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10th MLF: Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria inaugurates the festival in Chandigarh | LIVE
Gulab Chand Kataria, Manish Tewari, TS Shergill attend 10th Military Literature Festival in Chandigarh
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Military Literature Festival: Geopolitical spillover marks war in West Asia
The ongoing conflict in West Asia has a deep-rooted history of existential differences between the principal protagonists. Since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and developments leading to the US-led strike on Iran in June 2025, the escalation reached a peak when US and Israel launched combined airstrikes on Iran that began on February 28, 2026, targeting Iran’s military infrastructure, nuclear assets, and leadership.
The June 2026 ceasefire and memorandum of understanding (mediated through Pakistan) temporarily curbed full-scale ground/air combat, though low-level strikes and maritime incidents persist. In November 2026, reports emerged that Iran transmitted a conditional proposal through Qatar featuring seven demands, including ending the naval blockade and ‘US acts of aggression’as the US weighs potential renewed military campaigns during the post-election period.
Elevated Geopolitical Instability
The US midterm elections have evinced more interparty and intraparty stress than usual. Europe is plagued by widespread protests that have turned violent. The Middle East, a region where a degree of tension is the norm, is experiencing regular tensions between Sunnis and Shiites, while the Gulf states’ level of stress has soared due to the war in Iran. The conflict has spilled into parts of Africa, particularly around the Horn of Africa, and virtually every other region of the world because of its impact on trade and energy. Last but not the least, there is still a war on in Ukraine that has wrecked Russia’s economy and inflicted damage on both sides.
The US disengagement from Europe, and the difficulty of European nations to fill the gap has forced Europe to reconsider its present and future, which has ultimately led to destabilisation. In the Middle East, the US stance has forced the Mecca accord into existence and triggered a war that has hurt the economies of virtually every country on earth, including Israel.
The geopolitical situation between the ongoing Iran war and Europe is marked by severe security spillovers, direct Iranian threats against European soil, economic strain and a growing internal divide over transatlantic alignment. Direct threats to Europe include missile warnings by Iranian military commanders and parliamentarians, who have threatened to target European countries, specifically Italy and Germany, if the US uses bases on their territories to launch strikes against Iran.
Nations like Germany have backed US/allied positions, but countries like Spain have sharply criticised the military intervention as illegal under international law, prompting diplomatic and trade retaliation threats from US President Donald Trump. There are geographically different concerns as Eastern and Northern European states remain hyper-focused on Russian deterrence and Ukraine, whereas Southern and Mediterranean European nations prioritise energy security, maritime stability and migration fallout from the Middle East.
GCC countries and Regional Security Gulf countries have stepped up diplomacy with Iran in a bid to de-escalate tensions across the Middle East amid fears of renewed US strikes and the intensifying hostilities between Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The three nations that signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August – Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye – and diplomats from Qatar met in October 2026 with high-ranking Iranian officials to mark the first high-level contact between Iran and the Mecca mutual defence pact nations since the US-Israel war on Iran began.
Iran has long advocated for a regional security architecture that would reduce or eliminate US military presence. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, however, remain deeply integrated into the US security system. The recent war has certainly raised questions about the reliability of American security guarantees, but this has encouraged these countries to diversify security partnerships rather than fundamentally redefine strategic alignments.
Military Literature Festival: Emerging battlefield above the Earth
Articles Written By Maj Gen Harvijay Singh retd
The character of warfare has undergone profound transformation. What began with the development of ballistic missiles during the World War II evolved through the Cold War’s satellite reconnaissance race and has now entered an era in which space itself has become a contested military domain. Satellites have progressed from being mere “eyes in the sky” to becoming critical instruments of military power and increasingly, potential weapons.
Military operations across the globe depend upon satellites for communications, navigation, intelligence gathering, surveillance, missile warning and precision targeting. The United States and China have recognised this reality by establishing independent space forces. India, France and Russia have created dedicated space commands within their broader defence structures – though the demands of future warfare may ultimately require them to establish independent space forces.
Modern space warfare rests upon several interconnected capabilities. Surveillance satellites constantly monitor military activity around the globe, tracking troop movements, missile launches, naval deployments, electronic emissions and thermal signatures. Electronic warfare systems seek to disrupt these space-enabled networks through jamming, spoofing and interference, degrading an adversary’s communications and navigation systems. Cyber operations target the digital infrastructure supporting satellites, including ground stations, command networks and data links. Space-based sensors provide missile warning, intelligence collection and radar imaging under all weather conditions, while anti-satellite (ASAT) capabilities seek to deny an opponent access to crucial orbital assets through kinetic and non-kinetic means.
The 2026 Iran War provided a vivid demonstration of how dependent modern warfare has become on space systems. Virtually every significant American military capability employed during the conflict relied on satellite support. GPS-guided weapons delivered precision strikes, satellite communications enabled global command and control, and reconnaissance and missile-warning satellites provided continuous intelligence and early detection of Iranian missile and drone launches.
