DEFENCE

• Exercise Sea Dragon 23.
• Defence Acquisition Council approves proposals worth Rs 70,500 crore for the armed forces & Indian Coast Guard under buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
• Seminar on ‘Emerging Disruptive and futuristic technology and their Application in Military Domains’
• Non-Lapsable Defence Modernisation Fund (DMF).
• 4th defence cooperation dialogue between India & the Maldives.
• Self-reliance in defence production.
• India-Jordan second consultative meeting on defence cooperation.
• MoD inks Rs 3,700 crore contracts with BEL for Medium Power Radars ‘Arudhra’ & 129 DR-118 Radar Warning Receivers.
• MoD signs Rs 3,000 crore contract with BEL for procurement of two Integrated Electronic Warfare Systems ‘Project Himshakti’.
• 1st India-Africa Army Chiefs’ Conclave.
• Defence Secretary and his Romanian counterpart hold bilateral talks.
• The Africa-India field training exercise (AFINDEX-2023).
• MoD inks two contracts with BEL, worth Rs 2,400 crore, for procurement of Automated Air Defence Control & Reporting System ‘Project Akashteer’ & Sarang electronic support measure systems.
• MoD signs contract with BEL for 13 Lynx-U2 fire control systems for Indian Navy worth Rs 1,700 crore.
• MoD signs Rs 19,600 crore contracts with Indian shipyards.
• MoD inks contract with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited for next generation maritime mobile coastal batteries (Long range) & BrahMos missiles worth Rs 1,700 crore.
• MoD inks over Rs 9,100 crore contracts for improved Akash weapon system & 12 weapon locating radars Swathi (Plains) for Indian Army.
• MoD signs Rs 470 crore contract for modernisation of Naval aircraft yards.
• 4th Joint defence cooperation committee meeting between India & Philippines.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

West Asia

• Three IS terrorists were eliminated in an airstrike in Iraq.

Africa

Nigeria

• Security forces killed 07 Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.

Burkina Faso

• At least 15 security forces personnel were martyred in a terror attack in the Centre-North region.

Afghanistan

• Afghanistan recorded 58 per cent drop in terror-related deaths: GTI report.

Pakistan

• Pakistan overtakes Afghanistan as the country with most terrorist attacks: GTI report.

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

• NIA filed a chargesheet against an HM OGW in the ‘J&K terrorism conspiracy’ case.
• NIA arrested an operative in the ‘NGO terror funding’ case.

Left-Wing Extremism

• “In 2022, LWE situation in the State has been under firm control”: Government of Odisha.

Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)

• NIA raided the houses of eight ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ operatives in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.
• NIA filed a supplementary chargesheet against five operatives in the ‘Nizamabad PFI’ case.
• NIA filed a chargesheet in the ‘Shivamogga IS conspiracy’ case.
• NIA filed a chargesheet against PFI operatives, including 12 NEC members.
• NIA arrested the 13th accused in the ‘Phulwarisharif Bihar PFI’ case.

North-East Insurgency

• NIA Special Court sentenced a Bodo militant to life & RI in the 2014 ‘Assam indiscriminate firing’ case.

Khalistan-inspired Extremism

• Pro-Khalistan protestors forced Indian Consulate to ‘briefly’ close down in Australia.
• “Amritpal Singh was preparing Khadkoos, stockpiling arms”: Intelligence Dossier.

Organised Crime Syndicate

• In the ' Terror-Gangster Network ' case, NIA filed a chargesheet against Lawrence Bishnoi and 13 others.

DEFENCE

Exercise Sea Dragon 23.

