Bids invited for prototype, private players allowed

Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service

The Ministry of Defence has invited bids to develop a prototype of the fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, a step that is set to boost India’s indigenous defence capabilities and strengthen the domestic aerospace industry.

The private industry has been invited to participate in the project — a first for the military aviation sector — and will involve development of new technology.

The ministry said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had approved the “programme execution model” for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will execute the programme through industry partnership, providing equal opportunities to both private and public sectors on a competitive basis.

Bidding can be done independently, as a joint venture or as consortia. The entity or the bidder will have to be an Indian company compliant with the laws and regulations of the land.The ministry said it would be an important step towards harnessing the indigenous expertise, capability and capacity to develop the AMCA prototype, and a major milestone towards “aatmanirbharta” in the aerospace sector.

The ADA will soon issue an expression of interest (EoI) for the AMCA Development Phase.

In March last year, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had approved the proposal to design and manufacture AMCA.

The Rs 15,000-crore project involves the development of design and prototype of the aircraft. It will have two variants with different engines — Mark 1 is expected to be powered by General Electric (GE) F414 98 kilonewton (kN) engine and advanced Mark 2 may have a 110 kN engine, which is being developed.

The IAF is looking at seven squadrons (18 planes each) of AMCA — two of Mark 1 and the rest of Mark 2.

Mark 2 will be powered by new indigenous engines for which Safran of France, GE of the US and Rolls Royce of the UK are the contenders.

The aircraft will have the latest avionics and indigenous AESA radar, besides the capability to carry weapons internally as well as externally.

Currently, only the US (F-22 Raptor), Russia (Su-57) and China (J-20) have developed fifth-generation fighter jets.

Rs 15K-cr AMCA project

Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft will have 2 variants — Mark 1 with 98 kN engine & Mark 2 with more powerful 110 kN engine

It will have latest avionics and indigenous active electronically scanned array radar & can carry weapons internally and externally

Only the US (F-22, F-35), Russia (Su-57) and China (J-20) have developed fifth-generation fighter jets

Says thwarted attempts to infiltrate 40-50 terrorists via Jammu border

The Border Security Force on Tuesday said it destroyed over 70 Pakistani posts and three terrorist launch pads in retaliation to unprovoked firing and shelling by Pakistan Rangers along the International Border in the Jammu frontier during Operation Sindoor.

Shashank Anand, Inspector General, BSF, said infiltration attempts by 40-50 terrorists were thwarted with pre-emptive strikes during the conflict. “When India launched Operation Sindoor, it was expected that Pakistan will retaliate. They opened unprovoked fire and we retaliated effectively, damaging their over 70 border outposts and three terror launch pads. Our pre-emptive strikes inflicted heavy losses on the enemy troops, forcing them to retreat. Their soldiers and terrorists suffered casualties,” he said.

Women personnel get pat fpr engaging enemy

BSF IG praised women personnel for their courage, specifically mentioning Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari. “Our women troops had the option to relocate to battalion headquarters, but they chose to remain at forward posts. Assistant Commandant Neha and women constables engaged enemy fire with bravery.”

Addressing the media here, the IG said intelligence agencies had been receiving inputs that Pakistan was planning to facilitate the infiltration of terrorists, for which the Rangers were targeting Indian outposts.

Anand said Operation Sindoor was still on as Pakistan could not be trusted. “The BSF will not let its guard down as there are apprehensions of more infiltration attempts. We are maintaining the highest-possible vigil,” the IG said. “We are also in the process of naming a post in the Samba sector as “Sindoor” and two others after martyrs.” He said terror launch pads had been destroyed with targeted strikes in Akhnoor, Samba and RS Pura sectors of the Jammu frontier. “On May 9-10, Pakistan opened unprovoked fire in the Akhnoor sector, targeting BSF posts. In response, we hit the Loni launch pad linked to the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and caused significant damage,” said Anand. He said Pakistan used low-flying drones to drop payloads on BSF posts, resulting in three casualties.

Chiter Pal, DIG, BSF, said Pakistan started firing on the Indian posts on May 9. He said a key terror launch pad run by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence near the Sunderbani sector was destroyed. “There is no movement seen from that area now,” he said.

