SOURCE: REPUBIC

In the backdrop of the Western sanctions imposed against Russia since the beginning of the war with Ukraine, several countries including Malaysia have been facing challenges in producing aircraft spare parts from Russia. Malaysia, which had already started looking for options for replacing its ageing fleet of fighter jets, has now chosen India as its top choice and is holding final negotiations to take the procurement process forward.  

As reported by PTI, India’s Tejas light combat aircraft has emerged as the top choice for Malaysia among other competitors including China’s JF-17 jet, South Korea’s FA-50, and Russia’s Mig-35 as well as the Yak-130 plane. Confirming the same, Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), R Madhavan, told PTI in an interview that “he is very confident” about the closing of the mega-deal between both the countries. 

SOURCE: ANI

More than a dozen terrorist launch pads have again become active across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), an intelligence report stated, adding, that the security forces are on maximum vigilance. 

As per inputs, a top government official citing intelligence input said, nearly 200 terrorists are waiting on these launch pads in PoK to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir. Considering threat assessment, patrolling of Border Security Force (BSF) as well as Army has been more frequent along the LoC to foil any infiltration attempt, said the official, privy to the development.

SOURCE: THE WEEK

AGNIKUL COSMOS is perhaps the best-known Atmanirbhar success story in the Indian space sector. Based in IIT Madras, it made headlines when it became the first in the world to make and successfully test a 3D-printed rocket engine. The startup aims to develop and launch its own small-lift launch vehicle, says Srinath Ravichandran, cofounder & CEO. Excerpts from an interview:

SOURCE:  Hindustan Times

Then India became independent, there were two global hegemonies or leaderships. It could have followed the United States (US) and its allies or the (erstwhile) Soviet Union. Jawaharlal Nehru followed America in establishing India as a democracy, although a British Westminster-style democracy rather than an American presidential-style democracy. But at the same time, he was an admirer of the Soviet Union and deeply influenced by its economic practices.

As we approach the 75th anniversary of Independence, India finds itself in a quandary. There are many reasons why the US no longer commands the respect necessary to remain hegemonic. The Soviet Union no longer exists. China is now approaching America’s economy in size, but it is not a democracy.

SOURCE: PTI

Jammu and Kashmir have emerged as a new route for the transit of drugs through Punjab, said a senior state police official on Saturday. Punjab Inspector General of Police (Border Range) Mohnish Chawla stated this a day after the recovery of 16 kg of heroin from the Gurdaspur district.

 “The investigations into the 16-kg heroin recovery from Gurdaspur revealed that arrested persons have used national highway (connecting Jammu to Punjab) to bring this consignment from neighboring Jammu by concealing it in a specially designed compartment in two cars,” said Chawla while addressing a virtual press conference.   

SOURCE:  India Today

Internet suspension following protests is not new to India. Internet services have been suspended in Rajasthan for the past six days in view of communal tension following the murder of a tailor in Udaipur. However, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed the highest number of internet clampdowns ever.

The viral video of the brutal, cold-blooded beheading of tailor Kanhaiya Lal for supporting Nupur Sharma’s statement’s on Prophet Mohammed on social media led to the internet suspension in Rajasthan. The incident led to a boiling point in Udaipur as many gathered to protest in public places burning public property.

SOURCE: THE PRINT

India and Egypt are charting out an increasingly strategic bilateral relationship with more focus on defence and security aspects. While New Delhi is looking at Cairo as its next big market for arms exports, Egypt is eager to play a key role in yielding its influence in Asia as a representative of both Africa and the Arab world.

India and Egypt are now partnering with each other across all spectrums of their bilateral ties based on a sound historical and traditional relationship. From exporting wheat to Egypt despite a ban on its shipments to greater military-to-military relationship, India is leaving no stone unturned to bring Egypt under its strategic embrace.

