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In a decisive move to safeguard human life amid escalating natural risks, the district administration of Lahaul and Spiti has imposed immediate restrictions on tourist movement and commercial activity in vulnerable zones surrounding the North Portal of the Atal Tunnel (Rohtang) on Manali-Leh highway in Lahaul and Spiti district.

The order comes in response to alarming reports from engineering and police authorities highlighting the increasing frequency of avalanches, snow slides and falling debris in the region, hazards that have already claimed lives. The order was issued by Lahaul and Spiti Deputy Commissioner-cum-Disaster Management Authority Kiran Bhadana.

The affected stretch includes the hill slopes on the left side of the tunnel’s North Portal, the adjoining vicinity around the portal, and the Chandra Bridge river along with its surrounding areas. These locations, popular among tourists for their dramatic landscapes and snow-covered vistas, have now been declared a restricted zone due to their high susceptibility to sudden and potentially deadly natural events.

Officials noted a surge in tourist footfall and unauthorised commercial activities such as roadside vending, temporary stalls and informal photography points. While these have contributed to local livelihoods, they have also intensified the risks by encouraging crowding in unsafe zones and obstructing critical emergency response operations. Authorities emphasised that such activities could hinder swift evacuation and rescue efforts in case of an avalanche or similar disaster.

Under the new directive, entry of tourists and the general public into the restricted zone is strictly prohibited unless specifically authorised. All forms of commercial activity have been banned and vehicles are no longer permitted to stop, park or gather in these areas. Traffic movement will now be closely regulated by the police and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel to ensure safety and prevent congestion in this strategically vital corridor.

The Superintendent of Police has been tasked with enforcing the order rigorously, with support from BRO and project authorities responsible for the tunnel. Violations will invite strict legal action under relevant provisions of law. However, the restrictions will not apply to emergency services, government officials on duty and disaster response teams.

The administration has clarified that the order takes immediate effect and will remain in force until conditions are deemed safe following a comprehensive hazard reassessment. While the move may temporarily disrupt tourism in the region, officials stress that the priority remains the protection of human life in the face of unpredictable mountain hazards

Vijay Mohan

The essence of Meghalaya and the BSF’s role in the state has been brought to life by Harbax Singh Dhillon, a top BSF officer, in a coffee table book titled ‘BSF and Meghalaya: Through the Lens of a Borderman’ that uniquely combines three genres of literary and visual arts – poems and photographs composed and clicked by him and pencil sketches made by BSF personnel.

The north-eastern state of Meghalaya is described as a breathtaking destination, with pristine, lush green landscapes, misty forests, mysterious caves and incredible waterfalls. The ‘abode of the clouds’ is also known for its friendly populace and vibrant culture.

The state, which attracts hordes of tourists, is also a critical frontier for the Border Security Force (BSF) as it shares a 440 km-long international border with Bangladesh that is vulnerable to infiltration and smuggling, requiring a strong presence of border guarding forces and a dynamic civic action programme to constructively engage locals.

The essence of Meghalaya and the BSF’s role in the state has been brought to life by Harbax Singh Dhillon, a top BSF officer, in a coffee table book titled ‘BSF and Meghalaya: Through the Lens of a Borderman’ that uniquely combines three genres of literary and visual arts – poems and photographs composed and clicked by him and pencil sketches made by BSF personnel.

Presently, Dhillon is posted as Inspector General (Operations), BSF Western Command. He will be moving to the BSF Headquarters in New Delhi this week to accept his promotion to the rank of Additional Director General.

With over 400 pictures, 26 poems and two dozen sketches, the 240-page book illustrates diverse subjects such as BSF deployment, the border fence, women in the BSF, operational challenges, Bangladesh as seen from India, civic engagement, local heritage, everyday life in Meghalaya, festivals, sports and cultural activities, tribes and historical aspects.

Spectacular terrain, mesmerising forests, hidden coves and the diverse flora and fauna present a vivid visual journey through the state where, in the author’s own words, clouds whisper secrets to the soul and the landscape awakens with an ethereal beauty.