A US official says the suspension is intended to be temporary and does not apply to applicants who already had scheduled their visa interviews

The US State Department has halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students hoping to study in the US while it prepares to expand the screening of their activity on social media, officials said.

A US official said on Tuesday that the suspension is intended to be temporary and does not apply to applicants who already had scheduled their visa interviews.The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an internal administration document.

A cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and obtained by The Associated Press says the State Department plans to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting.

“Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consulate sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor visa appointment capacity” until the guidance is issued, the cable says.

Asked about the suspension at a briefing on Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the US uses every available resource to vet people applying for visas.

“We will continue to use every tool we can to assess who it is that’s coming here, whether they are students or otherwise,” Bruce said.

The move, first reported by Politico, is the latest in the Donald Trump administration’s crackdown on international students.Last week, the Trump administration revoked Harvard University’s ability to enrol international students, removing the college from the programme that allows schools to sponsor foreign students for visas.

That effort was quickly challenged in court and for now is blocked by a federal judge.

This spring, the administration also revoked the legal status of thousands of international students already in the country, leading some to leave the US out of fear of deportation.

After many students filed successful legal challenges, the administration said it was restoring the students’ legal status. But the government also expanded the grounds for terminating international students’ legal status going forward.

Trump’s previous administration stepped up scrutiny of all visa applicants, introducing reviews of their social media accounts. The policy remained during former president Joe Biden’s administration.

An extended pause in scheduling student visas could lead to delays that may disrupt college, boarding-school or exchange students’ plans to enrol in summer and fall terms.

A downturn in enrolment of international students could hurt university budgets. To make up for cuts in federal research funding, some colleges shifted to enrolling more international students, who often pay full tuition.

HC rejects anticipatory bail petition of Punjab cop in Colonel assault case

Gross misuse of police authority’: HC denies bail to Punjab cop in Colonel assault case

Linguistic mistake: MP minister on Col Sofiya remark

Army officer dies while rescuing jawan

President Murmu awards 6 Kirti, 33 Shaurya Chakras for gallantry

Major Aashish Dhonchak posthumously conferred Shaurya Chakra

Shaurya Chakra for two brave Majors from state

Maj Rohit Kadian shines in World Masters Games

Integrated Command and Control Centre gets operational at Vaishno Devi shrine

Raja Warring visits kin of Agniveer killed in Jammu, demands martyr status

Wreath-laying ceremony held for Maharashtra braveheart

CRPF commandos honoured with Shaurya Chakra for anti-Naxal operations

Flight carrying Kanimozhi-led MP delegation circles Moscow sky following drone attack  

Post Op Sindoor, India’s strategic requirements ‘won’t be left wanting’

DRDO chief sees global demand for ‘Akashteer’

LoP meets ailing former J&K Guv Satya Pal Malik

20,000 Indians killed in terror attacks: India rebukes Pakistan at UN

Man posing as army Captain dupes couple of Rs17 lakh, held

How Indo-Pak conflict resonates in Mizoram

AF guided IndiGo flight as Pak rejected plea to use airspace

Calls delay in registration of FIR ‘astonishing’

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of police officer Ronnie Singh Salh, one of the cops who had allegedly assaulted a Colonel and his son over two months ago in Patiala.

The alleged incident had taken place on March 13 night in Patiala, where Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath and his son were allegedly assaulted by police personnel over a parking dispute.

Justice Anoop Chitkara asserted that the incident showed a “complete misuse of police power” by the officers.

The admonition came as Justice Chitkara called for a thorough investigation into the delay in the registration of an FIR on the victim’s plea and other aspects, while referring to inaction on senior police officers’ part for bringing the “perpetrators to justice”.

Justice Chitkara observed that two FIRs were registered – first for affray based on a complaint made by owner of a dhaba, where the incident took place, and the subsequent one on the army officer’s plea.

A fundamental aspect which must be thoroughly investigated by a senior level police officer and certainly not less than of the Senior Superintendent of Police is the manner in which was registered based on the dhaba owner’s complaint and non-registration of earlier on the army officer’s plea “despite involving a grievous injury and a complaint about causing assault”.

“It is astonishing that the police immediately registered an FIR on finding an offence of affray. However, despite the earlier DDR disclosing injuries and fractures… no FIR was registered until March 22,” the court observed, terming the delay disturbing and suggestive of bias.

