Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday declared that “every inch of Pakistan’s territory lies within range of BrahMos,” asserting India’s enhanced defence capabilities. Speaking at the BrahMos Aerospace facility in Lucknow, where the first batch of indigenously produced missiles was flagged off, Singh described the weapon as “a symbol of India’s rising strength and confidence.”

He was joined by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the ceremony.

“Operation Sindoor was just a trailer”

Issuing a stern message to Pakistan, Singh said the recent Operation Sindoor was only a glimpse of India’s strength.
“Every inch of Pakistan’s territory lies within range of BrahMos. What happened during Operation Sindoor was just a trailer. It made Pakistan realise that if India could create Pakistan, then if the time comes… I need not say more,” Singh remarked.

The minister added that Operation Sindoor demonstrated that “victory has become a habit for India” and strengthened national confidence in the country’s military power.

“Make in India” milestone for Lucknow and UP

Highlighting the production milestone, Singh said the BrahMos project in Lucknow reflected India’s steady progress toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
“Lucknow is not just my constituency, it resides in my soul. The successful production of BrahMos missiles here shows that what was once a dream has now become reality,” he said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called the occasion a proud moment for Uttar Pradesh, adding that the Defence Industrial Corridor is transforming the state into a major defence manufacturing hub. “With a missile like BrahMos, India is now able to meet not only its own security needs but also those of its allies,” he added.

The state-of-the-art BrahMos Aerospace unit in Lucknow, inaugurated on May 11, houses modern facilities for missile integration, testing, and quality checks. After final testing, the missiles will be ready for deployment by the Indian armed forces.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday flagged off the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles produced at the newly established BrahMos Aerospace facility in Lucknow.

The event, held at the company’s advanced integration and testing unit in Sarojini Nagar, marked a significant achievement for India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC).

According to officials, the Lucknow-based facility has successfully produced the first series of the missile system, which will undergo final testing and quality checks before deployment by the Indian Armed Forces.

The state-of-the-art unit, inaugurated on May 11, 2025, is equipped with modern infrastructure for missile assembly, integration, and performance validation. The project represents a boost to India’s ongoing initiative to enhance indigenous production capabilities under the “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” programmes.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, and senior officials were also present during the ceremony.

Officials said the operationalization of the facility will not only strengthen India’s missile production capacity but also create employment opportunities and attract further investments into the state’s defence sector.

The Centre has announced a judicial investigation into the killing of four protesters in Leh during a police firing incident last month. The probe will be led by retired Supreme Court judge Justice BS Chauhan, the Home Ministry said in an official statement.

Justice BS Chauhan to head inquiry into Leh violence

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the inquiry will look into the events that led to the September 24 violence in Leh, where four people, including a Kargil war veteran, were killed in police firing.

The MHA statement read, “To ensure an impartial inquiry, the Ministry of Home Affairs has notified a Judicial Inquiry to be conducted by Dr Justice BS Chauhan into the circumstances leading to the serious law and order situation, the police action, and the resultant unfortunate death of four individuals.”

A judicial probe headed by a retired top court judge was among the key demands of Ladakhi groups seeking statehood and constitutional safeguards for the region.

Centre reiterates dialogue with Ladakh leaders

The Home Ministry reaffirmed that the government remains open to talks with local representatives. “We will continue to welcome discussions with Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) through the High-Powered Committee on Ladakh or any such platform,” it said, expressing confidence that “continuous dialogue will yield desired results.”

The ministry added that the government “stands committed to the aspirations of the people of Ladakh.”

Sonam Wangchuk accused of “instigating mob”

Following the September 24 violence, the MHA blamed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk for allegedly “instigating the mob through his provocative speech.” Wangchuk had been on a 15-day hunger strike demanding statehood and constitutional protection for Ladakh before violence broke out. He was later detained under the National Security Act and is currently lodged in Jodhpur jail.

Protests and growing unrest since 2019 bifurcation

Since Ladakh’s separation from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, after the abrogation of Article 370, there has been rising discontent in the region. Initially welcomed by many, the Union Territory status has since sparked widespread protests over the absence of political representation and legal protection of land, jobs, and culture.

In recent years, political and religious groups from both Leh and Kargil — including the Apex Body Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance — have united to push for constitutional safeguards.

Despite multiple rounds of discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Ladakhi leaders have claimed that their core demands were rejected, leading to the breakdown of talks earlier this year.