DEFENCE

• India and Pakistan exchanged list of Nuclear Installations
• Exchange of list of prisoners between India and Pakistan
• India-France Strategic Dialogue.
• Visit of CAS to AOR in Eastern Air Command and Forward Locations in Ladakh.
• Indian Navy to Coordinate Second Edition of Largest Coastal Defence Exercise – Sea Vigil 21.
• 13th India-Vietnam Defence Security Dialogue.
• Cabinet approves Procurement of 83 Light Combat Aircrafts (LCA) ‘Tejas’ from HAL for IAF.
• India’s First Indigenously Developed 9mm Machine Pistol.
• Indian Army Demonstrates Drone Swarms During Army Day Parade.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Africa

• Somalia
• Two Turkish nationals were killed in a bombing in Mogadishu.

Pakistan

• Baluchistan witnessed 2,886 terrorist attacks in last decade, claimed SAMAA TV.
• ATC issued arrest warrant against JeM chief Masood Azhar.
• Islamic State claimed responsibility for attack on Shi’ite Hazara minority in Baluchistan.

Sri Lanka

• US Federal Court charged three IS supporters Sri Lankan nationals for conspiring 2019 Easter Day attack.

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

• NIA raided several locations in J&K and Punjab in narco-terror case.
• Security forces arrested two JeM Over-Ground Workers from Pulwama.
• NIA filed charge-sheet in HM narco-terror case.

Left-Wing Extremism

• Maoist commander killed in Chhattisgarh.
• Security forces busted a Maoist camp in Odisha.

Khalistan-inspired Extremism

• Delhi Police arrested ISI’s henchman at IGI Airport

Islamic Extremism

• Around 130 al-Qaeda terrorists from India and Bangladesh are ready to join Haqqani Network in Afghanistan, claims intelligence report.

Cyber, Information Warfare & Artificial Intelligence (Security Perspective)

• Debit/Credit card data of approx. 10 crore Indians is being sold on Dark Web, claimed an independent cyber security researcher.
• South Korea to invest USD 5.3bn into science, R&D, and ICT in 2021.
• The White House established the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Office (NAIIO).

Defence

India and Pakistan exchanged list of Nuclear Installations

India and Pakistan on 01 Jan 2021 exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of nuclear installations and facilities, covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between India and Pakistan.

The Agreement, which was signed on 31 December 1988 and entered into force on 27 January 1991 provides, inter alia, that India and Pakistan inform each other of the nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the Agreement on the first of January of every calendar year. This is the 30th consecutive exchange of such list between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 01, 1992.

Exchange of list of prisoners between India and Pakistan

India and Pakistan on 01 Jan 2021 exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in their custody. This is in keeping with the provisions of the 2008 Agreement under which such lists are exchanged every year on 1st January and 1st July.

India handed over lists of 263 Pakistan civilian prisoners and 77 fishermen in India's custody to Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistan has shared lists of 49 civilian prisoners and 270 fishermen in its custody, who are Indians or believed-to-be Indians.The Government has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel and fishermen, along with their boats, from Pakistan's custody. In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 03 Indian civilian prisoners and 185 Indian fishermen to India whose nationality has been confirmed and conveyed to Pakistan. In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to Indian Fishermen and 22 civilian prisoners who are in Pakistan's custody and are believed to be Indian.

India-France Strategic Dialogue

India and France held their annual Strategic Dialogue on 7 January 2021 in New Delhi. Shri Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor led the Indian delegation while the French delegation was led by Mr. Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the French President.

The two sides held discussions on a variety of issues including counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, defence cooperation, maritime security, regional and global issues and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Both sides reaffirmed the high priority they accord to the India-France strategic partnership and highlighted the convergence of views between the two countries.

Following the Dialogue, Mr. Bonne also called on the Prime Minister, Defence Minister and External Affairs Minister, and met the Foreign Secretary. He also addressed the Vivekananda International Foundation on "France and India: Partners for a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

Visit of CAS to AOR in Eastern Air Command and Forward Locations in Ladakh

Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force undertook a visit to Air Force Stations and Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in Eastern Air Command area of responsibility from 05 to 07 Jan 21. During the visit, CAS interacted with senior IAF & Army commanders and reviewed operational preparedness of units deployed at these locations. He also visited Itanagar to call on Hon'ble Governor and Hon'ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. Besides sharing key focus areas for furthering IAF's ongoing transformation with air warriors, the CAS flew with aircrew from transport and helicopter fleets that operate extensively in Sikkim and North East sectors. He lauded their stellar contribution in accomplishing all operational as well as humanitarian assistance tasks successfully while operating in a difficult terrain and an extremely challenging operational environment.

