SOURCE: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday received a ceremonial welcome and met with the Amir of Qatar in Doha on the second day of his official visit to Qatar. Additionally, PM Modi also held a bilateral meeting with the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The meeting was also attended by the External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

SOURCE: AFI WITH IDRW.ORG

The Indian Navy has thrown a lifeline to the Tapas MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) UAV program by taking control of two prototypes for performance evaluation. This comes after the Indian Army and Air Force walked away due to technical shortcomings, primarily the UAV’s inability to reach a 30,000-foot altitude and operate for 24 hours continuously.

Undeterred, the Navy plans to put the Tapas through its paces in maritime operations, particularly in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. If the performance meets expectations, the Navy could become the program’s first customer, potentially ordering a squadron of 12 units. This would be a significant boost for the Tapas program, which has faced challenges in meeting initial requirements.

SOURCE: AFI

Mark your calendars, weather enthusiasts! On February 17th, India’s space agency, ISRO, will launch the highly anticipated INSAT-3DS satellite, marking a significant advancement in the country’s weather forecasting capabilities.

This 2,274-kg powerhouse, funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is a continuation of the Third Generation Meteorological Satellite series, positioned in the geostationary orbit for optimal observation. It joins its operational predecessors, INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR, launched in 2016.

SOURCE: AFI

In a complex international scenario, six individuals accused of violating Indian terror laws find themselves entangled in a web of legal and diplomatic challenges while residing in the United Kingdom. The Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA), responsible for counter-terrorism efforts in India, has listed these individuals, prompting them to seek additional security from local authorities out of un-found fear of potential reprisals from Indian agents.

Among the accused is Kulwant Singh Mothada, a figure associated with the Pro-Khalistani movement operating from the UK. Mothada’s has a made a plea for safety amid the escalating tensions surrounding allegations of terrorism and separatism. He asserts his status as a law-abiding citizen and emphasizes the principles of self-determination advocated by the United Nations.

SOURCE: AFI

In a major display of international cooperation, warships from the United States, Russia, and Iran will join India in the upcoming ‘Milan 2024’ naval exercise, marking a significant development for the event. Held from February 19 to 27 in Visakhapatnam, the exercise will witness a diverse range of 51 participating nations, 35 warships and submarines, and 50 aircraft.

The two-phase exercise, encompassing both harbor and sea phases, aims to promote maritime cooperation and security. Fifteen countries, including Japan, Australia, and France, will contribute ships or planes, while India will deploy its full naval might, including both aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant move symbolizing national pride and cultural embrace, the Indian Navy has officially permitted officers and sailors to wear kurta-pyjamas in informal settings within mess halls and institutes. This decision aligns with the government’s broader “Indianisation” initiative, aiming to infuse traditional elements into military customs and practices.

The new dress code outlines specific guidelines for the kurta-pyjama attire. Kurtas must be plain colored, knee-length, and feature cuffed sleeves with buttons or cufflinks. Pyjamas should be slim-fitting and match or contrast with the kurta. Additionally, waistcoats or jackets are offered as optional accessories.

SOURCE: PTI

Coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Gulf region, India and the UAE have inked a pact for quickly operationalising the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor despite the repeated Houthi strikes on vessels in the Red Sea prompted by the Israel-Hamas war.

The issue of IMEC, announced during the G-20 Summit in New Delhi last September, came up for discussion during Modi’s talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Wednesday.

SOURCE: ANI

Dr Karan Nathwani, a professor in the Electrical Engineering department of IIT Jammu, has constructed an anti-drone system that works mainly on sound technology.

“It is the first of its kind, and we have developed an entirely new technology called sound-based detection. This system detects the sound emitted by drones, producing a unique signature that helps in their identification. We compare this signature with the system’s database, and if a match is found, the drone is detected. The cost of this system is about ? 4 lakh,” he said.

