SOURCE: PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday unveiled a life-size statue of India’s first chief of defence staff late General Bipin Rawat in Dehradun. The defence minister described Gen Rawat as a courageous soldier who will remain an inspiration for future generations.

“The demise of Gen Rawat is an irreparable loss to the nation. Even in his last moments, he was on duty, serving the nation. His commitment, dedication, and patriotism could be felt until the very end,” he added.

SOURCE: ANI

International affairs experts have hailed Indian diplomacy after its major triumph helped secure the release of eight Indian Navy veterans who were detained by Qatar on espionage charges.

Former diplomat Anil Trigunayat said the release of Indian Navy veterans was made possible by continued diplomacy, tremendous goodwill between the two nations as well as due to the friendship between Emir of Qatar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

SOURCE: AFI

SkyDrive Inc., a leading Japanese manufacturer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, today announced it received additional funding from Suzuki Motor Corporation through a new share allotment. This investment will accelerate the development and production of SkyDrive’s innovative flying vehicles.

The collaboration brings together SkyDrive’s expertise in developing eVTOL technology with Suzuki’s extensive manufacturing prowess. This strategic partnership is expected to significantly advance SkyDrive’s commercialization goals and pave the way for broader adoption of eVTOL solutions.

SOURCE: AFI

Actor Varun Tej is setting the record straight about his upcoming film “Operation Valentine,” assuring audiences it won’t be jingoistic like Hrithik Roshan’s “Fighter.” Both movies tackle sensitive themes related to the Indian Air Force, but Tej emphasizes distinct approaches.

“Operation Valentine,” releasing on March 1st, 2024, draws inspiration from the real-life Pulwama attack of 2019. However, Tej clarifies, “Our idea was to take a very realistic approach. It’s not just about the war situation; it’s about the pilots, their families, what they go through, and their mental state.”

SOURCE: ANI

The Indian Coast Guard Ship Vikram rescued 11 crew members of the IFB King boat stranded at high seas due to engine failure since February 5, an official said. The boat was safely towed from 280 nautical miles west of Minicoy Island and handed over to ICGS Minicoy, the official said.

Collaborative efforts with the Fisheries Department ensured the boat’s shelter at Minicoy Harbour, they added. “Indian Coast Guard Ship Vikram rescued 11 crew members of IFB King (IND-TN-12-MM-6466) stranded at high seas due to engine failure since February 5. The boat was safely towed from 280 nautical miles west of Minicoy Island and handed over to ICGS Minicoy,” ICG officials said.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken a significant step towards self-reliance by seeking Indian industrial partners to establish indigenous repair and overhaul facilities for its fleet of Western-origin transport aircraft. This move aims to reduce dependence on foreign entities and boost India’s domestic aerospace industry.

The project encompasses heavy maintenance and depot overhaul capabilities for airframes, mechanical, electro-mechanical, and avionics components, along with ground support equipment for four key aircraft types:

SOURCE: AFI

Engine Factory Avadi (EFA) is set to host a crucial visit by the Defence Secretary, Sh. Giridhar Aramane, IAS, on February 13th, 2024. The visit will center on the progress and achievements of the Arjun Engine Repair project, a significant undertaking aimed at bolstering India’s self-reliance in defense technology.

The Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT), a cornerstone of India’s armored arsenal, is powered by the MTU 838 Ka-501 ten-cylinder diesel engine, delivering 1,400 horsepower and a maximum speed of 70 km/h. Previously, repairs for this engine relied on foreign support. However, the Arjun Engine Repair project marks a pivotal step towards achieving domestic repair capabilities.

SOURCE: AFI

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, has opened the door to a potentially seismic shift by indicating his willingness to consider the closure of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) office in Srinagar. This comes in response to a direct question at a press conference, sparking debate on the role of the observer group and its implications for the region.

The suggestion to close the UNMOGIP office stems from the evolving situation in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Arguments for closure often cite the “full integration” of the region into India, rendering the observer group’s presence unnecessary. Some see the office as a lingering symbol of dispute, potentially hindering progress towards normalcy.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian government issued a critical security alert on February 7th, warning of targeted cyberattacks launched by Pakistani intelligence operatives against sensitive Indian installations and departments. The alert, reviewed by Moneycontrol, urges vigilance against malicious emails containing hidden malware disguised as legitimate documents.

According to the circular issued by the Controller General of Defence Accounts, responsible for managing the armed forces’ finances, intelligence suggests “Pak (sic) intelligence operatives (PIOs)” have been consistently attempting to extract sensitive information through “pseudonymous calls.” However, a concerning shift in tactics has been observed, with Pakistani operatives now “stepping up efforts to mount cyber attacks on various sensitive installations/departments by sending malicious files through email.”

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian government has cancelled at least 102 Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards between 2014 and May 2023, sparking debate over balancing individual rights and national security concerns. This move raises crucial questions about the use of Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, which empowers authorities to revoke OCI cards under specific circumstances.

The OCI scheme, launched in 2005, offers persons of Indian origin permanent residency in India while retaining foreign citizenship. However, Section 7D of the Citizenship Act empowers the government to revoke OCI cards under specific circumstances, including:

SOURCE: PTI

Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Monday, 12 February left for the US on a four-day visit aimed at exploring ways to further expand bilateral military engagement.

The Army described Gen Pande’s visit from 13 to 16 February as “significant” and said it underscores deepening military cooperation between the two countries. The Chief of Army Staff will engage in high-level discussions and interactions with Gen Randy George, Chief of Staff of the US Army, and other senior American military leaders.

SOURCE: ANI

No stranger to controversy, veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister, Mani Shankar Aiyar on Sunday triggered a fresh row after coming out in praise of Pakistanis and terming them as the “biggest asset of India”, Dawn reported. According to the Pakistan daily, Mr Aiyar, while addressing an event in Lahore, said, “Pakistanis, from my experience, have been the people who perhaps overreact to the other side. If we are friendly, they are over-friendly, and if we are hostile, they get overly hostile.”

Speaking at the session titled ‘Hijr Ki Rakh, Visaal Kay Phool, Indo-Pak affairs’, on the second day of the Faiz Festival at Alhamra in Lahore, the former Union Minister shared his affection for Pakistan and its people, saying he had never been to a country where he had been welcomed with such open arms as he was in Pakistan.

SOURCE: PTI

The Congress Monday expressed relief and happiness at Qatar releasing eight former Indian naval personnel nearly three and a half months after they were handed down death sentences, and it greeted them and their families. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said seven of them have returned to India. It said India appreciates the decision by the Amir of Qatar to enable the release and home-coming of the Indians.

The Navy veterans were on October 26 last year given death sentences by Qatar’s Court of First Instance in a case of suspected espionage.

SOURCE: AFI

In a display of maritime cooperation and goodwill, the Indian Navy recently provided critical repair assistance and medical aid to an Iranian fishing vessel, showcasing the importance of collaboration at sea.

The Iranian vessel, identified as FV Ameen, encountered difficulties while operating east of Duqm, Oman. It reportedly sustained damage, believed to be a result of a collision with a merchant vessel, leading to a hull breach and water ingress. This put the vessel and its six crew members at risk.

SOURCE: PTI

A 30-year-old constable of Greyhounds, an elite anti-Maoist force of the Telangana Police, died due to an electric shock during combing operations in a forest area of Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, officials said on Monday.

The incident happened Sunday night in Kataram mandal, when the Greyhounds Commando A Praveen came in contact with the electric wire put up by poachers to hunt wild animals and was electrocuted, they said.