SOURCE: NEWS TRACK LIVE

Pakistan terrorist Ashraf Jalali has threatened to kill Sufi Kausar Hasan Majidi, the national president of the Sufi Khanqah Association. Yes, Sufi Kausar Hasan Majidi himself has told about this. He says that ‘Terrorist Ashraf Jalali has threatened to kill him while uploading a video on social media.’ In fact, after the Udaipur Kanhaiyalal massacre, Sufi Hasan Kausar Majidi, who exposed the network of Dawat-e-Islami organization in Kanpur, is getting death threats from Pakistan.

In fact, Sufi Kausar Hasan Majidi, the national president of the Sufi Khanqah Association, had claimed after the Udaipur incident that ‘the killers have connections with Pakistanis and Dawat-e-Islami. Collection boxes are installed at various places in the city of the organization. Its office was also disclosed to be in Kanpur.

SOURCE: Daily Excelsior

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that the Schools, colleges, bridges and other buildings will be named after the “great heroes and sons of the soil”, who laid their lives for the protection of the country’s integrity, peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking on the occasion of the 32nd death anniversary of Sheikh Abdul Jabbar at Lar, Ganderbal, the LG said: “We can’t forget the contribution of brave hearts, who sacrificed their lives for the integrity of the country and those who kept the national flag high in J&K. Schools, Colleges, Universities, Hospitals and even bridges will be named after these great heroes as they deserve it.”

SOURCE: PTI

Satinder Lambah was an “epitome of diplomacy” and if Pakistan and India can ever forge peaceful relations, its credit will also go to the veteran Indian diplomat and his tireless efforts will not go “waste,” an ex-foreign minister of Pakistan and prominent former diplomats said on Saturday.

Lambah, 81, passed away in New Delhi on Thursday. He headed the crucial backchannel diplomatic negotiations between India and Pakistan from 2005 to 2014. He was India’s High Commissioner in Islamabad from 1992 to 1995.

SOURCE: NEWS18.COM

India on Saturday slammed the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for its “biased” and “inaccurate” remarks on the country. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reacted a day after the USCIRF alleged “repression” of critical voices, especially religious minorities and those reporting on and advocating for them in India.

“We have seen the biased and inaccurate comments on India by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). These comments reflect a severe lack of understanding of India and its constitutional framework, its plurality, and its democratic ethos,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

SOURCE: NEWS18.COM

In a success for the security forces, the Jammu and Kashmir police, with the help of the local population, on Sunday arrested two most wanted terrorists from Reasi district of Jammu region, averting a major strike on the Amarnath Yatra.

The two — Talib Hussain of Rajouri and Faisal Ahmed Dar of Pulwama — were associated with terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and were wanted for various terror-related incidents in Rajouri and South Kashmir.

SOURCE: SAHARA SAMAY

India last week sent the 15th consignment of 2,500 MT (metric tonnes) of wheat to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan as humanitarian assistance via the Attari-Wagah border. Balbir Mangat, Joint Commissioner, Customs on Saturday, said that a total of 36,000 MTs of wheat has been sent so far. Out of 50,000 MT which was promised by India, only 14,000 MT is left to be dispatched.

The aid is part of the commitment made by New Delhi to supply 50,000 MT of wheat for the people of Afghanistan.

SOURCE: Tribune News Service

As part of the security duties during the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are providing oxygen to the pilgrims facing difficulty at high altitude. Till Saturday, the mountain-trained force has provided oxygen support to more than 50 people who were feeling sick due to lack of oxygen, an ITBP spokesperson said on Sunday.

The route along Sheshnag (12,324 feet) to Mahagunas top (14,000 feet) is being regularly patrolled by the ITBP troops where such cases of breathlessness and high altitude effect are being observed.

SOURCE: NEWS18.COM

The Madhya Pradesh police have started investigation after a video, that has gone viral on social media, shows pro-Pakistan slogans being allegedly raised during a victory procession after local elections in Chaka village of Katni.

On getting the information, the police swung into action and registered a case. They are also investigating the authenticity of the video, a report in ANI said.