VIF News Digest : National Security - Defence Studies & Terrorism, (01 – 15 November 2023)

The 15th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 01 Nov 23. The dialogue was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and Permanent Secretary (Defence), Singapore Mr Chan Heng Kee. During the meeting, both sides reviewed the existing defence cooperation between the two countries and agreed to enhance collaboration in Service-to-Service interactions and bilateral exercises. They also articulated steps to take forward cooperation in emerging areas like cyber security. Click here to read…

Maritime Security Meeting between Indian Navy and Sri Lankan Navy.

The 33rd edition of annual International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) meeting between the representatives of Navies and Coast Guards of India and Sri Lanka was held on board INS Sumitra on 04 Nov 23 at the Indo - Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary Line off Point Calimere at Palk Bay. The interaction between the counterparts of both countries acts as a forum for the Navies and CGs of the two countries to further enhance ties and synergy in operations. Click here to read…

IAF Contingent Participates in Dubai Air Show 2023.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent is participating in the biennial Dubai Airshow, from 13 to 17 November 2023. The IAF contingent comprises two indigenous platforms - the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv. While the Tejas is part of both, the static and aerial displays during the Airshow; the Sarang Helicopter Display Team will be displaying their formation aerobatics skills. Click here to read…

India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.

Secretary Austin and US Secretary of State Mr Antony Blinken co-chaired the Ministerial 2+2 Dialogue with Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar on 10 Nov 23. It was followed by a bilateral meeting between Secretary Austin and Raksha Mantri. A number of strategic, defence and technology issues were be discussed during the 2+2 dialogue and the bilateral meeting. Secretary Austin last visited India in June 2023 and had met with Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. Click here to read…

India & Bangladesh Navies Undertake CORPAT & Ex-Bongosagar.

The 4thedition of Bilateral Exercise between Indian Navy and Bangladesh Navy, BONGOSAGAR-23, and the 5th edition of Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) by the two navies was conducted in the Northern Bay of Bengal from 07 - 09 Nov 2023. Ships and aircraft from both navies undertook joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), and subsequently conducted maritime exercises to enhance interoperability. Indian Navy Ships Kuthar, Kiltan and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Dornier participated in the exercise along with Bangladesh Navy Ships Abu Bakr, Abu Ubaidah and MPA. Click here to read…

INS Sumedha Mission Deployed at Walvis Bay, Namibia.

INS Sumedha, in continuation with Indian Navy’s mission-based deployment to West Africa and Atlantic, made a port call at Walvis Bay, Namibia from 10-13 November 23. This port call is a manifestation of India’s warm ties with Namibia, its commitment to enhance maritime security and demonstrate solidarity with friendly nations. Click here to read…

International Terrorism

Africa

Islamic State-affiliated group kills at least 23 civilians in Watalinga Chiefdom, Democratic Republic of Congo.

On 12 Nov 23, Islamic State (IS)-affiliated group— Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed terror group based in eastern Congo, attacked a village in Watalinga Chiefdom in Beni’s territory and killed at least 23 villagers. The ADF group formed in Uganda before moving over the border in 1990s and has claimed thousands of killings in the last decade. Click here to read…

Boko Haram kills at least 40 farmers in a village in Yobe, Nigeria.

On 31 Oct 23, Boko Haram terrorists attacked Gurokayeya village in Gaidam local government in Yobe and killed at least 40 farmers by shooting at them and setting off a land mine. On 01 November 2023, Boko Haram terrorists set-off a land mine, killing at least 20 villagers who were coming back from burying victims of the previous day attack. The Yobe community did not witness a terror attack over a year before this attack. In April 2022, a bomb explosion took place in Yobe State. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Islamic State claims responsibility for explosion in Kabul.

The Islamic State (IS) terror organisation claimed responsibility for an explosion in a minibus which killed at least seven people, in Kabul, Afghanistan. The terror group confirmed that its operatives detonated an explosive device on a minibus carrying Shiite Muslims. The bombing was a second attack carried out in the area in as many weeks. On 26 Oct 23, four people were killed when an explosion took place in a sports club in Dashti Barchi area of Kabul. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Key LeT commander killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

On 09 Nov 23, Akram Khan, one of the former key commanders of proscribed terrorist group— Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was killed by unidentified gunmen in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Akram was a key operative of LeT’s recruitment cell and was responsible for radicalising youth who later infiltrated into Kashmir Valley. He led the recruitment cell from 2018 to 2020. This is the third killing of a key LeT terrorist in recent times. Earlier in September, LeT commander Riyaz Ahmed was killed outside a Mosque in Rawalakot, in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Click here to read…

Maldives

Islamic State’s top recruiter sentenced to 27 years in prison.

