News for 'AVSM'

The Dangers Of Sanchar Snoop

The Dangers Of Sanchar Snoop

Rediff.com6 Dec 2025

Once the OS layer is opened to the State, it doesn't close, notes Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

Modi's Risky Gamble With The Taliban

Modi's Risky Gamble With The Taliban

Rediff.com21 Oct 2025

Developing relations with the Taliban is needed, but plunging headlong into Afghanistan without due thought will be akin to the rooster entering a KFC outlet, warns Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (Retd).

'Peace Is Fragile, Remains Vulnerable To Provocations'

'Peace Is Fragile, Remains Vulnerable To Provocations'

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

'You cannot 'clear' your way to peace.' 'You need intelligence, calibrated force, impartial law enforcement, political neutrality, humanitarian returns and a sustained reconciliation plan.'

Nepal Crisis: A Wake-Up Call For India

Nepal Crisis: A Wake-Up Call For India

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

Having control over both digital media and NGOs, it was easy for the US to topple the government and destabilise Nepal -- to undercut Chinese influence and pressure India, argues Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

Why J&K Border Villages Are Safe Haven For Terrorists

Why J&K Border Villages Are Safe Haven For Terrorists

Rediff.com5 Sep 2025

'Why have we failed to address the issue of ensuring a requisite buffer zone in J&K, given that cross-border links of some J&K politicians are known?', asks Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

200-Year-Old Border Dispute Sparks India-Nepal Tensions

200-Year-Old Border Dispute Sparks India-Nepal Tensions

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

Nepal's claim on Lipulekh and Kalapani reopens a 200-year-old border dispute, while historical maps and treaties show the area belongs to India, asserts Lieutenant General Shakti Gurung (retd).

Operation Sindoor: Why Was ISI HQ Not Targeted?

Operation Sindoor: Why Was ISI HQ Not Targeted?

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

What was the aim of Operation Sindoor? Why was the operation halted so soon? asks Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

Akshay, Veer And The Stolen Mahavir Chakra

Akshay, Veer And The Stolen Mahavir Chakra

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

The actors played a key role in helping recover the stolen Mahavir Chakra.

'I'm Dying, But Don't Let Our Territory Fall To Enemy'

'I'm Dying, But Don't Let Our Territory Fall To Enemy'

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

The Pakistanis were so fearful of Brigadier Mohammad Usman, the 'Lion of Naushera', that they announced a Rs 50,000 bounty on his head.

Salute! India's First Ethnic Gorkha General

Salute! India's First Ethnic Gorkha General

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

Lieutenant General Shakti Gurung deserves to be complimented in telling his life story and that of his people, as subaltern communities within this vast and diverse nation of ours clamour for recognition and a plea for their voices to be heard and their aspirations to be met, notes Lieutenant General Gautam Moorthy.

'Operation Sindoor Was A Dream Operation'

'Operation Sindoor Was A Dream Operation'

Rediff.com23 May 2025

'The precision strikes were well planned and excellently executed. The world will be studying this operation.'

Liberation of Balochistan and Sindh must top the agenda

Liberation of Balochistan and Sindh must top the agenda

Rediff.com25 Apr 2025

Terrorism and insurgency in J&K had subsided when India demolished East Pakistan -- for the simple reason that Pakistan understands power. We need to follow Chanakya's dictum of Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed for strategising against Pakistan, asserts Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (Retd). The ground truth is that unless we are prepared to acknowledge our shortcomings, including massive intelligence failures, punish those responsible and take corrective actions, we will continue in the same vein, asserts Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (Retd).

Arming Armed Forces: India's Choice Not Trump's

Arming Armed Forces: India's Choice Not Trump's

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

We need to equip the Indian Armed Forces, not 'commercial' as Trump wants, but 'operationally' looking at growing Chinese military capabilities, asserts Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

'Durga Mata Ki Jai'

'Durga Mata Ki Jai'

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

At 4 am, troops roared their war cry! In the long running tradition of the armed forces, soldiers seek the blessings of the Goddess before setting out on their mission -- in war or peace. The Republic Day parade is one such mission.

Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh is new chief of air staff

Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh is new chief of air staff

Rediff.com21 Sep 2024

Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh has been appointed as the next Chief of the Air Staff.

What Modi Can Learn From Trump's DOGE

What Modi Can Learn From Trump's DOGE

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

'Our politicians solely depend on bureaucrats who are unaccountable and follow their own agenda.' 'Our politicians would dare not dream of establishing a DOGE,' argues Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

Army made big gains in J-K under Gen Padmanabhan in 15 Corps

Army made big gains in J-K under Gen Padmanabhan in 15 Corps

Rediff.com19 Aug 2024

Former Chief of Army Staff General Sundararajan Padmanabhan, affectionately known as 'Paddy' in army circles, passed away in Chennai due to old age, a source close to him said on Monday.

Modi-Xi 'Agreement': The Nation Needs To Know!

Modi-Xi 'Agreement': The Nation Needs To Know!

Rediff.com28 Oct 2024

China does not have to give up what it took in 2020, it will never give up its claim to Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh and other areas, and it has all the time now to plan its next surprise, points out Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

'China Went Wrong In Its Calculations!'

'China Went Wrong In Its Calculations!'

Rediff.com25 Oct 2024

'China did not expect India to show such strategic resolve in defending its territorial integrity.'

A Salute To An IAF Legend

A Salute To An IAF Legend

Rediff.com12 Sep 2024

'There cannot be anyone like Air Marshal Keelor -- he was so difficult to emulate.' Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd) salutes War Hero Air Marshal Denzil Keelor PVSM, KC, AVSM, VrC who passed into the ages last month.

Is Kargil 2.0 In the Offing?

