DEFENCE:
- Op Samudra Setu – INs Jalashwa departs Colombo to bring Indian nationals to Tuticorin
- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh speaks with French Minister of Armed Forces; Agree to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation between India and France
- Make in India gets a big boost; MoD places indent for supply of 156 upgraded BMP Infantry Combat Vehicles of value Rs 1,094 Cr on OFB
- Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and the Hon Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia jointly participated in an India-Australia Leaders’ Virtual Summit on 04 June 2020.
- India-China border situation
- Mission Sagar - INS Kesari at Port Victoria, Seychelles
- Unilateral revision of map of Nepal released by Government of Nepal
International Terrorism:
Africa
- Nigeria: Boko Haram terrorists killed 69 people in Borno State.
Afghanistan
- Pakistani nationals among terrorists in Afghanistan, claims UNSC report;
- Despite US-Taliban deal, Taliban retains ties with al-Qaeda, claims UN Monitor;
- Afghan police killed 11 Taliban terrorists in Helmand.
Domestic Terrorism:
Jammu and Kashmir
- Two IS-JK terrorists killed in Kulgam;
- Security forces arrested 6 JeM terrorists from Budgam;
- Security forces killed 3 JeM terrorists in Pulwama;
- Four HM terrorists killed in CT operation in Shopian.
Left-Wing Extremism
- Security forces killed a Maoist commander in Chhattisgarh.
Khalistan-inspired Extremism
- NIA filed charge sheet against 10 people in narco-terror case;
- Khalistani terrorist arrested from Uttar Pradesh.
Cyber & Artificial Intelligence (Security Perspective)
- India launched its first AI portal;
- The UK Army launched first dedicated Cyber Warfare division;
- Data exposed online while uploading on CSC BHIM App, claimed Israeli Cyber
Security firm;
- US joined G7 AI group to counter China;
- Pakistan developed fake ‘AarogyaSetu’ app targeting Indian users.
Defence:
Op Samudra Setu - INA evacuates Indians from Colombo, Male and Bandar Abbas (Iran)to bring Indian nationals to India
Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa departed Colombo, Sri Lanka today (01Jun 20) evening after having embarked 685 Indian nationals and set course for the port of Tuticorin in Tamilnadu.The ship, on her third trip as part of Indian Navy's Operation Samudra Setu under the aegis of Mission Vande Bharat launched by the Government of India. After the disembarkation of Indian citizens from Colombo INS Jalashwa proceeded and reached Male, Maldives on 04 Jun 20 for her third trip under Op Samudra Setu. She embarked 700 Indian nationals on 05 Jun 20 from Male and set sail for Tuticorin. Indian Naval Ship Shardul will evacuate Indian citizens on 08 June 2020 from the port of Bandar Abbas, Islamic Republic of Iran to Porbandar, Gujarat. So far a total of 3107 Indian citizens have been brought back from Maldives (2188), Sri Lanka (686) and Iran (233) by Indian Naval ships Jalashwa, Magar and Shardul.
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Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh speaks with French Minister of Armed Forces; Agree to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation between India and France
Raksha Mantri had a telephonic conversation with French Minister of Armed Forces, Ms Florence Parlyon 02 Jun 2020. They discussed matters of mutual concern including COVID-19 situation, regional security and agreed to strengthen the Bilateral Defence Cooperation between India and France. Both Ministers appreciated the efforts made by Armed Forces of India and France in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. France reaffirmed its commitment to ensure timely delivery of Rafale Aircraft despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Raksha Mantri welcomed French Chairmanship of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) from 2020 to 2022. The two Ministers agreed to work together to fulfil the India-France Joint Strategic Vision on the Indian Ocean Region of 2018.
Make in India gets a big boost; MoD places indent for supply of 156 upgraded BMP Infantry Combat Vehicles of value Rs 1,094 Cr on OFB
In a major boost to ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Government, Acquisition Wing of Ministry of Defence (MoD) with the approval of Raksha Mantri, has today placed an Indent on Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) for supply of 156 BMP 2/2k Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICV) with upgraded features for use of the Mechanised Forces of the Indian Army. Under this Indent, the ICVs will be manufactured by Ordnance Factory, Medak in Telangana at an approximate cost of Rs 1,094 crore.With the induction of these 156 BMP 2/2K ICVs, planned to be completed by 2023, the existing deficiency in the Mechanised Infantry Battalions will be mitigated and the combat capability of the Army will be further enhanced.
