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58,000 CISF Personnel to Be Recruited in Five Years as Govt Plans Security for Emerging Industrial Hubs

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The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved the recruitment of 58,000 additional personnel for the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) over the next five years, anticipating the development of new industrial hubs in areas currently affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE). The move follows President Droupadi Murmu’s sanction to increase the CISF’s authorised strength from 2 lakh to 2.2 lakh.

With the present CISF strength at 1.62 lakh, the expansion will see around 14,000 personnel inducted annually. A senior CISF official said the new recruits will strengthen security in key sectors including aviation, sea ports, thermal and hydro power plants, nuclear installations, and high-security prisons in Jammu and Kashmir.

The geographical spread of LWE violence has reduced significantly over the past decade, from 126 districts across ten States in 2013 to 38 districts in 2024. With Home Minister Amit Shah setting a March 2026 deadline to end Maoist activities in Chhattisgarh, the government expects industrial growth in these areas, requiring enhanced CISF deployment.

The CISF recruited 13,230 personnel in 2024, with another 24,098 currently in process. Demand for CISF security has surged following Operation Sindoor, with 35 requests under process and nearly 100 pending from public sector units and private organisations.

Over the past year, the CISF has taken charge at seven new locations, including the Parliament House complex, Ayodhya airport, NTPC’s coal mining project in Hazaribagh, the National Institute of Virology in Pune, the Buxar and Jawahar thermal power projects, and the Beas Satluj Link project in Mandi.

Established in 1969 with just three battalions, the CISF today secures 359 critical establishments across India, providing integrated security to vital infrastructure and strategic projects.

India Slams US Over Tariff Threat, Defends Russian Oil Imports

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India has issued a sharp rebuttal to fresh criticism from the United States and the European Union over its continued purchase of Russian oil, calling the pressure “unjustified and unreasonable”. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) asserted that India’s energy imports are driven solely by national interests and energy security, rejecting US President Donald Trump’s latest accusations.

The strongly worded statement came hours after Trump accused India of buying “massive amounts” of Russian crude and reselling it for “big profits”. The US President has already announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods from August 1, 2025, citing what he called unfair trade practices and India’s “anti-American” alignment with the BRICS grouping.

Press Release by MEA

The MEA explained that India turned to discounted Russian oil after the Ukraine conflict disrupted traditional supply chains, with many Middle Eastern suppliers diverting cargoes to Europe. The ministry pointed out that Washington had initially encouraged such purchases to stabilize global energy markets, but is now criticising India despite its own ongoing trade with Russia.

Highlighting what it called Western hypocrisy, the statement cited 2024 EU–Russia bilateral trade in goods worth €67.5 billion, along with €17.2 billion in services. It noted that European imports of Russian LNG reached a record 16.5 million tonnes in 2024, surpassing previous highs. The ministry also listed European imports of fertilizers, chemicals, steel, and machinery from Russia, as well as continued US imports of uranium hexafluoride, palladium, and fertilizers.

The MEA stressed that India’s oil imports are essential to maintain affordable and stable fuel prices for its 1.4 billion citizens, adding that, like any major economy, India has the right to safeguard its national interests.

The latest exchange marks a sharp escalation in trade tensions between New Delhi and Washington, with the potential to impact billions in bilateral trade. India has yet to announce any countermeasures but signaled it will continue sourcing energy based on economic needs rather than political pressure.

Indian Army’s Southern Command Highlights Tech Integration During Laungewala Brigade Visit

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In a move underscoring the Indian Army’s focus on modernization and technological adaptation, Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command, visited the Laungewala Brigade earlier this week. The visit was aimed at reviewing operational preparedness, evaluating new tech-enabled infrastructure, and assessing troop welfare measures.

Lt Gen Seth was briefed on recent advancements, including the establishment of a Drone Training Node within the brigade. The facility highlights the Indian Army’s increasing reliance on drone technology, mirroring global trends where unmanned aerial systems have played critical roles in modern combat.