He also undertook a visit to Air Force Stations and Advanced Landing Grounds in Ladakh on 11 Jan 21. During the visit, CAS interacted with field commanders and was briefed on the op preparedness and status of deployed forces at air bases as well as in the forward areas. During his visit to Thoise, he reviewed the ongoing logistic operations for support and sustenance of troops in the winter season. He also visited DBO and Nyoma ALGs where he was given a security overview in the respective sub-sectors. At DBO, CAS laid a wreath in homage to the fallen heroes. Prior to his departure, CAS joined the CDS for a comprehensive discussion on operational matters with senior IAF and Indian Army Commanders at Air Force Station Leh.

Indian Navy to Coordinate Second Edition of Largest Coastal Defence Exercise – Sea Vigil 21

The second edition of the biennial pan-India coastal defence exercise ‘Sea Vigil-21’ was conducted on 12-13 January 2021. The exercise, inaugural edition of which was conducted in January 2019; was undertaken along the entire 7516 km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone of India and involved all the 13 coastal States and Union Territories along with other maritime stakeholders, including the fishing and coastal communities. The exercise was coordinated by the Indian Navy. The entire coastal security set up was reorganised after the 26/11 Terror attack at Mumbai which was launched via the sea route.

The scale and conceptual expanse of the exercise is unprecedented in terms of the geographical extent, the number of stakeholders involved, the number of units participating and in terms of the objectives to be met. The exercise was a build up towards the major Theatre level exercise TROPEX [Theatre-level Readiness Operational Exercise] which Indian Navy conducts every two years. SEA VIGIL and TROPEX together will cover the entire spectrum of maritime security challenges, including transition from peace to conflict. Assets of the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Customs and other maritime agencies participated in SEA VIGIL, the conduct of which was also facilitated by the Ministries of Defence, Home Affairs, Shipping, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Fisheries, Customs, State Governments and other agencies of Centre/ State.

13th India-Vietnam Defence Security Dialogue.

Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, co-chaired the 13th India-Vietnam Defence Security Dialogue along with his Vietnamese co-chair Sr Lt Gen Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Defence Minister, Socialist Republic of Vietnam on 12 January 2021. During the virtual interaction, Defence Secretary and the Deputy Defence Minister exchanged views on the plan of action that has emanated from the recently concluded Virtual Summit between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam H.E. Nguyen Xuan Phuc in December 2020. New areas of defence cooperation were also discussed.

They expressed satisfaction at the growing defence ties between the two countries. Both the sides reviewed the progress on various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives and expressed commitment to further elevate engagements between the Armed Forces under the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both sides agreed that in the recent past our respective countries have made notable strides in Defence Industry and Technology cooperation and look forward to even greater cooperation in this field.

Cabinet approves Procurement of 83 Light Combat Aircrafts (LCA) ‘Tejas’ from HAL for IAF

The Cabinet met under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister in New Delhi on 13 January and has approved procurement of 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircrafts and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 Trainer aircrafts at the cost of Rs. 45,696 Crore along with Design and Development of Infrastructure sanctions worth Rs.1,202 Crore.

Light Combat Aircraft Mk-1A variant is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured state-of-the-art modern 4+ generation fighter aircraft. This aircraft is equipped with critical operational capabilities of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Missile, Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite and Air to Air Refuelling (AAR) would be a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of Indian Air Force, IAF. It is the first “Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)” category procurement of combat aircrafts with an indigenous content of 50% which will progressively reach 60% by the end of the programme.

The Cabinet has also approved infrastructure development by IAF under the project to enable them handle repairs or servicing at their base depot so that the turnaround time would get reduced for mission critical systems and would lead to increased availability of aircraft for operational exploitation. This would enable IAF to sustain the fleet more efficiently and effectively due to availability of repair infrastructure at respective bases. About 500 Indian companies including MSMEs in the design and manufacturing sectors will be working with HAL in this procurement.

India’s First Indigenously Developed 9mm Machine Pistol

India’s first indigenous 9mm Machine Pistol has been jointly developed by DRDO and Indian Army. Infantry School, Mhow and DRDO’s Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune have designed and developed this weapon using their respective expertise in the complementary areas. The weapon has been developed in a record time of four months. The Machine Pistol fires the in-service 9mm ammunition and sports an upper receiver made from aircraft grade Aluminium and lower receiver from carbon fibre. 3D Printing process has been used in designing and prototyping of various parts including trigger components made by metal 3D printing.The Machine Pistol is likely to have production cost under rupees 50000 each and has potential for exports.

