Army Commanders’ Conference was held from 18-22 April 2022 at New Delhi. Army Commanders’ Conference is an apex level biannual event which is held in April and October every year. During the conference, the Indian Army reviewed the operational situation along the active borders, assessed threats in the entire spectrum of conflict and undertook analysis of capability voids to further focus on capability development & operational preparedness plans. Discussions on aspects pertaining to infrastructure development in border areas, modernisation through indigenisation, induction of Niche tech and assessment on any impact of the Russia - Ukraine war were also held.
The RM (Raksha Mantri) in his talk applauded the Indian Army for working towards the goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and remarked that in 2021-2022, Rs 40,000 crores worth of contracts by the Army are being awarded to Indian Vendors.
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General Manoj Pande took over as the 29th Chief of the Army Staff on 30 April 2022 from General Manoj Mukund Naravane. The General officer is alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned in December 1982 in the Corps of Engineers (The Bombay Sappers). General MM Naravane, superannuated after four decades of illustrious and meritorious service. His tenure in the office will be remembered for ensuring the health of Indian Army personnel during the Covid-19 pandemic, resolute reply to the Northern adversary in Eastern Ladakh, and a determined push towards Atmanirbharta, besides embracing niche and disruptive technologies to fight future wars.
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Ministry of Defence (MoD) had earmarked 64 per cent of Capital Acquisition Budget for domestic industry in Financial Year (FY) 2021-22. At the end of FY 2021-22, MoD has been able to over achieve this target and has utilised 65.50 per cent of Capital Acquisition Budget on indigenous procurements through Indian Industry to achieve Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. Further, as per preliminary expenditure report of March 2022, MoD has been able to utilise 99.50 per cent of the Defence Services Budget in FY 2021-22.
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In his first overseas visit after assuming the office of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral R Hari Kumar visited Maldives from 18 to 20 Apr 22.Adm R Hari Kumar hosted a reception onboard Indian Naval Ship Sutlej in honour of the Defence Minister of Maldives and the leadership of Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF). INS Sutlej, is currently deployed to Maldives for undertaking joint hydrographic survey under the MoU on hydrographic cooperation.
Continuing with his ongoing tour to the South West Indian Ocean Region, Admiral R Hari Kumarvisited Seychelles from 21 to 23 Apr 22.He highlighted during interactions with the leadershipthe significance accorded by both countries to collaborative approach towards maritime security in the Indian Ocean. In this context, CNS deeply appreciated the active participation of Seychelles in the Goa Maritime Conclave, MILAN and Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS). Earlier, CDF, Seychelles had attended MILAN-22 at Visakhapatnam in February 2022.
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The sixth and last submarine of the Indian Navy’s Kalvari class submarines of Project 75 has been launched today at the Kanhoji Angre Wet Basin of Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL).
Raksha Mantri has exhorted US companies to take advantage of the policy initiatives taken by India and carry out joint R&D, manufacturing and maintenance of defence equipment to achieve the vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’. The Raksha Mantri was addressing the members of American Chamber of Commerce in India (AMCHAM India) through video conferencing during its 30th Annual General Meeting on April 21, 2022. He invited the US companies for co-production, co-development, investment promotion and development of Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facilities in India.
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Raksha Mantri launched Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Prime and sixth Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC 6) during DefConnect 2.0 in New Delhi on April 22, 2022. The iDEX-Prime aims to support projects, requiring support beyond Rs 1.5 crore up to Rs 10 crore, to help ever-growing start-ups in the defence sector.
The DISC 6 with 38 Problem Statements was also launched by the Raksha Mantri. Apart from the three Services and some Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) which have participated in earlier editions, DISC 6 witnesses the participation of newly-formed seven defence companies, Indian Coast Guard and organisations under Ministry of Home Affairs for the first time. The Problem Statements relate to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Advanced Imaging, Sensor Systems, Big Data Analytics and Autonomous Unmanned Systems and Secured Communication among others.
The winners of DISC 5, Open Challenge (OC 2 and 3) were also felicitated and two sessions with stalwarts of the industry were organised during the event. In addition, a static exhibition of an array of start-ups supported by iDEX-Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO) was displayed to all the attendees, with the aim to motivate budding entrepreneurs to take the leap.
