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Army troops opened fire after noticing suspicious movement in a forward area near the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district, while security forces conducted searches at more than a dozen places in Poonch, Samba and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said.

The suspicious movement of three to four people under the cover of thick foliage was detected by alert soldiers in the Chingus area of Kiri sector in Rajouri in the morning, they said.

The troops fired over two dozen rounds and simultaneously launched a search operation, and also deployed drones. However, there was no trace of the suspected people, officials said.

The video has since drawn severe criticism from local stakeholders, particularly those associated with the tourism sector

Abhinav Vashisht Tribune News Service

A viral video posted by a tourist, who controversially compared Manali’s security situation to that of Pakistan, has sparked sharp backlash from local residents and tourism stakeholders. In the video, the tourist urges viewers to either avoid visiting the popular hill destination or to come armed. He alleged that his wife—holding their four-month-old daughter—and his brother were assaulted near Mission Road parking, while bystanders and the local police failed to intervene.

According to the police, a case was promptly registered under Sections 126(2), 115(2), 352, 351(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on a complaint filed by the tourist, identified as Pradeep, a 35-year-old resident of Mahendragarh, Haryana. Pradeep said unidentified individuals attacked them and issued threats to their lives. Manali DSP KD Sharma confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway.

The video has since drawn severe criticism from local stakeholders, particularly those associated with the tourism sector. Manohar, a long-time resident, called the tourist’s remarks inflammatory and harmful, arguing that advocating the use of weapons in a peaceful tourist town could have dangerous consequences.

Hotelier Krishan echoed this sentiment, urging tourism associations to file formal complaints against the tourist for defaming Manali and potentially discouraging future visitors.

Sanjeev, another local, highlighted recurring tensions between tourists and residents. He recounted past instances where visitors from Punjab and Haryana had allegedly brought firearms and engaged in physical altercations. These frequent incidents, he said, had already compelled the state police to impose strict restrictions on individuals entering Himachal Pradesh with weapons.

Local resident Ashok demanded stern action against the tourist for inciting fear and harming Manali’s image. He emphasised that many confrontations stem from tourists attempting to take the law into their own hands, and urged for greater efforts to counter the spread of inflammatory and misleading videos on social media.

This controversy has reignited discussions about the influence of viral content and the challenges of balancing public perception with ground realities. With Manali’s economy heavily reliant on tourism, stakeholders have called for robust measures to combat misinformation and restore confidence among prospective visitors.

MoD/ Armed Forces

1. Defence minister Rajnath Singh will lead a high-level Indian delegation at the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting to be held at Qingdao on June 26-27. This will be his first visit to China after the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers in eastern Ladakh. “During the meeting, the defence ministers are expected to discuss a number of issues, including regional and international peace and security, counter-terrorism efforts and cooperation among the ministries of defence of SCO member states,” the defence ministry said_HT, AA, Hindu, IE, Stmn.
2. Defence Ministry has inked 13 contracts worth Rs 1,982 crore for fast-track acquisition of air defence missiles, kamikaze drones, counter-drone systems and other equipment to bolster the Army’s operational readiness after Operation Sindoor against Pakistan last month. These contracts were inked specially to augment the Army’s counter-terrorism capabilities under the fifth phase of the Emergency Procurement (EP) mechanism, which drastically cuts down the normal long-winded acquisition process, to ensure deliveries within a year. A much larger EP-6 is also now underway to further boost as well as replenish arms stockpiles of the Army, IAF and Navy, with an overall outer limit of around Rs 40,000 crore from the existing defence budget_TOI, HT.
3. In a major move breaking away from the traditional system, the government has authorized the CDS and Secretary, DMA to issue Joint Instructions and Joint Orders for all three Services. Dubbed as a major step towards modernisation and transformation of the Armed Forces, the authorization orders were passed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. A statement from the Ministry of Defence stated that the move marks a shift from the earlier system wherein Instructions or Orders pertaining to two or more Services were issued by each Service separately_Stmn. HT, IE, AA.
4. Army troops opened fire after noticing suspicious movement in a forward area near the LC in Rajouri district, while security forces conducted searches at more than a dozen places in Poonch, Samba, and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The suspicious movement of three to four people under the cover of thick foliage was detected by alert soldiers in the Chingus area of Kiri sector in Rajouri in the morning. The troops fired over two dozen rounds and simultaneously launched a search operation, and also deployed drones. However, there was no trace of the suspected people_MP.
5. Supreme Court on Tuesday turned down the plea of an Army commando who
   claimed to have participated in Operation Sindoor and sought exemption from surrendering after being convicted and sentenced to ten-year jail term in dowry death of his wife. The court said that it was a case of gruesome killing by strangulation and exemption from surrendering could not be allowed. Though the petitioner tried to convince the court to grant relief and pointed out that he had participated in Operation Sindoor, the bench remained firm. “That doesn’t give you any immunity to commit atrocities at home. This goes to show how physically fit you are and the manner in which you alone could have strangulated your wife,” the Court observed_TOI, Stmn.
6. An army jawan was killed during a training exercise at the Sukhi Sewania range in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh when a dummy bomb dropped from a drone struck his head, police said on Tuesday. The incident took place on Monday when the victim, identified as Hav Vijay Singh from Uttarakhand, was struck by the dummy bomb, which weighed four kilograms and was dropped from a drone at a height of 400 feet_HT.

