News for 'Three Indian Air Force'

TriServices need own space warfare schools, says CDS

TriServices need own space warfare schools, says CDS

Rediff.com7 Apr 2025

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has highlighted the emergence of space as a new domain of warfare and emphasized the need for developing a "space culture" to prepare for future conflicts. He called for dedicated space warfare schools and research institutions to generate ideas, develop doctrines and strategies, and create new capabilities for space warfare. Chauhan believes that space will be crucial for future warfare, impacting all traditional domains of land, sea, and air. The CDS's remarks were made at the Indian DefSpace Symposium, where he also highlighted the importance of space research and its role in shaping the future of warfare.

IAF choppers made 404 sorties to ferry polling staff in Bastar

IAF choppers made 404 sorties to ferry polling staff in Bastar

Rediff.com11 Nov 2023

Twelve constituencies of Bastar division were among 20 assembly segments in Chhattisgarh that went to the polls in the first phase on November 7. A high voter turnout of 78 per cent was recorded in these 20 seats.

Govt nod to buy 97 more Tejas LCAs, 156 choppers worth Rs 2.23 lakh cr

Govt nod to buy 97 more Tejas LCAs, 156 choppers worth Rs 2.23 lakh cr

Rediff.com30 Nov 2023

The defence ministry said 98 per cent of the total procurement worth Rs 2.23 lakh crore will be sourced from the domestic industries.

IAF jets scrambled 2-3 times to check Chinese aggression at LAC

IAF jets scrambled 2-3 times to check Chinese aggression at LAC

Rediff.com13 Dec 2022

The Chinese military has been behaving aggressively over issues in the Yangtse in the vicinity of the Holydip and Parikrama area on the LAC where the Chinese side has been opposing Indian positions.

Amid China tension, IAF chief visits forward areas in Eastern Ladakh

Amid China tension, IAF chief visits forward areas in Eastern Ladakh

Rediff.com16 Oct 2021

Amid tensions over build-up by the Chinese across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh and reluctance to resolve remaining issues between the two countries, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari is visiting forward areas in Ladakh to review the operational preparedness of troops deployed there.

SEE: IAF fighter jets touch down on Purvanchal Expressway

SEE: IAF fighter jets touch down on Purvanchal Expressway

Rediff.com24 Jun 2023

"As part of regular training and towards increasing cohesion between civil and military functionaries, aircraft operations will take place over the Purvanchal expressway," said Defence PRO.

Indian Navy forces 35 Somali pirates to surrender

Indian Navy forces 35 Somali pirates to surrender

Rediff.com17 Mar 2024

In a calibrated operation, the Indian Navy on Saturday 'coerced' 35 Pirates onboard a merchant ship around 1,400 nautical miles from the Indian coast to surrender and ensured the safe evacuation of 17 crew members without any injury, officials said.

Govt official, 2-year-old girl among 5 killed in Pak shelling in J-K

Govt official, 2-year-old girl among 5 killed in Pak shelling in J-K

Rediff.com10 May 2025

Raj Kumar Thapa, additional district development commissioner, Rajouri, and his two staff members were seriously injured when an artillery shell hit his official residence in Rajouri town, the officials said.

'Rubio's Call To Munir Was Critical'

'Rubio's Call To Munir Was Critical'

Rediff.com12 May 2025

'Fears in Washington began to intensify when it was realised that subsequent Pakistani and Indian attacks on major military facilities -- which were significant in terms of geographic scope and intensity -- could rapidly take both sides to where neither actually wanted to go.' 'The US objective was to stop the fighting as soon as possible. Everything else was secondary.'

4 IAF flights bring back 798 Indians stranded in Ukraine

4 IAF flights bring back 798 Indians stranded in Ukraine

Rediff.com3 Mar 2022

The Indian Air Force's first flight carrying 200 people from Bucharest landed at 1.30 am and Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt welcomed them at the airbase, they noted.