On 08 Nov 23, the Maldivian Criminal Court sentenced Mohamed Ameen, one of the top recruiters for the Islamic State (IS) group in Maldives, to 27 years in prison. Ameen was found guilty of both charges— i) membership of a terrorist organisation, and ii) conspiracy to carry out an act of terrorism. The United States Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has flagged Ameen as a senior operative of IS, making him the first Maldivian national to be named on the OFAC’s terror list. Click here to read…

Domestic Terrorism

Jammu and Kashmir

NIA files chargesheet against two operatives, including a Pakistan national, in “J&K Terror Conspiracy” case.

On 15 Nov23, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet against two operatives— i) Mohd. Ubaid Malik, from Kupwara, and ii) Muhammad Dilawar Iqbal aka Maaz Khan Kashmiri, a resident of Abbaspur, in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Both operatives were involved in a terror conspiracy to carry out terror attacks against security forces and so-called ‘outsiders’ in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Dilawar, a close aide of JeM chief Masood Azhar Alvi, was engaged in radicalising Kashmiri youth to carry out terror activities in the Valley. Click here to read…

NIA attaches properties of two LeT terrorists in “2018 Srinagar Attack”.

On 14 Nov 23, the NIA attached eight properties of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in connection with 2018 case of the forcible release of another LeT terrorist through an attack on police party at a Srinagar hospital. Out of eight, five properties belonging to Mohd Shafi Wani, and three belonging to Mohd Tikka Khan, have been attached under Section 33 (1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A], in pursuance of the orders of the NIA Special Court, Jammu. The case pertains to the killing of two police personnel in an attack on police party escorting LeT terrorist— Naveed Jatt aka Abu Hanzla to SMHS hospital, for a medical examination on 06 Feb 18. Click here to read…

Police arrest six KFF terrorists and attach a shop of one of them in Anantnag.

On 08 Nov 23, police arrested six Kashmir Freedom Fighter (KFF) terrorists involved in the killing of a circus worker from Udhampur in May 2023. The KFF is an off-shoot terror group of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). The arrested KFF terrorists are identified as— i) Sehran Bashir Nadaf, ii) Ubaid Nazir Laigroo, iii) Umer Amin Thoker, iv) Nasir Farooq Shah, v) Suveed Showkat Bhat, and vi) Huzaif Shabir Bhat. The Anantnag District police also attached a shop— “The Game Modification” at Zirpara Bijbehara, run by Umer Amin Thoker, under Section 25 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A] 1967. Click here to read…

Security forces arrest four LeT terrorists from Baramulla.

On 06 Nov 23, security forces intercepted and arrested two suspicious persons, later identified as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists— i) Ghulam Hassan Mir, and ii) Mukhtar Ahmad Khan, at a checkpoint established at Naradhiri Dangerpora junction in Baramulla district. During the search, a Chinese pistol, a magazine, and 12 live rounds were recovered from their possession. Upon the duo’s disclosure, two more LeT terrorists— i) Altaf Ahmad Rather, and ii) Farooq Ahmad Naqeeb, were called for questioning. The duo confessed to the possession of hand grenades, which were recovered from their possession and subsequently they were arrested. Click here to read…

Left-Wing Extremism

NIA attaches property of absconding key Maoist leader.

On 01 Novembe23, the NIA attached an immovable property— a house, belonging to Ravinder Ganjhu, a key Maoist leader, as per the provisions of Sections 25(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A]. The case pertains to the arrest of the cadres of proscribed terror organisation— CPI (Maoist) and apprehension of arms and ammunition. The operation happened in Jharkhand's Lohardaga. Consequently, active CPI (Maoist) cadres opened fire on the security forces en route to the Bahabar forest in Harkatta Toli and Banglapat during a joint operation by the local Police and CRPF. A large stockpile of weapons, ammo, explosives, and other associated materials was found during a thorough search of the area around the incident site. Click here to read…

Police arrest two Maoists following a gun-battle in Kerala.

