Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that Indonesia has formally requested to purchase BrahMos missiles manufactured at the new BrahMos Aerospace facility in Lucknow. The state-of-the-art unit, inaugurated in May and now fully operational, recently produced its first batch of missiles as part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor. Singh, speaking at a BJP event, highlighted India’s growing global stature under PM Narendra Modi. He also praised the NDA’s performance in the Bihar elections and urged BJP workers to uphold discipline and dedication_HT.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan criticised certain defence companies for falsely claiming high indigenous content and failing to deliver orders placed under emergency procurement. He stressed the need for honesty about capabilities, noting that delays directly affect national security. Gen Chauhan said the armed forces expect “nationalism and patriotism” alongside profit. The CDS highlighted repeated cases of over-promising and missed deadlines, echoing Air Chief Marshal AP Singh’s concerns over chronic delays, including HAL’s slow delivery of Tejas jets. He warned that such lapses are unacceptable_AA, ToI.
In a landmark move, the Indian Army will induct women soldiers into Territorial Army (TA) Infantry Home & Hearth battalions for the first time. The Directorate General of TA has released vacancies for 2025-26, earmarking a section of about 10 posts for women in select battalions, with plans to expand across all units. These TA battalions, raised mainly in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast, support counter-insurgency, intelligence, and civil assistance roles. The decision marks another major step toward gender inclusion, as women are still barred from core combat arms_IE.
Exercise Poorvi Prachand Prahar demonstrated seamless coordination among the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy and ITBP for high-altitude, all-terrain missions in the Eastern theatre. The drill validated joint preparedness, coordinated manoeuvres and unified combat capability in challenging operational environments. Special Forces, MARCOS, Garud, Bhairav Battalion and Arunachal Scouts acted as crucial force multipliers. Advanced technologies such as night-enabled FPVs, SWARM drones, unmanned systems and precision-targeting tools, along with the Divyastra battery, enhanced effectiveness. The exercise highlighted rapid mobilisation, multi-domain synergy and readiness along the Northern borders_Pnr.
India and the United Kingdom will conduct the eighth edition of their joint biennial military exercise “Ajeya Warrior” from November 17 to 30 at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. The exercise aims to strengthen coordinated counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban environments. The drill highlights the shared commitment of both nations to global peace and security, while enhancing interoperability, tactical cooperation, and mutual understanding between the two armies through combined training and field operations_Hdtn.
The Indian Army’s Gajraj Corps has introduced a unique high-altitude monorail system to supply essential items to remote posts in Arunachal Pradesh at 16,000 feet. Heavy snowfall often disrupts regular delivery of ammunition, rations, fuel and equipment, but this fully indigenous system can transport over 300 kg of material in a single trip. The monorail operates day and night in difficult weather and can also support rapid casualty evacuation from areas where helicopters cannot land. This innovation strengthens the Army’s operational readiness in the region_HB.
The Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI fighter jets will participate in ‘Garuda 25,’ a bilateral air exercise with the French Air and Space Force from November 16 to 27 at Mont-de-Marsan, France. Officials said the exercise will feature complex, simulated air combat missions involving IAF’s Su-30MKIs and French multi-role fighters. This marks the eighth edition of the Indo-French air exercise aimed at strengthening operational coordination and interoperability. The IAF contingent arrived in France on November 10 to begin preparations_MP, AA, Pnr, Stsmn, ToI.
Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi held extensive discussions with top US naval commanders during his six-day visit to the United States, focusing on expanding operational cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. He met Admiral Samuel J Paparo, Admiral Stephen T Koehler and Lt Gen James F Glynn to enhance interoperability, maritime security and joint engagements. Both sides reaffirmed their strong partnership and commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. Talks also covered deeper information sharing, maritime domain awareness, and protection of sea lines and critical undersea infrastructure_HT, Jansatta.
National Security
Nine people, including six police personnel, a revenue officer, a chowkidar and a civilian, were killed and 32 injured in an accidental explosion at Nowgam police station in Srinagar. The blast occurred during the handling of unstable explosives seized in a ‘white-collar’ terror module probe. Officials confirmed it was not a terror attack. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and senior security officials paid tributes, while the J&K government announced ₹10 lakh ex-gratia for families of the deceased and ₹1 lakh for the injured_FE, HBL, MP, IE, Pnr, Stsmn, HT, AA.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired a conference of India’s Consuls General in the United States, reviewing bilateral ties, diplomatic initiatives, and support for diaspora-related activities. He appreciated the efforts of the Embassy and Consulates in strengthening the India-US partnership. The meeting in New York included Ambassador Vinay Kwatra and heads of all Indian consulates across major US cities. Jaishankar also met UN Secretary-General António Guterres, discussing global issues, multilateralism, and regional hotspots, while thanking him for his consistent support for India’s development_MP.
