Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath reviewed preparations for DefExpo 2020. Shri Rajnath Singh chaired the first meeting of the Apex Committee on 15 September 2019 at Lucknow. The huge exhibition that will showcase India’s Defence manufacturing capabilities as well as world’s top defence manufacturing companies would be held for the first time in Lucknow from 05 – 08 February, 2020.
Reviewing the planning and arrangements for the event, the Minister said that the Expo would give a great fillip to investments being sought for the defence corridor in Uttar Pradesh. He recalled that during his recent visit to South Korea, several Korean companies had expressed interest to invest in Uttar Pradesh. He expressed confidence that UP State government would extend full cooperation for the successful conduct of the event.
Lauding the successful conduct of Investors’ Summit and Pravasi Bharatiya Divas earlier by the UP Government, Shri Rajnath Singh said that DefExpo “would also be a shining example for future such events”. The UP Chief Minister assured full support of his government to Def Expo 2020, terming it as a matter of pride to host the event. Shri Yogi Adityanath said that a land bank of 3,000 acres was available for companies desirous of investing in Uttar Pradesh and assured them of all necessary cooperation.
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik, Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Defence Secretary, Secretary Defence Production, and other senior officers attended the meeting. The theme for the event is, ‘Digital Transformation of Defence’. Click here to read.... [2]
Resurrection ceremony for 17 Squadron, Air Force was held at Air Force Station Ambala. Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa, Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of the Air Staff presented a memento to Group Captain Harkirat Singh SC to commemorate the occasion. The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries from Indian Air Force and Indian Army.
17 Squadron was formed at Ambala on 01st Oct 1951. By Nov 1955, the Squadron converted fully to De Havilland Vampire and by 1957, Hawker Hunter aircraft were flown by the ‘Golden Arrows’. The Squadron converted to the Mig-21 M in 1975. The Squadron actively participated in Goa Liberation Campaign in Dec 1961 and in 1965 operations as a reserve force. Squadron took part in the Indo-Pak war of 1971 and flew close air support, counter air and fighter recce missions, getting numerous gallantry awards.
On Nov 1988, the Squadron was presented ‘Colours’ by the President of India. Under the command of then Wing Commander BS Dhanoa VM, Golden Arrows participated actively in Operation ‘Safed Sagar’ in 1999. In the near future, the Squadron will be equipped with the State of the art Rafale aircraft, the fourth generation, multirole aircraft with advanced weapons. Click here to read.... [3]
In a major boost for Indian Army, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested indigenously developed low weight, fire and forget Man Portable Antitank Guided Missile (MPATGM) in the ranges of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh on 11 September 2019. The missile was launched from a man portable Tripod launcher and the target was mimicking a functional tank. The missile hit the target in top attack mode and destroyed it with precision. All the mission objectives were met.
This is the third series of successful testing of MPATGM. The missile is incorporated with state-of-the-art Infrared Imaging Seeker along with advanced avionics. The test paves the way for the Army to have developed 3rd generation man portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile indigenously. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO for the successful test. Click here to read.... [4]
An Indian Army sponsored Capacity Building Tour comprising 22 students and three teachers of Kishtwar District of Jammu and Kashmir returned to Batote after a ten-day tour which included visit to New Delhi and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. The team was flagged-in at Batote on 11 Sep 2019 amidst a rousing welcome in a befitting ceremony.
Over the ten days tour (02 Sep to 11 Sep 2019), the youth were exposed to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, icons of historical legacy such as the Rashtrapati Bhawan, India Gate, & National War Memorial and scientific establishments such as Science Meseum, Nehru Planetarium and Forest Research Institute. The main attraction of the visit was tour to Indian Military Academy where in the students and teachers witnessed the Gentleman Cadet’s training activities and world class infrastructure available in the Academy.
