Indian Navy's First Training Squadron (1TS) - INS Tir and ICGS Veera completed their long-range training deployment to Manama, Bahrain, on 16 Oct 24.
Visits onboard 1TS ships were organized for the Bahrain Defence Forces and personnel from friendly nations, fostering an understanding of common operating procedures for future collaborative exercises. A delegation from 1TS visited the Naval Support Facility to gain insights into Task Force 59 and USNAVCENT operations. In a spirit of camaraderie, USNAVCENT and Indian Navy personnel participated in a friendly football match, and the Indian Navy band performed in Manama. Along with a community outreach activity, an official reception was also held onboard 1TS for Indian Embassy delegates, Bahrain Defence Forces, military and civilian dignitaries, and members of the Indian diaspora.
The visit concluded with an Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) between INS Tir, ICGS Veera and RBNS Al Farooq. The successful completion of the visit by ships of 1TS reaffirms strong maritime ties between the two Navies. Click here to read... [2]
INS Shardul concluded its visit to Port Rashid, Dubai, UAE, on 16 Oct 24. Several key engagements took place during the port call. Sea trainees from INS Shardul visited the Naval Officers Training Academy and a UAE Naval Ship, facilitating professional interactions and discussions on shared knowledge and training practices. A formal reception onboard INS Shardul was attended by UAE Navy personnel, diplomats, and distinguished members of the Indian community. On departure from Dubai, INS Shardul participated in an MPX with the UAE Naval ship Al Quwaisat. Both ships executed a series of naval manoeuvres, communication drills, and coordinated movements, demonstrating mutual coordination and interoperability.
The visit of the Indian Naval ship to Dubai underscores the importance of India-UAE maritime relations and commitment to capacity enhancement in the maritime domain aligned with the vision of SAGAR in IOR. Click here to read... [3]
INS Trikand and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, participated in the Indo-Oman bilateral naval exercise Naseem-Al-Bahr with the Royal Navy of Oman Vessel (RNOV) Al Seeb, off Goa from 13 to 18 October 24.
The exercise consisted of two phases: a harbour phase followed by a sea phase. During the harbour phase, personnel from both Navies participated in professional interactions, including Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, planning conferences, and social activities. In the sea phase, the ships conducted various evolutions, such as gun firings at inflatable targets, close-range anti-aircraft firings, and Replenishment at Sea Approaches. The integral helicopter from INS Trikand performed cross-deck landings and vertical replenishment with RNOV Al Seeb, while the Indian Navy’s Dornier aircraft provided Over-the-Horizon Targeting (OTHT) data.
The exercise was a resounding success, achieving its aims of enhancing interoperability, fostering mutual understanding, and strengthening cohesion between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman. It further reaffirms India's commitment to constructive collaboration and mutual growth with like-minded nations in the Indian Ocean Region. Click here to read... [4]
Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), visited the UAE from October 21 to 24, 2024, to strengthen defence cooperation and enhance bilateral maritime relations in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
During his visit, he met with the Commander of the UAE Naval Forces and other senior officials. He also visited the National Defence College of UAE to interact with Student Officers and witnessed the 3rd Edition of the India-UAE Bilateral Naval Exercise. Cooperative engagements between the Indian Navy and UAE Navy included operational interactions through port calls, reciprocal visits, naval exercises, Navy-to-Navy staff talks, and the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee. Click here to read... [5]
INS Suvarna paid a port call at Dar Es Salam, Tanzania from 19 - 21 Oct 24 for operational turnaround, during her ongoing anti-piracy deployment in the Gulf of Aden. During the visit, the Ops Teams of both navies engaged in professional interactions and sports activities. The ship handed over an Infantry Weapon Training Simulator to the TPDF and co-hosted a social event onboard with HCI for TPDF officials. The ship also conducted joint EEZ surveillance with the TPDF Navy.
The visit aimed to enhance military and diplomatic ties between the two countries in line with GoI's vision of SAGAR. Click here to read... [6]
On 21st October 2024, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) commenced the 12th edition of the Joint Military Training (JMT) exercise at Air Force Station Kalaikunda, West Bengal. The bilateral phase of the exercise will occur from November 13 to 21, 2024, aiming to enhance interoperability, combat readiness, and knowledge exchange between the Indian Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), which is sending its largest contingent to date. Personnel will also share best practices through various sports and cultural activities over the next seven weeks.
JMT-2024 highlights the strong bilateral defence relationship built over years of collaboration and joint exercises, as well as the mutual respect between India and Singapore. Click here to read... [7]
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Singapore’s Minister of Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen co-chaired the 6th India-Singapore Defence Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi on October 22, 2024. The Ministers acknowledged the longstanding bilateral defence relations, rooted in a shared commitment to regional peace and stability.
