Who is Dr Prahlada Ramarao, the former DRDO scientist behind Aakash Missile Defence System which saved India from Pak missiles
Akash air defence missile system- File image
Akash Missile Defence System: In a significant development amid the India-Pakistan conflict, India and Pakistan have announced ceasefire from 5 PM Saturday dated May 10, 2025. India's Ministry of External Affairs and Pakistan have also confirmed the same. However, the history will not forget the role of India made Akash Missile Defence System and S400 Missile Defence System. It has been reported that Akash Missile Defence System played a huge role in saving India from the missile and drone sent from Pakistan
Moreover, do you know the personel who is behind the India made Akash Missile Defence System. As per a report by NDTV, the Akash system was developed over 15 years by Dr Prahlada Ramarao, a former DRDO scientist. Dr Ramarao was the youngest Project Director for the Akash programme when he was handpicked by India's 'missile man' and former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
Other than the Akash Missile Defence System, Dr Ramarao has worked on almost all the types of missiles developed in India including surface-to-air missiles, air-to-air missiles, the Akash missile, Astra, and the BrahMos, Indo-Russian joint venture missile.
'It is the happiest day of life… seeing my baby work so accurately and beautifully in shooting down incoming enemy aerial targets,' Dr Ramarao was quoted as saying as per a report by NDTV.
'It worked beyond expectations… engaging incoming targets effectively', he added. What is Akash Missile Defence System
The Akash system is a short range, surface-to-air missile system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited in Hyderabad. With its built-in electronic counter-counter measures, it can engage targets at altitude of up to 20km. India deployed Barak-8 missiles, Akash missiles to thwart Pak attempts
India deployed Barak-8 missiles, S-400 Triumph air defence systems, Akash surface-to-air missiles and indigenously developed anti-drone equipment in thwarting Pakistan's attempts to hit 15 Indian cities on Wednesday night, a report by news agency IANS said.
Pakistani military attempted to target Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj using missiles and drones.
Every single one of those missiles was intercepted or neutralised and none reached its intended target, the report said.
(With inputs from agencies)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Standard
33 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Jaishankar welcomes Turkmenistan's foreign minister remark on terrorism
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met his counterpart from Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, in Delhi and said they had a warm exchange on deepening bilateral cooperation. Press Trust of India New Delhi External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met his counterpart from Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, in Delhi and said they had a warm exchange on deepening bilateral cooperation. Jaishankar said he welcomed the visiting leader's "strong condemnation" of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Meredov is in India for a key conclave. The meeting between the two foreign ministers took place at Hyderabad House. In a post on X, Jaishankar also shared some photos of his meeting with Meredov. "Delighted to meet FM Rashid Meredov of Turkmenistan. A warm exchange on deepening our cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, connectivity, health and energy sectors. Welcome his strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," Jaishankar posted on X. India is hosting the fourth edition of Central Asia Dialogue to forge a closer, wider and stronger partnership with the region, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. Foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are attending the conclave to be held in Delhi on Friday. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov arrives in India for 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue
He wrote on X, 'Warm welcome to FM @FM_Saidov of the Republic of Uzbekistan. During his official visit to India, he will participate in the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue and hold several bilateral meetings.' In a post on X, Jaiswal noted that the Uzbek Foreign Minister will also participate in several bilateral meetings during the visit. New Delhi: Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov arrived in Delhi to participate in the fourth edition of the India-Central Asia Dialogue, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jaiswal, shared on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin; Zheenbek Kulubaev, Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, also arrived in Delhi to participate in the fourth India-Central Asia Dialogue. The India-Central Asia Dialogue, launched in Samarkand in 2019, is a key ministerial platform aimed at strengthening ties between India and the Central Asian countries — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The earlier editions of the dialogue have focused on regional security, counter-terrorism, connectivity, and economic cooperation. This year's meeting is expected to build on those priorities, with discussions on trade, infrastructure, technology, and joint development initiatives. India shares centuries-old cultural and historical connections with the Central Asian region. Buddhism spread from India through Tibet to Central Asia, leaving a spiritual legacy visible at key sites such as Kara Tepe, Fayaz Tepe, and Adzhina Tepe. Indian monks helped translate scriptures and establish monasteries across the region, forming the early basis of engagement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to all five Central Asian nations in 2015 gave a major boost to India-Central Asia ties. His participation in successive Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summits in Tashkent, Bishkek, and Samarkand further reinforced India's outreach. The first India-Central Asia Summit, held virtually in January 2022 and attended by the Presidents of all five nations, led to the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, institutionalising biennial summits and regular ministerial dialogues. This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content Also Read: Armenia's buying Indian weapons. This opens entry points to Caucasus, Central Asia & beyond
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
3 hours ago
- First Post
Who is Pakistan's ‘Madam N', who trapped Indian YouTubers arrested for spying?