Is Kargil 2.0 In the Offing?

Rediff.com5 Aug 2024

Pakistan may want to undertake a 'false flag' operation in J&K to divert attention from the situation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but infiltrating one SSG battalion into J&K and having two SSG battalions waiting to follow suit means war, which Pakistan cannot afford in its current economic crisis, notes Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi takes charge as new Navy chief

Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi takes charge as new Navy chief

Rediff.com30 Apr 2024

Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who is a communication and electronic warfare specialist, on Tuesday assumed charge as the 26th Navy chief after incumbent R Hari Kumar retired from service.

India Should Be Battle Ready With China

India Should Be Battle Ready With China

Rediff.com14 Aug 2024

'With continued focus on votes, upcoming by-polls and purchasing politicians, the political hierarchy has little time for national defence.' 'They would do well to heed a veteran scholar, who says, "There will be war with China in the next few years. The next full scale war will have the involvement of Pakistan and terror elements, insurgents and intelligence assets operating inside India",' warns Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

The Illusion Of LAC Disengagement

The Illusion Of LAC Disengagement

Rediff.com9 Jul 2024

Disengagement from the LAC will remain a chimera because China has given enough indications that the PLA will not move back any more. China has even deployed drones to monitor and deny any patrolling by Indian troops even in the buffer zones which are all in Indian Territory, explains Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

Why Nagaland Is Baying For Army's Blood

Why Nagaland Is Baying For Army's Blood

Rediff.com25 Jul 2024

'It is in the interest of China and Pakistan to give a bad name to the Indian Army and remove AFSPA 'completely' from the north east.' 'Hopefully, better sense will prevail and the ground realities of the army countering insurgency in the north east acknowledged,' asserts Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

President confers distinguished service awards on 84 serving, retired personnel

President confers distinguished service awards on 84 serving, retired personnel

Rediff.com27 Jun 2023

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday conferred Distinguished Service Awards, including 52 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, on 84 serving and retired personnel of the armed forces and the Indian Coast Guard.

'China will be given a bloody nose'

'China will be given a bloody nose'

Rediff.com23 Feb 2024

'They will continue to keep pricking at places where both of us are sensitive and keep the LAC alive.'

Imran Khan Is Not The Change Pakistanis Want

Imran Khan Is Not The Change Pakistanis Want

Rediff.com1 Mar 2024

He is only the agent that can bring them that change for they are quite aware that he has articulated no vision on how to set Pakistan back on the rails, notes Lieutenant General Gautam Moorthy (retd).

DRDO Biggest Hindrance To Atmanirbharta In Defence

DRDO Biggest Hindrance To Atmanirbharta In Defence

Rediff.com26 Mar 2024

DRDO's failures over the decades have contributed significantly to India becoming the world's biggest weapons importer, points out Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

Time To Establish Diplomatic Relations With Taliban

Time To Establish Diplomatic Relations With Taliban

Rediff.com25 Jan 2024

The Taliban government in Afghanistan is not going anywhere. That being the case, why is the hesitation to establish formal diplomatic relations with the Taliban? asks Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (Retd).

'Maligning our brave hearts': Cong slams BJP for criticising ex-army chief

'Maligning our brave hearts': Cong slams BJP for criticising ex-army chief

Rediff.com9 Jan 2023

'Ex-Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor joined Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra. Kapoor was indicted in the Adarsh scam along with other senior Army officers'

'Don't call me Uncle. Call me Sam'

'Don't call me Uncle. Call me Sam'

Rediff.com3 Dec 2023

Besides his strategic and tactical acumen, it was his amazing personality, quick wit and ability to remain unflustered under any circumstances that stood him apart from almost any leader one has read about or known, recalls Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd).

'In India, A Child Goes Missing Every 8 Minutes'

'In India, A Child Goes Missing Every 8 Minutes'

Rediff.com31 Aug 2023

'The pandemic had a significant impact on child trafficking.' 'With economic hardships, traffickers exploited the situation to target desperate parents and children.'

Admiral Hari Kumar takes charge as new Navy chief

Admiral Hari Kumar takes charge as new Navy chief

Rediff.com30 Nov 2021

During his long and distinguished service spanning nearly 39 years, the Admiral has served in a variety of command, staff and instructional appointments.

'We have to be prepared for the invisible enemy'

'We have to be prepared for the invisible enemy'

Rediff.com10 May 2023

'Unlike on the western and eastern borders where there is an enemy at the gate, here there is an invisible enemy which is building its own capability and can come into play at a time and place of his choosing.'

Southern command felicitates Neeraj Chopra

Southern command felicitates Neeraj Chopra

Rediff.com24 Aug 2021

According to the defence PRO, the visit of the defence minister and the felicitation ceremony at the ASI is likely to take place on August 27.

Vikrant: 'Multiple Celebration Of India'

Vikrant: 'Multiple Celebration Of India'

Rediff.com2 Sep 2022

In a record time of 13 years, the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant is now ready for formal induction into the Indian Navy.

BBC, Modi And The Sunak Factor

BBC, Modi And The Sunak Factor

Rediff.com27 Jan 2023

Keeping the contents of the BBC documentary aside, Rishi Sunak's response needs to be viewed in the backdrop of Britain's historically close relations with Pakistan, argues Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

'Modi-Xi summit could certainly help end standoff'

'Modi-Xi summit could certainly help end standoff'

Rediff.com18 Apr 2022

'However, a lot of preparatory work would have to go in and China must be prepared to announce an end to the standoff by disengaging from the remaining areas along the LAC.'

'Be extremely cautious of Xi Jinping'

'Be extremely cautious of Xi Jinping'

Rediff.com16 Sep 2022

'We should not allow ourselves to be surprised in any manner in future on the border.'