VIF News Digest: National Security - Defence Studies & Terrorism, 16-31 October 2020

DEFENCE

  • India – Kazakhstan Defence Cooperation: Webinar and Expo held.
  • BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile Successfully Test Fired from Indian Navy’s Stealth Destroyer, INS Chennai.
  • Indian Navy – Sri Lanka Navy Maritime Exercise SLINEX-20 off Trincomalee.
  • Indian Army Apprehends a Chinese Soldier in Demchok Sector of Eastern Ladakh.
  • Malabar 2020 Naval Exercise.
  • RakshaMantri Shri Rajnath Singh releases DRDO Procurement Manual 2020.
  • COAS Comments on CDS and ITC.
  • Final User Trial of NAG Missile.
  • General Manoj Mukund Naravane PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC, Chief of the Army Staff Commissions INS Kavaratti.
  • RakshaMantri Shri Rajnath Singh holds bilateral delegation level meeting with his US counterpart Mark Esper; Both aides to sign agreement of BECA during the visit.
  • Press Statement by Raksha Mantri Shri Raj Nath Singh following India- USA 2+2 Meeting in New Delhi on 27 October 2020.
  • Boosting defence exports: India – UAE agree to further defence co-operation through joint production and mutual trade.
  • Raksha Mantri Addresses the Senior Leadership of Indian Army.
  • 7th India-EU Foreign Policy & Security Consultations.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

France
  • Islamist extremist beheaded three people in Nice.
  • History teacher was beheaded for showing caricatures of Prophet Mohammad, in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine.
Lebanon
  • United States sanctioned two officials from Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Africa
  • Tanzania
    • IS-affiliated group carried out terror attack in Kitaya.
  • Somalia

    • Somalian forces killed 50 al-Shabaab terrorists in Bay Region.
  • Nigeria
    • Boko Haram terrorists killed six Chad soldiers in Lake Chad region.
    • Boko Haram terrorists killed eight farmers in Borno State.
Afghanistan
  • Security forces killed al-Qaeda’s al-Masri in Ghazni province.
  • IS-KP claimed suicide bombing killed 18 people in Kabul.
  • Bomb explosion killed nine people in Ghazni province.
  • 25 Afghan security forces personnel were martyred in an attack in Kunduz.

Domestic Terrorism

Jammu and Kashmir
  • NIA raided multiple locations in Srinagar in terror-funding probe.
  • NIA filed Charge-Sheet in HM narco-terror case.
  • MHA designated 18 more as “terrorists” under UA (P) Act.
  • Security forces killed two JeM terrorists in Budgam.
  • LeT terrorist killed in a CT operation in Anantnag.
Left-Wing Extremism
  • Maoist surrendered to police in Telangana.
  • 32 Maoists surrendered under ‘Lon Varratu’ campaign in Chhattisgarh.
  • Maoist arrested with gelatine sticks from Telangana.
Islamist Extremism in India
  • NIA Court sentenced 15 accused in Islamic State conspiracy case.
  • IS instigates Indian Muslims to avenge the demolition of Babri Masjid.
Khalistan-inspired Extremism
  • Anti-Khalistan movement activist shot dead in Tarn Taran.
Cyber, Information Warfare & Artificial Intelligence (Security Perspective)
  • AI’s neural network will detect deep-fake videos.

Defence

India – Kazakhstan Defence Cooperation: Webinar and Expo held.

The Theme of webinar was “Make in India for the World, India – Kazakhstan Defence Cooperation: Webinar and Expo”. It was organized under the aegis of Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence through FICCI. This webinar is the part of the series of webinars which are being organized with friendly foreign countries in order to boost defence exports and achieve defence export target of $5 billion in the next five years. Ambassadors of both countries and senior MoD officials from both sides participated in the webinar and spoke about need to leverage opportunities not only for co-development and co-production but also to meet each other’s requirements. The webinar was attended by more than 350 participants and 39 virtual exhibition stalls, which includes 7 stalls from Kazakh companies have been set up in the Expo.
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BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile Successfully Test Fired from Indian Navy’s Stealth Destroyer, INS Chennai.

