All posts by webadmin

Surveillance will be maintained over a 500-metre radius around the monument, and any drone detected within this range will be immediately neutralised

An anti-drone system has been deployed at the Taj Mahal to enhance security around the wondrous monument, police said on Friday.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Taj Security) Syed Arib Ahmed said the system has been installed within the Taj Mahal premises and is capable of disabling any drone entering the restricted airspace.

Surveillance will be maintained over a 500-metre radius around the monument, and any drone detected within this range will be immediately neutralised, he said.

“The system is capable of disabling drones within an 8-km radius, but considering the security sensitivity of the Taj Mahal, monitoring has initially been limited to a 500-metre perimeter,” Ahmed said.

He added that the system uses radio frequency and GPS signal jamming technology to disable drones. Once a drone is brought down, a rapid response team will reach the location to secure the device. The team will also track down the individual operating the drone.

Uttar Pradesh Police are among the few in the country that uses anti-drone systems for securing VIPs and vital installations.

Recently, the high technology security system was put to use during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj and prior to that during the consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol at the Ram temple in Ayodhya in January 2024.

As the first batch of 17 women cadets marched out of the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakvasla today, Division Cadet Captain Shreeti Daksh from Haryana stood out as she topped the arts stream. This apart, Haryana has the highest…

Vijay Mohan Tribune News Service

Haryana’s Shreeti tops arts stream as first women

The first batch of women cadets at the NDA passing-out parade at Khadakvasla in Pune on Friday. PTI

As the first batch of 17 women cadets marched out of the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakvasla today, Division Cadet Captain Shreeti Daksh from Haryana stood out as she topped the arts stream.

This apart, Haryana has the highest number of female cadets who trained at the academy since their induction three years ago.

Speaking to the media after the passing-out parade, Shreeti, who was awarded a trophy, said she belonged to Haryana but studied in Noida before joining the NDA. Her father, Wing Commander Yogesh Kumar Daksh (retd), was a helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force and is now working with a private aviation firm. Her elder sister is a flying officer in the Air Force. She herself has opted for the Army and will be proceeding to the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun for pre-commission training.

During her training at the NDA, Shreeti was assigned to the Hunter Squadron, the same unit of which her father was a part when he was a cadet. She had also excelled in academics during school, scoring 97 per cent in Class X and 99 per cent in Class XII.

The first batch of women cadets joined the NDA in August 2022 as part of the 148th course. This was the outcome of directives issued by the Supreme Court. The batch had an initial strength of 19, with 10 for the Army, six Air Force and three for the Navy.

A total of 336 cadets of the 148th course stepped out of the NDA during the Spring Term–2025 parade and will be joining the academies of their respective service for the final leg of training before becoming officers.

The parade was commanded by Academy Cadet Captain Udayveer Singh Negi, who topped the BTech stream and was awarded the President’s Silver Medal for standing overall second in the merit list. Having opted to join the Navy, he would be the fourth-generation soldier in his family. His grandfather and father have commanded the Third Battalion of the Third Gorkha Rifles. His father has been decorated with the Shaurya Chakra and the Sena Medal.

The President’s Gold Medal for standing first in the overall order of merit was awarded to Battalion Cadet Adjutant Prince Raj, while the President’s Bronze Medal for standing third went to Battalion Cadet Captain Tejas Bhatt.

Reviewing the parade, Gen VK Singh (retd), Mizoram Governor who had served as the Army Chief from March 2010 to May 2012, termed the event as a symbol of women empowerment, embodying not just women’s development but women-led development.

From the entry of the first batch in 2022 till its passing out today, Haryana had the highest number of 35 women cadets (28 per cent) in the tri-service academy, according to information shared by the Ministry of Defence with Parliament earlier this year.

A total of 126 women from 17 states and UTs across the country have joined the NDA so far. Uttar Pradesh is second on the list with 28, followed by Rajasthan (13) and Maharashtra (11). Punjab sent five women cadets and Himachal Pradesh four. Several states have no representation.

In dig at US, minister says no power in world can stop India’s actions against terrorism

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday lauded the role played by the Navy during Operation Sindoor saying its warships and fighter jets kept the Pakistan forces “bottled up”. He warned the western neighbour that the next clash could see the Navy fire the opening salvo.

The minister said this during his visit to aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which had been deployed with its fighter jets during Operation Sindoor from May 7 to 10. “The Navy succeeded in keeping the Pakistani armed forces tied down…. This time, however, Pakistan did not have to face the firepower of the Indian Navy. But the world now knows if the neighbour again commits any nefarious act, it is possible that the Navy will be the first to launch the counter-response,” he said while addressing the naval personnel.