Iran, unable to match American capabilities symmetrically, adopted an asymmetric approach aimed at weakening US space-enabled advantages. With support from Russia and China, Tehran attempted to disrupt satellite-dependent operations through electronic warfare, cyber activities and alternative navigation networks. Russian assistance included advanced electronic warfare systems and satellite imagery support, while China provided access to encrypted navigation services as an alternative to GPS. Through these measures, Iran sought to reduce American technological superiority without matching it platform for platform.
One of the defining features of the conflict was the role of orbital surveillance. Infrared, radar and signals intelligence satellites continuously observed military activity across the theatre. Unlike previous wars, the conflict unfolded under the constant gaze of both military and commercial satellite constellations. Even as American forces conducted strikes on Iranian infrastructure and missile sites, Chinese commercial satellites continued to image US naval formations and air bases. The emergence of commercial space operators has created an unprecedented level of battlefield transparency, making it increasingly difficult for military forces to conceal their activities.
Electronic warfare became a central element of the contest. Iran employed Russian-origin systems to interfere with GPS signals and satellite communications, seeking to disrupt navigation and targeting processes. Reports indicated that GPS interference around the Strait of Hormuz affected commercial shipping, demonstrating the wider economic consequences of space-enabled electronic warfare. The contest highlighted how modern military operations can be disrupted without directly destroying satellites.
Cyber operations formed another vital front. American cyber forces targeted Iranian command-and-control networks in an effort to degrade targeting and communications. Iranian cyber units responded by attempting intrusions into satellite-linked networks and communication systems. The conflict demonstrated that the vulnerability of space systems often lies not in orbit, but in the digital networks and ground facilities that sustain them.
Modesty: Sam Bahadur’s winnable virtue
Modesty is a quality of being unassuming in the estimation of one’s abilities. This quality associates well with great leaders. Modesty is also in harmony with empathy, creativity, accountability, compassion, humility and grit.
A General who was loved and admired for these qualities was Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the liberator of Bangladesh, lovingly called Sam Bahadur.
A courageous man, Sam led by example. A decisive leader, an able listener, he was famous for his jokes which made his team comfortable, relaxed and efficient.
A courageous man, Sam led by example. His distinguished career spanned four decades and five wars – World War II to the 1971 Indo-Pak war when he was Chief of the Army Staff.
In 1941, in Burma, he was hit by a machine gun burst, leaving him critically wounded. Major General DT Cowan, commanding the 17 Infantry Division was so impressed by Manekshaw’s valour and knowing about his serious injuries, pinned his own Military Cross ribbon on Manekshaw’lapel, saying, “A dead person cannot be awarded a Military Cross.”
Manekshaw was moved to hospital and the surgeon there was ready to give up on his bullet-riddled body until he asked Manekshaw what had happened. Sam’s reply was, “Nothing happened, I was kicked by a donkey.”
A man who could joke even when grievously injured had a chance, the surgeon thought. And he did. Going on to become the Army Chief, he never lost his courage and his sense of humour.
Manekshaw was an avowed admirer of Gorkha soldiers. He was so impressed by their fighting skills and valour that he once said, “If a soldier says he is not afraid of death, he is either lying or he is a Gorkha.”
Once, a Gorkha soldier named Harka Bahadur Gurung, standing guard as a ceremonial sentry was asked by Sam in Gorkhali, “Mero naam ke ho? (What’s my name?)”. Without batting an eyelid, the soldier replied, “Sam Bahadur, saab.” Sam loved the quick response and the nick name stuck.
As a senior officer, Manekshaw was a decisive leader and an able listener. He was famous for his jokes which kept those around him amused and stress free. He would simply walk up to his subordinates if he had a point to discuss. This made his team comfortable relaxed and efficient. His humility was specifically highlighted when he was asked to go to Dhaka to accept the surrender of Pakistani forces at the end of the 1971 wa. Manekshaw declined the honour, saying that it belonged to the Eastern Army Commander, Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora who had commanded the forces in that theatre.
Such acts of Modesty won him great respect. He was equally strong in displaying Moral Courage.As recounted by then Defence Minister’s Secretary, RB Pradhan, in his book, when Sam was the GOC of a Corps, he denied Indira Gandhi’s entry into the Operations Room during a briefing for Prime Minsiter Nehru, saying she had not taken the oath to secrecy of a minister. Six years later as the Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi accepted him as the Chief of the Indian Army.
Military Literature Festival: Regimental bonds that last generations
It was quiet, too quiet! The hot humid afternoon air of the jungle, somewhere in the Jaffna Peninsula of Sri Lanka, hung heavy and an eerie silence prevailed, portending Dnger! The Gorkha patrol on a link up mission with a beleaguered post advanced cautiously, realising that the wily LTTE could spring a surprise anytime. Sensing movement out of the corner of his eyes, the leading scout, Rifleman Neer Bahadur Gurung, signalled for the following troops to stop while he let loose a fusillade of fire in the direction where he had sensed the adversary to be. A heavy exchange of fire ensued and Neer Bahadur sustained fatal wounds and breathed his last on the spot, not without having inflicted three fatal casualties – a rare feat against an LTTE ambush.