The missile hit the target successfully with pin-point accuracy after performing high-level and extremely complex manoeuvres. The press release stated that the BrahMos as ‘prime strike weapon’ will ensure the warship’s invincibility by engaging naval surface targets at long ranges, thus making the destroyer another lethal platform of Indian Navy. The highly versatile BrahMos has been jointly designed, developed and produced by India and Russia.

Indian Navy – Sri Lanka Navy Maritime Exercise SLINEX-20 off Trincomalee.

The Eighth Edition of annual Indian Navy (IN) – Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-20 was scheduled off Trincomalee, Sri Lanka from 19 to 21 October 2020. The Sri Lanka Navy was represented by SLN Ships Sayura (Offshore Patrol Vessel) and Gajabahu(Training Ship) led by Rear Admiral BandaraJayathilaka, the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Fleet, Sri Lanka Navy. Indigenously built ASW corvettes Kamorta and Kiltanunder the command of Rear Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, represented the Indian Navy. In addition, Indian Navy Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Chetak helicopter embarked onboard IN ships, and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft also participated. The previous edition of SLINEX was conducted off Visakhapatnam in September 2019.
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Indian Army Apprehends a Chinese Soldier in Demchok Sector of Eastern Ladakh.

A PLA soldier was apprehended in the Demchok sector of Eastern Ladakh on 19 October 2020 after he had strayed across the LAC. The PLA soldier was provided medical assistance including oxygen, food and warm clothes. A request was also been received from the PLA about the whereabouts of the missing soldier. As per established protocols, he was returned back to Chinese officials at the Chushul – Moldo meeting point after completion of formalities.

Malabar 2020 Naval Exercise.

The Malabar series of Naval exercises started in 1992 as a bilateral Indian Navy-US Navy exercise. Japan joined the Naval exercise in 2015. This annual exercise has been conducted off the coast of Guam in the Philippine Sea in 2018, off the coast the Japan in 2019 and will be held in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea in November this year. As India Seeks to increase cooperation with other countries in the maritime security domain and in the light of increased defence cooperation with Australia, Malabar 2020 will see the participation of the Australian Navy. This year, the exercise has been planned on a ‘non-contact - at sea’ format. The exercise will strengthen the coordination between the Navies of the participating countries. The participants of Exercise Malabar 2020 are engaging to enhance safety and security in the maritime domain. They collectively support free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and remain committed to a rules based international order.
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Raksha Mantri Releases DRDO Procurement Manual 2020.

To encourage more participation of Indian industry, including Start-ups and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Defence Research & Development (R&D) for achieving ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, RakshaMantri Shri Rajnath Singh released a new version of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Procurement Manual 2020 (PM-2020) on 20 October 2020. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Rajnath Singh said, “The new DRDO Procurement Manual will facilitate the indigenous Defence Industry by simplifying the processes and ensure their participation in design and development activities”.

Some enabling measures of PM-2020 are: increase of threshold limit for advance payment, placement of order on lowest bidder 2 (L2) in case L1 backs out are some of the salient features of the new manual, which will assist the industry for the speedy execution of projects, exemption of bid security and performance security up to Rs 10 lakh, no negotiations for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) items/services wherever price discovery is happening through market forces. In addition the liquidated damage (LD) rate for development contracts has been reduced. The delivery period (DP) extension process has been simplified for faster decision making.
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COAS Comments on CDS and ITC at the College of Defence Management.

During his address to the student officers and faculty of CDM, he spoke on a number of issues concerning integration, theaterisation and modernisation of the armed forces in general and the Indian Army in particular. On the government’s decision to appoint the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and create the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), he said that it was “a momentous one” and that the services needed to “demonstrate great wisdom and statesmanship in enabling the CDS, a long standing demand of the Armed Forces". He added that the next logical step in the process of defence reforms was the “formation of Integrated Theatre Commands to synergise the capabilities and combat potential of the three services during war and peace.” However, he advised that this process will be “deliberate, thoughtful and well considered” and its fruition will take a “number of years.” The COAS explained to the officers that there was a need for everyone to work in a spirit of togetherness and trust with the national security interests being paramount. He added a note of caution and said that there might be a requirement for “mid course corrections.”
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Final User Trial of NAG Missile.

