Soldiers participating in the routine 'lowering of the flags' parade at the Attari Indo-Pak border in Amritsar have been provided with special shoes to help them perform the ceremony in comfort.
Colourful lights illuminated buildings and earthen lamps dotted houses as people across the country celebrated Diwali with pomp on Monday after two years of muted festivities due to the pandemic.
'Disappointed at the arrogant and negative response by India to my call for resumption of the peace dialogue,' Prime Minister Khan said in a tweet.
The Army had paid rich tributes to 'Axel', a Belgian Malinois.
She has sought a high-level inquiry into his disappearance as well as the recent rejection of his plea for voluntary retirement.
An AK-47 assault rifle, a pistol and over two dozen bullet rounds were recovered from them.
'At school, on August 15, the Indian flag was raised. There was no national anthem at that time and we sang Rise India Thy Millions Lead,' recalls military legend Major General Ian Cardozo (retd).
'India will always remain indebted for their supreme sacrifice. Entire nation and Modi government stands firmly with their families in this hour of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,' he said.
Stunning moments from across India as it celebrates its 69th Independence Day
A look at the top tweets from your favourite Bollywood celebrities.
Here's a recap of the events from the past 24 hours.
For the most battle-hardened, specialised and successful counter-insurgency army in the world, this is an unfamiliar, first-time experience of dealing with the north east's deepest complexities, observes Shekhar Gupta.
'I kept my hope alive', says wife of Gajanand Sharma.
Fifty-four defence personnel, including a BHorder Security Force trooper, missing since the 1965 and 1971 wars are believed to be in the custody of Pakistan, Defence Minister A K Antony on Monday said.
Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Friday wrote to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, protesting the killing of soldiers in BSF firing and seeking an immediate probe into the incident.
Sharmila had claimed that the family has been unable to contact her husband for last three days.
All the four were found guilty of "conspiracy" to wage war against the government of India and sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment.
Pakistan Rangers resorted to ceasefire violations by targeting civilian population in RS Pura sector in Jammu.
Pakistan's political leaders on Friday adopted a resolution against India, condemning the killing of 2 Pakistani soldiers in BSF firing.
"If the job profile is same, then how you justify different pay? A lot will depend on the job profile. Get instructions on this and put it on an affidavit," a bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad told Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati who was representing the Centre.
He visited the BSF martyr memorial in Jammu and Kashmir.
The ceasefire violation took place around 8:30 am. A JCO of the army and a BSF head constable were killed in the attack, a senior officer of the paramilitary force said.
But COVID struck and then his health deteriorated as he underwent a heart surgery which was followed by a brain surgery last year.
As the body of Border Security Force soldier Gurnam Singh wrapped in the tricolour arrived at his home, his mother Jaswant Kaur kept the promise made to her son not to cry over his martyrdom.
Troops noticed suspicious movement along the LoC and challenged the intruders, leading to a gunfight.
Even as Union ministers allay misgivings over Agnipath, figures show a meagre 2.4 per cent of the ex-servicemen who applied for a government job could get one as the Centre and the states have been unable to recruit against the reserved quotas. Public sector undertakings (PSUs), ministries, and officials of Sainik Boards have blamed it on the lack of skill among ex-servicemen. They say veterans' inability to qualify in selection exams is one of reasons for this. Also, non-recognition of qualifications obtained from the military are reasons why their recruitment has remained significantly low, pushing them towards low-skill jobs.
Here are glimpses of what to expect at this R-Day parade.
India has given a clear indication that killing of its five soldiers on LoC by Pakistan Army will delay the Indo-Pak Secretary-level talks, asserting that dialogue can only proceed in an environment free of violence and terror.
Each year the nation is glued to its television screen as the country shows off its might at the Republic Day parade. However, it takes much practice with sessions starting 5 am, and dedication of the participating paramilitary jawans, other participants and behind-the-scenes helpers -- labourers, cleaners and security staff, among others -- who brave the relentless Delhi chill to make the parade a flawless spectacle.
The recent breach of ceasefire by Pakistan was aimed at infiltrating Lashkar-e-Tayiba cadres into Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the polls and to bring Kashmir issue back into limelight, as the neighbouring country was feeling isolated with the growing clout of India in the international forum, according to security experts.
President Droupadi Murmu will lead the nation in celebrating the Republic Day, and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will be the chief guest at the ceremonial event.
Pakistani Rangers violated the ceasefire by resorting to firing by small arms on Indian posts along the international border in Jammu district, prompting the Border Security Force to retaliate.
The Border Security Force has submitted a preliminary report on presence of Chinese troops in Pakistan's forward defence locations for imparting training of weapons handling, Lok Sabha was told on Tuesday.
With this, the number of ceasefire violations along the IB and the LoC in the state after surgical strikes by the Indian Army in PoK has risen to 31.
A large population was forced out of their homes due to heavy shelling and firing.
Officials said the 90-member Border Security Force camel-mounted troops and band contingent has not been practising during the dress rehearsals of the event.
It's troubling times at the Line of Control with the Indian Army personnel fighting off terrorists who have been trying to infiltrate into India. On Thursday morning, a jawan was killed and three others were injured after a fierce gunbattle broke out between security forces and the terrorists who had sneaked into Arnia border sector while another infiltration bid was foiled along the Line of Control in Rajouri district.
A magnificent display of India's cultural diversity through colourful parades across the length and breadth of the country marked the 71st Republic Day celebrations on Sunday which passed off peacefully, barring in Upper Assam, which was rocked by four explosions within a span of 10 minutes.
