Fortnightly Review & Analysis: Defence, National Security and Terrorism (Vol 2 Issue XVII)

Sep 1-15, 2017

Defence

Exercise Suryakiran – India-Nepal Joint Military Exercise

Indian Army and the Royal Nepalese Army began the 12th edition of its 14 days joint military exercise, Suryakiran, at Nepal Army Battle School (NABS) in Saljhandi, Nepal. The Suryakiran series of bilateral military exercises are conducted bi-annually, alternatively in India and Nepal. It is the largest exercise in terms of troops’ participation in series of military training exercises undertaken by India with various countries. It aims at promoting military relations and increasing interoperability between armies of neighbouring countries. The ongoing exercise will focus upon counter-terror operations in mountainous terrain along with counter insurgency operations and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.

Aviation Infrastructure for Indian Coast Guard Commissioned

The Indian Coast Guard commissioned its aviation infrastructure including a multi-mission maritime aircraft hangar (MMMA) and Dornier Hangar on September 01, 2017 at the Coast Guard Air Enclave, Bhubaneswar. This infrastructure will strengthen the aviation capabilities of Coast Guard with its strong air surveillance capabilities. It will further enable Coast Guard to swiftly respond to any maritime contingencies at extended ranges ensuring safety and security of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) along Odisha and West Bengal. This infrastructure can be considered as the first step of Coast Guard under its Definitive Five-year Action Plan of Rs 31,748 crore approved by Union Government in August 2017. The objective will bolster the capabilities of Indian Coast Guard and enable it with 175-ships and 110-aircraft force by 2022. This comprehensive boost will plug operational gaps and strengthen capabilities of Coast Guard which is primarily responsible for securing India’s coastal region, island territories, offshore assets, and marine environment.

Raksha Mantri Ms Sitharaman Flagged off Navika Sagar Parikrama

Raksha Mantri Ms Nirmala Sitharaman flagged-off Indian Naval Sailing Vessel, Tarini (INSV Tarini) with an all women crew from INS Mandovi boat pool, Goa on September 10, 2017. This is the first-ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all-women crew and shall attempt to circumnavigate the globe on Indian Navy’s sailing vessel INSV Tarini. INSV Tarini is a 55-foot sailing vessel, which has been built indigenously, and was inducted in the Indian Navy earlier this year, thus showcasing the ‘Make in India’ initiative on the World forum. After its sister vessel, INHS Mhadei completed more than 100,000 nautical miles under its keel and twice circumnavigated the oceans skippered by Captain Dilip Donde, the first solo circumnavigator of India and Commander Abhilash Tommy, the first non-stop solo circumnavigator of India. These prominent voyages of Indian Navy brought India to a select group of nine nations which have achieved such feats. Prior to this circumnavigation expedition Captain Dilip Donde and Commander Abhilash Tommy mentored the crew of INSV Tarini for two years. The Crew comprised of Lt Commander Vartika Joshi (Captain of Expedition) Lt Commander Pratibha Jamwal, Lt Commander P Swathi, and Lieutenant S Vijaya Devi, Lieutenant B Aishwarya and Lieutenant Payal Gupta. The voyage will be covered in five legs, with stop-overs at 4 ports viz. Fremantle (Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falklands), and Cape Town (South Africa) and expected to return to Goa in April 2018. During the voyage, the crew would monitor and report marine pollution on the high seas, as also interact extensively with local PIOs during various port halts to promote Ocean sailing. During their voyage, the crew would also collate and update Meteorological, Ocean and Wave data on a regular basis for accurate weather forecast by India Meteorological Department (IMD) and subsequent analysis by research and development organisations.

INDRA 2017, first ever Tri-Services Bilateral Military Exercise between India and Russia

The Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff participated with their Russian counterparts in the Final Planning Conference (FPC) from September 12 – 15, 2017 in Russia for the preparation of INDRA 2017 bilateral military exercise between India and Russia. In this conference, both the countries discussed and finalised the modalities for their first ever tri-service military exercise scheduled from 19-27 October 2017 in Russia. The primary focus of INDRA 2017 will be on achieving coordination between forces of two countries in a tri-services integrated theatre command scenario. It further planned to carry out joint exercises for suppression of terrorist activities under the UN mandate. Indian Army confirmed the participation of 350 soldiers from Infantry, Artillery and Armoured Corps. Indian Navy will be represented by two vessels, stealth frigate INS Satpura and anti-submarine warfare corvette (ASW), INS Kadmatt, along with two onboard helicopters. Indian Air Force is likely to share its fighter jets of host country. Such tri-service exercise will smoothen India’s efforts of tri-services integration. Further, it will provide an opportunity to synergise jointness between its services and enable its service personnel to understand how other countries armed forces function jointly.