A P8I aircraft of the Indian Navy arrived at Guam, USA on 14 Mar 23 to participate in ‘Exercise Sea Dragon 23’, the third edition of the coordinated multi-lateral ASW exercise for Long Range MR ASW aircraft, conducted by the US Navy. The exercise scheduled from 15-30 Mar 23, would stress on coordinated anti-submarine warfare amongst the participating countries. Ex Sea Dragon 23 will test the capabilities of participating aircraft in tracking simulated and live underwater targets, whilst also sharing mutual expertise. The Exercise would witness representation by an Indian Navy P8I, along with P8A of the US Navy, P1 from the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, CP 140 from the Royal Canadian Air Force and P3C from the RoKN.
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Defence Acquisition Council approves proposals worth Rs 70,500 crore for the armed forces & Indian Coast Guard under buy (Indian-IDDM) category.

A meeting of Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), held on March 16, 2023 under the chairmanship of RakshaMantri Shri Rajnath Singh, has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition amounting to over Rs 70,500 crore under Buy {Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)}. Out of the total proposals, Indian Navy proposals constitute more than Rs 56,000 crore, which largely includes indigenous BrahMos missiles, Shakti Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, Utility Helicopters-Maritime etc.
Including these proposals, the total AoN granted for Capital Acquisition in the Financial Year 2022-23 is over Rs 2.71 lakh crore, out of which 99% of the procurement will be sourced from Indian industries. Such quantum of indigenous procurement will galvanise the Indian industries towards achieving the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
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Seminar on ‘Emerging Disruptive and futuristic Technology and their Application in Military Domains’.

Base Repair Depot (BRD), Palam organized a seminar on ‘Emerging Disruptive and futuristic Technology and their Application in Military Domains’ on 16 Mar 23 at New Delhi. Held under the aegis of Maintenance Command of the Indian Air Force.

The first session of the seminar, with the theme “Interconnection and Decentralized Decisions” was aimed at understanding the nature of emerging, disruptive and future technologies and their application in the Armed Forces. The second session of the seminar themed “Technology Assistance and Common Consciousness” sought to bring the requirements of the Armed Forces and the capabilities of the defence manufacturing ecosystem into unison.
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Non-Lapsable Defence Modernisation Fund (DMF).

A proposal for creation of Non-Lapsable Defence Modernisation Fund (DMF) is under consideration with Ministry of Defence. DMF will be available for modernization of Defence Forces and would supplement the regular yearly budgetary allocations by eliminating any uncertainty in provisioning of adequate funds for various defence capability development and infrastructure projects.A suitable mechanism for operationalising the fund is being worked out in consultation with the Ministry of Finance.
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4th defence cooperation dialogue between India & the Maldives.

India and the Maldives conducted the 4th Defence Cooperation Dialogue (DCD) in Male on March 19, 2023. The dialogue was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and his Maldivian counterpart, Chief of Defence Force, Maldives National Defence Forces Major General Abdulla Shamaal.

This DCD is the highest institutionalised interactive mechanism between the two countries. Its significance in chartering the future course of relations between both the Armed Forces was highlighted by the importance given to the talks by the two nations. During the interaction, ongoing bilateral defence cooperation activities were reviewed and both sides expressed satisfaction at the increasing engagements. The talks covered the existing bilateral exercises, with both countries agreeing to increase the complexity of these drills.
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Self-reliance in defence production.

In order to promote Aatmanirbharta, Ministry of Defence (MoD) has notified four Positive Indigenisation Lists comprising 411 major weapons platforms/systems with an embargo on their import from defined timelines. Further, MoD has also notified three Positive Indigenisation Lists in respect of DPSUs, comprising 3,738 major Line Replacement Units/sub-system/ assemblies/sub-assemblies/components & spares with an embargo on their import from defined timelines. Further, more than 26,000 defence items have been uploaded on SRIJAN Portal and offered to the Industry for indigenisation. Indigenisation is a dynamic process. So far, 7,031 items have already been indigenised, which cater to the domestic and global markets. As per data available till December 2022, the defence imports have reduced from 46% to 36.7% since 2018-19.
Reference: Click here to read...

India-Jordan second consultative meeting on defence cooperation.

