The seventh edition of India-Sri Lanka joint training Exercise MITRA SHAKTI– 2019 is scheduled to be conducted at Foreign Training Node (FTN), Pune from 01 - 14 December 2019. The sixth edition of the exercise was held in Sri Lanka. The aim of the joint training exercise is to build and promote positive relations between armies of India and Sri Lanka with focus on sub unit level training for counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in urban and rural environment under United Nations mandate. The joint exercise is designed for incorporating the current dynamics of United Nations peace keeping operations through practical & comprehensive discussions and tactical exercises. Click here to read... [2]
The Indian Army conducts routine military exercises every year. Exercise HIM VIJAY was one such endeavour. It was conducted to validate operational capabilities of our combat formations. The exercise was an all Arms exercise and approximately a Division strength participated.
During the last three years and the current year, about 72 joint exercises were conducted by Army, 39 by Navy, 21 by Air Force and 2 Tri-Service Exercises were conducted. This was stated by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri Sunil Dattatray Tatkare and others in Lok Sabha on 27 Nov 2019. Click here to read... [3]
The annual Joint military exercise ‘SURYA KIRAN – XIV’ between India and Nepal will be conducted at Salijhandi, Rupendehi district of Nepal from 03 to 16 December 2019. The exercise will comprise of 300 soldiers from both Indian and Nepal Army who would be sharing their experience in conduct of various counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations as also various humanitarian assistance missions by both the Armies. The aim of this exercise is to conduct Battalion level combined training between Indian Army and Nepal Army to increase interoperability in jungle warfare and counter terrorist operations in mountainous terrain, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, medical and environmental conservation including aviation aspects. Click here to read... [4]
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) organised Industry Synergy Summit 2019 in Hyderabad on 22 November 2019. In his message, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh welcomed the synergy being created for the indigenous development of defence systems and technologies. He said, DRDO is taking crucial steps for attaining self-sufficiency in the area of defence systems development.
Raksha Mantri said, under the Defence Production Policy, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has set the target of $26 billion for aerospace, defence services and goods by 2025. In this, approximately $10 billion is targeted for creating job opportunities for 20-30 lakh people. Highlighting the various initiatives of Government to encourage innovation and self-sufficiency in the defence sector, Shri Rajnath Singh stressed on the need for excellence in the field of defence innovation and their adoption. The DRDO has nurtured more than 1,800 industries which are actively working together to produce defence systems. The minister asked the DRDO and industry to explore new ways for enhancing synergy to achieve the goal of self-sufficiency.
In his address, Secretary and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy elaborated the latest policies of DRDO like Zero Transfer of Technology (ToT) and Zero Royalty for Development-cum-Production Partners (DcPP) and free usage of DRDO patents by domestic Industry. The DRDO Chairman highlighted that of late industry base has greatly widened from mere manufacturing to development and designing of components and sub-systems. He said, the Indian Industry has matured from ‘Build from Print’ to ‘Build from Specifications’. Industry representatives shared their experiences of working in the defence sector and spoke about the challenges faced by start-ups and MSMEs in manufacturing and exports. Senior officials of DRDO and around 300 Industry representatives were present on the occasion. Click here to read... [5]
The two day DEFCOM INDIA 2019 seminar commenced at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi on 26 November 2019. The theme for the seminar is, “Communications: A Decisive Catalyst for Jointness”.
In his inaugural address Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik highlighted that the announcement of Chief of Defence Staff by the Prime Minister was made keeping in view the much needed reform to streamline and further improve the coordination and integration between the three services. He stressed that seamless communications between the three services were a pre-requisite for achieving the vision of jointness.
General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Army Staff in his address brought out the security challenges confronting the Nation and stressed on the need for ‘jointness’. He brought out that secure and interoperable joint communications were the need of the hour. General Rawat also stressed on the need for the industry to meet the aspirations of the Armed Forces and offer solutions which meet the operational requirements.
