DEFENCE

• Aero India events.
• Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (Ions) working group meeting on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
• Defence Acquisition Council approves proposals to procure equipment worth Rs 27,000 cr from domestic industry.
• India-Maldives Defence Cooperation Webinar and Expo.
• 35th Edition of India - Indonesia Coordinated Patrol.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh hands over DRDO systems to Armed Forces Chiefs.
• 20th meeting of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs.
• Inauguration of Hypersonic Wind Tunnel at DRDO Hyderabad.
• Successful Maiden Launch of MRSAM.
• Mission Sagar III.
• Chief of Army Staff proceeds on a visit to the Republic of Korea.
• DRDO Young Scientists Laboratory Develops Quantum based technology for Random Number Generation.
• Cabinet Approves Export of Akash Missile System and Creates a Committee for faster Approval of Exports
• Indian Air Force Launches E-Governance (E-Office) Portal
• Initial supply of indigenously developed Laser Dazzlers.
• MoD signs contract with BEL to supply indigenously developed 10 Lynx U2 Fire Control systems for Indian Navy.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Russia

• FSB foiled a terrorist attack; arrested four alleged IS terrorists from Republic of Dagestan.

Lebanon

• Hezbollah has doubled up its ‘precision-guided’ missiles arsenal.

Yemen

• At least 25 people killed in an explosion at the Aden Airport.

Africa

• Somalia
• Suicide bomber targeted PM’s rally in Mudug region.

• Nigeria
• Boko Haram claimed the abduction of 330 Nigerian students from Katsina city.
• Boko Haram killed seven people on Christmas Eve in Borno State.

Afghanistan

• At least 13 police officials killed in two separate attacks in Baghlan province.
• NDS busted a Chinese spy cell in Kabul; arrested 10 members.
• ANA killed 74 Taliban terrorists in Kandahar province.
• Key Taliban and Islamic State terrorists killed in separate operations in
• Laghman and Nangarhar provinces.

Pakistan

• ATC sentenced Hafiz Saeed to 15 years imprisonment in terror-financing case.

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

• Six JeM terrorists arrested from Pulwama.
• Security forces eliminated two JeM terrorists in Baramulla.
• “Waheed Para paid ₹ 10 lakh to HM via Davinder Singh”, claimed NIA.
• Security forces arrested four JeM terrorists in Budgam.
• Four al-Badr OGWs arrested from Pulwama.
• Two LeT terrorists surrendered in Kulgam.

Left-Wing Extremism

• Security forces foiled a Maoist attack in Jharkhand.

Khalistan-inspired Extremism

• NIA arrested a Khalistan terrorist from Delhi’s IGI Airport.

Islamic Extremism in India

• NIA raided multiple locations in Kerala in “Jund al-Aqsa” case.
• NIA arrested an al-Qaeda terrorist from West Bengal.

Cyber, Information Warfare & Artificial Intelligence (Security Perspective)

• [Indian] scientists need to focus on cyber security, space and AI, said DRDO Chairman.
• “Annual cost of cyber crime in 2020 would be more than 1% of the global GDP”, says McAfee report.

Defence

Aero India events.

Aero India 2021, the biennial air show and defence exhibition organized by the Ministry of Defence is scheduled to be held during 03rd - 07th Feb 2021 at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru. Aero India-21 promises to showcase India’s Aerospace and Defence manufacturing capabilities as also seek investments in India owing to a series of policy initiatives in Defence such as increase in FDI to 74% through automatic route, the Defence Acquisition Procedure-2020, revised Offset guidelines to promote Investment in India for co-development and co-production as also formulated the draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 (DPEPP 2020) during the pandemic period of 2020.In the run up to the Aero India, a series of webinars have and will be conducted beginning from 17th December, 2020 onwards. The topics of the Webinars would be of academic interest and relevance to the Defence, Aerospace and Security Industry and also to the academia and student fraternity. The details of the webinars, schedule, link for participation etc for each session will be made available on Aero India 2021 website (https://aeroindia.gov.in/).
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Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (Ions) working group meeting on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

The 5th meeting of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Working Group on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) was held on17 December 2020. The meeting is being coordinated by Indian Navy being the Chair of the IONS Working Group on HADR. The meeting was likely to be attended by Australia, Bangladesh, France, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Maldives, Oman and Thailand besides India. The IONS is a voluntary and inclusive initiative that brings together navies of Indian Ocean Region littoral states to increase maritime co-operation and enhance regional security. A co-operative forum for discussion on regional maritime issues, it also serves to develop an effective response mechanism against natural disasters. Instituted in 2008, the IONS initiative has grown significantly and presently enjoys wide acceptance across the Indian Ocean Region.