International Terrorism

West Asia: Anti-Daesh Operation Continue

Hawija

After a significant victory of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) to liberate the city of Tel Afar on August 31, ISF is now planning to launch an offensive towards the city of Hawija. Despite a nine month prolong bloody and gruelling fight for Mosul and relatively quick victory over Tel afar, the battle for Hawija is likely to be more complicated. Hawija borders Kurdish-controlled territory, making cooperation between Iraqi and Kurdish forces essential. But the Kurds are planning to hold a referendum in September 2017 aimed at converting the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq into a separate state. However, the Iraqi government has opposed the referendum and announced its plans for military operations in Hawija, though it could be delayed because of talks about the involvement of Kurdish forces in the battle. A senior Iraqi para-military leader said on September 14, 2017, that civil war would become “inevitable” in Iraq if Kurdistan Region’s government proceeds with the planned referendum on independence from Iraq.

It may be mentioned that Kurdistan gained autonomous governance based on the 2005 Constitution but is still considered a part of Iraq. The region was created in 1970 based on an agreement with the Iraqi government, ending years of conflicts. Beyond Hawija, the Islamic State still controls the western deserts of Anbar Province, including the town of Qaim, near the Syrian border; and half of the city of Shirqat, in Salahuddin Province, as well as a large territory in eastern Syria. However, Lebanon seems to have added complexities in anti-Daesh operation by releasing 400 Daesh fighters from its jail as a quidpro- quo of bodies of 9 soldiers.

Raqqa

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in an official statement issued on September 13, 2017, informed that it has re-captured al-Thakana district located in the centre of the city of Raqqa. This victory was not an easy ride for SDF as a violent battle took place between the SDF and Daesh militants in the vicinity of al-Rasheed Park and the General Hospital of Raqqa, amid artillery and rockets shelling. With its swift response, SDF was able to capture 70 per cent of the city of Raqqa since it began its military operation against Daesh on June 06, 2017. Prolonged military campaign by SDF characterises the fact that Daesh is retreating but not without a tenacious fight.

Similarly, on September 08, 2017 the Syrian Democratic Forces announced another military operation against Daesh in the North of Deir al-Zor province. The objective of this operation is to push Daesh militants back from northern parts of Deir al-Zor. The SDF is all set to launch a military campaign from the south of Yekîneyên Parastina Gel (YPG) controlled Hasaka which will drive out Daesh out of Raqqa and territory to its southeast. With US-led air cover and Special Forces on the ground, the alliance of mostly Kurdish and Arab militias is fighting to seize Raqqa, upstream along the Euphrates River. With the help of Russian air power and Iran-backed militias, the advance capped months of steady progress against Islamic State across the desert. Still, the US and Russian forces managed to maintain distance and avoided to land in a conflict situation as mentioned in US statement that the US led coalition is not seeking war with Damascus.

Africa

Somali Military Base attacked by Al-Shabab

The Somalian military base in Bala Gudud located near the southern port city of Kismayu, was attacked by Al-Shabab militants on September 03, 2017, killing at least 10 Somali soldiers by detonating a large truck bomb during the attack. Regional Security Minister Abdirashid Janan said that after an initial retreat against heavily armed militants, the soldiers fought back and resisted the attack. The base is jointly operated by the Somali national army and forces from the semi-autonomous Jubbaland region of southern Somalia. A spokesman for the Jubbland regional administration, stated that more than 10 other soldiers and dozens of civilians wounded. The militants also blew up the police station before retreating. The military spokesman of Al Shabab Abadiasis Abu Musab claimed responsibility for the attack and killing of 26 Somali soldiers. Militants left the base after taking weapons, ammunition and several vehicles. Al Shabab is an offshoot of Al Qaeda and wishes to impose strict Islamic law in Somalia. The group is known for exaggerating casualty figures. The Al-Shabab has carried out a spate of attacks across Somalia and Kenya since it launched aninsurgency in these two countries a decade ago. The deadly attack underscores the prominence of Al Shabab despite loss of territory to the AU forces and top commanders during US air strikes. The African Union has deployed a strong contingent of 18,000 troops to assist the UN backed Somali government to tackle the insurgency. Kenyan troops are part of AU force in Somalia.

