VIF News Digest: National Security - Defence Studies & Terrorism, (01 – 15 September 2023)

Anurag Sharma, Senior Research Associate, VIF

September 21 , 2023 Views: 2183 Comments: 0

I. Defence

Visit of INS Delhi to Colombo.
Launch of Y - 12654 (Mahendragiri)
Visit of Brazilian Navy Delegation.
Indian Army organises North Tech Symposium.
Exercise Bright Star-23 Concludes at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt.
IAF chief takes delivery of first C-295 transport aircraft in Spain.
INS Sunayna Visits Port Victoria.
India France Bilateral Naval Exercise ‘Varuna – 2023’.
Indian Coast Guard participates in 19th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting.
Visit of the Chief of the Naval Staff Bangladesh Navy.

II. International Terrorism

Africa

Regional MP killed in a landmine explosion planned by al-Shabaab in Somalia.
At least 120 al-Shabaab terrorists killed in 17 CT operations.

III. Domestic Terrorism

I. Defence

Visit of INS Delhi to Colombo.

INS Delhi, Indian Navy’s first indigenously designed and built guided missile destroyer, arrived at Colombo on 01 September 2023 for a two-day visit. During the ship’s stay in harbour, several interactions including cross training of personnel in various topics of mutual interest were held between the ship’s crew and personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN). The visit concluded with a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) at sea off Colombo between INS Delhi and SLN ship Vijayabahu.Click here to read…

Launch of Yard 3024 (Vindhyagiri).

Mahendragiri, the seventh Stealth Frigate of Project 17A being built at MDL, was launched on 01 Sep 23 at the shipyard by Dr (Smt.) Sudesh Dhankhar, wife of Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar. Project 17A Frigates are the follow-on class of the Project 17 (Shivalik Class) Frigates, with improved stealth features, advanced weapons & sensors and platform management systems. Seven Project 17A Frigates are under various stages of construction at MDL and GRSE.Click here to read…

Visit of Brazilian Navy Delegation.

A Brazilian Navy delegation led by Admiral José Augusto Vieira da Cunha de Menezes, Chief of General Staff visited New Delhi and met the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff on 05 Sep 23. The Brazilian delegation also held discussions with the Chief of Materiel on areas of mutual cooperation, with focus on Indian Navy's indigenisation efforts for achieving self-reliance in Submarine maintenance. Mumbai.Click here to read…

Indian Army organises North Tech Symposium.

The Northern Command of the Indian Army jointly organised the North Tech Symposium (NTS) 2023 along with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jammu and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) from September 11-13, 2023 in IIT Jammu which successfully showcased the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self Reliant India) and Make in India initiatives. The three Symposium had over 180 firms participating with their defence equipment which were all Made in India.Click here to read…

Exercise Bright Star-23 Concludes at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt.

On 14 Sep 23, the U.S. Central Command and the Egyptian Armed Forces, along with troops from 32 other nations, concluded Exercise Bright Star 2023, at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Egypt. An Indian Army contingent along with the IAF and INS Sumedha participated in the exercise. This is for the first time that Indian Armed Forces are participating in Exercise Bright Star.Click here to read…

IAF chief takes delivery of first C-295 transport aircraft in Spain.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on 13 Sep 23 received the first C-295MW transport aircraft from Airbus. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) V.R. Chaudhari formally received symbolic keys to the first aircraft at the Airbus facility in Seville, Spain. The 56 C-295 aircraft will replace the ageing Avro aircraft. As per the contract, 16 aircraft will come in fly-away condition from Seville while 40 will be manufactured by Airbus jointly with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).Click here to read…

INS Sunayna Visits Port Victoria.

INS Sunayna visited Port Victoria, Seychelles from 03- 06 Sep 23. During the port visit, the ship participated in variety of activities which included professional and social interactions as also cross deck visits.Click here to read…

India France Bilateral Naval Exercise ‘Varuna’ – 2023.

Phase Il of the 21st edition of Varuna (Varuna-23) bilateral exercise between the Indian and French navies was conducted in the Arabian Sea. The exercise witnessed participation of guided missile frigates, tanker, Maritime Patrol Aircraft and integral helicopters from the two sides. The exercise was conducted over three days and witnessed joint operations, underway replenishment and various tactical manoeuvres. The first phase of 'Varuna-2023' was conducted off India's Western Seaboard from 16 to 20 Jan 23.Click here to read…

Indian Coast Guard participates in 19th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting.