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Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and the Hon Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia jointly participated in an India-Australia Leaders’ Virtual Summit on 04 June 2020
The meeting between the two Prime Ministers took place in a cordial atmosphere and was highly productive. During the meeting, both Prime Ministers noted the progress in the relationship across many fields, as well as the importance of a globally coordinated response to COVID-19 and working to build a prosperous, open and stable post-COVID-19 world. Affirming their commitment to strengthening India-Australia ties for the long term, they committed to elevate the bilateral Strategic Partnership concluded in 2009 to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
The CSP is based on mutual understanding, trust, common interests and the shared values of democracy and rule of law. It reflects India and Australia’s strong commitment to practical global cooperation to address major challenges like COVID-19. It is in line with India's increasing engagement in the Indo-Pacific region through her Indo-Pacific vision and Australia's Indo-Pacific approach and its Pacific Step-Up for the South Pacific. Both countries share the vision of an open, free, rules-based Indo-Pacific region supported by inclusive global and regional institutions that promote prosperous, stable and sovereign states on the basis of shared interests. Under the CSP, both countries decided to work together in the areas of mutual cooperation such as:-
(a) Enhancing science, technology and research collaboration
(b) Maritime cooperation for an Open and Inclusive Indo-Pacific
(c) Defence Cooperation
(d) Regional and Multilateral cooperation
(e) Terrorism
(f) Economic cooperation: A More Prosperous Shared Future
(g) Innovation & Entrepreneurship
(h) Agriculture Cooperation and Water Resources Management
(i) Education, Culture, Tourism and People-to-people ties
(j) Support in UN and international bodies
(k) Public Administration and Governance
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India-China meeting of Army Commanders on June 06, 2020
A meeting was held between the Corps Commander based in Leh and the Chinese Commander on 6 June 2020 in the Chushul-Moldo region. It took place in a cordial and positive atmosphere. Both sides agreed to peacefully resolve the situation in the border areas in accordance with various bilateral agreements and keeping in view the agreement between the leaders that peace and tranquility in the India-China border regions is essential for the overall development of bilateral relations.
Both sides also noted that this year marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and agreed that an early resolution would contribute to the further development of the relationship.Accordingly, the two sides will continue the military and diplomatic engagements to resolve the situation and to ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas.
“At this stage, therefore, any speculative and unsubstantiated reporting about these engagements would not be helpful and the media is advised to refrain from such reporting” was the official press release issued by the GoI.
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Mission Sagar - INS Kesari at Port Victoria, Seychelles and Port Louis, Mauritius
As part of Mission Sagar, INS Kesari entered Port Victoria, Seychelles, on 07 June 2020. The Government of India in these difficult times is providing assistance to Friendly Foreign Countries in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and towards the same INS Kesari is carrying a consignment of COVID related essential medicines for the people of Seychelles. An official ceremony for handing over the medicines from the Government of India to Government of Seychelles was held on 07 June 2020.
INS Kesari returned to Port Louis, Mauritius, on 14 June 2020, to embark the Indian Navy Medical Team, which was disembarked during her last visit to Port Louis on 23 May 2020. The 14-member medical team comprising specialist doctors and paramedics was disembarked at Port Louis with an aim to assist in management of COVID-19 pandemic, share expertise to help contain the spread of the disease and minimize risk to life.
During their deployment at Port Louis, the team visited various healthcare facilities including Regional Hospitals, Flu Clinics, ENT Hospital (the designated COVID Hospital in Mauritius), Quarantine Centre, Central Health Laboratory (the COVID testing facility in Mauritius) and the SAMU (Emergency Medical Services) Headquarters cum Control Centre located at Victoria Hospital. The team interacted with healthcare warriors at all levels and held meaningful discussions towards sharing best practices on COVID-19 management. Demonstrations and workshops on important topics such as Hand Hygiene, Screening and Triage, Disinfection and PPE were conducted, and audience response during these sessions was highly encouraging.
