Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reviewed the progress of two Defence Industrial Corridors on July 16, 2019. The review focused on Indian defence market, introduction of defence corridors, Uttar Pradesh & Tamil Nadu Defence Corridors & its ecosystem, stakeholders’ interaction, policy support for defence industry, anchor investment in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh corridors, appointment of consultant for preparation of Detailed Project Report & initiatives taken by state Governments.
Finance Minister, in the budget speech (2018-19) had announced setting up of two Defence Industrial Corridors in the country. In pursuance, it was decided to set up one of these Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and the other in Tamil Nadu. Subsequently, six nodes have been identified for Uttar Pradesh Corridor and five for Tamil Nadu Corridor. Click here to read.... [2]
Raksha Mantri reviewed operationalisation of newly dedicated joint venture Indo Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) at Korwa in Uttar Pradesh for production of AK 203 assault rifles in a high level meeting, July 16, 2019. The project is a joint venture between Ordnance Factories Board (OFB) on the Indian side, and Rosonboron Exports and Concern Kalashnikov on the Russian side. The OFB owns 50.5 per cent equity and Russian side the remaining 49.5 per cent. The JV is formed consequent to the Inter-governmental Agreement signed between India and Russia in February 2019. The JV has obtained all requisite licences for production and export. The JV was in process of filing its response to the RFP floated by MoD for supply of 6.71 lakh rifles. Click here to read.... [2]
Oceanographic research vessel of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), INS Sagardhwani, embarked on a two-month long SAGAR MAITRI (SM) Mission-2 from Kochi on July 18, 2019. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D & Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy flagged-off the ship in the presence of Vice Admiral Anil K Chawla, FOC-in-C (South).
SAGAR MAITRI is a unique initiative of DRDO which aligns with the broad objective of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s policy declaration “Safety And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)” to promote closer co-operation in socio-economic aspects as well as greater scientific interaction especially in ocean research among Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries. Under the aegis of PM’s policy, specific scientific component of DRDO is “MAITRI (Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative)”. Click here to read.... [2]
The Indian Army successfully carried out summer user trials of third Generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile NAG at Pokhran Field Firing Ranges. The trials of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed Missile were conducted between July 7 to18, 2019. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has congratulated the user evaluation teams and DRDO for the successful completion of the user trials.
NAG missile has been developed to engage highly fortified enemy tanks in all weather conditions with day and night capabilities and with a minimum range of 500 metres and maximum range of four kilometres. It is a third-generation fire and forget class missile and uses an imaging infrared seeker in lock-on-before-launch mode.Click here to read.... [2]
The Raksha Mantri visited the Kargil War Memorial at Dras in Jammu and Kashmir on July 20, 2019. He laid a wreath in memory of the martyrs of Operation VIJAY at the iconic Kargil War Memorial. He later visited the 'Veer Bhoomi' and the ‘Hut of Remembrance’ which are co-located in the Memorial premises. During his visit, the Raksha Mantri was briefed on Operation VIJAY including the heroic actions of the Indian troops in thwarting the evil designs of the enemy in the Dras, Kargil and Batalik Sectors. Click here to read.... [2]
The Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 313, the fifth Dornier aircraft squadron, was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Admiral Karambir Singh, PVSM AVSM ADC Chief of the Naval Staff at an impressive ceremony held at Naval Air Enclave, Meenambakkam, on 22 Jul 19. Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, AVSM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Rear Admiral KJ Kumar VSM, Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA) and a host of other dignitaries were also present during the commissioning ceremony. Click here to read.... [2]
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh was scheduled to visit Mozambique in Africa from July 28-30. He will have talks with the President, Defence Minister, Foreign Minister and Interior Minister of Mozambique during the visit.