Boko Haram Attacked Camp in Nigeria

On September 08, 2017, Boko Haram Jihadists stormed an internally displaced person (IDP) camp in Gamboru Ngala area of Borno State, killing at least seven people. Security sources, who confirmed the incident, said the insurgents also detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the camp which was set up in January last year after the return of thousands of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon. Boko Haram had seized the trading hubs Ngala and neighbouring Gamboru in August 2014 when it took over a swathe of territory across Borno State and the wider northeast. Nigerian troops retook both the towns in September 2015 with the help of Chadian forces. However, Boko Haram fighters still launch sporadic attacks, laying ambush as well as attacking and abducting farmers. Though the Nigerian government claimed that Boko Haram is a spent force but its continuous attacks pose lingering threat for civilians.

UK Affirms Cooperation in Fight against Boko Haram

United Kingdom, on September 14, 2017, reiterated its support to Nigeria and its neighbouring countries in their fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast and the Lak Chad Basin Region. The Permanent Representative of UK to the UN Matthew Rycroft, in a statement informed that the UK has scaled up humanitarian assistance to Nigeria to 130 million dollars for the year 2017. The UK had announced an additional 260 million over the four years, as part of the North East Nigeria Transition to Development programme.

BRICS Declaration 2017 named Pakistan based Terror Groups

The BRICS Summit concluded on September 04, 2017 in the Chinese city of Xiamen. In an official BRICS declaration, China first time agree to accept naming of Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar e Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Haqqani network. The Strongly worded declaration signed by all BRICS Member states, it was stated, "We strongly condemn terrorist attacks resulting in death to innocent Afghan nationals. We, in this regard, express concern on the security situation in the region and violence caused by the Taliban, ISIL/DAISH, Al Qaida and its affiliates including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, TTP and Hizbut-Tahrir". Though getting China-in China- on boarda statement which refers Pakistan based terror group can be considered a diplomatic success for India, in reality, it is unlikely to change China’s well-known support of Pakistan. The repeated provocation of ‘technical hold’ by China at the UN to designate Masood Azhar a global terrorist,despite strong support from US, UK, France and other countries of the Security Council, is likely to continue.

India Myanmar Joint Statement on Security Cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his two-day visit to Myanmar on September 2017. During his summit level meeting with State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the two leaders discussed the security situation prevailing along India-Myanmar border and expressed concern at various incidents of terrorism and extremist-inspired violence. Recognizing terrorism as one of the most significant threats to peace and stability in the region, they condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and agreed that the fight against terrorism should target not only terrorists, terror organisations and networks, but also identify, hold accountable and take strong measures against States and entities that encourage, support or finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups. Both sides agreed that terrorism violates human rights and there should, therefore, be no glorification of terrorists as martyrs. Both leaders called on the international community to end selective and partial approaches to combating terrorism and called for expeditious finalization and adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism by the United Nations General Assembly.

Recognising that maintenance of security and stability along the common border is essential for the socio-economic development of the peoples of the border areas, Myanmar reaffirmed its respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India and steadfastly upheld the policy of not allowing any insurgent group to utilise Myanmar’s soil to undertake hostile acts against India, Myanmar also appreciated Government of India for upholding the same principle. In a Memorandum of Understanding signed, India has agreed to provide technical and financial assistance to Myanmar to upgrade its training infrastructure and capacity building of Myanmar Police.

British Home Office seizes Dawood Ibrahim’s Property of worth $6.7 billion

On the formal request of Enforcement Directorate (ED) of India, the British Home office have frozen the properties belonging to India’s most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim on September 13, 2017. Dawood appears on the latest UK Treasury Department's Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets, updated in August 2017. Dawood Ibrahim has business interests in more than a dozen countries spread over Europe, Africa and South Asia. He has assets worth the US $450 million in the UK alone. He is the prime accuse of 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case and has been named by the UN Security Council’s Sanctions Committee as aglobal terrorist. The property frozen by the Home Office is a hotel in Warwickshire and other residential properties across Midlands, UK. It is a major success for India as the formal documents were submitted by Enforcement Directorate to the UK Home office. The team of ED officials visited UK in 2015 and listed all the properties that Dawood Ibrahim has acquired as proceeds of crime under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002.
Domestic Terrorism

