New Delhi:

India commissioned its second nuclear submarine INS Arighaat today in Visakhapatnam. The Arihant-class submarine will strengthen India’s nuclear triad, enhance nuclear deterrence, help in establishing strategic balance and peace in the region, and play a decisive role in the security of the country, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement today.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who attended the nuclear missile’s commissioning ceremony, described the naval milestone as an achievement for the nation and a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s unwavering resolve to achieve aatmanirbharta (self-sufficiency) in defence.

The construction of INS Arighaat involved the use of advanced design and manufacturing technology, detailed research and development, use of special material, complex engineering and highly skilled workmanship, the Defence Ministry said.

The country’s nuclear submarine has the distinction of having indigenous systems and equipment which were conceptualised, designed, manufactured and integrated by Indian scientists, industry and naval personnel, it said.

The technological advancements undertaken indigenously on the new submarine make it significantly more advanced than its predecessor, Arihant. The presence of both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat will enhance India’s capability to deter potential adversaries and safeguard its national interests, the Defence Ministry said.

Rajnath Singh commended the Indian Navy, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the industry for their hard work and synergy in achieving this capability. He called this level of self-reliance the foundation of “self power”. The country’s industry including micro, small and medium enterprises received a huge boost and created jobs through this project.

“Today, India is surging ahead to become a developed country. It is essential for us to develop rapidly in every field, including defence, especially in today’s geopolitical scenario,” the Defence Minister said.

“Along with economic prosperity, we need a strong military. Our government is working on mission mode to ensure that our soldiers possess top-quality weapons and platforms made on Indian soil,” Mr Singh said, recalling former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s political will which put India at par with a nuclear weapon state.

London:

The iconic Tower Bridge in London on Wednesday became a site of celebration as members of the Indian community gathered to welcome Indian Navy’s frontline frigate, Indian Naval Ship Tabar to the city.

The picturesque event saw the historic bridge serve as a backdrop to the cultural unity and vibrant spirit of the Indian community in the UK, with several people chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai”.

Historic milestone!

Welcome INS TABAR to the Thames waters in London!

Witnessing the Tower Bridge open for this proud occasion fills our hearts with immense joy and pride.

This is a historic day for India and the United Kingdom.

Bharat Mata ki Jai! #INSTABAR… pic.twitter.com/uLO0O0S1MQ

— British Indians Voice (@BritIndianVoice) August 7, 2024

The INS Tabar’s arrival was met with enthusiastic cheers and a sense of pride among the attendees. The moment was a beautiful blend of tradition and modernity, symbolizing the rich cultural heritage of India merging seamlessly with the historic landmarks of London.

A member of the Indian community said, “It is a proudest moment for all the Indians living here. Everyone cheered after seeing the Indian flag and the Indian ship. It was a precious moment for all of us.”

“INS Tabar, a Talwar-Class Frigate of @indiannavy is visiting London from August 7th to 11th. The ship will be berthing alongside HMS Belfast. Do try to catch a glimpse of this magnificent vessel!” the High Commisison of India in London posted on X attaching a picture of the vesssel with ‘Namaste London’ caption.

Welcome to London #INSTabar.

#INSTabar passing under the iconic #TowerBridge. @indiannavy@VDoraiswami@sujitjoyghosh@MEAIndia@IndianDiplomacy@DDNewslive@PIB_Indiahttps://t.co/TNNyzppo94pic.twitter.com/J1v9pZ9JUL

— India in the UK (@HCI_London) August 7, 2024

The event highlighted the strength and solidarity of the Indian community in London, showcasing their collective support for initiatives that bridge cultural gaps and promote mutual understanding.

Another member of the Indian community said, “We are feeling very proud and happy to see an Indian warship entering here and the iconic Tower Bridge opening for it.”

The celebration was not just a welcome for the INS Tabar, but also a testament to the thriving presence and influence of the Indian community in the UK.

The event at Tower Bridge will be remembered as a symbol of cultural exchange, community spirit, and the enduring ties between India and the UK.

INS Tabar during the return leg from St Petersburg, Russia conducted a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with the German Navy off Kiel Canal on August 5, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

INS Tabar had earlier visited Hamburg, Germany from July 17-20.

“The conduct of MPX between Indian Navy and German Navy off Kiel Canal signifies Indian Navy’s outreach and sustenance efforts also marking a significant milestone in the maritime cooperation between the two countries,” the release stated.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The body of Leading Seaman Sitendra Singh, who went missing following a major fire onboard India’s frontline warship INS Brahmaputra at the naval dockyard in Mumbai three days ago, was found on Wednesday, officials said.