The second Consultative Meeting on Defence Cooperation between India and Jordan was held on 21st March 2023 in New Delhi. The two countries discussed a range of issues including military training and courses, Cyber Security, military exercises, military medicine and capacity building in various areas to enhance defence engagements. Both sides also exchanged their respective capabilities in defence industry and research & development for forging collaborations in mutually beneficial areas.
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MoD inks Rs 3,700 crore contracts with BEL for Medium Power Radars ‘Arudhra’ & 129 DR-118 Radar Warning Receivers.

Ministry of Defence, on March 23, 2023, signed two separate contracts with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), at a total cost of over Rs 3,700 crore, to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force. The first contract, worth over Rs 2,800 crore, pertains to the supply of Medium Power Radars (MPR) ‘Arudhra’ for the Indian Air Force. The second contract, at an overall cost of approx. Rs 950 crore, relates to 129 DR-118 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR). Both projects are under Buy {Indian – IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)} category.
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MoD signs Rs 3,000 crore contract with BEL for procurement of two Integrated Electronic Warfare Systems ‘Project Himshakti’.

Ministry of Defence, on March 24, 2023, signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Hyderabad for procurement of two Integrated Electronic Warfare Systems ‘Project Himshakti’ at an overall cost of approximately Rs 3,000 crore. ‘Project Himshakti’ will encourage participation of Indian Electronics and associated industries, including MSMEs, which are sub vendors of BEL. It will generate employment of approximately three lakh man-days over a period of two years.
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1st India-Africa Army Chiefs’ Conclave.
India will continue to work with African nations to promote regional security, foster stability and enhance the defence capabilities together. This was stated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh during the first edition of India-Africa Army Chiefs’ Conclave organised on the sidelines of 2nd Africa-India Joint Exercise ‘AFINDEX’ in Pune, Maharashtra on March 28, 2023. The Conclave was attended by Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and Chiefs & representatives of 31 African nations, along with other civil and defence dignitaries.

The India-Africa Army Chiefs’ Conclave was structured on the central theme of ‘Africa-India Militaries for Regional Unity – AMRUT’. It was aimed to strengthen and improve synergy between militaries of India and African nations as part of regional cooperation mechanism.
The Conclave focussed on joint training and defence cooperation amongst the nations to evolve an institutionalised framework in order to enhance collaboration in the fields of joint military training, execution of peacekeeping operations; besides promoting Indian defence industries. It is a major landmark in deep-rooted defence ties between India and African nations, thereby enhancing regional cooperation.
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Defence Secretary and his Romanian counterpart hold bilateral talks.

Defence Secretary, Shri GiridharAramane and State Secretary and Chief of the Department for Defence Policy, Planning and International Relations of Romania, Mrs Simona Cojocaru held a bilateral meeting on defence cooperation in New Delhi on March 28, 2023. A wide range of issues encompassing military to military cooperation, military training and courses, defence co-development and co-production and capacity building were discussed in the meeting.Both countries signed an Agreement on Defence Cooperation, giving further impetus to bilateral defence cooperation.
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The Africa-India field training exercise (AFINDEX-2023).

The 2nd edition of joint military exercise “The Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX-2023)” culminated on 29th March 2023 at Foreign Training Node, Aundh, Pune. AFINDEX-2023 was held from 16 to 29 Mar 2023. A total of 25 nations of the African continent with 124 participants and Indian troops from the SIKH, MARATHA and MAHAR Regiments participated in the multinational exercise. The validation phase of the exercise was witnessed by General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff along all the African Chiefs and representatives who attended the Chiefs’ Conclave.

Aim of the exercise was to build positive military relations, imbibe each other’s best practices and promote the ability to operate together while undertaking execution of Humanitarian Mine Action and Peace Keeping Operations under the UN mandate. This joint exercise will enable the armies to learn and adopt methodologies and tactics while conducting such operations. Further, the exercise will assist the forces in correct interpretation of Rules of Engagements while undertaking Peace Keeping Operations.

