VIF News Digest: National Security - Defence Studies & Terrorism, 1-15 March 2021

DEFENCE

• IAF Participation in EX Desert FLAG VI.
• CAS Visit to Sri Lanka.
• Turkmenistan Special Forces Commence Combat Free Fall Training at Indian Special Forces Training School.
• Combined Commanders’ Conference.
• DRDO conducts flight test of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet.
• Government Spending on Military Modernisation.
• Fuel Cell based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System.
• Third Kalvari class Submarine commissioned at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.
• Indo-Uzbekistan Field Training Exercise 'DUSTLIK '.
• Successful tests of weapon systems by DRDO.
• Privatisation of Defence PSUs.
• Mission Sagar IV INS Jalashwa in Comoros.< /li>

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Africa

• Somalia
• l-Shabaab terrorists attacked on the prison; freed at least 400 prisoners.
• 20 people were killed in a bomb explosion in Mogadishu.

• Nigeria
• Army rescued 26 aid-workers abducted by Boko Haram in Borno State.
• Security forces killed 33 Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.

Afghanistan

• Unknown terrorists killed seven Hazaras in Nangarhar province.

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

• Security forces killed two JeM terrorists in Anantnag.
• Security forces arrested a JeM terrorist from Pulwama.
• Police filed charge-sheet in 2020 Ganderbal HM module case.
• NIA arrested four people accused in narco-terrorism case from Srinagar.

Left-Wing Extremism

• Two Maoist couriers were arrested from Telangana.
• Three police personnel attained Veergati in an IED explosion in Jharkhand.
• “Scholar-Activist Anand Teltumbde an ‘active member’ of CPI (Maoist),” claimed NIA.

North-East Insurgency

• NIA filed charge-sheet against three Bodo terrorists in 2014 ambush case.

Islamic Extremism

• NIA Court sentenced IS terrorist to seven years of imprisonment.

Defence

IAF Participation in EX Desert FLAG VI

Ex Desert Flag is an annual multi-national large force employment warfare exercise hosted by the United Arab Emirates Air Force. The Indian Air Force is participating for the first time in Exercise Desert Flag-VI along with air forces of United Arab Emirates, United States of America, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Bahrain. The exercise is scheduled from 03 Mar 21 to 27 Mar 21 at Al-Dhafra airbase, UAE.

The IAF is participating with six Su-30 MKI, two C-17 and one IL-78 tanker aircraft. C-17 Globemaster will provide support for induction/ de-induction of the IAF contingent. Su-30 MKI aircraft will undertake long range ferry, routing direct from India to the exercise area with aerial refueling support from IL-78 tanker aircraft.
For more information: Click here to read... [2]

CAS Visit to Sri Lanka

Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, Chief of the Air Staff arrived in Colombo on 03 Mar 2021 on an invitation from Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF). SLAF is celebrating its 70th anniversary on 02 Mar 21. As part of his visit, the CAS will attend the inaugural ceremony on 03 Mar 21, during which a Fly-past and Aerobatic Display is scheduled. The air show at Galle Face Colombo will see participation by an IAF contingent comprising of Suryakiran & Sarang Aerobatic Display Teams and Tejas LCA. The IAF contingent arrived in Colombo on 27 Feb 21.

During the course of the two day visit, CAS is scheduled to interact with various dignitaries and the heads of Services of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka. IAF and SLAF have had consistent cooperative exchanges over the years and interact regularly through Headquarter level Air Staff talks to share valuable experiences in the fields of ground and flying training, professional military education, HADR & operational best practices.

Turkmenistan Special Forces Commence Combat Free Fall Training at Indian Special Forces Training School

The Indian Special Forces (SF) have over a period earned immense respect and reputation of being one of the finest Special Forces in the world due to its professionalism, operational expertise, and sacrifice. Special Forces of friendly countries of Central Asian Region & the Middle East have increasingly shown their desire to train with the battle-hardened Indian SF troops. In response, the Indian Army's Special Forces have increased their engagement with their counterparts from friendly nations. Based on a request from the Turkmenistan Special Forces, the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) of the Indian Army, which is a unique institution providing training to the Indian Army's Special Forces, has commenced training of paratroopers from the Turkmenistan Special Forces in Combat Free Fall as a precursor to a series of other customised professional courses which will assist in capability enhancement of Turkmenistan Special Forces.