Jammu and Kashmir

Nowgam Encounter – Lashkar Terrorist Abu Ismail killed

In an intelligence based joint operation by the Army, CRPF and J&K Police, two Laskar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist, Abu Ismail along and his aid Abu Qasim, were killed at Aribagh area of Nowgam sector on the outskirts of Srinagar on September 14, 2017. Both the terrorists were of Pakistani nationality. Abu Ismail was the mastermind behind the deadly attack on Amarnath Yatra Pilgrims of July 10, 2017. Two AK-47 rifles were recovered from the encounter site. Abu Ismail is the fourth top commanders of Lashkar neutralised by the security forces till September 2017. Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, Yasin Mattoo, Abu Dujana were the other top commanders of Lashkar neutralised in the year 2017. Abu Ismail’s killing is seen as a major success by the security forces in their anti-militancy operations. After the encounter, in a precautionary move, administration suspended the internet service in Srinagar.

Sopore Encounter - HM divisional commander Killed

In another major intelligence driven operation by the 22 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and CRPF, divisional commander of Hizbul Muahideen (HM), Pervaiz Ahmad Wani alias Mudasir alias Bashir alias Ishfaq along with his aid Naeem Ahmad Najar was killed in Check-e-Brath area of Sopore on September 04, 2017. After a fierce gun battle two AK-47 rifles, three AK magazines, 90 AK rounds, One INSAS rifle, one INSAS Magazine, 13 INSAS rounds and other ammunition were recovered from the encounter site. Pervaiz Ahmad was allegedly involved in the serial blasts on mobile towers in 2015, attacks on Police Posts in 2016 etc.
Similarly, a militant hideout was busted during the intelligence based joint operation led by the J&K Police. A major arms haul of one AK-56 rifle, 12 AK magazines, 550 rounds of ammunition of AK rifle, 440 rounds of PIKA gun, two Chinese hand grenades, one pocket diary, two water containers and two rain coats were recovered, in the forest area of Beri Rakh, Mendhahar Sector of Poonch District.

Hizbul Terrorists arrested in Kupwara and Baramulla

The Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested two over ground workers of the HM terrorist outfit in Kupwara district on September 4, 2017 from Handwara area. The identity of the terrorists was confirmed by the J&K Police as Waheed Ahmad Bhat and Muhammad Shafi Mir. Police recovered two grenades from these terrorists who were providing logistic support to militants by arranging hideouts and by alerting them of the movement of security forces.

Similarly, on September 13, 2017, Police arrested a key terrorist instigator and recruiter for HM from Baramulla. The arrested terrorist were identified as Ishtiaq Ahmad Wani a resident of Pattan district, working as an over ground worker for HM and mainly focusing on motivating and instigating youth from Pattan and Palhallan area to join HM outfit. In an official statement issued on September 14, 2017, Police claimed to have prevented around 10 boys from being inducted into militant ranks.

Terror Funding Case- NIA Raids 27 locations in Srinagar and Delhi

As part of their ongoing investigations into of terror funding cases registered on May 30, 2017, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) teams conducted searches at 27 locations in Delhi and Srinagar on September 06, 2017. The places included houses and business establishments of traders/hawala operators etc., suspected of channelising funds to secessionist and anti-India elements. During the searches, cash amounting to approximately ₹2.20 Crores was recovered along with incriminating documents pertaining to financial transactions, Digital devices in large no. including laptops, mobile phones and hard discs, diaries pertaining to contacts of hawala operators and traders, ledger books containing accounts of cross border LOC trade of various trading companies have been recovered. Some details of bank accounts of Jammu and Kashmir were also recovered. Travel documents of some entities showing their visits to the UAE have also been recovered. The FIR registered by the NIA alleges large scale transfer of funds from Pakistan to India through under and over invoicing of imported California Almonds via cross LoC trade through the established mechanism of trade facilitation centres located at Salamabad and Chakkam-da-Bagh. NIA further stated that the funds so generated are used for fomenting terrorist and secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Left Wing Extremism

One PLFI area Commander Arrested and another killed

Jharkhand Police arrested the Peoples' Liberation Front of India (PLFI) area commander Amrit Aind from Simdega District on September 01, 2017. An AK-47 rifle and cartridges were recovered by the Police. Aind was wanted in several cases of attacks on Police and CRPF convoys. PLFI is an armed group of CPI-Maoists and is prominently operational in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and eastern states of India.

In an intelligence based operation, a joint team of District Reserve Group, Special Task Force (STF) and 204th battalion of Cobra commandos of CRPF killed a CPI Maoists cadre at Bijnaur District on September 04. After the encounter one AK-37 rifle, magazines and one wireless set along with Maoists related material were recovered by the Security Forces.