Lt Gen Seth Inspecting a Vehicle

The Army Commander also inspected innovations designed to enhance real-time combat training and improve battlefield response times. He expressed appreciation for the brigade’s ongoing efforts to incorporate next-generation systems into their training modules.

The Laungewala Brigade holds a unique place in Indian military history for its heroic resistance during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, when Indian troops repelled a much larger Pakistani force. Today, that legacy is being fortified through digital upgrades and cutting-edge systems, helping bridge past achievements with future capabilities.

Lt Gen Seth Inspecting a Drone

Appointed as the Southern Army Commander on July 1, 2024, Lt Gen Seth emphasized the importance of maintaining operational excellence and adapting to emerging threats. With a background that includes instructional roles at the National Defence Academy and the School of Armoured Warfare, his leadership aligns with India’s Decade of Transformation strategy (2023–2032), aimed at building a digitally empowered and future-ready armed force.

Lt Gen Seth with Other Officers

The visit not only reaffirmed the importance of technological evolution in military readiness but also demonstrated the Indian Army’s continued commitment to combining tradition with innovation in its defence doctrine.

Indian Army Fact Check: Viral Claim About Drunk Army Officer Hitting 30 People in Nagpur Is False

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A viral claim suggesting that a “drunk Army officer rammed a car into 30 people in Nagpur” has been found to be false and misleading. Official clarifications from the Indian Army and Nagpur Police have confirmed that the incident has been grossly misrepresented in both social and mainstream media.

According to verified details, the individual involved is a soldier who was on leave at the time. He was allegedly assaulted by four civilians during a personal altercation. Following the incident, the soldier filed an FIR against the four individuals involved in the assault.

Nagpur Police officials have confirmed that there is no record of a vehicular incident involving injuries to 30 people caused by the soldier. They also clarified that no such complaint or report had been filed regarding a mass casualty event as claimed in the viral posts.

The Indian Army has responded strongly to the false narrative, requesting that all reporting on such matters be based on verified information. It emphasized that unverified and sensational headlines not only mislead the public but also damage the image of the armed forces.

The Army urged media outlets and individuals on social media to avoid jumping to conclusions or spreading rumours, especially when it involves uniformed personnel.

The incident serves as a reminder of the growing need for fact-checking and responsible journalism in the age of instant social media sharing.

Armed Forces Deny Issuing Report on Pahalgam Attackers’ Identities

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The Indian Armed Forces have firmly denied circulating or authoring any report detailing the identities and backgrounds of the terrorists involved in the recent Pahalgam attack.

A document currently making rounds on media and social media platforms, which claims to outline details of the attackers and attributes the report to the Services, has been declared unauthorised.

“No authorised media handle of the Indian Armed Forces has prepared or issued any such document. Neither have any remarks of this nature been made by the Armed Forces Public Relations Offices or nominated spokespersons,” the official clarification stated.

According to the Armed Forces, the content appears to be a post-encounter compilation derived from open-source materials and not an official communication. The military urged the public and media to rely solely on authenticated sources for information regarding security operations.

Missing Army Nursing Assistant From Kerala Returns After 24 Days With No Memory

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Farzeen Gafoor, a 28-year-old nursing assistant with the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune, who had been missing for 24 days, returned home under mysterious circumstances on Saturday night. Found standing alone near his house in Guruvayoor, Farzeen appeared disoriented and had no recollection of where he had been or how he got back.

His father Gafoor, who had returned from Muscat after learning of his son’s disappearance, was the first to spot him. “He was just standing by the roadside, in casual clothes, without any luggage or ID. When I called out, he recognised me, but couldn’t recall anything about the last few weeks,” he said.

Farzeen had gone missing during a journey to Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, where he was to undergo a three-month training programme at the Military Hospital. He had left Pune on July 9 and boarded a train from Mumbai on July 10. His last contact was a phone call to his wife, Zareena, in which he mentioned being tired and planning to sleep. The next morning, his phone signal was briefly detected near Izzatnagar railway station before it was switched off.