As 2025 marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore, both Ministers agreed to strengthen defence cooperation and extend the Joint Military Training Army agreement for another five years. They recognised their natural partnership in co-developing and co-producing defence equipment, enhancing industry collaboration, and exploring niche areas like automation and Artificial Intelligence. The Ministers also committed to advancing cooperation in emerging fields such as cybersecurity. This meeting is significant as India celebrates a decade of its Act East policy, with Singapore enhancing economic cooperation and strategic connectivity in the region. Click here to read... [8]
Indian Navy’s Destroyer INS Delhi, German Navy’s Frigate and Tanker undertook a Maritime Partnership Exercise in the Indian Ocean. The exercises conducted include cross-deck flying operations, underway replenishment, weapon firing and tactical manoeuvres.
The inaugural IN-GN Maritime Partnership Exercise in the Bay of Bengal aims to strengthen maritime ties and interoperability between the Indian and German navies. INS Delhi, a guided missile destroyer from the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet, and Baden-Württemberg, the lead ship of the German F125 frigate class, along with Frankfurt Am Main, a Berlin-class replenishment ship, participated in the exercise. Click here to read... [9]
The second edition of the Chanakya Defence Dialogue, the Indian Army's flagship international seminar, concluded on October 25 at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi. This two-day event brought together policymakers, academics, defence personnel, and experts to discuss India's strategic directions and developmental priorities.
The 2024 theme, "Drivers in Nation Building: Fueling Growth Through Comprehensive Security," facilitated discussions on integrating security dynamics into national and international policymaking. Several prominent speakers from India, the U.S., Russia, Israel, and Sri Lanka provided their insights as well. The day included three sessions on comprehensive security, providing a platform for strategic thinkers and policymakers to collaborate on frameworks that will shape India's national security and support its vision for Viksit Bharat @2047. Click here to read... [10]
Indian Navy’s frontline stealth frigate, INS Talwar, arrived at La Réunion on 27 October 2024 as a part of her ongoing deployment in the Indian Ocean Region. The visit to La Reunion aims to strengthen the India – France partnership to tackle regional maritime security challenges, The ship will undertake cross-deck visits and interactions with the French Navy during the port visit.
India and France have traditionally enjoyed friendly relations and share a deep, enduring strategic partnership. Click here to read... [11]
The 31st edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) was conducted from 23 to 29 Oct 2024. RSS Tenacious of the Republic of Singapore Navy along with Indian Navy’s INS Shivalik of Eastern Fleet and Long-Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I participated in the exercise. The Harbour phase of the exercise took place in Visakhapatnam and included expert exchanges, cross-deck visits, sports fixtures, and pre-sail discussions. The Sea Phase occurred in the Bay of Bengal, featuring advanced anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine exercises, seamanship drills, and tactical manoeuvres to enhance interoperability between the two navies. Click here to read... [12]
On 28 October, al-Shabaab terrorist killed three businessmen and wounded another at their business premises in Yaqshiid district of Mogadishu, Somalia. Recently, government mandated all business entities to install CCTV cameras at their establishments. Al-Shabaab had threatened attack against anyone who adhere to the government’s directive. The attack was reportedly linked to the decision of installing CCTV cameras at their business centres in compliance with government’s directive. Click here to read... [13]
Supported by Jubbaland Dervishes, Somali National Army (SNA) eliminated a senior al-Shabaab commander— Mohamud Ali Hussein, known as “Qayliyow”, in a planned counter-terror operation in northern Lower Jubba. The joint military operation targeted al-Shabaab terrorists in Dharkeen Urur and Orgiyow areas of Lower Jubba region. “Ali Hussein oversaw intelligence, landmines, and targeted attacks, shedding innocent blood in the region”, said an official of the Federal Government. According to latest report from the Somali Defence Ministry, “over 95 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in separate operations in Middle Shabelle, Galgadud, and the north-central mudug province.” Click here to read... [14]
US airstrikes, on 28 October, targeted senior leadership of the Islamic State (IS) in Syria, killing up to 35 IS terrorists. The Pentagon warned in July that attacks in Syria and Iraq that were claimed by the IS terror group indicated a resurgence of the terrorist group. The IS-affiliate groups have also become increasingly lethal in other parts of the world, such as Africa’s Sahel region, exploiting political instability and weak central governments. According to a report by the US military’s Central Command, IS claimed responsibility for 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria in the first half of this year. In 2023, IS claimed 121 terror attacks in Iraq and Syria. “The Islamic State threat in Syria has not gone away; it was always there. Since 2019, the group has been biding its time waiting to resurge,” said Devorah Margolin, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Click here to read... [15]
On 30 October, Pakistani security forces raided a hideout and killed eight Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists in an operation in Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. “An army Major was among the soldiers martyred during operation, adding that its forces were going after other militants in the area to wipe out the menace of terrorism,” read a statement released by Pakistan army. The TTP — an ally of the Afghan Taliban despite being a separate group — has stepped up its assaults in the region since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021. Click here to read... [16]
