SOURCE: IANS

The alert troops of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday shot down a drone in Punjab’s Ferozepur near the India-Pakistan border and seized a packet of heroin, a pistol, and a magazine.

While monitoring the drone activity in the border area of Ferozepur, BSF troops, immediately activated technical countermeasures to neutralise the threat from across the border. Following this, a search operation was launched in the suspected drop zone by the security forces.

SOURCE: PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday praised the Indian Army as one of the most trusted and inspiring organisations in the country, highlighting its significant role in safeguarding borders, combating terrorism and assisting civil administration in times of need.

Addressing the Army Commanders Conference, held virtually from an army location in Sukma (West Bengal) due to inclement weather that prevented his helicopter from reaching Sikkim, Singh expressed admiration for every soldier’s contributions and honoured those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.

SOURCE: PTI

Ahead of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit, the country’s Ambassador to India Phillip Ackermann has outlined key discussion areas for the intergovernmental consultations. He said the consultations are being finalised through a series of visits and phone calls between high-level officials from both countries.

“I think what we will see is a significant focus on the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership that we have with India, a substantial emphasis on military and strategic policy, and defence. “It will also include important discussions on migration, which is a vital aspect of our cooperation,” the ambassador told PTI Videos.

SOURCE: IANS

In what augurs well for India’s security capabilities, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has reportedly approved Phase III of the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) mission. This decision will pave the way for the launch of 52 surveillance satellites in low earth and geostationary orbits.

The Modi government’s move is likely to give sleepless nights to adversaries such as China and Pakistan, as the two neighbours among others will be under continuous monitoring once the capabilities are fully operational.

SOURCE: ANI

The Army Chief, General Upendra Dwivedi on Friday, officially launched “Agniastra,” a portable multi-target detonation device, during the Army Commanders Conference in Gangtok. This device was developed by Major Rajprasad RS from the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers and is seen as a major advancement in both conventional and counter-terrorism operations.

According to Indian Army officials, the device holds “tremendous potential” for use in room interventions, remote bunker or hideout destruction, and reserve demolitions. Speaking about its capabilities, they added, “It has tremendous potential in both conventional and counter-terrorist operations like room intervention, remote bunker/hideout bursting, and reserve demolition.”

SOURCE: PTI

Around 150 militants are waiting at launchpads across the Line of Control (LoC) to infiltrate into the Kashmir valley as winter approaches, but security forces would foil any such bid, a senior BSF officer said on Friday.

“Attempts of infiltration continue to take place. Based on the intelligence inputs we receive from various agencies, we coordinate with the army to establish a domination plan along the border. “We also keep in mind the number of terrorists at the launching pads, which helps us shape our strategy and domination plan to ensure we foil any plans,” BSF Inspector General (Kashmir Frontier) Ashok Yadav told reporters in Srinagar.

SOURCE: IANS

India on Friday said that it remains “concerned” at the deteriorating security situation along the Blue Line that stretches for 120 km along Lebanon’s southern frontier and is a key to peace in the region.

The United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFL) had revealed on Thursday that its Naqoura headquarters and nearby positions have been repeatedly hit and widespread destruction of towns and villages has taken place in south Lebanon following recent clashes between Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and Hezbollah elements on the ground.

SOURCE: PIB

The launch of ‘Missile Cum Ammunition Barge, LSAM 12 (Yard 80)’, the Sixth Barge of 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition Barge project, built by MSME Shipyard, M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd (SEPPL), Visakhapatnam for Indian Navy, was undertaken on 10 Oct 24 at M/s Vinayaga Marine Petro Ltd, Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra (launch site of M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd). The launching Ceremony was presided over by Cmde MV Raj Krishna, CoY(Mbi).

The contract for building 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition Barge was signed between MoD and M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, Visakhapatnam on 19 Feb 21. The availability of these Barges would provide impetus to operational commitments of IN by facilitating Transportation, Embarkation and Disembarkation of articles/ ammunition to IN platforms both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.

SOURCE: PTI

The National Investigation Agency on Friday arrested two persons in connection with supply of arms and ammunition to cadres of the banned CPI (Maoist) in Chhattisgarh, officials said.

The arrest of Prayagraj-residents Sudhir Tripathi and Suraj Nishad takes the total number of those held in the case to six. “Four accused were arrested earlier in January 2023 when the arms and ammunition were also seized by the local police which had originally registered the case under various sections of the Arms Act, the UA(P)A and IPC,” the NIA said in a statement.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army is poised to significantly enhance its tank-based offensive capabilities with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) issuing a Request for Information (RFI) for the procurement of 1,500 new-generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) launchers, marking a strategic move to bolster its operational readiness. Sources indicate that the accompanying missile count could reach a staggering 20,000 units, making this a critical acquisition aimed at modernizing India’s armoured warfare capability.

In addition to ATGMs and launchers, the RFI also seeks simulators, underscoring the Army’s intent to incorporate advanced training systems. These simulators will help improve training efficiency and operational preparedness, ensuring that Indian forces remain at the forefront of anti-armour warfare tactics.

SOURCE: IANS

The Indian Air Force (IAF) C295 transport aircraft on Friday successfully conducted an inaugural landing at the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NIMA). The C295 was traditionally welcomed by the cannon salute of the fire brigade and the Sukhoi 30 jets did a flypast over the southern runway of the airport.

The function was attended by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, DCM Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Muralidhar Mohol, CIDCO chairman Sanjay Shirsat, Shiv Sena MP Shrirang Barne and NCP MP Sunil Tatkare among others.

SOURCE: PTI

The body of a missing Indian Coast Guard pilot has been recovered over a month after a helicopter belonging to the maritime security agency crashed into the Arabian Sea off Gujarat coast, officials said on Friday.

Three crew members went missing after the ALH MK-III helicopter fell into the Arabian Sea off Porbandar on September 2. While the bodies of two crew members were recovered subsequently, a search continued to trace Rakesh Kumar Rana, the pilot in command of the mission.

SOURCE: IANS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Summit in Laos.

During the meeting, PM Modi extended his condolences on the loss of lives due to Hurricane Milton in the US and also discussed strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation in regional matters. The meeting highlighted the strong diplomatic relationship between India and the US, reaffirming their commitment to working together on global and regional challenges.

SOURCE: PTI

Vowing to introduce a reciprocal tax if elected to power, former US president Donald Trump on Thursday alleged that India, among all major countries, imposes the highest tariffs on foreign products.

“Perhaps the most important element of my plan to make America extraordinarily wealthy again is reciprocity. It’s a word that’s very important in my plan because we generally don’t charge tariffs. I started that process, it was so great, with the vans and the small trucks, etc. We really don’t charge. China will charge us a 200 per cent tariff. Brazil is a big charger. The biggest charger of all is India,” Trump said in a major economic policy speech in Detroit.

SOURCE: IANS

After Nagaland and Mizoram, some organisations have also opposed the erection of fencing in the Naga-inhabited areas along the India-Myanmar border part in Manipur. The Naga Village Chief Federation Manipur (NVCFM) strongly opposed the fencing of the border along the India-Myanmar border in Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur.

NVCFM spokesman Darthot Peter on Friday said that a unanimous resolution was adopted in the second assembly of the Federation recently vehemently opposing the India-Myanmar border fencing in Manipur’s Naga inhabited areas.