Defence:
- DRDO's Aero India International Seminar – 2019;
- OFB Gets Bulk Production Clearance for 'Dhanush' Artillery Gun;
- ‘Runway to a Billion Opportunities’ - Raksha Mantri Inaugurates Aeroindia 2019;
- Final Operational Clearance of LCA Tejas MK I for Indian Air Force;
- Flying of LCA Tejas by Chief of the Army Staff & Principal Scientific Adviser to GOI;
- Twin Success for Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile;
- Statements by Indian Armed Forces on Prevailing Security Situation.
International Terrorism:
Pakistan
- IAF conducted airstrikes on JeM camps in POK and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Africa
- Mali: Top al-Qaeda commander killed in Saleh;
- Nigeria: Boko Haram killed 14 people in Maiduguri;
- Somalia: 35 al-Shabaab militants killed in US Airstrike in Hiran;
Armed militants killed 10 people outside Mogadishu.
Domestic Terrorism:
Jammu and Kashmir
- Security cover for separatists and few politicians withdrawn;
- NIA identified owner of the vehicle used in Pulwama terrorist attack;
- NIA raided multiple locations of separatists in terror;
- HM chief warned of more ‘Pulwama-like’ attacks;
- Three JeM militants killed in CT operation in Pulwama;
- JeM activists arrested from Saharanpur, UP.
Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)
- NIA raided locations in Jharkhand and West Bengal in LWE terror fund case.
IS activities in India
- NIA filed Charge Sheet against IS sympathisers.
Cyber & Artificial Intelligence (Security Perspective)
- Indian Banks vulnerable to cyber threats, says NCSC. .
DEFENCE
DRDO's Aero India International Seminar – 2019
The 12th edition of the Aero India International Seminar (AIS 2019) was held at Bengaluru. The two-day seminar was organized by DRDO in association with the Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI) on February 18 and 19, 2019. The Seminar was inaugurated by Member NITI Aayog Dr VK Saraswat in the presence of Secretary (Defence Production) Dr Ajay Kumar, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) & Secretary Department of Space Dr K Sivan, Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development, Chairman, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Director General, Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Dr G Satheesh Reddy and President, Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI) Dr RK Tyagi.
Theme of the seminar was ‘Emerging Frontiers in Aerospace Technologies’. The participants had extensive interaction and deliberations in domain of Aerospace Materials, Stealth, Hypersonics, Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning in Aerospace, Sensors, Avionics, Propulsion and UAV/UCAV technologies.
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OFB gets bulk production clearance for 'Dhanush' Artillery Gun
Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) has received bulk production clearance (BPC) from the Indian Army and the Ministry of Defence on February 18, 2018 for production of 114 'Dhanush', the first ever indigenous 155mm x 45 calibre artillery gun. The weapon is the first long rang artillery gun to be produced in India and it is a major success story of the 'Make in India' initiative. The gun is equipped with inertial navigation-based sighting system, auto-laying facility, on-board ballistic computation and an advanced day and night direct firing system. The self-propulsion unit allows the gun to negotiate and deploy itself in mountainous terrains with ease.
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‘Runway to a Billion Opportunities’ - Raksha Mantri inaugurates Aeroindia 2019
Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the 12th biennial edition of International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition and declared the Aero India 2019 open today amidst a lot of fanfare at Air Force Station Yelahanka in Bengaluru. This edition of Aero India, for the first time, combined the defence and civil aviation segments into a holistic event with the co-involvement of the defence and civil aviation ministries in the event. More than 600 Indian Companies and 200 Foreign Companies are participating and witnessing the largest Air show of Asia.
Present at the occasion were Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri HD Kumaraswamy, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Shri Suresh Prabhu, Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr Subhash Bhamre, Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation Shri Sadananda Gowda, the three Service Chiefs, Defence Secretary, Secretary Defence Production, Chairman and Secretary DRDO, delegates from several foreign countries, senior serving officers from the three Services, veterans, and senior executives from defence industries.
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Final Operational Clearance of LCA Tejas MK I for Indian Air Force
On 20th February 2019 Light Combat Aircraft Tejas MK I project for Indian Air Force (IAF), received formal declaration of Final Operational Clearance (FOC) of Secretary Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO. The day also witnessed the handing over of FOC Certificate and Release to Service Document (RSD) to the Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa. FOC involves addition of key capabilities to the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) aircraft which are Beyond Visual Range Missile capabilities. Air-to-Air Refuelling, Air-to-Ground FOC earmarked weapons and general flight envelope expansion.
