In a landmark moment for Indian military sports, Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO) Omkar Singh of the Indian Navy has won a bronze medal at the 55th CISM World Military Shooting Championship 2025. The event, held from June 23 to 29 at the Terningmoen shooting range in Elverum, Norway, featured elite shooters from 38 countries.

Singh secured the bronze in the 25m Center Fire Pistol event, making it India’s first-ever medal at this prestigious military shooting competition. His podium finish highlights the growing excellence of Indian military athletes on the global stage.

Born on August 8, 1984, in Madhya Pradesh, Singh has consistently delivered strong performances in national shooting competitions. His achievement reflects the Indian Navy’s emphasis on athletic development and disciplined training, which has helped nurture talents capable of excelling in international arenas.

The Indian contingent at the championship included six shooters from the Armed Forces. While all delivered commendable efforts, Singh’s performance stood out and was celebrated with the Indian national flag being ceremonially raised during the medal ceremony—a proud moment for the country.

The championship, organized by the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM), is one of the most competitive platforms for military athletes worldwide. Experts attribute India’s growing success in such events to the rigorous physical and mental conditioning provided by military training programs. A study in the Journal of Sports Sciences found that structured training significantly boosts precision and resilience, critical factors in competitive shooting.

Despite facing infrastructural challenges such as limited civilian shooting ranges and restricted access to training for aspiring shooters, India’s Armed Forces have continued to invest in talent development. Singh’s win is expected to further encourage institutional support for sports in the military and beyond.

The Ministry of Defence has hailed the bronze medal as a historic achievement, emphasizing the role of military athletes in enhancing India’s global sporting image. As celebrations continue, the spotlight now turns to how India can build on this momentum to strengthen its presence in international shooting competitions.

The Indian Embassy in Indonesia issued a clarification today regarding media reports that misrepresented the remarks of India’s Defense Attaché, Captain Shiv Kumar, during a recent seminar. The embassy stated that the comments were taken out of context and reaffirmed the presentation’s focus on the Indian Armed Forces’ adherence to civilian political leadership and the objectives of Operation Sindoor.

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The seminar, held at the Indonesian Air Force University, aimed to highlight the structural distinction between India’s military governance and that of certain neighboring countries. The embassy emphasized that the Indian Armed Forces operate under civilian authority—a core tenet of India’s democratic framework. The references to other countries were intended to illustrate this contrast and were not meant as direct criticism.

The embassy’s statement comes amid growing attention on India’s defense posture, as the country advances its modernization efforts. The embassy’s clarification reflects India’s commitment to transparent communication regarding its defense policies. Additional details about the seminar and Operation Sindoor may be released as developments unfold.

At the CNN-News18 Defence Townhall and as reported by IDRW held, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC), firmly dismissed the idea that the era of fighter jets is ending. When asked if manned combat aircraft are becoming obsolete, he replied, “I don’t think so,” adding that fighter jets will remain relevant for at least the next century.

While asserting the enduring value of manned aircraft, Dixit said the future of aerial warfare lies in Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUMT). This model envisions piloted aircraft working alongside autonomous drones, enabling better battlefield awareness, survivability, and precision in combat operations. His remarks come at a time of renewed focus on India’s air defence strategy following Operation Sindoor, during which the Indian Air Force conducted coordinated strikes on Pakistani military targets.

Globally, the future of fighter aviation has been under debate, with rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, drone warfare, and sixth-generation combat programs. Efforts like the U.S. Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) and Europe’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS) emphasize teaming manned aircraft with loyal wingman drones. Many believe unmanned platforms could eventually replace manned jets due to their lower cost and ability to operate in high-threat zones. China and Russia have already begun fielding advanced stealth drones and experimenting with unmanned variants of existing platforms.

Dixit, however, stressed that manned fighter jets provide unmatched operational flexibility, proven reliability, and human decision-making in complex scenarios. He pointed out that manned platforms continue to play a vital role in deterrence, close air support, and deep-strike missions, as seen during recent IAF operations. He said unmanned systems are not yet capable of handling the real-time decision-making, cybersecurity risks, and communication challenges faced in high-stakes air combat.

He underlined that while fully autonomous fighters remain a distant goal, MUMT will be the dominant shift in the near term. Integrating drones with manned platforms enables seamless sensor fusion, shared mission tasks, and force multiplication—improving combat effectiveness and lowering risk to human life. India’s efforts in this space include projects like HAL’s CATS Warrior, developed in partnership with NewSpace Research and Technologies, which will complement future Indian fighter aircraft like the AMCA.