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Naval Commanders' Conference of 2022 was held from 25 to 28 Apr 22. Raksha Mantri addressed the senior leadership of the Indian Navy on the concluding day of the Naval Commander’s Conference on 28 April 2022. He also congratulated the Navy for successful conduct of MILAN with participation of 39 Friendly Foreign Countries. He also brought out the Navy has re-invested over 64% of its Capital budget into our own economy am told that the percentage share of modernisation budget is bound to grow upto 70 percent towards indigenous procurement, in this current financial year.
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To further promote ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence and enable Ease of Doing Business, Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 has been amended and going forward all modernisation requirements of the Defence Services and Indian Coast Guard are to be indigenously sourced irrespective of the nature of procurement. Import of defence equipment/sourcing from Foreign Industry of capital acquisitions should only be an exception and undertaken with specific approval of DAC/Raksha Mantri.
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Mr. Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom was on an official visit to India from 21-22 April 2022, on the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. This was his first visit to India as Prime Minister of UK.
Both leaders agreed to transform defence and security cooperation as a key element of India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed opportunities for defence collaboration including on co-development and co-production for meeting the needs of Armed Forces of both the countries. Both sides issued a Joint Statement for further intensifying cooperation on Cyber Security particularly in the areas of cyber governance, cyber deterrence and safeguarding critical national infrastructure. They also agreed to closely cooperate on countering the persistent threat of terrorism and radical extremism.
The following announcements were also made - (I) Strategic Tech Dialogue – Ministerial-level dialogue on new and emerging communication technologies such as 5G, AI etc. (II) Collaboration on Integrated Electric Propulsion – Co-development of technology between the two Navies.
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Six of the seven new defence companies, which were dedicated to the Nation on October 15, 2021, have reported provisional profits during the initial six months of their business, i.e., October 01, 2021 to March 31, 2022. Except Yantra India Limited (YIL), all other companies - Munitions India Limited (MIL); Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVANI); Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWE India); Troop Comforts Limited (TCL); India Optel Limited (IOL) and Gliders India Limited (GIL) have reported provisional profits.
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Procurement orders by Ministry of Defence (MoD) through Government e-Market (GeM) portal have reached an all-time high of Rs 15,047.98 crore for Financial Year 2021-22. It is a jump of more than 250 percent over the last financial year. The GeM was started in August 2016 to revamp the old tender process and bring greater probity and transparency in government procurement through digitisation.
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On 18 April 2022, al-Shabaab carried out a mortar attack on Somalia’s parliament during its joint session. At least six people were injured in the attack. Al-Qa’ida affiliated al-Shabaab group claimed responsibility for the attack in a brief statement. Earlier on 24 March 2022, three people were killed and 48 people died in a double attack.
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On 25 April 2022, a jihadist group claimed to capture a fighter from Russia’s Wagner mercenary group reportedly fighting Islamist terrorists in the West African country. The GSIM— an al-Qaida linked group and the biggest jihadist network in Sahel made announcement of the capture of a fighter.
"These murderous forces participated with the Malian army in an airdrop operation on a market in the village of Moura, where they confronted several mujahideen before encircling this locality for five days and killing hundreds of innocent civilians,” read the GSIM statement.
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On 21 April 2022, the Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for four explosions across Afghanistan, in which at least 31 people were killed, and 87 others were injured. The first blast took place in a public square in District 5, in which many, including 2 children were injured. The second blast was carried out at a Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, and the third explosion was reported from Kunduz.
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On 26 April 2022, at least four people, including three Chinese nationals, were killed in an attack carried out by a female suicide bomber through a van at the University of Karachi, Karachi. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA)— a separatist group claimed responsibility for the attack. Chinese nationals have been targeted by the Baloch separatists, where Beijing is involved in huge infrastructure projects as part of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Director of the Confucius Institute, and two Chinese teachers were killed in the attack.
Last year, in April 2021, a suicide bomber detonated a bomb at a luxury hotel hosting the Chinese ambassador in Quetta, the provincial capital of Baluchistan, killing four people and injuring dozens more. The ambassador was not injured.