Combined Commanders’ Conference

A premier brain-storming event of the Military Commanders from the three Services was held at Kevadia in Gujarat on 04 March 2021. The combined apex level military leadership of the country was reviewing the security situation and defence preparedness of the Armed Forces, and deliberating pertinent organisational issues for evolving a joint military vision for the future during the three day conference from 04 to 06 March. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh joined military commanders along with the team of Secretary level officers from the Ministry of Defence for deliberations from Day two of the conference. The Valedictory Session on the third and final day was chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with the National Security Advisor Sh Ajit Doval also in attendance. The CCC in 2014 was held at Delhi. Since then it has been moved out to different venues across the country. The conference was held on board INS Vikramaditya in 2015 and in 2017 at the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun. The last edition of CCC was held in 2018 over a period of two days at Air Force Station, Jodhpur.

DRDO conducts flight test of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet

Successful demonstration of Solid Fuel based Ducted Ramjet technology demonstrated on 05 Mar 2021 has provided DRDO with a technological advantage which will enable it to develop long range air-to-air missiles. At present, such technology is available only with a handful of countries in the world. During the test, air launch scenario was simulated using a booster motor. Subsequently, the nozzle-less booster accelerated it to the required Mach number for Ramjet operation.
For more information: Click here to read... [3]

Government Spending on Military Modernisation

The Details of Budget Estimates 2020-21, Revised Estimate 2020-21 and Budget Estimate 2021-22 on the Modernisation (Capital Acquisition) of Armed Forces, under Defence Service Estimate (DSE) is as under:

During last five financial year (2015-16 to 2019-20) and current year (upto January 2021), 304 contracts were signed. Out of total 304 contracts, 190 contracts have been signed with Indian vendors for capital procurement of defence equipment for Armed Forces.

Details of total projections and allocations made to Armed Forces {Army, Navy (including Jt. Staff), and Air Force} covering both Revenue (Net) and Capital Heads are as under:-

Fuel Cell based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System

An important milestone in the development of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System by proving the land-based prototype. The plant was operated in endurance mode and max power mode as per the user requirements. The system is being developed by Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) of DRDO. AIP has a force multiplier effect on lethality of a diesel electric submarine as it enhances the submerged endurance of the boat, several folds. Fuel cell-based AIP has merits in performance compared to other technologies. While there are different types of AIP systems being pursued internationally, fuel cell-based AIP of NMRL is unique as the hydrogen is generated onboard. The technology has been successfully developed with the support of industry partners L&T and Thermax. It has now reached the stage of maturity for fitment into target vessels.

Third Kalvari class Submarine commissioned at Mumbai

Indian Navy’s third stealth Scorpene class Submarine INS Karanjwas commissioned at the Naval Dockyard Mumbai. Six Scorpene Class submarines are being built in India by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France. INS Karanj would form part of the Western Naval Command’s Submarine fleet and would be another potent part of the Command’s arsenal.

Indo-Uzbekistan Field Training Exercise 'DUSTLIK '

The India – Uzbekistan joint military exercise “DUSTLIK II” was held in Foreign Training Node Chaubatia, Ranikhet (Uttarakhand). This is the Second Edition of annual bilateral joint exercise of both armies. It will continue till 19th March 2021. The first edition of the exercise was held at Uzbekistan in Nov 2019. Forty five Soldiers each from Uzbekistan and Indian Army are participating in the exercise. Both contingents will be sharing their expertise and skills in the field of counter terrorist operations in mountainous/rural/urban scenario under UN mandate. The exercise will culminate into a 36 hours joint validation exercise scheduled from 17 to 18 March 21. The validation exercise will be a test bed for the soldiers of both armies as they would be undergoing the challenges of actual operations in such scenarios.
This joint exercise will definitely provide impetus to the ever growing military and diplomatic ties between the two nations and also reflects the strong resolve of both nations to counter terrorism.
For more information: Click here to read... [4]

