Following the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 civilians—mostly Hindu tourists—India’s defense manufacturing machinery has been placed on high alert. Munitions India Limited (MIL), the state-run enterprise overseeing 12 key ordnance factories, has canceled all extended leaves for employees at several of its plants. The decision comes amid mounting tensions with Pakistan, with intelligence agencies tracing digital links of the attackers to locations in Muzaffarabad and Karachi.

While MIL’s official explanation attributes the move to recovering April’s production shortfalls and fulfilling international defense contracts, insiders confirm that the real driver is national security. “The order was issued in view of national security,” an official from Ordnance Factory-Khamaria in Jabalpur revealed. At Ordnance Factory-Itarsi, employees were told that only minimal leave—up to two days—would be allowed for the next two months.

Formed in 2021 from the restructuring of the Ordnance Factory Board, Pune-based MIL plays a pivotal role in India’s defense infrastructure. Its factories manufacture a wide array of ammunition and equipment for the Indian armed forces, including Pinaka rocket systems, artillery shells, tank and mortar rounds, and small arms ammunition. The company is also an emerging exporter, securing contracts worth ₹6,000 crore by March 2024, supplying countries like the UAE, Vietnam, and likely Poland or Slovenia. Videos of Indian-made 155mm artillery shells being used in the Russo-Ukrainian War have further spotlighted MIL’s global footprint.

The Pahalgam attack, executed by Islamist militants, triggered warnings of further strikes and raised concerns over border infiltration. In response, MIL facilities like Chandrapur and Khamaria have moved to ramp up operations, with personnel placed on “alert mode.” However, the situation remains uneven—factories such as Ordnance Factory-Bhandara and non-MIL units like the Gun Carriage Factory in Jabalpur have not implemented similar restrictions.

Although the Department of Defence Production has not issued an official directive, public sector undertakings have reportedly been informally advised to limit extended employee absences. Mukesh Singh, head of the Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh (BPMS), confirmed receiving leave cancellation reports, though no formal notice has been circulated.

MIL’s role in India’s security apparatus is not new. During the 1999 Kargil War, it supplied critical fuzes for Bofors artillery, and in 2019, it produced 1,000-pound bombs used in the Balakot airstrikes. With a record FY2025 budget of ₹745.45 crore and collaborative projects like the NavIC-guided 155mm Smart Ammunition with IIT Madras, MIL is rapidly expanding its strategic capabilities.

As India grapples with the aftermath of the Pahalgam tragedy and prepares for potential future escalations, the surge in defense production—both for national defense and international obligations—reflects a broader push to secure the nation and assert its defense self-reliance on the global stage.

In a landmark achievement for India’s defence and aerospace sectors, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the first flight trial of an indigenous Stratospheric Airship Platform. The historic test took place in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh, with the airship reaching an impressive altitude of 17 kilometers during a 62-minute mission.

This high-altitude, lighter-than-air platform is designed for long-duration operations in the stratosphere and is expected to transform India’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Equipped with onboard sensors, pressure control mechanisms, and emergency deflation systems, the airship performed flawlessly in its maiden test. The data collected will feed into the development of advanced simulation models to support future missions.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the achievement as a “proud moment for India,” highlighting the airship’s strategic value in enhancing national security. He noted that India now joins an exclusive group of countries that possess indigenous stratospheric airship technology — a feat many global programmes, such as the U.S. HALE-D project, have struggled to accomplish.

Beyond defence, the platform holds vast potential for civilian applications, including disaster response, environmental monitoring, urban mapping, and scientific research. Operating at altitudes between 20 and 30 kilometers, stratospheric airships offer a cost-effective and longer-endurance alternative to satellites and drones.

This technological advancement comes amid heightened regional tensions, such as the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, underlining the need for enhanced surveillance infrastructure. The DRDO’s success not only reinforces India’s commitment to defence self-reliance but also marks a significant stride in global aerospace innovation.

As further refinements continue, the stratospheric airship is poised to become a cornerstone in India’s quest for superior situational awareness and rapid threat response — strengthening both national security and India’s stature in cutting-edge research.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has dismissed Constable Munir Ahmed of its 41st Battalion after he married a Pakistani national, Menal Khan, without obtaining mandatory prior approval—a move officials have termed a serious breach of conduct and a potential national security threat.

The CRPF’s action follows an internal inquiry which revealed that Ahmed solemnized his marriage with Khan on May 24, 2024, via a WhatsApp video call, even as his official request for permission to marry a foreign national was still under review. This act contravenes Rule 21(3) of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, which mandates prior government clearance for such marriages, especially with citizens of countries deemed sensitive from a national security standpoint.

Khan reportedly rejoined Ahmed in India recently after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court granted her temporary relief from deportation, halting proceedings at the Attari border. However, investigations found that Ahmed had not only concealed the marriage from his superiors but had also knowingly allowed Khan to overstay her visa, further aggravating the situation.