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On 26 April 2022, security forces, along with Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police arrested five terrorists in two separate counter-terrorism (CT) operations in Kulgam and Baramulla districts in J&K. In first incident, security forces arrested three terrorists associated with Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM)— i) Mohammad Aqib Mir, ii) Kian Mir, and iii) Raqib Mir, from Kulgam district. In another operation on the same day, security forces arrested two hybrid terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) — i) Aqib Mohammad Mir, and Danish Ahad Dar, from Pattan area of Baramulla district.
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On 28 April 2022, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) (Kashmir Zone) — Vijay Kumar informed that “the Indian security forces eliminated 62 terrorists, mostly of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). Security forces have dented terrorists by eliminating top leadership and preventing several attacks with pre-emptive strikes. Among neutralised terrorists during counter-terrorism (CT) operations, 39 terrorists belong to LeT, followed by 15 from JeM, 06 from Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM), and 02 belonging to Al-Badr Mujahideen.
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On 20 April 2022, security forces carried out a counter-terrorism (CT) operation and eliminated two terrorists, including a commander— YousufKantroo, of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Yousuf was involved in several killing of civilians and security forces personnel.
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Telangana police, on 26 April 2022, arrested Madakam Rama aka Ramla— a Maoist of the rank of Area Committee Member (ACM), from nearby Maraigudem village in Dummugudem Mandal in Khammam district of Telangana. Madamkam was arrested during a vehicle checking operation while moving in a suspicious manner on a motorbike. Upon his arrest, police recovered a bag containing explosives, a bundle of wire and a battery, besides a motorbike, a cellular phone and ₹ 47,610 in cash.
In another incident, two Maoists, both girls aged 18 years, surrendered before the Superintendent of Police (SP) Sunil Dutt and officials of the CRPF 141 Battalion in Kothagudem. Addressing the Press Conference, SP Dutt informed that both tribal girls were forced by Maoist leaders to participate in activities when they were of 14 years of age.
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On 21 April 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court in Ernakulam, Kerala, convicted and sentenced an Islamic State (IS) operative— Sidhikhul Aslam aka Abu Sireen, to 03 years of Rigorous Imprisonment (RI), with fine of ₹ 60,000. Sidhikhul was convicted under Sections 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) r/w Sections 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A] 1967.
The case— ‘RC-05/2016/NIA/KOC’ was registered suo-motu by the NIA, based on information regarding a conspiracy and formation of IS-inspired module— Ansarul-Khilafa-KL, by youth from Southern India with intentions to furthering the IS’s objectives.
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On 16 April 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed supplementary chargesheet against three Islamic State (IS) recruiters— i) Muhammad Tauqir Mahmood, ii) Zohaib Manna, and iii) Mohammed Shihab, under Sections 120B, 125 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 17, 18, and 18B of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A].
The case— ‘RC-33/2020/NIA/DLI’ pertains to the conspiracy of radicalising and recruiting gullible Muslim youth into fold of IS through ‘Quran Circle’ group. The accused— Muhammad Tauqir and Zohaib were involved in raising and receiving funds to finance the visit of radicalised youth to Syria.
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On 25 April 2022, Assam police cracked several modules of Ansarul-Bangla Team (ABT) and al-Qa’ida in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), and arrested 16 operatives in a long-drawn counter-terrorism (CT) operation.
In an interview with ANI, Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP) (Special Branch) of Assam Police— Hiren Nath informed that “one of the arrested operatives— Mohammad Suman, a Bangladesh national, had formal arms training but started indoctrination spreading of Jihadi ideas. We also came to know about the arrest of three persons in Tripura and immediately we sent a team to Tripura and they were brought here and later we arrested some other operatives. Jihadi activities are fundamentalist activities, especially in the North-Eastern region and this is a long plan by the vested interest by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agents and it is an organized gang who are operating across the border. This is not a new thing.”
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On 22 April 2022, India and the United Kingdom (UK) agreed to create an anti-extremism task force against extremist elements, such as pro-Khalistan groups based in the UK. The Indian government has often raised the issue of pro-Khalistan activities with the British government, especially the efforts to organise public protests and referendum for the creation of Khalistan.
During a press conference, after his talks with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that “We have a very strong view in the UK that we do not tolerate extremist groups setting up in the UK and threatening other countries, threatening India. What we have done in particular, as a result of this visit, is set up an anti-extremist task force to see what all we can do to help India in that particular respect.”
