The Indian Army contingent departed yesterday for the 13th edition of India-Thailand joint military Exercise MAITREE, scheduled from 1st to 15th July 2024 at Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province of Thailand. Both the contingents compromise of 76 personnel. Exercise MAITREE aims to foster Military Cooperation between India and Thailand.
The Exercise will focus on high physical fitness, joint planning, and joint tactical drills. This will enable the two sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for the conduct of joint operations. The Exercise will facilitate inter-operability, bonhomie, and camaraderie between soldiers of both countries. Click here to read… [2]
The 16th edition of India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT commenced at the Foreign Training Node, Umroi (Meghalaya), to be conducted from 03rd to 16th July 2024. The Indian contingent of 45 personnel, primarily from the SIKKIM SCOUTS, is participating alongside other arms and services. The 150 Quick Reaction Force Battalion represents the Mongolian contingent.
Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT, an annual India-Mongolia training event, was inaugurated by Mongolian Ambassador Mr. Dambajavyn Ganbold and Major General Prasanna Joshi, GOC 51 Sub Area of the Indian Army. The Exercise aims to enhance joint counter-insurgency capabilities under the UN Mandate in semi-urban and mountainous terrain. It will enable both sides to share best practices in joint operations, enhancing defence cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations. Click here to read… [3]
Ministry of Defence has achieved the highest-ever growth in indigenous defence production in value terms during Financial Year (FY) 2023-24, on the back of the successful implementation of the policies and initiatives of the Government focusing on achieving 'Aatmanirbharta'. The country's defence production value has gone up to a record-high figure, i.e., Rs 1,26,887 crore, reflecting a growth of 16.7% over the defence production of the previous financial year. In FY 2023-24, DPSUs/other PSUs contributed 79.2% and the private sector 20.8% to total defence production, showing steady growth for both in absolute terms.
Record-high defence production in FY 2023-24 is credited to 10 years of policy reforms promoting self-reliance and ease of business. Aggressive indigenisation efforts and increased defence exports further bolstered growth. Click here to read… [4]
The first Secretary-level meeting between the Defence Ministries of India and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was held in New Delhi on 05 July 2024. Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane led the Indian delegation, and the Congolese delegation was led by DRC's Permanent Secretary of Defence, Major General Lukuikila Metikwiza Marcel. The meeting aimed to explore collaboration opportunities in defence between both countries, focusing on training and industry. India highlighted its strides in defence manufacturing. The DRC expressed confidence in India's defence industry and proposed co-production and co-development opportunities, emphasising their Armed Forces' modernisation needs.
India has strong ties with the DRC, establishing a diplomatic mission in Kinshasa in 1962. The visit aims to enhance defence cooperation opportunities between the two nations. Click here to read… [5]
The 12th edition of the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting between India and UAE was held in Abu Dhabi on 09 July 2024. During the meeting, the two sides discussed a wide range of opportunities for collaboration further to strengthen defence and security cooperation between the two countries, and detailed discussions were held in various areas. They discussed exchanging visits to benefit from each other's experience and knowledge and agreed on mutual training opportunities in specialised areas.
The Indian delegation, led by Joint Secretary Shri Amitabh Prasad, met with UAE's Brig. General Staff Jamal Ebrahim Mohamed Almazrooqi during the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC). The 12th meeting provided an opportunity to augment further India's defence and security relations with the UAE, strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. Click here to read… [6]
Indian Navy's frontline frigate, INS Tabar, arrived at Casablanca, Morocco, on 08 July for a three-day visit. India and Morocco share warm bilateral relations, including regular Navy interactions. INS Tabar's visit aims to strengthen these bonds and explore new avenues for cooperation. INS Tabar, a stealth frigate built in Russia for the Indian Navy, is commanded by Captain MR Harish and has 280 personnel. Equipped with a range of weapons and sensors, it is one of the Indian Navy's earliest stealth frigates. INS Tabar's crew will interact with the Royal Moroccan Navy during its three-day stay at Casablanca Port. Upon departure, the two navies will conduct a PASSEX at sea. Click here to read… [7]
Providing impetus to Aatmanirbharta, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has awarded seven new projects to industries under the Technology Development Fund scheme for various requirements of the Armed Forces and aerospace & defence sectors. The DRDO's efforts to support industries, especially MSMEs and start-ups, in defence and aerospace, are strengthening the military-industrial ecosystem through indigenous technology development.
