Thiruvananthapuram:

Following reports about an altercation involving the personnel attached to the Southern Air Command and the staff of a restaurant here, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has begun its probe into the matter.

A statement issued on Friday by the IAF said that news has been circulating in the media about an altercation on May 15 involving Indian Air Force personnel.

“The headquarters Southern Air Command has taken serious cognizance of the incident and the same is being enquired thoroughly to ascertain the facts, in accordance with Indian Air Force policy of zero-tolerance to cases of misdemeanour, especially in public places,” the statement read.

The probe comes a day after the Kerala Police registered a case against four Southern Air Command officials based on a complaint given by a hotel.

A hotel official said there were a group of people who created problems and their staff members were beaten.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night and trouble started when the guests were asked to wait as tables were not empty. This irked the guests who later turned unruly, according to the hotel staff.

Based on the complaint given by the hotel management, the local police registered a case against four Southern Air Command officials.

Later the police registered another case based on a complaint given by the IAF officials of them being harassed by the restaurant staff.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chhindwara:

The body of an Indian Air Force soldier, Corporal Vikky Pahade who succumbed to injuries sustained in a terror attack on Saturday evening, arrived in his hometown in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara for last rites on Monday.

Corporal Pahade died in the Poonch Sector of Jammu and Kashmir after an Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by terrorists on Saturday, May 4.

The IAF soldier’s sister, Geeta Pahade, who is a sub-inspector, said she learned about the incident on Saturday night and was proud of her brother.

“I am proud of my brother. I got to know about this (brother’s demise) a day before yesterday. I want justice for my brother,” Ms Pahade added.

Corporal Pahade’s brother-in-law, Sanju Gaunekar said, “We came to know about the matter on Saturday evening. We received a message at around 6:30 pm that he suffered a bullet injury and was hospitalised in Udhampur. Later, we were informed at around 7:30 pm that he succumbed to injuries.”

“We are proud of him, but it is a tragedy for the family as he was the lone son in the family and had three sisters. His father also passed away earlier,” he added.

The soldier left behind his five-year-old son, wife, mother and sisters. The Indian Air Force on Sunday mourned Corporal Vikky Pahade.

“The CAS Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and all personnel of (the) Indian Air Force salute the braveheart Corporal Vikky Pahade, who made the supreme sacrifice in (the) Poonch Sector, in the service of the nation. Our deepest condolences to the bereaved family. We stand firmly by your side in this hour of grief,” read a post on the official X handle of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Earlier, on Sunday, security personnel launched a massive manhunt following a terrorist attack on an Indian Air Force convoy a day before, in which one personnel was killed. Security forces have laid down nakas and checking is going on in the area.

Additional forces of the Indian Army reached the Jarra Wali Gali (JWG) in Poonch on Saturday late at night.

After the ambush, which went down at Sanai village in the Poonch sector, the injured personnel were rushed to the Command Hospital in Udhampur. Nonetheless, one of the injured airmen succumbed to his injuries.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, the local Rashtriya Rifles unit initiated a cordon and search operations in the vicinity, with support from the Army and police, to track down the perpetrators.

The IAF confirmed the incident through a tweet, stating that the targeted convoy was secured and an investigation was underway.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

As part of the ongoing exercise Gagan Shakti-24, Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft recently operated from the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in the northern sector in Kashmir valley, the Defence Ministry said on Thursday.

The ministry said that a large number of troops were airlifted and subsequently air landed utilising Chinook, Mi-17 V5 and ALH Mk-III helicopters by night.

“IAF also plans to practise similar drills in coordination with the administration of State Governments for activation of ELFs in other sectors. Various IAF fixed and rotary wing platforms will carry out coordinated landing and operations at these ELF, requiring good planning and coordination with civil administration employing Whole-of-the-Nation-Approach (WNA),” the defence ministry said.

Emergency Landing Facility operations provide an opportunity for IAF aircraft to undertake operations from such restricted landing surfaces while also being able to undertake Humanitarian Assistance in Disaster Relief operations during times of natural calamities to provide succour and relief.

“The capability to operate by night on these stretches of highways and the capability to transfer troops from such surfaces will greatly enhance the operational capabilities of Indian Armed Forces,” the ministry said in a statement.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Former Indian Air Force chief RKS Bhadauria joined the BJP on Sunday. BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde lauded Bhadauria’s long service in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and expressed confidence that he will now contribute actively in the political field after playing an active role in the defence forces.

