Latest news with #IndianMinistryofDefence
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First Post
2 days ago
- General
- First Post
India issues NOTAM for large-scale air exercise along Indo-Pak border in Rajasthan for May 7-8
The exercise, set to take place in Rajasthan near the International Border, is part of the IAF's regular operational readiness drills but comes at a time of elevated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours read more India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for a large-scale Indian Air Force (IAF) exercise scheduled for May 7–8 along the southern section of the Indo-Pakistan border. The exercise, set to take place in Rajasthan near the International Border, is part of the IAF's regular operational readiness drills but comes at a time of elevated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. According to the NOTAM, the exercise will begin at 3:30 pm on May 7 and conclude at 9:30 p.m. on May 8. During this period, airspace over the designated zone will be restricted to facilitate a range of aerial operations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD An IAF official confirmed that the maneuvers will involve frontline fighter jets including Rafale, Mirage 2000, and Sukhoi-30 aircraft, along with surveillance platforms and support systems. While the Indian Ministry of Defence has not explicitly linked the drill to ongoing geopolitical developments, the timing and location are significant. The region has seen increased strain following a recent cross-border terror attack in Pahalgam, which led both India and Pakistan to impose mutual airspace restrictions. India announced last week that it was closing its airspace to all Pakistani-registered and military aircraft from April 30 to May 23. This move followed Pakistan's earlier decision to bar Indian flights from entering its airspace, intensifying diplomatic and military friction. Tensions are also simmering along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, where ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces have drawn strong retaliatory strikes from the Indian Army. Military sources report that Pakistani troops have withdrawn from several forward posts, a development seen as a sign of eroding confidence. Indian forces have responded with what officials described as 'precision and force,' particularly in hotspots such as Naushera, Sunderbani, and Baramulla. In a parallel move, Pakistan declared a temporary No-Fly Zone over Islamabad and Lahore through May 2, reportedly amid fears of a possible Indian airstrike. The measure reflects growing concern within Pakistan's military establishment as both nations maintain heightened military readiness. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With regional stability under renewed strain, both sides remain on alert. Analysts warn that further provocations or miscalculations could quickly escalate, underscoring the critical need for diplomatic engagement alongside continued vigilance. With inputs from agencies
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pakistan upgrading nukes with Chinese support, US warns
Pakistan is upgrading its nuclear arsenal with Chinese support and sees India as an 'existential threat', a US report has said. In its worldwide threat assessment report for 2025, the US Defence Intelligence Agency predicted that nuclear modernisation would be a top priority for Pakistan's military during the next year. The report said: 'Pakistan regards India as an existential threat and will continue to pursue its military modernisation effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons, to offset India's conventional military advantage.' It suggested Islamabad was not only upgrading and securing its arsenal but also 'almost certainly' procuring weapons of mass destruction (WMD). 'Pakistan is modernising its nuclear arsenal and maintaining the security of its nuclear materials and nuclear command and control. Pakistan almost certainly procures WMD-applicable goods from foreign suppliers and intermediaries,' it said. Pakistan is a recipient of China's economic and military largesse, and the two nations carry out joint military exercises, including an air exercise in November last year. 'Foreign materials and technology supporting Pakistan's WMD programmes are very likely acquired primarily from suppliers in China, and sometimes are trans-shipped through Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates,' said the report. India considers China its 'primary adversary,' and Pakistan, its neighbour, more of an 'ancillary security problem', the report said. It added that India had modernised its military last year, testing the nuclear-capable developmental Agni-I Prime MRBM (medium-range ballistic missile) and the Agni-V multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle. India also commissioned a second nuclear-powered submarine to strengthen its nuclear triad and bolster its ability to deter adversaries. Last week, the Indian government claimed China had helped move satellites and recalibrate air defence systems before Pakistan shot down Indian fighter jets during their recent military clashes. According to Ashok Kumar, the director general of the New Delhi-based Centre For Joint Warfare Studies, China worked with Pakistan to reorganise its radar and air defence systems to track troop deployments and aerial movements by India. Mr Kumar, whose research group operates under the Indian Ministry of Defence, said Chinese