Rear Admiral V Ganapathy has officially taken over as Commandant of the Military Institute of Technology (MILIT) in Pune, marking a pivotal moment for one of India’s most advanced tri-service institutions focused on military technology and innovation. The leadership change was formalized in a ceremony attended by top military officials, including Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff.

Rear Admiral Ganapathy, known for his technical acumen and strategic insight, previously served as Chief Staff Officer (Technical) at the Eastern Naval Command. He was awarded the prestigious Nau Sena Medal in 2018 for his exceptional contributions to naval technical operations. His appointment comes at a time when MILIT is playing an increasingly central role in shaping India’s future military preparedness, especially in light of modern security threats and rising tensions along the country’s borders.

The Military Institute of Technology, established in 2012 and integrated into the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff in 2015, serves as the cornerstone of India’s tri-service training in emerging defense technologies. The institution is crucial in equipping officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force with advanced knowledge in areas such as cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, and unmanned systems.

Rear Admiral Ganapathy’s leadership is expected to further strengthen the institute’s mission in the context of India’s broader defense modernization agenda. The government’s increased budgetary focus—allocating $5.25 billion for defense R&D in 2024–25—highlights the growing importance of technical expertise in future combat scenarios.

The event also reaffirmed the evolving role of the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, a position established in 2019 to enhance coordination among the three services. The transition at MILIT is seen as another step in aligning India’s military training institutions with its long-term strategic objectives.

With Rear Admiral Ganapathy at the helm, MILIT is poised to continue its leadership in fostering inter-service synergy and driving innovation across India’s defense landscape.

A high-value terrorist affiliated with the Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit, identified as Maulvi, has been gunned down by Indian security forces in the Bihali area of Basantgarh, Udhampur district. The elimination comes as part of the ongoing Operation Bihali, a joint counter-terror operation launched earlier this week by the Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police.

The operation was initiated based on specific intelligence inputs suggesting the presence of foreign-trained militants in the dense forested region. Contact was established swiftly, triggering a fierce gunfight. Security officials confirmed that Maulvi, believed to be a key planner behind recent infiltration attempts, was neutralized during the intense exchange of fire.

The timing of the operation is significant, occurring just days before the commencement of the annual Amarnath Yatra, which attracts lakhs of devotees to the Union Territory. Intelligence agencies had earlier issued alerts about possible disruptions by terror elements in the lead-up to the pilgrimage.

Sources within the security establishment described Maulvi as a highly radicalized foreign terrorist who had infiltrated across the Line of Control (LoC) earlier this year. His presence in Udhampur, a relatively peaceful district in recent years, had raised red flags within the counter-terror grid.

The joint force continues to comb the surrounding area to ensure there are no remaining threats, with the operation still active as of the latest update.

Operation Bihali is being hailed as a preemptive success in thwarting potential attacks and reinforces the readiness of Indian security forces to ensure a secure environment for both local residents and pilgrims. Further updates are expected as clearance operations progress in the region.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force has successfully reached the International Space Station (ISS) aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, becoming the first Indian to set foot on the orbital laboratory in over four decades.

The Dragon capsule, launched as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), completed a flawless docking—referred to as a “soft capture”—with the ISS on Thursday. The journey began a day earlier from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA.

Shukla’s participation in Ax-4 represents a landmark moment for India’s space journey, reconnecting the nation with human spaceflight since the historic mission of Rakesh Sharma in 1984.

The Ax-4 mission features an international team of astronauts led by Peggy Whitson, the most experienced American astronaut to date and now a mission commander for Axiom Space. Alongside Shukla, the crew includes Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, a radiation specialist from Poland and a project astronaut for the European Space Agency, and Tibor Kapu, a mechanical engineer from Hungary.

Over the next two weeks, the crew will carry out a comprehensive range of scientific investigations aboard the ISS. These include research in microgravity effects on biology, materials science, and next-generation space technologies—contributing to both commercial space initiatives and international scientific collaboration.

This mission marks a significant step forward in India’s aspirations for future human space exploration, especially as ISRO gears up for its indigenous Gaganyaan mission. Shukla’s journey also reflects the growing role of international partnerships and private spaceflight in shaping the next chapter of space research.

As Shubhanshu Shukla begins his stay aboard the ISS, the mission underscores both a personal achievement and a renewed chapter for India in the global space community.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has confirmed the successful recovery and secure transfer of both black boxes from the ill-fated Air India Flight AI-171, marking a significant step in the ongoing investigation into the crash.

In accordance with the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017 and ICAO Annex 13, a multidisciplinary team was formed on June 13, 2025. The investigation team, led by the Director General of AAIB, includes specialists in aviation medicine, air traffic control, and representatives from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as the aircraft was manufactured and designed in the United States.

The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) was recovered from a building rooftop at the crash site on June 13, while the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) was retrieved from the debris on June 16. Both recorders were securely stored in Ahmedabad under continuous police guard and CCTV surveillance before being airlifted to Delhi by the Indian Air Force on June 24.

The CVR arrived at AAIB’s Delhi laboratory at 2:00 PM, followed by the FDR at 5:15 PM the same day. Technical teams from AAIB and NTSB immediately began the process of data extraction, successfully retrieving the Crash Protection Module and downloading data from the CVR on June 25.

Analysis of the black box data is now underway to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the crash. The objective is to identify any contributing factors to ensure accountability and improve aviation safety standards.

Authorities emphasized that all procedures have adhered strictly to Indian law and international commitments, and the investigation is being conducted in a timely and transparent manner.

The Indian Naval Academy (INA) recently wrapped up a three-day midterm hike and inter-academy training exchange from June 23 to 25, hosting 43 cadets from the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. Among them were three cadets from friendly foreign nations, highlighting the growing global participation in India’s defense training programs.

