DEFENCE
- Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka.
- Inaugural ASEAN India maritime exercise.
- Raksha Mantri (RM)& his Maldivian counterpart hold talks in Male.
- New Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN).
- DRDO conducts Design Validation Trial of Vertical Shaft based Underground Ammunition Storage Structure.
- Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy on an official visit to Singapore.
- Tactical rescue operation from Sudan by IAFC-17.
- Heritage Centre of Indian Air Force, showcasing its legacy & technological progress, inaugurated by RM in Chandigarh.
- RM meets Israeli Foreign Minister Mr. Eli Cohen in New Delhi.
- Department of Defence Production waives off quality assurance charges.
- Prime Minister inaugurates programme marking National Technology Day 2023.
- MoD approves 4th positive indigenisation list.
- 4th edition of India-Indonesia Bilateral exercise Samudra Shakti-23.
- Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) has proceeded on a visit to Egypt.
- iDEX-DIO signs 250th contract, first under Mission DefSpace & 100th SPRINT (Navy) contract.
International Terrorism
Africa
Somalia
Pakistan
Domestic Terrorism
Jammu and Kashmir
Left-Wing Extremism
Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)
Narcotics-Terror Nexus
DEFENCE
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), embarked on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka today. During the visit, the CAS is scheduled to meet the Hon’ble President of Sri Lanka, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, the Hon’ble State Minister of Defence, the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Commanders of Sri Lanka Air Force, Army & Navy, and the Defence Secretary. Click here to read...
Inaugural ASEAN India maritime exercise
Indian Naval Ships Satpura and Delhi with Rear Adm Gurcharan Singh, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet embarked onboard arrived at Singapore on 01 May 2023 to participate in the Inaugural ASEAN India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2023) scheduled from 02 to 08 May 2023.The harbour phase of the exercise was be held at Changi Naval Base from 02 to 04 May 2023 and the Sea Phase was conducted from 07 to 08 May 2023 in the South China Sea.
Approximately 1400 personnel manning nine ships participated in the Sea Phase of the multilateral naval exercise. India’s indigenously designed and built ships- destroyer INS Delhi & stealth frigate INS Satpura, maritime patrol aircraft P8I and integral helicopters exercised with ASEAN naval ships from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Click here to read...
Raksha Mantri (RM) & his Maldivian counterpart hold talks in Male
RM arrived in Maldives on May 01, 2023, on a 3-day official visit at the invitation of his Maldivian counterpart Ms Mariya Ahmed Didi. As a special gesture, reflecting the warmth in the bilateral relations, the Defence Minister of Maldives broke protocol and personally received the RM upon arrival at the airport. Later, the Raksha Mantri held bilateral delegation-level talks with the Maldivian Defence Minister. India will be handing over a Fast patrol vessel along with an assault landing craft to Maldivian Coast Guard in a formal ceremony on May 02, 2023.The RM called on the President of Maldives Mr Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on May 02, 2023. Click here to read...
New Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN)
Air Marshal Saju Balakrishnan, AVSM, VM has taken over as the 17th Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN) on 01 May 2023. The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) is the only Joint-services Command in India and serves as a model for the country's planned theaterisation of Army, Navy, and Air Force capabilities. Click here to read...
DRDO conducts Design Validation Trial of Vertical Shaft based Underground Ammunition Storage Structure
Centre of Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES), a Delhi-based laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has designed and developed a Vertical Shaft based Underground Ammunition Storage Facility. It enables upward vertical dissipation of blast effects considerably reducing the blast effect on surrounding utilities. The instrumented blast trial was carried out in presence of the Armed Forces by detonating 5,000 kgs of TNT in one of the chambers of the underground facility.
The Armed Forces find it difficult to stock ammunition as required by them due to non- availability of adequate land as large safety distances are required for ammunition storage structures. The safety distances considerably reduce, when ammunition is stored underground. Based on the results of the instrumented trials, the safety distance has been established up to 120 Metric Ton (40 Metric Ton Net Explosive Content) ammunition storage per chamber. The unique design developed has an additional advantage of reducing Safety Distances and Cost by 50 per cent as compared to current designs. The design also ensures higher safety of ammunition stored from any kind of aerial attack or sabotage. Click here to read...
Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy on an official visit to Singapore
Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy was on an official visit to Singapore from 02 to 04 May 2023. During the visit the CNS co-officiated the inaugural ceremony of maiden ASEAN – India Maritime Exercise (AIME) 2023, held at Changi Naval Base, Singapore on 02 May 23. This inaugural edition of AIME is being co-hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy and Indian Navy; and will witness participation of ships and personnel from other ASEAN countries. Click here to read...
Tactical rescue operation from Sudan by IAF C-17
In the midnight hours of 03 - 04 May 23, an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft airborne from Hindan, flew through the night to land in the early morning hours at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The aircraft refuelled at Jeddah to undertake a nonstop flight from Jeddah, via war torn Sudan and back to India. The aircraft took excess fuel from Jeddah to avoid a situation of non-availability of fuel and refueling delays in Sudan. The mission was one of a kind, with the aircraft carrying 192 passengers, mostly ladies, children and elderly persons, who either were NRIs, foreign nationals or OCIs (Overseas Citizens of India). These people could not be taken to Jeddah, and hence were required to be flown directly to India in a nonstop flight by the heavy jet.
At Sudan, the aircraft carried out an overhead steep tactical arrival followed by an assault approach to land the heavy jet. During the entire duration of the ground operations, the aircraft engines were kept running in readiness of a quick exit from the airfield, in case of such a need arising. The crew encountered another unplanned emergency when one of the passengers became unconscious during the flight. This situation was immediately and proficiently handled by the crew who administered him 100% Oxygen to stabalise him.
The aircraft landed at Ahmadabad late in the evening on 04 May 23 late in the evening and then at the home base of Hindan late in the night on the same day. The crew thus flew through extended duty periods of nearly 24 hrs to get some of the last stranded countrymen back to India. Click here to read...
Heritage Centre of Indian Air Force, showcasing its legacy & technological progress, inaugurated by RM in Chandigarh
RM inaugurated the Indian Air Force (IAF) Heritage Centre in Chandigarh on May 08, 2023. The Centre, an embodiment of IAF’s rich history and legacy, houses a collection of artefacts, murals and 3D dioramas, showcasing the evolution of the force since its inception. It displays the heroic deeds of the IAF and the country’s technological progress in aircraft/equipment. One of the highlights of the Centre is the array of simulators that allows visitors to replicate the thrill of flying iconic aircraft in the IAF’s inventory and gives them a chance to get a taste of what it feels to be a pilot. Click here to read...
RM meets Israeli Foreign Minister Mr Eli Cohen in New Delhi
RM met with an Israeli delegation, led by Foreign Minister Mr Eli Cohen, in New Delhi on May 09, 2023. During the meeting, the RM underlined Government of India’s priority towards indigenisation in accordance with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Policy’. He acknowledged the cooperation being extended by Israeli companies and encouraged them for more investments in India and for forging joint ventures with Indian partners to manufacture defence equipment in India. Click here to read...
Department of Defence Production waives off quality assurance charges
In a significant move to promote reforms and bring ease of doing business, Department of Defence Production has waived off Quality Assurance (QA) charges levied by the QA Agencies under its administrative control for the stores meant for the exports. This industry friendly initiative would make the defence products cost competitive in global market. Click here to read...
Prime Minister inaugurates programme marking National Technology Day 2023
Prime Minister inaugurated the programme marking National Technology Day 2023 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on May 11, 2023. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple projects related to scientific and technological advancement in the country worth more than Rs 5,800 crore.
The projects whose foundation stone was laid include Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory – India (LIGO-India), Hingoli; Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Jatni, Odisha; and Platinum Jubilee Block of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. The projects dedicated to Nation include Fission Molybdenum-99 Production Facility, Mumbai; Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Plant, Visakhapatnam; National Hadron Beam Therapy Facility, Navi Mumbai; Radiological Research Unit, Navi Mumbai; Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Visakhapatnam; and Women & Children Cancer Hospital Building, Navi Mumbai. Click here to read...
MoD approves 4th positive indigenisation List
To promote ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence & minimise imports by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), RM has approved 4th Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) of 928 strategically-important Line Replacement Units (LRUs)/Sub-systems/Spares & Components, including high-end materials & spares, with import substitution value worth Rs 715 crore. Details of these items are available on SRIJAN Portal (https://srijandefence.gov.in/). These will only be procured from the Indian Industry after the timelines indicated in the list.