DEFCOM 2019 provided an excellent opportunity for the industry to understand the requirements of the Armed Forces. The DEFCOM exhibition showcased cutting edge communication solutions from the industry and gave officers from the three services an opportunity to gain insights on technology and industry capabilities. Click here to read... [6]
The status of current order books of Defence PSUs is as under:
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 27 Nov 2019. Click here to read... [7]
Government policies and initiatives encourage all foreign companies to set up their manufacturing facilities in the country through partnerships/joint ventures with Indian companies. So far, 42 FDI proposals/Joint Ventures (JVs) have been approved for manufacture of various defence equipment, both in public and private sector which include three JVs with Russia viz. M/s Multirole Transport Aircraft Ltd, M/s Indo-Russian Helicopters Ltd and M/s Indo Russian Rifles Pvt Ltd.
Recently, an Inter–Governmental Agreement (IGA) on Joint manufacturing of Spares, Components, Aggregates and other material related to Russian/ Soviet origin Arms and Defence Equipment was signed during the 20th India-Russia Bilateral Summit held at Vladivostok on 04.01.2019. The IGA stipulates assurance of orders for minimum five years to manufacturing facilities created under the agreement subject to reduction in cost, reduction in time frame of supplies and ensuring progressive indigenisation of products in India.
The Government has decided to set up one corridor each in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. During the Aligarh meet on UP Defence Industrial Corridor held on 11.08.2018, investments of over Rs. 3700 Crore were announced by OFB/DPSUs/private industries for Uttar Pradesh Defence corridor. Similarly, during the launch of Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor held at Tiruchirappalli on 20.01.2019, an investment of over Rs. 3100 crore was announced by OFB/DPSUs/private industries for Tamil Nadu Defence corridor. This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri Sanjay Sadashiv Rao Mandlik and others in Lok Sabha on 27 Nov 2019. Click here to read... [8]
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, met on 28 November 2019 and accorded approval for Capital Procurement for the Services amounting to over Rs 22,800 crore. To boost the 'Make in India' initiative, the DAC accorded approval for indigenous design, development and manufacturing of 'Thermal Imaging Night Sights' for Assault Rifles. These sights will be manufactured by the Indian private industry and used by troops deployed on the frontline. 'Thermal Imaging Night Sights' would enable troops to undertake long range accurate engagements in dark and all weather conditions thereby enhancing the night fighting capabilities.
As a follow up of the successful indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) programme, the DAC revalidated the Acceptance of Necessity for the procurement of additional Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) India aircraft. The mission system and sub-systems for these aircraft would be indigenously designed, developed and integrated onto the main platform by the DRDO. Induction of these systems would increase the extent of coverage along our borders and greatly enhance both the Air Defence and Offensive capabilities of the IAF.
The DAC also approved procurement of Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance (LRMR) Anti-Submarine Warfare P8I aircraft for the Indian Navy.. The DAC approved procurement of Twin Engine Heavy Helicopters (TEHH) for the Indian Coast Guard These aircraft would enable the Coast Guard to undertake missions to prevent maritime terrorism, infiltration of terrorists by sea routes as well as Search & Rescue operations. Click here to read... [9]
On 18 November, the United States (US) imposed sanctions on four companies, and two people operating in Syria, Turkey, the Gulf and Europe for their involvement in providing financial and logistic support to Islamic State (IS). In a press release, the US Treasury Department stated that the entities were blacklisted under an executive order which imposed sanctions on terrorists and on those who provided support for terrorists.
