VIF News Digest: National Security - Defence Studies & Terrorism, 16-31 August 2020
DEFENCE
  • Indian assistance to Mauritius to deal with the environmental crisis due to oil spill.
  • NCC all set for a major expansion to cover 173 border and coastal districts.
  • 18th Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs
  • Naval Commanders’ Conference.
  • DRDO identifies 108 Systems and Subsystems for industry to design, develop and manufacture towards achieving “Atmanirbhar Bharat”
  • Indian army organises seminar on impact of disruptive technologies on fighting philosophy in future conflicts.
  • Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh highlights Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives of MoD at Defence Industry Outreach Webinar.
  • 14th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue via video conferencing.
  • Situation at the LoC.
  • MoD signs contracts worth Rs 2580 Cr with Indian Companies for supply of Pinaka Regiments to Indian Army.
International Terrorism
Africa
  • Nigeria
    • Boko Haram/IS-WAP took several people as hostages in Kukawa.
  • Somalia
    • Al-Shabaab’s senior commander killed in a CT operation in Middle-Juba.
    • 16 people were killed in an attack at a hotel in Mogadishu.
Middle-East
  • Israel
    • IDF targeted Hamas’ observation posts in east of Rafah and Khan Yunis.
South-East Asia
  • Philippines
    • ‘Double’ suicide bombings killed 14 people in Sulu province.
  • Indonesia
    • Police arrested 17 suspects of Jemaah Islamiyah.
Afghanistan
  • Five people were killed in bomb attacks in Kabul.
Pakistan
  • Three associates of JuD convicted for terror financing.
Domestic Terrorism
Jammu and Kashmir
  • NIA filed 5,000-page charge sheet in 2019 Pulwama terrorist attack.
  • Security forces killed three terrorists in separate CT operations in the Valley.
Left-Wing Extremism
  • Maoist ammunition dump discovered in Odisha.
  • 12 Maoist couriers arrested in Telangana.
  • Police seized large number of explosives in Jharkhand.
Khalistan-inspired Extremism
  • Police arrested a youth in a ‘Khalistan flag hoisting’ case from Moga.
  • Police arrested a drug smuggler & constable in a narco-terror network.
Islamist Extremism in India
  • NIA arrested an Islamic State operative from Karnataka.
  • Police arrested an Islamic State operative from Delhi.
Cyber, Information Warfare & Artificial Intelligence (Security Perspective)
  • Video on Kashmir released from Turkey: IW campaign against India?
  • AI beats ‘real’ F-16 pilot in a simulated dogfight in DARPA trial.
  • BRICS nations discussed cooperation on 5G and AI.
  • US’ DoJ seized several accounts involved in terror financing.

Defence

Indian assistance to Mauritius to deal with the environmental crisis due to oil spill.

In response to a request of the Government of Mauritius (GoM) for assistance in dealing with the environmental crisis due to oil spill on its south-east coast, the Government of India has dispatched over 30 tonnes of technical equipment and material on board an IAF Aircraft to Mauritius to supplement the country’s ongoing oil spill containment and salvage operations.

The specialized equipment, consisting of Ocean Booms, River Booms, Disc Skimmers, Heli Skimmers, Power packs, Blowers, Salvage barge and Oil absorbent Graphene pads and other accessories, is specifically designed to contain the oil slick, skim oil from water, and assist in clean up and salvage operations. A 10-member Technical Response Team, consisting of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) personnel specially trained for dealing with oil spill containment measures, has also been deployed to Mauritius to extend necessary technical and operational assistance at the site.
For more information:-Click here to read...

NCC all set for a major expansion to cover 173 border and coastal districts.

Raksha Mantri approved a proposal of the National Cadet Corps for a major expansion scheme to meet the aspirations of youth in all the border and coastal districts. A total of one lakh cadets from 173 border and coastal districts will be inducted in the NCC. One-third of the Cadets would be girl Cadets. More than 1000 schools and colleges have been identified in border and coastal districts where NCC will be introduced. As part of the expansion plan, a total of 83 NCC units will be upgraded (Army 53, Navy 20, Air Force 10), to impart NCC training to the cadets in the border and coastal areas.

18th Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs.

