Ladakh is a union territory located in the northern part of India. It is bounded by Jammu and Kashmir to the west and Himachal Pradesh to the south. Its eastern and northern borders are disputed with China and Pakistan respectively.
Ladakh was a part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir from 1947 till 2019. On October 31, 2019, it was administered into a separate union territory after the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, was passed and the state of J&K was split into two union territories - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The territory extends from the Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram range to the north to the main Great Himalayas to the south. Ladakh is divided into two districts - Leh and Kargil. The only airport of Ladakh is in Leh called the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport.
The climate of Ladakh is very cold and dry and experiences snowfall. Two languages are mainly spoken in Ladakh - Bauti (a Tibetan language) dominant in Leh district and Purkhi dominant in Kargil district. Hindi, Urdu and English are some other languages of the union territory.
Tourism is a significant source of revenue for Ladakh. Leh Palace is among Ladakh’s principal historical attractions. The area also houses several monasteries, historical and religious sites. Furthermore, it also has hot mineral springs, lakes like Pangong and Zanskar, Khardung La pass and many more scenic places.
This edition of India First show focusses on escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian naval commandos have seized commercial vessels.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, former Army General Manoj Mukund Naravane discussed the row over his unpublished book, 'Four Stars of Destiny', and the military's handling of the situation at the Line of Actual Control.
At least seven people were killed and five injured after multiple avalanches buried several vehicles along the Srinagar–Leh highway near Zoji La on Friday.
Senior Defense Advisor Jeffrey H Fischer, speaking in an exclusive interview with India Today TV, reflected on the resignation of Joe Kent, former head of the US National Counter-terrorism Center, who stepped down over the war with Iran.
At an altitude of 14,300 feet, amid the icy expanse of Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh, troops of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police’s North West Frontier marked Holi with residents of nearby border villages. Against a stark, snowbound backdrop, soldiers and civilians came together in a rare high-altitude celebration of colour and camaraderie. Local children added warmth to the occasion, presenting a vibrant cultural programme that infused the freezing landscape with music, dance and festive cheer.
In this special edition of 'Chakravyuh', former army commanders Lieutenant General Raj Shukla and Lieutenant General DP Pandey addressed political allegations surrounding the 2020 India-China standoff and General Manoj Mukund Naravane's unpublished memoir, 'Four Stars of Destiny'.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi launched a fresh attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that he failed to take responsibility during the 2020 India-China military standoff in eastern Ladakh. Speaking to reporters and within Parliament premises, Gandhi said he was ready to personally hand over an unpublished “memoir” of former Army Chief General M M Naravane to the Prime Minister if he attended the Lok Sabha. “I don’t think the Prime Minister will have the guts to come to the House today. If he does, I will physically go and give him this book so he can read it and the country can know the truth,” Gandhi said. Displaying the manuscript to the media, the Congress leader claimed the book contains details of how the government handled the situation when Chinese troops and tanks reached the Kailash Ridge during the border standoff. Quoting from the document, Gandhi alleged that General Naravane had sought guidance from then Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the National Security Adviser but did not receive a clear response. He further claimed that when the Army Chief asked how to respond to Chinese movements, he was told that the “top” leadership had instructed that Indian forces should not open fire without permission. According to Gandhi, the Prime Minister’s message to the Army Chief was “jo uchit samjho woh karo” (do what you think is right), which he described as an abdication of responsibility. “This shows the Prime Minister did not fulfil his duty. He passed the buck to the Army Chief. It meant ‘this is not in my control’,” Gandhi said.
A massive showdown erupted in parliament on Monday after Rahul Gandhi tried to quote from former army chief Naravane's unpublished memoir claiming the government showed no political will against Chinese incursions in 2020.
A massive political war erupted in Lok Sabha as Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi sought to quote an unpublished "memoir" of former Army chief M M Naravane on the 2020 India-China conflict in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
In this edition of 'To The Point', the big talking point is the political confrontation in Lok Sabha following Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s references to an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General MM Naravane.
During the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address, Gandhi raised concerns regarding India-China relations and the military situation at the Kailash Ridge in eastern Ladakh.
On this Special Report, correspondent Ashraf Wani provides an update on the severe weather conditions across the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh. Following heavy snowfall on Thursday and Friday, temperatures in Srinagar plummeted to -6 degrees Celsius at night. Wani notes that 'The fresh snowfall has set stage for these ongoing Winter Games in Leh-Ladakh' under the Khelo India initiative, but the weather has caused significant logistical hurdles elsewhere. The Jammu-Srinagar highway, Mughal road, and Srinagar-Kharagpur highway remain closed, effectively cutting off the region by road. While electricity has been partially restored in Srinagar, many hilly areas remain without power due to damaged infrastructure. The Met Department warns of a new western disturbance entering the system on Monday, bringing another spell of heavy snowfall to the region. The report highlights the dual nature of the season, benefiting winter sports while severely disrupting daily life and essential services for residents.
This report highlights a significant administrative reshuffle in the national capital as IAS officer Sanjeev Kherwar is appointed the new Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The 1994-batch officer returns to a high-profile role in Delhi after being shunted to Ladakh in 2022 following a massive controversy. The speaker notes that 'Sanjeev Kherwar, the same man, the IAS officer, in fact, the top Babu, who was shunted to Ladakh, has now, in fact, been broken as the new MCD commissioner'. The appointment, notified by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, comes just ahead of the MCD's budget presentation. The bulletin recalls the 2022 incident at Thyagaraj Stadium where Kherwar was accused of halting athlete practices to walk his dog, sparking allegations of VVIP racism. While Kherwar denied the charges at the time, his return to a central role in Delhi's administration is expected to trigger fresh political reactions from the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress.
