DEFENCE

• Indian Navy passex with Russian Navy.
• Amar Jawan Jyoti was merged with the eternal flame at National War Memorial.
• Ministry of Defence to organise eight webinars in the run up to the Defexpo 2022.
• Celebrating 73rd Republic Day.
• Joint maritime exercise Paschim Lehar.
• India-Central Asia Virtual Summit.
• India delivers three tons of medical assistance to Afghanistan.
• BrahMos signs contract with Philippines.
• India Russia consultations on UNSC issues.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Africa

Somalia

Mozambique

• Al-Shabaab leader arrested in Mozambique.

Nigeria

• Boko Haram terrorists abducted 17 girls in Borno State.

West Asia

• US Treasury imposed sanctions on Hizbu’llah-linked Lebanese companies.
• “AQAP announced death of Bin Laden’s former associate in US airstrike in Yemen”: claimed SITE Intelligence Group.
• “Islamic State attacked prison in Syria and freed terrorists”: claimed Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Afghanistan

• Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack in Herat province.

Pakistan

• Two people killed and dozens injured in an explosion in Lahore.

South-East Asia

Indonesia

• 2002 Bali Bombings: JI terrorist found guilty and sentenced for 15 years in jail.

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

• LeM criminal conspiracy case: NIA filed chargesheet against four LeM terrorists.
• Security forces killed two terrorists in Shopian.
• JeM terrorist arrested from Pulwama.

Left-Wing Extremism

• IED blast case: NIA filed chargesheet against key conspirators.
• Maoists targeted mobile towers in Jharkhand.
• Security forces killed a Maoist in Chhattisgarh.
• Police killed four Maoists nearby Telangana-Chhattisgarh border area.

Khalistan-inspired Extremism

• “Pakistan using Sikhs for its nefarious motives against India” claimed Dal Khalsa founding member.
• UK-based Sikhs rejected pro-Khalistan groups’ anti-India campaign.
• “At least nine key pro-Khalistan elements are operating from Germany”: claimed probe agencies.

Islamic Extremism

Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) Cases

• FICN recovery case: BSF & NIA arrested an absconding FICN trafficker from West Bengal.

DEFENCE

Indian Navy passex with Russian Navy.

Indian Navy’s guided missile destroyer, INS Kochi, exercised with Russian Federation Navy’s RFS Admiral Tributs on 14 January 2022 in the Arabian Sea. The exercise showcased cohesiveness and interoperability between the two navies and included tactical manoeuvres, cross-deck helicopter operations and seamanship activities.
Reference: Click here to read...

Amar Jawan Jyoti was merged with the eternal flame at National War Memorial.

National War Memorial was inaugurated and dedicated to the Nation by the Prime Minister on 25 Feb 2019. The Memorial stands testimony to the sacrifices made by our gallant soldiers since Independence. The Memorial houses the eternal flame which exemplifies the supreme sacrifice made by a soldier in the line of duty thus making him immortal. Since its inauguration, all homage ceremonies are being conducted only at the National War Memorial, including those on National Days. On 21 January 2022 in a ceremony, the flame at Amar Jawan Jyoti was merged with the eternal flame at National War Memorial with full military honours. The ceremony was presided over by Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC).
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Ministry of Defence to organise eight webinars in the run up to the Defexpo 2022.

Ministry of Defenceis hosting the 12th edition of prestigious biennial defence exhibition Def Expo 2022 from 10th to 13th Mar 2022 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This mega defence International Exhibition is focussing on Land, Air, Naval, Internal Homeland security and electronic systems. Theme for Defexpo 2022 is “India-The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub”.In the run up to the Defexpo, a series of 8 webinars are being conducted between January 20, 2022 and February 24, 2022 with participation from leading luminaries and eminent speakers. The Defexpo webinars are focused on path breaking topics and will be streamed worldwide.

The details of webinars, schedule, speaker’s profile, and the link for participation for each webinar session are made available on Defexpo website (Click here to read...).
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Celebrating 73rd Republic Day.