The 18th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held on 20th Aug 2020. The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs, while the Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Chinese delegation. In a recent interview of External Affairs Minister wherein referring to various past border incidents he had noted that what was common was that all borders situations were resolved through diplomacy. EAM had further noted that "when it comes to finding a solution, this must be predicated on honouring all agreements and understandings. And not attempting to alter the status quo unilaterally”.
For more information: Click here to read...

Naval Commanders’ Conference.

Raksha Mantri addressed Naval Commanders on the inaugural day of the Naval Commanders’ Conference on 19 August 2020. He congratulated the Indian Navy, on the conduct of repatriation operation "Operation Samudra Setu", in bringing home almost 4000 people from neighbouring countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Also, under 'Mission Sagar', medical aid was provided to the countries of South West Indian Ocean Region (Maldives, Mauritius, Comoros, Seychelles and Madagascar).
For more information: Click here to read...

DRDO identifies 108 Systems and Subsystems for industry to design, develop and manufacture towards achieving “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.

A DRDO delegation met with Raksha Mantri on 24th Aug 2020 to apprise him about 108 systems and subsystems which have been identified for designing and development by the Indian Industry only. DRDO will also provide support to industries for design, development and testing of these systems on requirement basis. All the requirements of these systems by R&D establishments, Armed Forces, and other Security Agencies can be met through development contracts or production orders on suitable Indian industry. This will allow DRDO to focus on design & development of critical and advanced technologies and systems.

DRDO has been partnering with industry for realization of its systems. Collaborating with DRDO in the development of major weapon systems the Indian industry has matured to a stage where they can develop systems on their own. Indian industry has progressed from a ‘build to print’ partner to ‘build to specification’ partner. The present industry base for DRDO consists of 1800 MSMEs along with DPSUs, Ordnance Factories and large scale industries. DRDO has already taken major initiatives through various policies to involve Indian industry as Development cum Production Partners (DcPP), offering its technology to industry at nominal cost and providing free access to its patents.
For more information and the list of 108 systems and subsystems: Click here to read...

Indian army organises seminar on impact of disruptive technologies on fighting philosophy in future conflicts.

A seminar was organized on the “Impact of Disruptive Technologies on Our Fighting Philosophy in Future Conflicts” as part of the Defense and Strategy Seminar 2020 at Army War College, Mhow from 24-25 August 2020. The event was conducted as a webinar due to the COVID-19 restrictions, across 54 locations with 82 outstations spread across the length and breadth of the country. Disruptive technologies like Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality/ Virtual Reality (AR / VR), Robotics, Big Data Analytics, Cyber, Small Satellite, 5G/6G, Quantum Computing and cyber warfare were discussed thread bare during the event. The Seminar was a sounding board for the Indian Army on doctrinal and strategic issues of vital national importance and resulted in obtaining insight into complex themes.
For more information: Click here to read...

Raksha Mantri highlights Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives of MoD at Defence Industry Outreach Webinar.

The highlights were that the draft of Production and Export Promotion policy aims at providing greater visibility of Armed Forces requirements to the defence manufacturing industry. The policy proposes establishment of an aero-engines complex with focus on Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) as well as critical technologies. Under this policy export target has been set as 25 percent of the revenue. By 2025, this policy aims at achieving Rs 1.75 lakh crore in annual turnover. To promote Atmanirbhar Bharat in the defence manufacturing, a separate budget of Rs 52,000 crore has been set aside for procurement from domestic vendors. Raksha Mantri said that corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) would be completed within a year. Shri Rajnath Singh also brought out that the two Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were targeted to attract thousands of crores of investments in the next five years.
For more information: Click here to read...

14th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue via video conferencing.

The 14th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD) was held via video conferencing here today. It was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and Permanent Secretary (Defence), Singapore Mr. Chan Heng Kee. At the end of the DPD, the Implementing Arrangement on Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) between India and Singapore was also signed.

Situation at the LoC.

On the Night of 29/30 August 2020, PLA troops violated the previous consensus arrived at during military and diplomatic engagements during the ongoing standoff in Eastern Ladakh and carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo. Indian troops pre-empted this PLA activity on the Southern Bank of Pangong Tso Lake, undertook measures to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground. The Indian Army is committed to maintaining peace and tranquility through dialogue, but is also equally determined to protect its territorial integrity. A Brigade Commander level Flag Meeting is in progress at Chushul to resolve the issues.

