Pakistan and Turkiye have agreed to deploy military forces in Saudi Arabia as part of the Makkah Alliance for Defence. This decision follows recent attacks by Houthi rebels and aims to strengthen collective deterrence against threats to Saudi Arabia. The alliance, formed in August, considers an attack on one member as an attack on all.
Top defence officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkiye have affirmed their commitment to the Makkah Defence Alliance, a trilateral pact aimed at collective security against threats, particularly from Yemen's Houthi rebels. The alliance, formed last month, considers an attack on one as an attack on all, and its members met in Riyadh to discuss intelligence sharing, military coordination, and capability integration to defend Saudi Arabia's security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti praised India's organised defence and counter-attacking efforts despite Brazil's 4-0 victory in a friendly match. Ancelotti noted the game became easier for Brazil after their first goal and highlighted the match as a test for younger players in Brazil's rebuilding phase. India's coach Khalid Jamil defended goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and stressed the importance of high-level matches for the Indian team.
A senior Pakistan Army general has confirmed the presence of Pakistani troops in Saudi Arabia, operating in "multiple capabilities" and "domains" amidst escalating Houthi attacks. This deployment is linked to the Makkah defence pact, a trilateral agreement with Turkiye and Saudi Arabia for collective deterrence, though specific details remain classified. Both Pakistan and Turkiye emphasise the defensive nature of their involvement.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a stern warning that the Makkah Defence Alliance, a newly formed pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, stands ready to activate its collective defence provisions in response to escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Bangladesh is considering joining a newly formed defence alliance between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkiye, with junior ministers stating that any decision would be based on national interests and a "Bangladesh First" policy. The pact, signed in Makkah, aims for collective deterrence.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve global conflicts, stating, "war can never be the answer to war," while addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Three individuals accused of firing at actor Tiger Shroff's car have been remanded to police custody until October 31. Investigators suspect the attack was orchestrated by Lawrence Bishnoi gang member Anil Pandit, prompting a deeper probe into the gang's involvement. Police are seeking to recover weapons and unearth the full conspiracy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced plans to modernise India's civil defence volunteer force, stating that the existing system, designed for conventional wars, is inadequate against contemporary threats targeting critical infrastructure like refineries, banks, and data centres.
The political confidence required to place high-end Japanese aircraft and personnel on Indian soil is itself a data point.
It indicates a level of trust that would have been difficult to imagine when India-Japan defence ties were largely symbolic, explains Varun Arya.
The ministry of external affairs on Friday dismissed as 'fake news' reports alleging that India had requested Israel to sign a defence pact in response to the newly formed Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Turkey security framework.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye on Friday signed a key joint defence agreement under which an attack against one of them will be treated as an attack against all of them, amid increasing security concerns in the wake of escalating tensions in West Asia.
Japan is deepening its defence relationship with India while simultaneously expanding its economic, infrastructure and security engagement with countries around India -- particularly Bangladesh. The result is an emerging Japanese conception of South Asia in which India remains the strategic anchor, but the geography surrounding India is becoming increasingly important, points out Varun Arya.
Forty-two naval vessels are already on order, while the navy has the government's initial go-ahead to procure another 78 ships and submarines and 120 fast interceptor craft, worth approximately Rs 2.41 trillion.
The Indian Army has launched 'Bharat Rice', a superior-quality rice for defence forces, aimed at improving ration quality and logistics. This initiative, spearheaded by the Directorate General of Supplies and Transport, involves direct supply to Army Supply Depots, including remote areas, and an MoU with FCI for infrastructure utilisation during contingencies. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted its significance for soldier welfare, operational readiness, and national security, emphasising logistics as combat power.
Andhra Pradesh police have revealed that female Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) are actively targeting Indian defence personnel through social media, honey traps, and financial inducements to extract sensitive information. Under "Operation Firewall-2026," two individuals, including a naval staffer, were arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan, with 13 naval personnel among 18 suspects involved in the espionage conspiracy.
Mumbai Police have named gangster Anil Pandit as a wanted accused in the firing incident targeting Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff. Four new individuals have been arrested and remanded to police custody until October 26 for their alleged role in supplying weapons for the attack. Pandit, an alleged associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, had claimed responsibility for the October 18 attack. A total of 10 people have been arrested in connection with the case so far.
Barcelona commenced their LaLiga title defence with a dominant 5-0 away victory against Elche, featuring two goals each from Raphinha and Fermin Lopez, and one from debutant Karim Adeyemi.
Mumbai Police revealed actor Tiger Shroff was allegedly fired upon at the behest of Lawrence Bishnoi gang member Anil Pandit. The probe has expanded, leading to the arrest of five more individuals, including two women who allegedly smuggled weapons. Three key accused were brought to Mumbai and remanded to police custody as investigators seek to uncover the full conspiracy and recover weapons.
Kylian Mbappe scored two goals to lead Real Madrid to a convincing 4-1 victory over Sevilla, narrowing the gap on LaLiga leaders Barcelona to six points ahead of their crucial upcoming encounter.
