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Air officer is category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor and alumnus of National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, College of Air Warfare and National Defence College      

Air Marshal Manish Khanna, an accomplished officer with over 4,000 hours of flying experience on various fighter and trainer aircraft, on Sunday assumed the charge of the Southern Air Command.

He was commissioned in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986, the government said in a statement.

“Air Marshal Manish Khanna Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Vayu Sena Medal (VM), assumed command of the Southern Air Command (SAC) as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief on June 1, 2025 at Thiruvananthapuram,” it said.

The air officer is a category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor and an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, College of Air Warfare and National Defence College.

“The air officer has over 4,000 hours of flying experience on various fighter and trainer aircraft,” it said.

Apart from his rich operational experience in air defence, ground attack, strategic reconnaissance and electronic warfare, the air marshal has wide ranging experience in the training domain, including an international assignment as the Chief Flying Instructor with the Botswana Defence Forces, it added.

In his illustrious career spanning almost four decades, he has served as commanding officer of the fighter squadron, air crew examining board, a major flying base, advance headquarters, the Western Air Command and Commandant at College of Air Warfare (CAW) among others.

The air marshal was Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at South Western Command (SWAC) prior to taking over the present appointment.

In another announcement, the defence ministry on Sunday said Air Marshal Jasvir Singh Mann took over as Senior Air Staff Officer of the IAF’s Western Air Command (WAC) on June 1.

The air marshal is an alumni of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF on December 16, 1989, it said in a statement.

He has flown over 3,000 hours primarily on various types of fighter aircraft. He is a pilot attack instructor and in his operational career, he has commanded a fighter squadron, been Chief Operations Officer of a forward base and Air Officer Commanding of a premium fighter base, the ministry said.

Says anti-Pak strikes signal shift towards remote, tech-driven battles

Tribune News Service

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, referring to India’s experience in Operation Sindoor, described it as a “non-contact” conflict, exemplifying the future of war.

The CDS was speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday, where he highlighted how India relied on indigenous systems like Akash, achieving success through effective system networking by integrating both domestic and foreign radars into a cohesive defence structure.

He said, “Modern warfare is undergoing a complex convergence — of tactics, domains (land, air, sea, cyber and space), timeframes and strategies. This evolution demands a shift away from large static platforms toward flexible, deceptive strategies. Network-centric warfare, where integration and automation across domains are critical, is becoming the new norm.”

Regarding cyber operations, the CDS mentioned that they played a limited role. While there were some denial-of-service attacks, India’s air-gapped military systems remained secure. Public platforms faced minor disruptions, but operational systems were unaffected, he told think-tanks.

General Chauhan said the key to modern warfare was in networking — real-time integration across air, land, sea and cyber domains. Advanced technologies, he stressed, were only as effective as the networks they’re connected to.

Addressing the challenge of disinformation during wartime, the CDS revealed that 15 per cent of operational time was spent countering fake narratives, underscoring the need for a dedicated information warfare vertical. India’s strategy prioritised fact-based communication, even if it meant slower responses.

India’s focus on indigenous platforms, such as Akash, and self-reliant networking infrastructure had proven successful. A key achievement was the integration of diverse radars into a unified air defence system, he added.

Sitaram Gupta, a postgraduate in economics and history from Panjab University and a former student of ex-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had been evading trial in a 2007 cheating case

A 77-year-old man who had been absconding for over a decade after jumping bail in a cheating case involving the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) was arrested from an old-age home in Punjab’s Patiala, the Delhi Police said on Sunday.

Sitaram Gupta, a native of Mansa, was impersonating an army colonel and duped people by offering flats and shops under fictitious AWHO schemes, police in a statement said.

“Gupta, a postgraduate in economics and history from Panjab University and a former student of ex-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had been evading trial in a 2007 cheating case registered at Vivek Vihar police station in Delhi,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Apoorva Gupta said in the statement.

He allegedly took Rs 56,000 from a complainant after offering him a flat and shop under the AWHO scheme and issued forged receipts, the officer said.

After his arrest in 2007 and subsequent release on bail, Gupta went underground and failed to appear before court, leading to the issuance of non-bailable warrants.

On April 26 this year, the Karkardooma court declared him a proclaimed offender. He had started his career as a contractor supplying oil to Army cantonments across India, the statement said.

During this period, he gained knowledge of the Army’s functioning, which he later used to impersonate a senior army officer and lure unsuspecting people with promises of employment and housing benefits.

“He moved to Delhi in 1987 and began posing as a colonel. He conned several people on the pretext of recruitment in the army and real estate opportunities through AWHO,” the DCP said.

A special team was formed which was tasked with tracking Gupta. Based on a tip-off, the team conducted surveillance and zeroed in on the old-age home in Patiala where he was living under a false identity.