Following a gun-battle between the Kerala Police’s Thunderbolt Squad and Maoists on 07 Nov 23, police combed the local area of Kozhikode district and the Periya forest, and arrested two Maoists— i) Srimathi aka Unnimaya, and ii) Chandru. Click here to read…

Islamic Extremism (excluding J&K)

NIA files chargesheet against five operatives in ‘al-Qa’ida conspiracy’ case.

On 10 Nov 23, the NIA filed a chargesheet against five terror operatives in the NIA Special Court, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. According to the chargesheet, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, received reliable inputs about four terror operatives who had illegally infiltrated into Bharat using forged documents. Further investigation revealed that these operatives belonged to al-Qa’ida, and were conspiring to carryout fundraising and recruitment of Muslim youths to join the terror group. Click here to read…

NIA files chargesheet against three operatives in ‘Tamil Nadu PFI’ case.

On 03 Nov 23, the NIA filed a Supplementary Chargesheet against three operatives— i) Abdul Razzak, ii) Mohd Yusuf, and iii) Kyzer, in connection with ‘Tamil Nadu PFI’ case. The case pertains to the unlawful and anti-Bharat activities of the proscribed group— the Popular Front of India (PFI). PFI have been promoting communal hatred between communities of different religious groups. In the same case, NIA had earlier filed charges against 10 PFI operatives on 17 Mar 23, and further investigation in the case are in progress. Click here to read…

NIA files supplementary chargesheet in ‘Kerala PFI’ case.

On 06 Nov 23, the NIA filed a supplementary chargesheet against— Saheer K.V., an operative, in connection with a case against the Popular Front of India (PFI) in Kerala. On 16 May 23, the NIA’s Absconder Tracking Team (ATT) arrested Saheer, Pattambi Area Secretary of the PFI. Saheer had been an absconder since his involvement in the killing of Sreenivasan on 16 April 2022. He was a key member of PFI’s Assault Team (AT) responsible for carrying out the terror act. Saheer charged with multiple sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A], and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Click here to read…

NIA files chargesheet against 17 terror operatives in ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’ case.

On 05 Nov 23, the NIA filed a comprehensive chargesheet against 17 operatives in connection with ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir (HuT)’ case. The case pertains to the revelation that the HuT operatives were covertly recruiting and building illicit network in Madhya Pradesh. The group’s preparations included training in arms-shooting, and commando tactics. The HuT operatives conspires to attack on police personnel and targeting individuals of different religious communities. Click here to read…

Radical Sikh Extremism

NIA files Supplementary Chargesheet in ‘KTF recruitment and arms smuggling’ case.

On 10 Nov 23, the NIAfiled a supplementary chargesheet before the Special NIA Court, New Delhi, in connection with the case of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) recruitment and arms smuggling. The chargesheet named Amritpal Singh aka Ammy, Amrik Singh (deported from Philippines), Jassa Singh, and Gagandeep Singh aka Mithi. A ‘listed individual terrorist’, Canada-based Arshdeep Singh aka Arsh Dala, in association with accused Manpreet Singh aka Peeta, had indoctrinated and recruited Amritpal Singh aka Ammy, Amrik Singh, Jassa Singh and Gagandeep Singh aka Mithi into his terrorist network. Operating from the Philippines, Amritpal Singh aka Ammy and Amrik Singh were actively engaged in inducting youth into the terror group led by Arsh Dala. Their activities extended to smuggling of arms and explosives from Pakistan, as well as carrying out extortion and the subsequent channelization of extortion proceeds for terrorist activities. During the course of the investigations, the NIA successfully got Amritpal Singh aka Ammy and Amrik Singh deported from the Philippines. The charge-sheeted operatives played a pivotal role, at the behest of Arsh Dala, in a larger conspiracy, primarily focused on raising funds for the KTF. Click here to read…

Organised Crime

NIA files chargesheet in cross-border arms smuggling case.