SOURCE: PTI

An employee of the Indian embassy in Moscow, arrested recently in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s ISI, was honey-trapped by a woman who befriended him on social media, the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has said.

Satendra Siwal, a resident of Shahmahiuddinpur village in Hapur, shared secret documents related to weapon systems of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy including warplanes and submarines, said Rajeev Tyagi, ATS inspector in Meerut.

SOURCE: PTI

Pakistan Rangers on Wednesday violated ceasefire agreement by resorting to unprovoked firing at a Border Security Force (BSF) post along the International Border here, officials said. BSF personnel manning the border outpost in Makwal retaliated befittingly to the firing from across the border, with the exchange lasting for over 20 minutes, beginning at 5.50 pm, officials said.They said there was no casualty or damage on the Indian side.

Last year, on the intervening night of November 8-9, a BSF jawan was killed in Pakistan Rangers firing in Ramgarh sector of Samba district — the first death on this side since February 25, 2021, when a renewed ceasefire was agreed upon by the two countries.

SOURCE: PIB

Indian Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ICGS Varaha made a significant port call at Maputo Port, Mozambique on 14 February, 2024 as a part of ongoing strategic overseas deployment to East Africa, marking a pivotal milestone in the ongoing diplomatic maritime engagements.

During its three-day visit, the crew of ICGS Varaha will participate in a series of professional interactions in the field of Marine Pollution Response (MPR), Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR) and Maritime Law Enforcement including cross-deck training, call on to various Mozambique Naval and maritime agencies officials, sports fixtures, joint yoga sessions, tabletop exercises and Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Mozambique Naval Forces. The visit of ICGS Varaha, an indigenously built Offshore Patrol Vessel to East African countries also aims to showcase Indian shipbuilding industry prowess and capabilities furthering the concept of “Aatmnirbhar Bharat”.

SOURCE: ANI

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested three persons belonging to Jammu and Kashmir in a money laundering case linked to terror financing involving Pakistani handlers, the agency said on Wednesday.

The three persons namely Mohammad Akabar Bhat and Fatima Shah, both residents of Srinagar, and Sabzzar Ahmad Shaikh, a resident of Anantnag, were arrested on Tuesday under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 in connection with the money laundering case wherein accused persons involved in terror financing were hand in gloves with Pakistani handlers namely Manzoor Ahmad Shah and Altaf Ahmad Bhat, who arranged admissions in MBBS and other courses in the colleges of Pakistan for students from Jammu and Kashmir.

SOURCE: PTI

Maoists killed a 30-year-old man engaged in work under the Jal Jeevan Mission in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district on Wednesday evening, police said. The incident took place at a weekly market at Orchha village, said an official. As per the preliminary information, a group of armed Maoists killed Mohammad Iqbal, a native of Jamul village in Durg district, in the market before fleeing from the spot.

His throat was found to have been slit, the official said.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.

The Indian Army recently conducted trials of the improved version of the Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) at the Pokhran field firing range, as reported by the Times of India. This development comes alongside the successful demonstration of the NAMIS tank destroyer, solidifying India’s advancements in indigenous anti-tank weaponry.

While details of the specific range improvement remain undisclosed, the upgraded Nag ATGM belongs to the third generation, potentially offering advantages in accuracy, lethality, and countermeasure resistance compared to its predecessor. Its existing “fire-and-forget” capability and tandem warhead design for top-attack engagements ensure effectiveness against armored targets.

SOURCE: AFI WITH IDRW.ORG TEAM.

India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is gearing up to fulfill its commitment to deliver four upgraded LCA-Tejas Mk1A fighter jets, a development highlighted in recent media reports. This delivery marks a significant milestone as it will pave the way for the establishment of the first squadron equipped with these advanced aircraft.

According to the latest updates, HAL is set to initiate Slow and Fast Taxi trials for the first aircraft later this month, with plans to conclude the maiden flight by next month. Looking ahead, HAL aims to continue its momentum by delivering three additional fighter jets by August of this year.