India deploys indigenous ‘suicide drones’ in strikes on terror camps in Pakistan, PoK: Report
New Delhi: In a retaliatory move following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, the Indian Army reportedly carried out precision strikes on terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) using indigenously developed “suicide drones.”
Dubbed Operation Sindoor, the strikes signify a tactical evolution in India’s defence capabilities. According to defence sources, the operation marked the first known use of indigenously-manufactured loitering munition systems in an active combat scenario.
These drones, officially known as Low-Cost Miniature Swarm Drones or Loitering Munitions, are believed to be the SkyStriker variant, a product jointly developed by Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies and Israel’s Elbit Systems.
Unlike traditional UAVs, loitering munitions hover over target areas, identify threats, and strike with precision, effectively blending the features of surveillance drones and guided missiles. Each SkyStriker unit can carry a 5 to 10 kg warhead, has a range of around 100 kilometers, and operates silently due to its electric propulsion, making it ideal for low-altitude, stealth missions.
Sources indicate that the Indian Army placed an emergency order for around 100 SkyStriker drones in 2021, with manufacturing taking place at a facility in western Bengaluru. These drones are considered cost-effective and efficient tools against unconventional threats, providing frontline forces with real-time reconnaissance and offensive capabilities without endangering personnel.
Although there is no official confirmation from the Indian government about the use of these drones, political leaders across party lines have praised the armed forces for the successful execution of Operation Sindoor.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has temporarily suspended flight operations at key airports including Karachi, Lahore, and Sialkot amid heightened tensions.
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Bill to set up single higher education regulator likely to be tabled in Parliament next week
New Delhi (PTI): A Bill which seeks to set up a single regulator for institutions of higher education is required to facilitate universities and other higher educational institutes become independent and self-governing, officials said.
The Bill is likely to be introduced in Parliament next week after it got the Union Cabinet's nod on Friday.
The proposed legislation, which was earlier christened the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, has now been named Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill.
A single higher education regulator, which was proposed in the new National Education Policy (NEP), looks to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).
"The Bill proposes to set up a Higher Education Commission of India to facilitate universities and other higher educational institutes become independent and self-governing institutions and to promote excellence through a robust and transparent system of accreditation and autonomy. It is likely to be introduced (in Parliament) in the coming week," an official said.
While the UGC presently oversees non-technical higher education in the country, the AICTE oversees technical education, while the NCTE is the regulatory body for teachers' education.
The Commission is proposed to be set up as a single higher education regulator, but medical and law colleges will not be brought under its ambit.
It is proposed to have three major roles -- regulation, accreditation and setting professional standards, officials said.
Funding, which is seen as the fourth vertical, is not proposed to be under the regulator so far. The autonomy for funding is proposed to be with the administrative ministry, they said.
