INS Imphal commissioned; France passengers.
In a strategic move to bolster its maritime capabilities, the Indian Navy is set to commission INS Imphal, its latest indigenously built stealth-guided missile destroyer, at Mumbai’s Naval Dockyard. The ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, will be graced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. INS Imphal, belonging to the ‘Visakhapatnam’ class destroyers, marks a significant advancement in India’s naval strength, particularly in response to China’s expanding presence in the Indian Ocean region. Crafted by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, these destroyers exemplify India’s prowess in indigenous shipbuilding. The commissioning of INS Imphal signifies a crucial step in fortifying India’s security posture and naval capabilities in the strategically vital maritime domain.
Meanwhile, a charter plane carrying 276 passengers, primarily Indians, that had been grounded in France for four days over suspected human trafficking concerns finally landed at Mumbai airport on Tuesday morning. The Airbus A340, originating from Dubai and initially bound for Nicaragua, faced intervention by French authorities before departure. Tracked on Flightradar24, the plane touched down in Mumbai at 4 am after taking off from Vatry airport near Paris around 2:30 pm local time. This incident sheds light on the challenges and scrutiny faced by international flights amid heightened concerns over potential human trafficking activities.