On 24 October, in an exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces, two soldiers attained Veergati in Butapathri general area in Baramulla. Two porters were also killed in the attack, while three others were injured. On 20 October night, terrorists attacked a housing camp for construction workers building a tunnel and killed six workers and a doctor in Ganderbal. Click here to read... [17]
On 29 October, three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists were killed in a gun-battle with security forces in Battal village of Akhnoor sector. The slain terrorists had recently infiltrated the area from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Click here to read... [18]
On 21 October, security forces eliminated Ankalu Dasru Tulavi alias Saoji Tulavi during the siege of Maoist headquarters of Abujmarh in Chhattisgarh. Tulavi, a key operative of the Maoist supply team, provided logistic support to People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and other top operatives. He was killed along with another male cadre and three women guerrilla fighters. Tulavi joined the Tippagarh Dalam as a party member in 1991, and rose through the ranks to become a divisional committee member. Click here to read... [19]
In an operation, on 21 October, security forces killed five Maoists, including three women Maoists, in jungle area near Kopri located in Bhamragarh tehsil of south Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. “Joint team of C-60 commandos and CRPF personnel came under attack from the Maoists. Maoists were gathered in the forest along the Mahrashtra-Chhattisgarh border and were planning an attack ahead of upcoming elections scheduled on 20 November,” said Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police (SP) Neelotpal. The gunfight comes a day after the surrender of a Maoist couple who had a reward of ₹8 lakh for information leading to their arrest. Police identified them as Asin Rajaram Kumar (37), alias Anil, and his wife Anju Sulya Jale (28), alias Sonia. Click here to read... [20]
This year, as many as 193 Maoists were eliminated in a gunfight with security forces in Bastar region and among them were 68 women Maoists. In Bastar region, Chhattisgarh witnessed more casualties of women Maoists than any other State. For nearly four decades, the CPI (Maoist) believed to be more active in Chhattisgarh State. The Maoist women cadres have substantial presence— almost 40-45 percent are in the lower and middle order though in their top hierarchy bias persists with no woman given a place in the Central Committee of CPI (Maoist). “The organisational structure of the CPI (Maoist) in Chhattisgarh is quite unusual where the women force constitute over forty percent of its strength. Sadly, they are misled tribal women who are capable of performing the role as warrior,” said Brig B K Ponwar (Retd). Click here to read... [21]
On 21 October, the NIA arrested three IS operatives— i) Aboo Hanifa, ii) Mariappan, and iii) Pavas Rahman, in connection with Coimbatore car bomb blast case occurred in October 2022. On 23 October 2023, a VBIED (Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device) exploded near the ancient Arulmigu Kottai Sangameshwar Thirukovil temple at Eswaran Kovil Street in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The terror attack was perpetrated by deceased accused Jamesha Mubeen, a self-styled IS operative and suicide bomber. Click here to read... [22]
On condition of anonymity, an NIA official informed the Assam Tribune that “almost all the terror organisations, including Pakistan-based terror groups as well as Khalistani extremist outfits, have been recruiting youths from Assam through various social media platforms.” The recent arrest of JeM terrorist Sheikh Sultan Salahuddin Ayubi from Krishnai in Goalpara district in Assam also confirmed the fact that terrorist organisations are adopting online methods to recruit and radicalise youths. "Ayubi’s interrogation has further ascertained the fact about the use of online methods by the terrorist organisations," said the NIA official. Click here to read... [23]
On 24 October, the NIA arrested Baljeet Singh alias Baljeet Maur, an absconding Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) terrorist and close associate of Arshdeep Singh Dala, from Delhi Airport. In February, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against Baljeet Singh in connection with terror activities. NIA investigations have revealed that Baljeet Singh was involved in providing logistics support, identification of extortion targets, recruitment as well as terror funding to associates of Arshdeep Dala. Click here to read... [24]
On 21 October, the NIA filed chargesheet against Gurpreet Singh, a key associate of terrorists of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda and Lakhbir Singh alias Landa in ‘Punjab terror conspiracy’ case. According to the chargesheet, Gurpreet Singh was involved in the RPG attack on Police Station Sarhali in December 2022. He had conspired to raise funds for BKI and its operatives in Bharat. Click here to read... [25]
During an interview, Bharat’s recalled High Commissioner to Canada, Amb Sanjay Verma suggested that “if Canada is sympathetic to these individuals (Khalistanis), it should give them a place and call it Khalistan.” “These are Canadian citizens challenging Indian territorial integrity and sovereignty. As long as these Khalistani extremists continue their activities in Canada, that’s their domestic issue. However, if they attempt to divide India, then it becomes my problem, and I will certainly raise this with Canadian authorities,” said Amb Verma. He also criticised the Khalistanis for portraying themselves as the representatives of entire Sikh community.