INS Vikrant, a 45,000-tonne carrier with its battle group comprising submarines and other warships, maintained a secure “air-defence bubble” for some 300 km, preventing any attack Pakistan could have launched from its coast off Karachi. Rajnath advised Pakistan to understand that its dangerous game of terrorism had ended. “Now whenever Pakistan instigates any terrorist act against India, it will not only have to bear the consequences but, like always, have to face defeat,” he said.

The minister said India would not hesitate to use methods Pakistan had never thought of. “As anti-India activities are being carried out from Pakistani soil, India is free to carry out every kind of operation against terrorists,” he said.On the US claims of having stopped the two sides from heading to a full-fledged war, Rajnath said, “No power in the world can stop India’s actions against terrorism.” He advised Pakistan to demolish its terror infrastructure and hand over to India terrorists such as Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar. He said Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was repeatedly proposing talks, but India had made it clear that terror and dialogue couldn’t go together.

India has shown restraint in kinetic responses, but struggles to maintain the same composure in the information space. We should consider a statutory body for strategic communication

As we analyse the recent turbulence and India’s major achievements, it’s also time to examine where we can make our response more effective in the future exchanges that the subcontinent appears to be headed for.  India’s response to the horrific Pahalgam carnage has demonstrated the maturity, precision and resolve of a rising power that now fully understands the utility of force and thresholds of escalation. In many ways, the nation displayed the best of its operational capacity—marked by calm political judgement, tight escalation control and a well-executed military response in the form of Operation Sindoor.

The strikes on the nine targets were calibrated to send a message not just across the border, but also to domestic audiences, global partners and observers in regions of strategic interest. The selection of targets, element of surprise and overall risk calculus showed that India can achieve tactical and operational brilliance even in a complex, nuclear-shadowed environment.

Yet, amid this military success lies a sobering truth. While India controlled the battlefield, it did not fully control the narrative as it emerged. Pakistan’s narrative flooded digital and traditional platforms, shaping early perceptions in its favour. There is a reason for this that needs to be understood. Operational planning must include narrative-building as a sub-domain, but when the focus is on operational objectives, this aspect tends to get relegated under the pressure of secrecy. Pakistan was not working under that constraint. For it, narrative-building and painting itself the victim took prime focus. Although ultimately exposed, the early dominance of Islamabad’s messaging significantly shaped how global audiences—and even parts of India’s own population—viewed the unfolding events.

This is not a new pattern. India has often shown restraint and strategic patience in kinetic responses, but struggles to maintain the same composure and coherence in the information space. In today’s world, narrative dominance is not a soft addition to strategic power—it is its own domain of conflict. Winning the information war is all about building long-term architecture, proactive planning, and the seamless integration of talent, technology and timing.

Powered by:PauseSkip backward 5 secondsSkip forward 5 secondsMute

The military conduct of Operation Sindoor deserves study. It achieved tactical surprise through unconventional launch timings and access routes, leveraging intelligence assets effectively, and striking targets that were both symbolic and strategic. By doing so, it signalled to Pakistan’s deep state and political leadership that India’s red lines are no longer theoretical.

Further, India communicated deterrence and resolve to international stakeholders—friends and adversaries alike. The US and France quietly acknowledged the necessity of India’s response, while more cautious voices such as Turkey and Malaysia took opposite stands. Subsequently, US responses were more personality-led, although the liberal media did not support us as could be expected. American military journals, such as the respected War on the Rocks, did do a realistic appreciation of India’s military operations. These signals needed to be accompanied by the shaping of global public opinion, elite consensus and open-source information flows. That is where India must now introspect.

By the time India’s information response was launched, Pakistan had already occupied much information space. It positioned itself, predictably and falsely, as a victim—muddying the waters with propaganda, fabricated videos and diplomatic noise. International media outlets, starved of immediate information, resorted to quoting Pakistani sources or speculative think tanks.

While India’s restraint in the fog of conflict is understandable—especially when operations are underway—the vacuum of authoritative storytelling allowed the adversary to frame the crisis on its terms. In strategic communication, perception forms early—and is hard to dislodge once set. In this respect, the kinetic brilliance of Operation Sindoor may  have been matched by higher levels of  informational preparedness.

