New Delhi has begun procuring 159 new bullet-proof troop carriers for deployment in Jammu and Kashmir. This marks a significant escalation in the region’s militarisation.
The Request for Information (RFI) specifies plans to deploy heavily armoured, high-mobility bullet-proof troop carriers (BPTCs) across operational zones in IIOJK. These vehicles are intended to operate effectively in extreme terrains and hostile environments.
The BPTCs will be right-hand-drive protected buses, capable of carrying up to 30 personnel. They must achieve speeds between 80–100 kmph on roads and 50–75 kmph off-road.
Additionally, the vehicles must remain fully operational at altitudes up to 5,000 metres and withstand temperatures ranging from minus 10°C to plus 40°C. This procurement reflects a broader strategy to modernise occupation infrastructure in the region.
In related news, fifteen residents have applied for ownership rights in Delhi’s unauthorised colonies. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has not yet received any applications for regularisation through the SWAGAM portal.
The MCD has also set up physical help desks at all its twelve zonal offices to assist applicants. They have received 430 applications from property owners in non-PM-UDAY areas as part of another regularisation initiative.
The Shaheen Group of Institutions recently expanded its presence in Delhi with the launch of Shaheen Academy, focusing on preparing students for medical entrance examinations like NEET. Dr. Abdul Qadeer stated, “Our goal is to ensure that quality education is not limited by geography or background.” The implications of these developments remain uncertain as more details emerge.
