VIF News Digest: National Security, Defence Studies and Terrorism, 16-31 August, 2019

VIF News Digest: National Security, Defence Studies and Terrorism, 16-31 August, 2019

Defence:

• MoD clarifies there is no proposal to privatise OFB;
• Defence Minister approves Committee to review Defence Procurement Procedure to strengthen ‘Make in India’;
• Defence Minister reviews functioning of IMAC and IFC-IOR;
• Coast Guards of India and Sri Lanka to strengthen co-operation on maritime issues;
• Defence Minister approves re-organisation of Army Headquarters;
• Dr Ajay Kumar appointed Defence Secretary;
• Significant rise in number of cases processed by the Services following delegation of enhanced financial powers;
• 15th Finance Commission holds meeting with Defence Minister and senior officials of MoD.

International Terrorism:

Africa

• Somalia- Security Forces killed 20 Al-Shabaab terrorists in Lower Shabelle.

Afghanistan

• 66 people injured in multiple bombings in Nangarhar province; <
• IED Explosion outside Pakistan Consulate General in Nangarhar;
• Taliban killed 14 pro-government militia in Herat province.

Domestic Terrorism:

Jammu and Kashmir

• Former J&K MLA Rashid in judicial custody in terror-funding case;
• Pakistan using terrorists to destabilise J&K, claims PoK activist.

Left-Wing Extremism

• Security Forces killed five Maoists in Chhattisgarh.

Islamist Extremism in India (including Islamic State)

• 2014 Burdwan blast case accused arrested from Madhya Pradesh;
• Kerala, and Tamil Nadu Police on ‘high alert’ over suspected infiltrations of terrorists;
• JeM preparing ‘underwater terrorist wing’, says Indian Navy Chief.

Cyber & Artificial Intelligence (Security Perspective)

• India and France to cooperate on cyber security, and digital technology.

DEFENCE

MoD clarifies there is no proposal to privatise OFB

In continuation of the meeting held on August 14, a Committee of senior officials of Ministry of Defence (MoD) led by Additional Secretary, Department of Defence Production along with Chairman, Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), once again met the office bearers of the All India Defence Employees Federation, Indian National Defence Workers Federation, Bhartiya Pratiksha Mazdoor Sangh and Confederation of Defence Recognized Association on the issue of Strike notice given by them starting with effect from August 20, 2019. Meeting was also attended by officials from the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India. The Committee pointed out that the employees’ call for 30 days’ strike was unprecedented, especially when Government has already agreed to their demand to hold discussions at the MoD level and is in process of continuously engaging with them.

The Committee clarified that there was no proposal to privatise OFB. The proposal under consideration of Government is to make it into Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), which will be 100 per cent Government owned. Rumours being spread that OFB was being privatised were misguiding and misleading the workers. Corporatisation of OFB will bring OFB at par with other DPSUs of MoD. This will be in the interest of OFB as it will provide operational freedom and flexibility to OFB which it presently lacks. Besides, the interests of the workers will be adequately safeguarded in any decision taken on the subject.

The Committee also pointed out that Government has been continuously trying to strengthen the functioning of OFB, including having taken several steps to modernise the factories, carry out capital upgradation, retrain and re-skill OFB employees at Government costs, enable development of products and components with indigenous technology. The Committee urged the employee organisations to recognise Government’s efforts to make OFB into a competitive, productive and efficient organisation with higher turnover and enhanced profitability, which would also be in the interest of the employees. Therefore, the Committee once again urged the employee organisations to withdraw their proposed strike.

For more information: Click here to read.... [2]

Defence Minister approves a Committee to review Defence Procurement Procedure to strengthen ‘Make in India’

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the setting up of a Committee under the Chairmanship of Director General (Acquisition) to review the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016 and Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2009. The Committee will revise and align the procedures with the aim of ensuring seamless flow from asset acquisition to life cycle support.