Defence Acquisition Council approves proposals to procure equipment worth Rs 27,000 cr from domestic industry.

The first meeting of the DAC under the new regime of Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 and these are the first set of Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) accorded with majority AoNs being accorded in the highest categorization of Buy Indian (IDDM). 6 of the 7 proposals, that is, Rs 27,000 Cr out of Rs 28,000 cr for which AoNs were granted will be sourced from the Indian industry to give a boost to the “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives of the Government. Acquisition proposals approved today include the DRDO designed and developed Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Systems for the Indian Air Force, Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Indian Navy and Modular Bridges for the Indian Army.

India-Maldives and India-Nepal Defence Cooperation Webinars and Expos.

The Theme of webinar was ‘Joint Indo Maldives High Level Defence Engagement’. It was organised under the aegis of Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence (MoD) through Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). During the webinar, the MNDF made a detailed presentation on their requirements and 11 Indian Defence Companies Bharat Electronics Limited, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), Mahindra Defence System Ltd, MKU Limited, SMPP, Ordnance Factory Board, Bharat Earth Movers Limited, Zen Technologies Ltd, Larsen & Toubro and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd highlighted their capabilities, product offerings and solutions. The webinar was also attended by more than 375 participants.

A webinar and expo between India and Nepal were held on 21 Dec 2021. The theme of webinar was “Exploring Synergies and Strengthening Defence Cooperation with Nepal”. Joint Secretary (DIP) said that Defence cooperation with Nepal is not a new phenomenon and is almost 70 years old when India and Nepal signed Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1950. During the webinar twelve Indian Defence Companies Ashok Leyland, BEML, Bharat Electronics Ltd, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, L&T Defence, Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd, MKU Ltd, OFB, SSS Springs, Talk PRO Radios, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd and Yaman Technologies Pvt Ltd made company and product presentations on major platforms that India can offer. The webinar was attended by more than 100 participants and more than 100 virtual exhibition stalls have been set up in the Expo.

India - Indonesia Coordinated Patrol.

The 35th edition of India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy was conducted from 17 to 18 December 2020. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kulish, an indigenously built missile corvette along with P8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and Indonesian Naval Ship KRI Cut NyakDien, a Kapitan Pattimura (Parchim I) class corvette and a MPA of the Indonesian Navy participated.

Raksha Mantri hands over DRDO systems to Armed Forces Chiefs.

Shri Rajnath Singh handed over the Indian Maritime Situational Awareness System (IMSAS) to the Chief of Naval Staff, ASTRA Mk-I Missile to Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria and Border Surveillance System (BOSS) to the Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane.
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20th meeting of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs.

The Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held on 18 December 2020. The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs. The Director General of the Department of Boundary & Oceanic Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Chinese delegation. The two sides reviewed the developments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border areas since the last round of the WMCC held on 30 September 2020. The two sides agreed that based on the guidance provided by senior leaders and the agreements reached between the two Foreign Ministers and Special Representatives, they would continue to work towards ensuring complete disengagement in all friction points along the LAC in the Western Sector at the earliest. The two sides noted that the 7th and 8th rounds of Senior Commanders meetings held on 12th October and 6 November 2020 respectively had in-depth discussions in this regard and that these discussions had also contributed to ensuring stability on the ground.

Inauguration of Hypersonic Wind Tunnel at DRDO Hyderabad.

During his visit, two anti-drone technologies were demonstrated by DRDO labs to Raksha Mantri. DRDO Young Scientists’ Laboratory - Asymmetric Technologies (DYSL-AT) and RCI demonstrated drone and innovative anti-drone technologies. It has multiple capabilities including neutralizing ground targets and anti-drone applications to counter stationery as well as high-speed moving targets. Key features of the weapon system include secure communication link, effective recoil management system, high firing angular resolution and vision-based target detection and tracking.