Indian security agencies are increasingly linking the November 10 Red Fort blast in Delhi to operatives in Bangladesh despite denials from Bangladesh’s interim government. Delhi Police have detained three individuals, including two doctors from Haryana’s Al Falah University, while also filing FIRs over university irregularities. Investigators say the terror plot connects Pakistan and Bangladesh, highlighting a virtual meeting where LeT commander Saifullah Saif issued attack directions with Bangladesh officials present. Agencies suspect operatives later entered India via Murshidabad, where explosives and support were allegedly arranged_AA.
Two British passport holders, a Pakistani-origin doctor, Hasan Aman Saleem, and an India-origin doctor, Sumitra Shakeel Olivia were arrested at the Rupaidia border in Bahraich while illegally entering India from Nepal without valid visas. SSB and police personnel stopped them during heightened border vigilance following the Delhi blast. Both failed to provide a satisfactory reason for entering India. They claimed they were working as doctors and had visited Nepalganj on a hospital’s request. The duo has been handed over to Rupaidia police for further action_Jansatta.
Imdt Neighbourhood
China has warned its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan after a diplomatic dispute escalated over remarks by Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who said Tokyo could respond militarily if China used force against Taiwan. Both countries summoned each other’s ambassadors following the comments and an “inappropriate” online post later removed by China. Beijing said the situation poses safety risks for Chinese citizens in Japan. Tokyo called the advisory inconsistent with efforts to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship. Major Chinese airlines are offering full refunds for Japan-bound flights_Hin.
Pakistan’s judicial crisis escalated as Lahore High Court Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza resigned in protest against the 27th Constitutional Amendment. His resignation follows those of two Supreme Court judges, all condemning what they call an “assault on the Constitution and judiciary.” The amendment establishes a Federal Constitutional Court to handle constitutional matters, limiting the Supreme Court to civil and criminal cases. It also extends Army Chief General Asim Munir’s tenure until 2030. Justice Mirza, set to retire in 2028, is the first high court judge to step down_HT, MP, IE.
At least five militants were killed in a gunfight with police in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday. The clash erupted after 25 to 30 militants stormed a seminary in the Sheikh Landak and Takhti Khel areas of Lakki Marwat district. As the attackers entered the seminary, local residents, along with police, quickly cordoned off the area to prevent further escalation. The confrontation resulted in the deaths of five militants, while security forces continued efforts to secure the region amid rising militant activity_IE.
Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Dhaka on Saturday demanding that Bangladesh’s Ahmadiya Muslim minority be declared infidels. The sect, rooted in 19th-century India, has long faced persecution, which escalated after Sheikh Hasina’s government fell during a student-led revolution last year. Hardline Islamist groups, previously suppressed, have gained prominence ahead of February’s elections. The rally featured leaders and clerics from several countries, with participants calling for legislation against the sect. Many protesters argued Ahmadiyas could live in Bangladesh, but not as Muslims_AA.
Extended Neighbourhood
The United States is reportedly planning to divide Gaza into two zones as part of a new proposal. A “green zone,” located in the Eastern area already controlled by Israel, would come under Israeli and international military supervision and begin reconstruction. Meanwhile, the “red zone,” home to nearly two million displaced Palestinians, would remain devastated with no rebuilding planned. The plan forms part of President Trump’s 20-point peace proposal, which includes an international stabilisation force. The UN Security Council is expected to vote on the resolution soon_HT, IE, Pnr.
Russia’s defence ministry announced that its forces have captured the village of Yablukove in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, though the claim has not been independently verified. In response, Ukraine reported striking a Russian oil refinery in the Ryazan region near Moscow, describing it as an effort to weaken Russia’s ability to conduct missile and bomb attacks. The strike followed deadly Russian assaults on Kyiv. Ryazan governor Pavel Malkov said Russian air defences shot down 25 Ukrainian drones during the night_AA.
According to Russian media reports, the United States secretly conducted a test of the B61-12 nuclear bomb at its main Nevada test site. The report claims the test was completed quietly in August, without public disclosure. Surprisingly, this allegedly occurred before President Trump publicly stated that the U.S. was considering new nuclear tests. The timing suggests, according to these reports, that Trump made such statements after the test had already taken place, possibly to keep the operation hidden. The revelation has now come to light_HB.