As is the tradition in the battalion, whenever a fatal casualty takes place, all unit members contribute a day’s salary to the bereaved family so that during the time taken to complete pensionary formalities, the family does not face any financial hardship. A JCO hailing from the same region of Nepal was detailed to carry the ashes and the compensatory cash to Neer Bahadur’s village, which tucked in amongst the folds of the Himalayas, was a good three day trek from the nearest road head.
As the JCO was approaching the village, word of his arrival reached Neer Bahadur’s mother. ‘Ammaji’ as Neer Bahadur would fondly address her, had just lost her husband to illness a few days ago, and thought that the JCO had come from the battalion to offer condolences. She was a bit perplexed with the rapidity of transmission of the news of her husband’s passing away to the unit located in faraway Sri Lanka. Neer Bahadur’s father had soldiered in the same battalion, 1/5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) as his son and his own father, spread over three generations. It is not uncommon to find fifth generation soldiers in the battalion and they trace their claims down to companies and platoons, such is the strength of the regimental bonding.
The JCO realised that this meant twin bereavements for Ammaji and when he did the rough mathematics of the dates of the demise of the father-son duo, he realised that they would have departed on the same date, 11 January 1990, a tragedy of humongous dimensions for the family. However for Ammaji, the stoic stock that she was made of, this earth shattering news did not make her loose her composure, though tears welled up in her already wet eyes and her posture slackened. After some time, her only question to the JCO was whether Neer Bahadur died a soldier’s death to which she got an affirmative answer and that he was responsible not only for inflicting casualties on the adversary but also saving his patrol from any losses. She then lamented that she had selected a bride for him and was awaiting his return on leave for the nuptials.
A while later her younger son Nar Bahadur appeared, having just returned from tending to the fields. Crestfallen as the environment may have been, Ammaji’s eyes shone with a glimmer of hope while her spirits soared like a phoenix. She implored the JCO to take her younger son back to the unit so that he could enlist and the generations-old regimental bond with the unit be sustained – a feat of the rarest of rare awe inspiring courage and fortitude of Ammaji.
After a night’s rest the JCO commenced his return journey along with Nar Bahadur and after deinduction from Sri Lanka, Nar Bahadur got enlisted as a Riflemen in the battalion. He is presently serving in the battalion as a JCO and his son has got enlisted in the battalion in early 2000. Ammaji joins him occasionally during his peace tenures, fortifying the fourth and the fifth generation of regimental bonds.
Strict noise curbs sought for Military Literature Festival in Chandigarh
With the 10th Military Literature Festival held at the Lake Sports Complex near Sukhna Lake from November 13 to 15, Member of the Chandigarh Administrator’s Advisory Council Ajay Jagga has urged the organisers to ensure strict compliance with noise pollution norms during the three-day event.
In a letter addressed to the authorised representative of the Military Literature Festival Association, Jagga highlighted that the Sukhna Lake area is a notified Silence Zone. He also pointed out that the lake has recently received the prestigious Ramsar Site designation, stressing the need for organisers to adhere to environmental norms.
Navy holds coastal security awareness drive at Thoppumpady Harbour under Sea Vigil-26
The Indian Navy on Friday held a security awareness campaign at Thoppumpady Harbour in Kochi as part of the ongoing Coastal Defence Exercise Sea Vigil-26, a spokesperson said.
The campaign sought to sensitise fishermen, boat operators and other maritime stakeholders to their role in coastal security, the spokesperson said in a statement.
Participants were asked to remain vigilant, follow established security procedures and promptly report suspicious activity or unusual movements in coastal waters.
The statement said coastal security was a shared responsibility that required close coordination between maritime security agencies and coastal communities.
The 2008 Mumbai terror attacks underscored the need for a robust coastal security framework and better coordination among the Navy, the Coast Guard and state agencies, the spokesperson said.
Since then, efforts have strengthened surveillance, information sharing, and response mechanisms along the coast, he added.
The campaign was part of the Coastal Security and Defence Readiness Evaluation phase of Sea Vigil-26 and aimed to reinforce the role of coastal communities as the “eyes and ears” of security agencies, the statement said.
Army rescues over 900 tourists, locals stranded by snow in Sikkim’s Nathula region
The Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps has rescued over 900 tourists and locals who were stranded at Nathula, Baba Mandir and Tsomgo Lake in East Sikkim following heavy snow, officials said on Friday.
The rescue operation was carried out amid challenging weather conditions, with heavy snow disrupting movement and leaving a large number of tourists and locals stranded in the high-altitude areas on Thursday, officials said.
The army personnel rescued those affected and ensured their safe evacuation from the snow-covered region popular with tourists, they said.
Nathula is a pass bordering China; Baba Mandir is a shrine that honours Capt Harbhajan Singh, whose spirit, locals believe, continues to protect the international border even after his death while on duty in 1968; and Tsomgo or Chhangu Lake is a high-altitude glacial lake.