On the sidelines of the exercise an ‘Equipment Display’ was organized in which 75 indigenous products from 32 industries manufactured under ‘Make in India’ were showcased. African Army Chiefs, representatives of Chiefs and participants of the African nations also witnessed the event.
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MoD inks two contracts with BEL, worth Rs 2,400 crore, for procurement of Automated Air Defence Control & Reporting System ‘Project Akashteer’ &Sarangelectronic support measure systems.

Ministry of Defence, on March 29, 2023, signed three contracts – two with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad and one with New Space India Limited (NSIL) – at a total cost nearly Rs 5,400 crore, to bolster the defence capabilities of the country. The first contract with BEL pertains to procurement of Automated Air Defence Control & Reporting System ‘Project Akashteer’ worth Rs 1,982 crore for the Indian Army. The second contract with BEL relates to acquisition of Sarang Electronic Support Measure (ESM) systems along with associated Engineering Support Package from BEL, Hyderabad at an overall cost of Rs 412 crore for the Indian Navy.
The contract with NSIL, a Central Public Sector Enterprise under Department of Space, Bengaluru pertains to procurement of an advanced Communication Satellite, GSAT 7B, which will provide High Throughput Services to the Indian Army at an overall cost of Rs 2,963 crore. All these projects are under Buy {Indian – IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)} category.
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MoD signs contract with BEL for 13 Lynx-U2 fire control systems for Indian Navy worth Rs 1,700 crore.

Ministry of Defence, on March 30, 2023, signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited, Bangalore for procurement of 13 Lynx-U2 Fire Control Systems for Indian Navy at a total cost of over Rs 1,700 crore. The Lynx-U2 System is a Naval Gun Fire Control System designed and developed indigenously. It is capable of accurately tracking and engaging targets amidst sea clutter as well as air/surface targets. The 4th generation, completely indigenous systems, will be installed on New Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels to be built indigenously at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers and Goa Shipyard Limited.
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MoD signs Rs 19,600 crore contracts with Indian shipyards.

Ministry of Defence, on March 30, 2023, signed contracts with Indian shipyards for acquisition of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels and six Next Generation Missile Vessels at an overall cost of approx. Rs 19,600 crore.

The contract for acquisition of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category was signed with Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata at a total cost of Rs 9,781 crore. Of the 11 ships, seven will be indigenously designed, developed & manufactured by GSL and four by GRSE. The delivery of the ships is scheduled to commence from September 2026.

The contract for acquisition of six Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) was signed with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) at a cost of Rs 9,805 crore. The delivery of ships is scheduled to commence from March 2027.
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MoD inks contract with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited for Next Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Batteries (Long range) & BrahMos Missiles worth Rs 1,700 crore.

Ministry of Defence, on March 30, 2023, inked a contract with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) for procurement of Next Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Batteries (Long range) {NGMMCB (LR)} and BrahMos Missiles at an approximate cost of over Rs 1,700 crore under Buy (Indian) Category. The delivery of NGMMCBs is scheduled to commence from 2027. These systems will be equipped with supersonic BrahMos Missiles and will significantly enhance multi-directional maritime strike capability of Indian Navy. The BAPL is a Joint Venture between India and Russia making crucial contribution to augment the new generation Surface-to-Surface missile with enhanced ranges.
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MoD inks over Rs 9,100 crore contracts for improved Akash weapon system & 12 weapon locating radars Swathi (Plains) for Indian Army.

Ministry of Defence, on March 30, 2023, signed contracts for procurement of improved Akash Weapon System and 12 Weapon Locating Radars, WLR Swathi (Plains) for the Indian Army at an overall cost of over Rs 9,100 crore.

The contract for procurement of improved Akash Weapon System (AWS) was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited, worth over Rs 8,160 crore. The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.

The contract for WLR Swathi (Plains) was signed with Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL) at a cost of over Rs 990 crore. It is an indigenously designed WLR, induction is planned to be completed in 24 months.
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MoD signs Rs 470 crore contract for modernisation of Navalaircraft yards.