“When I was posted in Meghalaya as Inspector General, I explored the state with the heart of a seeker and the perspective of a poet. As I interacted with residents and intellectuals, I came across numerous fascinating facets of the state that were neither common knowledge nor documented in a single volume,” said Dhillon, who has spent 37 years with the BSF and served across multiple frontiers.

“I have also been writing poetry on nature and on the troops and their courage, grit and resilience. It just dawned upon me to write a book which would not only highlight lesser-known facts of Meghalaya, but also be a visual and poetic tribute to the soldiers serving in tough conditions as well as to the charming and friendly people of the state,” he added.

Iran fired on targets Fri day across the Middle East, damaging a desali nation plant and setting a refinery ablaze in Kuwait, while American and Israeli airstrikes hit the Islamic Republic as the war neared the end of its fifth week. Tehran has kept the pres sure on Israel and its Gulf Arab neighbour, despite US and Israeli insistence that Iran’s military capabilities have been all but destroyed. In a sign that part of Iran’s theocracy could be willing to negotiate, the country’s former top dip lomat published a proposal for ending the conflict in an influential American magazine. Iran’s attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure and its tight grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas transits in peacetime, have roiled stock markets, sent oil prices sky rocketing, and threatened to raise the cost of many basic goods, including food. Iran’s ability to wreak havoc in the global economy has proved a major strate gic advantage, and world leaders have struggled to figure out how to reopen the waterway. The UN Se curity Council was expected to look at a new proposal. Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif — a seasoned diplo mat with long experience negotiating with the West who remains close to a pragmatic wing of Iran’s leadership — wrote on Fri day that the time has come to end the suffering on both sides. PT

The Central Board of Sec ondary Education (CBSE) has rolled out its new curriculum, launching a phased implementation of the three-language formula from Class 6 and a two-level system of mathematics and science for Class 9 starting in the 2026-27 academic session, officials said on Friday. While the three-language formula mandated under the new National Educa tion Policy (NEP) will be implemented from 2026 for Class 6, introduction of the two-level system of mandatory standard and optional advanced courses in mathematics and science will be done for Class 9. “Languages are organ ised through a structured three-language framework across stages: R1, R2 and R3. As per recommen dations of new National Curriculum Framework (NCF), two of these three languages must be native to India. In continuation of the board’s phased implementation of mul tilingual education, a third language will be made mandatory from Class 6 with effect from the aca demic session 2026-27, ensuring that every learner studies at least two Indian languages,” a senior board official said.

Indian vendors have been asked to submit proposals by April 30

Taking a technological leap, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is exploring a hydrogen-powered, autonomous airship capable of long-endurance missions for persistent surveillance.

The IAF has invited bids from Indian companies to indigenously design, develop and manufacture a platform that can operate at altitudes of around 30,000 feet and carry payloads of up to 5,000 kg. Multiple bidders will be shortlisted, with one final partner selected for production.

While foreign collaboration is permitted, the project mandates a minimum of 50 per cent indigenous content. Indian vendors have been asked to submit proposals by April 30.

The platform, termed a “Medium Altitude Heavy Lift Airship”, will be unmanned. The IAF aims to partner with domestic defence industry players to execute the project.

The airship is expected to be hydrogen-powered and used for persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, while also providing communication capabilities similar to airborne radar and electronic warfare platforms.

It is required to carry specialised payloads and function as a launch platform for missiles and drones during flight.

The IAF has highlighted hydrogen as a preferred fuel due to its lighter-than-air properties, availability, non-toxic nature and clean emissions, producing only water vapour.

The service is also looking at hybrid propulsion systems —combining hydrogen fuel with solar power, batteries or fuel cells — to enable an endurance of at least 10 days. The platform should be capable of autonomous launch and recovery from both prepared and unprepared surfaces.

Additionally, the airship must support line-of-sight communication of at least 250 km or operate via satellite links.