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Flying of LCA Tejas by Chief of the Army Staff & Principal Scientific Adviser to GOI
Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat was flown in the trainer version of DRDO’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas to demonstrate the operational capabilities of the aircraft during Aero India 2019 at Bengaluru. Air Vice Marshal N Tiwari, Head of National Flight Test Centre (NFTC) at Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Bengaluru piloted this aircraft. On this occasion, Tejas was flown at medium altitude to showcase the pin-point attack capabilities using a Laser Designation Pod (LDP).
The Army Chief was also shown the maneuvering and radar capabilities of the aircraft. After the sortie, the Army chief expressed immense satisfaction and said that Tejas is a wonderful aircraft and if it gets added to the IAF inventory, it will be a great asset.
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Twin success for Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile
The DRDO successfully test fired indigenously developed Quick Reach Surface-to-Air missiles (QRSAM) from ITR Chandipur, off the Odisha Coast. The two missiles were tested for different altitude and conditions. The test flights successfully demonstrated the robust Control, Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Structural performance and high manoeuvring capabilities thus proving the design configuration. Radars, Electro Optical Systems, Telemetry and other stations tracked the Missiles and monitored through the entire flights. All the mission objectives have been met.
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Statements by Indian Armed Forces on prevailing security situation
The statements issued by Air Vice Marshal Ravi Kapoor of the Indian Air Force, Major General Surinder Mahal of the Indian Army and Rear Admiral D S Gujral of the Indian Navy on 28 Feb 2019 can be accessed at the link given below.
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INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
Pakistan
IAF conducted airstrikes on JeM camps in POK and Khyber Paktunkhwa
Around 0330 hrs on 26 February, a group of Mirage 2000 fighter planes of IAF conducted airstrikes, targeting the JeM training camps in Balakot, Chakothi, and Muzaffarabad. Western Air Command (WAC) coordinated the operation.
Addressing the media on 26 February, the Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale informed that the IAF successfully conducted pre-emptive airstrikes on the ‘biggest’ training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammd (JeM) located in Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The training camp was headed by JeM chief Masood Azhar’s brother-in-law Maulana Yusuf Azhar aka Ustab Ghauri. India has been providing information regarding the JeM training camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) region, however Pakistan has denies such existence. According to news report.
For more information: Click here to read....
Africa
Mali
Top Al-Qaeda commander killed in Saleh
According to news report, the French forces killed top commander of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) — Yahya Abou el-Hamame aka Djamal Okacha in a counterterrorism operation on 21 February, in Saleh region of Mali.
Yahya el-Hamame was the mastermind and financer of several terrorist attacks in the region. He was second-in-command in the jihadist group— Nusrat al-Islam aka ‘Group to Support Islam and Muslims’ (GSIM). In Mali, around 4,500 French troops have been deployed since 2014 to re-capture the North of the country from the grip of terrorists.
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Nigeria
Boko Haram killed 14 people in Maiduguri
On 18 February, Boko Haram militants killed 14 people who worked as loggers, in Koshebe forest area in Maiduguri. Boko Haram has targeted civilians, mainly farmers, loggers, and herders, who are suspected to be acting as informers of the security forces and the pro-government militia. In Nigeria, around 27,000 people have been killed and two millions displaced since 2009.
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Somalia
35 Al-Shabaab militants killed in US airstrike in Hiran
The United States Military Command for the African Continent has claimed that at least 35 militants of al-Shabaab group were killed during an airstrike on 24 February in Central Hiran region. So far, US has already conducted 22 airstrikes this year in comparison to nearly 50 airstrikes in 2018. The airstrikes had targeted the checkpoints used by Al-Shabaab to collect illegitimate taxes to fund its violent activities in the region. Al-Shabaab holds large sector of rural Central and Southern Somalia.
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Armed militants killed 10 people outside Mogadishu
According to media reports, on 25 February, unknown armed militants killed 10 people, many of them were women street-sweepers, in a terrorist attack outside the capital city Mogadishu. No group has claimed the responsibility of the attack, but Somali security official Mohamed Hassan suspected Al-Shabaab group behind this attack. The victims of the attack were participants of government’s programme for Somali women to work as street cleaners for food package granted by the local authorities.
For more information: Click here to read....