Ministry of Defence, on March 31, 2023, signed a contract with Ultra Dimensions Pvt. Ltd. (UDPL), Vishakhapatnam for modernisation of Naval Aircraft Yards (NAYs) at Goa & Kochi, at a cost of approx. Rs 470 crore. The NAYs undertake servicing/repairs of Naval Aircraft, Aero Engines, Rotables and Test Equipment at Goa and Kochi.

4th Joint defence cooperation committee meeting between India & Philippines

4th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting between India and the Philippines was held in New Delhi on March 31, 2023. During the meeting, both sides reviewed the ongoing bilateral defence cooperation and discussed effective and practical initiatives to further expand the engagements. The co-chairs reaffirmed their commitment to implement 2006 agreement concerning defence cooperation, based on mutual trust and understanding, common interest and shared values of democracy and rule of law.
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INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

West Asia

Three IS terrorists were eliminated in an airstrike in Iraq

On 24 March 2023, Iraqi warplanes carried out airstrikes on Islamic State (IS) hideouts in northern Diyala province, killing three IS terrorists. Since 2017, Iraq’s security situation has improved.
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Africa

Nigeria

Security forces killed 07 Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State

On 24 March 2023, Nigerian security forces launched ‘Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK)’ and neutralised seven Boko Haram terrorists in the Konduga Council of Borno State, Nigeria. Zagazola Makama— a counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, informed that terrorists launched an attack with heavy gunfire on troops guarding the trenches. In retaliation, troops engaged in gunfire and chased terrorists and later neutralised seven of them.
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Burkina Faso

At least 15 security forces personnel were martyred in a terror attack in the Centre-North region

On 22 March 2023, unknown terrorists attacked and killed at least 15 Burkina Faso soldiers and army auxiliaries in the Centre-North region of the country. Burkina Faso is one of several West African countries coping with violent Islamist organisations that emerged in neighbouring Mali and have since spread across the region. Thousands of people have been killed, and over two million displaced in the Sahel region south of the Sahara. Frustration with the government’s failure to restore security has resulted in two military takeovers in Burkina Faso and two in Mali since 2020.
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Afghanistan

Afghanistan recorded 58 per cent drop in terror-related deaths: GTI report

According to the recent Global Terrorism Index report, despite terrorist attacks falling by 75 per cent and fatalities being reduced by 58 per cent, Afghanistan remained the country “most impacted” by terrorism in 2022. Afghanistan recorded 633 terrorism-related deaths in 2022.
“Afghanistan’s drop can largely be attributed to the Taliban taking control of the country after the fall of Kabul in August 2021. As the Taliban are now the state actor in much of Afghanistan, their attacks fall outside the scope of the GTI’s definition of terrorism,” read the report. The report also noted that out of all terror-related deaths worldwide in 2022, about 09 per cent occurred in Afghanistan, decreasing from the 20 per cent recorded in 2021.
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Pakistan

Pakistan overtake Afghanistan as the country with most terrorist attacks: GTI report

In the annual Global Terrorism Index report, Pakistan recorded the second-largest increase in terrorism-related deaths worldwide in 2022, with a rise of 120 per cent from 292 deaths in 2021 to 643 in 2022. With 55 per cent of all victims of terrorism being military personnel, Pakistan experienced the most significant year-over-year increase in fatalities in the past ten years. Terrorism remains primarily concentrated along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, with 63 per cent of attacks and 74 per cent of deaths occurring there.
The Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) has been carrying out terrorist attacks against Pakistani security forces to seek an Islamic Sharia-compliant state like the radical Taliban have established in Afghanistan.
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DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

NIA filed a charge sheet against an HM OGW in the ‘J&K terrorism conspiracy’ case.

On 20 March 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed the first supplementary chargesheet against an Over-Ground Worker (OGW) of Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM) in the ‘J&K terrorism conspiracy’ case.