Army Day Paradeand Demonstration of Drone Swarms

Indian Army celebrated its 73rd Army Day today. Every year Indian Army celebrates 15th January as ‘Army Day’ to commemorate the day when General (later Field Marshal) K M Carriappa took over the command of Army from General Sir FRR Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief in 1949 and became the first Commander-in-Chief of Indian Army post Independence.The Indian Army also carried out a live demonstration of Drone Swarming capability using 75 indigenously designed and developed drones which executed an array of Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled simulated offensive missions and close support tasks.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Africa

Somalia

Two Turkish nationals were killed in a bombing in Mogadishu

On 02 January, at least five people were killed, and 14 others wounded in a suicide bombing in Mogadishu. Among five fatalities, two Turkish nationals were killed. Terrorist group—al-Shabaab claimed the responsibility of the attack. According to reports, the attack was targeted Turkish nationals as the terror group considers Turkey an invader in Somalia.
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Pakistan

Baluchistan witnessed 2,886 terrorist attacks in last decade, claimed SAMAA TV

According to a report compiled by SAMAA TV Network¸ Pakistan’s Baluchistan province witnessed 2,886 terrorist attacks and caused 3,184 related fatalities in last decade. Among 3,184 fatalities, around 2,058 were civilians and 1,126 were Pakistan’s security personnel. On 28 December 2020, Baluchistan’s Home Minister—Mir Ziaullah Langau informed the press that a “large-scale operation would be launched against terrorists in the province.”
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ATC issued arrest warrant against JeM chief Masood Azhar

Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Gujranwala, on 07 January, issued an arrest warrant against Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief—Masood Azhar and other members of the terror group, in a hearing of a terror-financing case. Pakistan is trying to improve its position and to escape the pressure from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
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Islamic State claimed responsibility for attack on Shi’ite Hazara minority in Baluchistan

Through Amaq Agency on its Telegram Channel, Islamic State (IS) claimed the responsibility of an attack on 03 January in which 11 coal miners of Pakistan’s Shi’ite Hazara community were killed in the Mach area of Bolan district in Baluchistan province. “The throats of all coal miners have been slit, after their hands were tied behind their backs and they were blindfolded”, said a security official (on the basis of anonymity).
Baluchistan is the focus of the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a transport and energy link planned between western China and Pakistan’s southern port of Gwadar. Hazaras, a Shi’ite minority in Pakistan, have been frequently targeted by Taliban, IS terrorists and other Sunni extremist groups-based in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
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Sri Lanka

US Federal Court charged three IS supporters Sri Lankan nationals for conspiring 2019 Easter Day attack

On 08 January, three Sri Lankan nationals—Mohamed Naufar, Mohamed Anwar Mohamed Riskan, and Ahamed Milhan Hayathu Mohamed were charged for their alleged involvement in the conspiracy of 2019 Easter Day attacks in Sri Lanka, and for being members of the Islamic State (IS) supporters group—“ISIS in Sri Lanka”. In the bombings in April 2019, at least 268 people were killed, including five US citizens. The criminal case filed on 11 December 2019 in United States District Court in Los Angeles, is the result of a nearly two-year investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which assisted Sri Lankan authorities in the wake of the suicide bombings that targeted Christian churches and luxury hotels frequented by Westerners.
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DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

NIA raided several locations in J&K and Punjab in narco-terror case

On 07 January, the National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s officials raided six location in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Punjab in connection with an investigation of a narco-terror case. Five locations in Jammu district and a location in Punjab’s Taran Tarn were raided, leading to the recovery of digital devices and other incriminating documents having financial details and bank account numbers, said a spokesperson of the NIA. The investigation is related to the case registered in November 2020, after busting of a narco-terror module and seizure of 61 kilogram of heroin and a cache of arms and ammunition along the International Border (IB) with Pakistan.
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Security forces arrested two JeM Over-Ground Workers from Pulwama

On 11 January, security forces arrested two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)’s Over-Ground Workers (OGWs)—Shezaan Gulzar Beigh and Waseem ul-Rehman Sheikh from Awantipora in Pulwama district. Allegedly, duo were involved in logistic support to the terrorists in Awantipora and Tral areas of the district and passing-on sensitive information to the JeM terrorists.
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NIA filed charge-sheet in HM narco-terror case