Turkey-based Sahloul Money Exchange Company (SMEC), Al-Sultan Money Transfer Company and ACL Ithalat Ihracat were sanctioned for financial support to IS. The Afghanistan-based Neejat Social Wefare Organisation (NSWO), and two of its senior officials were also sanctioned for supporting IS’s activities in Afghanistan. Click here to read... [10]
On 14 November, Turkish police arrested a wanted al-Qa’ida terrorist— Mevlut Cuskun, in Basaksehir district in Istanbul. Mevlut had illegal entered Turkey after spending long time in conflict region in Syria. He was enlisted in “wanted list” of Turkey’s Interior Ministry. Click here to read... [11]
On 15 November, the Nigerian security forces killed 16 Boko Haram terrorists attempting to infiltrate two military locations in Abadam area of Borno state. According to Nigerian Army Spokesperson, the terrorists came with IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), gun-trucks, Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs), and other small arms. In the gun-battle, one soldier was killed while other four were injured. Click here to read... [12]
In an interview with Indian news media, Iran’s foreign minister— Javad Zarif said that the Islamic State (IS) was shifting its base from Iraq and Syria to Afghanistan, and it shall be a concern for India, Iran, and Pakistan. There are reports which claim the development of IS carrying-out attacks in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan from its bases in Afghanistan. Despite of Iran’s anti-IS stand, IS terrorists in India have used Iran to escape into its neighbouring States— Iran and Afghanistan, to join the group. Click here to read... [13]
On 16 November, the Afghanistan Security Forces (ASF) arrested two Islamic State (IS) terrorists during a Counter-Terrorism (CT) operation in Qarghayi district of Laghman province. The officers recovered various weapons, radio equipment, hand grenades, a handgun, and 3000 rounds of ammunition from their possession. Click here to read... [14]
On 20 November 2019, Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested two AQIS (al-Qa’ida in Indian Subcontinent) terrorists— M Ismail, and Wali Muhammad, from Dera Ghazi Khan District in Punjab province in Pakistan. Acting on the intelligence inputs, the officials of CTD raided and arrested the terrorists who were waiting to receive terror-funds and other materials from their associates. The CTD officials also recovered three hand grenades, a pistol, 20 sleeping bags, banned literature, and PKR 1, 05,000 from the location. Click here to read... [15]
On 16 November, J&K police arrested three terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) from Sopore town of Baramulla district. The arrested terrorists— Hilal Ahmed, Sahil Nazir, and Peerzada Mohammad Zahir were involved in threatening people. Some incriminating material was also recovered from their possession.
In a separate incident on the same day, J&K police arrested two LeT terrorists— Ulfat Bashir Mir, and Aijaz Ahmed Bhat, at a security checkpoint placed at Kupwara bypass crossing. Click here to read... [16]
On 18 November, J&K police arrested four terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist organisation— Sharik Ahmad, Aqib Ahmad, Adil Ahmad Mir, and Owais Ahmad, from Pulwama district. According to the police, Sharik Ahmad was in constant communication with other members of the group in Pakistan, and was conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack in the area. Click here to read... [1]https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/terror-module-busted-four-jem-terrorists-arrested-in-pulwama.html
On 18 November 2019, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) took possession of seven properties liked with Hizb ul-Mujahideen (HM) chief Syed Salahuddin and others, in connection with J&K terror-funding case. The properties are located in Anantnag, Sopore, and Bandipora. Upon acquiring the orders from the competent authority, the ED officials visited the properties and placed the notices declaring that the agency has taken over the physical possession of the parcels of the land, said a senior ED officer on the basis of anonymity. Click here to read... [17]
On 27 November 2019, the Minister of State (Home) stated in the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House of the Indian Parliament) that intelligence inputs suggested that Pakistan-based terrorist groups are reactivating their camps in Balakot and religious indoctrination programs against India. He added that the government was committed to taking all necessary steps to protect the borders, and maintain India’s integrity and sovereignty.
In October 2019, intelligence inputs suggested that around 50 terrorists including suicide bombers were undergoing training in the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror camp in Balakot. Later, the information was confirmed by the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Bipin Rawat. Click here to read... [18]
On 26 November 2019, security forces killed two Hizb ul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorists— Irfan Naira, and Irfan Rather, in a counter-terrorism (CT) operation at Drabgam village in Pulwama district. Reportedly, Irfan Naira was ‘A’ category terrorists, active since 2016, and Irfan Rather was active since 2017. Both are believed to be close associates of HM operational chief Riyaz Naikoo. Click here to read... [19]
At least on four occasions in the month of October 2019, the Chhattisgarh police spotted a small sized “red and white light emitting objects”, suspecting it to be a drone, flying near the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) camp in Kistaram, and Pallodi area. “Some suspicious objects flashing lights have been seen over a camp in Sukma district but nothing concrete was found. Security forces are yet to confirm whether it was drone or anything else,” said Inspector-General of Police (IGP) of Bastar, Sunderaj P. Central government has issued “shoot-at-sight” directives to the security forces deployed in LWE region to take down any rouge drone or UAVs suspiciously being operated by Maoists, said a senior-rank officer in security establishment on the basis of anonymity. Click here to read... [20]
A prominent Gurdwara (a Sikh temple) in Slough, part of Greater London, displayed two banners with “Khalistan” written on them, in its main hall. In another incident, in its charitable objective, Gurdwara Guru Nanak, Smethwick in Birmingham mentioned that “keeping in mind the present political situation in the Punjab (India), to make efforts for the establishment of Khalistan”. Click here to read... [21]
On 13 November, National Investigation Agency (NIA) informed the Special Court in Delhi that al-Qa’ida had tried to establish its base in Delhi through its operative— Samiun Rahman, who was arrested in 2017 by the Delhi Police. Samiun Rahman, a British national, had planned to take revenge for Rohingya cause in Myanmar, and had entered India illegally from Bangladesh via Beenapole border with West Bengal.
