defence-and-security

COAS was briefed on the Northern Command's operational perspective and the operational preparedness of Chinar Corps. He also called on the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

Officials said that a joint team of the police, Army, and CRPF launched the operation in the Chanapora areas following specific intelligence about the presence of some militants hiding in the area.

Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth unveiled his 'VIJAY' roadmap, prioritising vigilance, modernisation, jointness, self-reliance and soldier welfare.

The air force officer is a "Qualified Flying Instructor and Experimental Test Pilot with over 3,300 hours of flying experience on over 20 types of aircraft, including Mirage-2000, MiG-21 & Jaguar," the ministry said.

Announcing the initiative, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said the new battalions will create a dedicated cadre of personnel trained exclusively to operate, manage and sustain the Army's rapidly expanding fleet of unmanned aerial systems.

General Seth is an accomplished military officer with the rare distinction of heading two operational Army commands along the western front. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla. He was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Prior to becoming the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), he served as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.  

A massive search operation is underway in the forest area with coordinated human and technical surveillance, including K-9 squads of the Indian Army.

"Certain reports circulating in sections of the media and on social media platforms have incorrectly suggested that the supreme sacrifice of six bravehearts during Operation Sindoor has been acknowledged or brought to public notice for the first time only recently. It is clarified that the nation paid homage to these fallen heroes at the earliest opportunity, well before the reports in question,” the release cited.

The fallen servicemen have been identified as Subedar Major Pawan Kumar of Headquarters 10 Infantry Brigade, Rifleman Sunil Kumar, Vir Chakra, of 4 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar of 5 Field Regiment, Aviation Technician Mood Muralinaik of 851 Light Regiment, Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh of 237 Field Workshop Company, and Sergeant Surendra Kumar, Vayu Medal, of 39 Wing.

The agenda of Wednesday's meeting was "Oral evidence of the representatives of the Ministry of Defence on the subject 'Role of Indian Army in ensuring defence of the Country'".

India and the UAE are in early talks over a potential deal for BrahMos missiles and Akashteer air defence systems, sources said.

These platforms have indigenous content exceeding 75 per cent, with extensive participation by the Indian industry, including more than 200 MSMEs, in their construction, an official said.