Indian Coast Guard participated in the 19th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) from 05-08 Sep 23 at Istanbul, Türkiye. A four-member ICG delegation led by DG Rakesh Pal, Director General Indian Coast Guard took part in the annual event of the independent forum with 23 members of Coast Guard Agencies and 02 associate members.Click here to read…

Visit of the Chief of the Naval Staff Bangladesh Navy.

Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Chief of the Naval Staff, Bangladesh Navy visited India from 12-16 Sep 23. During the visit he met the Chief of the Defence Staff, Chief of the Naval Staff, Defence Secretary, Foreign Secretary in addition to other high ranking GoI officials.Click here to read…

II. International Terrorism

Africa

Regional MP killed in a landmine explosion planned by al-Shabaab in Somalia.

On 11 Sep 23, a Somali regional politician and two other persons were killed in a landmine explosion in the Galmudug town of El-Garas, which was alleged to have been set by al-Shabaab. Mohamed Mohamud, a Galmudug Member of Parliament, was killed in the attack while visiting a previously liberated territory from al-Shabaab terrorists. Later, in a statement posted on its social media channel, al-Qa’ida-affiliated group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.Click here to read…

At least 120 al-Shabaab terrorists killed in 17 CT operations in Galmudug State.

In 17 counter-terrorism (CT) operations in two days, the Somali National Army (SNA), supported by local forces, eliminated 120 al-Shabaab terrorists in Galmudug State, Central Somalia. In an official announcement made on 12 Sep 23, Abdirahman Yusuf al-Adala, Deputy Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism informed Somali National News Agency said “Senior al-Shabaab commanders were among 120 neutralised during the operations; they fled from El-Garas town on 11 September, and they could not defend it. The operations have weakened them,” said al-Adala.Click here to read…

III. Domestic Terrorism

Jammu and Kashmir

Three security force personnel attained Veergati in gunfight with terrorists in Anantnag.

On 13 Sep 23, three security forces personnel— i) Colonel Manpreet Singh (Commanding Officer- Rashtriya Rifles), ii) Major Ashish (Company Commander- Rashtriya Rifles), and iii) Humayun Bhat (DSP Jammu and Kashmir Police), attained Veergati (killed in battle) in a gunfight with terrorists in Anantnag district.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, two terrorists were eliminated by security forces in Narla area in Rajouri. Earlier, on 04 Se23, a terrorist was eliminated in a gunfight with security forces in Reasi district.Click here to read…

“Govt. is committed to break terror ecosystem”: J&K LG.

While addressing a public rally in Sopore on 07 Sep 23, the Lt Governor (LG) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)— Manoj Sinha said that J&K administration is committed to break the backbone of the terror ecosystem in the J&K. “Every village, district, and city is important in the eyes of the J&K administration in the war against terrorism. Those who misguided youth for decades and turned it into Kandahar (a city in Afghanistan) did great injustice to future generations of this place,” said LG Sinha.Click here to read…

IV. Left-Wing Extremism

NIA carried out search operation in Chhattisgarh and Telangana in CPI (Maoist) Case

On 09 September 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out raids at 08 locations in Chhattisgarh and Telangana in connection with CPI (Maoist) case. The case involved recovery of explosive materials, drones, and a Lathe machine for use against security forces, in June in Cherla mandal of Kothagudem in Telangana.
The NIA had filed charges against 12 people after three of them were found with explosives, drones, and a Lathe machine. The three suspects were arrested by local police in collaboration with other security agencies. The cache was intended for use in the production of indigenous weapons to be used against security forces in Naxal-affected areas. Because of the serious inter-state security implications, the case was later turned over to the NIA.Click here to read…

NIA raided various locations and cracked down the CPI (Maoist) revival attempts in UP.