The IAF has not specified the number of platforms it plans to procure. However, bidders are required to demonstrate strong financial and technical capabilities, along with manufacturing infrastructure, in-house design expertise and project management capacity.

It incorporates advanced stealth features to significantly reduce its radar signature, enhancing survivability and combat effectiveness in contested environments

INS Taragiri, the fourth ship in the seven-vessel Nilgiri-class of stealth frigates, was commissioned on Friday, showcasing the Navy’s adoption of advanced shipbuilding techniques such as integrated construction to accelerate delivery timelines.

Commissioned at Visakhapatnam in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the 6,670-tonne warship has been built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.

The frigate incorporates advanced stealth features to significantly reduce its radar signature, enhancing survivability and combat effectiveness in contested environments. It represents a generational leap in indigenous warship design.

Its weapon suite includes BrahMos supersonic surface-to-surface missiles (including land-attack capability), medium-range surface-to-air missiles, a 76 mm main gun, 30 mm and 12.7 mm close-in weapon systems, as well as anti-submarine and underwater warfare systems.

Around a decade ago, the Navy accelerated its warship production pace, aided by modern design software, modular construction techniques and a growing domestic industrial base. As a result, Indian shipyards are now approaching global benchmarks in build timelines.

A key enabler has been the Ministry of Defence’s adoption of integrated construction, where different sections of a ship —such as the hull, superstructure and internal systems — are built as separate blocks and later assembled seamlessly.

Over the past five to six years, shipyards have added new infrastructure, streamlined supply chains and increasingly used technologies such as artificial intelligence to optimise sequencing in construction, including material sourcing and production timelines.

The Nilgiri-class is the first major project to fully utilise this approach. These frigates are an advanced evolution of the earlier Shivalik class.

While Shivalik-class ships took nearly nine years from keel-laying to commissioning, the first three Nilgiri-class vessels were completed in under eight years. INS Taragiri has been delivered in under six and a half years, with timelines expected to reduce further as processes mature.

Naval designers at the Warship Design Bureau and shipbuilders have also optimised construction by installing a greater proportion of equipment before launch, reducing post-launch outfitting time. This includes key systems such as the superstructure, propulsion components, piping and cabling.

Each construction block, weighing around 250 tonnes, is precision-engineered to allow seamless integration, ensuring faster assembly and improved efficiency without compromising capability.

With the induction of INS Aridhaman, India now has the requisite number of submarines to maintain a “continuous at-sea deterrent” posture. This positions India as the only country apart from China, France, Russia, the UK and the US  to have this ability.

India on Friday commissioned its third indigenous nuclear-powered and ballistic missile-carrying submarine, INS Aridhaman.

In Naval parlance, such submarines are called ‘ship submersible ballistic nuclear’ (SSNB). India has already inducted two such submarines — INS Arihant and INS Arighaat — in 2016 and 2024, respectively. The series of these vessels is called the ‘Arihant class’.

INS Aridhaman and its sister submarines — INS Arihant and INS Arighaat — are nuclear-powered and can remain submerged under water for weeks at a stretch. India’s nuclear doctrine rules out a ‘first strike’; however, to carry out a retaliatory strike, an SSBN submerged under water is considered the best option.

Analysts say India now has the requisite number of submarines to maintain a “continuous at-sea deterrent” posture with at least one SSBN on armed patrol at all times. This will position India as the only country apart from China, France, Russia, the UK and the US — the five permanent members of the UN Security Council — to have this ability.

INS Aridhaman is expected to carry 750-km range K-15 and also a K-4 intermediate range (some 3,500 km) ballistic missiles, which can also carry a nuclear warhead.

The three submarines are part of India’s secretive advanced technology vessel (ATV) project and form a critical component of the nuclear triad – the ability to fire a nuclear weapon from air, land and sea.

INS Aridhaman — being longer in length than its sister vessels — has eight launch tubes instead of four, thus doubling the vertical launch system (VLS) capacity to fire missiles.