Justice Chitkara asserted the callous and violent way in which police officers were seen to be beating the two “clearly demonstrates an inhumane, aggressive and arrogant attitude of a cruel mindset, which is uncharacteristic of what our respectable and valiant police force actually represents. This vile, uncivilised, pitiless and brutal way is not the manner in which a police force ought to behave with its people, anywhere, and especially, in a democratic country like ours”.

Justice Chitkara added the police are meant to uphold law and order with fairness, not instill fear through unwarranted force. “It is common knowledge that the majority of the people, especially the poor, downtrodden and illiterate have been deeply conditioned to be afraid of the police, harboring a fear of them in the hearts of hearts. It is behaviour like that – as seen in the present case exhibited by a thin minority of officials – which inspires such fear and terror and is exemplary of incidents fuelling such narratives”.

The court added that the most disturbing part was that the accused police officers, fully aware of their duties and even after learning that the victim was a serving Colonel, showed no restraint. They snatched his ID, threatened his life and brutally beat him.

“We must not forget so early that this region is closer to a hostile border, has a history of militancy and is still battling cross-border narco-terrorism,” the Bench observed.

Holding that there appeared to be an intentional effort to scare away the visitors who could have acted as “independent witnesses” and assault the complainants in isolation, Justice Chitkara asserted: “Even if it is hypothetically assumed that the victims had wrongfully parked their car… still the job of a law enforcement officer is to issue a challan. It is not the job of any trained and licensed law enforcement officer to physically manhandle the occupants of the vehicle, let alone beat them black and blue.”

In a scathing order, the Punjab and Haryana High Court slammed the ‘non-action of the senior officers to ensure an FIR was registered without delay’.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of Ronnie Singh Salh, a police officer accused of brutally assaulting Army Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath and his son Angad Singh, calling the act a “heinous” and “vile” abuse of power that struck at the very foundation of civilised policing in a democracy.

Justice Anoop Chitkara, who presided over the case, tore into the conduct of the accused, terming it a “gross misuse of police authority” and a display of “inhumane, aggressive and arrogant” behaviour unbefitting the uniform.

The alleged incident occurred on the intervening night of March 13-14 near Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, when Colonel Bath, his son, and a friend had stopped to eat noodles from the trunk of their car. A Scorpio fitted with blinking red and blue lights arrived, and seven to eight men in civilian clothes got out, allegedly demanding that the Colonel move his vehicle. What followed, as per the FIR, was a sudden and violent assault in which Colonel Bath was punched unconscious and then beaten with fists and sticks—even after he identified himself as an Army officer.The attack left both father and son grievously injured, including bone fractures, as confirmed by medical records from Rajindra Hospital. Salh was among those named in the FIR, which was registered on March 22—eight days after the incident, and only following public outrage.

The case was later handed over to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a Chandigarh UT cadre IPS officer, after the high court on April 3 expressed concern over the integrity of the initial probe.

In his strongly worded order, Justice Chitkara said the police’s actions were indefensible. “Even if it is hypothetically assumed that the victims had wrongfully parked their car, the job of a law enforcement officer is to issue a challan,” he wrote. “It is not the job of any trained law enforcer, skilled in the efficient use of force continuum, to mete out unmerciful, furious beatings to a common man at the drop of a hat,” he added.

“The callous and violent way in which these police officers are seen to be beating those two people visibly demonstrates an inhumane, aggressive and arrogant attitude of a cruel mindset. This vile, uncivilised, pitiless and brutal way is not how a police force ought to behave—especially in a democratic country like ours,” he further said.

Justice Chitkara did not spare senior officers either. “If it was the assault alone which was the problem, the gravity of the issue would have been different. What makes the entire episode even more worrisome is the non-action of the senior officers to ensure an FIR was registered without delay,” he said, calling it “alarming and disheartening” that no prompt action was taken despite the gravity of the incident. The FIR, the court noted, was lodged only after “public furore”.

The judge also flagged what he called an attempt to fabricate evidence. “Another perturbing aspect is that the accused attempted to fabricate evidence by getting treated in a private hospital. Such deviously crafty behaviour portrays an assumption of possessing unfettered powers—as if such officers are emperors of their police jurisdiction, which can never be the intent of legislature,” he said.