The BJP leader said Mr Bhadauria spent nearly 40 years in the IAF and contributed to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

RKS Bhadauria hails from Uttar Pradesh. The BJP is yet to name its candidates from several seats in the state for the Lok Sabha elections.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

A patient with critical head injuries was on Monday airlifted in an Indian Air Force aircraft to Leh from a village in the Zanskar region of south Ladakh after continuous snowfall cut off ground access, it said.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) also posted photographs of the Cheetah helicopter airlifting on X.

#IAF Cheetal helicopter successfully evacuated a patient with critical head injuries from Atting Village in the Zanskar region of South Ladakh, following continuous snowfall, which had cut off all ground access to the region.#HarKaamDeshkeNaampic.twitter.com/cKQlVYWeCW

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 4, 2024

“An IAF aircraft successfully evacuated a patient with critical head injuries from Atting village in the Zanskar region of south Ladakh, following continuous snowfall, which had cut off all ground access to the region #HarKaamDeshkeNaam,” it said in the post. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The Sarang Helicopter Display Team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in the Singapore Airshow. IAF’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), manufactured the Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv), operated by the Sarang helicopter display team, enthralled the audience at the Singapore Airshow on February 24.

In a post on X, IAF’s Sarang Helicopter Display Team said, “Reflecting on our journey, every milestone reached, and every triumph celebrated, the Sarang team has completed 20 glorious years as the ambassadors of the Indian Air Force. Happy raising day to our incredible display team!”

Reflecting on our journey, every milestone reached and every triumph celebrated, the Sarang team has completed 20 glorious years as the ambassadors of the Indian Air Force. Happy raising day to our incredible display team!#Sarang#raisingday#TeamIndia#SingaporeAirShow@IAF_MCCpic.twitter.com/3uCyPWnoOk

— Sarang Helicopter Display Team (@sarang_iaf) February 25, 2024

The Singapore Airshow was livestreamed on its website. The Sarang Helicopter Display Team also operated on Tuesday.

As the Sarang Helicopter Display Team participated in the Singapore Airshow, the commentator on February 20 said, “Jai Hind, Good afternoon, Namaste, Singapore. How are you? Enjoying the airshow? Fantastic. Just let the excitement soar as we prepare to captivate and light up the skies of Singapore.”

She further said, “Singapore is not just a part of Indian history but also in the heart of the Sarang journey. Get your cameras ready, our team is all set to paint the sky in Sarang colours.” She also introduced the commanding officers of the four helicopters that were displayed at the Singapore Airshow.

In a post on X, IAF’s Sarang Helicopter Display Team stated, “Glimpses of the Sarang team painting the Singapore skies on the inaugural day of the Singapore Airshow 2024!”

Glimpses of the Sarang team painting the Singapore skies on the inaugural day of the Singapore Airshow 2024
Catch us live on 24th and 25th February at Changi Exhibition Centre!#Sarang#IAF#Helicopter#Pilots#DiplomatsInFlightSuits#india#Singapore@IAF_MCC@SGAirshowpic.twitter.com/e39zK6WbhV

— Sarang Helicopter Display Team (@sarang_iaf) February 21, 2024

The Sarang team performed a four-helicopter display for the audience at the Singapore Airshow this year. The display is designed to highlight the ALH Dhruv’s agility and manoeuvrability, as well as the high degree of skill of the IAF pilots flying these machines.

In an earlier press release, the Ministry of Defence said, “The indigenously manufactured ALH and its advanced variants are operated by all the military services of India. The successful induction and operational utilisation of this platform is one of the glowing success stories of self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta) in the defence sector.”

On February 18, the Sarang helicopter display team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted its first practice display in Singapore, ahead of their final display during the Singapore Airshow scheduled to commence on Tuesday.

Precision in Motion.

The Sarang Helicopter Display Team continues to enthrall the audience over the skies of #Singapore.

Watch the LIVE stream on https://t.co/V4Q8hq42c2@SGAirshow#DiplomatsInFlightSuitspic.twitter.com/foOyOUX78Z

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) February 21, 2024

The Sarang team arrived in Singapore on February 12 and operated from the Changi airbase of the Singapore Air Force (RSAF). The biennial Singapore Airshow was conducted from February 20 to 24.