This report from Kartavya Path details the Indian Army's operational preparedness and modernization for the 2026 Republic Day parade. The coverage highlights indigenous weapon systems including the 400 km range BrahMos cruise missile, the Akash and MRSAM air defence systems, and the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System, also known as Amogh. Emphasizing Atma Nirbharta, the report showcases the debut of the Bhairav Battalion, a unit designed for future warfare that bridges the gap between infantry and special forces. The display includes the 'Hell March,' T-90 Bhishma tanks equipped with cope cages for drone protection, and unmanned ground vehicles named Krishna and Nigraha. Additionally, the report features 'Drone Shakti' mobile repair units, the Jackalai regiment, and animal contingents such as Bactrian camels from Ladakh and anti-drone raptors Karan and Arjun. These preparations demonstrate the integration of technology with traditional resources to ensure national sovereignty across all terrains.
On this Special Report, Muzaffar Ahmad reports from the Srinagar-Kargil Highway on the transformative impact of the Zojila Tunnel project. Highlighting the strategic importance of the region, Ahmad states, 'This is a mega project which will be the game changer for the Ladakh region, not only for the people living in the Ladakh region, a boost for the tourism, but also for the security of the country.' The report explains that while the Sonmarg tunnel has already made Sonmarg accessible in winter, the upcoming Zojila Tunnel will ensure the Ladakh and Kargil regions remain connected by road year-round. This connectivity is crucial for transporting weaponry and essential items to the Line of Actual Control regardless of the season. Ahmad notes that despite current temperatures dropping to minus 25 degrees centigrade in areas like Mini-marg, the completed tunnel will provide a comfortable and reliable route for both civilians and army personnel, bypassing the extreme cold and heavy snowfall that historically isolated the region for months.
This special report highlights the alarming impact of global warming on the Himalayan glaciers in the Kargil region of Ladakh. The speaker notes that despite chilling winter temperatures, the lack of snowfall in mid-January is causing glaciers to shrink and water levels in local streams to recede. The report emphasizes that 'Global warming is the major issue and threat for the mankind across the globe as well as in India.' This environmental shift poses a severe threat to drinking water supplies, agriculture, and horticulture in the region. The speaker warns that the vanishing glaciers will have a long-term impact on the tributaries of major rivers that sustain life in both India and Pakistan. The programme underscores the visible changes in the Himalayan states of Kashmir, where the reduction of water flow in streams is becoming increasingly evident during the peak winter months.
On this special report of India Today Global, host Geeta Mohan discusses the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new sanctions targeting 18 individuals and entities accused of helping the Iranian regime evade oil sanctions. Bessent stated, 'Today's sanctions target 18 individuals and entities that the regime uses to evade sanctions on Iranian oil and divert proceeds from its energy sales away from the rightful owners, the Iranian people.' The report highlights President Donald Trump's 'maximum pressure' policy, including a 25% tariff on nations doing business with Tehran. The programme also examines India's contingency plans to evacuate nearly 10,000 citizens from Iran amid the volatility. Professor Mohammad Marandi and other analysts provide insights into the potential for military escalation and the impact of these economic measures on the Iranian establishment and its people.
On this Special Report, India Today correspondent Muzaffar Ahmad Ashrafani reports from the Kargil region on the severe cold wave gripping North India, particularly Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Muzaffar Ahmad Ashrafani notes that 'In some areas the temperature dipped down to minus 50 degree', highlighting the extreme conditions faced by Indian Army soldiers. The report details how troops maintain a 24-hour vigil along the Line of Control (LOC) and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) despite temperatures falling to minus 40 degrees at night. The programme explores the resilience of the brave soldiers who remain fit for duty and ensure the nation's security amidst volatile situations and sub-zero daytime temperatures. The report emphasizes the challenges faced by both locals and the military in one of the world's harshest winter environments.
This special report highlights the extreme weather conditions in Dras, Kargil, known as the second coldest inhabited place on Earth. The speaker notes that 'The temperatures here nowadays are dipping down to minus 25 during night' and currently stand at minus 15 degrees even with the morning sun. The report illustrates the severity of the chill, showing frozen rivers and ice-fog that coats surrounding trees. Despite the life-threatening cold that has brought local markets and activities to a standstill, the strategic importance of the Ladakh region remains paramount. The programme emphasizes the resilience of the Indian Army soldiers who maintain a high vigil along the Line of Control and the Line of Actual Control, where mountain-top temperatures can drop to minus 50 degrees. The report provides a glimpse into the immense challenges of guarding the nation's borders in such harsh, sub-zero environments where even basic equipment and communication devices frequently freeze.
A Special Report with Gaurav Sawant details India's dual security and diplomatic challenges. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi confirms that "Operation Sindoor" is ongoing, revealing a fierce fire assault in the Lipa Valley sector killed at least 100 Pakistani soldiers. This occurs amid intense political friction in New Delhi after a Communist Party of China (CPC) delegation met with both the BJP and the RSS, a first since the 2020 Galwan clash. The Congress party criticized the government for the engagement, which happened as China reaffirmed claims over the Shaksgam Valley. However, a senior Congress leader also met the same delegation. Experts Brahma Chellaney and Shrikant Kondapalli analyze if this signals a tactical shift while border disputes in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh persist and India maintains that Shaksgam Valley is its sovereign territory.