When he returned, Farzeen seemed physically unharmed but mentally withdrawn. “He doesn’t talk properly and gives disconnected answers. A doctor has prescribed medication, and we’re considering taking him to a military hospital,” Gafoor said.

The family had earlier filed a missing person case with Guruvayoor police under Section 57 of the Kerala Police Act, 2011. The investigation was later transferred to Izzatnagar police in Uttar Pradesh. Authorities have now been informed of his return and will oversee further legal procedures.

Farzeen had joined the Army five years ago while pursuing a degree in Biochemistry. He is married to Zareena, a dietitian, who is currently six months pregnant. The family, still shaken, hopes medical evaluation will shed light on what happened during the 24 days he was missing.

Trump Threatens To “Substantially” Raise Tariffs On India Over Russian Oil

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U.S. President Donald Trump has once again lashed out at India over its continued oil trade with Russia, warning of a “substantial” increase in tariffs on Indian goods imported into the United States.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump alleged that India is not only importing large volumes of Russian crude but also reselling much of it on the open market for profit. “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine,” he wrote. “Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.”

While Trump did not specify the exact tariff rate in his latest remarks, the statement follows an earlier announcement where he proposed a 25 percent tariff on Indian imports, along with an unspecified economic penalty.

Trumps Tweet

Sources within the Indian government have downplayed the threat, telling NDTV that the move is expected to have only a “negligible” effect on the Indian economy. According to internal assessments, any potential loss to India’s GDP would likely remain below 0.2 percent.

Officials also reiterated that India’s oil purchases from Russia will continue. “India’s energy purchases are driven by national interests and market forces,” a senior official said, adding that there are no plans to halt Russian crude imports.

India, now the world’s third-largest oil importer after China and the U.S., significantly increased its intake of Russian oil after Moscow began offering steep discounts following Western sanctions related to the Ukraine war. Prior to 2022, most of India’s oil came from the Middle East.

Trump’s warning also comes amid his broader frustration with Moscow over the lack of a ceasefire in Ukraine, with the U.S. president reportedly considering additional sanctions against Russia in the coming weeks.

While the bilateral relationship between India and the U.S. has seen growing strategic convergence in recent years, Trump’s protectionist stance and tough rhetoric could put fresh strain on economic ties between the two nations.

‘Resign Asim Munir’ Banner Flies Over Pakistan–West Indies Match in Florida, Sparks Political Storm

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A plane trailing a provocative banner reading “Resign Asim Munir” flew over the stadium during the Pakistan–West Indies cricket match in Florida on Monday, stirring political shockwaves and placing Pakistan’s internal affairs under international scrutiny. The message, aimed at Pakistan’s powerful Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, comes amid rising discontent over his leadership.

The incident occurred during a globally televised match, ensuring the protest would reach a wide audience. Eyewitnesses and social media videos suggest the banner made several passes above the venue before disappearing.

This unusual form of dissent appears to reflect deepening frustration within segments of the Pakistani diaspora and possibly internal factions. It has triggered speculation about possible involvement or knowledge of high-ranking political figures, including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, whose proximity to the military establishment has drawn attention in recent months.

Observers note the timing and location were clearly strategic. With millions watching the match live, the protest was calibrated to ensure maximum visibility and impact. Unlike a social media post or press leak, the aerial display was a public and unmistakable act of defiance, bypassing state censorship.

Critics of General Munir accuse him of centralising power and influencing civilian affairs, including the recent crackdown on opposition leaders and alleged interference in the cricket board. The banner’s message echoed these sentiments, serving as a symbolic protest against perceived military overreach in Pakistan’s democratic and sporting institutions.

The Pakistan Cricket Board and the Ministry of Defence have not issued any official statement on the incident so far.

The event is reminiscent of previous international sporting protests, but this marks a rare and direct attack on Pakistan’s military leadership during a live match broadcast. The episode has sparked intense debate both within Pakistan and abroad about the growing disillusionment with military control and the increasingly public forms of resistance emerging against it.

