A tri-service multi-domain exercise was conducted under the aegis of the Army’s Northern Command headquarters, setting new benchmarks in preparedness for next-generation conflicts, a defence spokesperson said here on Saturday.

The four-day exercise tested commanders, staff and troops against futuristic threats in the cyber, space, electromagnetic and cognitive domains. Central Armed Police Forces, sister services, central government agencies and private sector players participated jointly, underscoring the importance of an integrated, whole-of-nation approach to the evolving security landscape, the spokesperson added.

He said the involvement of indigenous defence industry players established a new standard in jointness, aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) and innovation. Troops deployed in forward areas were trained to respond to challenges such as cyber intrusions, spectrum saturation, electronic jamming, spoofing and cognitive attacks.

“In modern warfare, the lines are blurring between domains, so we need to leverage niche technology and keep innovating. A whole-of-nation approach is required to protect our territorial integrity and critical assets and also unleash punitive action on the adversary if the situation so demands,” said Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, while interacting with the troops.

Initiated after a strategic dialogue held during Samvad at Mathura on October 4, the exercise reflected that readiness for future warfare begins with open minds and seamless teamwork, the spokesperson said. He added that the Northern Command now stands “better equipped, united and prepared” to counter emerging threats with strategic foresight and multi-domain synergy.

The airline will operate thrice-weekly round trips — on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays — using an Airbus A330-200 wide-body aircraft

In a major step towards normalising bilateral ties and restoring post-pandemic connectivity, China Eastern Airlines on Saturday announced the resumption of direct flights between Shanghai and Delhi, beginning November 9, marking another major China-India route revival after Indigo Airlines.

The airline will operate thrice-weekly round trips — on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays — using an Airbus A330-200 wide-body aircraft. The outbound flight, MU563, will depart Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 12.50 pm and arrive at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 5.45 pm (local time). The return flight, MU564, will leave Delhi at 7.55 pm and reach Shanghai at 4.10 am the next day. Tickets for the route are already on sale.

Describing the Shanghai-Delhi corridor as one of the most strategically significant air routes between the two Asian giants, China Eastern said the move would boost business, academic and tourism exchanges. “The resumption of this route marks the full restoration of China Eastern Airlines’ China-India network, injecting new impetus into personnel exchanges and economic and trade cooperation between the two countries,” the airline said in a statement.

The announcement follows an agreement between India and China on October 2 to resume direct air services between designated points from October 26. The understanding marks a major confidence-building step between the two neighbours after years of strained ties.

Civil aviation authorities from both sides have been in technical-level talks since early 2025 to revise the existing Air Services Agreement and finalise safety and operational protocols.

Officials said the restart aligns with the upcoming winter flight schedule, subject to commercial readiness by the airlines and fulfilment of regulatory clearances. “Resuming direct connectivity will enhance air links, support people-to-people exchanges and contribute to deeper economic collaboration,” a senior aviation official said.

The resumption was also discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Both leaders agreed that the two countries were “development partners” and that “differences should not be allowed to become disputes”, according to the MEA’s August 31 readout.

Diplomatic sources said the flight restoration forms part of a broader outreach, including steps to reopen the Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra route and reintroduce tourist visa channels, which were suspended after the 2020 border clashes.

Earlier, IndiGo Airlines had also announced it will resume daily non-stop services between Kolkata and Guangzhou from October 26, pending regulatory clearance. The airline will deploy Airbus A320neo aircraft on the route and opened bookings from October 3. IndiGo also plans to launch direct Delhi-Guangzhou flights later this year once approvals are finalised.

The missile greatest practical proof of national security during Operation Sindoor

Every inch of Pakistan’s territory lies within the range of BrahMos and what happened during Operation Sindoor was just a trailer, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday.

Lauding the operational role of the missile, he said it was the greatest practical proof of national security during Operation Sindoor.

The minister, along with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, flagged off the first batch of BrahMos missiles manufactured at the Integration and Testing Facility Centre, Lucknow.

Addressing the threat from Pakistan, he said, “Every inch of Pakistan’s territory is now within the reach of BrahMos. Operation Sindoor is the proof that victory has become a habit for us, and now we must further enhance our capabilities.”

He said India was strengthening its security and demonstrating to the world that it was a credible partner in defence and technology.

Rajnath stressed that achievements such as the BrahMos, a joint venture between India and Russia, had proved that “Made in India” was no longer a slogan but a global brand.

The missile features a traditional warhead and an advanced guided system and possesses the capability to strike long distances at supersonic speeds.

The Lucknow centre was built at the cost of Rs 380 crore. Almost 100 missile systems will be produced here every year.

Adityanath said the UP defence industrial corridor was making progress. “The BrahMos facility stands as one of the most significant projects under the corridor,” he said.

Later, the Defence Minister dedicated to the nation the Titanium and Superalloy Materials Plant set up by PTC Industries, Lucknow

An MoU was signed between PTC Industries and public sector undertaking Bharat Dynamics Limited to form a joint venture for the design, development and manufacture of propulsion systems, guided bombs and small aeroengines for missiles, UAVs and loitering munitions.