India way behind China, need to catch up: IAF chief

India way behind China, need to catch up: IAF chief

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

At a press conference ahead of Air Force Day on October 8, he also said that India needs to catch up with China on technology and speed in production of military equipment, holding that "we are way behind" the neighbour. Air Chief Marshal Singh, at the same time, said the Indian military is way ahead in terms of personnel including those operating various machines and platforms. "I am very confident that as far as human angle is concerned, as far as our people behind the machine are concerned, we are way ahead of them," he said.

Chopper crashes near Kedarnath, all 7 on board killed; AAIB to probe

Chopper crashes near Kedarnath, all 7 on board killed; AAIB to probe

Rediff.com15 Jun 2025

Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar told PTI that the accident took place above the forests of Gaurikund amid poor visibility due to bad weather.

Bodies of 4 victims found 56 years after IAF plane crash

Bodies of 4 victims found 56 years after IAF plane crash

Rediff.com30 Sep 2024

The twin-engine turboprop transport aircraft, carrying 102 people, had gone missing on February 7, 1968 while flying from Chandigarh to Leh.

India's military might, women power on full display at R-Day parade

India's military might, women power on full display at R-Day parade

Rediff.com26 Jan 2024

The mesmerizing march included elite marching contingents, missiles, warplanes, surveillance gadgets and lethal weapon systems, with French President Emmanuel Macron gracing the occasion as the chief guest.

Defence Ministry to announce new air defence command by Oct

Defence Ministry to announce new air defence command by Oct

Rediff.com27 Aug 2020

The air defence command is proposed to be set up alongside the Central Command Headquarters of the IAF which controls important air bases including Agra, Gwalior and Bareilly.

IPL PIX: GT edge MI under DLS method, go top of table

IPL PIX: GT edge MI under DLS method, go top of table

Rediff.com7 May 2025

Gujarat Titans (GT) defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by three wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in a dramatic Indian Premier League match at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Tuesday.

India's first woman fighter pilot participates in R-Day parade

India's first woman fighter pilot participates in R-Day parade

Rediff.com26 Jan 2021

Kanth joined the fighter squadron in November 2017 and flew the first solo on MiG-21 Bison in March 2018. She is currently posted at a fighter base in the western sector.

Weeks after Rajasthan crash, IAF grounds MiG-21 squadrons

Weeks after Rajasthan crash, IAF grounds MiG-21 squadrons

Rediff.com20 May 2023

At present, the IAF has three MiG-21 squadrons with a total of around 50 aircraft, according to officials.

US, UK call for calm amid heightened India-Pak tensions

US, UK call for calm amid heightened India-Pak tensions

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the US has called on both countries "not to escalate" the conflict. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to speak with the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India as early as today or tomorrow. The US State Department said Washington is reaching out to both India and Pakistan "regarding the Kashmir situation" and telling them "not to escalate the situation."