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On 27 April 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court in New Delhi, convicted three operatives of Kangeleipak Communist Party (KCP)— i) Laishram Ranjit Meitei aka Manao, ii) Khumanthem Naobicha Singh aka Jack, and iii) Thoudam Chaothoi Singh aka Chingsang, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A], 1967.
The case— ‘RC-15/2017/NIA/DLI’ is related to the conspiracy of convicted KCP operatives for raising funds by terror and extortion from local people, government officials, schools, panchayatsetcetera. Convicted Laishram and Khumanthem received 7 years rigorous imprisonment with fine, and Thoudam was convicted to 5 years rigorous imprisonment with a fine of ₹ 14,000.
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On 22 April 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed supplementary chargesheet against a narcotics trafficker— Gurmej Singh aka Geju, under Section 29 of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985, Sections 18, 20, and 38 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A], 1967, and Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The case— ‘RC-31/2021/NIA/DLI’ pertains to smuggling of narcotic substances, arms and ammunitions, explosive materials and Tiffin bombs, sent from across India-Pakistan International Border (IB) by another accused Lakhbir Singh Rode— chief of International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), a proscribed terrorist organisation, via drones. The investigation revealed that Gurmej Singh, an ISYF operative, in association with his handlers based in Pakistan and his siblings— Harmesh Singh and Darvesh Singh (both ISYF operatives), was involved in furtherance of terror activities by circulating funds raised out of proceeds of narcotics smuggling across Punjab and other parts of India.
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On 20 April 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court in New Delhi, sentenced Abi Mohammed Ansari— a Fake Indian Currency Note (FICN) trafficker in the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport FICN case.
The case— RC-02/2014/NIA/DLI, is related to the seizure of high quality FICNs of ₹ 1,000 denomination with face value worth ₹ 49, 88,000, by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) from the IGI Airport (New Delhi) on 18 April 2014.
For more information: Click here to read... [27]
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Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2022/may/04
[2] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1818743
[3] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1821676 and https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1821662
[4] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1818229
[5] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1818340 and https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1819259
[6] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1818622
[7] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1818984
[8] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1821010
[9] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1819937
[10] https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/35222/Visit_of_the_Prime_Minister_of_the_United_Kingdom_to_India_April_2122_2022
[11] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1821156
[12] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1821531
[13] https://www.africanews.com/2022/04/18/somalia-s-parliament-hit-by-al-shabab-mortar-attack//
[14] https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20220425-mali-jihadist-group-claims-capture-of-russian-wagner-group-fighter
[15] https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/is-claims-responsibility-for-afghanistan-explosions-1940446-2022-04-22
[16] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/26/explosion-in-southern-pakistan-kills-3-chinese-their-driver
[17] https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-hizbul-module-busted-in-kulgam-five-operatives-held-in-baramulla-474151
[18] https://www.timesnownews.com/india/kashmir-security-forces-neutralized-62-terrorists-this-year-says-police-article-91146330
[19] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/top-let-commander-yousuf-kantroo-killed-in-encounter-in-kashmir-s-baramulla-101650520152247.html
[20] https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/maoist-arrested-two-of-the-banned-outfit-surrender/article65357135.ece
[21] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1193_1_Pr.pdf
[22] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1190_1_Pr.pdf
[23] https://www.timesnownews.com/india/assam-16-arrested-for-having-links-with-al-qaeda-ansarul-bangla-team-article-91082154
[24] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-uk-to-have-task-force-on-extremism-101650651018457.html
[25] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1198_1_Pr.pdf
[26] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1194_1_Pr1.pdf
[27] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1195_1_Pr2.pdf
[28] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=VIF News Digest: National Security - Defence Studies & Terrorism, 16-30 April 2022&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2022/may/04
[29] http://twitter.com/share?text=VIF News Digest: National Security - Defence Studies & Terrorism, 16-30 April 2022&url=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2022/may/04&via=Azure Power
[30] whatsapp://send?text=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2022/may/04
[31] https://www.vifindia.org/author/anurag-sharma
[32] https://www.vifindia.org/author/Naval-Jagota