PTC Industries also received a letter of technical acceptance from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification, under the Defence Research and Development Organisation, for the indigenous development and manufacture of casting for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme.

The PTC Industries is located in the strategic materials technology complex that has been established with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore. With a production capacity of over 6,000 tonnes per annum, this plant enables India to produce aviation-grade titanium and superalloys from domestic and recycled sources — a decisive move towards strategic materials independence.

A British delegation will discuss the shared heritage between the militaries of India and Britain, while a session will be devoted to the diamond jubilee of the 1965 war

The ninth edition of the Military Literature Festival is scheduled to be held in Chandigarh from November 7-9 on the theme of “Heartland and Rimland Powers in Multi-domain Warfare and India”. The western, southern and eastern edges of Eurasia have been categorised as Rimland, with central and northern areas being the heartland.

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria will inaugurate the festival, while Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan will deliver a keynote address on the concluding day. The closing ceremony, dedicated to heroes of the 1965 India-Pakistan War, will be presided over by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Operation Sindoor in the context of employing air power in multi-domain warfare will figure among the discussions along with other topics like multi-domain threats from Pakistan and China, challenges in the maritime domain, role of energy in the changing geopolitical scenario and changing dynamics in Af-Pak region and Iran.

A British delegation will discuss the shared heritage between the militaries of India and Britain, while a session will be devoted to the diamond jubilee of the 1965 war. Homage to martyrs, a bravehearts motorcycle rally, weapons and equipment display, exhibition of military paintings and stamps, screening documentaries, horse show and dog show are other events.

The service was first piloted in Delhi on July 31

The Department of Posts has launched a dedicated service to facilitate the pick-up, booking, transmission, and door-step delivery of medicines that are not available at ECHS polyclinics under Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme, an official statement said on Friday.

Under the initiative launched in collaboration with the Department of Ex-servicemen (DESW), medicines will be procured and packaged through Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) Common Service Centre (CSC) stationed at ECHS polyclinics, while logistics and delivery will be managed by India Post’s trusted delivery network.

“The Department of Posts (DoP), in collaboration with Department of Ex-servicemen (DESW), has launched a dedicated service to facilitate the pickup, booking, transmission, and doorstep delivery of medicines that are not available at ECHS polyclinics under Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS),” the statement said.

The service was first piloted in Delhi on July 31, where it received an encouraging response and subsequently expanded to the NCR region, covering Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

“Building on the success of the pilot wherein more than 1,700 packets of medicines were delivered, a comprehensive mapping of 458 ECHS locations across the country has been completed, and the service will be available across the country from October 17,” the statement said.Non-communicable diseases drive two-thirds of global deaths: Report’
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The service will ensure timely and reliable delivery of medicines to ECHS beneficiaries, the postal department said.

BrahMos Aerospace has rapidly scaled up its production capabilities to meet the increasing demands of the Indian Armed Forces

BrahMos cruise missiles produced at the new BrahMos Aerospace Unit in Lucknow are set to enter service with the Armed forces, with the first batch to be flagged-off jointly by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday.

The missile, capable of travelling at Mach-3 and carrying out precision strikes at ranges up to 300 km, was widely believed to have been used to strike multiple targets inside Pakistan during ‘Operation Sindoor’ in May 2025 as part of India’s retribution to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that had killed 26 persons in April 2025.

Designed to be launched by combat aircraft, warships, submarines and road-mobile launchers, it was also operationally deployed as a deterrent during the protracted stand-off with China along the Line of Actual Control that began in the spring of 2020.

Developed jointly by India and Russia, the missile entered Indian service in 2007. Its first production unit was set up in Bengaluru.

BrahMos Aerospace, the missile’s producer, had set up a new Integration and test facility in Lucknow in May 2025. This state-of-the-art facility is equipped with modern systems for missile assembly, integration, testing and final quality checks.

During his visit, the Defence Minister and Chief Minister will also inaugurate the Booster Building and witness a live demonstration of the booster docking process, a defence spokesperson said on Friday. They will also review presentations at the airframe and avionics, pre-dispatch inspection (PDI) and warhead buildings along with the BrahMos simulator equipment.

Director-General, BrahMos, Dr Jaytirth R. Joshi will hand over the GST bill and cheque to the Chief Minister, symbolising revenue generation for the state. The continuous production of BrahMos missiles, being projected as a major milestone for the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC), will provide sustained GST revenue and generate employment opportunities for highly skilled youth in Uttar Pradesh.

The BrahMos facility in Lucknow’s Sarojini Nagar stands as one of the most significant projects under the Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor. It carries out the complete process of assembly, integration and testing to the highest technical standards. The Lucknow unit is the first in the corridor to manage the entire manufacturing and testing process indigenously, reinforcing both strategic autonomy and industrial growth.