National Security

7. India’s military forced the enemy to surrender in 22 minutes using weapons made in India during Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday, emphasising that the operation against Pakistan projected India’s stringent policy against terrorism to the world. Speaking at an event marking the centenary celebration of the historic meeting between social reformer Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi, the Prime Minister said the recent military operation showcased the strength of Indian-made weapons and the decisiveness of the country’s armed forces_HT, MP, AA, Hindu, Pnr, Stmn.
8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with his Mauritius counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam and reiterated India’s commitment to the development priorities of Mauritius. During a phone call on Tuesday, Mr Modi invited Mr Ramgoolam to visit India and reiterated the principle of MAHASAGAR that he had presented during his visit to Mauritius_Hindu.
9. A Central Zonal Council (CZC), chaired by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, discussed regional law and order, border security, disaster response and environmental protection with chief ministers and senior officials of four States on Tuesday. At the beginning of the meeting, the Union Home Minister moved a resolution to commend the strong willpower of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the valour of the Indian Armed Forces, which was unanimously approved by the CZC_Pnr.
10. Without naming Pakistan, India on Tuesday called on SCO member states to hold accountable the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of acts of cross border terrorism, and to help bring them to justice. During his intervention at the SCO meeting of top security officials in Beijing, the NSA, Ajit Doval strongly pitched for a unified approach by members against terrorist affiliates and sponsors. He requested heads of delegations for support to several important Indian proposals, including an “algorithm of joint actions” to counter challenges posed by international terrorist organisations, including the Al Qaeda and its partners_TOI.
11. India and Nepal concluded the 16th Meeting of the Bilateral Consultative Group on Security Issues (INBCGSI) in Pune on Tuesday. The two-day meeting featured productive discussions on defence and security cooperation, including equipment supplies, training, joint military exercises, disaster relief operations, and military exchanges. Both delegations also visited public and private defence manufacturing facilities to explore collaborative opportunities_AA.
12. Two flights landed in Delhi on Tuesday from the Iranian city of Mashhad, taking the number of evacuated Indians who have reached India so far to 2,576. Another flight is expected to land just past midnight on Wednesday. Also, 594 Indians who were in Israel have been evacuated by air from both Jordan and Egypt so far_AA, Hindu, IE, Pnr, Stmn.
13. In his second visit to Assam’s Dhubri since communal tensions broke out there earlier this month, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said the government is “exploring the possibility” of setting up a permanent Army base in the India-Bangladesh border district. Communal tensions gripped Dhubri town on June 8 and 9 following the discovery of suspected cattle remains from a temple. On Tuesday, Sarma alleged the involvement of “external forces” and a communal group working to cause unrest in the town_IE, Pnr.
14. The NIA has taken custody of ULFA(I) Brig Rupam Asom alias Kant Borah, thus intensifying its probe, officials said on Tuesday. The senior ULFA(I) commander, apprehended by Tinsukia police earlier this week, was handed over to the NIA after preliminary questioning_Stmn.