MoD signs contracts worth Rs 2580 Cr with Indian Companies for supply of Pinaka Regiments to Indian Army.

Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contracts with M/s. Bharat Earth Movers Ltd. (BEML), M/s. Tata Power Company Ltd. (TPCL) and M/s. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for supply of Six Pinaka Regiments to the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army at an approximate cost of Rs. 2580 Crores. These Six Pinaka Regiments comprise 114 Launchers with Automated Gun Aiming & Positioning System (AGAPS) and 45 Command Posts to be procured from M/s TPCL and M/s L&T and 330 Vehicles to be procured from M/s BEML. These Six Pinaka Regiments will be operationalised along the Northern and Eastern Borders of our country further enhancing the operation preparedness of our Armed Forces. Induction of Six Pinaka Regiments is planned to be completed by 2024. This project under Buy (Indian) categorisation, with 70% Indigenous Content, has been approved by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman.
For more information: hClick here to read...

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Africa
Nigeria
Boko Haram/IS-WAP took several people as hostages in Kukawa

On 16 August, several terrorists of Boko Haram—affiliated to Islamic State as Islamic State-West Africa Province (IS-WAP) attacked and seized hundreds of people as hostages after a gun-battle with the soldiers guarding the town of Kukawa in Lake Chad region in Nigeria. According to the United Nations (UN) reports around 10.6 million out of the 13 million people in the conflict-ravaged States of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe would need humanitarian assistance by the end of the year 2020.
For more information: Click here to read...

Somalia
Al-Shabaab’s senior commander killed in a CT operation in Middle-Juba

In a joint Counter-Terrorism (CT) operation by the AFRICOM and Somali military carried out on 22 August, al-Shabaab’s senior commander—Abdi Kadir Osman Yarrow aka Abdikadir “commando” was neutralised in Middle-Juba in Somalia. US Africa Command assessed no civilians were injured or killed as a result of the airstrike which targeted Adbi Kadir.
For more information: Click here to read...

16 people were killed in an attack at a hotel in Mogadishu

Al-Shabaab terrorists, on 17 August, attacked and seized an elite hotel for four hours in Mogadishu, the Capital city of Somalia. In total 16 people were killed and 28 were injured in this attack; however, 200 people were escaped unharmed. A car explosion took place at the security gate of the hotel and terrorists ran into the premises of the hotel. In counter-terror operation of four hours, two terrorists were killed.
For more information: Click here to read...

Middle-East
Israel
IDF targeted Hamas’ observation posts in east of Rafah and Khan Yunis

Responding to the rocket attacks on previous day, Israel Defence Forces (IDF), on 19 August, targeted Hamas’ observation/military posts in the east of Rafah and east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza strip. Israeli jets bombed the positions of the Izzd ad Din al-Qassam Brigades—Hamas’ military wing; however, no casualties were reported in the airstrike.
For more information: Click here to read...

South-East Asia
Philippines
‘Double’ suicide bombings killed 14 people in Sulu province

Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) aka Islamic State-East Asia Province (IS-EAP) carried out ‘double’ suicide bombings on 24 August, in Jolo town in Sulu province. In this attack, 14 people were killed, including army personnel, and 75 others were injured. In a first bombing, a bomb attached with a motorcycle exploded near parked army trucks while soldiers were on a marketing run. An hour later from the first bombing, a female suicide bomber detonated herself when approached by soldiers who were securing the nearby Roman Catholic Cathedral.
For more information: Click here to read...

Indonesia
Police arrested 17 suspects of Jemaah Islamiyah

On 24 August, Indonesian police arrested 17 suspected terrorists of Jemaah Islamiyah—an al-Qaeda affiliated group and foiled a conspiracy of an attack on a marketplace in West Java, which is home to ethnic Chinese communities. “The terrorists were planning an attack on shop owners in Banten (province) and Tasikmalaya city. The conspiracy was inspired from a hoax that communism is on the rise in Indonesia”, said an official on the anonymity basis.
For more information: Click here to read...