The event was graced by the presence of Major General Ajay Sud, Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor of OTA Chennai, underscoring the role of senior leadership in guiding future officers. Set against the scenic backdrop of Mount Dilli, Kavvayi backwaters, and the Arabian Sea, INA offered cadets a firsthand experience of naval life and facilities, including modern swimming pools, equestrian centers, and advanced shooting ranges.

The program featured interactive sessions, group discussions, and field exercises, aimed at instilling core military values, leadership qualities, and a spirit of jointmanship. Cadets engaged in structured drills and explored the evolving doctrine of inter-service collaboration, a priority area in India’s defense strategy.

The presence of international cadets further emphasized India’s commitment to defense diplomacy and training partnerships. Since its establishment in 2009, INA has emerged as a hub for multi-domain officer education, supporting India’s vision for a modern, integrated armed force.

This exchange initiative not only broadened the cadets’ understanding of naval operations but also reinforced the importance of synergy between the Army and Navy—critical to the success of joint military operations in the future.

In a significant diplomatic signal, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has conveyed his readiness to hold a “meaningful dialogue” with India to address all unresolved issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, terrorism, water sharing, and trade. The statement was made during a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as reported by Pakistan’s state broadcaster, Radio Pakistan.

Sharif’s remarks come in the wake of heightened tensions following India’s Operation Sindoor – a precision military strike launched in May against terror infrastructure in Pakistan, in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians. Since then, bilateral ties have remained strained, with India maintaining diplomatic and economic restrictions on Islamabad.

“Pakistan is ready to engage in a meaningful dialogue with India on all outstanding issues,” said Sharif, reiterating similar statements made during recent visits to Iran and Azerbaijan.

Despite Sharif’s outreach, India has shown no inclination toward reopening dialogue. New Delhi has consistently emphasized that peace talks cannot proceed unless Pakistan takes credible and irreversible action against terrorism. India’s External Affairs Ministry has firmly echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s doctrine: “Terror and talks cannot go together, terror and trade cannot go together, and water and blood cannot flow together.”

India responded to the Pahalgam attack by suspending key bilateral arrangements, including placing the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, halting trade with Pakistan, and closing Indian airspace to Pakistani aircraft. The Modi government has also reiterated that the only issue India is interested in discussing is the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Although both sides agreed to halt military actions on May 10, after four days of intense cross-border exchanges, the diplomatic standoff continues.

Sharif’s statement to the Saudi Crown Prince is being seen by analysts as an attempt to draw international attention and potentially mediate regional peace. However, with New Delhi’s current stance firmly rooted in counterterrorism priorities, the prospect of immediate talks appears limited.

In a deeply emotional act of devotion and protest, a 65-year-old retired Indian Army officer, S Vijayan, has donated property worth ₹4 crore to the Arulmigu Renugambal Amman Temple in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvannamalai district. The donation came in the form of original property documents dropped into a temple hundi, reportedly after facing sustained pressure from his daughters to transfer the assets to them.

The discovery was made during a routine bi-monthly counting of offerings at the temple, located near Arani town. Among the donations, temple authorities were surprised to find legal documents related to 10 cents of land and a single-storey house near the shrine, along with a handwritten note declaring the veteran’s consent to donate the property.

According to reports, Vijayan is a native of Kesavapuram village and has been a lifelong devotee of the temple. He has lived alone for nearly a decade following a separation from his wife and claims to have received no support from his two married daughters, who reside in Chennai and Vellore.

“I was humiliated by my children even for daily expenses,” Vijayan told local media. “I will not go back on my word. After consulting temple officials, I will legally transfer my properties to the temple.”

While the donation of documents does not automatically grant the temple legal ownership of the property, the matter has been reported to senior officials from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. The department is currently holding the documents until a formal registration is completed.

“The devotee has to register it with the department for the temple to legally claim the property,” said M Silambarasan, Executive Officer of the temple.

This rare gesture highlights not only the veteran’s disillusionment with familial ties but also his enduring faith in the temple he has worshipped at since childhood. The story has sparked conversations online about elder care, property rights, and the emotional toll of familial disputes in India.

A heartwarming story from Indore is capturing the attention of millions across India, as a 79-year-old retired Administrative Officer from the Indian Army has taken to the streets with a food stall, inspiring people with her resilience, independence, and passion for life.

The story came to light after food vlogger Kashish Soni shared a video on Instagram showing the elderly woman running her food stall entirely on her own. The stall offers popular Indian street food items like idli, chole bhature, and other homemade dishes. The video has gone viral, amassing over 3 million views and drawing widespread admiration for the woman’s strength and spirit.

In the video, the former Army officer shares that after retiring from her service, she decided to pursue her lifelong interest in cooking. She reveals that she never married, explaining simply, “Main apne shaukh nahi poore kar paaungi. Aaj bhi mujhe sab cheez ka shaukh hai,” reflecting her decision to live life on her own terms and fully embrace her passions. She also mentions having studied fine arts in Mumbai, where she earned a degree in the subject.

The food stall is located in front of Modern Gift Store near Chandra Lok Colony, Khajrana Road, Shree Nagar Extension in Indore, and operates after 6 PM.

Social media users have flooded the comments section with appreciation, calling her a true example of women’s empowerment and individuality. Comments ranged from “Live example of women being happy and independent” to “At the end, it’s all about being able to be yourself and let the world know your worth.”

Her story adds to a growing list of individuals who redefine retirement and showcase that it’s never too late to start something new. The retired officer’s journey from serving the nation to serving food with love is being seen as a testament to determination, passion, and self-reliance—qualities that continue to inspire audiences both online and offline.