Imdt Neighbourhood

15. China can continue to buy Iranian oil, US President Donald Trump said in what appeared to be relief for Tehran from sanctions Washington has previously imposed to punish the trade. China’s position as the main buyer of Iranian oil has served as a crucial lifeline for Tehran as its economy is battered by curbs_Hindu.
16. Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to join the fight against “hegemony” and protectionism in trade as they met in Beijing. Mr Wong, in turn, told Mr Xi he believed the Singapore-China ties were “more important than before” in a time of “global turbulence and uncertainty”_Hindu.
17. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday committed to support Iran at all forums and discussed the rapidly evolving situation in West Asia with envoys from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Pakistan foreign office expressed deep concern and alarm at the serious escalation in the security situation in the region, a government statement said_MP.
18. A Pakistani court on Tuesday rejected former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s petitions seeking post-arrest bail in eight terrorism cases related to the May 9 riots. “The Lahore High Court has rejected all bail petitions filed by the founder of PTI in connection with eight cases related to the May 9, 2023 cases, including Jinnah House/ Lahore Corps Commander House attack and arson incidents,” the court said_Hindu.
19. Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Tuesday scheduled July 1 for the indictment hearing against ex-PM Sheikh Hasina and two others in cases of “crimes against humanity”. Hasina, Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun are accused of using security forces to abduct, murder and torture activists during the mass uprising last year that led to the fall of her Awami League govt_TOI.

Extended Neighbourhood

20. US President Trump abruptly announced a ceasefire late Monday between Israel and Iran that no one had a clue about – least of all the two adversaries – and had everyone wondering if it would be meaningful and lasting. The two countries were still firing missiles when Trump announced an elaborate ceasefire on his social media platform, claiming “Israel & Iran came to me, almost simultaneously, and said, “PEACE!” I knew the time was NOW. The World, and the Middle East, are the real WINNERS”_TOI.
21. A wave of drones targeted several Iraqi military sites overnight on Tuesday,damaging two bases in what the Iraq described as a “cowardly and treacherous” assault. The attacks, which occurred between 2.15 am and 3.45 am local time, struck the Taji military base, around 12 miles north of Baghdad, and the Imam Ali base in the southeast of Iraq. No casualties were reported, but “significant damage” was caused to the radar systems at both bases, Sabah al-Numan. Security forces intercepted drones aimed at four other military sites operated by the Iraqi govt. There were no immediate claims of responsibility_TOI.
22. Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte praised President Trump for making Europe “pay in a big way,” as allied leaders gathered in the Netherlands Tuesday for a historic summit that could unite them around a new defence spending pledge or widen divisions among the 32 member countries. The US president, while flying aboard Air Force One enroute to The Hague, published a screenshot of a private message from Rutte saying: “Donald, you have driven us to a really, really important moment for America and Europe and the world. You will achieve something no American president in decades could get done”_TOI.
23. Israeli forces and drones opened fire toward hundreds of Palestinians waiting for aid in separate incidents in southern and central Gaza early Tuesday, killing at least 44, witnesses and hospitals said, as health authorities announced the number of Palestinians killed in the w

This is part of the Army’s ongoing artillery modernisation efforts to enhance its operational capabilities, boost firepower and improve responsiveness in diverse terrains along the borders with China and Pakistan

Vijay Mohan Tribune News Service

Just a few weeks after carrying out precision strikes on terrorist camps and military sites in Pakistan as part of its retribution against the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Army has set sights on acquiring a family of precision munitions that can be fired from its 155 mm artillery guns.

“Medium regiments are to be equipped with 155 mm family of precision munitions to provide first round hit probability during swift and intense operations, thereby enhancing the efficacy of field artillery gun systems,” a request for information (RFI) issued by Army headquarters on June 23 to identify suitable vendors states.

“The proposed 155 mm family of precision munitions will be employed in plains, mountains, high-altitude, semi-desert and desert terrains for execution of artillery tasks and are required to be compatible with all in service 155 mm caliber guns, the RFI adds.

The family of munitions being sought by the Army includes terminally guided munitions, sensor fused munitions and course correction systems that can be fired with any angle of elevation and can seek and destroy enemy armoured fighting vehicles or moving convoys of soft skinned vehicles.