Amb Verma added that “the Indo-Canadian community consists of Canadian citizens of Indian origin, the vast majority of whom live peacefully, contribute to the economy, and focus on family life. The vocal minority, however, has managed to construct a false narrative that these 10,000 Khalistani extremists represent the Sikh community.” The false communication has led to an overall perception that the broader Bharatiya diaspora in Canada supports Khalistan narrative. Click here to read... [26]
Punjab’s former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh criticised Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for ruining relations with Bharat. “Trudeau is interested in only one thing and that is getting the Sikh votes for his own election. He will not let normalcy return (in Canada) until the elections are over…he does not care what happens. He cannot win unless he takes the support of the Khalistanis. He has done this earlier also. He is promoting Khalistanis,” said Capt. Amarinder Singh. During his term as Punjab’s Chief Minister, in 2018, Capt. Singh refused to meet then-Canadian defence minister Harjit Sajjan during delegation’s visit to Bharat and called him “Khalistani sympathiser”. Ties between Bharat and Canada had deteriorated last year after PM Justin Trudeau cited “credible allegations” that agents of the Bharatiya government — including recalled envoy Sanjay Verma and other diplomats — were linked to the death of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Click here to read... [27]
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Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2024/november/18
[2] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2066073
[3] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2066123
[4] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2066452
[5] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2066585
[6] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2066910
[7] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2066701
[8] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2067046
[9] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2067768
[10] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2068184
[11] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2068869
[12] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2070205
[13] https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2024/Oct/198677/suspected_al_shabab_gunmen_kill_three_business_people_in_mogadishu.aspx
[14] https://hiiraan.com/news4/2024/Oct/198649/somali_national_army_kills_senior_al_shabab_commander_in_lower_jubba_operation.aspx
[15] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/30/world/middleeast/islamic-state-airstrikes-syria.html
[16] https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-security-forces-raid-militant-hideout-859c0173e886dcbc321e72a82fc4443f
[17] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/5-soldiers-injured-in-terror-attack-on-army-vehicle-in-j-ks-gulmarg-6865157
[18] https://orissadiary.com/three-jaish-e-mohammed-terrorists-killed-in-encounter-in-jammu-and-kashmirs-akhnoor-sector/
[19] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/abujmarhs-oldest-maoist-with-rs-16-lakh-bounty-gunned-down/articleshow/114637943.cms
[20] https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/five-maoists-killed-in-gunfight-with-security-personnel-in-gadchiroli-police-101729530312651.html
[21] https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Nov/05/muslim-religious-leaders-oppn-welcome-sc-verdict-upholding-up-madrasa-act
[22] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1831_1_PR21102024.pdf
[23] https://assamtribune.com/assam/terror-outfits-recruiting-radicalising-assam-youth-via-social-media-nia-1556149
[24] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1834_1_PR24102024.pdf
[25] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1832_1_PR22102024.pdf
[26] https://ddnews.gov.in/en/if-canada-wants-them-give-them-space-call-it-khalistan-says-recalled-indian-envoy/
[27] https://www.livemint.com/news/india/trudeau-will-not-let-normalcy-return-until-capt-amarinder-singh-makes-big-claim-amid-khalistan-row-with-canada-11729860456462.html
[28] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=VIF News Digest : National Security- Defence Studies & Terrorism (16-31 October 2024)&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2024/november/18
[29] http://twitter.com/share?text=VIF News Digest : National Security- Defence Studies & Terrorism (16-31 October 2024)&url=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2024/november/18&via=Azure Power
[30] whatsapp://send?text=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2024/november/18
[31] https://www.vifindia.org/author/Anurag-Bisen
[32] https://www.vifindia.org/author/anurag-sharma