“He had changed his appearance and cut off ties with his family to evade arrest. After confirming his identity, he was apprehended from the shelter,” the officer added.

Gupta admitted to his involvement in multiple cases of cheating, including three other fraud cases registered with the Shakarpur police station and the Crime Branch in Delhi, related to fake army job offers.

Police said Gupta’s wife has passed away and he has two children. He had been leading a secluded life to evade arrest, shifting locations and using different phone numbers.

The tragic incident occurred on Sunday evening

Pankaj Sharma Our Correspondent

A pall of gloom descended on Baraban village in Sirmaur district as the news of Lance Naik Manish Thakur’s martyrdom reached his hometown. The young soldier, just 27 years old, lost his life in a tragic landslide near the Brigade Headquarters at Chatten in North Sikkim on Sunday evening while on duty.

Son of Joginder Singh and Kiran Bala, Manish had joined the Army’s Dogra Regiment in September 2016. Known for his discipline and quiet dedication, he served the nation for over eight years. He is survived by his wife, Tanu Devi, and his grieving family in Baraban (Kolar) village of Nahan tehsil in Sirmaur district.

Deputy Director of the Sainik Welfare Board, Sirmaur, Major (Retd) Deepak Dhawan confirmed the unfortunate news and shared details of the arrangements being made. “It is hoped that the mortal remains of the brave soldier will arrive in Chandigarh by aircraft this evening. From there, the body will be brought to Sirmaur by road with full military honours,” he said.

He added, “Lance Naik Manish Thakur has laid down his life in the line of duty and we salute his supreme sacrifice. The district administration, along with the Army and Sainik Welfare Board, stands firmly with the bereaved family.”

The final rites will be performed in his native village with full military honours under the Assured Decent Last Rites (ADLR) protocol.Subedar Dinesh Kumar will be escorting the mortal remains.

The palace has now been turned into a museum and historical gallery

Maharaja Ranjeet Singh’s panorama depicting the life and events at Summer Palace in Ram Bagh in Amritsar on Friday. Photos: Vishal Kumar

A critical outpost during the Sikh empire, the fort holds enduring tales of courage and resistance, featuring prominently in narratives of the 1857 war of independence

Anirudh Gupta Our Correspondent

To boost tourism in the border region of Punjab, the Army’s Golden Arrow Division on Sunday opened to the public the centuries-old Ferozepur Fort, a monument that was occupied for long by the British and was envied by German dictator Adolf Hitler due to its vast ammunition reserves.

It’s the first time in over 200 years that this significant architectural and historical site has been made accessible to the public as part of the Army’s programme to connect the locals with the country’s rich military and cultural heritage.

A critical outpost during the Sikh empire, the fort holds enduring tales of courage and resistance, featuring prominently in narratives of the 1857 war of independence. There were more than 200 buildings in the fort and each was given a number.

Historians say the fort was occupied by the British through deceit after the death of Sardarni Lachhman Kaur in 1835 and was converted into a British garrison in 1839 following instructions from the Duke of Wellington. In 1858, the British opened an arsenal here and different kinds of ammunition were manufactured. The fort served as the base depot for the supply of guns, ammunition, trained horses and bullocks. About 10,000 bullocks, as many horses and 150 camels would be tethered here at any given time.

The fort continued to be used as an arsenal until 1941 when the ammunition was shifted to Kasubegu as a tactical move by the British during World War-II.

AdvertisementDr Rameshwar Singh, a historian, said the monument had come to the notice of German dictator Adolf Hitler. “The historic fort finds a mention in Hitler’s autobiography ‘Mein Kampf’. He mentioned about the British ammunition marked with name ‘Ferozepore’, due to which he wanted to destroy the fort as well as the city,” he said.

Addressing the inauguration event today, Major General RS Manral, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Golden Arrow Division, said the move reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preserve national heritage and promote responsible border tourism. “Strategically positioned near the India-Pakistan border, the Ferozepur Fort is a remarkable example of the 19th century military architecture from the Sikh empire. Its unique hexagonal design and robust defensive features showcase the strategic ingenuity of its time,” he said.

Brig Bikram Singh, Station Commander, said Ferozepur held a special place in the country’s freedom movement, having produced numerous martyrs and revolutionaries who bravely resisted colonial rule. “This fort and its surroundings have been a witness to pivotal historical events, which continue to symbolise national pride and sacrifice,” he said.

China feels that the Shangri-La Dialogue is an important forum to rebut allegations about its defence policies for Asian countries

Vappala Balachandran

AMISTAKEN impression that the Shangri-La Dialogue is meant to be a common front against China might emerge from the speeches delivered by French President Emmanuel Macron and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on May 31 in Singapore. While Hegseth warned that the threat from China was “real and potentially imminent”, Macron called on “key allies in Asia” to increase military spending as the NATO members had done, “thanks to President Trump.”