Despite ceasefire, live shells still haunt border villagers

Despite ceasefire, live shells still haunt border villagers

Rediff.com18 May 2025

People along the Line of Control and International Border in the Jammu region continue to live under the shadow of death, with unexploded mortar shells fired by Pakistani troops still embedded in farmlands and residential areas even though hostilities have stopped for nearly a week. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: / Rediff.com Despite the May 10 understanding between India and Pakistan, locals describe the border areas as a 'death trap'. Sixty-two-year-old Balvinder Singh, who returned to his home in Pargwal sector on May 14, recounted a narrow escape. "Two shells exploded in our compound, damaging our house. Three more landed on our farmland. We were terrified and told our family to stay away from the fields until the Army could help," Singh told PTI. Army engineers later came to the village and safely defused the unexploded shells, bringing a temporary sense of relief. "Fear is writ large on the faces of people to these death traps in border hamlets", he said. Scenes of destruction are evident rooftops torn apart, broken houses, windows punctured by shrapnel, and carcasses of cattle lying in pools of blood. The acrid smell of gunpowder still lingers in the air. Sardar Gurmeet Singh faced a similar ordeal. His family could not re-enter their home as a live mortar shell had sunk into the compound in a village close to the International Border. "The army's bomb disposal squad removed it after four days, allowing us to finally enter, back home," he said. Indian Army engineers have launched a sweeping clearance operation across border districts, defusing over 80 unexploded shells in the past five days -- including 6 in Pargwal, 19 in Rajouri, 42 in Poonch, and 12 along the IB. "These shells, mostly 120 mm calibre, have a range of 15 to 30 km and pose a serious threat to both civilian and military targets," an Army officer said. "Many of them were fired by Pakistan during recent hostilities." On May 7, the Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor, conducting precision strikes on nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. The subsequent retaliation by Pakistan pushed the region to the brink of war. From 7 to 10 of May, 27 civilians were killed and over 70 injured in Pakistani shelling in the Jammu region. Farid Din Gujjar, a resident near the border, expressed fear about returning to his fields. "Several shells created deep craters in our paddy land. We cannot resume work until all unexploded ordnance is cleared. It's a death trap," he said. Army units, in coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police, have evacuated high-risk zones and issued stern warnings to residents not to touch any suspicious objects or unexploded shells. In one major operation, 42 live shells were safely destroyed in the Poonch villages of Jhullas, Salotri, Dharati and Salani. "All safety protocols were followed. The shells posed a serious danger to local lives," an Army spokesperson said, calling the effort a 'continued commitment to protect civilians and restore normalcy'. Poonch saw the vast majority of deaths due to shelling. Security officials said that Pakistan used a mix of mortar shells, armed drones, and missiles during the shelling spree, specifically targeting civilian habitations and border towns in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch. As clearance operations continue, the border residents are slowly returning to their homes, but with caution, fear, and lingering uncertainty about shelling that may yet happen in the future.

India joins US, S Arabia, Greece and Qatar in 21-day war game in Egypt

India joins US, S Arabia, Greece and Qatar in 21-day war game in Egypt

Rediff.com27 Aug 2023

The biennial tri-services exercise, Bright-Star, is taking place at Cairo (West) Air Base and it is being participated by militaries of the US, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Qatar besides of the host country and India, officials said.

China-Pak air exercise; Cause for worry?

China-Pak air exercise; Cause for worry?

Rediff.com23 Dec 2020

'There is much to glean from such exercises. And make it known that we are ready to take them on together!', says Air Commodore Nition Sathe (retd).

Israel-Iran: What Are Trump's Options?

Israel-Iran: What Are Trump's Options?

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

Trump has a major decision to take in coming days -- specifically, how to rescue Israel from the attritional war that lies ahead, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

8 fresh forest fires in 24 hours in U'khand; Army joins IAF to douse fire

8 fresh forest fires in 24 hours in U'khand; Army joins IAF to douse fire

Rediff.com28 Apr 2024

Efforts have also intensified to extinguish the raging forest fires in the state, especially in the worst-affected areas of Nainital, Haldwani and Ramnagar forest divisions, forest officials here said on Sunday.

Kuwait fire: IAF aircraft to bring back mortal remains of Indians

Kuwait fire: IAF aircraft to bring back mortal remains of Indians

Rediff.com13 Jun 2024

Kuwaiti authorities are conducting DNA tests on the bodies of those killed in the devastating fire incident in southern Kuwait's Mangaf area and an Indian Air Force aircraft is on standby to bring back the mortal remains of Indians killed in the incident, officials said on Thursday.

U'khand: 33 workers rescued as avalanche hits BRO camp, 22 still trapped

U'khand: 33 workers rescued as avalanche hits BRO camp, 22 still trapped

Rediff.com1 Mar 2025

Forty-one Border Road Organisation labourers working to clear snow near the high altitude border village of Mana in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district were trapped under an avalanche on Friday.

IAF's Tejas aircraft crashes on way back from war game witnessed by PM

IAF's Tejas aircraft crashes on way back from war game witnessed by PM

Rediff.com13 Mar 2024

The pilot ejected safely and a court of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident, the IAF said in a brief statement.

