India plans 1000-Kg aerial bomb for IAF, raising regional concerns

NEW DELHI: India has initiated plans to procure a 1000-kg aerial bomb for its Air Force, citing indigenous design and development.

The Ministry of Defence has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the project.The move has raised concerns about India's military ambitions in the region. The bomb, akin to Mk-84, is designed to be compatible with both Russian and Western-origin aircraft operated by the IAF.

The project, valued at procuring 600 bombs, will be executed under the 'Make-II' category, followed by procurement under 'Buy (Indian-IDDM)'.

The development phase requires a minimum 50% indigenous content and is expected to be completed within 2.5 years. The IAF will facilitate the process, pushing for indigenous development to scale up operations.

BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya vows crackdown on Muslims in Bengal

In a move widely seen as reinforcing an Islamophobic agenda and targeting Muslims, BJP’s West Bengal chief Samik Bhattacharya has openly declared that his party would act against the so-called ‘Love Jihad’ and ‘Land Jihad’ if voted to power.

Bhattacharya, in an interview, framed the upcoming West Bengal elections as a “civilisational battle,” linking political discourse to identity, demography, and religion, while claiming that BJP would take decisive action against Muslims under the pretext of curbing alleged conspiracies. His remarks are being viewed by analysts as part of a broader pattern within the BJP, led by Narendra Modi, to stigmatize Muslims and consolidate votes through divisive rhetoric.

Bhattacharya asserted that the BJP would “end ‘Love Jihad’ and ‘Land Jihad’,” even if it faces accusations of communal politics, signaling an unapologetic stance on policies that critics say disproportionately target Muslims. He further attempted to justify these claims by alleging demographic changes and linking them to infiltration narratives, particularly in border districts of West Bengal.