Indian Coast Guard vessels ICGSVaibhavand ICGSAbhirajvisited Male, Maldives, on December 16, 2024, during their Indian Ocean Region deployment. Over four days, they engaged in professional interactions with the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard, including cross-deck training, joint discussions, and sports events. The visit highlighted India’s commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation and reinforcing ties with the Maldives.
During their visit, NCC personnel aboard ICGSVaibhavjoined local youth in an Environment Protection Awareness Programme, supporting India’s “Puneet Sagar Abhiyan” for marine conservation. After the Maldives, the vessels will visit Sri Lanka’s Colombo and Galle ports for further professional exchanges. This mission reflects India’s "SAGAR" vision, emphasizing maritime cooperation and strengthening regional partnerships.Click here to read… [2]
On December 18, 2024, a Navy craft lost control during engine trials and collided with the passenger ferry Neel Kamal near Karanja, Mumbai. The ferry was en route to Elephanta Island. Immediate search and rescue operations were launched, involving four naval helicopters, 11 naval craft, one Coast Guard boat, and three Marine Police boats. The accident resulted in 13 fatalities, including one naval personnel and two OEM representatives, while survivors were rescued and transferred to nearby hospitals.Click here to read… [3]
On December 17, 2024, INSTushil, a new multi-role stealth guided missile frigate, began its maiden deployment from Kaliningrad, Russia, heading to India. The ship will travel through the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and Indian Ocean, making port calls and conducting joint patrolling, maritime exercises, and diplomatic activities with various navies.
During its port calls, INSTushilwill engage in capability-building with host navies, interact with senior military and government officials, and connect with the Indian diaspora. These activities aim to strengthen India’s maritime cooperation with regional countries and reaffirm the Indian Navy's commitment to safeguarding the seafaring community.Click here to read… [4]
On December 20, 2024, President Droupadi Murmu awarded the President’s Colours to the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad. The President also released a ‘Special Day Cover’ with a commemorative medallion and the book the ancient Indian Knowledge System from ‘Pearls of Ancient Indian Wisdom,’ a revised compilation of strategic guidance drawn from the 1st to 7th century BCE.
In her address, President Droupadi Murmu praised the College of Defence Management (CDM) for its contributions since 1970, highlighting its role in preparing officers to manage complex military operations and adapt to emerging technologies. She lauded CDM's efforts in shaping future strategic leadership and embracing new-age strategies. The President inaugurated a monumental national flag at CDM Secunderabad, symbolizing India's strength and unity. Since 1970, CDM has trained officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, equipping them with leadership and strategic skills for modern warfare.Click here to read… [5]
On December 20, 2024, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro for the procurement of 155 mm/52 calibre K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns for the Indian Army at a cost of Rs 7,628.70 crore. The acquisition will boost artillery modernization and operational readiness, with the K9 VAJRA-T capable of long-range, high-accuracy fire in extreme conditions. The project will generate over nine lakh man-days of employment and promote the involvement of Indian industries, including MSMEs.Click here to read… [6]
In a historic milestone for the country'sAatmanirbharta, journey, two warships, a destroyer (Surat) and a frigate (Nilgiri) were delivered to the Indian Navy on 20 Dec 24. The delivery of Surat marks the completion of the Indian Navy's indigenous destroyer building project.Suratis powered by four gas turbines, achieving speeds over 30 knots. It will be India's first AI-enabled warship, enhancing operational efficiency. Meanwhile,Nilgiri, the first Project 17A stealth frigate and is part of seven frigates under construction. Both ships are built with 75% indigenisation, boosting India's self-reliance, economic development, and MSME growth. These projects highlight India's shipbuilding and engineering capabilities.
Surat's keel was laid on November 7, 2019, and launched on May 17, 2022. Delivered in just 31 months, it became the fastest indigenous destroyer ever built.Nilgiri's keel was laid on December 28, 2017, and launched on September 28, 2019. It began sea trials in August 2024 and has since undergone extensive trials before its delivery.Click here to read… [7]
The SLINEX 24 bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka took place from December 17-20, 2024, at Visakhapatnam, under the Eastern Naval Command. The exercise was conducted in two phases: the harbour phase from December 17-18 and the sea phase from December 19-20. INSSumitraand a Special Forces team represented India, while SLNSSayuraand a Special Forces team participated from Sri Lanka.