Kuwaiti authorities identify bodies of 45 Indians; vows prompt probe

Kuwaiti authorities identify bodies of 45 Indians; vows prompt probe

Rediff.com14 Jun 2024

Kuwaiti authorities have identified the bodies of 45 Indians and three Filipino nationals killed in the tragic fire incident in a building housing foreign workers in the Gulf Kingdom, a top official said on Thursday.

PIX: Cummins & Co. finally get their act together!

PIX: Cummins & Co. finally get their act together!

Rediff.com6 May 2025

Last year's runner-up Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) suffered a heartbreaking exit from the IPL 2025 play-off race after rain washed out their must-win game against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Hyderabad on Monday.

Two women among 12 held so far in 3 states on espionage charges

Two women among 12 held so far in 3 states on espionage charges

Rediff.com19 May 2025

While six of them have been held from Punjab, five were nabbed from neighbouring Haryana, and one from Uttar Pradesh.

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).

Saw people dying: US deportees share 'donkey' route horror

Saw people dying: US deportees share 'donkey' route horror

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

Jaspal Singh, one of 104 Indians deported from the US on Wednesday, claims he and other deportees were handcuffed and had their legs chained during the flight. Singh, who hails from Punjab, says he was captured by US Border Patrol after crossing the border illegally in January. He blames a travel agent for deceiving him, claiming he was promised a legal route to the US. The deportation comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington for talks with President Donald Trump.

History in Minutes: Major Who Saved Tawang From China

History in Minutes: Major Who Saved Tawang From China

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

Major Khathing was the first man to hoist the Indian flag in Tawang. He also brought Bum La under Indian control.

'We Have Shown The Ability To Hit But Also To Stop'

'We Have Shown The Ability To Hit But Also To Stop'

Rediff.com16 May 2025

'We do not want to fall into a trap of uncontrolled escalation or all out conflict.' 'When the need arises we will do that.'

PIX: Sabalenka subdues Pegula to win Miami Open

PIX: Sabalenka subdues Pegula to win Miami Open

Rediff.com30 Mar 2025

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka overwhelmed American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 to win the Miami Open on Saturday, relying on her usual play-book and powerful forehand to win an eighth WTA 1000 title.

Pakistan to Buy 40 Chinese Stealth Fighters

Pakistan to Buy 40 Chinese Stealth Fighters

Rediff.com23 Dec 2024

Pakistan plans to procure 40 jets of advanced Chinese stealth fighter J-35, which, if materialised, will mark the first export of China's latest jet. The sale would mark Beijing's first export of fifth-generation jets to a foreign ally and is expected to recalibrate regional dynamics, particularly in relation to Pakistan's rival India. The acquisition of new aircraft was pursued despite the serious economic crisis faced by Pakistan. China has helped Pakistan to jointly develop and operate the J-17 Thunder fighter jet, the mainstay of the PAF. China has delivered four advanced naval frigates to the Pakistan Navy in the last few years to enable it to play a bigger role along with its navy in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.

Will stay along China border till complete disengagement: IAF chief

Will stay along China border till complete disengagement: IAF chief

Rediff.com3 Oct 2023

The Chief of Air Staff, addressing a press conference ahead of the Air Force Day on October 8, asserted that the IAF will continue to remain deployed along the frontier in the region till complete disengagement takes place in the remaining contested areas.

'We have no option but to strike back'

'We have no option but to strike back'

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

'If they aim to remain aligned with the public sentiment, as any democratic government should, then they must respond. Why else would the prime minister have cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia? And why would he have instructed the home minister himself to travel to Srinagar to assess the situation firsthand? This suggests that something is indeed being planned. I am quite certain of that, although the exact form it will take remains to be seen.'

He Has Been Part Of Every Republic Day Parade For 26 Years!

He Has Been Part Of Every Republic Day Parade For 26 Years!

Rediff.com31 Jan 2023

Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar of the Indian Air Force has participated in the Republic Day parade every year for 26 years.

Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari takes over as new IAF chief

Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari takes over as new IAF chief

Rediff.com30 Sep 2021

Protecting India's sovereignty and integrity will be ensured at any cost, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari said on Thursday after taking charge as the chief of the Indian Air Force.