The visit also focused on exposing the students to the career opportunities available in the Indian Army as well as Government Sector wherein the students were made to visit the much famed Baalnoi Academy which prepares students for competitive exams including Services Selection Board for entry as officers in the Army. They thanked Indian Army for organising the tour which provided them a unique opportunity to broaden their horizon. Indian Army has been regularly conducting such tours for students from remote regions of Jammu and Kashmir. Click here to read.... [5]
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh called upon the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) countries to devise ways to effectively deal with new threats posed to soldiers by the ever advancing battle field technology. Inaugurating the first ever conference of SCO countries on Military Medicine in New Delhi on 12 Sep 2019, Shri Rajnath Singh said the threat of nuclear, chemical and biological warfare adds to the complexity of the existing challenges and AFMS plays a vital role in identifying those challenges, defining the limits of human tolerance and suggesting strategies to mitigate the adverse health effects. Raksha Mantri also underlined the importance of building capabilities to deal with the menace of bio-terrorism, terming it as a real threat the world is facing today. He described bio-terrorism as a “contagious plague” and asked the armed forces to be at the forefront of combating the menace.
Shri Rajnath Singh also suggested co-operation among countries during disasters to ensure that timely assistance reaches those in need even across international borders. He said the scale of magnitude of destruction following disasters can often overwhelm the resources and relief efforts of a nation and the medical services of Armed Forces form a vital component of humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations. Raksha Mantri said that the SCO was the “alliance of the East”, due to its growing centrality in Asia-Pacific and described it as the primary security pillar in the region. He said SCO that was the largest regional organisation in the world in terms of geographical coverage and population. “SCO countries cover 22 per cent of the land mass, 40 per cent population and contribute to 20 per cent of world’s GDP”, Shri Rajnath Singh said. He said India has been making positive contribution to SCO and actively participated in EX PEACE MISSION in Russia. Currently an Indian contingent is participating in EX CENTRE 2019 in Russia along with other SCO partners.
Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to Chairman, Chief of Staff Committee, Lt Gen P. S. Rajeshwar, emphasized need to enhance co-operation and build capacities so that common challenges faced by all nations can be overcome jointly. Chair SCO, Major Gen Krainyuko Pavel Yevgeniyevich of Russia hoped that this conference will significantly improve international cooperation in military medicine. Click here to read.... [6]
Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-2019 between India and Thailand will be conducted at the Foreign Training Node, Umroi (Meghalaya) from 16-29 Sep 2019. Indian and Royal Thailand Army (RTA) comprising 50 soldiers each will participate in the exercise with an aim to share experience gained during various counter terrorism operations in their respective countries.
Exercise MAITREE is an annual training event which is being conducted alternatively in Thailand and India since 2006. Notably, in the series of military training exercises undertaken by India with various countries, Exercise MAITREE with Thailand is a significant in terms of the security challenges faced by both the nations in the backdrop of changing facets of global terrorism. Click here to read.... [7]
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at New Delhi on 13 Sep 2019 and accorded approval for Capital Procurement for the Services amounting to approximately Rs 2,000 crores. Maintaining focus on the 'Make in India' initiative, the DAC accorded approval for indigenous development and production of the main gun 125mm Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding-Sabot (APFSDS) ammunition for T-72/T-90 tanks by the Indian Industry, which would substantially enhance the enemy armour penetration capability.
The DAC also approved procurement of the DRDO developed and industry manufactured Mechanical Mine Layer (Self Propelled) to improve automated minelaying capability with the Indian Army. Click here to read.... [8]
A maiden tri-lateral exercise, involving Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), Royal Thailand Navy (RTN) and Indian Navy (IN) commenced at Port Blair on 16 Sep 19. The five-day-long exercise is aimed at bolstering the maritime inter-relationships amongst Singapore Thailand and India, and contribute significantly to enhancing the overall maritime security in the region. This would also strengthen the mutual confidence amongst three navies in terms of interoperability and development of a common understanding of procedures.
Under the ambit of this exercise, RSN Tenacious, a Formidable-class guided missile stealth frigate and Thai Ship (HTMS) Kraburi, a Guided Missile Frigate would be exercising with Indian Naval Ships Ranvir, a Guided Missile Destroyer, Kora, a missile corvette and Sukanya, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, along with P8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft. The sea phase scheduled from 18 Sep to 20 Sep 19, a host of surface and air operations involving Gunnery, Force Protection Measures and Communication drills would be conducted for learning from each other's best practices. Click here to read.... [9]
The First ever arrested landing of LCA (Navy) at the shore-based test facility, INS Hansa Goa took place on 13 Sep 2019. This will pave the way for this Indigenous platform to undertake Aircraft Carrier landing demonstration on board the Indian Naval Aircraft Carrier, Vikramaditya.
