In Our Defence

The 2019 Balakot airstrike was a significant military operation conducted by the Indian Air Force in response to the Pulwama terrorist attack. This marked the first time since the 1971 War that Indian aircraft had conducted an airstrike on Pakistani soil.

The strike targeted a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot, Pakistan. The Indian Mirage-2000 fighter pilots carried out the airstrike, aiming to eliminate terrorist threats.

The following day, the Pakistan Air Force retaliated with a strike in the Rajouri sector of Jammu. In the ensuing aerial battle, India claimed to have shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter aircraft while losing a MiG-21, with its Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman captured after ejecting over Pakistani-held territory. Later, he was repatriated.

The aftermath of the airstrike saw controversies, including unverified news in the newsrooms and conflicting reports. The duo, Dev Goswami and Shiv Aroor recount their experiences covering the event. They discuss the preparations for the airstrike and the controversies surrounding the strike; for one, the Indian Air Force has confirmed "hitting targets," but there is no official estimation of casualties — if any — yet, and Pakistan's response, exploring claims that they intentionally missed targets in India to avoid escalating to an all-out war.

Shiv Aroor and co-author Rahul Singh have also covered the detailed account of the Balakot airstrike, including planning, execution, and aftermath in their book 'India's Most Fearless.'

Listen in as we bring you the inside and unearthed details of the two tense days!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

In 2024, India's focus on strengthening its air power centers around the Tejas, its indigenous fighter aircraft. The Defence Ministry's approval for acquiring 97 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk 1A marks a significant step in bolstering the Indian Air Force's capabilities.

With just two Tejas squadrons currently in operation, the Air Force faces the challenge of maintaining its strength at 31 squadrons, well below the standard requirement of 42. In a discussion between India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor Shiv Aroor and host Dev Goswami, the implications of this shortfall are explored. Why is the benchmark of 42 squadrons crucial, and what hurdles arise from not meeting this target?

What are the reasons behind India's reliance on foreign aircraft? Shiv questions the over-reliance on foreign fighters, and having eight different types of aircraft, labeling it a "zoo" and a "beauty contest" of aircraft. Why is managing eight different aircraft types a challenging nightmare?

Listen in to know why Shiv believes that Built-in-India is a fig leaf, why it has not worked for India at all, and what Made-in- India fighters of foreign origin actually mean for the Indian exchequer.

Listen in!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

In this episode, India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor Shiv Aroor and host Dev Goswami explore the complexities of Jammu and Kashmir, focusing on the volatile districts of Rajouri and Poonch. They analyze a recent deadly ambush in Poonch that claimed the lives of four Indian Army jawans and the mysterious deaths of three civilians in Baffliaz, allegedly due to torture during Army questioning.

What makes Rajouri-Poonch, situated near the Line of Control, such a contentious flashpoint? Is the region's proximity to the border a key contributing factor to the volatility?

Shiv, drawing on his 20 years of experience and yearly visits to Kashmir, explains how the region's terrain provides terrorists with a vantage point, making it susceptible to violence. Despite incidents, there's another side—post the abrogation of Article 370, the region has seen reduced violations, leading to a four-fold increase in tourism in 2022 according to government data.

However, recurring incidents like the recent ambush raise concerns. Has peace and normalcy genuinely returned to the region? Are the youth truly disenchanted with the military, considering the decrease in militant recruits in 2023?

The duo digs into these details.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

Dawood Ibrahim, the notorious figure behind the 1993 Mumbai blasts, is once again in the spotlight amid claims of being poisoned. Designated a global terrorist in 2003 by both India and the United States, Ibrahim carries a staggering $25 million bounty on his head due to his alleged orchestration of the 1993 Bombay bombings and involvement in various crimes such as extortion, murder, and smuggling.

Although rumours abound regarding his alleged poisoning and subsequent hospitalisation, reliable intelligence sources have discredited these claims.

But why does news about Dawood remain palatable to India? And how much of a threat is he actually to India?

It's been over four decades since he went into hiding, morphing into a shadowy figure. Does his ability to evade authorities raise questions about the failure of India's security apparatus and the potential mesh of corruption behind his rise?

And what are the practical difficulties in actually ‘poisoning’ Dawood?

India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor Shiv Aroor and host Dev Goswami discuss.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

In this episode, India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor Shiv Aroor joins host Dev Goswami to discuss a speculative yet intriguing topic – the mysterious deaths of individuals predominantly linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed or Lashkar-e-Taiba, deemed as anti-India elements, occurring in locations like Canada, the UK, and predominantly in Pakistan.

The most controversial case being that of Hardeep Singh Nijjar,  a Sikh separatist leader and Canadian citizen. Canada PM Trudeau made a series of claims that alleged the involvement of Indian government agents in his killing.

In another case, the U.S. Department of Justice has indicted a senior Indian government intelligence official for allegedly plotting the assassination of U.S. citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil.

The deaths, often attributed to unidentified gunmen, have raised eyebrows and conspiracy theories, with questions such as: Does India have a covert hit squad, efficiently eliminating threats without detection?