BrahMos Aerospace has rapidly scaled up its production capabilities to meet the increasing demands of the Indian Armed Forces. Besides ensuring timely fulfilment of domestic defence requirements, the advanced technologies being developed here will pave the way for next-generation variants of the BrahMos missile system.

The Tribune Editorial: Intelligence agencies link this escalation to Operation Sindoor.

THE five-fold surge in arms smuggling across Punjab’s border with Pakistan signals a dangerous reactivation of Pakistan’s covert playbook. With 362 weapons seized so far this year compared to 81 last year, Punjab once again finds itself on the frontline of a shadow war. Intelligence agencies link this escalation to Operation Sindoor, India’s precision strikes on terror hideouts in Pakistan and PoK earlier this year.

Carried reward of Rs 9 crore; 110 of them women

As many as 208 Maoist cadres, including a central committee member, laid down arms before authorities in Chhattisgarh’s Jagdalpur on Friday, making it the largest mass surrender in the history of anti-Naxal operations in the state, officials said.

The 98 men and 110 women cadres, all members of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) carrying a collective reward of Rs 9.18 crore, gave up 153 arms before state Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and other leaders. The weapons include 19 AK-47 rifles, 17 SLR rifles, 23 INSAS rifles, an INSAS LMG, 36 .303 rifles, 11 BGL launchers, four carbines, 41 bore single shotguns and a pistol.

With this, most of North Abujhmad is now relatively free of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) and only South Bastar remains to be freed from Naxal violence, official sources said.

Officials hailed the surrender as one of the most significant breakthroughs in recent years, saying it underscored the growing success of the government’s Naxal Eradication and Rehabilitation Policy-2025, which combined development, dialogue and trust-building measures to encourage militants to return to the mainstream. The large-scale surrender is expected to accelerate the peace and development efforts in the region and further weaken the Maoist network in the Bastar division, once considered the stronghold of LWE in India.

Among the top Maoist leaders who surrendered were Rupesh, alias Satish, (central committee member); Bhaskar, alias Rajman Mandavi, (DKSZC member); Ranita (DKSZC member); Raju Salam (DKSZC member); Dhannu Vetti, alias Santu (DKSZC member); and Ratan Elam (regional committee member).

Officials said the surrender represented a decisive step towards lasting peace and inclusive development in Bastar and the broader Dandakaranya region, once considered the epicentre of Naxalism.

“Today marks a historic day not only for Bastar but for the entire state and nation. Those who had lived for years under the shadow of violence and fear have renounced arms and embraced the Constitution under the ‘Poona Margem’ — From Rehabilitation to Rejuvenation programme,” the Chhattisgarh CM said in Jagdalpur.

Sai further said the youth who were once trapped in the false ideology of Maoism had now reposed faith in the power of democracy, the ideals of the Constitution, and the sensitive policies of the state government by returning to the social mainstream.

The surrender came within 24 hours of 170 Naxals giving up arms in Chhattisgarh on October 16, with some of them carrying rewards ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 1 crore. On October 14, Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Sonu, (70), a member of the CPI (Maoist)’s Politburo, had surrendered in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli along with 60 other cadres.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited expects to complete delivery of all aircraft by 2032-33

Indigenous fighter jet Tejas Mark-1A made its maiden flight in Nashik on Friday. Deliveries to the Indian Air Force (IAF), however, are expected to take a few more weeks, pending completion of weapon integration and testing.

Plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is validating weapon parameters before handing over the aircraft, originally scheduled for delivery in March 2024. The company is still integrating the Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, a laser-guided bomb and the ASRAAM short-range air-to-air missile, each meant for specific air-combat roles. The IAF has asked for the integration to be completed so that the aircraft is combat-ready on delivery.

HAL Chairman and Managing Director Dr DK Sunil said, “We are conducting weapon trials, and the results are positive. I expect that in the coming months we’ll complete this task and be in a position to deliver the aircraft.”

The aircraft is structurally complete, with the remaining updates limited to software changes, he added.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed two contracts with HAL for a total of 180 Tejas Mark-1A jets — 83 aircraft for Rs 48,000 crore in January 2021, and another 97 for Rs 62,370 crore last month. HAL expects to complete delivery of all aircraft by 2032-33.

At Nashik, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh witnessed the maiden flight and inaugurated the third Tejas Mark-1A production line. He described the jet as a symbol of India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

HAL is also facing delays in the supply of General Electric (GE) F404 engines, essential for the Tejas Mark-1A. Nearly a dozen aircraft are ready at HAL’s facility, but only four engines have been delivered so far. “GE has overcome earlier supply issues, though ramp-up is still slow,” Dr Sunil said. “As production stabilises, we’ll be able to meet the 2032-33 timeline.”

Singh noted that India’s annual defence production has now reached Rs 1.5 lakh crore, crediting the growth to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He also commended HAL’s Nashik team for integrating the BrahMos missile on the Sukhoi-30MKI during Operation Sindoor, strengthening IAF’s operational readiness.