What this experience highlights is the need for a dedicated, statutory body on national strategic communication—a civil-military-media interface that works not in isolation, but as part of India’s national security architecture. This institution could be structured to include:

Representatives from the ministries of external affairs, defence, home, and information & broadcasting;

• Senior military officers with experience in information warfare;
• Experts from media, digital platforms, cognitive psychology, and behavioural science;

• Data scientists, AI specialists, and digital monitoring professionals;
• Academics with strategic affairs orientation;
• A permanent liaison with the National Security Council Secretariat.

The aim is not to create a propaganda machine, but rather a truth-delivery architecture—capable of shaping narratives, countering disinformation, and building sustained influence over time. It should monitor information threats in real-time, advise on messaging strategies and deploy multi-platform campaigns pre-emptively, not merely in response.

This body should not operate in parallel or in competition with the I&B ministry, but in sync with it. The I&B ministry has institutional experience in mass communication, but often lacks the strategic context in crises of national security. Conversely, intelligence and defence entities understand the threat landscape, but are not storytellers by training. The fusion of these domains is essential.

India also has a vibrant pool of digital creators, influencers, filmmakers and content strategists who can be co-opted in times of crisis, not for jingoism but for factual amplification. The lessons from Ukraine’s masterful information campaign post-2022 are clear: a narrative war is won as much on Telegram as on the battlefield.

Strategic communication is not a luxury to be designed in peacetime. It is a warfighting capability that must be crisis-responsive, mission-ready, rehearsed and resourced. India’s adversaries—both state and non-state—operate 24/7 in the information domain. The post-Pahalgam crisis offers a clear case study: India can strike decisively, calibrate escalation prudently and signal resolve without crossing into recklessness. But unless we complement military strength with narrative power, we risk repeating the same strategic oversight.

The five domains of modern warfare—land, sea, air, space and cyber—now have added a sixth: narrative. Control over the story shapes control over outcomes, alliances and perceptions. As India emerges as a regional and global power, it must not just win battles; it must also win belief.

Operation Sindoor will be remembered as a moment of resolve and professional excellence. Let it also become the turning point where India moves from episodic communication to institutionalised strategic storytelling, worthy of its politico-military and diplomatic prowess.

(Views are personal)

Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd)

Former Commander, Srinagar-based 15 Corps;
Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir

(atahasnain@gmail.com)

IAF chief: पाकिस्तान को `ऑपरेशन सिंदूर` के जरिए तगड़ी चोट देने के बाद पूरी दुनिया ने भारतीय सेना के पराक्रम का लोहा मान लिया है. ऐसे में एयर चीफ मार्शल अमर प्रीत सिंह ने गुरुवार को जो कहा, उनके शब्दों में इतना विश्वास था कि यह पाकिस्तानी सेना के अंदर खौफ पैदा करने के लिए काफी था.

Amar Preet Singh: पाकिस्तान को ‘ऑपरेशन सिंदूर’ के जरिए तगड़ी चोट देने के बाद पूरी दुनिया ने भारतीय सेना के पराक्रम का लोहा मान लिया है. भारतीय वायुसेना को दुनिया की दूसरी सबसे ताकतवर वायुसेना कहा जाने लगा है. ऐसे में एयर चीफ मार्शल अमर प्रीत सिंह ने गुरुवार को जो कहा, उनके शब्दों में इतना विश्वास था कि यह पाकिस्तानी सेना के अंदर खौफ पैदा करने के लिए काफी था. एयर चीफ मार्शल अमर प्रीत सिंह ने साफ कहा, ”हमने हिंदुस्तान का कमिटमेंट दुनिया के सामने दोहराया है. प्राण जाए पर वचन न जाए. यही हमारा एकमात्र लक्ष्य है.

मैं अपने आप की भी नहीं सुनता
उन्होंने सेना के आत्मविश्वास की झलक अपने शब्दों के जरिए भी बयां की, जब उन्होंने सलमान खान की फिल्म का एक डायलॉग इस्तेमाल करते हुए सधे शब्दों में दुश्मनों को चेतावनी दे दी. उन्होंने कहा, ”एक बार जो मैंने कमिट किया, फिर मैं अपने आप की भी नहीं सुनता. सीआईआई समिट में रक्षा मंत्री राजनाथ सिंह के समक्ष एयर चीफ मार्शल अमर प्रीत सिंह ने दुश्मनों को सख्त लहजे में चेतावनी दे दी और बता दिया कि भारत अब किसी भी परिस्थिति में अपने खिलाफ चलाए जा रहे ऑपरेशन का सटीक और सीधा जवाब देगा.