This is part of the Army’s ongoing artillery modernisation efforts to enhance its operational capabilities, boost firepower and improve responsiveness in diverse terrains along the borders with China and Pakistan. Besides new guns, drones, surveillance and target acquisition radar, sensors and automated fire and control systems are part of the process.

The technical requirements listed out by the Army include compatibility with all caliber lengths and bi-modular charge systems of the in-service systems and be able to match the maximum range of the gun.

The Army has four types of 155 mm artillery guns in service. The oldest is the Bofors FH-77, 410 of which were inducted in the late 1980s and were effectively used to target element positions along the Line of Control in the 1999 Kargil conflict.

The next induction of 155 mm guns came about three decades later when the British M-777 ultra-lightweight howitzers were procured. A total of 145 guns were inducted in 2017 after a protracted procurement process.

Three other systems have also recently entered service with the Indian Army. These are the K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzer, Dhanush towed artillery gun and the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).

The K-9 is a Korean origin gun that is being licensed produced in India by Larsen and Toubro with 50 per cent Indian components. Dhanush is manufactured by the Advanced Weapons and Equipment India at the Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur — previously a part of the Ordnance Factory Board. ATAGS is a towed 155 mm howitzer being developed by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment, Tata Advanced Systems and Kalyani Strategic Systems.

Medium artillery guns like 155 mm series have a range of about 40 km. Some of the systems in the Indian Army’s inventory were used during Operation Sindoor in May to destroy Pakistani positions across the border.

Tribune News Service

n a major push to enhance the Indian Army’s readiness for counter-terrorism (CT) operations, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday announced the conclusion of 13 contracts worth Rs 1,981 crore under the emergency procurement (EP) route. This is part of a Rs 2,000 crore outlay allocated for rapid capability building.

Executed through fast-track procedures, the procurement aims to enhance situational awareness, lethality, mobility, and protection for troops deployed in counter terrorism operations. The acquisitions were completed within compressed timelines to ensure rapid capability augmentation, the Ministry of Defence said.

Key equipment being procured includes multiple categories of drones, including VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) systems. Drone detection and interdiction systems, all these came in very handy during the operation Sindoor. Additional bullet proof jackets (BPJs) and ballistic helmets are also on the purchase list.

Among the radars being purchased is the low-level lightweight radars.

For needs to tackle incoming ariel threats the Army will be getting very short-range air defence systems (VSHORADS). This will include launchers of the VSHORADS and its missiles. These have ranges of less than 10-km and form part of multi-layered air defence systems that proved its mettle in Operation Sindoor.

The Army will be adding to its arsenal of loitering ammunitions, these are like ‘kamikaze’ drones and can stay in the air for specified period and hit targets on a command given from ground.

The Army will also get ‘night sights’ for rifles. These allow troops to sight the terrorists even during night.

The MoD said these procurements reflect the Ministry’s commitment to equipping the Indian Army with modern, mission-critical, and completely indigenous systems to meet emerging security challenges.

The emergency procurement route continues to be a key enabler in bridging urgent capability gaps and ensuring timely induction of vital operational equipment.

In the past few years emergency procurement has been done in five tranches largely for equipment needed for tackling the threats along the northern boundary with China.

Tribune News Service

Captain Manmohan Singh Kohli (retd), renowned Indian Navy officer and legendary mountaineer who led India’s first successful Everest expedition in 1965, passed away in New Delhi on June 23 at the age of 93.

Known for his daring leadership during a covert Indo-US mission in 1965 to place a nuclear-powered spying device on Nanda Devi in Uttarakhand to monitor Chinese nuclear activity, Capt Kohli led India’s first successful Everest Expedition in 1965.

“Regret to inform the sad demise of Capt MS Kohli (retd) on June 23 at New Delhi,” The Navy said.

Capt Kohli’s covert operation on Nanda Devi has roots in the early 1960’s when China conducted its first nuclear test near Lake Lop Nur in the Xinjiang province. At that time, Cold War hysteria was at its peak. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reached out to the Indian Intelligence Bureau for help in spying on Chinese nuclear tests and missile firings.