Final user trial of 3rd generation Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) NAG was carried out today on 22 Oct 2020 at 0645 hrs from Pokhran range. The missile was integrated with the actual warhead and a tank target was kept at designated range. This was launched from NAG Missile Carrier NAMICA. The missile hit the target accurately defeating the armour. ATGM NAG has been developed by DRDO to engage highly fortified enemy tanks in day and night conditions. The missile has “Fire & Forget” “Top Attack” capabilities with passive homing guidance to defeat all MBTs equipped with composite and reactive armour. The NAG missile carrier NAMICA is a BMP II based system with amphibious capability. With this final user trial, NAG will enter into production phase. The missile will be produced by Defence PSU Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), whereas Ordnance Factory Medak will produce the NAMICA.

General Manoj Mukund Naravane Chief of the Army Staff Commissions INS Kavaratti.

INS Kavaratti , Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvette built under Project 28 (Kamorta Class) was commissioned into the Indian Navy by General Manoj Mukund Naravane PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC, Chief of the Army Staff at a ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on 22 October 20. The event marks the formal commissioning into the Navy of the last of the four ASW Corvettes, indigenously designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house organisationand constructed by GRSE.
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Raksha Mantri holds bilateral delegation level meeting with his US counterpart Mark Esper; Both aides to sign agreement of BECA during the visit.

Dr. Mark T. Esper, Secretary of Defence of the United States of America is visiting India for the 2+2 Ministerial Meeting. On 26th October, the two ministers reviewed bilateral defence cooperation spanning military to military cooperation, secure communication systems and information sharing, defence trade and industrial issues and also discussed ways to take bilateral cooperation forward. Both the Ministers expressed satisfaction at the close engagements between the respective Armed Forces. They discussed potential new areas of cooperation, both at Service to Service level and at the joint level. They called for continuation of existing defence dialogue mechanisms during the pandemic, at all levels, particularly the Military Cooperation Group (MCG). They also discussed requirements of expanding deployments of liaison officers. The two ministers expressed satisfaction that agreement of BECA will be signed during the visit. US Secretary of Defence welcomed Australia’s participation in the exercise MALABAR 2020.

Statement by Raksha Mantri Shri Raj Nath Singh following India- USA 2+2 Meeting in New Delhi on 27 October 2020.

The key highlights of the statement by the Raksha Mantri(RM) were the importance of signing of the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation, BECA, after signing of LEMOA in 2016 and COMCASA in 2018 is a significant achievement in that direction. The other highlightsof the steps taken by both India and US in follow up to their earlier discussions. These include Positioning a USN LO (Liaison Officer) at IFC-IOR and Indian LO at NAVCENT, Bahrain; greater interaction and coordination with CENTCOM and AFRICOM; setting up of the COMSEC account and increasing the scope and complexities of our exercises. Now LO's at each other's establishments could be leveraged to enhance information sharing architecture. The Raksha Mantri summed it up by saying the military to military cooperation is progressing well.

The RM stated that both sides “also explored probable capacity building and other joint cooperation activities in third countries, including our neighbourhood and beyond. We have convergence of views on a number of such proposals and will take those forward. I welcome the acceptance of our request for cooperation in the advanced field of maritime domain awareness. Both sides agreed to comprehend the requirements and initiate processes for joint development of requisite systems and expertise”. In the Defence Industrial Cooperation area, he said “that they had a very candid and useful discussion. Recent initiative of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' in Defence sector was underlined as a key driver and a guiding factor of our Defence Industrial Cooperation”. He further stated that “I highlighted the capabilities of Indian Defence Industry and their usefulness in the supply chain of major US platforms and systems. We have identified priority Near-Term projects for joint development between respective agencies, which need to be fast tacked under the DTTI and resolved to work together in Defence R&D more efficiently”.

Towards the end the RM said that “In our meeting, we shared assessment of the security situation across the Indo Pacific. In that process, we reaffirmed our commitment to peace, stability and prosperity of all countries in this region. We also agreed that upholding the rules based international order, respecting the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the international seas and upholding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states are essential. Our defence cooperation is intended to further these objectives. Both sides welcomed Australia joining the forthcoming Malabar Exercise”.
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Boosting defence exports: India – UAE agree to further defence co-operation through joint production and mutual trade.