The President of India led the Nation in celebrating 73rd Republic Day on January 26, 2022. The celebrations this year were special as the Republic Day falls in the 75th year of Independence, being celebrated as ‘Azadika AmritMahotsav’ across the country. To mark the occasion, the Ministry of Defence had conceptualised a series of new events during the main parade on Rajpath on 26th January and ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony at Vijay Chowk on 29th January. It has been decided that the Republic Day celebrations will now be week-long from January 23-30 every year. The celebrations will commence on 23rd January, the birth anniversary of great freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and culminate on 30th January, which is observed as Martyrs’ Day.

Many unique initiativesplanned during the main parade included the launch of ‘Shaheedon Ko Shat Shat Naman’ programme by National Cadet Corps; a grand flypast by 75 aircraft/helicopters of the Indian Air Force; cultural performances by 480 dancers selected through a nationwide Vande Bharatam dance competition; display of ten scrolls each of 75 metres prepared during the ‘Kala Kumbh’ event and installation of 10 large LED screens for a better viewing experience of spectators. A drone show by 1,000 indigenously developed drones was done for ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony, along with projection mapping.
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Joint maritime exercise Paschim Lehar.

A joint maritime exercise Paschim Lehar (XPL-2022) was conducted off the West Coast was concluded on 25 January 2022. The exercise was conducted over a duration of 20 days with an objective to validate operational plans of the Western Naval Command and enhance Inter-Service synergy among the Indian Navy, IAF, Indian Army and Coast Guard.

The IAF deployed SU 30 MKI & Jaguar maritime strike aircraft, Flight Refuelling Aircraft and AWACs, the Indian Navy’s maritime reconnaissance aircrafts P8i participated alongside. Various elements of the Indian Army including Air Defence batteries were also mobilised for the exercise. The intra-theatre exercise included mobilisation and participation of over 40 ships and submarines of the Indian Navy.
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India-Central Asia Virtual Summit.

The Prime Minister (PM)of India hosted the first India-Central Asia Summit in virtual format on 27 January 2022, which was attended by Presidents of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan. This first India-Central Asia coincided with the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Central Asian countries.

In a historic decision, the Leaders agreed to institutionalize the Summit mechanism by deciding to hold it every 2 years. They also agreed on regular meetings of Foreign Ministers, Trade Ministers, Culture Ministers and Secretaries of the Security Council to prepare the groundwork for the Summit meetings. An India-Central Asia Secretariat in New Delhi would be set up to support the new mechanism. The leaders discussed proposals to further cooperation in areas of trade and connectivity, development cooperation, defence and security and, in particular, on cultural and people to people contacts. These included a Round-Table on Energy and Connectivity; Joint Working Groups at senior official level on Afghanistan and use of Chabahar Port.
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India delivers three tons of medical assistance to Afghanistan.

As part of our ongoing humanitarian assistance, India supplied the fourth batch of medical assistance consisting of 3 tons of essential lifesaving medicines to Afghanistan. The same was handed over to the Indira Gandhi Hospital, Kabul. India stands committed to continue its special relationship with the people of Afghanistan and provide humanitarian assistance. In this endeavour, India has already supplied three shipments of medical assistance, consisting of 500,000 doses of COVID vaccine and essential lifesaving medicines to Afghanistan. The same was handed over to the WHO and Indira Gandhi Children Hospital, Kabul.In coming weeks, we would be supplying more batches of humanitarian assistance consisting of medicines and food-grains for the people of Afghanistan.
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BrahMos signs contract with Philippines.

BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) signed a contract with the Department of National Defence of the Republic of Philippines on January 28, 2022 for supply of Shore Based Anti-Ship Missile System to Philippines. The BAPL is a joint venture company of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. The contract is an important step forward for Government of India’s policy of promoting responsible defence exports.
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India Russia consultations on UNSC issues.