military advisers helped Pakistan realign its satellite coverage over India as the two neighbouring state clashed after the April 22 terror attack. On that day, 26 tourists were killed at Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan and accused it of backing cross-border terrorism. Pakistan denied any involvement and called for an international investigation. Between May 7 and 10, the neighbouring states launched attacks involving supersonic missiles and drones on each other's territory. Pakistan said it shot down six Indian warplanes, including three French-made Rafales. India has not commented on the specific losses. Dozens of civilians were killed in the attacks, mostly in Kashmir, which is divided between the two nations. Hours after the initial Indian military strikes on May 7, Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's foreign minister, told parliament that Islamabad had used Chinese jets, including J-10C, against India. Mr Dar said the Chinese ambassador had been called to his office to discuss the deployment. Pakistan also used a Chinese-made PL-15 missile, which has never been used in combat before. Its use raised concerns among Beijing's rivals, including Taiwan. China's government has not commented on the use of its equipment. Donald Trump, the US president, surprised many by announcing a 'full and immediate ceasefire' on May 10, which appears to be holding. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
India Today
23-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Bangladesh cancels Rs 180-crore defence contract with India amid diplomatic strain
Bangladesh has cancelled a big-ticket defence contract valued at Rs 180.25 crore with Kolkata-based public-sector shipbuilder amid the deterioration in relations between New Delhi and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), operating under the Indian Ministry of Defence, officially informed the stock exchange on Wednesday, stating, "We wish to inform you that the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh has cancelled the order."advertisementThe contract awarded to GRSE was for the construction of an Advanced Ocean-Going Tug for Bangladesh. These specialised vessels are designed for long-distance towing and salvage operations in open waters. This defence cancellation comes at a time when the relationship between India and Bangladesh is under strain, especially due to the growing closeness of Bangladesh's interim government chief advisor, Muhammad Yunus, to China and his recent controversial remarks, particularly concerning India's northeastern move is also widely perceived as a retaliatory measure following India's announcement to withdraw transshipment facilities for Bangladesh's cargo exports to third countries. This came after Yunus, during a recent visit to China, controversially described the Northeast as "landlocked" and asserted that Dhaka is the "only guardian" of the ocean in the
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Desperate Pakistan's new early-morning attack as 2nd drone strike also fails: blasts in…
After late night attacks, Jammu witnessed a fresh bout of explosions on May 10 morning. Sirens blared in the region as explosions rang out early morning. This was hours after Pakistan launched a swarm of drones at Indian border states, the Indian Ministry of Defence revealed. 'The situation is under close and constant watch & prompt action is being taken wherever necessary,' the Ministry added. Watch the video for full details.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan closes airspace as explosions reported in Rawalpindi and Lahore
Pakistan has closed its airspace to all flights between 3:15 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. local time on May 10, 2025, the Civil Aviation Authority announced Saturday. The closure comes following reports of explosions late Friday near Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi and at multiple locations across Lahore, according to local broadcaster Samaa TV. Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated over the past week. On Tuesday, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. In response, Pakistan reportedly attempted to strike multiple Indian military installations using drones and missiles during the night of May 7–8. The Indian Ministry of Defence said on Thursday that the Indian Armed Forces responded by striking several Pakistani air defense radars and related systems. On Friday, India criticized Pakistan for failing to close its airspace during its initial offensive, accusing Islamabad of "using civil airliners as a shield, knowing fully well that its attack on India would elicit a swift air defence response.' At a press briefing, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force (IAF) said, 'Pakistan refrained from shutting down its civil airspace despite carrying out an unprovoked and unsuccessful drone and missile attack on Indian cities. This shows a clear and dangerous tactic of using civilian airliners as shields, fully aware that India's air defense forces would respond robustly.' Also Read: India repels Pakistani attacks for 2nd night in a row Meanwhile, India has closed 32 airports across northern and western regions, including Srinagar and Amritsar, for civilian flight operations. The closure will be effective from "May 9, 2025, to May 14, 2025 (which corresponds to 0529 IST on 15th May 2025), due to operational reasons," Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DCGA) said in a release.