The airshow featured a variety of display teams from all across the globe, including India, Indonesia, South Korea, and Australia. The show also featured leading aircraft and system manufacturers and operators showcasing their products.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), manufactured the Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv), which the Sarang team operates, featured in the show for the very first time. According to the Ministry of Defence press release, the first international display for the Sarang team also happened to be at Singapore for the Asian Aerospace Airshow at Changi Exhibition Center in 2004.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kolkata:

The Indian Air Force has started humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations in Sikkim, devastated by a flash flood in Teesta river, a Defence official said on Monday.

Thirty-three bodies, including those of nine army jawans, have been recovered so far from slush and debris left behind by the flash flood that devastated Sikkim, while the search continued for more than 105 people who are still missing, officials in the Himalayan state said.

The Jalpaiguri district administration in adjoining northern West Bengal has said 40 bodies were fished out of the river downstream.

Officials warned that the figures reported by Sikkim and West Bengal may have some duplication even as both states were keeping each other informed of their respective rescue efforts.

“The IAF commenced its humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations from Air Force Station Bagdogra for the flood victims of Sikkim on the Air Force Day,” the Defence official said.

The air force started carrying Garud commandos, communication equipment, fuel, medicines, search and rescue equipment by Chinook and MI 17 V5 helicopters to the state from Sunday, he said.

Stating that the Eastern Air Command is coordinating the humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) operations, the official said that the IAF is fully geared up to reach out to the victims of the flash floods that left the small Himalayan state in disarray.

“The helicopters are kept ready to transport the stranded tourists and local residents to safer locations as soon as the weather conditions improve,” the Defence official said.

The Met Department on Monday forecast light to moderate rain at many places accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim over the next five days.

Meanwhile, the Jalpaiguri district administration in West Bengal has said they have so far recovered 40 bodies from the downstream of the Teesta River. Officials said 10 bodies have so far been identified.

Since bodies are still being found from the slush and debris left behind by Teesta in both states, the exact toll will be clear in the next few days after collating the details, officials said.

The flash flood, which was triggered by a cloudburst in the early hours of Wednesday, has affected 60,870 people. So far, 2,563 people have been rescued from different areas of the state, most of which have been cut off from the rest of the country, according to the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Leh:

The role of Indian Air Force (IAF) has increased manifold in the Eastern Ladakh bordering China, a senior officer said and announced that the force is in the process of getting long range surveillance radar systems to keep an eye on the enemy.

Air Commodore DS Handa was talking to reporters here on the sidelines of an airshow at the base to commemorate the 91st anniversary of the IAF.

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Brig BD Mishra (retd) was the chief guest at the airshow which saw a static display of Rafale aircraft, Cheetal helicopters, indigenous Akash Missile System and Medium Range Surface to Air Missile.

“The main purpose behind the airshow was to motivate students to join the IAF and also to assure the people of Ladakh that IAF is ready to safeguard the region and the country,” Air Commodore DS Handa said.

He said the role of IAF has increased in eastern Ladakh compared to previous years.

“We have installed radars wherever required and the IAF is also acquiring long-range surveillance radar systems to keep an eye on the enemy,” DS Handa said, adding that weapon systems and radars have been deployed in forward areas at specific locations to pick up any enemy activity.

He said the IAF is the lifeline of Ladakh as it ensures delivery of ration, ammunition and other supplies to the troops deployed in the forward areas.

Expressing happiness over the maiden airshow, Lt Governor BD Mishra said this provided an opportunity to local youths to know the strength of the IAF at their backyard.

“Our IAF is capable of defending this airfield and the city. We should also be proud of our country which is manufacturing fifth generation aircraft,” he said.

The LG said only a few countries are in the possession of fifth generation jets which are still not inducted.

The marquee event started with students and the general public witnessing the displayed aircraft and missile systems. They were also briefed about the strengths and capabilities of each system.

“Successful conduct of the event was a testimony to the cooperation and coordination between the functionaries of Air Force Station and Civil Administration,” a defence spokesman said.