On 05 January, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a supplementary charge-sheet in the Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM) narco-terror case before the NIA Special Court in Mohali, Chandigarh. The charge-sheet named terrorists—Jaswant Singh aka Jassa, and Gursant Singh aka Gora, under Sections 120-B, 419, 471, 201 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860, Section 8 read with Sections 21, 27-A, and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985.
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Left-Wing Extremism

Maoist commander killed in Chhattisgarh

On 13 January, a Maoist commander—Hidma Muchaki, was eliminated by the security forces in the jungles between Chikpal and Marjum villages in Dantewada district of Bastar region in Chhattisgarh. In a joint anti-Naxal operation, team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Chhattisgarh Armed Force engaged in gun-battle with Hidma, who was a member of Katekalyan Area Committee of CPI (Maoist), said Dantewada Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Pallava.
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Security forces busted a Maoist camp in Odisha

On 07 January, security forces comprise of Special Operation Group (SOG) and District Volunteer Force (DVF) busted a Maoist camp and recovered arms and ammunition in Chakapad area of Kandhamal district in Odisha. A detonator, two hand grenades, several country-made guns, two magazine, black uniforms, and utensils were recovered from the busted camp.
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Khalistan-inspired Extremism

Delhi Police arrested ISI’s henchman at IGI Airport

On 31 December 2020, acting upon intelligence input, Delhi Police’s Special Cell arrested “most wanted” terrorist and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)’s henchman—Sukhmeet Pal Singh aka SukhBhikariwal from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. Sukhmeet was sent from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on an “Emergency Certificate” on the basis of lookout circular had issued against him. Later, Sukhmeet was produced before the Patiala House Court and was sent to eight days of police custody.
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Islamic Extremism

Around 130 al-Qaeda terrorists from India and Bangladesh are ready to join Haqqani Network in Afghanistan, claims intelligence report

According to an Indian intelligence report, around 130 al-Qaeda (AQ) terrorists from India and Bangladesh are ready to join and fight along with the Haqqani Network (HQN) in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. On 30 October 2020, these terrorists have graduated from AQ’s military training centre at Miranshah in North Waziristan (Pakistan). Post-graduation, these terrorists are likely to be transferred at various provinces, including Kabul to carry out coordinated attacks along with HQN terrorists, claimed the intelligence report. The 26th Report of the United Nations (UN) Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team (ASSMT) reported that there are an estimated 400-600 al-Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan.
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Cyber, Information Warfare & Artificial Intelligence (Security Perspective)

Debit/Credit card data of approx. 10 crore Indians is being sold on Dark Web, claimed an independent cyber security researcher

An independent cyber security researcher—Rajshekhar Rajaharia, on 03 January, claimed that the data belong to around 10 crore credit and debit card holders in India is up for sale against unsolicited amount via Bitcoin on the Dark Web. The massive data dump on the Dark Web was leaked from a compromised server of Bengaluru-based digital payments gateway—JusPay. However, JusPay refute any such claims. “On 18 August 2020, an unauthorised attempt on our servers was detected and terminated when in progress. No card numbers or any transaction data was compromised”, read a statement released by JusPay.
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South Korea to invest USD 5.3bn into science, R&D, and ICT in 2021

South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT, on 03 January, has said that in 2021, it will invest 5.8 trillion won (around USD 5.3 billion) on Science and Information & Communication Technology (ICT) as the nation fosters new tech industries under its digital “New Deal” drive and targets going Carbon neutral. The projected amount is a 12 percent rise from 2020 and focuses on basic scientific research as well as new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 6G wireless networks.
Around 1.8 trillion won for basic scientific research, focusing on support for young scientists, while committing 287.9 billion won for research in core tech parts, materials and equipment as the country seeks to foster a self-reliant supply chain, has been set aside for this year. For next-generation growth drivers, such as 6G and self-driving technology, the ministry will invest 17.2 billion won and 24.9 billion won, respectively, read a statement released by the Ministry of Science and ICT.
In order to meet its “carbon zero” goal by 2050, the ministry added it will invest around 103.7 billion won for technology to respond to climate change.
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The White House established the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Office (NAIIO)

Recognising the strategic importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the nation’s future economy and security, the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), on 12 January, established the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Office (NAIIO) which further accelerates the efforts to oversee and implement the United States (US) national AI strategy and shall serve as the central hub for Federal coordination and collaboration in AI research and policymaking across the government, as well as private sector, academia, and other stakeholders.
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