Bilateral consultations on United Nations related issues were held between India and Russia in New Delhi on 31 January 2022. The Indian delegation was led by Secretary (West) in MEA, while the Russian delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (DFM) of the Russian Federation. Secretary (West) congratulated Russia on its upcoming Presidency of the UN Security Council in February 2022. Both sides held wide ranging discussions on issues on the UN Security Council agenda and related developments. Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation on issues of mutual interest at multilateral platforms. The Russian delegation briefed India on its priorities during 76th session of the UN General Assembly. Both sides also agreed to work closely together, given the common challenges faced and in keeping with their long standing Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. During the visit, DFM also called on Foreign Secretary Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla and briefed him on Russian priorities during its upcoming Presidency of the UN Security Council.
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INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Africa

Somalia

Mozambique

Al-Shabaab leader arrested in Mozambique.

On 18 January 2022, the Mozambican Defence and Security Forces (MDSF) have arrested a senior al-Shabaab leader— Ali, 39 years-old Tanzanian national, from Nangade district, along with six other terrorists. Recently, North Mozambique is seen as the haven for terrorists from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. Over the weekend, Nangade district was attacked by al-Shabaab terrorists and at least five people were killed, and 200 others injured.
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Nigeria

Boko Haram terrorists abducted 17 girls in Borno State.

Boko Haram terrorists, on 20 January 2022, have attacked Pemi village in Chibok local government area of Borno State and abducted 17 girls from the village. In Borno State, Boko Haram’s decade-long terror against the Nigerian government has been concentrated. The abduction incident has recalled the 2014 kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok. More than 100 abducted schoolgirls are still missing.
In a statement released on 21 January 2022, Boko Haram also claimed responsibility for killing many Christians and setting fire to two churches and several houses during an attack on the Borno town of Bimi.
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West Asia

US Treasury imposed sanctions on Hizbu’llah-linked Lebanese companies.

On 18 January 2022, the United States (US) Treasury imposed sanctions against three Lebanese nationals and 10 Lebanon-based companies for their linkages with Hizbu’llah terror group. Three Lebanese businessmen, including Adel Diab, have ties with Hizbu’llah and their activity as financial facilitators for the Iran-backed terror group was exploiting Lebanon’s economic resources at a time of crisis.

“Treasury is committed to disrupting Hizballah’s illicit activity and attempts to evade sanctions through business networks while the group doubles down on corrupt patronage networks in Lebanon,” said Brian Nelson, the US’ Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.
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“AQAP announced death of Bin Laden’s former associate in US airstrike in Yemen”: claimed SITE Intelligence Group.

On 20 January 2022, the al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) announced the death of a commander and former associate of Osama Bin Laden— Salih bin Salim bin Ubayd’Abolanaka Abu ‘Umayr al-Hadhrami, in a US airstrike in Yemen. However, the group did not mention any date or location for the death of Ubayd’Abolan, said Rita Katz, Director, SITE Intelligence Group.
For more information: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/intelligence-group-says-aqap-announces-death-former-bin-laden-associate-us-2022-01-20/" target="_blank">Click here to read...

“Islamic State attacked prison in Syria and freed terrorists”: claimed Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

On 20 January 2022, the United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), reported that Islamic State (IS) attacked a Kurdish-administered jail in north-east Syria and freed other IS terrorists. According to the report by the SOHR, a VBIED (Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device) took place at the entrance of the Ghwayran prison, and another blast took place in the vicinity before IS terrorists attacked Kurdish security forces guarding the facility. Ghwayran prison is one of the largest facility with IS terrorists in a semi-autonomous region controlled by Kurdish authorities in north-east Syria.
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Afghanistan

Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack in Herat province.

On 23 January 2022, through a post on its Telegram channel, the Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack in Herat province. On 22 January 2022, a minivan exploded and killed seven people. “The bomb was attached to the van’s fuel tank”, said a Taliban intelligence official in Herat province.
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Pakistan

Two people killed and dozens injured in an explosion in Lahore.