The DPP 2016 and DPM 2009 have been due for revision. Aligning the procedures will ensure seamless flow from asset acquisition to life cycle support and strengthen the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Government. Apart from DG (Acquisition), 11 other members, not below the rank of Joint Secretary/Major General equivalent, are part of this high-level committee. Terms of reference of the Committee include to:

• Revise the procedures as given in DPP 2016 and DPM 2009, so as to remove procedural bottlenecks and hasten defence acquisition.
• Align and standardise the provisions in the DPP 2016 and DPM 2009, wherever applicable, to optimise life cycle support for equipment.
• Simplify policy and procedures to facilitate greater participation of Indian Industry and develop robust Defence Industrial base.
• Wherever applicable, examine and incorporate new concepts, such as life cycle costing, life cycle support, performance based logistics, ICT, lease contracting, codification & standardisation.
• Include provisions to promote Indian start-ups and research & development.
• Any other aspect which will contribute towards refining the acquisition process and support the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

The Committee has been asked to submit its recommendations in six months.
For more information: Click here to read.... [3]

Defence Minister reviews functioning of IMAC and IFC-IOR

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) and Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) and reviewed the functioning of two organisations. Senior Navy officials, including the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, briefed him on further enhancing the capabilities of the two centres under the National Maritime Domain Awareness (NMDA) Project.

The NMDA project was launched in accordance with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). The IMAC monitors movement of more than 1, 20,000 ships a year passing through the Indian Ocean. The cargo carried by these ships account for 66 per cent of world crude oil, 50 per cent of container traffic and 33 per cent of bulk cargo. Thus, IMAC performs a very crucial role in collecting shipping information, analysing traffic patterns and sharing the inputs with the user agencies.

The Minister was also briefed on the IFC-IOR, which is a collaborative initiative by the Indian Navy in coordination with partner nations and multi-national maritime agencies to enhance Maritime Domain Awareness and Maritime Security. The Centre is likely to host International Liaison Officers from the partner nations in the near future.

For more information: Click here to read.... [4]

Coast Guards of India and Sri Lanka agree to strengthen co-operation in addressing Maritime Issues

The Indian Coast Guard held a High-Level Meeting with the Sri Lanka Coast Guard at the Coast Guard Headquarters. The Indian side was led by Director General, Coast Guard K Natarajan, while the Sri Lankan delegation was headed by Rear Admiral Samantha Wimalathunge. The meeting took place under the provisions of the MoU signed between the two sides for the establishment of a collaborative relationship to combat transnational illegal activities at sea and develop regional co-operation. During the meeting, both sides agreed to strengthen co-operation in addressing a spectrum of maritime issues concerning safety and security.

Apprehension of two fishing boats by Sri Lanka involved in drug trafficking based on the information exchange undertaken by Indian Coast Guard invoking the MoU was recognised as an important enabler for pursuing further collaborative response to emerging situations at sea. Continued capacity building of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard by Indian Coast Guard, training of personnel and mutual co-operation in multilateral forums were discussed and agreed to by both sides.

The four-member delegation of Sri Lanka Coast Guard was on an official visit to India from August 19 – August 23, 2019.

For more information: Click here to read.... [5]

Defence Minister approves decisions regarding re-organisation of Army Headquarters (AHQ)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved certain decisions regarding re-organisation of the Army Headquarters. The approval was been given based on a detailed internal study conducted by the Army Headquarters. The decisions are as follows:

• A separate Vigilance Cell under COAS with Tri-Services representation will be made functional under COAS. Accordingly, ADG (Vigilance) will be placed directly under the COAS for this purpose. This will be done within the existing posts at AHQ.
• An umbrella organisation under VCOAS will be set up to give high priority to observance of human rights convention and values. The special Human Rights Section headed by ADG (Major General rank officer) will be the nodal point to examine any HR violation reports. To enhance transparency and to ensure best of investigative expertise, a Police officer of SSP/SP rank will be taken on deputation.
• Re-location of 206 Army Officers from AHQ to Formations/Units of the Field Army - A total of 206 officers will be optimized from AHQ and these officers will be made available additionally to Formations/Units of the Field Army, as per details given below:-

Name of Post	Maj Gen	Brig	Col	Lt. Col/ Major	Total
No. of Posts	03	08	09	186	206

For more information: Click here to read.... [6]

Dr Ajay Kumar appointed Defence Secretary

Dr Ajay Kumar, a 1985-batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre, has been appointed as Defence Secretary. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of Dr Kumar who will replace Shri Sanjay Mitra, upon the completion of his term.
The ACC has also cleared the appointment of Shri Subhash Chandra, Special Secretary (Defence) as Secretary (Defence Production) in place of Dr Kumar. Shri Chandra is a 1986-batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre.

