VIF Information Alerts - 25 April 2019

Terror group NTJ behind Sri Lanka bombing wanted separate Islamic confederate in region
Published: Hindustan Times

25 Apr 2019

Central agencies responsible for countering the influence of Islamic State in India have found that Sri Lanka-based National Towheed Jama’at (NTJ), a Tamil Nadu-based outfit and some people from Kerala were in regular touch for over a year to create a “separate Islamic confederation” in the region, a counterterrorism official claimed. The official, however, said the Tamil Nadu-based organisation doesn’t seem to be involved in Sri Lanka attacks but it was in touch with radical elements, an angle which needs to be probed further.Click here to read... [2]

Five of six designated targets were hit in Balakot airstrike: IAF review
Published: The Indian Express

25 Apr 2019

An Indian Air Force review of its February 26 air strike on Balakot in Pakistan has shown that its aircraft hit five of six designated mean point of impact (DMPI) on buildings in the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror training complex. The detailed review, two sources conversant with it told The Indian Express, focuses on the strengths, weaknesses and lessons learnt from the air operation.

While acknowledging there could be a better weapon to target-matching and a better feedback loop to win the propaganda war, the review has highlighted the positives in terms of maintaining surprise, security of operations, pilot proficiency and accuracy of the weapon used. It also has hitherto unpublished details of the operation based on extensive debriefing and assessment.Click here to read... [3]

Chinese submarine movements in Indian Ocean down, Pakistan Navy remains choked in
Published: The Economic Times

25 Apr 2019

Chinese submarine movements in the Indian Ocean Region have reduced significantly, with no detected presence since October last year when a deployment had to be aborted mid-way, due to a suspected technical fault, government sources have told ET. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy has been maintaining operational deployment in the Arabian Sea since the Pulwama terror strike in February, virtually choking the Pakistan Navy and forcing it to stay close to the coastline.Click here to read... [4]

China seeks to allay Belt and Road debt concerns
Published: The Tribune

25 Apr 2019

China aims to make the Belt and Road initiative sustainable and prevent debt risks, its finance minister said on Thursday, seeking to allay criticism that the infrastructure plan to boost trade and investment creates a heavy burden for some nations.Click here to read... [5]