हम किस दिशा में जा रहे हैं
अमर प्रीत सिंह ने सीआईआई बिजनेस समिट को संबोधित करते हुए कहा कि ऑपरेशन सिंदूर ने हमें यह स्पष्ट रूप से बता दिया है कि हम किस दिशा में जा रहे हैं और भविष्य में हमें क्या चाहिए. इसलिए हमें अपनी विचार प्रक्रियाओं को फिर से संगठित करने के लिए बहुत काम करने की जरूरत है, जो पहले से ही चल रहा है.उन्होंने साफ कह दिया कि हिंदुस्तान की सेना एक ही बात में यकीन करती है कि एक बार जो कमिटमेंट कर लिया तो फिर हम अपने आप की भी नहीं सुनते.

हम नई तकनीकें खोज रहे हैं
एयर चीफ मार्शल ने कहा, “हर दिन, हम नई तकनीकें खोज रहे हैं. भविष्य में भी, हम एक राष्ट्र के रूप में माल वितरित करने में सक्षम होंगे और हम अपने उद्देश्यों को प्राप्त करने में सक्षम होंगे. ”एएमसीए-उन्नत मध्यम लड़ाकू विमान को निजी उद्योग की भागीदारी के लिए भी मंजूरी दे दी गई है, जो एक बहुत बड़ा कदम है और आज देश को निजी उद्योग पर इस तरह का भरोसा है और मुझे यकीन है कि यह भविष्य में आने वाली बड़ी चीजों का मार्ग प्रशस्त करेगा. हालांकि, एयर चीफ मार्शल अमर प्रीत सिंह ने रक्षा खरीद परियोजनाओं में देरी पर चिंता जताई. वायुसेना प्रमुख ने रक्षा प्रणालियों में देरी के कई मामलों की ओर इशारा किया, खासतौर पर स्वदेशी परियोजनाओं से जुड़े मामलों की ओर उनका इशारा था. 

हमें है विश्वास की जरूरत
उन्होंने कहा, ”हम सिर्फ भारत में उत्पादन के बारे में बात नहीं कर सकते, हमें डिजाइनिंग के बारे में भी बात करनी होगी हमें सेना और उद्योग के बीच विश्वास की जरूरत है. हमें बहुत खुलापन दिखाने की जरूरत है. एक बार जब हम किसी चीज के लिए प्रतिबद्ध हो जाते हैं, तो हमें उसे पूरा करना चाहिए। वायु सेना भारत में निर्माण के लिए अपना सर्वश्रेष्ठ प्रयास कर रही है. एयर चीफ मार्शल अमर प्रीत सिंह ने साफ संदेश दे दिया कि हमें भविष्य के लिए अभी से तैयार रहना होगा. उन्होंने कहा कि वह मानते हैं कि 10 साल में हमें उद्योग से ज्यादा उत्पादन मिलेगा, लेकिन हमें आज जो चाहिए, वह आज चाहिए. हमें जल्दी से जल्दी अपने कामों को एक साथ करने की जरूरत है. साथ ही यह भी कहा कि युद्ध सेनाओं को सशक्त बनाकर जीते जाते हैं. (आईएएनएस)

Can’t do without air power: IAF Chief

Sculptures bring Sikh history to life at Gurdwara Mehdiana Sahib

Army helps open Hemkund Sahib route

Onus on Pakistan to heed India’s warning in the aftermath of Op Sindoor BY Lt Gen (retd) Harwant Singh

Not a single defence project completed on time: IAF Chief flags systemic delays

Meet Former COAS General VK Singh: The Reviewing Officer for NDA 148th Course POP on 30 May 2025

Punjab boy who served milk, lassi to jawans during Op Sindoor honoured by Army

Army Chief presents ‘Badge of Sacrifice’, ‘Certificate of Honour’ to DySP Himayun Muzzammil Bhat, 8 others

Chinar Corps GOC reviews security situation

CDS to visit Singapore today for Shangri-La dialogue

United Nations to honour 2 Indian peacekeepers posthumously

Russia-Ukraine war: Missing Indians’ kin fight battle at home for their safe return

Looking beyond Pahalgam to fight Pakistan-sponsored terror BY t Gen Pradeep Bali Retd

NDA’s first women cadets ready for tomorrow BY Maj Gen Sanjeev Dogra Retd

People of PoK our own, will return voluntarily: Rajnath

Any kind of operations (whether on land or at sea) cannot be conducted without air power, and this has been proved very well during Operation Sindoor: Air Chief Marshal AP Singh

Tribune News Service

Making his first public comments since Operation Sindoor, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Thursday said the skirmish with Pakistan had proven “we can’t do it without air power”.

Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025, he said, “Any kind of operations (whether on land or at sea) cannot be conducted without air power, and this has been proved very well during Operation Sindoor.”

His remarks come in the backdrop of the proposed theatre command, which aim at integrating all war-fighting elements in a defined geographical area under a single commander. The IAF has consistently maintained that the air force was inherently dynamic and should not be constrained by the limits of a theatre command.

On the future of warfare, the IAF Chief stressed the need for both capability and capacity. Referring to Operation Sindoor, he noted that the character of war was evolving, with new technologies emerging daily. “Operation Sindoor has provided a clear direction on where we are headed and what we will need in the future. Significant work is required to realign our thought processes and this is already underway,” he said.

Air Chief Marshal Singh hailed Operation Sindoor as a “national victory,” crediting the seamless coordination among all three forces for its professional execution. “We were on the path of truth and I believe God was with us,” he said, expressing gratitude to every Indian. “I am certain every citizen was eagerly waiting for this victory.” He said the operation was executed in a very professional manner and its success was a collective effort. “When truth is on your side, everything falls into place,” he added.

The IAF Chief also highlighted the government’s decision to allow private industry participation in the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA) project, calling it a big step. “This reflects the nation’s confidence in the private sector and I am sure it will pave the way for greater achievements in the future,” he added.

Gurdwara Mehdiana Sahib, located in Mehdiana village near Jagraon, is often referred to as the ‘School of Sikh History’. It is believed to be the place where Guru Gobind Singh rested after the Battle of Chamkaur and wrote parts of…

Manav Mander Tribune News Service

Gurdwara Mehdiana Sahib, located in Mehdiana village near Jagraon, is often referred to as the ‘School of Sikh History’. It is believed to be the place where Guru Gobind Singh rested after the Battle of Chamkaur and wrote parts of the Zafarnama (Epistle of Victory)

letter to the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb.A major attraction at the gurdwara is the uniquely coloured monuments, sculptures and statues, depicting important events from the Sikh history, particularly those linked to Guru Gobind Singh, and the persecution of Sikhs under the Mughal rule. These sculptures serve as a powerful visual narrative of the sacrifices and bravery of the Sikh community with the aim of educating visitors. The gurdwara also houses a museum which showcases various facets of the Sikh history and culture.In the vicinity of this gurdwara are sculptures and statues of Sikh warriors, including Tara Singh, recipient of a number of awards, including the Punjab Rattan Award, Baba Farid Award and the Sobha Singh Memorial Award. Iqbal Singh Gill, an artist based in Nihalsingh Wala, has also made statues for the gurdwara.

“My main aim behind making these statues was not only to depict history but also to educate people that religion was more important than their lives. The Sikh religion was born from the sacrifices of our ancestors and that religion should not be taken for granted,” said Gill.

There are a number of sculptures inside the gurdwara complex which include eminent Sikh generals like Akali Phoola Singh, Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Sardar Sham Singh Attariwala, Baba Deep Singh and Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. There are other sculptures depicting the sacrifices made by Chhote Sahibzade, and Sikh men, women and children who did not convert to Islam and instead preferred martyrdom. The statue of Bhai Kanhaiya, one of the soldiers of the 10th Guru, serving water not only to the wounded soldiers in their own army but also to enemy soldiers, is also present. Arvinder Sandhu, an NRI from Jagraon, never fails to visit the gurdwara whenever he is in India. “This gurdwara gives us the powerful message to respect our religion and realise how many sacrifices have been made by our Gurus for our identity. I have been living abroad for 15 years but I have never cut my hair and still wear a turban. Since childhood, I have been visiting this gurdwara. It is not just one statue that is installed here but entire episodes from Sikh history are depicted through these statues, which leave a powerful impact on the minds of everyone paying a visit here,” he said.

The sculptures at the gurdwara act as a powerful visual narrative, bringing Sikh history to life and allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the past.

The Indian Army’s Central Command headquartered at Lucknow today posted videos and pics on its troops working to open the route to Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand. The pilgrimage started on May 25. The Army said the shrine is over 15,000…

The Indian Army’s Central Command headquartered at Lucknow today posted videos and pics on its troops working to open the route to Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand. The pilgrimage started on May 25.

The Army said the shrine is over 15,000 ft altitude and the teams worked through 6 km of glacier. A team of the engineers from the Brigade at Joshimath under the ‘Uttar Bharat’ area carved open the frozen route to the sacred Hemkund Sahib, ensuring timely commencement of the pilgrimage on May 25.

The gurdwara management committee solemnly acknowledged and recognised the efforts of the Army, the Indian Army said.