The SLINEX 24 exercise began on December 17, 2024, with an inaugural ceremony followed by the Harbour Phase, where participants engaged in professional and social exchanges. The Sea Phase, starting on December 19, included joint Special Forces exercises, gun firings, communication procedures, seamanship, navigation, and helicopter operations. Initiated in 2005, SLINEX exercises have strengthened India-Sri Lanka maritime ties and contributed to a secure, rule-based maritime domain, aligning with India’s vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region.Click here to read… [8]
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on December 26, 2024, successfully rescued nine Indian crew members from a sunken vessel, MSV Taj Dhare Haram, located approximately 311 km west of Porbandar, Gujarat in Pakistan’s Search and Rescue Region (North Arabian Sea). The search and rescue mission, carried out under challenging sea conditions, showcased exceptional collaboration between the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) of Mumbai and Karachi, Pakistan.
The rescue operation was completed at around 4 PM, just before the vessel sank completely. All crew members were safely brought aboard ICGSShoor, where they were provided medical assistance and declared in good health.Click here to read… [9]
INSSarvekshakarrived in Port Louis, Mauritius, on December 26, 2024, to conduct a Joint Hydrographic Survey. The ship was welcomed by India’s High Commissioner, military and civil dignitaries, and a coordination meeting was held with Mauritius' Hydrographic Survey Unit. The survey will aid Mauritius in developing maritime infrastructure and coastal planning. This visit highlights the strong maritime partnership between India and Mauritius, reinforcing bilateral cooperation and supporting India's SAGAR vision for regional development.Click here to read… [10]
The Indian Army contingent of 334 personnel departed for Nepal to participate in the 18th edition of Exercise SURYA KIRAN, held in Saljhandi, Nepal, from December 31, 2024, to January 13, 2025. The exercise, conducted annually in alternate countries, will see the Indian Army represented by a Battalion from the 11th Gorkha Rifles and the Nepal Army by the Srijung Battalion.
Exercise SURYA KIRAN aims to enhance interoperability between India and Nepal in jungle warfare, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian assistance. It will focus on operational preparedness, aviation, medical training, and environmental conservation. The exercise provides a platform for soldiers to exchange ideas, share best practices, and strengthen coordination. SURYA KIRAN highlights the strong India-Nepal friendship and commitment to defense cooperation, fostering shared security objectives and enhancing bilateral relations between the two nations.Click here to read… [11]
On December 30, 2024, the Ministry of Defence signed two contracts totaling Rs 2,867 crore. The first, worth Rs 1,990 crore, was with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders for the construction and integration of an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Plug for DRDO’s AIP system on Indian submarines. The second, valued at Rs 877 crore, was signed with Naval Group, France, for the integration of the Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedo (EHWT) onboard Kalvari-Class submarines. Both contracts aim to enhance India's submarine capabilities.
The DRDO is indigenously developing Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, which will enhance the endurance of conventional submarines and support the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. The AIP-Plug project will generate nearly three lakh man-days of employment. The integration of the Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedo (EHWT) on Kalvari-Class submarines, in collaboration with the Indian Navy, DRDO, and Naval Group, France, will significantly boost the submarines' firepower capabilities.Click here to read… [12]
On 30 December 2024, Pakistan’s security forces raided the house of Baluch journalist— Zubair Baloch and allegedly abducted him in Hub Chowk in Hub district of Baluchistan. “The armed men in a Vigo vehicle raided our home at 03 am and forcibly took my brother. We have no idea where he has been taken or the reason he was targeted,” said Zubair’s sister. Zubair, a native of Tijaban in Turbat, holds a degree in Political Science from Baluchistan University and has previously worked with the Intekhab newspaper in Baluchistan. He was in Hub Chowk on vacation when he was abducted.
In response to Zubair’s abduction, his family and friends blocked the CPEC Highway and staged protests at Hub Bypass and Hoshap. The Baluch Yakjehti Committee has also condemned the abduction of Zubair and stated that “given the recent trends in Baluchistan, where enforced disappearances often end in staged encounters and extrajudicial killings, we are deeply concerned that Zubair may face a similar fate at the hands of the State.”Click here to read… [13]
In its November report, Pakistan’s Human Rights wing of the Baloch National Movement (BNM)— PAANK, raised concerns about enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of Baluch civilians, particularly youth and activists, by Pakistan’s security forces. According to the report, 31 cases of enforced disappearances reported in the district of Kech, followed by 11 such cases recorded in Gwadar district. Other districts like Dera Bugti, Lasbela, and Awaran also recorded significant numbers, alongside urban centres such as Karachi. The widespread reach of these violations underscores the systematic nature of the Pakistan’s crackdown on the Baluch population.Click here to read… [14]
According to various news report of 26 December 2024 quoting sources, JeM chief and December 2001 terror conspirator Masood Azhar suffered a cardiac arrest in Afghanistan and soon was shifted to hospital in Pakistan for treatment.Click here to read… [15]
On 19 December, security forces acted on an intelligence input and carried out an operation in which five Hizb ul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorists were killed. A key terrorist of Burhan Wani group— Farooq Nali, the oldest surviving HM commander was also killed during the operation. Nali was classified as A++ terrorist and had a bounty of ₹ 10 lakh on his head.
