The project has successfully overcome natural disasters such as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, cloudbursts, and floods in Teesta River

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has planned infrastructure projects worth Rs 1,152.66 crore in the north-eastern state of Sikkim, including the construction of the Western Sikkim Highway and National Highways 310A and 310AG.

These initiatives, undertaken by BRO’s Project Swastik, aim to enhance road connectivity, enable faster mobilisation of the Armed Forces, and incorporate advanced technologies such as geotextiles, slope stabilisation, avalanche mitigation, and eco-friendly construction methods to boost resilience and reduce maintenance costs.

Project Swastik, which commemorated it’s 65thRaising Day on Wednesday, has since its establishment in 1960, constructed and maintained over 1,412 km of roads and 80 major bridges, a defence spokesperson said.

In the last decade alone, the project completed more than 350 km of roads, 26 bridges and one tunnel ensuring year-round connectivity to remote valleys and forward areas while supporting the operational requirements of the Armed Forces. 

The project has also successfully overcome natural disasters such as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), cloudbursts, and floods in the Teesta River.

As part of the celebrations, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Swastik Memorial, followed by a Sainik Sammelan, Barakhana, cultural programs and a Swastik Mela, fostering camaraderie among officers, personnel and their families. 

In line with its commitment to the welfare of its workforce, Project Swastik also launched new initiatives for Casual Paid Labourers (CPLs), including upgraded habitats, provision of protective gear, and health camps. 

A two-sided UAS and counter-UAS drill being conducted on the last day of exercise Vayu Samanvay at the Army Naraingarh Field Firing Ranges, Ambala, Haryana, on Monday. photo: Ravi Kumar

Incorporating lessons from Operation Sindoor, the Army today validated its operational concepts for employing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in future battles.

As part of a five-day exercise, Vayu Samanvay, conducted at the Naraingarh Field Firing Ranges near Ambala, formations from Western Command and South-Western Command carried out both offensive and defensive manoeuvres using various types of drones and counter-drone systems.

“Drones have been integrated into every arm and service of the Army, including the delivery of supplies in high-altitude areas. Operation Sindoor provided several lessons in drone operations, and these are now being implemented and refined for tactical employment. There is increased focus on the fabrication of drones, their local development, and training of troops in operating them,” Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, said.

He said a great deal of emphasis is being laid on drone warfare and strengthening training, because if the next such confrontation happens, the punishment that would be inflicted on the enemy would be much more severe.

The drones used in this exercise were tactical drones fabricated by different units and the local industry, having a range of up to five kms and a payload capacity of 5 kg that would be employed by units in the immediate battle space for precision strikes and surveillance.

Stating that the Army also has high-end drones with longer range and higher payload capacity, Lt Gen Katiyar said the Army would be requiring thousands of drones in the coming years to meet its operational and logistics requirement. The ammunition that these drones would be using is also being fabricated locally.

The Army also employed drones in rescue operations during the recent floods in many parts of north-west India, where they were used instead of helicopters for observation as well as delivering relief material to places that were cut-off.

Officers participating in the exercise said that the two basic aims of the exercise in the light of experiences during Operation Sindoor were how to counter enemy UAS and how to enhance our own offence capability.

Stating that besides the armed forces, drones are being used in many other fields, the Army Commander referred to the “drone didi’ scheme, where women in rural areas are being trained to use drones in agriculture and said that they would launch a training programme for such women shortly.

Formations and units from the two Commands played the role of opposing forces from two countries, designated as ‘Suryadesh’ and ‘Chandradesh’ during the drill and demonstrated a simulated drone attack and counter-drone measures using swarms. Drones were used to drop different types of live ordnance including artillery shells and mortar bombs.

VHF radars, according to experts, operate use longer wavelengths than traditional radars

To beef up its capabilities to detect stealth aircraft and to fill in certain existing gaps in the air defence network, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has drawn up plans to procure additional very high frequency (VHF) radars to deployment in remote high altitude areas.

VHF radars, according to experts, operate use longer wavelengths than traditional radars. These wavelengths are able to penetrate the radar-absorbing coatings on stealth aircraft, then making them easier to detect. They can also pick up targets at longer ranges.