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Unilateral revision of map of Nepal released by Government of Nepal
The Government of Nepal released a revised official map of Nepal on 20 May 2020 that includes parts of Indian territory. The MEA(India) spokesperson’s response was “This was a unilateral act not based on historical facts and evidence. It is contrary to the bilateral understanding to resolve the outstanding boundary issues through diplomatic dialogue. Such artificial enlargement of territorial claims will not be accepted by India.Nepal is well aware of India’s consistent position on this matter and we urge the Government of Nepal to refrain from such unjustified cartographic assertion and respect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
In response to media queries on the passing of Constitutional Amendment Bill revising the Coat of Arms of Nepal by the House of Representatives of Nepalon 13 Jun 2020, the Official Spokesperson of the MEA (India)Mr. Anurag Srivastava said," We have noted that the House of Representatives of Nepal has passed a constitution amendment bill for changing the map of Nepal to include parts of Indian territory. We have already made our position clear on this matter.This artificial enlargement of claims is not based on historical fact or evidence and is not tenable. It is also violative of our current understanding to hold talks on outstanding boundary issues."
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INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
Africa
Nigeria
Boko Haram terrorists killed 69 people in Borno State
On 09 June, Boko Haram terrorists razed a village and killed 69 people in the village of Faduma Koloram in Gubio local government area of Borno State in Nigeria. The terrorists razed the entire village and stole 1,200 cattle and camels.
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Afghanistan
Pakistani nationals among terrorists in Afghanistan, claims UNSC report
In a report released in May 2020, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)’s analytical support and sanctions monitoring team has indicated that around 6500 Pakistani nationals are foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) poses serious threat to the security of Afghanistan. The numbers are significant and Pakistan-based terrorist groups—Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) plays important role in exporting the FTFs to Afghanistan.
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Despite US-Taliban deal, Taliban retains ties with al-Qaeda, claims UN Monitor
In a report released on 01 June, the independent United Nations (UN) sanctions monitor claimed that despite the United States (US)-Taliban deal, ties between Taliban and al-Qaeda, including Haqqani Network (HQN) remain strong. Taliban regularly consulted al-Qaeda during negotiations with the US and guaranteed the terrorist organisation to honour their historical ties, claimed the report.
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Afghan police killed 11 Taliban terrorists in Helmand
On 06 June, Afghanistan police killed 11 Taliban terrorists and injured six others in a gun-fight in Helmand province. According to police reports, terrorists attacked police checkpoints in Nad Ali, Washir, and Sangin districts of the province, which led to the gun-fight between Afghan police and terrorists.
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DOMESTIC TERRORISM
Jammu and Kashmir
Two IS-JK terrorists killed in Kulgam
On 25 May, the security forces carried out a search operation and killed two terrorists of Islamic State-Jammu & Kashmir (IS-JK)—Adil Ahmad Waniaka Abu Ibrahim and Shaheen Bashir Thoker, in a counter-terrorism (CT) operation in Mirwani village in Manzgam area in Kulgam district. Thoker was “imported” to IS-JK from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group in August 2019.
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Security forces arrested 6 JeM terrorists from Budgam
On 01 June, security forces cracked a narco-terror network and arrested six terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) from Budgam district. According to the statement released by police, JeM terrorists were in regular contact with their Pakistan-based handler involved in narcotics trade, supply of weapons, and providing logistics and finance to other terrorists of the group.
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Security forces killed 3 JeM terrorists in Pulwama
In a counter-terrorism (CT) operation, security forces killed three terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) including a senior commander—Abdur Rehman Alviaka Fouji Bhai aka Fauji Baba, in Kangan area in Pulwama district. Fauji Baba was known as an expert in IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and was involved in 2019 Pulwama attack in Lethpora, Pulwama district. Before returning to Kashmir, Fauji baba fought along with Taliban and was considered as an Afghan ‘war veteran’.