“On 19 December 24, based on specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, a joint operation was launched by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police at Kader, Kulgam. Suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops, and on being challenged, terrorists opened indiscriminate and heavy volume of fire. Our own troops effectively retaliated,” read the post on X/Twitter by Chinar Corps. The operation concluded with the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition, including five AK47 rifles, and grenades.Click here to read… [16]
In the month of December, three key Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists— i) Abdul Aziz Alvi, ii) Shakeel ur-Rehman Adil, and iii) Abdul Rehman Makki, died on 10 December, 23 December, and 27 December, respectively. Abdul Alvi died in Muzaffarabad and Shakeel Rehman in Rawalkot in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Abdul Rehman Makki, who was the deputy chief of LeT and brother-in-law of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed, died in Muridke in Pakistan’s Punjab province.Click here to read… [17]
On 31 December 2024, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police arrested four Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) Over-Ground Workers (OGWs)— i) Mudasir Ahmad Naik, ii) Umar Nazir Sheikh, iii) Inayat Firdoos, and iv) Salman Nazir Lone, from Tral area in Awantipora of Pulwama district. “The arrested [OGWs] were involved in providing logistics support and transportation of arms and ammunition to the active terrorists of proscribed terror outfit JeM in Tral and Awantipora areas”, the spokesperson said.Click here to read… [18]
According to Superintendent of Police (SP), Gadchiroli, Neelotpal, “between October 2022 to present (23 December 2024), security forces neutralised 32 Maoists, including nine Divisional Committee Members (DVCMs) and two commanders.” Despite efforts by Maoists to ambush police personnel or detonate landmine, the Gadchiroli police maintained a 100 per cent success rate with no casualties among their forces. The police also arrested 54 Maoists, including high-ranking operatives. “Our approach in Gadchiroli is clear— those who want to surrender and join the mainstream are welcome,” said SP Neelotpal.Click here to read… [19]
On 22 December, security forces arrested a senior Maoist leader— Prabhakar Rao aka Balmuri Narayan Rao, carrying a reward of ₹25 lakh, in an operation in Kanker district in Chhattisgarh. Prabhakar Rao was a Dandakaranaya Special Zonal Committee Member (DKSZCM) of the CPI (Maoist). The apprehended Maoist leader was in-charge of logistic supply and a close associate of top leadership.
“For the past few days, the Kanker district police had been receiving information about the activities of senior cadre Prabhakar Rao of the North Bastar Sub-Zonal Bureau of the banned Maoist organisation. Acting on the information, security forces surrounded and arrested Prabhakar Rao in the Antagarh police station area on Sunday,” said Inspector General of Police (IGP) [Bastar range] Sundarraj P.Click here to read… [20]
On 21 December, the Maoists have killed three villagers in Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh. Maoists suspected villagers to be police informers. In first incident, Maoists allegedly abducted Mukesh Hemla from market area and later his body was recovered near Reddy Talab. “Hemla was a petty contractor engaged in constructing an Anganwadi centre in Kammaknar village. A pamphlet recovered from the scene, reportedly issued by the Gangloor Area Committee of Maoists, accused him of being a police informer and justified the killing on these grounds,” said IGP (Bastar range) Sunderraj P.
In another incident, two members of a family in Korcholi village of Bisapur district were killed in a Jan Adalat (Kangaroo Court) by Maoists, who accused of being police informers.Click here to read… [21]
NIA, on 27 December, searched multiple locations in Jharkhand’s Giridih district in connection with a CPI (Maoist) case. Houses and other premises of OGWs were searched and several mobile phones, SIM cards were seized by NIA officials. During investigation, NIA unearthed the links of several suspects and OGWs believed to be involved in supplying logistics and electronic items to CPI (Maoist) in the Parasnath area of district Giridih.Click here to read… [22]
In a joint operation with CRPF and Chhattisgarh police, on 19 December 2024, the NIA arrested an absconding Maoist— Bandra Tati for his involvement in ‘Pedka-Aranpur Maoist attack’ on 26 April 2023. Bandra Tati was directly involved in the terror attack conspiracy of the CPI (Maoist). Besides transportation of IEDs, he was engaged in providing security and logistics support to the core module for execution of the attack.
