Indian Army is transitioning away from legacy, equipment-heavy structures ::::: Integrated Battle Groups are brigade-sized, highly agile, and self-sufficient combat formations !!!

The Indian Army is transitioning away from legacy, equipment-heavy structures to ensure multi-domain combat potency and an optimal "teeth-to-tail" balance. The military formally approved the rollout of these units, starting with the 17 Mountain Strike Corps.  

Alongside the IBGs, the Army has been introducing several specialised smaller formations to enhance its combat edge.

These include Bhairav battalions, which are focussed on specific roles. Bhairav battalions are a compact, technology-enabled combat unit of roughly 250 soldiers. 

Conceived as an intermediate force between Ghatak platoons and the Para Special Forces (SF), these battalions are designed for immediate deployment and specialised missions such as precision assaults, cross-border raids and other hybrid warfare operations.

Then, there are Rudra brigades that integrate multiple combat elements under a Brigadier's command. 

The Army is set to establish and operationalise its first Integrated Battle Groups (IBG) by next month, marking a significant transformation under which self-contained, agile, brigade-sized fighting units will be carved out of the Panagarh-based XVII Corps — the mountain strike corps (MSC) facing China — for swift deployment in mountainous areas.   

Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) are brigade-sized, highly agile, and self-sufficient combat formations of the Indian Army. Ranging in strength to around 5,000 troops, each unit is permanently equipped with its own infantry, artillery, armored, engineering, and medical assets. They can be rapidly mobilized within 12 to 48 hours for swift offensive or defensive operations.

The earlier plan was to create four IBGs under the two divisions operating under the XVII MSC — the 59 Division and the 23 Division.

However, this is now learnt to have been advanced to July 1.

According to the existing plans, four IBGs and a fire support group will be created under the XVII MSC. Each of the five will be commanded by a Major General rank officer. 

Each IBG will comprise over 5,000 troops, with 12-13 units, and may have a Brigadier-rank officer as the Chief Operations Officer.

As per a feasibility study conducted by Kochi Metro Rail Limited to assess potential routes and passenger demand for a water taxi network across the state, at least 28 locations were surveyed and eight feasible routes were identified. While the four IBGs will be created from the two divisions of the XVII MSC, 

the fire support group comprising artillery platforms will likely operate directly under the corps headquarters. 

The newly created Divyastra batteries of the Army could be placed under this group.  

Each IBG, comprising over 5,000 troops, will have battalions of infantry, artillery regiments, Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, Combat Engineers, Army Service Corps and a field hospital. The IBGs will be especially crucial in mountainous terrains, as their agile nature allows rapid deployment, eliminating the wait for the entire corps to mobilise.

Each IBG will have battalions of infantry, artillery regiments, as well as elements of the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), Combat Engineers, Army Service Corps, and a field hospital or others.

The creation of the IBGs is part of a larger restructuring plan of the Army, which includes the creation of Bhairav battalions, Rudra brigades, Divyastra batteries and Shaktibaan units. The Rudra brigades, commanded by a Brigadier, will also have multiple elements, but will be dependent on the division for more support. IBGs will be larger in size and more self-contained and independent in nature.

Over the last decade, China, too, has transitioned from older divisions to smaller, more versatile Combined Arms Brigades (CABs), integrated with tanks, artillery, air defence and support units, designed for joint operations.  

IBGs would be tailored to specific tasks, terrains, and threats rather than following a one-size-fits-all model. 

This means that no two IBGs will be alike. For example, an IBG posted ina mountainous areas facing China would focus on mobility and lighter logistics suitable for high altitudes.

Can Mamata Banerjee face another electoral defeat in Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency ?

Confident that West Bengal's political climate has undergone a sea change post-BJP's historic win in the Assembly elections, ending the Trinamool Congress rule of 15 years, local saffron party leaders believe that the Basirhat constituency is poised to elect a BJP MP for the first time.

Lotus party eyes Basirhat Lok Sabha seat after landslide victory in Assembly elections

Political circles are abuzz with speculation that the 'ousted' and ex-chief minister Mamata Banerjee might contest the Basirhat bypoll.

Some of her supporters view it as a relatively safe constituency because the Lok Sabha constituency has about 54 per cent Muslim voters. However, after SIR done; the Mamata Banerjee camp did not quite had a happy experience during assembly polls. The party was defeated in many unexpected assembly segments. The then all-powerful TMC supremo was herself humbled in Bhabanipur. 