During the visit, three MoUs/Agreements in the fields of exclusive economic zone surveillance, sharing of white shipping information and hydrography would be signed to further strengthen & expand bilateral defence cooperation. There will also be handing over ceremony from India to Mozambique of two fast interceptor boats and 44 SUVs. Raksha Mantri will be accompanied by Defence Secretary Shri Sanjay Mitra and other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence and External Affairs. Click here to read.... [2]
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (MAH), Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services (CDS) of the Republic of Union of Myanmar, is currently on an official visit to India from 25th July to 2nd August, 2019. Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Yesso Naik held talks with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Both sides were accompanied by senior officials. The talks were aimed at enhancing defence co-operation, reviewing joint exercises and training provided to Myanmar Defence Services, strengthening maritime security by joint surveillance and capacity building, medical co-operation, pollution response and for developing new infrastructure. Click here to read.... [2]
On July 15, 11 pilgrims were killed and 35 others injured in a landmine explosion in Khakrez district of Kandahar province. According to officials, 22 children and eight women were among injured. Reportedly, the pilgrims were on the way to a shrine of Sufi Shah Agha—a companion and relative of Prophet Mohammad. Click here to read.... [3]
On July 12, in a suicide bombing, five people were killed and 40 others injured during a wedding celebration in Nangarhar province. Reportedly, the suicide bombing targeting a tribal leader and a local police chief, was carried out by a child bomber. On the same day, Taliban’s spokesperson Zabiullah Mojahid released a message denying its involvement in the incident. Click here to read.... [4]
The media-wing of Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) on July 18, confirmed the killing of its key recruiter— Huzaifa al-Bakistani in a drone strike in Khogyani district in Eastern Nangarhar province. Huzaifa was a Pakistan national and a well-known online recruiter for the IS. After completing a degree in engineering, Huzaifa joined Lashkar-e-Taiba’s media wing before moving over to the ISKP in Afghanistan. Reportedly, Huzaifa and Ahangar were masterminds behind the activities of Islamic State Jammu and Kashmir (IS-J&K), and played a crucial role in the radicalisation and recruitment of youth from J&K.Click here to read.... [5]
Under international pressure for providing safe havens to terrorist organisations, authorities in Pakistan arrested Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed in terror-funding cases registered at Lahore, Gujranwala, and Multan. The cases were registered against the leadership of banned outfits— Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), LeT, and Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF), headed by Hafiz Saeed. Click here to read.... [6]
On 15 July, Delhi Police’s Special Cell arrested a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist— Basir Ahmad, from Srinagar. Basir Ahmad was an absconded terrorist in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention)] Act. In 2007, Basir Ahmad was arrested along with Abdul Gafoor, another JeM terrorist. But, after the trial Court acquitted him in 2013, he went into hiding. Later the Trial Court’s decision was reversed by the Delhi High Court in 2014.Click here to read.... [7]
On 17 July, security forces killed a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist— Adnan Channa, in an exchange of fire at Gund Brath village of Sopore in Baramulla district. A joint team of Army, State police, and CRPF conducted a Cordon-And-Search Operation in the area. As the search was going on, terrorists opened fire on the security forces which led to gun battle. Click here to read.... [8]
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at multiple locations in Kashmir on July 23, in connection with investigations into terror-funding cases in Jammu and Kashmir. The raids were carried out in Srinagar, and Pulwama districts at the residences of some businessmen engaged in cross-LoC (Line of Control) trade. NIA officials reportedly seized substantial evidences related to terror-funding during raids. It claimed have recovered several incriminating documents, including letter-heads of different terrorist organisations as well as high-end communication systems, during these raids. Click here to read.... [9]
On July 22, J&K police arrested from Srinagar city, three Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorists— Asif Iqbal Dar, Shahid Hassan Dar, and Rasheed Lateef Mir, for their alleged involvement in the killing of a Special Police Officer (SPO) at Chanpora city. The arrests were based on accurate intelligence. This was disclosed by SSP, Srinagar— Dr Haseeb Mughal. Click here to read.... [10]
In a joint operation conducted by Rashtriya Rifles and Bandipora police, two Over Ground Workers of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM)— Mohammad Saleem Gojer, and Mohammad Iqbal Katana were arrested from Turknadi village of Bandipora district.Click here to read.... [11]
On July 30, security forces killed two terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in a gun-battle at Wabzun village in Anantnag district. One of the terrorists was identified as Fayaz Panzoo. Reportedly, Panzoo was involved in June 2019 attack on CRPF team in Anantnag in which six CRPF personnel were martyred.Click here to read.... [1]
