The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global inter-governmental watchdog on money laundering and terrorist financing, has strongly condemned the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, calling attention to the critical role of financial networks in facilitating such acts of violence.

In an official statement, the FATF noted that the attack “could not occur without money and the means to move funds between terrorist supporters,” marking only the third time in a decade that the body has issued such a condemnation. The move signals growing global concern over the financial infrastructures that support extremist networks.

Sources have confirmed that the FATF is preparing to release a groundbreaking report next month that, for the first time, will recognize “state-sponsored terrorism” as a distinct and serious source of terror financing. This marks a significant shift in global counterterrorism discourse and aligns with long-standing Indian assertions regarding Pakistan’s alleged role in sponsoring cross-border terrorism.

The FATF’s upcoming report will include a comprehensive analysis of terrorist financing risks and introduce a new toolkit to assess contextual risk, helping countries more accurately identify and expose jurisdictions that support terror activities. Indian officials had earlier submitted a dossier urging the FATF to include Pakistan back on the ‘grey list’ for its continued financial and operational support to terror groups.

“This, and other recent attacks, could not occur without money and the means to move funds,” the FATF reiterated in its statement. “The international community feels the severity of the attack and highlights that such attacks will not go unpunished.”

India remains one of the few countries whose National Risk Assessment identifies state-sponsored terrorism as a core threat. The FATF’s recognition of this risk is expected to bolster India’s diplomatic efforts to isolate terror-sponsoring nations and enhance global mechanisms to choke terror funding at the source.

The FATF will also host a webinar in the coming weeks to help stakeholders in both public and private sectors understand evolving risks in terrorist financing and better respond to them with effective policy tools.

Mizoram Governor General (Retired) Vijay Kumar Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, led the 84th Raising Day commemorations of the Assam Regiment on Monday with a solemn ceremony held at the War Memorial in Treasury Square, Aizawl. The event paid homage to the regiment’s heroic legacy, particularly its critical role in the Battle of Kohima during World War II.

Governor Singh, a decorated former Army Chief known for his service in counterinsurgency operations in the Northeast, laid a wreath at the memorial to honor soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. His presence symbolized deep respect for the regiment’s enduring contribution to national defense and the inspiration it continues to provide.

Following the tribute, a tea gathering was held at the Assam Rifles Ground where the governor interacted with ex-servicemen and senior officers. The informal session emphasized camaraderie and offered a moment of reflection on the regiment’s journey and its continuing relevance in India’s military tradition.

The Assam Regiment, established in 1941, gained national prominence during the Burma Campaign of World War II. Its fierce stand during the Battle of Kohima in 1944 is remembered as a turning point that halted the Japanese advance into India. Despite sustaining significant losses, the regiment’s determination in the face of overwhelming odds earned it a legendary status.

The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including Brigadier Pushpendar Sorayan, Deputy Inspector General of HQ 23 Sector Assam Rifles, and Padma Shri awardee Hav Lalbiakthanga, president of the World War II Veterans’ Association. Their presence added historical and emotional depth to the celebrations.

Mizoram has recently intensified its support for veterans through progressive welfare initiatives. Since 2020, the state has increased funding for ex-servicemen by 15% and introduced policies to ease their transition into civilian life. These include educational and job concessions, and exemptions from specific qualification requirements for veterans who have served for over three years.

The Raising Day celebration not only honored the Assam Regiment’s past but also reaffirmed Mizoram’s commitment to the welfare of its veterans, ensuring that the sacrifices of the regiment’s heroes remain remembered and respected.

A heart-wrenching scene unfolded in Rajasthan’s Jaipur as Lieutenant Colonel Deepika Chauhan bid a tearful farewell to her husband, Lt Col (Retd) Rajveer Singh Chauhan, who died in a tragic helicopter crash near Kedarnath on June 15. The funeral took place with full military honors as friends, family, and dignitaries gathered to pay their respects.

Wearing her Army uniform, Lt Col Deepika Chauhan was seen weeping beside her husband’s coffin, later leading the funeral procession while carrying his photograph. The former Army officer was piloting a Bell 407 helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation when it crashed near Gaurikund in Rudraprayag district during a routine Kedarnath-to-Guptkashi flight. The crash claimed the lives of seven people, including a two-year-old child.

Rajasthan Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, along with several other political leaders and military veterans, attended the solemn event, underscoring the gravity of the loss.

Lt Col (Retd) Rajveer Chauhan had served the Indian Army with distinction for 15 years before transitioning to civil aviation. He joined Aryan Aviation Pvt. Ltd. in October 2024 and had accumulated over 2,000 hours of flying experience. According to his LinkedIn profile, Chauhan played a significant role in planning and executing flight missions across challenging terrains, with contributions that extended beyond aviation into rural development and public welfare.