Moreover, what came as worse is the TMC has now splintered into three parts. Most importantly, with power gone; Mamata is hardly sure of her earlier vote garnering ability. But it is also a fact of life that she is desperate to get some elected position.  

However, there are also indications that she remains uncertain about contesting from Basirhat following the Assembly poll results and the post-SIR electoral scenario.

The BJP obviously claims it is fully prepared. 

"This is the right time for the by-election in Basirhat. This is the best time to defeat Mamata yet again if she contests. Over 50 per cent Muslim population does not matter as people including minorities know how much misguided they were," said a BJP source. 

The way people have been chasing TMC leaders with the sloganeering 'chor chor'; it is obviously clear that earlier magic cannot be repeated. During the assembly polls -- 

Trinamool won five of the seven Assembly segments under the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency.

They are Baduria, Minakhan, Haroa, Basirhat Uttar and Basirhat Dakshin — largely due to its minority vote base. 

The BJP could win the Sandeshkhali and Hingalganj. 

But BJP leaders now say that the electoral landscape has changed a lot. 

The demand for a bypoll in Basirhat was conveyed directly to state BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya when he went to Basirhat on June 25 to meet an ailing party veteran. In fact, Samik had contested the Basirhat Lok Sabha poll in 2014 and had finished third by getting only 18 percent of votes.  

The Basirhat Lok Sabha seat fell vacant following the death of Trinamool Congress MP Haji Nurul Islam on September 25, 2024. 

In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Haji Nurul Islam had defeated BJP candidate Rekha Patra by a margin of 3,33,547 votes, securing 52.76 per cent of the votes, while the BJP managed only 30.87 per cent despite the politically explosive Sandeshkhali episode.

 

Qatar to release $6 billion in frozen assets as peace talks with US falter, says Iranian Prez Pezeshkian

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that USD6 billion in frozen Iranian assets would be released by Qatar as negotiations with the United States were challenged by attacks across the Persian Gulf this weekend.

Pezeshkian is the highest-ranking official within Iran to reference the release of the funds held by Qatar, a key mediator in the negotiations with Pakistan. So far, US officials say no frozen Iranian assets have been released.

File snap : Iran's president Masoud Pezeshkian reviews an honor guard during a welcome ceremony in Islamabad, Pakistan in June  

Tehran launched drone and missile attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait on Sunday following new US airstrikes against the Islamic Republic, and threatened a 'complete halt' in negotiations to end the war if Washington continues its attacks.  

"Based on the plans made, USD 6 billion out of the total USD12 billion of Iranian resources in Qatar will be released and returned to the country, and necessary follow-ups are being carried out," Pezeshkian was quoted by the state-run IRNA news agency. 

The remarks appeared aimed at selling the Iranian public on the interim deal.

Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait on Sunday following new US airstrikes against the Islamic Republic, and threatened a "complete halt" in negotiations to end the war if Washington continues its attacks.  

There appears to be a significant divergence between the United States and Iran over what was agreed during the first round of talks held in Switzerland.  

US Vice President JD Vance said any release of frozen Iranian assets would depend on Tehran’s future commitments and verification measures.

However, Iran has maintained that Washington has already agreed to ease restrictions and release some sanctioned assets.

Differences have also emerged over the issue of nuclear inspections. 

Vance suggested that Iran had agreed to allow international inspectors greater access, a claim Tehran has pushed back against.

ends 

West Bengal keeps its date with Legislative history - June 29, 2026 Monday; --- Three critical Bills including on who is a Gooda and on Uniform Civil Code

In less than 60 days of coming to power, the first BJP Govt in West Bengal is set to write itself to  history.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's Govt will pilot .... 

A Bill for a new law/statute to extern and detain Goonda or the “anti-social” elements.

One draft law on the Uniform Civil Code

and the third, an amendment to the public order law to extract financial damages from those who vandalize property during riots and protests.  

The decision to move the Bills was taken at a Business Advisory Committee meeting convened by Speaker Rathindra Bose last week. 

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has been candid: 

“The Uniform Civil Code will happen in West Bengal. There is a procedure. I will speak in the Assembly. A committee is set up by a sitting judge, like in Gujarat, Assam and Uttarakhand.”  

The BJP is now set o implement its major election promises. 

In fact, West Bengal will become the fourth state to replace religion-based personal laws with a single, unified set of civil laws applicable to all citizens irrespective of religion and caste.