In order to boost defence exports a webinar between India and UAE was held on the theme of “Indian Defence Industry Global Outreach for Collaborative Partnership: Webinar and Expo India – UAE Defence Cooperation”. It was organized on Tuesday, 27 October 2020 under the aegis of Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, MoD, through the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers, SIDM. Various Indian companies such as L&T Defence, GRSE, OFB, MKU, Bharat Forge and Ashok Leyland made company and product presentations on major platforms / equipment like Artillery Systems, Radars, Protected Vehicles, Costal Surveillance System, Akash Missile system and Ammunition etc. in the webinar. From the UAE side STREIT Group, Rockford Xellerie, EDGE, TAWAZUN and Marakeb Technologies made presentations. The webinar was attended by more than 180 participants and more than 100 virtual exhibition stalls were set up in the Expo.

7th India-EU Foreign Policy & Security Consultations.

The 7th India-EU Foreign Policy & Security Consultations were held in a virtual format on 22 October 2020. The consultations were co-chaired by Mr. Vikas Swarup, Secretary (West), MEA, and Mr. Enrique Mora, Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs/Political Director, European External Action Service.They reviewed the working of various institutional mechanisms between India and the EU, including on Cyber Security; Counter Terrorism; Maritime Security; and Disarmament & Non-Proliferation, and explored the possibilities of enhanced cooperation under India-EU security partnership. The two sides exchanged views on the regional and global issues of mutual interest and agreed to maintain close cooperation for the next India–EU27 leaders meeting to be held in Portugal in 2021.
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International Terrorism

France
Islamist extremist beheaded three people in Nice

On 29 October, an Islamist extremist—Brahim Aouissaoui (21 years-old) shouted “Allah-u-Akbar” while beheading a woman and two others inside the Church in Nice. According to Chief Anti-Terrorist prosecutor—Jean-Francois Ricard, Brahim was a Tunisia national and had arrived in Europe (Lampedusa) on 20 September. Brahim reached Nice via train and went straight to the Church where he beheaded three people. He was shot by police officials and later taken into custody.
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History teacher was beheaded for showing caricatures of prophet Mohammad, in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine

On 16 October, a History-subject teacher—Samuel Paty (47 years-old) was beheaded by an Islamist extremist—Chechen born—Abdoullakh Anzorov (18 years-old) in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine in Yvelines in suburb of Paris. Allegedly, on 05 October, Samuel showed caricatures of prophet Mohammad [Charlie Hebdo cartoons] during a lecture on freedom of expression in school. Around 10 days later, perpetrator Anzorov attacked and decapitated Paty while shouting “Allah-u-Akbar”. Minutes later, police confronted Anzorov and attempted to arrest him. However, Anzorov tried to attack policemen with knife and an air rifle. In response, police killed him.
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Lebanon
United States sanctioned two officials from Lebanon’s Hezbollah

The United States (US) has imposed sanctions on two officials from Lebanon’s Hezbollah—Nabil Qaouk (member of Hezbollah’s executive council), and Hassan al-Baghdadi. Qaouk and al-Baghdadi are members of Hezbollah’s Shura Council which formulates policy and asserts control over all aspects of Hezbollah’s activities, including military activities. Qaouk had made speeches threatening war with Israel, denouncing the US presence in the Middle-East and praising Hezbollah’s guerrilla warfare, read the statement released by the US Treasury Department.
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Africa

Somalia
Somalian forces killed 50 al-Shabaab terrorists in Bay Region

In an operation on 20 October, the Somali National Army (SNA) killed 19 al-Shabaab terrorists and arrested two others in Dinsoor district in Bay Region. Somali security forces have intensified operations against al-Shabaab group in some regions, but the terror group still hold swathes of rural areas in those regions conducting ambushes and planting land mines in the capital and elsewhere.
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Tanzania
IS-affiliated group carried out terror attack in Kitaya