During interrogation, Rahman had admitted that he was in contact with other members via Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Click here to read... [22]
On 21-22 November 2019, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) hosted Counter-terrorism (CT) exercise for the “Quad” countries— India, the United States, Japan, and Australia, at its Headquarters in New Delhi. The “CT-TTX” (Counter-Terrorism Table Top Exercise) was the first of its kind of engagement among the Quad nations on regional and global issues of common interest, and also in the domain of counter-terrorism and further cooperation. Click here to read... [23]
On 25 November 2019, Delhi police foiled a conspiracy of a terrorist attack and arrested three Islamic State (IS) operatives— Muqaddas Islam, Ranjit Ali, and Lewis Jamil Jamal, from Guwahati in Assam, and seized Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from their possession. Click here to read... [24]
On 25 November 2019, NIA Court in Kochi found six Islamic State (IS) operatives guilty in 2016 case of conspiracy to carry-out terrorist attacks in Kerala and neighbouring States. In its Chargesheet, the NIA had accused all six IS operatives as members of IS-affiliated group— Ansar ul-Khilafah Kerala (AuKK). The six IS operatives convicted are— Manseed Mehmood, Swalih Mohammed, Rashid Ali, Ramshad N K, Safvan and Moinuddin. Click here to read... [25]
Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/vifdigest/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2019/december/12
[2] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1593715
[3] https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=195070
[4] https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=195170
[5] https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=194887
[6] https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=195000
[7] https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=195071
[8] https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=195072
[9] https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=195166
[10] https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2019/11/18/world/middleeast/18reuters-usa-islamic-state-sanctions.html
[11] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-wanted-al-qaeda-terrorist-arrested-in-istanbul/1645294#
[12] http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-11/15/c_138558409.htm
[13] https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/islamic-state-is-relocating-to-afghanistan-it-s-threat-for-india-too-iran-foreign-minister-1618927-2019-11-14
[14] https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/two-islamic-state-terrorists-arrest-weapons-seized-in-eastern-afghanistan-262765
[15] https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/571914-two-terror-suspects-arrested-with-arms
[16] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/j-k-police-arrest-5-let-terrorists-in-kupwara-recover-ammunition-1619671-2019-11-16
[17] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/terror-funding-ed-takes-possession-of-seven-properties-in-kashmir/article30009589.ece
[18] https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-pak-based-terror-outfits-trying-to-reactivate-terror-camps-in-balakot-mha-2803423
[19] https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/2-hizbul-militants-killed-in-kashmir-s-pulwama-779934.html
[20] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-chhattisgarh-forces-fear-maoists-are-using-drones-for-surveillance/story-iXgqCAD6tWTlWpfNiZbHOJ.html
[21] https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/uk-slough-gurudwara-khalistan-banners-1623103-2019-11-27
[22] https://www.sentinelassam.com/national-news/al-qaeda-tried-to-set-up-delhi-base-through-briton-nia/
[23] https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/nia-to-host-first-counterterrorism-cooperation-exercise-for-quad-countries/1666128
[24] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pune-drainage-hole-ndrf-rescues-1-civilian-1624324-2019-12-02
[25] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kochi-nia-court-finds-6-guilty/articleshow/72232792.cms
[26] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=VIF News Digest: National Security - Defence Studies & Terrorism, 16 - 30 November, 2019&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/vifdigest/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2019/december/12
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