SOURCE: AFI

A recently built LCA-Tejas aircraft (SP-24/ LA-5020) tragically crashed near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on Tuesday during an operational training sortie. Thankfully, the pilot ejected safely, marking the first-ever crash of the Tejas in its 23-year operational history.

The relatively new aircraft, having completed its maiden flight in March 2021, raises concerns regarding the cause of the incident. Reports suggest the pilot informed air traffic control (ATC) about engine failure before ejecting, indicating a potential issue with power generation during landing.

SOURCE: AFI

In a remarkable turn of events, fishermen off the coast of Odisha, India, made an unexpected catch – a Shikra Target Drone. This intriguing discovery hints at the clandestine operations of the nation’s defense forces and provides insight into its advanced weaponry testing procedures.

The Shikra Target Drone, manufactured by QinetiQ Target Systems Ltd in collaboration with its Indian partner, Anadrone Systems Private Limited, is a sophisticated piece of technology designed for aerial target practice. Typically utilized to test the effectiveness of both air-to-air and surface-to-air missile systems, this unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) plays a crucial role in evaluating the prowess of India’s defense arsenal.

SOURCE: AFI

Sheena Rani, a woman of Malayali descent hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, played a pivotal role in the triumphant launch of India’s Divyastra AGNI 5 ballistic missile. Serving as the DRDO Mission Director, she orchestrated the mission with precision, bringing immense pride to the nation with the resounding success of Mission Divyastra. Her exemplary leadership was lauded by none other than the Prime Minister himself, who hailed her as ‘Divya Putri’ during the announcement of the missile test’s success.

The Agni 5 missile, a formidable addition to India’s defense arsenal, boasts a striking range of 5,000 km and carries a payload of approximately 10 warheads. Developed utilizing state-of-the-art Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, this advanced missile is designed to traverse from Earth to space and back again, dispersing into multiple warheads upon re-entry to precisely strike designated targets.

SOURCE: ANI

In the first-ever crash of the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas in Jaisalmer on Tuesday, initial reports suggest that engine failure caused the accident in which the pilot managed to eject safely. The LCA Tejas was part of the 18th Squadron of the Indian Air Force and participated in the tri-services exercise Bharat Shakti in Pokharan before crashing in Jaisalmer city.

Prima Facie, it is emerging that the engine failure caused the crash today but more details would be known only after the detailed inquiry is completed, defence officials told ANI.

SOURCE: ANI

Reaffirming the vision of a ‘free and open’ Indo-Pacific after India tested the Agni-5 missile with MIRV technology, the United States said that it will continue to work as a partner with India and other countries in the region.

The US State Department said that both New Delhi and Washington share the vision for an Indo-Pacific region that is “free, open, secure, and prosperous.” “The United States and India share a vision for an Indo-Pacific region that is free, open, secure, and prosperous. We continue to work as partners with India and with other countries in the region to achieve this vision,” the US State Department said in a statement to ANI.

SOURCE: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that governments prior to 2014 deliberately kept India dependent on foreign countries for its defence needs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with delegates from more than 30 countries witnessed the war exercise “Bharat Shakti” at the Pokhran field firing range in Jaisalmer district.

Addressing defence personnel and locals, PM Modi said, “The country’s first major scam took place in army procurement. Before 2014 there were discussions on scams in defense deals and pending defence deals. Past governments deliberately kept India dependent on foreign countries for its defence needs.” The war exercise displayed the firepower capability of indigenous weapons and the operational readiness of all three services of the defence forces.

SOURCE: ANI

In a scathing attack on Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that earlier governments destroyed the ordinance factories and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) but his government revived them and made them profitable. “We gave life to these ordinance factories and converted them into seven big companies.

HAL was brought to the brink of ruin. We transformed HAL into a record profit-making company,” PM Modi said during the Bharat Shakti exercise in Pokhran. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with delegates from more than 30 countries, witnessed the tri-service exercise ‘Bharat Shakti’ in Pokhran, Rajasthan, today.

SOURCE: PTI

China said on Tuesday that it supports the Maldives in safeguarding its sovereignty, as the first batch of Indian military personnel operating a helicopter left the island nation and was replaced by a civilian crew. Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives manning the operations of a helicopter left the country after handing over the operations of the chopper to an Indian civilian crew, the Maldivian media reported on Monday.

Asked for his comments on the first batch of the Indian military personnel’s withdrawal from the Maldives, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said he was not aware of the specifics.

SOURCE: IANS

Even as several organisations in the northeastern region, including the All Assam Students Union (AASU) and the North East Students Organisation, are agitating against the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment Act) (CAA), legal and constitutional experts are of the view that the Act will not be enforced in the areas of tribal autonomous district councils created under the 6th Schedule, and the areas where the Inner Line Permit (ILP) is in place.

Quoting the provisions of the new Act, legal expert Apurba Kumar Dey said the CAA will not be promulgated in the 10 tribal autonomous district councils (ADCs) of Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Tripura.

SOURCE: PIB

Second 25T Bollard Pull Tug, Bahubali was launched and Keel for the 4th 25T BP Tug, Yuvan was laid by Cmde Atul Maini, President SSB (Kolkata) on 12 Mar 24 at M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Limited, Kolkata. This Tug is a proud flag bearer of “Make in India” initiative of Govt of India.

Contract for construction and delivery of six 25T BP Tugs was concluded with M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (M/s TRSL), in consonance with “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative of the Government of India. These Tugs are being built under the classification rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).

SOURCE: IANS

In an overnight joint operation on the intervening night of March 11 and 12, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) apprehended a Pakistani boat off the coast of Porbandar, Gujarat, with six crew members and narcotics valued at around Rs 480 crore on board.

The boat was apprehended about 350 km from Porbandar in the Arabian Sea in a sea-air coordinated operation involving ICG ships and Dornier Aircraft. The operation exhibited well-coordinated efforts between the ICG, NCB, and ATS Gujarat.

SOURCE: PTI

The government on Tuesday imposed a five-year ban on the Jammu Kashmir National Front (JKNF), a constituent of the hardline Hurriyat Conference, under the stringent anti-terror law for sowing seeds of disaffection among people and engaging in activities detrimental to the country’s security and sovereignty.

In an order, the Ministry of Home Affairs declared the JKNF headed by Nayeem Ahmad Khan an “unlawful association” with immediate effect under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The order will have effect for a period of five years.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, that recently celebrated its milestone of completing 10,000 accident-free sorties over the last 23 years, today encountered a significant setback with its first crash. The aircraft, believed to be in the Final Operational Configuration (FOC), belonging to the Second LCA-Tejas Squadron, No. 18 Flying Bullets, met with an accident during an operational training sortie in Jaisalmer.

The incident, which unfolded at Jaisalmer, saw the pilot ejecting safely from the aircraft. However, the crash marks a poignant moment for the LCA-Tejas program, which has prided itself on maintaining an impeccable safety record over the years.