SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army has significantly bolstered its combat capabilities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh, deploying its entire arsenal from cutting-edge firearms to the mighty M777 ultra-light howitzers. This move comes after earlier efforts to strengthen defenses and firepower in the Tawang sector.

The CH-47F(I) Chinook heavy-lift helicopters have emerged as a game-changer, revolutionizing the army’s ability to transport heavy equipment like the M777s and reach remote outposts dependent on air supplies. Witnessing this firsthand, journalists visiting the eastern LAC region were treated to a live demonstration of M777 and 105mm Indian field guns in action.

SOURCE: PTI

A selfie point near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir has become a major attraction for tourists as it allows them to capture the mesmerising beauty of Uri’s remote border region and offers a panoramic view of the Jhelum river, officials said here.

The INDIA selfie point provides visitors with an engaging environment symbolising a sense of nationalism in the region, they said. The army had last year opened ‘Kaman Setu’,  zero-point at the LoC here, for tourists. The selfie point was opened to the public around Republic Day this year. The selfie point is the brainchild of artist and RNAF founder Rouble Nagi.

SOURCE: PTI

The Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested a woman who had allegedly asked a man to prepare time bombs using bottles. The arrest was made days after the STF arrested a man named Javed for allegedly making time bombs using glass bottles packed with iron pellets. Javed was on his way to hand over the bombs to the woman, STF officials said.

According to a press statement, a team of the Meerut STF unit arrested Imrana, a resident of the Muzaffarnagar district on Saturday evening following intelligence inputs.

SOURCE: AFI

In response to heightened security concerns due to rising Pakistan-backed terrorist activities in the Pir-Panchal ranges of Jammu, the Indian Army organized a weapon training camp for members of the civilian Village Defence Committee (VDC) in Reasi.

The interactive workshop equipped 30 VDC members with crucial skills in weapon handling, cleaning, and minor repairs. This initiative aims to empower local communities to participate in their own self-defense, fostering a sense of security and vigilance.

SOURCE: PTI

Bodies of six suspected Myanmarese poachers were found in remote Narcondam island in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an officer said on Sunday. It appears that the poachers died of starvation and dehydration on the small volcanic island after they ran out of ration, the official said.

The small boat they used to reach the island had developed some snag and they could not return. The bodies were found lying a few metres from the shore in a forest on the small Narcondam island on Saturday.

SOURCE: PTI

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday met his Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki during which they exchanged views on the current situation in war-torn Gaza. Jaishankar is in Germany to attend the prestigious Munich Security Conference, the world’s leading forum for debate on international security.

“Nice to see Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki. Exchanged views on the current situation in Gaza,” the minister posted on X, sharing a photograph of the meeting. India has been pushing for a two-state solution to the Palestine issue for many decades.

SOURCE: PTI

At least three miners from Assam have allegedly been kidnapped by suspected rebels in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, a top police officer said on Sunday. A team comprising police of both states and the Assam Rifles launched a rescue operation to trace the miners, a spokesperson of the paramilitary force told news agency PTI. Tinsukia Superintendent of Police Abhijit Gaurav said three persons from the district, working in a coal mine in the neighbouring state, were among those suspected to be kidnapped.

“They have been identified as Gyan Thapa, Lekhan Bora and Chandan Narzari. The exact number of people kidnapped is not known yet,” he said.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) recent Vayu Shakti 2024 exercise witnessed a successful demonstration of the Tejas light combat aircraft’s capabilities, with the jet dropping a Griffin Laser Guided Bomb (LGB) with a time delay fuze on a simulated C2 facility. This development comes amidst some social media claims alleging the bomb failed to explode after hitting its target.

Several accounts on Twitter had spread misinformation about the Griffin LGB’s performance during Vayu Shakti 2024. These claims, however, have been debunked by official sources and visual evidence. The IAF released a video clearly showing the bomb exploding after hitting the target, causing significant damage to the simulated C2 facility, including both exposed and buried structures.

SOURCE: AFI

The ongoing Vayu Shakti 2024 exercise saw contrasting results for the Indian Air Force’s fighter jets in air-to-air combat scenarios. While the French-made Rafale successfully engaged a drone target with its Mica IR missile, the Indian-developed Tejas encountered issues with its R-73 missile.

The Rafale successfully employed its Mica IR missile equipped with an RF proximity fuse, resulting in a “good hit” on the drone target. This showcases the missile’s advanced capabilities and reaffirms the Rafale’s effectiveness in close-combat engagements.

SOURCE: AFI

In a bid to stoke unrest among protesting farmers ahead of scheduled talks with the government on Sunday evening, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has released a video advocating violence against police officials in Haryana and Punjab.

Founder of the banned United States-based organization Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Pannun’s latest video implores farmers protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri points along Punjab’s border with Haryana to wield arms sourced from the Kartarpur border. He urges them to use these weapons to confront Indian authorities and exert pressure on the Centre to address their grievances. Pannun brazenly states, “Arm yourself to fight Indian bullets. Weapons are available at the Kartarpur border near Pakistan.”

SOURCE: AFI

The Water Transport Workers Federation of India (WTWFI), representing over 3,500 workers at major Indian ports, has announced their refusal to load or unload weaponized cargoes destined for Israel or any nation involved in the Israel-Palestine conflict. This decision, motivated by ethical concerns and solidarity with the Palestinian people, has sparked discussions about the role of labor unions in international conflicts.

Citing the recent escalation in violence and the suffering of civilians, particularly women and children, the WTWFI statement emphasizes their opposition to war and its human costs. They declare that handling weaponized cargo directly contributes to the conflict’s continuation and the potential harm it inflicts.

SOURCE: ANI

Indian Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar on Sunday said the all-important deal for buying 31 Predator drones from the US has been cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council and is expected to be signed in the next few months.

“We are the lead servers who are steering it. The letter of request has been cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council and the letter of request has gone to the US government. They have given us a draft letter of availability. Now the final one will come. It has to be placed before the (the US) Congressional committee thereafter it will come,” he said.

SOURCE: IANS

Cochin Shipyard Ltd has ordered a dozen 30-mm AK-630M Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) naval guns for Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) being built by it. These guns will be manufactured by Gun and Shell Factory (GSF), Cossipore, in Kolkata.

GSF Cossipore is now a part of Advanced Weapons and Equipment Ltd (AWEIL), Kanpur, one of the companies that came up in 2021 after restructuring and corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board. The Rs 274.76 crore order for the guns is to be executed over a period of four years. This order will further establish capabilities of AWEIL and GSF Cossipore to meet demands for a wide range of weapons systems for India’s defence forces.

SOURCE: ANI

Aircraft of the Indian and French Navies joined forces over the Bay of Bengal and created a symphony of teamwork and strategy. The Indian Navy shared a post on social media platform X, emphasising the collaboration. It further stated that the invaluable lessons and experiences shared between the crews will significantly strengthen the bridges of India and France’s friendship.

“The invaluable lessons and experiences shared between the crews will significantly enhance the interoperability, strengthening the bridges of friendship between India and France,” it added.

SOURCE: PTI

India should not be criticised for having multiple options, asserted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday when asked about the country’s foreign policy priorities in the backdrop of observations that it is traversing from “non-alignment to all alignment”.

His remarks came at an interactive session at a security conference in Munich in the presence of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. While putting the question, the moderator specifically mentioned India’s continuing procurement of crude oil from Russia notwithstanding Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.