Earlier, Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam (lately) had enacted the UCC. Ram mandir at Ayodhya and abrogation of Art 370 along with the UCC were three major contentious issues taken up by the BJP from time to time. While Art 370 was done away with for Jammu and Kashmir on Aug 5, 2019; the same year on Nov 9th - the Supreme Court gave a mandate on the temple-masjid dispute at Ayodhya. 

In West Bengal, Muslims constitute nearly 30% of the population and hence the political fallout of such a move is well expected.  

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a "legal framework" designed to replace religion-based personal laws. 

It aims to establish a single, uniform set of civil laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and maintenance for all citizens, irrespective of their religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

Under Article 44, the UCC is rooted in the Indian Constitution as "Directive Principles of State Policy". 

It states: "The State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India."

The Suvendu Govt may bank on the Assam legislation, sources said. 

Assam has above 35-36 per cent Muslim population and a sizable Bengali Muslims.  

Among its key provisions, the Assam UCC law has provisions of a ban on polygamy and makes the registration of marriages and live-in relationships mandatory. 

Marriages ought to be registered within 60 days of the ceremony, while couples in live-in relationships will have to register within 30 days. It lays down penalties for non-compliance, with deliberate failure to register a marriage or divorce within the stipulated period attracting a fine of Rs 10,000. 

The West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, is the government’s instrument for dismantling what it has long described as the TMC’s street-level patronage machinery—the networks of extortion, booth-capture and coercion that the BJP spent years documenting in affidavits and press conferences while in Opposition.

The Bill defines a “goonda” as a person or member of a group, gang or syndicate who habitually commits, attempts to commit, abets, promotes, finances or facilitates anti-social activities, or has been charge-sheeted under BNS Sections 111 or 112, or is implicated under the Arms Act, NDPS Act, Explosive Substances Act or the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. Officials said a person once so designated, may be externed from a specified area or district for up to one year. District Magistrates, Commissioners of Police and officers of DIG rank and above will be empowered to issue such orders.

The Bill provides for preventive detention of up to 12 months and empowers the state to confiscate property linked to such offences.

An amendment to the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Act, 1972, will allow the administration to recover compensation from those convicted of damaging public or private property during riots, protests or other disturbances.

A Claims Commission, to be headed by a former district judge, will adjudicate such claims, with the power to assess losses, award compensation and appoint valuers.

The principle of strict liability will apply once the nexus between the incident and the damage is established, with liability imposable not only on direct perpetrators but on those who instigated, incited, abetted, organised, sponsored or harboured them.

ends 

 

"Two men from the same family ...." ::::: Changed Lifestyle Of Ram Temple Theft Accused :::: "Yogi Adityanath Adityanath may sharpen his image as an uncompromising Hindutva leader"

Two men from the same family have emerged at the centre of the Ayodhya Ram temple theft case. Anukalp Mishra and his brother-in-law, Lavkush Mishra, are among the eight arrested in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the temple's donation boxes.

Anukalp Mishra is being viewed as the mastermind of the temple theft case.

Anukalp had managed to get Lavkush appointed to his team that was tasked with counting the cash and other valuables donated by devotees. He is now being viewed as the mastermind of the racket that has sent shockwaves through the nation's political corridors.

A visit to his village in Ayodhya made new revelations about his upgraded lifestyle. For starters, his house stands out starkly from the rest. At first glance, it came across as the most luxurious property in Basava village.

(Notably, several villagers refrained from describing Anukalp as a "good person.") 

While the Mishras were not home, a relative who lived next door claimed that the two families had a dispute.

His neighbours also pointed to a dramatic shift in the family's financial situation. Many claimed the household was in "dire" financial straits not long ago, but now wants for nothing.  

The impact of UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s tough stance has already become evident. Trust general secretary Champat Rai and senior trustee Anil Mishra have resigned under mounting pressure from the state government.

Sources said both Rai and Mishra were initially reluctant to step down but relented after Adityanath publicly warned in Deoria on Friday that those guilty of “playing with the public’s faith” would face “grave consequences”.

Insiders claimed the trust had under Rai been firmly against the registration of an FIR but buckled under state government pressure.

Yogi Adityanath’s intent seems clear from the reception accorded by the SIT to Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh, among the first to allege corruption in the trust.

When Singh had earlier accused Rai and Mishra of irregularities in land purchases in Ayodhya and demanded a CBI probe, he had encountered a hostile administration and alleged that BJP workers had attacked his Delhi residence.