On 12 Nov 23, the NIA filed a comprehensive chargesheet in the NIA Special Court, Mohali, against Malkit Singh aka Pistol in connection with cross-border smuggling of arms and ammunition over drones in the Bharat-Pakistan border area of Gurdaspur district, Punjab. According to the chargesheet, the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel recovered a cache of firearms and ammunition from the Cremation ground (Shamshan Ghat) in the village Bagtana Boharwala, Dera Baba Nanak, Batala, Punjab. The recovered items include 5 Glock Pistols (made in Austria), 91 live cartridges of 9MM, and 10 magazines. Investigations revealed connections between terrorists of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and individuals based in Pakistan. Operatives identified in this terror network include Malkit Singh aka Pistol, Taranjot Singh aka Tanna, and Gurjit Singh aka Paa. Additionally, it was found that these operatives were in direct communication with Pakistan-based drug smugglers, Rehmat Ali aka Miyan, Pakistan-based International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) chief Lakhbir Singh Rode aka Babaji, and Ranjot Singh Rana. Click here to read…

Assam Police arrest five operatives in connection with FICN.

On 10 Nov 23, Assam Police carried out an operation and arrested five FICN (Fake Indian Currency Note) operatives, including a woman, from Biswanath district in Assam. The operation also dismantled a network who used to manufacture equipment for printing FICN. Among those arrested, two operatives also worked as journalists. Click here to read…

NIA files 3rd Chargesheet in ‘Lawrence Bishnoi gang and BKI’ terror-gangster network case.

On 10 Nov 23, the NIA filed a 3rdchargesheet highlighting the terror-gangster network of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).The chargesheet identified four operatives— i) Darman Singh, ii) Parveen Wadhwa, iii) Yudhvir Singh, and iv) Vikas Singh. According to the chargesheet, Darman Singh is one of the key links between Canada-based terrorist— Lakhbir Singh of BKI and Bishnoi gang. Praveen Wadhwa is one of the associates of Bishnoi crime syndicate. As per investigations, Praveen was instrumental in coordinating communication channels, enabling seamless interactions among gang members, even those incarcerated in different jails. Yudhvir worked as chief arms procurer of Bishnoi gang; whereas Vikas was another associate in Bishnoi gang involved in providing shelter to different gang members involved in terror attacks and criminal operations. Click here to read…

NIA freezes ₹1.34 crores linked to Amritpal Singh in ‘Narcotics Seizure’ case.

On 08 Nov 23, the NIA froze assets worth ₹1,34,12,000 as the funds were identified as ‘illegally acquired property’ allegedly belonging to Amritpal Singh from Tarn Taran in Punjab. The case pertains to the recovery of total 102.784 kg heroin worth approx. 700 crores on 24 April and 26 April 2022, by the Indian Customs. The heroin consignment from Afghanistan entered Bharat through the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, Amritsar, on 22 April 2022. The drug-smuggling involved Dubai-based absconding Shahid Ahmed, Afghanistan-based Nazir Ahmed Qani. The consignment was to be delivered to Delhi-based Razi Haider Zaidi. Investigations have revealed that Amritpal Singh orchestrated the transfer of funds from 2019 to 2021, depositing them directly into the bank accounts of other operatives Shahid Ahmed, alias Qazi Abdul Wadood, and RaziHaider Zaidi. Additionally, funds were covertly channelled through Hawala transactions. Click here to read…

NIA raids multiple locations across 10 States, 2 UTs, and arrests 44 operatives in 4 Human Trafficking cases.

In close coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF), and State Police forces, the NIA, on 08 Nov 23, carried out a comprehensive operation across multiple States. The operation was aimed at dismantling illegal human trafficking support networks involved in infiltration and settlement of illegal migrants across the Bharat-Bangladesh border into Bharat. In joint operation, synchronised raids were carried out at a total of 55 locations across 8 States— i) Tripura, ii) Assam, iii) West Bengal, iv) Karnataka, v) Tamil Nadu, vi) Telangana, vii) Haryana, viii) Rajasthan, and 2 Union Territories (UTs)— i) Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), and ii) Puducherry. NIA investigations in the case revealed that different modules of this illegal Human Trafficking network were spread over various States, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir and operating from there. In response to these investigational findings, the NIA registered three new cases to bust the modules of this extensive network based in different regions and States. Click here to read…

NIA searches 08 locations in Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh in major narcotic seizure case.

On 07 Nov 23, the NIA carried out raids at 08 locations across Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh (UP) in connection with the ‘Heroin seizure’ case. The case pertains to the seizure of sizable amount of narcotic substance, specifically heroin, which was intercepted while its arrival in Bharat through the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Attari, Amritsar, Punjab, on 24 April 2022. The substance was concealed in a consignment of liquorice roots (Mulethi) originating from overseas suppliers based in Afghanistan. Click here to read…