For more information: Click here to read.... [7]

Significant rise in value and number of cases processed by Defence Services following delegation of Enhanced Financial Powers

The delegation of enhanced financial powers by the MoD to the Services has led to a significant increase in terms of both value and number of cases processed at the Service HQ (SHQ), command and lower formation levels across the three Services.

From the data provided by the SHQs, it is observed that there has been a clear surge in the cases being finalised at the level of SHQ and other formations leading to a decrease in the time taken to finalise the procurement cases. This has resulted in the optimal use of the budgets allocated to the MoD. During the period 2016-18, the Defence Services were progressively delegated higher financial powers for both routine as well as emergency procurements with the aim to reduce procurement time-frames and enhance defence preparedness.

On the capital side, the Services now have powers to accord Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) for individual schemes costing up to Rs 300 crores, a sharp jump in two stages from Rs 50 crores during 2015-17 to Rs 150 crores during 2017-19 and to Rs 300 crores in 2019-20. On the revenue side, the Services are now authorized to clear proposals amounting up to Rs 500 crores at their level. This dispensation came about in October, 2018 and replaced the earlier limited delegation of Rs 200 crores.

The MoD undertook a review in July, 2019 to assess the impact of higher delegation of financial powers to the Defence Services. The review concluded the following:-

• With regard to the Army, as against a total of 327 cases referred to MoD for the grant of AoN, between April 2012 to 31st March, 2015, only 132 cases were referred during 2015-17.
• Similarly, during FY 2016-17 and up to 31st December 2018, there was a steady decline in AoNs accorded and contracts concluded by the Navy with MoD approval and corresponding increase in the number of AoNs accorded and contracts concluded under financial powers of the NHQ.
• As far as the Air Force is concerned, around 80 – 85 per cent of the contracted value is now sanctioned at the Air HQ itself.
• The value of AoNs accorded and contracts concluded under delegated financial powers of Commands and lower formations has also increased steadily during the period.
• On Capital side, the AoNs by SHQ have gone up substantially from 21 per cent in 2015-17 to 67 per cent in 2019.

For more information: Click here to read.... [8]

15th Finance Commission holds meeting with Defence Minister and senior officials of MoD

The Fifteenth Finance Commission, headed by Shri N.K. Singh, held a meeting with the MoD led by the Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. During the meeting, MoD gave its Fund Projections for the period 2020-2025 which is also the award period of the 15th Finance Commission. The Ministry informed the Commission about the allocated budget for MoD in comparison to the projections made. MoD officials apprised the Commission that it was exploring a number of alternative sources of funding.

The Finance Commission assured MoD that it would take into consideration the suggestions to enhance the overall capital space of the Ministry, bring about predictability and help the Ministry in its defence preparedness. It may be recalled that the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 15th Finance Commission was amended, adding, “The Commission shall also examine whether a separate mechanism for funding of defence and internal security ought to be set up, and if so, how such a mechanism could be operationalised.”

The meeting was also attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Subhash Chandra, Secretary (Ex-Serviceman Welfare) Smt Sanjeevanee Kutty, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO Dr. G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary (Defence Finance) Smt Gargi Kaul, Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Devraj Anbu, Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Director General, Coast Guard Shri Krishnaswamy Natarajan and other senior officials of MoD.

For more information: Click here to read.... [9]

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Africa

Somalia: Security Forces killed 20 Al-Shabaab terrorists in Lower Shabelle

On 18 August, the Somalian Special Forces (Danab) killed 20 al-Shabaab terrorists in counter-terrorism (CT) operation in Lower Shabelle region in Southern Somalia. Reportedly, terrorists launched an attack on Somalian Army base in Bariire town in Lower Shabelle, but the security forces successfully averted further damage to the base. The exchange of fire led to the killing of 20 and injuring more than 30 terrorists, said Odawa Yusuf Rage—the Commander of Somalian Army’s Infantry Division.

For more information: Click here to read.... [10]

Afghanistan

66 people injured in multiple Bombings in Nangarhar Province

On 19 August, which was celebrated as the 100th Anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence, 10 bomb blasts struck restaurants and public places in Jalalabad in Nangarhar province in which at least 66 people, including 20 children were injured on the public holiday. No terrorist group claimed the responsibility for the incident. However, Islamic State (IS) and the Taliban are active groups in the city. Two days before the attack, on 17 August, IS had claimed the responsibility for a suicide blast at the wedding hall in Kabul city in which 63 people were killed and 180 were injured.

