In Our Defence

On May 9, Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister and leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), was arrested outside the Islamabad High Court by paramilitary rangers. And after 50 hours of his arrest, the Pakistan Supreme Court declared the arrest illegal.

However, Khan’s arrest led to unprecedented protests between Khan's supporters and the police, resulting in six deaths and numerous injuries across several cities. The situation worsened when angry protesters stormed a radio station in Pakistan, and clashes between PTI supporters and the police broke out in Islamabad. Several violent protests erupted across Pakistan including at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and the residence of the Corps Commander in Lahore.

“Def-Savvy” Abhishek Bhalla and host Dev Goswami discuss why this incident turned into an anti-army movement. And what is the internal rivalry between the army and the ISI. Despite the chaos, is there a silver lining to this crisis?

“For the first time in history, the Pakistan army has been not only challenged but called out. The absence of any attacks on police stations, courts, or other state institutions has caught them off-guard. These images will be recorded in history as a significant moment of public protest against the military establishment in Pakistan,” says Abhishek.

Tune in to the full conversation!

Amidst the spotlight of a momentous event, the Indian Army's commissioning of five women in their Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Rekha Singh's extraordinary story shines through.
Overcoming tragedy, Singh's unwavering determination after losing her husband, Naik Deepak Singh, during the Galwan clash has set her on a path to honor his legacy. On June 15, 2020, Naik Deepak Singh was killed in action by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
This week's focus is on Singh's exceptional journey that captures the essence of unwavering determination and destiny, shedding light on the evolving landscape of women's participation in the armed forces. Alongside her story, Abhishek and also Dev delve into the motivations behind this shift, questioning if is it merely a public relations effort or a well-thought-out policy decision?

Tune in!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Amrit Regi

Two recent events have thrust India's security into the spotlight, raising important inquiries. The first incident involved a Naxal attack that claimed the lives of ten District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel and their driver in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada. Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, a terrorist assault orchestrated by seven individuals from Pakistani nationalist groups resulted in the deaths of five Army jawans. These incidents compel us to examine India's security challenges comprehensively.

Drawing from his experience in Naxalite-prone Sukma, Chhattisgarh, Abhishek Bhalla highlights the gravity of the situation, stating that it surpasses the perils of Kashmir. The discussion between Abhishek and host Dev Goswami further explores Pakistani terrorism, the Line of Control (LOC), the Kashmir situation, and China's involvement. The timing of these attacks, ahead of the SCO meeting chaired by India, where Pakistan and China will participate, raises significant concerns.

Furthermore, the impact of such attacks on the reiteration of the ceasefire at the LOC is a topic of examination. With the Pakistan Foreign Ministry suggesting the potential for an all-out war with India, Abhishek cautions against disregarding the ceasefire if even the slightest possibility holds true.

Join us for valuable insights into the pressing security issues facing India.

Def-Savvy Abhishek Bhalla and Dev Goswami discuss the controversial nature of "encounter killings" and "shoot-outs, exploring the history of the term, including its glorification by the press during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Abhishek also shares his own experiences covering the 2008 Batla House encounter. The conversation highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in law enforcement agencies' use of force.

Listen in!

The incident at the military station in Bathinda has left the nation reeling with shock and grief. The lack of clarity surrounding the events raised more questions than answers, making it one of the most intriguing and mysterious incidents in recent times.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and there was no confirmation on whether the perpetrators were army personnel or civilians. However, there were hints that the breach was internal, raising more questions about the security at the station.

The lack of information and the confusing details only added to the intrigue of the incident, begging answers from the authorities.

What has happened so far? Who will investigate the firing? What do the clues say right now? Dev and Abhishek talk about these and several other questions that surround this rare incident.

Listen in!

The renaming of these places in Arunachal Pradesh is not a new development, as China has been making territorial claims over the region for several decades. However, this recent move by China is seen as a provocative and aggressive action, as it not only challenges India's sovereignty over the region but also threatens to escalate tensions between the two countries.
In this episode, "Def-Savvy '' Abhishek Bhalla joined Dev Goswami to discuss what these attempts by the Chinese government really mean. What is this name changing all about? What do they really get out of this?
Listen in!

What was the messaging of the exercise ? What’s the experience in an airstrike exercise? Why does Abhishek call it “vague”? What was the larger aim of this exercise? The grouping of these nations, how is that determined? And what are the few interesting things that Abhishek lists, which he says, the Indian airforce wont state out officially, tune in to know!

In the latest edition of "In Our Defence," the show's host, Dev Goswami, and "Def-Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla continue their conversation with special guest Major Samar Toor, a decorated veteran with extensive experience serving in Siachen, South Sudan, and during the conflict in Kashmir.

Major Toor describes the challenges of operating in a war-torn environment in South Sudan, where everything and everyone was a potential threat, including child soldiers.

The discussion delves into the complexities of communal harmony and politics, with Major Toor highlighting the dangers of civil war. Listeners are invited to tune in to the full conversation to gain unique insights into the cultural dynamics of the Indian army and the challenges of operating in a conflict zone.

Catch the 1st part of the conversation here!

Listen in!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh

In celebration of the 50th episode of "In Our Defence," the show's host, Dev Goswami, and "Def-Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla are joined by special guest Major Samar Toor. With extensive experience serving in Siachen, South Sudan, and during the conflict in Kashmir, Major Toor offers unique insights into the cultural dynamics of the Indian army.

In the first part of the discussion, the trio engages in a thought-provoking conversation about Major Toor's experiences in Siachen, and explores the “misconception” that army personnel are known to be “abusive”. Major Toor shares his perspective and offers a candid look into the cultural diversity within the Indian army, where individuals from different communities unite under a common name, the regiment.

Furthermore, Major Toor talks about his spiritual journey and how he became a part of the infantry. He relives his experience of “challenging his commanding officer to send him to the toughest post in Siachen”.

Join the discussion to hear Major Toor's captivating stories and gain a deeper understanding of the cultural dynamics within the Indian army.

Abhishek Bhalla, the “Def-Savvy” national bureau head of India Today TV, is back after spending a day on-board INS Vikrant. The development of the indigenous aircraft carrier comes as a big shot in the arm for India’s fledgling defence manufacturing industry. With INS Vikrant, India joins a club of select nations that possess the wherewithal to build their own aircraft carriers.

On this episode of In Our Defence, Abhishek tells the show’s host Dev Goswami about his thrilling experience of being on-board the massive warship and of watching the adrenaline-pumping scenes of fighter jets taking off and landing in the middle of the sea.

Experiences apart, the two also discuss what makes the indigenous construction of INS Vikrant such a big deal and what it means for the Indian Navy’s long-held dreams of having a total of three aircraft carriers in operation at the same time (currently, the Navy has two).

The two also talk about the most crucial aspect of aircraft carrier: The aircraft themselves! With the Indian Navy right now having just about the number of fighter jets needed to operate two carriers, an important question is how and from where will the force get some urgently needed naval fighter jets.

Tune as Abhishek and Dev chat about the achievement that INS Vikrant is and what it signals for Indian Navy future expansion plans.