On 20 January 2022, at least two people were killed and dozens other injured in an explosion in Lohari Gate area in Lahore, Pakistan. Lahori Gate, a densely packed area consisting small shops into narrow criss-crossing streets. “Investigations were ongoing to determine the nature of the blast and the kind of explosive used in the blast,” said senior police official Abid Khan. No terrorist group immediately claimed the responsibility for attack.
Pakistan has seen series of attacks, though small-scale, targeting policemen, security forces and civilians, after the breakdown of talks between the government and terror group—Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
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South-East Asia

Indonesia

2002 Bali Bombings: JI terrorist found guilty and sentenced for 15 years in jail.

On 19 January 2022, the Indonesian court sentenced Aris Sumarsono aka Arif Sunarso aka Zulkarnaen, a former commander of al-Qa’ida affiliated Jemaah Islamiyah, for hiding information about the 2002 Bali bombings from authorities and harbouring other terrorists. In the suicide bombings, on 12 October 2002, at least 202 people, mostly foreign tourists including 88 Australians and seven US citizens, were killed.

Zulkarnaen had eluded capture for almost 18 years and was arrested in 2021 from southern town on Sumatra Island. During the trial, which began in September 2021, other convicted terrorists in the 2002 Bali bombings, including Umar Patek and Ali Imron— were sentenced to 20 years and life-term in jail, respectively.
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DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

LeM criminal conspiracy case: NIA filed chargesheet against four LeM terrorists.

On 15 January 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a supplementary chargesheet against four Lashkar-e-Mustafa (LeM) terrorists— i) Mohammad Arman Ali aka Arman Mansuri, ii) Mohammad Ehsanullah aka Guddu Ansari, iii) Imran Ahmad Hajam aka Imran NabiHajam, and iv) Irfan Ahmad Dar, in a case—RC-01/2021/NIA/JMU, related to the criminal conspiracy of LeM terrorists at behest of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) to carry out terrorist activities in Jammu, with intention to threaten security of India.
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Security forces killed two terrorists in Shopian.

On 22 January 2022, security forces eliminated two terrorists in Kilbal village in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). According to reports, 17 terrorists have been killed in over a dozen counter-terrorism (CT) operations in the valley.
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JeM terrorist arrested from Pulwama.

On 22 January 2022, Awantipora police, along with Indian Army’s 55 Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF’s 185 Battalion arrested a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist— Umer Farooq Bhat, from Awantipora area in Pulwama district. According to police statements, Farooq was involved in providing shelter, logistics, and assisting terrorists in transportation, as well as passing sensitive information regarding movement of police and other security forces personnel to JeM terrorists.
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Left-Wing Extremism

IED blast case: NIA filed chargesheet against key conspirators.

On 25 January 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a supplementary chargesheet against two CPI Maoists— i) Sukhram Ramtai, and ii) Jaiki Paradhi aka Jaiki, in a case related to an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) blast that took place on 04 March 2021 in Lanji Forest Hill area, Chakradharpur in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand. In the blast, three personnel of Jharkhand Jaguar (Special Task Force) attained Veergati, and three others were injured.

According to the chargesheet, around 700 kgs of Potash was procured illegally from Madhya Pradesh and brought in several consignments for delivery to CPI Maoists in Jharkhand. Further, these explosives were utilised in making IEDs and targeting security forces.
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Maoists targeted mobile towers in Jharkhand.

On 22 January 2022, Maoists blew up a mobile tower and torched another one in Giridih district in Jharkhand. According to police, the incident marked the first day of the “resistance week” being observed by the Maoists to protest the arrest of their top leader Prashant Bose. “Two Maoists reached at the point on motorbike and set an Airtel tower. Later, they blew up an Idea tower with bombs in Madhuban (a pilgrimage site for Jain community),” said Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Manoj Kumar.

In November 2021, Jharkhand police had arrested Prashant Bose and his wife— SheelaMarandi, from Jharkhand. Prashant Bose was secretary of the CPI (Maoist)’s Eastern regional bureau.
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Security forces killed a Maoist in Chhattisgarh.

On 18 January 2022, security forces eliminated a Maoist in a joint anti-Naxal operation in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. “Acting upon inputs, police and District Reserve Guards (DRGs) carried out an operation in forests of Katekalyan and Marjum regions. Post-exchange of fire between the security forces personnel and Maoists, body of a Maoist recovered from the site,” said Sukma Superintendent of Police (SP) Sunil Sharma.
For more information: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/maoist-killed-in-encounter-in-chhattisgarhs-sukma/articleshow/88970477.cms" target="_blank">Click here to read...