The IAF’s move to procure VHF radars assume significance in the light of China fielding fifth generation J-20 fighters that have stealth capabilities and reports of Pakistan also moving to acquire these aircraft. Also the emerging nature of warfare revolving around low observable platforms like drones and cruise missiles require enhanced, multi-pronged surveillance capability.

“At present there are several areas where due to terrain limitation, long range radar cannot be deployed. Additionally, existing radars has limited stealth detection capability” a request for information (RFI) floated by the Ministry of Defence last week states.

“Thus, VHF radar system is planned to be effectively used for air defence surveillance, especially near border areas and mountainous terrain to fill the radar gaps and to effectively detect stealth aircraft,” the RFI adds.

The IAF wants VHF radars that can be fully compatible with its Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). This system, along with the Army’s Akashteer, had come into limelight during Operation Sindoor, the brief but intense military exchange majorly involving drones and missiles, during May this year.

The radars systems can be mounted on 6×6 high mobility vehicles capable of being fully functional at altitudes of up to 18,000 feet and in sub-zero, inclement weather conditions, along with having the required electronic counter measures.

While VHF radars, which operate in the frequency band of 30-200 megahertz, can detect stealth aircraft, experts however point out that these have some technical deficiencies like lower resolution and accuracy as compared to conventional radars which generally operate in the 1-28 gigahertz bandwidth.

VHF radars also have a larger antenna.

There have also been indigenous developments in his arena. The Defence Research and Development’s (DRDO) Electronics and Radar Development Establishment has developed a VHF Surveillance Radar, while a private Bengaluru-based firm has come up Surya VHF Radar. Both these radars have a claimed detection range of up to 500 km.

While DRDO’s system is undergoing operational trails, with the potential for further upgrades in its capability, some Surya radars were reportedly inducted into service earlier this year.

At least 10 people were killed and several others injured on Tuesday after a powerful explosion hit Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, according to Dawn.

⚡️🇵🇰 Suicide Bomb Blast in Balochistan's Capital Reportedly Targets Paramilitary Security Force – CCTV 📹

The powerful blast was followed by gunfire in Quetta, near the HQ of the Frontier Corps.

The explosion, which appeared to target a vehicle, shattered windows and damaged… pic.twitter.com/GUueo7NXBb

— RT_India (@RT_India_news) September 30, 2025

The bomb blast ripped through a busy street near Quetta’s Frontier Constabulary (FC) headquarters. CCTV videos have emerged on social media showing the moment the powerful explosion hit the road.

Quoting the police, it said that 10 people were killed in the blast while at least 19 others were injured.

The Balochistan Health Department imposed an emergency in hospitals across the city, the Dawn newspaper reported, quoting Health Secretary Mujeebur Rehman.

“All consultants, doctors, pharmacists, staff nurses, and paramedical staff have been directed to remain present in the hospitals,” Rehman said.

“Nineteen people injured in the blast were brought to the Civil Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department and the Trauma Centre,” the newspaper quoted provincial Health Department Media Coordinator Dr Waseem Baig as saying.

Says countries contributing troops should have a say in framing rules

With the UN peacekeeping operations increasingly becoming complex, India has advocated on having ‘explicit’ operational mandate and sought a fair representation of countries making troop contributions in framing the mandate of each peacekeeping mission.India is one of the largest troop contributors to the multi-nation UN peacekeeping missions, said Deputy Chief of the Army Lt Gen Rakesh Kapoor as he announced a conclave of senior military leadership of over 30 nations that are key contributors to the UN peacekeeping operations. The three-day event (from October 14 to 16) would be hosted in New Delhi by the Indian Army.

Lt Gen Kapoor said the character of conflicts was changing, hence peace keeping by the UN-mandated forces was at an inflexion point. Traditional ceasefire monitoring missions have evolved into complex multi-dimensional missions driven by asymmetric threats, cyber risks and blurred non-state dynamics, he added.

“Accordingly, India on its part, has been a strong advocate of more explicit mandates, improved mission support, better force protection and fair representation of countries contributing troops in mandate formulation (of each peacekeeping mission),” stated Lt Gen Kapoor.

In the past 75 years, India has contributed over 2,90,000 peacekeepers across 50 missions. As many as 182 of those peacekeepers have laid down their lives.