The court was also disturbed by the alleged assault on a serving Army officer. “Despite knowing from his identity card that he was a Colonel in the Army, the accused showed zero signs of stopping, snatched his ID, intimidated him, threatened his life and continued to beat him unsparingly,” the court said.

ALSO READ | Police assault on Colonel in Patiala: How the case is similar to the 1992 Army officer attack row that cost Chandigarh SSP his post

Taking a wider view, the court remarked: “If police officers display such brutality, high-handedness and disrespect towards members of our esteemed defence services, such reprehensible conduct is not just against the individual but against the whole nation. It implies they would be happy to serve any ruler—defying the very spirit of democracy that empowers them.”

Justice Chitkara stressed that “cruelty” must weigh heavily in bail decisions. “A cruel person amok is a potential threat to the well-being, safety and security of those around, much like a landmine waiting to explode on the slightest pressure,” he said.

Finding the petitioner’s involvement prima facie established and the brutality of the act incompatible with pre-arrest bail, the court dismissed the petition. The order said further comments were withheld to avoid prejudice to the trial. All pending applications were also disposed of.

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The SIT investigation continues and has been directed to conclude within four months.

Terming his controversial remark about Col Sofiya Qureshi a “linguistic mistake”, Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah on Friday once again tendered an apology. “My intention was not to hurt or offend any religion, caste or community. I sincerely apologise

Terming his controversial remark about Col Sofiya Qureshi a “linguistic mistake”, Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah on Friday once again tendered an apology. “My intention was not to hurt or offend any religion, caste or community. I sincerely apologise to the Indian Army, Sister Col Sofiya and all countrymen for the words I said inadvertently and once again with folded hands I apologise,” said Shah, the Minister for Tribal Affairs.

The Supreme Court on Monday constituted a three-member special investigation team to probe the First Information Report registered against him.

The 23-year-old officer, commissioned less than six months ago, was leading a ‘route opening patrol towards a forward tactical base in Sikkim

n an extraordinary display of courage and leadership, Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari of the Indian Army’s Sikkim Scouts sacrificed his life while saving a fellow soldier during an operational task in North Sikkim on Thursday.

The 23-year-old officer, commissioned less than six months ago in December last year, was leading a ‘route opening patrol towards a forward tactical base in Sikkim.

Around 11 am, Agniveer Stephan Subba — member of the patrol — lost footing while crossing a log bridge and was swept away by the powerful mountain stream.

Demonstrating presence of mind and leadership , Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari instinctively leapt into the treacherous waters to save the Agniveer, without a moment’s hesitation. Another soldier Naik Pukar Katel also followed immediately in support. Together, they managed to rescue the drowning Agniveer. However, Lt Tiwari was tragically swept away by the forceful current. Despite desperate efforts by his team, the body of the officer was recovered 800 m downstream.

He is survived by his parents and a sister. The Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen RC Tewari condoled the death.

President Droupadi Murmu conferred 6 Kirti Chakras and 33 Shaurya Chakras to brave personnel from the Army, Air Force, Navy, CRPF, and J&K Police for gallantry in anti-terror operations

President Droupadi Murmu, who’s also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, presented gallantry awards during a Defence Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday (May 22). Six Kirti Chakras, including four posthumous honours, and 33 Shaurya Chakras, with seven awarded posthumously, were conferred upon personnel from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, Central Armed Police Forces, and Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Kirti Chakra: Second-highest peacetime gallantry award

The Kirti Chakra recognises exceptional courage away from the battlefield. Among the recipients:

Kirti Chakra (Living Recipients)

• Major Malla Rama Gopal Naidu – Indian Army
• Major Manjit – Indian Army

Kirti Chakra (Posthumous)

• Rifleman Ravi Kumar – Indian Army
• Colonel Manpreet Singh – Indian Army
• Deputy Superintendent of Police Himayun Muzzammil Bhat – J&K Police
• Naik Dilwar Khan – Indian Army

Shaurya Chakra: Awarded for valour and courage

A total of 33 personnel received the Shaurya Chakra. These included 26 living recipients and 7 posthumous honours. 