Is there a discernible pattern to the deaths, and what is the rationale behind these covert operations? What is the modus operandi of India's R&AW agency, and can we decipher the truth behind these covert missions?  Amidst the murky details, the hosts explore patterns, plausible explanations, and the historical context of India's covert operations.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

In Our Defence team is back and how! With a different avatar!

In Season 2, India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor, Shiv Aroor, joins host Dev Goswami, where they will talk of more guns and battles, wars and coups, interspersed with tales of glory from the battlefields!

This episode delves into major global events—Russia's war in Ukraine, the India-China conflict, and the Israel-Hamas conflict. Shiv provides on-the-ground insights from Tel Aviv, analysing whether Israel, in combating terrorists, might inadvertently adopt tactics resembling those they oppose. He recounts a former IDF chief telling him, that “Israel will spend the next 25 years recovering its reputation”.

Why does the Israel-Hamas issue persist cyclically? What unfolds in the Russia-Ukraine war, and how concerned should India be? “I see a lot of blood between Russia and Ukraine next summer but the silver lining is that they will be in some way forced to a resolution,” Shiv says.

And what developments are on the horizon for the India-China front? 

Listen in!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

In Episode 82 of "In Our Defence," we share a special and bittersweet moment as we bid farewell to our insightful "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla, as he embarks on new endevaours.

Our Host Dev Goswami, and Abhishek take a nostalgic journey, reflecting on the highs and lows of the episodes done so far. What are the key takeaways from the diverse themes covered thus far?

They delve into significant global conflicts, including India-China, Russia-Ukraine, and Israel-Hamas, raising essential questions about the government's handling of the India-China issue. The military's unease about territorial access sparks curiosity – if the Indian government is not confrontational with China now, what guarantees access in the future?

Where do we foresee these conflicts, especially Russia’s invasion into Ukraine, evolving? Where do we see the war going?

PS: We will be back after a short break, with a different avatar!

Stay Tuned!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

The recently released movie "Tejas," featuring Kangana Ranaut, has sparked a debate around nationalism, with the actress suggesting that every nationalist should watch her film. But regarding the intersection of cinema and nationalism - how problematic is it to equate patriotism with watching a particular movie?

Our host, Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla discuss everything about the representation of defence and war-themed movies in Bollywood, where the evolution from traditional heroism and patriotism to a more nuanced exploration of conflict is evident. The advent of OTT platforms has provided a broader canvas for storytelling, prompting inquiries into the impact and the role of nationalism in these narratives.

And what sets Indian cinema's representation of war and conflicts apart from Western cinema, and to what extent should war movies be fictionalised or based on factual positions? Are cinematic liberties justified in depicting wars and conflicts, and what about the glorification of machismo and hyper-masculinity in some over-the-top scenes? Political overtones in movies, exemplified by films like "Kashmir Files," also raise questions about the role of cinema in shaping public opinion.

Despite a wealth of war-themed content, why is there a lack of an iconic war epic in Bollywood, why Indian cinema hasn’t really done justice to a lot of material that's readily available, for example on the 1961 war with China, battle of Rezang La, 1971 war.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

Why do Indians seem to be more interested in the Israel-Hamas conflict compared to the Russia-Ukraine war, which has greater geopolitical impact and trade-business implications for India, considering the significant defense partnership with Russia?

Many Indians draw a simplistic parallel between Israel and themselves as victims of terror. Why is this belief prevalent, and why do our host, Dev Goswami, and "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla hold differing views on this? What are the key differences and similarities between the situations of India and Israel?

Also, Israel has recently conducted a series of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and issued an ultimatum for the evacuation of 1.2 million civilians in northern Gaza. However, this ultimatum has expired without action yet. Given the evolving dynamics, will Israel consider a ground invasion due to growing threats from Hezbollah in the northern part and warnings from Iran about preemptive actions? Will this invasion happen? And will Israel be able to decimate Hamas amid such sort of pressure building against it? If yes, what happens to Gaza then?

Listen in!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Nitin Rawat

Israel has launched a series of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, and there are preparations for a potential ground offensive. The Israeli military has issued an ultimatum, calling for the evacuation of 1.2 million civilians in northern Gaza, urging them to relocate to the southern part of the region.

On our show, Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla delve into the strategic implications of Israel's decision to launch a ground invasion. Israel's challenge lies in fighting a war in a densely populated area like Gaza, with a high risk of ambushes and booby traps. Drawing parallels with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, they highlight the increased risk of ambushes when transitioning from open areas to urban settings.

The discussion also revolves around how Israel, with its professional military, will contend with Hamas, a terrorist organization with a well-established military network. Can they simply bomb the ground tunnels that Hamas operates from? But the identification of these tunnels poses a significant challenge.

Can Israel fight the war tactically? Can Israel win the war just by the ground invasion?

And regarding the halo around Israeli security forces, we also discuss Fauda; why is it that such a series is mostly celebrated in India and not so much by the western media? Tune in to find out!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Nitin Rawat