He said the show not only motivated the young generation to join the IAF but also showcased the advancements in the country’s aerospace power.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The Indian Air Force unveiled its new Ensign at the annual Air Force Day parade at Prayagraj on October 8, 2023. Photo: X/@IAF_MCC

Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Vivek Ram Chaudhari on Sunday unveiled a new Ensign for the force, as it marked its 91st anniversary, by the inclusion of the Air Force Crest in the top right corner of the Ensign, towards the fly side. This year, the Air Force Day parade was held at Air Force Station Bamrauli in Prayagraj.

In a first, scaling up the degree of difficulty by a couple of notches, the Sarang helicopter display team has elevated to a five helicopter military display team. “Catch us perform the five aircraft display on the occasion of Air Force day on October 08 at Prayagraj,” the team posted on social media platform ‘X’.

In another first, the newly inducted C-295 transport aircraft made its maiden appearance in any air display in India, while the legacy MiG-21 Bison made, what is likely its last appearance in an air display, prior to the planned phasing out by the year 2025.

“We have not only circumvented challenges but also turned those challenges into opportunities. The current geopolitical landscape has provided us an opportunity to reduce dependency on imports by developing indigenous capability,” ACM Chaudhari said addressing the parade.

The theme for this year’s Air Force Day was ‘IAF – Air Power Beyond Boundaries’ which the Air Chief said aptly reflects the “inherent global reach of air power and how air power will prove decisive in future conflicts.” “Air Force operations extend worldwide, providing rapid mobility and global reach. This reach allows a nation to project air power beyond boundaries in the form of rapid deployment, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and peacekeeping missions,” he said stressing on the need to understand the nuances of evolving air power, setting the pace to preserve peace and if and when necessary, to fight and win wars.

IAF’s first woman officer

This is the first Air Force Day Parade to be commanded by a woman officer, GP Capt. Shaliza Dhami. She is also the first woman officer of the IAF to command a combat unit. Also for the first time, the parade had an all women contingent comprising of the newly inducted Agniveer Vayu women. The parade also included a flight of Garud Commandos of the IAF for the first time, as the they recently completed 20 years of service.

At the parade, the Air Chief presented Unit Citations to four IAF Units — 16 Squadron, 142 Helicopter Unit, 901 Signal Unit and 3 Base Repair Depot for their exemplary contribution to the service. 

The parade was followed by an air display on the banks of the Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj in the afternoon. The air display on the banks of the Triveni Sangam featured about 108 IAF aircraft along with Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters of the Indian Army and a P-8l aircraft of the India Navy as well the Surya Kiran and Sarang display teams.

New Ensign

Going back in history, the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) Ensign comprised of the Union Jack in the upper left canton and the RIAF roundel (Red, White & Blue) on the fly side. Post-Independence, the IAF ensign was created by replacing the Union Jack with the Indian tricolour and the Royal Air Force roundels with the IAF tricolour roundel. A new lAF ensign has now been created to better reflect the values of the Force, the IAF said in a statement. 

Explaining the new Ensign, the statement said the IAF Crest has the national symbol, the Ashoka lion on the top with the words ‘Satyameva Jayate’ in Devanagari below it. Below the Ashoka lion is a Himalayan eagle with its wings spread, denoting the fighting qualities of the IAF, it stated, adding, “A ring in light blue colour encircles the Himalayan eagle with the words ‘Bharatiya Vayu Sena’ and the motto of the IAF is inscribed below Himalayan eagle in golden Devanagari.”

Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., leaves the House floor after being ousted as Speaker of the House at the Capitol in Washington on October 3, 2023.
| Photo Credit: AP

Kevin McCarthy becomes the first speaker ever to be ousted from the job in a U.S. House vote

Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out of the job Tuesday in an extraordinary showdown, a first in U.S. history that was forced by a contingent of hard-right conservatives and threw the House and its Republican leadership into chaos. Mr. McCarthy’s chief rival, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, forced the vote on the “motion to vacate,” drawing together more than a handful of conservative Republican critics of the speaker and many Democrats who say he is unworthy of leadership.

Delhi Police arrest NewsClick founder, HR head in alleged terror case

The Delhi Police on October 3 arrested Prabir Purkayastha, founder and Editor-in-Chief of news portal NewsClick and its Human Resources head Amit Chakraborty in an alleged terror case. Deputy Commissioner of Police (PRO) Suman Nalwa said that a total of 46 “suspects”, including nine women, were questioned and their phones, laptops and devices seized for further examination. She added that proceedings were on and two persons had been arrested thus far.