Last week, Singh was invited by the SIT to submit evidence. “I handed over documents related to the land scam in which Champat Rai, Anil Kumar Mishra, former BJP mayor Rishikesh Upadhyay and his nephew Deep Narayan are bound to get trapped,” Singh said.

He accused Rai of facilitating the alleged theft of temple donations. 

UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s constitution of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the alleged theft of temple donations and his declaration that “no one will be spared” are clearly meant to emphasise his image as the uncompromising face of Hindutva. 

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which is at the centre of the controversy, is dominated by RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad luminaries.  

Yogi's  commitment to Lord Ram and Sanatan Dharma is unquestionable. He will never go soft on a theft of this magnitude.

In fact, no senior BJP or RSS leader can publicly advise him to dilute the probe because the theft had put the credibility of the wider Sangh Parivar itself at stake.

Yogi Adityanath’s assertiveness may also reflect a longstanding resentment at his exclusion from the Ram temple trust. The Gorakhnath Math, which he currently heads, had played a pivotal role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement since 1949.

However, when the trust was formed in 2020, none from the Gorakhnath temple found a berth.  

snap: NDTV website 

Anukalp Mishra's grandfather, Rajendra Prasad Mishra, revealed that his grandson had organised a grand seven-day religious event in the village on April 30, complete with a kathavachak, or religious preacher.  

Several key figures attended the event, including Champat Rai, former general secretary of the Ram temple trust, who was seen in photos alongside Mishra. Ayodhya mayor and a representative of the district panchayat president were also present. 

Questions now arise over the source of the funds for such a big event.

ends 

Face to Face :::: Blow Cold, Blow Hot :::: There is "No Crisis" in India-Bangladesh border push ins ::: Modi Govt trying to "reset" the relationship with Dhaka !!! :: Who gains more if Sheikh Hasina returns 'home'

Any young Bengali kid - boy or girl, Hindu or Muslim; Indian or a "Bangladeshi" has grown up saying- "Maa-r kacchey jabo (Let me go to my mother, no more playtime now)".

Most 'adult' Bengalis - come what may - shall like to say effortlessly - "ami baari jabo (I want to go back home)".   

Blogger in Dhaka : 2017 

Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has made such a statement. She is not merely ventilating her 'wishes'; she has also set a timeline. 

Almost my entire life has been tied to the people of Bangladesh, to the Awami League, to the democratic struggle, and to the development of Bangladesh. 

"So, I want to say clearly: overcoming every obstacle and every conspiracy, I will return to my country this year."

This has led people to raise eyebrows. Hundreds of Awami League workers and leaders - now taking shelter in various parts of India - perhaps mostly in West Bengal, Tripura and some parts of Assam - are happy about Hasina's statement given during a media interview. 

But at the same time; they all are keeping fingers crossed. The refrain being - let us not cook the dish before the fish is captured in the net !  

I interacted with a senior Awami League leader (now in exile and in his hideout). He says:

"New Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi has been given rank of a cabinet minister. Trivedi’s "Bengal-politics' experence and identity and make him unique and certainly better equipped than a career diplomat.

The Modi Govt has played its best foot forward. It now wants to manage the relationship effectively with sincerity and giving a special respectability but it will now change BJP's domestic political equations vis-a-vis detect and deport of Bangladeshis".

Trivedi can navigate the cultural phenomenon of India-Bangladesh relationship much smoothly than anyone has done in the past".  

 

The problem for Dhaka ever since the ouster of  'Bangladeshi immigrant-friendly Mamata Banerjee' is that things have become complex. At the same time, both New Delhi and the new Suvendu-led regime in Kolkata are all set to implement detect, delete, and deport policy.

Apparently, around 5,000 people have been expelled without delay and avoiding any court-related formalities in the last few months.

Indian security and West Bengal police personnel have been escorting 'Bangladeshi groups' through cuts in the border fence at night. Earlier this year, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma (also from BJP) claimed that even in his state such strategies were being adopted. 

I argued with him for a while. And then he confessed; "As labour, the Bangladeshis were absorbed into India’s informal economy —construction, domestic work, and various supply chain between Bangladesh and West Bengal (under Mamata)." 

But essentially, they were "perfect outsiders or the illegal infiltrators" and whose presence will justify the BJP's policies about NRC, the CAA and the new policy of 'push ins'.   