The warship was severely damaged and tilted heavily to one side following the fire on Sunday evening. The warship is now resting on her left side.

Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi visited the naval dockyard on Tuesday and reviewed the sequence of events leading to the accident.

The Navy said Admiral Tripathi directed Western Naval Command and the Naval headquarters to make INS Brahmaputra seaworthy and combat-ready.

“The Chief of Naval Staff was briefed on the mitigating actions taken to limit the extent of the damage, plan to recover and undertake repairs to restore the ship’s functionality at the earliest,” it said.

“The Chief of Naval Staff directed that all actions by the Command and Naval Headquarters to make INS Brahmaputra seaworthy and combat ready are to be initiated immediately,” the Navy said in a statement.

It said the body of Singh was found after intensive diving operations.

“Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and all personnel of the Indian Navy extend their deepest condolences to the family of Sitendra Singh,” it said.

“The Indian Navy stands resolutely with the bereaved family in this hour of grief,” the Navy said.

On Monday, it said all personnel had been accounted for except one junior sailor.

INS Brahmaputra is the first of the indigenously built ‘Brahmaputra’ class-guided missile frigates and it was commissioned into the Indian Navy in April 2000.

The nearly 3,600-tonne ship is fitted with an array of weapons including surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles, medium-range guns, anti-submarine rockets, radars, sonars and state-of-the-art electronic warfare systems.

INS Brahmaputra has a length of 125 metres, a beam of 14.4 metres and is capable of sailing at a speed of 30 knots.

The ship, when it sails, is manned by a crew of 40 officers and 360 sailors.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Panaji:

The Indian Navy on Tuesday decommissioned the last of its Ilyushin Il-38SD Sea Dragon Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft from operational service, 46 years after their induction.

Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, who was present at the “drawdown ceremony” of the aircraft at INS Hansa at Vasco town, 35 km from Goa’s state capital Panaji, described the occasion as “truly historic” and one filled with nostalgia.

The Navy chief said the aircraft brought glory to the Indian Navy time and again.

The last IL-38SD decommissioned on Tuesday will be put on display at the Naval Aviation Museum at Dabolim. Another such aircraft was put on display there in March 2020.

During Tuesday’s ceremony, the aircraft made its final landing, completing the deinduction process. It was given a water cannon salute as a mark of respect.

On January 26 this year, the Il-38SD participated in the Republic Day Parade flypast for the first and last time.

The aircraft were operated by Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 315 Winged Stallion. The Il-38 was inducted into service from 1977 onwards and five aircraft were procured till 1983.

In October 2002, the Indian Navy lost two aircraft in a mid-air collision above INS Hansa in Goa. Two ex-Russian Navy Il-38s were added to the squadron in December 2009 and February 2010.

At INS Hansa, the Sea Dragons are being replaced by Boeing P-8I Neptune, of which four aircraft have been delivered to INAS316 The Condors since December 2021. The new unit was officially commissioned on March 29, 2022.

With the induction of the IL-38s, the Navy had acquired modern maritime reconnaissance and fixed-wing Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability.

In January 1978, the squadron aircraft using the on board Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) equipment successfully located the wreckage of the ill-fated Air India aircraft which had crashed soon after take-off off the Mumbai coast.

The Winged Stallions had added yet another feather to their cap when they completed 25,000 hours of accident free flying in 1996. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar today said that the Centre is making “every effort” to secure the release of eight Navy veterans who have been handed death penalty in Qatar.

“Every effort is being made by the government to ensure we take up through the legal course and we get relief for our personnel,” he said.

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar today met with the families of eight former Indian Navy personnel. Mr Jaishankar said India will “continue to make all efforts to secure their release.

“Met this morning with the families of the 8 Indians detained in Qatar. Stressed that Government attaches the highest importance to the case. Fully share the concerns and pain of the families. Underlined that Government will continue to make all efforts to secure their release. Will coordinate closely with the families in that regard,” he said on X – formerly known as Twitter.

Met this morning with the families of the 8 Indians detained in Qatar.

Stressed that Government attaches the highest importance to the case. Fully share the concerns and pain of the families.

Underlined that Government will continue to make all efforts to secure their release.…

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 30, 2023

The men, including decorated officers who once commanded major Indian warships, were working for Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private firm that provided training and related services to Qatar’s armed forces.