On this occasion, Raksha Mantri inaugurated the advanced Hypersonic Wind Tunnel (HWT) test facility. The state-of-the-art HWT Test facility is pressure vacuum driven enclosed free jet facility having nozzle exit diameter of 1 meter and will simulate Mach No 5 to 12 (Mach represents the multiplication factor to the speed of sound). After USA and Russia, India is the third country to have such a large facility in terms of size and operating capability. It is an indigenous development and an outcome of synergistic partnership with Indian industries. The facility has the capability to simulate hypersonic flow over a wide spectrum and will play a major role in the realization of highly complex futuristic aerospace and defence systems.

Successful Maiden Launch of MRSAM.

Army version of MRSAM is a surface to Air Missile developed jointly by DRDO, India and IAI, Israel for use of the Indian Army. MRSAM Army weapon system comprises of Command post, Multi-Function Radar and Mobile Launcher system. The complete Fire Unit has been used during the launch in the deliverable configuration. With the maiden launch of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM), Army Version from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. The missile completely destroyed a high speed unmanned aerial target which was mimicking an aircraft with a direct hit.

Mission Sagar III.

Indian Naval Ship Kiltan arrived at Nha Rong Port, Ho Chi Minh City on 24 December 2020 as part of Mission Sagar-III. This Mission is part of India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) assistance to Friendly Foreign Countries during the ongoing pandemic.

The ship will deliver 15 Tons of HADR Stores for the flood-affected people of Central Vietnam, which will be handed over to Vietnam’s Central Steering Committee for National Disaster Prevention and Control. This assistance is reflective of the deep people-to-people connect between the two friendly countries.

On its next stop Indian Naval Ship Kiltan arrived at Sihanoukville Port, Cambodia on 29 December 2020. The ship delivered 15 Tons of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Stores for the flood-affected people of Cambodia, which was handed over to Cambodia’s National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC). This assistance is reflective of the deep people-to-people connect between the two friendly countries.

Mission Sagar-III is being undertaken in accordance with Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and reiterates India’s position as a dependable partner.

Chief of Army Staff proceeds on a visit to the Republic of Korea.

General MM Naravane, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has proceeded on a three day visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) from 28 to 30 December 2020. During the visit, he will be meeting senior military and civilian leadership of the Republic of Korea. General Naravane will lay wreath at National Cemetery and War Memorial at Seoul. He is scheduled to call on with the Minister of National Defence, ROK Army Chief, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Minister of Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) where he will discuss avenues for enhancing India-ROK defence relations.

DRDO Young Scientists Laboratory Develops Quantum based technology for Random Number Generation.

DRDO Young Scientist Laboratory for Quantum Technologies (DYSL-QT) has developed a Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) which detects random quantum events and converts those into a stream of binary digits. The Laboratory has developed a fiber-optic branch path based QRNG. Branch path based QRNG is based on the principle that if a single photon is incident on a balanced beam splitter, it will take either of the beam-splitter output paths randomly. As the path chosen by photon is random, the randomness is translated to sequence of bits. QRNG system developed by the laboratory has passed the global randomness testing standards viz. NIST and Die-harder Statistical Test Suites at the speed of ~150 kbps after post-processing. The generated random numbers are also evaluated and verified using DRDO’s indigenously developed Randomness Testing Statistical Test Suite of SAG. With this development India enters the club of countries who have the technology to achieve the generation of random numbers based on the Quantum Phenomenon.
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Cabinet Approves Export of Akash Missile System and Creates a Committee for faster Approval of Exports.

Akash is country’s important missile with over 96 percent indigenisation. It is a Surface to Air Missile with a range of 25 Kms. The missile was inducted in 2014 in IAF and in 2015 in Indian Army. The Cabinet approval will facilitate Indian manufactures to participate in RFI/RFP issued by various countries.

The export version of Akash will be different from System currently deployed with Indian Armed Forces. Besides Akash, there is interest coming in other major platforms like Coastal Surveillance System, Radars and Air platforms. To provide faster approvals for export of such platforms, a Committee comprising of Raksha Mantri, External Affairs Minister and National Security Advisor has been created. This Committee would authorise subsequent exports of major indigenous platforms to various countries. The Committee would also explore various available options including the Government-to-Government route.

Indian Air Force Launches E-Governance (E-Office) Portal.