Over the years, the BJP has built its 'political economy' in part on the Bangladeshi Muslim as a threat. 

There are different stages too. From the “infiltrator” (or mere Banglaeshis) language of the early 1990s, to Home Minister Amit Shah’s newly 'description' of migrants as “termites”.  

We have been calling this as the “Bangladeshi problem”. This portrayal of Bangladeshis as infiltrators or security threats — has existed in India for quite sometime now. 

In moments of riots, ethnic conflicts in the Northeast, or broader political tensions, the “Bangladeshis” have often emerged as the fault guys in the pastoral hamlets and even smaller towns.

The scenario is worth taking note of in places such as Dhubri, Cachar belt in Barak valley of Assam. 

Techically, such a set up suited the cops and other lower level functionaries in Babudom.

Bangladeshis can be easily made scapegoats -- someone who can be vilified and even criminalised without significant fallout to bilateral relations with Bangladesh.

However, there has been another kind of a problem. The Trinamool Congress sources say "The Bengali Muslims , that is Indians, and Bangladeshis become interchangeable categories often".  

The fact that many of such 'people' live in border districts in Assam and in West Bengal in areas such as Malda and Murshidabad. 

The fact they are both Muslim-majority and in border regions — makeit a good case to substantial the charge many of them are in India due to what is called the “Bangladeshi infiltration”.

Long back in the 1990s; Assam chief minister Hiteshwar Saika had said there was "no Bangladeshis" in the state. The Congress party's vote bank politics was at play. But around the same time, the then Nagaland chief minister  S C Jamir had said -- 

"Bangladeshis are increasing like rabbits". 

The Bangladeshi influx actually stands as a big menace for the state of Assam, the rest of north east India and also the rest of India. It may not be erroneous tosuggest that Bangladeshis have found 'home-stays' even in places like Delhi, Mumbai and parts of Kerala.

The Naga Students' Federtaion (NSF) said in 2023 that there was a need for a tough and honest government run by tough and honest leaders, tough and honest bureaucracy backed by tough and honest general public".

In other words they are calling for a vigilant society. And here is the catch.

In fact, Assam’s Nagaon to Daboka belt bordering Dimapur in Nagaland was already flooded with Bengali Muslims and also the Hindus even in the nineties and sons of the soil (Assamese) have been outnumbered. 

Natives believe that there was a sinister design in this demographic explosion; and sadly this got a huge bolster during the 1971 Bangladeshi struggle for freedom against Pakistan.  

The 2025 Immigration and Foreigners Act accelerated the process of detection and deporation.

Earlier law that was infiltrators friendly, the Foreigners Tribunal, has been donw away with from the deportation chain. 

Previously, suspected foreigners in Assam were supposed to appear before a tribunal before expulsion. The new administrative bypass is much more effective.

This also means the determination of foreignness is now a BSF/police function. 

It is working well even as som critics have said that there is a 'transition' or conversion of Citizenship into a security issue.

This was a vital step.

ends 

Older people hit hard :::: France records 1,000 excess deaths during record-breaking heatwave

France records 1,000 excess deaths during record-breaking heatwave, older people hit hard.

Scientists say the heatwave, which began on ​June 20, was the worst recorded in Europe, ​where the climate is changing faster than the global average.

Europeans ​have been enduring blistering conditions during a heatwave that has ​been linked to dozens of deaths - shattering records, disrupting power generation and damaging infrastructure.  

Scientists have said the heatwave, which began on ​June 20, was the worst recorded in Europe, ​where the climate is changing faster than the global average.  

France has recorded 1,000 excess deaths during the blistering heatwave sweeping Europe, the ​public health agency said on Sunday, warning that ‌the true figure was likely to be higher.

Detailing its preliminary count of excess deaths, Sante Publique said most of the ​fatalities involved older people and that it expected ​the mortality rate to rise as more information ⁠became available about deaths in residential care and homes.  

The heatwave has been moving east. But while France's weather agency said the extreme heat had diminished in most parts of the country, some areas in the ​northeast were still ​under a ⁠heatwave advisory.  

Health Minister Stephanie Rist told La Tribune newspaper that the impact of ​the heatwave could linger for as long ​as 10 ⁠days after the weather had ebbed.

"The episode is not finished," she told broadcaster BFM.

Most of the deaths involved ⁠people ​aged 65 and older, though the ​health effects of the extreme heat affected all categories of the population, ​Sante Publique said.