Successful tests of weapon systems by DRDO

Twenty eight (28) successful tests have been carried out by DRDO in the last one year. The major weapons and other systems that have been handed over to the armed forces by DRDO are: Astra Beyond Visual Range Missile System, 10 m Short Span Bridging System, Indian Maritime Situational Awareness System (IMSAS), Heavy Weight Torpedo (HWT) Varunastra, Border Surveillance System (BOSS) and Arjun Mk-1A. The development cum Production Partner (DcPP) policy for DRDO developed systems ensures involvement of industries from the beginning of development cycle, thus enabling industries and facilitating hand-holding throughout the development phase.
For more information: Click here to read... [5]

Privatisation of Defence PSUs

The Government is planning to decrease shareholding in Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) namely, BEML Ltd., Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) and Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI). Policy of disinvestment of minority stake without transfer of management control is being followed for priority sector including defence to unlock value, promote public ownership, to meet the minimum public shareholding norms of SEBI and for ensuring higher degree of accountability.

Mission Sagar IV INS Jalashwa in Comoros

As part of Mission Sagar-IV, Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa arrived at Port Anjouan, Comoros on 14 March 2021 to deliver 1,000 Metric Tonnes of rice. This is the second visit of an Indian Navy ship to the island country within a span of one year. Earlier, as part of Mission Sagar-I, in May-June 2020, the Indian Navy had delivered essential medicines to the nation and had also deployed a specialist medical team to work alongside their counterparts and to render assistance for dengue fever related emergencies.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Africa

Somalia

Al-Shabaab terrorists attacked on the prison; freed at least 400 prisoners.

On 05 March, al-Shabaab terrorists attacked on the main prison in Bosaso and freed at least 400 prisoners, many of them group’s terrorists, in State of Puntland in Somalia. In attack, at least seven soldiers were martyred. Al-Shabaab claimed the responsibility of the attack.
For more information: Click here to read... [6]

20 people were killed in a bomb explosion in Mogadishu.

In a suicide car bomb explosion outside a restaurant, on 05 March, at least 20 people were killed, and 30 were wounded near the port in Mogadishu in Somalia. Earlier, he restaurant—Luul Yemini was attacked in 2020. No group claimed the responsibility of the attack, however, police spokesman—Sadiq Ali Adan blamed al-Shabaab which often targets Mogadishu with bombings as its modus operandi.
Al-Shabaab frequently carries out such bombings in Somalia and elsewhere as part of its campaign to topple the Horn of African country’s central government and establish its own rule based on its strict interpretation of Islamic law.
For more information: Click here to read... [7]

Nigeria

Army rescued 26 aid-workers abducted by Boko Haram in Borno State.

On 04 March, the Nigerian Army rescued 26 humanitarian aid-workers who were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists a day before, in Maiduguri in Borno State. During the rescue operation, 20 men and six women were rescued and handed over to the government of Maiduguri. Boko Haram launched a bloody insurgency in 2009 in north-eastern Nigeria but later spread its atrocities to neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting a military response.
For more information: Click here to read... [8]

Security forces killed 33 Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.

In a gunfight on 09 March, Nigerian Special Forces eliminated 33 Boko Haram terrorists in the Chikingudu region in Borno State, Nigeria. During the conflict, many Boko Haram terrorist fled the site and later, security forces recovered significant amount of ammunition.
For more information: Click here to read... [9]

Afghanistan

Unknown terrorists killed seven Hazaras in Nangarhar province.

On 03 March, at least seven members of Hazara community were killed by unknown terrorists in Nangarhar province. “The migrant Hazara workers had their hands bound behind their backs and were shot to death,” said Nangarhar provincial council member—Ajmal Omar. In the ongoing investigation, four people were arrested on the basis of suspicion, said Nangarhar’s provincial police Chief—Juma Gul Hemat. No group had claimed responsibility for the killings.
For more information: Click here to read... [10]

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

Security forces killed two JeM terrorists in Anantnag.