Police killed four Maoists nearby Telangana-Chhattisgarh border area.

On 18 January 2022, elite anti-Maoist force of Telangana police engaged in gun-battle and killed four Maoists, including divisional level leaders of the CPI (Maoist), in Karragatta forest in Venkatapuram (Nuguru) mandal in Mulugu district of Telangana, nearby Chhattisgarh border. Police recovered an INSAS assault rifle from the operation site.
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Khalistan-inspired Extremism

“Pakistan using Sikhs for its nefarious motives against India.” claimed Dal Khalsa founding member.

In an interview with Times Now, founder of Dal Khalsa and the UK-based pro-Khalistan leader—Jaswant Singh Thekedar, has accused Pakistan of using Sikh community to fulfil its nefarious intentions against India. “Pakistan has never been a sympathiser of Sikhs and will never be. They [Pakistan] can never help pro-Khalistan members. Pakistan is using Sikhs as props for the last 40 years to target India,” said Thekedar.

Rejecting the motives of the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)’s key member—Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Thekedar said that “Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is not even a Sikh, and he parrots Pakistan’s script. Pannun makes statements and instigate people of India, on Pakistan’s direction against money.”
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UK-based Sikhs rejected pro-Khalistan groups’ anti-India campaign.

On 16 January 2022, the leaders of the Sikh community based in the United Kingdom (UK) gathered at Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, at Park Avenue, Southall, and passed a resolution thanking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for doing developmental works for the Sikh community and helping to bridge the misunderstanding. The Sikh community pushed back against anti-India campaign of pro-Khalistan groups.
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“At least nine key pro-Khalistan elements are operating from Germany”: claimed probe agencies.

At least nine key pro-Khalistan operatives, associated with Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), were booked by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on the charge of attempting to revive terrorism in Punjab, have been operating from Germany.
Interpol’s Red Notices are pending against four of these key pro-Khalistan operatives—Bhupinder Singh Bhinda, Gurmeet Singh Bagga, & Shaminder Singh of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), and Harjot Singh of BabbarKhalsa International (BKI) terror groups. In 2019-2020, Bagga managed to smuggle weapons into Punjab from across the border using Pakistan-controlled drones.
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Islamic Extremism

IS Kerala module case: NIA filed chargesheet against eight IS terrorists.

On 28 January 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed chargesheet against eight Islamic State (IS) terrorists— i) Deepthi Marla aka Maryam, ii) Mohammad Waqar Lone aka Wilson Kashmiri, iii) Mizha Siddeeque, iv) Shifa Harris aka Ayesha, v) Obaid Hamid Matta, vi) Madesh Shankar aka Abdullah, vii) Ammar Abdul Rahiman, and viii) Muzamil Hassan Bhat, in connection with IS Kerala module case—RC-05/2021/NIA/DLI.
The case is related to terrorist activities of Mohammad Ameenaka Abu Yahya and his associates, who have been running various IS propaganda channels/groups on different social media platforms, including Telegram, Hoop, and Instagram. The activities included propagating of IS’s jihadi ideology, radicalising and recruitment of new operatives for the IS’s Kerala module. Earlier on 08 September 2021, the NIA had filed chargesheet against three IS terrorists in the same case.
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Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) Cases

FICN recovery case: BSF & NIA arrested an absconding FICN trafficker from West Bengal.

On 15 January 2022, In a joint operation with Border Security Force (BSF), the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested an absconding FICN (Fake Indian Currency Notes) smuggler— Aladuaka Matahur, from Malda district, West Bengal, in connection with recovery of FICNs case— RC-23/2019/NIA/DLI.

The case is related to the recovery of FICNs with face value of ₹ 1,99,000 from possession of Aladu on 16 September 2019. According to the case, Aladu had been involved with other associates from Bangladesh in procuring and circulation of high quality FICNs with an intention to harm economic stability of India.
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