Arguments in EWS verdict may serve as a shot in the arm for seeking more quota post Bihar caste survey

Arguments employed by the Supreme Court in its majority verdict to uphold the 10% economically weaker sections (EWS) quota for the “poorest of the poor” among forward castes can paradoxically become a stimulus for the backward classes to seek reservation over and above the 50% ceiling limit on the basis of the data published after the Bihar caste-based survey. The EWS judgment had excluded the “poorest of the poor” among the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Classes from the ambit of 10% quota.

PM draws BJP campaign lines for Assembly polls, one rally at a time

The dates for the Assembly polls in the States of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram are yet to be announced but Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public rallies and meetings have already set the contours of the BJP election campaign.

Despite early gains of Swachh Bharat Mission, toilet use declining since 2018-19: World Bank paper

A departmental working paper by the World Bank on the progress of the Swacch Bharat Mission – Gramin (SBM-G) has now found that despite “breathtaking” gains made by the programme to bring toilet access to rural India since 2014-15, when it began, there has been a clear trend of regular toilet use declining in rural India from 2018-19 onwards, with the largest drop being seen among Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe socio-economic groups.

Black day for Indian democracy: TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee after release from police detention

“Today is a black day for Indian democracy,” TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said as he and other party leaders were released by the police on Tuesday night, hours after being detained during a sit-in at the Union Rural Development Ministry office here. Mr. Banerjee said Tuesday’s incident will stand as an example of ‘New India’ as public representatives were “dragged and manhandled” by Delhi Police and journalists questioning the government were booked under the anti-terror law UAPA.

IAF looking at procurement contracts worth over ₹2.5 lakh crore, says Air chief

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking at procuring 97 additional indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk1A fighter jets at an estimated cost of ₹1.15 lakh crore, Air Chief Marshal V. R. Chaudhari said on October 3. The procurement will take the LCA-MK1A fleet strength to 180. The IAF is looking at several contracts worth ₹2.5 lakh crore to ₹3 lakh crore in the next few years, he said.

Armenia’s parliament votes to join the International Criminal Court, straining ties with ally Russia

Armenia’s Parliament voted on Tuesday to join the International Criminal Court, a move that further strains the country’s ties with its old ally Russia after the court issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin over events in Ukraine. Moscow last month called Yerevan’s effort to join the ICC an “unfriendly step,” and the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Armenia’s ambassador.

Trudeau says Canada not looking to ‘escalate’ situation, vows to engage constructively with India

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said Canada was not looking to “escalate” the situation with India amid the diplomatic row between the two countries over the killing of a Khalistani separatist and asserted that his government will continue to have “constructive relations” with New Delhi. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Mr. Trudeau also said that it’s important for Canada to have diplomats on the ground in India, amid a report by London-based Financial Times that New Delhi wants as many as 41 of 62 remaining Canadian diplomats out of the country, the Toronto Sun newspaper reported.

Maldives president-elect says he’s committed to removing the Indian military from the archipelago

The President-elect of the Maldives said he will stick to his campaign promise to remove Indian military personnel stationed in the archipelago state, promising he would initiate the process. Mohamed Muizzu told his supporters gathered Monday night at a celebration of his election victory that he wouldn’t stand for a foreign military staying in the Maldives against the will of its citizens.

Indian outbound tourism market to cross $15 billion in 2023, says NIMA chief

Post Covid, the outbound tourism market has been growing steadily and this growth momentum is expected to continue till about 2032, an industry executive said. “India’s outbound tourism market is surging and set to reach $15.2 billion in 2023, with an anticipated 11.4% CAGR through 2032,” said Gajesh Girdhar, Chairman, Network of Indian MICE Agents (NIMA) at travel show BLTM 2023. “This growth is driven by Indians, particularly millennials, eager to explore international destinations,” he added.

Hangzhou Asian Games | Tejaswin shatters decathlon national record to win silver

Ten events over two days in competitive sports sounds fanciful unless one is talking about decathlon, perhaps the most difficult of athletic events. On October 3, Tejaswin Shankar broke the 12-year old national record in decathlon en route to winning silver at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, becoming the only Indian to hold national records in two different field events.