A GENERAL ,A SHRINE AND THE WHISPERS OF FATE : COL GS CHADHA (RETD)

PUNJAB’S PRIDE: EIGHT MRSAFPI CADETS GRADUATE FROM NDA

SHREETI DAKSH TOPS ARTS STREAM

Both sides withdrawing troops: Pak General

Pakistan; BJP says ‘stick to Miss World photo ops’

Garhshankar youth lieutenant in Canadian Army

BSF destroyed 118 Pak forward posts, dismantled surveillance system: Shah

Army Chief visits forward areas along LoC

The General who walked the talk

Decoding the Army ethos”Lt Gen KJS ‘Tiny’ Dhillon (retd) launches his second book, Wafadari Imaandari Zimmedari: War Room to Boardroom

Evolutionary or revolutionary — Visualising the digital battlefield Lt Gen DS Hooda (Retd)

Glory of Sher-e-Punjab’s Panorama fades amid neglect

Sky shield for Taj: Anti-drone to takes guard over country’s iconic monument

Haryana’s Shreeti tops arts stream as first women NDA cadets pass out

In next fight, Navy to fire first salvo, Rajnath warns Pakistan

When narrative warfare needs its own force BY Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd)

INDIAN ARMY REACTIONS DURING WAR

एक बार जो मैंने कमिट किया, फिर मैं अपने आप की भी नहीं सुनता`, एयर चीफ मार्शल के शब्द सुन खौफ में आ जाएगा पाकिस्तान : IAF CHIEF

NESTLED in the rugged terrain of Sikkim lies not just a strategic military zone but also a region steeped in mystery, faith and folklore. During my tenure in the Eastern Himalayas as Officer Commanding of 214 Field Workshop and Divisional Troops Workshop at Gangtok from 1997 to 1999, I heard a poignant anecdote that predated my posting — one that continues to echo through the mountains and among the troops stationed there.

In May 1993, Lt Gen Jameel Mahmood, then GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, visited the 33 Corps zone in Sikkim. As per custom, senior officers visiting the sector made it a point to pay homage at the shrine of Baba Harbhajan Singh at Nathu La. He was a soldier of the Punjab Regiment, who passed on in 1968 but is still believed to protect Indian soldiers posted in the high Himalayas.

Pressed for time, the General skipped the shrine, stating that he would visit it on his next tour. However, inclement weather prevented helicopter clearance for his return journey. Officers gently suggested that this delay could be used to visit the Baba’s shrine. He declined once more.

He then opted to travel by road to Siliguri, but the convoy was halted after his vehicle reportedly suffered a minor mishap. Once again, some advised him to reconsider visiting the shrine — perhaps this was a signal. The General, known for his professionalism, dismissed the suggestions, remarking that he was not superstitious and needed to adhere to his schedule.

Ultimately, despite the poor weather, the helicopter took off from Gangtok. On May 7, 1993, the Mi-8 chopper crashed near Paro, Bhutan. All eight onboard, including Lt Gen Mahmood and his wife, were killed. A Court of Inquiry reported a sudden loss of power but could not establish the precise cause.

Chandigarh, May 30:

Bringing laurels to the state, eight cadets from Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (MRSAFPI), SAS Nagar, on Friday, graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA) Khadakwasla (Pune), as a part of the 148th NDA Course Passing Out Parade, reviewed by General VK Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC (Retd), Governor of Mizoram and former Chief of Army Staff.

Sharing this information here today, Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Mr. Aman Arora said that the eight cadets- Paramjot Singh and Aniket Kahol from Hoshiarpur, Arpit Parashar from Sangrur, Abhay Singh Raghav and Vishesh Sood from SAS Nagar, Udhibir Singh from Ropar and Anurag Chauhan & Tanmay Sharma from Pathankot have successfully completed three years of rigorous training at NDA and now they will proceed to Service Training Academies for a year-long training before being commissioned into the Defence Services.

Mr. Aman Arora also encouraged them to excel and bring pride to the state, while highlighting the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s commitment to fulfil the aspirations of the youth who want to join the defence services as commissioned officers. He also expressed contentment over the outstanding results being delivered by Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute.

Major General Ajay H. Chauhan, VSM (Retd), Director of MRSAFPI, congratulated the cadets, noting that 28 more cadets are awaiting call-up letters to join Service Training Academies. He also highlighted that three cadets from the MRSAFPI are currently serving as instructors at NDA, Khadakwasla. He said that these achievements bring immense pride to MRSAFPI and the state of Punjab.

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