In a major leadership development for India’s defense establishment, Lieutenant General DS Rana has been appointed as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN). The announcement was made by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), marking a significant milestone in Lt Gen Rana’s distinguished military career.

Previously serving as the Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Lt Gen Rana brings with him a wealth of operational and strategic expertise. His leadership at the DIA was marked by enhanced intelligence coordination and international military cooperation, including key engagements with African and Indo-Pacific partners.

The Andaman and Nicobar Command, headquartered in Port Blair, is India’s only integrated Tri-Service Command, encompassing personnel and assets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Established in 2001, the command is critical to India’s defense strategy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), particularly near the Strait of Malacca—a strategic maritime corridor through which a significant portion of global trade and energy flows.

With rising geopolitical focus on the Indo-Pacific, the archipelago’s importance has grown significantly. Although it covers just 0.2% of India’s landmass, the region accounts for nearly 30% of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), offering a vast maritime domain for surveillance, deterrence, and rapid deployment. The command also supports key naval operations and logistics in Southeast and East Asia, playing a central role in India’s maritime security.

India has been progressively expanding its military capabilities in the region, including plans to station ship-based nuclear-capable systems and amphibious warships equipped with Landing Platform Docks (LPDs). The Andaman and Nicobar Command also supports India’s commitments under the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), and facilitates bilateral defense agreements, such as those with Australia and Singapore, for joint training and facility access.

Tracing its origins back to 1956 when the islands were designated a Union Territory, the command has evolved from the early establishment of INS Jarawa in 1964 into a modern, full-spectrum military presence under the Fortress Andaman & Nicobar doctrine.

Under Lt Gen Rana’s command, the tri-service formation is expected to bolster its strategic deterrence capabilities and operational readiness, reinforcing India’s role as a key security provider in the Indo-Pacific

In a landmark appointment for military healthcare in India, Major General Lisamma PV has assumed the post of Additional Director General of the Military Nursing Service (MNS). The ceremonial takeover took place in New Delhi, marking a new chapter for the organization under her leadership.

Originally from Kollam, Kerala, Maj Gen Lisamma brings nearly four decades of experience to her new role. Commissioned into the MNS in 1986 after completing her nursing training at the Military Hospital in Jalandhar, she has since served with distinction in a series of pivotal roles. These include her tenure as Principal of the College of Nursing at CHAF Bangalore and as Principal Matron of the prestigious Army Hospital (Research & Referral) in Delhi.

Her professional journey is underpinned by a strong academic foundation. Maj Gen Lisamma holds degrees in Arts, Law, and Hospital Administration, embodying the Military Nursing Service’s ethos of academic rigor and multidimensional leadership. Her combined experience in clinical practice, nursing education, and administrative excellence positions her well to lead the MNS at a time of growing complexity in military healthcare.

The MNS, a critical wing under the Ministry of Defence, ensures quality healthcare delivery to Indian Armed Forces personnel and their families. In her new role, Maj Gen Lisamma will be responsible for shaping strategic policies, enhancing operational readiness, and upholding the service’s core values.

Congratulating her on the appointment, the Ministry of Defence praised her distinguished service record and leadership qualities, expressing confidence in her ability to further elevate the standards of military nursing. Her tenure is expected to reinforce the MNS’s enduring commitment to its motto: “Service with Smile.”

The Supreme Court on Thursday sharply rebuked a petitioner seeking a judicial probe into the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly civilians.

As the plea was mentioned before the bench, Justice Surya Kant questioned the petitioner’s intent, asking, “Is this the way you want to demoralise our forces?” The court underscored that the judiciary is not equipped to oversee sensitive counter-terrorism investigations. “Since when did Supreme Court judges become experts in these matters?” Justice Kant asked sternly.

The petitioner, representing concerns of Kashmiri students in other states, argued that the plea aimed to prevent backlash against innocent civilians in the wake of the attack, which has been claimed by a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot. However, the bench observed that the PIL made no specific reference to students or their safety.

Justice NK Singh suggested the petitioner approach relevant High Courts instead. “For prayer regarding students, you can go to the high courts,” he said, emphasizing that this was not the appropriate forum for the plea.

The court ultimately allowed the petitioner to withdraw the PIL, granting liberty to approach the High Court on student safety issues. However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed even this, warning against judicial intervention during a sensitive security situation.

The ruling comes as the nation reels from the deadliest attack in the Valley in recent years. In response, the Jammu and Kashmir government has already deployed ministers to coordinate with other states for the protection of Kashmiri residents.

The Supreme Court’s reaction underscores the judiciary’s reluctance to intervene in ongoing security matters, especially in times of heightened national sensitivity.

India is set to participate for the first time in Talisman Sabre 2025, Australia’s largest and most significant military exercise, scheduled for July this year. The move marks a milestone in growing India-Australia defence cooperation, following strengthened ties cemented during the inaugural India-Australia 2+2 ministerial dialogue in September 2021.

Now in its eleventh edition, Talisman Sabre is often referred to as the “Olympics of military exercises” for its scale and complexity. Jointly developed by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the United States, the biennial exercise brings together thousands of personnel from across allied and partner nations to conduct integrated military operations across land, air, sea, cyber, and space domains.

In 2023, the event saw the participation of over 30,000 troops from 13 countries, showcasing advanced interoperability and multinational readiness. The upcoming 2025 drills will notably expand to include operations in Papua New Guinea, a first in the history of the exercise.

India’s inclusion underscores its growing role in the Indo-Pacific security framework and aligns with its ongoing military collaborations with Quad partners—Australia, the U.S., and Japan. The decision to invite India was part of broader efforts to deepen strategic engagement in the region.

Talisman Sabre 2025 is expected to feature large-scale war games and joint operations aimed at enhancing regional security, fostering military-to-military cooperation, and demonstrating the collective capabilities of like-minded democracies in the Indo-Pacific.

In a significant escalation of measures against Pakistan, India has deployed advanced jamming systems along its western border aimed at disrupting the navigation capabilities of Pakistani military aircraft, according to government sources. These jammers are reportedly capable of interfering with all major satellite-based navigation platforms, including the American GPS, Russian GLONASS, and Chinese Beidou systems — all of which are integral to Pakistan’s military aviation.

The deployment coincides with India’s decision to formally close its airspace to all Pakistani-registered, operated, or leased aircraft — both military and civilian — from April 30 to May 23. The closure affects all four major Indian Flight Information Regions: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.

Sources indicate the jammers are intended to compromise Pakistan’s situational awareness and targeting precision, particularly in the event of military conflict. By degrading the effectiveness of precision-guided munitions and disrupting satellite-based navigation, the move is seen as a strategic deterrent.

The airspace ban follows the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives and escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. In response, India has taken a series of retaliatory steps, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and revoking visas for Pakistani nationals.

With Indian airspace now off-limits, Pakistani airlines — including the national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) — are being forced to reroute via Chinese or Sri Lankan airspace to reach Southeast Asian destinations such as Kuala Lumpur. These longer routes are expected to increase operational costs significantly due to higher fuel consumption, longer flight times, and logistical complications.

While Pakistani carriers face operational strain, Indian airlines like IndiGo and Air India — with their substantially larger fleets — remain unaffected, further tipping the regional aviation balance in India’s favor.

India’s latest measures underscore the deepening strain in bilateral relations and signal a more aggressive posture in dealing with cross-border security threats.