NEW DELHI: Learning from Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army is equipping its armoured regiments with dedicated drone units known as ‘Shaurya Squadrons’. These units are being integrated into tank formations to support surveillance, precision strikes, electronic warfare and logistics, adding drone capabilities directly to armoured operations.Just a few days ago, the Army tested a Shaurya Squadron in a realistic battle environment at Babina Field Firing Ranges near Jhansi, where Southern Army Commander Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth witnessed a drone squadron in action. Led by the White Tiger Division under the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, the 13-day drill showed how drone support added extra punch to the fire power of armoured regiments.On X, the Southern Command said, “Fielded in a realistic battle environment, Shaurya Squadron demonstrated the seamless integration of real-time surveillance assets with mechanised forces, attack helicopters, swarm strikes and coordinated firepower, enhancing battlefield awareness, compressing the sensor-to-shooter cycle and enabling swift, decisive battlefield response.”A source in the Army told TOI that “5-6 Shaurya Squadrons have been activated till now”. “However, the concept of the drone unit integration is still at a nascent stage and more trials are needed for perfection. The formal raising of such units will happen after a formal approval is received,” the source said.The Army operates one of the world’s largest main battle tank fleets with 63 armoured regiments. Each regiment is typically equipped with about 45 tanks, constituting a total fleet of roughly 4,500 tanks, including T-90S Bhishma, upgraded T-72 M1 ‘Ajeya’, and Arjun MK1/MK1A variants.Drawing lessons from global conflicts, including Russia-Ukraine war, that are drone-centric, the Indian Army is gradually pushing to institutionalise UAV or drone capabilities across its arms.In the infantry, the Army last year raised Ashni platoons, equipped with surveillance UAVs and loitering munitions for tactical ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and strike roles. In the artillery, Divyastra batteries have been raised to integrate UAV-based targeting with conventional guns for faster and more autonomous engagement cycles.

US President Donald Trump has pushed back his deadline for possible strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure for 10 more days, saying the pause came at Tehran’s request and stressing that negotiations are moving in a positive direction.In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he was delaying any action by 10 days until April 6 at 8 pm Eastern Time. “As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8pm, Eastern Time,” Trump said.“Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well,” he added.The move comes amid continued diplomatic efforts, with US envoy Steve Witkoff saying there were “strong signs” Tehran could be open to negotiations. The deadline, originally set as a 48-hour ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on power facilities, has now been extended multiple times.Witkoff also revealed that Washington had sent a 15-point proposal to Iran through intermediaries in Pakistan, describing the moment as a potential turning point. Iran has reportedly responded via backchannels and is awaiting a US reply.According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, Tehran’s response includes demands that go beyond the US proposal — calling for an end to US and Israeli strikes, reparations, and recognition of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz.Speaking at the White House, Trump alternated between threats and optimism, saying Iran wanted a deal but only after facing heavy military pressure. He also suggested the US could take control of Iran’s oil resources, drawing comparisons to past actions in Venezuela.Meanwhile, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that the ongoing conflict is stretching Israel’s military capacity. He criticised the government for pushing the country into a multi-front war without sufficient planning or resources.Israeli military spokesperson Effie Defrin also highlighted the need for more troops, particularly along the Lebanese front, as operations expand.