During investigations, the NIA identified and arrested— Mohd. Rafi Najar, resident of Sopore and close associate of designated terrorist— Imtiyaz Kundoo. Najar is a dealer in handicrafts and is based out of Pokhra, Nepal. He was found to be channelising funds for proscribed terrorist organisations in the garb of legitimate trade of Kashmiri handicrafts. The profits accumulated from the sale of the handicrafts were then sent to Kashmir through Hawala channels and distributed amongst the terrorists operating in the Valley through another charge-sheeted OGW.
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NIA arrested an operative in ‘NGO terror funding’ case.

On 20 March 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Irfan Mehraj from Srinagar, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), in an ‘NGO terror funding’ case. Irfan Mehraj was a close associate of Khurram Parvez and was working with his organisation— the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Societies (JKCCS). Investigation revealed that JKCCS was funding terror activities in the valley and had been propagating secessionist agenda under the garb of protection of human rights.
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Left-Wing Extremism

“In 2022, LWE situation in the State has been under firm control”: Government of Odisha.

On 20 March 2023, the Odisha government claimed that in 2022, the Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) situation remained under firm control, with merely 27 Maoist-related incidents of violence during the year. “As many as seven Maoist cadres were killed by security forces during an exchange of fire while 12 Maoists were arrested and three others surrendered. Eight civilians were killed, and three security personnel attained Veergati in the Maoist violence in 2022,” read the White Paper issued by the Odisha Home Department.

Over 3000 Naxals and Maoist sympathisers have been brought to the mainstream in the region under ‘Operation Ghar Wapsi’. Similarly, the State government has also been emphasising mainstreaming the Maoists in other areas through a progressive surrender policy.
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Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)

NIA raided the houses of eight ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ operatives in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

In the ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ case of July 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), on 23 March, carried out the raid at the houses of eight operatives across three States— Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh (MP), including four locations in Nagpur (Maharashtra), and one location each in Gwalior district (MP), and Valsad, Surat, Botad districts in Gujarat. During the search, the NIA seized incriminating materials, including digital devices (mobile phones, memory cards) and documents.
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NIA filed a supplementary chargesheet against five operatives in the ‘Nizamabad PFI’ case.

On 16 March 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a supplementary chargesheet against five operatives— i) Shaik Raheem, ii) Shaik Vahaid Ali, iii) Jafrulla Khan Pathan, iv) Shaik Riyaz Ahmed, and v) Abdul Waris, in ‘Nizamabad PFI’ case. The chargesheet has been filed under Sections 120B, 153A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 13(1)(b), 18, 18A, and 18B of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A].

Earlier in December 2022, NIA had filed its first chargesheet against 11 operatives in the case after taking over the investigations of the matter in August 2022 from Telangana Police.
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NIA filed a chargesheet in the ‘Shivamogga IS conspiracy’ case.

On 16 March 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet against two accused— i) MaazMuneer Ahmed (23 years old) and ii) Syed Yasin (22 years old), in the ‘Shivamogga Islamic State (IS) conspiracy’ case. The case pertains to the conspiracy hatched by operatives to further the activities of IS by carrying out acts of arson, sabotage and violence in Karnataka.

Both accused are B. Tech graduates and had been radicalised/motivated by an online foreign-based handler to target public and private properties, including warehouses, liquor outlets, hardware shops, vehicles and properties belonging to citizens belonging to a particular community. In furtherance of a conspiracy hatched by the IS, Maaz and Yasin had committed over 25 incidents of arson and sabotage,
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NIA filed a chargesheet against PFI operatives, including 12 NEC members.

On 18 March 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed its 5th chargesheet against 19 operatives, including 12 National Executive Council (NEC) members of the banned organisation— Popular Front of India (PFI). The chargesheet pertains to the criminal conspiracy to destabilise further and dismember Bharat.