The seven projects include Indigenous Scenario and Sensor Simulation Toolkit, Underwater Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Long-range Remotely Operated Vehicles for Detection and Neutralisation, Development of Ice Detection Sensor for Aircraft, Development of Radar Signal Processor with Active Antenna Array Simulator, Development of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System-based Timing Acquisition and Dissemination System, Development of Graphene-based Smart and E-textiles for Multifunctional Wearable Application. Click here to read… [8]
An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent landed at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Darwin, Australia, to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2024, a biennial multinational exercise hosted by the RAAF from 12 July to 02 August. It involves 20 countries, over 140 aircraft, and 4,400 military personnel. The Exercise will focus on Large Force Employment warfare, strengthening international cooperation, and allowing the IAF to integrate forces and exchange best practices.
The IAF contingent comprises over 150 highly skilled Air Warriors, including pilots, engineers, technicians, controllers, and other experts in the subject matter. The Exercise strengthens participating nations' ability to deploy over large distances, support Indo-Pacific operations, and build strong aviation associations in a challenging environment. Click here to read… [9]
On 10 July, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) convicted over 50 people on terrorism charges, accusing them of operating and working with the Muslim Brotherhood, a designated terrorist organisation in the UAE. "Some people backed the extremist group in articles and tweets posted on social media platforms, with prior knowledge of its purpose to take action against the country," said the Court in Abu Dhabi. Click here to read… [10]
Despite the Taliban making efforts to consolidate their grip on Afghanistan, terrorist groups still pose a serious threat within the country. A report compiled by the United Nations (UN) Sanctions Monitoring Team stated that there is concern that Afghanistan will remain a source of insecurity for Central Asia and the region. It also questioned whether the Taliban could address significant and continuing challenges. "The country continues to be perceived as a permissive or friendly territory by terrorist groups, which also aspire to project threats globally," read the report.
According to the Afghanistan United Front (AUF) Intelligence Commission, the total number of Islamic State-Khurasan Province (IS-KP) operatives in Afghanistan has reached 9,000 and is rapidly increasing. IS-KP is focussed on delegitimising the Taliban authorities and has acquired operational capabilities for suicide bombings, insurgency and assassinations across the region. Click here to read… [11]
The UN Sanctions Monitoring Team released an assessment; it stated that the Taliban is extending support to the 'largest terrorist group' in Afghanistan— Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to conduct cross-border attacks in Pakistan. "TTP continues to operate at a significant scale in Afghanistan and to conduct terrorist operations into Pakistan from there, often utilising Afghans. The globally designated terrorist group— TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, is operating in Afghanistan with an estimated strength of 6,000-6,500 fighters," read the report of the UN Sanctions Monitoring Team. Click here to read… [12]
The Taliban security forces, on 07 July, carried out a "counter-terrorism" operation and killed a key Islamic State-Khurasan Province (IS-KP) commander in the eastern province bordering Pakistan. The Taliban's Al-Mersaad outlet claimed that the operation resulted in the killing of Zakirullah, known as Abu Sher, a key IS-KP military leader for the border province's Achin district. Click here to read… [13]
On 07 July, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested an absconding operative— Syed Saleem Jahangir Andrabi, aka Saleem Andrabi, in a case about "J&K Narco-Terror Nexus" linked with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizb ul-Mujahideen (HM). Saleem is a resident of Kupwara and has been absconding since June 2020. During the investigation, the NIA found that Andrabi was a part of the deep-rooted conspiracy for procuring and selling narcotic drugs and generating funds in J&K and other parts of Bharat.
