Morning Brief: India Hit Underground Facility At Pakistan's Murid Air Base; L&T Sets Sights On Defence Sector Windfall; Impeachment Motion Against Justice Varma Soon

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High-resolution satellite images reveal significant damage at Pakistan’s Murid air base following Indian airstrikes on 10 May. According to NDTV, a three-metre-wide crater is seen just 30 metres from a likely underground facility, part of the base’s most secure complex. The strike also damaged a nearby command-and-control structure.

Geospatial expert Damien Symon told NDTV that the targeted area appears to be of high strategic value, pointing to its heavy fortifications, double fencing, watchtowers, and access control. He noted that the presence of earth-covered entrances could indicate the site is used to store special equipment.

Murid, located 150 km from the LoC in Chakwal, was among ten Pakistani airbases hit in India’s "measured and calibrated" response.

L&T Sets Sights On Defence Sector Windfall

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is planning to expand its defence business into a multi-billion dollar segment, up from Rs 6,185 crore in revenue last fiscal, ET has reported. The company secured Rs 13,326 crore worth of defence orders in FY24, a 29 per cent increase, with major contributions from a repeat order for K9 Vajra-T howitzers.

L&T’s shipyard in Chennai is equipped to build large warships and submarines, and the company was involved in the construction of India’s first nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arihant. It has also created a Rs 200-crore fund to invest in defence-focused startups, especially in areas like radar systems, launch technologies, and power distribution.

In parallel, L&T is targeting a 20 per cent market share in the nuclear power sector, aligning with the government’s Rs 20,000-crore Nuclear Energy Mission for developing small modular reactors in the country.

Impeachment Motion Against Justice Varma Soon

The government is expected to introduce an impeachment motion against former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma in the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament. This follows a Supreme Court-appointed three-member inquiry panel that found credible evidence supporting allegations that large sums of currency notes were discovered at his official residence during a fire incident on 14 March.

The panel’s findings prompted Chief Justice of India Khanna to recommend initiating impeachment proceedings against Varma. The move signals a serious effort to address judicial misconduct and maintain the sanctity and accountability of the judiciary. The government is currently finalising the details to formally present the motion, which would be one of the rare instances of parliamentary action against a judge.

Other Developments

India’s Goods Exports To Hit $525 Billion In FY26

India’s goods exports are projected to grow 12 per cent to $525 billion in FY26, rebounding from a flat $437 billion in FY25, driven by free trade agreements, resumed Red Sea shipping, and global buyers diversifying sources, according to exporters’ body FIEO. Total goods and services exports could reach $1 trillion, with services expected to grow 20 per cent to around $465-475 billion.

However, increased protectionism, including EU rules like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and Digital Product Passport, poses challenges, especially for MSMEs. India may gain about $5 billion in business from US-China trade tensions. The interim US trade deal exempting India from reciprocal tariffs and resumed Red Sea shipping are also expected to boost exports.

Unacademy Founders To Step Down Amid Strategic Shift

Unacademy cofounders Gaurav Munjal and Roman Saini are stepping down from active roles, with Sumit Jain set to take over as CEO, marking a leadership reshuffle at the edtech firm. The move comes as Unacademy pivots from online test prep to offline coaching centres amid a challenging post-pandemic landscape.

US Halts New Student Visa Interviews

The US State Department has paused all new interview appointments for student and exchange visitor visas globally. The move comes as the Trump administration prepares to expand social media screening of foreign applicants, citing national security concerns and fears of campus unrest. Interviews already scheduled will proceed, but no new slots will be opened until further notice, according to a diplomatic cable sent on Tuesday.

The directive follows heightened scrutiny of international students, including a recent case involving a Tufts University student arrested after writing a pro-Gaza op-ed. The administration is also targeting institutions like Harvard with proposed funding cuts and enrolment restrictions for foreign students.

From The States

Congress Appoints Gaurav Gogoi As Assam Party Chief

The Congress has named Gaurav Gogoi as Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president, challenging Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma amid their ongoing rivalry. Gogoi, MP from Jorhat, takes charge over a year before the Assembly elections, at a time when the party is struggling, having won only three of 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam last year.

Sarma and Gogoi’s rivalry dates back to when Sarma left Congress, accusing it of “despotic family centric politics” after Gogoi’s rise under his father, Tarun Gogoi. Recently, Sarma accused Gogoi and his British-born wife of ISI links and set up an SIT to investigate

Kamal Haasan’s Statement On Kannada Sparks Outrage

Actor Kamal Haasan sparked controversy by claiming at a Chennai film event that the Kannada language was born out of Tamil. He made the remarks during the audio launch of his film ‘Thug Life,’ where he called Kannada actor Shivarajkumar “family” and linked Kannada to Tamil.

Pro-Kannada groups, including Kannada Rakshana Vedike, strongly condemned Haasan’s comments and warned of serious repercussions if he continued such statements. In response, activists in Karnataka tore down promotional banners of the film in Bengaluru. The backlash highlights the sensitivity around language identity and regional pride in the region.

TN: Rajya Sabha Polls Test DMK, AIADMK Alliances

Tamil Nadu is gearing up for crucial Rajya Sabha elections on 19 June, with six seats up for grabs. The ruling DMK and opposition AIADMK are negotiating seat-sharing agreements with their allies amid intense political calculations. The DMK faces a key decision on whether to renominate longtime ally Vaiko, while actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan is expected to secure a seat.

The AIADMK, aiming for two seats, must balance demands from allies like the BJP, which is pushing for leader K Annamalai’s nomination. Past elections in the state have shown surprises, as smaller parties often win seats due to their strategic importance rather than legislative strength.

You’re all caught up—until next time.