Earlier in the morning, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who was in Vishakhapatnam for the commissioning of warship Taragiri, posted a one liner in Hindi language on X which when translated in English means: “It’s not a word, It’s a power — Aridhaman”.

Sources said the nuclear submarine was commissioned after a public ceremony to commission INS Taragiri.

The submarine’s hull has been fabricated by L&T and built at Visakhapatnam. The Arihant-class submarines are powered by an indigenous 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.

The sumbarine features improved sonar suites and indigenous communication systems, alongside more refined hydrodynamics to reduce its acoustic signature (noise level), making it harder to detect during deep-sea patrols.

Besides its indigenous SSBNs, India is looking to secure a nuclear-powered attack submarine from Russia. It does not carry nuclear missiles. Sources said it was expected to be arriving in India by 2027.

West Asia crisis: One of two pilots rescued | Opening Hormuz no big deal, claims Washington

Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service

A US fighter jet was shot down over Iran even as US President Donald Trump said the US “hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran”. One of the two pilots of the downed jet had been rescued by the US forces, CBS News reported on Friday, citing two US officials.

Trump’s comments came hours after an under-construction civilian road bridge was damaged near Tehran, killing eight.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, responding to Trump’s threat to send Iran “back to the Stone Age,” called it an admission of intent to commit a “massive war crime”. “This was the question I asked my Finnish counterpart, who is a jurist,” he said, referring to Alexander Stubb. “History is full of those who paid a heavy price for their silence in the face of criminals,” he said. An Iranian capture of a US pilot could be a turning point in the war and bad optics for Trump. Iranian media said the downed jet was an F-35. Two US sources told Reuters the plane was a two-seat F-15E and a search was underway.

Iranian television announced that the country was offering a cash reward for anyone who could find the pilot. This is the second time Iran has hit a US jet. Three other jets of the US were downed, which Washington attributed to “friendly fire”.

On the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz, Trump on Friday claimed that Washington could do it easily. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said with a “little more time, we can easily open Hormuz, take the oil and make a fortune”.

In Washington, the Trump administration has requested the Congress to increase defence spending by an astonishing $1.5 trillion. Trump and his Cabinet have long pushed allies to increase their defence budgets.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran was putting together a framework to administer and manage passage through the strait. However, countries that were hostile to Iran were not allowed to pass through. There had been consultations with Oman as the narrow water body sits between the two countries.

The southern side of the Strait of Hormuz is controlled by Oman, yet the Iranian side is deeper; that’s why most ships prefer to pass through the Iranian side. It isn’t feasible for large vessels to pass through the Omani side.

Major oil and gas exporters from the Gulf region rely on it to move supplies to international markets, while importing nations depend on its uninterrupted operation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that 70 per cent of Iran’s steel production capacity has been destroyed by the combined US-Israeli air strikes, which have repeatedly targeted critical Iranian infrastructure and the country’s industrial base.

Israel has threatened to destroy more of Lebanon’s bridges as Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon expands, spurring more fear, displacement and deadly attacks.

Kuwait says a water desalination plant and an oil refinery have been struck by Iran as Gulf nations continue to face attacks from Tehran. A gas plant in the UAE was also targeted on Friday morning. Iran has also fired missiles at Israel, where homes and cars have been damaged.

The UK is sending in an air defence system — Rapid Ranger — to Kuwait, a short-range system that is designed to counter drones.

Iran’s Press TV has posted a clip of army spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari warning that if the US continues to threaten strikes on Iranian power plants, Tehran will target regional energy infrastructure and telecommunications companies with American shareholders.

The UN has warned that world food prices have climbed for a second consecutive month in March, reaching their highest level since December. The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks a basket of globally traded commodities, averaged 128.5 points last month, up 2.4 per cent from February.

Meanwhile, oil prices have surged following Trump’s renewed threats to destroy Iranian infrastructure. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose about 8 per cent on Friday, topping $109 a barrel.

At least 2,076 people have been killed and 26,500 wounded by the US-Israeli attacks across Iran since February 28.

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