Indian Army Inaugurates ‘Agnishodh’ Research Cell at IIT Madras to Advance Self-Reliant Defence Tech

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Chennai, August 4 – In a significant push towards self-reliance in defence technology, General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), inaugurated the ‘Agnishodh’ Indian Army Research Cell (IARC) at IIT Madras. The launch marks a milestone collaboration between the Indian Army and the premier technical institute, aimed at accelerating research-driven solutions for real-time military applications.

The establishment of Agnishodh aligns with the Army’s broader transformation agenda under the Five Pillars of Transformation outlined by the COAS. The new research facility specifically advances the pillar of Modernisation and Technology Infusion, bringing academic excellence into direct interface with operational defence needs.

General Upendra Dwivedi

Addressing the gathering at IIT Madras on the theme “Operation Sindoor – A New Chapter in India’s Fight Against Terrorism,” General Dwivedi hailed the recent tri-services operation as a landmark in India’s counter-terrorism efforts. He said the 88-hour offensive was unprecedented in scale, depth, and strategic impact. Stressing the evolving character of warfare, the COAS highlighted that the Armed Forces are prepared for fifth-generation warfare involving non-contact combat, psychological operations, and rapid strategic execution.

He also reaffirmed the Indian Army’s commitment to Swadeshikaran Se Sashaktikaran, highlighting key technological partnerships under national missions such as INDIAai, Chip-to-Startup, and Project QuILA. He acknowledged collaborative successes with IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, and IISc Bengaluru and praised IIT Madras for projects like SAMBHAV and additive manufacturing efforts with Army Base Workshops.

General Dwivedi said Agnishodh would serve as a catalyst to translate lab-scale innovations into field-ready military technologies. The cell will also function in synergy with the IIT Madras Research Park and leading institutions like the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Centre (AMTDC) and Pravartak Technologies Foundation.

Agnishodh will additionally focus on upskilling soldiers in emerging tech domains such as cybersecurity, quantum computing, additive manufacturing, wireless communication, and unmanned aerial systems, building a future-ready defence force.

Later, the COAS visited the Officers Training Academy (OTA), where he reviewed infrastructure and training developments. Commending the instructional staff, he emphasized the importance of preparing future leaders to tackle contemporary and hybrid warfare challenges. Reflecting again on Operation Sindoor, he noted that the swift and precise execution compelled Pakistan to call for a ceasefire within 88 hours.

He also met with veterans and honored four ex-servicemen with the Veteran Achievers Awards, recognising their continued service to the nation post-retirement.

This initiative marks another major step in the Indian Army’s journey toward becoming a tech-empowered and future-ready force by 2047.

Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla Reviews Security and Green Energy Projects in Ladakh

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Lieutenant General Hitesh Bhalla, the commander of the Fire and Fury Corps, undertook a comprehensive review of the Chushul Brigade in eastern Ladakh on Monday. The visit comes amid continued strategic sensitivity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

During the visit, Lt Gen Bhalla assessed the brigade’s operational preparedness and the current security situation in the Chushul sector, a region of enduring military significance since the 1962 Sino-Indian conflict. The general also interacted with frontline troops, commending their resilience and professionalism in one of the country’s most demanding operational environments.

Lt Gen Bhalla Interacting with Fellow Officers

In addition to the security review, the Commander visited the site of the Solar Hydrogen Micro Grid Project—a pioneering green energy initiative aimed at powering remote border villages. The project supports India’s push toward sustainable infrastructure under the Vibrant Villages program and aims to reduce carbon emissions in off-grid locations by up to 90 percent, according to a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Lt Gen Bhalla lauded the integration of renewable energy technologies in remote military areas, highlighting their importance in improving logistics, resilience, and energy independence in high-altitude deployments.

Lt Gen Bhalla Interacting with Soldiers

The inspection underscored the Army’s dual focus on safeguarding national borders and adopting innovative, eco-friendly solutions in harsh operational terrains. The Indian Army continues to adapt to both traditional and emerging challenges through a blend of strategic readiness and environmental consciousness.