In the afternoon of 26 April 2023, Maoists ambushed and attacked aToofanvehicle used by the state’s District Reserve Guards (DRG) team, killing the driver and 10 jawans, near Pedka chowk in Aranpur in Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh.Click here to read… [23]
On 18 December, Assam Police’s Special Task Force (STF) unit arrested five JeM operatives in Kokrajhar and Dhubri districts. “The JeM operatives were arrested in a special CT operation carried out by STF. While four terror operatives were nabbed from Kokrajhar, one was arrested from Dhubri,” said a senior police official. Earlier on 12 December, NIA arrested four JeM terrorists from Goalpara district, Assam.Click here to read… [24]
On 24 December 2024, the NIA filed chargesheet against two terror operatives— i) Abdul Rehman and ii) Mujibur Rehman under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023/Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860 and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A] 1967, for conspiring terror attacks and to propagate Hizb ut-Tahrir (HuT)’s ideology in Tamil Nadu and other states.
The NIA investigations have revealed that the accused had conspired with “self-styled” office bearers of HuT to propagate the outfit’s ideology, aimed at establishing Islamic Caliphate in Bharat and enforcing the Sharia based draft constitution written by HuT founder— Taqi al-Din al-Nabhani.Click here to read… [25]
On 16 December, NIA arrested a key ULFA(I) terror operative— Jahnu Baruah from Dibrugarh in an intelligence-based operation. Jahnu was involved in planting IEDs in Guwahati during 2024 Independence Day celebrations. Jahnu, during preliminary investigation, confessed to his involvement in planting four of the 11 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that were recovered by the state police during the I-Day celebrations. The IEDs had been planted as part of the military protest and I-Day boycott call by Paresh Baruah, SS C-in-C of ULFA(I), in a video, which had warned of dire consequences for anyone disobeying the instructions.Click here to read… [26]
On 18 December 2024, the NIA raided at 17 locations in four States— i) Bihar (12 locations), ii) Nagaland (03 locations), iii) Haryana (01 location), and iv) J&K (01 location) in an inter-state arms trafficking case. The searches were conducted at premises of 15 operatives involved in the case. During search operation, NIA officials recovered a .315 bore rifle, 11 rounds, 03 empty cartridges, digital devices and raw material to be used in manufacture of arms and ammunition. Along with other incriminating documents, officials recovered a car and total cash amounting to ₹13,94,840 (Thirteen lakh, Ninety-Four thousand, Eight hundred and Forty Rupees).Click here to read… [27]
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Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2025/January/10
[2] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2085022
[3] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2085874
[4] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2086133
[5] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2086607
[6] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2086514
[7] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2086668
[8] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2088114
[9] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2088244
[10] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2088480
[11] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2088529
[12] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2088874
[13] https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/protests-erupt-in-balochistan-after-journalist-allegedly-abducted-by-pakistani-security-forces20241230130950/
[14] https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/paank-report-documents-98-cases-of-enforced-disappearances-and-illegal-detentions-in-balochistan-karachi20241226150825/
[15] https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/maulana-masood-azhar-founder-of-terror-outfit-jem-suffers-heart-attack-report-12898014.html/amp
[16] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/jammu-and-kashmir/story/terrorists-killed-in-encounter-with-security-forces-in-jammu-and-kashmirs-kulgam-soldiers-injured-2652066-2024-12-19
[17] https://www.earlytimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=378236
[18] https://www.deccanherald.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir/four-associates-of-jaish-e-mohammad-terrorist-outfit-held-in-j-ks-pulwama-3338381
[19] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/32-maoists-neutralised-23-surrendered-in-gadchiroli-over-two-years-police/article69022098.ece
[20] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maoist-leader-carrying-rs-25-lakh-bounty-arrested-in-chhattisgarh-7314902
[21] https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/3-villagers-allegedly-killed-by-maoists-in-chhattisgarh-s-bijapur-police-101734953623934.html
[22] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1872_1_PR27122024.pdf
[23] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1863_1_PR191220242.pdf
[24] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/assam-stf-nabs-five-jaish-e-mohammad-operatives-with-pakistan-links/articleshow/116444904.cms
[25] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1871_1_PR24122024.pdf
[26] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1859_1_PR16122024.pdf
[27] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1861_1_PR181220242.pdf
[28] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=VIF News Digest : National Security- Defence Studies & Terrorism (16-31 December 2024)&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2025/January/10
[29] http://twitter.com/share?text=VIF News Digest : National Security- Defence Studies & Terrorism (16-31 December 2024)&url=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2025/January/10&via=Azure Power
[30] whatsapp://send?text=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2025/January/10
[31] https://www.vifindia.org/author/Anurag-Bisen
[32] https://www.vifindia.org/author/anurag-sharma