Latest news with #L-70
The Print
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
As Op Sindoor began, India's top military brass watched strikes unfold live from South Block
Sources in the defence and security establishment said that room has facilities to get live transmission from multiple systems that were deployed by the three armed forces to track and carry out the strikes. Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, Army Vice Chief Lt Gen Subramani and Director General Military Operations Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai were among those present at the facility. New Delhi: As Operation Sindoor began 7 May, the Indian military leadership were huddled together in an Army facility in the South Block watching the strikes unfold live. As mentioned by ThePrint earlier, the Indian Air Force, which was given the responsibility to hit 2 out of the 9 terror targets on 7 May, had used Scalp missiles, too. This missile relays back the continuous video from its tip during its flight with the pilot being able to navigate it. The latest edition of the Army's newsletter 'Baatcheet' focuses on Operation Sindoor and has five pictures of the senior military leadership and watching the giant screens in front of them. The time stamp on one of the pictures is 0105 hours on 7 May, the exact moment when the strikes began. Of the 9 targets hit that night, seven were struck by the Indian Army using loitering munitions and other types of drones. The seven locations included Sawai Nala Syedna Bilal, Kotli Abbas, Bhimber, Kotli Gulpur in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), besides Sarjal, Mehmooma Joya in mainland Pakistan. The newsletter also mentioned that Army air defence had destroyed nearly 300 incoming Pakistani drones using L-70, ZU-23 guns, OSA-AK combat vehicles, and MRSAM (Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile) and Akash air defence systems. It also names the creators of the Operation Sindoor logo—Lt. Col. Harish Gupta and Havildar Surinder Singh. The Army also reiterated that The Resistance Front (TRF) was a front of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) along with the 'Kashmir Fight' and the United Liberation Front Kashmir. It added that Kashmir Tigers and People's Anti-Fascist Front are frontal organisations of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: Op Sindoor: Inside story of what led Pakistan DGMO to make frantic calls for 'ceasefire'
New Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
‘Our job is to hit the target… what people say or ask is not our concern'
Pakistan still manages to scrap a few 'narrative wins' every now and then… Pakistan faces significant disadvantages, notably geography and perhaps internal dynamics, such as their army's dominance over strategic decisions. Their navy is restricted mostly to defensive operations. But even a weaker opponent can land one hit and claim victory. It's like punching Mike Tyson once — you could brag about it forever. One or two hits don't change the game. Real strength lies in sustained economic and military power. And in that sense, I believe India has the clear upper hand. 1971 is often a reference point in conversations comparing the India-Pakistan military balance. How does it compare to today? Frankly, the balance hasn't changed much. Back in 1971, Pakistan had 8 ships — 4 frigates and 4 destroyers. And we had four times that. The ratio remains similar even today. They now have 5 submarines; we have 18, including nuclear-powered ones. That gap has only widened. What about the Air Force and Army? Same story. I know the current chiefs; they were my batchmates. Yes, there are upgrade requirements. Air Chief Marshal A P Singh has rightly highlighted we need 42 squadrons, but have only 32, and many of those have ageing aircraft. However, numbers aren't everything. In modern warfare, it's about systems. For instance, in an airstrike, the first priority is 'SEAD' — suppression of enemy air defence. That's standard doctrine. However, on the first night of Operation Sindoor, we didn't even do SEAD, and yet hit nine terror launchpads. Ask yourselves: 'Why didn't their air defence stop it'?' Later, they targeted us, but our layered air defences — from L-70 guns to the S-400 — thwarted the attacks. Then, we went after their air defence systems and military bases. Numbers, while important, are not everything. We don't have a problem as of now. But as I had mentioned, now that the doctrine has changed, our system is expected to get even more advanced. In this drone age, is a third aircraft carrier still relevant? Carriers offer air power on demand. They let you project power wherever you go. There's a misconception that we can rely on islands like the Andamans or Lakshadweep as fixed carriers. The concept is valid, but it assumes the enemy will come to you. Navies don't operate that way. You need to take your full strike capability with you. The Navy must continue stating its requirements clearly. Carriers, submarines, helicopters, ships — these are all legitimate needs. With the recent shift in doctrine, there's now a case for renewed urgency. How many aircraft carriers should India ideally have? I would say we need a minimum of three aircraft carriers. Mainly due to the refit cycle. You need one operational on the east coast, one on the west, while the third one can be in the dock for maintenance. There has been this new trend demanding 'proof' of military action... is this demoralising? Armed forces don't get demoralised by all this. But I don't think it's a morale booster, either. It's just irrelevant. Our job is simple: deliver ordnance on target, in the right quantity, at the right time. Period. What people outside say or ask, that's political. It's not our concern. There's also been an argument about the ceasefire. Some say that just as Indira Gandhi carved out Bangladesh in 1971, we could have done the same with Balochistan if there hadn't been a ceasefire. From a military point of view, does that hold water? Honestly, no. We were physically in Bangladesh in 1971. And there's a saying in the Army: 'Victory is measured by foot'. You have to be present on the ground. You don't control a territory just by dropping a few bombs. So, to say we could've created a new Balochistan by simply pushing harder is a stretch. So, from a military perspective, I don't see any real value in that argument.
India Today
20-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Operation Sindoor: How India decimated Pakistan's drones and missiles
This India Today special broadcast brings ground reports from forward posts facing Pakistan where Indian armed forces successfully defended against Pakistani drones, missiles, and rockets along the India-Pakistan border during Operation Sindoor. The program highlights India's use of various air defence systems, including ZU-23, L-70, Akash missiles, and S-400. It features interviews with military personnel discussing the operations' success in targeting terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and defending against retaliatory strikes. The report also covers India's response to Pakistani drone and missile attacks, highlighting the effectiveness of India's integrated air defence system.
India Today
20-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Pakistan 'spy ring' busted: Are more vloggers under agencies' radar?
The programme explores how Pakistan allegedly groomed Indian influencers and bloggers as potential assets. It reveals details of communication between YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra and Pakistani officials, including requests for information about border areas. The investigation spans multiple agencies and examines international travels, deleted messages, and narrative pushing in videos. Several other influencers are also under scrutiny for potential links to Pakistani operatives. Also on the show, watch India Today's exclusive ground reports on Operation Sindoor from Punjab and Kashmir borders. The report highlights how Indian forces used ZU-23 and L-70 air defence guns to neutralise Pakistani drones and unmanned combat aerial vehicles
India Today
20-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
India Today's ground report from where Operation Sindoor was launched
The program explores how Pakistan allegedly groomed Indian influencers and bloggers as potential assets. It reveals details of communication between YouTuber Jyothi Malhotra and Pakistani officials, including requests for information about border areas. The investigation spans multiple agencies and examines international travels, deleted messages, and narrative pushing in videos. Several other influencers are also under scrutiny for potential links to Pakistani operatives. India Today brings exclusive ground reports on Operation Sindoor from Punjab and Kashmir borders. The report highlights how Indian forces used ZU-23 and L-70 air defence guns to neutralize Pakistani drones and unmanned combat aerial vehicles. A woman officer describes defending a vital airfield against multiple drone attacks. The report also covers artillery operations and forward positions along the Line of Control.
