Heena Sharma Blog

As a confidence-building measure before the talks between both sides slated to start from Wednesday at the Major General-level and after the military commanders' talks on June 6, the Indian and Chinese troops have disengaged at three locations including Galwan valley area (Patrolling Point 14), Patrolling Point 15 and Hot Springs (Patrolling Point 17) by 2-2.5 kms. "Disengagement has started in the eastern Ladakh sector but what we want is de-induction of more than a division size troops (10,000 plus troops) that have been deployed by the Chinese in the rear positions in its territory along the Line of Actual Control. Disengagement is fine but the tensions can be done away with only when the Chinese de-induct their heavy build-up which includes the deployment of more than a division size of troops along with heavy artillery, tanks and infantry combat vehicles," top government sources told ANI. Read More

An encounter broke out between militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir 's Kulgam district on Monday, police said. The militants fired on a patrol party at Lower Munda in the Qazigund area of the south Kashmir district, he said. The security forces retaliated and the gunfight is going on. The area has been cordoned off. Read More

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday promised a strong response to a car bombing in Kashmir that killed 40 paramilitary that his government blamed on Pakistan, ratcheting up tensions with the nuclear-rival. The attack on a military convoy in Jammu and Kashmir where India has been battling an insurgency was the worst in decades and comes just months before Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalists face a tight general election. “ We will give a befitting reply, our neighbour will not be allowed to de-stabilise us,” Modi said in a speech soon after he called his security advisers to consider a response to the attack that has provoked an outpouring of anger on social media and demands for retribution. Paying tributes to around 40 CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack , he said, "Our security forces have been given full freedom (to carry out anti-terror operations). We have full faith in their bravery." The Pakistan-based Islamist militant group Jaish-e...

The Air Force has 13.09 per cent of women officers, the highest among all three forces, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said Wednesday. The Army has 3.80 per cent of women officers , while the Navy has six per cent of women officers, he said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. The Air Force has 13.09 per cent of women officers in its force. Women are recruited in the Army, Navy and the Air Force only in the officer's rank. In response to a question, on import of missiles from Russia that could attract US sanctions, the Minister said the government was aware of all developments that may impact the procurement of defence equipments. To another query, Bhamre said a Board of Enquiry has been constituted to look into the explosion incident outside the demolition pit. Read More Business Standard

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is planning to launch a dedicated communication satellite for defence purposes next week. GSAT-7A is a communications satellite which can be used by the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army. Isro is all set to launch the communication satellite GSAT-7A on board the GSLV-F11 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on December 19, 2018. The satellite will weigh 2.2 tonnes and will be launched by the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV Mk II) rocket, said Isro. The satellite will be placed in the geostationary orbit and this communication satellite is expected to help the IAF interlink different ground radar stations, airbases and AWACS (Airborne Warning And Control System) aircraft. GSAT-7A is the 35th Indian Communication satellite built by Isro. The GSAT-7A spacecraft is configured on Isro’s standard I-2,000 Kg (I-2K) bus. The satellite is built to provide communication capability to the users in Ku-ban...

On July 26, 1999, India successfully took command of the high outposts that had been lost to Pakistani intruders after more than 60 days of fighting Current Affairs News : India remembered its brave martyrs on the 19th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas on Thursday. The day marks India's victory over Pakistan in the 1999 Kargil War and commemorates those who sacrificed their lives for the country. On July 26, 1999, India successfully took command of the high outposts that had been lost to Pakistani intruders after more than 60 days of fighting. The three-day celebrations began on Tuesday at the Drass War Memorial in Kargil town in Jammu and Kashmir. On the first day, tributes were paid to the war heroes by laying a wreath at the memorial. On Wednesday, the veterans of the war and serving heroes shared their experiences during the war at a function. There was a briefing on Operation Vijay battles. On Thursday, Northern Army commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh pa...

The gun battle comes a day after the Centre decided not to extend its unilateral initiative of a month-long Ramzan ceasefire Current Affairs News : Two militants were killed in a gunbattle with security forces in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, the Army said. The operation comes a day after the Centre announced its decision not to extend the ceasefire in the state. An Army official said that security forces launched an anti-militancy operation in Bandipora district this morning following information about presence of militants in the area. He said two militants have been killed so far even as the operation continues to be in progress. The identity and group affiliation of the slain militants was not immediately known. Security forces have adopted a proactive approach setting up check barriers at various places across the valley including the summer capital of the state. Police and other security agencies were carrying out random checks o...

The attack on the Army camp comes barely two days after 5 terrorists were gunned down by security forces in a failed infiltration attempt along the LoC Current Affairs News : Terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) have clearly rejected the Indian government's gesture to cease operations in the state during the holy month of Ramzan, conducting their first strike since the announcement by attacking an   Indian Army   camp located in the Pulwama district of South Kashmir and killing an Army jawan and a civilian. Police told news agencies that the terrorists attacked the 50 Rashtriya Rifles' camp on Sunday night at Kakapora in the Pulwama district. Authorities told news agencies that Army personnel retaliated to the firing unleashed by the terrorists. The attack left a jawan seriously injured. Further, a civilian, who was identified as Bilal Ahmed, was also caught in the crossfire and left seriously injured. The duos, who were both rushed to a hospital,   ...