The Indian Army would share its operational experience, innovations and best practices. India would also leverage its indigenous technology to make peacekeeping missions more resilient, cost-effective and future-ready.

Chiefs and representatives from nations across the world – including Algeria, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Burundi, Cambodia, Cote D’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, Uruguay, Vietnam, Rwanda and Senegal – are expected to attend the conclave.

Ludhiana: As the nation marks the 199th Gunners Day on Sunday, Ludhiana’s Veteran Gunners will gather at the Ludhiana Defence Officers Institute to celebrate the occasion with pride and camaraderie. Gunners Day commemorates the raising of the first Indian artillery unit—5 Bombay Mountain Battery—on Sept 28, 1827, a defining moment in the history of the Regiment of Artillery.Though Ludhiana does not host an artillery unit, the city has a strong presence of retired artillery officers who have been celebrating Gunners Day since 2009. The initial gathering included five veterans. This year, 35 retired officers from the artillery have confirmed their participation. The event will feature a 45-minute programme followed by a “Gunners Day Dinner,” bringing together veterans, their families, and serving officers from nearby units.Brigadier (Retd) S S Gill, the organising secretary, said the celebration would include tributes to Major Gurdial Singh, who passed away at the age of 103. Serving officers, including the Station Commander, Air Officer Commanding Halwara Air Base, and NCC Group Commander, will also participate in the programme.

Colonel (Retd) H S Kahlon, who received the Vir Chakra for his bravery in the 1971 war, underlined the crucial role of the artillery in every military operation. He noted that Gunners Day is not just a celebration but a moment to reconnect, share memories, and honour the legacy of the artillery.Many of the participating veterans hail from rural areas of Ludhiana district, reflecting the widespread contribution of Punjab to the Indian Army’s artillery arm. The Artillery Regiment is now the second-largest arm of the Indian Army, known for its firepower and strategic importance.Director General of Artillery, Lieutenant General Adosh Kumar, has sent his felicitations to the Ludhiana veterans, applauding their spirit and dedication to celebrating the day despite the absence of an artillery unit in the city. Ludhiana Station Commander Brigadier Bijoy Chaudhary has also conveyed his best wishes.The event promises to be a heartfelt reunion of those who once served with guns and grit.

Military Digest | The 1965 IAF war hero who deserved Param Vir Chakra

Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke quit the Indian Air Force in 1968 and immigrated to Australia.

Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone

As the country marks the 60th anniversary of the 1965 war, there is still time to correct some mistakes of the past when it comes to gallantry awards. One case in point is that of Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke, who was awarded the Vir Chakra in an action against Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Sabre jets near Kalaikunda in West Bengal in September 1965.

Cooke’s gallantry in taking on four Pakistani Sabre jets, out of which he shot down one, damaged two and chased away a fourth (the last one without any ammunition) definitely entitles him to India’s highest gallantry award, Param Vir Chakra. For reasons unknown, Cooke was awarded the third-highest gallantry award.

The Vir Chakra citation

The citation for Vir Chakra of Flt Lt Cooke, as published in the Gazette of India in 1966, is reproduced here:

“On the 7th September, 1965 when Kalaikunda airfield was under attack by six Pakistani Sabre Jet aircraft Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke who was leading two of our aircraft on combat air patrol immediately led the aircraft into intercept them. Although our own anti-aircraft guns had already started to fire, he had engaged two of the enemy aircraft in complete disregard of his personal safety. The enemy aircraft tried evasive and counter-offensive manoeuvres; but with firm determination and exceptional skill Flight Lieutenant Cooke outmanoeuvred the enemy and pressed home his attack and shot down one of the enemy aircraft which disintegrated in mid air. Subsequently, he skillfully put his aircraft in a favourable position behind another enemy aircraft, but by then he had no ammunition left. However, he kept the enemy on the run and the remaining enemy aircraft fled in confusion. In this action Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke displayed great courage, leadership and devotion to duty in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force (IAF).”https://d-30130404841941845330.ampproject.net/2509031727000/frame.html

This issue has been highlighted in a previous edition of Military Digest, too, but the 60th anniversary of the war dictates that it must be highlighted again in the hope that someone in the IAF hierarchy will notice the glaring injustice done to Cooke.