This fourth list is in continuation to the previous three PILs involving LRUs/Sub-systems/Assemblies/Sub-assemblies/Spares & Components which were published in December 2021, March 2022 and August 2022 respectively. These lists contain 2,500 items which are already indigenised and 1,238 (351+107+780) items which will be indigenised within the given timelines. Of 1,238, 310 items (1st PIL - 262, 2nd PIL - 11, 3rd PIL - 37) have been indigenised, so far. Click here to read...
4th edition of India-Indonesia Bilateral exercise Samudra Shakti-23
INS Kavaratti, indigenously designed & built ASW Corvette, arrived at Batam, Indonesia to participate in the 4th edition of India-Indonesia Bilateral exercise Samudra Shakti-23 from 14-19 May 23. An Indian Navy Dornier Maritime Patrol aircraft and Chetak helicopter is also participating. The Indonesian Navy will be represented by KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda, CN 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and AS565 Panther Helicopter. During the Sea Phase, weapon firing, Helicopter Operations, Anti-submarine warfare & air defence exercises and boarding operations are planned. Click here to read...
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) has proceeded on a visit to Egypt.
General Manoj Pande, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) has proceeded on a visit to Egypt from 16 to 17 May 2023. During the visit, the Army Chief will be meeting the Country’s senior military leadership where he will discuss avenues for further enhancing Indo-Egypt defence relations. He will be visiting various Egyptian Armed Forces establishments and exchange ideas on issues of mutual interest. The Army Chief will interact with the Commander-in-Chief of Egyptian Armed Forces, Minister of Defence & Military Production, and Chief of Staff, Egyptian Armed Forces. He will also engage in extensive discussions with the Chief of Egyptian Armed Force Operations Authority.
The Military relations of India with Egypt are on the rise which was evident during India’s 74th Republic Day parade, wherein the Egyptian Armed Forces contingent made their first appearance, besides the Egyptian President Abdeh Fattah El-Sisi being the Chief Guest for the parade. Notably, Indian and Egyptian Armies have conducted the first ever joint exercise between the Special Forces named “Ex Cyclone-I” in January this year. Click here to read...
iDEX-DIO signs 250th contract, first under Mission Def Space & 100th SPRINT (Navy) contract.
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the flagship initiative of Ministry of Defence, has reached a milestone with the signing of its 250th contract - first under Mission DefSpace - and 100th SPRINT (Navy) contract in New Delhi on May 15, 2023. The contracts were signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and other senior civil & military officials. Click here to read...
International Terrorism
Africa
Somalia
44 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in a CT operation in the Lower Shabelle region.
Somalia’s Deputy Information Minister— Abdirahman al-Adala, on 13 May 2023, informed the State media that security forces from the Intelligence unit, with the support of international allies, killed 44 al-Shabaab terrorists in the Alu Fuuto area, near the Kurtowarey district in the Lower Shabelle region in Somalia.
According to the official statement, in April 2023, over 3,000 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed since the start of the military campaign supported by Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Click here to read...
Pakistan
“Those involved in violence following Khan's detention will face terrorism trials,” Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, on 13 May 2023, said that authorities would go after those involved in violent protests, followed by the arrest/detention of Imran Khan, former Pakistan Prime Minister, including prosecution in anti-terrorism courts.
The culprits, including the planners, abettors and attackers, face trial in anti-terrorism courts. Sharif ordered the Law Ministry to increase the number of anti-terrorism courts to speed up the trials. Click here to read...
Domestic Terrorism
Jammu and Kashmir
NIA filed a supplementary chargesheet against an OGW in the ‘LeT off-shoot’ case.
On 15 May 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a supplementary chargesheet against Faisal Muneer, aka Ali Bhai, an Over-Ground Worker (OGW), for his involvement in activities of The Resistance Front (TRF). TRF is an off-shoot group of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
As per the chargesheet, Muneer conspired with Pakistan-based LeT/TRF handlers for the transportation of firearms and explosives for carrying out terror attacks in Bharat. As part of the conspiracy, Muneer had actively worked for LeT/TRF and had received funds from LeT terrorists with the intent to further its terror activities. Click here to read...