The Chief of the Air Staff formally launched the IAF e-Governance (e-Office) portal at Air HQ, Vayu Bhavan on 31 Dec 20. The implementation undertaken as part of Digital India and e-governance initiative will transform the entire Indian Air Force to a ‘paperless office’ workflow.

Initial supply of indigenously developed Laser Dazzlers.

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed a contract with Indian Navy for initially supply 20 Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation Dazlers (Laser Dazzlers). The Laser Dazzler is used as a non-lethal method for warning and stopping suspicious vehicles/boats/aircrafts/UAVs/pirates etc. from approaching secured areas during both day and night. It is a portable, shoulder operated and ruggedized for military use in adverse environmental conditions. Laser dazzler technology was developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

MoD signs contract with BEL to supply indigenously developed 10 Lynx U2 Fire Control systems for Indian Navy.

Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for procurement of 10 Lynx U2 Fire Control systems for frontline warships of Indian Navy at a cost of Rs 1,355 crore under Buy (Indian) category in New Delhi today. The Lynx system has been designed and developed indigenously. The LYNX U2 GFCS is a Naval Gun Fire Control System designed to acquire, track and engage targets amidst sea clutter. It is capable of accurately tracking air/surface targets, generating required target data for predicting weapon aiming points and engaging target. The target engagement is carried out with the medium/short range gun mounts like Russian AK176, A190 and AK630 and the SRGM available onboard ships.

International Terrorism

Russia

FSB foiled a terrorist attack; arrested four alleged IS terrorists from Republic of Dagestan

Russia’s Federal Security Bureau (FSB), on 26 December 2020, informed that it had foiled a terrorist attack and arrested four Islamic State (IS) terrorists from the unstable southern Republic of Dagestan. In a statement released by the FSB, arrested IS terrorists were conspiring to blast an administrative building of security services, followed by an attack on the Interior Ministry’s employees in Makhachkala city. Security officials have recovered firearms and edged weapons, a large amount of ammunition, an explosive device at the address of a “secret” residence of terrorists, correspondence with coordinators of terrorist activities abroad was found in mobile phones.
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Lebanon

Hezbollah has doubled up its ‘precision-guided’ missiles arsenal

In the end-of-year interview with Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV on 27 December 2020, the leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah—Hassan Nasrallah has said that the group has twice as many precision-guided missiles as it had a year ago, and acquired the capability to strike anywhere in Israel and the [occupied] Palestinian territories. The Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group is a “sworn” enemy of Israel, with which it has had a series of confrontations, including a full-scale war in 2006.
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Yemen

At least 25 people killed in an explosion at the Aden Airport

On 30 December 2020, at least 25 people were killed and more than 100 injured in an explosion at the Aden airport in Yemen. The blast took place shortly after the arrival of newly formed and internationally recognised Cabinet. According to the government sources, Iran-supported Houthi rebels fired four ballistic missiles at the airport; however, no official comments are made from the rebel officials. Later in a day, another explosion took place near to a palace where arrived Cabinet members were transferred following the explosion at the airport. According to Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV channel, Saudi-led coalition shot down the bomb-laden drone that attempted to target the palace.
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Africa

Somalia

Suicide bomber targeted PM’s rally in Mudug region

On 18 December 2020, al-Shabaab’s suicide bomber (unidentified) exploded his vest before a line of waiting dignitaries during a political rally scheduled at a football stadium in Galkayo in Mudug region in Somalia. At the time of explosion, Somalia’s Prime Minister (PM)—Mohamed Hussein Roble was on his way to attend the same event. At least 10 people, including three senior Somali military officials, and several others died in the suicide attack, said Somali government spokesman—Ismael Mukhtaar Omar.
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Nigeria

Boko Haram claimed the abduction of 330 Nigerian students from Katsina city

On 15 December 2020, Boko Haram claimed that on 11 December 2020 (Friday), the group has abducted 330 Nigerian students (schoolboys) from Kankara village in Katsina city of north Nigeria. In a short message shared with the Nigerian media and CNN, the head of the group—Abubakar Shekau claimed that the school was targeted because of the group’s long-held aim to stop “western” education in north Nigeria. However, a government official (on anonymity basis) told CNN that the terror group had been in contact with teacher of the school and may offered a ransom negotiation.
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Boko Haram killed seven people on Christmas Eve in Borno State