Afghanistan
Five people were killed in bomb attacks in Kabul

Separate bomb attacks in Kabul and Baghlan province on 16 August, killed five people, including policemen, and injured 15 others. No terrorist group claimed responsibility of the attacks. Taliban Spokesman—Zabiullah Mujahid claimed that his group was not aware of these attacks. The attacks came amid new uncertainties over the beginning of Peace Talks between the Taliban and the Afghan political leadership. However, the Afghan government said it would not release the last 320 Taliban prisoners it holds until the insurgents free more captured Afghan soldiers.
For more information: Click here to read...

Pakistan
Three associates of JuD convicted for terror financing

On 25 August, an Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore convicted three senior leaders of Jamaatud-Dawa (JuD)’s and close-aides of Hafiz Saeed (chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba), in a terror financing case to over 16 years in prison. Zafar Iqbal and Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Mohammad for 16 and a half-years in terror financing case, whereas Hafiz Saeed’s brother-in-law—Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki was given one-and-a-half-year sentence, with a fine of PKR 20,000.
For more information: Click here to read...

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir
NIA filed 5,000-page charge sheet in 2019 Pulwama terrorist attack

On 22 August, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a charge sheet in 2019 Pulwama terrorist attack and named Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, his brother Abdul Rauf Asghar and others for carrying out the terrorist attack on behest of Pakistan. The charge sheet also mentioned about the explosives used in the attack—Ammonium Nitrate, Nitro-glycerine and RDX— came from Pakistan in batches over a period of four months. Based on technical and forensic evidences, the NIA has prepared a “watertight charge sheet” proving Pakistan’s role in the attack.
For more information: Click here to read...

Security forces killed three terrorists in separate CT operations in the Valley

In separate counter-terrorism (CT) operations on 19 August, security forces eliminated three terrorists in the Valley. In first CT operation, security forces killed two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, including a commander—Naseer u-din Lone in Handwara area of Kupwara district. In another CT operation, security forces killed Talib Hussain Mir—a Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorist in a gun-battle in Molu Chitragam area in Shopian district.
For more information: Click here to read...

Left-Wing Extremism
Maoist ammunition dump discovered in Odisha

During a search operation, security forces discovered an ammunition dump in Kurub, Sudhakonda, and Elkanur police limits in Malkangiri district in Odisha, suspected to have been used by the Maoists for illegal production and repair of the weapons. 12 bore empty cartridge cases with 48 caps, two cartridges of 12 bore live ammunition, 93 detonators, two gas cylinders, one lathe machine, one carbide gas welding cylinder, iron scrap and Maoist literature were recovered from the dump.
For more information: Click here to read...

12 Maoist couriers arrested in Telangana

Telangana police, on 18 August, arrested 12 Maoist couriers (gram committee members) of the Communist Party of India [CPI- (Maoist)] from Khammam district in Telangana. Police carried out a combing operation in the forests of Regalla-Nimmagudem and Aswapurampadu-Metlatogu. Police recovered three tiffin boxes, 14 gelatine sticks, three detonators, 75 metres electric wire, and nine battery cells from the possession of arrested Maoist couriers.
For more information: Click here to read...

Police seized large number of explosives in Jharkhand

In a major success against Maoists, Jharkhand police recovered 72 can bombs, four rifles, and other form of explosives in multiple raids in Seraikela-Kharsawan, West Singhbhum, Khunti, and Ranchi districts in Jharkhand. Acting upon the information revealed by the arrested Maoist commanders—Jitrai Munda and JogenPurty, joint team of Seraikela-Kharsawan, West Singhbhum, Khunti, and Ranchi police carried out extensive searches and found all bombs and firearms that arrested Maoists spoken of.
For more information: Click here to read...

Khalistan-inspired Extremism
Police arrested a youth in a ‘Khalistan flag hoisting’ case from Moga

In a ‘Khalistan flag hoisting’ case, police, on 17 August, arrested one of the three accused—Akashdeep Singh aka Munna aka Sajan (19-years old), for his involvement in hoisting “Khalistan flag” atop the Moga Deputy Commissioner (DC)’s office on 14 August. Other two accused are—Jaspal Singh aka Ampa (Akashdeep’s cousin) and Inderjeet Singh Gill (friend of Akashdeep), both in mid-20s, from Rauli village of Moga district. Akashdeep informed that he and other accused were influenced by the video message of Sikh For Justice (SFJ)’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannun announcing reward for hoisting “Khalistan flag”.
For more information: Click here to read...