Sources said some of them were working on a highly sensitive project — Italian technology-based midget submarines with stealth characteristics.

Reports claim the eight Navy veterans have been accused of spying.

The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier said it was shocked by the verdict and would take up the issue with Qatari authorities. “We are deeply shocked by the verdict of death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgement. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options,” the ministry had said.

Those sentenced are Capt Navtej Singh Gill, Capt Birendra Kumar Verma, Capt Saurabh Vasisht, Cdr Amit Nagpal, Cdr Purnendu Tiwari, Cdr Sugunakar Pakala, Cdr Sanjeev Gupta and Sailor Ragesh.

New Delhi:

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday expressed shock over eight former Indian Navy personnel being handed down the death sentence by a court in Qatar and said the entire case is shrouded in “mystery and opacity”. The navy personnel were on Thursday handed down the death sentence by a court in Qatar, a verdict that was described as “deeply shocking” by India as it vowed to explore all legal options.

In a post on X, Mr Tharoor said, “Shocked to learn that Qatar has passed a death sentence on eight former Indian Navy officers. The details of the entire case are shrouded in mystery & opacity.” “Trust @MEAIndia & @PMOIndia will act immediately with the highest levels of the Qatar government to support an appeal and bring them home,” the former minister of state for external affairs said.

Shocked to learn that #Qatar has passed a death sentence on eight former @IndianNavy officers. The details of the entire case are shrouded in mystery & opacity. Trust @MEAIndia & @PMOIndia will act immediately with the highest levels of the Qatar government to support an appeal…

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 27, 2023

The Indian nationals, who worked with private company Al Dahra, were arrested in August last year reportedly in an alleged case of espionage. Neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi made the charges against the Indian nationals public.

In its reaction to the death sentence, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said it is attaching “high importance” to this case and is exploring all legal options.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

A Qatar court has handed the death penalty to eight former Indian Navy personnel, a verdict that was described as “deeply shocking” by India as it vowed to explore all legal options in the case. The eight Indians were arrested in August last year in an alleged case of espionage and have since been in solitary confinement.

India, reacting to the development, said that it is attaching “high importance” to this case and is exploring all legal options.

Who are these 8 Indians?

The Indian Navy veterans, who were arrested in August 2022, are Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht and Sailor Ragesh Gopakumar.

All of the former Navy officers had a distinguished service record of up to 20 years in the Indian Navy and had held important positions including that of instructors in the force.

In 2019, Commander Purnendu Tiwari was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians. In a post at the time, the Indian Embassy in Doha had said the award was given to Commander Tiwari for enhancing India’s image abroad.

What were they doing in Qatar?

All eight Indians worked for a private firm, Dahra Global Technologies, and Consultancy Services, which provided training and other services for Qatar’s armed forces.

The company is owned by a retired squadron leader of the Royal Oman Air Force, Khamis al-Ajmi. Ajmi too was arrested along with the Indians last year but was released in November 2022.

Sources said some of the Indians on death row were working on a highly sensitive project — Italian technology-based midget submarines with stealth characteristics.

In May, Al Dahra Global closed its operations in Doha and all those working there (primarily Indians) have since returned home.

Why were they arrested?

The eight men were arrested by Qatar’s intelligence agency on August 30, 2022. Neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi made the charges against the Indian nationals public yet.

According to reports, the eight men were allegedly arrested for espionage. The charges were filed against the eight Indian Navy veterans on March 25 and they are tried under Qatari law.

Their bail petitions had been rejected several times and the verdict against them was pronounced on Thursday by the Court of First Instance in Qatar.

What India is doing?

Reacting to the verdict, the Ministry of External Affairs said that they are awaiting the detailed judgement in the case and are exploring all legal options.

“We are deeply shocked by the verdict of the death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgement. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options,” the MEA said in a statement.

The government said it would continue to extend all consular and legal assistance to the Indians.

“We attach high importance to this case and have been following it closely. We will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also take up the verdict with Qatari authorities,” the MEA statement said.

It is learnt that the families of the former Indian Navy personnel had filed a mercy plea to the Emir of Qatar. However, there is no confirmation of it.

New Delhi:

The Indian Navy is monitoring the developments in West Asia and also keeping a sharp watch on the Chinese Navy’s activities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) by the hour, a top Navy officer said on Wednesday in the context of the escalating Hamas-Israel conflict.

Replying to a host of questions in a session at the Global Maritime India Summit 2023 here, Vice Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, who heads the crucial Western Naval Command, said the Navy is fully aware of Chinese activities in the IOR or the possible ripple effects of happenings in West Asia.