After several years of flight testing and four campaigns of testing at Shore Based Test facility Goa, the LCA (Navy) Flight Test Team successfully executed a text book arrested landing at the Shore Based Test Facility, INS Hansa, Goa. This displays the professional prowess of our scientific community Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) embedded with design and build capability of HAL(ARDC), DRDO and CSIR Labs involved in executing this land mark event. This has put India on the world map as a nation with the capability to design a deck landing aircraft.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated ADA, HAL, DRDO and Indian Navy for this major feat. Click here to read.... [10]
On 02 September, the Somalian Army, in an intelligence driven operation, killed nine al-Shabaab terrorists in the counter-terrorism (CT) operation in Kaxarey, Busley, and Baldof villages in Southern Somalia. Every year, al-Shabaab terrorists forcibly collects tax (Zakaat) from the residents, but this year, they faced security forces, said Yahye Alas, one of the residents of the village. Click here to read.... [11]
On 31 August, two policemen were injured in an explosion targeting a Bangladesh minister in Dhaka. However, the minister was unhurt in the attack. As per news reports, the bomb was thrown from the footbridge at the Science Lab intersection when the minister was passing through the area, heading to attend a programme of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Two policemen got injuries in the attack. Later, SITE intelligence group—a US-based research network reported that Islamic State (IS) has claimed the responsibility of the attack. Click here to read.... [12]
On 06 September, two bomb explosions took place in Kharotabad, and Khaizi Chowk areas in Quetta province of Balochistan. One person was killed, and 12 others were injured in the explosion. No group has claimed the responsibility of the attack. Click here to read.... [13]
On 01 September, an Indian Army soldier— Grenadier Hemraj Jat was martyred in a Ceasefire Violation (CV) by Pakistan at the LoC (Line of Control) in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). In Post India’s move of repealing the Article 370 of the Constitution on 05 August, more than 220 CVs were reported from the LoC. Click here to read.... [14]
On 07 September, four people including a baby girl, were injured in a terrorist attack in Dangerpora area of Sopore district in Jammu and Kashmir. According to intelligence officials, terrorists have resorted to the civilian killings and threats to instil fear among the people. Click here to read.... [15]
On 27 August 2019, reportedly, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists killed two civilians from the Gujjar community after abducting them. Their dead bodies were recovered from thick forest area of Tral in Pulwama district. The deceased were identified as Abdul Qadeer Kohli, and his cousin Manzoor Ahmed Kohli, residents of Kanthool area of Rajouri district, and Khonmoh village in Srinagar district, respectively. This is the first terrorist attack on civilian in the Kashmir valley post government’s re-organisation of Jammu and Kashmir with abrogation of Article 370 on 05 August 2019. Click here to read.... [16]
According to news reports, Pakistan Army is shifting FM transmission radio stations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) region to villages close to Line of Control (LoC), and using its Signal Corps to communicate with the terrorists. Click here to read.... [17]
After a month of abrogation of Article 370 in the Jammu and Kashmir, around 575 youth from the State has joined the Indian Army in Srinagar. The youth were inducted into the J&K Light Infantry (LI) Regiment of the Indian Army. The recruitment countered reports in the Western media about the dissatisfaction among local youth against the decision of the Central government to remove the Article 370, and re-organisation of the State as the Union Territory (UT) region with the legislation. Click here to read.... [18]
On 28 August, the Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik announced that the Central government would create 50,000 government jobs in the next two-three months and encouraged youth from the region to apply for these jobs. The plan would tackle youth unemployment in the region. Reportedly, there has been no loss of life and property after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A. The landline communication has been restored in most areas, and mobile services too will be made accessible as the situation improves in the region. As the nature of the Internet is dangerous, it will take time to the full restoration of it in the region. Click here to read.... [19]
On 27 August, the joint team of security forces and State police arrested Mohammad Iqbal Naikoo aka Ibn Khitab—a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist with possession of arms and ammunitions, from Delina area of Baramulla district. Click here to read.... [20]
On 09 September, State police arrested eight terrorist of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) from Sopore area in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. The police were further investigating the case. Click here to read.... [21]
