A Kotdwar court on Friday sentenced Pulkit Arya, son of a former BJP minister, and his associates Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta to life imprisonment for the 2022 murder of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari, a receptionist at Rishikesh’s Vanantra Resort. The trio was convicted under IPC Sections 302, 201, 120B, and 354A, along with the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. The case, which sparked statewide outrage and mass protests, revealed shocking abuse and illegal activities at the resort. Ankita’s mother, Soni Devi, demanded capital punishment. The court examined 47 key witnesses in a two-year trial. Ankita’s body was found in Chilla canal. (PC: ANI)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declared that India had the capability to fragment Pakistan into four parts during Operation Sindoor, calling the operation merely a "warm-up" of India's military strength. Speaking about the Indian Navy's response post the Pahalgam terror attack, Singh praised its swift and precise missile operations. He warned that if provoked again, the Navy would be fully mobilized with unpredictable consequences for Pakistan. Highlighting India’s maritime vigilance, Singh emphasized the enemy was stunned not by action, but preparation. He stated Pakistan is lucky the Navy didn't unleash its full strength, showcasing India’s resolve and naval dominance. (PC: PTI)

Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa Alagirisamy created history as the first Indian women duo to circumnavigate the globe under sail in double-handed mode. Aboard INSV Tarini, they covered over 25,400 nautical miles in eight months as part of the Navy’s Navika Sagar Parikrama II. They navigated perilous waters, including the three Capes and three cyclones, relying solely on wind power. Their return to Goa was met with thunderous applause and a warm welcome by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The voyage symbolizes women’s growing role in defence and maritime leadership, inspiring future generations through resilience, courage, and national pride. (PC: X/CISFHQrs)

On May 30, 2025, a devastating explosion occurred at a firecracker manufacturing and packaging unit near a village in Punjab's Sri Muktsar Sahib district, resulting in the deaths of five migrant laborers and injuring several others. The blast caused the building to collapse, trapping workers under the debris. Rescue operations are underway, and authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion. This incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in India's fireworks industry, where inadequate safety measures and illegal operations have led to numerous tragedies in recent years. (PC: PTI)  

Amid internal discord sparked by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's assertion that India's first surgical strike occurred in 2016, the Congress party has reiterated its claim that six such operations were conducted during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) tenure. Party general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala defended Tharoor as a "seasoned and experienced" leader but corrected his statement, emphasizing that surgical strikes were a regular feature under the UPA to counter terrorism. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly refuted this claim, citing a 2018 Right to Information (RTI) response from the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) stating no surgical strikes occurred under the UPA. The BJP accused Congress of disseminating false information, urging the party to "stop lying." (PC: PTI)

In response to recent security concerns, the Border Security Force (BSF) has intensified its Village Defence Guards (VDGs) initiative by providing arms training to residents in Jammu's border areas. This move aims to empower local communities, especially minorities, to defend against militant threats. The VDGs, formerly known as Village Defence Committees, were originally established in the 1990s to counter insurgency in remote regions. Recent incidents, including attacks in Dhangri village, have prompted the revival and reinforcement of these groups. While the initiative seeks to bolster local security, it has also raised concerns about potential communal tensions and the risks associated with arming civilians. (PC: The Hindu)    

On May 29, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the significant contributions of women in India's Armed Forces during a ceremony in Goa marking the return of INSV Tarini. Singh highlighted the crucial role women played in Operation Sindoor, a recent Indian military operation targeting terrorism in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He praised their involvement in both counter-terror missions and demanding maritime endurance tasks, affirming the expanding presence and impact of women across various strategic and operational spheres—from the challenging terrains of Siachen to the vast seas. (PC: PTI)  

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised women in the armed forces for their key role in Operation Sindoor. “Women pilots and other female soldiers played a crucial role in the effective action taken by India,” he said. Singh confirmed that women helped strike nine terror targets in Pakistan and PoK on May 7-8. Speaking in Goa, he added, “Nari Shakti played a crucial role in every branch.” He also praised Navy officers Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A for sailing around the world. Singh said their courage is a true symbol of nari shakti and national pride. (PC: PTI)

In a recent judgment, the Supreme Court of India urged Parliament to amend the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to decriminalize consensual sexual activities among adolescents. The Court emphasized that criminalizing such relationships could hinder the natural emotional and psychological development of teenagers. It also recommended implementing comprehensive sex education to inform youth about healthy relationships and consent. The judgment highlighted the need for a compassionate approach, balancing legal frameworks with the realities of adolescent behavior, and called for replacing the term "child pornography" with "child sexual exploitative and abuse material" to more accurately reflect the nature of such offenses. (PC: ANI)

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has expressed deep concern over the chronic delays in India's defence procurement and manufacturing sectors, emphasizing that no project has been completed on time. He highlighted the adverse impact of these delays on operational readiness and national security, urging immediate reforms to enhance accountability and efficiency. Singh's remarks underscore the urgency of addressing systemic issues to ensure timely delivery of critical defence capabilities. (PC: NDTV)