Police arrested a drug smuggler & constable in a narco-terror network

On 23 August, Punjab police arrested a wanted drug smuggler—Rajinder Singh aka Ganja, and a police constable—Karamjit Singh from Chandigarh, and cracked a narco-terror network with links to Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). Karamjit Singh was involved in facilitating the safe passage of drugs and money during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Rajinder’s brother-in-law [undisclosed identity] has also been arrested from Uttar Pradesh for his involvement in the same network, which has been traced to aides of slain Khalistan terrorist Harmeet Singh aka PhD, said Director General of Police (DGP)—Dinkar Gupta.
For more information: Click here to read...

Islamist Extremism in India
NIA arrested an Islamic State operative from Karnataka

On 17 August, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials arrested Abdul Rehman—an alleged Islamic State (IS) operative from Bengaluru in Karnataka. Rahman was involved in developing an application sympathising with the terror group. Earlier, he had travelled to Syria and joined IS; however, he came back to India after 10 days. Being professionally a doctor, Rahman visited medical camps of IS and treated injured IS fighters in Syria.
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Police arrested an Islamic State operative from Delhi

Delhi Police, on 18 August, arrested Abu Yusuf aka Mustakeem Khan—an Islamic State (IS) terrorist after a brief gun-battle, from the Ridge Road between Dhaula Kuan and Karol Bagh area in Delhi. Police also recovered huge cache of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and weapons from his possession. Around 15 kilograms of IED was recovered from two pressure cookers which was later defused by the National Security Guard (NSG)’s Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS). Abu Yusuf, with the logistic support from his other associates in Delhi, was conspiring a terrorist attack in retaliation to the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
For more information: Click here to read...

Cyber, Information Warfare & Artificial Intelligence (Security Perspective)
Video on Kashmir released from Turkey: IW campaign against India?

Over a YouTube channel “Kashmir Voice”, an audio-video song on Jammu and Kashmir was uploaded from Turkey in which words like “massacre”, “endless torture” and “death” repeatedly appeared, fabricating the presence of Indian armed forces in Kashmir. The duration of the song is 3-minute and 15-second, and around 400,000 people have watched it since it was uploaded two weeks ago.
For more information: Click here to read...

AI beats ‘real’ F-16 pilot in a simulated dogfight in DARPA trial

In a simulated dogfight carried out in the US Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA)’s “Alpha Dogfight Trials”, on 20 August, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm, developed by Heron Systems, beats human F-16 pilot (codenamed “Banger”) with the result of 5-0. The human pilot [identity undisclosed] was an operational fighter pilot with 2,000+ hours in the F-16. “Banger” and AI fought in five different basic fighter manoeuvre scenarios with the simulated fight only using the “Fighting Falcon’s guns”, and each time the AI was able to outmanoeuvre and take out “Banger”. The algorithm operated within the limits of the F-16—meaning it did not pull Gs beyond what a real-world aircraft could do.
For more information: Click here to read...

BRICS nations discussed cooperation on 5G and AI

In a meeting through Video Conferencing (VC) on 21 August, the Industry Ministers of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) nations discussed possible ways to strengthen cooperation in different areas of emerging technologies, including 5G, Industrial Internet, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). China's push for cooperation in 5G among BRICS countries may be seen in the backdrop of China's efforts to push Huawei internationally with regard to development of 5G infrastructure, despite the company being embroiled in controversies in many countries. India is working towards making its supply chain more robust and diversified rather than heavily relying on any single or multiple countries.
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US’ DoJ seized several accounts involved in terror financing

In a largest counter-terror-financing cyber-enabled campaigns, the United States (US)’ Department of Justice (DoJ) seized around 300 cryptocurrency accounts allegedly used by terrorist organisations like al-Qaeda, Hamas, and the Islamic State (IS), with millions of dollars of digital currency. Among 300 accounts, 155 accounts allegedly being used by al-Qaeda. In an additional complaint filed in a DC federal court, the US authorities have sought an arrest warrant for two individuals, Mehmet Akti and Hüsamettı̇n Karataş, who allegedly stored and transferred cryptocurrencies to Hamas’ military wing, the al-Qassam Brigade.
For more information: Click here to read...

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