Naushaba Shahzad Masood reportedly helped Indian social media influencers, including YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, to visit her country. Also known as 'Madam N', she runs a 'travel agency' in Lahore and has links to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) read more A Pakistani businesswoman's name has emerged in the espionage cases linked to Indian YouTubers. 'Madam N' reportedly helped social media influencers travel to her country with the aim of setting up a spy network in India. India has recently arrested some social media influencers on suspicion of spying for Pakistan. Weeks after YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra's arrest, the Punjab Police's State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) arrested Jasbir Singh from Mohali on Tuesday for his alleged involvement in a Pakistan-backed espionage ring. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Is 'Madam N' linked to them? Let's take a closer look. Who is 'Madam N'? Pakistani businesswoman Naushaba Shahzad Masood, who runs a 'travel agency' in Lahore, is reportedly linked to the country's spy agency – the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). She is the owner of Jaiyana Travel and Tourism in Pakistan. Masood's husband is a retired civil services officer, as per a News18 India report. What is her role? Known as 'Madam N' by the ISI, Naushaba Masood is suspected of trying to develop a sleeper cell network in India through social influencers and YouTubers. Masood's name cropped up during the interrogation of social media influencers arrested in India on espionage charges, NDTV reported, citing sources. She allegedly helped Jyoti Malhotra and other Indians to visit Pakistan. The YouTuber had travelled to Pakistan multiple times, including days before the Pahalgam terror attack. Masood attempted to build a network of at least 500 spies in India who could hide in plain sight. She got instructions from the Pakistani Army and the ISI on how to establish the sleeper cell network. Masood used to target Hindus and Sikhs living in India. As per NDTV sources, she introduced Indian influencers to her country's army and the ISI. The businesswoman facilitated the visit of nearly 3,000 Indians and 1,500 non-resident Indians (NRIs) to Pakistan in the last six months. Her contacts at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi helped her in getting visas approved immediately, as per News18. She was in touch with First Secretary (visa) Suhail Qamar and Counsellor (trade) Umar Sheryar and ISI operative Danish alias Ehsan-ur-Rehman . Danish, who was in contact with Jyoti Malhotra, was a visa officer in the Pakistani embassy in Delhi. He was declared persona non grata on May 13 by the Indian government on suspicion of spying. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per NDTV, the Pakistani High Commission has been issuing visitor visas on the suggestion and sponsorship of 'Madam N'. Masood appointed some travel agents in Delhi and other Indian cities, who now promote her company on social media. These agents are allegedly involved in brainwashing people to indulge in espionage activities on behalf of the Pakistani Army. Notably, Masood's agency was the only one that organised Sikh and Hindu pilgrimages to Pakistan, in collaboration with the Evacuee Trust Property Board. Indian YouTubers arrest Jyoti Rani Malhotra, a travel vlogger from Haryana, was among 11 individuals arrested across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh last month in connection with a suspected Pakistan-backed spy network operating in North India. She was allegedly spying for Pakistani intelligence agencies and shared 'sensitive information' with an official of the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. Earlier this week, the Punjab Police arrested YouTuber Jasbir Singh, who is allegedly linked to Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, a Pakistani intelligence operative associated with the ISI. Singh, who ran the YouTube channel 'JaanMahal video', was in touch with fellow YouTuber Malhotra. He was also in regular contact with Danish, the former official at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. With inputs from agencies