On 24 December 2020, Boko Haram terrorists attacked a Christian-majority Pemi village in Borno State and killed seven people, including a pastor, and abducted another seven. “Terrorists also burned down a church—Evangelical Church of the Brethren, a dispensary and several houses”, said secretary of the Chibok local government area. Pemi village is located approximately 20 kilometres from Chibok, where Boko Haram kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls in 2014.
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NDS busted a Chinese spy cell in Kabul; arrested 10 members

On 29 December 2020, Afghanistan’s intelligence and security services—National Directorate of Security (NDS) crackdown and detained 10 Chinese nationals, believed to be linked with China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), on charges of espionage and running a terror network inside Afghanistan. According to multiple news sources, at least two of 10 Chinese nationals were in contact with the Haqqani network. The Afghan government could consider a pardon for the Chinese spies if Beijing submits a formal apology that admits to the violation of international norms and a betrayal of Kabul’s trust, indicated Afghanistan’s first Vice-President—Amrullah Saleh.
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ANA killed 74 Taliban terrorists in Kandahar province

The Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence (MoD), on 20 December 2020, tweeted that 74 Taliban terrorists were killed, and 15 others were wounded in clashes with Afghan National Army (ANA) in Zheria, Dand, Panjwae, and Arghandab districts of Kandahar province. According to statement released by the MoD, the ANA launched an operation on Taliban terrorists while the latter were preparing for multiple attacks on positions held by the Afghan National Defence and security forces.
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Key Taliban and Islamic State terrorists killed in separate operations in Laghman and Nangarhar provinces

On 22 December 2020, Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS)’s Special Task Force (STF) killed multiple and key Taliban and Islamic State (IS) terrorists in counter-terrorism operations in Laghman and Nangarhar provinces.

In another operation on same day, Hasibullah—a Haqqani network terrorist was arrested in the seventh police districts of Jalalabad city in Nangarhar province, said the provincial governor—Ziaulhaq Amarkhil.
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Pakistan

ATC sentenced Hafiz Saeed to 15 years imprisonment in terror-financing case

Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), on 25 December 2020, has sentenced Hafiz Saeed— leader of Jamaatud-Dawa (JuD) and terrorist group—Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), to 15 years of imprisonment after he was convicted in a terror-financing case. Besides Hafiz Saeed, ATC Judge—Ijaz Ahmed Buttar sentenced Hafiz Abdul Salam, Zafar Iqbal, Muhammad Ashraf and YahyaMujahid to 15 years and six months imprisonment and a fine of PKR 200,000 each. Earlier, on 19 November 2020, Hafiz Saeed and two of his associates were convicted in two separate terror-financing cases.
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Domestic Terrorism

Jammu and Kashmir

Six JeM terrorists arrested from Pulwama

Awantipora police, on 22 December 2020, arrested six Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists—Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, Mohammed Amin Khan, Umer Jabar Dar, Sameer Ahmad Lone, and Rafiq Ahmad Khan, from Awantipora in Pulwama district. The arrested terrorists have been in contact with their Pakistani handlers and have targeted security forces in the recent past.
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Security forces eliminated two JeM terrorists in Baramulla

On 24 December 2020, security forces killed two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists—Amir Siraj, and Abraraka Langoo (a Pakistani national) in a counter terrorism operation in Wanigam Payeen village in Baramulla district. During a Cordon-And-Search Operation (CASO) in the village, terrorists opened fire from hideout triggering the exchange of fire with security forces. Police recovered incriminating materials and arms/ammunitions from the operation site.
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“Waheed Para paid ₹ 10 lakh to HM via Davinder Singh”, claimed NIA

The investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has revealed that Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s arrested leader Waheedur-Rehman Para had allegedly paid ₹ 10 lakh to Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM) to ensure its support ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The NIA had arrested Para in November 2020, ahead of District Development Council (DDC) polls in J&K, in connection to the on-going probe into DSP (suspended) Davinder Singh’s links with the HM. The money was allegedly delivered to HM terrorist—Syed Mushtaq Naveed aka Naveed Babu through Davinder Singh.
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Security forces arrested four JeM terrorists in Budgam