The Indian women's football team suffered a heavy 0-8 defeat against Russia in their second international friendly in Kolkata. Russia displayed clinical finishing and exploited India's defensive weaknesses, scoring five goals in the first half and adding three more after the break, with multiple players bagging braces.
The Indian women's hockey team defeated defending champions China 1-0 in the Asian Games final, securing a gold medal and an automatic qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Coach Sjoerd Marijne credited the team's disciplined defence, tireless running, and collective effort for the historic victory.
A Delhi court has denied anticipatory bail to a university professor accused of raping a former student and threatening to circulate her objectionable videos. The court cited WhatsApp chats indicating coercion and the risk of witness tampering and evidence destruction if bail were granted. The investigation has been assigned to a senior police officer.
India's Goods and Services Tax (GST) receipts, after accounting for refunds, surged by 18.1 per cent annually to approximately 1.77 trillion in September, marking its fastest growth in six months. This increase was primarily driven by a significant rise in tax revenue from imports, which grew 26 per cent annually.
The Indian Navy is enhancing its operational capabilities across all domains, including air, underwater, AI, and quantum technology, to become a multi-domain network force. Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, highlighted lessons from recent conflicts, the exploration of directed-energy weapon systems, and significant procurement plans, including 42 new platforms on order and RFPs issued for LPDs and next-generation frigates. The Navy's focus on indigenous innovation and technology absorption, guided by "scale, sophistication, speed, and spiral development," aims to meet evolving operational requirements and protect maritime interests, especially amidst ongoing global crises.
A Delhi court has convicted a man, Sushant, for attempting to murder his wife, Pinki, by shooting her in the stomach outside a hospital in Connaught Place in 2018. The conviction was based on the credible testimony of the injured woman and corroborating evidence, including CCTV footage and forensic analysis.
The Chhattisgarh Economic Offence Wing/Anti-Corruption Bureau (EOW/ACB) has filed its sixth supplementary charge sheet in the alleged coal levy scam, naming 12 individuals including Congress MLA Devendra Singh Yadav, former state Congress treasurer Ramgopal Agrawal, and IAS officer Jai Prakash Maurya. The scam involves an alleged illegal levy of Rs 25 per tonne collected from coal transporters by a syndicate of bureaucrats, businessmen, and politicians, with handwritten diaries indicating collections of around Rs 540 crore.
A Delhi court has convicted former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain for abetment to rioting in a case related to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots in the Dayalpur area. While Hussain was convicted, 12 other co-accused were acquitted of all charges. Sentencing for Hussain is scheduled for November 16.
A man accused of raping a woman in her home was injured in police firing in Bhubaneswar after he attacked officers with a screwdriver while resisting arrest. The accused, Santosh alias Sreedhar Panda, had used a lighter resembling a handgun to intimidate the victim and was previously involved in theft cases.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has reiterated the nation's unwavering commitment to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, underscoring its role in regional security following an attempted drone attack near the holy city of Mecca. The pact, signed by Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia, establishes a framework for collective deterrence against armed attacks.
Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO of Thales, highlighted Artificial Intelligence as both a major cybersecurity challenge, accelerating attack speed and autonomy, and a crucial tool for defenders. He also warned about quantum computing's future threat to encrypted data. Thales introduced new AI-powered solutions like Luna 8 and CipherTrust DSPM at its Cyber Summit 2026 to combat these evolving threats.
Any military response to a cross-border terror attack from Pakistan will have to take into account the new alignments beginning to take shape in the region, points out former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
Former teammates Gouramangi Singh and Clifford Miranda meet in opposing dugouts as FC Goa take on Chennaiyin FC at Fatorda in the ISL opener on Saturday.
Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub, have been granted regular bail by a Goa court in a case involving the alleged manipulation of a Health Department NOC to obtain an excise licence. The alleged forgery came to light after a devastating fire at the nightclub in December 2025 killed 25 people. Despite the bail, the brothers will remain in custody due to a separate High Court order in the fire tragedy case, with stringent conditions imposed by the court.
Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi will not attend the Asian Games 2026 gold medal cricket match between India and Pakistan due to prior commitments. His absence helps avoid a potential protocol conflict given the ongoing tensions with the BCCI regarding trophy presentations.
Barcelona continued their formidable LaLiga campaign with a commanding triumph over Real Betis with Lamine Yamal delivering another standout performance.
The Indian men's kabaddi team secured a dominant 63-31 victory over South Korea in a Group A clash at the Asian Games, marking their second consecutive win and placing them atop the group.
Punjab FC's IFA Shield campaign concluded after a narrow 3-4 defeat on penalties to defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the semi-final. The match remained goalless after 120 minutes of competitive play, with both teams creating chances before the shootout decided the winner.
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has been hailed as a hero by Israeli leaders for his extraordinary bravery in thwarting an alleged mid-air attack by his co-pilot on a flydubai flight. Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and prevent a catastrophic disaster. The flight, carrying 174 passengers, safely landed in Saudi Arabia, and Machchhar is recovering.
India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs to secure the gold medal in the Asian Games cricket final, a match that passed without any major controversy despite the ongoing diplomatic tensions and the conspicuous absence of customary handshakes between the teams.