On 22 October, Tanzania has faced its first ever Islamist extremist attack by a terror group affiliated with the Islamic State (IS)—based in Mozambique. Tanzania’s Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has further informed the media that around 300 attackers were found involved in the assault on Kitaya, border village in Mtwara region. There is an ongoing Humanitarian crisis as per the UN World Food Program due to Islamic extremism in Mozambique.
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Nigeria
Boko Haram terrorists killed six Chadian soldiers in Lake Chad region

On 19 October, Boko Haram terrorists killed six Chadian soldiers and 12 others were wounded, in a clash at the Lake Chad region. The soldiers were attacked by terrorists while patrolling a group of islets on the Chad-Nigerian border, said Army spokesperson General Azem Bermendoa Agouna. Around 10 terrorists were also killed in the same gunfight.
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Boko Haram terrorists killed eight farmers in Borno State

On 25 October, Boko Haram terrorists killed eight farmers in Moranti outside Maiduguri of Borno State. Terrorists attacked farmers when the latter were harvesting crops. Earlier on 12 October, Boko Haram terrorists killed 14 farmers in Ngwom village near Maiduguri.
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Afghanistan

Security forces killed al-Qaeda’s al-Masri in Ghazni province

On 24 October, the Special Force unit of Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) has eliminated Abu Muhsin al-Masriaka HusamAbd al-Ra’uf, a senior commander in al-Qaeda (AQ) Central and second-in-command in al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) in a counter-terrorism (CT) operation in Ghazni province. “al-Masri’s removal from the battlefield is a major setback to al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, caused by the United States and its partners”, said Chris Miller—Head of the US National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
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IS-KP claimed suicide bombing killed 18 people in Kabul

In a suicide bombing on 24 October, 18 people were killed, and 57 others were injured in an education facility in Kabul. A suicide bomber blew himself up after intercepted by the security guards at the facility. Islamic State-Khurasan Province (IS-KP) claimed responsibility of the attack. The U.S.-brokered peace talks, which started on September 12, had raised hopes of a reduction in terrorism in Afghanistan, but hostilities have since intensified.
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Bomb explosion killed nine people in Ghazni province

A road-side bomb explosion on 24 October, killed nine people and wounded other four policemen in Ghazni province. No terrorist group claimed the responsibility, but police blamed Taliban for this attack.
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25 Afghan security forces personnel were martyred in an attack in Kunduz

On 21 October, Taliban carried out an attack and killed 25 Afghan security forces personnel while they were on their way for an operation in Kunduz province. Taliban made no official comments on the attack.
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Domestic Terrorism

Jammu and Kashmir
NIA raided multiple locations in Srinagar in terror-funding probe

On 28 October, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided nine locations, including a trust owned by a renowned newspaper agency, in Srinagar in connection with a terror-funding investigation. The NIA officials were assisted by the police and paramilitary forces personnel in search of the offices of trusts, NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) for alleged terror-funding in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
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NIA filed Charge-Sheet in HM narco-terror case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), on 20 October, filed 14,000 pages charge-sheet against ten accused in Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM) narco-terror case at the Special NIA court in Mohali, Punjab. The charge-sheet was filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A], and the Indian Passports (IP) Act. The investigation also revealed the conspiracy of Pakistan-based HM commanders and their associates in Punjab to support and expand the terror infrastructure of HM in India by raising money through drug smuggling/drug pedalling.
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MHA designated 18 more as “terrorists” under UA(P) Act

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), on 27 October, designated 18 more individuals as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) [UA(P)] Act, 1967, which was amended in August 2019. Recent designated terrorists include Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM) commander Syed Salahuddin, Indian Mujahideen (IM) founders and brothers—Riyaz and Iqbal Bhatkal, and gangster Dawood Ibrahim’s close aide Chhota Shakeel. Earlier in September 2019, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)’s Masood Azhar, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)’s Hafiz Saeed, Zakiur-Rehman Lakhvi, and Dawood Ibrahim were designated as terrorists in UA(P) Act.
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Security forces killed two JeM terrorists in Budgam

On 27 October, security forces eliminated two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists in a counter-terrorism (CT) operation in the Aribagh Mouchwa area in Budgam district. Security forces were carrying out Cordon And Search Operation (CASO) which led to an operation after terrorists opened fire on the security forces positions.
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LeT terrorist killed in a CT operation in Anantnag