The conspiracy was hatched by drug smugglers in close association with operatives of banned terrorist outfits, LeT and HM, based across the border in Pakistan. Funds generated through the narcotics racket were pumped into J&K through a network of Over-Ground Workers (OGWs) for promoting terrorism, revealed NIA's investigations. Click here to read… [14]
In two separate counter-terrorism (CT) operations, on 06-07 July, security forces eliminated six Hizb ul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorists in Kulgam district in Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). On 06 July, security forces received credible information about the presence of terrorists in the Chinigham area and carried out a search operation. Soon, there was an exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces in which one soldier attained Veergati. "After concluding the operation, we found and promptly destroyed an IED weighing approximately 6 kg. The killing of four terrorists in this operation, and a total of six in south Kashmir, is a significant blow to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM)," said Brig Prithviraj Chauhan, Commander 1 Sector RR. Another CT operation was carried out in Mundergham in which two terrorists were killed. This operation is one of the biggest CT operations in 2024 in J&K. Click here to read… [15]
On 08 July, the terrorists hurled grenades and opened fire, targeting army vehicles which were on routine patrol on the Machedi-Kindli-Malhar Road in Kathua district. In the attack, five soldiers attained Veergati, and six were injured in the exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces. Click here to read… [16]
On 08 July, Madhya Pradesh Police killed Sohan, a Maoist and an expert in making Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), in the jungles of Kothiyatola in Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh. "The Naxalite, Sohan, was a Chhattisgarh's Sukma district resident. He was involved in Naxalite activities in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra and was an Area Committee Member (ACM) of the KB division (Kanha National Park and Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary). A '.315' bore rifle and a Kenwood wireless set were recovered," said Additional Director General of Police (Addl. DGP)— Jaideep Prasad. Click here to read… [17]
On 04 July, radical Sikh elements in Canada staged a demonstration against a Bharatiya diplomat. Officials and missions have faced over 20 demonstrations in less than a year. The demonstration was organised by the Sikh for Justice (SFJ) against Bharat's High Commissioner to Ottawa— Sanjay Kumar Verma. The demonstration was in connection with the allegations that Bharatiya agents were potentially linked with the assassination of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on 18 June 2023 in Surrey, British Columbia. Bharat had indicated its concern over the planned protest to Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the nation's foreign ministry, in advance and enhanced security was provided. Click here to read… [18]
On 07 July, radical Sikh preacher and MP from Khadoor Sahib— Amritpal Singh, issued a statement condemning her mother's statement that her son was not a supporter of Khalistan. Amritpal said, "Indeed, I believe that the statement given by my mother was made unknowingly, but still, such a statement should not come from my family or anyone who supports me. When I learned today about the statement given by my mother yesterday, my heart felt very heavy… Dreaming of Khalsa Raj is not a crime; rather, it is a matter of pride. We cannot even dream of stepping back from the path for which thousands of Sikhs have sacrificed their lives." Click here to read… [19]
On 09 July, the Government of Bharat extended a ban imposed on the radical Sikh group— Sikh for Justice (SFJ) for another five years. "In the garb of the so-called referendum for Sikhs, SFJ is actually espousing secessionism and militant ideology in Punjab while operating from safe havens on foreign soils and actively supported by inimical forces in other countries," read the 2019 notification of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issuing the ban. Click here to read… [20]
On 09 July, the NIA filed a charge sheet against Manoj Kumar Sharma, resident of Batala, Punjab, in the "Salaya Drug Seizure" case, about the smuggling and distribution of 500 kg of heroin from Pakistan into Bharat via Gujarat. Manoj Kumar Sharma is the 25th accused in the case, under various Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2003, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A], 1967.
Investigations by NIA have revealed that 500 kg of heroin was smuggled in from Pakistan via the sea route to Punjab via Delhi and further distributed to many places in the country. NIA's probe so far has established the involvement of syndicate members in other countries, such as Italy, Australia, Thailand, UAE, Iran and Afghanistan, in the criminal conspiracy. Click here to read… [21]
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Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2024/july/18
[2] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2030153
[3] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2030373
[4] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2030887
[5] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2031000
[6] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2031839
[7] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2031971
[8] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2032334
[9] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2032522
[10] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-11/uae-court-convicts-more-than-50-people-on-terrorism-charges
[11] https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2024/07/11/terror-groups-operating-out-of-afghanistan-pose-significant-threat-un-report-says
[12] https://www.voanews.com/a/un-afghan-taliban-increase-support-for-anti-pakistan-ttp-terrorists/7694324.html
[13] https://www.voanews.com/a/key-islamic-state-commander-reported-killed-in-afghanistan/7688326.html
[14] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1762_1_Pr.pdf
[15] https://www.greaterkashmir.com/latest-news/killing-of-6-terrorists-major-setback-for-hizb-army/
[16] https://www.livemint.com/news/india/jammu-and-kashmir-indian-army-convoy-attacked-by-terrorists-in-machedi-area-of-kathua-district-11720436705677.html
[17] https://www.thenarrativeworld.in/Encyc/2024/7/10/MP-Police-Kill-Maoist-14-Lakh-Bounty-in-Balaghat-Encounter.html
[18] https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/prokhalistan-protesters-stage-demonstration-against-indian-diplomat-in-canada-101720170440570.html
[19] https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/amritpal-singh-khalistan-support-mother-statement-9437863/
[20] https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pro-khalistan-sikhs-for-justice-ban-9442845/
[21] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1763_1_Pr.pdf
[22] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=VIF News Digest : National Security- Defence Studies & Terrorism, (01-15 July 2024)&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2024/july/18
[23] http://twitter.com/share?text=VIF News Digest : National Security- Defence Studies & Terrorism, (01-15 July 2024)&url=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2024/july/18&via=Azure Power
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[25] https://www.vifindia.org/author/Anurag-Bisen