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on July 29, arrested a JeM terrorist Mohammad Muzaffar Bhat aka Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat, from Central Jail in Kot Bhalwal in Jammu, where he was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA). Bhat was arrested in connection with a case of conspiracy to organise terrorist attacks in India. The Special Court-NIA, New Delhi granted nine days custody of Bhat to the NIA. Click here to read.... [12]
In a joint counter-terrorism operation led by the Special Operations Group of J&K Police, two JeM terrorists Munna Lahori and Zeenat ul-Islam, were killed during a gun-battle in Bun Bazaar area in Shopian district. Munna Lahori, a Pakistan national was IED (Improvised Explosive Device) expert. He was active in South Kashmir region for a long time and was also involved in recruiting youth for JeM. Click here to read.... [13]
Officials of Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), on July 26, arrested the key accused of 2002 Akshardham Temple attack, a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist— Mohammad Yasin Gulam Moiuddin Bhutt, from Anantnag district. He was handed over to Ahmedabad Crime Branch for further proceedings in the case. Click here to read.... [14]
The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police on 31 July arrested a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorist— Showkat Ahmad Tantary, from Qazipora area in Budgam district. Police recovered arms and ammunitions from Tantary’s possession. Click here to read.... [15]
On July 19, Jharkhand police arrested four Maoists— Sunil Tudu, Budhram Mardi, Sriram Majhi, and Ramu Lohra, in connection with the killing of five policemen in Seraikela-Kharsawan district on June 14, 2019. According to the district Superintendent of Police, Kartik S, Anal-da aka Ramesh aka Patiram Majhi, a Central Committee member of CPI-Maoist, had masterminded the 14 June attack on the policemen. Click here to read.... [16]
On July 15, NIA arrested 14 suspects associated with a group ‘Ansarulla’—a new Islamist radical group based in Tamil Nadu. Reportedly, the suspects were conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks in India, with intentions of ‘establishing Islamic rule’. Two other accused— Hassan Ali, and Harish Mohamed were arrested on 14 July from Nagapattinam. Also, during a raid on the premises on 13 July, NIA recovered nine cellular phones, 15 SIM cards, seven memory cards, three laptops, five Hard Drives, six USB sticks, two Tablets, besides documents including magazines, banners, notices, and books. Click here to read.... [17]
One of India’s largest IT Outsourcing companies—Infosys has announced the opening of its Cyber Security Centre (CSC) in Bucharest, Romania. The CSC will provide 24x7 real-time monitoring and Cyber protection services to support European companies in their digital transformation.Click here to read.... [18]
Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/vifdigest/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2019/august/13
[2] http://pib.nic.in/newsite/pmreleases.aspx?mincode=33
[3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/afghanistan-roadside-bomb-kills-11-pilgrims-kandahar-190715160519838.html
[4] https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/12/middleeast/afghanistan-minor-suicide-bomber-intl-hnk/index.html
[5] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/is-s-key-recruiter-for-kashmir-killed-in-attack/story-rmeHtQ6gke99S8goVqPQqL.html
[6] https://www.livemint.com/news/india/let-chief-hafiz-saeed-arrested-1563350301144.html
[7] https://www.news18.com/news/india/delhi-police-special-cell-nabs-absconding-jaish-e-mohammad-militant-in-srinagar-2232373.html
[8] https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/let-militant-killed-in-sopore-encounter-747767.html
[9] https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/terror-funding-nia-carries-out-fresh-raids-in-kashmir-749015.html
[10] https://kashmirreader.com/2019/07/23/jk-police-arrest-three-hizb-militants-in-srinagar/
[11] https://zeenews.india.com/india/two-ogw-arrested-in-jammu-and-kashmirs-bandipora-arms-and-ammunition-recovered-2222245.html
[12] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nia-arrests-jaish-e-mohammad-member-from-jammu-1574969-2019-07-29
[13] https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/page1/jem---s-ied-expert-killed-in-shopian.html
[14] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/akshardham-attack-accused-held-in-jk/articleshowprint/70403260.cms
[15] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hizbul-mujahideen-terrorist-arrested-in-jammu-and-kashmirs-budgam-2078703
[16] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/4-maoists-held-in-jharkhand-for-killing-of-5-cops/story-RRCR00XA5GFOUi764ieGGO.html
[17] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nia-arrests-14-people-suspected-of-setting-up-terror-group-in-tamil-nadu/articleshowprint/70234673.cms
[18] https://www.romania-insider.com/infosys-cybersecurity-center-bucharest
[19] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=VIF News Digest: National Security, Defence Studies and Terrorism, 16-31 July, 2019&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/vifdigest/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2019/august/13
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