DOMESTIC TERRORISM
Jammu and Kashmir
Security cover for separatists and few politicians withdrawn
On 20 February, the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) administration withdrew the security cover provided to 18 separatists and 155 politicians, including PDP leader Wahid Parra, and IAS official Shah Faesal. The State Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam, in the security review meeting, took the decision of withdrawn of security cover to the separatist leaders as it is a “wastage” of limited resources which could have been utilised elsewhere. The security cover has been withdrawn of following leaders: Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Aga Syed Mosvi, Maulvi Abbas Ansari, Yaseen Malik, Saleem Geelani, Shahid ul Islam, Zaffar Akbar Bhat, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza, Farooq Ahmed Kichloo, Masroor Abbas Ansari, Aga Syed Abul Hussain, Abdul Gani Shah and Mohd Musadiq Bhat.
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NIA identified owner of vehicle used in Pulwama terrorist attack
In an important breakthrough in Pulwama terrorist attack case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) identified the owner of the vehicle used in the attack on the CRPF convoy. With support from forensics and automobile experts, the NIA identified Sajad Bhat as the owner of the Maruti Eeco with chassis number: ‘MA3ERLF1SOO183735’, used in the attack. Sajad Bhat is a resident of Bijbeharain in South Kashmir and had reportedly joined JeM. The teams of NIA and police conducted raid at Sajad’s house but he was absent.
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NIA raided multiple locations of separatists in terror
In connection to terror funding case, the NIA raided seven locations of separatists, including JKLF chief Yaseen Malik, and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in Jammu and Kashmir. In the raid, high-end technical communication set up, e-tablets, mobile phones, communication systems and DVRs, were recovered from the residence of Mirwaiz Farooq, along with several incriminating documents including letter-heads of different terrorist organisations. Also, letters of recommendations for the visa purposes for the admission into Pakistan-based education institutions were also recovered. The searched premises belongs to Yasin Malik, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Mohammad Ashraf Khan, Masarat Alam, Zaffar Akbar Bhat, Naseem Geelani and Shabbir Shah.
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HM chief warned of more ‘Pulwama-like’ attacks
In a 17-minute video, the operational commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM)—Riyaz Naikoo warned of ‘Pulwama-like’ fidayeen attacks by ‘Kashmiri youths’ on security forces, as it has become a ‘do or die’ situation for terrorists in Kashmir. On 19 February, GOC of 15 Corps Lt Gen K J S Dhillon said that security forces are aware of the challenges such attacks could pose to them.
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Three JeM militants killed in CT operation in Pulwama
On 18 February, three top JeM militants, including Pakistani national Kamran, and Hilal Ahmed, were killed during a joint counter-terrorism (CT) operation by 55 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of J&K Police, and CRPF in Pulwama. During the operation, an Army officer Maj D S Dondial and four soldiers, were martyred. Meanwhile, a civilian got injured nearby the operation site and later succumbed to injuries.
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JeM activists arrested from Saharanpur, UP
On 22 February, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested two alleged operatives of JeM—Shahnawaz Teli, and Aakib Ahmed, from Deoband in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Both operatives were posing as students, but involved in recruitment for the terror outfit. Pistols and live cartridges were also recovered during the arrest.
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Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)
NIA searched locations in Jharkhand and West Bengal in PLFI terror fund case
On 21 February, officials of the NIA conducted searches at 10 locations in Jharkhand and West Bengal in connection to PLFI (People’s Liberation Front of India) terror funding case. The offices and residences people associated with PLFI chief Dinesh Gope were searched in Ranchi, Gumla, Khunti, and Kolkata, for their alleged involvement in financing the PLFI. During searches, NIA has seized incriminating documents, including fake PAN and identity cards, Bank account details, 40 mobiles, Diaries with entries of investments. However, Dinesh Gope is absconding.
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IS activities in India
NIA filed Charge Sheet against IS sympathisers
In a statement released on 26 February, NIA disclosed that a charge sheet has been filed against six alleged sympathisers of Islamic State (IS) in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. The accused were involved in conspiring attacks on Hindu leaders and activists in Coimbatore. The charge sheet was filed in the Special Court in Chennai, against Mohamed Ashiq A, Ismail S, Samsudeen, Mohammed Salauddin S, Jafar Shadik Ali, and Shahul Hameed.
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CYBER & ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (SECURITY PERSPECTIVE)
Indian Banks are vulnerable to cyber threats
On 20 February, India’s National Cyber-security Coordinator (NCC) at the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), Dr Gulshan Rai, said that Indian banking system needed preparations to address the vulnerabilities and risks arising from cyber-security and there was need to strengthen the software applications to contain the Cyber-attacks. With the introduction of 5th Generation technology, things would be more complex. All the systems and interfaces would require a significant upgradation aligning to the 5th generation technology. In 2018, nearly 22 percent cyber-attacks were on Indian banking sector.
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