SOURCE: AFI

Seven Indian citizens have released a video online, alleging they were coerced into fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war in Ukraine. This follows similar claims made by several other Indian nationals in recent weeks.

The video, which has gone viral, shows the seven men in a room, dressed in military uniforms. One man speaks on behalf of the group, narrating their ordeal:

SOURCE: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil multiple development projects and address a public meeting in Srinagar on Thursday during his first visit to Kashmir after his government abrogated the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave special rights to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to an official statement, Modi will attend the “Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir” programme at Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium and inaugurate initiatives worth nearly Rs 5,000 crore for boosting the agri-economy in the Union Territory.

SOURCE: AFP

Once a homemaker, Sharmila Yadav always wanted to be a pilot and is now living her dream remotely, flying a heavy-duty drone across the skies to cultivate the country’s picturesque farmlands.

Yadav, 35, is among hundreds of women trained to fly fertiliser-spraying aircraft under the government-backed “Drone Sister” programme. The scheme aims to help modernise Indian farming by reducing labour costs, as well as saving time and water in an industry hamstrung by its reliance on outdated technology and growing climate change challenges.

SOURCE: AFI

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has announced a cash reward of ?10 lakh (approximately $12,200 USD) for information leading to the arrest of the individual responsible for the recent blast at the Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru.

The NIA, which has taken over the investigation into the incident, emphasized that the identities of informants will be kept confidential. This step aims to encourage individuals with crucial information to come forward without fear of reprisal.

SOURCE: IANS

The three accused persons arrested in connection with the pro-Pakistan slogan case were produced before the 39th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court in Bengaluru by the Vidhana Soudha police on Wednesday.

The court sent two of the accused to judicial custody and the third was given police remand for further investigation.

SOURCE: AFI

India has set an ambitious target to increase its share of the global space economy from 2% to 10% within the next six years, according to Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh.

“While India’s space economy currently stands at $8 billion, our own projections suggest it will multiply significantly by 2040,” Singh said. “However, some international observers, like the recent ADL (Arthur D Little) Report, believe India has the potential to reach $100 billion by 2040.”

SOURCE: AFI

China’s continued increase in defense spending, exceeding 7% for the third consecutive year despite a slowing economy, is raising concerns among its regional rivals, including India. Though still dwarfed by the US military budget, China’s spending now triples that of India, creating a significant disparity in power projection.

The year 2027 is seen as a potential point of inflection, coinciding with the centenary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and raising anxieties about President Xi Jinping’s potential use of military force to bring Taiwan under mainland control, as suggested by assessments from the US Indo-Pacific Command.

SOURCE: AFI

During a joint military exercise in Rajasthan, India, the Indian Army showcased the use of trained kites for surveillance and potential anti-drone capabilities. These kites, named “Arjun” and “Deep,” are not your typical childhood playthings. They are equipped with head-mounted cameras that transmit real-time video feeds to ground troops, providing crucial situational awareness.

This innovative approach leverages the natural agility and maneuverability of birds to navigate complex terrains, particularly in remote or challenging areas where conventional drones or aircraft might struggle. Additionally, the unobtrusive nature of kites allows them to operate undetected by enemy radars, a significant advantage in conflict zones.

SOURCE: IANS

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Tuesday said that there is a need for collaborative efforts amongst all stakeholders towards fostering innovation in India’s journey of achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

“There is a need for collaborative efforts for a ‘Whole of Nation’ approach between the government, services, R&D and defence production ecosystem towards fostering innovation in India’s journey of achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing and production in sync with India’s ‘Vision 2047’,” CDS Chauhan said while addressing two-day ‘Brainstorming Session’ titled ‘Impetus to Indigenisation’ which was organised under the aegis of the Department of Military Affairs by HQ Integrated Defence Staff in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers in Delhi.

SOURCE: PTI

Two trainee pilots were injured as a small aircraft of the Indian Army landed on a field in Bihar’s Gaya district on Tuesday morning moments after it took off, officials said. The microlight aircraft of the Army’s Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) landed on the field in Bagdaha village’s Paharpur in Bodh Gaya sub-division around 9.15 am, they said.

“During the training session, the aircraft experienced a malfunction and caused a massive sound. Eventually, it landed on the field,” a police officer said.