Air Marshal Dixit’s comments reflect a balanced view of evolving air power—one that embraces innovation while reaffirming the lasting utility of human-operated jets. As the IAF modernizes its fleet and doctrines, MUMT is likely to define India’s path forward in securing air dominance for the next generation.

As part of its ongoing humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan, India successfully organized a five-day Jaipur Foot camp in Kabul, fitting around 75 prosthetic limbs for disabled individuals, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Sunday.

The camp was conducted by the Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), a globally recognized Indian charitable organization known for its Jaipur Foot prosthetics and rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the update on social media, highlighting the enthusiastic response from the Afghan beneficiaries.

BMVSS has a long history of providing low-cost, high-quality prosthetic limbs and mobility aids worldwide, having conducted over 111 camps across 44 countries and assisted more than two million people. The Jaipur Foot, made from polymer materials and designed for durability and comfort, offers amputees improved mobility and quality of life.

This initiative in Kabul is part of India’s broader humanitarian outreach program, “India for Humanity,” which supports vulnerable populations in conflict-affected regions through medical aid, rehabilitation, and capacity-building efforts.

The successful Jaipur Foot camp in Kabul not only restored mobility to many Afghans but also reinforced India’s commitment to humanitarian diplomacy and regional goodwill through practical assistance.

A high-level delegation comprising retired senior military officials and Assam government representatives conducted an in-depth site inspection on Friday at Langvoku, Karbi Anglong, to assess the proposed location for the upcoming Sainik School. The initiative is part of a broader push to provide quality education and instill discipline among the region’s youth.

The delegation was led by Lt Gen (Retd) Rana Pratap Kalita, Chairman of the Advisory Committee for Supervision and Monitoring of the school project. He was accompanied by Major Gen (Retd) Bhaskar Kalita, Brigadier SM (Retd) Ranjit Borthakur, and Brigadier (Retd) Palash Choudhury. Their collective military experience is expected to play a pivotal role in guiding the school’s establishment.

Senior state officials and members of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) also participated in the visit. Key figures included Pranjal Choudhury, Joint Secretary of the Department of Education, and the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department. The team also included architects, engineers, and representatives from the State Land and Revenue Department.

During the visit, the team reviewed the 133-acre land parcel allocated by the KAAC and examined the site plan prepared by the Chief Engineer’s office. The assessment focused on terrain suitability, accessibility to highways, railways, and airports, and proximity to hospitals and other essential services, all of which are vital for the smooth functioning of a residential institution like a Sainik School.

The proposed school has been officially sanctioned under Clause 5.1 (Annex-II) of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) 2021 and approved by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. It represents a strategic investment in the region’s educational infrastructure, aiming to produce future leaders through a structured and disciplined academic environment.

The site inspection marks a significant step forward in the establishment of the Sainik School, underlining the government’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities and nurturing talent in Karbi Anglong and nearby areas.

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has arrested Rahul Kumar, a former soldier, for impersonating an Indian Army colonel and deceiving unemployed youth by offering fake military recruitment in exchange for money. The arrest took place in the early hours of Saturday from a residence in Narayan Nagar, Hema Purwa, under the jurisdiction of Kotwali police station in Sitapur.

Kumar, a native of Kakrala village in Muzaffarnagar district, was caught red-handed with a fake army uniform, four counterfeit appointment letters, forged seals, a canteen card, Aadhaar card, and a mobile phone. He confessed during interrogation that he had served in the Mahar Regiment and left the Army, later taking up driving a goods transport vehicle before launching his fraudulent scheme.

According to officials, Kumar had been targeting jobseekers for months, promising them appointments in the Army in return for money. He issued fake appointment letters and documents to lend credibility to the scam. Acting on multiple leads about someone in uniform offering fake army jobs, the STF formed a team under the supervision of DSP Avnishwar Chandra Srivastava and led by Inspector Santosh Kumar Singh to conduct the raid.

The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of cheating, impersonation, and forgery. The local police are continuing the investigation, and the Indian Army has been notified of the impersonation.

Authorities reiterated their appeal to the public to remain cautious and avoid falling prey to fraudulent recruitment schemes. The Army has stressed that all official recruitment processes are transparent and conducted through verified online platforms without the involvement of intermediaries or agents.