Subsequent investigations by military historians and aviation experts, including former IAF pilots, have concluded that the Vir Chakra citation does not adequately address the valour shown by Cooke in those fateful minutes of combat. Incidentally, Flt Lt Cooke’s wingman, Flt Lt Subodh Mamgain, was also awarded the Vir Chakra in the same action.

A former Mirage pilot, Squadron Leader Sameer Joshi, has written an exhaustive account of Cooke’s air battle at Kalaikunda, and this matches the one which has been given by Cooke himself. A leading aviation historian of the country, Jagan Pillarisetti, has also written a detailed account of Cooke’s action in his book on the 1965 war co-authored with Sameer Chopra.

The air battle fought by Cooke

On the morning of September 7, 1965, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had launched a raid on the Kalaikunda air force base of India in West Bengal from its Tezgaon air base in East Pakistan. The early morning raid by six PAF F86 Sabre aircraft had been successful, and the PAF commanders thought to press home their advantage by mounting yet another raid at around 10.30 am to catch the IAF in a state of disarray.

This time, four PAF Sabres were pressed into attack, led by Flight Lieutenant Haleem. Interestingly, these raiders were from No. 14 Squadron of PAF, and the Hunter aircraft of Flt Lt Cooke and Flt Lt Mamgain that intercepted them were from No. 14 Squadron IAF. The IAF squadron was commanded by Wing Commander Dennis Anthony La Fontaine, who went on to become Chief of Air Staff.

Cooke and Mamgain, who were on a Combat Air Patrol (CAP), were vectored towards the intruding Pakistani aircraft. The duo arrived at Kalaikunda airfield to see that three PAF Sabres were strafing the ground positions while the fourth aircraft was orbiting high above, serving as a lookout.

In his detailed account of the air battle, Squadron Leader Sameer Joshi writes that Cooke asked Mamgain to interdict the orbiting Sabre while he dived to take on the three Sabres attacking the airfield.

In an intense chase, Cooke shot down a Sabre flown by Flying Officer Afzal Khan. He next took on the Sabre flown by Flt Lt Tariq Habeeb and shot it up so badly that Habeeb broke away from the fight and headed back to Tezgaon. Pakistani accounts confirm that his aircraft was useless for the rest of the war due to the damage.

With two PAF aircraft out of the fight, Cooke now engaged in air combat with a third Sabre flown by Flt Lt Haleem and shot off pieces of his aircraft, leading Haleem to quit the fight and head back to his base.

By now, Cooke had also suffered hits on his aircraft, was exhausted and had run out of ammunition. However, he still had fight left in him, and now he took on the fourth PAF Sabre, which engaged in a chase with Mamgain. With no ammunition, Cooke chased the Sabre through every twist and turn and may even have rammed into it, but the enemy pilot broke loose and flew to safety, perhaps perplexed as to why he had not been shot.

It is undeniable that Flt Lt Cooke had exhibited valour of the highest quality in taking on the four Pakistani aircraft and saving Kalaikunda air base from certain destruction. However, it is not clear why he was awarded a Vir Chakra when he clearly deserved the highest gallantry award, Param Vir Chakra.

Alfred Tyrone Cooke quit the IAF in 1968 in the rank of Flight Lieutenant and immigrated to Australia, where he now lives. He visited his old squadron, No. 14, in Ambala in 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1965 war and gifted his Vir Chakra to the Squadron.

It is time that the IAF revisits this gallant action over Kalaikunda in 1965 and decorates Flt Lt Cooke with the Param Vir Chakra that he deserves.

A US perspective on medal upgradation

In May 2021, US President Joe Biden awarded the US’s highest gallantry award, Medal of Honour, to Col Ralph Puckett Jr, 93, for acts of valour during the Korean War in November 1950. It was an upgrade from the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest gallantry award in combat in the US, which Colonel Puckett was initially awarded.

In September 2023, Capt Larry Taylor, 81, was awarded the Medal of Honour by President Biden for an act of valour in the Vietnam War in June 1968. This, too, was an upgrade. He had earlier been awarded the Silver Star, the third-highest gallantry award in combat in the US.

ALSO READ | Military Digest | Fallen but not forgotten, the Commanding Officers who died in battle in 1965

In both the above instances, the original gallantry award had been upgraded to the highest gallantry award decades after the actual action took place in combat. This was done after a campaign to upgrade the award was undertaken by friends and military historians.