The couple’s story was one of endurance and hope. They became parents just four months ago after 14 years of marriage, a detail that added to the emotional weight of the loss.

Following the crash, the Uttarakhand government suspended all helicopter operations on the Char Dham Yatra route for two days as a precaution. A high-level investigation into the cause of the crash has also been ordered.

The nation mourns the loss of a committed officer whose legacy is marked by service, sacrifice, and devotion—both in uniform and beyond.

In yet another incident raising questions over Air India’s operational safety, a San Francisco–Mumbai flight via Kolkata was forced to deboard all passengers early Tuesday after a technical fault was detected in the aircraft’s left engine.

Flight AI180 had landed in Kolkata at 12:45 am as per schedule, but before it could proceed to Mumbai, ground engineers flagged a glitch in the left engine, prompting an extended delay. According to reports, after nearly five hours of waiting on the tarmac, passengers were finally asked to deplane at around 5:20 am. The pilot addressed the cabin, citing flight safety as the primary concern behind the decision.

Visuals from the airport showed ground staff conducting inspections around the left engine of the aircraft, which remained stationed at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport.

The incident has added to growing unease over Air India’s technical preparedness and fleet maintenance standards. It comes just five days after a catastrophic crash involving Air India flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport. That aircraft lost control seconds after takeoff and collided with the BJ Medical College hostel building, killing 241 of the 242 people on board. The lone survivor was identified as British national Vishwas Kumar Ramesh.

The recent string of mishaps has prompted aviation analysts and regulatory authorities to take a closer look at Air India’s maintenance practices, especially after its recent fleet expansions and international route additions under the Tata Group’s ownership. Passengers, meanwhile, continue to express concern over safety, punctuality, and transparency — three critical aspects that are now in sharper focus than ever.

An Air India Express flight operating from Delhi to Ranchi was forced to return to the national capital shortly after takeoff on Monday evening following a suspected technical issue, the airline confirmed.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was originally scheduled to land at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport at 6:20 PM. However, soon after departure, the crew detected a possible technical irregularity and decided to divert back to Indira Gandhi International Airport as a precautionary measure.

Following a thorough inspection on the ground, the aircraft was cleared and resumed scheduled operations. “One of our flights returned to Delhi after takeoff due to a suspected technical issue. Post inspections and clearance, the aircraft continued scheduled operations,” an Air India Express spokesperson stated.

In a separate incident earlier in the day, Air India flight AI315 from Hong Kong to New Delhi — a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner — also returned to its origin due to a technical concern. The aircraft landed safely at Hong Kong International Airport around 1:15 p.m. local time after initially taking off at 12:20 p.m. and reaching an altitude of 22,000 feet before initiating its descent.

These back-to-back events follow a tragic accident involving another Air India flight last week, in which a Boeing aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London, killing 241 of the 242 people onboard.

These developments mark yet another challenge for Air India, which is in the midst of a fleet modernization effort, and for Boeing, which continues to grapple with global scrutiny over safety and reliability concerns.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is all set to spotlight India’s cutting-edge aerospace and defence technologies at the Paris Air Show 2025, reinforcing the country’s growing stature as a global defence innovator. In a statement shared on social media platform X, DRDO announced that its participation will underscore India’s emphasis on self-reliance, strategic capability, and international collaboration.

At the prestigious event being held from June 16 to 22 at Le Bourget, France, DRDO will display an array of indigenous advancements including next-generation unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), state-of-the-art avionics, and various homegrown defence systems. Among the highlights is the Astra Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) air-to-air missile, designed to engage fast-moving, supersonic targets in all-weather conditions. The Astra Mk-I, now integrated with Indian Air Force’s SU-30 Mk-I aircraft, is one of the missile systems being inducted to enhance India’s aerial combat readiness.

The showcase will also include the Tejas Mk-2, an upgraded version of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which demonstrates India’s progress in advanced fighter jet manufacturing. Another significant exhibit is the Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) ‘Swathi’, developed jointly with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), capable of accurately detecting and tracking enemy artillery fire.

DRDO will also highlight its Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&C), a “system of systems” designed to detect and track enemy aircraft and UAVs, providing a force-multiplying advantage. Additionally, HELINA, a third-generation fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile for helicopters, will be part of the exhibit, demonstrating India’s capability in precision strike weapons.

Enhancements to the Dornier aircraft, under the SHYEN project, will also be showcased. These upgrades improve mission performance through better payload integration and mid-life avionics improvements.

DRDO’s participation at the Paris Air Show not only marks a significant stride in India’s global defence diplomacy but also reinforces its commitment to self-reliance under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. The event provides an opportunity for India to explore defence cooperation, technology exchange, and industrial partnerships with leading global players in aerospace and defence.