The President’s office shared on X: “President Droupadi Murmu conferred Shaurya Chakra upon Squadron Leader Deepak Kumar, Flying (Pilot). His undaunted courageous decision in a life-threatening situation to force land the aircraft on a dark night ensured the safety of a valuable national asset and precluded a probable loss of lives.”

Shaurya Chakra (Living Recipients)

• Major Vijay Verma – Indian Army
• Deputy Commandant Vikrant Kumar – CRPF
• Inspector Jeffrey Hmingchullo – CRPF
• Wing Commander Vernon Desmond Keane – Indian Air Force
• Squadron Leader Deepak Kumar – Indian Air Force
• Special Police Officer Abdul Latif – J&K Police
• Subedar Sanjeev Singh Jasrotia – Indian Army
• Colonel Pawan Singh – Indian Army
• Subedar P Pabin Singha – Indian Army
• Major Sahil Randhawa – Indian Army
• Lt Col CVS Nikhil – Indian Army
• Major Tripatpreet Singh – Indian Army
• Lieutenant Commander Kapil Yadav – Indian Navy
• Deputy Commandant Lakhveer – CRPF
• Assistant Commandant Rajesh Panchal – CRPF
• Constable Malkit Singh – CRPF
• Subedar Mohan Ram – Indian Army
• Commodore Sharad Sinsunwal – Indian Navy
• Flight Lieutenant Aman Singh Hans – Indian Air Force
• Sergeant Dabhi Sanjay Hiffabhai – Indian Air Force
• Major Kunal – Indian Army
• Major Ashish Dahiya – Indian Army
• Havildar Prakash Tamang – Indian Army
• Major Satender Dhankar – Indian Army
• Assistant Commandant Eshenthung Kikon – Assam Rifles
• Subedar Vikas Tomar – Indian Army

Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous)

• Major Aashish Dhonchak – Indian Army
• Sepoy Pardeep Singh – Indian Army
• Havildar Rohit Kumar – Indian Army
• Constable Pawan Kumar – CRPF
• Constable Devan C – CRPF
• Vijayankutty G – BRO
• Captain Deepak Singh – Indian Army

Acts of gallantry

According to the Ministry of Defence, the gallant actions took place across various regions: 

• Jammu & Kashmir and North-East: Personnel undertook anti-terror and counter-insurgency operations, resulting in the neutralisation and arrest of terrorists, along with arms recovery.
• Indian Navy:Officers led successful anti-piracy missions, rescued hostages, and controlled fires on oil tankers.
• Indian Air Force:Pilots made brave decisions during emergencies to protect lives and national assets.
• CRPF:Carried out daring missions in Left-Wing Extremist areas, leading to arrests of Maoists and seizure of weapons.

He got martyred during a fierce gunfight with terrorists in the Garol area of Kokernag in Anantnag district of South Kashmir on September 13, 2023

President of India Droupadi Murmu on Thursday conferred Shaurya Chakra (posthumously) on Major Aashish Dhonchak of Panipat during a programme at Rashtrapati Bhawan. His mother Kamla Devi and wife Jyoti received the award.

Major Aashish Dhonchak got martyred during a fierce gunfight with terrorists in the Garol area of Kokernag in Anantnag district of South Kashmir on September 13, 2023.

In a post on X, President Murmu stated, “In a search-and-destroy operation in a densely forested area of Anantnag district in September 2023, he sustained severe gunshot wounds. Despite his injuries, he continued to pin down the terrorists with precision fire, allowing his team to take cover and eliminate the terrorists. The officer displayed raw courage and exemplified true leadership from the front.”

Earlier, Major Aashish Dhonchak (36) was felicitated with Sena Medal for his bravery on August 15, 2023. He was posted in the 19th Rashtriya Rifles.

Born on October 23, 1987, Aashish joined the Army as Lieutenant at Dehradun in June 2013 while he was pursuing MTech.

After completion of his training, his first posting was in Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir, followed by Meerut and Bathinda. He was promoted as Major in 2018 and again he was posted in Jammu and Kashmir.

He had a strong desire to join the Army from his childhood, his uncle said. He completed his schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya in the NFL as his father Lal Singh shifted to the NFL township complex in 1999. He had also won a gold medal in badminton.