Born December 11, 1930, in Haripur (now Pakistan), Kohli authored a book ‘Spies in the Himalayas’, and in which he described Nanda Devi as offering a vantage point with an unfettered view across Chinese-occupied Tibet. Meanwhile the Indian Navy said Capt Kohli was commissioned in the Indian Navy in 1954 and retired in 1974.

Based on his personal notes, the book has been published more than four decades after the demise of Gen Shrinagesh

Lt Gen Vinayak Patankar retd

Book Title: Commanded By Destiny: A General’s Rise from Soldier to Statesman

Author: Gen SM Shrinagesh

The advantage in reading memoirs set in a bygone era is that they transport the reader back to those very times and afford them the chance to relive them. It invokes personal experience of those times and also the legends and anecdotes one has heard and can relate to.

General Satyawant Mallannah Shrinagesh was the second Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army from 1955 to 1957, and his life was truly commanded by destiny. Early education in England, military service from subaltern to the Chief of the Army Staff and then, on retirement, setting up the Administrative Staff College to train officers of the civil services and, finally, the governorship of three states of the Indian Union — one can scarcely find anyone matching that unique profile.

The book has been put together and published more than four decades after the demise of Gen Shrinagesh. It has been possible only because the editors have done such a good job of converting Gen Shrinagesh’s personal notes into his memoirs that they read like his autobiography. The narrative covering the contours of his journey through an extraordinary life has been presented in 16 chapters arranged chronologically.

As one follows the narrative of the General’s fierce patriotism and an enduring love for and pride in the Indian Army, the wide range of his intellect and the depth of knowledge clearly come through. But, above all, it is his demureness and humility that is unmistakable.

Among his many services to the nation, what must stand out is his most sterling contribution to the Indian Army, particularly in terms of its Indianisation (removing colonial vestiges) and reorganisation of the Army post-Independence. The Indian Army under the British was structured to maintain control over their colonial empire within and outside India. Gen Shrinagesh saw the necessity to restructure the Indian Army to instead defend our Independence and our borders. Its force structure was required to be based on the perceived threats to our national security. His experience of active combat leadership and higher direction of military operations during the Kashmir war of 1947-48 was reflected in his concept of a future-ready Indian Army.

His outlook was visionary. He was among the first few (along with Lt Gen SPP Thorat) to appreciate the potential threat from China and the need to prepare for two battlefronts. He had factored in the vulnerability of the narrow Siliguri corridor in his assessment of threats to our national security. He had also pointed out the need for jointness among the armed forces and to have a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) towards that end. He felt a reserve force should be kept in readiness to act swiftly in an emergency.

As part of restructuring the Army, he realised how essential it was to give the Army time to train, incorporate newer concepts of warfare, weapons, equipment and systems. For that, he advocated the need to relieve the Army of mere border-guarding duties by raising paramilitary forces (like the BSF, the ITBP and so on) to be assigned those tasks.

Gen Shrinagesh had a keen sense of history and its relevance to contemporary issues is evident in his analysis of the Chinese aggression in 1962, an almost clairvoyant assessment of Beijing’s ambitions and expansionism.

In the three chapters covering his tenures as Governor of three states, each completely diverse in terms of geography, history and socio-political milieu, his understanding and insights into socio-political issues is remarkable. It is particularly evident in his handling of the Naga insurgency in the 1960s. While assisting the Central government to find a political solution to the problem, he was also clear-headed about the use of (military) force to deal with the armed underground cadres operating under the leadership of Phizo.

Even while serving the interests of the people of each state where he was appointed, he was mindful of the larger national priorities, which included the need to consolidate our Independence by simultaneously fostering Centre-state relations and placing the nation’s interests above regional considerations. This he encouraged vigorously during his three tenures as Governor.

Gen Shrinagesh was not a stranger to being in the company of celebrities and persons of high social standing. His meetings with the Nizam of Hyderabad and an account of a tiger shoot at the invitation of a Maharaja make for interesting reading. Yet, none of those opportunities affected his humbleness and self-effacing nature. He maintained his calm persona and dignity without any aura of greatness, which he rightly had claim to.

The book is not without its lighter moments. The General has quoted two interesting stories, both with subtle humour.

Gen Shrinagesh lived a life with courage of his convictions, his innate sense of values and a strong belief in discipline, honour and integrity.

