VIF Information Alerts - 1 Feb 2018

Senior IAF officer detained for leaking info from HQ
Published – The Times of India
01 Feb 2018

The IAF's counter-intelligence wing has detained a senior officer posted at the Air Headquarters here for allegedly leaking classified documents to a woman among other persons, in what is suspected to be an espionage ring being run from Pakistan.
The officer, a Group Captain (equivalent to a Colonel in the Army), was allegedly using his smart phone to click pictures of classified documents at the Air Headquarters and then using the popular messaging platform "WhatsApp" to transmit them to the woman, whose identity is not yet clear, said sources. Click here to read... [2]

Cracks in Naga boycott camp, ruling NPF edgy
Published – The Times of India
01 Feb 2018

The campaign against Nagaland assembly elections crumbled on Wednesday with an organisation of the most prominent Naga tribes — the Angami Nagas — pulling out of the boycott even as Election Commission issued notification for the polls in the state. This came within 24 hours of BJP taking a similar stand.
The ruling Naga People's Front (NPF), which, along with its ally BJP was one of the signatories of the 'joint declaration' by 11 parties for a boycott on Monday, also made it amply clear that it could change its stand. "If any other party files nominations, we will also file," NPF chief Shurhozelie Liezietsu said. Click here to read... [3]

Case of US-born Islamic State fighter puts America in a fix
Published – Hindustan Times
01 Jan 2018

Around 100-200 US nationals travelled to Syria and Iraq after 2010 to fight for the Islamic State, and a handful have been killed. But the number isn’t clear as the US has not provided any data.
The first and only US citizen caught on the battlefield allegedly fighting for the Islamic State is in a legal limbo, held in Iraq without rights as Washington grapples with his fate. Click here to read... [4]

Taiwan says China air route dispute will determine future ties
Published – The Straits Times
01 Feb 2018

A dispute with China over its opening of new air routes near Taiwan will determine future relations between Taipei and Beijing, Taiwan's government said amid a deepening disagreement that could strand thousands over an important holiday.
The spat has become increasingly bitter, with both sides trading accusations after two Chinese airlines cancelled extra flights to Taiwan over the Lunar New Year, the most important holiday in the Chinese calendar, potentially leaving thousands of Taiwanese without tickets to go home. Click here to read... [5]

China orders Muji to destroy catalog over ‘problem map’
Published – The Indian Express
31 Jan 2018

The government of President Xi Jinping has been increasingly assertive about its claims to self-ruled Taiwan and disputed areas of the South China Sea and East China Sea.
The foreign ministry on Wednesday told foreign companies to “respect China’s sovereignty” after Japanese retailer Muji was ordered to destroy a catalog that Beijing complained mislabeled Taiwan and omits disputed islands. Muji joined a string of companies including hotel keeper Marriott and fashion brand Zara that Beijing has criticized this year for commercial materials that fail to reflect its territorial claims. Click here to read... [6]

Angry Afghan President refuses to take call from Pak PM, but speaks to Modi
Published – The Statement
31 Jan 2018

Even as he spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an angry Afghan President Ashraf Ghani refused to take a phone call from Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi who wanted to speak to him over the recent spate of terror attacks in the war-torn nation.
”Modi called me to offer condolences over the recent senseless killings of innocent civilians in Afghanistan by the enemies of humanity. We discussed the need for an end to terrorist sanctuaries in our neighbourhood (read Pakistan),’’ he tweeted after speaking to the Indian leader. Ghani said India had always been a good friend of Afghanistan, sharing its pain and grief. However, he refused to take the call when the Pakistan PM telephoned him on Tuesday night to offer condolences over the terror attacks, the Afghan media said. Click here to read... [7]

Afghan spy chief in Pakistan to hand over Kabul attack evidence
Published – The Tribune
31 Jan 2018

A high-level Afghan delegation, comprising the interior minister and the intelligence chief, today arrived in Pakistan to handover evidence relating to the recent deadly attacks in Kabul and a message from President Ashraf Ghani, media reports said. Click here to read... [8]

Light Combat Helicopter makes maiden flight with indigenously developed AFCS
Published – The Economics Times
31 Jan 2018

HAL today said it has carried out the first flight of Light Combat Helicopter (Technology Demonstrator-2) with the Automatic Flight Control System designed by it, for the first time in the country. The maiden flight was 'flawless' and flew for 20 minutes with the engagement of the system throughout, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited said in a press release. Click here to read... [9]

Government sanctions 7,000 troops to BSF for Pakistan, Bangladesh borders
Published – The Economics Times
31 Jan, 2018

The Border Security Force (BSF), which guards the country's volatile border with Pakistan, will raise six new battalions comprising around 7,000 personnel, official sources said today. The Ministry of Home Affairs also sanctioned an amount of Rs 2,090.94 crore to the force. The new battalions will also be deployed along the smuggling and infiltration prone India-Bangladesh border. Click here to read... [10]