A senior CRPF official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated: “This is not just a procedural lapse. Given the operational sensitivity of CRPF personnel, especially those deployed in Jammu and Kashmir, Ahmed’s actions posed a direct risk to national security. Such breaches of discipline and trust are intolerable.”

The case comes at a time of heightened vigilance following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, triggering a series of retaliatory measures from the Indian government. These include the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari, and the freezing of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals.

Since the attack, 786 Pakistani nationals have been deported via the Attari-Wagah border, as India ramps up security protocols. Ahmed’s dismissal adds to the government’s broader crackdown and reflects increased scrutiny of cross-border affiliations, particularly those involving members of the armed forces and paramilitary services.

Authorities are now investigating the full extent of Ahmed’s conduct, including the legality and intent behind the online “nikaah” ceremony. The CRPF reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on breaches that compromise institutional integrity or national security.

India has extended a $200 million Defence Line of Credit (LOC) to Angola, marking a major boost in bilateral ties and reinforcing its role as a rising defence partner on the global stage. The announcement came during the state visit of Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, the first by an Angolan head of state in 38 years. The visit also commemorates the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed President Lourenco in New Delhi, highlighting the deep-rooted historical connection between the two countries, especially India’s support for Angola during its struggle for independence. “When Angola was fighting for its freedom, India stood beside it with faith and friendship,” said PM Modi in a joint statement.

The newly announced defence LOC aims to assist Angola in upgrading and modernizing its armed forces. Though specifics of the procurement have yet to be disclosed, the line is expected to cover artillery systems, military vehicles, and possibly other Indian-made defence platforms. This aligns with India’s broader push to expand its defence exports, which hit a record ₹23,622 crore (approx. $2.8 billion) in FY 2024–25. Indian defence products have recently found buyers in countries like the United States, Armenia, Morocco, and the UAE.

India’s offer to Angola is part of a larger strategy to strengthen ties with African nations through capacity-building, defence cooperation, and infrastructure support. Angola, a significant oil and gas supplier to India, stands out as a key partner in this initiative.

In addition to defence cooperation, both leaders discussed enhancing collaboration in energy, digital public infrastructure, space, agriculture, and healthcare. India expressed interest in expanding its energy imports from Angola while offering expertise in solar and green technology.

The visit underscores India’s evolving foreign policy posture—focusing not only on deepening ties with traditional partners but also on becoming a central player in the Global South’s growth and security. The Defence LOC to Angola reinforces India’s commitment to shared development and security, anchored in mutual respect and strategic partnership.

In a significant move that further strains relations between India and Pakistan, the Indian government has issued a directive prohibiting ships flying the Pakistani flag from docking at Indian ports. The order, which came into effect on May 2, 2025, also bars Indian vessels from visiting Pakistani ports, marking a new chapter in the escalating tensions between the two countries.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways cited national security concerns following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives and has been attributed to Pakistan-backed terrorist groups by New Delhi. As a response to this attack, India had already restricted Pakistani airlines’ use of its airspace, a decision that has been met with retaliation from Islamabad.

The new maritime ban, backed by the Merchant Shipping Act of 1958, is intended to safeguard India’s maritime interests and protect its national security. It not only prohibits Pakistani vessels from docking at Indian ports but also mandates that Indian ships avoid visiting Pakistani ports. Any violations of the order could lead to severe penalties, including the cancellation of Indian vessels’ registrations. Additionally, foreign vessels transporting goods or passengers to or from Pakistani ports will also be subject to the restrictions, further isolating Pakistan from India’s critical maritime routes.

The move is seen as the latest in a series of retaliatory actions between India and Pakistan. On April 30, India had already banned Pakistani airlines from using its airspace, a decision that escalated the already fraught diplomatic environment. Pakistan, denying involvement in the Pahalgam attack, responded by suspending all trade with India, including indirect trade through third countries such as the UAE. This maritime ban is likely to have far-reaching consequences, particularly for Pakistan’s economy, as much of its informal trade with India, estimated at $10 billion annually, is routed through third nations.

The ban could severely disrupt Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector, which relies heavily on Indian imports, and may also affect the local economies around India’s Integrated Check Posts (ICPs). Furthermore, trade lawyers such as Shantanu Singh predict that these disruptions will exacerbate challenges for Pakistan, especially as both nations already contend with regional economic strains.

International observers, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, have urged India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and engage in dialogue. However, with both countries doubling down on retaliatory measures, including India’s suspension of its participation in the Indus River water-sharing agreement and Pakistan’s expulsion of Indian diplomats, the path to reconciliation remains uncertain.

The decision to bar Pakistani vessels underscores the increasingly divisive nature of India-Pakistan relations, with maritime routes now added to the long list of contentious issues between the two neighbors. As the diplomatic standoff continues to unfold, the Indian government has made it clear that it intends to maintain a firm stance, prioritizing national security and regional stability over immediate reconciliation.