SOURCE: AFI

Following the Galwan clash, the Indian Army has incorporated various indigenous martial arts into its regular training regimen, bolstering soldier preparedness and close-quarter combat abilities. This unique initiative goes beyond physical exercise, drawing on the rich heritage of Indian martial arts for practical combat applications.

A unit of the Punjab Regiment deployed near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Kibithu, eastern Arunachal Pradesh, recently showcased their martial arts prowess to visiting journalists. This demonstration served as a testament to the effectiveness of integrating traditional combat forms into modern military training.

SOURCE: IANS

 The Special Task Force (STF) in Uttar Pradesh on Friday arrested one person from Muzaffarnagar district and recovered four bottle bombs with time detonator from his possession.

According to reports, the accused has been identified as Javed, from whose possession four bombs have been recovered. The accused is being interrogated by the STF and intelligence agencies. A bomb disposal squad was called from Meerut to diffuse the bombs.

SOURCE: IANS

In a touching and humane gesture, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis moved the Centre and Ministry of External Affairs to bring back the body of a medical student from Raigad District, who passed away recently in war-ravaged Ukraine.

On February 2, the Pawar family of Roha town was devastated to learn of the death of the ailing Dr. Prachiti Deepak Pawar, 21, in Kyiv. The country has been at war with Russia since February 24, 2022 and citizens as well as foreigners, especially students, face major constraints there.

SOURCE: AFI

Residents of Nelong and Jadung villages, located on the strategically important India-China border, will soon have access to mobile phone connectivity for the first time. This initiative, undertaken by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), aims to bridge the digital divide and connect these remote communities with the rest of the country.

BSNL has already completed approximately 70% of the tower installation work in Nelong, with the first phase underway in Jadung. This will allow residents to make calls and access the internet, facilitating communication with family and friends, as well as opening doors to new opportunities.

SOURCE: REUTERS

 At least two people were killed and scores injured in India’s northeastern Manipur state after security forces opened fire at a mob in Churachandpur district late on Thursday, a police official said, as sporadic violence continued in the region.

Close to 200 people have died since fierce fighting broke out last May between members of the majority Meitei and minority Kuki communities in the state bordering Myanmar over sharing economic benefits and quotas given to the tribes. Thousands remain displaced in relief camps.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant move to strengthen its maritime capabilities, the Indian Ministry of Defence has approved the acquisition of 15 maritime patrol aircraft. The deal, estimated to cost Rs 29,000 crore, will see the purchase of nine surveillance aircraft for the Indian Navy and six patrol aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard.

Crucially, these aircraft will be built on the C-295 transport aircraft, manufactured in India through a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus. This signifies a major push towards the “Make in India” initiative in the defense sector. The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Centre for Airborne Systems will equip the C-295 platforms with specialized radars and sensors, transforming them into versatile maritime patrol aircraft.

SOURCE: PTI

Armed forces participants from the Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC) of India met with senior UK defence officials as part of an International Strategic Management Tour to Britain this week. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the visit reflected the strengthening ties with counterparts in India, with the UK-India defence partnership getting a boost through such educational visits and joint staff talks.

The delegation from India follows the UK’s announcement during the visit last month of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh of plans to deploy its Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to the Indian Ocean Region in 2025.

SOURCE: ANI

As part of his four-day official visit to the United States, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj Pande visited Headquarters of 1 Corps of the US Army, where he received briefings on the Stryker Unit, Multi-Domain Task Force, and the Special Forces Group, aiming to explore opportunities for more significant training engagements.

The US Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force is a theater-specific unit that uses long-range precision effects. They are the organizational centerpiece in the US Army’s operationalization of Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). MDO describes how the Army can counter and defeat a near-peer adversary in all domains.

SOURCE: REUTERS

India has resumed imports of Russian Sokol oil after a two-month gap with at least two refiners so far taking deliveries of the light sweet crude in February, four trade sources said and ship tracking data showed.

India’s Hindustan Petroleum Corp has bought Sokol oil from a trader, the sources said. HPCL is likely to pay for the oil in UAE dirhams, three of them added. Indian state refiners had to stop buying the grade last year after the government advised them against using Chinese yuan to pay for Russian oil amid strained relations between New Delhi and Beijing.

SOURCE: IANS

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has facilitated transfer of six technologies belonging to the Indian space agency to private players.

According to IN-SPACe, it has been mandated to facilitate the transfer of technologies developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to Indian companies. The recent technology transfers are: A novel de-mating tool for D-type connector to Amphenol Interconnect India Pvt. Ltd, Pune; SCA-911 adhesive used exclusively for bonding of solar cells in spacecraft and Waterproofing compound (RWPC-03) transferred to Anabond Limited, Chennai; Piezoelectric Vibration Sensor is transferred to KELTRON, Thiruvananthapuram and – Silica Aerogel powder and Aerogel composite sheet are transferred to Times Fibrefill, Kolkata.

SOURCE: PTI

Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar on Thursday said as India once again shifts its gaze to the seas for economic growth, he sees “signs of an aspiring maritime power”. In his address at an event hosted by the National Maritime Foundation (NMF) here, Admiral Kumar also said there has been a “substantial contribution” of this think-tank even towards formalising the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act of 2022, which is seldom recognised.

“As we navigate the evolving complexities in the region, marked by ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East and the emergence of non-traditional threats, a deeper understanding of the evolving geopolitical dynamics, along with associated strategies to counter these challenges, becomes an imperative, making the NMF’s role even more critical today,” he said.

SOURCE: AFI

The Border Security Force (BSF) and local police are grappling with a new challenge along the India-Pakistan border: high-end, expensive drones used for smuggling drugs, arms, and ammunition. These drones pose a significant threat due to their ability to fly at high altitudes, carry heavy payloads, and travel at increased speeds, making them difficult to detect and intercept.

Authorities have observed a shift in Pakistan’s smuggling strategy, with a move towards these sophisticated drones. Unlike older models, these high-definition (HD) drones can fly at significant altitudes, making them harder to spot visually or with ground-based radars. Additionally, their increased payload capacity allows them to carry larger quantities of illegal goods, posing a greater security risk.