Jharkhand government has announced a bounty of INR 10 million on Maoist key leader—Asim Mandal aka Akash aka Toofan. Asim is the key member of the Central Committee of the CPI-(M) which is a proscribed terrorist organisation. Asim is active in both Jharkhand and West Bengal. Along with, police also announced bounty on Ram Prasad Mardi, and Maharaja Parmanik of worth INR 15 lakh, and INR 10 lakh, respectively. Click here to read.... [22]
The Punjab Police arrested six more people in connection with the Tarn Taran explosion case. On 04 September, an explosion took place in an agriculture field near Kaler village on Khandur Sahib Link road in Tarn Taran district. In the incident, two youth in their twenties were killed and another was injured. Along with the State police, the incident is investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). According to police, the youth in their twenties were digging the fields when the explosion took place. So far 32 people have been interrogated in this case. Police suspects Pakistan’s ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) and Khalistan terror groups’ involvement in the incident. Traces of foreign funding was also revealed during the interrogation of suspects. Click here to read.... [23]
On 27 August, Punjab police arrested Harpal Singh (36 years-old) from Kartarpur in Jalandhar district in Punjab. Allegedly, Harpal Singh was providing confidential information related to the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) establishments in Jalandhar, to Pakistan-based pro-Khalistan leader Gopal Singh Chawla. Harpal was using WhatsApp messenger for sharing the information. Upon his arrest, police seized seven cellular handsets from his possession. It may be recalled that in July 2019, Gopal Singh Chawla was removed from the panel of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee after India raised the issue of his [Chawla] presence in the panel. Click here to read.... [24]
In early hours of 29 August, National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials conducted raids at five different locations in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and seized electronic-digital devices, SIM cards, cellular phones, and pen-drives. The raids were conducted at the residences of Umar Farooq, Sanabar Ali, Sameena Mubin, Mohammad Yasir, and Sadam Hussain, who are already under the NIA ‘lens’ in connection to the Islamic State (IS) terror funding case. Click here to read.... [25]
On 28 August, National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a key terrorist of Jamaat ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB)—Najir Sheikh aka Patla Anas (25) from Agartala in Tripura. Later, Najir was taken to Bangalore and produced before the Special NIA court. Earlier, the NIA had arrested another key JMB terrorist—Habibur Rehman from Doddaballapur near Bangalore. According to NIA spokesperson, Najir was staying in Bangalore with other JMB members—Jahidul Islam aka Kaushar aka Aijul Mondal, Nazrul Islam aka Mota Anas, Asif Ikbal, and Arif aka Rafilkul Mia, and was involved in raising funds through committing theft. Click here to read.... [26]
Acting on the Intelligence inputs on the possibility of Pakistani terrorists and commandos entering Gujarat Coastline via Gulf of Kutch and Sir Creek area, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) have been placed on high alert. The ICG received the intelligence inputs that highly trained Pakistani commandos have entered the Gulf of Kutch via Harami Nala creek area to carry-out underwater attacks on ports and ships.Click here to read.... [27]
According to a report prepared by the Border Security Force (BSF), Pakistani terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) has nexus with the people from Rohingya Muslim community. Reportedly, JeM commander—Saber Ahmed is instigating Rohingya Muslim community members based in Cox’s Bazaar in Bangladesh to carry-out anti-India activities, including terrorist attacks. Another JeM terrorist—Maulana Yunus has radicalised and providing training to four Rohingya members to carry-out the attacks. To meet the purpose, JeM has activated its sleeper cells in Bangladesh with support from Pakistan’s ISI ( Inter-Services Intelligence) agency.Click here to read.... [28]
A Tribunal constituted by the Delhi High Court has extended five-year ban imposed on the terrorist organisation—SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967. The decision was taken on the submissions made by the Ministry of Home Affairs, and other State police departments citing that SIMI organisation was filing applications under RTI (Right to Information) Act to support their members facing trials in different courts. SIMI group was first banned in 2001, and this is the eight time the group has been banned under UA(P) Act. Click here to read.... [29]
In an 18-years old rioting case, Gujarat police arrested an absconder and the former chief of SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) — Shahid Badra on 05 September, from his resident in Azamgarh town in Uttar Pradesh. Badra was national president of SIMI and was absconding for 18 years over his alleged involvement in a riot case in 2001. SIMI is a proscribed terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Click here to read.... [30]