MUMBAI: FDA minister Narhari Zirwal of NCP found himself at the centre of a fresh controversy on Thursday after a video showing him with a transgender person in a bedroom went viral. The video shows Zirwal asleep and the trans person sitting next to him. Another clip shows the person lying on the bed with Zirwal in the room.Ravi Yadav, claiming to be the brother of Pavan Yadav who’s allegedly in the video, told a TV channel, “She’s recorded videos and taken photos with powerful people. She blackmails and extorts them. She also wanted powerful positions like an MLC or a position on the transgender board. She was blackmailing me too.” Congress and activist Anjali Damania demanded Zirwal be sacked.Mumbai: NCP politician Amol Mitkari questioned the motive behind the video and said it was a conspiracy against his party colleague Narhari Zirwal, who had been the first to demand Dy CM Sunetra Pawar should replace her late husband Ajit Pawar as chief of NCP after his death in an air crash in Jan. This is the second controversy to besiege Zirwal, a politician from the tribal-dominated Dindori district. Just two months ago, the Anti-Corruption Bureau had caught a clerk in his office accepting a bribe of Rs 35,000. At that time too, the opposition had demanded his resignation. Both controversies emerged after Ajit Pawar’s death. After the air crash, Zirwal was the first leader from the party to say Ajit Pawar’s NCP should be merged with that of his uncle Sharad Pawar. State Congress chief Harshavardhan Sakpal said, “This govt should be dismissed. The Epstein files are infamous in the world. The Fadnavis govt has such ministers.” Damania said, “This is a shameful video. The same minister was earlier connected to a bribery case. Does the party want to showcase such leadership? He should be sacked immediately.” However, Mitkari said, “Why has this 8-month-old video surfaced immediately after the assembly session? It has probably been done because the SIT in the case of rape accused astrologer Ashok Kharat will expose powerful people. This will distract from that case.” Mitkari added, “This is a pre-planned conspiracy. Zirwal was the first leader to say Sunetra Pawar should succeed her husband as NCP chief. Then the bribery case surfaced. When that seemed to go cold, this controversy has come up.” Pressure, meanwhile, is mounting on Sunetra Pawar not only from opposition but from her own party members to take some tough decisions regarding state chief of NCP women’s wing Rupali Chakankar and Zirwal. The new Zirwal controversy erupted on a day Sunetra completed one month as NCP president. Some party office-bearers from Nashik, Ahilyanagar and other units have written to Sunetra Pawar seeking Chakankar’s removal as women’s wing chief after her name cropped up in the astrologer Ashok Kharat case. Prerana Balkawade, chief of Nashik NCP’s women wing said, “NCP’s image is getting tarnished after Chakankar’s name got linked to the Kharat case.” (With inputs from Anurag Bende in Pune)

For the IPL 2026 season, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have a power-packed batting order. Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Prashant Veer, Dewald Brevis, Kartik Sharma, Sarfaraz Khan… All are well capable of scoring runs at a rapid pace, which doesn’t mean that they all will score tons of runs in the upcoming season. Who will be the highest run getter for the team? Former Team India and CSK spinner Ravichandran Ashwin answered the challenging question.

Unlike any of the big hitters, Ravichandran Ashwin selected the captain Ruturaj Gaikwad as the possible contender to score the most amount of runs for the Yellow brigade in IPL 2026. Gaikwad will enter the campaign with a clinical domestic season with Maharashtra.

Why Ruturaj Gaikwad could be the top run scorer for CSK in the IPL 2026 season?

In the previous edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the top order batter recorded 413 runs from seven games, averaging 82.60 and a strike rate of 115.04. These stats are supported by a couple of centuries and a half-century.

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Ashwin senses that Ruturaj Gaikwad will try to play an anchor role, while the other batters around him will score runs at a fast pace. If, according to Ashwin’s prediction, Gaikwad remains on the track from the beginning to the end of an innings, then his run-scoring chances will increase automatically.

“Best batter – Ruturaj. I think he will bat at three. His role will be to play till the end. I feel he will look to anchor and the others will keep hitting around him. That is why I think he could get the volume of runs,” Ravichandran Ashwin said on his official YouTube channel ‘Ash ki Baat’.

Can the former champions qualify for the play-offs?

The former spinner believes that the team has the potential to qualify for the play-offs. To do that, Ashwin suggests the top order batters score tons of runs.

He also stated that to qualify for the knockout phase, the bowlers also need to perform according to the plans as well. On paper, CSK’s bowling attack is looking not among the best on paper, especially after the injury of Nathan Ellis.

“CSK will compete very hard to be at three or four. I feel they are a part of the three, four, five, and six contenders. If their top three or two at least score 500 runs each, and they find bowlers to execute plans and get their top two firing, I definitely feel they will get through. The bowling might not look strong, but in the past, they have found bowlers to do the job. I feel they are in contention,” Ashwin added.

Injuries to top bowlers can be beneficial for the team

Ashwin further explained that as some of the ace bowlers like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood are expected to miss multiple early matches, the Chennai Super Kings will have a great chance to gain an advantage, utilising the situation.

“If CSK start well, then before guys like Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood come, you will feel RCB and SRH are having to catch up. If they start slow, and you hit the ground running as CSK, then you are set for a very good finish,” he pointed out.

Read More: “Should not play”: CSK legend suggests MS Dhoni to skip IPL 2026