In Poonch, J&K, terrorists injured soldiers in an Indian Air Force convoy. Home Minister Shah highlighted a 66% decline in terrorist incidents. The incident evoked memories of the 2019 Pulwama attack with an explosive-laden SUV.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Hamas is the main obstacle to a ceasefire in Gaza, as the militants prepared to send a delegation to Cairo for talks. Blinken emphasized that the only thing preventing a ceasefire is Hamas, which the US considers a terrorist group. He highlighted the difficulty of negotiating with Hamas, as its leaders are not directly engaged with the US or Israel. Blinken's comments came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the assault on Rafah, a southern Gaza city, to eliminate Hamas.
Underlining the ethos of the Indian Army, a senior official said, "Though, it is not a new thing for commanders in the Army to adhere to such a practice, yet the beauty of the ceremony doubled due to the gracious embracing of traditional south Indian 'dhoti' by a Sikh officer."
The Indian Army is closely monitoring China's construction of a road in the Shaksgam Valley, analyzing its military implications. This development raises concerns as the road could threaten Indian defenses in the Siachen Glacier area. India has protested against the construction, which aims to connect the Karakoram Highway to the Upper Shaksgam Valley, bordering the Siachen Glacier. If extended, the road could pose a dual threat from Pakistan and China. India is actively engaging in dialogue to address this issue and protect its territory.
Russian air defence forces intercepted U.S.-produced ATACMS missiles over Crimea. Pentagon opposed missile transfer to Ukraine. Britain pledged 3 billion pounds in military aid to Ukraine.
An experimental AI-controlled F-16 fighter jet completed a successful test flight with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall onboard, marking a milestone in military aviation. The U.S. Air Force aims to deploy over 1,000 unmanned warplanes by 2028, highlighting its aggressive pursuit of AI integration. Despite concerns about autonomous decision-making, Kendall emphasized the importance of AI for security. The shift towards AI-enabled aircraft offers enhanced security and strategic advantages, driven by factors such as cost efficiency and the vulnerability of manned fighter jets to electronic warfare.
With the signing of the technology transfer for Bismaleimide (BMI) Engine Bay Door (EBD), HAL can directly produce these high temperature resistant composite parts for the series production of LCA Mk1A aircraft meeting the initial requirement of IAF squadrons, a joint statement said.
South Korea's intelligence agency warned of potential "terrorist" attacks by North Korea targeting South Korean officials and citizens abroad. The agency detected signs of North Korean preparations in countries like China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. This is believed to be linked to defections by elite North Koreans who are avoiding returning home. South Korea raised its anti-terrorism alert for diplomatic missions in five countries. North Korea has a history of aggressive actions, including assassination attempts and attacks on South Korean assets abroad.