Addressing an event, India’s National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC)—Lt Gen (Retd) Rajesh Pant shared government’s vision of a USD 5 trillion economy that will assist to a greater extent to cyber-secure the nation. Adding to this, India will have its Cyber Security Strategy by January 2020. Back in 2013, India had its first National Cyber Security Policy which meant to facilitate the creation of secure computing environment. Click here to read.... [31]
In a two-day conference on Global Cyber Security held in Hyderabad, Telangana, the Chairperson of Global Cyber Security Forum—Sai Krishna stated that only 5-10 percent of pharmaceutical companies based in India are equipped with cyber security. Cyber-attacks would have huge impact on pharma firms with zero or limited cyber security, mainly on small and medium size units. Due to lack of appropriate data and use of outdated applications, cyber criminals could steal data and sensitive information for further profits. Click here to read.... [32]
Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/vifdigest/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2019/september/26
[2] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1584578
[3] https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=193115
[4] https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=193139
[5] https://pib.nic.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1584809
[6] https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=193146
[7] https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=193214
[8] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1585001
[9] https://pib.nic.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1585206
[10] https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=193186
[11] http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/02/c_138358779.htm
[12] https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/2-policemen-injured-in-islamic-state-attack-targeting-bangladesh-minister-in-dhaka-1594113-2019-09-01
[13] https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/twin-blasts-kill-one-injure-12-people-in-pak-s-balochistan-province-1596446-2019-09-06?utm_source=recengine&utm_medium=web&referral=yes&utm_content=footerstrip-4
[14] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/soldier-killed-in-pakistan-shelling-along-loc-1594377-2019-09-02
[15] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jammu-kashmir-baby-girl-injured-sopore-terrorist-attack-1596573-2019-09-07
[16] https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/india/bullet-ridden-bodies-of-2-gujjars-recovered.html
[17] https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-pakistan-army-installing-fm-stations-to-communicate-with-terrorists-at-loc-2785755
[18] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/575-j-k-youths-join-indian-army-after-article-370-was-revoked-1593935-2019-08-31
[19] https://www.livemint.com/news/india/centre-announces-job-creation-in-jammu-and-kashmir-1567011474758.html
[20] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jaish-mohammed-jem-terrorist-arrested-baramulla-jammu-kashmir-1592280-2019-08-27
[21] https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/8-let-terrorists-arrested-in-sopore20190909235004/
[22] https://odishatv.in/nation/rs-1-cr-reward-to-catch-maoist-leader-in-jharkhand-400415
[23] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/police-arrest-6-more-suspects-in-tarn-taran-blast-case-1597865-2019-09-11
[24] https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/-spy-with-pro-khalistan-leader-link-arrested-in-jalandhar/824239.html
[25] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nia-raid-coimbatore-tamil-nadu-islamic-state-terror-fund-probe-1592887-2019-08-29
[26] http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2019/aug/29/nia-nabs-key-operative-of-terror-outfit-2025814.html
[27] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pakistan-terrorists-trying-to-enter-gujarat-bsf-coast-guard-on-high-alert-1592949-2019-08-29
[28] https://zeenews.india.com/india/pakistans-isi-backed-jem-radicalising-rohingya-muslims-to-carry-out-attacks-in-india-warns-bsf-2230187.html
[29] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tribunal-examined-11-sealed-covers-50-govt-witnesses-to-ban-simi/article29292022.ece
[30] https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/gujarat-police-nab-former-simi-chief-from-uttar-pradesh/cid/1703076
[31] https://www.analyticsindiamag.com/india-to-unveil-cybersecurity-strategy-policy-by-january-2020/
[32] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/only-5-10-pharma-firms-have-cybersecurity-expert/articleshow/70899989.cms
[33] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=VIF News Digest: National Security- Defence Studies And Terrorism (1-15 September, 2019)&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/vifdigest/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2019/september/26
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