NIA attached properties of three terrorists in 2 cases linked to HM and JeM.
On 10 May 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) attached the immovable properties of three terrorists in two different cases of terror activities of Hizb ul-Mujahideen (HM) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). In the first case, NIA attached properties of Doulat Ali Mugal and Ishaq Pala.
While Ishaq Pala, currently lodged in Central Jail Agra, was an HM/al-Badr terrorist, Doulat Ali Mugal was an OGW (Over-Ground Worker) of the HM and is currently out on bail. Doulat Ali Mugal had provided logistic support to accused Danish Ghulam Lone and Suhail Ahmad Bhat at Kupwara when both were about to cross the LoC. Click here to read...
NIA searched 16 locations in the ‘Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K) terror funding’ case.
On 04 May 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) searched various locations in a case related to Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI-J&K)’s separatism and secessionist activities. NIA had filed a chargesheet in the case (RC-03/2021/NIA/DLI) in Special Court, Patiala House, New Delhi, on 12th May 2022 against four accused. It had earlier registered a suo motu case on 05 February 2021.
The searches were conducted today at the premises of JeI (J&K) members and supporters at 16 locations, including 11 in Baramulla district in Kashmir and the remaining five located in Kishtwar district in Jammu. Several incriminating materials and digital devices were seized during the searches. Click here to read...
Left-Wing Extremism
Five key Maoists of Koel Sankh Zone of CPI (Maoist) surrendered before security forces in Jharkhand.
On 08 May 2023, five key Maoists of Koel Sankh Zone of the banned CPI (Maoist) surrendered before the senior officials of the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) and Jharkhand Police. The surrendered Maoists have been identified as— i) Amarjeet Yadav, ii) Sahdev Yadav, iii) Neeru Yadav, iv) Santosh Bhuiya, and v) Ashok Baiga.
The persistent efforts of the 190 Battalion, CRPF and the state's surrender and rehabilitation policy have influenced these cadres to choose the path of peace and harmony. Click here to read...
NIA searched 14 locations in Bihar and Jharkhand in the ‘CPI (Maoist) Conspiracy’ case.
On 02 May 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out searches at 14 different locations across Bihar and Jharkhand in a conspiracy to expand, revive, and propagate the ideology of the CPI (Maoist).
The searches at eight locations in Jharkhand covered the Ranchi office of Visthapan Virodhi Jan Vikash Andolan (VVJVA) and the houses of the associates and supporters etcetera of CPI (Maoist) in Bokaro, Dhanbad, Ramgarh and Giridih districts. The searches were conducted in Bihar at six locations in Khagaria, Gaya and Aurangabad districts. All the suspects whose houses were searched have links with Politburo/Central Committee members of CPI (Maoist). Click here to read...
Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)
NIA arrested another 5 PFI-sympathisers in the ‘Tamil Nadu PFI Conspiracy’ case.
On 09 May 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted extensive searches at different locations in Tamil Nadu and arrested five PFI (Popular Front of India) in the Tamil Nadu PDI Conspiracy case. The searches were carried out in six districts of — Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, and Chennai. Incriminating materials, sharp-edged weapons, digital devices and documents were recovered from the sites.
The five arrested sympathisers have been identified as— i) Abdul Razzak (Chennai), ii) Advocate Mohamed Yusuf (Madurai), iii) Advocate M Mohamed Abbas (Madurai), iv) Kyzer A (Dindigul), and v) Sathik Ali (Theni). Click here to read...
Narcotics-Terror Nexus
NIA filed a third supplementary chargesheet in the ‘Mundra Port Narcotics’ case.
On 12May 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed its third supplementary chargesheet against an accused— Pankaj Vaid, in the Mundra Port Narcotics case related to the seizure of 2,988 kg of heroin. In 2021, the narcotic consignment was trafficked into Bharat from Afghanistan via Bandar Abbas, Iran. So far, 42 individuals and 07 firms have been charge-sheeted.
Pankaj is accused of being a part of an organised criminal conspiracy to smuggle illegal consignments of heroin through international trade routes to Bharat from Afghanistan. As per NIA investigations, Pankaj was associated with foreign-based narcotics traders pushing drugs into Bharat. Click here to read...