On 27 December 2020, security forces arrested four Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists, including a police deserter, during a search operation in Hayatpora area of Budgam district. The arrested police deserter has been identified as SPO-turned-terrorist—Altaf Hussain. Other three JeM terrorists were identified as Shabir Ahmad Bhat, Jamsheed Magray, and Zahid Dar.
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Four al-Badr OGWs arrested from Pulwama

On 24 December 2020, the Special Operation Group (SOG) of J&K Police, Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) conducted a joint operation and arrested six Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of al-Bard terrorist group, from Pulwama district.
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Two LeT terrorists surrendered in Kulgam

During a Cordon-And-Search Operation (CASO) on 22 December 2020, two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists—Yawar Wagey, and Aamir Mir, surrendered before security forces in Tangdoona village in Kulgam district. “The security forces established the contact with terrorists in hideout and were appealed by their families and security forces to surrendered”, said an official (on the basis of anonymity).
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Left-Wing Extremism

Security forces foiled a Maoist attack in Jharkhand

On 28 December 2020, a joint team of CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) battalions, Jharkhand Jaguar (JJ)—a specialist anti-Maoist police force and district police foiled a Maoist attack and neutralised 22 IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) planted along the 120 meters of jungle tracks around Regarbera and Arahasa in West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand. “The Maoists had planted these IEDs to inflict serious damage and harm the security forces. It could have led to loss of lives of the innocent villagers as well. The JJ’s Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) recovered all the IEDs and defused and destroyed them at a safe location, said West Singhbhum Superintendent of Police (SP)—Ajay Linda.
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Khalistan-inspired Extremism

NIA arrested a Khalistan terrorist from Delhi’s IGI Airport

On 22 December 2020, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials arrested Gurjeet Singh Nijjar, a Khalistan terrorist who had been living in Cyprus, from the Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport. Nijjar was an absconding accused in a “Pune Khalistan case” in which Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had arrested Harpal Singh of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist group on 02 December 2020. According to the investigation, along with Harpal Singh, and Moin Khan (arrested by Punjab police from Sirhind on 24 December 2018), Nijjar was the main conspirator to revive Khalistan-inspired militancy through social media platforms.
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Islamic Extremism in India

NIA raided multiple locations in Kerala in “Jund al-Aqsa” case

On 22 December 2020, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at seven locations in Thrissur and Kozhikode districts of Kerala in connection to 2019 Jund al-Aqsa case. In a case, registered in January 2019, against six accused—Hashir Mohammed, Sidhikul Akbar, Muhammed Irfan, Thaha Mohammed, Sultan Abdulla, and Fayez Farooq who while being in Qatar in 2013 had conspired and made travel arrangements to Syria and joined proscribed terrorist organisations such as Jund al-Aqsa and Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusrah/al-Nusra Front). In the raids, the NIA officials have recovered nine mobile phones, 15 SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) cards, an iPad, six laptops, three memory cards, and other documents.
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NIA arrested an al-Qaeda terrorist from West Bengal

On 21 December 2020, in a joint raid with West Bengal police, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials arrested Mosaraf Modal—an al-Qaeda terrorist from Jalangi village in Murshidabad district in West Bengal.
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Cyber, Information Warfare & Artificial Intelligence (Security Perspective)

[Indian] scientists need to focus on cyber security, space and AI, said DRDO Chairman

Addressing an event to mark the 60th foundation day of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), its Chairman—G Satheesh Reddy, on 01 January, has said that scientists working at the DRDO need to focus on the next generation needs of the Indian armed forces in cyber security, space, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). “There is a need for academic institutions, Research & Development (R&D) establishments, and other industries to work together on advanced and futuristic technologies to make India self-reliant in defence sector”, said DRDO Chairman Reddy. Around 30 start-ups shall be supported every year to develop innovative products for the armed forces, emphasised Chairman Reddy.
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“Annual cost of cyber-crime in 2020 would be more than 1% of the global GDP”, says McAfee report

In its report—The Hidden Costs of Cybercrime, the cyber security firm—McAfee has noted that cyber-crime incidents could cost the world around USD 1 trillion in 2020, up from USD 600 billion in 2018. According to the estimates, in 2020, the annual cost of the cyber-crime would be more than one per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In another report by Trend Micro (a cyber security firm), there was an increase of nearly nine million threat cases from January to June (2020), specifically related to coronavirus pandemic. Most attacks were perpetrated in April as users were looking to get more information on coronavirus.
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