“There is constantly at this point of time there is someone in the naval headquarters or the command headquarters working on what could happen after whatever is happening in West Asia (a reference to the Hamas-Israel conflict),” he said.

The vice admiral said as far as the Chinese are concerned, we are keeping a sharp watch on whatever they are doing in the South China Sea.

“In the Indian Ocean, we are keeping a sharp watch as to where their research ship, spy ship, satellite tracking ship, warships (are) wherever they are by the hour,” Vice Admiral Tripathi said while replying to questions.

Earlier speaking at the event, the senior naval commander also said that piracy has been one of the constant challenges in the last 10-15 years, “It is largely contained through international cooperation and coordination,” he added.

Nityanand Rai, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, said with India’s growing stature, its responsibility in the Indian Ocean is also increasing.

On the occasion, S Paramesh, Additional Director General, of the Indian Coast Guard, emphasised collectively increasing the sharing of information for better threat assessment and coordinated response.

“Investments in technologies like satellite surveillance and unmanned drones will greatly enhance maritime security efforts,” Mr Paramesh said.

Hostilities between Israel and Hamas began after armed Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip launched an unprecedented attack on Israel by land, air, and sea on October 7. Since the start of hostilities, as many as 2,778 Palestinians have been killed.

Media reports have cited official Israeli sources as saying that at least 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed in Israel.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

A 60-year-old ex-Navy employee who faked his death for 20 years was arrested by Delhi Police Crime Branch for allegedly killing a relative and burning to death two labourers, police said on Tuesday. Balesh Kumar was arrested from a house in Najafgarh where he was staying with his family having changed his name to Aman Singh, police said.

Balesh was 40 when he allegedly killed his brother-in-law, Rajesh alias Khushiram, over money in Delhi’s Bawana area in 2004. He also allegedly had an illicit relationship with Rajesh’s wife.

Police in 2004 arrested Balesh’s brother Sundar Lal, who was also involved in Rajesh’s murder, however, Balesh managed to give them a slip.

According to Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav, Balesh, who was in a transport business then, escaped in a truck to Rajasthan.

There he set his truck on fire and burned two of his workers to death.

“Rajasthan Police during the course of investigation identified one of the persons as Balesh, while the other body remained unclaimed. The family members of Balesh also identified one of the bodies as his,” Yadav said.

Rajasthan Police closed the case assuming the prime suspect was dead.

After faking his death, Balesh fled to Punjab and managed to procure forged identity proof with the help of his family members and changed his name to Aman Singh.

“He remained in touch with his wife and managed to transfer his insurance claim benefits and pension from the Indian Navy to her. Also, the truck involved in the incident was registered in the name of his brother Mahinder Singh, who allowed him to claim the insurance. He got an insurance claim for the truck into the account of his wife,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ankit Kumar said.

Balesh then moved to Delhi’s Najafgarh with his family and started living with them.

“On a secret tip-off, we managed to nab him from his house on Monday. During the interrogation, he confessed his involvement in the murder of his relative and two labourers from Bihar,” Kumar said.

The Delhi Police has informed its counterpart in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur about Balesh’s arrest and asked them to reopen the burnt truck case.

The Delhi Police claimed that Balesh had also stolen antique items in 2000 from Delhi’s Kota House and was booked for theft at Tilak Marg Police Station.

Police are probing the role of Balesh’s wife and other family members in his crimes and they all will be prosecuted accordingly, Kumar said.

Balesh, a native of Haryana’s Panipat, studied up to class 8. In 1981, he joined the Indian Navy as a Steward and served there till 1996.

“After retirement, he took a house on rent in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar,” the officer said.

At the time of his arrest, Balesh was working as a property dealer in Najafgarh. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar made a big announcement today, that the Navy is looking at a repeat order for an Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) after inducting INS Vikrant and preparing a case for it.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of launch of advanced stealth frigate ‘Mahendragiri’, he said with the indigenously built INS Vikrant, Cochin Shipyard has acquired an expertise in manufacturing an IAC.

“We are working for a third aircraft carrier which will be a repeat of the INS Vikrant. There is a lot of expertise that has been generated in terms of building an aircraft carrier. We are looking at having an IAC, a follow-on I would say, a repeat order being made. We are preparing a case for it,” Admiral Kumar said.

India currently has two aircraft carriers – INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. The first IAC was commissioned by the Indian Navy in September last year.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)