In a major milestone for India's space programme, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) successfully launched its heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03, aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket -- nicknamed 'Bahubali' for its massive lifting power -- at 5:26 pm on Sunday from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The 43.5-metre-tall LVM3-M5 carried the 4,410-kg CMS-03 satellite to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The mission marks Isro's heaviest satellite launch from Indian soil, a significant step toward achieving complete self-reliance in heavy-lift capabilities.

According to mission updates, the rocket's L110 stage began operations as planned, with the launch progressing nominally.