doing the rounds.
Officially known as the Mudh-Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG), it lies about 40 km west of the LAC on the banks of the Indus River adjacent to Nyoma village, a tehsil in Leh district. At an altitude of approximately 13,700 feet, it would be the world’s highest fighter-capable airbase.
The airfield was first built in 1962 and remained unutilised till it was reactivated by the IAF in 2009 for operations by transport aircraft. A trial landing by an AN-32 tactical transporter from No. 48 Squadron flying out of Chandigarh was carried on September that year.
The use of Nyoma boosted the Army’s logistics support in the remote region. Apart from helicopters, AN-32 and C-130 Super Hercules have been operating from Nyoma regularly for ferrying troops and bringing in supplies and equipment. Navigation and support facilities remained rudimentary.
After the 2020 stand-off with China along the LAC, the Central Government decided to convert the airstrip into a full-fledged airbase. The project was initiated in 2021 by the Border Roads Organisation’s (BRO) Project Himank at a cost of about Rs 220 crore.
The works include a 3-km long paved runway, air traffic control complex, hangars and blast pens for protection and other administrative and support infrastructure. This would also enable regular operations by strategic airlifters aircraft like the US C-17 and the Russian IL-76, enabling rapid induction of troops as well as heavy equipment like tanks, rockets, air defence systems and artillery guns. It also offers the element of speed and surprise for launching an operation, according to defence experts.
Besides transport aircraft and helicopters, it is expected that detachments from various fighter squadrons would be deployed at Nyoma on a rotational basis. Unmanned aerial vehicles as well as attack helicopters like the Apache, which have been deployed to Ladakh since the stand-off, too could operate from this base regularly.
The permanent stationing of aerial assets at Nyoma, apart from being a deterrence, vis-a-vis China, will also boost surveillance and intelligence gathering operations along the LAC. At present Leh and Thoise, located at altitudes of around 10,000 feet, are the only airfields in Ladakh capable of fighter operations.
While there are other unpaved ALGs like Fukche in Nyoma’s vicinity, the nearest paved airstrip is Leh, over 200 km away to the north, and Thoise, further on, to which heavy equipment earmarked for operations in Ladakh is airlifted. Though the C-17s and IL-76s are capable of operating from unpaved airstrips, there are no such known instances of their undertaking such missions in Ladakh.
Nyoma and Fukche provide logistics support for the sensitive Demchok Sector and Depsang Plains that see frequent Chinese activity and are points of friction between India and China over territorial claims and troop deployments.
On the other hand, some experts say that Nyoma has its vulnerabilities. It is the third highest airfield in Ladakh after Daulat Beg Oldie, the world’s highest strip at 16,800 feet and Fukche at 14,300 feet. This makes it prone to the vagaries of the weather when temperatures dip to minus 40˚C in winters, with heavy snow and strong winds battering the area.
The rarified air degrades engine performance of the aircraft, including fighters, requiring longer runway lengths while reducing payload capacity by almost a half. Storing fuel, oils and lubricants in extreme temperatures and integrity of certain electronic components and avionics is also a problem.
In addition, Nyoma’s proximity to the LAC brings it within range of Chinese artillery and smaller tactical drones that are harder to detect, as well as makes it prone to electronic warfare. Its remote location and limited road access, which is prone to interdiction, is also an issue. Some experts argue that it may lose its advantages after the initial phase of conflict.
Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan Vice Chief of the Navy (right) announcing the ‘Milan 2026’ exercise.
In a significant development, India will host the navies of both US and Russia at maritime exercise named ‘Milan 2026’ at Vishakapatnam in February next year.
Vice Chief of the Navy Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan announced the week-long drills to be conducted from February 19 to 26.
“Both US and Russia have confirmed there presence and will send ships for the exercise,” Vice Admiral Vatsayan said answering questions from the media on Friday.
On being asked if Japan and Australia, both partners in the Quad with India and US, would be part of it, Vice Admiral Vatsayan stated that both countries have also confirmed.
There would be 55 countries at the event.
The exercise will be preceded by an international fleet review at the same venue on February 18. India is hosting its third international fleet review, the earlier ones being in 2001 and 2016.
On Exercise Milan-2026, Vice Admiral Vatsayan said, “This will be one of the largest Maritime exercises. And we expect a very large number of navies to participate in this event.”
The naval exercise will have a harbour phase on February 19 and 20 followed by a highly complex operational, and Sea Phase from February 21 to 25 in the Bay of Bengal.
The Sea Phase will have anti-submarine drills, air operations and sea operations. It will be complex and dynamic, Navy officials explained.
Separately, being asked about Chinese naval ships Indian Ocean, the Navy’s Vice Chief said all Chinese vessels are being tracked.