On 09 Sep 23, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out raids at 08 locations in Chhattisgarh and Telangana in connection with CPI (Maoist) case. The case involved recovery of explosive materials, drones, and a Lathe machine for use against security forces, in June in Cherla mandal of Kothagudem in Telangana.
The NIA has filed charges against 12 people after three of them were found with explosives, drones, and a Lathe machine. The three suspects were arrested by local police in collaboration with other security agencies. The cache was intended for use in the production of indigenous weapons to be used against security forces in Naxal-affected areas. Because of the serious inter-state security implications, the case was later turned over to the NIA.Click here to read…

Three Maoists, including a woman, surrendered in Chhattisgarh policy.

On 10 Sep 23, three Maoists, including a woman, carrying a reward of ₹ 8 lakhs surrendered before security forces in Sukma district in Chhattisgarh. Three Maoists, identified as i) Kamli, ii) Deva, and iii) Sannu, surrendered citing disappointment with the Maoist ideology, said Sukma’s Superintendent of Police (SP)— Kiran Chavan. Trio was involved in several Naxalite activities in Sukma and Bijapur districts.Click here to read…

Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)

NIA arrests an Islamic State operative from Delhi Airport.

On 14 Sep 23, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested an absconding Islamic State (IS) operative—Arafath Ali on arrival at New Delhi Airport from Nairobi, Kenya. Since 2020, Arafath Ali had been absconding and had been operating from abroad to promote an anti-Bharat terror agenda of the IS. According to the NIA investigations, Arafath Ali, resident of Shivamogga district in Karnataka, was actively involved in identification, radicalisation, and recruitment of Muslim youth into the IS while working from abroad.Click here to read…

NIA attaches a property used by al-Qa’ida terrorist.

On 11 Sep 23, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) attached a house, in Uttar Pradesh (UP) as ‘proceeds of terrorism’ under Section 25 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A], after revealing that it was used by terrorists of al-Qa’ida affiliated Ansar Ghazwat ul-Hind (AGuH), to make preparations for carrying out terror attacks. The house in Dubagga, UP, was in use by Minhaj Ahmed, for carrying out various terrorist activities, including fabrication of IEDs and Petrol Bombs, to carry out terror attacks in the State. The property is registered in the name of Siraj Ahmed, father of Minhaj. The investigation revealed that Minhaj Ahmed was closely associated with Adil Nabi Teli aka Musa, a terrorist affiliated with the TRF (The Resistant Front). Security forces eliminated Musa in March 2022.Click here to read…

Khalistan-inspired Extremism

NIA Special Court forfeited Khalistani terrorist’s aide’s properties to the State.

Under Section 26 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A], the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court, Panchkula has forfeited seized properties of four aides of Pakistan-based Khalistani terrorist— Harwinder Singh Sandhu aka Rinda. This is the first time the NIA proactively sought the properties of terrorists to be ‘forfeited to the State’ under anti-terror legislation after being attached as proceeds of terrorism. The NIA has adopted this strategy to cut off the financial support for terrorist organisations and their associates. The agency has already attached several properties linked to terrorism, and various courts are currently processing their forfeiture.Click here to read…

SFJ chief’s anti-Bharat speech hinting at ‘Balkanising Bharat’.

The Sikh for Justice (SFJ) chief and founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun appeared and made an anti-Bharat speech hinting at ‘Balkanising Bharat’ during a Khalistani referendum organised in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, on 10 Sep 23. The referendum was organised at the Guru Nanak Singh Gurdwara in Surrey. According to news reports, around 7,000 people turned up, against a predicted crowd of 50,000 to 75,000. The referendum was intentionally organised on the same day Bharat’s Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi conveyed Bharat’s concerns to his counterpart— Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, about Khalistan extremists promoting violence against Bharat’s diplomats in Canada.Click here to read…

“We are working closely with the Indian government to tackle pro-Khalistan extremism”: UK Prime Minister.

During his visit for G20 Summit held in Delhi, the United Kingdom (UK)’s Prime Minister (PM) Rishi Sunak emphasised that no form of extremism or violence is acceptable in the UK. “We (UK) are working closely with the Indian government to particularly tackle pro-Khalistan extremism. We have Joint Working Groups (JWGs) to share intelligence and information so that we can root out this kind of violent extremism. It is not right and I would not tolerate it in the UK,” said UK PM Sunak.Click here to read…