The Security forces, on 11 March, eliminated two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists—Adil Ahmad Bhat and Zahid Ahmad Rather, in a counter-terrorism operation in Kandipora in Bijbehara area in Anantnag district. “During the search operation, as the presence of terrorists got ascertained they were given opportunity to surrender. However, they fired indiscriminately upon the security forces, which was retaliated, leading to an encounter,” said a police official on the basis of anonymity. According to police records, both slain terrorists were involved in several crimes, including attacks on security forces and civilians.
For more information: Click here to read... [11]

Security forces arrested a JeM terrorist from Pulwama.

In a joint search operation, on 01 March, security forces arrested a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist—Muzamil Qadir Bhat, from Larow Jagir village in Tral area in Pulwama district. A hand-grenade and incriminating material was recovered from Muzamil’s possession.
For more information: Click here to read... [12]

Police filed charge-sheet in 2020 Ganderbal HM module case.

On 11 March, the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police filed a charge-sheet against a Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorist, and other three of his associates, in 2020 Ganderbal HM module case. In September 2020, security forces, including Ganderbal police cracked a HM module and arrested three associates—Arshid Ahmad Khan, Majid Rasool, and Mohammad Aasif Najar for conspiring terrorist activities, read the statement issued by the police.
For more information: Click here to read... [13]

NIA arrested four people accused in narco-terrorism case from Srinagar.

On 01 March, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) official arrested four persons—Altaf Ahmed Shah, Showkat Ahmad Parray, Mudasir Ahmad Dar, and Amin Allaie aka Hilal Mir, from Srinagar, for their alleged involvement in smuggling heroin and other narcotic drugs worth million of rupees from across the Line of Control (LoC). The narco-terrorism case was registered in June 2020 after the J&K police recovered 21 kilograms of heroin and cash amount of ₹ 1,35,89,850 from the members of a drug syndicate operating in the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
For more information: Click here to read... [14]

Left-Wing Extremism

Maoist couriers were arrested from Telangana.

In two separate operations, on 04 March, police officials arrested eight alleged Maoist couriers along with explosive materials from Dummugudem and Charla mandals in Khammam district in Telangana. In both operations, police recovered 350 electrical detonators, a bundle of fuse wire, and other explosive substances from their possessions.
For more information: Click here to read... [15]

Three police personnel attained Veergati in an IED explosion in Jharkhand.

In an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion planted by Maoists, on 04 March, three police personnel—Constable Kiran Surin, Constable Haridwar Singh, and Head Constable DevendraPandit attained Veergati, and two others were injured, at Jharjhara forest in Lanji village in West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand.
For more information: Click here to read... [16]

“Scholar-Activist AnandTeltumbde an ‘active member’ of CPI (Maoist),” claimed NIA.

On 09 March, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) released a copy of submissions made on 26 February 2021, in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist case; and claimed that scholar-activist Anand Teltumbde is an ‘active member’ of the banned organisation—Communist Party of India (CPI-Maoist). In its submission, the NIA informed the Special Court that it is evident from the statement of protected witness that the accused [Anand Teltumbde] used to attend international conferences and bring their foreign Maoist literature in USB storage device and the same material was further used for training purpose after approval from the central committee of the CPI (Maoist).
For more information: Click here to read... [17]

North-East Insurgency

NIA filed charge-sheet against three Bodo terrorists in 2014 ambush case.

On 05 March, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had filed a charge-sheet against three Bodo terrorists—Bishnu Narzary, Nitul Daimary, and Runiluish Daimary, for their involvement in carrying out an ambush in 2014. The charge-sheet was filed before the Special NIA Court in Guwahati, Assam. The charge-sheet has stated that the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) terrorists had laid the ambush.

For more information: Click here to read... [18]

Islamic Extremism

NIA Court sentenced IS terrorist to seven years of imprisonment.

The Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court in Patiala, on 05 March, sentenced an Islamic State (IS/ISIS) terrorist—Imran Khan Pathan, to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for “conspiring to establish the IS’s base in India by radicalising and recruiting youths through social-media platforms. Earlier, the court had convicted and sentenced 16 accused to up to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for a conspiracy hatched by the IS handlers based in Syria and formation of the group—Junoodul-Khalifa-fil-Hind, which paid allegiance to IS.

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