The same must be done by the IAF for Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke.

Justice J.B. Pardiwala, Justice K.V. Viswanathan, Supreme Court

The Court said that the Wing Commander Anupama Joshi was entitled to grant of pension computed from such date that she would have completed 20 years of service i.e. completion of 20 years of service

The Supreme Court of India directed the Union of India to grant pension along with other benefits to Wing Commander Anupama Joshi, who was released from the Indian Air Force (IAF) upon completing 15 years as a Short Service Commission Woman Officer (SSCWO).

The Bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan observed, “As a result, we declare that the applicant is entitled to grant of pension computed from such date that she would have completed 20 years of service i.e. completion of 20 years of service.”

Case Brief

An Appeal was filed by a Wing Commander, who was released from the Indian Air Force (IAF) upon completing 15 years as a Short Service Commission Woman Officer (SSCWO).

She sought for the relief of directing the Union Ministry of Defence to provide her with consequential pensionary benefits of her Permanent Commission, computed on the basis of completion of 20 years of service, as has been done to the other parties in the judgment of the Supreme Court in Wg. Cdr. A.U. Tayyaba (Retd.) V. Union of India (2023).

Court’s Observation

The Supreme Court noted that the Applicant was also one of the Petitioners in the Judgment rendered by the Supreme Court in Secretary, Ministry of Defence v. Babita Puniya and Others (2020), however, by the time the decision was pronounced in the Babita Puniya case, the Applicant had already completed 15 years of service and was released.

The Bench underscored, “It was brought to our notice that on completion of 15 years, she was offered permanent commission but the same was declined as by that time, the applicant had already taken up some other employment. But for the decision in Babita Puniya (supra), she would not have been entitled to pension having not completed 20 years of pensionable service.”

Thereafter, the Court noted that in its decision in the WG CDR A.U. Tayyaba case, the Apex Court extended the benefit of the Babita Puniya case to identically placed SSCWOS. The benefit was granted irrespective of the fact whether the officers had completed 20 years of service or not.

Subsequently, the Court said, “It is the case of the applicant that having completed 15 years of service, she qualifies to be deemed to have completed 20 years of service in terms of WG CDR A.U. Tayyaba (Retired) (supra) and also being one of the petitioners in Babita Puniya (supra).”

The Court held that the Short Service Commission Women Officers who are granted permanent commission in pursuance of the above directions would be entitled to all consequential benefits including promotion and other financial benefits. However, these benefits would be made available to those Officers in service or those who had moved the Delhi High Court by filing writ petitions and those who had retired during the course of the pendency of the proceedings.

Accordingly, the Court observed that the Applicant was entitled to the benefit of the judgment in WG CDR A.U. Tayyaba (Retired) case. The Court held that the Applicant was entitled to grant of pension computed from such date that she would have completed 20 years of service i.e. completion of 20 years of service.

“We direct the Union of India to undertake the necessary exercise for grant of pension with arrears including all other benefits to which the applicant is entitled to, like the benefits which have been extended to other similarly situated Officers”, the Court said.

Cause Title: WG CDR Anupama Joshi Retd V. Union of India & Ors.

Squadron Leader Avani Chaturvedi flew the MiG-21 solo in February 2018 from Jamnagar Air Force Station. (Image: PTI)

For decades, women were barred from becoming fighter pilots in the IAF, but when the opportunity came, they took the reins and tamed the MiG-21 Bison. Like generations of their male counterparts, India’s women fighter pilots also cut their teeth on the MiG-21s. They did it so fittingly that its final flypast was led by Squadron Leader Priya Sharma.

They came to the battlefield late, but they took over the reins of the bull of a workhorse like a natural. These are the women fighter pilots of the Indian Air Force who flew the Mig-21 Bison. They have since transitioned to advanced fighters like the Dassault Rafale, Su-30MKI, and the LCA Tejas, but their very first combat flights were on the MiG-21. As the jets made their last sortie into the sunset on Friday, the flypast over Chandigarh Air Force Station was led by Squadron Leader Priya Sharma. Among the many reasons the MiG-21 will be remembered is that it was the first fighter jet ever flown by women in the Indian Air Force, with a woman leading its final flypast.