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Four HM terrorists killed in CT operation in Shopian
On 08 June, security forces in a joint counter-terrorism (CT) operation killed four Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorists, including two senior commanders, in Pinjora area of Shopian district. During the CT operation, the Internet services were snapped in the district. Earlier, on 07 June, security forces eliminated five HM terrorists in Reban area of Shopian district.
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Left-Wing Extremism
Security forces killed a Maoist commander in Chhattisgarh
On 02 June, security forces killed a Maoist commander—Dashru Punem of Military Company number 2 of CPI (Maoist), in an anti-Naxal operation in the forest between Hurrepal and Bechapal hills in Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh. Punem was carrying a bounty of ₹8 lakh on his head and was involved in 14 cases of Maoist violence in various districts of Bihar.
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Khalistan-inspired Extremism
NIA filed charge sheet against 10 people in narco-terror case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet against 10 accused for their involvement in a cross-border narco-terror network to support terrorist activities of the proscribed terrorist organisation—Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). The charge sheet was filed under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860, Arms Act 1959, and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985. The case is related to the arrest of three accused, and seizure of 500 gm of heroin with ₹1.20 lakh illicit money on 31 May 2019.
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Khalistani terrorist arrested from Uttar Pradesh
In a joint operation on 30 May, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Punjab police arrested a Khalistani terrorist—Tirath Singh from Thapar Nagar in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. In January, Tirath Singh was booked under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A] 1967. Upon Tirath’s arrest, posters of terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and literature related to Khalistan movement has been recovered from his possession.
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Cyber & Artificial Intelligence (Security Perspective)
India launched its first AI portal
On 30 May, the Minister of Electronics and IT, Law and Justice and Communications—Ravi Shankar Prasad launched India’s national Artificial Intelligence (AI) portal—www.ai.gov.in/https://indiaai.in/
The official statement released by the Ministry of Electronics and IT read that the “AI portal has been jointly developed by the Ministry of Electronics and IT and IT Industry. This portal shall work as a one-stop digital platform for AI-related developments in India, sharing of resources such as articles, start-ups, investment funds in AI, resources, companies and educational institutions related to AI in India. The portal will also share documents, case studies, research reports etc. It has a section about learning and new job roles related to AI.”
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The UK Army launched first dedicated Cyber Warfare division
To modernise the armed forces and better protect frontline operations, the British Army formed a new unit—the 13th Signal Regiment which is 250-strong cyber warfare (CW) division. The division’s responsibilities would include developing an Army Cyber Information Security Operations Centre (ACISOC) which will be protecting sensitive military communications and developing “digital armour” around overseas personnel.
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Data exposed online while uploading on CSC BHIM App, claimed Israeli Cyber Security firm
According to an Israeli Cyber Security firm—vpnMentor, the data of around seven million Indian users was leaked and publicly available after it had been breached. On 23 April, the firm discovered the data exposed during the uploading process on the BHIM application (hereafter app) by the Common Service Centres (CSC) of e-governance services. The data which has been exposed included images of the users’ Unique IDs—Aadhaar Cards, and UPI (Unified Payments Interface) uploaded by the CSC associates. Cyber security issues has been a major concern after the rise in cyber security threats during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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US joined G7 AI group to counter China
Addressing the Press on 28 May, the White House’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO)—Michael Kratsios informed that it is essential to form a shared democratic principle to counter China on Artificial Intelligence (AI). “Chinese tech companies are attempting to shape international standards on facial recognitions and surveillance at the United Nations (UN)”, said Kratsios. Earlier, the Trump administration was lone holdout among other world leaders of the G7 in setting up the global partnership on AI.
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Pakistan developed fake ‘AarogyaSetu’ app targeting Indian users
In April 2020, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) developed a fake “AarogyaSetu” application (hereafter app) to spy on Indians. The ISI-backed crackers have developed the app and launched the app targeting Indian users, mainly people in Bureaucracy and Defence establishments. "Maharashtra Cyber department has come across potentially very dangerous malware, through which sensitive data of our country can be stolen. Some Pakistan hackers designed a fake AarogyaSetu App to access sensitive information from the phone of our bureaucrats & Defence personnel”, said Yashasvi Yadav, Inspector-General (IG) Cyber Department of Maharashtra Police.
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