In a counter-terrorism (CT) operation on 17 October, security forces eliminated a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist and alleged “IED expert”—Nasir aka Shakeel Saab aka Shak Bhai, in Larnoo area of Anantnag district. Acting on intelligence inputs, security forces launched Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) after the presence of the terrorist was ascertained. Nasir was given an opportunity to surrender, but he fired indiscriminately on the security forces, leading to the exchange of fire, said a police official (on anonymity basis).
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Left-Wing Extremism
Maoist surrendered to police in Telangana

On 22 October, Kuluma Devi aka Sandhya—deputy commander of Sabari local organisation squad of the Communist Party of India [CPI] (Maoist) have surrendered before police at Bhadrachalam town in Kothagudem district in Telangana. Kuluma had joined the Maoist party in 2014 under the leadership of Kistaram Area Committee Commander Madakam Prakash. Kuluma Devi had lost interest in Naxal ideology and decided to surrender to proceed with normal life, informed Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rajesh Chandra.
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32 Maoists surrendered under ‘Lon Varratu’ campaign in Chhattisgarh

Thirty-two Maoists, on 25 October, surrendered before police in Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh. These Maoists surrendered under ‘Lon Varratu’ campaign which appeals Maoists to surrender and join the mainstream. In return, police provided them with ₹ 10,000 as immediate assistance and other rehabilitation policy will follow. As per records, at least 150 purported Maoists have laid down their arms and surrendered under the ongoing ‘Lon Varratu’ campaign in the past four months across around 50 villages of the Left-wing Extremism (LWE)-hit Dantewada district.
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Maoist arrested with gelatine sticks from Telangana

On 21 October, police have arrested Kaluma Joga aka Sandeep—an Area Committee Member (ACM) of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) with large quantities of explosives, from Bhadrachalam town in Kothagudem district in Telangana. Joga joined Naxal group Balala-Sangham in 2007 and later served in Jana Militia and Bhunkal Militia. Police recovered five detonators and 50 gelatine sticks from his possession.
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Islamist Extremism in India
NIA Court sentenced 15 accused operatives in Islamic State conspiracy case

On 16 October, the NIA (National Investigation Agency) Special Court in Delhi sentenced 15 accused operatives in Islamic State (IS) conspiracy Delhi case. The conspiracy was to establish IS’s base in India by recruiting Muslim youth by using different social media platforms. The investigation revealed that the accused operatives had formed an organisation by name Junood-ul-Khilafa-Fil-Hind (a group seeking to establish Caliphate in India and pledging allegiance to IS) to recruit Muslim youth to work for IS and commit acts of terrorism in India at the behest of Yusuf-Al-Hindi aka ShafiArmaraka Anjan Bhai, who was based in Syria and was purportedly the media chief of IS.
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IS instigates Indian Muslims to avenge the demolition of Babri Masjid

In the 9th edition of its digital magazine— “The Voice of Hind”, Islamic State (IS) has urged Indian Muslims to take up arms and wage jihad against India to avenge the demolition of Babri Masjid. Supporting the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), IS has assured support to the people in their fight.
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Khalistan-inspired Extremism
Anti-Khalistan movement activist shot dead in Tarn Taran

Unidentified assailants, on 16 October, shot at and killed Balwinder Singh Sandhu— Shaurya Chakra (SC) awardee, at Bhikhiwind village in Tarn Taran district in Punjab. In 1993, Sandhu was awarded Shaurya Chakra for his valour against Khalistan movement for several years. Earlier, Sandhu was provided security cover, however, it was withdrawn earlier this year despite Sandhu and his family had been on the hit list of Khalistani terrorists.
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Cyber, Information Warfare & Artificial Intelligence (Security Perspective)
AI’s neural network will detect deep-fake videos

Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based programme—Neural Network—devised by the researchers at Stanford University and University of California Berkeley, will detect deep-fake videos. The programme spots 80 per cent fakes by recognising minute mismatches in the sounds made by people and the shape of their mouths, according to the research entitled— “Detecting Deep-Fake Videos from Phenome-Viseme Mismatches”. The programme tested videos of former US President Barack Obama. The neural network spotted over 90% of lip syncs involving Obama himself.
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