If he were to come back today, he would be pleased to see that many of his dreams, like the appointment of CDS, have become a reality and his reading of Chinese expansionism has been proved right.

— The reviewer is former Commander of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps

Arjun Sharma

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday reviewed the preparations for the annual Amarnath Yatra, which is scheduled to begin on July 3 and for which the UT and Centre are making special security arrangements.

In addition, General Dwivedi assessed the Kashmir region’s overall security grid and spoke with officers about the region’s current security state.

“General Dwivedi reviewed the security grid in the Kashmir region and reviewed preparedness for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. He was briefed on the current operational dynamics and the broader strategic landscape, including a demonstration on the integration of advanced technologies in operations, leading to smarter decisions and enhanced surveillance and response mechanisms,” the Army posted on X.

The Army said the COAS praised all ranks of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps “for their unwavering commitment in ensuring peace and stability through decisive counter-terror operations and initiatives aimed at the development of the region and uplift of the local population”.

The security arrangements for the pilgrimage are being given special emphasis due to the April 22 attack in Pahalgam by terrorists. The police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), CRPF and Army will protect the convoys of pilgrims that will pass through many forest areas along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

Besides, the lodgement centres of the pilgrims on their way to the Valley are also being secured to ensure there is no untoward incident. The administration is also gearing up to provide all facilities to the pilgrims who will visit the holy cave shrine.

Secretary, Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, conducted a tour of the Baltal axis to assess the sanitation facilities being put in place for the upcoming pilgrimage.

Asad ordered full deployment of sanitation personnel with proper supervision by the designated nodal officers.

Meanwhile, Samba Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma visited three key lodgement centres — Chichi Mata Temple, Nonath Ashram and Daini Transit camp — to review arrangements.

The centre at the Chichi Mata Temple has a capacity for around 800 pilgrims. The DC took stock of civic amenities, including toilets, bathing units and others. At Nonath, the issue of water shortage was flagged for urgent action.

The administrations of the district from where the pilgrims will pass have been asked to ensure proper arrangement

Tribune News Service

The Indian Navy is set to commission its latest stealth multi-role frigate, INS Tamal, on July 1 at Kaliningrad, Russia. The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, Commander of the Western Naval Command

‘Tamal’ is the eighth in the series of Krivak-class frigates inducted from Russia over the past two decades and is the second ship of the Tushil Class, which are upgraded versions of the Talwar and Teg classes, each comprising three ships.

As part of the broader contract for the Tushil class, India is also constructing two similar frigates, known as the Triput class, at Goa Shipyard Limited, with technology transfer and design assistance from Russia. By the conclusion of this series, the Indian Navy will operate 10 ships with similar capabilities and commonality in equipment, weaponry, and sensor fit across four different classes.

The Tamal’s construction was closely overseen by an Indian team of specialists from the Warship Overseeing Team stationed at Kaliningrad, under the aegis of the Embassy of India, Moscow. At the Naval Headquarters, the project was steered by the Directorate of Ship Production under the Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition.

The ship features 26 per cent indigenous components, including the BrahMos long-range cruise missile, capable of targeting both sea and land. The Navy has stated that the ship’s combat capability is enhanced by a range of Network Centric Warfare capabilities and an advanced Electronic Warfare suite. The Tamal boasts a high tonnage-to-firepower ratio, extended endurance, and a top speed exceeding 30 knots.

The crew, comprising over 250 personnel, has undergone rigorous training both ashore and afloat in the challenging winter conditions of St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad.

The date-wise schedule has been published on the official website of the Indian Army

The online Common Entrance Exam (CEE) for Agniveer recruitment in the Indian Army for the year 2025-26 has been scheduled from June 30 to July 10.

The exam will be conducted at ION Digital Zone, Bahadurgarh, Patiala, and RIMT University, Fatehgarh Sahib. The date-wise schedule has been published on the official website of the Indian Army. Admit cards for the candidates have already been issued, and the results of the online entrance exam will be declared in July 2025.

The exam is the first stage of the recruitment process; it is followed by recruitment rallies in the second stage, where shortlisted candidates, based on their performance in the CEE, will be invited. The final merit list will be prepared based on the results of the online CEE and the performance in the screening tests during the rallies.