For more information: Click here to read.... [11]

IED Explosion outside Pakistan Consulate General in Nangarhar Province

On 25 August, an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) exploded outside Pakistan Consulate General in Jalalabad city in Nangarhar Province. Reportedly, a policeman, and two visa applicants were injured in the blast. The explosion occurred at the police check-post near the Consulate General.

For more information: Click here to read.... [12]

Taliban Terrorists kill 14 pro-government militia in Herat Province

On 28 August, Taliban terrorists attacked security checkpoints in the Chahardara area in Rubat-e-Sangi district on Herat province, killing 14 pro-government militia. Several civilians were also injured in the exchange of fire. Taliban terrorists were pushed back after the Afghan forces reinforced the area. The attack occurred at a time when the group was engaged in negotiations with the US to end the long 18-years of war in the country.

For more information: Click here to read.... [13]

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

Former J&K MLA Rashid sent to judicial custody in Terror-Funding Case

On 21 August, Delhi District Court remanded former (independent) MLA of Jammu and Kashmir, Sheikh Abdul Rashid aka Rashid Engineer, to judicial custody of two weeks in a terror-funding case. The NIA (National Investigation Agency) had produced Rashid before the Court on expiry of his custodial interrogation.

For more information: Click here to read.... [14]

Pakistan has been using Terrorists to Destabilise J&K, claims PoK Activist

One of the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF)—Sardar Saghir, told a local journalist that Pakistan has been engaged in sponsoring terrorism as proxies to create instability in the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) region. In recent reports, Pakistan’s Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had also confessed that 30,000-40,000 terrorist have been trained in parts of Afghanistan and Kashmir.

For more information: Click here to read.... [15]

Left-Wing Extremism

Security Forces kill five Maoists in Chhattisgarh: In a gun-battle with the Maoists on 24 August, the joint team of STF (Special Task Force), and Narayanpur District Reserve Guard (DRG), killed five Maoist rebels at Dhurbeda forested terrain in Narayanpur district, Chhattisgarh. In efforts to rescue two injured DRG soldiers from area, the security forces were engaged in the exchange of fire with the Maoist rebels, said P Sunderraj, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police (anti-Maoist operation). Narayanpur is one of the worst-affected seven districts with Maoists in Chhattisgarh.
For more information: Click here to read.... [16]

Islamist Extremism in India (including Islamic State)

2014 Burdwan Blast Case accused Arrested from Madhya Pradesh

On 13 August, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Zahir ul-Sheikh—a key accused in the 2014 Burdwan Blast Case, from Kohinoor Colony in Indore in Madhya Pradesh. The NIA conducted the operation without informing the local police. Zahir had been an active operative of Jamaat ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), and had participated in training of making explosives.

For more information: Click here to read.... [17]

Kerala, and Tamil Nadu Police on ‘high alert’ over suspected Infiltrations of Terrorists

Based on two separate intelligence inputs from Tamil Nadu police, the Kerala police kept the State on ‘high alert’ against suspected infiltration of terrorists inspired by IS, in Southern India. Another report suggested that the group could be affiliated to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), or National Towheeth Jamaat (NTJ)—the group behind the Easter Day attacks in Sri Lanka earlier this year.
For more information: Click here to read.... [18]

JeM preparing ‘underwater terrorist wing’, says Indian Navy Chief

On 26 August, the Indian Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, referring to intelligence inputs, claimed that terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) was preparing an ‘underwater terrorist wing’ for underwater attacks. He added that the Indian Navy was fully prepared to foil any such attack. Post 2008 Mumbai attack, the Coastal Security mechanism has been enhanced to ensure zero intrusions from the Seas, said the Naval Chief.

For more information: Click here to read.... [19]

CYBER & ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (SECURITY PERSPECTIVE)

India and France to cooperate on Cyber Security, and Digital Technology

In a joint roadmap released on 23 August, India and France declared to work together on common issues on countering terrorism, space, nuclear and defence, cyber security, and tackle challenges emerging from hate speech to fake news. The two sides also shared their intentions to work together on the “risks associated with the deployment of 5G technologies and the technical solutions adopted to deal with those risks”. India and France also shared their thoughts on the convergence of data protection frameworks in Europe and India to facilitate the flow of information and data.

For more information: Click here to read.... [20]