NIA has also frozen 37 Bank accounts of the PFI organisation and 40 Bank accounts of 19 PFI operatives, virtually squeezing the organisation’s funding activities. The crackdown on these bank accounts took place across Bharat, including Guwahati (Assam), Sundipur (West Bengal), Imphal (Manipur), Kozhikode (Kerala), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), New Delhi, Jaipur (Rajasthan), Bangalore (Karnataka), Hyderabad (Telangana) and Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh).
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NIA arrested 13th accused in ‘Phulwarisharif Bihar PFI’ case.

With the support of Bihar Police, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), on 18 March 2023, arrested— Mohammad IrshadAlam from East Champaran, Bihar, in connection with the ‘Phulwarisharif Bihar PFI’ case. Investigation revealed that PFI operatives in Phulwarisharif and Motihari had vowed to continue PFI activities in a concealed manner in Bihar and had also arranged a firearm and ammunition recently to eliminate a youth of a particular community in East Champaran district in Bihar.
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North-East Insurgency

NIA Special Court sentenced a Bodo militant to life & RI in 2014 ‘Assam indiscriminate firing’ case.

On 21 March 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court, Guwahati, Assam, sentenced a Bodo militant— Rabi Basumatary, aka Rongjabaja, to life imprisonment, along with rigorous imprisonment (RI) for ten years, in various cases of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A] in a 2014 case of indiscriminate firing on villagers in Assam.
Rabi has also been fined in all cases and will have to go through additional simple imprisonment in case of failure to pay the same. All the substantive sentences will run concurrently.
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Khalistan-inspired Extremism

Pro-Khalistan protestors forced Indian Consulate to ‘briefly’ close down in Australia.

On 15 March 2023, pro-Khalistan protestors organised a gathering and forced the Indian Consulate in Brisbane, Australia, to close down for a brief duration. “Slogans were raised against Hindus, calling them supremacists with Khalistan Zindabad,” reported Australia Today.

According to the Director of Hindu Human Rights, Sarah L Gates, “Indian consulate was forced to close due to safety concerns after Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) targeted the consulate with propaganda.” Just a few days after Bharat’s External Affairs minister, Dr S Jaishankar, visited Australia in February 2023, Khalistan flags were found attached to the Consulate in Brisbane.
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“Amritpal Singh was preparing Khadkoos, stockpiling arms”: Intelligence Dossier.

Referring to an intelligence dossier, officials, based on anonymity, said that Amritpal Singh was illicitly using so-called drug de-addiction centres and a Gurdwara for stockpiling arms. The dossier claimed that Amritpal Singh, allegedly at the behest of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Directorate and Khalistan sympathisers residing overseas, mainly brainwashed youths to become ‘Kharkoos’ or fierce fighters.

“The weapons were illegally being stockpiled in several drug de-addiction centres run by the ‘Waris Punjab De’ and a Gurdwara in Amritsar,” said an official based on anonymity. “The youths who were admitted in the de-addiction centres used to be indoctrinated and pushed towards the “gun culture”. They were being brainwashed to choose the path of slain terrorist Dilawar Singh, who acted as a human bomb and killed former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh,” said officials.
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Organised Crime Syndicate

NIA filed a chargesheet against Lawrence Bishnoi and 13 others in the ‘Terror-Gangster Network’ case.

On 24 March 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet against gangsters— Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldy Brar, and 12 others for having connections with banned terror group— Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and other pro-Khalistan terror groups, in ‘terror-gangster network’ case. According to reports, Lawrence Bishnoi has been in custody since 2015; however, he has been operating the terror-crime network from jail along with GoldyBrar (a Canada-based gangster). Goldy is accused of killing Pradeep Kumar of DeraSacchaSauda, in Faridkot in November 2022.

The NIA investigations have revealed that Bishnoi’s terror-gangster network was responsible for providing perpetrators for the RPG attack on Punjab’s State Intelligence Headquarters (HQs) at Mohali, Chandigarh. Harwinder Singh @Rinda, a Pakistan-based BKI terrorist, carried out the RPG attack.
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